Sep 07 2010
Jackpot! (Pet Shelter Winners for Week #2)
We've chosen another two winners in the HumaneWatch “Commenter of the Week” contest, and they're both Michigan-ites? (Michiganians? Michiganders?)
Congratulations go to Adrian P. and Sally A., whose favorite pet shelters in the "shaped like a mitten" state will each receive a $100 check when the contest ends. Adrian chose the Capital Area Humane Society (link fixed) in Lansing, and Sally picked the Humane Society of Huron Valley near Ann Arbor.
This week's contest runs through 6pm EDT on Friday, September 10. To qualify, just leave an interesting, thoughtful, entertaining, or otherwise compelling comment on any HumaneWatch blog article! (Read the rules here.)
The comments that brought fame and glory to this week's winners appear after the jump.
Sally weighed in last week with a comment about the gunman who terrorized Discovery Channel employees because of his desire to thin the human herd and, well ... "save the squirrels":
We have “hate speech” laws that put you away if you attack someone on the basis of their race or gender or sexual identity. But it seems perfectly okay to attack them on the basis of what they wear, or what they believe, or what they do for recreation, or what they do for a living.Either it’s time for farmers and hunters and zookeepers to lobby for their own “hate speech” law, or maybe everyone needs to grow a thicker skin. I don’t know.
Please keep doing what you’re doing, HumaneWatch. My husband and I have been in the “animal politics” world for decades, and we appreciate the fresh perspective.
This winner was very excited to hear she was a winner:
HumaneWatch, you rock! I love animals -- my hubby and I fostered four dogs this year that would have been put down otherwise. I'm really glad the Humane Society of Huron Valley will get these funds. They need the money, and Lord knows HSUS isn't coughing up any.
Thanks for reading, Sally. We're glad to have you, and especially wowed by your personal commitment to helping animals where you live.
Adrian's comment came in response to an article about how HSUS is trying every trick in the book to eliminate animals from lifesaving biomedical research:
I once saw a little business-card-like thing that said “Animal Rights ID”—it was like a medic-alert bracelet that instructed paramedics and ER doctors that they shouldn’t employ any life-saving techniques or drugs to save the person if they were ever tested on animals. Probably a joke at the expense of PETA-types, but maybe we should send HSUS’s direct-mail fulfillment house a few million to slip into the fundraising letters as a “gift” from Wayne Pacelle.
Like Sally, Adrian was psyched for his local shelter, in Michigan's capital city:
This is a nice surprise, especially in such tight economic times. My partner and I gave money to the CAHS in 2009, but we just can't afford to do it this year. This is a little bit of divine providence that we will both be grateful for.
Adrian's recollection about an "Animal Rights ID" card was right on, by the way. We have one, and it's reproduced below. (Click on the images for high-resolution, printable versions.) The item speaks for itself, and really should be a part of HSUS's new-employee "welcome kit," don't you think?\
Congrats again to our two latest winners. Don't forget to add your comments this week! Your favorite pet shelter could be a winner.
Got a comment? Be sure to leave your thoughts below. From August 23 to October 29, 2010 we will be choosing the two best comments each week of 25 words or more, and awarding $100 (each) to the local pet shelters of the commenters' choice. Click here for more information and the official rules.
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Comments
My husband hunts with a club that maintains its own hunting dogs. Although all members tried to keep them each in their own pen, one of the apparently got a female dog pregnant climbing/jumped over the fences. None of the members knew—they all thought it was off deer season which would have explained why some of these dogs were fat. My husband just found out on the day that one of the female dogs had her pups (5 litters), and that was five days ago. While he went there to see it for himself, he came home and told me with disgust that another one “fat dog” is about to have her puppies too! And that’s a lot of puppies that the clubhouse doesn’t need, plus they lost the use of two good hunting dogs (females) because those wouldn’t be any good until their pups are weaned.
The members decided to get rid of the pups. I exploded and right now these pups are in temporary safe stage but it’s occupying the club’s dog pens. Hunters doesn’t need to raise puppies. They buy already grown-up hunting dogs at a good price and normally females are spayed but these two were given to them. Now, all they want to do is get rid of them. Can you help these pups? Tell me where to take them to their safety. If I don’t hear any response, I will let this one go. I can’t raise them, as I live part time and on one of the busiest highways in the USA, and since I lost my dog on this highway years ago, I promised myself never to raise another pet again until I move back to the mountains. Thank you.
I like the suggestion that we need to develop a law dealing with those who persecute animal owners, This is truly “Hate Crime” behavior causing hardship and heartache for many pet owners and others involved with animals. A majority of our population eats meat and owns at least one pet. HSUS, PETA and other (AR) radical groups are a minority - is power from money and influence the driving force behind the “AR” ability to successfully reap havoc on so many pet owners, animal lovers and lifestyles? Time to fight back using legislation and publicity nationwide.
TO neneng, the owners of the dogs need to be responsible for these pups, they should have been more careful with intact dogs and the puppies should NOT have to suffer because of it. Can’t they sell or give the puppies to a person who trains puppies for hunting? Obviously, they are of good hunting dog stock. Couldn’t they contact the a breeder/trainer from whom they got their dogs from to begin with, might they be interested?
Have you sought out a rescue group in the area? Maybe one for dogs of that breed specifically, sometimes you can find them if you do an internet search online for your state and the breed.
They cannot be removed from their mothers until they are 8 weeks old.
Is there a local humane society or animal shelter in your area? You could call them and tell them of the peril the puppies are in, maybe they will have a local resource for you.
There are a lot of kind people around, you just have to seek them out. Ask the hunters to keep them until they are 8 weeks old, and tell them you will find a solution before they are weaned.
Pups should be weaned between 5 and 6 weeks old. It’s best for the bitch. They start to eat food at 4 weeks old. They have teeth at that age—give them soft food and let them nurse.
Ya know nenenbg, I know it’s not your doing, but people like that are the ones that give ALL breeders a bad rap. Owners are responsible for preventing unwanted whelps, and if they DO occur, it is the owner’s responsibility to keep them humanely and care for them until they are old enough both legally and morally to be re-homed. I agree that a rescue is likely the most safe and knowledgeable option for these pups and their mothers. Know now that eh mothers will likely have to be signed over with the pups. In many states it is illegal to sell, give, or otherwise separate puppies from their mothers until the pups are 8 weeks of age. They will start eating on their own well before that, yes, but for best temperament development, 8 weeks is usually most ideal for total removal form the mother’s influence.
Google the breed of dog and rescue, such as “Walker coonhound rescue” and contact the rescues you find. Tell them the situation, and get the puppies and dogs placed.
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Congratulations winners! It sure does feel good to know you can help your local shelters and rescues this way!