Friday, July 27, 2012

8 Risks of Renting with a Pet


Searching for a rental that meets all of your location, price, and amenity preferences is hard. Finding a place that has it all and allows pets is even harder. No matter how much joy Fido or Kitty bring you, having a pet is a huge hassle when renting an apartment or house. Pets are expensive, time consuming, and sometimes destructive. Knowing ahead of time what to expect when renting with a pet can help you better prepare for the risks you may encounter.

Click HERE to learn the 8 risks of renting with a pet.

California 'actively reviewing' charity executive

This is a follow-up on the SPCA International "Baghdad Pups" charity investigation (see my previous post).

On July 13, 2012, CNN filed another story, this time focused on SPCA International employee and former Noah’s Wish president Terri Crisp.

Read the CNN story at the following link:
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/13/us/california-charity-review/index.html

Related video:


In 2007, Terri Crisp made headlines when she was fired from Noah’s Wish, a nonprofit she founded. Crisp and Noah’s Wish raised 8 million dollars during Katrina. Crisp and her daughter Jennifer McKim (also employed by SPCAI) live in Somerset.

The California Attorney General’s office investigated the nonprofit for misuse of funds raised during Katrina and settled the case against Noah’s Wish in 2007. The AG stipulated that 4 million of the 8 million dollars raised go back to the state of Louisiana where donors had intended for the funds to be used.

Additionally, the founder of the nonprofit, Terri Crisp, was fired from the organization and the settlement agreement was banned from having a fiduciary role with another nonprofit for a period of 5 years.

This is the settlement agreement with Noah’s Wish:
http://ag.ca.gov/charities/pdf/ms.pdf

According to the CNN story, Ms. Crisp is once again being looked at by the California Attorney General’s office. SPCA International is also being investigated.

Cool Dogs: 30 Dogs Cooling Off

From The Huffington Post:

During the dog days of summer it can feel impossible to stay cool. And if you grew up in the suburbs, you know about the false promise of a kiddie pool. Sure, it cools you off when you're a baby, but once you're grown up that shallow water is a joke. A joke, we say!


But there are some creatures who can take full advantage of the pools (and water in general). Namely: dogs.

Oh, to be carefree like a dog, plopped in a kiddie pool that his owners probably blew up just for him, sprayed with a cold hose, or paddling in a lake to get a tennis ball.

We decided to let you live vicariously through these lazy, silly, adventurous, but ultimately cool dogs by collecting some of our favorite photos of dogs cooling off in water. Hopefully you'll take to it like (wait for it) a dog to water!

View this wonderful slide show on The Huffington Post.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

MyPetRescueBlog.com is a Petties DogTime's Pet Blog Award Finalist!

WOW!  I am so honored that MyPetRescueBlog.com has been chosen as a finalist in the "Best Overall Pet Blog" category for DogTime.com's Petties Annual Pet Blog Awards.

You can vote for MyPetRescueBlog.com at the following link:
http://petties.dogtime.com/


 

Thank you very much to my loyal vistors and DogTime.com for this HUGE honor!

WAG! Dog Festival in Hilliard, OH


Looking for a splashy and drooltastic time spent with your best furry friend and their owners? Look no further. WAG! Dog Festival is at attention and excited to give dogs across Central Ohio the best FREE adventure of their lives!

With endless trails to wander, exhibits to experience and lots of treats to taste, all tails will be left wagging after a day’s adventure at WAG!

WAG! is the most exciting, largest family-friendly dog festivals in Central Ohio. It all takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 25, 2012 in the Darby Bend Lakes Area of Prairie Oaks Metro Parks in Hilliard, Ohio.

The WAG! Marketplace will include exhibits of products, samples and services from pet retailers, clubs and organizations dedicated to the health and well being of canines.

  • Dogs can take a dip at the Water Bark Beach off-leash swim area.
  • Demonstrations, entertaining programs and contests at the Take a Bow-Wow Stage. Pups that stand out from the pack will have a chance to compete in the Top Dog Contest.
  • Guests can meet experts from various area rescue groups to learn about the best four-legged match for their home and lifestyle at the Meet the Breed Pavilion.
  • The icy oasis of the Canine Ice Castle will provide for a cool canine respite on a warm afternoon.
  • Captivating disk demonstrations and dog agility demonstrations by some of the area’s most talented canines.
  • Canine companion adoptions available through various dog rescue groups.
  • And much more!
WAG! helps over 30 Central Ohio dog-serving organizations reach thousands of donors and potential parents each year.

Visit www.wagfest.com for more information.

Pedigree Dog Food Recall

On Saturday, June 30, 2012, Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary dog food recall of a limited number of three varieties of Pedigree weight management canned products due to a potential choking risk.

Affected product may contain small pieces of blue plastic — which entered the food during the production process.

The source of the plastic has been identified and the issue resolved.

Consumers who have purchased affected product are advised to discard the food or return it to the retailer for a full refund.

While a small number of consumers have reported finding the plastic pieces, the company claims it has not received any reports of injury or illness associated with the affected product.

The lot codes indicated below should not be sold or consumed.

Affected product was distributed to retail customers throughout the United States. Mars Petcare US is working with its distributors and retail customers to ensure the recalled products are no longer sold and are removed from inventory.

Click here to read the full story.

Forever Ellen & Leo - Farewell Angels

Ellen:  Michael Vick Dog Fighting Survivor Euthanized

One of the rescued pit bulls, otherwise known as the Vicktory dogs, saved from the dog fighting ring bankrolled by Michael Vick in 2007 was euthanized after coming down with an unknown illness.



11-year-old Ellen was living at Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. Sadly, she began rapidly, and inexplicably, losing weight and muscle leaving her caregivers with humane euthanasia as the only choice after exhausting all other options.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/michael-vick-dog-fighting-survivor-euthanized.html#ixzz20RzBXA31


Leo, Former Michael Vick Dog Dies



Leo, one of the dogs brutalized in Michael Vick’s Bad Newz kennel, died last week of a seizure disorder. Gaining fame as a therapy dog, Leo was a shining example of how animals can heal if given the chance.

In 2007 Leo became one of fifty Pit bulls rescued from the dog fighting kennel owned by Vick. He went to live with Marthina McClay, founder of Our Pack Pit Bull Rescue and under her guidance earned his mark as a superstar therapy dog. Together the duo worked in hospitals to bring comfort to cancer patients.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/leo-former-michael-vick-dog-dies-slides.html#ixzz20S0cck1C.

Little of charity's money going to help animals

(CNN) -- A charity that raised close to $27 million to help animals worldwide spent nearly all of that money on fund-raising expenses paid to a direct-mail company.

In addition, CNN found that the charity, SPCA International, misrepresented one of its programs called "Baghdad Pups" on its tax filings and hired an officer for that program with a questionable background.




Jo Ann's comment:

There is certainly nothing wrong with making charitable donations to the larger organizations, but it has been proven, time and time again, that too much money is wasted on other things leaving little for the actual rescue or care of animals.

I have always been a strong advocate for the small, local rescue groups... as they are the ones who do a far better job for the prevention of cruelty and neglect, fighting for affordable spay/neuter programs, and giving our homeless animals a second chance through careful adoption policies.  They do all of this with very little funds.

So, if you really want to help the animals and make charitable donations, please support the local rescue groups in your own hometown.  They will spend those donations wisely and you will indeed be helping to save a life.

7 Awesome Pet Tips for Road Trips

I found this to be a very helpful and informative article for those taking their pets on the road this summer:

A family road trip just isn’t complete without Fido or Kitty in the back seat. Traveling with your furry friends can truly enhance a vacation, but it can also complicate one if you’re not prepared. From the lodging to the crate, there are so many important things to consider before you pack your pets and hit the road. Check out these seven awesome pet tips for road trips.

Click here to read the full story.