UNION’S STORY

Stop MI county from sending lost pets to research labs

I just received the following email. Though I’m not from the county, I still took action and you can too:

Subject: Help STOP it, Pound Dogs & Cats Sold for Research, Montcalm Co, MI

Hello,
A few weeks ago many of us rescues, transporters and other animal lovers were all included in a series of e-mail pleas that were an effort to rescue 11 dogs headed to a research lab.  Several of us have combined our efforts, including web searches, to try to help stop the practice altogether.  This letter comes to you in hopes that you will all join in to send a strong message to the people who can do something.  And if we all write to them it WILL be a strong message.  We have effected change before with our combined voices.

I am told that Montcalm County, Michigan, routinely sells animals to research.  Several rescuers have been working non-stop to rescue animals from that facility–from a fate worse than death.  But what also has to be done is to stop the practice.  The county’s contract with the Class B dealer (R & R Research of Howard City, Michigan) is up for renewal in early January.  The Montcalm County commissioners need to hear from all of us that this barbaric practice has to stop.  There is an organized effort underway.  Please go to
http://www.cccmontcalm.org to see how you can help.  There is a box in that website where you can write your note; ask the county commsioners to vote not to renew the contract with R&R Research.  You can also sign the petition.  I just signed it and there were ONLY 443 signatures as of Dec 28!  Come on folks, lets make ourselves heard. Please cross post widely to all your friends.  Contact Montcalm County officials.  Be persistent.  Be well reasoned.  And always be polite.

There are two sample letters at the bottom of this email.  This will come up for a vote at the commissioners meeting on Jan 12, so please do not delay.

It might be effective to contact national and state media, too.

Here are two other links if you wish to learn more.  One of them lists the shady and unethical dealings and behavior of R&R Research, the Class B dealer that gets animals from Montcalm County to sell to research.
http://www.michanimalnews.com/Montcalm_Animal_Control.html
http://www.care2.com/news/member/525884267/

Thank you,
Susan Hayley

CONTACT THE LINK ABOVE TO HELP THE MONTCALM  COUNTY RESEARCH DOGS.
I AM NOT THE CONTACT PERSON.

Sample Letter # 1
Ladies and Gentlemen:

People throughout the country (and throughout the world) have learned of the plight of stray animals in your county—first abandoned by their people, only to then face the ultimate betrayal—being sold to an unethical Class B dealer for subsequent use as research animals—with the whole operation being funded by taxpayers despite their vehement protests.

Montcalm County is one of the few remaining counties in the country that still betrays the trust of its citizenry by turning animals from the “shelter” over to the atrocities of research.  Not only is the practice barbaric, outdated and sharply criticized by ethicists, medical experts and animal lovers alike, but the lab that Montcalm chooses to deal with (R&R Research, Inc. of Howard City, Michigan) has come under fire for unethical operations and flagrant violations of law.
R & R has engaged in less than ethical practices including listing itself as an animal shelter in the yellow pages.  The State of Michigan Attorney General’s Office ordered the ads removed.  Quite obviously, R & R is no shelter.  Ionia County Animal Control ended its relationship with R & R after it was discovered that a dog that an Ionia Animal Control Officer claimed was shot to death, was actually at R & R Research.  An undercover investigation by WOOD TV in the 1990’s showed video of R & R owners gassing animals in a rusty 55 gallon drum.  In 2006, the USDA cited R & R for improperly transporting dogs. The poor creatures were chained to the side of a livestock trailer, which is illegal since the regulations demand that each animal is transported in an individual compartment. In 2005, a USDA inspection found sick cats, quarantined without a treatment plan. In both cases, it’s clear that R & R’s actions led to the suffering of animals.
Compassion and ethical considerations aside, Montcalm County is, in this time of financial crisis, enriching R & R, a private corporation, at the expense of its taxpayers.  Montcalm County is giving dogs and cats to R & R and based on R & R’s own submission to the USDA, R & R resells the animals for an average of $311 each.

The only one who has benefited from the deal is R & R which resells animals at a huge profit. The animals don’t win since they loose the chance at finding a new home. Montcalm County looses any income from adoptions and also the goodwill that a well run shelter generates. Instead, the relationship between the dealer and the shelter is a source of bad publicity for Montcalm County and its elected officials, with many groups even calling for a boycott of all Montcalm businesses until the shelter stops selling to research.

I respectfully request that, in considering the renewal of the R & R contract (or even entering into one with another Class B dealer), you take into account the concerns and welfare of your community (economic as well as social) and have Montcalm County take another step into the 21st century by leaving pound seizure behind.  Please do not renew the R & R contract.  It is the ultimate betrayal.

Sincerely,

Sample Letter # 2
To whom it concerns,

Please vote against renewing the R & R Research contract on Jan 12.

The contract allows innocent dogs and cats, some of them surrendered pets, to be turned into research subjects where they suffer cruelties and atrocities. I have read of some researchers putting acid in a dogs eyes, inflicting pain and withholding pain medication, gassing the animals, chaining them, allowing sick animals to go without treatment.  I have read that R & R has been criticized for violations and for cruelty.

Breeding and using companion animals for research purposes is barbaric and inhumane.  Allowing it to continue is wrong.

It is understandable that people can become desensitized to behaviors, conditions and practices once they have become accustomed to them.  This could make it seem “normal” for dogs and cats to be used and abused in this way when it has been happening unchallenged for generations.  Or sometimes human nature can cause people to turn a “blind eye” to awful things and simply be in denial.  I’ll bet those poor animals aren’t in denial.

Please open your hearts and vote accordingly to STOP the practice of using companion animals in research.  Please do not renew the R & R contract.  Please embrace compassion and courage.

Sincerely,

Lost dog in Elkhart, IN

His hair may be shorter now.

From Debbie: Henry got away from the pet sitter 12/24. The family just learned of Henry’s disappearance today 12/27 when returning home from the holiday spent out of state. Needless to say, they are devastated and heart broken. It would be greatly appreciated if all of you could cross post to all of your connections in hopes of getting this little guy back to the arms that love him.

Thank you for your help.
Debbie

*Contact info is Debbie at: 847-767-5955 or Krissy at: 312-925-4523.

Lucy found!

December 23, 2008

Dear Friends of Petraits,

I would call it a pre-Christmas miracle, but I know it is only because of the work of the devoted foster mom Debbie and the help of all of you on the Petraits e-mail list that have helped by posting flyers and passing on e-mails.

Lucy the extremely active, loving and timid one-year-old, 40-pound glossy chocolate brown Shar Pei-mix who escaped from her family during a trial adoption last Thursday night in Evanston has been found, skinny … but no worse for the wear. Her owner-to-be has been in and out of the hospital. Her wonderful family, friends and neighbors had been stepping in to help her with her new dog. Unfortunately a young lady walking Lucy at 10:00 pm at night accidentally dropped the leash while scooping poop and Lucy took off on a joy run. She made her way through Evanston to neighboring Wilmette.

Lucy evaded all attempted rescues but made daily appearances on Driftwood in Wilmette where she had dug a hole under an evergreen all the way down to warmer soil. Neighbors seeing this stray dog daily heard about her plight and although they couldn’t catch her, they called in the sighting.

Her original rescuer and extraordinary foster mom Debbie Krueger of We Luv Paws slept very few hours between that Thursday night and her re-rescue yesterday. This woman was jumping four foot fences and doing a lot of things that she never thought were physically possible … all in hopes of getting Lucy home again.

Debbie drove her mini van with Lucy’s sister Lizzie teathered to the back seat. When she opened the van door upon spotting Lucy … Lucy slithered her way on her belly until she was joyously and tearfully reunited with her sister Lizzie and foster mom Deb. All three were squealing in delight. The pack is back together now.

Debbie has earned more angel wings than any human can bear to carry. And, I hope that she is still snuggled in bed right now warmly smiling and joyously in a pile of happy, much-loved dogs.

Lucy would not be home right now without all the help of you my faithful friends of Petraits. Thank you all for your offers to help, for forwarding the e-mail to people along her path, for posting her flyers … and for all the warm and loving thoughts you’ve sent her way … it worked!

If you’d like to make a donation in celebration of this happy ending, please contact weluvpawsilrescue@yahoo.com for information.

Happy Holidays … it certainly will be for Lucy, her sister Lizzie and foster mom Debbie.

Lucy and Lizzie (Petrait attached) are now looking for a home together as a loving pair of sister dogs.

I hope for a similarly happy ending to all the other lost pets that I have seen circulating lately. I encourage everyone to sign on and subscribe to http://www.lostandpound.com so that you will be advised of lost and found pets in your area.

Sheri
Petraits Pet Photography
web site: http://www.petraits.com
adoptions: http://www.petraits.petfinder.org
e-mail: sheri@petraits.com

Tell the military to end trauma testing on animals

There are other options available! Read below:

This is an urgent request. PETA is currently urging the U.S. Department of Defense to stop shooting, burning, poisoning, cutting the limbs off, and killing goats, pigs, and monkeys in horrific military training exercises and to use available non-animal methods instead—and you can help.

Numerous medical experts—including a leading Harvard Medical School physician, a retired Navy head-trauma primate experimenter, a decorated trauma surgeon who served two tours in Iraq, and others—are supporting our effort to end the military’s use of animals in these cruel and outdated training programs.

Please take action now by politely urging your Congressional representative to contact the Secretary of the Army and the Army Surgeon General to insist that they ban the military’s use of animals in trauma- and chemical-casualty training courses, which would spare thousands of animals from suffering and death.

Holiday stress and cats

If you own a cat then you know they like things their way and they must have routine. They want to eat, sleep, play, and wake you up at the same times every day. If their routine is disturbed, it’s like Rainman - they become very upset. And an upset cat can wreak havoc. Below is some advice on keeping your cat sane throughout all of the holiday ruckuses.

Holiday Stress By: Petplace.com

Ah, the sights, the sounds and the smells of the holidays! The real question is…do cats experience holiday stress like we do? For some pets, the holidays are a cornucopia of joy. Dogs often like the hustle and bustle; new people, new things and, best of all, good food stream into the house. But the family cat generally views this as bedlam. She also sees it like a never-ending car ride. Her routine shattered and her peace of mind disturbed, she has precious few, if any, places to which she can escape.

Cat Holiday Stresses

The holidays put a lot of stress on everyone involved, some of it good and some of it bad. Cats have to withstand any number of unusual circumstances that are novel each year because they don’t have the chance to get used to them. Do cats experience stress? We believe they do.

These are just a few of the situations cats have to deal with:

• A constant stream of company. Friendly cats may go enjoy meeting new people that adore them. However, shy or fearful cats will see their once safe haven overrun with strangers.
• Lousy eating habits. One of the side benefits to all that company is the chance to sneak some snacks often…on the counter or table. This usually isn’t healthy. Or in the hectic days that lie ahead, your pet’s feeding schedule may get disorganized. Either way, her nutritional balance may get thrown off track. Certain foods can also cause your kitty to have gastrointestinal upsets such as vomiting or diarrhea.
• Less playtime. If you routine play with your cat and now you don’t, this throws off their schedule and feeling of wellbeing. Depriving him of exercise is stressful. (Think about how you feel about it.)
• Foreign objects. Your cat isn’t going to understand just what the heck this tall green thing, sitting in the middle of the living room, is meant to do. Is it a toy? Food? Furniture to climb? Lacking your aesthetic tastes, your cat doesn’t appreciate seasonal décor. Then there are the objects under it, as well as the other things around the house that mark the holiday season. (And let’s not mention the consternation caused by the singing, swaying Santa Claus or Hanukkah Harry dolls.) Worse even, cats are often discouraged from exploring.
• Frequent scolding. Many cats like being where the action is – which is you struggling to carry bags of gifts or groceries into the house. Cats don’t understand your frequent scolding or cursing, not necessarily at them but at the fact that you had to drop the bag containing three dozen eggs. Your emotions can add to the stress level.
• Frequent trips. Your cat prefers to sit on the the window sill. In fact, she demands it by yowling whenever you take her out to the car. The holidays often mean traveling for pets, which is a HUGE amount of stress for the whole family.
• Kenneling. The other side of traveling during the holidays is putting our cat in a kennel. For cats, being moved from home to a strange place is like a catastrophe, no matter how nice the accommodations.

Easing the Holiday Stress on Your Cat

So what can you do to ease the burden? Three words: routine, routine, routine. Keeping as close as you can to your cat’s normal schedule is the best antidote to holiday stress. Stay consistent with feeding times and amounts, and be on guard against illegal snacks. Maintain his waking, eating and playtime schedules.

Getting your cat used to crowds in the home also helps. Bring your friends or family over to get your cat used to it, and reward him if he behaves correctly. Learn more points of etiquette and safety by seeing the story on guests and pets.

It is important to reserve a room for your pet to retreat to, equipped with his favorite toys, a bowl full of fresh water, some food perhaps, and clothing or blankets with your scent on it. This gives your kitty a safe comfortable place to which he can retreat from the madness. Also, be extra careful around the door if you have an indoor cat only. Make sure he doesn’t sneak out during all the companies comings and goings.

As for Christmas trees and holiday decorations, there are a lot of hazards your cat faces – it’s important to know what to look for and how to secure your home.

Traveling during the holidays is stressful whether you bring a pet or not. Dogs usually travel better because they are by nature in love with car rides. Cats normally despise it, and who can blame them? Pre-planning is an absolute must, whether by car or by airline.

If you decide to put your pet in a kennel, don’t try to find one at the last minute. Research the facilities in your area and ask around. A kennel should see to your pet’s emotional needs as well as to his physical requirements. Be prepared to ask many questions when you visit a kennel in person.

DKNY pledges line will be fur free!

From PETA:

Donna Karan has announced that all her Fall 2009 lines will be fur-free and that she has “no plans” to use fur in the future.

Karan’s turnaround came days after PETA launched our online campaign and after mega–fashion guru Tim Gunn sent Karan and designer Giorgio Armani a video that he narrated for PETA showing animals skinned alive for their fur and urged them to open their eyes to the violent and bloody fur industry.

While Donna Karan has followed in the footsteps of top designers—including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein—Armani still refuses to stop using fur.

Dog treat warning from the FDA

Preliminary Animal Health Notification

December 19, 2008

FDA Continues To Receive Complaints about Chicken Jerky Products for Dogs and Cautions Consumers

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers of a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products also described as chicken tenders, strips or treats. FDA continues to receive complaints of dogs experiencing illness that their owners or veterinarians associate with consumption of chicken jerky products. The chicken jerky products are imported to the U.S. from China. FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers in September 2007.

Australian news organizations report the University of Sydney is also investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the chicken jerky product was manufactured in China.

FDA believes the continued trend of consumer complaints coupled with the information obtained from Australia warrants an additional reminder and animal health notification.

Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be
used occasionally and in small quantities. Owners of small dogs must be especially careful to limit the amount of these products.

FDA, in addition to several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the U.S, is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant.

FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs which may occur within hours to days of feeding the product: decreased appetite, although some may continue to consume the treats to the exclusion of other foods; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.

The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html in their state.

Rescues Rock

I just want to express my gratitude and how impressed I am with the animal/rescue community. This week one of my favorite dogs from the shelter was finally adopted after being there for too long. He has anxiety and is on medication for it, but change isn’t easy for him. He was home for about an hour when they let him out into the back yard. Chino, a 110 pound dog, scaled their 6-foot fence and was gone. A couple of people from ADOPT and the owners were chasing him all over Wheaton for about an hour and a half. They had several encounters, but he was so terrified he wouldn’t stop or slow down. Eventually, he showed up back on their street in front of their home!

I sent a plea to my email list asking for those in the area to keep an eye out. I had people respond immediately, offering to help look, giving advice, Dupage County animal control immediately posted it…I knew it was a compassionate network of people, but I didn’t realize just how expansive it is and how selfless everyone is. So thank you again and hopefully I won’t have to send any frantic pleas in the future!

Here’s my buddy Chino, who later that night, by the way, was curled up on the couch all comfy, warm, and happily sleeping next to his new owners.

Local rescue has dog stolen by volunteer

If anyone sees Jade, please contact Cause4Paws rescue at 708.426.3059 or email: Cause4Paws@gmail.com. You can also contact the Lockport Police Dept. at 815.838.2131

From the Herald News
December 5, 2008
By JOE HOSEY Staff Writer

Somebody knows where Jade the three-legged dog is. But that somebody isn’t talking.

Jade, a pit bull who lost a leg after being hit by a car, was taken in by Cause 4 Paws, a Calumet City animal rescue group, said Linda Bober, the organization’s president.

Jade, a dog rescued by Cause 4 Paws in Calumet City, is missing. A volunteer has been charged with stealing the three-legged pooch.

Bober said a volunteer offered to have her mother, Rose Bernard, temporarily care for the dog. Jade moved into Bernard’s Lockport apartment.

Bober now regrets it.

“I don’t know where she’s keeping the dog,” Bober said.

Neither do the Lockport police. They arrested Bernard on a misdemeanor theft charge Nov. 27. But Bernard clammed up when asked to divulge the dog’s location, said police Sgt. Preston Frye.

“She is refusing to say where the dog is,” Frye said.

Bernard says she told police exactly where the dog went. Besides, she said, she never stole the dog in the first place. She returned it, even though it wasn’t easy, she says.

Eventually, Bernard said, Cause 4 Paws volunteer Jennifer Williams, acting at the behest of Bober, took possession of the dog. Williams and Bober deny this.

Bernard says Jade was turned over to her with a broken hip and inadequate pain medication. But Bober says the dog’s hip was not broken.

Bernard is due in court on the theft charge next month. She does not think she can afford to retain an attorney.

“It’s a little scary,” she said.