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NetworkASPCA Offers Pet Selection Tips For Adopt A Shelter Animal Month
Date:97-10-06 13:54:01 EDT
NEW YORK, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Stinky and Nunzio, the canine stars of ABC's new comedy Dharma & Greg, are the newest volunteers for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), stepping into the role of spokesdogs for the society's Adopt a Shelter Animal Month this October. There are an estimated 120 million dogs and cats in this country that live as somebody's companion animal, but last year 5 to 10 million others came into local shelters. Many shelter animals are already perfectly suited for homes and most adoption programs perform a thorough medical and behavioral evaluation before making an animal available.
Stinky, Nunzio and the ASPCA advise anyone looking for a pet to adopt from a local animal shelter, but before making a choice, ask yourself these important questions:
-- Is the animal right for my family members? A strong, active pet may be too much for a young child or elderly person to handle. Small pets may be too delicate for rough play with children. Always make sure that everyone in the household agrees to adopting an animal.
-- Who will be the primary caretaker for the animal? One adult in the home should be designated as the primary caretaker so that the pet's needs do not become lost in the shuffle of busy schedules.
-- Can I afford the animal? The cost of a pet is more than just the purchase price or adoption fee, remember to include the cost of food, pet supplies, veterinarian bills and training.
-- Am I ready to make a long-term commitment? Adopting a pet means being responsible for its health and happiness for the rest of its life, which could easily be 10 to 16 years for dogs and over 20 years for some cats.
After reviewing these questions and coming to positive conclusions, prospective pet owners will be more aware of the care and commitment that companion animals require. The ASPCA or a local animal shelter can provide more advice and information on specific questions about caring for a companion animal.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, founded in 1866, is the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere. Today, the ASPCA has over 425,000 members and donors, and continues to prevent cruelty and alleviate the pain, fear, and suffering of animals through nationwide education, awareness, legal and legislative programs. The ASPCA headquarters in New York City houses one of the area's largest full service animal hospitals, an adoption facility, and the Humane Law Enforcement Department, which is responsible for enforcing New York's animal cruelty laws. For more information about the ASPCA, visit its web site at http://www.aspca.org . CO: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ST: New York IN: ENT SU:
ASPCA Names ABC's Canine Stars as Adopt a Shelter Animal Month Spokesdogs
Date: 97-10-06 13:54:55 EDT
NEW YORK, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Stinky and Nunzio, the canine stars of ABC's new comedy Dharma & Greg, are the newest volunteers for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) as they step into the role of spokesdogs for the society's Adopt a Shelter Animal Month this October. The ASPCA and local shelters are also marking the month by distributing to selected grade schools a humane education kit which includes lesson plans so that future pet owners will understand the important bond between humans, animals and the environment.
"October is a great time to adopt a dog, cat or other companion animal," says ASPCA President Roger A. Caras. "As people settle into the autumn routine of their schedules and lifestyles, they can better assess how an animal will fit into their lives. And October is also when a lot of Americans will become more familiar with Stinky and Nunzio, two of television's newest stars, and excellent canine role models for the relationship between humans and animals." As spokesdogs, they will also help call attention to the millions of companion animals at more that 6,000 animal shelters nationwide who are looking for good homes.
Stinky and Nunzio's first spokesdog duty was posing for the camera as they used their ample canine tongues to seal some envelopes for a special mailing of the ASPCA's humane education lesson plans to 2,355 schools in Los Angeles, Pasadena and San Clemente, Calif., Champaign/Urbana, Ill. and New York City. The ASPCA donated 9,207 sets of the lesson plans with instructions to the teachers about how they can work with animal shelters to illustrate the humane principles taught in each lesson.
"The Web of Life" lesson plans are geared toward students in grades K-6 and help them learn to respect and value all living things; the curriculum distribution has the potential of reaching more than 1.3 million students. Local shelters that are partners with the ASPCA for the educational program are the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, The Pasadena Humane Society and SPCA, Friends of San Clemente Animals, Animal Rescue Foundation of Dana Point and the Champaign County Humane Society.
In ABC television's situation comedy Dharma & Greg, Jenna Elfman plays the part of Dharma, a free spirit, yoga instructor/dog trainer who marries Greg (Thomas Gibson), a conservative assistant U.S. attorney. Dharma & Greg is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television. Stinky and Nunzio are Dharma's dogs on the show, with Nunzio playing the unique role of Stinky's pet dog (he was Stinky's bar mitzvah gift).
"Of course, as a dog trainer, Dharma understands the beneficial role animals can play in our lives," says Elfman, "and the camaraderie that comes from matching the right dogs in a multi-pet household. And of course Dharma adopted both dogs from the shelter -- it's simply the right thing to do with so many animals waiting for good homes, and it's bound to rack up a few good Karma points."
What may be surprising for many viewers to learn is that Stinky really is a shelter dog. The show's animal trainers found the Briard mix at the Castaic, Calif. shelter and recognized the intelligence and solid temperament needed for an actor animal. "Most trainers are turning to shelters today to find acting dogs and cats with the right look and personality," says April Melcher of Bob Dunn Animal Services. "You can find animals that can be average looking, yet unique at the same time, and true mutts often end up with the best behavior features of several breeds."
There are an estimated 120 million dogs and cats in this country that live as somebody's companion animal, but last year 5 to 10 million others entered shelters. Spay and neuter programs and animal control efforts have drastically reduced the number of animals in America's shelter system in the last several years. The ASPCA advises anyone looking for a pet to adopt from a local animal shelter. It is also important to choose an animal based on the time and commitment the animal needs for a long, healthy life.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, founded in 1866, is the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere. Today, the ASPCA has over 425,000 members and donors, and continues to prevent cruelty and alleviate the pain, fear, and suffering of animals through nationwide education, awareness, legal and legislative programs. The ASPCA headquarters in New York City houses one of the area's largest full service animal hospitals, an adoption facility, and the Humane Law Enforcement Department, which is responsible for enforcing New York's animal cruelty laws. For more information about the ASPCA, visit its website at http://www.aspca.org . CO: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ST: New York IN: ENT SU:
PET CRUELTY FILE 'COULD TRAP CHILD ABUSERS'
October 6, 1997
The Electronic Telegraph
THE RSPCA and its Scottish equivalent the SSPCA are, according to this story, backing a study which could lead to the trapping of child abusers based on the way they treat their pets. The story adds that the American Humane Association is the only organization in the world which has a database on the abuse of animals and children and that American police routinely use the database when investigating murders and serial killings. The California-based Latham Foundation found that a quarter of battered woman seeking shelter in Colorado Springs said that animals had been killed or abused in their homes. In another study in New Jersey, animal abuse was reported in 88 per cent of families in which physical abuse occurred.
The SSPCA wants a change in the law to make it mandatory for an exchange of information between animal welfare investigators and social workers to quickly identify any abuser and potential victims.
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