June 2011

Can’t stand leaving your pet behind on vacation? You don’t have to! More people are choosing to include their companions in family vacations than ever before. Just keep in mind that a bit of extra planning—and packing—may be in order.

- Time for a check-up. A trip to the vet is a good idea. You want to make sure all vaccinations are up to date before you hit the open road.

- Location! Location! Location! It's essential to make sure your accommodations, be they hotel or apartment, are pet-friendly. Otherwise, you could be in for a really unpleasant surprise when you arrive at your destination.

- Prevention is key. Mistakes happen, so make sure your pet has a microchip and is wearing a collar and ID tag.

- Pack for your pup! Be sure to bring along all of the necessary supplies to care for your pet. Double check to make sure you have a crate, toys, plenty of food and a doggy seatbelt!

Check out these ASPCA pet travel essentials!

2-in-1 Food/Water Bowl
These portable travel bowls hold both food and water—and fold flat for easy storage.

Car Harness
Just like a human seatbelt, this dog harness is your pooch’s first line of safety when traveling by car.

Floppy Moppy Plush
Car rides can be boring! This fun mop-style plush will keep any doggie engaged for hours.

Have fun!

Okay, folks, here’s the deal: Millions of cats enter local shelters across the country every year. Even with these staggering statistics at play, people are still turning to classified ads and pet stores to buy their new kittens. What’s up with that?

Each June, in conjunction with Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, the ASPCA strives to promote cat adoptions. But here’s how you can help year-round!

• Be their voice! Sure it sounds easy, but with so many more cats than there are homes, we need you to speak up…and loudly. Encourage folks looking for new pets to adopt an animal from a shelter. Try dedicating your Facebook status, Tweet or blog post to an adoptable cat each week.
• Volunteer at Your Local Shelter. Volunteering at your local shelter is a great way to make a difference in the lives of homeless cats. From playing with kittens to organizing adoption events, shelters across the country are always in need of volunteers. Be sure to visit our Ten Ways to Help Your Local Shelter for more suggestions.
• Promote Spaying and Neutering. It’s a fact: Spayed or neutered cats are generally happier, healthier and live longer lives. Plus, many communities offer low-cost or free spay/neuter clinics that help make it easy for everyone to do the right thing. Spread the word with our Top 10 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet.

Thanks for getting active for homeless kitties!

This weekend was one of healing for thousands of Joplin residents who joined their neighbors to find homes for more than 700 animals displaced by last month’s tornado. By the end of day two of our adopt-a-thon at the Joplin Humane Society, all cats and dogs were happily ensconced in their new families’ arms.

We are truly humbled by the amazing generosity of our fellow animal lovers and volunteers and, most of all, the hard work and compassion of our colleagues at the Joplin Humane Society. But, of course, none of this weekend’s successes would have been possible without you—our supporters.

For that reason, we want to issue a big THANKS to all those who opened their hearts and homes to Joplin and its pets. Whether you traveled many miles to show your support or adopt an animal, or followed our blog, Facebook and Twitter updates, you truly made a difference.

Together we changed the lives of hundreds of cats and dogs and helped a community continue to recover its incredible spirit.

Please stay tuned to ASPCA.org in the coming days to read inspiring Joplin adoption stories and see many more photos of happy pets and their new families!

Most people go to the circus because they love animals—but the hard truth is they’re unwittingly supporting an industry that engages in animal cruelty.

In most circuses, animals are trained through fear and physical abuse. Even former circus employees have stepped up to the plate and reported seeing animals beaten, whipped and denied food and water—all to force them to learn their routines.

Circus animals are deprived even their basic needs to roam, socialize, forage and play. Disturbing behavior such as swaying back and forth, head-bobbing, pacing and self-mutilation are all common signs of distress.

Take Action!

• Don't attend any circus that features wild animals. Instead choose animal-free circuses and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
• Ask local school boards to ban circus promotions.Circuses often engage in promotions with schools to encourage class field trips. Be sure to speak out against this!
• Fight for state and federal laws that help protect circus animals. Join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade to be alerted when it’s time to take action on animal-related legislation.

For a complete list of actions you can take, read our Top 10 Ways to Help Fight Circus Cruelty.

It’s no secret: Shelter cats get bored. What better way to keep them entertained than with a little nip? Crafting these easy-to-make toys is the perfect way for you (and your friends!) to feel good about helping homeless cats this summer. Did we mention it’s a kid-friendly project, too?

Gather Your Supplies:
- New, infant- or child-size crew socks
- Cotton balls or craft stuffing
- Dried catnip
- Non-toxic permanent markers
- Non-toxic washable fabric glue

Get Crafting:

1. Stuff the toe of the sock with 1 tablespoon of dried catnip.

2. Next, stuff the foot of the sock with cotton balls or craft stuffing.

3. Squeeze fabric glue on the inside of the sock’s ribbing to glue the sock closed, or knot the top of the sock.

4. Decorate with fabric markers.

Thanks for getting crafty for homeless kitties—after all, it’s Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month!

Thank you! With your support our grants team was just able to launch the ASPCA Disaster Fund to help shelters and other animal welfare groups affected by or responding to the recent storms.

“After our Field Investigations and Response Team witnessed firsthand the incredible devastation, we wanted to offer additional aid,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “The ASPCA Disaster Fund will provide critical resources to help these local groups protect and care for animals in their communities.”

Thank You, Rachael Ray!
As part of the relief effort, TV personality Rachael Ray, with her dog food line Nutrish and her philanthropic initiative Rachael’s Rescue, has pledged her support with a really generous contribution of both funds and pet food.

“I am a huge lover of animals, and I simply can’t bear the thought of them homeless, hungry and in need of care,” says Rachael Ray. “One of the main factories where our Nutrish Just 6 treats are manufactured is located in Joplin, so this tragedy has really hit home and we knew we needed to spring into action and help. I’m so happy I could join the incredible efforts already underway by the ASPCA in helping families find their pets and care for animals in their community—we started Nutrish and Rachael’s Rescue for this very purpose.”

Take Action!
If your local shelter is in need of emergency funding, learn more about applying for an ASPCA Disaster Fund grant today. Want to help? The ASPCA relies on the continued support of our members to provide these vital services. Please text PLEDGE to 25383 to donate $10 to our disaster relief efforts!

Every single day people arrive to view the hundreds of rescued and displaced animals being cared for at the ASPCA Emergency Shelter in Joplin, Missouri. For nearly 400 families—many of whom lost everything in the May 22 tornado—those visits have led to heartfelt reunions. But for others, it takes hope and a little patience.

With animals being rescued each day, many families return regularly in hopes of finding their beloved pets. One such family was the Freys. The Freys suffered broken bones and bruised spirits, but survived the tornado that demolished their home. But as the dust settled, their cat, Baby Girl, was nowhere to be found.

Reunion
Meanwhile, ASPCA responders began a program to rescue animals in the tornado zone at night. A few nights in, our team found a large calico cat with a sweet face. The next afternoon, as usual, the Freys visited the shelter.

“I saw her and it was instant—I knew it was her,” says Mrs. Frey.

Baby Girl is going home just as the Freys move into their new house. “We’re just so happy to have her back," Mrs. Frey tells. "Without you guys, we would not have known where to even start looking for her—thank you for taking care of our baby."

Learn more about our efforts in Joplin. And please help us continue to support the animal victims of Joplin. Text PLEDGE to 25383 to donate $10 today!

For years the ASPCA has worked hard to protect American horses from terrifying, inhumane deaths at slaughterhouses. In 2007, the last three U.S. slaughterhouses processing horses into meat for human consumption were shut down for good—the year prior, they were responsible for killing more than 90,000 horses. Because Americans do not eat horses, this meat was shipped overseas to countries like France, Belgium and Japan, where it is considered a delicacy.

Not a Humane Alternative
Horse slaughter is NOT humane euthanasia. Horses suffer horribly on the way to and during slaughter—it is not unusual for them to travel more than 24 hours at a time in cramped conditions without food, water or rest. The methods used to kill horses rarely result in quick deaths: The animals often endure repeated stuns or blows, and sometimes remain conscious during their slaughter.

Some well-meaning animal advocates feel it would be more humane to reopen horse slaughterhouses in the U.S. than to continue to allow the animals to be sent to Mexico and Canada for processing. They may be surprised to learn that even when there were horse slaughter facilities in the U.S., tens of thousands of American horses were still exported and slaughtered in other countries every year. Re-opening slaughterhouses here is not the answer to ending this cruelty.

Take Action!
The ASPCA advocates for a federal ban on the international transport of horses intended for human consumption. Over the last few years, different bills that would have achieved this have been introduced in Congress—and even though each has had strong bipartisan support, none have made it over the finish line. Until such a law passes—and we have no doubt one will—it is critical we don’t allow the horse slaughter industry to gain a foothold in the United States. Once it is here, it will be much more difficult to get rid of.

Please join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade to be alerted when legislation on horse slaughter is introduced. And to learn more about alternatives to slaughter, visit our Equine Cruelty section.