Dealership donates percentage of sales to SPCA

The Richmond BMW/Crown Mini dealership was busy doing more than selling cars last month.  In an effort to raise money for homeless pets, the dealership took $100 from every car sale and put it towards a gift for the Richmond SPCA.  The effort proved fruitful, raising a total of $20,100 for the cause.  The SPCA supported the dealership by showing up each Saturday with their mobile adoption unit, the Tail Wag’n.
 
Richmond BMW/Crown Mini will present the gift to the Richmond SPCA at a luncheon celebration on Sept. 19 in its West Broad show room.  To add to the excitement, the dealership will also donate 2 BMW Z4s to the SPCA’s annual Fur Ball, a fundraiser for treatment and rehabilitation of sick and injured homeless animals.  The cars will be auctioned off for further fund raising.  It is the Society’s largest annual fundraiser and its tenth year running.  The Fur Ball will take place on Oct. 3 at the Jefferson Hall.

—Jill Brodsky 

 

Washington Humane Society launches program pairing vets and homeless dogs

The Washington Humane Society (WHS) is giving new meaning to the term “dog tags” with its new program, Dog Tags, which coaches wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to teach homeless dogs behaviors that will make them more adoptable. The program, a three-tiered, certificate-based curriculum, prepares the wounded solders for careers in animal training.

Each of the program’s three tiers is eight weeks in duration and builds on skills and knowledge acquired in the previous tier. The first eight weeks involve study of philosophies of training and learning theory, classic and operant conditioning practices, observation of canine body language, foundational obedience skills, introduction to canine parlor tricks, and introduction to canine agility obstacles. Veterans enrolled in the program go twice a week to WHS’ new Behavior and Learning Center, located across the street from Walter Reed

On Sept. 9, WHS honored the first group of veterans to successfully complete the program’s first tier of training in addition to welcoming the new group of veterans beginning the program. While WHS absorbs all financial costs for Dog Tags, donations can be made in support of the program at WashHumane.org.

 

Relief efforts underway for Gustav pets

The ASPCA and HSUS have brought good news to the animal world during hurricane Gustav. While working together with several other organizations, they checked in more than 800 pets pre-hurricane into a mega shelter while their guardians evacuated New Orleans and the surrounding areas. There are organization members on staff 24 hours a day taking care of the animals who will be picked up by their guardians when the storm passes and the mandatory evacuation ends. The mega shelter reached capacity this weekend before Gustav touched land, forcing workers to reroute many animals to other shelters. According to the HSUS, the organization felt much better prepared this time around than it did for hurricane Katrina, having spent significant time and money on disaster relief training and preparations. In many cases, families have been able to take their pets along with them to shelters and evacuation destinations allowing the entire family to stay together while waiting out the storm. 

For more information or ways to help, visit the following resources:

HSUS Disaster Relief Fund
https://secure.hsus.org/01/disaster_relief_fund_2008?qp_source=gabhc7

ASPCA
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=gustav_evacuees

Gustav Pets
http://gustavpets.com/

—Jill Brodsky

 

WARL seeks rescues 28 animals from Iowa, seeks donations

Upon returning home to Washington after a rescue mission to save the animals of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa floods, Gary Weitzman, Executive Director of Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL), and his crew were beyond exhaustion. The organization responded to the devastating floods in Iowa with no hesitation. “We drove 20 hours, nonstop, in order to get them back to our shelter and to safety,” Weitzman wrote in a recent newsletter to friends of WARL. The league has recovered, and brought home, a total of 28 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. Thankfully, several cats and kittens, which had been abandoned by a woman when the floodwaters were at her door, are safely in the hands of the league.

According to Weitzman, citizens of Cedar Rapids were relieved to see the league, given the fact they were one of the first groups asked pick up animals. “I remember Katrina vividly, and it felt just like I was re-living the post-hurricane rescue in Louisiana,” Weitzman says.

There are currently 800 animals in the temporary shelter. Most are in the hands of the authorities, who have set the time table at two weeks, in order to give their guardians a chance to reclaim them.

Unfortunately, the WARL’s budget is depleting with every mile they drive. They have spent $1,000 on gas alone in the past 3 days. Meals and lodging will only increase their need for capital. Furthermore, many of the 28 new animals will need medical care before they are suited for adoption.

The future of the league is primarily in the hands of the public. Please make donations using the form online at WARL.org, or you can rush a donation to Iowa Flood Relief, Washington Animal Rescue League, 71 Oglethorpe Street, NW, Washington, DC  20011.

—Kevin Greenhill

VA Dept. of Ag proposes companion animal amendment

The Virginia Department of Agriculture is proposing an amendment to the definition of “companion animal”. The definition would be used in the context of caring for and transporting animals.

The amendment redefines “companion animal” as:

“Any domestic or feral dog, domestic or feral cat, nonhuman primate, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit not raised for human food or fiber, exotic or native animal, reptile, exotic or native bird, or any feral animal or any animal under the care, custody, or ownership of a person or any animal that is bought, sold, traded, or bartered by any person. Agricultural animals, game species, or any animals regulated under federal law as research animals shall not be considered companion animals for the purposes of this chapter”.

The proposal is a “fast-track regulation,” meaning there is no public hearing. Public comments are welcome until May 28.

You can send your comments to Colleen Calderwood, DVM, Program Manager, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218; telephone (804) 786-2483; fax (804) 371-2380 or email colleen.calderwood@vdacs.virginia.gov.

For more information on the amendment, visit www.pijac.org/files/public/VA_Pet_Reg.pdf

13th annual Walk for the Animals

On Saturday, May 10, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington will host its 13th annual Walk for the Animals and kick off Arlington Neighborhood Day at Bluemont Park, at 329 N. Manchester.

“The Walk for the Animals is a beloved Arlington tradition, and we look forward to welcoming the community for our 13th annual event,” says Debra Rose, president, board of directors. “Walk participants will enjoy a leisurely walk through the park with neighbors and their dogs, while knowing that every step they take is supporting a worthwhile cause through the pledges they’ve raised.”

By participating in the pledge walk, local animal lovers and their canine companions will be able to raise money for homeless and neglected animals. The funds raised will help support all animals, including guinea pigs, dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, and rabbits.

This year, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington hopes to set a new fundraising record after last year’s successful walk raised $82,000.

Registration for the walk begins at 8:30 a.m., while the walk will start promptly at 9:30 a.m. Walkers will be able to choose from a one-mile or three-mile walk. Any canine companions must be 4 months old or older to participate. Other animals should stay home. You can register, donate, and create your own fundraising page online at AWLA.Kintera.org/walk2008.

— Elizabeth Piwowarski

 

WVSA commissions pet portrait project

Artist apprentices from WVSA’s ARTiculate employment training program are now accepting commissions for the third annual exhibition of Every Dog Has its Day: Celebrating Our Canine Companions.

In commissioning an image of a beloved pet—whether a dog, cat, or hamster—commissioners will receive a painted portrait of their furry friend. With 12 different options to choose from regarding size, budget, and style preference, the cost of portraits can range anywhere between $100 and $500.

The portraits for the first 60 commissions will be showcased on June 12th at the WVSA ARTiculate Gallery, on 1100 16th St. Proud pet parents will see portraits of their pooches for the first time while enjoying refreshments and live music. Those who don’t attend the showcase will receive an estimated pick-up date for their pet portraits.

The pet project, which began in 2006, has received much recognition, as it has completed more than 250 commissions during the last two exhibitions. With the project designed to help youth with learning disabilities, the ARTiculate program assists youth with special needs, skills, and talents who range in age from 14 to 25. Artists receive 30-percent sales commission for their work.

Commissions can be made online through WVSArts.org.

—Elizabeth Piwowarski

 

Rescue group to create retreat for senior dogs

On March 1, the American Brittany Rescue Inc. (ABR) implemented a five-year fundraising plan and began looking at properties in Illinois covering at least 10 to 20 acres of land to assist in its new program, the Senior Brittany Retreat. ABR was created in 1991 and has saved more than 17,000 Brittanys to date.

In fundraising for the program, ABR hopes to build a facility that would include training areas and programs, meeting rooms, and recreational grounds.

The Senior Brittany Retreat would cater to as many as 20 senior-aged Brittanys at a time. ABR would also create a room that would serve as a training facility for the Brittanys in becoming therapy dogs. Therapy dogs entertain and comfort seniors in nursing homes.
According to an ABR statement, “The center would facilitate community activities and different dog-club and rescue activities. Our intention is that income from use of these portions of the facility will help defray the costs of caring for the senior dogs and upkeep of the Senior Retreat.”

The purpose of the program is to save as many senior-aged Brittanys as possible by providing them with a safe haven. The facility would comfort the Brittanys when there are no foster homes available to them. While some Brittanys would still be available for foster homes, others would be able to enjoy the rest of their lives in a carefree and fun environment.

Properties of interest range from $350,000 to $900,000. A goal of $250,000 has been set for the first year of fundraising.

For more information and to make a donation, visit AmericanBrittanyRescue.org.

—Elizabeth Piwowarski

Vegas business and associates indicted for involvement in pet food recall

A Las Vegas food import company and its owners, along with two Chinese businesses and their executives, were indicted Wednesday, Feb. 6, by a federal grand jury for their involvement in last year’s pet food recall.

The indictment alleged that shipments containing wheat gluten, a chemical used as a binding agent in pet food, were tainted with melamine and falsely labeled to avoid inspection. The crime was putting an incorrect product code on the shipments and allowing them to leave China without the normal food inspection. Melamine artificially inflates the protein content of food additives and is cheaper than actual protein, but can cause kidney failure in animals. Thousands of animals were harmed or killed because of the melamine and more than 60 million containers of pet food had to be recalled.

The two Chinese companies, Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. and Suzhou Textiles, Silk, Light Industrial Products, Arts and Crafts I/E Co., were charged with 13 counts of introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce and 13 counts of introducing misbranded food into interstate commerce. The Las Vegas-based company ChemNutra and owners Sally Quing Miller and Stephen S. Miller were charged with the same 26 counts as well as one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The Millers deny the accusations in a company statement.

If convicted on all counts, the Chinese nationals could face as much as 78 years in prison. The two Americans could face up to 31 years behind bars, five years for the felony, and one year for each misdemeanor charge.

The investigation is ongoing and other charges could follow, the Justice Department said. —Renee Krejci

Dogs Deserve Better founder Tammy Grimes convicted in dog theft case

A Pennsylvania jury needed just 30 minutes to find Dogs Deserve Better founder Tammy Grimes guilty of stealing a dog. At the trial, Grimes admitted that she had gone onto the property of Steve and Lori Arnold and taken their dog Jake, a 19-year-old mixed-breed German Shepherd. A neighbor had complained to animal control of Jake being tethered and left outside in the mud and rain without food and water, but they hadn’t come to investigate. After Grimes took the dog, she refused to return it to the Arnolds until she could be guaranteed the animal could be taken care of.

Richard Consiglio, the district attorney who prosecuted the case, says “If the defendant failed to return the dog to the Arnolds and gave it to a third party, she deprived the [guardians] of the dog. Without law you have chaos. Who wants someone taking the law into their own hands against them.”

Dogs Deserve Better is a Pennsylvania based, national organization that works to end the practice of tethering dogs. In a statement on the organization’s website, Grimes says “I don’t regret what I did. Not for one second. And when it comes to rescuing dogs and changing minds and laws, I’m just getting started.” Grimes will be sentenced on Feb. 27, but will not face jail time, according to Consiglio.

Vick sentenced for dogfighting

Former NFL star Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison today for his role in a dogfighting operation in Newport Beach, Virginia. “You were instrumental in organizing and promoting this activity,'' said Henry Hudson, the presiding judge on the case, as he handed down the sentence. “I'm convinced it wasn't a momentary lapse. You were at least a full partner. I'm not sure you've taken full responsibility for your role in this activity.'' In addition to the 23 months of prison time, Vick was also sentenced to three years of probation. Though he faced a maximum sentence of five years prison time, federal guidelines recommended a sentence of 12 to 18 months.

Two of Vick’s co-defendants, Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace, were sentenced to 21 and 18 months in prison, respectively, at the end of November. The sentences were longer than recommended by prosecutors, but not as long as the 5-year sentences that Hudson could have handed down, if he wanted to. A fourth defendant, Tony Taylor, will be sentenced on Dec. 14. All four defendants face state charges as well. Vick is scheduled to stand trial on those charges on April 2, 2008, though prosecutors could decide to drop those charges in light of the federal time Vick will be serving.

Vick has agreed to pay $928,000 for the care of the Pit Bulls seized from his property. Hudson had earlier appointed Rebecca J. Huss, an animal law expert at the Valparaiso University School of Law, as the guardian of the dogs. Though 53 dogs were initially seized from the property in Virginia, six of the canines either died or needed to be euthanized. The remaining dogs will be distributed amongst the following rescue groups and shelters: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah (22); Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls (BAD RAP) of Oakland, California (10); Richmond Animal League of Richmond, Virginia (4); Georgia SPCA of Suwanee, Georgia. (3); SPCA of Monterey County, California (3); Recycled Love Inc. of Baltimore, Maryland (3); Animal Rescue of Tidewater, Chesapeake, Virginia (1); and PACK (Pit Bull Advocates for Compassion and Kindness), San Francisco, California (1).

“The court has granted Best Friends the opportunity to do what it does best—provide a caring, rehabilitative home for these abused, homeless animals,” said Paul Berry, chief executive officer of Best Friends, in a statement on its website. “They deserve the very best that we can give them, and we are prepared to provide a safe place for them to stay for the rest of their lives.

The dogs each come with funding to help pay for their treatment and shelter stays. Dogs that need little rehabilitation or are expected to be adopted out quickly will arrive with $5,000 for their care, while dogs that are expected to stay in the shelter for an extensive period of time will arrive with $20,000 to help cover their expenses.

Hospital opens special pet visitation room

Laurie Meade loved pets of all kinds. Her dream was to open a shelter for cats when there wasn't enough room for them at her local Humane Society. Sadly, Meade was never able to achieve this dream; she was born with Cystic Fibrosis and died in 2004 from complications from a lung transplant.

During her last few weeks in the hospital, Meade was trying to stay upbeat, but her spirits were low. So her brother Bob had an idea to help bring a little joy to his sister—a visit to the hospital from Beck, her beloved pet Husky.

“The nurses took Laurie out to a patio area and Bob lifted Beck onto Laurie's lap,” remembers Kitty Ricciardelli, Laurie’s mom. “The look on Laurie's face when she saw first Beck that day and while she held her was one I'll never forget.”

Shortly after Laurie’s death on May 5, 2004, her parents Kitty and Bob, sister Andrea, brother Bob and their families—along with Laurie’s surviving spouse, Jeffrey Meade, M.D.—created a special fund to memorialize her. Money raised in Laurie’s honor has been donated to the new American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, which opens July 29. The hospital used the funds to pioneer a new program at the hospital—a pet visitation program for seriously ill patients.

The program occurs in the Laurie Meade Pet Visitation Room. Unlike existing animal therapy or pet visitation programs at the hospital, in which patients spend time with other peoples’ pets, this program allows critically ill children visits from their own pets. Details like hard floors instead of carpeted ones and medical gas outlets help make the space both patient- and pet-friendly.

“We cannot think of a more meaningful way to give something to other families who are experiencing what our family did with Laurie,” says Meade. “We only hope that having this special place will allow families the same kind of inspirational memory we had when Beck came to visit Laurie.”
The primary concern of the hospital is the patient’s well being, so it is imperative that visiting pets be healthy with no open wounds. Only dogs will initially be permitted, as there are concerns about possible infections from cats and other pets. “The animals in the pet visitation room will have to be unofficially pre-screened by a parent or guardian” says Dave Berry, vice president of the UW Children’s Hospital. Berry adds that the hospital must act conservatively when it comes to allowing animals into the hospital.
In the meantime, Ricciardelli believes Laurie would be ecstatic with the Pet Visitation Room, if she were alive today. “She would be thrilled that kids with health problems will have a place to visit with their pets,” she says.