Mamma Loves You Animal Rescue Song by Arica Dorff on Dog Song Saturday

It's Saturday, so we've got another great Dog Song Saturday for you here at Talking Dogs!

Today's is an original dog song about animal rescue composed by Arica Dorff.  Mamma Loves You features Arica, her Bloodhound Gracie and her ukulele.

Though we think she's a barking good dog song composer, Arica is also a renowned pet photographer and digital artist.  Based in Washington State, she creates custom pet paintings for pet owners and mentors pet photographers from around the country.

Sit. Stay. Take a break and enjoy Mamma Loves You by Arica Dorff. Then fetch some more genuine dog song music videos at Talking Dogs.  You'll be surprised at how many we've collected over the past few years.

Puppy Mill Action Week - Horrible Hundred 2016 - Missouri Hall of Shame

Each year researchers at the Humane Society of the United States gather data from state and federal inspection reports, investigator's photographs, and enforcement records received from the Freedom of Information Act to create the Horrible Hundred Report to highlight some of the most troubling problems in this industry.

The Horrible Hundred 2016 focuses on problem puppy mills in 16 states. Findings included underweight dogs, injured dogs who had not been taken to a veterinarian, puppies left outside to freeze in frigid temperatures, animal living in filthy conditions with feces in their food bowls and fur, and unlicensed dealers offering to ship puppies sight unseen on websites without the required USDA license.

Missouri again topped the list with 30 of the 100 worst facilities, followed by Iowa (15), Kansas (14), Ohio (9), Nebraska (5) and Pennsylvania (5). Just over half of these dealers are repeat offenders.  15 appear in the Horrible Hundred for the third time;  11 for the fourth.  75 of the 100 are USDA licensed.

An AKC "Breeder of Merit" where underweight and injured dogs were found in unsanitary conditions, appears in this year's report, as do 6 dog breeders who supplies puppies to one of the largest providers of puppies to pet stores.

Talking Dogs blog is located in Missouri and it with great sadness, disgust and anger, here is the 2016 Missouri Hall of Shame:

• Pamela Baldwin, Samples Creek Kennel, Edgar Springs, MO (repeat offender)  Severely matted dogs, injured dogs, walls smeared with feces and extremely filthy conditions.
• Kevin Beauchamp, Beauchamp's Puppy World, Lebanon, MO   USDA filed an official complaint after licensee repeatedly failed to allow inspectors in; failed to provide adequate veterinary care to dogs.
• Craig and Angela Burns, Burns Cuddly Canines, Exeter, MO   Puppies were matted with feces; underweight dogs had not been treated by a vet.
• Kay Butler, High Point Kennel, Montgomery City, MO (repeat offender)  Dogs with bloddy lesions;  underweight dog; puppies with loose stools.
• Kimberly Coleman, TLC Kennels, Clinton, MO (repeat offender)  Puppy found entrapped in wire flooring;  white dogs appeared brown due to soiling with mud and feces.
• Leroy Detweiler, Sunset Ridge Kennel, Princeton, MO (repeat offender)  Emaciated dog and dogs with open lesions found;  received official warning from the USDA.
• Mary Foster and Cathy Griesbauer, Country Pets, Montgomery City, MO (repeat offender)  Massive puppy mill with more than 900 dogs had license for one property, but found operating second unlicensed facilty.
• Caryl Freeman, Freema Frenchies, Seneca, MO   Nine puppies found "lethargic, squinting;" offers puppies for sale on Facebook and puppyfind.com but has no federal license.
• Jeffrey and Judy Gray, G & P Kennel, Rothville, MO (repeat offender)  Multiple sick or injured dogs;  fined $9,500 by USDA for repeat violations.
• Beverly Hargis, Hargis' Sunshines Kennel, Hallsville, MO (repeat offender)  So many feces that the dogs had trouble walking without stepping in it.
• Wilma Jinson, Jinson Kennel, Stella, MO  (repeat offender)  Sick and dying puppies found year after year; wounded and suffering animals did not have adequate veterinary care; fourth time in Horrible Hundred report for grossly inadequate care.
• Toni and Wendy Jones, TJ's Kennel, Alton, MO   Failed to get sick or injured animals treated promptly by a vet; sick or injured dogs found by staate inspectors three years in a row.
• Monta Lou and Mural Beckett, Soo Big Kennel, Joplin, MO  Puppies found living in darkness;  Bichon had mass the size of a gold ball; Maltese was found "lethargic and unstable;" another was matted with feces.
• Eva and Isaac Martin, Cedar Line Kennel, Fortuna, MO (repeat offender)  5 week old puppies found in outdoor pen surrounded by flies and feces.
• Catherine Mast, C and C Kennel, Bogard, MO  Emaciated dog and dog with explosive diarrhea for 3 week had not been treated by a vet.
• Janice and Kenneth Nelson, Exeter, MO  Dog had "golf ball sized mass;" 4 other dogs had lumps or masses; 42 dogs in need of dental car.
• Barbara Neubert, Barb's Pups (formerly Neubert Kennel and Farms), Vienna, MO  (repeat offender)  Limping boxer with swollen leg had not been treated by a vet; unsanitary conditions; USDA violations for 6 years in a row.
• Jimmy Doyle Powell, Jimmy's Hilltop Kennels, West Plains, MO  Nursing mother dogs were underweight with hip and rib bones protruding; others had fleas and lesions.
• Mikhail Raylyanu, Marshfield, MO  Received official USDA warning for failure to provie veterinary care to underweight dogs, dogs with wounds and hair loss.
• John and Linda Reichel, Reichel Farms, McGirk, MO  Dogs had feces in their food and water; injured dogs found; puppies kept outside in the cold.
• Debra Ritter, Cornerstone Farms, Curryville, MO (repeat offender)  Puppies with bloody stools; excessive feces and underweight/sick dogs found year after year.
• Ellen Roberts, Rocky Top K-9s, West Plains, MO (repeat offender)  Sick or injured dogs found 4 years in a row.
• Donald Schrage, Rabbit Ridge Kennel, Edina, MO (repeat offender)  Violations have spanned 2 decades.
• Angela L. Smith, Family Lane Pets, Elkland, MO  Received official warning from USDA for bulldog with open wounds, puppies with loose stools and vomiting bulldog.
• Josh L. Souza, Chevorlet Ranch [sic], Phillipsburg, MO (repeat offender)  Dog went months without vet care even after owner was advised to get her treatment; violations found at 22 different USDA inspections.
• Allen Strenke and Jerry McClure, Jerrens Kennel, Grant City, MO (repeat offender)  Small dog died after dilapidated cages allowed dogs to mix and fight.
• Donna Taber, Jet Kennels, Wasola, MO  Underweight Bichon had "easily palpable" ribs; other dogs had paw injury, dental and eye disease.
• Joyce Walters, Select Pets, Anderson, MO  Dog without water stood on hind legs and paw at enclosure door as water was carried over, then drank profusely.
• Deborah Warren, Misty Dew Kennels, Pierce City, MO  One puppy found motionless and one deceased; received official warning from USDA for lask of adequate veterinary care.
• Marilyn Williams (aka Marilyn Shepard), Williams Kennel, Ava, MO  Underweight, sick and/or injured dogs found by state inspectors 4 years in a row.

What you can do to stop the cruelty and put an end to puppy mills:

1. Do not buy puppies from pet stores, online or at flea markets. Instead, visit the dog breeder and see the parents and the conditions in which they live.  Or adopt from an animal shelter or rescue. 
2. Do not shop at pet stores that sell puppies supplied by puppy mills.
3. Support legislation that regulates and reduces breeding of animals.
4. Educated yourself about puppy mills and spread the word.
5. Sign the HSUS pledge.

Adopt Roberta a #Pitbull Mix @WaysideWaifs in #KCMO

Meet Roberta!  Can you resist this sweet face and wild ears? Roberta is a Pit Bull Terrier mix who's almost 5 years old.  At 44 pounds she's a medium size dog who is looking for someone to love her.  Before coming to Wayside Waifs animal shelter, Roberta had a really rough life.

Here's her story:

I'm searching for a new home and family to call my very own. I'm tired of being alone. Tired of living on the streets and fending for myself and not having a person to love and care for that will do the same for me. I have so much to offer, I really do! It's just that no one has ever given me the chance to show what a fun and affectionate dog I can be. I hope you're that person who meets me and realizes that you need me in your life.

I am a beautiful, 4 ½ year old, 44 pound, Pit Bull Terrier mix. I have gorgeous fur and an expressive face. I want so much for you to love me. I came to Wayside as a sad and lonely stray. I was wearing a collar, but it was so tight on me that the Wayside vet had to cut it off of me. It was painful and humiliating. I also had a cough, itchy skin, and several fractured teeth. I've spent the past month or so here at Wayside, recuperating and getting my strength back. I'm a survivor though and I feel so much better now. Better than I've ever felt before! I was spayed and I had surgery on my mouth to remove my broken teeth. My cold is all better, my skin is looking good. Things are looking up for me! A happy future with you is just around the corner, I can feel it, and I can't wait!

 

I'm fun, playful, and entertaining. I just found out about these little pieces of heaven called toys and I can't get enough of them! I had no idea what I was missing. And I love my treats, too. I can't wait to start obedience training, because I think I'll be the star student. I'm smart, treat motivated, and eager to make you happy...a perfect combination when training a dog. One of the things I want to learn about is how to play more gently. I love to play, but sometimes I get so excited that I get jumpy and my play gets rough. I don't mean any harm, but it's hard to contain my excitement. Having a person to play with is the best thing ever! I'm an energetic and active gal, but that's not all there is to me. I will soak up any attention you'll give me and I'll make a fantastic cuddle partner for you. I hope you're the type of person who likes to include your dog in your life, because I will make such a terrific companion.

Since my play does get rough when I'm excited, I think I'll be happiest in a home without kids under the age of 5. We might be too much for each other! And I'd like a home without any other dogs. During testing at Wayside, I was rude and bossy. Staff recommends that I be your only dog and that you don't try to take me to any dog parks or doggie daycare, at least for now. I hope you understand. I'll be happy to give you so much love that you won't miss not having another dog in your life, I promise!

I just want to be loved and wanted. I want to belong. I want to be your dog and feel a lifelong bond with you. I will be devoted and loyal to you for the rest of my life. I'll never let you down. Please be the person who finally gives me the chance in life. Please let me show you what a fun and loving dog I am.
Love, Roberta

Take a look at Roberta's adoption video and then give Wayside Waifs a call at 816-761-8151.  Roberta's animal ID number is 24642835



Wayside Waifs is Kansas City’s largest no-kill animal shelter.   They are an independent, 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit humane society and animal welfare organization established in 1944.  Wayside Waifs is committed to finding homes for all adoptable pets. Wayside is the largest pet adoption center in Kansas City, placing over 5,400 animals each year in loving forever homes. Wayside does not euthanize adoptable animals, and there are no time limits for animals in our care. Only animals suffering from significant medical issues or thnose that pose a danger are humanely euthanized. Wayside Waifs is proud to be a part of Kansas City's no-kill community.  

Talking Dogs blog is participating in the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz and Talking Dogs. This is the blog hop that features shelter pets.  Find a pet at your local animal shelter or rescue and join us!

Tuesday's Tails blog hop participants can post any day of the week and link up with a fresh blog hop linky every Tuesday.  Though targeted at adoptable pets, we also welcome blog posts regarding pet adoption, rescue organizations and adoption events. Fetch the Tuesday's Tails Facebook page and give us a like and if you're participating in the blog hop, post your featured pets! Please help spread the word about these beautiful animals via social media and let's find them forever homes!

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

Stand Up Animal Rights Song | Dog Song Saturday

Kick off your weekend with Dog Song Saturday at Talking Dogs!  Today's featured music video is a song about standing up for animal rights.   

Stand Up - Animal Rights Song was composed by Kevin G. Moore.  He's joined here by Amanda McCarthy, Lauren Mary and Randy Barr singing vocals.  

Randy Barr may sound very familiar to you.  We've featured his work here at Talking Dogs a few times, most notably his barking good Ernie and Me along with Randy's generous efforts to raise funds for Canine Cancer Awareness.   Really, it shouldn't have come as a surprise to me that Randy is one of the musicians in this performance dedicated to ending animal cruelty. 

As composer Kevin G Moore notes at the beginning of the Stand Up music video:

The Shocking Number of cruelty cases reported daily in the media is only the tip of the iceberg.  Most cases are never reported and most animal suffering goes unrecognized and unabated.

Isn't it time for all of us to 'Stand Up' and defend these creatures whom we love so much!

The song is accompanied by a video slideshow of some wonderful dog themed quotations and photographs.  I should probably warn you: it is longer than dog songs we usually feature.  As you'll see, the song is repeated and the second accompanies video footage of the recording session.

Stand Up is available for download on iTunes  and on Amazon.  All proceeds from this song download will be donated to animal charities. 

Grab a dog to cuddle. Sit.  Stay.  Relax and enjoy Stand Up - The Animal Rights Song song and video.
 
Then fetch some more genuine dog song music videos at Talking Dogs.  You'll be surprised at how many we've collected over the past few years.  And have a barking good weekend! 

Over 150 Dogs Cats Horses Goats Rescued from Squalor in Missouri

More than 150 dogs, cats, horses and goats were rescued from squalid conditions in Morgan County, Missouri by the Humane Society of Missouri's Animal Cruelty Task Force on Tuesday, May 6, 2014.

Working with the Morgan County, MO, Sheriff's Office, the HSMO took these animals to safety after the owner of the property and a tenant voluntarily surrendered all of the animals to them.

Many of the cats were living in a filthy, trash-strewn trailer on the property and are suffering from upper respiratory disease, eye infections, severely matted coats and other maladies.

The dogs included mixed breeds, terriers, Akitas, Labrador Retrievers and Beagles which are thin and suffering from parasites.  Included in the group are 2 two week old puppies and 2 eight week old puppies.

The horses range in age from new foals and pregnant mares to adult horses and ponies.  They are also underweight and suffering from parasites.  One dead foal was found in a barrel on the property.

The Morgan County Sheriff's Office stated they will pursue animal abuse charges in this case.

The dogs and cats have been taken to HSMO Headquarters in St Louis for evaluation and treatment.  The horses and goats have been taken to HSMO's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union for evaluation and treatment.

HSMO cautions that due to their poor condition, it may be several weeks before many of these animals will be available for adoption.

* Information provided by the Humane Society of Missouri.

Adopt Sabre a Senior GSD Dobie Mix in Missouri | Tuesdays Tails

This handsome fellow is Sabre.  He is a 9 year old black and tan German Shepherd Dog and Doberman Pinscher mix.

Sabre is very well behaved, loves people and is already housebroken.  According to shelter staff and volunteers he walks nicely on a leash and gets along with other dogs.

Have a look at Sabre's adoption video.  If you've got room in your heart to adopt a dog, give the Humane Society of Missouri at call at 314-951-1562.  Sabre's Animal ID number is A364402.  He's currently at their St Louis City animal shelter facility.



Since 1870, the Humane Society of Missouri has been dedicated to second chances.  They provide a safe and caring haven to animals - large and small - that have been abused, neglected or abandoned.  Their mission is to end the cycle of abuse and overpopulation, assist in creating lasting relations hips between people and animals, offer world-class veterinary care, plus offer pet obedience and behavior programs.  HSMO operates three animal shelters in the St Louis, Missouri, area, plus Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Missouri, for abused and neglected horses, cows, goats, chickens and other farm animals.

We are participating in the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz and Talking Dogs.  This is the blog hop that features shelter pets.  Find a pet at your local animal shelter or rescue and join us!  Please help spread the word about these beautiful animals via social media and let's find them forever homes! 

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.
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Australian Shepherd Missouri Dog Breeder Closes Up Shop

An Australian Shepherd commercial dog breeding facility in Missouri is no longer in business. 

Deciding to close, the owners of this dog breeder in rural Taney County, Missouri, voluntarily surrendered their dogs to the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO).

Yesterday the HSMO Animal Cruelty Task Force, working with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, rescued 41 juvenile and adult dogs.  The canines were taken to HSMO headquarters in St Louis where they are being examined, treated, spayed/neutered by veterinarians on staff there.

HSMO is encouraging Australian Shepherd dog rescue groups to assist in placing any of these dogs and are asked to call 314-802-5712.

In addition, these dogs will be made available for adoption by the public, though Debbie Hill, HSMO Vice President of Operations notes:

"Potential adopters also need to be aware that these dogs have never lived as house pets and many of them will need special care, socialization and training."

Anyone interested in adopting one of these Australian Shepherd dogs should keep any eye on the HSMO website to learn when they'll be ready for move on to a forever home.

Blog the Change: Ban Horse Slaughter in the US

I love horses second only to dogs.  I've found my heart dog and my heart horse, too.  Horse crazy since I was a kid, I've ridden horses, driven horses, worked horses, shared my whole life with horses.  So it should come as no surprise to you that I am rabidly opposed to the United States lifting the ban on horse slaughterhouses.

When I caught up with my calendar and realized that today was Blog the Change Day, it took me about two seconds to decide what cause I wanted to talk about.

I vehemently believe that horse slaughter is inhumane.  In addition, over the course of their lives, horses are given a wide variety of drugs and veterinary treatments that makes their meat toxic for human consumption.

In November 2011, the US Congress lifted a 5 year ban on horse slaughter for human consumption.  In March 2012, Wyoming based Unified Equine was planning a new horse slaughterhouse in Mountain Grove, Missouri, where they planned to slaughter between 200 - 400 horses per day.  The meat would have primarily been shipped overseas, but some was intended for specialty stores here in the US.  In addition, Unified Equine planned to raise horses specifically for slaughter.  Mountain Grove, Missouri, residents declined and the facility was never built.

Two weeks ago the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved a horse slaughter plant in Sigourney, Iowa and let it be known they plan to allow plants in Missouri and New Mexico.  Other new applications are pending for facilities in Tennessee and Oklahoma,

As I told you last Monday, this comes in spite of:

•  the statement by Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture, opposing horse slaughter.  
• the US senate Appropriations Committee passed a ban on domestic horse slaughter as part of the fiscal Year 2014 budget.  That ban prohibits the USDA from using funds to inspect horsemeat intended for human consumption
• the US House Appropriations Committee's vote to deny funding for horse slaughter
• President Obama recommended the FY 2014 Appropriations bill not contain funds for horse slaughter.

In addition,  Senators Mary Landrieu and Lindsey Graham have introduced legislation that would permanently ban horse slaughter:  the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (SAFE Act - SB 541.)  The SAFE Act would not only permanently ban horse slaughter operations in the US, but it would also end the current export of more than 150,000 US horses shipped to Mexico and Canada for slaughter each years.  Representatives Patrick Meehan and Jan Schakowsky have introduced similar legislation in the US House.

In the United States, horses have never been raised for human consumption.  However, there is foreign demand for horse meat for diners in Europe and Asia.  Since the last horse slaughter facility closed here in 2007, thousands of US horses are shipped out of our country to slaughter houses in Mexico, Canada, and Europe.

The majority of horses that go to slaughter are purchased by "killer buyers" - middlemen who work on behalf of the foreign-owned horse slaughter industry. 

Where do most of these horses come from?  From the horse industry.  Young, healthy horses that are a result of over-breeding by people trying to create the perfect horse are ideal candidates for slaughter.

According to the late John Hettinger, former owner of Fasig Tipton (the second largest Thoroughbred Auction House), past Chairman of the Grayson Jockey Club Foundation, previous member of the Board of Directors of The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and NY Racing Association Trustee:

"7,000 to 9,000 Thoroughbred racehorses are slaughtered every year. Killer buyers frequent horse races to purchase under-performing racehorses after the races end. Thoroughbred Deputy Broad raced at Mountaineer Race Track in Chester, West Virginia on July 11, 2011 and was needlessly slaughtered one week later, not because he was “unwanted,” but because he was disposable. The famous racehorse, Ferdinand who won the 1986 Kentucky Derby, the 1987 Breeders’ Cup Classic, the 1987 Eclipse Award Horse of the Year and became a highly sought-after stud horse in 1989, was sold to Japan where he was slaughtered in 2002."

In addition, mares and foals that are by-products of the Premarin industry, wild horses, stolen horses, and those purchased by killers from owners who are unaware who they're selling to.

What happens after the killers purchase the horse(s)?  They're transported.  Riding in overcrowded conditions, often for more than 24 hours, deprived of food, water, and rest.

In a sworn statement in court in Cook County, Illinois, a former employee of Cavel International, a horse slaughter plant (now closed) testimony describes what is commonplace:

"...they were unloading one of the double-decker trucks. A horse got his leg caught in the side of the truck so the driver pulled the rig up and the horse’s leg popped off. The horse was still living, and it was shaking. [Another employee] popped it on the head and we hung it up and split it open. …

Sometimes we would kill near 390, 370 a day. Each double-decker might have up to 100 on it. We would pull off the dead ones with chains.

Ones that were down on the truck, we would drag them off with chains and maybe put them in a pen or we might drag them with an automatic chain to the knock box. Sometimes we would use an electric shocker to try to make them stand. To get them into the knock box, you have to shock them … sometimes run them up the [anus] with the shocker. …

When we killed a pregnant mare, we would take the guts out and I would take the bag out and open it and cut the cord and put it in the trash and sometimes the baby would still be living, and its heart would be beating, but we would put it in the trashcan.”

If you think horse slaughter is humane euthanasia, think again.  Once in the slaughterhouse equine hell continues.  Horse slaughter is not humane euthanasia.

Animal Euthanasia - from the Greek, meaning 'good death' - the act of humanely putting an animal to death or allowing it to die as by withholding medical measures.  [Wikipedia]

Horses are intelligent animals.  Highly sensitive and acutely aware of their environment, the flight or fight instinct is strong.  According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS):

[Horses] react to the smell of blood, the sounds of other horses being slaughtered and react violently to death when they see the instrument or “stun gun” aimed at their heads, which drives a four-inch spike into their skulls.

They make desperate attempts to flee, exhibiting typical equine “fight or flight” behavior and extreme panic and fear. They prance back and forth with their ears pinned back and their eyes wide open.

That inevitably results in the instrument hitting the horse and wounding it and not rendering it unconscious, but rather resulting in repeated blows.

In addition, video evidence shows horses being beaten on their faces, necks, legs and backs; purposely blinded by bludgeoning their eyes out to get them under control, electric cattle prods inserted into their rectums to get them to move into the kill box, mares giving birth on the kill floors, and remaining alive and conscious when they were shackled and hoisted by a rear leg to have their throats cut.

The horses stand in line sensing the terror and electrocuted or speared into the kill box where they shake violently, falling and unable to stand from fear.

From 2007 to 2009, Animals' Angels USA conducted investigations of the horse slaughter system including the conditions and treatment slaughter horses undergo at auctions, feedlots, during transport and at the slaughter plants. They concluded:

  “…horse slaughter encompasses public safety issues, public health concerns, environmental issues as well as the obvious and very significant concerns regarding cruelty and inhumane treatment. Our investigations during 2007 to the present made clear that at the instant a horse is designated a ‘kill horse,’ handling and treatment change radically from that normally given horses. A ‘kill horse’ is treated with cruelty, with indifference at best, but more typically with violence and aggression. Cruelty increases, while safety, health and welfare – its care and humane treatment are so diminished it is virtually nonexistent. These horses are “only passing through,” say the veterinarians as well as the ‘kill buyers.’

If the ‘kill horses’ had been normal horses under the care of a different type of owner, humane officers and police would have required, in keeping with state animal cruelty laws, proper veterinarian care and sufficient access to food, water and shelter. The ‘kill horse’ is outside the protection of cruelty laws.”

There are many humane alternatives to slaughter for horse owners unable or unwilling to care for their horses, including equine rescues, sanctuaries, retirement farms, equine therapy facilities, and many more.  I believe that horses that are sick, elderly or dying should be humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian using lethal injection.

My horses are my friends, companions and working partners.  I owe them a good life and a good death.  My horses that have died, all died at home and are buried at home. I know that they all - living or waiting for me to cross over - join me in urging the ban of horse slaughter in the United States.


For more information about this issue, I recommend reviewing the positions of the ASPCA, HSUS, American's Against Horse Slaughter, Stop Horse Slaughter , Mary Nash's Horse Slaughter web site and many more.  You can sign petitions here  and  here.

July 15^th is Blog the Change Day - a day when pet bloggers and pet lovers come together to blog, read, share and Be the Change for Animals!  Bloggers are encouraged to write about pet fire safety in July or about a cause near and dear to their heart. Readers are encouraged to read and share their favorite posts.  Join Team BtC on July 15^th to Blog the Change for animals.

Monday Mischief: USDA and Horse Slaughter

Lady preferred to die at home.

This past week, it was the United States Department of Agriculture who engaged in mischief.

The USDA approved a horse slaughter plant in Sigourney, Iowa and plans to allow horse slaughter plants in Missouri and in New Mexico. 

They have approved an application for the facility in New Mexico and have indicated they will also approve plants in Gallatin and Rockville, Missouri. Other applications are pending for plants in Woodbury, Tennessee, and Washington, Oklahoma.

Considered mischief (very serious mischief, in my opinion) because this comes on the heels of the statement recently issued by Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture, opposing horse slaughter.  In addition, the US Senate Appropriations Committee passed a ban on demestic horse slaughter as part of the Fiscal Year 2014 budget.  That ban prohibits the USDA from using funds to inspect horsemeat intended for human consumption, which effectively bans domestic horse slaughter in our country.

In addition, the US House Appropriations Committee also voted to deny funding for horse slaughter.  To cap it off, President Obama recommended the FY 2014 Appropriations bill not contain funds for horse slaughter.

Senators Mary Landrieu and Lindsey Graham have introduced legislation that would permanently ban horse slaughter:  the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (SAFE Act - SB 541.)  The SAFE Act would not only permanently ban horse slaughter operations in the US, but it would also end the current export of more than 150,000 US horses shipped to Mexico and Canada for slaughter each years.  Representatives Patrick Meehan and Jan Schakowsky have introduced similar legislation in the US House.

In New Mexico, the state's Attorney General, Gary King, has declared that horse meat fits the legal definition of an adulterated food product and therefore cannot be manufactured, sold or delivered anywhere in New Mexico.  Cattle and hogs raised for slaughter are closely monitored to ensure they are not administered drugs that would endanger the safety of their meat.  Horses, on the other hand, which are raised for sport, pleasure, companionship and work, but not for slaughter, are routinely adminstered drugs that would render their meat unsafe for human consumption.

As of this past week, several animal protection groups have initiated lawsuits in an attempt to block the revival of domestic horse slaughter at commercial processing plants.

The Humane Society of the United States, Front Range Equine Rescue (of Larkspur, Colorado), three other groups and five individuals filed a federal lawsuit on July 1 seeking an emergency injunction to overturn the USDA's recent permit approvals for the plant in Roswell, New Mexico.

The three other groups challenging USDA and its Food Safety Inspection Service are from California:  the Marin Humane Society in Novato, Horses for Life Foundation, and Return to Freedom of Lompoc.  

Horse slaughterhouses last operated in the US in 2007, before Congress banned the practice by eliminating funding for plant inspections.  Congress restored those cuts in 2011.

What can you do?  Contact your Congressional members and make your opinion known.  Sign a petition urging the ban of horse slaughter - there are many.  Here's one 
 
We're joining the Monday Mischief pet blog hop today.  Hosted by Alfie's Blog, Luna Dogs Life, My Brown Newfies and Snoopy's Dog Blog, this is your chance to share your pets tales of mischief and wrap up the weekend.  Join us!

Oklahoma Tornado Pet Adoption Event July 13

The Central Oklahoma Humane Society has announced a special adoption event for homeless animals displaced by the May tornadoes that devastated areas of central Oklahoma.  These are pets who are victims of the tornadoes who have not been claimed by their owners.

Hope After the Storm is a private - invitation only - adoption event to be held on Saturday, July 13.  They will be selecting 100 potential dog adopters and 50 potential cat adopters at random for the event through their online forms at okhumane.org/hopeafterthestorm.  Applications will be accepted until Friday, July 5 at noon.

When you follow that link (okhumane.org/hopeafterthestorm) you'll be taken to their website and two Rafflecopter forms:  Dog Ticket Entry and Cat Ticket Entry.  You'll need to complete the Rafflecopter if you hope to be selected as a potential adopter.

To be eligible, you must include your full name, phone number and email so they can contact you if your name is drawn, as well as give you further information about the event.

OK Humane says they have chosen this method to help keep the adoption process as smooth as possible, while putting the least amount of stress on the animals.

Step by step instruction for submitting your information:

1. Check your calendars and make sure you will be available to be in the Oklahoma City area on July 13.
2.  Enter your information in the applicable form here - we will be pulling separate names for dogs and cats, so make sure you fill out the correct form.
3. We will stop accepting entries at noon on Friday, July 5.
4. Invitation recipients will be chosen at random for the adoption event. OK Humane will contact these people directly using the information provided. Invite recipients will be notified on the afternoon of Friday, July 5.

  

Note:  All attendees will be required to check in at the adoption event.  Adoptions will be performed in the order of check in.  All adoption fees will be waived.

They are accepting only one entry per household. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 405-286-1229 ext. 4 or info@okhumane.org. 

NOTE:  OK Humane Society has scheduled this event for July in order to give pet owners time to claim their family pets.   In addition, this event is by invitation only and limited in numbers to avoid the thousands of folks that have shown up at other disaster adoption events around the country.  Many traveled from far away only to find a congested venue and no pets left available for adoption.

Missouri Puppy Miller Nabs Congressional Seat in Landslide

Jason Smith, 32 year old Republican and native of Salem, Missouri, served as a member of the Missouri House Representatives since 2005.  On June 6, 2013, Smith was elected to the US Congress in what has been called a landslide victory.  In the special election for the vacant 8th Congressional district, Smith led his opponent 2 to 1.

Smith promoted his ties to agriculture throughout the campaign and in the most recent House session was successful in getting a resolution passed that will place a "Right to Farm" constitutional amendment before voters next year.

Opponents of the proposal have attempted to portray the measure as backlash from Smith over a proposition voters passed in 2010 known as the "Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act," which placed stricter rules on dog breeders. 

Smith's family has a history in the dog breeding business. His mother's kennel was named by the Humane Society of the United States as one of the state's "worst puppy mills in Missouri" in a 2011 report, and Smith faced accusations of conflicts of interest when he spoke against the proposition. Smith has said his proposed amendment is to protect the rights of farmers.

In fact, Jason Smith was once listed in Missouri state records as a co-owner of Mary Ann Smith's Kennel operation, and has been an outspoken opponent of many animal welfare legislative bills.

As written, the "Right to Farm" resolution would have rolled back the cockfighting prohibition, jeopardized the new puppy mill law, prevented future ballot initiatives on animal welfare issues, and endangered regulations on factory farms.

Thankfully, this resolution was amended to protect existing animal welfare laws, protect the right to conduct ballot initiatives on animal welfare issues and protect the right to regulate factory farms.