Obama Makes Statement Against (dog) Breed Specific Legislation

Last week was an important one for dogs in the White House. Not only did the Obama family welcome Sunny, a 14-month-old Portuguese Water Dog, but President Obama made a statement against breed-specific legislation.

Here’s the official White House Statement on WhiteHouse.gov:

“We don’t support breed-specific legislation — research shows that bans on certain types of dogs are largely ineffective and often a waste of public resources.

In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at twenty years of data about dog bites and human fatalities in the United States. They found that fatal attacks represent a very small proportion of dog bite injuries to people and that it’s virtually impossible to calculate bite rates for specific breeds.

The CDC also noted that the types of people who look to exploit dogs aren’t deterred by breed regulations — when their communities establish a ban, these people just seek out new, unregulated breeds. And the simple fact is that dogs of any breed can become dangerous when they’re intentionally or unintentionally raised to be aggressive.

For all those reasons, the CDC officially recommends against breed-specific legislation — which they call inappropriate.

As an alternative to breed-specific policies, the CDC recommends a community-based approach to prevent dog bites. And ultimately, we think that’s a much more promising way to build stronger communities of pets and pet owners.”

Although it is not yet a federal law, Pit Bull lovers nationwide are pleased to see that Obama is opposed to BSL at all government levels. Responsible Pit Bull owners are often misrepresented by the small percentage of irresponsible owners contributing to the negative stigma attached to the breed.

Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls (BADRAP) has been educating the public with their monster myths. In a recent study of 122 dog breeds, by the American Temperament Society (ATTS), Pit Bulls achieved a high passing rate of 83.9, compared to the 77% score of the general dog population.

What you can do to help end BSL
Although BSL currently often indirectly refers to Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes, the targeted breed appears to change every decade. In the ’70s it was the Dobermans. In the ’80s, the German Shepherds. (That, of course, all changed when German Shepherds became guide dogs and military working dogs.) Then in the ’90s, the bad dogs were the Rottweilers. It’s been the Pit Bulls for the last couple of decades, which only adds to the huge number of Pit Bulls that end up in shelters. Is breed discrimination really any different than human discrimination? It’s basing false premises on the skin color and appearance of a dog, rather than a fair observation of their behavior.

Paws crossed that Obama’s statement against breed-specific legislation is noticed and heard!

What you can do to help end BSL

Become educated. The National Pit Bull Awareness Campaign is a nationwide effort to bring positive awareness and attention to the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Speak up. When you hear neighbors and friends speak negatively about any breed, gently provide educated statements to help them expand their thinking.
Volunteer at your local shelter. Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes are overcrowding shelters. Help in whatever way you can.

What do you think of Obama’s recent statement? Do you think Pit Bull’s are discriminated against unfairly? Thanks for posting your thoughts in a comment below.

Have you seen the new Adoptable Pets page on Care2? Â Please also share with your friends. We’d love your help in finding homes for these adorable animals!

Delivering Calm, four paws at a time!

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Article by Lisa Spector Courtesy of Care2.com here - http://www.care2.com/greenliving/obama-makes-statement-against-breed-specific-legislation.html

Animal Shelter Evicted, Urgently Looking to Rehouse around 900 animals!

With the City of Bakersfield taking over the Kern County Animal Shelter, county officials say they don't know yet what they will do with nearly 900 animals. This comes after city officials served shelter staff with an eviction notice Wednesday. County shelter staff have until September 30th to vacate the shelter. But, their main concern is moving all the animals. County officials say if they don't find a place in time, one of their options would be to euthanize them. "Our paramount concern is the safety of the animals and that 40-day notice from the city puts those animals in jeopardy," said County Administrative Officer John Nilon.

The Kern County Animal Shelter houses nearly 900 animals and many come from the city. County officials say after receiving an eviction notice from the city, they are working hard to find a new place to operate. "We don't know what's going to happen to those animals. We don't think the city's concerned so we're going to have to do whatever we can to protect the health and the well-being of those animals," said Nilon. "When we get to the day that we have to move, we literally have to take every animal in the facility, which includes dogs, cats, horses, pigs, everything we have so we leave an empty facility behind," said Kern County Animal Control Director Jen Woodard. The shelter on Mount Vernon Avenue is leased from the city and the one-year agreement with the county expired in June.

The city and county had plans to run a joint animal shelter, but according to the city, it wasn't getting the necessary feedback from the county. "When there's not that sense of urgency to get something done in an efficient manner, that does not bode well for the continuation of of a relationship whether it be for a year or two years or longer," said Steven Teglia, Assistant to the City Manager. But, the county says there was communication during a meeting three weeks ago and also through e-mail, illustrating shelter staff wanted to move forward with a joint shelter. But, with an eviction order in place, the county's main focus is the animals. According to county officials, there are three options. "One of which is to move the animals. One of which is to release them, and in releasing them we can use some of the rescue agencies, that sort of thing. Or third, those animals would have to be destroyed," Nilon continued. County officials say they do have a couple of facilities they plan to look at to house the animals.

Read more here.

Curious Baby Elephant Seal - Up close and personal (video)

Video and description contributed fotomotofotograf "A baby elephant seal curious, brave, and too comfortable with and among people it turns out. Petermann island, Antarctica. Antarctica is remote wilderness (yes, even the Peninsula that gets the lion's share of small but increasing tourist numbers). There is no baiting, feeding, tracking or approaching the animals to facilitate interaction with tourists. All close interaction happens by chance and is initiated by the animal itself. The number of people landing at each site is closely monitored (no more than 100 allowed at once) and they leave no footprint (no flags, food, or any waste).

Petermann island is visited mainly for the scenery and large bird colonies (two penguin kinds, blue-eyed shags etc.). Not seals. Seals in large numbers are more easily observed on the beaches in the sub-antarctic islands. That is why I was thrilled by this spontaneous encounter with the baby seal on a not-so-large piece of rock. I did not film the end of this encounter but was told both seal and its observers were sad to part ways and head each to their more permanent abode: seal back in the water and people back onto the mother ship. Canon HF100 with a wide-angle Raynox 6600 lens attached was used to film the seal.

Curious sheep try to help a fallen bird (video)

Only the intelligent are curious, and these sheep are showing both curiousity and compassion. Isn't nature amazing?!

Chuckles the rescued fox shows why foxes are adorable!

If you have never heard happy fox noises, you will love this sweet video...:D

One of the cutest, SMARTEST dogs ever!

If you love dogs, you'll love this gorgeous pooch and this clip! :D

Guest Post - Support Adoption for Pets

Support Adoption For Pets Adoption Centres Support Adoption For Pets have increased their fundraising efforts year-on-year and have so far raised £608,636 for rescue and rehoming centres across the UK this year. But how is this money used? Here we look at a couple of rehoming centres from different parts of the UK to discover how this money can benefit pets in need of help!

The first of these is the Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter, which cares for more than 3,000 lost or unwanted animals every year, and has been working for the benefit of animals since 1896. Whilst it is named a Dogs and Cats shelter, it has also provided refuge, care and love for a number of extra animals who have graced its doorstep in recent years; including guinea pigs, chickens, donkeys and even pigs! The annual costs for the shelter are close to £800,000; £50,000 of which are spent on vet’s bills which is a necessity when looking after around 250 dogs and 100-150 cats at once. Help from Support Adoption For Pets is therefore vital to the continued success of this great animal charity.


A more specialised rescue centre can be found in the west of England. Greyhound Rescue West Of England (GRWE) cares for up to 80 of these wonderful pets each year, taking care of dogs of all ages. They literally go the extra mile to help greyhounds in need, just last year rescuing two Lurchers and their 9 puppies from being put to sleep at a pound in West Sussex.

Their 100 volunteers also hold regular collections at Pets At Home stores and have also received a number of grant awards from Support Adoption For Pets to help them continue their valuable work caring for the dogs and their puppies. They are also running their own emergency appeal this summer, hoping to raise £10,000 for animals in need of their help.

These are just two of the hundreds of rescue centres that Support Adoption For Pets help every year. Their animal fundraising events and charity drives help Pets At Home staff and their customers to support their local animal rescue centres, giving unwanted or abandoned pets across the nation a second chance at happiness.



Events
Support Adoption For Pets is lucky to have incomparable support from Pets at Home customers, suppliers and colleagues alike, up and down the UK and in Northern Ireland. The charity runs three main charity events every year in a bid to raise much needed funds for animal rescues and rehoming centres nationwide; with the help and unwavering support of all involved we are raising increasing amounts of money for animal rehoming centres and sanctuaries; year on year.

In spring, the first Fundraising Drive of the year launches, with all the Pets at Home stores being able to nominate up to two animal rescues or rehoming centres to support – then the fun begins! Whether it’s a “Name the Bunny” competition, a national raffle or the ever favourite tombola, Pets at Home stores come up with interesting and fascinating ways to fundraise for their chosen charity. Support Adoption For Pets rewards this determination by incentivising the stores to raise as much as they can. This is usually met with fierce (friendly) competition and an eagerness to be the highest fundraising store!

As the summer draws to a close we leap into the autumn Fundraising Drive, following the same guise as the earlier fundraising event, Pets at Home stores are again able to nominate up to two animal rehoming centres to support and again we are always thrilled to hear about the new and ingenious ways the store colleagues raise much needed funds for their charities of choice

We wrap up the year with one of the stores favourite fundraising appeals – Santa Paws. This festive appeal is vital to many animal rescue centres as December and January is often their busiest time of the year. Colleagues have many special ways to fundraise during this time; however the favourite of many is asking customers, friends and colleagues to donate a gift to an pet that may not be as fortunate as others and who may still be looking for their forever home. Many people will purchase that extra bag of dog food, cat toy or a bale of hay so that the stores can send a very special Santa sleigh to a local animal sanctuary.

Many of these events have captured the imagination and hearts of colleagues and customers alike and without those; we wouldn’t be where we are today.

Find out more about our fundraising events, such as the October Fundraising Drive 2012, Santa Paws 2012 and Spring Fundraising Drive 2013

Support Adoption For Pets is an animal charity with a single, passionate aim. It exists to help give abandoned and homeless pets a second chance of happiness.

Every year, thousands of pets end up homeless through no fault of their own. Thanks to the tireless work of animal rescue and re-homing centres across the UK, many of these animals are given a new life in the loving home they deserve.

Most animal rescue charities are completely reliant on donations and public support to continue their vital work.
It is our mission, with your generous help, to provide a financial lifeline and help secure the future of rehoming centres and vulnerable pets in need.

More here: http://www.supportadoptionforpets.co.uk