This week’s Sunbear Squad tip comes from an event that just took place in Canada, the rescue of more than 100 sled dogs.

Do you have neighbors like this:

100 sled dogs, 30 of them pregnant, and winter is almost here

If you care for a few dogs and cats in your home, you might be horrified to think about caring for 100 to participate in a sport. Provide shelter, food, water, vet care, exercise, socialization and training for 100 dogs? Not to mention investment in the sport events, travel, competition costs. Then, one of the males got loose, wasn’t caught, and impregnated 30 females. And if each has 5 puppies? Do the math.

On Nov. 17, 2009, United Animal Nations, Humane Society International, and SPCA Laurentides Labelle rescued these dogs from a neglectful owner in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec, Canada. Luckily they were rescued before the births would start in the dead of winter. At the link below, scroll down to click on “Animal Rescue” in the “Channel” list to find a video link to Canada Sled Dog Rescue.

Watch the rescue video on the Humane Society website, click on Canada Sled Dog Rescue.

Do you know of a large number of dogs kept nearby?  Make a point of driving by on a regular basis. Look for evidence of fresh food and water.  Is shelter adequate?  Are some of the dogs too thin? Do any of them act sick?  Do you see birds circling above?  Do you smell anything?  Be diligent.  Keep a camera and notebook handy to gather evidence if needed. I hope you won’t find any problems.  Most sporting enthusiasts take good care of their packs.  Some are deeply devoted to their well-being.

-Anna Nirva-

Founder of  Sunbear Squad

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A man estranged from his family, living alone in a trailer in Florida, is hailed a hero for a selfless act that has cost him his life.

Robert Emery risked his life to rescue three dogs that were stuck on a highway in Texas after hurricane Ike.

Robert “Bob” Emery, who was from Florida and in Texas to help clear storm debris, died late Saturday after dashing onto the East Freeway to reach the dogs who were huddled in the emergency lane against a cement median. He was struck by a passing motorcycle.

Thankfully the dogs were saved and eventually reunited with their owner.   However, Emery’s family has not been located, and without anyone to claim his body he could be given a pauper’s burial.

Cheryl Lang, president of the Houston-based organization, No Paws Left Behind, which works to find solutions for pets from homes being foreclosed, is among those calling Emery a hero.

Lang said he deserves better than a pauper’s burial, and is looking at ways the community can honor his memory, perhaps with a temporary pet shelter.

“He didn’t even think twice, just went out and did it,” she said of Emery trying to reach the dogs.”That says a lot about his character.”

It’s very sad that Robert Emery lost his life, it would be a tragedy if he’s buried in an unmarked grave. This man is a hero who deserves recognition.

Hopefully, if this story keeps making its way around the internet someone will know how to reach Robert “Bob” Emery’s family.

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A man in West Jacksonville, FL who fled from the storm last week left his two dogs chained up in the carport.  Two city workers found the dogs and saved them from drowning.

The owner, David Hamm, went to a city shelter to seek refuge from the storm. He will now face two animal cruelty tickets and fines of up to $1,000, said Robert Currey, a field supervisor for Jacksonville Animal Care and Control.

Luckily, an anonymous tip notified Animal Care and Control officers, who went to rescue the dogs by boat. The officials felt Hamm’s decision was more irresponsibility than cruelty.

While I understand the need to take shelter during a storm it is incomprehensible to me that you would leave your dogs chained in an area where you know they could drown. The city opened over 10 shelters for the storm, including at least two pet-friendly ones.

One of the animals, a Labrador mix, was standing for hours in water that sometimes reached his chest and had a skin condition from long before Friday, Currey said. Neither of the dogs was licensed, but both were up to date on their shots, said Fred Forbes, interim division chief of Animal Care and Control.

Field supervisor, Robert Currey, stated “Legally, there was not a reason we could keep them from getting the dogs back.”  Apparently, absolute disgust doesn’t fall under the realm of the law.

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One of our pals, Mattie, brought this heartwarming story to my attention.  It just goes to show no matter how tough you look on the outside, sometimes you’re just a big softie on the inside.

About 15 years ago, a group of animal-loving, tattooed bikers in the New York area began acting on behalf of abused animals. The men volunteered at shelters and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Toward Animals, and they tried to solve cases of missing or abused animals that other organizations had neither the time nor the resources to address.

About a year ago, they took up the name Rescue Ink, and now work full time investigating cases of animal abuse. Members of the group recently responded at a site in Elmhurt, Queens, where a caller had reported that five pit bulls were caged in the back of a used-car lot.

This is such an inspiring story.  It really goes to show that the old adage, don’t judge a book by its cover, is true. There’s a great slide show that goes along with the story, well worth taking a minute to view.

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How many of you knew that tomorrow is National Homeless Animals Day? I know I didn’t. Here’s a little information from the Humane Society of Naples.

(Naples, FL) Saturday, August 16th is “National Homeless Animals Day,” a day that animal shelters around the nation note to call attention to the millions of homeless pets that suffer every year because they have no home.

Some private shelters such as The Humane Society Naples are no-kill shelters and don’t kill pets to make space. However, unlike private shelters, most public pet shelters don’t have the option of turning pets away when there’s no space. They are forced to perform the sad duty of eliminating pets after holding them a certain number of days to make room for more intakes.

In addition to pets who die in a shelter, there are those pets in the wild who suffer as well. Dumped and abandoned by owners who can’t or won’t take the time to find them a home or deliver them to a shelter, these pets try their best to survive on the streets and in the backwoods. There, they face disease, parasites, hunger and death by humans and other animals.

Here’s what you can do to help:

People who care about this problem can help by contacting their local pet shelters and rescue groups to lend a hand and start or increase spay/neuter efforts.

How great would it be to celebrate this day by adopting a deserving fuzzball? C’mon, you know you want to do it!

OK…so you’re full up on cuteness and love. Here’s another way you can help.

The Humane Society Naples has a special fund set aside to help cover some or all of the cost of pet sterilization for pet owners of modest means.

This Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) has provided over 50 free pet sterilizations this year, preventing the birth of hundreds of unwanted pets. The program will continue as long as there are funds available. To contribute to this fund, contact Andy Reed, The Humane Society Naples Development Director at 643-1880 x 21 or andy@hsnaples.org.

As always, your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated!!

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