Wednesday, November 20, 2013

USDA: Please Stop Random Source Dog Dealers

Petition - The Humane Society of the United States

Our undercover investigation revealed that Georgia Regents University buys dogs from a random source Class B dealer, Kenneth Schroeder, who obtained multiple dogs from unauthorized sources and has serious animal housing problems, among other violations. Class B dealers obtain dogs and cats from "random sources," such as auctions, flea markets, or questionable means, and sell them to laboratories. Pets can get caught up in this pipeline.

We are pleased that USDA is bringing federal enforcement action against Schroeder, but we must urge the agency to crack down on the remaining handful of random source Class B dealers that have ongoing animal welfare violations.

TAKE ACTION
Watch our undercover investigation video here featuring actress and advocate Kim Basinger, then fill in and submit the form below to send a message to the USDA.


Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Puppy and the Treadmill


Dog Treks 10 Miles in Freezing Cold to Find Beloved Mate

From Care2.com


This is the best canine love story you will read today – or possibly ever!

If you thought dogs don’t have feelings, get ready to change your mind.

Ben, a 4 1/2-year-old mixed breed (above left), and Jade, a 1-year-old German Shepherd mix (above right), were two strays who met on the streets of Terre Haute, Indiana, and fell in love. (Yes, dogs can fall in love.) The pair was well known and cared for in the local community, but when Jade became pregnant last summer, the Terre Haute Humane Society (THHS) brought them to their shelter.

The couple were initially kenneled together, but after Jade gave birth to six puppies, a THHS adoption counselor Kali Skinner took the mom and babies home to take care of them for eight weeks. She eventually found homes for all six puppies. Jade was timid, but a “very caring mother,” Skinner told the Tribune-Star.

The new mother and father were reunited back at the shelter until Courtney and Jason Lawler decided they wanted to adopt Ben, but not Jade. They decided that one pet was enough, partly because they have a 3-year-old son who can be quite a handful himself.

They should have checked with Ben before separating him from his mate.

Read the full story on Care2.com.

Scientist Says New Research Proves 'Dogs Are People Too'

By Pawnation.com

Do you ever think that your dog knows exactly how you feel? It probably does. According to the Daily Mail U.K., Gregory Berns, a professor of neuroeconomics at Emory University, has discovered that dogs have emotions just like humans.





Read the full story on Pawnation.com.

Petition against animals on Craigslist

UPDATE April 2, 2014:  During the six months since I started this petition asking Craigslist to change their policies on pet ads, many positive things have happened, including media coverage, attorneys, and multiple communications sent directly to Craigslist.

The latest news is that on February 3rd 2014, my attorneys, David Feldman and Norm Sherman from ForeverCare Pet Mediation sent a second communication to Craigslist's CEO, Jim Buckmaster. This letter was confirmed received by his office, as it was signed directly by a Craigslist employee. Since he has not responded, I wanted to share the content of that letter with all 380,000 of you.

I created my own website to keep everyone updated so please visit http://puppydoekiya.com/ to sign up to receive updates. You can also read the entire letter to Craigslist and view a complete timeline of the story.

Thanks again for all of your signatures and support!


Justice for Puppy Doe: Tell Craigslist to Help Stop Violence Against Pets

SIGN THE PETITION ON CHANGE.ORG

Petition by Joyel E.
Braintree, MA
On August 31st 2013, a young, small, female dog named ‘Puppy Doe’ was found brutally tortured in a Quincy, Massachusetts park, and we were all left wondering who could let this happen to any animal. The dog’s injuries were so violent and severe that the only humane thing to do was to euthanize her. She had been starved, burned, stabbed, and limbs pulled from her joints in what’s been described as a “medieval’ style torture.

It was later determined that the original owner of the dog had to give her up for undermined reasons. According to media reports, the owner decided to put the dog, named Kiya, up for adoption on Craigslist. Craigslist is often a go-to source for animal abusers looking for victims because it is anonymous and there is no accountability or screening process like regular shelters and rescue groups provide. I'm asking Craigslist to change their policies on these re-homing ads, and only allow registered shelters and rescues to post adoptable pets so it is never again a part of tragedies like what happened to Puppy Doe.

The before and after pictures of "Puppy Doe" speak for themselves. How many more times does this have to happen before Craigslist stops allowing people to give their pets away to strangers without any background checks or accountability? They already prohibit the sale of these animals, so I want them to update their policy to not allow the re-homing of pets by anyone not working for a registered shelter or rescue group that is able to conduct background checks to make sure animals are placed in loving homes.

I'm passionate about this cause because no animal should have to suffer anything close to what 'Puppy Doe' endured.  I'm a passionate animal lover who grew up in Quincy, Massachusetts and remember playing at the playground where Puppy Doe was found.  I’ve tested the Craigslist platform since this horrendous incident and there are no warnings whatsoever on the ‘Pets’ section about the dangers of posting these re-homing ads. These are breathing, feeling, loving animals we’re talking about, not old sofas or televisions -- we need to challenge Craigslist to do better by adopting a new policy that protects these vulnerable animals.

It's beyond words that this sweet, innocent dog, that once knew love had to suffer this violent, evil fate. If actions were taken to change the "free to a good home" style ads, there would be some justice in Puppy Doe's name knowing that another pet will never suffer such violence as a result of being dumped on Craigslist.

I have been gutted since the moment I heard about Puppy Doe, and recalled hearing about the "dog serial killer" who tortured dogs he collected off of Craigslist last year, along with other countless horror stories. Also, we must not forget the story of the notorious Boston 'Craigslist Killer' murders which led Craigslist to ban the "erotic services" section on their site.

I believe strongly that this petition is an effective way to make a difference. I will take it as far as it can possibly go to make sure Craigslist updates its policy to not allow any re-homing of animals through its site unless done by proper shelters and rescue groups.

To Puppy Doe: Rest in Peace sweet angel girl, and know that there are thousands of people who love you and are seeking justice.

Dog and elephant are best buddies

By DogTime Staff



 
Dogs may be known as man’s best friend, but one unlikely pair is proving a dog’s best friend is probably not man at all, but a mammal with much larger ears, rougher skin, and a long trunk.

Black Labrador Retriever Bella was abandoned at South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach Safari by her owner, a contractor hired to construct a pool at the wildlife park back in 2007.

But Bella didn’t have to wait long before finding a new friend — and she found one in the park’s star elephant, Bubbles. Together, the pair play catch and keep-away in Bubbles’ pool, Bella climbing up on Bubbles’ back, and Bubbles splashing her loyal Lab friend with water from her trunk.  

Read the full story on Dogtime.com.