Letter from the editor

At our last PetRescue meeting, we got to talking about what motivates us to do what we do; for our IT guru JB, it was being the creator of a website that actually helps pets, in the cold hard climate of online puppy-mill classifieds. For our dog trainer and marketer extraordinaire Vickie, it was raising the profile of rescue groups and helping people realise that "rescues" make excellent family pets...

...and for me? Well to be honest I'd started to lose my way a bit. As the person who answers the phone and email enquiries, the constant grind of "I have a pet that I don't want - can I drop it off to you?" had been getting me down. How can so many people be so blasé about surrendering their animals? How could they possibly ALL be moving house or have become allergic? It must be some sort of epidemic!

Sometimes it gets too much to take.

But then a rescuer contacted me to see if I knew anyone who might be able to help her get a kelpie puppy out of the pound. She was to be killed the next morning due to a lack of space - the usual problem; too many dogs/not enough homes, and they just didn't have room to take her.

I left work early, jumped in the car and flew to the pound to collect her - I couldn't let her be put to sleep! I don't know why her plight touched me the way it did; maybe it was because she was only a baby, or maybe it was just that I needed to feel like I was actually making a difference. Either way she came home with me. She has since gone to live in an excellent home with a work friend and gets a walk on the beach each day.

Collecting that wiggly-bummed puppy in my arms and seeing that she's real, not just a number or photo on a pound website - and now, getting to hear all about the great experiences those new owners are having. That's what I needed to remind me why we're doing this - because it's life or death for these pets.

Cheers,

Michelle Williamson
shel@petrescue.com.au

Scooby Snacks; keep out of reach of children!

Our family has two rescued dogs who we think the world of, and they both love their Scooby Snacks. What they love more is the fact that my eighteen month old son recently discovered where the snacks were kept - and decided to take the full box outside to share with the dogs! I discovered a very happy trio sitting on the back step, all munching on the Scooby Snacks!!! It appears even kids think they're tasty...

Scooby Snacks are clearly yummy and are now available at your local Woolworths supermarket - and with part proceeds from every sale donated to PetRescue, you're supporting a worthwhile cause when you grab a great new treat for your four-legged friend! And for a limited time when you buy Scooby Snacks, you can sign up for your very own free Scooby Doo dog tag!

New pet posters are now available!

PetRescue's new pet posters are now able to be printed for all available pets! They now have some funky new features including:

- A great new design
We've never been so good looking :)

- An extra large image of the pet
(please note this is dependant on pic uploaded)

- Tear off strips
An easy way for adopters to take down the details of the pet.

- Logo inclusion
Include your rescue groups logo on the poster and print hassle free!

To access just click on the "Print a Poster" icon, on the top right of an animals listing...

...and please let us know what you think!

(SA) Mayor opens pet adoption centre in Whyalla

The Whyalla Pet Adoption Centre was officially opened in a very small ceremony at 2.15pm on Thursday at the Whaylla Veterinary Clinic.

The idea was first mooted about five years ago when it became apparent that too many stray or abandoned dogs and cats were being destroyed. With a spare space to the front of the veterinary clinic, it was the perfect place to set up an adoption centre. Read more...

Australia wide Pedigree Adoption Drive

June 18 marks the launch of the Australia wide Pedigree Adoption Drive, funded through sales of Pedigree products. The program is aimed at ensuring more shelter dogs have the opportunity of a second chance at a healthy and fulfilling life. Read more...

See more:
Channel 7's Sunrise program
Pedigree Adoption Drive

(VIC) Compulsory micro-chipping to help lost pets

From May 1 2007 the Victorian State Government has legislated that it will be compulsory to have all newly registered dogs and cats microchipped.

This initiative, which is strongly supported by the RSPCA, should have a very positive effect in identifying lost animals presented at shelters. Read more...

Parole time for the boys

Challenger TAFE, in conjunction with the Department of Corrective Services and K9 Dog Rescue Service in Mandurah, is taking part in an innovative program aimed at assisting with the rehabilitation of minimum-risk prisoners, and reducing the number of stray dogs facing euthanasia.

In March, three K9 dogs were placed with four prisoners for a 10-week obedience and training program based at Wooroloo Prison Farm.

Challenger TAFE Animal Studies Lecturer, Ken Storrs, who conducts the student prisoners' assessments, explained that the Wooroloo Animal Program is based on a long-running US-based initiative.

"We have already seen some fantastic results from the first round of training, with the prisoners showing a vast improvement in their problem-solving and communication skills, and the dogs responding to this with a huge change in their obedience and behaviour.

"The benefit to the community is we are able to help K9 Dog Rescue in their endless task of re-homing abandoned dogs." Read more...

The trouble with greyhounds

Greyhound news is the talk of the town this week - check out the two different council approaches to the issue of greyhound muzzling...

(SA) Greyhound Adoption Program suspended

For the past 10 years the GAP has been finding loving homes for retired greyhounds. During this period there has never been an incident involving one of our greyhounds with a person, animal or property but despite our perfect record GAP'S existence is under threat.

The Dog and Cat Management Board members have decided that our committee is biased towards our greyhounds and therefore can't be objective towards assessing our dogs. They now want that decision to be made by an independent body/person not involved with greyhounds or GAP.

Until that assessment is made all greyhounds must remain muzzled whilst in public. The current committee rejects this proposal as it totally undermines our existence and ignores our current method of assessing our dogs. In the past 10 years dogs that are deemed unsuitable have been returned to their owner or have been humanely euthanised by us.

(other breed and non-breed specific rescue groups are responsible for their own behavioural assessments and are usually run independently to the local council - Ed)

Therefore until a suitable solution can be found we are suspending the GAP programme, as we do not want to put GAP greyhounds out in public wearing a muzzle. Read more...

(QLD) Greyhounds muzzle-free after law change

Local laws will be relaxed to allow some greyhounds to be unmuzzled while on a leash.

Townsville City Council has supported a local Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) in their bid to have the local laws eased.

GAP co-ordinator Ruth Askey-Doran said the move was a positive step towards showcasing the dogs as the "remarkable and gentle" breed they were.

"I think people are put off by the muzzle," Ms Askey-Doran said. "People aren't stupid, they think because if a dog is muzzled they think it's for a good reason, but the greyhound has had to be muzzled because of local laws regardless of its temperament. Now we can get past that misconception and show the breed as the remarkable, gentle breed that they are."

Community Safety Committee chairwoman Councilor Jenny Hill said the council supported the move.

"This is about greyhounds that are no longer required for racing," Cr Hill said.

"They have to go through a pre-adoption phase to make sure they are suitable. The dogs must be desexed and proven to be suitable as a pet."

"They've set up an adoption contract so whoever adopts the greyhound will know what their responsibility is with that dog. They also have a pre-adoption behavioural assessment program to make sure the dog is fairly relaxed in the family and urban environment." Read more...

Australian Cavy Sanctuary rescue mission

This story came to us from the Australian Cavy Sanctuary and gives an excellent insight into what it's like as a rescuer, to find yourself dealing with an animal hoarder.

Hoarders compulsively collect large numbers of animals (usually several types of animals) ending up with more than they can appropriately care for.

Hoarders are often in denial about the conditions their animals are living in and often do not want to part with any though they have far too many.

So just how many small animals can one girl, a car and some carry cages rescue?

When the Australian Cavy Sanctuary Brisbane shelter was contacted by a member of the public in January 2007, little did we know what we were about to find.

We were told on the phone that their were 5 rats and a few guinea pigs with their babies that needed to be rehomed. On arrival to collect the animals, we discovered something horrific - around 150 rats and their babies, approximately 15 mice and 7 guinea pigs (some which were pregnant) all being kept in appalling conditions.

Stored in tiny cages and fish tanks, they had no food at all and only some had water. All the animals were very thin and it was assumed that some, if not many, had passed away recently.

With the filth and droppings creating an overpowering stench, the council had been called to the property twice already and the owner told that the animals had to be removed. Read more...

If you would like get involved with this, or other rescue efforts, or if you're looking to adopt a mouse, rat or cavy (guinea pig) please visit the Australian Cavy Sanctuary website.

PetRescue now featuring video!

PetRescue's newest feature is one of it's most exciting yet... videos of our available pets!

Check out the following fantastic pet videos:

Moe

Beau

Maisie Mouse

Tyson

Rescue News

(US) Pet sterilization legislation finds favour with most owners
It's not just a question of proliferation. Veterinarians are constantly recommending to their human patients that they get their animals spayed or neutered because it's healthier. It's like a doctor telling you to stop smoking or lose weight.

Adoption group: cat invasion due to global warming
Droves of cats and kittens are swarming into animal shelters nationwide, and global warming is to blame, according to one pet adoption group. The cause of this feline flood is an extended cat breeding season thanks to the world's warming temperatures.

Ginger group is a cat's paw
If Prime Minister John Howard thought he had a tough opponent in Maxine McKew in his seat of Bennelong, he is yet to meet his new feline foe. Fern, a mildly disabled cat, and her rescuers from CatRescue, will launch Fern's Party for Mandatory Desexing in the Prime Minister's electorate.

Domestic violence linked to animal abuse: study
The connection between animal abuse and violence against humans is well documented. Now, a university study has established a connection between domestic violence and animal abuse.

Dog shoppers should beware
Take a Labrador retriever and breed it to a poodle. What do you get after the 60-day gestation period? A Labradoodle. But what do you really get? Why a mongrel, of course. If the sire and dam are purebred but of different breeds, crossing them does not make a new and different breed. It's a mutt.

Fake dog testicles help pet owners accept neutering
Some men take particular issue with the neutering process. Werber says he is all for Neuticles if that is the only way to persuade pet owners to get their animals fixed.

Let your dog guide you to love
Wood offers a bit of advice to men seeking women who love dogs. "Shelters are full of kind women who volunteer their time. It's paradise for a single man," she said. You can also meet like-minded people at the dog park, doggie day care or simply around your own neighborhood.

Dog washers are great, but owners can try a scrub at home
Washing your dog yourself is a much more enjoyable experience for the person and the dog than sending it to a groomer. The dog is more relaxed. After all, the dog is getting all the attention of his favorite person.

Pet food for thought
Doctor Carol Webb is obsessed with cats. She owns seven and wears cat earrings, a cat pendant and a cat jumper. Despite, or perhaps because of, her love for all things feline she's been responsible for the deaths of more than 200,000 cats.

(QLD) End the killing of healthy companion animals
Your support is STILL needed to end the killing of healthy companion animals. Almost 9,000 signatures supporting legislation for desexing and microchipping prior to sale were tabled in Parliament. The relevant government departments have stated that there is still not enough public pressure to create new legislation.

(UK) The dogs no one wants
Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the UK are being abandoned by the thousands by pet owners who think they are too dangerous to own.

(US) Dalmatians, 101 and then some
A lot of people tell us it's harder to adopt a dog from us than it is to adopt a child, and I tell them they are adopting a child. It's a responsibility and a member of the family.

Victorian Animal Aid - My Cat scheme
Workers at the Victorian Animal Welfare shelter are sick and tired of being the community's executioners. Each year shelter staff are forced to put down more than 30,000 cats; most of them are perfectly healthy and rehomeable cats and kittens.

Dog owners fitter, study finds
Dog owners are almost 70 per cent more likely than non-dog owners to achieve the recommended daily level of exercise, according to a new study from the University of WA.

Now it's Prozac for our pets
Animal welfare groups are alarmed at the number of cats and dogs being given Prozac and other mind-altering drugs to treat depression, obsessive- compulsive disorder and anxiety.

C-Section disasters... another good reason why pets don't need to breed
When backyard breeders get to teaching "the miracle of life" to their children, they can be truly stupid. About half the time they get lucky and they bring their dogs in before all is lost. The other half are not so lucky. While we can usually save the mother, the pups are often dead or simply not sustainably revivable.