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Monday, July 13, 2009

The animaladvocateblog will no longer be updated....visit my new site!

The animaladvocateblog will no longer be updated.
I have new articles at www.examiner.com
Thank You!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

No More Homeless Pets Spay/Neuter Clinic August 2


The NMHP FixKC clinics are offered for people who are financially disadvantaged and/or individuals who are dealing with feral or stray cats, or large populations of cats. Individuals must qualify for the FixKC Cat Clinics and appointments are required.
The clinics are in high demand and our appointment books fill quickly. In 2007 we fixed close to 2000 cats!

Interested in learning more? Watch our FixKC Clinic video!
(Please note, there are some graphic images in our video)

Please call for more information at 816.333.PETS or email us at info@nmhpkc.org
(Appointments are required.)


KITTENS? Yes, kittens weighing at least 2 pounds, and in-heat or pregnant females, are welcome!

DOGS? Call us. We offer low cost dog spay/neuter programs, too.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE? Yes, financial assistance programs are available. Contact us for more info.

VOLUNTEER? Volunteer Veterinarians, Vet Techs, and clinic helpers needed...it's gratifying, interesting, and fun! Email us at info@nmhpkc.org to sign up.

DONATE? If you'd like to offer financial support and help those who cannot afford to have their pets fixed, please 
Sponsor a Spay.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

No More Homeless Pets Spay/Neuter Clinic July 12


The NMHP FixKC clinics are offered for people who are financially disadvantaged and/or individuals who are dealing with feral or stray cats, or large populations of cats. Individuals must qualify for the FixKC Cat Clinics and appointments are required.
The clinics are in high demand and our appointment books fill quickly. In 2007 we fixed close to 2000 cats!

Interested in learning more? Watch our FixKC Clinic video!
(Please note, there are some graphic images in our video)

Please call for more information at 816.333.PETS or email us at info@nmhpkc.org
(Appointments are required.)


KITTENS? Yes, kittens weighing at least 2 pounds, and in-heat or pregnant females, are welcome!

DOGS? Call us. We offer low cost dog spay/neuter programs, too.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE? Yes, financial assistance programs are available. Contact us for more info.

VOLUNTEER? Volunteer Veterinarians, Vet Techs, and clinic helpers needed...it's gratifying, interesting, and fun! Email us at info@nmhpkc.org to sign up.

DONATE? If you'd like to offer financial support and help those who cannot afford to have their pets fixed, please 
Sponsor a Spay.

Monday, June 1, 2009

No More Homeless Pets Spay/Neuter Clinic June 14

The NMHP FixKC clinics are offered for people who are financially disadvantaged and/or individuals who are dealing with feral or stray cats, or large populations of cats. Individuals must qualify for the FixKC Cat Clinics and appointments are required.
The clinics are in high demand and our appointment books fill quickly. In 2007 we fixed close to 2000 cats!

Interested in learning more? Watch our FixKC Clinic video!
(Please note, there are some graphic images in our video)

Please call for more information at 816.333.PETS or email us at info@nmhpkc.org
(Appointments are required.)


KITTENS? Yes, kittens weighing at least 2 pounds, and in-heat or pregnant females, are welcome!

DOGS? Call us. We offer low cost dog spay/neuter programs, too.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE? Yes, financial assistance programs are available. Contact us for more info.

VOLUNTEER? Volunteer Veterinarians, Vet Techs, and clinic helpers needed...it's gratifying, interesting, and fun! Email us at info@nmhpkc.org to sign up.

DONATE? If you'd like to offer financial support and help those who cannot afford to have their pets fixed, please 
Sponsor a Spay.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

What's Wrong With Scarlet?

I took Scarlet and her kittens to the vet today because Scarlet is just not gaining weight.  When I first got her, she weighed 4 pounds 8 ounces.  She got up to 6 pounds and I stopped weighing her, figuring she was well on her way to recovery.  Last week, my boyfriend noticed she was thinner after he had not seen her for a few days.  I weighed her and she had lost weight.  She weighed 5 pounds 6 ounces.  She should weigh 8 or 9 pounds, maybe more since she is still nursing a bit.


They took some blood and will have some results tomorrow and Thursday.  They are sending blood to two different places.  She did have Coccidia and Hookworms when I got her and I hope she doesn't have them still.  She finished the medicine but there is a possibility that it is still in her system.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Humane Society Condones Chaining Dogs and Allowing them to Drown


A dog drowned after it was chained to a stake and left outside during the storm Sunday night.  It happened in Kanawha County, West Virginia.

A volunteer firefighter tells WSAZ.com that the dog was always chained and left alone. It does have a doghouse but she says the dog did not fit inside.

For several weeks, she's complained to the homeowner and the Humane Society but has been ignored.  When flash floods hit overnight the dog was left to fend for itself. The water took over the homeowner's backyard and since the dog was chained and could not escape, it drowned.

The homeowner says he didn't realize it was going to rain that night and he didn't know there was a flood warning.  

The Humane Society does not plan to press charges.  

Contact the local humane association here.

Click here for video.  

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Pictures of the Kittens!

The kittens turn 5 weeks old tomorrow!  They are getting really active now!  I know I put a lot of pictures on here but I couldn't help it!  They are sooo cute!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Scarlet Vomited

Ugh.  I don't know what's wrong with Scarlet but she vomited twice today.  She hasn't eaten since 2 pm which is good I guess, if she is just going to vomit it back up.  She slept in the corner under my desk for awhile today.  If she isn't feeling better tomorrow, I will take her to the vet.

I hope she gets better.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Kitten Behavior 101

I thought I would just post some information I have learned in the last few days.  As you may know, I have a litter of four kittens who turned 4 weeks old yesterday.  My biggest is 1 pound 4 ounces and my smallest is right at one pound.  The difference is huge when you are talking about little kittens even though it sounds miniscule.

It's a good idea to watch if the kittens go into the box and you happen to be there.  I know it sounds gross but watching them poo and pee tells you how everything is working and looking at the poo, can tell you how they might be doing health wise.  Anyway, I saw that Spot was in the litter box meowing very loudly-almost as if she were in pain.  I watched her and her poo seemed to come out fine (ugh, I know-it's gross) she didn't strain, there was no blood, etc.  Today I asked some of my more experienced friends and one of them told me that the kitten could have some gas that caused pain when she was trying to eliminate.

So, when I got home today, I massaged all of them in a downward motion to try to help the gas come out.  My friend told me that sometimes mother cats will do that if their kittens are meowing like that.

I learned another lesson today, just now in fact.  I was getting fresh food and water for the kittens and mama cat for the evening.  All the kittens were asleep in their little bed except Sunset.  I bring in wet food every few hours but I haven't been giving them the dry baby cat food very often because Scarlet eats it.

I weigh the kittens each evening and I noticed that Spot and Sunset haven't gained very much in the last two days.  Sunset and Spot are both a little more shy and reserved.  I think the reason why they haven't gained that much is that they want to eat alone.  Sunset ate and ate and ate some more when it was just her at the big plate of food.

I think what I am going to do in the morning is offer them all food on their own little plates.  We use lids from butter containers, etc.  They work really well.

Friday, May 1, 2009

No More Homeless Pets Spay/Neuter Clinic May 17

The NMHP FixKC clinics are offered for people who are financially disadvantaged and/or individuals who are dealing with feral or stray cats, or large populations of cats. Individuals must qualify for the FixKC Cat Clinics and appointments are required.
The clinics are in high demand and our appointment books fill quickly. In 2007 we fixed close to 2000 cats!

Interested in learning more? Watch our FixKC Clinic video!
(Please note, there are some graphic images in our video)

Please call for more information at 816.333.PETS or email us at info@nmhpkc.org
(Appointments are required.)


KITTENS? Yes, kittens weighing at least 2 pounds, and in-heat or pregnant females, are welcome!

DOGS? Call us. We offer low cost dog spay/neuter programs, too.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE? Yes, financial assistance programs are available. Contact us for more info.

VOLUNTEER? Volunteer Veterinarians, Vet Techs, and clinic helpers needed...it's gratifying, interesting, and fun! Email us at info@nmhpkc.org to sign up.

DONATE? If you'd like to offer financial support and help those who cannot afford to have their pets fixed, please 
Sponsor a Spay.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Kitten Update!

The kittens turn 4 weeks old tomorrow!

They are just starting to be interested in everything that moves.  They haven't started to pounce on anything yet though.  I am looking forward to seeing them play more.

I have two boys and two girls and the boys seem to be more advanced at almost everything.  The boys started eating wet food first, they started playing first, they started responding and running to me when I walked into the room first.  They were just one or two days ahead of the girls.

Today they all started eating dry food-none of them had eaten any yet even though I have offered it a few times.  For a few days, the boys have been eating wet food with lots of water in it for two days or so but the girls just started eating it today.


(That is wet food on the toy, just in case you are wondering.  She just got done eating and had wet food on her chin...haha...she couldn't figure out how to get it off.)


Saturday, April 25, 2009

It's an Adoption Weekend!

Petsmart is having an adopt-a-thon and you are invited!

We will be there!  The dates are May 1-3, the hours vary by which store you go to but we will be there on Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday 10-4.  Come by and pick up a friend!

Click here for more information.

Another Example of the Link Between Animal Cruelty and Violence to Humans

It has been nine years since the brutal slayings of Margarita Ruiz, 72, and her daughter Esperanza Wells, 42, in the small Sumter County community of Tarrytown, Florida.

The crime appeared to be a random act of violence — no one could think of a reason anyone would want to hurt Ruiz or Wells.

No one knew who could do such a thing.

Six years later, authorities connected the double homicide to a man in Wisconsin serving time in a mental-health hospital for cruelty to animals. Now, suspect Bill Marquardt finally will be making his way to Florida to stand trial for the killings of Ruiz and Wells.



Read More... 

Friday, April 24, 2009

Pictures of the Kittens!

The kittens are 3 weeks old now!  They are beginning to play, very slightly.  They kind of hit toys and smell them but that is about it.  They are also almost constantly "wrestling" with each other-well, when they are awake anyway...





Cats Will Be Trapped and Killed "On The Spot" by U.S Navy

I am enraged at an article I read recently.  I am appalled at the ignorance behind these proposed and current actions.  They are killing one species to save another.  
Apparently, in the 1950's, people brought cats to San Nicolas Island, a small island (the island is 9 miles long and about 3.5 miles wide) off the coast of California, to help control rat populations and as personal pets.  Now, because the seabirds and shorebirds are declining, the Navy has decided it is time to kill all the feral cats on the island because they say that cats are killing the birds.  The primary method of capturing these feral cats will be through padded leg traps or being shot!
Those not deemed healthy will be trapped and killed "on the spot".  What is just as appalling is that the Navy went to the Humane Society of the U.S for advice and the HSUS will take custody of any healthy cats.  The HSUS, does not have a shelter and are not affiliated with any shelter or other organization.  They have no facilities for taking care of cats or any animal for that matter.  They are also known for promoting killing dogs from dog fighting rings, killing feral cats, they do not agree with the No Kill philosophy and they are "friends" with PeTA.
Why wouldn't the Navy contact an actual feral cat organization such as Alley Cat Allies to deal with a feral cat issue?  The island has an estimated 100-200 feral cats on the island and the Navy does not want to get these cats fixed and wait for their natural decline.  They also claim there is no way to identify cats who are fixed and cite that as one reason why they do not want to do TNR. (What is TNR?) Obviously, they are not familiar with the process because all feral cats who are fixed are "eartipped".  They must not have done too much investigating into it if they don't know that.
Currently, they are already shooting feral cats (which might be a crime) as a "necessary management action".  In the news articles, they leave out some important information that I have copied verbatim and provided the sources for.  They will use dogs to "hunt" the cats, causing them to run up trees and cliffs where experienced hunters will shoot them.  The cats who run into fox holes will be surprised with a padded leg trap at their only exit.  Other cats will be trapped in padded leg traps put randomly on the island with a few traditional "cage" traps being set.
During a 30-day public opinion period, they received 5,788 total comments.  Of those, 4,323 were basically dismissed because they were form letters emailed to them with identical text.  
They understand that their local shelter on the mainland is a high kill shelter and they even admit that healthy, adoptable animals were killed and that basically, feral cats won't have a chance. 
They have had these birds die for years, supposedly because the cats are killing them.  They know that the cats will not live very long.  Why wouldn't they do the more humane thing?  Spay and neuter the cats, return them and wait for them to die a natural death?  The ways in which they are going to trap the cats sound horrendous.   

What I want to know is how do they justify killing one species to save another?!

Be sure to contact:
Jane Hendron 
Public Affairs Division Chief 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
6010 Hidden Valley Road 
Carlsbad, CA 92011 
760-431-9440 

**********
Please read all of the information below and visit the source if you doubt it's authenticity.  When available, I have provided information to locate the specific quote.  
Currently, feral cats on San Nicolas Island are subject to periodic population control through trapping and hunting, a necessary management action undertaken by the Navy as part of their commitment to protecting wildlife on the island. (Q11- http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/southwest/montrose/pdf/San_Nic_FAQs_seabirds.pdf)
Once the cats are trapped, many will be euthanized on the spot. However, some of the kittens will be taken out and put up for adoption, and some of the healthy cats will be taken by the humane society. --U.S. Navy!
“Specially trained dogs will be used to track the scent of the feral cats in order to find their dens,” Hendron (Jane Hendron, spokeswoman for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife office in Carlsbad) said. “However, the dogs will never come in contact with the cats.”
Although the complete removal of the cats may appear to be a drastic measure, Hendron said it is imperative that the FWS remove every cat from the island, or the problem will just reoccur in the future.
“I myself have three cats,” Hendron said. “Sometimes difficult decisions must be made.”  http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=18738 
Predation by feral cats is responsible for the extinction of at least 33 bird species (Lever 1994), including the Stephen Island wren (Traversia lyalli, New Zealand), Socorro dove (Zenaida graysoni, Mexico), and Guadalupe storm-petrel (Oceanodrama macrodactyla, Mexico). (D3.2 http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/southwest/montrose/pdf/msrp_rp_appendixd3.pdf)
Although the FWS has attempted to remove cats from San Nicholas in the past, cats that were not trapped or killed reproduced and the problem returned.
The plan entails the use of live traps, padded leg traps and hunters, as well as tracking dogs,  to remove what are believed to be between 100 and 200 feral cats.
The wild cats came from domestic cats that escaped from their owners or were brought to hunt mice decades ago. There are records of feral cat populations back to the 1950s.  Another source says, cats were first introduced to San Nicolas Island during the 1800s and later by Navy personnel. (D3.2.6 http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/southwest/montrose/pdf/msrp_rp_appendixd3.pdf)
Padded leg-hold live trapping is an effective technique for capturing feral cats on San Nicolas Island and will [be the] primary method used as part of the Proposed Action.  -From an internal document from the Department of the Navy
After a short stay on-island, the cats may be transported to the mainland into the custody of HSUS and/or a similar USFWS-approved party if HSUS or other approved party provide adequate assurance that the cats would be cared for in an enclosed facility or other secure indoor location for the remainder of their lives.  The enclosed facility or facilities would be required to maintain humane conditions and to prevent the cats from being able to adversely affect birds or other native wildlife.  -From an internal document from the Department of the Navy
On June 17, 2008, the 30-day public comment period closed.  The Service received approximately 5,788 comments from individuals, conservation groups, and other organizations in response to the Draft EA.  Out of the 5,788 comments, a total of 1,465 represented unique comments.  The remaining 4,323 comments were generic electronic form letter submissions that all contained identical statements regarding the proposed project. (p. 2 
 Feral cats may also carry diseases such as toxoplasmosis and rabies that can be transferred to the island fox and southern sea otter. Removal of the feral cat may potentially reduce the risk of disease to native wildlife. (Q3 http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/southwest/montrose/pdf/San_Nic_FAQs_seabirds.pdf )
The primary methods of euthanasia that would be used on San Nicolas Island are noninhalant pharmaceutical agents, such as potassium chloride combined with a general anesthetic, and physical methods, specifically an accurately placed gunshot. All persons implementing euthanasia would be appropriately trained in the technique used. (3.1.1.4 http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/southwest/montrose/pdf/San_Nicolas_Final_EA.pdf )
Dogs would be trained to find feral cats by following ground and / or wind-borne scents.  Dogs would not attack the feral cats, but would “bail them”, that is drive them by barking, into holes, rocky features, or trees.  The dog handler would shoot the feral cat when a clear, fatal shot can be delivered.  In some instances, feral cats may be deep in holes.  If this occurs, a live trap will be set at the entrance to the hole. (3.1.3 http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/southwest/montrose/pdf/San_Nicolas_Final_EA.pdf)
In order to protect native wildlife, Navy policy prohibits Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) on their property; therefore, TNR is not an option on San Nicolas Island.  Moving captured feral cats and releasing them into feral colonies on the mainland is not an appropriate option for this project. Given the negative impacts of feral cats on wildlife, the USFWS does not consider the addition of feral cats from San Nicolas Island to the existing free-roaming cat population on the mainland to be consistent with our obligations to protect wildlife. (Q9 http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/southwest/montrose/pdf/San_Nic_FAQs_seabirds.pdf )
Currently, feral cats on San Nicolas Island are subject to periodic population control through trapping and hunting, a necessary management action undertaken by the Navy as part of their commitment to protecting wildlife on the island. (Q11 http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/southwest/montrose/pdf/San_Nic_FAQs_seabirds.pdf )
The presence of neutered and re-abandoned feral cats on San Nicolas Island would greatly decrease the ability to trap the remaining un-neutered feral cats because of an inability to determine through traditional methods (sign, dog tracking, etc.) between feral cats that had already been neutered and re-abandoned and new or not previously trapped feral cats.  (4.3.6 http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/southwest/montrose/pdf/San_Nicolas_Final_EA.pdf)
Between 2003 and 2007, as part of island fox population studies, box traps were set for a total of 4,292 trap nights.  A total of four cats were caught in box traps during that time period.  During the Pilot Program with HSUS in 2008, box traps were set for a total of 1,176 trap nights during which four cats were caught.  The average capture success for box traps was 0.37 percent, with a low of 0.34 and a high of .40 percent (Garcelon 2009).  During the Pilot Program, padded leg-hold traps were set for 71 trap nights during which three cats were caught.  The average capture success for padded leg-hold traps was 5 percent, with a low of 4.2 and a high of 6.2 percent (Garcelon 2009).  Overall, the capture success was 12-15 times greater for padded leg- hold traps over cage traps (Garcelon 2009). Comment #2 http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/southwest/montrose/pdf/San_Nicolas_Final_EA.pdf 
Comment #1: Several commenters recommended that feeding stations be set up on San 
Nicolas Island so the feral cats would not prey on native species. 
Response: Cats are natural hunters and will instinctively continue to hunt even when other food is available.  Due to rough topography and large roadless areas, maintaining feeding stations throughout the 14,230-acre island would be impractical.  Any artificial food sources would also be taken advantage of by the island fox, thereby creating an unnatural situation for this species. (p. 85 http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/southwest/montrose/pdf/San_Nicolas_Final_EA.pdf 
It is important to balance this challenge against difficult realities regarding the existing domesticated pet overpopulation, which poses an additional hurdle for these feral cats.  Statistics from the local shelter on the mainland, Ventura County Animal Shelter, indicate that in 2006-2007, out of 3,608 cats in their care, 1,256 were adopted, 148 were reclaimed, and 2,157 were euthanized.  Most of the animals euthanized were healthy, domestic adoptable cats (http://www.countyofventura.org/animalreg/ 2008).  When viewed against these statistics, a feral cat has little chance of adoption. 
For more information, contact:
Jane Hendron 
Public Affairs Division Chief 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
6010 Hidden Valley Road 
Carlsbad, CA 92011 
760-431-9440 
Sources:

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Man beheads his horse and feeds its head to his dogs, police say

A California man was arrested on charges of felony animal cruelty after police say he bludgeoned his horse with a sledgehammer, decapitated it with a chainsaw and fed it to his dogs.

  
Wow, this guy is a real winner!  Authorities say, in the past, that he has been cited for inhumane living conditions for his animals.  He has also faced multiple kennel violation charges and failing to get his animals vaccinated.  This guy had at least 33 dogs, 8 puppies, 10 goats, peacocks and geese on his property as well.  


The horse's remains have been taken to a state lab where a necropsy (autopsy for animals) will be done to see if decapitation was the cause of death or if it was alive when it was decapitated.


Read more... 

Monday, April 20, 2009

Update on Scarlet and her three week old kittens!

The kittens are beginning to play with each other!  It's so exciting seeing them grow!  Scarlet is gaining weight and doing great!  The kittens are also starting to respond to me when I pet them and when they hear my voice.  They are so adorable!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Cat Risks Life to Save Owner

Kimberley was in her garden when, suddenly, she was confronted by a snake. Only inches away, hissing and shaking its tail, the viper was ready to strike when Sosa the cat interceded – lashing out at the snake and protecting Kimberley.


Kimberley was spared, but Sosa was bitten on the paw as a result. Amazingly, Sosa pulled through after just three days in an animal hospital.


Source: http://www.petcentric.com/article.aspx?C=1&OID=25# 


Friday, April 17, 2009

More pictures of the kittens-now two weeks old!

Here are the kittens-they are two weeks, two days old in these pictures which were taken this morning.  Enjoy!




Scarlet is doing great!

Scarlet went to the vet today and is doing great!  Last Saturday, she weighed 4 pounds, 8 ounces and today she weighs 5 pounds 5 ounces!  She is eating a ton and feeling lots better.  She is still on medication for her hookworms and coccidia but I can tell she feels lots better.  I am so happy to see her change from a lethargic, sick kitty into a vibrant, energetic mama!

Her kittens are also gaining weight and doing great!  I have noticed that they are starting to smell things and they are definitely getting more curious about their surroundings.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Pictures of Scarlet and Her Two Week Old Kittens!

Scarlet is getting better everyday!  She is eating more and acts like she feels much better.  She is on a lot of medications and we are still doing Sub-Q fluids every night.

The kittens are two weeks old today.  They are growing everyday and gaining weight.  I think two of them are starting to play already!

All of these pictures were taken this morning.  The kittens are getting so cute!! (They were cute before, but everyday they seem to get even cuter!)