PSI News

PET-CARE AND PET-SITTING INDUSTRY STABLE DESPITE ECONOMIC SLOW DOWN

While few industries are completely recession proof; independent businesses in the pet-care and pet-sitting industries have yet to experience a decline. According to the American Pet Products Association 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey, 63 percent of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 71.1 million homes. Last year, $41.2 billion was spent on pets. It is estimated that even more is being spent this year, despite a slowing economy.

Chris Sutphin, PSI member services supervisor, says all signs continue to point to a stable and growing membership. As a requirement of PSI membership, business owners must have 51 percent of their businesses dedicated to pet sitting and pet care. Independent pet-sitting businesses comprise the association’s 8,000 members that are located predominantly in the United States and Canada.

“Geographically we’ve seen some businesses struggle more than others due to competition and other local economic factors,” Sutphin said. “But overall, the independent pet sitter is maintaining quite well.”

Ken Prouty, PSI member and owner of Next Best Friend Pet Sitting and More in St. Louis, MO, has seen a 74 percent increase in revenue this year compared to last year. And Robyn Simnioniw, owner of Priority Pets in Colorado Springs, CO, attributes the steady demand in her business to two main factors. She’s noticed that many of her clients are not eliminating vacations, but choosing to drive instead of fly. This typically lengthens vacations and results in longer pet-sitting assignments. In addition, more people in her community are using professional pet sitters for everyday tasks such as midday walks and trips to the veterinarian.

“Due to the tumultuous economy, I’ve noticed people working longer hours to ensure job security, says Simnioniw. “This results in people employing professional pet sitters to care for their pets during their long work days.”

Some workers opting out of the longer corporate hours look to pet care as the next step in their career paths. The industry continues to benefit from the post-corporate choices of many professionals. Pat Olson, owner of Angel Paws Pet Sitting in Olathe, KS, was working part-time as a pet sitter while also working full time in database management at a health insurance company. When her position was eliminated due to corporate downsizing, she decided to go into pet sitting full time. Olson says, “After I was downsized, I decided I couldn’t go back to the corporate world. I worked for a couple of years at a pet-sitting company before starting my own. I am really surprised how busy I am. Already, I am fully booked for Thanksgiving and I have a handful of bookings for Christmas.”

Robert Nager, owner of Decadent Dog in Boston, MA, left a profitable sales career after finding himself mentally and physically burned out. “The benefits of leaving the corporate world behind have been truly enormous in ways I could not have imagined. My focus was always on more money and more sales. I remember the days with endless meetings and memos about parking or ID badge procedures. Now I am making a difference in the lives of so many dogs and their families. They truly appreciate my efforts,” says Nager.

In addition to nurturing their passion for pets, some post-corporate professionals are attracted to the industry due to its relatively low start-up costs. The initial investment typically includes advertising materials, insurance and membership to an educational association.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has responded to news reports claiming exotic pets are a health risk to young children.

In light of recent news reports focusing on the potential health risks to children less than 5 years of age from nontraditional pets, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is reminding the public that no matter what your age and no matter what species your pet, good hygiene practices greatly reduce the spread of disease and lead to happier and healthier relationships between people and their pets.

The AVMA is also stressing that, under no circumstances, should people abandon pets or turn them loose in the wild due to the fear of diseases that spread between animals and people, also known as zoonotic diseases. If a pet must be relinquished, pet owners need to find it a new and suitable home.

"Pets have so much to offer our children and can be valuable additions to our households," said Dr. James Cook, president of the AVMA. "It would be a shame if recent newspaper articles scare people away from pet ownership, or cause them to abandon pets they already have. Pets bring our children joy and companionship and teach them about animal welfare and responsibility. If anything, these reports should remind people about the importance of washing their hands and other sanitary measures they can take when in contact with any animal."

In a recently released document, the AVMA addresses and answers questions pet owners might have regarding zoonotic diseases and provides tips on how to minimize health risks for both pets and their owners. The document is available on the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org/animal_health/pets_ZD_faq.asp.

For more information, or to set up an interview with veterinary experts on zoonotic disease, contact Michael San Filippo, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell), or msanfilippo@avma.org. 

The AVMA and its more than 76,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal, human and public health. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org for more information

The nation’s first humane organization takes the scare out of Halloween!

Keeping your pets safe on Halloween doesn’t have to be tricky. The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is offering the following tips to help pet parents avoid potential hazards as they celebrate Halloween this October.

“Many of our favorite Halloween traditions could pose a potential threat to our companion animals,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, board-certified veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president, ASPCA Animal Health Services, which includes the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, Ill. “So as you start to make plans for trick-or-treating or Halloween costumes, pet parents should be aware of Halloween-related products and activities that can be potentially dangerous to pets.”

Here are just some of the ways animal lovers can keep their pets safe this Halloween:

Skip the sweets.

Several popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. “Chocolate, especially baker’s and dark chocolate can also be potentially poisonous to animals, especially dogs,” advises Dr. Hansen. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate and even seizures.

Watch out for those wrappers.

Cats especially love to play with candy wrappers, but ingesting aluminum foil or cellophane can cause intestinal blockage and induce vomiting.

Trick-or-treating is for kids, not pets.

During trick-or-treating hours it is best to keep pets in a room away from your front door. “Halloween brings a flurry of activity with visitors constantly arriving at the door, and pets may escape the safety of their home. Be sure that your pet has identification tags should he or she accidentally get loose,” recommends Gail Buchwald, senior vice president of the ASPCA Pet Adoption Center in Manhattan. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with tags and/or is microchipped.

Careful with costumes! If you dress up your pet for Halloween, make sure the costume does not limit his movement, hearing, sight or ability to breathe or bark. Also check the costume for choking hazards. A smart alternative to dressing your pet from head-to-paw? A simple, festive Halloween bandana.

Decorations can be dangerous.

Re-think putting candles in Jack-O-Lanterns. Pets can easily knock over Jack-O-Lanterns and start a fire, and curious kittens are particularly at risk of getting burned by candle flames. Also take care to prevent your pets from having access to wires and cords from holiday decorations. If chewed, a wire can damage your pet’s mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock.

If your dog or cat accidentally ingests any potentially harmful products and you need emergency advice, please consult your veterinarian or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee applies) or www.aspca.org/apcc. For more information on having a fun, safe Halloween with your pets, please visit www.aspca.org.

About the ASPCA® Animal Poison Control Center

Established in 1978, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is the only 24-hour, 365-day facility of its kind staffed by five veterinary assistants, 10 certified veterinary technicians, nine board-certified toxicologists/veterinary toxicologists and 16 veterinarians. Located at the ASPCA’s Midwest Office in Urbana, Ill., the specially trained staff provides assistance to pet owners, and specific diagnostic and treatment recommendations to veterinarians pertaining to toxic chemicals and dangerous plants, products or substances. In 2007, the center handled over 130,000 cases. The center also provides extensive veterinary toxicology expert consulting on a wide array of subjects, including legal cases, formulation issues, product liability, and regulatory reporting.

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assisted therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited animal hospital, adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York’s animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series “Animal Precinct” on Animal Planet. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.

ASPCA Responds to Nationwide Pet Food Recall Affecting Several Pet Food Brands Manufactured by Mars Petcare US

ASPCA Advises Pet Parents to Discontinue Use of Affected Products Immediately

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) advised pet owners to discontinue using certain dog and cat foods manufactured by Mars Petcare US, which has voluntarily issued a nationwide recall because of potential contamination with Salmonella serotype Schwarzengrund. This voluntary recall only affects several brands of dry pet foods in the United States including Pedigree, Special Kitty, Paws & Claws, Natural Dog Food, Red Flannel, Country Acres, Buju & Ziggie, Member's Mark, Natural Cat Food, Retriever, Bruiser, Doggy Bag, PMI Nutrition, and Pet Pride. For a complete list of affected brands and more information on the recall, please visit http://www.petcare.mars.com/.

“The ASPCA recommends that pet parents discontinue the use of all affected products immediately until further information has been received,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, the ASPCA’s Senior Vice President of Animal Health Services. “Pet parents should wash their hands after handling any potentially contaminated pet food and immediately consult with a veterinarian if any signs or symptoms are noticed in their pets.” The recall may affect several brands that are widely distributed at pet specialty stores, supermarkets, mass retailers, as well as other retail and wholesale outlets. In an emergency situation, pet owners may also call the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

###

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assisted therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited animal hospital, adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York’s animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series “Animal Precinct” on Animal Planet. For more information, please visit http://www.aspca.org

A new study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reveals that New York Police Department dogs deployed to the World Trade Center after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, have not experienced any long-term health effects.

The study focuses on 27 dogs that assisted in relief efforts at the site, many of which remained deployed throughout the 37-week cleanup operation. Both short-term and long-term health assessments were conducted. According to the study, about 63 percent of the dogs had some type of health disorder during the first week, including fatigue, eye irritation, respiratory tract problems, decreased appetite, dehydration and cuts. What surprised the study's authors, however, was that only mild and infrequent health conditions were identified during a five-year follow-up period.

None of the dogs, according to the study, was identified as having chronic respiratory tract disease or any type of blood disorder. Nineteen of the 27 dogs were still alive and apparently healthy five years later. In fact, the five-year mortality rate for the 27 working dogs examined in the study was similar to the rate for a control group of household pets and law enforcement dogs that had not been dispatched to the site.

"The general good health of the dogs studied was an unexpected result," said Philip Fox, DVM, the study's lead author and director of The Caspary Research Institute of The Animal Medical Center in New York City. "The dogs appeared to be unaffected in the long term by their exposure to the smoke, dust and toxins they encountered while working at the World Trade Center site."

The findings are in contrast to some human emergency responders who worked at the site, as various studies have identified increases in the rates of illness and the severity of various symptoms of respiratory tract disease. The reason that the dogs appeared to suffer so few long-term health conditions may be due to differences between human and animal airways and differences in lung defense mechanisms.

###

The AVMA and its more than 76,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal, human and public health. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org for more information.

Animal Witness’ Hour-Long Premiere to Focus on Michael Vick Case

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that its experts will be featured in the August 24 premiere episode of a new program on Animal Planet called Animal Witness: the Michael Vick Case.

The hour-long special which will feature interviews with Dr. Melinda Merck, senior director of Veterinary Forensics for the ASPCA and Annemarie Lucas, Supervisory Special Investigator for the ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement team will focus on one of the most talked-about stories of 2007 the Michael Vick case.

“The involvement of an extremely high-profile celebrity in the horrific sport of dogfighting prompted universal public outrage and condemnation,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “The ASPCA is proud to have provided its expert resources not only to the investigation of this serious case but to the evaluation and rehabilitation of the animal victims. This case will forever remain a pivotal point in the history of animal welfare in this country and the world.”

The ASPCA worked closely with federal authorities at every step of the case, first assisting in the investigation itself through the forensic examinations by Dr. Merck, and later when Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, C.A.A.B. and executive vice president of ASPCA Programs, led a team of several Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (trained animal behavior experts who have been certified by the Animal Behavior Society) in the behavior evaluations of the seized dogs.

The episode is scheduled to air Sunday, August 24 at 10 p.m. local time. For more information on the ASPCA’s fight against animal cruelty, please visit www.fightcruelty.org.

$72M Pet-Sitting Industry Drawing More Entrepreneurs to Meet Diversifying Service Needs 

More than ever, pet owners are turning to professional pet sitters to take care of their pets, according to a recent survey by Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters. The trend is bringing more professionals into the pet service industry, many trading the corporate world for the independence of running their own businesses.

The group polls its now 8,000-plus member businesses every three years on topics such as pet-sitter demographics, pricing, income, length of pet-sitting visits, size of business and services provided to clients. With each survey, PSI is able to identify and track trends among pet owners as well as pet sitters and their businesses.

In the 2008 survey, pet-sitter members report a trend in services that goes much beyond feeding and caring for their customers’ animals. The top eight services demanded by clients include basic pet care, dog walking, care of special needs pets, pet transportation service, overnight pet-sitting, house-sitting with no pets, errand services and pooper-scooper services. Some pet-sitting specialists report offering behavior, obedience and grooming services.

“Pet owners tend to treat their pets like a member of the family,” says Patti Moran, president of the 14-year old organization. “If they can provide something for their pets that increases their well-being and happiness, they will do it. Our industry has stepped in to provide those services and fulfill those consumer needs. We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of people entering the pet-sitting profession, and our surveys and membership statistics show that now, more than ever, many are remaining in the profession for five years or longer.”

Who are these professional pet-sitters? By far, they work for independently operated (98%), women-owned businesses (84%), and make an estimated 17.4 million visits per year to clients’ homes.

What made them choose this line of business? Overwhelmingly, the response was a love of animals (55%), followed by the opportunity to be one’s own boss (15%) and the desire to leave the corporate job world (12%).

Who is buying pet sitting and related services? Couples without children lead the list at 40.5 percent followed by couples with children (28.9%) and single females (24.6%). Pet owners are purchasing these services for a variety of reasons, including pet care during vacations, midday walks and visits, pet care needs that arise because of work schedules as well as puppy and geriatric pet care.

“We’ve always known that there is a tight bond between the buyer and provider of pet care services, and our data is starting to substantiate that assumption,” adds Moran. “The consumer demand for these services is able to support top-notch, motivated entrepreneurs who want to combine their love for pets with their strong desire for career independence.”

PSI members are offered continuing education on subjects such as pet first aid, disaster planning and spotting potential dangers within a client’s home. The industry association also supports and promotes its Official Pet Sitter Locator at http://www.petsit.com Pet owners can search for pet sitters in their area by ZIP code.

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) responded to the recent controversy surrounding the Verizon Wireless television commercial for the new LG “Dare” cell phone. The commercial casts several pit bulls as vicious junkyard dogs who lunge at a young man who “dares” to get within inches of the dogs in order to grab the new phone.

"The ASPCA is disappointed that Verizon has chosen to perpetuate an unfortunate stereotype of pit bulls,” said Jo Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Development & Communications for the ASPCA. “Our own ASPCA® “Adopt-A-Bull” Contest has demonstrated that these dogs can make wonderful additions to a family. The public also recently showed its support for the evaluation and rehabilitation of the pit bulls rescued during the Michael Vick case, suggesting that they are ahead of the corporate world in their understanding of pit bulls.”

To join the ASPCA in its ongoing fight for the humane treatment of animals, please visit www.fightcruelty.org and take our pledge to help fight animal cruelty. For more information about the ASPCA’s programs and services, visit http://www.aspca.org

Calling All Pet Lovers!

ASPCA Appeals for Summer Volunteer Foster Homes for Cats & Dogs L

Looking for a cat or dog but can’t make a long-term commitment? The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is sending an urgent appeal to New Yorkers for volunteer foster homes for adult cats and senior dogs as part of its annual summer “Kitty Camp” and “Golden Oldies” foster programs.

“These foster opportunities are great for people who have a little extra time in the summer to care for a pet, but who might not be up to the responsibility year-round,” said Gail Buchwald, the ASPCA’s Senior Vice President of Animal Placement. “It’s really a win-win for the person and the pet.”

Due to limited space, the ASPCA and other shelters rely on foster caretakers to provide temporary care to orphaned, sick or injured animals, or even healthy adult cats that may not be able to compete for homes with kittens, which are in greater demand. The need for foster caretakers is greatest in the summer, when shelters and rescue groups are flooded with litters of kittens, while adult cats remain in need of homes.

“Moving adult cats out of the shelter temporarily provides a welcome change of pace, especially during a time when they are competing with younger cats that tend to get adopted more quickly,” said Buchwald. “For every cat we place in foster care, we are able to make room for just one more at the shelter and save one more life.” In addition, the ASPCA is seeking summer homes for six of its senior dogs, to give them a break from the shelter: Junior, an eight-year-old Chow/golden retriever mix; Nobel, a 12-year-old shepherd mix; Turner, a ten-year-old pit bull mix; King, an eight-year-old Rottweiler; Bobo, a five-year-old Chow-Chow mix; and Tommy, an 11-year-old beagle.

“These dogs are great low-key companions, and don’t need a lot of exercise,” said Buchwald. “They just need a quiet place to rest and be cared for.”

Those interested in the ASPCA foster program go through a volunteer orientation with accelerated training for those who are able to foster. The ASPCA pays for all food and medical costs, and reimburses carfare and other fostering related expenses. Foster lengths can vary depending on the case. Some fosters can be as short as two weeks, others up to 12 weeks.

To become a foster volunteer, please contact Volunteer Manager Diane Wilkerson at (212) 876-7700 ext. 4581 or dianew@aspca.org.

“If you haven’t spent time with a pet for awhile, or if you are thinking about adopting a pet in the future, foster care is a great opportunity,” says Buchwald. “Our foster caretakers find great joy in knowing that they were responsible for giving an animal a second chance at a great life.”

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.aspca.org

As the floodwaters start to subside in the Midwest, veterinarians are assessing their losses while continuing to aid animals. In Iowa, thousands of residents evacuated their homes as rivers rose.

Dr. Tom Johnson, executive director of the Iowa VMA, said the Iowa Veterinary Rapid Response Team mobilized early on to help establish temporary animal shelters. In Cedar Rapids, a temporary shelter at Kirkwood Community College accepted hundreds of pets—mostly dogs and cats—from both evacuees and disaster responders. Iowa City Animal Care was accepting dogs and cats at the Johnson County Fairgrounds, also the site of a Red Cross shelter, as floodwaters reached its adoption center.

Dr. Johnson said veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary students, and veterinary technician students were volunteering at the shelters. Companies donated food, drugs, and other supplies while humane organizations rescued animals that evacuees left behind. Dr. Johnson believes most people were able to evacuate with their pets. People also evacuated numerous horses and some cattle and hogs.

"I think everybody's stepped up," Dr. Johnson said. "Given the magnitude of the disaster, I think animals fared as well as you could expect." Some veterinarians did sustain property damage.

As of June 23, Dr. Johnson had learned that flooding reached a clinic in Des Moines and that a clinic in Mason City and another in Cedar Falls sustained damage. The Iowa VMA sent out application forms for grants from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation to restore veterinary infrastructure.

In Indiana, another state with severe flooding, several veterinarians reported damage to their clinics or homes. Lisa Perius, executive director of the Indiana VMA, said the VMA forwarded information about AVMF grants and was working with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health to arrange a supply of flea medication for temporary shelters.

Denise Derrer, public information director for the board of animal health, said the state agency has coordinated with local agencies and private practitioners on animal issues. Veterinarians with Indiana's Animal Surveillance Emergency Response Team have helped coordinate temporary shelters for companion animals.

In Wisconsin and Illinois, the Wisconsin Animal Response Corps and Illinois Veterinary Emergency Response Team stood ready to assist animals but didn't receive any requests for help from local agencies. Down the Mississippi River, in Missouri, the floodwaters were not rising as high as residents had feared.

Dollars to be Used to Care for Shelter and Community’s Animals

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) announced an award of $3,000 in emergency grant funding to the Friends of The Animal Center Foundation in Iowa City, Iowa for flood relief for the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center facility.

Friends of the Animal Center Foundation (FACF) is the non-profit organization that supports and expands the services of the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center.

“We recognize that many shelters throughout the Midwest are over capacity with animals that were stranded as a result of this catastrophe,” said Julie Morris, the ASPCA’s Senior Vice President of National Outreach. “The ASPCA is happy to be able to provide them with this support in their time of need, which will help cover play pens for large dogs, so they don’t have to spend all their time in crates, as well as specialty items such as surgery lights and cage dryers.”

With its shelter under four feet of water, Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center was forced to temporarily evacuate to the Johnson County Fairgrounds until July 15. In the meantime, shelter officials are seeking a temporary location for a shelter until the original facility rebuilt or a new one constructed. In addition to housing shelter animals, Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center is accepting pets whose owners were displaced by flood water.

“Our preference is that people displaced by flooding try and find a friend or relative to help them with their pets, so that they can stay close to them. If they have no one else to care for their animals, we will help them,” said Liz Ford, Executive Director of Friends of the Animal Center Foundation. “We have had a generous outpouring of supplies from our community, and at this time our greatest need is for monetary donations,” said Ms. Ford. “These donations will allow us to get all the specific supplies and equipment we need to run the emergency animal shelter and help with ongoing support for our shelter and flood rescue animals.”

Donations from citizens may be mailed to the Friends of the Animal Center Foundation (FACF) at PO Box 1345, Iowa City, Iowa 52244 or made on-line at http://www.facf.org/ The Animal Center phone line is (319) 356-5295.

In the eyes of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, it's all about doing what's right for animals and society, and advancing shelter medicine. That's why a task force comprised of 22 veterinarians from around the country recently compiled – for the first time ever – guidelines for spay and neuter clinics, whose ultimate goal is to prevent overpopulation of dogs and cats and reduce the number of unwanted animals that are euthanized in U.S. shelters each year.

The guidelines, which are published in the July 1, 2008, issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, are based on acceptable practices that all spay-neuter programs can attain, says task force member and Association of Shelter Veterinarians Board member Brenda Griffin, DVM.

"Spay-neuter programs provide a community service," says Griffin, an assistant professor at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. "These programs allow pet owners, particularly low-income pet owners, to do the right thing, which is to control their pet's reproduction."

While exact numbers are not available, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that between 5 million and 9 million companion animals are euthanized in shelters each year due to a lack of space or resources to adequately care for them. Griffin says that assembling spay-neuter guidelines will go a long way toward increasing public confidence in spay-neuter programs. Being able to have a pet neutered greatly increases the chance the pet will stay in the home and out of the shelter.

"These programs bring a basic level of care to animals," she says. "The guidelines are designed to highlight the acceptable standards and set a bar for performance."

Griffin says the most recognized sources of shelter impoundment are pets and their offspring belonging to low-income owners, and feral and free-roaming cats. The taxpayer cost associated with sheltering these animals and euthanizing those that go unclaimed is estimated at about $2 billion, she says.

"Taxpayer dollars are going toward removing these animals from the streets, housing them and euthanizing them," she says. "It is a very complex problem, but I like to believe that most of us prefer to live in a society that doesn't dispose of dogs and cats through euthanasia."

Griffin says task force members believe that establishing spay-neuter guidelines will focus more attention on the role such programs play in controlling pet populations and could lead to more funding.

"This is a really important and valuable practice area that deserves to be advanced," she says. "Instead of spending money on euthanizing these animals, let's spend it on preventive strategies, like spay-neuter programs that target the most vulnerable populations."

The AVMA and its more than 76,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal, human and public health. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org for more information.

ASPCA Reminds Pet Parents to Prepare for Summer’s Extreme Weather

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) reminds pet parents that while June signifies the beginning of summer fun for many, it also marks the start of Hurricane Season—the six-month stretch of extreme weather conditions, including tornadoes and other forms of intense weather that wreak havoc on various regions throughout the country and threaten the safety of humans and animals alike.

“Before tragedy strikes, we urge all Americans, including those with pets, to have an emergency plan in place,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “Preparing your family for a disaster will not only save the life of you and your loved ones, but it will also ease the anxiety in its aftermath.”

The ASPCA offers these tips on emergency preparedness:

• If you receive storm warnings, bring your pets inside and make sure they have plenty of food and water.   
• Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation—do NOT leave your pets behind. Many disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety regulations, so it is vital to determine where your pets can stay ahead of time. 
• Keep emergency pet supplies, an ASPCA “Pet Grab ’N Go Bag” (one for each pet), and travel kits handy and make sure everyone in the family knows where they are kept.
•  Get a “Rescue Alert” sticker, which is visible to rescue workers and includes vital information about your pets and veterinarian.
•  Choose a designated caregiver who can take care of your pet in the event you are unable.

For a detailed list of emergency and evacuation preparedness suggestions, please visit www.aspca.org/pets_emergency

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) announced it will award a $12,000 grant to the Morgan County Animal Shelter in Martinsville, Ind., following the recent and devastating floods in the state.

“This grant will assist with the care and medical treatment of more than 250 dogs and cats from the surrounding community whose owners have been displaced as a result of flooding in the area,” said ASPCA President & CEO, Ed Sayres.

“It is important to us, as a national animal welfare organization, to be able to support efforts on a local level, especially in times of disaster and need. It is heartwarming that so many local shelters and humane societies are stepping up to the plate, and we are honored to support their efforts.”

According to the ASPCA’s Disaster Readiness Manager Tiffany Mahaffey, the Morgan County Animal shelter has transferred all of its adoptable animals to other parts of the country, via PetSmart Charities Rescue Waggin’, in order to house the community’s animals within the community. With the help of the ASPCA and C-Specialties, an Indiana-based animal supply company, the Morgan County Animal Shelter has been able to provide low-cost vaccines and medications to the local animals in its care.

“In addition to helping animals whose owners have been displaced,” Mahaffey said, “the ASPCA grant will help the Morgan County Animal Shelter continue to supply pet food to local Red Cross and FEMA shelters for those people who evacuated and were able to take their animals with them.”

Earlier this month, Morgan County received exceptional amounts of rain, which resulted in devastating flash floods. On June 8, National Guard troops were dispatched to Morgan County to help residents evacuate. The extensive flood damage led President Bush to declare Morgan County a federal disaster area. Other states in the Midwest, including Iowa, Missouri and Kansas, have also been ravaged by extensive flooding, severe rain, and in some areas, tornadoes.

“The ASPCA is in the process of determining how it can support other shelters as well, including the Iowa City Humane Society, and will be assisting them through the disbursement of grants,” Mahaffey said. “The ASPCA has also been donating other pet supplies, as needed, to both the Iowa City Humane Society and the Morgan County Animal Shelter.” For more information about the ASPCA’s disaster readiness programs, please visit

http://www.aspca.org/disaster

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assisted therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited animal hospital, adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York’s animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series “Animal Precinct” on Animal Planet. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.

Adoptable Cats Need A Home, “Meow” More Than Ever! The Country’s First Humane Organization Marks “Adopt-a-Shelter Cat” Month

This June, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) hopes animal lovers will consider adopting a shelter cat as it celebrates national “Adopt-a-Shelter Cat” Month with an array of feline-friendly happenings. By celebrating June as “Adopt-A-Shelter Cat” Month, the ASPCA aims to raise awareness of the importance of “making pet adoption your first option,” especially considering the wide variety of beautiful cats and kittens up for adoption right now in shelters across the country who are looking for a forever home.

“One of the great joys of life is the companionship of an animal,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “By focusing the spotlight on what great companions cats make, we hope to provide positive outcomes for adoptable shelter cats, even if in a small way. I encourage shelters all around the country to join with us in celebrating ‘Adopt-A-Shelter Cat Month’ through June.”

The ASPCA will celebrate “Adopt-A-Shelter Cat” Month with the following exciting events:

June 1st - The ASPCA’s Third Annual “Adopt-A-Shelter Cat” Month Photo Contest, aptly-named “Candid Cat-era,” kicks off. The ASPCA is inviting cat parents everywhere to send in photos that best illustrate what their cats do when no one’s looking. The contest will be judged by musical artist Michael Feinstein. Participants will have until June 30 to submit their contest entries at www.aspca.org/ascm.

June 11th - An online moderated discussion will be held from 12-2 p.m. (EST) regarding cat health with Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.

June 20th - A second online moderated discussion will be held from 12-2 p.m. (EST) regarding cat behavior with Dr. Pamela Reid, Vice President of the ASPCA’s Animal Behavior Center.

Throughout June - An online survey, up and running now at www.aspca.org/survey, will celebrate the wonderful and wacky things that cats do. The ASPCA’s weekly e-News Alert will also highlight feline Success Stories & Pet of the Week every week throughout the month of June. Throughout June - Incredibly sweet stories and photos from our ASPCA News-Alert readers of their beloved older kitties will be viewable at www.aspca.org/oldercats.

For more information on how to choose the right feline for your family, how to find a shelter in your area, or more information on the ASPCA’s plans for Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Month in June, please visit http://www.aspca.org/ascm

Local Businesses Will “Go to the Dogs” on Friday, June 20, 2008

This June, the “dog days of summer” will take on a whole new meaning at workplaces across America. On Friday, June 20, water coolers will be joined by water dishes; the blue-plate special will be kibble with gravy; and the collars worn by the day’s special office visitors will have leashes attached to them.

That’s how the scene will be set when thousands of hard-working dog lovers are joined by their canine companions in commemorating the 10th year of Pet Sitters International's Take Your Dog To Work Day(TYDTWDay®). 

PSI encourages local businesses to join forces with professional pet sitters and animal shelters, humane societies and rescue groups on this special day to celebrate the great companions dogs make. Over the past decade, companies have increasingly embraced the event.

Last year, there were more than 125,000 visitors to the Web site in the months of May and June alone seeking ways to participate in TYDTWDay.

Created by Pet Sitters International (PSI) and bolstered in 2008 by sponsors Comfort Zone with D.A.P. and Modern Dog magazine, this unique awareness event has encouraged businesses to open their doors to employees’ well-mannered dogs on this day. The day is built around a positive approach to confronting the not-so-positive issue of pet overpopulation—an issue that impacts nearly every community in the United States and beyond.

PSI believes that TYDTWDay bolsters pet adoptions from animal shelters, humane societies and rescue groups by educating the working public on the benefits of responsible pet ownership and the power of the human-animal bond. A fun, interactive and dog-centric Web site takeyourdog.com is available to cubicle-dwelling canine enthusiasts and skeptical bosses alike who are seeking information on how to get involved.

PSI invites anyone interested in learning more about the advantages of hiring a professional pet sitter to visit http://www.petsit.com  To learn more about Take Your Dog To Work Day and how you can participate, visit takeyourdog.com. 

With the kickoff of the travel season quickly approaching, Pet Sitters International, reminds pet owners to be mindful of their pets when making travel plans. Pet Sitters International operates the "Official Pet Sitter Locator," a publicly accessible database that allows pet owners to search the organization's member listing.