Virtually Pets: Adoptions
If you can find it in your heart (and we don’t see how you couldn’t) to give a home to one of these wonderful friends in need, please do so! They have plenty of friends in need as well, so pass it forward.
Mr. Magoo is a darling poodle-shiatsu mix. He is a sturdy little dog who loves to play with toys and other dogs. He enjoys walks and is incredibly friendly. Sadly, his sight is impaired from what we believe is a birth defect. Mr. Magoo would be an incredible therapy dog. He is truly inspiring. To meet Mr. Magoo, call (562) 897-5282 and speak with Louise.
Hearts for Hounds recently rescued several mothers and their pups from a local shelter. There are thousands of these little ones in our shelters as well as in rescue—please do not buy them online, from the paper or from pet stores. Visit heartsforhounds.com for contact info.
Hearts for Hounds meets at The Farmer’s Market Sundays from 11–2 (next to Joe’s Crab Shack). Animal Match Rescue Team is across the street at Petco, same time frame. Come on out and adopt a friend for life.
Boxer Briefs: Animal Legislation
SB 250 and AB 241
We’ve been coming out in favor of the above bills because we feel that they’ll benefit animals, help curb pet overpopulation and be another nail in the puppy mill coffin—for the millers, that is. Judie Mancuso, who makes the term “tireless advocate” seem inadequate for description, presents her unobstructed view on detractors of both bills.
“Who could be against this legislation?” she asks. “The vast majority of opposition to animal-friendly legislation comes from one group underground animal breeders who fear that new legislation will affect their unscrupulous businesses.”
Neither of these bills targets reputable breeders. To the folks who state that this is a law intended to get rid of all pets, we’ll get all Barney Frank on you: What planet do you live on? and introduce you to a dining-room table. There’ll always be plenty of dogs and cats being born—but let an expert give you the inside poop-scoop. Visit this website to read Ms. Mancuso’s view. She says it a lot better than we do.
Even more fun, one of the bill’s biggest opponents, PetPac’s Bill Hemby, is being sued by the California Department of Justice in Operation False Charity. Read about it here. Both bills will be voted on in the next couple of weeks. Visit socialcompassion.org to support them.
Pet Projects
Sept 5, Animal Acres Gala
Honorary gala chair Ellen DeGeneres invites you to attend the Animal Acres 2009 Gala celebration on Saturday, September 5. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. with the “Cowtail Party,” where celebrity hosts, award recipients and gala guests meet and mingle with the sanctuary’s “guests of honor”—over 150 rescued cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens, sheep and goats. Gala guests will then gather to enjoy a gourmet dinner sponsored by Madeleine’s Bistro, L.A’s premier vegan restaurant. Awards will be presented by our celebrity hosts. All proceeds from the Gala will benefit our emergency rescue and shelter programs to provide feed, housing and veterinary care for suffering farmed animals. For information, table sponsorship and anything else you want to know about, visit this website.
Oct. 9, Compassionate Cuisine
Come to the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at CSULB for a celebration of World Vegetarian Day, with tastes of delicious vegetarian cuisine from many nationalities and ethnicities—all cruelty free. There will be music—including the Irvine Young Symphony, which played at the Beijing Olympics—a raffles, special guest presentations and more. Reservations required—$35 per person includes all beverages and food. Visit this website for information and reservations.
Your Pooch—in Print
Author Kyla Duffy raises awareness about puppy mills and supports dog rescue groups by publishing breed-specific and region-specific short-story collections about adopted dogs. The books give proud owners of rescued dogs a chance to showcase them, raise awareness about dog adoption and breed characteristics, and generate funding for dog rescue through the donation of a portion of each sale. Lost Souls: FOUND! Inspirational Stories of Adopted Boston Terriers and Lost Souls: FOUND! Inspiring Stories About Golden Retrievers are available on Amazon.com, and Duffy is working on other breeds. Duffy is currently collecting stories on all breeds and mixed breeds and would love to hear from anyone who has a great story about his or her adopted dog. Visit happytailsbooks.com for information.
Ongoing—Pet Literacy at ACS
Pet Literacy is a City of Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) program at the P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village. The program promotes humane treatment, socialization of animals, creating a connection between animals and humans, and literacy through reading aloud to the animals. Wednesdays–Sundays, 2–3 p.m., 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach