Scraps & Treats
Local vet gets recognition
Congratulations to Dr. Ava Frick of the Animal Fitness Center in Union, Missouri, who has been named one of two runners-up for “Veterinarian of the Year 2006” by the Hartz Mountain Corporation. Currently, Frick is the only licensed animal chiropractor in the state. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri and opened the Animal Fitness Center in 2001. The center not only offers chiropractic care, but also diagnoses and manages injuries, disease, nutritional problems, ehabilitation procedures, and pain management. Therapeutic-treatment options include underwater treadmill therapy, sports medicine, acupuncture, infrared sauna, therapeutic ultrasound, and microcurrent therapy. Frick has also been involved in a number of community outreach programs. She will receive $2,500 in prize money. For details, visit www.Hartz.com or www.AvaFrick.com.
What’s in a name?
Nineteen-year-old PETA staffer Chris Garnett has legally changed his name to KentuckyFriedCruelty.com to support the nonprofit’s campaign against the abuse of chickens in KFC’s supplying farms and slaughterhouses. Handing out leaflets, talking to friends and family, and even demonstrating in front of KFC restaurants wasn’t enough for this guy. “I figured this way every time I have to fill out a form or give someone my ID, I’m getting the website out there. I’m able to tell them about how KFC is cutting the beaks off of baby birds, how their suppliers are kicking and slamming chickens for fun, and how some of the birds are being scalded alive,” he says.
“Ultimately, I hope this gets more people to join our boycott against KFC.” KentuckyFriedCruelty.com plans to change his name back once KFC improves the way it treats animals. Hopefully that’s sooner than later, he says. For now, the PETA activist urges people to visit the website and watch the undercover investigation. “People can help our campaign against KFC simply by not eating at the restaurant until they improve their animal-welfare standards and by encouraging your friends and families to do the same.” For details, visit www.KentuckyFriedCruelty.com.
Heartworm treatment program helps Katrina dogs
An estimated 80 percent of dogs rescued from Hurricane Katrina have been infected with heartworm. The Humane Society of Greater Miami and Adopt-a-Pet have developed a heartworm program with an initial $40,000 donation. The Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals pledged to match or better the donation, and then the American Animal Hospital Association joined the efforts to establish the official Hurricane Heartworm Treatment program. The groups have donated a total of $150,000 to the program, which is offered through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund. Grants of up to $500 are available for heartworm treatment for each affected pet. Treatment is available only through AAHA-accredited veterinary practices, and to be eligible, a pet must be certified as a Katrina evacuee. For details, or to find an AAHA-accredited practice participating in the Hurricane Heartworm Treatment program, go to www.AAHAHelpingPets.org.
