All’s I Wanted To Do Was Walk On My Four Paws

Photo by Xinhua/Reuters


This is little Hoppa who has received a new lease on life with the help of a prosthetic devise. Just looking at this little dog shows the joy of being able to walk for the first time in four years.

Read the article by Fang Yang here.

So Where Dose The Money Go From HSUS Donations

I would have thought that most of the money that was donated to the Humane Society of the United States would have went to help our local animal shelters, but after reading this article it has become apparent that I was wrong too.

So where does the money go that people donate to the cause?
Can somebody tell us?


Nationwide Poll: Seven Out of Ten Americans Wrongly Believe the Humane Society of the United States is a Pet-Shelter "Umbrella Group"

Consumer Group Reminds Americans that Less than One Percent of Donations to HSUS Benefit Local Pet Shelters

Seventy-one percent of Americans questioned in a new opinion poll wrongly believe the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is an "umbrella group" for America's local humane societies. Sixty-three percent incorrectly think their local "humane society" is affiliated with HSUS. And fifty-nine percent falsely believe HSUS "contributes most of its money" to local organizations that care for cats and dogs.

The poll, which sampled the opinions of 1,008 Americans, was commissioned by the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) and conducted by Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) of Princeton, New Jersey.

"These numbers indicate that Americans don't really know what the Humane Society of the United States is all about," said CCF Director of Research David Martosko. "HSUS intentionally uses those sad dogs and cats in its TV infomercials as props in an animal rights fundraising shell game. Meanwhile, thousands of American pet shelters are underfunded and struggling." Martosko blogs about HSUS at www.HumaneWatch.org.

According to the federal income tax return filed by HSUS for the tax year 2008, less than one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the organization's budget consisted of grants to hands-on pet shelters. HSUS does not run a single shelter for dogs or cats anywhere, and it is not affiliated with any local "humane society" organizations.

Martosko continued: "This poll indicates that most Americans think HSUS is a worthy charity. But very few Americans understand what HSUS really is—a super-rich lobbying group that puts more money into its executive pensions than in the hands of local humane societies."

Survey Methodology

The survey of 1,008 adults nationwide was conducted by telephone between February 25 and February 28, 2010 by Opinion Research Corporation. The margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points.

Questions:

I'm going to read you the names of several nonprofit organizations. For each one, please tell me if you are very familiar, somewhat familiar or totally unfamiliar with the organization.

The Humane Society of the United States: 79% familiar ("very"/"somewhat" net)

I'm going to read you several statements. For each one, please tell me if you think the statement is true or false.

71% "TRUE": The Humane Society of the United States is an umbrella group that represents thousands of local humane societies all across America.

63% "TRUE": My local humane society or pet shelter is AFFILIATED with the Humane Society of the United States.

59% "TRUE": The Humane Society of the United States contributes most of its money to local organizations that care for dogs and cats.

48% "TRUE": My local humane society or pet shelter receives financial support from the Humane Society of the United States.

(Tax records filed by HSUS show that all four statements are false.)

To learn more about the Humane Society of the United States, visit www.HumaneWatch.org. To arrange an interview, call Allison Miller at 202-463-7112.

The Center for Consumer Freedom is a nonprofit watchdog organization that informs the public about the activities of tax-exempt activist groups. It is supported by American consumers, business organizations, and foundations.

6 To 8 Months For Setting Dog On Fire

You would think that the Guilford County Judge would have given Lashawn Whitehead a lot more for setting his dog Susie on fire last year. The dog had over sixty percent of her body burned by this bum.

The assistant district attorney Chris Parrish read Lashawn’s statement: I held the dog down for 15 minutes and put the lighter fluid on its back. I lit the dog's fur on fire with the matches. The dog caught on fire and started to run. I went inside and got a jug of water and tried to put it out but it kept running. The dog ran into the woods and I never saw it again.

I don’t know about you but that sure makes me mad and to top it off the judge let this guy walk away.

Read the article by Kira Mathis here.

British Veterinary Groups Discuss Dog Breeding

Moving forward on dog breeding

The veterinary profession was well represented at a meeting of key stakeholders brought together to discuss the next steps on dog breeding. The British Veterinary Association (BVA), British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) together with welfare organisations, the Kennel Club, Defra, and the Scottish Government considered the three major dog breeding reports by APGAW, RSPCA and Professor Bateson.

The group agreed to work on a proposal to set up an Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding, as recommended by Professor Bateson.

The group also identified the key areas to be addressed as

* education and publicity
* legislation and regulation
* breeding strategies
* surveillance, research and development

The meeting was chaired by Professor Sheila Crispin PhD FRCVS. After the meeting Prof Crispin said:

“In a highly constructive meeting stakeholders welcomed the three reports and there was broad acceptance of the thrust of the recommendations. A key action agreed was for the formation of an Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding. A proposal will be prepared for submission to Ministers.

“The many actions already in hand to address these issues were noted and it was agreed that future work would build on these initiatives through collaboration. We also welcome the interest shown by Defra and the devolved administrations.”

Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA, added:

“Clearly the veterinary profession has a key role to play in educating the public about the health and welfare issues of choosing a dog.

“The BVA strongly supports the idea set out in Professor Bateson’s report that an advisory council should be independent and draw on the opinions of experts and we are pleased to be part of the group setting up such a council.”
Notes for editors

1. The three reports considered by the stakeholders are

* Pedigree dog breeding in the UK: a major welfare concern? (RSPCA)
* A healthier future for pedigree dogs (APGAW)
* Independent inquiry into dog breeding (Patrick Bateson)

2. Organisations represented at the meeting were BSAVA, BVA , CAWC, Defra, Dogs Trust, International Sheepdog Society
Kennel Club, PDSA, Scottish Government, RCVS, RSPCA

3. Enquiries about the stakeholder group can be directed to Prof Sheila Crispin s.m.crispin@bristol.ac.uk 07802 667 235 or 015395 68637 or Heather Peck (secretariat) heather@drydraytonestate.com 07876 681 954 or 01954 210 402

Canine Assistants Does It Again, This Time A Girl With Cerebral Palsy

Canine Assistants has given another little girl her dreams of hope. That’s what makes Canine Assistants so special because Jennifer Arnold who once had a dream of her own to have a service dog of her own at one time was unable due to the wait. So her father wanted to start his own training program until he was killed and Jennifer decided not to give up and made that dream come true. Not only for her but for many other’s that had the dream and need to have a special dog on their side.

Read the article by Beth Parker here.

Parvovirus Deadly Dog Virus Hit's Conn. Animal Shelters

A report of the Deadly Virus called Parvovirus in two Animal Shelters in the Stratford and Fairfield, Conn..

Parvovirus is a contagious virus mainly affecting dogs. The disease is highly infectious and is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their feces. It can be especially severe in puppies that are not protected by maternal antibodies or vaccination. It has two distinct presentations, a cardiac and intestinal form. The common signs of the intestinal form are severe vomiting and severe haemorrhagic (bloody) diarrhea. The cardiac form causes respiratory or cardiovascular failure in young puppies. Treatment often involves veterinary hospitalization. Vaccines can prevent this infection, but mortality can reach 91% in untreated cases.

Read the article by Keith Kountz here.

New Development In Iams Pet Nutrition, PreBiotic

Because you Never Know Where Your dog Will put his Nose

Your dog is naturally inquisitive - at home, in the park and on the street - scenting, scratching and tasting the world around him every day. His love of exploration puts him in contact with other dogs, animals, soil, litter, and lamp posts! It is the role of his immune system to tackle all these happy experiences.

Now a new development in Iams pet nutrition, PreBiotics, can help support your dog's inner strength. The really good news is that all IAMS dry diets now contain these PreBiotics.

PreBiotics that increase the good bacteria and reduce bad bacteria in the gut can help keep him healthy and support his natural defences. This is exactly the same reason as why we as owners include foods such as yoghurts, which contain good bacteria, in our diets.

Maintaining your dog's inner health is obviously important for his daily happiness and long-term wellbeing. Being able to help do so as part of his regular diet gives you the reassurance that while feeding him a tasty food that satisfies his appetite and nutritional needs, you're also helping support his inner protection each and every day.

Remember, at every stage of your dog's life he will benefit from having a healthy digestive system. When he was a little puppy, his mother's milk provided him with all the nutrition and protection he needed, but as he moved onto solids he had to get this through his diet. Choosing a highly nutritious diet like Iams will help support his developing immune system and long-term wellbeing.

For adult dogs, frequenting familiar home turf and exploring further afield, his adventures demand good gut bacteria and a strong immune system. And did you know that 65% of a dog's immune system is found in his digestive tract?

You can't teach an old dog new tricks, but you can help him. He might have slowed down a bit with age but still has the same sense of adventure. Just like us as we mature his immune system may also decline. Iams with PreBiotics is a 100% complete and balanced diet that supports his inner strength and helps him continue to enjoy an active lifestyle well into his golden years.

Whatever the age of your dog, Iams with PreBiotics helps support his strong defences. So make your dog an IAMS dog today.

Healthy inside, Healthy outside.

Press Contact
Lars C. Ortlieb | External Relations Manager PetCare
EMEA | P&G Int. Ops. SA
ortlieb.l@pg.com |
Tel +49-17-2671-7575