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Friday, October 13, 2017
Washington, DC – Humane Rescue Alliance Teams Up with Fitzgerald Subaru to Host the ‘ASPCA Subaru Loves Pets’ Fee-Waived Adoption Event: Saturday, October 21, 10 – 1 P.M.
Thanks to a grant from Subaru and the ASPCA, all adoption fees will be waived at the event. The Humane Rescue Alliance will have 25 adoptable animals available at the Fitzgerald Subaru location at 11411 Rockville Pike in Rockville, Maryland.
WHAT:
Humane Rescue Alliance/Fitzgerald Subaru “ASPCA Subaru Loves Pets” Fee-waived adoption event.
Fitzgerald Subaru will also be accepting pet food and supply donations for the Humane Rescue Alliance’s Hope Program.
WHEN:
Saturday, October 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Fitzgerald Subaru Rockville
11411 Rockville Pike
Rockville, Maryland
INFO:
25 animals will be available on-site for adoption. Adoptions Counselors will be on site to facilitate the adoptions. Normal adoption procedures apply for all adoptions. Families must have ALL family members on site to adopt. For additional information, visit http://www.fitzmallsubaru.com/subaru-loves-pets.htm or www.humanerescuealliance.org.
To sign up for this event on facebook, click here: Subaru Loves Pets Fee-Waived Adoption Event
About the Humane Rescue Alliance:
The Humane Rescue Alliance 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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Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Outbreak of Human Campylobacter Infections Linked to Puppies Sold Through the National Pet Store Chain Petland
As of October 3, a total of 55 people with laboratory-confirmed infections or symptoms consistent with Campylobacter infection have been linked to the outbreak. They live in 12 states — Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Fourteen of those are Petland employees, 35 either recently purchased a puppy at Petland, visited a Petland, or visited or live in a home with a puppy sold through Petland and one person had sexual contact with a person with a confirmed illness linked to Petland.
Four others were exposed to puppies from various sources, and one had “unknown puppy exposure,” according to a release from the
Centers for Disease Control.
Those who are sick range in age from less than one year old to 86 years old.
Petland is cooperating with public health and animal health officials to address the outbreak.
Clinical samples from the people and puppies involved appear to be resistant to commonly recommended, first-line antibiotics. This means infections with the outbreak strain may not respond well to oral antibiotics usually prescribed to treat Campylobacter infections.
According to the CDC, symptoms of Campylobacter include diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever. Illness typically lasts one week.
Click to view video
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DC Council Passes ‘Standard of Care for Animals Amendment Act of 2017’
Washington, DC – The DC Council voted today to pass the “Standard of Care for Animals Amendment Act of 2017,” a significant revision to the laws governing the humane treatment of animals in the District of Columbia.
The animal-welfare legislation provides the Humane Rescue Alliance’s Animal Control officers additional tools with which they can enforce the laws concerning the humane treatment of animals. The bill also creates and defines a standard of care for animals, including requirements of adequate care, food, space, shelter and water.
“This is an important moment for the animals of the District of Columbia,” said Lisa LaFontaine, President and CEO for the Humane Rescue Alliance. “This bill establishes strong definitions for adequate care for animals and empowers the dedicated professionals that make up our Animal Care and Control team. Moving forward, our officers now have more tools at their disposal to ensure that the animals of our city are protected and are able to prosecute those that choose to violate these laws effectively.”
“This comprehensive animal-welfare bill creates a ‘Standard of Care’ that all pet owners must comply with – something brand new for the District,” said Councilmember Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4). “By providing the authority necessary to holistically protect the health and safety of District animals, we can prevent others from suffering like Momma, a Petworth pit bull left outdoors in frigid temperatures whose inhumane treatment triggered an outpouring of concern and my introduction of an earlier version of this legislation. I thank the Humane Rescue Alliance for their advocacy and assistance in crafting this bill, and appreciate their commitment to protecting animal wellbeing in the District.”
The law will be known as “Ray’s Law,” a tribute to Vice President of Field Services Ray Noll, a longtime animal welfare advocate who was instrumental in crafting the legislation. Noll, who passed away suddenly last
week, had worked tirelessly for months to ensure the bill would effectively address the issues of adequate care and proper enforcement.
The amendment is the result of months of deliberation by city officials and Humane Rescue Alliance representatives to craft the new legislation. The bill was introduced originally by Councilmember Brandon Todd as emergency legislation in February when concern arose over animals left outside in cold weather. That bill, the Standard Care of Animals Amendment Act of 2017 passed its first reading by the Council in July.
Highlights of the amendment include the following:
· Provides Humane Rescue Alliance officers with the authority to issue citations and warnings in cases of intentional or grossly negligent harm to an animal.
· Defines “adequate shelter.” When the temperature is at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, “adequate shelter” shall mean that a the dog has access to a shelter large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around, that has an entrance covered by a flexible wind-proofing material or self-closing door, that contains a platform for the dog at least 4 inches off the ground, and that contains dry bedding, which must consist of an insulating material that does not retain moisture, such as straw, of sufficient depth for the dog to burrow. When the temperature is at or above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, “adequate shelter” shall additionally mean that a dog has access to a shelter shaded by trees, a roof, a tarp, or a tarp-like device.
· Clarifies that an animal cannot be outdoors for more than 15 minutes during periods of extreme weather without human accompaniment or adequate shelter. Extreme weather means temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
· Clarifies that an animal or animals shall not be left alone in a vehicle in such a way that endangers the animal’s health or safety.
In a related development, the DC Council has approved emergency legislation that will allow food establishments in Washington, DC to permit dogs in outdoor dining areas and unenclosed sidewalk cafés. The emergency bill by the DC Council, along with the permanent Standard Care for Animals Amendment, further establishes Washington, DC as a proponent of responsible pet ownership.
About the Humane Rescue Alliance:
The Humane Rescue Alliance 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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Monday, October 2, 2017
Congratulations to Humane Rescue Alliance President & CEO, Lisa LaFontaine, Who Was Named to the Washington Business Journal's 2017 Women Who Mean Business List
To read more on this story, click here: Meet our 2017 Women Who Mean Business honorees
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Friday, September 29, 2017
Washington, DC - Ray Noll, Humane Rescue Alliance’s Field Services Chief and Longtime Animal Welfare Professional, Has Died
“Ray Noll’s impact on our city and our organization is immeasurable,” said Humane Rescue Alliance President and CEO Lisa LaFontaine. “His death is unimaginable to us and is an incalculable loss to our organization. Ray was responsible for saving the lives of literally thousands of animals, personally and through our programs. He was a respected and beloved leader of HRA and his death is devastating to our team.”
Noll led the Animal Control and Humane Law Enforcement divisions for HRA, including animal control officers, animal control investigators, humane law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and wildlife specialists. Noll’s dedicated team served the 600,000 residents and 1.9 million annual visitors of Washington, DC, responding to more than 12,000 calls for assistance each year. Those calls included care for sick or injured wild animals, dogs running loose and cases of animal abuse and neglect.
Noll, who joined the Humane Rescue Alliance (then the Washington Humane Society) five years ago as the Director of Animal Control Field Services, brought unmatched qualifications to his position. Experience as an EMT, longtime humane law enforcement officer, and K-9 officer complemented his love of all animals, making him an ideal candidate to lead the Field Services division when he arrived.
Prior to joining HRA, Noll was the Chief of Special Police at the World Bank, continuing a career in law enforcement and emergency management that began 13 years ago.
A native of New Jersey, Noll is survived by his two children, Samantha and RJ, and his girlfriend Lori Mayer.
About the Humane Rescue Alliance:
The Humane Rescue Alliance 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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Thursday, September 21, 2017
Breathtaking Shots of King Penguins Marching in Golden Sunrise
Wim’s breathtaking images show a small group of king penguins before they head out to sea at sunrise. Wim said: “The sunrise created beautiful vibrant colors and amazing reflections. I feel as though the pictures awaken a sense of awe for the beauty of these king penguins and the remote Falkland Islands.”
“I was photographing this scene while lying flat in the surf early morning. After 15 minutes or so I was completely soaked from head to toe in icy seawater, losing feeling in my hands and feet.
To read more on this story, click here: Breathtaking Shots of King Penguins Marching in Golden Sunrise
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Did You Know that Dogs See the World Differently than Humans?
The number of cones and rods is different for dogs.
Turns out, dogs have fewer cone receptors than humans, which means they can't see as many colors. Human cones can detect 3 colors: red, green, and blue.
Dog cones can only detect 2 colors. No one is certain what those 2 colors are. Some experts think it could be blue and yellow.
Alexandra Horowitz, author of "Being a Dog" told us that it's difficult to know exactly what colors a dog sees, but it's probably similar to what we see at dusk.
Dog eyes have more rods than humans, which means they can see much better at night. Dogs also have a layer of eye tissue that humans lack called the tapetum lucidum, it reflects light into the retina.
This boosts dogs' night vision even more and is why dogs' eyes shine in the dark. Turns out, dogs' eyes see much more than just black and white.
Consider that the next time you stare into those cute puppy dog eyes.
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