2007 Year In Review

From dogfighting and pet-food disasters to the fastest Chihuahuas, this year was chock-full of attention-grabbing headlines involving our furry and feathery companions. Tails took a look at some of the highlights from the year that was.

January

The FDA announces the approval of Slentrol (dirlotapide), the first prescription drug for the management of obesity in dogs. Slentrol reduces appetite and fat absorption to help weight loss. The FDA reports that 5 percent of dogs in the U.S. are obese and another 20 to 30 percent are overweight.

The eighth annual Iams Home 4 the Holidays adoption drive ends. The campaign surpasses its goal and sets an adoption record by placing 378,754 animals in new homes. Sponsored by the Helen Woodward Animal Center and Iams Dog and Cat Foods, Home 4 the Holidays sees participation from 2,440 animal welfare organizations in 12 countries worldwide.

February

St. Louis celebrates Mardi Gras with its annual Beggin’ Strips Barkus Pet Parade to benefit Open Door Animal Sanctuary. Thousands of costumed pets and their guardians parade the streets of historic Soulard.

California lawmakers introduce the California Healthy Pets Act. It requires most dog and cat guardians to spay or neuter their pet by the age of 6 months. The measure causes controversy as opponents argue the bill would create hefty fees and extra bureaucracy and not decrease euthanasia rates. Proponents of the legislation insist its passage is necessary to help prevent shelter overpopulation. The bill is shelved in July as it becomes apparent it needs additional support to pass. Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, the author of the bill, says he plans to reintroduce it in 2008 after some revision.

March

Menu Foods, a Canada-based pet food manufacturer, recalls 60 million cans and pouches of its meat-in-gravy products for cats and dogs due to tainted wheat gluten. The recall eventually affects more than 90 brands, including many mainstream names such as Iams, Nutro, and Eukanuba. It is the largest pet food recall in North American history.

Dr. Seuss’s inimitable feline favorite Cat in the Hat turns 50; in honor of the
anniversary, Project 236 is born to raise awareness of illiteracy in the United States.

April

To celebrate Earth Day, HSUS kicks off a backyard wildlife awareness campaign to encourage people to make a few simple commitments for the planet’s wildlife.

According to CNN, the FDA acknowledges receiving more than 17,000 complaints from consumers related to the Menu Foods recall, including reports of 4,150 dog and cat deaths. However, the agency only confirms 16 dead. Online databases claim there are more than 3,600 pet deaths related to the recall. The list of recalled food increases. More than 150 brands and 5,300 pet food products are eventually recalled.

The U.S. Congress holds a hearing on food safety for pets.

May

President Bush signs the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (Bill H.R. 137), which creates felony penalties for the trafficking or purchase of animals used in illegal fighting rings. The law makes it a federal offense to promote or sponsor animal-fighting events, giving law enforcement agents more power in cracking down on the budding world of dog and cockfighting.

In response to the Menu Foods pet food recall, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)
and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) introduce the Human and Pet Food Safety Act of 2007 (S. 1274/H.R. 2108) to enhance the nation’s ability to protect the food supply. It becomes incorporated into the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007, which is signed into law in September.

Gretchen Wyler, former vice president of the Humane Society of Hollywood and founder of the Genesis Awards that recognize excellence in humane media, passes away on May 27 at age 75.

June

Louisiana becomes the 50th state in the U.S. to ban cockfighting. The ban, which will take effect in August 2008, follows a measure in New Mexico that outlawed cockfighting earlier in the year.

European Parliament votes unanimously to ban dog and cat fur from being imported or exported into European Union countries. The ban will take effect Jan. 1, 2009.

Elwood, a rescued Chinese Crested/Chihuahua mix from Pennsylvania, is crowned World’s Ugliest Dog at the 18th annual event at Marin- Sonoma County Fair in Petaluma, California. He becomes a goodwill ambassador for homeless animals and plans on releasing a book.

July

NFL quarterback Michael Vick and three associates are indicted by a federal grand jury in Richmond, Virginia, on a conspiracy count alleging they bought and sponsored dogs in an animal-fighting venture and traveled across state lines to participate in illegal activity, including gambling.

August

New York’s Pet Fashion Week takes place for the second year in a row. The black-tie fund- raiser held in conjunction with the event raises $15,000 for the Mayor’s Alliance for New York City’s Animals, Inc.

Leona Helmsley, the “Queen of Mean,” dies at age 87. In her will she leaves a $12 million trust fund to her dog, Trouble.

Michael Vick pleads guilty to dogfighting charges.

On Aug. 2 the Ohio Supreme Court rules unanimously that breed-specific legislation is legal in the state, reversing a 2006 appellate court decision. The court affirms that two state statutes and a Toledo city ordinance specific to Pit Bulls do not violate the constitutional rights of dog guardians. The ruling sets the stage for nationwide legislation outlawing other breeds or types of dogs.

September

The 2007 Petco Unleashed National Chihuahua Race finals take place in San Diego, California. Maddy, a 2-year-old New Yorker, wins the title of America’s fastest Chihuahua.

The Centers for Disease Control announces on World Rabies Day that canine rabies in the U.S. has been eradicated. “The elimination of canine rabies in the United States represents one of the major public health success stories in the last 50 years,” says Dr. Charles Rupprecht, chief of the CDC Rabies Program.

President Bush signs the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 into law. The measure includes a mandate for the establishment of pet food safety standards and the creation of an early warning system that identifies pet food contamination.

The Chicago City Council passes an ordinance allowing restaurants to purchase dog- friendly licenses. Dogs will be able to dine with their human guardians at outdoor cafes beginning in the spring.

October

Approximately 30 runners compete in honor of Best Friends Animal Society’s Race for the Animals during the 30th annual LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. The 26.2 mile race attracts around 40,000 participants, and 83 charities recruit more than 6,200 runners to raise money for numerous causes. Despite the race being called off at the midway point due to extreme heat, the Best Friends group raises more than $17,000.

Alicia Silverstone poses nude in a PETA commercial to espouse the health benefits of going vegetarian. The 30-second ad, which was scheduled to air on local cable in Houston, is pulled at the last minute. Time Magazine covers the campaign in its Oct. 8 issue, and runs the print version of the ad.

Chicago’s Cook County Board of Commissioners passes the Managed Care of Feral Cats ordinance, making Trap-Neuter-Return the approved method for managing feral cats in the Chicago area.

November

Controversy continues over a feral cat colony living at JFK airport. The Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey begin rounding up the felines and
transporting them to local Animal Care and Control. Shelters and feral cat caretakers intervene and begin capturing the kitties and placing them in foster care.

December

The Tails staff wishes its readers and their pets a safe and happy holiday season and a bright new year.

Tails: A look back at our history

2000

December
Chicagoland Tails debuts as a bi-monthly resource for pets and their people. It contains articles on holistic health, dogfighting, off-leash dog areas, and the first annual holiday gift guide. Founder Janice Brown and her husband deliver 15,000 copies throughout the Chicagoland area during a snowstorm.

2001

February
The second issue of Chicagoland Tails hits the streets. It features a comprehensive resource guide of local shelters, emergency animal services, animal-assisted therapy groups, spay/neuter clinics, and off-leash dog parks. The guide becomes a signature part of the magazine.

July
Founder and Editorial Director, Janice Brown, is presented with a Star Award from the organization Supporting and Promoting Ethics for the Animal Kingdom (SPEAK) as a Media Luminary who Champions for Animals.

October
Chicagoland Tails responds to the terrorist attacks of September 11 with articles on lost pets, search and rescue dogs, and human-animal reunions.

December
The results of the first annual Photo Contest are published. It quickly establishes itself as a reader favorite.

2002

June
The results of the first annual Readers’ Choice Awards are published as a way to recognize outstanding businesses for their service and excellence in the community.

October
The first travel issue debuts in tandem with the growing trend of traveling with pets.

2003

October
Chicagoland Tails receives a Certificate of Extraordinary Community Service from the Dog Advisory Work Group (DAWG) recognizing its commitment to promoting people and dogs sharing public space wisely.

November
The adoptable pets section of the magazine celebrates its 100th animal available to a loving home.

2004

October
Indy Tails and TC Tails debut to meet the growing demand for pet publications in other cities. They are both well-received.

2005

October
Michigan Tails debuts to serve the Detroit metropolitan area.

December
Tails celebrates its five-year anniversary by launching St. Louie Tails.

2006

January
Tails meets the growing demand of its readers by switching from a bi-monthly magazine to one that prints eight times a year.

March
A fifth publication joins the Tails family. Ohio Valley Tails launches to serve Cincinnati, northern Kentucky, and southeast Indiana.

August
The magazine holds its first major fundraiser, Biscuits and Burgers, to raise money for the Chicago Animal Shelter Alliance. More than 100 people attend, and $4,000 is raised.

September
Capital Tails debuts as the first Tails publication serving the East Coast. It covers the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

December
Janice Brown is named “Media Person of the Year” by the Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago. Greater Philly Tails, Jersey Tails, and Sonoran Tails debut. They serve Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Phoenix respectively.

2007

January
Tails becomes a monthly publication.

February
Tails launches its bi-weekly e-newsletter as a way to stay in touch with readers in between issues of the magazine.

April
Silicon Valley Tails becomes the newest Tails magazine and the first West Coast publication. It services the San Francisco Bay Area.

May
Following the Menu Foods recall, Tails creates the Tails to the Rescue Fund and establishes local food drives as a way to help replenish shelters whose supply may have been devastated by the recall.

August
River City Tails and Rocky Mountain Tails become the 11th and 12th Tails publications to join the Tails family. They serve San Antonio and Denver respectively.

November
City Tails and L.A. Tails become the 13th and 14th Tails publications. They serve Manhattan and Los Angeles respectively.