Thursday, May 29, 2014
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Maddie's Pet Adoption Days May 31st and June 1st
Subject: Ring Dog Rescue joins nation’s largest no-fee pet adoption event
Ring Dog Rescue Joins Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days to Find Homes for All Our Cats and Dogs
Ring Dog Rescue is participating in a gigantic weekend adoption event to place all of our dogs and cats in qualified homes. Free adoptions will be offered throughout the weekend at 1600 Chamberlayne Avenue Richmond, VA 23231 Saturday May 31st 12-5 & Sunday June 1st 12-4
Available Dogs and Puppies will be vaccinated, spayed and neutered, we will have some free giveaways to qualified adopters!
Hanover Animal Control, Richmond Animal Care and Control, Chesterfield Animal Control, Richmond Animal League, Henrico Humane Society, Richmond SPCA, Prince George Animal Control and BARK will also be participating. Most locations will also have Cats and Kittens available as well!
Nine pet adoption agencies across our community are taking part in this year’s Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days. While this is a first-time event for shelters and rescue groups in the Greater Richmond Area, more than 200 shelters and rescues in 14 communities throughout the United States are participating in the fifth annual Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days sponsored by the Pleasanton, CA based Maddie’s Fund®. Maddie’s Fund has set aside $10 million to provide shelters and rescue groups with an adoption stipend per pet adopted during the event.
Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days is being held to increase awareness of homeless animals, boost adoptions, and support the shelters and rescue organizations in the 14 participating communities.
The event honors the memory of the foundation’s namesake, a Miniature Schnauzer named Maddie. Maddie was a little dog who made a big impact on the Duffield family, and they want every homeless dog and cat to have what she had – a loving home.
To learn more about Maddie’s® Pet Adoption days and the participating organizations and locations, visit our website (http://adopt.maddiesfund.org). We’re also on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!
ABOUT MADDIE’S FUND®
Twenty years ago, the love of a little dog inspired a $300 million legacy to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals. Maddie’s Fund® (www.maddiesfund.org) is the family foundation endowed by the founder of Workday® and PeopleSoft, Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl. It is named in honor of Maddie, their beloved Miniature Schnauzer who passed away in 1997. Today, through its grant giving, hands-on animal care, research and education, Maddie’s Fund is helping to achieve and sustain a no-kill nation by providing solutions to the most challenging issues facing the animal welfare community.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Loudoun VA Lifts ban on adoption of Pit Bulls from Shelter!
Posted: Thursday, May 8, 2014 4:00 pm
|
Updated: 5:17 pm, Thu May 8, 2014.
Loudoun County
supervisors this week approved a big change for the animal shelter,
reversing a long-standing and controversial policy not to allow pit
bulls or pit bull mixes to be adopted. The new policy is effective
immediately.
The proposal came as a recommendation from the Animal Advisory Committee, with support from the Department of Animal Services, and supervisors said they were happy to see the change.
“We should not have breed discrimination,” Vice Chairman Shawn Williams (R-Broad Run) said, adding that he was “glad we are getting this squared away.”
This is not the first time the county has considered change the ban on pit bull adoption, which was enacted with animal adoption policies created in 1994. In 2007, the Animal Advisory Committee recommended the change, but the previous Board of Supervisors declined, instead allowing the Department of Animal Services to transfer the dogs to other animal agencies and breed rescue organizations.
In 2009, the county’s prohibition policy was put on trial after a lawsuit filed by Animal Rescue of Tidewater. However, a Circuit Court judge ruled the county policy did not violate any laws.
Pit bulls and pit bull mixes remain a popular dog in Loudoun County. According to Department of Animal Services data there are currently 1,145 licensed in the county, making the pit bull the ninth most popular breed. However, department staff and animal control officers remain concerned that residents may be reluctant to license their animals and that some of the dogs “are entering into the County from unknown sources, where policies and procedures for adoption or sale may be below LCAS standards for ownership, health and behavior,” according to the department’s report.
About 100 pit bulls a year have been brought to the Loudoun County Animal Shelter from 2010 to 2013, with about 56 percent of those being euthanized. Thirty-three percent were returned to their owners and 11 percent were transferred to another agency or adoption organizations.
Amy Martin, the animal shelter administrator, said that some of the dogs that were put down were sick or injured to a point where “it was kinder to euthanize.” There also were some that had significant enough behavior problems that they could not be transferred.
“And we have had situations where the transfer partners just weren’t available,” Martin said. “When we’re busy, they’re busy…but without the transfer avenue we didn’t have any avenue.”
While the shelter will still utilize the transfer option, it will now have the ability to put the dog out on the floor for adoption when there is nowhere for it to be transferred.
“Now will be able to adopt them--get them ready and get them on the adoption floor,” Martin said.
Throughout the debate over pit bull adoption, the Loudoun County Animal Shelter has used a behavioral assessment tool to evaluate every animal, including pit bulls. Recently, the program that had been in place to assess all animals has been revamped.
The new protocol, Companion Animal Readiness Program, or CARP, has been in place since September 2013. It is based on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ anti-cruelty behavior assessment program. The program, which has a goal to facilitate successful, long-term matches between all animals and adoptive owners, looks at several aspects of the dog and its behavior, including General Handling/Kennel Behavior, Sociability and Reaction to New Environment, Physical Control and Restraint, Play/Prey Response and Mental Sensitivity, among others.
“We do daily observations,” Martin said Thursday. “We focus heavily on enrichment and socialization so we get a full picture of the pet. We do the assessment through the entire time the animal is here. So it is not just a snapshot in time.”
Martin said the animal shelter staff has seen success with the assessment program because pit bulls have been successfully transferred to other agencies and adopted there.
“We know we can safely determine if the animal is medically compromised or emotionally compromised, Martin said. “It proved our point that we knew, that pit bulls are not different.”
That also was the sentiment expressed by the Board of Supervisors Wednesday night.
“If the owners are good, the pit bulls are good,” Supervisor Ralph Buona (R-Ashburn) said. “There is an old saying: you don’t train a dog, you train a human.”
County Chairman Scott K. York (R-At Large) said he was supportive of the change, but noted the previous policy was not simply to discriminate against pit bulls. “It was an issue we had with liability and protection to ensure that the animal we were adopting out to a family was a safe animal and now we have that assurance,” he said, of the new assessment protocol.
Supervisors also said they were confident in the ability of the animal shelter staff to assess an animal and help become adoptable even after trauma.
“You can deal with a dog that has been beaten, shot, and you can bring that dog back where it is a loving member of a family,” Supervisor Suzanne Volpe (R-Algonkian) said.
Martin said the animal shelter staff members were thrilled when they learned about the board’s decision to allow pit bull adoption, some of them to the point of tears.
“All of our staff is excited to be able to do this, well and right,” she said. “When board was so confident in our ability to do it, we’ve always known we could, but to have that confirmed last night was really heartwarming to hear. This has been so long in the making.”
The proposal came as a recommendation from the Animal Advisory Committee, with support from the Department of Animal Services, and supervisors said they were happy to see the change.
“We should not have breed discrimination,” Vice Chairman Shawn Williams (R-Broad Run) said, adding that he was “glad we are getting this squared away.”
This is not the first time the county has considered change the ban on pit bull adoption, which was enacted with animal adoption policies created in 1994. In 2007, the Animal Advisory Committee recommended the change, but the previous Board of Supervisors declined, instead allowing the Department of Animal Services to transfer the dogs to other animal agencies and breed rescue organizations.
In 2009, the county’s prohibition policy was put on trial after a lawsuit filed by Animal Rescue of Tidewater. However, a Circuit Court judge ruled the county policy did not violate any laws.
Pit bulls and pit bull mixes remain a popular dog in Loudoun County. According to Department of Animal Services data there are currently 1,145 licensed in the county, making the pit bull the ninth most popular breed. However, department staff and animal control officers remain concerned that residents may be reluctant to license their animals and that some of the dogs “are entering into the County from unknown sources, where policies and procedures for adoption or sale may be below LCAS standards for ownership, health and behavior,” according to the department’s report.
About 100 pit bulls a year have been brought to the Loudoun County Animal Shelter from 2010 to 2013, with about 56 percent of those being euthanized. Thirty-three percent were returned to their owners and 11 percent were transferred to another agency or adoption organizations.
Amy Martin, the animal shelter administrator, said that some of the dogs that were put down were sick or injured to a point where “it was kinder to euthanize.” There also were some that had significant enough behavior problems that they could not be transferred.
“And we have had situations where the transfer partners just weren’t available,” Martin said. “When we’re busy, they’re busy…but without the transfer avenue we didn’t have any avenue.”
While the shelter will still utilize the transfer option, it will now have the ability to put the dog out on the floor for adoption when there is nowhere for it to be transferred.
“Now will be able to adopt them--get them ready and get them on the adoption floor,” Martin said.
Throughout the debate over pit bull adoption, the Loudoun County Animal Shelter has used a behavioral assessment tool to evaluate every animal, including pit bulls. Recently, the program that had been in place to assess all animals has been revamped.
The new protocol, Companion Animal Readiness Program, or CARP, has been in place since September 2013. It is based on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ anti-cruelty behavior assessment program. The program, which has a goal to facilitate successful, long-term matches between all animals and adoptive owners, looks at several aspects of the dog and its behavior, including General Handling/Kennel Behavior, Sociability and Reaction to New Environment, Physical Control and Restraint, Play/Prey Response and Mental Sensitivity, among others.
“We do daily observations,” Martin said Thursday. “We focus heavily on enrichment and socialization so we get a full picture of the pet. We do the assessment through the entire time the animal is here. So it is not just a snapshot in time.”
Martin said the animal shelter staff has seen success with the assessment program because pit bulls have been successfully transferred to other agencies and adopted there.
“We know we can safely determine if the animal is medically compromised or emotionally compromised, Martin said. “It proved our point that we knew, that pit bulls are not different.”
That also was the sentiment expressed by the Board of Supervisors Wednesday night.
“If the owners are good, the pit bulls are good,” Supervisor Ralph Buona (R-Ashburn) said. “There is an old saying: you don’t train a dog, you train a human.”
County Chairman Scott K. York (R-At Large) said he was supportive of the change, but noted the previous policy was not simply to discriminate against pit bulls. “It was an issue we had with liability and protection to ensure that the animal we were adopting out to a family was a safe animal and now we have that assurance,” he said, of the new assessment protocol.
Supervisors also said they were confident in the ability of the animal shelter staff to assess an animal and help become adoptable even after trauma.
“You can deal with a dog that has been beaten, shot, and you can bring that dog back where it is a loving member of a family,” Supervisor Suzanne Volpe (R-Algonkian) said.
Martin said the animal shelter staff members were thrilled when they learned about the board’s decision to allow pit bull adoption, some of them to the point of tears.
“All of our staff is excited to be able to do this, well and right,” she said. “When board was so confident in our ability to do it, we’ve always known we could, but to have that confirmed last night was really heartwarming to hear. This has been so long in the making.”
Friday, May 9, 2014
Rizzo is our Dog of the Week
Rizzo is such an amazing dog! All of her foster brothers and sisters, and her foster moms, absolutely adore her. She’s kindhearted, fun loving and adapts well to new situations. She loves to romp around in the yard with the dogs and is always up for a game of fetch. She’s housebroken, crate trained and knows her basic commands. This sweet little lady is very tolerant and always handles being dressed up in silly outfits graciously. Maybe that’s because she’s so eager to please. As if you weren’t sold on Rizzo already, I should also tell you she’s one heck of a cuddle bug. Since it’s snuggle season I would act fast before this gem of a dog is adopted by another lucky family.
Rizzo requires a 6 ft. fence or a dedicated leash walker! No cats Please!
Rizzo passed her Canine Good Citizen 4/12/2014!
If you are interested in adopting Rizzo, please fill out an application today!
Please Keep Your Dog On Leash!
PLEASE
KEEP YOUR DOG ON LEASH!
How many times have you been walking your dog on leash and been
accosted by another off leash dog with an irresponsible owner screaming behind
them as they charge toward you, “my dog is friendly”? Well, what if mine is not? Then as the
strange dog charges you and your dog your dog acts aggressively because of the
perceived threat and ends up looking like the bad one when it was simply doing
what it’s supposed to do!
This scenario happened recently on the VCU campus. A responsible owner
was walking her dog on leash when an irresponsible owner allowed their
unleashed pit bull type dog to charge the other dog…invading his space and
being totally inappropriate. The dog
reacted to the other dogs rude behavior and everyone around once again makes a
judgment that the pit bull type dog is a “bad dog” when in all reality he is
not, this was the owners fault for allowing his dog to be off leash, ignoring
the law and the rights of others to safely walk their dogs!
I for one am sick and tired of this scenario! That is reason that almost all localities
have a leash law! We expect our dogs to tolerate
things that we would never tolerate, and I would never tolerate a stranger
rushing up into my face on the street whether he was friendly or not!
So, here are the top 5 reasons
to keep your dog on leash at all times
1) It’s the law.
At the risk of stating what should be obvious, if there’s a law in your town
that your dog must be leashed (and under your control, not one or the other),
put the leash on the dog. So what if you think the chances are slim that you will
meet anyone? Does that mean you have the right to break the law, just because
no one is looking?
2) When your dog is under your
control – meaning you have him on a leash - he’s less likely to get into
something he’s not supposed to. Off leash and
romping unfettered through the nature park, he may eat something he’s not
supposed to, step in a beehive, fall into a hole, drink from a polluted puddle
of standing water, eat a dead animal. There’s often glass, stray food, or other
remnants of late night parties off the path that could be dangerous for Fido.
And what happens if he’s roaming free and encounters a wild animal, like a
skunk? For your dog’s sake, keep him with you and under your control.
3) Just because your dog is
friendly does not mean every dog is friendly.
The woods, on a mid-week afternoon may be the perfect place to exercise a dog, which
may not like other dogs. Not all dogs do well in puppy playgroups or on pack
walks, and that does not make them bad dogs. Some of them just need to walk
alone.
4) Not everyone you meet on the
trail is physically able to withstand a dog jumping on him or her, even a nice
dog. What if a large dog had charged at a family with children?
There could have been a dog bite, scratches, or even injury from the dog
knocking down a child. How about someone elderly? I can not tell you the number
of older people I see out walking in the parks. Be respectful of all of the
people that share the park(s) with you.
5) People have the right to walk in
a public without being confronted by loose dogs.
In contrast, dog owners do not have the right to let their dogs run loose.
There are dog parks locally where dogs can play off leash and there are any
number of facilities that have doggie playgroups. Just because there are dozens
of acres of nature trails available does not mean you get to break the law and
let your dog run loose.
Being a responsible dog owner is more
than just feeding Fido a grain-free diet or buying the latest, trendy toys or
debating the merits of positive training methods. If you can not own a dog and
also obey the law, maybe you should get a hamster. Changing the public's
perception about Pit Bull Type Dogs, means being a good citizen and being an ambassador
for these maligned breeds, when the public sees incident that could have been
avoided it only strengthens their argument. Being a responsible dog owner no
matter what breed is what changes the public’s perception.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/heavenlycreatures/2012/09/5-reasons-to-obey-the-leash-law-yes-im-talking-to-you/
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