Unsung Heroes at St. Frances Animal Center in Georgetown, South Carolina!

A friend of mine, and the most dedicated animal advocate I’ve ever known, runs this wonderful animal shelter in South Carolina, so I want to give the place a plug!

Saint Frances Animal Center (SFAC) is Georgetown County, SC’s only open-admission animal shelter. Taking in 1,500 homeless cats and dogs each year, they focus on making sure every animal who has been lost, abandoned, abused, or neglected has a happy ending to their story. Saint Frances Animal Center cares for, treats, and rehabilitates every animal that comes there, to help ensure they go on to find loving homes.
In addition, SFAC runs a low-cost veterinary clinic that provides full-service, affordable veterinary care and spay/neuter surgeries for families. They believe the love and joy that pets bring to our lives should not be limited by a family’s income. Before adopting them out, SFAC ensures that all pets are neutered, vaccinated, and healthy, regardless of a family’s financial challenges.
I hope you’ll keep this shelter in mind, and help them out whenever you can! HERE’S THE LINK TO DONATE!

Help Bring SPAYATHON Back to Puerto Rico!

I apologize; this is a month old but it is OUTRAGEOUS. I apologize for the length, but please read it all and respond if you can. Hundreds of thousands MORE homeless animals will be born, suffer, and die if this is not fixed.  Thank you.

SPAYATHON FOR PUERTO RICO ENDED – WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

We were left blindsided by the news that late Thursday evening, a Puerto Rico court declared the Governor’s executive orders on Spayathon null and void, stating that the government does not have the authority to allow veterinarians not licensed in Puerto Rico to practice on the island. This ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by three Puerto Rico veterinarians who have been against this groundbreaking initiative since the beginning and decided to challenge the government in the courts. Those veterinarians are:

Dra. Monica Pagan Mutt
Dra. Victor Oppenheimer Soto
Dra. Maria Cueto Ruiz

Their case:
• The Puerto Rico DVMs argued that they were negatively affected by the Executive Orders because DVMs not licensed in Puerto Rico could practice veterinary medicine in the commonwealth.
• They argue that the government was allowing DVMs not licensed in P.R. to practice veterinary medicine in Spayathon clinics.
• They argue that the mechanism used to allow outside veterinarians to practice in the commonwealth is not allowed by the law.

Arguments from the government:

• Government argued that, during an emergency period, the governor can authorize DVM temporary licensing
• The government argued that P.R. DVMs did not prove they were negatively affected by the Executive Order
• The government also argued that this was a matter of public policy as it was intended to address the animal welfare crisis.

The Court concluded:

• Government cannot issue an Executive Order that is against an existing law. Current law does not allow temporary licensing and changing that is up to the Legislative Assembly.
• Declares Executive Orders 2020-15 & 2020-18 null and void.

This ruling effectively puts an end to Spayathon for Puerto Rico, unless the government appeals the decision in a higher court. This amazing project has been 3 years of extremely hard work and as a member of the Spayathon coalition together we have successfully s/n/v over 53,000 animals, making this the largest and most successful HQHVSN initiative in the world.

Spayathon for Puerto Rico has been the shining beacon of hope not only for The Sato Project but also for the millions of Puerto Ricans who so desperately need help with their animals. A large scale mass spay, neuter and vaccination program is the ONLY way we are ever going to address Puerto Rico’s massive animal population and the spread of infectious disease. Spayathon for Puerto Rico was providing a humane solution to decrease euthanasia and combat the massive suffering that street dogs endure.

This program is desperately needed. Every single person that we have had the pleasure of meeting through Spayathon has been so incredibly appreciative and thankful for this initiative. They line up at midnight to ensure they get seen. And no one complains. Since we began Spayathon for Puerto Rico has completed 52,524 surgeries and vaccinated the same amount of animals.

That prevents the birth of over 316,680 animals. That is over three hundred thousand that will not suffer.
We had four (4) more rounds of Spayathon to complete.
Our last clinic in May was canceled due to Covid 19.
We are now in what experts are predicting to be one of the worst hurricane seasons for decades. And on top of this, the earthquakes still continue daily.

This island, the people of Puerto Rico, the estimated 500,000 stray dogs and estimated 1,000,000 feral cats have suffered enough. The Sato Project stands firmly behind the continuance of the Spayathon program. It would facilitate the treatment of over 100,000 animals. It would stand forever as the change that Puerto Rico needs to end the perception of being the island of abandonment and suffering for animals. We have a unique opportunity to make history. And we for one want to be a part of it.

How you can help:

Email or call:
The Governor of Puerto Rico
Email gobernadora@fortaleza.pr.gov
Email asistencia@fortaleza.pr.gov
Tel: 787-721-7000

The Colegio de Medicos Veterinarios de Puerto Rico
Email: cmvpr@cmvpr.org
Tel: 787-249-5304/787-370-8548

Please be respectful in your communication.
These are just some of the facts of Spayathon to date:

52,524 Total number of dogs and cats altered to date.
316,680 births prevented (first year post surgery)
63.90% of animals had never seen a veterinarian
70.72% of animals 5 months and older have never been vaccinated for rabies.
41.83% of females over 11 months had already had at least one litter.

#SPAYATHON4PR #SATOSTRONG #SPAYANDNEUTER

Puppy Mills Fuel Retail Pet Stores in New Jersey: Just a Fact

PUPPY MILLS: Cruelty and Suffering

The main problem we have in New Jersey is the 22 remaining retail pet stores that fuel the puppy mill >> pet store pipeline.

Even during a pandemic, when many businesses have been ordered to close, and animal organizations around the country have halted charitable life-saving transports of animals out of respect for public health, NJ’s puppy milling pet stores continue to sell puppy mill dogs. A HSUS-led coalition request to Gov. Murphy to change this via executive order was unfortunately denied by his office a couple weeks ago.

Fairview NJ Police Chief Kahn Allegedly Delights in Drowning Innocent Animals

FROM HSUS/NEW JERSEY RE POTENTIAL CRIMINAL ANIMAL CRUELTY

Yesterday we received a disturbing tip alleging that Fairview, New Jersey Police Chief Martin Kahn had produced and promoted an instructional video showing how to trap and drown “nuisance” animals in your own backyard. This appears to run afoul of multiple state laws regarding animal cruelty (Title 4:22-17) and criminal activity (Title 2C:5-1). Inflicting such cruel treatment onto animals isn’t just unethical, it is illegal!

Upon originally verifying the validity of the initial complaint, we believe that this situation warrants further investigation by the New Jersey OAG’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability under the state Attorney General’s Office.

We have the utmost respect for our state’s law enforcement. When there are situations like these that erode the integrity of our faith in law enforcement, especially when innocent animals are at stake, we must take them seriously. We are including the video which was taken directly from the chief’s Instagram profile before it was removed, for the public to judge for themselves.

We encourage you to contact the AG’s office at https://nj.gov/oag/opia/ and join us and other organizations calling for a full investigation of this matter.

In the video, the chief admits to the past killing of numerous animals by the methods he is promoting in the video. The trapping, torment, and drowning of animals on individual personal property outside the legal regulations of hunting and trapping is NOT permitted in New Jersey. Here’s the video: https://www.facebook.com/HSUSNewJersey/videos/255892582224349/?t=14

 

On 3/2/20: Tell Old Bridge Township Council NO PUPPY MILL PETS!!

PUPPY MILLS: Cruelty and Suffering

The Old Bridge, New Jersey Township Council seems on the path to approving the sale of “Puppy Mill” pets at a new township Pet Store, Safari Stan’s. Despite huge opposition from local citizens, animal advocates, shelter and rescue volunteers, and the Humane Society among others–and ordinances prohibiting them in 100+ NJ municipalities–the Council appears bent on this.

Tell them NO!  Puppy Mills are just that: Mills. They ARE CRUEL AND INHUMANE and spread diseases.  SPEAK UP FOR CREATURES WHO HAVE NO VOICE, at the Old Bridge Town Council meeting Monday, March 2 at 7:30 pm, #1 Old Bridge Plaza, Courtroom. 

You can also EMAIL the Council members:
msohor@oldbridge.com
dwalker@oldbridge.com
agbelli@oldbridge.com
agbelli@oldbridge.com
edepalma@oldbridge.com
EBrown@oldbridge.com
MRazzoli@oldbridge.com
JEMurphy@oldbridge.com

 

Old Bridge, New Jersey Does NOT Need an Inhumane Petland!

On Monday evening January 13, 2020, the Township Council of Old Bridge, NJ heard a presentation from two gentlemen who are opening a Petland pet store in the township. Their presentation, complete with story boards and photos, extolled the “wonderful, humane and sanitary” conditions under which the breeders from which they’d source animals operate. They cited the approval of these “fine” breeders by the USDA and verified by inspections. Their descriptions of these breeders sounded as though the animals were living in the Ritz Carlton.

Well, they’re not.

And moments later, a virtual parade of public speakers testified that these breeders are in fact, inhumane prisons where animals are treated with unbelievable and painful cruelty, used as virtual machines to pump out puppies that are then sold to the unsuspecting public for hundreds or thousands of dollars.

To their credit, many of the opposing speakers said they assumed positive intent on the art of the proprietors, and that they not only did not oppose the opening of the store, but supported it. What they opposed was allowing the store to sell puppies that would almost certainly come from these cruel and inhumane breeders.  Several said that they felt that the proprietors have been duped. We must agree.  And this must not be allowed to go forward.

If you want to learn more about these cruel, greedy and inhumane breeders, take a gander here.

More contact information to express your opposition will soon be posted.

Michael Vick Deserves Nothing But Scorn, Not NFL Glory

“As the little red dog lay on the ground, fighting for air, Quanis Phillips grabbed its front legs and Michael Vick grabbed its back legs. They swung the dog over their head like a jump rope then slammed it to the ground. The first impact didn’t kill it. So, Phillips and Vick slammed it again. The two men kept at it, alternating back and forth, pounding the creature against the ground until, at last, the little red dog was dead.”

The Lost Dogs, by Jim Gorant

Let’s not forget what Vick said just outside the courtroom; “Yeah, fine, I killed the dogs. I hung them. I slammed them. I killed all of them. I lost fucking millions, all over some fucking dogs.”

Angry comments about Vick are legitimate understood given the nature of his horrible, cruel and evil crimes, but instead let the NFL know that you don’t want an animal abuser glorified. Vick is EVIL.

  • NFL customer service 800-635-5300
  • Send a letter to the NFL Head Office: 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154
  • Email NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell: rogergoodell@nfl.com
  • Call Roger Goodell 212-450-2000

Tell the SAYREVILLE NJ Town Council to prohibit puppy mill sales!

Puppy Mill Photo-credit HSUS

With millions of homeless animals and tens of thousands being killed (euthanized, the euphemism ) daily for lack of shelter space, there is no place in a decent, humane society for any puppy mill, ever. None. 

The Sayreville Town Council will be discussing the passing of a pet ordinance to prohibit the sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills in pet stores in the Township. The meeting will be Monday evening Nov. 25.
If you care about animals, please contact the Town Council members and ask them to vote for the bill prohibiting the sale of animals bred in cruel puppy mills.

HERE ARE THEIR ADDRESSES:
dbuchanan@sayreville.com
kdalina@sayreville.com
denriquez@sayreville.com
vkilpatrick@sayreville.com
dmcgill@sayreville.com
mnovak@sayreville.com

Toms River, NJ Woman Charged with Animal Cruelty

How could anyone (allegedly) leave three pups to die a miserable death of starvation and dehydration and then smile?  It’s almost unbelievable. Almost.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE-TOMS RIVER WOMAN CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS OF ANIMAL CRUELTY

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lacey Township Police Chief Michael DiBella announced today that Allissa DeStefano, 29, of Toms River, has been arrested and charged with three counts of Animal Cruelty in violation of N.J.S.A. 4:22-17c(2).

During the evening hours of November 11, 2019, the Lacey Township Police Department responded to a residence in Lacey Township for a report that dogs had possibly been abandoned in the residence. Upon arrival, the officers determined that the house was indeed abandoned, and the remains of three dogs were discovered. An investigation by Detectives from the Lacey Township Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that DeStefano was responsible for the care of the dogs and had abandonded them in the residence, which resulted in their deaths. DeStefano was arrested without incident, and processed at the Lacey Township Police Department. She was released on a Summons pending a future court date.

Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief DiBella extend their gratitude to the Lacey Township Police Department and Detective Bureau as well as Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for their fine cooperative work in connection with this investigation.

The public and the media are reminded that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Lacey Township PD

90 Days in Jail for NJ Animal Killer. Progress, just not enough.

Well, Joseph Russo of Stafford, NJ was sentenced last Friday to three months in jail for killing a would-be therapy dog, Diesel, a three year old Pomerian who was in training to assist a US Navy veteran.  Russo will also be placed on probation for five years, during which he will be prohibited from owning an animal — though he should by rights be prohibited for life in my view. It’s not clear from this article exactly how Russo had abused the pup in a way that led to his death. 

While a year or two in prison would have been more appropriate, it’s still a very successful prosecution  by Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Kimberly Carr, in accordance with “Patrick’s Law.” The 2013 law, named after an emaciated pit bull who was thrown down a trash chute, increased penalties for abusing, neglecting and torturing animals according to the article.