The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Friday, April 14, 2017

San Diego, California - Paws'itive Teams is Currently Interviewing Applicants for a Fully Trained Service Dog


Paws'itive Teams is currently interviewing applicants for a fully trained service dog. We feel Rocky would do well with someone with an active lifestyle who can find greater independence with the assistance of a canine partner who has exceptional skills in retrieving objects, tugging doors, assist with undressing, emergency alerts and much more. Applicants must live in San Diego County and have a mobility limiting disability. The first step is to submit a short pre-application through the website. Click here for APPLICATION.

Website: Paws'itive Teams






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Thursday, April 13, 2017

Why You Should Never Give Baby Chicks to Children as Easter Gifts


Fluffy chicks and ducklings are popular Easter gifts—they're adorable, soft and irresistible, but they're not always an appropriate gift choice. While spring and Easter cards, children's books and toys tell a sweet story of fluffy chicks, they fail to tell the whole story of these real, live birds and why they should never be given as holiday gifts.

Chicks and Ducklings as Pets

Chicks and ducklings are not novelty toys, they are live, domestic birds that require special care and dedication to keep as pets.

Unless you are experienced in keeping livestock or plan to raise the birds for food, it is important to realize that they require both indoor shelter and outdoor exercise areas. Ducklings also require a safe location for swimming. Both of these birds have special requirements for feeding that a typical pet store cannot meet, and they will also need appropriate care from an agricultural veterinarian experienced with farm birds.

If you are prepared to meet the bird's needs to keep it as a pet, first check local zoning regulations. Many cities consider chickens and ducks to be livestock rather than pets, and they may not be permitted in residential zones. Then, investigate the breeds of chickens and ducks available to be sure you are choosing one that you can properly care for throughout its life — these birds quickly outgrow the cute, "Easter" stage and will live for years. If you are not willing to make the commitment for the bird's lifetime, it is best to avoid becoming involved with animals you cannot handle.

Salmonella
When sweet, peeping chicks are offered for sale each spring, many would-be buyers don't realize the hazards that Easter chicks and ducklings can present, particularly to the young children they may be given to as gifts. These small birds have sharp talons and bills, and they can easily scratch and bite.

The more dangerous threat, however, is salmonella contamination.

Salmonella is a bacterial disease that can be spread through the feces of chicks and ducklings, as well as through contaminated water. When these birds preen, the bacteria can be spread over all their plumage, and simply holding or petting them can transfer the bacteria to humans. The disease causes a range of symptoms, including diarrhea, fever, aches, nausea and abdominal cramps lasting for 5-7 days. While hospitalization for salmonella infections is rare, the elderly and the very young are especially at risk, as is anyone with a compromised or suppressed immune system.

Avoiding any contact with chicks and ducklings is the easiest way to minimize the spread of salmonella. If you do handle these birds, even briefly, washing your hands thoroughly with an anti-bacterial soap immediately afterwards is necessary.

An Unfortunate End
Too many Easter chicks and ducklings are sold as gifts to people who succumb to the birds' cuteness but have no desire or intention to care for adult chickens and ducks. After a few days, children lose interest in the birds and the birds lose their appeal as demanding house guests, and they are often abandoned in local parks or fields to fend for themselves.

Unfortunately, these are domestic birds with no knowledge or experience at foraging or evading predators, and death is inevitable. Those that may survive become part of feral colonies of domestic and hybrid birds that cause problems for park cleanliness and native wildlife. Many cities have been faced with mandatory culls of the birds when the populations grow too large.

Easter chicks surrendered to animal shelters do not face better chances of survival. In the spring, many shelters and humane societies are overburdened with former gifts that have become unwanted chickens and ducks, and finding suitable homes for them can be a challenge. Many of the birds will eventually be euthanized because they are not adopted.

A Note About Dyes
One of the most bizarre practices surrounding Easter chicks and ducklings is dyeing the birds in bright colors to make them more appealing.

While many areas outlaw this practice, it is still possible to buy dyed chicks in the spring. The birds can be dyed in the egg when coloring is injected during incubation. The birds do not appear to be harmed by this practice, but there have been no extensive studies about the effects of the dye on chicks that are not fully developed. When the birds molt, the colored feathers are shed and their typical plumage colors return. Recent hatchlings may also be sprayed with bright or pastel colors that will eventually wear off, but could be ingested as the birds preen. The spraying process may also cause great stress to the birds.

The greater damage caused by dyeing these birds is that the bright colors turn them into a novelty item. This emphasizes the birds as a gift rather than a live pet, and encourages many people to make an uninformed purchase of a bird they will not want to care for when it is no longer pink, purple, blue or green.

Alternatives to Easter Chicks and Ducklings
Instead of giving a live bird that could be dangerous and requires a lifetime commitment of care, there are many more responsible alternative gifts to choose from, including:
  • Toy chicks and ducklings, including plush or bathtub toys
  • Chocolate and candy birds and eggs
  • A visit to a reputable, educational petting zoo
  • Spring or Easter-themed coloring books, storybooks or games
  • A bird house or bird feeder to attract wild chicks
  • Chick or duckling figurines or Easter-themed décor
  • Seeds to grow in the spring
By understanding the needs of chicks and ducklings, you can decide if these birds truly are a good gift choice. This allows you to make a better decision about celebrating spring and Easter without harming birds or risking the potentially unpleasant effects of owning unwanted pets.

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Reasons Why You Should Never Buy Your Child a Rabbit for Easter


House Rabbit Society strongly urges parents not to buy their children live “Easter bunnies” unless they are willing to make a 10-year commitment to properly care for the animals. Each year, thousands of baby rabbits, chicks, and ducks are purchased as Easter gifts only to be abandoned or left at shelters in the days, weeks and months that follow Easter.

Margo DeMello, president of HRS, encourages rabbit lovers to support the “Make Mine Chocolate” ™  http://makeminechocolate.org/ campaign created by the Columbus, Ohio, chapter of HRS.“Rabbits are not ‘low maintenance’ pets,” says DeMello; they require at least the same amount of work as a cat or dog, and often more. Chocolate rabbits are a great alternative; kids can enjoy them for 10 minutes, and they won’t have to take care of them for the next 10 years.”

Mary Cotter, vice-president of HRS, says that many of the rabbits purchased as Easter pets will never live to see their first birthday. Some will die from neglect, while others will be abandoned in local parks or left at animal shelters. “It is irresponsible for pet stores to push rabbits and other so-called Easter animals during the holiday,” says Cotter. “Unless parents are willing to take full responsibility for the possible 10-year lifepan of a live rabbit, they should buy their children chocolate rabbits instead.”

Most children want a companion they can hold, carry and cuddle, but rabbits are fragile, ground-loving creatures who break easily when dropped. 

Additionally, rabbits are easily frightened by loud noises. It is unreasonable to expect a small child to make a 10-year commitment to taking care of a rabbit. All too often, the child loses interest, and the rabbit ends up neglected or abandoned.

Does this mean no families with children should never have pet rabbits? “Not at all!” says DeMello. “But what it does mean is that parents must be actively involved on a daily basis, and willing to supervise any interactions between rabbits and children. Otherwise, chocolate is the way to go!”

For families willing to make the long-term commitment, here are a few points to consider before acquiring a rabbit:
  • Housing: For rabbits who use a cage, the cage needs to be at least six times the size of the adult rabbit. It should not have a wire bottom, as the wire can cause sores on the rabbit’s feet. There should be room for a litterbox, toys, food and water bowls. Others may choose to forgo a cage entirely, using instead a pen for the rabbit’s home base.
  • Playtime: Rabbits need plenty of exercise and should be allowed at least 30 hours out-of-cage or pen running time in a rabbit-proofed area of the home per week.
  • Outdoors: Rabbits should never be left outdoors unsupervised. They can, literally, be frightened to death when approached by predators such as dogs, cats, raccoons and owls. They can also dig under fences to escape.
  • Litter Box: Rabbits, once spayed or neutered, will readily use litterboxes that are place in one corner of the rabbit’s space; the rabbit’s running space should contain at least one additional box. Use dust-free, natural litter–not the clumping kind, and no softwood shavings.
  • Diet: Rabbits need fresh water, unlimited fresh, grass hay, 1-2 cups of fresh vegetables, and a small serving (1/4 c per 5 lb. rabbit) of plain rabbit pellets each day.
  • Health: Like dogs and cats, rabbits should be spayed or neutered. The risk of uterine cancer in unspayed female rabbits is alarmingly high, and unneutered males are likely to spray.
  • Grooming: Rabbits shed their coat 3-4 times per year; use a flea comb and brush away excess fur.

A person who chooses a baby rabbit as a companion must:

  • Have lots of time, a household that can withstand some chewing, and a stable residence.
  • Expect an unneutered/unspayed baby will spray urine. Know that neutering/spaying (at four to six months) will stop the problem.
  • Expect accidents when baby forgets the location of the litterbox.
  • Allow the energetic young rabbit at least 30 hours a week of free time outside her pen, habitat, or cage.
  • Know the cute baby will soon be an adult rabbit and may have a different personality.
If you think you would enjoy sharing your home with a rabbit, please your local animal shelter, humane society or rabbit rescue group for information about adopting a rabbit. No matter where you live, you are probably within 10 miles of a rabbit who desperately needs a safe, indoor home. If you are not sure you can make this kind of commitment, please consider buying your child a chocolate bunny this Easter instead.

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Have You Seen Freddy, The Worlds Largest Dog That Stands 7 Feet, 6 Inches Tall?


Typically, when we think of giant dogs, Great Danes come to mind. We’ve all seen one before and quietly thought to ourselves – that is an enormous dog. Their incredible size is truly something to behold.

Freddy is a great dane from Essex, England and he is no exception. Freddy officially stands at 7 feet 6 inches tall and is the tallest dog in the world.

When Freddy’s mom Claire Stoneman brought Freddy home, she knew he was going to grow into a big dog – as most great danes do. She knew that the average great dane male can weigh up to 190 pounds and stand at about 33 inches tall. What she didn’t know, was that he’d soon grow to far surpass those measurements.

Freddy is over two feet taller than Claire when he stands on his hind legs and he weighs in at over 200 pounds.

Last year he was officially recognized as the worlds largest dog by the Guinness World Records.

While most owners might be put off by his enormous size, Claire says she has nothing but love for her giant fur-baby.

Freddy lives with Claire, her children, and his Great Dane sister, Fluer.

Together, Freddy and Fluer consume an unimaginable amount of food to keep them happy and healthy. Their favorite snacks are said to include roast chicken and peanut butter on toast.

Claire says her grocery bills frequently cost over $15 000 a year alone. Destroyed furniture and other broken household items add thousands more to Freddy’s expenses tally.

“I’d come home and find a sea of foam across the floor. But he’s my baby and I can’t imagine life without him,” said Claire.

Claire’s days now consist of long walks and super sized meal prep for her two fur-babies.






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U.S. Air Force Installation Has Added a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response K-9 to Aid in the Fight Against On-Base Sexual Assaults


A U.S. Air Force installation has enlisted a first-of-her-kind recruit to aid in the fight against on-base sexual assault. Only her rank doesn’t exist among lieutenants and captains.

Eielson Air Force Base officials have credited Tessa – a 5-month old golden retriever – with helping seven service members who have come forward to report attacks. 

"It’s been phenomenal having a tiny member of our team accomplish so much positivity in the short amount of time she’s been here," Air Force Capt. Heather Novus, the 354th Fighter Wing’s sexual assault response coordinator, said in a release. “I hope we can smooth the transition for other bases to adopt a [sexual assault prevention and response] K-9, and we would love to assist supporting this idea across other installations and can ease the process for others to adopt what has been a successful program so far.”

Tessa serves as a comfort canine, helping victims of abuse to come forward.

“Tessa brings a stability to reconnect with victims who have emotionally disconnected because of the traumatic event they have gone through,” Shellie Severa, the 354th Fighter Wing’s SAPR head victim advocate, said. “Each individual is different on how they are going to handle their trauma, but one of the biggest things we see with almost all trauma victims is lack of trust, and trust can be re-established through the assistance of a dog.”

Tessa’s mission began in the winter of 2016.

“We are having victims come out of the shadows who were afraid for numerous reasons to report; having a dog in the program is important for them to realize this is a place where they are safe and can rebuild trust,” Severa said. “Tessa has brought many smiles to people engaging with her, and encouraged people to tell their story, which helps them to have a voice again and take back the power they lost.”

The canine’s involvement on base is a visible example of the U.S. military’s efforts to address on-base sexual assault since it was reported only about 3,000 of 26,000 bases were report. The number of unreported cases took a nosedive in 2015. You can read it here: Department of Defense
Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military




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Woman Takes Her Therapy Dog to a Furry Convention Thinking it Was an Event for Pets


A woman and her Bernese mountain dog became the unwitting stars of a furry convention this weekend after the woman mistook the gathering as an event for pets.

Cheryl Wassus of Monroe, Michigan, is a volunteer with Pets for Vets, a nonprofit that matches therapy dogs with military veterans. When Wassus learned that Motor City Furry Con in Novi, Michigan, was raising money for the organization, she assumed it must be a pet-themed convention.

It was a reasonable mistake. For those unaware, furries are people who enjoy dressing up in anthropomorphic animal costumes and role-playing. That’s not what Wassus or Link — who has training as a therapy dog — expected.

Wassus’ son, New York Media producer Kenny Wassus, tweeted some incredible photos of the mix-up on Saturday.

“This is just a whole subculture I wasn’t even aware existed,” Cheryl Wassus told New York magazine. “When we set up tables and do promos and educate the public and do outreach, I had no idea the outreach was going to be other human … furry people. I guess you’re never too old to learn.” (Read her full interview with NYMag, which is amazing, HERE.)

Wassus told Cosmopolitan that the convention’s organizers had invited her to do a presentation about Pets for Vets, and that it just never became clear what a “furry con” was.

“I usually try to do some research the night before I go to these events but the website was pretty obscure,” she said.

But the surprise worked out for the best. Wassus, Link and the furries got along famously. Link was a little confused at first, Wassus said, and did some “serious tail-sniffing” at the sight of all the two-legged animals. But it all ended up being no big deal.

“They weren’t offended, though. They just embraced him,” she told NYMag. “It was all good. Just a real interested community.”

Plus, the event was a big win for Pets for Vets ― Motor City Furry Con raised $10,000 for the group.

The media tends to associate being a furry with a sexual fetish, but most furry fans say it’s really not about that.

“In reality, furries are fans of a concept: ‘What if intelligent animals lived among us, or replaced us?’” Laurence Parry, editor-in-chief of furry-centric news site Flayrah, told The Huffington Post in 2014. “From this, all else flows — art, crafts, stories, role-playing and costuming.”





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Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Mother Goose Pecks at Police Officer to Get Help for Her Baby Tangled in Balloon String


A panicked mama goose pecks to get cop’s attention, leads her to baby tangled in balloon string

Police sergeant James Givens is a Cincinnati PD veteran with over 26 years of service on the force, but he has never seen a distress call quite like this one.

At least, James thought it was someone. It was just a regular Monday morning when he was in his car and received an unexpected visit from a mother goose.

The animal wanted to grab the attention of the police officer at all costs.

“It kept pecking and pecking and normally they don’t come near us,” He told to WKRC. “Then it walked away and then it stopped and looked back so I followed it and it led me right over to [a gosling] that was tangled up in all that string.”

When the goose looked behind his back a second time and clearly wanted to communicate with the police officer, he decided to follow her. One of her children was trapped in the rope of a balloon. His little feet were moving, but he wasn’t able to set himself free.

Givens wanted to help the little goose himself but was afraid that mother goose would attack him. Luckily, he had some help from specialist Cecilia Charron.

Even though they called the SPCA Animal Rescue for help, nobody was available to help at the time. That’s why Cecilia decided to help the little animal herself.

Sergeant Givens recorded the entire thing and shared a video of the little goose being freed from the balloon and reunited with the mother, which has quickly gone viral.

Assistant Police Chief Paul Neudigate also praised Sergeant Givens and Charron for a great job.



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Meet the Silkie, the Glamorous Supermodel of Domesticated Fowl


You may have seen a chicken or two in your day, but we’re pretty sure these glorious winged creatures are about to blow your mind.

The Silkie is basically the glamorous supermodel of domesticated fowl.

These ornamental chickens are more than just a pretty face; they’re also total sweetie pies. And legend has it that their feathers feel just like silk.

The texture of their feathers resembles a luxurious fur pelt. They’ve also been known to grow a mowhawk-esque crest of feathers on their heads.



The ‘do, the glare... You’re looking at the future frontman of an anarchist-chicken punk-metal garage band. Don’t make eye contact:


Some of them sport elegant pompadours that would put Elvis to shame:

Are these chickens using Pantene, or are they just pure magic? It’s no wonder they inspired their own fan club: The American Silkie Bantam Club was established in 1923 to celebrate the majestic bird.

Chickens have become popular house (or yard) pets, and the Silkie chicken is basically the dream breed. They can survive in warm and cold climates, though they should be kept inside during the winter. They’re sweet, amiable, and so dang cute that they’ll make your friends squeal:



They come in tons of shades, like this stunningly pillow-esque brunette with a baby on board:



Or this snow-white beauty:


And yes, you can even acquire a ginger Silkie. (And they have souls, too:)

Although we don’t know the exact origin of the Silkie, Marco Polo apparently described a bird just like it during his 13th century exploration of China. These chickens caught the eye of the early explorer. It is said that the Silkie was brought to Europe about 200 years ago, where Dutch breeders apparently told prospective buyers that they were a crossbreed of rabbits and chickens. We can understand how they pulled that off. Today, the majority of Silkie chickens are sold for ornamental reasons, cause they’re basically the royalty of fowl.

The chickens have dark blueish-black skin and a majestic wattle:



Although sometimes, they kind of just look like Chewbacca.

They grow feathers all the way down to their toes! Their fluffy feathers make them unable to fly and can be a real pain to clean, but whoever said being beautiful was easy?

And they don’t look quite so proud when their ‘dos get rained on:

Oh, the indignity!

They emerge as mowhawked-little tykes, like hipster babies in Brooklyn:



Slowly but surely, they start to fill out, like this wee little chick:


Silkie chickens have a lifespan of about nine years, so it’s not a commitment to be taken on lightly. Sadly, in recent years, a growing number of chickens have been abandoned in animal shelters. But if you’re ready for the responsibility, you can raise your Silkie as a real pet. Think of it as a kitten who can also produce the eggs for your omelet!

Once they grow up, female Silkies make excellent mothers, and even have been known to adopt baby ducks, turkeys or chickens into their brood:

Go ahead and revel in the fluffy wonder that is the Silkie!



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Taiwan Has Made History Becoming the First Asian Country to Ban the Sale and Consumption of Cat and Dog Meat


The country’s legislature passed a legal amendment to the Animal Protection Act state that offenders could be punished with a monetary fine of NTD 50,000 to $2 million (A$2178 to $87080).

The amendment's sponsor, Kuomintang Legislator Wang Yu-min, said that while some localities already had measures banning dog and cat meat consumption, national legislation was needed.

Several other amendments were also passed, in a step towards making the country more animal friendly.

Stiffer punishments will be enforced for those who intentionally harm animals which include a maximum of two years’ imprisonment and fines of between NT$200,000 and NT$2 million.

Pet owners will now be penalized if they are seen with their leashed dogs running alongside their scooters.

It is now illegal to ‘walk’ animals via motor vehicles with offenders facing possible fines up to NT$15,000.

Before taking effect, the amendments still need to be signed into law by the Cabinet and Presidential Office, which could take place before the end of the month.

The amendments come in response to several high-profile incidents of animal cruelty.

Just last year, a video went viral of a group of Taiwanese marines viciously beating a dog before hanging it and throwing its lifeless body into the ocean, triggering an investigation and sparking public protests.

Last October, Chan Ho-yeung – a student from Macau studying in Taiwan – was sentenced to 10 months in prison after being convicted of killing two stray cats.

Taiwanese photographer Tou Chih-kang and his assistant steady a scared dog for a portrait in a makeshift studio during the final moments of its life before being put down by lethal injection at a shelter in Taoyuan. 


A dog stands on a scooter with his owners as they wait at an intersection in Taipei, Taiwan. 



Tourists stop to view one of the hundred or so resident cats resting on a wall in the small town of Houtong, Taiwan. 

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What a Great Idea: A Group of People Held a ‘Senior Prom’ to Help Get Senior Dogs Adopted


Senior dogs often get overlooked in shelters and rescues, and so a bunch of people in Florida got together to hold a special event to help them find forever homes — a "senior prom."

The prom was held at The Dog House of Safety Harbor, a pet supply store that donates a portion of all its proceeds to animal rescues. Dozens of rescue organizations were invited to bring along their senior dogs, ages 5 to 15, for a night of dress-up and dancing.


"Thousands of dogs need to be adopted in the Tampa Bay area," Terry Meeks, one of the founders of the event, said in a press release. "All too often, our senior canines are passed by when people look to adopt. These dogs have the richest history and the greatest temperaments. They need to be able to live out the rest of their lives in a stable, loving home. The prom will help these senior canines get the recognition they deserve and find their 'furever' homes."

The event featured a red carpet that the dogs could walk down when they first arrived, to strut their stuff and show off whatever it was they were wearing, from gorgeous gowns… 


... to tasteful suits ...



... to everything in between.


The dogs got to meet potential adopters at the event, and between their adorable outfits and beautiful smiles, they were all definitely at their most charming that night.

The prom had a full roster of activities planned, including entertainment by an MC and her doggie sidekick, a raffle, a kissing booth and of course lots of dancing.

Every senior dog who attended the event was eligible to win the title of prom king or queen, and a panel of distinguished judges watched each dog strut around in their fancy outfits and judged them on criteria such as stage presence, attitude and working the crowd.

A dog named Tye was crowned prom king. He's an 8-year-old Chihuahua mix rescued by Canine Estates.

"He was rescued from someone who became ill and could no longer take care of him," Karen Altieri, a volunteer with the event, told The Dodo. "He's been at Canine Estates for nine months."


The dog crowned prom queen, Tye's partner in crime, was 10-year-old Nina, a pit bull mix rescued by Ruff Beginnings.

"She was a stray wandering the streets of Tampa when Hillsborough Animal Services picked her up," Altieri said. "She wasn't given much of a chance to be adopted out. Due to her being a senior and no space at the county shelter she was put on the Euth List. Ruff Beginnings pulled her the day she was going to be put down."


More than 40 dogs attended the very special prom, and six have been adopted because of the event so far — with lots more receiving inquiries.

Every dog in attendance had such a blast, dancing and snuggling the night away. They were able to showcase what amazing dogs they are, and how much they deserve their own forever homes.






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Washington, DC - Humane Rescue Alliance: We Are Building Our Development Department and Have Several Open Vacancies


Washington, DC - We are building our development department in anticipation of our new facility campaign, and the planned expansion of our community and medical programs. If you know a passionate, capable and seasoned fund raiser who would like to have a work life that is immersed in service to our cause, and wants to really make their mark in fund raising, animal welfare and social enterprise (regionally and beyond), please send them to this link: Careers

Website: Humane Rescue Alliance 





My Pet for Today! Meet Sweet Pria:


Seven-year-old Pria is the sweetest girl! She came to the Humane Rescue Alliance last week when her owner could no longer afford to care for her. She's a big girl at almost 80 pounds, but she's an independent lady who enjoys sniffing and exploring the places she's in. Though she's independent, Pria does love petting! If you're looking for a pup who's the best of both worlds, meet her at our New York Avenue adoption center today! humanerescuealliance.org/adopt #AdoptHRA




About the Humane Rescue Alliance: 
The Humane Rescue Alliance (formerly the Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League) has protected and served the animals of the community for more than 145 years and serves more than 60,000 animals annually. The broad range of programs offered include: rescue and adoption, humane law enforcement, low-cost veterinary services, animal care and control, behavior and training, spay-neuter services, humane education, and many others. The organization is dedicated to ensuring the safety and welfare of all animals, bringing people and animals together, and working with all communities to support these relationships. HRA is based in Washington, DC, the only major urban area in the country that has all of its animal protection programs and services unified in one organization, making the Humane Rescue Alliance a model for the nation.

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