New HSUS Dogfighting Hotline

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is helping to put an end to the bloodsport of dogfighting with its new 24-hour hotline.

You can help get the word out about the new dogfighting hotline by contacting your local media. By visiting http://capwiz.com/yo-demo/dbq/media/ you can send up to 5 messages at a time to your local TV and radio stations and newspapers.

You can also help by publishing the following information on your blog, forums, or print out the information and post in public areas:

• The Dogfighting Hot Line (1- 877- 847- 4787) is sponsored by the HSUS.
  
• You can receive an award of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a dogfighter.
  
• All information is kept confidential; no one will know you've called.
  
• The line is answered 24/7.
  
• You can leave a message, talk to an investigator, or get their e-mail address and leave your own.
  
• If a dogfight is in progress, immediately call the police, 9-1-1. Then call the hot line.

Learn more about the HSUS's new dogfighting hotline by reading the press release on their website.

See how the HSUS is already helping to put an end to the cruelty by watching the video below:

Animal 'rescue railroads' inspire author-producer

By Denise Flaim
© 2008, Newsday

Plenty of things are happening on the Internet that you are totally clueless about. Given the depths of some people's depravity, that's probably just as well.

But several years ago, film producer and author Bonnie Silva came across a bustling cyber-community that made her surprised, curious and, eventually, inspired.

"I read about animal-rescue transports in an article, and I thought, 'You mean complete strangers get together in cyberspace and sign up for "legs" to drive an animal an hour and pass it off to the next person until it finally makes it home?'" said Silva, whose two years of research culminated in a book, "Fifteen Legs: When All That Stands Between Death and Freedom Is a Ride" (Riverbank Press, $22.95), and a documentary that she is shopping around.

Anyone who rescues animals knows that geography plays a huge role in saving animals facing euthanasia at kill shelters. Certain parts of the country, such as the South, have an overabundance of adoptable animals. Other areas, such as the Northeast, where greater compliance with spay-neuter practices and leash laws means fewer strays and unwanted litters, have a better adoption "market."

If a dog -- or a cat, or a parrot, or a potbellied pig -- is in Atlanta, and an adoptive home awaits in Pittsburgh, the big challenge is getting it there as cheaply as possible.

And so, "rescue railroads" were born. Silva estimates there are 2,500 such groups, covering umpteen breeds and species. Transport coordinators for each group plot the route the animal must travel, break it up into segments of 60 or so miles, then post the itinerary to an e-mail group (yahoogroups.com is a popular host) to solicit volunteers to sign up for each "leg" of the ride.

"I personally did a lot of crying -- you just can't help it," Silva said of her research for the book.

"But I also saw a lot of wonderful scenes of relief and hopefulness. There's really nothing more beautiful to see than two total strangers exchange an animal's leash and then hug one another as that animal goes off to its next stop."

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080219/ENT/821870282#Animal.rescue.railroads%0Ainspire.author-producer

Buy It: http://www.riverbankpress.com/fifteen-legs-when-all-stands-between-death-and-freedom-ride

You can read more about Bonnie and her book by visiting Big Media USA - > http://www.bigmediausa.com/archive.asp?aid=10811

Ohio Puppy Mill Bill Needs Your Support

This is a very important issue that our State Representatives need to act on. We need your support.

Please pass along this information to others you know in Ohio so that they can also show support to ban the horrible conditions that exist in puppy mills.

Please take a moment to read the note below from my friend and fellow rescuer Kellie DiFrischia:

Dear Dog Friends,

Hello! The dogs in Ohio puppy mills need your help.

As you may know, The Puppy Mill Bill (Substitute House Bill #223, Senate Bill #173) has been in the Ohio Senate and House for several years now. It seems we are stalled and sometimes relegated to the back burner for other pressing issues.

We need to alert members of the Senate to resoundingly know we want this bill to pass as soon as possible. Don’t allow the dogs to continue to live in the deplorable conditions that give Ohio the reputation it has as a major producer of puppy mill dogs!

We need your State Senator to hear directly from you. Let this be the last winter the dogs and puppies live in squalor conditions under OUR WATCH!

We also want Governor Strickland to know how important The Puppy Mill Bill is to millions of dog people in Ohio.

Please ask them to vote the bill out of the Senate as soon as possible.

We have written, revised and worked out all the details of this bill. Ohio can finally begin to rid itself of the reputation we have for the puppy mills with the worst conditions in the entire country.

If you have a personal puppy mill story, please send it or use the note below.

Thank you for taking the time to help Ohio 's most defenseless dogs.

To read about the bill or see pictures from deplorable mills in Ohio, visit www.ColumbusDogConnection.com.

For the Dogs,

Kellie

PS Please send this to anyone who cares about dogs. We need to have a strong voice for the dogs forgotten in high volume kennels.

Kellie's Suggested Letter:

Dear Legislator,

The Puppy Mill Bill (Substitute House Bill #223, Senate Bill #173) has had testimony in both the House and Senate.

It is been re-written to please breeders, veterinarians, dog wardens and rescue organizations. Fees have been lowered, fingerprinting has been removed. We have a superior piece of legislation that will finally bring an end to the brutality, neglect and abuse seen in Puppy Mills in Ohio . Soon, a dog bred in Ohio will have a badge of honor instead of a mark of shame that the pup could have come from an Ohio Puppy Mill.

Please do what you can do to pass The Puppy Mill Bill as quickly as possible. The dogs have suffered long enough in a billion dollar business that is not regulated in Ohio.

Respectfully,
YOUR NAME

The Dog, the Cat & the Rat

This video is supposedly of the pets of a homeless man in Santa Barbara. It's amazing how well these 3 animals get along. And the message... even more beautiful: If they can get along, why can't we?

Enjoy!

Growing Old With Dogs

For all my fellow dog lovers -- this one says it all! Enjoy!

http://www.greatdanepro.com/Growing%20Old/index.htm

Cold Weather Tips For Pet Safety

Here are few safety tips for keeping your pets safe in the cold weather months:

• Make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep, out of drafts.
• Remove ice or snow from between your pet's toes after a winter walk.
• Pet sweaters are good.
• Thump the hood of your car before starting the engine to scare out any sleeping kitties.
• Make sure your pet doesn't have access to antifreeze. It's poison.
• Have a disaster plan.

For more cold weather tips, visit the Petfinder.com library.

Pit Bull is US's Most Decorated Military Dog

Sargeant Stubby, one of our country's most decorated war heroes, was also a Pit Bull -- one of our country's most misunderstood breeds.

Stubby was a WWI veteran and served with the US Marine Corps in Europe.

To learn more about Sgt. Stubby's extraordinary life, please visit http://www.digitaldog.com/stubby.html.

I also found this great lens on Squidoo featuring several canine military heroes:
http://www.squidoo.com/dogsofwar