Obama to Decide Whether to Expand Military's Animal Cruelty Policy

To contact us Click HERE
The Department of Defense is asking President Obama for permission to expand the military's current animal cruelty policy to include abandonment and to also apply to personal pets rather than just those owned by the military. The constant relocation and reassignment of military families has resulted in many pets simply being left behind, abandoned, and unattended. Stars and Stripes is reporting that the problem is so great in  places like Hawaii and Germany that local shelters are reluctant to adopt pets to Americans and/or military families at all.

The military is further concerned that the problem will worsen as United Airlines, the airline contracted to transport military personnel, refuses to permit certain breeds of dogs, such as American Staffordshire Terriers, on their planes, and will not waive this restriction for the Defense Department.

While I fully support holding those who choose to have a pet responsible for caring for that pet and accountable to the authorities for not doing so, I would also suggest that the military drop United Airlines and contract with another carrier so those with "banned" family dogs can travel without the additional heartbreak of the loss of a pet or the expense of funding their own flights on another airline. It seems an unnecessary stressor for those who would otherwise not abandon their pet.

In fact, if all pet lovers chose, in sympathy, to fly with different airlines - maybe we would see an attitude change from United.

The president is expected to decide this spring.

"Something's Happening Here - What It Is Ain't Exactly Clear..."

To contact us Click HERE


I wasn’t going to write about this – but – it has beenbothering me.  Last week, the aspca (NOTa national umbrella organization) subsidized adoptions across the country for acouple of days. The subsidy allowed some shelters to give away pets, or tocharge 10 or 20 dollars for the pet.  So whyhas this been nagging at me?

Courtesy spcaL

I began to wonder why they are really doing this.  Promoting adoptions is the obvious answer butis it the correct one? You and I will never know – but here is what I think.The aspca has been and is under fire for fundraising in everyone’s neighborhoodand amassing approximately 188,024,402 million dollars in New Yorkto the detriment of all the other spcas and the animals they serve. They getaway with it because consumers believe that they are the “national office” and thatevery spca in the country is a chapter which receives funding from them. Not true.  Each spca is a separate and independent legalentity and it could affect the aspca’s ability to raise funds if they disclosedthat.  In fact, out of that near 185,000,000million dollars,  they grant out fewerthan 6 million but spend over 25 million on fundraising.
So, they throw pocket change at this adoption promotion,publicize the hell out of it and generate more smoke for the mirrors.
But was it a good event that helped animals? In Californiathey worked mostly with government pounds where adopters are not screened andall one needs is the fee to take home an animal. At no charge or even with anominal charge many animals very likely went to hoarders, backyard sellers, and other entitiesthat had only plans to resell the pets at a huge mark up. How many sales werean impulse grab where the pet was returned or simply turned out? It is easy to empty ashelter but not so easy to have the adoption stick and actually find the pet ahome. It is neither a success nor even an adoption if the pet is not kept. Doyou think the aspca is tracking that or is even concerned about that? I don't know, but if so, the event business model would have been different. Of course there are those of us who would cherish a pet for life that we found on the street or received at no cost. I am not talking about us.
I think that my disquietude comes from the fear that manyof these animals might be in awful places as a result of the aspca’s publicrelations effort to appear to be funding animals in areas in which they solicitdonations and provide nothing in return.
They could be throwing couch cushion change to seem to besomething they are not, while perhaps tossing pets to the very real wolves.  
Please donate locally. 

Stop the Cruel and Bullying "Sport"of Hounding California's Bears and Bobcats

To contact us Click HERE

Senate Bill 1221 will stop the cruel and bullying pastime of “hounding” bears and bobcats.

Courtesy Google Images

"Hounding" is a hunting practice where dogs are first sprayed with a bear attractant and fitted with high‐tech radio collars, that permit the hunters to hunt remotely. The dogs can chase the bear or bobcats for miles until they are treed or exhausted, at which time the tip-switch on the collars alerts the hunters, who, arrive and shoot a weary animal at point blank range. Essentially, the hounds take all the risks while the "sport" hunter lounges around in the park waiting for the signal to exert him or herself enough to shoot a trapped, immobilized animal.

Courtesy Google Images

Notwithstanding the terrifying ordeal suffered by the target animal, the hounds don't fare much better. They are not treated as pets but as working animals. They get injured running, hit by cars, and are often wounded or killed by the target animal or any other wildlife (such as deer) that they may encounter. There are reports of shelters receiving these dogs dehydrated, skinny and injured after they are no longer any use to the "sportsman".

I respectfully submit that this form of hunting is neither sport nor sportsman like. As comedian Paul Rodriguez said: "In a sport both sides should know they are in the game".

Not only do the animals not know they are playing - the bullies are cheating.

It is time to end this practice in California. Please contact your representatives http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html and urge them to pass SB 1221.

Thank you.

Rihanna's Dog Got "Minxed"

To contact us Click HERE

Courtesy Instagram

The latest trend in manicures and pedicures is the minx manicure. It is a process where pictures and patterns are painted onto fingernails and toenails thereby instantly transforming ordinary fingers and toes into works of art.

It was only a matter of time before this new art form appeared on a pet. In this case it was  Rihanna's dog. She posted a photo of  her dog with the caption "Bitch got minx."

The product is said to be toxic, odorless, chemical free and perfectly safe for natural nails. However, before you try something like this on your pet, use common sense. When in doubt, ask a veterinarian - is this safe for pets? Procedures and materials deemed safe for people may still have adverse effect on animals.

If it's safe - make sure it's something your pet tolerates and is comfortable doing. If your dog needs a sedative to do it, it most likely should not be done.

Need I say- don't even think about this for a cat!

Don't Be Bamboozled This Holiday Season: Give Locally

To contact us Click HERE

Courtesy spcaLA

As we again come upon the busiest fund-raising season of the yearI, again urge you to know your charity and donate locally. We are a generousand empathetic people who react with our hearts when seeing the ravages of a hurricane on the news, or expensive television ads of forlorn children andinjured animals. We respond with our purses when celebrities beg for donationsand plead with viewers to join them in giving. I do too - but I worry about howoften we can be disappointed and develop charity fatigue. I fear for those whostill need the help after the compassionate tire of giving.
The combination ofgenerosity, disaster, and fame can add up to a veritable "candystore" for the unprincipled, greedy and the opportunistic as nonexistentcharities put up web sites to solicit funds, as the well-intended start theirown charities but run them poorly, and as existing charities spend their fundon public relations, television spots and the appearance of helping rather thanactually serving the needy. I am truly terrified that those who can give, willstop, believing that they are not making a difference or that they have beenbamboozled. What will happen to your spcaLA and to those vulnerable populationsthat desperately need a helping hand and a voice!
Rather than souring on giving, research the situation, ask questionsand make sure your gift is going to whom and where you so intend. For example, in the animal welfareindustry, aspca, the New York City spca is not an umbrellaorganization which funnels funds to other spcas by zip code as is the case withother real national charities like Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. spcasthroughout the country are individual legal entities and not chapters of anymother organization. Yet aspca spends tens of millions of dollars annuallyon television and other fundraising outlets which omitthat significant fact. Many consumers are duped and upset uponlearning that their donation did not help abused and unwanted animals intheir communities. By the way, to their credit, hsus, began putting suchlanguage (that they are not affiliated with local humane societies) on theirnew television spots to avoid creating a misimpression and thereby attractingmisinformed donors. I hope this is a first step in putting meaningfuldisclaimers on all of their materials.
So please, consider donating to an existing legitimate localorganization that you can visit, talk to, and just see in action. Frequently,your local charity may be providing international relief as well or isaffiliated with one who is. 
Giving locally also helps to strengthen the community in which youlive. It is especially true in these horrid economic times where thephilanthropic entities are filling gaps left by the government and the for-profitsector. If the reputable local nonprofits fail - there will be no relief.Additionally, bolstering the local charities boosts the local economy, providesjobs, resources and allows the community to thrive. Stronger communities resultin stronger cities, states and countries. Our ability to help others improveswith our own increased strength and solvency.
Charity begins athome. It is only when we stand strong that we can lift another.
For those of you in California: The Attorney General has issued a report and a warning to us to be careful about giving to charities where a lot or all of  donated funds are used to pay professional fundraisers. See the Associated Press story on this issue as well as the actual report.

Obama to Decide Whether to Expand Military's Animal Cruelty Policy

To contact us Click HERE
The Department of Defense is asking President Obama for permission to expand the military's current animal cruelty policy to include abandonment and to also apply to personal pets rather than just those owned by the military. The constant relocation and reassignment of military families has resulted in many pets simply being left behind, abandoned, and unattended. Stars and Stripes is reporting that the problem is so great in  places like Hawaii and Germany that local shelters are reluctant to adopt pets to Americans and/or military families at all.

The military is further concerned that the problem will worsen as United Airlines, the airline contracted to transport military personnel, refuses to permit certain breeds of dogs, such as American Staffordshire Terriers, on their planes, and will not waive this restriction for the Defense Department.

While I fully support holding those who choose to have a pet responsible for caring for that pet and accountable to the authorities for not doing so, I would also suggest that the military drop United Airlines and contract with another carrier so those with "banned" family dogs can travel without the additional heartbreak of the loss of a pet or the expense of funding their own flights on another airline. It seems an unnecessary stressor for those who would otherwise not abandon their pet.

In fact, if all pet lovers chose, in sympathy, to fly with different airlines - maybe we would see an attitude change from United.

The president is expected to decide this spring.

"Something's Happening Here - What It Is Ain't Exactly Clear..."

To contact us Click HERE


I wasn’t going to write about this – but – it has beenbothering me.  Last week, the aspca (NOTa national umbrella organization) subsidized adoptions across the country for acouple of days. The subsidy allowed some shelters to give away pets, or tocharge 10 or 20 dollars for the pet.  So whyhas this been nagging at me?

Courtesy spcaL

I began to wonder why they are really doing this.  Promoting adoptions is the obvious answer butis it the correct one? You and I will never know – but here is what I think.The aspca has been and is under fire for fundraising in everyone’s neighborhoodand amassing approximately 188,024,402 million dollars in New Yorkto the detriment of all the other spcas and the animals they serve. They getaway with it because consumers believe that they are the “national office” and thatevery spca in the country is a chapter which receives funding from them. Not true.  Each spca is a separate and independent legalentity and it could affect the aspca’s ability to raise funds if they disclosedthat.  In fact, out of that near 185,000,000million dollars,  they grant out fewerthan 6 million but spend over 25 million on fundraising.
So, they throw pocket change at this adoption promotion,publicize the hell out of it and generate more smoke for the mirrors.
But was it a good event that helped animals? In Californiathey worked mostly with government pounds where adopters are not screened andall one needs is the fee to take home an animal. At no charge or even with anominal charge many animals very likely went to hoarders, backyard sellers, and other entitiesthat had only plans to resell the pets at a huge mark up. How many sales werean impulse grab where the pet was returned or simply turned out? It is easy to empty ashelter but not so easy to have the adoption stick and actually find the pet ahome. It is neither a success nor even an adoption if the pet is not kept. Doyou think the aspca is tracking that or is even concerned about that? I don't know, but if so, the event business model would have been different. Of course there are those of us who would cherish a pet for life that we found on the street or received at no cost. I am not talking about us.
I think that my disquietude comes from the fear that manyof these animals might be in awful places as a result of the aspca’s publicrelations effort to appear to be funding animals in areas in which they solicitdonations and provide nothing in return.
They could be throwing couch cushion change to seem to besomething they are not, while perhaps tossing pets to the very real wolves.  
Please donate locally. 

Stop the Cruel and Bullying "Sport"of Hounding California's Bears and Bobcats

To contact us Click HERE

Senate Bill 1221 will stop the cruel and bullying pastime of “hounding” bears and bobcats.

Courtesy Google Images

"Hounding" is a hunting practice where dogs are first sprayed with a bear attractant and fitted with high‐tech radio collars, that permit the hunters to hunt remotely. The dogs can chase the bear or bobcats for miles until they are treed or exhausted, at which time the tip-switch on the collars alerts the hunters, who, arrive and shoot a weary animal at point blank range. Essentially, the hounds take all the risks while the "sport" hunter lounges around in the park waiting for the signal to exert him or herself enough to shoot a trapped, immobilized animal.

Courtesy Google Images

Notwithstanding the terrifying ordeal suffered by the target animal, the hounds don't fare much better. They are not treated as pets but as working animals. They get injured running, hit by cars, and are often wounded or killed by the target animal or any other wildlife (such as deer) that they may encounter. There are reports of shelters receiving these dogs dehydrated, skinny and injured after they are no longer any use to the "sportsman".

I respectfully submit that this form of hunting is neither sport nor sportsman like. As comedian Paul Rodriguez said: "In a sport both sides should know they are in the game".

Not only do the animals not know they are playing - the bullies are cheating.

It is time to end this practice in California. Please contact your representatives http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html and urge them to pass SB 1221.

Thank you.

Rihanna's Dog Got "Minxed"

To contact us Click HERE

Courtesy Instagram

The latest trend in manicures and pedicures is the minx manicure. It is a process where pictures and patterns are painted onto fingernails and toenails thereby instantly transforming ordinary fingers and toes into works of art.

It was only a matter of time before this new art form appeared on a pet. In this case it was  Rihanna's dog. She posted a photo of  her dog with the caption "Bitch got minx."

The product is said to be toxic, odorless, chemical free and perfectly safe for natural nails. However, before you try something like this on your pet, use common sense. When in doubt, ask a veterinarian - is this safe for pets? Procedures and materials deemed safe for people may still have adverse effect on animals.

If it's safe - make sure it's something your pet tolerates and is comfortable doing. If your dog needs a sedative to do it, it most likely should not be done.

Need I say- don't even think about this for a cat!

Don't Be Bamboozled This Holiday Season: Give Locally

To contact us Click HERE

Courtesy spcaLA

As we again come upon the busiest fund-raising season of the yearI, again urge you to know your charity and donate locally. We are a generousand empathetic people who react with our hearts when seeing the ravages of a hurricane on the news, or expensive television ads of forlorn children andinjured animals. We respond with our purses when celebrities beg for donationsand plead with viewers to join them in giving. I do too - but I worry about howoften we can be disappointed and develop charity fatigue. I fear for those whostill need the help after the compassionate tire of giving.
The combination ofgenerosity, disaster, and fame can add up to a veritable "candystore" for the unprincipled, greedy and the opportunistic as nonexistentcharities put up web sites to solicit funds, as the well-intended start theirown charities but run them poorly, and as existing charities spend their fundon public relations, television spots and the appearance of helping rather thanactually serving the needy. I am truly terrified that those who can give, willstop, believing that they are not making a difference or that they have beenbamboozled. What will happen to your spcaLA and to those vulnerable populationsthat desperately need a helping hand and a voice!
Rather than souring on giving, research the situation, ask questionsand make sure your gift is going to whom and where you so intend. For example, in the animal welfareindustry, aspca, the New York City spca is not an umbrellaorganization which funnels funds to other spcas by zip code as is the case withother real national charities like Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. spcasthroughout the country are individual legal entities and not chapters of anymother organization. Yet aspca spends tens of millions of dollars annuallyon television and other fundraising outlets which omitthat significant fact. Many consumers are duped and upset uponlearning that their donation did not help abused and unwanted animals intheir communities. By the way, to their credit, hsus, began putting suchlanguage (that they are not affiliated with local humane societies) on theirnew television spots to avoid creating a misimpression and thereby attractingmisinformed donors. I hope this is a first step in putting meaningfuldisclaimers on all of their materials.
So please, consider donating to an existing legitimate localorganization that you can visit, talk to, and just see in action. Frequently,your local charity may be providing international relief as well or isaffiliated with one who is. 
Giving locally also helps to strengthen the community in which youlive. It is especially true in these horrid economic times where thephilanthropic entities are filling gaps left by the government and the for-profitsector. If the reputable local nonprofits fail - there will be no relief.Additionally, bolstering the local charities boosts the local economy, providesjobs, resources and allows the community to thrive. Stronger communities resultin stronger cities, states and countries. Our ability to help others improveswith our own increased strength and solvency.
Charity begins athome. It is only when we stand strong that we can lift another.
For those of you in California: The Attorney General has issued a report and a warning to us to be careful about giving to charities where a lot or all of  donated funds are used to pay professional fundraisers. See the Associated Press story on this issue as well as the actual report.

Obama to Decide Whether to Expand Military's Animal Cruelty Policy

To contact us Click HERE
The Department of Defense is asking President Obama for permission to expand the military's current animal cruelty policy to include abandonment and to also apply to personal pets rather than just those owned by the military. The constant relocation and reassignment of military families has resulted in many pets simply being left behind, abandoned, and unattended. Stars and Stripes is reporting that the problem is so great in  places like Hawaii and Germany that local shelters are reluctant to adopt pets to Americans and/or military families at all.

The military is further concerned that the problem will worsen as United Airlines, the airline contracted to transport military personnel, refuses to permit certain breeds of dogs, such as American Staffordshire Terriers, on their planes, and will not waive this restriction for the Defense Department.

While I fully support holding those who choose to have a pet responsible for caring for that pet and accountable to the authorities for not doing so, I would also suggest that the military drop United Airlines and contract with another carrier so those with "banned" family dogs can travel without the additional heartbreak of the loss of a pet or the expense of funding their own flights on another airline. It seems an unnecessary stressor for those who would otherwise not abandon their pet.

In fact, if all pet lovers chose, in sympathy, to fly with different airlines - maybe we would see an attitude change from United.

The president is expected to decide this spring.

"Something's Happening Here - What It Is Ain't Exactly Clear..."

To contact us Click HERE


I wasn’t going to write about this – but – it has beenbothering me.  Last week, the aspca (NOTa national umbrella organization) subsidized adoptions across the country for acouple of days. The subsidy allowed some shelters to give away pets, or tocharge 10 or 20 dollars for the pet.  So whyhas this been nagging at me?

Courtesy spcaL

I began to wonder why they are really doing this.  Promoting adoptions is the obvious answer butis it the correct one? You and I will never know – but here is what I think.The aspca has been and is under fire for fundraising in everyone’s neighborhoodand amassing approximately 188,024,402 million dollars in New Yorkto the detriment of all the other spcas and the animals they serve. They getaway with it because consumers believe that they are the “national office” and thatevery spca in the country is a chapter which receives funding from them. Not true.  Each spca is a separate and independent legalentity and it could affect the aspca’s ability to raise funds if they disclosedthat.  In fact, out of that near 185,000,000million dollars,  they grant out fewerthan 6 million but spend over 25 million on fundraising.
So, they throw pocket change at this adoption promotion,publicize the hell out of it and generate more smoke for the mirrors.
But was it a good event that helped animals? In Californiathey worked mostly with government pounds where adopters are not screened andall one needs is the fee to take home an animal. At no charge or even with anominal charge many animals very likely went to hoarders, backyard sellers, and other entitiesthat had only plans to resell the pets at a huge mark up. How many sales werean impulse grab where the pet was returned or simply turned out? It is easy to empty ashelter but not so easy to have the adoption stick and actually find the pet ahome. It is neither a success nor even an adoption if the pet is not kept. Doyou think the aspca is tracking that or is even concerned about that? I don't know, but if so, the event business model would have been different. Of course there are those of us who would cherish a pet for life that we found on the street or received at no cost. I am not talking about us.
I think that my disquietude comes from the fear that manyof these animals might be in awful places as a result of the aspca’s publicrelations effort to appear to be funding animals in areas in which they solicitdonations and provide nothing in return.
They could be throwing couch cushion change to seem to besomething they are not, while perhaps tossing pets to the very real wolves.  
Please donate locally. 

Stop the Cruel and Bullying "Sport"of Hounding California's Bears and Bobcats

To contact us Click HERE

Senate Bill 1221 will stop the cruel and bullying pastime of “hounding” bears and bobcats.

Courtesy Google Images

"Hounding" is a hunting practice where dogs are first sprayed with a bear attractant and fitted with high‐tech radio collars, that permit the hunters to hunt remotely. The dogs can chase the bear or bobcats for miles until they are treed or exhausted, at which time the tip-switch on the collars alerts the hunters, who, arrive and shoot a weary animal at point blank range. Essentially, the hounds take all the risks while the "sport" hunter lounges around in the park waiting for the signal to exert him or herself enough to shoot a trapped, immobilized animal.

Courtesy Google Images

Notwithstanding the terrifying ordeal suffered by the target animal, the hounds don't fare much better. They are not treated as pets but as working animals. They get injured running, hit by cars, and are often wounded or killed by the target animal or any other wildlife (such as deer) that they may encounter. There are reports of shelters receiving these dogs dehydrated, skinny and injured after they are no longer any use to the "sportsman".

I respectfully submit that this form of hunting is neither sport nor sportsman like. As comedian Paul Rodriguez said: "In a sport both sides should know they are in the game".

Not only do the animals not know they are playing - the bullies are cheating.

It is time to end this practice in California. Please contact your representatives http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html and urge them to pass SB 1221.

Thank you.

Rihanna's Dog Got "Minxed"

To contact us Click HERE

Courtesy Instagram

The latest trend in manicures and pedicures is the minx manicure. It is a process where pictures and patterns are painted onto fingernails and toenails thereby instantly transforming ordinary fingers and toes into works of art.

It was only a matter of time before this new art form appeared on a pet. In this case it was  Rihanna's dog. She posted a photo of  her dog with the caption "Bitch got minx."

The product is said to be toxic, odorless, chemical free and perfectly safe for natural nails. However, before you try something like this on your pet, use common sense. When in doubt, ask a veterinarian - is this safe for pets? Procedures and materials deemed safe for people may still have adverse effect on animals.

If it's safe - make sure it's something your pet tolerates and is comfortable doing. If your dog needs a sedative to do it, it most likely should not be done.

Need I say- don't even think about this for a cat!

Don't Be Bamboozled This Holiday Season: Give Locally

To contact us Click HERE

Courtesy spcaLA

As we again come upon the busiest fund-raising season of the yearI, again urge you to know your charity and donate locally. We are a generousand empathetic people who react with our hearts when seeing the ravages of a hurricane on the news, or expensive television ads of forlorn children andinjured animals. We respond with our purses when celebrities beg for donationsand plead with viewers to join them in giving. I do too - but I worry about howoften we can be disappointed and develop charity fatigue. I fear for those whostill need the help after the compassionate tire of giving.
The combination ofgenerosity, disaster, and fame can add up to a veritable "candystore" for the unprincipled, greedy and the opportunistic as nonexistentcharities put up web sites to solicit funds, as the well-intended start theirown charities but run them poorly, and as existing charities spend their fundon public relations, television spots and the appearance of helping rather thanactually serving the needy. I am truly terrified that those who can give, willstop, believing that they are not making a difference or that they have beenbamboozled. What will happen to your spcaLA and to those vulnerable populationsthat desperately need a helping hand and a voice!
Rather than souring on giving, research the situation, ask questionsand make sure your gift is going to whom and where you so intend. For example, in the animal welfareindustry, aspca, the New York City spca is not an umbrellaorganization which funnels funds to other spcas by zip code as is the case withother real national charities like Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. spcasthroughout the country are individual legal entities and not chapters of anymother organization. Yet aspca spends tens of millions of dollars annuallyon television and other fundraising outlets which omitthat significant fact. Many consumers are duped and upset uponlearning that their donation did not help abused and unwanted animals intheir communities. By the way, to their credit, hsus, began putting suchlanguage (that they are not affiliated with local humane societies) on theirnew television spots to avoid creating a misimpression and thereby attractingmisinformed donors. I hope this is a first step in putting meaningfuldisclaimers on all of their materials.
So please, consider donating to an existing legitimate localorganization that you can visit, talk to, and just see in action. Frequently,your local charity may be providing international relief as well or isaffiliated with one who is. 
Giving locally also helps to strengthen the community in which youlive. It is especially true in these horrid economic times where thephilanthropic entities are filling gaps left by the government and the for-profitsector. If the reputable local nonprofits fail - there will be no relief.Additionally, bolstering the local charities boosts the local economy, providesjobs, resources and allows the community to thrive. Stronger communities resultin stronger cities, states and countries. Our ability to help others improveswith our own increased strength and solvency.
Charity begins athome. It is only when we stand strong that we can lift another.
For those of you in California: The Attorney General has issued a report and a warning to us to be careful about giving to charities where a lot or all of  donated funds are used to pay professional fundraisers. See the Associated Press story on this issue as well as the actual report.