Animal Rescue

The following is a dog chaining Q&A adapted from a fact sheet compiled by the Humane Society of the United States.

1. What does “chaining”  or “tethering” mean?

Both terms refer to the practice of tying a dog to a stake or stationary object, often in the owner’s backyard, as a way of keeping the animal under control. These terms do not refer to the times when a dog is being walked on a leash.

2. Does continuous chaining or tethering present any problems?

Yes. Aside from being inhumane, the practice is also a threat to the safety of the chained dog, other animals, and humans.

3. How is tethering inhumane?

Dogs are naturally social creatures that love to interact with humans and other animals. In the wild, dogs and wolves live with other canines. They’re genetically wired to live in a group, so a dog that’s isolated in one area for hours, days, months, or even years suffers massive psychological damage.

If kept continuously chained, a normally friendly dog will become unhappy, anxious, neurotic, and oftentimes aggressive. In many cases, the necks of chained dogs become raw and covered with sores as a result of attempts to escape confinement, as well as improperly fitted collars. Some chained dogs have collars embedded in their necks. They also frequently get tangled in their chains and become unable to access food, water, and shelter.

4. Who says tethering is inhumane?

The Humane Society of the United States, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and several animal experts. The US Department of Agriculture also issued a statement against tethering in the July 2, 1996 Federal Register. In addition, according to the Centers for Disease Control, the dogs most likely to attack are male, unneutered, and chained.

5. How is the practice dangerous to humans?

Dogs tethered for a long time can become very aggressive. Canines are inherently protective of their territory, and when they feel threatened, they respond according to their fight-or-flight instinct. Since chained dogs are unable to flee, they often feel forced to fight and attack any unfamiliar person or animal that unknowingly wanders into their territory. Furthermore, a tethered dog that has broken free from his chains may remain aggressive and is likely to chase and attack passersby and pets.

6. Are chained dogs good guard dogs?

No. Chaining promotes aggression, not protectiveness. A protective dog learns to defend his human family by spending plenty of time with people. A chained dog that is confined and ignored becomes aggressive. Because they’re not used to people, aggressive dogs are unable to differentiate between a threat and a family friend and will therefore attack anyone. According to statistics, one of the best deterrents to intruders is a dog inside the home.

7. Why is tethering unsafe for dogs?

Aside from psychological damage, chained dogs are easy targets for humans, biting insects, and other animals. They may suffer harassment from passersby, bites from insects, and attacks by other animals.

Moreover, tethers can become intertwined with other objects, which can lead to choking or strangling the dog to death. Chained dogs are also easy targets for people looking to steal animals to be used as training fodder for organized animal fights or for sale to research institutions.

8. Are chained dogs dangerous to other animals?

Yes, sometimes. Smaller dogs, cats, rabbits, and others may enter the area of confinement when the tethered dog is asleep and then get attacked when he wakes up.

9. Are tethered dogs treated well otherwise?

Chained dogs rarely receive adequate care. They suffer from irregular feedings, overturned water bowls, insufficient veterinary care, and extreme temperatures. They often have no access to shelter that will protect them from the sun or snow storms, and rarely do they get enough water. And because their often neurotic behavior makes them unapproachable, they are seldom given even minimal affection and can be easily ignored by their owners.

10. Are the areas in which tethered dogs stay comfortable?

No, because they have to eat, sleep, urinate, and defecate all in one place. Owners who chain their dogs are also less likely to clean the area. While there may have once been grass in an area of confinement, it is usually very beaten down due to the dog’s pacing. As a result, there is nothing on the ground except mud or dirt.

11. But how else can people confine their dogs?

Dogs prefer to live inside with their human family, with frequent walks and exercise time outside. Apartment-dwelling canines are fine living indoors with regular walks. If a dog needs to be housed outside at certain times, he should be placed in a fenced area with enough room and shelter from the elements.

12. Should tethering or chaining ever be allowed?

Just as it is an owner’s responsibility to provide adequate socialization and attention, it is also their responsibility to restrain their dog properly. Placing an animal on a restraint to get some fresh air can be acceptable if done for a short period. Keeping a dog tethered for extended periods, however, is never acceptable.

13. If a dog had to be tethered or chained for a while, can it be done humanely?

Animals that must be kept on a tether should be secured in such a way that the tether will not get tangled with other objects. Collars must be comfortable and fitted properly. Never use choke chains. Restraints should allow the dog to move about and lie down comfortably. Dogs should never be tethered during natural disasters.

14. What about securing a dog’s leash to a “pulley run”?

Attaching a leash to a long line, e.g. a clothesline or a manufactured device called a pulley run, gives the dog a larger area to roam and is more preferable than tethering the animal to a stationary object. However, most of the issues associated with tethering are still present, including lack of socialization and attacks on or by other animals.

15. What can be done to correct the chaining problem?

An increasing number of communities are passing laws to regulate the tethering of animals. Tucson, AZ; New Orleans, LA; Carthage, MO; Okaloosa, FL; and Lawton, OK are among the cities that ban chaining, while Denver, CO; Wichita, KS; Austin, TX; West Palm Beach, FL; Norfolk, VA; and the state of Connecticut only allow dogs to be chained for a limited number of hours each day. Little Rock, AR permits pulley runs but bans fixed-point chaining.

16. Why should continuous chaining or tethering be outlawed?

Every day, animal control and humane agencies receive calls from people who are concerned about dogs in these cruel situations. Animal control officers, who are funded by taxpayers, spend several hours trying to educate pet owners on the cruelty and dangers of this practice. Regulations against chaining also give officers a means to crack down on illegal dog fighting as many fighting dogs are kept on chains.

A chained dog is trapped in a vicious cycle. Long periods of boredom and social isolation turn him into a neurotic shell of his former self, which further dissuades human contact. An inherently social creature, the helpless animal can only suffer from the frustration of watching the world go by. Any community that prohibits the chaining or tethering of dogs is a safer, more humane one.

Dogs are pack animals that depend on their humans for food, shelter, companionship, and affection. Why then, do some people have a pet dog only to keep the animal chained outside all the time? Sadly, chained dogs can be found in every neighborhood, be it in a city, suburb, or rural area. Just look around your own hometown.

This year, Dogs Deserve Better (DDB) is preparing for their Valentine’s Day outreach project that aims to send 17,000 Valentines to chained dogs everywhere during February 7-14, which the organization has declared Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week.

DDB is 501(c)3 non-profit animal advocacy organization based in Pennsylvania with a single goal – to free all chained dogs from living in harsh outdoor conditions by bringing them into a warm, loving home, which is what they deserve.

For the past eight years, DDB has sent Valentines to owners of chained dogs in an effort to educate them about why chaining is so detrimental for their canine companions. Included with each Valentine is a coupon for dog food or treats, as well as anti-tethering literature.

DDB founder Tamira Ci Thayne’s commitment to raising awareness about the plight of chained dogs is nothing short of amazing. Last year, she chained herself to a doghouse outside the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg for 52 days in order to get the attention of lawmakers. Despite her efforts, however, the bill did not even make it to the floor for a vote.

According to Thayne, “Winter is the best time to reach out to those who chain and pen their dogs, and what better excuse than Valentine’s Day to send these forgotten animals a little love.  Every winter our rescuers see dogs that have frozen in the snow, suffered frostbite, or otherwise endured horrific living conditions because of the longstanding misperception that it is OK to chain a dog outside in any kind of weather.”

A video filmed by Thayne shows just how long a chained dog that has been deprived of water (as well as food, shelter, and attention) will drink when given the chance. The short video was recorded over the course of two days. On day one, the chained German Shepherd drank non-stop for at least four minutes. On day two, it was about six minutes. Situations like these really explain Thayne’s determination.

The German Shepherd in the video and her three yard mates were eventually rescued by the PSPCA, but many other dogs are still waiting to come into loving homes. If you’d like to take part in DDB’s Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week, visit their website at DogsDeserveBetter.com.

September 18th was Puppy Mill Awareness Day. This yearly event aims to educate the general public about the problems associated with puppy mills, as well as the actions that can be taken to address these issues.

A puppy mill or a puppy farm is a facility that breeds puppies in large quantities. Some of the most common problems that can be found in puppy mills include overbreeding, inbreeding, overcrowding, unclean facilities, and lack of human interaction. And because the puppies are not fed well and do not always receive proper veterinary care, diseases are also prevalent, and many unwanted animals are killed.

Puppy mills are illegal but have been around for decades. People are strongly discouraged from buying dogs from such places as the animals suffer from horrible living conditions.

Aside from the mill itself, puppy farm dogs are sold through other avenues such as flea markets, newspaper ads, or online. Sometimes, they are sold to agents and pet shops. So how do you avoid puppy mills? Here are some tips to make sure that your next pet does not come from one:

1. Do not purchase from flea markets, pet shops, or online.
2. Look at how the pups are being kept. Do they live in small cages? Can they move around? Are their surroundings clean?
3. Observe the dogs’ attitude when they meet strangers. Are they happy to interact with people or are they hesitant?
4. See if you can meet the parents of your potential pet to find out if the dog breeder takes proper care of his animals. Check if they are healthy and friendly.
5. Different breeds of dogs have different needs. If a breeder offers various breeds, ask questions to see how much he knows about them.
6. Ask for client references. A reputable breeder should have no problem providing these.
7. Ask for the puppy’s vaccination and health history.
8. Most dog breeders provide after sales support. A responsible breeder will be available to answer any questions you might have after you’ve taken your puppy home.
9. Be wary of pushy dog breeders. Professional breeders give their clients time to think things over before making a decision.
10. Trust your gut. If you have a bad feeling about a certain breeder, you’re most likely right.
11. Another option is to adopt from shelters or rescue groups. Since these organizations are non-profit, you can rest assured that their top priority is the dog’s well-being.

Always keep in mind that puppy mill breeders are only interested in earning money and do not care about the welfare of the animals. Help put an end to this cruel trade by not buying from puppy mills and telling other people about it.

Although most individuals prefer to get their dogs while they’re still puppies, some choose to adopt grown dogs from animal shelters or rescue groups. This gives unwanted dogs a chance to go to a loving home instead of being put down. However, shelters and rescue groups sometimes face the difficulty of placing dogs with disabilities.

Dogs, like other animals, can experience loss of hearing in one or both ears. It can be inborn or hereditary, or caused by old age, injury, or illness. Some breeds are more prone to hearing impairment, such as the Dalmatian.

People who are looking to adopt might be hesitant to become the owner of a deaf dog. Many think that pooches that are hard of hearing may be impossible to train, but this is usually not the case. On the contrary, studies have proven that dogs that were trained using techniques for deaf dogs respond better than those that were trained using verbal commands.

This is likely due to the fact that canines use expressions and body language to communicate with other pack members. They do not use sound, so it is possible to train hearing-impaired dogs by using visual signals.

Hand signs are extremely effective for training deaf dogs. Since the dog is unable to perceive sound, the owner will have to get his attention some other way, such as gently throwing a small object towards him. When the object hits or is noticed by the dog, the owner should take the chance to catch his attention, then reward him with a treat. This process is to be repeated until the dog is able to react to the object whenever it is tossed. The owner can then come up with different hand gestures for different commands.

If your dog is not responding to sounds and you suspect that he might have hearing problems, you can have him checked by your vet. Puppies that are more than six weeks old can be evaluated using the BAER (brainstem auditory evoked response) test.

As previously mentioned, hearing-impaired dogs can be taught, but until your pooch is properly trained, remember to always keep an eye on him and don’t let him wander near busy intersections by himself.

Over the years, the number of homeless pets has been growing and has actually reached the highest count so far.  Animal shelters and pounds have become packed and overcrowded which resulted to turning down and euthanizing these great pets! A lot of neglected, discarded, and abandoned dogs still suffer at the shelter on an empty stomach. With limited resources, shelters are struggling.

Each year, millions of dollars are being invested into animal shelters for care of homeless pets. You can help by donating or purchasing products were some funds are used to purchase pet food.

How can you help?

First, begin by taking good care of your animal pets if you have one yourself. It’s surprising that many current pet owners will be the ones who make room in their homes to adopt a pet. You might be one of them.  Review your own home needs, abilities, and desires of your family and see.

Remember, to take care of your own pooch first by ensuring that your dogs come with their respective tags for easier identification and can be returned in the event that your dogs get lost.  It is also recommended that you spay or neuter your dogs to make certain that the possibility of overpopulation is being controlled.

Second, adopt animals instead of buying them from a pet shop or a breeder. Imagine the world if each person would only adopt at least one pet, there will be no issue about having homeless pets in our society today.

Third, promote advocacy to your own family and friends. The best way to encourage them is by making them aware of the need.  By discussing the significance of proper animal care with them, you can make a real impact and increase the base of individuals taking a serious role in caring for homeless pets as you spread this important message.

Lastly, if you are capable and can share extra funds within your means, it is best to contribute to animal shelters. Most of these pet shelters are all lowly funded and are under pressure just to keep a small number of animal pets they have. As more people take part in this advocacy, the simpler it will be for pets to find homes.

Make this a part of your habit – not just because we are celebrating National Homeless Pet Day this week.  Always drop by the nearest pet shelter in your local vicinity first when you decide on a new addition to your family.  Just look at these faces!

Saturday marks the annual National Homeless Pet Day, and even large retailers, like PETCO, honor the day with their National Adoption Weekend kicking off this Friday, August 20th.

Helping Out Homeless Pets without Having to Spend a Fortune

Animal welfare organizations have suffered massively due to economic recession as there are less people capable of donating financial assistance to them.  Simultaneously, animal pet shelters have been a witness in the growing number of pets being handed over to them as more families experience job loss and sometimes even lose of their own homes.  Considering these circumstances, people can still help out homeless pets in their own special ways without having to spend any money.

Simple, yet needs someone to do it

In fact, there is one of the simplest things you can do in order to help homeless pets that will only involve just few clicks on your computer.  There are specific websites created that aim to address this advocacy, particularly www.animalrescuesite.com.  This website intends to raise funds through web advertisers.  You can simply click on the button every day to help generate funds in providing care for animal shelters.  In addition, the site has been launched in collaboration with www.petfinder.com that has sponsored $100,000 shelter challenge, highlighting winners every week and the grand prize of $100,000.  Another search engine, www.DoGreatGood.com has also helped by donating the proceeds of every search to dog charities.  There are also companies that offer opportunities to vote for numerous animal rescue organizations to earn grant money for their shelters. Or, to donate just from purchasing products your pet needs anyway, like at the  Petritionals Pet Rescue Fund.  Indeed, it is a fast and easy way of helping homeless pets and animal charities all over the world without spending a fortune.

Also, sharing these sites – passing them along to your contacts – friends and family members will help with awareness which is important to any fundraising and “friend”raising.

You can also save towels and old bed sheets if you are trying to clean out your closets and getting organized.  Simply drop them off in the shelters as these items can truly be used by animal pet shelters in addition to their existing bedding.  This will not only help you get rid of the clutter you have at home, but it is a big help for homeless pets, too.

You may also opt to save old newspapers as well and donate them to the nearest local shelter in your vicinity.  A lot of animal pet shelters and rescue organizations make use of old newspapers to line enclosures and sometimes cut them for kittens and puppies use.  Moreover, the coupons featured in Sunday newspapers that you do not plan to use can also be used by non-profit organizations.

By simply donating your time in these small ways, animal pet shelters will be more blessed with both financial aid and resources.  If you have more time to give or know of a group that could donate time and talent, these organizations also welcome volunteers to assist them in cleaning, walking, and socializing with dogs among the many other tasks they can do. A few hours of your time in a week can make a difference!

Shelters Forced to Destroy Nearly 200 Abandoned Gulf Coast Pets

To see the faces and those available for immediate adoption, visit here.

If the oil spill wasn’t enough, over 200 dogs and cats have been euthanized because their owners – shrimpers, fisherman, restaurants and all the ancillary boat and dock service providers around that industry – have been unable to work due to the intensely long oil spill and subsequent botched attempts to cap the continued release of oil.

Here are some silent victims that you might not be aware of that have not gotten the same coverage as the spill itself.  We hope we can make someone aware – someone who will make a difference – if only to just one.

Last Friday, I had a chance to visit with Zak George, host of SuperFetch on Animal Planet.  He shares this important message – in an impromptu way. And, sometimes those are the best!

Zak models for us some great ways to wait and keep a dog safe until Animal Rescue can get there.  You might think about carrying those safety hazard triangles in the trunk of your vehicle. You might need them for something even other than a flat tire change.