  WAGGIN TAILS OCTOBER 2023 ADOPT A SHELTER MONTH COLUMBUS DAY HAPPY HALLOWEEN Dear Friends and Members: Happy Holiday Season. We are sending our Holiday newsletter a little early, so as to beat the rush of the other organizations, who have the luxury of waiting another month. We hope, with the return of some normalcy, that people will pick up where they left off, and join our Adam, Eve and Sponsor-A-Stray programs. If you are already a member, and have not be able to keep up with your pledge, please if things have changed for you for the better, please resume your pledge. Funds are badly needed. If you no longer want to be on our mailing list, please return the enclosed envelope, and mark the back to be “taken off.” We don’t want to bother you, and it will save us some funds, i.e.: newsletter, postage. We would hope that you would send a goodbye gift. No amount is too small. Our BIGGEST WISH is that you will use the envelope to say “keep me on,” and if possible, a small gift to help us help the many strays that we care for. I am sure that you might be saying, “well, you are still here and managing.” The answer is, we received a bequest a few years ago and we watched our nickels, and dimes and stretched it as far as we could, but the end is now near. When that is gone, we are gone. In this new world, it seems that most organizations Fund Raise by using Email mailing lists. We have been looking for reliable companies that sell updated Email lists, for people that donate to animal causes. If you are in business, do you have any contacts that you can refer us to? To those of you, who might know anyone who might have a contact for us, it will be appreciated and might just be what we need. Please do outreach to family, and friends. Maybe we will get lucky. WAGGIN TAILS OCTOBER 2023 Page 2 Please take the time to read our newsletter. We have a special story with the rescue of 2 senior sisters, who took a journey of a lifetime. We call it our New York to South Carolina Adventure of a Lifetime. We have our stories from Robbin in Brooklyn, Niki in Florida and Carol in South Carolina. We could not have survived 55 years, yes 55 years without you. You have saved the strays. Many of you have grown up with us, and that’s why we are pleading for your help to stay here to try to continue to help the strays. I would like to say to everyone who is receiving this newsletter, we truly thank you for all that you have done over the years. We love you for helping the strays, and appreciate all that you have done, and hope that you will continue the journey with us. Enjoy the Holiday Season. Hopefully, Santa will visit all of us, and the Strays. Waggin’ Off LEGISLATION [REPRINTED] New Jersey becomes the latest state to ban the extreme confinement of mother pigs and calves used for veal After a campaign lasting over a decade, Governor Murphy signs gestation and veal crate ban into law TRENTON, N.J. —Today, a bill to ban the crates used to cruelly confine mother pigs and calves raised for veal was signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy. The bill is sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji. It passed the state Senate in June 2023 and state Assembly in May 2023. The bill requires the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to update humane standards regulations to allow the animals to more freely move and turn around. An extensive coalition co-led by the Humane Society of the United States and the Animal Legal Defense Fund—comprising over 60 businesses, environmental organizations and animal protection groups on the local, state and national levels—has been pressing the case that this type of measure enhances public health, promotes food safety and reduces animal suffering on factory farms. COVID-19 highlighted the need for reform within industrial animal agriculture. Numerous scientists and a landmark United Nations report on pandemic risks have noted that the extreme confinement of farmed animals is one of the top drivers of zoonotic disease and its spread. “These methods and the conditions they impose have been shown to increase the spread of diseases, which then can sicken people,” says Elissa Frank, New Jersey state director for the Humane Society of the United States. “Many mother pigs in the industrial pork industry are confined in cages so small that they can’t even turn around. They’re forced to eat, sleep and defecate in the same meager amount of space. Calves often face a similar fate. With the passage of this legislation, we can properly address both animal misery and the public health risks.” “Passing this legislation, which is supported by over 93% of New Jersey residents, was long overdue. We are happy to see New Jersey join 11 other states that have moved away or prohibited altogether the cruel confinement of these sensitive and highly intelligent animals,” says Animal Legal Defense Fund legislative affairs manager Brian Hackett. “I want to thank the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Humane Society of the United States for all of your advocacy in ensuring that gestating pigs and calves are being treated humanely,” says Sen. Gopal. Assemblyman Mukherji also noted, “There is no justifiable reason to keep pregnant sows or newly born calves in heartbreakingly cruel and inhumane conditions that prohibit them from even turning around in their quarters. With today’s signature, we are one step closer to ensuring that all living beings in New Jersey are treated with common decency and respect.” The American Public Health Association, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Center for Food Safety have stated that “[i]ntensive confinement prevents sows from moving freely and performing almost all natural behaviors, inducing high levels of stress. That stress triggers a physiological response that severely suppresses the sows’ immune function and that of their piglets, making the sows and their piglets more susceptible to disease.” These diseases can spread to humans, the organizations contend, since pigs are “ideal mixing vessels for various strains of influenza virus, including human influenza. Intensive confinement increases the chances that a strain of influenza carried by pigs will jump to humans.” This “jumping” could potentially cause a future pandemic; the 2009 swine flu killed up to 575,000 people worldwide during just the first year it circulated. In addition to the animal advocacy groups, the New Jersey Farm Bureau supported the most recent version of the legislation. FYI [REPRINTED] Beagle-versary: Following their historic rescue, nearly 4,000 beagles and their families mark their first anniversary together One year ago, thousands of beagles were removed from a breeding facility for animal testing laboratories WASHINGTON—The Humane Society of the United States is marking one year since its epic operation to remove nearly 4,000 beagles from a mass breeding facility in Virginia owned by Envigo.The U.S. Department of Justice sued the company after it received multiple Animal Welfare Act violations for issues such as inadequate veterinary care, insufficient food and inhumane euthanasia practices at the facility. If not for this historic transfer, many of these dogs would have been bound for animal testing laboratories. Instead, the HSUS placed them with over 100 shelter and rescue partners around the country to find loving homes. The breeding facility is now closed. Dogs like Franny, who spent her life at Envigo being forced to breed puppies to be sold to laboratories, and Enzo, a young puppy likely destined for a laboratory, are among the beagles who have underscored the significance of this major operation. Franny and Enzo were both adopted by staff members at the Humane Society of the United States. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, adopted a breeding mother beagle named Momma Mia. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his family adopted a puppy named Morty. “These dogs have spent the last year learning how to walk on leashes, finding the most comfortable spot on the couch, and becoming treasured family members in their loving homes,” said Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. “Dogs used in laboratories typically live short, painful lives. It’s heartbreaking to think about what would have happened to these beagles if Envigo had been able to sell them to laboratories. Animal experimentation is undeniably cruel and provides misleading results while non-animal models, such as organs-on-chips, computer modelling and human cell-based tests, are proving to be better for the animals and for humans. We were able to spare these lucky beagles from that fate, but more are being bred and sold to laboratories every day—it’s on all of us to make the change.” As thousands of families celebrate the first anniversary of adopting their beagle, the HSUS is doubling down on efforts to ensure no other company steps in to simply replace those dogs. On average, nearly 60,000 dogs are used in experiments each year in the U.S. and tens of thousands more are held in laboratory breeding facilities, the largest housing 25,000 dogs at a time. Advocates are calling on state and federal officials to end experiments on dogs and invest in science that doesn’t cause any animal suffering. LINDA’S LINE Can you believe how quickly the year has passed? It’s October already, and autumn is in full swing with the trees all showing their beautiful colors of red, orange and gold. I would like to start out by wishing all of our friends, and members a HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY. We also celebrate Halloween this month, and a reminder to please keep an eye out for pranksters, as there are a lot of sick people out there, who would cause harm to the strays, and possibly our pets. Most children will probably be Trick or Treating this Halloween, so please keep your pets away from the candy that they bring home. Candy is very dangerous to animals, especially chocolate. A reminder that the cold winter months will soon be upon us, so let’s all try to make sure that we have our shelters ready, so that the strays will have a warm place to go with plenty of food, and water. Please remember that, even though the COVID-19 situation has improved greatly in our country, we are still not out of the woods, and we are still dealing with variants that can be dangerous to those who have not yet been vaccinated. So, please continue to be vigilant. The mandate on wearing masks has be lifted in many places. I realize that this is of great concern to many people in this country, especially senior citizens. So, if it makes you feel more comfortable to continue to wear a mask, then by all means do so, for your protection and that of others around you. It is patriotic, and we are all Americans. If you still have not been vaccinated, PLEASE do not hesitate to do so, as these vaccinations WILL help to keep you, and those around you, safe. The cold weather is coming, and top doctors are telling us that we still need to be very careful. So please do not let your guard down. Continue to protect yourself, and stay safe. We are still in Hurricane season. A reminder to pet owners – if you are in an area that is affected by a hurricane, and you are forced to leave your home due to flooding etc., PLEASE REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR PETS WITH YOU. Do NOT leave them behind. Remember that they are used to being cared for by their owners, and they could not survive without you. This month is also Adopt A Shelter Pet Month. So, if you are thinking of adopting a pet, please consider adopting from a shelter, rather than buying one from a pet store. There are so many wonderful pets in the shelters that are waiting to be adopted, and deserve a good, loving forever home. Many of them are pets that have been displaced from their owners, due to storms etc. Please consider giving one of these poor creatures a loving home as well. That’s all for now, but I’ll be back next month. CLOSING THOUGHT Happy Columbus Day to our Italian friends, and to everyone else. Columbus discovered America, and that’s for all of us. Enjoy the good parts of Halloween. Please adopt from a shelter or rescue group. These are wonderful animals who will make great pets, and family members. They are waiting for their forever home. As always, we need more Adam, Eve and Sponsor-A-Stray members. Please pass our newsletter around. We always have several strays at various veterinarians every day. Every day, through our rescuers, a stray is saved. This work has only been able to be accomplished, through the bequest that we received from the Janet Salz Trust. Strays have been given a new, and better quality of life. The Rescuers find homes for the friendly ones. The others go back into their colonies, and the Rescuers have “eyes” on them every day, and provide food and water. Let’s not let them down. Mrs. Salz left a Restricted legacy, only to be used for medical care and adoption. We need funds for Food, traps etc., and Administrative needs. Have a wonderful Holiday Season, and may all your good hopes and dreams come true, and may ours also. Please remember – see a stray, help a stray. 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!”  
0 Comments
 WAGGIN TAILS SEPTEMBER 2023 LABOR DAY HAPPY ROSH HASHANAH YOM KIPPUR Dear Friends, and Members: When I was a child, my biggest complaint was, that it took so long to get from September to June and school vacation. Also, why was it so short a time between July and September. As we grow up our complaints take on more meaning. When I learned of the hardship of animals, I looked at the months and seasons differently. From September to December, we have Fall/Winter. If we are lucky, Fall lasts a long time before the cold months of November and December. This is the time of year that it gets harder for the strays to find food. From January to March, depending on where you live, in New York and the states surrounding it, it is very cold. Then we get to April to June – Spring to Summer. The weather is nice, and the water for the strays does not freeze. July, and August are very hot. Water stays good, but food spoils quickly. At this time of year, it is bests to use dry food. In the Fall, and especially Winter, food for the strays is hard to find, and water left out freezes. So, we as feeders of the strays, put dry food out and leave luke-warm water so that it will take longer to freeze. Our best time of year for food hunting for the strays is April to June. People eat outside, and sometimes leave food around. This is for the strays that have to “dumpster dive.” Sometimes it is edible, and sometimes it is not. Mommy cat has to produce milk, since it is kitten season. This is a timeline of what strays have to go through to find food. Why do I write this? Because it is so important for those of us who care for the strays to carry food, and water. It does help, if you come upon a nursing mommy or a hungry animal in the winter. Yes, it is a full-time job to be aware of your surroundings. It is the very least we can do. If you do put shelters in your area, that is a plus. We have helped many stray animals each month, but it is never ending. We have independent Rescuers that we work with, and they are working very hard to care for the strays in Coney Island, Brighten Beach, Florida and South Carolina. They have found homes for many strays. They have found injured cats that we have made well again, with the veterinary program. We are very proud of what we have been able to do, but unless we increase our donations, we will not last. We will be sending out our Holiday newsletter next month. We hope that you will give us the gift of your Adam, Eve or Sponsor-A-Stray pledge. We are the guardians of the strays, PLEASE do not let them down. They only have us, let’s stand up and be counted. Have a good day off, for those still working and enjoy the New Year holidays for those that observe. Till next time, please help one stray at a time.  LEGISLATION [REPRINTED] Gov. Kotek signs lifesaving animal protection measures into law in Oregon Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed bills to stop the sale of puppy mill puppies and kittens in pet stores (HB 2915) and to end the sale of animal-tested cosmetics (HB 3213). Kotek also recently signed a package of housing bills that included funding for domestic violence and homeless shelters to better accommodate people with pets. “Oregonians believe in a better world for animals. These measures mitigate suffering in puppy mills and animal testing laboratories, and help people keep their pets through challenging circumstances,” said Kelly Peterson, Oregon state director for the Humane Society of the United States. “We are eternally grateful to Rep. David Gomberg, Rep. Courtney Neron, and Sen. Deb Patterson for championing these bills and share in this celebration with our dedicated coalition partners and advocates throughout the state.” HB 2915 stops any additional pet stores in the state from selling puppies or kittens and phases out these sales in existing stores. This bill will drive the local pet market in Oregon toward more humane sources like shelters, rescues and responsible breeders. Oregon is the seventh state to take a stand against the puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline, joining Washington, California, Illinois, New York, Maryland and Maine. “With this bill, the entire West Coast is now closed off to pet stores that view puppies as mere products, bringing us closer to the day when cruel puppy mills have nowhere left to sell,” says Peterson. HB 3213 bans the sale of cosmetics that have been subjected to new animal testing. Oregon is now in line with more than 30 countries and 10 states (California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Virginia) that have already banned the sale of cosmetics newly tested on animals. “With thousands of existing ingredients with a history of safe use and a growing number of non-animal testing methods available, there is no justification for the continued use of animals to test cosmetics,” says Peterson. The Oregon Legislature also approved $1 million in funding through the Emergency Housing Account Fund for homeless and domestic violence shelters to accommodate pets, helping to address barriers to safe shelter and providing life-saving resources for individuals in crisis with pets. “Inclusion of pets in these bills honors the bond we all share with our pets and ensures that families and individuals experiencing homelessness or intimate partner violence can shelter safely with their companion animal,” says Peterson. “Because the truth is that for many, the path to safe shelter starts with their pets.” FYI [REPRINTED] Dogs rescued from alleged dogfighting and cruelty situation in Gaston County, North Carolina The Humane Society of the United States is assisting the Gaston County Police Department and their Animal Care and Enforcement Unit in rescuing 14 dogs from an alleged dogfighting and cruelty situation in Gaston County, North Carolina. A representative from the Gaston County District Attorney’s Office was also on-scene. Local authorities served a search and seizure warrant on a residential property at approximately 6:30 a.m. The dogs were found living in makeshift, hazardous enclosures throughout the property, some with visible scarring consistent with injuries typically seen in dogfighting operations. Veterinarians noted dental issues, skin conditions, missing hair and puncture wounds on some of the dogs. Dogfighting paraphernalia was found throughout the property. “It’s always haunting … seeing what the dogs have had to endure and thinking about how they’ve suffered,” said Jessica Johnson, senior director of the Humane Society of the United States’ animal rescue team. “We are grateful to the Gaston County Police Department for intervening on behalf of these dogs. No animal deserves to suffer the way these dogs have, but this is the last day they will have to live like this.” “The Gaston County police are grateful for the assistance and partnership with the HSUS in our ongoing commitment to ending this type of animal cruelty,” said Captain Kyle Yancey. The Gaston County Police Department requested the assistance of the HSUS after concerns about the welfare of animals on the property were raised. The Humane Society of the United States is transporting the rescued animals to an undisclosed location where they will continue to receive veterinary exams and much-needed treatment. Dogfighting is currently a Class H felony in North Carolina, but more tools are needed to crack down on this violent criminal industry. In addition to the brutality inflicted on dogs forced to fight, dogfighting has been found to co-occur with other crimes related to weapons and human trafficking; some dogfighting operations have been tied to gang activity and drug cartels. LINDA’S LINE Hi. September is here, and I can’t believe how quickly this year has gone by. I hope that you all had a wonderful summer. This time of year also marks the beginning of the new school season, and before we know it, the holidays will be upon us. This month also marks the beginning of the fall season, with all the beautiful colors of autumn. It also means that winter, and the cold weather, is not far behind, and this brings more hardships for the strays. So please remember that now is the time to start to prepare your shelters for the strays, and stock them with plenty of food and water. As we always say, we are the guardians of the strays and it is up to us to look after them. For all pet owners, a reminder that even though the summer months are now behind us, it is still important to protect your pets from fleas, and ticks. Please be sure to protect your pets all year round. This is most important in order for them to have a happy, healthy life. If you are not sure which is the best brand of flea, and tick protection to use, please ask your veterinarian which one is best for your pet. I know that this has been said before in past newsletters, but I feel that it is important enough to repeat again. None of us likes to think about the possibility of our pets outliving us, but the fact is that it can happen and it is very important to make arrangements so that they will be well taken care of. If 22you are not sure how to do this, look on the internet, and you will find that 21 animal organizations such as Humane Society of the United States, and ASPCA 2list options for doing this on their websites or you can just go into google, and type “Estate Planning for Pets into the Search Bar. You will then see a list of all of your options. Please remember that if you see an animal that needs help, don’t pass it by, try to do whatever you can to help. Also, a reminder that the fall holidays will soon be upon us so let’s try to keep a look out for the strays, and our pets to protect them from pranksters that could cause them harm, i.e.: Halloween. That’s all for now, but I’ll be back next month. Take care, and stay safe. They say that COVID has been on the rise again. Wear a mask – social distance, when appropriate. It’s patriotic. CLOSING THOUGHT We appreciate the time that you have taken to get to this page. We hope that you enjoy the Rescue stories from all the states that we are working in. Snowbirds, please let us know when to update your winter address. Hurricane season is here, and so many animals will die during this season with flooding in certain areas. Please be aware of the strays during this harsh weather. Please do not pass up an animal in distress. Try to call a local shelter or Rescue Group. You can google “Local Rescue Groups in your area.” Whatever area you are in, if you put it into google using these words, usually it will give you the local groups in your area. We need your pledges monthly. Please send whatever you can. It is sincerely appreciated. Please if you can make a donation, please do so. Please check out our website, it has been updated. The website address is: saveourstraysbrooklyn.com. Be safe, and get your vaccinations, and booster shots. There are new strains of the virus out there. We don’t want to lose you. 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!” Please remember that we need more Adam, Eve and Sponsor-A-Stray members. Please pass this newsletter on to family, friends and at your workplace, if possible. Till next time. Waggin’ Off |