PETA, AKC and... the KKK?

I must begin this post by saying that I usually try to avoid perpetuating or repeating messages that I don't agree with. One of the worst things you can do is provide additional publicity to an idea that contradicts yours. It's ineffective. However, I feel compelled to write about PETA's protest of last week's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. With its "any publicity is good publicity" approach, the animal rights group manned a table outside of the show with a banner that read, "Welcome AKC Members" with AKC crossed out and KKK written above it. The protesters dressed as KKK members and handed out brochures that explained how the American Kennel Club is attempting to create a "doggie master race" while millions of animals die in shelters each year. PETA's protest frustrates me for several reasons:

• Small, responsible breeders are not the problem.
  
• It's so disheartening because PETA's actions are not productive. If the organization really wanted to protect animals, it would use its resources to push legislation to shut down puppy mills... not stand outside of the Westminster dog show dressed as KKK members. Come on.
  
• PETA's provocative, extreme, media-hungry approach actually undermines the animal protection movement. How is it beneficial for the general public to think all animal advocates are crazy? How does it build public support and help drive people to take action? PETA's antics just backfire and give all people who care about animals a bad name.
  

At the end of the day, how does this help protect animals? Similarly, is it productive to be infamous for throwing red paint on fur coats or launching a campaign to rename fish 'sea kittens'?

It doesn't - and let it be known that PETA does not speak for all animal advocates.

Cute!

I recently came across this wonderful image and have had the hardest time trying to find out who designed/created it -- so if anyone reading this knows, please comment!  I had to share. :)

Puppy Bowl cuteness!!

Today's the Super Bowl, and you know what that means!! The Puppy Bowl of course. 

This year's starting lineup includes Alex, a hound mix; Bella, a pit bull mix; Braedyn, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; Candy Apple & Candy Corn, Weimaraner mixes; Charlie Brown, a doberman mix; Eli, an Australian Shepherd mix, and many other adorable pups - all of which are up for adoption!

Make sure to tune into Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl V this afternoon (starts at 3 p.m. EST). There's even a special kitty half-time show :)

Grab some chips and salsa and turn on Animal Planet!

Helping animals, one piece of kibble at a time

When it comes to social causes and issues - whether related to conservation, health, education, poverty or animal protection, it's easy to look at the big picture and feel disheartened and helpless. Well, I came across a story recently that highlights the incredible impact just one person can have.

Mimi Ausland, a 12-year-old from Bend, Oregon, has harnessed the power of new media to help thousands of shelter animals. Last year - with the help of her parents - Mimi launched Freekibble.com and Freekibblekat.com with the original goal to collect food for the Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO).  Site users can visit the site daily to answer a "Meow Trivia" or "Bow Wow Trivia" question. For every answer - correct or not - the site donates 10 pieces of kibble. 

Sponsors Zootoo.com and pet food company Castor & Pollax have since jumped on board, allowing Mimi to expand her reach and become the sole supplier of food to 11 shelters around the country, including HSCO. Since June 2008, the sites have helped donate 47 million pieces of kibble to cats and dogs in need. 

Mimi got the idea from the FreeRice campaign, in which rice is donated through the UN World Food program to help end hunger. Site visitors are able donate the rice by answering a series of vocabulary questions. To date, FreeRice has provided more than 58 billion grains of rice - incredible!

In the future, Mimi would like to run her own animal shelter. There's no doubt that she'll certainly (continue to) make the world a better place for animals! Many kudos to Mimi!

The Search for First Pooch

With the presidential Inauguration just around the corner, I thought it would be fitting to write about a relevant storyline that has popped up in almost every news publication. As many of you are aware, Obama made a promise to his daughters that they could have a puppy if he made it to the White House. During his election-night victory speech he reaffirmed that promise when he mentioned to his daughters that "you have earned the new puppy that is coming with us to the White House." Since then, Obama has noted his preference to get a shelter dog.

In the past month, the search for First Puppy has been covered prominently alongside coverage of Cabinet picks and policy plans. Publications from around the globe have covered the story with headlines like, "Breaking Obama News: Selection of First Dog is Imminent", "Obamas Narrow Choices on Family Dog" and "First Dog Finalists - What Will Obama Girls Get?" As far as the importance of President-elect Obama's decisions in office is concerned, this one is definitely on the low end of the scale. Nonetheless, this story has placed the issue of shelter adoption at center stage, which is a very positive thing.

The latest news is that the Obamas have narrowed down their search to two breeds: the Labradoodle (cross between a poodle and Labrador retriever) and a Portuguese water dog. They chose these breeds because their daughter, Malia, is allergic, and these are hypoallergenic.

It would be great if the Obama family is able to find the dog they're looking for at a rescue organization. It would set a good example and certainly be in step with Obama's messages of hope and change. According to an AP-Petside.com poll released today, many Americans agree. The survey revealed that pet owners prefer that Obama's kids get a shelter dog over a purebred by a 2-1 margin.

No doubt, this dog will hold a special place in history. :)

Get the Scoop on: Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF)

You don't have to like the St. Louis Cardinals to be a fan of Tony La Russa. 

For the past 18 years, the Cardinals manager and his wife, Elaine, have run the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation, which helps homeless and abandoned companion animals through adoptions, a spay/neuter clinic, as well as numerous public education and community involvement programs that demonstrate how people's lives are enhanced by animals. 

In ARF's 37,000-square-foot facility, cats and dogs live in glass-enclosed open areas where they can play with potential adopters. The ARF facility also features a People Connect Wing, where a presentation room, classroom and learning center help educate community members about companion animals and the healing touch they provide. 

ARF's ability to provide a comprehensive approach is one of its best assets. Not only does the foundation find homes for animals and care for them, it also offers a number of community and educational programs. Here are just a few:

• All Ears Reading: Partnership with Nestle Purina and Target that encourages reading aloud to pets, since they are attentive, non-judgmental and comforting. This program emphasizes how reading to pets can help improve reading skills, self-esteem, and empathy.  

• ARF All-Stars Training: Multi-level volunteer programs for middle-and high-school students that teach dog and cat body language, behavior, care, and socialization to prepare them for volunteering at ARF. 

• Pet Hug Pack: Handlers and their pets visit hospitals, nursing homes and rehab centers.

• Teaching Loving Care Program: An animal-assisted therapy program for young people with serious emotional and behavioral problems. It provides mental health therapy for participants and involves them in providing foster care, training and behavior modifications for rescued cats and dogs. 
  

Humane Mewsings gives several paws up to ARF! Learn more by clicking here. 

How does your state fare in animal protection laws?

Recently, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, a national organization that fights to enforce anti-cruelty laws and protect the lives of animals, released its annual report ranking the animal protection laws in each state. ALDF ranked each jurisdiction (all U.S. states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands) into a top, middle or bottom tier - as well as a list of the five worst and best states.

The five best states include Illinois, Oregon, Maine, Michigan and California. These states topped the list because they have felony penalties for cruelty and neglect and a full range of statutory protections; mandatory seizure of mistreated animals; mandatory reporting of animal cruelty by veterinarians; increased penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders and animal abusers; and pre-sentence mental health evaluations, among other factors.

On the flip side, the worst five states were Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, and North Dakota. These states fell to the bottom for a number of reasons, including a lack of provisions for animal cruelty/neglect/abandonment; inadequate animal fighting provisions; no laws requiring the reporting of suspected animal abuse; and no increased penalties for repeat offenders, among others.

Stephan Otto, ALDF's director of legislative affairs and author of the report noted that "while animals certainly do not vote, those who love and care about them do, so we encourage lawmakers throughout the country to take heed and commit to working to improve these critical laws."

Click here to view the report and map.