Push for the Ban of Gas Chambers in Texas and Hawaii

Thousands of animals are inhumanely euthanized each year by use of gas chambers.

While no one wants to see companion animals euthanized, we are all aware that shelters across this nation engage in euthanizing not only sick, disabled, and dangerous animals, but also healthy, adoptable ones. As the last act of compassion for all these lives, we should be as gentle and caring as possible. Euthanasia by sodium pentobarbital or a derivative should be the sole means of euthanizing shelter animals. However, some states still use gas chambers to euthanize animals.

Sometimes a dozen or more animals are placed in a gas chamber. Gassing often can take 30 minutes or more during which time the animals are all terrified and some panic to the point of attacking the other animals in the chamber. This is no way to euthanize an animal who, through no fault of his or her own, became a casualty of the pet overpopulation problem in this country.

Two states, Hawaii and Texas, have legislation pending, HCR 34 and SB 360 , respectively, that would require the use of sodium pentobarbital or a derivative and prohibit the use of compression or gas chambers or other means that do not immediately euthanize the animal.

Hawaii and Texas residents, contact your legislators and urge them to support legislation that will save many animals from terrible suffering. Residents of other states where gas chambers are used, contact your legislators and urge them to support humane euthanasia at animal shelters.

Airport Security Especially Taxing for Animals

Cats can quickly dart away in stressful situations.

Under the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) current policies, animals are removed from their carriers at busy security checkpoints while the carrier is examined. Unfortunately, because of this policy, animals are at risk of escaping, and as a result, injury and death.

We recognize that for the safety of everyone in the airport and in the skies, kennels and carriers must be carefully inspected. However, for the animals’ sake, the inspections should take place in an enclosed area. Removing an animal from a carrier can be difficult even in the most normal of settings; but in a crowded and unfamiliar airport, it is far more challenging. Many animals, especially cats, easily slip out of collars and harnesses and out of their guardian’s arms. If the inspection takes place in an enclosed, safe place, the animal can be easily caught and placed back into the safety of the carrier.

Please join us in writing the administrator of TSA to ask the organization to amend its procedure to make it safer for everyone involved by conducting the screenings in a safe, enclosed space.

John S. Pistole
Administrator
Transportation Security Administration
601 12th Street S
Arlington, VA 22202
E-mail: TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov

Pets Are Special Property

While we know that animals are worth far more than only what we have spent on them, the court’s ruling is a positive step for companion animals.

The Second District Court of Appeals in California has filed an opinion that pet owners should not be limited to the market value of a pet who was willfully or negligently injured by another and may recover the “reasonable and necessary costs incurred for the treatment and care of the pet attributable to the injury.”

Typically, if an animal is injured or killed by another through that person’s willful or negligent act, the guardian of the animal is allowed to sue for market value of the animal only. The Second District Court of Appeals said in its opinion that a guardian may sue for costs of treatment based on the injury. The court did not discuss the subject of sentimental value of the animal. Many guardians feel their animals are worth much more than whatever they paid for them or have spent on them, but the court was focusing solely on the issue of the costs incurred because of the injuries the animals suffered at the hands of another.

Additionally, the court stated: “In California, the Legislature has recognized since 1872 that animals are special, sentient beings, because unlike other forms of property, animals feel pain, suffer and die. Civil Code section 3340 provides that ― [f]or wrongful injuries to animals being subjects of property, committed willfully or by gross negligence, in disregard of humanity, exemplary damages may be given. Laws criminalizing animal abuse underscore the Legislature‘s view that animals are a distinct and specially protected form of property.”

California residents, take a moment to thank the justices for their opinion.

The Honorable Kathryn Doi Todd,
The Honorable Roger W. Boren
The Honorable Judith Ashmann-Gerst
Second District Court of Appeals
Ronald Reagan State Building
300 S. Spring Street 2nd Floor, North Tower
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Tele. No.: 213-830-7000

When you think about it…if alternative medicine helps us, can it help our companion animals, too?

Under the guidance of a veterinarian, alternative medicines and practices can help animals just as they help humans.

We read daily about alternative medical treatments to help humans; what about alternative treatments to help animals?

Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, homeopathic remedies, chiropractic adjustments, and nontraditional methods to treat pain and disease are now flourishing in the veterinary medical profession*. Dogs who were unable to walk well because of arthritis and other joint problems can regain the use of their legs, giving them a better quality of life and a longer, well-lived life. Cats who have urinary tract problems can be given homeopathic remedies that support a healthier body overall and reduce the frequency and severity of these episodes. Dogs suffering from urinary incontinence, not related to their age, can get relief from pinched nerves by having their spine adjusted by a veterinarian who is trained in chiropractic medicine. Sometimes the animal’s guardians can be taught to do these adjustments at home, saving the dog trips to the vet and the guardian additional vet bills.

The more holistic medicine gains strength in the human medical community, the more we will see it gain strength in the veterinary community. As with traditional medical remedies/treatments, holistic ones are available from birth to death. If a guardian chooses to support his or her animal through the final stages of life, often alternative treatments can ease any pain the animal may be experiencing. By having remedies available at this time of transition, both the animal and the guardian can spend quality time in the final days/hours and can experience this time as a profound and intimate experience.

When you think about it…alternative medicine is not just for the human animal; the nonhuman one can benefit greatly as well.

*As with any medical treatment for your companions, always consult your veterinarian.

California Protects Animals

Paws Up!

To the California legislature for enacting and Governor Jerry Brown for signing into law several important statutes to protect animals.

Governor Jerry Brown signed into law SB 1221, which will outlaw the use of dogs in bear and bobcat hunting in California.

A second law, SB 1229, prohibits landlords from requiring tenants to declaw or debark their animals as a condition of renting from them.

Additional bills were enacted and signed into law that will protect the animals of California.

Take Action: California residents, please thank your legislators and your governor for being active in protecting the animals of your state. Residents of other states, please contact your legislators and make sure they are backing animal-friendly legislation.

Massachusetts Protects Companion Animals

Federal and state-level animal protection laws still leave much to be desired. Every step forward is a victory for the animals that need our help.

Paws Up!
To the state of Massachusetts for enacting a strong animal protection law.

The state of Massachusetts enacted legislation that revamps the state’s animal cruelty laws, some of which have been on the books since the 1800s. According to a news article, the law will require “animal control officers to be certified and trained in their field.” It will allow “people seeking restraining orders to list their pets, allowing their pets to be taken with them.”

The law also allows for “the creation of a state-wide fund for donations to a spay/neuter program for homeless pets.” In addition, the law eliminates the “option of using carbon monoxide or dioxide chambers for euthanizing an animal deemed too aggressive or ill to be adopted into a home.”

Another provision includes a “no breed specific clause,” which means there can be “no laws that pinpoint or penalize breeds, like pit bills [sic].”

Take Action: Massachusetts residents, write your legislators and governor applauding their actions to protect the animals of your state. Residents of other states, please contact your legislators and urge them to follow Massachusetts’ lead in protecting the animals where you live.

The Honorable Deval Patrick
State House
Office of the Governor
Boston, MA 02133

Tele. no.: 617-727-3666
Fax no.: 617-727-9725
email: GOffice@state.ma.us

Save Kittens’ Eyes

With advances in biomedical research using non-animal related techniques, there is no reason for subjecting newborn kittens to such invasive tests.

Paws Down!
To Cardiff University for using kittens for research into human eye conditions.

According to a news story, Cardiff University has been “conducting ‘cruel’ experiments in which kittens’ eyes were sewn up and newborn litters raised in total darkness.”

With advances in biomedical research using non-animal related techniques, there is scant reason for the university to continue subjecting newborn kittens to such devastating tests. Instead of using animals, many scientists use human and animal cell, tissue, and organ cultures; chemical systems; blood products; sophisticated mathematical and computer simulations; and plastic organ models. Alternatives, such as Eytex, Skintex®, epiPack, take the place of harmful tests on animals. Advances in tissue engineering and robotics, bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, metabonomics, systems biology, and in silico (computer-based) systems offer alternatives to animal use.

Animal testing can take months if not years at expenses ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to multi-millions of dollars, whereas computer modeling can take place instantaneously and at far lower costs, especially the cost to the animals and their suffering. In vitro tests involving human cell and tissue cultures are faster, cheaper, and more reliable than animal tests in many instances.

Take Action: Write a polite letter to the vice chancellor of the university urging him to curtail experiments on kittens and suggest the university use alternative, non-animal tests instead.

Dr. David Grant
Vice Chancellor
Cardiff University
Park Place
Cardiff CF10 3AT
United Kingdom

When you think about it…we use seat belts to protect us; what about our companion animals?

According to a recent poll, half of our readers still travel with their dogs loose in the car. Buckling up or crating could save their lives.

Distracted driver laws abound across our country. By making texting and using handheld cell phones while driving illegal in many states, legislators are saying that motorists must be held accountable for some of their behaviors behind the wheel, behaviors that are considered dangerous. However, there is another distraction that is garnering attention in state legislatures—companion animals loose in cars.

Have you ever seen a dog sitting on his owner’s lap while the owner is driving? How about a dog hanging her head out the car window as her owner drives down the interstate? Animals who travel unrestrained inside vehicles or in the back of pickup trucks create moments of driver distraction which can lead to accidents.

So, along with talking on cell phones, texting, reading books, clipping toenails (yes, a driver was observed clipping his toenails!), animals loose in the car, on the driver’s lap, sticking their heads out windows, running around in the back of pickup trucks are considered distracted driver issues that in some states are now against the law.

We don’t put children in cars unrestrained (or at least we shouldn’t), so let’s not put our companion animals in cars unrestrained either. For smaller animals, carriers are the safest choice. For larger ones, there are seatbelt restraints available at pet supply stores and online.

People have lost their lives because their animals distracted them. In one incident, a woman crossed the yellow line of a two-lane road and slammed into a UPS truck. She was conscious when the paramedics arrived. She told them that one of her dogs jumped from the back seat into the front and that distracted her. That’s when she veered into oncoming traffic. She died later that evening. Along with losing her life, she caused the death of the two dogs riding with her.

When you think about it…distracted drivers are dangerous drivers whether the distraction is a text message or a Chihuahua. Protect yourself, your animals, and the other drivers on the road. Buckle up or crate your companion. You could be saving all of your lives.

When you think about it…keeping animals cool indoors is important.

Brachiocephalic, or short-nosed, animals such as pugs, bulldogs, and Persians are at greater risk of overheating.

We know we shouldn’t leave animals (and children) in cars in the hot days of summer but what about leaving them in hot houses? Some animals do well in a warm house in hot weather; others don’t. Keeping the indoor temperature around 80 degrees might be fine for some, but others may need a bit cooler place to rest, and still others can withstand temps a bit higher.

If you’re unsure what Fido and Fluffy find comfortable, watch where they sleep. Many cats will sleep in full sun indoors on the hottest days of the year while many dogs will find the air conditioning vent and spread themselves over it. Although cats, typically, can withstand a bit more heat than dogs, each cat and each dog is an individual and will need to be watched for his or her reaction to heat and humidity.

Cats and dogs with short noses have the most difficulty breathing especially in humid climes. So make sure your pugs, bulldogs, Persians, and others have access to the coolest parts of the house. Typically basements are pretty cool and, of course, rooms with shades drawn can also be cool. Rooms with window air conditioners are probably the best for many of our companion animals. The elderly and overweight animals and those with heart/lung conditions also need to be kept cool.

Make sure your companion animal has easy access to water. Some cats and dogs like to lick ice cubes; if yours does, put some in the water bowl to keep the water cool. If your animal likes to exercise outdoors, make sure he or she gets out in the early morning hours before the heat of the day sets in.

When you think about it…our companion animals should be as comfortable as we are during the hot days of summer.

LA to ban selling cats and dogs

With so many companion animals needing homes already, it makes no sense to breed more to sell in pet stores for profit.

Paws Up!

To the Los Angeles City Council for approving a motion to ban the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores.

According to a news story, “The L.A. City Council voted…in favor of banning stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits that are not rescues in an effort to curb the city’s animal euthanasia rates.”

By focusing pet store sales on rescued animals rather than on those bred most often in puppy mills, the city hopes to encourage the adoption of animals from local shelters and thereby reduce the pet overpopulation in Los Angeles.

Take Action: Los Angeles residents, contact your city council members and let them know you support their effort. Residents of other jurisdictions, if there are pet stores in your area selling puppies and kittens from mills, suggest to your elected officials they take the same action Los Angeles has.

Los Angeles City Council
City Hall
200 North Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tele. No.: 213-485-2121

Source:
Southern California Public Radio 89.3 KPCC
CBS Los Angeles