Get Ready for Chain Off 2010!

DDB E-News 5/3/2010

Get Ready for Chain Off 2010

Chain Off has been held annually around the 4th of July since 2004 and highlights the reality that while Americans are celebrating their freedom, there are tens of thousands of man's best friends in every state who are still not free. These dogs are found in backyards stretching from Delaware to Alaska, Maine to Hawaii, throughout the provinces of Canada, and around the world.

In 2009, volunteers in cities across the country (and the world) participated in Chain Off to raise awareness for these oft times forgotten dogs. We had over 100 volunteers participate from as far away as Romania. The main event last year took place in Greenville, SC but many of you held local events in your home towns and even in your own backyards to raise awareness.

This year's main event has two locations-- Alachua, FL and at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. You can attend one of these events or you can start planning for your own event. Our fundraising page is up and going at www.firstgiving.com/dogsdeservebetter. You can create a webpage to raise funds and send to all your family and friends. If you have questions, contact Tereza Marks at tereza@dogsdeservebetter.org.

Chain Off 2009 was a huge success, raising awareness $32,962 to support Dogs Deserve Better. This year, we want to be even better with a goal to raise over $60,000 to help chained dogs!

For more information visit our website

Forsyth County, NC Fence Fund Established

Two major Forsyth County animal welfare organizations have joined forces to pledge up to $15,000 for fencing materials to help low-income dog owners erect fences for their pets. Fur-Ever Friends of NC (www.fureverfriendsnc.org) and the Forsyth Humane Society (www.forsythhumane.org) announce the creation of the “Unchain Forsyth Dogs Fence Fund” as a matching community challenge to underscore their support of a county ordinance that would disallow the 24/7 chaining of dogs. If fully supported by community donations, a total of $30,000 could be made available to Forsyth County residents.

Applicants will apply through Coalition to Unchain Dogs (www.unchaindogs.net) or through Dogs Deserve Better (www.dogsdeservebetter.org). These two non-profit groups have extensive experience with installing modest yet durable woven-wire fences and will be key project partners. Amanda Arrington from Unchain Your Dogs and Shari Strader from Dogs Deserve Better would screen applicants, design the fence, deliver the materials, and schedule volunteers to erect the fence.

Carol Nelson and The Forsyth Spay/Neuter Clinic (www.ForsythSpayNeuterClinic.com) has agreed to contribute up to two free spay/neuter services, plus rabies vaccines, for each Forsyth Fence Fund project completed.

Steve Benefiel, owner of Pet Supplies Plus (2812 Reynolda Road, W-S, NC 27106, www.petsuppliesplus.com), will provide a $30 gift certificate for every family that receives a fence through the Forsyth Fence Fund.

Donations towards this matching challenge can be made through www.forsythhumane.org or www.fureverfriendsnc.org. The groups are seeking local business partners, such as fencing and building-supply companies, to lend their support and assist in the campaign.

See the video,Unchaining of Joshua, a Forsyth County Dog

See more on Joshua or donate to DDB's fencing fund...

Groups Offer Help for Dogs

Donate for the Welcome Waggin'

DDB's new "Welcome Waggin" program provides new foster dogs, like Mc Rae (above), with a new collar and toy, which most of them have never had. With generous support of donors such as Nylabone, Petstages, Kyjgen, Premier Pet Products, and Flexi-lead, we have been able to provide these items. However, supplies of leashes and collars are dwindling due to high demand. Please consider making a donation to the Welcome Waggin (include Welcome Waggin in the comment section of any PayPal donation). Also if you order over $100 from Premier Pet Products, mention DDB so that we can get a credit toward our orders.

"Happy Dog!" Coloring Book Available for Sale and Sponsorships!

We are pleased to announce that the "Happy Dog!" Coloring Book is available for purchase or sponsorship. Are you a teacher who would like to provide your class with copies of the coloring book? Do you know of a class that could benefit from the coloring book? Or do you want to sponsor a class of 30 children for only $39.97? Or do you just want to purchase a copy for your own children? To purchase or to sponsor or to be sponsored, click here...

Another Chance for DDB to Win $5000 in the Pepsi Refresh Project 

Dogs Deserve Better wants to win $5000 to provide coloring books to over 20,000 students in areas where dog chaining is a big problem. Since we placed in the top 100 last month, Pepsi is giving us a second chance to win. EVERYONE needs to vote EVERYDAY through the end of May. Click here to vote (you will need to register).

From the Mailbag

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to update everyone on Angel, the senior yellow lab rescued 3 weeks ago. Here are some pictures of her at her new foster home. She went into heat and the original foster home didn't want to deal with that. That is the least of her worries, as she may have some more serious medical issues. The vet thinks she could be diabetic, may have bladder cancer, and has a paralyzed larynx that can cause respiratory distress, especially in hot, humid weather. So please keep her in your prayers, she is going in tomorrow for more tests. We will do the right thing for Angel, I just hope it is not the worst case. She is being spoiled and loved and fed a big steak tonight.

I'll let everyone know what her tests reveal, let's hope for the best. She deserves some good times after the years of neglect she suffered.

Tammi

KY Rep

Update 4/23/10

Hello Everyone,

Well, we found out this week some news about the senior lab we rescued 3 weeks ago who had lived in a rabbit hutch. I named her Angel because she must have had one looking over her all those years.

After further tests, the vet believes she has cancer, possibly of the bladder, but she does not have diabetes as was thought. The good news is this girl has a will to live, and some spunk despite her issues. So, I decided that as long as she wants to be here, we will keep her here, and spoil her rotten for the rest of her days. She loves to take walks, as many as 4 a day, loves to push the soccer ball around the back yard, and gets along great with my 4 dogs plus a foster dog. She is also a good eater, and with a doggie diaper, is loving being in the house.

So please keep Angel in your prayers so she has some good months left. She will stay with us until a foster or permanent home comes up.

Tammi

Ky Rep

For more on Angel...

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Hi Everyone,

Here is Chewie the Chow on his adoption day with his new family. We rescued Chewie after his owners, who kept him in a cage all the time, dropped him off to be killed at a shelter. I found out about his story, and with the help of a wonderful trainer who helped rehabilitate Chewie and get past his aggression from being kept in a cage, he was adopted by a woman who works at the pet boarding/doggie day care/and spa that Chewie got his training from. So he will get to go to work with her every day and enjoy doggie day care, regular grooming, and a home filled with 3 other dogs and 5 cats. As you can see from the pictures, Chewie is one happy boy now.

Tammi Kinman Ruppert

KY Rep

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Escambia, County Florida, just passed tethering limits, due mainly in part to some wonderful (as in realistic and sad) photos taken by Laura Catterton and made into a slideshow. Below, view the show, and see what Laura told us about how she did it:

I have a basic camera with option to take video...nothing fancy, no HD, so anyone can do this! I opened a free account on OneTrueMedia to make the slideshow. I'm no photographer, either, but I realize the importance of documenting so I take my camera everywhere.

http://s412.photobucket.com/albums/pp210/pokeweed_photos/chained%20dogs%20in%20escambia%20co%20fl/

This is the video slide show I made:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5SWovs7Tp8

Remember this? http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/fightingforthebullies.html

At the time I wrote the quote below, I thought it would take a long time for anti-tether to come for a vote and certainly, I never thought it would pass unanimously.

"There is an anti-tethering movement afoot here now. We are starting to approach the Escambia County Board of Commissioners to change the ordinances, but I imagine it will take a long time to bring about changes. A good portion of the population sees nothing wrong with chaining, as it’s always been done. I, along with other dedicated animal activists here, will continue to work on behalf of the chained, neglected dogs. We are here to stay!!

Escambia County, FL Anti-Tethering Ordinance

You can do it too! Get that camera ready, and get out there today!

Make A Difference for A Chained Dog!

Chained Pit Bull Attacks Two-Year Old in Alabama

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Rabid Skunk Attacks Chained Pom in South Carolina

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Updates on Courage

Reward Offered in Case of Starved Dog

Officials Have Suspect in Sight

Irvine Vet Tech Arrested in Case of Abused Dog

Courage's Story Shows an Urgent Illustration for the Need to Support DDB

Dogs Deserve Better Gives $500 for Courage's Medical Care

Courage Finds A Forever Home

Suspect in Case Makes Bail, Sets Court Date

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Abused and Chained Dog, Pheonix, Finds Love and Care

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Dog Chaining Ordinance Proposed in Forsyth County, NC

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Letter to the Editor: Change Dog Laws

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PA Residents: Contact PA Legislators in Support of HB 1254

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Kingsport, TN, Woman Indicted on Aggrevated Cruelty to Animals

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Dog Found Dead and Chained in Macon, GA

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Changes to Montgomery County, TN Animal Ordinances

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Norwalk, OH Pit Bull Bites 7-Year Old Girl

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Greensboro, NC Group Pushes for Tougher Laws Against Animal Abuse/Neglect

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DDB Rep Robin Budin on Blog Radio

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NC County Finds Most Abuse/Neglect Because of Chaining

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Hurricane, UT Girl Hospitalized After Pit Bull Attack

Update: Hurricane Girl Critical But Stable

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Two NC Animal Groups Want Dogs Fenced Not Chained

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Dog's Valentine Campaign Had Widespread Impact

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The Musings of a Minnesota Girl- Review of Scream Like a Banshee

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DDB MN Reps Tim and Emily Change the Life of a Chained Dog

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Jonah, German Shepherd Abandoned and Nearly Starved

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Preventing Dog Attacks- Don't Chain a Social Being

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Pit Bull Attack in NC Leaves Expenses, Recovery in Wake

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Chihuahua Reported Stolen But Returned Home Safely

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Collier County, FL Anti-Tethering Ordinance Goes into Effect May 1

Lee, Collier Counties Target Dog Tethers

Collier Begins Enforcing Law Against Dog Chaining Starting Saturday

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Vote Shows Dog's Quality of Life Unimportant

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Pit Bull Bites and Sends NC Boy to Hospital

Upcoming Events

Join DDB at the Animal Rights 2010 Conference July 15-19 at the Hilton Alexandria, VA. For more details see the website.

Dogs Deserve Better

PO Box 23

Tipton, PA 16684

814.941.7447 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              814.941.7447      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Email:info@dogsdeservebettter.org