ASPCA Blog

Enter the 2012 "I Saved My Pet!" Photo Contest

Monday, April 9, 2012 - 3:30pm

Was your cat rescued from an abusive situation, or found abandoned on the street? Perhaps your dog is a puppy mill survivor? Or a former racing Greyhound? Whatever ordeal your beloved pet endured before finding you, his rescue and adoption is the best kind of happily-ever-after.

In honor of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month (that’s April!), we’re pleased to announce our 2012 “I Saved My Pet!” Photo Contest. Furry, finned or feathered—all rescued or adopted animals can compete.

The top five winners—selected by ASPCA staff—will receive an ASPCA Fight Cruelty Kit and be featured on our website. Winners will be announced April 30. We can’t wait to see your pet’s prize-winning photo!

So grab your camera, get snapping… and enter your photo today!

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More than 6,000 Animals Adopted During ASPCA Mega Match-a-thon

Monday, April 9, 2012 - 3:45pm

Talk about teamwork! More than 200 animal welfare groups from 53 communities found homes for 6,144 animals during the first-ever ASPCA Mega Match-a-thon, held March 30 to April 1.

“It really was inspiring to watch the collaboration among the different rescue organizations,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “They reached out to their local media, spread the word to their supporters through social media, and showcased the amazing animals they have up for adoption. And over the three-day event, they got together and saved a record number of lives.”

In total, the ASPCA granted $492,250 to support the nationwide adoption event. A portion of the funds came as a result of the ASPCA’s participation in the fourth annual Subaru “Share the Love” event. The ASPCA received $1.4 million in funding from Subaru of America—62% has already been earmarked for the ASPCA’s “Share the Love” Grant Program. So far, approximately $884,000 has been distributed to local shelters.

Would your local shelter benefit from an ASPCA grant? Learn how it can apply today!

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Court Orders the FDA to Examine Antibiotic Use on Farm Animals

Thursday, April 5, 2012 - 3:30pm

Guest blog post from Suzanne McMillan, ASPCA Director of Farm Animal Welfare

On March 22, a federal judge ruled that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must address the overuse of antibiotics in farm animals. The fact is, factory farms feed drugs like those in the penicillin family to animals even when they’re not sick. The drugs are used to speed up the animals’ growth and compensate for their unsanitary and overcrowded conditions, which are major breeding grounds for illnesses. Indeed, the same drugs that we take when we are sick are routinely fed to healthy animals!

The FDA Fails to Protect
More than 30 years ago, the FDA first discovered the overuse of antibiotics creates drug-resistant bacteria that can spread to humans and cause hard-to-treat illnesses. So far, the FDA has failed to follow through on its findings. This new ruling will now require the FDA to withdraw its existing approvals for routinely using penicillins and tetracyclines on farm animals unless the farming industry provides evidence that their use does not threaten human health.

Did You Know…?
Almost 80% of all antibiotics sold in the U.S. are fed to food animals. In addition to its impact on animal welfare, the misuse of antibiotics also affects our own lives. If we want to keep antibiotics working for us, we must keep industrial farms from abusing them. The ASPCA applauds this recent court decision—not only for human health, but also in hopes that it will help ensure cleaner, more humane living conditions for animals on farms.

For more information on the ASPCA’s efforts to help farmed animals, please visit our Farm Animal Cruelty section.

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Tips for a Pet-Safe Easter!

Thursday, April 5, 2012 - 4:00pm

With Easter right around the corner, our experts want to remind pet parents of a few holiday dangers.

  • Beware of Easter lilies. These toxic plants can be fatal if ingested by our furry friends.
  • Keep candy bunnies in check—chocolate goodies are toxic to cats, dogs and ferrets. And any treats containing xylitol an artificial sweetener used in many candies, chewing gum and baked goods—may be toxic too!
  • Decorations can be dangerous, especially Easter tinsel. Kitties love to nibble colorful plastic grass, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting and dehydration.
  • Baby chicks and rabbits are not Easter gifts. While these festive babies are adorable, resist the urge to buy; they grow up fast and often require specialized care! Thousands of ex-Easter bunnies and chicks are abandoned each year when their novelty wears off.

For more pet safety tips, please visit our Pet Care section.

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Pet Care

Amy Smart Teams Up with ASPCA and PetArmor

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 - 3:00pm

Look who came to visit! Actress Amy Smart, currently starring in the HBO series Shameless, spent a few hours at our NYC offices on Monday helping launch the PetArmor® Protection Promise, a national flea and tick prevention awareness campaign that helps shelter pets in need. Now through May, anyone can participate by "liking" PetArmor on Facebook. For every "like" received, PetArmor will donate a dose of its bestselling flea and tick treatment (up to 20,000 doses) to the ASPCA or the shelter of the participant’s choice.

"As an animal rescue advocate and proud dog mom, I am so excited to be working with the ASPCA and PetArmor® on this wonderful campaign that supports a cause I care so deeply about," said Smart. "I encourage pet owners everywhere to participate in the Promise and help ensure all pets receive the protection they need."

Thank you, Amy!

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