This week marks the one-year anniversary of our new name, the Humane Rescue Alliance. One year ago we launched a new identity focused on animals, people, and community, building on two hundred and fifty years of combined experience from the Washington Humane Society and Washington Animal Rescue League. We’ve remained committed not only to protecting and advocating for the animals in our community, but also to supporting and celebrating people’s love and compassion for them. What makes our brand truly special, is the unmatched dedication, professionalism, and passion of our staff, volunteers, and generous supporters. Without you, this work would not be possible. And although we have officially been a single entity since February 2016, October marks our first 12 months as the Humane Rescue Alliance. We’re celebrating by looking back at some of our favorite stories from our first week as HRA. To read more on this story, click here:Celebrating One Year as the Humane Rescue Alliance
Depending on where you live, winter is coming…or is already here! We love our pets as family members, so it is our responsibility to make sure that they are safe and warm in the winter. Here are some myths/facts about caring for your pets: Myth: Unlike summertime where a car acts as a greenhouse and can cause harm and even death to pets, a pet is safer in a car during winter months. Fact: Pets can freeze to death even in a short period of time. Cars act as a refrigerator in cold months. A dog alone in a car, no matter the season, is a target for thieves. Myth: All ice melts are created equal. Fact: Not all ice melts are formulated to keep pets safe. Pet-safe ice melts like Morton Safe-T-Pet are salt- and chloride-free, which is safer on pet paws and stomachs. Never use a human grade ice melt, and always sprinkle Safe-T-Pet on sidewalks; do not pile product and risk Fido or Fluffy’s health. Myth: A dog’s pads protect them from all elements of weather. Fact: Though a dog’s pads contain much fatty tissue that does not freeze as easily as other tissues, protection against scuffing, scraping, cutting, and ice damage is crucial in winter months. Ice cubes and “snowballing” may occur in the delicate areas between toes and pads. Protective booties or a product like Musher’s Secret, which is used on sledding dogs, can help ease extreme conditions on sensitive pads. Myth: Dogs do not absorb antifreeze or harmful chemicals on walks through their paws. Fact: A dog’s pads are more resilient than other parts of his body, but chemicals can be absorbed through them. In turn, chemicals like antifreeze can be licked by dogs and cause severe problems. Wipe dog pads off thoroughly after a walk, perhaps using some warm water and a washcloth to melt any ice balls that may have formed on the feet. Myth: Coats are for show and really do not keep pets warm in the winter months since animals have a natural fur coat. Fact: Dogs and cats get cold, particularly short-haired breeds, senior citizens, puppies, and pets with medical conditions. Look for an insulated sweater with a turtleneck, that covers the belly, and that allows for protection from neck to tip of tail. Myth: Dogs should gain weight in the winter to keep their fat ratio up and stay warm. Fact: Not always. Though dogs are more sedentary in winter months, gaining weight as a form of insulation is not always advised. Indoor dogs who participate in strenuous activities or winter sports may require additional food in colder months. A recent study from the Association for Pet Obesity revealed that 53 percent of cats and 55 percent of dogs are overweight or obese in the United States. Keep a pet’s heart, organs, and joints healthy and keep an eye on their weight year round. Myth: Thought a humidifier may help people, it does not do much for our pets during winter heating season. Fact: Dry air in the home can make pets itchier, cause dry noses, upper respiratory infections, more dander, and dry throats. Consider a humidifier, talk to the veterinarian about skin conditioners and fatty acid supplements for healthy skin. Myth: Fleas will not affect my pet during the winter months. Fact: Though fleas may not survive in brutal winter temperatures outside, the warmth of home means fleas gravitate towards indoor comfort where they can affect pets. Using a natural, safer product with no chemicals, and a safe alternative for pest control and prevention during colder months. Always consult a veterinarian with any questions.
Although people may not think “fitness” when they consider taking the reins, horseback riding can be a serious butt-kicking workout. It may look like the horse is getting all the exercise, but it takes balance, strong legs, and a stable core to stay in the saddle. This old school hobby is an awesome way to spend some quality time in the great outdoors and get beyond a basic gym routine. Before hitting the trails, check out Greatist’s guide to horsing around. From the Horse’s Mouth — The Need-to-Know Since people first hopped into the saddle around 3500 BCE, horses and humans have been inseparable partners in crime. When the automobile (aka “horseless carriage”) got popular in the late 1800s, horses became used for recreation, not work. These days most people pony up to exercise, compete, or just have fun. The first step before heading to the barn is deciding which style of riding to try. Most stables teach English style or Western style, although some places offer both. So what’s the difference between English and Western? The two styles use different equipment (aka “tack”), which affects the rider’s position and communication with the horse. English tack is smaller and less bulky, which makes for closer contact between the horse and rider. Western saddles were originally used by cowboys on long cattle drives, so they’re built for comfort and stability with a deep seat, long stirrups, and a saddle horn for looping a lasso (or hanging on!). To read more on this story, click here:Know Before You Go: Horseback Riding
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At the Zurich Zoo in Switzerland resides an 80-year-old tortoise named Nigrita who had 9 little hatchlings over 8 months ago. Some would say that’s quite old to have a baby, but for tortoises, it’s just the opposite! Giant tortoises are said to be one of the longest-living vertebrates on earth, with a life expectancy of over 100 years. The oldest tortoise was recorded to be 152-years-old. Now that’s impressive! According to National Geographic, tortoises live a long life because they have a slow metabolism and large internal stores of water, allowing them to live up to a year without food or water. Tortoises nap for up to 16 hours a day, sunbathe at their leisure and enjoy a diet of grasses, leaves, and other leafy greens. Unfortunately, these amazing creatures are on the list of endangered species. They were hunted as food by pirates, whalers, and merchantmen during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries where up to 100,000 tortoises were killed for their meat. Plus, feral animals are a threat to their food supply as well as their eggs. Nigrita, her 54-year-old mate Jumbo, and the 9 babies are kept safe at the Zurich Zoo, where they are part of a breeding program that is designed to protect the species from extinction. These remarkable creatures even have a chance of living until the year 2216. That’s longer than any of us mortals can say! It’s quite a miraculous feat to live an extensive, slow, and relaxing life. When born, tortoises weigh between 4 and 5 ounces, and when they are fully grown, both male and female tortoises can weigh up to 400 and 700 pounds.
Dozens of adorable dogs who were rescued from hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico are now up for adoption in New York, animal shelter sources said Sunday. A total of 28 dogs — some of which were abandoned during the natural disaster— are up for grabs at Animal Haven on the Lower East Side, said Tiffany Lacey, executive director of the shelter. “These animals are in dire need. It’s life or death down there,” Lacey urged. “Come in and adopt because you’re gonna be helping.” The furry survivors were rescued from the island by charter plane and brought to the no-kill shelter on Saturday night, according to Lacy. The furry survivors include a pure-bred Shih Tzu, Great Dane and a hound, which are available for adoption beginning Tuesday. Some of the dogs were left at shelters by owners in the aftermath of the hurricane. Others were strays before the storm struck. The raging storm worsened the country’s epidemic of homeless and starving pups. “Even without a natural disaster, it is overwhelming. There’s a very high euthanasia rate. A lot of people are dumping animals,” Lacey said. A total of 53 dogs were saved by the animal rescue group The Sato Project. Some were brought to shelters elsewhere in the United States. The rescue was funded by the John and Wendy Neu Family Foundation, which worked with The Sato Project. Anyone who wants to adopt a dog should contact the shelter at (212) 274-8511. Visit their website: Animal Haven
You see it happening more and more where prisons are adding programs where inmates work with dogs. The inmates provide the dogs with care and training, while the inmates in return learn trust, compassion and responsibility. Laurie, an inmate at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, helped train a dog named Pax, who would go on to be a service dog. Pax was eventually paired with Bill Campbell, a military veteran who suffers from PTSD and memory loss and has a major fear of crowds. When Campbell received Pax, his whole life changed. Having a dog by his side has helped him cope with the horrible effects of war and has made it possible for him to get through everyday life. Aware that Pax also helped other people along the way, like Laurie, before being paired with himself, he thought it would be nice to bring Pax back to where it all began for him. He took Pax back to the facility to visit Laurie, and their reunion was so heartwarming!
After the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster in 1986, the area was deemed uninhabitable - for humans, at least. Wild animals have since prospered in the area, including man's best friend: dogs. When residents of Pripyat and Chernobyl evacuated, many people had to leave behind their dogs. Thirty-one years later, puppies now walk around the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ), waiting for a pat on the head that will never come. As the documentary Puppies of Chernobyl explains, the animals should be avoided at all costs, since they could carry radioactive particles in their fur. It's estimated that about 900 stray dogs exist around the area and it's unknown just how much (or little) radiation is affecting them. The dogs are receiving some care, however; organizations Four Paws and Clean Futures Fund (CFF) teamed up to spay, neuter, and vaccinate the dogs to protect power plant workers. "By neutering the strays, we will also achieve a long-term reduction in their population, improving the welfare of the dogs," Julie Sander of Four Paws said to the Vet Times. "This is important because their chances of survival are greatly reduced if their numbers increase, due to lack of food and shelter in the extremely cold Winters." It is undeniably sad to watch the puppies frolic around Chernobyl in the documentary, but give it a watch anyways. You might feel sad enough to help them out.
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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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
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."
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
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
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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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.
