LOS ANGELES BANS SALE OF PUPPY-MILL PETS
It just got a little harder for irresponsible pet breeders to do business in California’s most populous city.
On October 31, the Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance banning pet shops from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits obtained from puppy mills and other commercial breeders. Officials believe the ordinance will prevent tens of thousands of animals from being euthanized in city shelters each year.
The 13-2 vote made Los Angeles the largest city in the U.S. to restrict the sale of live pets. In 2011, San Francisco adopted a prohibition banning the sale of all non-food animals. Animal advocates hope other large cities will follow suit.
The new ordinance, which takes effect in six months and is expected to impact about two dozen pet shops in Los Angeles, requires dogs, cats, and rabbits sold in the city to come from shelters, humane societies, and registered rescue groups. Individuals may continue to buy pets directly from breeders. Any store violating the ban could be hit with a misdemeanor charge and $250 fine, with the fine increasing for repeat offenses.
After three years, the city will review the restrictions to determine if they are working and should be extended.
U.C. DAVIS TREATS PHILIPPINES HERO DOG
The image is one you won’t soon forget. Kabang, a Shepherd mix from Zamboanga City, the Philippines, lost all of her snout and upper jaw last December when she threw herself between two young girls and a speeding motorbike that was about to run them down. Kabang survived the impact but her devastating injuries put her at grave risk of infection and made eating a challenge.
When Kabang could not get the care she needed at facilities in the Philippines, a nurse in Buffalo, N.Y. spearheaded an on-line campaign to bring Kabang to the University of California at Davis, which boasts the most comprehensive dental and oral surgery service of any veterinary teaching hospital in the world.
With support from The Animal Welfare Coalition of the Philippines, Global Animal Transport, Philippine Airlines, and individual donors, Kabang arrived at U.C. Davis in October.
There, the veterinarians discovered that Kabang is also suffering from heartworm and a potentially aggressive tumor. These conditions must be treated before Kabang can undergo major dental surgery to close the facial wound. Costs continue to mount; if you would like to help, please visit www.careforkabang.com.
TWO CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S SHELTERS GET AKC GRANTS
In honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the AKC Humane Fund has awarded grants to “pets allowed” women’s shelters in Susanville and Crescent City, California and to nine other shelters across the country that provide women and their pets with a safe place to escape domestic violence.
“Women entering shelters already face many challenges, and with these grants, leaving a pet doesn’t have to be one of them,” said Dennis B. Sprung, President and CEO of the American Kennel Club. “In these difficult times, having a canine or feline member of the family close by can promote healing and assist women and their families through a big life change.”
To help make more of these grants possible, donate at www.akchumanefund.org. Shelters interested in funds for operational support or capital improvements related to the housing of pets can download applications at www.akchumanefund.org.
SF DOG BUSINESS OWNER JAILED FOR CRUELTY
A local dog walker who neglected his own dogs is in jail, proving that San Francisco means business when it comes to preventing animal cruelty.
When the city’s Animal Care and Control officers responded to an anonymous tip, they found four very sick 1-year-old Weimaraner/Retriever mix dogs covered in their own feces and suffering from malnutrition. Their guardian, Abraham Taylor, owner of a dog daycare business called Unleashed, was charged with four misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. His sentence included 60 days in county jail, three years of probation, and $880 in fines. Most importantly, he is prohibited from adopting animals in the future.
“This conviction sends a message that you can’t mistreat helpless animals and get away with it,” said District Attorney George Gascón.
The rescued pups have recovered and two of them are still waiting for adoption at www.petfinder.com/petdetail/23297254.
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