Texas Dog Law Seminar
Saturday, February 9, 2008
8:45 AM to 5:45 PM
South Texas College of Law
Houston, Texas 77002

Seminar Includes:

Texas Legislative Update: The Truth about Dogs & Cats and the New Texas Laws that Affect Them
Dog Fighting & the Implication of the Michael Vick Case
Ownership Issues: Ethical Considerations, Custody, Rescue, & Feral Cats
Contractual Issues for Rescue Organizations
Liability Issues: Rescue Organizations, Kennel Operators, Pet Sitters, Dog Trainers & Individual Dog Owners
How to Prosecute & Defend Civil Dog Bite Cases
Cruelty Laws: The New Laws & How They Change Things
Psychology of Hoarding & Cruelty
Dangerous Dog Laws
Animal Control
Family Law Issues
Litigation for Loss of Dog: Veterinary Malpractice & Other Suits
Pet Trusts & Wills: Providing for Pets
Breed Specific Legislation Update & Mandatory Spay Neuter

For a registration form and more information, click here. For a $15 Discount--Write "Happy Tails" on Registration!
Group rates are available.

The Houston SPCA is asking for your help to place some amazing, rescued horses into loving, permanent homes. They have 30 horses available for adoption with a wide range of ages, colors, and training.

You must be pre-approved to attend. To receive an application, please email fosters@hspca.org; call the Houston SPCA Farm Animal Adoption Coordinator at (713) 869-7722 ext. 188 or click here to download the Farm Animal Adoption Application. Upon completion and approval of your application, you will be sent a list of all available animals and supplemental information you will need to bring to the adoption event.

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To read more of Hector's story, News for cats and dogs - Vick's Dogs Find Loving Homes, Start New Life click here.

To watch video of the Vicktory Dogs, click here.

Under an agreement among federal officials, Best Friends and rescue groups that accepted the other Bad Newz refugees, kept them pretty much under wraps until the final Vick-related case was closed January 25. From now on, Best Friends will no longer refer to them generically as the Vick fighting dogs, but as the Vicktory dogs, with their own names and unique personalities.

Members of the national media have been invited to the sanctuary on January 28 from 11 am to 1:45 pm CST to meet and learn about the dogs. They'll be able to interview key Best Friends staff members, observe our staff interacting with the dogs and, in the process, see how friendly these animals are toward humans.

To read the Best Friends' initial report, click here.

The woman who owns the cat noticed it could stick its head in a gap between the pantry and ceiling, then a friend reached into the gap and found DVDs containing child pornography, according to an arrest warrant.

The woman took the DVDs to the apartment office and police tracked them to Luis Jimenez, who had moved out of the apartment last year.

Jimenez, 24, has been charged with possession of child pornography and was being held on $40,000 bail. Possession of child pornography is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a fine up to $10,000. There was no attorney listed in Jimenez’s jail file Friday.

Source: Associated Press

Friends for life

The adoption fees are $80 for dogs and $70 cats. They are all spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, dogs are tested for canine heartworm disease and cats are tested for feline leukemia. All are reviewed by a vet.

Our four Friday's Friends are waiting to meet and greet you at the Saving Animals Across Borders Houston Northwest Mall Pet Adoption Center at Northwest Mall, Northwest Freeway (Hwy 290) at 18th Street (Please Use Entrance D). The Pet Adoption Center is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM. Call (713) 680-0282 or click here for more information Saving Animals Across Borders.

The black & white puppy's Animal ID# is A242517.
The tan puppy's Animal ID# is A242693.
The Domestic Longhair cat's Animal ID# is A243097.
The Siamese cat's Animal ID# is A244847.

This weekends Friday's Friends came from Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services. Visit their website at countypets.com.

The Humane Society of the United States is pleased to announce that Dr. Anteneh Roba has been presented with a Circle of Compassion Award, which recognizes individuals who have performed an act of significant courage or compassion to assist an animal in need.

In an effort to help animals in his native Ethiopia, Dr. Roba, a Houston emergency room physician, generously funded the rescue of the last four dogs trapped in Gido Washa cave, a pit that for years was used by locals to dump unwanted animals. Though the Homeless Animal Protection Society (HAPS) in Addis Ababa tried to place the four animals in Ethiopia, no adopters came forward. So, Dr. Roba paid to transport the dogs to Houston where they could find new homes.

The cave has since been sealed, and now Dr. Roba is trying to address the root cause of the tragedies at Gido Washa by raising money for HAPS to spay and neuter pets.

Congratulations Dr. Roba and thank you for your kindness and compassion!

The last time cat-owner Kelly Levy saw her tiger-striped feline was before she took her husband to the airport.

The 24-year-old came back to her house late Friday to find the bottom step, where Gracie Mae would usually be waiting, empty.

Levy tore the house apart looking for the 10-month-old tabby who had been spayed just days before. She and her dad took out bathroom tiles and part of a cabinet to check a crawl space and papered the neighborhood with "lost cat" signs.

Then she got a phone call.

"Hi, you're not going to believe this, but I am calling from Fort Worth, Texas, and I accidentally picked up your husband's luggage. And when I opened the luggage, a cat jumped out," Levy recalled the caller saying.

Gracie Mae had crawled into Seth Levy's black suitcase undetected, been put through an X-ray machine, loaded onto an airplane, thrown onto a baggage claim conveyor belt and picked up by a stranger.

The tabby made the 1,300-mile trip home on an $80 plane ticket Sunday night.

To see pictures of Gracie Mae and her family, click here.

Wildlife Rehab & Education (WR&E) recently opened a state-of-the-art wildlife center near downtown Houston and needs volunteers to help care for injured and orphaned wildlife! They've scheduled a Volunteer Orientation on Saturday, February 9th at the Wildlife Rehab & Education Wildlife Center at 7007 Katy Rd., Houston, TX 77024 from 10:00 am until noon.

Every year WR&E, a 501(c)(3), cares for over 7000 wild animals; educates over 10,000 children and adults; accepts all native wild animals that need care; responds to oiled wildlife along the Gulf Coast; and answers thousands of phone calls from the general public. Wildlife rehabilitation is the care of injured or orphaned wild animals with the specific goal of returning them to their native habitat with an optimal chance of survival. This involves emergency care, long-term rehabilitation, conditioning for release and ultimately, release back into the wild.

As spring approaches, WR&E is in desperate need of volunteers to care for the thousands of injured or orphaned babies that arrive at the Wildlife Center. WR&E also provides opportunities for volunteers to answer phones, enter data for animals arriving at the center, transport wildlife between rehabbers and to release sites, help with fundraising and assist with paperwork.

For more details on the WR&E Volunteer Orientation, Saturday, February 9 from 10 am to noon or to register, please call 713-861-WILD or contact Sheryl Rogers, volunteer coordinator at 979-345-2513 or 713-254-5724 or flemrogers@embarqmail.com.

To learn more about Wildlife Rehab & Education click here

It's a brand new day at Dogtown for these former Virginia "witnesses." The pit bulls, handed over in December to Best Friends by the court, now not only have fresh identities, but a different lifestyle as well.

In fact, life couldn't be better! They're eating healthy food, playing with toys, interacting with their caregivers and trainers, going for walks, learning how to walk on a leash, and acclimating to their new desert environs - all so these former fighters can learn how to be domestic pets and regular dogs.

The deplorable conditions the dogs lived under were used as evidence in a case involving suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick, who is serving a 23-month federal sentence for a dog-fighting conspiracy conviction. Fifty-two pit bulls were seized last year from Vick's estate in southeastern Virginia. Twenty-two of the dogs were placed at Best Friends and the remaining dogs were divided among a handful of other animal rescue groups.

To ensure that publicity doesn't compromise the proceedings, a federal court order prevents Best Friends from revealing details about the individual dogs and their conditions until a related case is brought to a close January 25. So, for now, the dogs' identities remain a closely guarded secret.

To read the complete story, click here. Click here, News for cats and dogs - Vick's Dogs Scheduled To Go In Front Of Media, Life In Leavenworth For Vick for a related story.

The Houston Humane Society will spay/neuter 500 bully breed dogs (pit bulls, Bull terriers, and any pit bull or bully breed mix) at no cost to the owner. All animals must have proof of current rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccination can be administered at the HHS Wellness Clinic for an additional cost.

Appointments are necessary!

To schedule an appointment, call (713) 433-6453 or click here for more information.

Free spay/neuter services provided by PetSmart Charities.

The Houston Humane Society is racing to erase pet overpopulation by neutering the first 500 male cats with an appointment on Wednesday, February 13th at no cost.

Proof of rabies vaccination and an appointment are required. If your cat is not currently vaccinated, a rabies vaccination can be administered on the 13th for $10.

Call (713) 433-6453 to make an appointment or click here for more information. Act fast to have your male cat neutered and offer him the best life possible!

"The problem now is that people are moving more of the horses to Mexico, where the slaughter process is even worse than it was in the U.S," he said.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 100,000 horses were slaughtered in the United States in 2006 -- mostly to be used as food in Asia and Europe.
Court decisions last year shuttered the last three slaughter plants in the United States, one in Illinois and two in Texas. And a measure passed last month bars the USDA from collecting fees to pay for horse meat inspections, effectively barring slaughter in the United States.
Some agriculture organizations, like the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, worry that banning horse slaughter is the first step of an animal activist plan to outlaw the processing of other meat.
"This is a slippery slope," said Colin Woodall, vice president and executive director of legislative affairs for the cattlemen's group.
Woodall and others have said the horse slaughter opponents are making an emotional appeal that doesn't deal with the possible glut of horses spared from the slaughterhouse.
"Those horses just don't go away -- something has to be done with them," Woodall said. He said the industry supports all means of saving unwanted horses, including rescues and adoptions. But too many horses remain, and "processing was one thing that was left that we thought was a viable management option."
Officials with the Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner's office said they do not see great numbers of neglected horses in the state, though factors like last year's drought are a concern.
Whitfield is a primary co-sponsor of the bill to keep horses from being transported from the U.S. for slaughter, along with Rep. Janice Schakowsky, D-Ill.
"I think something will be done," Whitfield said. "There's a need for the bill and a need for additional health and safety regulations related to horses being slaughtered for human consumption."

Two years ago, Kyra's owner noticed a lump on this ten-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback's leg. Kyra's owner, a nurse, knew right away that her dog had lymphoma.

Kyra's owner enrolled her in a revolutionary vaccine study at the University of Pennsylvania where veterinarians and human oncologists were working together.

Click here, News for cats and dogs - Canine Cancer Patients Help Researchers Advance With Vaccine, to read more.

Stephanie is a one-year old, spayed female, Domestic Shorthair Calico cat. Her Animal ID# is A243099.

Roscoe is a four-month old, neutered male, black Domestic Shorthair kitten. His Animal ID# is A243933.

These four tan Basset Hound mix puppies are neutered and ready to go! Three of them had animal ID#'s and names. Meet...Rick (A244136), Robert (A244137) and Rowdy (A244139).

And, last but certainly not least is another litter of two-month old adorable tri-colored Basset mix puppies! Please meet...Ronnie (A244142), Roger (A244144), and Rachel (A244145).

The adoption fees are $80 for dogs and $70 cats. They are all spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, dogs are tested for canine heartworm disease and cats are tested for feline leukemia. All are reviewed by a vet.

This weekends Friday's Friends came from Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services and are just a few of the animals up for adoption this weekend at the Saving Animals Across Borders Houston Northwest Mall Pet Adoption Center at Northwest Mall, Northwest Freeway (Hwy 290) at 18th Street (Please Use Entrance D). The Pet Adoption Center is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM. Call (713) 680-0282 or click here for more information Saving Animals Across Borders.

For more information on Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services, click on countypets.com.

Mr. Stephen Brownlow was selected following an extensive and thorough executive search process.

Stephen Brownlow is a native Houstonian with an MBA/BBA in finance from the University of Houston. Stephen spent twenty years in the banking industry, doing mutual fund administration, compliance oversight for federal and state regulators, quality control, and team facilitation. He has worked for nonprofits - as board treasurer of the U.S. Dragon Boat Federation and volunteer/event chair of Texas Dragon Boat Association. Most of all, he is passionate about the spay-neuter mission, has had companion animals all of his life, and they have always been rescues. Presently, two rescued dogs Mel and Princeton share his life.

"I was drawn to SNAP because of its commitment to companion animals, strong community involvement, and dedicated volunteers and staff," said Brownlow. "The mission, the philosophy, and the values of the organization are an inspiration and entirely compatible with my personal and professional orientation."

Mr. Brownlow will follow interim executive director Dr. James Weedon, who generously stayed on as an employee of SNAP long after his original one-year agreement. Dr. Weedon will continue in his role as the director of operations on a contract basis. Dr. Weedon has been essential to the achievements of SNAP, and the board members are extremely pleased that he will continue in this role.

About The Spay-Neuter Assistance Program

The Spay-Neuter Assistance Program is a 501(c)(3) organization that operates in Houston, and San Antonio, Texas, with a mission to prevent the suffering and death of cats and dogs due to overpopulation, especially in low-income areas. SNAP envisions a world without homeless dogs and cats. Both Houston and San Antonio have expressed the desire to become "no kill" cities in the near future. SNAP recognizes that sterilization programs, which by definition reduce the number of animals that could possibly be born, are essential to these communities' reaching that desired status. SNAP will focus on helping these cities reach their goal by designing, delivering, promoting, and advancing community-based animal sterilization services.

For more information about SNAP and its programs, click here.

The American Kennel Club announced that the Bulldog, a popular sports team mascot and one of the most recognizable and iconic purebred dogs, has muscled its way into the 10th spot on the organization's annual list of the most popular breeds in America according to 2007 AKC registration figures. The Labrador Retriever retains the title of "Top Dog" - a position it has now held for 17 consecutive years.

"This is the first time the Bulldog has made it onto the top ten list since 1935," said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "This breed appeals to a very wide range of dog lovers so it's no surprise that it is a favorite amongst AKC's 157 breeds. The Bulldog is both docile and adaptive, and can thrive in small or large homes. It's an excellent all-around family pet."

The Bulldog was first recognized by the AKC in 1886 - just two years after the organization's founding - and was most popular in 1915 when it peaked in 5th place. The breed's popularity ebbed and flowed throughout the mid-20th century, but since hitting a low of 41st place in 1973, its ranking has steadily increased.

2007 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Poodle
9. Shih Tzu
10. Bulldog

To read more, including AKC warnings about Internet scams, click here.

The Bulldog Club of America has important information on its website including, Bulldog health, Bulldog rescue, Bulldog care, and warnings for potential purebred puppy buyers.

Photo courtesy of the AKC.

This event is open to the entire community. Government Assistance is NOT required. Cats that do not have a current rabies certificate will also be vaccinated against rabies for free.

Thursday, February 14, 2008
SNAP Houston Spay-Neuter Clinic
1603 Shepherd Dr.
Houston, Texas 77007

AN APPOINTMENT IS REQUIRED. Send email to appointments@snapus.org to set up an appointment. Those without Internet access can call 713-863-0010.

Please bring your cat in a pillow case or a carrier. No feral cats will be spayed during this event. No food or water for your adult cat after 10 p.m. the night before surgery. Kittens may be given half their usual amount of food and water the morning they come. All cats go home the same day as surgery.

SNAP is bringing this day to the community through a generous grant from Lost Pawses.

For more information, call SNAP at 713-862-3863 or click here.

"Despite the fact that cloned animals suffer high mortality rates and those who survive are often plagued with birth defects and diseases, the FDA did not give adequate consideration to the welfare of these animals or their surrogate mothers in its deliberations," said Wayne Pacelle, The HSUS' president and CEO. "Furthermore, no regulations exist in the United States that protect farm animals during cloning research."

In December 2007, both the House and Senate passed legislation responding to consumer concerns about the FDA's impending approval of these products. The House and Senate approved language -- signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (PL 110-1610) that strongly encourages the FDA to complete a study with the USDA and maintain the voluntary moratorium on meat and milk from cloned animals and their offspring.

The Senate also approved a provision in December as part of its Farm Bill (HR 2419), introduced by Sens. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., and Arlen Specter, R-Pa., requiring additional studies by both the USDA and the National Academy of Sciences before the FDA can issue a final decision.

A review of recent cloning research studies reveals that many of the animals involved suffered from a wide variety of maladies. High failure rates, including stillbirths and premature deaths, occur on a regular basis, and such abnormalities as intestinal blockages; diabetes; shortened tendons; deformed feet; weakened immune systems; dysfunctional hearts, brains, livers, and kidneys; respiratory distress and circulatory problems are all too common.

A 2005 review of cloning procedures in cattle found that only about 6 percent of all cloned embryos transferred into recipient cows survived, confirming that the process remained highly inefficient. Many surrogate mothers used in farm animal cloning research also suffer from reduced welfare from fetal overgrowth, repeated surgeries and injections, and pregnancy complications that have resulted in death.

In June 2005, an FDA representative said that cloned animals were more likely to suffer birth defects and health problems. Following the FDA's release of its draft risk assessment on animal cloning one year ago, the agency received about 150,000 comments strongly opposing the agency's preliminary approval of meat and milk from cloned animals and their offspring.

To read the complete story from the HSUS, click here.

Click to read what the USDA and the FDA have to say on this issue.

About two weeks ago, a city animal-control officer gave John Newland a ticket for keeping too many animals. The citation, which carried a possible fine of up to $500, was under an ordinance limiting to four the number of dogs or cats a person could feed or keep.

However, municipal prosecutor Mike Miller said Monday that the local law's language specifically denoted "domesticated member (s) of the feline species" as falling under the limit. Domesticated animals are ones that can live peacably with people. By any definition, the cats living in the West End fields were feral, not domesticated, Miller said.

Click here to read the full story.

Join Dogs Deserve Better February 7-14th for "Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week." Their goal is to send out 10,000 Valentines to chained or penned dogs.

Dogs Deserve Better is striving to raise awareness for chained and penned dogs in a positive way...by delivering Valentines, a brochure and a treat coupon to dogs living outside all over the U.S. and other countries where they have representation, such as Canada and Australia.

For more information, click here.

If you are interested in fostering some of these wonderfully cute animals, please contact Julie Keeton at (713) 922-4748.
BARC is located at 3200 Carr.

Meet these cuties!

"Abandoning pets, for any reason, is not only irresponsible - it is illegal," said Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for companion animals at The HSUS. "Pet owners may feel financially unable to care for their pets or are overwhelmed by a sudden move, but there are many alternatives to leaving pets behind. For those in need of help, we offer tips on easing the financial burden of pet ownership and finding pet-friendly housing."

Abandoned pets face a grim future. Many pets trapped inside abandoned homes aren't found until they're on the brink of starvation. Shain said, "No one likes to think of leaving their pet at a shelter, but if you can't take him with you, it is by far more humane than leaving them in an apartment or a house alone. Too many animals die alone this way every year. If people are absolutely unable to care for their pet any longer, they should take him or her to their local animal shelter or animal control agency. The shelter can provide food and housing while they try and locate a new home."

There are also local, regional or national rescue organizations for purebred animals.

These outcomes can be avoided by planning ahead as much as possible and finding pet-friendly housing. The following steps can help in the search for pet-friendly rental housing:

(1) Give yourself enough time. If possible, check ads and contact real estate agents and rental agencies at least six weeks before you plan to move or when you first learn that foreclosure and/or eviction may be in your future.

(2) Make use of available resources. Contact the humane society or animal care and control agency serving the area into which you are moving; the agency may be able to provide you with a list of apartment communities that allow pets.

(3) Gather proof that you're responsible. The more documentation you can provide attesting to your conscientiousness as a pet owner, the more convincing your appeal will be to your future landlord. This can include statements from current property managers and neighbors that you maintain your pet responsibly, as well as copies of veterinary records showing ongoing pet care.

(4) Get it in writing. Once you have permission from a landlord, manager or condominium committee to have a pet, be sure to get it in writing. Comprehensive agreements protect people, property and the pets themselves.

Individuals facing financial hardships can reduce the cost of pet ownership in many ways. Some tips include:

(1) While buying expensive toys and accessories has become a popular way to demonstrate your attachment to your pet, your pet can be just as happy with less expensive toys or homemade toys. They need your love and attention more than a pricey product. Tips for inexpensive toys can be found by clicking here and searching on "dog toys" or "cat toys."

(2) Keep your pets safe inside or on a leash while walking outside. Animals allowed to roam freely are more prone to accidents and resulting veterinary bills.

(3) Let your veterinarian know that finances are tight and ask that he or she prescribe only the most vital vaccinations to keep your pet healthy.

(4) Consider pet health insurance to minimize the shock of an expensive bill from the veterinarian in case of an unexpected illness or injury.

The HSUS has tips on finding pet-friendly housing and on what to do if you are having trouble affording veterinary care.

Dr. Cole believes Jasmine's owners put a three-inch rope collar around her neck when she was just weeks old and never loosened or changed it. Jasmine has undergone multiple surgeries, and there is still an open wound under her neck. That's why the Humane Society is offering $2,500 to anyone who can help police find her abusers.

Click here to watch Rosa Flores' 11 News report.

Newland said he never had problems, until November 2006 when island bird-lover Jim Stevenson shot one of the cats. A year later, charges against Stevenson were dropped after a deadlocked jury.

Now, Newland himself is headed to court as a defendant in a criminal case. Last week, city animal control officer Leroy Cooper issued Newland a misdemeanor citation, accusing him of keeping too many animals. The charge carries a possible fine of up to $500.

Newland is set for court next Monday before Preceinct 1 Justice of the Peace Jim Schweitzer.

Click here, Fined for Feeding Cats, to read the full story.

Councilmen Mark Townsend and Kerry Neves said Wednesday they've had some dogs they've had to restrain during loud thunderstorms and temporary restraints were the only way to ensure the canines remained in their backyard fences.

A concerned citizen went to a council meeting last year, asking for members to pass a similar measure adopted in Texas City that prevents the continuous chaining of dogs.

"I understand her point of view," Townsend said. "But then you've got people like Kerry, but if it lightnings, he ain't the only one going to be in that boat." If the council passes a total ban, Townsend said, "I think we'll be making criminals out of law-abiding citizens."

Neves said the council would likely discuss the matter during a work session as soon as late February or March.

Click here, Council Delays Decision, to read the full story.

A 50-pound female retriever mix entered the Memphis Zoo through a service entrance. Workers chased the dog but she jumped over a railing and retaining wall which led to the tiger exhibit. The dog swam across a 12-foot-wide moat to the tiger exhibit and was then attacked by a 225-pound female Sumatran tiger.

A zoo spokesman said, "The exhibit is designed to keep the animals from getting out but not for keeping animals from getting in. You can jump off a cliff but you can't jump up a cliff."

Workers, who were following the dog, used fireworks and air horns to distract the tigers from the exhibit and to get them back into their night enclosures.

One tiger had the dog in her grasp for several minutes.

The dog was treated by zoo veterinarians and was then taken to the Animal Emergency Medical Center, and she is reported to be in good condition. A clinic manager said, "She's resting comfortably. She's fairly unscathed for the amount of damage that could have been done."

Click here, News for cats and dogs - Stray Dog Surives Tiger Attack, for pictures and video.

As an Abandoned Animal Rescue (AAR) volunteer, Myca, entered her dog, Woody, in the Circuit City & Kodak Firedog Photo Contest. Woody is 1 of 20 finalists from across the country AND the only dog from Texas in the finals.

A win for Woody is a win for AAR. Every vote for Woody is $1 for AAR. If Woody wins, he goes to Hollywood to film a firedog commercial and AAR receives $50,000. Vote for Woody by clicking here through January 26, 2008. One vote per person. One vote per email address.

Abandoned Animal Rescue is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter and low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Tomball that is managed and maintained by an all-volunteer staff. AAR found homes for about 300 dogs and cats last year and spayed and neutered about 1500.

Baber has been charged with four counts of cruelty to animals, two counts of falsifying government records, two counts of unlawful intracardial injection of dogs and four counts of unverified deaths of cats and dogs.

Last year, Baber was videotaped injecting lethal drugs into animals' hearts to euthanize them without sedating them beforehand. Baber will appear in court on January 16.

In December, the Tennessee board of veterinary medical examiners found Baber guilty of violating the state's euthanasia rules. His license will be suspended until April, and he has been placed on probation for five years, fined $2,000 and will have to go through psychological counseling.

Source: News for cats and dogs - Tennessee Vet Faces Criminal Charges For Euthansia Methods

For the past two years, therapy dogs Winston, Abraham, and Brando, who are part of the Paws 4 Trust program, have visited the girls at Excelsior every week for two hours.

The counselors at Excelsior said that the therapy dogs are really helping the girls and affecting them in a positive way. The girls and dogs have formed life-long bonds. They both seem to understand each other and it's maybe because the girls can relate to the dogs because Winston was rescued from a shelter and Brando was neglected and abused before he was adopted.

Click here to read more, News for cats and dogs - Therapy Dogs Bring Love And Help To At-Risk Girls

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working to reach a final decision on the proposal to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The deadline was Wednesday, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it hoped to provide a recommendation to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne so that he could decide by next month. Click here to read the USFWS full bulletin. Listing polar bears as "threatened" with extinction could trigger limits on development, particularly oil and gas exploration and production, which could harm the animals. That listing is a step below "endangered," the most severe classification under the Endangered Species Act.

Last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released its yearly appraisal of the current status of plants and animals that are candidates for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Four species were removed from the candidate list and five species were added since the last review in September 2006. There are now 280 species recognized by the Service as candidates for ESA protection.

The Surprising Cave beetle in Kentucky was removed as a candidate after an assessment found that the species' range was larger and the threats to its continued existence had decreased. In addition, Mammoth Cave National Park entered into a 15-year agreement to conserve the cave beetle and its habitat, which includes Surprising Cave and three other caves in the park.

Three other species were removed from the candidate list this year:

The basalt daisy, a plant found in Washington, was removed from the candidate list due to conservation efforts and information indicating the species is more abundant than once believed.

The Warm Springs Zaitzevian riffle beetle, an insect found in Montana, was removed from the list due to conservation efforts. Through the implementation of a management plan since 1994, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Fish Technology Center has managed and protected the habitat for the beetle.

The slender moonwort, a plant known to occur in Alaska, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and portions of Canada, was removed because it is more abundant than previously recognized and there is insufficient information to justify its continued candidate status.

This year, the Service evaluated several species under the candidate process and found that five warrant ESA protection. The five new candidate species are:

Las Vegas buckwheat, a plant species found in Clark and Lincoln Counties, Nevada;

New Mexico meadow jumping mouse, a mammal species found in Apache County, Arizona; a small portion of Las Animas County, Colorado; and in Colfax, Mora, Otero, and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico;

Huachuca/Canelo Distinct Population Segment of the Arizona treefrog, an amphibian found in the Huachuca Mountains and adjacent Canelo Hills in Arizona and Rancho Los Fresnos in north-central Sonora, Mexico;

Laurel dace, a fish species found in Bledsoe and Rhea Counties, Tennessee;

San Bernardino springsnail, a snail found in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico.

Identification of candidate species provides resource managers with advance notice of species in need of consultation, allowing them to alleviate threats before the protection of the ESA is required.

For the full USFWS report, click here.

More than 50,000 observers participated in this all-day census of early-winter bird populations. The results of their efforts are compiled into the longest running database in ornithology, representing over a century of unbroken data on trends of early-winter bird populations across the Americas. Simply put, the Christmas Bird Count, or "CBC", is citizen science in action.

Citizen Science is a way for you to connect with the natural world through fun activities that generate vital information for the conservation of birds. This partnership benefits us all: you will learn about birds by taking part in these science-based activities, and Audubon's science staff gains invaluable information. Most importantly, the birds benefit because it helps Audubon focus on those birds and habitats that need our help most. Audubon is developing a range of Citizen Science programs that are suitable for birders of all degrees of experience. Click here to learn about some current programs.

They are the homeless of the domestic animal world -- colonies of feral cats that roam residential neighborhoods and lurk around office buildings and commercial garages, scavenging for food. But one animal welfare group has figured out a way to save their lives and put them to work in Los Angeles.

Click here to read Carla Hall's story in the Los Ageles Times or click here to watch video from KCAL (CBS).

Kittens #1 and #2 are spayed females and both under two-months of age. One is named Fancy and her Animal ID# is A243474.

Sox is a three-month old, spayed female Russian Blue kitten. Her Animal ID# is A240999.

Butch is a two-year old, neutered male Cairn Terrier. His animal ID# is A243714.

And, last but certainly not least are two adorable Chow Chow mix puppies! They are two-month old, neutered males. Their Animal ID# is A243341.

The adoption fees are $80 for dogs and $70 cats. They are all spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, dogs are tested for canine heartworm disease and cats are tested for feline leukemia. All are reviewed by a vet.

This weekends Friday's Friends came from Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services and are just a few of the animals up for adoption this weekend at the Saving Animals Across Borders Houston Northwest Mall Pet Adoption Center at Northwest Mall, Northwest Freeway (Hwy 290) at 18th Street (Please Use Entrance D). The Pet Adoption Center is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM. Call (713) 680-0282 or click here for more information Saving Animals Across Borders.

For more information on Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services, click here countypets.com.

PRODUCT
Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats and Kittens; Vitality Formula: Delivers Critical Daily Nutrients Pets Need for Optimal Health; Liver Flavored; Net contents: 100 chewable Tablets. UPC 32700-97701, Recall # V-020-2008

CODE
Lot: SZ-16371

RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER
Recalling Firm: Hartz Mountain Corp., Secaucus, NJ, by letters on November 5, 2007.

Manufacturer: UFAC (USA), Inc., Baconton, GA. Firm initiated recall is ongoing.

REASON
Surveillance samples collected and analyzed by FDA tested positive for salmonella.

VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE
2,772 bottles (231 cases)

DISTRIBUTION
Nationwide
___________________________________

PRODUCT
a) Wild Harvest Fruit and Honey Cockatiel, Recall # V-021-2008;
b) Ecotrition Tropical Fruit and Honey Bars, Recall # V-022-2008;
c) Wild Harvest Hamster, Gerbil, Mouse & Rat Honey Cakes, Recall # V-023-2008

CODE
a) Lot: 07096 and Lot: 07108;
b) and c) Lot: 07096

RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER
United Pet Group Inc., Cincinnati, OH, by telephone and letter. Firm initiated recall is ongoing.

REASON
Pet treats were imported from China. LOS-DO sampled the treats and they were positive for melamine. The shipments were placed on hold for redelivery and was erroneously shipped into commerce.

VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE
54,178 units

DISTRIBUTION
AZ, CA, FL, MI, NJ, NY, TX, and WA

Source:

News for cats and dogs - Stealth Recall: United Pet Group Pet Treats

FDA Enforcement Report

A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit regarding recalled Diamond Pet Food products. A settlement fund, worth up to $3.1 million, will be established and pay consumers who purchased recalled Diamond Pet Food products, and compensate dog owners whose dogs were injured as a result of eating recalled Diamond Pet Food products. The settlement also provides that Diamond will pay Court awarded attorneys' fees, costs, and expenses incurred in this lawsuit.

To learn more about the settlement, call toll free 1-800-960-6651, go to the website, and/or write to Diamond Pet Food Settlement, c/o The Garden City Group, Inc., P.O. Box 9214, Dublin, OH 43017-4614.

Source: News for cats and dogs - Payment Settlement Reached In 2005 Diamond Pet Food Recalls

But the real blow came with the new year: A letter from an anonymous woman who had found the friendly dog and gave it to her daughter as a Christmas present. To compensate for Velevis' loss, a $20 bill was enclosed.

"The puppy has a different name now, but he has plenty of food and toys. My daughter adores him. He sleeps with her every night," said the letter, which arrived Wednesday.

Read more

This presentation offers a rare opportunity to join a legendary animal trainer - the Navy's first director of marine mammal training and director of a world famous chicken training camp - in exploring the science of learning. Bob Bailey will discuss the history of the psychology of learning and animal training, the processes of learning itself, and the mechanics of operant conditioning. This program also includes ideas for creating and carrying out a plan for getting a behavior and putting it on cue as Mr. Bailey uncovers his methods of getting even the most complex of behaviors from animals. Finally, Mr. Bailey will show some of the possible accomplishments of operant conditioning, as exemplified in the successes of his chicken training camp and Animal Behavior Enterprises, where he trained tens of thousands of animals of over 140 different species.

Program Information:

Date: January 19th, 2008
Time: 2:00 to 7:00 pm
Place: Houston SPCA, 900 Portway Drive, Houston, TX 77024
Prices: Early Bird Discount - on or before January 10th is $40.00 or Regular Price - after January 10th is $60.00. Prices include the seminar and dinner.
Approved for 4 CCPDT CEUs

Click here to download or print registration material.

Animal Training Fundamentals is a charity event to benefit the Houston Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The initiative is being launched as statistics by the American Veterinary Medical Association show an increase in the cat population coupled with a continued decline in veterinary visits for cats. The percentage of cat-owning households that received no veterinary care in 2006 was 36.3 percent, compared to 17.3 percent of dog-owning households. There are an estimated 82 million cats in the US, yet cats are twice as likely as dogs to not see a veterinarian. This means many feline diseases or illnesses go undiagnosed or untreated.

The purpose of this initial planning meeting is to design a baseline framework to unite in an unprecedented campaign. The ultimate goal is to lead a national initiative to champion the cat and elevate its status across North America.

Among the issues to be considered are:

The status of the cat in the veterinary clinic and the pet owner's household - why are the cat's needs still going unmet?

How can the existing stereotypes regarding cats in today's media be rectified?

Why are the numbers of cats increasing while veterinary visits are declining?

What can organizations do to reverse these trends?

How can veterinarians and allied organizations raise the bar for existing cat owners to improve feline care?

How do these partners combine their strategies and efforts to elevate the benefits of cats as pets?

Is a public campaign a solution?

The CATalyst Summit will take place Feb. 5-6, 2008, in conjunction with the AAFP Winter Meeting in Palm Springs, California.

Sources:

stevedalepetworld.com
catalystsummit.org

The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.

Housing. It is important to provide your pet with proper shelter. If your dog or cat lives in the house, place his bed or crate in a warm, safe place, away from drafts. For outdoor pets, make sure they have a well-insulated house that is both water and windproof. The house should be elevated off the ground so moisture can't seep inside. Install a door flap to protect against blustery drafts and gusts of wind. Extra blankets and even straw will increase your pet's comfort and warmth. Even better, consider bringing pets inside!

Antifreeze. A tiny lick of antifreeze off a driveway or gutter can kill your dog or cat. Antifreeze, which contains ethylene glycol, attracts pets with its sweet smell and taste. Check to make sure your car is not leaking antifreeze. Clean up any spills immediately and keep containers tightly closed and stored in a safe place. Consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

Food. Because cold weather depletes an animal's energy, outdoor pets may need to consume more calories than usual. Talk to your veterinarian about what's right for your pet.

Water. Although the weather may be wet and cold, your pet still needs fresh, clean water available at all times.

Outdoor Cats. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

For the latest weather information, click here.