Sadie - FOSTER NEEDED The Homeward Trails Adoption Center was proud to welcome Sadie into our arms just yesterday. You will no doubt notice that she was spray painted by her previous owner, which is a common practice by some hunters to keep track of their dogs. We are working to remove the paint but you can help we recover in other ways by giving her a forever home. You can meet Sadie at the Adoption Center this Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm until 2 pm. Sadie is about 5 years old and 40 pounds ABOUT SADIE - FOSTER NEEDED PLEASE NOTE PETFINDER IS HAVING TECHNICAL ISSUES. If you are interested in adopting this dog, please fill out our dog adoption questionnaire and e-mail it to LoisLHT@gmail.com PLEASE VISIT THIS WEBSITE TO FIND THE ADOPTION QUESTIONNAIRE: http://www.homewardtrails.org/adopt-a-pet/adoption-forms/ Sadie is a sweet, 5 year old, 40 lb female Hound. She came to a rural shelter as a stray. She has initials painted on her sides - some hunters do this to identify their dogs. So it's a good guess that she was either lost or abandoned by someone who used her for hunting. Sadie deserves better and we would love to find her a home where she will be cherished. She gets along well with other dogs and with humans too Sadie is in temporary boarding and hopes to find a foster or adopter soon. . Breed Estimate: hound Gender: female Approximate weight: about 40 lbs Approximate age: 5 years Location: temporary boarding Cratetrained: unknown Coat Type: short Personality: friendly, easy going To learn more about Sadie, click here: PETFINDER
The adoption fee for this dog is $275. This fee INCLUDES spay/neuter. If the animal you are adopting is not already spayed/neutered, you will be required to sign a contract legally obligating you to have the animal altered. Please contact your HT rep to learn about exclusive low-cost spay/neuter options made available only to HT adopters! Be sure to ask us about getting a free 30-minute phone consult with a professional dog trainer within the first 30 days of adopting - just for HT adopters. Start your new dog out on the right foot with this valuable, expert advice and guidance FREE! Finally, we are proud to partner with the following veterinarians who offer a free first exam for your animal, exclusively for HT adopters: Caring Hands Animal Hospital, Palisades Veterinary Clinic, Sunshine Animal Hospital and Clarendon Animal Care You can save animals like this one by becoming a foster! Fosters are like way stations between high kill shelters and forever homes. We need fosters so that we can save dogs before they are euthanized at the shelters. If you are interested in becoming a foster, please check out our information about fostering by visiting http://www.homewardtrails.org/foster-a-pet/dog-and-cat-foster-program/ Homeward Trails Animal Rescue PO Box 100968 Arlington, Virginia 22210
Q: What is canine influenza? A: Canine influenza (CI), or dog flu, is a highly contagious respiratory infection of dogs that is caused by an influenza A virus. The canine influenza virus (CIV) is closely related to the virus that causes equine influenza and it is thought that the equine influenza virus mutated to produce the canine influenza virus. In the U.S., canine influenza has been caused by the H3N8 influenza A virus. A separate canine influenza virus, H3N2, had been reported in Korea, China and Thailand, but not in the U.S. until 2015, when an outbreak in Chicago, IL was determined to be caused by the H3N2 strain. Two clinical syndromes have been seen in dogs infected with the canine influenza virus—a mild form of the disease and a more severe form that is accompanied by pneumonia. Mild Form — Dogs suffering with the mild form of canine influenza develop a soft, moist cough that persists for 10 to 30 days. They may also be lethargic and have a reduced appetite and fever. Sneezing and discharge from the eyes and/or nose may also be observed. Some dogs have a dry cough similar to the traditional "kennel cough" caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica/parainfluenza virus complex. Dogs with the mild form of influenza may also have a thick nasal discharge, which is usually caused by a secondary bacterial infection. Severe Form — Dogs with the severe form of canine influenza develop high fevers (104ºF to 106ºF) and have clinical signs of pneumonia, such as increased respiratory rates and effort. Pneumonia may be due to a secondary bacterial infection. Because this is still an emerging disease, almost all dogs, regardless of breed or age, are susceptible to infection and have no immunity. Virtually all dogs that are exposed to the virus become infected and nearly 80% show clinical signs of disease. Fortunately, most affected dogs have the mild form. Q: Do dogs die from canine influenza? A: Fatal cases of pneumonia resulting from infection with canine influenza virus have been reported in dogs, but the fatality rate is low (less than 10%). Most dogs with CI recover in 2-3 weeks. Q: How widespread is the disease? A: The first recognized outbreak of canine influenza in the world is believed to have occurred in racing greyhounds in January 2004 at a track in Florida. From June to August of 2004, outbreaks of respiratory disease were reported at 14 tracks in 6 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Texas, and West Virginia). Between January and May of 2005, outbreaks occurred at 20 tracks in 11 states (Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin). The canine influenza virus has been reported in 30 states and Washington, DC. The H3N2 strain of CIV had been reported in Korea, China and Thailand, but had not been detected outside of those countries until 2015. In April of 2015, an outbreak in Chicago, IL was determined to be caused by the H3N2 strain. Q: Is there a vaccine? A: The first vaccine for H3N8 canine influenza was approved in 2009, and there are several H3N8 canine influenza vaccines available. At this time, there is not an H3N2 vaccine available in the U.S. It is not known at this time whether the H3N8 vaccine will offer any protection against the H3N2 strain. Q: How is a dog with canine influenza treated? A: As with any disease caused by a virus, treatment is largely supportive. Good animal care practices and nutrition assist dogs in mounting an effective immune response. The course of treatment depends on your pet's condition, including the presence or absence of a secondary bacterial infection, pneumonia, dehydration, or other medical issues (e.g., pregnancy, pre-existing respiratory disease, compromised immune system, etc.). Your veterinarian might prescribe medications, such as an antibiotic (to fight secondary infections) and/or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (to reduce fever, swelling and pain). Deyhdrated pets may need fuid therapy to restore and maintain hydration. Other medications, or even hospitalization, may also be necessary for more severe cases. Q: Is canine influenza virus transmissible from dogs to humans? A: To date, there is no evidence of transmission of canine influenza virus from dogs to people. Q: Do I need to be concerned about putting my dog in day care or boarding it at a kennel? A: Dog owners should be aware that any situation that brings dogs together increases the risk of spread of communicable illnesses. Good infection control practices can reduce that risk, so dog owners involved in shows, sports, or other activities with their dogs or who board their dogs at kennels should ask whether respiratory disease has been a problem there, and whether the facility has a plan for isolating dogs that develop respiratory disease and for notifying owners if their dogs have been exposed to dogs with respiratory disease. As long as good infection control practices are in place, pet owners should not be overly concerned about putting dogs in training facilities, dog parks, kennels, or other areas frequented by dogs. Q: My dog has a cough...what should I do? A: Consult your veterinarian. Coughing can be caused by many different medical problems, and your veterinarian can examine and evaluate your dog and recommend an appropriate course of treatment. If canine influenza is suspected, treatment will usually focus on maximizing the ability of your dog's immune system to combat the virus. A typical approach might include administration of fluids if your dog is becoming dehydrated and prescribing an antimicrobial if a secondary bacterial infection is suspected. Canine influenza virus can be spread via direct contact with respiratory secretions from infected dogs, and by contact with contaminated inanimate objects. Therefore, dog owners whose dogs are coughing or exhibiting other signs of respiratory disease should not participate in activities or bring their dogs to facilities where other dogs can be exposed to them. Clothing, equipment, surfaces, and hands should be cleaned and disinfected after exposure to dogs showing signs of respiratory disease to prevent transmission of infection to susceptible dogs. Clothing can be adequately cleaned by using a detergent at normal laundry temperatures. Q: I manage a kennel/veterinary clinic/animal shelter/dog day care center. How do I keep canine influenza out of my facility, and if it does enter my facility, what should I do? A: Viral disease is usually best prevented through vaccination. A vaccine against canine influenza (H3N8) has been available since 2009. It is considered a "lifestyle" vaccine, which means that the decision to vaccinate a dog against CIV is based on the risk of exposure. A veterinarian should determine which vaccinations are needed based on related risks and benefits and should administer these at least 2 weeks prior to planned visits to dog activity and care facilities (e.g., kennels, veterinary clinics, dog day care centers, training facilities, dog parks). This differs from "core" vaccines - such as distemper, parvo and rabies - that are required for all dogs, regardless of lifestyle. Vaccination against other pathogens causing respiratory disease may help prevent more common respiratory pathogens from becoming secondary infections in a respiratory tract already compromised by influenza infection. Routine infection control precautions are key to preventing spread of viral disease within facilities. The canine influenza virus appears to be easily killed by disinfectants (e.g., quaternary ammonium compounds and bleach solutions at a 1 to 30 dilution) in common use in veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, and animal shelters. Protocols should be established for thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting cages, bowls, and other surfaces between uses. Employees should wash their hands with soap and water (or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water are unavailable) before and after handling each dog; after coming into contact with a dog's saliva, urine, feces, or blood; after cleaning cages; and upon arriving at and before leaving the facility (see "I work in a kennel/animal care facility. What should I do to prevent transmission of influenza virus from infected dogs to susceptible dogs?"). Animal care facility staff should be alerted to the possibility that a dog with a respiratory infection could be presented for care or boarding. If a dog with respiratory signs is presented, staff members should inquire whether the dog has recently been boarded or adopted from a shelter, has recently participated in dog-related group activities, or whether it has been exposed to other dogs known to have canine influenza or kennel cough. The dog should be brought directly into a separate examination/triage area that is reserved for dogs with respiratory signs and should not be allowed to enter the waiting room or other areas where susceptible dogs may be present. Dogs with suspected canine influenza virus infection discovered after entry into the facility should be evaluated and treated by a veterinarian. Isolation protocols should be rigorously applied for dogs showing signs of respiratory disease, including the wearing of disposable gloves by persons handling infected dogs or cleaning contaminated cages. Respiratory disease beyond what is considered typical for a particular facility should be investigated, and the investigation should include submission of appropriate diagnostic samples (see "What diagnostic tests will tell me whether a dog has canine influenza?"). Q: What diagnostic tests will tell me whether a dog has canine influenza? What samples do I send? Where do I send the samples? How do I distinguish between canine influenza and kennel cough? A: There is no rapid test for the specific diagnosis of acute canine influenza virus infection. Nasal or throat swabs from dogs that have been ill for less than 4 days may be sent to a diagnostic laboratory for testing. Your veterinarian may also offer other testing, such as an in-house test to detect influenza types A and B. Antibodies to canine influenza virus may be detected as early as seven days after onset of clinical signs. Convalescent-phase samples should be collected at least two weeks after collection of the acute-phase sample. If an acute-phase sample is not available, testing a convalescent-phase sample can reveal whether a dog has been infected with or exposed to CIV at some point in the past. For dogs that have died from pneumonia or other conditions in which CIV is suspected, additional diagnostic tests are available to your veterinarian through reference laboratories. Q: I work in a kennel/animal care facility. What should I do to prevent transmission of influenza virus from infected dogs to susceptible dogs? A: Canine influenza is not known to be transmissible from dogs to people. However, caretakers can inadvertently transmit canine influenza virus from infected dogs to susceptible dogs by not following good hygiene and infection control practices. To prevent spread of canine influenza virus, caretakers should take the following precautions: Wash hands with soap and water (if soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner):
Before and after handling each animal
After coming into contact with animal saliva, urine, feces or blood
After cleaning cages
Before eating meals, taking breaks, smoking or leaving the facility
Before and after using the restroom
Wear a barrier gown over your clothes and wear gloves when handling sick animals or cleaning cages. Discard gown and gloves before working with other animals
Consider use of goggles or face protection if splashes from contaminated surfaces may occur
Bring a change of clothes to wear home at the end of the day
Thoroughly clean clothes worn at the animal facility
Do not allow animals to "kiss" you or lick your face
Do not eat in the animal care area
Separate newly arriving animals from animals that have been housed one week or longer.
Routinely monitor animals for signs of illness. Separate sick animals from healthy animals, especially animals with signs of respiratory disease.
There is no evidence of transmission of canine influenza virus from dogs to people. However, because of concerns about diseases that are transmissible from dogs to people, in general, it may be prudent for young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised persons to limit or avoid contact with animals that are ill. Q: Is canine influenza transmissible to from dogs to horses or other animal species? A: At this time, there is no evidence of transmission of H3N8 canine influenza from dogs to horses, cats, ferrets, or other animal species; the H3N2 strain has been reported to infect cats. The infection control measures outlined in the section titled "I work in a kennel/animal care facility. What should I do to prevent transmission of influenza virus from infected dogs to susceptible dogs?" are recommended to prevent spread of the virus.
Cary, N.C. - The dispute over an adopted dog is headed to court after a Cary lawyer, moved by the case, offered to work for free for one of the families. In February, Bobo left the Davis family home, got lost and turned up at the Cumberland County Animal Shelter. Three days later, The Eatons, Chris and his wife Robin, adopted him. Now, both families are claiming ownership. Like many shelters, Cumberland County gives owners three business days to claim a pet from the shelter. A county ordinance requires that timeline be extended another 72 hours "if the owner is known." About 10 minutes before the initial deadline, shelter staff learned that the Davis' were looking for Bobo, but they still adopted him out to the Eatons that same day. The story so incensed Cary-based patent attorney Steve Terranova that he agreed to represent the Davises in their quest to get the dog back. According to the civil complaint he filed April 1, the adoption was "improper and not valid" because Cumberland County Animal Control "became aware of and did not attempt to locate or contact the owner." The lawsuit also alleges the "Eatons improperly adopted Bobo knowing the owner ... had been identified." Terranova said he tried first to resolve the issue without filing suit. He reached out to the Eatons, Animal Control Director Dr. John Lauby and the county attorney. When they didn't respond, he filed suit. Bobo's original owners, Zeida and Lorelai Davis and their mom, Niki, are simply heartbroken. "I don't understand them keeping him," Niki Davis said. Terranova said it was the devastation of the two girls that bothered him most. "It is unfortunate that it's come down to this, but this is the route we'll have to take," he said. Lauby defended his employees. In a statement to WRAL News Thursday, he said: “Cumberland County Animal Control followed its procedures in dealing with the stray dog dropped off at the Animal Shelter with no identifying tags or microchip. The impounded animal was not claimed by its owner after the required three-day holding period and no owner’s name or address was provided to the department. The dog then became available for adoption and we followed our procedures for that process. “It is upsetting to lose a pet and we sympathize with the Davis family. We encourage pet owners to have their animals microchipped. All pet owners should make sure their pets are wearing proper vaccination and identifying tags. Should your pet go missing, contact or visit Animal Control immediately.” Niki Davis said the lawsuit, while an extreme measure, is her way of doing everything she can for Bobo and her girls, who she says ask about him all the time. Robin Eaton declined to comment Thursday on the lawsuit. She previously said keeping Bobo was "in the dog's best interest."
Miriam Jimeno and Carlota Román from Valladolid, Spain, knew something was wrong when they heard muffled barks coming from a nearby garbage container. When the two woman came close to the large metal box they knew for sure there was a dog trapped inside the container. Someone tossed a pet in the locked automatic garbage disposal and the pet had no way out. Luckily, the women and other concerned neighbors called for help and authorities came to save the dog. Police and firefighters arrived to the garbage bin located on the 20th block of Ferrocarril Street. They tried to reach the scared and trapped dog but couldn’t. Rescuers needed a key to unlock the bin’s locked doors. The city’s waste management office was contacted and soon a representative arrived with a key to open the bin. Once the container was opened, rescuers learned the dog was placed inside a double and tightly knotted bag. Whoever tossed the dog wanted to make sure the pet had no way out and no chance of survival. Fortunately, the dog was saved. Firefighters scanned the pet for a microchip and none was found. The dog, now named Abu, was transported to a local veterinarian where it was determined he is 15 years old, deaf, almost blind and suffers from an enlarged heart. Community members rallied together to collect funds to pay for Abu’s medical needs. The senior dog is currently under the care of a rescue group (Defaniva) and is enjoying proper care and love in a foster home. Animal rescuers hope to find Abu a forever home where he could enjoy the last of his days, which could just be a few months. Abu’s adoption application can be found through the city’s animal rescue site: Defensa de Animales en Valladolid
The cutest nurse at a Polish animal shelter is under a foot tall, with pointed ears and black fur. Rademenes, a black cat who lives at the shelter in Bydgoszcz, does the important work of providing comfort and companionship to animals undergoing medical treatment. Duties include gently resting on top of recovering cats and spooning canine patients. Rademenes came to live at the animal shelter after his original owners brought him in with an inflamed respiratory tract, and feared he was too sick to make a recovery, Polish news channel TVN Meteo reported. But veterinarian Lucyna Kuziel-Zawalich took a liking to the cat, and managed to nurse him back to health before taking him in as her own. Now Rademenes is considered an important asset to office staff, comforting patients after surgery and sometimes cleaning their ears.
Labeled as the most dangerous movie ever made, "Roar" was the ill-fated brainchild of Alfred Hitchcock, muse Hedren and her then-husband, "Exorcist" producer Noel Marshall. Years past schedule and millions over budget, Hollywood eventually lost interest in "Roar" and the film was never released in North America. Now, 34 years later, Drafthouse Films is giving "Roar" its big-screen due, re-releasing it in six theaters nationwide on Friday, then expanding it to about 50 cities through May. A DVD release is planned for later this summer. The story loosely follows a wildlife preservationist whose family comes to visit him and is attacked in their home by the animals. Most of the film has the cast running and hiding in fear as they narrowly escape the all too real danger. Dozens of scenes show full grown lions chasing the actors, pawing at their faces and even wrestling them to the ground. While the exact number of on-set injuries remains a point of contention, the "Roar" shoot was an OSHA nightmare. Many wounds were well-documented in press coverage at the time and also in Hedren's 1985 book "The Cats of Shambala," referring to her Shambala Preserve north of Los Angeles, where "Roar" was filmed. In one instance, Hedren was bitten on the back of the head by a lion. She also suffered fractures and skin grafts after being thrown by an elephant. Then-teenager Melanie Griffith — who quit the project for a time because she didn't want to come out of it with "half a face," according to her mother — returned to the set, only to be mauled and clawed by a lion. Marshall, who wrote, directed and starred in the film, suffered so many bites, including a few that made the final cut, that he was eventually stricken with gangrene. And Dutch cinematographer Jan de Bont, in his first U.S. shoot, required 120 stitches after being scalped by a lion. "I got bit really bad early on," said Noel Marshall's son, John Marshall, who wore many hats on set in addition to acting in the film. He recalled a harrowing moment when a male lion latched onto his head. It took six men 25 minutes to separate the two. That encounter required 56 stitches. "It was a very traumatic bite. But I went back two days later," he said. Noel Marshall (who died in 2010) was a fearless and unsympathetic leader during the shoot at Shambala, where the family lived. According to his son, the director often refused to call "cut," even when the actors (mostly family members) cried out for help. He never wanted to lose a take. He also couldn't show any weakness in front of the animals, his son said. "Melanie and Tippi would try to gravitate to scenes with me. I would put their lives ahead of mine and they knew that," said John Marshall, who was basically the only person on set who could stand up to his father. As one of the few cast members willing to help promote the "Roar" re-release, John Marshall said he still gets nightmares about the experience. "Don't get me wrong, I had a wonderful time. But it was stupid," he said. During the production, the Shambala Preserve set, located in rustic Soledad Canyon 50 miles north of Los Angeles, was destroyed by two wild fires and one flood. A few lions escaped during the deluge and local law enforcement had to shoot three of them. And yet, as authentic as the terror is, "Roar's" flimsy story and cheesy script are sorely lacking. Even Hedren admitted as much after seeing the film at its Australia premiere. The $17 million film only made $2 million internationally. It was also the death knell for Hedren's marriage to Noel Marshall. And "Roar's" problems continue. Hedren had invited The Associated Press to her Shambala home for an interview about "Roar" and concerns regarding promotion of the 're-release. But she canceled when the Board of Directors of the preserve and her Roar Foundation asked her not to speak publicly about the film. Through a spokesman, Hedren did tell the AP that promotion for the re-release was filled with "inaccuracies" and that she was "not thrilled." She added, "There are too many for me to even begin to comment." Drafthouse Films, the distribution arm of the hip, Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, uses press quotes like "snuff version of 'Swiss Family Robinson'" in its promos for "Roar." "I think she's just lately come to not really be so proud of the film anymore," said Alamo Drafthouse founder and CEO Tim League, who was tipped off to its existence (and harrowing production) by indie director Greg Marcks. He immediately went in search of the rights holder and reached a deal with Olive Films to co-release the film. League tried to contact Hedren before announcing Drafthouse's plans to re-release the film but didn't hear back until after the announcement was made. "The whole thing is a mess," said League. "A fascinating and lovable mess." "No animals were harmed during the making of 'Roar.' But 70 members of the cast and crew were." So claims a trailer for the theatrical re-release of a little-seen 1981 adventure film starring Tippi Hedren, daughter Melanie Griffith and 150 lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants. Online:http://drafthousefilms.com/film/roar
This photo provided by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films shows a scene from the film, “Roar," with actor John Marshall surrounded by lions. The movie is releasing in U.S. theaters for the first time on April 17, 2015. (Drafthouse Films/Olive Films via AP)
This photo provided by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films shows a scene from the film, “Roar," filmed with 132 lions, tigers, leopards, cougars and jaguars. The film is releasing in U.S. theaters for the first time on April 17, 2015. (Drafthouse Films/Olive Films via AP)
FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2012 file photo, Tippi Hedren, right, and daughter, Melanie Griffith, attend Fox Fall Eco-Casino Party at The Bookbindery, in Los Angeles. The little-seen 1981 animal adventure film, "Roar," starring Hedren and Griffith, with 150 wild lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants, is releasing from Drafthouse Films and Olive Films for the first time in the U.S. in select theaters Friday, April 17, 2015. The movie was available in the U.S. previously on DVD. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
This photo provided by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films shows director and star Noel Marshall in a scene from the film, “Roar.” The film is releasing in U.S. theaters for the first time on April 17, 2015. (Drafthouse Films/Olive Films via AP)
This photo provided by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films shows actresses Melanie Griffith, front, and Tippi Hedren in a scene from the film, “Roar.” The film is releasing in U.S. theaters for the first time on April 17, 2015. (Drafthouse Films/Olive Films via AP)
FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2007 file photo, actress Tippi Hedren walks across a bridge at her Shambala Preserve in Acton, Calif., prior to a news conference to update the condition of a caretaker who was attacked by a 450-pound Bengal tiger. The little-seen 1981 animal adventure film, "Roar," starring Hedren and 150 wild lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants, is releasing by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films for the first time in the U.S. in select theaters Friday, April 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)
FILE - In this April 10, 2014 file photo, Tippi Hedren arrives at 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival's Opening Night Gala at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. The little-seen 1981 animal adventure film, "Roar," starring Hedren and 150 wild lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants, is releasing by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films for the first time in the U.S. in select theaters Friday, April 17, 2015. The movie was available in the U.S. previously on DVD. (Photo by Annie I. Bang /Invision/AP, File)
FILE - In this April 10, 2014 file photo, Tippi Hedren arrives at 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival's Opening Night Gala at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. The little-seen 1981 animal adventure film, "Roar," starring Hedren and 150 wild lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants, is releasing by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films for the first time in the U.S. in select theaters Friday, April 17, 2015. The movie was available in the U.S. previously on DVD. (Photo by Annie I. Bang /Invision/AP, File)
In recent news, a pet escaped from its owner, made its way to a shelter and, after three days, was adopted by another family. Unfortunately, the dog was not microchipped and the shelter had no way of tracking down the rightful owner. Now the two families are in litigation over the pet. The moral of the story? Appropriate identification and microchipping can help your pet find his way home to you. Microchipping is only part of what makes a responsible pet owner. Read and share these tips to keeping your pet-ownership experience safe, healthy and happy. Bringing Home Baby Meeting your new puppy, kitten or any other pet can be an exciting experience. Your pet, however, has some adjusting to do. New sights, smells and sounds can be overwhelming for the little guy and keeping a calm household is important. If you are picking up your pet from a breeder, ask her to place a towel in with the litter so it can pick up familiar smells. This will help give comfort to your pet’s new surroundings. If you are adopting from a shelter, you won’t have that option, so make sure that there is ample warm bedding available and a secure place for your pup to quietly relax. A Safe Place Creating a safe place for your pet is crucial to its comfort. Make sure your pet has its own place of comfort where it can rest, relax and feel secure. For dogs, for instance, crate training and acclimation is essential from day one to make home containment a much easier experience. Center for Pet Safety recommends either a plastic or metal crate for home training. Fabric crates are not for puppies, as they can be easily breached. Those little paws and needle teeth can find their way through fabric in a snap. Stay consistent with training, play time and rest time for your pets so they don’t get too overwhelmed. Your calm and consistent demeanor will help your pet to understand that they can trust you. Once you earn their trust, understand the schedule, and feel secure in their safe place, both of your lives will be much easier. To read more on this story, click here:Tips for the Responsible Pet Owner
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Atlanta, GA- Police say Donte Wyatt left a violent path of destruction. He was on the run, hiding from police, when he ran into Wilson. That's where the crime spree ended. Wilson, a blue blood bulldog, was protecting his owner when Wyatt broke into their home. But police tell 11Alive's Rebecca Lindstrom Wyatt's criminal history started long before that canine run-in. In jail records, Donte Wyatt lists McDonough as his home city. Henry County Police know him well; he's been arrested nearly a dozen times for crimes ranging from trespassing, failure to pay child support, robbery, battery, and domestic violence. Henry County police say Wyatt's recent crime spree started when he stabbed his wife in the parking lot of a Stockbridge Waffle House Monday morning. She had surgery and remains in stable condition. Wyatt was on the run. Police say he made it up to Atlanta in a rental truck. That's where he broke into a home on Shadowridge Drive, killed the woman who lived there, and stole her car. Police were able to track him to that home and were close to an arrest. Wyatt crashed the stolen car and took off on foot. That's when he entered the wrong home: one guarded by Wilson. Adra Wilson was upstairs when she heard Wyatt breaking into her home. She called 911, and police told her to keep still. They were on the way. Meanwhile, Wilson had things covered. "He just basically acted as a deterrent, and kept the intruder from coming upstairs," said Adra's husband, Eric Wilson. Police were able to rescue Adra while the suspect was in the basement. After a four-hour standoff, they lobbed tear gas into the house. The suspect came running into their arms -- and away from the Wilsons' bulldog. "They say the dog bit him a couple of times, just kept him at bay," Eric said.
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Twelve cats from Anderson, Indiana’s Animal Protection League have now found their forever homes in an unlikely place, a correctional facility. The stray cats now have a place to stay and people to seek affection from in the Pendleton Correctional Facility. An unfinished office at the correctional facility is now designed for cats. Litter boxes have been set up; scratch posts and walkways placed for all the dozen cats to enjoy. Instead of being confined to cages, these cats now found a perfect sanctuary with inmates to care for them. Animal Protection League director Maleah Stringer said that placing the cats from her no-kill cat shelter into this new program will increase the chances of them getting adopted. “I’ve had offenders tell me when they got an animal, it was the first time they can remember they were allowing themselves to care about something, to love something. That’s a pretty powerful statement,” said Stinger in a WISH Channel 8 report. The prisoners delegated with sanctuary tasks spend most of their day grooming, feeding and cleaning up after the felines. Human and feline relationship has worked out pretty well so far, according to prison spokeswoman Michelle Rains. The prison already hosts a dog training program and putting up a cat sanctuary only proved to be a good idea. The new program helps cats interact with humans and other cats as they are allowed to roam free inside the office. The program has taught inmates to learn more about responsibility as well. “This program means a lot. … It gives me something to look forward to each and every day. It gives me a reason to strive to do better than I did yesterday and to stay out of trouble,” said inmate Barry Matlock. Matlock also shared his heart-warming message about the cats. "I deserve to be in prison; I committed a crime, but these animals, they live like we live in the cell houses in the cages and they don't deserve that." The cat sanctuary program at the facility has garnered a lot of interest from inmates and those who wish to apply are carefully screened before being allowed to participate. This heartening story was also covered in the Herald Bulletin.
We love our pets. Two thirds of Americans live with an animal, and according to a 2011 Harris poll, 90 percent of pet owners think of their dogs and cats as members of the family. These relationships have benefits. For example, in a survey by the American Animal Hospital Association, 40 percent of married female dog owners reported they received more emotional support from their pet than from their husband or their kids. The pet products industry calls this “the humanization of pets.” One of my colleagues recently spent $12,000 on cancer treatments for her best friend Asha, a Labrador retriever. Newspaper editors tell me stories about animal abuse often generate more responses from upset readers than articles about violence directed toward humans. But do Americans really care more about pets than people? Take, for example, police shootings. The FBI claims that about 400 people a year are killed by police in “justifiable homicides.” The number of incidents in which cops shoot dogs is very hard to pin down. You sometimes hear the claim that a dog is shot by a police officer “every 98 minutes.” That’s would be about 5,000 dogs a year. But Merritt Clifton, editor of Animals 24-7 thinks, based on his analyses of media reports, that the number of dogs killed each year in “confrontational incidents” with cops is probably between 300 and 500 – about the same as human cop shootings. On July 8, 2014, Jeanetta Riley, pregnant and a mother of two, was killed by police officers outside a hospital in Sandpoint, Idaho. Riley reportedly had a history of drug addiction and alcoholism, and she was drunk, incoherent, and waving a filet knife at the three police officers who showed up at the hospital. A dashboard video camera mounted on one of the police cars shows that Riley was at least 10 feet from the cops when they opened fire. Why the police opted to shoot Riley rather than zap a 100-pound woman with one of the Tasers they were carrying is unclear. The officers were subsequently exonerated, no apology was given to Riley’s family, and the story never made national news until it was recently dredged up by a reporter from The Guardian. Fast forward 14 hours and travel 50 miles south to a café in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho where Craig Jones was eating lunch, having locked his dog Arfee in the cab of his van. Jones had rolled the windows part-way down so the dog would stay cool. Unfortunately, when the two-year old black Lab mix started barking, someone called the cops. Officer Dave Kelly caught the call. Kelly later claimed that when he approached the van, Arfee (who was initially described as a vicious pit bull) lunged at him, though the van’s window was mostly rolled up. Kelly put a bullet in Arfee’s chest. This time the media did respond. A headline in the New York Daily News proclaimed “Idaho Cop Shoots, Kills Adorable Black Lab Named Arfee After Mistaking Him For Aggressive Pit Bull.” A “Justice For Arfee” Facebook Page was soon created, and a shadowy organization called “Anonymous” posted several ominous videos on YouTube vaguely threatening Coeur d’Alene police officers with retribution. Two months later, when a police review board ruled that the shooting of the dog was unjustified, the citizens of Coeur d’Alene staged a “Justice for Alfee” rally, demanding that Officer Kelly be fired. The police department issued an official apology to Jones who was awarded $80,000 in damages for the loss of his pet. Testing the Pets Over People Hypothesis As The Guardian article indicates, the mismatch between the public outrage over the shootings of a dog and a pregnant mom a mere 14 hours and 50 miles apart is striking. But was this an aberration? In the wake of Ferguson and now South Carolina, police shootings of human beings have been big news. Do the tragic cases of Jeanetta Riley and Arfee support the view that our love of animals trumps our concern for people? Two sociologists at Northeastern University have tested the claim that people are more upset by news stories of animal abuse than they are about attacks directed toward humans. The researchers, Arnold Arluke, an authority on human-animal relationships, and Jack Levin, an expert on serial killers and mass murders, had college students read fake news accounts on a crime wave in Boston. For instance, one of the articles included the statement, “According to witnesses present, one particularly vicious assault involved a one-year-old puppy that was beaten with a baseball bat by an unknown assailant. Arriving on the scene a few minutes after the attack, a police officer found the victim with one broken leg, multiple lacerations, and unconscious. No arrests have been made in the case.” The subjects in the experiment did not know the articles were bogus. Nor did they know that there were actually four slightly different versions of the newspaper articles, each portraying a different victim: a puppy, an adult dog, a human infant, or a human adult. After they read one of the four news stories, each subject completed a scale which measured how much empathy and emotional distress they felt for the victim of the beating. Arluke and Levin reported the results of their study at the 2013 meeting of the American Sociological Association. As you might guess, the story in which the victim was a human adult elicited, by far, the lowest levels of emotional distress in the readers. The “winner” when it came to evoking empathy was not the puppy but the human infant. The puppy, however, came in a close second with the adult dog not far behind. Arluke and Levin concluded that species is important when it comes to generating sympathy with the downtrodden. But they argued that the critical difference in responses to the stories was based on our special concern for creatures that are innocent and defenseless. Save Your Dog or a Stranger? In another experiment, psychologists at Georgia Regents University also explored circumstances in which people value animals over human lives. In the study, 573 individuals were asked who they would save in a series of hypothetical scenarios in which a dog and a person were in the path of an out-of-control bus. The researchers found that decisions to save the person or the dog were affected by three factors. The first: who the person in danger was. The subjects were much more likely to save the dog over a foreign tourist than, say, their best friend or a sibling. The second factor was the dog. Forty percent of participants said they would save their personal pet at the expense of a foreign tourist. But only 14 percent claimed they would sacrifice the tourist when the animal in the scenario was described generically as “a dog.” Finally, as other studies have found, women care more about animals than men do. In the run-away-bus scenario, female subjects were nearly twice as likely as males to say they would save a dog over a person. Living With Moral Inconsistency The bottom line is that, at least in some circumstances, we do value animals over people. But the differences in public outrage over the deaths of Jeanetta Riley and Arfee illustrate a more general point. It is that our attitudes to other species are fraught with inconsistency. We share the earth with roughly 40,000 other kinds of vertebrate animals, but most of us only get bent out of shape over the treatment of a handful of species. You know the ones: the big-eye baby seals, circus elephants, chimpanzees, killer whales at Sea World, etc. And while we deeply love our pets, there is little hue and cry over the 24 horses that die on race tracks in the United States each week, let alone the horrific treatment of the nine billion broiler chickens American consume annually. Most people, it seems, live easily with what the environmental philosopher Chris Diehm calls “the paradox of the cats in our houses and cows on our plates.” Go figure. Source: Hal Herzog
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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.
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