There is nothing more tempting than the big-eyed face of a puppy. Seeing one through a pet shop window must be the human equivalent of kryptonite because all it takes is one shot of their tiny paw pads pressed against the glass to make our knees go out. But what if we told you that life for these perfect little puppies wasn’t always so cute and that by purchasing one of those irresistible little ones, you would be condemning hundreds of other dogs to a life of abuse and suffering. Well, tragically, thanks to the puppy mill industry, this is exactly what happens. Puppy mills are large-scale dog breeding facilities where puppies are churned out like a machine. In the video below, you can see the horrific reality of what a puppy mill looks like. Breeding dogs never get to leave the mill but spend their entire lives in tiny wire cages, deprived of basic medical care, food, and water. Many dogs are covered with their own filth and suffer from severe dental and other medical issues. These pups know nothing but exploitation and abuse at the hands of humans and have to endure the pain of giving birth and having their puppies taken away far too soon. The most disheartening part of this industry is the fact that the sale of those puppies only enables mills to continue breeding and abusing their parents. With millions of healthy dogs waiting to be adopted in U.S. shelters, the idea that there is an entire industry dedicated to mass-breeding new puppies is not only disgusting but downright irresponsible. The good news in all of this is that there are many organizations working to rescue dogs from mills and raise awareness for the plight of these animals. Here we see the Humane Society of the United States save over 140 dogs from a terrible mill in North Carolina. Don’t support the puppy mill industry, always adopt and don’t shop! Share this video and encourage others to learn the truth behind the puppies in the window.
Alexandria, Va. — The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria took in six animals on Saturday from North Carolina after Hurricane Matthew swept through. Earlier in the week, the group took in three other dogs from South Carolina. “It really does give you chills, the gravity of the situation really hits when you see such a large truck come in, the doors open, and so many beautiful faces,” said Abbie Hubbard, Deputy Director of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. 86 animals in total filled a truck from North Carolina, the AWLA opened their doors to a half dozen of them. “It’s hard to watch it from afar and not know quite what we can do,” Hubbard said. “So, then to be able to help in this situation, it means a lot.” To read more on this story, click here: Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Gives Dogs Second Chance After Hurricane Matthew: This Week Adoption Fees Have Been WAIVED ALSO: Your adoption of a dog today will be saving THREE lives in our #stormsurge event. The dog which you take today will finally have a home, which will make space for the transfers we receive from Carolina shelters, who then can turn around and save more displaced dogs in need of being rescued after #HurricaneMatthew. This week adoption fees have been WAIVED (excluding holding fees). Come by today to meet some of our fantastic friends!
Washington, DC - Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League to Operate Under New Name for The First Time in More Than 145 Years: Named to be Revealed, Monday, October 24th at 11:00 AM For the first time in a major urban area, Washington, DC’s two iconic, combined animal welfare organizations operate every aspect of animal protection programs and services in one unified organization
WHAT: Historic announcement of new name for the combined Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 24th TIME: 11:00 a.m. WHO: Lisa LaFontaine, President and CEO, Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League,WHS-WARL staff and adoptable animals
WHERE: Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League 71 Oglethorpe Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 NOTES:
Washington Humane Society and the Washington Animal Rescue League, the two iconic animal welfare organizations in our Nation’s Capital will have a new name for the first time in more than 145 years.
The two organizations merged in February to form the driving force in animal welfare, caring for more than 60,000 animals each year.
With the merger of the Washington Humane Society and Washington Animal Rescue League, Washington, DC became the only major urban area in the country with all of its animal protection programs and services unified under one organization.
Over the past six months, the organization has worked through the process of determining a new name and brand, both of which will be presented at the event on Monday, Oct. 24th.
Friesians are beautiful and strong horses known for their agility. Frédéric Pignon, a French horse trainer proves this sentiment to be true in a remarkable performance with not one, but three Frisian stallions. Pignon takes command of the horses as they follow his lead with impeccable grace. When the performance first starts, we see a captivating stallion galloping alongside the trainer. The horse follows each command including picking up a riding crop and posing. When the second horse comes out, there is not a moment of hesitation as they gallop in unison and take individual commands. But, wait! There's even a third horse! What's even more amazing is that the horses work together to continue a remarkable performance. The animals continue to alternate working together and also performing solo acts. Breathtaking! Pignon is considered among the best trainers in the world. His attentiveness and depth of understanding horses it a top reason that he is so successful with training them to do performances such as this. He understands that there is much more to the horse than regular methods. In an interview with Horse Collaborative, Pignon said, "What I observe most of the time is that people use methods like horses are bicycles. They’re horses. A horse is a big adventure when you start to be with one." He commits himself to learning about the horse and training each individual horse in the way that is most effective. This type of performance is not uncommon among Friesian horses. According to Pet Breeds, the breed is versatile and can be used for anything from riding to dressage. They are intelligent animals that can complete various tasks and take direction very well.
FOLLOW US!
On a beautiful afternoon this past June, Soho resident Yves-Claude Arbour, 73, was walking up Broome Street with his 5-year-old Havanese, Sammie, and his friend Sabrina Michals. As they crossed Lafayette Street, a woman in a jeep started inching forward in anticipation of the light change, and hit the fluffy little dog, pinning her underneath the front of the car. People on the street began to yell and pound on the jeep’s windows, urging the woman to stop, but, seemingly oblivious, she continued to inch forward, moving over the animal, who was caught between the two wheels. When the light changed, she sped off, running all the way over the poor dog. Luckily, the only part of her body that was actually hit by the wheel was a paw. “If she had been [all the way] under one of [the wheels], she would be dead,” Michals said. “She drove right over her.” She grabbed the pup while Arbour dashed off in pursuit of the jeep. They rushed Sammie to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital on 15th Street, and called the police. Officers arrived at the hospital, but said they couldn’t figure out how to file a report, and three subsequent visits to different precincts revealed the same issue. In New York state, dogs are legally considered property rather than sentient beings. Leaving the scene after injuring an animal is punishable by a fine of not more than $100 for a first offense, and not more than $150 for a repeat offender. By comparison, fines for a repeat littering offense can be $350. In 2015, France and New Zealand changed their laws to recognize dogs as feeling beings, and this past summer an Oregon court did the same. After learning this, Arbour decided not to go after the woman who’d hit his beloved dog. “I realized there was no real point in chasing the driver other than to confront her,’’ he said. “If I took her to small claims court, they would only give me the value of replacing her, like replacing a toaster.’’ Instead, Arbour has launched a grassroots movement aimed at changing New York law, and formed a nonprofit organization called Dogs Are Not Toasters (DANT). He’s started a petition, which already has nearly 500 signatures, and will soon launch a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to hire lobbyists and lawyers. Charles Mirisola, a Manhattan-based negligence attorney not associated with Arbour, agrees the law needs to change. “Unfortunately, even though so many people now consider their dogs family members, under New York state law they are simply property,’’ he said. “Even if a dog is hurt by a car, or viciously attacked by another dog, the owner can’t sue for pain and suffering to the animal or himself . . . You can try to collect on veterinary bills but it would be difficult finding an attorney to take the case. I get calls about this all the time, and I have to give people the bad news.’’ After four days in the hospital, six weeks in a cast and $11,000 in medical bills, Sammie is now back to his old cuddly self, but Arbour says his crusade goes far beyond the love he has for his own pet. “If dogs were recognized as sentient beings, they would be protected from a number of modern day issues, such as puppy mills, grooming injuries or deaths, improper medical care, inhumane scientific studies, and vehicle hit-and-runs,” Arbour said. “This is not about Sammie. It’s about changing the law.’’
Mansfield, Ohio - The Humane Society estimates there are 50 million feral cats in the United States. While an exact number is not known for Richland County, there are enough to cause a problem. "Mansfield has reached the tipping point where they need an animal control officer," said Diana Nolen, president of Stop the Overpopulation of Pets. "Ohio has only dog wardens." Feral cats are distinguished by their lack of familiarity with people. For all intents and purposes, they are wild. In 2001, Alley Cat Allies launched the first National Feral Cat Day to promote raising awareness about feral cat colonies and how to care for and prevent them. Sunday is the 15th such day. Nolen and her organization at 1152 Lexington Ave. do their part, offering low-cost spaying and neutering. The cost is $31 for males and $49 for females. "That's about the cheapest price in 50 miles," Nolen said. She estimates they have spayed or neutered 34,000 cats in the last 17 years. Of the 93 cats currently housed at S.T.O.P., nine are feral. "They're hard to handle without getting hurt," Nolen said. S.T.O.P. has rebounded since a fire in January 2014 forced them to move to a temporary location downtown. Another organization that tries to help is Forgotten Felines of Richland County, a nonprofit started by Anne Wendling and Carla Waleri. Since Wendling passed away in January, Waleri has continued feeding some feral cats in the downtown area. She has trapped some cats for spay/neuter and health care, but the number has been minimal because she is operating largely by herself. "Before I met Anne Wendling, I just had no idea how many feral cats there were," Waleri said. One of the goals of Forgotten Felines is to relocate some of the downtown feral cats, after they have been spayed or neutered, to barns. People would be responsible for providing food, water and shelter, as well as long-term veterinary care, for the relocated cats. Flyers have been posted around town, but there has been little response so far. For more information, call Forgotten Felines at 419-756-6625. Trap-Neuter-Release is the most popular suggestion for controlling the population of feral cats. It has caught on in many places, but it does require a commitment from people to look after the cats after they have been spayed or neutered. "People who feed strays but don't neuter them are contributing to the problem," Nolen said. "If you're going to feed them, you need to fix them." Feral cats can be worth the effort. Nolen recalled a cat named Ruby, who was found trapped behind a fast-food restaurant. "All you did was walk in the room, she would attack the door (of her cage). She would hiss and spit," Nolen said. "You can now pet and hold her. That's a true miracle."
Calera, Alabama - When people welcome a companion animal into their lives, they usually have so much compassion and affection in their heart, that they want to share it with another being. They will go to the shelter and pick out a pup or kitty to pour all of that love into. Alternatively, there are some people out there who treat animals as a way to release their aggression, and sadly, homeless animals with no guardian to protect them, tend to be the target of this anger. We’ve heard stories where stray animals are abused by people living in the area who are simply annoyed by their presence. We’ve heard of stray animals getting run over by cars and no one bothering to stop and see if they’re okay. And, sadly, we’ve seen dogs get picked up off the street and turn into bait or aggressive opponents for dogfighting circles. Just recently, the residents of a mobile home park in Calera, found a cat who had been shot in the back and was dragging herself through the park. At the time they found her, the bullet was still lodged in her spine. The fact that this little kitty was pulling herself around the park, likely looking for food or help, shows that this cat had a clear will to live. The folks who found her immediately called The Purrfect Love Cat Rescue. The kitten, now named Jackie, seems to be permanently paralyzed and the employees at the center are skeptical as to whether she will ever be able to walk, control her bowels, or her bladder. According to the veterinarian on board, it appeared someone put the gun up against her back, then fired, almost certainly intentionally. Why anyone would harm such a precious creature is beyond us. This kitty’s only crime was existing in the same space as a cruel human. Sadly, Jackie is too weak to undergo any surgery, so all that’s left to do is hope that this sweet kitten can somehow pull through the ordeal. Despite the fact that Jackie cannot undergo surgery, the rescue center employees are determined to do all they can for her and hopefully find the horrible individual who did this to her. They have set up a Facebook page and hope to get donations for what will likely be a very costly recovery program for Jackie. If you’re touched by this story and would like to donate to the cause, click HERE. Please donate if you can. Remember no amount is too small. Thanking you from Jackie and The Pet Tree House
New Jersey - A bear seen walking on its hind legs in New Jersey over the past several years was killed during a bear hunt on Monday, according to the Facebook page devoted to 'Pedals.' The announcement on Friday read in part: "For the hundreds and thousands of animals lovers who were following his story, I am sorry that we have this sad news to bring to you... The hunter who has wanted him dead for nearly 3 years had the satisfaction of putting an arrow through him, bragging at the station." The bear believed to be 'Pedals' was brought to the weigh station in Rockaway. State Wildlife officials have not confirmed its death. Photos and videos of 'Pedals' were often posted on social media. In one of its most recent sightings, witnesses including residents of Oak Ridge said the bear appeared to be severely underweight and injured. A nonprofit group called Orphaned Wildlife Center in Otisville, New York, offered to take in 'Pedals.' Wildlife experts said the black hear had some sort of leg or paw injury that didn't allow it to spend much time on all fours. Last November, activists dropped off petitions supporting relocation of the bear, and staged a small rally to raise awareness of 'Pedals' status. More than 290,000 people signed the petition at the time. You may be interested in reading:Pedals, the Walking Bear Spotted in West Milford, New Jersey on December 21
