Companions For Life

Tips from the recent NAPRP teleseminar about increasing adoptions

2010-04-01T11:49:00.001-07:00

For any of you who missed the recent teleseminar about increasing adoptions featuring Bonney Brown from the Nevada Humane Society, here are some notes taken by Susan Daffron, President of the National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals, who sponsored the call. FYI the slides from the call are still up on the NAPRP website, so go grab ‘em!

Here are a few tips from Susan’s notes:

1. Look for creative ways to get people in the door and make it easier for people to adopt from you. If you have a facility, Bonney suggests making it more inviting by changing the decor seasonally, keeping some animals in group areas, providing "meet and greet" spaces, and putting cages in walkways where people will notice them. Also make sure you extend your hours to times when people are off work. Make sure your adoption process is as streamlined as possible.

2. Look for ways to make the match. Instead of looking for ways people will "fail" screenings, turn it around. Statistically, most people don't adopt from animal shelters or rescue. Once you have people "in the door" (either physically or virtually) look for solutions people may not have thought about, so the adoption can proceed. People who want a pet will get it somewhere; find ways for adoption to be the best option.

3. Impulse adoptions aren't bad. Bonney pointed out that studies have shown that people who adopt an animal on impulse aren't any more likely to return it than other people. Many of us do things such as get married, have children, and countless other things based on impulse alone. So eliminating a waiting period to adopt, doing Super Adoptions, showcasing pets at PetSmart (or other pet stores), and having your pets available for adoption at events is not going to increase your return rate. Get your animals out there and make it easy for people to fall in love with them.

4. Having "sales" works. In retail, a sale gets people in the door. So do reduced adoption fees. Lowered prices are a great media "hook" so you can get free publicity. You can have the flexibility to offer lower adoption fees if you increase your fundraising and solicit more donations. The Nevada Humane Society has even had free adoption days.

5. Promote your animals individually and aggressively. The Nevada Humane Society runs promotions constantly. They have co-opted almost every holiday and used it as an excuse for an event or promotion to get more people in the door. Bonney says, "every challenge is an opportunity." For example, when you get 54 cats from a hoarding case, it's an opportunity to showcase those animals in the media. If you have a cat that isn't particularly friendly, run a special ad about her that says, "Could you love a beautiful lady with an attitude?"

The statistics are compelling. The Nevada Humane Society increased their adoption rate 53% in a year by lowering barriers to adoption (more stats are on their Web site).

With planning, you can too! Yes, all of the techniques require manpower, but with all the additional promotion and media exposure, it is easier to recruit more volunteers. Bonney also pointed out that you need to ASK for volunteers for very specific tasks and realize that they come and go.

Shelters – want to increase adoptions? Join this call tomorrow!

2010-03-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

The National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals is an awesome community for anyone involved in dog breed rescue, cat rescue or who works for a humane society or animal shelter. They have both a free and a paid membership option and provide some excellent resources and support for all you’re doing to help animals! For example:

Tomorrow (March 24) at 1pm Pacific (3pm Central), they’re hosting a teleseminar for anyone who is interested, about “Increasing Adoptions" with Bonney Brown, Executive Director for the Nevada Humane Society!

Call details:

Wednesday March 24, 2010 at 1pm Pacific Time, 3pm Central
Phone-Number to Dial: 206-701-8388
Use Conference ID: 178426#

Get the Handout!

Download the PDF before the call from the home page of the NAPRP Web site at http://www.naprp.com/ (it's on the right-hand side under Announcements)

About Bonney Brown:

Bonney is the Executive Director of the Nevada Humane Society. She joined the organization in 2007 and within a few months Washoe County went virtually no-kill. From 2006 to 2007, the NHS increased it's adoption rate by 53%. Despite a per-capita intake rate higher than many communities nationwide, NHS is the safest community of its size for dogs in the United States and one of the safest for cats.

In 2009, thanks to innovative programs and their commitment to saving lives, the humane society is enjoying a 93% save rate for dogs and a 95% save rate for cats. In 2009, they adopted 9,184 animals, which is an increase of 6% (549 animals).

Before joining NHS, Bonney was the Chief Operations Officer for Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. She also served as Best Friends’ Communication Director and National No More Homeless Pets Director. As the Campaign Director for Alley Cat Allies Bonney managed their Katrina rescue and recover project.

FYI Golden Paw members of NAPRP will be able to access a recording of the call for on-demand listening at your convenience.

We think this is a great opportunity to join other pet rescue professionals and learn from someone who has proven results. Check back in with us afterwards and share your thoughts about the call – we’d love to hear your great ideas for increasing adoptions too!

Emergency and Disaster preparedness for pets

2010-03-01T00:12:00.001-08:00

News of natural disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes always serves as a reminder that we should consider our own emergency plans. And it’s not only catastrophic events that might require that you implement your plan – severe weather can easily create conditions that can escalate quickly into an emergency-response situation, and household emergencies can be triggered at any time.

And, improvements following Katrina notwithstanding, making sure your pets are safe and can stay with you is going to be a challenge.

So do as the Boy Scouts do and be prepared! A bit of planning now can save you a world of heartache in the event of a disaster or emergency.

Get informed

Learn about what you should plan for and do in the event of an emergency or disaster. There are plenty of good information sources online:

Pet First Aid and CPR training

Remember, there is no 911 for pets, so your knowledge of basic first aid can be the difference between life and death, and it’s so easy everyone should know it. Here are some local resources:

Can’t afford the time or money for a class? Here are some useful books and DVDs:

Pet First Aid kits

There’s nothing worse than having to scramble and improvise when you know a pet’s life could be in danger. Even minor injuries are easier to deal with when you have the right provisions! Have a basic first aid kit at home and in your car (imagine being able to help an animal who has been run over simply because you thought ahead!).

You can easily (and cheaply) put together a kit yourself, or you can purchase an already-assembled kit (a bit pricier).

Petfinder.com recommended Pet First Aid kit (build it yourself)
A variety of first aid kits available through amazon.com – from as low as $15 and up!
Comprehensive List of Pet First Aid Kits at wholesale prices

Emergency/Disaster preparedness kits

More comprehensive than a simple first aid kit, these are designed to help you through that critical first 72 hours or so after a disaster, when infrastructure is down and first responders are still working on stabilizing the situation. Comprehensive information and kits are available.

Emergency and Disaster survival – pet survival
www.fussycat.com – an awesome emergency evacuation and pet survival kit that is both a carrier and a litter box, and contains emergency supplies. Also, if you enter “American Humane” at checkout you’ll get a 5% savings AND AmericanHumane.org will receive $12 towards its work on behalf of animals!

Hopefully you and your pet will never need these resources but as always, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Being a responsible pet owner also means being a responsible neighbor.

2010-02-08T19:51:00.001-08:00

Rebecca Poling’s latest Examiner article talks about the need for pet owners to consider their community, and points out that pet owners need to be held accountable for their impact on a community. A controversial article? Maybe for some, but teaching people to be responsible pet owners is what Companions For Life does, and part of being a responsible pet owner is being a responsible neighbor.

After all, pets are like kids – not everybody likes them (inexplicable though that may be to you, their doting guardian)… and although you might think yours are the cutest, smartest, most talented and most lovable in the world, not everybody is going to agree.

So while you think it’s sweet that Fido misses you when you go to work, the guy who works night shift in the apartment next door might be slowly going mad from the incessant barking during the day. And no matter how charming you think it is that your friendly feline likes to visit every home on the street, the family with allergies up the road certainly doesn’t appreciate the company. And NOBODY likes stepping in something undesirable on the curbside as they get into/out of their car, or having to cross the road to avoid an overexcited dog on “walkies”.

“Is all this really that big a deal?” you ask – YES, yes it is! A cantankerous neighbor could make your life a living hell (especially if he’s the President of the Home Owners Association, or knows your landlord) and may even be within their rights to demand that you surrender your pet or send the police around for noncompliance with municipal ordinances, like that old couple in Dallas recently. Or it could be worse – a ticked off neighbor could take matters into their own hands and injure, or even kill your pet in order to get rid of the “problem”.

Being aware of the constraints of living in an urban (especially high-density) area is important, and the closer the quarters, the more important it is to be considerate of others whether they agree with your love of animals or not.

And finally, as a pet owner in a city, you are an advocate for responsible pet ownership – how you (and your pet) conduct yourself can have far-reaching influence: pet owners who are perceived to be a nuisance, or inconsiderate, could be the reason why the Association votes to be a pet-free community at the next Board meeting, or quite the opposite – the more pet owners that prove they are considerate, clean and quiet, the better the options will be for neighborhoods, condos and apartments to accept pets without penalty.

None of us is an island - our actions have implications. Being a responsible member of the community will ultimately mean a better life for us and our pets!

Help Dallas Animal Services staff get the critical training they need to better help our animals!

2010-02-04T21:12:00.001-08:00

We all want our animal control officers, shelter workers, veterinarians, and law enforcement officers to have the tools they need to improve the quality of care for shelter animals and animals in cruelty situations. To do their job well, these professionals need continuing education to satisfy licensing requirements, keep up with new developments in the animal welfare industry and to be more effective for our community’s animals.

But in this economy, getting that training can be especially challenging. Like so many other City departments, Dallas Animal Services' budget belt had to be tightened and as a result NO funds are available for training this fiscal year.

The good news is that many from Dallas Animal Services are asking, in fact, begging for more training, and you can help. A great educational opportunity for animal welfare professionals is coming up this Spring and Metroplex Animal Coalition, Companions For Life, and Dallas Animal Advocates are teaming up to raise money to send deserving Dallas Animal Services staff members.

"Texas Unites" is an unparalleled educational conference which begins March 26th in Austin. Co-hosted by the three largest professional animal care and control organizations in Texas - the Texas Animal Shelter Coalition, the Texas Federation of Humane Societies and the Texas Animal Control Association, "Texas Unites" offers 36 courses in four specialized tracks including Field Operations & Animal Cruelty Investigations, Shelter Operations & Placement, and Veterinary & Health. For four days, experts from across the state will be joined by professionals from HSUS, PetsMart Charities, ASPCA, to share their knowledge with attendees.

We think you’ll agree that our community's animal services workers should learn from the best in the industry about topics range from identifying animal cruelty and courtroom testimony to operational issues involved in large seizures and volunteer recruiting and screening to strategies for disease prevention in the shelter.

We need your contribution to make this education a reality:

Your contribution of $25, when combined with three others, could pay for one night at the conference hotel
Your contribution of $65 will pay for 1/2 the cost of registration for one staff member.
Your contribution of $99 will pay for one night's stay at the conference hotel's special reduced rate just for conference attendees.
Your contribution of $125 will pay for registration for one staff member for the entire 3-day conference including an inspirational keynote presentation by Texas own Kinky Friedman.
Your contribution of $300 will pay for one double-occupancy room for two animal control officers for 3 nights
Your contribution of $425 will pay for conference registration and hotel room for one staff veterinarian or animal control officer.

Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated. You can donate online using MasterCard, Visa, American Express or PayPal through the Dallas Animal Advocates website at www.dallasanimaladvocates.com - just click on the Donate button at the bottom left. Or send a check or money order payable to Dallas Animal Advocates, 11700 Preston Road, Suite 660-318, Dallas, Texas 75230-2718.

Please help us by sending your donation today. Early bird registration ends February 28, 2010 and hotel space is limited so we must reserve soon.

DFW Spay Day 2010 is happening in Feb!

2010-01-13T11:33:00.001-08:00

Metroplex Animal Coalition is hosting its 2nd annual DFW Spay Day (which is actually a week long) where they will be offering 300 surgeries and vaccinations the last week in February, 2010.

Go to the website at http://www.dfwspayday.org/ for information on dates and times, reservations or if you’d like to make a donation towards the surgeries.

Not in the DFW area? No problem, check out info on the HSUS 2010 Spay Day at http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/spay_day/ and locate a Spay Day event near you.

Michael Vick and the Ed Block Courage award

2009-12-29T22:22:00.001-08:00

You probably all know that the Philadelphia Eagles recently voted Michael Vick as their preferred recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. What a travesty! The Ed Block Foundation is dedicated to promoting awareness and assisting in the prevention of child abuse. That objective is combined with the Foundation's commitment to celebrating players of inspiration in the NFL. Each year, every NFL team votes for one of its players to receive the Ed Block Courage Award. It is considered to be one of the most prestigious awards in the NFL, and heralds the winner as an example of inspiration, spirit, and bravery.

WHAT where the Eagles thinking, nominating Michael VICK, the man who epitomizes the exact opposite of what the award should represent?!

Child abuse and animal abuse are perpetrated by the same time types of people (often the same people, as we all know that domestic violence and animal abuse go hand in hand, just as much as animal abuse often presages violence against humans): cowardly and craven bullies taking advantage of an innocent, dependent being. There is no-one LESS courageous than someone who abuses either children or animals.

Vick is NOT a courageous man – he is a cowardly creature who tortured and abused animals for pleasure and the approval of his equally degenerate peers. There's nothing courageous about bowing to peer pressure; there’s nothing courageous about abusing animals. And where's the courage when Vick, offered the opportunity to look the surviving dogs in the eyes, refused to step up even for that?? This is no hero, there is no courage. That man is the ultimate coward, through and through.

Please sign a petition against Vick’s nomination – it’s a travesty and makes a mockery of all the truly brave NFL players who deserve to be nominated, not to mention the real heroes – people who put their safety and peace of mind on the line every day to prevent animal abuse and those who rescue the victims. Sign to stop this prestigious award from being tarnished by association with the likes of Michael Vick - http://bit.ly/7pLfb6.

Even temporary holding conditions should be humane

2009-12-22T22:20:00.001-08:00

In an update on the recent shocking case involving the seizure of over 20,000 exotic animals in Arlington, Tx it has been clearly established that the inhumane conditions in which the animals were being held lead to the deaths of over 1,600 and health conditions ranging from parasite infestations to starvation.

Besides the fact that these animals were torn from their native environments and callously traded for their exotic appeal at risk to their wellbeing (and in some cases, the wellbeing of the environments into which they were being introduced), even the most basic fundamentals of animal transportation were not being observed.

Whether transporting a pet, livestock or exotic animal, it is critical to ensure adequate food, water and bedding when transporting or holding animals, and to have sufficiently trained personnel on hand to monitor the animals’ wellbeing at all times.

Let’s hope that this company is summarily put out of business – their holding facility is such a health hazard, health specialists are recommending its demolition – an organization like should not be allowed to continue their cruelty and exploitation. Say what you will about PETA, who sponsored the undercover investigation, their goal to end the commercial sale of exotic animals around the world can only be a good thing.

Dallas Area Pet Stores Take ‘Puppy Friendly’ Pledge

2009-12-18T15:51:00.001-08:00

Local animal lovers have been working with Dallas area pet stores to sign The Humane Society of the United States' puppy friendly pet store pledge — committing not to sell puppies, but instead support local animal adoption programs and provide literature that helps customers learn about reputable breeders.

These businesses are proof that selling puppy mill pets is not the way to a successful pet-related business, and their participation in the program will hopefully boost shelter adoptions as well.

Please show your support for these more humane businesses by boycotting stores that sell live puppies and kittens and shopping with one of these instead:

The independent retailers in the Dallas area that have recently signed the puppy friendly pledge to not sell puppies are:

Big Paw Designs (online only)
Canine Commissary (Dallas)
City Pet Supply (North Dallas)
City Pet Supply Oak Lawn (Dallas)
City Vet Center Uptown (Dallas)
Doggy Tug (Dallas)
Downtown Dog (Dallas)
Green Pet (Dallas)
Lucca Bella Doggie Spa & Boutique (Dallas)
Lucky Dog Barkery (Dallas)
Perky Poodle (Dallas)
Pet Supplies "Plus" (Dallas)
The Dog Lofts Oak Lawn (Dallas)
The Dog Lofts Uptown (Dallas)
The Petropolitan (Dallas)
The Pooch Patio (Dallas)
Urban Paws (Dallas)
City Vet Center (Flower Mound)
Glamour Paws (Fort Worth)
Every Dog's Day Canine Resort and Day Spa (Frisco)
Prestige Pet Products (Grand Prairie)
Pete & Mac's Pet Resort (Irving)
Foxy Paws Dog Boutique (Plano)
Pet Supplies "Plus" (Plano)
Pete & Mac's Pet Resort (Plano)
Woof… Cool Stuff Fur Dogs (Plano)
Three Dog Bakery (Southlake)

THANKS, animal advocates and HSUS for this program that will help consumers make better decisions!

More information and action for you (links below):

Exotic animals seized in Arlington

2009-12-16T00:07:00.001-08:00

I am not a pet!

Photo: Nigel Treblin / AFP/Getty Images

The largest animal seizure of its kind in the country took place in this week in Arlington, TX when as many as 20,000 critters were targeted for seizure from an exotic pet distributor Tuesday morning. Many of them were in appalling condition, starving or suffering from being kept in inappropriate conditions for their species; a large number were already dead when authorities made the raid.

The fact that the distributor ran a multi million dollar business trading in exotic animals for over a decade hints at the demand for such unusual “pets” in this country, and poses some unique challenges for animal welfare groups (and communities at large) when people cannot adequately care for their exotic charge. Some are simply released – into non-native habitats where they die because of conditions they are not meant to live in; or where they thrive and decimate native fauna and flora – sometimes to a dangerous degree (think of some of the African and Burmese pythons now cross-breeding with local snakes in the swamps of Florida). Some attack their owners or other people, while some simply die from neglect and ignorance of their unique environmental, dietary and social requirements. And some, usually involuntarily, are surrendered to animal welfare agencies who themselves are ill-equipped to assist in the care and re-homing of highly specialized animal species.

It’s bad enough that we have an overpopulation of everyday companion animals like dogs, cats and rabbits – but the additional burden placed on rescue and welfare groups when exotics are added to the mix pushes the system well beyond its already-strained limits.

Wild animals are not pets, people! It is irresponsible and inhumane to be capturing, transporting and trading exotic, non-native wildlife to be kept as pets or status symbols.

What you can do about this issue:

Never buy or promote the ownership of exotic or wild animals as pets.
Please support the awesome groups who have been pulled into this latest seizure: SPCA of Texas, Arlington Animal Services, and Humane Society of North Texas
Get educated about the issue of exotic wildlife as pets by checking out the HSUS page - http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/exotic_pets/
And let your elected officials know you support legislation such as the Large Constrictor Snake Trade Ban (recently approved by a Senate panel, now under consideration by the Senate). How to you do that? Check out the HSUS page http://www.humanesociety.org/action/now/ or the ASPCA page http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/lobby-for-animals/.

Our motto “No More Disposable Pets” means exactly that – no more disposable pets of ANY kind!!

Fun holiday gifts for pet lovers – for a good cause!

2009-11-30T22:59:00.001-08:00

Looking for Holiday gifts for pet lovers?

Contemporary Cats has an awesome selection of accessories, bags and wallets, notecards and more – and they donate a portion of all sales to Companions For Life to help our humane education efforts!

Extra! Extra!

If you have other organizations you might want to support, check out Rebecca Poling’s latest article on great gifts for pet lovers that also benefit local shelters and rescue groups – from divine doggie treats at Sublime Bakery to Mousepads, Snowglobes and pet beds, your holiday shopping can mean more than just awesome gifts! Groups that benefit include Animal Rescue of Texas, Cat Matchers, Dog and Kitty City, SPCA of Texas, Homeward Bound Rescue and more. These are gifts that keep on giving!

Do you know someone who wants a new pet for Christmas?

Pets are like perfume, there’s a lot of chemistry involved in getting a perfect match, and many well-meaning gifts of pooches or kitties end up in shelters as a result of a poor match or because the time isn’t quite right. Instead of giving a pet, why not give a pet gift certificate instead? Many shelters offer gift certificates that can be used to cover adoption fees so that people can take their time and find exactly the right pet to love forever.

And… if you want something fun to wrap for under the tree, why not get a pet gift certificate from your local shelter or humane society, and pop it in a nifty little pet carrier like this one (from Contemporary Cats) – now they have something to carry their new friend home in!

Virtual Virtues!

Finally, if you’d like to directly help an animal, you can also make a donation on a person’s behalf – or sponsor an animal either in a shelter or at a zoo or sanctuary. This is a great way to help teach kids about conservation or animal welfare – many programs exist that provide an “adoption” certificate and information about the animal being sponsored, and sometimes also little plush toys that children can enjoy while learning about different animals.

Do you have any other suggestions for fun gifts that support a good cause or help teach humane values? Share them with us and inspire someone to make a difference - what better way to bring real cheer to the holiday season than with wonderful gifts that also help deserving causes – happy shopping!

How can shelters increase adoptions?

2009-11-16T19:57:00.001-08:00

Dog training! A recent article on the ZoomRoom website highlights new research confirming that even moderately trained dogs are more likely to be adopted from animal shelters. In the study, trained dogs were adopted about 1.5 times as frequently as dogs without basic training, corroborating the observations of the article’s author, that dogs in shelters “who exhibit friendly ‘pet-like’ behavior are the quickest to be adopted”.

Lola McKnight Co-founder of Shelter Animal Advocacy Fund, LA and Dog Trainer & Behavior Specialist completely agrees: “At the West LA city shelter we have an on going training program made up of volunteers and dog trainers. We work with as many of the dogs as possible teaching them basic obedience. Every time we show a dog who knows "sit" or walks well on leash, people are much more interested in adopting them. In addition, our dogs who participate in the K9 Connection program (at risk kids training shelter dogs) are also much more likely to be adopted.”

Prioritizing basic training for dogs at shelters is good on a number of levels: it keeps the dogs socialized and teaches them manners which, as we’ve seen above, makes them more desirable – but it also keeps them engaged and stimulated, helping prevent depression or other kennel-induced behavior problems that make it harder for a dog to find a home. And of course, for shelters that euthanize, adopting more dogs (faster) can mean fewer animals sent to the kill room.

How can you help? Well, the more volunteers a shelter has, the better its chances of being able to spare some resources to train the dogs – so do what you can! Walk dogs, train them, or just take on some shelter duties to free staff up to make this critical commitment. Fostering also helps – foster parents train and socialize dogs while caring for them in a home environment, helping to make sure they’re at their most adoptable.

So reach out to your local shelter now, to see what you can do to help them adopt out more dogs – helping a dog learn “sit” could save its life!

Children’s books you can use to teach compassion

2009-11-09T23:35:00.001-08:00

In a world where violence and gore no longer elicit shock, it’s little wonder that some children are growing up thinking that it’s OK to abuse others, whether animal or human. But it’s not OK – and it’s the responsibility of parents, teachers and influential adults to help children learn and understand the concepts of compassion, empathy and humanity, starting as young as possible.

Stories are powerful tools in our humane education toolkit – reading to and/or with a child not only encourages literacy but helps to stimulate their natural curiosity, and introduces concepts of humane living in age-appropriate context.

The Institute of Humane Education has a new Children’s Literature section on their website, where they list some fantastic book suggestions for children of all ages. Options include fiction and non-fiction, picture books and chapter books – why not start by checking out the books listed under the “animal protection” category? There are some great Thanksgiving titles, or you could help a kid learn about adopting a dog, or why it’s not a good thing for cats to keep having kittens.

Come to think of it, some of these books might be useful for adults too!

Technorati Tags: literature,humane education,books,education,stories,library,animals,pets

Animal Rescue Volunteers – all they’re missing are capes!

2009-10-31T14:31:00.001-07:00

Volunteers at a horse rescue – grooming, fixing fences and mending shelters – somebody’s got to do it!

Rebecca Poling’s latest Examiner article really sums up the daily heroic actions that animal rescue volunteers routinely take in stride.

Sometimes those heroic efforts are dangerous, extreme and all-out – when natural disaster strikes or yet another puppy mill is exposed and animals need to be airlifted to safety. These are the ones that make the news and thank goodness they don’t happen every day.

But more often, those heroic efforts are the daily gifts of time, attention, love and skill given by volunteers who sacrifice social lives, space in their homes and down time to keep the trains running in shelters and for animal rescue organizations nation-wide. These are the people who make sure animals are fed, cages are cleaned, prospective pets are socialized. These are the folk who put themselves out there to raise the funds that keep organizations’ doors open and animals alive. These are the ones who have to make hard decisions and take heartbreaking action every day because our society is conditioned to dispose of anything that is no longer convenient, and to blithely absolve itself of any accountability for the wellbeing of creatures in its care. These people are quiet heroes and deserve our deepest gratitude for their compassion, commitment and care.

Everyone who takes a stand, who acts in defense of animals – however small that action – is a hero. Everyone who gives up something to make this world a better place for people and animals – no matter how small that sacrifice – is a hero. Sometimes it’s like holding back the tide, but every single person who keeps going and spreads compassion in the face of overwhelming odds every day is a hero.

The article’s last paragraph really sums it up: “Animal rescue is hard. It’s physically demanding and emotionally draining. There is never enough money nor volunteers, and there is never enough time. But they persevere. These are my heroes.”

Want to be a hero, too? Volunteer, donate, foster or adopt. And if you work for a company that matches your donations or volunteer hours, take advantage of that to double your impact!

For more info:

Volunteer match lists lots of volunteer opportunities with local rescue groups
To donate visit JustGive and find an organization to support.
Want to adopt? Check Petfinder for a list of area rescue groups and the homeless pets available now.

Using eBay for fun and (non) profit!

2009-10-14T12:41:00.001-07:00

These darling little 18” diameter pet beds were recently posted on eBay as an eBay Giving Works charitable listing. That means that 10% of the proceeds from each sale will benefit Companions for Life.

First up, THANK YOU to spigem-1 for generously sharing the wealth (and Kudos for strategic placement of Model Chihuahua to showcase the fabulousness of your product – do the beds come ready-populated with one?!) – and thumbs up to eBay for helping people effortlessly do good while they indulge in some recreational commerce!

In fact, it’s so easy that over $126 million has found its way to charitable causes through the Giving Works program on eBay. So how can you get on the bandwagon? Well, buying something on eBay is a no-brainer with little blue-and-yellow ribbons identifying listings that support nonprofits, and it’s not just businesses who can donate a portion of their sale profits.

Anyone who posts something for sale can do it – so why not consider a charitable listing when it comes to selling that elliptical trainer that’s never been employed as anything but an expensive clothes rack or your ex boyfriend’s creepy boggle-eyed goldfish bowl. And in fact, you don’t even need to buy or sell something – if you’re still dipping your toe into the online auction space but you have a Paypal account, you can make an online cash donation of as little as $1 - or as much as your bank account can handle - to any nonprofit in the eBay Giving Works program!

Isn’t it great to do good without leaving home? Now go buy that pet bed – your pooch won’t be the only animal thanking you!

Here in this house...........

2009-10-06T22:27:00.001-07:00

Here in this house...........
I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'.
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness,
and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house...
There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand,
I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house...
I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be.
I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house...
I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored.
If scared, I will be calmed.
If sad, I will be cheered.
No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and thought to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.
My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house...
I will belong.
I will be home.

(anonymous)

Canines, Cats and Cabernet on Sunday, November 8

2009-10-02T23:42:00.001-07:00

Operation Kindness is North Texas’ largest and oldest no-kill shelter and they’d like to invite you to sip on fine wines, sample delicious hors d'oeuvres and bid on more than 200 outstanding auction items while mingling with fellow animal lovers at a benefit on November 8th.

It's from 3pm to 6pm at the Marriott Legacy Town Center (don't worry, the Cowboys play at night, so you can still get home in time for the game!) - for more information and to purchase tickets, please visit their website:
http://www.operationkindness.org/events/ccc_2009/

Garland taking steps in the right direction

2009-10-02T23:23:00.001-07:00

Garland’s Mayor has been taking some positive steps to address the situation with the city’s shelter, as Rebecca Poling outlines in her recent Examiner article, but he’s got a ways to go and he’s going to have to be a champion change agent if he’s going to overcome the obdurate resistance of his own City Council. He has the support of the public, shelter management and even the shelter employees to improve shelter practices and programs, but he faces an uphill battle and is going to need continued public support as he tries to blaze a new, progressive path for the city’s animal shelter. We urge you to keep up the pressure on the City Council until they listen to their constituents and get with the program!

A group that works to unchain dogs

2009-09-30T22:55:00.001-07:00

When Companions for Life worked with other animal advocates in the metroplex to champion the new city ordinances adopted in Dallas last year, one of those laws specified (among other things) that a dog cannot be tethered unless it is in the immediate possession and control of its owner – or it can only be tethered for no longer than is necessary (less than 3 hours) for the owner to complete a temporary task.

If a dog has to be confined outdoors, it must be in a fenced yard or other pen or structure that: (i) is capable of preventing the escape of the dog; (ii) has at least 150 sq. ft. of space per adult dog; and (iii) provides the dog access to the inside of a building, a dog house or other type of shelter.

In North Carolina, a positive, upbeat group of people called Coalition to Unchain Dogs is doing awesome work proactively reaching out to dog owners in that state and helping them comply with laws like this by building fenced areas in which a dog can live unchained.

Check out this video of one of their recent projects – it’s a joy to see how happy and grateful that dog is when his heavy chain is removed and he can run free! You can see more happy stories on their website - http://unchaindogs.net/tails.html.

These groups are doing great work – not only do they ensure spay/neuter services are provided to dogs they help, but their positive stance is more likely to change minds and open hearts of people who think it’s OK to chain their dog than just about anything else.

OTHER GROUPS WORKING TO UNCHAIN DOGS:

Fences for Fido

Dogs Deserve Better

Helping Animals

Mothers Against Dog Chaining

Chained dogs are unhappy, unsafe and dangerous – please don’t leave your dog tethered all day – find a group who can help you build a fence, and your dog’s gratitude and happiness will reduce your liability immediately!

Feral Friends Annual Fundraiser this Saturday

2009-09-29T22:13:00.001-07:00

Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance annual fundraiser is this Saturday, October 3rd, from 6:30 - 9:30 at Artfest International.

The lineup for the silent auction includes gift certificates for great restaurants including III Forks and Cantina Laredo, a makeup party at Elizabeth Arden, 4 tickets to Disneyland, a private wine tasting, symphony tickets, pet portraits, gift baskets and much more! The evening's menu includes veggie hors de oeuvres, pasta and bread sticks plus two free drinks!

Tickets are only $22 per person and are available on line. Come on out and enjoy a night of fun in support of Feral Friends' mission to help control the overpopulation of cats in your community and help provide medical care and foster homes to adoptable cats and kittens.

For more info: Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance.

(Content courtesy of Rebecca Poling, our Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner – more of her articles here. Image courtesy of Urbancritter.)

“Hooray For The Underdog” Artists Reception This Friday, benefitting Animal Rescue of Texas

2009-09-23T21:15:00.001-07:00

Friday, September 25th, Healey Grisham Studios and Hooray For The Underdog are hosting a reception showcasing new works of Beverly Ann Moore and benefitting Animal Rescue of Texas.

The event runs from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and wine & hors d'oeuvres will be served. Plus one lucky dog will win a featured art piece!

Healey Grisham Studios are located at 2036 Commerce Street in Dallas – c’mon down and join us!

Dog Poetry : "THE LIFE OF A PUPPY

2009-09-20T17:25:00.001-07:00

Someone sent us this sweet, anonymous poem and we had to share it - enjoy!

This morning, I woke up & kissed my dad's head.
I peed on the carpet, then went back to bed.
"The life of a puppy, oh my, this is great."
Then I thought about breakfast," I hope it's not late."

Mom took me outside, we walked for a while.
This never fails to make Mama smile.
I sniffed of everything, that we did pass,
I ate something weird - it gave me gas.

I'm sure God loves me, I know that is true.
He gave me so many great things to chew.
Rugs, plants or rocks, I really don't care.
What I truly like best, is Dad's underwear.

That obedience book was sort of yummy.
Though it didn't sit well on my poor puppy tummy.
I threw up a bit, but that was all right,
When Mom found it later, I was well out of sight.

I made streamers of T. P., while running at full speed.
Mom is pretty quick -- but I was still in the lead.
I flew under the bed, and Mom flew past,
She stopped-shook her head, and breathed,
"You're too fast."

Mama later phoned Daddy, and said, "It was frightening!"
That afternoon, she was sure I'd pooped lightning.
She'd sat at the computer, while I chewed the cord,
She thought I was mad, but I was just bored.

When Mama had enough, couldn't take anymore,
That's when my tushy got shoved out the door.
I love it inside, but outside is best.
Lay in the cool grass, and had a good rest.

That didn't last long, there was too much to do--
Can't quite remember where I hid Daddy's shoe.
I found an old bone, and scratched at a flea,
I watched the dumb squirrels as they jumped in a tree.

I barked at the kids, when they got off the bus.
I can't figure out why this makes Mama fuss.
I barked at the neighbor, I barked at the wind.
I barked and barked, till Mom yelled, "COME IN."

The sun dipped in the west-soon Daddy would come!
I sure love my daddy: we always have fun.
I barked at my daddy, then turned on my charms,
I woo-wooed, "Hello," then jumped in his arms.

Sitting under the table -- it's sooo hard to wait.
Daddy slipped me a goodie right off his plate.
I raced through the house, and scattered my toys,
Ricocheted off the furniture, and made lots of noise.

Mom found her purse - the one I abused.
Daddy let loose a chuckle. Mom asked "Amused??"
I cowered down low, I must be in trouble.
Dad said, "Wasn't MY boy, it must be his double!"

Mom turned off the TV, and said,"Time for bed."
Dad said "Let's go boy," and patted my head.
I got in my spot, between Mom and Dad,
I thought 'bout my day and what fun I had.

Mama kicked out my bone from the covers below,
Then let loose a sigh -- a sigh deep and low.
She gave me a kiss, and snuggled me tight,
And whispered so softly, 'My darling goodnight'.

Author Unknown

Garland’s troubles keep multiplying

2009-09-18T21:53:00.001-07:00

**JUST IN**

Garland’s euthanasia practices may be ethically questionable, but new evidence shows that the shelter may also have been violating State law in their choices of animals to put down.

The Dallas Morning News claims to have obtained records showing that the Garland animal shelter “has been gassing young, sick or elderly cats and dogs in violation of state law, probably causing them a slower, more stressful death.”

The shelter may also have been putting down animals immediately upon intake, in violation of city rules stating how long animals must be kept before being euthanized.

Read the full article here.

Garland Still Uses Gas to Euthanize Unwanted Pets

2009-09-18T21:44:00.001-07:00

It’s highly controversial, widely held to be archaic and inhumane, but it’s still legal in Texas and the Garland animal shelter continues to use it as a preferred method of putting down unwanted animals. It’s carbon monoxide gas – the same poisonous gas your car’s exhaust puts out – only highly concentrated and about 80% of Garland’s euthanized animals die by carbon monoxide gassing.

Texas state legislators maintain that this method is necessary to enable shelters with only one or two people (generally a town Sheriff and deputy) to be able to euthanize an animal without requiring the skills necessary to effectively use the more acceptable sodium pentobarbital injection.

Garland has almost 20 people on staff, however, including animal control officers already trained in both methods of euthanasia and a full time vet, so there’s no reason for them to maintain an arguably less effective, less humane way to end an animal’s life. But they continue to insist on using the gas option, and now that they’re aware of the practice, and the controversy surrounding it, Garland residents are appalled. Petitions have been signed, comments abound on blogs and news sites, and citizens are speaking out at the Garland City Council meetings. In vain, it would appear – the Garland shelter is standing by it's questionable decision, ostensibly for the good of its employees, claiming it’s less stressful to gas an animal than it is to administer a lethal injection.

When is it NOT stressful to kill a perfectly healthy and viable companion animal? Garland’s efforts to protect their employees are likely well intentioned but misguided. Sure, gassing an animal in another room is less personal than holding it in your arms and watching the life fade from its eyes, but it can be no less traumatic to know that the animal in the gas chamber died terrified and alone, instead of in the arms of someone who truly cared and shuffled them off this mortal coil as gently and lovingly as possible.

Garland City Council needs to listen to their constituents, evaluate the merits of each solution and – above all – keep the animals’ best interests in mind when making decisions about the operations of their animal shelter.

More information:

Have your say:

Comment on the Garland blog and help shape the conversation

Fancy a round of golf on Saturday?

2009-09-16T20:23:00.001-07:00

Uncle, available for adoption from Richardson Humane Society

Richardson Humane Society's 8th Annual Canine Classic golf tournament will be held Saturday, October 3rd at Oakridge Country Club in Garland with a shotgun start at 1pm.

The two person Scramble costs only $ 90.00 per person which includes green fees, golf cart, range balls, dinner, and a goody bag. Mulligans and raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 each.

As a nonprofit organization, Richardson Humane Society relies solely on donations to rescue, treat, and place deserving animals into for-ever homes. To date they have rescued and placed over 1,600 dogs and cats into loving homes.

Hurry - you can sign up online and get a free subscription to Golf Digest, but you must do so by tomorrow, Thursday, September 18th!

(Content courtesy of Rebecca Poling, our Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner – more of her articles here.)

Remembering lost friends on National Pet Memorial Day.

2009-09-13T16:30:00.001-07:00

The International Association of Pet Cemeteries designated the second Sunday of September (that’s today) as National Pet Memorial Day.

Today, let’s all take the opportunity to remember lost loved pets, and to celebrate the joy and unconditional love they brought into our lives as our devoted companions.

For those who may have lost a pet recently, no words can salve the raw pain of your bereavement, but perhaps sharing this day of remembrance with others who have grieved might provide some small solace.

Some words of advice when dealing with the loss of a furry family member (yours or someone else’s) include:

Grief and loss, like love, is a very personal thing and not everyone experiences it the same way. Know that whatever you’re feeling is OK, and that you have the right to process this loss in whatever way works best for you.
Acknowledge that, for many people, pets are not just animals we own – they are family members and loved just as deeply as a child or sibling. That is a valid love, and the loss is every bit as valid and painful as if we lost any other of our family members. So cut yourself (or your grieving friend) some slack, and be kind.
Trite as it may be, time WILL take away some of the pain. Let it. And hold on to the special memories.

Some suggestions for marking National Pet Memorial Day

Write a poem, story, or song about and/or dedicated to your pet, or create a tribute video
Write a letter to your pet expressing feelings you may be struggling with, tell them how much you miss them, or thank them for the wonderful memories you have
Share photographs and stories with family or friends; remembering the special times, the love and joy they brought us
Visit their burial site, hold a remembrance ceremony with family and friends
Create a living memorial by planting a tree, bush, or flower garden
Create an online memorial, whether it be on a pet memorial website, blog or other site
Explore the Internet for pet memorial sites with inspiring stories of love and devotion between people and their companions
Make a personalized magazine cover for your pet, a great way to catalog the fond memories of the times shared using pictures, and great headlines to share with everyone
Use this day to volunteer at your local animal shelter or a rescue group
Use this day to make a donation in memory of your companion to a local animal charity, shelter or rescue group

We at Companions For Life are remembering our own precious pets who have travelled to the Rainbow Bridge as well as the millions of pets across the country who have died at the hands of irresponsible owners, or in shelters for want of a loving home. May those bright souls find comfort at the Bridge and a respite from a harsh world. RIP beloved pets and all those lost, abandoned or abused.

(post by Urbancritter)

Save money on your pet's prescription medicines!

2009-09-08T21:18:00.001-07:00

Anyone who’s had a sick pet knows that it can get expensive fast – particularly if your furry friend needs ongoing medication. So what great news to know that there’s an opportunity for Dallas County residents to save up to 65% on prescription drugs – for you and your pet!

The new Dallas County Coast2Coast RX Card offers substantial savings on prescription drugs, including prescriptions for your pet. There are no health restrictions, no income or age requirements, and the program covers both brand-name and generic drugs.

Participating pharmacies include Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Sam's Club, Tom Thumb, Target, Kroger, Minyard, Costco and many more.

A complete list of participating pharmacies is available online and you can even print your new drug card right from the website. So if you've got a diabetic cat, an arthritic dog - or any pet on prescription medicines - and you live in Dallas County, this little card could mean big savings!

For more info: Dallas County Coast2Coast RX Card.

Photo courtesy UrbanCritter. Exciting news courtesy of our President, Rebecca Poling, our Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner – more of her articles here.

SPCA of Texas offers $5,000 reward in cat killer case

2009-08-31T23:58:00.001-07:00

As if there weren’t enough reasons to keep your cat inside, some deranged individual in Northwest Dallas has given us all another one by going on a killing spree, strangling and dismembering neighborhood cats.

Although this is not an isolated incident (there are too many stories of cats being killed and mutilated all across North Texas, whether by animal abusers or urban wildlife), it is sufficiently disturbing that the SPCA of Texas is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.

"There is a well-documented link between animal cruelty and human violence." said SPCA of Texas President James Bias. "Helping the Dallas Police Department bring these individuals to justice will help stop the cycle of abuse." Anyone with information about the cat killings should contact Corporal Kimberly Crawford with the Dallas Police Department at 214-670-6037.

For more info: Learn how to report animal cruelty, or check out A Safe Cat Is A Happy Cat. Robert Wilonsk writes for Dallas Observer's Unfair Park blog and he recaps a conversation with the lead DPD investigator in the case. Think your outdoor cat will never be happy indoors? Bringing an Outside Cat In tells you how to do it successfully.

An inspiring and compassionate video - please watch and share!

2009-08-27T14:26:00.001-07:00

Some information below (copied from the YouTube posting):

Jerry Borders is a Dallas, Texas animal activist. After protesting Petland for months he decided to write a song against Petland and puppy mills. This is a personal video. It is not associated with any animal protection organization.

Some background (just in case you haven’t been across this issue):

The Humane Society of the U.S. investigated Petland and found that they are linked to puppy mills where the breeding mothers and also male dogs spend their lives living in cages (on wire floors) and pens breeding over and over to supply pet shops and internet breeders.
http://tinyurl.com/64mkh6

PetSmart and PetCo do NOT sell puppies, but instead ONLY invite rescue groups into their stores to adopt out the dogs and cats who need to find their forever homes. I wish they’d do the same with Ferrets, rodents, birds and fish but dogs and cats is a start.

Five things you can do to help:

PLEASE Consider adoption first when getting a pet. Animal shelters are filled with dogs and cats of all breeds and sizes who need and deserve loving homes. Nationwide, approximately 25 percent of the dogs in shelters are purebreds.
Find a responsible breeder and visit their premises in person to see how the parent dogs are living and the conditions in which the puppy was raised. Responsible breeders house their dogs as members of the family and do not keep them confined to cages.
Don't be fooled by common claims made by pet stores when pushing their puppies. Good breeders do not sell to pet stores because they want to meet the families who are taking home their puppies.
Don't be swayed by a great website or ad: Many of the puppy mills The HSUS has raided in recent years hid behind beautiful and deceiving websites promising "family raised" puppies.
Avoid the temptation to "rescue" a puppy mill puppy by buying him. Your purchase will only help perpetuate a cruel industry and another dog will quickly fill his cage.

For more information on how to get a puppy from a shelter or a responsible breeder, go to www.humanesociety.org/puppy

To join the Petland protests in Frisco, Plano, Dallas and Arlington please send your name and e-mail address to Dr. John Pippin at: jjpippin@sbcglobal.net

Technorati Tags: Jerry Borders,Change Some Hearts,Puppy Mills,Pit Bulls,Chained Dogs,Petland,PetSmart,PetCo,animal abuse,animal welfare,humane society,HSUS

Housecat Housecalls on Animal Planet

2009-08-25T01:39:00.001-07:00

Long before Victoria Stillwell was addressing doggie behavioral issues and promoting positive and humane training methods on her hit TV show “It’s Me or the Dog”, a little show in Australia called “Harry’s Practice” featured a beautiful and smart lady vet called Dr. Katrina Warren, who’d advise on pet health and behavior.

Well the combination of beauty, compassion and an interesting accent has proved a crowd pleaser, but with so many dog training programs out there, who’s talking to cat lovers with feisty felines? Who else but Dr. Kat?!

Dr. Katrina is currently hosting Housecat Housecall® on Animal Planet, Saturdays 10.30am ET.

Each week she will visit two families and, with the help of the Housecat Housecall® Mentors Dr. Karen Sueda and Dr. Rich Goldstein, she'll try to make some sense out of a wide range of feline puzzlers. Whether it's just a quirky behavior or something more complex, Dr. Katrina and her team work out real solutions that help bring peace, harmony, and well-being back to the homes of cats and owners.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

I am an Animal Rescuer

2009-08-24T19:09:00.001-07:00

We have no idea who wrote this but it really does sum up the heart of an animal rescuer.

On behalf of all the animals saved by courageous people who put themselves, their safety and their financial wellbeing on the line, time and time again, to create a more humane world - THANK YOU.

I am an Animal Rescuer.

My job is to assist God's creatures.
I was born with the drive to fulfill their needs.
I take in helpless, unwanted, homeless creatures
without planning or selection.
I have bought cat food with my last dime.
I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand.
I have hugged someone vicious and afraid.
I have fallen in love a thousand times.
And I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body
too many times to count.

I have Animal Friends and friends who have animal friends.
I don't often use the word "pet".
I notice those lost at the road side
and my heart aches.
I will hand raise a field mouse
and make friends with a vulture.
I know of no creature unworthy of my time.

I do not want to live forever if there aren't
animals in Heaven, but I believe there are.
Why would God make something so perfect
and leave it behind?

Some may think we are masters of the animals,
but the animals have mastered themselves...
something people still haven't learned.

War and abuse make me hurt for the world,
but a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind.
We are a quiet but determined army
and we are making a difference every day.

There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan,
nothing more rewarding than saving a life,
no higher recognition than watching them thrive.
There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play
who, only days ago, was too weak to eat.

By the love of those who I've been privileged to rescue,
I have been rescued.

I know what true unconditional love really is,
for I've seen it shining in the eyes of so many,
grateful for so little.

I am an Animal Rescuer.
My work is never done.
My home is never quiet.
My wallet is always empty,
but my heart is always full.

Happy Birthday Rebecca!

2009-08-23T01:34:00.001-07:00

Today our President, Rebecca Poling, celebrates her birthday and all the animals she has helped (and continues to be an awesome advocate for) celebrate the day she was put on this earth too!

So it came as no surprise that instead of gifts from her friends, Rebecca asked us to donate to Companions for Life to help her continue doing good for animals. Naturally we did, and I’d like to ask you to join us.

For today only, click here to go to Rebecca’s Facebook cause and donate whatever you are comfortable with.

Every dollar helps us drive humane education initiatives and shelter outreach, and enables us to partner with other animal welfare groups to lobby City, County and State government for improved companion animal laws in support of our mission: No More Disposable Pets!

Happy Birthday Rebecca, from the Companions for Life team and all the animals you help!

(posted by Urbancritter)

Dog Health Alert: Canine Flu Outbreak

2009-08-18T22:39:00.001-07:00

All dog owners, shelters, and doggie daycare or boarding facilities need to be aware that Canine influenza, the potentially deadly and highly infectious H3N8 virus commonly known as dog flu, is spreading.

An article on Discovery News channel today notes that the virus has already claimed the life of at least one dog in Virginia and is now affecting dogs in at least four other states: Colorado, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Not only can dogs catch Canine flu from each other, but they can also catch it from humans who may have come into contact with infected animals. Because this virus is a mutation of an original equine virus, thereby already transmitting across species, the risk of dog-to-human infection is a definite possibility in the future.

The article notes “Symptoms in dogs can include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and a respiratory infection that may last a few weeks. One to five percent of victims die from related hemorrhagic pneumonia.”

There is a vaccine, however it was only released three weeks ago. According to an article on the AVMA website treatment is, as with any viral disease, largely supportive. Secondary bacterial infections can be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.

So what should you do? Well, know that any situation that brings dogs into contact with each other increases the risk of transmission, however that risk can be mitigated with good infection control practices by shelters, kennels, and daycare facilities (and you!).

If you suspect your dog may have, or have been exposed to, canine influenza see your vet as soon as possible, follow good virus control procedures (essentially the same as for people-flu: wash your hands often and disinfect your clothes and surfaces regularly, to reduce cross-contamination) and keep them isolated from other dogs until you have the all-clear. If your dog is clearly exhibiting symptoms, be responsible and quarantine them immediately!

As with flu in people, the key is not to panic but to be vigilant and proactive about helping prevent the spread of the virus. Good nutrition and hydration can also help keep your dog’s immune system strong, so they are more resilient to health issues.

For additional information and updates, please visit these websites:

American Veterinary Medical Association - www.avma.org
University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine - www.vetmed.ufl.edu/pr
Cornell University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory - http://www.diaglab.vet.cornell.edu/issues/civ.asp
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - www.cdc.gov/healthypets
Association of Shelter Veterinarians - www.sheltervet.org

Just what the doctor ordered – some CODY medicine!

2009-08-18T13:35:00.001-07:00

Cody really needs a forever home ASAP. Please help. He LOVES people and gets along great with dogs. This cat is as sweet as can be - young, playful, cute – with LOADS of personality. What’s not to love?!

He’s a bit of a cheeky guy though, and doesn't get along well with some other cats. He might do quite well with a dominant female, though - someone who can put him in his place when he gets too feisty!

Send us a message to info@companionsforlife.org if you can give this guy a home – he’ll repay you with lots of love and fun!

Dog-A-Poolooza this Saturday 8/22 in Garland, Tx

2009-08-17T11:37:00.001-07:00

This Saturday, August 22th 2009, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Companions For Life will be at the Garland Bark Park for "Dog-A-Poolooza", a splash-and-swim day for you and your dog at Holford Park Pool, 2322 Homestead Garland, TX 75044.

The cost is only $5 per dog plus $1 per person. Proceeds benefit Garland Bark Park's efforts to save the lives of dogs and cats left at the Garland Animal Shelter by hosting monthly events where the public can find meet wonderful dogs, cats, kittens and puppies in need of loving homes.

All Dallas area residents and their friendly dogs are welcome, but leave any aggressive or un-socialized canines at home please. This is a fun, hi-energy, event not suitable for babies and toddlers. Children under 12 are welcome but will not be allowed in the pools.

There will be a raffle and many great vendors, and don't worry if your dog is not registered, the City of Garland will be more than happy to help you do just that. So come on out and play and help raise money for homeless animals in Garland!

For more info: Garland Bark Park's Dog-A-Poolooza. Photo courtesy Garland Bark Park. Content courtesy of Rebecca Poling, our Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner – more of her articles here.

August 12 is Adopt-a-less-adoptable-pet day!

2009-08-11T21:52:00.001-07:00

Every shelter has them – the pets nobody thinks of or wants, for whatever reason: superstition; fear; misunderstanding; indifference... That big, black dog or “bully breed” who might otherwise have been a loyal and loving companion; the senior cat who still has years of mellow love to give; the special-needs pet who is an inspiring example of adaptability and courage – these animals are passed over time, and time again, for the adorable kitten (the result of an unwanted litter thanks to someone not bothering to spay/neuter their pet); the fashionable breed dog that fits in a handbag; the pet that looks like the star of a movie…

These hard-to-adopt pets don’t deserve to languish in a shelter, or ultimately be euthanized, simply because they’re different – they’re every bit as special as any other animal needing a home! Which is why Petfinder has designated August 12 as "Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Day” - Shelters and rescue groups across North Texas will be showcasing their hard-to-adopt pets on August 12th as one more way to help end the euthanasia of adoptable pets.

Are you looking for a new pet? Will you consider broadening your criteria to include an older pet, or one with medical needs? Get to know that big black dog hiding in the back of his cage, or that midnight-colored cat. Pet a pit bull and see how his heart just bursts with joy and the hope that you might want him to join your family! Learn about how easily some medical conditions are managed and realize it’s not so hard after all…

Petfinder survey on which pets are the hardest to place - http://www.petfinder.com/lessadoptablepetday

Please consider those hard-to-adopt pets – with hundreds more dogs hitting Texas shelters this week after yet another massive puppy mill bust, finding homes for pets already waiting to be adopted is even more critical!

For more info: The Metroplex Animal Coalition has a list of more than 50 member groups, many of whom will be participating. Or go straight to http://www.petfinder.com/lessadoptablepetday.

Let’s open our minds – and our hearts on August 12!

Priceless…

2009-08-07T10:27:00.001-07:00

For adoptable pets near you, check out http://www.dallasanimalservices.org/ or www.petfinder.com

If dogs were our teachers..

2009-07-31T11:32:00.001-07:00

If dogs were our teachers, we would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them with love in your heart and on your face.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal and honest. Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by. All will be well.

How much richer would our lives be if we learned these doggie lessons? It goes to show animals are often much, MUCH wiser than we are! THANKS, Dogs, for being awesome role models of appreciation, love and simplicity!

Take extra care of your flat-faced dog in the heat

2009-07-30T12:25:00.001-07:00

We heard today of a bulldog out on his daily walk yesterday, who keeled over from heat stroke and was unable to be resuscitated. The owner is understandably beside herself with grief and guilt, never having suspected that the dog was at a higher risk of heat-related complications because of his sweet, flat face. Our condolences to her, and an urgent call out to any of you with flat-faced pets to be especially vigilant about your pet’s comfort and wellbeing when the temperatures soar.

Flat faced, or brachycephalic, dogs and cats are more susceptible to the heat and humidity because their unique anatomy is inefficient in general and their airways are also more likely to become inflamed and swollen in stressful conditions, further restricting airflow and making it even harder to breathe. According to this article on the subject, “the flat face design [also] encourages saliva to evaporate from the tongue more quickly than it otherwise would. This impedes the cooling effect the tongue has on the blood circulating through the tongue. This in turn makes the body cooling process far less efficient than in other breeds.”

Dogs really rely on being able to pant, to regulate their body temperatures and if you have a breed that is more likely to suffer in the heat because of their flat face, please be extra observant of their behavior and breathing.

Some common sense summer precautions include:

Know any potential issues your pet’s breed might have – now you know your flat-faced pets are less tolerant of heat and humidity, you can take extra steps to keep them safe and comfortable when the mercury rises.
If you have air conditioning, leave Fido inside when it’s seriously hot (with the A/C on, of course!)
Don’t take your dog for a walk in the middle of the day – instead, take them out in the the cool morning or in the evening. And don’t walk them on the hot pavement (you try it, barefoot with the only part of your body that can sweat, on hot asphalt or concrete!) – make sure they have some grass or shady areas to walk on.
Always provide plenty of cool fresh water and, if your dog stays outside, make sure they have someplace shady throughout the day so they can escape the sun.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER leave your dog in a car on a warm or hot day! Temperatures inside a car can easily rise to 120 degrees Fahrenheit under the summer sun. Even if the outside temperature is only 70 degrees, the inside of a car can cause heat stress and even heatstroke.
If you take your dog with you, don’t leave them sitting outside in the sun or without water while you’re browsing around in the air conditioned comfort of the shops or library. You’d be better off leaving them at home where they can go seek out some shade, or grab a drink from their bowl.

What to do if your dog is overheating? Some danger signs are:

Unusually sluggish or unresponsive
Pale or dark red gums, may be very dry
Erratic breathing
Glazed eyes
Vomiting
In the final stages the dog will suffer convulsions and unconsciousness

If you observe any of these symptoms it is imperative that you take action immediately!

Get your dog into the shade and apply cold water or hose gently with a continuous stream of cool water.
Submerge in a tub of cool water if possible.
If possible apply ice packs or cold towels.
If your dog is conscious allow him to drink small amounts of water or lick ice cubes. Do not force him to drink.
Get veterinary attention immediately. You may save his life!

Great references for more information:

Article by The Bulldog Club of Greater San Diego: Heat is a (Bull)dog’s #1 enemy!
Brachycephalic Dogs (Flat Faced Dogs) And Summer Safety Tips
Article on heat exhaustion in pets

Please pass this information on to friends and family with pets, particularly if they have a flat-faced breed – you might just save their life! Stay cool… :-)

Find out what local laws and ordinances apply to your pets

2009-07-22T21:57:00.001-07:00

Being a responsible pet owner also means being a law-abiding citizen. Texas has many local and State ordinances pertaining to pet ownership, and it pays to know which ones apply to you. Violation of pet ordinances can result in fines or worse – being required to surrender your pet to a shelter, and you cannot claim ignorance as a legal defense.

To help you stay on the right side of the law, Rebecca has written a handy reference guide that makes it easy to know where to find out the laws in your area – read it and know your legal obligations!

Different ways of contributing to animal shelters and rescue groups

2009-07-19T21:24:00.001-07:00

The latest Examiner.com article by Companions For Life President Rebecca Poling gives peoples various options for donating to animal shelters and rescue groups without necessarily having to write a check.

In these tight times, cash donations are down as people tighten their belts – but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on giving altogether! Volunteer time and in-kind donations are just as valuable as cash, and both businesses and individuals can donate services such as printing, copying, cleaning, grooming, vet care and more. Remembering your local charity in your Will is another way of giving, and of course anyone who is lucky enough to work for a company that matches donations should absolutely take advantage of that “free money”!

As Rebecca points out, “No matter how you donate, the important thing is that you contribute what you can.” We’re all in this together!!

Read the full article here.
Other Examiner articles by Rebecca.

Top Dog Speaker Series – July 22: How to Use Social Media to Build Buzz and Further your Message

2009-07-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

~ Top Dog Speaker Series ~

FREE for all local rescuers and shelter staff!

WEDNESDAY July 22, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Tx 75244

-Featured Program –

How to Use Social Media to Build Buzz and Further your Message

Presented by

Shama Hyder

Founder, Click to Client, LLC, Web TV Show Host, and Social Media Marketing Expert

Ever wondered how to REALLY use Facebook and the like effectively?How EXACTLY did President Obama mobilize volunteers across the US using the power of the web?

Did you know that you can do the same? Come learn how to leverage social networking sites to further your cause and establish your expertise.

**NEW: This class has been approved for 1.5 CEU credits for ACOs by Texas Department of State Health Services, Zoonosis Control Branch**

Please join us! RSVP to info@companionsforlife.org.

Class size is limited. Please no pets except certified service dogs.

Refreshments and door prizes courtesy of Companions For Life.

Free or low-cost spay/neuter options in North Texas

2009-07-15T21:32:00.001-07:00

We all know that when finances are tight, people put off important-but-not-urgent-things, like servicing the car, getting that dental checkup – or having the family pet spayed or neutered. We do this even though we know it’s false economy – that the cost of fixing an overheated radiator, or getting a filling, or dealing with an unwanted litter is always more than what it would have cost to prevent the situation in the first place. But money’s tight, so we gamble that the unthinkable won’t happen.

Well we can do things to mitigate risk, like checking our oil before we take the car out, or being extra diligent about flossing, but it’s a lot harder to stop a couple of unfixed animals from getting it on while your back is turned (believe me, this weekend we couldn’t even get to a couple of horses fast enough who decided to get frisky right in front of our eyes! A MINUTE was all it took for Crystal to get into Bandit’s paddock and we ended up with a vet bill and Plan B for ponies).

To make it easier for pet owners in North Texas to be responsible in spite of tough times, our President Rebecca Poling wrote an article for the Examiner outlining where people can find free or low-cost spay/neuter programs in the area.

Many of the organizations she references also offer low-cost vaccinations, micro chipping and wellness services although you may need to call ahead and inquire about any additional charges such as in-heat or pregnancy termination charges or pain medications.

Please note that Texas State law requires all animals to be vaccinated for rabies. A rabies vaccination will be given to any animal not already vaccinated. The rabies vaccination may cost up to $20 over and above the cost of any spay/neuter or wellness services.

For more info: Already spayed or neutered your pet but need help with the cost of vaccinations? Animal Allies of Texas is holding a low-cost vaccination clinic July 25th. Or check out this article on low-cost clinics open year-round. Visit these links to find out what vaccinations are recommended for your cat, or for your dog.

So now there’s no excuse - you can be a responsible pet owner even if your wallet is a little lean, and by preventing unwanted litters, you’re saving lives!

Responsible Pet Owners Alliance - not quite what it seems to be

2009-07-09T22:48:00.001-07:00

You’d think a group called Responsible Pet Owners Alliance would be about responsible pet ownership, right? Not so much, according to this statement below, from the Texas Humane Legislation Network and HSUS. Please be aware of the RPOA’s real agenda!

Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (RPOA) is a front group for commercial dog and cat breeding facilities and consistently fights any legislation or proposed city ordinances that would implement spay/neuter programs or regulate large-scale commercial breeding operations in any way.

RPOA argues that any restrictions on commercial breeding could actually result in a shortage of dogs and cats. Who are they kidding? More than 700,000 companion animals were destroyed in animal control facilities and humane societies in Texas last year alone simply because there were no homes for them. Meanwhile, commercial breeders continue to flood the pet market with thousands more puppies and kittens, exacerbating the pet overpopulation problem even more. With no measures taken, there is little chance that we can even reduce the euthanasia numbers in our Texas shelters, let alone move toward no-kill city-run facilities for decades to come.

RPOA is part of the problem, not part of the solution. They are fighting to keep the floodgates of pet overpopulation open while animal welfare agencies and animal control officers try in vain to control the rising tides.

RPOA members frequently malign legitimate animal protection organizations such as the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN), The Humane Society of the United States (The HSUS) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), alleging them to be “animal rights extremists,” and peddling an assortment of urban myths in an attempt to destroy the reputations of those who are effectively exposing RPOA for what they are. Please know that RPOA's baseless allegations and fear-mongering tactics are motivated by the financial greed of the puppy mill and pet trade industry.

In truth, Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN), the HSUS and the ASPCA are mainstream organizations whose efforts to protect animals from cruelty are supported by law enforcement officials and criminal prosecutors throughout the state.

Another frequent RPOA talking point alleges that The HSUS wants to “end pet ownership” and “cause the extinction of animals.” Puppy millers, cockfighters, dogfighters, canned hunters and other animal abusers use this same false accusation repeatedly as an attempt to deflect attention from their own actions. The HSUS's long history of promoting humane care for our animal companions -- as well as celebrating the joy that they bring to our lives -- stands on its own merits.

That every companion animal should live a long and happy life in a good home is the true objective of the Texas Humane Legislation Network, The HSUS and the ASPCA.

Humane education resources for summer school or camp

2009-07-01T14:16:00.001-07:00

Are you teaching at summer school or camp? If so, why not take the opportunity to help teach children compassion and keep them interested in animals? Companions for Life is committed to humane education as key to solving the enormous pet overpopulation problem our country is facing by elevating the status of companion animals from disposable pets to essential members of our society.

We run a variety of humane education programs and also have resources and lesson plans designed specifically for teachers at on our Teachers Only page.

The ASPCA Humane Educators have also prepared some fun activities, tips and resources too, which you can access on their site.

Compassionate kids will grow into respectful and compassionate adults, so inspire a kid today!

We’ve been bringing our dogs to work for 10 years!

2009-06-26T10:40:00.001-07:00

Every year, thousands of Americans take their dogs into the office as part of National Take Your Dog to Work Day, created by Pet Sitters International ten years ago!

TYDTWD is an annual event designed to celebrate dogs as companions, encourage employers to experience the value of pets in their workplace, and encourage pet adoptions from shelters, humane societies and rescue groups.

According to the Pet Sitters website, a 2006 APPMA [American Pet Products Manufacturers Association] Survey showed that millions of employees feel that pets in the workplace can lead to a more creative environment, decreased absenteeism, improved productivity and can help co-workers get along better, yet only about one in five companies allow pets in the workplace.

Somebody we know (identities hidden to protect the innocent) works for a company that doesn’t allow pets in the workplace but does allow service animals. While therapy dogs are not included in the definition of service animal (don’t get us started), she is currently taking advantage of a grey area in the company’s policy to bring her registered therapy dog into the office. She tells us that people regularly drop by her office to confide in her dog, cry on his shoulder, or simply pet him – and that every one of her visitors reports feeling more calm, centered, happy and able to go get on with their work after a bit of doggy lovin’…

Take our poll here and tell us if your company participates in Take Your Dog To Work Day!

Dallas Animal Services Open House TODAY, June 20!

2009-06-20T09:41:00.001-07:00

Dallas Animal Services is hosting an Open House today in honor of Adopt A Shelter Cat month. They'll showcase cats available for adoption, discuss the benefits of adopting from a shelter, and provide specific information about cat ownership responsibilities.

This Open House is TODAY, June 20th from 11a-3p at Dallas Animal Services' new adoption center, 1818 N. Westmoreland, – just a few minutes west of downtown Dallas off I-30.

Adoption fees for cats/kittens are just $55. Dogs/puppies are $85. All fees include current vaccinations, spay/neuter, microchip. In addition, a bag of Hill’s Science Diet pet food and a coupon for a free pet physical will be sent home with any animal adopted.

For more info: Visit Dallas Animal Services website.

The Shelter Pet Project

2009-06-17T10:58:00.001-07:00

An upcoming nation-wide ad campaign promoting shelter pets is a joint venture between The Humane Society of the United States, Maddie’s Fund and The Ad Council. The project now has a name - "The Shelter Pet Project" and is today debuting their website.

It's not much more than an intro page right now, but if the graphics and the video up there are any indication, there are great things to come. Check it out here and sign up to be notified when the campaign launches!

Spay/Neuter Myths BUSTED

2009-06-12T09:50:00.001-07:00

We saw this article on the pawsperouspets.com community site and thought we’d share.

It busts common myths that stop people from being responsible and spaying or neutering their pets, such as "Females should be allowed to have one litter" and "Spaying or neutering my pet will make it fat."

It’s kitten and puppy season right now, and the shelters are filling up with unwanted litters – at a time when pet surrender is up and donations are down. Now has never been a better time to get your pet spayed or neutered!

So true…

2009-06-11T10:43:00.001-07:00

Check out your local animal shelter or breed rescue group today, to find your new furry family member!

June 20 is Doggie Date Night!

2009-06-10T14:17:00.001-07:00

FEATURES FLICK, FAMILY FUN FOR PEOPLE AND PETS

Hawaiian Falls Waterpark in The Colony will host Doggie Date Night with a special showing of “Hotel for Dogs” on Saturday, June 20. Fittingly, pet owners can bring their canine companions as well as their children to this family-friendly flick.

Billed as a date night for people and their pooches, the event benefits Animal Guardians of America. The evening under the stars begins at 7:30 p.m. with games, activities and contests for children.

The film will be shown at dusk on a 16’ outdoor screen on the lawn adjacent to Hawaiian Falls. Attendees can bring lawn chairs and blankets, and food and beverages will be available for purchase.

“This is a special opportunity to have a night out on the town and watch a movie on the big screen with your four-legged best friend by your side,” said Annette Lambert, president of Animal Guardians, a nonprofit organization that cares for homeless and abandoned dogs. “For those who might be thinking of adding a new canine friend to their family, we’ll have several of our most adorable, adoptable dogs at the event.”

“Hotel for Dogs” is a heart-warming movie about children who take in stray dogs in an old, abandoned hotel. While the movie has a happy, “Hollywood” ending for the homeless dogs, Lambert said the reality for strays in the Metroplex is not always so pleasant.

“While we want everyone to come out and enjoy the movie and the entertainment, it’s important that we realize that much still needs to be done for our homeless animals,” said Lambert. “Our local animal shelters are operating at full capacity. Sadly, over 100,000 dogs and cats are euthanized in Dallas-Fort Worth every year. It will take all of us working together to change these sad statistics.”

Admission to Doggie Date night is just $7 per person or $25 for four people; dogs get in free.
Reservations are requested, but tickets may be purchased at the door. To make reservations, call 214-207-0045 or email stevehurst@animalguardians.com.
All proceeds benefit Animal Guardians of America.

Hawaiian Falls Waterpark is located at 4400 Paige Road in The Colony at the corner of Highway 121 and Plano Parkway. For more information, visit www.AnimalGuardians.com.

# # #

The mission of Animal Guardians of America is to rescue stray, abandoned and neglected dogs; bring about their recovery as healthy companions; and promote care and compassion for all animals. The nonprofit volunteer group is committed to enriching the lives of dogs who may be without shelter, food, care or love—regardless of age, natural beauty or condition—and finding them temporary and permanent homes. Animal Guardians takes dogs that no one wants and turns them into dogs that everyone wants.

Want to be a hero? Spaces available in Emergency Animal Rescue training session June 27th!

2009-06-06T11:31:00.001-07:00

How often do you watch the news about natural disasters or man-made catastrophes, and think about what’s involved in saving the animals? As we’ve seen since Katrina, disaster response has improved where animals are concerned but the success of any first-response effort is entirely reliant on the availability of trained volunteers.

Did you know that Rebecca Poling, our President, and Judi Burnett, our Treasurer, are trained and certified in Emergency Animal Rescue by the United Animal Nations? Why not join them and get trained to be a hero?

** United Animal Nations is holding a training session in Waco on Saturday, June 27^th and there is still space available! **

UAN volunteers are often called upon to provide temporary sheltering services for disasters like hurricanes and wildfires, as well as large puppy mill busts. For more information, or to sign up for the class, visit http://www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=35.

Technorati Tags: Emergency Animal Rescue,UAN,United Animal Nations,disaster response,training,volunteer

New adoption hours at Dallas Animal Shelter effective June 3, 2009.

2009-06-02T14:24:00.001-07:00

Heads up everybody – effective tomorrow, June 3, the Dallas Animal Services shelter at 1818 N. Westmoreland has new and more convenient adoption hours.

Moving forward, adoption hours will be as follows:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12 noon – 5:00 p.m.

So come along and find some unconditional love and a wonderful furry companion to share your life!

Dog Bite Fact Sheet

2009-05-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

-The Centers For Disease Control reports about 4.5 million dog bites each year. Only 1 in 5 bitten requires medical attention. In 2008, only 23 dog bites were fatal.

- The rate of dog-related injuries among children is decreasing according to research by the Centers For Disease Control.

-The American Veterinary Medical Association says that children between the ages of 5 and 9 are at greater risk of being bitten by a dog and also of being severely injured by that bite.

-The Humane Society of the United States cites a number of common factors in fatal attacks by dogs:

1. The animals are intact – not spayed or neutered – usually males
2. The animals are not well cared for (chained)
3. The animals are not pets, but animals used as guard dogs, in dog fights, etc.

-The CDC recommends the following steps to prevent dog bites in the home:

1. Spay or neuter your dog
2. Don’t play aggressive games with your dog (wrestling)
3. Properly socialize and train your dog
4. Never leave infants or young children along with a dog
5. Seek professional advice from a trainer or behaviorist if the dog develops aggressive or unwanted behaviors.

-In Fiscal year 2007-2008, Dallas Animal Services impounded and quarantined 1,947 dogs who had reportedly bitten someone. Of those, 106 (5%) were purebred pit bulls and only 281 (14%) were pit bull mixes. Compare that to the total number of dogs impounded – 36,500 – of which only 6% were purebred pit bulls and 19% were pit bull mixes.

-The AVMA warns that dog bites can result in criminal and civil liability for pet owners. Over the past 15 years, more than half the states have passed laws with stiff penalties for owners of dogs who cause serious injury or death. There is no such thing as a bad breed of dog. All dogs can bite if provoked. Responsible dog ownership is key.

Learn more: Visit the AVMA website at www.avma.org, the Centers For Disease Control at www.cdc.org, or the Humane Society of the United States at www.hsus.org. For information on dangerous dogs in the City of Dallas, visit www.dallasanimalservices.org. Find out more about Companions For Life at www.companionsforlife.org.

Humane education at Paws in the City fundraiser picnic last month

2009-05-23T21:29:00.001-07:00

Late last month Paws in the City, a local rescue group, had a silent auction fundraiser picnic. Companions for Life were excited to join in the fun and here are some photos of the day.

We taught approximately 30 to 40 children how to make cat toys, puppets, and pipe cleaner animals. We talked to them about dog bite prevention and responsible pet ownership. We also handed out coloring books on pet care.

We are always interested in participating in shelter and rescue events, as well as community youth events, to help teach children about how to interact safely and responsibly with animals.

If you’d like to have us at one of your events, please send email to info @ companionsforlife.org (no spaces) to discuss details.

Pet food RECALL: Nutro Cat Food

2009-05-23T16:22:00.001-07:00

http://www.nutroproducts.com/

Franklin, Tennessee (May 21, 2009) -- Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.

Two mineral premixes were affected. One premix contained excessive levels of zinc and under-supplemented potassium. The second premix under-supplemented potassium. Both zinc and potassium are essential nutrients for cats and are added as nutritional supplements to NUTRO® dry cat food.

This issue was identified during an audit of our documentation from the supplier. An extensive review confirmed that only these two premixes were affected. This recall does not affect any NUTRO® dog food products, wet dog or cat food, or dog and cat treats.

Mixed Feelings about Michael Vick/HSUS partnership

2009-05-21T01:30:00.001-07:00

Wouldn’t it be nice if Michael Vick were to acknowledge and abhor the brutality of his previous actions and use his tremendous media appeal and influence to advocate against dog fighting and animal cruelty in general?

What a redemption story! A controversial, photogenic, sporting celebrity with a rough past and uber street cred uses his powers for good instead of evil”. It seems like a GREAT idea, right? After all, who better to influence impressionable youth than someone who’s been in the belly of the beast, so to speak?

Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Like a Hollywood screenplay – and who doesn’t love a good redemption story?

As part of a concerted PR campaign, Michael Vick has been looking for a while for a partnership with an animal welfare group to help convince the public he’s a changed man.

In December, PETA walked away from a deal with Vick, believing that he fits an established profile for anti-social personality disorder, or APD (a nice way to say he’s a raving psychopath).

Now he’s in talks with the HSUS, who think he can be an asset in their anti dog fighting campaign and that they can use him to spread the message that dog fighting is a crime that can cost you everything.

On the HSUS blog, the HSUS President Wayne Pacelle wrote that Mr. Vick "asked for an opportunity to help. I want to give him that opportunity. If he makes the most of it, and demonstrates a sincere, long-term commitment to the task, then it may prove to be a tipping point in our campaign to eradicate dog fighting."

Kudos has to go to the HSUS for giving this a try. We have mixed feelings about the idea though.

From a humane education standpoint, there’s clear value in having a high profile name like Vick in your corner. You can't argue that he appeals to the demographic that is most at risk of getting involved in dog fighting.

But are we really expected to believe that Michael Vick has had a change of heart, is truly repentant and is now simply wanting to restore Karmic balance? The same Michael Vick who didn’t just participate in but willfully instigated the most vicious acts of animal cruelty, someone who allegedly laughed while throwing family pets in the training ring as bait?? Even accepting that such a remarkable moral reversal is possible, let’s consider what Vick stands to gain if this particular PR exercise is successful: international fame, a well-paid career back in the public eye – and let’s not forget those lucrative endorsements and licensing deals. The story alone is worth millions.

And doesn't that send a different message? That you don’t REALLY lose everything and the consequences of your felonious brutality aren’t permanent – do the crime, do some time, make nice with the animal welfare people and it’s like nothing happened.

We hope for the animals’ sakes that the Humane Society’s instincts are right on this one.

What do you think?

Read the HSUS statement by Wayne Pacelle, then take the poll in an Examiner article by our President, Rebecca Poling.
Do you feel that Michael Vick should be permanently banned from the NFL? If so, sign this petition.

Further reading/Listening:

Technorati Tags: Michael Vick,dog fighting,HSUS,NFL

Vaccinate your pets – it’s the law in Texas!

2009-05-14T16:01:00.001-07:00

Today is the anniversary of the 1796 discovery by Edward Jenner of the smallpox vaccine. Did you know that smallpox is the only human infectious disease to ever have been completely eradicated? That is an enormous medical accomplishment and makes a case for the value of vaccinations.

Vaccinating your pets is also important – particularly against Rabies, a disease that can be fatally cross-communicated to humans.

In fact, because Rabies has such a high fatality rate in humans, State law requires that all cats and dogs in Texas be vaccinated against rabies using either a one-year or three-year vaccine.

We know that in this economic climate many otherwise responsible pet owners are putting off maintenance costs (like dental check-ups, vaccinating pets and getting the car serviced). But did you know that there are some rescue groups and shelters who offer low-cost pet vaccinations to help people in this situation.

For more info:

Which vaccinations do the AVMA recommend for your dog, or for your cat.
Which local rescue groups and shelters offer low-cost pet vaccinations.

Rescue Dogs – You’re Doing It Right, Actually

2009-05-10T22:59:00.001-07:00

Rescued Dogs turn Rescue Dogs in an amazing story of a successful search and rescue mission.

A 3-year old Missouri boy had been missing for over 50 hours when a volunteer searcher was alerted to his whereabouts by two adopted rescue dogs yesterday, enabling them to find the little boy safe and sound.

Watch the video of the dogs, Bear and Little Bill, their owner, and the little boy’s very grateful grandmother at KSKD.com.

Why not find your own rescue dog by visiting Paws In The City online to meet any of the other wonderful dogs available for adoption!

Lone Star Pet Adopt-A-Thon This Saturday, May 9 at The Ballpark in Arlington

2009-05-07T14:35:00.001-07:00

Join us this Saturday for some fun in the sun and (hopefully) meet your next furry family member!

This Saturday - May 9, Companions For Life and hundreds of organizations across the state will be participating in the Lone Star Pet Adopt-A-Thon Weekend, sponsored by the Texas Animal Shelter Coalition. The weekend adoption event is designed to promote animal organizations as “the place” to adopt dogs and cats.

Headlining the weekend will be a huge Adopt-A-Thon on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Ballpark in Arlington, Parking Lot E, at the corner of Ballpark Way and Six Flags Road.

More than 35 animal shelters, rescue groups and vendors will have hundreds of adorable, adoptable dogs and cats available for adoption and all in one location.

Please come out and join us! Even if you aren't ready to adopt, we'll have lots of great information available to help you prepare your pet for an emergency, free pet thermometers, paw print purses, stop puppy mill bracelets, and games and coloring books for the kids!

For more info:

Find out why it is so important to adopt, not buy
Visit Companions For Life on the web
Check out the Texas Animal Shelter Coalition website.

This week is National Be Kind to Animals Week

2009-05-04T17:59:00.001-07:00

American Humane Association’s first Be Kind to Animals Week in 1915 marked a new commitment to humane education in the United States. Since then, animal shelters, schools, libraries and community
groups have celebrated the role of animals in our lives with special Be Kind to Animals Week activities each year during the first full week in May.

For educators, May 3-9, 2009, is the perfect time to encourage kindness and compassion in children.

This is a great week to engage kids in animal-related activities to help them learn compassion and recognize the special value our animal companions bring.

American Humane has a great list of thought-provoking and skill-building projects for children of all ages from kindergarten through high school – whether you’re a parent, teacher or otherwise involved with children we’d like to encourage you to work with your kids on one of the projects listed on the site this week – click here for project ideas!

Be Kind to Animals Week isn’t just for kids though – Why not use this week to take some action on behalf of animals in Texas?

When we all pulled together, we were able to change the Dallas City animal ordinances, which goes to show what passionate citizens can do. There are a number of bills currently being considered by the State Legislature that could make Texas a kinder State for animals and your call or letter could make a real difference.

Need some help? The HSUS has a comprehensive guide to citizen lobbying while the ASPCA even has a model letter format that makes it even easier to draft a letter to your representative!

Here are some of the bills pending that you could help pass with your action:

Pet Theft bill would allow for a penalty for theft of a pet.
- Bill Number: TX H.B. 435
- Who to contact - Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Eddie Lucio III (D, 38)
Pet Protection Order proposes to include pets in protection orders in cases of domestic abuse.
- Bill Number: TX H.B. 853 & S.B. 1840
- Who to contact - Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Jodie Laubenberg (D. 89) & Sen. Carlos Uresti (D, 19)
Puppy Mill bill proposes reasonable licensing and regulation of commercial dog and cat breeders and the regulation of dog and cat dealers.

Bill Number: TX H.B. 3180 & S.B. 1910
Who to contact - Bill Sponsor(s): Rep. Senfronia Thompson (41) & Sen. John Whitmire (15)
*Easy action* Use the HSUS action center to send a form letter or email on this issue!

Tethering bill would prohibit cruel tethering of a dog (we helped successfully implement anti tethering ordinances in Dallas City, why not across the State?!)
- Bill Number: TX S.B. 634
- Who to contact - Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Kel Seliger (R, 31)

This week, please be a role model for compassion and help our kids learn the value of being kind to animals. Happy Be Kind To Animals Week!

Hope and Justice killers charged with Felony, to be tried as adults

2009-05-04T15:36:00.001-07:00

The concepts of Hope and Justice were revived late last week when the two teens arrested for [allegedly] setting fire to, and fatally wounding, two pit bulls last week (named Hope and Justice) were arrested.

The teens, 17-year-old Lefferreio Sudds and 17-year-old Jucorey Davis, have been charged with a State Jail felony, which carries a maximum punishment of two years in prison. They will be tried as adults.

We hope justice will be done in this case. Animal cruelty is a felony in Texas and although a maximum penalty of two years in jail is a mere slap on the wrist, we believe that the full extent of the law needs to be applied in this case.

In case you’re wondering about Texas law as it relates to animal cruelty, here are a couple of points from a quick primer by the SPCA of Texas:

House Bill 653 and Senate Bill 1724, commonly known as “Loco’s Law,” went into effect September 1, 2001, making animal cruelty a felony and punishable by a $10,000 fine and up to two years in jail.
If prosecuted in a criminal case, a person may face penalties including fines, jail or both. Those under the age of 18 are also required to undergo counseling if convicted of animal cruelty.

People who perpetrate felonies like this need to be held accountable for their behavior – even if they never develop the compassion they are so sorely lacking, at least perhaps they can understand the concept of consequence. Perhaps a multi-pronged approach involving jail time, community service and an intensive counseling and rehabilitation program might turn these two miscreants around. It’s not likely that they will be dealt with in such a comprehensive manner, but we can hope – and in the meantime we’ll keep up our efforts to drive humane education into the community!

Two teens arrested in Dallas dog burning

2009-04-30T11:54:00.001-07:00

The Dallas Morning News is reporting that two teens have been arrested in the April 4th incident in which two pit bulls, named Hope & Justice by animal welfare advocates, were set on fire and let loose in a Pleasant Grove neighborhood. The injuries to the dogs were so severe that they could not be saved and had to be humanely euthanized.

Dallas Assistant District Attorney David Alex will be handling the case against the teens. It is our hope that the boys will be tried as adults and held fully accountable to the extent of the law for their actions.

Dallas Animal Services confiscated 7 other dogs at the home where the boys lived. At a court hearing on April 15th, the owner of the home denied owning the dogs. A judge later deemed them too dangerous to be rehabbed and ordered them humanely euthanized.

For more info: Find out more about the vigil held for the Hope & Justice, read the remarks our President, Rebecca Poling made at that vigil – learn why animal abuse is not just a pet problem, but a people problem, too, and find out more about the April 15 hearing and the judge's ruling on the disposition of the dogs.

Swine Flu: info for people, pets and pig farmers

2009-04-29T18:08:00.001-07:00

To say people are concerned about this Swine Flu outbreak might be a slight understatement, so we thought we’d help make sure y’all have the information you need to make good decisions and take care of yourselves (and your animals)! We’re not generally in the habit of sending out health advisories, but this is an unprecedented situation so here’s the 411:

First up – you need to stay healthy so you can take proper care of your pets. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security:

People cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Most influenza viruses, including the swine flu virus, are not spread by food.
Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
No food safety issues have been identified, related to the flu.
Preliminary investigations have determined that none of the people infected with the flu had contact with hogs.
The virus is spreading by human-to-human transmission.

The CDC sensibly recommends the following measures to prevent the transmission of flu:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands frequently (for at least 20 seconds – FYI that’s as long as it takes to sing the alphabet) and use alcohol-based sanitizers.
Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Try to stay in good general health.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Are you concerned about your pet contracting swine flu?

Various sources, including this veterinary health blog (which is definitely worth a read), suggest that most likely, your dog or cat will not contract swine flu. “This isn't an absolute answer, as viruses change, but historically there are no known dog/cat to human (or vice-versa) influenza transmissions.” Obviously, if you suspect that your dog or cat is sick, please contact your veterinarian directly for an examination and to discuss any questions.

And finally, because some people keep pigs.

If you own swine, take steps to prevent the disease from being transmitted to your herd:

Workers should shower and change into farm-specific clothes and shoes before entering swine facilities.
Establish, implement and enforce strict sick leave policies for workers presenting influenza-like symptoms.
Recommend that workers with symptoms be seen by a medical provider immediately.
Restrict the entry of people into your facility to only workers and essential service personnel.
Prevent international visitors from entering your facilities.
Ensure adequate ventilation in facilities to minimize re-circulation of air inside animal housing facilities.
Vaccinate pigs against the influenza virus. Vaccination of pigs can reduce the levels of virus shed by infected animals
Contact your swine veterinarian if swine exhibit flu-like or respiratory illness, especially if the onset or presentation of the illness is unusual.
Notify your Texas Animal Health Commission area office or the Austin headquarters at 800-550-8242, after you have contacted your veterinarian.

The Texas Animal Health Commission is ready to assist with on-farm investigations, if pigs are present where a known human case has occurred, and to assist with epidemiological investigations with any human cases that may have links to swine in Texas.

Finally, DON’T PANIC! Get informed, stay informed and take sensible precautions. The CDC has up to date information on their site - http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ – we hope you, your pets (and your pigs) stay healthy through these interesting times!

An Evening with Madeleine Pickens Thurs May 3!

2009-04-28T15:38:00.001-07:00

The Texas Humane Legislation Network’s mission is to promote the humane treatment of animals through legislation, education and advocacy. They are the political arm and voice for every animal abuse victim, animal rescue group and shelter in Texas, and are responsible for making animal cruelty a felony in Texas.

They are hosting a very special event for Metroplex animal lovers on Thursday, May 7th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

“An Evening with Madeleine Pickens” will be a fun and informative discussion regarding the state of animal welfare and advocacy in Texas.

Mrs. Pickens, a famous horse breeder and lifelong animal advocate, and her husband, T. Boone Pickens, have been a driving force against horse slaughter in the United States, and were instrumental in the rescue of over 800 animals during Hurricane Katrina.

If you are interested in the welfare of animals in our community and wish to help protect those who cannot protect themselves, please join THLN as they celebrate our mutual passion for improving animal’s lives by “giving a voice to those who have no voice” at this exciting event.

Date: May 7, 2009

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

Place: The Plaza, 3535 Gillespie, Dallas, Texas

RSVP: rich@thln.org

Hors d’oeuvres * Wine * S. Pellegrino

Donations Accepted

Dogswell® Bow-Wow Bailout helps unemployed pet owners!

2009-04-26T20:31:00.001-07:00

Sometimes tough times bring out the best in people and companies – and it’s nice to hear about a company who wants to help people struggling as a result of the current economic climate.

DOGSWELL® is doing its part with a nationwide Bow-Wow Bailout, offering a free bag of dog food to 10,000 unemployed pet owners from April 15-May 15 2009.

Simply complete and submit the Dogswell® Bow-Wow Bailout Redemption Form to:

Email - bailout@dogswell.com
Fax - 877.730.7877
Mail - DOGSWELL®, Attn: Bow-Wow Bailout, 1964 Westwood Blvd.Ste. 350, Los Angeles, CA 90025

It turns out that sometimes there is such a thing as a free lunch… for your dog!

Terms and Conditions - The first 10,000 eligible people to submit a completed DOGSWELL Bow-Wow Bailout redemption form will receive one (1) free bag of DOGSWELL dry food for dogs. To redeem, you must submit a completed DOGSWELL Bow-Wow Bailout redemption form, including email address, contact information and dog breed, to DOGSWELL via email, fax or mail. Redemption forms can be found here at www.dogswell.com, or by emailing bailout@dogswell.com, or calling 888.559.8833. All entries must be postmarked between April 15, 2009 and May 15, 2009 or received electronically between 6am PST on April 15, 2009 to 11:59pm PST on May 15th, 2009. Incomplete redemption forms will not quality. No redemption forms will be returned. All dry food for dogs will be mailed out within 45 days of DOGSWELL receiving your completed redemption form. Limit one bag of free DOGSWELL dry food for dogs per mailing address. P.O. Box addresses will not be accepted. Mailing address must be in Continental U.S.

(posted by urbancritter)

Technorati Tags: Dogswell,free dog food,dog food giveaway

Lost pets are breaking news for local neighborhoods

2009-04-24T16:46:00.001-07:00

Did you know that Pegasus News has a free free pet finder that makes your lost pet a breaking news story highlighted for people who live and work in your neighborhood. What a great idea, helping people look out for each other by giving them information – after all, they can't start looking out for your pet unless they know he's missing! Pegasus News Lost Pet Finder is sponsored by The Petropolitan.

http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/in/news/missing/

How to save the planet this Earth Day

2009-04-22T10:37:00.001-07:00

In honor of Earth Day today, here are some ways you can contribute to a healthier, more humane planet:

Adopt a pet and make sure your pets are spayed or neutered! Addressing animal overpopulation has a direct impact on your local environment by reducing animal waste from strays on the street and cutting down on the damage to local ecosystems - in addition, reducing the number of animals in shelters is also eco-friendly. Remember, euthanasia is not green! Conservative estimates last year indicate that Dallas Animal Services contributed over 425 tons of pet carcasses to our city's landfill each year - well over a ton each and every day – not to mention the sodium pentobarbital used in euthanasia contaminating the land and potentially killing local wildlife. By spaying and neutering your pets, and by adopting or rescuing instead of buying from a breeder, you’re saving lives and saving the planet!
Check out http://greatgreenpet.com/ - a shopping blog devoted to the green, eco-friendly, pet owner. When you bring your new pet home from the shelter, this blog can help you find environmentally friendly products including toys, beds and blankets, treats and more!
Honda is in the process of building a pet-friendly Element, check out the youtube video about the Honda Element EX - the 1st vehicle designed with the comfort and safety of a dog in mind - http://tinyurl.com/ddldoy – Soon you’ll be able to drive your adopted fur kid around in style!
Learn about how factory farming is impacting the environment, and consider going vegetarian or vegan – even for just one day a week! Livestock’s Long Shadow is a UN report on Factory Farming documenting the issues. By eating less factory farmed meat, eggs and dairy you’re helping save even more animals and the planet.

Let’s make the world a better place for ourselves, our children and our animals – Happy Earth Day!

Technorati Tags: Earth Day,adopt a pet,factory farming,environment,Honda Element,eco-friendly,green pet products,environmentally friendly

Looking for volunteer opportunities?

2009-04-20T15:10:00.001-07:00

If you enjoy working with kids and are available this Saturday April 25th, we have a great volunteer opportunity for you!

Paws In The City is having a private fundraiser at a home in Highland Park and they’ve asked the Companions For Life team to handle the kids area. We’ll be doing coloring, crafts and teaching bite prevention. There will be a big crowd, a catered picnic and lots of activities. We’ll get to meet a lot of potential donors as this is an “invitation-only” event so we’re looking for someone who can be a great representative.

Additional volunteer opportunities – are you good with the public?
We also will be attending the White Rock Lake festival on May 2^nd and the Texas Animal Shelter Coalition Adopt-A-Thon on May 9^th.

Interested?

If you’re interested in helping please email your details to info@companionsforlife.org or if you’re in Austin this week (April 19-21), come see us at the Tawzer Videos boot at the Texas Unites Conference!

Hope and Justice – Why We Need Humane Education

2009-04-17T16:40:00.001-07:00

On Saturday April 4, two juvenile males (aged 15 & 17) <we have to say allegedly> set two pit bulls on fire. The dogs sustained such extensive injuries from the attack they unfortunately they had to be euthanized.

A Candlelight Vigil in memory of the two dogs was held on Tuesday evening at the Dallas City Hall, sponsored by Animal Connection of Texas (ACT), Metroplex Animal Coalition (MAC) and Texas Animal Defense Coalition (TADC). Speakers included Dallas District Attorney David Alex, Dr. John J. Pippin, Jonnie England with MAC, Kent Robertson with Dallas Animal Services (DAS), Niloofar Asgharian, Shannon Morgan and Rebecca Poling of Companions for Life.

Concerned Dallas citizens asked Judge Acuna NOT to let this go unpunished, but rather to apply the full force of the law to this felony.

Rebecca Polling spoke about the proven link between cruelty to animals and violence to humans and the need for humane education, stating that “It is important that everyone understands that what happened to Hope & Justice is not just a pet issue but is also a people issue. Studies have shown a concrete link between animal cruelty and domestic violence.”

And it’s not just domestic violence either: “The FBI will tell you that virtually every serial killer our country has ever known abused animals when they were young. Violent and aggressive criminals… are often known to have gotten their start as children, inflicting pain and suffering on animals.”

Humane Education can help prevent felonies like this, and the escalation of violence or cruelty, by building a more compassionate society that places greater value on the role of companion animals.

In this case, however, it is up to law enforcement and our court system to take cases like this seriously – these are not just childhood pranks, but potentially serious precursors other types of criminal violence.

View the video coverage of the vigil for Hope and Justice.

RIP Hope and Justice. May your deaths not be in vain, but drive a community to find their humanity and build a more compassionate world.

What to do about animal cruelty? The ASPCA has tips on recognizing and taking action against it here. If you are a witness to animal cruelty, call 911 immediately!

Candlelight Vigil for Burned Dogs Tuesday, April 14, at Dallas City Hall

2009-04-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

A Candlelight Vigil in memory of the two dogs who were set on fire in southeast Dallas last weekend will take place Tuesday, April 14, from 8 to 9 p.m. at Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla St. Animal Connection of Texas (ACT), Metroplex Animal Coalition (MAC) and Texas Animal Defense Coalition (TADC) are sponsoring the vigil.

Speakers include Susan Oakey with ACT, Jonnie England with MAC and Kent Robertson with Dallas Animal Services (DAS). Candles will be provided, and participants are invited to bring their dogs. Animal Guardians of America will have adoptable pit bulls on site.

Saturday, April 4, residents in Pleasant Grove called 911 to report two “fireballs” running down the street. Dallas Police responded and found two badly burned pit bull terriers—a male and a female. Dallas Animal Services
was called to rescue the dogs, which had to euthanized the next day. Two
teenaged boys have been identified as suspects, and Dallas Police are
investigating the case. Seven other dogs belonging to the same family are
in protective custody at DAS. A Dallas municipal judge will decide April 15 whether they will be returned to the owners.

The two burned dogs have been named Hope and Justice by organizers of the Candlelight Vigil.

Lovin’ the new Dallas Animal Services Website!

2009-04-10T15:32:00.001-07:00

Dallas Animal Services has re-designed their website at http://dallasanimalservices.org/ - while they’ve introduced a vibrant and contemporary new look and feel, the site’s improvements are more than skin deep.

It’s now super easy to find what you may have come to the site for: clear buttons help you get right to the point for the most popular actions, while a concise yet comprehensive navigation makes it easy to find other important information you may need. And in case you missed it on the navigation bar, important information such as ordinance updates is also showcased on the page in an attractive and eye-catching banner.

Critical information like hours of operation and location is presented front and center in easy-to-see boxes, and people are encouraged to check out DAS’s pet of the week, showcased prominently and appropriately above the “adoptions” button.

Overall, the site has kept the customer’s needs in mind, with an attractive aesthetic and a functional design – it’s optimistic, action oriented and easy to use.

Here’s a look at how the page hangs together:

It definitely gets the paws up from us at Companions For Life!

Save the date! Metroplex Animal Coalition and SPCA of Texas host first ever DFW Spay Day – April 26, 2009

2009-04-08T17:57:00.001-07:00

Help us prevent this!

Metroplex Animal Coalition (MAC), with the help of the SPCA of Texas, is hosting the first ever “DFW Spay Day” on Sunday, April 26.

It is the first ‘collective’ spay/neuter event in the DFW area that is designed to support pet owners who simply cannot afford to have their pets sterilized and vaccinated. In these tough economic times, and with the population explosion of Spring about to hit, it is more important than ever to help people who want to be responsible pet owners but who just can’t afford the fees.

MAC Member Groups and supporters, along with a group of veterinarians dedicated to lowering the pet overpopulation, have donated their time, energy and funds to make this event happen. Don’t miss the opportunity to have a part in it!

On April 26, 2009 (Sunday), 100 pets will receive an examination, rabies & distemper vaccinations, flea treatment, microchip and spay or neuter…all for the low price of $42!

If the pet owner can’t afford even this amount, we have some sponsorships to help. This event will take place at the SPCA’s Martin Spay Neuter Clinic (see below for address).

SO, don't miss out on the opportunity to take part in this historic event! How?

Refer folks whose pets need to be sterilized! (email onecatsluv@sbcglobal.net or call 972.671.0429 to make an appointment)
Sponsor a spay or neuter (even one will save hundreds of lives)! (click here to donate on-line: http://www.metroplexanimalcoalition.com/credit.html or send a check to Metroplex Animal Coalition, 8333 Douglas Avenue #1350, Dallas, Texas 75225 (with notation on check “DFW Spay Day”)
Volunteer to help at Spay Day! (email onecatsluv@sbcglobal.net or call 972.671.0429 to volunteer)

DFW Spay Day offers us a way to make an even bigger statement to the residents of our community about the importance of spay and neuter. Join us and help make a difference for animals!

http://www.dfwspayday.org

Dallas Animal Services Pet of the Week!

2009-03-31T12:51:00.001-07:00

HOW can you resist this adorable smiling face and trusting eyes?!

This week’s featured pet from Dallas Animal Services is Brandi, a 9-month-old Shepherd-Catahoula mix with a distinctive reddish-brown merle coat and a super smile.

Brandi is an extremely friendly and happy dog with lots of energy. She has a great disposition and personality to spare.

You can adopt Brandi or another great cat or dog today at the Dallas Animal Services Adoption Center, just minutes west of downtown Dallas at 1818 N. Westmoreland and I-30. Give them a call at 214-671-0249.

DID YOU KNOW?

Today’s dogs—as well as wolves, foxes, coyotes and jackals—are most likely direct descendants of the Tomarctus, which roamed the earth 10-15 million years ago. Tomarctus had good speed and excelled in running down their prey. Their teeth and skull were very similar to those of modern canines. Tomarctus fossils have been found at various locations in the U.S., from the Mohave Desert in Arizona, to Nebraska and Florida.

HELPFUL HINT

In a recent survey, 83 percent of dog owners said that their dogs dug holes. Although digging is a normal activity of dogs, it’s ranked in the top 10 of most annoying behavior problems. Dogs dig for many reasons: Out of boredom, when they’re stressed or lonely, to get away from or into the house, as an instinctive breed behavior, or simply to keep cool. To stop your dog from digging, pay attention to what he’s trying to tell you. Ignoring the digging while giving positive reinforcement for good behavior generally is the best approach. You can also try barriers, such as filling the hole with water or rocks, fencing or safe repellants. If all else fails, talk with your veterinarian.

Technorati Tags: Dallas Animal Services,pet of the week,pet adoption

Keep the pet…

2009-03-30T13:55:00.001-07:00

We received this email today and wanted to pass it along – so many people assume that when they have a child, they’re going to have to surrender their pet. Often they’re concerned the pet will be lonely or jealous, a danger to their child or simply too much overhead.

If only they could cast their minds back to the companionship and security a child feels with a family pet; and the lessons learned of unconditional love, loss, responsibility and joy.

So the next time you hear someone say they have to get rid of their pet when they have a child, please show them these photos and help them understand what a valuable and beautiful part of growing up it is to have and love a family pet.

Within the heart of every stray

Lies the singular desire to be loved

Romeo The Cat Raises Money for Animal Welfare!

2009-03-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

This handsome guy is Romeo! He and his brother Pugsley have a cool cat blog and if you'll visit it and vote for Companions For Life, we could win lots of money for humane education!

We're gearing up for our busy season - we want to help Parks & Rec with Send A Kid To Camp, their summer camp for low income kids, and we're meeting next week with some folks from a local shelter for domestic violence victims - hoping to help teach the children there, who are already victims of abuse and have likely witnessed animal cruelty in some for, about respect, responsibility & compassion for animals. We also hope to be able to bring some great speakers to town soon for our Top Dog Speaker Series for local shelter staff and rescuers.

I think you'll like this kitty, his funny attitude, and his generosity! Just visit http://www.romeothecat.com/ and look for "Who Will Be Our April Donation Recipient". Then post a comment saying you vote for Companions For Life! BUT HURRY - the drawing takes place March 31st!

CFL Treasurer Rescues Dogs From Puppy Mill

2009-03-25T16:53:00.001-07:00

This past Monday, 3/23, Companions For Life Board Member & Treasurer Judi Burnett was on hand to assist HSUS with the rescue of nearly 400 animals from a puppy mill in Paris, Arkansas. Members of The HSUS' Animal Rescue Team removed approximately 350 dogs, 17 miniature ponies, six cats and several exotic birds and turtles from the property. The animals were taken to a temporary shelter run by volunteers - include our Judi - from United Animal National Emergency Animal Rescue Service.

According to HSUS "Most people don't realize that this is the cruel reality behind those cute puppies for sale in pet stores and online," said Desiree Bender, Arkansas state director for The HSUS. "These dogs were kept in tiny cages and forced to breed continuously for the profit of the mill owners". "Puppies were being sold over the Internet among other avenues. We also recovered purebred registration papers from several kennel clubs," continued Bender. "People were buying the puppies without knowing the cruelty they were supporting. It is vital that anyone buying a puppy go and see where they were born, meet the parent dogs and ensure they are being well cared for."

For more information on the puppy mill bust in Arkansas read the UAN press release at http://www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=556 or today's update from HSUS at http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/animals_rescued_from_arkansas_puppy_mill_032409.html. For more information on what to check before you buy a puppy, visit http://www.petshoppuppies.org.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

2009-03-17T12:09:00.001-07:00

If you have to dye your pet’s hair for holidays like St. Patrick’s day, please consider pet-safe products such as the ones below. Enjoy!

http://www.petedge.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=51763

Why cats behave the way they do

2009-03-16T17:23:00.001-07:00

A fun way to understand some of the incomprehensible things cats do:

Thanks for sending this through, KC!

Can’t decide if you want a Cat or a Dog? We have them both at Dallas Animal Services!

2009-03-15T15:41:00.001-07:00

You’ve been looking for a sweet companion to share your home and give you unconditional love. For some reason you haven’t been able to find that perfect pet – well look no further than Dallas Animal Services, but move quickly, these two need homes ASAP!

Ginger Snap is a 1-year-old Dilute Calico and she’s on the DAS URGENT list – you know what that means? She’s been looking for a new home since November 13 and her time is running out! Maybe you and she are a perfect match? Why not come and meet this super sweet, quiet girl who’s been waiting for you!

She weighs 10 pounds. Ginger Snap's previous owners brought her to the shelter because they were moving and couldn’t or wouldn’t take her with them. see more about Ginger Snap here - http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=12637658

***

If you’re really looking for a dog, why not consider Thorne? She was rescued from a cruel and neglectful situation and we just know that whoever gives her a Forever Home will have her lifelong gratitude and undying love - When she first came to the shelter she was a very skinny 23 pounds. She now weighs just under 45 pounds. Thorne is a complete sweetheart and loves to be loved on. She tries very hard to always be touching some one when she is out of her kennel. She does well with other dogs her size, but may be too much for smaller dogs. Thorne has been in the shelter since January and would love a real home to call her own, where she can be an indoor dog and experience the love and stability a forever family can offer. The staff has completely fallen in love with Thorne. She is such a lovebug! She really enjoys playing with tennis balls and rope toys. We are currently working on housetraining. Check her out - http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13254111

Adopt these or other wonderful pets today at the Dallas Animal Services Adoption Center, just minutes west of downtown Dallas at 1818 N. Westmoreland and I-30. Give them a call at 214-671-0249, or visit www.DallasAnimalServices.com.

Animals are victims of Domestic Violence too – you can help protect them!

2009-03-13T17:51:00.001-07:00

Help protect Texas’ pets and assistance animals from domestic violence by supporting House Bill 853

American Humane is a national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals and they are currently driving support for a recently introduced House Bill to protect companion animals in situations of domestic violence. On behalf of everyone who has been a victim of domestic violence or who has had to choose between their pet’s life and their own, we urge Texans to get behind this bill too!

Here’s some background on the bill from American Humane:

Each year throughout Texas, countless domestic violence victims risk their lives to protect their defenseless animals from harm. Research has shown that up to 48 percent of battered women remain in abusive homes out of concern for leaving their pets behind.

Children who grow up in an environment of animal abuse live in constant fear that a beloved family member will be harmed. Children often intervene to protect their mothers and pets from being battered, and some may even allow themselves to be victimized to save their pets from being harmed or killed.

To address this issue directly, Reps. Jodie Laubenberg, Ciro D. Rodriguez and Roland Gutierrez have introduced House Bill 853.

The goal of this bill is to stop abusers from harming, interfering with or threatening to harm pets and assistance animals by encouraging judges to include animals in domestic violence protective orders. A protective order is a legal order issued by a court that requires one person to stop harming, stay away from and/or cease contact with another person or, in the case of this bill, that person's pets as well.

We owe it to the countless domestic violence survivors throughout Texas to get HB 853 passed.

HB 853 is currently in the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence. Please ask Committee Chair Todd Hunter to schedule HB 853 for a hearing and to vote for its passage.

Technorati Tags: Domestic violence,abused animals,HB 853

Hot off the press – another Sports Illustrated article on Michael Vick

2009-03-11T13:23:00.001-07:00

When most people think of Sports Illustrated, they think of the famed annual Swimsuit edition. So when the December 2008 issue hit the newsstands, the double takes were understandable – yes, there was a girl on the cover but she was no bikini-clad beach beauty. Her name is Sweet Jasmine and she’s one of the 51 Pit Bulls seized in April 2007 as part of the notorious Michael Vick dog fighting ring bust. And what a beautiful dog she is! 35 pounds of lean muscle with a sweet face that would never hint at her tragic history.

And what a great article it was too, giving readers an updates on the the pit bulls that were rescued from Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennel. It reminded readers of what the dogs endured at the hands of Vick and his degenerate dog-fighting circle, and went some way towards addressing the anti-breed hype that the magazine itself admits to fueling with their provocative 1987 cover of a snarling pit bull below the headline BEWARE OF THIS DOG. SI conceded that the breed has an image problem – people think of Pit Bulls as vicious killers when in actual fact experts agree that, with training and proper socialization, Pit Bills make wonderful pets, in no small part because of their unparalleled ability to bond with people and their abiding loyalty. Unfortunately the Pit Bull’s greatest strength is also their Achilles heel – they will do ANYTHING for their human.

In that December article, the Michael Vick dogs were recast, hopefully helping to re-position their breed in the public eye – it is clear that they are no longer weapons, but are actually the victims in this scenario, and as such were entitled to the almost million dollar restitution paid out by Vick for their care and rehabilitation. The dogs’ high profile also ensured sufficient public outcry to save them from automatically being written off as a lost cause and euthanized at the time of their rescue.

Point After - Ethical Treatment For a Quarterback - Phil Taylor

Today a new issue of Sports Illustrated hits the newsstands, and Michael Vick once again features – this time, re-visiting Vick’s troubling story and the pending consideration of his reinstatement to the NFL in light of the fact that his sentence is almost fully served.

The magazine’s senior writer Phil Taylor writes: “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is looking for more than just the words of apology and remorse Vick has offered so far; he must prove that he is a changed man.… Says PETA spokesman Dan Shannon, ‘It's not like this guy's going back to laying brick. For better or worse, young people look up to well-known athletes as models of behavior. So, yes, it's a little different from a guy who's returning to a nine-to-five job.’ ”

Taylor continues: “Such is the unforgiving climate Vick faces. He has been brought to his knees, stripped of his freedom and fortune, and as satisfying as it might feel for some to see him like that, he has been down for as long as the law requires. It's time to let him try to get back up. Vick's return to the NFL shouldn't require that we judge him to be fully redeemed; many of us never will. But we need to acknowledge that as with most other offenders who have fulfilled the terms of their punishment, he ought to be allowed to pursue his old career, if he's still qualified for it.”

Taylor does make a good point – that Vick has served the terms of his lawful punishment and should be allowed to move on and earn a living doing what he’s qualified to do (play ball). But the article misses another, equally important point by failing to acknowledge that Vick brought his current unfortunate circumstances on himself and that public vilification and abhorrence are inherent consequences of the unacceptable nature of his crime, particularly given the position of public trust that he violated. It’s true, many of us never will be fully redeemed of our past sins and shouldn’t be made to pay ad infinitum for them – but many of us aren’t public icons, and nor have we committed crimes of cold-blooded brutality.

So - does Vick need to demonstrate that he’s “fully redeemed” in order to play football? Not at all. But in order to be a respected role model in the community whose actions will impact the (physical and psychological) wellbeing of children and animals across the country? Heck yes!

Every other celebrity criminal deals with the scrutiny of the public long after they serve their time – Vick will have to do the same. And if it takes “possible PETA protests” or a “media maelstrom and the disgust of potential ticket buyers” to motivate him to demonstrate his redemption then so be it. Vick may or may not be qualified to play NFL football, but in this blogger’s opinion, he has not yet demonstrated that he meets the bar to be the public role model such a career involves. Once he does, then by all means give him a hand up and let him take the stage once more as a superstar.

Taylor closes his article by pondering, “Perhaps the real change in Vick will come when he finds that the creatures he once treated so cruelly…, are now far more accepting of him than are most humans.” Yes, we the animal-loving public need to take a leaf of forgiveness and acceptance from the book of our canine companions – but the quid pro quo is that unlike dogs, we humans can (should) hold each other accountable for our behavior and, in this case, our forgiveness is entirely conditional on Vick having learned a different lesson from the animals: one of humanity.

Read this week’s full Sports Illustrated article online:

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1153074/index.htm

Read the full December 2008 SI article online: http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1150095/index.htm

Link to the December 2008 SI cover: http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/11038/index.htm

The Infamous 1987 SI cover: http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/9073/index.htm

To support animal-care groups cited in the December article, go to their respective websites: www.aspca.org, www.badrap.org, www.bestfriends.org. and www.recycledlove.org. Ten of Vick's pit bulls were taken to the BAD RAP rescue group in Northern California. BAD RAP chronicles their progress on the charming and frequently-updated Vick Dogs Blog.

Blogged by UrbanCritter

Technorati Tags: Michael Vick,Sports Illustrated,NFL,PETA,Pit Bulls,dog fighting,football,role model

Magical Orange Cat Looking for Love!

2009-03-06T17:14:00.001-08:00

There are people who believe that Orange cats are magical – whether that’s true or not, they certainly are beautiful!

Take this gorgeous kitty for example – he’s a classic orange tabby cat with a distinctive M on his forehead. There’s nothing scraggly about this outgoing and pleasant chap – he’s even neutered and litterbox trained!

The sweet little guy seems unsure why he is at Dallas Animal Services – and understandably: he’s young (about 3 years old) and obviously well cared for – he’s probably wondering why he’s in a shelter and not at home being loved by his family. Possibly he’s yet another innocent victim of the economic downturn.

Adoption fee is $62 and includes s/n, vaccinations, microchip and registration. Because he’s declawed he will need to be an indoor kitty.

For more information, email jennifer.selesky@dallascityhall.com.

Tonight on KRLD - Dangerous Dogs & BSL

2009-03-06T08:17:00.001-08:00

TONIGHT! Friday, March 6, from 7 to 8 p.m., KRLD 1080 will air a live,one-hour show on Dangerous Dogs. The subject is a hot topic now in light of three attacks or bites by pit bulls in the past 10 days and DallasMorning News columnist Jacquielynn Floyd's columns favoring a ban on thebreeding and sale (but not ownership) of pit bull breeds. Guests on the KRLD program are Kent Robertson with Dallas Animal Services, Jonnie England with the Metroplex Animal Coalition, Animal Law Attorney Yolanda Eisenstein and Adam Goldfarb with The HSUS. Tune in Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. on KRLD 1080, or listen online at krld.com!

Would you quit smoking for your pets?

2009-03-04T12:09:00.001-08:00

Any non smoker who loves a smoker has probably used the “if you loved me you’d quit!” line – but maybe they should try a different tack: pointing out the health implications of second hand smoke on pets might actually get a smoker to think twice about their habit.

Dallasnews.com recently reported new research that indicates pet owners would be prepared to give up their habit for the sake of their pets.

According to the article, new research from the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit shows that common sense isn’t that common, with “few people” realizing that secondhand smoking is implicated in the incidence of cancers, respiratory problems, skin diseases and other health problems in cats and dogs. The research, however, also suggested that smokers “are more likely to quit the habit for the sake of their pets' health than for their own”. That makes perfect sense – people are often motivated to do things they might not otherwise have done, for the sake of a loved one. It’s encouraging that people would love their pets enough to take the tough step of quitting tobacco.

Unfortunately, experience proves that many smokers are just too addicted to actually do what is best for themselves or their pets – the article actually quotes a woman WITH ASTHMA who continues to smoke while stating that she’d give up if her habit affected dog, or made her condition worse!! Someone obviously needs to learn something about cause and effect!

Sharon Milberger, who conducted the research, is of the opinion that “a nationwide education campaign could encourage more people to make those kinds of changes for their own interests and that of their pets” – a laudable sentiment, and a campaign worth running – if only to prove whether love could beat addiction. Imagine – a drug-free world because people cared about the ones they loved!

Technorati Tags: smoking,research,Tobacco Control Journal,Henry Ford Health System,quit smoking,smokers

Looking for a Beau?

2009-03-02T22:36:00.001-08:00

Well we have one right here, ready to capture your heart and love you unconditionally for the rest of his life!

Today’s featured pet from Dallas Animal Services is Beau, a handsome 9-month-old wire-haired terrier-shepherd mix. Beau is a very sweet boy who’s good with other dogs. He’s a little timid on first meeting new people, but quickly warms up to anyone who’s kind to him.

Beau has been waiting for a home since early December, and you can adopt him, or another great dog or cat, at the Dallas Animal Services Adoption Center, just minutes west of downtown Dallas at 1818 N. Westmoreland and I-30. Give them a call at 214-671-0249.

There are lots of benefits to adopting a mix-breed dog like Beau:

Mix breeds are generally better behaved dogs since they tend to get the good qualities of both or all breeds in their lineage;
They typically have fewer health problems;
Studies show that they usually live a little longer; and
Every animal shelter and humane society has an abundance of mix-breed dogs, so you have a wide selection of dogs and puppies to choose from.

Adopt Beau, or a mix-breed dog like him, and save a life!

Garland, TX – priorities, people!

2009-03-01T22:03:00.001-08:00

As part of their Health and Safety Curriculum, Garland Independent School District is distributing coloring books and showing videos sponsored by the NRA, to teach gun safety.

Aside from the controversial nature of a program that familiarizes kindergarten age children with firearms, the merits (or lack thereof) of which are being extensively discussed elsewhere, it is a sad indictment on our education system’s priorities that Humane Education programs are routinely under-funded, if they are featured at all.

According to CBS11 TV, “The district stresses that gun safety is only one part of the curriculum. Teachers also spend days even weeks talking about life jackets, bicycle safety, car safety and what to do if confronted by a stranger.”

Given the upward trend of animal cruelty incidents perpetrated by children, as well as burgeoning violence in the schoolyard, shouldn’t schools be prioritizing programs that teach kids compassion, humanity and respect for others (including animals)? Surely if children were taught humane values, there would be a virtuous cycle of compassion that might, in time, also lead to a reduction in gun-related incidents?

Or is it easier to sell out to the well-funded gun lobby while animal welfare agencies leverage every penny of their scarce resources dealing with the consequences of an increasingly inhumane society?

Meet Bella, Dallas Animal Services’ Latest Pet of the Week!

2009-03-01T14:52:00.001-08:00

Meet Bella, the City of Dallas "Pet of the Week" for the week of February 23, 2009. Bella is a BEAUTIFUL 4-year old Siamese mix who has been vaccinated, micro-chipped and sterilized. All she needs now is a good home!

If you 're interested in Bella or any other pet from Dallas Animal Services, visit the Animal Adoption facility at 1818 N. Westmoreland in Dallas, Texas or call 214-670-8246.

Technorati Tags: Siamese,adopt,Dallas Animal Services,Dallas,cat

Adults could benefit from some humane education too.

2009-02-18T12:54:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we blogged about the tragic case of Dusty, an abused and tortured cat in Oklahoma, and the urgent need to ramp up humane education efforts across the country. Children are growing up without learning compassion and respect – and when we hear stories about the Dallas man who threw his wife’s dog to its death off a freeway overpass during an argument yesterday, how can we be surprised?

When are people going to learn some impulse control; some compassion; some respect for the value of life?! That man perpetrated a felonious act of unspeakable cruelty for what? A petty vendetta and the chance to hurt his wife because of some marital dispute?

Animals may be classified as property by law, but that doesn’t give people the right to abuse and discard them like a pair of old shoes. Remember, people - Animal cruelty is a felony in Texas (and in Oklahoma, where poor Dusty is recuperating after her repeated torture at the hands of abusive teenagers).

Humane education can help teach people about being more respectful to our animal companions, but people also need to learn (and consider) consequence when they take rash and harmful actions against animals. County DA needs to ensure that people who perpetrate these felonies are prosecuted to the full extent of the law and required to make restitution to the communities they are degrading by their inhumane behavior.

Humane Education is not just for kids! It can be incorporated into any number of adult programs, including anger management classes, domestic violence counseling, parenting classes and more. It’s clear that adults need to learn and demonstrate compassion if our kids are to ever understand its value.

Please help us make the world a better place by supporting our Humane Education efforts and by encouraging our legislators and law enforcement to ensure animal cruelty felonies are treated with the seriousness they deserve!

Reference:

Texas Penal Code (Title 9 – Offenses Against Public Order and Decency; Chapter 42 – Disorderly Conduct and Related Offenses)

Sec. 42.092. CRUELTY TO NONLIVESTOCK ANIMALS

“A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:

(1) tortures an animal or in a cruel manner kills or causes serious bodily injury to an animal…”

“[This] offense … is a state jail felony, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if the person has previously been convicted two times under this section, two times under Section 42.09, or one time under this section and one time under Section 42.09.”

Why Humane Education is so Critical

2009-02-17T11:28:00.001-08:00

This past weekend in Lawton, OK two teenage boys filmed themselves brutally torturing a cat, and posted the video on YouTube, where it was watched about 30,000 times before being removed for violating the video sharing site’s terms. This may not be the first time one of these young psychopaths has tortured animals for the camera, if allegations by PETA and evidence uncovered by 7 News are substantiated.

The torture was so severe, even Comanche County Sheriff Kenny Stradley was lost for words. Dusty, the cat, is badly injured and traumatized, but is alive and was taken to a veterinarian. She will remain in custody at the City of Lawton Animal Control Shelter until investigations are complete.

According to 7 News, the teens are scheduled to face animal cruelty charges today. District Attorney Robert Schulte's office confirmed today that the boys are being tried as juveniles which many consider to be a travesty of justice.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE DUSTY CASE

Comanche County District Attorney’s office - (580) 585-4444
The number for the juvenile court is 580-353-3717
Sign this petition to demand an adult trial for these perpetrators - http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/justicetodusty/sign/
Dusty is currently in at the City of Lawton Animal Control Shelter, 2104 SW 6th St, Lawton - (580) 581-3218
http://www.8cat.net/please-help-dusty-the-cat/

THE CRITICAL NEED FOR HUMANE EDUCATION

Many animal welfare agencies are reporting an increasing incidence of animal cruelty acts perpetrated by young children and adolescents. So much for the innocence of childhood, and what was once considered an innate bond between children and animals. What makes children think that senseless violence and brutality is ever OK, especially when a defenseless and innocent creature is the victim?

Children are not inherently compassionate, it turns out – and it seems that many parents are absent at the helm when it comes to teaching their kids values such as respect for animals.

When kids think it’s OK to hurt an animal, and are not educated differently, they are losing part of their humanity – with potentially devastating impact on society. It is well documented that cruelty towards animals is frequently a precursor to escalating violence in general, with sadistic and homicidal outcomes. Casual brutality is becoming the norm and it’s frightening.

We need to teach children that cruelty to animals is not acceptable. It is increasingly critical that parents, schools, daycare providers, anyone who cares for or can influence children, should be taking every opportunity they can to educate children about humane practices, compassion and respect for other creatures (including people). It’s fundamental to the very fabric of our society!

Companions for Life provides materials, resources, and lesson plans for local teachers, counselors, and educators through partnerships with Dallas' Parks & Recreation, Dallas Environmental & Health Services, city-run after-school programs and summer camps, and more.

We can also train and equip volunteer educators who provide on-site presentations free to groups interested in humane education. Check out our website for more information, and get involved! Our children need us to help them learn compassion and humanity, instead of growing up with role models of cruel depravity.

Please help us build a more compassionate and respectful world!

Plano Shelter Animals Celebrate the Oscars in Style

2009-02-12T23:10:00.001-08:00

A new glimmer has taken over the Animal Shelter in the City of Plano, TX as animals there get glamorous for the Oscars!

During the week of Feb. 15 through Feb. 21, the shelter will celebrate Hollywood’s biggest night with its own voting process.

An official ballot will help visitors select their choice – the categories are:

Leading Tail Wagger
Best Supporting Tail Wagger
Best Cattress
Best Supporting Cattress
Best Short Tail
Best Animalation and
Best Cinemapawgraphy.

Visitors will be encouraged to check out all the animals looking for loving homes as they vote online or at the Shelter. The dog kennels have even been decorated with movie marquees to set the mood for this fun event!

To pick your favorite shelter performer, go to http://plano.gov/Animal/Pages/default.aspx or visit the Plano Animal Shelter at 4028 Plano Parkway. For more information, call (972) 769-4360.

Thinking of getting a pet store puppy? Read this from CNN Headline News first!

2009-02-10T17:02:00.000-08:00

Don't Buy Puppies

2009-02-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

Check out the latest from Best Friend Animal Society - please adopt puppies (like Sadie, this week's DAS animal of the week) instead of buying them!

DAS Pet of the Week Feb 4th

2009-02-04T21:50:00.000-08:00

Look at Sadie, she is adorable! She's a 12-week old Australian Shepherd - I just can't understand why she's still in the shelter, she's a big cuddle-bunny! I mean, JUST LOOK at that little paw wrapped around Kent's arm, and those big love-me eyes!! Someone, take her home - please!

Save the Date – The Lone Star Animal Welfare Conference is hitting Austin April 18-21

2009-02-02T16:18:00.001-08:00

The Texas Federation of Humane Societies (TFHS) and the Texas Animal Shelter Coalition (TASC) have joined forces to host the biggest and best animal welfare conference in Texas!

The Lone Star Conference runs April 18 – April 21 in Austin and includes fantastic workshops in three tracks:

Field & Shelter Services,
Placement Strategies for Increasing Adoptions, and
Animal Health & Wellness.

DFW animal welfare groups are urged to take advantage of this great opportunity to attend a world class conference close to home.

Registration fees are only $ 75 for members and $95 for non-members. For more details about the conference or to register, visit www.texasunites.com.

Death by Chocolate

2009-01-27T15:43:00.000-08:00

You don't usually think of mulch as being potentially harmful to your pets - after all, it's not like you're spreading chemical fertilizer all over your garden, how dangerous could it be?

Well if you're using cocoa mulch, it could be lethal to your pets. The "cocoa" bit should be a dead giveaway with more people becoming aware that chocolate (milk and dark chocolate particularly) is poisonous to pets.

What we're dealing with here is Theobromine, a xanthine compound found in cocoa bean shells that has a similar effect to caffeine (in fact, it's a by-product of the body's metabolism of caffeine). It's one of the things that makes chocolate such a great comfort food - but unfortunately also the key reason chocolate (and cocoa mulch) is so dangerous for your pet if ingested.

To give you an idea of how it impacts an animal, theobromine is - according to Wikipedia - used in modern medicine as a vasodilator (a blood vessel widener), a diuretic (urination aid), and heart stimulant.

The problem for animals - particularly dogs, who are more likely to eat chocolate (or that yummy-smelling cocoa mulch all over your garden) than cats - is that they metabolize theobromine way more slowly than humans. In fact, an animal can succumb to theobromine poisoning from as little as 50 grams of chocolate for a smaller dog and 400 grams for an average-sized dog.

Wikipedia lists complications including "digestive issues, dehydration, excitability, and a slow heart rate. Later stages of theobromine poisoning include epileptic-like seizures and death. If caught early on, theobromine poisoning is treatable but ,while rare, fatalities can and do occur.

So do your research - natural doesn't always mean safe. It's true that most dogs won't go on a cocoa mulch binge, but do you really want to take that chance for the sake of a lovely garden?

Resources and references:

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp - confirmation that cocoa mulch is, indeed, dangerous to pets. Includes some useful fact-checking research.

http://www.growingwisdom.com/index.aspx?pid=7&sid=1 - some videos about safe organic composting and selecting safe mulch.

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/cocoa-mulch-toxicity/page1.aspx - article on cocoa mulch toxicity with tips for treatment and prevention.

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/gr_general_info/article/0,2029,DIY_13847_4615714,00.html - DIY network article on pet friendly gardening and landscaping.

Change a Pet's Life Day - 10 Free Adoptions at SPCA of Texas (Dallas) tomorrow!

2009-01-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, January 24th, Hill’s Science Diet will partner with the SPCA of Texas for Change a Pet’s Life Day, a national free adoption drive to help transform the lives of shelter cats and dogs by giving them a second chance for love.

Hill’s Science Diet will cover the adoption fees for the first 10 pet adoptions at the SPCA of Texas' Dealey Animal Care Center in Dallas on Saturday, January 24th beginning at noon.

Visit http://www.spca.org for more information!

January 20th - Dallas Animal Services Pet of the Week

2009-01-20T17:06:00.001-08:00

Meet Tuesday - this beautiful 8 year old Tortoiseshell sweetie is this week's Dallas Animal Services Pet of the Week! Are you willing to inaugurate her as your newest family member?

Drop into the DAS state-of-the-art shelter to meet Tuesday, or check out the DAS website to see all the other pets they have available for adoption.

A personal post from UrbanCritter

2009-01-18T20:27:00.000-08:00

I've been posting to this blog for a while now but generally on specific issues or topics. Today I thought I'd share something a little more personal - I rescued Toto, a beautiful domestic long-haired cat, from an industrial area in Sydney Australia when he was barely 6 weeks old. He was just a little scrap of mite-infested fur and bones, with a huge purr. Fourteen years later and half a world away, we're still together and he's now 17 pounds of Best Friend - I can't imagine why anyone would have dumped him but I am so grateful he found me!

Here's Toto taking a walk on the leash today - proving that you can not only train a cat to walk on leash, but you can teach an old cat new tricks (he transitioned without a hitch from being an indoor-outdoor cat to indoor only when we moved to the US six years ago, and he started walking on the leash about a year ago)! Hope you enjoy this little glimpse of Toto!

Sports Illustrated talks about the Michael Vick Pit Bulls

2009-01-14T23:23:00.001-08:00

In a touching and redemptive article, Sports Illustrated covers the Michael Vick Pit Bulls, helping to address the breed's image problem. The magazine has come a long way since 1987 when they sensationally exhorted the public to BEWARE OF THIS DOG.

Read the full article online: http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1150095/index.htm
Link to this month's cover: http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/11038/index.htm
The Infamous 1987 cover: http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/9073/index.htm

It's well worth the read.