The city of San Bernardino can add yet one more stain to its reputation that has led to it being named one of the nation’s most poorly run cities. The city was once the “per capita” murder capital in the country and now it wants the title again, only with a different sort of victim. Maria Sanchez, a local animal advocate, learned of the city’s deadly new policy this past Saturday. All unweaned animals surrendered to the shelter will be killed immediately unless a rescue is onsite to accept them at the time of surrender. Sanchez visits the shelter almost daily to photograph and videotape animals needing homes. On Mother’s Day eve, a box of tiny puppies was surrendered to the shelter without their mother. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorToday, like every other day in the United States, 10,000 healthy dogs and cats will be killed for lack of a good home. They include newborns, puppies and seniors, mutts and purebreds, designer dogs and hard-to-find breeds. It is why within the rescue community breeders are looked at with such scorn. For every puppy or kitten brought into this world by the breeding community, a shelter animal dies. Although headway is being made to educate the public about the issues with breeding for money, most of those wanting a new puppy still believe they will only find what they want if they buy from a breeder. If you are one of those who will accept nothing other than a puppy purchased from a breeder, here are some tips to help you find an animal that has a better chance at a long, healthy life. First, let’s look at the reasons to breed. There are two. The first is to make money. The second is for betterment of the breed. If you buy from a breeder who is only interested in making money, you are buying a puppy that is a heartache waiting to happen. If you buy from a responsible breeder, you will likely have a happy, healthy animal. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorBishop’s annual celebration of everything mule is only two weeks away. The Mule Days Celebration is one of those hard-to-define events yet it attracts visitors from around the country. You can see barrel racing, steer roping and penning, packing and a heck of a lot of other events that take place on or from the back of mule. The event begins on Tuesday, May 21, and continues thru Sunday, May 26, with the biggest draws over the weekend. Country artist Jerrod Niemann will headline the 2013 Bishop Mule Days concert, which is set for May 23 at 8 p.m. The Mule Days parade will march through Bishop on Main Street on Saturday. It begins at 10 a.m. Cowboy church begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday in the Charles Brown Auditorium on the fairgrounds. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorOne of the questions I have always had about the animal welfare world is why does it seem dog and cat breeders are given a free ride. Unlike other businesses, there is little or no regulation. I was driving down a residential street one day and posted on a telephone pole was a handwritten sign that read “Mastiffs for sale. 4 females, 8 males. $1200 each.” That would be total sales of $14,400. And you know that anyone who advertises their puppies on a cardboard sign on a telephone pole probably hasn’t provided the pups with much in the way of medical care or had their sire and dam properly health tested. It’s a pretty safe bet they are getting little in the way of proper socialization or other care. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorThe next bald eagle count in San Bernardino and Riverside counties is scheduled for March 9, 2013. Concurrent bald eagle counts are held in three locations in the San Bernardino mountains and in Riverside County at Lake Perris and Lake Hemet. Volunteering for the count is a great way to see the eagles in their natural habitat. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorSeveral days ago I attended a regional fair and festival. Like most such events, livestock was part of the event. As I was leaving I noticed four animals housed separately from the rest. There was a steer, a goat, a sheep and a pig. The banner above read “Grand Champion Market Animals.” I snapped a photo of each but the meaning did not register at the time. It was not until later when I was editing the photos for a story did I realize the significance. The photo above is the picture of the “winning” pig. I’m guessing as I write this he is sitting on someone’s plate as bacon or carnitas or loin roast. I can only hope each of these four animals met their fate from a butcher with mercy and not one that subscribes to the methods of our factory slaughterhouses. Look into this pig’s eyes. He knows the fate that awaits him. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorDave and Buzz For the past few days, the Southern California rescue community, along with compassionate people from around the country, has watched a potential tearjerker unfold. A man was arrested on outstanding traffic warrants and possible other charges. His dog was taken to the San Bernardino City Shelter in California’s ‘Inland Empire’ as a ‘stray.’ The police knew the dog had an owner but chose not to tell shelter staff. The dog was a pit bull mix (more shepherd than pit) and as a stray stood zero chance of getting out alive. With an owner, a hold would be required; without, the dog could be killed in 72 hours. A local photographer and animal advocate, Maria Sanchez, noticed a man, weeping at the dog’s cage. He asked about getting his dog back but all he had was $6. The cost for the impound was about $400. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorOn Sunday, Feb. 17, Senator Ted Lieu was presented with a resolution naming him the California chapter of the League of Humane Voters’ 2012 Legislator of the Year. During this past legislative session, Lieu successfully sponsored three animal welfare bills that were signed by Governor Brown. Senate Bill 917 took effect January 1, 2012. The bill prohibits the sale of animals on street corners, parking lots, carnivals and other temporary facilities. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorLast year animal welfare workers from throughout Southern California appeared before the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to beg for help with uncooperative Devore Shelter managers who are hell-bent on dissuading adoptions of healthy animals and killing animals while rescue workers are in the lobby filling out paperwork to pull them. Instead of then-Chairman Josie Gonzales thanking these volunteers for caring so much about the county’s animals, she chastised them for volunteering in “my county” and not first helping homeless people. Gonzales went so far in her attempt to intimidate volunteers that she required each speaker to publicly state their home address for the record, a direct violation of California’s Brown Act. Several attendees have reported retaliation since the meeting. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorI am writing for another site now and I am also one of the state leads (2nd) for California for an animal political action committee. The site launched a little earlier tonight. I have a few stories posted, put here is the only original one. I would appreciate the clicks. I don’t get paid for it, but I would like to have the most clicks! Animal Welfare Reform: the Pieces of the Puzzle By:SHARON GILBERT 8 days ago Some days in the world of animal welfare work, seem like have little or no effect. For every animal saved, ten more die and for every puppy or kitten prevented from being conceived, a dozen are born. Animal activists must have emotions of steel and hearts of gold to deal with what they witness each day. The pain and suffering simply never ends and never will if we don’t change paths. There are few who don’t believe we need to work towards a no-kill solution. But getting there has been a battle, not because there is not a want among animal welfare workers but because there is not a want among shelter managers and those that are responsible for shelter funding. In other words, a majority of our elected leaders would prefer to spend the money killing rather than saving lives. It is the easy way but not the moral way nor the cost-effective way. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorThe Lazy Dog Café in Valencia, Calif., was the location of a fundraiser for the Los Angeles-based Operations Blankets of Love (OBOL). OBOL provides blankets and other comfort items to shelters and rescues for homeless pets throughout California. On average, they provide 1,000 blankets a month. Blankets provide a sense of comfort for animals that are in stressful situations. That in turns makes them calmer and gives them a better shot at finding a “forever” home. In other words, it saves lives. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorFor the animal welfare community Kevin James is the type of candidate they wish they could duplicate over and over. Not only is he an animal lover who is owned by his special needs rescue Lisa-Marie, he is a candidate with a plan to change animal welfare practices in the nation’s second most populous city. James is a candidate that “gets it” when it comes to animal welfare as evidenced by his plan that addresses not only dealing with strays and adoption rates but also spay and neuter and even emergency preparedness. He comprehends the cost, fiscally and to the wellbeing of a community, when animals are treated as mere throwaways and of no value. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorKevin James is one of eight candidates Los Angeles voters will choose from to lead the city for the next four years as its mayor. James is a former assistant U.S. attorney, radio host, community volunteer, and most important to us, an animal lover. He is owned by Lisa-Marie, a dachshund. “Lisa-Marie was a special needs rescue because of injuries sustained prior to her adoption. She has become a completely devoted companion, whose favorite things in life are chasing squirrels (she’s never caught one) and Runyon Canyon,” says James. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorCalifornia vehicle owners now have one more choice in license plate designs. The California Pet Lover’s license plate became a reality when the 7,500 preorder goal was met earlier this month. The new plate not only has a picture of a dog and cat, but it reminds us that spaying and neutering saves lives. Proceeds from the plate will help fund free and low-cost spay and neuter procedures statewide. Currently, more than 500,000 animals are destroyed in California each year for lack of homes. Sterilization is one piece of the puzzle in solving the pet overpopulation problem. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorI went to the Big Bear Animal Shelter to photograph dogs, but it was a petite kitty that stole my heart when he flailed himself against the bars of his cage to get attention. I named the drama queen “Shakespeare.” Shakespeare is 7 months old. He is a beauty and has personality plus. The little charmer is vocal. He will not be an aloof kitty. He knows what he wants and he wants someone to love him. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorOf the six dogs I photographed at the Big Bear Animal Shelter yesterday, Momma most broke my heart. I know she has the least chance of getting out alive—not because she is old, misbehaved or sick. She is a pit bull mix, and that more often than not, is a death sentence. Momma is a sweetheart. She is only a year old. She is enthusiastic and had one of those bully smiles on her face the whole time. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorDuke is a big boy—a really big boy weighing in at 100 pounds or more. He is a giant. He is located at the Big Bear Animal Shelter in the San Bernardino mountains in Southern California. Duke is listed as a mastiff. He is about 2 years old and a real sweetheart. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorWhippet is as his name suggests. He is a whippet and American foxhound mix. He is about a year and half old. He is located at the Big Bear Animal Shelter in the San Bernardino mountains in Southern California. Whippet would be a perfect pet for a highly active, experienced dog owner. He would make a great jogging partner as he is full of energy and enthusiasm. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorBuster is a boxer or possibly a boxer mix. He has been at the Big Bear Animal Shelter for a month. He is a very big boy who is coming out of his shell as he heals. He is about 5 years old. Just before Christmas, Buster found out just how much his human did not care about him. You see, Buster lived in Big Bear in the San Bernardino County mountains. After the first big snow storm, Buster found himself cold, lonely and dumped. He waited to die. And die he almost did. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorMojave Desert Animal Rescue is now in need of rescue itself after thieves struck twice in a matter of hours. After the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department took the first burglary report, the thieves returned to finish the job, and in the process, nearly eliminated MDAR’s ability to provide for the basic needs of the Victor Valley’s homeless population and their pets. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorA facility housing supplies to be distributed to Victor Valley’s homeless and their pets was hit by burglars late last night and again early today. Thousands of dollars worth of clothing, bedding, tents, animals bedding and food for humans and their pets were stolen in the burglary. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by Administrator