Tails in the news
Guinea pigs abandoned at local shelter
In late May, 28 guinea pigs were abandoned and left at a shelter. Because of the large number, the shelter could not accommodate all the animals, and they were sent to The Rabbit Haven’s Cavy House where urgent wound care was given to the injured animals. The Rabbit Haven says 12 of the pigs are female, and five are pregnant, placing a huge burden on the shelter, which is already full. The shelter is seeking foster help, in addition to donations in the way of supplies and money to cover medical costs. To find out more information on how to help, visit TheRabbitHaven.org.
New dog park delays grand opening
The dog park at Roy M. Butcher Park may look completed, but it will not officially open in July, as originally planned. The park, located near the corner of Lancaster Drive and Camden Avenue in San Jose, was scheduled to open on July 23, but the Department of Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services says they hit a snag with installing the fencing for the dog play area, which will delay the opening until at least August. The department says it hopes to have the park open before summer is over but it will not have an official opening date scheduled until at least the beginning of August. The new dog park is slated to include artificial turf underneath all of the play areas and be divided into separate areas for small and large dogs.
Spotlight on:
Rose Garden Dog Walking and Training Club
Many shelter dogs have lived troubled lives and have developed fearful personalities. While this doesn’t necessarily make these animals poor adoption candidates, it makes it difficult to bring them into areas where they may have to socialize with other canines. When Vikki Foley formed Rose Garden Dog Walking Club two years ago, she had a fearful dog that she knew needed proper training and wanted to help others like hers.
“We knew the best way to [help] them was to get them around other calm non-aggressive dogs in a controlled environment,” she says.
Rose Garden Dog Walking and Training Club is a free club open to dog guardians who want to socialize and train their canines by providing a safe environment for fearful pooches to practice social skills. The group meets twice a week near the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden and walks for 30 minutes. Heeling, stopping, turning, and sitting are just some of the skills the dogs are taught during the walk. Afterwards they practice simple commands, such as sit, stay, and down, in addition to agility.
Foley says her dog is no longer fearful of other dogs, and has made a “180-degree turnaround” since she began walking with Rose Garden.
The nonprofit group acknowledges that dog parks may be a wonderful social venue for some dogs, but others may not be ready to meet with other animals until they overcome their fears.
“Many of the dogs that have joined our walking club were from rescues or shelters with major fear issues,” Foley says. “We offer a venue for these dogs to become socialized without the risk of getting attacked. I am all for dog parks, but its not the place to take a fearful dog.”
Foley, who has a background working with extremely aggressive dogs, says they are not allowed to walk with Rose Garden. “We are proud to say in two years we have never had a dog fight or even a minor scuffle!” she says. “This is 100 percent due to our diligence about educating the [guardians] on how to [be] aware of their dog at all times.”
Foley also emphasizes that this training is valuable because fearful dogs may attack when they are scared, putting people and dogs at risk. “By educating folks on the importance of pack leadership and safety we feel many dogs will not end up in shelters or worse, bite someone and be euthanized,” she says. To find out more about Rose Garden Dog Walking and Training Club, visit K9s4Happiness.com.
Actress and animal rights activist dies
Gretchen Wyler, former vice-president of the Humane Society of Hollywood and founder of the Genesis Awards that recognize excellence in humane media, passed away on May 27. The long-time animal rights activist had been suffering from metastatic breast cancer. She was 75.
Wyler, an actress best known for her roles on Broadway, was the first woman to serve on the board of directors at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She then formed The Ark Trust, which eventually became HSUS Hollywood. During her career as an animal crusader, she touched many people, including Beverly Kaskey, the new executive director of the Genesis Awards. “She changed my life and the direction of my life,” says Kaskey, who worked at a movie studio but got involved with Ark Trust shortly after meeting Wyler.
Wyler’s spirit for animal welfare was contagious, and although she knew the battle for improved animal rights was difficult, she never gave up. “She was tireless; she was tenacious,” Kaskey says. “She told me once that she took her losses very well. When you’re fighting for animal rights, you take a lot of losses.”
At the 21st Annual Genesis Awards, held earlier this year, the board named an award in her honor. It recognizes a celebrity or public figure who has made news or created awareness in the animal community. Kaskey says she knows Wyler was proud of this because it ensured all of her hard work would continue.
Wyler had also fought tirelessly for five years to have Ruby the African elephant released from the Los Angeles Zoo to an animal sanctuary. Two weeks before Wyler’s death, Ruby was sent to PAWS Sanctuary in Northern California.
