Filed under: SALDF | Tags: Archie, ASPCA, Dog of the Year, National News Alert, swine flu
Click here for the latest news from the ASPCA, including companion animals catching swine flu and the Dog of the Year unexpectedly passing away. RIP, Archie. 
Filed under: SALDF | Tags: animal shelters, ASPCA, cats, Charleston, Charleston County, euthanasia, South Carolina
Decreasing Cat Euthanasias in South Carolina!
Since April 2008, when the ASPCA selected Charleston, SC, as one of its national partner communities, local animal care and control agencies have come together in an unprecedented collaboration to decrease the number of homeless pets who are euthanized in Charleston County shelters, and the results have been impressive. In the initiative’s first year, nearly 1,000 more animals were saved compared to the previous year.
That said, free-roaming cats, both in Charleston County and nationwide, are the animals most at risk to be euthanized. In order to decrease the number of euthanized feral cats, local Charleston County shelters and animal control agencies have developed an inspiring plan to control the area’s feline population. Funded by the ASPCA, the “Free-Roaming Cats Initiative” will create a system of trap-neuter-return (commonly known as TNR) strategies to significantly reduce the free-roaming cat population.
Many who live in areas where TNR is not allowed will feed free-roaming cats without spaying/neutering them, inadvertently helping the cats to multiply. These residents will not call local animal control agencies because they know the fate of the cats will almost always be euthanasia. By allowing TNR, residents can call their local animal control agency to have the cats trapped, and, if healthy, spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, then returned to the colony where they were thriving.
In order to get the plan implemented, Charleston City Council is inviting residents to ordinance readings and a public hearing next week.
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Filed under: SALDF | Tags: ASPCA, Canine Influenza Virus, canine influenze, CIV, Morris Animal Foundation, study
Groundbreaking Canine Influenza Study Spearheaded by ASPCA
Last week, the ASPCA announced the launch of a three-year research study of the Canine Influenza Virus (CIV), a highly contagious respiratory illness and one of the viral causes of “kennel cough.” Funded by the Morris Animal Foundation, the groundbreaking study—conducted by Dr. Miranda Spindel, ASPCA Director of Veterinary Outreach, and Dr. Gabriele Landolt of Colorado State University’s Department of Clinical Sciences—will help animal shelters develop effective testing and control methods to limit the transmission of the disease.
“Canine influenza is a newly emerging disease that does not discriminate by breed or age,” says Dr. Spindel. “The virus is easily transmitted between dogs housed in close contact with each other, and is especially problematic for animal shelters. This study seeks to address this vulnerable population.”
First identified as a respiratory pathogen in 2004, CIV has spread widely among dogs in the United States. The virus is transmitted in droplets created by coughing and sneezing, and other symptoms include fever, rapid breathing, loss of appetite and lethargy. With proper and timely treatment, the disease’s fatality rate is quite low.
“Not all dogs infected with CIV require therapeutic intervention—many recover well with just supportive care,” Dr. Spindel explains. “However, in facilities like boarding kennels, doggie daycares and shelters, management can present challenges. It can be hard to break the cycle of infection once the disease is introduced, and while most dogs beat the infection within 10 to 30 days, some may develop potentially life-threatening secondary infections.”
In addition to examining the spread of CIV among shelter dogs, the in-depth study will determine whether dogs can be tested for CIV prior to entering the main shelter population. It will also help determine how the virus changes over time, a process known as “genetic drift.” The study’s findings may ultimately aid in the development, improvement and use of vaccines to prevent the disease.
Read more about the ASPCA’s commitment to the well-being of all animals.
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Filed under: SALDF | Tags: ASPCA, behavior, behaviorist, dog fighting, dogs, forensic evidence, raid
Meet Survivors of the Largest Dog Fighting Raid in History
This past July, the ASPCA assisted in collecting forensic evidence and conducting behavior evaluations of rescued dogs in a federal and multi-state investigation that led to one of the toughest crackdowns on dog fighting in U.S. history. Raids were conducted on various dog fighting operations in eight states and resulted in the rescue of more than 500 dogs.
Now, after months of rehabilitation, many of the rescued dogs are seeing a miraculous change in lifestyle.
Evaluated over the summer by a team of animal behaviorists, including four ASPCA staffers, most of the dogs are absolute gems with people, and quite a number are also good with other dogs.
Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center, Dr. Pamela Reid, who was a member of the behavior evaluations team, says, “We found the dogs to be true to Pit Bull reputation─they were extremely friendly with people. Most greeted us with wagging tails and smiling eyes, and while some were aggressive with other dogs, as would be expected from their history, about two-thirds of the adults and most of the puppies did not test as aggressive. With socialization and training, many of these dogs may well turn out to be excellent pets and companions.”
Check out the following pooches, who after surviving painful lives of dog fighting are not only ready to become loving companions, but will use their stories to inspire others.
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Victory! NY Bans the Gassing of Stray Pets
An especially challenging political climate in the New York State Legislature has slowed the progress of a variety of pro-animal welfare bills this year. However, hard work by legislators, committee staff, the ASPCA and New York’s animal advocates brought the humane euthanasia bill (NY A. 999B) over the finish line!
Introduced in January, the bill sat dormant until the ASPCA, working closely with Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer and staff, helped revive it and secure passage in the Legislature in the fall. On October 9, it was signed into law by Governor Paterson.
The new law, which goes into effect in one year, will:
- Prohibit carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide poisoning (gassing) of stray and shelter animals (effective in 90 days).
- Require that the euthanasia of stray and shelter animals be performed by injection.
- Require that such euthanasia be performed by a certified euthanasia technician, licensed veterinarian, or licensed veterinary technician.
- Prohibit intracardiac euthanasia—a painful injection right into the heart—on unsedated shelter animals.
- Require that veterinarians who perform intracardiac euthanasia on unsedated animals not under the care of a shelter do so only if it is the most humane option and that they document the event and rationale.
“The ASPCA recognizes the necessity of humane euthanasia as a last-step option to spare animals further suffering,” says Debora Bresch, Esq., ASPCA Legislative Liaison to New York State. “We thank the bill’s sponsors, Assemblywoman Paulin and Senator Oppenheimer, for their tireless efforts to assure that animals receive humane treatment at the end of their lives, and look forward to the day when euthanasia of unwanted animals is an infrequent occurrence.”
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Meet Dog of the Year and Other ASPCA Humane Award Winners
On October 29, during the ASPCA annual Humane Awards Luncheon at the Pierre Hotel in New York City, we honored a heroic guide dog, a piano-playing Tabby and eight extraordinary people who’ve made a big impact on the lives of animals. In the hotel’s newly restored ballroom, winners and guests gathered to celebrate the contributions of those who devote their lives to animal welfare and, according to ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres, to honor “those who have demonstrated extraordinary compassion, bravery and commitment to furthering the human-animal bond.”
Indeed, the recipient of the 2009 Dog of the Year award could be the “poster pooch” for the human-animal bond. A true four-legged hero, Archie is an eight-year-old black Labrador Retriever who serves as an assistance dog and social lifeline for another kind of hero, Sergeant Clay Rankin. Sgt. Rankin suffered spinal injuries—as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder—from serving in Iraq, and Archie is his primary caregiver and social safety net. Archie’s loyalty and perseverance in helping Sgt. Rankin accomplish his daily tasks has allowed the veteran to regain his confidence and independence, move forward with his life and continue serving the country he loves.
Before and after the awards ceremony, Archie comforted and guided Sgt. Rankin, who graciously accepted the award with Archie by his side. Archie deftly navigated the ballroom’s maze of tables, enjoying the excitement surrounding his human companion. This get-along pooch even posed for photographs with the other award winners. These included four brave men from Missouri who worked on the frontlines of the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history; Alayne Marker, who along with her husband, Steve Smith, runs the Rolling Dog Ranch for disabled animals in Ovando, MT; the animal-friendly Hingham (MA) Fire Department; and a truly remarkable young girl, Monica Plumb of Powhatan County, VA, who raised funds to purchase pet oxygen masks for fire departments across the country.
Winners Announced! Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Photo Contest
This October, we put out a call for photos of your pooch romping with some of his favorite pals—other than you, that is—and you did not disappoint. We saw pictures of pooches hanging with birds, horses, kitties, other pooches and, yes, even amphibians. Our judges had the hard work of choosing only five winners from among the landslide of fabulous photos and here they are!
But don’t get too comfy gazing, people! We need your opinion. Take a nice long look at our winners’ page and vote for your favorite dynamic duo. The photo receiving the most votes will be announced in December.
Filed under: SALDF | Tags: anemia, ASPCA, ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, cockapoo, coins, dog, pennies
Inside the ASPCA ER: Dog Ingests Toxic Pennies and Survives
On September 29, when Keiver Guacane of Manhattan brought his five-month-old Cockapoo, Gordo, to ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, his beloved pup was in dire straits. The fuzzy, light-brown pooch was in critical condition, suffering from severe anemia and dangerously low blood pressure. ASPCA veterinarian Dr. Geruza Paiva examined Gordo, and immediately suspected the cause of the pup’s distress. “She was worried he may have eaten coins because he had hemolytic anemia—anemia due to red blood cell rupture—which can be caused by zinc toxicity from eating pennies,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA. “Dr. Paiva took an x-ray and saw the coins in his stomach.”
Pennies minted after 1982 contain a zinc core surrounded by copper and are the only U.S. coins in circulation that pose a toxicity hazard to pets. Unfortunately, these toxic, late-model pennies are commonly ingested by our furry friends. The stomach provides an exceptionally acidic environment and aids in the rapid distribution of zinc into the blood stream, which can cause life-threatening anemia and kidney failure.
Luckily, Gordo was in good hands. He immediately received a blood transfusion, and then ASPCA veterinarians passed an endoscope (fiber optic technology attached to a tiny camera) through the dog’s mouth, down his esophagus and into the GI tract to locate the pennies and retrieve them with a long, grabbing instrument. The non-invasive procedure was a success, but the evidence was startling. The handful of retrieved coins included several gnarly, partially decomposed pennies and others that appeared almost new.
“If you look at the pennies we took out, the pure copper ones from before 1982 are perfect, intact and shiny,” reports Dr. Murray. “The newer, zinc ones are all eaten away.”
Of course, this interesting disparity in coin metals is probably of little consolation to mischievous little Gordo. His pet parent, too, was just relieved to see his furry friend recover well, and no doubt will forevermore watch what Gordo eats!
As always, if you suspect your pet has ingested pennies or any other toxic item, please contact your veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at (888) 426-4435.
Filed under: SALDF | Tags: antibiotics, ASPCA, Food, livestock, PAMTA, Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act
Dear Animal Advocates,
Championed for over 10 years by the late Senator Edward Kennedy, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA) is a federal bill that would phase out the common practice of constantly feeding antibiotics to food animals when they aren’t sick.
Large-scale livestock and poultry producers have become overly reliant on antibiotics. By keeping animals on these drugs all the time, factory farms can become ever more overcrowded and unsanitary while circumventing the disease outbreaks that these poor conditions ordinarily would produce. Therefore, curbing the use of antibiotics may prove to be an incentive to raise animals using more humane and sustainable methods.
This is not only an animal welfare issue, however: it is also an issue of human health. Scientists agree that the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture is contributing to the increase in antibiotic-resistant human diseases. These illnesses are especially costly and difficult to treat.
What You Can Do
Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center online to email your U.S. senators and representative urging them to support and cosponsor the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act. You may use the same link to read about this legislation in greater depth.
Thank you so much for supporting the ASPCA and our nation’s animals.
