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Perpetuating Positive Trends in Animal Welfare
The hard reality of these economic times has forced more dogs than ever into shelters. But even before the current economic crisis, millions of dogs in our nation found themselves, through no fault of their own, at the dog pound. And sadly, millions of these dogs lost their lives due to the hard reality of shelter economics -- too many dogs, not enough space, not enough money.
The good news is we've made progress. Collectively, our grassroots, state and national animal welfare efforts are making a difference. Just a decade ago, few of us knew what puppy mills were, let alone the deplorable conditions of the animals in them. Yet now, campaigns both large and small have brought the issue before the general public to the point that major pet stores have had to rethink their animal acquisitions -- and some have stopped selling dogs altogether!
The truth is we all have the ability to make a difference, in ways large and small. For some, it's adopting a dog from the shelter instead of purchasing one from a pet store or breeder; for others, it's donating time and money to help an animal welfare organization. It could be as simple as forwarding this newsletter on to friends you think would be interested or joining us in our Leashes by the Pound Campaign (see below). In whatever way you are able to contribute, in ways both large and small, the dogs need you. And that's a truth that won't go away any time soon.
Seana Dowling
President, PoundHounds, Inc. |
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Every Day is Tag Day Make Sure Your Dog Has an ID Tag
On April 4th, the American Humane Association launched a new initiative to encourage everyone to provide their dogs with identification. Without identification, a lost dog may never get home again.
If your dog is picked up as a stray by municipal animal control, the clock starts ticking from the moment he or she enters the pound. Dog pounds have varying policies on the number of days they will keep a dog before it is put up for adoption or euthanized. In large cities, hold time can be as few as 3 days.
With an identification tag, tattoo or microchip, the animal control officer can easily contact dog owners and arrange for the safe return of your pet. There are different ways you can tag your dog:
- City/Town License (required)
- Personal ID Tags
- Microchipping
- Tattoos
Spare yourself unnecessary heartache and anxiety and tag your dog if you haven't done so already. Most pet stores sell economical personal identification tags that can be customized with your contact information. To learn more about tagging your dog, visit the American Humane Association website. |
Health Check
Using Cocoa Mulch
Over the last few weeks, a series of forwarded e-mails about the dangers of using cocoa mulch have been floating around. Subsequently, there were e-mails claiming the dangers were a hoax. The ASPCA advises pet owners to avoid using cocoa bean mulch in landscaping around dogs with indiscriminate eating habits. Please read the ASPCA's article on cocoa mulch to learn the facts. |
| New HSUS Policy Helps Pit Bulls
Evaluations of seized fight dogs
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), ASPCA, National Animal Control Association, Best Friends Animal Society and many other local, state and national animal welfare organizations joined together on April 8th to discuss HSUS policies on the fate of dogs confiscated from dog fighting operations.
The crux of the matter is that courts can decide to euthanize seized fighting dogs without evaluating the dogs individually to determine suitablity for adoption. The new HSUS policy recommends that all dogs now be treated as individuals and each should receive a professional adoptability evaluation. The HSUS will be updating its law enforcement training manual and other materials to reflect this policy change. To learn more, visit the HSUS website. |
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REMINDER: PoundHounds Alumni!
'For the Love of Rescues' 2010 Calendar
PoundHounds has recently become part of a collaborative fund-raising project for rescue dogs through an organization called For the Love of Rescues. This organization is dedicated to printing calendars annually to help support rescue groups around the country.
Please share a photo and a brief story of how your PoundHounds dog came into your life. Submit by e-mail to volunteer@poundhounds.org by May 15th. The calendar organizers have provided guidelines for photo submission:
-High quality pictures
-No people in the pictures
-Attachments only-no links to online photo albums or placing the photo in the body of the e-mail
When the calendars go on sale later this year, we will be sure to provide you with the details on how to order! |
| ACO Resources: Shelter Population Index Underway
ACOs and Shelter Staff Take Note!
The National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy has launched Phase II of its Shelter Population Index (SPI). The results of this study will link animal shelter population data to a specific region's human population. It's the first index that reflects the combined impact shelters and their communities have in addressing pet homelessness.
Information is needed from shelters nationwide by April 30th to complete Phase II. Answering the one-page questionnaire for 2007 and 2008 takes less than 10 minutes. Or shelters can submit existing data in any format (e.g., Maddie's Fund report) that includes the needed information.
Log onto www.surveymk.com/ SPIQuestionnaire for more info. Every agency's participation is vitally important.
Help create an index our communities can use! |
Ask the Trainer
New Dog in the Neighborhood
Question: A family with a dog who is a known biter recently moved into my neighborhood and I'm worried about our children playing together. What should I do?
Answer: When a dog who is a known biter moves into a neighborhood, people are justifiably concerned. The main thing that makes a difference is the owner's behavior. Typically, there are two types of owners - proactive and reactive. The difference is in the action, or lack of action on the part of the owner.
"Ask the Trainer" is written by Sonia Mullen of Canine Techniques. To read more answers to common questions about dog behavior, visit the "Ask the Trainer" section of the PoundHounds web site.
If you have a question about your dog's behavior, please send your question to info@poundhounds.org and put the word "TRAINER" in the subject line. We regret that Sonia won't be able to respond personally to every question.
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Featured Dog for Adoption:
Rickey Roo
Energetic pup looking for love!
Rickey Roo is a young and loving Miniature Pinscher mix. He has a lot of playful puppy behavior so he will need an owner who will enjoy his energy. For more information, see our web site or contact Gardner, MA Animal Control. |
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Happy Tails!
Scooby, a 14-year old shepherd cross, was frightened and confused when he was surrendered to the Billerica town pound. Now, Scooby is living the good life with a new loving family. His new owners take him out to enjoy the world and he has become quite the man-about-town! He goes into Boston to the dog park to meet new dogs and get some leisurely exercise; then it's off to his favorite dog bakery in Tewksbury where he pops in for some delicious truffles and fresh water. Scooby even went to a bed and breakfast for a winter retreat, where he had his own doggie bed by the fireplace and a freshly baked bone with his name on it!
His mom says, "Scooby is AWESOME! We are so happy he is part of our family and he makes our lives complete. I wish he would be forever in our lives, but I know one day he won't be so I am doing as much as I can with him before that day comes." The family is looking forward to taking him camping this summer. |
Campaign of the Month
Leashes By the Pound
The collection of collars and leashes is well underway since our campaign launch in March. We wanted to keep up the momentum by continuing the campaign in April.
This is an easy, fun and creative activity for the whole family. Ask your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to donate used or extra dog leashes and dog collars. Town dog pounds don't have much of a budget and every leash and collar helps! All leash lengths and collar sizes are useful, but there is a greater demand for large-sized collars since larger dogs find themselves in pounds more often than small dogs.
Take up a collection at the office by sending out an e-mail and asking everyone to drop off their old leashes and collors in a box in your workspace. For kids, ask the principal if you can help your community and animals in need with the Leashes by the Pound program. Bring a big bag, bucket or box into the classroom and spread the word about the campaign through your school. Ask your friends to help you design some posters that you hang up around the school, or make a flyer that students can bring home with them. Local pet stores may allow you to run the Leashes by the Pound program in their store.
When you feel like you have collected all the leashes and collars you can, send us an e-mail at volunteer@poundhounds.org. We will make arrangements with you to get your collection and distribute to town pounds in the area. |
About MAC
Spay/Neuter License Plates
 The Massachusetts Animal Coalition (MAC) disburses grants to non-profit humane organizations and municipal animal control agencies. The grants are funded by the sale of the Massachusetts Spay/Neuter License Plate Program.
MAC has provided funds for PoundHounds to pay for spay/neuter procedures for PoundHounds sponsored dogs. In 2007, funding from MAC allowed PoundHounds to help 8 different town pounds spay/neuter 81 dogs. Those procedures represent $10,000 in MAC support.
Please show your dedication to animals and help control over-population. Register your new car or swap your existing plates for spay/neuter plates.
The cost for a license plate is $40. Of that, $28 funds this statewide program; the remaining $12 is a one-time only cost to cover the manufacturing of the plate. Two-year renewal fees of $40 go directly to the program.
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Barktoberfest - Save the Date!
September 20
Mark your calendars and tell your friends and family! Barktoberfest has been scheduled for September 20, 2009 at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Westford, MA.
Are you interested in volunteering to help us run the event? We need people to help us with the contests, vendor pavillion, merchandise tables, snack-shack, welcome desk and more! Do you like to bake? We have an excellent bake sale and we need good bakers to commit to making goodies. 100% of the bake sale proceeds go to PoundHounds.
If you are interested in helping out by baking for the bake sale or volunteering at the event, please e-mail us at volunteer@poundhounds.org and we will get in touch with you. | |
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Thank you for your continued interest and support of the invisible dogs in town pounds. We can't do it without you! Please visit the PoundHounds website at: www.poundhounds.org for more information. Or, contact us directly:
Message Center: 508.435.5029
Address: PoundHounds, Inc. - P.O. Box 454 - Hopkinton, MA 01748
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| Helpful
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Follow these links to learn how you can help PoundHounds:
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