SPRING 2006 â¢ V ol. 41 No. 1 - San Diego Humane Society and SPCA

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c o v e r s t o r y Shedding A New Light On Shelter Medicine (continued from page 5) Dr. Jim Babbitt scrubs his hands before Keeza’s surgery. The sterilization of the surgery environment, including the surgeon’s hands, is paramount to reducing infections in patients. Additionally, relaying and explaining an animal’s medical history to a potential adopter is just as important as the actual medical treatment. A consultation with a Humane Society veterinarian is a required part of the adoption process for any pet that has a medical condition, special needs or that underwent a significant treatment while in Humane Society care. Last year the Medical Department held 358 medical consultations with potential adopters. Photo: Simran Zilaro “We are dedicated to providing as much pet medical history as we can to the public. These consultations are vital because they give potential adopters an idea of what they are getting into,” said Dr. Jim Babbitt, Humane Society veterinarian. “We review the pet’s medical problem and what current or future care the pet might need. We also discuss the financial commitment and the care the pet may require so the future owners have a full understanding of the pet’s health when they adopt. The more information we provide ensures that adopters have fewer medical surprises and also helps to guarantee that we have found the right match for the pet.” Many wonderful companion animals like Keeza, that have manageable health conditions are adopted from the Humane Society on a daily basis, and thanks to advances in the Veterinary Medicine Department these animals have a second chance at a loving home! “The days of providing shelter animals with sub-rate health care are gone,” remarked Tally, who has worked for the San Diego Humane Society for 20 years. “We have vastly upgraded our general medical care, pain management, and anesthesia procedures so they are safer and easier on the animals. I am very proud to work for such an amazing organization and for what we have recently accomplished. We’ve gone from pre-historic to state of the art!” In fact, the Department has even participated in several research studies in conjunction with UC Davis in the hopes that our findings can help advance shelter medicine across the country. Of course, such progress could not be made without the help of the San Diego community who is equally as committed to the health and well-being of our furry friends! Thanks to the knee surgery performed by Humane Society veterinarians, Keeza now has a brighter and healthier future. Photo: Kelsey Angus Extraordinary Care Can Continue Only Through Generous Giving The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA’s Veterinary $10,000 will cover the cost of outside veterinary care for special Medicine Department provides an extraordinary level of service cases that require more advanced care or complex surgeries. for every animal that comes through our doors. The department $10,000 will underwrite the Litter Abatement Program which evaluates all animals surrendered by their owners, impounded spays and neuters parent animal(s) of relinquished litters for by our humane officers, or transferred from other animal welfare free. agencies, for a total of over 7,000 animals evaluated each year. $4,000 will purchase a new autoclave to sterilize medical If you would like to help fund the medical care of these instruments and prevent the spread of bacteria. special companion animals, or for more information contact the Development Department at (619) 243-3434. $3,500 will purchase special isolation kennels for the veterinary Any donation amount can be specified for the “Fairy Tail clinic to help contain contagious diseases. Fund” which provides out of the ordinary care for special $3,000 will underwrite the cost of prescription animal food Society animals. for the animals in our care that need a temporary or lifelong $70,200 will underwrite the cost of relief veterinarians who care prescriptive diet. for sick or injured animals during particularly busy times. $600 will procure a culture incubator that allows for the early $15,000 will purchase a flexible endoscopy which evaluates and diagnosis of many infectious diseases. retrieves biopsy samples or blockages from pet’s digestive tracks. $100 will cover the cost of one spay or AnimalFare neuter surgery. • Spring 2006
Puppy Peddlers Still Selling Heartbreak In the summer of 2004 the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA began receiving calls from people who bought sick puppies from peddlers on the streets. Each caller had a heartbreakingly similar story about purchasing an adorable “purebred” puppy in a parking lot, swap meet or street corner for $300 to $1,000, only to find a few days later that the puppy was very ill. Sometimes the puppies lived, but they often died despite expensive veterinary care and the seller was always long gone. After talking with other animal welfare and control agencies, it became clear that these incidents were not isolated to a few sellers or even one region. To combine resources and information the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA formed the Border Puppy Task Force (BPTF) with 14 other California animal welfare and law enforcement agencies. In December 2005, the BPTF announced the results of a two-week operation conducted at the Otay Mesa and San Ysidro ports of entry. During the two-week study the BPTF found that 362 puppies under the age of three months were brought into the United States from Mexico. While bringing animals across the border is not illegal, a majority of these puppies are sick, too young to be separated from their mothers and littermates, inhumanely transported and usually intended for resale. To combat this problem, a California state law went into effect January 2006 punishing individuals with a $250 maximum fine or a misdemeanor for selling puppies who are less than eightweeks-old. The law is only applicable if the sale has taken place and the dog has been transferred to the new owner. If you or someone you know is planning on purchasing a pet from a private party, here are some tips to keep in mind: • Think adoption first! There are many wonderful and healthy companion animals available at the San Diego Humane Society and other area shelters. • Make sure the animal has been seen by a veterinarian. • Be wary of people who sell animals from a strange or temporary location (i.e. parking lots, swap meets, etc.). • Ask questions about the animal’s history, health, temperament, etc. • Do not pay cash and ask for a receipt with legible information, including the seller’s name, phone number, address and driver’s license number. • Ask for a health guarantee and find out if the animal can be returned • Don’t make an “impulse purchase” – unscrupulous sellers rely on people who don’t think through their decision when they see an adorable puppy. • Do not purchase an animal that seems ill, depressed or lethargic. “Border Pups” All Grown Up In 2004 Cathy and Clyde Bacon adopted former “border puppies” Margarita and Nacho from the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA. Both dogs had struggled for life with various ailments after inhumane treatment by puppy peddlers who imported them from Mexico to the United States for resale. Over a year later, both dogs are healthy and except for a minor digestive problem, have no medical side effects from their rough beginnings. The dogs are full-time RV travelers and have driven across the U.S. with their new owners. Thanks to the determination of Humane Society Investigators and Veterinary Department staff, these dogs are now happy and healthy, bringing their pet parents joy every day. Nacho (left) and Margarita (right) pose for a photo on one their favorite spots in the RV – the couch! To report individuals selling sick or young animals, call our Investigations Department at 1-800-98-ABUSE. Shop from the Comfort of your Own Home! Did you know the San Diego Humane Society has an eBay The Humane Society accepts all of the following and more store that sells donated antiques and collectibles? On any given for their eBay store: silver, porcelain, china and figurines, linens, day you can find a treasure trove of items ranging from affordable to luxurious, just by turning on your computer! These wall shelves and sconces, clocks, furniture and antiques, crystal, lamps, small throw rugs, paintings, art and sculptures, mirrors, quality pieces are hand picked and managed by Glorious cut glass and glassware, fine and costume jewelry. Antiques staff and volunteers. So if you’re a web savvy antique lover with a soft spot for And the best part is all the proceeds from your purchases animals or were considering donating antique or estate items to benefit the animals at the San Diego Humane Society and a good cause, you’ll certainly want to put the Humane Society’s SPCA! You can also support the Humane Society by donating eBay store on the top of your list! your unwanted antiques, collectibles or estate items. The items Log-on to http://stores.ebay.com/Glorious-Antiques to you donate are tax-deductible (as permitted by law), so they can view the Humane Society’s eBay store, or for more information help save you money and help the animals at the same time. on shopping or donating call (858) 459-2222. AnimalFare • Spring 2006
Page 1 and 2: SPRING 2006 • Vol. 41 No. 1
Page 3 and 4: From the Mailbox Dear Humane Societ
Page 5: c o v e r s t o r y Each day, this
Page 9 and 10: The Calm After the Storm: A Hurrica
Page 11 and 12: Ask a Trainer The Chewing and Diggi
Page 13 and 14: Seiko - Warren Eding Shamrock - Bri
Page 15 and 16: Spring 2006 Calendar of Events Febr

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SPRING 2006 â¢ V ol. 41 No. 1 - San Diego Humane Society and SPCA