MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

THANK YOU for all you've done for animals this year, and for all you will do for them in 2009!



Remember the best Christmas present you can give is NOT to buy a puppy or a kitten. If you did promise your kids a pet for Christmas, give the greatest gift of all - LIFE - to a shelter animal but do your research first so you can be awesome pet parents!

Have a happy and safe Christmas, everyone!

Everyday Hazards You Need To Be Aware Of

This time of year it's common for education groups like CFL to distribute warnings reminding everyone to be careful about holiday hazards. We warn pet owners about the dangers of tinsel and chocolate and a host of other holiday-related items. But something happened recently that made me think we ought to remind everyone of the day to day hazards our pets face. Aspirin for one. Rubber bands. Chocolate. String. Even some toys can be hazardous if a pet if you leave your pet to play unsupervised.

Cats are particularly at risk of swallowing foreign bodies because of their natural curiosity and the unique construction of their tongues. Did you know a cat's tongue is covered with tiny hook-like barbs called papillae? These barbs are placed on the tongue pointing backwards - much like the traffic spikes in parking garages that prevent you from entering through the exit or exiting through the entrance. In the wild, cats used their prickly tongues to remove feathers or fur from their prey and to lick meat from the bones. Once something enters a cat's mouth it doesn't easily come out (that's why cats get hairballs). Our local emergency animal hospital actually has a framed display of some to the things they've pulled out of cats over the years - it includes everything from twist ties to fishing lures to necklaces and much more.

They may soon be adding pony tail holders. Jake, one of our adventurous tabby cats had emergency surgery last week to remove a dozen pony tail holders from his stomach. I knew he'd been fascinated with the little elastic bands since he first found them in my vanity drawer. He'd sit on the vanity counter and fish them out onto the floor, then pick them up and carry them to his food bowl and drop them in. He never tried to eat them - he just carried them to the bowl and then ate his crunchies. But in the back of my mind I always worried that he'd decide one day to do more than just carry them around. So I decided to put them in the very back of the vanity drawer where I knew he could not reach. As it turns out though, Jake was much more determined than I'd ever imagined. He found a small gap between the back of the drawer and the back of the vanity and by reaching up from underneath the vanity he was able to get a paw into the drawer from the backside and fish around until he found what he wanted. And that's how he was able to get hold of a whole package of pony tail holders. Why he ate them and why so many I don't know. But I'd speculate that he tried carrying one and got it stuck on his tongue. They were still in the package and would have been attached to each other somehow. Gives a whole new meaning to "bet you can't eat just one" doesn't it?


So poor Jake had major surgery. He's home now and doing well. He has a 6" long incision, antibiotics, antacids, pain meds, and special food he has to eat for at least two weeks. But he's alive and happy and we're thrilled. And thankful for the real hero in this - our wonderful vet Dr. Tony Lopez at Cornerstone Animal Clinic.


And before you hit the COMMENT button to tell me that we have the soft recovery collar on upside down - we know. But it is enough to keep him from being able to reach his stitches and it is more comfortable for him. And we've convinced him he's now a Super Hero and this is his Super Hero Cape. No need to tell him otherwise.

VP-elect misses opportunity to encourage adoption

Vice President-elect Joe Biden recently missed a key opportunity to set an example to Americans wanting a new dog, when he purchased his new (and, we have to admit, very cute) 3-month-old male German shepherd from a suburban Philadelphia breeder instead of adopting one of the millions of pure bred animals awaiting adoption in shelters across the country.

This move is sure to spark even greater calls by concerned citizens and the animal welfare community for President-elect Obama to send a message of compassion by adopting a shelter or rescue pup for his girls when they move into the White House next year. You can add your voice by signing the petition on http://www.presidential-pooch-pardon.com/!

Mr. Biden did at least ensure that he had the breeder checked out personally by the man who will train the puppy - Mark Tobin, who coordinates the K-9 division for police in Biden's home county of New Castle, Del.

Just a dog

From time to time people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a dog" or, "That's a lot of money for just a Dog."

They don't understand the distance travelled, time spent or costs involved for "just a dog." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed with my only company being "just a dog" and not once have I felt slighted. Some of my saddest moments were brought about by "just a dog." In those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" provided comfort and purpose to overcome the day.

If you, too, think "it's just a dog," you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," just a sunrise" or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust and pure, unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

For me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog." It's an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday people can understand it's not "just a dog." It's the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man or woman." So the next time you hear the phrase, "it's just a dog" smile - becase they "just don't understand."

The Season of Goodwill

As the cold weather bites down around the country, thousands of animals are at the mercy of the elements - as you sit by the fire sipping your eggnog, please think of how you can help make this winter a little less brutal for a deserving animal!

• Please consider adopting a pet and freeing up some space in your local shelter for a needy critter.
• Make sure any outdoor animals have adequate shelter and bedding to protect them from extreme weather conditions.
• Educate people that tethering their animals outside unsupervised is now against the law, or report offenders to the authorities. Information on the Dallas anti-tethering laws can be found at www.dallasanimaladvocates.org, including downloadable flyers in English and Spanish as well as details about the ordinances themselves.
• Donate bedding and food to your local shelter - donations are down as a result of the economic crisis, but unfortunately the numbers of pets being surrendered or abandoned has increased. Shelters need your help more than ever this winter, to pick up the extra load!

This is the season of goodwill - a little help can go a long way, so please extend your holiday cheer to the animals and the people who care for them!

Pampered Chef update

Some of you have expressed difficulty with the link to order Pampered Chef products online from our earlier post. We apologize for the confusion and definitely want to make it easy for you.

Here's the updated link:
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/shelleycancook?page=host-search-results&showId=1878208

Once there, just start shopping, it's that easy - follow this link, find great products and help raise money for humane education!

This Holiday Season, honor your pet with a photo decoration on a Companions For Life Pet Tribute Tree at selected neighborhood Starbucks*!

Just send us a photo of your pet or a short written tribute, along with a $5 donation, and we’ll create and hang your decoration next to a light - a red light for those pets who still grace our lives or a white light in memory of a pet who has passed on.

Tributes can also be made in honor of a friend or relative or their pet and we’ll send a personal note to the honoree letting them know of your gift in their name.

All proceeds benefit Companions For Life’s humane education programs. "Teaching children respect, responsibility and kindness toward animals helps them become adults who practice caring and compassion toward not just animals, but also the people in their lives and society as a whole," said Rebecca Poling, president of Companions for Life.

Our hope is that one day all pets are loved as much as yours. But until then, your donation can help us achieve our goal of No More Disposable Pets by providing humane education and shelter outreach materials in the Metroplex.

Conveniently donate online at http://www.companionsforlife.org/christmastree.html, then email us your favorite pet photo and we’ll create your tribute decoration, and hang it on the tree of your choice. Or mail your donation and photo to Companions For Life, P.O. Box 794073, Dallas, Texas 75379.

Need more information?

• Visit our website at http://www.companionsforlife.org/christmastree.html;
• Email info@companionsforlife.org or
• Call 972-661-2356.

* Pet Tribute Trees will be on display from November 28, 2008 through January 1, 2009 at the Starbucks at Preston & Beltline in North Dallas and the Starbucks on Arapaho & North Garland Road in Garland.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody! We at Companions for Life have a lot to give thanks for this year, even as we continue to fight for a more compassionate world with no more disposable pets.

A short list of some things we're giving thanks for today:

• The passing of new Dallas City Animal Ordinances that we hope will help Dallas residents be more responsible pet owners and ultimately reduce chronic shelter overcrowding.
• The ongoing dedication of compassionate people in our shelters who keep going in spite of all the challenges, working to save animals and provide committed and loving homes for unwanted pets.
• Our passionate volunteers who pitch in wherever needed to help drive initiatives like humane education, shelter outreach and legislative change.
• Everyone who has donated time or money to help us continue our work - thank you!
• All the responsible pet owners out there who understand that pets are part of the family, to be loved and appropriately cared for.

Yes, there is darkness and cruelty in the world - but with people like you, there are slivers of light and silver linings! Every animal you help, or that we can help with your support, is one more ray of hope and light to fight the darkness.

Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Get Your Pampered Chef Gifts Online & Raise Money for CFL!

Do you love Pampered Chef products? Want to help Companions For Life while getting a jump on your Christmas shopping and raise money for humane education?

Starting today, you can buy Pampered Chef products online 24/7, and just by starting your visit at this website -
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/shelleycancook?page=foh-welcome&password=H4E5, Follow this link to the special website our Consultants have set up and a portion of the proceeds will go to Companions For Life! Shop to your hearts content and as long you start at this page, your purchase will count toward our totals.

Place your order by December 8th to guaranty delivery by Christmas. And through November 30th, all unglazed stones are on sale 20% off! So act fast and score some great cookware for yourself and for those on your Holiday list.

One week left to chip in!

We still have $400 to raise to meet our target for funding the purchase of humane education materials for children - it's easy to help, just click the Chip In widget on the right; no donation is too small!

You can also send a check or money order to: Companions For Life, P.O. Box 794073, Dallas, Texas 75379.

What your contribution can do:

• $7.50 can buy a packet of 50 spay/neuter bookmarks for kids
• $ 9.99 buys a 48-page reproducible workbook for children grades K-3
• $15.00 creates 100 fliers explaining basic pet care for dogs or cats
• $24.95 provides a "Dogs, Cats & Kids" educational video for an elementary school.

Please act now to help shelters and schools teach children responsibility and compassion for pets!

Holiday Gifts That Give Back!

Did you know that Companions for Life has an eBay store where you can find great gifts for the holidays while doing your bit for animals at the same time?

100% of all sale proceeds goes towards helping Companions for Life continue to help animals through shelter outreach and humane education.

Buy your gift that gives back now!

Cat's at home; you're at work - how to keep Fluffy from getting bored?

One thing you learn living in a small space - EVERYTHING has to be dual purpose!! Like this handy vacuum-cum-kitty-toy - compact, multi-purpose and good for getting your cat on YouTube!

Technorati Tags: Roomba,vacuum,kitty,cat,cat on vacuum,cat on roomba,cat toys

Puppy Mill Action Week Nov 16-22 - ACT NOW!

Check out our post below - we're not OK with puppy mills, are you?

Please Help Us Teach Pet Responsibility!

Over the past few years, Companions For Life has come to the aid of dozens of local pet rescue groups and animal shelters by providing free professional humane education materials for their use. We've been able to do this thanks to the support of our wonderful donors who understand the important role education plays in improving the lives of pets in the Metroplex. But this year, more than ever, we need your help. The economy has hit all of the rescue groups and shelters very hard. Donations have dried up and they are having trouble making ends meet. Vet bills are eating up their funds faster than ever, while the number of animals surrendered continue to rise due to foreclosures and job losses. For many groups, education has become a luxury they can no longer afford. Please help us help them spread the word!

Your donation to Companions For Life will go directly toward the purchase of humane education materials to teach children to be responsible pet owners, teach adopters basic pet care, promote responsible pet ownership, encourage the public to do their part to fix the pet overpopulation problem, and much more! From videos for classroom presentations to door hangers about tethered dogs, from fliers about winter pet care tips to bookmarks urging teens to talk to their parents about spaying and neutering their pet, Companions For Life purchases these materials from national leaders in education - the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the National Humane Education Society, and American Humane Association, to name just a few. Purchasing in large quantities allows us to take advantage of huge discounts so we get more materials for less money! Won't you please help us today? Only $ 7.50 buys a packet of 50 spay/neuter bookmarks for kids, $ 9.99 buys a 48-page reproducible workbook for children grades K-3, $15.00 buys 100 fliers explaining basic pet care for dogs or cats, or $ 24.95 buys a "Dogs, Cats & Kids" educational video for an elementary school.

But please act now! Our current supplies are nearly exhausted and we need to raise $500 by the end of November to continue this critical mission! Donate online now using the Chip In widget on the right! Or send a check or money order to: Companions For Life, P.O. Box 794073, Dallas, Texas 75379. Regardless the method you choose, please donate now! By the end of November, we'll have to start turning away rescue groups and shelters asking for our help!

Puppy Mill Action Week is November 16 to 22!

Half the country must have watched the Oprah episodes on puppy mills, aghast at the conditions endured by the breeding dogs and appalled at the callous disregard for their animals' welfare demonstrated by the money-hungry breeders.

People wept for the dogs, suffering a hellish existence in squalor and bred literally to death for easy money. Who knew, people asked, that those cute puppies in the pet store and on those cheerful websites came with such an unacceptable price tag?

Even now, in the midst of an official recesssion, when record numbers of family pets are being abandoned and surrendered to shelters, puppy (and kitten) mills just keep churning out the inventory, focused on one thing - and one thing only: profit.

What do you think happens to breeding stock that is no longer viable? To litters that don't sell because people can't afford the "luxury" of a pet right now? To dogs and cats who aren't wanted so much once they're no longer that adorable puppy or kitten? How many of them count towards the tens of millions of animals being euthanized across the country every year? Are you OK with that?

This week is Puppy Mill Action Week - here's where you can make a difference:

Get educated.

• Learn about the difference between responsible breeders (yes, there are some) and back-yard or puppy mill breeders. Help your friends and family understand why it's a bad idea to buy that cute little buddy in the pet store.
• Parents and teachers can find humane education resources about the new Mission: Humane project, “A Cause for Paws,” to guide students in learning about dog care, promoting improved conditions for dogs in puppy mills, and raising awareness about how to get a dog without supporting cruelty. Check out the project for both elementary school students and teens.

Get active!

• The Humane Society is asking people to work with their local pet stores and encourage them to develop and implement "puppy friendly" policies by refusing to sell puppies in their store and supporting shelter adoptions instead.
• Please also write to your elected officials asking them to co-sponsor the Puppy Uniform Protection Statute (PUPS), HR 6949, to require broader federal oversight of puppy mills.
• Write to newspaper editors about the pet store/Internet puppy mill connection. Download a letter you can sign and send to your local paper

Part of the Oprah Puppy Mill Coverage:

Pease don't just sit there and be outraged, that doesn't do anything. Take a step towards closing down the puppy mill industry this week and help save lives!

What to do if you're unable to exercise your dog

Get an engineer to build you a robot!

Dog Plays Fetch with Robot

This doggie is having an awful lot of fun playing fetch by himself!

National Shelter Appreciation Week Event Saturday November 8th

November 2-8 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week so Dallas Animal Services and the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers Animal Welfare Committee are teaming up to help hundreds of pets find a home!

On Saturday, November 8, Dallas Animal Services will offer discounted micro chipping services for $15 for eligible pets who are adopted or brought to the shelter.

The DAYL will sponsor the cost of pet registration for the first 200 eligible pets who are adopted or brought to the shelter.

Companions For Life and Metroplex Animal Coalition will host an educational table at this event. We’ll educate guests about the new ordinances and provide spay/neuter resources.

Join us! Details below:

• Date: Saturday, November 8, 2008
• Time: 10am-4pm
• Location: The Dallas Animal Shelter, 1818 N Westmoreland, Dallas, Texas 75212
  

Eres mucho gato, Homer

This is a story for all those people who think that a black cat is bad luck, or that a blind cat is helpless.

Author Gwen Cooper is writing a book about her black cat Homer - a slip of a thing at 3 pounds, and blind after the surgical removal of both eyes due to a bad infection as a kitten.

On her blog, she tells stories of Homer. One particularly gripping post recalls a night when Homer proved that he truly was larger than life, and GOOD luck to boot! You'll have to read the story, no spoilers here - but hopefully you'll think twice when you overlook that little runt or that black cat in the shelter...

Saturday night fever

This footage of frolicking felines will have you laughing out loud - enjoy!

(Found on geniusbeauty.com and shamelessly cross-posted)

Some Monday puppy play

This puppy is having a grand old time and getting some exercise while he's at it - without ever having to leave the yard! Who needs to go for a walk when you have a trampoline?

Thanks to Cute Overload for the video!

Technorati Tags: Cute Overload,boxer,trampoline,dog exercise

You're invited - save the date: Oct 26, 5pm!

Meet Spotty, a recent adoptee from Dallas Animal Services - you can see he's on TOP of the world!

Click to view this invitation in a browser

We're on TOP of the World!
SAVE THE DATE & CELEBRATE WITH US!
Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008

We're on top of the world because The Ordinances Passed (a.k.a TOP) - we hope you will plan to join us to celebrate this important milestone!

Our exciting TOP of the World celebration evening will include:

A Silent Auction to raise money for the Shelter Fund that will support and promote the animals at Dallas Animal Services.

A Raffle to watch the Cowboys play their Farewell Game at Texas Stadium!

You could win tickets for two in Sec. 29, Row 39, for the Cowboys’ Dec. 20 game against the Baltimore Ravens, plus reserved Blue Section parking and a delicious Sunday Brunch at Café Pacific—a total value of over $360.00!!

Where:

Sambuca Addison, Morrocan Room, 15207 Addison Rd, Addison, TX

When:

Sunday, October 26, 2008 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Cost:

$25 per person entry fee includes light hors d'oeuvres and 2 drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic)

We will also be welcoming back TOP Dog, Kent Robertson, as Manager of Dallas Animal Services.

On-line event registration will be available soon.

Have a question or want to donate a silent auction item?

Our gratitude to Holly Forsythe and Sambuca for generously underwriting this event.

http://www.metroplexanimalcoalition.org/

Pet limits and tethering - are you legal?

Time's up for Dallas pet owners who have yet to comply with the city’s pet limitation and tethering regulations!

The two ordinances were part of a package of amendments to the City Code approved by the City Council on June 25. Pet owners were given 90 days to comply with most of the new regulations - that 90 days was up on September 25.

Pet Limits 411

According to the amended regulations, a resident of a single-family home is limited to a total of six dogs, cats or any combination of the two. If the resident’s lot is a half-acre or larger, the pet limitation increases to eight dogs, cats or any combination.

The limit for dwelling units that share a common wall, such as apartments or townhouses, was not amended - it remains at a total of four dogs, cats or any combination. The pet limitations do not apply to puppies or kittens younger than six months of age. Other details of the new pet limitation are explained in Section 7-4.6.

Pet owners who had more than six animals on June 25 must apply for an exemption for any cats and dogs over the limit of six. Exemption forms are available at Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center and may be filed there: 1818 N. Westmoreland Rd., Dallas, TX 75212.

The low-down on Tethering

The new tethering regulations ban the practice of tethering or chaining a dog unless it is in the owner’s immediate possession and control. According to Section 7-3.1, the only exemption is if the dog is properly tethered “for a period no longer than necessary for the owner to complete a temporary task.” Proper tethering and confinement requirements are spelled out in Sections 7-4.7 and 7-4.9.

You still have time to get your pet spayed or neutered!

The City’s new Intact Animal Permit requirement, also approved on June 25, goes into effect on October 25. The new ordinance requires pet owners to have their cat or dog spayed or neutered unless they obtain an annual $70 Intact Animal Permit for that animal.

Exemptions include puppies or kittens younger than six months; service, assistance and police dogs; purebred competition animals; animals exempted by their veterinarians, and others listed in Section 7-4.10. Applications for Intact Animal Permits are available at Dallas Animal Services.

For more information about these ordinances call Dallas Animal Services at 214.670.8246. To view Chapter 7 of the City Code or to download permit or exemption forms, log on to http://www.dallascityhall.com/.

DFW Pet Net

If you’ve ever lost a pet, you know the heartbreak - the endless searching; the guilt; the fear...

The SPCA of Texas understands that sinking feeling, and has taken steps to help reunite more Metroplex pets with their owners by launching PetNet, a website where anyone who has lost or found a pet can post a photo and description of that pet.

This isn't just another website with a database of lost pets though - PetNet is unique in that the SPCA staff actually help you through the process by searching the lost & found records of participating shelters throughout the area.

Participating organizations to date include the municipal animal control agencies in Denton, Arlington, Collin County, Frisco, Irving, Rowlett, Addison, University Park, Wylie, Watauga and more! Dallas Animal Services and Operation Kindness are both in the process of signing up, and the SPCA is working hard to sign up even more partners.

For more information, or if you’ve lost a pet, visit the PetNet website or call 214-742-7722.

For information on lost pet behaviors and search techniquest, also check out Missing Pet Partnership.

Posted with a special thanks to Skip Trimble of Catyln Capital Corporation for providing the initial funding for this project.

Law Reforms Help Keep Pets and People Together When Disasters Strike

According to news reports, the most cited reason by thousands of people who stayed behind in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck was that they didn't want to leave their pets.

Forced evacuations excluded animals and literally tore animals from the arms of their distraught owners and emergency support did not extend to pets. The toll was unimaginable: animals abandoned and left to fend for themselves; people's hearts broken and worse: because of the exlusions, many people put themselves in harm's way by either refusing to evacuate or by returning to dangerous areas too soon. Human and animal lives were lost unnecessarily.

One of Katrina's many lessons was that human and animal rescue efforts have to be coordinated to include companion animals. This lesson was so profound that it resulted in a bi-partisan initiative and, as a result, the PETS Act (Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act) was passed by congress in 2006, for the first time, providing standards that included the evacuation of companion animals in times of disaster.

The most significant difference between the recent Ike and Gustav response was that people were told to take their companion animals with them when they evacuated. Specific instructions were provided to animal guardians how to safely take their pets on public transport. Thousands of pets accompanied the millions of people who fled inland in the face of the latest hurricanes - shelters throughout Texas and neighboring states set up emergency accommodations for evacuated pets, while animal rescue groups deployed early response teams and shipped thousands of crates to facilitate animal transportation.

"This is the first time in history that pets have been a priority in an evacuation," said Ana Zorrilla, CEO of the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA-SPCA), based in New Orleans.

And Texas has been at the forefront of this new mindset.

• In Austin, officials drop off pet supply kits — including carrying crates and waste disposal bags — before evacuees even arrive at the shelters.
• Fort Worth keeps evacuees' pets at the city animal shelter and provides free microchips for the critters to make sure they will be matched with their owners.
• Evacuees staying at the Dallas Convention Center can play and cuddle with their pets at another area of the complex just across the street.
• "We get a lot of hugs from folks with tears in their eyes," said Kent Robertson, a division manager with Dallas animal services. "Their homes have been destroyed, and they don't know what they're going to do, but they have a place for their animals."

Inland Texan shelters have taken in hundreds of animals from Lousiana and coastal shelters - over 500 additional animals doubled the number of dogs cats and dogs already at the SPCA's two shelters in Dallas and McKinney, several hundred of whom still remain - they are up for adoption and won't return to their former shelters, which have to make room for stranded pets found along the Gulf Coast.

So far, Humane Society workers have rescued several hundred animals after Gustav and Ike. But they said they expect the number to be far less than the 10,000 pets rescued in Louisiana and Mississippi after Katrina. "This act is not only saving pets' lives — it's saving human lives," said Scott Haisley, senior director of emergency services for the Humane Society of the United States, which supported the federal law. "We are seeing fewer animals left behind," Haisley said.

You can still help! Visit your local Texas animal shelter and adopt or foster one of the evacuated animals, or donate supplies for their extra guests!

Mars Petcare September Recall

Back in August, Mars Petcare announced a pet food recall in California and Nevada.

This month, Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary nationwide recall of products manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with a type of Salmonella.

Many of the brands involved in the recall are national brands produced at multiple facilities, so be sure to check the chart available the Mars Petcare website.

The company said consumers should look for "17" as the first two digits of the second line on the UPC for products affected. For Pedigree products, they should look for "PAE" on the bottom line.

They can also call (877) 568-4463 or consult http://www.petcare.mars.com/.

The brand names include some items under the names: Country Acres, Retriever, Doggy Bag, Members Mark, Natural, Ol' Roy, Special Kitty, Paws & Claws, Pedigree, Wegman's, Pet Pride, PMI Nutrition and Red Flannel.

Free! Speaker Session September 18 for Rescuers and Shelter Staff

As part of our Top Dog Speaker Series, Companions for Life hosts evening receptions for shelter workers and rescue group volunteers featuring presentations from experts in various areas of animal rescue and animal welfare. Each Top Dog Speaker Series event offers a unique networking opportunity, refreshments, door prizes, and most importantly - exciting, interesting speakers. Here are details of our featured program this month.

Working With Dallas Animal Services
Presented by
Kent Robertson, Dallas Animal Services Director

Date: September 18th (THIS THURSDAY)

Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Venue: REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Tx 75244

Please join us as we welcome Dallas Animal Services’ new director.

Find out about new initiatives to increase adoptions and reduce euthanasia.

Learn everything you need to know about the new animal ordinances
and how they affect you, your staff and your volunteers.

We’ll have an opportunity for questions after the presentation and applications will be available if you need to register your group with Dallas Animal Services,
or apply for foster or grandfather exemptions under the new ordinances.

RSVP to: mailto:info@companionsforlife.org

Class size is limited, so RSVP now!

Please no pets except certified service dogs.
Refreshments and door prizes courtesy of Companions For Life.

www.companionsforlife.org

Dallas animal ordinance forms and permits available now!

It is now easier to comply with the new Dallas City animal ordinances thanks to new forms available on the City of Dallas' website.

The following forms are available now:

• The grandfathering exception under the new Pet Limits law,
• The fostering exemption under the new Pet Limits law,
• Permits for intact animals under the new Intact Animals law

Forms are available here in both Word or PDF format.

Some important things to know when you complete an application or permit form:

• The application for fosters must be notarized. A Notary Public is on hand at Dallas Animal Services & Adoption Center during normal business hours, although it would be advisable to call first to be sure someone is available. Or you can have the application notarized elsewhere and mail it in. Some businesses provide this service, including most banks, and UPS stores will also notarize your signature for a small fee.
• The foster exemption is available to those providing foster care for an organized foster care program approved by the Dallas Animal Services.
• If your organization is not already approved to work with Dallas Animal Services, ask them to contact Maggie at DASRESCUE @ yahoo.com (no spaces) for the appropriate forms and instructions.

Once completed, all forms should be returned by mail or in person to Dallas Animal Services & Adoption Center, 1818 N. Westmoreland, Dallas, Texas, 75212.

Questions? Email DallasAnimalAdvocates @ gmail.com (no spaces) or visit the Dallas Animal Advocates website at www.dallasanimalservices.com.

You might also want to read our recent post on the ordinance changes, with links to downloadable information flyers that you can share with friends and family.

Get Ready For Gustav

Animal rescue organizations have deployed teams of disaster response experts to Louisiana and the Texas coast to help with pre- and post-storm evacuation and sheltering in anticipation of Hurricane Gustav. In addition to having people on site, organizations are also frantically sending supplies, coordinating logistics and keeping the public updated. Thousands of pet carriers have been rushed to New Orleans to help with pet evacuations.

Shelters in Louisiana are being closed until the hurricane passes, and scores of animals are being evacuated to shelters in Texas.

These evacuations will impact shelters in and around Dallas - because of the influx, they will be desperately in need of supplies, blankets, kennels, crates and even foster homes for some of their longer term residents awaiting adoption.

What you can do:

Please don't wait to volunteer, offer assistance or donate needed items - this IS in your backyard, and you can help now!

Keep up to date on what's happening:

• Best Friends rapid response
• Humane Society disaster response team - notes from the field
• ASPCA Hurricane Gustav updates

Get prepared for a disaster:

• Humane Society information resources - includes disaster preparedness guides for horses, pets and livestock.
• ASPCA Pet Emergency information - including evacuation preparation.
• American Humane disaster preparation tips for pets and livestock.

Don't wait for Gustav to hit - you can help get ready now!

Help us spread the word about Dallas animal laws!

The Dallas City Council recently passed several new ordinances designed to encourage responsible pet ownership in our City. Changing the law is one thing, but to make sure those laws can be upheld takes education and the support of every responsible pet owner in the community.

Dallas Animal Advocates and the City of Dallas Education Committee are requesting your assistance getting information about these new ordinances to the public. A new brochure is now available detailing each of the new ordinances, when they go into effect, and whom to contact for more information.

You can help by sending the brochure to your friends, family, co-workers, and fellow volunteers, as well as distributing the brochures at vets, groomers, adoption events, and anywhere pet lovers are found. Download the new brochure from www.dallasanimaladvocates.org or send a message to dallasanimaladvocates @ gmail.com (no spaces) and we will email it directly to you.

If you have any questions, please visit www.dallasanimaladvocates.org or email dallasanimaladvocates @ gmail.com (no spaces). We will also have this information available in Spanish shortly.

Information and forms will soon also be available for the grandfathering exemptions, fostering exemptions, and intact animal permits so watch this space.

The City of Dallas Animal Shelter Commission Education Committee & Dallas Animal Advocates thank you for your help!

Dangerous Toy Alert: Four Paws Pimple Ball With Bell

A potentially lethal toy

A horrifying report on consumerist.com last week is a painful Buyer Beware story: In what is apparently not the first problem with the Four Paws (r) Pimple Ball with Bell, a dog called Chai sustained severe injuries from playing with the toy, ultimately resulting in the amputation of the dog's tongue.

The ball only one hole in it, which can cause a vacuum effect as an animal chews on it - in this case, sucking the dog's tongue into the ball and causing such extensive damage that the tongue could not be saved.

After finding out from others that her dog has not been the only one to suffer injury as a result of chewing this toy, the owner is now calling for the toy to be recalled and a movement is growing among animal lovers to boycott products from Four Paws. The company is allegedly refusing to take responsibility for the multiple injuries - some of which have resulted in the death of an animal - and Chai's owner may sue.

We urge all pet owners to be careful when buying toys, especially chew toys, for your pets - check out consumer reports and always supervise your pet when playing with chew toys.

Our sympathy goes out to Chai and all other dogs wounded or killed by poorly designed products that should have simply brought them some joy.

Contemplative Cat

When you notice a cat in profound meditation,

The reason, I tell you, is always the same:

His mind is engaged in rapt contemplation

Of the thought, of the thought,

of the thought of his name:

His ineffable effable

Effanineffable

Deep and inscrutable singular Name.

~T.S. Eliot

Cleburne TX Steps Up to Fight Animal Overpopulation

The city of Cleburne, TX has its priorities straight in the fight against pet overpopulation - when people face tough economic times, they can find it hard to justify the cost of sterilizing or vaccinating their pets - but they're also not prepared to support the unwanted litters that result. To help counter this vicious cycle, the Coalition for Animal Protection and Cleburne Animal Services partnered together to support their local community and in 2004 they introduced a low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination program.

Once a month for two days, animal services opens the low-cost spay and neuter clinic. Veterinarians from the Metroplex perform spay and neuter surgeries by appointment and conduct low-cost vaccinations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"[The Cleburne clinic] served as a model for our organization to set up clinics in other cities,” said Stacey Taylor, executive director of the coalition. “We have stand-alone clinics in Denton and Fort Worth and satellite programs in eight other cities.” The coalition spays and neuters about 20,000 animals a year in North Texas, and in Cleburne it averages about 35-50 pets a day during their clinics - even so, the pet overpopulation crisis continues to grow statewide, and the Coalition for Animal Protection is urging other cities to follow Cleburne's example.

The next clinic will be Aug. 25-26, but the spay and neuter appointments are full. Surgeries are being scheduled for the October clinic. To schedule an appointment or for clinic dates, call 817-837-4500 or 866-310-7387.

Pets available for adoption in Cleburne are listed on petfinder.com or you can call Cleburne animal services on 817 648-0650.

Download a flyer about Cleburne's low-cost spay/neuter clinic here.

Pedigree Pet Food Recall - California & Nevada

Today Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of 100 of the 20-pound bags of PEDIGREE® Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites sold in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada to a limited number of Albertsons locations due to potential Salmonella contamination.

There have been no complaints or reports of injury resulting from consumption or handling of the recalled product at the time of this release.

The product should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners should dispose of product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle) and return the empty bag to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Recalled Pet Food Details:

• Product: PEDIGREE® Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites
• Size: 20-pound bags
• UPC Code: 23100 14719
• Lot Code: 830BFCAT02
• Best Buy Date: 07/2009
• Best Buy Date Location: Back of bag
• Affected Stores: Albertsons locations in Southern California and Las Vegas.

In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. A list of safe pet food handling tips can be found at: www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/petfoodtips080307.html

Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com. A full listing of Albertsons stores in Southern California and Nevada can also be found on the site.

In addition, Mars Petcare US voluntarily recalled a limited number of 52-pound PEDIGREE® Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites bags from limited Costco stores in Northern California and Nevada only. Costco has notified all of its customers in Northern California and Nevada about this issue directly.

Some information about Salmonella:

Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems. Healthy people potentially infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. On rare occasions, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Responsible Pet Ownership In Dallas, Texas

The recent Dallas City animal ordinance changes are really all about responsible pet ownership - and that goes beyond simply ensuring humane treatment of companion animals (although that's a big part of responsible pet ownership); it takes into account the societal responsibility of owning pets in a community where other people (and their pets) create variables often out of control of each individual.

Creating a community where animals are treated humanely; people respect each other's properties and families; and everyone (animal and human) can live in a clean, safe environment relies on everyone participating and keeping the greater good in mind - that's why these standards are codified in law with consequences for non-compliance.

Understanding the new laws, and the reasons for them, is an important part of any change so Dallas Animal Advocates have created some resources to help with this.

Feel free to download the flyers and distribute them around your neighborhood! It's a great way to update people who may be unaware of the changes.

• An overview of the ordinance changes approved in June
• Pet registration - an overview of the law and benefits of registering your pet
• Download a flyer on the anti-tethering law - English
• Download a flyier on the anti-tethering law - SPANISH

And finally, we all know that it takes time for a city to implement changes and some people who may need to apply for permits or exceptions - so why not make it easier on yourself and sign up to be notified by email when all the appropriate new forms are available?

Heartworm - it's not just for dogs

How many of you cat lovers took a look at our recent post about heartworm in dogs and thought, "well I don't need to worry, I have a cat"?

Well, don't get complacent! Cats can get heartworm too - in fact, the number of cats testing positive for heartworm disease has steadily increased even though it can easily be missed because standard blood tests often don't detect heartworm in cats because fewer worms make it to adulthood in cats than in dogs.

"Well," you may think, "Cats have fewer worms so it can't be that serious, right?" WRONG. Because cats are actually not the preferred host for heartworms, even a few worms cause a lot of damage, and can even cause death. In fact, heartworm disease is considered more serious for cats because treatment after the fact in cats is often about as bad as the disease.

The worst part is that while heartworm disease can be fatal, many cats don't show any symptoms until suddenly they're seriously ill or even die unexpectedly.

Bottom line - for cats, heartworm prevention is CRITICAL! Outdoor cats aren't the only ones at risk - even indoor cats can get heartworm, all it takes is one infected mosquito getting in through a screen.

So how can you prevent your cat from getting heartworm disease?

As always, talk to your vet and get their professional opinion. If you suspect your cat may have heartworm disease, discuss testing and treatment options. For prevention, your vet may prescribe a heartworm preventative, or they might suggest an over the counter solution such as Advantage Multi for cats (applied topically; also protects against fleas and intestinal parasites), or Heartguard (taken orally).

A Happy Ending for Duncan

Last week we told you about a lost dog who wandered onto a large company's campus without identification - and we're happy to report that the story has a happy ending!

One of the company's employees had taken the dog (we now know his name is Duncan) home, while others had posted flyers, notified local vets and posted his picture on craigslist. Almost a week later, someone recognized his picture on craigslist and notified his owner who got in touch with the employee who was taking care of him.

After a stern conversation about the importance of making sure your pet has identification (preferably tags and a microchip), Duncan was released into his owner's care on Wednesday evening and everyone celebrated his safe return.

So it goes to show - if your pet does go missing and somehow loses their tags, it pays to use all means possible to try and find them - flyers, friends, networks, vets, animal control and high-traffic websites. This applies just as much to found animals - don't assume you'll never find their owners! Easy identification makes for a quick reunion but sometimes having eyes all over town is the best backup you can have.

Is your dog protected from heartworm?

Summer means parasites - fleas, ticks, worms - and mosquitos, who can easily transmit parasitic infections as they buzz their irritating way around people and animals.

Yesterday, a post on Amazon.com's Wag Reflex blog talked about heartworm in particular, and if you haven't seen any models or illustrations in your vet's office, it's hard to get your head around just how scary this particular parasite is. Here's a picture of a dog's heart that is overrun with heartworm.
It's not hard to see how having heartworm can decrease the heart’s ability to function properly!

How do you know if your dog has this condition? Some dogs show signs of exercise intolerance (tire easily), start coughing, have difficulty breathing and have overall decreased energy and appetite. If left unchecked, heartworm infestation can lead to congestive heart failure and death. Not all infected dogs show symptoms immediately, however, and in those cases the condition may be too advanced to do anything about by the time it shows up - in the meantime, that dog has probably infected dozens of others.

Fortunately heartworm is easy to detect with a blood test, and it can be treated. It's even easier to prevent heartworm though - so talk to your veterinarian about easy to administer topical or oral preventatives and save yourself and your dog a lot of heartache!

Tag and Chip!

Today a dog followed a cyclist onto the campus of a large organization. He was a friendly, well behaved young labrador with a shock collar but no tags - clearly he'd escaped from the safety of his nearby home and wandered around until he found a human to follow.

The organization's security team called animal control, per their standard procedure, but a kindly employee who lived nearby offered to take him home instead, concerned that if the owner couldn't be located the dog would be euthanized. She took him to the local animal control t0 have him scanned for a microchip and registered a report that she'd found the dog in case the owners called in looking for him. He wasn't microchipped and there was no identification noted on the shock collar.

Many people assume that because they keep their dogs behind an invisible fence, they don't need to tag and microchip them. Unfortunately some dogs are too curious, or are naturally inclined to test their escape artist skills, and ignore the shock as they make a break for it. In other instances the battery in the collar goes dead, enabling the dog to dash for freedom without paying a price.

Once the joy of being able to roam free wears off and a dog finds itself in unfamiliar territory with no real idea of how to get back home, a lack of identification can mean the difference between a happy ending and yet another animal unnecessarily euthanized in an overburdened shelter.

Even if you think your pet can't get out, you should still consider making sure they have some means of being identified in the event that they actually do. Licensing and identifying your animal makes it more likely that it will be returned to you if picked up by animal control. Assuming the contact information held by the microchip company is up to date, microchips can help reunite you with your adventurous pet even if they have lost their tags.

Right now the search is on for this beautiful boy's owners - flyers have been posted in the neighborhoods near where he was found, animal control has been notified, local vets are informed of his whereabouts and a notice has been posted to craigslist. How much faster and easier would a return have been if he'd been tagged and chipped?

The case for keeping cats indoors.

As our lives become more urban, responsible pet owners are starting to question some of the assumptions they previously held about what's best for their companion animals. For instance, years ago most domestic cats were indoor/outdoor. But these days most members of the animal welfare community, including The Humane Society of the United States and many veterinarians, unequivocally recommend keeping pet cats indoors. If your cat is spending a lot of unsupervised time outside, here are some compelling reasons to consider an indoor living arrangement.

Long Live the Indoor Cat!
There is strong evidence to support the view that indoor cats will live longer, safer lives. The ASPCA maintains that average indoor cat lives to be ten to twelve years old, and many felines now make it past twenty. Conversely, outdoor-only cats survive for an average of only two years in that situation. An outdoor cat is exposed to innumerable risks and dangers every day that shorten their average life span and can also reduce their quality of life.

It's an (urban) jungle out there
Any animal outside runs the risk of being a target for cruel or psychotic individuals who torture and kill animals for fun or out of hate/spite, such as the perpetrator of a couple of horrific cat killings recently in a northeast Dallas neighborhood.

Pet-napping is another risk for outside cats. There is high demand for certain breeds of companion animal that can be re-sold and scams abound involving ransom demands for a beloved family member or "finding" an animal whose safe return will net a reward. Pets and strays are also often taken for use as bait animals in illegal dogfighting operations, or for sale to research facilities.

Pets who roam can trigger violent reactions by neighbors who resort to killing or hurting animals they don't like "trespassing" on their property, or as a retaliatory act in a neighborhood dispute.
And of course, there's the risk to outside animals of death or injury as a result of being hit by a car, or being poisoned (accidentally or intentionally) by pesticides, fertilizers and other garden maintenance products.

Prey or be preyed on
Outdoor cats can wreak havoc on their local ecosystem by hunting local wildlife and birds and, as suburban developments have pushed ever deeper into the habitats of bears, coyotes and cougars, increasingly find themselves preyed on by opportunistic predators.

Scooby recently used up at least one of his nine lives when a coyote grabbed him last week. Thanks to some fast reflexes, his human was able to scare away the coyote but poor Scooby (and the family's bank account) took a beating and currently has his broken jaw wired shut.

Ted wasn't so lucky - his owner's neighbor witnessed a coyote kill Ted and carry him off into the woods near his home last weekend. The family is devastated by their loss and wish they'd taken a few precautions such as keeping Ted indoors at least between dusk and dawn, if not more permanently. Ted's owner does recognize the need to co-exist with coyotes, however, and alongside her online memorial to Ted, she has posted some tips to co-exist with coyotes and reduce risk to pets and children.

Wildlife attacks are often the exception rather than the rule, though. According to the Dallas Fort Worth Wildlife Coalition, "although coyotes do occasionally prey on free-roaming cats and small dogs, the fear of coyotes or foxes attacking companion animals is greatly exaggerated. Many more dogs and cats meet the unfortunate fate of being struck by an automobile." People greatly increase the risk of negative consequences by encouraging these opportunistic scavengers - leaving out garbage or pet food and using bird and squirrel feeders that attract the small mammals that are a coyote's favorite prey.

Wildlife aren't the only creatures that might attack an outdoor cat - they face death or injury from territorial fights with other cats or dogs and, on a microscopic level, outdoor cats are more likely to contract diseases (such as rabies, feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus) or a parasitic infection.

(As if you need) another reason to spay/neuter
Unaltered outside cats are more likely to get into serious territorial disputes that can result in serious injury or death. Rampant breeding and unwanted litters are another consequence of letting an un-spayed or -neutered cat wander - not to mention those loud caterwauling sessions late at night!

And although this post is about cats, it's worth mentioning that coyotes are attracted to and can mate with un-spayed or un-neutered domestic dogs. There have also been cases of male dogs being lured by the female coyote's scent and killed by male coyotes.

Bringing your outdoor cat in
Cats who have been brought up indoors don't generally want or need to go outside but for a cat who has had the run of the neighborhood, the indoor-only lifestyle might take some adjusting to - of course, we all know that cats are as individual as their humans so some will take the transition in stride while others may not appreciate their boundaries being so clearly defined.

Some people feel guilty that, by bringing their cats indoor, they are depriving the cat of adventure and "what's natural" (although, having been domesticated for thousands of years, who's to say what's a natural habitat for a domestic feline anymore?) - and because cats are notoriously good at getting their way, some may pour on the drama and histrionics, wailing pitifully at the door to be let out. What you need to remember is that a cat will wail just as pitifully outside the door when they want to come back in!

The HSUS has some great tips for adjusting a cat to their new indoor lifestyle, such as making a gradual transition, feeding them indoors, ensuring they have basics like kitty litter, distracting or stimulating them, and providing "kitty greens" for them to munch on.

Keeping your indoor cat happy
It's true that people need to be a bit more engaged with an indoor cat. The ASPCA notes that "when we choose to make our cats indoors-only companions, we have a responsibility to provide the stimulation that nature provides automatically. Scratching and climbing posts become pseudo-trees; interactive toys become hunted birds, bugs and field mice. A rotating array of cat playthings provides excitement, variety and exercise". If you're on a budget, crumpled up balls of paper, some ribbon and a paper bag can be just as entertaining for a cat as store-bought toys, not to mention cheaper and easier to get your hands on.

Some breeds also need more stimulation than others - if you have a Bengal, for example, be prepared to anchor everything with museum gel and make sure you secure your faucets! Many people also suggest that having more than one cat helps keep an indoor cat from getting bored or lonely.

Most cats, however, generally adjust well to the indoor life. Because they sleep a lot, and generally play in short bursts, cats don't need a huge amount of room - your average apartment should be adequate. Some people provide window shelves and perches for their cats to vicariously enjoy the outdoors, while others cater more comprehensively to their cats' love of high spaces and obstacle courses. There are multiple fun things you can do yourself at home to enhance your cat's indoor experience - your only limit is your imagination!

Safe outside time
If you do decide to give your cat some outside time, some suggestions for keeping it safe and supervised include training your cat to wear a harness and taking it for a walk (this is a great way to meet your neighbors, it certainly gets people talking!) or building a protected outdoor enclosure - again, here the only limit is your imagination (and possibly your budget).

If your cat does get out
Even indoor cats need a microchip and ID tag in case they get out, or if something happens on the way to the vet or groomer. Many people think they don't need to microchip or tag their indoor cats, but it only takes an unknowing visitor leaving the door open or a broken window screen for Fluffy to make a break for it, and having no way to identify your cat makes it less likely that you will be reunited if they're found - and even if they survive the risks outlined above, even unidentified cats picked up by animal welfare are at risk of being euthanized in our overburdened shelter system f they can't easily be reunited with their owners.

In a perfect world, we'd be able to give our companion animals unlimited space and freedom, but when it comes down to it, the only reliable way to keep your cat safe is to keep him or her indoors.