Help Farm Animals in California!
Current mood: busy
Category: Pets and Animals
This November, California voters will have a chance to make a difference in the lives of 20 million animals trapped in factory farms. If enough Californians vote YES on the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act (Prop 2), millions of farm animals will no longer be confined to inhumane cages and crates.
All animals deserve humane treatment, including those raised for food. It's cruel to confine any animal in a cage so small that they can't even turn around or extend their limbs, but you can help ban these horrible practices. Join the $20/20 Campaign and help raise money and awareness for this important initiative. You don't even have to live in California to help!
Then, check out the NEW Yes! On Prop 2 website where you can create your very own fundraising page!I know you want to help these animals, so click here to get started.
Are You and Your Pets Prepared for the Storm?
Current mood: restless
Category: Pets and Animals
Right on the heels of Hurricane Gustav, Tropical Storms Hanna and Ike are making their way to the Southeast Coast of the US.The HSUS is urging anyone in the path of these storms to prepare for the possibility of evacuation.Check your local websites for emergency weather alerts, gather your supplies, and make sure your family's evacuation plan includes your pets.Failure to plan for your pets' safety can lead to tragedy, but here are a few steps you can take to ensure that your pets will not be left in a dangerous situation.
Create a pet disaster kit:
·A three-day supply of food and drinking water, as well as bowls, cat litter and a container to be used as a litter box. Current photos and descriptions of pets.
·Up-to-date identification, including an additional tag with the phone number of someone out of the area in the event the pet becomes lost.
·Medications, medical records and a first aid kit stored in a waterproof container.
·Sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers to transport pets safely as well as blankets or towels for bedding and warmth. Carriers should be large enough to comfortably house your pet for several hours or even days.
Evacuation planning for large animals should include:
·Evacuate animals as soon as possible. Be ready to leave once the evacuation is ordered. In a slowly evolving disaster, such as a hurricane, leave no later than 72 hours before anticipated landfall, especially if you will be hauling a high profile trailer such as a horse trailer. Remember: Even a fire truck fully loaded with water is considered "out of service" in winds exceeding 40 mph. If there are already high winds, it may not be possible to evacuate safely.
·Arrange for a place to shelter your animals. Plan ahead and work within your community to establish safe shelters for farm animals.
·Contact your local emergency management authority and become familiar with at least two possible evacuation routes well in advance.
·Set up safe transportation. Trucks, trailers and other vehicles suitable for transporting large animals (appropriate for transporting each specific type of animal) should be available, along with experienced handlers and drivers.
·Take all your disaster supplies with you or make sure they will be available at your evacuation site. You should have or be able to readily obtain feed, water, veterinary supplies, handling equipment, tools and generators if necessary.
·If your animals are sheltered off your property, make sure they remain in the groupings they are used to. Also, be sure they are securely contained and sheltered from the elements if necessary, whether in cages, fenced-in areas, or buildings.
·Place horses' Coggins tests, veterinary papers, identification photographs and vital information—such as medical history, allergies and emergency telephone numbers (veterinarian, family members, etc.)—in a watertight envelope. Store the envelope with your other important papers in a safe place that can be quickly reached.
Watch the 22nd Genesis Awards on TV!
Current mood: giddy
Category: Pets and Animals
It's your chance to share in The Genesis Awards experience, and discover why The Humane Society of the United States' annual Hollywood celebration of the news and entertainment media is the event of the year for animal lovers everywhere when The 22nd Genesis Awards premieres on AmericanLife TV Network.
Your Viewing Guide:
Showtimes (all times are Eastern):
Sunday, Sept. 7, at 8 pm, 11 pm
Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 4 pm
Thursday, Sept. 11, at 9 pm and midnight.
Check your local listings for details and times in other time zones.
Safe from Hurricane Gustav
Current mood: thankful
Category: Pets and Animals
In anticipation of Hurricane Gustav many residents and animal care communities prepared for the impact. As evacuees streamed out of New Orleans and surrounding areas, members of our animal rescue team moved in to ensure that the city's most vulnerable residents weren't left behind. Three of our 75-foot animal transport vehicles arrived in Louisiana on Saturday fully equipped with all the animal handling and rescue equipment needed for pre and post-storm rescues.
Louisiana Bans Cockfighting
Current mood: awake
Category: Pets and Animals
"Cockfighting is now outlawed in all 50 states, and cockfighters cannot go to any state to find refuge for this practice. It is time for Louisiana cockfighters to recognize the rule of law and to abandon this barbaric hobby. Our society will tolerate this conduct no longer" said Wayne Pacelle (HSUS President & CEO).
Louisiana became the 50th and final state to ban cockfighting, but because of a provision, the new legislation was not officially implemented until August 15, 2008. Now both cockfighting and dogfighting are crimes in Louisiana and are punishable by jail time and fines. As part of the plan to curb cockfighting, The HSUS is offering up to $5000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person involved in illegal animal fighting. More information on the reward program is below:
Animal Fighting Reward Program
If you have information about illegal animal fighting in Louisiana, call your local law enforcement or animal control agency. If you wish to remain anonymous, let the agent to whom you give your tip know that you do not want your identity released to the public but are interested in The HSUS's reward. Make sure to note the officer's name.
If the suspected animal fighter is convicted, ask the law enforcement agency involved in the case to write a letter to The HSUS. The letter should state that your tip helped lead to the arrest and prosecution of the convicted animal fighter and should be mailed or faxed to:
Animal Fighting Reward Program
c/o Ann Chynoweth The Humane Society of the United States 2100 L St. NW Washington, DC 20037
With all the puppy mill rescue news as of late, I wanted to share a great book with you titled "A Rare Breed of Love: The True Story of Baby and the Mission She Inspired to Help Dogs Everywhere," by Jana Kohl. This book not only shines a light on the evils of puppy mills, but it's also a celebration of one very small survivor—a three-legged poodle and former puppy mill breeding dog named Baby.
In addition to important information about puppy mills and adoption, the book is filled with more than 60 heartwarming photos of baby with some of her high-profile fans, including film and television stars, politicians from both sides of the aisle, sports figures and cultural icons.
Wayne Pacelle (HSUS President & CEO) even wrote the introduction to the book!
In June, Baby's Rare Breed of Love Road Trip kicked off visits to more than 20 cities across America to encourage pet adoptions, raise awareness about puppy mills and help promote the welfare of all animals. After a well deserved rest, Jana and Baby are hitting the road again, from now until October.
(If there won't be an event near you, "A Rare Breed of Love" is available wherever books are sold.)
Check out the video of Jana and Baby on the road:
Do you have an interesting rescue/adoption story about your pet(s)? Share your story by leaving a comment!
1,000 Freed from W.VA Puppy Mill
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Pets and Animals
Our emergency team has been hard at work this past weekend rescuing animals from yet another large puppy mill operation, this time in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Dogs of all ages, some as young as a few days old, were rescued from Whispering Oaks Kennel and transferred to an emergency shelter to be evaluated by veterinarians. By the end of the day nearly 1,000 neglected and abused dogs were freed from the horrendous conditions of the puppy mill. Check out the video from the rescue:
PS. Please visit the Humane Society of Parkersburg's web site for a full list of humane organizations and rescue groups where these dogs will be available for adoption.
It's that time of year again…time to go back to school shopping. And with more and more retailers refusing to use animal products in their clothes, it's even easy for shoppers like you to find fur-free back-to-school fashions that look great.
Each year over 75 million animals are killed for their fur, including cats and dogs. Many of them are killed specifically for fur trim. Don't let these innocent animals suffer in the name of fashion; go back to school fur-free!
When compassionate people like you take a stand against cruelty by refusing to purchase fur and fur trim, designers will stop using fur, retailers will stop selling it, and fashion writers will stop reporting on it as an acceptable trend. You have that power with every purchase you make.
One of the biggest names to come out of this year's Olympic Games is undoubtedly Michael Phelps, the United States' swimming superstar.He will forever go down in the history books as the first athlete to win 8 gold medals in the same Olympic Games (wow!).
After making such a splash in Beijing, Michael's 2008 Olympic experience is coming to an end.So what's he going to do now?Go home to see his beloved four legged friend Herman, of course!
Days ago Ronda Rousey couldn't be happier to become the 1st U.S. woman to win an Olympic medal in Judo, but just a month earlier she was in tears."I Cried for Almost an Hour" reads the title of her July 8thblog.After watching the documentary Earthlings, a film about humanity's dependence on animals and disrespect for them, Ronda dedicated a blog entry to her plans to become vegan.
She made a promise to herself to go meatless as soon as she is finished competing in this year's Olympics.Now that her competition is over, she is proud to say that she has kept her promise and is now enjoying a vegan lifestyle.
busy
This November, California voters will have a chance to make a difference in the lives of 20 million animals trapped in factory farms. If enough Californians vote YES on the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act (Prop 2), millions of farm animals will no longer be confined to inhumane cages and crates. 
restless
Right on the heels of Hurricane Gustav, Tropical Storms Hanna and Ike are making their way to the Southeast Coast of the US.
giddy
thankful
awake
accomplished
It's that time of year again…time to go back to school shopping. And with more and more retailers refusing to use animal products in their clothes, it's even easy for shoppers like you to find fur-free back-to-school fashions that look great.
NBC