Pet Dish for January 15, 2009

In this issue:

Be a voice for the animals
Literate Twin Cities
It’s about being PetSet
Lessons from a dog, sealed with a kiss
More treats
Scratching post

Be a voice for the animals
puppymill Can you imagine your pet(s) not having enough food and water or a warm, safe place to sleep? What if they weren’t given the opportunity to exercise or experience everyday interactions with humans?

For many dogs and cats across the state of Minnesota those circumstances are the only ones they know—and we need your help to change that.

Minnesota is among the top producers of puppies and kittens in the United States. Breeding these animals is a multi-million dollar industry with no state oversight or regulation. While many breeders in Minnesota act responsibly, there are reports of breeding facilities housing more than 1,000 animals. The problem is the inhumane breeding and care practices. Many of the animals live in horrific conditions—cages stacked on top of one another in unsanitary conditions, inadequate food, water and veterinary care; with animals receiving little or no exercise or socialization.

The 2009–2010 legislative session is underway and our goal at Animal Humane Society is to convince state lawmakers that regulation of these facilities is necessary to protect the animals. A new Puppy and Kitten Mill bill has been introduced that will give the Minnesota Board of Animal Health the authority to license breeders and hold them accountable to comply with existing applicable care standards under federal and state laws and regulations. In turn, this will allow our humane investigators (the only two full-time investigators in the state) the statutory authority to more effectively help reduce the suffering of animals confined and living in inhumane conditions. More specifically, the proposed bill will:

Improve the ability to regulate breeding facilities of cats and dogs and ensure that breeders comply with existing laws and regulations and meet specific standards of care.
Provide licensing and regulatory authority to a single unit of government.
Provide corrective orders, and administrative and criminal penalties for violations.

In our work, we see the tragic results of animals coming out of these facilities. We’re committed to working with our animal welfare partners and the Minnesota community to solve these problems.

How you can help

Be a voice for the animals and become an Animal Advocate today.
Contact your State Senator and Representative and ask them to support the Puppy and Kitten Mill bill. Mention Senate bill number S.F. 7. (The House file (H.F.) number has not yet been assigned. We’ll provide that information when it’s available.)
Spread the word. Ask your friends and family to support the bill by becoming an Animal Advocate and contacting their legislators.

For in-depth information on Minnesota puppy and kitten mills, please visit www.animalfolksmn.org.

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Literate Twin Cities
booksale Minneapolis-St. Paul is known for so many things. We have an exceptional, urban living environment, incredible theatre opportunities around every turn, world-class museums, and sports teams that entertain us every season. In 2007, Minneapolis received top ranking as America’s Most Literate City in a study conducted by the Center for Public Policy and Social Research at Central Connecticut State University. St. Paul was ranked third.

The findings were based off of six indicators, including library resources and number of bookstores. “It must be that sound interest in the written word that keeps people coming back year after year to our book sale,” said Animal Humane Society President and CEO, Janelle Dixon.

On February 5, we’ll not only open our doors in Golden Valley and Woodbury for animal adoptions, but also for our 14th annual All Things Great and Small Book Sale. The sale features thousands of hard cover, trade paperback and paperback books in 32 different categories. Categories include fiction, nonfiction, children’s, cookbook, travel, spiritual, sci-fi, biography, westerns, mystery, romance and more. The sale also features books on tape, CDs, DVDs—even VHS tapes and vinyl records. All items are reasonably priced, most from $1-3. Click here for detailed information on book sale dates and times.

A preview of select books will be available soon via eBay. Stay tuned for more information.

Donations of gently used books, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes and vinyl records are still being accepted at all five AHS locations through January 23.

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It’s about being PetSet
Pet Set It’s no longer about being jet set, it’s about being PetSet. Your children no longer have to learn about caring for animals via pop culture and celebrities. They can go beyond what’s on TV by joining our PetSet Youth Club to learn about animals, their care and how to be involved in their community.

Being a PetSetter will provide an opportunity for your child to grow beyond their potential. They will:

Gain new understanding through discussion with animal experts and researching issues
Create member-led projects that benefit animals in our communities
Build public awareness and learn about how the legislative process can impact animals
Develop volunteer abilities that can apply to AHS or other volunteer opportunities

Most sessions have already started for this semester, but spaces are still available for the grades 5-7 PetSet group at our Woodbury facility. Registration fee is $40 for four monthly sessions.

Please visit us online or contact us at (763) 489-2220 for more information, to schedule a birthday party or register your child for the PetSet Youth Club.

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Lessons from a dog, sealed with a kiss
Now Boarding You can learn a lot from a dog. Common lessons include where the nearest squirrel is, when the newspaper gets delivered every morning and how much space you really need on your bed each night. But one lesson Debi and Dan Thompson were excited to learn was where their pets enjoy staying while they’re away.

Before heading out on their first vacation in two years, they recently boarded their two Rhodesian ridgebacks at Now Boarding, a pet boarding and dog daycare facility near the airport. It’s safe to say that the dogs, Keto and Katoula, enjoyed their time away too.

“When we picked them up they didn’t even bolt for the door,” Debi said. “They stopped and visited every employee as we walked out. They kissed everyone in the lobby.”

That said it for Dan. Their dogs will now be regulars of the facility and welcome guests too. “As first time boarders, Keto and Katoula were a real treat. We enjoyed them immensely” said Andrea Hudson of Now Boarding.

Others at this vacation spot for pets were cats, ferrets, hamsters, rabbits and other small animals; other dogs were there for dog daycare.

In addition to overnight boarding, Now Boarding offers a daycare service for dogs. It’s an opportunity for your pup to stretch their legs while you’re at work or running a full week of errands on a Saturday afternoon. They’ll spend hours playing with other dogs and staff members in an open playroom and, in the warmer months, outside on turf designed for frolicking canines. They’ll gain valuable socialization skills and burn an exceptional amount of energy—something every dog owner will enjoy. A well-exercised dog often leaves a lot more room on the mattress at night.

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Walk for Animals 2009
Tie your laces, grab the leash, and start moving for the largest pet and people walk in the country. The 35th annual Animal Humane Society Walk for Animals is on Saturday, May 2 and sure to be full of fun, entertainment and all walks of pets. Read more…

Funny bones, precious moments and animal antics
Does your wild and crazy pet leave you in stitches? Does s/he have an unusual habit that leaves you scratching your head? Capture those and other precious moments on video and e-mail them to petdish@animalhumanesociety.org and we’ll post them to our Facebook page.

Pets for Seniors
Seniors 60+ years of age may adopt an adult dog or cat (1+ year) and receive a $50 discount at any Animal Humane Society location. Senior adopters also receive a coupon good for a free bag of Purina ONE dog or cat food and a free pet training DVD. Learn more…