Fight Animal Cruelty

10 Ways You Can Help Fight Puppy Mills

1. Do Not Buy Your Puppy From a Pet Store
That puppy who charmed you through the pet shop window has most likely come from a large-scale, substandard commercial breeding facility, commonly known as a puppy mill. In these facilities, parent dogs are caged and bred as often as possible, and give birth to puppies who could have costly medical problems you might not become aware of until after you bring your new pet home.

2. Make Adoption Your First Option
If you’re looking to make a puppy part of your family, check your local shelters first. Not only will you be saving a life, but you will ensure that your money is not going to support a puppy mill. There are many dogs waiting for homes in shelters all across the country―and an estimated one in four is a purebred! Your second option is breed rescue. If your heart is set on a specific breed you haven’t been able to find in a shelter, you can do an Internet search for a breed-specific rescue organization.

3. Know How to Recognize a Responsible Breeder
If you’ve exhausted your options for adopting and are choosing to buy from a breeder, remember that responsible breeders have their dogs’ interests in mind. They are not simply interested in making a sale, but in placing their pups in good homes. A responsible breeder should screen you as thoroughly as you screen them! Read the ASPCA’s responsible breeding statement to find out more about how a responsible breeder behaves.

4. See Where Your Puppy Was Born and Bred
One sign that you are speaking to an unscrupulous breeder is that they will not let you see the facility in which your puppy was born. Always ask to see the breeding premises and to meet both parents (or at least the mother) of the puppy you want to take home. You should also ask for an adoption contract that explains―in terms you understand―the breeder’s responsibilities, health guarantee and return policy.

5. Internet Buyers, Beware!
Buying a puppy from the Internet is as risky as buying from a pet store. If you buy a puppy based on a picture and a phone call, you have no way of seeing the puppy’s breeding premises or meeting his parents. And those who sell animals on the Internet are not held to the Animal Welfare Act regulations―and so are not inspected by the USDA.

6. Share Your Puppy Mill Story with the ASPCA
If you have—or think you have—purchased a puppy-mill puppy, please tell us your story. Every bit of evidence gives us more power to get legislation passed that will ban puppy mills.

7. Speak Out!
Inform your state and federal legislators that you are disturbed by the inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills, and would like to see legislation passed that ensures that all animals bred to be pets are raised in healthy conditions. You can keep up-to-date about current legislation to ban puppy mills by joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade.

8. Tell Your Friends
If someone you know is planning on buying a puppy, please direct them to our puppy mill information at ASPCA.org. Let them know that there are perfectly healthy dogs in shelters waiting to be adopted.

9. Think Globally
Have a webpage, a MySpace page or a blog? Use these powerful tools to inform people about puppy mill cruelty by adding a link to our puppy mill information at ASPCA.org.

10. Act Locally!
When people are looking to buy or adopt a pet, they will often ask the advice of their veterinarian, groomer or pet supply store. Download and print our flyers and ask to leave them in the offices of your local practitioners.

SecurePet Pet Sitter Services is located in Wimberley, Texas and provides pet sitting care for all types of animals: ranch animals, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles (but not gators!) and amphibians. We specialize in pets with special needs. This full-service pet sitting company will ensure that all your pets receive the best of care while you are away on business or pleasure.

ASPCA Forensic Veterinarian Aids in Major Dog Fighting Raid in Georgia

NEW YORK, July 3, 2008—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) today announced that it was part of a team of animal welfare agencies, led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), as well as the Madison County, Ga. Sheriff’s Department and Madison County Animal Control, which participated in a major planned raid of “Shake Down Kennels,” an alleged dogfighting operation in Danielsville, Ga. Johnny Johnson, the alleged owner, was arrested and charged with felony dogfighting.

“The ASPCA isproud to assist HSUS in their raid of this illegal dogfighting ring,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “Dr. Merck is the nation’s premiere “Animal CSI” and adding her invaluable knowledge of veterinary forensics to the crucial investigation work done by HSUS and participating agencies makes for a tremendous combination.”

The raid took place in Madison County, Ga. and resulted in seven dogs being seized for examination and evidence, as well as dogfighting paraphernalia. Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA’s senior director of Veterinary Forensics, and Felicia Earley, an anti-cruelty veterinary assistant with the ASPCA, were part of the elite team of animal welfare professionals involved. The ASPCA’s Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit, was also on-site to allow Dr. Merck to examine and care for any victims immediately, as well as gather and process all of the forensic evidence right at the scene. A “forensics first,” the mobile unit is specially-designed vehicle outfitted with state-of-the-art forensics tools as well as medical equipment tailored for animal patients.

“It was a privilege being able to be a part of this organized and thorough investigation,” said Dr. Merck. “Dogfighting cases are very complex and it sometimes takes multiple resources in order to effectively bring them down. This collaborative effort is a shining example of our ongoing fight against animal cruelty.”

Today’s raid marks the first Ga. dogfighting bust since the May 10 passage of new legislation signed by Governor Sonny Purdue, which strengthened the state’s dogfighting law, making it a felony to own, possess, train, transport or sell a dog for the purpose of dogfighting. Those involved in illegal dogfighting, as Johnson is alleged, can receive one to five years in prison, a minimum fine of $5,000 or both.

For more information about the ASPCA’s fight against animal cruelty, visit http://www.fightcruelty.org/. For more information about the ASPCA’s programs and services, visit http://www.aspca.org/.

SecurePet Pet Sitter Services is located in Wimberley, Texas and provides pet sitting care for all types of animals: ranch animals, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles (but not gators!) and amphibians. We specialize in pets with special needs. This full-service pet sitting company will ensure that all your pets receive the best of care while you are away on business or pleasure.

SecurePet Pet Sitter Services of Wimberley, Texas Presents Local Dog Behaviorist: Joan for Dogs

What’s Cute and What’s Not?

I was inspired to write this after watching a television show that featured “funny” videos. Okay, the human behavior was relatively funny, even a few of the animal videos were cute. There were a few videos that were quite disturbing.

Watching the dog relentlessly chasing his tail, or the one chasing the laser light on the wall hit my dog behavior nerve!

Generally, compulsive behaviors are demonstrated by repetitive, excessive, out of normal context actions. Such as the two I listed above, however, there are many more.

Usually, these actions are exaggerated normal canine behavior, such as the need to hunt or explore.

Disturbances of the seeking system are also culprits of these behaviors some people find entertaining. These generally occur out of frustration, anxiety and or social conflict.

I always suggest getting a physical by your Veterinarian first. Ruling out any physiological problems, we then can try and help your dog psychologically.

Personally, I have to observe the dog in ‘action’ in his everyday environment, noting what triggers these behaviors helps to find a solution.

The dogs that display these behaviors are not happy. Many times these “funny” displays are accompanied by self destructing behaviors such as compulsive licking, chewing on themselves or destroying property. I have seen cases where dogs have literally chewed through drywall, dug up carpeting even jumped through a glass window. And of course, aggressive behavior and biting. Now the human isn’t quite so entertained.

When these latter behaviors are exhibited the first reaction is to punish the dog, thinking in terms of basic ‘good’ and ‘bad’ dogs. Like anything in life, there is little black and white, but a whole lot of gray!

Before I go on I must get on my soap box and say “Please Please spay and neuter your pets.” Unless you are a dedicated person who shows dogs in conformation, which is to better the breed there is absolutely no excuse to have an intact animal. They are happier being spayed/neutered, their unwanted puppies are happier, I am happier. It disgusts me to see a box of puppies in the grocery store parking lot, or on a street corner in the hot sun.

Back to dog behavior………….

What we have to remember with our wonderful dogs is that they are dogs. Dogs have specific drives and needs, when these aren’t met we have created an animal that will invent and display behaviors that meet their needs to feel complete. This applies to mixed breeds as well, most drives and needs are breed specific, however some are environmental, conditioned needs.

This is why it is so important to research the breed of dog before you invest in that particular breed. Unfortunately, popularity plays a large part of peoples choices, there are so many examples, but I will use this one:

Jack Russell Terrier, cute and small. They are fantastic dogs, however, the general thought is “they are small, I live in an apartment, perfect.” Yes, they are small, but high energy, very high energy. Unless you are dedicated to walk this dog, (a lot) and direct his active brain in constructive ways, you are in trouble. Because they were bred to ‘rat’, they have specific psychological and physical needs. When, through no fault of their own, these needs are not met, you get behavioral issues that can be overwhelming, which in turn results in over population in shelters. So research and talk to people who know dog behavior before going through the heartache.

My classes consist of three things:

1. Basic obedience: To make the dog focus and establish human leadership.

2. Fun agility: To challenge the dog’s focus this off-lead obstacle training is without corrections and lots of treats, fun!

3. Socialization: When the dogs are focused and equality is established playtime can begin. In a controlled dog-park setting, off-lead time plus stimulating toys and a kiddie pool are offered. With loving owners watching, we can discuss behavioral issues, good and bad.

I also make house calls for behavioral problems and private lessons.

With all of this said, think twice about those ‘cute’ behaviors and pay attention to your dog’s specific needs. Life is short, live in harmony!!

Joan for Dogs

Wimberley, Texas

Joan is a dog behavior specialist living in the Wimberley, Texas area. You can contact Joan through her web site: Joan for Dogs

“Watching the dog relentlessly chasing his tail, or the one chasing the laser light on the wall hit my dog behavior nerve!” Joan, dog behaviorist, Wimberley, Texas.

SecurePet Pet Sitter Services is located in Wimberley, Texas and specializes in all types of pet sitters service, including ranch animals, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, and animals with special needs. This full-service pet sitting company will ensure that all your pets receive the best of care while you are away on business or pleasure.