The biggest animal welfare myth in the south rears its ugly head again (where is my Whack-A-Mole mallet?), this time courtesy of Surry Co rescuer Rachel Hiatt after a dog shipped to MA from NC was adopted by a celebrity: "Up north they have laws where you have to have your pet spayed and neutered … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

NC state lawmaker Rodney Moore proposed a law requiring criminal background checks for owners of Pitbulls, Rottweilers, Mastiffs and other large breed dogs.  Under the bill, owners would have had to take special training courses and pay for an "aggressive dog" permit.  The bill died in committee.  The money quote:Mr. Moore said he wasn’t sure … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

Memphis City Councilman Shea Flinn, who sponsored MSN legislation in 2010 which has failed to stop the killing of pets at the Memphis pound, now wants to push the stinkbomb that is MAS off on the county.  (Thank you Clarice for the link.) *** From the AVMA website: Good news! The long-awaited 2013 edition of … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

When the Christian Co shelter in KY was badly damaged in a fire, the irresponsible public quickly mobilized to provide homes for the 225 pets.  (Thank you Melissa for the link.) Some not-too-well-endowed man in Memphis was caught on video beating his Pitbull for chewing on his car seat.  He was charged with cruelty but … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

At the end of this piece on the ethics of spay-neuter, there is a quote from veterinarian Ben Hart, one of the authors of the recent Golden Retriever research paper we discussed this week: [Vasectomies and tubal ligations] are much less expensive and less traumatic for the dogs. The weird thing is we don't teach … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

Shelter advisory board member Jeanne Chancellor appears to support punitive legislation against pet owners in Memphis in the form of licensing.  Because I guess there isn't enough killing at the Memphis pound already.  (Thank you Clarice for the link.) Police in Birmingham, AL responded to a domestic disturbance call at a home and the friendly … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

The Hempstead Town Animal Shelter in NY is paying a certified trainer $54 an hour to conduct canine behavior evaluations and rehabilitation for "no more than 32 hours a week". The Times looks at the American Kennel Club's track record of inspecting - and approving - kennels whose owners later end up facing animal cruelty … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

Although I don't usually promote or participate in the many "vote for us" online contests for rescues, I am happy to make an occasional exception for a loyal reader whose group does good work.  Laura asked if I would include a link to her group Animal Advocates of Carroll Co in this contest.  Registration took … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

What We Owe Dogs: Part 1 and Part 2 - Nathan Winograd discusses the no kill movement's commitment to every individual dog, regardless of the pet's location. The Healdsburg Animal Shelter in CA killed an owner surrendered dog a rescue was willing to take.  The director stated the rescue portion of the Hayden Act only … Continue reading Treats on the Internets