However, I had to share this story, as it is horrifying  and, apparently, legal. For those who let their dogs roam off leash, take heed, as you could inadvertently be putting your dog’s life in grave danger, not to mention your own.

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Dogster, in partnership with the American Red Cross, recently launched an innovative pet ID and recovery service called Together Tag as a stand-alone solution or as a complement to your pet’s existing microchip.

Easy Online Enrollment
A one-time fee of $24.95 covers your dog for life. Simply add profile information to activate your account. Special discount for families with three or more pets!

Cool, Disaster-Proof Tags
The service – specifically designed for natural disasters – features stylish, reflective tags, lab-tested under extreme conditions.

Shelter & Community Alerts
Benefit from an extensive network of over 5,000 shelters and 1 million pet-lovers. Targeted alerts are dispatched as soon as you report your pet as missing.

Click here for more info.

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• Finding the best veterinarian for your dog;
• The dangers of electric shock; and
• This heartwarming story about a girl who saved a dog.

Woof!

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The American Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reminds all pet owners that especially during this time of year, there are many household hazards that can poison our pooches.

According to Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’S Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital and author of Vet Confidential: An Insider’s Guide to Protecting Your Pet’s Health, says, “Over the holidays, veterinary hospitals often see an influx of pets affected by a variety of seasonal hazards, from cats vomiting after swallowing ribbons to dogs who’ve indulged in pilfered chocolates. It’s important to keep our animal companions safe when celebrating.”

The following tips from the ASPCA are sure to help keep everyone safe and sound this holiday season:

O Christmas Tree
Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall–this will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling.

Tinsel-less Town
Animals love this sparkly, light-catching “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It’s best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.

Toy Joy
Stuff your pet’s stockings with gifts that are safe (and can’t be torn apart). Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, digestible chew treats or Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods.
 
Forget the Mistletoe & Holly
When ingested by pets, mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Holly can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.

For more poison prevention tips from the ASPCA, click here.

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The pills you pop may make you feel better, but they could be fatal to your pet. Just last year, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) handled 89,000 cases of pets exposed to human medications.

Here’s what to watch out for:

NSAIDs
According to the APCC, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are the most common cause of pet poisoning in small animals, and can cause serious problems even in minimal doses. Pets may experience stomach and intestinal ulcers and—in the case of cats—kidney damage.

Antidepressants
Antidepressants can cause vomiting and lethargy and certain types can lead to serotonin syndrome—a condition marked by agitation, elevated body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, disorientation, vocalization, tremors and seizures.

Acetaminophen
Cats are especially sensitive to acetaminophen, which can damage red blood cells and interfere with their ability to transport oxygen. In dogs, it can cause liver damage and, at higher doses, red blood cell damage.

Methylphenidate (for ADHD)
Medications used to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in people act as stimulants in pets and can dangerously elevate heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature, as well as cause seizures.

Fluorouracil
Fluorouracil—an anti-cancer drug—is used topically to treat minor skin cancers and solar keratitis in humans. It has proven to be rapidly fatal to dogs, causing severe vomiting, seizures and cardiac arrest even in those who’ve chewed on discarded cotton swabs used to apply the medication.

Isoniazid
Isoniazid is particularly toxic for dogs because they don’t metabolize it as well as other species. It can cause a rapid onset of severe seizures that may ultimately result in death.

Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine is a popular decongestant in many cold and sinus products, and acts like a stimulant if accidentally ingested by pets. In cats and dogs, it causes elevated heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature as well as seizures.

Anti-diabetics
Many oral diabetes treatments—including glipizide and glyburide—can cause a major drop in blood sugar levels of affected pets. Clinical signs of ingestion include disorientation, lack of coordination and seizures.

Vitamin D derivatives
Even small exposures to Vitamin D analogues like calcipotriene and calcitriol can cause life-threatening spikes in blood calcium levels in pets. Clinical signs of exposure—including vomiting, loss of appetite, increased urination and thirst due to kidney failure—often don’t occur for more than 24 hours after ingestion.

Baclofen
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that can impair the central nervous systems of cats and dogs. Some symptoms of ingestion include significant depression, disorientation, vocalization, seizures and coma, which can lead to death.

To help avoid accidental exposure, the ASPCA recommends keeping all medications out of reach of animals. If your pet does swallow any meds, stay calm and try to assess how many are left in the bottle versus how many might have been consumed. This dosage information is crucial for veterinarians when assigning your pet’s risk level and determining a proper course of treatment.

If you suspect your pet has ingested any human medications—or other toxic substances—immediately call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435. Time is of the essence and could mean the difference between life and death for your dog.

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Two separate cases of dog abuse in the news recently sheds light on the fact that not only are animal abusers not getting away with it anymore, but also that concerned citizen intervention can save a dog’s life.

In Queens, New York, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) agents recently arrested a 39-year-old man for neglecting his Pomeranian and Chihuahua. The man was charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and faces up to two years in jail and a $4,000 fine.

On June 16, a neighbor found the Pomeranian, Willie, bloodied and injured in the street—most likely the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Concerned neighbors called the ASPCA after the owner made it clear that he had no intention of seeking veterinary care, even though Willie was unable to stand. Special Agent Joann Sandano responded to the complaint and discovered a second dog belonging to the owner, a Chihuahua, also in dire need of veterinary care.

Both dogs were seized and brought to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital for treatment. Willie received orthopedic surgery to repair a fractured hip and had two teeth removed due to severe dental disease. Albie, the Chihuahua, had a bent leg reset—the result of an old break that never properly healed—and was treated for other conditions resulting from neglect.

Willie and Albie, both six years old and with great dispositions, were released to the ASPCA and will be available for adoption once they recover from their injuries. Two hamsters and a gerbil who also were removed from the house have since been re-homed.

Neglect is a serious offense. If you know of an animal whose health is being compromised by neglect, report it to your local authorities.

In another incident, a man who was arrested for allegedly throwing a canine to her death on September 14, 2007, will get what’s coming to him.

According to the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement department, the man threw a three-year-old shih tzu, Zahara, out the window to the sidewalk below after grabbing the dog by the throat.

Zahara was rushed to Manhattan’s Animal Medical Center, but with multiple broken legs, collapsed lungs and internal bleeding from the impact, the 15-pound dog soon succumbed to her injuries.

The perpetrator fled, and for a year avoided both the NYPD and HLE investigators seeking to question him. However, HLE continued to work the case, striving to pinpoint his location. His use of a social networking website, plus information from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, ultimately led ASPCA Special Agent Peter Rivas to the door of the man’s new Manhattan apartment, where he was arrested on September 5, 2008.

He was arraigned the following Friday and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a felony. He also was charged with reckless endangerment, reckless endangerment of property, menacing, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal mischief. The NYPD slapped him with an additional charge of aggravated harassment for an unrelated incident. The 27-year-old man faces up to seven years in prison for the combined charges.

In an effort to address the high incidence of pets being harmed in domestic violence disputes, about a dozen states—including New York—have passed laws allowing pets to be included in orders of protection. Click here for more information about the link between domestic violence and animal abuse.

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I am shocked and saddened by the story of Chai, a 10-year-old lab mix, and his owner, Daniel Rechelbacher, who is not only trying to make a better life for his dog, but also hold a corporation accountable for a serious, grievous and potentially deadly wrongdoing. 

I’ve excerpted the story from Daniel’s blog, in the hopes that not only will other dog owners avoid such a devastating incident, but also that more people will join in the fight against Four Paws:

“On Sunday, June 22, 2008, Chai, sustained a severe injury from a product that the company Four Paws Inc, produces. The toy I’m referencing is the pimple ball with bell. (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9)

While chewing on the toy, a vacuum was created and it effectively sucked his tongue into the hole in the ball. From speaking with my vet, this likely occurred because there is not a second hole in the ball preventing the vacuum effect from happening. I became aware of this when Chai approached a friend at my home whimpering withthe ball in his mouth. She tried unsuccessfully to remove the ball but the tongue had swollen and could not be released.

Chai was taken to the Animal Medical Center (an emergency care facility in New York City) and was treated by Dr. Nicole Spurlock to have the ball removed. Because the size of the opening on the ball was so small, all circulation to his tongue was cut off. The doctors had to sedate him in order to remove it. Once the ball was removed, his tongue swelled to the point that he could no longer put it in his mouth. Chai was sent home with care instructions and to be observed overnight for any changes.

By the following morning Chai’s tongue had swollen even more.

He was taken to his regular vet, Dr. Timnah Lee, for treatment. He was admitted and kept sedated for a period of three days during which time they were treating his wounds and waiting to determine how much of his tongue could be saved. On June 26, 2008 Chai had his tongue amputated.

He was kept in after-care for an additional three days. On Sunday June 29th I brought Chai home from the vet witha barrage of home care instructions, to last for an additional 7 days. His next visit was to have his mouth re-examined and have the feeding tube in his neck removed.”

When Daniel stopped at Petland Discount, where he purchased the offensive product, the manager met Chai and immediately removed all of the balls in question from the shelves. (He also gave Daniel the customer service number to their corporate headquarters to request that they refuse to continue purchasing all Four Paws products.)

Daniel’s veterinary bills have surpassed $5,000, and Chai now requires a much more expensive form of food because of this injury, averaging approximately $200 per month. Daniel has also been impacted career wise, as he lost a great deal of business during Chai’s after care. In addition, there have been two other documented incidents similar, one in which the dog died as a result of the injuries.

Daniel is not only taking on Four Paws in court (you go, Daniel!). In addition, Daniel’s story and efforts have already resulted in the recall of products (although the company is not doing much to notify the public at large). 

Keep up to date on Chai’s progress and Daniel’s court case here. And thanks, Daniel, for being the dangerous dog toy watch dog.

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There are many victims of domestic violence, including pets, who are often caught in the crossfire and wind up either victims of abuse at the hands of the domestic abuser, or used as pawns to keep victims from leaving.

It may sound incredible to some people, but there are many women who will not leave an abusive situation if they can’t stay somewhere that allows animals–and most shelters do not. (You would have to drag me kicking and screaming from my dog and cats, so I sympathize.)

According to American Humane, 71% of pet-owning women entering women’s shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims; 68% of battered women reported violence towards their animals, 87% of these incidents occurred in the presence of the women, and 75% in the presence of the children, to psychologically control and coerce them; 13% of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence; and between 25% and 40% of battered women are unable to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets or livestock should they leave.

Battered women have even been known to live in their cars with their pets for as long as four months until an opening was available at a pet-friendly safe house.

Fortunately, many women’s shelters are establishing “safe haven” foster care programs for the animal victims of domestic violence–some women’s shelters are even building kennels at their facilities.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, three states — Maine, New York and Vermont — have already enacted laws permitting family pets to be included in protective court orders involving cases of domestic violence. Such court orders are meant to shield animals as well as spouses and domestic partners from abusers. An additional 12 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey,  Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia, have considered “pet protection” legislation.

With over 100 safe haven programs currently operating today in the U.S., many victims no longer have to choose between their safety and their pets.

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It’s not often that something free has the potential to save a loved one’s life. But leave it to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to come up with something!

Click here to sign up for a sticker that lets people who need to know (firefighters, police, rescue workers, etc.) know pets are in your home. Place the sticker in a visible place and be sure to include the types and number of pets in your household, the name of your veterinarian and your veterinarian’s phone number.

For more disaster preparedness tips, click here.

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It’s bad enough to go on vacation with your family and come home to find your home has been broken in to. Now imagine that the robbers also harm your pets before or after they take all of your worldly possessions.

That’s exactly what happened to a family in the Salt Lake City area earlier this month.

Salt Lake County Sheriff’s deputies say robbers broke into a Riverton home while the family was on vacation.  When they got home, the owners found their 13-pound dog, Ranger, in a pool of blood. Ranger had been severely beaten and had a fractured skull.

The Humane Society of Utah stepped in to offer a $5,000 reward to anyone with information on the crime (anyone with information about the incident is directed to call HSU Chief Investigator John Paul Fox at 261-2919, ext. 210).

In addition, the Animal Advocacy Alliance of Utah is also offering a $2,000 reward, and there’s also a fund to help pay for Ranger’s medical bills.  Those wanting to help with Ranger’s hospital bills can donate to the “Ranger Fund” c/o the Humane Society of Utah, P.O. Box 573659, Salt Lake City, UT 84157, or at the Humane Society offices at 4242 S. 300 West, Murray.

Ranger has since returned home and is expected to make a recovery, but unfortunately the robbers are still at large.

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