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Creature Comforts
Click here to read this heartwarming story about parents coping with a daughter's death, and how they took in her two cats when she was gone.
 
Spay/Neuter Ordinance Still on Medford City Council Agenda
Click http://www.wickedlocal.com/medford/town_info/government/x1381038814/Spay-neuter-ordinance-still-on-Medford-City-Council-agenda to read more.
 
Stamps to the Rescue 2010 

Starting April 30th you can buy stamps at the post office that help to buy food for shelter pets. You can pre-order them online now.   Click here to read more:  http://www.stampstotherescue.com/.
 
Alley Cat Allies Helps Defeat Deadly Bill From Consideration
Click here to read more.
 

IMPORTANT:  H1N1 Influenza Virus Confirmed in Iowa Cat

Hi Jamee Ferrara,

I just received a press release from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) confirming the first reported case of the H1N1 flu virus in pets and I wanted you to know about it immediately.

The AVMA just released the following information:

"A 13-year-old cat in Iowa developed signs of a respiratory infection after several people in the household were ill. Preliminary testing was positive for 2009 H1N1 on October 29, and the results were confirmed on November 2. This is the first report of a cat infected with H1N1. The cat has recovered from its illness.

To date, this is the first cat confirmed infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus."

To read the full press release - go to: H1N1 Flu Confirmed in Iowa cat 

Here are some tips to help keep you and your pet healthy:

  • If you are sick, see your doctor.
  • If your pet is showing a problem, see your veterinarian.
  • It is a good idea to wash your hands before and after handling your pets. This is just good common sense.
  • Do not expose your pets to other sick pets.
  • Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, and toss your soiled tissues in a covered waste bin.
  • Good preventative measures can help keep you and your pets healthy. That's good advice any time of year, but especially during flu season.
 

Cat Helps Prove Abuser's Guilt
From the American Humane Association
October 2009


One Abuser, Two Victims

When 9-year-old Beth* was sexually abused by her stepfather, she told the prosecuting attorney that someone else knew about it -- but that he couldn’t talk. She was referring to her beloved cat, Oreo.  Beth explained that Oreo would bravely lie outside her door at night and hiss whenever her attacker appeared. In trying to protect her, the loyal black and white cat also became another victim of violence; Beth’s stepfather would always brutally kick Oreo away from the door.

Beth’s revelation gave the prosecutor an idea. She decided to have Oreo examined by a veterinarian. The results were chilling. Sure enough, poor Oreo had sustained injuries consistent with being physically abused. When the prosecutor submitted the veterinarian’s report to the jury as evidence showing a pattern of violence in the home, Beth’s allegations gained credibility. In a way, Oreo was able to testify, convincing the jury that the traumatized little girl had been telling the truth.

Beth’s stepfather was convicted and received a long prison sentence. Meanwhile, Beth and Oreo were finally able to experience what every child and animal deserves: a safe home.

Help Empower Victims Like Beth and Oreo The prosecutor in Beth’s case was Allie Phillips, who now works for American Humane as vice president of our Public Policy Office. She and our staff regularly conduct trainings for attorneys, judges, veterinarians, social workers, domestic-violence counselors and other social services providers on what American Humane calls The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals, increasing awareness of the powerful role it can play in unmasking and preventing abuse. It’s a vital message -- one that Allie and our Link team are uniquely qualified to spread on behalf of abuse victims everywhere. But she can’t do it alone.
Please help Allie and our team continue to educate others about The Link and stop the cycle of violence affecting innocent people and animals alike. Donate today! *This is a true story. However, the child’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.
 
 

Renting with a pet? 10 tips to get Buddy in the Door

With vacancy rates up and apartments struggling to fill units, landlords are more willing than ever to say yes to pets. But you'll still need to show you're a best-of-breed pet owner. Here's how.
To read more copy this link into your browser....http:///realestate.msn.com//article.aspx?cp-documentid=19189244
 
Good News for Animals!  New Law Prohibiting Renting of Pets
PROHIBIT RENTING OF PETS (H 5006) A new law banning companies from offering dogs and cats for rent took effect last week. The measure imposes up to a $500 fine on violators. It was originally filed following an announcement that FlexPetz had plans to open a Massachusetts office that offers pets for short term rentals. The company's website says that rental is "a unique concept for dog lovers who are unable to own a full-time doggy pal and miss spending time with a canine friend." Supporters of the ban said that the service is misguided and morally irresponsible because it treats dogs like a piece of rental equipment. They argued that dogs should be lifelong companions rather than one-night rentals. The House had approved the new law on a 157-0 roll call vote while the Senate passed it on a voice vote without a roll call. (A "Yes" vote is for the ban).

Rep. Denise Provost Yes

Rep. Carl Sciortino Yes

Rep. Timothy Toomey Yes

The pet rental bill was filed and passed by Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, an all-volunteer network of pet owners, shelters and concerned individuals throughout Massachusetts. CPR Pets is now campaigning to pass a state bill banning the cruel practice of devocalization--surgical silencing of dogs and cats. Find out how you can help in five minutes or less!
 
Channel 7 Segment on Homeless Cats!

Channel 7 (Boston) recently interviewed Kitty Connection about the affect of the economy on homeless cats.

See coverage at http://www1.whdh.com/features/articles/hank/BO82514
Action Needed!
 
Devocalization Update
 
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/07/new_mass_law_wi.html
 
Please post a comment about Logan's Law, banning cruel devocalization of dogs and cats--and save it for reposting to other blogs that may report on this landmark humane legislation in the days ahead. Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets will notify you. Or if you find something, please let us know.
 
The law passed. So why is your post important?
 
Because legislators follow the blogs. Lobbies that profit from devocalization will try to repeal or amend Logan's Law next session. Meanwhile, federal legislation to end devocalization is pending. If we don't show we care, elected officials won't.
 
Your post needn't be long, and you're not getting graded.
Don't stress--just do it!
 
Take a few minutes to express your thoughts about devocalization.
 
Do congratulate Beacon Hill legislators for having the vision and compassion to ban this selfish and greedy act of animal cruelty.
 
You might also express your disappointment that the Mass. Veterinary Medical Association used its resources to lobby against Logan's Law. After all, would you entrust your best friend to vets who sanction medically unnecessary surgery?
 
Call 'em out! Perhaps the weight of public opinion will inspire MVMA to get on the right side of future humane legislation. More than 200 Massachusetts vets already did by endorsing Logan's Law. Contact CPRPets@aol.com for a list.
 
 

 

Breeders are pushing a SNEAKY AMENDMENT

that will turn An Act Prohibiting Devocalization, H344, into

a state law ALLOWING THIS CRUELTY.

 

   

 

An AKC breeder had Stella’s vocal cords cut to silence her—because she could.

Without $1500 corrective surgery paid by her rescuer, Stella would have died.

 

Help stop vocal cord surgery cruelly performed to stifle a dog’s or cat’s voice.

 

► CALL YOUR STATE (BEACON HILL) SENATOR TODAY!

Live in Medford, Somerville or Winchester? 

Call Sen. Patricia Jehlen at 617-722-1578.

 

Live elsewhere?

Find your senator:  www.wheredoivotema.com, then look for “Senate in General Court.”

 

► WHETHER YOU REACH VOICEMAIL OR AN AIDE, ALWAYS SAY:

"I'm a constituent, and I’d like the Senator to pass House Bill 344 AS WRITTEN.”

It is essential to specify “as written” so the bill isn’t amended—that would hurt animals.

 

► TRY TO CALL EVERY 7-10 DAYS, SAME MESSAGE:

“Please pass House Bill 344 AS WRITTEN.” Squeaky wheels pass laws!

 

 

FACT:  Devocalization poses serious risks whether vocal cords are cut through the mouth or an incision in the neck—regardless of the vet’s skill. 

 

FACT:   Devocalized animals are dumped just like any other, and barking does NOT force euthanasia.

 

FACT:  Respected vets and shelters say: The only valid reason for vocal cord surgery is to treat disease, injury or birth defects.

 

Meet devocalized dogs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZPoyuMw870
Hear what animal experts say: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ADbMoX4aw


An Act Prohibiting Devocalization, HB 344, is sponsored by Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets,

an all-volunteer network.  It is endorsed by Kitty Connection, Angell Animal Medical Center, shelters and compassionate veterinarians statewide.  INFO: CPRPets@aol.com
 
It's now official: The Commonwealth will no longer tolerate the cruel practice of cutting vocal cords to stifle a dog’s or cat’s voice.
 
Gov. Patrick has signed An Act Prohibiting Devocalization (Logan’s Law).

 

This is huge. Logan's Law is the first effective statewide devocalization ban in the nation.

And it is your victory.

From 16-year-old Jordan Star, whose idea it was to file this bill, to 71-year-old Jordan Gallagher, our most indefatigable volunteer, this is your victory.

 

You passed this landmark legislation--and kept opponents' lobbyists from watering it down--with every call you made, every flyer you handed out, every alert you forwarded or posted to your Facebook page, website or blog over the past 16 months.

Some of you visited your legislators at the Statehouse or in their district offices. Friends of the Plymouth Pound (FPP) organized a group of constituents, who made the trip into Boston to meet with Senate President Murray, helping win critical support.

 

It was fitting: Logan's Law is named for the devocalized show dog rescued by FPP founder Gayle Fitzpatrick.

 

Who is Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, sponsor of Logan’s Law?

 

The Coalition is an unfunded, all-volunteer network of people who care about animals. The Coalition is every one of you.

 

Some of you first joined together under the CPR Pets banner in 2008 to prohibit the emerging pet rental trade--a business model that reduced dogs to the status of DVDs. Together, we passed that state law in an astounding five months. Other Coalition members are new to this effort.

You are individuals with and without dogs and cats of your own. You are animal behavior experts, groomers, pet shop owners and dog walkers. You are veterinarians who took a courageous stand.

 

And you are small, struggling animal shelters and rescue groups—in the trenches giving countless hours of your time to save dogs and cats. Some of you work without even a salary, digging into your own pockets to rescue, heal and give unwanted, abused and neglected animals the loving, secure homes we all deserve.

Together, you formed a Coalition of people determined to keep dogs and cats from being robbed of their voices for an owner's convenience or profit. And against all odds, you succeeded.

You did it without funding.

 

You did it without direct mail, lobbyists, TV ads or slick campaign materials, proving it's not money that passes legislation: It's your voice and your will.

You passed a bill the "experts" said would never become law--with nothing more than your time, energy and the conviction that animals deserve protection from abuse, no matter what form it takes or by what euphemisms it is called. Let there be no mistake: Devocalization is animal abuse.

Please don’t stop now.

 

And be vigilant: The special interests that fought to kill or dilute this bill may be back next legislative session to try again. Don’t let them succeed.

 

Animals need more than compassion to protect them from the whims of selfish, cruel and profit-driven people. They need laws—and laws won't happen without your advocacy.

Please thank the organizations that stepped up to support our effort:

Animal Law Coalition

Executive Director Laura Allen, Esq. drafted our bill and has worked every day to help us pass it since it was filed in December 2008. She posted, e-alerted and tweeted relentlessly—and provided sound legal advice, never asking for credit, happy to help without recognition. Laura is the expert voice on passing strong, effective animal-protective laws. Please learn about and support ALC’s legislative efforts nationally: www.animallawcoalition.com

HSVMA

Director Pam Runquist and Veterinary Consultant Dr. Barbara Hodges, DVM were our consultants on veterinary issues, researching, advising and enabling us to counter the many myths put forth by opponents. HSVMA also brought more than 200 Massachusetts veterinarians on board. Wonder if your vet is among them? Email CPRPets@aol.com for a list of vets who endorsed the bill. If yours isn’t named, express your hope that the next time a humane bill is on the docket, s/he will stand up to support it. 

Companion Animal Protection Society, In Defense of Animals, Kinship Circle, MARC and NEAVS shared information about the bill with their Massachusetts members. Their outreach was essential for our success.

 

Petco welcomed us into its stores throughout Massachusetts to distribute information.

 

Thank you to our consulting experts.

 

Dr. Joel M. Woolfson, DVM, DACVS, Veterinary Surgeon
Dr. Nicholas Dodman, DVA, DACVB, DACVA, Veterinary Behaviorist and Anesthesiologist
Dr. Barbara Hodges, DVM, MBA, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Assn.
Pat Miller, CDBC, CPDT; Past President, Association of Pet Dog Trainers

Diana Cartier, Videographer
Laura Allen, Esq., Executive Director, Animal Law Coalition

 

who championed this bill:

 

Rep.BillBowles@hou.state.ma.us

Bruce.Tarr@state.ma.us

Rep.WilliamBrownsberger@hou.state.ma.us

Rep.JenniferCallahan@hou.state.ma.us

Rep.CherylCoakley-Rivera@hou.state.ma.us

Rep.SeanGarballey@hou.state.ma.us

Rep.LouisKafka@hou.state.ma.us

Rep.GeneOFlaherty@hou.state.ma.us

 

Robert.DeLeo@state.ma.us) and Senate President Therese Murray (Therese.Murray@state.ma.us) for their leadership, and to Sen. Frederick Berry (Frederick.Berry@state.ma.us), under whose chairmanship the Senate Rules Committee crafted legislation that preserves the integrity of this humane legislation.

 

and your own Rep and Senator (call and/or email) for hearing and supporting your concern for animals.

 

Last but not least...

 

House Clerk Steve James and Senate Clerk Bill Welch and their staffs for their impartial help--and infinite patience--in guiding us through the legislative process.

 

It's not every bill that passes the House 155-1,

and passes the Senate overwhelmingly too.

Logan's Law did because of you.

 

Congratulations!

 
Animal Umbrella, Revere
Baypath Humane Society, Hopkinton 
Berkshire Humane Society, Pittsfield 
Billerica Cat Care Coalition, Billerica
Boston Dog Rescue, Boston 
Buddy Dog Humane Society, Sudbury 
Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, Springfield
Dog Orphans, Douglas
Forever Paws Animal Shelter, Fall River
Friends of the Plymouth Pound, Plymouth 
Ipswich Humane Group, Ipswich
Kitty Connection, Medford
Marblehead Animal Shelter, Marblehead 
MassPAWS, Winthrop 
Melrose Humane Society, Melrose
MetroWest Humane Society, Ashland
MSPCA, Boston
New England Animal Rescue, Middleboro
New England Society for Abandoned Animals, Osterville 
Norfolk County Humane Society, Canton
Northeast Animal Shelter, Salem
Poodle Rescue of New England, Somerville 
Save A Dog, Sudbury
South Shore Humane Society, Braintree
Standish Humane Society, Duxbury
Sterling Animal Shelter, Sterling
Tiny Tigers Feline Rescue, Groton
Underdog ResQ, Boston
Worcester Animal Rescue League, Worcester 
 
 
EXCITING NEWS! These California cities have now voted to BAN the de-clawing of animals:
 
1. Santa Monica Oct 27th 2009, voted 6 to 1
2. San Francisco Nov 3rd, 2009, voted 9 to 2
3. Beverly Hills Nov 5th 2009, voted 5 to 0
4. Los Angeles Nov 6th 2009, voted 11 to 0 (2nd largest city with 4 million people!)
5. West Hollywood cities were banned in 2003
 
The Los Angeles Council Mtg was the most inspiring thing I've seen! The Council Members profusely thanked Council Members Koretz & Rosendahl for introducing the legislation, for educating them about the true nature of the surgery, and said they will not tolerate such cruelty to their "animal friends" within their city limits. It was a unanimous vote of 11 to 0.
 
No one showed up to oppose the ban in LA. Animal welfare advocates, rescuers, cat guardians, and vets came to support the ban, and really didn't have to say too much, because it was the Council that said it all! 
 
Among their many enlightened comments, the Council said that children who learn to treat their pets humanely will grow up being kinder, less-violent citizens, that "de-clawing" is a method of torture for POW's & shouldn't be inflicted on animals for being animals, and that vets can make $$$ selling nail trims & applying Soft Paws so it will not be a financial loss to them as so many fear. 
 
Council Member Rosendahl, a diabetic on blood thinners, with 3 naturally clawed cats, said the claim that folks with blood or immune disorders should have de-clawed cats is bogus with the existing good practice alternatives. In fact, John Duran, who passed the W. Hollywood Ban, has AIDS. Koretz said that because de-clawed cats use their teeth more and their litterbox less, they are actually more dangerous for this population.
 
 Dr. Jean Hovre, DVM held up a huge folder of documents saying that these were the de-claw studies the CVMA said didn't exist (apparently they were trying to hide the evidence of documented negative behavioral effects). She also mentioned that Dr. Nicolas Dodman's description of cats waking up from the surgery, bouncing off the cage walls from the excruciating pain, is not the whole story. She said cats try to throw their throbbing paws away from them, trying to get them off their bodies to escape the pain, but can't. She said that chronic pain in de-clawed cats is just now being studied, FINALLY!
 
THANKS to all of you who made calls and sent emails, it's working, they've listened and understood the TRUTH about this needless cruelty. No more crippling for human convenience or veterinary profit in these cities. The cats (rabbits, ferrets, iguanas, & dogs) are finally safe & protected. Time now for other cities to do the same!
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