February 2010

Good news—the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed regulations for the care of “organic” dairy cows, which we asked you take action on two weeks ago, have been approved! The new rules, effective June 17, stipulate that organic milk and meat must come from livestock grazing on pasture for at least four months of the year; 30 percent of the cows’ feed must come from grazing; and ranchers must have a plan to protect soil and water quality.

“We are delighted to learn that so many cows will now have access to pasture and an opportunity to graze,” says Robert Baker, ASPCA Senior Manager of Farm Animal Welfare. “We hope this will be the first of many steps the USDA will take to align organic standards with humane standards. Consumers need to be given an opportunity to make a ‘humane’ choice as well as a healthy choice when they choose organic products. We welcome these initial measures toward this goal.”

We would like to give a big thanks to News Alert readers and members of the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade who took the time to email the White House from ASPCA.org. Over the span of 15 days, more than 33,000 emails were sent!

“Clear and enforceable standards are essential to the health and success of the market for organic agriculture,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a USDA press release issued last Friday. “The final rule published today will give consumers confidence that organic milk or cheese comes from cows raised on pasture, and organic family farmers the assurance that there is one, consistent pasture standard that applies to dairy products.”

For more information on the new rules for organic milk, visit the website of the National Organic Program.

On January 11, after a harrowing month spent in Ohio, a pooch named JoJo was returned to his pet parents, Mark and Alejandra Ryan of Manhattan, thanks to his microchip, HomeAgain membership and the ASPCA. HomeAgain is a microchip registration and lost pet recovery service that reunites missing animals with their families.

HomeAgain membership includes travel assistance for pets who are found more than 500 miles away from home, and covers the cost of flying these pets back to their families. “The ASPCA, acting on behalf of HomeAgain, manages these cases—coordinating travel and making connections to ensure that all goes well,” explains Mindy Bough, Senior Director of Client Services at the ASPCA. “It is a special and fulfilling way to contribute.”

No doubt JoJo is grateful. In 2009, the Ryans adopted the friendly Lab mix from an NYC rescue group, and all was rosy until the holidays, when JoJo traveled to Columbus, OH, to spend time with Mark’s family. While Mark and Alejandra were abroad, the energetic pooch bolted from his kennel, causing worried relatives to spend their holidays searching for the missing pup.

“There were several sightings, one on Christmas Day even, but nobody could catch him,” says Katie Lindquist, ASPCA Client Services Associate.

Finally, Franklin County Animal Control officials pinpointed JoJo’s whereabouts and caught the dog with a gentle trap. The pooch was scanned for a microchip, and his microchip number was called in to HomeAgain to identify his pet parents. A teary family reunion followed at the Franklin County Animal Shelter—JoJo was a few pounds lighter and had a minor paw injury, but otherwise seemed healthy and happy. Days later, he flew back to the Big Apple.

Microchipping can often mean the difference between temporary and permanent separation from your furry loved one. All animals who are adopted from the ASPCA Adoption Center come with a free microchip, which is injected under a pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. It’s important to remember that microchips are only as effective as the contact information provided to a company like HomeAgain, so please always keep your address and phone number up-to-date.

For more information about microchipping or HomeAgain member benefits, please visit HomeAgain.com. If you need help locating a furry friend, check out our Tips for Finding a Lost Pet.

Spot is a gentle eight-year-old kitty who arrived at the ASPCA in December 2009. The little lamb suffers from kidney disease, which has been treated successfully with antibiotics and a prescription diet. Spot’s searching for a pet parent who will continue to give her lots of love and monitor her health for life.

“Spot’s a very laid-back little lady who needs a quiet home and some extra time to settle in—definitely not the sort of cat to get in the way of things!” says ASPCA Senior Feline Behavior Counselor Katie Watts. “Once she warms up, she's affectionate, great for someone who wants a quiet cat.”

If you’re interested in adopting this sweet, elder lass, please contact our Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. To see other animals looking for homes, visit our adoption center online.

****Got Facebook? Won’t you please donate your status to today? Just copy and paste the following message onto your profile status to help spread the word that this kitty needs a home!

[Name] is donating my status to Spot, a cat at the ASPCA who needs a new home.  

 

On February 7, while folks around the country celebrated Super Bowl Sunday, the ASPCA Adoption Center was in festive spirit, as well. ASPCA experts gathered to welcome 34 dogs rescued from a notorious puppy mill operation in Holly Springs, MS. The dogs, which include small breeds such as Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Pugs, Yorkshire Terriers, Corgis and Chihuahuas, were discovered living in feces-encrusted pens and filth. The ASPCA worked with Pet Airways to bring the rescued pooches to the Big Apple.

“We are grateful for the collaboration of Pet Airways, which offered to fly these dogs at cost, as well as local and out-of-state animal welfare agencies that assisted in this effort,” said Matt Bershadker, Senior Vice President of the ASPCA’s Anti-Cruelty Group.

Last week, under the authority and request of Shirley C. Byers of the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office in Marshall County, MS, the ASPCA dispatched members of our Field Investigations and Response Team to manage operations in the investigation of a local puppy mill. More than 95 dogs were seized and signed over to the ASPCA. Many were underweight with skin problems, among other medical conditions.

Participating agencies on the scene included American Humane Association, Marshall County Humane Society, Mississippi State University and Collierville Humane Society. In addition, many veterinarians and volunteers assisted in the on-site medical treatment of the animals.

“We are glad to have been able to be part of another major, collaborative effort to rescue these dogs from such deplorable conditions,” said Gail Buchwald, Senior Vice President, ASPCA Adoptions Center. “Once we have medically and behaviorally evaluated these dogs, we look forward to finding them forever homes.”

For more information about puppy mills and how to fight animal cruelty, visit www.aspca.org.

thank you!

The ASPCA is extremely grateful to the shelters and organizations that have aided in the housing and future placement of these animals. We are honored to recognize their generosity. They include:

• Atlanta Humane Society
• Marshall County Humane Society
• Olive Branch Animal Shelter
•  MS State University Homeward Bound program

Loyal Leo is part Pit Bull, part Labrador, and all sweet canine goodness. He’s two years old, but still a puppy at heart, and would make a fun-loving sidekick for an experienced pet parent. This energetic young boy first arrived at the ASPCA in June 2009, but as much as we love our leaping Leo, we think he’s been here way too long and is more than ready to find a home to call his own.

Leo still needs some basic training, and will thrive best in a structured household without young children or other doggies. If you’re interested in adopting this plucky pooch, please call our Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. Or to view other animals looking for homes, visit our Adoption Center online.

****Got Facebook? Won’t you please donate your status to Leo? Just copy and paste the following message onto your profile status to help spread the word that this pooch needs a home!

[Name] is donating my status to Leo, a dog at the ASPCA who needs a new home.  

Jeff Eyre, the Northeast Director of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team, is currently on the ground in Haiti, assisting with animal relief efforts following the devastating earthquake that struck the region on January 12. The ASPCA is a member of the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), headed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), which has deployed a team of experts to bring direct aid to the animals affected by the crisis. With limited communication in and out of the area, the following is the fourth in a series of field reports from Jeff on the frontlines.

Day Five:

Today we went back into the city and stopped at an area to treat local dogs and cats. A woman who was by her house said that we were the first people to offer any help or stop to ask if they were all right. We then moved into a more devastated area and again set up and treated dogs and cats.
 
After this we drove to the Bolivian army base where they have requested us to check the dogs that are there. We estimated there were ten dogs and one possibly with puppies. The army offered to feed us and use their personal facilities. The team will return tomorrow to complete the assignment.

We then returned to our tent cities area and set up again and treated and performed wellness checks on dogs and cats. Today there were forty eight dogs and eighteen cats. One dog was treated and is a possible candidate for surgery for a tumor. We submitted an on scene photo for veterinarian review.
 
There is a red alert for a possible earth quake until Sunday and rain and flood warnings until Thursday. There is little left of buildings and what shelter there is will not sustain any further weather extremes. It is estimated another 100.000 people will be displaced if this weather comes. I am supposed to rotate out in the early am.

Photos from the scene in Haiti can be seen in the slideshow below.   

If you would like to support the animal welfare relief efforts in Haiti, please direct your donations to IFAW or WSPA.

Jeff Eyre, the Northeast Director of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team, is currently on the ground in Haiti, assisting with animal relief efforts following the devastating earthquake that struck the region on January 12. The ASPCA is a member of the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), headed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), which has deployed a team of experts to bring direct aid to the animals affected by the crisis. With limited communication in and out of the area, the following is the third in a series of field reports from Jeff on the frontlines.

Day Four:

Lassie: Lassie was brought to us to look at and as we were checking I noticed an imbedded collar, which I cut out of her neck. After further medical checks, Doctor Thomas, the Haitian Deputy Minister of Environment, who was with our team for the day, performed field surgery to remove the maggots and sew her neck wound. Three people assisted on the procedure: vet tech Connie of Defenders of Animals, Dick Green of IFAW and Doctor Thomas’s assistant.

Puppy in a wall: There were three puppies found with a very undernourished momma. The puppies were living in the broken wall and the one woke up for an exam.

Photos of the events described above can be seen in the slideshow below.  

If you would like to support the animal welfare relief efforts in Haiti, please direct your donations to IFAW or WSPA.