- 1. ASPCA Happy Tails: The One and Only
- 2. ASPCA Pet of the Week: Lay Down, Sally
- 3. Buyer Beware: Puppy Scams Thrive Online
- 4. Springtime Safety Tips for Pets
- 5. Donate Your Appreciated Securities to the ASPCA
- 6. Become an ASPCA Ambassador this April!
1. ASPCA Happy Tails: The One and Only
Hazel is a gorgeous, Calico cutie who arrived at the ASPCA just after New Year’s and charmed many with her youthful exuberance. She didn’t stay with us for long, since she soon met her perfect match in Elisabeth Barone of Manhattan. We recently caught up with the new pet mom and her furry gal pal to see how Hazel’s enjoying her new home.
ASPCA: When did you meet Hazel?
Elisabeth: I first met Hazel the last weekend of January. I visited the Adoption Center on Friday and, although I was looking for a kitten, something about Hazel made me fall in love. I didn't want to just adopt the first cat I saw, so I continued to visit other shelters throughout the weekend.
ASPCA: What brought you back to the ASPCA?
Elisabeth: I soon realized that Hazel was “the one,” so I went back on Sunday to pick her up. Unfortunately, she had some medical issues, and needed to stay at the ASPCA a bit longer before I could take her home.
ASPCA: How did you officially adopt Hazel?
Elisabeth: The following Saturday I went back to the Adoption Center to put a hold on Hazel, since I had fallen too much in love to lose her. While visiting, I was surprised to learn she was officially ready to come home—I was elated!
ASPCA: Does Hazel have any funny, eccentric, or endearing habits?
Elisabeth: She adores sleeping ON me. Even if I'm sleeping on my side, she finds a way to always be on top of me. She's also incredibly friendly, and has an amazing way of turning self-proclaimed "cat haters" into cat lovers.
ASPCA: What do you love most about Hazel?
Elisabeth: Hazel is a perfect fit for me. I find myself going out of my way to get home as quickly as possible just to spend time with her. She's the perfect sidekick!
2. ASPCA Pet of the Week: Lay Down, Sally
Sally is no plain Jane. She’s an energetic, six-year-old Pit mix who’s looking for a pet parent who loves to exercise as much as she does. A quick study, Sally enjoys showing off her new tricks, especially for a tasty treat. This boisterous babe will thrive best in a home with no other animals, and may be a bit too enthusiastic to live with young children.
If you’re interested in adopting sweet Sally, please call our Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. Or to view other animals looking for homes, visit our Adoption Center online. ****Got Facebook? Won’t you please donate your status to Sally? Just copy and paste the following message onto your profile status to help spread the word that this pooch needs a home!
[Name] is donating my status to Sally http://www.aspca.org/sally, a dog at the ASPCA who needs a new home.
3. Buyer Beware: Puppy Scams Thrive Online
As more and more Americans turn to the Web to find the pet of their dreams, scams have skyrocketed as criminals seek to take advantage of unsuspecting pet parents. According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, hundreds of complaints are filed each year by victims who were conned when attempting to buy a dog online.
One potential pet parent, Diane, was hoping to add a Yorkshire Terrier puppy to her family when she spotted a classified ad in her local paper. “It was over my morning coffee that I saw the perfect ad for a Yorkie named Nancy,” says Diane, who lives near Cleveland, OH. She sent an email to the address listed, and immediately received a response—Diane 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,” Diane explains. Diane sent the requested payment via Western Union, but once she sent the code for the money transfer, she never heard from the “pastor” again.
Like many trusting animal lovers, Diane fell victim to one of many “free to good home” scams currently circulating the Internet and classified sections of newspapers. So how do you avoid persuasive cons and still get the dog of your dreams? The ASPCA recommends never buying a dog you haven’t met in person and always check references. Also, keep in mind that adoption is still the best option, even if you have your heart set on a purebred dog. There are thousands of dogs waiting for good homes at local animal shelters, including purebreds! Please help others avoid being cheated by emailing your puppy scam story to dogstory@aspca.org.
4. Springtime Safety Tips for Pets
Spring has sprung, and with the change of season, our thoughts inevitably turn to Easter celebrations, spring cleaning and much-needed home improvement projects. But the new balmy weather can prove not-so-sunny for curious pets—or their unwitting parents. Before you embark on seasonal chores or outdoor revelry, take inventory of potential springtime hazards for your delicate, furry friend. To help you out, our ASPCA experts have come up with a few seasonal tips that will help prevent mishaps or misfortunes.
Here’s a sneak peek at Springtime Safety Tips for Pets:
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Easter Treats and Decorations
Keep Easter lilies and candy bunnies in check—chocolate goodies are toxic to cats, dogs and ferrets, and lilies can be fatal if ingested by our feline friends. While bunnies, chicks and other festive animals are adorable, resist the urge to buy—these cute babies grow up fast and often require specialized care!
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Buckle Up!
Dogs love good weather, too! But allowing them to ride in the beds of pick-up trucks or stick their heads out of car windows is downright dangerous. Abrupt stops or turns can cause major injury, or worse! Pets in cars should always be secured in a crate or wearing a seatbelt harness designed especially for them.
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Home Improvement 101
Products such as paints, mineral spirits and solvents can be toxic to your pets and cause severe irritation or chemical burns. Carefully read all labels to see if the product is safe to use around your furry friends. It may be wise to confine your dog or cat to a designated pet-friendly room during home improvement projects.
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Ah-Ah-Achoo!
Like their sneezy human counterparts, pets can be allergic to dust, plants and pollens. Allergic reactions in dogs and cats can cause minor sniffling as well as life-threatening anaphylactic shock. If your pet suffers from a springtime allergy, please visit your veterinarian.
Read our complete article Springtime Safety Tips for Pets, and enjoy a safe and sunny season.
5. Donate Your Appreciated Securities to the ASPCA
Has your stock portfolio increased in the past 12 months? Are you planning to make a gift to the ASPCA? If the answer to both questions is “yes,” please read on to see how you can use your appreciated securities to make a gift to the ASPCA.
As stock prices increase, so do the capital gains taxes you owe when you sell the stock. But when you donate publicly traded stocks held long term (owned for more than one year) to a qualified charitable organization such as the ASPCA, you avoid all capital gains taxes. Plus, you may take the full, fair market value of the stock gift as a charitable deduction on your income taxes.
If you have stock losses, it’s wise to sell the stock yourself to realize the loss and take the deduction for tax purposes. Then you can generate a charitable deduction by donating the cash proceeds of the sale to the ASPCA!
For more information about creative giving strategies, please contact Marsha Pierson, CFP®, ASPCA Director of Planned Giving, at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4505, or by email at marshap@aspca.org.
6. Become an ASPCA Ambassador this April!
Every April, the ASPCA invites supporters across the country to “Go Orange for Animals” and raise awareness for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. With April almost here, it’s time to join the action! Become an ASPCA Ambassador and create your own grassroots event, inviting friends and family to sponsor your efforts on behalf of the ASPCA.
Whether you decide to run a marathon, plan a pet parade or hold an orange bake sale, your efforts will help us achieve our goal to end animal cruelty and find permanent, loving homes for America’s adoptable pets.
Once your plans are in place, register your unique event online to share with animal lovers everywhere. You’ll have the opportunity to exchange stories and photos, engage others and raise life-saving funds that support the vital work of the ASPCA.
Plus, we’ll guide you through setting up a special fundraising page featuring your favorite furry friend and keep you up to date on ASPCA team events! ASPCA Ambassadors also have access to easy-to-use email tools and a personalized web address to help spread the word.
Those who register will also receive a 15% discount on a selection of orange merchandise from the ASPCA Online Store. For more information about Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month and ways to go orange, please visit us online.