Detroit and Michigan Pet Stores

Update: Check the sidebar of this blog for adoption agencies and shelters. You can find purebred dogs, cats, and rabbits, ferrets, horses, ducks, and more. Check my blog post of March 1, 2008, for a list of specific links.

An interesting article in today's online Detroit Free Press, titled Michigan agency has not punished pet stores that have been neglectful.

Just another example of Michigan government throwing itself down the toilet.

The article mentions that the State of Michigan Department of Agriculture is formally discontinuing its responsibility to the animals of Michigan - specifically those in pet stores - except in cases of "serious abuse or disease outbreaks."

Here's an example, as quoted from the Freep article:

More than 30 people have complained to the state this year about Pollywood Pets, inside the Gibraltar Trade Center in Mt. Clemens. That's more than any other store. Among the complaints: 20 kittens stuffed in a pen; sick puppies covered in feces, some injured by broken cages; guinea pigs bleeding and overcrowded, one without an eye.

Please note that the State of Michigan does not consider the above example to be "serious abuse."

The story goes on to say that inspections have not been done in years, though complaints have been filed against over 25% of southeast Michigan pet stores. Meanwhile, unlicensed stores continue sales of animals; many pets have proven to be diseased and/or otherwise injured; and dogs are being sold under the legal age limit of 8 weeks.

Please, protest pet stores! Purchase your pet - healthy and for reasonable prices - at area shelters. They've lots of dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and (recently seen at The Humane Society in Rochester Hills) ducks! Do not continue to support these grotesque abusive people/stores that only care to make a buck irregardless of humane and legal practices.

Time to get out the camera.

California Wildfire & Other Disasters: Find Your Rescued or Lost Pet/Animal

The Los Angeles Times today carries a very important story titled What fire victims need to know about their animals. The article tells how to find your pet or animal if it was lost or left behind (and rescued by someone else) during the current wildfire (or any such disaster), and how to care for your pet during periods of extreme stress such as you would also be experiencing.

Two great suggestions for finding your rescued/lost pet or other animal: phone (888) 738-7911, or on the internet, check www.pets911.com or www.petfinder.com/disaster. Remember to check your local shelters and animal control centers (for California wildfire disaster, check the post previous to this for names and phone #s).

If you need to find a temporary foster home for your pet, call (866) 654-4732 @ Petfinder.com

Remember also that during times of extreme stress, your pet's behavior may change - he she might be a little more aggressive, defensive or snappy; they are just as scared and worried as you are - they need reassurance too!

To read the L.A. Times story, click on this link. (Very important and thorough.)

detroit dog's advice: stay calm, stay close, stay informed; be aware of your pet's needs and this disaster will be a little less so.

Ellen Degeneres, Dogs, & Rescue Group Missions

O.K. Because I am detroit dog, I must weigh in on the hot topic of comedienne Ellen Degeneres and her current turmoil. The turmoil is a very real and emotional one for her, and I'm sure for others as well.

Ellen recently adopted a dog from a rescue group and, since the dog was a little too rambunctious around her cats, she gave the dog to her hairdresser's family (they were looking to adopt a dog anyway). The rescue group called Ellen to follow up about the dog, and she told them that she'd given it to the family. The group then retrieved the dog, upsetting the family and Ellen.

Ellen Degeneres is one of my favorite "celebrities." She comes across as thoughtful, caring, and as a true animal lover - in addition to be very, very funny.

That said, Ellen Degeneres did the wrong thing - and not just because she'd signed a piece of paper saying she would return the dog to the group if it didn't work out with her. Why was it wrong?

Rescue groups have an inherent mission to ensure the life long welfare of an animal. This is why they interview prospective adoptive 'parents', to be sure that animal is going to be with that person or family for life. If the person/family can no longer care for the animal - no matter the reason - the group takes the pet (in Ellen's case, dog) back, to find it another home. Rescue groups do not want to re-start the cycle which got the animal to them in the first place - unwanted and often abandoned, sometimes abused.

While Ellen definitely had the best of intentions, and more than likely she gave the dog to a good family, she started the cycle - again - of that particular dog being an unwanted pet. For the rescue group to have not reclaimed the dog would have set precedent and completely undermined the mission of rescue groups everywhere.

If the family at some point decided that the dog wasn't working out for them, they might give the dog to someone else, and so on and so on. There's a good chance that the dog might not end up in the best of homes no matter how well intentioned the person passing on the dog. Some person might decide that the dog is not for them, and then it ends up abandoned or in a shelter, or worse.

What Ellen could have done is let the rescue group know that the dog was not working out for her, but that she knew of a good family that was interested in the dog. The group could have interviewed the new family and decided if it was an appropriate family or not. Everyone would be happy all around.

To have gone on TV and cried about it is sad. But it is also somewhat manipulative. She trivialized her contract with the rescue group, and by naming them sought to exert public pressure on them. We can only hope that pro-Ellen sentiment does not adversely affect the group's funding.

Sorry, Ellen. You are in the wrong.

detroit dog's advice: If you cannot keep your dog, seek out a rescue group that will find it a good home. There are lots of breed-specific rescue groups as well. If at all possible, return your pet to the group from which it was adopted.

To watch a video of Ellen talking about this event, click on this link to go to YouTube, and search "Ellen Degeneres Dog".

Greyhound Special Needs: Dog Houses, Anesthesia & Meds, Extreme Weather

Quite frequently I look at my blog stats to see what words or phrases people are searching that brings them to The Dog House. Just this morning I found that someone did a search on greyhound dog houses. Well, it seems to detroit dog that some advice is needed about the care of greyhounds.

• Most greyhounds average about 19% body fat, whereas most other dogs average about 35% body fat. This classifies greyhounds as "special needs" dogs.
  
• Because greyhounds have less body fat, in addition to thin skin and extremely short coats, they cannot self-regulate their body temperatures; i.e., their body temps do not adapt well to extreme temperatures - neither heat nor cold. While some dogs can tolerate long periods of 40 degree or 80 degree temps, greyhounds cannot. Heatstroke easily affects greyhounds; they will easily freeze to death in winter weather, regardless if you stuff a dog house with hay and blankets. Dog houses are not for greyhounds.
  
• Also due to the greyhounds' low ratio of body fat, they metabolize anesthesia and medications differently than other dogs: their bodies are more sensitive and absorb it more readily. Be sure that you take your greyhounds to a vet very familiar with that breed; not all vets understand the special needs of a greyhound.
• Lastly, because greyhounds have such thin skins and low body fat, chemicals are also more easily absorbed through their skins and, again, metabolized differently than by other dogs. Giving a greyhound a flea or tick bath will probably throw the dog into convulsions or kill it. Flea collars will render the same results, as will many dog shampoos. What to do? Use a gentle oatmeal soap for shampoo or baths. See your vet if concerned about fleas.

Greyhounds make greyt indoor pets, even in apartments or small homes. Greyhounds rarely - if ever - bark. Generally, they have a low activity level and are not rambunctious inside - preferring to nap or keep you company. They do enjoy their walks.

detroit dog's advice: Do not leave your greyhound outdoors for extended periods of time, in either cold or heat. If you are concerned about your dog wreaking havoc indoors while you are away for a few hours, crate train them (most former racing greyhounds are very accepting of crates; they are a familiar part of life). Be sure your vet and your dog groomer are well aware of the special needs of greyhounds.

Lake Michigan Surfer Rescues Drowning Dog

Here's an interesting story, in part because I didn't know people actually surf in Lake Michigan. Where there's a wave there's a way, I guess.

However, a surfer saw a wave knock the good-sized dog off a pier (and it's owner off balance). The dog was struggling and having a rough time, and literally getting carried away, so the surfer grabbed the dog by his collar and hoisted him onto the surf board then swam to shore. An off-duty police officer witnessed the event.

If you'd like to read the CNN story and see a photo of the rescue in progress, click on this link.


detroit dog's advice: be sure that your dog wears an appropriately fitting collar; it can save a dog's life.

The Secret Death of Bees, or Colony Collapse Disorder

Don't know that you've been paying attention to news reports about the dwindling numbers of honeybees, for a few years now; I've been hearing news of this for a few months.

Seems there's a crisis among American beekeepers and the production of honey. For a few years, there has been noticeably fewer honeybees, as reported by beekeepers and the honey industry. So, you say, what's the big deal? A rise in honey prices? Less food for bears? No more stings? No pollination of crops and eventual world starvation? Well, yes.

After the importation of honeybees into the U.S. about four or five years ago (first importations allowed in 80 years), honeybee colonies suffered extreme losses in population. Rumors and theories abound that the honeybee death crisis might be due to global warming, malnutrition (caused by pesticides and/or drought), and work-related stress. (Yes, bees are, in fact, migrant workers: 'industrial' beehives are shipped back-and-forth across the U.S. following seasons and crops. Even bees must live the American work ethic. ugh.)

The death of honeybees may in fact be related to all above named suspected causes. Now scientists are investigating another lethal suspect: a virus, brought in by Australian 'immigrant' bees.

Perhaps this explains my poor tomato garden this year. :-/

detroit dog's advice: Let's bee-friendly now, or we'll be hungry later. (eep. Thanks for putting up with my so-called sense of humor.)

To read the NY Times article, click on this link.

Or check out the bee story at EurekaAlert! (the paragraph below defines them, and is lifted from their web site):

EurekAlert! is an online, global news service operated by AAAS, the science society. EurekAlert! provides a central place through which universities, medical centers, journals, government agencies, corporations and other organizations engaged in research can bring their news to the media. EurekAlert! also offers its news and resources to the public. EurekAlert! features news and resources focused on all areas of science, medicine and technology.

In the Dog House: Whoopi Goldberg & The View, in w/Vick

Whoopi Goldberg and The View have just bought real estate in The Dog House. They've just set up permanent residence. How'd they find the neighborhood?

Actress Whoopi Goldberg, on her first day as co-host with Barbara Walters' show The View, decided to defend Mike Vick and, essentially, dog fighting. Goldberg defends his actions, saying "He's from the South.... This is part of his cultural upbringing." Goldberg also says, "...this is a kid who comes from a culture where this is not questioned."

• So it's fair to say that Southerners murder animals for sport?
  
• And it's OK to perpetuate illegal and abusive behavior if it was part of the "culture" that you grew up with? (If it is, then I think there's a very good case for a good deal of our prison population.)
  
• If dogfighting is "not questioned" in that culture then why it has been outlawed?
  

Goldberg says "it seemed like a light went off in his head when he realized this was something that the entire country didn't appreciate." duh.

It's about more than not appreciating something. It's about being angry that there are people out there like Vick and Goldberg that think it's perfectly legit to breed animals specifically for the purpose of killing each other for human entertainment.

And one more note: according to American law, Vick isn't a "kid." He hasn't been a "kid" since his 18th birthday. He doesn't need to grow up - he is grown up.

I can live a life without Whoopi Goldberg and The View. I'm sure they can live a life without me, too.

detroit dogs's advice: dump The View and dump Goldberg. Life is better without those that defend murder for sport.

To read the article on Reuters, click on this link.
To read the AP article on The Washington Post, click on this link.

New Spay/Neuter Law for California?

Here's an interesting article from the CNN web site, about California advancing legislation that would require pet owners to neuter/spay their pets (cats and dogs only?) or pay a $500 fine. Breeders and guide dog owners may be exempt from the legislation. The State of California estimates that it "puts down" about a half-million animals each year, at a cost of about $300 million each year.

This issue is important to all of us, as the legislation could very well set precedents that would eventually affect other U.S. states.

I agree with the legislation.

Certainly spaying and neutering of pets is helpful in regulating pet population. Regulating the pet population would in turn lower the rate of unwanted pets - which usually end up at a shelter (at best). Life is short for most pets that are in U.S. shelters. Only 15% - 25% of pets at shelters walk out alive; the rest are "euthanized." And it certainly would lessen overcrowding and financial distress at shelters, city- and state-owned and otherwise. Most importantly, it would lessen the number (though perhaps not the percentage) of unwanted pets that end up in shelters or in already-stressed adoption foster programs, thereby lessening the number of pets that endure such hardships.

Contrary to many protests, this legislation would not eliminate the dog population. Legislation would work about as well as marijuana legislation; marijuana is still around. (Or at least it was the last time I checked.)

However, in spending money to feed and shelter our pets, there are those that may not be able to afford to have them spayed/neutered. If the legislation is approved, then perhaps low-cost spay/neuter programs should increase. (Perhaps partial monies saved from no longer having to care for and euthanize the animals.)

No fines for breeders and guide-dog owners? On that topic, I do disagree.

What defines a legitimate breeder?
Certainly a very small percentage of these dog-breeding businesses exist to offer dogs for the specific purpose for which they were originally "created." For instance, most U.S. breeders of border collies do not sell the dog for animal-herding purposes. Greyhounds are bred strictly for racing and no longer for sight-hunting. After their racing careers are over, most of them are "euthanized" or shot and dumped. or have their ears lopped off so that they cannot be identified by their track tattoos.

Just look at the dogs available at your local Humane Society or on Pet Finder, and you'll find all kinds of purebred dogs without homes. This legislation might curb dogs bred for already-illegal purposes such as dog fights and dog racing. And one would hope that puppy mills would be put out of business, thereby lessening careless and reckless breeding that accounts for so many pet health issues and congenital deformities. Breeders contribute to the homeless and unwanted pet population on a very large scale; this is not an issue only for the non-business owner.

Guide-dog owners?
The dogs should be spayed/neutered when of age, and before they go into service. And the service agency should pay the cost. Additionally, many guide dog services breed their own dogs, and not every dog becomes a service dog. Which means that the rest are left to find adoptive homes. There is no reason that a service dog or a dog put up for adoption should not be spayed/neutered, and no reason why the service agency cannot provide this service free of charge.

detroitdog's advice: Spay or neuter your pet. It's the responsible thing to do. Why not make things right from the get go?

Save a life; teach your children well

Here in the States, May 20 - 26 was National Dog Bite Prevention Week (sorry for the late notice). Click on the link to read this story in the ASPCA newsletter.

Here are some suggestions from the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) newsletter:

• Children should not approach, touch or play with any dog who is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.

• Children should not pet unfamiliar dogs without asking permission from the dog’s guardian first. If the guardian says it is okay, the child should first let the dog sniff his closed hand.

• If a child sees a dog off-leash outside, he should tell an adult immediately.

• If a loose dog comes near a child, she should not run or scream. Instead, she should avoid eye contact with the animal and stand very still, like a tree, until the animal moves away.

detroit dog's advice: Stay calm; don't panic; play nice. Chances are the dog is feeling exactly the same way about you that you feel about it. The difference? You were born into this world with choices; the domestic dog was born into this world without choices.

Surrendering your pet (to a shelter); Keep your pet

When considering taking your pet to a shelter (Humane Society, animal control, etc.), please keep in mind that reports indicate that annually only 15% - 25% of animals that enter a shelter leave a shelter alive. (Meaning 75% - 85% of animals don't.) Of course, the range in this percentage is dependent upon each shelter's "euthanasia" policy. Neither age, nor species, nor cuteness of face will guarantee the adoption of your pet.

detroit dog's advice: spend a little time to find a good home or a foster home for your pet; use a shelter as a very last resort for surrendering, as a first resort for adopting. (Bastet was adopted from the NYC ASPCA).

For information on pet behaviors of dogs, cats, and rabbits (and rabbit toys), check out these web sites:

• www.fanciers.com
  
• www.wonderpuppy.net
• www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/lib-prob.htm
• www.rabbit.org/
• www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_behavior

Some things to think about, if pet behavior issues concern you :

1. Chewing

• most puppies chew - just like human babies teethe; they need chew toys
• adult dogs tend to chew things because they don't have the right chew toys, or because they are lonely, bored, frustrated, or anxious (they need some attention and play; you don't like being left alone for hours with nothing to do, right?)
• rabbits need to chew to keep their teeth trim, or they will become unhealthy or depressed
  

2. Urinating (pee-ing)

• dogs think it is disgusting to pee and poop in the very place they live; but they might not know to do differently if they were raised in a place that didn't let them out of the house or their crate often enough
• your pet might have a urinary tract infection, which can cause frequent and sometimes painful urination. It is also deadly - and quickly. Get your pet to a vet immediately (do NOT wait a couple of days; if there is blood - get them to the vet NOW)
• dogs can be "house-broken" by keeping them on a regular schedule to go outside (after they get used to the schedule, they can sometimes wait until you are able to let them out)
• sometimes dogs "go" in the house if a dog lived there before you moved in - and that dog had an "accident" in the house (dogs can smell things that humans can't) or if they are on a medication that makes them pee a lot (like prednisone and other steroids)
  
• some dogs pee because they "respect" you and are being submissive to you
  
• dogs and cats need to be neutered or spayed early, or they might "mark" their territory in your house