The humane alternative: No-kill shelters - Op Ed in newspaper

Please take a look at this piece in this weeks paper – link below.  You can check out No Kill Hampton Roads at www.nokillhr.org and see the stats for local shelters (be sure and read the foot notes).  

Our Facebook page is www.facebook.com/nokillhamptonroads  I hope you will “like” and “share” it widely.

The humane alternative: No-kill shelters on Page B9 of Sunday, December 09, 2012 issue of The Virginian-Pilot

Hope Floats, We are all in the same boat!

Hope Floats came to Richmond Animal Care and Control (RAC&C) in July of 2012 as a stray. When no one came for her, she was given the name Hope Floats and soon became a shelter favorite. After passing multiple behavioral evaluations and still no adopter, Ring Dog Rescue, sponsored Hope Floats; she was spayed, heart-worm tested, vaccinated and micro-chipped.

In an attempted to find her the right home, she was promoted on Ring Dog Rescues sites and social media. No luck! In, November of 2012, renovations at RAC&C began. Hope Floats, started to degrade, with sounds, limited space and the fact that she had now been at the shelter for 5 months. It was clear to staff and volunteers that something had to be done, and after 5 months no one wanted to euthanize her.

Ring Dog Rescue contacted their partner, Heritage Humane Society. We talked about her testing, medical, and her potential. On November 20th, Hope Floats got a new chance. She was picked up by a Ring Dog Rescue volunteer and driven to Williamsburg. After being introduced to their volunteers and staff, she was set up in a large cushy run, given a meal and allowed to rest peacefully. The fantastic staff and volunteers, who were awaiting her arrival; quickly got to work, taking Hope Floats out for walks, running, and yummy snacks. On, Sunday November 25th, Hope Floats was adopted into a loving forever family.

This story is a true testament to working together. Municipal shelters having a relationship with rescue organizations, and them in turn having relationships with other organizations and humane societies, can change the life of an animal. And while, Hope Floats, may only be one dog, she like all are deserving of a chance when that chance is there. Sharing of resources and relationships can make a change, even if it is only one lucky dog.

Richmond Animal Care & Control, Ring Dog Rescue and Heritage Humane Society, all wish Hope Floats a great new life.

RDR teams up with Chesterfield County Animal Shelter

Ring Dog Rescue has teamed up with Chesterfield County Animal Shelter, to get pit bull type dogs adopted! The first 10 approved applications wishing to adopt a “Pit Bull Type” dog; Ring Dog Rescue will pay the $60 adoption fee. The adopted dogs will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies, and implanted with a microchip.

Please consider adopting a homeless Pit Bull Type dog into your family, today! There are many to pick from in all colors, shapes and sizes. This promotion is only valid for adult dogs, to approved applicants.

 

Chesterfield County Animal Shelter is located at 9300 Public Works Road Chesterfield, VA 23832. It is open to the public Monday - Friday 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday noon - 4 p.m. Applications will be screened on site.

 

Thank you,

A. K. Taylor

Tonya Irizarry

Ring Dog Rescue, Inc.

Ban Cruel Fox Pens: Virginia’s Last Form of Animal Fighting

It’s the South’s last legal blood sport, and in Virginia, it’s under serious examination. It’s time for legislators to get serious about ridding this country of fox penning. 

In this practice, foxes, and sometimes coyotes, are trapped live in the wild with steel-jawed leghold traps and transported miles in cramped cages in the back of pickup trucks. Dealers sell foxes to pen operators for cash, and then the stressed wildlife are released into a large fenced enclosure for dogs to chase down, incessantly night and day. During fox pen competitions, hundreds of dogs may be released as judges stand around the pen scoring dog packs as they run down foxes. The lucky few will survive for a while; the sick and weak animals will immediately be ripped apart by dogs. 

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Disaster Preparedness Tips

When disaster strikes, don't be caught unprepared! Follow these important tips:

1. Pet Identification. Identify your pets at all times with collars or microchips. Collars should display your name, telephone number and an emergency contact. While collars can become lost, microchips are a secure means of assuring that your pet is identified via an electronic device that is painlessly implanted in your pet's shoulder area. Since animals may escape during disasters, permanent identification will increase your chances of retrieving your pet(s).

2. Evacuation Supplies. Be prepared for emergency evacuation by having pet carriers on-hand and in an accessible place near the front door. An "Evacsak" is an alternative to a carrier and is similar to a pillowcase but ensures safe pet transport. For reptiles or fish, make sure you have lightweight plastic tanks that can be used for transporting animals in a hurry.

For dogs, keep an extra leash hanging near the front door where friends or neighbors can find it. All dogs should have collars and leashes, especially since a frightened dog may slip away if held only by the collar.

3. Evacuation Stickers. Affix a pet evacuation sticker on your front door or on the front door of your refrigerator indicating the number of pets residing in your household and an emergency contact number in case the animals must be removed without your knowledge. Without this, rescuers may not be aware that there are animals in the home, particularly in the case of cats that may hide when frightened.

4. Emergency Support System. Inform your landlord, neighbors, friends and relatives that you have pets in your home that may need their care in the case of an emergency. Make sure that at least two individuals have keys to your home and are familiar with your pets. Consider starting a "buddy system" in your neighborhood to ensure that someone will check on your animals in a disaster, and agree to do the same for them.
Identify several possible locations where you can take your pet(s) if you need to evacuate your home.
And, before disaster strikes, contact your veterinarian to see if he/she has a disaster plan. Know where you can take your animal for medical attention in the event that it becomes necessary due to a disaster.

5. Medical Records. Keep copies of your pets' medical records on hand so that if they are treated in the event of an emergency, the veterinarians know about any prior health conditions or medical needs. If your pet requires medication, always have a back-up supply on hand in case a disaster strikes and you cannot get to your veterinarian.

6. Emergency Supplies. You should have the following supplies on hand at all times:

• A 2-week supply of pet food and water
  
• A 2-week supply of cat litter and plastic bags for waste disposal
  
• A small container of soap for cleaning purposes
  
• First Aid kit and manual
  
• You may wish to purchase a crate for your cat or dog

In general, you should always leave plenty of fresh water available for pets left alone at home. While leaving extra food out is inadvisable due to the health hazard of obesity, extra water may protect the animals from dehydration if they become stranded at home.

7. Retrieving a Lost Pet. Know where the local animal shelters and rescue organizations are in your area. You may need to visit them to look for a missing pet. It is important that you start looking for a missing animal as soon as you realize that it is gone, since some shelters may not be able to house animals for long periods of time.
Take several pictures of your pets and keep them with you at all times. You will need them in the event that you become separated from your pets and need to identify them. Similarly, be ready to describe any distinguishing markings or characteristics of your pets.

Courtesy of
ASPCA
424 East 92nd St.
New York, NY 10128-6804
(212) 876-7700
www.aspca.org

Pints for Pits Tonight in RVA | I Love Sticky Rice

Pints for Pits Tonight in RVA | I Love Sticky Rice

Pit Bulls, the Ultimate Urban Dog

The scene was Hollywood-ready: On a gritty New York street, a homeless man is having a seizure on the sidewalk. At his side, his unleashed pit bull. When police approach, the dog rises to defend her master, barking as it charges them. The cops shoot the pit in the head, leaving it in a pool of blood in the street.

It’s the aftermath that breaks the stereotype. The dog, Star, somehow survives and is taken to a shelter, where she's given extensive medical treatment. Instead of being vilified in the press as a ruthless killer, Star is by and large depicted as a loyal and even adorable dog who reacted in a normal doggie way. As it stands now, it’s not clear whether Star, who lost an eye and some hearing but otherwise seems to be doing well, is suitable to be put up for adoption. But the entire incident displays a remarkable reversal in what was for years a reflexive reaction to any pit bull anywhere: It’s vicious. Kill it now.

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Massachusetts bans breed specific legislation AND the gas chamber!

In a landmark move by the state of Massachusetts, animal advocates everywhere are celebrating a major win: the ban of gas chambers as a method of euthanizing dogs and cats, and the ban of breed specific legislation.

Thanks to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Advocacy team and countless animal welfare advocates, veterinarians, dog owners, animal control officers and officials, a new animal control bill was introduced and passed.

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Study: Office Dogs Reduce Work-Related Stress

A study found that employees who bring their dogs to work accumulate less stress throughout the work day.

A recent study from the Virginia Commonwealth University found that employees who brought their dogs to work experienced lower stress levels throughout the work day, reported higher levels of job satisfaction, and had a more positive perception of their employer.

"There might be a benefit here," Randolph Barker, business professor at VCU and lead author on the study, said. "It's a low cost wellness benefit, and it could be a recruiting opportunity (for businesses)."

The study was conducted over the span of a week at Replacements, Ltd., a dinnerware manufacturing company in Greensboro, North Carolina. Seventy-six of the company's employees participated in the study and were broken down into three groups: 18 dog owners who brought their dogs to the office each day, 38 employees that owned dogs but did not bring them to the office, and 19 employees that didn't own pets.
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Pit bull owners go to court to fight evictions

Dinwiddie pit bull owners, told to get rid of their animals or face eviction, appeared in court Monday afternoon.

Tenants given that ultimatum back in February by the Green Acres trailer park, say they're not giving up.

"I hope it boils down to us being able to keep the dogs," said resident Arieal Lilly.

The group walked into court united and ready to plead their case. Four tenants have refused to get rid of their pit bulls or move. Now, the group faces eviction.

"I'm hoping everything will work out for the best for all of us because it's not easy to get up and just move," Lilly added.

The tenants appeared in court for the first time with their attorneys.


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Efforts to combat dogfighting gain major ally in RICO statute

Dharma the three-legged pit bull is a survivor.

The canine was found mangled in 2009 when federal investigators busted a massive dogfighting ring that spanned from Illinois to Texas. The raids resulted in the seizure of more than 400 dogs and numerous arrests.

Animal welfare workers said Dharma wasn't used in the dogfights but rather was left chained outside in rural Missouri to produce fresh litters of puppies. The dog's abusers, they said, amputated one of her front legs.

Suzanne Schemm, the dog's adoptive owner, believes Dharma, now 5, is lucky to have escaped from an underground world where crimes against animals are common but often difficult to solve and prosecute.

"This case was just the tip of the iceberg," said Schemm, a southwest suburban resident, referring to the Missouri raid.

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Authorities Bust Bronx Dog-Fighting Ring

Police said they were forced to remove up to 50 dogs from the basement of 1254 Sherman Avenue in the Concourse section Thursday, where a suspected dog-fighting ring was being run. NY1's Dean Meminger filed the following report.



Scars on a pitbull's face represented evidence of what was going on in the basement of Sherman Avenue and 168th Street in the Bronx.

Investigators said 50 dogs as young as 12 weeks and as old as 5 years were bred, trained and put in fighting matches here.

"There is extensive training equipment," said NYPD Deputy Inspector Anthony Favale. "There's treadmills, it looks like homemade makeshift treadmills. They would put the dogs on to build them up and exercise them. There were areas that were clearly staged for fighting."

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Our Rick James went missing after last nights thunderstorm!

FOUND!!! Rick James Lost!!!

HUGE thanks to Lynn (see comment :), Rick James is now home, safe and sound, with his family! Had he not been wearing his Ring Dog Rescue tag, with our phone numbers, his reunion would've been delayed, or not even at all. So as a reminder, please ensure your pets have proper identification tags on at all times — inside or out.

For Over One Hundred Years, Americans Knew Pit Bulls...

for What They Did Best. Babysitting. Part I.

Astoundingly, for most of our history America’s nickname for Pit Bulls was “The Nanny Dog”. For generations if you had children and wanted to keep them safe you wanted a pit bull, the dog that was the most reliable of any breed with children or adults.

The Nanny Dog is now vilified by a media that always wants a demon dog breed to frighten people and LHASA-APSO BITES MAN just doesn’t sell papers. Before pit bulls it was Rottweilers, before Rottweilers it was Dobermans, and before them German Shepherds. Each breed in it’s order were deemed too vicious and unpredictable to be around people. Each time people wanted laws to ban them. It is breathtakingly ironic that the spotlight has turned on the breed once the symbol of our country and our national babysitter.
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Best Friends "Fix at Four: Afternoon Stroll" PSA

Are pit bulls "inherently dangerous"?

A ruling this week in Maryland's highest court puts certain dog owners and landlords on a tighter leash.

The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled in a case involving a pit bull attack that it is no longer necessary for those attacked by a pit bull or a pit bull mix to prove that the dog is violent—the owner or landlord "is strictly liable for the damages caused" by nature of the breed. Continue reading...

Do you think the Maryland Court of Appeals was right in its recent ruling that pit bulls are inherently dangerous?  Click here to vote and see the results! 

Thank you, UUCC Glen Allen!

We were chosen as the Charity of the Month for April and received a generous donation from the congregation of this small church. On April 1st, I said a few words to those folks about our organization, and even got to bring an RDR dog with me. Gretchen was SO good and everyone just loved her. But then again, what's not to love about a pittie-ful face?  :)

http://uuccglenallen.org

AbsolutTwilight: All for a GREAT cause

AbsolutTwilight: All for a GREAT cause: I am hoping you all follow most if not all the "twilight" actors and actresses, if you don't well shame on you. ;)  If you only follow one ...

What is GFYS?

GFYS originally began as a practical joke using a naughty word. GFYS4Charity emerged as a movement for good.

GFYS4Charity’s mission is to identify and assist under served,local non-profit organizations, focused on services for children or animal welfare, through publicity and fundraising for the organizations.

Metro Richmond Pet Savers Celebrates Two Years of Saving Lives

(Richmond, VA) – On April 14th, MRPS will celebrate its second birthday with its biggest ever adoption event at the PetSmart on CarMia Way (1276 CarMia Way, Chesterfield VA, 23235). This month’s event, which begins at 11 and concludes at 3, will include music, cupcakes from Carytown Cupcakes, the Richmond International Raceway pace car, and activities for kids. As always, the centerpiece of the monthly Adopt-a-Thon will be the over 100 adoptable animals from more than a dozen rescue organizations who will attend the event in the hopes of finding the perfect family.

Metro Richmond Pet Savers (MRPS) held its first adoption event two years ago this month. With the goal of increasing pet adoptions and ending unnecessary euthanasia, animal rescues across the area banded together to form Metro Richmond Pet Savers; approximately 1,800 pets have found their forever homes through monthly adoption events held at local PetSmart locations.

MRPS is a collaborative group of animal rescue groups and shelters who take part in large, monthly Adopt-A-Thons in the parking lot of Richmond area PetSmart stores. The goal is to accelerate the adoption of cats and dogs from county/city shelters that may otherwise be euthanized.

Questions and rescue organizations and shelters interested in joining Metro Richmond Pet Savers should be directed to metrorichmondpetsavers@gmail.com.

300 pit bulls saved from Philippine dogfighting arena

Philippines said it helped police bust a South Korean syndicate operating a massive dog fighting ring and rescue 300 pitbulls.

Two South Korean nationals and several Filipinos were arrested in the Friday raid at a two-hectare farm in the city of San Pablo just south of the capital Manila, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society said.

Many of the dogs were severely injured, with ripped ears and tongues, including 20 that needed to be euthanized, it said.

"This appears to be a large operation and these South Koreans need to be punished," PAWS program director Anna Cabrera said.

Those arrested were part of the same South Korean group whose operations were busted in December in a nearby province and who later posted bail, PAWS said. About 240 dogs were also rescued in that raid.

"Too many animals have already suffered, and criminals are becoming bolder, taking only two months after arrest to get back into their illegal operations once they have posted bail," the group said as it urged tougher laws to protect animals.

Those found guilty of animal cruelty can be jailed for between six months and two years, but suspects can go free on bail as the often-lengthy legal process continues.

PAWS said many of the dogs in the latest bust were not properly fed and sheltered, and showed scars and wounds from recent fights. The contests are broadcast online to a betting audience.

A picture released by PAWS on its Facebook page showed one emaciated dog chained to a tree in open grounds. In the background, steel drums were used as dog kennels.

Police were not immediately available for comment.

Copyright 2012 AFP Global Edition

Tell United Airlines not to discriminate against 9 dog breeds

United Airlines -- of the famous "Fly the Friendly Skies" slogan -- just got a lot less dog-friendly. The biggest air carrier in the world recently decided that some dogs can’t fly with their families, because United doesn’t like the way they look.

United is now the only airline in the U.S. to have singled out nine different breeds of dog as "dangerous" based on their appearance, barring them from flying.

Jessie Huart discovered the policy when she was trying to book a ticket to travel with her family's dog, a 10-year-old pit bull named Slaw. She was told by the airline that because he's a pit bull, Slaw couldn’t travel. But Slaw isn't just a pet -- he's a member of the family, so Jessie started a petition on Change.org to ask United to treat all dogs equally, regardless of breed. Click here to add your name to Jessie’s petition.

Misconceptions and dangerous legislation banning some breeds of dog are being challenged -- and overturned -- all across the U.S. Public officials are starting to listen to the outcry for more effective, breed-neutral policies, knowing that breed bans result in the deaths of thousands of innocent dogs. Just last month, the country’s only statewide breed discriminatory law was repealed in Ohio.

But since Jessie's petition launched -- now signed by more than 30,000 people -- United's only response has been to remove the word "dangerous" when describing dog breeds on its website, but those breeds are still unfairly singled out. And canine profiling in a major company like United could turn that tide back against the dogs.

If thousands of dog-loving United customers sign Jessie’s petition, the airline will have to listen -- sending a strong message to other companies and lawmakers that breed discrimination isn’t the way to go.

Sign Jessie’s Change.org petition asking United to make the skies dog-friendly by dropping its breed-discriminatory policy.

Thanks for being a change-maker,
- Stephanie and the Change.org Team

Sparta Police Officer Arrested for Dog Fighting

SPARTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –Sparta Police Officer Travis Edwards is in jail, charged with dogfighting and cruelty to animals.

The GBI made the arrest Monday after getting a tip from the public and information from the district attorney's office.

When investigators searched his home in Hancock County, they found and confiscated several pit-bulls.

42-year old Reginald Shivers of Milledgeville was also arrested and faces the same charges.

Both men were taken to the Hancock County Jail, but Edwards was moved to an undisclosed jail for his protection.

Innocent dog seized, held for execution in Virginia

She is the eyes of the blind, the healer of suffering, abused children; yet her own life now hangs in the balance. The story of Lady Marie Bear as tragic as it is infuriating. In November, an officer from the Nelson County Animal Control (http://nelsoncounty.com/animalcontrol/) of Lovingston, VA, seized Lady Marie Bear, a rescued dog who had been assisting in healing work benefiting abused children, and put the dog on death row.

Months prior, Lady was homeless and abused, escaping the traps of the Nelson County Animal Control in search of a loving and caring home. That she found with Glen Marie Friend, street missionary at Messiah’s Embassy in Lovingston, and her other pets. Not only did Lady become a loving part of this family: she also proved to be a healer to the suffering children and people helped by her owner’s missionary work.

For reasons unknown, a female officer from the Nelson County Animal Control of Lovingston suddenly raided Friend’s residence on Thanksgiving Day and demanded that Lady Marie Bear be handed over to her because she had reportedly bitten a person. When Friend demanded evidence of this, or a warrant to take the dog, the officer had none.
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Click ==>here<== to sign the Save Lady Marie Bear petition.

Rescue Group Coordinator Position with HSUS in Gaithersburg, MD

We are happy to share this posting for an open position on behalf of our friends at The Humane Society of the United States:

Rescue Group Coordinator

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the largest animal protection organization in the nation, seeks to fill a newly created position, Rescue Group Coordinator, to serve as a liaison between The HSUS and the all-pet and breed-specific rescue group communities and to enhance ability of HSUS to meet the unique needs of rescue groups.

The general responsibilities of the new Rescue Group Coordinator will include creating new tools and programs to assist rescue groups in their work, improve relationships and collaboration between rescue organizations and traditional brick-and-mortar shelters, and assess existing HSUS programs to enhance rescue group participation and support to ultimately increase pet adoption and rescue. Candidates for the position must not only have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and 4-6 years personal experience with rescue groups, they must demonstrate a strong history of coalition building, community activism, and program implementation and development.

Candidates must also have excellent writing, research and verbal communication skills, a willingness to travel, and media savvy. Salary range for this position is in the low $40s, based on qualifications and experience. Please submit a cover letter and resume via The HSUS website at www.humanesociety.org/about/ by following the directions within the Rescue Group Coordinator job description or fax to 301-548-7701. This position is based in Gaithersburg, MD (candidates must be willing and able to relocate upon hiring).

Crackdown on Spectators at Animal Fights

Bipartisan legislation, S. 1947/H.R. 2492, has been introduced by U.S. Reps. Tom Marino, R-Pa., and Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, and by Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Mark Kirk, R-Ill., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Scott Brown, R-Mass., that would prohibit knowing attendance at organized animal fights and impose additional penalties for causing a minor to attend such events.

Over the past decade, Congress has strengthened the penalties for and closed major loopholes in the federal animal fighting law, but has left the issue of spectators unaddressed. The legislation will correct this remaining gap in federal law to allow for a more comprehensive crackdown on this barbaric activity.

TAKE ACTION

Please make a brief, polite phone call to your two U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative to urge co-sponsorship of S. 1947/H.R. 2492. Look up your legislators' phone numbers. You can say: "I would like you to please co-sponsor S. 1947/H.R. 2492 to prohibit knowing attendance at an animal fighting event and bringing a minor to such a cruel event. Spectators fuel the dogfighting and cockfighting industries, making them profitable."

After making your phone call (please do not skip that crucial step!), fill in and submit the form here to automatically send a follow-up message to your two U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative. Congress receives a lot of email, so be sure to edit your message so it stands out.

MRPS Adopt-A-Thon this Saturday, the 11th!

$1 Million National Spay/Neuter Grant Program from PetSmart Charities

Cats & Pit Bull Terriers Will Benefit from Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Surgeries

PHOENIX (January 25, 2012) — PetSmart Charities®, the country’s largest funder of spay/neuter efforts, has announced a new $1 million national spay/neuter grant program aimed at saving the lives of pets that have the highest risk of being euthanized due to overcrowding in shelters: cats and pit bull terriers.

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What is wrong with this picture?

Anyone? I can't believe I didn't know already.