With human populations increasing worldwide and consumers demanding rare and exotic meals, endangered animals are being hunted for food at an increasingly alarming rate. Due to such a diverse international culture and rich tastes, the United States is one of the largest consumers of wildlife, with mass amounts of it illegally smuggled into the country every year. Take a look at 7 animals that are threatened with extinction if humans don’t stop eating them–you might be surprised at what you find! For complete story click HERE.

The Toronto Humane Society is looking to the government to take another look at a pit bull ban that went into effect 5 years ago. The ban has done little to reduce the number of dog bites in the province. The law requires pit bulls to be neutered and spayed and, when out in public, muzzled and on leashes. Surveys before and after the ban show that it has done little, if anything, to reduce the number of dog bites in the area.

Five years ago when the ban was first implemented, there were 5,428 dog bites reported. Last year the number of reported dog bites was 5,345. Barely a change at all.

If you want to change the number of dog bites in any area I think you need to really punish irresponsible dog owners. Not the dogs.

Dear Friends,

Your action on this matter is extremely important. The City has proposed a $1.8 million cut in the budget for Animal Services. If approved, it is estimated that 4,000 to 11,000 more pets will be euthanized in the shelters each year. The cuts will also lead to the closure of up to two animal shelters and the loss of 8 Animal Control Officers, 14 Animal Care Technicians, 3 Registered Veterinary Technicians, 4 Clerical Staff, and 2 Supervisors.

Last year, community backlash successfully led to the reinstatement of a program offering free spay and neuter vouchers to low income pet owners, which had been eliminated due to budget concerns — we each have a powerful voice that can successfully bring about change if we make ourselves heard.

The City Council Budget & Finance Committee is taking public comment on the proposed budget cuts to Animal Services TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, April 28th between 1pm – 5pm at City Hall – 200 N. Spring Street, Room 340.

Please consider attending the Committee meeting to voice your opposition to these budget cuts that will harm our community and senselessly put the lives of so many innocent animals at risk. The Committee Meeting Agenda and other information is available here: http://ens.lacity.org/clk/committeeagend/clkcommitteeagend1866035_04272010.pdf.

If you cannot attend the meeting, please email your City Council Member to let them know how destructive these cuts will be to our community (to find your District enter your address under Neighborhood Services here: http://www.lacity.org/index.htm). Those marked with an asterisk next to the district below sit on the Budget & Finance Committee and have special power to craft amendments and make recommendations to the full City Council before the final budget vote:

District 1 – councilmember.reyes@lacity.org
District 2 – councilmember.greuel@lacity.org
*District 3 – councilmember.zine@lacity.org
District 4 – councilmember.labonge@lacity.org
*District 5 – councilmember.koretz@lacity.org
District 6 – councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org
District 7 – councilmember.alarcon@lacity.org
*District 8 – councilmember.parks@lacity.org
*District 9 – councilmember.perry@lacity.org
District 10 – councilmember.wesson@lacity.org
*District 11 – councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org
*District 12 – councilmember.smith@lacity.org
District 13 – councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org
*District 14 – councilmember.huizar@lacity.org
District 15 – councilmember.hahn@lacity.org

Please let your voice be heard on behalf of the animals!

Bohdi spent two weeks at the Baldwin Park shelter before being taken by one of our volunteers to an adoption event in Malibu.  That was Bohdi’s lucky day because that is where he meet Carl and his new life began.  Carl’s beloved dog Haywood had recently passed away and he was ready to open his heart and home to a new canine companion – and he knew he wanted to adopt.  Carl says Bohdi truly changed his life and is “the perfect dog!”.  Bohdi goes to the office everyday where he is loved by all and spends the weekend with his canine cousin (Bu), swimming and playing.  Carl, even cooks for Bohdi to ensure he gets the proper nutrition and maintains his boyish figure.  Bohdi is one lucky pound puppy!!

In ANCHORAGE, Alaska a State Trooper’s dashcam captured video of a dog leading them through winding back roads to a blazing fire at his owners’ property.

They’ve been showing the video on the news all day. You can see the German shepherd running to meet the trooper’s vehicle, then racing to the house.

Troopers say Buddy and his owner were in the family workshop when a heater set some chemicals ablaze. His owner told Buddy: “We need to get help.”

The dog took off running and eventually found a trooper who was actually responding to a call about the fire.

The State Troopers are presenting a special award Friday to the dog. Buddy will receive an engraved silver-plated dog bowl in Anchorage.

Heinrichs suffered minor flash burns on his face. The workshop was destroyed, but only some window trim on the house was damaged.

Emmy Lou was rescued from a Baldwin Park shelter adoption event in Malibu by a caring AAA volunteer. After spending a while in a foster home with loving foster parents and dog friends, Emmy found the perfect home. The following is in the words of Emmy’s new mom. We hope it inspires you to continue to help all of the homeless dogs and cats sitting in a cold kennel right now, they all deserve better and to feel that their lives matter.

“I just love that Emmy and consider myself so blessed to have adopted her.  Every day she makes me laugh and when she gives me those sad eyes as I leave, I want to cry.  And when we walk and she just goes, like she’s late for an appointment somewhere, for an interview, she’s got to get on the train on time, because she just can’t be late for that very important meeting, she makes me laugh out loud!  She is priceless!  (Everyone in the neighborhood loves her too!)  She is so friendly with every dog, person and child that she sees, it’s just amazing!  And she is really starting to bring little Gracie out of her shell a bit.  I am the luckiest person in the world to have this sweet dog.  She is just a bundle of love and joy.  And when she looks at you with those eyes, I can see why she’s a little overweight – who could say no?”

As of April 1, 2010 Lufthansa Cargo will no longer transport dogs or cats which are intended for use in animal experiments. Axel Heitmann, director of the Competence Centre Animals at Lufthansa Cargo, says: “Lufthansa Cargo is regarded by its customers worldwide as a highly professional transporter of live animals. The decision to not transport dogs and cats for animal experiments provides a further signal that for us the focus is on the welfare of the animals.”  For complete story click HERE.

Because of the prevalence of methamphetamine abuse worldwide, it is not uncommon for law enforcement to encounter subjects that are methamphetamine-intoxicated. Taser International conducted a study to determine the cardiac effects of an electronic control device (ECD) in a methamphetamine intoxication model. The animals that were part of this “study” were drugged and then shocked with 50,000 volts as a means of proving weapons safety.  According to Taser International, if sheep are given methamphetamine and subjected to a series of shocks and none of them suffer cardiac arrest, that weapon must be alright to use on real meth addicts. For complete story click HERE.

Title: BIG SUNDAY!!! – An Amazing Volunteer Opportunity for Everyone
Location: Baldwin Park Shelter – 4275 North Elton, Baldwin Park, Ca 91706
Description: The Big Sunday event is an incredible opportunity for all AAA volunteers to help make the shelter a better place for the animals. The event will be a lot like “Extreme Home Makeover.” The Big Sunday organization will be on site with their group of volunteers, materials and plans to work on repairs necessary at the shelter (including, painting, cleaning, building, planting, etc. and we will be there to help. Please feel free to invite family and friends as we will need people to help with everything from spending time with the dogs and cats outside of their kennels, grooming animals, cleaning kennels, painting, repairing or replacing broken fixtures, etc. Please email Stephanie at StephanieL@animaladvocatesalliance.org to register to participate. This is sure to be an incredible and rewarding experience!
Start Time: 08:00
Date: 2010-05-02
End Time: 17:00

Title: 2nd Annual Brentwood Child Safety Fair – (Foster Dog Adoption)
Location: San Vicente Blvd – Brentwood (beginning at Saltair running east to Barington)
Description: AAA foster dogs will be in attendance and available for adoption at this wonderful fair in Brentwood. Admission to the event is free and plenty of parking will be available. Please come out and enjoy the fair and go home with a new pet companion!
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2010-04-25
End Time: 18:00