The ASPCA Adoption Challenge winner is Humane Society of Boulder Valley, CO

Lollypop Farm took part in the ASPCA’s Adoption Challenge, which ran from August until October. The goal was to increase the number of adoptions from last year at the same time. The winning shelter was the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, CO, who increased their adoptions by almost 1,000 from last year at the same time.

While Lollypop didn’t win, the did increase their adoptions from 2009. Accoding to their newsletter, the lives of “1,856 dogs and cats were saved as part of this effort”, an “increase of 208 from last year.” (Just a note: if you read the leader board for the contest, Lollypop is at #28, with 20 more adoptions. I’m checking to see why the difference in numbers.)

Nationwide, the 50 shelters competing adopted out 48,779 dogs and cats in 3 months, a  total of 7,362 more than last year during the same period.

Yay for everyone, from the shelters to the families who added a new member during the adoption challenge.

Why pit bulls have such a bad rap – and why most of it is just hype

Mama Girl is a 5-year-old American pit bull terrier mix looking for a forever home through Pitty Love Rescue.

City Newspaper did a story this week on what they called “pit bull paranoia” and the city of Rochester. In the article, writer Christine Carrie Fien points out that Rochester Animal Services doesn’t adopt out pit bulls and also writes that a local rescue group is considering not adopting pit bulls to city of Rochester residents.

It’s a short article and a topic that definitely needs more discussion, and if you read the comments from readers you can see that the pit bull debate rages on – sometimes despite the facts.

City of Rochester policy, unfortunately, requires that any pit bull that’s surrendered by its owner, or impounded or picked up as a stray and  not reclaimed by its owner, must be euthanized. It can’t be adopted out and it can’t be sent to a rescue organization.

As a volunteer for RAS, I can understand how the pit bull climate in the city led to that policy (translation: many pit bull owners in the city often breed their dogs for aggression and fighting, let them roam streets, don’t have them neutered/spayed, and are otherwise not responsible). But believe me, no one likes having to put down any dog. We have, fortunately, been able to adopt out some great pit bull/mixed breed dogs and puppies, which gives hope that maybe one day the policy will change.

So why do pit bulls have such a bad rap? And how reliable are statistics when deeming any dog “dangerous”?

October is Adopt A Dog Month

October is the American Humane Association’s Adopt-A-Dog Month!  Local shelter and rescue groups will be celebrating all month, encouraging families looking for a pet to consider adopting a shelter dog.

At Rochester Animal Services, you can recieve $20 off the adoption fee for the whole month! Your adoption fee includes spaying/neutering neutering, rabies vaccination, deworming, heartworm test, flea control, micro chip and registration, free veterinarian exam, and a starter bag of dog food.

And Lollypop Farm is continuing their Adoption Challenge, which ends in October, hoping to adopt out 500 more dogs and cats than last year at this time. Your adoption fee at Lollypop Farm includes spaying/neutering, vaccinations, rabies vaccination (for dogs over 3 months), deworming, heartworm test, flea control, free pet health insurance, micro chip and registration, free veterinarian exam, free ID tag, discount on obedience classes, discount on Science Diet food, and free behavior and training advice.

You can also check out adoptable dogs from area rescue groups, including Pitty Love Rescue, a local pit bull rescue group.

RELATED POST: Local pit bull rescue group fights “dangerous breed” myths

Lollypop Farm’s Bark-To-School Adopt-a-thon

Lollypop Farm has joined the national competition among animal shelters to see who can increase their number of cat and dog adoptions the most compared to last year. The winning shelter will receive a $100,000 grant from the ASPCA, and be able to boast a record increase in homeless pets adopted to loving homes.

As part of their Adoption Challenge, Lollypop Farm is trying to adopt 500 more  dogs and cats from August to October than they did last year during the same time period.

From August 25-29, all cat ages one year and older are free. Kittens under a year and all adult dogs are just a $75 adoption fee. Plus, they’ll send your new pup to school for just $50, and pass along a pack of discounts and free services to get you start on the right “paw”.

For more information on Lollypop Farm’s year-long Adoption Challenge and other adoption specials, visit their website.

Ohio men arrested for shooting at caged dog; dog finds home at Utah sanctuary

Sarge sustained six gunshot wounds after his owner and a friend allegedly took turns shooting at the dog while it was caged. Fortunately, this story has a happy ending.

Just when you think you’ve seen it all: two men in Ohio were arrested recently after they used a 25-caliber gun to shoot a caged dog belonging to one of the men. The German Shepherd, named Sarge, sustained six gunshot wounds.

It’s a terrible story with a very happy ending.