Saying goodbye is never easy

I just got off the phone with my mother, who has finally decided to say goodbye to her 17 year old girl, Sasha. The poor dear has been struggling for at least a year,  anxious most of the time, and having more "accidents" in the house. Not to mention, unable to stand while eating.

Are there treatments available to help improve Sasha's life? I'm quite sure. But how do you decide how far do you go in seeking treatment? My parents have a hard enough time making ends meet, let alone affording vet bills in the thousands.

What do I think about my mom's decision? Relieved and sad at the same time. It's a tough spot to be in having to make this decision - one I hope to avoid. My 15+ year old girl is struggling and it breaks my heart. When do you say no more medication or treatments? Times like these I wish they could talk. :.(

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. 

Continue reading....

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