This is just too cute not to share!! This past Saturday there was a German Festival in Bixby, OK with all the fun and frivolity that festivals always have. This year, Tulsa Boxer Rescue gave a twist to an old favorite with their booth. Instead of a regular ole’ kissing booth, Tulsa Boxer Rescue had a Smooch-A-Pooch booth.

The booth was a great hit and who could turn down a big ole sloppy kiss from such a sweet and friendly pooch. Check out these great pictures!

Read more… »

More than 800 people, plus dogs and 46 rescues and advocacy groups turned out in force yesterday in Lancaster, PA for the largest national Puppy Mill Awareness Day Rally. In its fifth year, this was more than twice the turnout of last year and more than three times the number of rescue and advocacy groups.

There is no doubt that awareness is increasing about these houses of horror.

Lancaster, PA is considered ground zero for puppy mills that sell large numbers of dogs via some pet stores and over the Internet and Pennsylvania, the ‘Puppy Mill Capital of the East Coast”.

With the House passage of the Puppy Mill bill, HB 2525, this week, a bill that would require large commercial breeders to clean kennels daily and provide veterinary checks and temperature controls, among other measures to make these commercial breeding businesses more humane, PA is trying to shed that title. Now HB 2525 is facing the Senate and passage before the session ends in November is far from certain.

“Please contact your representatives and make Pennsylvania a humane state,” said Annmarie Lucas, a special humane investigator who appears on the Animal Planet show “Animal Precinct.”

Read more… »

We all know about puppy mills, the houses of horror that they are with their cramped cages, dirty and neglected dogs. Dogs bred again and again often subsisting on little food and water, little to no medical care, little human contact, and this description barely scratches the surface of the reality of puppy mills.

September 20 has been designated as Puppy Mill Awareness Day, an annual event designed to educate and inform the public on the problems associated with pet mills and what they can do to stop them, a day to promote the education of people about puppy mill and the petstore connection.

Find out more about Puppy Mill Awareness Day at awarenessday.org

There is going to be a whole line-up of events with many special guests and groups involved. You can download an events flyer HERE.

Doni’s Dogs… Compassion in Action! A place to support animal welfare as well as to show the world what really matters to you.

After months of intense effort and work, Doni’s Dogs is making it’s official launch today!!

What is Doni’s Dogs?? An organization that gives you a unique way to both support animal welfare and show the world that you care and what you care about.

There are so many wonderful animal welfare organizations, from rescues to sanctuaries to transport groups and more and never enough time or resources. Doni’s Dogs hopes to be a stepping stone to help bridge the gap and you can help.

Read more… »

Hang ten… err, twenty pooches!! Catch a wave and ride it in!!

Surfing Dog

Read more… »

Too cute to pass up; the annual Weiner Races in Buda, Texas. Hundreds of Dachshunds and their owners gather for a day of fun, frivolity and yes, weiner racing!!

Started 11 years ago by the Lions Club with just 33 dogs, Buda is the Wiener Dog Capital of Texas now and their annual race draws hundreds of weiners and their proud owners.

“This has put Buda on the map and everybody knows about it and they talk about it all year long,” Buda Lions Club member Keith Handrick said.

Check out those little legs go!

Weiner Races

We all know that we should be kind, caring, loving and responsible when it comes to pets and animals and there are so many ways to do this.  With ‘Be Kind to Animals’ week coming up May 4-10, the ASPCA has a little list of seven specific ways that you can be kind to animals;

ASPCA - We created Be Kind to Animals Week in 1915 to celebrate the unique bond between humans and animals and to spread kindness and compassion.

Here are seven ways to be kind to animals:

1. Report animal abuse. Violence against animals is terrible enough, but it could also be a sign that other violent behavior, like domestic abuse, is happening.
2. Speak out for animals. Get active in local animal welfare policies and legislation. Sign up with us to receive timely action alerts about issues affecting animals. You’ll be able to make a difference for animals with just the click of your mouse.
3. Kindness starts at home. Teach the people in your life, especially children, about the importance of treating animals humanely.
4. Adopt a pet from a shelter or breed-specific rescue. About 8 to 12 million animals enter shelters every year, and more than half of these pets will have to be euthanized because of a lack of homes. Want a purebred Labrador? Check with your local shelter first — they take in mutts and purebreds.
5. Help solve the tragedy of euthanasia of adoptable animals by not contributing to the problem. If you have pets, make sure they are spayed or neutered.
6. Make a donation to your local animal shelter. A donation can be your time, money or needed items like pet food or laundry detergent. Call them first and see what they need.
7. Be a responsible pet guardian. Pets should be microchipped and should always wear a collar with an ID tag, so they can be reunited with you quickly if they are ever lost. And take your pet to the veterinarian every year for vaccinations and a health check.

April 12, 2008 Buckeye Dog Auction. Below is a summary of the 364 companions expected to be placed on the auction block beginning at 9:30 AM (137 males, 227 females):

1. Boston Terrier (11 males, 22 females)
2. Shelties (4 males, 9 females)
3. Miniature Schnauzers (5 males, 5 females)
4. Japanese Chin (0 male, 1 female)
5. Pomeranian (9 males, 12 females)
6. French Bulldog (1 male, 2 females)
7. Pekingese (1 male, 2 females)
8. Silky Terrier (3 males, 2 females)
9. Chihuahua (1 male, 2 females)
10. Miniature Pinchers (2 males, 0 females)
11. Affenpincher (1 male, 0 females)
12. Boxer (5 males, 8 females)
13. Lhasa Apso (1 male, 0 females)
14. Cocker Spaniel (5 males, 8 females)
15. Bichon (0 males, 4 females)
16. Shihtzu (16 males, 12 females)
17. Shihtzu/Silky (0 male, 1 female)
18. Havanese (7 males, 10 females)
19. Pugs (9 males, 15 females)
20. Cairn Terrier (1 male, 1 female)
21. Maltese (7 males, 15 females)
22. Westies (0 males, 1 female)
23. Brussels Griffon (0 males, 2 females)
24. Mini Dachshund (0 male, 1 female)
25. Dachshund (3 males, 5 females)
26. Fox Terrier (0 males, 2 females)
27. Toy Fox Terrier (0 males, 1 female)
28. Scotties (5 males, 2 females)
29. Papillon (1 male, 1 female)
30. Cavaliers (9 males, 19 females)
31. Coton (5 males, 9 females)
32. Mini Toy Poodles (5 males, 8 females)
33. Standard Poodles (4 males, 7 females)
34. Yorkies (5 males, 19 females)
35. English Bulldgs (1 male, 6 females)
36. Basset Hounds (1 male, 1 female)
37. Beagle (0 male, 2 females)
38. Springer Spaniel (1 male, 0 female)
39. Golden Retriever (0 male, 2 females)
40. Bulldog (0 male, 1 female)
41. Mixed Breeds (8 males, 7 females)

April 12 is also the day of “Taste of Holmes County Tour” sponsored by Amish Culture Tours (330-893-3248 - www.amishtoursofohio.com). As you might expect, a tour of dog breeding kennels is not among the list of activities planned for this event!

Read more… »

The next WI dog auction will be taking place on Wed., March 12 in Thorp., WI. There will be a peaceful protest held during the auction.  If you can, please join this event and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves!

Below are the links (breed/sex/registry/description/birthdate/breeder) of all companions expected to be placed on the block:

1. Companions which have been registered: http://www.horststablesauctions.com/catalog.html
2. Companions not registered: http://www.horststablesauctions.com/catalog2.html

Below is a message from Chuck Wegner of Clark County Human Society with a preface from Eilene Ribbens of The Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project.

The Auction People think they are being “smart” by scheduling this during the week when most people with “regular jobs” have to WORK.

The protest is ON… please log onto www.NoDogAuction.org for instructions.

We ask you to PLEASE come to this event. We cannot be silent!

Eilene Ribbens - Executive Director
The Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project
www.NoWisconsinPuppyMills.com

***************************

OK everybody, just in case you haven’t heard, the puppy millers are having another dog auction in Thorp. It will be held on March 12th. Yes, it’s a Wednesday this time. We think it’s an attempt by them to keep protesters away due to the fact that many of us have to work during the week and it may be difficult to get time off.

Please check out our special dog auction website: www.NoDogAuction. org for all the latest news and updates on the protest too. I can’t stress strongly enough how very important it is that we take a stand against this horrible industry. We will be there with our protest signs and banners to draw the attention of the media and the public to what is going on in Wisconsin. This is the only way to keep the issue on the legislators front burner.

I know it is a difficulty for many of you to be able to attend this peaceful protest but if at all possible I implore each of you to look deep into your very being and see if there is some way you can get off work and join us as we stand up to the millers and protest this auction. You will be among good friends who feel that the way dogs are being treated by the millers and the auction is so wrong on every level that we just have to be there for them.

Check out the website and if you can make it to the protest let us know. Thanks.

Chuck Wegner
Clark County Humane Society

REPOST! Wisconsinites, this is a chance to be heard!! Please take the time to read and pass this along to everyone you know. RSVP and show up, be a voice for those who don’t have voices of their own!!

Humane Lobby Day in Madison

The Humane Society of the United States invites you to make a tremendous difference for animals in Wisconsin!

On February 13, 2008, animal advocates will gather in Madison for the Wisconsin Humane Lobby Day. Please join us for this exciting opportunity to meet directly with your elected official or their staff about legislation that will significantly impact animals. R.S.V.P. today to lend your voice for animals and make a difference in Wisconsin. Click here to R.S.V.P. now.

In order to prepare you for your meetings, we will give you tips for lobbying and an overview of pending animal legislation in Wisconsin. Then, along with other animal advocates, you will be able to meet with your legislator and let them know about your support of humane legislation.

Face to face meetings are one of the most effective ways to get involved and make a concrete difference in the lives of animals. Feel free to bring a friend and pass this information on to others who might like to join us.

This event is free of charge, but an R.S.V.P. is requested to attend. Click here to R.S.V.P. now.

There is an upcoming Lobby 101 seminar in Eau Claire on February 11. Click here for details and to R.S.V.P.

REPOST! Wisconsinites, this is a chance to be heard!! Please take the time to read and pass this along to everyone you know. RSVP and show up, be a voice for those who don’t have voices of their own!!

Humane Lobby Day in Madison

The Humane Society of the United States invites you to make a tremendous difference for animals in Wisconsin!

On February 13, 2008, animal advocates will gather in Madison for the Wisconsin Humane Lobby Day. Please join us for this exciting opportunity to meet directly with your elected official or their staff about legislation that will significantly impact animals. R.S.V.P. today to lend your voice for animals and make a difference in Wisconsin. Click here to R.S.V.P. now.

In order to prepare you for your meetings, we will give you tips for lobbying and an overview of pending animal legislation in Wisconsin. Then, along with other animal advocates, you will be able to meet with your legislator and let them know about your support of humane legislation.

Face to face meetings are one of the most effective ways to get involved and make a concrete difference in the lives of animals. Feel free to bring a friend and pass this information on to others who might like to join us.

This event is free of charge, but an R.S.V.P. is requested to attend. Click here to R.S.V.P. now.

There is an upcoming Lobby 101 seminar in Eau Claire on February 11. Click here for details and to R.S.V.P.

NOTE - I will repost this again as a reminder prior to the event! 

Wisconsinites, this is a chance to be heard!! Please take the time to read and pass this along to everyone you know. RSVP and show up, be a voice for those who don’t have voices of their own!!

Humane Lobby Day in Madison

The Humane Society of the United States invites you to make a tremendous difference for animals in Wisconsin!

On February 13, 2008, animal advocates will gather in Madison for the Wisconsin Humane Lobby Day. Please join us for this exciting opportunity to meet directly with your elected official or their staff about legislation that will significantly impact animals. R.S.V.P. today to lend your voice for animals and make a difference in Wisconsin. Click here to R.S.V.P. now.

In order to prepare you for your meetings, we will give you tips for lobbying and an overview of pending animal legislation in Wisconsin. Then, along with other animal advocates, you will be able to meet with your legislator and let them know about your support of humane legislation.

Face to face meetings are one of the most effective ways to get involved and make a concrete difference in the lives of animals. Feel free to bring a friend and pass this information on to others who might like to join us.

This event is free of charge, but an R.S.V.P. is requested to attend. Click here to R.S.V.P. now.

There is an upcoming Lobby 101 seminar in Eau Claire on February 11. Click here for details and to R.S.V.P.

NOTE - I will repost this several times prior to the event as a reminder! Please, please, please… pass this along.  Let’s make our voices heard!!!