Dog Bite Fact Sheet

-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

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

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

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:

• Advertising Age - Michael Vick's Image Rehab to Include Humane Society
• The NPR interview with the HSUS’s Wayne Pacelle about Michael Vick 
• Wayne Pacelle’s HSUS blog post on the Vick talks
• A previous blog post on the Michael Vick story
• March 2009 Sports Illustrated Article
• December 2008 Sports Illustrated article 
• A Timeline of Michael Vick dogfighting case - The Associated Press

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!

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

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

 

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?

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

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

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!

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

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