Perfect city dog

Wolfgang comes from Queens. He lost his home when his previous owner died. He's living with a foster family, but he'd like to find something more permanent. Wolfgang is gentle, quiet, and friendly. He's a nice compact size. In sum, a classic city dog.

3 Cats in Bergen County, New Jersey

A home is needed for three cats who are "'tweeners" - a little too feral to be friendly house cats and a little too friendly to be relocated to another colony. The cats can no longer live at their colony because the business owner's lease is expiring and the landlord does not want anyone feeding cats on the property.

It would be helpful if James, Jake and Pastel could end up in the same household or placement as they have been colony mates for some time. Staying together will minimize the stress of their transition. All of them need a stable home without excitable children or other animals. They would be great cats for a family who would have the patience to let them become friendly on their own terms.

Keep fighting for those who can’t

I was reading Feb 07 issue of Satya magazine today and "In Memoriam" article about Virgil Butler really inspired me, especially these words he quoted in his blog:

"Keep fighting for those who can’t and don’t ever—ever—give up!

Might does not make right.

Love and light do.

One tiny candle conquers a whole LOT of darkness...

Keep on lighting them, folks.

I will, too."

Sometime I wonder if my tiny efforts are worth anything in this universe, but his words give me another reason to keep on speaking out and reason to try to become an example to others as Gandhi said: "We must become a change we wish to see in the world."

Virgil worked for years on the kill floor of a Tyson slaughterhouse in Arkansas, but had a profound change of heart, and subsequently dedicated his life to educating others about the horrors of factory farming.

Save Pit Bull Duke from death row! Urgent action needed!

Duke’s story gave me goose bumps. The pit bull was accused of biting a dog and a horse three years ago and is going to be put to sleep. I was shocked to find out that there is such law in New York – euthanasia for dog biting another dog.

In some ways, legal experts say, Duke represents a new class of death-row dog. New York is among a dozen states that have changed laws over the past 10 years to make it possible to seize dogs from their owners and order them euthanized for biting other dogs.

Ledy VanKavage, director of legislation for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the stricter provisions reflected several factors: the rising numbers of pet dogs in American households, a growing concern about highly publicized vicious dog cases, and what she called the “evolving human-animal bond.”

“The thinking goes: ‘My dog is a member of my family. If you attack my dog, you are attacking my family,’ ” she said.

But Ms. VanKavage said this was flawed logic, noting, “Dogs are predators, after all.”

Duke has his last chance in court this month. Please write letters in his support.

Here is my letter to Appellate Division:

Good afternoon,

I am writing in support of Duke and the Appellant Denise Menendez.

I just learned about Duke’s trial from news stories. I was shocked to hear about existence of law that would order animal be put to sleep for biting another animal. Have you ever seen dogs playing in the dog run? Bites happen all the time – that’s what dogs do – they play bite and bite if they feel threatened.

Now, I can’t say who is right or wrong in this particular case. Could Duke’s owners have been a bit more careful or do they have a neighbor that dislikes them so much that they would find pleasure in this punishment, one can’t tell without actually witnessing the incidents, but to punish Duke so severely seems way to harsh.

As an owner of adopted dog who does not get along with other dogs at all, I would love my dog to be given a second chance in similar situation. We are really careful about her not getting near dogs, but we can not control everything (like dogs being off leash when they are supposed to be on) and accidents happen, and as long as they are not serious, I hope to find understanding and compassion from dog owners.

I did blog search about the case and was happy to find http://titanicbugle.blogspot.com blogged about this also.

Pointer mix needs a good home

6 month old male pointer mix Sasha needs a home. He is at NYC Animal Care & Control Shelter (kill shelter). Please spread the word so this puppy gets adopted asap.

Animal Program Funding Is Saved

ASPCA reports:

The New York legislature restored funding to two crucial animal welfare programs during last-minute negotiations to finalize a state budget by the April 1 deadline. The budget now awaits Governor Spitzer’s signature!

- The Senate and Assembly agreed to restore $150,000 to the Animal Population Control Program, which provides low-cost spay/neuter services to low-income New York pet owners and to state residents who adopt their pets from shelters and humane societies.

- Both houses also agreed to restore $100,000 to the pet dealer licensing program, which oversees licensing and inspection of pet stores and “backyard breeders” in New York State.

Governor Spitzer’s proposed budget would have diverted these funds to instead pay the salaries and fringe benefits of state employees.

Council Member Rosie Mendez

I am happy to report that I live in a district represented by council member Rosie Mendez! I e-mailed to thank her for introducing the bill that would ban circus animals from NYC (see previous post).

Other cool things she stands for according to her e-mail newsletter:

"On March 30 Rosie joined civil liberties activists and cyclists at the first Critical Mass ride since the NYPD’s new parade permit rules went into affect on February 25. Under the new parade permit rules, groups of 50 or more law-abiding citizens need police permission to ride or walk together on the public streets. The rules affect gatherings of pedestrians, vehicles, and cyclists alike, including gatherings in the parks. At the press conference before the ride, the Councilwoman proclaimed, "I ride tonight in Critical Mass not just to promote alternative modes of transportation, but more so because it is my constitutional right to participate and assemble in this manner. To criminalize the behavior of individuals assembling in groups over 50 is arbitrary and unconstitutional, and I vow to fight the NYPD's published rules, and to introduce a bill that would protect our right to assemble.” Rosie rode in a pedicab to demonstrate her support for this environmentally friendly method of transportation."

And how about this? I was actually considering going to Saigon Grill on Union Square...

The delivery workers at Saigon Grill need your support. The owners of the restaurant, which operates on the Upper West Side in addition to its store at Union Square, allegedly fired those workers who were trying to organize in protest against unfair wages, unsafe conditions and constant abuse and harassment at the hands of their employer. The fired workers claim the owners paid them as little as $1.60 per hour and demanded that they sign contracts saying they were being paid minimum wage. Those who refused to sign were fired. The workers also allege that their employer would fine them for minor infractions on the job, including for taking time off when they were sick. Show your support by emailing the owners at info@saigongrill.com or by calling their restaurants at 212-875-9072 (Upper West Side) or 212-982-3691 (Union Square)

Coming soon, I will tell you about somebody I am not so proud of: council speaker Christine Quinn.