The Ohio Pet Directory

A number of pet rescue groups have recently been solicited by The Ohio Pet Directory publication. The publication, that has long offered advertising to pet stores, has recently decided to offer its services to pet rescue groups.

My friend and fellow rescuer Mary O'Conner-Shaver of Columbus Top Dogs wrote an exceptional response to her solicitation...

Solicitation Letter from Ohio Pet Directory...

Hello,

My name is Karen Butcher, I am contacting you today with regards to the Ohio Pet Directory, brought to you by the Cleveland Canine Magazine. We are looking for pet friendly companies to advertise through this specialized directory which will cater to the pet lovers community. We have special rates for rescue groups $20 for a two line add, per year. And I'm hoping that advertising your pets for adoption through the Pet Directory will help those lovable animals get forever homes. I have attached the media kit.

Please contact me within a few days, at your earliest convenience, to place your order.

Thanks,
Karen Butcher

Mary's Response...

Dear Karen Butcher:

A number of individuals have forwarded your e-mail regarding solicitation of special advertising rates which you are extending to animal rescue groups. Given our group's dedication to raising awareness of Ohio dog auctions, puppy mills and the entities that support and keep them in business, it is our practice not to participate in any media advertising which promotes pet stores.

As you may already be aware, Ohio ranks among the top three states in the country with the highest percentage of puppy mill breeders. The sad truth behind the friendly facade of pet stores is that there often lies a puppy mill. The documented problems of these mass breeding facilities include overbreeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, poor quality of food and shelter, lack of socialization with humans, overcrowded cages, and the killing of unwanted animals. To the unwitting consumer, this situation frequently means buying a puppy facing an array of immediate veterinary problems or harboring genetically borne diseases that do not appear until years later.

Take a look at the financial impact of Columbus Petland - http://petland.com/FindPetlandStores/Ohio.htm - stores on Franklin County, OH (statistics provided by the Director of Franklin County Animal Shelter, Lisa Wahoff, in November, 2006):

7-10 Petland dogs per day are admitted to the shelter. 80% of those dogs are:

*not spayed/neutered
*are in very poor health and/or mental state
*have no microchip reigstered to anyone other than the broker, and no owner can be tracked. Petland takes no responsibility.
*are not an appropriate match to the owner, resulting in owner release within one year of the purchase.

The Results?

A low-end average of $30 per day for each Petland dog (if the dog is healthy) X 7-10 dogs = $210-$300 per day!

It is my firm belief that until the public truly understands and appreciates the cruel aspect - not to mention the consumer fraud - connected with "dealing dogs", Ohio pet stores will continue to generate millions of dollars for their breeders and distributors. Thanks in advance for your consideration.

P.S. Given the shoestring budgets many of these rescue groups currently operate under, I would recommend to your senior management team that they extend FREE advertising space to help expedite the placement of animals needing safe and loving homes.

Mary O'Connor-Shaver

A Pet's 10 Commandments

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS...

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
   
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
   
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well being.
   
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
   
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
   
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
   
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet I choose not to bite you.
   
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
   
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You, too, will grow old.
   
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so ALWAYS!

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.

Creative Help for Rescuers

I was recently informed that a new organization of volunteer creative professionals was created to provide services for animal welfare organizations.

If you have a rescue organization that is need of professional creative services -- such as web design, writers, logo design, photographers, editors -- be sure to read Linda Formichelli's note below:

I recently started an organization called Creative Professionals for Animal Welfare (creativePAW). The organization's mission is to help animal welfare organizations find creative professionals (such as writers, editors, illustrators, photographers, and web designers) who are willing to do volunteer work to help with the orgs' marketing, education, fundraising, and PR efforts. These creative professionals help animal welfare organizations publicize their causes and educate the public about homeless pet issues. Our volunteers can create newsletters, websites, logos, brochures, press releases, and more. (Note: Our volunteers typically work remotely over the Internet and are not available for in-shelter work.)

I announced the new website in mid-February, and we already have more than 600 volunteers -- writers, web designers, videographers, editors, illustrators, photographers, PR people, and even actors and voice talent. If you could use the services of any of these volunteers, please sign up (it's free) to search the volunteer database. Before you sign up, please read our 'How We Work' page to learn more about how we can help you. creativePAW's website is http://www.creativepaw.org/.

If you do end up contacting a volunteer through creativePAW, be sure to mention to the volunteer how you found him or her. Also, please keep creativePAW updated on any volunteer projects so we can post about them on the site!

Linda Formichelli * http://www.lindaformichelli.com/

Animal Transport Webinar

For those rescue volunteers that transport, PetSmart Charities is offering a free, two-part educational webinar on rescue transporting. For more information, read below:

From PetSmart Charities...

We are really excited to bring you a two-part series on Animal Transport. Part 1 is currently open for registration and you can register at http://petsmartcharities.webex.com.

How to Safely and Humanely Transport Dogs
Presented by: Marlene Walsh, Executive Director, Humane Strategies

Dates:

• Monday, August 18: 1-2:30 p.m. pacific / 2-3:30 p.m. mountain / 3-4:30 p.m. central / 4-5:30 p.m. eastern

• Tuesday, August 19: 9-10:30 a.m. pacific / 10-11:30 a.m. mountain / 11-12:30 p.m. central / 12-1:30 p.m. eastern

• Wednesday, August 20: 4-5:30 p.m. pacific / 5-6:30 p.m. mountain / 6-7:30 p.m. central / 7-8:30 p.m. eastern

There are many things to consider before starting an animal transport program, or becoming a participant in an animal transport endeavor, as well as ways to evaluate your current transport program if you are already involved. Some of the things to consider in your program are:

• Where are your animals going?
• Have you visited the shelter?
• Have you met the people who will be receiving your animals?
• Do you know their adoption policies?
• Who pays for what?
• Should money exchange hands?
• Do we need a formal agreement between organizations?
• Between transporter and shelters?
• Who will be transporting your animals?
• In what type of vehicle?
• How long is the drive between your facility and their destination?
• How far is too far?
• What will be used to transport the animals?

Marlene Walsh, Executive Director of Humane Strategies, which is the operator of PetSmart Charities' Rescue Waggin, will give you all the information you need to know to transport your dogs safely and humanely. You'll also learn how to prepare animals the morning of transport, rules of the road for the day of transport, and what to do when the animals reach the destination shelter.

Watch for Part 2 of this webinar in September. Dr. Sandra Newbury will be discussing health related issues, for pets and shelters, associated with transporting dogs.

• How can we identify good candidates for transport?
• What precautions can we take to prevent infectious disease spread as a source and a destination shelter?
• What health management systems can we put in place when we know transfer is an option?
• How can we keep everyone healthy while we wait for pick up?
• And how can we best ensure safety during the trip?
• Registration for Part 2 should open for registration towards the middle of August.

If you aren't sure how webinars work or would like to schedule a test run to make sure that your computer is set up and ready to go, please feel free to contact Suzy Hayton at shayton@petsmartcha rities.org.

Thanks, and we look forward to "seeing" you online.

Robin Mason
Manager Technology & Education
PetSmart Charities
Phone: 623-587-2487
http://petsmartcharities.webex.com for FREE online seminars

A Lion Named Christian

Many of you might have seen this already. If you haven't, get yourself a tissue. It's a beautiful story!

Black Dog Syndrome

Most of the general public is not aware of how doomed black dogs are. When black dogs are brought to a pound, particularly black labs or lab mixes, they are euthanized at a horrifying rate because people pass them up for lighter colored dogs. If you are thinking about adopting a dog, please don't overlook black dogs. They are just as loving and wonderful as lighter colored dogs!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Protest Verizon's Pit Bull Commercial

This post is a contribution from fellow rescuer Doreen in Michigan:

Hi Everybody,

Most of you have already seen this commercial from Verizon, where the two chained vicious pit bulls race for the cell phone and they reach the cell at the same time but the guy gets there just in the nick of time seconds before the dogs. This commercial is in such bad taste in so many ways, but for sure two, 1, for having chained up dogs, and 2, for portraying our beloved pit bulls as vicious, as they are already getting such bad press.

I'm asking along with hundreds already to please go to the link and sign it and let's let Verizon know we are NOT happy about their chosen advertisement. They could have just as easily used a cobra as someone else pointed out. Why a pit bull?? I want and hundreds of others want this commercial pulled. I'm checking on Monday to see about changing my service.

Thank you very much for your support.

Doreen

Verizon corporate office number is 212-395-1000 in New York. Please call and ask them to yank this commercial.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/make-verizon-accountable