ALDF, PETA Petition Floats New Strategy to Free Lolita
January 23rd, 2013
Michael Hemphill comments: It boggles every part of my being that ANY leader in our nation would delay for one more minute in setting this animal free of this atrocious environment and back to an environment more amenable for a mammal of her type and size. She must be depressed beyond compare. Image being confined to your bedroom for a full 24 hours. Then imagine being confined to this same bedroom for 40 years! It is beyond demented for this cruelty to exist for the sole purpose of PROFIT under the watchful eye of any known government around the world let alone under that of the United States Government. Is not this government one that holds the governments around the world to a higher standard? All friends of animals, I know you are all busy managing your daily lives, but please carve out a place in your schedules and hearts to be relentless in the collective pursuit of making the lives of all sentient beings a more fruitful experience.
Feds Must Protect Orca Under Endangered Species Act or Supply a Legal Reason for Exclusion, Groups Say
For immediate release
Contact:
Lisa Franzetta, ALDF
Shakira Croce, PETA
According to the settlement agreement reached after the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), PETA, the Orca Network, and four individuals filed a lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regarding the orca Lolita's unlawful exclusion from the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the agency must now either include Lolita in the ESA listing or supply a legal reason to exclude her. PETA and ALDF submitted a petition today to the NMFS calling for Lolita to be listed as endangered, along with her free-living family, the Pacific Northwest’s Southern Resident orcas. Lolita has been confined to the smallest orca tank in North America at the Miami Seaquarium for more than 40 years and has been without a companion since 1980, when her tank mate, Hugo, reportedly died of a brain aneurysm after slamming his head into the side of their concrete tank.
"By excluding Lolita from the endangered listing, the government allows the Seaquarium to keep Lolita isolated in a tiny barren tank and force her to perform with no protection from the sun—all of which would violate the ESA's protection against 'harm' and 'harassment,'" says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders.
"ALDF and PETA are calling on the government to extend the ESA's minimal protections to Lolita and will continue to push for her return to the ocean and her family—where she belongs," says ALDF Executive Director Stephen Wells.
Southern Resident orcas were critically depleted in the 1960s and '70s, when dozens of them—including Lolita—were captured for public display. Captive members of a species are, by default, to be included in an endangered listing, and NMFS is prohibited from considering commercial interests—such as the Seaquarium's—in its listing decisions.
Wednesday, December 28. 2011
Los Angeles Bans Sale of Puppy Mill Pets
Dog Walking Pet SittingOn June 8, the L.A. City Council voted unanimously to ban the sale of pets bred in ‘mills.’ The legislation included the results of a 2010 survey that showed many of the retail stores in L.A. were selling mill-bred live animals.
It is now up to the L.A. Department of Animal Services, the city attorney and the LAPD to recommend new policies to regulate pets bred in puppy and kitten mills to the Board of Animal Services Commissioners and the City Council.
The policies will include banning the sale of mill-bred dogs, cats, chickens and rabbits, as well as prohibiting mill operations within Los Angeles city limits. The motion also calls for L.A. Animal Services to work with pet stores to feature shelter animals available for adoption. In addition, pet stores with high standards for the humane treatment of pets will be visibly identified.
The big question is when will our big city of "brotherly love" consider enacting similar legislation? And what about our "you've got a friend in Pennsylvania" legislature considering such a kind act? Time will show us all what lies in the hearts of our leaders.
Dr. Becker's Comments:
Follow Dr. Becker on Facebook Follow Dr. Becker on Twitter
As a general rule, I'm in favor of any legislation that brings awareness to and shuts down pet mill operators and penalizes pet stores selling puppies and kittens bred in those places.
The majority of pet mills are filthy operations in which animals are subjected to cruel treatment and inhumane living conditions. They exist primarily to put money in the pockets of mill operators and pet store owners.
The Situation in L.A.
As the L.A. motion drafted by City Council member Paul Koretz accurately depicts:
"These mills are medium- and large-sized 'factory farms' where breeders have been known to produce hundreds or thousands of puppies and kittens annually under conditions that lend themselves to a variety of abuses, from straightforward cruelty to inbreeding and abuse-inspired health and personality issues."
Mr. Koretz also points out that unsalable puppies and kittens, as well as worn out breeding stock, are routinely dumped at animal shelters. Thousands of healthy cats, dogs and rabbits are euthanized each year at L.A. animal shelters – 25 percent of the dogs taken in and half of the cats.
From my perspective it is plainly inhumane to allow pet mill operators and pet store owners to continue to contribute significantly to the problem of homeless companion animals.
It seems Mr. Koretz purchased a mill-bred Bichon 20 years ago and his pet required extensive medical treatment likely due to the circumstances of the dog's birth. I agree with Koretz when he states:
"This is frequently the case because these animals are inbred and raised in terrible conditions, and that results in medical problems, behavioral problems … often that leads to those animals winding up in our animal shelters."
Other Cities and States Taking Action Against the Sale of Mill-Bred Pets
According to most pet advocate organizations, public opinion is turning against puppy and kitten mills and the pet stores supplied by them, which points to the inevitable end of pet mills.
L.A. isn't the only location where voters have approved legislation against mills and pet stores.
In November 2010, Missouri, a state with more puppy mills than any other state, passed Proposition B which severely constrained puppy mill operations. Unfortunately, the proposition was reversed thanks to the efforts of the Missouri agriculture lobby, and replaced by a proposition with fewer teeth. The good news is Missouri voters demonstrated they are not in favor of commercial breeder abuses.
Senate Bill 299 was just signed by the governor of Nevada. This legislation requires a system of statewide breeder permits that includes inspections and fees. Breeding dogs must be over 18 months of age and cannot be bred more than once a year.
Pet mill operators aren't the only target of advocates and the general public.
A 2006 ban in Albuquerque, NM on the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores and on roadsides led to a significant increase in shelter adoptions and fewer animals euthanized.
El Paso, TX passed legislation banning the sale of pets under one year old in an effort to curb impulse purchases of puppies and kittens. The new ordinance, effective January 1, 2011, provides for the following:
Any owner of a pregnant dog or cat must get a litter permit within 14 days after the puppies or kittens are born. A litter permit is good for one year and one litter per year.
No puppy or kitten under 8 weeks of age may be sold, transferred or given away.
Unspayed/un-neutered dogs and cats under a year of age cannot be sold or transferred for more than $50 unless the seller has proof more was spent to care for the animal.
Spayed and neutered dogs and cats under a year can be sold for no more than $150 unless the seller can prove he or she spent more than that to care for the pet.
It is illegal to display, sell, trade or lease a pet for commercial purposes along roadsides, public rights of way, parking lots, flea markets, or festivals.
Nine other cities have passed similar ordinances in Texas, Colorado, Florida and Canada.
The Best Friends Animal Society has led peaceful protests in Southern California against pet stores selling puppy mill pets. As a result of those protests, several stores now only sell shelter pets. Others have shut their doors.
The Puppy Mill Problem is Far from Resolved
Despite the headway made in discouraging mill breeding operations and the sale of puppy mill pets, the problem is still significant.
According to Best Friends, mill breeders still produce around 4 million dogs every year. In some locations, up to 30 percent of dogs in shelters are believed to have been bred in puppy mills.
For more information on puppy mills, you can visit the following sites:
The Humane Society of the United States
Best Friends Animal Society
ASPCA.org
It is now up to the L.A. Department of Animal Services, the city attorney and the LAPD to recommend new policies to regulate pets bred in puppy and kitten mills to the Board of Animal Services Commissioners and the City Council.
The policies will include banning the sale of mill-bred dogs, cats, chickens and rabbits, as well as prohibiting mill operations within Los Angeles city limits. The motion also calls for L.A. Animal Services to work with pet stores to feature shelter animals available for adoption. In addition, pet stores with high standards for the humane treatment of pets will be visibly identified.
The big question is when will our big city of "brotherly love" consider enacting similar legislation? And what about our "you've got a friend in Pennsylvania" legislature considering such a kind act? Time will show us all what lies in the hearts of our leaders.
Dr. Becker's Comments:
Follow Dr. Becker on Facebook Follow Dr. Becker on Twitter
As a general rule, I'm in favor of any legislation that brings awareness to and shuts down pet mill operators and penalizes pet stores selling puppies and kittens bred in those places.
The majority of pet mills are filthy operations in which animals are subjected to cruel treatment and inhumane living conditions. They exist primarily to put money in the pockets of mill operators and pet store owners.
The Situation in L.A.
As the L.A. motion drafted by City Council member Paul Koretz accurately depicts:
"These mills are medium- and large-sized 'factory farms' where breeders have been known to produce hundreds or thousands of puppies and kittens annually under conditions that lend themselves to a variety of abuses, from straightforward cruelty to inbreeding and abuse-inspired health and personality issues."
Mr. Koretz also points out that unsalable puppies and kittens, as well as worn out breeding stock, are routinely dumped at animal shelters. Thousands of healthy cats, dogs and rabbits are euthanized each year at L.A. animal shelters – 25 percent of the dogs taken in and half of the cats.
From my perspective it is plainly inhumane to allow pet mill operators and pet store owners to continue to contribute significantly to the problem of homeless companion animals.
It seems Mr. Koretz purchased a mill-bred Bichon 20 years ago and his pet required extensive medical treatment likely due to the circumstances of the dog's birth. I agree with Koretz when he states:
"This is frequently the case because these animals are inbred and raised in terrible conditions, and that results in medical problems, behavioral problems … often that leads to those animals winding up in our animal shelters."
Other Cities and States Taking Action Against the Sale of Mill-Bred Pets
According to most pet advocate organizations, public opinion is turning against puppy and kitten mills and the pet stores supplied by them, which points to the inevitable end of pet mills.
L.A. isn't the only location where voters have approved legislation against mills and pet stores.
In November 2010, Missouri, a state with more puppy mills than any other state, passed Proposition B which severely constrained puppy mill operations. Unfortunately, the proposition was reversed thanks to the efforts of the Missouri agriculture lobby, and replaced by a proposition with fewer teeth. The good news is Missouri voters demonstrated they are not in favor of commercial breeder abuses.
Senate Bill 299 was just signed by the governor of Nevada. This legislation requires a system of statewide breeder permits that includes inspections and fees. Breeding dogs must be over 18 months of age and cannot be bred more than once a year.
Pet mill operators aren't the only target of advocates and the general public.
A 2006 ban in Albuquerque, NM on the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores and on roadsides led to a significant increase in shelter adoptions and fewer animals euthanized.
El Paso, TX passed legislation banning the sale of pets under one year old in an effort to curb impulse purchases of puppies and kittens. The new ordinance, effective January 1, 2011, provides for the following:
Any owner of a pregnant dog or cat must get a litter permit within 14 days after the puppies or kittens are born. A litter permit is good for one year and one litter per year.
No puppy or kitten under 8 weeks of age may be sold, transferred or given away.
Unspayed/un-neutered dogs and cats under a year of age cannot be sold or transferred for more than $50 unless the seller has proof more was spent to care for the animal.
Spayed and neutered dogs and cats under a year can be sold for no more than $150 unless the seller can prove he or she spent more than that to care for the pet.
It is illegal to display, sell, trade or lease a pet for commercial purposes along roadsides, public rights of way, parking lots, flea markets, or festivals.
Nine other cities have passed similar ordinances in Texas, Colorado, Florida and Canada.
The Best Friends Animal Society has led peaceful protests in Southern California against pet stores selling puppy mill pets. As a result of those protests, several stores now only sell shelter pets. Others have shut their doors.
The Puppy Mill Problem is Far from Resolved
Despite the headway made in discouraging mill breeding operations and the sale of puppy mill pets, the problem is still significant.
According to Best Friends, mill breeders still produce around 4 million dogs every year. In some locations, up to 30 percent of dogs in shelters are believed to have been bred in puppy mills.
For more information on puppy mills, you can visit the following sites:
The Humane Society of the United States
Best Friends Animal Society
ASPCA.org
The EPA Calls this Pest Treatment Ingredient a "Possible" Carcinogen
Cat Sitting House SittingAdapted from Dr. Mercola's website..
Consider this, U.S. veterinarians will begin prescribing a brand new spot-on flea and tick preventive from Novartis Animal Health.
The product for dogs is called Parastar and the cat product is EasySpot. The active ingredient in these products is fipronil, an adult flea insecticide.
Per Veterinary Practice News:
"The Novartis family of parasiticides is defined by best-in-class medicine, so Parastar and EasySpot fit perfectly," says Jason Drake, DVM, director of professional services at Novartis.
"Together with the heartworm preventive medicine that veterinarians choose most for their own dogs and the only systemic flea product with an insect growth regulator, the proven power of fipronil found in Parastar and EasySpot is a natural addition to the family."
Dr. Becker's Comments:
These two products, Parastar and EasySpot, are the first spot-on products introduced by Novartis in the U.S. The company does make a spot-on product called Prac-tic, with the active ingredient pyriprole, but it isn't sold in this country.
Other flea and tick products by Novartis include:
• Capstar (nitenpyram) tablets for dogs and cats. This is a flea treatment, not a preventive. Kills adult fleas.
• Program (lufenuron) tablets for dogs and tablets, suspension and 6-month injectable for cats. This is a flea preventive; the tablets and suspension are intended to be given monthly. Kills fleas before they reach the adult stage.
• Sentinel (milbemycin oxime/lufenuron) tablets for dogs is a combination product for the prevention of fleas, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. Recommended dosage is monthly.
Apparently Novartis was leaving money on the table and felt the need to add a spot-on flea/tick preventive to their U.S. product portfolio.
Fipronil, the Active Ingredient in the New Novartis Spot-on Products
Fipronil is a relatively new broad spectrum insecticide that acts by disrupting the central nervous system of insects.
Fipronil is used in a wide variety of applications beyond flea products, including cockroach and ant baits, termite control, agricultural products, and products used on turf and golf courses.
According to Pesticide.org:
"Fipronil has a different mode of action than many common insecticides. It is 'an extremely active molecule.' In insects, it disrupts the nerves in the brain and spinal cord by interfering with the ability of these nerve cells to transmit nerve impulses. The result is uncontrolled activity leading to death of the insect.
Fipronil also disrupts nerves in animals other than insects, including humans, but it does not bind as tightly to these nerve cells as it does to insect nerve cells."
Symptoms of fipronil toxicity in pets include:
• Irritation
• Lethargy
• Loss of coordination
• Convulsions
Symptoms of exposure in humans can include eye irritation, headache, dizziness, nausea and weakness.
In laboratory animals, fipronil caused kidney damage, significant alterations in thyroid function, and aggressive behavior. The product Frontline, which contains fipronil, also altered the levels of sex hormones in those animals. The offspring of pregnant lab animals exposed to the insecticide were smaller than normal and took longer to sexually mature.
The U.S. EPA has classified fipronil as a possible human (Class C) carcinogen due to the development of both benign and malignant thyroid tumors in laboratory animals exposed to it.
Minute concentrations of fipronil can prove toxic to several animals including birds, lizards and fish.
Fipronil lasts for a minimum of 56 days on pets, and people can be exposed by petting an animal that has been treated with a spot-on product containing the insecticide.
When exposed to light, fipronil can break down into a molecule called fipronil-desulfinyl. Per the EPA, this breakdown product is approximately 10 times more toxic than the fipronil itself. It is also more easily absorbed through skin than fipronil.
EPA Warning about Spot-on Flea/Tick Products Remains in Effect
Two years ago, the EPA issued an advisory about 'spot-on' products applied to the neck or back of pets to prevent fleas and ticks. The advisory was the result of a dramatic increase in adverse reactions to these products – reactions ranging from mild skin irritation to seizures and even death.
Among the problems the EPA found with spot-on flea and tick products:
• The majority of adverse reactions were in dogs under three years old and between 10 and 20 pounds. High risk breeds included the Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Miniature Poodle, Pomeranian, Dachshund, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier and Bichon Frise.
• Adverse reactions in cats were often the result of the kitty being treated with a product designed for dogs or through exposure to a treated dog. Cats treated with dog products had a very high rate of serious reactions, including fatalities.
• Dosage ranges on many products were considered too wide, and product labeling in general was identified as a problem.
In my opinion, the risks of these products are simply too great to warrant their routine (monthly) use. I encourage my dog and cat owner clients to avoid regular application of these pesticides in favor of safer alternatives.
Alternatives to Spot-on Flea/Tick Products
• An optimally healthy pet is less attractive to pests. A high quality, species-appropriate diet is the foundation upon which your pet’s good health and long life must be built.
• In addition, you now have a safe, natural alternative to chemical pest preventives – Natural Flea and Tick Defense. I’m very excited about this new product and I think you will be, too. For more information, view my recent video to learn just how special and effective this product is for dogs and cats.
• Cedar oil is long-recognized as a flea eradicator, and products exist that are specially formulated for cats and dogs.
• Natural, food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) helps to remove fleas and ticks from your pet’s body. Never apply the powder to the face where contact with pets’ eyes could happen. DE does not provide any protection against heartworm larvae, which are found in your pet’s bloodstream (not GI tract).
• Fresh garlic can be given to dogs and cats to prevent internal as well as external parasites. Work with your holistic vet to determine a safe amount for your pet’s body weight.
Source: Veterinary Practice News June 9, 2011
Consider this, U.S. veterinarians will begin prescribing a brand new spot-on flea and tick preventive from Novartis Animal Health.
The product for dogs is called Parastar and the cat product is EasySpot. The active ingredient in these products is fipronil, an adult flea insecticide.
Per Veterinary Practice News:
"The Novartis family of parasiticides is defined by best-in-class medicine, so Parastar and EasySpot fit perfectly," says Jason Drake, DVM, director of professional services at Novartis.
"Together with the heartworm preventive medicine that veterinarians choose most for their own dogs and the only systemic flea product with an insect growth regulator, the proven power of fipronil found in Parastar and EasySpot is a natural addition to the family."
Dr. Becker's Comments:
These two products, Parastar and EasySpot, are the first spot-on products introduced by Novartis in the U.S. The company does make a spot-on product called Prac-tic, with the active ingredient pyriprole, but it isn't sold in this country.
Other flea and tick products by Novartis include:
• Capstar (nitenpyram) tablets for dogs and cats. This is a flea treatment, not a preventive. Kills adult fleas.
• Program (lufenuron) tablets for dogs and tablets, suspension and 6-month injectable for cats. This is a flea preventive; the tablets and suspension are intended to be given monthly. Kills fleas before they reach the adult stage.
• Sentinel (milbemycin oxime/lufenuron) tablets for dogs is a combination product for the prevention of fleas, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. Recommended dosage is monthly.
Apparently Novartis was leaving money on the table and felt the need to add a spot-on flea/tick preventive to their U.S. product portfolio.
Fipronil, the Active Ingredient in the New Novartis Spot-on Products
Fipronil is a relatively new broad spectrum insecticide that acts by disrupting the central nervous system of insects.
Fipronil is used in a wide variety of applications beyond flea products, including cockroach and ant baits, termite control, agricultural products, and products used on turf and golf courses.
According to Pesticide.org:
"Fipronil has a different mode of action than many common insecticides. It is 'an extremely active molecule.' In insects, it disrupts the nerves in the brain and spinal cord by interfering with the ability of these nerve cells to transmit nerve impulses. The result is uncontrolled activity leading to death of the insect.
Fipronil also disrupts nerves in animals other than insects, including humans, but it does not bind as tightly to these nerve cells as it does to insect nerve cells."
Symptoms of fipronil toxicity in pets include:
• Irritation
• Lethargy
• Loss of coordination
• Convulsions
Symptoms of exposure in humans can include eye irritation, headache, dizziness, nausea and weakness.
In laboratory animals, fipronil caused kidney damage, significant alterations in thyroid function, and aggressive behavior. The product Frontline, which contains fipronil, also altered the levels of sex hormones in those animals. The offspring of pregnant lab animals exposed to the insecticide were smaller than normal and took longer to sexually mature.
The U.S. EPA has classified fipronil as a possible human (Class C) carcinogen due to the development of both benign and malignant thyroid tumors in laboratory animals exposed to it.
Minute concentrations of fipronil can prove toxic to several animals including birds, lizards and fish.
Fipronil lasts for a minimum of 56 days on pets, and people can be exposed by petting an animal that has been treated with a spot-on product containing the insecticide.
When exposed to light, fipronil can break down into a molecule called fipronil-desulfinyl. Per the EPA, this breakdown product is approximately 10 times more toxic than the fipronil itself. It is also more easily absorbed through skin than fipronil.
EPA Warning about Spot-on Flea/Tick Products Remains in Effect
Two years ago, the EPA issued an advisory about 'spot-on' products applied to the neck or back of pets to prevent fleas and ticks. The advisory was the result of a dramatic increase in adverse reactions to these products – reactions ranging from mild skin irritation to seizures and even death.
Among the problems the EPA found with spot-on flea and tick products:
• The majority of adverse reactions were in dogs under three years old and between 10 and 20 pounds. High risk breeds included the Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Miniature Poodle, Pomeranian, Dachshund, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier and Bichon Frise.
• Adverse reactions in cats were often the result of the kitty being treated with a product designed for dogs or through exposure to a treated dog. Cats treated with dog products had a very high rate of serious reactions, including fatalities.
• Dosage ranges on many products were considered too wide, and product labeling in general was identified as a problem.
In my opinion, the risks of these products are simply too great to warrant their routine (monthly) use. I encourage my dog and cat owner clients to avoid regular application of these pesticides in favor of safer alternatives.
Alternatives to Spot-on Flea/Tick Products
• An optimally healthy pet is less attractive to pests. A high quality, species-appropriate diet is the foundation upon which your pet’s good health and long life must be built.
• In addition, you now have a safe, natural alternative to chemical pest preventives – Natural Flea and Tick Defense. I’m very excited about this new product and I think you will be, too. For more information, view my recent video to learn just how special and effective this product is for dogs and cats.
• Cedar oil is long-recognized as a flea eradicator, and products exist that are specially formulated for cats and dogs.
• Natural, food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) helps to remove fleas and ticks from your pet’s body. Never apply the powder to the face where contact with pets’ eyes could happen. DE does not provide any protection against heartworm larvae, which are found in your pet’s bloodstream (not GI tract).
• Fresh garlic can be given to dogs and cats to prevent internal as well as external parasites. Work with your holistic vet to determine a safe amount for your pet’s body weight.
Source: Veterinary Practice News June 9, 2011
Monday, December 26. 2011
Low Cost Spay and Neuter Programs
Spay and Neuter-Low Cost Delaware ValleyPENNSYLVANIA
PA P.E.T.S. (Prevent Excess Through Sterilization)
PO Box 64
Lewisburg PA 17837
Toll free 1-866-472-7387
Low cost s/n to qualifying residents who live in Union, Snyder, or North Cumberland counties.
The People-Pet Partnership
Philadelphia PA
215-629-2350
Animal Rescue and Referral
PO Box 16
Richboro, PA 18954
215-752-7556 or 215-322-9251
Information about low cost spay/neuter for feral cats.
City of Pittsburgh
Bureau of Environmental Services
3001 Railroad Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412-255-2036
Voucher program for residents of Pittsburgh. Call for information.
Morris Animal Refuge
1242 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-735-3256
Sells low-cost certificates for spay/neuter for pets of lower income people in the Philadelphia area. The pet owner presents the certificate to a participating veterinarian.
CATS (Changing Attitudes for Tomorrow's Solutions)
Pine Grove PA
570-345-2229
Web: catswithnoname.com
For pet cats, farm cats, stray cats, and feral cats in the Harrisburg, Lebanon, and Pine Grove areas of Pennsylvania.
Spay & Save
PO Box 122
Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
610-279-9714 or 610-277-6187
Low cost spay/neuter for pets of those needing financial assistance.
Pennsylvania SPCA
Centre Halle, PA 814-364-1725
Philadelphia, PA 215-426-6300
Homeless Cat Management Team
Pittsburgh PA
412-321-4060
Spay-neuter for feral cats in southwestern Pennsylvania. Leave a message in voice mailbox 4.
Animal Birth Control
2643 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-434-8434
800-SPAY-PGH
Email: animalfriends@trfn.clpgh.org
This organization has a network of 35 participating veterinarians in western Pennsylvania for low cost spay/neuter of pets. They can also help people find services for feral cats.
Animal Rescue League of Western PA
6620 Hamilton Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-661-6451
Low cost spay/neuter clinic.
Animals in Distress
PO Box 168
Catasauqua, PA 18032
610-264-5554
Allentown area.
Animal Education League
Woodlyn PA
610-544-9535
Lost cost s/n in PA, DE, and NJ.
Lehigh Valley Humane Society
Allentown, PA
610-797-3439
Low cost spay/neuter for all pets.
Spayed Club
PO Box 1145
Frazer, PA 19355
610-275-7486
Various low cost and subsidized spay/neuter programs throughout Pennsylvania's Delaware Valley.
Sanctuary Hollow
2820 Audubon Village Drive
Norristown, PA 19403
610-666-6312
Gives information about low cost spay/neuter.
Delaware County SPCA
Media, PA
610-566-1370
Low cost spay/neuter for pets of people with low income.
Spay Neuter Assistance Program
Enola, PA
717-732-5377
This program has a listing of participating vets in the area (central PA) who will alter cats at low cost.
Animal Rescue Inc.
New Freedom PA
717-993-3232
Pennsylvania SPCA
Centre Halle, PA 814-364-1725
Philadelphia, PA 215-426-6300
Humane League of Lancaster County
Lancaster, PA
717-393-6551
Low cost spay/neuter for unowned cats such as feral cats and barn cats.
Humane Society of Lackawanna County
967 Griffin Pond Road
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
717-586-3700
Low cost spay/neuter for pets of people of need financial assistance to do so.
Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA
Minersville, PA
717-544-2920
Low cost spay/neuter clinic
PA P.E.T.S. (Prevent Excess Through Sterilization)
PO Box 64
Lewisburg PA 17837
Toll free 1-866-472-7387
Low cost s/n to qualifying residents who live in Union, Snyder, or North Cumberland counties.
The People-Pet Partnership
Philadelphia PA
215-629-2350
Animal Rescue and Referral
PO Box 16
Richboro, PA 18954
215-752-7556 or 215-322-9251
Information about low cost spay/neuter for feral cats.
City of Pittsburgh
Bureau of Environmental Services
3001 Railroad Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412-255-2036
Voucher program for residents of Pittsburgh. Call for information.
Morris Animal Refuge
1242 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-735-3256
Sells low-cost certificates for spay/neuter for pets of lower income people in the Philadelphia area. The pet owner presents the certificate to a participating veterinarian.
CATS (Changing Attitudes for Tomorrow's Solutions)
Pine Grove PA
570-345-2229
Web: catswithnoname.com
For pet cats, farm cats, stray cats, and feral cats in the Harrisburg, Lebanon, and Pine Grove areas of Pennsylvania.
Spay & Save
PO Box 122
Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
610-279-9714 or 610-277-6187
Low cost spay/neuter for pets of those needing financial assistance.
Pennsylvania SPCA
Centre Halle, PA 814-364-1725
Philadelphia, PA 215-426-6300
Homeless Cat Management Team
Pittsburgh PA
412-321-4060
Spay-neuter for feral cats in southwestern Pennsylvania. Leave a message in voice mailbox 4.
Animal Birth Control
2643 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-434-8434
800-SPAY-PGH
Email: animalfriends@trfn.clpgh.org
This organization has a network of 35 participating veterinarians in western Pennsylvania for low cost spay/neuter of pets. They can also help people find services for feral cats.
Animal Rescue League of Western PA
6620 Hamilton Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-661-6451
Low cost spay/neuter clinic.
Animals in Distress
PO Box 168
Catasauqua, PA 18032
610-264-5554
Allentown area.
Animal Education League
Woodlyn PA
610-544-9535
Lost cost s/n in PA, DE, and NJ.
Lehigh Valley Humane Society
Allentown, PA
610-797-3439
Low cost spay/neuter for all pets.
Spayed Club
PO Box 1145
Frazer, PA 19355
610-275-7486
Various low cost and subsidized spay/neuter programs throughout Pennsylvania's Delaware Valley.
Sanctuary Hollow
2820 Audubon Village Drive
Norristown, PA 19403
610-666-6312
Gives information about low cost spay/neuter.
Delaware County SPCA
Media, PA
610-566-1370
Low cost spay/neuter for pets of people with low income.
Spay Neuter Assistance Program
Enola, PA
717-732-5377
This program has a listing of participating vets in the area (central PA) who will alter cats at low cost.
Animal Rescue Inc.
New Freedom PA
717-993-3232
Pennsylvania SPCA
Centre Halle, PA 814-364-1725
Philadelphia, PA 215-426-6300
Humane League of Lancaster County
Lancaster, PA
717-393-6551
Low cost spay/neuter for unowned cats such as feral cats and barn cats.
Humane Society of Lackawanna County
967 Griffin Pond Road
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
717-586-3700
Low cost spay/neuter for pets of people of need financial assistance to do so.
Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA
Minersville, PA
717-544-2920
Low cost spay/neuter clinic
A New Dental Procedure that May be Dangerous for you Pet
This Trendy Pet Dental Procedure May Do More Harm than Good by Dr. Becker of Mercola's Healthy Pets
Story at-a-glance
• Non-professional dental scaling (NPDS) for pets is becoming increasingly popular, however it is a purely cosmetic procedure that doesn’t address any dental problems below the gum line. A truly thorough oral exam and cleaning can’t be accomplished on a pet who is awake.
• Anesthesia is an important component to a thorough dental exam, and should be used for most dental procedures performed on your pet.
• Pet owners worried about putting their animals ‘under’ can arm themselves with the latest information and advice about safe veterinary anesthesia.
• At-home dental care is also very important to your pet’s oral health.
By Dr. Becker
Nonprofessional dental scaling (NPDS), also known as anesthesia-free dentistry, is gaining popularity with an increasing number of dog and cat owners.
These are well-meaning pet guardians who may be fearful of anesthesia or may not be able to afford professional veterinary dental care.
They want to provide some form of oral care for their pets, so they opt for NPDS.
However, anesthesia-free dentistry is essentially a cosmetic procedure that addresses only the parts of your pet's teeth you can see.
The question many pet healthcare professionals are asking is whether NPDS procedures are doing more harm than good.
One of the biggest concerns many veterinarians have with just scraping teeth is that the mouth is full of blood vessels, which can launch oral bacteria into the bloodstream.
Once the bacteria is in the bloodstream it can infect other organs like the valves of the heart, resulting in a disease known as vegetative valvular endocarditis.
Read the American Veterinary Dental College's (AVDC) position statement on dental scaling without anesthesia.
Why Anesthesia is Used for Dental Procedures
The fact is, a truly thorough oral exam and cleaning can't be accomplished on a pet who is awake.
Anesthesia has several benefits when it comes to caring for your pet's mouth, including:
• Immobilizing your dog or cat to insure his safety and cooperation during a procedure he doesn't understand and is stressed about.
• Allows for a thorough exam of all the surfaces inside the mouth and the taking of x-rays.
• Allows for scaling below the gum line where periodontal disease is most active.
• Pain management.
A dog or cat who isn't sedated simply won't tolerate a thorough inspection of his mouth. He'll move around a lot, making the use of sharp instruments extra dangerous.
Cleaning below the gum line of a fully alert animal is something that should never be attempted. Pets won't stand for it because not only does the procedure cause tremendous stress, it's also extremely painful.
And if tooth extractions are necessary, they are out of the question for un-anesthetized pets.
How Anesthesia-Free Dental Procedures Might Do More Harm than Good
Non-professional dental scaling can potentially give pet owners a false sense of security about the state of their dog's or cat's oral health.
Even though your pet's teeth – what you can see of them – may look clean and fresh after an anesthesia-free dental procedure, what you can't see is actually more important. Problems like tartar buildup below the gum line and gingivitis aren't addressed during a procedure that only scrapes and polishes the teeth. Most oral disease happens below the visible surfaces of your dog's or cat's mouth.
NPDS is an aesthetic procedure that doesn't deal with gum problems or other risks to your pet's overall health that can develop from disease that starts in the mouth. It doesn't allow for probing of the gums to look for the presence of deepening periodontal pockets or bone destruction resulting from gum disease.
The majority of older dogs that have undergone anesthesia-free dental procedures for years wind up with significant dental disease requiring multiple extractions as they age.
With all that said, there are certainly situations in which I remove plaque and tartar from a pet's teeth without using anesthesia. Each pet and situation is different. I don't do it in lieu of a thorough dental exam, and I don't do it on pets for which I have no dental history. But if, for example, I have a pet with a large chunk of tartar that is irritating his mouth, I'll remove that tartar without anesthesia if I can do it easily and without stressing out the patient.
When Putting Your Pet 'Under' is a Concern
The prospect of making a beloved pet unconscious with anesthesia is a distressing worry for many people. If you are among them, Dr. Brett Beckman, writing for dvm360, offers this advice:
Veterinary practices that routinely perform dental radiography and probing on all dental patients practice at an advanced level of care. They're also likely to be well-equipped to safely monitor patients and handle any problems they encounter.
Administration of premedications and nerve blocks enables patients to be kept at anesthetic depths consistent with that of a light general anesthesia. This keeps patients close to waking, even when extractions or other invasive procedures are needed, thus maximizing cardiac output and tissue perfusion and maintaining blood pressure.
For more information on the safe use of anesthesia in pets, read my recent article What You Must Know Before Your Pet Goes "Under."
Don't Forget All Important At-Home Care!
You can help maintain your pet's dental health with
• Regular brushing
• A balanced, species-appropriate raw diet
• For dogs, an all-natural dental chew bone like Mercola's Dental Bone or Gentle Dental Bone.
Story at-a-glance
• Non-professional dental scaling (NPDS) for pets is becoming increasingly popular, however it is a purely cosmetic procedure that doesn’t address any dental problems below the gum line. A truly thorough oral exam and cleaning can’t be accomplished on a pet who is awake.
• Anesthesia is an important component to a thorough dental exam, and should be used for most dental procedures performed on your pet.
• Pet owners worried about putting their animals ‘under’ can arm themselves with the latest information and advice about safe veterinary anesthesia.
• At-home dental care is also very important to your pet’s oral health.
By Dr. Becker
Nonprofessional dental scaling (NPDS), also known as anesthesia-free dentistry, is gaining popularity with an increasing number of dog and cat owners.
These are well-meaning pet guardians who may be fearful of anesthesia or may not be able to afford professional veterinary dental care.
They want to provide some form of oral care for their pets, so they opt for NPDS.
However, anesthesia-free dentistry is essentially a cosmetic procedure that addresses only the parts of your pet's teeth you can see.
The question many pet healthcare professionals are asking is whether NPDS procedures are doing more harm than good.
One of the biggest concerns many veterinarians have with just scraping teeth is that the mouth is full of blood vessels, which can launch oral bacteria into the bloodstream.
Once the bacteria is in the bloodstream it can infect other organs like the valves of the heart, resulting in a disease known as vegetative valvular endocarditis.
Read the American Veterinary Dental College's (AVDC) position statement on dental scaling without anesthesia.
Why Anesthesia is Used for Dental Procedures
The fact is, a truly thorough oral exam and cleaning can't be accomplished on a pet who is awake.
Anesthesia has several benefits when it comes to caring for your pet's mouth, including:
• Immobilizing your dog or cat to insure his safety and cooperation during a procedure he doesn't understand and is stressed about.
• Allows for a thorough exam of all the surfaces inside the mouth and the taking of x-rays.
• Allows for scaling below the gum line where periodontal disease is most active.
• Pain management.
A dog or cat who isn't sedated simply won't tolerate a thorough inspection of his mouth. He'll move around a lot, making the use of sharp instruments extra dangerous.
Cleaning below the gum line of a fully alert animal is something that should never be attempted. Pets won't stand for it because not only does the procedure cause tremendous stress, it's also extremely painful.
And if tooth extractions are necessary, they are out of the question for un-anesthetized pets.
How Anesthesia-Free Dental Procedures Might Do More Harm than Good
Non-professional dental scaling can potentially give pet owners a false sense of security about the state of their dog's or cat's oral health.
Even though your pet's teeth – what you can see of them – may look clean and fresh after an anesthesia-free dental procedure, what you can't see is actually more important. Problems like tartar buildup below the gum line and gingivitis aren't addressed during a procedure that only scrapes and polishes the teeth. Most oral disease happens below the visible surfaces of your dog's or cat's mouth.
NPDS is an aesthetic procedure that doesn't deal with gum problems or other risks to your pet's overall health that can develop from disease that starts in the mouth. It doesn't allow for probing of the gums to look for the presence of deepening periodontal pockets or bone destruction resulting from gum disease.
The majority of older dogs that have undergone anesthesia-free dental procedures for years wind up with significant dental disease requiring multiple extractions as they age.
With all that said, there are certainly situations in which I remove plaque and tartar from a pet's teeth without using anesthesia. Each pet and situation is different. I don't do it in lieu of a thorough dental exam, and I don't do it on pets for which I have no dental history. But if, for example, I have a pet with a large chunk of tartar that is irritating his mouth, I'll remove that tartar without anesthesia if I can do it easily and without stressing out the patient.
When Putting Your Pet 'Under' is a Concern
The prospect of making a beloved pet unconscious with anesthesia is a distressing worry for many people. If you are among them, Dr. Brett Beckman, writing for dvm360, offers this advice:
Veterinary practices that routinely perform dental radiography and probing on all dental patients practice at an advanced level of care. They're also likely to be well-equipped to safely monitor patients and handle any problems they encounter.
Administration of premedications and nerve blocks enables patients to be kept at anesthetic depths consistent with that of a light general anesthesia. This keeps patients close to waking, even when extractions or other invasive procedures are needed, thus maximizing cardiac output and tissue perfusion and maintaining blood pressure.
For more information on the safe use of anesthesia in pets, read my recent article What You Must Know Before Your Pet Goes "Under."
Don't Forget All Important At-Home Care!
You can help maintain your pet's dental health with
• Regular brushing
• A balanced, species-appropriate raw diet
• For dogs, an all-natural dental chew bone like Mercola's Dental Bone or Gentle Dental Bone.
Thursday, December 1. 2011
Dogs and Onions
Dogs and onions simply do not mix (unless, of course, we're talking about hot dogs!). Onions, as well as its sister food garlic, contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can break apart red blood cells and cause anemia (low red blood cell count). These are highly toxic foods for dogs.
All parts of the onion are toxic (as is onion powder). Consumed in large enough quantities, onions and garlic can result in severe anemia and may even require a blood transfusion. If not treated by a veterinarian, onion and garlic poisoning can be fatal. It is not known how large a quantity of onions or garlic must be consumed to be toxic, however, your dog might not display any outward signs of onion toxicity even if he has ingested a dangerous amount. Therefore, it is important to act quickly, even if you do not think your dog is having a reaction.
If your dog has eaten onions or garlic, induce vomiting. For information regarding this and related subject matter, go to http://www.the-happy-dog-spot.com/dogs-and-onions.html.
All parts of the onion are toxic (as is onion powder). Consumed in large enough quantities, onions and garlic can result in severe anemia and may even require a blood transfusion. If not treated by a veterinarian, onion and garlic poisoning can be fatal. It is not known how large a quantity of onions or garlic must be consumed to be toxic, however, your dog might not display any outward signs of onion toxicity even if he has ingested a dangerous amount. Therefore, it is important to act quickly, even if you do not think your dog is having a reaction.
If your dog has eaten onions or garlic, induce vomiting. For information regarding this and related subject matter, go to http://www.the-happy-dog-spot.com/dogs-and-onions.html.
Pets and Air Travel-the Risks and Preventative Measures
According to the Department of Transportation, 144 pets, including 122 dogs, died during air travel from May 2005 to May 2010. This is actually a very small percentage of the total number of pets flown during that five-year period. But to the heartbroken owners of those 144 animals that didn’t arrive alive, the number that did really doesn’t matter.
Traveling with Pets is Inherently Risky
Most veterinarians agree that unless traveling with a pet is a necessity, the best advice we can offer is to leave your furry companion behind with a trusted pet sitter. [ For daily dog walking and vacation pet sitting in Philadelphia.] Traveling is stressful for even the most laid-back pet. If your dog or cat is a little shy or hyper to begin with, he’ll suffer significantly more stress during travel.
Pets do best with familiar surroundings and a daily routine they can count on. Any sort of travel removes those two anchors from their lives temporarily. And as connected as your pet might be to you – as eager as he is for rides in the car, or to go on walks and hikes with you – traveling a long distance and being away from home for days or a week is another matter altogether. That’s really not “fun” for a dog or cat – it’s stressful.
Many pets are prone to motion sickness, which can make travel truly miserable for them. Certain breeds, like brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs and cats, can have extra difficulty traveling, especially by air. A dog or cat can be too stressed to drink water on a long flight or car trip, risking dehydration. Some pets cry, whine, whimper, bark or wail non-stop during travel, for hours on end. Many pets, both dogs and cats, will attempt to escape their kennel or the vehicle they’re riding in. It’s not uncommon to hear of a dog owner who pulled over in a rest area to walk his pet, only to have the dog leap from the car or pull out of his restraint and run away, never to be seen again by his devastated family. If you feel you must bring your pet with you – if you’re moving to a new city or state, for example – the following tips will help you keep your pet safe and healthy during travel.
Tips for Flying a Pet
Make sure your pet is healthy enough for air travel. If your pet has a chronic illness or pre-existing conditions, it can play a big role in how well he travels by air. Talk with your vet about the risks of flying your pet, as well as what kinds of health certification will be required. Pets traveling across state lines by air must have an up-to-date rabies vaccination and a certificate of veterinary inspection within 10 days prior to travel. I don’t recommend sedating your pet for travel except under extreme circumstances, and only after consulting with your holistic veterinarian. Invest in a high-quality pet carrier. Defective carriers are to blame for the majority of escaped or injured pets during air travel.
According to the AVMA, approved transport crates must:
• Be large enough to allow the animal to stand (without touching the top of the cage), sit erect, turn around, and lie down in a natural
position.
• Latch securely.
• Be strong and free of interior protrusions, with handle or grips.
• Have a solid, leak-proof bottom covered with plenty of absorbent material.
• Be appropriately and clearly labeled. Include your name, home address, home phone number, and destination contact information, as
well as a designation of "Live Animals," with arrows indicating the crate's upright position. In addition, carry your pet's photo and health
information with you on the plane for easy identification in the event the cage label is lost.
• Be adequately ventilated so that airflow is not impeded.
Establish your pet’s carrier as her safe place. Well before you put your pet on a plane, get her comfortable with her carrier. Buy it ahead of time and get her used to being in it in the safe surroundings of home, with you nearby. You can use the same rules of crate training for carrier training. Put little enticements like treats and a favorite toy in the carrier to encourage her to go in. Put a soft towel or one of your articles of clothing in there for her to snuggle on (if you know your pet won’t eat it!). If you make her transport crate a safe place at home, she’ll feel safer in it when she’s at the airport and aboard the aircraft, both of which will be scary and overwhelming for your pet.
Fly non-stop if possible. Non-stop flights are generally less taxing for all of us – including our pets. If your pet is flying in the cargo hold, a plane change is just another opportunity for a problem to arise, not to mention even more stress on the animal.
During warmer months, choose early morning or evening flights. In cold weather, choose flights during the warmer hours of the day.
Reconfirm your flight the day before you leave. Give yourself plenty of time the day of your flight to arrive at the airport and exercise your pet if necessary before the flight. If your pet will be in the cargo hold, let the flight attendants know, and pick your animal up promptly when you arrive at your destination.
If your pet will be in the cabin with you, arrange to check-in as late as possible to minimize the amount of time your dog or cat will have to be in the airport terminal. Make sure your pet is wearing a current ID tag and a secure collar. Consider not printing your dog’s name on the ID tag. My dog’s tags say “HUGE REWARD” and my phone number only. In certain situations, it can be helpful if no one knows the name your pet responds to but you, this has also been proven to reduce pet theft. Also keep a photograph of your pet with you to assist with identification in case he is lost.
Traveling with Pets is Inherently Risky
Most veterinarians agree that unless traveling with a pet is a necessity, the best advice we can offer is to leave your furry companion behind with a trusted pet sitter. [ For daily dog walking and vacation pet sitting in Philadelphia.] Traveling is stressful for even the most laid-back pet. If your dog or cat is a little shy or hyper to begin with, he’ll suffer significantly more stress during travel.
Pets do best with familiar surroundings and a daily routine they can count on. Any sort of travel removes those two anchors from their lives temporarily. And as connected as your pet might be to you – as eager as he is for rides in the car, or to go on walks and hikes with you – traveling a long distance and being away from home for days or a week is another matter altogether. That’s really not “fun” for a dog or cat – it’s stressful.
Many pets are prone to motion sickness, which can make travel truly miserable for them. Certain breeds, like brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs and cats, can have extra difficulty traveling, especially by air. A dog or cat can be too stressed to drink water on a long flight or car trip, risking dehydration. Some pets cry, whine, whimper, bark or wail non-stop during travel, for hours on end. Many pets, both dogs and cats, will attempt to escape their kennel or the vehicle they’re riding in. It’s not uncommon to hear of a dog owner who pulled over in a rest area to walk his pet, only to have the dog leap from the car or pull out of his restraint and run away, never to be seen again by his devastated family. If you feel you must bring your pet with you – if you’re moving to a new city or state, for example – the following tips will help you keep your pet safe and healthy during travel.
Tips for Flying a Pet
Make sure your pet is healthy enough for air travel. If your pet has a chronic illness or pre-existing conditions, it can play a big role in how well he travels by air. Talk with your vet about the risks of flying your pet, as well as what kinds of health certification will be required. Pets traveling across state lines by air must have an up-to-date rabies vaccination and a certificate of veterinary inspection within 10 days prior to travel. I don’t recommend sedating your pet for travel except under extreme circumstances, and only after consulting with your holistic veterinarian. Invest in a high-quality pet carrier. Defective carriers are to blame for the majority of escaped or injured pets during air travel.
According to the AVMA, approved transport crates must:
• Be large enough to allow the animal to stand (without touching the top of the cage), sit erect, turn around, and lie down in a natural
position.
• Latch securely.
• Be strong and free of interior protrusions, with handle or grips.
• Have a solid, leak-proof bottom covered with plenty of absorbent material.
• Be appropriately and clearly labeled. Include your name, home address, home phone number, and destination contact information, as
well as a designation of "Live Animals," with arrows indicating the crate's upright position. In addition, carry your pet's photo and health
information with you on the plane for easy identification in the event the cage label is lost.
• Be adequately ventilated so that airflow is not impeded.
Establish your pet’s carrier as her safe place. Well before you put your pet on a plane, get her comfortable with her carrier. Buy it ahead of time and get her used to being in it in the safe surroundings of home, with you nearby. You can use the same rules of crate training for carrier training. Put little enticements like treats and a favorite toy in the carrier to encourage her to go in. Put a soft towel or one of your articles of clothing in there for her to snuggle on (if you know your pet won’t eat it!). If you make her transport crate a safe place at home, she’ll feel safer in it when she’s at the airport and aboard the aircraft, both of which will be scary and overwhelming for your pet.
Fly non-stop if possible. Non-stop flights are generally less taxing for all of us – including our pets. If your pet is flying in the cargo hold, a plane change is just another opportunity for a problem to arise, not to mention even more stress on the animal.
During warmer months, choose early morning or evening flights. In cold weather, choose flights during the warmer hours of the day.
Reconfirm your flight the day before you leave. Give yourself plenty of time the day of your flight to arrive at the airport and exercise your pet if necessary before the flight. If your pet will be in the cargo hold, let the flight attendants know, and pick your animal up promptly when you arrive at your destination.
If your pet will be in the cabin with you, arrange to check-in as late as possible to minimize the amount of time your dog or cat will have to be in the airport terminal. Make sure your pet is wearing a current ID tag and a secure collar. Consider not printing your dog’s name on the ID tag. My dog’s tags say “HUGE REWARD” and my phone number only. In certain situations, it can be helpful if no one knows the name your pet responds to but you, this has also been proven to reduce pet theft. Also keep a photograph of your pet with you to assist with identification in case he is lost.
National Association of Professional Pet Sitters Certify a New Member
The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), the nation’s leading nonprofit professional pet sitting organization, is pleased to announce Michael Hemphill of Little Characters Pet Sitting of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, has earned the NAPPS Certification credential.
The NAPPS Certification Program provides pet sitters with a broad-ranged and in-depth program in pet sitting. The state-of-the-art curriculum, which requires the time commitment of a semester college course, includes topics in pet care, health, nutrition and behavior, as well as, business development and management, and a complete pet first aid course.
Michael and his company Little Characters Pet Sitting offer relief to pet owners in the form of early morning, midday and/or evening dog walking, vacation pet sitting for all types of pets, evening house sitting with or without pet sitting, home security watch as well as employment opportunities. The focal point of Little Characters Pet Sitting is providing a platinum service to its clients at silver pricing.
“I am proud to be part of a select group who has completed this NAPPS certification course as it serves as a base for a whole new realm of knowledge I am looking forward to continuing to learn,” said Founder of Little Characters Pet Sitting’s, Michael Hemphill. “I’m excited about this career path and providing pet owners with an alternative to kenneling their pets when they go on vacation and an outlet for their dog(s), when they cannot be there to walk them at the critical time they need relief.” Michael plans to operate his business in the Philadelphia, Delaware County and Montgomery County vicinities.
“NAPPS Certification acknowledges that the pet sitter is a serious professional who has obtained a very high level of expertise through personal study,” said Felicia Lembesis, CAE, executive director of NAPPS. “We congratulate Michael Hemphill for achieving this distinction.”
The National Association of Professional Pet Siters (NAPPS) is a national nonprofit trade association dedicated to promoting the concept of in-home pet care, supporting the professionals engaged in at-home pet care, promoting the welfare of animals and improving and expanding the industry of pet sitting. NAPPS provides valuable credibility, networking and education to help foster the success of their members. For more information about the NAPPS Online Certification Program, please visit www.petsitters.org.
For more information on Little Characters Pet Sitting, please contact: Michael Hemphill at 484-452-8004 on the web at www.mylcps.com.
The NAPPS Certification Program provides pet sitters with a broad-ranged and in-depth program in pet sitting. The state-of-the-art curriculum, which requires the time commitment of a semester college course, includes topics in pet care, health, nutrition and behavior, as well as, business development and management, and a complete pet first aid course.
Michael and his company Little Characters Pet Sitting offer relief to pet owners in the form of early morning, midday and/or evening dog walking, vacation pet sitting for all types of pets, evening house sitting with or without pet sitting, home security watch as well as employment opportunities. The focal point of Little Characters Pet Sitting is providing a platinum service to its clients at silver pricing.
“I am proud to be part of a select group who has completed this NAPPS certification course as it serves as a base for a whole new realm of knowledge I am looking forward to continuing to learn,” said Founder of Little Characters Pet Sitting’s, Michael Hemphill. “I’m excited about this career path and providing pet owners with an alternative to kenneling their pets when they go on vacation and an outlet for their dog(s), when they cannot be there to walk them at the critical time they need relief.” Michael plans to operate his business in the Philadelphia, Delaware County and Montgomery County vicinities.
“NAPPS Certification acknowledges that the pet sitter is a serious professional who has obtained a very high level of expertise through personal study,” said Felicia Lembesis, CAE, executive director of NAPPS. “We congratulate Michael Hemphill for achieving this distinction.”
The National Association of Professional Pet Siters (NAPPS) is a national nonprofit trade association dedicated to promoting the concept of in-home pet care, supporting the professionals engaged in at-home pet care, promoting the welfare of animals and improving and expanding the industry of pet sitting. NAPPS provides valuable credibility, networking and education to help foster the success of their members. For more information about the NAPPS Online Certification Program, please visit www.petsitters.org.
For more information on Little Characters Pet Sitting, please contact: Michael Hemphill at 484-452-8004 on the web at www.mylcps.com.
Friday, September 17. 2010
Live Tiger Found in Luggage
Bangkok, Thailand. August 26, 2010 - A two-month-old tiger cub was found sedated and hidden among stuffed-tiger toys in the luggage of a woman at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Sunday.
The 31-year-old Thai national was scheduled to board a Mahan Air flight destined for Iran when she had trouble checking in her oversized bag.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) staff suspected something amiss when they scanned the bag and x-ray images showed an item resembling a real cat.
Officers from the Livestock Development Department and the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department were then called in to open the bag for inspection and discovered the tranquilized cub.
Investigations are underway to determine if the cub was wild caught or captive-bred, where it came from and the suspect’s intended final destination.
The cub is being cared for at the Rescue Center of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. DNA samples will be sent to the tiger enclosure at Khaopratab Wildlife Rescue Center in Ratchaburi Province, to determine which subspecies the cub belongs to, which will help determine its origin.
Tiger populations in Thailand and throughout Asia are critically threatened by poaching and trade to meet the international demand for tiger parts, products and, as illustrated in this case, live tigers.
Tigers are categorized as Endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) and listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibiting international commercial trade. Both captive and wild caught tigers fall under the same regulations.
The ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network, sponsored by the US Agency for International Development recently held a training course on Wildlife Trade Regulation at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Many of the agencies who were involved in the case had attended that course and work in close co-operation under Thailand’s own Wildlife Enforcement Network.
“We applaud all the agencies that came together to uncover this brazen smuggling attempt,” said Chris R. Shepherd, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s Deputy Regional Director.
“TRAFFIC is glad to see these training programs pay off in seizures, arrests and continued vigilance at the airport especially by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.”
However, Shepherd also cautioned that this case demonstrated a real need for constant monitoring and tougher penalties.
“If people are trying to smuggle live tigers in their check-in luggage, they obviously think wildlife smuggling is something easy to get away with and do not fear reprimand.
“Only sustained pressure on wildlife traffickers and serious penalties can change that.”
It is sad to think that a risk this extreme could be taken on an innocent wild animal. The penalty for attempting this should be 100 days solitary confinement in a deep, dark and dingy hole in the ground.
The 31-year-old Thai national was scheduled to board a Mahan Air flight destined for Iran when she had trouble checking in her oversized bag.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) staff suspected something amiss when they scanned the bag and x-ray images showed an item resembling a real cat.
Officers from the Livestock Development Department and the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department were then called in to open the bag for inspection and discovered the tranquilized cub.
Investigations are underway to determine if the cub was wild caught or captive-bred, where it came from and the suspect’s intended final destination.
The cub is being cared for at the Rescue Center of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. DNA samples will be sent to the tiger enclosure at Khaopratab Wildlife Rescue Center in Ratchaburi Province, to determine which subspecies the cub belongs to, which will help determine its origin.
Tiger populations in Thailand and throughout Asia are critically threatened by poaching and trade to meet the international demand for tiger parts, products and, as illustrated in this case, live tigers.
Tigers are categorized as Endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) and listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibiting international commercial trade. Both captive and wild caught tigers fall under the same regulations.
The ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network, sponsored by the US Agency for International Development recently held a training course on Wildlife Trade Regulation at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Many of the agencies who were involved in the case had attended that course and work in close co-operation under Thailand’s own Wildlife Enforcement Network.
“We applaud all the agencies that came together to uncover this brazen smuggling attempt,” said Chris R. Shepherd, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s Deputy Regional Director.
“TRAFFIC is glad to see these training programs pay off in seizures, arrests and continued vigilance at the airport especially by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.”
However, Shepherd also cautioned that this case demonstrated a real need for constant monitoring and tougher penalties.
“If people are trying to smuggle live tigers in their check-in luggage, they obviously think wildlife smuggling is something easy to get away with and do not fear reprimand.
“Only sustained pressure on wildlife traffickers and serious penalties can change that.”
It is sad to think that a risk this extreme could be taken on an innocent wild animal. The penalty for attempting this should be 100 days solitary confinement in a deep, dark and dingy hole in the ground.
Thursday, September 16. 2010
Wrong Turn for Right Whales
The US Navy decided to shoot first and ask questions later when it announced plans to construct a $100 million 500-square -nautical mile undersea warfare training range off the coast of Georgia and Florida next to the only known calving ground for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. Defenders of Wildlife is suing to stop the project. Navy ships are exempt from speed restrictions designed to protect right whales, even though ship strikes are the single largest cause of death for right whales. Ships have killed at least eight right whales in the past six years, including three pregnant females. Scientists believe that the loss of even one right whale from non-natural causes could jeopardize the future of the species.
It is within everyone's constitutional right to speak out against these misguided, federally funded, boondoggle catastrophes. Our federal government couldn't run a kindergarten and they think it is within their right to force their concepts of colonialization of the Earth with their outlandish, backwater policies and ideas to the detriment of all wildlife on the planet? I would beg to disagree.
For more information, please visit www.defenders.org/rightwhales.
It is within everyone's constitutional right to speak out against these misguided, federally funded, boondoggle catastrophes. Our federal government couldn't run a kindergarten and they think it is within their right to force their concepts of colonialization of the Earth with their outlandish, backwater policies and ideas to the detriment of all wildlife on the planet? I would beg to disagree.
For more information, please visit www.defenders.org/rightwhales.
Tuesday, April 27. 2010
Giving your dog the gift of a midday dogwalk
Today’s tough economic times are even having their consequences on man’s best friend. The economy has had such an impact that in some cases, dog owners, for financial reasons have been forced to give their dogs away to friends, family and in worst case scenerios, to shelters, where hopefully they may find new loving homes. When you really love your dog, any of the above scenarios are nothing short of a nightmare.
While these situations exist, all are not so dire. During this recession, those of us who have kept our jobs, have incurred another cost whose payment is being made with greater time installments at work. More often, salaried workers are putting in 10 to 12 hour work days and working 50 to 60 hour work weeks. Meanwhile, back at home, our dogs are stuck there wondering where we are and when we are coming home. These disconsolate pets need to get out for relief, notwithstanding, they are bored, lonely and in need of exercise.
Feeling this deep sense of empathy for dogs who can be couped up indoors for hours upon hours or in situations where they aren’t getting enough daily exercise is how I decided to start my company, Little Characters Pet Sitting. I wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel. Surely it was another innovator who discovered that there was a void to fill by a canine caregiver to step in and meet the needs of pet owners with a dog(s) at home in need of a break. I was just joining the ranks of other quality pet caregivers.
So what is the best way to hire a pet sitter? One test is how long a company has been in business. The longer the better but that doesn't necessarily preclude new businesses just entering the trade. The newer companies just need to be scrutinized a little closer. Another way is to speak to references about their experiences with their sitter. People with pets are usually happy to speak with you. Our region is home to many caring pet professionals, you just need to be able to establish a good rapport and be comfortable who you will allow into your home to take care of your pets. Afterall, you are relying on these professionals to take the best care of two of the things that are very high on the list of importance to you: your pets and your home.
The typical cost for a 25-30 minute dog walk is $16 to $22 and you can find services willing to do dogwalks in the early am, midday and evenings as well. I would caution against services whose prices are very low because the time proven addage ‘you get what you pay for’ rings true even in this field of service.
This ends up being a huge help when you cannot get home to let your buddy out or if you leave for work early or come home exhausted in the evening.
After you have hired a qualified dog walker you find yourself relieved. Now, you'll be comfortable thinking that your little pal is at home, no longer stressed out trying to hold himself together. When you get home, you shouldn't feel that 'mad rush' to get your dog out the door as quickly as you can. Now you can a least get changed from work. With midday, daily dogwalks your pet will be happier and healthier over the long haul.
While these situations exist, all are not so dire. During this recession, those of us who have kept our jobs, have incurred another cost whose payment is being made with greater time installments at work. More often, salaried workers are putting in 10 to 12 hour work days and working 50 to 60 hour work weeks. Meanwhile, back at home, our dogs are stuck there wondering where we are and when we are coming home. These disconsolate pets need to get out for relief, notwithstanding, they are bored, lonely and in need of exercise.
Feeling this deep sense of empathy for dogs who can be couped up indoors for hours upon hours or in situations where they aren’t getting enough daily exercise is how I decided to start my company, Little Characters Pet Sitting. I wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel. Surely it was another innovator who discovered that there was a void to fill by a canine caregiver to step in and meet the needs of pet owners with a dog(s) at home in need of a break. I was just joining the ranks of other quality pet caregivers.
So what is the best way to hire a pet sitter? One test is how long a company has been in business. The longer the better but that doesn't necessarily preclude new businesses just entering the trade. The newer companies just need to be scrutinized a little closer. Another way is to speak to references about their experiences with their sitter. People with pets are usually happy to speak with you. Our region is home to many caring pet professionals, you just need to be able to establish a good rapport and be comfortable who you will allow into your home to take care of your pets. Afterall, you are relying on these professionals to take the best care of two of the things that are very high on the list of importance to you: your pets and your home.
The typical cost for a 25-30 minute dog walk is $16 to $22 and you can find services willing to do dogwalks in the early am, midday and evenings as well. I would caution against services whose prices are very low because the time proven addage ‘you get what you pay for’ rings true even in this field of service.
This ends up being a huge help when you cannot get home to let your buddy out or if you leave for work early or come home exhausted in the evening.
After you have hired a qualified dog walker you find yourself relieved. Now, you'll be comfortable thinking that your little pal is at home, no longer stressed out trying to hold himself together. When you get home, you shouldn't feel that 'mad rush' to get your dog out the door as quickly as you can. Now you can a least get changed from work. With midday, daily dogwalks your pet will be happier and healthier over the long haul.
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