For many more resources, check out the extensive Links page.

REPORT SUSPECTED NEGLECT AND ABUSE

If you have ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMMEDIATE SAFETY of an animal, call 911. Don't hesitate or second-guess the situation. The animal's life could be at stake, and you could very well be the only one to save it. The police will check on the animal and take action to contact the owner or remedy the situation if they feel the animal is in danger. If you ask, the police can follow up with you and inform you of the outcome. Your name will not be released to the person(s) you called on. If the incident goes to court (which is RARE), you may be called upon to testify as a witness. Read more >>

Inside Terre Haute City Lines

Terre Haute residents who live inside city lines are fortunate to have a very active and concerned group of individuals working for the Terre Haute Police Department as animal control. Under the supervision of Marty Dooley, Terre Haute Environmental Protection Division's Code Enforcers Jodi Hamblin, Tim Manley, Jean Frances, Gary Matherly, and Rance Barnaby respond to calls of SUSPECTED animal neglect and abuse. These are the same people who help us with the monthly Terre Haute Pets ALIVE Spay-Neuter Transports at Terre Haute City Hall, as well as special projects such as Helping Hungry Dogs. They are friendly and dedicated to helping animals and people.

If you have any concern about the IMMEDIATE safety of an animal, call 911. If you suspect neglect or abuse of an animal, call 812-238-1661, Ext. 258. If you see any form of unacceptable conditions in any pet store, call it in right away. Neglect can range from failing to provide adequate, clean or fresh water; edible food; shelter from excessive cold, heat and foul weather; providing room to move around and away from feces and urine; and medical treatment including flea control, protection from excessive fly bites, attention to wounds, sores, growths, and illness, etc. Specifically, the law is Terre Haute, Indiana City Code: Chapter 6 PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY; ARTICLE 4. ANIMAL REGULATIONS. Division II. Animal Control Regulations Sec. 6-68 through Sec. 6-89.7.

Vigo County, Outside City Lines

Those who live within Vigo County outside city lines may call the Vigo County Sheriff's Office for help. Ordinance Control Officer Ronald G Shaw is responsible for county animal control and enforcing all county ordinances. He is experienced and friendly, having worked with animals for over 10 years, and is knowledgeable about the various animal welfare programs available within Vigo County.

There are two main chapters within Vigo County Code which concern companion animal laws:

If you have any concern about the IMMEDIATE safety of an animal, call 911. If you suspect neglect or abuse of an animal, call 812-462-3226. If you see any form of unacceptable conditions in any pet store, call it in right away. Neglect can range from failing to provide adequate, clean or fresh water; edible food; shelter from excessive cold, heat and foul weather; providing room to move around and away from feces and urine; and medical treatment including flea control, protection from excessive fly bites, attention to wounds, sores, growths, and illness, etc.

Canine Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana

This service is available for people who live in the following Central Indiana counties: Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Monroe, Morgan, Putnam, and Shelby.

Dog fighting has become a serious issue within Central Indiana. It is now a felony in the state of Indiana and is linked to many other illegal and criminal activities. In July 2002, the Indiana State legislature made promoting an animal fighting contest a Class D Felony (IC 35-46-3-9.5).

Canine Crime Stoppers helps by allowing citizens to anonymously report suspected dog fighting activity while offering a cash reward of up to $1000 for information that leads to a felony arrest.

If you have any dog fighting information please call 317-262-TIPS (8477) or 800-92ALERT (25378) . Only callers to Crime Stoppers are eligible for the reward. Callers claim their reward through the use of an assigned code number. Remember, it’s up to you and your neighbors to spread the word that dog fighting is not acceptable in your neighborhood.

Through January 2005, tips to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana have led to the arrest of 2515, felony suspects and the recovery of over 3 million dollars in property. Rewards of more than $478,000 have been paid. All reward funds are donated by their board of directors aided by local business and concerned citizens, no tax dollars are used.

Everywhere Else in the USA

Codes for particular cities are available at Municipal Code Library—and all should be available at your local library. Indiana's state law regarding animal neglect and abuse is Indiana Code 35-46-3: Offenses Relating to Animals. Check your state's anti-cruelty statutes at Anti-Cruelty Statutes by State. The law usually allows people to keep dogs outdoors— chained, penned, or otherwise confined in all weather, as long as certain conditions are met (like shelter from rain, etc.)

If you have any concern about the IMMEDIATE safety of an animal, call 911. If you have time, dentify the violations and call the appropriate ordinance enforcer in your area to investigate. Depending on where you live, the organization best able to assist could be your humane society, animal control, police department or sheriff's office, and the best time to find this out is BEFORE you need them. Be persistent. You may save a life!

ANIMAL RIGHTS vs. ANIMAL WELFARE

Animal rights is a philosophical view that animals have rights similar or the same as humans. The goal of animal rights is to end all human use of animals. This includes, but is not limited to: eating meat; using animals for any medical or veterinary research; zoos, circuses, rodeos, horseshows, dogshows, animals performing in TV commercials, shows or movies; guide-dogs for the blind; police dogs; search & rescue dogs; and the practice of owning pets. Animal rights advocates do not distinguish between human beings and animals. In the words of Ingrid Newkirk, founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA), "There is no rational basis for saying that a human being has special rights. A rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. They're all mammals." Michael Fox of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has said, "The life of an ant and the life of my child should be accorded equal respect." PeTA and HSUS are animal rights organizations.

The animal welfare philosophy is fundamentally different from the animal rights philosophy, since it endorses the responsible use of animals to satisfy certain human needs. These range from companionship and sport, to uses which involve the taking of life, such as for food, clothing and medical research. Animal welfare means ensuring that all animals used by humans have their basic needs fulfilled in terms of food, shelter and health, and that they experience no unnecessary suffering in providing for human needs.

The American Veterinary Medical Association Policy on Animal Welfare and Animal Rights describes animal welfare as:

"... a human responsibility that encompasses all aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management, nutrition, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, humane handling, and, when necessary, humane euthanasia."

In firmly endorsing animal welfare while rejecting animal rights, the AVMA takes the following position:

"The AVMA's commitment to animal welfare is unsurpassed. However, animal welfare and animal rights are not the same. AVMA cannot endorse the philosophical views and personal values of animal rights advocates when they are incompatible with the responsible use of animals for human purposes, such as food and fiber, and for research conducted to benefit both humans and animals."

American Humane, Terre Haute Humane Society (and all other "open door" animal shelters), and Spay-Neuter League, Inc. are animal welfare organizations.

CHAINED & PENNED DOGS

Is There a Problem?

Many dogs spend their entire lives in "solitary confinement," trapped at the end of a chain or in a small pen, suffering through frightening thunderstorms, suffocating heat, and bitter cold, often without vital medical care, aching for friendship. Speak for Animals explains the situation perfectly on their page.

When dogs live outside chained there quality of life is non-existent. They live in a confined space dragging a chain with every step. Many dogs in this situation become very territorial and overly aggressive. A large number of dog bites are a result of these frustrated and threatened chained dogs.

Dogs are naturally social beings who thrive on interaction with human beings and other animals. A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months, or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious, and often aggressive. In many cases, the necks of chained dogs become raw and covered with sores, the result of improperly fitted collars and the dogs' constant yanking and straining to escape confinement. Dogs have even been found with collars embedded in their necks, the result of years of neglect at the end of a chain.

Continuously chained or penned dogs are rarely supervised and usually neglected. Often the owners are unaware of the problem, believing dogs are "supposed" to live this way because that is how their parents kept dogs. Because the owners usually interact with the dogs only when feeding them and watering them, they do not have a sense of the dog's general condition. The dogs are almost always infested with fleas, which, again, the owners usually understand is "normal" for dogs. Fleas are not only uncomfortable; they also can carry tapeworm and other diseases, and they can suck enough blood to make an animal anemic. Mosquitoes are responsible for heartworm, which is very common in our area. Several species of flies bite and cause painful sores on dogs' ears and sometimes around the eyes and tail. Ticks also carry a variety of diseases, can cause anemia, and can swell enough to block the ear canal or cause other damage. Dirty skin breaks out in sores which can then become infected. Because the dogs are constantly exposed to the weather and insects, their immune systems are weakened, which makes them even more vulnerable to insects and diseases. Owners also rarely notice mold growing in unwashed water buckets, which causes illness. Because the owners rarely touch the dogs beyond a brief petting or, more likely, pushing the aggressive dog back while they feed and water them, lumps go unnoticed and can grow into massive tumors. Changes in behavior or health also go undetected. These animals rarely receive veterinary care until their conditions are extreme. This is just some of the physical conditions these dogs endure.

Since these dogs are rarely supervised, they are also rarely socialized. They become extremely excited whenever they have an opportunity to interact with anyone or anything. The problems evolve from here. Children who wander too near one of these sick, frantic dogs can be mauled. Since the dogs are rarely spayed or neutered, they have an overwhelming desire to roam in search of a mate. This, and their need for other basic comforts, drives them to escape their chain or pen. They then attack other chained or penned dogs, roaming pets and wildlife, or people. They rummage trash for food, destroy yards and gardens, and further spread diseases from their fleas and feces.

Is There a Solution?

Dogs Deserve Better - No Chains!
Unchain Your Dog
The Outside Dog
21 Things You Can Do to Help
FREE Unchain a Dog Pack
Outside Dog
Outside Dogs
No Chains! NIndy - Indianapolis, IN

RESOURCES FOR ANIMAL ADVOCATES & ACTIVISTS

Humane Activist Networks

Click to Help Animals In Need for FREE (Care2 & HSUS)
Advocacy Center (ASPCA)
Action Alerts (HSUS)
Doris Day Animal League Online Advocacy Action Center

If you are willing to participate regularly, consider joining online Humane Activist Networks. Many local, regional, and national organizations offer newsletters or emergency action items which alert advocates and activists to current issues needing action. Join them to stay abreast of news and become involved in contacting legislators to support or oppose specific legislation regarding the humane treatment of animals. The list below is a quick list (off the top of my head), with more to come (as soon as I have time).

Make a Flyer

Want to make a flyer for an adoptable pet? Or maybe for a pet that has been lost or found? You can create one in just a few moments on the Best Friends website. Just fill out a form with name, description ... upload a photo ... hit the "Create Flyer" button and up comes a printable flyer. Print the page or save it to your hard drive for future use.

Pet-Abuse.Com Contains graphic descriptions and photographs

This site provides the only international searchable online database of convicted animal abusers with information provided by law-enforcement, animal control/humane organizations and prosecutors around the world.

Animal abuse/cruelty is a felony in only 31 states. Look through and read some of the crimes and the "sentences" that have been given to the criminals. There is also a list of open cases for each state. Writing to your local government doesn't take very long, and it will help your local government know that something needs to be done about this problem, and that animal abuse needs to be taken seriously. You can also report cases to Pet-Abuse.Com to further build their database. This site gives you tools to start making a difference.

What Can One Person Do?

If you want to help but are not sure what to do, this is a great place to start! From helping homeless animals find homes to changing laws to improve animal welfare, there are lots of ways that anyone can help animals in their communities.

Wildlife Emergencies

If you have reason to believe you have a wildlife emergency, report animals in need to your local Indiana Wildlife Rehabilitator BEFORE you take action. Baby animals can bite and do carry diseases that can be harmful to people and pets. In Indiana contact Indiana Department of Natural Resources for more information.

If you are unable to locate a nearby wildlife rehabilitator and need to take quick action to stabilize an animal before you try to contact your Department of Natural Resources, here are a few websites which offer great tips and information:

• Wildlife Care™ Emergency Rescue Resources
• WILDLIFE International: Emergency
• "I Found A Baby Mammal - Now What?" PDF
• "Found A Baby 'Possum"
• "I Found A Baby Bird - Now What?" PDF
• "What to do if You've Found a Bat"
• "How to Help Wildlife in Need" brochure PDF
• "Some Easy Ways to Save Wildlife" brochure PDF
• National Wildlife Health Center
• "Why Can't I Keep Him?"

No Kill Solutions

Many animal welfare organizations believe that a "No Kill Nation" is within reach. The No Kill Advocacy Center is designed and inspired by the man who created the country's first and only truly No Kill community (saving 100% of healthy and sick/injured treatable animals, and 100% of feral cats). To understand, you need a brief history of the No Kill Movement.

In 1994, the City of San Francisco broke with tradition of euthanizing for space and ushered in the modern "No Kill" movement. The San Francisco SPCA guaranteed a home to every healthy dog and cat who entered the shelter system. Even ten years after San Francisco's groundbreaking accomplishment, only one other community has so far achieved that elusive goal.

In 2001, Tompkins County, New York became the second community in the nation to guarantee a home to all healthy, homeless dogs and cats. And in 2002, Tompkins County went one step further by saving 100% of sick and injured treatable animals and 100% of feral cats. It repeated that historic achievement in 2003, earning national acclaim as the community with the lowest per capita euthanasia rate in the United States. At the same time, it closed a budget deficit more than doubled the average gift, drastically increased membership, finished with operating surpluses, all while maintaining its animal control contracts and responsibilities.

Since then, many other shelters, cities and towns have also announced ambitious plans to become No Kill communities, but many more are mired in defeatism, convinced that there is nothing we can do. Many shelter administrators still believe that the only solution to pet overpopulation is euthanasia for space.

The No Kill Advocacy Center offers assistance through their Resource Center, No Kill Sheltering magazine, No Kill Conferences, and more tailored programs as needed.

The Resource Center offers a large range of [PDF] literature, including:

• Diary of a No Kill Shelter Director
• Building a No Kill Community
• Temperament Testing in the Age of No Kill
• Do Feral Cats Have a Right to Live? A National No Kill Standard for Feral Cats
• Does the Road to No Kill Lead through Asilomar? A No Kill Perspective on the Asilomar Accords
• Making the Most of Your Resources
• No Kill Overnight
• What to do about feral cats
• Adopting out hard to place animals
• The Care & Feeding of Feral Cats
• Dog Rights
• Pet Limit Laws
• Feral Cats on the Firing Line
• The Declaration of the No Kill Movement in the U.S.
• Reforming Animal Control: A Step-by-Step Guide to Ending the Killing in Your Community
• Stoking the Fires of Hate: How the Animal Protection Movement is Failing Pit Bulls

Spay-Neuter League Inc. may or may not agree with the information contained in the above articles. Read as much as you have time to read, and learn as much as you can so you can form your own opinion. Even if you completely disagree, you may still learn new skills to help your own organization or cause.

FOR PET OWNERS

Your beloved pet - a blood donor???

You betcha.  All around our nation, there are sites where dogs can donate blood.  The practice of collecting blood, maintaining a blood bank, and making blood products available to Veterinarians is a relatively new concept. There are now several regional animal blood banks that supply canine blood products to Veterinary hospitals. Most opened for business within the past decade. 

Before our time of organized canine blood donations and centers, most vets used their own dogs or dogs belonging to their staff members or clients as donors. Some regional blood banks house the dogs they use for blood collection in their own onsite kennels. The Veterinarian's Blood Bank in Indiana, The Animal Blood Bank in California and Hemopet, also in California, all have resident canine donors. The dogs are mostly retired racing greyhounds and dogs from shelters, whom otherwise would likely have been euthanized.  These banks use the dogs as blood donors for a specified amount of time, then look for permanent, forever homes for their retired donors.  Many other blood banks depend upon “the kindness of strangers” - volunteer blood donors. The Penn Animal Blood Bank, was the very first to organize and use volunteer canine donors.  There are several other regional blood banks throughout the country.

• The Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank - Maryland
• The Pet Blood Bank - Texas
• HemoSolutions - Colorado
• The Sun States Animal Blood Bank - Florida
• Midwest Animal Blood Services - Michigan

Some larger animal hospitals supply and maintain their own blood supplies.  Often times these clinics as well are searching for volunteer donors.  As with human donations, the blood can be broken down into blood products – not always is the need for a whole blood transfusion.  In this way, as with human donations, one donation can assist more than one animal in need.  Below are more clinics that may be in need of canine blood donors:

• Canine Blood Bank of Central Iowa
• Murphy's Blood Bank-Arizona
• Dove Lewis Blood Bank -Oregon
• Ocean State Veterinary Specialists -Rhode Island
• Angell-Boston Blood Donor Program -Massachusetts
• Denver Veterinary Blood Bank-Colorado
• Buddies for Life Canine Blood Bank -Michigan
• Emergency Clinic For Animals Blood Donor Program-Wisconsin
• University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
• Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Veterinary Teaching Hospital at North Carolina State University
• College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University
• Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine

The requirements for a canine blood donor may vary from agency to agency, but the majorities are looking for a healthy dog, at least 1 year in age, and at least 35 lbs.  The dog should be friendly, have a gentle temperament and be able cooperative during veterinary exams.  The experience itself is wonderful for the dog, despite the needle involved!!

Flying With Your Pet? Do Your Research First, PLEASE!

In accordance with the Safe Air Transport for Animals Act passed in June, commercial airlines in the United States are now required to report all incidents of family owned pets who are injured, lost, or killed while flying in the cargo hold of domestic flights. The original legislation, which the ASPCA spearheaded and which failed due to the airlines' opposition, would have required airlines to install newer temperature-controlled cargo holds. However, pet owners are now able to check an airline’s track record and make an informed decision before making their travel plans. This information is available to the public at the Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report site, and for your convenience the ASPCA has already compiled all the information and made it available by both airline and month at ASPCA.org.

While the ASPCA continues to urge pet owners to think twice before flying their animal companions as cargo, sometimes there are no other options. The ASPCA will continue to monitor airline performance and go back to Congress, if necessary, to mandate that the newer temperature-controlled cargo holds be used. In the meantime, if you must transport your pet by air, please check out the ASPCA's Top Ten Air Travel Tips, and be sure to download their air transportation incident reports.

Holiday Pet Safety

• Increased activity and visitors during the winter holiday season can upset your pet's routine. Try to keep your pet on his regular schedule for feeding and exercise and be sure the pet gets plenty of love.
• If you are planning to take your pet with you when visiting friends and relatives during the holidays, be sure to contact them in advance to find out if your pet is welcome. Because of the excitement during the holidays, it might be best for you and your pet to board your pet or hire a reputable pet sitter.
• Alert guests to the household pet rules and make sure your pets behave. Many guests will not appreciate your drooling darling or fur additions to their good clothing. Plan ahead to avoid problems or fine-tune your guest list to pet people. Baby gates or play pens can keep animals from getting underfoot while still allowing them to still be part of the celebration. Pets need to be part of the family activities, but safely. Place pets in an adjacent room or yard (with supervision) so they can have their own "pet party." Since most kids love animals you might want to combine the two and ask young visitors to occupy pets away from the main festivities.
• Hang your treasured ornaments higher on the Christmas tree. Use wooden, medal, resin-cast or the like on the lower branches in case curious little paws want to play with bright and colorful ornaments. Tinsel isn't toxic, but if ingested, intestinal obstruction and choking are potential problems...please don't use.
• Resist the temptation to tie ribbons around pets necks for the holidays. The pets can tighten ribbons resulting in choking or hang themselves if the ribbon is caught on an object.
• The foil wraps on candies can cause internal injuries if swallowed - the foil can be like a razor as it is swallowed and ingested. Keep all candies and their wrappers in a secured place.
• Other holiday treats, alcoholic beverages, rich, fatty food scraps and bones can be harmful or toxic to pets. Keep your pet on his regular diet and caution visitors against giving your pet "special treats."
• Supervise all candles - pets are attracted to the bright "lights" in a darkened room. Not only could they receive serious burns, but they could knock the candles over, spilling hot wax onto furniture and carpeting. Don't leave candles unattended for their sake and for the obvious fire hazards.
• All other decorations should be carefully placed so that the pets can't pull or scratch off any small pieces to swallow.
• Cover or tack down electrical cords.
• Pets' highly sensitive noses pick up scents before humans can. Therefore, don't be surprised when Fluffy and Fido are underfoot in the kitchen while Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday goodies are being prepared. Watch those hot containers filled with turkey and ham drippings. The pets can easily tip them over causing severe scalding and burns to themselves.
• Don't feed pets the cooled drippings either. Human seasonings aren't good for pets, plus the fact that the rich stock and drippings can easily upset pets' digestive systems.
• Though it's so tempting, don't give your pet large quanitities of cooked turkey and ham during the holidays. Again, human food is too rich; overfeeding of human food can cause additional health problems and feeding human food will often lead to unsatisfactory eating habits when given pet food at their regular mealtimes. Consumption of human food can also result in pitiful begging, an aggravating habit hard to break, when the family sits down for meals.
• COOKED BONES ARE DANGEROUS! Please, please don't feed your pets cooked bones, especially cooked poultry bones. Cooked poultry bones splinter easily - each year thousands of pets are treated for consumption of splintered bones, causing pain and sometimes death.
• Other holiday hazards include menorahs, candles and liquid potpourri pots.
• Fire and burns are not the only threats to pets and the household. Scented items can also be harmful--especially to birds.
• The lovely bubbling holiday lights are moderate to lethal toxicity, depending on the amount of fluid (methylene chloride) inhaled or ingested.
• Please do not use angelhair (spun glass) - low toxicity; can cause irritation of the eyes, skin and gastrointestinal tract. Artifical snow and snow flock also has low toxicity - dry particles are inert; however, toxicity from inhalation can occur if spayed directly in the mouth.
• The beauty of the fireplace colors (fire salts) is breath-taking on a cold winter's evening - moderate toxicity; symptoms are gastrointestinal irritation with vomiting and a variety of other manifestations, including convulsions.
• Keep gift ribbons and bows out of sight to prevent chewing and swallowing.
• Replace metal ornament hooks with tightly knotted fabric 1/4 inch ribbons, light-weight twine or yarn to slip easily over the branches of the tree.
• A number of Christmas season plants are poisonous to pets if nibbled or eaten: ivy - moderate to very toxic, all parts; holly - moderate to very toxic, especially the berries and leaves; mistletoe - very toxic, all parts, especially the berries; Christmas greens such as balsam, juniper, cedar, pine and fir - all parts have a low level of toxicity; hibiscus - may cause vomiting or bloody diarrhea if ingested; and poinsettias - leaves and stems low in toxicity. This is not a conclusive listing...there are many more toxic plants. An additional listing of both non and toxic plants can be located here. It's wise to keep plants out of your pets' and children's reach.
• Please do not give any animal or any pet of any age as Christmas or Holiday gifts. Remember the first weeks of a new life or a sudden change in an adult pet is extremely traumatic for them. Instead, give certificates or gifts of pet supplies, food, and accessories. Then after the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the loved one can make a selection of the selected pet of their choice to bring home to peace and quiet for the pet. This will also provide the happy new pet owner time to spend with his/her new life-time commitment. Follow this link and this one for more details.
• For those animal lovers who have allergies or feel that a house pet would be too much due to other health reasons or too long hours and hectic schedules of secular work, give a donation in their honor or the gift of membership in Spay-Neuter League Inc. or another local animal welfare organization which benefits their community.

Related Articles:

Holiday Stress Reducers

Safety
Household Safety
Food and Kitchen Safety
Toxic Plants

Helping Dogs Cope with Visitors to Your Home

Preventing Escapes
How to Prevent Escapes
Dog Tip: Escape Artist

Car and Travel Tips
Car Safety
Dog Travel Tips

Petsitters and Boarding Kennels

First Aid Kit and Guidance

CPR and Mouth-to-Snout Resuscitation
Animal CPR by Dr. Henry Feldman M.D. and Dr. Lori Feldman, D.V.M.
Rescue Critters' Pet CPR & First Aid

Freebies

Register with Natural Way mailing list and receive a coupon good for a Free 5lb Bag of Natural Way Dog Food. Email confirmation and profile update required. [US]

Sign up to receive a Free Sample of Greenies® SmartBiscuit™. [US]

Free Bumper Sticker

You already know that when it comes to our nation's roads, all wildlife deserves a brake. Now with your free Give Wildlife a Brake bumper sticker, you can spread the word to your fellow motorists. Careful driving is particularly important during the spring and fall, when many animals are most active. Help share this important message with your community. To receive your free bumper sticker, click on the link above. One order per household, please.

Purina is giving away pet food for your dog or puppy. Call 1-888-606-BARK and complete a short survey.

Cleaning up after your dog has never been easier! Scoopex turns a daily hassle into an easy routine. Scoopex is the cheapest product of its kind, discreet and pocket size, keeps your hands germ free, and is 99% biodegradable.

Please email info@scoopex.com your full name and mailing address and they will send you a free sample.

Listen to the Friskies Variety Slow to hear a fun description of each variety of dry food. When you’re finished listening to each variety, vote on which your cat likes best. Then see the results and sign up for your sample pack.

Sign up to receive a free mini-carafe of Fancy Feast® Gourmet Gold and a $1 off coupon for Fancy Feast® Gourmet Gold.

Join Club Nyla to be included in free sample mailings! Get Exclusive new Nylabone product info! Participate in product research!

Give your dog DGP and you'll be thanked with wet kisses! Aches and pains reduce your dog's enjoyment of life, but all-natural DGP will bring out the puppy in your dog by supporting joint function and enhancing mobility. To request a Sample & Research Pack, call: 1-888-884-7770 or complete the form online.

Know the Rabies Vaccination Law for Your State:

This map was copied from CritterAdvocacy.org. C.A.R.E.S. (Critter Advocacy ~ Responsibility ~ Ethics ~ Science) is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to the education of pet owners and the caretakers that help them. The above image is Copyright 2003-2005 Dr. Robert L. Rogers. All rights reserved.

Here are some links to the Indiana State Department of Health's library on Rabies:

• Quick Facts about Rabies
• Rabies General Information
• Indiana State Department of Health: Rabies Home Page
• Local Health Departments

Disaster Planning Tips for Pets, Livestock and Wildlife

Whether it's a large-scale natural catastrophe or an unforeseen emergency that causes you to leave your home temporarily, everyone's family can benefit from having a household evacuation plan in place before disaster strikes. Every disaster plan must include your pets!

Buying a Pet

Spay-Neuter League Inc. strongly recommends adopting animals from shelters and rescues. There are many pure-bred animals in shelters and rescues, some even registered with papers, for a variety of reasons having nothing to do with the animals themselves (like owner moving, new baby or family member, allergies, etc.). A quick search at PetFinder.com can reveal specific animals which meet your qualifications arranged by distance from your ZIP code. For those still interested in the alternatives, the links below have helpful guidelines.

Northeastern Boxer Rescue has a wonderful resource library for dog owners. This link is to a great explanation of the difference between a reputable dog breeder and those whose dogs may not be exactly what you bargained for.

Safe Flea Control

Bonus Sillyness for You Special Few Who Actually Made It Here