Mark your calendars for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the ARL this Saturday!  There will be hundreds of eggs for the kids to find among the 10 acres here at the shelter.  The hunt begins at 2:00pm.  We also will be having an open house from 1:00pm until 4:00pm.  Animals will be available for visiting and adoption.

And speaking of bunnies, some people like to purchase rabbits as gifts or for their families for Easter.  Please think carefully before obtaining a bunny.  They have special needs, just like any other pet.  They are quiet yet happy creatures.  They love to be petted and just sit in your lap.  They do not like loud environments, and can get quite scared if not handled properly.  Therefore, bunnies may not be a good choice for very young children.  Rabbits also require special diets.  And, of course, your bunny must not live outside.  They are social animals who love to be around people, and cannot tolerate the cold or the heat.

To learn more about the care of bunnies, please tune into the ARL’s BCTV show on April 20 at 7:00pm.  I will be featuring information from rabbit rescue organizations.

PLEASE tell your friends, your family, your coworkers - ABC Nightline investigates puppy mills - this Friday, March 27 at 11:35 pm.  

Sharyn Alfonsi interviewed an Amish breeder on camera while touring his facility - a first for network television.  With approximately 500 dogs housed on his property, this commercial breeder speaks openly about an industry cloaked in secrecy and suspicion - the cruel factory farming of man's best friend. This promises to be a very special program.  If you are involved in rescue, advocate on behalf of the millions of puppy mill dogs interned in our nation's commercial dog breeding facilities, or if you just simply love animals, you will not want to miss this.

Pongo, the ARL’s African Grey Parrot, passed away suddenly on Sunday.  We estimate her age was about 16 years.  We are all deeply saddened from this loss.  Pongo was a permanent fixture in the ARL’s lobby.  She loved to dance and learn new songs.  Often very quiet when people were nearby, she liked to sing her heart out during times when the lobby was empty.  I could hear her from my office as she imitated a ringing telephone, sang cat-calls, and repeated whistles that I liked to teach her.  She was my friend who I talked to every time I walked past her cage.  She listened carefully as I whistled new tunes for her to learn; I could see her concentrating on each new challenge.  I will miss her feisty demeanor and her beautiful songs.  We love you Pongo.

I read the following article written by Daniel "DK" Kurnick, a sophomore at Friends' Central School, that was published in last Sunday's Philadelphia Inquirer and I was so impressed that I wanted to share this with all of you.  Many thanks to DK for giving me permission to reprint it.  I will be posting this article on our web site as well.  Please show this article to anyone thinking of getting a pet:

Now that the First Family is getting a pet, everyone wants one. But before running out to buy one, give it some thought. As a volunteer who works with live animals at the Academy of Natural Sciences , I am amazed at how many questions visitors ask about caring for their own pets — questions that should have been addressed before the acquisition of the critter. I like answering questions, but suggest you ask yourself the following before adding to your family:

Where am I going to put it? Contrary to popular belief, that thing on a turtle’s back does not function as a mobile home. Animal enclosures are bigger than you’d think. So it’s important to find out how much space the animal actually needs.

Will this thing get bigger? Most animals that are bought on a whim tend to be on the younger side, and small things usually get bigger. You can probably fit that baby iguana into a 40-gallon aquarium, but the next thing you know, it-s seven feet long and needs an enclosure bigger than your closet. So double check the adult size of the animal.

Can I squeeze it in between lunch and my conference call? If you barely have time in your day to feed yourself, how can you expect to give your puppy the two to three meals a day that it needs? What about walks? Some dogs will not only be unhappy without enough exercise, but they will decide to turn your house into an obstacle course. Make sure you have the time to devote to the animal.

Do I want to take care of this for the next 15 to 20 years? Dogs and cats live anywhere from 8 to 20 years. That leopard gecko (average lifespan 20 to 25 years) for your 10-year-old will probably end up being yours long after your kid has gone to college. Do you really believe your child will feed and clean it? In my experience, parents do most of the work.

Can I stomach what it eats? If you can’t handle a bag of mice in your freezer, it’s probably not a good idea to buy a snake. Many animals are picky (and spoiled), and require specific food items for proper nutrition. So look up what the animal eats and make sure you can keep it up.

Will it pay for room and board? Sure the turtle costs 30 bucks, but the tank costs about $150, basking lamp costs $50, the floating platform costs $15, the food costs $10, the water conditioner costs… AHH! Animals need more than just a cage to sit in; they need important accessories to stay happy and alive. So, find out what your pet needs and add up the costs. Then compare the actual cost of the pet to what you’re willing to spend.

Am I willing to become better acquainted with the animal’s poop? Some types of animals do this dirty deed more often than others, but they all do it, and it’s always your job to clean it up. Will that bird look as cute when you’re scraping the droppings off its cage floor? Think long and hard about this concept, because you’ll be addressing it for a long time.

Is it a problem that the store failed their last inspection? I meet people daily who don’t know what type of turtle they have because the guy at the roadside stand they bought it from didn’t know either. Even stores are not always reliable. A dirty store will probably produce a dirty animal. If you see that the enclosure isn’t exactly tidy, expect to rack up a large vet bill. Do some online research. If someone claims that their animal died the day after they brought it home from that store, yours may not last very long either.

Can’t I just give it some baby Tylenol? Animals get sick and need check-ups, and vets aren’t cheap. It costs an awful lot of money to keep an animal happy and healthy, so make sure you’ve got room in your monthly budget to get your puppy his shots.

Will I still want this tomorrow? Can you imagine what would happen if parents gave away their children because they got bored? It happens quite often with animals. The desire for a pet can be a phase, and like all phases, it can pass. The best way to make sure that this doesn't happen is wait before buying a pet.

The puppy mill problem is nationwide.  This press release was just sent out.  Please show this to friends and relatives who live in other areas of our country.  Never, never, ever buy a dog from a pet store!

Class Action Filed Against Petland/Hunte

For Immediate Release:
Saltz Mongeluzzi At Forefront of Class Action Combating "Puppy Mill" Practices by Petland, Inc. and Its Puppy Suppliers

PHILADLEPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Assisted by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky, P.C. is serving as class counsel in a federal class action complaint filed today alleging that Petland, Inc., the nation's largest puppy retailer, and its puppy suppliers, including the Hunte Corporation, the nation's largest puppy broker, have orchestrated a scheme to sell sickly "puppy mill" puppies to unsuspecting consumers throughout the United States, including Pennsylvania. The lawsuit challenges their conduct under the federal RICO statute, and marks what is believed to be the first use of this statute against alleged interstate puppy mill traffickers. It seeks an end to the practice and the recovery of three times the consumers' damages, which includes the puppy's cost along with the veterinary costs incurred in sustaining that puppy's life.

Petland, headquartered in Chillicothe, Ohio, and Hunte, of Goodman, Missouri, are among those alleged to have intentionally misled thousands of unsuspecting Americans into believing that the puppies sold in over 130 of its stores (including three in Pennsylvania) were healthy and the product of the finest quality breeders, rather than bred in the dreadful conditions of a puppy mill. The complaint, based in part on an extensive nationwide investigation by HSUS, details how many of the puppies sold by Petland were bred in horrific conditions in puppy mills and other commercial breeding operations, or through brokers such as Hunte. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Arizona.

"Pennsylvanians know all too well the evils of puppy mills and their disregard for proper canine husbandry practices. This lawsuit is intended to put an end nationally to the unscrupulous conduct by Petland and Hunte leaving the puppies and their purchasers as victims in the wake of this scheme," said Simon B. Paris, Esq., of Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky, PC. SMBB was engaged through a cooperative effort with the Humane Society through its office of chief counsel to serve as co-counsel in the case. Paris commended HSUS attorneys and its investigative team for helping to build a case that he expects to succeed in shutting down one of the most pervasive puppy mill operations in the country. Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, LLC; of Seattle, and Garen Meguerian, Esq, of Garen Meguerian, Attorney at Law, L.L.C., also served as co-counsel.

Paris, who leads SMBB's anti-trust and consumer protection practice groups, uncovered Petland's alleged RICO violations through a cooperative effort with co-counsel and the HSUS, whose investigation revealed a direct link between multiple Petland stores and unscrupulous puppy mills. Numerous other reports have also surfaced of Petland's allegedly deceptive sales practices, including the marketing and sale of puppies with life-threatening genetic defects and highly contagious parasitic and viral infections.

The complaint includes several examples of sick or dying puppies Petland knowingly sold, including:

o Patrick, a $2,000 sable Pomeranian puppy, was sold at three months suffering from diarrhea and vomiting shortly after arriving at his new home. At 11 months, Patrick was diagnosed with a genetic disorder, dual luxating patellas, which will require expensive surgery on both of his knees.

o Mainerd, a Boston terrier, was diagnosed with a congenital spinal condition. Some of her vertebrae have not formed completely while others have fused together causing tissue to grow underneath along with possible nerve damage. Mainerd is now receiving steroid treatments for her ailments and may require expensive spinal surgery.

o Minchy, a miniature pinscher, was sold by Petland at 10 weeks and was immediately diagnosed with coccidian, an intestinal parasite that causes diarrhea and weight loss. Minchy was also diagnosed with an inherited disorder, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, which will ultimately lead to permanent blindness.

o Tucker, a bloodhound sold with various health problems before developing orbital cancer at only 7 months of age.

Remember the young Pit Bull who was found injured on the bank of the Schuykill River in January?  She’s healed and she’s found a home!!  Our little Livy went home on Saturday.  I hear that she’s doing well and enjoying her new life.  Many, many thanks to Ben and Amanda for adopting this special girl and giving her a chance when someone else just threw her away like garbage.  Lots of years of love to come…

The ARL often receives complaints that we have so many Pit Bulls.  All shelters have this issue.  What people don’t realize is that we get in a large number of Labrador Retrievers too!  But Labs get adopted quicker than Pits. These are typically the two most turned in dogs to shelters.  On our show on Monday night, we will explore the facts and myths about these breeds.  Guest Vicki Hoffman will be joining us to talk about the work she does with rescuing Pit Bulls and other “bully” breeds, as well as to tell us all about the upcoming Vera Bradley bingo to benefit the ARL.  Marcy Tocker, show regular and ARL volunteer, will be on the show too to talk about Labrador Retrievers.  We will have our usual Parade of Pets and Pet Tip of the Month.  Please join us and call in with questions!

The ARL picked up the dog pictured here on Saturday on Moss Street.  The condition of this dog is nothing short of disgraceful.  He was probably hours away from starvation – his ribs and hips are sticking out and he was barely able to walk.  He was found lying in someone’s yard, obviously unable to go on any further.  He has crate sores on his body, so he belonged to someone recently.  Did his owner lose his home and decide to turn the dog loose?  What’s the story??  If his owner could no longer keep him, why couldn’t he or she drop him off at the ARL or call us to pick him up?  Or ask us for some food for the poor guy??!!

Miraculously, this abused dog is unbelievably sweet.  In just a couple of days, he’s gained strength and has a beautiful, trusting softness in his eyes.  That’s the wonderful thing about animals, they hold no grudges. 

Named “Starvin’ Marvin” by one of our staff members (yes, Pam the Mistress of the Boarding Kennel does it again!), he’s resting and recovering in the boarding area of the ARL.  His kennel is directly across from Pam’s kitchen where he can see his breakfast, lunch and dinner being prepared!

If you are a frequent reader of my blog, you know how partial I am to older pets.  We have an outstanding older dog here now who is winning everyone’s heart.  First named “Greybeard” by the staff, his foster mom decided that “Herman Lumpster” is more appropriate!  He has some fatty cysts, like a lot of older dogs.  But the lumps can be overlooked because he’s so sweet and happy.  Greybeard/Herman wags his tail and lays his head on your lap when you call him over to you.  You can’t ask for more than that!  He is currently being fostered by our Mistress of the Boarding Kennel, Pam Bair. If you are interested in adopting him, give Pam a call!

More people need to consider fostering pets.  If you can’t afford the expenses of vet care, most rescues and shelters will pay these costs for foster pets.  All you need to provide is food, shelter, attention and lots of love!  The satisfaction of helping a homeless animal is an incredible reward.  Here’s a story on MSNBC’s web site about fostering pets – the joys and also the heartbreak (yes, of course there’s always sadness when there’s love):

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29493571/

The ARL has the cutest little Chihuahua puppy you’ve ever seen.  We regularly get little Chihuahuas in here.  What’s so unusual about this one, you say?  This sweet little girl was the subject of a domestic dispute recently.  She was a Valentine’s Day present from a husband to his wife.  But they’ve since separated and when he came home to claim custody of the dog, out came the knives!  Yes, the husband and wife began stabbing one another over the puppy, each claiming ownership of the little dog.  After being treated at the hospital for their wounds, both are now in jail for assault.  According to Harry Brown, our Executive Director, this is not the first time that a couple has resorted to violence over a pet. 

You know, I can understand getting terribly upset if someone is trying to take your pet.  If anyone tried to take my guys, I would put up quite a fight (of course I doubt if anyone would want to nab two 11-year-olds – but that’s another story).  However, I don’t believe I would bring violence into the situation.  Everyone loses.  The dog is homeless and the owners have been re-homed.  Yes, re-homed - into the slammer.  Not good at all.  Stop and think, people!  I hope that children are not involved with this domestic situation.  Would they have fought over a child like they did a Chihuahua?  Ponder that!