News Alert: March 13, 2009

1. Watch the Video: 17 Plants that Poison Pets
2. ASPCA Success Story of the Week: Jersey Girl
3. Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
4. And the Winner of the ASPCA Adopt-A-Bull Contest Is…
5. Your Help Needed: Ask Your Senators to Support the Captive Primate Safety Act
6. ASPCA Job of the Week

1. Watch the Video: 17 Plants that Poison Pets

Mark your calendars, people! Sunday, March 15 kicks off National Poison Prevention Week—a perfect time to learn what’s poisonous to your pet. In 2008, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxins, many of which were everyday household items. Some of the worst offenders were those living things that keep your home fresh and green—household plants!

In honor of National Poison Prevention Week, we put together a video of our top toxicologist, Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President, ASPCA Animal Health Services, discussing the dangers of 17 common plants that you may have in your homes right now, including lilies, chrysanthemum and sago palm. Dr. Hansen shows you examples of each plant, so you’ll know exactly what to look out for.

Remember, if you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous, please contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

P.S. Keep an eye on our website during National Poison Prevention Week, when you can ask ASPCA experts about potentially toxic plants and substances directly. Join our live “Ask the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center” chat from noon to 2:00 P.M. on Friday, March 20, in the ASPCA Online Community, and stay tuned for the relaunch of our popular Ask the APCC online column.

2. ASPCA Success Story of the Week: Jersey Girl

On February 24 of last year, Deborah Sofia of Rohnert Park, CA, lost the joy of her life—a male pit bull she’d had since he was 10 weeks old.  “Cody had been with me through a divorce, a major move and his cancer,” remembers Deborah. “On Sunday, March 2—his birthday—I picked up his ashes and spent the night crying.”

The very next day, Deborah was supposed to meet a friend for dinner, but her plans were canceled.  “I pulled up to my apartment complex, and standing directly in front of my car was a female pit bull who was about to run into the busy street,” she recalls. “I called to her and she came right away.” As the pooch jumped into her car, Deborah was stunned—the dog looked identical to her Cody, but was about 60 pounds smaller. Since the local animal shelter had no record of a lost female pit bull, Deborah kept her and named her Jersey.

Right away Deborah saw that this nine-month-old was a tough little survivor. “She's very rambunctious,” says Deborah. “She loves roughhousing with my roommate’s dog and has a lot of determination and drive—she just goes along with whatever comes her way.”

As pooch and mom get comfortable with one another, Deborah is noticing one big difference between Cody and Jersey. “Cody was a momma’s boy—very sensitive,” Deborah remembers. “He seemed to get depressed when I left him. Jersey learned to fend for herself on the streets, and she’s happy in almost anyone’s company.”

Though Jersey loves her independence, she’s got a dash of “momma’s girl” in her, too. “During the day, Jersey wants to run around and find her own way,” says Deborah. “When I’m sleeping, though, she just has to cuddle close.”

3. Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

Attention, animal lovers, it’s time to get your groove on—your orange groove that is! This April, the ASPCA invites you to join thousands of caring people across the nation as we celebrate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. For inspiration, we’ve come up with ten fun and effective ways for you to get active and go orange for animals. Remember, whether you organize a grassroots fundraising event, volunteer at your local shelter or decorate your car with orange paint, individual actions create big change—especially when it comes to saving animals.


So what are you waiting for? Here’s a sneak peek at how you can help us celebrate:

• Become an ASPCA Ambassador
  Become an ASPCA Ambassador and create your own grassroots event, inviting friends and family to sponsor your efforts on behalf of the ASPCA.
  
  
• Show Your Virtual Support
  Dedicate your MySpace page, Facebook status or blog to the ASPCA during the month of April and encourage your friends to spread the word about the month-long Go Orange campaign!
  
  
• Support Your Local Animal Shelter
  Coordinate a Go Orange for Animals event with a local animal welfare group or shelter of your choice and donate the proceeds and/or supplies that you collect. Be sure to alert your local media about your event!

Visit ASPCA.org for our list of 10 Ways to Celebrate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.

4. And the Winner of the ASPCA Adopt-A-Bull Contest Is…

Last month we asked you to do the impossible—pick your favorite four-legged finalist in the ASPCA Adopt-A-Bull Contest.  A whopping 23,000 votes were cast online, and 43 percent of you selected deaf pit bull Gunther and his pet parent, Rebecca Hengen, as the perfect example of the bond that can exist between people and this loyal, intelligent breed.

“I am so happy that Gunther was chosen as a representative of pit bulls,” says Hengen, who found her calm and gentle canine soulmate at the Humane Society of South Mississippi. “Gunther loves everyone, and every day he disproves the stereotype that often accompanies these dogs.”

Hengen and Gunther will be treated to a photo shoot with a professional photographer and a bronze statue of the top dog, while the Humane Society of South Mississippi will earn a $5,000 grant and a trip to New York City to participate in the ASPCA’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month celebration.

Four paws up to our winning match, and congratulations to all our finalists in the ASPCA Adopt-A-Bull Contest. Thanks to contest sponsor Animal Farm Foundation for helping us to celebrate wonderful dogs like Gunther, Wanda, Lola and Elsie—and every successful pooch-parent match made through the ASPCA's Meet Your Match™ program.

5. Your Help Needed: Ask Your Senators to Support the Captive Primate Safety Act

Just one week after Travis, the 14-year-old pet chimpanzee in Stamford, CT, severely mauled his owner’s friend and was shot dead by police, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the federal Captive Primate Safety Act (CPSA) by a vote of 323-95. Supported by the ASPCA since its first introduction in 2008, the CPSA would ban the interstate commerce of primates, including chimpanzees, for the pet trade. This vital legislation would protect both people and primates from the problems created when these wild animals are sold and kept as pets.

The resulting media blitz that followed last month's attack has stimulated public dialogue about the appropriateness of private chimpanzee ownership. As infants, primates may be cooperative and easy to handle, but they typically become aggressive and unmanageable as they mature. The chimp actors we see in commercials and films are always very young—years ago, Travis was one of them.

In a statement released by his office, the bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), said: “The horrific chimpanzee attack in Connecticut last week brought a renewed urgency to this issue, and I am pleased with today’s long overdue passage of this bill. Primates are wild animals and should not be regularly transported around the United States and integrated into our communities or our households. Today we have taken an important step toward the welfare of humans and animals.”

The CPSA was introduced in the U.S. Senate following its success in the House. Please read our Advocacy Alert on the CPSA and take advantage of our easy-to-use email system to urge your two U.S. senators to support and pass the bill.

6. ASPCA Job of the Week

Are you a people person? The ASPCA is looking for a Human Resources Coordinator to provide administrative support for essential areas such as compensation and benefits. Our ideal candidate has at least two years’ practical experience in general HR operations, knowledge of ABRA and Crystal Reports and advanced computer skills. If you’re an affable, organized multi-tasker who’s looking for a job with a cause, you could be the one! 

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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