President Signs New Crush Act into Law

On Thursday, December 9, at a ceremony at the White House, President Barack Obama signed the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act of 2010 into law. The new law prohibits the creation and distribution of “crush videos” and establishes a penalty of up to seven years in prison. ASPCA | Victory: President Signs New Crush Act into Law

Cold Weather Tips For Dogs!

Winter is Maxxamillion's favorite time of the year and when it snows, well, there is no getting him to come inside the house. But as pet parents we have to make sure we keep our pets safe through the brutal winter season. Make sure not to leave your pets outdoors for long periods of time, especially in sub-zero weather, which we're very prone to in the midwest. Short haired dogs are more susceptible to the cold weather than dogs with thick heavy fur. If you live in an area where salt is used on the sidewalks and streets, make sure to clean your dog's paws every time they are exposed to it. We use a small wet towel or baby wipes to clean Maxxamillion's paws. Maxxamillion always makes it into a game when we clean his paws with the towel by trying to play tug-of-war, and we of course cannot resist and always play his game.  For more information and cold weather pet tips, Paw on this link!

Save A Life Adopt A Pet!

Visit DogsInDanger.com

 Over 7 million cats and dogs are being killed in the U.S. each year. Please take a moment to see if you could help in any way the Animal Shelters in your local area.

November is Adopt A Senior Pet Month

November is Adopt A Senior Pet Month! Senior pets have a lot of love and companionship ready to give us. Petfinder.com is highlighting older pets this month, they are a great resource for pet  adoption. Petfinder is also featuring  some great articles about adopting senior pets.  Paw Here To Vist Petfinder.com 

Baltimore's Anti-Animal Abuse Law

ASPCA: On November 3, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake signed legislation creating the Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission, a board that will support the city’s prevention and prosecution of animal cruelty, including dog fighting. The ASPCA is hopeful that this commission, which is the first of its kind, will serve as a model for other cities to follow. “The people of Baltimore have a strong and visceral reaction to news about animal abuse,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “Abused animals cannot speak for themselves, and if those of us who care about the humane treatment of living beings don’t speak up on their behalf, no one will. This new commission will help give a voice to animals and make Baltimore better, safer and stronger.”  Paw Here For ASPCA Article

Animals Win Big in Missouri and Arizona!

HSUS: We have declared victory in Missouri on Prop B! We have prevailed with a 60,000 vote margin. What a night for the dogs! Missouri is the number one puppy mill state in America. We now have a pathway to turn this terrible situation around.  We also won in Arizona -- defeating Prop 109. We protected the right of Arizona citizens to make wildlife policy through the initiative process, and we turned back this terrible power grab by the NRA and their politician allies. Unfortunately, North Dakota voters rejected Measure 2. Paw Here For Full Story

Halloween Safety Tips For Pet Parents

Attention, animal lovers, it's almost the spookiest night of the year! The ASPCA recommends taking some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pet saying "trick or treat!" all the way to November 1.  Paw Here For ASPCA Tips

YES! on Prop B TV Ad - Tony La Russa

The passage of Prop B would be a major victory for dogs in Missouri.  Please show your support for Prop B by visiting www.yesonpropb.com and by helping the ASPCA spread the message of puppy mill reform. 

Autumn Safety Tips For Your Pets

Autumn and winter are Maxxamillion's favorite time of the year, but with all the the fun to be had there are a few precautions pet parents should take to protect your furry friends. The ASPCA has put out their list of Autumn Safety Tips. Paw Here

Paws 10th annual Run for Their Lives

Adopt a dog at Paws 10th annual Run for" Their Lives", the 8K Run/4K Walk will begin at 9 a.m. on Sep. 26 at Montrose Harbor, along Lake Michigan, east of the Montrose Harbor & Simonds intersection.  At Montrose Harbor, Chicago.  Paw Here for their site

This Is National Dog Week

National Dog Week was created in 1928 by Captain Will Judy, a dog fancier, judge and former publisher of Dog World Magazine. Paw Here to read article.

Shelter Pet Project PSA

This Shelter Pet Project PSA features characters from Patrick McDonnell's endearing comic strip, "MUTTS," and has been animated by award winning animator Paul Fierlinger. The series of PSAs give shelter pets a voice to explain that it's not their fault that they ended up in shelters and that, "There's nothing wrong with shelter pets." The campaign encourages everyone - dog people, cat people, pro-adoption advocates - to visit The Shelter Pet Project website (www.theshelterpetproject.org) to learn more about adopting a shelter pet, and possibly even find their perfect pet.

Dog Days On The Green - Chicago

Today the  City Clerk’s office is celebrating their 2nd Annual Dog Day on the Green Aug. 29 at Montrose Harbor from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.! The free family-friendly festival is a great way to spend the day learning all the latest in caring for your dog!   Bring Your Dog, or Adopt one at the event!

The festival features vendors and a variety of dog services demonstrating the latest in dog care or listen to experts talk about pet issues in our education tent. You’ll even have the chance to adopt a dog!

Dog Day on the Green is the result of a collaborative effort between the City Clerk’s office, Animal Care & Control, the Chicago Park District and a number of Chicago nonprofit animal groups.
For more information or visit the event website at www.dogdayonthegreen.com.

Help The ASPCA Win A Pepsi Refresh Project Grant

The ASPCA has been accepted into the Pepsi Refresh Project, an exciting campaign launched in January whereby Pepsi awards up to $1.3 million per month in grants to people, businesses and non-profits for those ideas that will have a positive impact in communities around the United States. The ASPCA has applied for a $250,000 grant which, if secured, would afford us the opportunity to further support the incredible work of our Field Investigations and Response team in rescuing animals from disasters, cruelty and neglect.

Is Your Dog Afraid of Thunderstorms?

Maxxamillion was not afraid of thunderstorms throughout his younger years. It wasn't until he turned about six years old that he started to develop anxiety during thunderstorms. What he usually did was jump on the couch next to me and put his head on my lap. I would pet him for the entire time and turned up the TV volume on high and that usually calmed him down. This week the ASPCA has a great article titled "Is Your Dog Afraid of Thunderstorms?" Paw Here For ASPCA Article

Sheryl Crow Making A Difference

 This video from The HSUS features Sherly Crow behind the scenes at her farm in Nashville, Tennessee where she filmed a new tv ad for the HSUS to help spread the word about animal cruelty. Paw Here to Visit HSUS

Keeping Your Dog Safe In Hot Weather

Some great tips from the ASPCA on keeping your dogs safe in this hot weather. "Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. "On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time—even with the windows open—which could lead to fatal heat stroke," Paw Here To Visit ASPCA"

Facts About Spaying and Neutering

Complete Dog Care Manual (Aspca)

Tips For Traveling With Your Dog

Shortly after we first got Maxxamillion we decided we were not going to leave him behind anymore after one bad experience with a pet-sitter. We did not want to put him in an airplane either because of the high risk of death. So we decided to take our vacations by auto. Problem was twelve years ago there wasn't as much information on traveling with your dog as there is today. Back then we would route our trip and then start calling hotels to see which ones accepted dogs. A lot of hotels accept dogs under a certain weight like fifty pounds, problem was Maxxamillion was over 100 pounds of love. Some hotels would charge us extra for his stay because of the weight, but it was worth every penny! Having him with us gave us peace of mind and we were able to enjoy our vacations without worries. Paw Here For Article

Gulf Coast Animal Responders Receive $15,000 Grant from ASPCA

In the wake of the Gulf Coast oil spill, the ASPCA has donated $15,000 to the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation (TVMF) in Austin, TX, to develop a detailed curriculum and training program for emergency animal responders in the Texas Gulf region. Established in 1978, TVMF is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of animals through owner education programs, veterinary student scholarships and emergency funds, and continuing education programs...Paw Here for full story

Crew Battles Toxic Flood Waters in Tennessee

ASPCA News Alert: When disaster strikes, it is the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team’s first priority to get to the scene to save as many animals as possible. At the height of the recent flooding in Tennessee, the team navigated swift water currents to pull struggling animals from floodwaters, out of trees and from dilapidated homes... Paw Here

Why Bones Are Unsafe For Your Dog

FDA: The idea that it’s natural for dogs to chew on bones is a popular one. However, it’s a dangerous practice and can cause serious injury to your pet.

“Some people think it’s safe to give dogs large bones, like those from a ham or a roast,” says Carmela Stamper, D.V.M., a veterinarian in the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the Food and Drug Administration. “Bones are unsafe no matter what their size. Giving your dog a bone may make your pet a candidate for a trip to your veterinarian’s office later, possible emergency surgery, or even death.”

“Make sure you throw out bones from your own meals in a way that your dog can’t get to them,” adds Stamper, who suggests taking the trash out right away or putting the bones up high and out of your dog’s reach until you have a chance to dispose of them. “And pay attention to where your dog’s nose is when you walk him around the neighborhood—steer him away from any objects lying in the grass.”
Paw Here to read 10 reasons why it’s a bad idea to give your dog a bone.

Home Made Dog Biscuits Recipes

What dog could resist a tasty crunchy dog biscuit. One of Maxxamillion's favorite treats. Home made means healthier fresher treats for your loving canine companion.Paw Here

Take the ASPCA $100K Challenge

Ready to get active for animals? On April 8, the ASPCA launched a friendly competition to help raise awareness about pet homelessness and encourage community engagement. The ASPCA $100K Challenge will award a total of $125,000 to shelter contestants that exceed their own adoption numbers from the same three-month period in 2009. Find out how you can help your local shelter win the grand prize and save more animals’ lives!

New Regulations for Flea & Tick Meds

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) announced its support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan to increase the safety of spot-on flea and tick treatments for cats and dogs.

Last summer, the EPA, which regulates topical pet treatments, reported a 50 percent increase in the number of adverse incidents from the use of spot-on flea and tick products. As a result, the agency is reviewing current labels to ensure that instructions are clear, and developing stronger evaluation procedures for existing and new products...Paw Here To Continue

Pet Flea and Tick Products Warning

There are many EPA-registered pesticide products on the market today to treat your pets for fleas and ticks. When used according to label instructions and precautions, pet products can be very effective, but when misapplied or not used according to directions, your pets may be unnecessarily exposed to pesticides and could become ill. Protect your pets from pests and potential pesticide risks by following product label directions and understanding the precautions. Paw Here For EPA Story.

Dog Food Salmonella Warning

This is a voluntary company recall of its chicken-flavored products because it could be contaminated with salmonella. Nature's Variety is announcing that out of an abundance of caution, they are voluntarily recalling all Chicken Formula and Organic Chicken Formula products with a "Best If Used By" date on or before 2/5/11. Check out their website for full list...Nature's Variety News

Maxxamillion Enjoying The Snow

ASPCA Saves 26 Severely Neglected Dogs

The dogs, allegedly used for fighting and breeding, were found chained to tire axles and posts scattering the 25-acre property. Left to starve without sufficient food, water or adequate shelter from freezing temperatures, all were severely emaciated and suffering from obvious neglect, including broken bones, wounds and a variety of infections. An additional 27 dogs were found dead and in various stages of decomposition. Paw Here to continue

Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti

Our Hearts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti. And with all the world organizations providing humanitarian relief, there is also the need to help the animal victims of Haiti. ARCH was created to address the needs of animals in Haiti in this time of crisis. The coalition is headed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), and in addition to the ASPCA, consists of a number of animal welfare groups including American Humane, Best Friends, the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International. Paw Here to Continue

Animals Rescued from Mississippi Shelter

ASPCA:  On January 24, under the authority and request of the City of Clarksdale, MS, the ASPCA dispatched members of our Field Investigations and Response Team to assist in the removal of more than 400 cats and dogs from the City of Clarksdale Animal Shelter.
"We found more than 400 animals living in a space designed for about 60," reports Tim Rickey, ASPCA Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response. “Our goal is to export as many of the animals as possible to other agencies where they can be placed up for adoption.”
The animals were suffering from obvious neglect—including medical conditions such as mange, and injuries and bite wounds sustained as a result of living in overcrowded cages. A team of local veterinarians conducted exams on each animal and triaged any immediate concerns.  Paw here to continue

Animal Planet Investigates: Dog Fighting

ASPCA: Attention, animal lovers! Tune in to Animal Planet on Monday, January 25, at 10:00 P.M. (ET/PT) for the world premiere of a documentary about organized dog fighting. In this special edition of Animal Planet Investigates, two undercover agents take you deep inside the disturbing subculture of dog fighting’s hardcore criminals and their four-legged victims. Using undercover and investigative footage, the show examines specific cases in Ohio, Texas, Georgia, Michigan and New York to demonstrate the diversity and depravity of this cruel blood sport. Paw Here to Continue...

SeeThe Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2009

ASPCA: With various dangers lurking in corners and cabinets, the home can be a minefield of poisons for our pets. In 2009, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL, handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic substances, many of which included everyday household products. Don’t leave it up to Fido or Fluffy to keep themselves safe. Below is a list of the top 10 pet poisons that affected our furry friends in 2009.Paw Here For List

Maria Menounos Chocolate Warning

Maria Menounos has a warning for dog owners. Two days after Christmas TV personality Maria Menounos almost lost one of her dogs to dark chocolate. According to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, vice president and medical director of the ASPCA's Animal Poison Center in Urbana, Ill., dark chocolate is the most toxic to dogs of all chocolates and needs immediate attention if eaten. Paw Here for full story...