Being PawsitiveBlogAnimal Rescue
By: hcucciaPost on:

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

Chances are, you’ve flipped through that Sarah McLachlan commercial that tugs at heartstrings with images of abused animals living in shelters or on the streets. While it’s difficult to see such things, it’s worth taking a few moments to talk about the issues facing abandoned and abused animals. April is the official Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, so what better time is there to consider what you may be able to do to help?

Animal Cruelty Facts

Nearly every type of animal that can be abused for human gain is abused, according to a huge database of statistics gathered by hundreds of reputable organizations around the world. Some of the most striking are related to man’s best friend, dogs. Dogfighting still occurs in many communities throughout the United States, where dogs are bred and trained to fight, and then pitted against each other for the amusement of their owners. Puppy mills churn out dogs for commercial sales; the stress on female breeding dogs often results in puppies that are diseased and disabled. In fact, dogs that are bred specifically for racing, like greyhounds, are often killed as puppies or young dogs, because they do not meet certain criteria for a good racer.

The animals that we rely on for food are mistreated in other ways. The average American eats more than 50 pounds of poultry each year, according to the Department of Agriculture. Chickens, which make up a large portion of this number, are bred in such a way that they cannot walk or move about easily. They often have their beaks “trimmed” in order to prevent aggressive behaviors. The fur trade is yet another way that animals are abused, as well as environments like the circus and rodeos. In fact, every single major circus that uses animals in their shows has violated the United States Animal Welfare standards at least once. More than one million animals, including dogs and cats, are killed each year in laboratory experiments.

Reporting Animal Cruelty

Clearly, animal welfare has a long way to go before we can truly say that we’ve made progress. While the arguments for animals that are largely for food and medicinal testing can get heated and controversial, no one can deny that the way our companion animals (such as dogs and cats) are often treated is wrong. One of the best ways you can help is by reporting animal cruelty when you see it.

Animal abuse is illegal in every single state. If anyone reports possible animal cruelty, authorities must investigate. Animal abuse doesn’t always appear as blatantly as a starved or beaten animal. There are an estimated 2,000 new cases of animal hoarding every year in the United States alone, which amounts to nearly 250,000 animals living in horrible conditions.

If you need to report an instance of animal abuse, it’s important to document as many details as you can. Watch for chained animals that don’t have access to water or shelter from extreme weather; animals that are obviously uncared for, with visible ribs or wounds; or properties with far too many animals.

Other Ways to Help

There are many other ways that you can help. Volunteer at your local shelter, or consider being a foster family to help relieve crowding in shelters. Support legislature that stops animal abusers, and above all, teach your children to be kind to animals. There are many studies that promote the idea that animal abuse is a learned behavior from a young age. Model compassion for your children, and you’ll be helping animals have brighter futures.

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By: hcucciaPost on:

Creative Ways to Help Animal Shelters

Perhaps you have pets you love. Maybe you hope to have a pet one day. Or maybe you can’t reasonably foresee a pet in your life, but you love animals and you want to make life better for them. Either way, you may be considering ways to help shelter animals, and fortunately, there are many ways that you can do just that. Whether you have a lot of time at your disposal, or just a bit, there are things you can do to help your animal friends who have the misfortune to be living in shelters.

In 2014, an animal shelter in Australia developed a Human Walking Program for shelter animals in Melbourne. People were encouraged to devote their lunch hour to walking dogs in Flagstaff Gardens. This was a winning situation for everyone involved – shelter dogs got exercise, people got exercise, and some people even fell so in love with the dogs that they were walking, they ended up adopting them. Other shelters all over the world got on board, and now there are Human Walking Programs in many cities.

If you don’t have the time to set up a Human Walking Program, there are still things you can do to help animal shelters, and the animals who live in them. Here are five great ideas.

Dog in CarOffer a Ride

Sometimes, animals find a home that is right around the corner. Other times, an animal has to be transported to his forever home. It might just be a drive of an hour or so, or it could be halfway across the country. Can you give an animal a ride? Or even part of a ride? Often, people cooperate, each one taking a certain leg of the journey. If you can drive for even a few miles, you can help to get an animal to a home where he will be loved forever. You really can make a difference!

Do Your Spring Cleaning

This works for both you and shelter animals. If you’ve been putting off your spring cleaning, do it now – weed out all those sheets and towels you no longer want. Shelters always need bedding.

Maybe you also have leashes, collars and toys from a pet that you loved very much and who is no longer with you. You wonder why you’re keeping them. If it would break your heart to let them go, then by all means, hold onto them. But think about how proud your lost loved one would be of you if he knew that you were giving his possessions to another animal who has nothing.

Donate

You know how, around the holiday season, everyone wants you to donate to the food bank or the homeless shelter? We’re not suggesting that you don’t do that, but think about animals, too, whose only home is a shelter. A toy or a bag of dog food can make a huge difference to a shelter animal.

Man With DogFoster

Can you take an animal, even temporarily? Fostering can open up another space in a shelter. If a pet is living with you, there is room for another homeless animal at the shelter. You don’t have to be in it for the long term, just long enough – just until that animal finds a forever home. And who knows? You might find that your lifestyle really can accommodate an animal permanently.

Read to a Dog

Okay, this isn’t as crazy as it sounds. You have heard of therapy dogs who go to libraries so that kids with reading difficulties can read to a non-judgmental dog. Have you ever wondered why that works so well? It’s because it goes both ways. Dogs love to be read to as well. They love the sound of a human voice. So why not go to an animal shelter, and read “Goodnight Moon” to a dog who is starved for human attention and the sound of a kind voice?

These are just a few ideas. You may have thought of other ways that you can help shelter dogs. Now, stop thinking about it and just do it.

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What To Do If You See Animal Abuse

No one ever wants to see an animal being abused, but sadly, it happens. So what are you going to do if you see a case of animal abuse?

First of all, you have to report it. That’s not even negotiable. After all, if you saw a person being assaulted, you would report it, wouldn’t you? Why should it be any different if the victim is an animal?

It’s the Law

The law says that animals cannot and must not be abused. Every single state has laws prohibiting animal abuse, and the law is meant to be enforced.

You know, it wasn’t all that long ago that people didn’t report child abuse. Why? Because it was thought to be a family matter. We didn’t see it as the crime it was. Now we do. We would never think of not reporting child abuse, so why would we turn a blind eye to animal cruelty?

Do What Is Right

Report animal cruelty. That is the first step toward stopping animal abuse. One of the most common types of cruelty is neglect, and we have all seen it – the dog that is left in a cold doghouse in the winter months, or is left to go without water in the hot weather. Ask yourself, how would you feel if you were left out in the cold, or if you had no water to drink in the summer heat?

Now, remember that the law is only as good as the way it is enforced. Your neighbor’s dog cannot pick up the phone, call 911, and say, “I am being abused.” That’s why it is up to you. It is your job to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Be Alert to the Signs

The first thing you need to do in order to prevent, correct and punish animal abuse is to be alert to the signs. Does an animal appear to have inadequate shelter? Is the animal deprived of food or water? Does the animal appear to be in bad condition, with mangy hair or untreated wounds? Is the animal constantly chained outside?

Worse, does the animal appear to have been abandoned? You might be surprised to know that thousands of animals die every year, simply because people consider them to be disposable, “for now” pets who can just be left behind when people move away.

Worse still is direct violence. You know what we mean – you see someone beating an animal. Please don’t turn away – do something.

What to Do

If you see an animal being treated violently, consider it an emergency and call the police immediately. If it’s a case of neglect, you can also call the police or the local animal shelter. Please never do anything though. And while you are waiting for the authorities to arrive, take notes. Document what you see.

Take It a Step Further

Having called the authorities, and documented the incident, don’t stop there. If you truly care about the animal, be willing to go to court and testify to what you have seen. This is no different from any other crime – eye witnesses can be the key to a conviction.

The Final Word

Of course you would never abuse an animal. But if you see animal abuse happening, and you do nothing, you are every bit as guilty as the abuser. So do something to stop it – call the police. Testify. And maybe even adopt an animal who has been abused, and give him or her a second chance at a good life. It’s the right thing to do.

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Spotlight on Brandon McMillan

I recently sat down and talked with Daytime Emmy® award winner Brandon McMillan, professional animal trainer and host of Lucky Dog on CBS.  If you have never seen Lucky Dog, then you need to start watching.  It is a family friendly reality show in which Brandon McMillan rescues dogs in shelters and trains them for new families (tissues usually needed – in a good way).  Lucky Dog is in its third season, with a fourth season coming next Fall.  For those of you who think people aren’t real on TV, you’d be wrong in this case.  Brandon McMillan is friendly and down to earth.  What you see is what you get.  His extensive knowledge of animals, their history and understanding of their behaviors is impressive. With a natural passion for rescuing dogs, he has successfully combined that with his lifelong skills to train them for new forever homes.

Brandon McMillan is widely known in Hollywood for training dogs, tigers, bears, and lions for movies and commercials.  Movies include: We Bought a Zoo, The Hangover, Red Dragon, The Jungle Book II, Buddy and Soul Plane.  He has also trained animals for television shows such as: Dharma and Greg, 24, Jackass, Wildboyz and Carnivale.  Hollywood celebrities often call Brandon to train their dogs and after reading about him, you’ll see why.

Lucky Dog is a really unique idea and it brings attention to all of the great dogs in shelters.  Did you come up the idea of Lucky Dog?
Yes.  Years ago I had a dog facility outside LA called LA Dog Retreat, which was a training and boarding facility, but one of my specialties was rescuing dogs turning them into movie stars.  That caught the eye of Litton Entertainment and CBS Daytime.  They came out to watch me work because they were looking to do a dog training show on Saturday mornings.  They wanted to make it unique and something that no one’s ever done.  They saw me working and said, “That’s what we want!”.  We wanted to keep it positive and without drama.  Too many shows make the dogs look bad.  I want to prove that dogs just aren’t a pet, but a member of the family.

Brandon McMillan ArgusTell me about Argus and what made you decide to co-found the organization?
I knew a man who was a friend of a friend that stepped on an IED in Afghanistan and lost both legs.  He was using prosthetics and learning to walk again.  So my friend called me up and asked if I knew how to train service dogs.  I said, “Technically, yeah, because I’ve trained dogs for movies and TV over the years to open up a refrigerator and similar stuff like that.  Tell me what you need.”  He explained how this man is learning to walk again and needs help picking up things and everyday tasks.  After watching a video of him, I knew exactly what to do.  I talked to my friend Mike Herstik, who is a bomb dog trainer for the military and later became my partner with Argus. He knew exactly what to do too.  We both trained the dog and when I brought the dog to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C. I was surrounded by hundreds of veterans who wanted service dogs.  I was only supposed to stay for a few days, but extended my trip for weeks.  I sat with them and asked them what they needed.  After returning to California, I immediately started the paperwork for the 501c3 and Argus was born.   Go to www.argusservicedogs.org for more info.

Do you remember the first dog you ever trained?
I don’t remember the exact first one.  It was a long time ago.  We moved around a lot when I was a kid and I was always the new kid on the block.  I must have been 7 or 8 years old putting out flyers with those old school paper pull tabs.  People would call the house asking for their dog to be trained and got this little kid!  I’d ride my bike there, go to the door and they’d see me and say, “There must be some mistake.”  I’d go in and train their dog in a half hour.  The looks on the people’s faces were priceless!  The best part was getting $5 and at the time it felt like $5,000!

Brandon McMillanI’m a foster failure and I’m sure you’ve gotten attached to many dogs, but do you have any that you almost didn’t turn over to their new parents?
Yeah, my Chihuahua Lulu.  She was returned to me 4 times.  Lucky Dog was kind of based on her.  I saw her every day in the shelter for about 6-8 weeks in the front cage.  She was shaking in the corner.  I finally asked about her and the shelter said they were probably going to put her down the next day to make room for other dogs.  I was halfway home when I turned around and took her.  I found her about 4 families and each one returned her for various reasons – not good with kids, bit another dog – and I started looking for a home for her less and less.  5 years later, I still have her.  And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What is your favorite part of the whole rescue/training process?
Changing lives….both dogs and people.  I’m saving the dog’s life, but the the bigger change is in the human’s life.  Most of the people who contact me to rescue and train a dog are doing so because of something traumatic that happened in their lives.  This reiterates my point that dogs aren’t just pets, but they change lives.  It’s a known fact that dogs reduce stress and depression.

What are some of your biggest challenges when beginning the training process on a dog you just rescued?
When they’re abused, they tend not to trust humans a lot.  The biggest challenge is the unknown.  When I pull a dog from the shelter I only know what they look like and potentially their age.  I don’t know much about the personality.  The shelter doesn’t always know much about the dog.  I need to be careful and consider the homes they’re going to – to make sure they’re good with kids and aren’t aggressive.

From personal experience, I can feel overwhelmed when there are so many dogs/cats that needs homes.  How do you keep it in perspective?
That’s a tough one to answer.  I have a lot of people that inquire about getting a dog from me.  I have a general list of what people want – mainly a family dog that is good with kids.  I eliminate the odds.  If the dogs are aggressive I don’t take them.  I generally have them for 1-3 weeks unless it’s a service dog so training them to not be aggressive is basically out of the question because it takes way longer than my standard training regimen.  I narrow down the families with certain dogs.

I’ve read that your parents trained wild animals for the circus, but what made you decide to get into the business of training dogs/animals for movies and TV?
My style of training is what I like to call “Hybrid Training”.  We trained all types of animals – dogs, big cats, bears, lions, you name it.  With every wild animal you need to switch up your style of training.  Believe it or not, dogs are one of the most difficult animals to train.  The main reason why is that dogs become a product of their own environment very quickly.  When you spoil a dog, it means they probably won’t listen.  It’s very hard to spoil a tiger or a bear.  A dog’s DNA is wired to be pampered and spoiled.  Training wild animals helped with the overall technique, but when it comes to the psychological side, dogs are difficult because they have emotions and are meant to be taken care of.

Not to offend you, but do you feel any differently about the circus now?
No offense taken.  Yes, of course.  I was fortunate enough to work around great trainers who taught me everything I needed to know about animals.  I didn’t see any abuse, but we all know it exists.  Now that I’m older, do I want to see animals in cages?  No.  It was a great life to grow up in and I’m taking that knowledge and applying it to something positive now.  I’m saving dogs and using those techniques to train them.

Brandon McMillan Shark WeekObviously you have a passion for working with animals, but how did you get involved with Shark Week?
I had a show called Night on Animal Planet where I went around the world and filmed animals at night observing their behavior.  These animals are nocturnal and prefer to hunt at night.  A couple of the episodes were filmed underwater with sharks.  This caught the attention of the biggest shark film producer and Shark Week guru, Jeff Kurr.  He called me and said he would love to have me on one of his shows.  I had heard of him but didn’t know that much about him so I Googled his name.  Then I said, “Where do I sign up?”.  He had nothing at the moment, but he called me up a few years later and said I was perfect for a show he wanted to do. I was the ideal candidate because I’m not only a surfer, but I have a lot experience diving with sharks which is exactly what he needed. The show is called Great White Serial Killer and it’s about a beach in central California that has a shark attack on surfers every 2 years almost on the same date.  What we’re trying to prove is that it could be from one shark, not a group.  It’s called this because serial killers and great whites use the same tactics of hunting.  It was controversial name, but we said to watch the episode and you’ll see the similarities.   Great whites are patterned creatures and if they know they can get prey in one spot, they will return.  They are migratory animals and know there’s a certain time of year to find prey in the exact same region so they will continue returning.  Serial killers are the same way – same hunting patterns and return to the scene of the crime.

If you didn’t work with animals, is there anything else you could imagine yourself doing?
Fireman or Stuntman…which I did with wild animals for commercials years ago.  That was fun to me.  I like the adrenaline rush, that’s my roots.

I have to ask, is your dog perfectly trained?
She is probably the worst trained dog!  Actually she’s not bad, but the theory of handling is important.  People need to understand training vs. handling.  Handling can be more important than training.  If you handle a dog properly, you can stop a bad behavior such as aggression.  She was so abused and had such a negative experience with being trained that it took me almost 2 years to even pick her up without her screaming.  I know she was kicked because when I pet her with my hand she would squint, but when I pet her with my foot she would run and squeal.   It took me about 2 years before she would come up to me.  Chihuahuas are lap dogs, not working dogs like German Shepherds.  She’ll come or stay when I tell her though.  She is the first dog that I had to make a conscious decision on how far I wanted to take her training.  She was so abused that I had to get to the point that she would listen.  The fact that she is happy and trusts me is enough.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
Africa.  There’s so much wrapped into one – I can dive with sharks, surf, scuba, do a safari.

What was your first tattoo?
Down my spine (no one knows about it) – from my neck down to my tail bone.  My first few tattoos were from the same person, a Maori in Hawaii and are Polynesian.  The one on my calf is the one that people recognize and it’s my giveaway.  I’ll keep getting them.  I love artwork, especially cultural artwork.

Brandon McMillan German ShepherdDo you have a favorite dog breed?
I hate being biased, but I like German Shepherds.  This breed has passed with flying colors after being tested in every area – military, bomb detection, guide dogs, contra band detection dog, seizure alert dog, physical assist dog, therapy dog, etc.  Name one other breed that can do all of that consistently.

Did you ever have one as a pet?
Yes, we had several.  That was our family dog.  We had 3 German Shepherds all named Zeke over the years.

What is your favorite band?
I was born in the wrong decade.  I like Led Zeppelin, Johnny Cash, Dob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Ray Charles.  I like the classics and they don’t make them like that anymore.  When I was a kid I liked them and everyone said I liked Grandpa music.  Now they like that music!

What is your favorite water sport?
I like to surf.  The only problem with surfing in California is the crowds.  Thankfully I get sent all over the world to film wildlife shows so anywhere I go, I bring my boards and surf.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
Traffic.  I have the biggest road rage.  People would never guess that I have road rage. Living in LA tends to do that to someone. I cannot stand the dumb decisions people make on the road. And get off your phones and drive please. Thank you.

What is your favorite TV show?
Family Guy is genius.  I like The Walking Dead, Married with Children, and Twilight Zone – it’s a classic.

Do you have a favorite quote?
Yes. “One day your life will flash before your eyes, make sure it’s worth watching.”  I have a lot of quotes I like.  I have ones I live by such as “To achieve great things, we must live as though we’re never going to die” and “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times” – Bruce Lee.  I devised my dog training style on that idea.  That’s they theory of the 7 common commands (Sit, Stay, Down, Come, Off, Heel and No). Less is more.

You can watch episodes of CBS Lucky Dog on Hulu and check your local listings for Saturdays on CBS.

Brandon McMillan has dedicated his life to helping animals and leads a very busy, yet inspiring life.  My advice would be to keep your eye on him because I’m sure he will continue to be successful.

“It’s beautiful thing when a passion and career come together.”

Lucky Dog Brandon McMillan

By: hcucciaPost on:

The Unsung Heroes of Animal Rescue

While most people are aware of the countless big-hearted volunteers who work in animal shelters, rescues, and private facilities that save animals from neglect and euthanasia, there’s another side to animal rescue that very few people probably know even exists. That aspect is rescue animal transportation.

The hard work of shelter volunteers, foster families, and others involved in caring for and placing homeless animals is complemented behind the scenes by the work of another set of special people – pilots, drivers, and facilitators who transport thousands of animals away from certain death and into a safe environment every year.

Wings of RescueWings of Rescue

This truly amazing organization is a non-profit 501(c) (3) charity that transports homeless animals from high-intake shelters (where they face almost-certain euthanasia) to no-kill shelters in areas where adoptable pets are in high demand.

Wings of Rescue is unique in that it is run by volunteer pilots who use their own planes (in addition to chartered cargo planes) to fly thousands of pets each year to the safe haven of no-kill shelters in long-distance locations.

The cost to transport an animal through this incredible organization is about $100. This vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm testing, flea treatments, and spaying/neutering. To donate to the non-profit and help move yet another sweet cat or dog to safety, click here. You can also check out a listing of shelters with adoptable pets that have been transported by Wings of Rescue here.

Pilots n PawsPilots N Paws

This organization is also a 501(c) (3) charity dedicated to the task of rescuing animals from bad situations and flying them to a place where they either already have a home waiting, or can be transferred into the care of a no-kill shelter or other facility that will keep them safe.

What sets Pilots N Paws apart from Wings of Rescue is that PNP runs a facilitative website, rather than operating as one group who does the transporting themselves. The website features a forum where rescue staff can post their transportation needs, and then pilots who are conveniently located and have a plane – or access to a plane – can choose to volunteer to meet the needs of that rescue.

In order to use PNP, rescuers must register, and then post in the forum to get into contact with pilots who may be able to help them. The organization simply acts as a portal to bring people together for purposes of arranging rescue flights or other animal-saving activities, such as overnight fostering. To learn more about how to use PNP, go here.

Other Transporters

There are plenty of animal rescue transport organizations on the ground as well.

Colorado Animal Rescue Express

One such hard-working group is the Colorado Animal Rescue Express (C.A.R.E.). This volunteer charity has helped get nearly 26,000 pets to safety since its inception in 2007. C.A.R.E. moves animals mostly along a route between Colorado and Missouri.

 

 

BRATSBRATS – or Badger Rescue Animal Transport Services, Inc. – is a Wisconsin-based organization devoted to ending the euthanization of healthy, adoptable pets, by moving them from crowded shelters where they will probably be put to death, to other locations that have plenty of space and a high demand for adoptable dogs and cats. BRATS was founded in 2008 and moves approximately 2000+ animals per year.

There’s no doubt that frontline shelter volunteers make a huge difference in the lives of millions of animals across the country every year. These pilots and drivers who work behind the scenes, saving even more animals and giving of their time and resources for a worthy cause, deserve kudos and recognition as well for a job well done.

By: hcucciaPost on:

GreaterGood and the Animal Rescue Site

Dog and Cat in GrassGreaterGood is the retail side of the non-profit organization CharityUSA. The company sources and sells ethically produced products across a wide range of categories like clothing, jewelry, home décor, accessories, holiday items, and more. They even feature lines of fair trade and eco-friendly products.

CharityUSA donates a portion of their sales to a variety of worthy causes, depending upon what branch of the GreaterGood store you purchase from.

Some of the causes are:

The section of GreaterGood that means a lot to us is the Animal Rescue Site – a 3-50% of the proceeds from sales through this site go to buy food for rescue and shelter animals. Direct donations fund things like medical care, transportation, food, and emergency surgery for needy and sick animals. Not only that, but GreaterGood will not sell items that have been tested on animals, nor any product the manufacture of which involves wild or endangered animals in any way.

Where Does Your Donation Go?

When you donate or purchase a product through the GreaterGood Animal Rescue Site, the funds help real animals in real need. Charity partners of The Animal Site include the Humane Society of the United States, The Fund for Animals, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and Rescue Bank.

Max was a German Shepherd rescued from the Tijuana streets and suffering from hunger and poor health. The Southern California German Shepherd Rescue gave Max a veterinary examination and discovered that he had a spleen tumor. Thankfully Max was able to get the surgery he needed due to a grant from GreaterGood.org. Plus, Max was placed with a forever family!

More on the Animal Rescue Site

This site for a good cause offers a bevy of ways to help, as well as fun features to play around with. The blog highlights a large selection of adorable animals via video – from deer, to fat puppies, to sweet little kittens. They also cover animal news from pet food recalls to heartwarming stories of pets saved from euthanasia in shelters.

Click on the “Free Actions” tab inside the Animal Rescue Site and you’ll be able to choose from a whole menu of options to help animals, at no charge to you – from a “click this button to donate food” link to the Shelter Challenge where you can choose from a list of shelters (or register your favorite!) and then vote for your choice of shelters for a chance to win part of a $100,000 grant for help with food and care of homeless pets.

Head over to the “Gifts That Give More” section and custom-choose the kind of donation you’d like to make – you can choose from everything from pet food for needy animals to medical care like vaccinations. Many donation choices offer a special free gift when you choose to donate to that specific cause – for example, give $25 to help with the care or transport of military war dogs and you’ll get a free American Flag for your car window.

When it comes to animal-related products, it’s tough to beat the GreaterGood Animal Rescue Site selection. From jewelry to clothing, and even footwear, there’s virtually nothing you can’t find to show your love of your cat or dog, or even better, as a gift for that special person. Nab a paw print muffin pan for extra-special morning treats, or for the foodie dog-lover in your life!

If you’re looking for an easy way to help animals across the globe, as well as in shelters right here in the U.S., GreaterGood makes it easy. From free ways to donate food to every pet-themed product you could hope for, the Animal Rescue Site is a win-win for visitors and animals alike.

By: hcucciaPost on:

National Mill Dog Rescue

National Mill Dog Rescue is an organization doing amazing work – 10,000+ rescued mill dogs worth of amazing. The Peyton, CO based 501(c)(3) was established in 2007 by Theresa Strader, all because of one sweet, neglected little Italian Greyhound named Lily.

About Lily

Lily - National Mill Dog RescueLily spent the first seven years of her life in servitude to breeders. Like many mill dogs, Lily was expected to produce lucrative puppies without so much as a veterinary checkup in return. Due to this horrifying treatment Lily suffered the effects of multiple health problems – from the degenerated roof of her mouth and lower jaw to tumors throughout her mammary glands. She was worn out, used up, and terrified of humans (justifiably so).

Finally, poor little Lily’s luck turned when Strader rescued her along with a dozen other abused dogs from a dog auction in Missouri. Strader, despite being a veteran of the dog rescue scene, vouches that the months after bringing Lily home were an eye-opening experience even for her. Yet even with her horrifying start in life, Lily thrived on the medical care and love she received and eventually allowed humans into her heart. She passed away in peace in the loving arms of family in May 2008.

It is in Lily’s honor that Strader and her team of volunteers have continued the work of saving these precious creatures from a caged life of fear and pain. Strader is determined that her sweet pup’s life of suffering will not be in vain, and thus far she has excelled at accomplishing that goal.

NMDR Facts

The rescue runs on 95% volunteer power. Volunteers number over 800, and the only paid staff are a veterinarian, three veterinary technicians, kennel cleaners, a rescue coordinator, an adoptions manager, a foster care manager, two part-time office staffers, and an accountant.

NMDR makes dog runs twice a month and takes in over 70 neglected animals each trip (half of whom are transferred to partner rescues nationwide). In 2011 Petco gifted the rescue with a Sprinter van to assist them in their dog rescue efforts.

It takes about 6-8 weeks to rehabilitate a mill dog, and the average age of the animal taken in by the rescue is seven years, although among the 100+ dogs available for adoption on the website, ages range from under a year old up to senior pets.

Adopting from NMDR

Strader runs a tight ship in order to ensure that her pups go to good, loving homes. While the adoption requirements are strict, this helps ensure that these animals who have already gone through so much don’t have to endure more suffering in life. Some of the non-negotiables include:

  • Yard must be fenced (occasionally – rarely – we will place a dog in a condo or townhouse with a small outside area)
  • Dog must be an inside pet (no outside dogs)
  • Dog will not be chained
  • Adoptive families must adhere to local pet laws and maintain routine medical care and treatment
  • Safe collar with ID tags must be worn at all times
  • If something happens that causes the adoptive family to need to return the dog, the dog must be returned to NMDR

The work that National Mill Dog Rescue does is heartbreaking, heartwarming, physically and emotionally demanding, and everything in between. But it’s paying off. In addition to the more than 10,000 dogs who have been given a new lease on life since 2007, the organization has received much media attention as well as being named one of the best non-profits of 2015 by GreatNonprofits.org.

If you are in the market for a new dog, please consider adopting one of their available dogs.  There are things you can do to help, even from afar. Visit the NMDR website for more information.

By: hcucciaPost on:

Surprising Facts about Animal Shelters

Surprising Facts About Animal SheltersIt’s common knowledge that American animal shelters are overflowing with animals and that many of them end up euthanized (31% of dogs and 41% of cats who enter shelters never make it out alive). But there are some things you may not know about these facilities that care for and rehome cats, dogs, and other animals:

  • 20-30% of dogs in shelters are purebred. You don’t have to resort to pet stores or expensive breeders if you want one of these distinguished dogs – check out your local animal rescue, you may be surprised at what you find.
  • Twice the number of animals who enter shelters are strays as compared to owner surrenders, although many of those “strays” are pets who had a home, and – lacking proper identification like a tag, license, or microchip – got lost or separated from their owners.
  • 90% of pets in dog and cat rescues are totally healthy and ready to be adopted – so if the thought of high vet bills has deterred you from taking a furry friend under your wing, now you know there’s no reason to wait.
  • Just 10% of shelter animals arrive at the facility already spayed or neutered. This problem is a major contributor to the fact that roughly seven million animals enter the rescue system each year.
  • The average age of pets who come into the shelter system is about 18 months – so if you thought you couldn’t get a young animal who will give you many years of companionship and love, you will probably be pleasantly surprised.
  • Adult dogs often come into the shelter already trained – which means adopting an older pet not only saves these sweeties from possible doom, but saves you the time and expense of teaching them basic commands. That’s definitely a win-win.

What Can You Do?

There is a multitude of ways you can help animal rescues and the pets that go into them. Adopting a fuzzy friend is certainly ideal, and there are plenty of other creative ways to help as well.

  • Consider adopting an older pet – younger animals usually get taken in by new families first, so passing by the babies and opting for a more mature pup or kitty can literally save their life.
  • If you aren’t in a position to adopt at this time, consider donating food, toys, or treats to your local rescue. These items make the animals’ lives better and free up funds for promoting the really important matters, like adoption.
  • Help reduce strays by utilizing the Humane Society’s trap-neuter-return resources, designed specifically for use on the feral cat population.
  • Use identifying tags on your pet: include your phone number, the pet’s name, and if applicable, the dog license number. Consider microchipping your pet for the ultimate in high-tech safety. Be vigilant about keeping your furry friends indoors and talk to friends and family about the benefits of them doing the same.
  • Write letters to the editor at your local papers and news publications regarding issues like puppy mills, dog fighting, animal abuse, and what local rescues are doing to help. Grassroots movements are often the most effective kind, so use publicity to garner awareness and participation.
  • Get out and vote – when pet protection ordinances come up on your local ballot, you want to be there to help them pass.

The numbers are heartbreaking – estimates show that nearly three million dogs and cats are euthanized each year. Whether these precious creatures enter the system through owner surrender, getting lost, being seized because of abuse, or any other reason, there are things you can do to reduce the numbers and improve the lives of pets everywhere.

By: hcucciaPost on:

Jameson’s Journey

JamesonHomeJameson was picked up as a stray by animal control over 5 years ago.  He spent 3 years in the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter.  Knowing he was the longest resident at the time and wanting to help him, Forgotten Friends of Long Island took him into our group with the desire to help find his forever home.

Any living thing that is caged for great lengths of time does not come out of that cage unscathed. Jameson was no exception, although throughout it all he maintained his happy-go-lucky funny personality.  He always seemed to be smiling, even when the people around him were getting very worried that he would just give up.

Last October we sent Jameson from our Rescue Center in Levittown to a wonderful training facility in Damascus, Pa.  At True Companion, under the love and care of Master Trainer Jeff and Lydia, Jameson became the happy and well balanced dog he deserved to be.  His training gave him confidence and his ability to run in the fields with other dogs and swim in the pond brought him great happiness. And his great happiness gave us the same kind of feeling tenfold.

Then came Jameson’s miracle in the name of Cynthia.  Cynthia is an unbelievable woman, kind-hearted, loving, and very determined to give a lonely dog a wonderful life.  Cynthia told me that where she lives in Canada there are no kill shelters.  She had decided she wanted to help a dog who really needed a break, and then she saw a picture of Jameson and inquired about him.  Her first trip to meet him was interrupted by bad weather and a cancellation of her flight.  So Cynthia waited until spring, determined to meet this dog she already loved.  And meet Jameson she did and it was a match made in heaven!  Since that meeting, Cynthia has bought him an orthopedic bed, a pool, and made every provision possible to ensure a very comfy and happy home to greet him.

Not wanting to cause undue stress on Jameson on this long journey, Jameson’s trainers took on the task of driving him from True Companion to the border of the US and Canada.   Cynthia took time off from her busy law practice to fly ½ way from her home and then drive from Toronto to meet up with Jameson.  She will then drive him all the way home and Jameson will stay with his new Mom in a 5 star hotel on his journey – wow!

Today Jameson’s miracle and the dream that so many of us have had for him came true.  His trainers and his new Mom met at the border and Jameson (whose new middle name is Canuck) is on his way home!!!   The moral of this story is:  NEVER STOP BELIEVING AND NEVER GIVE UP!  Jameson never did, so how can any of us?  Every animal deserves a loving family and a happy ending to their story.  Please support your local rescues and shelter and help a homeless animal.  Your best friend is waiting!

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