  SPRING WAGGIN TAILS APRIL 2022 HAPPY PASSOVER HAPPY EASTER PREVENTION OF ANIMAL CRUELTY MONTH Dear Friends and Members: April – what a nice sound, and feeling. April means Spring is here, and the weather is getting better across the country for the strays. You know, we here in cities and suburban communities, don’t realize that in the southern and western states, farm animals are not always kept in barns during any extreme weather, snow or heat. They suffer also. The thing that we must remember is that animals are living, breathing, thinking creatures the same as Humans. They enjoy life or suffer in life, just as we do. Our goal should be that we all enjoy the life we have. Life is short. There are organizations that are helping the animals in the Ukraine. It is heartening to see how many people are taking their pets with them, as they leave their beloved country, Ukraine. Unfortunately, many people had to leave and were not able to take their pets, and the pets are now homeless, hungry and possibly hurt. If you can support these organizations that are going in to try to help, please do so. We have to be there for both humans, and animals. This is a sadder time in our world than usual. LEGISLATION [REPRINTED] ASPCA Congress Budgets for Measures to Protect Animals Update March 15, 2022--After passing the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, President Biden signed the federal omnibus Appropriations Bill for the 2022 fiscal year into law. Here’s what you need to know, and how this bill will impact critical animal welfare initiatives. What is an Omnibus Appropriations Bill? An omnibus is a fancy word for a giant annual spending bill that outlines funding for all the departments and agencies of the federal government. It includes funding decisions addressing everything from defense spending to healthcare, tax provisions to cybersecurity, and, yes, animal welfare! When the Appropriations Bill was released by House and Senate negotiators this week, our team jumped to work to review the elements of the bill that we influenced and compile a summary for you. Here are the key animal welfare takeaways: Puppy Mills Critical for transparency and cruelty prevention, the bill continues to require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to post important inspection and enforcement records going forward. Through the report accompanying the bill, Congress—which directs the USDA to fulfill its responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act—expresses concern about major welfare issues stemming from the USDA’s repeated failure to properly inspect commercial breeding facilities and address violations, and directs the agency to do better. Take action today—ask your legislators to support Goldie’s Act, a bill that will require better protection for dogs in puppy mills! LEGISLATION [REPRINTED] ASPCA Congress Budgets for Measures to Protect Animals (CONT.) Equine Protection The bill continues to prohibit horse slaughter in the United States. Furthermore, the omnibus will provide more than $3 million to enforce the Horse Protection Act, a federal law that prohibits sored horses—those who have been intentionally hurt with chemical irritants or painful mechanical devices to perform an exaggerated gait—from participating in shows, exhibitions, sales or auctions. We are excited that horses will continue to be protected against these cruel and inhumane systems, but our work is far from over. Help us pass the SAFE Act this year to further protect horses! A win for wild horses and burros, the Appropriations Bill also continues to prohibit lethal management of wild equine populations and provides a significant increase in funding compared to last year, with an additional $21 million dedicated to the Wild Horse and Burro program. The additional funding will be used to implement a multi-tiered management plan and scale up safe and humane fertility control to keep these magnificent animals safe on and off the range. Learn more about the ASPCA’s commitment to wild horses. Dog Imports The ASPCA works hard to support laws and regulations that ensure the health and safety of pets entering this country. We were thrilled to see that the omnibus Appropriations Bill will provide $1 million for the USDA to increase its oversight of dogs imported into the U.S. We hope this allocation will help the agency prevent the import of dogs from foreign breeders or other sources who may arrive without the necessary paperwork and vaccinations. Additionally, we hope the USDA will work with agencies like Customs and Border Patrol and the Centers for Disease Control to provide safe rehoming for any dogs who are abandoned after import. FYI [REPRINTED] Desperate in the desert: Approximately 50 dogs and puppies rescued in San Miguel County, New Mexico SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, New Mexico—The Humane Society of the United States is assisting the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in rescuing dozens of dogs and more than 10 puppies from an alleged cruelty situation in San Miguel County, New Mexico. The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office is also providing assistance on-scene. Local authorities served a search and seizure warrant on a residential property at approximately 8 a.m. on March 14. The dogs were found living outdoors in crowded, filthy pens, some with no apparent access to food or water. Rescuers worked cautiously in freezing temperatures to avoid slipping on ice and other hazards such as broken glass, wires and other debris found throughout the areas the dogs were living in. The dogs were unaltered and apparently permitted to breed freely—veterinarians noted that several dogs are pregnant. One puppy was found dead in one of the pens as an adult dog, possibly the mother, paced and whined nearby. Some of the dogs hid behind pieces of plywood and in various makeshift structures, while others appeared curious and approached rescuers. The rescued animals are being transported to a temporary shelter in an undisclosed location where they will be examined by licensed veterinarians and receive much-needed care and TLC. RedRover volunteer responders are assisting the Humane Society of the United States in caring for the animals. “These dogs have been living in a pretty dire situation—they’re desperate for resources and adequate living conditions to meet even their most basic needs. It feels good to get them out of here,” said Jessica Johnson, senior director of animal rescue for the Humane Society of the United States. “We are grateful to the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office and RedRover for helping get these dogs the care they need.” “Our office is committed to investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty and neglect cases,” said Thomas Clayton, district attorney of New Mexico’s 4th Judicial District. The assistance of the Humane Society of the United States was requested by San Miguel County officials after concerns about the welfare of animals on the property were raised. The dogs will receive expert care while the court process determines their eventual custody. FYI [REPRINTED] The Cheesecake Factory Inc. accelerates and expands cage-free egg commitment CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.—The Cheesecake Factory Inc. (NASDAQ: CAKE) today announced that it is working to accelerate its bakery operations' transition to cage-free eggs to the end of 2022, three years ahead of schedule. As part of The Cheesecake Factory's broader commitment to sustainable sourcing, in 2020 the company achieved its stated goal of transitioning all eggs used in its U.S. and Canadian restaurant operations to cage-free. Once the bakery's conversion is complete, 100% of eggs in the company’s baked goods (which account for the majority of its egg usage) worldwide will come from cage-free hens. Beyond its baked goods, The Cheesecake Factory is also working with its international licensees to transition all eggs used in their restaurant operations to cage-free and is currently discussing a plan and timeline for reaching that goal by or before 2030. “The welfare of all animals throughout our supply chain is critically important to us,” said Megan Bloomer, vice president of sustainability of The Cheesecake Factory Inc. "The transition to cage-free eggs was a key component of our larger commitment to animal welfare through the adoption of the Five Freedoms and our Sustainable Sourcing Policy." “We applaud The Cheesecake Factory for being one of the first restaurant companies to transition to cage-free eggs across its restaurant operations and for the company's efforts to accelerate the use of cage-free eggs in its bakery facilities,” said Matthew Prescott, senior director of food and agriculture for the Humane Society of the United States. "This achievement shows The Cheesecake Factory’s continued commitment to bettering animal welfare." For further information on The Cheesecake Factory's animal welfare commitments and other CSR efforts, please visit https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/corporate-social-responsibility/ to review the company's 2020 and 2021 Corporate Social Responsibility Reports. This press release was made jointly with The Cheesecake Factory Inc. To view it on the company's website, click here. LINDA’S LINE Hi. I would like to begin by wishing all of our friends, and members a Happy Passover, and a Happy Easter. By the time you read this newsletter, spring will be in full swing (we hope). Thank G-d for April. Unfortunately, we have just been through some winter storms, which made it rough going for the strays. Hopefully, the warmer weather will soon be upon us, and this is a welcome break for all of us. We are all looking forward to it. A reminder, that this month is also Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, which should be celebrated all year long. So please be alert, and if you see an incidence of abuse toward an animal, or any indication that an animal needs help, please don’t ignore it. Remember that we are the guardians of the strays, and it is up to us to try to prevent animal abuse wherever, and whenever we can. I know that I have said this before, but I feel that it is important enough to repeat. A reminder that we are in the midst of puppy, and kitten season. So, whether it be here at home or if you are traveling, let’s try to remember to carry pet food, and bottled water with us in case we come across any strays that need our help. Also, if in your travels, you happen to come across a stray that is pregnant, please help them with food, and water as the food will help the expectant mother to manufacture the milk that is needed to feed her offspring. If at all possible, call a local Humane Rescue organization, public or private, to pick up the stray, if you cannot bring it to a shelter. THOUGHT, before you leave home, why not check out the phone numbers, and addresses of the rescue services in the area that you are traveling in. It would save time, and may save a life. Also, please try to avoid giving gifts of bunnies for Easter, as too often these poor animals wind up being abandoned in someone’s front yard or in a park (I have had calls like this). This is not a good life for the animal. As we have said before, if you are given a gift like this and you don’t want the animal, please bring it to a shelter, or a petting zoo in your area, i.e.: Central Park. If you don’t know where the shelters are, please feel free to call me (718-332-3956), and I will help you to find one. Easter is also the time that children are given baskets containing different kinds of candy, including chocolate. Please remember never to give any of these treats to a pet, especially chocolate, as it can be very dangerous to them. Once again, a reminder that I am on the phones Monday to Friday from 11;30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. I will be happy to try to help with any animal related questions or concerns that you may have. All messages left on our answering machine, will be returned within 24 hours. That’s all for now, but I’ll be back next month. G-d bless you all, and have a beautiful and joyous spring. Till next time. CLOSING THOUGHT We here at Save Our Strays would like to wish all of our Jewish, and Christian friends and members a wonderful Passover, and Easter. This is a time for renewal. We would also like to wish our Muslim friends a Happy Ramadan. We are all brothers, and sisters and we are all guardians of the animals. Unfortunately, April is also the start of kitten season (a renewal not wanted). Please be on the lookout for mommy cats that are carrying kittens. Try to help where you can with food, and shelter or to pick up an animal and give it to a rescue group that has a shelter. Be Happy, Be healthy, Be kind and help an animal a day. It is a deed that gives a star in the Book of Life, in your name, We need more Adam, Eve and Sponsor-A-Stray members. Please join us, and pass our newsletter around. This is a time to show friendship, and compassion to both humans and strays. Actually, all times, is the time to help each other. Please help the homeless with, and without pets. The ones that have a pet need your special attention. They have two mouths to feed. Please help all you can. Please Remember Our Troops “We salute you for all you have done. Your courage has kept us safe. Your sacrifice has kept us free. All of America owes you more than we can repay. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are behind you all the way – From the battlefield. . .to recovery!” To help our supporters, who shop on Amazon, to support Save Our Strays through the Amazon Smile program, please go to Google and type in AmazonSmile.com. You will then be directed to a home screen that says AmazonSmile in the upper left-hand corner. Log in with your Amazon account (email/phone number and password). If you are already logged in, just go to the search bar, and type in “SAVE OUR STRAYS INC.” Then select the second option, “Brooklyn, NY.” Click on the Amazon Smile LOGO in the top left corner of your Amazon page. Once you have done this, Under the word ALL in the search bar you should see a line that says “SUPPORTING: SAVE OUR STRAYS.” Now you are ready to shop. Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase to Save Our Strays Inc. Amazon has a large variety of gifts that are perfect for all holidays (keep in mind that Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are just around the corner) and other occasions i.e.: birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, christenings, bar mitzvahs and lovely gifts for all occasions. Items that they have are: electronics, jewelry, clothing and more. You may have to set up an Amazon account to use Smile. Please try. It is important. (See instructions on the next page.) Till next time. Waggin’ Off AMAZON SET-UP PAGE GOOD NEWS Supporters of Save Our Strays can now use the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones! Simply follow these instructions to turn on Amazon Smile, and start generating donations. Please pass this on to anyone who uses Amazon, and doesn’t necessarily have a charity that they support. Now is the chance to support Save Our Strays. The funds go for food, and medical treatment. We are certainly a worthy cause. A dollar spent this way feeds an animal in need. Amazon Smile is now in the Amazon Shopping app You can now support Save Our Strays on iPhone, and Android phones. If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app, please update your app. How to turn on Amazon Smile in the mobile app – instructions below. 1 Join Amazon Smile If you are already an Amazon Smile member, sign up on your web browser. Simply select Save Our Strays to start generating donations, at no cost to you. 2 Get the app Download or update the latest version of the Amazon Smile Shopping app on your phone. You can find it in the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android. 3 Turn on Amazon Smile Open the app, and find “Settings” in the main menu. Tap on “Amazon Smile,” and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on Amazon Smile on your phone.
Amazon Smile benefits Same products, same prices, no cost to you. Amazon Smile has the exact same low prices, Vast selection, and convenient shopping as the Amazon you know.
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