Tails in the News
By Sarah Dahnke
A research team at St. Xavier University is observing a large group of Monk parakeets that have taken residence around the Chicago area, from Northern Indiana all the way to Skokie and Addison and possibly beyond. It is believed that these South American birds have been in Chicago since the late 1960s and arrived as a result of the pet trade.
“Until recently, no one was really looking for them outside of Hyde Park,” says Chris Appelt, assistant professor of biological sciences, who is overseeing the study. “I don’t think anyone really knows how quickly they have spread.” Appelt says he believes there are anywhere between 1,000 and 3,000 birds in the area. His research team will continue observing them through spring to determine their behavior patterns and how they relate with other area birds.
Observers say the parakeets aren’t aggressive toward other species of birds and tend to ignore humans. They have also noticed the parakeets politely waiting their turn at community bird feeders. “We’ll just have to see how it all turns out once I have all the data this spring,” Appelt says.
In 2004, the Naperville Humane Society began a partnership with Naperville Community Outreach–Cornerstone Group Home for Boys, where residents of the home have the opportunity to assist in training and caring for dogs at the NHS. Through the program, at-risk boys ages 13 to 17 visit the shelter two or three times per week. In addition to assisting with dog training, the boys help with chores around the shelter and learn how to shape the dogs’ behavior through positive methods. “This is part of the boys’ therapy and an important one at that,” says Linda Linford, executive director at the NHS. “They are kept off drugs and their anger-management skills improve greatly.” The boys aren’t the only ones benefiting from the program. “One dog, Marge, who was one of our Hurricane Katrina rescue dogs, and the one who had six puppies during the hurricane, was very stressed out and traumatized,” Linford says. “By the boys socializing with her, she became a more relaxed dog and is now in a very happy home.” For more information on the Canine Coaches program, visit www.NapervilleHumaneSociety.org.
On Jan. 21, a federal appeals court ruled that horse slaughter is illegal in Texas. The decision will force the closure of two of the three remaining horse slaughter plants in the United States. The third plant is located in DeKalb, Illinois, and is unaffected by the decision. However, legislation to ban the slaughter of American horses has been introduced in Congress. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 311) was launched in the Senate on Jan. 17, and a companion bill (H.R. 503), was introduced in the House of Representatives on the same day. For more information on how to show your support for the bill, visit www.GovTrack.us/congress.
On Jan. 10, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced the launch of “ASPCA Mission: Orange,” a nationwide campaign to create humane communities. The organization will partner with selected cities to create “a sustainable system” for the animal community in each area, providing them with a $200,000 investment for a minimum of three years, according to Anita Edson, senior director of media and communications for the ASPCA.
The cities selected for 2007 include Austin, Texas; Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Tampa, Florida. Each was selected because of its leadership in animal welfare, lack of breed restriction laws, implemented animal-control programs, and other attributes that could allow each city to be a model for others to follow. The ASPCA has several goals that focus on lowering the number of at-risk animals through aggressive spay and neuter programs, microchipping, animal advocacy efforts, behavior training, and more. “Adoption isn’t going to solve the problem of pet overpopulation,” Edson says. “A true humane community reduces the number of homeless animals, and we’re going to be looking hard at data to make sure these programs are working.”
Researchers observe large flock of feral parakeets in Chicago area
A research team at St. Xavier University is observing a large group of Monk parakeets that have taken residence around the Chicago area, from Northern Indiana all the way to Skokie and Addison and possibly beyond. It is believed that these South American birds have been in Chicago since the late 1960s and arrived as a result of the pet trade.
“Until recently, no one was really looking for them outside of Hyde Park,” says Chris Appelt, assistant professor of biological sciences, who is overseeing the study. “I don’t think anyone really knows how quickly they have spread.” Appelt says he believes there are anywhere between 1,000 and 3,000 birds in the area. His research team will continue observing them through spring to determine their behavior patterns and how they relate with other area birds.
Observers say the parakeets aren’t aggressive toward other species of birds and tend to ignore humans. They have also noticed the parakeets politely waiting their turn at community bird feeders. “We’ll just have to see how it all turns out once I have all the data this spring,” Appelt says.
Spotlight On:
Naperville Humane Society Canine Coaches program
In 2004, the Naperville Humane Society began a partnership with Naperville Community Outreach–Cornerstone Group Home for Boys, where residents of the home have the opportunity to assist in training and caring for dogs at the NHS. Through the program, at-risk boys ages 13 to 17 visit the shelter two or three times per week. In addition to assisting with dog training, the boys help with chores around the shelter and learn how to shape the dogs’ behavior through positive methods. “This is part of the boys’ therapy and an important one at that,” says Linda Linford, executive director at the NHS. “They are kept off drugs and their anger-management skills improve greatly.” The boys aren’t the only ones benefiting from the program. “One dog, Marge, who was one of our Hurricane Katrina rescue dogs, and the one who had six puppies during the hurricane, was very stressed out and traumatized,” Linford says. “By the boys socializing with her, she became a more relaxed dog and is now in a very happy home.” For more information on the Canine Coaches program, visit www.NapervilleHumaneSociety.org.
Legislative Alert!
On Jan. 21, a federal appeals court ruled that horse slaughter is illegal in Texas. The decision will force the closure of two of the three remaining horse slaughter plants in the United States. The third plant is located in DeKalb, Illinois, and is unaffected by the decision. However, legislation to ban the slaughter of American horses has been introduced in Congress. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 311) was launched in the Senate on Jan. 17, and a companion bill (H.R. 503), was introduced in the House of Representatives on the same day. For more information on how to show your support for the bill, visit www.GovTrack.us/congress.
ASPCA announces campaign to create humane communities
The cities selected for 2007 include Austin, Texas; Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Tampa, Florida. Each was selected because of its leadership in animal welfare, lack of breed restriction laws, implemented animal-control programs, and other attributes that could allow each city to be a model for others to follow. The ASPCA has several goals that focus on lowering the number of at-risk animals through aggressive spay and neuter programs, microchipping, animal advocacy efforts, behavior training, and more. “Adoption isn’t going to solve the problem of pet overpopulation,” Edson says. “A true humane community reduces the number of homeless animals, and we’re going to be looking hard at data to make sure these programs are working.”
