3rd Annual Golf Tournament to Support Pitty Love Rescue, hosted by the 140 Alex Bar & Grill

Hit the links for a good cause at the 3rd Annual Golf Tournament to support Pitty Love Rescue, hosted by 140 Alex Bar & Grill

Looking for another reason to hit the links? How about golfing to support one of Rochester’s finest rescues, Pitty Love Rescue!

The 140 Alex Bar & Grill is hosting the 3rd Annual Tournament to support Pitty Love Rescue. The event takes place on July 29th at Victor Hills Golf Club. Tournament fee of $85 includes golf, awards and a steak dinner.

For additional information, contact Mike at (585) 734-9860 or at the 140 Alex Bar & Grill (585) 256-1000.

click here for more information.

11th Annual Dachshund Parade, Saturday, May 12, 2012

If you’re looking for something fun to do on Saturday, May 12, why not head down to Washington Square Park for the annual Daschshund Parade?

This celebration of weiner dogs is in its 11th year, and visitors will get to enjoy all things Doxie – from vendors to the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile.

The fun starts at noon. The parade organizers ask that only Dachshunds participate in the parade, and that dog owners bring water for their dogs along with poop bags to pick up after their pooches.

Washington Square Park is at 180 S. Clinton Ave, opposite GEVA Theater. You can learn more on the Rochester Dachshund Parade website.

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.

Cat rides a roomba!

Click the image to visit Kittytoob.com and watch the video!

Our dear friend Beth Adams Pitoniak shares this kitty gem as we “Meow” Around Town:

“If your cat is anything like mine,” Beth says, “he or she is looking for some indoor amusement during the winter months.  Check out this cat’s new ride!   No cat of mine would ever go near a vacuum cleaner, so I am impressed.  And this is the closest I’ve ever seen a feline earning it’s keep by doing some housework!”

Read more of Beth’s cat posts!

 

What’s wrong with Cesar Millan and dominance-based dog training?

Tonight America’s most famous dog trainer, Cesar Millan, hits the stage at the Auditorium Theater in downtown Rochester. And his appearance has local dog trainers abuzz with discussions about dominance-based dog training and what many of them call his inhumane training methods.

In fact, a group of local trainers will be outside, handing out an informational sheet that explains why shock collars and other force-based training methods are inhumane, along with a list of local positive-based trainers.

In the interests of full disclosure, I have never seen “The Dog Whisperer” on TV, have not read Millan’s books (although I did pick up a copy of one at the used bookstore recently but haven’t read it yet) and I know almost nothing about Cesar Millan or his dog training methods, other than a brief profile on CBS Sunday Morning last year. (I found him to be very interesting as a person and was impressed that he had about a bazillion dogs living together when I have three dogs and a cat at war.)

But I’ve also seen some of his training clips and thought, “Uh, I wouldn’t want anyone to do that to my dog.” I saw dogs clearly in distress, exhibiting extreme anxiety, and being pulled, shoved, and even … let’s call it nudged with the heel of a boot … into obedience.

But since I’m neither an expert on Cesar Millan or on dog training, what I’m about to say is based only on my own reading about dogs, dog behavior, dog evolution, and animal communication. We’re talking several years and dozens and dozens of books. – and some personal experiences with aggressive dog training methods that in hindsight make me sick to my stomach to know that I put my dogs through what must have been terrible experiences.

What I’ve learned: boo on dominance-based training.

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.