Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
From the ASPCA: People Saving Pets: Debunking Myths About Homeless Animals
Myths about homeless pets abound, but the ASPCA is working overtime to counter those misconceptions. You can find the pet of your dreams at an animal shelter. Here are just a few of the many myths that exist about homeless pets: The Myth: I want a purebred animal, but all homeless pets are mixed breeds.The Truth: In the U.S., an estimated 30 percent of all homeless pets are purebred. Right now, at the ASPCA, we have several purebred pets ready for adoption, including Amber, a purebred Miniature Poodle who adores people and other dogs.
The Myth: Homeless pets must be unwanted for good reasons.
The Truth: Pets end up in shelters for a number of reasons, most of which have nothing to do with the pet. Adoptable pets typically come from loving homes that simply cannot care for them anymore. Or they are strays who’ve been on their own without the loving care they deserve. Homeless pets make great family members!
The Myth: You never know what you’re getting with an adopted pet.
The Truth: While the background of some homeless pets is a mystery, many waiting for homes have long and happy histories with families who simply can no longer care for them.
For information about how we can all help solve pet homelessness and keep debunking the myths, please visit www.peoplesavingpets.org. People Saving Pets is a national campaign to help save the lives of homeless pets in which the ASPCA is a leading partner. Getting involved is easy—visit www.peoplesavingpets.org and share the link with your friends. Just a few simple actions can make a big difference for animals!
Monday, August 15, 2011
ALLEY CAT ALLIES SPONSORS MONESSEN NEUTER CLINIC
More than 75 cats neutered at day-long clinic; highlights critical need for services
MONESSEN, PA—A total of 78 cats were neutered on Sunday at a day-long veterinary clinic sponsored by Alley Cat Allies, the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. The services were provided at no cost to residents of Monessen, many of whom brought their house cats to be spayed or neutered.
“There is an enormous need for accessible and affordable spay and neuter services for the cats in Monessen, both owned house cats and feral cats in colonies” said Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies. “We stepped in to help fill this tremendous need.”
Monessen was the subject of much controversy last March after city leaders hired a private trapper to trap cats and bring them to a local shelter where most were immediately killed. The trapping, which was carried out with no prior notice to town residents, resulted in the deaths of dozens of cats. Many of the cats’ caregivers did not discover their fates for nearly a week following the trapping.
“The big turnout for services we saw on Sunday is yet more indication that residents of Monessen don’t support killing—they want humane care for the city’s cats, including Trap-Neuter-Return for feral cats and affordable spay and neuter for all cats,” said Robinson.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) ends the breeding cycle, stabilizes the population and helps feral cats lead healthier lives. It also makes the cats better neighbors by ending behaviors associated with mating, like yowling and fighting. Many communities across the country have embraced TNR after realizing that catch and kill is cruel, expensive, and doesn’t achieve its goal.
Still, Robinson noted, being killed in an animal shelter remains the leading documented cause of death for cats nationwide. More than 70 percent of cats brought to shelters are killed there, at enormous expense to taxpayers and shelter donors.
“Trap-Neuter-Return is the only effective course of action for feral cats,” said Robinson. “If Monessen city leaders had invested in spay and neuter, dozens of cats could have been saved.”
“We applaud the local residents who came out today and those who helped to organize this important event. We hope city leaders are paying attention and are finally ready to be responsive to the needs of the community,” Robinson said.
MONESSEN, PA—A total of 78 cats were neutered on Sunday at a day-long veterinary clinic sponsored by Alley Cat Allies, the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. The services were provided at no cost to residents of Monessen, many of whom brought their house cats to be spayed or neutered.
“There is an enormous need for accessible and affordable spay and neuter services for the cats in Monessen, both owned house cats and feral cats in colonies” said Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies. “We stepped in to help fill this tremendous need.”
Monessen was the subject of much controversy last March after city leaders hired a private trapper to trap cats and bring them to a local shelter where most were immediately killed. The trapping, which was carried out with no prior notice to town residents, resulted in the deaths of dozens of cats. Many of the cats’ caregivers did not discover their fates for nearly a week following the trapping.
“The big turnout for services we saw on Sunday is yet more indication that residents of Monessen don’t support killing—they want humane care for the city’s cats, including Trap-Neuter-Return for feral cats and affordable spay and neuter for all cats,” said Robinson.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) ends the breeding cycle, stabilizes the population and helps feral cats lead healthier lives. It also makes the cats better neighbors by ending behaviors associated with mating, like yowling and fighting. Many communities across the country have embraced TNR after realizing that catch and kill is cruel, expensive, and doesn’t achieve its goal.
Still, Robinson noted, being killed in an animal shelter remains the leading documented cause of death for cats nationwide. More than 70 percent of cats brought to shelters are killed there, at enormous expense to taxpayers and shelter donors.
“Trap-Neuter-Return is the only effective course of action for feral cats,” said Robinson. “If Monessen city leaders had invested in spay and neuter, dozens of cats could have been saved.”
“We applaud the local residents who came out today and those who helped to organize this important event. We hope city leaders are paying attention and are finally ready to be responsive to the needs of the community,” Robinson said.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Updating the Paws website
If you're a regular follower of Our Place to Paws, you've probably realized that besides updates on this blog, we haven't been posting new information on the main website for a number of months. Our Place to Paws has always been a labor of love, and as finances ran out and advertising failed to come in, we had to make the decision to let the site lie dormant for now. We have a great Facebook Group that anyone can join for regular updates of animal news, photos, and other fun tid-bits, and we are hoping to update the website again in the coming weeks or months. For now, we hope the information that's already available is still useful to anyone who stops by to visit. And we'll keep updating the blog, of course!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Nestlé Purina Recalls Limited Number of Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ Dry Cat Food Bags Due to a Potential Health Risk
Contact:
Consumer:
Nestlé Purina PetCare Office of Consumer Affairs:
1-800-982-6559
Media:
Keith Schopp
314-982-2577
Consumers who have purchased Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ Dry Cat Food products with these specific “Best By” Date and Production Codes should discontinue feeding the product and discard it.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the product, and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated products. People handling contaminated dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, 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.
Pets with Salmonella infections may exhibit decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If you pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
The product was distributed to customers located in California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin, who may have further distributed the product to other states.
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company became aware of the contamination as a result of samples that had been collected in several retail stores.
At Nestlé Purina PetCare, the safety and efficacy of our products are our top priority. We apologize for any inconvenience due to this voluntary recall. For further information or to obtain a product refund, please call NPPC toll-free at 1-800-982-6559 or visit www.purina.com.
Consumer:
Nestlé Purina PetCare Office of Consumer Affairs:
1-800-982-6559
Media:
Keith Schopp
314-982-2577
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 29, 2011 - Nestlé Purina PetCare Company (NPPC) is voluntarily recalling a limited number of 3.5- and 7-pound bags of its Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ Dry Cat Food from a single production run and shipped to customers in 12 states in December 2010. This is being done because some bags of the product have been found to be contaminated with Salmonella. Only Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ Dry Cat Food with both the “Best By” date and the production code shown are included in this voluntary recall :
| Product Name | Bag size | “Best By” Date & Production Code* | Bag UPC Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ | 3.5 lb. | MAY 2012 03341084 | 17800 01885 |
| Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ | 3.5 lb. | MAY 2012 03351084 | 17800 01885 |
| Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ | 7 lb. | MAY 2012 03341084 | 17800 01887 |
| Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ | 7 lb. | MAY 2012 03351084 | 17800 01887 |
*”Best By” Date and Production Code are found on the back or bottom of the bag.
No additional Purina cat or dog products are involved in this voluntary recall. No other Purina ONE brand products are involved. Only Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ brand products which match the “Best By” dates and production code above are included in this recall.Consumers who have purchased Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ Dry Cat Food products with these specific “Best By” Date and Production Codes should discontinue feeding the product and discard it.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the product, and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated products. People handling contaminated dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, 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.
Pets with Salmonella infections may exhibit decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If you pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
The product was distributed to customers located in California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin, who may have further distributed the product to other states.
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company became aware of the contamination as a result of samples that had been collected in several retail stores.
At Nestlé Purina PetCare, the safety and efficacy of our products are our top priority. We apologize for any inconvenience due to this voluntary recall. For further information or to obtain a product refund, please call NPPC toll-free at 1-800-982-6559 or visit www.purina.com.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
PROGRESSIVE SOCIAL CHANGE VETERAN BRITT COCANOUR NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALLEY CAT ALLIES
Alley Cat Allies, the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats, announced that Britt Cocanour has been named executive director of the organization. Cocanour, a veteran campaign strategist and leader for progressive social change initiatives, will join Alley Cat Allies co-founder Becky Robinson, president, and Donna Wilcox, former executive director and current vice president, in forging a new path in the national movement to protect and improve the lives of cats.
“We are thrilled that Britt has joined us at this critical moment in our organization’s history,” said Robinson. “After more than 20 years of bringing humane programs like Trap-Neuter-Return to cities across the country, we are now ready to begin a new chapter in our organization’s mission.
“Britt’s leadership will be essential as we focus national attention on the fact that being killed in an animal shelter is the leading documented cause of death to cats—and as we work to replace these failed policies with a transformed system that respects the lives of cats and is truly responsive to the community’s needs,” said Robinson.
Cocanour brings more than 15 years of extensive nonprofit management and strategic leadership skills to Alley Cat Allies. She was previously chief of staff at EMILY’S List, the nation’s largest financial resource for women running for office, where she managed a staff of 60 and a budget of $35 million.
Cocanour was also the founder of EMILY’S List Political Opportunity Program, which has trained over 5,000 women to run for state and local office and helped elect hundreds. She holds a B.A. from Bowling Green State University in political science.
“As someone passionate and committed to the cause of animal protection and respect for the lives of cats, I am excited to join Alley Cat Allies and help expand our influence and public presence as we embark on this transformational new mission,” said Cocanour.
Founded in 1990, Alley Cat Allies is the recognized global expert on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), the only effective and humane approach to feral cats in the community. Leadership and advocacy by Alley Cat Allies has inspired dozens of cities across the U.S., including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Chicago, to embrace TNR over failed, outdated catch and kill policies.
The organization employs a staff of 30 in its Bethesda, Maryland headquarters.
“We are thrilled that Britt has joined us at this critical moment in our organization’s history,” said Robinson. “After more than 20 years of bringing humane programs like Trap-Neuter-Return to cities across the country, we are now ready to begin a new chapter in our organization’s mission.
“Britt’s leadership will be essential as we focus national attention on the fact that being killed in an animal shelter is the leading documented cause of death to cats—and as we work to replace these failed policies with a transformed system that respects the lives of cats and is truly responsive to the community’s needs,” said Robinson.
Cocanour brings more than 15 years of extensive nonprofit management and strategic leadership skills to Alley Cat Allies. She was previously chief of staff at EMILY’S List, the nation’s largest financial resource for women running for office, where she managed a staff of 60 and a budget of $35 million.
Cocanour was also the founder of EMILY’S List Political Opportunity Program, which has trained over 5,000 women to run for state and local office and helped elect hundreds. She holds a B.A. from Bowling Green State University in political science.
“As someone passionate and committed to the cause of animal protection and respect for the lives of cats, I am excited to join Alley Cat Allies and help expand our influence and public presence as we embark on this transformational new mission,” said Cocanour.
Founded in 1990, Alley Cat Allies is the recognized global expert on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), the only effective and humane approach to feral cats in the community. Leadership and advocacy by Alley Cat Allies has inspired dozens of cities across the U.S., including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Chicago, to embrace TNR over failed, outdated catch and kill policies.
The organization employs a staff of 30 in its Bethesda, Maryland headquarters.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
New Hope for the Snow Leopard
A "surprisingly healthy" population of rare snow leopards has been discovered in the remote northeastern stretches of Afghanistan, one of the few areas largely unaffected by the near decade-long war in the country.
Researchers photographed the elusive big cat using camera traps at 16 different locations across Afghanistan's mountainous Wakhan Corridor, according to a recent report from the World Conservation Society.
The images are the first camera trap records of snow leopards in Afghanistan, the organization noted. Read more at CNN here.
Researchers photographed the elusive big cat using camera traps at 16 different locations across Afghanistan's mountainous Wakhan Corridor, according to a recent report from the World Conservation Society.
The images are the first camera trap records of snow leopards in Afghanistan, the organization noted. Read more at CNN here.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Pet guardians: Do not leave your dogs or other pets in the car!
Every year we read terrible stories about dogs left in cars with just the windows cracked open, even when it's brutally hot outside. Please don't leave your dogs in the car! A car can heat up to dangerous levels rapidly, even when the windows are open, leaving your pets in grave distress and endangering their lives.
Read this news story for more information! Take care of your beloved friends. DON'T LEAVE THEM IN THE CAR!
Read this news story for more information! Take care of your beloved friends. DON'T LEAVE THEM IN THE CAR!
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