2009 Minnesota Humane Lobby Day
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Minnesota State Capitol Building, Great Hall
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
R.S.V.P. for this event
On February 11, animal advocates will gather in St. Paul for the 2009 Minnesota Humane Lobby Day. Please join us for this exciting opportunity to meet directly with your elected officials or their staff about legislation that will significantly impact animals. Click here for details and to R.S.V.P.
In order to prepare you for your meetings, we will give you tips for lobbying and an overview of pending animal legislation. Then, along with other animal advocates, you will be able to meet with your legislators and let them know about your support of humane legislation.
Face to face meetings are one of the most effective ways to get involved and make a concrete difference in the lives of animals. We hope you can join us on Wednesday, February 11, and experience how you can be an effective animal advocate.
Feel free to pass this information on to others in Minnesota who may be interested in joining us. This event is free of charge, but an R.S.V.P. is requested to attend.
Click here to R.S.V.P. now.
Hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Jill Fritz
Minnesota State Director
The Humane Society of the United States
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Monday, December 29, 2008
Minnesota Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act
Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act Begins Taking Form in Minnesota
On Friday, December 20 - just in time for the holiday season, the State of Minnesota began working on gift for thousands of dogs and cats currently trapped in puppy mills in the state: The Puppy/Kitten Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.
Unlike other failed attempts to regulate pet breeding in Minnesota, this bill will work to ensure large-scale breeders are in compliance with the all federal, State and local animal welfare and cruelty laws. Among the interesting provisions in the bill is a statement that will prevent anyone previously convicted of animal cruelty from owning a dog or cat breeding operation.
Mike Fry, Executive Director of Animal Ark, the largest no kill animal welfare organization in Minnesota, says that one of the beauties of this new approach is that it makes effective use of existing animal cruelty laws and law enforcement structures. He believes that if the bill becomes law, this will make it easier to enforce than previous bills.
Additionally, several small breeders have contributed to the development of the Puppy/Kitten Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, helping to ensure there will be no unintended consequences for smaller, responsible breeders.
The first draft of the official bill language is due the first week in December.
For more information, call (651) 772-8983.
Related Links:
Animal Ark's Puppy Mill Resource Center
Ask Your Senator and Representative to Support the Puppy and Kitten Mill Cruelty Prevention Act
Donate to Help
On Friday, December 20 - just in time for the holiday season, the State of Minnesota began working on gift for thousands of dogs and cats currently trapped in puppy mills in the state: The Puppy/Kitten Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.
Unlike other failed attempts to regulate pet breeding in Minnesota, this bill will work to ensure large-scale breeders are in compliance with the all federal, State and local animal welfare and cruelty laws. Among the interesting provisions in the bill is a statement that will prevent anyone previously convicted of animal cruelty from owning a dog or cat breeding operation.
Mike Fry, Executive Director of Animal Ark, the largest no kill animal welfare organization in Minnesota, says that one of the beauties of this new approach is that it makes effective use of existing animal cruelty laws and law enforcement structures. He believes that if the bill becomes law, this will make it easier to enforce than previous bills.
Additionally, several small breeders have contributed to the development of the Puppy/Kitten Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, helping to ensure there will be no unintended consequences for smaller, responsible breeders.
The first draft of the official bill language is due the first week in December.
For more information, call (651) 772-8983.
Related Links:
Animal Ark's Puppy Mill Resource Center
Ask Your Senator and Representative to Support the Puppy and Kitten Mill Cruelty Prevention Act
Donate to Help
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Frozen dog
December 9, 2008
'Frozen' dog making a recovery
Pet's status on hold; owner faces ordinance violation
By JOSH LINTEREUR
Gannett Wisconsin Media
SHEBOYGAN — The future home of an elderly dog found frozen to the sidewalk last week after its owner left it outside overnight won't be determined until late December when the owner appears in court, Humane Society officials said Monday.
The dog, a male 11- to 12-year-old border collie mix named Jiffy, doesn't appear to have suffered any lasting injuries from the incident and is recovering at the Sheboygan County Humane Society shelter.
The owner was issued an ordinance violation for animal neglect, and is scheduled for a Dec. 22 court appearance, according to the Sheboygan County District Attorney's Office. A criminal charge of misdemeanor animal neglect may be filed at that time.
The owner is accused of leaving the dog outside as temperatures plunged to the single digits Wednesday night into Thursday morning. She told police she tried to get the dog inside but was unable to, and instead checked on the dog every few hours, police said. The temperature dipped to 6 degrees overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
The woman would have to voluntarily surrender custody of the dog, or be ordered to do so by a judge in order for it to be put up for adoption, Shelter Manager Carey Payne said. Jiffy will remain with the Humane Society until a decision is made.
Payne said the dog can barely walk and is unable to stand up unassisted, but a veterinarian has concluded that the "morbidly obese" dog's mobility issues are a result of its weight, rather than prolonged exposure to extreme cold.
Officials have said that few dogs could survive a night outdoors at single-digit temperatures. However, the dog weighs 116 pounds — or roughly three times what it should — and it likely stayed alive due to layers of fat.
The dog has no signs of frostbite.
Jiffy was hardly able to move at all when first brought to the shelter on Thursday morning.
The dog was freed by Payne and two other Humane Society employees, who poured warm water over his back end.
"We're trying to get him up and walking a bit," Payne said. "But other than that, he's still the same."
The humane society has received more than 100 e-mails and phone calls from people as far away as Spain, who've offered to adopt Jiffy, according to Payne.
Payne said the shelter has incurred a high amount of medical costs in caring for the dog, and she's encouraging people who want to help to make a donation to the Sheboygan County Humane Society.
Despite everything that Jiffy has been through, the dog remains charming as can be, according to Payne.
"He is so sweet," Payne said. "There's not a mean bone in this dog's body."
Consider writing a letter or making a call on behalf of this dog. He absolutely should not be returned to this owner.
Sheboygan County District Attorney
Joe DeCecco
Courthouse - 1st Floor - North
615 N 6th ST
Sheboygan, WI 53081
PHONE: (920) 459-3040
FAX:: (920) 459-4383
Sheboygan County Humane Society
3107 North 20th Street
Sheboygan, WI 53083
Phone: (920) 458-2012
'Frozen' dog making a recovery
Pet's status on hold; owner faces ordinance violation
By JOSH LINTEREUR
Gannett Wisconsin Media
SHEBOYGAN — The future home of an elderly dog found frozen to the sidewalk last week after its owner left it outside overnight won't be determined until late December when the owner appears in court, Humane Society officials said Monday.
The dog, a male 11- to 12-year-old border collie mix named Jiffy, doesn't appear to have suffered any lasting injuries from the incident and is recovering at the Sheboygan County Humane Society shelter.
The owner was issued an ordinance violation for animal neglect, and is scheduled for a Dec. 22 court appearance, according to the Sheboygan County District Attorney's Office. A criminal charge of misdemeanor animal neglect may be filed at that time.
The owner is accused of leaving the dog outside as temperatures plunged to the single digits Wednesday night into Thursday morning. She told police she tried to get the dog inside but was unable to, and instead checked on the dog every few hours, police said. The temperature dipped to 6 degrees overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
The woman would have to voluntarily surrender custody of the dog, or be ordered to do so by a judge in order for it to be put up for adoption, Shelter Manager Carey Payne said. Jiffy will remain with the Humane Society until a decision is made.
Payne said the dog can barely walk and is unable to stand up unassisted, but a veterinarian has concluded that the "morbidly obese" dog's mobility issues are a result of its weight, rather than prolonged exposure to extreme cold.
Officials have said that few dogs could survive a night outdoors at single-digit temperatures. However, the dog weighs 116 pounds — or roughly three times what it should — and it likely stayed alive due to layers of fat.
The dog has no signs of frostbite.
Jiffy was hardly able to move at all when first brought to the shelter on Thursday morning.
The dog was freed by Payne and two other Humane Society employees, who poured warm water over his back end.
"We're trying to get him up and walking a bit," Payne said. "But other than that, he's still the same."
The humane society has received more than 100 e-mails and phone calls from people as far away as Spain, who've offered to adopt Jiffy, according to Payne.
Payne said the shelter has incurred a high amount of medical costs in caring for the dog, and she's encouraging people who want to help to make a donation to the Sheboygan County Humane Society.
Despite everything that Jiffy has been through, the dog remains charming as can be, according to Payne.
"He is so sweet," Payne said. "There's not a mean bone in this dog's body."
Consider writing a letter or making a call on behalf of this dog. He absolutely should not be returned to this owner.
Sheboygan County District Attorney
Joe DeCecco
Courthouse - 1st Floor - North
615 N 6th ST
Sheboygan, WI 53081
PHONE: (920) 459-3040
FAX:: (920) 459-4383
Sheboygan County Humane Society
3107 North 20th Street
Sheboygan, WI 53083
Phone: (920) 458-2012
Monday, December 8, 2008
Rescue Barbie
*K-9 Rescue Barbie*
This Christmas season; give the latest, hottest new Barbie -- K-9 Rescue Barbie. She comes with her own SUV, and various size dog crates inside.
She has a cell phone that's barely working due to over use and underpayment.
Barbie herself is decked out in jeans, grungy athletic shoes, and a t-shirt that says "Dogs are Better Than Any Other Living Thing on Earth". She comes with a road atlas of every town and state in all of North America, and a GPS on the dashboard of the SUV. She also has a map of every McDonald's in the world.
Optional is the special Rescue Dog Barbie laptop computer with the names and addresses of every other dog rescue person on earth, in case she gets somewhere and a contact fails to show up.
Running buddy, "Lucky", the three-legged, blind Shih Tzu doll is available for an additional $49.95.
For $89.95, you can complete the set with "Pissed off husband at home, Ken," and the various foster dogs at $20 each.
Prices for accessories are:
Fake snow falling on Barbie's SUV: $12.95
Flat tire for Barbie's SUV: (see Barbie's Road Service")
Barbie's First Aid Kit: (human): $11.75, (canine): $69.50
Barbie's Speeding Ticket: $95 (Mississippi--$195)
Barbie's coat-that-she-had-to-buy-in-Minnesota: $85
Barbie's Vet Bill for Lucky in Isla Mujeres, New Mexico: $63.45
Barbie's contact, Rhonda, who she had to give gas money to in Mesa Verde, Texas: $20.
Barbie's bill to get her contact, Luis, out of jail in Bakersfield, California: $500.
Barbie's bill to get Luis's dogs out of the pound in Bakersfield, California: $265.
Barbie's hotel/kennel bill in Laughlin, Nevada, while she waits for her contact:$532.
Barbie's overalls that she has to buy while in Minden, Nebraska, hunting down lost coonhounds: $49.95
Pizza for suspicious looking hitch-hiker with sick puppy: $15
Vet bill for hitch-hikers sick puppy in Des Moines, Iowa: $143.29
Barbie's doggie wheelchair for "Klause" the rescue dachshund in Leavenworth, Kansas: $143.
And Barbie's van detailing/fumigation from hauling parvo/kennel cough puppies: $187.
Barbie's resume to get new job when she gets home from run: $29.95
And let us not forget her sister doll - Cat Rescue Barbie, who comes with the same equipment, (substitute "cat" for "dog"), also:
Folding ladder in vehicle: $129.95
Have-a-heart trap: $29.95
Cans of tuna for baiting trap: $11.95
Long handled fishing net: $39.95
Case of Simple Clean: $259.95
Black light (to detect cat urine): $29.95
Tee shirt that says "The More I Know About Men, The More I Love My Cat"
$19.95
Running buddy "Jeep" - 3-legged tailless cat named after vehicle that claimed her missing appendages: $89.95
Vet bill for Jeep $397.95
Friend Edith, 87-year-old feral colony feeder, who calls begging favors when her arthritis acts up and she can't get out. $59.95
Food for Edith's colony cats (after all, Edith is on Social Security) $139.95
Friend Margie, do-gooder with pristine home and one spoiled cat, whose idea of being a rescuer is to pick up strays and take them to Barbie for rehab, vetting, fostering, and placement. $89.95
Vet bills for Margie's rescues $892.95
Mother Sadie, who calls weekly to ask Barbie when she is going to get rid of all those smelly cats and give her some grandchildren already $ 89.95 (telephone extra)
Shrink who talks Barbie out of killing above-mentioned persons each week $500
Vet who makes house calls and doesn't blink at unannounced visits and odd-hour consultations: *priceless*
*Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light*
This Christmas season; give the latest, hottest new Barbie -- K-9 Rescue Barbie. She comes with her own SUV, and various size dog crates inside.
She has a cell phone that's barely working due to over use and underpayment.
Barbie herself is decked out in jeans, grungy athletic shoes, and a t-shirt that says "Dogs are Better Than Any Other Living Thing on Earth". She comes with a road atlas of every town and state in all of North America, and a GPS on the dashboard of the SUV. She also has a map of every McDonald's in the world.
Optional is the special Rescue Dog Barbie laptop computer with the names and addresses of every other dog rescue person on earth, in case she gets somewhere and a contact fails to show up.
Running buddy, "Lucky", the three-legged, blind Shih Tzu doll is available for an additional $49.95.
For $89.95, you can complete the set with "Pissed off husband at home, Ken," and the various foster dogs at $20 each.
Prices for accessories are:
Fake snow falling on Barbie's SUV: $12.95
Flat tire for Barbie's SUV: (see Barbie's Road Service")
Barbie's First Aid Kit: (human): $11.75, (canine): $69.50
Barbie's Speeding Ticket: $95 (Mississippi--$195)
Barbie's coat-that-she-had-to-buy-in-Minnesota: $85
Barbie's Vet Bill for Lucky in Isla Mujeres, New Mexico: $63.45
Barbie's contact, Rhonda, who she had to give gas money to in Mesa Verde, Texas: $20.
Barbie's bill to get her contact, Luis, out of jail in Bakersfield, California: $500.
Barbie's bill to get Luis's dogs out of the pound in Bakersfield, California: $265.
Barbie's hotel/kennel bill in Laughlin, Nevada, while she waits for her contact:$532.
Barbie's overalls that she has to buy while in Minden, Nebraska, hunting down lost coonhounds: $49.95
Pizza for suspicious looking hitch-hiker with sick puppy: $15
Vet bill for hitch-hikers sick puppy in Des Moines, Iowa: $143.29
Barbie's doggie wheelchair for "Klause" the rescue dachshund in Leavenworth, Kansas: $143.
And Barbie's van detailing/fumigation from hauling parvo/kennel cough puppies: $187.
Barbie's resume to get new job when she gets home from run: $29.95
And let us not forget her sister doll - Cat Rescue Barbie, who comes with the same equipment, (substitute "cat" for "dog"), also:
Folding ladder in vehicle: $129.95
Have-a-heart trap: $29.95
Cans of tuna for baiting trap: $11.95
Long handled fishing net: $39.95
Case of Simple Clean: $259.95
Black light (to detect cat urine): $29.95
Tee shirt that says "The More I Know About Men, The More I Love My Cat"
$19.95
Running buddy "Jeep" - 3-legged tailless cat named after vehicle that claimed her missing appendages: $89.95
Vet bill for Jeep $397.95
Friend Edith, 87-year-old feral colony feeder, who calls begging favors when her arthritis acts up and she can't get out. $59.95
Food for Edith's colony cats (after all, Edith is on Social Security) $139.95
Friend Margie, do-gooder with pristine home and one spoiled cat, whose idea of being a rescuer is to pick up strays and take them to Barbie for rehab, vetting, fostering, and placement. $89.95
Vet bills for Margie's rescues $892.95
Mother Sadie, who calls weekly to ask Barbie when she is going to get rid of all those smelly cats and give her some grandchildren already $ 89.95 (telephone extra)
Shrink who talks Barbie out of killing above-mentioned persons each week $500
Vet who makes house calls and doesn't blink at unannounced visits and odd-hour consultations: *priceless*
*Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light*
Friday, December 5, 2008
Not the dog's fault
Fat border collie survives freezing to sidewalk
Associated Press
December 5, 2008
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - A dog weighing more than 120 pounds survived being frozen to a sidewalk overnight, probably because he was insulated by layers of fat, authorities said.
The "morbidly obese" dog, an aging border collie mix named Jiffy, froze to the sidewalk when he was left out overnight Wednesday, the Sheboygan County Humane Society said. Few dogs could survive the single-digit temperatures, and it was probably the fat that made the difference, shelter manager Carey Payne said.
Jiffy's 59-year-old owner was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of animal neglect, Sheboygan Police Lt. Tim Eirich said. She told police she tried to get the dog inside but couldn't, and instead checked on him every few hours.
The dog is 11 or 12 years old, Eirich said. Shelter workers poured warm water over Jiffy's back end to unstick him from the sidewalk, Payne said, adding it was too soon to say whether he suffered any long-term effects.
___
Information from: The Sheboygan Press, http://www.sheboyganpress.com
© 2008 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.
Associated Press
December 5, 2008
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - A dog weighing more than 120 pounds survived being frozen to a sidewalk overnight, probably because he was insulated by layers of fat, authorities said.
The "morbidly obese" dog, an aging border collie mix named Jiffy, froze to the sidewalk when he was left out overnight Wednesday, the Sheboygan County Humane Society said. Few dogs could survive the single-digit temperatures, and it was probably the fat that made the difference, shelter manager Carey Payne said.
Jiffy's 59-year-old owner was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of animal neglect, Sheboygan Police Lt. Tim Eirich said. She told police she tried to get the dog inside but couldn't, and instead checked on him every few hours.
The dog is 11 or 12 years old, Eirich said. Shelter workers poured warm water over Jiffy's back end to unstick him from the sidewalk, Payne said, adding it was too soon to say whether he suffered any long-term effects.
___
Information from: The Sheboygan Press, http://www.sheboyganpress.com
© 2008 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Reward offered for tips on animal fighting in MN
Updated: 11/17/2008 12:30:39 PM
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Various Minnesota law enforcement agencies are teaming up with the Humane Society of the United States to fight dogfighting and cockfighting.
The society is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in illegal animal fighting.
Jill Fritz is Minnesota state director for The Humane Society. She says cockfighting and dogfighting are cruel blood sports that hurt both animals and the surrounding communities.
They are also illegal. Cockfighting and dogfighting are felonies in Minnesota, punishable by imprisonment of at least one year and one day.
The new reward for information was announced at a news conference Friday at the state Capitol.
Organizers say the reward program has been made possible through a grant from the Holland M. Ware Charitable Foundation.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
All Material Copyright 2008 KARE-11. All Rights Reserved.
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Various Minnesota law enforcement agencies are teaming up with the Humane Society of the United States to fight dogfighting and cockfighting.
The society is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in illegal animal fighting.
Jill Fritz is Minnesota state director for The Humane Society. She says cockfighting and dogfighting are cruel blood sports that hurt both animals and the surrounding communities.
They are also illegal. Cockfighting and dogfighting are felonies in Minnesota, punishable by imprisonment of at least one year and one day.
The new reward for information was announced at a news conference Friday at the state Capitol.
Organizers say the reward program has been made possible through a grant from the Holland M. Ware Charitable Foundation.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
All Material Copyright 2008 KARE-11. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, November 14, 2008
No Kill Nation
I second these remarks from Mike Fry of Animal Ark:
From: Animal Ark Outreach
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 2:13 PM
Subject: Closer to a No Kill Nation
Applause for Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
A few months ago, I posted a blog about the CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, and his continued change in language in favor of no kill. When I posted that blog, I was hopeful that the change in language represented a seismic shift in the animal welfare community in the United States. Recent news suggests that my hopes have been realized, to a certain degree.
In a recent ad promoting adoptions from shelters, and launched by Maddie's Fund, HSUS and the Ad Council, Wayne Pacelle, CEO of HSUS states, "It will make a life-saving difference in securing loving homes for untold numbers of pets and get us closer to a no-kill nation."
Wow. That is a big deal.
But, perhaps more importantly, Pacelle goes on to suggest that the "needless" killing being done in animal shelters is, at least, in part, the fault of animal shelters that have not done enough to save the lives of dogs and cats in their care.
This is on the heals of the announcement by HSUS that Susanne Kogut and Bonney Brown will be speaking at HSUS Expo in 2009. Both of these animal welfare advocates manages shelters that maintain the no kill status of their entire community.
The importance of this shift cannot be understated. Locally, here in Minnesota, we have a very wealthy humane organization that continues to misrepresent and deride the no kill movement in the United States. Historically, HSUS has provided political cover for such organizations. This shift suggests that those days are gone forever.
Read what Nathan Winograd from the No Kill Advocacy Center has to say about this development on his blog.
From: Animal Ark Outreach
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 2:13 PM
Subject: Closer to a No Kill Nation
Applause for Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
A few months ago, I posted a blog about the CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, and his continued change in language in favor of no kill. When I posted that blog, I was hopeful that the change in language represented a seismic shift in the animal welfare community in the United States. Recent news suggests that my hopes have been realized, to a certain degree.
In a recent ad promoting adoptions from shelters, and launched by Maddie's Fund, HSUS and the Ad Council, Wayne Pacelle, CEO of HSUS states, "It will make a life-saving difference in securing loving homes for untold numbers of pets and get us closer to a no-kill nation."
Wow. That is a big deal.
But, perhaps more importantly, Pacelle goes on to suggest that the "needless" killing being done in animal shelters is, at least, in part, the fault of animal shelters that have not done enough to save the lives of dogs and cats in their care.
This is on the heals of the announcement by HSUS that Susanne Kogut and Bonney Brown will be speaking at HSUS Expo in 2009. Both of these animal welfare advocates manages shelters that maintain the no kill status of their entire community.
The importance of this shift cannot be understated. Locally, here in Minnesota, we have a very wealthy humane organization that continues to misrepresent and deride the no kill movement in the United States. Historically, HSUS has provided political cover for such organizations. This shift suggests that those days are gone forever.
Read what Nathan Winograd from the No Kill Advocacy Center has to say about this development on his blog.
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