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

Already we are 8 months into the year, and I just found out that this is the Year of the Frog! No, I am not talking about Chinese New Year, but rather a year long campaign to help save the frog. Frogs are disappearing at alarming rates, but you probably haven’t heard much about it. The Year of the Frog campaign is designed to help raise awareness and funds to stop the crisis.

From Africa to the Americas, frogs and other amphibians are vanishing from the planet at an alarming rate. Not since the dinosaurs has the world seen such a rapid extinction. In the past few decades, as many as 130 species of frogs and other amphibians may have been wiped out. Right now, one-third to one-half of the world’s amphibian species are threatened. Climate change, pollution and a silent killer — chytrid fungus — are the main suspects in the mass disappearance. Chytrid fungus is currently unstoppable and untreatable in the wild. The World Conservation Union calls it the worst infectious disease ever recorded among vertebrates.

Amphibian Ark is doing a lot of great work in efforts to save frogs and other amphibians from extinction. As a frog lover, I am alarmed at the news, and saddened by the thought of frogs becoming extinct. If you want to learn more about what is going on, and also how you can become involved in the problem solving process, please visit the Amphibian Ark website.

Hacienda de los Milagros (Home of Miracles) is a lifetime sanctuary in Chino Valley, Arizona. They specialize in caring for burros, and horses, with a dedication to their life long care (they do not offer animals for adoption). Please visit their website to learn more about the Hacienda le los Milagros sanctuary, and consider making a donation or purchase from their shop to help them in their efforts.

If you visit, the only sounds you might hear are the gentle sounds of animals at peace and play. These animals whose lives were threatened, had no place to go and had no one who cared. Today they are safe and happy members of a loving family, thanks to the love and efforts of two dedicated people who founded Hacienda de los Milagros Animal Sanctuary.

Due to cutbacks from a couple of foundations the 225+ burros, horses, mules, jennies and jacks are at risk of losing their home in this lifetime sanctuary. Many of the residents were scheduled to be slaughtered or killed due to owners no longer wanting them, population concerns on federal lands or they had a deformity that some would consider life ending. The “Home of Miracles” truly has been a miracle for these animals. Let’s try to help them stay that way! You can visit their fund raising page to learn more about how you can help.

“Doing More™ for Pets” Campaign Highlights the Most Remarkable Pet Rescue Survival Stories“

ST. LOUIS, MO. (June 18, 2008) – Though the work of pet rescue can often be difficult, expensive and heart-breaking, we also hear stories that re-affirm the purpose, effort and devotion of pet rescue groups across the country. These stories tell of pets that have persevered throughout the harshest of conditions, and with the help of some very special people, have not only survived, but thrived.

The Purina® Pro Plan® brand is recognizing these stories through the Rally to Rescue™ “Doing More for Pets” Rescue Stories Contest. This nationwide campaign chronicles the amazing but often untold stories of pet rescue, and allows America to get involved through an online voting period that begins in June and runs through October. While many people are familiar with their large local animal shelters, “Doing More for Pets” honors rescued pets that have overcome great odds, thanks to the incredible hard work and dedication of small pet rescue organizations.

It is often hard to think of the cruelty some pets are subjected to, however these stories of triumph over adversity warm the heart because they celebrate happy endings and positive outcomes. From a litter of kittens left in a mall planter, to a Boxer so starved she couldn’t stand up, these pets rose above their circumstances, made remarkable recoveries, and in the process brought joy and hope to every life they touched.

More than 70 rescue stories were submitted and a judging panel selected 10 success stories that stood above the rest. These stories demonstrated that by doing more and going the extra mile, these dedicated pet rescue workers changed the lives of 10 exceptional dogs and cats.

Vote for Fluffy and Fido
From June 2nd through October 31, 2008, these 10 stories will be highlighted on www.rallytorescue.org. Animal lovers are encouraged to visit the site and vote for the dog or cat they believe has made the most significant transformation. In November, the finalist with the most votes will be announced at The National Dog Show Presented by Purina®. The pet rescue organization that nominated the winning pet will receive coupons for $5,000 in Purina Pro Plan brand Pet Food. A designated member of the rescue organization, the winning pet and their current owner will also win a trip to attend The National Dog Show Presented by Purina.

Ambassadors to the Rescue
The program is an extension of the Purina® Pro Plan® Rally to Rescue™ campaign, which is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for pet rescue nationwide. The honored pets could not have survived without the passion and commitment of the selfless pet rescue workers known as Rally to Rescue Ambassadors. These tireless individuals work to ensure the safety and well-being of homeless dogs and cats. Thanks to the efforts of these organizations, each year thousands of dogs and cats are rescued, brought back to health and placed in loving homes.
Smaller pet rescue organizations are often overlooked by potential donors and adopters due to their more limited fund raising and marketing capabilities. Rally to Rescue helps nearly 500 rescue organizations across the country give homeless pets the nutrition and care they need and the forever homes they deserve.

To learn more about the Pro Plan Rally to Rescue campaign or to vote in the “Doing More for Pets Rescue Stories Contest” go to http://www.rallytorescue.org.

Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., the world’s largest food company. Rally to Rescue is not a 501(c)(3) organization.

I got an email from Jenn of Cutie-Paws. She is doing some amazing work, not to mention making some really great stuffed plushes. With each handmade animal, 60% of the sale goes towards AnimalAsia China Bear Rescue. The following is a guest post from Jenn:

Why I’m doing what I’m doing:

Bear bile is used as a Traditional Medicine in China. The Bears are trapped in the wild via snares, which can often sever the bears’ limbs, and then kept in cages that are roughly the size of the bears themselves. Once trapped on the farm, the bears are “milked” for their bile through painful catheters that are up to 7 inches in length and are directly inserted into their gall bladders.

The cages that the bears are kept in are called Crush Cages. Why? Because once the bears are lying at the bottom of the cage to eat, a metal arch that spans the length of the cage (called the “crush”) keeps them flattened through force so that the farmer can milk them. The cage with the crush raised is not much bigger than the bear itself. It does not allow the bear to stand or move. With the crush lowered, the bears are literally being pressed into the floor of the cage. Animals Asia received many bears with the crush rusted in place in the lowered position meaning that the farmer never raised the crush when the milking was finished. These bears were literally forced into that position for years. As a result they suffer unimaginable pain and suffering, physically and mentally.

After I found out about this - I decided I wanted to do something. I started donating money to Animals Asia, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted to raise money and awareness, so I decided to make plushie animals and sell them, donating at least 60% of the sale to AAF. My goal this year is to try and raise $1000 for Animals Asia’s China Bear Rescue! You can help me achieve this goal by adopting a cutiepaw and 60% of the sale will be donated to Animals Asia’s China Bear Rescue!

So please stop by her site! I was unaware of this issue, and am really glad that Jenn is doing something to help spread awareness and help these animals.

Don’t forget to send your Valentine Doggie Mail! Now through the 14th they are donating 50 cents for each card sent. It’s free, and fun… and you can help homeless pets just for brightening someone’s day with a Doggie Mail (they have Kitty Mail too)!

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!