'No need to kill the dogs' | Humane Society wants beagle puppies used in medical experiments released, not euthanized

Beagles are bred for animal testing in part because of their docile and kind nature.

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The Humane Society of the United States claims a biomedical company with ties to Rockville and Bethesda is using beagle dogs for animal testing. The Humane Society says the beagles in those cages were chosen for animal testing because of how trusting the breed is.

Hidden camera video from a Humane Society investigator working undercover inside a testing laboratory in West Lafayette, Indiana was recorded between August 2021 and March 2022.  The Humane Society says its undercover investigator was employed at the facility and assigned to work on more than 70 toxicity studies commissioned by over two dozen pharmaceutical companies involving more than 6,000 animals, including dogs, monkeys, pigs and mice.

To read more on this story, click here: 'No need to kill the dogs' | Humane Society wants beagle puppies used in medical experiments released, not euthanized

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A Reward Totaling $20,000 is Being Offered for Information Leading to the Arrest of Poacher Responsible for Killing a Federally Protected Gray Wolf

A reward totaling $20,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of a poacher responsible for killing a federally protected gray wolf in south-central Oregon.

OR-28, a 3-year-old female wolf that recently had her first pup, was found dead Oct. 6 in Fremont-Winema National Forest near Summer Lake, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

It's a violation of the federal Endangered Species Act to kill a gray wolf in the western two-thirds of Oregon, punishable by a fine up to $100,000, one year in jail or both.

The incident is being investigated by the Oregon State Police and USFWS. The wolf’s carcass is at the National Forensics Laboratory for a necropsy.

“The illegal killing of wolf OR-28 is heartbreaking," said Amaroq Weiss, west coast wolf organizer for the Center for Biological Diversity. "She was a pioneering animal that was one of the first wolves to make it from northeastern to western Oregon as wolves reestablish territory in lands these majestic animals historically called home.

"OR-28 was also a first-time mother, who leaves behind her mate and single pup to fend for themselves."

The reward, for information leading to the capture of the poacher, comprises $5,000 from USFWS, $10,00 from the Center for Biological Diversity and $5,000 from the Humane Society.

At least five wolves were poached or died under mysterious circumstances in Oregon in 2015 — including OR-22, OR-34, OR-31 and two wolves known as the Sled Springs pair. Around 10 known wolves have been poached in Oregon since 2007.

"We only knew about most of them because the animals had radio collars," said Steve Pedery, conservation director for the environmental group Oregon Wild. "The reward is nice, but the state's track record of actually prosecuting wolf poaching cases is pretty abysmal. I have some hope that USFWS' involvement will mean the prosecution is taken more seriously."

Anyone with information about this case can call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (503) 682-6131 or Oregon State Police Tip Line at (800) 452-7888. Callers may remain anonymous.

Wolves are protected under the federal ESA in the western two-thirds of Oregon, but were delisted in the eastern third of Oregon. All wolves were removed from the Oregon Endangered Species Act last November.

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In an Effort to Make Itself More Pet-Friendly, Delta is Stopping One of the Most Dangerous Methods of Flying for Pets: As Checked Baggage

In an effort to make itself more pet-friendly, Delta is stopping one of the most dangerous methods of flying for pets: As checked baggage.

According to the Department of Transportation, a total of 76 animals died aboard Delta flights over the past 10 years — the highest of any U.S. airline.

The last reported death happened on Nov. 28. Somewhere between Atlanta and Pittsburgh, a Mini Dalmatian puppy died in the cargo hold of a Delta flight. The puppy was flying from Albany, Georgia: After a three-hour layover in Atlanta, it was loaded onto the Pittsburgh-bound flight. When gate crew unloaded the plane, they found the puppy was unresponsive.

 This most recent death of a checked pet on a Delta flight will be the last, if the airline can help it. Delta will no longer carry pets as checked baggage starting March 1.

The airline will still allow pets to be transported in the cabin, if they are small enough to fit in a carrier under a seat, or shipped via Delta Cargo's pet shipping Variation Live program.

The Humane Society recommends that pet owners "do not transport your pet by airplane unless absolutely necessary," and to choose keeping the pet in the cabin if possible.

"We want consumers to be well-informed about the risks of flying," KC Theisen, director of pet care issues at The Humane Society of the United States, told Mashable. "Cargo hold is not the passenger cabin, just a floor down."

  

Cargo is where the majority of animal incidents happen, usually on long distance flights or flights with several different legs, Theisen said.

Brachycephalic, or short-snouted, animals, like bulldogs, pugs or Persian cats should never be shipped in cargo, according to the Humane Society. These animals can easily overheat or have difficulty breathing in environments that are not temperature controlled. For this reason, many airlines will only allow these breeds as carry-ons.

The steps that pet owners should take before travel:

Crate train: It's important to crate train pets well before travel, Theisen said. By mimicking travel conditions and building up the amount of time a pet stays crated, owners normalize the experience and help pets understand that they will eventually be let out.

Talk to the airline: For those about to fly with a pet, the best thing to do is get "in serious contact with the airline well in advance," according to Theisen. Because every airline has different regulations, it's important to find out well in advance what options are available:

American Airlines permits pets as carry-ons, cargo or checked luggage — excluding brachycephalic dogs and cats, which are not allowed as checked luggage.

Both JetBlue and Southwest Airlines will accept cats and dogs as carry-ons only, for a $95 to $100 fee.

United allows cats, dogs, rabbits and household birds in the cabin, in addition to carry-on luggage, for $125. Certain United aircraft come equipped with special "PetSafe" compartments that are pressurized like the passenger cabin, for transporting pets in cargo.

Alaska Airlines will transport pets as cargo or as a carry-on for $100. Brachycephalic are not allowed for cargo travel.

Talk to your vet: Theisen recommends talking to a veterinarian as soon as travel plans are made to get recommendations for a food and water schedule. A veterinarian can tailor advice to specific breeds and help make the experience low-stress, important for both pets and their owners.

"The vast majority of pets arrive safely and in good health, but it's important that pet owners are aware of the risks," Theisen said. "The best thing you can do is just protect against risk and take preventative measures."

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Wishing You Could Take Your Dog to Work?: Ten Companies That Allow You to Bring Your Favorite Pooch Into the Office

Allowing dogs at the office can be beneficial to a company's bottom line. Benefits of dogs in the workplace include increased morale and productivity, happier employees, lower absenteeism rates and even improved relationships among co-workers. A recent study out of Central Michigan University reveals that dogs in the workplace can lead to more trust between co-workers and that leads to more collaboration among team members.

A 2006 survey from The American Pet Product Manufacturers Association (APPMA) reports that nearly one in five American companies allows pets in the workplace. The following 10 companies are just a few of the thousands of dog-friendly workplaces across the U.S. (Text: Melissa Hincha-Ownby)

Replacements, Ltd.

Did you just break a plate from Grandma's beloved antique china set? If so, Replacements, Ltd. may be able to save the day. The company is the go-to place to find a missing piece of fine china, crystal or silver. One would think that china and dogs wouldn't be a good mix, but Replacements, Ltd. has been a dog-friendly workplace for years. A news release from 2003 touts the relaxed, blue-jeans atmosphere where more than 30 employees have brought their furry friends to work. The company has also been featured in articles about dogs in the workplace by both USA Today and CBS News.

Google

Google is home to one of the most employee-friendly workplaces in the world. Employees can eat lunch at one of the company's free gourmet cafes, visit the onsite hair salon or laundry center, get a massage — and bring their dog to work. Google's dog policy provides employees with a basic set of guidelines including cleaning up after the dog makes and being mindful of allergic co-workers. The Google Code of Conduct specifically addresses cats at work, and the news is not good for feline fans: "Google's affection for our canine friends is an integral facet of our corporate culture. We like cats, but we're a dog company, so as a general rule we feel cats visiting our offices would be fairly stressed out."

P&G Pet Care

Iams and Eukanuba are just two of the many brands under the Procter & Gamble label. Employees of P&G's Pet Care division in the Cincinnati area are welcome to bring their dogs to work every day, not just on Take Your Dog To Work Day. The company even has a V.P. of Canine Communications, Euka (pictured right). Euka, a cross between a Labrador retriever and a Bernese mountain dog, will be retiring next year after eight years of service. P&G Pet Care recently announced that Pawl Griffin (left), a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, is already in training to jump into the V.P. role.

Ben & Jerry's

If you're an ice cream lover, Ben & Jerry's offer to employees of three free pints of ice cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet every day is a big perk. If you're also a dog lover, Ben & Jerry's could be the ideal place to work because you can bring your pooch to the office. Sean Greenwood, public relations spokesperson for the company, describes what interviewees may see when they visit the company, "If they sit in the lobby for a few minutes, they're more than likely to see a dog going outside. I'll say, 'Oh yeah, we're a dog-friendly place. It's part of the tour. This is the design department — Momo is there; Jack is in R&D, Allison's in retail, Scout is brand new ... ' They're just like your co-workers."

Autodesk

Autodesk employees are offered a generous benefits package including a six-week paid sabbatical every four years, paid time off between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, discounts on a variety of group insurance options and, of course, the option of bringing their dogs to work. About 5 percent of the company's nearly 7,000 employees take advantage of this benefit. According to Michael Oldenburg, Autodesk spokesman, "Having a pet also encourages employees to take breaks during the day that they may not take if they didn't have a pet."

Build-A-Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop has taken a love for stuffed animals to a new level — children of all ages can visit a Build-A-Bear Workshop and create a custom stuffed animal to cherish forever. The company's love of animals goes beyond the stuffed kind, however. Employees at the World Bearquarters (a.k.a. the world headquarters) can bring their dogs to work. The company even has a chief executive dog, Milford, who celebrates his birthday every year by throwing a grand party for the other company dogs. Build-A-Bear Workshop's dog-friendly workplace policy is just one reason the company has been named one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For three years in a row.

Klutz

Klutz's product line includes fun crafts, drawing books, games, puzzles, chicken socks and more. The company, which was founded in 1977 in Palo Alto, Calif., had a rather casual approach to allowing dogs in the workplace. Klutz co-founder John Cassidy shared his story with Carrie Boyko of the All Things Dog Blog, who wrote: "When an employee with a well-behaved dog expressed interest in having his furry friend tag along to work, John felt there was no particular reason not to okay it." And with that, Klutz joined the growing list of dog-friendly employers.

Humane Society

Believe it or not, the Humane Society headquarters facility in Gaithersburg, Md., didn't become a dog-friendly workplace until 2007. While one would have expected the Humane Society to be a leader in the dogs-at-work movement, the organization took its time to ensure that everything was done right. To bring their dog to work, employees must submit an application. Once the application is approved, vaccinated dogs are placed on a six-week probation. If everything goes well, the dog can become a permanent member of the workplace. The organization's careful planning has paid off; since its inception four years ago, no dogs have been removed from the program.

Amazon

Internet retail giant Amazon is also a dog-friendly workplace. Visitors to the company's corporate headquarters in Seattle can expect to find between two and three dozen dogs on any given day. Any employee interested in bringing a pet to work must first register the animal as a workplace dog, ensure that the dog is up-to-date on vaccinations and once in the workplace, the dog must remain on a leash unless it is behind a baby gate or in an office with a closed door.

Clif Bar & Company

Clif Bar operates its business based on five aspirations: sustaining our planet, sustaining our community, sustaining our people, sustaining our business and sustaining our brands. Part of the sustaining our people aspiration is allowing employees to bring their dogs to work. Clif Bar's furry friends are featured in the company's blog from time to time — including a story about Scrubby, who made off with someone's bagel during a company meeting. Clif Bar's dog-friendly workplace policy helped the company earn a spot on Outside magazine's Best Places to Work of 2010 list. FOLLOW US!

State Representative Joe Wilkinson Names "The Adoptable Dog" As the Official State Dog of Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia -  State Representative Joe Wilkinson (R-Atlanta), along with officials from the Atlanta Humane Society, FixGeorgiaPets.org, GaPundit.com, and Georgia English Bulldog Rescue, held a press conference on Wednesday, March 4, to discuss legislation that would designate the official state dog of Georgia. Rep. Wilkinson's legislation, House Bill 561, was officially in the House on Thursday and names "the adoptable dog" as the official state dog of Georgia.

"Georgia was founded by James Oglethorpe and became a place where people could go for a second chance at life," said Rep. Wilkinson. "So, it is fitting that we recognize the importance of giving homeless dogs a second chance at life in this state."

"Having something like this come before the state of Georgia will heighten awareness for shelters and for adoption being an option, "said Tara High, Vice President of Operations for the Atlanta Humane Society.

Rubye Reid with FixGeorgiaPets.org highlighted the importance of spaying and neutering pets to prevent pet overpopulation in Georgia shelters.

"Dogs live longer happier lives when they're spayed, and ensuring that adopted dogs are spayed or neutered helps reduce the number of pets in shelters," said Reid.

Ruthann Phillips, Director of Georgia English Bulldog Rescue, noted that the organization currently has nearly 40 foster bulldogs in private homes in Atlanta.

"Every dog and cat deserves a home, and every home needs a dog or cat," said Phillips.



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