Don't miss this slideshow "Hey McDonald's, My pit bull is a rescued stray!" photo project put together by BADRAP. Hundreds of emailed and facebooked photos were sent to BADRAP after McDonald's made a damaging comment about stray dogs - pit bulls specifically - in a radio spot in the Kansas City area.
McDonald's Chicken McBites "Risky" ad was a radio ad which aired on February 3, 2012. This clip was recorded from 99.7 the point in Kansas City.
McDonald's has since offered a public apology for the error and pulled the ad.
America's Bark Off to McDonald's from
BADRAP.org on
Vimeo.
IAt one time Randy Grim was a one man dog rescue operation with a mission of saving the homeless pets roaming the streets of St Louis MO. After spending years prevailing on his family and friends to place dogs he'd saved, in 1998 he founded Stray Rescue of St Louis. Since then thousands of animals have been saved from abuse and starvation. Since starting in 1991, Grim has been credited with saving 5,000 feral dogs, all of which - through months of gentle, loving care - have been turned into house pets and adopted by new families. Some have even gone on to become therapy animals, bringing joy to people in hospitals and nursing homes.
Obviously, Randy Grim loves dogs, especially the dogs he saves. Called the Dog Man, or as a homeless man calls him, Coyote Man, he founded Stray Rescue so fewer homeless dogs suffer and die. His passionate crusade has evolved into two no-kill shelters with a legion of 200 volunteers.
The sole purpose of Stray Rescue is to rescue stray animals, get them the veterinary attention they need, then place them in loving adoptive homes. Virtually all of the animals they have saved were abused and neglected. Dumped on highways or remote country roads; abandoned in public parks, empty houses and alleyways. They've even rescued dogs left chained behind buildings after their owners had moved away.
Stray Rescue has received numerous accolades from the American Red Cross and also has received national media attention from Animal Planet, National Geographic, the Weather Channel and Forbes Magazine.
In the National Geographic feature, Mary Ann Mott wrote: "In St. Louis, Randy Grim, founder of Stray Rescue, is out on the streets every day feeding 50 or more mutts. If these wild dogs don't die of sheer starvation, he said, diseases such as parvovirus, heartworm, or intestinal parasites usually kill them. Their average life span is one to two years. Many of the animals he sees were once "bait dogs" - smaller, passive animals used to train fighting dogs. Great Dane puppies are commonly used, he said, and wire is twisted around their legs to hold them down, so they can't run while being mauled during training sessions. "If they live, they are just discarded onto the streets," said Grim. The animals are recognizable by their missing limbs, and scars from the brutal attacks.
Grim's humor comes out in his book, Don't Dump the Dog, which tells all the reasons why an animal is turned into a shelter. He offers his own practical solutions, as well as that of an animal behaviorist, for reasons commonly offered by people including: not having time for the dogs, having a baby, too big, too old, destructive, too playful, going on vacation, the holiday season, doesn't like my boy/girl friend, barking, unable to be housebroken, sheds too much, eats poop, digs holes, doesn't like the kitty and more. Not one to give up on a dog, Grim tells everyone why they shouldn't either.
Stray Rescue of Saint Louis
Second Annual Howl Fest
Saturday, October 14, 2010
5:30 - 8:30 pm
Creve Coeur Lake House, 2160 Creve Coeur Mill Rd, St Louis, MO
Rain or full moon event!
Grab your dog and have some Halloween fun in St Louis. Enjoy a variety of food and drink. Find a new best friend for you or your dog. Costume contests for best dressed pet / guardian, scariest and more. Barking good prizes will be awarded by local celebrity judges. Silent auction, raffles. Don't miss this howling good event that benefits Stray Rescue of Saint Louis. Dogs attending must be well socialized, up to date on vaccinations and on a leash.
The talking heads can say all they want about how the economy is just fine, but I don't think those of us out here in the real world would agree. Especially not the animal lovers. All of us at For Love of a Dog were shocked, though I guess we shouldn't have been, that the City of St Louis has closed one of its animal shelters.
According to the Humane Society of Missouri, in late May, the City of St. Louis made significant changes in the operation of their animal control and shelter services. Since June 1, they have ceased receiving stray and owner surrendered animals at their Gasconade St. facility. While the City is working with two other organizations to provide some animal sheltering services, their capacity is very limited and, according to City officials, will be limited for some time to come.
Annually, more than 6,000 animals from St. Louis City are taken in by the Humane Society of Missouri at a cost of more than $1 million and at no cost to St. Louis City taxpayers.
What seems to be a tradition of challenging summers at the Humane Society of Missouri continues in 2010. In recent past summers they have rescued and rehomed thousands of hurricane survivors; operated an emergency cooling center for hundreds of St. Louis area pets; rescued and rehabilitated hundreds of dogs from the ravages of substandard puppy mills; and lead the largest dog fighting raid, rescue, sheltering and adoption effort in U.S. history.
The summer of 2010 has been even more challenging for them and the animals. In just the last two months since the City closed its shelter, Their Macklind Avenue shelter has seen a 26% increase in the number of stray animals taken in from the City. In that same time period, they have received more than 1,300 animals from the St. Louis City area. Every day they receive 20 to 50 animals just from St. Louis City.
In effect, the Humane Society of Missouri, along with the APA (Animal Protective Association), has become the de facto animal control shelter for St. Louis City. While this significant additional intake of animals severely strains their already limited resources, they are doing the best they can to help animals in need.
October is Adopt a Dog MonthAll of us at For Love of a Dog encourage you to rescue a shelter dog. Take a look at Jeffie (shown above) when he was a puppy. Mama found Jeffie through Petfinder. He and his two brothers were at Dogwood Animal Shelter waiting for forever homes. Jeffie and his brothers all got adopted. Other homeless dogs are not so lucky.
Can you make room in your home for a homeless dog? Visit your local animal shelter, surf Petfinder, or contact a breed rescue group to find a canine companion to share life's adventures. Millions of loyal, lovable dogs are surrendered to shelters every years simply because their owners couldn't take care of them anymore. Large dogs, small dogs, purebred dogs, mixed breeds... they're all wonderful furry friends waiting for a special friend. Is it you?
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There are so many benefits to having a canine companion it's impossible to list them all here. Dogs encourage people to exercise, they're great stress reducers, they are a source of non-judgemental love at its purest.>
If you’re ready to find your very own faithful canine companion, check out American Humane’s very helpful resources to learn about the adoption process, behavior and training, and pet care.Just can't add a canine family member at this time? How about helping at your local shelter? Walk a dog or two every week, play with the dogs to help socialize them, collect needed supplies. There are lots of ways to help and your local shelter would be glad to give you options that fit your lifestyle.One last word on the subject for now ~ as a black dog myself, I have to urge you to please consider adopting or sponsoring a black dog because we black dogs are often overlooked.Woof! Woof! Tucker
In September the American Brittany Rescue is holding an online auction to raise much needed funds. The current economy has brought many more dogs who need help into rescue, while making raising funds to help them more difficult. While adoption donations cover the costs for many of their dogs, others - especially the seniors - often need extra care to bring them back to good health and ensure long, happy lives in new home.American Brittany Rescue, Inc. (ABR) is a 501 c3 organization founded in 1991. They take stray, abandoned, or surrendered Brittanys into foster care and provide for their needs until a new home can be found. Each year ABR helps nearly 1,000 Brittanys.Visit their web site in September to bid on all kinds of wonderful things for you and your dog!
