It feels like every day I’m reading about another shelter being forced to close its doors or cut drastically back due to budget cuts.

The Humane Society Naples is now facing this issue and need our support to stop it from happening.

The Humane Society Naples urges public to save DAS adoption program

Media Contact: Stephen Wright, PR Coordinator, 643-1880 x 19

The Board of Directors of The Humane Society Naples has passed a resolution calling on the public to save Collier County’s Domestic Animal Services’ adoption program from proposed budget cuts.

Domesic Animal Services is the Collier County agency that handles violations of pet laws and ordinances, pet licenses, animal cruelty cases, and the prevention of animal diseases that spread to humans. It also has to accept surrendered pets, livestock and exotic animals. For many years, Domestic Animal Services had operated an adoption program for the stray and homeless pets in its care.

“We want everybody to let commissioners know how important this program is and that it must be saved,” said Michael Simonik, Executive Director of The Humane Society Naples.

Founded in 1960, The Humane Society Naples is a private, local no-kill charity that provides shelter and adoption services for the area’s local pets. It is not a government agency, nor is it a branch of any national organization.

Last year The Humane Society Naples adopted out more than 1,500 pets.

“We are just starting a major facility renovation this month,” said Simonik and though we will stay open, we’ll be operating at reduced capacity. If DAS loses its adoption program, there is no way we could handle their overflow of homeless pets,” he said.

Simonik explained that results of the county animal control agency eliminating its adoption program would be devastating for the community. Of course, the number of pets euthanized at DAS would jump significantly, he said.

“But then there are unintended consequences,” he said. Once people know that a pet surrendered to DAS will have almost no chance for adoption, they most likely will just let it loose to run in the community and have at least a small chance of finding a home, he explained.

Rampant pet dumping will result in more animal-to-people and animal-to-pet bites, he cautioned. “And besides the initial injury, there’s the spread of disease, too,” he added.
That’s why it’s so important for the public to call, write or visit commissioners and attend the upcoming county budget workshops, June 29 and June 30.

“If Domestic Animal Services loses its adoption program, it will be a disaster for everyone,” he said. “We can’t let that happen,” he added.

The Humane Society Naples resolution can be found on the organization’s website, HSNaples.org. If you are reading this online, you can click here to see it now.

A News Release from the county states that public comment regarding the proposed budget will be received starting at Tuesday, June 30, at 1 p.m. in Commission chambers.
Board of County Commissioners
3301 E. Tamiami Trail
Naples, FL 34112
Phone: (239) 252-8097
Fax: (239) 252-3602
E-Mail:
Send to Frank Halas
Send to Jim Coletta
Send to Fred Coyle
Send to DonnaFiala
Send to Tom Henning

Incorporated in 1960,The Humane Society Naples is a private local non-profit, no-kill animal shelter. Located at 370 Airport-Pulling Road North in Naples, The Humane Society’s Adoption Center hours are Tuesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For adoption information, call 643-1555 or log onto HSNaples.org.

The HSN has saved so many cats and dogs, it’s a wonderful and very necessary organization.  As you read above the result of cutbacks would have a devastating effect on the community. Please take a moment to send letters/emails to the officials above letting them know a budget cut is not an option.

I recently posted an article, The Eleventh Hour, to try and help raise funds for the Rocky Mountain Animal Defense. They were going to be attending an upcoming dog auction and money raised would be used to buy dogs that faced almost certain death. The auction has since taken place and thanks to some generous donors they had enough funds to buy 56 beautiful dogs.

Sharon L. Peters wrote a special article for USA Today. It’s a very moving piece on what happens at the auction, you may want to get out the tissues.

Some 250 or so dogs and puppies were, before the sale, living in a brick warehouse-like structure (which I drove to in order to make sure that others’ descriptions were accurate) a stone’s throw from the interstate. The building, essentially windowless except for in the front, where customers view puppies, is surrounded by asphalt and commercial buildings with no place for dogs to be outside. Adult dogs are kept behind doors posted with “Employees only” warnings.

In early May, PBK decided to sell many of the dogs in advance of relocating, according to the seller statement filed with the auction company.

When Last Chance and the Rocky Mountain Animal Defense heard the dogs would be sent to auction, they offered to pick them up and find them homes, says Last Chance’s Julie Sarff. “The dogs are perpetually pregnant or nursing; they live their lives in cages,” Sarff says. “We wanted something better for them.”

When PBK said no, the animal welfare groups flew into action: One contacted shelters and rescue groups, one raised funds online. In four days, animal lovers had donated $16,000. The National Mill Dog Rescue near Falcon, Colo., which has rescued more than 2,000 mill dogs, was on board to send someone to Missouri to buy as many of the dogs as funds allowed, and Denver Dumb Friends League had agreed to take the animals.

I cannot even begin to imagine how horrible a dog auction is, attending one must be a life changing experience.  There is actually an auction catalog that describes the pertinent qualities of the dogs, like they’re cattle. There were fifteen males who were described as “aggressive breeder,” this really translates into  dogs who will persist in impregnation efforts no matter how unwilling the female. It’s beyond sickening to think this type of thing goes on.

When bidding began, the National Mill Dog Rescue representative followed the agreed-on strategy. Since rescuers couldn’t afford all 202, preference was given to the older dogs “already worn out,” says Sarff, so “they could finish out their lives in a loving home living like a normal dog” rather than being “sold to a miller to produce another litter or two.”

The 56 PBK dogs purchased that day (plus some Pomeranians the auctioneer offered for $2 each because they hadn’t sold and would be killed) were driven Saturday and Sunday to Denver. The Denver Dumb Friends League’s examinations found that many had bad teeth and gums (at least one needed all teeth pulled) and most had foot lacerations and extremely long toenails from walking on wire cages. Nearly all, says Sarff, had poor muscle tone from lack of exercise, and some had infected ears and eye issues. Almost all were fairly well socialized.

I would like to say thank you to the Rocky Mountain Animal Defense and all the other rescues that were there to help. The lives of 56 dogs will now be forever changed because of their efforts and willingness to get involved. It’s because of groups like this that we have Logan, our Bernese Mountain dog who was rescued from the same situation.  Logan was terrified of everything when we got him but with lots of hard work he has become a loving, happy dog. He now wags regularly.

Somehow saying thank you doesn’t seem enough. I’m not sure how you sufficiently thank the people who step up to the plate and do this kind of work. I think for them, knowing the dogs they saved now have loving forever homes is all they need.

If you have a few dollars to help out the Rocky Mountain Animal Defense you can make a donation online. Remember, the next dog you adopt may be one they saved.

*Photo courtesy RMAD

This is a story we keep hearing over and over again, lack of funds causing shelters around the country  to close down.  The Humane Society of Northeast Florida is now facing this predicament. Their closing will mean the last no-kill shelter in the area would be gone.

What a horrible tragedy this would be, so many more animals face certain death if this happens. If we all come together and donate even a few dollars we can help keep their doors open.

The nonprofit agency cut hours from five full-time employees last month, causing them to quit. It’s expecting to layoff seven of its remaining 14 employees within 60 days. And unless the shelter sees an immediate surge in donations or adoptions, a permanent close may be imminent, said Kristi Adams, shelter co-supervisor.

“We’re trying to stay open as long as we can to adopt out these animals,” she said. “Right now we’re just grabbing an extra month, and grabbing an extra month, and hopefully a big donation will come in soon.”

If donations to the humane society continue are the current pace, they’re projected to be down $250,000 from the $430,000 yearly budget, Adams said.

The shelter would need to close the gap within six months to remain open.

The only source of funding for the organization is donations, its thrift store and adoption fees.

Adams attributes the financial trouble to an increase in area foreclosures and layoffs.

“A lot of people in Putnam are losing their homes and jobs,” she said. “It’s sad, but the first thing to go when you’re trying to save your family is often the house pet. And because we are no kill, everyone wants to bring their pets here.”

As a result, the shelter is over populated.

The humane society is currently housing about 200 pets, 60 more than its average. Some of the animals have called the humane society home for nearly three years.

The shelter adopts about 60 pets per month. But the adoption fees don’t even cover the animals initial medical expenses.

And with drop-offs to the shelter outpacing adoptions, it’s no longer admitting new pets, Adams said.

Watch the following video and see what your dollars will be going for.

To adopt: Go to the shelter at 112 Norma St. in Hollister, call (386) 325-1587 or visit www.hsnefl.org. Those who adopt from this Saturday to Saturday, May 30, will get one free introductory dog training lesson plus a starter supply of free dog food courtesy of Rene and Allison Hofstetter of Custom K9 Dog Training in Elkton and Michelle Stevens-Kraft, publisher of Pet Yellow Pages, a St. Augustine-based pet magazine.

Financial donations: They can be made several ways — using credit card, (386) 325-1587; online using Paypal, www.hsnefl.org ; or by mail, P.O. Box 188, Hollister, FL 32147

Food or supplies donations: They can be dropped off at the shelter. (To get there, take Florida 20 from Palatka toward Interlachen, turn right on to Rowland Avenue, then first right onto Norma Street.)

To volunteer: Call (386) 325-1587 or send and e-mail to shelterstaff@gbso.net.

* Jackflash is one of the adorable dogs up for adoption at the Humane Society NE Florida

There’s a fun event coming up for dog lovers in the San Jose, CA area. The annual Paws in the Park event is less than two weeks away, mark those calendars.

Saturday, May 30th – 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Location: Santana Row, Park in front of Maggiano’s (Get Location)

Bring your pet and join us for a fun filled afternoon and cupcake fundraiser with proceeds benefiting Furry Friends Rescue!

Featuring…

* Kara’s Cupcake Fundraiser for FFR – Profits from Kara’s SWEET VANILLA cupcakes go to FFR
* Doggie fashion show
* Raffle prizes
* Dog contests – $5 entry fee
o Cutest Diva Contest
o Coolest Dude Contest
o Best Trick Contest
* Information about Furry Friends Rescue
* Adoption showcase

Also check out Santana Row’s – Paws on The Row – Shop and Dine with your Furry Friends
Pet Friendly Santana Row Brochure

*Did you know you can shop with your pet? Santana Row is Pet Friendly. Look for the “Paws Welcome Here” decal for your pet friendly shops and restaurants or come by the FFR booth and pick up your Pet-Friendly shopping guide!

Furry Friends Rescue is an all-volunteer non-profit Bay Area companion animal rescue organization, comprised entirely of experienced volunteers who collectively have rescued hundreds of companion animals and placed them in loving homes. They focus on saving unadopted dogs and cats destined to be euthanized in Bay Area shelters.

The FFR is a wonderful organization,  show your support by attending Paws in the Park and participating in the fun contests and stuffing your face with as many of Kara’s Cupcakes as possible. Remember, when it’s for a good cause calories don’t count.

*Baxter, Sokie, and Donovan all rescued by FFR

Riley’s mom Stacie works and volunteers at the Beatrice Humane Society in Beatrice, NE. On Monday someone broke into the shelter and stole money and a kitten. A $100 reward is being offered for the kitten’s safe return.

Sometime between 7:30 p.m. and midnight on Monday, unknown suspects broke into the back door of the Beatrice Humane Society animal shelter, taking an undisclosed amount of cash and a kitten, Beatrice Police Captain Gerald Lamkin said. The kitten is described as a male, black and white tuxedo, white paws and a white mustache.

It was wearing an orange paper collar.

Beatrice Humane Society officials are offering a $100 reward for the safe return of the kitten, Beatrice Humane Society executive director Gina Grone said.

“We care about the animals at the shelter and their overall welfare,” Grone said. “Our biggest interest is making sure this kitten is OK.

All the workers and volunteers in the shelter are good people who try and make due with the tight budget and overwhelming amount of animals in need. I don’t think one can go much lower than breaking into a shelter and stealing money that goes towards saving animals, and then taking a helpless kitten on top of that.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Tina Vath at the Beatrice Police Department at (402) 223-4080 or Gage County Crime Stoppers at (402) 228-4343.

If you would like to make a much needed donation to help replace some of the stolen funds go to the Beatrice Humane Society website.

* ADOPTABLE: Yogi is a purebred Newfoundland available for adoption, what a gorgeous boy.

An odd couple from Virginia is inseparable. Even when the law came to pick up one of them, the other one decided to go too.

The cages at the Bristol, Virginia animal shelter are filled with dogs for the most part.

That is until about a week and a half ago when a dog and goat were picked up.

“I looked out my window and saw a goat and a dog walking down the street,” said Loretta Smith, who found the pair.

The animals found their way to Smith’s house in a Bristol neighborhood far from any goats.

“They stayed right together, and after the dog ate, the goat he laid down beside him then he got up and started eating the flowers then decided to walk over and dance on top of the car. It was so funny,” said Smith.

She said she has never seen the pair before and called animal control.

When animal control officers arrived on the scene, they only planned on taking the dog with them, but the goat had a different idea. That’s when officers realized the bond between this odd couple.

“She started to take the dog away, and I say ‘You’ll probably have to take the goat because he’s going to go with you,’ and he just trotted out through there and went to the truck,” said Smith.

“At that time, she decided to go ahead and transport both together. It was apparent they weren’t going to leave each other and that’s how they ended up here,” said Deena Bouton with the Bristol Animal Control.

The pair, now called “Thelma and Louise” are at the Bristol Virginia Animal Shelter where their bond is still going strong.

“If you take Louise out of the cage, Thelma, she had a fit,” said Bouton.

Officers hope to keep them together because the two are so attached to one another.

If you don’t see the video, click here.

I wanted to give the company a shout out because we just found out they won a Webby, quite the honor.

For those who don’t know, The Webby Awards are the biggest award you can win for something on the web. In our case, it’s for Online Reality Video Series.

Here is what The Webby Awards say about being an Official Honoree: “As a result of the superior quantity and quality of sites entered, the 13th Annual Webby Awards recognized sites and teams that demonstrated a standard of excellence.”

“Of the nearly 10,000 entries submitted to the 13th Annual Webby Awards, fewer than 15% were distinguished as an Official Honoree. This honor signifies an outstanding caliber of work. Congratulations to all of our Official Honoree selections!”

We want to send The Dog Files a big congrats and in honor of their nomination post one of their terrific videos for all to see. This is from their adoption series, Second Chance.

If you can’t see the video click here.

On Wednesday I posted about the Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends (AARF) benefit happening on Saturday, April 18th in Atlanta.

I wanted to let everyone know I will be attending the benefit and would really enjoy meeting some of the Atlantan Dogsters (the two-legged ones) out there.  It would be great to be able to put a face to some of the readers out there.

AARF is holding 219: The Show on April 18th

The art auction will feature 219 works from various Atlanta-area artists. Each piece will represent one dog or cat that will have lost his or her life in a county shelter that day. The art will be sold in both silent and live auctions, with all proceeds going to AARF’s rescue, spay and neuter and education programs. The organization’s fundraising goal for the event is to generate enough to support the rescue every pet that would die in the course of one day in metro Atlanta.

Go to the original article to get all the details about the show and to find out how to get tickets.  Come out to support a great cause and fun while you’re doing it.  Hope to see you there!

* The artwork covers a wide range of subjects , it is work being donated by local artists.

Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends (AARF) is having a benefit on Saturday, April 18th.

They are hosting an art auction to raise awareness about Atlanta’s disproportionately large homeless pet euthanasia rate and to raise money to support its programs to spay and neuter and find homes for dogs and cats.

AARF is holding 219: The Show on April 18th

The art auction will feature 219 works from various Atlanta-area artists. Each piece will represent one dog or cat that will have lost his or her life in a county shelter that day. The art will be sold in both silent and live auctions, with all proceeds going to AARF’s rescue, spay and neuter and education programs. The organization’s fundraising goal for the event is to generate enough to support the rescue every pet that would die in the course of one day in metro Atlanta.

This is guaranteed to be an enjoyable evening for all.  So get yourself a ticket, have some fun, and help raise money for a terrific cause.  For anyone in or around the Atlanta area grab some of your dog loving friends and come on down. The tickets are $20 and you can buy them online in advance.

Tickets include a bottomless glass (wine, beer or other drinks), hors d’ouevres and one raffle ticket. We hope you will join us, as we come together to save Atlanta’s pets.

In the last few months I’ve been posting more and more stories about dogs being set loose by pet owners who can no longer care for them.  This is never an acceptable solution, there are other alternatives.

Copper’s story reiterates why it is so important dogs are brought to a  shelter rather than just set free.

OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Copper would shake your hand, speak and even toss you a high-five. A note taped to the mixed-breed’s collar attests to his talents, but these deeds are not verifiable by eyewitness account.

Copper, you see, is dead.

The 30-pound male dog, estimated to be about 1 year old by Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement officials, was found March 18 lying on the shoulder of an asphalt road in Oshtemo Township. There was a hole in his skull, inflicted when a car hit him.

It was too late to heed the message someone had written on the tape wrapped around his collar: “Help me.”

Beneath the tape, in a plastic baggie, was a handwritten note describing Copper’s charming talents — he could sit, roll over, crawl, play dead and shake hands.

But someone let Copper go, abandoning him instead of dropping him off at one of several agencies around town that could have saved his life. The case has haunted KCASE Officer Mark Vanderberg since he was called to investigate.

I can only imagine how Officer Mark Vanderberg felt finding Copper, no wonder it haunts him.  Mystery still surrounds Copper’s release, it seems he was loved, but yet he was left to fend for himself.  It is assumed the owner let him go because of all the details in the note, a stranger would not know these things.

Officials say they understand why some pet owners find themselves unable to care for their animals. Owners are required by law to supply ample food and water and to maintain proper veterinary care.

These are not inexpensive needs, and an increasing number of pet owners run into conditions where decisions must be made. Options include turning to the Kalamazoo Animal Rescue, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Southwest Michigan, or the Pet Resource Network. If these aren’t the answer, the Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement shelter is available.

These are viable alternatives to simply turning a pet loose. Planning ahead, according to KCASE Director Steve Lawrence, can result in a much better outcome for the pet. “I can see why people come to a point where they can’t take care of a pet anymore, but you can’t wait until the very last minute to do something about it,” said Lawrence, director of the agency for six years. “You can see financial trouble coming, and you can start considering options early.

“Put an ad in the paper, start contacting agencies, anything but simply turning pets loose into elements they aren’t prepared for,” he said.

Many pet owners are under the impression that taking their pets to an animal shelter is tantamount to a death sentence, but percentages don’t back that contention.

Of the 480 dogs brought to KCASE this year, 33 have been euthanized, either when the shelter ran out of space or the animal was deemed unsafe, according to Lawrence.

For any dog owner that is in a similar predicament, please heed the advice above.  A dog is not responsible for the situation their owner is in, at the very least they deserve to be given a chance at life, not to be turned loose on a wing and a prayer.

* Copper is a handsome boy who was abandoned by his family. He currently resides at a foster home in Minnesota and is waiting for his forever family.