Taxpayers buy birth control for stray cats

 

A small town in Iowa recently triggered an international controversy by putting a bounty on the heads of feral cats. And in Wisconsin a couple of years ago voters backed allowing stray cats to be hunted.

But one Midtown Tucson neighborhood, armed with $5,000 in taxpayer seed money, has taken a completely different approach to alley-cat overpopulation.

For the past year the Oak Flower Neighborhood has started trapping the cats, spaying or neutering them, giving them their shots and sending them back to the neighborhood to live out the rest of their sexless lives.

Over that same time, the Pima Animal Care Center has euthanized nearly 6,000 adoptable cats and kittens because there weren’t enough people willing to pay the up to $95 fee for shots and neutering there.

Click here for the rest of the article and a lot of hogwash about how cats kill too many birds and small animals.  If this is true (which I and my veterinarian consultant doubt), then 1. take preemptive actions now and spay/neuter the cats instead of killing or permanently incarcerating them, and 2. support conservation programs that prevent populations of bird and small animals from being reduced to such a small number that a few hunting cats can push them over the edge to extinction.

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When bunnies aren’t so cute anymore

Rarely now do cowboys ride the range lassoing stray doggies. The 21st century is a tamer time. These days, what animal roundups remain are more likely to pursue lesser targets. Like rabbits.

In Kelowna on the weekend, several dozen rabbit wranglers took to the bushes and sidewalks on a small-game hunt they hoped would save as many of the hoppity critters as possible from a lethal cull some are proposing to rid the Okanagan city of its “rabbit problem.”

Using big fish nets, the rabbit-lovers managed to corral 25 of the furry little creatures, dispatching them immediately to local veterinarians for spaying and neutering.

“The rabbits have been running around free so it’s not that easy,” said Sinikka Crosland of the Responsible Animal Care Society, which organized the roundup.

“You have to be quick and watch which way they run.”

Click here for the full article.

Pets for Life: Homes For Hares

	Raising Rabbits Easter isn’t such a treat for rabbits who are given as gifts or for the animal shelters and rabbit rescue groups tasked with helping them after the Easter glow wears off. Learn more about the care of these complex creatures and what you need to know if you’re looking into adoption.      Trap, Neuter, Return, Repeat Ann Maffitt had never heard of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)—a method for keeping feral cat populations in check—but she wanted to help the cats in her barn. Her local TNR training program taught her more about feral cats than she ever thought possible. Read Maffitt’s story on how she helped give her barn cats a better life.         Easter Advice Easter Sunday will be here faster than a racing rabbit, so be sure to check out our top five tips to help keep your pets safe and healthy during the holiday. More Pet Tips »   Dogfighting a Nationwide Felony Dogs have something to celebrate with Wyoming’s passage of a bill making dogfighting a felony crime. Now the cruel bloodsport carries felony penalties in all 50 states.             Think your friends would enjoy reading Pets for Life and helping out The HSUS? Let them know… If this message was forwarded to you from a friend, join the Pets For Life newsletter here.

Get a shirt, win a prize, enter your pet

		Dear MJ, There are just four days left! Thousands of pet lovers have entered their animal companions in our Spay Day USA pet photo contest, sponsored by Nature’s Miracle and Zoombak. If you haven’t entered the contest yet, take a moment today to enter the contest and spread the word that spaying and neutering saves pets’ lives. It’s fun and it’s free — so what have you got to lose? And be sure to check out our new campaign t-shirts and cool prizes for contest winners, too. Get a Shirt Let everyone know how spaying and neutering helps animals and the community! Spread the word that spaying and neutering is a simple, effective, and humane solution to pet overpopulation by proudly wearing one of our cool, new spay/neuter campaign t-shirts. Win a Prize You’ve still got time to enter your favorite furry or feathered friend in our contest — but the deadline is this Friday, March 7th, so don’t delay! There are two ways to win: Our celebrity judges will choose 36 top photos and stories as finalists. The Grand Prize winner will get a studio session with premier pet photographer Amanda Jones. Ten finalists will receive a custom painting of their pet, based on their winning photos, by pet portrait artists Janie Coleman or Kirk Fanelly. And 25 honorable mentions will receive a selection of salon-quality grooming products from John Paul Pet. All 36 winners will also receive a selection of products from Nature’s Miracle and a Zoombak Advanced GPS Dog Locator. In addition, 500 top vote-getters will be chosen by popular vote and will receive a bottle of Nature’s Miracle stain and odor remover. The 500 top vote-getters will also be entered into a drawing to win one of 10 custom portraits of their pet, based on their photos, by pet portrait artists Sandra Merwin or Amanda Moeckel. Read the contest rules and enter today! Sincerely, Wayne Pacelle President & CEO The Humane Society of the United States P.S. You can also spread the word about the importance of spay/neuter with every letter you send. Click here to order specially designed spay/neuter postage from Zazzle.

For more animal-esque music, news, and issues, tune in to Kitty Mowmow’s Animal Expo online at www.thecapstone.ua.edu, Sunday nights 8-10 central.

Speaking about pets with passion and faith

	Remembering Marie Have you ever had a pet who influenced your faith or religion? Read Stephen Webb’s story of faith, love and his dachshund—Marie—who inspired him think of the link between religion and pets.      Small Things Considered When you think of pet mills, puppies most likely come to mind. The truth is that hamsters, birds and ferrets are also being churned out by mass-breeding facilities and then sold to pet stores. The HSUS shares the truth about pet mills and the needs of small animals kept as pets.         Tabby Training Cats can be trained with positive reinforcement the same way we train dogs. See how you can train your cat with treats and praise—he just might just impress your friends and family with a trick or two. More Pet Tips »   Talking Tofurky The HSUS and famed meat alternative company Tofurky are joining forces to help animals. Starting with the deli slices, all Tofurky products will soon carry the HSUS logo.             Think your friends would enjoy reading Pets for Life and helping out The HSUS? Let them know…

A wish comes true

Dear Members and Friends, When the Make-A-Wish Foundation asked 11-year-old Jenny where she’d like to go – if she could go anywhere in the world – she said she wanted to come to Best Friends. And her visit wasn’t just a wish come true for her. The animals here had the best time ever. We have a delightful video of Jenny’s visit with her parents. >>Read the story >>Watch the video Their kind of town. Every week, cats from the Great Kitty Rescue graduate from their “finishing school” here at the sanctuary. This week, 25 headed out to the Windy City, where PAWS Chicago is helping place them in good new homes. >>Check it out. From pit stops to pet stops. Racing car driver Andrew Prendeville goes off track, visiting rescue groups with his car to teach young people about kindness to animals. (They even get to sit in the car and have their photo taken!) >>Watch Andrew at the track and meet his sponsor dog, Ballsy. The Vicktory dogs. Tug doesn’t like sitting around, so he gets a new job. (Just please don’t say the c-a-r word in front of him.) And, incidentally, there’s quite a crowd at Best Friends Pittie City these days – lots of smiling faces inviting you to become their sponsors. >>Pittie City Lots more on the Best Friends web site, including: The latest from Pigtown – just look at baby Sprockett and his totally cute face! A peregrine falcon does a crash landing (these birds can clock in at 270 mph!) … comes to Best Friends wildlife center … now ready to move into the big flight aviary. Follow his progress. Helping a small humane society with its vital spay/neuter work at the Navajo Nation. You make all these good things possible. Thank you, as always, for your kind and generous donations. Michael Mountain Best Friends

Pet Sterilization Becomes Law in LA

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Tuesday signed one of the nation’s toughest laws on pet sterilization, requiring most dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered by the time they are 4 months old.

The ordinance is aimed at reducing and eventually eliminating the thousands of euthanizations conducted in Los Angeles’ animal shelters every year.

“We will, sooner rather than later, become a no-kill city and this is the greatest step in that direction,” Councilman Tony Cardenas said as he held a kitten at a City Hall news conference.

Councilman Richard Alarcon, who like Cardenas is a co-author of the bill, brought his two pet Chihuahuas to the event to be neutered in a van operated by the city.

The ordinance does exempt some animals, including those that have competed in shows or sporting competitions, guide dogs, animals used by police agencies and those belonging to professional breeders.

The average pet owner, however, must have their dog or cat spayed or neutered by the time it reaches 4 months of age (as late as 6 months with a letter from a veterinarian). People with older unneutered pets and newcomers to the city with animals also have to obey the law.

First-time offenders will receive information on subsidized sterilization services and be given an additional 60 days. If they still fail to comply they could be fined $100 and ordered to serve eight hours of community service. A subsequent offense could result in a $500 fine or 40 hours of community service.

Click here for the full article.

Take action Tuesday on Spay Day USA

	Super Tuesday Tuesday is the 14th annual Spay Day USA, and special events will be taking place nationwide—including discounted spay/neuter clinics and a bill-signing ceremony in Los Angeles. Find out what’s going on in your community, and help spread the message of Spay Day USA.      Come Together If all you need is love, consider adopting a companion animal from your local animal rescue group or shelter. Learn how you can develop an unbreakable bond when you offer a pet another chance at a happy, healthy life.         Numero Uno Uno the beagle might have been top dog at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, but his popularity could have a down side for dogs in puppy mills and shelters. The HSUS has advice for anyone considering adding a beagle or any other dog to their family. More Pet Tips »   Getting Political for Animals Hundreds of animal advocates across the nation braved frigid temperatures, snow storms and freeway closures on Feb. 13 to help pass laws protecting animals. Read about their successes, and learn how to lobby for animals in your community.             Think your friends would enjoy reading Pets for Life and helping out The HSUS? Let them know… Would you like to receive Humane Living, or another HSUS e-newsletter? Click here to change your subscription information. If this message was forwarded to you from a friend, join the Pets For Life newsletter here.

Humane Society credits Spay-Neuter programs for lower numbers

Fewer animals were brought to the White River Humane Society in 2007 than in 2006, and one official attributes that, in part, to aggressive spay-neuter programs…

…“Spay-neuter is your only key to reducing the pet population,” said WRHS Executive Director Melissa Kusturin. “You can’t adopt your way out of this kind of problem.”

More than 1,200 spay or neuters were performed on local pets in 2007 through programs available at the shelter.

Kusturin believes those programs will eventually lead to fewer unwanted animals in Lawrence County, as it has in other states.

Click here to read the full post.

The Vancouver Humane Society has issued its recommended top 10 New Year’s resolutions to make life better for animals

Here are the society’s 10 suggestions:

– Don’t buy eggs from caged hens. If you choose to buy eggs, buy certified organic eggs instead. They’re guaranteed to be free-range and have the highest welfare standards (www.chickenout.ca).

– If you’re looking for a companion animal, adopt a homeless animal from a local shelter. Don’t buy exotic pets or animals sold in pet stores or by breeders.

– Eat less meat, starting with one meat-free dinner a week – or, better yet, go vegetarian!

– Get your dog/cat spayed or neutered and tell everyone who has a pet to do the same.

– Don’t patronize zoos, animal circuses, rodeos or any other event exploiting animals.

– Don’t buy fur – not even fur trim.

– Switch to cruelty-free and non-animal-tested products.

– Become a supporter of an animal charity.

– Report animal cruelty to the ASPCA.

– Do something kind for animals every day – take your neighbour’s dog for walk, write a letter to the editor supporting animals, hug your cat.

Click here to read the full article.

This is another one of those posts that I may or may not personally agree with, but feel that the information should be available for discourse. For example, I don’t believe that zoos and rodeos inherently exploit animals, and I myself do not choose to be a vegetarian. But like I’ve said before, one of the major goals of Kitty Mowmow’s Animal Expo is to provide a starting-point for discussing animal-related issues.