News Alert: November 7, 2008

1. The People Have Spoken—Victory for Animals in CA and MA!
2. ASPCA Success Story of the Week: Family Gal
3. Forbidden Fruit: Popular Avocado Can Poison Your Pet
4. Adopt-A-Bull Winner: Elsie, Take A Bow
5. Read Our Police Blotter for Updates on Animal Cruelty Arrests
6. ASPCA Job of the Week

1. The People Have Spoken—Victory for Animals in CA and MA!

Tuesday was an historic day in America in more ways than one. With resounding victories for California’s Prop 2 and Massachusetts’s Ballot Question 3, voters on both coasts sent a clear message that preventing animal cruelty is a national priority.

In California, the factory farm-related Standards for Confining Farm Animals Act (ballot Proposition 2) won in a landslide, with over 60 percent of respondents voting “yes” to mandate an increase of confinement space for veal calves, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens. On the Act’s effective date, January 1, 2015, these animals will have their rights to turn around, lie down, stand up and fully extend their limbs guaranteed by state law. Violators will face a fine up to $1,000 or six months in county jail.

The Massachusetts ban on dog racing has been a long time coming—in 2000, a similar ballot measure was narrowly defeated, and attempts to get the question included on the 2006 ballot were unsuccessful. With the ban’s passage this week (57 percent to 43 percent), commercial dog racing will be phased out in Massachusetts by 2010. There are two dog tracks in the state—each of which is believed to currently house about 1,000 greyhounds. Because the phase-out will occur over a period of 14 months, greyhound advocacy groups such as Grey2K USA are confident that they will be able to find homes for any racing dogs who become available for adoption.

Great job, California and Massachusetts animal advocates! The ASPCA strongly supported both proposals, and promoted them to members of our Advocacy Brigade. If you would like to be alerted when animal-friendly legislation is being considered in your state, please sign up to receive email alerts from the ASPCA—the alerts are targeted to your area, and taking action is easy, fun and free! Join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade now.

2. ASPCA Success Story of the Week: Family Gal

When the Watson family of Lake Charles, LA, adopted one-year-old husky Anna, the pooch was weakened by malnutrition and a case of heartworm. Says adoptive mom Kay Watson, “She was sickly, but there was a spark in her blue eyes and a little dance in her step. We knew there was still lots of play in her—she just needed to get healthy.”

When Anna arrived at her new home, she simply wanted to rest. She curled up in an armchair in Kay’s bedroom and that night, when Kay got into bed, Anna crawled in with her.

The canine's recovery was slow, but after a year of healthy food, exercise and good lovin’, Kay and her husband couldn't help but notice the improvements. “Her coat was beautiful and full,” Kay recalls, “and we could just begin to see muscles on her previously thin body. And on walks, Anna became very animated with people and other dogs—she wanted to play!”

Now—at four years old—the once-malnourished pooch weighs over 40 pounds and seems to invite everyone she meets to be a part of her extended family. “Anna is a lover!” Kay exclaims. “Her goal in life is to greet everyone, regardless of whether they’re a ‘dog person’ or not.”

And when it comes to asking for her own needs to be met, this girl has no shame. “When Anna wants something, she ‘woo-woos,’” says Kay. “It’s how she demands attention from everyone, even from strangers. And if I’m playing on the computer for too long, she comes up and pushes down the screen on the laptop.”

Anna is a wonderful companion—gentle, loving and content just to be with her family. Of course, a silly diva also lurks behind those blue eyes. “When she wants to cuddle, she’ll run and jump up into our laps, demanding that we pay attention,” says Kay. “She’s the queen of our family—and our sofa!”

3. Forbidden Fruit: Popular Avocado Can Poison Your Pet

A slice of avocado may be the perfect addition to your sandwich, but it can have serious consequences for our feathered and furry friends. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, IL, pet poisonings from avocado and avocado-based foods like guacamole are a consistent risk. In 2008, the Center managed 115 cases involving ingestions of avocado, and though an overwhelming 83 percent of those incidents involved dogs, the most devastating effects were seen in birds, rabbits and certain large animals like horses and cattle.

A native of Central and South America, avocado (Persea americana) is a subtropical tree that produces a pear-shaped fruit prized for its high fat content, vitamin-rich “meat” and smooth texture. Unfortunately, the fruit also contains a toxin called persin that’s harmful to animals, especially in large quantities.

"Avocado leaves, fruit, seeds and bark all contain the toxic principle known as persin,” says Dana Farbman, CVT, Senior Manager of Professional Communications at APCC. Guatemalan varieties—sold in grocery stores nationwide—are most often involved in pet exposures, Farbman adds, while other strains have varying degrees of toxic potential. Birds—who accounted for 5 percent of avocado cases in 2008—appear to be particularly sensitive to the fatty fruit; consumption can result in respiratory distress, congestion, fluid accumulation around the heart and even death. In curious canines, clinical signs of ingestion can include gastrointestinal distress, vomiting and diarrhea. Typically, these effects are seen in dogs who’ve nibbled on significant amounts of a tree’s fruit or branches.

Pet parents should prevent their animal companions from coming into contact with avocado by placing the fruit—or that festive bowl of guacamole—out of reach. For those lucky Californians who have an avocado tree in their backyards, keep a close eye on your pet when he’s outside, and don’t mistake the toxic fruit for Fido’s gnarly tennis ball.

As always, if you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic, please call your vet or the ASPCA’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435. For more information about people food that’s toxic for pets, please visit APCC online.

4. Adopt-A-Bull Winner: Elsie, Take A Bow

This past February, we announced the ASPCA’s Adopt-A-Bull Contest, putting out a call to pit parents and Meet Your Match™ shelters nationwide to show off happy pit bull adoptions made through the Meet Your Match program. The gorgeous Lola took top honors last quarter, and now we’d like to introduce you to our third-quarter winner, Elsie—smart as a whip, trained in basic commands and showing an amazing intuition for helping her human dad get through chemotherapy.

When Elsie's mom, Becky Torbin, first decided to adopt the pooch from the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, her husband was outspokenly reluctant. Now it’s safe to say he’s been won over completely by the nine-year-old pit bull. "She lies across his chest as he sleeps on the couch after his weekly treatments and," says Torbin, “is truly the best medicine he could ever ask for.”

The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, which will receive a $4,000 grant for facilitating the successful adoption, plans to use the funds for enrichment for dogs staying in the shelter. Both the winning pair and the shelter are automatically entered to win the grand prize in the “Vote for Your Favorite Match" online contest scheduled for February 2009. Visit ASPCA.org for complete contest details.

5. Read Our Police Blotter for Updates on Animal Cruelty Arrests

The ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement agents work tirelessly to investigate crimes against New York City’s animals. A puppy starved by his owner, a kitten abused on the street, a dog left in an empty apartment—our agents have seen it all when it comes to animal cruelty. They’re also well-versed in apprehending suspects and holding them accountable for their crimes. Stay in the loop on all the action with Police Blotter— an updated report of all ASPCA cruelty cases that end in arrest. From investigation to conviction, our officers really take a bite out of crime!

6. ASPCA Job of the Week

Are you friendly and focused? The ASPCA is looking for a Full-Time Customer Service Representative to meet and greet potential pet parents and serve as goodwill ambassador for our New York City Adoption Center. We’re searching for a pet-loving, service industry professional who will answer questions, assist the public with the adoption process and perform clerical duties as needed. If you’re fluent in Spanish and exceptionally diplomatic, you may be the one!

This position is full-time, and requires a commitment of four days a week—Friday through Monday—from 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. 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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