No More Homeless Pets
Weekly News

December 19, 2004
From super adoptions to spay/neuter successes, people working together to bring about a time when there will be No More Homeless Pets.

• Feral Cat News
• Spay/Neuter News
• Adoption News
• Fabulous Fundraisers
• In Your Communities
• International News

TOP STORY

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - The Alliance for Philadelphia's Animals and the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association (PACCA) say they will work together to turn Philadelphia into a no-kill community within the next decade.

As a step toward this goal, the Alliance has joined forces with PACCA to bring in, as a consultant, Nathan Winograd, founder and director of No Kill Solutions and former executive director of the Tompkins County SPCA in Ithaca, New York. Winograd will be asked to provide a thorough assessment of all PACCA operations, to help find a new PACCA executive director, and to help develop a comprehensive no-kill plan for the city.
Read more.

FERAL CAT NEWS

Putnamville, Indiana - Cold weather can have devastating effects on outdoor cats, but a combined venture between Indy Feral Inc. and the Putnamville Correctional Facility may make this winter a little more comfortable for some Indiana felines. The partnership makes custom-designed outdoor cat shelters available for sale to the public. In addition, Indy Feral has compiled other winter shelter ideas into a document available to the public titled "Outdoor Cat Shelter Ideas."

SPAY/NEUTER NEWS

Ohio - After a four-year battle by Ohio humane advocates, animal lovers will soon have the chance to make a statement and help curb pet overpopulation by purchasing an Ohio Pet License Plate. The state legislature recently gave final approval to the plates, which will cost motorists $25 in addition to standard license fees, with $15 going to the Ohio Pet Fund. The fund will be used to spay and neuter dogs and cats in order to curb Ohio's pet overpopulation, and to educate the public about proper veterinary care.

Austin, Texas - Homeless dogs displayed their finest recently to raise money for spay/neuter efforts in Austin, through the "Dogs on the Catwalk" party sponsored by Affinity Hair Salon. The stylish party and runway show featured Pangaea clothing and adoptable dogs, with the funds going toward the EmanciPET Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic. The clinic offers free and low-cost spay/neuter services and currently alters 25 to 40 animals per day.

Australia - An Australian company has unveiled a drug that it bills as a revolutionary new pet contraceptive. Peptech says the drug, called Suprelorin, releases a hormone into a male dog's bloodstream that reduces testosterone levels and renders the animal infertile. The drug is administered through an implant under the dog's skin and the process is reversible. So far the drug has only been approved for use in Australia and New Zealand, but Peptech's long-term marketing plan targets Europe and the United States. Read more in the Mail & Guardian.

ADOPTION NEWS

Utah - The recent three-day Paws Across Utah adoption event found homes for 131 dogs and cats from its post outside a Salt Lake City PETCO. Spring-like weather blessed the event, which placed 85 dogs and 46 cats from nine participating shelters and rescues, and brought in nearly $1,000 in donations. The event was sponsored by No More Homeless Pets in Utah, a program of Best Friends Animal Society.

Aberdeen, North Carolina - The numbers tell the story. More than 50 pets found homes during a recent holiday adoption event put on by Friends for Life at The Haven, North Carolina's largest no-kill shelter. But what is most impressive is that this number brings the agency close to its 10,000th adoption. Most of The Haven's animals come from local animal control agencies; last year alone, The Haven saved about 2,800 animals slated for euthanasia. The Haven has also taken in animals displaced by southern hurricanes, and has been the largest rescuer of animals left behind by deploying soldiers. Read more about this group from Up & Coming Weekly.

Reston, Virginia - One hundred dogs from 18 Washington, D.C., metropolitan-area rescue groups strutted their stuff recently at the 2004 Home 4 the Holidays Super Adoption Event hosted by GoodDogz.org. More than 40 of those dogs have already found homes as a result of the event, while applications continue to be processed. GoodDogz.org provided heated tents for the event, as well as "new dog" gift bags to dog adopters. More than 2,000 people attended and enjoyed demonstrations on pet first aid, training recall and basic obedience -- as well as a visit from "Santa Paws."

FABULOUS FUNDRAISERS

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Luxury dog apparel, some stunning doggie hairdos, and a menu that featured canine cocktails helped the People-Pet Partnership assist homeless pets this holiday season. Donations for the fancy affair were accepted at the door of the 32º Luxe Lounge, with proceeds going to the People-Pet Partnership.

Waynesville, North Carolina - The Haywood Animal Welfare Association has gone downtown with a new upscale shop. After operating a thrift shop for many years, the agency has added a retail store that features a dog-bakery section with homemade dog treats, as well as jewelry, silk scarves, unique toys, and items from local artists. A grand-opening ceremony featured cider, snacks and a book signing of "Buck's Heroes" by Johnny Mayo, who educates people about the role and sacrifice of war dogs during World War II and the Vietnam era. When enough funds are raised, a national memorial to honor these dogs will be placed in Washington, D.C. Read more in the Citizen Times.

IN YOUR COMMUNITIES

San Antonio, Texas - Prodded by citizen outrage over newspaper reports revealing that San Antonio kills 50,000 animals per year (more than any other large city in the United States), city officials have ordered a sweeping overhaul of animal services. Longtime pound director William Lammers has been demoted. Sam Sanchez, a health department official, will step in to oversee a new volunteer program, expand adoption efforts, evaluate euthanasia methods and help plan a new $12 million voter-approved shelter that is scheduled to open in 2007. But will the controversy end there? Read more about this continuing saga in San Antonio's Express-News.

Moorhead, North Dakota - John Rowell has a unique perspective on proposed changes to Moorhead's pet-limit law. Rowell, a council member, is also a postal carrier, and as such has been bitten, chased and barked at. But, each of those events featured single dogs. So, Rowell is supporting fellow council member Greg Lemke's proposal to allow responsible pet owners to go above the current three-dog limit. Lemke has argued that, as long as dogs are dying in local shelters, the limit should be expanded to allow more adoptions. Will the council agree? Read more from In-Forum.

INTERNATIONAL

Singapore - The Singapore SPCA is using an old tactic -- with a twist -- to try to attack the problem of pet abandonment. Ads featuring pets seeking their "lost" owners were created to try to put owners in the shoes of abandoned pets. Placed on outside posters and published in Singapore newspapers, the ads ask, "Have you seen this man?" on top of a photo of a sad pet. "If you see him, please tell him that I promise never to chew his magazines or pee on the carpet again," the pet pleads. Read more from Brunei Online.