Dog-fighting ring busted at day care center

Blood spattered the garage of a home day care in Chicago Ridge, Ill., that was also the base of an alleged dog- fighting ring, authorities said Wednesday, describing battered and malnourished dogs and the devices used to train them found not far from where children played.

Police said four people were arrested, and felony dog-fighting charges are pending against several of them, including the day care operator's husband. Authorities did not immediately release their names.

Nine battered dogs - four of which were puppies - were rescued, police said.

"The dogs were in horrific condition," Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said at the Animal Welfare League in suburban Chicago Ridge, where several of the dogs were undergoing surgery and rehabilitation. "This is as bad as we've seen."

Dart said approximately 10 children were found in the day care during the raid Tuesday, but they were not in the immediate vicinity of the dogs.

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services spokesman Kendall Marlowe said the Maywood day care was shut down Wednesday and was under investigation. He said it had been licensed since March 2004 and for a capacity of seven children.

Humane responders take on task of socializing 500 dogs from raid

On Sunday, a team of 11 Red Star Animal Emergency Services responders from the American Humane Association will return to a shelter near St. Louis to help care for and socialize some 500 dogs that were rescued in a July dogfighting raid, the biggest in U.S. history, which spanned Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas.

This news comes on the heels of guilty pleas from Robert Hackman, Teddy Kiriakidis, Ronald Creach and Michael Morgan entered Monday to conspiracy and other crimes, admitting their roles in breeding, trafficking, fighting and killing pit bulls in a lucrative dogfighting network, the Associated Press reports. A fifth co-defendant, Jack Ruppel, pled guilty Sept. 4.

During the raid, agents also seized "rape stands" used to strap female dogs into place to be bred. One hundred puppies have been born since the raids.

Breeding is crucial to the industry because fighting dogs don't live long, says Tim Rickey, director of the Humane Society of Missouri's anti-cruelty task force.

The Humane Society of Missouri staff "is outstanding," says Red Star Animal Emergency Services program manager Tracy Reis. "This temporary shelter is one of the best run that I've seen. They've been working this shelter since the beginning and are tireless in their efforts to care for these dogs. I'm proud that they've asked us to help."

New video from the Humane Society of Missouri shows dogs chained and caged with ribs showing, lips chewed and legs missing:

"To know that three-legged dogs were forced to fight for their survival is too much," said Rickey.

Adopt Destiny

This little sweetie was rescued from a shelter up North. Destiny is the cutest little angel in the world.

Destiny is about two months old and will grow to be around forty lbs. She is going to be a great family dog. She has a very sweet and gentle spirit. If you are interested in adopting this one of a kind little angel, then feel free to contact. me at 213-840-0153 or feel free to email me at Dawn@BarkAveLA.com

More about Destiny ...

Available for Adoption

Black with White

Medium

Good with Dogs

Good with Cats

Good with Children

Up-to-date with vaccines

Location: 90007

E Mail Dawn@BarkAveLA.com.

Adopt Fiona

Dogs Okay, Children (8 years and up), High Energy, Puppy Classes Required At Owner's Expense

DATE IN:	9/5/09
FROM:	Public Intake
DOB:	7/3/09
BREED:	Female, Mixed Breed

Adoption Manager – ext. 103
Alice@petorphans.org
Phone: (818) 901 - 0190

Vaccine clinics

Vaccine Clinics

Burbank

VCA Animal Hospital
(818) 845-7246

Culver City

Sepulveda Animal Hospital
(310) 397-0774

Downey

Southeast Area Animal Control
(714) 935-6848
SEAACA.org

Los Angeles

Ambassador Dog and Cat Hospital
(213) 384-1255

Center Sinai Animal Hospital
(310) 559-3770

Larchmont Animal Clinic
(323) 463-4889

Robertson Animal Hospital
(310) 657-7050

Stray Cat Alliance
(310) 281-6973

VCA Petville Animal Hospital
(310) 313-9118

Santa Monica

VCA Santa Monica Dog and Cat Hospital
(310) 453-5459

VCA Wilshire Animal Hospital
(310) 828-4587

LA Tails | Celebrating the relationship between pets and their people

LA Tails | Celebrating the relationship between pets and their people

Shared via AddThis

Please adopt me!

I am a 3.5 yr old American Bulldog mix who was rescued from Hurricane Katrina. I am very loving guy, great in the house and gentle with children. I am not so affectionate with other dogs which allows me to give all my love to you.

I am looking for a foster home, or better yet, a permanent home.
Watson is up-to-date with routine shots, house trained and spayed/neutered

• Ace of Hearts
• Beverly Hills, CA
• 310-358-3344

Ace of Hearts Adoption Schedule

Come visit us!

Our adoption days are normally held every Saturday at Pet Co. in West Hollywood at 508 N. Doheny on the south East corner of Doheny and Santa Monica Blvd. from 1 to 4 pm.

ACE OF HEARTS ADOPTION SCHEDULE for 2009
The following are the dates for our adoptions through the month of December:

September - 26th October - 10th, 24th November - 7th, 21st December - 5th, 19th

We do show dogs on the weekends that we are not at Petco, after the interested party has filled out the online application (by appointment only). IMPORTANT - because our schedule is subject to change, please email us if you have any questions, and we can fax you the current schedule and info.

The Secrets Inside Your Dog\'s Mind

The Secrets Inside Your Dog\'s Mind

Homeless dogs will benefit every time Michael Vick is tackled

Homeless dogs will benefit every time Michael Vick is tackled

By MJD

I've gotta give some love to Philadelphia's Main Line Animal Rescue. They once planned to put their money and energy into billboards bashing Vick, but then came up with a better idea: taking advantage of Michael Vick's(notes) reinstatement to do some good for homeless doggies.

According to Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Daily News, Main Line Animal Rescue is buying ad space in newspapers in the cities to which Vick will travel during the NFL season, pledging to donate five bags of dog food to a local animal shelter every time someone tackles Vick. They're also asking people to volunteer at local shelters on Vick game days.

The ad you see to your right ran in today's Washington Post.

I wholeheartedly support the campaign, and it sounds like the exact type of thing I'd have recommended for an animal activist group. It's going to benefit dogs in need (provided Michael Vick ever sees any game time; and I'd also add the stipulation that a Vick interception means 10 bags of dog food), it's not destructive or disruptive in any way, it doesn't make anyone look mean-spirited, and it doesn't let Vick off the hook, either.

The only way it goes bad is if Vick is hit and suffers some debilitating injury. and they end up celebrating a man's paralysis by giving a gift of dog food. That would be awkward for everybody. But that's a longshot, and I don't think anyone wants to see that happen.

Main Line Animal Resuce is using Vick to advance their cause, which they absolutely should, and they're doing so in a way that's 100% positive. Hooray for homeless doggies.

Dog rescued from Iraq finds loving home in USA

Dog rescued from Iraq finds loving home in USA

How far will people go to rescue cats and dogs? One person, Terri Crisp, has made 23 trips to Iraq to help bring home soldiers' pets.

Maj. Steven Hutchison got tremendous comfort from Laia, according to this Detroit Free Press story, before Hutchison became the oldest victim of the war at age 60 in May. He slept with his arms round the dog. Now, Laia is living in the USA with a family, thanks to Crisp and Operation Baghdad Pups, an effort sponsored by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International to bring home soldiers cats and dogs.

Even though it's against the military's rules, soldiers are adopting pets in Afghanistan and Iraq, finding the dogs and cats bring themselves and those around them good cheer during difficult times.

Crisp, the program manager for the SPCA, told the Detroit Free Press:

"There may be some people who say, 'You are wasting all that time and money and putting people's lives in danger to go pick up a dog?' " said Terri Crisp, the program manager.

"But these dogs are so much more. ... They have gotten them through some incredibly tough things. ...A lot of the guys will say that when they go out on patrol, the closer they get back to base, they look forward to getting there, because the dog or cat is waiting for them."

Eco-friendly Dog Beds

Attention all Ace of Hearts Volunteers!!

Kari wants to show her appreciation to all of Ace's supporters by offering you 40% off her line of Eco-Frienldy Dog Beds, Greener Pup (www.greenerpup.com.)

These beds are amazing for several reasons!

1. The bed filler is made of recycled plastic bottles. Every bed contains 90-120 recycled plastic bottles that would have ended up in landfills!

2. The cover is made from high end designer fabric that was overstock and destined to end up in a landfill.
3. 100 % of the proceeds go to Ace of Hearts

Not only are you saving the precious Earth, but you are saving dogs lives!

Greener Pup is the perfect Christmas, Hanuka, Birthday, Housewarming, or anytime present! Get one for your favorite furry friend today!

Use promo code 'AceVolunteer' at checkout for your 40% discount!

Dogs get nod in study to help vets with post traumatic stress disorder

A new study is hoping man's best friend can help veterans struggling with post traumatic stress disorder.

The U.S. Department of Defense is starting a 12-month study to find out exactly how the dogs help by comparing soldiers with PTSD who have dogs with a similar group of soldiers without a dog. Researchers will measure changes in symptoms and medication use.

These psychiatric service dogs have been assisting people with a variety of mental illnesses since the late 1990s. About 10,000 such dogs are now in use.

Joan Esnayra, president and founder of the Psychiatric Service Dog Society, has a message on their website for veterans: They have a "soulmate in their dog who is ever loyal and compassionate" and a community that understands them.

And that has the military interested, according to a Kansas City Starstory.

"It's a powerful intervention. We expect a very large effect," research psychologist Craig Love told the Star.

Love will be conducting the study at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center with Esnayra.

The two researchers presented their work Thursday during a military health research conference held this week in Kansas City. Love and Esnayra surveyed 39 people with PTSD who were teamed with psychiatric service dogs.

Eighty-two percent have reported fewer PTSD symptoms since they have had the dogs, and 40% said they were using fewer medications.

Sharon L. Peters wrote about a holiday gift in 2007 for stressed troops in Iraq: two long-eared, highly sensitive black Labrador retrievers that military officials hope will help soldiers navigate the ragged emotions of life in a war zone. They were trained by America's VetDogs.

Save me!!!!

Pure Breed Black Labrador Retriever (Baldwin Park Animal Shelter)

Pure Breed BLACK LAB FOR ADOPTION AT THE BALDWIN PARK ANIMAL SHELTER.

Friendly dog needs a good home. Doesn't have much long before he is put down if he doesn't find a home

Impound No: A4025644 Details

Impound Date: 8/27/2009
Sex: Male
Primary Breed: LABRADOR RETR
Age: 3 Years, 0 Months
Location: BALDWIN

4275 N. Elton
Baldwin Park, CA 91706
(626) 962-3577


Hours:
Monday – Thursday 12 PM – 7 PM
Friday and Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM
Closed Sundays and Holidays

Help this French Bulldog

This french bull dog broke his leg in two places and needs surgery to put a pin in it.. His owner loves him and cannot afford the $1500 surgery. Would any of you animal lovers be will to donate to Max's surgery? All donation will go to East Valley Animal Hospital in Sun Valley. Please contact Delia at the hospital. 818767-7116 . One thousand dollars is still needed.

Rescued needs entropian surgery - Need Donations/ Please rescue/cross post: Ozzie..4 yr old Brindle Sharpei Mix‏

We rescued Ozzie on Friday..the sharpei dropped of at North Central Shelter in a shopping cart! ..new pics attached. We are trying to raise donations for his entropian surgery..he will need it in both eyes. Ozzie also is now looking for his forever home. He is great with people, other dogs and children. He is very well behaved and just a sweet boy!!

Tax Deductible to “ H.E.L.P.” mail to : H.E.L.P. , PO BOX 46431, Los Angeles, CA 90046 OR VIA PAY PAL to ahomeforeverylivingpet@yahoo.com

H.E.L.P. - A HOME for EVERY LIVING PET

P.O. Box 46431, Los Angeles, California 90046

Email: helppets12@gmail.com

Website: http://help.petfinder.com

PayPal address: ahomeforeverylivingpet@yahoo.com

H.E.L.P is a non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to saving the lives of animals in the Los Angeles City Shelters. Donations are used to pay for veterinary services for animals in the Los Angeles City Shelters that are sick or injured so that they can become adoptable, as well as foster care for animals that need more time to be adopted.

California Non-Profit # 2366840 EIN# 01-0550471

Adopt Violet

More About Violet
Violet is a pretty little gal. She is just under a year old. She is a mixed breed dog and she looks to us like she has some Shar Pei in her and some Staffie. She was found as a stray and her owners were never located. We named her Violet because of her spectacular little personality. She just lights up a room and the people around her. She is smart, a quick learner and wants to please. Her personality is very easy going and extremely friendly. She gets along with everyone she meets and has very good play manners with other dogs. Violet is good with all ages of children and will make a nice addition into any home situation. Violet is current on her vaccinations, spayed, microchipped and has been de-wormed. Contact Terrell 323-385-8993 or tc2806@hotmail.com.

From 'THE BARK': New Tool for Adoption Efforts

Ozzie, a four-ish Shar Pei-mix with a brindle coat was delivered to a Los Angeles shelter in a shopping cart. The day dog trainer Robert Cabral met him, the dog laid on the floor in total shock. Because of this, Cabral says, Ozzie was “red-listed,” given fewer than seven days before being euthanized. So Cabral administered and videotaped a temperament test, which Ozzie appears to ace, and sent it out into cyberspace.

“Ozzie was saved, as has become the pattern for dogs we feature,” says Cabral, who heads up Bound Angels, a non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of animals, including creating awareness campaigns and educating the public about responsible pet stewardship. Cabral believes rescue has a long way to go in showcasing animals properly on video. “A picture is worth a 1,000 words,” he explains. “People believe what they see, not what they read.”

It’s the first time I’ve seen anything like it, and, if I’m any measure, I’m guessing these sort of videos will be an effective tool in driving adoptions. Ever since I watched the Ozzie spot (and a heart-breaking follow-up), I’ve been plumbing my address book to find a new family for him.

Of course, there are issues. Temperament tests and behavior evaluations have plenty of detractors. Plus, the time and energy involved in taping and posting a test is probably prohibitive for most shelters, and wouldn’t be possible without folks like Cabral. Still, I imagine the impact of seeing a dog behaving well around people, other dogs, even children would be far greater than a couple photos plus a description. Maybe it's an option for those hard-to-place pups.

I ran across Ozzie’s video on Woof in the City, a website/blog created by Stephanie Erney, a 27-year-old administrative assistant in Los Angeles. (It’s always inspiring to see how many people are lending their talents to overtaxed shelter and rescue efforts around the country.) Erney’s two-month-old site is her effort to bring together in one place a complete list of dog rescues in the Los Angeles area (she has 13 so far) and to provide general rescue news information, local calls for support and event notices, and shout-outs for dogs-seeking-forever-homes. It’s a lot of work with a simple goal. She says, “I really hope to get as many dogs adopted as possible.”

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