February 2013

Horses are frequently the victims of cruelty and neglect, but their suffering sometimes fails to grab headlines. In honor of National Horse Protection Day, we’d like to share just one horse rescue we’ve had the opportunity to support.

Last month, 13 emaciated horses were found living on a rural farm in Vermilion County, Illinois. The horses were all skin and bones. Two were blind, and a third was found deceased on the property.

Luckily, the Society for Hooved Animal Rescues and Emergencies (S.H.A.R.E) stepped in and began the long process of rehabilitating the horses. As soon the ASPCA heard about S.H.A.R.E’s incredible work, we gave the organization a $6,500 grant to help pay for veterinary care and food for the rescued equines.

We’re so glad to assist S.H.A.R.E in its efforts to help horses! Find out how you can get involved and be a hero for horses by reading our top 10 ways to help equines.

Have you stood up for horses? Tell us about it in the comments!

When Midnight, a six-year-old Labrador Retriever mix, came to us, he suffered from severe skin disease and ear infections and looked emaciated. He underwent treatment at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital and slowly began to recover. When he was ready, Midnight stayed for months in our Adoption Center, waiting patiently for someone to take him home.

 In February, Victoria D'Asto and Michael Pisula did just that, giving Midnight a new life as part of their family.

“My husband and I waited a year and a half after the passing of our last dog before visiting the ASPCA in Manhattan,” Victoria says. “After looking at all the dogs and meeting several of them, we settled on Midnight, now known as Harley.”

Harley has come a long way, but he still suffers from chronic ear infections. With medication and TLC, Harley’s ear infections are manageable.

“Even with his health issues and difficult past, we felt that he would be a great addition to our family,” Victoria says.

And they were right. Harley is thriving in his new home.

“It turns out that we really lucked out—Harley is so well trained and sweet with everyone he meets,” Victoria says.  “He seems to enjoy his new diet and exercise program as he gains those last five pounds to bring him back up to a healthy weight.”

Victoria tells us that Harley loves to go for walks in Manhattan’s Riverside Park, on shopping trips, and enjoys romping around at Victoria and Michael’s country home on the weekends.

“He loves destroying his toys, fighting for the peanut butter in his new Kong toy and lounging by the fireplace,” she says.  “It's been almost two weeks, and he's already become our best friend!  Thanks, ASPCA!”

Want to help support our efforts to find homes for thousands of homeless pets like Harley? Please consider becoming an ASPCA Guardian today.

Does it seem like there are too many animals and not enough homes for them all? Well, you’re right! And the biggest cause of pet overpopulation is failing to spay and neuter your pets. You’d think people would have gotten the message by now—spaying and neutering saves lives! But there are still tons of unwanted litters. What gives?

February is National Spay/Neuter Month, and we could use your help to spread the word. Please share one of our spay/neuter memes on your social networks—like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. They're funny, informative and a really easy way to remind people about the importance of spaying and neutering pets. Visit our collection of shareable memes today, and let us know which one is your favorite.

Thanks for helping!

Have you always wanted to cuddle with Daniel Day-Lewis or shake paws with Robert De Niro? Well, now you can! In honor of Hollywood’s biggest night, we’re inviting animal lovers and film fanatics to celebrate the Pawcademy Awards with the ASPCA. 

On Sunday, February 24, you’ll be able to meet and mingle with 10 award-winning dogs and cats, all nicknamed after this year’s nominees, at the ASPCA in Manhattan. And if you happen to adopt one of our pet-celebs, you’ll receive a surprise gift. It’s like winning your own golden statue!

But the celebration doesn’t stop there: On Monday, February 25, the adoption fee for any pet whose namesake takes home an award at Hollywood’s big event will be discounted by 50 percent!

Ready to meet the nominees? Check out our award winning adoptable dogs and cats in this special photo album.

Pawcademy Awards Adoption Event

Where: ASPCA Adoption Center
424 East 92nd St. (between 1^stand York)
New York, NY 10128
(212) 876-7700

When: Sunday, February 24
11:00 A.M - 6:00 P.M.

Monday, February 25
11:00 A.M - 7:00 P.M.

See you at the movies!

Here at the ASPCA we often chat about how two cats are better than one. However, for a solo kitty who is accustomed to being king or queen of your castle, er, house, introducing a new feline friend to your home can be a bit stressful.

If you decide to bring a second cat into your home, proceed slowly and with patience. It takes most cats 8 to 12 months to develop a friendship with a new cat. By following these three steps, you can make sure that the transition goes smoothly:

• Making the introduction:  Allow the cats to smell and hear each other, without any visual or physical contact just yet. Give each cat his or her own food and water bowl, litter box, scratching post, and bed on separate sides of a door in your home. After a few days, switch the cats’ locations so they can check out each other’s scents. Try playing with the cats near the door. They might even reach under the door to play “paws” with each other!
   
• Seeing eye-to-eye: After a week or so, assuming neither cat has shown signs of aggression (hissing, growling, etc.), let the cats meet each other face-to-face. You might want to put a baby gate or screen door between them. Set each cat down a few feet away from the barrier. When the cats notice each other, call out their names and toss them some tasty treats. Over the next few days, continue to offer treats, meals and playtime close to the barrier.
   
• Together at last:Supervise your cats’ initial interactions very carefully. Allow them to spend time together when things are low-stress, such as after strenuous play. Keep a spray bottle on hand in case they begin to fight. As the cats become more familiar with each other, allow them to gradually spend more and more time together.

For more information about introducing your resident cat to a new feline friend, please check out our full list of helpful tips from ASPCA experts.  

We have to admit we were a bit surprised when we heard about Charlie Sheen’s generosity to a Wisconsin teen coping with severe injuries.

Last week, the Associated Press reported, the actor wired 15-year-old Teagan Marti $10,000 to help her family pay for a Golden Retriever puppy that will be specially trained to help her with her specific needs.

Marti sustained multiple injuries in 2010 in a 100-foot fall from an amusement park ride in Wisconsin. She spent months in hospitals undergoing physical therapy to regain some use of her arms and legs.

Of course, Marti chose to name her new pooch Charlie.

We’re wondering: Does this affect your opinion of Charlie Sheen?

In honor of today’s federal holiday, we’re taking a look at the many animals graced the halls of the White House over the years. Everybody knows Bo, the Obamas’ cute-as-can-be Portuguese Water Dog, but did you know that hundreds of animals have lived in the White House over the years?

Woodrow Wilson had a pet ram named Old Ike, and Calvin Coolidge was the proud pet parent of Billy, a pygmy hippo. Our birthday boy, George Washington, had a menagerie of Hounds, but his wife Martha kept company with a single parrot.

Check out this photo gallery of presidential pets, and have a happy Presidents’ Day!

We told you last week about our plans to have a booth at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show this year, so we wanted to make sure to let you know how it went.  Our booth, which we used to raise awareness about our campaign to fight puppy mills, was a bit of an outlier at the event, as you might expect. But, with just a few exceptions, our booth was generally well received.

We talked to people who came by about the sad realities of puppy mills, where dogs are severely neglected and left suffering for the sake of profit, showing them our written materials and pictures from puppy mill breeders. Some were surprised to learn that many of those breeders are USDA licensed. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that USDA licenses thousands of breeders who keep dogs in tiny, wire-bottomed cages and churn out as many puppies as possible to be sold in pet stores.

Other visitors asked us about a New York Times article that appeared on the front page of the Sunday sports section taking a hard look at the American Kennel Club’s role in the puppy mill industry.  In it, the ASPCA revealed that a majority of the puppy mills in raids that we have participated in had ties to the AKC-registered litters. According to the AKC’s own website, “[r]egistry with the AKC indicates that a puppy had two parents of the same breed; it does not indicate that the dog comes from healthy blood lines or guarantee that a puppy will be in good health.”

Unfortunately, AKC registration papers often give the public a false sense of reassurance that the puppy did not come from a puppy mill, which is not necessarily the case. AKC registration is in no way a guarantee of humane care for the breeding dogs or their puppies. We would like to thank the over 200 dog show attendees who took our “No Pet Store Puppies” pledge to not buy anything in pet stores or on websites that sell puppies—no pet food, kitty litter or even toys . If you weren’t able to stop by our booth, you can take the pledge at nopetstorepuppies.com/take-the-pledge and spread the word!

Although the dogs exhibited at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show were all beautiful, it’s important to keep in mind that approximately 5 to 7 million companion animals end up in shelters every year—and half of those are dogs. If you’re looking to bring a new pet into your home, please make adoption your first option. And remember that mixed breed and older dogs can make just as great companions as purebred puppies, and you get to save a life, too!

Kay, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon with an impressive silver mane, looks as though she was born to romp around in the snow. It took some time and special care for Kay to get to where she is now, but thanks to her adopters, Robert and Nancy Leete, Kay regularly gets to do just that.

When Kay arrived at the ASPCA Adoption Center in 2012, she suffered from heartworm. She reacted poorly to her initial treatment and became very sick after her first round of shots. It took a while, but eventually, Kay recovered and soon after, she joined the Leete family in Massachusetts.

"We fell in love with Kay the moment we saw her picture and read her bio," Nancy says. "Our decision to adopt Kay just felt right and we couldn't get to Manhattan quick enough."

Kay’s pet parents decided to move to a 12-acre homestead in Vermont. With plenty of fresh air and more than enough room to play, Kay is thriving there with her dog brother, Gus. Before this winter’s snow arrived, Kay and Gus took long walks through the woods, exploring their new territory. Robert tells us that Kay shows her enthusiasm for nature by bouncing and prancing along the path during their frequent hikes. Kay and Gus also dearly enjoy paying visits to their dog neighbor, a golden retriever named Spencer.

While Kay wasn’t too thrilled with the first Vermont snowstorm, she has learned to enjoy being outside in the fresh air and sunshine, even with snow on the ground.  She never tires of getting love pats, eating yummy treats after playing outside, and going for walks with her family. We can’t imagine a better place for Kay to call home.

Got a happy adoption story of your own? Email it to happytails@aspca.org and you could be featured on our blog.

Her name is Cupid, and there’s a reason: This Bulldog mix lady is all about love—sharing it, spreading it and sopping it up.

She’s a goofy, affectionate joy of a dog with so much to recommend her! She knows all kinds of commands, has excellent leash manners, can entertain herself quietly when you’re busy, comes housebroken and crate-trained and lives to snuggle. She has enough energy to play with you or go for a run with you, but not so much that she can’t enjoy a lazy evening by your side watching Netflix.

And yet, as Valentine’s Day approaches—her second in a row at the ASPCA—Cupid still lacks someone to call her own. Can you help?

Staff at the ASPCA Adoption Center make sure to give Cupid as much of the love she craves as possible, but we know she’d prefer a family. She’s gone without a special person for so long…perhaps her entire life.

In fact it was a Humane Law Enforcement Agent who brought Cupid to the ASPCA more than 14 months ago. She was so sick then, but our vets brought her back to the pink of health through treatments including eye surgery, dental surgery, a double mastectomy and daily medication for her creaky joints.

Through it all she was so brave, taking medicine without a complaint, happy to get the care she so desperately needed and to finally feel OK again.

In October, an ASPCA volunteer named Kathleen took Cupid home for a night, and we learned that she’s quiet as a mouse in an apartment.

But in the Adoption Center, she barks at passersby—and we think this might be why it’s taking her so long to find a home. It’s a real shame since it’s not indicative of her “real life” behavior. We think she’s just saying, “Take me home! It’s my turn!”

And you know what? It is her turn to go home.  Are you out there, Cupid’s family? Maybe it’s you, or maybe it’s someone you know. She’d like to be an only dog in a 12-and-up home. Please don’t let her spend another Valentine’s Day alone!

Please share Cupid with your social networks. If you can’t take Cupid home, consider helping her and others like her by becoming an ASPCA member.

Even after a terrible experience purchasing a pet store puppy last fall, it appears Britney Spears hasn’t quite learned her lesson. Spears recently purchased a new puppy from a breeder and introduced her “new baby” to fans on Twitter this weekend.

Last fall, Spears reportedly purchased a puppy named Hannah from a Barkworks pet store in Thousand Oaks, CA. The young puppy suffered from multiple illnesses and spent weeks at the vet. What Spears experienced is no surprise to us. Most pet store puppies come from puppy mills where they are kept in filthy cages. These horrific living conditions often lead to poor health and chronic illness.

Pet stores purchase sick dogs and sell them to unsuspecting consumers, leaving the cost of care up to them. This sad truth also applies to dogs sold over the internet.

The standards of care required by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for breeders are also inadequate and leave a lot of room for dogs to be severely mistreated. We can only hope Spears chose a reputable breeder.

We wish Britney good luck with her new dog but urge her to consider making adoption her first option in the future.

Visit NoPetStorePuppies.com to learn more about puppy mills and take the pledge not to buy anything at pet stores that sell puppies.

Of course at the ASPCA we’re all about animals, but we also love music. And songs about animals? Forget it. We’re big fans before we’ve even heard them.

In honor of the 2013 Grammy nominations, we’ve compiled our top 10 songs about animals. Here are our faves:

1. “A Horse with No Name” – America
2. “Blackbird” – The Beatles
3. “Crocodile Rock” – Elton John
4. “Ben” – Michael Jackson
5. “Black Dog” – Led Zeppelin
6. “Hound Dog” – Elvis Pressley
7. “I Love My Dog” – Cat Stevens
8. “Eye Of The Tiger” – Survivor
9. “Who Let the Dogs Out?” – Baha Men
10. “Rock Lobster” – The B-52s

What are your favorite songs about animals? Sound off in the comments section! Or use the hashtag #AnimalTunes on Twitter!

As winter storm “Nemo” threatens to snow in a large swath of the U.S., we’re making sure we’re ready for whatever this weather brings. If you or a loved one is bracing for the storm, take heed of the following reminders for pet parents.

• Bring your animals indoors! A snowstorm is no place for a pet. Store up lots of stuff to do for your pets who are used to more outside time.
• Stock up ahead of time on all pet food and medicine your animals may need over the weekend—travel may be much more difficult or impossible in the event of a blizzard.
• Prepare for a power outage, especially if your family includes fish, reptiles or pocket pets.
• Have a coat and booties ready for any dog who needs them. Be ready to protect your pets from very strong wind and cold.
• Make sure your pets wear identification at all times (even better: have them microchipped as well) to dramatically increase your chances of reunification should one become lost.
• Keep your dog on a leash after heavy snowfall. Dogs are much more likely to get lost during winter, especially during and after a blizzard.
• Watch out for ice melts! Snow-melting salt can be very painful to dogs’ feet and can make pups ill if ingested, so make sure to clean off your dog’s paws with a moist washcloth after a walk.

For more ASPCA disaster tips, visit our disaster preparedness page, and please stay safe this weekend.

Valentine’s Day is just days away—and we’d be lying if we said we weren’t planning to spend at least part of it with the furry loves of our lives. If you’re looking for an excuse to spend some time with your pets on February 14, here are a few ways you can put some four-legged fun into the holiday:

• Take a romantic stroll. Getting active with your pets is a great way to strengthen your bond. Healthy adult dogs, for example, need at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise twice a day, so show your pet how much you love her by taking her on a jaunt through the park at sunset.

• Enjoy some savory treats together. While chocolates and other traditional Valentine’s Day treats are dangerous for pets, why not make Fido some delicious homemade treats he can enjoy?  Check out our recipes for cookies for cats and peanut butter and pumpkin treats for dogs.

• Give your pet a special grooming session. Clean pets are happy pets! Show your cat or dog some extra TLC this Valentine’s Day with a good brushing or a nice bath. Check out these grooming tips from our ASPCA experts.

• Shower your pet with gifts. Show your pal some love with heart-themed fashion collars and collar charms from the ASPCA Online Store. While you’re at it, treat yourself to something sparkly or stylish that will show the world how much you care about animals.

For a complete list of Valentine’s Day pet safety tips, visit our Pet Care section.

And if you’ve got other plans to give your pets a little Valentine’s love, tell us about it in the comments!

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) holding Bunker the Dog, Rep. John Campbell (R-CA), Del. Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC)

We recently hosted a special reception in the U.S. Capitol welcoming members of the House of Representatives to the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC). The CAPC is a bipartisan organization committed to raising awareness of animal welfare issues in Congress.

The event was also an opportunity to recognize a new Co-Chair of the Caucus, Rep. John Campbell (R-CA), along with returning Co-Chair Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA).

“I’m very pleased and honored to have the opportunity to work alongside of Congressman Moran in leading this important caucus,” said Rep. Campbell. “I look forward to the opportunities the Caucus will have this year to come together in a bipartisan fashion to highlight the animal protection needs that remain unaddressed in this nation.”

The caucus currently has 70 members—see if your representative is one of them.

Take Action
Members of the ASPCA’s D.C.-based Government Relations team had a chance to mingle with legislators, their staff, and others who are interested in animal protection issues. It was a great opportunity to meet new and returning Members of Congress and talk with them about current issues, including passing a ban on horse slaughter and the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act. Have you asked your representative to support these initiatives? If not, visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center and get started today!

Richard Patch (ASPCA), Rep. John Campbell, Nancy Perry (ASPCA), Carolyn Schnurr (ASPCA), Rep. Jim Moran

Weather Update: Due to the blizzard, this event will be held Sunday, Feb. 10, only. Please watch ASPCA.org/onelove for the latest information.

When Hurricane Sandy hit NYC, the ASPCA’s Cruelty Intervention Advocacy (CIA) program was preparing to remove more than 30 cats from a New York City apartment. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, CIA realized that the cats’ situation could quickly develop into a full-scale crisis.

The team took swift action, rushing to the apartment to provide immediate relief. With the lives of the animals potentially at risk, the CIA team acted quickly to remove the cats and bring them to safety.

Ever since, these resilient kitties have been recovering at our wonderful partner One Love Animal Hospital in Downtown Brooklyn. Today, they’re all in tip-top shape. In fact, the only thing they need now is a loving home to call their own.

Special Adoption Event This Weekend!

Animal lovers of NYC, that’s where you come in! This Sunday, February10, at One Love, the ASPCA is hosting a pop-up adoption event for these very special cats, and we can’t wait for you to meet them! Each of the adoptable feline cuties is so cuddly, sweet and outgoing that you’d never suspect their lives haven’t been all catnip and stuffed mice.

You can change a life just in time for Valentine’s Day by giving a kitty a brand-new family to love. And if one isn’t enough for you, consider taking home a pair of BFFs! Some of the cats are available in bonded pairs.

Ready to take the plunge and fall in love with a new furry friend this weekend? Check out aspca.org/onelove for more details, including information about how New Yorkers can help us get the word out.

To learn more about how CIA helps hoarded animals and those who are overwhelmed by the number of animals in their care, please visit CIA’s page.

We hope to see you this weekend!

A dating show for dogs? You bet! Please join us on February 12 for a special Twitter party and “live” video event to help spread awareness about pet adoption. The hour-long, Valentine’s Day-themed event will showcase some of our super-cute adoptable pets in a very unique way—think 1970s dating show!

We’ll also be asking trivia questions about legendary animal/human couples and giving away prizes every FIVE minutes! One grand prize winner will receive an ASPCA Tender Voices collection sparkling diamond pendant donated by Zales. Plus, all party guests will receive a secret coupon code for 15% off everything at the ASPCA Online Store.

Our friends from The Fluffington Post and DogTipper will be co-hosting the event—so be sure to tune in to www.ustream.tv/aspca from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. (EST)! And don't forget to follow hashtag #PuppyLove on Twitter to compete for cool prizes in our trivia game!

Not quite sure how to join a Twitter Party? Check out our How to Join a Twitter Party Guide.