 WAGGIN TAILS DECEMBER 2022 HAPPY CHANUKAH MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY KWANZAA Dear Friends and Members: How quickly the years pass. I was just 21, and now, I won’t tell. Life goes by so quickly, and we have to look back, and then see, as of today, what we have accomplished with our lives. Some of us are rich, and some are not so rich in material things. The important thing is how good, kind and respectful have we been to family, friends and neighbors. Most important, how good we are to animals. The weakest, and most vulnerable, of who we share this planet with. If you have helped any of the above, you did good with your life. As the year ends, we must pledge to ourselves, to do better. We are getting older, so enjoy your life in a good way – 21 to 121 years. That puts stars in your Book of Life. Be well, and stay well. End the year Happy, and start the New Year Happy. LEGISLATION [REPRINTED] California governor signs legislation to increase development of pet-inclusive low-income housing to help keep pets and families together SACRAMENTO, CA— In the midst of an ongoing housing crisis in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 971 to prevent further displacement of vulnerable families and their pets. State Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) introduced the legislation, which will protect California’s low-income pet owners and help create more affordable housing communities. SB 971 will improve the supply of affordable rental housing that allows pets. In addition, the new law expands access to such subsidized units by incentivizing the development of pet-inclusive, low-income housing. Certain housing providers will not be permitted to restrict pets based on their breed or weight. They will also not be allowed to charge non-refundable pet-related fees, such as “pet rent,” on top of regular security deposits and monthly rent. This applies to housing financed through the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee and the California Department of Housing and Community Development. An overwhelming number of animals enter California’s shelters due to factors impacting their owners’ ability to care for them, many of which are often beyond the owners’ control. Housing, moving or landlord issues are among the most commonly cited reasons for pet surrenders. SB 971 will build upon existing law by expanding pet-inclusive policies for housing that is financed through the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). “The Humane Society of the United States firmly believes that pets are family, and family is never disposable. Housing is a foundational building block in creating equity for pet ownership and keeping families together,” said Jenny Berg, California state director for the HSUS. “SB 971 prevents individuals from having to choose between keeping a beloved pet and finding an affordable place to live—a devastating choice no one should have to confront. We thank Sen. Newman for authoring this important legislation and we are grateful to Gov. Newsom for signing SB 971 into law.” “People living in or seeking affordable rental housing should not be forced to experience the anguish and strain of relinquishing a beloved pet,” said Sen. Josh Newman. “SB 971 will ensure that more California families will be able to move into safe and affordable housing with their canine, feline or other animal members of the family.” This legislation will mean more families across California should be able to remain intact—even in times of crisis, when the companionship of a beloved pet is most important. California has consistently prioritized the bond between people and their pets, and we are so proud to have worked alongside Sen. Newman to help ensure Californians living in or seeking affordable rental housing are not forced to experience the anguish of relinquishing a cherished pet because of a lack of safe, affordable housing. FYI [REPRINTED] The Humane Society of the United States helps shut down alleged cockfighting operation in Wells County, Indiana FORT WAYNE, Indiana —The Humane Society of the United States is assisting the Indiana Gaming Commission with the seizure of more than 100 roosters and hens from an alleged cockfighting operation in Wells County, Indiana. The Wells County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Ossian Police Department, Bluffton Police Department and Indianapolis Animal Care Services also assisted on-scene. Law enforcement served search and seizure warrants on a residential property around 1 p.m. on Nov. 3. At least 100 roosters, hens and chicks were found living outside or throughout multiple structures on the property, in makeshift pens and enclosures. Dozens of chickens were housed in a dilapidated barn, in filthy conditions so dusty that responders needed masks to avoid inhaling particles. Corpses and body parts of deceased animals were found throughout the property, including in a pit where roosters and hens in various states of decomposition were floating in stagnant water. The birds were identified by animal fighting experts as Asil chickens, a breed commonly used in cockfighting and selectively bred to be aggressive with other birds. Asil chickens are known for their tall stature, intelligence and tendency to bond with their caretakers. Some of the birds were found to have abrasions with feather loss on their head, chest or legs. An apparently bloodstained arena was found on the property. Animal fighting experts on scene characterized it as a suspected cockfighting pit. More than 20 chairs were situated around the pit and cigarette butts littered the ground, indicating spectators would gather as roosters were staged against each other to fight. “The lives of chickens bred for cockfighting are heartbreaking, and the only way to spare animals from these horrors is to end this cruel criminal activity,” said Samantha Morton, Indiana state director for the Humane Society of the United States. “We are honored to work with the Indiana Gaming Commission and all the agencies involved in getting these birds out of this nightmare situation.” ”We will not tolerate animal fighting in our community,” said Wells County Sheriff Scott Holliday. “I appreciate all the agencies involved in this thorough investigation and response.” Cockfighting is a criminal industry in the U.S. that profits from violent cruelty to animals. It involves pitting two animals to fight--often to the death--for the purpose of profit, gambling and purported entertainment. Even birds who aren't outright killed during the fights suffer terribly. Common injuries include punctured lungs, broken bones and pierced eyes, yet the birds are forced to continue to fight. Animal fighting is often associated with other criminal activities such as drug trafficking, gang activity and illegal weapon sales. The assistance of the Humane Society of the United States was requested by the Indiana Gaming Commission as part of a new two-year contract for the HSUS to aid with animal fighting cases. The HSUS assisted with animal handling, scene documentation and expertise in identifying cockfighting paraphernalia. The HSUS transported the animals to a safe location where they will be further examined by an avian veterinarian and cared for while the court process determines custody. Due to the high likelihood of the birds’ spreading infectious diseases such as avian flu to humans and commercial flocks, chickens rescued from cockfighting situations are typically not permitted to be adopted out. This, in addition to a lack of adequate placement options for roosters, often leaves agencies little choice but humane euthanasia. LINDA’S LINE Hi. December is here, and the Holiday Season is in full swing. I would like to start off this month, by wishing all of our friends and members, and their families a HAPPY HANUKKAH, MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY KWANZAA. I hope that everyone has their shelters set up with food, and water for the strays. Please remember to use dry food in the winter months, as moist food tends to freeze in the cold weather. Fortunately, we haven’t had any snow yet, which is good for the strays, but the cooler weather will soon be upon us, so let’s be ready. Please remember to protect your pets from the cold with a sweater or coat, when taking them out for a walk at this time of year. Remember that they feel the cold the same way that we do, and their fur is not enough to keep them warm. I know that I have said this before, but I feel that it is important enough to repeat. I would like to offer a few tips to keep our pets safe during this Holiday Season. A reminder that there are many plants that are dangerous to animals. Among these are Poinsettias, Holly and Mistletoe, all of which can be deadly to animals, if ingested. If you must have any of these things in your home for the holidays, to be on the safe side, try to get artificial plants. If you would like to know more about plants that are good, and bad for pets, you can contact the ASPCA and ask about a wonderful book that they have, which gives you a complete list of good and bad plants. Also, if you have kittens or puppies, please be careful to keep them away from electrical wires (extension cords, etc.) that you may use to connect Holiday decorations, as these things can be very dangerous to them. Remember that young pets are no different than human toddlers – they can be just as mischievous. Also, we all like to make special tasty dishes for our friends, and family during this holiday season, but let’s not forget our pets. You can give them healthy treats, such as Ideal Balance Chicken and Apple treats for Dogs or even treats put out by Plato, such as chicken, flavor and Turkey with cranberry flavor. They are very healthy, and my dog loves these, and the ingredients are good for them. Ideal Balance, Wellness and Plato put out a number of healthy treats for dogs. If your pet has health issues, always check with your veterinarian to make sure that these items are suitable for them (we do not endorse any product). If you are thinking of giving someone the gift of a pet this Holiday Season, make sure that they go with you to pick out the appropriate pet that they can love. Also, consider adopting a dog or cat from a shelter rather than buying one. There are many wonderful animals at shelters like ASPCA, and Animal Care and Control, as well as other shelters, that are waiting for a good, loving home. HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all! Till next time. CLOSING THOUGHT We wish you, your family and friends a wonderful Holiday Season. We have much to be thankful for. We work with many Rescuers in New York, Florida and North and South Carolina. These are independent people who help colonies of strays, dogs and cats. We spay, and neuter and take care of their teeth. When an animal needs dental work, from cleaning to pulling teeth etc., we take care of it. Dental work is very important for a pet or stray. Animals can’t tell us when they are in pain. You know how you feel when you have a toothache. We treat all medical issues. No animal is let back into a colony while it still needs healing. These wonderful Rescuers hold the animals until the veterinarian gives the okay to put them back in their colonies. The food that we give to these colonies is all YOU. You give them the strength to live out their lives in very hard conditions. The Rescuers are always watching them in all kinds of weather. These people are devoted to the care of these stray, and abandoned animals. Our “hat” goes off to all the Rescuers here, and around the world. It is a never-ending battle to help animals. Laws have to be changed. Until then, we rely on the public for the support needed. You are a blessing. We here at Save Our Strays want you to know how much you are truly appreciated. We would not be able to continue our work without you. May you, your family and your pets have the best year yet. Enjoy life. It is a gift from “above.” We need to keep our phones open to maintain the organization. No Directors ever receive compensation. We work on a tight budget to help the strays. Please continue to help us to help the strays. This is the season to open our hearts to those less fortunate than we are. We must help the homeless, who go out of their way to adopt stray animals, and give them love and caring. For anyone, animals complete a family. Please don’t pass them by. Show them kindness, if you can, i.e.: coins, food, clothing and I have personally given masks. It will make you feel so very good. As the old saying goes, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If you are part of our Adam, Eve and Sponsor-A-Stray programs, you receive a newsletter every month updating you as to what we are doing. The applications are enclosed in this newsletter. Please give it to a friend. These three programs are the backbone of our organization. We are able to budget, and project what we can and cannot do by the pledges that are made. So please ask your friends to join. It is so important. We are continuing to work very hard to help the strays. Funds that are needed, are for food, traps, carriers and Administrative, and as I have said to keep our phones open, and to keep you informed. The donations that we receive are not enough to keep up with our expenses for the strays. We are using up the funds that we have received from supporters of Save Our Strays, who remembered us in their wills. When that is gone, so are we, unless we receive more donations. We need your help. We stay true to whatever instructions are CLOSING THOUGHT (CONT.) given to us. We help, funds permitting, all kind of animals in need, dogs, cats, Horses etc. An animal is an animal. Please join us in our fight to help as many animals as we can, one at a time. We are here 54 years from the start. Please help keep us here. Please consider leaving us a bequest in your will, as a legacy to continue to help stray animals. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a living legacy, and watch your funds in real time helping animals? 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 Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are just around the corner) and 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.) P.S.: Remember, we have a website, and we try to keep it updated. Please pass this newsletter around. On our website, we have a button for a PayPal donation, and a Go Fund Me page – please visit saveourstraysbrooklyn.com. Till next time - Waggin’ Off
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