THIS WAS SENT TO US FROM THE ANIMAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA:
Last week of legislative session - Animals need your help!
Friday is the scheduled end of the 2009 Florida legislative session (the session may be extended one-week). Two important bills that would impact animals in Florida remain undecided.
RE: Sexual Activities Involving Animals
Yesterday, the Florida Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 448 (introduced by Sen. Nan Rich), which would prohibit sexual contact with animals. But the companion bill, HB 273 (introduced by Rep. William D. Snyder), has yet to be scheduled for a vote in the Florida House.
Please contact Rep. Bill Galvano, Chair of the Rules & Calendar Council, and urge him to bring HB 273, "Sexual Activities Involving Animals", to the floor of the Florida House of Representatives for a vote.
Contact:
Rep. Bill Galvano
Chair, Rules & Calendar Council
Go here to send email to Rep. Galvano
Phone: (850) 488-4086
RE: Greyhound racing
The Florida House and Senate remain divided about whether or not to expand gambling in Florida. One proposal under consideration is to allow greyhound and horse tracks to add "Historic racing" games, computerized machines that replay previously run, but unidentifiable, races that viewers can bet on. These games have been called "slot machines in disguise." If approved, the profits from these games will prop-up dog tracks, ensuring that the cruelty of dog racing will continue for years to come.
The following legislators are members of a committee tasked with creating a compromise gambling bill. Please contact each member and urge them to oppose the addition of "historic racing" games or slot machines at dog tracks and other pari-mutual facilities in Florida.
Contact:
Representative Sandy Adams
Send an e-mail here
Phone: (850) 488-0468
Senator Ken Pruitt
E-mail: pruitt.ken.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (850) 487-5088
Representative D. Alan Hays
Send an e-mail here
Phone: (850) 488-0348
Representative Joseph Abruzzo
Send an e-mail here
Phone: (850) 488-4791
Representative Joe Gibbons
Send an e-mail here
Phone: (850) 488-0145
Senator Dennis Jones
E-mail: jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (850) 487-5065
Senator Ted Deutch
E-mail: deutch.ted.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (850) 487-5091
Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla
E-mail: portilla.alex.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (850) 487-5109
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Ew, dog spit! Not so fast.
Remember the times when Snoopy would plant a big ol' smacker on little Lucy van Pelt and how she would run away screaming, "Germs! Disease! Infection!" - yes, those were the days.
I'm sure Lucy would be aghast to hear what Kansas State University veterinarian Kate Stenske has to say about dog spit. Stenske studied the incidence of the E. coli bacteria in both dogs and their people. The results? Dog people who were OK with face-licking were no more likely to harbor the bacteria than those who were not OK with canine smooches.
Here's the part of the study that won't really surprise dog people. People with pets had more multiple-drug resistant strains than their pets. That means people are more likely to spread the E. coli bacteria to their pet, rather than the other way around.
So, it appears, sleeping with your dog and allowing him to give your face a few licks isn't going to increase the threat of you acquiring the E. coli bacteria. But you should still wash your hands after petting your dog since you don't want to give her the germs!
The study is scheduled to appear in an upcoming issue of the
American Journal of Veterinary Research.
I'm sure Lucy would be aghast to hear what Kansas State University veterinarian Kate Stenske has to say about dog spit. Stenske studied the incidence of the E. coli bacteria in both dogs and their people. The results? Dog people who were OK with face-licking were no more likely to harbor the bacteria than those who were not OK with canine smooches.
Here's the part of the study that won't really surprise dog people. People with pets had more multiple-drug resistant strains than their pets. That means people are more likely to spread the E. coli bacteria to their pet, rather than the other way around.
So, it appears, sleeping with your dog and allowing him to give your face a few licks isn't going to increase the threat of you acquiring the E. coli bacteria. But you should still wash your hands after petting your dog since you don't want to give her the germs!
The study is scheduled to appear in an upcoming issue of the
American Journal of Veterinary Research.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Aid for Pets
I talked about this in November and I finally got a page together. Aid for Pets is in the early stages, but I'm adding new info every week.
If you have any resources that could help people having problems keeping their pets - and keeping them healthy - during these precarious economic times, please leave a comment below.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Help for people with pets
I've been working on an idea for a new Web site that would help people with pets keep their pets during the current financial upheaval. There are simply too many beautiful animals being abandoned - or worse - when people are forced to leave their homes due to foreclosure or the downsizing of their wallets. Granted, there will always be people who welcome any opportunity to dump a dog or cat and being kicked out of their home will be just another great excuse. However, there are many others who love their pet dearly and just need a bit of assistance to stay united with their companion animal.
I put the idea out to my email contacts last month and was heartened to get many replies of encouragement and offers to assist. I've already compiled a fairly good list of resources for low cost vet care, free pet food, medical care assistance, and more, and am tracking down others.
If you know of any avenues of assistance, either on a local level where you live, or nationally, please drop me a note at WebMistress@FloridaPets.net. I hope to get the site online before the end of the year. Thank you!
I put the idea out to my email contacts last month and was heartened to get many replies of encouragement and offers to assist. I've already compiled a fairly good list of resources for low cost vet care, free pet food, medical care assistance, and more, and am tracking down others.
If you know of any avenues of assistance, either on a local level where you live, or nationally, please drop me a note at WebMistress@FloridaPets.net. I hope to get the site online before the end of the year. Thank you!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Good Samaritan fund for pets gets high paws up
Consumers of veterinary services often comment about how pricey the field has become. That's why we had to pass along information about one vet group that's actually giving some of what they make back to the community to help animals.
Veterinary Neuro Services, located in Sarasota, has organized a fund to assist pet guardians who can't afford the cost of neurology care for their companions. They will match dollar for dollar every penny donated to their Pet Neuro Good Samaritan fund. They are also accepting donations from members of the public who might wish to help. For more information about the program and how to contribute, please call 941-929-1818, or visit http://www.PetNeuro.com.
Editor's Note: This isn't an endorsement of Veterinary Neuro Services. We have never dealt with this business nor do we know anyone who has. We are just passing along what we feel could be useful information to some people with pets. As with any animal-related business, be sure to conduct your own background check by contacting the Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau and talking to previous or current clients.
Veterinary Neuro Services, located in Sarasota, has organized a fund to assist pet guardians who can't afford the cost of neurology care for their companions. They will match dollar for dollar every penny donated to their Pet Neuro Good Samaritan fund. They are also accepting donations from members of the public who might wish to help. For more information about the program and how to contribute, please call 941-929-1818, or visit http://www.PetNeuro.com.
Editor's Note: This isn't an endorsement of Veterinary Neuro Services. We have never dealt with this business nor do we know anyone who has. We are just passing along what we feel could be useful information to some people with pets. As with any animal-related business, be sure to conduct your own background check by contacting the Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau and talking to previous or current clients.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Animal also suffer from foreclosures
Florida is one of the states where the number of people losing their homes to foreclosure is highest. Unfortunately, their pets are losing their homes as well. While the people are moving on - most often to a rental house, apartment or the home of a family member - the pets are often not allowed to join them and are being left behind.
It's tragic enough that some of these animals will end up in shelters, after being with their family for years and years. But some are being abandonded in the very places they once loved and trusted life with their family. Sometimes someone is told the pet is there, so the animal can get proper care. More often, however, the pet is left to fend for itself, without water, food or understanding about what's going on.
Dogs and cats aren't the only victims. I read recently where people are also leaving their horses in the barns or fields as they walk away from their home...without a word to anyone.
It's understandable these people are in crisis and perhaps aren't thinking straight. Perhaps they need to vent and so, break out a light or two before they leave their home by force. While that's not a good thing to do, it comes from anger and frustration and despair. I couldn't imagine that kind of pain.
But there's something fundamentally immoral about leaving behind a living, breathing being that would have cheerfully given his or her life for their human. No matter how filled with anger or despair, humans should have enough respect for themselves to make sure their animals will be cared for if they can't take them along after losing their home.
It's tragic enough that some of these animals will end up in shelters, after being with their family for years and years. But some are being abandonded in the very places they once loved and trusted life with their family. Sometimes someone is told the pet is there, so the animal can get proper care. More often, however, the pet is left to fend for itself, without water, food or understanding about what's going on.
Dogs and cats aren't the only victims. I read recently where people are also leaving their horses in the barns or fields as they walk away from their home...without a word to anyone.
It's understandable these people are in crisis and perhaps aren't thinking straight. Perhaps they need to vent and so, break out a light or two before they leave their home by force. While that's not a good thing to do, it comes from anger and frustration and despair. I couldn't imagine that kind of pain.
But there's something fundamentally immoral about leaving behind a living, breathing being that would have cheerfully given his or her life for their human. No matter how filled with anger or despair, humans should have enough respect for themselves to make sure their animals will be cared for if they can't take them along after losing their home.
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