Thunder Kitties are adorable as they sound
Norman charity Hands Helping Paws wins grant
The Animal Rescue Site has announced that a Norman chairty is part of its first round of grant winners for 2012. Hands Helping Paws recieved $1,000. The website partnered with Petfinder.com to help voters choose the top 69 charities for the first round of voting in the Shelter + Challenge. There are three more rounds this year. The website is funded by the GreaterGood Network, a nonprofit organizaiton.
Norman to expand animal shelter
Norman voters approved a $3 million bond last night to expand the city animal shelter. Here’s a little bit from the story that ran in the paper today:
The five-year bond issue for the expansion will increase property taxes by about $11 on a home worth $100,000. The proposition passed with almost 76 percent approval.
Currently the shelter holds 55 dogs and 25 cats. The shelter is projected to need space for 77 dogs and 57 cats in the year 2030.
Police Maj. J.D. Younger, who oversees the Animal Welfare Division in Norman, said that currently some adoptable animals are killed because there isn’t space at the shelter. The expansion will help them meet the need for more adoptions.
If you want to read more, check out this more in-depth story that ran last week.
Don’t give LSD to your dog
So apparently this Georgia couple used LSD and ran through their neighborhood naked. The sad part: their dog got out of the house and was hit by a car. The couple told police they gave the dog, Oscar, some LSD, too, but later said that wasn’t true. I just love their line of thinking:
Taking LSD? Sure.
Running naked through the neighborhood? Of course.
Giving LSD to your dog? Now that would just be wrong.
Humane Society tries to break adoption record
EDMOND — The Central Oklahoma Humane Society will host a weekend adoption event with a goal of finding homes for more than 550 dogs and cats.
The Midnight Woofness Mega Adoption Event begins at midnight Friday and runs through 5 p.m. Sunday outside of PetSmart, 1921 S Broadway.
More than 600 puppies, kittens, dogs and cats will be available, and hundreds of volunteers will work at the event. Adoption fees start at $10 and include vaccinations, deworming and spaying/neutering.
The event is sponsored by PetSmart Charities.
Pets in the paper: flying kites
Checks out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today:
- NOBLE – Rescued kites are set to soar again.
- OKLAHOMA CITY – Second trip to animal shelter reunites two sister puppies.
- Cats on state payroll were good workers.
Pets in the paper – police shoot dog, injure owner
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman during the past few days -
- Dog, owner hurt in dispute. (Oklahoma City)
- Fish hatchery’s closure could be bad news. (Oklahoma City)
- Benefit walk was Saturday at the zoo. (Oklahoma City)
- Pet Tales: A big, friendly bunch. (Oklahoma City)
- Police seek dog dollars. (Stillwater)
- Center to host nature day Saturday. (Frederick)
- Bone marrow gives patients a new chance. (Sand Springs)
- Staycations, tourism on rise. (statewide)
- Derby set up for wild finish. (Kentucky)
- Super Saver wins as Borel bags another one. (Kentucky)
- Tech Tidbits: My Pet Speaker by Pet Acoustics. (Tuesday, page 3d)
- Rescue set up for animals. (Louisiana, Saturday, page 3a)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Be nice! It’s Be Kind to Animals Week!
As if you weren’t already super nice to your pets, there’s an extra incentive. This is Be Kind to Animals Week. Here’s some information from the American Humane Society:
Be Kind to Animals Week, May 2-8, 2010, is American Humane’s annual event celebrating the unique bond between people and animals, and encouraging the humane treatment of all animals. But why limit kindness to one special week? Here are five ways to be kind to animals every day:
- Adopt a pet from a shelter or breed-specific rescue. Shelter pets make loving lifetime companions, and many shelters offer pet-matching services and follow-up training and advice to help you and your new best friend form a beautiful bond.
- Report animal abuse. Violence against animals is terrible enough, but it could also be a sign that other violent behavior, like domestic abuse, is happening.
- Spay or neuter your pets. An estimated 3.7 million animals are euthanized in America’s shelters every year due to a lack of homes. Help stop pet overpopulation and euthanasia of adoptable animals by making sure your own pets are spayed or neutered.
- Live humanely with wildlife. Learn how to peacefully coexist with deer, bats, skunks, squirrels, raccoons and rabbits.
- Get active in local animal welfare policies and legislation. Sign up with us to receive action alerts about issues affecting animals.
As part of Be Kind to Animals Week, American Humane is sponsoring Lemonade for Shelter Aid, a contest that encourages children to set up lemonade stands to raise money for their local animal shelters. The contest runs until May 10, 2010, and is open to children and teens (ages 6-14). One grand-prize winner/team will be randomly selected to receive three Nintendo DS Lite game systems. Learn more and enter!
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Supreme Court OKs dog fighting videos
Sooo … the Supreme Court has decided that videos of illegal animal fights aren’t illegal. Long story short, they don’t want to affect hunting and fishing television shows, which show legal actions, and nature documentaries. The court decided that everything is protected as free speech. As a fan of free speech, I understand that argument, but it’s still unfortunate.
Animal cruelty is illegal, so the filming and dissemination of that material should be also. To make a crude comparison, it’s like pornography. We’re able to distinguish between illegal child pornography and legal adult pornography. I think the Supreme Court should have looked at it that way. But then again, maybe that’s why I’m not on the Supreme Court.
Hopefully idiots will continue to tape these illegal activities. That way they’ll put themselves and their buddies in jail.
You can read more about the ruling here.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Puppies dumped in Norman
We just got this press release from the Norman Police Department. Long story short: if you see someone being a horrific jerk, call the police! I mean seriously. Look at these puppies! Good gravy!
Norman Animal Welfare is asking for your help.
Every spring the number of unwanted dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens increases in Norman. On Monday an abandoned puppy was turned into the shelter. The puppy was found at a convenience store located at 36th NW and Robinson. Just two to three weeks old the puppy will need to be bottle feed to survive. On Tuesday another abandoned puppy was turned into the Animal shelter. This one was found next to a dumpster at Classen and Constitution. Appearing to be a litter mate of the first puppy, this second one is two to three weeks old and needs to be bottle feed.
These two are lucky, and that is why we need your help. They were found and turned into the shelter and a foster home was immediately available. They could have just as easily been run over, starved to death, killed by another animal, poisoned, or abused by others in the area. Animal Cruelty is the charge that Animal Welfare Officers will file if the person responsible for abandoning these puppies is found.
How can you help? Call the Norman Police department immediately if you see someone dumping unwanted pets. A description of the vehicle, including the tag, make and model, and individuals involved would be very helpful. If you have a reason to suspect that someone is abandoning their pets call the Norman Animal Welfare at 292-9736
Another way to help is to have your pet spayed or neutered. This will help ensure that your pet does not have an unwanted litter of puppies or kittens.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
