News Alert: January 9, 2009

1. ASPCA Pet of the Week: Me Tarzan. Me Available.

Naturally, we think all of the cats who enter the ASPCA Adoption Center are beautiful. But once in a while, someone comes along who takes our breath away! Meet Tarzan, a Siamese/Bengal cat with an amazing beige marble pattern on his fur. Tarzan is a truly extraordinary sight! Not just because of his looks—we love to witness the affection he has for his feline friends.

Tarzan has spent most of his two years of life with other kitties. “He grew up around cats and loves them dearly, so he needs a nice brother or sister in his adopted home,” says Amy Geduldig, ASPCA Manager, Media & Communications. Tarzan knows he’s into the feline kind. People, however, he is still unsure about! (Who can blame him?) He’s a bit shy and will take some time to warm up to his new humans.

A sweet housecat who looks like an exotic jungle animal? Cool! To adopt this unique feline, please call (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. To see other animals who are waiting for homes, please visit the ASPCA Adoption Center online.

2. Hidden Danger: Keep Your Pet Safe from Electric Shock

Winter’s chill may have settled in your neighborhood, but your energetic pooch still wants to go for walks in the great outdoors. Take it slow and steady, pet parents. According to our experts, the danger of stray voltage on city streets can turn a simple stroll into a devastating event for our furry friends.

Most common in northern climes and urban areas, stray voltage occurs when dormant utilities leak excess electricity. Combined with wet streets and salt-based ice melts, this current can shock, injure or even prove fatal for those in its path. “Since salt used to treat icy streets is a great conductor of electricity,” says Dr. Louise Murray, ASPCA Director of Medicine and author of Vet Confidential, “the risk of shock from stray voltage is that much higher during the winter months.” The ASPCA offers the following tips to help you avoid potentially hazardous areas, and advice on what to do if your pet has suffered an electrical shock:

• Keep your dog away from metal fixtures, such as lampposts, grates or manhole covers. While these spots may be your pet’s favorite place to relieve himself, they may also conduct hazardous electricity.
• Your dog's snazzy, rubber rain boots may look good, but they won't protect your pooch from a strong current. Don’t depend on them to keep your pet safe. Some boots—those with metal studs, for example—may even make the situation worse.
• Observe your dog’s behavior. Is he skittish, frightened, angry or upset for no apparent reason? These sudden behavioral changes could be an indication of electric shock.
• If your dog is incapacitated due to shock, don’t try to touch or move him without protective gear. Your pooch may pass the current to you, rendering you both incapable of seeking help. Instead, call your local fire department immediately.

Know of an area in your neighborhood that could be affected by stray voltage? Contact city services—in New York City, dial 311—to alert the proper authorities. For more information about keeping your pet safe during the winter months, please read our cold weather tips.

3. TODAY: Live Chat with ASPCA Expert—Training Your Pet for the Camera

How can you tell if your dog has what it takes to be on TV? How do you handle a cat who is spooked by the lights? Can a dog easily adapt to his ‘stage family’?

If you’ve seen a pooch in a pet-food commercial and thought to yourself, “My dog could do that!,” then you should join today’s live discussion with Victoria Wells, ASPCA Manager of Shelter Behavior & Training. Victoria, whom you’ve seen on Animal Precinct, will share her expertise on training animals for the camera. The chat will take place today, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST, on the ASPCA Online Community. Why she rocks: Victoria trains animals for music videos, commercials and film, and it is her policy to only work on a project that portrays animals in a positive light. So, join the chat and find out if your little superstar has what it takes!

4. Free to Good Home: A Puppy Scam Victim Speaks Out

FREE Yorkie Puppy In Need of Home. Nancy is the perfect puppy. She has a wonderful disposition and loves children. Vet checked with all up to date shots and worming. AKC reg and DNA certificate. Contact at (...).

When Diane, resident of a quaint lakeside town just outside of Cleveland, spotted the above ad in her local paper, she excitedly sent an email to the address listed. She immediately received a response from the pup’s “owner”—she could have the puppy if she promised her a loving home and sent $500 to cover the shipping fees.

“I corresponded for an entire week with this man who claimed to be a missionary in Nigeria,” reports Diane. “I actually spoke with him on the phone over 25 times. He said all the right things and asked me all the right questions.”

Feeling comfortable with the arrangement, Diane sent the requested payment via Western Union. “I was told to send money to cover shipping and handling to an address in Nigeria and the dog would arrive in several weeks,” she states. “Unfortunately, that is where this puppy purchase took a turn for the worse. Once I sent the code for the money transfer, I never heard from ‘the pastor’ again.”

Like many unsuspecting animal lovers, Diane fell victim to the Nigerian Puppy Scam, one of the many “free to good home” scams currently circulating the Internet and classified sections of newspapers. “I just assumed that an ad published in our local paper was legitimate,” says Diane. “I had already fallen in love with Nancy—I just can’t believe it was all a swindle.”

Have you been taken by a similar scam, or know someone who has? Help others avoid being cheated by sharing your puppy scam story on ASPCA.org. To tell us what happened, email dogstory@aspca.org.

5. Coming Up: Therapy Dog Classes, 1/31

If your dog has a knack for brightening someone’s day, this year may be the right time to harvest his natural charm and skills and train him to be a therapy dog! The ASPCA is hosting a new session of classes at our New York City headquarters beginning January 31 to help get you started:

- Recommended for friendly dogs at least three months of age, “Walk with Me—Skills for Success” covers basic obedience skills necessary for successful and safe therapy dog visits. Tuition for the six-week class is $255.

- Friendly, well-behaved dogs with a knowledge of basic skills are invited to attend the seven-week course, “Go Say Hi—Teaching You and Your Dog to Help Others,” in preparation for the Delta Society Pet Partners Evaluation. Tuition of $290 includes the Delta Society Pet Partner Manual and the Delta Society Screening Evaluation.

Please register online or contact Greer Griffith at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4417 for more information.

6. ASPCA Job of the Week

Are you the leader of the pack? The ASPCA is looking for an Assistant Manager of Client Services to provide customer support and employee management and training for Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in Manhattan. Our ideal candidate has one to two years’ experience in a supervisory role, a Bachelor’s degree with coursework in business, animal science or veterinary technology, and natural leadership skills. If you’re detail-oriented, flexible and tactful, and possess an unwavering passion for animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

The ASPCA offers generous benefit packages for full-time employees. Please submit your resume and salary requirements for our prompt consideration.