If the sounds of a canine or feline “scratchfest” is interrupting your slumber, or you’re snarling, “Stop scratching!” several times a day, chances are you have an allergic pet on your hands. Just as with human hay fever, most dog and cat allergies are the result of an exaggerated immune system response to allergens in the environment such as plant pollens, tree pollens, and mold spores. The scientific name for this inherited allergic condition is atopy or atopic dermatitis. Terriers of any type are notorious atopy sufferers along with Dalmatians, Lhasa Apsos, Shar-peis, Bulldogs, and Labrador Retrievers.
Whereas people are prone to runny nose and eyes, dogs and cats with atopy develop itchy skin, often accompanied by skin and ear infections. Symptoms are initially mild and seasonal, but tend to progress year by year in terms of severity and duration. Fortunately, there are many options for treating atopy including medicated shampoos, antihistamines, fatty acid supplements, and drugs that alter the immune system’s overzealous behavior (cyclosporine, cortisone). Just as for people, desensitization injections can be administered after specific testing is done to determine which allergens are provoking the immune response. Elimination of exposure to the allergens may also be an option (a good excuse to move to Hawaii!).
Some dogs and cats develop allergies to their food. This can result in year round itchy skin, ear infections, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, gassiness). If a food allergy is suspected, your veterinarian will recommend an “elimination food trial.” This requires strict adherence (including elimination of your pet’s favorite treats) to feeding a novel protein diet for six to eight weeks. There are many such diets to choose from these days that contain duck, rabbit, venison, salmon, and even kangaroo! If the chronic symptoms disappear in response to the diet change, voila, the diagnosis of food allergy has been made. One must then hope that, over time, the animal doesn’t develop an allergy to the new diet!
Lastly, some dogs and cats develop an allergy to fleas, more specifically, to the flea’s saliva. Whereas many fleas are required to cause most animals to scratch like crazy, for those with a flea allergy, just one bite is all it takes to set off an intensely itchy reaction that can last for days. The best treatment for this allergy is stringent flea control, or relocation to Colorado; fleas don’t survive in high altitude locations!
‘Tis the season for fleas and seasonal atopy. Do you have an itchy dog or cat on your hands? If so, what will your strategy be to soothe your pet’s itch and preserve your sanity?
If you would like to respond publicly, please visit http://speakingforspot.com/blog/?p=886.
Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health, Nancy Kay, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association 2009 Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award
Recipient, 2009 Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog
Recipient, 2009 Eukanuba Canine Health Award
Author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer LifeWebsite: http://www.speakingforspot.com
Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot. There you will also find "Advocacy Aids"- helpful health forms you can download and use for your own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your pet's health.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Richmond City Council and Richmond Animal Care and Control
Hello! Below is a copy of the message the RSPCA sent yesterday evening to their online supporters that reside in the City regarding the reassignment of RAC&C. Please share it with anyone you know who also lives in the City and would be willing to write his or her Council representative or attend Monday’s meeting of Council. It is vitally important that there are folks to speak against the City Administration’s proposals. Thank you for your help and support!
On Monday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at City Hall (900 E. Broad St., 2nd Floor), Richmond City Council will discuss the reassignment of Richmond Animal Care and Control (RAC&C) within the City structure. As you may recall from prior messages I sent last month, when this issue was first being addressed by City Council, RAC&C must be reassigned because the department it now reports to – General Services – is being abolished.
If City Administration has its way, RAC&C will move to the Department of Public Works or it will become a stand alone agency that reports directly to the deputy chief administrative officer for operations. In our view and that of many others, neither reassignment proposal is satisfactory for a myriad of reasons. Regarding Public Works, it shares no similarities with RAC&C and many argue that it is already an overtaxed department that is neither effective nor efficient. Regarding the suggestion that RAC&C would become a stand alone agency, historically standalone agencies in the City have not fared well and have not had anyone looking out for their welfare. In addition, they have suffered from a lack of attention from upper-level management.
Our organization believes it is crucially important that RAC&C be reassigned to the Police Department. The rationale for this opinion includes:
RAC&C serves an important public safety function, and citizens rely on it to respond promptly and effectively to emergency calls.
The division is responsible for investigating and aiding in the prosecution of animal-related crimes, most notably dog fighting and animal abuse and neglect.
As a public safety agency, its resources and staffing levels must be protected from debilitating reductions floated or mandated during difficult budget years.
The prevailing assignment of animal control divisions in the state and across the country is Police due in large part to the many synergies that naturally exist among public safety agencies.
Reassignment to Police would impart a valuable level of credibility and respect to the crucial functions of RAC&C.
It is in the best interest of the animals and residents of our city that RAC&C not be reassigned to Public Works or as a stand alone agency. Please join us in urging the members of City Council to not permit either reassignment the Administration is proposing and instead support moving RAC&C where it belongs – in the Police department. Please call or e-mail your representative (http://www.richmondgov.com/CityCouncil/contacts.aspx) to let him or her know your opinion. We also encourage you to make your voice heard at the City Council meeting Monday evening at 6 p.m. if you are a City resident. We appreciate all you do to protect the precious pets of our City and to support our good friends at RAC&C.
Tamsen Heckel Kingry
Chief Operating Officer
Richmond SPCA
2519 Hermitage Road
Richmond, VA 23220(804) 521-1312
tkingry@richmondspca.org
www.richmondspca.org
On Monday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at City Hall (900 E. Broad St., 2nd Floor), Richmond City Council will discuss the reassignment of Richmond Animal Care and Control (RAC&C) within the City structure. As you may recall from prior messages I sent last month, when this issue was first being addressed by City Council, RAC&C must be reassigned because the department it now reports to – General Services – is being abolished.
If City Administration has its way, RAC&C will move to the Department of Public Works or it will become a stand alone agency that reports directly to the deputy chief administrative officer for operations. In our view and that of many others, neither reassignment proposal is satisfactory for a myriad of reasons. Regarding Public Works, it shares no similarities with RAC&C and many argue that it is already an overtaxed department that is neither effective nor efficient. Regarding the suggestion that RAC&C would become a stand alone agency, historically standalone agencies in the City have not fared well and have not had anyone looking out for their welfare. In addition, they have suffered from a lack of attention from upper-level management.
Our organization believes it is crucially important that RAC&C be reassigned to the Police Department. The rationale for this opinion includes:
RAC&C serves an important public safety function, and citizens rely on it to respond promptly and effectively to emergency calls.
The division is responsible for investigating and aiding in the prosecution of animal-related crimes, most notably dog fighting and animal abuse and neglect.
As a public safety agency, its resources and staffing levels must be protected from debilitating reductions floated or mandated during difficult budget years.
The prevailing assignment of animal control divisions in the state and across the country is Police due in large part to the many synergies that naturally exist among public safety agencies.
Reassignment to Police would impart a valuable level of credibility and respect to the crucial functions of RAC&C.
It is in the best interest of the animals and residents of our city that RAC&C not be reassigned to Public Works or as a stand alone agency. Please join us in urging the members of City Council to not permit either reassignment the Administration is proposing and instead support moving RAC&C where it belongs – in the Police department. Please call or e-mail your representative (http://www.richmondgov.com/CityCouncil/contacts.aspx) to let him or her know your opinion. We also encourage you to make your voice heard at the City Council meeting Monday evening at 6 p.m. if you are a City resident. We appreciate all you do to protect the precious pets of our City and to support our good friends at RAC&C.
Tamsen Heckel Kingry
Chief Operating Officer
Richmond SPCA
2519 Hermitage Road
Richmond, VA 23220(804) 521-1312
tkingry@richmondspca.org
www.richmondspca.org
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Governor McDonnell Amends Bill to Prohibit Breed Based Euthanization of Dogs in Public Animal Shelters--As Attorney General, McDonnell Issued Official
The House is supposed to vote on the amended bill TODAY. The session starts at noon but we don't know when the vote on this bill will come up. There should be a calendar posted soon (http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?101+cal+CAL) to at least see the order in which the bills will be presented. You can also watch the session online - there's a live stream posted at http://legis.state.va.us/streaming/hod_streams/hod_session_streaming.html.It is also important that you contact your Delegate and Senator and ask him or her to vote for this amendment. To find out who they are, go to http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform and fill out the form. When you click SUBMIT, you'll get a page with both your state legislators' information. Beneath their names is a button that says "Send a message to your delegate and senator." Click that to open an email which will go to both of them. In the subject line, write "Please support Governor's amendment to HB281" and send your personal message encouraging their support. Simply urge your representative to support the amendment and offer whatever personal message you feel is appropriate. Please be sure to articulate why discrimination based upon breed is unacceptable to you as a citizen and animal advocate.
Governor McDonnell Amends Bill to Prohibit Breed Based Euthanization of Dogs in Public Animal Shelters--As Attorney General, McDonnell Issued Official Opinion against Practice--
RICHMOND- Governor Bob McDonnell has amended a bill passed by the General Assembly to insert a prohibition banning breed-based killing of dogs in the Commonwealth.
In 2006, then Attorney General McDonnell issued a formal opinion that public animal shelters could not euthanize dogs based solely on breed. A bill introduced this session to codify McDonnell’s opinion into state law, HB 429 patroned by Delegate Morgan Griffith (R-Salem), was narrowly defeated in the House Agriculture Subcommittee. During the bill review period the Governor decided to take the language of Griffith’s bill and insert it as an amendment to HB 281, patroned by Delegate Dave Albo (R-Springfield), which was a successful bill increasing the penalties for animal cruelty in Virginia. The Governor’s amendment will add the following language:
“No pound may euthanize, or prohibit the adoption of, any dog based solely on breed…”Speaking about his amendment to prohibit breed based killing of dogs, Governor McDonnell noted, “No dog should be euthanized solely because of their breed. As Attorney General I issued an opinion that this practice was not legal under Virginia law. However, there have continued to be questions regarding this matter. Therefore it is important that legislation be passed making it the clear law of the Commonwealth that no dog can be euthanized solely because of their breed. This is a humane amendment, and I urge the members of the General Assembly to accept it when they return next Wednesday.”
Virginia Kilmer, President of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies noted, “The Virginia Federation of Humane Societies supports efforts to eliminate breed discrimination. If enacted into law the amendment to HB 281 will compel the few remaining public shelters that kill solely because of breed to end the euthanasia of otherwise healthy, happy and completely adoptable animals and truly change the future for all sheltered animals in Virginia.”
Other groups that have publicly supported this measure are The Virginia Animal Control Association, the Virginia Dog Breeders Association, the Richmond SPCA, the National Federation of Humane Societies, Henrico Humane Society, Ring Dog Rescue, Animal Rescue of Tidewater, Loudoun Shelter Watch, Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the Charlottesville SPCA, the Humane Society of Franklin County and the Floyd County Humane Society.
McDonnell’s 2006 opinion can be read here: http://www.vaag.com/OPINIONS/2006opns/06-078_Alexander.pdf
Justices Void Law Banning Videos of Animal Cruelty
Yesterday was a sad day for those of us who care about the life and well-being of animals. The Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down a federal law that made it a crime to create or sell dogfight videos and other depictions of animal cruelty.
You can read the full article here http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/us/21scotus.html but the long and short of it is this...The Supreme Court of the United States said that the law had created “a criminal prohibition of alarming breadth” and that the government’s aggressive defense of the law was “startling and dangerous. The existing law, Chief Justice Roberts wrote, covered too much speech protected by the First Amendment.
And if that wasn't bad enough "the government argued that depictions showing harm to animals were of such minimal social worth that they should receive no First Amendment protection at all." And a number of news organizations, including The New York Times Company, filed a brief urging the court to rule in favor of Mr. Stevens.
I cannot believe that in 2010 the government would still not recognize the need for animals to be protected by our constitution, but more importantly that they would make the assumption that showing harm to animals was of such minimal social worth to our society! I can assure you that animals are of extreme social worth to me and the thousands of others embedded in animal welfare...especially bully breed rescue.
Chief Justice Roberts rejected the government’s analogy to a more recent category of unprotected speech, child pornography, which the court in 1982 said deserved no First Amendment protection. Child pornography, the chief justice said, is “a special case” because the market for it is “intrinsically related to the underlying abuse.”
WHAT?! And the market for dog fighting isn't "intrinsically related to underlying abuse?"
Often times I am ashamed to hear such ignorance from our nations government but this takes the cake.
You can read the full article here http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/us/21scotus.html but the long and short of it is this...The Supreme Court of the United States said that the law had created “a criminal prohibition of alarming breadth” and that the government’s aggressive defense of the law was “startling and dangerous. The existing law, Chief Justice Roberts wrote, covered too much speech protected by the First Amendment.
And if that wasn't bad enough "the government argued that depictions showing harm to animals were of such minimal social worth that they should receive no First Amendment protection at all." And a number of news organizations, including The New York Times Company, filed a brief urging the court to rule in favor of Mr. Stevens.
I cannot believe that in 2010 the government would still not recognize the need for animals to be protected by our constitution, but more importantly that they would make the assumption that showing harm to animals was of such minimal social worth to our society! I can assure you that animals are of extreme social worth to me and the thousands of others embedded in animal welfare...especially bully breed rescue.
Chief Justice Roberts rejected the government’s analogy to a more recent category of unprotected speech, child pornography, which the court in 1982 said deserved no First Amendment protection. Child pornography, the chief justice said, is “a special case” because the market for it is “intrinsically related to the underlying abuse.”
WHAT?! And the market for dog fighting isn't "intrinsically related to underlying abuse?"
Often times I am ashamed to hear such ignorance from our nations government but this takes the cake.
the Richmond Daily Beast Launches!
April 19, 2010
The Richmond Daily Beast officially launches!
What do you do when you find a stray dog with no collar or tags? How do you spread the word that your own dog is missing? Where can you go to adopt a homeless dog or cat? Where can you find a list of animal rescue groups in the Richmond area? What's the best thing to do when you rescue an injured bird?
Navigating the many local lost and found pet listings, animal rescue web sites, and myriad other animal-related resources could be easier. That's the purpose of Richmond Daily Beast(http://rvadailybeast.com), a new, centralized, one-stop community portal for pet and animal related resources in the Richmond metro area. The Richmond Daily Beast provides original content, animal-related news and information, and, most importantly, convenient access to comprehensive local resources. Our goal is to make it easier for people to find what they need:
help locating or re-homing lost or stray dogs and cats; dealing with feral cat colonies; finding a petsitter, dog park, or local vet; or volunteering at a local shelter. You will also find current information on upcoming local, pet-related events, and can even post and publish your own.
The site has a number of regular features: our Rescue Pets of the Week, a calendar of
community events, and daily, original content. There are also two features that we think will beespecially helpful: the Resource Directory and the Lost & Found.
• The Resource Directory includes an extensive listing of area animal shelters and rescue organizations, veterinarians (including mobile vets), low-cost spay and neuter clinics, trap-neuter-return programs, dog parks, pet-sitters, and other professional services. It will be updated regularly and kept current. Itʼs our goal to provide everything local pet-owners or animal rescue advocates might find necessary or helpful.
• The Lost & Found feature(http://www.rvadailybeast.com/classifieds/lost_found.php)of
the Richmond Daily Beast allows anyone with a missing or lost animal to easily post a
notice about their pet to the site. The process is simple: just upload a photo, fill in the information prompts (contact info, relevant animal details, etc), and in a matter of minutes, the lost and found listing is live on the site. One more click turns the listing into a readable, professional-looking flyer ready to be printed and circulated throughout your neighborhood.
At the Richmond Daily Beast, we want to help improve the lives of our local animal population. We believe one important way to do this is to make it easier for people to connect to the information they need -- to streamline the search. You can also find the Richmond Daily Beast on Twitter and Facebook.
The Richmond Daily Beast is operated by Richard Sebastian and Allison Titus, with technical assistance from local teacher and blogger John Murden, who runs the popular Church Hill Peopleʼs News blog (http://chpn.net).
For more information, contact Richard Sebastian or Allison Titus at rvadailybeast@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Please help us help Archie!
Archie is a 7 year old boy that was transferred to Ring Dog Rescue heart worm positive. Even though his health is not in tip top condition, this has not kept Archie from being a people loving, other critter loving, and life loving boy. He has not met a stranger (two or four legged) and is unphased by the not so great first seven years of his life. He is the ultimate happy go-lucky dog with all things that come his way. This guy has endured so much thus far, let's pull together to get him over this last hump so he can go on and live a full, healthy and happy life! Please consider donating to Archie's heart worm treatment!Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Before you Adopt & Bully's as "Second" dogs
Before adopting a pit bull-type dog, we encourage you to research the breed to determine if a bully is the right dog for you. Pit bulls are a little more of everything you can expect from a dog. They are smarter, more loving, more loyal, more persistent, more stubborn and stronger than most any other breed. Unfortunately, they are also more feared, hated, restricted, mythologized and the most abused breed of dog.
http://dogtime.com/american-pit-bull-terrier.html
The typical pit bull is a unique and wonderful animal. They offer incredible companionship, are amazingly athletic and have a terrific sense of humor. There is truly no other breed like them, but they are not the dog for everyone!
If you already own a dog and are considering adopting a bully, we usually suggest adopting one that is the opposite sex of your current dog. In addition, you should be aware that owning a bully breed dog, along with another dog, requires constant monitoring of their play and interaction and the ability to firmly establish yourself as the “pack leader.” If you are not able to commit yourself to this, you should not consider adopting a bully breed dog as a "second" dog.
Source: http://bless-the-bullys.tripod.com/
http://dogtime.com/american-pit-bull-terrier.html
The typical pit bull is a unique and wonderful animal. They offer incredible companionship, are amazingly athletic and have a terrific sense of humor. There is truly no other breed like them, but they are not the dog for everyone!
If you already own a dog and are considering adopting a bully, we usually suggest adopting one that is the opposite sex of your current dog. In addition, you should be aware that owning a bully breed dog, along with another dog, requires constant monitoring of their play and interaction and the ability to firmly establish yourself as the “pack leader.” If you are not able to commit yourself to this, you should not consider adopting a bully breed dog as a "second" dog.
Source: http://bless-the-bullys.tripod.com/
Friday, April 9, 2010
Richmond Metro Pet Savers Event is Tomorrow (April 10th)
Metro Richmond Pet Savers is a newly formed collaborative group of animal rescue groups and shelters who will take part in large, monthly Adopt-A-Thons in the parking lot of Richmond area PetSmart stores. The goal will be to accelerate the adoption of cats and dogs from county/city shelters that may otherwise be euthanized.
The first Adopt A Thon will take place on April 10, 2010 from 10am – 4pm at the PetSmart Store on CarMia Way in Chesterfield County. The targeted shelter for this month will be Chesterfield County Animal Shelter. The Adopt A Thons will take place monthly on the second Saturday of the month at different PetSmart stores (exact store locations will be announced in advance).
The first Adopt A Thon will take place on April 10, 2010 from 10am – 4pm at the PetSmart Store on CarMia Way in Chesterfield County. The targeted shelter for this month will be Chesterfield County Animal Shelter. The Adopt A Thons will take place monthly on the second Saturday of the month at different PetSmart stores (exact store locations will be announced in advance).
Participating animal rescues and shelters include AARF, Aussie Rescue and Placement, BARK, Bully Paws, Chesterfield County Animal Shelter, Give A Dog A Chance Rescue, Greyhound Pets of America, Henrico Animal Shelter, Hopewell Humane Society, Petersburg Animal Shelter, Powhatan Animal Control, Richmond Animal Care and Control, Rescue of Chained K9s, and Southside SPCA.
Richmond Metro Pet Savers was founded by Richmond Animal League, Ring Dog Rescue and Chesterfield County Humane Society, participating groups will transfer dogs and cats from county/city shelters in the week preceding the Adopt-A-Thon. If not done prior to transfer, the Richmond Animal League will sterilize, microchip, vaccinate and heartworm test those animals at rates below the published prices for their Loving Spay + Neuter Clinic.
On the day of the Adopt A Thon, participating groups will bring the animals they transferred from the shelters along with their other adoptable animals and set up an adoption stand beneath a large tent in the PetSmart parking lot. Throughout the day, the public will be encouraged to come meet the adoptable cats and dogs. Each group will facilitate the adoptions of their particular animals. PetSmart vendors will be on hand with free giveaways.
Questions and rescue organizations and shelters interested in joining Metro Richmond Pet Savers should be directed to metrorichmondpetsavers@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Dog Owners need to know their rights!
We at RDR have been saying for years how important it is to know your rights as a dog owner. Even though we'd like to think that all local animal control divisions would never bully or scare you into thinking that something was the truth when it clearly is not, it does happen. Please educate yourself. Start by understanding the dangerous and vicious dog ordinances. Here are a few of the highlights you need to know:
For your dogs sake please educate yourself and know your rights!!!
Click the link below to see the entire code:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+coh+3.2-6540+501310
- "Dangerous dog" means a canine or canine crossbreed that has bitten, attacked, or inflicted injury on a person or companion animal that is a dog or cat, or killed a companion animal that is a dog or cat.
- "Vicious dog" means a canine or canine crossbreed that has: (i) killed a person; (ii) inflicted serious injury to a person, including multiple bites, serious disfigurement, serious impairment of health, or serious impairment of a bodily function; or (iii) continued to exhibit the behavior that resulted in a previous finding by a court or, on or before July 1, 2006, by an animal control officer as authorized by ordinance, that it is a dangerous dog, provided that its owner has been given notice of that finding.
- When a dog attacks or bites a companion animal that is a dog or cat, the attacking or biting dog shall not be deemed dangerous: (i) if no serious physical injury as determined by a licensed veterinarian has occurred to the dog or cat as a result of the attack or bite; (ii) if both animals are owned by the same person; (iii) if such attack occurs on the property of the attacking or biting dog's owner or custodian; or (iv) for other good cause as determined by the court. No dog shall be found to be a dangerous dog as a result of biting, attacking, or inflicting injury on a dog or cat while engaged with an owner or custodian as part of lawful hunting or participating in an organized, lawful dog handling event. No dog that has bitten, attacked, or inflicted injury on a person shall be found to be a dangerous dog if the court determines, based on the totality of the evidence before it, that the dog is not dangerous or a threat to the community.
- Any law-enforcement officer or animal control officer who has reason to believe that a canine or canine crossbreed within his jurisdiction is a dangerous dog or vicious dog shall apply to a magistrate serving the jurisdiction for the issuance of a summons requiring the owner or custodian, if known, to appear before a general district court at a specified time.
For your dogs sake please educate yourself and know your rights!!!
Click the link below to see the entire code:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+coh+3.2-6540+501310
State Code and Companion Animal Care
Sometimes rescue work is so frustrating...especially when you feel like you don't get any support from your local animal control. Someone wrote a nice letter about a penned dog that was a victim of cruelty and neglect. The local animal control was contacted and the dog owner was found not to be in violation. We sent a volunteer over right after Animal Control left and the dog had no water (it is 82° here today), so please tell me how no violation was found?!!
Never mind that the State Code of Virginia states this:
§ 3.2-6503. Care of companion animals by owner; penalty.
A. Each owner shall provide for each of his companion animals:
1. Adequate feed;
2. Adequate water;
3. Adequate shelter that is properly cleaned;
4. Adequate space in the primary enclosure for the particular type of animal depending upon its age, size, species, and weight;
5. Adequate exercise;
6. Adequate care, treatment, and transportation; and
7. Veterinary care when needed or to prevent suffering or disease transmission.
The provisions of this section shall also apply to every pound, animal shelter, or other releasing agency, and every foster care provider, dealer, pet shop, exhibitor, kennel, groomer, and boarding establishment. This section shall not require that animals used as food for other animals be euthanized.
B. Violation of this section is a Class 4 misdemeanor.
So, what do we as a rescue group do? Try and educate the owner about proper care, of course but that doesn't always result in a positive change for the dog. Try to get the owner to surrender the dog to that same animal control that didn't care enough to make sure he had water? These laws are written to protect animals so why aren't they being protected?
Never mind that the State Code of Virginia states this:
§ 3.2-6503. Care of companion animals by owner; penalty.
A. Each owner shall provide for each of his companion animals:
1. Adequate feed;
2. Adequate water;
3. Adequate shelter that is properly cleaned;
4. Adequate space in the primary enclosure for the particular type of animal depending upon its age, size, species, and weight;
5. Adequate exercise;
6. Adequate care, treatment, and transportation; and
7. Veterinary care when needed or to prevent suffering or disease transmission.
The provisions of this section shall also apply to every pound, animal shelter, or other releasing agency, and every foster care provider, dealer, pet shop, exhibitor, kennel, groomer, and boarding establishment. This section shall not require that animals used as food for other animals be euthanized.
B. Violation of this section is a Class 4 misdemeanor.
So, what do we as a rescue group do? Try and educate the owner about proper care, of course but that doesn't always result in a positive change for the dog. Try to get the owner to surrender the dog to that same animal control that didn't care enough to make sure he had water? These laws are written to protect animals so why aren't they being protected?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Breed Specific Legislation...
It costs roughly one MILLION tax dollars a year for Denver, CO and PG County, MD to keep its pit bull ban in effect. But hey, they're just dogs right? Actually, they're not even dogs, they are vicious pit bulls, so in the long run its for the best because there's no need to teach people about responsibility & education.... We won't hold the owners accountable for their bad decisions, we'll just kill their dogs instead.
Chesterfield County Animal Control
These dogs are all at the Chesterfield County Animal Shelter & are URGENT - 9300 Public Works Road Chesterfield, Va 23832 ; Phone: (804) 748-1683
Lizzy (aka Sergeant, because she sits up so nice and perfect) : Lizzy has been with us since December where she came in as a stray. She loves to have her ears, belly, back, and anything else rubbed. She appears to be fine on a leash, but has a lot of energy to release. When she was out she did not seem to mind the other dogs in the lobby, she was more looking forward to be going outside to play. If you could please help us find Lizzy a loving home we would appreciate it.
Kyla: Kyla has be
en with us since January where she came in as a stray. She loves to be outside and enjoys giving you a whole bunch of kisses. She, like Lizzy, has a lot of energy to release, but appears she does fine on a leash. Have not really had Kyla out with other dogs, but when she has been taken out she does not seem to mind the dogs around her. Please help us find a loving home for her.
Tony: Tony
has been with us since December where he came in as a stray. I call him Lizzy's twin, because they almost look identical. He is very sweet and loves to get his ears scratched. I am not sure how Tony does with other dogs, because he just sits quietly in his cage waiting for you to come and rub his belly. I hope you can help us find a loving home for him.
JayJay: JayJay has been with us since December where he came in as a stray. He is very sweet and enjoys any attention you can give him. He loves to go outside to play and will sit for some yummy treats. I have not had JayJay out with any other dog. Please help us find him a loving home.
Bella: Bella
has been with us since February where she was brought in by her owner, because they can no longer afford her. She is so sweet and loving. She will kiss you all night and day if you allow her. Per her previous owners Bella is housebroken, leash trained, and does well with children. I hope you can help us find Bella a wonderful home.
Hours:
Monday - Friday
10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday
noon - 4 p.m.
Lizzy (aka Sergeant, because she sits up so nice and perfect) : Lizzy has been with us since December where she came in as a stray. She loves to have her ears, belly, back, and anything else rubbed. She appears to be fine on a leash, but has a lot of energy to release. When she was out she did not seem to mind the other dogs in the lobby, she was more looking forward to be going outside to play. If you could please help us find Lizzy a loving home we would appreciate it.
Kyla: Kyla has be
en with us since January where she came in as a stray. She loves to be outside and enjoys giving you a whole bunch of kisses. She, like Lizzy, has a lot of energy to release, but appears she does fine on a leash. Have not really had Kyla out with other dogs, but when she has been taken out she does not seem to mind the dogs around her. Please help us find a loving home for her.Tony: Tony
has been with us since December where he came in as a stray. I call him Lizzy's twin, because they almost look identical. He is very sweet and loves to get his ears scratched. I am not sure how Tony does with other dogs, because he just sits quietly in his cage waiting for you to come and rub his belly. I hope you can help us find a loving home for him.
JayJay: JayJay has been with us since December where he came in as a stray. He is very sweet and enjoys any attention you can give him. He loves to go outside to play and will sit for some yummy treats. I have not had JayJay out with any other dog. Please help us find him a loving home.Bella: Bella
has been with us since February where she was brought in by her owner, because they can no longer afford her. She is so sweet and loving. She will kiss you all night and day if you allow her. Per her previous owners Bella is housebroken, leash trained, and does well with children. I hope you can help us find Bella a wonderful home.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter Weekend
RDR had a great turn out and adoption stand at Ginger's this past weekend. A huge thank you to Melanie Benware and the employees of Holiday Barn for raising $200 for Artemus!! Artemus is recovering from parvo and is doing great!
We also finalized the following adoptions: Leroy Brown (aka Truman), Jonah, Amos (the Dachsund that never made the web), Marley, and Miss Kitty! Bones starts his trial run today as well!
Our very own Cheulah and DogDog made their debut at the Monument Avenue Easter Parade to benefit Fetch-A-Cure and over 40,000 people attended this annual event.
This weekend is the very first Richmond Metro Pet Savers Event at the Petsmart on Carmia Way. Please come out and support all of the groups that will be there! It will be well worth your time! The focus shelter of the month is Chesterfield County.
We are desperate for foster homes! Georgia, Dude, Amos, and Eloise all need foster homes ASAP. Please spread the word and open your heart and home to a rescue dog! It will be a life-changing experience..I promise!
We also finalized the following adoptions: Leroy Brown (aka Truman), Jonah, Amos (the Dachsund that never made the web), Marley, and Miss Kitty! Bones starts his trial run today as well!
Our very own Cheulah and DogDog made their debut at the Monument Avenue Easter Parade to benefit Fetch-A-Cure and over 40,000 people attended this annual event.
This weekend is the very first Richmond Metro Pet Savers Event at the Petsmart on Carmia Way. Please come out and support all of the groups that will be there! It will be well worth your time! The focus shelter of the month is Chesterfield County.
We are desperate for foster homes! Georgia, Dude, Amos, and Eloise all need foster homes ASAP. Please spread the word and open your heart and home to a rescue dog! It will be a life-changing experience..I promise!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Are pit bulls inherently dog aggressive?
OK - So as a pit bull rescue we get this question all of the time, and unfortunately even pit bull advocates don't all share the same opinion; however, considering we've been doing this for quite a few years now, RDR has come to the conclusion, like that of Animal Farm Foundation, which is
"all dogs are individuals, and must be treated as such. We work specifically on behalf of dogs labeled as "pit bulls" not because they are different from any other dogs, but because they are not." (http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/)
But then you go on other pit bull websites and read statements like these:
"This page discusses the most notable traits of pit-bull-type dogs, including their great love for people and their potential for dog aggression" http://www.pbrc.net/breedinfo.html
Here is another one that says they don't establish a true temperament until age 3...so that scares people away from adopting pit bull pups..http://www.pbrc.net/multidogs.html
To sum up, PBRC’s position is this: dog aggression is a behavior found in every breed, but because of their breed history, pit bulls might be less tolerant of other dogs. As pit bull owners, it is our responsibility to understand our dogs, put them in a position to succeed, and keep them safe.
Statements like this make it very hard for RDR to promote the idea that responsible ownership determines how the dog will be when it gets older. ( "The behavior of a dog is directly influenced by the use or function he plays in the life of his owner." Karen Delise - Fatal Dog Attacks)
I think what is missing from these sites, is clarification. Yes, pit bulls come from a history that includes dog-fighting, which leads people to believe that there is a connection to dog aggression nowadays. Those "backgrounds" are so far diminished from the current dogs that are being bred (in most cases) that, to me, the point is moot! But I don't think people would come to that conclusion--or at least it would be buffered--if they also got the full story on every OTHER breed.
Yes, they have a different history from other breeds....but, that history is the SAME in that it is different from other breeds....and therefore NOT more important than the history of other breeds!! And not indicative of the current "breed" in the same way that other breeds' histories are not indicative of their current breed! Example: bulldogs being breed to bait bulls, poodles being bred to be guard dogs for royalty, "cute" little terriers being bred to "hunt" varmints, etc. Do those histories still play a part in the dogs of today?? Not really!! No one worries about putting their terrier around their rabbit, so why do we insist that we can't put our pit bull around other dogs. Now, if the dog comes from a recent dog-fighting breeding program (where the people were actually breeding for gameness, not just good looks), then I think it is important to recognize that and encourage proper socialization for the entirety of the dog's life, but only because I think it is just as important to do proper hunting training (or lack thereof) with a Labrador that comes from a recent hunting breeding program.
And like ALL breeds, pit bulls don't mature until they mature, and you should still do proper socialization for the life of the dog regardless of whether it has matured or not and no matter what damn breed it is!!
In closing, I think we should let these sites know that they are sending the wrong message, because I don't think that is their intent. At a minimum it is not the conclusion or experience of Ring Dog Rescue.
"all dogs are individuals, and must be treated as such. We work specifically on behalf of dogs labeled as "pit bulls" not because they are different from any other dogs, but because they are not." (http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/)
But then you go on other pit bull websites and read statements like these:
"This page discusses the most notable traits of pit-bull-type dogs, including their great love for people and their potential for dog aggression" http://www.pbrc.net/breedinfo.html
Here is another one that says they don't establish a true temperament until age 3...so that scares people away from adopting pit bull pups..http://www.pbrc.net/multidogs.html
To sum up, PBRC’s position is this: dog aggression is a behavior found in every breed, but because of their breed history, pit bulls might be less tolerant of other dogs. As pit bull owners, it is our responsibility to understand our dogs, put them in a position to succeed, and keep them safe.
Statements like this make it very hard for RDR to promote the idea that responsible ownership determines how the dog will be when it gets older. ( "The behavior of a dog is directly influenced by the use or function he plays in the life of his owner." Karen Delise - Fatal Dog Attacks)
I think what is missing from these sites, is clarification. Yes, pit bulls come from a history that includes dog-fighting, which leads people to believe that there is a connection to dog aggression nowadays. Those "backgrounds" are so far diminished from the current dogs that are being bred (in most cases) that, to me, the point is moot! But I don't think people would come to that conclusion--or at least it would be buffered--if they also got the full story on every OTHER breed.
Yes, they have a different history from other breeds....but, that history is the SAME in that it is different from other breeds....and therefore NOT more important than the history of other breeds!! And not indicative of the current "breed" in the same way that other breeds' histories are not indicative of their current breed! Example: bulldogs being breed to bait bulls, poodles being bred to be guard dogs for royalty, "cute" little terriers being bred to "hunt" varmints, etc. Do those histories still play a part in the dogs of today?? Not really!! No one worries about putting their terrier around their rabbit, so why do we insist that we can't put our pit bull around other dogs. Now, if the dog comes from a recent dog-fighting breeding program (where the people were actually breeding for gameness, not just good looks), then I think it is important to recognize that and encourage proper socialization for the entirety of the dog's life, but only because I think it is just as important to do proper hunting training (or lack thereof) with a Labrador that comes from a recent hunting breeding program.
And like ALL breeds, pit bulls don't mature until they mature, and you should still do proper socialization for the life of the dog regardless of whether it has matured or not and no matter what damn breed it is!!
In closing, I think we should let these sites know that they are sending the wrong message, because I don't think that is their intent. At a minimum it is not the conclusion or experience of Ring Dog Rescue.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)