Long Island resident Sharon McDonough was arrested Saturday and charged with animal cruelty. In response to allegations that animals were buried in McDonough’s yard, SPCA investigators obtained a search warrant to dig in the backyard which revealed more than 20 buried animal carcasses.  In addition, five dogs were found housed in small cages, living in their own feces, with no food or water.  It was McDonough’s own son who tipped off the police.

For complete story click HERE.

Bushway Packing Inc., a slaughterhouse in Vermont, was ordered to close on Friday after video revealed inhumane treatment of animals.  This same slaughterhouse had its operating license suspended three times earlier this year for similar conduct.  Hidden camera video footage taken by the Humane Society of the United States showed horrific and cruel treatment of calves.  U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack described the conduct of a USDA inspector at the slaughterhouse as “inexcusable.” For complete story click HERE.

Just a month before the race track at Phoenix Greyhound Park is scheduled to close, an Arizona greyhound rescue group is working to place the dogs into a prison program.  Each greyhound would be adopted for 10 weeks by two inmates, and will live with them in their cells 24 hours a day. The dogs will give inmates at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy more hope, company and encouragement while they learn basic obedience and human companionship in preparation for finding the dogs a forever home. For complete story click HERE.

New York veterinarian, Dr. Michel A. Selmer, introduces The Caring Vet website which allows any pet owner to ask a veterinarian questions about pet nutrition, behavior, training and preventative care – free of charge. TheCaringVet.com gives pet owners an outlet to ask questions and take an active role in managing their pet’s health, while saving money and giving their pet professional care. The Caring Vet provides one place to go for all pet owners to get the latest pet health news and accurate information. For complete story click HERE.

Jimmy Lovell of Knoxville, TN has been arrested on a felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals after dragging a small Terrier-mix dog behind a truck.  Many people who witnessed the incident were shouting at the driver to stop.  When he finally did stop, Lovell got out and yelled at the dog and then tossed the bloody dog into the passenger side of his truck and sped off.  The dog was later found abandoned on the side of a road.  The dog is now being treated for serious injuries at a local veterinary hospital.  They are optimistic but it is going to take months of surgery, treatment and recovery. For complete story click HERE.

We no longer have to wonder why our sweet little Darla keeps getting overlooked at adoption events as the perfect match for Darla fell in love with her and she is now living in her new home, probably training for the K9 snowboarding championships right at this moment. Darla was adopted by snowboarding champ and Dancing With the Stars contestant Louie Vito and they both could not be happier! We miss Darla incredibly but are thrilled that she found the perfect home. Send us a postcard from the slopes Darla girl and have a great life!

Little Rue is a six-week-old Chihuahua born with only two legs, found as a stray in Arizona.  Veterinarians at the Arizona Humane Society hope to fit Rue with a special device with wheels to help her move better. One of the Humane Society veterinarians plans on adopting the pup. For complete story click HERE.

A South Carolina man was sentenced to three years in prison after his second sexual assault on a horse. The first assault happened in 2007 and he was put on probation and had to register as a sex offender.  The second assault happened in July 2009 with the same animal, a 21 year old horse named Sugar. For complete story click HERE.

An Oklahoma couple driving home from church hit an animal — a really big one!  An elephant that escaped from a nearby circus collided with the couple’s SUV Wednesday night when it ran across a rural highway.  The couple wasn’t injured in the crash but the elephant had a broken tusk and an injured leg. For complete story click HERE.

It’s National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week and I’d like to point out that most of the Animal Advocates dogs come from Animal Shelters. I own two shelter dogs myself. Most of the people I know own shelter dogs. Any pure bred dog that you’re looking for, you can get at an animal shelter or rescue, you just gotta put the word out and keep looking. I’ve seen just about every rare and exotic breed of dog come through the shelter at some point or another. When you adopt from an animal shelter you are truly saving a life. I thought I’d tell you the story of how I got my two adopted shelter dogs… click HERE to read more!