Tag: ASPCA

ASPCA Seeks Nominees for 2015 Dog of the Year

Calling anyone who knows a dog who performed a heroic act over the past 12 months: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is now accepting nominations for its 2015 Dog of the Year.

Humane Awards nominations are also being accepted for Cat of the Year, Kid of the Year and a Public Service Award.

“The ASPCA Humane Awards celebrates the unique bond between people and pets by honoring individuals committed to the protection of animals, as well as dogs and cats whose experiences represent the urgency behind our mission,” said ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker in a news release.

“We’re looking for stories that deserve attention and can inspire people across the country to be a voice for animals in crisis.”

Last year’s deserving Dog of the Year winner was Jonny Justice. Jonny, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was rescued from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels in 2007.

One year later, his new pet parents, Cris Cohen and Jennifer Long of San Francisco, noticed how well he got along with children, so Jonny became a therapy dog. Jonny visits terminally ill children receiving medical treatment, providing them with love and support (and probably lots of soothing Staffie smooches). He has also helped improve literacy by participating in programs in which kids practice reading aloud to him.

You can nominate heroic dogs for the 2015 award through July 3. The winners will be chosen by a committee selected by the ASPCA, and announced in October. Each winner will receive an award at a luncheon in New York City.

Photos via ASPCA; Facebook

Help the ASPCA ‘Get Tough’ on Dog Fighting

Thousands of dogs are injured or killed each year in illegal dog-fighting operations in the United States. In honor of National Dog Fighting Awareness Day (NDFAD) April 8, the ASPCA has launched the “Get Tough” campaign, asking animal lovers to advocate for stronger laws and harsher sentences for creeps who fight dogs.

Last year, the U.S. Dept. of Justice (DOJ) prosecuted 10 federal dog-fighting cases and secured the longest sentence (8 years) ever, according to the ASPCA. However, thousands of dog-fighting operations continue to operate across the country.

To participate in the Get Tough campaign, you can do the following:

  1. Sign the ASPCA’s petition asking the DOJ to continue to crack down on dog fighting.
  2. Download a free digital toolkit that includes social media shareables, a printable poster and more.
  3. Snap a selfie with the printable poster and share it on social media with the hashtag #GetTough.

Back in 2007, when dogs were seized from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels, the general mindset was that fighting dogs could not be rehabilitated. Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, told the New York Times the organization recommended that all fighting dogs, including those belonging to Vick, be euthanized shortly after they were seized.

Fortunately, dog experts from BAD RAP and Best Friends Animal Society knew better, and helped to change that mindset. They took in the Vick dogs, worked with them and eventually found loving forever homes in which many of these “unadoptable” survivors thrived, and even became therapy dogs.

Here are stories about dogs rescued from fighting operations who paid it forward and led happy lives:

Photos: ASPCA; Laura Goldman (that’s Ella and Leroy, who gets very sad at the thought of dog fighting)

First-Ever Greyhound Racing Report Says Nearly 12,000 Dogs Injured

More than 900 Greyhounds have died and nearly 12,000 have been injured while participating in races from January 2008 through November 2014, according to a report released today by GREY2K USA and the ASPCA.

And those are only the deaths and injuries that have been reported. “The vast majority of the 80,000 greyhounds born into dog racing can’t even be accounted for,” GREY2K USA and the ASPCA note on Change.org. Neither Alabama or Florida report Greyhound injuries.

“High Stakes,” the humane groups’ first-ever report on Greyhound racing, is being emailed to state lawmakers and opinion leaders.

“For the first time, both the humane and economic costs of this cruel industry are documented for all to see,” said Christine Dorchak, president of GREY2K USA, in a news release. Founded in 2001, the non-profit is the largest Greyhound protection organization in the United States.

“Taxpayers are losing money, states are doling out millions in annual subsidies and gentle Greyhounds continue to die as pawns to this antiquated industry.”

Greyhound racing is banned in 39 U.S. states, “but this cruel sport continues to exploit Greyhounds despite public outcry and overwhelming financial losses from a dying industry,” said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations.

The 80-page report documents the cruelty and neglect in the industry, including the training of young dogs on unregulated breeding farms; the administration of illegal drugs (including cocaine); poor kennel conditions; lack of veterinary care; and a diet based on diseased meat.

Fortunately, the Greyhound racing industry has been on the decline in recent years. During the past decade, gambling on dog racing has dropped by 66 percent, and Greyhound breeding has dropped by 57 percent.

Along with the report, GREY2K USA and the ASPCA have started a Change.org petition urging governors of the seven states that continue to operate dog racing tracks — Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Texas and West Virginia — to end this cruel sport. The petition currently has about 2,000 signatures. [Update: As of April 15, the petition has more than 193,000 signatures!]

“The ASPCA is proud to stand with our partners at GREY2K USA to shed light on the wanton cruelty inflicted on the thousands of dogs that enter the racing industry each year,” Perry said. “We hope state lawmakers will agree that it is time to end dog racing once and for all.”

How to Help End Greyhound Racing

  • Make a donation to GREY2K USA. “A generous supporter has offered to match your donation in celebration of the release of the U.S. report,” according to the website.

Photos via Facebook

Golden Globes, Schmolden Schlobes: First-Ever World Dog Awards Airs Thursday

Last night the Golden Globes kicked off the start of awards season. Next up? The World Dog Awards, which will air on The CW this Thursday, Jan. 15.

“For the first time, dogs will be celebrated for their work in entertainment, health services and the military, along with everyday dogs who found fame on the internet,” the network stated in a press release last July.

The show, hosted by George Lopez, was taped Saturday afternoon in the appropriately named Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Airport. (This seems to be a pawpular venue for canine-related shows. “FOX’s Cause for Paws,” which aired on Thanksgiving last year, was also taped there.)

“The dogs and their humans walked down a green carpet and paused for photos ops and questions,” writes Juliet Bennett Rylah on LAist.com, which published plenty of those photos.

“Bodhi [the dapper fella in the photo to the right] was described to us as an Instagram-famous Shiba Inu, and we were also introduced to Duke, a 7-year-old dog who was elected mayor of Cormorant, a village in Minnesota. We also met Peanut, the ‘World’s Ugliest Dog.’ Before making fun of Peanut’s appearance, though, remember that this little survivor was set on fire as a puppy and lived to bark about it.”

During the ceremony, winners received edible awards in categories ranging from “Best in Film,” to “Celebrity Dog Selfie,” to a “Most Dog-Like Cat” award for a feline. People were asked to vote for their favorites in each category from Dec. 15 to Jan. 9.

Four honorary awards were also presented:

  • Dog’s Best Friend: Presented by the ASPCA, this award will go to a celebrity who has advanced the welfare of homeless dogs and dog-related causes.
  • K911: Presented by Subaru, this award will go to a dog who’s an everyday superhero for helping to save a child’s life.
  • “The Dog’s Life” Achievement Award: Awarded to an iconic dog character in popular culture who has had a huge cultural impact.
  • Underdog: This honor will be bestowed upon a dog who overcame incredible obstacles or odds.

Among the celebrities scheduled to appear at the WDAs were Ian Somerhalder, Lance Bass, Lisa Vanderpump and Andy Cohen.

“We also saw Paris Hilton’s new dog, which is said to have cost $25,000 and fits in the palm of her hand,” Rylah writes.

Ugh. Hopefully there was an award for “Dog Mom Who Really Should Adopt Instead of Buy.”

The World Dog Awards was produced in conjunction with and for the benefit of the ASPCA and the PEDIGREE Foundation. The show airs Thursday at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. CT) on The CW.

Photos: The CW, Twitter

Voting Begins for First-Ever World Dog Awards

Earlier this year, The CW announced it would be airing the first-ever World Dog Awards (aka “WDAs”) in January 2015.

“For the first time, dogs will be celebrated for their work in entertainment, health services and the military, along with everyday dogs who found fame on the internet,” the network stated in a July press release.

Voting for the WDAs has now officially begun. Through Jan. 9, you can select your favorite in the categories posted on the World Dog Awards website. There are two polling periods — Dec. 15-22 and Dec. 23-Jan. 9 — during which different categories will be available.

After posing for the “puparazzi” along the red — er, green — carpet, pooches attending the WDAs will receive edible awards in categories ranging from “Best in Film,” to “Celebrity Dog Selfie,” to a “Most Dog-Like Cat” award for a feline.

Four honorary awards will also be presented during the show:

  • Dog’s Best Friend: Presented by the ASPCA, this award will go to a celebrity who has advanced the welfare of homeless dogs and dog-related causes.
  • K911: Presented by Subaru, this award will go to a dog who’s an everyday superhero for helping to save a child’s life.
  • “The Dog’s Life” Achievement Award: Awarded to an iconic dog character in popular culture who has had a huge cultural impact.
  • Underdog: This honor will be bestowed upon a dog who overcame incredible obstacles or odds.

This week it was announced that George Lopez will host the Jan. 15 event, to be held at the appropriately named Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Airport. (This seems to be a pawpular venue for canine-related shows. The first-ever “FOX’s Cause for Paws” special that aired on Thanksgiving night was also taped there.)

Among the celebrities scheduled to appear at the WDAs are Ian Somerhalder, Lance Bass, Lisa Vanderpump and Andy Cohen.

The WDAs are being produced in conjunction with and for the benefit of the ASPCA and the PEDIGREE Foundation, which is asking pet parents to share stories about the special relationships they have with their adopted dogs, using the hashtag #dogtales. Some of the stories will be featured during the broadcast.

The World Dog Awards airs at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. CT) Jan. 15 on The CW.

Photo credit: The CW

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