Swine Flu Infects Housecat—Are Your Pets Safe?

Ever since the news broke earlier this month that an American cat caught the swine flu, rumors about how pets can catch this disease have been spreading—but we're here to set the record straight!

"On November 2, test results confirmed that a pet cat in Iowa was infected by the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, which was most likely transmitted by human family members," reports Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA. "All family members, including the cat, have now recovered. In unrelated incidents in other states, a few pet ferrets also recently tested positive for H1N1, and one of them has died.” Although we already knew that infected humans could transmit H1N1 to both pigs and turkeys, these are the first reported cases of the virus affecting cats and ferrets.

According to Dr. Murray, there are no known instances of a dog catching H1N1 (but remember, it is flu season, and your dogs are still susceptible to catching other flu bugs). In addition, there is currently no evidence that H1N1 can be passed from pet to human—it seems to be going only the other way, with people transmitting the illness to their pets.

A little common sense will go a long way in decreasing the likelihood of passing the illness on to your pets. If members of your household are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, the ASPCA recommends protecting your pets by:

• washing hands thoroughly,
• covering coughs and sneezes and
• avoiding close contact with pets during the course of the illness.

In fact, if you’re sick, it’s a good idea to give your pets a place other than your bedroom to sleep at night until you get better.

If any pet displays symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing or difficulty breathing—especially if a human family member has recently suffered from influenza—please contact your veterinarian.

ASPCA Pet of the Week: Queen for a Day

Looking for a regal bee? Meet Queenie—she’s a 9-year-old lassie who’s extra friendly and lovable. Her get-along personality and even temperament make her an ideal match for someone looking for a sweet sidekick.

“Queenie has two tricks that she performs,” says Barbara MacDonald, ASPCA Volunteer Coordinator. “She jumps on your shoulder when you open her habitat door, and then she wants to sit on your lap on the floor. Her behavioral repertoire never varies!”

This little cuddle-bug needs a special adopter—one who will take care of her medical needs and give her the true love and affection she so richly deserves. If you’re interested in adopting Queenie, please contact our Animal Placement department 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 Queenie 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 Queenie http://www.aspca.org/queenie, a cat at the ASPCA who needs a new home.

Letter to the Editor About Oreo From PETA

Dear Ed,
 
I hope this finds you well. Please find below the letter we sent to “City Room” today in support of the ASPCA’s difficult decision to euthanize Oreo, the pit bull who was thrown from a rooftop and suffered broken bones and a broken spirit. We are grateful that she had such caring people with her at the end of her pitiful life, ensuring a peaceful release from a world that clearly betrayed her.
 
Thank you and your staff for being strong and doing the right thing for Oreo—even though it’s unquestionably the most difficult thing for those who care. Very best,
 
Daphna Nachminovitch, Vice-President
Cruelty Investigations Department
PETA.org

To the Editor:
 
The nice-sounding but damaging “no-kill” movement exposes its lunacy by attacking an agency (the ASPCA) that took in an aggressive pit bull named Oreo from extreme abuse, paid to fix her two broken legs, and then, when she turns out to be far too dangerous and unpredictable around people, affords her a peaceful and dignified exit from the world that has miserably failed her (“Oreo is Dead,” Nov. 13).
 
Leading the critics is Camille Hankins, the Director of Win Animal Rights, who was convicted of cruelty to animals in 1995 when nearly 100 animals were found stuffed into a tiny, filthy trailer rented by Hankins. Many of the animals found there were dying from contagious illnesses and many were literally scratching themselves to death and had bloody, seeping wounds from severe untreated mange infestations. Two cats removed by police from Hankins during the service of a search and seizure warrant were treated successfully and lived at PETA’s headquarters for more than 10 years (you can read the details of the case here: http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/4612/NC/US/).
 
The only humane way to achieve a “no kill” nation is to create a “no birth” nation by mandating spaying and neutering of dogs and cats to stop the flow of unwanted litters into our nation’s shelters.  We also need to penalize those who fail to act responsibly toward animals. In the meantime, those who make the toughest decisions, who have to euthanize animals for want of a proper home, and so carry out the hardest work of all, deserve respect and gratitude, not criticism. Learn more at helpinganimals.com.
 
Sincerely,
 
Teresa Lynn Chagrin
Animal Care & Control Specialist
PETA|501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone 410-227-9456

Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals Issues Statement About ASPCA’s Decision to Euthanize Oreo

NEW YORK, NY (November 17, 2009)—The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals today issued a statement from Jane Hoffman, President of the Alliance, in response to criticism of the ASPCA's (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) decision to euthanize Oreo, a dog who survived being thrown from a rooftop only to ultimately be deemed behaviorally unsound for placement.

Oreo sustained two broken legs and a fractured rib in the incident, which took place last June 18. She was treated for her injuries at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, and her owner, Fabian Henderson, was arrested by ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents. His sentencing is scheduled for December 1.

“In our collective sorrow that the ASPCA’s heroic, expensive and five-month long effort to save Oreo the dog was ultimately unsuccessful, many seem to have lost sight of the enormous and vital programs supported by the ASPCA, which have saved thousands and thousands of animal lives in NYC and across the country,” said Hoffman.

“Calling on animal lovers and ASPCA supporters to stop donating to the ASPCA is short-sighted and not the way to honor Oreo’s memory,” she added. “This will, in fact, result in an enormous number of animal deaths – not a result that true animal lovers would desire.

“Please keep in mind what Ed Sayres, President of the ASPCA, and the organization have accomplished for animals when weighing what some consider a tragic decision about one dog.

“In 2005, the ASPCA committed $5 million to New York City’s homeless animals, enabling the Mayor’s Alliance to secure a $25 million multi-year Maddie’s Fund grant, which is powering our collective efforts to make NYC a no-kill city by 2015, a goal that we are well on our way to achieving. In 2009, fewer than 4,500 dogs and 9,000 cats will be euthanized at Animal Care & Control of NYC (AC&C of NYC), down from more than 12,000 dogs and close to 20,000 cats in 2002.

“That is a lot of animal lives saved.

“The ASPCA operates five mobile spay/neuter clinics in all five boroughs, seven days a week, serving low-income New Yorkers and the NYC rescue community, which includes free-roaming and feral cat caregivers.  This year alone, the ASPCA’s mobile clinics have delivered more than 30,000 spay/neuter surgeries, preventing the births (and deaths) of untold number of dogs and cats.

“That is a lot of animal lives saved.

“The ASPCA assists AC&C of NYC by accepting the transfer of more than 1,000 cats and dogs each year and about 3,800 animals from other organizations and members of the public who can no longer take care of their pets.  All of these cats and dogs are vetted and cared for until they are adopted into loving homes. In 2009, close to 4,000 cats and dogs will be adopted at the ASPCA Adoption Center. This directly reduces the number of cats and dogs euthanized at AC&C of NYC.

“That is a lot of animal lives saved.

“The ASPCA has a dedicated Humane Law Enforcement Department that investigates more than 5,000 cases of animal cruelty in New York City each year. 

“That is a lot of animal lives saved.

“The ASPCA worked closely with federal authorities at every step of the case against Michael Vick, assisting in the investigation itself and later leading the team that conducted behavior evaluations of the seized dogs, allowing those dogs to be placed at Best Friends and other sanctuaries.  The ASPCA also conducted behavior assessments of more than 100 dogs that were potentially subject to breed bans at Marine Corps housing in South Carolina and New York in an effort to make sure that dogs and their families could stay together.

“That is a lot of animal lives saved.

“The ASPCA routinely participates in puppy mill and dog fighting raids across the country, and this past summer assisted in the removal, care and behavior evaluation of 500 dogs rescued from the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history, which covered eight states.  To date this year, the ASPCA has rescued hundreds more dogs, cats and other animals from puppy mills and crisis situations in such states as Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

“That is a lot of animal lives saved.

“Last but not least, the ASPCA awards grants to animal welfare and rescue organizations nationwide, resulting in millions of dollars annually to support the welfare of companion animals, horses, and farm animals, and programs like spay/neuter, disaster relief, and education, among others.

“That is a lot of animal lives saved.

“Please honor Oreo’s memory by visiting one of the three AC&C Animal Care Centers or the ASPCA Adoption Center, or any one of the 160 Mayor’s Alliance partner rescue groups or shelters and adopting one or more of the many wonderful animals anxiously waiting for new homes.  Save one of those lives.

“For the sake of the animals—in your sorrow and anger over a tragedy—do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. The ASPCA deserves and needs your support.”

Letter to the ASPCA about Oreo from the American Pit Bull Terrier Association Inc.

Dear Mr Sayres

An email has just arrived encouraging me to express my anger and distress at your decision to euthanise Oreo.

However, I am not angry with you or the ASPCA.  My anger is aimed where it belongs and that is toward the psychopath who so abused that sad little dog.  Some dogs are so damaged by such trauma that they are never safe wherever you put them. Social isolation for a dog is a form of cruelty and therefore plainly not an option.

It is heartbreaking that Oreo has been dealt such an awful hand, as Pit Bulls so often are largely due to the media and political hype that so often attracts such unstable and dangerous individuals to the breed.  Shame on them for persisting with such hype despite the very obvious and all too common fallout from it, particularly since it is so undeserved.

Your staff obviously suffer each time the battle is lost for such tragic cases.

Those of us who know and love Pit Bulls are very grateful that your organisation has made such enormous efforts to rescue not just abused Pit Bulls but also their unfairly damaged reputation with your Adopt-a-Bull programme and the information you have placed on your website to educate the public about the breed.

It is heartening to see that your people are prepared to re-home these dogs where possible and give them a chance at the life they deserve.  Hopefully your enlightened views and example of best practice will be followed around the world and we can see an end to the nightmare life so often suffered by the loyal Pit Bulldog.

Kind Regards
Karen Batchelor
American Pit Bull Terrier Association Inc.
New Zealand.