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WAGGIN TAILS DECEMBER 2023 HAPPY CHANUKAH MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY KWANZAA Dear Friends and Members: It has been a hard year. We have a war going on in the Ukraine, and another horrible war in Israel. The horror of what we do to each other is unbelievable. My thoughts are going to the animals – dogs, cats, donkeys, horses, farm animals, etc. They are like children, completely innocent. If you can donate to veterinary organizations that are helping animals in these areas, please do so. There are plenty of organizations that help the people. We must speak for the animals. They are always forgotten in the turmoil. Now, for a happier thought. The holidays are here. Time to celebrate whatever we find in our lives to celebrate, i.e.: family, friends and all the good things that have come into our lives this past year. Let’s not think of anything that is not positive. Life will catch up with us, so for this special time of year, let’s try to be happy and do good. I hope that the next year will bring peace to one, and all – you, me and the animals of the world, all species. We wish everyone a wonderful holiday, and - I hope I get it right – HAPPY CHANUKAH, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY KWANZAA. There are many other holidays that are celebrated here, and around the world at this time. Unfortunately, to numerous to mention, but a shoutout to everyone, and to everyone be kind to Family, Friends and the animals of the world. If we are kind, and help at least one animal at a time, it adds up to many.
LEGISLATION [REPRINTED] Breaking: Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission ends wildlife killing contests BEND, Oregon—Today at a hearing in Bend, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously to prohibit wildlife killing contests for coyotes and other species classified as unprotected mammals in the state. A coalition of 22 local and national wildlife and conservation organizations and hunters, wildlife management professionals, scientists, veterinarians and advocates across Oregon submitted testimony in support. Oregon is now the ninth state to end these gruesome competitions. In wildlife killing contests participants compete for cash and prizes to kill the most, the largest and the smallest coyotes and other vital wildlife within a specified time period. The Humane Society of the United States has gone undercover at dozens of these contests across the United States, including a 2018 investigation at a Hines, Oregon contest. More scientific studies find that these contests do not reduce coyote numbers or prevent conflicts with livestock, and may even increase them. Instead, more economical and effective methods are available to help Oregon farmers coexist with native wildlife. “Wildlife killing contests are abhorred by the Oregon public and have no place in our state,” said Kelly Peterson, Oregon state director for the Humane Society of the United States. “Engaging in wanton waste of a native wildlife species as part of a contest for prizes is abhorrent and we are grateful that the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to end these cruel, gruesome competitions.” Organizations that supported the proposed rule included the Humane Society of the United States, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Welfare Institute, Bitterbrush Broads & Bros Leadership Team, Cascadia Wildlands, Center for Biological Diversity, Central Oregon LandWatch, Endangered Species Coalition, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, Humane Voters Oregon, Lark Ranch Rescue and Rehabilitation, National Wolfwatcher Coalition, Northeast Oregon Ecosystems, Oregon Humane Society, Oregon Wild, Portland Audubon, Predator Defense, Project Coyote, Think Wild, Western Environmental Law Center, Western Watersheds Project and the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust. Oregon becomes the ninth state to ban wildlife killing contests, following Arizona, California, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Vermont and Washington. In June, the New York state legislature passed a bill to end wildlife killing contests. The legislation now awaits the governor’s signature. Background
 LINDA’S LINE
Hi. December has arrived, and the Holiday Season is in full swing. Where has this year gone? I would like to start off this month, by wishing all of our friends and members, and their families a HAPPY CHANUKAH, 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 keep the people in the Ukraine, and in Israel in your prayers this Holiday Season, as well as all the people in the world that are caught in harmful situations. 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). 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. Each one of us has 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. They are the lucky animals. They have eyes on them, and get fed, and are given medical care. 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, and we say this with all sincerety. 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. Our medical is funded, to a degree, from the Trust, but our administrative funds and food for the strays, comes directly from you. We need funds desperately for this. 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. It will make you feel so very good. As the old saying goes, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This will make a better world. 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 application for membership in Adam, Eve and Sponsor-A-Stray is 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. CLOSING THOUGHT (CONT.) 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 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 55 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 nicer, 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!” We need more Adam, Eve and Sponsor-A-Stray members. 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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