News Alert: December 19, 2008

1. Last-Minute Gift Idea: ASPCA Membership

Stuck for a holiday present? Bored with the latest gadgets and gift certificates? Why not give the gift that keeps on giving—to cats and dogs!? An ASPCA gift membership is a great way to say you care, not only for the recipient but also for the millions of animals who’ll benefit from your generosity. Our online form makes it easy—log on and help us build a humane community one membership at a time.

In return for your gift of $25 or more, the recipient will receive a membership card, an ASPCA wall calendar, an ASPCA wristband and a free subscription to ASPCA Action. Best of all, you choose whether we send these goodies to the lucky new member or to you—that way, you can present the gift in person. So hurry and get clickin’, and have a happy, humane holiday from the ASPCA!

2. No Room at Home? Get a FooPet!

You may already be one of the million-plus social networkers using Pokey, FooMojo, Inc.’s application on Facebook and MySpace. Your 3D Pokey puppies and kittens already eat, play, grow, learn tricks, develop personalities and have a real life cycle affected by your care and feeding patterns. Now, FooMojo Inc. has taken “Pokey” to the next level with FooPets—your FooPet companion will require scheduled medicines, flea treatments, immunizations against common ailments and more! Warning: the experience is so lifelike you may find yourself waking up at midnight in a panic because you forgot to feed your virtual pet!

As FooPets promote animal safety and health, as well as owner responsibility, a partnership between FooMojo and the ASPCA is a perfect fit. We’re honored that FooMojo has donated $20,000 to the ASPCA and provides incentives for FooPets community members to give to us.

Go to FooPets.com to be notified when the new application becomes available.

3. ASPCA Success Story of the Week: All that Jazzy

When Queens resident Annette Markin heard about the ASPCA’s recent rescue of 33 poodles on Channel One News, she acted immediately. “I rushed to the adoption center in the pouring rain,” recalls Annette, “and found myself holding a seven-year-old poodle named Jasmine. When she began to shake, I placed her back in the volunteer’s arms. After waiting a moment, I put my hand on her paw, but she withdrew it. So I opened my palm and held it beside her—that’s when she put her paw into my hand. At that moment she had me.”

On the way home, Annette spoke softly to Jasmine, who shyly kept her head turned away. “Though her tail was down when we got home and she didn’t have much of an appetite, I served her food and she ate,” says Annette. “Then I introduced her to my two male poodles who had no difficulty adjusting to her.” That night the newcomer slept by Annette’s side.

Now, just a few weeks later, sporting a new moniker, Jazzy, this spicy pooch has shed her shyness and, according to her new mom, looks and acts just like a puppy. Annette tells us, “With her tail held high and her cute bark, Jazzy chases her two brothers, Banjo and Brandy—especially away from her food.” And apparently, she’s developed quite the discriminating palate. “I cook for my little family,” says Annette, “and Jasmine has developed a great appetite—I guess she likes my cooking.”

This champagne-colored beauty has also developed a very direct rapport with her adopted mom. “She now looks me straight in the eye and barks her unique little bark,” says Annette. “She just makes me laugh!”

Almost all of the rescued poodles have now been adopted. You can meet the five who are still waiting for homes here.

4. ASPCA Job of the Week

The ASPCA is looking for a Legislative Liaison for our Western Region to track and process animal-related legislation in several states, including OK, TX, KS, NM, ID, UT and MN. Our ideal candidate has a law degree and at least two years of experience working in state legislation or lobbying at the state or federal levels. If you’re an exceptional speaker and self-starter with a passion for grassroots and animal advocacy, we’d love to hear from you!

This position is remote or home-based from Austin, TX, and requires moderate travel. The ASPCA offers generous benefit packages for full-time employees. Please submit your resume and salary requirements for our prompt consideration.

5. ASPCA Responds to New Family Puppy

When you’re in the public eye like the Biden family, even your new pet is under scrutiny. As recently reported, Vice President-Elect Joe Biden purchased a new German shepherd puppy from a kennel that had been issued five warnings and two citations by the Pennsylvanian Department of Agriculture.

“At the ASPCA, we are happy the Biden family has chosen to bring a new pet into their home,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “Pets provide us with unconditional love, and I’m sure the Bidens will certainly find a loyal family companion in their new puppy. But we also want to remind people who are looking for a breeder, that for the health and well-being of the dog, they do their homework to find a responsible one.”

Please read the ASPCA’s criteria for responsible breeding to learn more, and check out our press release for additional details of the soon-to-be VP’s pooch purchase.

6. The Best Holiday Gift for Pets: Keep ‘Em Safe from Accidental Poisoning

We’re all for keeping holiday spirits high with fancy decor and bow-topped presents galore, but the best gift you can offer your pets this season is to steer them clear of unhealthy foods, dangerous decorations and holiday plants that can be toxic.

Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA'S Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital and author of Vet Confidential: An Insider's Guide to Protecting Your Pet's Health reports, "Over the holidays, veterinary hospitals often see an influx of pets affected by a variety of seasonal hazards, from cats vomiting after swallowing ribbons to dogs who’ve indulged in pilfered chocolates. It's important to keep our animal companions safe when celebrating."

The following tips will help keep everyone—furry and two-legged—in good cheer:

O Christmas Tree: Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling.

Tinsel-less Town: Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It’s best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.

Toy Joy: Stuff your pet’s stockings with gifts that are safe:

• Many a dog has been known to tear her toys apart and swallow the pieces, which can become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, digestible chew treats or Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods.  
• Ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in a cat’s intestines often necessitate surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer—and tons of play time together.

Forget the Mistletoe & Holly: When ingested by pets, mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Holly can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.

For more poison prevention tips, please visit ASPCA online.

7. Feral Cats: Just the Facts

They live in the shadows—the alleyways, empty lots and condemned buildings—of almost every neighborhood. Their lives are short and usually harsh. They struggle to find food and water in an environment filled with the constant threats of disease, starvation, cruelty and predation. They are the abandoned, the lost and the wild—and they need our help.

The number of feral cats in the United States is estimated to be in the tens of millions. Sadly, many communities still opt to control populations via outdated methods, including lethal elimination or relocation. Not only are some of these methods horribly cruel, they are also ineffective. In an effort to end cruelty towards feral cats, the ASPCA now offers Trap, Neuter, Return: A Guide to Living With Feral Cats.

How Does TNR Benefit the Community? Do You Have Any Tips For Trapping a Cat? How Do I Deal With Difficult Neighbors? What Is a Colony Caretaker? Trap, Neuter, Return: A Guide to Living With Feral Cats offers the answers to these important questions and others, the steps to successfully performing TNR and ways you can get involved in helping the feral cats in your community!

8. ASPCA Pet of the Week: Love Guru

It’s no wonder that Menunu is a bit pudgy, considering he has the word “menu” in his name! It’s not that Menunu is adverse to exercise—he simply prefers yoga to cardio. Six years old and content in his fur, he loves the chance to stretch his paws and sit in the middle of the room, enjoying the space and peacefully observing his surroundings.

Menunu has been dubbed a Sidekick by Katie Watts, ASPCA Feline Behavior Counselor.

“I love Mr. Pudge! He's the best! He's perfect for someone who wants a cat who has it all (in a really big, cuddly package),” beams Watts. Menunu would love to be your constant companion as you roam about your home, and provide you the quiet comfort you seek after a long, hard day. Everything about Menunu is relaxing; his black fur, his quiet purrs—even his soft meows.

Potential parents should be aware that Menunu will need to be on a special diet, probably for the rest of his life. If you are into the serene scene and would like to meet Menunu, please call the ASPCA Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. To see other animals who are waiting for homes, please visit the ASPCA Adoption Center online.