Pet Care

After undergoing surgeries to treat not one but two types of cancer, Mystery was exhausted. And yet, each time this Shepherd mix saw her favorite person at ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, her big brown eyes lit up and her tail began to thump. 

That’s typical behavior from this big-hearted dog. She’s friendly to everyone, and especially so to her special people.

“She has a great disposition,” says ASPCA licensed veterinary technician Carol Algarin. “She was always friendly, even when we knew she was uncomfortable.”

Mystery came to the ASPCA through our Humane Law Enforcement department, and we soon discovered she had a mammary gland tumor and a spindle cell tumor on her flank area. (Our vets believe the chance of recurrence is low.) But through her treatments, she maintained her sweet demeanor, good attitude and fondness for cuddling.

Carol isn’t Mystery’s only fan. Our Media team loved her so much that they brought her on the Nightly News with Chuck Scarborough on NBC! There, she demonstrated that she could Sit and Lie Down. (She’s a really smart girl.)

If you are looking for a dog with whom to form a very strong bond, Mystery is an excellent choice. We adore her here, but we want to see her in the loving home she deserves. Mystery can live with other dogs and children ages six and up.

To adopt Mystery, please call our Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4900. And please share Mystery on Facebook and Twitter! Let’s get her the family she longs for.

Guest blogwritten by Ed Sayres, ASPCA President & CEO. 

Did you know that this month marks the two-year anniversary of Operation Pit? We started the Operation Pit program in July 2010 to encourage spay/neuter of Pit Bulls in New York City by offering free spay/neuter, microchipping and vaccinations to young Pit Bulls and Pit mixes.

Why did we start this program? The main reason was to help address the Pit Bull overpopulation issue. But maybe it’s also because we’ve got a soft spot for these guys and gals who often get an unfair bad rap. In recent years they’ve received negative media attention citing them as "inherently dangerous" to the public. And because Pit Bulls make up an overwhelming majority of homeless dogs found in shelters, there is a constant struggle to place these pups.

Enter Operation Pit!
The only requirement for participation is that the dog be in good health and between three months and six years of age, and live in the five boroughs. There are no financial requirements and appointments are now available every Monday through Friday at Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital (BMAH) and select Sundays at the Spay/Neuter Clinic in Glendale. Every day is Operation Pit day on the mobile clinics, where Pit Bull surgeries have always been free of charge.

A big thank you goes out to everyone involved in this program, and happy anniversary to Operation Pit!

Nearly everywhere in America, this summer is a scorcher, and we know that as a responsible pet parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your best four-legged friends cool. So when you look at your Pomeranian, Golden Retriever or long-haired cat wearing a thick, fluffy coat, you might feel tempted to break out your grooming tools and give him a serious hair cut.

But hold those clippers! While you or I would hate to sport a fur coat in 100-degree weather, your pets’ fur coats are actually providing them with heat relief.

“A dog’s coat is kind of like insulation for your house,” explains Dr. Louise Murray, Vice President of ASPCA Bergh Memorial Hospital. “Insulation stops your home from getting too cold in winter, but it also keeps it from overheating in summer—and your dog’s coat does the same thing.”

Dogs’ coats have several layers, and these layers are essential to your dog’s comfort in the heat. Robbing your dog of this natural cooling system can lead to discomfort and overheating. And keeping your dog cool isn’t the only reason to leave his coat intact, Dr. Murray warns. Your dog’s coat prevents your pup from getting sunburn and helps protect her from skin cancer.

So what can you do? “It’s OK to trim your long-haired dog’s long hair, such as any hair that hangs down on his legs,” Dr. Murray says. Just never attempt to clip mats off your pet’s coat with scissors, Dr. Murray adds. And if you’ve got a long-haired kitty, leave her coat intact. Instead, brush her a little more frequently during the hot summer months.

To protect your pet from sunburn and skin cancer, save longer walks for evenings, and consider applying pet-specific sun block to thinly covered areas like the bridge of your dog’s nose, the tips of his ears and his belly, Dr. Murray suggests, noting that pets with thin coats, as well as those with white or light-colored coats, are especially at risk for sun damage.

Of course, pet parents should remember to keep pets inside with plenty of water during hot days—hydration is key! For more important information on summer pet care, visit our Hot-Weather Tips.

Black cats have never had it easy. In fact, they have long been considered bad luck and unfairly linked to witchcraft for centuries. With it being Friday the 13th, we think it’s the perfect time to put some common assumptions about black cats to the test.

Black Cats Bring Bad Luck
False. In reality the color of a cat's coat has nothing to do with good or bad luck. And just for the record, in many other cultures, a black cat is a prized pet. In places like Japan and the British Isles, they’re even thought to bring their pet parents good luck!

Black Cats Are Evil
False. Sure they may jump on the kitchen counter or use your favorite chair as a scratching post. And just maybe they even try to nibble your toes while you sleep. All cats can be playful. But evil? We think not.  

Black Cats Are Often Unwanted
True. Ask any shelter or rescue worker and they will tell you—black cats are the hardest to get adopted. In fact, they are only half as likely to find homes as other cats. So, what’s the problem? An unfairly earned reputation? Yep.   

Black Cats Make Awesome Pets!
True. Black cats may get a bad rap, but really they're just as lovable as the next furry feline. So help us turn their luck around.Share this article with your friends, and consider adopting one of the cuties currently available at the ASPCA Adoption Center!