Tails in the news
Washington Animal Rescue League offers doggie DNA tests
Doggie DNA testing is more than just a fad; it is a way for pet-lovers to learn more about a beloved family member who can’t speak for himself. Knowledge of a dog’s breed gained from a DNA test not only informs guardians of their pooch’s roots, but gives them the tools to make informed decisions about diet and exercise regimes, potential health problems to watch for, and behavior/training issues.
The Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) started offering DNA testing for dogs over the summer and has found the program to be incredibly popular. During its July DNA testing events, people came for a number of reasons. According to WARL, people who want to test their dog’s DNA have been wondering about their pet’s ancestry for years and are excited to get a conclusive answer as to the make-up.
“Dogs cannot tell us their stories,” explains WARL Executive Director Scotlund Haisley. “So shelters such as ours are always looking for new and innovative ways to find out as much about the dogs as we can. The DNA test could be a major asset to our work, revealing possible health and behavior information that will help us find just the right home for the dog and just the right dog for the home.”
WARL believes that by allowing people to learn more about a dog before adopting it, they will have more information available to help them make a better match—and hopefully make it possible to help more dogs find forever homes.
Those wanting to certify their dogs as purebred have used DNA testing for several years. However, using it to determine the variety of breeds in dogs with mixed parentage is a newer development and one that WARL hopes will help spur people to adopt a mixed-breed pooch from their shelter. For more information, visit WARL.org.
Humane Society sponsors walk for animals
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and The Washington Humane Society are hosting the 2nd annual Walk For The Animals in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, September 23. Onsite registration opens at 11 a.m. at the Sylvan Theater on the National Mall, and the walk begins at 1 p.m. around the Washington Monument, ending at 4 p.m. Last year’s walk had 1,000 participants and raised $85,000. Organizers are hoping for 2,000 participants this year. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are invited to come with their guardians to take part in the festivities.
In addition to the walk, there will be a variety of fun events and festivities, including an agility course and a best-dressed canine contest. Top fundraisers (both individual and team) will be eligible to win prizes. Featured guests include Tamar Geller, a nationally renowned dog-trainer and best selling author of The Loved Dog, who will be acting as Grand Marshall, and McGruff the crime prevention dog. The walk will raise money to help end pet overpopulation and homelessness.
5 Legislative Alert
The D.C. City Council is currently reviewing the Animal Protection Amendment of 2007, which contains a wide range of animal-related legislation. The amendment would create mandatory spay/neuter of dogs and cats older than 6 months, establish damages for veterinarian malpractice, create liability for damages for the death of a companion animal, require reporting of animal cruelty by law enforcement officers, make it a felony to be a spectator at an animal fight, and set standards for kennels and catteries. D.C. pet guardians currently have no recourse if their pet is mistreated by a veterinarian. The amendment would allow pet caretakers to recover non-economic damages when a pet dies because of gross negligence committed by a veterinarian ($2,000 cap), or an intentional act of malice against a pet by a veterinarian that results in its death ($7,500 cap).
