ASPCA Blog

Does Your Pet Have Talent? Prove It!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 1:15pm

Who says you can’t teach an adopted pet new tricks? Certainly not Uggie! Ten years before capturing the hearts of moviegoers around the world, The Artist's Uggie was a shelter pup. Yep! In fact, he was returned by two guardians who were unprepared for the little Jack Russell's boundless energy. But dog trainer Omar Von Muller saw something special in the playful pup. He fell in love with Uggie’s outgoing, mischievous behavior—and it’s been a perfect match ever since.

Enter Your Pet in Our Talent Contest!
We know talent comes in many shapes and sizes…and species. Whether your pet is a dog who can high-five or a cat who can sing, we want to see your furry, feathered or finned family member looking like a star. Submit your pet's best trick on video and you’ll be entered to win an Artist poster signed by Uggie! Plus, winners will be featured on the ASPCA website.

Enter your pet today!

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Adoption
Contests
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Member Story: Responding to Joplin

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 1:00pm
Story About Joplin Disaster

Guest blog written by Cathy Wilson, ASPCA Legacy Society member

I was part of the search and rescue team after the tornado hit Joplin. We lost 161 people in our community that evening—and lives were forever changed. We are still recovering and rebuilding. 

I found a little dog that had been so injured and nearly died. I went to the area where the ASPCA had set up a shelter—taking in, loving and caring for animals. Surgeries were performed as needed, and shots, collars and other items were provided. It was so organized.

Several weeks later adoptions were advertised and people came from all over the country to adopt the precious pets. Every animal was adopted…given another chance. Some were reunited with their original families. A happy ending to a tragic day.  

That is when we decided to include ASPCA, PETA and Hospice Care in our wills. We are supporters of life, freedom, kindness and our most beloved four-legged pets. I will never forget that day! Never!!   

We are truly their voice. 

Tags: 
Natural Disasters
Volunteer
We Were There

Joplin: One Year Later

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 10:00am
Joplin Natural Disaster

Who could ever forget that tragic day? It was just one year ago that a massive tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri, killing more than 150 people and reducing a once thriving community to rubble. As a nation, we stood stunned.

And then we took action. From the American Red Cross to local church volunteers, we united.

Amid the deadly chaos, more than 1,000 beloved pets went missing. It took less than a moment for Tim Rickey, ASPCA Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response and a Joplin native himself, to deploy his team to help. What followed was the largest animal rescue and sheltering mission we have ever undertaken.

With your support, we rescued hundreds of stranded and injured animals. We built an emergency shelter and managed a medical triage station. We provided food, comfort and love to frightened animals. And most importantly, we reunited countless beloved pets with their families.

We will not lie, it was hard. Our team worked long hours, and saw tremendous heartbreak. But through our efforts, we also saw tremendous joy. Together we changed the lives of hundreds of animals and helped a community recover its incredible spirit. 

Without you, we never could have helped so many animal and human victims of the Joplin tornado. Please help us respond whenever and wherever we are needed most.

Tags: 
Natural Disasters
We Were There

100,000 Take Action Against Puppy Mills—Want to Join Them?

Monday, May 21, 2012 - 1:30pm

YES! We are super-happy to report that as of today, more than 100,000 people have signed our "No Pet Store Puppies" pledge! The pledge aims to reduce the demand for puppy mill puppies by asking consumers to not buy any items at a store that sells puppies. "Huh?," you ask?

You see, the logic is simple: Most pet store puppies come from puppy mills. Even if you know better than to buy a puppy from a pet store, by purchasing any item from a store that sells puppies, you are still supporting the puppy mill industry. So please, don’t buy anything! No kibble, no kitty litter, no toys—no nothing!

And while you’re at it, visit NoPetStorePuppies.com and take the pledge. It’s not that we don’t trust your new humane shopping plans, but adding your name to our pledge list will go a long way in proving to the industry that we mean business. As they say…it takes an army!

Don't forget to spread the word to friends and family on Facebook and Twitter! It's time we put an end to puppy mills. 

Tags: 
Animal Cruelty
Puppy Mills
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Calling All Foodies: Little Lola Is Your Kindred Spirit

Friday, May 18, 2012 - 3:45pm
Lola the Chihuahua at ASPCA Adoption Center

Hello! Do you have a snack? A dog treat? Just a small, delicious morsel? Could you maybe just give that to Lola? OK, you guys are now BFFs for life.

It's really that simple with our crazy-adorable lap dog Lola, who has been patiently waiting at our Adoption Center for longer than we really understand. A Chihuahua through and through, Lola wants to sit on your lap and be unwaveringly loyal and close to you. (Especially if you have something tasty for her.)

Frankly, we're not sure how anyone could resist her sweet face, tiny paws and penchant for affection. Maybe people are a little wary of her age—nine—but that’s barely middle-aged for a Chihuahua, and she has all the energy and spirit of a pup of three. Like most Chi Chis, she needs a little time to get to know a person before falling in love with them, but that amount of time is really short. (It's basically however long it takes you to produce a treat.)

There's a song in Damn Yankees that goes, "Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets," and that's been true for her at the ASPCA Adoption Center—but the one thing our Lola really wants, to go home at last, remains a wish unfulfilled.

Can you give her the life she deserves? (And can you hook her up with lots of treats? Seriously, she'll do anything you ask. For treats.) Learn more about her on her page and please share her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. If you think you’d like to adopt her, please call our Animal Placement department in NYC at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4900.

Thank you for helping Lola find a family!

Tags: 
Adoption
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