Reward Offered in Animal Mutilations

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­the recent spree of animal mutilations in Sacramento.

The Case: News reports give the following account: In January, a dead goat and bag of chickens were found in South Sacramento. Since then, there have been at least nine cases involving mutilated chickens, rabbits, goats, a lamb and a tortoise throughout the Sacramento area. Officials aren’t certain if the animals were beheaded before or after they were killed. The cuts appear to have been made with a saw and do not appear to be precise.


Animal Cruelty: Getting the serious attention of law enforcement, prosecutors and the community in cases involving allegations of cruelty to animals is an essential step in protecting the community. The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault.

Eric Sakach, senior law enforcement specialist for The HSUS, said: “These animals were mutilated and killed for no apparent reason and discarded as though they were trash. We are hopeful that this reward will bring forward anyone with information about these disturbing crimes."

The Investigators: City of Sacramento Animal Care Services is investigating. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call (916) 808-8333.

Resources: The HSUS Animal Cruelty Campaign raises public awareness and educates communities about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence while providing a variety of resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and families. The HSUS offers rewards in animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty.

The National Sheriffs’ Association and The HSUS recently launched ICE BlackBox, a free smartphone tool, to allow users to record video of illegal animal cruelty and share it securely with law enforcement for possible investigation and prosecution.

The HSUS recently doubled its standard cruelty reward from $2,500 to $5,000 thanks to a generous donation from an HSUS board member. To see information on statistics, trends, laws and animal cruelty categories, click here. 　

The seventh way to help pets is to share!

The seventh way to help pets is one of the easiest. I bet you could take care of this one in the next five minutes!

I love that Petfinder allows us to share pets who catch our eye — whether those pets are near or far. I’ve helped friends look for pets near them and shared pets on my personal social media accounts when something about them calls to me or reminds me of a friend who I know could use another furry companion. It’s pretty easy — you don’t even need to have any of the special social buttons installed on your own browser if you don’t want!



Just go to a pet’s profile and click on the share buttons under his or her profile. You can share pets and pet care articles to any of your profiles and spread the message of responsible pet parenting and adoption!

Of course, you can also follow us on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter and share the pets we share. Our team loves finding pets who speak to us and we want to know if they speak to you! Let us know below if you’re following us, then make sure to take the pledge to help pets for a chance to win!

Fostering is a fifth way to help pets

Want to make a big impact? Consider fostering. Regular guest blogger, Kirstyn Northrop Cobb, our “Pit Bull Parent” shares why she loves fostering. If you decide to foster, don’t forget to pledge to help pets for a chance to win!

Fostering. I love it. There is nothing that I do in sheltering that I find more rewarding. Though the blog that I usually write for Petfinder normally focuses on having Pit Bull companions, I do often write about the current foster animal, as fostering is just such a large part of my life.

I am often asked about fostering by those who find out that I foster. Many people wonder how I could bring an animal into my home and then part with it. Let’s be honest, I have dogs who started out as fosters, so there are times that it is just not easy. But, for the most part, I know that I am getting the animal ready for a forever home. I also know that there are so many shelters that are low on space and if I can use my home to help out with their space concerns, then I am more than happy to do so.

I will totally admit that the first foster that I brought in was really hard to let go. In fact, I cried the whole way home. Oh, and I knew the person and would see the dog often anyway. And, I still cried. But, the more I fostered, the more clear it became. I knew why I was fostering. These were not my animals. These animals belong to someone else, I am just getting them ready for the person that they are supposed to be with.

I am currently fostering a puppy. He’s a cute little guy and he will be with us throughout the holidays. He came in as a young guy and isn’t ready to be adopted, yet. It’s good to have him around my dogs. My dogs are amazing teachers and they can socialize him for me. And, when we all wake up on Christmas morning, he will have toys waiting for him, just like the other dogs. He will have a special dinner, just like the other dogs. Yep, he will be treated just like one of our personal dogs. Most importantly, he will be in a home during the holidays and not in a shelter. I am well aware that there are so many amazing shelters out there who do so much for the animals in their care. The animals of many shelters out there will also get special treats for the holidays. Volunteers will give up time with their own families to give the shelter dogs an extra walk and some one on one time. But, despite all they do for the shelter animals, those pets will still be in a shelter. I know that I can’t take them all home for the holidays, but I do know that I can make the holidays special for this one little guy.

Next year, my little foster will be in his forever home, spending the holidays with the family that I got him ready for, and another dog will be spending the holidays with us, getting a special dinner and toys of his own. We will be preparing another dog for his forever home. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Treat yourself and discover the sixth way to help pets!

The suggestion today comes from our founder, Betsy! When Joan spoke our planning for this promotion, Betsy suggested that people can offer new blankets and towels, and then donate old at your local shelter! Sometimes, doing good to others can be an excuse to do good to ourselves.

Dogs and cats do not care if the towels and blankets have small holes or small spots, like people, so this is a great way to ensure that you are able to provide shelter for animals and humans both at the same time. I find it hard to convince me to buy new sheets and towels personally. Not sure why, but I always have a hard time justifying home indulgences. Knowing that I'm not just doing a favor for me (but not my old sheets and towels to help animals in need -. It facilitates not only enjoy the warm fuzzy in new towels, but I'll have hot ferrets in my heart to know that I have helped to keep pets warm and comfortable.



You will take advantage of sales and offer new towels and blankets? Let us know by taking the commitment to helping pets and have a chance to win for you and your favorite adoption group!

A lot can change for feral cats

Everyone knew about the colony of cats living outside the “judge’s house” on our residential mall. My freshman year I lived in a dorm where I walked past the cats for almost every class. My sophomore year, my suitemates and I put food outside for a friendly campus cat who liked hanging around our apartment. In our last week before graduation, my best friend and I made a point of stopping by the judge’s house to see the cats and say goodbye to the colony. This was before I knew anything about TNR or feral cats in general. None of the cats were eartipped and there were always dozens of them.

This summer I returned to campus. I went to Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. It’s a great place, but a bit of a hike from Washington, DC where I now live. Before this summer, I’d only been back twice in the half decade since I graduated. One of those times was in the middle of a snowstorm so I didn’t exactly explore my old stomping grounds. This time, the weather was perfect for showing my boyfriend the sites of the stories he’d heard — including the judge’s house.

I always wondered about these cats since I started learning about the situation of wild cats and the need to TNR. I was wondering if something was done to help the colony knew everything. When I took my boyfriend to the house of the judge, I could not believe my eyes - was not only much less cats than I remembered, but almost all I saw were eartipped with about 3/8 inch present in each ear. Someone was holding, sterilization and return of cats. The colony was being responsible management!

I was so thrilled to see that both of these cats had been eartipped that I had to take a photo!

With a little encouragement to consciousness Shelter Susan and a bit of google, I tracked down a teacher who I thought could capture. Mr. Johnson Department of Mathematics was associated with a local group Petfinder, Ohio Alleycat Resource and Spay / Clinic Neutral. I contacted Dr. Johnson, who confirmed that it was the capture. I even learned that our Provost is a cat lover!

It is normal to think that the problems we face are too large to be solved or even affect. It may feel like there is always more to do, to save another animal. Buy a small colony run by TNR inspired me. We are making impressive progress - each of us, in our own way. Dr. Johnson is to save lives that keep these cats at Xavier University and sterilization and castration of them to prevent the colony from growing numbers. Each of us has a way we can help. If you want to know more about feral cats, please explore our articles of wild cats.

October 16 is National Feral Cat Day, a day to focus on responsible, humane ways to help feral cats. For information on how to help stray and feral cats in your area, check out our articles “Helping Abandoned, Stray Cats and Kittens” and “Feral Cat Care and TNR: A Beginner’s Guide.”


Tell us: Have you ever participated in TNR? Do you know a community or school who deserves kudos for supporting humane practices?

Brutus is available for adoption, but has an ear tip indicating he was once part of a TNR effort.

Happy Tail: Bella becomes a beauty

Paul and Jen Edson peered at the photo they’d just received from Petfinder after requesting emails be sent when a new pet matching their search criteria was entered into the database. Their beloved Shih Tzu had died about three months earlier, and Jen was pressing to adopt a dog to help ease their grief. But this one they were looking at hardly looked like a dog at all. No eyes were visible beneath the mat of knotted hair. She sort of resembled a rag mop.

The dog, now named Bella, was in San Bernardino County Animal Hostel and had been picked up as a stray. It was to take place over several days in the case of the original owner came to me, but Edsons found him anyway - just in case they became available.

"Bella won our hearts with Cricket 'her legs and places he saw in his cage," Paul said.
They left the house and began to wait.

No one came looking for Bella, so when the waiting period is over, Edsons returned to the shelter to adopt. To his dismay, he has two other families.

"It came down to a lottery," says Pablo Edson, "and my wife chose the right number. Little Bella began life with us that day."

A new life began with a good bathroom. "We washed four times with insects and dirt simply put," said Edson. "We cut as many nodes as possible. Your current picture looks nothing like the picture when the house that day in September has brought. "

"I was reluctant to get another dog," Paul admits, "but my wife, God bless her, helped me - and we - decides to take Bella .. And how wonderful it was both know that our Shih Tzu girl in the sky Bella sent our way. "Life is more beautiful with Bella.

Choose a Pet Sitter

Animal sitters do more than provide your pet with food and water while you are away from home. A good pet sitter also spends quality time with your pet, to exercise, and knows how to tell if your pet needs veterinary care. In addition, pet sitters typically offer additional services such as providing mail and newspapers, watering plants, turn lights on and off, and provide housing with a tanned appearance deter crime services.

But just because someone is called a pet sitter does not mean she is qualified to do the job. This information will help you find the best pet sitter for your pet.

Why hire a pet sitter?
When you need to be away from home means to travel or emergency situation and do not want to leave your pet in a kennel, which is responsible for your pet? If you're like many pet owners, you ask a friend or neighbor to stop and pour a little food and water in the cups of your pet. But that's what's best for your pet? There is a good chance that your friends and neighbors do not have the appropriate experience caring for animals and even to have forgotten to perform. They may also suffer frequent requests to care for your pet while you are away. So what is the solution? Consider hiring a -a "pet care" provided professional qualified to handle your pet.

A pet sitter offers you and your pets many advantages.

Your pet gets:
- The environment, he knows better.
- The same diet and routine.
- Relief traveling and living in an unfamiliar place with other animals (such as a kennel).
- Be careful when you are away.

You get:
- Friends and neighbors who are not burdened with the care of your pet happy.
the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your pet is taken care of by a professional.
- Someone to bring in your newspaper and mail it to potential thieves will not know you are away.
- Someone who will go home, so you will lead your pet to a kennel.
- Other services provided by most pet sitters, such as watering plants and pet grooming.

Where to find a pet sitter?
Start with a recommendation from a friend, neighbor, veterinarian, humane society, or dog trainer. Check the Yellow Pages under "pet sitting services." You can also contact the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (800-296-PETS) or Pet Sitters International (800-268-SSI) for a reference. Both organizations offer pet-sitter accreditation to those who demonstrate professional experience, full course of study at home related to animal care,, participate in professional conferences, and are governed by a code of ethics established by the organization.

What should I look for?
It is important to learn all you can about the qualifications and services potential caregivers animals. Before choosing a pet sitter, interview candidates, by phone or at home. Check out the following:
- The pet sitter can provide written confirmation that has commercial liability insurance (to cover accidents and negligence) and connected (to protect against theft, a pet sitter or your employees) test?
- What training have received the pet sitter?
- Making records pet sitter rating on your pet, their likes, dislikes, fears, habits, medical conditions, medications and routines?
- Is pet sitter associated with a veterinarian who can provide emergency services?
- What if the pet sitter experiences car trouble or sick? Is there a backup?
- Is pet sitter provide related services, such as preparation at home, dog walking, dog training and game time?
- Does the pet sitter services provide a written spelling of service contracts and fees?
- If the pet sitter offers live, what are the specific times that promises to stay with your pet? Is it in detail in the contract?
- How does your pet sitter, make sure that you returned home?
- Does the pet sitter will give other phone numbers to customers who have agreed to serve as references?

Even if you like what you hear from the pet sitter and references, it is important to have the prospective pet sitter come to your home to meet your pet before actually hiring for work of care animals. See how it interacts with your pet is your pet seems comfortable with the person? If the visit goes well, start hiring the pet sitter to care for your pet during a short trip, a weekend excursion. This way you can solve any problem before leaving your pet beloved nanny in animal care for long periods.

How can I help pet sitter and my pet?
Of course, even the most reliable, experienced pet sitter will have problems, but also keeps your business. Here are your responsibilities:

- Book with your pet sitter early, especially during the holidays.
- Make sure your pet is well socialized and foreign allows handle.
- Place the current identification tags the collar of your pet.
- Maintain current vaccinations for your pet.
- Give clear instructions detailing the responsibilities of caring for specific animals and emergency contact information, including how to reach you and your veterinarian.
- Food and supplies in one out of animals.
- Shop for Supplies for additional animals in case you are away for longer than expected.
- Leave the key with a trusted neighbor as a backup, and he and his pet sitter forwarded to another phone number. Make sure that these extra keys work before giving them.
- Pet Sitter important characteristics for the safety of your home, such as circuit breaker and security system.
- Finally, a safe and fun trip. And do not forget to bring your pet caregiver if your plans change or you just want to know how to make Fluffy and Fido.
Courtesy

Happy Tail: Rocky overcomes hard times

You have to wonder why a well-mannered and gentle dog like Rocky ended up in a shelter. It was about four years old when he was taken to the control animals Marshall County Alabama. His hair was matted, and he had been shot with a pellet gun. Will he be separated from his people when traveling? He simply wander away from home, not to be discovered? Your person dies and a survivor hit with a pellet gun? Any speculation.

One thing was certain: he had ways, rarely barked and house trained. Had a good family, apparently at one point, said Lynne Robinson, who adopted him in 2014.

Dog Lynne, Mazda, his partner in life, had died shortly before and was inconsolable. "I was not sure if it was a good idea to get another dog, just after the loss of the Mazda, but I knew that having another dog to love help me with my pain."

He looked at Petfinder and when I saw the photo of Rocky, she knew he was the one. He was favored by South Furever Friends K9 Rescue while recovering from his injuries.

“My sister rode with me to pick him up,” she says. “He sat in her lap on the way home, but he never took his eyes off me. It was as if he knew I was his new mom.”

Based on the way he acts, he wonders about his past. "He loves that band practicable and prefers to be walked instead of going to the fenced yard. I think he lived before not to have a fenced yard. He loves to be walked twice a day, and I think that I was used to that schedule. "

The first night in their new home, Lynne encouraged to stay in bed "Then I turned and stroked to sleep, he jumped out of bed and slept in a dog bed that was on the floor. I think where I lived, were not allowed to sleep in the bed . "After several months, she convinced it was the right to stay in bed all night.

Another thing is certain: Rocky Lynne relieved the pain. "My only son is grown and live on their own and my parents died. When Mazda died, my pain was almost unbearable." She and Rocky saved another.