TailsInc.com

Hi Pet People!

As board president of the Humane Society of Elkhart County and my activities in numerous animal welfare groups, I often hear why can’t the Humane Society do something or why can’t we seize this animal. Better yet, I’m often asked why do animal abusers only get a slap on the wrist? Its because of laws. In most states, animals are still consider property and are seen that way in the eyes of the law. I know this is a major issue with animal rescues groups nationally.

To turn this frustration into something positive, I decided I needed to explore a new area of my work in animal rescue–lobbying for stronger laws to protect animals. I think far often we are too close to the cause in rescue and need to spend more time educating the public but most importantly our elected officials.

Last year, for the first time I took a day to become a citizen lobbyist for Humane Society of the United States during their political action day in Indianapolis for the state of Indiana. Did you know that Indiana ranks 32 in the most humane states so there is plenty of work to be done!

My day started with citizen lobbyist 101 which went over how a bill becomes a law (think back to the song for the cartoon “I’m Just a Bill.”) It was an empowering day that I got to speak for animals and the need for tougher legislation to protect them. It was a promising day that I got to discuss the bills with my local Senators and House Representatives.

I had the pleasure of meeting Anne Sterling, who is one amazing woman. She works for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and oversees issues in Indiana as a regional director.

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From the Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN)

5 Days left to order
Puppy Love Valentine Gift

Don’t be caught scrambling for that special Valentine.  Place your order now for the ICAN “Spread the Puppy Love Valentine Special.”  All gift boxes will have fresh baked cookies and a delicious dark chocolate bar from Endangered Species Chocoloate for your valentine, and from Three Dog Bakery delicious dog treats for the puppies!

The following are your Valentine’s Gift options:

For $50, your gift will be delivered by an ICAN dog and one of our volunteers on Monday, February 13th or Tuesday, February 14th to your friend’s place of work.

For $25, your gift can be picked up at the ICAN office (5610 Crawfordsville Road, Suite 2101) on February 10, 11, 13 or 14th. (If you are unable to pick up your gift, please contact Joan at our office at 317-250-6450 Ext. 11 or joan@icandog.org)

TO ORDER, please go to Send Puppy Love.
All orders must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 3rd. Order today!

The rescue community bands together, seeking a solution
By Brendan Quealy

Most of us are familiar with dog and cat rescue efforts. We learn about the plight of homeless canines and felines through television commercials, adoption events, and publications like TAILS. However, not nearly as much mainstream attention is paid to the struggle other animals face as the economy works to regain its strength. Farm animal sanctuaries across the country are being hit hard by a rapid increase in animal intake combined with budget cuts needed to stay operational. The horse community in Indiana is being hit especially hard.

Dr. Timothy Bartlett, state veterinarian and director of equine programs for the Indiana Board of Animal Health, said in a recent interview that he expects the situation to get much worse. Horse rescue facilities are being described as “maxed out” in terms of available space and funds to feed and provide medical care for the animals. In short, there is not enough land for these animals, and not enough money to care for them. That is why Bartlett, along with several equine organizations, are working together to create a new receiving facility in Central Indiana that would take in unwanted, neglected, and abused horses. The new facility would evaluate a horse’s condition, provide necessary medical care, put the animal up for adoption or in a rescue-stable, or—as a last resort—euthanize the horse.

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Humane Society 
of Indianapolis
317.872.5650
IndyHumane.org

My name is Dahlia, and I’m a gentle kitty looking for love. I have a sweet, loving personality, and I am very easy to hold. I’m an elegant girl with a classic look. This black and white coat will match every decor! I like attention, but I’m not overly demanding about it. This makes me a good match for first-time cat people, or anyone looking for a friendly, yet independent kitty.

What movie star would you want to portray you in a movie of your life?
Ooh! Scarlett Johansson. She is so beautiful and friendly and happy and independent. I can totally identify with her.

What do you dream of at night?
Your lap. It would be so wonderful to stretch out and get comfy while your watching TV or reading a book.

Why should YOU go home with a family right now?
The question is: Why shouldn’t I? I’m well-behaved, enjoy being around kids, am litter box trained and I‘m about as friendly as any cat can be. Basically, I’m awesome.

Pink or purple?
I’m a Colts fan, so I prefer white, blue, 
and silver.

Humane Society 
of Indianapolis
317.872.5650
IndyHumane.org

My name is Maddie and I am in search of a new home because my best bud and human companion was shipped off overseas by the military. I am a 5-year-old Great Pyrenees, and even though I am deaf that does not stop me from being in tune with my surroundings. I’m wonderful with young children and I get along with most other dogs—I’m even fine with cats because I am such a gentle spirit. I love being a couch potato, but I also enjoy going for a car ride or a walk. I tend to wander a bit, so you’ll definitely need a fence. Maybe we should take some obedience classes together to bring us closer. What do you think? I’m independent, but I sure could use a new forever home right now.

What is your favorite board game?
Solitaire is pretty fun. It allows me some time to myself and I can go at my own pace. But when the game is over I’m always looking for some company.

If you won the lottery, what would you do?
I would buy you a boat. How about that? If you adopt me, and I win the lottery—the first thing I will do is buy you a nice schooner. Try to say “no” to that.

What do you dream of at night?
Your couch and how wonderful it is going to be to sleep on. I can picture it now.

Why should YOU go home with a family right now?
I need a buddy. I miss my best friend and I could really use someone to take my mind off of that.

IndyHumane announced today that it will open its long awaited Animal Welfare Center on the near Westside at Holmes and West Michigan Streets in the Haughville neighborhood. The organization will be one of the first of its kind in the nation to provide animal welfare partner groups with phone lines, a physical address, and a presence in the city’s target neighborhoods.

The IndyHumane Animal Welfare Center, which will open in the spring of 2012, will house the Albert G. and Sara I. Reuben Vaccination Clinic, and will offer low cost cat and dog vaccines. The center will also provide pet-care resources and assistance with feral cats, pit bulls, and chained dogs via the efforts of the IndyHumane Outreach/Education Coordinator and our partner groups: IndyFeral, Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside (FIDO), and Indy Pit Crew.

Additionally the IndyHumane Animal Welfare Center will be the home of the Albert G. and Sara I. Reuben Spay- Neuter Initiative. While the center will not immediately be able to offer high volume spay/neuter services, it will be the call center for SpayIN(diana), a referral hotline offering spay/neuter referral assistance on a statewide level. Once the additional funds are raised, a spay/neuter clinic will be added and will provide these much needed services.

“In our community, 10,000 dogs and cats are euthanized each year,” said Kirsten VantWoud, who is currently director of shelter operations at the North Michigan Road location and who will lead operations at the IndyHumane Animal Welfare Center. “That number is substantially down from previous years thanks to the diligence of many dedicated groups. What is unchanged is the18,000 animals brought in each year to Indianapolis Animal Care and Control. Nearly 75% of these animals come from only 10 zip codes. Our Center is in the heart of one of those zip codes.”

About IndyHumane: The Humane Society of Indianapolis does not put animals down for space or time and is the leading voice for the welfare of animals and improving their quality of life. IndyHumane is the first choice in providing direct services for shelter cats and dogs, including adoption, foster home placement, behavior training, appropriate medical care, and low-cost vaccine services. As the voice for the animals, IndyHumane brings together like-minded animal-focused individuals and groups to educate the public about animal welfare issues and concerns. For over 100 years, it’s all about the animals.

A private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that receives no public or private government funding, the Humane Society of Indianapolis is Indy-based and independent, and is supported solely by contributions, grants, bequests, investments, and adoption and service fees. For more information and current adoptable animals, visit http://IndyHumane.org.

Community group keeps outside dogs warm
By Brendan Quealy

One of the more heartbreaking scenes for any animal lover to see during the dead of winter is a dog chained up outside and covered in frost without warm shelter to curl up in or water to drink. Jen Cristoffersen felt compelled to act, so in 2005 she helped create Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside (FIDO).

“We try to help dogs that are…not well taken care of,” says Cristoffersen. “If there is a dog that is chained up outside where there is not quality of life, we want to help.”

In 2005, FIDO began pooling together the resources of a number of animal advocates to help those that are feeling helpless.

“What we found is that there is no group that is really going out into the neighborhood and knocking on doors and approaching the problem,” Cristoffersen says. “Maybe it’s because they don’t have the resources or just don’t know about the problem, but we are trying to give answers to the residents who care.”

While Cristoffersen believes “95 percent of the time people are open to help,” FIDO is still often restricted by what they legally can do. “Some cases we have the benefit of the law, but we try taking a softer approach and talking to people on their own terms—on their own porch.”

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Americas Basenji Rescue
BasenjiRescue.us
317.390.0089

Hi, my name is Chloe and I am 6-years-old. I am housetrained, walk well on a lead, and I love older kids. I’d like to be the only dog in the house, or live with a small, male dog that doesn’t want to boss me around! I love to play and snuggle, too.

Pink or purple?
Pink, because it looks wonderful on me.

Beach or mountains?
Mountains, because I love to go on walks.

Hamburger or hot dog?
Hamburger. “Where’s the beef?”

Who is your best friend?
My best friend is Mugsy. He is a small male dog, and I like him. But, I am kind of particular, so I am not as sure about some of the other dogs.

What do you dream of at night?
I dream about finding my forever home. 
I wonder what my new family and home will be like.

Why should YOU go home with a family right now?
I have waited a long time for my new family. 
I am a good girl. And, I have lots to give!

LUV A DOG Rescue
LuvADog.PetFinder.com
317.523.4785

Hi! We are twin sisters, Terra and Taylor. We are always together like two peas in a pod. We love to play, chase, romp and roll in a fenced backyard—it’s the most fun we can have. After a long day of fun and a nice supper, we like to cuddle up together and dream of the fun we’ll have tomorrow.

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be and why?
We would love to be soft maple trees where squirrels like to play and chase each other—we LOVE squirrels!!!

What do you dream of at night?
We even dream the same dreams—running on grassy fields in the warm sunshine with our family laughing at us.


Who is your best friend?
My best friend is my twin sister and I love her very much.

What is your favorite song and why?
“Somewhere Over The Rainbow” because it is a song of hope. We hope to have a family and be loved together for a long time to come.

From Indy Humane

Non-Profit Hopeful Black Friday Adoption Event and Pet Photos with Santa Event Will Spur Increase in Adoptions

Just in time for the biggest shopping day of the year the Humane Society of Indianapolis will hold its own special sale with their Black Friday Adoption Sales Event (November 25). All black, or mostly black, adult cats’ adoption fees priced at just $9.99 and all black, or mostly black, adult dogs’ adoption fees priced at $69.99. All animals adopted at IndyHumane on Friday will go home with free food and new adoptive parents will be entered into a drawing to win a deluxe pet basket worth over $100.00.  IndyHumane, located at 7929 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis, will also open early and extend adoption hours on Black Friday (open 12PM to 8PM) in anticipation of a busy day. Animals available for adoption may be viewed at http://indyhumane.org/index.php/find_pet by clicking here.

On December 3, 2011, IndyHumane will welcome Santa to the shelter from 12PM to 4PM. Pet owners are invited to bring their animals to the shelter to have their photos taken with Santa for a $15.00 donation to the Humane Society of Indianapolis. No appointment is required, however, individuals that register in advance at here will receive a free cat or dog toy.