Kitty&Doggie News: January 2009

Saturday, January 31, 2009

In memory of Cindy

Cindy is the black and white doggie I grew up with in the South Bronx. She was so playful. She used to jump up high and run very fast. I remember I used to talk with her during my teenage years. She was a cool dog. She was really my mom's dog. She adored my mom and my mom loved her. Cindy is one of the reasons I love dogs so much.

Friday, January 30, 2009

ASPCA: Please don't let your pets behind

Here's another important press release from the ASPCA. I have decided to tune out for a little while from all the depressing news related to the economy, job cuts, budget cuts and foreclosures. Sadly, many pets are also paying the consequences. Many people are not even taking them to shelters, but leaving them out in the cold. Maybe the ASPCA has not experienced an increase of animal intake, but I have seen more cats -- that you could tell were house cats -- in the streets of New York City lately.

Here's the release:

As the downturn in the economy continues, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) this week responded to the flurry of recent media reports about pets being both left behind in foreclosed homes and abandoned in shelters. The ASPCA wants to remind pet parents everywhere that they have options when faced with these heart-breaking decisions.
“While the ASPCA has not personally experienced an increase in animal intake to its Manhattan Adoption Center due to the economy, we have heard that many shelters across the country are seeing an increase in the number of abandoned animals,” said Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, Executive Vice President of ASPCA Programs & Science Advisor. “This issue will vary drastically from region to region across the United States, and without a network in place to collect and report these numbers from the nearly 5,000 community animal shelters nationwide, it is difficult to quantify.”
“The loss of a home is devastating and can only be made worse by having to also leave behind a beloved family pet,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “The ASPCA wants to remind pet owners that planning ahead is the best way to make an informed decision. Even though options in these cases may be less than ideal, it will be much better than simply leaving the pet behind in an abandoned home.”
The ASPCA offers this advice for people who are faced with foreclosure and the loss of their pets:
Check with friends, family and neighbors to see if someone can provide temporary foster care for your pet until you get back on your feet. Agree to a specific time frame, and check on the pet regularly;
If you are moving into a rental property, make sure pets are allowed and get permission in advance—and in writing; and
Contact your local animal shelter, humane society or rescue group, in advance of your move, since many shelters limit their admissions to the number of animals they can adequately care for. If a shelter agrees to take in your pet, provide medical records, behavior information, and anything else that might assist shelter workers in finding your pet a new home.
“It is difficult and heartbreaking to lose a pet as a result of economic hardship,” continued Sayres. “But pet parents may take comfort in knowing that their pet will be better off, if they plan ahead and keep their cat or dog’s well-being in mind.”
For more information about the ASPCA and its programs, please visit www.aspca.org.

source: ASPCA press release

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Santuario de Animales San Francisco de Asis en Cabo Rojo, PR

The Santuario is a no-kill animal shelter in Cabo Rojo and it is in need of donations.

According to the Santuario, this no-kill shelter "was created with the efforts of community members who saw the great need to protect the animals. It has not received any government help yet, despite its 9 years of operation. They have no water or electricity service but have an amazing volunteer workforce. It is quickly becoming one of the West coast's "Porta del Sol" sightseeing and tourist's visitor's points for animal lovers." For information, visit www.safapr.org

Here's how you can help:

1. Donate via Paypal: http://safapr.org/donations/

2. Make a deposit to Banco Popular de Puerto Rico in the name of:
Santuario de Animales SFA
Route No. 021502011
Account no. 255-279166

3. Mail a donation to
Santuario de Animales San Francisco de Asis, Inc.
P.O. Box 566
San German, PR 00683

source: Santuario de Animales San Francisco de Asis

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

ASPCA reports double-digit increase in adoptions and mobile spay/neuter surgeries for 2008

It is refreshing to get this good news from the ASPCA. I hope this continues this year especially because the problem of homeless pets, mostly homeless cats, continues to be a big problem in New York City. I know everyone is stressing over the economic crisis and I have personally noticed more homeless cats in the Bronx lately. For now, I'm just happy to learn that many of our four-legged friends were adopted last year at the ASPCA's Manhattan headquarters and that there were increases in mobile spay/neuter surgeries in the city. That's something.

Here's the press release from the ASPCA

The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is proud to report that adoptions at its Manhattan headquarters and mobile adoption center, as well as mobile spay/neuter surgeries, each experienced double digit increases in 2008.

“The plight of homeless animals is still a significant concern in New York City,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “But by focusing on increasing adoptions and preventing unwanted litters, we’re increasing exponentially the number of lives we can save.”

In 2008, a total of 3,267 cats and dogs were adopted, a 20 percent increase over 2007, when 2,728 were adopted. “This is one of the largest percentage increases we’ve ever seen in a one-year span,” said Gail Buchwald, Senior Vice President of the ASPCA’s Adoption Center. Cat adoptions rose 20 percent, from 2,051 to 2,461, and dog adoptions increased 19 percent, from 677 to 806. “We hope to see this continue in 2009,” she said.

The ASPCA’s Mobile Clinic program, which offers free and low-cost spay/neuter surgery to financially needy pet owners in New York City’s five boroughs, also experienced double-digit growth in 2008. A total of 23,223 cats and dogs were spayed and neutered, the most ever in a single year and a 63 percent increase over 2007, when 14,215 were altered.

The rise in adoptions at the ASPCA is attributed in part to a $5 million, state-of-the-art renovation that was completed in the fourth quarter of 2006, which increased the capacity in its Pet Adoption Center by 40 percent. The spacious facility offers a welcoming, cheerful and cage-free environment, helping to showcase pets and increase their chances for adoption.

“Consumer awareness is also on the rise with respect to adoption,” explains Ms. Buchwald. “Adoption is ‘in,’ leading to a strong demand for pets, and we were glad to be able to meet that demand because it means saving more homeless animals.”

In January 2008, the ASPCA unveiled a fourth mobile spay/neuter clinic in its fleet, which increased its capacity to spay and neuter up to six thousand additional animals per year. These four fully equipped mobile veterinary clinics operate seven days a week and may also be reserved for private rescue days for feral cats trapped through approved Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) partners.

“The mission of our mobile clinic program is to end the plight of homeless animals by stemming pet overpopulation at its source—in the heart of the city’s local communities,” said Ms. Buchwald. “Certainly, the need is there and the ASPCA is working hard to meet that need by widening the scope of our spay/neuter services.”

The ASPCA’s Mobile Clinic Program began in 1997 and is the single largest program providing free and low cost spay/neuter to needy pet owners in New York City, and one of the largest in the United States.