Pet Care

Last week we introduced you to wacky pet crusader Joey Henry of HelpJoey.com, whose straightforward approach to ending pet overpopulation is causing quite the stir. Simply put, Joey’s on a mission to stop cats and dogs from having sex!

We’re the first to admit we had our doubts about Joey’s “stop chasing tail” campaign, but his series of slapstick video escapades continue to generate buzz—and for good reason, they’re really weird and funny!

Recently launched on his Facebook page, Joey’s latest web-flick is a parody of the A&E hit Intervention. In a pseudo-therapist role, Joey sternly confronts an unaltered pooch, Scruffy, about his unabashed addiction to sex. Sound a bit bizarre? Maybe—but we certainly couldn’t stop laughing.

All jokes aside, this maverick deserves a round of applause for tackling such a serious issue with humor and heart—but the question remains, does Joey really understand the spay/neuter message? And more importantly, can he handle this mission on his own?

Everyone could use a little support—perhaps we’ll give him a call.

Check out Joey’s latest video escapade on Facebook—and see for yourself what the buzz is all about.

Although it may be tempting and convenient to order your pet’s medications online, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to pet parents about unregulated online pharmacies that sell expired or counterfeit drugs without a prescription. According to the FDA, foreign and domestic web pharmacies may ask pet parents to fill out an online form and then falsely claim that a veterinarian will evaluate the pet’s condition to prescribe the appropriate treatment.

“Some of the Internet sites that sell pet drugs represent legitimate, reputable pharmacies,” says Martine Hartogensis, D.V.M., deputy director of the Office of Surveillance and Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). “But others are fronts for unscrupulous businesses operating against the law.”

The ASPCA does not recommend that pet parents forgo purchasing pet drugs on the Internet altogether, but encourages the active participation of your veterinarian in any decision to medicate your pet. “All pet drugs should be prescribed by a veterinarian after an in-person physical exam, and should either be purchased from that veterinarian or outsourced to a reputable pharmacy, whether on- or off-line,” says Dr. Camille DeClementi, ASPCA Senior Director of Medical Records.

Dr. DeClementi also recommends that pet parents avoid purchasing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—one of the most common types of drugs dispensed online without a prescription—to treat their pet’s pain without consulting a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause of the pain. NSAIDs can be dangerous if not dispensed properly, and pets who are taking these drugs should be monitored closely.

If you do decide to purchase your pet’s medications online, please follow these smart practices:

• Bring your pet to a veterinarian for a physical exam and obtain a written prescription for any necessary medications.
   
• Ask your veterinarian if he or she uses an online pharmacy service. These services are state-licensed and require the active participation of a reputable doctor.
    
• Only purchase medication from websites that are Vet-VIPPS (Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) accredited. Check to see whether the online pharmacy you’re considering is accredited at www.nabp.net.
     
• Mail or fax your veterinarian’s written prescription to a Vet-VIPPS accredited pharmacy.

For more helpful tips and to watch an informational video about purchasing pet drugs online, please visit the FDA’s consumer health information page.

National radio deejay Trey Morgan has long sought to give back to his community—but like many of us, he wasn’t quite sure where to begin or how to spare the time. Not easily defeated, Trey created 30 Deeds, 30 Days, a campaign to challenge himself and motivate others to donate their time to local charities.

30 Deeds, 30 Days set Trey and his wife, Brooke, on a journey to volunteer with 30 different charitable organizations—one for each day of the month of September. On September 28, the couple brought their good-deed campaign to the ASPCA, where they spent the day making a difference in the lives of our shelter cats and dogs.

“Taking the time to volunteer with abused, neglected and homeless animals has been such a rewarding experience,” explains Trey. “Whether walking dogs, cleaning cages or working to help an animal overcome his fears—volunteers truly do make a difference.”

Check out our inspiring video of Trey and Brooke as they share their experience volunteering at the ASPCA.

To learn more about making a difference for animals in your community, visit our Top Ways to Help Your Local Shelter.