Walk for animals in 2009!

Minnesota, May 2- animalhumanesociety.org/walk 
Boston, Methuen and Hyannis, Sept. 13-mspca.org/site 

San Diego, May 2-sdhumane.org/site 
Atlanta, May 2- atlantahumane.org/events 
Seattle, Sept. 27- seattlehumane.org/explore/events 
Philadelphia, May 2- phillywalk.org 
Nebraska, Sept. 27-nehumanesociety.org/site 
Virginia, May 9- awla.org/animal-fundraising-walk.shtml 
Ohio, May 9- summithumane.org/events.asp 
Missouri, May 16- member.hsmo.org/site 
Indiana, Oct 11- cityoffortwayne.org/index.php 
North Carolina, May 16 - apswalk.org 
Maryland, April 26  - aacspca.org 

Fire kills 140 cats, 3 dogs and numerous small animals at animal shelter

A fire swept through the Humane Society of Durham Region shelter early Wednesday, leaving about 180 animals dead, police said.  (The website for the shelter states the number of animals killed are 

In its wake, those who cared for and loved the animals inside were heartbroken. Teen volunteers could only hug each other, sob and place flowers outside the charred, boarded-up building on Wednesday afternoon.

"I was the investigator. I brought in the animals that were abused," said Debby Houghton.

"A lot of these animals were abused in Durham region. They were starving or neglected and came here to be safe," she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

Another woman noted that many of the animals had to fight to stay alive, only to die from the heat, smoke and flames.

Fire had engulfed the building when firefighters arrived about 2:30 a.m.

Emergency crews managed to save nine dogs, a rat and two cats from the building, located on Waterloo Street in Oshawa. About 140 cats died from smoke inhalation, as did three dogs and about 40 small animals including some rabbits and a guinea pig.

The damage to the building is extensive, police said in a news release.

"The building suffered extensive fire and smoke damage estimated at approximately $250,000," it said. "The cause of the fire has not been determined and remains under investigation."

The animals that were saved were sheltered in police vehicles until officers with Oshawa Animal Services arrived to rescue them.

The pets are now at a 24-hour animal hospital in Whitby where they are being examined.

"This is a horrific event and our hearts go out to the Humane Society of Durham Region," says Kate MacDonald, CEO of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"The SPCA will be assisting the Humane Society in any way we can during this emotional time."

http://toronto.ctv.ca 

Donate to the shelter or attend one of their fundraisers. 

I'm pet friendly-are you?

Jefferson City, MO - infoZine - The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced a new grant program to help with low-cost spay and neuter services to benefit unwanted dogs and cats. This program offers license plates available to all Missourians interested in making a donation to the Missouri State Humane Association. Each sale of the “I’m Pet Friendly” license plate will donate $20 to the Missouri Pet Spay/Neuter Fund administered by MDA.

“The Department of Agriculture has implemented this new program that will help humane societies, animal shelters and non-profit rescue groups spay and neuter dogs and cats and control the population of unwanted animals,” said Don Steen, director of MDA. “Anyone will be able to purchase the special pet-friendly Missouri license plate and is a way for everyone to become actively involved in communities working together to create solutions for pet populations.”

To obtain an “I’m Pet Friendly” license plate, you must first pay a $25 contribution to the Missouri State Humane Association and be issued an emblem-use authorization. You can obtain your new plate through the Missouri Department of Revenue by submitting the emblem-use authorization statement with a $15 specialty license plate fee and an Application for Missouri Personalized and Special License Plate form.

Funds will be administered by MDA and paid as grants for low-cost pet spay/neuter services to benefit unwanted dogs and cats. Eligible humane societies, local municipal animal shelters regulated by sections 23.400 to 273.405, RSMo, and organizations exempt from federal income taxation under IRS Code Section 501(c) (3) may apply for the funds.

To learn how to make a donation to the Missouri State Humane Association to receive an emblem-use authorization, visit www.mostatehumane.org/. “I’m Pet Friendly” plates can be ordered by visiting dor.mo.gov/mvdl/motorv/plates/ or a local motor vehicle office.

Information about the pet spay/neuter grant program can be found atwww.mda.mo.gov or by calling (573) 751-3377.

Make 2009 the year for animals!

Make this year the year for animals!  If you truly care about the welfare of animals, this is your year to prove it!  If you have only one hour or one day available, there is something you can do!  I recommend donating to smaller, local shelters.  The larger, more established shelters have many supporters while smaller organizations generally have only local residents supporting them.

Things you can do for a shelter:

Offer to help at adoptions, set up cages, take down cages and anything in between!

Return calls (to people who want to donate, people who want to relinquish their cat or dog, someone found an animal, or lost an animal, etc) or make calls to recent adopters to see how the animal is doing in their new home (you can do this at home!).

Volunteer to do laundry (at home or at the shelter if they have the facilities).

Foster an animal! Fostering an animal means that the animal lives with you and you help socialize that animal and learn more about their likes and dislikes and personality which makes for a very informed adoption when someone comes asking about that particular animal. Check with the shelter to see if the food, litter and vet costs are covered. Some shelters only offer paying for vet care, others, like the one I volunteer for pay for everything.

If you have extra money consider donating towards their medical care or food costs.  If you would rather buy items (instead of giving money) buy cat toys, dog beds, cat trees, chew toys for dogs, scratching posts, etc.  With so many animals, supplies can wear out fast!

Walk dogs for a local shelter or help socialize cats.  Animals in shelters benefit immensely from human contact.  Having a play session, being brushed or getting a pet behind the ears calms them and reduces their stress. (Which makes for happier cats and dogs on adoption day!)

Have computer skills?  Design a shelter's website, create invitations for upcoming events, design flyers to promote adopting an animal, etc.  The possibilities are endless!

Anything, really anything, you can give to or do for your local animal shelter will be appreciated. We always need an endless supply of air tight containers to hold dry food, newspapers, blankets, towels, pillows, toys, cat litter, treats, wet food, high quality dry food, flea medications (NOT over the counter meds-only Frontline, Advantage) laundry detergent, dryer sheets, hand soap, Purell, we use Swiffer Wet to clean the floors, plastic bags (for cleaning up after dogs), plastic baggies (ziploc-type bags of all sizes), trash bags, plastic measuring scoops for accurate amounts of food (not the glass cups), Clorox wipes, paper towels, latex gloves, cotton balls, q-tips, KMR-powder, kitten formula, KMR- powder, 2nd step, Royal Canine-small bite kitten formula.  These are things that we use daily and can always use.

Other things that we use that we don't necessarily need as often are collars, leashes, harnesses, food bowls, water bowls (stand alone and ones that attach to cages), cages, carriers, beds, scratching posts, cat trees/towers, brushes, cat window perches, anything that the cats can scratch on, not necessarily just scratching posts (cats have different preferences on scratching), night lights, rotating floor fans, space heaters, brooms, dustpans, trash cans, clip boards, pens, bird feeders, bird seed and anything else you can think of.

Whether you buy treats for $1.99 or a cat tree for $199.00, it will be appreciated! The more you donate, the more money shelters have to save more animals!
 

Click here to find your local shelter 

A little bit can go a long way when you help out a local animal shelter! Most of the people there are volunteers and are not paid anything. Some are a more commercialized and have very few volunteers with mostly paid workers. Those shelters have generally been around longer and have more supporters and get more donations.

And lastly, support the no-kill shelters! Why would you want your money to go to kill an animal?

What do you do for your local shelter?

Can you help in Ohio?

Pet Guards Shelter, 950 Hardy Road, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223, is a low-cost spay, neuter and vaccination clinic for dogs and cats, as well as a shelter that houses and adopts out unwanted cats.

The shelter is seeking donations of 1,500 square feet of vinyl flooring, a 5- to 7-ton vertical-discharge, roof-mount heating and cooling unit, a tankless water heater, window tint, signage and awning materials.

In addition, it needs these volunteers: a licensed HVAC installer, an electrician, a flooring installer, a window tinter, a sign maker and an awning maker.

To volunteer, call Joe Elton, 330-431-9391.  For information on donations only, e-mail donations@pgfundraising.org. Information is at http://www.petguards.com.

Please help these very cold kitties and doggies!

The animals at the Windsor Animal Control are staying in a building with no heat!  They are very, very cold in a small building in a small town.  Can you donate a small space heater or money to buy one?  I hate to hear of sweet kitties and doggies waiting for homes being so cold.  It is getting really cold now (especially overnight) in Missouri.  Click here for a list of space heaters on amazon.com.  They have cheap ones at around $15.


The shelter is located on County Line Road in Windsor. They have no set hours, however, they do their best to accommodate your schedule to show you their animals. Please call 1-660-525-1035 for an appointment and detailed directions. If there is no answer please leave a message and they will get back to you as soon as possible.

---

Windsor Animal Control-(WACO)
Corner of County Line Road
Willa Lane
Windsor, MO 65360
Phone: 1-660-525-1035 
Click here for a map

Email: windsoranimalcontrol@yahoo.com
Click here for a list of pets at this shelter 

Deck the Paws Event at Iowa City Campus, Dec. 13

The Kirkwood Iowa City Campus again will be offering a chance to get your pet pictured with Santa and one of his elves on Dec. 13, 2008 from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The Deck the Paws event blends pet-owner fun with a good cause for the Holidays.



For $10 participants receive a 4x6 color photo of your pet (or children) with Santa and his helper(s) in a holiday frame. An electronic version of the photo can also be sent to an e-mail address. Individuals can also create a paw print ornament to hang on a Christmas tree for an additional $5.

Iowa Humane Alliance is holding a Cookie Walk in conjunction with Deck the Paws. The proceeds of the cookie walk will go directly to the SNIPs low-cost spay and neuter clinic fund.

A pet expo is also planned for the 2008 Deck the Paws event where people can learn more about area businesses and complete some holiday shopping. More information on the event is available by calling Connie Marberry at the Kirkwood Iowa City Campus, 319-887-3626.

Photos with Santa in Ohio Dec 6 & 13

Photos with Santa: 


Bring your furry friend to meet Santa and receive a festive framed digital photo for only 8.95 plus tax. $5.00 from each photo purchase benefits homeless pets, at the Petco in Wadsworth this money is designated for Save Ohio Strays! Get pictures taken from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 and Dec. 13 at Petco in Williams Crossings, Wadsworth. There will also be dogs and cats to adopt and 2009 calendars for $5. The nonprofit group has rescued 1,022 animals over four years. Reach the group at 440-567-3585. www.saveohiostrays.org

Philadelphia Event for the Dogs! Dec 6

Saturday, December 6 12-2 PM


First Annual Holiday Deck the Dogs!
         
Hosted by Central Bark Doggy Day Care and Opportunity Barks. Wish list item drive and fundraiser for PAWS. Bring your social dogs to check out the agility course, donate items, or both!  Items most needed are: towels, blankets, dog beds, collars, leashes, crates, carriers, bleach, and laundry detergent.   

We're using this as an opportunity to spread the love and make a difference for Philly's Homeless animals too. So, we'll be "deckin' out" dogs that are really in need.


We'll also have a donation bin if you prefer to make a donation to benefit Philly PAWS.

Location

Central Bark Doggy Day Care

2001 S 29th St Philadelphia, PA 19145 267-861-2275

$4000 Worth of Supplies Stolen From Animal Shelter!

To those that care about the homeless pets in Kansas City:

There has been a small tragedy at The Pet Connection (TPC). On 11/19/08, TPC was the victim of a crime that will have grave costs to their shelter animals and for those that they are not able to rescue. A trailer and all the supplies needed for building 8 new dog and cat rooms was stolen. It is so sad, disappointing, and everyone at the facility is feeling a little defeated. Jason Huff and another volunteer got most of the supplies donated and spent 2 days loading it all for TPC so that the cost would be minimal. Replacement value of our loss: $4000.

They were going to start construction over Thanksgiving. The Executive Director & Operations Director had cancelled holiday plans with their families so that they could build these much needed life savers. Their Christmas gift to the homeless pets was an important one. They estimate that these rooms will help successfully house and rescue 15-40 additional pets each month. Almost 70 percent of the rescued dogs at their facility were scheduled to be euthanized in area shelters simply because of space constraints.

If anyone can send additional funding for this project, they would really appreciate. If everyone they have helped this month, would send $5......that would be about $3000. We need help. Please send your pledge today. I know that together, we can make this horrible turn of events seem small.


If they do not receive a rally from their friends, they will not be able to complete the project until much later. They are turning away about a hundred animals a month, please help them! They need these resources to be available as soon as possible-to start from scratch again.

If you would like to donate, you can donate online by visiting their Donate Page. Or you can mail or drop donations by the facility at 5918 Broadmoor, Mission KS 66202.

Visit their website at thepetconnection.net

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week November 2-8, 2008

In 1996, The HSUS launched National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (based on an idea from the Capital Humane Society in Lincoln, Nebraska). This campaign was designed to acknowledge and promote the invaluable role shelters play in their communities and to increase public awareness of animal welfare issues and shelter services. During National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, the first full week of every November, The HSUS promotes and celebrates animal shelters across the country through media and public outreach.

What can you do for your local shelter?
I volunteer at a shelter where the cats and dogs are in completely different buildings. The lists below are only for cats.

Anything, really anything, you can give to or do for your local animal shelter will be appreciated. We need an endless supply of food bowls, water bowls, newspapers, blankets, towels, beds, pillows, toys, cat litter, treats, wet food, high quality dry food, flea medications (NOT over the counter meds-only Frontline, Advantage) laundry detergent, dryer sheets, hand soap, Purell, we use Swiffer Wet to clean the floors, plastic baggies, measuring scoops (not the glass cups) . These are things that we use daily and can always use.

Other things that we use that we don't necessarily need as often are cages, carriers, beds, scratching posts, cat trees, brushes, cat window perches, anything that the cats can scratch on, not necessarily just scratching posts, night lights, rotating floor fans, bird feeders, bird seed and anything else you can think of.

Whether you buy treats for $1.99 or a cat tree for $199.00, it will be appreciated! The more you donate, the more money shelters have to save more animals!

Click here to find your local shelter

Things you can do for a shelter:
Volunteer to clean or socialize animals.
Volunteer to help at adoptions.
Volunteer to return calls or make calls to recent adopters.
Volunteer to do laundry.
Foster an animal! Fostering an animal means that the animal lives with you and you help socialize that animal and learning more about their likes and dislikes and personality which makes for a very informed adoption when someone comes asking about that particular animal. Check with the shelter to see if the food, litter and vet costs are covered. Some shelters only offer paying for vet care, others, like the one I volunteer for pay for everything.

A little bit can go a long way when you help out a local animal shelter! Most of the people there are volunteers and are not paid anything. Some are a more commercialized and have very few volunteers with mostly paid workers. Those shelters have generally been around longer and have more supporters and get more donations.

And lastly, support the no-kill shelters! Why would you want your money to go to kill an animal?

What do you do for your local shelter?

Small-dog rescue needs supplies in Tennessee-can you help them out?

Small-dog rescue needs supplies

Second Chance & Happy Tails, a small-dog rescue and retirement home, is in need of dry and canned Pedigree, Iams and Iams puppy dog food and monetary donations for veterinary care. The shelter also is in need of dental bones, biscuits, small collars, cleaning supplies, grooming tools, dog bedding, blankets and toys. In addition, the shelter is collecting the weight circle proof-of-purchase symbols from all Purina dry dog food bags to exchange for veterinarian visits or dog food.

Mail circles or donations to: 513 Yvonne Drive, Clarksville, TN 37042

Contact: Inge Irby, 503-8300, 1PawUp@bellsouth.net or visit www.secondchancehappytails.petfinder.org.

Vote for the Parkville Animal Shelter!

Click on the purple button at The Animal Rescue Site and
give food to an animal living in a shelter or sanctuary
--at no cost to you. Then vote for your favorite shelter for a chance to win $1000!
www.theanimalrescuesite.com

Thank you so much for voting!! :) The animals thank you too!

Support Best Friends and get a picture of your pet!

On September 27, thousands of Walgreens stores across the country will host a Pet Photo Shoot that will benefit Best Friends Animal Society.

People are encouraged to bring their beloved cat, dog, ferret, bird, iguana and all other types of companion animals to their local Walgreens to have their photos taken together.

There’s no charge for the photo shoot itself, but you have the option of spending $5.99 for a photo, photo CD, pet treats and photo coupons. Walgreens will donate $5 of each sale to animal welfare organizations: half to Best Friends and half to Delta Society.

“We are very pleased to be selected as a beneficiary of Walgreens’ Pet Photo Shoot promotion,” says Paul Berry, Best Friends chief executive officer. “Walgreens’ support of Best Friends is generous and most appreciated.”

Walgreens, based in Deerfield, Illinois, is the nation's largest retail pharmacy chain.

Supporting animal welfare efforts fits with the company’s mission to promote general physical and emotional wellness, according to Martha O’Bryan, manager of community affairs. “Through their many programs, these organizations seek to assist both people and animals alike when they are at their most vulnerable and defenseless,” O’Bryan says.

Click here to find a Walgreens near you.

Spend $1-Save kitty and doggy lives!

Join me and hundreds of other people who donate $1 a month to different needy animal shelters.



http://shelters.animalhelp.com/

From the site:
Can you afford one dollar per month? Just $12 per year can help 12 shelters in desperate need of financial help. Each month we will feature a different animal shelter in dire need of financial assistance. We ask that you send one dollar to that shelter during that month. Your one dollar combined with other dollars will help to raise thousands of dollars for one needy shelter.

Dog chews own leg off to escape

A purebred Saint Bernard chewed his own leg off to escape being on the end of a chain.

Panda was rescued by animal control after being notified by a concerned neighbor. The dog is being cared for by a local Saint Bernard rescue.

Read more

Cage Comforters: Small Quilts Changing the Lives of Shelter Animals

Cage comforters are simple, small quilts placed in the cages of shelter animals. Not only do they make the cage a more comfortable place to be, but they also can help to increase an animal's chances of adoption. How? They reduce the stress animals feel while in a cage and they allow potential adopters to more easily see the animals as part of their homes and lives.

Anyone who can thread a needle can create a cage comforter, and help get a Little New Yorker adopted!
More...

One dollar, one month, one shelter.

I joined the One Dollar, One Shelter, One Month animal shelter campaign and have pledged my dollar each month, won't you please join with me? Together we can help many shelters help more animals!

How the Campaign Works

We will post information for one shelter each month. We ask that you send one dollar directly to that shelter during that time. Alternately, you can use the ChipIn box in the right hand column to make a secure payment using PayPal. Every penny of every dollar that you donate goes directly to the shelter, to be used for the animals either way you donate. We ask for only one dollar because we know all of us can help at that amount, and a little money from a lot of people is easier to get then a lot of money from a few people.

We also really need you to forward this information to everyone you know, on your myspace blog, bulletin, and groups, and everyone on your mailing lists, and contact list. One dollar a month from a lot of people will make a world of difference for these shelters that don't have the benefit of wealthy donors, large budgets, or a huge staff for fundraising.

Think of the impact your one dollar can provide...one dollar from thousands of people can raise thousands of dollars for one shelter. If you can send one dollar each month for a year, all it will cost you is $12 by the end of the year, but 12 animal shelters in desperate need of funds will benefit so much, and so will the animals and the community!

Vet thinks yellow lab was used as bait dog-mouth tied shut--found severely wounded-Please donate if you can!

This story is from a group I am in:

I just stopped by the Cherokee County Animal Shelter with Mary Carpenter
from Saving Gaffney Pets and there was a yellow lab there that had been
hit by a car or shot or beaten. She had a wound in her chest and a wound
in her backend and she was bleeding profusely... Out of her nose and
mouth and both wounds. Her paws were covered in blood. It was TERRIBLE.

She was attacked by another dog and it looks like
she just rolled over on her back and let the other dog maul her. She is
covered in wounds over her body... The weird thing is that she has
bruises on her face, so the vet said she might have been used as a bait
dog and they tied her mouth shut. It's sick, really. I haven't gotten a
final total on her care yet, but right now it is at upwards of $500.

She needs all the help she can get. I talked with the vet today and she
has three broken bones as well.

If anyone wants to donate, please call (864) 489-8446 (Piedmont Animal
Hospital) in the morning (03/03) and tell them it's for the Yellow Lab
Saving Gaffney Pets is bringing in.

This is the rescue that is currently paying for this poor dog's care:
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/SC251.html

Free Food for Shelter Dogs and Cats! Animalrescuesite.org needs help!

Free Food for Shelter Dogs and Cats

The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of getting free food donated every day to abused and neglected animals.

It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on the purple box ‘fund food for animals’ for free.

This doesn’t cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.

Here’s the web site! The Animal Rescue Site. Pass it along to people you know.

AGAIN, PLEASE TELL 10 FRIENDS (or as many as you can)

If you were wondering.

Snopes.com says this is legitimate
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/charity/animalrescue.asp