|
 |
| |
News
Latest News Items:
Loosing Suri -- Saturday January 23rd, 2010
We lost our very special girl Suri, Tuesday January 19, 2010. For further information on Suri and how you can help her continue her work please visit her home page at: http://www.delawarepuppyrescue.org/info/display?PageID=6667
Join us!! -- Saturday January 16th, 2010
Location: CLUB PUB - Pike Creek Golf Club
3542 Three Little Bakers Blvd
Wilmington, DE 19808 US
When: Saturday, January 16, 7:30PM
Phone: 302-690-0922 OR 302-275-3336
Mark your calendars!! Please come to our fundraising night for Delaware Puppy Rescue - featuring the band Fusebox, at the Club Pub - 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
TICKETS ARE $10 IN ADVANCE AND $15 AT THE DOOR THAT EVENING - Appetizers provided and GREAT entertainment from the band - everyone who pays in advance will automatically receive one ticket for the raffle basket drawings. A 50/50 drawing will also be held that night for everyone.
RSVP AND INCLUDE THE NAME(S) OF ANY GUESTS ATTENDING WITH YOU THAT NIGHT SO THAT YOU ARE ON THE ADVANCE RSVP LIST. SEND CHECK (MADE OUT TO DE PUPPY RESCUE) IN THE AMOUNT OF $10 PER PERSON ATTENDING - PLEASE INCLUDE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE BEING PAID FOR, to the folllowing address, so that it is received no later than Thursday Jan 14th:
C/O Alison Kochie
830 Westridge Dr
Hockessin, DE 19707
Proceeds benefit Delaware Puppy Rescue - help support a GREAT cause, hear an AWESOME band and re-connect with friends after the holidays
DPR Christmas Card -- Wednesday December 9th, 2009
DPR Annual Christmas Card Fundraiser is back!
Send A Card, Save A Life
This is a fundraiser developed by Delaware Puppy Rescue to help pay for the cost of saving dogs. Make a donation and send this beautiful holiday e-card to someone you care about. You have the option of dedicating your donation to them, or to a beloved pet, or you can just send your personalized message without a dedication. To date, Delaware, Ohio, and Delmar Puppy Rescues have placed over 330 dogs and puppies in 2009 alone and we have facilitated more than 1700 successful adoptions since our inception in 2004. Because of our special puppies like Suri and Bucket who need extra care, your donations are especially appreciated. We would like to thank all of you for your continued support and generosity as we look forward to saving more lives in 2010. Working together we can save more!
To send your card and help us save more lives: http://www.chesapeakeplumbingandheating.com/DPRFundraiser/
Concord Pet Sale -- Sunday December 6th, 2009
The Hockessin Concord Pet Store is having their annual Moonlight Madness Sale with EVERYTHING in the store 30% off - up from 20% in previous years. Do your shopping and enjoy a barbecue sandwich from Georgie Barbecue Company with ALL proceeds from their sales going to DPR.
Don't miss the sale and the opportunity to help out DPR with a good lunch!!
Sunday - December 6th 8am to 6pm. Yorklyn Road, Hockessin, DE.
Note: All Concord Pet Store locations are conducting the sale - 30% off entire store.
Fire Prevention Month -- Tuesday October 13th, 2009
In recognition of Fire Prevention Month, DPR will purchase Pet Oxygen Masks for local Fire Departments with all donations made in the month of October.
Fundraiser for DPR -- Wednesday August 5th, 2009
Join us for Party Lite Bingo at Club Pub (the old Three Little Bakers in Pike Creek) Thursday August 20th 7-9pm. Free appetizers and lots of door prizes. Hosted by Alison Kochie. Features the new Fall catalog and raffles throughout the night. All benefits will go directly to pulling dogs from puppy mills in Lancaster, PA and Ohio as well as pregnant dogs in DE and VA shelters.
For further information call 302-593-8609.
Surgery for Suri -- Wednesday May 6th, 2009
Suri is our latest puppy mill rescue - a four month old 5 lb. Coton de Tulear/Shih Tzu mix. She was diagnosed with congenital elbow luxation, with lateral displacement of the proximal ulna. Basically, what that means is that her front legs are restricted in movement which does not allow her to stand up all the way. Her back legs seem to be quite normal and this allows her to get around very well. She "hops" like a rabbit and doesn't seem to notice that she is any different than her foster brothers. To add to Suri's problems she was hospitilized last week. She was treated at Limestone Vet Hospital and has since recovered wonderfully. Dr. Art Jankowski of Delaware Speciality Center of Delaware on Newport Pike will be performing the first of two surgery's on Suri Friday, May 8th on one of her two front legs. If the surgery is successful we will than schedule the second surgery for her second leg. Medical costs including her parvo treatment and both surgeries will be in the range of $5000.00. We don't typically go out this far on a limb for one puppy. We know $5000.00 could go to so many others but we committed to her and we will see her through. If you met her you would know why instantly. She is full of spunk and life. She will take on any challenge. Even with little use of her front legs she has even mastered stairs.
We have started a fund to cover Suri's surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
Our Ohio branch has raised close to $3000.00 toward's Suri's surgery. We are hoping to be able to make up the difference so that Delaware Speciality can be paid in full.
Donations can be made to DPR via Paypal, Mastercard or Visa.
Donations can also be made directly to Delaware Veterinary Specialty Center of Delaware
1212 East Newport Pike
Wilmington, DE 19804
302-691-3647
Account: 32159 - Suri Delaware Specialty in care of Suri - Delaware Puppy All donations are tax exempt.
We will keep you updated on Suri and her progress. Thank you in advance for your ongoing support of rescues.
Dianne Hess
Delaware Puppy Rescue
PetSmart Recall Biscuits -- Wednesday January 21st, 2009
Consumer Alert Update
Contact: PetSmart Customer Service
1-888-839-9638
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- PHOENIX, AZ, January 20, 2009 -- PetSmart is voluntarily recalling seven of its Grreat Choice® Dog Biscuit products that contain peanut paste made by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is the focus of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation into potential salmonella contamination of peanut butter and paste made at its Blakely, Georgia facility.
Although PetSmart is not aware of any reported cases of illness related to these products, it has removed these products from its store shelves and website and is conducting the recall as a precautionary measure.
The recalled products include only the following types of Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits sold between Aug. 21, 2008 and Jan. 19, 2009:
* Small Assorted 32 oz., UPC 73725702900
* Small/Medium Assorted 4 lb., UPC 73725700601
* Small/Medium Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700605
* Small/Medium Assorted 10 lb., UPC 73725702755
* Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700638
* Extra Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700779
* Peanut Butter 4 lb., UPC 73725700766
Customers who purchased the recalled dog biscuit products should discontinue use immediately and can return the product to any PetSmart store for a complete refund or exchange. Customers can visit www.petsmartfacts.com for more information or contact PetSmart Customer Service at 1-888-839-9638.
No other products or flavors are included in this recall.
The "D" Puppies -- Tuesday December 23rd, 2008
We have received close to 35 applications for the 7 "D" puppies. Their foster is setting up appointments with the approved applicants. If you have not been contacted we will be happy to keep your application on file. Thank you all for your interest in saving these pups.
Puppy Mill Auction -- Thursday October 23rd, 2008
On November 22nd scenes like this will happen again.
Dogs, young and old, will be stacked from floor to ceiling in semi trailers, most without food and water. Most, if not all of the breeders who participate in this event are raising large number of puppies for profit in mills – mass dog breeding establishments with horrendous living conditions characterized by overcrowding, filth, lack of food, water, and little or no veterinary care. Breeder dogs at puppy mills are often crammed into cages for years at a time, without any socialization or exercise. They are bred as frequently as possible, often every six months, until they are no longer useful as breeding stock. The dogs put up for auction range from adult breeding stock to newborn puppies. Where is the demand for these dogs?
From your local pet store selling puppies.
A major dilemma faced by rescuers who will be attending the auction is whether or not to try to bid on some of the dogs. On one hand, we know that most of the dogs will be sold back into the puppy mill industry and face a horrific fate. On the other hand, by purchasing dogs, we know that we are putting money into the hands of the men that create this torture.
DPR is going for the middle ground.
We will be in attendance at the November 22nd auction in Buckeye, OH. We will not bid anymore money on one dog or litter of pups that would be economically beneficial for the miller. We want to get dogs out of the system but not support the system. It's a fine line but our intentions are to learn, educate and rescue dogs.
In order to do this, we need sponsors and pledges. The dogs will need vet care, typically lots of vet care. Our foster homes are positioning themselves to take in as many rescues as possible and are working hard by finding forever homes for our current foster pups. We're almost set but need help.
Please do share this email with your friends, family, churches, co-workers, and community organizations.
We will be leaving Friday for the 10 hour drive to arrive Saturday morning for the auction. We will than leave Saturday evening back to Delaware.
All donations raised over the next four weeks will go directly to saving a puppy mill dog in this auction. They will no longer live in a cage, no longer go without proper vet care. They will learn what grass is, what comfort is, what a real life is all about.
Donations can be made through clicking on the Visa/Mastercard line on the right hand of this page or the Paypal button.
Thank you.
To see more on Puppy Mill Auctions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEt1rkq0Gw4
Toy Warning - Pimple Ball -- Thursday August 21st, 2008
Please take the time to check the link below. We want to try to prevent this from happening to anymore dogs.
http://www.thechaistory.blogspot.com/
Lucy and Lulu -- Tuesday July 1st, 2008
We have been overwhelmed with the amount of applications for Lucy and Lulu. Due to the high number, we will send out a news notification when we have completed her adoption as we are unable to contact each applicant individually. We thank the many of you for your interest in these girls.
Oprah - Friday April 4th -- Wednesday April 2nd, 2008
A MUST SEE SHOW ABOUT OVERPOPULATION OF ANIMALS. MAIN LINE RESCUE - CHESTER SPRINGS, PA IS FEATURED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COMMERCIAL BREEDING FACILITIES WHO SELL TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH PET STORES AND THE INTERNET.
Roxy has been adopted -- Tuesday November 13th, 2007
Roxy has been adopted to a wonderful home. We thank everyone for their interest in her. We keep all applications on file for possible future interest in another dog. Thank you.
Border Pups Adopted -- Friday October 12th, 2007
All of our Border Collie pups have been adopted with the exception of Joshua. We thank everyone for their interest in these puppies and will keep your applications on file. If you see another puppy you are interested in meeting, please send an email to Delpuprescue@aol.com. Thank you again.
Chicken Jerky Warning -- Sunday September 30th, 2007
CVM Update
September 26, 2007
FDA Cautions Consumers about Chicken Jerky Products for Dogs
The Food and Drug Administration is cautioning consumers of a potential association between development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products also described as chicken tenders, strips or treats. FDA has received more than 70 complaints involving more than 95 dogs that experienced illness that their owners associated with consumption of chicken jerky products.
To date, FDA has not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky.
FDA has also received preliminary information from Banfield, The Pet Hospital which suggests an association between exposure to the chicken jerky products and signs of gastrointestinal illness (vomiting, diarrhea and bloody diarrhea).
Dogs that have become ill, typically show the following signs: decreased food consumption, although some may continue to consume the treats to the exclusion of other foods; decreased activity or lethargy; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination. Some or all of these signs may be present in any individual. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.
FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch the dogs closely for any signs of decreased appetite, decreased activity, increased water consumption, increased urination, vomiting and/or diarrhea; and, if the dog shows any of these signs, to discontinue feeding the chicken jerky product. The signs of illness may occur within hours to days of feeding the product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours.
Chicken treat products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be used occasionally in small quantities.
The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. Consumers who wish to report animal illness, please see http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html for contact information on the FDA complaint coordinator in their state.
Issued by:
FDA, Center for Veterinary Medicine,
Communications Staff, HFV-12
7519 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855
Telephone: (240) 276-9300 FAX: (240) 276-9115
Internet Web Site: http://www.fda.gov/cvm
Puppy Mill Awareness Day -- Sunday September 9th, 2007
When?
September 15, 2007
Where?
Intercourse Park
3271 Old Philadelphia Pike
Ronks, PA
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
 Special Guests
Chris DeRose - Last Chance for Animals
Rikki Rockett - Poison
Melanie Martel
 Dottie Johns - Pet Chaplain
Tammy Grimes - Dogs Deserve Better
Demitry Herman - Dogs Adverse Reactions
Laurryn Simpson - Dogs Adverse Reactions
Bring your family and your dog and join us for our dog walk
Join us for a day of fun and lots of information
Help us to help these babies who are in prisoned everyday of their life
For more information go to: www.awarenessday.org
Natural Balance Recall -- Monday July 30th, 2007
The following products have been recalled due to botulism:
Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew With Beef,
Potatoes & Carrots 15oz 23633 59860
Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Chinese Take Out With
Sauce With Vegetables and Chicken 15oz 23633 59861
Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs HOBO Chili with
Chicken & Pasta 15oz 23633 59863
Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Southern Style Dumplings
With Chicken & Vegetables 15oz 23634 5986
Botulism found at Georgia plant. Lots of human canned chili, stew and hash, various brands.
A complete list of recalled products can be found at www.castleberrys.com
Pet Food Recall -- Monday April 23rd, 2007
We, like everyone out there, are struggling to keep up with the many recalls that are continuing day after day. After much research we have found the link below to be the most up to date and accurate in status. We hope you find it helpful.
http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html
USA Today Pet Food -- Thursday March 22nd, 2007
USA Today has an excellent article in today's issue regarding what to look for in a pet food and what the various ingredients mean. For example - Meat/Poultry by-products: Blood, bone and organs that are rendered, dried and ground up. Can include tissue from animals that died outside slaughter-houses (which means dead animals found or killed for unknown reasons); spleen, intestines, feet, undeveloped eggs.
Grains: Whole grains such as corn or barley, or as ground milled products which are what's left after flour and cerreal are processed. Look for more details on how to understand your pet food ingredients on our site this upcoming week.
UPDATE - WET FOOD RECALL -- Saturday March 17th, 2007
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A major manufacturer of dog and cat food sold under Wal-Mart, Safeway, Kroger and other store brands recalled 60 million containers of wet pet food Friday after reports of kidney failure and deaths.
An unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food, Menu Foods said in announcing the North American recall. Product testing has not revealed a link explaining the reported cases of illness and death, the company said.
"At this juncture, we're not 100 percent sure what's happened," said Paul Henderson, the company's president and chief executive officer. However, the recalled products were made using wheat gluten purchased from a new supplier, since dropped for another source, spokeswoman Sarah Tuite said. Wheat gluten is a source of protein.
'Cuts and gravy' food sold in cans, pouches recalled
The recall covers the company's "cuts and gravy" style food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches between December 3 and March 6 throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The pet food was sold by stores operated by the Kroger Co., Safeway Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and PetSmart Inc., among others, Henderson said.
Menu Foods said it makes pet foods for 17 of the top 20 North American retailers. It is also a contract manufacturer for the top branded pet food companies, including Procter & Gamble Co.
Proctor & Gamble announced Friday the recall of specific 3 oz., 5.5 oz., 6 oz. and 13.2 oz. canned and 3 oz. and 5.3 oz. foil pouch cat and dog wet food products made by Menu Foods but sold under the Iams and Eukanuba brands. The recalled products bear the code dates of 6339 through 7073 followed by the plant code 4197, P&G said.
Menu Foods' three U.S. and one Canadian factory produce more than 1 billion containers of wet pet food a year. The recall covers pet food made at company plants in Emporia, Kansas, and Pennsauken, New Jersey, Henderson said.
Henderson said the company received an undisclosed number of owner complaints of vomiting and kidney failure in dogs and cats after they had been fed its products. It has tested its products but not found a cause for the sickness.
"To date, the tests have not indicated any problems with the product," Henderson said.
FDA also working to target brands
The company alerted the Food and Drug Administration, which already has inspectors in one of the two plants, Henderson said. The FDA was working to nail down brand names covered by the recall, agency spokesman Mike Herndon said.
Menu Foods is majority-owned by the Menu Foods Income Fund, based in Ontario, Canada.
Henderson said the recall would cost the company the Canadian equivalent of $26 million to $34 million.
Below are lists of specific brands recalled by Menu Foods, in addition to Proctor & Gamble's recall of certain Iams and Eukanuba products. Menu Brands lists the brands on its Web site, www.menufoods.com, and advises consumers to call 1-866-895-2708 for more information.
Recalled cat foods
Americas Choice; Preferred Pets; Authority; Best Choice; Companion; Compliments; Demoulas Market Basket; Fine Feline Cat, Shep Dog; Food Lion; Foodtown; Giant Companion; Good n Meaty; Hannaford; Hill Country Fare; Hy-Vee; Key Food; Laura Lynn; Li'l Red; Loving Meals; Main Choice; Nutriplan; Nutro Max Gourmet Classics; Nutro Natural Choice; Paws; Presidents Choice; Price Chopper; Priority; Save-A-Lot; Schnucks; Sophistacat; Special Kitty; Springfield Pride; Sprout; Total Pet; My True Friend; Wegmans; Western Family; White Rose; and Winn Dixie.
Recalled dog foods
America's Choice; Preferred Pets; Authority; Award; Best Choice; Big Bet; Big Red; Bloom; Bruiser; Cadillac; Companion; Demoulas Market Basket; Fine Feline Cat; Shep Dog; Food Lion; Giant Companion; Great Choice; Hannaford; Hill Country Fare; Hy-Vee; Key Food; Laura Lynn; Loving Meals; Main Choice; Mixables; Nutriplan; Nutro Max; Nutro Natural Choice; Nutro; Ol'Roy; Paws; Pet Essentials; Pet Pride; President's Choice; Price Chopper; Priority; Publix; Roche Bros; Save-A-Lot; Schnucks; Springsfield Pride; Sprout; Stater Bros; Total Pet; My True Friend; Western Family; White Rose; Winn Dixie and Your Pet.
Canned Dog Food Recall -- Friday March 16th, 2007
60 million containers of wet pet food recalled after deaths
Dog, cat food sold at Wal-Mart, PetSmart and other stores
By ANDREW BRIDGES, Associated Press
Posted Friday, March 16, 2007 at 6:28 pm
WASHINGTON -- A major manufacturer of dog and cat food sold under Wal-Mart, Safeway, Kroger and other store brands recalled 60 million containers of wet pet food Friday after reports of kidney failure and deaths.
An unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food, Menu Foods said in announcing the North American recall. Product testing has not revealed a link explaining the reported cases of illness and death, the company said.
"At this juncture, we're not 100 percent sure what's happened," said Paul Henderson, the company's president and chief executive officer. However, the recalled products were made using wheat gluten purchased from a new supplier, since dropped for another source, spokeswoman Sarah Tuite said. Wheat gluten is a source of protein.
The recall covers the company's "cuts and gravy" style food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches between Dec. 3 and March 6 throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The pet food was sold by stores operated by the Kroger Company, Safeway Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and PetSmart Inc., among others, Henderson said.
Menu Foods did not immediately provide a full list of brand names and lot numbers covered by the recall, saying they would be posted on its Web site --www.menufoods.com/recall -- early Saturday. Consumers with questions can call (866) 463-6738.
The company said it manufactures for 17 of the top 20 North American retailers. It is also a contract manufacturer for the top branded pet food companies. Its three U.S. and one Canadian factory produce more than 1 billion containers of wet pet food a year. The recall covers pet food made at company plants in Emporia, Kan., and Pennsauken, N.J., Henderson said.
Henderson said the company received an undisclosed number of owner complaints of vomiting and kidney failure in dogs and cats after they had been fed its products. It has tested its products but not found a cause for the sickness.
"To date, the tests have not indicated any problems with the product," Henderson said.
The company alerted the Food and Drug Administration, which already has inspectors in one of the two plants, Henderson said. The FDA was working to nail down brand names covered by the recall, agency spokesman Mike Herndon said.
Menu Foods is majority owned by the Menu Foods Income Fund, based in Ontario, Canada.
Henderson said the recall would cost the company the Canadian equivalent of $26 million to $34 million.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO
• Menu Foods did not immediately provide a full list of brand names and lot numbers covered by the recall, saying they would be posted on its Web site --www.menufoods.com/recall -- early Saturday.
• Consumers with questions can call (866) 463-6738.
• The recall covers pet food made at company plants in Emporia, Kan., and Pennsauken, N.J.
Roverolis, a new Snausage -- Monday February 26th, 2007
We received this through email correspondance from a fellow Rescue group. This probably effects smaller dogs more so, because of the small throat area.
"I just got home from the emergency vet. I gave my dogs each a Roverolis, a new Snausage treat. My dog Scooters got stuck in his throat. He was trying to cough it back up, but couldnt. I picked him up and held him upside down, hoping gravity would help. I stuck my finger down his throat several times. I could feel it, but couldnt get close enough to get under it. He starts vomiting. I hold him upside down so he doesnt aspirate on his vomit. He is still heaving trying to dislodge it, Im hitting his back, holding him upside down, his tongue starts turning blue. I grab him off the counter, grab my purse, jump in my car and race to the vet.
I called Donna on the way and asked her to call the emergency vet to let them know I was bringing in a choking dog. She actually went there and notified them. I get there, jump out of the car, run in, they grab him, the vet comes running in and says his entire tongue is blue, we have to knock him out now so we can get it out. I said do whatever you need to do, Ill pay for it.
The vet came in and told me that I was very very lucky. She said Scooter would have died. She said the only thing that kept him alive was that he was so calm during everything.
She also said that he was the second dog that had come in recently that had had this treat get lodged in its throat/windpipe. She said Scooter was lucky, the other dog wasnt. Scooter is now in ICU, he's getting antibiotics intravenously, and has to spend the night there. Hopefully he can come home tomorrow. I almost lost him...
I rarely buy my dogs this type of treat. Please DONT PURCHASE SNAUSAGES ROVEROLIS, BECAUSE THERE IS TOO GREAT A RISK THAT THE TREAT (IT IS SHAPED LIKE A PILLOW) WILL GET LODGED IN A DOGS THROAT/WINDPIPE, AND THE DOG WILL DIE FROM LACK OF OXYGEN.
Please feel free to widely cross post this warning so that other lives can be saved.
Delaware Pets Feature -- Friday February 9th, 2007
Delaware Pets Magazine is asking for any adopters from DPR to submit a picture of their pet. Article and link are below.
Delaware Pets
RESCUE
**********
Unwanted puppies get a second chance
Delaware Puppy Rescue, foster parents work to find animals 'forever homes'
By TARA LYNN JOHNSON, Special to The News Journal
Posted Friday, February 2, 2007
Tim Cann gets a kiss from his rescue dog, Rusty, as daughters Madison (left) and Julianna watch. (Buy photo)
Special to The News Journal/MATTHEW JONAS
Dianne Hess (left) started the Delaware Puppy Rescue and fosters dogs in her home until they are ready to be adopted.
(Buy photo)
Special to The News Journal/T.J. HEALY II
Rusty, a 3-month-old beagle mix who was adopted from the Delaware Puppy Rescue, chews a toy bone in the Cann's Newark home.
(Buy photo)
Special to The News Journal/MATTHEW JONAS
Dianne Hess has a passion for puppies.
After becoming a foster parent for a puppy from an SPCA a few years ago, she got involved with a rescue organization in New Jersey. She'd care for strays or abandoned puppies until they were ready to be adopted, then she'd deliver them to the organization.
Not long after, she decided to do the same thing in Delaware. In 2004, she founded the Delaware Puppy Rescue, an incorporated nonprofit based in Hockessin.
The goal: to help as many dogs as she can.
"I want to save them from suffering," she said.
The group rescues and fosters pregnant females, mothers with new litters, and motherless litters that have been turned in to shelters (and are scheduled to be euthanized) or found on the streets. The group recently has expanded to include the rescue of puppy mill dogs, which are often abandoned or killed when they can't reproduce anymore, she said.
Some dogs come to the rescue from Ohio, Virginia and even Georgia. She knows she can't save them all, but she tries.
In 2006, the rescue placed more than 285 dogs. Hess credits the Internet for educating people -- many dogs need homes, and rescues offer healthy ones whose personalities are known.
The personality factor was important for Tim Cann.
After getting an underweight dog from a shelter and nursing him to health, Cann realized the pup was a pit bull mix that soon became aggressive. That wasn't a good match for Cann's two daughters, Madison, 9, and Julianna, 6, so he returned it.
He stumbled upon the Delaware Puppy Rescue's Web site and appreciated that the group knew the dogs' temperaments. He filled out an application, and after being approved, surprised his girls and wife Peggy with Rusty, a calm and adorable 10-week-old beagle mix, on Christmas.
Rusty has settled into the family's Pike Creek home.
"He's the sweetest little boy," Cann said. "He brightened our Christmas and has become a central focus for our family."
Cann wanted to get a dog because his family had to euthanize their 11-year-old beagle, Fred, in November. Rusty has brought joy back to their lives.
And Cann said he liked the thought of rescuing the little guy.
"There are enough dogs that need homes," he said. "It's nice that you're doing something worthwhile."
Hess' home features a lot of barking -- in addition to her own five dogs, ages 2 to 13, she's fostering six puppies and two adult dogs, including Sally, a yellow Labrador mix from Georgia.
"She barks with a bit of a twang," she said.
Her basement features a finished "nursery" for dogs with nursing puppies, and a "kindergarten" for puppies that are ready for adoption.
Hess said the rescue relies on adoption fees (puppies $250, adult dogs $375), donations and fundraisers. Volunteers sometimes pay expenses themselves.
All dogs receive checkups and necessary medical treatments before placement.
"We do everything possible, no matter what the cost, to get them healthy and get them adopted," Hess said.
More than 20 dogs are being fostered by volunteers now, but help is still needed.
"The more fosters we have, the more lives we save," Hess said.
Bonnie Hoenigmann, of Newark, is a foster mom, and she helps to review adoption applications and pick "the forever home," she said.
She loves to watch dogs grow in her care.
"Learning how to go up and down steps is a milestone. I see how happy they are and how quickly they learn. It's rewarding," she said.
Hess, who works full time as a global product coordinator for DuPont Co., feels the same way. She said she will continue to help as many dogs as she can, no matter how time-consuming or costly.
"Their spirit, their loving loyalty, their antics -- each has their own personality," she said. "There are great souls in each dog."
ABOUT ADOPTING
Adoption applications are available at www.delawarepuppyrescue.com and must be filled out before contacting the group.
Adoption costs are applied to shelter fees, transportation and medical costs, and incidentals. All animals are thoroughly examined by a certified veterinarian before adoption.
For more information, visit the Web site or call 593-8609.
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS
If you've adopted a puppy from Delaware Puppy Rescue, send a photo to pets@delawareonline.com. We'll share them here.
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070202/PETS/702020306/1183
Iam's and Animal Testing -- Tuesday February 6th, 2007
This article was sent from PETA to numerous rescue groups and Animal Rights Associations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s wrong with Iams?
For nearly 10 months, PETA conducted an undercover investigation in an Iams contract laboratory. What our investigator witnessed and captured on hidden camera would outrage any animal lover: dogs who had gone crazy from being confined to barren steel-and-cement cells, dogs who had been left on a paint-chipped floor after having their vocal chords severed and part of their leg muscles removed, dogs who were sweltering in scorching heat and shivering in bitter cold, and horribly sick dogs and cats languishing in their cages, neglected and left to suffer without veterinary care. The animals in Iams’ tests are no different from our dogs and cats at home when it comes to deserving companionship, play, a stimulating environment, and the right not to be tormented in painful experiments.
Questions and their Answers:
But doesn’t Iams have to continue research and development in order to create better foods and improve the health of dogs? The company can’t stop testing altogether, can it?
We are calling on Iams to rely on non-animal, laboratory analysis and in-home tests that use dogs and cats who have been volunteered by their human companions. Right now, animals are suffering endlessly in concrete cells with no exercise or stimulation just so that Iams can slap new claims onto its products and maintain its market share. It’s all about marketing. If Iams officials cared about the health and happiness of our companion animals, they would end this unnecessary testing immediately. They’ve proved that all they care about is profit.
But what about the fact that Iams’ Web site claims that the company meets and even exceeds federal regulations?
Iams repeatedly lied to PETA by promising to improve living conditions for the dogs in its contract labs. Our investigation took place more than a year after Iams promised to “raise the bar†on animal-welfare standards in its contract facilities and even assured us that enrichment programs were already in place, but our investigator knew better. At least 27 dogs were killed, and others had illnesses that were left untreated despite the Iams research policy’s assurances, which specifically state that no animal will ever be deliberately killed in an Iams test.
Our video footage shows Iams representatives touring the facility and witnessing dogs’ endlessly circling in barren cells in the sweltering heat. Iams officials knew the truth, yet they lied. How can they be trusted to act in animals’ best interests at this point? Our investigator fought for six months to have a single cheap, rubber toy placed in each dog’s cell. This is Iams’ idea of “enrichment.†Once animal lovers become aware that they are financing the confinement and mutilation of animals, they simply won’t buy Iams food or propaganda.
What’s going on with the dogs now?
After considerable pressure from PETA, Iams finally agreed to have the dogs from this particular laboratory removed. We’ve been informed by Iams officials that the dogs are now in an Iams facility in Dayton, which they have refused to let us see. We have no idea whether the dogs are in a better situation now than they were before. We are continuing to press Iams to let us see the facility and urging the company to adopt the dogs out to loving homes, but until we have a confirmation from Iams that this has happened, we will assume otherwise.
Why should we believe you and not Iams?
Videotape doesn’t lie. See the abuse for yourself here. Procter & Gamble, Iams’ parent company, has a long history of cruelty to animals. After years of pressure to eliminate cruel product testing on animals, the company continues to torture rabbits, ferrets, and many other animals in its skin- and eye-irritancy experiments for cosmetics. P&G spends more money on advertising in five days than it has spent on developing alternatives to animal testing in the last 14 years. That’s a bad record for a company that claims to care about animals.
Why are you targeting Iams specifically? Don’t most major brands test on animals in laboratories?
Iams claims to be a leader in the pet food industry. We’re asking the company to act like one. As a major food producer, its pioneering choice to end laboratory testing on animals would serve as an example of progress in the industry and would begin a truly “new and improved†era in pet food, not just a minor change at the animals’ expense.
For a list of forward-thinking companion-animal food companies that have stopped or never conducted tests on animals in laboratories and video of Iam's practices on dogs click here:
http://www.iamscruelty.com/notTested.asp
Aren’t you against all animal testing, even for human medical research?
Animal testing has never been a necessary, safe, or effective way to conduct medical research. Iams tests are particularly outrageous because animals in these tests are confined to barren steel-and-cement cells and forced to undergo invasive surgery just to test dog and cat food.
Animal lovers wouldn’t sacrifice their own animal companions’ welfare to benefit other animals, and they don’t want to subject animals just like theirs to cruel and unnecessary experimentation. We’re talking about dog and cat food here. The truth is that this continued experimentation is about nothing more than Iams’ pocketbook.
| |
|
|
|
