Maggie May: Adopt Me

Here’s a shout out to our furry friends in Phoenix. This sounds like a fun event as well as a fundraising event for Poverty’s Pets, a 501 c3 organization that  rescues abandoned, neglected, and abused companion animals in low-income and under-served communities.

The event called Sweet, Sweet Saturday will be held at the Noble Beast, a locally-owned pet store located at 10th Street @ Camelback from 11 am to 1:30 pm

Here is what’s happening:

Bake Sale!
Delectable homemade goodies for sale. Your donation will help feed the dogs and cats saved by Poverty’s Pets.

Kissing Booth!
Adoptable doggies will be on hand to dole out sweet, sloppy kisses — for a price of course. Who says money can’t buy you love?

Nail Trims!
Veterinary technician David Salcido will be offering nail trims in exchange for a donation to Poverty’s Pets. Salcido owns Veterinary Nursing Care, a new business that provides vet techs to assist owners in taking care of their pets’ medical needs at home.  (Comment: Awesome idea)

Plus…

Free samples from Stella & Chewy’s, Evanger’s and Weruva and vendors will be on hand with samples and coupons.

Check it out for a great cause and a good time…

Click here for adoptable pets.

from an email alert sent by ADLA (Animal Defense League of Arizona)

ADLA Calls for Investigation of USDA Agent for Felony Animal Cruelty

The Animal Defense League of Arizonahas asked the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for an investigation of its Phoenix employee Russell Files, who has been accused of animal cruelty. Files is an agent of Wildlife Services, a program of the USDA.

On January 8, 2013, Russell Files was booked into a Maricopa County jail in Phoenix on one count of felony animal cruelty. According to news reports his arrest followed an extensive investigation dating back to December 18, 2012, when El Mirage police found his neighbor’s 2-year-old Australian cattle dog named Zoey, covered in blood with her left front and back feet entangled in a leg-hold trap on his property.

Police officers stated that it appeared the dog had been baited into the trap because about two feet away there was an animal skull still containing some hair and flesh. Zoey lost 17 teeth trying to gnaw her way out of the trap. Animal Control officers were able to release her from the trap and transport her to an animal hospital. The veterinarian who treated her said that she will require additional surgery and extensive dental work just to eat normally.

ADLA applauds the El Mirage Police, Surprise and Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, and the Arizona Humane Society for saving Zoey’s life, and for investigating and charging Mr. Files with felony animal cruelty.

ADLA strongly opposes the use of leg-hold traps to capture animals. These devices are not only cruel and indiscriminate; they can pose a danger to non-target animals and people, including children. Arizona voters passed a law in 1994 that banned leg-hold traps and poisons on our state’s public lands.

Wildlife Services (WS) is a taxpayer-funded program of the USDA that uses traps, poisons, and aerial gunning to kill millions of animals each year. The agency has been under increasing public scrutiny thanks to an extensive investigative series by the Sacramento Bee newspaper. Recently, Jamie Olson, a WS employee based in Wyoming, posted graphic photos on his Facebook page showing two dogs attacking a coyote caught in a leg-hold trap, and Olson posing with the coyote’s shredded carcass. Following requests from wildlife advocacy groups and citizens, WS has launched an investigation into Olson’s actions.

ADLA appreciates that the USDA is investigating the Wyoming case and is hopeful that the agency will immediately investigate Arizona WS employee Russell Files.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Please send a polite email to Wildlife Services Deputy Administrator William Clay at bill.clay@aphis.usda.gov and request an investigation of Russell Files for acts of animal cruelty.

Please also thank the following agencies for saving Zoey’s life, and for investigating and charging Russell Files with felony animal cruelty.

• El Mirage Police Department: mrios@cityofelmirage.org
• Surprise Animal Care and Control: police@surpriseaz.gov
• Maricopa Animal Care and Control: kdickey@mail.maricopa.gov
• Arizona Humane Society: cwest@azhumane.org

We will keep you updated on new information and how you can help.

Update: ADLA received a response from William H. Clay, the head of Wildlife Services. He said: “Thanks for your email. I take these allegations very seriously and as such, have requested that this incident be fully investigated by our Agency.” Please thank him for initiating an investigation, if you send an email.

Phoenix Pet Expo - May 7 - courtesy Amazing Pet Expos

Phoenix, AZ – Pet lovers in the Phoenix area should get their four-legged friends ready for the 2011 Phoenix Pet Expo, Saturday, May 7, at University of Phoenix Stadium. This free indoor event attracts thousands of pet lovers looking to enjoy a day out with their furry, feathered or reptilian pals! Last year, more than 12,000 people – and their pets – spent the day at the expo.

from the Phoenix Pet Expo press releases

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, the expo will be packed with more then 275 local and nationally-recognized veterinarians, groomers, trainers, retailers and organizations primarily geared towards pet lovers. Whether you’d like to learn, shop, play or adopt, you won’t to miss this event!

Because the Phoenix Pet Expo is also designed to promote responsible pet ownership, the highlight of the day will be a mega-adoption event. If you’re looking to add a new member to your family, more than 500 pets will be available for adoption, along with information from dozens of local rescue groups and shelters. It’s wonderful to see a pet connect with their new forever home.

If it’s entertainment or live demonstrations that you’re interested in, you can sign your pet friend up to participate in several competitions, such as the ever-popular costume contest, talent contest or fashion show. Information about obedience training, pet behavior, nutrition, activism, and more will be presented all day on the entertainment stages.

Dog owners can also sign their up pets to fly with Splash Dogs at the expo, a nationally-recognized dog enthusiast company that organizes and promotes dock jumping events.

The expo’s agility course attracts a large following who enjoy watching handlers race their dogs through an obstacle course. The handler’s controls are limited to voice, movement, and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the animal and coordination of the handler.

Other activities include fly ball races with Phoenix Fuzion and Phoenix Hot Pawsuit and performances by Arizona Canine Musical Freestylers.

Of course, pets are welcome to attend the event, provided that they are on a fixed lead and have proof of age-appropriate current vaccinations. Not up to date on vaccinations? Not to worry, there will be discounted vaccinations and low-cost microchipping available. You can even take advantage of free nail trims.

The Phoenix Expo is organized by Amazing Pet Expos, which currently produces more than a dozen pet expos around the country; all of them indoors and free to the general public.

What: 2011 Phoenix Pet Expo

Where: Indoors (and air-conditioned!) at University of Phoenix Stadium

When: Saturday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Free admission and free parking

Pet Expo tips for you and your animal:

No doubt about it, these expos are CROWDED. As with any event that attracts large crowds, people who prepare for it tend to have a much better experience. With that being said, here are some tips to help ensure that guests have the best day possible at the show:

1. Only bring your pet along if it is well-behaved, non-aggressive and doesn’t get stressed out in crowded, stimulating and noisy situations. There are all kinds of other animals, small children, wheelchairs and lots of people at the event. Your pet will be exposed to dogs barking, people speaking loudly on microphones, crowds clapping and attendees cheering. You know your pet best, so please use your best judgment to make sure that your pet will enjoy the expo just as much as you will.

2. Pet rules: Your pet must be current on all shots or you should plan to have your pet’s immunizations updated at the event; low-cost vaccinations and microchipping are offered on-site. The immunization requirement only applies to dogs, cats and ferrets. A rabies tag is acceptable as proof of immunization, as are blood titer results for those pet owners who don’t immunize annually. Dogs must be on a fixed lead or a locked retractible lead, no longer than 6 feet, at all times. You’ll be required to sign a pet waiver at the entrance, but you can avoid the line by visiting the Phoenix Pet Expo website to fill your pet waiver form out in advance.

3. Once inside, stop by the prize entry table to register for awesome giveaways and prizes from over 250 exhibitors. Does your pet have an amazing talent or enjoy being the center of attention? Make sure to enter them in the pet talent and costume contests. These popular events (and the great winning prize packages) draw a large crowd.

4. Bring cash. There are many opportunities for shopping and donations and some rescue groups may not accept credit cards. An ATM on site.

5. Phoenix Pet Expo program includes all the vendor names and locations, a map of the show floor, as well as the full schedule of events and activities at the expo. Pick up your copy at the entrance.

6. If interested in adopting a pet, the Mega-Adoption area could be just what you’re looking for, plus the majority of rescue groups have pets in their booths too. Hundreds of pets will be available for adoption or application (for those groups that don’t do on-site adoptions).

7. High traffic events for the day will be Splash Dogs, the agility, flyball and activity courses, as well as the entertainment stage. You may want to take a moment, either before the event by looking online, or once you arrive, to review the show program so that you have a general idea of how you want to spend your time.

8. Take note of the pet-potty areas located both indoors and out. While we do have pet clean-up teams at the event, please be kind and pick up after your pet.

9. Pet water stations be will scattered throughout the expo so that your excited companion doesn’t get dehydrated. These are communal bowls, so if you have a puppy, please keep it safe and bring a travel or disposable bowl for their use.

10. University of Phoenix Stadium is a HUGE venue and the Phoenix Pet Expo takes up more than 128,000 square feet of space. Further, the walk from the parking lot into the stadium and to the event takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you have a pet breed with you that can’t tolerate this kind of exertion (for example, English Bulldogs), please plan to bring a stroller or wagon for them. While the event is indoors and air-conditioned, it’s a lot of exercise for breeds that don’t handle heat or exercise well.

11. Pace yourself! It’s a long day and there are many things to see. Make sure you take periodic breaks and give your pet a chance to rest – or step out of the expo for a few moments of quiet – if you plan to stay all day.

12. Many exhibitors offer some sort of treat for pets. If your pet has a sensitive stomach or is super excited, you may want to consider allowing your pet one or two treats and then allowing her/him to enjoy the rest at home. We see a lot of dogs gobble up as many treats as possible only to – ahem – vomit a few hours later.

13. If you have a small or tiny dog, you may want to be prepared to either carry it or have a stroller available. There are so many large and super large dogs at the expos that some small pet owners feel overwhelmed and their little fur-babies may unintentionally get stepped on.

14. If you are attending the expo with the intent of adopting a new family member, you may want to either bring a crate or some sort of car restraint or be prepared to purchase something along those lines at the show. We often have people ask us at the show if we have any boxes or crates that they can have/borrow. We don’t and cage/pet carriers may sell out. So either bring one with you or plan to arrive extra early so that you can make sure that a pet restraint is available for purchase.

Book signing fundraiser for equine rescue

When I was growing up, this was before TIVO or cable, or even color TV for that matter, my father never missed an episode of Gunsmoke. Maybe it was some vicarious thrill or that he liked to model himself after the honest U.S. Marshall, Matt Dillion but Gunsmoke was almost like a religion in our house.

Being naïve at the time, I was fascinated by Miss Kitty and wondered what it would be like to live life in the Wild West with pretty red hair and wear a fancy dress all the time.

Well, I probably don’t have to wonder any more if I feel like reading the book, Perfectly Amanda: Gunsmoke’s Miss Kitty to Dodge and Beyond.

The book is a result of author Beckey Burgoyne’s lifelong admiration of the great actress Amanda Blake and her Gunsmoke character, Kitty Russell. Perfectly Amanda is a biography that provides a chronological look into Amanda Blake’s life, both on and off the screen. Including anecdotes about Blake’s life in Phoenix, the book recounts the personal reflections of local friends and colleagues, and features an extensive collection of photographs, both formal and candid. Full of tales of adventure and travel, as well as revealing information on Blake’s battle with cancer and her unending devotion to a wide variety of Phoenix area charities.

Ms. Burgoyne will be signing copies of the book on Saturday March 20 at 2 p.m. at the Western Ranchman, 16028 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix. Proceeds will be donated to the Conquistador program.

Conquistador, the Peruvian stallion who inspired the Conquistador Equine Rescue program will also appear. In 2001, Conquistador, a young chestnut Peruvian Paso stallion, was found in Eastern Arizona almost dead from starvation and dehydration, blinded in one eye and lame. Working together, a coalition of animal organizations and compassionate Arizonans saved the young stallion and, ultimately, 12 Peruvian horses from that situation of severe neglect.

Conquistador by Pamela Reed

With love and care, combined with the chestnut stallion’s own great heart, Conquistador recovered to become a multiple Champion Peruvian horse, advocate for his fellow equines, and inspiration for all who are working to conquer physical or emotional challenges.

The Conquistador Equine Rescue and Advocacy Group, a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 equine welfare organization, is a coalition of rescue groups, sanctuaries, foster homes and individuals. Since its inception in 2001, with the rescue of Conquistador, the program has rescued and rehabilitated more than 300 horses in the U.S. and assisted in the rescue of 100 horses in Canada.

(Conquistador’s photo is a portrait courtesy of Pamela Reed. Book cover is courtesy of Five Star Publications.)

Griffin, the shelter cat

Scottsdale, Ariz: Spring Fling Pet Adopt-a-Thon – March 5

PACC911’s Spring Fling Pet Adopt-a-Thon is sponsored by PETSMART Charities.

It returns to the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale (5802 E. Lincoln Drive) on Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 60 rescue groups are already on board with hundreds of pets who are waiting to find their forever homes.

Mixed and purebred, large and small dogs, cats and critters are hoping for a second chance at life, and looking for loving, caring owners to adopt them. Admission to the Adopt-A-Thon is free, and so is parking, so come out and bring your friends and family. Adoption fees vary.

PACC911 will host a raffle and attendees can earn a free raffle ticket with the donation of unopened pet food, towels, or a blanket. The Arizona Animal Welfare League will have a mobile vaccine clinic on-site providing low-cost micro-chipping and dog and cat vaccines.

Snacks and refreshments will be available.

Proceeds benefit the Emergency Medical Fund, which provides over 100 PACC911 rescue partners financial aid for medical costs.

For more information, call 602.992.4779.

(Photo is courtesy of Bethann Zoldan. This is Griffin a shelter a cat who thinks he’s a dog. His vice is miniature marshmallows and cries at the cupboard in the morning until he gets one.)

Please send photos of your dogs, cats, horses, and other pets to tucson.tails@yahoo.com. Include your name, photo credit (if different), pet’s name, and one sentence about them. Thank you