News Alert: January 21, 2011

1. Renewing Our Commitment to Haiti’s Animals

Untold numbers of companion animals and native wildlife were displaced and threatened by the massive earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010. In recognition that extreme natural disasters necessitate a long rebuilding process, the ASPCA has awarded a new grant of $50,000 to the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), a multi-agency partnership created immediately following the earthquake to address the needs of Haiti’s affected animals.

This latest grant brings the total funding provided by the ASPCA to support ARCH’s efforts to $110,000. Funding by ARCH member groups has made possible the deployment of a mobile veterinary clinic complete with vaccines, antibiotics, bandages, food and other supplies. The mobile clinic has brought direct aid to more than 50,000 animals. More than 60 percent of the animals who have been treated are goats, pigs and cattle, while cats and dogs comprise 25 percent.

Video created by the World Society for the Protection of Animals

ARCH is headed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and is the largest effort for animals in Haiti and the largest international coalition to assist animals in a disaster. The ARCH response team, which included the ASPCA’s Jeff Eyre, Northeast Director of Field Investigations and Response, arrived in Haiti 10 days after the earthquake and has continued to have a presence in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Read about Eyre’s experience in Haiti in his own words.

“The ASPCA continues to extend its full support to those organizations providing humanitarian relief in this ravaged island nation, especially now, in the wake of the cholera outbreak and political unrest,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “We hope that by addressing the needs of Haiti’s animal victims, ARCH will ultimately provide much-needed relief to the entire country, humans and animals alike.”

To learn more about the ASPCA’s hands-on efforts to rescue animals in distress, please visit ASPCA.org.

2. ASPCA Pet of the Week: Mae Flower

Mae isn’t one of those indiscriminate cats who’ll spread out on just any stranger’s lap. This low-key beauty needs time to carefully evaluate new surroundings—but once Mae settles in, she reveals herself to be extremely affectionate! The patient person who brings Mae home will earn oodles of head-butts, purrs and cuddles.

“She's such an affectionate cat once she warms up,” says ASPCA Senior Feline Behavior Counselor Katie Watts, who notes that sensitive Mae would do best in a quiet home without young children. “She'd be perfect for someone who wants a mellow lap cat.”

If you’re interested in adopting this good-natured, pink-nosed kitty, please contact our Animal Placement department in New York City at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. To see other animals looking for homes, visit our Adoption Center Online.

****Got Facebook? Won’t you please donate your status to Mae today? Just copy and paste the following message onto your profile status to help spread the word that this kitty needs a home!

[Name] is donating my status to Mae http://www.aspca.org/mae, a cat at the ASPCA who needs a new home.

3. NYC Victory: City Council Passes Pet-Friendly Bills

Congratulations, New York City animal lovers—the City Council is starting 2011 off with a bang, passing two animal-friendly bills on January 18. Both bills will become law in 30 days unless vetoed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. We anticipate the Mayor will support the two bills and that they will go into effect within one year.

“The City of New York has taken a major step forward in protecting the well-being of the city’s dogs with two important pieces of legislation,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “We thank Speaker Christine Quinn and the Council for recognizing some of the problems facing NYC’s animals and look forward to continuing our collaborative work to improve the health, welfare and safety of the City’s residents and animals.”

Intro. 328, which passed 41-7, will increase the city’s annual dog licensing fee for unaltered pet dogs from $11.50 to $34.00. The money raised by this increase will be funneled into the city’s new Animal Population Control Fund to fight pet overpopulation through increased spay/neuter services and educational outreach.

The Council also voted 47-1 to pass Intro. 425, which bans tying up an animal for longer than three hours in a 12-hour period. The bill also bans the use of certain inhumane restraints for tethering, such as heavy steel chains and choke or pinch collars. A first-time violator will receive either a written warning or, if the animal is injured, a fine of up to $250. Repeat offenders face fines of up to $500 and three months in jail.

To stay up to date on legislative activity in your area and in U.S. Congress, sign up to receive our Advocacy Alerts.

4. Animal-Friendly Shopping at the ASPCA Online Store

Surely your holiday shopping hangover has subsided by now! So why not check out some of our hot deals at the ASPCA Online Store? As always, our virtual shelves are stocked with hip outerwear, travel accessories and pet toys, and proceeds directly support the ASPCA’s life-saving work. Plus, all orders over $45 receive free standard shipping (in the continental U.S.), and purchases over $25 include a free ASPCA 2011 calendar!

Orange Logo Travel Mug
Our new stainless steel travel mug is the perfect accessory for the on-the-go pet parent. It keeps you warm with your favorite hot beverage and sports your support of animals everywhere you go.

Hip Sweatshirts and Outerwear
Don’t be a square—check out our hot, hot outerwear. For a limited time, if you buy one of our sporty logo fleeces, jackets or hoodies, you can receive a second one for 25% off!

Last Call Clearance Items
From pretty jewelry to engaging pet toys, our final clearance items are up to 50% off! Who else can beat those prices and save animals’ lives at the same time?

So get clicking, and don’t forget—all orders over $45 receive free shipping for a limited time!

5. ASPCA Happy Tails: What’s It All About, Alfie?

Ladies’ man Alfie certainly lives up to his name: He spends his days lolling about with his Shih Tzu sister Lucy and his nights cuddled up with his pet parent, Monica Bond; his aunt Melissa; and Melissa’s Lhasa Apso mix Winnie.

But life wasn’t always so sweet for this little Shih Tzu—an ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agent rescued him from neglect in March 2008. When he came to the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital he was emaciated, and his fur was so matted that his legs had lost circulation and he couldn’t walk. He needed three months to recover.

After all he’d been through, Alfie deserved a break, and he got it in June 2008 when Monica entered our Adoption Center. Says Monica: “I happened to walk into the shelter the day he became available. When I approached his glass cage, he did a stretch and followed me.” She fell in love with Alfie and snatched him up right away.

In Monica’s care, Alfie blossomed into a confident and cheerful pup. “In the two-and-a-half years that I have had him, he's become the happiest and most affectionate dog I know. He smiles constantly and gives nonstop hugs and cuddles,” Monica muses.

At the park, Alfie likes to assert another side of his personality: “He enjoys chasing all of the big dogs at the dog run and kicks his paws in the air when he sees them. At 15 pounds, he thinks he's one of the big dogs,” explains Monica.

No longer a fearful dog, Alfie is busy living the good life—but it seems he hasn’t forgotten his time at the ASPCA. “When I bring Alfie in for his check-ups at the ASPCA, he's always excited and has an extra bounce in his strut,” Monica says. “It's a familiar place, and a place he must associate with happy new beginnings.”

To read more heartwarming stories of furry fate, visit our Happy Tails archive.

6. Neglected Arkansas Horses Make Major Progress with ASPCA, Community Support

Since early December, we’ve been keeping you up to date on our work in Fulton County, Arkansas, rehabilitating more than 100 neglected horses rescued from a horse trader’s farm. The horses have spent a little more than a month under the ASPCA’s care at a temporary stable in Mountain Home, Arkansas, receiving veterinary attention, good eats and treats, and the chance to run and play in a pasture.

The tireless work of our Field Investigations and Response Team is paying off. All the rescued horses have been putting on weight and are “getting better by the day,” says Kyle Held, ASPCA Midwest Director of Field Investigations and Response.

But it’s not just professionals who are making a difference for these amazing horses—community members continually visit the stable to lend a hand. A local reporter for the Baxter Bulletin shows up every morning to feed carrots to a few of his favorite horses, and sometimes four or five individuals show up in one day to roll up their sleeves and get to work. Area businesses and residents have had pizzas and other food delivered to the stable to help keep us going strong, and donations continue to pour in to the local supply store, Orscheln Farm & Home, to help defray the costs of feed, horse tack, insulated clothes and other necessary items.

Even Baxter County Jail inmates and locals sentenced to community service are working at the stable, cleaning and performing maintenance duties. “It’s just incredible the amount of pride and ownership that they take in helping these animals,” Held says, noting that recently, one man volunteered to climb up into the rafters and change light bulbs.

Fulton County remains the guardian of the horses, but Held is hoping for a hearing before the end of January that will transfer ownership to the ASPCA. In the event that we receive custody of the horses, an adoption event will follow.

“There are just so many good horses in this group who deserve the chance that our organization is going to give them,” says Held. “That’s why I’m here.”

To learn more about this case and to support the work of the ASPCA, please visit the Fulton County Equine Rescue page.