February 2011

On Thursday, February 24, the Bureau of Land Management proposed a vast overhaul of its broken strategy for caring for our country’s wild horse and burro populations. The agency has long depended solely on inhumane roundups to remove wild horses from public lands legally designated for their use.

The BLM outlined its new strategy after intense and prolonged public outcry, including the objections of the ASPCA and our equine welfare partners. We are heartened by the agency’s progressive proposals, including its renewed commitment to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), which is studying wild horse management procedures and will make recommendations based on definitive scientific research.

“We’ve taken a top to bottom look at the wild horse and burro program and have come to a straightforward conclusion: We need to move ahead with reforms that build on what is working and move away from what is not,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey in a released statement. “As a first step, we are aiming to increase adoptions and broaden the use of fertility control. And while we do this, we are reducing removals while the NAS helps us ensure that our management is guided by the best available science.”

The BLM’s revised strategy includes:

• Commissioning the NAS to study, among other things, rates of population growth, fertility control methods and land capacity for wild horse herds
• Developing new strategies, including public adoption, for the long-term care of wild horses that are removed from public lands
• Increasing the number of mares administered fertility control from 500 in 2009 to 2,000 annually
• Reducing the number of wild horses removed from public lands over the next two years from 10,000 to 7,600 annually
• Improving and enhancing humane animal care and handling during roundups as well as at long-term care facilities
• Promoting public engagement and recruiting local volunteers to assist with rangeland management

Increasing transparency and openness by giving the public access to horse gathers as well as accurate information about the program in its entirety.

“The ASPCA looks forward to greater transparency in all aspects of the BLM’s wild horse program,” responded Matt Bershadker, ASPCA Senior Vice President. “We are encouraged that the BLM is taking the necessary steps to correct its inhumane and fiscally irresponsible policies before America’s wild horses are completely eradicated, but more than 15,000 wild horses and burros are still slated to be rounded up over the next two years, adding to the tens of thousands of wild horses currently languishing in long-term holding pens.”

As always, the ASPCA will continue to keep a close eye on the fate of these national treasures. To learn more about the BLM’s proposed reforms, please visit the agency’s website at www.blm.gov. A detailed proposal will be posted on the site (pdf) on February 28, after which the public is invited to review it and submit comments via email at wildhorse@blm.gov through March 30.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2011 marks the Year of the Rabbit. And shelters across the nation are celebrating by inviting the public to hop on over to take advantage of the rabbit adoption specials being offered.

It is estimated that more than 1 million households have rabbits as family members and for good reason—they are intelligent, curious and loving pets. But adopter beware, our little hoppers also need specialized care. Rabbits are often seen as low-maintenance starter pets for kids, but our experts warn that nothing could be further from the truth. Rabbits are physically delicate and fragile, and require specialized veterinary care. Thousands are abandoned at animal shelters every year for this reason.

We've put together a list of the tips for living with a bunny companion. 

• They make great companions! Rabbits can be trained to use the litter box, they'll come when called, and their all-time favorite activities are to dig and chew. Who knew? The sometimes sweet, sometimes sassy rabbit can be a great pet for the right family.
• Rabbits can’t live outdoors! Outside, rabbits can die of fright and are susceptible to diseases spread by ticks and other parasites. They prefer to live in the cozy comforts of a home, just like cats and dogs.
• Your rabbit will need at least two hours free time to run around and play, so it’s important to bunny-proof your home. Preventing rabbits from chewing on electrical cords is of utmost importance, since rabbits can be badly burned or electrocuted.
• If you've done the research and understand exactly what rabbits need—big-time digging and chewing—then you’re ready for a cotton-tailed friend. Be sure to make adoption your first option, and have your new bunny spayed or neutered.

For more information, peruse our webpage on rabbit care.

A video released this week by Greyhound advocacy group Grey2K USA shows horrifying injuries incurred at the Tri-State Racetrack in Cross Lanes, West Virginia—highlighting the suffering of racing dogs across the United States.

“According to newly obtained state records, at least 3,208 greyhound injuries have been reported at this track since 2005, and nearly 200 dogs have died. Further, it’s likely that the actual number of injuries is even higher, as the state still refuses to produce several months of records,” Grey2K said in an email to supporters.

Grey2K Executive Director Carey Theil told West Virginia’s Charleston Daily Mail that "in terms of the raw number of injuries, this is the largest we have seen for a single track by far."

Though ASPCA racing specialist Ann Church called Tri-State Racetrack’s injury record “appalling,” she emphasized that the injuries were not at all uncommon. “This is what happens at all Greyhound racing tracks, and that is why we are making the end of racing a priority within the ASPCA.”

To learn more about this cruel form of entertainment, please visit our Greyhound Racing FAQ.

This guest blog is written by Toni Curly a long-time supporter of the ASPCA and proud pet-parent of Harvey the Pug. Read on as she discusses the story of adopting her family’s beloved companion.

My husband and I always searched for the sad story before adopting a dog—we always want the ones who are harder to place. One eye? No problem! A senior dog? Bring him here! So how could we say no when we read about Harvey? Harvey was emaciated. He had a crooked-looking spine, a bulging eye and rotted teeth, and his tongue hung out. Harvey also wore a diaper. How could we resist?

The sad truth is, Harvey’s poor condition was the result of spending eight years living in a cramped wire cage, in complete darkness—he is the victim of a puppy mill.

While Harvey happily joined our family, it took a long time for him to settle in. We wondered if the horrid conditions he experienced had left him shell-shocked. It took nearly six months of patience and love for Harvey to finally trust us—and realize he had found his forever home. Harvey's days are now filled with care: a warm bed, walks around his neighborhood, plenty of nutritious food and, above all, love.

Harvey and our son bonded immediately and love each other dearly. As sleeping companions, they comfort each other when needed. If our son wakes in the night, he knows that Harvey is there with him. And, I suppose, if Harvey awakes in the dark remembering his puppy mill days, he finds comfort snuggling up to Connor. 

Every day we share Harvey’s story with everyone who stops to meet him. Our hope is that puppy mills will be a thing of the past within in our lifetime, and that dogs like Harvey will suffer no more.

For more information about living with a puppy mill dog, visit our Puppy Mill Section.

And don’t forget to share this heartwarming story with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter!

Back in January, we put out a call for photos and stories of your beloved rescued companions for our 2011 “My Furry Valentine” Photo Contest. Well, the winners are in! Our judges have selected their top entries, and we're proud to present them here. Thank you to everyone who entered, and four paws up to our winners. Please note that selecting the winners was a very hard process, and each entry touched our hearts. We plan to feature many of your stories and photos in the Your Stories Section of our website—so be sure to check it often!

A special congrats to our winners, and thank you to everyone who entered—and please tell your critters they all look mahvelous! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Flopsy Full of Love
By Marie Gretta Parker

I adopted Flopsy Lopsy from a local animal shelter last fall. I had never had a rabbit before, and had no idea how great it could be. Lopsy has become an ambassador for small homeless animals. I created his own Facebook page to promote the adoption of small animals that are left in shelters—including rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, birds, etc. His page now has 400 friends, and I update it daily. Flopsy has changed my life. Through him, I have met so many selfless people who work tirelessly to rescue and protect animals.

The Short Story of My Little Cupid
By Andrea Silva

Guinness and I found each other one afternoon while I was volunteering at the Sacramento County Animal Shelter. He was part of a litter of puppies who were confiscated from their owner after the neighbor complained they were being abused and neglected. To say he was starving would be an understatement. He was also ridden with infection and parasites, had a broken tail and leg and was missing part of his right ear. The facility vet did not expect a good outlook for him and contemplated simply putting him down to save him the suffering.

Guinness limped up to me and put his paw right in my open hand, and that was all it took. I felt an instant connection with him and got permission to take him to my own vet for treatment. It took nearly three years for him to heal and get up to a normal weight. He is now my constant companion, and I feel overwhelmingly blessed by him. I am so grateful to the ASPCA for giving all these pets a second chance at the happiness they deserve.

Me and My Shadow
By Bobbi Lapushansky

My Furry Valentine is Floyd—my fat, 15-year-old cat who I adopted as a kitten from a local shelter. The day we met, he was meowing as I approached the cages. I have always loved Tabbies and he was no exception. I knew as soon as I saw him we were meant to be together. I asked to hold him, and no sooner did the cage door open that he leapt into my arms! Floyd has been my kitty shadow ever since—I couldn’t imagine my life without him.

They Call it Kitty Love
By Lori Bentz

I hadn’t intended on rescuing two cats (or at least that is what I was telling myself), but when I saw these two that quickly changed. They were young, and had been abandoned at the shelter during the night. They stayed close to each other, and snuggled together when they slept. I took them both to the “Get Acquainted” room, and these sweet boys looked me in the eyes, then climbed up together and snuggled onto my lap. Needless to say, they both came home with me, and their cuddly love and playfulness enriches my life every day.

My Buddy
By Paul Simpson

My Buddy came to me as an abused stray who had wandered up to a friend’s house in Kentucky. Buddy will be six-years-old this Valentine’s Day. And like his birthday, Buddy has the sweetest and kindest nature imaginable. He is the greatest cuddler with the gentlest heart. He brings such happiness to my home—I could not imagine my life without him. I am very glad that he is no longer afraid of people and that he realizes that he will never be hurt again. I truly can say I love my buddy, Buddy.

On February 5, Queens, NY, resident Cherie Fillmore was arrested and charged with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty. The 32-year-old is accused of starving her Pit Bull pup to death.

The initial investigation began on January 14, after concerned neighbors reported seeing a lifeless dog outside a South Jamaica home. ASPCA Special Investigator Paul Romano responded to the scene, where he discovered the severely emaciated dog tethered to a four pound chain—he determined the animal to be deceased. 

When questioned, Fillmore, who works part-time in the medical field, admitted to having owned the dog. Special Investigator Romano transported the dog to ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, where a necropsy determined dog had died of starvation.

“The necropsy found raw garbage in the dog’s stomach,” says Joseph Pentangelo, Assistant Director of ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement. “He was rooting around, forced to eat whatever he could trying to stay alive.”

Fillmore is due back in court on February 22. She faces up to one year in jail if convicted.

Take Action!
We need you on our side! If you suspect an animal may be the victim of neglect or abuse, please report it. Visit our Report Cruelty FAQ to learn how to report cruelty in your neighborhood.

And don’t forget to share this page with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter!