Rep. Brenda Kupchick has been working very hard this session to make this dream come true. And she can succeed IF enough caring Connecticut residents contact their State House Representatives between now and this Tuesday!

HB 5027 as amended by Rep. Kupchick, would prohibit CT pet shops from selling commercially bred dogs and cats and instead require that only dogs and cats who are humanely-sourced from animal control facilities and non-profit rescue organizations be sold or adopted out in pet shops.

This measure would help put an end to the suffering of dogs in puppy mills and would reduce pet overpopulation in shelters and the resulting high euthanasia rates.

How You Can Help

If you’re a resident of CT, here’s what you need to do:

1. Look up your Representative and their contact information here: http://cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CGAFindLeg.asp.
2. Calls are best (you will always speak with an aide), but emails are fine, too. You only need to ask them to “support Rep. Kupchick’s amendment to H.B. 5027 to require the sale or adoption of humanely-sourced dogs and cats in pet shops.”
3. Be sure to provide your address so they know you are a constituent.
4. Be sure to thank them.

Please spread the word about this important, landmark legislation that would help end one of the worst forms of cruelty to animals in our country.

Via Connecticut Votes for Animals.

It has been eight months since Anita Shea and Heather Twisdale created this PAWS and Claws Facebook page. The goal of the page was to feature professional photographs of each of the animals at Tipton County Animal Shelter and share them with a national audience to move Tipton towards a “no kill” status. In a mere eight months, this massive effort has:

• Directly led to over 1,000 dogs and cats being rescued or adopted through rescue outreach, community involvement, and a strong social media presence
• Forged a relationship with Spay Memphis that has helped alter local animals from low income families to decrease the numbers of pets being bred into overpopulated conditions
• Created a “catch, spay, and release” program for feral cats. Previously all feral cats who came into Tipton were euthanized and now all of them are being spayed/neutered and released
• Organized a dog-walking program with local volunteers to ensure that all dogs at Tipton are able to get out of their kennels at least once a day
• Instated a new intake vaccine program that has dramatically decreased the incidence of communicable disease at the shelter and fatalities among puppies and kittens
• Changed the mindset of a community who once believed that “there is no way to stop the euthanasia”

This dramatic change takes courage, unwavering leadership, strong collaborations, and lots of money. Please take a few moments to vote for Tipton County Animal Shelter and be a part of this incredible transformation.

Deaf/Blind dogs are referred to as everything from Special Needs, to Double Merles in a nod to the genetic markers, to the less kindly Lethal Whites referring to the high rate puppies born this way are destroyed. But their lives need not be sad or pitied.

This is our story of a very full life with two amazing such dogs.

My husband and I recently saw the postings on Facebook of Argus and Truth, two deaf/blind dogs that need a new home.

We were touched like many of you, but for a different reason: our Australian Shepherds, Ruth and Maisie, are deaf and blind, as well. Given our experience, I thought I’d share a little bit about our lives together in encouragement of what wonderful members of the family they can become.

l’ll start by saying that I have no idea how our quest to find one elderly blind dog to join our family resulted in us bringing home two deaf/blind 5 month old puppies, but we’ll just chock that up as a big heart or weak will and move on from there. It’s one of the best things we’ve ever done.

I remember the surprise from folks when we told them, one brother-in-law asking, “What do they do? Just sit there all day?” Ummm. No.

Dave and I would look at each other shaking our heads actually wishing that was the case as we tried to survive the typical chaos of raging puppyhood. We had been prepared to take on disability and were experienced with caring for elderly pets, but this youthful energy left us bewildered. Having two puppies was actually a larger challenge for us than their genetic deficits.

Like your dogs, Ruth and Maisie are remarkable, just for different reasons, and for some of the same, too. The love and companionship they share with us is why we all have dogs in our lives. Their ability to adapt and thrive with no vision and no hearing has been remarkable for us to watch.

I’ll never forget the photo Dave emailed me at work one day: two puppies and one big dog in sympathy, I guess, all clinging to various steps on the staircase. My husband was trying to teach them about stairs. “We’ve been like this a a half hour,” he wrote. That lesson may have taken a little longer, perhaps, than it would have otherwise, but since then there has been no stopping them.

Every relationship improves as trust is developed, and once Ruth and Maisie realized that we weren’t actually trying to hurtle them over the edges of the earth, our training picked up in pace.

We started with touch training. This is a technique that is frequently used with deaf dogs. We use two signals: a tap on the butt means “Sit,” a tap on the shoulders means “Lie Down.” We like to believe that “Please” is implied. We were able to apply those lessons to further their training so that we could communicate with them via remote vibrating collars.

This has been a truly liberating tool for us and them as now when we go for walks in the woods or hang out in the field they can be off-leash. If they get too far away from us or start to head the wrong way, we can remotely vibrate their collars and they will sit and wait for us. This has worked so well that we have now trained our big hearing and seeing dog, Loki, on the collar, and I frequently threaten Dave with one, as well.

To this day, the question we are asked most about the girls is “How do they get around?.” The answer is that they get around extremely well.

They use their noses, they use their memory, they use touch. Their level of accomplishment amazes us. Ruth and Maisie have free reign of the house with nothing especially tailored to them. They know there are 14 steps on the staircase and where all the turns in the house are.

Yes, if we move a chair or leave a basket of laundry in the hall, they will bump into it, and that’s okay. Maisie may mutter some sort of canine expletive, but then simply goes around and continues on her determined path. They smell the arrival of a guest and rush to the door to meet them. Maisie, in particular, seems to be able to tell time. If we walked at noon yesterday, she will line up at the door at noon today, full of expectation. Same goes for dinner. They play with toys, they bury their bones, they hog the couch. Everything you’d expect from pretty much any dog.

So, what is different? And there are differences.

I by no means wish to imply that accommodations don’t need to be made, but only suggest that they are not life limiting for you or the dogs. New situations seem to take a little longer to adjust to as they sniff out and map out the lay of the land. This only applies to indoor spaces. The girls seem to believe anywhere outdoors is just one big room that they already know.

We can go for a hike anywhere and even if they’ve never been there before, they hit the trails like old pros. Also, Ruth and Maisie are not dogs that we can call to us, so it takes more effort to include them. We have to go get them to go for a ride in the car or to get the mail or to do anything else we’d like their company for if they aren’t hanging out with us already.

Really all this means is that if we have a destination in mind rather than just hanging out in the yard, a leash is required along with the time it takes to go get them. Other than that, I’d say we just have a heightened sense of awareness of them when we are out in the world. We are vigilant with their safety, but we are not “helicopter” parents. We’ll let them bump their noses, but we won’t let them fall through a drain grate in the road. Certain lessons just don’t need to be learned.

When all is said and done, Ruth and Maisie are special because of who they are.

Maisie is our sweet, contemplative intellectual. She likes long naps in the sun and hates the vaccuum. She’s the first to tell us what’s going on. Ruth is the happiest little imp we’ve ever met whose only true disability is that she can’t seem to learn how to get off her favorite couch by herself. (Ridiculous.)

Our dogs are special because they are ours. They give us affection and inspiration, just like your dog does to you. Special Needs is a label that can dissuade a potential adopter from a dog who otherwise would be the perfect match in personality and activity level.

Our hope is that in telling you a little bit about our life with Ruth and Maisie that you will be encouraged to give equal opportunity and keep an open mind in giving dogs like Argus and Truth a chance, too.

Jess is a textile artist and designer living in MA with her husband and three remarkable dogs.

PAWS New England received an emergency call for help from a local veterinarian this week. A family came to her clinic with a 6 month old Shiba Inu, Hachi, who had been trampled by a horse and sustained a serious leg fracture. Sadly, the family could not afford to pay for surgery and said they could not nurse him through a recovery even with donated funds, so they asked the vet to euthanize him.

As Hachi looked up at her with pitiful eyes, the vet quickly realized she could not euthanize this vibrant, sweet puppy with a completely curable injury. She contacted PAWS for help and we immediately set about getting him the care he needed after the family gratefully signed Hachi over to PAWS New England.

Hachi has been transferred to our friends at Randolph Animal Hospital and is in surgery this morning to determine if his leg can be saved or if it needs to be amputated. PAWS has been bombarded with a large number of special needs cases over the last few months and we are taking a leap of faith that our fans will help us fund Hachi’s care. He has been so brave through this ordeal and licks the hands of the veterinary staff with gratitude even though he is in severe pain.

Please consider making a small donation towards his vet bill. We look forward to seeing Hachi through his recovery and eventually adopting him out to a very special PAWS family! Many thanks for your support!

Profession: Accounting Manager

Current Pets: 3 dogs: Great Dane, Aussie mix, Border Collie mix.
3 cats

How were you introduced to PAWS? My dear friend Emma who has volunteered and also adopted from PAWS. I was moved to foster (and then adopt) my senior 3 legged Aussie mix Mitsu.

What do you do as a volunteer? Foster mom

Favorite PAWS volunteer moment? I was taking Dean, my very shy lab foster to his first event and right before we entered the building, he slipped his collar. I was terrified he would bolt on a very busy street because I hadn’t had him long and he was so scared of everything. I quickly dropped to my knees and called him in a happy, excited voice and he came to me. I picked him up and carried him in. I bought a harness before we left the building. It was my proudest (and scariest) moment. I knew I was making a difference in his world and he trusted me. When a shy dog begins to trust you is the most wonderful feeling.

A tremendous thank you to PAWS volunteer Janel Smith and the rest of the planning committee for organizing this event! PAWS is so lucky to have volunteers so giving of their time and talent!

When we first saw this photo of Punky from a month ago, our hearts broke. Punky was the small puppy at Tipton who was so terrified she fell to the ground convulsing during her photo shoot… She had been found as a stray dog and would wet herself in fear every time someone approached her. The sounds of the shelter were too much for her and poor Punky would spend her days facing the wall…

When PAWS volunteer Michelle Naifeh saw Punky’s photo- she did not hesitate. Her only question was, “What time can I pick her up?” Michelle got Punky home and immediately realized that this puppy had tremendous potential. She seemed particularly comfortable with Michelle’s small children. While she was painfully shy, it was evident that this puppy desperately desired to be comfortable around people. She would follow the lead of the other dogs in the house and slowly start to approach different family members “asking” for attention.

Soon it was time for Punky to make her big trip North to PAWS Cofounder Kelly Parker’s house. Kelly was amazed when Punky arrived- she had already made so much progress with Michelle that she was ready to be adopted! Over the next few weeks, different applicants were screen who would be a good fit for Punky. She needed a home that would be patient with her while she continued to regain her confidence- but also be ready to love and appreciate her puppy ways.

When Rachel Rudy emailed about Punky, it was “love at first email.” Rachel and her beautiful family lived on nearly 200 acres of land, had two small boys desperate to adopt a dog, and the family had previously owned an under-socialized, shy dog. Rachel and her husband Nat came to meet Punky and the rest was history.

Punky is thriving in her new home! Her new Mom tells us “She loves her walks and running around the paths around the house and is playing with her toys.  She now has her spot in the living room where she likes to sit – keeping an eye on the front hall and can see down the stairs. All her toys slowly make there way to the spot.” She goes on to say, “She is so loving – she doesn’t want anyone else upset.  Daniel had hurt his eye yesterday and by the end of the day was tired, in pain and melting down in successive waves.  Winnie was glued to somebody at all times and just wanted to lick Daniel all over. When he wanted her to stop, she just switched to licking me. Such a sweetie!”

We could not be more thrilled for precious Punky! She finally has the home she has always deserved!

You can order personalized Valentine’s Day Cards by making a $25, $50, $75, or $100 donation to PAWS New England. All donations collected during this campaign will go to the “Fix Elvis’ Pelvis!” campaign. Please place all orders by Monday, Feb 11th at 8am! 2/11 Note: We are now only taking orders to send Valentines to Elvis as he doesn’t mind if the cards arrive a few days late ;)

Send cards to any dog-loving friend, family member, or your Valentine!  Don’t have a Valentine? Don’t fret- send a card to Elvis! We know he would LOVE to hear from you!

Elvis was pulled from the pound yesterday and is currently being evaluated at Shelby Center Hospital for Animals in Memphis, TN. Initial xrays indicate two severe breaks on either side of his pelvis requiring $3,500 of orthopedic surgery. The vets believe he has the potential to walk again and make a near full recovery because he has retained neurologic function in both legs. Elvis was most likely hit by a car by someone who never even bothered to stop and help :( The volunteers at PAWS will ensure that humanity never lets him down like that again. We will ensure that he has outstanding medical care and receives a never ending supply of TLC.

To do this, we need your help! Please consider making a donation of any size by clicking the donate button below. There is no need to specify what the donation is for as all donations collected over the next two weeks will go directly towards Elvis’ care.

Donate

Every single person who meets Elvis comments on what a gentle, stoic, and amazing dog he is. We hope you will continue to follow Elvis’ story by following with us on facebook. Please “like” the PAWS New England Facebook page to receive frequent Elvis updates!

During 2012:

508 dogs found their loving forever home through our organization (a 7% increase from 2011!)

655 lives were saved from high kill shelters (also a 7% increase from 2011!)

PAWS spayed/neutered 556 dogs. SpayUSA estimates that this has prevented 18,626,000 unwanted animals from being born over the next six years.

4,686 new facebook users joined the PAWS New England page. 1035 new people subscribed to our newsletter.

909 people made 1487 donations. The average donation was $48.24.

PAWS New England was featured in the groundbreaking HBO documentary, “One Nation Under Dog.” To watch the film, please purchase the DVD here.

Noel (pictured above) wants to send an extra special thank you to supporters. Meet Noel and learn her incredible story!

There are great changes taking place at Tipton County Animal Control (TCAS). A new spay program was implemented as well as a new vaccine program. Since the creation of the Paws and Claws Facebook page, there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of dogs euthanized in the shelter. When PAWS first began almost seven years ago, we would never have dreamed that it was possible for an entire month to go by without a single dog being euthanized. The partnership between Paws and Claws founders Heather Twisdale and Anita Shea, the TCAS staff, and the many rescues now involved seems to be making the impossible, possible… In 2013, we believe the sky in the limit. Please “like” the PAWS and Claws Facebook page and witness this remarkable achievement.

Wishing you and your loved ones the best for 2013,
The Pups and Volunteers at PAWS New England