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

Saturday, October 21, 2017

New Yorkers Would Be Allowed to Ride the Rails and City Buses with Their Pets Out in the Open During Emergency Evacuations Under a Bill Sent to Governor, Andrew Cuomo


New Yorkers would be allowed to ride the rails and city buses with their pets out in the open during emergency evacuations under a bill sent to Governor, Andrew Cuomo.

The measure allows residents to “board any commuter transportation” with their pets “in the event that a state of emergency has been declared and an evacuation of any region of the state is in progress.”

Under current MTA rules, pets have to be “enclosed in a container” on public transportation unless they’re service animals, a no-go for residents with large furry friends.

Cuomo has until Oct. 23 to sign the bill, which was sponsored by Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan).

She introduced the measure after many pet-owning New Yorkers chose not to evacuate their homes in the midst of Hurricane Sandy.

“I observed that during a lot of natural disasters that people wouldn’t leave their homes unless they could take their animals with them,” Rosenthal told The Post.

“We saw that with Katrina. We saw it with Sandy,” she said.

In a memo accompanying the bill, she added that refusing to evacuate puts lives at risk.

“This situation to refuse evacuation not only jeopardized the lives of residents and defenseless pets, but also emergency personnel struggling to evacuate them,” said Rosenthal, who owns two cats.

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NFL Player Asks Shelter For Least Adoptable Dog And Here’s Who They Gave Him


One day, Baltimore Ravens player Ronnie Stanley went to BARCS animal shelter with his girlfriend Emily and teammate Alexander Lewis to adopt a new dog. Stanley walked up to the front desk and told the staff that he was looking for a very special pet.

“We are looking for a dog that’s been here a long time and maybe not-so-adoptable,” he said.

Everyone at BARCS was thrilled—there were so many dogs that had been sitting in the shelter for years, waiting for their perfect forever home. This included senior dogs, dogs who were physically imperfect, and dogs with ongoing medical issues.

The BARCS staff showed Stanley and Emily a few different dogs, but in the end, they chose 6-year-old Winter.

BARCS shared the entire heartwarming story on Facebook, and it quickly went viral. They wrote:

“Beautiful Winter is a dog who has spent most of her six years of life falling into sad, unfortunate situations. She was found on a vacant property, on a hot day with no electricity, or open windows. She was dehydrated and extremely frightened. Winter has a long, hanging belly, most likely a result of over breeding–something we see far too often at our shelter. Due to her age, her belly is not something that will ever tighten up. Female dogs with such characteristics are often passed by in our shelter–but not by Ronnie!
Ronnie’s thought on Winter’s belly, as recalled by our volunteers: ‘Well, that’s just what happens when you’ve had babies.’ He was much more interested in getting lots of face kisses from Winter and falling in love, rather than being worried about the appearance of her tummy. What a great guy!”

To read more on this story, click here: NFL Player Asks Shelter For Least Adoptable Dog And Here’s Who They Gave Him


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Friday, October 20, 2017

Albany, New York: No More Elephants in Circuses, Parades and Other Entertainment


Legislation that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed Thursday forbids their use in those and other entertainment events. The prohibition does not kick in for two years.

“Once again, New York State is proving to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves,’’ said state Sen. Terrence Murphy, a Westchester County Republican and the Senate’s bill’s sponsor. He credited advocacy from students with Pace University’s Environmental Policy Clinic.

Animal rights advocates for years have protested the use of elephants in circuses, citing what they said were cruel treatment of the animals and conditions that can dramatically shorten their lifespans compared with elephants in the wild.

Ringling Bros.’ circuses were among the key targets of advocates pushing for the elephant ban. The company closed last spring after 146 years in business with company officials saying the final nail was a sharp drop in ticket sales after it stopped putting elephants in its performances.

“Elephants have been exploited and abused in entertainment acts for too long,’’ said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat who sponsored the bill in the Assembly.

The Elephant Protection Act that Cuomo signed carries a financial penalty of up to $1,000 for violations. It bans the use of elephants in entertainment acts at circuses, trade shows, carnivals, parades or other such events.

Tracy Reiman, executive vice president of PETA, an animal rights group, said the new law brings New York "one step closer to a day when the only performers in circuses are willing human ones who can go home to their families at night."

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Dog-Loving UPS Drivers Created a Wonderful Facebook Page Full of the Pups They Meet at Work


Meet Sean McCarren: UPS driver, dog lover, and your average American hero. 

Per Buzzfeed, he's spent the last 17 years working for UPS, bringing joy to not only humans, but their pets too. So to document his pup encounters, McCarren created a Facebook page for the community of UPS drivers who also just so happen to be dog lovers. He dubbed it UPS Dogs and wait until you see the pics.. 

"I started the page five years ago. I love dogs [and] we have about 30 drivers that post on a regular basis," McCarren told Mashable. "But what the page tries to portray is positive connection with the people and families day to day."

To read more on this story, click here: Dog-Loving UPS Drivers Created a Wonderful Facebook Page Full of the Pups They Meet at Work


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Lost Dog Can't Believe She's Seeing Her Owner Again — Until She Smells Him


For two long years, this sweet dog named Pakita had struggled to find a home.

She'd been dropped off at Argentina's Arca Animal refuge by a person who claimed to have found her wandering the streets as a stray. There, Pakita was welcomed with open arms by volunteer Silvia Ferreyra and her colleagues, but the dog was sad and withdrawn. She kept getting passed over for younger, happier dogs.

"People prefer puppies," Ferreyra told The Dodo. "So, for two years, she stayed with us."

What they didn't know, of course, was that Pakita already had a home — and a best friend who was missing her dearly.

To read more on this story, click here:  Lost Dog Can't Believe She's Seeing Her Owner Again — Until She Smells Him



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Some People Decided to Show How Animals Enhance Their Lives by Getting Animal Tattoos


Is seeing an animal you adore sure to put a smile on your face? Some people decided to show how animals enhance their lives by getting tattoos to elicit that very response with every glance! Take a look at  how a few creative animal enthusiasts took permanent steps to share their appreciation for animals with the world.

Panda Tattoo
Many people don’t know that pandas used to roam all across China millions of years ago. Now, they primarily live in the mountain ranges of central China – which is an interesting fact that you can share with people when they see your adorable panda tattoo!



Kitty Reaching for the Stars Tattoo
Cat owners know that felines are forever curious. This enthralling tattoo perfectly represents the mentality of a feline, showcasing a cute cat reaching for the stars!



Snake Tattoo
It isn’t always the first creature people feel affection for, but there’s a sizeable amount of the population who greatly enjoys the sinuous beauty and stubborn survivalist nature of the snake. This brave woman decided to show her love for this animal with a subtle hand tattoo.



Bear Tattoo
It’s important to bear in mind that those of the ursine lineage are capable of quiet grace and beauty. Though the cute and often clumsy idea of a bear is common in everything from cartoons to wood carvings, a stunning tattoo like this captures the wild elegance in their hearts.



Deer Tattoo
Deer lovers are sure to fawn over the beauty of this tattoo. It’s appropriate that this tattoo was placed on the ankle, as deer are fond of running and jumping around!



Sometimes Subtlety is the Best Option
Not everyone wants to get a prominent tattoo that’s easily seen. A compact tattoo, such as a baby scorpion behind your ear, is an excellent way to represent an animal that you care about without drawing a lot of attention.




Love for the Sea
Maybe your favorite creature resides in the water! If so, you may want to ink your skin with a colorful representation of one of the most popular residents of the ocean – like this fanciful crab!



Eye of the Tiger
The tiger is a stunning animal – and one under threat from habitat loss and poaching. So a tattoo as beautiful as this one is not only a great conversation-starter, it may lead to another great conversation as well.



Family of Elephants


Whether sweet, silly, or captivating, an animal tattoo can be a fun and creative way to show your appreciation for the creatures that inspire us every day. If you’re getting a tattoo, consider going a little wild with it. It’s a great way to share your fascination, and could even start a dialogue that raises awareness about protecting the species you love!

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Family Dog Was Supposed to Cremated: Found Alive At Veterinary Worker’s Home


Howell Township, NJ - A New Jersey family was told their dog had been put down five months ago, but little did they know the pet had been living with a veterinary worker all that time.

Caesar's family grieved for their pet when they believed the chronically ill dog they had for 15 years was put down at Briarwood Veterinary Hospital in Howell, Monmouth County.

That was until they received a tip call last week saying the dog was actually still alive.

"I'm dumbfounded. I don't even know how to say, I don't know how to feel," said Caesar's owner, Lonnie Levy.

He paid $192 for the dog's cremation and even got a condolence letter from Dr. George Menez, the family's longtime vet.

But instead of euthanizing Caesar, Menez allegedly let a vet tech in the office take the dog home without the Levy's knowledge or permission.

"You charge me to put him down and then sneak him out the back door? It's horrifying," Levy said.

When police got involved the vet tech was ordered to return Caesar, who by then was so ill he had to be euthanized immediately.

"To this date, we have not confirmed that there was any type of veterinary care being rendered to this dog," said Chief Ross Licitra of the Monmouth County SPCA.

"There's potential of theft charges against the doctor for basically taking the victim's money and not performing the service," said Chief Andrew Kudrick of the Howell Twp. Police Department.

Action News was unable to contact Dr. Menez for comment. He and the vet tech involved no longer work at Briarwood.

The veterinarian who bought the practice just last week and helped the Levys figure out what happened is upset.

"It's hard enough when you have to decide a pet should pass, but you have to deal with that twice with the same pet? It's just unthinkable," said Dr. Maureen Kibisz.

Local police and the SPCA will meet with the Monmouth County prosecutor's office on Thursday to discuss if any charges will be filed.





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Thursday, October 19, 2017

Arlington, Virginia: Owners of Exotic Species as Companion Animals Are Allowed to Keep Them


Arlington, VA - Owners of snakes, panthers and crocodiles: If you already claim a wild and exotic species as a companion animal in this famously liberal suburb, you get to keep them.

If you’ve dawdled over choosing between a skunk or a bobcat, however, you’re out of luck.

The Arlington County Board Tuesday night banned the ownership of a whole variety of species — primates, raccoons, wolves or wolf hybrids, coyotes, squirrels, foxes, leopards, tigers, lions (even in Lyon Park), bears, wildcats, ratites (a diverse group of large, flightless birds), venomous snakes, and certain scorpions, centipedes and spiders.

Hedgehogs are permitted, as are nonvenomous snakes.

“What began as a seemingly straightforward effort to ban exotic pets in Arlington became much more complex and nuanced as the process evolved,” Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette said in a statement.

“Ultimately, through a lot of conversation with the community, we were able to adopt a Code amendment that reaches a practical balance of the input received from all sides and is enforceable.”

The county in February first proposed the ban, but it was delayed due to an outcry from pet owners and the state, which pointed out many of the creatures Arlington sought to ban or register were already prohibited.

The change allows Arlington officials to enforce the ban, and require registration of existing exotic pets through the Arlington Animal Welfare League.

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