August 7, 2012

ATLANTA – Atlanta Humane Society announces a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for burning a two-year old cat in Union City, Ga. The Fayette County Humane Society rescued the male cat, now called Grayson, from an apartment complex in early August in response to a resident’s call.

The Union City Police Department filed a report and are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the party(s) responsible for dousing the cat with lighter fluid and setting him on fire. Contact Captain Eugene Tate with the Union City Police Department at 770-515-7835 or etate@unioncityga.gov with information regarding this act of animal cruelty.

“This is a horrific act of animal cruelty,” states William Shaheen, president, Atlanta Humane Society. “It is imperative that those responsible for this terrible act are caught so that we can prevent this from happening to another innocent animal. It is our hope that the reward will encourage citizens to do the right thing and report anyone who is treating animals unkindly.”

Grayson was treated at the VCA Braelinn Village Animal Hospital in Peachtree City, Ga. Despite his burns and diagnosis of FIV, the grey and white cat is expected to recover fully and is ready for adoption. Fayette County Humane Society is seeking a foster or permanent home for Grayson with no other cats and an indoor-only lifestyle. Contact info@fayettehumane.org for more adoption information.

Atlanta Humane Society is an advocate for animals. The reward fund, furnished by the Holland M. Ware Charitable Trust, encourages tips leading to the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for animal cruelty.

About Atlanta Humane Society
Founded in 1873, the Atlanta Humane Society and Society For Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals, Inc. is the oldest private non-­profit animal welfare organization in Atlanta and one of the oldest humane agencies in America. Services such as adoptions, charitable veterinary clinic, low cost spay/neuter services, pet facilitated therapy, animal behavior training classes and canine play yards are possible by generous contributions of time and money from the public. Our mission is to prevent the neglect, abuse, cruelty and exploitation of animals and to assure that their interests and well-­being are fully, effectively and humanely protected by an aware and caring society. For more information about the Atlanta Humane Society call 404-875-5331.

For animals, the Fourth of July means lots of unnatural and unpredictable sounds and vibrations. These factors can heighten anxiety in our pets and if they feel threatened, could trigger a flight response leading to more stray animals.

The most important thing we can do for our pets on the Fourth of July is keeping them indoors. This will ensure they are unable to escape from the yard should they feel threatened by the noise of the fireworks. If you must leave your pet outdoors, be sure they are secured and check on them periodically.

Unfortunately, the noise can still be startling while our pets are indoors. Here are a few tips to keep their firework anxiety at bay this year:

• Thwart the noise with “white noise:” Play a sound soother, radio or television near your pet to counteract the unexpected noise.
• Keep them occupied: This is a perfect occasion to get your pet a new treat. Give your pet something to distract them from what else is going on.
• Tire them out: Giving your pet a busy day of playtime will tire them so that they will feel more relaxed when the fireworks take place.
• Make them feel comfortable: Keep your pet in a comfortable, familiar place or with familiar people. You don’t want to add to any of their anxiety.
• Soothe them: If you are home with your pet during the fireworks and they become anxious, the best thing you can do is show them love to make them feel safe.

While these tips may be helpful this year, it is advised to find a long-term fix for your pet’s firework anxiety for the future. Desensitizing your pet to a noise phobia can be done easily with a little planning. There are countless free resources on the Internet as well as products and programs you can buy for the process.

Taking the necessary precautions to keep our pets safe doesn’t end with following these tips to help them feel relaxed. If you haven’t had your pet microchipped, let this holiday serve as a reminder: http://www.atlantahumane.org/hospital/micro-chip.php

Hoping you, your family, and your pets have a wonderfully fun and safe Fourth of July!

Microchips are devices that use radio-frequency identification (RFID) to transmit stored information (a unique identification number) to a device that interprets it (a scanner). About the size of a large grain of rice, the chip is implanted under the skin of an animal, usually at the back of the neck or between the shoulder blades for dogs and cats, using a hypodermic needle. The process is generally quick and involves minimal pain – your pet will only experience discomfort as they would when being given a vaccination shot. Once the chip is implanted, many veterinarians will register your pet with a recovery service, otherwise the owner needs to make sure they do so themselves – providing their pet’s identification number and their contact information to an agency that manages a database of this information.

If a lost pet is found by local authorities or taken to a shelter it will first be scanned to see if a chip is present. If so, they will contact recovery service agencies to get the

contact information of the owner and can then notify the owner of the location of their missing pet. In the United States, microchipping services are unregulated so that means there are multiple recovery agencies managing pet databases, and multiple types of chips, that can sometimes lead to incompatibility issues between the chips and scanners. Despite this hindrance, microchips are generally very helpful in returning lost pets and most veterinarians and pet experts recommend giving your pet a microchip implant.

Want to learn more? You can check out our website for more details! http://www.atlantahumane.org/hospital/micro-chip.php

Author: Jaime Lin Weinstein

 If your pet is anything like my yellow lab named Riley, they cringe at the sight of your local vet and the memories of the cages they’ve spent time in. After a couple vacations spent at the vet’s office, I knew Riley was fed up. I promised her that the next time I left I would get her a pet sitter and allow her to stay at home. Now when I leave she is happier and far less distressed. She got to remain in an environment that was familiar to her and maintain her daily routine and diet.

Why hire a pet sitter?

Yes, the rumors are true. Pet sitting can be slightly more expensive than a typical kennel. But often times, the negative aspects of a kennel can outweigh the price constraints.

Pet sitters are beneficial in the following areas:

-Your pet gets to remain in a familiar environment. It causes the animal to feel less stressed and they are more likely to stick to their daily routine and normal diet.

-Your pet will likely receive more attention than they would in a typical kennel scenario

-They will feel relieved to not have to travel to unfamiliar locations

In return, you’ll be able to rest easy at night knowing your pet has been played with, fed, and safe. You can also easily get in touch with your particular pet sitter whereas it may be more difficult to contact a kennel and get in touch with someone who has worked with your specific animal.

Helpful sites and tools

The following sites and tools will provide you with an easy way to find reliable pet sitters in your area. If possible, an in person interview with a potential pet sitter is best so you can have a good idea of how you pet interacts with them. They are going to be buddies for the next few days, weeks, or months!

1. http://www.petsitters.org/
2. http://www.petsit.com/
3. Local Yellow Pages
4. Word of mouth from neighborhood friends and family

Once you find a pet sitter and you are sure they are well trained with your type of animal and have commercial liability insurance (to cover any accidents that may occur), be sure to cover in person and on paper exactly what your expectations are with your pet while you’re away.

Prevention:    

            One of the most important factors when trying to keep your dog hydrated is having a constantly available water source. Since cooler water is even more desirable, we suggest bringing along a frozen plastic water bottle when you take your dog on any outing in hot or humid weather. As the water gradually melts, you can give your dog small amounts to keep them cool and hydrated.

            Secondly, allow your dog to become acclimated to the outdoor environment. Their first few ventures outside while being active outside should remain relatively short until you feel your dog has adjusted to the heat.

            Finally, if you feel too hot, you’re dog is likely hot as well! They do sport a beautiful fur coat on their bodies, after all. If you feel that temperatures are simply too hot, bring your dog (and yourself) into a cooler, air conditioned environment. And don’t be fooled! Just because your dog is swimming doesn’t mean they cannot get overheated. Water temperatures can reach 75 degrees in some areas if the dog is working hard enough!

Signs of overheating:

There are several signs to look for if you think your dog may be overheated. Be especially aware of these indicators if your dog is running outside for a prolonged period of time:

-heavy panting

-deep breathing

-increased salivation early then dry gums as the overheating progresses

-weakness

-confusion or inattention

-vomiting or diarrhea

-sometimes bleeding

If you notice any of these signs, immediately remove your dog from the environment and allow them to rest. It is best to try to cool your animal with cool water rather than extremely cold water, and if icepacks are available place them where circulation is good, such as the armpits or neck.

Once your get your animal comfortable, be sure to bring them to your local vet office. If your dog suffered a heat stroke, there are often delayed complications that can be serious if not cared for. 

If you have a cat or another pet, remember that the signs and prevention for overheating and heat strokes are generally similar, but be sure to do your research! Education is the most important preventative measure to avoid serious risks to your pet. If you have further questions on how to protect your animal, feel free to contact us directly at questions@atlantahumane.org. We wish you and your pet a safe and happy summer!

Author: Julie Holkeboer

 April 30, 2012

As President of Atlanta Humane Society, the health and well-being of animals is of utmost importance to me.  I have been an animal lover my entire life, and I assure you I would not be involved with Atlanta Humane Society if the best interest of animals was not our number one priority. 

Over the past few weeks, FOX 5 Atlanta’s I-team has conducted an investigation into Atlanta Humane Society based on allegations made by three former employees.  The allegations include:  a Parvo epidemic at our shelters, improper reporting of contagious diseases to the Department of Agriculture and the intake of animals from outside Atlanta.

Atlanta Humane Society would never knowingly offer sick animals for adoption.  Animals that come into the shelter are tested in order to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, including Parvo.  It saddened me to hear about Daisy as I watched the I-team Investigation as it does each time I learn of one of our beloved animals becoming sick or unhealthy following adoption.  Pets become part of our families, and we extend love and compassion to them as we would any human being. 

Inaccurately reporting contagious diseases to the Department of Agriculture was never the intention of Atlanta Humane Society.  All missing reports from 2011 and 2012 were hand-delivered within 24 hours of learning they had not been received.  We are taking the proper steps to evaluate operational policies and update all procedures to ensure we comply with the Department of Agriculture and Georgia’s State Veterinarian Office.  

Additionally, animal welfare has no geographic boundaries.  We strive to help as many animals in need as possible.  Being one of the largest shelters in the Southeast, Atlanta Humane Society has resources to help other local and regional shelters that adhere to our Partner Protocol.  In 2011, we received animals from 45 other different shelters, which would not be possible without our generous donors.  In fact, many of our donors specifically choose to support initiatives assisting with missions outside the Atlanta area.  In the past two months alone, we have reached out to offer assistance to 60 animal welfare groups throughout Georgia.   

From adult dogs and cats to puppies and kittens, it is beyond unfortunate that so many deserving pets are orphaned.  Animals have no voice and being homeless is not their fault.  They just want to be adored and cared for by someone.  Our goal is to find loving, forever homes for as many of these animals as possible.  In 2011, nearly 5,500 animals were adopted from the Atlanta Humane Society and almost 3,000 animals have already been adopted this year.   

Atlanta Humane Society takes the above allegations very seriously and we are working diligently to remedy any problems.  Rest assured, animal welfare continues to be our number one priority.  This will never change!  If you have questions or comments, please direct them to me at questions@atlantahumane.org.  I will respond as promptly as possible. 

Sincerely,

William Shaheen

President

Pets have become important parts of families’ lives, and owners these days are taking things a step further when it comes to caring for their beloved animals. Just as one would assign a guardian for their child in the event of their passing, people are now naming caregivers for their pets and are even including “pet provisions” in their wills. 

Preparing for your animals’ futures doesn’t seem so inane when you consider that the prospects can be grim for pets that outlive their owners. In the best-case scenario a friend or family member will volunteer to care for the pet. In others, the animal is taken to a shelter or even euthanized. Thinking about adding a pet provision to your will now? Here are some things to know, and some things you should do, when it comes to providing for your pet’s future.

Choosing a Caregiver

A permanent caregiver for your pet should be identified in your will. The most preferable person should be familiar with your pet, have experience caring for pets, and most importantly understand the responsibilities you are entrusting them with and the specific needs of your pet (feeding and care instructions, the name and number of your veterinarian, etc.). Once you select him/her, be sure to keep in touch and update them regarding any changes to your pet and his/her needs (new foods, medications, etc.)

Considering a Temporary Caregiver

It can sometimes take weeks for a will to be probated so you may also want to consider choosing a temporary caregiver – a friend, neighbor or relative who will be responsible for the short-term care of your pet. You should provide them with keys to your home, and information regarding the permanent care you have set up for your pet. (This person can also be responsible should you have an unexpected emergency and must be hospitalized for a few days, for example, and need someone to feed and care for your pet until you can return home.)

Setting Up a Trust

Legally, courts consider pets to be “property,” in which case you can’t actually leave money or property to them. And while changing legal standards are making it easier and more enforceable to do so, if you want to allocate funds to go towards the care of your pet it is suggested that you set up a pet trust. A trust can become effective immediately upon passing, and it also allows you to be more detailed as to the future care of your pet. For example, you can structure the trust it in a way that the money is to be distributed over time – monthly, annually, etc.

Providing Sufficient Funds

You should sit down and actively try to figure out how much money you spend on your pet (including food, medical bills, grooming, daycare, travel arrangements, etc. and take into account their likely life span – and higher medical costs as they age) so you know how much money is actually needed to continue its same level of care. Some choose to include additional money for the caregiver themselves as a thank you for agreeing to take on this responsibility. And for security measures, you should always name someone other than your designated caregiver to be your trustee responsible for dispensing the money.

You can go to http://www.gftpln.org/Home.do?orgId=5870  that goes into the matters mentioned here extensively should you seek more information about planned giving. And while you can find forms for setting up a will or trust yourself online, it is strongly suggested that you discuss your wishes for your pet’s future with a pet-friendly attorney or estate planner and retain their services to ensure your paperwork is prepared correctly. Feel free to contact the Atlanta Humane Society to speak with someone regarding planning for the future of your pet.

Author: Jaime Lin Weinstein

With a retractable leash, dogs sometimes have a dangerous amount of room to run, which can be a disaster on a busy road, or somewhere that you would need control. With the LeashLocket, the lead doesn’t allow enough space for your dog to get into trouble, but it gives them enough room to enjoy, making it safer for them and easier for you.

For an absent-minded dog-owner, I tend to lose my pup’s leash almost every time I put it down, making it a sad day for her when the walks are shorter so Mommy can put on a search. That isn’t to say I never lost the LeashLocket (I swear I could lose an elephant if I owned one), but the red color made it easy to spot and the small size allowed me to hang it on the coat rack.

My little one is great with commands, but occasionally gets over excited and forgets her training. If you take your pup to the dog park, take this with you. With the snaps on the collar, this leash allows you to attach it to your pup, making it safer and easier to regain control in a potentially dangerous situation (please remember not to get involved if your dog starts to tussle with another, as it is very hazardous. Stay tuned for tips on avoiding and breaking up a negative interaction).

Like anything, it isn’t flawless, and I wouldn’t suggest it for a tugger (I would suggest obedience school for them anyway). Because it is so small and compact, it is hard to fit all that heavy duty material in there to keep it perfectly locked despite great force, but for a small pup or a well-behaved dog, it is great.

Overall, it achieved exactly what it wanted to in providing the ease and efficiency of dog-walking. My suggestion is, as always, do your research and make sure you are getting the best leash for you. While this one is a great fit for some, it may not be for all. If you have your heart set on a retractable leash and it sounds like the kind of thing you need, check it out! Don’t be afraid to make that purchase. The L.L. company offers a 100% money-back guarantee for 30 days so its worth a try!

Good luck, and happy “dogging”!

Meet this year’s Pet Parade Grand Marshal

He was a 55-pound, fur-lined cannonball with a beaming grin cut into its face, barreling around the house with the agility of barcalounger. This was him at his most excited state. An eruption of excitement and energy affectionately referred to as “the butt-tuck thing”, and if you had ever seen this spectacle, you would have agreed that there has never been a more perfect name for anything in the entire world.

You see, Bear’s hind legs stubbornly believed he was made backwards, so every chance they got, they would try to outrun their forward mounted counterparts in an effort to right this egregious error. This would cause his butt to tuck underneath himself as he ran, hence the name “butt-tuck thing.”

The race between front and back was so close at times we felt as if at any moment his rear end would tuck so far underneath the dog, he would simply flip completely over.

Sadly, Bear’s back legs won’t get another chance to compete in this futile contest. Because on April 22, 2011, two days before Easter, Bear suffered a ruptured disk in his back. Emergency surgery at Auburn’s Small Animal Clinic was the only recourse, but it proved ineffective. The damage was done. And just like that, the curtain fell on the butt-tuck ballet.

From the day we brought Bear home from the Atlanta Humane Society, in November of 2006, until the day of his accident, Bear was about as perfect as a dog could be. Aside from a slight propensity for destroying every single, solitary toy that has ever been laid in front of him, Bear has been a joyous addition to our lives.

But it wasn’t until the days, weeks, and months following the accident that we came to truly appreciate what a special animal we had in Bear. Oh sure, we knew he was sweet, obedient, and down-right adorable. But we failed to notice Bear’s finer qualities. His strength. His courage. His patience. Oh, his patience. The good lord gave him the patience of job because he knew it would take Bear’s humans forever to figure out how to express a dog’s bladder. (Still haven’t quite gotten it down yet, but be patient. We’re getting better.)

Bear’s story is far from over. His life is just as full and satisfying as it was before his accident. The only difference is now he has to take his time over speed bumps. Bear continues to bless our lives, and we have AHS to thank for bringing us together. We are so appreciative of their service to the community and to animals that need their help.

Bear is honored to be the Grand Marshal of the 2012 Pet Parade. Since he was notified of his commendation he has begun a tireless training regiment. Long walks in his “wheels” (aka dog wheelchair), followed by hours and hours of deep meditation (aka sleeping). He looks forward to leading off this fabulous event, and looks forward to the ones that follow in the many years to come.

If you would like to donate to Bear’s Pet Parade fundraising page, please click here.

According to ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres, “removing an online platform for the cruel puppy mill industry sets a positive example of corporate citizenship and will help improve the lives of countless dogs.” As he mentions, “most consumers are unaware they are perpetuating animal cruelty by purchasing a puppy online, and given the visibility of Marketplace on Facebook, this move has the potential to raise critical awareness about unscrupulous online breeders.”

This is a giant step in the fight for animal welfare. Facebook is a networking giant and with their public reproach of puppy mill breeders, animal rights activists and rescue groups are better equipped to influence the public.

Sadly, due to lax regulations, there are too many loopholes that allow these breeders to continue their practices. If a breeder sells directly to the public (as they do with online transactions), they are exempt from any strict parameters so they are able to continue business without a hitch. Thanks to Facebook, the ASPCA, and Oodle, over 10,000 of the targeted breeder’s advertisements have been removed from the Marketplace.  

Not only do online breeders practice inhumanely, they very often scam their buyers by sending unhealthy animals. “Consumers who purchase a puppy from a website run the risk of acquiring an unhealthy animal and often end up with expensive vet bills and broken hearts,” said Cori Menkin, Senior Director of the ASPCA Puppy Mills Campaign.

What can you do about preventing the inhumane treatment of these animals and stop the sale of puppy mill puppies? Spread the word! Talk to your friends about it and inform the people you know that are looking to buy a dog. Encourage them to adopt, not shop. You can also visit www.NoPetStorePuppies.com to help the ASPCA’s campaign.

Thank you to the ASPCA (http://aspca.org/news/facebook-rejects-puppy-mill-ads-for-good) and Alicia Graef (http://www.care2.com/causes/facebook-bans-puppy-mill-ads.html) for this information!