LOCAL HUMANE NEWS

Terre Haute Pets Alive Spay-Neuter Transport Numbers

Terre Haute's first Pets ALIVE Spay-Neuter Transport to the Pets ALIVE Spay/Neuter Clinic in Bloomington, IN on March 17, 2005 was a huge success. A total of 47 animals (32 cats--16 male, 16 female; 15 dogs--3 male and 12 female) were "fixed" that day. Our second transport on April 21 was responsible for altering another 30 animals. Our third transport, scheduled for May 31, filled quickly!

Many groups and individuals contribute to the effort to bring the Pets ALIVE Spay/Neuter Clinic's Transport Outreach service to Terre Haute as well as get the word out to the public and register pet owners. Sincere thanks go to the following:

• Vigo County Public Library Community Service Center, main branch
• Baesler's Market
• Locust Street IGA
• Terre Haute Humane Society
• Parke-Vermillion County Humane Society
• Mayor Kevin Burke
• Environmental Protection Division, Terre Haute Police Department
• Print Plus at 2151 Lafayette Ave Ste 101
• 14th & Chestnut Community Center
• Terre Haute Tribune-Star
• WTWO News Channel 2
• WTHI-TV Action 10 News
• Pets ALIVE
• League for Animal Welfare Inc.
• Harmony Haven
• Wabash Valley Freecycle
• Chris Thompson, manager of IKON
• Sallie & Don Cox, Angie Bridgewater, Dr. Joanne Wilson DVM, Jason Lange, Patricia Hojem, Bonnie Hanning, Jan Skipo, Susan Marr, Linda Brown, Marie Wilkinson, Priscilla Osborn, and many other volunteers.
• Clifford the Big Red Dog

Most of all, Spay-Neuter League thanks the people who take advantage of the service to spay and neuter not only their beloved pets and companions, but also rescued animals, strays and even barn cats.

It is heartwarming to know so many people are willing to go the extra mile to ensure these animals did not contribute to the overwhelming overpopulation. Some of the volunteers assisting with the animals have been directly involved with the daily tragedies faced by most shelter animals, and we are very grateful for the tremendous community support for this new program.

Thank you all for being "Part of the Solution"!

REGIONAL HUMANE NEWS

Heroes Needed For Dogs From Fighting Ring In Hamilton Co.

Rebecca Stevens, the Executive Director of the Humane Society of Hamilton County, contacted Indiana-PAW to ask for help in providing foster homes for 12 very special dogs at her shelter who need heroes.

Recently, 8 very sweet, loving Pit Bulls arrived at the Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC), and bore the clear signs of having been victims of the cruel "sport" of dog fighting. The dogs had been viciously starved and had some of their ears torn away to make them "mean." HSHC tells Indiana-PAW that the 8 Pit Bulls are anything but mean - instead, they are loving, friendly, gentle dogs, and show no signs of aggression towards people or other dogs.

Before these 8 Pit Bulls arrived at HSHC, the shelter already had 4 other Pit Bulls and Pit-mixes awaiting adoption. Rebecca Stevens, HSHC's Director, told Amy Van Ostrand, Indiana-PAW's Executive Director, that it takes, on average, approximately 4 months for the shelter to find a responsible adoptor for a Pit Bull. Stevens explained that this makes it challenging for the shelter to handle the sudden influx of Pit Bulls and provide the 8 victimized Pit Bulls with the specialized love and care they need right now. Thus, HSHC would GREATLY appreciate help from you: Indiana-PAW's constituents.

Here is what HSHC needs: They need help from anyone willing to foster any of the 8 Pit Bulls from the apparent fighting ring, along with anyone willing to foster the other 4 Pit Bulls already at the shelter (who are also all very sweet dogs). Read the HSHC article Rebecca Stevens wrote about the 8 rescued Pit Bulls, which includes photos. If you can provide a foster home to any of these 12 wonderful dogs, please contact HSHC at hamiltonhumane@yahoo.com or 317-773-4974, and tell them "Indiana-PAW sent me!"

Amy Van Ostrand, Esq.
Founder & Executive Director
E-mail: amy@indiana-paw.com
Phone: 317-345-6773

CanINE Express: Drivers/Riders Needed for Transport

The CanINE Express Transport Project is looking for volunteer drivers and riders to go on the Thursday, January 11 transport to New England -- transporting Indiana shelter dogs to shelters in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. We will be leaving from Bloomington, IN, early morning on Thursday, January 11, driving through the night, and arriving in New England early on Friday morning, January 12.

Drivers will be finished with the deliveries in the early afternoon on Friday, January 12 and the rental vans don't have to be back to Indiana until Sunday mid-afternoon on January 14. The rental vans, gasoline, and road tolls are paid by the project; volunteer drivers are asked to pay for their own hotel and food expenditures. Driver information [PDF] should answer most of your questions. If you think you may be interested in going on this long, but wonderful, trip, please email Cathi Eagan at eagan (at) indiana.edu or call her cell phone at 812-720-0005 as soon as possible.

To date, the CanINE Express Transport Project has transported 1,761 Indiana shelter dogs to New England shelter where they have found adoptive homes.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!

Cathi L. Eagan, CanINE Express Tranpsort Project
e-mail address: eagan (at) indiana.edu
812-720-0005 cell phone

Petfest 2006 Fall Adoption Day

From Hoosiers Helping Homeless Pets
Thursday, 09/14/2006 02:32 PM
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana

Over 1300 animals have found new homes through Petfest events!!

And YOU can help us save more!

Petfest 2006 Fall Adoption Day is just around the corner and we need your help!

If you have any questions, please call 317-767-0660, or visit Hoosiers Helping Homeless Pets.

Dog Attacks Prompt Indianapolis To Review Dog Policy

From WTHR
Friday, June 2, 2006 07:51 AM
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana

Another child was injured in a dog attack Wednesday. It's the third dog attack that's been reported in the past week.

It happened at Holliday Park, where Sydni Yates was out with her brother and aunt at around 10:30 am. They said two dogs came out of nowhere, grabbed on to Sydni's leg and wouldn't let go.

Animal control officers are at the scene and they've caught both dogs involved in the attack, an American bulldog and a boxer. Sydni suffered a puncture wound to the leg. Animal control officers interviewed her before she went to St. Vincent Hospital to be checked over.

A toddler suffered serious injuries after being mauled by a pit bull last week. The day before that, a ten-year-old boy needed 75 stitches for wounds to his arm in a separate dog attack.

In light of the recent attacks, councilor Sherron Franklin plans to re-introduce a proposal dealing with dangerous dogs. Her breed-specific ordinance failed to make it out of committee last fall, but Franklin hopes with a couple of revisions it will pass.

16 Dogs Rescued From Dog Fighting Facility in Indiana

From ABC News 7 Chicago
By Dan Ponce
May 30, 2006 (Last Updated: 5:07:23 PM)
GARY, Indiana

More than a dozen injured and emaciated pit bulls have been rescued from a home near Gary. Investigators also discovered dog fighting and training equipment in the home.

So far, no charges have been filed in the case but investigators are hoping this could be a breakthrough for stopping other dog fighting operations.

Police say the owner of the home -- who is a Gary firefighter -- is their only suspect at this time. They haven't found him yet and his name has not been released because no charges have been filed.

When detectives arrived they found the 16 dogs along with the rotting carcasses of six other in the back of a pickup truck. They also found equipment used for training dogs to fight. Sixteen pit bulls were rescued by the Lake County sheriff's department. Their faces and bodies were scarred from fighting each other. They were living in squalor at a home in Gary.

Chuck Majeski -- who lives across the street -- noticed a nasty smell coming from the home and decided to check it out. He discovered the starving dogs and called police.

Detective Michelle Weaver, Lake County Sheriff's Deptartment, says they are still going through evidence but will probably file charges for animal cruelty and neglect and possession of animal fighting paraphernalia.

URGENT REQUEST: Morgan Co. Humane Society Needs Dog Food

From Indiana-PAW
Tuesday, March 14, 2006; Posted: 01:57 p.m. EST (06:57 GMT)
MARTINSVILLE, Indiana (Morgan Co. Humane Society)

The Morgan Co. Humane Society is in desperate need of dry dog food. Due to lack of food donations after the Christmas holiday, the shelter is nearly out of dry dog food. All brands are accepted, but the shelter prefers not to have Ol'Roy brand, because it gives their dogs diarhea. If you are able to help, please call Angie Loudermilk at 765-349-9177, or e-mail her at adoptions (at) mchumanesoc.org. Donations are accepted at the shelter during the hours of 9-5 M-F, 9-4 on Saturday and 9-12 on Sunday. Donations are tax deductible.

Bearded Collies & "The Shaggy Dog"

From Steve Abbott, Bearded Collie Club of America, Indiana Coordinator
Tuesday, March 14, 2006; Posted: 01:57 p.m. EST (06:57 GMT) by Indiana-PAW

As you probably are aware by now, a new Disney movie, "The Shaggy Dog" was released on March 10. Tim Allen is the human star; the Shaggy Dog “star” in this release will be a Bearded Collie. The previous movies that showcased specific breeds, such as Dalmatians, Huskies, and St. Bernards, left breeders inundated with demand for each breed following the release of their movies. Beardie breeders are already receiving calls for Beardie puppies. Unfortunately, if past experience is any guide, this will also lead to more Beardies in Indiana animal facilities as impulse buyers begin dumping them.

This article is meant to accomplish two things. First, to inform you of the presence of Bearded Collie Rescue to assist you with the identification, rescue, and placement of abandoned Beardies. There is also a Beardie mix rescue called B.O.N.E. Rescue, Bearded Collie Mixes (“Neardies”). You may contact Steve Abbott at stephen-abbott (at) sbcglobal.net or Kathy McGriff at k.mcgriff (at) insightbb.com, 317-535-5594 or 317-738-5750 for assistance regarding either type.

The second objective of this article is to provide you with information about the bearded collie breed. The Bearded Collie Club of America website is dedicated to public education. It is full of good information for prospective buyers which should give them pause before making the decision to buy a puppy based solely on a cute movie. The website is http://beardie.net/bcca/. Please help us raise public awareness to help dampen impulse purchases.

Indianapolis Trap-Neuter-Return Ordinance Passed!

The Indianapolis City-County Council approved the proposed change (no. 473) to Indianapolis code to, making Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) an officially sanctioned method for controlling the unowned, free-roaming cat population in Indianapolis/Marion County! This ordinance makes it "legal" for the city's designated agency (Indyferal) to trap feral and stray cats in Indianapolis, sterilize them, and return them to their managed colony, where a caretaker provides care, food, and shelter.

IndyFeral has received emails from folks stating that they had heard the new ordinance would make it "illegal" to feed stray or feral cats. This was not being accurately reported by Indianapolis media. The new ordinance provides the following in regard to feeding:

• It is legal to feed stray/feral cats as part of a "managed TNR colony" or if you are feeding cats in preparation of implementing TNR as outlined by Indyferal. The key is getting the cats spayed and neutered to break the breeding cycle.
• If you are feeding stray/feral cats and you refuse TNR ....this is considered an "unmanaged colony" and you could be fined. It is irresponsible to feed the cats and not have them sterilized as this contributes to the overpopulation problem.

The ordinance change is the result of months of effort, and a collaboration between IndyFeral, Indianapolis Animal Care & Control Division (IACCD) and the City of Indianapolis Prosecutor's Office. It will build on Indyferal's established standards for the registration, caretaking, vaccination and feeding of free-roaming cats. The endorsement from the City of Indianapolis will allow IndyFeral to work in partnership with Indianapolis Animal Care & Control Division (IACCD) on a broad scale to reduce the unowned free-roaming cat population and create a safer and more humane community for them. In recognizing TNR, it also emphasizes the importance of responsible management of unowned, free-roaming cats colonies, with the dual goals of population reduction and improved quality of life for these cast-off animals.

You may review the proposed ordinance at IndyFeral. They will post the final version when it has been fully enacted as law.

IndyFeral, Inc., PAAIN Inc. (People Assisting Animals In Need) and RCHS (Ripley County Humane Society, Inc.) Join to bring TNR to South East Indiana

IndyFeral, Inc. Indianapolis, IN
July 3, 2005 - Good news from Osgood
This was originally a letter to members of IndyFeral Mailing List from Greg Brush, Vice President of IndyFeral, Inc.

Hi all!

About a month ago we were contacted by People Assisting Animals In Need (PAAIN). They're kind of the fund-raising organization for the Ripley County Humane Society (RCHS). They were contacted by a couple living on a farm who have found themselves with a cat population crisis on their hands. Even though they're almost literally in the middle of nowhere, they are the unlucky recipients of a regular stream of dumped cats. Volunteers from PAAIN & RCHS went out and estimated that there were probably 60 cats on the farm. They had heard of TNR and decided they could probably do it. How hard could it be?

Originally, they believed they could capture the cats in a pen and hold them until a mobile vet could come and fix the cats. They quickly discovered that holding large number of mostly feral cats in a pen wasn't a workable idea. They only had one trap, and suddenly felt they were way in over their heads. They took to the internet and found IndyFeral. A few weeks ago, Maureen Owen and I went to Ripley County to see the site. It's about an hour and a half drive from Indy, in the southeastern corner of Indiana.

It was a sweltering hot afternoon. We saw quite a number of kittens with varying minor afflictions like fleas, respiratory and eye infections. We also saw quite a number of cats, but most were laying low to avoid the afternoon heat. We were, however, delighted to find that the couple who owned the farm dearly loved the cats. They were in need of some education on how to recognize the conditions in the kittens that needed treatment, but were perfectly happy to get their own vet to help with that. Over the next couple weeks, things fell into place.

Fortunately, IndyFeral was in the midst of an organization-wide trap round-up/inventory, so we had lots of traps at the warehouse, and we loaded 63 of them into two pickups and headed southeast. The PAAIN people had raised/slated enough money to get surgeries for at least 60 cats, and through their ongoing relationship with the Pets ALIVE Spay-Neuter Clinic in Bloomington, secured a day to fix all of the cats. The plan was to trap the cats over the course of 2 days, expecting that it would probably take that long to trap 60 cats. In fact, it took one day to trap 53 cats! The transport from Bloomington came a day early, and the following day the cats had their big surgery day. The only small hitch was one of the cats delivering on the way to the clinic. So they ended up receiving 4 more cats/kittens than were sent.

There probably are still many more cats to be trapped just at this one site. We're going to continue working with PAAIN and RCHS to make TNR a regular part of their activities. We've shown them how it works. We're going to try to work with them to build their own inventory of traps, as it's very unusual that we would normally have that many traps available to loan. We are also hoping to use this, and similar experiences as a template to create a program to plant the seed of TNR in smaller communities and lighten the demand on IndyFeral's services.

We are all pleased that things worked out so well. The caretakers of the kitties are also eager to continue caring for the cats and enjoying their company, knowing they will not be flooded with kittens 7 months out of every year...and that all the cats will be healthier and happier. Many thanks to Maureen, Jody and Carmalita for their help!

I love sharing good news!!

Regards,
Greg Brush
Vice President
IndyFeral Inc.
P.O. Box 30054
Indianapolis, IN 46230-0054
(317) 596-2300
http://www.indyferal.org
A resource for caretakers & friends of stray & feral cats in central Indiana

Move to ACT Does Just That!

The Times Frankfort, IN
June 13, 2005 - Dog Owner Welcomes Help from Indianapolis Animal-Welfare Organization
by Stephanie Korneffel and Janis Thornton

Janie Murray's life, and that of her 44 dogs, is finally becoming somewhat manageable.

Over the weekend, six volunteers from Move to ACT, an Indianapolis-based animal welfare organization, gathered at Murray's rural Frankfort property. They put up fencing behind the house and helped her separate the animals by gender and move their current kennels.

The fencing was donated in May, said Darcie Kurtz, one of Move to ACT's members. The fencing is 40 feet by 60 feet and provides enclosures for the animals. Patio blocks placed around the perimeter of the fences will prevent the dogs from digging under the fence.

Move to ACT became involved in Murray's fight to keep her dogs after animal rights activist Stacey Coleman heard the story through an acquaintance in Frankfort. That was in March. Murray's dogs then numbered 57.

"You see some places with that many dogs and they aren't healthy," Coleman told The Times. "But that is not the case with Janie."

"Move to ACT's goals are threefold", Kurtz said: "to help Murray reduce the number of dogs by helping her find homes for those she can't keep; to improve their quality of life and to provide spay and neutering services for the ones she keeps."

"Obtaining and installing the fencing in the midst the weekend's rain was Move to ACT's first hurdle", Kurtz said.

Coleman said volunteers will return next weekend to finish the fencing, lay mulch on the ground and construct a shaded area for the dogs.

The group's next hurdle will be reducing the number of Murray's dogs to the number allotted by the Clinton County Board of Zoning Appeals. On May 26, the county approved Murray's request for a kenneling license, providing the number dogs did not exceed 28.

Coleman said the group is working with some rescue shelters in the Indianapolis area to take a few dogs at a time off Murray's hands. As spring rolls on, Kurtz said, shelter space is limited, so the group is asking residents interested in adopting a dog to contact them.

Murray said, while it is hard to see some of her dogs go, she knows they will be going to good homes. "I haven't had the time to stop and think for 13 years. It's been rough," Murray said, but added, "They're worth it."

Coleman said getting down to a manageable number of dogs will make Murray's life easier.

Its key is that residents understand that dropping animals off at Murray's place is no longer acceptable, she said.

"It's not going to be like that anymore," Coleman said. "She needs to take care of the ones she has."

Taking a break from the work, Coleman, Kurtz and Murray joked around about her new life. "You're going to feel like a spring chicken," Coleman said.

Murray smiled and said, "Someday, I'd like to go to Disney World."

Move to ACT's assistance has been important to Murray, she said. "This team is great," Murray said. "I love it and I'm glad we know them. My prayers were answered. It's easier to let go like that."

DOG WITH EMBEDDED COLLAR RECOVERING NICELY

Coordinated Effort of an Indiana Community Saves Dog!

A stray dog from Clermont Indiana has finally been rescued after surviving alone for over a year. The dog was obviously wearing the collar someone had placed on his neck as a small puppy. Long outgrown, the collar had become embedded in his neck and he needed medical attention.

Scott Martin of IndyFeral and Christine Jeschke, Board Member of Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership (ARPO) have been working together to rescue the dog they've named "Otis" since January 2005! "It is a very sad situation," said Jeschke in a cross-posted plea. "I was able to stand 20 feet away and he just watched me, but when I tried to walk closer, he scooted away. He is very shy and was possibly abused. Or he is just in a lot of pain."

Indianapolis Animal Care & Control (ACC) planned to help ARPO dart and catch Otis on Thursday, May 19th with NEW more humane rifles and transmitter/receiver equipment that ARPO and a very special donor donated to ACC. Weather postponed darting Otis for a week. Indianapolis Animal Care & Control, cameraman Nick from WCTY/Channel 16 and about 6 volunteers from the ARPO and IndyFeral were there to help find and track the dog. This was the first use of the newly donated transmitter and receiver darting equipment and more humane rifles. The darts have small transmitters in them so the animal can be tracked and located if it runs off after being darted, as Otis did.

Otis was spotted at the end of a cul-de-sac and the ACC Officer set up on a neighbor's back deck. The dog circled the house he was sleeping behind and walked right under the deck. Otis even walked out a little and stood still long enough for the officer to get a clear shot.

Once Otis was darted he went through the ravine a short distance, then stopped and lay down near a wood pile of a house he sleeps at frequently. From the time he was darted until the time he was out was about 10 minutes. He was in poor health and the sedative took effect quickly. According to Jeschke, "You could smell the rotting flesh and infection as soon as you were within a few feet." ACC brought in a stretcher and gently secured Otis to it so he could be transported safely. They removed the transmitter dart on-site and administered an antidote to the sedative.

Scott Martin and Wendy Williams of IndyFeral had arranged for Dr. Grabow to assess the dog. After checking him out in the ACC van, Dr. Grabow went ahead and brought him in and cut the collar off. Dr. Grabow and Wendy shaved the hair away, cleaned the skin and started Otis on antibiotics. Though there is a 6 inch by 1.5 inch gash on the underside of his neck, the collar was not embedded in muscle tissue and had not yet reached the carotid artery or jugular vein. This is great news and Otis will be able to be saved! He’ll need a surgery to suture the skin back together and this is scheduled for Friday. For now, Otis is safely recuperating at Noah's Westside Animal Hospital on Crawfordsville Road in Indianapolis.

Dr. Grabow noted that Otis would not have survived much longer on the street. The collar would have soon reached the carotid or jugular, or maggots would have infested the open wound, and that would have killed him.

Nick, a camara man with WCTY/Channel 16 filmed the whole episode and will be airing a documentary on the plight of animals similar to Otis, as well as explaining the new transmitter/receiver darting equipment. Follow their link to check out their schedule.

ARPO will be handling Otis' vet bills and has arranged foster care to care for Otis as he recovers. The hope is that he is not feral--just scared and in pain. With the great care Noah's Westside Animal Hospital gave his wound and a loving foster home to nurse his spirit, hopefully Otis will wag his tail, learn to socialize, and be able to adjust as a family dog. He has been in pain and suffering alone for so long (over a year since first sighted), the transition and healing will take time.

Thanks to all of the people and organizations involved in this rescue:

• The neighbors of Clermont who fed Otis and tried diligently to trap him
• The volunteers of IndyFeral and ARPO who responded to the plea for help
• The Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) McFadden Fund for making the grant possible to buy the equipment
• The Officers and staff of Indianapolis Animal Care & Control for their professionalism and response
• Wendy Williams, Dr. Grabow and the staff at Noah's Westside Animal Hospital for their kindness and expertise in treating Otis
• and of course, Christine Jeschke and Scott Martin of IndyFeral for orchestrating the successful rescue!

Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership (ARPO), IndyFeral, Friends of Indianapolis Animal Care & Control Foundation (Friends Foundation), and Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. Indianapolis Animal Care & Control and WCTY/Channel 16 Government Access TV are government agencies. Noah's Westside Animal Hospital is a private veterinary hospital. Individual neighborhood citizens and volunteers rounded out the project. This is an outstanding show of cooperation within a larger community, and all for one poor creature in need without a voice of his own. Well done, Indiana!

NATIONAL HUMANE NEWS

Greenies: Are They Killing Pets?

From CNN.com
By Greg Hunter and Pia Malbran
Wednesday, February 15, 2006; Posted: 10:47 a.m. EST (15:47 GMT)
KANSAS CITY, Missouri (CNN) -- At least 13 dogs have died after being fed the top-selling pet treat in the country, owners and veterinarians have told CNN.

The problem comes because the treats, called Greenies, become lodged in a dog's esophagus or intestine and then some veterinarians say they don't break down.

"I know they are marketed in saying that they do digest. Certainly the ones that we've taken out, esophageal or intestinal, that have been in for days are still very hard," Brendan McKiernan, a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist from Denver, Colorado, told CNN.

Greenies recommends owners check that the treats are chewed and Joe Roetheli - who launched the brand as a treat that can freshen a dog's breath and clean its teeth - said it was important to pick the correct chew for a particular dog. There are 7 different sizes to choose from depending on the size of the dog.

But most of the dog owners CNN talked to say they did follow package instructions and they still had a problem.

Mike Eastwood and his wife, Jenny Reiff, recently filed a $5 million lawsuit in New York, blaming Greenies for the intestinal blockage that caused the death of their dog Burt.

"I'm mad that their packaging states that the product is 100 percent edible, highly digestible and veterinarian approved, yet our dog died of it," Eastwood told CNN.

S&M NuTec, which manufactures the toothbrush-shaped chew, won't comment on the case but in court papers denied the allegations.

Roetheli said the focus should be on the dental benefits and Greenies are saving dogs' lives by lowering the risk of periodontal disease.

He says feeding Greenies is far safer than putting a dog under anesthesia to clean teeth.

"Dogs really love the product!" he said. "They do a very effective job of cleaning teeth and freshening breath."

Any suggestion that Greenies are defective was rejected by Roetheli, who developed Greenies with his wife, Judy.

"Our product is safe. It is used every day by thousands of dogs, millions a week and it is basically a very safe product."

A CNN investigation uncovered 40 cases since 2003 where a veterinarian had to extract a Greenies from a dog after the treat became lodged either in the animal's esophagus or intestine. In 13 of those cases, the pet died.

One of those was Tyson, Josh Glass and Leah Falls' 8-month-old boxer, who was taken to Brent-Air Animal Hospital in Los Angeles, California, where vet Dr. Kevin Schlanger found the animal had a blocked intestine.

"It was very clear that it was something dense and firm that had caused the obstruction," Schlanger said. He removed a Greenies from the intestine.

McKiernan's says his Denver clinic has seen at least seven cases in the past five years, which he says is an unusually high number. That prompted him to start researching and writing a paper to warn other veterinarians of the problem.

He says his research, which he hopes to get published in a veterinary journal, shows compressed vegetable chew treats, of which Greenies is the most popular, are now the third biggest cause of esophageal obstruction in dogs behind bones and fish hooks.

The federal Food and Drug Administration says it's looking into eight consumer complaints about Greenies but has no formal investigation.

The issue has also been the topic of news reports across the country.

The chews are made of digestible products like wheat gluten and fiber, experts say, but the molding process makes the treat very firm and hard.

Roetheli, who runs S&M NuTec from Kansas City, Missouri, says Greenies do break down when properly chewed and swallowed by a dog.

He told CNN that any product has the potential to cause an obstruction in a dog and that Greenies packaging warns dog owners to monitor their dog to ensure the treat is adequately chewed. "Gulping any item can be harmful or even fatal to a dog," the package says.

The company's Web site addresses the issue in its FAQ section with the question "When giving an animal Greenies, does it affect their digestive system?" The answer "The only time dogs would be unable to digest anything would be if they didn't chew it up before they swallowed it. Canine and Feline Greenies are highly digestible when chewed."

The company says the number of complaints it has received is very low in relation to the vast numbers of treats sold, and CNN spoke with several vets who recommended Greenies.

Introduced in 1998, we found Greenies now selling for about $16 a pound. Last year, 325 million individual treats were sold around the world, nearly three times the sales of its nearest competitor Milk Bone, according to the marketing company Euromonitor International.

"At the end of the day ... literally millions of Greenies are enjoyed by dogs on a weekly basis with absolutely no incidents," company vet Brad Quest told CNN.

Maine Protects Pets With Restraining Orders

"The Shaggy Dog" & "8 Below" Movie Dogs: Don't Become Starstruck

From AKC News
Tuesday, March 7, 2006; Posted: 5:23 a.m. EST (10:23 GMT)
Dog Experts Say Researching Breeds and Finding a Responsible Breeder Puts Your Pet in a Leading Role in Your Family.

In light of the release of the film, "The Shaggy Dog," and the recent success of "8 Below" featuring Siberian Huskies, the American Kennel Club reminds moviegoers about the importance of making careful, educated decisions when considering adding a dog to their home.

Distributed by Disney, both films prominently feature purebred dogs. In "The Shaggy Dog," Tim Allen transforms into the family dog, a spunky Bearded Collie. "8 Below" highlights the intense drive and determination of Siberian Huskies when a team of these sled dogs are stranded in the Antarctic wilderness.

The AKC joins the Siberian Husky Club of America, Inc. and the Bearded Collie Club of America, Inc. - both member clubs of the AKC - in reiterating the message that potential puppy owners should carefully research a breed when buying a dog and should buy only from reputable breeders. Better yet, adopt from a purebred rescue or shelter!

"Movies have historically featured purebred dogs in leading roles, from Rin Tin Tin and Lassie to 101 Dalmatians. The public's fascination with purebreds only continues to grow," said Lisa Peterson, AKC's Director of Club Communications. "Seeing and enjoying a dog on the big screen is one thing, but people need to realize that owning that breed may be a completely different experience. Those who want to add a dog to their family need to understand the commitment involved in owning a dog, select a breed that fits their lifestyle, and learn as much as possible about the different breeds before contacting a reputable breeder."

More information and breeder referral on these two breeds – as well as for all the 153 AKC recognized breeds – is available on the AKC website. To read what the national breed clubs are saying about the movies visit their web sites at:

• Bearded Collie Club of America
• Siberian Husky Club of America

Diamond Dog and Cat Food Recall

Diamond Pet Foods Acknowledge Failure
By JOHN C. DRAKE, Associated Press Writer/ Associated Press/ February 1, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The maker of contaminated pet food that caused the deaths of dozens of dogs nationwide acknowledged Tuesday that workers at its South Carolina plant failed to follow internal testing procedures to ensure its products were safe.

Diamond Pet Foods made the acknowledgment after the federal Food and Drug Administration released a report showing the company has no record of test results for 12 shipments of corn in September and October, when grain tainted with the deadly fungus aflatoxin slipped into the plant.

"The company had stringent guidelines in place to test incoming shipments of corn for aflatoxin exposure," the Diamond Pet Foods said in a statement. "It was apparent by the FDA report that those guidelines were not followed. The company has taken the necessary actions to prevent these oversights from happening in the future."

The company recalled 18 varieties of dog and cat food distributed across the country and overseas after a New York veterinarian called in December to say she had linked a dog's death to the company's food.

The company since has narrowed the batches of potentially toxic dog food to two varieties: Diamond Maintenance Dog and Diamond Premium Adult Dog with "Best By" dates of April 3, 4, 5 and 11, 2007.

The federal agency began an investigation after the company recalled about 1 million pounds of dried dog food on Dec. 20, said FDA investigator Phil Campbell.

The company said in its statement that it has changed its testing procedure for incoming corn and added a test of the final product, which the company says will add "an extra layer of protection prior to the bagging and shipping of products."

Dog Food Co. Noticed Tainted Corn Early
Associated Press/ January 13, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A dog food manufacturer noticed it was receiving more contaminated corn a month before some eluded testers, contaminating food and killing dozens of dogs, a company executive said.

Diamond Pet Foods said employees were warned to test closely for the naturally occurring toxin called aflatoxin, but the sampling methods probably missed a pocket of it in one of the shipments, said Mark Brinkmann, the company's chief operating officer.

The deaths of dozens of dogs nationwide have been linked to aflatoxin poisoning from contaminated food manufactured by the Missouri-based company at the South Carolina plant. The toxin is know to cause liver damage in pets.

The company typically rejects one or two truckloads of corn each year because of aflatoxin levels exceeding federal limits, Brinkmann said. But in September, the company began identifying the fungus on one or two truckloads of corn each week and rejecting the loads, he said. The Gaston plant receives about 12 shipments of corn a week, he said.

Diamond officials now believe contaminated corn entered production in early October. A new test was implemented Nov. 30, before the company realized contaminated food already had been shipped.

"I have no reason to believe that the test failed," Brinkmann said.

The company issued a wide recall in December, after a New York veterinarian linked a dog's death to the company's food.

On Wednesday, the company narrowed the batches of potentially toxic dog food to two varieties: Diamond Maintenance Dog and Diamond Premium Adult Dog with "Best By" dates of April 3, 4, 5, and 11, 2007. But the company said consumers should continue to return to retailers any products included in the initial recall, which included 19 different varieties of pet food.

The company's new testing method provides more information but still relies on sampling, Brinkmann said. "There is no foolproof way to do it."

The company also began checking the finished product for aflatoxin Sunday, he said.

Dog deaths increase despite pet food recall. Deadly toxin has killed at least 100 dogs, scientists say...
MSNBC: MSN LiveScience Staff, January 6, 2006

Due to the discovery of aflatoxin, Diamond Pet Foods has issued a voluntary recall of certain pet food products made at its Gaston, S.C. facility and distributed to states in the eastern U.S. These products are sold at pet food stores in more than 20 states. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. When ingested, it can be fatal to pets.

Recalled products can be identified by the Date Code and "Best By" dates listed on the back panel of the package. Recalled products will have a capital "G" (in reference to Gaston) in the 11th or 12th position of the date code (18 lb. to 55 lb. bags), and "Best By" dates between March 1, 2007 and June 10, 2007. The capital "G" will be in the 9th position on smaller 4 lb. to 8 lb. bags.

Diamond's quantitative analysis records substantiate that shipments were definitively clear of aflatoxin after December 10. As such, "Best By 11-June-07" date codes or later are not affected. Also, products with "Best By" dates prior to 28-Feb-07 are safe.

Products manufactured at the Gaston S.C. facility included in the recall:

• Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food
• Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food
• Diamond Maintenance Dog Food
• Diamond Performance Dog Food
• Diamond Puppy Food
• Diamond Low Fat Dog Food
• Diamond Maintenance Cat Food
• Diamond Professional Cat Food
• Country Value Puppy
• Country Value Adult Dog Food
• Country Value High Energy Dog Food
• Country Value Adult Cat Food
• Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food
• Professional Chicken & Rice Adult Dog Food
• Professional Puppy Food
• Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food
• Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food
• Professional Adult Cat Food

Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning include sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea. Anyone whose pet shows these symptoms should immediately contact a veterinarian.

Diamond Pet Foods continues to analyze product samples to further narrow the scope of affected products. As of 6:00 p.m. Central on Friday, December 23, 2005, only 2 of 102 production days have confirmed instances of aflatoxin contamination.

A Humane Approach to Feline Overpopulation

From AnimalNews 5.4 [PDF]
Morris Animal Foundation's electronic newsletter

With a record 90 million cats living in U.S. homes, it might not seem like feline homelessness could be a problem. But according to Dr. Julie Levy, a veterinary scientist funded by Morris Animal Foundation, an estimated 70 million homeless cats live in the United States, though this number is probably low. The count includes strays that have been lost or abandoned by owners and also feral cats that were born wild and have never lived in a home. Unfortunately, feral cat populations are tough to control. An unspayed female can have multiple litters each year. That adds up quickly to a lot of cats.

Dr. Levy says, "Although feral cats seem to be thriving, it's not the lifestyle we prefer for a domestic species. We would rather see all cats have a home." In addition to facing tough daily conditions, these cats lack veterinary care and vaccines, so they may contract and spread diseases like panleukopenia and respiratory infections.

Dr. Levy heads a program at the University of Florida called Operation Catnip, which provides a monthly free spay-and-neuter day for feral cats. This type of program is called trap-neuter-return (TNR), and the theory behind it is that, since sterilized cats can't reproduce, the feral populations will gradually decrease in a humane way. However, TNR programs require funding, community support and many volunteers, including veterinarians. Because trapping and transporting cats is so labor-intensive, Operation Catnip can sterilize only 100 to 200 cats per month at a cost of $25 per cat--and veterinarians must perform all of the surgeries.

"If we could treat cats in the field, it would be much more efficient," Dr. Levy says, and she's already working toward that goal. With Foundation funding, Dr. Levy is testing a sterilization vaccine that targets a hormone in the brain called GnRH. When GnRH is controlled, the cat doesn't produce estrogen or testosterone and becomes temporarily infertile as a result. Even better, veterinary technicians can easily administer the vaccine by injection in the field.

So far, Dr. Levy is thrilled with the results. Fifteen female cats were vaccinated in May 2004, and, despite living with an un-neutered male, only one of these females has gotten pregnant. The study will be officially completed in December 2005, but Dr. Levy plans to continue monitoring the cats. "We know the vaccine won't last forever, but it is exceeding our expectations," she says. "It's important to find out how powerful it will be."

A long-term, inexpensive fertility vaccine would give humane agencies, animal-control officers and publicsafety officials a humane way to control feral cat populations. That would mean fewer cats struggling for survival on the streets.

Co-sponsors: Anonymous; Morris Animal Foundation staff

ASPCA News Alert

"Be Kind" CauseCollar(TM)

The Friends of Amigo Foundation, in conjunction with The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), is embarking upon a national campaign, using a unique new messaging tool. Animals and their human companions will be able to support animal charities by purchasing a CauseCollar(TM) -- the first-ever dog accessory collar fashioned after the popular bracelets that many charities have adopted.

The collars are available on The HSUS' web site and at other selected outlets. The blue and brown silicon collar features the maxim, BE KIND, to underscore its focus on animal protection issues. The 24-inch collar with a buckle end can be cut easily to fit any size dog. Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for companion animals at The HSUS, stresses that the Be Kind CauseCollar is not a substitute for a regular collar and ID. "Think of this as an accessory, like a bandana, but one that sends a message of kindness every time you walk your dog."

"It was a natural evolution to create these CauseCollars so that animals themselves could champion their own welfare," says Frances Hayward, President of the Friends of Amigo Foundation. "Traditional human cause bracelets are also available for purchase so that people can show their matching support right along with their animal companions."

The inspiration for these collars came from a young mixed breed dog named Amigo, a former stray "potcake" from Grand Bahama Island who was rescued by benefactor Frances Hayward. Starving and diseased, Amigo was just three months old when he was found. Rehabilitated and nurtured, he epitomizes a true rags-to-riches story, going on to 'stardom' in his native Bahamas by serving as the poster boy for the local Humane Society of Grand Bahama and ultimately becoming a media star, as the 'face' of the Bahamian "potcake." (Potcake, the Bahamian term for mongrel dogs, refers to the cake that forms at the bottom of the pot of 'peas and rice,' a Bahamian staple, which is typically fed to dogs throughout the Caribbean.)

Amigo has been the recipient of the "Ambassador of Goodwill" award by the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF), in Southampton, New York, presented by film star Alec Baldwin. His photograph has appeared in the Sunday New York Times and many other publications. Amigo has also served as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Grand Bahama Humane Society. The Friends of Amigo Foundation was formed to champion animal welfare issues.

Hurricane Katrina's, Rita's, and Wilma's Animal Victims

Hurricane Katrina, Rita & Wilma Updates and Links of Interest

Reviewing Louisiana Animal Evacuation And Rescue

By U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
from Community Dispatch Government News You Can Use

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hosted a gathering at the Joint Field Office on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005 to discuss the evacuation, sheltering, and rescue aspects of protecting Louisiana's pets and livestock during and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Many representatives of animal rescue and voluntary groups responded to the invitation, along with several state and parish officials directly involved with these activities. Federal, state, and parish officials provided informational briefings on the existing state- and parish-level plans for evacuating animals during hurricanes and discussed the importance of the human-animal bond. With 1.2 million dogs and nearly one million cats in the state of Louisiana, officials and rescue groups agreed local officials and residents should know who to contact locally for aid and instruction in a crisis. Other important topics included the need for improving communication and ensuring local animal-control officials are familiar with the parish and state incident command structure.

Dr. Martha Littlefield-Chabaud, assistant state veterinarian with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, gave answers to some frequently-asked questions, such as the disposal of deceased pets found in hurricane-ravaged areas, as well as how parish humane societies and shelters can communicate more efficiently with state officials. Attendees discussed a renewed focus of encouraging pet owners and livestock owners to incorporate better planning for their animals before, during and after a crisis.

In the days following Hurricane Katrina, approximately 8,000 animals were rescued and brought to the Lamar-Dixon Exposition Center in Gonzales, Louisiana or the Parker Coliseum at Louisiana State University. Although exact numbers are not available, smaller shelters run by independent, as well as voluntary groups, appear to have rescued and placed about the same number of animals.

Rescuers and officials lauded many parish organizers for their rescue and reuniting efforts after the hurricanes. For instance, after Hurricane Katrina, 94 of the first 200 rescued dogs in Plaquemines Parish were reunited with their owners after just 48-hours. Lessons learned from examples like this will help set the pace for future disaster preparations and response.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Don't Abandon Pets in Disasters Petition

Some Hurricane Katrina victims refused to leave home because they couldn't take their animals with them, resulting in even more casualties. Furthermore, the Humane Society of the United States believes that while more than 7,000 animals have been saved in Mississippi and Louisiana, hundreds more may still be in need of rescue more than a month after Katrina hit. Pressure is still needed to save these animals, and a formal policy is needed to protect pets in future disasters, like Hurricane Rita.

This is a petition requesting the U.S. Congress to support the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act, H.R. 3858) , sponsored by Reps. Tom Lantos, Christopher Shays, Barney Frank, Don Young and James Oberstar. This new bill would require that the state and local disaster preparedness plans required for Federal Emergency Management Agency funding include provisions that will protect household pets and service animals. The petition also urges officials to save currently stranded pets by helping animal protection groups.

Please consider helping families who lost nearly everything in the hurricane to be reunited with their beloved animals by signing the Don't Abandon Pets in Disasters Petition. Even better, write to your own representatives to ask them to support the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act, H.R. 3858), sponsored by Reps. Tom Lantos, Christopher Shays, Barney Frank, Don Young and James Oberstar. If a sponsor is your representative, please thank him.

Articles & Tips Regarding Katrina Scams

Here are a few links to help ensure your efforts aid those who truely need them.

Before You Donate, Look Them Up!

Also, check out these Tips on Disaster Relief Appeals.

Many local residents are wondering if our national chain stores are doing anything to help. The answer is clearly "yes". Both PETCO and PETsMART are contributing to the efforts. These links lead to their disaster relief pages and describe their efforts.

Petfinder.com has unveiled a comprehensive Animal Emergency Response Network helping companion animal victims and their caretakers during disasters. This is a collaborative database linking information from the public and emergency response organizations and making it available to rescuers, victims, and volunteers. The database features the following:

• displaced hurricane victims post the locations of their pets so that rescuers can go in and save them
• rescuers post the descriptions and photos of pets they find making them available for distraught pet parents to find them
• volunteers post their offers of foster care which displaced hurricane victims can search to find temporary care for their pets

Thanks to the participating organizations: Maddie’s Fund, American Humane Association, Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA, Best Friends Animal Society, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, United Animal Nations (EARS), IFAW and Code 3 Associates, Alley Cat Allies and everyone who has come together to put the pets first.

PETA AND PETCO ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT

Here's an interesting news tidbit from About.com: Petco reached an agreement with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Petco agreed to stop selling large birds (African greys, Amazons, macaws and cockatoos) and additionally to segregate mice and rats by sex to prevent breedings. In exchange, PETA will take down its anti-Petco website and stop picketing its stores. Petco denies that the PETA campaign affected its bottom line, stating the agreement was about public perception and that being aligned with PETA was best for all involved. Ah well, whatever the motive, this is a still a move in the right direction by Petco.

FLEA CONTROL PRODUCTS CAN KILL CATS

ASPCA Warns Animal Owners: Read The Label!

Each year as flea season approaches, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) receives thousands of calls from pet owners who have accidentally misused flea control products on their cats. There are almost 20 brands of products containing permethrin currently available that are labeled "for dogs only." Because when used on cats--even in small amounts--these products can spell big trouble.

"The misuse of flea and tick products can be extremely harmful and even deadly to our companion animals," says Dr. Steven Hansen, APCC Senior Vice President. Signs commonly seen with permethrin toxicity in cats include tremors, muscle fasciculation (twitching) and seizures. These symptoms can develop within hours, or may be delayed up to 48 hours. Most cats have a good chance of recovery with prompt and aggressive veterinary treatment, which may include medication, IV fluids, bathing and other supportive care.

APCC experts urge you to consult with your veterinarian before purchasing products to control fleas on your pet or in your home--and always read the product instructions completely before using any product on your pet. Adds Hansen, "By simply taking the time to read a product label carefully, a pet owner could save his or her animal's life."

If you have used a flea control product and notice that your cat is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more pet poison prevention tips, please visit APCC online.

EVERY DAY IS TAG DAY

Identification is your pets' ticket home!

Tagging and microchipping your pets is essential to helping them find their way home if they are lost. The American Humane Association is leading a nationwide campaign to encourage all pet owners to microchip and tag their companion animals. Last year, of the 3,067 animals Terre Haute Humane Society received, the shelter was only able to return 288 animals to their owners.

No matter how careful owners are, pets often find a way of slipping away at least once. This is why all pets need to wear tags at all times. Even cats who are always inside need to wear a tag on a collar especially made for cats. (These collars have a short piece of elastic sewn in them which allow the cat to escape if it gets caught on furniture or other material.) Many times, well-intending people who find lost pets must remove the collar with the ID tag from the squirming, excited animal so they can read the information and contact the owner. This is why a secondary, permanent ID like a microchip, is necessary as well. Please, for your pet's sake, show you care by properly identifying them.