Patches is truly one-of-a-kind! Enjoy!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
SPCA Employee Indicted for Animal Cruelty
From the Plano Courier Star Newspaper...
An animal protection clinic supervisor was indicted for cruelty to animals after police found a 5-month-old puppy left for dead inside the employee’s flooded apartment with no electricity.
The German Shepherd mix, Bruce, was found by police March 24. The dog was secured inside a crate located in a dark laundry room surrounded by feces.
Alicia Marie Martin, 23, was arrested for cruelty to animals April 17. She posted a $1,500 bond on May 5 and was placed in Frisco police custody for outstanding traffic citations, according to jail records.
According to court records, police described the odor inside the residence as "overwhelming.”
“It’s a horrific scene because we know what the animals go through to get to this point,” said Jamey Cantrell, Animal Services manager. “It’s something you don’t want anything or anyone to go through. He was left to die.”An animal services vet ruled that Bruce’s cause of death was starvation. Cantrell said the dog was left inside the crate without food or water for about two weeks.
Read the full story at:
http://www.scntx.com/articles/2009/05/27/plano_star-courier/news/710.txt
My friend and fellow rescuer, Barb McGrady with SPA Ohio, says it best in the following statement:
"A reminder that people might appear to be compassionate and kind-hearted... but the truth is anything but..."
My comment...
This disgusting truth happens way too often in shelters and with shelter staff who have animals in their care... and, unfortunately, these people are all PAID for their time and services. What's even more pathetic is they're paid with OUR tax dollars causing two major issues ... the cruel, inhumane suffering and death of a helpless animal AND a great deal of wasted tax money that was paid out in salaries.
I've never been sure what our state (Ohio), county, and city requirements are for hiring some of these people as it would seem that most of these employment candidates come directly from dysfunctional backgrounds, have absolutely NO experience with animals, and certainly show no signs of "common sense" whatsoever... yet they're the ones who seem to get hired. Hmm... makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Now, please don't get me wrong here, folks. We also have a lot of GOOD people who are giving 200% and definitely earning their salaries as ACO's, shelter directors, and shelter staff. We also have numerous volunteers who don't get a dime for their hard work and dedication to the animals. These people are to be commended for their selfless acts of kindness and humane treatment for our discarded, homeless pets.
I guess my question is simply this: What idiot hired this irresponsible SPCA employee and paid her a salary coming from hard earned "tax dollars?"
An animal protection clinic supervisor was indicted for cruelty to animals after police found a 5-month-old puppy left for dead inside the employee’s flooded apartment with no electricity.
The German Shepherd mix, Bruce, was found by police March 24. The dog was secured inside a crate located in a dark laundry room surrounded by feces.
Alicia Marie Martin, 23, was arrested for cruelty to animals April 17. She posted a $1,500 bond on May 5 and was placed in Frisco police custody for outstanding traffic citations, according to jail records.
According to court records, police described the odor inside the residence as "overwhelming.”
“It’s a horrific scene because we know what the animals go through to get to this point,” said Jamey Cantrell, Animal Services manager. “It’s something you don’t want anything or anyone to go through. He was left to die.”An animal services vet ruled that Bruce’s cause of death was starvation. Cantrell said the dog was left inside the crate without food or water for about two weeks.
Read the full story at:
http://www.scntx.com/articles/2009/05/27/plano_star-courier/news/710.txt
My friend and fellow rescuer, Barb McGrady with SPA Ohio, says it best in the following statement:
"A reminder that people might appear to be compassionate and kind-hearted... but the truth is anything but..."
My comment...
This disgusting truth happens way too often in shelters and with shelter staff who have animals in their care... and, unfortunately, these people are all PAID for their time and services. What's even more pathetic is they're paid with OUR tax dollars causing two major issues ... the cruel, inhumane suffering and death of a helpless animal AND a great deal of wasted tax money that was paid out in salaries.
I've never been sure what our state (Ohio), county, and city requirements are for hiring some of these people as it would seem that most of these employment candidates come directly from dysfunctional backgrounds, have absolutely NO experience with animals, and certainly show no signs of "common sense" whatsoever... yet they're the ones who seem to get hired. Hmm... makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Now, please don't get me wrong here, folks. We also have a lot of GOOD people who are giving 200% and definitely earning their salaries as ACO's, shelter directors, and shelter staff. We also have numerous volunteers who don't get a dime for their hard work and dedication to the animals. These people are to be commended for their selfless acts of kindness and humane treatment for our discarded, homeless pets.
I guess my question is simply this: What idiot hired this irresponsible SPCA employee and paid her a salary coming from hard earned "tax dollars?"
Thursday, May 21, 2009
What’s Next for Michael Vick?
What’s Next for Michael Vick? - Wayne Pacelle: A Humane Nation
Personally, I'd like to see Michael Vick spend a whole lot more time behind bars for his horrific acts. However, I guess some people do "Live and Learn"... and hopefully that will be the case with this guy.
Yes, he could become a strong voice against dog fighting and reach young men in urban communities telling his own story of what dog fighting and animal cruelty has cost him... the loss of a great career in pro football, lots of money for ad endorsements, not to mention his FREEDOM after being convicted. However, I certainly hope all of this will be a non paid, volunteer position.
Personally, I'd like to see Michael Vick spend a whole lot more time behind bars for his horrific acts. However, I guess some people do "Live and Learn"... and hopefully that will be the case with this guy.
Yes, he could become a strong voice against dog fighting and reach young men in urban communities telling his own story of what dog fighting and animal cruelty has cost him... the loss of a great career in pro football, lots of money for ad endorsements, not to mention his FREEDOM after being convicted. However, I certainly hope all of this will be a non paid, volunteer position.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
What Happens to Unclaimed Dogs at Some Shelters
Warning: Clicking on the link below will be a heart wrenching experience. However, I feel it's important that people know what happens to unclaimed dogs at some shelters. This, of course, is also the fate of many owner turn-ins.
The dog profiled in the slideshow met a more "humane" end than the many thousands who die in gas chambers.
http://www.spotsociety.org/fatedog.html
The dog profiled in the slideshow met a more "humane" end than the many thousands who die in gas chambers.
http://www.spotsociety.org/fatedog.html
Who's Who in Animal Rescue
By Barbara McGrady
Society for the Protection of Animals (S.P.A. Ohio)
There are hundreds of humane societies across the U.S. and they have no connection with each other. Some are no kill organizations, some aren't. Some are non-profit, 501(c)3 organizations, others are not. Some humane societies are actually part of their county's paid employees, but most humane societies are locally formed, independent organizations. Each organization sets up its own rules and guidelines.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that local humane societies are branches of the Humane Society of the United States. THIS IS NOT TRUE.
There is an SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International) and an ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). There is not a national SPCA organization, although there are lots of independent local SPCA's across the U.S.
Jennifer McKim, an SPCA International representative, clarifies by stating, "Every SPCA throughout the world is individually operated and not associated with one another. Although we share a common name, there is not an organization that oversees all SPCA’s. Each one of us have our own programs that focus to help animals on a different level. SPCA International is one of the only organizations that help shelters and animals worldwide."
In other words, local SPCA's have nothing to do with SPCA International or with each other. They were all independently formed. Some are kill, some are no kill. They have local board members with individual ideas and concepts concerning animal rescue. They may have eight members, or eight hundred members.
When moving to a new location don't assume that just because the humane society in the city from which you're moving was a wonderful facility that the humane society (or any other rescue organization) in the city you are moving to will be the same.
Not one SPCA in the United States is above any other SPCA regardless of what their name might imply. For instance, NEVADA SPCA is not in charge of other SPCA's in Nevada. Rather, they simply selected Nevada SPCA for their name.
Don't be afraid to ask animal rescue organizations specific questions about their shelter's policies, and if, in fact, they even have a shelter. It is becoming more and more common for groups to house animals in foster homes until adopted.
The bottom line is this... there are incredible rescues and there are rescues that should not be allowed to advertise as such. You can visit a specific organization's web page and think that you are sending an animal to the best place this side of heaven when in reality the animal might be chained to a dog house and forced to live in filth.
When you donate to a rescue organization make certain that their ethics are agreeable with yours.
Never assume. Always investigate. Ask questions.
Society for the Protection of Animals (S.P.A. Ohio)
There are hundreds of humane societies across the U.S. and they have no connection with each other. Some are no kill organizations, some aren't. Some are non-profit, 501(c)3 organizations, others are not. Some humane societies are actually part of their county's paid employees, but most humane societies are locally formed, independent organizations. Each organization sets up its own rules and guidelines.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that local humane societies are branches of the Humane Society of the United States. THIS IS NOT TRUE.
There is an SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International) and an ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). There is not a national SPCA organization, although there are lots of independent local SPCA's across the U.S.
Jennifer McKim, an SPCA International representative, clarifies by stating, "Every SPCA throughout the world is individually operated and not associated with one another. Although we share a common name, there is not an organization that oversees all SPCA’s. Each one of us have our own programs that focus to help animals on a different level. SPCA International is one of the only organizations that help shelters and animals worldwide."
In other words, local SPCA's have nothing to do with SPCA International or with each other. They were all independently formed. Some are kill, some are no kill. They have local board members with individual ideas and concepts concerning animal rescue. They may have eight members, or eight hundred members.
When moving to a new location don't assume that just because the humane society in the city from which you're moving was a wonderful facility that the humane society (or any other rescue organization) in the city you are moving to will be the same.
Not one SPCA in the United States is above any other SPCA regardless of what their name might imply. For instance, NEVADA SPCA is not in charge of other SPCA's in Nevada. Rather, they simply selected Nevada SPCA for their name.
Don't be afraid to ask animal rescue organizations specific questions about their shelter's policies, and if, in fact, they even have a shelter. It is becoming more and more common for groups to house animals in foster homes until adopted.
The bottom line is this... there are incredible rescues and there are rescues that should not be allowed to advertise as such. You can visit a specific organization's web page and think that you are sending an animal to the best place this side of heaven when in reality the animal might be chained to a dog house and forced to live in filth.
When you donate to a rescue organization make certain that their ethics are agreeable with yours.
Never assume. Always investigate. Ask questions.
Elite Animals of West Hollywood Meet with Animal Protection Movement Leaders at City Hall
Companion Animal Protection Society Along with Animal Activists Believe that Elite Animals is Selling Pet Factory Animals and Defrauding Consumers
(Los Angeles, CA) – On Tuesday May 12, 2009 there was a meeting between Isabella Stroshnoy, the owner of Elite Animals and members of the animal protection movement at West Hollywood's City Hall. The Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) presented evidence of a puppy mill in Minnesota that supplies Elite Animals. The organizations that participated were CAPS, The Animal Legal Defense Fund, IDA, Best Friends Animal Society, The Amanda Foundation and Strangest Angels Rescue.
The evidence presented was from a CAPS investigation of a particularly cruel puppy mill in Minnesota — a puppy factory that Elite Animals admits it purchases dogs from. The evidence included graphic photographs of dogs suffering in enclosures filled with urine and feces, subject to rusted wire flooring, injured with wounds and infections. The dogs had attempted to chew their way out of the wooden whelping boxes. Many of the dogs were exposed to the elements and water containers had a thick layer of algae.
In addition to gruesome photographs from the mill, evidence of repeated incidents of non-compliance from USDA inspection reports were presented. Also disclosed were reports gathered by Pet Shop Puppies that were linked exclusively to the mill that supplies Elite Animals. The consumer reports regarding dogs from the mill in Minnesota stated dogs had congenital malformations, severe illnesses and some of the cases claimed that several dogs were so sick they had to be euthanized.
Elite Animals is violating a federal law from the Farm Bill which was passed in 2008. This law forbids the importation of live dogs into the United States from overseas for resale if the dogs are under the age of six months. Elite Animals has repeatedly offered to sell eight week-old puppies imported from Russia to CAPS undercover investigators posing as customers. Elite Animals told CAPS investigators that the dogs they sell in the store were "raised in a house" and "not from a puppy mill."
A verbal agreement was reached with Elite Animals that they would cease buying dogs while they considered the idea of converting to a humane business model. Elite Animals has agreed to provide CAPS and the Animal Legal Defense Fund with the list of breeders supplying the store for the ongoing investigation. This information should have been posted on the outside of the enclosures of the puppies in the store according to California law. Elite Animals was in non-compliance with the California puppy lemon law.
Teri Austin, president of the Amanda Foundation, an established rescue organization in Los Angeles, agreed to meet with owners of Elite Animals next week to discuss the possibility of an arrangement to hold adoptions at the store. Once Elite Animals has ceased importing animals or buying animals from factories, discussions might evolve on creating a humane business model for the store. The details for such an arrangement would be based on a binding legal agreement between Elite Animals and CAPS to stop buying, breeding or importing animals. Leaders of the animal protection movement as well as the dozens of activists who support the anti-puppy mill campaign are hopeful such a deal can be reached.
“It's disappointing that during this economic crisis when people are losing their jobs, their homes and being forced to give up their pets at shelters, some people are still buying $1000 dogs. People could be giving back to the community by relieving our municipal shelters and adopting a pet. This is a new era of social responsibility and these people could be giving that $1000 to a family in need. Furthermore, pet stores, whether they are bricks and mortar or Internet pet stores, lie. Behind the pretty store front and the attractive Web sites is the ugly reality that the puppy's parents are suffering in a canine supermax prison, never to get out alive, being forced to breed in a cage until death. Elite Animals is a particularly egregious case. Not only are they supplied by one of the worst puppy mills in the U.S., they are breaking a federal law by importing and selling underage puppies from Russia. We've got millions of abandoned dogs who need families right here at home. What we need from Russia is friendship and a shared commitment to controlling nuclear weapons, not more dogs to kill in our shelters. We need dogs from Russia like we need a hole in the head." - Carole Raphaelle Davis is the author of “The Diary of Jinky, Dog of a Hollywood Wife”, reporter for American Dog Magazine and West Coast Director of the Companion Animal Protection Society.
For more information on the Companion Animal Protection Society please contact President Deborah Howard at 781-210-0938 or visit caps-web.org. For local [California] information please contact Carole Raphaelle Davis at 310-990-5758 or hollywoodjinky@gmail.com. For media inquires please contact Anny Deirmenjian at 781.721.4624.
(Los Angeles, CA) – On Tuesday May 12, 2009 there was a meeting between Isabella Stroshnoy, the owner of Elite Animals and members of the animal protection movement at West Hollywood's City Hall. The Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) presented evidence of a puppy mill in Minnesota that supplies Elite Animals. The organizations that participated were CAPS, The Animal Legal Defense Fund, IDA, Best Friends Animal Society, The Amanda Foundation and Strangest Angels Rescue.The evidence presented was from a CAPS investigation of a particularly cruel puppy mill in Minnesota — a puppy factory that Elite Animals admits it purchases dogs from. The evidence included graphic photographs of dogs suffering in enclosures filled with urine and feces, subject to rusted wire flooring, injured with wounds and infections. The dogs had attempted to chew their way out of the wooden whelping boxes. Many of the dogs were exposed to the elements and water containers had a thick layer of algae.
In addition to gruesome photographs from the mill, evidence of repeated incidents of non-compliance from USDA inspection reports were presented. Also disclosed were reports gathered by Pet Shop Puppies that were linked exclusively to the mill that supplies Elite Animals. The consumer reports regarding dogs from the mill in Minnesota stated dogs had congenital malformations, severe illnesses and some of the cases claimed that several dogs were so sick they had to be euthanized.
Elite Animals is violating a federal law from the Farm Bill which was passed in 2008. This law forbids the importation of live dogs into the United States from overseas for resale if the dogs are under the age of six months. Elite Animals has repeatedly offered to sell eight week-old puppies imported from Russia to CAPS undercover investigators posing as customers. Elite Animals told CAPS investigators that the dogs they sell in the store were "raised in a house" and "not from a puppy mill."
A verbal agreement was reached with Elite Animals that they would cease buying dogs while they considered the idea of converting to a humane business model. Elite Animals has agreed to provide CAPS and the Animal Legal Defense Fund with the list of breeders supplying the store for the ongoing investigation. This information should have been posted on the outside of the enclosures of the puppies in the store according to California law. Elite Animals was in non-compliance with the California puppy lemon law.
Teri Austin, president of the Amanda Foundation, an established rescue organization in Los Angeles, agreed to meet with owners of Elite Animals next week to discuss the possibility of an arrangement to hold adoptions at the store. Once Elite Animals has ceased importing animals or buying animals from factories, discussions might evolve on creating a humane business model for the store. The details for such an arrangement would be based on a binding legal agreement between Elite Animals and CAPS to stop buying, breeding or importing animals. Leaders of the animal protection movement as well as the dozens of activists who support the anti-puppy mill campaign are hopeful such a deal can be reached.
“It's disappointing that during this economic crisis when people are losing their jobs, their homes and being forced to give up their pets at shelters, some people are still buying $1000 dogs. People could be giving back to the community by relieving our municipal shelters and adopting a pet. This is a new era of social responsibility and these people could be giving that $1000 to a family in need. Furthermore, pet stores, whether they are bricks and mortar or Internet pet stores, lie. Behind the pretty store front and the attractive Web sites is the ugly reality that the puppy's parents are suffering in a canine supermax prison, never to get out alive, being forced to breed in a cage until death. Elite Animals is a particularly egregious case. Not only are they supplied by one of the worst puppy mills in the U.S., they are breaking a federal law by importing and selling underage puppies from Russia. We've got millions of abandoned dogs who need families right here at home. What we need from Russia is friendship and a shared commitment to controlling nuclear weapons, not more dogs to kill in our shelters. We need dogs from Russia like we need a hole in the head." - Carole Raphaelle Davis is the author of “The Diary of Jinky, Dog of a Hollywood Wife”, reporter for American Dog Magazine and West Coast Director of the Companion Animal Protection Society.
For more information on the Companion Animal Protection Society please contact President Deborah Howard at 781-210-0938 or visit caps-web.org. For local [California] information please contact Carole Raphaelle Davis at 310-990-5758 or hollywoodjinky@gmail.com. For media inquires please contact Anny Deirmenjian at 781.721.4624.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
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