Petfinder Blog

I just read an interesting story in the Washington Post about a herd of 2,000 wild mustangs due to be euthanized by the Bureau of Land Management.

According to the article:

[Y]esterday, at a public hearing in Reno, Nev., to discuss the issue, a solution arrived on a white horse, so to speak.

Madeleine Pickens, wife of billionaire T. Boone Pickens, made known her intentions to adopt not just the doomed wild horses but most or all of the 30,000 horses and burros kept in federal holding pens. Lifelong animal lovers, the Pickenses just a few years ago led the fight to close the last horse slaughterhouse in the United States.

Until now, I'd only known of T. Boone Pickens as a super-rich advocate of energy independence. How nice to hear that he and his wife are not only animal lovers, but people who use their wealth to quite literally save animals' lives.

But a little Internet digging revealed that, in fact, any qualified person can adopt a wild horse or burro. Find out how after the jump.

For many of us who love animals, "Save the Whales" were probably the first words we ever learned that showed us protecting other creatures could be a collective and even political effort.

But as we got older and started taking action close to home and saving the dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, etc. -- and as laws such as the Endangered Species Act were passed and society in general became more aware of ecological and animal-welfare concerns -- well, we probably figured the whales were okay.

Well, guess what? They're not.

The Japanese are still hunting whales by the thousands, under the banner of research (i.e. using a legal loophole -- you can learn more about the controversial practice here).

Petfinder's sister company, Animal Planet, has been documenting the efforts of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a fearless group of activists who quite literally put themselves between the harpoons and the whales in order to save these giant, gentle creatures.
 

Since I last reported on Obama wanting to adopt a shelter dog, but having concerns about daughter Malia's allergies, two things have happened: (1) The story has only gained ground, and (2) I realized that the buzz is that Malia wants a goldendoodle (not a labradoodle).

I'm thrilled that so many people have urged the Obamas to find their next pet on Petfinder, including Best Friends Animal Society, The Oregonian and author and blogger Carole Raphaelle Davis. And after the jump, I've included links to some of the adoptable goldendoodles listed on Petfinder.

I also learned some interesting information from Petfinder staffer Kim Saunders that could be useful to anyone with pet allergies:

There are plenty of hypoallergenic breeds, but there are actually no non-allergenic dogs (or cats). However, dogs with soft, constantly-growing hair -- like the Poodle or the Bichon Frise -- may be less irritating to some people. This might even be because they are bathed or groomed more frequently.

If your or a family member's allergies are uncomfortable but not life-threatening, you can take these steps to reduce the symptoms:

1. Wash pet bedding regularly and change your air filters frequently. You should also use a high-efficiency HEPA air cleaner in the home.
2. Create an "allergy free" zone in the home -- preferably the bedroom -- and strictly prohibit the pet's access to it.
3. Brush your pet four to five times a week to reduce pet dander.
4. Choose the right pet brush -- one great option is the FURminator.
5. Consider getting allergy shots to improve symptoms. Steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays and antihistamine pills can also work to make you feel better.

If you have any other tips for living with pet allergies, let me know!

This whole Obama-dog story is really taking off like crazy. The president-elect told reporters today, according to the Associated Press:

We have two criteria that have to be reconciled. One is that Malia is allergic so it has to be hypoallergenic. ...

But obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me. So whether we're going to be able to balance those two things, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household.

Well we want the president elect to know that it's easy to balance those two things: More than 25% of shelter pets are purebred -- and it's easy to find the breed you want on Petfinder!

To contact Obama and urge him to adopt, you can write to him at his Chicago office at:

John C. Kluczynski Federal Office Building
230 South Dearborn St.
Suite 3900 (39th floor)
Chicago, Illinois 60604

Or e-mail him through the online form at http://www.change.gov/page/s/yourvision.

And for fun, cast your vote on AnimalPlanet.com's new poll: Should the Obamas adopt from a shelter?

After the jump, links to more adoptable, hypoallergenic labradoodles on Petfinder. Tell us which one is your favorite!

As you've no doubt heard, Barack Obama said in his victory speech Tuesday that his daughters had "earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House."

The Obamas told Entertainment Tonight on Sept. 30 they planned to adopt a "rescue dog," and we hope they'll keep that promise. (Of course, readers of this blog were nominating dogs for the Obamas back in July!)

Tuesday's election brought other good news for animals as well.

• In California, voters passed Proposition 2, which ends cruel confinement of farm animals.
• In Massachusetts, voters passed the Greyhound Protection Act, banning commercial dog racing.
• And in  South Tucson, AZ, the Tucson Dog Protection Act passed, which will dramatically improve conditions for racing greyhounds.

All of these represent incredible advances in animal welfare. Now let's just hope the Obamas adopt a shelter dog -- that would really be the Change We Need in the lives of homeless pets everywhere!

Whatever your politics, I have no doubt you're excited to vote today. And if you live in California, Massachusetts or South Tucson, AZ, you have the chance to make a difference for animals.

In California, vote yes on Proposition 2 to end inhumane confinement of farm animals. Want to learn more? The New York Times has an interesting article about Prop 2, which includes arguments by its opponents; you can also check out the Web site Yes! on Prop 2.

(Even if you don't live in California, you can vote with your wallet to help farm animals by buying food that is Certified Humane Raised and Handled, a designation awarded by the non-profit Humane Farm Animal Care.)

And thanks to Mutts creator Patrick McDonnell, who notes in his November "Newshletter" that voters in two states have a chance to help racing greyhounds:

• Massachusetts voters can vote yes on Question 3 to pass the Greyhound Protection Act, which would phase out commercial dog racing by 2010. (Learn more at YesOn3.com.)
• Voters in South Tucson can vote yes on Prop 401 to pass the Tucson Dog Protection Act, which would not ban dog racing, but would improve the treatment of racing greyhounds and help protect the public from dog-borne diseases. (Learn more at TucsonCitizen.com.)

And of course, no matter where you live, you can always help by adopting one of the 2,200+ greyhounds on Petfinder!

Thought you might enjoy this pic of "Cerberus" from last year's Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade. Everyone have a safe and fun night!

(Photo by Aaron Edwards)

A while back I posted some photos of cool animal-rescue tattoos and asked you to send in yours. Well here are the results!

Kelly writes:

"I saw the pictures of people's rescue tattoos and definitely thought my friend Lisa from Athens, GA, should be added to the list. She is extremely dedicated to animal welfare and takes her rescue efforts very seriously -- especially the spay and neuter part, as the photo shows! Thanks for letting me share and remember to always SPAY and NEUTER!"



From Kay:

"Here's my contribution. It's my dog's actual pawprint. I took an ink pad and got his pawprint. I had the guy tattoo everything that came out on the piece of paper, even where his fur had smudged the ink.

"The pawprint is of my 11-year-old dog, Simba. I've had him since I was 10 years old. He's the whole reason I got into rescue and I love dogs so much. He's taught me so much and he'll forever be a part of me, not only on my skin, but in my heart. Now I share my heart with three other rescued dogs and it's all thanks to him."

More pics after the jump!

Today marks the start of an historic animal abuse case brought against Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus by three animal-welfare groups and a former circus employee.

The ASPCA, the Animal Welfare Institute, the Fund for Animals (a partner of the Humane Society of the U.S.) and former Ringling Bros. employee Tom Rider charge that Ringling Bros. violated the Endangered Species Act by chaining its elephants for prolonged periods and training them with bull hooks, among other abuses.

I won't go into the details of the case, but Ringling Bros. has started its own Web site about the trial, where you can view a PDF of the complaint. You can also click on the names of the animal-welfare groups above to see their press releases about the case, or read a news story here or here.

But I'm interested in a comment by a lawyer for Ringling Bros.' parent company, who said: "Animal special-interest groups are distorting the facts by making false allegations about the treatment of Ringling Bros. elephants as part of a long-running crusade to eliminate animals from circuses, zoos and wildlife parks."

Leaving aside the question of zoos and wildlife parks, should elephants and other animals be banned from use in circuses?

One of the best things about being part of a big company like Discovery Communications (which acquired Petfinder in 2006) is getting the support and enthusiasm of hundreds of our fellow employees.

Petfinder and eight local rescue groups felt the love on Oct. 21, when we held the second annual Petfinder.com Adoption Event, in honor of Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month, at Discovery's Silver Spring, Md., headquarters.

Hundreds of Discovery staffers turned out for the event and met more than 30 dogs looking for their forever homes. Already several adoption applications have been submitted to the rescue groups, and our fingers are crossed that many of the dogs will be joining their new families soon.

More photos and a list of rescue groups who attended are after the jump.

The New York Times on Sunday pointed out what people in animal welfare have known for months: As the economy slips, even the most well-meaning owners are being forced to give up their pets.

The article contains some great comments from Petfinder's founder, Betsy Saul, and spotlights the incredible work done by the shelter where I volunteer, Animal Care and Control of New York City, and its Safety Net program.

Safety Net helps pet owners deal with the issues that are making them consider surrendering their pet: Behavior problems, allergies, the cost of veterinary care, landlord concerns and, increasingly, finding temporary foster care for pets whose owners are in crisis.

It's easy to feel anger toward owners who surrender their pets to shelters, and the instinct for many animal lovers (including this one) is to write off that person and focus on helping the pet.

Did you find your dog on Petfinder? Do you have an amazing adoption story? (Touching, tear-jerking, revealing superhuman acts of kindness, etc.)

Are you willing to tell that story on TV?

Send us your story and photo, and you and your pet may have the chance to promote pet adoption on a major national broadcast. (Sorry I can't give you more details ... yet!)

This opportunity will be a great way to tell the world why pet adoption is THE way to go, and help homeless pets everywhere as a result. Send me your info at "blog (at) Petfinder.com". Looking forward to hearing your stories!

Great news for dogs in Miami-Dade County: Commissioners voted yesterday to make it "illegal to tie a dog to any standing object outside a home unless the dog's owner is present" (Miami Herald).

There was a heated debate before the resolution passed 11-1, with some arguing the law discriminates against families who can't afford to build fences.

"I resent the implication that says if you can't afford it, or can't have a dog without tethering it, you shouldn't have one at all," said Commissioner Barbara Jordan, the
only one to vote against the measure.

With the second presidential debate airing last night -- and Sarah Palin still being compared to a pit bull -- we were thinking: If John McCain and Barack Obama were dogs, what dogs would they be? So we scoured our dog breed directory to look for canines with characteristics that reminded us of the candidates. Check out our picks, then let us know what YOU think.

McCain: German Shepherd or Boxer?
German Shepherd: "[I]ntent on his mission, whatever that may be, and he is virtually unsurpassed in working versatility. He is utterly devoted and faithful ... excel[s] at jobs requiring courage, athleticism and intelligence ... an intelligent and fearless companion and guardian. During World War I, he was the obvious choice for a war sentry." (Learn more about German Shepherds here.)


Boxer: "Inquisitive, attentive, demonstrative, devoted and outgoing ... he can be stubborn, but he is sensitive and responsive to commands ... one of the first breeds to be employed as a police and military dog." (Learn more about Boxers here.)


Obama: Border Collie or Great Dane?
Border Collie: "[A] bundle of mental and physical energy awaiting its chance to be unleashed on the world. ... He needs a lot of physical and mental activity every day to satisfy his quest for work. He enjoys being with his family ... worked hard to gain the reputation of one of the smartest breeds of dogs." (Learn more about Border Collies here.)


Great Dane: "[G]entle, loving, easygoing and sensitive ... generally good with children ... powerful but sensitive ... makes a pleasant, well-mannered family companion. [Has an] imposing yet graceful appearance." (Learn more about Great Danes here.)

The New York Times had an interesting story this weekend about the latest trend in pet parenting: Men admitting they love their cats.

The story pointed out the popularity of Web sites such as Menandcats.com and the YouTube video An Engineer's Guide to Cats, as well as a study by the U.K. organization Cats Protection that showed that

single male cat owners were more likely than their female counterparts to have made, or consider making, a sacrifice for their cat -- including giving up a holiday or going into debt for their cat if necessary.

While I know plenty of women who've made financial and personal sacrifices for their cats, this article is heartening on many levels.

When it was announced that the movie Beverly Hill Chihuahua was hitting theaters Oct. 3, many in animal welfare worried that it would cause a rash of impulse purchases of the little dogs. But Best Friends Animal Society looked at the film as an opportunity to educate the public and spread the adoption message.

They created the above video (which you can also watch on their Web site) and a fantastic poster (after the jump).

Last week, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed 95 bills, "including a measure that would have prohibited dogs from riding on the laps of motorists," the L.A. Times reports.

The reason? "I am only signing bills that are the highest priority for California," the governator said.

Petfinder recommends keeping your dog in a crate or carrier while you're driving for your pet's safety. But be honest: Do you ever drive with your dog (or other pet!) in your lap? Do you think that doing so should be illegal?

Last week was a tough one. Our vet told my mother and me there was nothing more he could do to help our 13-year-old shepherd mix, Sashi, who suffers from arthritis and spinal problems that make it hard for her to use her hind legs.

Because Sashi's quality of life had deteriorated so much (she could barely walk, and was getting scrapes from falling down and from her paws bending under or "knuckling"), we made the gut-wrenching decision to euthanize her.

But at the last minute, we decided to try something I've heard a number of (smart, skeptical) people swear by: veterinary acupuncture.

A search on the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society's Web site brought us to Christina Fuoco, VMD, an IVAS-certified doctor at the University of Pennsylvania's veterinary hospital.

My mother brought Sashi for her first appointment last week and reported that Dr. Fuoco was kind, compassionate and, best of all, optimistic about the potential for improvement that acupuncture could offer Sashi.

Rabies isn't really something we think about here in the U.S. -- at least not when it comes to our pets, since rabies vaccination is so standard.

But according to the Alliance for Rabies Control, it's still a major problem worldwide, killing more than 55,000 people a year, mostly in Asia and Africa.

So the organization is holding its second annual World Rabies Day on Sept. 28. Vaccinating animals against rabies in developing countries will not only prevent human suffering, it may well improve the treatment of animals -- especially stray dogs -- in those countries by raising awareness of their health needs and the relationship between animals' well-being and humans'.

To learn more, visit the World Rabies Day Web site.

Meg in Maine sends us this photo of her cat Bono in his tie (which, she swears, he loves!) and writes:

I adopted this little guy at The West Kennebunk Animal Shelter in Kennebunk, Maine. I was there donating my two Pomeranians' surplus of dog toys and food when I decided to walk around and check out the cats.

My intent was only to play with them and to help the volunteers clean, but this little guy latched right onto me. In fact, he lept into my arms and started purring and giving me headbutts. I put him down to go help out in another cat room, and when I returned, he did the same thing.

I put him down to tend to another cat, and he crawled in my purse ... I figured any cat with that good of taste in handbags was SURELY a keeper.

My friend Sandi has made her dedication to pit bulls and animal rescue permanent -- check out this pic of her new tattoo.

Sandi has devoted her life to animal welfare: She works at NYC's Bideawee shelter and, like me, volunteers at Animal Care & Control of NYC (she also runs a MySpace page for AC&C pets) -- and now she's got the ink to prove it.

Seems like there's a link between caring about animals and getting inked -- maybe because one you've realized how much homeless pets need your help, you're changed for life anyway (check out the guys from NYC's Rescue Ink and Atlanta pit bull rescuer Brandon Bond for a few examples).

A rescue-themed tattoo by Dogs Deserve Better founder Tammy Grimes is after the jump.

Got a great animal tattoo? Send it to me at "blog (at) petfinder.com" and I'll post it here!

Check out this cute photo of The Hills star Lauren Conrad with her adopted dog, Chloe (courtesy of CelebrityDogBlog).

I'm always on the lookout for celebrities who've adopted pets -- especially ones who are popular with young people and can counteract the influence of the Paris Hiltons of the world -- so it's great to see a fashion icon like LC showing that saving a life is always in style.

Conrad, also the proud parent of a rescued cat, adopted Chloe in March, writing on her MySpace blog:

On Monday, I got a puppy from the pound. She is the cutest puppy ever! Her name is Chloe. She is a lab/shepherd mix.

I'm not getting much sleep because she thinks nighttime is play time! Ashes (my cat) is not thrilled with her, but I think they will become friends. (Usmagazine.com)

Congrats to LC on finding such a sweet pet. (Although judging from this photo, she may want to check out our video, Teaching Your Dog to Walk on a Leash.)

In its new cover story, "21 Ways to Serve America," TIME magazine has one suggestion we're all for: fostering a pet!

The magazine notes that, with 1.2 million homes in foreclosure, pets, just like people, are being displaced in record numbers. What you can do:

Sign up to house and care for a pet until its owner finds a residence or the animal is adopted. Use Petfinder.com to find local groups like PetConnect Rescue, which places dogs and cats in foster care.
(Read the article.)

Many thanks to TIME for driving home an important message: Even if you can't adopt, fostering is one of the best things you can do to help homeless pets.

By fostering, you'll help keep pets out of shelters and, if the pet can't go back to her original owner, you'll make her more adoptable by sparing her the stress of living in a shelter and serving as her personal advocate to adopters.

You can sign up to foster through our volunteer database, or find a shelter or rescue group near you using Petfinder. Give them a call -- responsible fosters are always in demand!

Kerry Hyde, a cat behaviorist and feral cat advocate in Florida, sends us this adorable pic of her former foster cat Brianna.

She writes:

Brianna was a feral rescue kitten who was brought into Florida's Gadsden County Humane Society's adoption program. She was my foster and she also had a "special" foot: Her back left foot had no toes. We called it her "ballet slipper foot." She is such a cutie and went to an excellent home with the lady who helps me run our non-profit, It's Meow or Never for Ferals.

Think your adopted pet is just as cute? Send me the pic at "blog (at) Petfinder.com" and I'll mail you a Petfinder bumper sticker.

Previous entry: Are your Petfinder pets cuter than these?

A week after Sarah Palin talked about pit bulls and lipstick, Barack Obama said John McCain was putting "lipstick on a pig" by claiming to be different from Bush.

Now I feel that I must point out two things here. First, NO animal should be forced to wear lipstick under any circumstances! And second, what's wrong with pigs? There are 236 pot bellied pigs available for adoption o