4 The Love of Animals- animal rescue, wildlife, pets, and more!

Some great things around the internet this week:

• Wicked Local does a little musical experiment involving his dogs. Watch the clip and judge for yourself which music makes his pets happy.
• This undercover investigation revealed some horrible treatment of downed cows. The video is a bit much to take honestly, it’s always shocking that people can be capable of such awful acts, but the article is very important.
• Best Friends can finally talk about the special dogs they received from the Michael Vick case. They have decided to call them the Vicktory Dogs!
• If you live in Utah, please contact your senator about Henry’s Law. Let’s make sure it passes this time around!
• Purina has a fun website, you can make your own video in a Mad Libs kind of fashion. It’s really fun! Visit “Poops, I did it again” to find out more and have some fun.
• There is a great website called PetSide.com, they have a lot of great information like this article about how second hand smoke affects pets. What I love the most though is their Pet Vet feature (it’s a lot like a WebMd, but for pets!).
• And last but not least, DoggieMai (and KittyMail) is back and better than ever for Valentines Day. From February 1- February 14th, Purina will donate 50 cents to rescue shelters for each mail sent.

I got a press release about protecting pets from fleas and ticks. This is an important topic, so I thought I would repost the press release here if you are interested in learning more.

Potential for Lyme disease spreading at an alarming rate International researchers say spread of parasites could increase incidence of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases

SHAWNEE, Kan. (Nov. 1, 2007) — According to the world’s top veterinary researchers, the numbers of blood-feeding parasites, such as ticks, are growing at an epidemic rate. Not only are their numbers increasing, but they are spreading rapidly across the country.

The growth rates have state health departments across the United States implementing programs to warn residents of the influx of these parasites, the threat of diseases associated with them, and preventive measures they can take for themselves and their pets.

What is causing the increase in parasites? Researchers are noting exceptionally warm weather has prolonged the activities of these harmful parasites tremendously and allowed deeper penetration into temperate zones, such as North America and Europe. As it has remained warmer longer, the life span of the parasites has increased as well. The longer the life span, the more opportunity for them to prey on humans. Unfortunately, these parasites not only are a nuisance, but they also are vectors of dangerous infections such as Lyme Borreliosis (Lyme disease). Read the rest of this entry »

People aren’t the only ones who suffer when they lose their homes, pets often lose their homes too. This article made me really sad.

The wreckage of the subprime mortgage crisis has caused human pain far and wide, but its victims also include a band of seven gentle, woolly-coated huskies.
more stories like this

Their owner was a recent widow facing eviction from her foreclosed home. She had brought the dogs to the Animal Rescue League of Boston where she reluctantly signed paperwork surrendering them for adoption.

“Those dogs were her life,” said Melissa Cox, assistant manager of the Animal Rescue League of Boston. “She lost her husband, her house, and then her beloved dogs.”

Across the region, dogs and cats are arriving at shelters in growing numbers, as their owners face foreclosures and head to temporary homes, such as rental units or relatives’ houses, where pets are not permitted or may not be welcome.

Click the link above to read the full article… what a sad outcome for both people and the pets they love.

When I received the following email it broke my heart. First for the women and men who are in violent situations at home, and then for the animals who have to witness it. Anyone who loves a pet knows what a hard choice it would be to leave your spouse if you knew you had to leave your pet behind. Ahimsa House is pioneering ways to help both women and pets who are victims of domestic violence. Please read this and pass it on if you can:

Women residing at domestic violence shelters were nearly 11 times more likely to report that their partner had hurt or killed pets than a comparison group of women who said they had not experienced intimate violence. As a result, many victims stay in abusive relationships out of concern for their pets.

The only rescue group of its kind in Georgia, Atlanta-based Ahimsa House is dedicated specifically to the safe placement of companion animals involved in domestic abuse situations.

In 2006, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on the financial issues that were going to force Ahimsa House to close down. Merial Limited, an Atlanta-based global animal health company, responded to the article with a cash donation, allowing Ahimsa House to keep its doors open. The donation also allowed Ahimsa House to place animals in a variety of boarding facilities through a new grant-based system that houses family pets in locations closer to their owners.

Now one year later, Merial continues to support Ahimsa House by donating its veterinary products, FRONTLINE® and HEARTGARD®(ivermectin). In addition, Merial has partnered with the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine to provide veterinary care to the pets of Ahimsa House.

Those interested in donating to or volunteering for Ahimsa House should visit Ahimsa House or call (877) 346-2992 for more information.

Many other states have programs, like Ahimsa House, that are beginning to take shape and thrive to address this growing issue.These include Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence’s Safe Pet Sheltering Program, Denton, MD; El Dorado Women’s Center Safe Pet Program, Placerville, CA; Domestic Violence Project, Inc./SAFE House, Ann Arbor, MI; New Hope for Women, Rockland, ME; Animal Welfare League of Alexandria: Safekeeping Program, Alexandria, VA; and Salt Lake County Animal Services Safe Pets/Safe People, Salt Lake City,UT. These programs are developing an informal network nationwide to meet demand with supply and share best practices.

I was really happy to know that my state has a program like this in place. Do you know of any other organizations like this? I think it’s awesome that people are taking care of both the people and the pets who have been effected by domestic abuse.

The following is a guest post from Susan Daffron, author of two wonderful books about animal rescue.

Thank you for letting me write a guest post for your blog about my books Happy Hound (HappyHoundBook.com) and Happy Tabby (HappyTabbyBook.com).

I wrote these two books specifically for people who have adopted dogs and cats from animal shelters. After years of volunteering and working at animal shelters and at a low-cost vet clinic, I saw what happens when the relationship falls apart between pets and their owners. The reason I wrote the books is simple: I want to see more pets stay in their forever homes!

Too many dogs and cats are “dumped” at shelters. Those people who have stood at an animal shelter intake area and listened to the explanations and excuses people make when they drop off a pet know what I’m talking about. The reality is that people bring animals into shelters complaining of all the “terrible problems” they had. Most of these so-called problems are easily solved with a little understanding of animal behavior. (Or an understanding of human behavior!)

Dogs and cats are motivated by only a few things, I try and explain them in the books and how people can develop a wonderful lifelong relationship with their new pets. In Happy Hound, I cover everything from the reasons dogs bark to how to bond with your new canine. Happy Tabby gives new cat owners answers to common questions like how to “kitty proof” your house and why cats scratch furniture.

Plus, because my main motivation is to help educate people about pet ownership, we are offering Happy Hound and Happy Tabby to humane organizations at a substantial discount. Non-profit groups can use it as a fund raiser or educational tool in a number of ways.

We also encourage those groups with Web sites to join our affiliate program. When people buy the books using the affiliate link, the rescue group gets 20% of the purchase price. More information on how the books can be used to raise money is located on these pages:

Happy Hound:
HappyHoundBook.com
Happy Tabby:
HappyTabbyBook.com

Pet care education is so important, so thank you again for helping me spread the word about my books and how they can be used to reduce the number of animals that are returned to animal shelters. Here’s to saving more lives!

Our little tech geek pup has made it to the big time with a spot on an Ultra Kawaii episode! Who knew there were so many computer loving pets out there?? Too cute!

This came to me from a reader, and I wanted to share because anyone who has had a pet with medical problems knows what a hard road it can be. We are going through medical bills with Baby, and they will continue through out her life, but when you love your pet, you do whatever you can don’t you?

Mojo has FLUTS feline lower urinary tract disease -

Small particles lodge in the male urethra and cause complete obstruction with the inability to pass urine-this is a life and death situation if not treated quickly.

So far his medical bills are at$1,833 and could go higher. The chances of are-blocking after being cleared is 50% within a week or two after being un-blocked which means another procedure and 3more days in the hospital.

Unfortunately I am currently struggling with approximately $20,000 in medical bills from a surgery I had last summer so this is one emergency too many for me.

IIf you would like to make a donation please go to:
www.helpmojo.chipin.com/contribute/id/6ad1f4bb2a81cda8

If you are like me, you probably have no money. No worries.
Good thoughts and vibes for Mojo will also be accepted and appreciated.

To learn more:

helpmojo.chipin.com/mojos-medical-bills. You can also post the helpmojo.chipin widget on your web page or blog. I appreciate any assistance of any kind.

Here is a little more about Mojo:

Mojo and his brother Yoshi came into my life in December2000. My first cat, Puck, had passed away and as a legacy to her I wanted to offer a home to two kittens. One Saturday, I went to pet adoptions in Sherman oaks, Encino, Culver City and Santa Monica looking for two colorful male kittens. I wasn’t having much luck. I was told that kittens usually get adopted early in the day, so when I pulled into the Petco in Santa Monica at 6:00 pm I had very little hope of finding my new family. I also knew that kitten season was just about over and if I didn’t find them soon, I would probably have to wait until May. My spirits picked up as soon as I spied two tiny 8 week old black kittens with beautiful blue eyes. I asked their foster dad if they were related and he said they were brothers. I immediately fell in love.I asked the kittens if they wanted to come home and live with me.I assumed the purring meant yes.

My first fond moment came the next morning when I woke up and pulled the covers back to see two kittens curled up together against me and two sets of eyes gazing lovingly at me. I named one Kirayoshi and the other one Mojo Jojo. Mojo was named after the evil monkey in the Power Puff Girls. True to his name he developed a bit of a stubborn streak, but he was still sweet.

With in their first two years Mojo and Yoshi broke a fan, a lamp, 3 spider plants, a zen garden, a couple of pictures frames and…. well pretty much everything, but they were always entertaining. One night I looked up from the TV to see them causally trotting across the room - Mojo with a roll of toilet paper in his mouth. Another time I caught him trotting out of my roommate’s room with a rose blossom in his mouth. I have no idea what he planned to do with it.

After age two they calmed down a bit. Yoshi grew into a long sleek classically handsome kitty while Mojo grew into a stocky sumo of a cat. I think the fact that he wasn’t as handsome as his brother endeared him to me.Their personalities are different too. Yoshi craves attention. He will throw himself on the ground, belly up in front of anyone and everyone and meow until you pet him. Mojo is a little more standoffish but will eventually come around to investigate and say hello. Both boys like having their bellies rubbed and never bite or scratch (well unless you are trying to clip Mojo’s claws) When I am in bed Yoshi will often paw me in the face or lick me until I play with or feed him. I am constantly pushing him off the bed. Mojo on the other hand never tries to wake me. He just curls up against me and goes to sleep. I enjoy his quiet steadiness. Yoshi will talk your ear off, Mojo speaks rarely.

Mojo has some breathing problems but I have become accustomed to the sound of his breathing, snoring and occasional snorting. It’s the sound of home.The sight of them wrestling or curled up together on the sofa is home.The feel of one or both of them curled up on my lap or lying on the ottoman with their head propped on my foot is home. Home would not be the same without him.

Thank you for reading about Mojo.

Regards,
Alison