- 1. ASPCA Happy Tails: Lovable Leo
- 2. U.S. Senators Urge DOT to Fix Airline Pet Incident Reporting
- 3. National Adoptions Database Launches on ASPCA.org
- 4. Autumn Pet Safety Tips
- 5. 71 Dogs Removed from Missouri Puppy Mill; Help Support Prop. B!
1. ASPCA Happy Tails: Lovable Leo
Leighanne Shelton of New York City first met a popular Pit mix named Leo on September 1, when she came to the ASPCA Adoption Center with another pooch in mind. But no surprise, she couldn’t resist Leo’s canine charms, and after more than a year at the ASPCA, the lucky dog finally found his way home. We recently caught up the happy pair.
ASPCA: Was it love at first sight with Leo?
Leighanne: When I came around the corner, all I saw was a big lovebug with those bright amber eyes, goofy smile and crazy-wagging tail. I'm not sure it’s possible NOT to fall in love with him right away. He was so sweet and friendly.
ASPCA: How has he settled into his new home?
Leighanne: Leo has been with me for almost a month and has settled in beautifully. After we go for walks, he knows which door is home and waits patiently to be let in. He spends his days playing with his toys or just hanging out. He looks forward to his weekends at the dog park with such enthusiasm!
ASPCA: Does Leo have any funny habits?
Leighanne: Leo hates baths but LOVES being in the tub, as long as the water isn't touching him. He hears the water running and immediately jumps in so he can drink the water out of the faucet—now if only we could get soap involved!
ASPCA: What do you love most about Leo?
Leighanne: Leo loves everyone and everything. I’ve had a few people change their opinions about Pit Bulls after meeting him. This was a big part of why I originally wanted to adopt this specific breed—to shatter the negative stereotypes. Leo is definitely helping—one cynic at a time.
To read more adoption success stories, please visit our Happy Tails archive.
2. U.S. Senators Urge DOT to Fix Airline Pet Incident Reporting
The tragic deaths of seven puppies in the cargo hold of an American Airlines jet in early August sparked outrage across the country and shed light on a serious defect in the way the Department of Transportation (DOT) has been tracking and reporting pet-related incidents on commercial flights.
Because the DOT interprets the relevant U.S. law (49 U.S.C. § 41721) as applying only to animals considered “pets,” commercial airlines are not required to report losses, injuries or deaths of animals who are considered “not owned” at the time of their transport—this includes dogs shipped by breeders and puppy mills, as well as show dogs being transported by handlers.
In response, U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) have submitted a joint letter to Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, asserting that the DOT’s “flawed interpretation of laws” has allowed reporting of many airline animal incidents—such as the deaths of the seven puppies in August—to “slip through the cracks.” The senators propose that the DOT review and expand its definitions and regulations to better reflect the intent of Congress that all animal-related airline incidents be reported, regardless of the ownership status of the shipped animals.
Read the senators’ letter here(pdf).
The ASPCA would like to remind pet parents that shipping a pet in an airplane’s cargo hold can endanger the animal’s safety. Dog breeds with short or flat noses (“brachycephalic” breeds) like Pugs, Boxers and Bulldogs face particular risk—the DOT reports that these breeds represent about half the pet dogs who die in flight while being transported by their guardians as cargo. If you must transport your pet in this manner, please review our Air Travel Tips.
3. National Adoptions Database Launches on ASPCA.org
Are you ready to adopt a four-legged friend? The ASPCA’s got you covered! We recently partnered with “Save a Dog” and “Save a Cat”—innovative pet-finder applications created by the folks at DogTime—to launch a searchable database of adoptable dogs and cats who are available in shelters across the country. Just enter your zip code to narrow down the results and meet eligible cats and dogs in your own backyard!
For more information about adopting a pet, including how to find the right pet for you, please visit our handy Adoption Tips.
4. Autumn Pet Safety Tips
Hard to believe, but the first day of autumn was Wednesday, September 22! There’s nothing like crisp, cool air, the first months of school and luscious foliage to get you excited for the changing seasons. Your pet, too, is probably welcoming a break from hot, sticky weather. But pet parents, beware—fall is also a time of lurking dangers for our furry friends. Here are some tips to keep your pet snug and healthy during the autumn months.
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The use of rodenticides increases as rodents seek shelter from the cooler temperatures by attempting to move indoors. Rodenticides are highly toxic to pets and can cause death if ingested. If you must use these products, do so with extreme caution and put them in places inaccessible to your pets.
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Those of you with young children know that back-to-school time means stocking up on fun items like glue sticks, pencils and magic markers. These items are considered “low toxicity” to pets, which means they’re unlikely to cause serious problems unless large amounts are ingested. However, since gastrointestinal upset and blockages certainly are possible, be sure your children keep their school supplies out of paws’ reach.
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Fall and spring are mushroom seasons. While 99% of mushrooms have little or no toxicity, the 1% that are highly toxic can cause life-threatening problems in pets. Unfortunately, highly toxic mushrooms are difficult to distinguish from nontoxic ones, so the best way to keep pets from ingesting poisonous mushrooms is to keep them away from areas where any mushrooms might be growing. Please immediately contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you see your pet eating a wild mushroom.
Visit ASPCA.org to keep reading our full list of fall safety tips!
5. 71 Dogs Removed from Missouri Puppy Mill; Help Support Prop. B!
On September 21, the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team in conjunction with the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) removed 71 dogs from an overrun puppy mill in Camden County, MO. The dogs—who include Dachshunds, Maltese, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Huskies and Boxers—were transferred to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri in Springfield and HSMO in St. Louis, where they received medical treatment and will be cared for until they're ready for adoption.
"This case was unique in that the dogs were voluntarily relinquished by the kennel owner who could no longer afford to feed them," explains Tim Rickey, ASPCA Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response. Last week the mill owner contacted a local rescue group, Half-way Home Pet Rescue in Cedar County, for help, and Half-way Home then reached out to the ASPCA.
"When breeders are no longer able to care for their animals, the problem lands squarely on the shoulders of local shelters," says Half-way Home's Latisha Duffy, who works closely with breeders in Missouri to find homes for retired breeding dogs.
Known as the "Puppy Mill Capital of America," Missouri is home to more than 3,000 commercial dog breeding facilities and supplies more than 40 percent of all dogs sold in pet stores nationwide. "We see some of the worst conditions in Missouri puppy mills," explains Rickey. "The dogs, often very ill, are forced to live in overcrowded, filthy conditions."
In an effort to end the many cruelties associated with puppy mills, the ASPCA, a founding member of Missourians for the Protection of Dogs/YES! on Prop. B, is supporting Proposition B, also known as the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. This landmark measure, which will appear on the state's November ballot, promotes the humane treatment of dogs in Missouri's large-scale commercial breeding kennels. If passed, Prop B would limit the number of breeding dogs to 50 per facility, and would require large-scale breeders to sufficient food, water and space for the animals under their care.
To learn how to extend your support for Proposition B, please visit our Puppy Mill section on ASPCA.org.