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Justice Prevails in Cat Poisoning Case

November 4, 2011 in Home, Washington D.C. by Jillian at Tails

cat poisioning case Alley Cat Allies, the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats, is celebrating along with cat lovers everywhere after a guilty verdict was reached in a feral cat colony poisoning case.

Nico Dauphine, a Smithsonian researcher, attempted to poison a feral cat colony in Washington, D.C. Dauphine was caught on video tape putting rat poison in the cat’s food bowls. Dauphine, who was part of the Migratory Bird Center, mounted small cameras on outdoor cats to see if and how they affected the wild bird population, a practice that enraged numerous individuals and organizations.

Alley Cat Allies president, Becky Robinson, commented in regards to the verdict, “We are satisfied with this verdict. Americans care about cats and will not tolerate cruelty toward them. We are grateful to law enforcement and to the prosecutors for treating this crime with the seriousness it deserved.”

Robinson goes on to explain that all cats, domestic or feral are protected under anti-cruelty laws. Dauphine’s conviction is a step in the right direction and a victory toward the humane treatment of all cats and sends a message cruelty will not be tolerated.

Tags: Alley Cat Allies, cat poisioning
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by Jillian at Tails

Standing Up for Animal Rights

October 27, 2011 in Featured, Home, Washington D.C. by Jillian at Tails

Petition Congress for Animal Rights Did you know only 47 of the 50 states make acts of animal cruelty a felony? Have you ever wondered where the money you pay for yearly animal licensing fees goes? Is it going toward protecting these animals? Have you ever wondered why there is not a convicted animal abuser registry? Why there are not stricter penalties and laws protecting our animals? After all they protect us time and time again without fail. There are numerous stories of therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, and family pets who alert there owners to danger.

It’s time for us to take a stand and be their voice. The link below will lead to a petition you can sign that will be sent to President Obama voicing the above questions and demanding answers. Over 10,000 letters and emails have already been sent. Please add your voice to the list and pass on this information to other animal lovers.

Tags: Animal Rights, petition congress, President Obama
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by Jillian at Tails

Hurricane Irene 2011 and Your Pets

August 26, 2011 in Boston, Charlotte, Home, New York, News, Washington D.C. by Jillian at Tails

As many people on the East Coast brace themselves for the impact of Hurricane Irene, it’s important to plan ahead for the safety and well being of your pets. Our Essential Disaster Preparedness Guide is full of information on the things and items you need to include in your emergency kit. However, if you don’t have the luxury of time, here are the basics you need to know.

Take Your Pets With You

If it’s not safe for you to be in your home, it’s not safe for your pets either. The ASPCA is urging pet owners who plan to leave the path of Hurricane Irene to take their pets with them. either to a hotel or to a family member’s home. For a list of pet-friendly hotels you can search by route on the the Trips with Pets website.

Bring the Essentials

Bring at least seven days of food and fresh water, sealed in air-tight containers, for each of your pets. Also be sure to bring a leash (and an extra if you have it) along with a pet-carrier or crate if possible. Don’t forget to bring any medicine your pet needs as well.

ID Your Pet

In addition to your pet’s regular collar and ID, it’s a good idea to attach a temporary pet ID tag to your pet that has your name, cell phone number, and address of where you are staying while you wait out the hurricane. Make sure you also put ID information on any pet carriers or crates that you have brought with you.

Connect

The Hurricane Irene 2011 Animal Resource page has been set up to help coordinate those who might need help with their pets, fosters, or rescues due to evacuations and for those who might be able to help during Hurricane Irene 2011.

Our hearts go out to all of those affected by Hurricane Irene.

Tags: Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Kit, Hurricane Irene
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by Tails Magazine

Come to a Kitten Shower

June 9, 2011 in Washington D.C. by Tails Magazine

The Washington Animal Rescue League will hold a Kitten Shower, Sun. June 12, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at 71 Oglethorpe St. NW in Washington, D.C.

They are asking for donations of kitten formula, cotton balls, nipples, feeding bottles, bowels and heating pads.

Refreshments will be served and there will be a talk on raising kittens as well as the League’s foster program.

For more information, visit their website.

Tags: Washington D.C.
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by Tails Magazine

Holiday Donation Drive to Benefit Area Animal Rescue Groups

December 7, 2010 in Washington D.C. by Tails Magazine

This holiday season make a difference in the lives of dogs and cats awaiting their forever homes by donating much needed items to the rescue groups providing them safe harbor. Warm Hearts Happy Paws holiday drive will run from Sat., Dec. 11, 2010 thru Fri., Jan. 7, 2011. Warm Hearts Happy Paws 2010 (WHHP) features 10 donation sites paired with a local animal rescue group. A “wish list” of needed items is featured at each donation location. Visit www.WarmHeartsHappyPaws.com for links to rescue groups and more!

A huge thank you to the pet supply stores and veterinarians serving as 2010 WHHP donation locations, and to JK Moving for providing donation boxes! Donation locations and their partner rescue groups are listed below:

Bark! Clarksville TO BENEFIT Best Dawg Rescue
Bark! Kentlands TO BENEFIT Lizzy’s Lodge
Bark! Olney TO BENEFIT House with a Heart Senior Pet Sanctuary
Bark! Rockville TO BENEFIT Lucky Dog Rescue
DogTopia White Flint TO BENEFIT Roxie’s Fund
Kenhaven Animal Clinic (Rockville) TO BENEFIT Alpha Group Animal Rescue (cat specific)
Nebel Street Animal Hospital (Rockville) TO BENEFIT PetConnect Rescue
Norbeck Animal Hospital (Rockville) TO BENEFIT Animal Welfare
League of Montgomery County (cat specific)
Pawlitics (Rockville) TO BENEFIT Montgomery County Humane Society
Plow & Hearth (Rockville) TO BENEFIT All Breed Rescue

Shop with your heart this season and purchase an item or donate gently used items to a rescue group that needs your help! WHHP was started in 2010 by Debby Hartten, a real estate agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. (Gaith./N. Potomac Office) who has built her business model on a variety of efforts to benefit animal rescue groups. While WHHP cannot directly accept monetary donations, the public is encouraged to visit the websites of participating rescue groups to donate directly!

Ten other ways to help:

Visit a rescue group’s website to learn how to donate much needed funds to offset care and medical expenses.
Designate groups as recipients of funds through their affiliation with campaigns such as Federal Campaign Campaign, etc.
Adopt a rescue animal
Volunteer to transport or foster a rescue animal
Volunteer to help fundraise
Spread the word to family and friends about helping rescue groups year-round!
Don’t buy a dog from a puppy mill.
If you own a pet, microchip it so that if it gets lost it can find its’ way home!
Become an educated dog owner to enhance your “pawtnership” by taking workshops and training your dog. Visit YourDogsFriend.info for FREE workshops!
Give gently used or new leashes, collars, and harnesses to “Leashes of Love” year-round. (visit www.leashesoflove.com for details).

Animal rescue groups are invisible heroes working tirelessly and facing ever spiraling costs to provide safe harbor and medical care to animals awaiting a forever home. Many animals are transported miles from high kill shelters through volunteers transporting animals over different legs of a trip to get the animals to their rescue facilities. Others take in animals surrendered by pet owners who find themselves in situations where they can no longer care for them, or from the home of an owner who recently passed away. Today’s economy has only exacerbated the number of surrendered pets from owners who are facing foreclosure or simply can no longer afford the costs of pet ownership.

If you currently own a dog or are thinking about adopting, also consider a fabulous array of FREE workshops offered by Your Dog’s Friend. A list of workshops and valuable resources are available by visiting www.YourDogsFriend.info. Your Dog’s Friend is also a non-profit that is in need to financial donations to keep its’ efforts on-going!

The 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards: WASHINGTON D.C.

November 3, 2010 in November 2010, Washington D.C. by Tails Magazine

We asked all of you to vote for the best animal-related services and products for our 10th annual Readers’ Choice awards, and boy, did you come through!

Without further ado, here are your D.C. favorites:

BEST VET

WINNER:
Benson Animal Hospital
(301) 652-8818

RUNNER-UP:
Millersville Animal Hospital
(410) 987-8300
MillersvilleAnimalHospital.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Vienna Animal Hospital
Churchland Animal Clinic

BEST DOG WALKING/SITTER SERVICE

WINNER:
All Friends Pet Care
(703) 716-7387
AllFriendsPetCare.com

RUNNER-UP:
Doggie Daytrippers
(617) 306-1863
DoggieDaytrippers.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Elizabeth Boucher
Petsmart

BEST PET BOUTIQUE

WINNER:
Pawlitics
(301) 947-7387
PawliticsOnline.com

RUNNER-UP:
Red Dog Spa
(703) 865-6644
RedDogSpa.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
The Outer Barks
Pawsh
All for the Pet

BEST PET PHOTOGRAPHER

WINNER:
Rubicat Design and Photography
(617) 733-6635
Rubicat.com

RUNNER-UP:
Boston Dog Photography
(978) 853-6884
BostonDogPhotography.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Bev Hollis
Helen Hawn

BEST PET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

WINNER:
Olive Garden
(703) 671-7507
OliveGarden.com

RUNNER-UP:
Unos
(202) 842-0438
Unos.com

BEST GROOMER

WINNER:
Classy Critters
(540) 731-4521

RUNNER-UP:
The Pampered Pet
(202) 965-0430

OTHER FAVORITES:
Vienna Pet Spa
Heather’s Grooming

BEST OVERNIGHT BOARDING/DOGGIE DAYCARE

WINNER:
Noah’s Ark
(704) 873-7290

RUNNER-UP:
Reston Animal Hospital
(703) 620-2566
RestonAnimalHospital.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Petsmart
Dog Days

BEST PET BAKERY

WINNER:
Felix and Oscar, Woodbridge
(703) 866-0222
FelixAndOscar.com

RUNNER-UP:
The Outer Barks
(888) 870-6279
OuterBarks.com

BEST DOG PARK

WINNER:
Quiet Waters Park
(410) 222-7000
AACounty.org

RUNNER-UP:
Shirlington Dog Park
ArlingtonVA.us

BEST DOG TRAINER

WINNER:
Leigh Siegfried
(888) 672-2757
OpBarks.com

RUNNER-UP:
Susan Danzis,
(215) 348-3118
TrainingTails.net

OTHER FAVORITES:
Erin Omba

BEST DOG FOOD

WINNER:
Halo
(800) 426-4256
HaloPets.com

RUNNER-UP:
Merrick
(800) 664.7387
MerrickPetCare.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Wellness
Tiki

BEST CAT FOOD

WINNER:
Halo
(800) 426-4256
HaloPets.com

RUNNER-UP:
Fancy Feast
FancyFeast.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Tiki
Wellness

BEST DOG TREATS

WINNER:
Halo
(800) 426-4256
HaloPets.com

RUNNER-UP:
Wellness
(800) 225-0904
WellnessPetFood.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Dogswell Happy Hips
Merrick

BEST CAT TREATS

WINNER:
Halo
(800) 426-4256
HaloPets.com

RUNNER-UP:
Organix
(800) 875-7518
CastorPolluxPet.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Dogswell Vital Kitty
SAMS Yams

BEST DOG TOY

WINNER:
Nylon Bones

RUNNER-UP:
Balls

OTHER FAVORITES:
Talking Monkey
Flying Squirrel

Tags: 2010 Reader's Choice, November 2010, Readers Choice, Washington D.C.
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by Tails Magazine

Congress Considers Tax-Deduction for Pet Costs

August 27, 2010 in Boston, Central Florida / Orlando, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Indianapolis, Legislation, Los Angeles, Louisville, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, OR, San Antonio, San Jose, St. Louis, Twin Cities, Washington D.C. by Tails Magazine

As many pet-owners know, proper pet-care can be an expensive pursuit. For example, I recently took my cat to the vet to treat a urinary tract infection and managed to rack-up a bill to the tune of almost $200.

Currently, pet care costs are non-tax deductible— but under the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act, individuals could deduct up to $3500 a year for “qualified pet care expenses.”

“HAPPY,” or more specifically, “H.R. 3501,” was introduced by Michigan Representative Thaddeus McCotter, and would cover expenses related to pet care as well as veterinary care, but not the cost of adopting or buying an animal, given that your pet is a “legally owned, domesticated, live animal,” according to The Examiner.

Utilizing the tax code properly not only encourages responsible pet ownership by making it more affordable for pet owners to provide adequate veterinary and other necessary pet care, but also reduces the abandonment and unessesary euthanization of pets by people struggling financially as a result of the economic recession.

You can let your representatives know that you appreciate their efforts to support responsible pet ownership by asking them to consider H.R. 3501 favorably.

This bill is currently being considered by the House Ways and Means Committee.

Tags: Legislation, National News, Taxes
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by Tails Magazine

D.C. airports open bathroom areas for pets

July 8, 2010 in Washington D.C. by Tails Magazine

Airport Potty Station For those families traveling with their dogs, Washington Dulles International and Reagan National airports in Washington, D.C. have opened pet-friendly bathrooms where Fido can relieve himself before or after he gets on the plane.

“These areas give travelers a new option when their pet or service animal needs a bathroom break while at the airport,” says Rob Yingling of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

Providing these “pet relief areas” has recently become a federal requirement at all airports because of the service animals that travel with passengers. However the fenced-in pet bathrooms are available to anyone traveling with pets.

There are five locations spread throughout Dulles International—three outside and two inside. The indoor areas also have ventilation and drainage systems to keep the space sanitized and to help reduce odor. Reagan National has four areas at the directional sides of the airport.

A 4-foot fence surrounds all pet relief areas. Each area includes a fake fire hydrant placed on “K-9 Grass”—safe artificial turf.

“The grass was developed to be paw-friendly to our four-legged friends and easy to maintain,” says Yingling.

For more information on these areas, including exact locations, visit MWAA.com.