Now this is a controversy I can get into. I have argued back and forth for and against the HSUS many times with many of you who read this blog.

I am re-posting this from the Care2 site. (Thank you Care2 but I just couldn’t have written it better.)

***Let me know what you think about the CCF (total bull**it group if you ask me), the HSUS, and the investigation.

The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) launched a watchdog project called HumaneWatch.org.  Their one goal is “to analyze the activities of the Humane Society of the United States,” an organization they say has “run off the rails.”

CCF thinks HSUS has gotten too big for their britches (do they still use that saying) and plans to bring them to their knees.  Through a blog by their Director of Research, David Martosko, a library and database they plan to scrutinize the group they refer to as “the animal rights industry’s most powerful player.”

HumaneWatch thinks the American public is being tricked by HSUS into believing their donations go primarily to local animal shelters to help individual cats and dogs, when most of the money actually goes toward legislative issues. 

Martosko said, “Someone has to ask the hard questions about the Humane Society of the United States, and HumaneWatch will be a relentless source of useful information.  Nearly 1 million Americans donate money to HSUS every year.  And most are completely unaware that they’re bankrolling PETA-style propaganda, far-reaching anti-meat campaigns, a huge staff of lawyers, and bloated pension plans for HSUS executives.”

As a co-founder of a local animal welfare organization and someone who has worked in animal rescue for more than a decade, I wish HSUS spent more money and time helping individual shelters, rescue groups and animals.  But I also see the necessity for groups like HSUS that are powerful, national organizations with the financial capability to initiate laws to protect animals and go after industries that abuse them.  

The HSUS website doesn’t look like they are trying to hide anything from the public. It states their main goal is to create a “humane and sustainable world for animals” and it talks at great length about their advocacy programs.  It doesn’t promise to give funds to “humane societies that deal with the thankless task of sheltering unwanted pets” – as stated by HumaneWatch. 

People visiting the website can easily access information about the organization’s latest financial statements and tax returns, which clearly explain how donations are used.  The website also lists the accomplishments made by HSUS from years past through the present. 

In 2010 their influence has already been felt in these areas:

• They worked with Ohioans for Humane Farming on a ballot question in the state.
• They rebuilt an animal shelter in Louisiana with a $250,000 grant.
• They are working with Missourians for the Protection of Dogs to end puppy mills through measure on the November 2010 ballot.
• HSUS took a large department store to court for mislabeling clothing with fur.
• They raided cockfighting operations in Texas and Mississippi, along with local law enforcement agencies.
• HSUS sent a team of veterinarians to Haiti to help animals that were victimized in the earthquake.

It appears the HSUS is being targeted by HumaneWatch because their success has touched a nerve with the members of CCF.  This is especially true in the realm of humane legislation.  According to Wayne Pacelle, CEO of HSUS the Center for Consumer Freedom represents factory farmers, the cattle industry, puppy mill operators and other corporations “working against public health.”

 In Pacelle’s blog he quotes a statement from Rick Berman of CCF the states the real reason behind the attack.  “With the passage of California’s Proposition 2, more people have come to realize the evolving threat of the power, influence, and growing wealth of the Humane Society of the United States.  Ballot initiatives and legislation similar to Prop. 2 will soon be introduced in more states.  HSUS’s massive budget, unwarranted positive public reputation, and deep-pocketed Hollywood friends will only become a greater threat to industry in a post –Proposition 2 business environment.  It is crucial that a key broad cross section of agriculture leaders start managing this nationwide threat now, before it is too late or too expensive to match HSUS dollar for dollar.”

 HSUS has been attacked before and come out the winner.  They will surely survive this bully tactic, as well. 

 However CCF has launched a massive PR campaign with Humane Watch and their press release made its way to hundreds of local newspapers, blogs and websites today.  If people only hear their point of view – innocent animals will be the ones to suffer. 

 Please help by setting the story straight. Research the background of CCF and speak out on behalf of animals.

*Graphic courtesy Care2 site as well. Thank you Care2.

We all know Valentine’s is for lovers – and this year, it’s for pet lovers, too. Your readers can celebrate the holiday by giving pets special Valentine’s Day gifts or helping a homeless pet find love during the PetSmart Charities Second Chance for Love National Adoption Weekend this February 12-14 in all 1,149 PetSmart stores in the United States and Canada.

With a goal of finding homes for 16,100 dogs, cats and small animals, PetSmart expects more than 2,000 animal-welfare agencies throughout North America to participate.

During the last 14 years, the PetSmart Charities Adoption Centers have found homes for more than 4 million pets. For every minute that the Adoption Centers are open, one pet’s life is saved. (Please see below for additional adoption details.)

Adopt a new pet and receive:

- Free 4-5 lb. bag of Science Diet® pet food*

- Coupon for $7 off Science Diet® dog and cat food

- The Guide for Lifelong Health (a $30 value)

- Valuable coupons and samples

If you already have a four-legged Valentine, make sure to show your loved one some extra attention. This Valentine’s, PetSmart is offering unique gifts such as Valentine tanks and plush and loofa dog toys featuring hearts and sweet messages.

ABOUT THE SECOND CHANCE FOR LOVE NATIONAL ADOPTION WEEKEND:
Prospective adopters are encouraged to visit the PetSmart Charities’ Adoption Center inside any PetSmart® store in the U.S. and Canada from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 14. Adoptions are handled by participating animal-welfare groups. Call a PetSmart® store near you to find out about a specific agency’s set-up time during the three-day event. To find the PetSmart Charities’ Adoption Center nearest you, visit www.PetSmart.com or call 1-877-473-8762.

PERCEPTION

By Jim Hughes
Kennel Spotlight Magazine, December 2009

* Thanks to Mary O’Conner Shaver of Columbus Top Dogs, a well-known and respected animal advocacy group, for sharing this article with us on Facebook. I recommend to everyone you join her Facebook Group, “Ohio Voters Against Puppy Mills and Dog Auctions,” by clicking here or on the previous Facebook link. You can also Google both Mary and Jim’s names and find a wealth of articles, information, and education materials about everything from puppy mills to dog auctions and animal welfare legislation.*

*Please note that this is an article promoting responsible breeders. I know you readers are used to hearing me talk about rescue, but, bottom line, there ARE in fact good breeders out there…*

So here’s Jim’s article:

In the human physic, there are two realms, actual facts and perceived facts. The perceived facts can get so imbedded into the mind that all of the actual facts to the contrary will not change that perception, even when seen with one’s own eyes. Our dogs do not care if we paint the kennel or not. It makes no difference to them, either way. But, it certainly makes a huge difference to John Q. Public. And TV news commentators are a part of John Q. This magazine (Kennel Spotlight) has preached to the choir for five years now. I have preached to the choir for 50 years; dang it! if it don’t beat all, but the choir ain’t listening.

We have lost the war. This war we have been raging against the Humaniacs of the world has been lost. We know that the message being delivered to the newspaper and television media personnel are, in the most part, outright, vicious lies. But John Q. has heard it so often, and with no rebuttal from our side, that he now believes that all puppy breeders are bad, somewhat lower than a child molester. We must take our message to the public at school fairs, county fairs, church functions, political rallies, PTA meetings, etc. Anywhere that sells booth space. Business Expos are an excellent place to display your kennel. But people, we must have something to talk about. We must put our best foot
forward and that is not the old status quo.

If you plan to save this dog breeding business, you must:

1. Get legal. Get a license, ALL licenses, USDA, State, County business, tax number etc.

2. Paint your buildings, fix your pens, wash your windows, repair your equipment, fix your hair, paint your face, take a bath. Look the part of the professional image you must present to old John Q. Public.

3. You must groom your dogs. They must look professional also. And socialize them. Give them some attention. It will be hard for the H.S. to convince a judge that you are abusing a well groomed, well fed, healthy, friendly little ball of energy.

4. Invite your public officials to inspect your facilities. Get your Veterinarian to write you a clean bill of health. Publically display any clean inspection reports. Have your Sheriff stop in and make him aware of the harassment the H.S. is sending out to all breeders.

5. Post NO TRESPASSING signs at every entrance to your property.

6. Allow no strangers onto your property until you have identified them, but then make them feel welcome and that you have nothing to hide.

7. Make sure that you have a lawyer already aware that when you need him, it will be on a minutes notice. Pay him a retainer if he needs one.

8. Volunteer to help at your local humane shelter. Get to know those people and become friends with them. “Know thy enemy”. Many of these people don’t even know you are the enemy.

9. Join your local breeder club. If you do not have one, form one. We, here in the Midwest, have many, too many, but the east coast has almost none. Most of the kennel raids take place on unlicensed, unorganized, east coast breeders.

10. Re-educate yourself. Change your thinking. Imagine yourself as John Q. Public. You know nothing except what the Humane Society tells you. Accept the fact that the public now expects you to raise your dogs in scrumptiously clean, well lighted, good smelling conditions. Somewhat like a retail Pet Shop.

11. Post a bulletin board with pictures and letters from satisfied customers. Resolve, within reason, any customer complaints before they hit the courts or the media.

If you refuse to adjust to the new way of thinking that H$U$ has forced upon you, you either need to get out of the business or you will be forced out, either by raid and confiscation or by legislation. Senator Durbin is too busy right now selling Obama ideas to the public, but he has a new Pups Bill ready to spring on Congress. As soon as he gets the time, he will introduce it and fight for its passage. Just look what Ed Rendell has done to Pennsylvania. People in power can and will make your life miserable. Those of you who think you are immune to USDA inspections because you only sell through the internet will find that the new bill was written with YOU in mind.

My crystal ball tells me that this bill will pass, even though we will fight against it. It will then become the duty of USDA to inspect these new licensees, but because of lack of manpower, they will be unable to do the job. Because of our current economic distress, they will not be allowed to hire more inspectors SO, guess what, the H$U$ WILL VOLUNTEER TO DO IT FOR THEM.

Am I being overly pessimistic? Possibly! But I find that the concerns I am voicing today are the same ones that I was voicing 20 years ago. The difference is that the enemy has gotten stronger, more determined, and better financed over the years. Sure, we win a battle, but the threat of next year is always hanging over us. We wear out, and we are just trying to make a living but they have a CAUSE and the zeal to pursue it to completion.

Shape up breeders, big brother is watching you!!!

In today’s economy, many shoppers will be looking for pet lover gifts for the best value for everyone on their wish list, including that furry member of their family.

In fact, according to a national PetSmart survey, 95 percent of pet parents give their pets a gift or special treat during the holiday season. PetSmart expects nearly 155 million pets may receive gifts this year, meaning many of you are searching for the perfect pet gift for under the tree. Well ThoughtsFurPaws to the rescue: I’m teaming up with PetSmart to offer another fantastic ThoughtsFurPaws Contest Giveaway this month. One lucky reader will receive a Good Dog Mailbox Dog Stocking, filled with the following products:

Plush Toy in Prize Package

 
§  Rein-Dog Costume with Lights
§  Plush Snowman with Rope
§  Plush Christmas Squeaker Mat

This exciting prize package is perfect for the holidays, and you can keep all the prizes for yourself or even give some of them away, as they make perfect pet lover gifts! Thanks so much to PetSmart for offering our readers this AWESOME package.

Now for the rules: All you have to do is email me at thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com and tell me how you have helped the animal welfare cause in 2008. Write a paragraph or write a book – I don’t care. I just want to know what you have done — whether it’s volunteering at a shelter or adoption event, transporting animals, or whatever —  to help our nation’s unfortunate pets this year.

The winner will be announced on December 14th. PetSmart will send the package directly to the winner! Good luck – and don’t forget to send your entries to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com.

Imagine 50 Basset Hounds running around a 10-acre park like wild dogs…carousing one another, playing and wrestling, taking unauthorized swims – it’s a sight one will rarely have the chance to see. But that’s exactly what Ohio Basset Rescue’s (OBR) BassetFest 2009 was.

Held in Delaware, Ohio at Columbus Dog Park, OBR’s efforts reach all the way to Cleveland, New York and even further for that matter. Local foster parent and Cleveland pet rescue enthusiast Ashly Smith, who lives in North Olmsted with her two Bassets and two additional foster Bassets, attended the event along with foster parents and potential adopters from all over Cleveland and other parts of Ohio.

BassetFest 2009 was a great success according to organizer and OBR owner Amy Barnes. With raffles, games, prizes, and fun events like a costume contest, and with adoptive families and potential adopters all showing up, it was a chance for OBR to raise funds, screen adopters, and let current foster parents come together to celebrate the short-legged, long-nosed hovering canines that are so beloved by many.

Smith, who ended up bringing one more foster Basset home to Cleveland, said she fosters because of the rewards. “Knowing that I am helping save the life of an animal, and helping them cope with their more often than not violent pasts and learn to trust again is why I do it,” she said. “Seeing that change in them brings out so many others…it’s amazing.”

Smith, who lovingly refers to her Bassets as “howling short-legged wonder dogs,” has been fostering and placing dogs for OBR for about a year now. She personally gathered $150 for the cash prize raffle for the event, of which the winner turned around and gave $100 right back to the organization.

BassetFest 2009 was a howling success, raising about $5,000 for the organization and adopting out four dogs who desperately needed homes. Like so many other rescue organizations across the country, OBR is filled to the brim. Additionally, multiple adoption applications were filled out that will hopefully turn into successful adoptions.

To learn more about OBR, to become a foster parent, or to see the dogs available for adoption, visit www.ohiobasssetrescue.org.

Today’s post is part of the Annual Pet ‘Net Event, sponsored by NBC Universal’s wonderful pet website, Petside.com. Today, in collaboration with pet bloggers across the country, we are drawing attention to safety issues regarding pets, from food and nutrition, to holiday, first-aid and travel safety. As ThoughtsFurPaws is very rescue-focused, I chose to specifically post about safety in bringing home a rescue pet or a formerly abused animal.

*Please take a look around at all the other wonderful blogs participating today; there is some fantastic information being presented to readers everywhere about pet safety. For a complete list of bloggers and topics, click here or see the press release here.*

————————————————————————————————-

Rescuing a pet calls for certain safety measures, especially if that pet has been abused. Whether it’s a dog or cat, your new rescue pet may not acclimate as quickly as possible unless you provide the right type of environment and give him enough support and time.

According to Lissa Nicholson of the blog Forever Foster, who is a well-known and respected cat rescuer, taking in a pet that has been abused will take some work. “It is very important to make sure the person truly understands what they are getting into, are prepared for problems that may come up, and to make sure they know they can ask for help or advice if they need it,” she said.

People should have a plan in place before picking up their rescue pet, whether it’s a cat or a dog (or even a bird), and know that there is no “typical” behavior for an abused pet, although you may notice that they want to be alone, that they cower when you approach, or have other symptoms.

Nicholson's Rescue Kittens

Nicholson, who fosters rescue cats, says that those she’s fostered have all reacted quite differently.

“I’ve had three who were badly abused and two of them were the most easy-going of all my fosters,” she said. This is also my experience. When we rescued Gibson, our white Golden Retriever from the breeder who had severely neglected him, he was just happy to be in a safe place and was so relaxed, yet still withdrawn.

“To me, it underscores the importance for a potential adopter to really spend time with the individual kitty, and have proper discussions with foster parents about what they can reasonably expect from an individual animal,” she said.

A woman who I will refer to as Marie (she has requested anonymity because her rescue efforts are so far-reaching and potential issues could be caused if her name is drawn up anywhere) and her husband, who lost their dog to cancer last year and are known for fostering Golden Retrievers in the southern California area, said something similar about dogs. Marie is considered an expert in the field of rescuing and rehabilitating dogs, and is considered a veteran expert.

A Second Chance Rescue Dog

“The first few nights they will be restless. Stress panting (in dogs) is common the first few days. The first time in a house they will generally check out every nook and cranny,” Marie said. “They may not sleep through the night but move around a lot. Some will cry or bark. They may not eat, or eat very little. Some may have an accident in the house or not go for a very long time. In extreme cases of abuse and/or fear they will freeze and drool if approached or belly crawl and stay in small places like under a bed.”

So what can you do as far as safety measures when you are taking in a rescue pet or an abused animal?

1. Do your own research and reading before you bring any pet home so you have a plan before you pick up your pet.

2. If you already have a pet at home, test the new pet with others before taking him home. You need to know if the rescue will get along with other animals. Some see animals already in the home as guides, some see them as a threat or get jealous. Make sure you know this before bringing the pet home.

3. Give the pet time to adjust to you. As Marie said, don’t expect the pet to be “huggy” and playing with you the first day home.

4. Make sure your tetanus vaccinations are up-to-date, and know that a bite wound will probably require a visit to the Dr.’s office and it may become infected, Nicholson recommends.

5. Take the time to learn the pet’s behavior. Marie said that many abused pets or even regular rescues, if not fostered, have never been in a home before or had positive human contact. They need time to learn that it’s a good thing.

6. Provide a “safe place” for the pet to go to alone, and leave him be when he’s there.

7. Don’t force yourself on the pet. Give them the space and peace and quiet that they need to adjust on their own time.

8. Let the pet approach you on his own terms: don’t force attention and affection.

9. Don’t rush the pet into new situations. Let them get used to their new home and then slowly introduce them to new surroundings.

10. Marie said that once trust is established, if you have a dog, try to take a positive reinforcement training class to further bond with him.

11. If you have a rescue cat, Nicholson recommends setting up a safe room with their food, some good hiding spots and litter box, then slowly let the cat out to roam around more of the house to get used to new sights and smells.

I wanted to make sure that you were aware of this event happening today. It should prove to be great fun since there will be about 20 kids reading to 16 dogs and one cat! To my knowledge, no other event is set up like this!

In a new twist for the national Read For the Record Event, a group of kids with learning disabilities will read to animal-assisted therapy teams from the American Humane Assocation, at the Grand Hyatt downtown. The nationwide event usually has adults reading to children from one agreed upon book. This year, these kids will start a new tradition by reading to these pet therapy teams from The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
 
These kids are working hard not only to help break the record of largest shared reading experience but also to read the story by themselves to these patient animals.

Who: 16 dogs and one cat from the American Humane Association and 21 children from Littleton’s Havern School, an academic program for children with learning disabilities, along with the Grand Hyatt Denver’s own (mascot) Shep the Dog.
 
What: Lead the charge to break the record for the largest shared reading experience in a single day as the children read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the dogs and cat from American Humane’s Animal-Assisted Therapy program. As a new twist to this national, annual event, rather than having the book read to them, these children will challenge themselves to read to the dogs and cat from the American Humane’s pet therapy teams who are trained to work in capacities such as this. 

When: Today; Children and assistance animals gather at 10:30 a.m. Book reading takes place at 10:45 a.m.
 
Where: Grand Hyatt Denver Downtown’s Pinnacle Club, 37th floor, Pyramid Peak Ballroom. Located in the office tower adjoining the hotel at 1750 Welton Street
 
Why: Presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign aims to bring children and caring adults together to focus on building literacy. Grand Hyatt Denver Downtown is joined in the effort by the American Humane Association’s Animal-Assisted Therapy program, Zarlengo Foundation/Havern School and Pearson, who is donating a book for each child.  Children and adults across the country will to come together to break the record of 688,781 set last year for the largest shared reading experience on one day.

The theory is that while children are learning to read they might be uncomfortable reading to an adult or another child, whereas reading to an animal puts them at ease, allowing them to better focus on their learning experience.  To learn more about the American Humane Association’s Assisted Therapy Program, visit www.americanhumane.org/aat <http://www.americanhumane.org/aat> .

The Day’s Agenda:
The agenda for the Jumpstart:  Read for the Record event hosted by the Grand Hyatt Denver begins as the children and assistance animals meet in the Pyramid Peak Ballroom at 10:30 a.m.  Children are each given a book, compliments of the Pearson Foundation, and gather with each animal.  They then read the book out loud.  This is followed by the children creating their souvenir bookmark before adjourning for lunch.  Children depart the hotel at approximately 12:15 p.m.

One of my favorite animal welfare organizations is celebrating its 132nd anniversary tomorrow, American Humane Association.

From the press release:

One-hundred thirty-two years ago this coming Friday (on Oct. 9, 1877), children were often toiling at hard labor in filthy sweatshops instead of going to school,  and when they could play, they were forced into the bustling streets or garbage-strewn alleys instead of onto safe playgrounds.  Work horses – often beaten mercilessly and nearly starved or dehydrated – were forced to work 20-hour days.  “Pet” dogs and cats didn’t fare much better, and livestock handling was brutal.
 
There was little or no protection for children and animals those days.  That situation stirred a group of representatives from 27 different local humane organizations (some for animals and some for children), including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), to band together in Cleveland, Ohio, to form the American Humane Association as a national voice for the voiceless.
 
Now, 132 years later, American Humane remains that national voice of compassion and care, with an unmatched legacy of success in advancing humanity and society’s view and care of both children and animals.  Headquartered in Denver since 1954, American Humane proudly continues its mission of protecting children and animals, as well as being the leading mainstream, reasoned organization in the field.
 
Since its founding on Oct. 9, 1877, American Humane (called the International Humane Society until 1884) has led many improvements for the greater good. Here are just a few of hundreds:
 
1877 – First on its agenda was addressing the humane treatment of working animals and livestock in transit.
 
1879 – American Humane passed a resolution to promote humane education in public schools.
 
1883 – Concerned about child abuse and abandoned babies, American Humane promoted passage of the first Cruelty to Children Act.
 
1890 – American Humane outspokenly opposed corporal punishment of children in schools.
 
1893 – American Humane’s member societies prosecuted 5,520 cases of cruelty to children.
 
1894 – The Link® between violence to animals and violence to people was first noted at American Humane’s annual convention.
 
1914 – American Humane called for safe, off-street playgrounds to keep children from being arrested for playing in the streets and being dubbed delinquents.
 
1916 – American Humane formed “American Red Star Animal Relief” to aid horses on the battlefront of World War I. Now known as Red Star Animal Emergency Services™, it continues rescuing animals after disasters and from puppy mills, hoarding cases and dogfighting operations.
 
1940 – In response to an incident during the 1939 filming of Jesse James, in which a terrified horse was forced off a cliff to its death, American Humane began to oversee the use of animals in film and later issue the exclusive “No Animals Were Harmed”® end-credit disclaimer.
 
1958 – The Humane Slaughter Act, long advocated for by American Humane, was signed into law.
 
1963 – American Humane proposed that all 50 states pass laws requiring doctors who suspect child abuse to inform their local child protective services.
 
1969 – American Humane lobbied for and supported the passage of the Endangered Species Conservation Act.
 
1995 – American Humane propelled legislation requiring convicted animal abusers to receive mandatory counseling and psychological testing.
 
1997 – American Humane launched a groundbreaking initiative called The Front Porch Project® to directly involve community members in child protection.
 
2000 – American Humane launched the nation’s first farm animal welfare program under the label “Free Farmed.”  It is now the American Humane Certified® program which oversees the humane treatment and handling of more than 60 million farm animals in the United States.
 
2005 – American Humane’s Red Star Animal Emergency Services deployed to Louisiana to help animal victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, logging 18,000 man-hours by staff and volunteers.
 
2008 – American Humane formed the Pets and Women’s Shelters (PAWS®) program and wrote a manual for domestic violence shelters to also house pets.
 
2009 – In an effort to promote the human-animal bond, American Humane established the Therapy Animals Supporting Kids (TASK™) program.
 
American Humane continues to work tirelessly to improve the lives of children and animals. In recent years, American Humane has added new programs and divisions, such as the Human-Animal Bond Division with more than 200 animal-assisted therapy teams, a growing national humane education effort, and expanded efforts to educate about  The Link.
 
Donations, grants and other support from generous humane philanthropists – individuals and organizations alike – have helped make American Humane’s historic work possible, and the continued support of many more generations of compassionate and caring people will ensure even more significant accomplishments in the future.
 
 
For more information about American Humane, visit www.americanhumane.org. Follow us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/americanhumane), MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/americanhumane) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AmericanHumane). The information contained in this release can be reused and posted with proper credit given to the American Humane Association.

To take action with American Humane, click here.

American Humane, one of the country’s leading organizations in combatting abuse against children and pets alike, holds its annual Adopt a Dog Month each October.

From their press release about the nationwide event:

You can become a hero to a dog this October by observing and celebrating the American Humane Association’s Adopt-A-Dog Month® event. Millions of dogs in shelters are facing an uncertain fate, and many more are joining them each day due to the effects of the recession on pet owners. But there are simple steps each of us can take to make a difference in these dogs’ lives.
 
Save the day for a homeless dog — and find a faithful companion who will be at your side for all of life’s adventures — by adopting a dog from a shelter or breed-rescue group during October. It’s the perfect time to visit the shelter, meet potential sidekicks and discover how much fun and happiness a dog can add to your life.
 
Companionship, improved physical and emotional health, social interaction and devoted love are just a few of the super-size benefits of having a dog. Dogs also encourage people to exercise, enhance family and social relationships, promote laughter and act as a nonjudgmental audience and sounding board.

Bringing a dog into your home is a lifetime commitment (the dog’s lifetime, that is) and can require immense lifestyle adjustments for everyone in the family. If you aren’t ready to adopt, but still want to make a difference for homeless dogs, here are some other ways to celebrate Adopt-A-Dog Month:

- Volunteer: Shelters and rescue groups are always looking for dependable people who can help in almost any way. Are you good at taking pictures or working on websites? Offer to take appealing photos of adoptable dogs and post them on the organization’s website. Do you have a way with words? Volunteer your time to help edit the organization’s newsletter or website. We all have something to offer; we just need to ask how we can help!

- Support: While financial support is always welcome, your donation of blankets, toys, dog food and volunteer time are just a few of the things you can offer homeless dogs in your community. You can also make contributions to help fund grants that are available to community shelters and rescue groups through American Humane’s Second Chance Fund and its Foreclosure Pets Grant. These grants help abused, neglected, abandoned or relinquished pets and are funded entirely by donations, so your support goes directly to help these animals get the care they need to survive.

“Right now there is a greater need than ever for people to go to a shelter and find their new best friend,” said Marie Belew Wheatley, American Humane president and CEO. “The nation’s economy is negatively impacting community shelters and rescue organizations, filling them to capacity many times over. This October, we hope people will renew their commitment to help these animals that are so in need of forever homes.”

A ThoughtsFurPaws reader recently sent this to me in an email and I thought I’d post it in case some of you want to participate and, along the way, help animals in shelters.

The reader, Cindy Lentino, is a grad student at GWU doing a survey for her master’s thesis about pet ownership and health.

The purpose of her research project is to assess health and physical activity levels of adults in the U.S. of pet-owners and non-pet owners. It consists of taking an anonymous online survey which is estimated to take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

The only requirements to participate is to be 18 years or older and currently living in the U.S.

**Most importantly, for every completed survey received, $1 will be donated to various charities (up to $400) that benefit animal welfare, including, the Humane Society of the U.S. and the Best Friends Animals Society.**

Cindy is trying to recruit mainly pet owners first and then having them nominate a non-dog/non-pet owner to take the survey as well. (Not sure how much luck we will all have in finding a non-pet-owner around our group of pet blogs but if you happen to know one, please forward along!)

To take part in this study, please visit:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ru5lgmEE9bfNQcC4NM1gPw_3d_3d

To follow Cindy’s progress on Twitter, follow her at http://twitter.com/CindyCorgiMama.

The deadline to participcate is September 30th.

Thanks everyone

Jaime