Pet Dish for April 14, 2009

In this issue:

• Do the Walk
• Three steps to stop animal cruelty
• Bob’s Facebook reunion
• Mythbusting
• More treats
• Scratching post

Fox 9 reports - "Why I do the Walk"

Excitement for the Walk for Animals has generated interest from people across the metro to others across the globe. Currently, Animal Humane Society has received donations from 47 states, the District of Columbia and 9 different countries.  But for those attending the Walk—like our friends at Fox 9—there are so many reasons to come out and celebrate. Hear what they have to say by watching this video. And watch for a cameraman during the Walk celebration and let us know why you do the Walk.

 

Haven’t registered for the Walk? It’s not too late to step up for the animals! Head over to www.animalhumanesociety.org/walk, set up your personal Walk page and start fundraising today. There’s going to be plenty to see and do from new and exciting contests and activities to lots of pet and people watching. And food! Hot dogs, chips, fruit and water will be available for a suggested donation of $2 and Dominos will be selling pizza by the slice.

Want to help us get donations from all 50 states?  We're only missing Delaware, Louisiana and Maine. 

There’s not a moment to waste… the Walk is just over two weeks away!

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Three steps to prevent animal cruelty

Some of the animals that come to Animal Humane Society arrive because of a change in the lives of their owners. Others arrive because they’ve been forgotten, left behind or abused.  April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month and we’d like to take this time to remind you of three simple steps you can take to prevent animal neglect and abuse.

Know the Signs
The first step in preventing cruelty to animals is to know the animal welfare laws, the signs of neglect and cruelty and how to report it. For more information, please review the Cruelty Prevention and Legislation section of our website and follow the links below.

Common signs and reporting animal cruelty
Animal welfare law

Spread the message of spay/neuter
One of the most important steps in caring for your animals is to have them spayed or neutered. But what many don’t know is spaying and neutering their pets is also an important step to preventing animal neglect. By preventing unwanted litters, fewer animals will be left with nowhere to go.

Have your pets spayed or neutered and encourage your friends to do the same. If you or they need assistance, please review these spay/neuter options.

Stay informed about current efforts
Animal Humane Society is on the front lines doing what they can to help animals kept in abusive or neglectful situations. Our Humane Investigations team ensures people abide by animal welfare law and AHS works hard to enact legislation that will protect more animals. Stay informed of our efforts and be a part of the team by becoming an Animal Advocate.

 

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Reunited and it feels so good

National Pet ID Week begins this Friday and brings attention to a key factor in keeping your pets safe—ensuring they’re easily identified should they ever be lost or stolen. Making sure your pets always have tags on is important, but having them microchipped greatly increases your chances of being reunited. This simple, tiny piece of identification has reunited thousands of families, including Bob’s.

After nearly two years on his own, Bob the cat is back at home and resting peacefully after a little investigative work and perfect timing possible by Facebook.

Bob was brought into the Animal Humane Society’s Coon Rapids facility in early February after getting acquainted with a friendly member of the community. He was scanned for a microchip upon arrival and one was found. Unfortunately, the contact information on file for the chip was outdated.

AHS Customer Service Lead Amber Wallin in Coon Rapids was committed to reuniting the cat with his owners and tried to find them by alternative means—Dex online, Google searches and more. When those avenues didn’t work, she set out to make one last attempt and logged onto Facebook. A brief search provided her with a match to the names assigned to the chip. She sent a message to Shane and Nicole Meide hoping the name match would result in a connection with Bob’s family.

A few hours later she received a response. Bob’s owners were found.

Bob went missing in April 2007. Since then the Meide family had moved from East Bethel to Champlin, Minn. and had since acquired a new cat. They thought they’d never see Bob again.

Shane and Nicole had just crated their Facebook page days before. Had they waited just a few days more, Bob would have been past AHS’s standard five-day stray hold and on his way to the adoption floor to find a new family. Instead, he went home.

Learn more about how microchips work and celebrate National Pet ID Week by getting one of our low-cost Microchip Clinics scheduled on your calendar today.

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But I thought…A few mythbusting facts about AHS

In today’s busy world, it’s not easy to know what is true and what is a misconception. Misconceptions in animal welfare are common because of the varying principles of the incredible number of organizations coming to the aid of homeless and neglected animals. Those principles may change over time creating more and more for people to understand.  At Animal Humane Society, we want you to be informed about our organization so you’re able to help us “bust” myths as they come along. Below are a few of the most common you will hear:

MYTH - AHS receives financial support from the government
TRUTH: AHS raises every dollar used to operate its five facilities
A monthly check in the mail would be nice, but we all know money doesn’t grow on trees. AHS raises every dollar through adoption fees, retail sales, donations, bequests and special events such as the Walk for Animals. We do not receive funding from the state of Minnesota or the counties or cities where our facilities are located.  

MYTH - AHS is the local chapter of HSUS or the ASPCA
TRUTH: AHS is an independent, non-profit organization local to the Twin Cities metro area
AHS is an independent non-profit organization local to the Twin Cities metro area. We are not affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States or any other national humane group such as the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and we receive no support from them.

MYTH - Animals in our care have a time limit
TRUTH: Animals on our adoption floors stay with AHS until they get adopted
The animals on our adoption floors stay with us as long as it takes them to get adopted. If anyone asks, simply point them toward Daisy, a black Hound mix available for adoption at our St. Paul facility. She’s been in our care since December!

As long as the animal remains in good health and temperament, it is available until it is adopted. The average stay for a dog or cat from the time they arrive to the time they’re adopted is 12 days—that’s 30% less time than they spent on the adoption floor last year!  

MYTH - We can provide low-cost veterinary services to the public
TRUTH: AHS is committed to helping the community but can’t provide veterinary service to the public
Minnesota law makes it unlawful for AHS to practice veterinary medicine on animals not owned by our organization. We're working toward a solution, but until that time we remain committed to helping the communities we serve find low-cost veterinary assistance services, including spay/neuter options. Click here for more information.  

MYTH - Animals at AHS are sick and abused
TRUTH: Animals at AHS are healthy
Stop by any one of our five facilities and you’ll see firsthand that the animals in our care are full of life. (Did we mention Daisy?) Yes, it’s true some came to us from bad situations and need rehabilitation and care, but not all of them. Many come to us simply because their owners moved, developed allergies or had a baby. They may be mixed breed or purebred, young or old, but they’re still full of life and ready for their next home.     

Myth: AHS is a sad place to visit because of the animals needing homes
TRUTH: AHS locations are places where great things happen for animals
At Animal Humane Society we have set our sights on a future where every adoptable animal is given a life-long home—that’s an exciting and amazing goal! We see the work we do as positive and fun. We’re bringing families together and helping them through all the stages of their animal’s life. Not only do we do adoptions, but we provide programs for youth and training and boarding services.

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Like, Bruiser totally wants you to see him
As a friend of the Animal Humane Society you can receive $10 off the ticket price to select performances of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at the Ordway in St. Paul. Simply enter promo code BRUISER when ordering tickets to the Wednesday, April 29, 8 p.m. or Thursday, April 30, 2 p.m. performances. http://www.ordway.org/

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Follow us on Twitter
Get real-time updates on what’s happening at Animal Humane Society by following us at Animal_HumaneMN on Twitter.

Tweet.

Tweet.

 

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Master Recipes from a Master Baker
Master Baker Klecko has baked for presidents, rock stars, and professional athletes. But in K-9 Nation Biscuit Book - Baking for Your Best Friend, Klecko shares his favorite recipes for his favorite clients - the four-legged kind.  He even created a "Sausage-y Beagle Biscuits" in honor of AHS's own media and marketing manager, Deb Balzer, who contributed an afterword to this book.  Be sure to grab your copy and bring it with you to this year's Walk, where Klecko will be on site to give baking demonstrations and sign autographs.

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Walk this way

If your business or organization is interested in reaching pet owners and folks who love animals join us at the Walk for Animals on Saturday, May 2. Consider a booth in our “Flealess Market” or another spot on the grounds. For more information contact Amy Rosenthal at (763) 489-2231 or visit us online.

 

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Volunteer at the Walk

National Volunteer Week kicks off this Sunday and Animal Humane Society is celebrating the hard work and commitment of its hundreds of volunteers. Join the team and lend a hand at the Walk for Animals. Help with registration, games, food service, traffic and crowd control, and more. And if you raise funds and volunteer… just imagine the tail wags and big meows you'll receive! For more information, contact us at walkvolunteer@animalhumanesociety.org.

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Call for entries: America’s Top Dog Model contest

Are you and your dog ready to be part of the hottest and most stylish dog competition in America? Then get ready to “Go Gorgeously Green” at the Walk for Animals and enter the 2009 America’s Top Dog Model contest! We’re staging the regional event at the Walk and up to 3 finalists in the casting call will go on to the national finals. (Learn more… )

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A simple vote to make a world of difference
Our friends and partners at the Humane Society of Barron County in Wisconsin are in the top ten for a chance to win a million dollar shelter makeover from ZooToo.com. Barron County Volunteer Carol M. says “It’s unbelievable what they can do with so little, but it would be amazing to see what they could do with a new shelter. They really need it.”  Help Barron County care for more homeless and neglected animals by voting for them in the ZooToo.com contest today!
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