The Katrina Pet Syndrome: a few comments on the duct-taped cat

When the story of the duct-taped cat made the news, the shelter received over 100 applications to adopt her, and at least three people tried to claim ownership of her.

She was adopted by a family that has asked to remain anonymous. Good decision; it reinforces that they are more interested in taking care of the cat than in being heroes.

I have to wonder if the 99 others who applied to adopt her realize that this shelter has hundreds of other cats and kittens all equally deserving of loving homes? How many of these 99 people took a look at the other cats at the shelter or the cats at any of the hundreds of other shelters within a 30 mile radius?

Animal shelters across the country are overflowing with tens of thousands very nice cats and kittens. Not to mention all the dogs. Many of these animals have histories as sad as the duct-taped cat, arriving at the shelter from neglect, abuse, rescued from puppy mills, surrendered by irresponsible and clueless owners (not to imply that all or most people who have to surrender a pet are irresponsible).

This is the same thing that happened following Katrina...shelters all over the country took in cats and dogs from New Orleans and Mississippi which were supposed to be fostered while the shelter made their best efforts to locate the animals' owners who were displaced by the storm and flood.

And potential adopters came out of the woodwork - most of them not already looking for a cat or dog to adopt. Most seemed to believe that the Katrina cats and dogs were more deserving than the cats and dogs that were already at the shelter.

Some shelters that took in Katrina animals euthanized animals already there to make room for their new celebrities.

Then the predictable happened: a year or two (or less) after some of these Katrina animals were adopted they began to show up back at shelters, or advertised on Craigslist. The novelty wore off and the new owner got bored, or no longer wanted to put the time into taking care of it. Or they realized that a Katrina dog will chew up their favorite shoe just like any other dog. Or a Katrina cat might have some "issues."

Every time an abused cat or dog makes the news, the shelter receives hundreds of applications. I hope that when this happens, the shelter gives highest consideration to applicants who have already adopted from them, or those already looking for a pet to adopt.

If you have the room in your home, your life and your heart for a cat or dog you will find the ONE for you at a local shelter. Don't be impulsive. Visit the shelters as many times as you need to decide. Very often your new cat or dog will choose you when you allow it to happen.

PLEASE DON'T BUY FROM A PUPPY MILL.

UPDATE on cat found duct-taped in Philly

Last week, 19-year-old James Davis, of the 2100 block of 22nd Street, was taken into custody after he admitted to duct-taping the cat because he was "annoyed."

He said that he saw the cat in his backyard and he didn't know what came over him.

Officers also say Davis left the duct-taped cat in his yard for several hours but because it was screaming so much, he dumped the cat across the walkway.

The SPCA received information about Davis throughout their investigation. The agency was offering a $2,000 reward for an arrest in the case. Davis' yard backs up to the property on Edgely Street where the cat was found.

The cat has been adopted; the PA-SPCA received over 100 applications her.

Searching for Boston Terrier Stolen by "steelers8321@yahoo.com"

A woman in Wilmington, DE lost her elderly male Boston Terrier last month and replied to the following post:

Is your dog missing? i found a black/white 'boston terrier' type (wilmington/pike creek)

Date: 2009-08-20, 11:49PM EDT
Reply to: comm-vxqbw-1334136984@craigslist.org

Found wandering dog today (August 20) he is very sweet and loving, but i have 2 dogs in the house already and can not keep! I am looking for the owner so i can give him back asap! e-mail me at steelers8321@yahoo.com! hope to find the owner!!

"steelers8321@yahoo.com" was obviously not interested in finding the owner.

The elderly Boston Terrier got out of the yard on August 20th. A neighbor saw a car stop and someone pick up the dog; the person in the car took the neighbor's phone number and promised to call to see if anyone was looking for the dog but never called.

That's a shock.

The above post on Craigslist appeared that night.

The owner of the lost Boston sent several emails to "steelers8321@yahoo.com" asking for more info about the dog that was "found" but this email account was canceled - deleted - closed.

An email was then sent to the anonymous Craigslist email which was never answered.

If you know of anyone who acquired a Boston Terrier last month - who may or may not have two dogs (it seems that anyone who has two dogs of their own would be more understanding and empathic to someone whose dog was lost) and who may or may not live in the Pike Creek area, please post an anonymous tip here.

The owner of the lost Boston will offer a reward for any tips leading to the recovery of her dog so if you want to claim the reward, please include contact info. with your posted comment.

All blog comments are moderated so they won't be posted - just read by me only.

Thank You!

$1000 Reward

Police are attempting to find out who wrapped a cat in duct tape and abandoned it in a North Philadelphia yard yesterday afternoon. The cat was completely wrapped in duct tape, except for its head. “I’ve never seen a cat totally wrapped like a mummy before,” said George Bengal, director investigations for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“Whoever did this is very sick.

The cat was found in the 2200 block of Edgley Street.

The female cat, nicknamed Sticky, was sedated by workers at the PSPCA so the tape could be cut away by scissors and is recovering.

“We’re lucky that the tape was not on the cat for a long time. It came off easily,” said Gail Luciani, PSCPA spokeswoman.

The police are offering a $1000 for any tips that lead to the conviction of the animal abuser.

WELCOME AT RAINBOW BRIDGE

by Alexander Theodore, Bouvier, Fourth Year Resident

On the morning of September 11, 2001 there was an unprecedented amount of activity at the Rainbow Bridge. Decisions had to be made. They had to be made quickly. And, they were.

An issue, not often addressed here, is the fact that many residents really have no loved one for whom to wait. Think of the pups who lived and died in hideous puppy mills. No one on earth loved or protected them. What about the many who spent unhappy lives tied in backyards? And, the ones who were abused. Who are they to wait for?

We don't talk about that much up here. We share our loved ones as they arrive, happy to do so. But we all know there is nothing like having your very own person who thinks you are the most special pup in the Heavens.

Last Tuesday morning a request rang out for pups not waiting for specific persons to volunteer for special assignment... An eager, curious crowd surged excitedly forward, each pup wondering what the assignment would be.

They were told by a solemn voice that unexpectedly, all at once, thousands of loving people had left Earth long before they were ready.

All the pups, as all pups do, felt the humans' pain deep in their own hearts. Without hearing more, there was a clamoring among them - "May I have one to comfort?" "I'll take two, I have a big heart." "I have been saving kisses forever."

One after another they came forward begging for assignment. One cozy-looking fluffy pup hesitantly asked, "Are there any children coming?

I would be very comforting for a child 'cause I'm soft and squishy and I always wanted to be hugged." A group of Dalmatians came forward asking to meet the firefighter s and be their friends. The larger working breeds offered to greet the Police Officers and make them feel at home.

Other dogs volunteered to do what they do best, cuddle and kiss. Dogs who on Earth had never had a kind word or a pat on the head, stepped forward and said, "I will love any human who needs love."

Then all the dogs, wherever on Earth they originally came from, rushed to the Rainbow Bridge and stood waiting, overflowing with love to share - each tail wagging an American Flag.

Dog Rescued from Schuylkill River

After she was rescued from and taken to the PSPCA and examined, doctors found "scars on her face that appear to be from fighting, so they believe its possible she was thrown in the water intentionally."

She is recovering at the shelter and will be put up for adoption.

She's been named "River."

Support Dick's Sporting Goods / Boycott Modells

Dick's Sporting Goods has made the good, ethical decision to not sell Michael Vick merchandise. For now.

Please support them in your sporting goods purchases, and send them a comment (at the link below) to thank them for their decision and ask them to continue not selling Vick merchandise.

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/corp/index.jsp?page=contact

Please also boycott Modell's and other stores that are making a profit from the mistake made by the NFL to reinstate Vick, and the ever worse mistake of the Philadelphia Eagles to sign him.

Deadly Dog Flu Spreads

Aug. 18, 2009 -- Canine influenza, the potentially deadly H3N8 virus commonly known as dog flu, is spreading.

So far the virus has led to the death of one dog last week, closed down the kennel at Virginia's Fairfax County Animal Shelter, and, according to experts, is now affecting dogs in at least four other states: Colorado, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

While the reason for the shelter outbreak, which killed a 15-year-old whippet owned by a clinical technician and sickened 26 dogs, remains unknown, it's possible that one or more infected dogs from Philadelphia or D.C. introduced the illness to Virginia.

"Dogs often move in and out of shelter systems over long distances, such as via breed and rescue groups," Edward Dubovi, director of the virology center at Cornell's Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, told Discovery News.

"Boarding kennels and even elite doggie day care centers can also result in cases, since, as for kennel cough spread, the virus is highly contagious and dogs may catch it from one another," added Dubovi.

He first isolated the canine influenza virus in 2004, after University of Florida researchers sent him fluid and tissue samples from greyhound race dogs that had died from a then mysterious respiratory illness at a Florida racetrack.

Dubovi and his team determined the cause was the H3N8 equine flu virus, which jumped from horses to dogs. In addition to spreading from dog to dog, canines can also catch it from humans, who may have come into contact with infected animals.

The illness has not yet sickened any people.

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.

Although 30 states have reported cases over the past five years, Dubovi said outbreaks are "usually sporadic and then die out."

"For example, we've seen outbreaks in San Diego, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh, but those all ended," he explained.

As officials work to contain the Virginia cases, nearby states and cities are also on guard.

Tara deNicolas, a spokesperson for the Washington Humane Society, told Discovery News, "No cases are currently in our shelter."

She added, "We're being very proactive, however, and are ordering tests whenever any possible symptoms surface."

Just last month, a vaccine was released for canine influenza. Dubovi said that, "in clinical trials, it reduces viral shedding and diminishes signs" of the illness. It's given in two doses, three weeks apart.

Dubovi would like to see "blanket vaccinations in affected areas, as it would be nice to get this virus out of the dog population."

The virus at present is more adapted to horses than to dogs, so wiping out the illness now would prevent future possible mutations within canines.

Since dogs are in regular contact with their owners and other people, the illness could potentially spread from dogs to humans in the future, he suggested, given that it has already jumped from one species of mammal to another.

More bad news appears to be on the horizon. Next month, Dubovi said he will announce the discovery of yet another new virus.

In the meantime, researchers continue to study why some viruses jump species, and what can be done to eradicate these illnesses.

Dog Owners Against Philadelphia Eagles

Plan to attend the protest against the Philadelphia Eagles & Michael Vick
at the Eagles first home game on Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 11:00am - 2:00pm

This peaceful protest will be held at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philly.

Bring your dog-friendly dogs and protest signs.

Join the Dog Owners Against Philadelphia Eagles group on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=143147713824

Middletown NJ home raided by SPCA

SPCA descends on in-home puppy mill

80 dogs rescued from Middletown "nightmare"

By JIM McCONVILLE
KEYPORT BUREAU

A woman was using her home to breed and sell dogs, some of them sick, an official from the Monmouth County SPCA said Thursday after rescuing 80 dogs from the canine-packed house.

Basset hounds, a blue-nose pit bull terrier, a handful of Dachshunds, and mainly Chihuahuas were among the 80 dogs being carted away from 27 7th St., here, which was littered with dog feces and urine, said Victor "Buddy" Amato, chief law enforcement officer for Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The homeowner, Marlene Sandford, 56, was charged with 85 counts of animal cruelty, with each count liable to a $1,000 fine, Amato said.

However, since Sandford willingly signed over the dogs to the SPCA, Amato said she might receive more leniency in court.

"We uncovered a nightmare inside," said Amato, who was alerted to the home after getting a report of a sick-looking dog at about 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

Sandford, who was at the house at the time, declined to comment.

Amato said a resident who lives on the same street complained that they had purchased a dog from Sandford that then turned out to be sick.

When police and SPCA workers arrived they found a house littered with dog feces and permeated with the stench of urine.

"You couldn't even stand in there and breathe for five minutes," Amato said. "One area was completely infested with dogs. There was no water; the bowls that we did see were infested with feces."

Amato said within the two-story light gray house, the rooms were literally teeming with dogs, including three female Chihuahuas who had recent litters of puppies.

SPCA officers uncovered dogs in small locations such as closets throughout the house.

"We found one dog in the stove," Amato said.

In the pouring afternoon rain, Amato, with the help of township animal control officers, loaded the dogs into cages in four vans to be transported to SPCA headquarters in Eatontown where they would be processed, including an examination by a staff veterinarian, and then put up for adoption, Amato said.

Amato said Sandford was essentially using her home to breed and sell dogs.

What they found, said Amato, was an in-home puppy mill.

"She is running a business out of this house," Amato said. "She is basically using her home to sell dogs."

Amato said the dog Sandford sold to a neighbor for approximately $600 was infected with Giardia, a highly contagious disease where a parasite infects the dog's intestine.

Several other dogs appeared to have "red eye" or "cherry eyes," an eye infection.

"She was selling sick dogs to local residents," Amato said.

Another so-called animal sanctuary is raided

The American Humane Association, The ASPCA, UAN and several other animal welfare organizations removed and relocated approximately 315 dogs and an assortment of rabbits, birds, horses, chinchillas, a ferret, and others were removed from the Thyme & Sage Ranch in Cazenovia, Wis. during a seizure in May.

Most of the animals had been housed in unhealthy and inhumane conditions, and dead animals were discovered on-site. The 11 charges against "sanctuary" founder, Jennifer Petkus, include mistreatment of animals by intent or negligence. Many of the animals are suffering from skin, eye and ear conditions, malnutrition and various internal infections.

The majority of the animals which were legally relinquished by the owner have been re- homed in humane societies and rescue organizations across Wisconsin. They will eventually be available for adoption. Others are being safely held as evidence. Ten were returned to the owner, but will be checked daily by a Richland County deputy and weekly by a veterinarian.

(Read the full story by clicking on the title link)

Lesson here?? Volunteer with and support your local animal shelter.

Don't be fooled by the term "sanctuary" which can mean little more than a well-disguised hoarding situation, or in the case of the most famous of all animal sanctuaries, a huge money-making machine which sucks up valuable resources from local shelters.

PA Puppy Mill Shut Down For Good!!!!

The Almost Heaven puppy mill located in Lehigh County, PA was raided today by The Humane Society of the United States and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement) who removed nearly 300 dogs.

This raid shuts down this place for good.

Here is a link about a previous raid on this same puppy mill:
http://www.care2.com/news/member/325453706/896871

Hopefully, more of the Almost Hell puppy mills in PA and elsewhere will soon be shut down for good too.

But the best way to put an end to puppy mills is to STOP buying puppy mill puppies which are sold in pet stores and over the internet. Remember - reputable breeders DO NOT sell their puppies to middle-men, internet brokers and pet stores.

Fat Cat Cellars donates to Forgotten Cats

Fat Cat Cellars, an award winning California winery, wants no cat to be forgotten. Beginning March and running though May, Fat Cat Cellars will be donating a portion of store and restaurant sales of Fat Cat Cellars to Forgotten Cats.

Please ask for Fat Cat Cellars Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio.

Booth's Corner Pets Supports PUPPY MILLS Please Read!!

These cute and overpriced puppies come from Lancaster County, PA PUPPY MILLS.

Some of them will become sick and die before they are a year old or cost their owners hundreds or thousands in vet bills. Even though they are sold with a "one year health guarantee" does not mean that Booth’s Corner Pets will reimburse for medical bills. They will only give you another puppy. Maybe. Sort of like a muffler shop guarantee. Lots of fine print.

But the mentality behind replacing a puppy with another one only reinforces the idea that dogs and puppies are disposable.

These puppies come with "papers" from bogus organizations called CKC (Continental Kennel Club) and ACA (American Canine Association) that exist only to manipulate the average uneducated and impulsive puppy-buyer who knows that "purebred" dogs come with papers from “something with three letters (AKC).”

The dogs and puppies of legitimate and responsible breeders are registered with the AKC and only the AKC. ACA and CKC are nothing more than worthless registrars for puppy mill dogs and backyard breeders.

If you buy a puppy from Booth’s Corner Pets or any other pet store you are supporting extreme animal cruelty, torture and the slow & painful death of the parents of these puppies.

Responsible breeders DO NOT sell or consign their puppies to pet stores nor do they sell them through brokers or online puppy sites.

Responsible breeders care a great deal about where their puppies go and many will also offer to take back the puppy at any time if the owner is no longer able to care for it.

Responsible breeders are often involved in their breed rescue organization and can direct you to older puppies or adult dogs that are available for adoption if you want a certain breed but not necessarily a young puppy.

Responsible breeders will often require those who purchase puppies to sign agreements that they will have the puppy spayed or neutered within the first year.

Responsible breeders usually breed one or maybe two breeds of dogs and they do it for the love of the breed.

A breeder that claims to get you anything you want or breeds everything and anything that's in demand: Yorkies, Poodles, Yorki-Poos, Shih Tzu, Shih-Poos, Lhasa Apsos, Maltese, Bichons, Chihuahuas, Chi-Chons, Pekingese, Golden Retrievers, Pugs, Beagles, Puggles, etc. are in it for THE MONEY and only THE MONEY.

Responsible breeders consider their adult dogs to be part of their families.

For links to responsible breeders, go to the AKC website.

The AKC is not perfect and I’ve never been a big fan (though I love watching the big dog shows on TV). But in response to the increasing awareness about Puppy Mills and also to receiving their own criticism, the AKC now inspects any breeder who tries to register a high number of litters a year – usually more than seven is a red flag.

Happy 120th (in dog years) Birthday, Chanel

Chanel, the world's oldest dog, a Dachshund mix from N.Y. turns 21 today.

Chanel was adopted from a shelter in Virginia for $25 and has outlived the three other Dachshunds in her family.

Click above to read full story.

The Fifty States Project

Check out this really cool photography project.

My friend Sandy - a talented artist and very nice person - was selected to represent Iowa, the place nearest and dearest to my heart.

Wind-tossed Chihuahua found safe; owners credit psychic

Waterford Township -- Two days after Tinker Bell, a six-pound chihuahua, blew away in high winds at the Dixieland Flea Market, her owners found her safe and sound about three-quarters of a mile away. The Rochester couple credits a pet psychic for the discovery.

"We were shocked when we found her," said Dorothy Utley, 72, Tinker Bell's mother. "You don't know how happy we were. We love her so much."

More than 50 volunteers helped Utley and her husband, Lavern, search for their dog, who blew away in 70 mph per hour winds Saturday.

After speaking with a pet psychic from Holly, Utley said she and her husband headed to a wooded field on the opposite side of Dixie Highway. There, they found Tinker Bell. The black and brown long-haired dog was very dirty and hungry.

"That dog was so happy," Utley said. "She just went wild. She was so hungry and we had to bathe her."

Market Manager Joe Goldberg said the whole event was phenomenal. "It seems like (the dog) is her whole life," he said of Utley.

Candice Williams and Christine Ferretti / The Detroit News

cstolarz@detnews.com (313) 222-2650

Update on gas chambers in North Carolina animal shelters

By Kim Genardo
NBC17
Mar. 5, 2009

RALEIGH, N.C.

An emotional debate is pitting some animal control agencies against animal rights advocates in North Carolina.

The House Agriculture committee is considering "Davie's Law", a bill to ban gas chambers as a form of euthanasia for all shelter animals.

Instead, animals, whether domestic or ferrell, would be put to sleep by injection or ingestion of sodium pentobarbital.

43 county animal shelters use carbon monoxide as their primary method to put down unwanted animals.

Yet two-thirds of the shelters have moved on to euthanize only by injection, a process advocates say is more humane.

Opponents say gassing is a scientifically approved, safe, cost effective method of controlling the animal population.

Both sides are lobbying lawmakers as they consider the ban under House Bill 6, as well as another version. House Bill 27, that allows the use of gas chambers under certain provisions.

The NCVMA remains neutral on the issue, but association member Dr. MaryAnn Sheets says lawmakers need to consider changing drug regulations first so shelter workers have all the tools they need for the job.

In case you missed this tear-jerking Priceless commercial

The three videos are part of a trilogy - best to watch them in order:

http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/asr/v007/videos/7.1mc_dog_trilogy1.mpg

http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/asr/v007/videos/7.1mc_dog_trilogy2.mpg

http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/asr/v007/videos/7.1mc_dog_trilogy3.mpg

You've Got to Be Carefully Taught

You've Got to Be Carefully Taught
By Rodgers & Hammerstein

You've got to be taught to hate and fear,
You've got to be taught from year to year,
It's got to be drummed in your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught.

You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,
You've got to be carefully taught.

You've got to be taught before it's too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You've got to be carefully taught!

UPDATE on Bellina: stolen poodle from Seaford, DE

This is Bellina, a small chocolate Poodle who needs her medication.

This is Bellina being stolen from Pet Emporium in Seaford, Delaware on Saturday, January 24th between 3:00- 3:30 p.m.

If you know the woman in the photo, taken from a store surveillance camera, please contact the Seaford, DE Police Department at 302-629-9341 or dial 911 from Seaford; or contact Bellina's owner at comm-1012541596@craigslist.org or email here anonymously: noanimalleftbehind at gmail dot com.

Another sad setback for pit bulls

Boy, 9, rescued from attacking pit bulls

By ESTEBAN PARRA
The News Journal

Quick action by Wilmington residents may have saved the life of a 9-year-old Friday afternoon, after they heard a boy screaming and ran to fight off the two dogs biting him.

Bystanders kicked and drove the two pit bulls away, but not before the boy was bitten on the cheek, head and thumb, police said. Delaware animal control officers and state police captured the dogs and are looking for the owners. The boy was in stable condition Friday night at Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children in Rockland.

"I said, 'Oh, my God, these dogs are going to go after the boy,' " said Silas Jones, 29, who said he was picking up his son from the school bus when he heard the screams.

"I never experienced anything like that," Jones said. One dog was trying to knock the boy down and the other was biting him, he said. He said the incident took place near a day-care center with other children nearby.

Preliminary reports indicate the boy, who lives in the 100 block of E. 38th St., was walking on North Market Street about 4:25 p.m. Some say the boy tried to run from the dogs. Jones said he saw the dogs charging toward the boy.

The Wilmington man said that, when he saw the attack, he put his son into his car and then got out of the car to pull a tire iron from his trunk. Then he went after the dogs and started beating them.

As he ran toward the animals, police said another man kicked the dogs off and was protecting the child from further attack. Jones said a man placed his body over the child.

"He covered him up and I was just fighting the dogs off to keep him from biting either one of them," Jones said. "It felt like forever. Just the moment of trying to stop the attack felt like forever."

As more people came out to the area, the dogs fled and the boy was taken into Q B's Barbershop in the 3900 block of Market St.

The pit bulls later were spotted on 36th Street, where troopers and animal-control officers cornered and captured them. Officers said the dogs had no collars or leashes but weren't aggressive when they found them. No other injuries were reported.

Police and animal control are investigating.

I tried to link directly to the video that accompanies this story, but as usual the links and settings on the Delawareonline website are not working; click on title link to view video..

---

Please Help Send Billy to a Sanctuary !

Attention all animal lovers in Los Angeles:

Please help get Billy, the last (and very lonely) elephant at the Los Angeles Zoo sent to an elephant sanctuary for his remaining days, and to close permanently the Zoo's elephant exhibit, ranked among the worst in the country.

The following is from the In Defense of Animals website:

Please attend these two very important meetings. It's critical that we have as many people as possible at both:

WHAT: Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, January 27th, 3pm
WHERE: L.A. City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, L.A. 90012, John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340

WHAT: L.A. City Council meeting and final vote on shutting down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit
WHEN: Wednesday, January 28th, 10am
WHERE: L.A. City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, L.A., 90012, John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340

SPEAK OUT: Please be prepared to speak for 1 minute during public comment. Keep your comments concise, positive, and focused on your support for closing down the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary. Arrive early enough to complete a public comment card.

Zoo supporters will be out in large numbers (the zoo hires buses to bring them in). Let's be sure that our voices outnumber theirs to show clear and strong support for ending Billy's years of isolation and deprivation!

L.A. City Council member Tony Cardenas has presented a motion to stop the L.A. Zoo's $42 million elephant exhibit renovation. Despite its mammoth price tag and expense to taxpayers, it still will not provide the space elephants need, and elephants will continue to suffer and die painful, premature deaths at the zoo.

Fifteen elephants have died at the L.A. Zoo. More than half never lived to age 20. Elephants have a natural lifespan of 60-70 years. Billy is held in solitary confinement, where he spends his days repetitively bobbing his head up and down in a tiny pen. If the council votes to close the elephant exhibit, Billy will be able to start a new life in a natural-habitat sanctuary where he'll have the space and natural conditions that all elephants so desperately need.

Also ...

WRITE/CALL THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Tell the City Council that taxpayers don't want their money wasted on an elephant exhibit that still doesn't give elephants the space they need. Please send emails and make phone calls to express your support for shutting down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit.

If you don't live in the City of L.A., please contact the mayor and L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti (contact info provided below) and express your support for closing the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary.

To locate your councilmember on-line, visit http://www.lacity.org/ and scroll down to "My Neighborhood" and enter your address. You can also dial 311 within the City of Los Angeles, or call 213-473-3231 from the Greater Los Angeles area.

SAMPLE MESSAGE (please personalize as much as possible; tell your council member that you are a constituent):
I support halting construction of the $42 million elephant exhibit at the L.A. Zoo and sending the elephant, Billy, to a sanctuary. Please don't waste taxpayer dollars on an elephant exhibit that still won't give elephants the room they need. I urge you to vote to stop construction of the exhibit and to send Billy to a spacious elephant sanctuary, where he can live a life closer to what nature intended.

PHONE MESSAGE (when calling your council member's office, please identify yourself as a constituent)
Keep it simple: "I am asking the councilmember to please vote to halt the construction of the elephant exhibit at the L.A. Zoo and send Billy to a sanctuary."

CONTACTS:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-978-0600 Fax: 213-978-0750
Email: mayor@lacity.org

EMAIL BLOCK (does not include Councilmember Alarcon; use contact form for him as indicated below):
councilmember.reyes@lacity.org; councilmember.greuel@lacity.org; councilmember.zine@lacity.org; councilmember.labonge@lacity.org; councilmember.weiss@lacity.org; councilmember.parks@lacity.org; councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org; jan.perry@lacity.org; councilmember.wesson@lacity.org; councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org; councilmember.smith@lacity.org; councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org; councilmember.huizar@lacity.org; councilmember.hahn@lacity.org; mayor@lacity.org

District 1 - Ed Reyes
Phone: 213-473-7001 Fax: 213-485-8907
Email: councilmember.reyes@lacity.org

District 2 - Wendy Greuel
Phone: 213-473-7002 Fax: 213-680-7895
Email: councilmember.greuel@lacity.org

District 3 - Dennis P. Zine
Phone: 213-473-7003 Fax: 213-
Email: councilmember.zine@lacity.org

District 4 - Tom LaBonge
Phone: 213-473-7004 Fax: 213-624-7810
Email: councilmember.labonge@lacity.org

District 5 - Jack Weiss
Phone: 213-473-7005 Fax: 213-978-2250
Email: councilmember.weiss@lacity.org

District 6 - Tony Cardenas - ORIGINATOR OF THE MOTION
Phone: 213-473-7006 Fax: 213-847-0549
Email: councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org

District 7 - Richard Alarcon
Phone: 213-473-7007 Fax: 213-847-0707
Email: (use contact form at www.lacity.org/council/cd7/contact.htm)

District 8 - Bernard Parks
Phone: 213-473-7008 Fax: 213-485-7683
Email: councilmember.parks@lacity.org

District 9 - Jan Perry
Phone: 213-473-7009 Fax: 213-473-5946
Email: jan.perry@lacity.org

District 10 - Herb J. Wesson, Jr.
Phone: 213-473-7010 Fax: 213-485-9829
Email: councilmember.wesson@lacity.org

District 11 - Bill Rosendahl
Phone: 213-473-7011 Fax: 213-473-6926
Email: councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org

District 12 - Greig Smith
Phone: 213-473-7012 Fax: 213-473-6925
Email: councilmember.smith@lacity.org

District 13 - Eric Garcetti
Phone: 213-473-7013 Fax: 213-613-0819
Email: councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

District 14 - Jose Huizar
Phone: 213-473-7014 Fax: 213-847-0680
Email: councilmember.huizar@lacity.org

District 15 - Janice Hahn
Phone: 213-473-7015 Fax: 213-626-5431
Email: councilmember.hahn@lacity.org


Thank you for taking action to help rescue Billy and shut down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit! Please email zoos@idausa.org with any questions or call 323-301-5730.

Katrina pet reunion volunteer takes grand-daughter of slaves to Obama Inauguration

I want to share a wonderful story about my good friend Tanya Sisk and her friend Minnie Kennedy, both from South Carolina.

Tanya worked with and helped Katrina evacuees who were sent to S.C., most notably three in particular who had been separated from their pets: Bill Hicks and Pam & Roland.

Pam has a seizure disorder and her dog Coco was trained to assist her; Tanya did everything possible to make sure that Coco was rescued. Tanya never gave up, and sent a third rescuer to the house who finally found the little dog that was trained not to bark. Once Coco was found, Tanya drove to New Orleans to pick her up and bring her back to Pam.

Bill Hicks had been back to New Orleans several times to look for his Concat but never found her and grew more and more despaired. Tanya drove Bill back to New Orleans to try one more time to rescue his cat from his locked house; this happened to be when the crew from the Nature Channel was in town to film pet rescue stories and Bill's tearful and joyful rescue of his beloved Concat is featured in their Katrina Animal Rescue documentary.

Tanya is good friends with her neighbor, 92 year old Minnie Kennedy, a former civil rights worker and grand-daughter of slaves. As soon as Obama was elected, Tanya began her quest to get Inauguration tickets, wanting to surprise Minnie with a trip to D.C. for the historic event. She made dozens of phone calls and her efforts were rewarded last month with a call from a Senator who sent her two seated tickets.

The following is from of one of the first of many newspaper articles written about Tanya and Minnie going to the Inauguration:

It has been more than 45 years since Minnie Kennedy, 92, of Georgetown stood on the mall in Washington, D.C., listening to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak about his dream for America.

That was only one day after returning from Louisiana, where she learned first hand about the injustice of segregation. She and a group of volunteers -- who were teaching blacks about the Constitution so they could vote in the upcoming election -- were taking the day off, riding a ferry boat to New Orleans.

When she and some of the other blacks refused to separate from the rest of the group to go to the "colored" side, she teased the guard, who they thought was joking, calling him pink. Abruptly, the boat was turned around and, after the guard pressed charges, Kennedy and the other black volunteers were arrested and spent four days in jail.

She says she was so shaken from that experience, that she decided to return to her home in New York. However, after arriving at home, she decided to travel once again, this time with a church group, to Washington, D.C., for that well-known, historic speech.

"By the time that speech was over, I felt as free as I was before I went to Louisiana," Kennedy said.

The rest of that article as well as others plus videos are below:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/142/story/747304.html

http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Kennedy-going-to-Obama-inauguration

http://www.gtowntimes.com/print/article/1st-African-American-takes-reins

http://www.scnow.com/scp/news/politics/inauguration_2009/article/granddaughter_of_former_slaves_going_to_inauguration/28186/

http://videos.myrtlebeachonline.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=2851954&item_index=9&all=1&sort=NULL

http://www.bogge.com/aliens-in-america.html

http://jezebel.com/5136272/miss-minnie-goes-to-washington

http://online.wsj.com/video/miss-minnie-goes-to-washington/88AE8359-913B-4A4F-9875-C272D212BAD9.html

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Civil_Rights_Activist_Gets_Seat_on_Capitol_Grounds_for_Inauguration_Washington_DC.html

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/653840.html

Grieving owner searching for lost dog

Please circulate the video (linked to title above) to anyone you know in or near Portland, OR to help get Cheena home.

Her owner posted this on Portland Craigslist:

"Please look at Cheena's little YouTube video and pass it on. I just need one person to recognize her and let me know she's OK. It is hard to be without her after ten years spent together."

Just one of many probems with Dogs in Danger

Why Donate to DogsInDanger.com

Why indeed?

If you read their own rationale for asking for your donations they state that your donation supports their website. Your donation does not get dogs spayed/neutered or anything else that directly works to truly solve the root of the problem.

The information below was taken from their website and mentions donations being used for current and future animal welfare projects of The Buddy Fund.

They also offer the mysterious statement, we seek new and different ways to address the issue of homeless dogs.

How? When?

"Rescuing" one or 15 dogs at a time does nothing to stem the tide of unwanted dogs being born in the first place.

What are these new and different ways you have in mind to address the issue of homeless dogs?

Aggressive spay/neuter along with education and assistance for low-income pet owners is the only way to seriously address the issue.

DO YOU AGREE WITH OUR PHILOSOPHY?

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Animal lovers have long dreamed of a time when there would be no more homeless pets. DogsInDanger is run by a group of dedicated animal loving folks who want to help do what we can to save urgent dogs in shelters by gaining them invaluable adoption exposure.


WHAT DO WE DO WITH YOUR MONEY

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DogsinDanger.com is owned and operated by The Buddy Fund, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)3 animal welfare organization dedicated to helping animals in need. DogsInDanger.com and the Buddy Fund have no sources of income other than your donations. The organization was founded in 2004 to aid animals in need, especially dogs. The DogsInDanger.com website is specifically targeted as a last resort for the millions of innocent dogs being killed annually in shelters.

DogsInDanger is the first project of The Buddy Fund and at this time, it is the main focus. We plan additional projects and are currently considering research and white papers on relevant topics, symposiums bringing together leaders in the sheltering community, a television Public Service Announcement and legislative efforts aimed at bettering the condition of companion animals.

Donations will be used to pay for the upkeep, development, technology, and marketing efforts that are required to maintain the complex DogsInDanger.com website. We assume that anyone donating to DogsInDanger (The Buddy Fund, Inc.) is encouraging the website, its reach (through marketing) and validity as a tool to get shelter dogs adopted and raise awareness of this issue. As a result of our efforts, dogs get adopted. One leads to the other and lives are saved.

We implemented a program to reward participating shelters with cash back for every dog listed with DogsInDanger. We have also made donations of over 200 digital cameras to shelters. Additional donations to partner shelters are being considered.

Donations will be used for current and future animal welfare projects of The Buddy Fund, such as the ones mentioned above. We believe that spay/neuter programs are an essential piece of the solution to the homeless pet problem. There are many organizations providing spay/neuter grants and services. We advocate low cost and no cost spay/neuter, however we seek new and different ways to address the issue of homeless dogs.

Did you donate to them?
Do you know where your money went?.

2009 Calendar Supports Sula Foundation of New Orleans