Australian-Shepherd-Lovers.com All About Your Favorite Breed. Information and resources featuring sections on Australian Shepherd history, health, genetics, temperament, training and agility with directories of rescue organizations and breeders.
ASPCA Assists in Interstate Transfer of Puppy Mill Rescues
In mid-October, the ASPCA was contacted about an organization in North Dakota, the Central Dakota Humane Society (CDHS), which had seized 129 dogs from an alleged puppy mill. The raid had filled the CDHS shelter to capacity, forcing the agency to leave approximately 60 dogs at the mill until more shelter space could be made. According to Sue Buchholz, CDHS shelter director, all the rescued dogs had parasites and were underweight; some were nearly dead of starvation while others had old wounds, ear infections, pregnancies and other health issues.
Puppy Mill Rescue Dog
It was clear that dogs had to be moved out, and quickly—so the ASPCA reached out to our partners to see if there were any organizations in the region willing and able to accept a sizable transfer of rescued dogs. Colorado’s Humane Society of Boulder Valley stepped forward to take 35 canines, but did not have the resources to move them to Colorado, so the ASPCA offered the use of our custom built animal transport vehicle.
On November 5, our driver, an animal assistant and a group of mostly mixed-breed dogs completed their journey of more than 600 miles and arrived at Boulder Valley. “Almost every dog we received is highly social, but also highly fearful,” says Connie Howard, Humane Society of Boulder Valley Vice President of Operations.
All 35 dogs were evaluated and placed in the shelter’s behavior modification program, where trainers work with them individually at least twice a day. “They are struggling, of course, with tasks such as walking on leashes, but overall are making rapid progress and doing really well,” reports Howard. Most of the dogs have been made available for adoption, and two lucky pups have already gone home with new pet parents.
Dogs Win Big on Election Day with Historic Victory in Missouri
Fed up with their state’s reputation as the Puppy Mill Capital of America, Missourians hit the polls on Election Day to declare that enough is enough! On Tuesday, November 2, voters in the Show Me State passed the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, which appeared on their ballots as Proposition B. (Although policy reform is most often generated through state legislatures, Prop B was a citizen supported initiative). It is an incredible victory, and one we hope will send a strong message to the governments of other states—namely, that the public wants better conditions for puppy mill dogs, and will take on the task of changing the law themselves if elected officials fail to act.
In the last three years, 15 states, including major puppy mill states such as Iowa, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, have passed laws to crack down on puppy mills. However, in no other state were the stakes higher for puppy mill dogs than Missouri.
Missouri’s weak laws regulating commercial kennels have made it a haven for substandard breeders. As home to one-third of all the commercial dog breeding facilities in the U.S.—as many as the next three largest dog breeding states combined—Missouri supplies more than 40 percent of all puppies sold in pet stores nationwide. No matter where you live, there’s a good chance that the puppies in the window of your local pet store came from a Missouri puppy mill. Implementation of the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act will provide welcome relief to tens of thousands of adult breeding dogs—not to mention the approximately one million puppies born in Missouri kennels every year.
The new Missouri law, which becomes effective in one year, requires that dogs at these large-scale facilities be provided with sufficient food and clean water, regular veterinary care, adequate housing and space, and access to regular exercise. And with passage of Proposition B, Missouri becomes the fifth state—joining Louisiana, Oregon, Virginia and Washington—to create a limit on the number of intact, adult breeder dogs a commercial dog breeder may keep.
“Tuesday’s passage of Proposition B reflects a landmark achievement in the ongoing fight against animal cruelty,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “We are proud to have worked diligently on this campaign, and we celebrate this victory alongside the caring citizens of Missouri. The ASPCA is committed to working with local animal welfare groups to help breeders transition to the new humane standards and find loving homes for any displaced Missouri breeding dogs.”
The ASPCA wishes to thank our supporters all over the country for helping us advocate for Proposition B to your friends and family in Missouri. This victory is the culmination of 18 months of work for the ASPCA and our partners in Missourians for the Protection of Dogs, and it is proof that when we join together to use our voices for animals, we will be heard!
Multiple Puppy Mill Rescues in Missouri Highlight Need for Prop B
The ASPCA is currently on the ground in St. Clair County, MO, where we are managing the removal and transfer of 34 dogs from a puppy mill. The dogs were relinquished to Half-way Home Pet Rescue, the organization that originally contacted the ASPCA for assistance with the transfer. This rescue marks the third time in one week that the ASPCA has been contacted to help transfer dogs and puppies from Missouri puppy mills—as well as private residences—where owners have failed to provide adequate care for their animals.
“These incidents reinforce the need for Missourians to vote ‘yes’ on Proposition B,” says Tim Rickey, the ASPCA’s Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response. Also known as the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, Prop B aims to raise the standards of care for dogs in Missouri’s more than 3,000 commercial breeding facilities, which export more than 40 percent of all dogs sold in pet stores nationwide. If passed, Prop B would require Missouri’s large-scale breeders to limit the number of breeding females to 50, as well as enact common-sense standards such as requiring dogs to be provided with sufficient food and clean water, regular veterinary care, adequate housing and space, and access to regular exercise.
“Current Missouri regulations concerning puppy mills are not being enforced properly because they are vague, complicated and confusing,” says Kyle Held, the ASPCA’s Midwest Director of Field Investigations and Response and team leader of the recent Missouri rescues. “Breeding operations in clear violation of existing laws have been able to stay in business or regain their licenses after being cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If Prop B passes, it will provide clear standards for the care of the dogs—and give local law enforcement officials the ability to enforce them.”
We Need Your Help!
The ASPCA strongly urges Missouri citizens to vote YES! on Prop B and transform your state from the puppy mill capital of the United States to a national leader in puppy mill reform.
Don’t live in Missouri, but still want to help? Please support puppy mill dogs by posting this article on your Facebook page or blog, or by visiting www.yesonpropb.com.
Puggy, a 10 year old Pekingese from Texas has just been awarded the Guinness World Record for longest tongue in the canine world. Puggy’s tongue measures 4.5 inches! His owner, Becky Stanford, found him as an abandoned dog.
A tongue this long doesn’t come without its perils. Puggy’s owner, Becky, has to cut his food into really small pieces because when he chews, he chews with his tongue.
People often do a double-take when they see Puggy walk by but according to Stanford, “It makes me feel good that he can bring a smile to someone’s face. That, in itself, brings me so much joy!”
4. Vote for the $100K Challenge Community Engagement Award
Earlier this week, we announced that the $100K Challenge contestants have saved a total of 33,268 animals’ lives since the competition began on August 1. That’s an increase of nearly 10 percent over last year! Remember, the shelter that saves the most lives by the end of October will take home the competition’s $100,000 grand prize.
And though we’ve been talking a LOT about numbers these past few weeks, another essential part of this Challenge is the innovative way each shelter is motivating its community to get involved in its life-saving mission. So essential, in fact, that we’re granting $25,000 to the shelter that motivates its community the most!
For the next two weeks, please visit www.VotetoSaveLives.org to cast one vote each day and help decide which shelter in the $100K Challenge will receive the Community Engagement Award and a $25,000 grant. Even one vote can make a big difference to your favorite Challenge contestant. The three shelters that receive the most votes and save at least 300 more lives over the same period in 2009 will become finalists for the Community Engagement Award. So get clicking and cast your vote every day from October 15 through October 31!
For more information about the ASPCA $100K Challenge, or to cast your vote for your favorite shelter contestant, please visit www.VotetoSaveLives.org.
Missouri has a proposition on their ballot this November. It is not only important for the dogs in Missouri, but in the long run, important for dogs everywhere.
From the ASPCA website:
Proposition B proposes to vastly improve the lives of dogs in Missouri’s commercial breeding operations by limiting the number of breeding dogs to 50 per facility and requiring basic elements of humane care including clean water, regular exercise and adequate rest for female dogs between litters.
Proposition B is a citizen-sponsored, state ballot initiative to pass the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act and reduce the suffering of tens of thousands of dogs in Missouri’s puppy mills. Known as the “Puppy Mill Capital of America,” Missouri is home to an estimated 3,000 puppy mills—23% of the mills in the U.S. and far more than any other state—and is a leading source of puppies to other areas of the country.
Missourians for the Protection of Dogs /YES! on Prop B, a grassroots organization supported by the ASPCA, the Humane Society of Missouri, the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation and the Humane Society of the United States, gathered more than 190,000 signatures and secured a place for the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act on the November 2010 state ballot as “Proposition B.” On November 2, Missouri voters will have the opportunity to vote YES! on Prop B and end some of the worst abuses of dogs routinely committed by puppy mills in their state.
What Is Prop B?
Proposition B (the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act) will vastly improve the lives of dogs in commercial breeding operations in Missouri. It will limit the number of breeding dogs to 50 per facility and require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each breeding dog under their care with basic humane animal care, including:
Sufficient food and clean water;
Necessary veterinary care;
Sufficient housing, including protection from the elements;
Sufficient space to turn and stretch freely, lie down, and fully extend their limbs;
Regular exercise; and
Adequate rest between breeding cycles.
“While dog fighting and other blood sports often dominate headlines, puppy mills are just as insidious a form of animal cruelty,” says Ed Sayres, President and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “This joint effort and ballot initiative is a crucial step in combating the horrific cruelty perpetuated by many commercial breeders. This measure will provide man’s best friend the opportunity to breathe fresh air and feel sunlight on their face; meeting these very fundamental needs should be unquestioned.”
Dogs at puppy mills typically receive little to no medical care, live in squalid conditions with no exercise, socialization or human interaction, and are confined inside cramped wire cages for life. They must endure constant breeding cycles, and their offspring are sold in pet stores, online and directly to consumers with little to no regard for the dog’s health, genetic history or future welfare.
If you’re a Missouri citizen, please vote YES! on Prop B on November 2 and transform your state from the “Puppy Mill Capital of America” to a national leader in puppy mill reform.
Don’t live in Missouri, but still want to help? You can make a difference in the lives of countless dogs by contributing a donation to support Prop B. Visit www.yesonpropb.com to donate today!
After hearing Save-A-Pet’s plea for financial assistance, two very generous donors have come forward and agreed to help Save-A-Pet Adoption Center by way of a Challenge Grant, named after their beloved dog Abby.
These very generous donors have agreed to match all funds collected up to $5,000.
Abby’s Challenge Grant will take place during the month of October only.
Funds collected for this program will be used to pay for the health care expenses of existing canine residents as well as recently rescued dogs.
Save-A-Pet is extremely fortunate and grateful for this amazing offer.
I hope you will find it in your hearts to come forward and support this program.
Date: Friday, October 01, 2010 - Sunday, October 31, 2010
Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals hosts the Jersey Shore’s first “fur” ball for people and their pups–supports the work of New Jersey’s neediest animal rescue groups.
Saturday, October 9th, 6-10pm
Ocean Place Resort, Long Branch, NJ
Long Branch (August 30, 2010) – Join the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals this fall at the Blue Moon Bark Ball, the Jersey Shore’s first black-tie optional gala for people AND their pooches! Hosted by Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch, NJ, the “Fur Ball” fundraiser will take place on Saturday, October 9th, from 6-10pm, with proceeds supporting New Jersey’s neediest animal rescue organizations. Enjoy signature “Blue Muttini” cocktails and open bar, surf and turf dinner, dancing with music by East Coast favorite, the Eddie Bruce Band, auctions of unique and luxurious prizes for you and your pet and a King and Queen of the Ball Awards.
Tickets are $200 per person and canine companions are free. Table reservations, journal advertisements, and sponsorships are available. Visit http://www.purrnpoochfoundation.org to purchase tickets online as reservations are limited. Journal advertisements are due by September 17. Contact Event Co-Chair Jean Hager at 732-693-3080 for more information. “The Blue Moon Bark Ball is sure to be a stellar event! Dogs will feast on specially prepared cuisine and dance the two-step with their family and four-legged friends, while raising important funds to help less fortunate animals in desperate need of sanctuary, protection, care, and love,” Jean Hager, Co-Chair, Blue Moon Bark Ball & Treasurer, Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals.
The very “pupular” Eddie Bruce Band features concert quality vocalists and masterful musicians who drive guests to the dance floor. Lead performer Bruce will also showcase his newest cd, “Bruce on Bennett”, a loving vocal tribute to Tony Bennett featuring a jazz influenced singer and piano, bass, drums and guitar. Event Honorary Chairs are Dick and Mary Palazzo of Monmouth Beach and the Bark of the Ball and Honoree is Grace, a German Shepherd recently rescued and rehabilitated by Dick Palazzo and foster owner Chris O’Rourke of Red Bank.
Dick Palazzo, a widely regarded trainer and behaviorist, asked a New Jersey shelter to give a German Shepherd deemed aggressive and marked for death “thirty days of grace” to stay alive so he may restore her trust and confidence in people. He worked hand-in-paw with the rescue, who he later named Grace. This story of hope inspired daughters Koren and Betsy to establish the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals on the special occasion of the 40th Anniversary of Purr’n Pooch, their father’s luxury boarding and daycare business. To this day, Grace has been wonderful and although happy endings for needy animals are far too uncommon, her story has given the Foundation the same thing Dick gave Grace – hope. “Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone. Without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own.” Rogers & Hart, 1934, “The lyrics from this nostalgic love song depict the first meeting of our father and a two-year old German Shepherd marked for death at an animal shelter. The emaciated, yet still beautiful dog had been branded as “aggressive”, but when our father looked into her soft brown eyes, he knew that she was simply misunderstood. This is one of the many stories that have inspired us to found the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals,” said Koren Spaddavechia and Betsy Palazzo, Trustees, Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals.
The Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals is dedicated to providing financial support and educational resources to non-profit, no-kill animal rescue groups and organizations. The Purr’n Pooch Foundation supports all species of animals, including but not limited to companion pets, farming animals and wildlife. The Board of Trustees include: President Betsy Palazzo, Vice President Koren Spadavecchia, Treasurer Jean Hager, Secretary Maryann Small and Trustee Shannon Gance. The Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Visit http://www.purrnpoochfoundation.org for more information or to make a donation to support the worthy efforts of New Jersey based non-profit, no-kill animal rescue groups and organizations.
U.S. House Votes to Prohibit Sale and Distribution of Crush Videos
On Wednesday, July 21, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 416-3 to pass H.R. 5566, the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010. The nearly unanimous affirmative vote, as well as the fact that 262 representatives attached their names to the bill as cosponsors, makes this a decisive victory for animals—especially considering that the bill was introduced only one month ago.
Representative Elton Gallegly (R-CA) introduced H.R. 5566 in response to the Supreme Court’s April ruling that the original Crush Act, a 1999 federal law banning the creation, sale and possession of materials depicting genuine acts of animal cruelty, is unconstitutional and overbroad in its scope. The Crush Act had succeeded in curbing commercial trade of “crush” fetish videos, which generally depict a woman’s feet as they crush to death small animals such as rodents and kittens. Now, in the absence of any enforceable federal law, this horrific underground industry is on the ascent.
H.R. 5566 amends the Crush Act to prohibit distributing, selling or offering to distribute or sell any depictions of animals being crushed, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or burned where such actions are illegal. Rep. Gallegly reportedly worked with law and constitutional scholars when drafting the bill to ensure that its language is narrowly tailored to be able to withstand strict First Amendment challenges.
Legislation of this kind must pass both chambers of Congress to become U.S. law—and so far, a companion bill to H.R. 5566 has not been introduced in the Senate. Congress will soon enjoy a month-long recess; upon its return in September, the ASPCA will encourage the Senate to take up the Crush Videos Act of 2010. The current federal legislative session (the 111th United States Congress) ends on January 3, 2011, so it is vital that the Senate act with the same speed and resolve demonstrated by the members of the House of Representatives.
We will alert ASPCA Advocacy Brigade subscribers when a Senate version of this bill is introduced, so please join the Brigade today and don’t miss any breaking news about the progress of this and other animal-related legislation.
We hear the cries all the time, “We need more government regulation. More laws! More oversight!”, when in fact what we should be crying is, “Enforce the EXISTING laws!”
Really people, do we need any more laws on the books? Take the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). According to a recent posting on the ASPCA site, “Earlier this week, the Office of the Inspector General released a report detailing the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) lax and ineffective enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) against licensed large-scale dog breeders and brokers known as puppy mills. As part of the investigation, auditors visited 81 facilities and reviewed records documenting 28,443 violations over a two-year period. http://www.aspca.org/news/national/05-28-10.html#1
These puppy mill puppies were all living in the same cage
Despite regular inspections, inhumane conditions continued. It was found at an Oklahoma mill, that even though 5 dogs were found dead and other dogs were becoming cannibals due to suffering from starvation, no action was taken by investigators. Twenty-two other dogs died as a result of their non-action.
The ASPCA continues their nationwide investigations. They also support the enactment of a citizens-sponsored legislation, Missouri Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act (http://www.aspca.org/blog/landmark-mo-puppy-mill.html). The legislation has its merits as it calls for substantially improving the lives of dogs by requiring large-scale breeding operations to provide sufficient food and clean water, necessary veterinary care, adequate housing, space and exercise. The Animal Welfare Act does not really address those issues. It deals more with licensing of large scale dealer (breeders), pet stores, exhibitors and the like it does not require smaller breeders (those that don’t earn a substantial income from the breeding of animals) to be licensed. It also does not deal with the conditions under which these animals should live (though it does state that they should be treated humanely, but that is an open door for interpretation). The Missouri Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act addresses that problem.
Had the original law been written correctly and with deeper foresight and thought, the Missouri Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act would not been needed. Would it have been so hard to include in the AWA exactly “what” is considered humane conditions (or what inhumane conditions are?) All that would be needed is enforcement of the existing law. Why is it that our legislators cannot do it right the first time? Are they so caught up in their legalese that they can’t see the forest for the trees?
