What Can We Do to Help Domesticated Animals?

[AliceWitt]

Yesterday I made a post in the "What can we do to help wildlife" thread , really intending it just to promote some thinking about our farm animals and our house pets needing protection too. I was asked to start a new thread, but am not really sure this RRP forum is the right place to do it.

But for now will delete my post from the "wildlife" thread and put it here. Perhaps, after seeing the reactions to it, it may just die by the wayside and I will lock or delete it.

[AliceWitt]

I would really like to see our efforts expanded to not just take action against abusers of wildlife and our natural resources; but against all of man's intentional cruel actions towards all animals, wild, domesticated, farm, and pet.
I am a member of the ASPCA, probably because I was raised with all kinds of pets (dogs, cats, parakeets, canaries, chickens, ducks, rabbits, mice, hamsters, gerbils, turtles, and even a white rat).  I have been a city girl all my life, and was raised by a mother who taught me gentleness towards people and animals alike. Most of the dogs and cats were rescue animals.

I get a newsletter weekly from the ASPCA, and received some good news this week.
Dog fighting, is there anything worse.
https://donate.aspca.org/donate/donations/eappeals/eappeal_NDA.aspx?PlacementID=2868218&utm_source=2011eAppeal6&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2011eAppeals

In early winter a story broke big around here of an animal hospital/rescue center where innumerable dogs, cats, and even birds were found dead as a result of abuse and starvation. This rescue shelter is just a few miles from my home. Although Illinois is considered the best state for its animal protection laws by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, most animal abusers do not serve time.
http://palatine.patch.com/articles/muddy-paws-animal-torture-trial-set-for-sept-2-2
http://palatine.patch.com/articles/animal-advocates-believe-eldrup-deserves-jail-for-muddy-paws-tragedy-2

[jfrancl]

Good morning, Alice.  I too am a member of the ASPCA and also of the Humane Society of the Unites States.  I have read the story of the mass arrests of this particular dog fighting ring, that spans many states.  I was pleasantly surprised to read that they were able to place all 500 pit bulls into homes that could provide for their special needs or into sanctuaries. 

Many times, this is not the case. Often these animals must be euthanized because of their learned behavior.  This raid was on a major operation and these kind of actions must be labeled as a felony.  Most animal abuse cases other that P.B. fighting are deemed as a misdemeanor and there is where the problem lies. Again, as in so many other instances concerning animals, we need stricter laws to perhaps deter the abusers from committing these heinous acts.   

[jfrancl]

Here is a bit of information from the Animal Rescue Site which is partnered with Petfinder.com.  Conducting animal fighting is a federal offense but they are still going on because of the number of people who take pleasure in it, and there are no negative consequences for the spectators.

The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohabition Act of 2011 would make attending any animal fighting event illegal. The bill was introduced on July 11, 2011.

[jfrancl]

An article from the Humane Society of the United States, Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO.

Following a three year investigation, we successfully assisted the Pamlico County Sheriff's Office and Animal Control in busting an alleged dog fighting operation outside of New Bern NC.

Amazingly the Pamlico County raid led to a tip that resulted in a second bust in neighboring Jones County.  In the end 50 dogs and puppies are now safe from the confines and cruelty of dogfighting.

[AliceWitt]

Animal activists have made great strides on behalf of animals:
Conducting any kind of animal fighting is now a federal offense.
Unfortunately, animal fighting still occurs primarily because there are still people interested in attending--and there are no negative consequences for their careless actions.

Both facilitators and attendees of these bloody gatherings need to be reprimanded if we plan to eliminate the demand for them. If enacted, The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act of 2011 would make attending any animal fighting event illegal. Write to Representatives Tom Marino and Betty Sutton to request their support 
Prosecute People Who Attend Animal Fights!
Sign the Petition!
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/campaign.faces?siteId=3&campaign=AnimalFightSpectators&ThirdPartyClicks=ETA_081111_AnimalFightSpectators_F

The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act of 2011 (H.R. 2492) would make illegal the attendance of any animal fighting event. We need this legislation so that both facilitators and attendees of animal fights are punished. There is no point to making animal fighting illegal if we aren't also going to eliminate the demand for it.

[jfrancl]

Exactly Alice,  as long as there are people who enjoy this bloody "sport", it will continue.  There has to be strict penalties for spectators as well as those conducting it.  Here is a fact that sickens me, puppies are used to train dogs to fight.  They are put in a room with the dog in training while the dog goes after the puppy and mutilates it. Please sign the petition above in Alice's post. (reply #6)

[Pagent]

I Just posted this in the Get the Lead Out Thread but i think it deserves a cross post to this thread because of the danger.
i need to look at some news collars or make sure the ones on my pet are lead-free!!


Wow, just googled lead poisoning in domesticated animals!!

Lots of info. 
http://www.thedogbowl.com/PPF/category_ID/0_94/dogbowl.asp

Had no idea about things like golf balls, metal parts of collars (for cats and dogs) and household birds pecking on contaminated walls!!
And of course, hunting dogs are at risk because of the lead ammo!!

[jfrancl]

That is good info Pagent,  thanks for posting, for all of us pet lovers!

[lshirely]

Pagent, you have opened up another whole can of worms.   Wow!  Thanks for the information

[AliceWitt]

It's been over three months since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and rescue groups are working nonstop to save individuals and rebuild the destroyed landscape. Other groups are working tirelessly to save displaced animals as many were rendered homeless when their owners had to quickly flee their homes.

Animal rescue organizations and dedicated individuals have stepped forward to make sure as many animals as possible are safe and accounted for. They're caring for sick animals, helping to rescue them from radiation zones, and reuniting them with their families. Even months later, this job is tiresome and continuous.

Organizations like Japan SPCA, Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support, and Humane Society International are on the ground getting animals to safety and nursing them back to health.

[jfrancl]

That's a great plan TW.  Same here.  I would never leave without my little Havanese. That would, to me , be akin to leaving without my child.  An emergency kit is essential to take and grab and I also have one in my basement. 

[jfrancl]

The ASPCA offers the following tips to keep your pet safe in the event of an emergency. 

The ASPCA offers the following tips:

•Bring pets indoors at the first sign of the storm. Animals can become disoriented and wander away from home during a disaster.
•Arrange a safe haven for yourself and your pets in the event of evacuation. Do not leave pets behind.
•Store an emergency kit—with items such as pet food, bottled water, medical records, a blanket, a flashlight and leashes—as close to an exit as possible.
•Make sure all pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification.
•Affix a rescue alert sticker to your front door or window to let rescuers know that there are pets inside your home.
•Choose a designated caregiver to take care of your pet in the event you are unable to do so.

[AliceWitt]

I am so concerned about hurricane Irene and have found some useful information on the
WVEC-TV & WVEC websites.

Caring for pets in a hurricane
FEMA
http://www.wvec.com/weather/hurricane/survival/Caring-for-pets-in-a-hurricane-94597769.html

Virginia State Animal Response Team
http://www.virginiasart.org/

Storm surge and Virginia’s hurricane evacuation plan are available at
Ready Virginia
http://www.youtube.com/vaemergency

[biglill]

TW- those are some really great ideas, however I never even get water in the basement, but I will pass it on to friends in more fragile areas.