Dogs Get Their Day: Amtrak To Be Required To Allow Pets On Trains

Washington -- Dog and cat owners of America, rejoice: A five-year highway appropriations bill that Congress reportedly agreed to on Tuesday instructs Amtrak to develop a policy allowing pets on passenger trains.

The provision, tucked into page 877 of a 1,300-page bill, would create a pilot program for the government-subsidized rail system. According to the legislation, Amtrak will have to dedicate at least one car per train “in which a ticketed passenger may transport a domesticated cat or dog in the same manner as a carry-on baggage.”

There are some restrictions.

The dog or cat would have to be “contained in a pet kennel” that complies with Amtrak size requirements for carry-on bags. The passenger transporting the pet will have to pay a fee, which would offset Amtrak's cost of accommodating pets. The authors of the bill made clear that “no federal funds may be used to implement the pilot program.” The government is facing a debt crisis, after all.

To read more on this story, click here: Dogs Get Their Day:Amtrak To Be Required To Allow Pets On Trains

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Please Share Adorable Cat with Broken Leg: Needs Adoption by December 11th - Shelter Will Euthanize

Baldwin Park, CA  - When shelter workers came to put Nemo the cat down, another employee told them, "No." The brave woman's compassion bought Nemo some time — but he still may only have days left to live unless someone steps up to help.

When her co-workers came to put Nemo down, Garcia begged them not to. "They told me this was my job," Garcia said. "I told them I have a feeling about this cat. I'll network him, I'll do what I have to do."

After much pleading, Garcia gave Nemo what he so desperately needed — more time. Nemo's file now has him on hold until December 11, 2015, which means that he's safe from euthanasia until then. After that, his time may finally run out. But Garcia is determined not to let that happen.

Garcia reached out to photographer John Hwang, who snapped photos of Nemo to help him gain more attention — Garcia even got him a bow tie for the occasion.

"My heart just breaks for each of them. I know I'm supposed be here, to help them as much as I can," Garcia told Hawng.

Garcia spends as much time with the animals of Baldwin Park Animal Shelter as she can, even sacrificing her lunch breaks to be with them. Among her favorite is a sweet pig named Pumba. "I like to call him Billy Bob, though. I don't know why," Garcia said.

Unfortunately, Garcia is unable to adopt Nemo herself, as she already has three cats and two dogs.

Without Garcia's passion and love for animals, Nemo would already be gone, and now he needs all the help he can get in order to be saved once more.

Nemo can be adopted directly from the shelter or saved by a rescue. Because of his broken front leg, whoever takes him in will need to sign a waiver saying they understand his medical needs and costs.

If you or someone you know would be interested in adopting Nemo, you can contact the Baldwin Park Animal Shelter at (626) 962-3577. His animal ID number is A4901145.

 

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Washington Humane Society: The Importance of Having Your Pet Microchipped – ‘Stolen Pet Reunited with Owner’

Washington, DC - The day before Thanksgiving, our Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) officers found a severely neglected Shih Tzu in a locked crate next to a dumpster. His hair was matted and his toe nails were so long that they had curled under his feet and impeded his ability to walk.

Luckily, he was microchipped and it led us to his original owner, Jason Brandon. He told us that Polo had been stolen from him in Miami two years ago, never to be found... Until now. This morning, Jason and Polo were reunited! After getting the phone call about Polo's discovery, Jason drove down from New York, where he is currently living, to take him home.

"This is just unbelievable," said Jason. "It's something you see on CNN!"

This amazing reunion would not have been possible if Jason had not microchipped his furry friend. To get your pet microchipped, visit our Spay & Neuter Clinic in Southeast, DC: Walk-in Vaccination Clinic

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Lions and Tigers Appeared to Walk Across the Facade of St. Peter's Basilica Tuesday Night During an Art Installation to Promote Environmental Awareness

Projections at Vatican Promote Climate Awareness

Lions and tigers appeared to walk across the facade of St. Peter's Basilica Tuesday night during an art installation to promote environmental awareness.

To read more on this story, click here: Lions and Tigers Appeared to Walk Across the Facade of St. Peter's Basilica Tuesday Night Duringan Art Installation to Promote Environmental Awareness

 

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D.C.'s Department of Energy and Environment Ignores Public Outcry, Retains Plan to Target Outdoor Cats

Despite opposition from more than 12,000 animal welfare advocates, Washington, D.C.'s Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) continues its witch-hunt against outdoor cats. According to the agency's recently released 2015 Wildlife Action Plan, trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs in the District "will be revisited and reassessed."

It was DOEE's similarly euphemistic language that triggered intense public outcry to the draft version of the Plan earlier this year, in part because of the long history of TNR efforts in our nation's capitol.

For more than 25 years now, advocates in the District have been humanely trapping unowned, free-roaming cats, having them spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian, ear-tipped (the universal indicator of a sterilized community cat), vaccinated against rabies and distemper, and then (following recovery) returned to the location from which they were trapped.

Also contributing to the pushback prompted by the earlier draft was the fact that the one published paper DOEE was using to justify its plans is, as I pointed out to the agency, nothing more than agenda-driven pseudoscience (paid for by American taxpayers).

To read more on this story, click here: D.C.'s Department of Energy and Environment Ignores Public Outcry, Retains Plan to Target OutdoorCats

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Meet, Dennis The Cute Cross-Eyed Collie As He Celebrates His One Year With His New Owners

The former rescue center collie was overlooked by hundreds of potential owners because of his cross-eyed appearance - caused by a condition called strabismus.

His previous owner had to give up Dennis because they could no longer look after him, but he was then adopted from the Dogs Trust in Kenilworth, Warwickshire by Liz Parkes.

They have just celebrated their first year together as a family along with Liz’s partner Nathan Bates and the couple’s other dog, Milo.

Ms Parkes, an ambulance support officer from Oldbury, West Midlands, said: “Dennis has settled in really well and we absolutely adore him, he is the best of friends with our dog Milo and definitely one of the family - we already can’t imagine life without him.

“He seemed like a real character when we first met him at Dogs Trust and he has certainly lived up to this.

“His slightly comedic cross-eyed looks really suit his cheeky personality.

“There is never a dull moment when Dennis is about, he is always up to mischief and we absolutely wouldn’t have him any other way.”

Helen Barlow, from the Dogs Trust in Kenilworth, said: “Some people will overlook any dogs that have a slight health problem or appear different, and even with his striking good looks and fun personality Dennis was often passed by, so we are so delighted that he has finally found such a fantastic home.

“He is a super dog and we all became very attached to him when he was at Dogs Trust, so it is wonderful for us to see him enjoying his first year in a happy home, looking cross-eyed at his anniversary cake, surrounded by a loving family.”

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8 People Attacked by Human-Raised Squirrel in California

Novato, California -  Eight people were attacked by what is believed to be a human-raised squirrel in the Pleasant Valley area of Novato between Nov. 13 and Friday, the Marin Humane Society and the Marin County Department of Public Health said.

  

Five attacks occurred around the intersection of Sutro Avenue and Vineyard Road, Marin Humane Society spokeswoman Lisa Bloch said.

  

A squirrel ran up to the victims, crawled up their bodies and bit the victims in the arms, legs, hands or head, and there have been reports the squirrel jumped out of a tree and attacked the victims, Bloch said.

  

The victims include a child and a teacher at the Pleasant Valley Elementary School and a person in a garage. The other people were bit or scratched outdoors, Bloch said.

  

Marin County Deputy Public Health Officer Dr. Lisa Santora said those who were bitten received three rabies shots as a precaution even though the likelihood of a squirrel having rabies is extremely low.

  

Santora said if the squirrel that attacked the person on Nov. 13 had rabies, it would have died by Nov. 27.

  

Officials believe the lone squirrel was hand-raised and lost its fear of humans, Bloch said.

  

Bloch urged residents not to feed wildlife and to reduce their homes' and gardens' attractiveness by removing bird feeders and cutting back trees that hang over roofs or are close to telephone lines.

  

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National Zoo: 25 Lucky Instagrammers Will Get a Sneak Peek of Bei Bei on December 19, With Instagram Competition

Bei Bei, won’t you come my way? The National Zoo’s giant panda cub, Bei Bei, is set to make his public debut next month, but Tuesday the zoo announced 25 lucky Instagrammers will get a sneak peek of the cub Dec. 19.

Anyone 13 or older is invited to enter the National Zoo’s competition from Dec. 1 to Dec. 7, for a chance to attend "#PandaStory Instameet" at the David M. Rubenstein Giant Panda Habitat.

Applicants can submit a 15 second video explaining why they want to participate in the National Zoo’s Instameet and are encouraged to discuss why they believe the conservation of giant pandas is important.

Winners will be invited to a behind-the-scenes experience at the panda habitat where keepers will be on hand to answer questions about Bei Bei and the Zoo's efforts to save giant pandas. Attendees are encouraged to share the experience on social media by using the hashtag #PandaStory.

Videos should be submitted via direct message to @SmithsonianZoo and applicants need to fill out a registration form by Dec. 7. The winners will be selected by Dec. 11.

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