URGENT Situations for 3 HomeFur-ever Animals

We at HomeFur-ever would like to make our audience aware of 3 VERY SPECIAL ANIMALS which are in need of URGENT re-homing.  We are desparate to find a foster home, adoptive home, or sanctuary where each of these animals can be provided with the special care they need to give them the best possible quality-of-life in order that they may live out the remainder of their lives with the dignity they deserve. 

The animals are currently located in the Detroit metro area, however, if a suitable home is located for them outside the area we have several options available to insure they would be able to be transported to that location.  Obviously the Detroit area or State of Michigan would be easiest, but we’ll do whatever is needed to provide them with the special care they need.

Please read their stories and contact us  if you can provide assistance or refer us to someone who can.

Case #1 – Scrappy –

Scrappy is owned by a person in a section of Detroit where there is a high rate of animal abuse and neglect.  He does have an owner who keeps him in the house most times, but that is about the best we can say of the situation.  Scrappy’s tale of woe really began when he got loose and did not come home for a couple of days.  Someone in the neighborhood spotted him lying under a vacant home near the porch so the owner retrieved him.  Upon return, his condition indicated to the owner that he had likely been hit by car but even so, he neglected to take him to a vet for medical care.  Scrappy was forced to pull himself around dragging his back legs which were no longer functional. 

When HomeFur-ever became aware of the situation and got involved, we first asked the owner to surrender the dog to us since it was obvious he was not being properly cared for.  The owner refused to surrender him saying, ‘I love him, couldn’t possibly give him up’ – of course our thought was, if you love him so much why isn’t he receiving proper medical care?  So, alternately, we begged the owner for authorization to rush him to our most skilled/experienced vet, where we found out by X-rays that someone had shot him and the bullet was still lodged in his lower back.  If Scrappy had received treatment when found, the Vet thought he would probably still be walking. Unfortunately, by the time the Vet got him, he was unable to change Scrappy’s circumstance.

So, as an alternative and at the Vet’s urging, HomeFur-ever has purchased a cart for Scrappy in hopes that if he could be exercised daily in the cart that his spine would straighten out, which in turn could possibly give him better muscle control in the kidney area thus making him a good candidate for medication to better control his urine; the Vet thought it a good sign that he still had muscle in the anal area.

We trained the owner on how to place him in the cart and spent time teaching Scrappy how to walk in it so he could again become mobile under his own power.  We educated the owner about the importance of daily use of the cart to benefit Scrappy.  In spite of his physical challenges, Scrappy is the sweetest, most loving animal, who easily gives kisses and just loves any attention he is given.  He obviously has a strong will to live and make the best of things.

It has been a couple of months since Scrappy has received his cart, and the owner recently called our Director to tell her that he is tired of cleaning up after the dog and does not have time to put him in his cart.  He is planning to put him down so he can get a puppy.  We have begged him to give us some time to find an alternative arrangement for Scrappy so he can live the life he deserves, but so far have been unable to find a foster or adoptive home for him.  Time is running out as the owner is quite impatient to be rid of him, and we are terrified that he will be put down any day.

Case #2 – Sanford

HomeFur-ever rescued Sanford after he appeared to have been hit by a car. He had two broken legs, one with a compound fracture.  Poor Sanford was in so much pain that he had chewed off his foot to try to alleviate the pain. Unfortunately, that leg was damaged beyond repair and had to be amputated.

You would think he had suffered enough and the story would end there, but such is not the luck of our poor Sanford.  Unfortunately, during his recovery he was frightened and managed to escape from the veterinarian’s office where he was receiving care.  This led to him being missing for several weeks until a good samaritan finally found him hiding under a porch looking for scraps of food.  They saw his HomeFur-ever tag and we were able to get him back to complete his treatment and work toward giving him a much better life.

Unfortunately, due to a shortage of foster homes, Sanford has to live in a foster home that has a lot of other foster animals who are left on their own much of the day while the foster Mother is out working, including some who didn’t like him very much, so there are times when those animals have attacked him.  This resulted in Sanford becoming very timid and fearful.

Even with all of this, Sanford has been a trouper!  He adapted fairly well to the loss of the leg and learned to get around as needed, and as time has passed, he seems to have overcome his fear of other dogs.  Unfortunately, he has now suffered a spinal stroke and is starting to lose his battle to gain a new life.  As a result of the stroke the vet indicates he needs regular physical therapy with a professional, and daily physical therapy at home.  However, the home where he is currently placed is unable to provide this extensive type of care and Sanford’s condition is deteriorating quickly as a result.  We have been unable to find anyone else who is willing to take him on in a foster or adoptive situation.

Case #3 – Celeste

This is Celeste, a VERY small German Shepherd at only 30 lbs. She is somewhere between 10 – 15 years old, and unfortunately is dying from cancer.

She doesn’t have very long to live, so we’ve been trying to find a quiet foster home where she can end her days in a loving environment, but have so far been quite unsuccessful – she is currently living in a foster home with multiple animals where they are doing their best to care for her and give her the calm environment she needs, but it’s not the best situation for her.

She will need hospice care, but there is actually little more involved than giving some meds to keep her comfortable, feeding her in small amounts several times per day, and wiping her eyes to clear away the liquids that collect there. She’s a very quiet girl who doesn’t move very well, but just loves laying outside in the sunshine.  We believe she previously had a stroke, but the meds do help her move better so she can do her business when needed. She still currently has control of her bodily functions, though she does have a very hard time walking.

Each of these animals has had to suffer the worst that life has to offer; we hope that our readers will help us find a situation for each of them that will enable them to live the rest of their lives seeing only the best that life can offer them.  Can you find it in your heart to help?

Dog Flu Shots Now Available

Posted: Wednesday, 23 September 2009

(CBS)  While humans deal with the H1N1 virus, another flu virus has been spreading in the dog world. Resident veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner Bell shared the details about H3N8, otherwise known as canine influenza, with Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez on Wednesday. According to Bell, there is a new vaccine available, which Bell called “a good thing, because no dog has natural immunity to this very contagious virus.” In 2004, a mysterious virus raced through greyhounds at Florida racetracks almost as fast as they could run. It caused coughing, high fever, runny noses, and in many cases, life-threatening pneumonia, she explained. “It was disturbing because of the fact that so many dogs were sick and some were dying,” said Dr. Cynda Crawford, veterinarian at the University of Florida’s veterinary school. Within six months, this devastating disease had spread to 14 tracks in six states. A year later, in 2005, the virus was still spreading. But finally, some answers. Crawford identified the bug. “It is highly contagious,” Crawford explained. “Virtually all dogs exposed to this virus will become infected.” Today, this highly contagious virus has been noted in 30 states, affecting thousands of dogs in shelters, boarding kennels, and doggy day care facilities. The spread of the virus seems to have plateaued in many areas. However, four-to-five states are still seeing outbreaks: Florida, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and there is an outbreak currently in Virginia, Bell pointed out. “Is this anything like H1N1?” Rodriguez asked. “Well, it’s a type A, influenza, however it is not swine flu, as we like to call it the canine influenza, it’s not contagious to humans so far as we know,” Bell said. “There’s no evidence that it can be given to people or other species. “The mortality rate is about 5 percent. It’s very similar to the human H1N1 in that generally it’s mild, there’s cough, nasal discharge, sometimes with a secondary bacterial infection, many recover from it except for those who go on to pneumonia.” Dr. Debbie Wohl, a veterinarian who practices in Valley Stream, N.Y., shared her experience with Rodriguez and Bell and administered the vaccine to her dog named, Harley. “That is pretty much what we saw. Several years ago there was an outbreak in our area,” Wohl said. “We think it came from a dog who used to go to a doggie day care center in the city. And because it’s so contagious, quite a few dogs got ill from it. We saw a lot of dogs coughing, nasal discharge, fever, anywhere from mild to severe.” Although most of the dogs got over it in one or two weeks, some of the dogs did progress to pneumonia and in those cases they got very sick and one or two did pass away from it, Wohl explained. According to Bell, since this is a virus that spreads in communal areas, dogs that go to kennels, doggie day cares, or grooming parlors should be vaccinated. She also added that people that work with animals should vaccinate their own animals as well. The vaccine involves a series of two shots, with the second one following two to four weeks later. “This is called a lifestyle vaccine,” Bell said. “If you have a dog that’s at home, stays in your yard and never comes in contact with other dogs, probably doesn’t need this vaccine. But if you travel, go to kennels, this vaccine is for you.”

iPHONE PET FIRST AID APPLICATION

July 16, 2009

Introducing the pet first aid mobile application, your first stop for critically important pet information.

Your four-legged family members rely on you for their care, so be prepared 24/7 for a medical emergency. From cuts and impalement, to choking and CPR, Pet First Aid is at your fingertips with detailed articles, video, and illustrations to help you care for your dog or cat. Record your pet’s vital medical information to ensure their veterinarian is never more than a touch away, and your pet will never miss another vaccination.

Pet First Aid is loaded with detailed videos and step-by-step illustrations so you’ll know exactly what to do when caring for your pet. Videos include: restraint, muzzling, CPR, bandaging, and many more. All articles, videos, and illustrations are bundled with the application for offline or wilderness access. Featuring dozens of articles, including: bleeding, poisoning, drowning, recue breathing and CPR, muzzling, restraining, disaster preparedness, bites and stings, burns, and many more.

In addition, Pet First Aid allows you to save vital medical information for all your pets. Easily record their vaccinations, identifications, veterinarian contact info, medications, allergies & conditions, and any other notes for reference when visiting the veterinarian.  Learn more at http://jive.me/

All content developed by PetTech of Vacaville, experts in Pet First Aid and Pet Emergency Preparedness training.  Software development provided by Jive Media, makers of the #1 best-selling first aid application in the Apple App Store

Dearborn Shelter Gets Legal Custody of Chihuahuas

Tanveer Ali / The Detroit News

Dearborn — All 112 living Chihuahuas found in a bungalow last week where authorities recovered 151 frozen dead dogs now belong to the Dearborn Animal Shelter, paving the way for adoption that could begin as early as next week, city officials said.

City spokeswoman Mary Laundroche said the sister of Kenneth Lang Jr., who lived alone in the home with the dogs on Orchard, signed paperwork ceding ownership of the Chihuahuas to the city. Laundroche said the animal shelter will screen nearly 200 adoption applications received since authorities entered the home July 22.

“The gentleman no longer has any control over any of the dogs,” Laundroche said.

Police are still conducting a criminal investigation that could result in animal cruelty-related charges for Lang. Lang’s lawyer, James Schmier, has said he doesn’t expect charges to be filed against his client because police are aware he suffers from mental illness.

Laundroche also said the sister, who has become Lang’s legal representative, also gave the city the right to dispose of all furniture, trash and electrical equipment that clean-up crews took from the home as they searched for living dogs.

After the home was rendered unlivable, the city is seeking to demolish the home, but the legal process will take time, Laundroche said. The sister also is in talks with demolition crews to take down the house.

In an interview with WJBK-TV (Channel 2) from a Macomb County facility, Lang said he kept the dogs out of love.

“I’m thinking that I may lose the home and maybe lose all my possessions,” Lang said.

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HomeFur-ever Animal Rescue is very pleased that the citizens of the Detroit community have shown such strong support to the Dearborn Animal Shelter and the rescued animals.  Like our organization, the staff and volunteers at the Dearborn facility work very hard every day to help animals in need and we’re certain they are grateful for the support.

We would also like to mention to those who have applied to adopt the rescued animals, if your application is not one of those selected to receive one of the rescued chihuahuas, we would encourage you to contact us at Home Fur-ever as we also have a large number of wonderful animals in need of a loving ‘forever’ home!  We can be reached via comments on this blog or via our email address at homefurever@comcast.net .  We would love to introduce you to the many loving and deserving animals we are currently caring for!

Steep Vet Bills, Sour Economy Doom More Pets – But, There ARE Options!

As more and more pet owners are faced with hard choices mandated by today’s difficult economic climate, an unfortunate result is that many family pets are not getting the level of medical care they need.  Desparate pet owners are faced with ‘no-win’ choices of no medical care, minimal medical care, economic-mandated euthanasia, or surrendering their pet.

We at HomeFur-ever are aware that no responsible pet owner would make any of these choices if they had any other option.  Therefore, one of our goals in this blog is to try to provide you with education that leads to additional choices.  In that light, we would like to make you aware of the resources and options suggested in the article below.  Or, as a last resort if you are forced to surrender your pet, we urge you to contact a shelter or rescue in your geographic area to see if they can take in your pet and try to find them a new happy home, rather than implementing economic-mandated euthanasia.

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Owners facing hardship scramble for help or face ‘economic euthanasia’

By JoNel Aleccia, Health writer, msnbc.com

When Lara Yount saw her daughter holding the empty leash, she knew the news was bad. Daisy Mae, their 2-year-old beagle, had run away again, this time into the path of a passing car.

“You could tell the leg was broken,” recalled Yount, 38, a mother of three from Bloomsdale, Mo., who found her dog in a ditch three weeks ago.

But when Yount got the bill to repair Daisy’s injuries — a fractured pelvis and a shattered tibia — she knew the news was worse.  It was $3,200, a large sum in good times and an impossible amount since her husband, David, lost his steady construction job earlier this year.

 “I tried to talk the vet down to $1,500, but he couldn’t do it,” said Yount, who earns $7.50 an hour at a local feed store. “I talked to my husband on the phone and he said, ‘We’ll just have to put her down.’ ”

As the United States economy continues to spiral, pet owners grappling with financial troubles are facing terrible choices, animal care experts say. Confronted with steep bills for emergency injuries or sudden illness, cash-conscious owners are delaying care, opting for less-aggressive treatments, or in some cases, choosing to destroy family pets they otherwise would save.

“They come straight from the vet and say, ‘I can’t afford to treat my animal,’ ” said Mark Kumpf, president of the National Animal Control Association and director of an animal shelter near Dayton, Ohio. “They’ll say, ‘The vet said he should be euthanized and I can’t even afford that.’ ”

Kumpf said he’s seen a 20 percent spike in people turning in animals at his shelter in the past year, and an equal hike in the number of people who request what’s known as “economic euthanasia.” No national figures track overall rates of relinquishment or euthanasia, but some veterinarians across the country say they’re also seeing a rise.

Others are worried that they soon will.

“It is a big concern,” said Dr. Kimberly May, a veterinarian and spokeswoman for the American Veterinary Medical Association. “We have been hearing anecdotal reports of people not going for treatment or not going as far with treatments as they were two years ago or a year ago.”

2 million dogs, 82 million cats
In a nation where 72 million dogs, nearly 82 million cats and 11 million birds share people’s homes, the human-animal bond would appear to be strong. Nearly half of U.S. households with pets regard the animals as family members, according to the AVMA.

But less than 3 percent of pet owners have insurance to cover veterinary care, according to industry estimates, including emergency care that can quickly exceed hundreds or thousands of dollars. Even then, nearly all vets require a deposit of at least half the estimated bill up front, with clear means to pay the rest.  If owners can’t pay, vets can’t treat.

Increasingly, financial worries are prompting pet owners to seek alternatives at the vet counter, said Dr. Gary Stamp, a diplomat with the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. They’ll refuse certain diagnostic tests or ask for less expensive treatment options.

“There’s the optimal option, then a less positive option,” he said. “Then there’s the option where you just put them on fluids and hope for the best.”

Other desperate pet owners are swamping the few agencies that provide financial assistance for veterinary care.  Demand for the Helping Pets Fund operated by the American Animal Hospital Association has tripled in the last several months, said spokesman Jason Merrihew.

200 calls a day
The Pet Fund, a California-based nonprofit, is fielding nearly 200 calls a day, more than double the volume of a year ago, said executive director Karen Leslie.

“This kind of response we have not had absent a national disaster,” said Leslie, who tells clients their animals must be stable enough to outlast a four-month waiting list. “We can’t do anything for people who need emergency care.”

Many calls come from people like Tracy Blinn, 37, of Surprise, Ariz., who can’t afford the cost of X-rays and blood tests to see what’s wrong with her 8-year-old rottweiler, Kona. A month ago, one of Kona’s legs became too swollen and painful to use and the dog’s right eye started drooping.

Even a few years ago, the $360 cost for diagnostic tests would have been nothing, said Blinn. But her family runs a direct-mail marketing business that served the struggling local automobile industry; nearly all their work has dried up. And the four investment houses that once provided a tidy income have recently slipped into foreclosure, she said.

Blinn asked a local vet for a break on the costs to treat Kona, but he refused.

“He said he’s been having a lot of issues with people not paying their vet bills,” Blinn said. “I’ve looked everywhere on the Internet and called everyone. I even put an ad on Craigslist.”

When she heard that Leslie couldn’t provide emergency help, Blinn grew quiet. She has four kids and three dogs and a husband who has one solution in mind.

“He’s just willing to put her down and I’m not willing. I have hope. Why not try?” she said. “I just think it’s sad. You get these animals and it’s a trust issue. I’m feeling terrible that just because of finances, she might die.”

Kumpf said he wished more pet owners facing financial crisis would try harder to keep their animals. He’s been known to waive fees and to provide some free medical care. This month, he’s launching a program that lets people earn $10 an hour toward paying off fines and fees for services.  But that hasn’t yet stopped the steady parade of relinquished pets, despite their owners’ obvious distress. 

“Many people are embarrassed to the point of complete shame,” he said. “They feel like they’re abandoning a family member.”

Animal care experts have a few suggestions for pet owners in financial trouble. They suggest applying for CareCredit, a veterinary credit service that essentially provides loans for care. They urge pet owners to borrow from friends and family, to hold personal fundraisers or to cut back on unnecessary — even necessary — expenses to pay for their animals’ treatment.

And they urge pet owners to be persistent.

‘He’s my little baby’
Lisa Vigilo, 41, a marketing executive in New York, lost her $80,000-a-year job in January 2008. It took her eight lean months to get another one, and by that time, her 16-year-old cat, Oreo, was diagnosed with diabetes.

With a job pending but no immediate money, Viglio quickly racked up more than $3,000 in vet bills. Friends and family charmed by years of Oreo’s photos helped. Vigilo applied for CareCredit, her vet allowed a payment plan and she was awarded a $500 grant from The Pet Fund for Oreo’s medication.

“Somebody else would have said, ‘He’s getting older, put him down,’” she said. “I’m so grateful I was able to reach out for help and be able to get it at the point I needed it. I know he’s not a child, but in my world, he’s my little baby.”

Lara Yount was persistent as well. She had $1,500 that she’d been saving for badly needed auto repairs, so she gave that to Daisy Mae’s vet, Dr. Mark Anderson of Veterinary Specialty Services in St. Louis. Then she turned to the Internet, where an agency called IMOM.org offers an online fundraising service for emergency veterinary care.

The Web-only resource was launched a decade ago by Jacki Hadra, a 64-year-old New Jersey woman, in memory of Magic, Hadra’s beloved black cat. Since 1998, IMOM has paid out $1.2 million for care for some 1,669 pets using the slogan: “Companion animals shouldn’t have to suffer or die simply because their caretakers are financially challenged.”

Online donations save Daisy
Within days of posting Daisy’s predicament, Yount had raised the remaining money — some $1,600 — that she needed. A week later, the beagle was back at home with Yount’s kids, Catelynne, 11, Catarina, 13 and Cody, 17.

“To have people you don’t even know donate that kind of money is just phenomenal,” she said.

But it will take more than intermittent donations to resolve the crisis of affordable veterinary care, said Leslie, the director of The Pet Fund. Her agency is working to raise awareness about the need for resources to pay for treatment, but also for education to help ensure more people are prepared to care for their pets.

“As eager as people are to see universal health care for people, we’re eager to see a larger fund for veterinary care for animals,” she said. “It’s not that pet owners are irresponsible, it’s that pet owners aren’t prepared for that $10,000 emergency.”

Ways to Pay for Vet Care

Ask your vet about setting up a payment plan. Nearly all veteriarians require at least half of the low estimate of charges to be paid before they’ll treat an animal. Most can’t accommodate payment plans, but some will.Consider pet insurance. Only 3 percent of all pet owners have insurance for veterinary care, but many animal experts support the coverage. Read policies carefully and consider plans with low premiums and high deductibles that essentially provide catastrophic care, experts suggest. Contact CareCredit. The firm is the nation’s leading credit service for veterinary bills. For treatment plans from $1,500 to $25,000, the agency offers 24-, 36- and 48-month plans.   Contact your local humane society or animal shelter. Many agencies offer some limited financial assistance, though demand may outweigh resources. Contact nonprofit animal rescue groups. Breed-specific groups often have funds to help owners in need. More resources: The Pet Fund, IMOM.org, the American Animal Hospital Association.  Click for related content Petland accused of scheme to sell puppies Fostering homeless animals is a leg up After 9 years, missing dog returns to family

Please HELP! – Time is Critical to Save Two Desparate Animals!

Home Fur-ever Animal Rescue is requesting your assistance; we have two animals in dire need of legal assistance ASAP so they can be rescued; failure to receive immediate legal and medical attention will likely result in the death of at least one of these fabulous animals within the next 24 – 48 hours.  These are wonderful dogs with the sweetest personalities in spite of the horrendous challenges they have faced!

If you are an attorney in the state of Michigan, we could really use your volunteered legal services to save these animals.  Time is critical!  You can contact a representative of our group at 313-295-7112 to receive complete details.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide!  We – and the animals – will be extemely grateful!

Pet Careers Prosper in Recession

 Author: Marina Hanes

Layoffs and bankrupt companies are continuing to make the news in the U.S., and these occurrences seem to be foreshadowing doom for all of us. However, amidst the demise of some businesses, other professions are flourishing. According to the Animal Behavior College, pet careers are going the distance regardless of how bad the economy is.

Last year the American Pet Products Association (APPA) recorded that Americans spent $43.2 billion dollars relating to pets, and the APPA estimates that this spending will only increase in 2009. Why are pet careers surviving when others are drowning? There are several assumptions that may provide answers to this question. For instance, as the U.S. attempts to solve its economic issues, Americans might be spending more time at home, which is resulting in more pet care and companionship. Pet owners might even be taking preventative measures by visiting the veterinarian regularly to reduce the chances of future pet expenses.

Although many animals have become homeless as a result of these hard times, there are individuals willing to adopt. Taking on additional pets sometimes requires training advice. On the other hand, people might be taking on more jobs and working longer hours, so boarding their pet might be their only option to make ends meet.

The recession has had both a negative and positive impact on pets, but it’s relieving to see that the circumstances have improved since the beginning when so many pet owners had to surrender their pets. Also, pet careers might be a way for you to earn additional income. Even if you don’t have veterinarian experience, you can work at pet stores or kennels. If you are home during the afternoons, it might be a good idea to offer a dog walking service to your neighbors who might work 40-60 hours per week.

Paying for pet training, grooming or veterinary checkups is not a frivolous way of spending your money, but if you need extra cash for these bills or your personal expenses, a part-time job in the field of pets might suit your needs.

Pet Adoption vs. Animal Euthanasia

by Bobbie McKee

Animal euthanasia is the act of inducing death to an animal. Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress. Most of the times, it is called the act of “putting  to sleep” an animal. Meanwhile organizations like animal rescue groups and animal rights organizations strictly oppose this method. They say pet adoption could dramatically reduce the number of animals being “put to sleep”.

There are many reasons for animal euthanasia. Terminal illness and behavioral problems like aggression can be reasons for euthanasia.  Additionally, there are animal owners inducing their pets to euthanasia when they have illnesses or broken limbs that requires big medical and financial attention.  Old age is also a common reason for animal or pet euthanasia.

Meanwhile, many animal shelters induce euthanasia since they do not have enough space or room for an abandoned animal.

According to Humane Society of the United States, there is an estimated 4 to 5 million adoptable animals in animal shelters euthanized due to lack of facilities. While American Humane Association cites an even bigger number, 9.6 million of animals in the United States are being euthanized every year.

According to a survey conducted by the American Humane Association, out of the 1000 shelters who responded to the survey, 2.7 million of 4.3 million animals (64 percent) are being euthanized. Out of this euthanized number, 56 percent are dogs and 71 percent are cats.  15 percent of sheltered dogs and 2 percent of sheltered cats are reunited with their owners, and just a dismal 25 percent of dogs and 24 percent of cats are adopted.

The majority of animals in shelters are being euthanized since there is a standard period of time (ranging from several days to weeks for unclaimed stray animals) they will be held.  However, there are “no kill” shelters run by private and animal welfare organizations. These “no kill” shelters make it an official policy never to euthanize animals except for medical reasons.

Another reason why animal euthanasia is creeping to our culture is because of pet over-population. There are numerous pet owners surrendering their pets due to personal / financial reasons and inadequacy in taking responsibility for their pets. There are also people who only want puppies and once the puppy grows, they completely neglect them and eventually surrender them to shelters or rescue groups – or just abandon them.

Additionally, other owners fail to spay or neuter their animals so they tend to reproduce. There are thousands of litters being born in American homes every day. It is important to consider the financial and medical requirements of these huge numbers of pet reproduction.

Clearly, there is a crisis in the pet population of the United States. Too many animal companions competing for a few good homes that will take them is a clear effect of uncontrolled breeding.

Dog bite victims are now ranging to 4.5 million each year, due to uncontrolled breeding. Some of the victims fall prey to homeless and stray animals in the streets. The strays pose a public danger, and the government is using the taxpayers money in controlling these animals and maintaining animal shelters.

Pet adoption is a great way of lessening the impact of the crisis in pet population. Instead of buying pets from puppy mills or companies that breed animals for profit, adopting an animal is a great way of reducing the number of euthanized animals in shelters.

There are countless benefits of pet adoption. There are studies conducted saying the adopted pets are more loyal and devoted since they have already experienced the worst. Pet adoption is a great way of reducing the number of animals in shelters and making way for another one. Pet adoption battles euthanasia – one pet at a time.

Outside Dogs Benefit No One

February, 2008.  Author Lisa Woody is President of Uptown Dog Club, Inc., a Texas corporation.

I believe the time has come to put an end to the outside dog.

Once upon a time, ours was a farming culture. We did not have fences, and dogs were working animals. Dog roamed their territory during the day, but stayed around their homes at night to provide an early warning system if any animal or person should approach.

It’s different now. We live on zero lots and in apartment buildings. We can’t let our dogs roam the neighborhood because there are a hundred ways they can cause damage or be hurt. So we keep them at home.

But many people still keep their dogs outside in the back yard. This mindset is a holdover whose time has passed.

People have a variety of reasons for keeping their dogs confined to the back yard. They have allergies. They don’t want dirt and dog hair on the carpet and furniture. They want the dog to provide protection. The dog pees in the house, so they keep it outside.

But let’s take a look at the dog’s needs for a moment. Dogs are pack animals. They need their pack, whether it be humans or other dogs. They’re social animals just like us. Dogs who are made to live in isolation in a yard are miserable. They bark, dig, run away and chew the deck down. Dogs need a social interaction. They need exercise. They need a change of scene, and mental stimulation, which is why walks are so good for them.

Making a dog stay outside is a costly waste, and — in my view — cruel. If you got a dog for protection, then bring the dog inside where it can protect your family and belongings. Dogs kept outside cause far more nuisance complaints from barking and escaping than any deterrent to intrusion. Dogs that annoy the neighbors are vulnerable to teasing, harm, theft and release. Locking a dog in a yard protects an intruder, not you. Most dogs will just run away if a gate is opened. Others are killed through the fence. Dogs who are tied are no threat to anyone who simply keeps out of their reach. They’ll bark, but outdoor dogs bark so much already that everyone ignores them.

Compare that to an indoor dog who barks like crazy or jumps up on the door or window that an intruder is attempting to get through and the effect is much different. A robber can’t hurt your indoor dog until the dog can hurt him. For most thieves, it’s not worth the risk. It’s easier to find a house where the dog is restrained outside or in the back yard, and out of the way. According to Dr. Dennis Fetko, Ph.D., yard dogs usually exhibit aggression, not protection. In this dog’s very small world, everyone who passes by or enters has already violated the territory that dog has marked dozens of times a day for years. That’s not protection, it’s not desirable and it overlooks the social contract. Property owners have an implied social contract with others in the community. Letter carriers, paper boys, delivery people, law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, meter readers and others are allowed near and at times on your property without your permission. Sure, that ten-year-old was not supposed to jump your fence after his ball, kite or Frisbee; but neither you nor your dog are allowed to cause him injury if he does.

If you have allergies to dogs, you need to find another home for the dog, or employ cleaning methods or flooring materials that allow you to live more comfortably with your dog. I’ve known couples who merge households only to discover that one of them is allergic to the other’s dog. But by replacing carpeting with hardwood or tile and replacing fabric sofas with leather, by teaching the dog not to enter certain rooms such as the bedroom, and teaching the dog not to get on the furniture, many of these allergies were reduced.

The truth is, the more you can control a dog’s environment, the more control you have over the dog itself. Indoor problems such as peeing and chewing are easier to solve than outdoor problems. When a dog is alone indoors, you are still an influence because your scent and personal areas are a reminder of you and your training.

If you keep your dog outside because it pees when it comes inside, then you need to learn how to train your dog not to pee and poop inside the house. Millions of homeowners do manage to teach dogs of all ages and breeds to go outside. There are lots of free resources on housebreaking and crate training that will have any dog housebroke in a couple of weeks. Likewise, there are plenty of low-cost ways to keep a dog occupied and busy so she won’t chew your sofa and cabinets to shreds. People who use behavior problems as an excuse for confining a dog in unnatural isolation in the yard are just abdicating their responsibility.

We’ve all heard countless stories about family dogs saving everyone during a fire. How many people would be dead today if those dogs were kept outside?

People who get dogs need companionship, protection and someone to care for. Our dogs need exercise, social interaction and something to do.

Bring your dogs in with the rest of the family, where they belong.

Special thanks to Dennis Fetko, Ph.D. (www.drdog.com)

Safety Tips for Your Pet

The advantages of an indoor pet are that they are not exposed to extreme climatic changes. There is less chance of disease such as heartworm, rabies, parvo-corona, leptosporous, insect bites, ear mites, fleas, parasites, worms, mange, ticks, lime disease, allergies, etc.

This will limit the chance for animals getting lost, being stolen, hit by cars, harmed by people, poisoned, fighting, lawsuits, and can warn of unwanted visitors.

Yearly check-ups which generally include blood work, shots, stool check, teeth cleaning, heartworm check and preventative, proper diet and weight control, exercise, hygiene, love, and always wearing identification tags or micro-chip identification or tattoo.