An Animal Shelter Though A Kids Eyes

That’s what it took for these kids from Alvaton Elementary School, KY when they went to visit the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society. This is when the kids decided to help support the animals that were in the shelter by raising money and items to help them out.

After visiting the shelter Austin Maroney said: It’s bad, You see all these puppies whining and crying.
Ashley Perry said: We saw how the dogs and animals were in the shelters, and we wanted to help them.

The most striking comment was from Seth Harrod who said: If we were in a shelter, we’d want somebody to help us.

How could you put it in any better set of words as Seth did, most people have no clue on what a shelter looks like. It makes you want to cry when you see these poor dogs locked up just hoping that someone will take them home instead of being killed because nobody wanted them.

This brings it back to why they are in there in the first place, how many people get a dog and then decide that they don’t want it or they say they don’t have the time. How about the people who say they are moving and can’t take their dog with them. I think that is the worst excuse there is to say that you don’t have any love for your pet, so you just dump them off.

So when I read this article it made me cry to see that it’s the kids who still have the untainted love for are buddies that adults who lost their love dumped off.

Read the article by Jenna Mink here.

The Silence Of The Brutal Dog Killing In Bangladesh Has Come To An End

After many years of barbaric dog killing in the streets of Bangladesh the silence has finally come to an end when dog loving protestors march through the streets of Dhaka calling for an end.

Could you imagine seeing your dog or anybody’s dog having their neck broken in such a savage way to kill off the population?

Rubaiya Ahmad who is the head of Obhoyaronnyo Sanctuary said: We've come here with a message: please stop this brutal practice of dog culling, nowhere in the world are dogs treated so badly as in Bangladesh.

Read the article by Shafq Alam here.

Judge Only Gives Owners Of ChemNutra Inc. Probation For Tainted Pet Food

A Federal Judge of the U.S. Magistrate named John Maughmer has only give the two owners of ChemNutra Inc. named Sally and Stephen Miller to probation and a small fine of thirty five thousand dollars.

These two have been charged for using melamine tainted wheat gluten that they brought from China in dog food. Hopefully the federal class action lawsuit will take even more of their money to help compassionate the owners that loss their pets due to this stuff.

Read the article here.

Has This Dog Warden Gone Too Far?

You have to wonder why a dog warden from Brown County, Ohio named Andrew Dunn who had just seized thirty seven dogs from what was called a hoarder back on February the tenth would just start killing these dogs.

To make matters worse he used an old time gas chamber to kill these dogs and didn’t even contact the Ohio SPCA to see if they would help in finding homes for these dogs.

So why would this guy Andrew Dunn just do something like that makes you wonder if he had it out for the dog’s owner Ruth Wilder. This is so upsetting to read that the dogs didn’t even have a chance to live due to Dunn.

Read the article by Scott Wegener here.

Northern Ireland Finally Passes A New Welfare of Animals Act

Historic Animal Welfare Bill Passed In Northern Ireland

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the passing of the Welfare of Animals Bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly this week.

The Welfare of Animals Act is expected to come in to law in April 2011 and will be the first major update in animal welfare legislation since the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972.

The BVA and the veterinary associations in Northern Ireland have been very supportive of the new legislation which will provide additional protection by introducing a duty of care for all animals.

The Act is similar to the Animal Welfare Acts in Great Britain and shifts the emphasis from taking action when cruelty has occurred to preventing cruelty and suffering in the first place.

However, the new Act is not perfect. In introducing the Bill the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew MLA, originally set out plans to ban tail docking in dogs (expect for truly therapeutic reasons), but opposition to a complete ban at Committee Stage has resulted in a wide exemption for working dogs.

Despite representations by the BVA and its territorial division, the North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA), and other veterinary and welfare organisations, in favour of a complete ban the Minister compromised in order to secure the success of the whole Bill.

Commenting, Harvey Locke, President of the British Veterinary Association, said:

"This historic legislation brings Northern Ireland in line with the higher welfare standards enjoyed in Great Britain and will ensure that the UK sits at the top of the global league table for animal welfare.

"Domestic and farmed animals are a vital component of our everyday lives. Their health and welfare should be promoted and should be protected from any suffering.

"We remain disappointed that a complete ban on tail docking was sacrificed to secure the future of the Bill, but believe there is much in the legislation to celebrate.

"Much of the power of the legislation will be determined by secondary legislation and the veterinary profession will be pushing for robust codes of practice."

David Torrens, President of the North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA), added:

"The Welfare of Animals Act is a significant milestone for animal welfare in Northern Ireland and we particularly welcome the additional protection it affords pets and horses.

"The inclusion in the Bill of an offence of failing to take whatever measures are required to prevent suffering is a positive move that will enormously improve the existing legislation, which requires suffering to have occurred before any legal action can be taken.

"However, it is vital that DARD and the local authorities are given enough resources to properly enforce the legislation if it is to succeed in improving the welfare of animals."

Notes

1. The Welfare of Animals Bill passed through the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday 22nd February 2011. The announcement from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development sets out the key provisions of the Bill: see here.

Source:
British Veterinary Association

Latest Survey Says Our Dogs And Cat Are Over Weight

Fat Pets Getting Fatter According to Latest Survey

Over Half the Nation’s Dogs and Cats Now Overweight Costing Pet’s Years and Owners Millions Warn Vets

Obesity continues to expand in both pets and people according to the latest pet obesity study. The fourth annual Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study found approximately 53% of cats and 55% of dogs were overweight or obese. Preliminary data released from a nationwide collaboration with Banfield, the nation's largest chain of veterinary clinics, reveals pet obesity continues to be a serious problem. APOP founder Dr. Ernie Ward remarks, "This year's data suggests that our pets are getting fatter. We're seeing a greater percentage of obese pets than ever before."

32% of cats in the preliminary sample were classified as overweight by their veterinarian and 21.6% were observed to be clinically obese or greater than 30% of normal body weight. 35% of dogs were found to be overweight and 20.6% obese. "While the general trend of overweight pets has remained fairly steady at around 50%, the number of obese pets is growing. This is troubling because it means more pets will be affected by weight-related diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease costing pet owners millions in avoidable medical costs."

The group began conducting nationwide veterinary surveys in 2007 and has seen a steady increase in the percentage of pets classified as obese or at least 30% above normal body weight. In 2007, roughly 19% of cats were found to be obese by their veterinarian and in 2010 that number increased to almost 22%. For dogs, obesity rates escalated from just over 10% in 2007 to 20% in 2010. “One of the reasons we think the obesity rate for dogs has dramatically increased is due to a better understanding of what an obese dog looks like. Veterinarians also realize how critical it is to tell a pet owner when their dog is in danger due to its weight.” comments Ward.

Proof that pet obesity is an important topic among veterinarians is the fact that the nation’s largest group of veterinary clinics, Banfield Pet Hospital, joined APOP in this year’s study. “Banfield is committed to improving the health and well-being of pets—weight-related disorders are a major concern for us,” states Dr. Elizabeth Lund, a veterinary epidemiologist and Banfield’s Senior Director of Research. “Preventive care is at the core of Banfield’s mission and we are incorporating weight assessment and counseling into each patient visit.”

Increased awareness can help prevent serious injuries. “As a surgeon, many of the joint problems I treat are related to excess weight. If pet owners could keep their pet at a normal weight, many of these surgeries could be avoided.” remarks Dr. Steven Budsberg of the University of Georgia and past-president of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. “Even more important is the impact obesity has on joints and the arthritic changes that are often crippling. Many overweight pets experience severe joint pain that could easily be prevented by proper diet and exercise.”

Ward sums it up, “The bottom line with our annual surveys is that pets are battling excess weight just as their owners are. Our ultimate goal is to help pet owners better care for both themselves and their pets through better diet, exercise and lifestyle strategies.”

More information on pet obesity and complete data may be found at http://www.PetObesityPrevention.org.

See how many calories are in dry dog food here.

See how many calories are in canned and pouch dog foods here.

Not A Good Day For These Animals In These Two Places

First you have an animal shelter called One More Chance Shelter in Springfield, OH that had three hundred and sixty seven dogs removed by the Clark County Humane Society today.

The owner named Jeff Burgess also had his dogs removed from another shelter that he owned. I just don’t understand how these places get like this with no one saying anything.

Read the article here.


Then up in Suffolk County, New York thing were a little different when the Suffolk County Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty employees had to remove all kinds of dead animals from a home that even required the Hazmat workers to assist.

Suffolk County Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty agency's department chief Roy Gross said: They said there are over 65 live animals and many, many dead animals in all parts of the home. The most important thing, of course, is saving the live animals. I spoke to many seasoned officers about this and they said it's one of the worst they've ever seen.

Read the article by Joe Kemp here.

Do You Give Your Pet Your Medications

Human Medication Can Be Dangerous For Pets

What do you do when you have a stuffy nose, an aching back or an upset stomach? Many people reach for the over-the-counter medicines to alleviate the discomfort.

What should you do when your pet appears to be suffering the maladies as you are? Do not reach for the human medicines until you talk to your veterinarian, said Dr. Carolynn MacAllister, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension veterinarian.

"Administration of human medications should only occur with the recommendation and supervision of a veterinarian," MacAllister said. "Accidental pet poisoning is a common problem when pet owners intentionally give medication in an attempt to make their pet feel better. Pet poisoning also happens inadvertently when an animal has access to medications that are in their environment. If you have pets you should pet-proof your home just as you would if there were small children in the home."

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), which include common names such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can cause serious harm to pets. Dogs, cats, birds and other small mammals may develop stomach and intestinal ulcers, as well as serious kidney problems, if they consume these types of medications.

MacAllister said that while acetaminophen is popular and safe for adults and children, the same does not hold true for animals, especially cats.

"One regular strength tablet of acetaminophen may cause damage to a cat's red blood cells, which limits their ability to carry oxygen. In dogs, acetaminophen can lead to liver problems, and if consumed in large doses, red blood cell damage," she said.

Other medications such as antidepressants, ADD/ADHD medicines, sleep aids, birth control, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, thyroid hormones and cholesterol lowering agents all can have detrimental effects on your pets.

"These medicines can cause a range of problems including liver damage, heart issues, seizures, elevated body temperature, decreased blood pressure, severe lethargy and slowed breathing," MacAllister said.

Always keep medications safely behind locked or securely latched cabinets, even if you keep pills in a plastic weekly container. If a pet finds it, the pet may consider it a plastic chew toy. Also, if your pet is on medication, store it separately from your own medication. It can be easy to accidentally give the pet your own medication by mistake.

"Pets metabolize medications very differently than people so it's imperative to use caution when storing medicines," MacAllister said. "Even seemingly benign over-the-counter or herbal medications may cause serious poisoning in pets. Call your veterinarian immediately if your pet has consumed any human medication."

Source:
Oklahoma State University, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

A Re-Take Of A Touching Video

This video is called Forgotten and I thought that it would be nice to show it again.

Licensed Breeder And Licensed Animal Doctor Have Their License Taken

A so called license breeder from Crane, Missouri has had seventy four dogs removed from their so called place of business.

The Humane Society of Missouri’s now has the poor dogs that were living in a filthy and disgusting place. Hopefully the owner will never get these dogs back and never be able to own another dog.

Read the article here.




Two Animal Hospitals in Chicago called Delta Animal Hospital has been closed down and the Dr. Joseph Luka from Skokie has had his license suspended for all the violations his two businesses had received.

Could this also be classified as animal abuse due to having and possibility using out date drugs on pets that have been treated there too? What’s your thought?

Read the article by Mike Parker here.

Texas Debates On Puppy Mill Law

TVMA Supports Solution to Puppy Mills in Texas

Representative Senfronia Thompson filed House Bill 1451, supported by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, concerning commercial breeders.

Many are horrified by the puppy mill problem in Texas, where some animals live in cramped, wire cages sometimes lacking food, water, veterinary care, exercise and socialization. But many consumers are not aware that creating overly-restrictive legislation to combat this problem could spell the end of puppies in Texas, if reputable breeders who do treat their animals humanely are shut-down. That's why veterinarians want to ensure that any proposed legislation concerning commercial breeding is based on science and accepted animal husbandry as well as animal welfare.

"This bill is just for the bad actors," said Representative Thompson in a press conference at the Texas Capitol today. "We do not want to put reputable breeders out of business," said Elizabeth Choate, TVMA's director of government relations/general counsel. "Just those facilities that fail to meet any basic standard of care—the true puppy mills."

That's why TVMA came together with the bill's author, and other stakeholders, to help ensure that this piece of legislation was in the best interest of animals and presents a workable solution to the problem without driving reputable breeders out of business. For instance, HB 1451 focuses on the treatment of the animals and not the number.

"You could have five dogs and do a terrible job yet those with 100 dogs and a large facility and staff could do a wonderful job," said Lori Teller, DVM, TVMA's 2010 president. "It should be about the care provided and not the numbers."

The standards of care required under HB 1451 are taken from the United States Department of Agriculture's established animal standards of care for wholesale breeders, accessible here.

Under HB 1451, commercial breeders would be required to obtain a license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, whom would conduct annual inspections to ensure that humane care standards are met. This department would also maintain a public directory of commercial breeders and inspection results to ensure that inspectors are held to high professional and ethical standards and unable to inject any personal agendas that could taint the process.

A full copy of HB 1451 is available here.

About TVMA

Elizabeth Choate
Director of Government Relations/
General Counsel
512/452-4224
echoate@tvma.org



SOURCE Texas Veterinary Medical Association

Massachusetts School of Law Honors Two For Helping Dogs

First you have a woman named Kim Hyder who got arrested for trying to save a dog that was being abused when she refused to turn over the dog to police.

And second you have a fire fighter named Tim Wareham who called for help to save a dog who had fallen into the cold water at the Plum Island Basin.

This is a real honor for these two that went out of their way to help our buddies in a time of need. When it comes to the love of dogs you need to go on your instances to help protect them no matter what.

How many times have I read about dogs being left out in the cold or heat with no water or food and the neighbor didn’t even call the local animal shelter to report the abusive owner. So next time you see something that just doesn’t seem right, make a call because you just might save that pets life.

Read the article by Victor Tine here.

Dog Abusers And Bad Dog Laws

An animal abuser named Pantelis Zervas from Paradise Twp., PA has been charged with ten counts of animal cruelty when officials found three dead German Shepherds and seven other ones who were ill looking due to starvation.

Read the article here.


Illinois is thinking of changing the laws to allow any town to ban any breed that it feels is vicious. So I guess that once a person gets bit by any type of dog it will become banned.

How do you just ban any type of dog because it’s not the breed that makes the dog bad it’s the way the owner has trained their dog.

Read the article by Tamara L. Morris here.


A dog abuser named Edwin Orabona has been charged with animal cruelty for beating and torturing a little beagle so bad that the poor dog will be having surgery to survive.

I hope this abuser gets the book thrown at him by the judge for what he did to this poor dog.

Read the article here.

So You Have A Flu, Do You Wonder If Your Pet Might Catch It Too

H1N1 Flu Confirmed In Wisconsin Cat - First Confirmed Case Since January 2010

Laboratory tests confirmed that a 6-year-old cat in Wisconsin contracted the H1N1 influenza virus, the first confirmed case of H1N1 in a U.S. pet since January 2010.

A second cat in the household tested negative after it also developed severe respiratory disease, although it is now presumed that it too had the virus. Both cats were euthanized after failing to respond to treatment.

The owner of the cats had been ill with flu-like symptoms prior to the cats' illness and is believed to be the source of the infection.

In addition to humans and cats, this strain of H1N1 influenza virus has also been found in pigs, birds, ferrets and a dog. There have been no confirmed cases of pets passing the virus back to people.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is reminding pet owners that some viruses can pass between people and animals, so this is not an altogether unexpected event. Pet owners should monitor their pets' health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness.

For H1N1, signs of illness can include lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, runny nose or eyes, sneezing, coughing or changes in breathing.

The AVMA is actively tracking all instances of H1N1 in animals and posting updates on our website.

Source:
American Veterinary Medical Association

One State Is Over Whelmed With Dogs

The state of Arkansas has become so over whelmed with abandoned dogs that they have been sending them to Michigan and Missouri hoping that they will be adopted.

This has become really sad when there are so many dogs that even the locals can’t keep up with the supply and demand. One of the reasons that adopting a dog in the state of Arkansas is that the cost of spay/neutering a dog cost a lot with only a few low cost clinics being available to those who are in need.

The Pulaski County Humane Society director Kay Simpson said: There will be thousands and thousands of puppies just like this euthanized because there's no place for them to go. There are no spay/neuter clinics for 99% of Arkansas.

Read the article by Wendy Suares here.

This Dog Sure Has A Nose

Photo by belfasttelegraph.co.uk


What a sense of smell this dog called Theo has, who is a springer spaniel cross breed dog.Together Theo and L/Cpl Liam Tasker have achieved in just five months has broken the record for the most IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and weapons caches found.

L/Cpl Tasker said:I love my job and working together with Theo. He has a great character and never tires. He can't wait to get out and do his job and will stop at nothing.

It all began with the training that Theo had received before going to help save fellow soldiers lives.

Read the article here.

The Only Animals At This Sanctuary Were Either Dead Or Sick

Photo by Brett Roseman / Sun-Tim


You call yourself a sanctuary for animals and when the Cook County Sheriff’s came to your place they found dead animals and many of them under feed. What kind of place were you running Dawn Hamill to call it a sanctuary?

Hopefully the Hamill’s Dazzle Painted Pasture Animal Rescue/Sanctuary in Tinley Park, IL will never open again. Now Dawn Hamill has been charged with multiple counts of neglect and cruel treatment of the animals.

The bad part of the story is that eight of the puppies that were recovered had a contagious disease called Parvo. Let alone the dogs that had skin conditions and the cats that had respiratory conditions.

Read the article here.

119 Dog Seized From Smelly Home In Southern Medina County

Can you even imagine that many dogs living in a home and it smelled nice? Well when a humane officer with the Medina County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals named Mary Jo Johnson went up to the front door she smelled the odor coming from inside the house.

Mary Jo Johnson said: From the outside you could smell the conditions, all you saw were dogs. There were dogs on the countertops, dogs on top of cabinets, feces and garbage about twenty four inches deep on the first level.

Now if this doesn’t make you mad, they haven’t even charged this women and her daughter as of today. Hopefully the dogs will not be returned to them and they will find new homes for these poor dogs.

Read the article here.

Are You Thinking Of Sending Your Pet By Air

Airline Pet Deaths Increase in 2010

US domestic airlines reported 39 pet deaths, 12 injuries, and 5 lost pets during 2010.

The number of pet deaths reported by domestic US airline carriers in 2010 increased to 39, rising from 23 in 2009. The vast majority of the deaths (70%) involved brachycephalic, or short-nosed dogs such as Bulldogs and Pugs.

In addition to the 39 pets deaths in 2010, there were 12 reports of injuries and 5 pets that were lost. Most of the injuries were caused by pets trying to escape their kennels.

The biggest step travelers can take to help ensure their pet arrives safely is to makes sure the kennel is solid and to secure the doors and frame with zip ties. Several of the deaths in 2010 happened after pets escaped their kennels and were later hit by cars.

For more information and details on all the pet related airline travel incidents visit http://www.petflight.com.

A summary of all pet incidents for 2010 can be found at http://www.petflight.com/pet_travel_incident_summaries/2010.

British Veterinary Association President Worried About The Veterinary Student Fees And The Welfare Of Dogs

Vets Tackle Defra Secretary On Budget Cuts And Dangerous Dogs At Annual Dinner, UK

The President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) used his annual London dinner speech last night to call on the Government to take action on veterinary student fees and the welfare of dogs and to respond to the consultation on dangerous dogs.

The Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, Secretary of State for Defra, also addressed the guests, including parliamentarians, veterinary surgeons, and representatives from the agri-food industry, pet industry, welfare charities, research and veterinary education.

BVA President Harvey Locke began by raising concerns over cuts to animal health and welfare and disease surveillance budgets. He said:

"In the Comprehensive Spending Review Defra took one of the biggest hits. The profession remains deeply concerned that cuts in research and development and disease surveillance could have catastrophic consequences...

"We understand the immense downward pressure being exerted on Departmental budgets and competing priorities, but we would also caution against the unintended consequences of cuts that will have to be paid for in the future...

"Right now the UK enjoys some of the highest animal health and welfare standards in the world and so it is in all of our interests to ensure the viability of the farming sector amidst massive competition from abroad, where those standards may not always be as high."

On veterinary student fees, Mr Locke outlined the 'double whammy' of a long course and compulsory Extra Mural Studies in the holidays. He said:

"Our role as the guardians of animal health and welfare faces an uncertain future following the announcement that the cap on tuition fees will be raised to between 6 and 9 thousand pounds a year. We fear this could have a huge impact on the decisions of A-level students, with fewer and fewer opting for an expensive veterinary science degree.

"The BVA has been campaigning for many years to improve the financial situation for veterinary students who suffer the double whammy of an unsubsidised long course and additional financial burden of compulsory Extra Mural Studies (or EMS).

"Although the plans are not yet finalised we are bracing ourselves for veterinary degrees, which are costly to run, to be priced at the top of the scale, meaning veterinary students of the future will graduate with at least £45,000 of debt in tuition fees alone.

"Faced with these levels of debt, our concern is that those who do make it to graduation won't opt for the food animal practice and public health roles that attract smaller pay packages. We need to think carefully about how we can secure the future provision of large animal practitioners."

On companion animal issues Mr Locke asked Defra not to defer all decisions on dog welfare to the newly-formed Dog Advisory Council. He said:

"While the BVA fully supports the Advisory Council, we would urge the Government not to use it to delay decisions that might improve the health and welfare of dogs now.

"At a recent meeting of the Associate Parliamentary Group on Animal Welfare (APGAW) ...there was overwhelming support for provision for healthy breeding to be brought into Defra's welfare codes.

"We have long maintained that to ignore breeding in the dog welfare code is a serious oversight by Defra. In England we already have regulations that protect our farmed animals from breeding procedures that cause suffering or injury, but not for our pets.

"This contradictory approach makes little sense. Updating the welfare codes to include breeding would send a clear message that the Government is committed to improving the health and welfare of man's best friend."

On dangerous dogs Mr Locke renewed the BVA's call for the Government to respond to the Defra consultation, which found 77% in favour of scrapping breed-specific legislation. He said:

"Despite this overwhelming call from the public, the Government has kept its powder dry, repeatedly promising to announce its response soon...

"Secretary of State I would like to assure you that the BVA is prepared to work with all of the other organisations with an interest in dog welfare and public safety to find an effective solution.

"We all want to see people protected on private property; legislation that targets irresponsible owners and not just the way a dog looks; and tools that allow the police and other enforcement agencies to act swiftly to protect the public.

"And, crucially, we all want to work with you to achieve these aims."

Source:
British Veterinary Association

Orange Dog Inc. To The Rescue

Orange Dog Inc. Rescues Sixty California Pups Destined For Euthanasia And Transports Them On Its Freedom Flight, To Homes In Canada


On Friday, February 11th, The Orange Dog Inc. is proud to make it possible for 60 small breed dogs to be transferred from the LA SPCA and the Mary S. Roberts Shelter to the Edmonton Humane Society on a private Gulfstream III jet. This Friday will mark the fifth Freedom Flight that The Orange Dog Inc. has been able to provide transportation in saving these little dogs from certain death as a partner in the Edmonton Humane Society’s extremely popular animal transfer program, “California Canine Cuties”. “Love will be in the air” during life-saving animal transfer to Edmonton.

This Valentine’s Day weekend, while we are all surrounded by flowers, chocolates and shades of red and pink, a love story with real heart is going Orange.

On Friday, February 11th, The Orange Dog Inc. is proud to make it possible for 60 small breed dogs to be transferred from the LA SPCA and the Mary S. Roberts Shelter to the Edmonton Human Society on a private Gulfstream III jet. This Friday will mark the fifth Freedom Flight that The Orange Dog Inc. has been able to provide transportation in saving these little dogs from living months on end in a shelter, with the chance of eventually being euthanized, as a partner in the Edmonton Humane Society’s extremely popular animal transfer program, “California Canine Cuties”.

The Orange Dog Inc. is the brainchild of Edmonton businesswoman and philanthropist, Jan Folk. As a friend and generous donor to the EHS, Jan leapt at the opportunity to help in this life-saving initiative in the spring of 2009, but still she wished she could do more. The Orange Dog Inc. was born.

The Orange Dog Inc. believes that the most powerful solutions to the plight of the powerless are in the hands of those who demonstrate the commitment, courage and imagination to take one-on-one action. Folk explains, “The Orange Dog Inc. was created as an online retailer of quality, sustainably made products for dogs and their owners alike, where 100% of profits are donated back to the Freedom Flight Program, and has evolved into something much greater. Committed people are doing amazing things, and we want to say thanks. My hope is that when you read the stories about the Freedom Flight Program, you’ll be inspired to donate.”

With the “Love is in the air” flight leaving from Airflite, Long Beach, Folk will have the opportunity to personally thank the dedicated volunteers in that area for their unbelievable hard work in ensuring that each dog be spayed or neutered, receive all necessary vaccinations, and have medical exams and testing before their trip. “It will be very emotional as these hard working volunteers say goodbye to the dogs that they have come to love,” says Folk. “But I can’t wait to meet them and hear their amazing stories.”

Departure: 8:00 am PST on February 11, 2011 from 3250 Airflite Way, Long Beach, CA 90807
*Media please arrive no later than 7:00am PST for departure

Arrival: 12:00pm MST on February 11, 2011 at Executive Flight Centre – 1020–8th Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6J 2T2
*Media please arrive no later than 11:30am MST for arrival

The animal transfer program was first launched to encourage people to turn to the EHS first when looking to bring one of the extremely popular small-breed dogs into their family. Staff at the shelters in California and in the area continuously deal with large volumes of admitted and stray animals each day, and feel that if they were not transferred it would result in these helpless dogs living for months in the shelters, whilst hundreds of other pups live stray, in the streets .

The Society finds that more people are willing to wait for the Orange dogs because they know that many of those sold in newspaper or on-line ads, or in pet stores may come from puppy mills or brokers where they often live in horrible conditions; and are often bred without considering the dogs’ welfare.

For more information:
The Orange Dog Founder, Jan Folk - Canada: 780-499-1295 USA: 714-913-7250 jfolk(at)orangedog(dot)ca

Orange Dog Marketing Manager, Ruhee Merali – 780-224-6408 rmerali(at)orangedog(dot)ca

Edmonton Humane Society Media Relations, Shawna Randolph - 780-720-0143