News Alert: May 15, 2009

1. ASPCA Happy Tails: That’s What Friends Are For

When Maria Picazo of New York, NY, set out to find a companion for her reserved male kitty, Honey, she never expected to meet such a sweet-faced feline as Natalia. Deemed an Orange Sidekick by our feline behaviorists at the ASPCA Adoption Center, Natalia boasts more than just a pretty face and a pleasant demeanor—she’s a top-notch companion for humans and fellow kitties alike. The petite, grey cat arrived at the ASPCA from a Brooklyn city shelter in September 2008. Shortly thereafter, her future pet parent came calling.

“She has been a blessing in my life, along with Honey, whom I adopted three years earlier,” says Maria. The grateful pet parent eventually renamed the 3-year-old charmer Goosie, and she was delighted to watch her settle seamlessly into her new home.

“When she first arrived, Goosie was curious and eating voraciously,” reports Maria. She also wasted no time getting comfortable, and even implemented a strict schedule of afternoon naps on the edge of Maria’s couch.

But this little kitty is no lazy bones. A big fan of playtime, Goosie, the extrovert, has even helped bring quiet Honey out of his shell. “They get along so well! Even though Honey’s a little bit shy, Goosie always nudges him out of bed to play,” Maria notes. And she adds, “I hope there will be many more cats who are as fortunate and well-loved.”

To adopt your future feline companion, check out our list of available cats waiting for forever homes.

2. Heroes Help Save Canine Cruelty Victims

On April 23, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrested Staten Island resident Tyrone Walker for animal cruelty. Walker, 41, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and two counts of abandoning an animal. If convicted, he faces up to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine.

On the afternoon of April 2, witnesses near Marcus Garvey Park in Manhattan saw a man, later identified as Walker, take two dogs out of his car, tie the dogs to a park fence and drive away. Concerned passersby called the police and provided the car’s license plate number and descriptions of the man. Whenanimal controlarrived at the scene,they discovered that one of the dogs, an elderly male Rottweiler, was frothing at the mouth and unable to stand. Both dogs were rushed to the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.

The Rottweiler, named Shadow, was gravely ill with cancer and died soon after arrival. The other dog, an 8-year-old Belgian Shepherd named Savannah, was diagnosed with Lyme disease but was otherwise fairly healthy. She is currently progressing well, recovering with the help of ASPCA veterinarians and is not available for adoption at this time.

ASPCA Agents arrested Walker without incident. Although he initially denied ownership of the dogs, he later admitted that they had been given to him by a friend.

This arrest was made possible through the involvement of concerned citizens who witnessed Walker’s alleged actions and decided to do something about it. We all are capable of this type of heroism—please use your voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, and report abandonment, neglect and cruelty to animals.

3. ASPCA Guide to Pet-Safe Gardening

This spring, deep-country and urban gardeners alike are pruning the greenery with pets by their sides. But beware, pet parents—elements in your lush, flowery nooks can be dangerous to animal companions. Says Dana Farbman, pet poison prevention expert for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), “Keeping animals safe from accidental poisonings should not end once you’ve stepped outside—protecting your pet from potential hazards in the yard is just as critical.”

Last year, the APCC fielded 60,000 calls by pet parents whose animal companions had come into contact with fertilizers, insecticides, weed killers and pet-toxic plants. Read the complete ASPCA Gardener’s Guide to learn how to keep your pet safe.

Here's a sneak peek at some of the tips offered by our ASPCA experts:

• Keep pet-poisonous plants off your property. Sago palm as well as mushrooms can cause liver failure, while rhododendron, azalea, lily of the valley, oleander, rosebay, foxglove and kalanchoe can all harm your pet's heart.
• Fertilizers are dangerous. They often contain heavy metals such as iron that, if ingested in large enough amounts, can cause severe gastric upset and possibly gastrointestinal obstruction.
• Don’t use cocoa mulch! The sweet smell of this popular mulch attracts dogs, and like chocolate, ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea and elevated heart rates in our canine friends.

If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic from your garden or yard, please contact your veterinarian or the APCC 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

4. Announcing ‘Go Orange’ Photo Contest Winners

This April, to celebrate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, we asked animal lovers all across the country to send us photos of their furry friends decked out in orange gear, and we found out something we already knew—everyone, and we mean EVERYONE looks great in orange! Thank you for allowing your pets to join in the ASPCA spirit, and congratulations to all the winning photographers and their four-legged models.

Check out our 10 furry finalists!