Pawprints - All About Dogs and Cats Blog

On Friday, February 15, the ASPCA celebrated I Love NYC Pets Month by giving shelter dogs a chance to take the stage.  

At the ASPCA’s third annual “Best in Show” competition, ten adoptable dogs displayed their talents to a panel of celebrity judges, including Emmy award-winning actress Kristen Johnston; legendary actress and singer Maureen McGovern;  DJ Angie Martinez; Lonneke Engel (the face of Ralph Lauren’s HOT perfume) and the ASPCA’s Supervisory Special Investigator, Officer Annemarie Lucas.

The feisty contestants scored on overall presentation, attentiveness to their handlers and creativity of their tricks … and really hammed it up for the judges. All the dogs were rewarded with treats, resounding applause and television coverage.

Whitby, Ontario -  Wednesday, Feb.27,2008

Dozens of abandoned cats have made themselves at home on the grounds of the Whitby Mental Health Centre.

Up to 50 cats per year are being left on or near the centre’s property and although staff has been trying to fix the problem, they can no longer deal with the volume of animals.

Until recently employees at the facility have been getting family and friends to adopt the abandoned animals, said Aron Muscutt, a groundskeeper for the property. Now that finding adoptive families has become difficult, the felines are left to roam free.

The link for the AZ (Arizona) Schnauzer Rescue has been updated on our Breed Rescue  listings at All About Dogs and Cats.

Arizona Schnauzer Rescue, Inc. is the American Kennel Club (AKC) rescue service for Miniature Schnauzers in the State of Arizona.  They report to American Miniature Schnauzer Club and to the local breed specialty organization:  Cactus State Miniature Schnauzer Club.  This rescue program is entirely volunteer.  Their services are extended to New Mexico & Nevada because there are currently no schnauzer rescue programs available in either state.

WELLINGTON (Reuters Life!) - It’s a doggone chartbuster — a song audible only to dogs has topped New Zealand record charts, and is looking to go global.

A Very Silent Night, recorded at a frequency only dogs can hear, was so popular among owners it hit number one at Christmas, but has been receiving mixed responses from listeners.

“The most violent one was a dog that physically attacked the radio when it was played and went quite berserk and totally destroyed it,” said Bob Kerridge, chief executive of animal welfare group, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). “On the other side of the scale, they just lie down and did nothing.” 

The disc contains an instrumental and a vocal version of the song, but Kerridge said he did not know what kind of music dogs would hear. “Never having heard it myself, I don’t what they’ll hear and of course I don’t know how dogs hear music,” he said.

Kerridge added dogs in Australia and the United States could soon have a listen.

The charity CD is priced at NZ$4.99 ($3.93). NZ$22,000 ($17,300USD) has been raised by the disc’s sale.

From The Edmonton Journal: Saturday, February 16

Staffed by two veterinarians and several technicians who have taken special training, the newly opened Edmonton Veterinary Rehabilitation Clinic only accepts patients referred by other veterinarians. It is the first Alberta facility devoted exclusively to physical veterinary rehabilitation to be licensed by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association.

The clinic offers dog and cat owners many of the benefits similar to those a physical therapist might offer a human, such as hydrotherapy, massage and special exercise programs. While each treatment may be slightly different, the first assessment and treatment in the underwater treadmill costs $75, with additional treatments costing $40 for 10 minutes. Owners, naturally, must foot the bill and the treatments may not be covered by pet health insurance.

The therapies at the clinic are designed for pets recovering from muscle or bone injuries or surgeries, including amputation, those with nerve damage, arthritis, joint injuries or suffering from chronic pain.

American Humane Association  DENVER, Feb. 13  /PRNewswire-USNewswire 

The American Humane Association, the leading organization raising awareness about The Link(R) between animal abuse and other forms of violence, has created the first national initiative to promote on-site housing of pets at women’s shelters and to acknowledge the human-animal bond, which can be crucial to recovery after a crisis. American Humane has published a Pets and Women’s Shelters (PAWS) Program manual to help shelters assess their needs and provide step-by-step instructions for implementing the program.  The ultimate goal of PAWS is to enable more domestic violence victims to leave abusive households without leaving their pets behind and at risk. In a study done in 2007 in 12 Link-based research studies, results indicated that between 18 and 48 percent of women reported concerns regarding their pets’ safety, and had either delayed leaving abusive homes or remained in abusive homes out of fear of leaving their pets behind. 

The PAWS Program acknowledges the unfortunate link between human violence and animal cruelty. But it also recognizes the healing bond pets can provide to people who have endured trauma. American Humane encourages all domestic and family violence shelters across the country to take the necessary steps toward implementing the PAWS Program at their facilities.  

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit membership organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link(R) between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. 

American Humane’s regional office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the “No Animals Were Harmed”(R) end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane’s office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. 

Visit http://www.americanhumane.org/ to learn more.                                 

“Uno” the 15 in. Beagle, winner of the Hound Group, was declared “Best in Show” to a standing ovation at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night as The Westminster Kennel Club 132nd Annual Dog Show came to a close.  

169 Breeds and Varieties in seven different groups competed for Best of Breed during the day Monday and Tuesday, with the winners competing for Best in Group Monday and Tuesday evening.

The seven winners were then judged for Best in Show for 2008 by Dr. J. Donald Jones of Marietta, GA.

2008 Westminster Group Results: 

HOUND  GROUP  - JUDGE: Mr. Ralph Lemcke
Ch K-Run’s Park Me In First
Breed: Beagle, 15 In.
Sex: Dog

TERRIER GROUP - JUDGE: Mrs. Betty-Anne Stenmark
Ch Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice
Breed: Sealyham Terrier
Sex: Dog

NON-SPORTING GROUP  - JUDGE: Dr. Michael T. Manning
Ch Brighton Minimoto
Breed: Poodle (Standard)
Sex: Bitch

HERDING GROUP – JUDGE: Dr. Stanley S. Saltzman
Ch Vinelake Collinswood Yablon OA OAJ
Breed: Australian Shepherd
Sex: Bitch

SPORTING GROUP  - JUDGE: Mr. Elliott B. Weiss
Ch Colsidex Seabreeze Perfect Fit
Breed: Weimaraner
Sex: Bitch

TOY GROUP - JUDGE: Mrs. Sari B. Tietjen
Ch Smash JP Win A Victory
Breed: Poodle (Toy)
Sex: Bitch

WORKING GROUP - JUDGE: Ms. Connie Barton
Ch Redwitch Reason To Believe
Breed: Akita
Sex: Bitch
Competition in each breed and variety may be viewed in streaming video at the Westminster Kennel Club website. (A high speed connection is necessary for viewing.)  

USA Network and CNBC will be home to The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Pedigree®, for the 25th consecutive year in 2008. USA Network and CNBC airs exclusive live coverage from Madison Square Garden on Monday, February 11, and USA Network airs exclusive live coverage on Tuesday, February 12.

Schedule :

NIGHT 1:
Live Telecast: Monday, Feb 11 (8-9 PM Live ET / 8-9 PM PT) on USA Network
Continuing Live Telecast: Monday, Feb 11 (9-11 PM Live ET / 9-11 PM PT) on CNBC

NIGHT 2:
Live Telecast: Tuesday, Feb 12 (8-11 PM Live ET / 8-11 PM PT) on USA Network

For those that don’t get either the USA Network or CNBC..The Monday and Tuesday evening shows are usually rebroadcast on OLN and/or the Animal Channel at a later date.

Pawprints will post the Best of Group results on February 13,2008

The ASPCA is running a “My Furry Valentine” contest. Entries will be accepted until February 29. The top ten winners will receive an ASPCA Prize Pack, and winning photos will also be featured on the ASPCA website and in ASPCA Action.

You must be at least 18 years old, a legal resident of the United States at the time of contest entry and  the sole owner andor copyright holder of the photo(s) you submit to the contest.

 Ten winners will receive:
  1.  ASPCA “We Are Their Voice” dog or cat T-shirt in black or white
  2. The Emotional Lives of Animals by Marc Beckoff with forward by Jane Goodall
  3. Harley Dog Plush
  4. ASPCA Wristband
- Winners will be determined by a committee of judges at the ASPCA. and will be notified at the email address they provide by March 21, 2008. You can Submit Your Entry Here

Four breeds recently recognized by the American Kennel Club are making their debuts at Westminster in 2008:

 PLOTT - HOUND GROUP
A hunting hound of striking color that traditionally brings big game to bay or tree, the Plott is intelligent, alert and confident. Noted for stamina, endurance, agility, determination and aggressiveness when hunting, the powerful, well muscled, yet streamlined Plott combines courage with athletic ability. The Plott easily traverses various terrains with agility and speed. Loyal and eager to please, the Plott is an aggressive, bold, and fearless hunter (from the Plott Standard).

 TIBETAN MASTIFF - WORKING GROUP
The Tibetan Mastiff is considered by many to be the stock from which most modern large working breeds have developed. Generations of working as a guardian of women and children, has produced a temperament of fearlessness, tempered with patience, loyalty - and extreme stubbornness. The Tibetan Mastiff is a powerful dog, with a broad and impressive head, with a typical expression of watchfulness (from the American Tibetan Mastiff Association).

 BEAUCERON - HERDING GROUP
The Beauceron is an old and distinct French breed of herding dog, bred and selected for their aptitude to herd and guard large flocks of sheep as well as for their structure and endurance. The ideal Beauceron is a well balanced, solid dog of good height and well muscled without heaviness or coarseness. A formidable dog, intelligent, easily trained, faithful, gentle and obedient, he demands respect wherever he goes (from the Beauceron Standard).

 SWEDISH VALLHUND - HERDING GROUP
The Swedish Vallhund is a very old Spitz-type breed known since the time of the Vikings. Small, powerful, fearless, and sturdily-built, the Swedish Vallhund has been kept for centuries as a farm dog and used for herding cattle. The double coat and the characteristic “harness markings” are essential features of this breed. Tail may be natural or docked (from the Swedish Vallhund Standard).