Hard things are put in our way, not to stop us,
but to call out our courage and strength. ~ Author Unknown
A message board for serious information gathering and decimination regarding animal health, advocacy and rescue - dogs, cats, wildlife and so much more. See you at Fabulous Felines and Fidos Forum.
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In 2002 the ASPCA declared that January should be dedicated to finding homes for the many thousands of companion birds that are abandoned each year. Contact a local avian rescue to meet birds available in your area. Save a beautiful bird by letting one fly into your home and heart. Click on the banner below for more information.
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Did you know that rabbits are currently the third most common animals abandoned at shelters and in need of loving homes? These small mammals make excellent pets. Rabbits are intelligent, social animals capable of forming lifelong bonds with their human companions. If you decide a rabbit is the right addition to your household, hop to adopt one by visiting your local animal shelter or rabbit rescue. Learn more about the needs of these warm-hearted creatures by clicking on the banner.
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On February 14th of every year since 1988, Last Chance for Animals (LCA) and animal protection organizations across the country aim to educate the public about the problem of pet theft, memorialize approximately 2 million animals taken each year, and educate the public about the problem of pet theft and how to protect companion animals.
Click on the banner to learn more about how to safe-guard your companion animals from theft.
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Looking for a socialable, low-maintenance, and absolutely charming little companion? Click the banner below to learn more about adopting a rescued guinea pig.
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April is the ASPCA Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month. Did you know there is strong support for a correlation between violence towards animals and violence towards people? Pawprints and Purrs, Inc has joined with the ASPCA in letting others know about the link between animal and human abuse and ways to prevent animal cruelty.
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The first full week of May is the American Humane yearly event, Be Kind to Animals Week. Every year during the first full week of May, animal shelters and rescues throughout the country hold special events during this special week to raise awareness about Being Kind to Animals, and to teach people about the amazing role animals play in our lives. Be Kind to Animals Week is a great time to promote our nation’s animal welfare organizations and humane education, and to encourage everyone to get involved to make a difference for animals.
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Every spring and summer, animal shelters receive dozens of litters of kittens. These kittens are in addition to all the adult cats who find their way into the shelters. Animal shelters don’t have the space or the resources to take care of that many animals. Out of the millions of cats who enter shelters each year, only about one in four are adopted into loving homes. In fact, most of them - more than 70 percent of them - must be euthanized.
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WARNING: Hartz Products Kills Pets
DON'T purchase Hartz Products!
There have been many concerns over safety issues of Hartz flea and tick products based on thousands of adverse effects incidents investigated by EPA. Incident reports have ranged from minor adverse effects, including skin irritation or hair loss at the application site and salivation, to more serious effects on the pet's nervous system, such as tremors (twitching of muscles) and, in some circumstances, severe full body tremors (convulsion). Unfortunately, in some cases, death has also been reported.
For your pet's sake, maybe even for the sake of his or her life, don't buy Hartz products. Don't let your pet suffer or die because you didn't purchase veterinary approved flea/tick control such as Frontline or Advantage.
To sign a petition and learn of other things you can do to help get Hartz products off the shelves, go to: Hartz Victims. |
ALERT: Threat to Wolves
Feds Read to End Engdangered Species Protections
 Wolves are making a comeback in the Northern Rocky Mountains, but if Secretary Norton gets her way, that won't last long.
Norton's underlings at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have announced that in 2003, they hope to strip gray wolves in the Rockies of their protections under the Endangered Species Act.
That would turn the fate of these magnificent animals over to states like Idaho, where extremist legislators already have voted to remove wolves "by whatever means necessary." Hunting seasons on wolves could resume.
"By late 2003, the Fish and Wildlife Service could be out of it," said Ed Bangs, the agency's wolf recovery coordinator. To learn what you can do to protect wolves, go to: www.savewolves.org.
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 A promise of a brutally HOT summer!
If your pet(s) have to stay outside during the summer heat, give them relief: Freeze 2-liter water-filled, plastic "pop" bottles and place where your pet can lie next to them to keep cool. Depending on the size of your pets, you may want to use larger bottles and more of them. Replace with fresh frozen bottles as they thaw. Remember, animals get hot, too. Short-nosed dogs (Bulldogs, Pekes, Pugs, etc.) are often more susceptible to the heat, and for some species (such as Ferrets) temperatures over 75 degrees can kill. Also, change their drinking water during the heat of the day with a fresh, cool supply.
Better yet, c'mon... bring 'em inside!
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"Global warming is the battle cry of environmentalists designating the atmospheric atrocities that have led to what they view as a climatic crisis.
But another type of admonition of a global nature should alert dog enthusiasts to another form of crisis. Across the globe, countries are enacting bans on specific breeds of dogs.
Breed-specific restrictions and prohibitions have long been part of the American legal scene, much to the chagrin of owners who view these laws to be repressive and repugnant." Breed-Specific Laws Rear Their Ugly Heads, DOG WORLD, June 1998 issue.
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Animal abusers acquire animal victims through "Free to Good Home" ads. Never place such an ad in the paper or on public display in any manner when seeking a home for an animal in your care.
In additon, unscrupulous individuals known as "bunchers" often respond to these ads looking for dogs and cats they plan to sell to labs for experimentation. Unless you personally can vouch for those wanting the animal, always require a person to fill out an adoption application, and also that they pay an adoption fee for the animal. This will help to weed out bunchers.
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ASPCA's AnimalLand, for children who love animals, features stories about their favorite critters, interactive games, online polls and contests and a kid-friendly pet care guide. They'll meet real humane heroes - both the human and animal kind - and learn about the history of the ASPCA. And there are endangered animal baby screen savers and downloadable desktop themes.
This site will help a whole generation learn humane behavior toward animals.
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Everyday we become more aware that antipathy and cruelty directed toward animals by our youth can spawn crimes against humans. Yet, in direct opposition to this growing awareness, our schools continue to involve our youth in the dissection of animals, many just like their pets at home. Their young minds are then confronted with a principle stongly supporting that these animals are expendable; that what once had life, had it taken from them with intent and purpose, and that it is accepted as routine. Are we sending conflicting messages to impressionable minds?
Contradiction and double standards are confusing to an adult. They can be mind-bending to a kid. More than 100,000 cats are dissected in classrooms across the United States annually. There are alternatives.
From the Humane Society of the U.S.:
Do you want your school to provide alternatives to dissecting live animals? Do you want to research any existing
State Laws that mandate alternatives be offered?
Contact: Jonathan Balcombe, Ph.D, Associate Director for Education, Animal Research Issues. The Humane Society of the United States, Phone: 301-258-3046, Fax: 301-258-7760 http://www.hsus.org/
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Most humane experts believe the only permanent solution to the feral cat problem is for owners to become diligent about neutering their pet cats.
Meanwhile, there remains the need
to control the feral population.
Some humane groups have begun to use a strategy for dealing with ferals that is demonstrated to work in many areas where there are willing cat caretakers. Read more.
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You know your pet's days are not now what they once were. The time may be nearing to make a decision... one of the hardest, most gut-wrenching.
Euthanasia may be suggested as a compassionate alternative to a lingering death encumbered with pain and suffering. The burden of the decision can be overwhelming and fraught with feelings of desperation, denial, anger, and guilt. What is needed at that time is a rational basis for a decision. Read more about MAKING THE DIFFICULT DECISION. |
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 What is the Tellington TTouch for Dogs, Cats and Other Animals?
"The Tellington TTouch, a holistic training approach for the body, mind, and spirit of animals, is a specialized approach to the care and training of our animal companions. Developed by internationally recognized animal expert, Linda Tellington-Jones, this method, based on cooperation and respect, offers a positive approach to training, can improve performance and health, and presents solutions to common behavioral and physical problems. It also helps establish a deeper rapport between humans and animals through increased understanding and more effective communication." Visit this site for more information on how you may help your pet. |
Do you rent your home? Do you own rental property? Did you know that 'Moving' and 'Landlord won't allow' are among the top reasons given by pet owners when relinquishing their dogs or cats to animal shelters?? Visit this site which provides information to renters and rental housing owners and managers who are seeking alternatives to no-pet policies. "Pet owners face major challenges finding pet-friendly rental housing," said Nancy Peterson, Issues Specialist in the COMPANION ANIMALS SECTION of the Humane Society of the United States website. "Cat and dog owners who relinquish their pets to animal shelters often report that they're moving or that the landlord doesn't allow pets."
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Do you have ANY issues you'd like to write your state officials about, but you're not sure who to write, whatz-its-name, or what district you're in? Check these links to find your Governor, Senator, Representative by the district, name, state maps (by county) or zip code.
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A relatively unknown killer. Canine Perianal Fistulas (PFs) are abnormal openings around a dog's anus. If left untreated PFs will eat away flesh around the entire anal region as well as inside of the dog's tail, down the back legs and into the dog's internal organs eventually causing death. PFs are becoming more widespread by the day. They hit without regard to gender or age, and many breeds are being stricken. Crohn's disease is believed to be very similar to PFs. Read about its onset, current treatment and prognosis; also theories on the cause(s).
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Do you have a cat AND you're thinking about declawing? You may be unaware of what's involved, and after the painful surgery, it's too late. Make an informed decision. Click on the image to learn why many countries have outlawed this invasive procedure.
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