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10-10-9 Georgia Alert: Victoria Stilwell from Animal Planet’s, It’s Me or the Dog will host Paws Atlanta Posh PAWty Who: Everyone is invited Be sure to get your tickets to The Posh PAWty on October 10 at Mason Murer Fine Art! Victoria
Stilwell from Animal Planet’s, It’s Me or the Dog will be our host,
sharing stories from her hit television show and training tips.
There will also be a silent auction with lots of great items for you
and your pets, gift certificates and more. PAWS Atlanta is a Four Star charity from Charity Navigator. Follow us on Twitter, facebook, YouTube, or our blog. 10-5-09 Animals in disaster in the Georgia Floods were rescued on a local basis. All animals rescued or boarded during the disaster will be held indefinitely according to the counties contacted. Some animals were relinquished even though free long-term boarding was offered. There was only one reported case of an animal being turned away and that was a miscommunication. The Humane Association of Georgia (HAGA) was not activated to open any animal-friendly shelters since the counties were able to handle their own problems. We were constantly in touch with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Georgia Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster in case we were needed. Today, the Georgia Animal Control Association and the Humane Society of the United States, historically partners during times of disaster, agreed that all animals were being handled locally. If you are aware of any animals in need, please contact your county animal control or your local Emergency Management Agency, or call the main number of the county for contact information. The following counties have been declared disaster areas for Georgia flooding under FEMA DR-1858-GA Disaster Declaration as of 09/30/2009: Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, Walker http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/2009graphics/dr1858/dec_1858.pdf FEMA
Teleregistration & Helpline 800-621-FEMA News
articles on the Georgia Floods: During
times of disaster, do not leave home without your companion animals:
If a disaster is serious enough for you to evacuate, there is a good chance that you will not be allowed to return for your animals. Emergency agencies frequently say that unsolicited volunteers and goods are sometimes more of a disaster then the disaster itself. If you want to help, join an organization that will train you and provide structure. HAGA formed so Georgia could be the first state by law to allow animals in disaster shelter. When we activate with specific instructions, structure is provided and liability is covered. Animals
in Disaster Training: Puppy mill owner sentenced to year in jail Marla Pretty, Lake Oconee News Eatonton -- More than a year after Putman County Sheriff's Deputies closed a puppy mill along Reid Drive, its owner-operator has been sentenced to jail time. Barry Davis was sentenced Tuesday to one year in jail and nine years of probation on 12 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals in connection with his July 2008 arrest. According to Putnam Count Sheriff Howard Sills, Davis will serve the entire sentence in the Putman Count Jail. He is required to pay restitution of more than $4,000 to Putnam County for the care of more than 180 puppies, as well as court fines and fees. Once out of jail, he will be required to work 40 hours of community service.
Detectives, state Department of Agriculture specialists and a local veterinarian, showed up on Davis' property July 16, 2008, after complaints from neighbors about dogs barking. They found scores of animals sitting in stacked cages in a small building behind Davis' home. PCSO Detective Tracey Bowen said more than 30 of the animals were in need of immediate medical care. "The conditions of this place were horrible." Bowen said. The farther we go into the mess, the worse the animals conditions were. They were stacked up on top of each other in metal cages." Davis told officials he purchased the dogs from a breeder in the Savannah area. Bowen said most of the puppies were not up-to-date on inoculation or rabies vaccinations and had heart worms. Within two weeks, the puppies, including Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Shitzus, Pugs, and Poodles, brought into Putnam County Animal Control for evaluation were cleared and sent to local humane society groups to be adopted out. None of the animals were euthanized. However, two puppies died shortly after leaving - one of a congenital problem and the second from infection.
Nutro
Products Recalls Some Dry Cat Food Products
(May 21, 2009) Georgia
Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin is alerting consumers to the
recall of some
dry cat foods.
Nutro
Products is recalling some varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE
CARE®
Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By
Dates”
between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. This recall is due
to incorrect
levels of zinc and potassium in the finished products resulting from a
production error by a U.S.-based premix supplier.
The
varieties of
NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE®
Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods listed below with “Best If
Used
By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010 are being recalled.
This
recall does not affect any NUTRO® dog food products, wet dog or cat
food, or
dog and cat treats. Consumers
who have purchased recalled products should return them to the retailer
for a
full refund or exchange for another NUTRO® dry cat food
product. Cat
owners who have questions should call 1-800-833-5330 between the hours
8:00 AM
to 4:30 PM CST, or visit www.nutroproducts.com.
Consumers who have purchased any recalled product should immediately discontinue feeding it to their cats and switch to another product with a balanced nutritional profile. The company has received no complaints related to this issue. If your cat is experiencing health issues or is pregnant, please contact your veterinarian. # # # For information contact: Arty Schronce, Jackie Sosby or Yao Seidu at 404-656-3689 Georgia Alert: February 26, 2009 from the Georgia Department of Agriculture: Check it For Pets Income Tax Checkoff Gains More Support Check it For Pets Income Tax Checkoff Gains More Support(Atlanta) State Representative Dr. Gene Maddox (R-172) today offered a personal point of privilege for the Check it For Pets State Income Tax Checkoff. The Dog and Cat Sterilization Fund State Income Tax Checkoff provides a funding source for spay/neuter efforts statewide, earning more than $175,000 since 2006 for the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program. This Program receives no state funding, operating solely on private contributions and grants. Georgians may write in a donation amount greater than $1 on line 32 of form 500 and Line 15 on form 500-EZ. All funds donated to the Program are earmarked specifically for spay/neuter procedures and educational outreach on the healthy choice. In these trying economic times, spay/neuter represents a healthy choice that saves animal lives and taxpayer money. Fewer animals born means fewer killed in public shelters saving tax dollars.This program receives no state monies, so it depends on public and private donations to perform its vital mission of curbing pet overpopulation in Georgia. Unlike other spay/neuter programs, the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program has no participation income requirements. Any Georgia resident may benefit from the program. Interested residents should contact their local veterinarians to confirm and encourage program participation or visit www.agr.georgia.gov, e-mail fixgeorgia@agr.state.ga.us, or call the Department at (404) 656-3667. More than 41,000 procedures have been performed through the Program by more than 1,000 licensed and accredited veterinarians. Residents and their companion animals in all 159 Georgia counties have benefited. Georgians may also support the Program now by purchasing a current Dog and Cat License Plate for their vehicles. These commemorative license plates are available at county tag offices throughout Georgia for a $25, one-time fee. More than $22 from each license plate sold directly benefits the DCSP. These funds are allocated only for spay/neuter procedures and educational outreach on this healthy choice. Tens of thousands of Dog and Cat License Plates have been sold since 2003, earning more than $2.7 million. Georgians may also contribute to the DCSP in honor or memory of a loved one. Contributions are 100% tax-deductible and provide much-needed funding to promote critical spat/neuter efforts. For information contact: Arty Schronce or Jeanne Bohannon 404-656-3689 Georgia Department of AgricultureTommy Irvin, Commissioner 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. SW Atlanta, GA 30334 http://agr.georgia.gov _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Georgia Alert 1-23-09: The Cat Tag is on the Georgia Department of Agriculture website and in the media Georgia
Department of Agriculture Website:
Here
are other media outlets that carried the story:
http://www.ajc.com/dekalb/content/pets/stories/2009/01/22/cat_license_plate.html __________________________________________________________________________________________________________Georgia Alert: 1-8-09 Gas Chamber White Paper The Board of the Humane Association of Georgia (HAGA) was asked to discuss gas chambers. We prefer to focus on decreasing the number of animals killed. Good animal stewardship, proper placement in appropriate homes, and spay/neuter are the keys to ending animal overpopulation and the killing of healthy, adoptable animals. The National Animal Control Association says that every $1 spent now for spay/neuter, may reduce animal control costs as much as $20 in less than 5 years. Spay/neuter is a healthy choice that prevents unwanted litters and often eliminates behavioral issues, such as urine spraying, fighting and roaming, which contribute to animals being relinquished. The Dog and Cat Sterilization Program subsidizes the cost of spay/neuter, and is available to all Georgia citizens and organizations through Georgia licensed veterinarians: http://agr.georgia.gov/00/article/0,2086,38902732_39653527_95143904,00.html Sodium pentobarbital Euthanasia by Injection (EBI) or lethal injection is the preferred method according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Georgia Animal Protection Act (4-11-5.1). Many states including Georgia refer to the AVMA guidelines by either rule or law. Georgia's euthanasia law states, "...Sodium pentobarbital or a derivative of it shall be the exclusive method for euthanasia of dogs and cats…" with the exception of chambers in continual use since 1990 or located in county with a population of 25,000 or less. Illegal use of sodium pentobarbital or ketamine, sometimes used for "date rape," is a concern and some animal control facilities do not have a veterinarian or physician willing to take responsibility for these federally controlled substances as mandated by Georgia law because of previous issues or because they are located too far from the facility. In 1999, the Food & Drug Administration halted production of sodium pentobarbital at the only manufacturer of the drug. Atlanta Humane / Fulton County Animal Control averted a statewide emergency by sharing its inventory with other counties. HB 1050 would have mandated the exclusive use of sodium pentobarbital. The upfront costs for lethal injection are mainly for training. Considering that 62 of Georgia's 159 counties have no form of animal control and many only have the bare minimum, it would be difficult to enforce this unfunded mandate. Ultimately, any county or facility may voluntarily use lethal injection exclusively without cutting off access to alternative methods for exceptions. Gas Chambers We believe there may be valid exceptions to lethal injection, such as feral animals, animals with collapsed veins, diseased rats, or a rabid fox or raccoon. Special techniques and equipment, such as squeeze cages and pre-sedation for aggressive animals can limit exceptions or exceptions could be handled by a veterinarian. Recent statistics from the Georgia Department of Agriculture show there are 32 gas chambers in Georgia. Fourteen are "used for routine euthanasia" (4 grandfathered by continuous use and 10 in counties with populations less than 25,000), 8 still in service though not used routinely, and 10 no longer used. The high upfront cost, public opposition and possible health hazards should be seriously considered before purchasing a chamber. Officers have been killed or sickened by malfunctioning chambers, much like malfunctioning generators in homes during the winter. Both Methods have Negative Aspects Either gas chambers or lethal injection of sodium pentobarbital is cruel if done incorrectly. Pitfalls include too small a dose and doing a "heart stick" without sedation for lethal injection, and mixing species or sizes of animals, using a leaking or substandard chamber, and not ensuring the animals are dead with a gas chamber. No matter which method is used, strict protocol should be followed. Indeed, there is the possibility of cruelty charges for noncompliance. Discussions are starting in other states and countries to make the killing of animals by animal control, under any circumstances, cruelty. There are human considerations as well. Killing animals by any means causes stress and depression among animal control staff, contributing to high turnover. Animal control professionals tasked with killing these excess animals daily may need alternatives for mental health purposes. What some people observe as laziness in animal control may be a manifestation of depression. The ability to comfort an animal during lethal injection is less stressful to some, where others feel more stressed having to use a needle. Vocalization disturbs professionals and volunteers alike, although vocalization and dog paddling may be exhibited using either method or simply when coming out of anesthesia and are not always tied to pain, so training may reduce stress. The per-animal costs of either method are comparable over time. Efforts to mandate more inspections, accurate statistics and greater control of existing gas chambers would be difficult considering the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Animal Protection Division's annual budget is only approximately $1 million for this overworked statewide division that is under a hiring freeze. HAGA’s Position Until killing animals is no longer necessary, we recommend taking the advice of our veterinarians and following the AVMA guidelines to use lethal injection. We depend on our veterinarians as our animal experts and some of these professionals feel that other methods are sometimes less stressful to the animals than lethal injection. For those who disagree with the AVMA, instead of attacking specific municipalities, counties, states or groups using these guidelines, we suggest a focused forum to understand the reasons behind the guidelines and then discuss the possibilities of influencing the AVMA for change. We advocate providing money, veterinarian support, and lethal injection training for staff and volunteers in any county still using a gas chamber but our focus will remain on saving lives. Please encourage everyone you know to spay/neuter. It is your business since it is your tax money that pays to kill these unfortunate animals and remember an intact animal is 3 times more likely to bite, roam and spread disease and 1/3 of all of emergency room cases are dog-bite related according to the United States Postal Service. The following groups have graciously offered resources: American Humane Association, Elaine Wood (303) 925-9488 - training and grant opportunities for transition from gas chambers to sodium pentobarbital Georgia Veterinary Medical Association (678) 309-9800 - help find supervising veterinarians as needed Georgia Animal Control Association (706) 342-9604 - assist in locating animal control officer training Humane Association of Georgia and the Dog and Cat Sterilization Fund, Carolyn Danese (404) 827-0603 - spay/neuter funding and education Humane Society of the United States, Southeast Regional Office (850) 386-3435 - help with the transition from gas chambers to sodium pentobarbital Carolyn Danese,
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Georgia
Alert: December 5, 2008 from the American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA) Executive Board: PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Schaumburg, Ill., November 26, 2008 — The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Executive Board voted to strengthen association policy on two practices common in certain breeds of dogs—ear cropping and tail docking. The revised AVMA policy states: "The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes. The AVMA encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards." "For many years the AVMA has acknowledged that ear cropping and tail docking of dogs for cosmetic purposes are not medically indicated nor of benefit to our canine patients," explains Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the AVMA. "Our latest policy revision doesn't represent a change in perspective, but, rather, makes that perspective clear with a stronger statement." The AVMA decided to adjust its policy on tail docking and ear cropping after a scheduled review of an existing policy. The review included an analysis of scientific literature and available data, an assessment of the practical experience of veterinarians, and deliberations by the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee. "Why we perform certain procedures is one of the first questions we ask. Once that question is answered, committee members look at any associated welfare concerns," explains Dr. Gail Golab, director of the AVMA Animal Welfare Division. "'Cosmetic' implies the basis for these procedures is to alter the dog's appearance. Welfare risks identified included those associated with surgical procedures, i.e., anesthetic complications, pain, blood loss and infection. In the committee's opinion, the risk-benefit analysis supports professional opposition to performing these procedures for purely cosmetic reasons." In recommending policy revisions, the committee was careful to distinguish ear cropping and tail docking performed for cosmetic reasons from procedures performed for therapeutic or preventive purposes. "If it can be responsibly demonstrated that the purpose of performing the procedure is to protect the health and welfare of the dog, then of course the Association would support the appropriate surgery," said Dr. DeHaven. The AVMA and its more than 76,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal, human and public health. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org for more information. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Georgia
Alert: December 5, 2008 from the Georgia Department of Agriculture:
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Returning home to find a new pet sick or in need of medical care is not the Christmas memory you’ll want to carry through the years. That is one of the things Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin wants Georgians to think about before purchasing or adopting a pet for Christmas. Here are a few points to consider from Commissioner Irvin: • Never give an animal to anyone unless that person wants it, expects it, and is prepared to immediately care for it. People receiving the animal should bond with that animal beforehand. They should not be surprised by it or have it forced on them, even by someone with the best of intentions. • With the bustle of holiday festivities and duties, do you have the time to effectively care and watch out for a new animal or to deal with housebreaking and litter box issues? • Introducing a new animal into new surroundings can be stressful. A home full of holiday guests and small children, each wanting to hold and feed the animal, only makes the stress worse. • Chocolate, grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts are dangerous to dogs. A dog can choke on a turkey or chicken bone. Will you be able to make sure it doesn’t get into any of these or that a guest won’t feed them to the dog? • Decorations may look like playthings to a dog or cat eager to explore its new surroundings. Will you be upset if the cat climbs into the Christmas tree to hide or if the dog chews up an heirloom ornament? • Veterinarians will be harder to reach during the holiday if there is an emergency. • Will your children think an animal is like a toy that can be discarded when they grow tired of it? • A pet is a long-term commitment of time and money. Do you want a companion or do you just need a gift? “The main thing I want Georgians to remember is that decisions about getting a pet should be carefully considered. The last thing animal shelters want to see is another orphaned animal. A dog or cat is not like a sweater that you can return or stick in the back of the closet,” said Commissioner Irvin. “The second thing is that Christmas may not be the best time to introduce a new pet into the household. If you and your children sincerely want a dog or cat as a Christmas gift, consider giving a photo or drawing of one on Christmas morning and then visit an animal shelter and adopt one in January. “And, of course, always spay and neuter your cat or dog,” Irvin added. Editor’s Note: One of the best things pet owners can do for their dogs and cats is to have them spayed or neutered. Spaying greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer and prevents various reproductive tract disorders. Neutering often resolves undesirable behaviors such as aggression, spraying and roaming as well as eliminates the risk of various testicular diseases. In addition to improving a pet’s health, spaying or neutering decreases the burden on overcrowded animal shelters. The Georgia Department of Agriculture recognizes the epidemic proportions of pet overpopulation. Through its Dog and Cat Sterilization Program, the Department is curbing pet overpopulation statewide. For information on the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program, visit www.agr.georgia.gov or call 404-656-3667. For information contact: Arty
Schronce or Jackie Sosby 404-656-3689
Note: Our action alerts remain on this page for a period of about six months. To view older alerts, visit our archives page.
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