NL Pet Expo- Next Weekend!

For more information, visit the website: http://www.nlpetexpo.com

See you there!

A “Little Dog” Park!

Do you know that the City of St. John’s has recently opened a second off-leash dog park?

This one is for dogs up to 25 lbs, and is located behind the Humane Services building on Higgins Line. There is signage in the parking lot, directing you to a lovely little spot surrounded by trees, where your small dogs can frolic to their heart’s content!

Another FREE book!

Here is another book written by veterinarian and behaviourist, Dr. Ian Dunbar, which can be downloaded for free:

Before You Get Your Puppy

It’s a MUST for people thinking about sharing their lives with a new dog. (And fun reading for those of us who already do!)

Dogs in the News

Dog’s barking saves choking three-year-old

Read about Moose the Whippet- a new hero for CFB Trenton!

“Bullies In Need” Newsletter

The Ontario-based “Bullies in Need” rescue organization has just released its latest newsletter. Read it HERE.

Free Book: After You Get Your Puppy

Download a free puppy training manual written by renowned veterinarian, Dr. Ian Dunbar, at this website: Dog Star Daily

For more of Dr. Dunbar, check out the video below for a very entertaining but informative talk on the common mistakes people make with their dogs.

Easter Bunnies? NOT!

Please don’t buy a bunny for Easter!

If you really think a rabbit is the pet for you, talk to Bird and Small Animal Rescue.

A bunny is a long-term commitment. If you’re not ready for that, stick to chocolate.

CBC Article: NL promises tougher animal protection laws

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/03/01/nl-animal-protection-301.html

The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is promising new animal protection legislation this spring that promises harsher penalties for people who abuse animals.

“We have been reviewing our existing six live animal statutes and consulting with special interest groups on the consolidation of these acts into a new, modern and tougher Animal Health and Protection Act,” said Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale, in a news release Monday. “We are now ready to bring forward an all encompassing piece of legislation for debate that will address concerns and issues raised over cruelty to animals in this province and stiffer penalties for such behavior.”

The provincial government announced in April 2009 that it would review its existing live animal statutes.

Government officials consulted the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), municipalities and representatives from the livestock industry, and considered submissions from other special interest groups and the public in the process.

Most of the province’s legislation relating to live animals was enacted in the 1970s and has not been significantly updated, according to the government’s news release.

“Societal expectations and attitudes towards the care of animals have changed since much of the existing legislation was introduced,” said the release. “The new legislation will provide the greatest protection and enforcement possible in regards to animal welfare and will address the fines and penalties for inappropriate treatment of animals and neglect. Details will be provided when the draft bill is released during the spring session.”

The new Animal Health and Protection Act will address the definition of animal cruelty and appropriate penalties, enforcement and animal control activities.

The six acts being consolidated into one are the Animal Protection Act, Dog Act, Heritage Animals Act, Livestock Act, Livestock Health Act and the Poultry and Poultry Products Act.

This winter a disturbing case of animal abuse in southern Newfoundland ignited calls for tougher animal protection laws.

The RCMP and members of the SPCA forced their way into a house in Dunville, Placentia Bay, in mid-February after receiving a report that starving animals were trapped inside the home.

Days later, SPCA officials in St. John’s said it would like to see fines of up to $10,000 for cruelty to animals. They hope that would deter people from abusing animals.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/03/01/nl-animal-protection-301.html#ixzz0j1GVFeHu

Urgent Request for Small Animal Rescue

From Tabitha:

Hi Everyone,

I have a plea for help on behalf of the Bird and Small Animal Rescue. For the last little while I have been fostering a beautiful rabbit named Alexus. Alexus was originally dropped off the the SPCA with another rabbit currently being fostered in Clarenville. When Alexus was dropped off she was in really rough shape, she had ear mites but after several visits to the vet paid for by the rescue she is 90% percent better. She is absolutely great, very friendly, litter trained, doesn’t chew on things, she seemed to be the perfect bunny except yesterday she had a “surprize” litter of buns. This was a shock to everyone especially the rescue considering they had just taken in another dozen rabbits last week, in addition to the dozens that are already in their care. This rescue does amazing work and is the only one of it’s kind in our province. This is the first time that the rescue has ever been in this position but they informed me that due to the cost and the fact that they already have so many other rabbits in their care they will have to euthanize Alexus’ bunnies. This is not something anyone at the rescue or I take lightly. This is nine baby bunnies that will be euthanized because an irresponsible pet owner didn’t feel the need to spay or neuter.

I begged and pleaded and some how bought myself till the end of the week to see if I can save any of them. Im going to lead by example and I’m sponsoring one spay/neuter myself, but the others still need help. There are so many things any of you could do. You could adopt Alexus or one of her babies, you could foster a baby when they are old enough to leave Alexus, or you could make a donation to help pay for the care and spay/neuters. It will cost somewhere around $3000 to spay and neuter all the babies and care for them until they find homes. It kills me to think that yesterday morning I watched them be born and now I may have to take them to get euthanized at the end of the week. If there is anything at all that you could do, the rescue, Alexus aka Momma Bunny and I would really appreciate it. Nine little lives depend on it.

For more information, to make a donation and/or adopt a bunny please contact:

Tabitha at 765-0321 or tabitha.boland@yahoo.com

Anne Marie at 467-4301  or ambrown@persona.ca

or visit the website at http://www.envision.ca/webs/smallanimalrescue/

I have some pictures of Alexus and the beautiful babies attached.

Please forward to anyone and everyone. Thanks so much xo

Groups Call for New Animal Welfare Legislation

The proposed Animal Protection Act for Newfoundland & Labrador was expected to be law by now. For unknown reasons, it has yet to be tabled in the Provincial legislature, and the old act, now out-dated and woefully inadequate, currently still applies.

The recent case of animal neglect in Dunville, Placentia Bay this week, in which one dog and a cat appear to have starved to death, serves as yet one more sad example of why this legislation is so badly needed. Coverage of this story can be found here:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/02/18/nl-animal-dunville-180210.html

Please join groups and individuals concerned about animal protection in Newfoundland and Labrador, and write the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency at kathydunderdale@gov.nl.ca , imploring her to ensure that the Animal Protection Act becomes a priority in the House of Assembly.

You might want to copy and paste the following form letter, and consider adding your own thoughts:

**************************

Dear Minister Dunderdale,

As the Minister responsible for the Animal Protection Act, we urge you and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to act quickly to bring in new, rigorous animal welfare legislation this Spring, 2010. Fines and penalties under the current Act that dates from the 1970s, are so inadequate that they are no longer considered a deterrent.

One of the most stark examples of the inadequacies associated with the current legislation is the current minimum fine of $50 for persons convicted of animal cruelty and abuse. This is woefully inadequate and on many levels, an embarrassment for our province. In the new legislation, there needs to be a substantial increase in fines and penalties for persons convicted of animal cruelty and abuse.

We urge you and members of your legislative team to model Newfoundland and Labrador’s new Animal Protection legislation after Alberta and Nova Scotia’s animal protection legislation.  Under the current Act, we allow people to chain dogs on without any social interaction. Not only is this cruel, it is dangerous, as studies show that these dogs eventually go mad at the end of the chain and will attack, if and when they break away.

I respectfully request a response from you about the status of the new animal welfare legislation and when it will be enacted.

Sincerely,

Your Name & Address