Events

This Sunday, millions of people from around the world will unite in commemorating the anniversary of 9/11. In tribute, the ASPCA would also like to honor the working dogs who risked their own lives to help on that tragic day.

“In the wake of the attacks, more than 100 search and rescue dogs along with their handlers, bravely searched the debris of Ground Zero,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “Their courage led to the recovery of countless survivors.”

A new portrait series and book, Retrieved by Charlotte Dumas, honors 15 of the canine heroes. Covering more than a dozen states, Dumas photographed the retired rescue dogs as they spend their golden years in their preferred places—home.

To view some of the poignant portraits, visit the special New York Times photo gallery.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we can’t help but think of true love—true puppy (and kitty) love that is! Remember the first time you fell in love with your adopted companion? You gazed into each other’s eyes, and all you could hear was the thump, thump, thump of… his wagging tail?!

This February, we’re thrilled to announce our 2011 My Furry Valentine Photo Contest. Think back and remember the moment you realized you and your companion were meant to be together forever. In 100 words or less share your love story with us, and send it along with a prize-winning photo! Furry, finned or feathered—all companion animals can compete.

The top five winners—selected by ASPCA staff—will receive an ASPCA Prize Pack and be featured on our website. Entries will be accepted now through February 12, 2011—we can’t wait to see what you’ve got for us!

Please send all submissions to PhotoContest@ASPCA.org.

Rules:

• No purchase necessary
• Must be 18 or older to enter. This contest is void where prohibited and is limited to legal U. S. residents; ASPCA employees and their families are not eligible to enter.
• Entries are subject to the ASPCA’s privacy policy.
• Submission deadline is midnight Eastern Time on February 12, 2011.
• Five winners will be chosen by a panel of ASPCA judges based on the aesthetic quality of their photo submission and how compellingly their story is. All judgments are in the sole discretion of the ASPCA.
• Your entry must include your name, mailing address, daytime telephone number, a valid email address, animal name, 1 jpg photo file. Incomplete entries will not be considered. Entries become the property of the ASPCA and will not be returned.
• Photo submissions should include only images of you and pets owned by you.
• By submitting your text/photo in this contest, you give the ASPCA an irrevocable, perpetual royalty-free right to use your name/text/photo for any purposes to promote the ASPCA’s mission of providing effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.
• By entering this contest, you are confirming that you are at least 18 years of age, the sole owner of the photograph submitted, and author of the text contained in your entry.

While we always hope for an uneventful storm season, we know all too well that disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes or even wildfires, can strike quickly—and with little or no warning. At the ASPCA, we believe planning ahead is key to keeping you and your pets protected if disaster should strike. With your safety in mind, we have teamed up with Ready New York, a city-sponsored educational campaign designed to encourage New York City residents to prepare for emergencies based on three guiding principles: knowing the hazards, making a household disaster plan and stocking emergency supplies. Pets are part of the family, too, and this event will teach pet parents how to prepare for all types of emergency situations.

Bring Your Pet and Prepare!
The ASPCA, along with participating organizations including, the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the American Red Cross, will join Ready New York in hosting a collaborative community event to help prepare pet parents for emergency situations.

When: Thursday September 16, 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Where: Union Square Park

Services:

• Meet and greet members of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team
• Tour our state-of-the-art Animal Rescue Transport Trailer
• Free Pet Go-Bag demonstrations and giveaways each hour from NYC VERT
• Free pet CPR demonstrations from the American Red Cross
• Low-cost microchipping offered by the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals

For more information on disaster preparedness, visit www.aspca.org