New York State Police raid Wyoming County SPCA following charges of animal abuse

According to BuffaloNews.com, the NY State Police raided the Wyoming County SPCA today. Click the image to read the story at the BuffaloNews.com.

Just a week ago we were talking about animal cruelty and puppy mills, and in an ironic twist the New York State Police today raided the Wyoming County SPCA following allegations that “hundred cats were living under inhumane living conditions and funds were being improper handled.” Police also raided an adoption center run by the Wyoming County SPCA in the Eastern Hills Mall in Clarence, NY.

According to the BuffaloNews.com, Erie County SPCA spokeswoman Gina Browning, who is assisting with the investigation said, “I think deplorable is an understatement in how to describe the conditions inside that facility.” The Wyoming County Emergency Response Team is also assisting in the clean up.

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, who represents the 59th District, released a statement today that read, in part, “I hope a pattern of mistreatment is not emerging among the SPCA centers of Western New York. When considering the recent problems that have arisen at area SPCA’s, one thing is clear, New York State needs a comprehensive review of its animal shelter and adoption policies…”

In January, the Erie County SPCA announced that it would lead an investigation into allegations of animal abuse at the Niagara County SPCA. Protestors has claimed severely injured animals had gone untreated at the facility and that 500 cats and dogs, many of them healthy, were euthanized during a two-month period.

According to the Wyoming County SPCA website, “The Wyoming County SPCA is a not for profit animal rescue organization based out of Attica, New York. Founded in 1905, the WC SPCA has placed thousands of orphaned, abandoned, and abused animals in to permanent, qualified homes.” The home page currently has a message that reads, “Volunteers Needed!!!! The animals need YOU! Volunteers are needed at the Adoption Center to clean cages, feed, visit with customers, sit with the cats or sell merchandise. Any time you can spare will help immensely. Contact any staff member for more information.”

You can read more at BuffaloNews.com.

Featured rescue pet: Bailey, my pit/retriever mix (with updates, video)

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(Note: please allow the slideshow a moment to get started – and click here for a PDF of Bailey’s poster March 2012)

This featured pup looking for a home resonates a little too close to home for me – literally. It’s my pup. (Scroll to the end for video of this snuggle pup)

Bailey is a year-old retriever/pit mix who came to live with us as a 6-week-old foster pup and decided to stay. But sharing her family with two active Border collies (one who is terminally ill* and one who is very, very, very bossy) proved to be too much for this perky pup with personality to spare. She doesn’t want to share her space with other dogs because she wants to be the only mutt in your life!

Bailey’s easy to please – want to play fetch? She’s ready with her favorite football! Want to romp in the woods? Get the leash! Want to just snuggle on the couch and watch TV? Leave room for Bailey! She just wants to be with you, wherever you are.

She loves going to puppy school and is a smart, eager student who learns quickly. So if you’ve got the hot dogs, she’s ready for class!

And why limit yourself to obedience? How about a tracking class? She’s got talents still waiting to be discovered. If there’s a kitty in mix, he needs to be a feline who likes to chill and let his canine companion be the leader of the pack.

You also MUST be committed to continuing her formal training to help Bailey be the best pup she can be.

If you’re willing to give this sassy pup a second chance, you’ll have a best friend for life!

To meet this snuggly, fun-loving girl, email me at joanne@joannebrokaw.com or call me at 585-734-2209. An adoption fee will be charged and potential adopters will be vetted fully to ensure that Bailey and her new family are a great match.

 

UPDATE May 2012: Bailey finished her Puppy Superstar class with Ada Simms! Ta da! Good girl, Bailey!

Bailey at Puppy Superstar class with Ada Simms.

The newly minted “puppy superstar” watches Daddy pump gas.

 

*UPDATE: On January 6th, Scout went to live on God’s Farm in the Sky, and after an appropriate period of mouring, Bailey and Bandit have decided they really, really, really don’t want to live together in the same house. After several evaluations by trainers, it’s agreed that the problem in our house is Bailey and Bandit, not necessarily Bailey and another dog. While I do believe the very best situation is a home where Bailey is the only dog, she is more than capable of having doggie friends and playmates. Besides, once you meet her you’re going to want to shower all of your love on her alone!!!

UPDATE MARCH 2012: Bailey had her annual check up and she’s super duper! She weighs 44# but she’s smaller in stature than that weight implies. I can’t stress enough how great a dog she’s become and how heartbroken we are that she and Bandit can’t seem to work out their problem.

VIDEO OF BAILEY:

Special home needed for Feline Leukemia-positive kitty

Gibbs is a FeLV positive kitty who needs a special forever home

This just in from our friend and cat lover Beth Adams Pitoniak:

“Friends, I received a plea for help from an absolute angel of a friend who spends her days caring for animals no one wants. This is Gibbs, found shivering behind a restaurant in the cold. He has Feline Leukemia, so needs a home with no other cats, or one who is also FeLeuk positive. Please spread the word to anyone who might be interested in loving this sweet boy. With proper care and love, he can have some good years ahead.”

Don’t be put off by the diagnosis of Feline Leukemia (FeLV). While a cat with FeLV will require regular veterinary care and have some special needs to avoid secondary infections, he can live a normal life for several years. According to the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine website:

FeLV is present in the blood (a condition called viremia) during two different stages of infection:

Primary viremia, an early stage of virus infection. During this stage some cats are able to mount an effective immune response, eliminate the virus from the bloodstream, and halt progression to the secondary viremia stage.

Secondary viremia, a later stage characterized by persistent infection of the bone marrow and other tissue. If FeLV infection progresses to this stage it has passed a point of no return: the overwhelming majority of cats with secondary viremia will be infected for the remainder of their lives.

Beth estimates that Gibbs the kitty is a young adult, probably under 3. But because he’s a stray, no one really knows. He’s here in Rochester, and needs a home with no other cats or with other cats who are already FeLV positive. While FeLV isn’t transmitted to humans, secondary infections may be, so Cornell recommends “that pregnant women, people with suppressed immune systems, the very young, and the very old avoid contact with FeLV-infected cats.”

If you can give Gibbs a loving forever home and manage his special needs, get in touch with Beth on Facebook or leave your info here and we’ll get it to her.

I’m blogging at Patheos.com!

If you’ve noticed that things are a little slow here at Bark Around Town, that’s because my time has been tied up with my new writing gig: I’m writing the Heavenly Creatures blog at Patheos.com! My job is to write about animals, life and spirituality – it’s the perfect opportunity for me, and I’m super excited about it.

In addition, Bandit is now writing a column every issue for Pup Culture Magazine. Although he actually writes the column, I do have to spend time editing and making sure he meets his deadline. He’s easily distracted.

So please forgive me for a while if things seem a little slow over here at Bark Around Town. Our guest bloggers are still here, and I’m covering as much local dog news as possible. But as you other writers know … sometimes, you’ve got to focus on where you’re making money. And you know how much these dogs (and the dogmobile repairs!) cost every month. So thanks for your patience and be sure to visit me on the Heavenly Creatures blog!

Featured Shelter Pet: Jasper the cat, looking for someone to snuggle forever

My name is Jasper and I need a home. If you need snuggling, I'm the cat for you!

My name is Jasper, and I need a home. My family used to leave me outside, although I would much rather be inside the warm, cozy house. I stayed on the porch, always hoping they would bring me inside. But no luck.

Then they moved and left me behind, with not water, no food, nothing. They just packed up and moved to a new house and didn’t take me with them.

Fortunately, there was a very nice lady who lived next door and she saw that I was cold and lonely and very hungry. She’s been giving me wonderful food and lots of snuggles, except I can’t go in the house because she has a dog who does not like kitties.

I am desperately looking for a home where the people will let me in the house and pet me and play with me, and mostly just let me sit on their lap and snuggle. I have a lot of love to share if someone will give me a chance.

I have had an operation to have my you-know-what fixed. I weigh about 10 pounds. And I am looking forward to finding a warm home to call me own. Now.

You can learn more about me on the Pitty Love Rescue website.

Win in Allie Larkin’s DogKarma giveaway!

One of the products in the DogKarma prize pack!

Allie Larkin, local author of the super fun novel “Stay”, is running a cool contest on her blog to giveaway some great products designed to help one lucky dog owner make their rescue pup comfortable in his new home.

One lucky winner will receive:

1. Karma Necklace from Dogeared Jewels & Gifts (Julia Roberts wore one in Eat, Pray, Love)
2. Sample variety pack of food from Newman’s Own Organics Dog Food
3. On the Go Collection travel bowls and containers from Planet Dog
4. Puppy Shampoo, Botanical Creme Rinse and Condition, and a Snoutstik from Opie & Dixie
5. Westpaw Dog Toys from Good Things Green Things
6. Gourmet Hand-Decorated Dog Treats from A Barker’s Dozen
7. Hemp Martingale Reilley “Rescued Dog” Collar from Earth Dog

Whoa, that’s a great package of stuff to help you and your new furry friend settle in! You can learn more about how to enter on Allie Larkin’s blog. She’ll be picking a winner on Monday, October 3rd, so hurry up and enter!

And if you haven’t read Allie’s book, what are you waiting for? It’s out in paperback, and with winter on the way, make sure it’s on your snow snuggle reading list! (You can read the review here.)