june - 2024

WAGGIN TAILS                        JUNE 2024
FLAG DAY
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
ADOPT A SHELTER CAT MONTH
 
To All our Friends and Members:
 
            HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
 
            June s here, the favorite month for students, and teachers, as I remember.
 
            There are parts of the year that are happy ones for humans, i.e.:. Summer vacation, Halloween parties, Christmas parties.  We have things to look forward to.
 
            For animals on the other hand, their life as strays is not a happy one.  Their life is spent looking for food, and shelter.  The lucky ones find colonies that are being cared for by Rescuers.  Good people that devote their lives to helping animals.
 
            Father’s Day is one where we honor our Fathers or Father Figures.  This is a good thing.
 
            The male cats, must be neutered.  To let them become fathers time, and again only hurts the cat population.  So, my wish is that every male cat or dog is neutered.  It will get us nearer to 0 stray population.
 
            THAT will be a wonderful Father’s Day.
 
            I am happy to say that the people reading this newsletter are enlightened people, who have learned in their years, kindness and giving.
 
            We need new men, and women who can give their time, energy and their hard-earned money to feed, and care for the strays.  I know our Rescuers go out early in the morning, and late in the evening to care for colonies of strays.  During kitten season, they help mommy cats with food to nourish their “babies.”  If they find a kitten that has wandered from its mommy, they try to find the litter, if they can.  If not, they take the kitten home.
 
            I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all the caring people, who share what they have to help these small creatures that live among us.
 
            Please read our Rescue Stories from New York, to Florida to South Carolina, and everything in between.  As we get older, we hope that younger people will take the torch, and continue helping.
 
            Thank you again, and have a wonderful Summer.

LEGISLATION                                                                                                                 [REPRINTED]

USDA moves to end the cruel “Big Lick” for horses
The Biden administration’s final rule eliminates key factors enabling horse soring
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a long-awaited final rule that would help end horse soring, an extremely cruel practice in which trainers secretly and deliberately cause intense pain to show horses to produce the “Big Lick,” an exaggerated, high-stepping gait rewarded by judges in some show circuits of Tennessee walking horses and related breeds.
“Horse soring causes agony to horses, all in service of creating a spectacle in the show ring,” said Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. “We’ve been fighting the cruelties of soring for decades, and it must end now. No animal should ever be so cruelly tormented for any reason, much less entertainment.”

 In training and competitions, trainers engaged in soring slather horses' limbs with painful chemicals and wrap them tightly with plastic wrap to “cook” the chemicals into the flesh. The horses are then forced to wear heavy, high-heel-like stacked shoes and metal chains that knock repeatedly against their sored ankles. Some sorers even cut the hooves down to the delicate tissue and jam in hard or sharp objects.
“There are few wins for animals as bittersweet as this one. Our work to end this abject cruelty is a testament to never giving up on ending horse soring, an egregious practice that has gone unabated for far too long. Can you imagine inflicting such pain for a high-stepping ride around the ring for a blue ribbon? I can't, and neither could numerous equine and veterinary organizations and the lead sponsors of the PAST Act,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “At last, the U.S. Department of Agriculture takes a critical step to protect horses from these unimaginable cruelties and our society is all the better for it.”
The rule eliminates the system of industry inspectors. The USDA will now assign sole responsibility to its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to screen, train and authorize inspectors. The rule creates a system in which inspectors are veterinarians or veterinary technicians, or other persons employed by state or local government agencies to enforce laws and regulations related to animal welfare.
The rule also prohibits the use on a Tennessee Walking Horse or Racking Horse of all action devices that strike the leg of the horse, or tall, high-heel like horseshoes (known as “stacks”), at any horse show, exhibition, sale or auction. An action device is any boot, collar, chain, roller, beads, bangles or other device which encircles or is placed upon the lower part of the horse’s leg in a way that it can either rotate around the leg or slide up and down the leg so as to cause friction, or which can strike the hoof, coronet band or fetlock joint.
In passing the Horse Protection Act in 1970, Congress intended to end soring, but the practice remains pervasive among some horse trainers working with the Tennessee walking and racking horse breeds. Now, over half a century later, the USDA still repeatedly finds evidence of widespread and continuous use of soring techniques and prohibited substances used to sore horses' legs or mask evidence of soring.
Separate undercover investigations by the Humane Society of the United States have led to the arrest and conviction of a prominent trainer for violations of the Horse Protection Act and other laws and revealed evidence that the legs of every Big Lick horse at another prize-winning stable were being sored using prohibited substances. But those prosecutions were the rare exception to the rule of underenforcement due largely to weak regulations. USDA data indicates that horse soring has continued unabated in this faction of the industry. Most of the members of the Walking Horse Trainers Association board have faced citations for violating the Horse Protection Act.
Ending horse soring is broadly supported by Congress. The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (S. 4004 and H.R. 3090) would codify key elements of this rule, including eliminating the failed industry self-policing system and the use of devices integral to soring. The PAST Act would also increase penalties and make the underlying act of soring a horse illegal. The legislation has twice been passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House and has been consistently co-sponsored by a majority in both chambers going back to 2014. Congress has also expressed support for upgraded regulations through appropriations language each of the last four years calling for the swift proposal, finalization and publication of the new final rule. 
 
FYI                                                                                                                                                  [REPRINTED]

Undercover investigation reveals new fur products still being sold in California despite ban
LOS ANGELES ―Today, the Humane Society of the United States released an undercover investigation identifying a handful of California retailers openly skirting the law by selling new fur products.  
Assemblymember Laura Friedman authored Assembly Bill 44, which passed in 2019 and makes it illegal to manufacture or sell a new animal fur product in California both through brick-and-mortar and online sales. The law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2023. The timeline gave retailers more than three years to stop selling prohibited fur products. Penalties for violating the law range from $500-1,000 per violation and each item sold is treated as a separate violation.
In August and September 2023, a Humane Society of the United States investigator visited over 25 retailers throughout California to determine if they were complying with AB 44. While many retailers the investigator visited were upholding the law, there were a handful of others displaying and offering illegal fur for sale. Multiple retailers explained to our investigator that they understood they couldn’t sell new fur because of California’s law, but that they would continue to sell it anyway. 
At the Beverly Hills location of fashion brand Philipp Plein, founded by a German fashion designer whose namesake brand is based in Switzerland, an employee initially said the fur lining the hood of a jacket was not real—noting California’s prohibition on fur sales—but later told the investigator that the fur was, in fact, real raccoon fur. In explaining why the store was selling new fur despite being aware of the law, the store employee stated, “When you have real big fur, you cannot sell but when it’s a small piece like this, they do.” 
The Humane Society of the United States is working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure that retailers take the law seriously and help instill confidence among California’s consumers. California residents have overwhelmingly not wanted to contribute to the cruel and unnecessary fur trade. A 2018 poll found that 71% of Californians supported a ban on fur sales.
Assemblymember Friedman, said: “Every year, 100 million animals are bred into captivity, only to live short, cruel lives that end in their abrupt slaughter and skinning for fur. That cruelty flies in the face of California’s environmental ideals and stewardship. Ending the sale of new fur products in California was an historic achievement to which California remains committed. No garment is worth the cost of cruelty to animals.”
According to federal data, California had the highest fur sales in the country making up nearly a quarter of all U.S. fur sales. Prior to California passing AB 44, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berkeley and West Hollywood passed similar bans on the sale of fur. Today, an additional 10 communities across the country have also enacted fur sales bans and many more are currently considering similar bans. Israel became the first country to ban fur sales in 2021.
Many of fashion’s biggest names have gone fur-free following the passage of the fur prohibition in California, including Canada Goose, Dolce & Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta, Saint Laurent, Valentino, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Saks Fifth Avenue. and Neiman Marcus Group – which announced its commitment in 2021 and completed its journey as the California law went into effect. Most fashion brands have switched to animal-friendly alternatives that are better for the environment or forego the fur-look completely.
PJ Smith, director of fashion policy for the Humane Society of the United States, said: “The fur trade is declining around the globe as corporate and public policy aligns with the values of the public. Investigations at fur farms have shown there is simply no way to confine wild animals in small cages for their entire lives and expect anything but cruelty. Innovative alternatives to fur that are animal-free and plastic-free are available, making animal fur obsolete. The end of the fur trade is in sight, and for the animals’ sake, that day can’t come soon enough.”
Earlier this month, Humane Society International released footage from fur factory farms in China showing raccoon dogs and mink exhibiting repetitive, stereotypical behavior associated with mental decline since the simplest of natural behaviors like running, swimming and digging are denied to them. To keep costs low and not damage the pelts, these animals are electrocuted or beaten to death. The fur from one of the products sold at Furs By Lafayette on Santee Street in Los Angeles was manufactured in China.


LINDA’S LINE
 
          Hi.
 
June is here again, and we are all enjoying much better and warmer weather and making plans for the arrival of summer.  This is a welcome break for all of us, especially for the strays.  This month we also honor all the Fathers of this world.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of the two-legged, and four-legged fathers out there a HAPPY FATHER’S DAY.  I am hoping that the amount of 4-legged fathers will decrease, so we will have less strays in the world.
 
Please remember that even though COVID is no longer considered to be a severe threat to us, if you feel the necessity to wear a mask, please do so at your own discretion.
 
On another note, whether you are at home or on vacation, please remember to carry pet food, and water with you in your travels, in case you come across any strays that need a helping hand.  It’s a rough world out there, and as their guardians, it is up to us to do what we can, whenever we can to help them.  If you see an injured animal, please don’t pass them by, and do n  othing.  Please call Animal Care & Control (dial 311- the Mayor’s Office) to report it, to have them pick up the animal.  If you live outside of New York or are on vacation, please call the local Animal Care & Control Center.  It is important to remember that the strays too, are G-d’s children,
and as such, they deserve to be given the same respect, and treatment that we would give to a human being that is hurt.
 
A reminder that this month is also Adopt A Shelter Cat Month.  So, if you are thinking of taking in a cat or dog, please consider looking into adopting one, or even two, from a shelter, rather than buying them from a pet store.  There are so many wonderful and deserving animals in shelters such as ASPCA, and Animal Care & Control, where you could be saving an animal’s life.  You can look within your local rescue groups.  If you have a computer, you can check the internet, under Google.com for rescue groups in whatever area you are in, to find them.  The animals desperately need, and want a good, loving home.  If you don’t see what you are looking for at these shelters, please feel free to call Save Our Strays, and we will be happy to offer you some other options to consider.  Our phones are opened Monday to Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  All phone calls, and messages are always returned and answered in a timely fashion.
 
          Also, please remember whether you’re on vacation or here at home, to carry cool bottled water for your pets.  It is very important to keep them well hydrated, and as comfortable as possible in the hot weather.  Yes, they feel the heat, and can be affected by it the same way as humans are. 
 
Also, please remember to wipe the bottom of your dog’s paws with a cool cloth or pet wipe, as well as the top of his or her head, before walking them as this will help to keep their bodies cool, and keep their paws from being irritated by the hot sidewalks.  It is a good idea to wipe their paws, and the nose and mouth area after a walk as well, because we do not know what germs they may pick up while they are out on the streets.
 
          Never leave a pet dog or cat in a locked car, even with the windows opened a little bit.  The summer heat, along with a metal roof of a car, will make the temperature rise very fast.
 
          Have a wonderful summer!  Stay safe!  That’s all for now, but I’ll be back again next month.
 
                                                                   Till next time.
 
CLOSING THOUGHT
 
            Our hearts continue to go out to out to the Rescuers around the world that helped to rescue animals where there is need.  There is still so much need in the Ukraine for the animals that became homeless during the war, and unfortunately, most still are.  There is a need in Gaza, and around the world.  Animals are not given the respect that they should have.
 
            The Fourth of July is coming soon, and firecrackers go off starting in June.  Please be aware of the strays in your area.  They can become frightened by the noise, and run out in front of a car.  Pets can pull out of their leash, and collar.  This day is NOT a celebration for them.
 
            If you are a snowbird, please update your address with us.
 
Thank you to all our Adam, Eve and Sponsor-A-Stray members.
 
            Please pass our newsletter around.  We need more Adam, Eve and Sponsor-A-Stray members.  We rely on the funds from these donations.  They are really very important.
 
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 one, and all have a wonderful summer, and let’s try to help one stray at a time. There are many stray animals out there that won’t have a wonderful summer.  That’s why we must continue to spay, and neuter and hopefully, reduce the stray population.
 
            And yes, More Humane Laws for all animals – cats, dogs, horses, farm animals etc.
 
            We have to become a better world.
 
Till next time.
 
                                                                                                            Waggin’ Off
 
 
 
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