Mountaintop Natural Pets

Source: OttawaCitizen.com, June 30, 2010

An Aylmer woman and her two grown children are in custody after police raided their home and found the bodies on nearly four dozen cats and dogs buried in the backyard.

The threesome — a woman in her 60s and her daughter and son, both described as in their 40s — have been charged with cruelty to animals, Gatineau police said Tuesday.

Executing a search warrant, police, accompanied by Gatineau firefighters and animal control staff, arrived at the family’s home at 22 Roméo-Gendron Street, between Front Street and Eardley Road. at 10 a.m. In the backyard, they uncovered the buried remains of 43 cats and dogs in garbage bags. Another cat and a dog were found alive inside the house.

Neighbors said police and animal control officers were wearing respirators and protective clothing when they entered the house. They expressed relief that authorities had acted after months of complaints. The house, they said, has been the scene of similar raids in the past, including one about two months ago in which numerous animals — “birds, ferrets, dogs, you name it,” as one neighbour put it — were taken away.

Neighbors said they regularly saw people dropping animals off at the house, and speculated that those who did so were looking for a quick way to get rid of unwanted pets without realizing what may await the animals.

Police did not release the names of those arrested, but said they were familiar with the family and had been to the house numerous times in the past.

Saturday, July 10 from 10am-6pm – Wags & Whiskers Family Fun Fair @ Maple Ski Ridge

Come join us on a summer day for some fun and fundraising in support of the SC-SPCA. Festival Details include a variety of vendors, animal demonstrations featuring dog agility, reptile show and horses, food, music provided by Idette and the Sunrunners and lastly games and activities for all ages. www.MapleskiRidge.com

A fair for adults, kids, and their pets too!
Games, bouncy-bounce, music, animal rescues, vendors, horses, reptile show, pet costume contest, Purrrfect Pet Tricks contest, Dazzle Dogs, agility demos, food and more!

Saturday, July 10, 2010
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Maple Ski Ridge, Rotterdam, NY (click here for directions)

FREE ADMISSION – RAIN OR SHINE – PETS ARE WELCOME

If you have any questions please contact Becky Smith at bsmith@schenectadyspca.org

More info here: http://www.schenectadyspca.org/index.php/community/wags-and-whiskers

Homeward Bound Rescue League is looking for temporary volunteers to provide foster homes for dogs rescued from puppy mills, starting Wednesday.

There is no cost to volunteer, and volunteers must be at least 21 years old.

In a press release, Director Carrie Marsh said: “We provide all food, vet care, crates, and the only thing we ask in return is that you provide a safe and loving home for our furbabies until they are adopted. Volunteering for an animal rescue is a very rewarding experience. What is frustrating is the fact that there are so many dogs out there that we could help, but don’t have enough foster homes.”

Anyone who is interested in volunteering can email the organization at homewardboundmi@yahoo.com, and leave a phone number and the best time to call.

Limited quantities ~ Don’t let them get away!

Toast-to-the-Breed Tervis Tumblers , Well-Bred Note Cards & Well-Bred Stretched Canvas Wall Art.

Toast-to-the-Breed Tervis Tumblers

Well-bred Note Cards Personalized for FREE!

Well-bred Stretched Canvas Wall Art Personalized FREE!

Southwest Stripped Collar - ON SALE

Source: al.com, June 22, 2010

The confiscation of 26 pit bull terriers in a suspected dog-fighting operation Friday has left the Mobile County Animal Shelter crowded with dogs, authorities said.

Animal control officials said the shelter’s adoptable pets may be in danger of being euthanized because the pit bulls must be isolated and kept until a judge determines what should be done with them.

The 26 dogs were confiscated from the home of Bruce McDonald on Red Fox Road in far north Mobile County, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Lori Myles said.

McDonald is yet to be charged in connection with the dogs. He was arrested May 22 on multiple charges related to a methamphetamine operation at the same address, Myles said. Mobile County Humane Officer Carmelo Miranda said the shelter’s adoptable pets suffer when suspected fighting dogs are brought in.

“These dogs must be sheltered one dog to two kennels for at least seven days, because a door separates the kennels back-to-back,” Miranda said.

He added that strays, which also must be kept isolated for seven days, end up moving in to kennels meant for the adoptable pets, adding to crowding problems.

So far since the seizure, Miranda said, no dogs have had to be put down. He said 80 to 90 adoptable dogs reside at the shelter on average.

Since Saturday, Miranda said, rescue groups and individuals have taken in 72 dogs, but at least 37 adoptable dogs remain, and that number could increase.

Miranda said sheriff’s deputies noticed the pit bulls June 16, and animal control officers confiscated them Friday along with treadmills, medications, scales and other paraphernalia associated with dog fighting.  Miranda said anyone interested in adopting a dog can visit the shelter’s Facebook page online or call 251-574-3230 or 251-574-3647.

Source: philly.com, June 18, 2010

Gatherers spoke of a life too short.

Activists, megaphone in hand, vowed the death would not be in vain.

At the foot of a park tree lay a makeshift memorial – farewell notes, flowers real and fake, framed tributes.

A plastic yellow bear that squeaks when you bite it.

Animal-rights advocates, their pets – and even a couple of city councilmen – assembled late Thursday afternoon in Barrett Playground at Eighth Street and Duncannon Avenue in the city’s Olney section to commemorate the life of a dog they had never met.

“The purpose is to send a unified message that violence against any living creature will not be tolerated,” said social worker Kim Wolf, a chief organizer of the event that drew roughly 100 people and a dozen dogs.

On Tuesday morning, a tennis ball’s throw from the site of the vigil, a 1-year-old female mixed-breed dog was found dead, suspended from a piece of playground equipment with a leash around her neck. Her paws were bloodied in what appeared to have been a frantic attempt to lower herself onto the ground just inches beneath her.

No arrests have been made, but according to George Bengal, director of law enforcement for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, “We have established ownership of the animal.”

The PSPCA and the Humane Society of the United States are combining to offer a $4,500 reward for information leading to a conviction.

Solving cases like this, many vigil speakers emphasized, is pivotal, given the well-documented link between cruelty to animals and domestic violence.

“If we don’t stop them now, they’re going to grow up to be the next Jeffrey Dahmers,” City Councilman Jack Kelly said, referring to the serial killer. “We have to stamp them out.”

Councilman William K. Greenlee also was there. As the crowd swelled – including a few hoops players who trekked from the nearby courts to mug for cameras – visitors added fresh emblems to the tree memorial: a leash, a Frisbee, a leopard Beanie Baby, a 101 Dalmatians coloring book.

One note read, “Rest in Peace, Flora” – the name bestowed on the dog posthumously by the PSPCA.

“They’re all individuals,” said Susan Cosby, the organization’s chief executive officer. “So we give them all names.”

Source: FDA.gov, June 22, 2010

United Pet Group, Cincinnati, Ohio is voluntarily recalling all unexpired lots of its PRO-PET ADULT DAILY VITAMIN Supplement tablets for Dogs due to possible Salmonella contamination.  The Food and Drug Administration is aware of this recall.

The product was sold nationally at various retailers.  The product comes in 100-count white plastic bottles with a light blue label, and UPC code 26851-01800.  These products are being removed from retail stores and consumers should immediately stop feeding these supplements to their pets.  The affected products are those with expiration dates on or before “06/13″. The expiration date can be found imprinted vertically on the right side of the product label.

Laboratory testing has revealed that one Lot of this vitamin product was contaminated with Salmonella.  The company is recalling all unexpired Lots of the product out of an abundance of caution.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

People who handle dry pet food and/or treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to contact United Pet Group or the place of purchase for further direction. Consumers may contact United Pet Group at 1-800-645-5154 ext. 3, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST.