Article written by Michael Carlson
Power Clean Carpet Cleaning
Power Clean Website
A little long, but definately worth the read. I was going to break the article up into several days, but I think it all needs to be said as one.
Sue

Dear Pet Owners,

I know you love your pets probably like we love our rescued animals. Along with enjoying our pets, comes the occasional frustration of “accidents” in the house. Perhaps your animals are accident free but still get your carpets and upholstery dirty.

This past weekend at Petco was very successful. I have been taking cats there the weekend each month that PetCo does its' Adoption promotion event. Each weekend, 3-5 cats find their forever homes.

This weekend 3 cats found new homes.
Isabella

Sue will be at the Mountain View Petco this Saturday May 22 from 1-7pm and Sunday May 23 from noon til 5pm. If you're out and about this weekend, come on in to say hi and get a kitty hug or 2. Check out our WEBSITE for adoptable cats.
I have several new kittys that are not on the website yet. 2 female calicos about 1 yr old and a male short hair tabby 10 months old, great with dogs.

I happened to run across an email about dogs ingesting stuffed animal or other flame retardant fabric items. It appears that this is not a new article. I normally go to the thrift stores to buy stuffed animals for my 2 dogs cuz it is way cheaper to pay 10 cents for a toy that will be ripped up in 2 minutes than pay $5 on one made specifically for pets. One of the Volunteers also brings these stuffed animals to Animal Control for the dogs there. Not sure if any of the dogs have had issues from this, I haven't heard anything nor seen any problems with my dogs.

A number of studies have indicated that animals face health risks when exposed to the toxins in secondhand smoke. The ASPCA lists tobacco smoke and nicotine as toxins that are dangerous to pets.

Toxins in secondhand smoke can cause lung and nasal cancer in dogs and malignant lymphoma in cats, along with allergy and respiratory problems in other pets. One recent study shows that nearly 30 percent of pets live with at least one smoker--a number far too high given the consequences of exposure to secondhand smoke.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the “Crush Act,” a 1999 federal law banning the creation, sale, and possession of materials depicting genuine acts of animal cruelty.

The case (U.S. v. Stevens) involved alleged dogfighter Robert J. Stevens, who was convicted in 2005 for marketing three videos that showed animal fighting. Stevens became the first person convicted under the Crush Act.

This is the ADN article written about the situation in 2002. We really don't want anything like this to happen again.

CAT CHAOS
Houston woman welcomes all strays, but neighbors and authorities have run out of patience
Anchorage Daily News By Debra Mckinney 9/19/2002
Time is running out for the Houston cats: Poncho, Geronimo, Delilah and the rest. If Sunny Radebaugh can't find homes for them soon, their days could be numbered.

It came to my attention today that a female hoarder who used to live in Houston AK is at it again in Wasilla. Approx 10 years ago I dealt with Sunny when she had a couple hundred cats in her place, most living in small cat carrier cages. No spay/neuter, so they were multiplying and she was breeding St Bernards. Took me almost a year to get something done. Luckily Houston Animal Control was just formed and was able to take care of the issue when someone out there complained. (they did do some good in their time, unlike the current issues).

Do your pets act funny right before an earthquake happens?

This morning some of my cats acted more restless than usual. Right before if happened, it sounded like a freight train coming down the tracks, which aren't near my house. Both dogs popped up to look out the window, then stared at me when the quake hit.

This is an old posting from Craigslist. Get out the kleenix, so sad, but this is the way a lot of society is these days. Perhaps one day it will change.

When you are gone all day, do you leave you house silent or do you leave the TV or radio on? What types of music do your pets seem to enjoy?

There are a lot of dogs in Alaska that don't get the food or protection form the element that they need. Check out this local groups new website, Straw For Dogs , for helpful ideas or to get the help that's needed.

I have been appointed to the Animal Control Advisory Board. My first meeting will be this Thursday 2/25. If anyone has any issues they would like me to look into please let me know. You can contact me at
igloocat@mtaonline.net . Thanks. Sue

This bill will be heard this coming Friday, Feb. 12th in Senate Judiciary (Beltz Room; 1:30pm-3:00pm). Written testimony in support of SB 214 before Friday would be very valuable in ultimately getting this bill approved. Senator Wielechowski is the sponsor. Senator French is Chair of the Judiciary. Show your support by e-mailing your letters of support to the Alaska State Senate.

Most of the commerical grade ice melt that is available on store shelves is not what should be used if you have pets, especially if those pets are walking in the area you throw the ice melt on. There is a chemical in it that burns their feet when they walk or stand on it. It seems to affect the dogs with little to no hair on their feet. You can purchase ice melt that is specifically made for the homeowner with pets at your local pet supply place. If your dogs comes inside hopping on it's feet (and yes, sometimes it is the cold), or is crying like he/she is injured and you know that isn't possible, check your icemelt.

Can you believe that just 3 days after the police officer shot and killed all the animals at Animal Control that some jerk dropped off a cat there today? What is wrong with people?? At least this cat is listed on their updated website. Everyone take a look and see if someone will adopt this beautiful female manx at "Cats for Adoption". Hopefully someone will snatch her up before they determine her fate.

I am incensed, outraged and really really mad. I’ve called the Daily News, I’ve called Channel 2, I even called the State Veterinarian and now I’m blogging.

I received a call this afternoon stating that the Mayor of Houston had directed the police department to go out to Houston Animal Control and shoot all of the animals out there. My sources confirm the total number of dogs killed were four, not the initial two that were originally thought.

There were 4 dogs and 4 cats who met their end today. Six of the cats found their way out of there and will go into rescue; the other 4 were shot, along with the 4 dogs. By the time I found this out, there was little to no time to figure a plan of action.

Stats are still low for cats being claimed and highest for the number of euthansias. It's very discouraging to see these numbers. I don't know how we, as a community, can get these numbers changed for the positive. Until more people take responsibility for getting their pets spayed and neutered and learn the definition of lifetime commitment, I don't know that much will change. We can always hope for a better year, I always do.

# of cats taken in = 3131*
# of dogs taken in = 3254*

# of cats claimed = 222
# of dogs claimed = 1176

# of cats adopted = 1359
# of dogs adopted = 1452

The following article about Kodiaks' No Kill Shelter was in the ADN on Sunday. Wouldn't it be great if we could have this sort of program in Anchorage and the Valley! We do have one no kill shelter in Anchorage and another on the Kenai. All the other no kill groups are smaller rescue groups that foster in homes.

NO-KILL FACILITY: Volunteers, fundraisers help defray rising costs.
By LOUIS GARCIA
Kodiak Daily Mirror via The Associated Press
Published: January 31st, 2010 09:12 PM
Last Modified: January 31st, 2010 09:12 PM
KODIAK -- The current economy has added a challenge in keeping up with costs at the Kodiak Animal Shelter.

Here are some helpful tips to keep your pets safe in case of a disaster:

• Get a Rescue Alert Sticker to let people know that pets are inside your home;
• Keep an emergency supply kit including items such as a pet first-aid kit, food, leash, bottled water, pet’s medical records, blanket and a crate/carrier;
• Make sure your pet wears a collar and tags with up-to-date identification (The ASPCA recommends microchipping your pet as a more permanent form of ID);
• Bring your pet indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster; and
• Consider your evacuation route and call ahead to make arrangements for boarding your pet outside of the danger zone at the first sign of disaster.