Crazy for Critters

New Dog Park

Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Javier Souto dedicated a new dog park at Tropical Park, Saturday, July 25, at 11 a.m. 

Miami-Dade Animal Services also participated by bringing dogs available for adoption. Three were adopted! 

The two-acre dog park is divided into two areas, one for larger dogs weighing over 35 pounds and one for smaller dogs weighing less than 35 pounds. Both areas feature play equipment, such as a tire jump, window jump, king-of-the-hill ramp, dog walk and others.  The dog park also features dog comfort stations with doggy drinking fountains and water sprays, pooper scoopers to keep the areas clean, and a shade structure that overlaps both sides.  

Volunteer Event at Sabbath Rescue

 We are in need of volunteers to come and help us out on Sunday July 26, 2009 around 10-11am. Our main goal is to help Robbie and Dahlia clean up the shelter, do feedings, Bathe the dogs, etc. Please lend us a hand. Once again thank you so much for helping out.
 
Location:
Sabbath Dog Rescue
25800 S.W. 227th Avenue
Homestead, FL 33030
(305) 799-1567 Robbie
(305) 323-3960 Dahlia
(954) 793-0331 Josh

And that she is - good luck, Sherry!

 Animals' avenger finds a new habitat

Sherry Schlueter goes from Broward Sheriff's Office to wildlife center director

Susannah Bryan - South Florida Sun-Sentinel

4:57 PM EDT, July 21, 2009

Who do you call when the crime victim is a puppy?

For 30 years, it was Broward Sheriff's Office Lt. Sherry Schlueter, the woman who became a cop solely to stop cruelty to animals.

"It's the only reason I put myself through hell every day of my life," she once told a reporter.

On Friday, Schlueter ended a 30-year career at the Sheriff's Office, where she spent her days -- and sometimes nights -- avenging crimes against animals.

On Monday, Schlueter, 56, began her new job as director of the SPCA Wildlife Care Center in Fort Lauderdale, where 14,000 injured, abandoned or abused native wild animals and exotic domestic animals are rescued each year. The center's goal is to rehabilitate and release native wildlife and find homes for domestic animals, including rabbits, pigs, goats and cows.

While Sheriff Al Lamberti and others are sorry to see Schlueter leave, friends and employees at the wildlife center are welcoming her with open arms.

"Maybe the Muscovies will have a chance now," said Eunice Siversten, who runs a duck refuge in Margate.

"Charismatic, principled and effective," is how Schlueter's new boss describes her. Wayne Pacelle is president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, which recently joined forces with the center.

As a teen, Schlueter volunteered at the center when it opened in 1969 and, more recently, served on the board of directors.

"It's come full circle," said Judy LaRose, senior director of animal services at the center. "She started as a volunteer here and she's now back as director. She's going to be a voice for the animals."

Schlueter, who founded the Sheriff's Office animal abuse unit in 1982, has been credited with almost single-handedly changing the way law enforcement treats the crime in Florida. Animal abuse became a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine in 1989. Many credit Schlueter, who co-authored and lobbied for the bill after teens set afire and killed a Doberman pinscher mix named Fame.

Schlueter, the first officer to make an arrest under the felony statute, estimates she has handled or supervised thousands of animal abuse cases during her career. She won't recount the horror stories she's seen, afraid of giving people ideas.

One of her most famous animal cruelty cases made headlines worldwide in 1995 when an Oakland Park man buried nine puppies alive. The mother dog, a Rottweiler named Sheba, broke free from her chain to dig them up. Schlueter later led the effort to find homes for Sheba and the six puppies that survived. The dogs' owner got four months in jail and was barred from ever owning any dogs or cats.

Schlueter spent six years as an investigator with the Humane Society of Broward County before joining the Sheriff's Office in 1979. She spent two years on road patrol, investigating animal abuse cases on her own time.

In 1982, with the permission of then-Sheriff Bob Butterworth, she created the nation's first law enforcement unit exclusively devoted to investigating crimes against animals. Over the years, she shared her expertise with other jurisdictions, providing guidance to officers on how to investigate animal abuse cases.

"It didn't have to be a BSO jurisdiction," said Lamberti. "If they called her, she dropped what she was doing and went."

Schlueter welcomed the calls, even at midnight.

"I'm used to middle-of-the-night phone calls," she said. "It's been part of my life for 36 years."

As a child growing up in Fort Lauderdale, Schlueter was the one who saved the spiders and carried the cockroach out of the room to safety. "I'd tell people off if they didn't treat their animals right," said the woman who became a vegetarian at 19.

"I walk the walk," said Schlueter, who shuns not only cheeseburgers but leather, fur, silk and wool. Her pink lipstick has not been tested on animals and her black heels are made of synthetic leather.

Butterworth said he's proud of what Schlueter has done for animals and the agency. "She's the first call most people make when it comes to animal cruelty. That's not going to go away. I think you're going to see her in a higher profile."

Schlueter's legacy, the Special Victims and Family Crimes Section at the Broward Sheriff's Office, now handles not only animal abuse, but abuse cases involving children, the disabled and the elderly, as well as sex crimes and domestic violence.

As of Tuesday, the Sheriff's Office had not yet named a successor.

"We have to find someone, but I can tell you we're not going to find anyone as dedicated as she was," Lamberti said. "But the good thing is, she's only going to be a phone call away."

Sharks on a Train!

Only in Miami could someone haul a dead shark around on the Metromover and nobody calls the cops. Go here to read the story and be SURE to watch the video!

Spokesdog Speaks Her Last

Remember the adorable Taco Bell Chihuahua? Well, People is reporting that the old girl, Gidget, just died at 15. She had a good life and sold a LOT of tacos. Her catchphrases - Yo Quiero Taco Bell, and Drop the Chalupa - will long outlive her. Click here for more. (I must confess to having bought the whole series of Taco Bell Dog toys and wearing out the sound effects chips in every one of them. The were so CUTE!)

 

Gidget Photo by: Sue Chipperton / www.tailsticks.com

 

Everyone Involved Gets a Seat on the Express Bus to Heaven

Here is a list of organizations who can help owners that cannot afford vet care. A couple are for rescue organizations and homeless pets. Please forward this list to anyone you think it might help.

American Animal Hospital Association
aahahelpingpets.org/home
"The heartbreak happens all too often a pet owner is unable to afford treatment and their sick or injured companion animal pays the price. If the owner is elderly, disabled or on a fixed income, the cost of care may be too much of a stretch for their pocketbook. Perhaps they have been victimized by crime, property loss or a job layoff and are experiencing a temporary financial hardship making it too difficult to afford pet care. And some animals, brought to clinics by Good Samaritans, don't have an owner to pay for treatment. Whatever the situation, the fact remains the same: When sick or injured animals are unable to receive veterinary care, they suffer. Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship."

Angels 4 Animals
www.Angels4Animals.org
"Angels4Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial situations. At Angels4Animals we believe that animal owners should not have to say goodbye to the animals that they love. Our work is accomplished in conjunction with veterinary clinics across the country, eager to assist as many animals, and their owners, as possible. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets and pet owners in need."

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP)
fveap.org/sys-tmpl/door
"The NEED & The HELP: Seniors, People with disabilities, People who have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten - any of these folks may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion." The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.

Help-A-Pet
help-a-pet.org
"Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more than a diversion."

IMOM
imom.org
"Mission Statement:
Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged."

The Pet Fund
thepetfund.com
"The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. Often animals are put down or suffer needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or emergency vet visits. Companion animal owners must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical care need never be made on the basis of cost."

United Animal Nations
uan.org/lifeline
"The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care."

Pet Project (in South Florida)

Respecting the power of unconditional love, THE PET PROJECT exists to promote and preserve the human/animal bond. Assisting with pet care and maintenance, THE PET PROJECT empowers people living with terminal disease to care for and keep their companion animals.

petprojectsforpets.org

Other Groups Who are Breed or Injury Specific:

Corgi Aid
corgiaid.org

HandicappedPets.com
handicappedpets.com
"From time to time, HandicappedPets.com recognizes a caretaker of handicapped pets that need some special attention, and a little extra help. There are those who are so selflessly dedicated to their animal families that they give up a little more than they can afford."

Labrador Lifeline
labradorlifeline.org

LabMed: Rx For Rescued Labs
labmed.org

Why Spay/Neuter is a Win-Win

This has been making the Internet rounds. Please show it to anyone who doesn't 'get' the concept.

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What does "spay" and "neuter" really mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending on your pet's age, size, and health, he or she will stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed after a few days. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet.

In what ways is spaying or neutering good for my pet?
Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.

How is spaying or neutering my pet good for me?
Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.

How can spaying and neutering my pet be good for the community?
Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.

Free Pet Vaccinations

From the press release: “A Shot of Love” Free Vaccine Day is a non-profit event to help with the recent outbreak of Parvo-virus cases in dogs in our Homestead neighborhoods.  Homestead Animal Hospital, along with the partnership of local rescue groups, wants to help by offering free vaccinations for dogs and cats at this event.  Special Thanks to the Kosco-Partin Family whose generous donation is making this vaccine clinic possible.

All pets must be on a leash or in carriers to safely control the dog or cat. Aggressive animals will be muzzled for safety. Dogs and cats must be healthy: no coughing, sneezing, vomiting or diarrhea. Vaccines are limited and will be administered on a first come first serve basis. Limit two pets per household. Homestead Animal Hospital reserves the right to turn away pets that the doctor deems unhealthy or aggressive.

This is the Dog! 501c3 non profit Adoption Organization will also be at the event with some adoptable dogs and cats and will offer information about spay/neuter and hurricane disaster preparedness to pet owners.

This event will be held at Homestead Animal Hospital, 1250 N. Flagler Avenue, on Sunday July 26^th from 10:00am to 2:00pm.  For more information, please call Homestead Animal Hospital. 305-247-3845.

From Ellie: Bravo to these generous folks. It's truly a good deed.

 

Sabbath Memorial Rescue is in trouble (again) and needs help

A guy named Robbie Coy is the heart and soul of this rescue. If you read the print edition of the Herald, you've seen his classified pet ads, with photos, day after day. As with most rescues, he's always scrounging for dollars for the care and feeding of the dogs - some of them unadoptable. Now he's got more trouble. From Miami New Times:

No Good Deed Goes Unlicensed: Dog rescuer gets fined in Southwest Miami-Dade

Red tape entangles a canine samaritan.

By Gus Garcia-Roberts

Published on July 14, 2009 at 12:51pm

In November 2007, Robbie Coy rescued a dog that was being abused. He was later charged with felony burglary.

That didn't matter to him. The renegade has gained fame for such unyielding defense of the canine set. Approximately 125 formerly stray dogs roam freely on his nine-acre no-kill complex near Homestead. This past May, he received a donation of ten tons of dog chow from TV chef Rachael Ray.

Coy relishes his canine kingpin status. He also despises Miami-Dade Animal Services: "We've always butted heads because they kill too many animals, and they do it carelessly."

But now, he says, county interference could spell the demise of his complex, Sabbath Memorial Dog Rescue. Trouble began in March, when three Animal Services investigators and four county cops showed up to look into a dog fighting tip. A camera crew for Animal Planet's Miami Animal Police accompanied them. There wasn't any battling, but they did learn Coy lacks a kennel license, which is required to keep more than four dogs.

Since then, Coy says, his landlord has been hit with $5,500 in fines from code enforcers. "The worst-case scenario is they come in here and take my dogs and kill them," he frets. "Or if my landlord evicts me, there's nowhere to go, and there's no money to rebuild this shelter."

So why doesn't he just get the license? As Miami-Dade Animal Services enforcement manager Raquel Cruz admits, it's "not a simple process and can cost thousands of dollars." Coy would have to win a zoning change from his local community council before even applying for the license. (Riptide was unable to reach a representative of CJM Investment Group, which owns the plot, for comment.)

Cruz allows the shelter has never been hit with any violations related to treatment of dogs. "But the fact is he's not in compliance with Miami-Dade law."

Visit the Sabbath Rescue site, and send him some money!

Doggies Need Homes

On the Left: Champ, who is confined to a balcony (in this heat).  He is 11 months old, born sometime between July/August of 2008. He was adopted from the Pet Harbor in Medley last October. At that time, he was weak and very dehydrated. He was nursed back to fantastic health, and is now a sweet pup who loves to be with people. He is house-trained, doesn't bark and is well
mannered. He loves companions to play with and will sit when expecting a treat!  He is afraid of cats, but is still a little curious about them.  Champ loves to run around and exercise.  He likes to swim when
allowed. He is neutered and has all his shots. We think he is a boxer-mix. He has short hair, and a beautiful coat. He is very sociable, and likes to say hi to everyone. With proper training, Champ
will thrive. Champ has a lot of love to give! Champ's Mom and Dad are now living in a condo that does not allow pets :( Right now, Champ is living on a covered patio, and must stay outside even during 100 degree heat and rainy weather. CALL (305) 761-6441.

On the right: Marley, a "Boxador." The Owner is moving abroad on July 22 and can’t take him with her. Marley is 10 months old, black/brown brindle. He is is fully vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. He is sweet and loving, loves children and cats, and protects his house by barking at strangers. Call Silvana de Leoz at Adams Vet Clinic - 305.757.7309 or email silvanadeleoz@hotmail.com.