“More than 55,000 people, mostly in Africa and Asia, die from rabies every year  - a rate of one person every ten minutes. The most important global source of rabies in humans is from uncontrolled rabies in dogs. Children are often at greatest risk from rabies. They are more likely to be bitten by dogs, and are also more likely to be severely exposed through multiple bites in high-risk sites on the body. Severe exposures make it more difficult to prevent rabies unless access to good medical care is immediately available. This major source of rabies in humans can be eliminated through ensuring adequate animal vaccination and control, educating those at risk, and enhancing access of those bitten to appropriate medical care.

In 2006, a group of researchers and professionals formed a global Alliance for Rabies Control. They created and began inviting partners to join the World Rabies Day initiative. The inaugural World Rabies Day initiative now involves human and animal health partners at the international, national, state/provincial, and local levels, veterinary, medical and other specialized professional and student organizations, and corporate and non-profit partners.” (from WRD website)

www.worldrabiesday.org

This is a great initiate for dog lovers to support!  In North American countries and abroad, poor local  governments address the problem of dog overpopulation and the spread of rabies by poisoning and shooting the animals.  Awareness, funding and education will save human and canine lives across the globe.

Visit the Events tab to see the clinics, contests and trainings being offered right here in the United States.

Now that it’s back to school, many high school juniors and seniors will be planning for college and picking which school to attend. The PetSide.com blog has published a list of schools with pet-friendly policies.

They include:

• UCLA
• Eckerd College
• Vassar
• MIT
• Stephens College
• University of Pennsylvania (caged animals only)
• CALTECH
• SUNY Canton

Read the full story with information on each policy here.

The Washington Humane Society and The Humane Society of the United States invite you to join fellow animal lovers in the DC Metro Area – including visitors from across the nation and around the globe – for the 3rd annual Humane Society Walk for the Animals. Bring your canine friend – or walk for a pet who prefers to stay at home – and enjoy a scenic stroll around the lake at beautiful Constitution Gardens, located just north of the World War II Memorial, at the corner of Constitution Ave. and 17th St. NW.  more details….

Thanks to
Tails Pet Media Group for the scoop!

Live in the Chicagoland area?  We’d love to have all animal lovers join us!

SAVE THE DATE
WellPet invites you to Yappy Hour to benefit the Meow Bow Wow Fund, which reimburses animal rescues for their vaccinations and spay/neuter costs. The Clubhouse will feature special dog-themed drinks like the Chocolate Lab Martini and the Grateful Greyhound. We’ll have an amazing silent auction to peruse while you sip your cocktail: offering dog and cat accessories, gift certificates, unique and handmade items, jewelry and much more.  Appetizer specials, a rescued puppy slide show, and friends- if it sounds fun we hope you can join us and “unwind” for this great cause!  We’ll be there all night.

First Friday at The Clubhouse

November 7th

298 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL 60523

6:00pm-9:00pm

Questions or silent auction donations please contact: katie@wellpetusa.org

No RSVP necessary, open to the public

Photo contest will allow America to vote for their favorite rescued pets for WellPetUSA’s Holiday Calendar, benefiting the Meow Bow Wow fund

VOTE NOW! http://tinyurl.com/holidaycalendarvoting
 
DREXEL HILL, PA – September 9, 2008 – WellPetUSA, an animal welfare nonprofit that raises funds to offset the costs of animal rescue groups, announced that is has opened the public voting for its Holiday Calendar photo contest, sponsored by Botanical Animal.

Photos were accepted in August and September from animal rescue groups around the country. Members of the public can now vote online at http://tinyurl.com/holidaycalendarvoting to select their favorite pet.

The top 12 photos will be included in the Holiday Calendar whose sales will benefit the Meow Bow Wow fund. The rescue group with the most votes will also receive a special gift pack of flower essences from Botanical Animal, to help treat trauma that neglected or abused pets often suffer.

“WellPetUSA’s goal with this contest is to highlight the important work that rescue groups due every day to save the lives of these wonderfully adorable pets,” said Heather Read, Chairman and Executive Director of WellPetUSA. “All of the proceeds from sales of our calendar will go to our Meow Bow Wow fund which will reimburse eligible rescues for medical costs associated the rescue and adoption process for pets like the ones you see in our calendar.”

Public voting opened on Monday, September 8, 2008. Voting will close on Friday, October 3, 2008.

About Botanical Animal
Headquartered in Parker Ford, PA, Botanical Animal ® is the distributor of all-natural botanical products for animals. They are best known for their private label of Flower Essences. For additional information please visit www.botanicalanimal.com

About the Meow Bow Wow Fund
The Meow Bow Wow Fund reimburses qualifying non-profit rescue organizations for the spaying and/or neutering of adoptable dogs and/or cats and for the vaccination of dogs and/or cats commensurate with requirements for adoption.  Reimbursable costs include anesthesia, medication, vaccinations, and veterinary services.  In 2008, the maximum amount of a reimbursement award will be $500 per organization. Reimbursements will be made for past medical expenses only and will require proof of services performed. 

About WellPetUSA, Inc.
WellPetUSA, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 IRS-recognized non-profit organization. From 1996 through 2000, WellPetUSA held private and public pet adoptions, collected donations and worked with numerous veterinary doctors, volunteers and organizations. In 2000, the founders and volunteers refocused the organization to concentrate in the areas of fundraising and community pet education and welfare creating The Meow Bow Wow Fund and P.E.A.T. The Meow Bow Wow Fund distributes funds to rescue groups and the general public to help offset medical care costs. The Pet Education, Awareness and Training (P.E.A.T.) program is designed to educate the community and pet owners about pet welfare. In 2008, WellPetUSA’s founder, Amber Pedraja, passed away from cancer. In her memory, the Amber’s Pets Fund was created to reimburse a needy rescue group or family for medical costs of treating a pet with cancer. For additional information, please visit www.wellpetusa.org 
###

You may have heard a few people mention Etsy.com, or you could already be a full-blown member of the community.  If its all new to you, Etsy describes itself as “an online marketplace where you can buy and sell items that are handmade, as well as vintage goods and crafting supplies.“  Basically, its some of the coolest handmade artists across the US and abroad in one online location.  Ranging to stay-at-home-moms to professional artists with studios, this site is extremely buyer and seller friendly.

A group of artists formed Team Etsy for Animals and from April 2007 to June 2008, team members contributed almost $10,000 to animal charities.  EFA members also donate their hand-crafted items to animal charity events, assist with animal rescue, and contribute time, talent, and money.  The group rallies at times of specific need and recently raised $6700 for the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter following the Iowa Floods this summer.  One way money is raised is through the EFA Team Store where team members donate their craft and 100% of the sales go to the EFA Charity of the Month.  Check out a few examples of items currently available in their “shop.”

Blue Flowers Pocket Mirror by albinarose in Honeoye Falls, NY

“All of my mirrors are 2.25 inch (5.75cm) and hand pressed by me.  The mirror is a real glass and Mylar protects the image.  My images come from a variety of sources that include scrap booking paper, small portions of images from 50 year-old magazines or old damaged books, (25 yrs. and older), and scraps of fabric”

—–

I’m too Cute greeting card by 9LivesPhotography in Chicago, IL

“I’m Stella, and I was adopted from a local cat shelter with my sister, Sadie. I’m the cute one (at least I think so!)”  4X6 photo printed on Kodak Professional Endura luster paper and mounted on a 5×7 blank white acid-free Strathmore notecard. Includes matching envelope. Packaged in cello sleeve with pretty ribbon.

—–

Large Sterling Silver Fawn Pendant by safarilee in Australia

“This precious sterling silver, handmade, prancing fawn comes on a sterling silver chain. The fawn is approximately 43mm x 30mm x 1mm and weighs 4 grams. Both the necklace and the fawn will be mailed in a gift box handmade in India from recycled newspaper using a design from an Aboriginal man in Australia.”

While Hurricane Hanna heads for the east coast of the US, Caribbean animal shelters are working hard to get things back to normal after Gustav.   

The Animal House in Ochos Rios, Jamaica suffered shelter damage, is with out power and suffered a loss of supplies.  Maureen from the facility explains, “We are in serious need of help following Gustav - damage to our electrical wiring which needs re-doing before power can be restored, loss of medical and food supplies, damage to our perimeter fencing, etc., and are asking for assistance anywhere we can think of.

The good news is that not one of our 150 plus animals was injured,..despite over 24 hours of battering by what proved to be a horrible storm.”

 While WellPetUSA’s focus is on domestic pets, its important to keep remeber that people are working worldwide to assist the homeless pet population.  Animal House is only one of two shelters on the island and they did a terrific job of keeping their animals safe from the storm, BRAVO!  There is no HSUS, ASPCA or FEMA so they did it all on their own on an island no less.

Visit the animalhousejamaica.org if you are interested in helping.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has declared a state of emergency and according to published news reports Georgia could begin voluntary evacuations Wednesday. The HSUS urges residents to check their local Web sites such as the Florida State Agricultural Response team, flsart.org, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, gema.state.ga.us, North Carolina State Animal Response Team, ncsart.org  and the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, scemd.org for updated information. Availability at shelters can be limited and residents are strongly urged to be self sufficient in caring for their families, including their animals.

A pet disaster kit should include:

·  A three-day supply of food and drinking water, as well as bowls, cat litter and a container to be used as a litter box.

·  Current photos and descriptions of pets.

·  Up-to-date identification, including an additional tag with the phone number of someone out of the area in the event the pet becomes lost.

·  Medications, medical records and a first aid kit stored in a waterproof container.

·  Sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers to transport pets safely as well as blankets or towels for bedding and warmth. Carriers should be large enough to comfortably house your pet for several hours or even days.

For more information about disaster preparedness, visit humanesociety.org/disaster.

PresidentialPetMuseum.com has a great record of the pets belonging to US presidents.  Very interesting spectrum of pet ownership amongst the white house residents!

Did you know…

Jimmy Carter’s daughter received a dog named Grits from her teacher.  The family later “returned” the dog.  Even the presidents family can be an example of why pets do not make good gifts!

Gerald Ford’s golden retriever, Liberty had a litter of puppies while living at the White House in 1975.  Not a big believer in spay and neuter it appears!  Late one night Ford “snuck out” to take Liberty to do her business with out alerting the secret service.  His living quarters went into lock down mode (as it did every night at the same time) and Ford found himself having to fess up so that the agents would unlock the elevator to his bedroom.  Nice to know even the president himself gets locked with the dog every once in a while!

The Kennedy family received many pets, and kept them.  Including a shepherd and her pups from Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev and a Pony named Macaroni from Lynden Johnson.  The Kennedy family topped out at more than one dozen pets while in the White House.

Woodrow Wilson brought in sheep to “mow” the white house lawn in order to cut costs during World War I.  One of the rams, Old Ike ended up being a tobacco chewer!

Thirteenth President Millard Fillmore (1850-18530) was a founding member and president of the Buffalo chapter of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

HSUS Shelter Partners are immediately eligible to become a PLANET DOG adoption advocate.

PD Adoption advocates that  have special adoption events receive a free adoption events display. Click here to see the display.

These free items are not intended to be sold at your shelter, but to be used to promote adoption events or as a permanent display, only.

Retailers and groomers hosting adoption events that sell Planet Dog products are also eligible to receive free Adoption Day kits including displays, toys and stickers.