What looked like a scene from a Hollywood thriller turned out to be a real-life episode in the life of teenage Heroes' star Hayden Panettiere. There she was in tears and putting her life in danger last month as she surfed the waters off the coast of Japan trying to stop the slaughter of dolphins with a group of activists called Sea Shepherd.
"I risked my life," Panettiere told TV Guide. "A lot of people in this world will say they are involved in causes and organizations, but they don't actually do something. It was a great feeling to be there physically, making a difference."
In the video of the event, which is now making the Internet rounds (watch it here), the attacks on pilot whales by Japanese fishermen are so violent that the ocean water turns into a red sea. "It is hard for me to look at," Panettiere says. "I wasn't concerned about risking my life at the moment. The resulting footage created such tremendous awareness, it made it all worth it."
Panettiere and the other activists tried to form a barrier between the fishermen and the dolphins. They were in the area working on a documentary called Secret Dolphin Cove, which will be in theaters next summer. Some of the footage from them event was so bloody that it could not be shown on television.
"For the future I am going to continue to be involved and active until the problem is solved," Panettiere says. "The response has been incredible. By virtue of television, the Internet and word of mouth, it has gotten to the eyes and ears of people who would never have known about the problem otherwise."
Reference:TV Guide
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Monday, October 08, 2007
Rabid cat discovered in Harford
By Gina Davis
Harford County health officials confirmed yesterday that an abandoned kitten has tested positive for rabies.
They are seeking anyone who might have had contact with other kittens, or the mother cat, that were left outside a Pylesville convenience store about a month ago.
"We don't perceive many people are at risk, but anyone who has been exposed is at great risk," said Bill Wiseman, county Health Department spokesman. "They are at risk for a potentially life-threatening disease."
Wiseman said the tested kitten was among a litter that was left in a box with its mother outside a High's convenience store at Routes 24 and 165.
He said two kittens were taken by people at the store, and the other kittens and the mother are missing.
Anyone who has handled the animals -- and been bitten, scratched or exposed to their saliva -- should immediately seek treatment at an emergency room, according to a statement released by the Health Department.
Anyone who is unsure about whether he or she has come in contact with these kittens or the mother cat should contact the Health Department through the county's emergency operations center at 410-638-3400.
Receiving treatment -- which involves a series of five rabies shots -- soon after exposure will prevent rabies, according to Health Department officials. Even those who have been previously vaccinated should seek treatment, they said.
Rabies is a viral infection that targets the nervous system. Early symptoms of rabies in humans include fever, headache and general malaise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Eventually, neurological symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation, and difficulty swallowing.
Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.
Reference:baltimoresun
Harford County health officials confirmed yesterday that an abandoned kitten has tested positive for rabies.
They are seeking anyone who might have had contact with other kittens, or the mother cat, that were left outside a Pylesville convenience store about a month ago.
"We don't perceive many people are at risk, but anyone who has been exposed is at great risk," said Bill Wiseman, county Health Department spokesman. "They are at risk for a potentially life-threatening disease."
Wiseman said the tested kitten was among a litter that was left in a box with its mother outside a High's convenience store at Routes 24 and 165.
He said two kittens were taken by people at the store, and the other kittens and the mother are missing.
Anyone who has handled the animals -- and been bitten, scratched or exposed to their saliva -- should immediately seek treatment at an emergency room, according to a statement released by the Health Department.
Anyone who is unsure about whether he or she has come in contact with these kittens or the mother cat should contact the Health Department through the county's emergency operations center at 410-638-3400.
Receiving treatment -- which involves a series of five rabies shots -- soon after exposure will prevent rabies, according to Health Department officials. Even those who have been previously vaccinated should seek treatment, they said.
Rabies is a viral infection that targets the nervous system. Early symptoms of rabies in humans include fever, headache and general malaise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Eventually, neurological symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation, and difficulty swallowing.
Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.
Reference:baltimoresun
Dogs attack woman on beach
TWO dogs attacked a woman as she was walking on a beach south of Perth.
The woman was strolling along the beach near Secret Harbour, 50km south of Perth, with her dog, a Jack Russell-cross, when two dogs, possibly Dobermans, came bounding towards her at 5pm (WST) yesterday.
“They've jumped on her, knocking her back into the water. Her dog was knocked from her grasp, and both her and her dog were attacked,” a police spokesman said.
“She received some bite wounds to her hands.”
A man arrived in a four-wheel drive and loaded up the dogs.
The woman tried to confront him, but he drove away, police said.
She was treated for the wounds to her hands at Perth's Sir Charles Gairdner hospital. The extent of her injuries was unknown.
Reference:Au News
The woman was strolling along the beach near Secret Harbour, 50km south of Perth, with her dog, a Jack Russell-cross, when two dogs, possibly Dobermans, came bounding towards her at 5pm (WST) yesterday.
“They've jumped on her, knocking her back into the water. Her dog was knocked from her grasp, and both her and her dog were attacked,” a police spokesman said.
“She received some bite wounds to her hands.”
A man arrived in a four-wheel drive and loaded up the dogs.
The woman tried to confront him, but he drove away, police said.
She was treated for the wounds to her hands at Perth's Sir Charles Gairdner hospital. The extent of her injuries was unknown.
Reference:Au News
Friday, September 14, 2007
77 cats taken from GR home
GRAND RAPIDS -- Dozens upon dozens of cats are at the Humane Society of Kent County after they were found in the same Grand Rapids home.
The Human Society got tipped off to the case by a neighbor. When the owner was approached, she voluntarily turned over all of the cats.
"The carpets were saturated in urine so much that if you walked into the basement...the ceiling tiles had urine saturated through them," Amber Conklin, a kennel technician at the Humane Society, told 24 Hour News 8.
"(The owner) had about 48 food bowls around the house for the cats to eat out of."
But unlike similar cases where many animals have to be euthanized, everyone involved says these cats are in good health.
Many of the cats are already spayed or neutered, and some are even declawed.
Those at the Humane Society say this case just boils down to one person getting overwhelmed after taking in all these cats.
"There were too many of them in a household with someone who didn't have the financial means or time to properly care for that quantity of cats," said Karen Terpstra of the Humane Society.
The animals will go up for adoption next week for $25 each.
Reference:woodtv
The Human Society got tipped off to the case by a neighbor. When the owner was approached, she voluntarily turned over all of the cats.
"The carpets were saturated in urine so much that if you walked into the basement...the ceiling tiles had urine saturated through them," Amber Conklin, a kennel technician at the Humane Society, told 24 Hour News 8.
"(The owner) had about 48 food bowls around the house for the cats to eat out of."
But unlike similar cases where many animals have to be euthanized, everyone involved says these cats are in good health.
Many of the cats are already spayed or neutered, and some are even declawed.
Those at the Humane Society say this case just boils down to one person getting overwhelmed after taking in all these cats.
"There were too many of them in a household with someone who didn't have the financial means or time to properly care for that quantity of cats," said Karen Terpstra of the Humane Society.
The animals will go up for adoption next week for $25 each.
Reference:woodtv
Lance Armstrong sues animal group over yellow wristbands
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Lance Armstrong Foundation set up by the former Tour de France champion to battle cancer is suing an animal charity over dog and cat collars which resemble its yellow wristbands.
ADVERTISEMENT
Armstrong, a cancer survivor, launched the yellow bands during the 2004 Tour bearing the words "Livestrong." They became an instant success, and selling at a dollar a piece, have turned into a huge money-spinner for his foundation.
They have also become a sign of recognition for those fighting against cancer. Armstrong always wears his, as does cancer-sufferer White House spokesman Tony Snow, along with many other personalities.
In court documents filed in Texas on Tuesday, the foundation (LAF) alleges that the Oklahoma-based Animal Charity Collar Group stole the idea in producing yellow dog and cat collars embossed with the words "Barkstrong" and "Purrstrong."
The animal collars which went on sale in 2005 "use the same color, the same or similar materials, similar wording ... and similar fonts," the documents allege.
"Such confusion, mistake and deception are likely to cause irreparable harm to LAF," they add.
The foundation has sold some 65 million yellow "Livestrong" wristbands since they were launched three years ago and is asking for the animal charity to pay damages from the profits of the collars and to stop selling them.
yahoo
ADVERTISEMENT
Armstrong, a cancer survivor, launched the yellow bands during the 2004 Tour bearing the words "Livestrong." They became an instant success, and selling at a dollar a piece, have turned into a huge money-spinner for his foundation.
They have also become a sign of recognition for those fighting against cancer. Armstrong always wears his, as does cancer-sufferer White House spokesman Tony Snow, along with many other personalities.
In court documents filed in Texas on Tuesday, the foundation (LAF) alleges that the Oklahoma-based Animal Charity Collar Group stole the idea in producing yellow dog and cat collars embossed with the words "Barkstrong" and "Purrstrong."
The animal collars which went on sale in 2005 "use the same color, the same or similar materials, similar wording ... and similar fonts," the documents allege.
"Such confusion, mistake and deception are likely to cause irreparable harm to LAF," they add.
The foundation has sold some 65 million yellow "Livestrong" wristbands since they were launched three years ago and is asking for the animal charity to pay damages from the profits of the collars and to stop selling them.
yahoo
Man arrested after beating dog
Tampa, Florida - A 36-year-old Hillsborough County man is jail today, accused of beating his dog in a bank parking lot in the Town N' Country area.
Herbert Cox Jr. has a long arrest history in Hillsborough County. He's been arrested at least 19 times, the majority of those are battery and drug charges.
Investigators say numerous people called the Sheriff's Office when they spotted Cox hitting and kicking his mixed breed dog outside a bank on Sheldon Road.
Cox was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail and the injured dog was taken to an emergency vet clinic.
The dog reportedly has eye, mouth and leg injuries.
Cox is charged with animal cruelty and is being held on a $2,000 bond.
tampabays10
Herbert Cox Jr. has a long arrest history in Hillsborough County. He's been arrested at least 19 times, the majority of those are battery and drug charges.
Investigators say numerous people called the Sheriff's Office when they spotted Cox hitting and kicking his mixed breed dog outside a bank on Sheldon Road.
Cox was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail and the injured dog was taken to an emergency vet clinic.
The dog reportedly has eye, mouth and leg injuries.
Cox is charged with animal cruelty and is being held on a $2,000 bond.
tampabays10
Stolen Dog Recovered After Two Years
Usually, you hear dogs will scare away would-be intruders, unless it’s your dogs they’re after.
“My window had been pried open,” Jennifer Gleason said. “And the dogs were gone.”
When someone broke into Jennifer Gleason's home in Canton, Georgia, the only things missing were her two purebred pugs. She filed a police report and started a search that lasted nearly two years.
“One of the animal control officers told me there’s been a rash of small dogs being stolen and sold,” Gleason remembered. “I never thought I’d see them again.”
Then, last week, a phone call: “My mother screamed, ‘Jenny, Jenny, they found Cupcake!’”
The female pug was discovered abandoned on the side of the road by two Carrollton sisters. Melissa and Melinda didn’t want to use their last names, because they’re also dog owners and are afraid they could be targeted.
“I was led to her,” Melissa said. “My husband said he saw a pug on the side of the road and I went looking for her.” Melissa finally found Cupcake at the end of an abandoned road. She was covered in fleas, missing patches of hair, and had lost 15 pounds.
When the sisters took Cupcake to the veterinarian, they asked for a microchip scan. That scan came up with Jennifer’s name. The two groups quickly planned a reunion over Labor Day weekend.
“I was emotional,” Melinda said. “I was crying. She was crying, and Cupcake was like, ‘What’s going on?”
Randi Tucker, from the Southeast Pug Rescue and Adoption (SEPRA), said when certain breeds gain popularity, and price, they can also become targets:
"A lot of times because they're purebreds, they're valuable. They can be put into puppy mills, which are solely for the purpose of breeding puppies."
That’s why Tucker says microchipping your dog is so important: “Whether lost or stolen, it will help you find your dog.”
Because stolen dogs are sometimes sold at flea markets or in classified ads, she also warns you should have new dogs scanned to make sure they don’t belong to someone else.
Meanwhile, police are still looking into Jennifer Gleason’s case. Jennifer said she’s been told other nearby dog owners suspect they, too, might have been targets. Canton police say there have been no other police reports filed in that area.
tampabays10
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Muncie man guilty of dog fighting
STAR PRESS FILE PHOTOOne of two pit bulls confiscated from Chris Wilson’s home peeks out from a cage at the Muncie Animal Shelter in December of 2006. The dogs were later put to death.
MUNCIE -- Christopher Wilson loved dogs as a child, according to his mother, but the Muncie man was found guilty Tuesday of promoting animal fighting and cruelty to animals.
"This is a case of an individual that benefited from fighting dogs," said Deputy Prosecutor Joe Orick, displaying photographs of a chewed-up pit bull that was found in Wilson's possession.
Wilson's mother, Brenda Gore, maintained the guilty verdicts rendered by Delaware Circuit Court 3 Judge Robert Barnet Jr. were wrong.
"Chris raised dogs since he was nine," Gore said. "He loves animals."
Based on evidence presented by Orick, Barnet found Wilson, 22, guilty of promoting an animal fighting contest, a class D felony carrying a standard 18-month prison term, and two counts of animal cruelty, a class B misdemeanor with a maximum 180-day jail sentence.
The judge found Wilson not guilty of resisting law enforcement.
Barnet issued the verdicts after a two-hour bench trial and ordered Wilson held in jail pending a Sept. 17 sentencing hearing.
Wilson's arrest followed a December fire in a condemned house at 823 E. Main St. where two canines were found.
Police officer Michael Edwards said he found two pit bulls, an adult in a cage that was standing in feces and urine without food or water, and a puppy tied to a treadmill with a one-foot leash.
Orick provided photographs illustrating scars from chew marks on the head and legs of the adult pit bull.
Jill Dolon, president of Unconditional Love Foundation, testified that the scars on the dog were consistent with wounds caused by dog fighting.
The animal rights group has produced a documentary on dog fighting and also provides education to prevent animal cruelty.
Defense attorney Ross Rowland tried to exclude Dolon's testimony, saying she had no formal education in animal care and treatment. Barnet allowed the testimony after Dolon testified she received education and training as a county animal control officer.
Wilson denied he had ever been involved in dog fighting, insisting that the animals were regularly fed and watered. He also claimed equipment in the house, such as the treadmill and scales, were for his personal use.
"I moved out of the house because it was condemned," said Wilson, who maintained he continued to care for the two dogs and others there after moving out. The two dogs police found were taken to the Muncie Animal Shelter and later put to death.
Orick said the prosecutor's office took animal rights "very seriously."
"We aggressively pursue these cases any time we hear of dog fighting," the deputy prosecutor said.
Rowland, meanwhile, insisted there was no evidence to prove his client intended to commit the crimes against animals.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Ancient Beehives Unearthed in Israel
Amihai Mazar, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Honeybee Central?
An archaeologist peers into the opening of an ancient beehive found in excavations in Tel Rehov in northern Israel. Researchers digging in northern Israel recently discovered the hives, believed to be the oldest ever found, as well as remnants of ancient honeycombs and beeswax.
Archaeologists digging in northern Israel have discovered evidence of a 3,000-year-old beekeeping industry, including remnants of ancient honeycombs, beeswax and what they believe are the oldest intact beehives ever found.
The findings in the ruins of the city of Rehov this summer include 30 intact hives dating to around 900 B.C., archaeologist Amihai Mazar of Jerusalem's Hebrew University said. He said it offers unique evidence that an advanced honey industry existed in the Holy Land at the time of the Bible.
Beekeeping was widely practiced in the ancient world, where honey used for medicinal and religious purposes as well as for food, and beeswax was used to make molds for metal and to create surfaces to write on. While bees and beekeeping are depicted in ancient artwork, nothing similar to the Rehov hives has ever been found before, Mazar said.
The beehives, made of straw and unbaked clay, have a hole at one end to allow the bees in and out and a lid on the other end to allow beekeepers access to the honeycombs inside. They were found in orderly rows, three high, in a room that could have accommodated around 100 hives, Mazar said.
The Bible repeatedly refers to Israel as a "land of milk and honey," but that's believed to refer to honey made from dates and figs — there is no mention of bee cultivation. But the new find shows that the Holy Land was home to a highly developed beekeeping industry nearly 3,000 years ago.
"You can tell that this was an organized industry, part of an organized economy, in an ultra-organized city," Mazar said.
At the time the beehives were in use, Mazar believes Rehov had around 2,000 residents, a mix of Israelites, Canaanites and others.
Ezra Marcus, an expert on the ancient Mediterranean world at Haifa University, said Tuesday the finding was a unique glimpse into ancient beekeeping. Marcus was not involved in the Rehov excavation.
"We have seen depictions of beekeeping in texts and ancient art from the Near East, but this is the first time we've been able to actually feel and see the industry," Marcus said.
The finding is especially unique, Marcus said, because of its location in the middle of a thriving city — a strange place for thousands of bees.
This might have been because the city's ruler wanted the industry under his control, Marcus said, or because the beekeeping industry was linked to residents' religious practices, as might be indicated by an altar decorated with fertility figurines that archaeologists found alongside the hives.
Reference:Discovery News
Protect rabbits from wet weather disease
By Mark Waffel
Vets in Northampton are urging pet owners to have their rabbits vaccinated against a deadly disease, as wet weather this summer could cause an outbreak.
Heavy downpours this summer have already lead to flash floods, swarms of mosquitoes and an explosion in slug numbers.
And now the wet weather could lead to a rise in myxomatosis, a virus spread by biting insects, which have thrived this summer.
County animal charities and vets are now urging rabbit owners to get their pets vaccinated, as the disease is most prevalent in the autumn.
Annette Shanahan, who runs Rabbit Rescue & Boarding in Ashton, near Towcester, said: "It always increases in September, October and November – that's the time it really flares up.
"That's why we're saying to owners, even if you live in the middle of the town, it's worth doing it. For the sake of a small amount of money you could save yourself a lot of heartbreak."
Myxomatosis, which nearly wiped out the entire population of wild rabbits in the UK in the 1950s, is usually spread by fleas and mosquitoes, but it can be passed on by contact with infected animals.
Simon Maddock, a veterinary surgeon at the Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic in Limehurst Square, Northampton, said an outbreak was more likely this year.
He said: "I think it's quite likely that this year there will be an increase because of the wet weather. There are quite a lot of mosquitoes around and we had a bad fly season this year."
Mr Maddock, whose clinic last week treated its first few cases of the year, said the number of animals infected varies each autumn, depending on viral strains and the size of the wild rabbit population.
The veterinary surgeon's clinic offers a health check and the myxomatosis vaccine for £26 which, although does not prevent the illness in every rabbit, does weaken the symptoms in infected animals.
For more information on the illness visit www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk
Vets in Northampton are urging pet owners to have their rabbits vaccinated against a deadly disease, as wet weather this summer could cause an outbreak.
Heavy downpours this summer have already lead to flash floods, swarms of mosquitoes and an explosion in slug numbers.
And now the wet weather could lead to a rise in myxomatosis, a virus spread by biting insects, which have thrived this summer.
County animal charities and vets are now urging rabbit owners to get their pets vaccinated, as the disease is most prevalent in the autumn.
Annette Shanahan, who runs Rabbit Rescue & Boarding in Ashton, near Towcester, said: "It always increases in September, October and November – that's the time it really flares up.
"That's why we're saying to owners, even if you live in the middle of the town, it's worth doing it. For the sake of a small amount of money you could save yourself a lot of heartbreak."
Myxomatosis, which nearly wiped out the entire population of wild rabbits in the UK in the 1950s, is usually spread by fleas and mosquitoes, but it can be passed on by contact with infected animals.
Simon Maddock, a veterinary surgeon at the Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic in Limehurst Square, Northampton, said an outbreak was more likely this year.
He said: "I think it's quite likely that this year there will be an increase because of the wet weather. There are quite a lot of mosquitoes around and we had a bad fly season this year."
Mr Maddock, whose clinic last week treated its first few cases of the year, said the number of animals infected varies each autumn, depending on viral strains and the size of the wild rabbit population.
The veterinary surgeon's clinic offers a health check and the myxomatosis vaccine for £26 which, although does not prevent the illness in every rabbit, does weaken the symptoms in infected animals.
For more information on the illness visit www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk
Reference:northamptonchron
Monday, August 20, 2007
Coyotes corner woman in Westlake
By Teresa Rochester (Contact)
Saturday, August 18, 2007
The professionals call it human-wildlife interface.
Beverly Thompson calls it downright scary.
The Westlake Village woman was still shaking hours later on Wednesday when she recounted her early morning run-in with five coyotes while walking her Shih Tzus, Goldie and Monty Hall Jr.
"They were so brazen," Thompson said. "I've never seen them so brazen."
Living in this region, it's not uncommon to encounter coyotes that come down from the hills for food and water. However, officials in both Thousand Oaks and the city of Westlake Village said they have not received increased complaints this year.
Thompson's experience began around 6:20 a.m. as she and her dogs strolled down North Shore Lane, in the Westlake Village section of Thousand Oaks. Suddenly, Goldie came to a halt. A moment later Thompson spotted two fast-moving coyotes heading toward them.
She turned around, but not before dispensing pepper spray in the air.
Thompson said 16-year-old Monty Hall Jr. sprang to life.
"He has eye problems and can't hear, and I haven't seen him move that fast in three years," she said.
Thompson was holding Goldie, as the trio rounded a corner only to discover three other coyotes running toward them.
Thompson started shouting "coyote, coyote," as the five bore down on her. A man in a nearby townhome swung open the gate to his backyard and pulled Thompson and her dogs in.
Thompson is understanding of the coyotes' plight.
"They are starving now. They should be doing lifts of food up there," she said referring to the Santa Monica Mountains. "If they are coming in now they are hungry."
Brebda Sanchez, a spokeswoman with Los Angeles County's Department of Animal Care and Control, which Thousand Oaks contracts with for service, said hunger is what drives the bristly-tailed animals into the more populated areas.
"They are probably looking for food and water," said Sanchez adding that coyotes tend to become aggressive when they are protecting their young. "When you see three, you are probably seeing a mother and pups."
Officials in Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks said reports of coyote run-ins have held at a steady rate of a couple of phone calls a year. Scott Wolfe, Westlake Village's senior planner, said that several years ago there was a surge in the numbers. Thompson agreed.
California's Department of Fish and Game launched a campaign several years ago called "Keep Them Wild," an effort to educate people about coyotes. They are advised never to feed coyotes deliberately because the animals will get used to coming around, and that puts people and pets in danger. Pets should also be fed indoors and trash cans should have secured lids.
The Department of Fish and Game also recommends that bush and dense weeds around homes be cleared to reduce places where coyotes and rodents can take cover.
Small children should also not be left unattended in areas where coyotes congregate. Small pets should be kept indoors at night. Making loud noises, throwing rocks or spraying them with a garden house can keep coyotes at bay.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
The professionals call it human-wildlife interface.
Beverly Thompson calls it downright scary.
The Westlake Village woman was still shaking hours later on Wednesday when she recounted her early morning run-in with five coyotes while walking her Shih Tzus, Goldie and Monty Hall Jr.
"They were so brazen," Thompson said. "I've never seen them so brazen."
Living in this region, it's not uncommon to encounter coyotes that come down from the hills for food and water. However, officials in both Thousand Oaks and the city of Westlake Village said they have not received increased complaints this year.
Thompson's experience began around 6:20 a.m. as she and her dogs strolled down North Shore Lane, in the Westlake Village section of Thousand Oaks. Suddenly, Goldie came to a halt. A moment later Thompson spotted two fast-moving coyotes heading toward them.
She turned around, but not before dispensing pepper spray in the air.
Thompson said 16-year-old Monty Hall Jr. sprang to life.
"He has eye problems and can't hear, and I haven't seen him move that fast in three years," she said.
Thompson was holding Goldie, as the trio rounded a corner only to discover three other coyotes running toward them.
Thompson started shouting "coyote, coyote," as the five bore down on her. A man in a nearby townhome swung open the gate to his backyard and pulled Thompson and her dogs in.
Thompson is understanding of the coyotes' plight.
"They are starving now. They should be doing lifts of food up there," she said referring to the Santa Monica Mountains. "If they are coming in now they are hungry."
Brebda Sanchez, a spokeswoman with Los Angeles County's Department of Animal Care and Control, which Thousand Oaks contracts with for service, said hunger is what drives the bristly-tailed animals into the more populated areas.
"They are probably looking for food and water," said Sanchez adding that coyotes tend to become aggressive when they are protecting their young. "When you see three, you are probably seeing a mother and pups."
Officials in Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks said reports of coyote run-ins have held at a steady rate of a couple of phone calls a year. Scott Wolfe, Westlake Village's senior planner, said that several years ago there was a surge in the numbers. Thompson agreed.
California's Department of Fish and Game launched a campaign several years ago called "Keep Them Wild," an effort to educate people about coyotes. They are advised never to feed coyotes deliberately because the animals will get used to coming around, and that puts people and pets in danger. Pets should also be fed indoors and trash cans should have secured lids.
The Department of Fish and Game also recommends that bush and dense weeds around homes be cleared to reduce places where coyotes and rodents can take cover.
Small children should also not be left unattended in areas where coyotes congregate. Small pets should be kept indoors at night. Making loud noises, throwing rocks or spraying them with a garden house can keep coyotes at bay.
Cats suffering in silence with pain of arthritis
CATS have been found for the first time to suffer from arthritis, Scottish researchers have revealed.
Vets previously thought that felines do not suffer from the disease because their symptoms were less prominent than in other species.
But scientists at Glasgow University have now found that as many as 30 per cent of all cats over the age of eight may now be in pain with arthritis, badly affecting their quality of life.
Professor David Bennett, from the university's vet school, said the condition was difficult to diagnose in the pets as they do not limp like dogs and horses - animals traditionally thought to be susceptible to the disease.
Cats also do not normally vocalise their pain in the same way as other creatures.
But Prof Bennett said: "This does not mean that cats suffer from arthritis any less frequently than dogs and other animals. Arthritis is often a very painful condition and it is always difficult to detect and quantify pain in animals, and cats in particular."
There are an estimated nine million cats in the UK, with one-quarter of all households owning at least one of the animals.
Prof Bennett said the key to recognising pain in cats was to check for any lifestyle changes related to mobility.
These include an unwillingness to jump or an inability to jump as high as previously, and a reduction in overall activity.
Reference:News
Vets previously thought that felines do not suffer from the disease because their symptoms were less prominent than in other species.
But scientists at Glasgow University have now found that as many as 30 per cent of all cats over the age of eight may now be in pain with arthritis, badly affecting their quality of life.
Professor David Bennett, from the university's vet school, said the condition was difficult to diagnose in the pets as they do not limp like dogs and horses - animals traditionally thought to be susceptible to the disease.
Cats also do not normally vocalise their pain in the same way as other creatures.
But Prof Bennett said: "This does not mean that cats suffer from arthritis any less frequently than dogs and other animals. Arthritis is often a very painful condition and it is always difficult to detect and quantify pain in animals, and cats in particular."
There are an estimated nine million cats in the UK, with one-quarter of all households owning at least one of the animals.
Prof Bennett said the key to recognising pain in cats was to check for any lifestyle changes related to mobility.
These include an unwillingness to jump or an inability to jump as high as previously, and a reduction in overall activity.
Reference:News
Making shelters 'no-kill' is the only way to truly care for pets
Susan Cosby, chief operating officer, Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association - Philadelphia
The article "Merits of no-kill shelters questioned" reveals the stark challenges animal shelter staff face in saving innocent animals (USATODAY.com, Aug. 12).
(Photo -- To be or not to be? This few-days-old kitten, held at San Antonio’s Animal Care Services, is one of 1,004 cats and dogs taken in by the city-run shelter in a week. / By Eric Gay, AP)
San Antonio's Animal Care Services, which is profiled in the article, should be applauded for trying to end the senseless killing of healthy animals. Sadly, it doesn't seem like many no-kill shelters receive praise.
There are many animal services and organizations that seem to think no-kill shelters are more trouble than they are worth. The truth is, any organization that truly cares about animals must strive to reach the goal of San Antonio's Animal Care Services and become a no-kill shelter.
Rather than becoming an animal warehouse, this organization has a plan and is heeding the successes and failures of other no-kill shelters. It is quite scary when national organizations describe killing animals as the "only humane way to ease overcrowding."
As someone who has faced many of the challenges that the San Antonio shelter is facing, I know that killing friendly, healthy and easily treatable animals is the least humane way to reduce overcrowding. Adoption, foster care, spay/neuter and rescue programs top the killing option by miles.
It will take hard work. It will take involving the community through volunteering and foster care, and it will take a major culture shift, but as the staff at San Antonio's Animal Care Services see the progress, they will find great joy in their work.
Follow Germany's lead
Bobbee Murr - Portland, Ore.
Thanks to the vision and action of many animal services staff and volunteers across the USA, one day, I believe, the killing of homeless pets finally will end. Those working in the animal services field and pet owners need to help the United States match Germany's high standard of keeping healthy animals and those who have treatable conditions alive. It is a moral imperative of humanity to eliminate the shamefully high kill rates at facilities that call themselves "shelters."
Reference:USA Today
The article "Merits of no-kill shelters questioned" reveals the stark challenges animal shelter staff face in saving innocent animals (USATODAY.com, Aug. 12).
(Photo -- To be or not to be? This few-days-old kitten, held at San Antonio’s Animal Care Services, is one of 1,004 cats and dogs taken in by the city-run shelter in a week. / By Eric Gay, AP)
San Antonio's Animal Care Services, which is profiled in the article, should be applauded for trying to end the senseless killing of healthy animals. Sadly, it doesn't seem like many no-kill shelters receive praise.
There are many animal services and organizations that seem to think no-kill shelters are more trouble than they are worth. The truth is, any organization that truly cares about animals must strive to reach the goal of San Antonio's Animal Care Services and become a no-kill shelter.
Rather than becoming an animal warehouse, this organization has a plan and is heeding the successes and failures of other no-kill shelters. It is quite scary when national organizations describe killing animals as the "only humane way to ease overcrowding."
As someone who has faced many of the challenges that the San Antonio shelter is facing, I know that killing friendly, healthy and easily treatable animals is the least humane way to reduce overcrowding. Adoption, foster care, spay/neuter and rescue programs top the killing option by miles.
It will take hard work. It will take involving the community through volunteering and foster care, and it will take a major culture shift, but as the staff at San Antonio's Animal Care Services see the progress, they will find great joy in their work.
Follow Germany's lead
Bobbee Murr - Portland, Ore.
Thanks to the vision and action of many animal services staff and volunteers across the USA, one day, I believe, the killing of homeless pets finally will end. Those working in the animal services field and pet owners need to help the United States match Germany's high standard of keeping healthy animals and those who have treatable conditions alive. It is a moral imperative of humanity to eliminate the shamefully high kill rates at facilities that call themselves "shelters."
Reference:USA Today
From the West Indies to a van in the Borders - rare animals smuggling ring smashed
A SMUGGLING ring bringing endangered tortoises and parrots into the UK has been smashed by wildlife investigators.
The breakthrough came after officials acting on a tip-off stopped a van in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, and discovered 15 of the reptiles and two parrots in cramped conditions.
It is understood the tortoises were being delivered to Scottish addresses after being sold through advertisements and the internet, for prices in excess of £150 each.
Some of the breeds of tortoises recovered from the van, which had travelled from the south of England, are on the verge of extinction.
They had been captured from the wild and brought into Britain to be used in breeding for the pet trade.
But the practice is illegal as they are endangered species.
One investigator said: "This is just the tip of the iceberg and it is a significant development. We expect this discovery will lead to arrests in England.
"There is legal breeding of tortoises and illegal breeding of tortoises and this definitely comes into the latter category.
"They were being delivered to homes throughout Scotland but people are probably unaware that they are breaking the law buying them this way.
"Proper documentation for the tortoises is required from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs and this smuggling is becoming big business and a major problem."
The source added: "Gone are the days of the £2 tortoise being put in the garden to crawl about. The tortoises, some of whom are from breeds which are critically endangered, were not in good condition so this raid was a major success as this practice needs to be stamped out.
"One of the breeds was sub-tropical, coming from the West Indies, so this smuggling venture appears to be worldwide. But we suspect they are being brought in from somewhere in Europe."
The joint operation was conducted by Lothian and Borders Police and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Two men were detained after the van was stopped and interviewed before being released. The tortoises are being looked after at SSPCA centres.
Investigators are still establishing how the tortoises, which come from around the world, managed to get into Britain via Europe.
Constable Mark Rafferty, wildlife crime officer with Lothian and Borders Police, who featured recently in BBC Scotland's documentary Wildlife Detectives, confirmed the operation had taken place in conjunction with the SSPCA. He said 15 tortoises had been recovered.
"Our inquiries are continuing and we hope to be a position to make more arrests soon.
"It is another example of agencies working well together to stamp out wildlife crime," he added.
Doreen Graham, a spokeswoman for the SSPCA, said: "We would ask the Scottish public to help us track information to establish the size of the trade.
"We would like to speak to anyone who has bought any tortoise this year. We would ask them to contact us on 0870 240 4832."
The maximum sentence for being involved in the smuggling and sale of endangered species is two years in prison or a £10,000 fine under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and regulations controlling the trade in endangered species.
This article: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1316362007
A SMUGGLING ring bringing endangered tortoises and parrots into the UK has been smashed by wildlife investigators.
The breakthrough came after officials acting on a tip-off stopped a van in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, and discovered 15 of the reptiles and two parrots in cramped conditions.
It is understood the tortoises were being delivered to Scottish addresses after being sold through advertisements and the internet, for prices in excess of £150 each.
Some of the breeds of tortoises recovered from the van, which had travelled from the south of England, are on the verge of extinction.
They had been captured from the wild and brought into Britain to be used in breeding for the pet trade.
But the practice is illegal as they are endangered species.
One investigator said: "This is just the tip of the iceberg and it is a significant development. We expect this discovery will lead to arrests in England.
"There is legal breeding of tortoises and illegal breeding of tortoises and this definitely comes into the latter category.
"They were being delivered to homes throughout Scotland but people are probably unaware that they are breaking the law buying them this way.
"Proper documentation for the tortoises is required from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs and this smuggling is becoming big business and a major problem."
The source added: "Gone are the days of the £2 tortoise being put in the garden to crawl about. The tortoises, some of whom are from breeds which are critically endangered, were not in good condition so this raid was a major success as this practice needs to be stamped out.
"One of the breeds was sub-tropical, coming from the West Indies, so this smuggling venture appears to be worldwide. But we suspect they are being brought in from somewhere in Europe."
The joint operation was conducted by Lothian and Borders Police and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Two men were detained after the van was stopped and interviewed before being released. The tortoises are being looked after at SSPCA centres.
Investigators are still establishing how the tortoises, which come from around the world, managed to get into Britain via Europe.
Constable Mark Rafferty, wildlife crime officer with Lothian and Borders Police, who featured recently in BBC Scotland's documentary Wildlife Detectives, confirmed the operation had taken place in conjunction with the SSPCA. He said 15 tortoises had been recovered.
"Our inquiries are continuing and we hope to be a position to make more arrests soon.
"It is another example of agencies working well together to stamp out wildlife crime," he added.
Doreen Graham, a spokeswoman for the SSPCA, said: "We would ask the Scottish public to help us track information to establish the size of the trade.
"We would like to speak to anyone who has bought any tortoise this year. We would ask them to contact us on 0870 240 4832."
The maximum sentence for being involved in the smuggling and sale of endangered species is two years in prison or a £10,000 fine under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and regulations controlling the trade in endangered species.
This article: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1316362007
A SMUGGLING ring bringing endangered tortoises and parrots into the UK has been smashed by wildlife investigators.
The breakthrough came after officials acting on a tip-off stopped a van in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, and discovered 15 of the reptiles and two parrots in cramped conditions.
It is understood the tortoises were being delivered to Scottish addresses after being sold through advertisements and the internet, for prices in excess of £150 each.
Some of the breeds of tortoises recovered from the van, which had travelled from the south of England, are on the verge of extinction.
They had been captured from the wild and brought into Britain to be used in breeding for the pet trade.
But the practice is illegal as they are endangered species.
One investigator said: "This is just the tip of the iceberg and it is a significant development. We expect this discovery will lead to arrests in England.
"There is legal breeding of tortoises and illegal breeding of tortoises and this definitely comes into the latter category.
"They were being delivered to homes throughout Scotland but people are probably unaware that they are breaking the law buying them this way.
"Proper documentation for the tortoises is required from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs and this smuggling is becoming big business and a major problem."
The source added: "Gone are the days of the £2 tortoise being put in the garden to crawl about. The tortoises, some of whom are from breeds which are critically endangered, were not in good condition so this raid was a major success as this practice needs to be stamped out.
"One of the breeds was sub-tropical, coming from the West Indies, so this smuggling venture appears to be worldwide. But we suspect they are being brought in from somewhere in Europe."
The joint operation was conducted by Lothian and Borders Police and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Two men were detained after the van was stopped and interviewed before being released. The tortoises are being looked after at SSPCA centres.
Investigators are still establishing how the tortoises, which come from around the world, managed to get into Britain via Europe.
Constable Mark Rafferty, wildlife crime officer with Lothian and Borders Police, who featured recently in BBC Scotland's documentary Wildlife Detectives, confirmed the operation had taken place in conjunction with the SSPCA. He said 15 tortoises had been recovered.
"Our inquiries are continuing and we hope to be a position to make more arrests soon.
"It is another example of agencies working well together to stamp out wildlife crime," he added.
Doreen Graham, a spokeswoman for the SSPCA, said: "We would ask the Scottish public to help us track information to establish the size of the trade.
"We would like to speak to anyone who has bought any tortoise this year. We would ask them to contact us on 0870 240 4832."
The maximum sentence for being involved in the smuggling and sale of endangered species is two years in prison or a £10,000 fine under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and regulations controlling the trade in endangered species.
Reference:news
The breakthrough came after officials acting on a tip-off stopped a van in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, and discovered 15 of the reptiles and two parrots in cramped conditions.
It is understood the tortoises were being delivered to Scottish addresses after being sold through advertisements and the internet, for prices in excess of £150 each.
Some of the breeds of tortoises recovered from the van, which had travelled from the south of England, are on the verge of extinction.
They had been captured from the wild and brought into Britain to be used in breeding for the pet trade.
But the practice is illegal as they are endangered species.
One investigator said: "This is just the tip of the iceberg and it is a significant development. We expect this discovery will lead to arrests in England.
"There is legal breeding of tortoises and illegal breeding of tortoises and this definitely comes into the latter category.
"They were being delivered to homes throughout Scotland but people are probably unaware that they are breaking the law buying them this way.
"Proper documentation for the tortoises is required from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs and this smuggling is becoming big business and a major problem."
The source added: "Gone are the days of the £2 tortoise being put in the garden to crawl about. The tortoises, some of whom are from breeds which are critically endangered, were not in good condition so this raid was a major success as this practice needs to be stamped out.
"One of the breeds was sub-tropical, coming from the West Indies, so this smuggling venture appears to be worldwide. But we suspect they are being brought in from somewhere in Europe."
The joint operation was conducted by Lothian and Borders Police and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Two men were detained after the van was stopped and interviewed before being released. The tortoises are being looked after at SSPCA centres.
Investigators are still establishing how the tortoises, which come from around the world, managed to get into Britain via Europe.
Constable Mark Rafferty, wildlife crime officer with Lothian and Borders Police, who featured recently in BBC Scotland's documentary Wildlife Detectives, confirmed the operation had taken place in conjunction with the SSPCA. He said 15 tortoises had been recovered.
"Our inquiries are continuing and we hope to be a position to make more arrests soon.
"It is another example of agencies working well together to stamp out wildlife crime," he added.
Doreen Graham, a spokeswoman for the SSPCA, said: "We would ask the Scottish public to help us track information to establish the size of the trade.
"We would like to speak to anyone who has bought any tortoise this year. We would ask them to contact us on 0870 240 4832."
The maximum sentence for being involved in the smuggling and sale of endangered species is two years in prison or a £10,000 fine under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and regulations controlling the trade in endangered species.
This article: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1316362007
A SMUGGLING ring bringing endangered tortoises and parrots into the UK has been smashed by wildlife investigators.
The breakthrough came after officials acting on a tip-off stopped a van in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, and discovered 15 of the reptiles and two parrots in cramped conditions.
It is understood the tortoises were being delivered to Scottish addresses after being sold through advertisements and the internet, for prices in excess of £150 each.
Some of the breeds of tortoises recovered from the van, which had travelled from the south of England, are on the verge of extinction.
They had been captured from the wild and brought into Britain to be used in breeding for the pet trade.
But the practice is illegal as they are endangered species.
One investigator said: "This is just the tip of the iceberg and it is a significant development. We expect this discovery will lead to arrests in England.
"There is legal breeding of tortoises and illegal breeding of tortoises and this definitely comes into the latter category.
"They were being delivered to homes throughout Scotland but people are probably unaware that they are breaking the law buying them this way.
"Proper documentation for the tortoises is required from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs and this smuggling is becoming big business and a major problem."
The source added: "Gone are the days of the £2 tortoise being put in the garden to crawl about. The tortoises, some of whom are from breeds which are critically endangered, were not in good condition so this raid was a major success as this practice needs to be stamped out.
"One of the breeds was sub-tropical, coming from the West Indies, so this smuggling venture appears to be worldwide. But we suspect they are being brought in from somewhere in Europe."
The joint operation was conducted by Lothian and Borders Police and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Two men were detained after the van was stopped and interviewed before being released. The tortoises are being looked after at SSPCA centres.
Investigators are still establishing how the tortoises, which come from around the world, managed to get into Britain via Europe.
Constable Mark Rafferty, wildlife crime officer with Lothian and Borders Police, who featured recently in BBC Scotland's documentary Wildlife Detectives, confirmed the operation had taken place in conjunction with the SSPCA. He said 15 tortoises had been recovered.
"Our inquiries are continuing and we hope to be a position to make more arrests soon.
"It is another example of agencies working well together to stamp out wildlife crime," he added.
Doreen Graham, a spokeswoman for the SSPCA, said: "We would ask the Scottish public to help us track information to establish the size of the trade.
"We would like to speak to anyone who has bought any tortoise this year. We would ask them to contact us on 0870 240 4832."
The maximum sentence for being involved in the smuggling and sale of endangered species is two years in prison or a £10,000 fine under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and regulations controlling the trade in endangered species.
This article: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1316362007
A SMUGGLING ring bringing endangered tortoises and parrots into the UK has been smashed by wildlife investigators.
The breakthrough came after officials acting on a tip-off stopped a van in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, and discovered 15 of the reptiles and two parrots in cramped conditions.
It is understood the tortoises were being delivered to Scottish addresses after being sold through advertisements and the internet, for prices in excess of £150 each.
Some of the breeds of tortoises recovered from the van, which had travelled from the south of England, are on the verge of extinction.
They had been captured from the wild and brought into Britain to be used in breeding for the pet trade.
But the practice is illegal as they are endangered species.
One investigator said: "This is just the tip of the iceberg and it is a significant development. We expect this discovery will lead to arrests in England.
"There is legal breeding of tortoises and illegal breeding of tortoises and this definitely comes into the latter category.
"They were being delivered to homes throughout Scotland but people are probably unaware that they are breaking the law buying them this way.
"Proper documentation for the tortoises is required from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs and this smuggling is becoming big business and a major problem."
The source added: "Gone are the days of the £2 tortoise being put in the garden to crawl about. The tortoises, some of whom are from breeds which are critically endangered, were not in good condition so this raid was a major success as this practice needs to be stamped out.
"One of the breeds was sub-tropical, coming from the West Indies, so this smuggling venture appears to be worldwide. But we suspect they are being brought in from somewhere in Europe."
The joint operation was conducted by Lothian and Borders Police and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Two men were detained after the van was stopped and interviewed before being released. The tortoises are being looked after at SSPCA centres.
Investigators are still establishing how the tortoises, which come from around the world, managed to get into Britain via Europe.
Constable Mark Rafferty, wildlife crime officer with Lothian and Borders Police, who featured recently in BBC Scotland's documentary Wildlife Detectives, confirmed the operation had taken place in conjunction with the SSPCA. He said 15 tortoises had been recovered.
"Our inquiries are continuing and we hope to be a position to make more arrests soon.
"It is another example of agencies working well together to stamp out wildlife crime," he added.
Doreen Graham, a spokeswoman for the SSPCA, said: "We would ask the Scottish public to help us track information to establish the size of the trade.
"We would like to speak to anyone who has bought any tortoise this year. We would ask them to contact us on 0870 240 4832."
The maximum sentence for being involved in the smuggling and sale of endangered species is two years in prison or a £10,000 fine under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and regulations controlling the trade in endangered species.
Reference:news
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
UAN Offers Pet Safety Tips for Hawaii Residents in Path of Hurricane Flossie
SACRAMENTO, CA (August 14, 2006) – As Hurricane Flossie approaches Hawaii, United Animal Nations (UAN) is encouraging residents to keep their pets safe during the severe weather by taking the following steps:
Bring all pets indoors. Pets left to fend for themselves in high winds and heavy rain can get injured, lost or die.
Comfort animals and provide distraction. If your pet is scared, providing familiar toys, treats and a quiet place to rest, such as a carrier or crate, may provide a sense of security and comfort.
Assemble an animal disaster kit that includes food, water, medications, a leash or cat carrier, and photos of the animal(s). This kit will prove useful if roads are blocked, stores are closed or residents must evacuate.
Make sure all pets have an identification tag and permanent microchip so they can be found easily if lost or separated.
Identify potential pet-friendly evacuation locations in advance. A searchable database of pet-friendly accommodations is available at www.petswelcome.com or www.petfriendlyhotelsandtravel.com. Residents wanting to find pet-friendly shelters in their community can also call their local American Red Cross chapter or their county Civil Defense Agency.
Through its volunteer-driven Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS), UAN provides free emergency sheltering and disaster relief services for animals in communities that become overwhelmed by natural disasters or other crises. Since 1987, UAN has responded to 70 disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005. With more than 3,400 EARS volunteers in the United States and Canada, UAN can provide the following services to communities in need:
Set up and operate temporary animal relief shelters
Evacuate animals from a disaster site
Rescue abandoned and stranded animals
Feed and care for displaced animals
Transport animals and coordinate veterinary care
Distribute food and supplies to the community
Reunite lost animals with their caregivers and find permanent new homes for unclaimed animals
Emergency management and animal control agencies in the state of Hawaii
can call United Animal Nations at (916) 429-2457 for assistance with animal-related issues.
Now celebrating its 20th year, United Animal Nations (UAN) is North America ’s leading provider of emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services and a key advocate for the critical needs of animals.
Bring all pets indoors. Pets left to fend for themselves in high winds and heavy rain can get injured, lost or die.
Comfort animals and provide distraction. If your pet is scared, providing familiar toys, treats and a quiet place to rest, such as a carrier or crate, may provide a sense of security and comfort.
Assemble an animal disaster kit that includes food, water, medications, a leash or cat carrier, and photos of the animal(s). This kit will prove useful if roads are blocked, stores are closed or residents must evacuate.
Make sure all pets have an identification tag and permanent microchip so they can be found easily if lost or separated.
Identify potential pet-friendly evacuation locations in advance. A searchable database of pet-friendly accommodations is available at www.petswelcome.com or www.petfriendlyhotelsandtravel.com. Residents wanting to find pet-friendly shelters in their community can also call their local American Red Cross chapter or their county Civil Defense Agency.
Through its volunteer-driven Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS), UAN provides free emergency sheltering and disaster relief services for animals in communities that become overwhelmed by natural disasters or other crises. Since 1987, UAN has responded to 70 disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005. With more than 3,400 EARS volunteers in the United States and Canada, UAN can provide the following services to communities in need:
Set up and operate temporary animal relief shelters
Evacuate animals from a disaster site
Rescue abandoned and stranded animals
Feed and care for displaced animals
Transport animals and coordinate veterinary care
Distribute food and supplies to the community
Reunite lost animals with their caregivers and find permanent new homes for unclaimed animals
Emergency management and animal control agencies in the state of Hawaii
can call United Animal Nations at (916) 429-2457 for assistance with animal-related issues.
Now celebrating its 20th year, United Animal Nations (UAN) is North America ’s leading provider of emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services and a key advocate for the critical needs of animals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)