Animal lovers, young bookworms and aspiring writers are invited to attend a live chat with author Cristina Kessler next Tuesday, May 20, from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. EST. The award-winning author will discuss her book, Our Secret, Siri Aang, about a 12-year-old Maasai girl who finds a mother black rhino and her tiny baby hidden in the African bush.
Even if you didn't read the book, we still would love to see you at the chat! Kessler can answer questions about her 17 years living in Africa, African wildlife and what it’s like to be a writer.
P.S. Teachers, why not ask your students to join the chat as an extra-credit assignment?
This just in! We've added a bunch of new pet toys and pet care products to our ASPCA Collection. Highlights include some fantastic travel gear if you plan to take a road trip this summer. There's a collapsible pet carrier, an anti-spill travel bowl, a car safety seat--and of course, you'll need some new pet toys to keep "the kids" occupied on the trip! We've got fun spinner balls, adorable squeaky toys...come see for yourself! Pick up a few of these goodies to keep your pet safe and entertained--a nice combination, no?
Attention, Pennsylvania animal advocates! Please attend a special rally, organized by the Governor’s Office and the Department of Agriculture, in support of the new puppy mill legislation. Bring your voice—and your dogs—to the Capitol Steps in Harrisburg.
Rally for Puppy Mill Reform Date: Wednesday, May 14. Time: 10:30 A.M. Place: Main steps of the Capitol at Third and State streets in Harrisburg
Can't make it to the rally? You can still contact your PA state representative to ask for support of Rep. Casorio and Rep. Caltagirone's proposed bills. Please visit our website's Lobby for Animals section to read up on the bills and learn how to contact your legislator.
How did my cat know to curl up on my head this morning and purr? This isn't something he does often; he reserves the treat for special occasions. Surely cats are too sophisticated to heed a commercial holiday like Mother's Day? (A dog would be first on line to buy a card at Hallmark if he could.)
Our animals show us enduring, impassioned love, but this love is not unconditional. They love us because we love them. And so, ladies...
-For anyone who's referred to her pets as "the kids" -For anyone who's put a raincoat on her dog to protect him on a walk -For anyone who's taken a sick day at work to bring a pet to the vet -For anyone who's frantically searched the house for the cat, finally found him in the closet, and scolded "Don't scare me like that ever again." -For anyone who's included the dog in her holiday cards -For anyone who's nervously and frequently checked in with the house sitter while on vacation to make sure the pets are still breathing -For anyone whose tears have been licked by her pet -For anyone who has stayed up all night with a sick animal -For anyone who's life was incomplete until she found her furry soul mate
You are a mother, and today is for you, too, so go out and celebrate. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!
Hooray! A little more than one year after the successful launch of ASPCA Mission: Orange, our initiative to curb the needless euthanasia of the country’s healthy, adoptable pets, three new communities have been chosen to take part in a year-long intensive learning experience called Join ASPCA Mission: Orange. Buncombe County (Asheville), NC, Cleveland, OH, and Oklahoma City, OK, will work together with experts from the ASPCA to develop and implement programs specifically designed to increase live release rates—adoptions, transfers and returns to owners—of animals in their shelters. At the end of the year, those who show significant progress will have a chance to apply to become ASPCA Mission: Orange Target Communities.
Tragedy struck at Churchill Downs this past Saturday, when Eight Belles—the first filly to run the race since 1999—collapsed with two broken ankles after coming in second at the Kentucky Derby. Due to injuries so severe she couldn’t be moved off the track, the three-year-old equine was euthanized immediately following the race.
While there is no evidence that Eight Belles was the victim of abuse, the fact remains that she was subject to compete in a sport known for its inhumane tactics.
“The fragile nature of thoroughbred racehorses and the stress and rigors that these animals are subject to are loudly evidenced in this tragedy,” said ASPA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “The sport of horse racing is no different than other forms of entertainment where animals are forced to perform, oftentimes in stressful and inhumane conditions. These include being raced too young before reaching physical maturity, being raced excessively, being forced to run on hard or slippery surfaces or being injected with drugs to enhance performance.”
It is unfortunate that almost all racing jurisdictions—New York being one exception—now allow potent anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs to be administered to injured and lame horses to keep them racing in spite of chronic and painful injuries.
I bring good cheer! This weekend we held a huge adoption event, which was an enormous success. Thirty-four cats and 10 dogs were adopted--among them were long-term residents and special needs animals. I'd like to highlight a few special cases, animals you've read about before on this blog.
I was incredibly excited to hear about the adoption of Bianca, a white, three-year-old Siamese mix kitty who was here for a long time. She is an outgoing and feisty girl who loved a little lap time, and affection on her own terms. I couldn't understand why she wasn't getting adopted! She went home with another cat named Duncan.
Yankee is a smartie-pants eight-year-old pit bull who was rescued by our HLE (Humane Law Enforcement) officers. He didn't have so much patience for adult dogs, but he absolutely loved puppies. "Yankee did a lot of puppy-sitting during his stay with us, and became known in the shelter as our resident puppy-nursemaid," said Barbara MacDonald, ASPCA Volunteer Coordinator, Feline Enrichment. "He got to watch quite a few puppies come and go in the shelter, and had to wait a long time to finally get a home of his own--he was with us for 8 months, so it was a very happy day when he finally found a permanent home."
Cali is a wonderful four-year-old pit, and she, too, was rescued by our animal cops. During her five months here, she was a real lover, and you could always find her sitting on laps. "She didn't get such a great start in life, but you'd never know it from her personality, because she really does adore people," said Barbara. Her trust in people was rewarded this Sunday when she met her new adopter.
** Be sure to check out my Flickr page to see all the photos from my visits to the adoption center.
Hey parents, want to chat about raising the next generation of veterinarians, animal cops, shelter workers and volunteers? If you’d like some great suggestions for teaching your kids how to begin a lifetime of loving and respecting animals, please join Joanne Pentangelo, ASPCA Humane Education Specialist, for a live discussion on Friday, May 9. She’ll be waiting for you on the ASPCA Online Community from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST, and we at the ASPCA—especially the four-legged “staff”—are grateful for your interest in showing kids how to care for the furry members of the family.
This week I am biased and can't help but devote my attention and space to Xavier and Papa, a pair of gorgeous three-year-old Siamese twins. (Yes, I know it's redundant to say a pair of twins. Leave me alone, this is a blog!) So back to the boys. When I first saw them, they were lying together side by side in perfect twin fashion. They took my breath away with their beauty. They each sported a rich, chocolate coat and bright blue eyes.
The atrocity you're hearing in this video is me singing the "We are Siamese" song from Lady and the Tramp. Note the twins' clever escape from my singing. One of them even yelps at the end. That's okay, I don't blame them.
I let them out to roam about the floor, and I was amazed at how sweet they were! They had already won me over with their beauty, so their personalites were a nice bonus. Yeah, shallow, I know. Papa especially was a mushball--he got on his back with his paws in the air and started purring! A cat is a cat is a cat, huh?
Junior wears cute little shoes on his paws to protect his weak hind legs. He's a real sweetheart--we often have him accompany us at events. He loves everyone--adults, children, other dogs--so he's a joy to have around. He was with us at the CBS Early Show on ASPCA Day, and made friends with CBS weatherman Dave Price. Junior's roomie is another sweetheart, a Dobie called Madison. They are both wonderfully calm and low-energy. I was able to just relax and pet them. We had a grand old time.
** Be sure to check out my Flickr page to see all the photos from my visits to the adoption center.
Happy May! You know what May means--Mother's Day! (Even if you try to forget, TV won't let you. And if you keep your TV shut, your mom won't let you forget either.) After all, even the most selfless moms want to be recognized one day a year—and now thankful husbands, kiddies and other family members can choose a gift she’ll really love. Check out the jewelry, books and other items selected especially for Mother’s Day in our Online Store.Not only will giving a gift from the ASPCA help us in our mission to save animals, but Mom will look great spreading the message in one of our ladies’ fitted tees!
Animal lovers, young bookworms and aspiring writers are invited to attend a live chat with author Cristina Kessler next Tuesday, May 20, from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. EST. The award-winning author will discuss her book, Our Secret, Siri Aang, about a 12-year-old Maasai girl who finds a mother black rhino and her tiny baby hidden in the African bush.
