October 2010

With the help of astute observers and anonymous tips, the ASPCA is cracking down on cat abuse in the Big Apple. On October 13, the ASPCA arrested Brooklyn resident Tiffany Feliciano for neglecting her nine-month-old kitten, Marty. The very next day, our Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrested Davanand Raghunath for allegedly starving his cat in Queens.

When ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agent Paul Lai arrived at Feliciano’s apartment, he discovered an emaciated, dehydrated, black-and-white kitten in a filthy cage without food. Marty was immediately transported to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, where he received life-saving medical care.

The following day, ASPCA Special Agent Debbie Ryan arrested Davanand Raghunath after finding a starving, flea-infested orange Tabby in the basement of his store in Ozone Park. The seven-year-old cat, Leo, also received emergency medical treatment from ASPCA veterinarians. Both Leo and Marty are now in stable condition and recovering from starvation and skin inflammation, a secondary result of flea infestation.

Feliciano and Raghunath were each charged with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty and are scheduled to appear in court. If convicted, they face up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Do you know the signs of animal abuse? Read our handy guide to recognizing animal cruelty. If you see an animal being neglected or hurt, please don’t keep it to yourself. If you live in New York City, please contact the ASPCA's anonymous tip line at (877) THE-ASPCA. To see how to report cruelty in other locations nationwide, visit ASPCA.org.

Imagine your dog having to spend his entire life in a barren cage with no companionship, little to no medical attention, and no relief from suffering? A place where the stench of urine hangs heavy in the air and the constant barking of dogs creates a sense of chaos. This is the only life many puppy mill dogs will ever know—and thousands are fighting to see that change is made.

Veterinarians and responsible dog breeders from across Missouri have teamed up with animal lovers in support of Proposition B. This common-sense measure on the November 2 state ballot aims to stop the most heinous of puppy mill abuses by establishing more humane standards of care for dogs housed in large-scale breeding facilities.

“In truth, current laws are just not strong enough to prevent abuses at Missouri puppy mills— dogs are typically crowded into small and filthy cages, denied veterinary care, exposed to extremes of heat and cold, and given no exercise or affection,” says Tim Rickey, ASPCA Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response. “This is why many responsible dog breeders, along with Missouri veterinarians and vet clinics support the changes called for by Prop B.”

If you're a Missouri citizen, please vote YES! on Prop B on November 2 and transform your state from the “Puppy Mill Capital of America” to a national leader in puppy mill reform. Also, be sure to catch Tim Rickey, ASPCA Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response, on the radio this weekend. Tim will be on 97.1 KAYQ-FM Saturday Oct. 23 at 9:30am discussing Prop B and the impact it will have on dogs across the state.

Don't live in Missouri, but still want to help? You can make a difference in the lives of countless dogs by contributing a donation to support Prop B. Visit www.yesonpropb.com to donate today!

With the November 2 voting day quickly approaching, the ASPCA is currently on the ground in Missouri educating voters on Prop B—and working hard to get the vote out! Also known as the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, Prop B aims to raise the standard of care for dogs in Missouri’s commercial breeding facilities. If passed, this landmark legislation would have revolutionary implications on puppy mill operations across the country.

“For years, the ASPCA has been at the forefront of preventing the many atrocities associated with the puppy mill industry,” says Tim Rickey, ASPCA Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response. “From our life-saving investigations, to introducing ground-breaking legislation, we work hard every single day to see that these dogs get the justice they deserve.”

On Sept. 21, more than 70 dogs were rescued from an overrun puppy mill in Camden County, MO.

“With over 20 years of investigating puppy mills, I have seen some of the worst conditions in Missouri puppy mills,” adds Rickey. “Infections and disease run rampant, living conditions are often bare and squalid—these dogs deserve better, and we are here to help them get it.”

We need your help!
If you're a Missouri citizen, please vote YES! on Prop B on November 2 and transform your state from the “Puppy Mill Capital of America” to a national leader in puppy mill reform.

Don't live in Missouri, but still want to help? Please help us by posting this video on your Facebook page or blog, tweet this article, and visit www.yesonpropb.com to see how you can support the cause.

Although it may be tempting and convenient to order your pet’s medications online, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to pet parents about unregulated online pharmacies that sell expired or counterfeit drugs without a prescription. According to the FDA, foreign and domestic web pharmacies may ask pet parents to fill out an online form and then falsely claim that a veterinarian will evaluate the pet’s condition to prescribe the appropriate treatment.

“Some of the Internet sites that sell pet drugs represent legitimate, reputable pharmacies,” says Martine Hartogensis, D.V.M., deputy director of the Office of Surveillance and Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). “But others are fronts for unscrupulous businesses operating against the law.”

The ASPCA does not recommend that pet parents forgo purchasing pet drugs on the Internet altogether, but encourages the active participation of your veterinarian in any decision to medicate your pet. “All pet drugs should be prescribed by a veterinarian after an in-person physical exam, and should either be purchased from that veterinarian or outsourced to a reputable pharmacy, whether on- or off-line,” says Dr. Camille DeClementi, ASPCA Senior Director of Medical Records.

Dr. DeClementi also recommends that pet parents avoid purchasing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—one of the most common types of drugs dispensed online without a prescription—to treat their pet’s pain without consulting a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause of the pain. NSAIDs can be dangerous if not dispensed properly, and pets who are taking these drugs should be monitored closely.

If you do decide to purchase your pet’s medications online, please follow these smart practices:

• Bring your pet to a veterinarian for a physical exam and obtain a written prescription for any necessary medications.
   
• Ask your veterinarian if he or she uses an online pharmacy service. These services are state-licensed and require the active participation of a reputable doctor.
    
• Only purchase medication from websites that are Vet-VIPPS (Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) accredited. Check to see whether the online pharmacy you’re considering is accredited at www.nabp.net.
     
• Mail or fax your veterinarian’s written prescription to a Vet-VIPPS accredited pharmacy.

For more helpful tips and to watch an informational video about purchasing pet drugs online, please visit the FDA’s consumer health information page.

On September 24, at the request of the Days End Farm Horse Rescue located in Howard County, MD, members of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team were dispatched to assist in the care of eight critically ill and neglected horses seized from an equine rescue group in West Virginia.

In late September, authorities served a search warrant to Mary O'Brien, founder of Hidden Meadows Equine Rescue in Martinsburg, WV, where more than 50 severely neglected equines were found living without access to food or water. Days End Farm Horse Rescue was contacted and accepted eight of the most critically ill horses, transporting them to the farm for emergency care. Unfortunately, one of the equines did not survive.

Kristen Limbert, Manager of Field Operations for the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team, is currently on the ground in Maryland with other ASPCA team members skilled in horse handling. "Our immediate goal is to help the Days End Farm Horse Rescue care for these neglected horses," says Kristen. "The staff here is very dedicated, but providing 'round the clock care is hard work—we are glad to provide them support."

The following entries are from a series of field reports from Kristen on the ground in Howard County.

Field Report 1

Tonight is long and cold—it's in the 50s and pouring rain. The horses must be fed every two hours, on the even hour. They can eat hay around the clock, but it is fed to them out of a bag with two-inch holes—this way, they must pick at it, eating very slowly.

Since they are so emaciated, ingesting any large amount of food at one time could be deadly for them. Since the horses require 24-hour monitoring, we are taking turns sleeping—a couple of hours each on a folding chair wrapped in horse blankets. We blanketed the horses as well. Healthy horses would be fine in this weather, but these seven have little fat to keep them warm—many are actually shivering, which I've never seen a horse do before.

Field Report 2

They are all such great horses, with amazing personalities—especially given all they have been through. I groomed them all today, and treated them for hoof infections. A few showed sensitivity to being brushed because they are so thin. Despite it all, I am continually surprised at how cooperative they are—there is no doubt they know we are here to help.

Two of our sickest horses, Zodiac and Yogi, especially understand that we are here for them. Zodiac fell down and did quite a bit of damage to his frail body, with cuts and bruises everywhere. He is now supported by an Anderson Sling—he simply isn't strong enough to hold himself up. His eyes are infected, too, and it's hard for him to keep them open. In spite of his poor health, he keeps on fighting to survive.

I have also become especially close with Yogi—a feisty mare who is just skin and bones. Throughout the day she spikes fevers, requiring alcohol baths to help bring them down. I have found myself working with both of these horses nearly all the time, as they require the most care. I am just so moved by their will to heal—and the trust they are beginning to show me.

Stay tuned to the ASPCA Blog for more exclusive field reports from the scene in Howard County. For ways you can help Days End Farm Horse Rescue, please visit www.defhr.org.

National radio deejay Trey Morgan has long sought to give back to his community—but like many of us, he wasn’t quite sure where to begin or how to spare the time. Not easily defeated, Trey created 30 Deeds, 30 Days, a campaign to challenge himself and motivate others to donate their time to local charities.

30 Deeds, 30 Days set Trey and his wife, Brooke, on a journey to volunteer with 30 different charitable organizations—one for each day of the month of September. On September 28, the couple brought their good-deed campaign to the ASPCA, where they spent the day making a difference in the lives of our shelter cats and dogs.

“Taking the time to volunteer with abused, neglected and homeless animals has been such a rewarding experience,” explains Trey. “Whether walking dogs, cleaning cages or working to help an animal overcome his fears—volunteers truly do make a difference.”

Check out our inspiring video of Trey and Brooke as they share their experience volunteering at the ASPCA.

To learn more about making a difference for animals in your community, visit our Top Ways to Help Your Local Shelter.