July 2010

Since New York City’s stifling heat wave began in late June, carriage horses have been suspended and sent back to their stables 23 times: six in June and 17, thus far, in July.

According to the New York City Administrative Code, carriage horses must stop working and be allowed to rest in their stables when the temperature reaches 90 degrees Fahrenheit. As the de facto enforcer of New York City’s carriage horse laws, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents have been on hand to make sure carriage horse operations ceased and that the horses were safe.

“Temperatures at that level only compound the already difficult job performed by carriage horses,” says Joseph Pentangelo, Assistant Director of ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement. “Ideally, we would like to see this industry leave New York City entirely—but until then, ASPCA Agents will continue to make sure that the carriage horses are well cared for.”

The 90-degree threshold is a strict measure of air temperature alone. The law does not take into account humidity or the extreme heat that radiates off the city’s black asphalt streets onto horses’ legs and stomachs.

The ASPCA believes that our city’s unique environment is incapable of ensuring that horses and their human passengers stay healthy and safe, and we have been fighting to get the horses off our noisy, congested streets. To learn more about the fundamental cruelty of New York City’s carriage horse industry—and to see proposed humane alternatives and solutions—please visit our partner agency, NYCLASS.

After violent storms ravaged the Northeastern part of Kentucky, displacing thousands of families—including hundreds of companion animals—the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team arrived at the Pike County Animal Shelter in Pikeville, KY, to provide emergency transport and placement for more than 100 animals.

"Pets have been displaced just as people have," says Brandon Roberts of the Pike County Judge Executive's Office. "The transfer has allowed the Pike County Animal Shelter to accept pets from families who were forced to evacuate their homes." The shelter will hold the displaced pets until their families can accommodate them—there will not be a charge for the emergency boarding.

Over a two-day period, the transfer animals were safely transported in the ASPCA's custom-built animal transport trailer to various ASPCA Shelter Response Partners across the country.

Organizations that quickly stepped forward to support the ASPCA's relief efforts include: Capital Area Humane Society in Columbus, OH; Humane Society of Berks County in Reading, PA; Noah's Ark Animal Welfare Association in Ledgewood, NJ; Nashville Humane Association in Nashville, TN; and Elk County Humane Society in St. Mary's, PA.

"My hope is to get these animals into the great homes they deserve," says JoAnne Smith, Director and Humane Officer for the Elk County Humane Society. "We are proud to offer our full support to the ASPCA." Just last month, the ASPCA assisted Elk County Humane Society with the removal of nearly 400 cats from a local animal hoarder.

"Our team has the capability of responding to emergency situations across the country, and we will continue to provide supplies and support animals in Pike County as long as we're needed," says Kyle Held, the ASPCA's Midwest Director of Field Investigations and Response.

Stay tuned to ASPCA.org for more details on this developing story.

On July 12, horse farm owner Beth Hoskins was charged with 114 additional counts of animal cruelty. Earlier this year, the SPCA Serving Erie County seized 73 horses and dozens of cats and dogs from her Aurora, NY, property. The ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team was deployed to manage the sheltering and care of the seized horses, while the remaining animals were signed over to the SPCA. Hoskins now faces up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, per count.

Despite the pending charges, State Supreme Court Justice Joseph R. Glownia ordered the SPCA to return 40 of the seized horses to Hoskins. The unexpected ruling fell under the condition that Hoskins hire additional employees to care for the animals and adequate care be provided. The SPCA retained the right to inspect the returned horses and to monitor their care—the remaining 33 horses are still under their authority. 

“While the animals were cared for by the ASPCA, they received medical, physical and environmental enrichment vital to their daily well-being—more importantly, time was spent helping them to rebuild their broken spirits,” says Jeff Eyre, ASPCA Northeast Director of Field Investigations and Response. “I can only hope that the same level of proper care will be maintained under these new circumstances.”

Hoskins pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released without bail. She is ordered to return to court on August 18. To date, the total cost of the investigation, including animal care, has exceeded $200,000. Aside from the ongoing criminal case, a civil suit is pending charging Hoskins with the outstanding balance. 

“These are definitely some very serious charges,” said Eyre. “But it’s important to remember that each animal involved is considered a separate charge under the law.”

To read the full account of the ASPCA’s recent intervention, please visit our Raids and Investigations section.

In response to the economic hardships that continue to mount for families living along the Gulf Coast, the ASPCA, the Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA), Best Friends Animal Society and several local organizations have launched the Gulf Coast Companion Animal Relief Program to provide free pet care for residents of Southern Louisiana. The group's initial contribution will prevent an estimated 1,000 pets from facing relinquishment by their families.

"The oil spill has had major repercussions for families in the lower Louisiana parishes, including pet parents connected with the seafood, tourism and oil production industries," says Julie Morris, ASPCA Senior Vice President of Community Outreach.

Animal shelters in the affected communities report two to three times the number of relinquished pets over last summer. The Animal Relief Program’s free services, provided by licensed veterinarians at the Louisiana SPCA, will include:

• Basic exams, including tests for feline leukemia and FIV in cats as well as heartworm in dogs;
• Vaccinations;
• Microchipping and registration; and
• Spay/neuter surgeries.

Special thanks to the following organizations for making this program a reality: Del Monte Foods, Best Friends Animal Society, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, Second Harvest Food Bank, St. Bernard Parish Animal Shelter, Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society, Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelter and the Louisiana SPCA.

PetSmart Charities^® and the ASPCA have pledged a combined $5.2 million to Humane Alliance, the North Carolina-based national leader in high-volume spay/neuter, to be distributed over the next five years. The grant will increase affordable spay/neuter services by funding the opening of 80 low-cost, high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics across the United States. Combined with the nearly 70 Humane Alliance clinics already open, the clinics will provide up to 800,000 sustainable spay/neuter surgical slots, preventing an estimated 11 million cat and dog births through 2013.

Adoption alone will not solve the problem of pet overpopulation: an estimated 4 million pets are euthanized annually in the U.S. due to lack of homes. “Humane Alliance is the gold standard when it comes to successful high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter,” says Julie Morris, Senior Vice President of Community Outreach for the ASPCA. “Replicating its model program in cities across the country will help us to make real, measurable progress in the fight against pet homelessness and overpopulation.”

Humane Alliance’s National Spay/Neuter Response Team has already trained 79 organizations to open and operate low-cost, high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics in those organizations’ home communities, and is always seeking new groups to mentor.

“PetSmart Charities and the ASPCA have been instrumental to the success of Humane Alliance,” says Humane Alliance Executive Director Quita Mazzina. “Our continued partnership means that we can continue to provide the spay/neuter services that pets desperately need, as well as training for the veterinary community, so that even more pets are sterilized every year.”

To learn what makes the Humane Alliance model so effective, visit humanealliance.org.

We have all seen the shocking photos of Brown Pelicans covered in black oil and other costal fauna washing on shore, but wildlife is not the only population in peril after the disastrous Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Animal shelters in the affected coastal communities report experiencing two to three times the number of pets being relinquished than the same period last summer.

"The oil spill has had major repercussions for families in the lower Louisiana parishes including pet parents connected with the seafood, tourism and oil production industries," says Julie Morris, ASPCA Senior Vice President of Community Outreach. “A primary focus of the ASPCA is to provide support and resources to communities in need.”

In response to the recent economic hardships that continue to mount for coastal families—the ASPCA, the Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA), Best Friends Animal Society and several local organizations have launched the Gulf Coast Companion Animal Relief Program. As the lead sponsor, the ASPCA will offer a generous grant to provide free pet care to residents of Plaquemines Parish, St. Bernard Parish, Terrebonne Parish and Jefferson Parish. It is estimated that this initial contribution will prevent 1,000 pets from facing relinquishment by their families.

“The ASPCA granted over $10 million to the Gulf Coast region in the aftermath of Katrina and is pleased to be help to offer support once again,” says Morris. “Through the generous contributions of our donors, we are pleased to join in this collaborative effort to positively impact the companion animals affected by the Gulf Coast tragedy and improve a dire situation for hundreds of families.”

The free services, provided by licensed veterinarians at the Louisiana SPCA will include:

• Basic exams, including tests for feline leukemia and FIV in cats as well as heartworm in dogs
• Vaccinations
• Microchipping and registration
• Spay or neuter surgeries

In addition, dog food will be generously donated (while supplies last) by Del Monte Foods.

For more information on the free services, or to schedule an appointment, please visit the Louisiana SPCA.

Thank You!
Support from the following organizations has been critical to make this program possible: Del Monte Foods, Best Friends Animal Society, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, Second Harvest Food Bank, St. Bernard Parish Animal Shelter, Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society, Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, Terrebonne Animal Shelter and the Louisiana SPCA.

The ASPCA is thrilled to report that 139 adoptions took place at the Elk County Independence Day Adoption Event, and that the remaining cats have been placed with ASPCA partner agencies throughout the country. The nearly 400 severely neglected felines were discovered in late June, living in deplorable conditions at a “sanctuary” known as the Animal Friends of Elk and Cameron Counties in St. Mary’s, PA.

While many of the cats tested positive for Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, it didn’t stop families from opening their hearts and homes to many sweet-tempered cats and kittens.

“The community really stepped forward to support this adoption event,” says Tim Rickey, ASPCA Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response. “One of the most surreal moments of my entire career was standing at the event site wondering if anyone would show up. When a line of 50 people walked up the hill with crates in their hands, I nearly broke down.” The two-day event attracted more than 500 potential adopters.

A crew of nearly 65 first responders, including staff and volunteers from the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team, the American Humane Association and PetSmart Charities assisted in the initial seizure, sheltering management and care of the rescued cats. A team of veterinarians, led by Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics, conducted full medical exams and treated any immediate concerns. Also on-site was the ASPCA Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic, which provided critical spay/neuter services.

“This rescue took an incredible amount of teamwork, patience and faith on everyone's part,” says Rickey. “With so many cats placed, I am proud to say we can walk away from this operation knowing we accomplished something very special.”

Special Thanks!

The ASPCA is immensely grateful for the support of regional organizations and ASPCA partner agencies that offered temporary housing—and eventual, permanent placement—of more than 150 of the rescued cats, including:

Bucks County SPCA, PA
Humane Society of Berks County, PA
Chautauqua County Humane Society, NY
SPCA Serving Erie County, NY
Atlanta Humane, GA
Good Mews, GA
SPCA Tampa Bay, FL
Cat Depot, FL
SPCA Suncoast, FL
Columbia Animal Shelter, SC
Noah's Ark, NJ
One More Smith, NJ

To read the full account of the ASPCA’s recent intervention, please visit our Raids and Investigations section. For more information about animal hoarding, see our Hoarding FAQ.