Bark Blog

Pets Seek Shelter From Floods

When folks in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and other river communities near the Mississippi evacuated in anticipation of flooding, many of them didn't get a chance to retrieve their pets. Or if they did, they couldn't find a safe haven that would accept them. The New York Times reports on animal flood victims, the good people who are volunteering their time, energy and money to temporarily shelter them and hopefully, reunite them with their families.

As someone who experienced Hurricane Katrina firsthand, I'm heartened to know that authorities now recognize the importance of pets in people's lives. However, awareness doesn't necessarily lead to action; people should not have to resort to living in a car with their dogs because there are no pet-friendly, temporary housing options.

To ensure that your pets will be safe in case of an emergency, create a disaster plan now. Make a list of items you would need to bring, such as food, bowls, medicine, collar, leash, etc. Contact out-of-town family and friends to ask if you and your pets could stay with them in case of an emergency.

Donations for area flood victims are welcome through the HSUS, Cedar Valley Humane Society,Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter, Last Hope Animal Rescue and Companion Animal Network.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Dogs Comfort Homeless Mom

I hope the jerks who abandon their dogs with the lame excuse of "we're moving" read about 67-year-old Barbara Harvey and her Goldens. Despite being homeless and living in her car, she is absolutely devoted to her dogs. I think they will inspire her to do whatever it takes to find housing again.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Saving Sabrina

I recently received an update on Sabrina, a sickly stray found wandering the streets of my former home of New Orleans. Sabrina had been suffering from an advanced stage of mange, which left open wounds on her furless skin. What's worse, some idiot had misguidedly poured diesel fuel all over her body to "cure" the mange.

Thankfully, she was rescued by Kim Johnson, a volunteer with Animal Rescue New Orleans, and Feral Cat Consortium, which sponsored Sabrina's vet care until funds could be raised. Kim's networking efforts brought in donations big and small to cover Sabrina's entire $1,300 medical bill. If you look at the before and after photos posted here, it's hard to believe it's the same dog.

In her email update on Sabrina, Kim wrote:

We don't need any more donations for Sabrina, but if you're feeling a bit generous, our animal rescue work continues. I am still working on trapping one dog with an embedded collar and open neck wound, and another dog with what appears to be an older broken leg... Those will both need medical care when I get them. ... [for] a tax deductible option, I work closely with Feral Cat Consortium. They help dogs too. They fronted Sabrina's vet bills until donations came in and they are a 501(c)3 corp. Their mailing address is Feral Cat Consortium, 4 Summer Haven Ct., Madisonville, LA 70447.

Please support any of the local animal rescue groups, and there are many good ones to choose from. ... We can't do it without everyone's help, and we appreciate support of any kind. But most importantly, the animals we help are living proof that the support network works. So thank you, to everyone who does their part, no matter how big or how small, for the animals.

I think Kim's last sentence -- and the "after" photo of Sabrina -- says it all. When people pull together, animals get a second chance.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Struggling Shelter Flooded; Situation Desperate

Last November, Franklin County Animal Control in Benton, Illinois (southeast of St. Louis, MO), burned to the ground, resulting in the tragic death of more than 50 animals. The dedicated shelter staff and volunteers have made do with limited resources ever since. Rather than turn animals away, cats and kittens found refuge in a storage shed and dogs and puppies survived one of the coldest winters on record in outdoor kennels pulled from the ashes. Donations are desperately needed to rebuild, but the shelter is located in a rural area of southern Illinois where public and private funds are limited.

To make matters worse, the shelter is now struggling to stay afloat, literally, after days of rain caused flooding. In the words of the shelter director, "PLEASE PLEASE BEG PEOPLE TO HELP US. We've ... been out in the rain for the last two days getting soaked trying to get tarps back up & help all these animals, but the situation is hopeless."

Foster homes are needed most, according to Michelle Parson, President & Dog Program Director of A Caring Place Humane Society in nearby Darien, IL. If you can help, please contact Michelle at (630) 271-9002 or michelle.parson@comcast.net.

Other area shelters are also suffering due to flood waters. The photo above is from the Piedmont Animal Control Shelter, where eight dogs drowned. You can read more here.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Sponsor A Dog, Save A Cheetah

In the south African country of Namibia, farmers have been caught between cheetah conservationists and and keeping their livestock safe from the spotted predator. So the non-profit organization The Cheetah Conservation Fund initiated a win-win solution. The Livestock Guarding Dog Program provides the farmer with an Anatolian Shepherd puppy who is raised with the livestock and will defend them as an adult. The large, barking dogs deter cheetahs from preying on domestic animals and farmers no longer feel the need to shoot the big cats to protect the herd. You can learn more by clicking on Adopt an Anatolian.

Julia Kamysz Lane

New hope for shelter dogs

Ever wonder what you'd do with $3 million? Well, The Stanton Foundation has given that sum to the Animal Rescue League of Boston to fund a Center for Shelter Dogs -- with the exclusive goal of improving the welfare and placement odds for dogs in humane societies, animal control shelters and rescue groups. Among some of the goals of the new center will be developing a better awareness of the shelter environment and the disruptive effect of the stress of homelessness and rehoming on dog behavior; improving methods of evaluating and mitigating stress in the shelter environment; and improving strategies for matching dogs with prospective adopters. What a great idea!

Lisa Wogan

Georgia (Dogs) On My Mind

Bark subscriber Jayne Glaser wrote to us with a special plea. She serves on the Board of Directors for Saving Georgia Dogs, Inc., a licensed 501(c)(3) animal rescue charity. “Our goal is to save dogs that are in imminent danger of being killed in animal shelters in rural Georgia,” writes Glaser, “many of whom would face death in the terrifying and inhumane gas chamber.” In addition to rescuing shelter dogs, the grass-roots group plans to open a spay/neuter clinic, create a heartworm treatment/prevention fund, offer humane education in local schools, and help women who stay in abusive domestic situations out of fear over what would happen to their pets.

Now Saving Georgia Dogs needs your help. The charity is participating in a contest sponsored by Parade Magazine and actor Kevin Bacon’s Six Degrees Foundation. The winner receives a $50,000 matching grant to help achieve its goals. To learn how your donation -- no matter its size -- can make a difference, please go to Saving Georgia Dogs, Inc. The contest ends January 31st, so hurry!

Julia Kamysz Lane

Was Your Dog Naughty Or Nice?

Did your dog get a special gift for Christmas? My husband and I tend to spoil our four dogs all year long (that's our pit bull mix, Shelby, at left), so for Christmas, we stick to simple stocking stuffers like treats, tennis balls and a toy. According to the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Americans spent $48.7 billion on their pets in 2007. To put that into perspective, IRMA spokesman Peter Gill said, "That exceeds the gross domestic product of 120 nations."

If you went overboard with buying gifts for your dogs, please consider donating a few items to your local shelter. Many homeless dogs would enjoy treats, toys or just some attention. At this time of year, it seems like everyone is rushing around trying to do one more thing. If you have a few minutes, grab that extra carrier or package of treats and stop by the shelter. I promise it'll feel better than crossing every single item off your to-do list. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Julia Kamysz Lane

T.G.I. Friday's In Doghouse

Earlier this month, Laura Greenberg and her family went to a suburban Chicago T.G.I. Friday's to celebrate the disabled teen's 17th birthday. A manager refused to seat them because of Laura's service dog Dawn. Company policy, claimed the manager, stated that as long as an able-bodied adult was along, the service dog could not come in. Clearly, someone needed a refresher on the American Disabilities Act. It's one thing for the manager to be ignorant, but to go to the trouble of making something up? Unbelievable!

The Greenbergs complained about the incident to T.G.I. Friday's and insisted on an apology. The restaurant went a step further and donated money to two important charities: 1) the Laura Greenberg Foundation (c/o Glenview State Bank, 800 N Waukegan Rd, Glenview, IL 60025), which was created soon after her brain injury in 1997 to help with medical expenses; and 2) Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit group that trains assistance dogs and matches them with disabled people.

Julia Kamysz Lane

88 Chihuahuas, Pugs, Poodles, Yorkies Need Homes

Backyard breeding is one of my biggest pet peeves because it stems from greed. Mattie Barber Rowell of southeastern Louisiana was recently booked on animal cruelty charges after 88 small dogs were rescued from filthy living conditions. They included Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Poodles, Pugs, Schnauzers and Yorkies. Some were so badly matted that they couldn't even walk. Two dogs had ulcerated eyes. All of them were infested with fleas and approximately one third were heartworm positive. Rowell surrendered her ownership rights and St. Tammany Humane Society in Covington, Louisiana, is doing its best to care for the dogs and find them new loving homes. To make a donation or adopt, please call the St. Tammany Humane Society at (985) 892-7387.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Devoted Dogs Guard Deceased Owner

Concerned neighbors contacted police when they hadn't seen 66-year-old Sandra Cherichella of West Paterson, New Jersey, for two weeks. Sadly, the elderly woman was discovered dead, most likely of natural causes, in her home. Her two beloved Border Collie mixes, Shaggy and Kathy, were guarding her decayed body. The house was filthy and filled with feces. The grieving dogs were dirty and suffering from mange, plus there was no food or fresh water. Police believe Cherichella could've been dead for nearly two weeks.

Lysa DeLaurentis, the animal control officer on the scene, couldn't bring herself to take the 10-year-old dogs to the shelter, where she was sure they would be euthanized. Instead, she brought them home to buy them some time and help them get healthy in hopes of finding a new home. If you'd like to help with Shaggy and Kathy's medical treatment, donations may be sent to:

All Humane Animal Control
781 Ringwood Ave
Wanaque NJ 07465

Or for more info, please call (973) 616-8569.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Puppy Buyer Discovers Gruesome Conditions

Last week, a potential puppy buyer drove to Pickett's Pride American Bulldogs, a breeder in north Houston, and discovered dozens of dead dogs and nearly 70 more emaciated animals in need of food, water and clean living conditions. Pickett's Pride owner Kathy Drobina has since been arrested on cruelty charges.

The Houston SPCA was awarded custody of 47 American Bulldogs and 10 cats. Animal Cruelty Investigator Howard Goldman sent an email to dog rescues around the country, asking for their help. He wrote, "We need to find good homes fast to avoid having to euthanize. Please contact me if you know any established rescue that could help the Houston SPCA help these dogs." Goldman can be reached at hgoldman@hspca.org or (713) 869-7722, Ext. 171. The shelter is located at 900 Portway Drive, Houston, TX 77024.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Is Vick Apology Acceptable?

This past Monday, Michael Vick finally did something right off the football field. He pleaded guilty to federal charges regarding his role in a large dogfighting operation. He also offered a meandering, informal apology directed at NFL employees and children who had looked up to him as a role model.

What about the dogs whose lives he took so cruelly? And the dogs who suffered from their physical and psychological wounds? Vick categorizes what he did wrong as "immature acts." Excuse me? An immature act is a teenager shoplifting a CD, not an adult professional football player drowning, strangling and fighting dogs he deliberately bred and trained to kill each other. Does Vick honestly not know the difference? Or does he think we, the public, don't know or care about the difference?

So many questions remain: What will be the fate of Vick's dogs? Will the NFL's indefinite suspension lead to an outright firing? How much jail time will he serve? Newport News (Va.) reporter Alicia P.Q. Wittmeyer does her best to answer those questions and more.

If you're still outraged by the whole tragic situation, as am I, then please voice your concerns to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Atlanta Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino. You can also support nonprofit organizations like HSUS, the ASPCA and your local shelter, all of which strive to end dogfighting and care for its many voiceless victims.

      

Julia Kamysz Lane

Noah's Wish Settles Katrina Allegations

In the weeks following Hurricane Katrina, many nonprofit groups kicked off fundraising campaigns on behalf of victims. I truly believe the majority were well intentioned. As I mentioned in a previous post, the Attorney General of California investigated Noah’s Wish for its alleged misallotment of Katrina funds. The humane organization raised $8 million as part of its Katrina animal victim campaign. That's quite a bit of money; I imagine such a charitable windfall proved more than the nonprofit could handle.

According to a Mutual Settlement Agreement and Release signed last month by California’s Deputy Attorney General, former Noah’s Wish founder and director Terri Crisp, and current Noah’s Wish Board Chair Amy Maher, “The Investigation examined the following allegations: (1) that contributions made to Noah’s Wish for the purpose of rescuing and caring for the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina were not used for this specific purpose; (2) that Noah’s Wish did not properly classify and account for the contributions received following Hurricane Katrina; (3) that Noah’s Wish lacked adequate fiscal controls over its funds; and (4) that problems existed regarding board governance. Noah’s Wish disputes each and every allegation.”

As part of the settlement, “Noah’s Wish agrees that it will not appoint Terri Crisp to the Board of Directors nor will it employ her in any manner.” Also, “Terri Crisp agrees that she will not serve as an officer, director or trustee, or in any position having the duties or responsibilities of an officer, director, or trustee, with any nonprofit organization for a period of five (5) years from the execution of this Settlement Agreement.”

Whether she was guilty of the aforementioned allegations or not, you’d think that Crisp would play it safe and keep her distance from disaster relief or nonprofit groups for awhile. Instead, per a former Noah’s Wish volunteer, Crisp has quickly founded another nonprofit, Animal Resources. Like Noah’s Wish, her new organization focuses on rescuing and caring for animals from disaster areas. I am an admittedly cynical person, so all I can muster is a sincere hope that both organizations make good use of their second chances, for the sake of the animals and the donors who want to help them.

 

Julia Kamysz Lane

Show Me the Money

After Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, it seemed like thousands of nonprofit groups initiated fundraising campaigns on behalf of victims. In the months that followed, there were public rumblings that some groups were not following through; they were taking donations in the name of Katrina victims, but directing it to victims of other disasters or using it for other projects altogether. Allegedly, such was the case with Noah's Wish, a nonprofit humane organization based in Sacramento, Calif. In the course of a civil investigation initiated in March 2007 by the California Attorney General, Noah's Wish founder and director Terri Crisp abruptly left the organization. The group recently settled though denies mismanagement. Four million of the original $8 million it raised on behalf of Katrina animal victims will now be under state control to ensure it goes toward its intended purposes, such as building a new animal shelter in Slidell, La. 

Julia Kamysz Lane      

Pet Supplies Needed

If you live in the Golden Valley, Coon Rapids, Buffalo, St. Paul or Woodbury, Minnesota, area and have surplus bedding material you'd like to donate to a good cause, we have one for you.

The Mobile Services Unit of the newly merged Animal Humane Society will be happy to take clean new or used blankets, fleece, towels and rugs off your hands and put them to use when they make their trip to Red Lake on April 23. They can also use dog collars for the rabies tags they'll be distributing. Find out more here: http://animalhumanesociety.org/news_bedding.asp (if you're directed to the home page, click on "news," then "bedding needed").

Susan