News Alert: February 6, 2009

1. Who’s Your Favorite? Vote in the ASPCA Adopt-A-Bull Contest Today!
2. ASPCA Success Story of the Week: Jackpot!
3. Humane Bills Reintroduced; Tell Congress that Animals Matter
4. Friends Forever: Does Your Pet Have a Best Buddy?
5. Live Chat Today with ASPCA Vet: Winter Safety Tips
6. ASPCA Job of the Week

1. Who’s Your Favorite? Vote in the ASPCA Adopt-A-Bull Contest Today!

Over the past year, you've met Wanda, Lola, Elsie and Gunther—the quarter-finalists in the ASPCA Adopt-A-Bull Contest—and their love-struck humans. Now we're asking animal lovers everywhere to do the impossible—vote for just one of these four-legged finalists to be the grand-prize winner!

The pet parent-pooch duo who receives the most votes in our online contest will win a photo shoot with a professional photographer and a bronze of their top dog, and the shelter that made the winning match will earn a $5,000 grant and a trip to New York City for their staffers.

The contest, sponsored by New York-based Animal Farm Foundation, was open to pet parents and shelters who made successful, happy adoptions through the ASPCA's Meet Your Match™ program.

"Our vision for the Adopt-A-Bull Contest was to highlight the positive attributes and merits of the American pit bull terrier," said ASPCA President & CEO, Ed Sayres, "and these four extraordinary stories, which came about because of the Meet Your Match program, are perfect examples of the long-lasting bond that can exist between people and this loyal breed."

Who's YOUR favorite match? Cast your vote and tell us today!

2. ASPCA Success Story of the Week: Jackpot!

It takes a very special person to adopt a puppy mill survivor, but Amber Beasley—proud pet parent of Vegas, a terrier and a former breeding female at a mill in Nevada—would probably argue that she's the one who got lucky.

For over two years, Vegas lived in a small wire cage without adequate veterinary care, food, water or socialization. She was also kept continuously pregnant, producing three litters in a short period of time. After a number of complaints about the puppy mill, Vegas and other severely neglected dogs were confiscated.

Several days later, after being taken to a local shelter, Vegas found herself in the loving and protective arms of her new mom. At first, Vegas was terrified of everything, but she eventually settled in to her new life. "While she is still shy and scares easily around strangers," Beasley tells us, "she has really become comfortable with her new family. She gets along great with my sister's dogs and spends her time happy and running around. We say she is having her second childhood!"

While in the mill, Vegas didn't have toys or bones or any of the other treats we typically give our pampered companions. But that has all changed! "Vegas is spoiled rotten with tons of toys and a closet full of clothes, which she loves to wear," says Beasley. "She is my little fashionista!"

But this girl is more than just a pretty face—she's a smart cookie, too. "It's difficult to train a dog who has lived in nothing but a cage her whole life," says Beasley, "but Vegas has gone to a beginner training class and excelled at everything she learned." Lucky for Vegas, Beasley is a school teacher and has summers off to work with her favorite pupil!

3. Humane Bills Reintroduced; Tell Congress that Animals Matter

A new two-year session of the United States Congress convened last month, which means that the slate has been wiped clean of any bills that were still pending at the end of 2008. Fortunately, two ASPCA-supported humane bills—the Captive Primate Safety Act and the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act—were among the first to be brought back to life.

With much of the groundwork already laid, and returning legislators already familiar with them, the ASPCA has high hopes that this new Congress will finally get these two bills passed. However, we need your help reminding our elected officials that animals matter to Americans. "We're hopeful that animals won't get lost in the bigger issues before Congress," says Cori Menkin, ASPCA Senior Director of Legislative Initiatives. "Animal cruelty doesn't stop happening when the economy goes south."

The Captive Primate Safety Act would bar interstate commerce of nonhuman primates (including monkeys, apes, marmosets and lemurs) for the pet trade. This vital legislation would protect both people and primates from the problems created when these exotic animals are sold as pets. As infants, primates may appear cute, cooperative and easy to handle, but they typically become aggressive as they grow older. Overwhelmed owners often respond either by removing the animal's teeth to prevent biting or by giving their pets up—typically to primate sanctuaries, testing facilities or roadside zoos. Although the Captive Primate Safety Act passed the House of Representatives last year, it stalled in the Senate—and federal bills need to pass both chambers of Congress to become law.

Introduced in the summer of 2008, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act would prohibit the possession, shipment, transport, purchase, sale, delivery, or receipt via interstate commerce of any horse intended for slaughter for human consumption. If passed, this act will end the practice of shipping unwanted American horses to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered for their meat. Because overseas slaughterhouses are not subject to U.S. oversight or regulation, their treatment and slaughter of horses can be incredibly cruel.

To be alerted when humane legislation is introduced in Congress and your state legislature, please become a member of the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade, a free service that allows you to take action for animals right from your computer.

4. Friends Forever: Does Your Pet Have a Best Buddy?

Here at the ASPCA, we often talk about the human-animal bond, but the connection between animals is often just as strong. Everyone knows a dog or cat who's developed an unlikely crush on his feline or canine companion. In honor of Valentine's Day—when gushy love reigns supreme—we want to hear about your pet's best friend. So tell us, people, does your pet have a best buddy? Does your dog while away his afternoons napping with a mellow kitty? Does your horse canoodle in his stall with a barn cat? Send us your story and a photo of your pet and his best, non-human friend to bestbuddy@aspca.org. We'll post the most inspiring tales of true, furry love on our website!

5. Live Chat Today with ASPCA Vet: Winter Safety Tips

Should my dog wear a coat?
Is it safe for my pooch to eat snow?
Are the fumes from the fireplace dangerous for pets?

Baby, it's cold outside. Do you know how to protect your pet? Dr. Jennifer Lander, ASPCA Vet Manager, Animal Health, is here to answer your questions about winter safety. Please join her on the ASPCA Online Community today, Friday, February 6, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST to find out the good doc's prescription for keeping your pets safe when the temperature drops.

6. ASPCA Job of the Week

Calling all legal minds! The ASPCA is looking for a Midwest Region Legislative Liaison to track and process animal-related legislation in several states, including IL, MO, IN, WI, IA, MN, NE, KS, ND and SD. Our ideal candidate has a law degree and at least two years' experience working in state legislation or lobbying at the state or federal levels. If you're an exceptional speaker and self-starter with a passion for grassroots and animal advocacy, we'd love to hear from you!

This position is remote or home-based and requires moderate travel. The ASPCA offers generous benefit packages for full-time employees. Please submit your resume and salary requirements for our prompt consideration.

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