July 08th, 2024

WAGGIN TAILS                        JULY 2024
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY
 
Dear Friends and Members:
 
            Fourth of July.  We celebrate the birth of our country, which is a good thing, but unfortunately, the firecrackers are very frightening to pets and stray animals.  So, please watch out for the strays in your area.  They could run out in the street in front of a car.  My Riley, may she rest in peace, would go into a closet to get away from the noise.
 
            Once a year, we take an important issue and repeat an article that we think is important to repeat.
 

1. Be a responsible pet owner.

Know about, and fulfill the needs of you pet.  Don’t just concern youself with basic needs – give your pet positive experiences that really enhance its well-being.
 

1. Be an example of kindness to other pets.  Foster a pet that has suffered abandonment, if you can.  Sadly, many pets are relinquished to shelters for various reasons.  Foster homes help these animals to recover, and prepare them to move on to a new permanent loving home.

 

1. Intervene if you witness animal cruelty, abuse or neglect by calling the Police.  Don’t put yourself in danger, and if possible, take a video and try to wait for police to come.  Take care of yourself first, you are needed to be around to help other animals.

 

1. Report animal cruelty, abuse or neglect.  If you witness any form of animal cruelty, report it to the police or other authorities.  Act immediately to prevent further cruelty to pets, and/or strays, only if it is safe for you do so.

 

1. Teach your children to have respect for animals.  Set a good example by being respectful towards animals.  Help them to grow up to become the next generation of advocates for animals, we really need new people.

You see: there are many ways each of us can contribute to a kinder world for animals.  Everyone can change the life of an animal for the better.  You have the chance to be a hero for animals.  Will you take it?  There are many more ways that we can help animals.  Just treat them as you would treat yourself.
 
There are so many strays in this world that suffer so much.  Let’s not forget what they do in the Asian countries with dogs, and cats.  It is a nightmare.  Please, if you see a petition to stop horrific torture, please sign it.
 
Have a wonderful, safe summer.
 

 
LEGISLATION                                                                                                                 [REPRINTED]
 
South Carolina passes legislation removing hurdle in enforcing animal protection laws
The South Carolina legislature unanimously passed legislation addressing the financial burden of caring for animals seized in cruelty and fighting cases. This bipartisan bill was supported by South Carolina law enforcement agencies and ensures that the responsibility for covering the costs of caring for abused animals shifts from local agencies and taxpayers to the defendents. 
“It’s only fair that the true cost of caring for animals rescued from acts of animal cruelty falls on those responsible for those animals,” said Janell Gregory, South Carolina state director for the Humane Society of the United States. “Law enforcement from across the state overwhelmingly supported this legislation because it removes a significant obstacle to enforcing our state’s animal protection laws.”
When abused and neglected animals in South Carolina are seized by law enforcement agencies in animal cruelty or fighting cases, they are required to be held for months—or even years—while criminal charges are prosecuted and the judicial process determines the outcome of a case. The length of time imposes a significant and needless cost to law enforcement agencies, animal welfare non-profits, and taxpayers in the state. 
Under the new legislation, if a judge determines the seizure was justified, the owner must either pay for animal care or relinquish the animals so they can be adopted.
“I want to especially thank all of our South Carolina lawmakers for their unanmious support of this important issue to protect animals in our state who suffer from severe animal neglect and abuse,” added Gregory. “They are a true friend to animals in need.”

FYI                                                                                                                                                  [REPRINTED]
 
Five years after landmark rescue from a roadside zoo in Canada, kangaroos, tigers and others saved from neglect and cruelty are thriving in Texas
After living in dungeon-like stalls, these animals now have all of their needs met
MURCHISON, Texas—Five years ago, Humane Society International rescued over 200 wild exotic animals from decrepit, barren and disturbing conditions at St. Edouard Zoo, an unaccredited facility in Canada. The animals were taken to sanctuaries and qualified facilities throughout North America, including the 1,400-acre Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison where tigers Serenity and Theodora, Doula the lioness, a zebra named Zuko, and Wolfgang the wildebeest—along with kangaroos Ross, Rachel and Joey—are now living happily-ever-after.
At the zoo, rescuers saw failing fences and cages, chewed stalls holding malnourished, anxious and lonely animals, dead animals just below the soil, and a dilapidated and dank barn with rows of stalls housing isolated animals including Zuko, Wolfgang, Rachel, Ross, Joey and many others. The big cat “house” was a shed over a filthy cement floor with enclosures that had unsafe and weakened spots from the cats’ chewing on them.
Sue Tygielski, senior director of Black Beauty Ranch, part of the Humane Society of the United States, said, “Five years ago these animals were rescued from deplorable conditions, some in chewed up, dark, dungeon-like stalls where they could barely move, while others were trying to dig out of their habitats. Here at Black Beauty, their lives changed in every way. They are receiving exceptional care, having their needs met and are given the freedom to exhibit their natural behaviors and be the animals they deserve to be. They have become confident individuals able to flourish under our care. They will never face cruelty again.”
The animals include:

• Kangaroo family Rachel, Ross and Joey, who were found in a tiny indoor pen huddled together with no sunlight. Rachel and Ross are now very relaxed, often lounging in a dirt wallow. Joey is more cautious and has come a long way since first arriving at Black Beauty. At first, she did not allow care staff near her, hopping away when approached. Now she is calm and even accepts treats from caregivers. 

Douala the lioness who before arriving at Black Beauty was found showing signs of stress like pacing. In her habitat, rescuers saw evidence of her digging along the fence line, getting very close to creating an opportunity for escape. Now at the sanctuary, she comfortably observes her surroundings from her high perch during cool mornings and evenings. During hot days she relaxes in her lush forest.

1. Tigers Serenity and Theodora, who were housed together and were the last big cats to leave the shuttered zoo. They now share their expansive habitat at Black Beauty, complete with a pool and waterspout, playing with the water rushing out of the spout, splashing and swimming without a care in the world.

• Zuko the zebra, who lived in a small dark stall, standing in urine and feces, which caused his hooves to grow painfully long. He had chewed on the walls of his stall out of boredom and frustration, pacing circles into the filthy ground. Now he is a healthy, happy and very proud zebra living his best life in the sunshine in his 10-acre pasture, watching other residents and forging friendships through the fence with fellow St. Edouard Zoo survivor Wolfgang the wildebeest.
• Wolfgang the wildebeest, who was one of the most stressed animals in the zoo barn according to the rescue team. As a prey species accustomed to being part of massive herds, he was trapped in a small, dark stall. Unable to tell if he was safe from predators and unable to flee, his stress level was high and he would charge the gate of his stall. Now at Black Beauty he jumps and leaps when he gets excited, but now has the freedom and room to express these natural behaviors. He seems to enjoy the company of Zuko on the other side of his fence and they are often seen lying along their shared fence line next to each other.

 
LINDA’S LINE
           Hi.
 
It’s July already, and I can’t believe how quickly the year is passing.  I hope that this summer won’t be a scorcher.  The weather was pretty good this past month, despite a few thunderstorms here and there, but we have already had some warm weather both here, and around the country.  So far, the strays are doing as well as can be expected, but please try to remember to carry pet food, and water with you.  It is difficult for them to find these necessities for themselves, and they will be very grateful for any kindness that we can show them.  Remember that we are their guardians.
 
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our friends, and members a Happy, and Safe Fourth of July.  Once again, a reminder to please be careful with firecrackers, and remember that they can be dangerous to us, our pets, and the strays.  Their ears are so much more sensitive than ours, both strays, and pets are very much afraid of the noise that fireworks create.  This is very stressful for the animals.  So please be aware, and try to keep them calm, and out of harm’s way.
 
Please also be aware of the strays in your area as, if a firecracker goes off near
them, they may be tempted to run out into traffic to get away from the noise.  If a stray is hurt, please bring it to your veterinarian or the SPCA that is nearest to you.  In New York, there are Animal Care Centers in all boroughs that are intended to help strays.  Please check with them, if you find an injured animal.  For information on where these centers are, please call 311 (the Mayor’s Office).  If you can be responsible for the stray, if it is friendly, to find it a home or adopt it, we can help with medical bills if you take it to your veterinarian.  You will have to contact us first, as we only pay directly to the veterinarian.  Unfortunately, we do not have foster or holding homes.  We rely on the public for “hands on.”  We can help with medical only.
 
MOST IMPORTANT:  We have seen too many reports on the news of children, and animals, who died as a result of being left in a hot car.  So,
PLEASE remember NEVER to leave a child or a pet in a parked car in the heat.  This is extremely dangerous and could result in a tragic loss.
 
There are many petitions out there asking politicians to change laws for better humane care for the strays.  So please continue to write to the people that you vote for, and let them know that you want changes in the law, to stamp out cruelty to animals, and more support placed on helping sick and injured animals.
Your voice, and your neighbor’s voice, need to be heard.  We have to join with each other – there is strength in numbers.
 
Have a wonderful summer.
Be safe.  Be happy, and
be a guardian to a stray –
don’t pass him/her by.  


CLOSING THOUGHT
 
          Adam, Eve and Sponsor-A-Stray members, please update your mailing address – we don’t want to lose you.  Let us know your summer/winter schedule.
 
                   If you know of anyone who is interested in joining our programs, in order to help strays, please show them our literature.  It is very important.  Don’t forget to check out our website, we are always updating pictures of the animals that we have helped.
 
          The website address is saveourstraysbrookyn.com.  Please let people know, we have a PayPal page, and a Go Fund Me page set up.  It is now easier to donate to Save Our Strays.  The funds are greatly needed.  We have alleviated the suffering of thousands, and thousands of strays over our 56 years.  The funds that enabled us to stay here and continue our work are not forthcoming.  Unless we start to receive more funds, our time to help strays will come to an end.  We need YOU to spread the word, and help us find new avenues to raise funds so that we can continue to help the strays. Please put our newsletter on a Bulletin Board at work, or give it to people who might be interested.  Please let them know what we do.  We are a 501(c)3 Tax deductible organization.  I can’t say this often enough.  We need more funds.  So, please help us to find the funds so that we can continue to help strays.
 
          Please do not leave a pet in a car, even with the window open.  The temperature rises very quickly, and the pet can be DEAD by the time you return from the store or wherever you went, for the proverbial minute.
 
          Think about what our “food” animals go through.  Please write your government leaders, and ask for more Humane Laws.  They are thinking, feeling animals.  They suffer, and they have no recourse.  Their only hope is more humane legislation.
 
 
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!”
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