February 22, 2012
Simply put, it's not easy. Feral cats endure weather extremes such as cold and snow, heat and rain. They also face starvation, infection and attacks by other animals. And if all that weren’t bad enough, these kitties also face dangers from humans. Poison, gassing and steel leg-hold traps are just some of the ways people, including several animal control and other government agencies, try to kill off feral cat populations. Whew! Needless to say, these felines sure could use some help.
Colony Caretakers Rock!
Despite all their potential hardships, some feral cats live comfortable lives. Colony caretakers provide food and water for the cats, making their lives a little easier. They also make sure the cats have proper shelter, and they work with local vets to have them spayed/neutered. We told you, colony caretakers rock!
Want to learn more about feral cats or find out how you can become a colony caretaker? Visit our Feral Cat FAQ.
February 21, 2012
Did you know that almost 80% of all antibiotics sold in the U.S. are fed to food animals? Factory farms use these drugs on animals constantly, even when they’re not sick, to accelerate their growth and compensate for unsanitary and overcrowded conditions. This overuse creates antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can spread to humans and cause hard-to-treat illnesses. If we want to keep antibiotics working for us, we have to stop allowing industrial farms to abuse them.
We’ve already successfully used We the People, the White House’s Web-based citizen petition tool, to get a presidential response on puppy mills. Now we need your voice again: Please join us in asking the Obama Administration to end antibiotic overuse in food animal production.
Any petition that garners 25,000 digital signatures within 30 days of being posted is reviewed by White House officials, who issue an official email response to all signatories. The deadline to sign the antibiotic petition is March 16, and we have a long way to go to reach 25,000 signatures, so please add your name today! You will need to create an account and verify your email on the petition website, but the process is simple:
Step 1 – Visit WhiteHouse.gov to register.
Step 2 – You will receive a confirmation email; click the link in the email to confirm your registration.
Step 3 – Visit the antibiotics petition at http://wh.gov/0si and click “Sign This Petition.”
Thank you for taking the time to help farm animals and protect human health!
February 20, 2012
Last month, disturbing video footage of workers viciously abusing turkeys at a North Carolina Butterball facility was released by the group Mercy for Animals. Five workers now face criminal charges for the alleged animal cruelty. Without such investigations, the mistreatment of farmed animals would rarely be exposed—and that is exactly what factory farms are hoping for.
They are known as “ag-gag” bills, and they are popping up in state legislatures across the nation. Most ag-gag bills seek to criminalize taking unauthorized photos or videos on farms. Some of the bills would even criminalize the possession and/or distribution of such materials. Furthermore, ag-gag laws could be used to penalize whistleblowers—including employees—for exposing other illegal and unethical practices at factory farms, such as sexual harassment and employment and environmental violations.
Public Says “No” to Ag-Gag Legislation
A recent poll conducted by Lake Research Partners reveals that 71 percent of Americans support undercover investigative efforts by animal welfare organizations to expose animal abuse on factory farms—with half strongly opposing legislative efforts to criminalize farm investigations.
“We are very encouraged that the public recognizes the importance of these investigations and the threats that ag-gag bills pose,” says Suzanne McMillan, Director of the ASPCA’s Farm Animal Welfare Campaign. “Americans deserve to know where their food comes from and how it is produced, and the industry should welcome that transparency.”
Take Action
With your help, the ASPCA lobbied hard to prohibit ag-gag provisions from passing in Florida, Iowa, Minnesota and New York last year. Unfortunately, similar legislation is currently being considered in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York and Utah. Please join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade to help us fight these harmful bills.
February 15, 2012
One of the many Pit Bulls rescued by ASPCA Agents.
On January 17, New York resident Angelica Rios was arrested by the ASPCA on charges of neglect and abuse. The 23-year-old is accused of starving her Pit Bull, Nena, and keeping her locked in a small, filthy cage.
“Nena weighed just 39.4 pounds, she was dehydrated and her paws were swollen from living in her own waste," says Howard Lawrence, Senior Director of Operations for the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement department. “She was in septic shock and, without medical attention, would likely have died.”
Nena was rushed to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, where she continues to recover. Her weight has already increased to more than 50 pounds.
"Unfortunately, we see far too many Pit Bulls being abused and neglected by their owners," says Stacy Wolf, Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel of the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement department. "Our goal is twofold—holding perpetrators accountable for their cruel and callous acts and, when we can, giving the animal victims a second chance at a better life in a new home."
Rios is slated to appear in Stapleton Criminal Court today.
Take Action
If you know of an animal whose health is being compromised by neglect or abuse, please report it to your local police department or animal shelter. And please support our efforts to fight animal cruelty.
February 14, 2012
Happy Valentine’s Day, animal lovers! Are you celebrating with a little something sweet? Chocolates and candy hearts are nice, but we’ve got something even sweeter at the ASPCA Adoption Center: Jin and Lanai, a pair of the prettiest and friendliest kitties we’ve ever met.
In fact, five-pound lap-cat Jin is such a doll that we think she might make a great animal-assisted therapy cat! And Lanai is just as lovely; where Jin is snuggly, Lanai is hilarious and sporty.
We thought Valentine’s Day would be the best time to introduce you to these cuties, since they’re all about love! Not just affectionate with every person they meet, Jin and Lanai love each other, too, and want to go home together.
Jin needs special food and medicine for her allergies, but trust us, she’s beyond worth the little extra effort to keep her healthy. We’re head-over-heels in love with these stunning girls. If you think you might be too, please call our Animal Placement department in New York City at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4900.
Can’t adopt? Help these cuties find true love! Please share them on Facebook and Twitter.