This rescue is happening right now in Missouri, with Best Friends and other groups coming together to save these dogs. For more info on how you can help, click here.

The Humane Society of the United States on February 23 issued an
interim policy recommending all dogs be evaluated as individuals, and
is calling a meeting of leading animal welfare organizations concerning
dogs victimized by dog fighting.
Wayne Pacelle, chief executive officer and president of the Humane
Society of the United States, suggested the meeting of major
stakeholders in Las Vegas to work through the associated issues. This
meeting is in response to concerns expressed by Best Friends Animal
Society in December 2008 regarding HSUS policies related to animals
confiscated in dog-fighting busts.
Pacelle said the meeting, scheduled for April, will include the
participation of national stakeholder organizations that deal with pit
bulls. The meeting was in the planning stages before Superior Court
Judge Ed Wilson Jr. ruled that 145 pit bulls, including approximately
70 puppies, confiscated from Wildside Kennels in Wilkes County, North
Carolina, would be euthanized without evaluation to determine
suitability for placement.
The new interim policy announced by the HSUS, pending the outcome of
the meeting, recommends that local law enforcement and animal control
evaluate such dogs as individuals rather than as a category before any
decision is made regarding their future.
“We expect government, corporations, and individuals to constantly
re-evaluate how they deal with animal issues,” Pacelle said. “Likewise,
we regularly review our own policies and procedures here at HSUS, and
we think it is important to talk with professional colleagues in the
movement to examine issues related to the disposition of fighting dogs.

“I am pleased to discuss these issues with personnel from Best Friends
and other organizations interested in the welfare of pit bulls.”
Julie Castle, director of Community Programs and Services for Best
Friends said, “There had been more than enough airing of feelings and
outrage that the dogs were not evaluated prior to being summarily
euthanized. It was time to hit the reset button on this in order to
move things forward in a constructive way. Mr. Pacelle was open and
receptive to what we had to say and we are looking forward to our
meetings in April.”
Best Friends, through its campaign, “Pit Bulls: Saving America’s Dogs,”
is looking forward working cooperatively with HSUS, according to
Castle.
The campaign is aimed in part at educating the public and the media
about pit bulls in order to help save the breed’s reputation. “Our goal
is to bring positive change to lives and image of pit bulls,” she said.

Written by Best Friends staff
Photo of Meryl, a Vicktory dog, by Gary Kalpakoff
As part of Best Friends’ 25th anniversary in 2009, our goal is to
double our membership, so we can double our efforts to bring about a
time when all companion animals have a forever home. What can you do to
help? Give the Gift of a Best Friends membership to family and friends.

The court-ordered destruction Monday of 145 dogs, including about 75
puppies, which were seized from a fighting dog breeding operation in
December, was based on the faulty assumption that all dogs seized in
dog-fighting related busts should arbitrarily be deemed dangerous and
euthanized.The decision to kill the dogs was supported by the largest animal
welfare organization in the country, the Humane Society of the United
States. According to the Winston-Salem Journal, representatives of HSUS
testified in Wilkes County Superior Court that the dogs had to be
destroyed because they had been 'bred for generations to be
aggressive.' HSUS reasserted its outdated policy, written more than 20
years ago: 'Any dog who has been specifically bred or conditioned for
fighting, or for which there is evidence that the dog has been used for
fighting should not be placed for adoption by an animal shelter but
humanely euthanized as soon as legally possible.'


A Best Friends Animals Society-led coalition offered resources to
the county for evaluation, spay/neuter, and support in finding homes
for qualified dogs. These animal welfare organizations, which have
extensive experience with rescued fighting dogs, urged Wilkes County to
accept their offer of support for an alternative approach, such as was
used in the Michael Vick case. The coalition includes BAD RAP (Bay Area
Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls), Animal Farm Foundation, Villa
Lobos Rescue Center, Downtown Dog Rescue, The Sula Foundation and Our
Pack.

“We are disheartened and shocked that HSUS, a leader in the animal
welfare community, would testify in court for the automatic destruction
of puppies and dogs, who had not been given the opportunity to be
evaluated as individuals, based on this policy. The Michael Vick dogs
have proven how antiquated this approach is,” said Ledy VanKavage, an
attorney with Best Friends Animal Society.

In 2006 HSUS advocated that all of the dogs from the Michael Vick dog
fighting case be put down for the same reasons they used when
recommending the killing of the Wilkes County pit bulls. In that case a
federal court appointed a Special Master to oversee the evaluation of
Vick’s dogs, all of which were adults. Many of the Vick dogs are now in
adoptive homes, and at least two of the so-called “aggressive fighting
dogs” are therapy dogs that visit hospitals to cheer up ailing
patients.

“The coalition members and their supporters are urging HSUS to
revaluate this policy and apply a more progressive approach that
reflects the lessons learned by the animal welfare groups in the
coalition, as well as other organizations that work directly with
dogs,” VanKavage said.

A coalition of animal welfare groups has formed to protest the court-order to kill all the 127 American pit bull terriers—60 of them puppies—seized from the Wildside Kennels in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

Led by Best Friends Animals Society, the coalition includes BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls), Animal Farm Foundation, Villalobos Rescue Center, and Downtown Dog Rescue.

Monday’s
Wilkesboro Superior Court order announced by Judge Ed Wilson would put
all of the dogs down after their owner, Ed Faron had been sentenced to
jail for 8-10 months. The dogs were seized Dec. 10, 2008 during a raid
on Faron’s Wildside Kennels.

Ledy
VanKavage, an attorney for Best Friends Animal Society said, “With
Faron’s conviction North Carolina’s law enforcement and judicial system
sent a strong message that dog fighting will not be condoned in their
state. We applaud their courage. Now, we ask them to show the same
courage when it comes to
innocent victims of dog fighting, the dogs themselves. We have ample
evidence that the dogs from these situations should not be stereotyped
and deserve an opportunity to be evaluated for potential adoptability.”

The coalition is urging North Carolina, and other states, to let go of old,
discredited policies that assume all such dogs are inherently damaged
or dangerous. The most publicized example are the rousing successes of
the dogs seized from Michael Vick’s dog fighting operation: many of
those dogs are now honored members of family, therapy dogs or making
great strides with their rescue groups.

Best
Friends is urging citizens to contact their state legislators to change
North Carolina law and delete the clause in the law that makes it
possible for dogs
harbored for fighting to automatically be deemed “dangerous” dogs.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

►
Please do not let something like this happen again. Residents of North
Carolina are urged to contact your state Senator, Representatives, and
Senator Stan Bingham to request a redraft of North Carolina Statute NC 67-1 - 4.1 (a)(1).

Ask that the law be made stronger; however, insist on striking "b" from the
definition of “Dangerous Dog” (remove “Any dog owned or harbored
primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting, or any dog
trained for dog fighting”).

Remember, all dogs are individuals and should be evaluated as such, not lumped together by group or breed.

Senator Stan Bingham
16 W. Jones Street, Room 2117
Raleigh, NC 27601-2808
Phone: 919-733-5665
E-mail: Stan.Bingham@ncleg.net

Find out who your state legislators are here, by inputting your zip code + 4 (scroll down page, right hand column).

It’s been two years in the making: Animal Media Foundation (AMF) has completed Giving Animals A Voice Through Music: The Best Friends 25th Anniversary Collection, a two-CD release that benefits the work of Best Friends. The collection features contributions from 24 influential artists in the music world, including Cyndi Lauper, John Oates, Neko Case and Emmylou Harris. The musician/producer behind this project is Dexter K. Brown. He and his life partner, Carol Scafuro, founded AMF, an organization dedicated to promoting animal welfare through collaborations within the music community. Giving Animals A Voice Through Music is their most ambitious project to date.

People can pre-order this double CD online before the official release later this month. The CDs come with an eight-page booklet introducing people to the work of Best Friends, including our goal of No More Homeless Pets, our 25th anniversary and our Give the Gift program. Cyrus Mejia, a Best Friends founder, provided one of his paintings for the cover of the booklet, and Best Friends staff designed it.

The CD also comes with download cards that can be given to friends so they can get two songs free online. “All of the musicians featured on this compilation jumped on board to support this cause,” Brown says. “With the wealth and diversity of talent, we hope this CD will reach not just fans of the artists, but also new audiences of animal and music lovers everywhere.” One CD was produced by Will Ackerman, founder of the Windham Hill Records new-age label. He handpicked 12 artists from the new-age jazz instrumental world, including Eugene Friesen from Paul Winter Consort and electric violinist Tracy Silverman.

Brown produced the other CD, which he describes as “an upbeat, contemporary recording.” He says, “There’s a really positive, energetic vibe that prevails throughout this CD. I couldn’t have been happier with the way both recordings turned out.” While many of the featured artists have yet to enjoy the global fame and instant name recognition of Lauper and Harris, all boast some pretty impressive accolades.

For example, composer/vocalist Diane Zeigler won the 2002 and 2004 Just Plain Folks Music Award for “Best Folk CD”; former NRBQ member Big Al Anderson wrote the Tim McGraw mega-hit, “The Cowboy in Me” and received the 2001 BMI Writer of the Year Award; and Shelby Lynne snagged the Best New Artist Grammy in 2000. Two years ago, AMF produced its first sold-out concert in its home base of Vermont. AMF continues to support local animal-welfare organizations promoting spay/neuter, pet adoptions and animal-friendly legislation. It also continues to support the efforts of Best Friends.

“We're so appreciative of the artists who have donated their talents to this project,” says Best Friends marketing director Vicki Kilmer-Rinker, “and of AMF, our longtime partner, who brought this opportunity together for our 25th anniversary.” Brown hopes that Giving Animals A Voice Through Music will create a kind of cross-pollination of animal lovers discovering new music and music lovers becoming more aware of animal welfare issues. “This is just the beginning,” he says. “We’re already planning the next compilation CD for Best Friends.”

In the meantime, give a listen to Giving Animals A Voice Through Music. There’s something in it for everyone. Use the widget above to listen to sound samples of the tracks or pre-order the CD. Over the coming days on our website, Best Friends will profile some of the artists on the CD and announce its release date, which is expected to be the middle of March (you can purchase a digital copy right now!).

Written by Amy Abern
Images courtesy of Animal Media Foundation

Breeder sets fire to home and kennels when officials arrived to confiscate dogs.

By Cheri Moon, Best Friends Staff

Stabilize. That is the primary objective. Stabilize a situation that has tilted and careened out of control.

A team of six Best Friends Animal Society specialists is headed into the remote countryside in Ozark County located in South Central Missouri to “wrangle dogs, assess their conditions and help stabilize a chaotic and disastrous set of circumstances.”

On February 24, when Missouri officials appeared on the premise of River Valley Puppies Kennels to remove approximately 200 dogs, the owner of the facility set fire to his house, the kennel where the dogs are kept and began shooting at anyone who attempted to enter the house—including firefighters.

Unlicensed Breeding Facility with Substandard Conditions
The Missouri Department of Agriculture has been conducting an ongoing investigation of River Valley Puppies Kennels, located near Tecumseh, Missouri. The unlicensed, commercial breeding facility has a well documented history of keeping dogs in “inadequate conditions.”

Click here to see video from day 1.

Officials gave the kennel a deadline of January 31, 2008 to clean up its act, surrender 50 dogs, pay a licensing penalty fee and pass inspections. When the New Year rang in without the kennel owner’s compliance, the Department of Agriculture set the ball in motion to remove the dogs.

The Department of Agriculture’s Animal Care Facilities Act (ACFA) program worked with the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department to take possession of the dogs. District Veterinarian Larry Forgey with the Missouri Department of Agriculture was also on the scene.

Most of the dogs from the kennel are English Springer spaniels and German shorthaired pointers. The teams knew they would encounter substandard conditions and unhealthy animals. But nothing could have prepared them for a barrage of bullets and fire.

According to preliminary reports, some dogs received injuries from the fire in the form of charred feet and others were grazed by bullets. All dogs with illnesses or injuries were removed from the property and are receiving medical care. Currently, there are approximately 150 dogs running unchecked on the property.

A Cavalry of Expertise
The Missouri Department of Agriculture has asked Best Friends Animal Society to evaluate the remaining dogs and help place them with rescue groups.

Joining Best Friends is Noah’s Wish, a California-based animal welfare organization dedicated exclusively to rescuing and sheltering animals in disasters. They will be setting up a temporary shelter on the kennel site.

Says Misti Preston, spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, “Although the Department of Agriculture does everything we can to protect the health and safety of animals, we don’t have all of the resources needed to facilitate the rescue of large numbers of dogs,” Preston says. “We truly appreciate the efforts and rely on outside groups such as Best Friends and Noah’s Wish, who bring their experience and knowledge to the rescue effort.”

The action against River Valley Puppies Kennels is one of 23 enforcement actions taken by the State of Missouri since the beginning of the year, resulting in the rescue of more than 1,100 dogs.

Ongoing Updates
As this situation unfolds, Best friends will be providing notes from the field and updates on a daily basis. Says Rich Crook, Field Team Leader onsite in Missouri, “We don’t know what to expect—except dogs in need of help—and we can handle that.”

How You Can Help

• There is no call for volunteers or in kind donations at this time.

• Volunteers are not needed at the puppy mill site, but people interested in helping can make a donation for the care of the puppies by clicking this image:




• Download the guide, “Nine Things You Can Do to Help Stop Puppy Mills.”

• Join The Truth About the Pet Trade community to learn more about how you can help in your community.

Photo by Gary Kalpakoff, Best Friends Staff

Peanut will be spending her Valentine’s Day purring, for the first
time. When she arrived at Best Friends, she’d been shot, and left with
paralyzed back legs. She was scared.

But today, thanks to your support, she’s loving her life at the
sanctuary. She explores all over the place without any help. She gets
full medical care. And best of all, she’s learning to snuggle and purr.
She wants to be a part of the holiday of love – Valentine’s Day!

Sponsor Peanut for your valentine! “I’m softer and warmer than any card!”

To sponsor Peanut or any other of our animals, head over to our Gifts of Life and Love website.

P.S. Guys: Girls love this as a gift!

Please take the time to read this story, and if you can, please support Ms. Sobotka's new commitment to the animals. This is an incredibly brave person who is risking her livelihood to make sure she is only offering dogs in need for sale (not puppies from mills). As the store owner herself admits, "it's just the right thing to do." In return for her bravery, we ask you to support her as she goes forward with her new plan.




New store owner partners with Maricopa Animal Care and Control to offer adoptions

By Cheri Moon

Usually,
when a new owner takes over a store, there are changes in procedures
and policies. Rarely do those changes amount to saving lives. But the
innovative policies implemented by Kim Sobotka, new owner of Posh Puppy in Scottsdale, AZ, will do just that.

Sobotka
took ownership of Posh Puppy in July 2008 — a pet retail store, day
care, grooming and boarding facility with a long history of selling
puppies. But under Sobotka's regime, the days of selling dogs are
numbered and a new day of adoption has begun.

Says Sobotka, "It's just the right thing to do."

Peaceful Protests Make A Difference
No
one is prouder of Sobotka's decision than Jan McClellan. McClellan
began peacefully protesting outside Posh Puppy in early May 2008.
Inspired by Oprah's exposé on puppy mills and the then-recent closing of Posh Puppy in Beverly Hills (no connection to the Scottsdale store) — McClellan decided to make a difference in her own community.

She
says, "It was the weekend before Mother's Day that we began our
campaign to educate the public about the connection between pet stores
and puppy mills. So the theme of our protest was "puppy mill moms never
have a nice Mother's Day."

McClellan and fellow protesters
returned each weekend thereafter for six months. Dedicated volunteers
in groups as few as two at a time shared their message in rain, shine
and at times 110 degrees, but most importantly, throughout the
transition from one store owner to the next.

Anything But Business As Usual
McClellan explains that they were protesting as part of a U.S./Canadian event, National Puppy Mill Awareness Day,
when two of Sobotka assistants came out to speak to them. Says
McClellan, "They said they agreed with us and would like to start
showcasing homeless dogs from shelters and to cease using their current
source of pups."

Fellow protesters Erin Maupin, Susan Mazey and
Julie Niccolazzi went to work connecting Sobotka with Linda Soto,
division manager for Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC).

Says
Soto, "One day my phone rang and this woman I didn't know started
talking about a possible adoption agreement with Posh Puppy."

A
handful of meetings and a few months later, the details have been
worked out and Posh Puppy will begin offering adoptable dogs this
Saturday, January 24.

Setting New Standards
Says
Soto, "We are so thrilled to be working with Posh Puppy! She (Sobotka)
is setting new standards and building a model that pet stores
everywhere can follow. I will do anything I can to support her and that
store."

Posh Puppy has a handful of puppies left over from its
previous source. As soon as those puppies find homes, the store will
offer adoptable-only dogs seven days a week.*

Says store owner
Sobotka, "I've met so many nice and incredible people through this
process. Together we can make this work and help each other conserve
resources." She adds, "There's always a way to work things out. You
just need to try."

Posh Puppy is offering a complimentary day of
doggie day care and a free hour with a trainer to anyone who adopts a
puppy from the store.

* The Posh Puppy website will soon be updated with their rescue plans and new adoption policies.

How You Can Make A Difference:

• Download an Action Kit that includes peaceful protest tips, signs and information to make a difference in your community.

• Stay informed with the latest updates on puppy mills, breeders and important information about the pet trade.

• Join your local Network to get news from your area and join in peaceful protests.

•
If you live in Scottsdale or surrounding areas, contact Posh Puppy to
let them know you support their decision and help by shopping at the
store.
Posh Puppy
15060 N. Northsight Blvd.
Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Phone: (480) 991-9827

Photo by Clay Myers: Best Friends Animal Society

Actress Katherine Heigl, along with Best Friends staff and volunteers,
are hitting broadcast news in a big way by appearing tonight on Access
Hollywood. And it’s all about the animals – little ones.
The popular TV entertainment news show is featuring the rescue and
transfer of 33 small dogs who were saved Monday from overcrowded Los
Angeles animal shelters.
The dogs left Los Angeles Tuesday morning for new homes in Salt Lake
City, thanks to Best Friends’ Pup My Ride program, and a crew from
Access Hollywood was there to film the first leg of the dogs’ ride to
their new homes.
Heigl, who co-stars in the TV show Grey’s Anatomy, was there with her
mother, Nancy, and Best Friends staff and volunteers, who all worked
together to make the rescue and transport possible. To top it off, the
Heigls are giving Best Friends a grant to carry the program through
2009, so even more animals can be saved.
Pup My Ride, part of Best Friends' Puppies Aren’t Products nationwide
campaign, in 2008 saved 650 at-risk, small-breed dogs from Los Angeles
shelters. The dogs were transported to communities where the demand for
small dogs is high but the supply is low.


Pup My Ride works hand-in-paw with A Puppy-Store-Free L.A., another
Best Friends program focused on reaching the goal of No More Homeless
Pets, says Kate Schnepel, associate director of Best Friends’ Community
Programs and Services.
And the program is fast making a dent in the problem of discarded pets
sent to already overwhelmed and understaffed municipal shelters.
“Robin Harmon and her volunteers pulled off another fantastic transport
this morning,” says Elizabeth Oreck, manager of Best Friends' Los
Angeles programs, “and we were privileged to have Katherine and her
mother, Nancy Heigl, there.”
Written by Cathy Scott
Vist the Best Friends Network L.A. Programs Community.
As part of Best Friends’ 25th anniversary in 2009, our goal is to
double our membership so we can double our efforts to bring about a
time when all companion animals have a forever home. What can you do to
help? Give the Gift of a Best Friends membership to family and friends.