By Lisa LaFontaine, President and CEO in response to recent ruling of the Maryland Court of Appeals. Read today’s entry as it is published in the Huffington Post.

The April ruling of the Court of Appeals of Maryland has many people trying to calculate the impacts of the Court's declaration that "pit bulls and cross bred pit bulls are inherently dangerous." Those of us in the animal welfare field are discussing and debating what this means, and how to best move forward.

In my role with the Washington Humane Society (WHS), I have a front row seat to what could turn into a debacle. However, there is reason for optimism that this short sighted ruling will be overturned. Legislators and leaders throughout Maryland are beginning to grasp that the Court's proposed solution has little bearing on the problem at hand -- and is profoundly unpopular with the voting public.

Much of the conversation focuses on the fact that discrimination against dogs based on appearance is wrong. I agree wholeheartedly, and my first decision as CEO of WHS was to change a long-held, breed-based policy that had resulted in the unnecessary deaths of thousands of dogs. Discriminating against a dog based on what he or she looks like is just as wrong as discrimination against people based on their appearance. These broad paintbrush strokes sweep up many innocent individuals. There is no place for such beliefs in an enlightened, compassionate society.

In the nation's capital, WHS worked in partnership with our City's leaders to establish an approach that is sensible -- and effective. Dogs are deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous based on a set of observed, concrete behaviors and criteria.

Another major flaw with breed-based selection is that it is tremendously difficult to determine whether a dog is a pit bull or a cross bred pit bull. I've been in this profession for 15 years. Tens of thousands of dogs have passed through shelters on my watch, and I would be considered well placed to make this determination.

And yet the longer I work in this field, the more I doubt our ability to determine a dog's genetics based on her appearance. I've seen too many puppies born of mothers who looked like a pit bull but who themselves would be described as beagles, or Labradors, or other breeds. The only definitive answer comes from the crossbreeding of papered purebreds, or DNA tests, which have proven controversial and ineffective.

Yet for all of the robust and legitimate arguments about why discrimination against a particular breed is wrong and fraught with difficulty, I believe we must focus our arguments on the singular issue that has caused the majority of attempts at breed specific discrimination to be overturned -- the economic impacts of implementation.

Breed specific laws have been reversed in communities across the nation because they are simply too costly to enforce, and because the true budgetary impacts were not considered in the decision process. Once the legislators and the voting public of Maryland fully analyze and appreciate the financial impacts, they will look for a way to overturn the decision.

As long as the ruling stands, veterinarians and emergency hospitals will have to pay exorbitant insurance rates in case a dog that resembles a pit bull comes to them for treatment. Anyone in canine businesses -- groomers, day care and boarding facilities, pet sitters -- will have to do the same. Pet-friendly businesses of all types will be similarly impacted. Lay people will be put in a position of determining which dogs are "pit bulls" and "cross bred pit bulls" -- a verdict seasoned professionals decline to give -- and then sued for getting it wrong.

The economic impacts on landlords, renters and homeowners will be devastating. Most significant will be the costs borne by cities and municipalities who have to care for the vast numbers of dogs who are surrendered because of what they look like. The aggregate costs of all of these impacts will run in the tens of millions of dollars.

Maryland voters and animal welfare advocates must put pressure on their legislators now to overturn this decision. We must do so for these incontrovertible reasons: discrimination based on appearance is inherently wrong. Better solutions based on concrete criteria are working effectively in thousands of other communities. And, the people of Maryland cannot bear the economic burdens that will undoubtedly result from this decision.

 Download Tracey vs Solesky MD Pit bull ruling

By Tara de Nicolas, Fashion for Paws Executive Director, Washington Humane Society

American singer, actress, and family personality Marie Osmond adopted an all American mutt at the 6th Annual Fashion for Paws (F4P) Runway Show benefiting the Washington Humane Society (WHS) at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC on April 14. The star named her new pup George, after her late father George Osmond who passed away in 2007. WHS partnered with ABC 7-WJLA to welcome the star to one of the most highly anticipated annual DC charity events, designed by sponsor Syzygy Events International. Notable guests such as E! News Anchor and F4P Host Ashlan Gorse, CNN Correspondent and environmental advocate Philippe Cousteau, and Redskins Tim Hightower were wowed by the breathtaking event décor. Walkways on the runway were bedecked in flowers by Edge Floral Event Designers and accents of pink, yellow, and orange draping hung throughout the event space catered exclusively by sponsor Design Cuisine. The intricate lighting, sponsored by Digital Lightning, cast a glow of neon and pastel shades of color, in the theme of a Miami sunset. 

Since the event’s February 6 fundraising launch at the Jefferson Hotel, F4P models, sponsors, and committee members raised more than $725,000 for WHS, exceeding the 2012 goal of $625,000. F4P has raised $196,000 more in 2012 already than in 2011, making a total of $2.2 million raised through F4P since 2007 for WHS. The funds raised yearly by F4P have become critical in supporting the work and mission of WHS. The only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the U.S., WHS has been the DC area’s leading voice for animals since 1870. As the open-access shelter in the nation’s capital, WHS provides comfort and care to nearly 30,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including sheltering, adoption, low-cost spay/neuter, humane law enforcement, lost and found, human–animal therapy programs, and humane education for at-risk youth in city schools.

This year, the top F4P female fundraiser, Nikki Burdine, broke the record for individual funds raised in the female category, bringing in $43,710 in just nine weeks. The top male fundraiser, Mark Rothman, also broke the record for the male category raising $18,550. Both female and male top fundraisers received a nine-liter bottle of champagne by sponsor Moet & Chandon Imperial. The models wore fashions from top designers from Tysons Galleria including: Elie Tahari, Nicole Miller, Betsey Johnson, Basler, Karen Millen, Aram, and Vineyard Vines. This year doggie couture was organized and presented by Wagtime LLC, who also handled the doggie backstage area with 60+ model dogs walking the runway. Toka Salon & Day Spa sponsored all of the hair needs of our two-legged models and make-up was provided by Bride Makeover. 

In 2007 we set out to create a simple little fashion event, and six years later we are proud to say we’ve created a movement with F4P changing the face of philanthropy in the nation’s capital! We have proven that a small group of dedicated people with a common goal can make an incredible difference in our community. We are truly grateful for the help of everyone involved in F4P over the years, from our 2007 Event Co-Chairs, Andrea Rodgers and Heather Guay, to our 2008-2009 Chairman, Michael J. Saylor, to our 2012 Event Co-Chairs, Michelle Benaim, Tommy McFly, Dr. Ashley Hughes, Sara Trab Nielsen to WHS Board of Directors member Amanda Polk, who all inspired us all achieve our goals to support WHS in this remarkable way.  F4P would not be what it is today without the support and generous in-kind sponsorship of Syzygy Events International and contributions of Partner/Senior Designer Marielle Shortell, who has designed and assembled the event since 2010. Syzygy Events International, along with fellow sponsors Digital Lightning, Design Cuisine, Tysons Galleria, Wagtime, and Edge Floral Event Designers, among many others, donated a combined total of more than $350,000 in 2012 for set design, production, lighting, sound, staging, food, flowers, and more. There is no doubt that this event has become such a success thanks to their impressive support, help, and guidance. Thanks to such tremendous in-kind sponsorship support to produce the event, “Pawing it Forward” for F4P, WHS has been able to make a real impact in the community thanks to the funds raised. In 2011, WHS Field Officers (Animal Control & Humane Law Enforcement) responded to nearly 15,000 calls, while the WHS team provided low-cost spay/neuter services to more than 7,200 cats and dogs, vaccinated approximately 8,000 animals, micro-chipped more than 1,000 animals, and the WHS Humane Education program worked with more than 1,700 students and adults at schools, workplaces, career fairs, and special community events.

As we plan for 2013, the goal and stakes will be even higher for F4P; we’ve moved into new territory. All of the fun, glitz, and glamour of F4P plays a real and meaningful role in supporting the mission of WHS. Our goal is to now streamline and restructure F4P to build a sustainable philanthropic business model of the future, evolving what we have created so far into a more practicable product. An important part of what fuels F4P is the volunteer team of committee members and fundraising models. Over the next year, we will work to reorganize and adjust the processes we’ve put in place, allowing us to build on our best practices and tweak the functions that we’ve outgrown. F4P may have already begun to change the face of philanthropy in DC, but now the real work begins for us as we implement new techniques in build on our model to lead us toward the next phase of our development and success.

Please be sure to “Like” Fashion for Paws on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter, and visit www.fashionforpaws.org. Want to see what Fashion for Paws is all about? Check out our Mission video: http://youtu.be/UpHlAJo_Mvs.

Runway Show Sponsors Included: Syzygy Event International, Digital Lightning, Design Cuisine, Audi of America, Georgetown Cupcake, Danaher, Nave & Associates, Moet & Chandon Imperial, Jefferson Hotel, bisnow media corp, Kim Crawford Wines, Centurion Group DC, Cherry Blossom Events, Mars Foundation, SVEDKA Vodka, UBS Private Wealth Management/Will Finnerty, Edge Floral Event Designers, Washington Fine Properties/Nelson Marban, ABC7-WJLA, Alliance Interactive, Fresh FM, Tysons Galleria, Toka Salon & Spa, The Aba Agency, Qatar Airways, Reston Limousine, Teatro Goldoni, Bride Makeover, RNDC, Cities Restaurant, Onomonomedia, PamelasPunch, Wagtime, Thiero & Associates LLC, Moshe Zusman Photography, THE Artist Agency, FIDM, George, Atlantic Valet, Pink Berry, Pretzel Crisps, Love Pops, Professional Bartending School, CA Indoor, Renu Med Spa, My Truck Buddy, Uber.  

Check out more amazing alumni stories below. We love our WHS family!

Peanut
“Peanut is a real blessing. I'm very happy that I took a chance on adopting a special needs senior Chihuahua. He's a really sweet dog and has adjusted very well, and he gets along well with Lil Missy Riverdale, another senior dog who was adopted from WHS the year before. Peanut loves the mini-rawhide chew bones and gets around well indoors and outside, despite his vision problem. He's like having a puppy around all the time.”
-Rita Pazzelli

Want to meet more great seniors like Peanut? We’re helping the “Class of 2012” graduate this weekend by offering fee-waived adoptions on all of our older and long-time pet residents! Visit our adoption centers May 18-20 to meet your new best friend! 

Angus
Angus, formerly Amos, is enjoying midday naps with his new forever family. Angus was adopted from the Washington Humane Society after being fostered by our friends at Wagtime.



















Lola and Clooney
Our favorite rabbit/guinea pig pair was adopted this week! These two came to WHS as best friends and after a long wait, they happily left together just as they came in. Congrats to the new family! 

Mara
Watch Mara, formerly Molly, participate in Capital Flyers Flydog Team practice! Family of WHS volunteer Valerie Amerkail adopted Mara, and they show us she’s doing great! (Mara is featured in the video from approximately :20 to :30 seconds.)

Paige
Paige is making strides in her new home! A WHS STEPs (Shelter Training Enrichment Program) volunteer is working with Paige to help her overcome her fears and gain confidence through training at Spot On Training. She reports that Paige is doing great and having fun! 

We have more happy endings to report this week!

Donald
Yesterday was a BIG day--Donald, one of our longer term senior residents who was facing medical issues, was adopted! Previously, Donald was forced to live outside 24/7 in a chain-link pen situated on concrete and gravel. A lot of love, care, and attention was given to Donald to help him see this day. Congrats to the new family! 

 

Trunks 
Remember Trunks, the sweet stray dog who had some joint issues that made climbing stairs a challenge? His former foster family told us he is the sweetest dog they have met to date. He’s now found a forever home, and he looks very content with his new sibling!

 

Rooster
“We adopted Rooster from the New York Ave adoption center on March 13. He's been a joy. He follows us from room to room and is getting used to being a ‘house cat.’ He wakes us up every morning by purring and nuzzling our faces. In addition to being very sweet (on his own schedule, of course!), he is also very curious and is always finding new places to explore. As I was writing this email he plopped himself down right between my arms =) Thank you for your help in getting us our new pet!”
- Kelsey Reese

 

Safflower
Safflower found a forever home! We are very happy that this sweet, shy, and gorgeous gal will get all the love she craves from her new family. (We just love this photo:)

Can’t make it to our adoption centers? Get to know your potential new companion in your own back yard!

Through our many engaging adoption, outreach, and special events, we’ve always known that bringing our animals directly to the communities that support them is key to helping more pets find more homes. The Washington Humane Society (WHS) is thrilled to announce the unveiling of our brand new mobile adoption center, an accessible animal transport van that will help us do just that (see a sneak peek, left!).

The vehicle was acquired thanks to a $150,000 grant from the Stanton Foundation, a New York based foundation created by Dr. Frank Stanton, a media pioneer and lifelong dog owner and admirer. This incredible gift will allow DC animals to meet members of our community in the neighborhoods where they live and work, providing tremendous opportunity to build hundreds, and eventually thousands more families.
 
To celebrate the arrival of our new mobile adoption center, we are hosting an unveiling in conjunction with our 8th Annual Doga event on Saturday, May 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Rose Park (near 26th and P Streets NW)!  We hope you will join us to meet adoptable pets; tour the vehicle and submit suggestions to “name” it through a Facebook voting contest; ask volunteers about fostering and helping WHS; and participate with your dog in doga (doggie yoga) with Tranquil Space Yoga, an hour of stretching, snacks, and dog treats by Doggy Style from 11 a.m. to noon.
 
To save more animals’ lives, we will host more off-site adoption events at DC area businesses and high-traffic locations throughout the region. Visit www.washhumane.org/events to see where we’ll be next!

The Washington Humane Society (WHS) is challenging DC area residents to help alleviate overcrowding in our adoption centers. As part of a month-long Foster Challenge, we will be calling on individuals, families and businesses to volunteer as temporary foster care parents for homeless animals during May, the peak of "baby animal season." We hope we can count on our caring community to join us! Read more about the foster experience from our own President and CEO Lisa LaFontaine in today’s entry, also published on the Huffington Post.

Fostering animals is an adventure – as anyone who has ever fostered will tell you! Once I realized that every foster animal would lead me toward having more human friends, I was able to let the animals go. Whenever someone says, “Oh, I could never foster!” I reply, “Yes, you could” – because every time your precious foster animal gets adopted you have the chance to get to know a new person, or better yet, a whole family.

If you are really lucky (and really persistent) those families will stay in touch with you and will continue to send you updates, pictures and happy stories for the rest of that animal’s life. Over the years I’ve collected some great images – a couple of my favorites show a former foster dog in her mom’s wedding; one of my kittens welcoming a new baby home as a grown up cat; and a dog who went home with his 6-year-old little girl at her graduation ceremony, sporting a grey muzzle.

All of my foster animals are special. Over the past winter, we cared for a beautiful puppy named Lucy (her nickname was “Sugar Foot”). You may have heard her story – Lucy came in with a variety of injuries and wounds, and had to have a leg amputated. My family, friends and colleagues helped to wrap her wounds in bandages for several weeks and once she had recovered she began to live life with abandon – hiding squeaky balls around the house, running up the hill with the big dogs at the dog park, and chasing our cats up and down the stairs.

Lucy was adopted by a wonderful family who learned about her (ironically, given her nickname!) at our Sugar & Champagne Affair. So although our house is now a bit quieter, we are thrilled to know that she is happy and loved by her new humans and by her new brother, Rocket.

As the cycle of fostering goes, with Lucy’s departure we had room for another animal in need. WHS Vet Tech Rachel Horne made a persuasive case that I should bring home a sweet little cat who had been found covered in cooking grease at a DC fish fry restaurant. Many dish detergent baths later he was missing clumps of hair – but he smelled great, and his spirit was intact. That night the cat who is now Brewster made the ride home from work with me.

After a few weeks in our house, he has also come into his own. For the first three days he hid, with an amazing ability to camouflage himself. Often, he was in plain sight. Bookshelves and laundry piles became a favorite, but he also located a little pouch in one of our reclining chairs that he made his home. We put a little sticky note on the chair to remind people not to recline before checking his “spot”.

Now, Brewster has started to show his true, tabby colors – as all of the animals do when they leave the adoption center. Despite the loving care and attention of our staff, the shelters are noisy, stressful and sometimes chaotic places – there are unusual noises and smells, and lights are often on somewhere. In my experience, each foster animal truly exhales after they leave the shelter environment, and that is when you get to see who they really are.

Brewster, who was sweet and cuddly at the shelter, is now confident and feisty; he faces down our dog, and all dogs who come to the house. He often gets the “ya yas,” racing unprompted from room to room and zipping around. He even chases our very strong-willed cat Mr. Pibb out of bed at night.
Herein lies the real benefit and importance of the WHS foster program. Not only do foster families provide a much needed safe haven for animals, but they also give each dog or cat the opportunity to feel comfortable enough to reveal his or her true personality. As a result, we learn valuable information that allows us to find a better permanent match than we might otherwise have done – and for that, we can never thank our foster families enough.

Giving of your home and love as a WHS foster family doesn’t just help the cat or dog directly in your care; your generosity impacts countless animals in the District. For every one of WHS’s animals with a foster family we free up a cage somewhere – and that helps us save exponentially more lives.

Aruba Grace
“February 2012 was Aruba Grace's first anniversary with my flock, which includes her sister Firooza Violetta, and brother Sonny C. Aruba’s other brother, Vic, sadly passed away in January after a battle with neurological issues. Near the end of Vic's life, Firooza started ignoring him; however, Aruba Grace was the one who stuck by him, feeding and warbling to him. I was worried she would stop eating when we lost him, however, she has adjusted well and is back to flying, bathing, singing, ringing bells, and swinging to bluegrass music. In fact, the flock is now getting along like the ‘Three Musketeers.’ One day, the trio made a group effort to push their bird bath off the cage top, sending it crashing to the floor and splashing the water out of it!”
 -Erin P. Doherty

Puzzle
WHS staff is ecstatic! Long-time resident sweetie Puzzle finally found her forever home this week. We know this energetic former PACK (People & Animal Cardio Klub) pup will be a great forever companion!

JaJa
“Poor Sweet Memphis didn't know what to do about this. He wasn't eating his breakfast one morning so I went to check things out and this is what I had found. Jaja, an adorable rat adopted from the Washington Humane Society, had escaped from the bathroom and was enjoying a breakfast made for Memphis. JaJa now resides in my office so she doesn't torment the other animals! We love JaJa as she keeps us entertained all day. She is super active and gets into trouble all the time but that's why we love her.”
-JJ Scheele

Cash
“Seven months ago, I took this pic of Cash (Austin) in the New York Avenue adoption center parking lot on the day I took him home. I knew the moment I found out his birthday was April 15th (aka Tax Day!) that he was meant for me since I write about accounting and taxes for a living! In honor of his first birthday, we will be giving a donation to WHS as a small token of thanks from me and Cash's fellow WHS alum ‘brother’ Buck for bringing this fantastically weird, always entertaining cat into our lives. Happy birthday, Cash!”
-Adrienne Gonzalez

George
And finally, last but not least WHS would like to extend a huge thank you to Marie Osmond, our Honorary Fashion for Paws Chairwoman, for adopting little George, whom she met at last weekend’s event. We are happy to report the new family is doing great!