Atlanta Humane Society Blog

Atlanta Humane Society Response to Fox 5 Story

 April 30, 2012

As President of Atlanta Humane Society, the health and well-being of animals is of utmost importance to me.  I have been an animal lover my entire life, and I assure you I would not be involved with Atlanta Humane Society if the best interest of animals was not our number one priority. 

Over the past few weeks, FOX 5 Atlanta’s I-team has conducted an investigation into Atlanta Humane Society based on allegations made by three former employees.  The allegations include:  a Parvo epidemic at our shelters, improper reporting of contagious diseases to the Department of Agriculture and the intake of animals from outside Atlanta.

Atlanta Humane Society would never knowingly offer sick animals for adoption.  Animals that come into the shelter are tested in order to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, including Parvo.  It saddened me to hear about Daisy as I watched the I-team Investigation as it does each time I learn of one of our beloved animals becoming sick or unhealthy following adoption.  Pets become part of our families, and we extend love and compassion to them as we would any human being. 

Inaccurately reporting contagious diseases to the Department of Agriculture was never the intention of Atlanta Humane Society.  All missing reports from 2011 and 2012 were hand-delivered within 24 hours of learning they had not been received.  We are taking the proper steps to evaluate operational policies and update all procedures to ensure we comply with the Department of Agriculture and Georgia’s State Veterinarian Office.  

Additionally, animal welfare has no geographic boundaries.  We strive to help as many animals in need as possible.  Being one of the largest shelters in the Southeast, Atlanta Humane Society has resources to help other local and regional shelters that adhere to our Partner Protocol.  In 2011, we received animals from 45 other different shelters, which would not be possible without our generous donors.  In fact, many of our donors specifically choose to support initiatives assisting with missions outside the Atlanta area.  In the past two months alone, we have reached out to offer assistance to 60 animal welfare groups throughout Georgia.   

From adult dogs and cats to puppies and kittens, it is beyond unfortunate that so many deserving pets are orphaned.  Animals have no voice and being homeless is not their fault.  They just want to be adored and cared for by someone.  Our goal is to find loving, forever homes for as many of these animals as possible.  In 2011, nearly 5,500 animals were adopted from the Atlanta Humane Society and almost 3,000 animals have already been adopted this year.   

Atlanta Humane Society takes the above allegations very seriously and we are working diligently to remedy any problems.  Rest assured, animal welfare continues to be our number one priority.  This will never change!  If you have questions or comments, please direct them to me at questions@atlantahumane.org.  I will respond as promptly as possible. 

Sincerely,

William Shaheen

President

If you have not read our article “Leashes: The Best (and Worst) for your dog”, then please go back and read it before this one, where our Behavior and Training Manager, Mailey McLaughlin, explains the dangers of retractable leashes. If you have your heart set on one though, please continue reading. Below is a brief review of the “LeashLocket” lead, as I got the chance to try one with my pup. These are the results I found:

With a retractable leash, dogs sometimes have a dangerous amount of room to run, which can be a disaster on a busy road, or somewhere that you would need control. With the LeashLocket, the lead doesn’t allow enough space for your dog to get into trouble, but it gives them enough room to enjoy, making it safer for them and easier for you.

For an absent-minded dog-owner, I tend to lose my pup’s leash almost every time I put it down, making it a sad day for her when the walks are shorter so Mommy can put on a search. That isn’t to say I never lost the LeashLocket (I swear I could lose an elephant if I owned one), but the red color made it easy to spot and the small size allowed me to hang it on the coat rack.

My little one is great with commands, but occasionally gets over excited and forgets her training. If you take your pup to the dog park, take this with you. With the snaps on the collar, this leash allows you to attach it to your pup, making it safer and easier to regain control in a potentially dangerous situation (please remember not to get involved if your dog starts to tussle with another, as it is very hazardous. Stay tuned for tips on avoiding and breaking up a negative interaction).

Like anything, it isn’t flawless, and I wouldn’t suggest it for a tugger (I would suggest obedience school for them anyway). Because it is so small and compact, it is hard to fit all that heavy duty material in there to keep it perfectly locked despite great force, but for a small pup or a well-behaved dog, it is great.

Overall, it achieved exactly what it wanted to in providing the ease and efficiency of dog-walking. My suggestion is, as always, do your research and make sure you are getting the best leash for you. While this one is a great fit for some, it may not be for all. If you have your heart set on a retractable leash and it sounds like the kind of thing you need, check it out! Don’t be afraid to make that purchase. The L.L. company offers a 100% money-back guarantee for 30 days so its worth a try!

Good luck, and happy “dogging”!

Facebook recently changed their advertising policies to prevent the listing and sale of puppy mill puppies on their site. Kudos to Facebook!! ASPCA’s No Pet Store Puppies Campaign is to thank for their partnership with Facebook and Oodle, a Marketplace affiliate, that will raise awareness of puppy mills. Educating people about the horrible conditions these dogs have to endure is very important, and will undoubtedly lead to more adoptions and less demand for these corrupt breeders.

According to ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres, “removing an online platform for the cruel puppy mill industry sets a positive example of corporate citizenship and will help improve the lives of countless dogs.” As he mentions, “most consumers are unaware they are perpetuating animal cruelty by purchasing a puppy online, and given the visibility of Marketplace on Facebook, this move has the potential to raise critical awareness about unscrupulous online breeders.”

This is a giant step in the fight for animal welfare. Facebook is a networking giant and with their public reproach of puppy mill breeders, animal rights activists and rescue groups are better equipped to influence the public.

Sadly, due to lax regulations, there are too many loopholes that allow these breeders to continue their practices. If a breeder sells directly to the public (as they do with online transactions), they are exempt from any strict parameters so they are able to continue business without a hitch. Thanks to Facebook, the ASPCA, and Oodle, over 10,000 of the targeted breeder’s advertisements have been removed from the Marketplace.  

Not only do online breeders practice inhumanely, they very often scam their buyers by sending unhealthy animals. “Consumers who purchase a puppy from a website run the risk of acquiring an unhealthy animal and often end up with expensive vet bills and broken hearts,” said Cori Menkin, Senior Director of the ASPCA Puppy Mills Campaign.

What can you do about preventing the inhumane treatment of these animals and stop the sale of puppy mill puppies? Spread the word! Talk to your friends about it and inform the people you know that are looking to buy a dog. Encourage them to adopt, not shop. You can also visit www.NoPetStorePuppies.com to help the ASPCA’s campaign.

Thank you to the ASPCA (http://aspca.org/news/facebook-rejects-puppy-mill-ads-for-good) and Alicia Graef (http://www.care2.com/causes/facebook-bans-puppy-mill-ads.html) for this information!

Just as the relationship between man and dog has grown and evolved over time, so has the leash. While at its heart a simple invention designed to keep dogs within range – and out of trouble – there are many different types available to the modern day consumer boasting a range of features that claim to offer the greatest functionality and performance.

But which leash, or type of leash, is really best? I asked Mailey E. McLaughlin, M.Ed., the Atlanta Humane Society Behavior & Training Manager, and a Certified Dog Trainer through the International Association of Canine Professionals, to give us some professional insight into the best (and worst) leashes for dogs.

Material

Leashes are commonly available in nylon, cotton, leather and chain metal. Mailey endorses those leashes made of leather, nylon, cotton, “or any comfortable material that will not cut or burn you if you have it gathered up and the dog bolts.” 

 Length and Width

A leash should give you the ultimate control over your dog, but you still want it to allow your pet the freedom to move around. Keeping this in mind, Mailey suggests 6-foot leashes, “with the smallest width that you feel comfortable using on your dog when he’s grown. This will ensure that the leash is not overly bulky and the clasp is the right size. A good leash feels lightweight to the dog (and to you).”

 Slip Lead Leash

At the Atlanta Humane Society, staff and volunteers use what is known as a slip lead leash. These leashes are designed as a leash and collar in one, able to slip over the dogs’ heads, adjusting to the size of any dog. Slip leads are “great for newly-adopted dogs because it’s hard to know how they will be on the leash until they’ve settled in,” explains Mailey, “and it will keep them safer than a leash that clips onto a collar (especially the collars we give out with our dog adoptions, as they tend to adjust themselves too large and can slip off over the dog’s head).” Another note about collars from Mailey: “Until the dog is trained to walk nicely on leash and you know he is not prone to ‘slamming on the brakes’ and stopping, you want his collar and leash to keep him safe. His collar should only allow 3 fingers between it and his neck.”

 Retractable Leash

Retractable leashes have become very popular in recent years. These leashes can be shortened or lengthened at the owner’s will, allowing the dog a great amount of freedom when extended to the full length. According to Mailey, these leashes allow dogs “too much freedom, the room to tangle themselves on people and objects, and they can cut through to the bone if they get tangled around body parts. People have had serious injuries, including severed fingers! They also encourage the dog to pull on the leash, because they always have a bit of tension on them. They cannot stop a dog from stepping into the road if he is out in front of you. You cannot quickly bring the dog to your side if he is in harm’s way, and if you drop the leash, it will ‘chase’ your dog away from you! They allow dogs to get too close to other dogs and people who might not want them in their personal space.” In sum, retractable leashes are very dangerous and should not be used on untrained dogs (if you “simply must have one”, stay tuned for our review of The Leash Locket).

 For more information on leashes you can contact the Atlanta Humane Society and we also encourage you to visit the Pet Boutique at AHS to purchase your dogs’ leashes (all of the proceeds go to benefit the Society pets at the shelter). 

Author: Jaime Lin Weinstein

Do You Want To Be In A TV Commercial With Your Dog or Dogs?

We are now in the process of creating a Public Service Announcement for the Atlanta Humane Society. We are looking for interesting people who share their lives with interesting dogs to cast in this PSA.

Since the Atlanta Humane Society is a non-profit and we are producing this PSA on a bare-bones budget, you will not be compensated financially. However, you will be helping out a wonderful organization that does a lot of truly important work. And, if selected, you will be given a DVD of the completed commercial.

To be considered for participation, please send a recent photo of you (or a designated family member) and your dog(s). Photos showing more than one family member, or more than one dog, are also acceptable and encouraged.  We’d love to see solicitations from a diverse selection of Atlantans – all races, ages, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, disabilities, etc.  Deadline is Thursday, February 24th.  You will be notified if you are selected for the PSA.

Email photo to Kenny.Crow@turner.com. Questions? Call Kenny at 404-885-5774 (work) or 404-303-4148 (cell).

To read more about the Press Release please click the following link. www.atlantahumane.org/events/pr/2011/turner-casting-call.php

Looking for a good interactive toy for your puppy or dog? There are plenty to choose from, but stay away from the laser pointer or any type of toy involving flashing lights the dog will chase.

These types of toys are great for cats, but they often cause dogs to develop obsessive-compulsive disorders that can have severe negative consequences and are very hard to eradicate. The dogs that are most susceptible are terriers and the herding breeds, but any dog with the slightest bit of obsessive tendencies can get much worse when these types of toys are used. If you use them, stop. If you have never used them, don’t start.

They seem harmless, but for dogs they are simply not worth the risk. I have had situations where clients’ dogs would obsess over shadows on the floor or light coming through the skylights for hours, or even days.

Use toys that allow the dog to catch or fetch the item, such as balls (tennis or larger—definitely larger if the dog likes to catch straight on), fleecy toys, Jolly balls, soft discs, and Kong toys. The safest toys are too large for the dog to swallow or get caught in the throat. Avoid throwing sticks for the dog, as they can cause injury or even death if carried improperly or chewed up.

Good toys are one that are sturdy and cannot be chewed up easily. No toy is completely indestructible, no matter what the package says. Always supervise your dog with his toys.

Toys like the Kong Wobbler or Buster Cube are great for providing mental stimulation, too. This is definitely an important part of your dog’s well-being. For more information about toys, visit http://www.carpek9.com/A_NoDullBoy.html

Here’s to safe play!

Check out the video of the Poodle and her new babies. Click the photo to the right.

The first puppy is on the green blanket.

We are all loaded up and on the road back to Atlanta. The staff at the LA-SPCA were extremely greatful for our help with the hoarding case animals. On our way out of New Orleans we took a quick drive through the 8th Ward, it’s sad to still see all the damages and homes affected by Hurricane Katrina 5 years ago. We’re glad we were able to help during Katrina and a few years later with Gustav, and that this colorful city still has all of it’s character.

While headed back to Atlanta there was a slight delay in our travel plans! The very pregnant Poodle started giving birth to puppies. So far there’s only one puppy, but more are definitely on the way!

Porkchop - Day 3.

So on Tuesday, we began a series following Porkchop, a 6-year-old Himalayan, through his journey here at AHS. It is now Day 3 into Porkchop’s stay and he is doing better! Some pets need longer to adjust than others, but Porkchop is beginning to feel more comfortable here. Volunteers recently took him out of his kitty condo so he could check things out in the cat room and have some play time. What caught Porkchop’s attention though, were some treats provided by one of the volunteers! Also, since Porkchop’s neighbors, a litter of kittens, were just adopted he was upgraded into their larger kitty condo. So, it’s been a good day for Porkchop! Stay tuned for the next leg of the journey!

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!