Pets Alive Blog

Pets Alive Puerto Rico – the next step

So I’m in Puerto Rico for a few days to sign some legal paperwork and help scope out land for a place to build and start up an operation here. Chrissy has been in Puerto Rico for the past two months solid, trying to broker deals and arrangements for us to build an animal sanctuary here. This is really Chrissy’s baby. She has been in PR on and off for five years trying to make a difference. Now, it is about to become a reality. A no-kill sanctuary dedicated not only to saving the lives of the satos (meaning “street dog” in Spanish), but also to try to change the very attitude and care level in Puerto Rico.

It is hard to explain, unless you’ve been here. I know I’ve heard about it for years. People would tell me “oh there are hungry dogs all over the cities there” when they came back from vacation. And Chrissy would of course tell us stories. Stories that would tear your heart apart.

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Filed in Animal Rescue by kerry on May 01, 2011.  There are 6 comments.  

Hypocrite? You decide – and let us know!

So recently we heard from another local animal sanctuary.  They said some of their members had come to them and were expressing outrage at our participating in the ASPCA Challenge when we have spoken out so vehemently against the ASPCA in the past.

Are we hypocrites for being willing to take the ASPCA’s money?

I don’t think so.

YES.  We have GREAT issues with SOME of the things that the ASPCA has done – namely, or course, killing Oreo. However, we also strongly support many of their other programs and the progresses they have made in their behalf. Their low or no cost spay/neuter vans have been excellent in NYC – helping countless numbers of animals and helping to prevent more from coming into shelters.  Their fighting against puppy mills has been well received and respected, and their pit bull awareness, pit bull programs, and trying to change the image of pits has been a great start in changing the public’s views on these great dogs.  There are MANY things they do well and some they do terribly.  We always speak out against the things we can’t tolerate and publicly insist that they fix.

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Filed in Animal Rescue by kerry on Apr 21, 2011.  There are 52 comments.  

Does anyone CARE? More on Chesterfield S.C.

Today, marks six weeks since shots rang out in Chesterfield SC, killing as many as 22 dogs, and yet to date no arrests have been made, no criminal charges have been filed and the men accused of these reprehensible acts remain on PAID administrative leave.

Yes.  Paid.  After viciously murdering animals, they can sit home, basically on vacation, and get paid for it.

Sheriff Sam Parker’s office, which oversees the Chesterfield Shelter, initiated the investigation. So here we have the department that is directly connected with running the operation investigating themselves.  Nice, right?

Well,  YOU didn’t think so, and thanks to your calls and outrage, Governor Nikki Haley’s office stepped in and asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to takeover. SLED was asked to lead the investigation and turn over their findings to the Attorney General’s (AG) office.  Great, right?  Welllll, not so fast….read on.

On March 31 when the investigation was “complete” and the findings turned over to the Attorney General for review, it appears almost NONE of the KEY people responsible for calling attention to this were even interviewed!!  That includes the volunteer who first unearthed the bodies of these animals, the 4 animal control officers accused of these crimes,  the eye witnesses who came forward regarding the abuses they witnessed at the shelter, and none of the evidence of dog fighting was ever examined.

SAY WHAT??

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Filed in Animal Rescue, Legislation by kerry on Apr 16, 2011.  There are 16 comments.  

What has happened to compassion in our shelters?

So recently a group that we have tremendous respect for, and work with frequently, contacted us about the Chesterfield, SC shelter. This is the shelter that some time ago was attacked for being one of the cruelest in the nation, (allowing dogs to maul each other, killing dogs that had rescues or homes lined up, not feeding the animals, etc etc). There was also a huge outcry from the public to dismantle their barbaric gas chamber (that went un-inspected for years and basically TORTURED the dogs to death) and to stop the other horrors that went on. Their response to the naysayers and the whistle blowers? They sneered and killed ALL the dogs – EVEN THE ONES THAT HAD RESCUES WAITING FOR THEM.

Well. That sure taught all those naysayers a lesson, didn’t it?

The group we work with stopped helping there after that. They were so sick about this, so deeply sick and wounded that all these dogs died as “retaliation” that they couldn’t go back and help anymore. Did that mean anything to the shelter workers? No. They don’t CARE people. Do you think I’m kidding? Lying? Making this up? Exaggerating? I’m not.

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Filed in Animal Rescue by kerry on Mar 05, 2011.  There are 131 comments.  

Pets Alive Gets Grant to Vaccinate Dogs for Influenza

Pets Alive Gets Grant to Vaccinate Dogs for Influenza
Petfinder.com Foundation furnishes funds to protect shelter dogs from canine flu.

Pets Alive, in Middletown, N.Y, now has help in protecting dogs against canine influenza virus (CIV), a highly contagious disease that spreads easily from dog to dog, especially those in close proximity. The no kill  organization received a grant for the vaccines as part of a Petfinder.com Foundation program to build community immunity against this respiratory infection. The foundation partnered with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, a global animal health company and makers of the NOBIVAC(r) Canine Flu H3N8 vaccine, to fund the grant.

Because CIV is relatively new, most dogs have not built up immunity to the disease. Dogs can get the disease by being exposed to those that have it, as well as playing with toys or drinking from bowls used by other dogs. People can also unwittingly spread the germ if they come in contact with infected dogs.

“Shelters and rescue organizations are often the first places that new diseases already in the community become evident. Dogs come in from the community and are released back into it, and often move to and from states with confirmed cases,” said Liz Neuschatz, director of the Petfinder.com Foundation. “Canine flu can be a real problem for shelters, where one sick dog can cause an outbreak through an entire facility. We are pleased to be part of this effort to help protect the community by providing canine flu vaccine to Pets Alive inc.”

Dog flu is a growing problem throughout the U.S. It has been confirmed in 34 states so far, but tracking the disease is hard because it is so difficult to diagnose. Dogs are contagious before they show any symptoms. By the time the dog starts coughing, it’s too late. Virtually all dogs exposed to the virus will become infected, and some will get more serious infections, such as pneumonia, which can be fatal.  Dogs that go to doggie daycare, boarding facilities, groomers and shows and are vaccinated for canine cough (Bordetella) are also at risk for canine flu.  Information about canine flu is available at www.doginfluenza.com.

The grant for Building Community Immunity seeks to protect all at-risk dogs in the community, including those in close proximity with other dogs, as is the case with shelters and rescue facilities. It also provides greater assurance to adopting families that their new pets will be healthier and much less likely to be sick or get more serious, and sometimes fatal, infections. The grant further links PetFinder.com member shelter and rescue grant recipients with local veterinarians to protect all adoptable dogs in their care. The program promotes veterinary visits for wellness exams and, when appropriate, the second dose administration of Nobivac Canine Flu vaccine.
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About Petfinder.com Foundation
The Petfinder.com Foundation was created in 2003 to respond to needs of its Petfinder member shelters and rescue groups and to assist them in ensuring that no pet is euthanized for lack of a home. The vaccine grant will help keep dogs healthy and adoptable.

About Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, based in Boxmeer, the Netherlands, is focused on the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of animal health products. The company offers customers one of the broadest, most innovative animal health portfolios, spanning products to support performance and to prevent, treat and control disease in all major farm and companion animal species. Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health; subsidiaries of Merck & Co. Inc., Whitehouse Station NJ, USA. For more information, visit www.intervet.com.

Filed in Animal Rescue by kerry on Mar 01, 2011.  There are 0 comments.  

The story of Annie

Annie first came to us when we got a call from our friends at Mount Vernon NJ Animal Control.

They are a shelter in NJ that try very hard to never euthanize if they can help it, but they ARE a county shelter and eventually the time came for Annie.

No one wanted to do it, but Annie had been there a year and the director sadly said that she wasn’t being adopted and they couldn’t keep her forever at the expense of others. The shelter staff and volunteers reached out to us. They loved this sweet girl. Could we possibly take her?

The idea of taking a very senior dog that seemed to have very little life left in her, didn’t really appeal to me, I must be honest here. We had a lot of seniors at the time and there are not a whole bunch of adopters out there looking for older dogs to take home and nurse through their geriatric years. So I was reluctant.

And then they told me her story.

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Filed in Animal Rescue by kerry on Dec 01, 2010.  There are 7 comments.  

Help us save ALL the dogs on Dead Dog Beach!

Yes. We said ALL. It is within our grasp to save ALL the dogs at Dead Dog Beach and prevent future dogs from dying there. This is absolutely EPIC. A chance we may NEVER have again.

Clearly, we are launching Pets Alive Puerto Rico with a HUGE bang. We have recently merged with Manos Por Patas in an effort to make a huge impact in saving the beaten, abused and abandoned dogs that are dumped on the aptly named Dead Dog Beach. It has been so difficult because we have no site there. We are stuck pulling a few dogs at a time, getting them vetted and then getting them to the States where they are adopted out. The problem is that we make little impact since without spaying and neutering the dogs left at the beach reproduce causing us to always be behind in trying to save them, lack of vets to work with us there and lack of homes or a shelter to house the dogs while we vet them and prepare them. Our plan is to build a Pets Alive Puerto Rico so we have a location to help these dogs.

But recently something HUGE happened. Puerto Rico is getting ready for a giant festival that will last for 45 days and it will take over the beach. With the added security patrols there less dogs are getting dumped. We made the decision to go in and grab every single dog off the beach. In this way we can fix them ALL and with the security in place for a few weeks we can keep on top of dogs that get dumped in the future, when the numbers are not so insurmountable. It isn’t JUST that either. With this festival happening the local animal control planned to go onto the beach, round up the dogs and euthanize them all.

We felt we had no choice. Almost 35 dogs were rounded up by Chrissy and her team and a deal was made for them all. Dr. Serrano at the Humacao shelter will treat and house the dogs for a 21-day period while they are being sterilized, wormed, vaccinated, etc… in preparation for transport. The total cost for each dog will be $230 (of course that’s including the 21 days of boarding as well) and then there will also be the cost of transporting them back to the states. This is a HUGE undertaking and we are desperately appealing to you all to help us with this mission. These little lives are WORTH it. They need us. This is our opportunity to put a STOP to the daily beatings and abuse these dogs suffer every day at that beach. This is a chance from now on to pick them up as they are dropped off, stop them from reproducing and – best of all – ERADICATE Dead Dog Beach. No more will this be a place for people to hurt dogs.

Will you help us?

We are asking you to join us in this mission to save these lives. Please help us pay for just ONE dog’s life, or even PART of that. Even $5 or $10 will help us. We need you. THEY need you. Please don’t look at these faces and let them down.

Filed in Animal Rescue by kerry on Nov 23, 2010.  There are 6 comments.  

How do you know when it is time for euthanasia

Many of our friends on Facebook or twitter, or even email have contacted us, filled with grief and sorrow and asked our opinions on how to tell if it is time to let their beloved pet “go”.

In this “business” I have seen it all. Some people put their dogs or cats down at the very first sign of illness because they don’t want to pay vet bills or because they claim that is the most humane thing. Unfortunately I have also seen people wait far too long, past the point of humaneness and into the realm of cruelty.

I know it is difficult to let a beloved pet go.  I can’t even type this without my throat closing up and tears welling into my eyes at the thought of the ones I have had to let go.

This is a very personal decision.
No one can make it but you.

I am certainly no authority on this,nothing would give me the right to judge this for others, but here is how I decide with my own dogs, if this helps.

1. Have they stopped eating?
If my dogs stop eating that is it. I will not force feed them.  I will give them three or four days of me trying everything to get them to eat – chicken and chop meat, but once that doesn’t work, that is it, it is time.

2. If my dogs can no longer get up and walk around on their own.
If they can not stand, walk around and move with nobility and dignity, then it is time, even if they are eating and otherwise mentally alert.  That is no life for an animal. (I mean this only in the sense of senior failure…not dogs that are young and healthy and get along GREAT and just FINE with a cart. I am talking about when a dog is so old it would not have the strength to get up any longer).

3. If my dog has lost his or her nobility.
If I look at my dog and say I would want to be let go if I was in this stage, then I make that decision of kindness to let them go so that their pride and dignity is no longer depleted.

4.  If they are so uncomfortable that they can not sleep, that they are constantly unhappy, miserable or crying or whining.
If my dogs are suffering, it is time.  It is the only gift I have left to give them – and that is to let them go.

So, no one can decide for you.  I’m sorry that you are in this place. 
But respect your pet and LOVE your pet enough to let them go.
I wish you much love and affection and peace with whatever decision you make.

Filed in Animal Rescue by kerry on Nov 16, 2010.  There are 8 comments.  

Black Cats, Halloween, & Reduced adoption fees – OH MY!

OK, so recently we caused quite a stir by offering reduced adoption rates for Halloween. So far we have done this for every holiday or any event we can think of. You see the same marketing ploy in stores across the nation – every holiday or event – there are the sales. Adopting animals is actually about marketing. It is about marketing the animals we have for adoption. You can object to that and you can be outraged but it is the truth.

Let’s look at this. We can start with Petfinder. If you are looking for an animal to adopt and you are browsing through hundreds on PetFinder that meet your criteria, which do you remember?

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Filed in Animal Rescue by kerry on Oct 25, 2010.  There are 21 comments.  

Understanding the other side

Ok…so when I wonder why Reno can save 94% of the animals that come through their doors, why Philly and Charlotte are making great strides toward becoming no-kill, why we can add Austin and Las Vegas and so many other cities to that list of places where no-kill is more of a reality than a dream, we have New York City…where Maddie’s Fund and the ASPCA have poured more than $20 million into making NYC No-kill, and Jane Hoffman hangs on by her fingernails to keep the Mayor’s Alliance deciding who will live or die needlessly while moving the goalposts of when New York will become No-Kill every year from 2008 to 2010 to 2012 now 2015.

The No-Kill Conference was overflowing with people who have actually DONE it…actually taken their major city or metropolitan area from killing animals to NOT killing animals. One of my favorite parts of the No-Kill Conference was Nathan Winograd (“New York doesn’t NEED a Nathan Winograd” – Jane Hoffman) asking speaker after speaker “After you decided not to kill animals anymore, how long did it take to become no kill.” This confused most of the people he asked. “Uh…it was instant.” “One day.” “That same day.”

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Filed in Animal Rescue, No-kill by Admnistrator on Aug 12, 2010.  There are 6 comments.