Just click on the “Adopt” tab at the top of the page.

As always, please check out Petfinder.com or the other sites listed to the right side of the page. Your next best friend is waiting for you!

This blog has endorsed an initiative to encourage President-elect Obama to ban breed specific legislation (BSL) nationwide. The message will be sent via Change.org, a social action website.

For those unaware, BSL is any law that targets a specific breed of dog with restrictions or requirements not placed on the general dog-owning population. Such laws range from requiring additional liability insurance, forcing dogs to be muzzled when in public, to outright banning, among other things. Some cities, like Denver, CO, have decided to confiscate and kill their citizens’ pets based on nothing other than the dogs’ appearance.

Since such laws are based on the physical aspect of the dog and have nothing to do with temperament or behavior, such laws are little more than racial profiling. The ASPCA, AVMA, National Animal Control Association and other experts oppose BSL.

Click here to read more.

Photo courtesy Prisoners of Greed, http://www.prisonersofgreed.org

I’m sending a warm thank you to everyone who supported HB 2525. The bill has now passed both the PA House and Senate, and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Rendell by the end of the month. The ASPCA comments:

HB 2525 doubles the cage space required for dogs in Pennsylvania’s commercial breeding facilities, prohibits wire flooring and the stacking of cages, mandates exercise for all dogs, orders that ALL dogs receive veterinary care every six months, and requires that animals be humanely euthanized by licensed veterinarians. This legislation will have an enormously positive impact on the lives of tens of thousands of dogs in Pennsylvania’s puppy mills.

Thank you thank you thank you! We now must watch closely to make sure the new law is enforced.

Please visit SavingPuppies.com and voice your opinion! Let Pennsylvania senators know that we will not continue to allow widespread, sanctioned animal abuse in our state.

Photo courtesy philly.com.

Another in a series of kennel raids and closures, Almost Heaven Kennel owned by Derbe “Skip” Eckhart, Emmaus, received a visit from the PSPCA yesterday. Officials found over 800 animals living in filth, 65 dead bodies, and signs of serious neglect. Eckhart has a long history of animal abuse dating back to 1988. A visit to Pet-Abuse.com reveals his full record.

Other than avoiding to fund this man by purchasing animals from him or using his services, there is one more thing you can do to help prevent this from happening again. Never offer an animal “free to a good home.” Eckhart was obtaining pets through false pretences this way, using the aid of other individuals. Although I am unsure of the current status, he was even licensed as a non-profit kennel, and was representing himself as a “rescue.”

If you feel that you cannot keep your pet, please exercise all options before giving up. This includes veterinary treatment, financial aid and pet food banks, boarding services, professional trainers and behaviorists, and thinking seriously about the lifetime commitment you promised this animal when you decided to take him or her home. If all this fails, seek an adoption fee, always spay/neuter the pet before finding a new home, and seek guidance from a local animal shelter or rescue group. Most agencies will be full, but they may help you screen any adoption applicants. See further suggestions here.

Articles on the raid:

• The Morning Call – 56 sick animals seized from ‘horrible’ kennel in raid
• Fox 29 News – Record-Breaking Puppy Mill Raid Reported In Lehigh County
• Philly.com – State SPCA raids large PA puppy mill
• ABC 6 Action News – 65 animals found dead in freezer

This Schnauzer mix is just one more dog available for adoption at the Animal Rescue League of Berks County.

More lovable adoptables in Pennsylvania! These beautiful creatures are currently awaiting their forever homes at the Animal Rescue League of Berks County in Mohnton, PA. The shelter is located just off Route 724 near Route 176 in Cumru Township. Staff can be reached at 610-373-8830.

Shelter hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Wednesday
5 p. m. to 7:45 p.m.

Saturday
10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Closed Sunday

Phone Number – 610-373-8830
Fax Number – 610-372-6374

To view these adoptables, click on the “Adopt” tab at the top of this page.

I would like to apologize for the recent inactivity in this blog. The past few weeks have been extremely busy for me. I have started a new part time job as a pet food demonstrator for a holisitic dog and cat food company, representing its products at local stores belonging to large pet supply chains. In addition, I attended meetings and special events for several of my volunteer commitments, including One by One Cat Rescue and the Leesport Area Historical Society.

Bandit, a Snowshoe cat, is currently available for adoption at the Hillside SPCA in Pottsville, PA.

Please click on the “Adopt” tab at the top of this page to view some of the wonderful pets available for adoption in Pennsylvania. All of the pets currently featured are waiting for new homes at the Hillside SPCA in Pottsville, PA. This shelter is low- to no-kill, and the staff puts forth a lot of effort to find placement for these animals.

Please consider adopting from the Hillside SPCA, or your local shelter or rescue, next time you look to obtain a pet. Look for more links on the right hand side of this page.

More information about the Hillside SPCA can be found on their website.

Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA  17901
570-622-7769

Adoption hours:

DOGS:
Mon. – Sat.
11:30 – 3:00, 
Sunday
11:30 – 2:00
CATS:
Mon. – Sat.
11:30 – 4:00, 
Sunday
11:30 – 3:00

Clinton, a Lhasa Apso, never found a home and died in a shelter, yet puppy mills and backyard breeders continue to produce pets for profit.

Puppy mill bill to be voted next week  

Thank you for your advocacy and efforts to change Pennsylvania law to improve the treatment and living conditions of dogs in our state’s large-scale breeding kennels.  

After hearing from you and many others, House Democrats spent the majority of the summer attempting to bring more lawmakers and interested parties into the conversation so that a good bill can be passed on behalf of our animal friends.  

House Bill 2525, which would set minimum, humane living standards in commercial kennels that sell or transfer 60 or more dogs a year, is scheduled to be voted next week.  

There are more than 100 amendments drafted to the bill. Please know we have been working diligently to address the concerns of veterinarians, responsible breeders and animal shelters while beating back the more offensive amendments that are only meant to stop progress.  

We invite you to watch the House deliberate House Bill 2525 live via streaming video on the House Democrats’ Web site, www.pahouse.com.   

We will update you as the bill and its amendments are being considered.

It’s about time!

Many advocates have been working tirelessly to bring this bill to fruition. I am hoping the final bill is tough on kennel owners, and will not only crack down hard on abuse, but also discourage breeding as a commercial enterprise. At the same time, legislators need to make sure that the wording is clear and precise, and that no clause will harm rescuers or pet owners.

I spoke to State Senator Folmer this weekend, and he felt that the wording of the bill would affect rescuers and owners. He did not give me any specifics, but hopefully these segments of the bill have been repaired. At the same time, Senator Folmer feels that we need to increase penalties for animal cruelty across the board, and I definitely agree with him on this count. Our work will not be completed with the passing of this bill, but let’s hope that it passes!

Photo courtesy the Reading Eagle.

Aaron Burkholder’s kennel license, the permit that allows him to commercially breed dogs at Burkholder Farm Kennel, has been revoked. This action was taken by the state after Burkholder was charged with 9 counts of animal cruelty for failure to properly care for dogs and puppies in his operation. (View the full story in yesterday’s entry.)

News of this development has not yet reached local news sources, however, Karel Minor, executive director of the Humane Society of Berks County, released the update via e-mail. This comes subsequent to a follow-up article in the Reading Eagle. According to this article, the Humane Society used an undercover officer posing as a puppy buyer in addition to viewing the failing reports issued by the state.

“Undercover officers asked to see a puppy and they were handed a urine and feces soaked animal that had urine stains on its coat,” Minor said. “In a good kennel operation, the puppy should have that nice puppy smell.”

I contend that there is no such thing as a “good kennel operation,” and that puppies should be bred and raised in the home, with attention to betterment of the breed – not simple production of puppies or intent of making a profit. With literally millions of dogs dying due to lack of qualified homes, responsible breeding practices are imperative. To learn more about responsible breeding, click here.

Commercial breeding, by definition, is morally suspect. Virtually every breeder that is required to carry a kennel license (housing 26 or more dogs annually) is a commercial breeder, loosely labelled a puppy mill. Although those who breed on a smaller scale often keep their dogs in better conditions, data points to the fact that these breeders actually contribute to more animals that die in shelters than do puppy mills. And genetic health problems and other issues frequently arise in puppies from both sources.

Most dogs are created by people who breed just once. Most dogs killed in shelters come from “just once” breeders. The problem isn’t the breeding. The problem is that caring isn’t enough, it takes knowledge.

Please consider adoption when obtaining your pet, or visit a reputable breeder. And please, spay or neuter to prevent accidents! Your pet can’t say “no” or use birth control.