November 2012

Sure, Giving Tuesday is a pretty new concept—but we happen to think it’s also a pretty important one. The idea is quite simple: An entire day dedicated to giving back to others and getting to the true roots of the holiday season. After the mega-shopping weekend many of us just had, Giving Tuesday feels like a breath of fresh air. Here are three easy ways you can spend today giving back to animals in need.

Hug a Dog, Cuddle a Cat. Shelters across the country rely on their volunteers to help keep the animals in their care happy—and that includes some serious cuddling. Whether it’s cozying up with a puppy or taking the time to befriend a skittish kitty, a little love goes a long way when you’re a homeless pet. Changing litter boxes, filing paperwork and scooping poop, are a BIG help for shelter staff, too!

Join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade. Help us fight to get strong anti-cruelty laws passed on federal, state and local levels as a member of our Advocacy Brigade. When you sign up, we’ll automatically send you important actions you can take. It’s a great way to give back all year long!

Become an ASPCA Guardian. Okay, you kind of knew this ask was coming, but we really hope you’ll consider it. As a non-profit, our team really depends on the small monthly gifts our members provide. They are our backbone. Did we mention you get a really cute calendar and the donation is tax deductible?

Thanks for joining us for Giving Tuesday, and don’t forget to share this post with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

The giving season is officially here! Check out four fun, effective ways you can make a difference for animals during the holidays.

Volunteer for animals in your community
Bring some holiday cheer to homeless animals in your community by volunteering at a local shelter. Find a shelter near you.

Shop ‘til you drop at our online thrift store
Make room for this year’s holiday booty and raise money for animals by donating your unwanted treasures to the ASPCA Web Thrift Store. Start selling and shopping for animals today.

Show them how much you care…about animals!
Nothing says holiday spirit like a good old-fashioned greeting card. Ours feature the photo and story of an animal rescued by the ASPCA, and they’re all completely adorable. Get ‘em while you can.

Enough stuff? Give the gift of helping animals
Perfect for everyone on your list, our new Symbolic Gifts allow you to donate on behalf of friends and family to the ASPCA program area most meaningful to them. Give today.

For more ideas, please visit our top ways to help animals in your community.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the ASPCA has been ensuring that animal shelters in some of the hardest-hit areas have the resources necessary to stay in operation.

One such shelter in need was the Monmouth County SPCA’s shelter in Eatontown, New Jersey, and its small adoption center in Freehold, New Jersey. After Sandy hit the area, the shelter lost power for a week. A combination of emergency power and a gas generator provided animals with heat, fresh water and light, and allowed the staff to continue to perform their regular duties.

But after operating at full capacity, the financial toll was staggering. To support the organization’s heroic efforts, the ASPCA awarded a $4,000 grant to the Monmouth County SPCA to ease that strain.  

Was Your Local Shelter Affected By Sandy? Please tell them about our Emergency Grant Program! We are continuing to give grants for Hurricane Sandy response and recovery and highly encourage shelters to apply.

All over America, people are gearing up for the shopping and gifting frenzy that goes hand in hand with the holiday season. You’ve heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but what about Giving Tuesday? Giving Tuesday, taking place this year on November 27, brings out the best in us by encouraging us to remember those less fortunate—including the at-risk animals we’re working to save all year ‘round.

The best part is, it’s super easy to participate in Giving Tuesday, even if you’re low on cash. Just post your unwanted stuff to the ASPCA’s Web Thrift Store, where others can bid on and purchase your items. You set the price and get a tax write-off for 100% of your item’s value; the ASPCA gets 80% of the sale’s proceeds; and some lucky buyer gets a great bargain. It’s a win-win-win!

“WebThriftStore.com enables the ASPCA and its supporters to get all the benefits of running a national network of thrift stores without the costs and risks of creating one with bricks-and-mortar,” said WebThriftStore.com founder and CEO Douglas Krugman. “It makes sense for everyone—charities, donors and shoppers—and it’s something everyone can feel good about.”

So start selling and shopping, and help spread the word on Twitter with the hashtags #GivingTuesday and #ASPCA! 

Planning to observe Black Friday with a shop-a-thon in NYC? Don’t forget to stop by the ASPCA, where we’re celebrating in our own way: with Cat Friday. You could just meet the cat or kitten of your dreams…and we think that’s a much sweeter deal than anything you’ll find on retail.

On Friday, November 25, the ASPCA Adoption Center is opening its doors for the extended hours of 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. and offering very special discounts on cat adoption fees that you won’t want to miss.

For Cat Friday only, felines one year and older have waived fees, and kittens four months to one year have an adoption fee of only $50! (It's normally $125.)

With each of these special adoptions, adopters will receive additional goodies including a free cat collar and ID tag and a cardboard carrier.

All ASPCA pets are spayed or neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped! Plus, adopters will receive a certificate for a free vet visit within two weeks of adoption at ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.

For those intent on holiday shopping, Gift-A-Pet certificates, good for one future cat or kitten adoption, will also be available for purchase.

See you Friday!

On Friday, we told you about the ASPCA Emergency Boarding Facility for pets of Sandy victims. (You can read all the details about the facility, which opened Saturday, here.)

People affected by Sandy who need a place to keep their pets are welcome to bring animals to the Emergency Boarding Facility, open seven days a week from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and located at 1508 Herkimer Street in Brooklyn.Starting Monday, pets can also be dropped off at a few other locations in the hardest-hit areas.

On Monday, November 19, between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.:
Belle Harbor, Queens:
Waldbaum’s parking lot
112-15 Beach Channel Drive
Map

On Tuesday, November 20, between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.:
Rockaway Park, Queens:
Rockapup
145 Beach 116^th St
Map

On Tuesday, November 20, between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.:
Coney Island, Brooklyn:
Municipal Credit Union (MCU) parking lot
Surf Avenue and 19^th Street
Map

Families should bring the following, along with their pets, to the emergency facility or intake location:

• One government-issued photo ID (i.e., driver’s license, passport, military ID or non-driver ID)
• Proof of address (e.g., utility bill, driver’s license)

All pets entrusted to the ASPCA at these locations will be taken to the Emergency Boarding Facility in central Brooklyn. For more information, please read this post or call the Hurricane Sandy pet hotline at (347) 573-1561.

Please share this information with your social networks, and stay tuned to the ASPCA blog for updates.

Today the ASPCA was visited by none other than the owner of America’s best blowout, DJ Pauly D! In fact, the only thing more important than his hair is his love of animals. That’s why he’s helping us make sure that pets affected by Hurricane Sandy get the care and supplies they need.

Pauly D has already done so much to help Sandy victims, but he’s not done yet.  We’re totally psyched to have him on board to help us out!

Maybe we can start calling it “GTLA,” for gym, tan, laundry and advocacy.

Want to help in our efforts, too? Please click here! 

Ninja has come a long way. This sweet dog was one of 50 rescued by ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement agents last summer from a dog fighting ring in the Bronx. Ninja suffered in terrible conditions in the dingy, dark basement of an apartment building, rarely seeing the light of day. When we rescued her, she was extremely underweight and suffered from infections to her skin and paw. We got to her just in time, transporting her to a temporary facility to begin her recovery. 

Now Ninja is healthy and thriving with her adoptive pet parent, Samara Lynn, in Midtown Manhattan.

“I wanted a dog for some time,” Samara says. “I went to the ASPCA a few times and finally when I saw Ninja and her size and temperament, I knew she was perfect. I waited about two weeks to think about it. I finally thought, someone must have adopted her already, but when I went back, she was still available. We picked each other.”

Staff at the Adoption Center warned Samara that Ninja might be a bit skittish with all the traffic and noise of New York City. But over time, she has adjusted.

“We live in Midtown Manhattan and she loves walking and jogging with either me or my boyfriend,” Samara says. “She also really enjoys meeting all the new people and dogs out for walks.”

She is also a fast learner. After just a month, Samara taught Ninja to walk on a leash, heel, sit, stay, give paw and other tricks.

“She is very smart, sensitive, and very aware and is the only dog I have ever had that pays acute attention when another dog is on television,” Samara says.

We’re thrilled that this special and talented dog has a second chance at life in such a loving home.

To read more adoption success stories, check out our Happy Tails archive.

It’s perfectly normal for puppies and dogs to chew on objects as they explore the world. For young dogs, it’s a way to relieve pain that might be caused by incoming teeth. For older dogs, it’s a way to keep jaws strong and teeth clean.

But sometimes natural chewing can become destructive for dogs seeking to combat boredom or relieve mild anxiety or frustration. Dogs who chew to relieve the stress of separation anxiety usually only chew when left alone or chew most intensely when left alone.

So what can you do if your best friend’s chewing turns destructive? Puppies and adult dogs should have a variety of appropriate and attractive chew toys. However, just providing the right things to chew isn’t enough to prevent inappropriate chewing. Dogs need to learn what is okay to chew and what is not.

What to Do If Your Dog Is a Destructive Chewer

• "Dog-proof" your house. Put valuable objects away until you’re confident that your dog’s chewing behavior is restricted to appropriate items. Keep shoes and clothing in a closed closest, dirty laundry in a hamper and books on shelves. Make it easy for your dog to succeed.
• Provide your dog with plenty of his own toys and inedible and edible chew bones. Introduce something new or rotate your dog’s chew toys every couple of days so he doesn’t get bored with the same old toys.
• Discourage chewing inappropriate items by spraying them with chewing deterrents.
• Do your best to supervise your dog during all waking hours until you feel confident that his chewing behavior is under control.
• Provide your dog with plenty of physical exercise (playtime with you and with other dogs) and mental stimulation. If you have to leave your dog alone for more than a short period of time, make sure he gets out for a good play session.

For more information about helping curb your pooch’s chewing habit, please visit our Virtual Pet Behaviorist.

Is your dog a destructive chewer? Tell us in the comments below.

The ASPCA has been in Sandy-affected areas since the storm rescuing animals, reuniting them with their families, distributing critical supplies and providing critical veterinary care. The need was great right after the storm, and it’s only growing now as more families’ homes become uninhabitable and cold weather sets in. That’s why we’re continuing to expand our response to Sandy.

For the thousands of families without power, running water or even homes a week and a half after Superstorm Sandy, the ASPCA can’t unload our pet supply trucks fast enough. Everywhere our trucks stop, we are met by a crowd of needy pet parents who eagerly snap up the supplies before we can pull away to the next distribution point.

Pets are all many families have left, and they are eager to take good care of them in spite of all they’ve lost. To date, we have distributed thousands of pounds of pet food and cat litter to areas of extreme need, and we are ramping up this effort and fielding more requests every day.

Our grants department is fielding requests of a different sort: pleas for help from shelters and other animal welfare groups affected by Sandy. We’re expediting the process so these groups get the help they need immediately.

If you live far from the affected area, please don’t look away from this catastrophe now. Animals and their pet parents need our help desperately, and we’re working around the clock to meet their needs. To date, we have helped nearly 6,000 animals, and we don’t expect this operation to wind down any time soon.

If you would like to contribute to our disaster relief fund, you can make a gift here. Every cent will go to ASPCA disaster relief efforts.

For updates on the ASPCA’s response to Sandy and its repercussions, please keep an eye on the ASPCA blog and follow the ASPCA on Twitter. 

Animal cruelty can happen anywhere. From hoarding to neglect, animals are placed in dangerous situations every single day. It’s an upsetting fact, but you can help prevent and stop animal cruelty from happening in your neighborhood.

Here are some steps you can take to be an advocate for animals:

Learn how to recognize signs of animal cruelty. There are often warning signs that are indicators that animals are being treated inhumanely. Some are more apparent than others, but by studying this list, you’ll know what to look out for.

Know who to call. Find out who is responsible for investigating and enforcing the anti-cruelty codes in your town, county or state. This might include your local humane organization, animal control agency, taxpayer-funded animal shelter or police precinct.

Provide a detailed report. When reporting animal cruelty, it is best to give a concise statement about what you’ve witnessed or suspect. Include photos if at all possible. Don’t forget to include dates, times, and as many details as you can in your report. Keep copies for your own records and take notes!

Follow up. If you don't receive a response from the officer assigned to your case within a reasonable length of time, don't be afraid to contact his supervisor and, if necessary, local government officials.

For more information about reporting animal cruelty, please check out our Animal Cruelty FAQ.

If you witness or suspect animal cruelty in New York City, please contact ASPCA's Humane Law Enforcement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4450, or humanel@aspca.org.

Voting has now closed!

This summer we put out a call for submissions for photos that best represented the soul of the $100K Challenge, our national shelter competition to save more animals’ lives. Anyone who adopted, fostered, volunteered, or reclaimed an animal at a participating shelter during the months of August, September, or October 2012 was eligible to enter, and we received some amazing submissions!

It was tough, but we narrowed down the entries to 40 finalists, eight in each Challenge division, and now it’s your turn to choose the winners. The photo with the most votes in each region will win a $2,000 grant for its shelter. You can vote once per day in each region, but get clicking—the deadline to vote is November 14 at 11:59 P.M. EST.

And be sure to stay tuned to our blog, where we’ll announce the winners on November 15!

Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Center (Florida), Central Brevard Humane Society (Florida), Humane Society of Charlotte (North Carolina), Oconee County Humane Society (South Carolina), Portsmouth Humane Society (Virginia), Young Williams Animal Center (Tennessee)

View the contestants!

Ashtabula County Animal Protective League (Ohio), City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control (Indiana), Great Plains SPCA (Kansas), Humane Society of Greater Dayton (Ohio), SICSA (Ohio)

View the contestants!

BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions (Texas), Denton Animal Shelter Foundation (Texas), Humane Society of Southern Arizona (Arizona)

View the contestants!

Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode (California), Canyon County Animal Shelter (Idaho), Escondido Humane Society (California), Humane Society of Central Washington (Washington), Kern County Animal Control (California), Nevada Humane Society (Nevada)

View the contestants!

Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (Maryland), Bangor Humane Society (Maine), Eleventh Hour Rescue (New Jersey), Humane League of Lancaster County (Pennsylvania), Last Chance Ranch (Pennsylvania), Talbot Humane (Maryland)

View the contestants!

Hurricane Sandy left many victims in her wake. However, we are relieved to report that Ivy, a one-year-old service dog, who was badly injured in the aftermath the storm, is expected to survive.

On Wednesday night, Ivy’s guardians were unable to go outside to walk her. Without power in their Manhattan apartment building, their elevator was also out of service. They asked their neighbor to take Ivy outside for some exercise.

Unfortunately, Ivy wandered off her leash onto a busy New York street, where she was presumably hit by multiple cars. A local resident found her early Thursday morning, and while she had suffered very severe injuries, she was still alive. Ivy was transported to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in Manhattan to undergo treatment. This brave dog is expected to make a full recovery.

We’re so glad we are able to provide Ivy with the crucial care she needed, and just in time. Please help support our ongoing relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Update 11/8/12: Ivy is continuing to recover from her injuries until she can return home to her dedicated pet parents. One of Ivy’s pet parents is hearing-impaired, and the other is incapacitated due to a knee injury and was unable to walk her during Hurricane Sandy. While Ivy was walking with a neighbor, she escaped from her collar and was hit by a car before being rescued by a good Samaritan and brought to the ASPCA. We are all looking forward to Ivy’s speedy recovery.

Sandy hit the Rockaways hard, and the ASPCA is responding in that area in three ways: We’re distributing pet supplies at several key points, providing veterinary care to residents, and rescuing animals who were left behind as the storm bore down on this seaside community.

One call our rescue team received informed us that the Rivera family in the Rockaways had been forced to leave their dog and three cats behind when they evacuated to a shelter on Tuesday.

Leann and Precious, reunited.

Leann and Manny Rivera had been at home with their seven children when Sandy hit, and it was only a matter of minutes before their home was flooded with 15 or 16 feet of water.

Their landlord told them to break down the door on the empty third-floor apartment in their two-family house, so all nine people and four pets huddled in one room there until the water was low enough that they could swim out.

The Riveras didn’t know they could bring pets to the shelter, and they also had no way to get them through the water. They left their pets in the house with four days’ worth of food and water and trudged through their flooded street to a police station, where they were sent to a shelter. Staff there told them the ASPCA could help them get their animals back, and we did.

We found the cats hiding in various places around the house and the little dog, terrified, barking on the couch. We placed the cats in carriers and wrapped the dog in a blanket and took them to safety.

When we pulled in to the evacuation center where the Riveras were staying, Leann ran next to our truck as it pulled in. She couldn’t wait to see her “other children.” As we opened the van door, Leann’s little dog nearly exploded with glee to see his mom again, and Leann returned the enthusiasm. The animals are now with the Riveras at the shelter, where Leann reports her children are overjoyed to see their pets again.

Field rescues of animals trapped in homes continues today in the Rockaways and elsewhere.

Please help support our ongoing relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

Ocean County, New Jersey, was particularly devastated by the affects of Hurricane Sandy, and the ASPCA is on the ground there conducting water and land rescues for animal displaced or lost during the storm.

At the request of the Ocean County Health Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department in Toms River, New Jersey, ASPCA responders arrived on the ground late Thursday to work with local officials to assess the situation and establish a system to reunite pet parents with their animals.

On Friday, an eight-person team responded to more than 30 animal rescue requests, retrieving displaced pets and reuniting them with their owners.

“Many people have lost their homes due to the storm, and our goal is to alleviate some of the stress for pet owners by reuniting them with their animals,” says Dr. Dick Green, Director of Disaster Response for the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team.

These efforts are a true collaborative effort with other responders from the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Animal Rescue League of Boston, as well as the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Toms River Animal Control.

For updates on the ASPCA’s response to Hurricane Sandy, keep visiting this blog, and follow the ASPCA on Twitter.

Please help us continue to provide food, supplies and relief for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

As we all know, Hurricane Sandy left a path of destruction along the East Coast this week. As animal lovers, many of us are concerned about pets of evacuees and other animal victims of the storm. Here’s how we’re taking action to support pets affected by Sandy and how you can help.

• All New York City evacuation centers allow families to bring pets, and the ASPCA has been working closely with them as well as shelters on Long Island to care for more than 400 owned animals.
• We’re coordinating animal response efforts in the area, and our responders are keeping animal water-rescue teams and transport trailers at the ready to deploy around the region at a moment’s notice.
• With the city’s Animal Planning Task Force, we’ve set up a hotline for pet parents who evacuated their homes and left their animals behind to ensure these animals are rescued immediately.
• In partnership with Petsmart Charities, we’ve set up a distribution center in Syracuse, New York, to distribute crates, food, litter and other supplies for thousands of animals throughout the region.
   

If you’d like to volunteer your time or donate supplies, please contact your local animal shelter to check on their current needs. Many shelters in hard hit areas like New Jersey are running low on pet food and other supplies.

We’re committed to helping all area pet parents get through this difficult time.
Please help us respond to animals impacted by Hurricane Sandy and other natural disasters.