Boys in MN Help Duck

I read this great story in the newspaper today. I found it on Mankato Free Press online, and thought I'd share. Two boys in St. Peter, MN found a duck frozen in a pond and saved it!

Quacking the Ice: High Schoolers Help Waterfowl Duck Death by Robb Murray, Mankato Free Press, published December 17, 2006.

Eric Aspelund and Chris Hoffman, both juniors at St. Peter High School, decided Dec. 2 was a good day for ice fishing, so they went to Hallett’s Pond and began testing the ice. As you probably already have guessed, they came upon a Ruddy duck, stuck frozen in the ice, but still alive. “We thought it was a rock,” Aspelund said. “We got closer, and it was a duck.” The boys say the duck made feeble attempts to defend itself, but the boys were able to use a pocket knife to chip it out of its icy incarceration. Hoffman held the duck in his arms while they took it back to his house. “I thought it would be pretty cool just to let the animal live again,” Hoffman said. Once at Hoffman’s house, they filled a bathtub with lukewarm water and put the duck inside. They fed minnows to the duck, and in about three or four hours, it started coming around. “He started getting pretty lively, I guess you could say,” Aspelund said. When the duck seemed ready to head back outside, they took it to Mill Pond, the one just behind the police station and city offices, which is about five blocks from Hoffman’s house. Right away the duck started swimming around and flapping its wings. “I’m a hunter. I’ve seen these ducks a lot. From its movement, I thought it looked normal,” Aspelund said. They went back to that pond for a few days to make sure the duck was OK. The last time they saw it was Dec. 4. Alan Aspelund, Eric’s father, says he wasn’t surprised at what the boys did. They both have a healthy respect for, and knowledge of, animals. “In my opinion, these two kids do a lot of neat things,” dad said. “Every Halloween, they used to get pumpkins and feed them to deer ... There was a duck in distress and I’m glad they did what they did.” Article by Robb Murray.

Holiday Gifts for Your Pet

The American Pet Association cites the following statistics from the 1998-2006 American Pet Association Polls:

There are 44,892,454 dog owners in the United States, who own a total of 62,995,801 million dogs, and there are 76,954,111 million cats for a total of 139,949,912 pets.

Of the 106.4 million households in the U.S., 33.6 million have at least one cat as a pet.

The following statistics exemplify pet owners feelings towards their pets.

31,507,457 dog owners purchase Christmas gifts for their dogs.

39,754,847 cats receive Christmas gifts from their owners.

If you're reading this, chances are you fall into one of these categories. So, what do you have under the tree for your special best friend? If you still need to find a gift or perhaps a second, or third, gift for Fluffy here are some links to offer ideas:

i-pets.com

Doctors Foster and Smith

ChristmasGifts.net

petsmart.com

Happy Shopping!!

Pets as Gifts

It's tempting to buy a pet as a Christmas gift for a friend or loved one. It's so tempting when you see the little puppy faces at the pet store. Unfortunately, the choice is often driven by trying to get a great gift (cute! fluffy! cuddly!) and not what's in the pet's best interest.

The Central Dakota Humane Society in Mandan has a great article on their web site titled, Although Love is a Gift, a Pet Shouldn't Be. If you or someone you know is considering buying a pet as a gift this holiday season, please read this article first and share it with friends/family. Click HERE to read the article.

I also found an article on the Nova Scotia SPCA site from 2004 that discusses this topic:

Choosing a pet is a very individual thing”, says Judith Gass , NS SPCA President. " And the decision to bring any companion animal into a family should be that family's decision, not a surprise gift.” Most children, to whom the pet is usually given, do not have the strength, attention span, self-discipline and physical strength to care for a dog or cat by themselves. So a parent becomes the primary caretaker, doing the feeding, walks, litter scooping and all of the other chores the children once promised to do themselves. That might be okay for a little while, but unless the adult was fully committed to the animal in the first place, resentment grows, and the gift puppy is usually given up within the first year or consigned to the backyard, starved for training, socialization and affection.

For the full text of the article click HERE.

IN SUMMARY DON'T BUY A PET AS A CHRISTMAS GIFT!

Cats Galore in Minot

Patches














Bert














Marbles










Vinnie







If you want information on any of these cats contact Souris Valley Humane Society in Minot by phone:701-852-6133 or email them: svhspets@srt.com

Sheena in Dickinson

Sheena is the "Pet of Week" at Pet Project, Inc. in Dickinson.

Sheena is a young Husky mix, who is extremely loving and gentle. She would make an excellent family dog. Sheena wants a home that will love and cherish her. For more information on Sheena CLICK HERE.

Wheezer in GF

This is Wheezer.

From his bio on PetFinder.com:
Here's a friendly and playful cat hoping to find a permanent home soon. Wheezer is his name- he loves spending time with people having his coat brushed. Wheezer is a 2-3 year old male cat- he has been neutered.

If you're interested in Wheezer contact Circle of Friends Humane Society by phone at 701-775-3732 or email them at gfhumane@yahoo.com

Articles From GF Herald

There are a couple good articles on family pets in today's Grand Forks Herald, Teen Page.

The first article is Purrfect Pet by Kelsie Feicker, a senior at West Fargo High School. CLICK HERE to read the article.

The second article is Beloved Family Pet Adds Love, by Audrey Jones, a freshman at Red River High School. CLICK HERE to read the article.

It's great to see young adults writing about the value of animals in our lives and the importance of researching animals before adding one to the family.

Microchips and Pets

I came across this on the James River Humane Society web site:

MICROCHIPPING IS HERE:
Does your pet have chip on its shoulder? We are offering
microchipping for dogs at the shelter for only $25.00. This is a great gift for someone who already has a dog and wants extra security if the pet becomes lost or stolen. Appointments can be made by calling the shelter (252-0747) or 952-0410.

I've been thinking about getting a microchip for my dog, Daphne, but don't know much about it. This is what the ASPCA says about microchipping:

The ASPCA recommends microchipping your pet as a more permanent form of identification. A microchip is implanted in the animal's shoulder area, and can be read by scanner at most animal shelters.

I found this on the San Francisco SPCA's site:

In the U.S. only 14% of pets find their way back to their original owners from shelters, and more pets die each year as a result of being lost than from all serious diseases combined. While traditional pet identification methods are still recommended, they have limitations. Tags can fade, rust, or get scratched, making them impossible to read. Collars can come off or, even worse, get caught on something while your pet is wandering about, causing him physical harm.

There are other advantages to microchipping. Microchips are convenient, safe, and reliable. Implantation is simple and routine. The microchip can't be lost or damaged and it lasts for the pet's lifetime. However, the microchip won't work unless your pet is properly scanned by a microchip reader. There are some shelters and veterinarians in the U.S. that don't have readers yet. Until recently, each brand of microchip could only be read by its own brand of microchip scanner. Currently there are two brands of microchip on the market: AVID and Home Again. Not all shelters and veterinarians have the new universal reader that can be used to scan either brand of chip. However, despite these drawbacks, microchip technology can potentially increase your chances of finding, and claiming, your lost pet.

I also found an article on doggienews.com about a pet reunited with her family thanks to a microchip. Click here to read the article.

Gunner from GF

Great news! Gunner, a six year old terrier mix, at the GF Humane Society was recently adopted by my sister and her family! Gunner has been with them for about a week now. He's a very nice dog and fit in right away. My sister says it's like he's always been a part of their family! Gunner's previous owners, who had him since he was a puppy, divorced and neither of them wanted to keep him. Thanks to my sister and her family for making Gunner a part of their family.

Many times, when families are considering adopting a dog they are only interested in puppies or very young dogs. Remember that there are benefits to adopting adult dogs.

• You know how big the dog is, what color it is, the coat length and how much grooming will be required.
• You do not have to go though the time and effort of puppyhood. Many people would rather skip the crying and whining, chewing and destruction, and house training that accompany a puppy.
• You will enjoy the feeling of saving the dog's life because adult dogs are less likely to be adopted than puppies.
• An adult often has already been trained to some extent.
• Adult dogs are easier to train. They have longer attention spans than puppies and are often more eager to please.
• Housebreaking an older dog is much easier than a puppy: he has more physical control and a larger bladder.
• If you work full-time or for most of the day, an adult dog is much more able to cope with being left alone.
  (info from Freedom Service Dogs and Petdogs-L)

CDHS Pet Blessing

I recently attended a pet blessing at Central Dakota Humane Society in Mandan. Attendees got free St. Francis medals for pet collars. There was a group blessing, individual pet blessings and a closing prayer. The event was very nice and there was a great turnout. Below are a couple photos from the event. The last photo shows a CDHS volunteer with two of their dogs Zataran and Gumbo. Gumbo and his sister, Zataran, were born at the Central Dakota Humane Society shortly after their mother, a hurricane rescue, arrived at the shelter.

New Link on STAND

I added a new link to the STAND blog for the Minn-Dakota PAAWS Project web site. If you haven't heard of this organization check out their site.

What is Minn-Dakota PAAWS Project?

Minn-Kota PAAWS/PAAWS Project (People Advocating Animal Welfare Services) was created to educate the area population of the importance of spaying and neutering companion animals and to take a pro-active approach to the animal population problem. Our mission is to spay and neuter barn, feral, stray and companion animals thus reducing the number of unwanted litters. We serve Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo, North Dakota and their surrounding areas. (From Minn-Dakota PAAWS Project web site)

Eve in Dickinson

Breed/Color: orange and white, short hair
Box Trained? yes
Age: Approx. birth date Aug. '01
Gender: spayed female
Health Issues: none
Special Needs: none
Good with Kids? yes
Good with Other Pets? yes
Notes: Eve is a sensitive but sweet cat. She is affectionate and loves attention. Eve only wants a fresh start in life with her very own home and a special someone to love and care for her. You won't be disappointed if you open your heart and home to Eve!

For more information contact Pet Project, Inc. by calling 701-483-1720 or email them at contact@petprojectnd.com

Pets and Second Hand Smoke

This from MonDak Humane Society:

Pets and Second Hand Smoke:
Everyone has heard the risks of second hand smoke (SHS) to people. We know that SHS kills 53,000 people in the U.S. every year. What you probably don’t know is that second hand smoke could be killing your best friend. There have been several studies done in recent years that address the effects of second hand smoke on people’s pets. It has been found that SHS can have a large impact on the health of our pets. SHS has been linked to lymphoma in cats, nasal and lung cancer in dogs, and lung cancer in birds.

For full article click here.

ASPCA Free E-Cards

From ASPCA's web site:

Searching for the perfect card? You’re always invited to send one of ours, from birthday and get well wishes to greetings of love and friendship. We’ve got a super all-new selection, so please check out our eCard corner today. They’re fun and free, and it’s an easy and subtle way to help us spread the ASPCA message—plus, you’ll save all that money on stamps!

Pet Poison Safety

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has issued a warning to pet owners that xylitol, a sweetener found in many sugar-free products, can cause serious problems for companion canines.

For full story click here.

Fundraiser in Fargo

If you live in the Fargo-Moorhead area join Adopt-a-Pet for their annual 5k walk on August 15. For more information click HERE.

Pets and Heat

It's been unsually warm in ND this summer. Check out ASPCA's article on pet care and hot weather tips HERE.

Smokey in Dickinson

This is Smokey. He's at the Pet Project Humane Society in Dickinson. If you are interested, want more information contact the shelter:

Pet Project, Inc. P.O. Box 370 Dickinson, ND 58601

Phone Number: 701-483-1720

They also have an online adoption form. Click HERE to see it.

Pet Connection Update

Great news! The Pet Connection in Bismarck found homes for all their animals before they had to close. Way to go Pet Connection!

Read more on their web site HERE.

Feral Cats in Bismarck

Here's a good article on feral cats in Bismarck, from the Bismarck Tribune, 7-25-06. Quite a variety of comments after the article.

Click HERE to read the article.

What are your opinions on feral cats? Does your community have a problem with them? How does the community handle the problem?

Wallaroo on the Loose in Bismarck!!

There's a wallaroo named Joe pounding the pavement in Bismarck. Apparently someone in Bismarck has a pet wallaroo!! For those of you who don't know what a wallaroo is, click here and here for pictures. For the full story in the Bismarck Tribune click here.

I don't know how all of you feel about someone having a wallaroo for a pet but I don't think it's a good idea.

Here's why:

• Wallaroos live in Australia
• They thrive in a hot, arid environment
• They prefer to live in mountainous pastures
• They can jump horizontally up to 13 feet
• Wallaroos are very agile and athletic; they enjoy rock climbing and digging for water

So why on earth would some guy in the middle of North Dakota (uh, cold and flat) think it's a good idea to have a pet wallaroo?! I HAVE NO IDEA. If you have any experiences or information contrary to my opinions please share...

I think this guy got his wallaroo at a place called Schreiner Farms in Washington. Schreiner Farms says they, "raise approximately 20 species of exotic animals for fun and profit." What are they thinking?? "Let's take wild animals out of their natural habitat and make them wear ugly shirts!" ARGH!!

I am reminded of one of my favorite quotations:

Those who wish to pet and baby wild animals "love" them. But those who respect their natures and wish to let them live normal lives, love them more. ~Edwin Way Teale, Circle of the Seasons, 1953

Minot Shelter has New Web Site!

Check out Souris Valley Humane Society's (Minot) new site at http://www.svhspets.com/. It looks great!


Animals for adoption at SVHS:

Do you have room in your home, and heart, for a dog with special needs? Consider Chloe the Jack Russell Terrier.

Find list of cats and kittens here.

Find list of dogs and puppies here.

Bismarck Shelter

The shelter in Bismarck is in dire straits. They are closing! Read more about it here.

If you know anyone in the Bismarck-Mandan area thinking of adopting a dog or cat please tell them to check Pet Connection Humane Society. Al l of the animals need to find homes, and fast!


See list of animals that need homes here. The shelter is no longer updating the web site so there are animals up for adoption not on the site.

Grand Forks Dog Park Updates

Here are some links to new articles in the Grand Forks Herald on the discussion of a dog park in Grand Forks.


This was written by Nancy Joyner, who started this project, on July 11. Way to go Nancy!
Article 2

Cats in Fargo

Live in the Fargo area and looking for a cat to join your family? Adopt-a-Pet in Fargo has a plethora of cats. A couple of them are displayed below. For a full list of available cats check out Adopt-a-Pet's web site.

Mia:











Danielle:

Dickinson: Shower for two cats

I have a heartwarming story to share, from today's Bismarck Tribune. To read the article CLICK HERE.

Amadeus at CDHS in Mandan

Sex: Male
Origin: Stray
Breed: Cocker Spaniel
Approximate Birth Date: May 2003

Amadeus came to live at the Central Dakota Humane Society because he was lost in Mandan, ND. If you're interested in adopting Amadeus or would like to know more about him, contact the shelter at 701-667-2020 or cdhs@btinet.net.

Dog Park in GF

Great News! The GF City Commission and Park Board are working on a plan to build a dog park in Grand Forks!

See the full article in the Grand Forks Herald online by clicking here.

Some benefits of dog parks (from PEI Humane Society)

Studies have shown that dogs that exercise and are allowed to run freely are not as aggressive towards people as dogs that are under-exercised.

Allowing dogs to have an off-leash area socializes dogs.

It brings them in contact with other dogs and causes them to be less aggressive in each future encounter with dogs.

Dog Parks improve the mental state of dogs. After a visit to the dog park dogs are less agitated, more relaxed and in general nicer to be around.

Promotion Of Public Safety

A Safer Surrounding Area

Creates A Social Hub For Communities

Strut Your Mutt

The "Strut Your Mutt" fundraiser for Pet Connection Humane Society in Bismarck yesterday afternoon was a great success. Before the 4K non-competitive walk started, Father Patrick Schumacher of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandan blessed the dogs. Each registrant received a St. Francis pet medal. Everyone had a great time and funds were raised for the shelter. Volunteers walked shelter dogs: this gave them an opportunity to get outside and socialize with people and other dogs. Great news: David found a permanent home! The family walking him at the fundraiser decided to adopt him.


Photos from Strut Your Mutt:

Bob in Jamestown

This is Bob.

Domestic Long Hair-black and white Mix
Size: Large
Age: Adult
Sex: Male




Bob is an adult male long hair black and white cat that was brought to the shelter from the city pound. He is pretty mellow and came to the shelter with lots of matted fur. He didn't mind having the mats being brushed out as he seemed to know he needed help with his grooming skills. Just think of what a good companion he's going to be knowing a complete stranger can groom him, and a new family will be able to give him lots of love and brushings.

For more information contact James River Humane Society:
James River Humane Society
PO Box 636
Jamestown, ND 58402
Phone: (701) 252-0747
Email: kfrisky@daktel.com

Starsky in Mandan

Origin: Born at Shelter
Breed: Australian Cattle Dog (Heeler)
Approximate Birth Date: January 2006

"I'm a tenderhearted little boy who is affectionate and playful and loves everyone I meet - although I can be a little bashful until I get to know you. I live here at the shelter with my brother, Hutch. He loves everyone too. When you visit the shelter, ask to see us... we're fun to be around!"

For more info click here.

Donatello

Name: Donatello
Breed: Border Collie/Springer Spaniel/Lab mix
Born: 9/6/2004
Weight: Medium: 21 to 60 lbs
Gender: Male




Biography:Donatello was surrendered by his owners because he was just too much for them. Donatello is a handsome boy with dashing black and white markings. He is very smart, and he would probably benefit from obedience school. If you have the time, energy, and commitment to train him, come out and visit Donatello today!

Other Information:
Spayed/Neutered: yes
Good With Kids: yes
Good With Other Pets: yes
Special Needs: no

For more info contact Pet Connection Humane Society

2005 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Awards

AND THE WINNERS ARE…Now here’s some “fine print” that shouldn’t be overlooked! Earlier this month, the ASPCA announced the winners of the 2005 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Awards. A dozen titles were recognized for their exemplary handling of animal- and environment-related subject matter, including:



- And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, a tale based on a true story of a charming penguin family that’s just a little bit different

- Jennifer Armstrong’s Magnus at the Fire, the historical story of a heroic horse who refuses to be put out to pasture after his firefighting days come to an end

- Dog Sense by Sneed B. Collard III, about a boy who, with the help of his dog, takes on the challenges of moving to a new town, making friends, and facing difficult people and life events.

Full article here.

Strut Your Mutt

"Strut Your Mutt" Walk





Help the Pet Connection Humane Society celebrate the "Human-Animal Bond" by participating in the "Strut Your Mutt" fundraiser, Sunday, May 7, beginning on the Tom O'Leary path, VFW All Seasons Arena #2, at 1200 North Washington Street in Bismarck.

Registration begins at 1:00 p.m. The walk begins at 2:00 p.m. with a blessing of the animals by Father Patrick Schumacher of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandan. Each registrant will receive one St. Francis pet medal (the back is engravable). Additional pet medals will be available for purchase.

The 4K non-competitive walk has an entry fee of $25. You can walk your own dog(s) or walk a dog from the Pet Connection.

Call the Pet Connection at 701-222-2719 to request a registration form or register the day of the walk. (Participants under the age of 18 must have a signature from a parent or legal guardian for approval and confirmation of the waiver and release.)

Monetary donations are welcome too! Help us make this "walk for the animals" a big success!

Dogs at Circle of Friends Humane Society, Grand Forks

Sadie is a 3 month old female black lab cross. Click here for more information.









Maddie is a very pretty and affectionate 2 year old Alaskan Malamute. For more information click here.








Max is a very friendly and playful german shepherd cross. For more information click here.

Fundraising for Central Dakota Humane Society, Mandan

CDHS has come up with another cool and unique way to raise money for their shelter: It's a Junkyard Dog!! Take part in CDHS's newest fundraiser. Rent a unique lawn ornament and join the fun!

For more information click here.

Reba in Dickinson

Breed/Color: Calico, medium hair
Box Trained? yes
Age: approx. birth date Aug. 04
Gender: spayed female
Health Issues: none
Special Needs: timid, needs time to trust
Good with Kids? older children
Good with Other Pets? yes

Reba is a very beautiful Calico. She has had a rough time, so she is not sure who to trust. Each day Reba warms up a bit more. Reba very much wants a home of her own. She hopes her timidness will not stop someone from giving her a chance to know what it is like to be pampered and loved. Can you give this beauty the love she deserves?

If you're interested in Reba contact Pet Project in Dickinson. Email: contact@petprojectnd.com; Phone: 701-483-1720

Adopt-a-Pet in Fargo

Live in the Fargo area and thinking about getting a pet? Consider the animals up for adoption through Adopt-a-Pet in Fargo.





View their schedule of "adoption days" here.

To learn more about their events, call their info line at 701-232-5856

Visit Adopt-a-Pet's web site at http://www.adoptapetfm.org/

Open House at Pet Connection, Bismarck

PCHS Invites Public to Open House

The Pet Connection Humane Society (PCHS) invites the public to an open house on Saturday, April 8, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be refreshments, drawings for door prizes, and a chance to meet staff and board members, including the new Shelter Director.

The PCHS operates a no-kill animal shelter north of Bismarck, just west off of Hwy 1804, where it houses approximately 200 animals. It celebrates its sixth year of operation, with more than 3,500 animal adoptions during that time. Several hundred animals have also been rescued from the pound, and others have been temporarily housed in emergency situations through its Safe Haven Program.

Mothballs can be dangerous to dogs and cats

An ASPCA News Alert:

"According to Farbman, mothballs-particularly those containing an ingredient known as naphthalene-can be toxic to dogs, cats and other animals. If ingested, naphthalene can cause serious illness, including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, swelling of the brain tissue, seizures, damage to the liver, kidneys and blood cells, coma and even death."

Learn more about the danger of mothballs here.

Buddy's Birthday Bash!

From Central Dakota Humane Society's web site:

Shelter mascot, Buddy, will be hosting his 12th birthday party at the shelter on March 18, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Buddy invites everyone to visit the shelter, greet the animals and sample some yummy treats.
Buddy generously asks that all gifts be given to other shelter residents. They are in need of dog toys, kitty condos, nonscoopable kitty litter, liquid laundry detergent, bleach and any other item on the CDHS needs list.

Stefano

Meet Stefano, Central Dakota Humane Society's featured pet of the month. This is what they have to say about him:

Stefano is a sweet young boy, just five months old, who is enthusiastic, loving and outgoing. His little puppy hop-walk displays his happy-go-lucky spirit and captures the heart of everyone he meets. After one encounter with this gentle little man, you'll find yourself spending a lot of time playing because he's so much fun! Stefano and his siblings were born at the Central Dakota Humane Society. If you're interested in adopting Stefano or would like to know more about him, contact the shelter at 701-667-2020 or email at cdhs@btinet.net.

Declawing of Cats

From Central Dakota Humane Society in Mandan:

Declawing of cats has become a common procedure, but what are national organizations saying about it? Click here to find out.

No Sweets for the Sweet on V Day

Think twice about leaving your Valentine treats out where your animal friends can get to them. Treats may be enjoyed by humans but are Valentine Venom for our animal counterparts! Read more here.

Find Love....

...at a North Dakota animal shelter.




Looking for a "buddy" to share your life with? Consider Buddy the Beagle. More info on Buddy here.













Let your cup overfloweth with love...fill it with Folgers, a female dilute calico. More info on Folgers here.

Unchain a Dog Week

"A chained dog can only watch as life goes by - that's why Dogs Deserve Better, a Pennsylvania-based non-profit dedicated to bringing dogs out of the backyard and into the home, has designated February 7-14 as "Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week." This February, have a heart... if you have a backyard dog, please, bring him or her inside. They don't want much - just you."

For rest of story click here.

ASPCA Birthday

Happy 140th Birthday ASPCA!

The society was founding by Henry Bergh in 1866 in New York City.
For more information on ASPCA's birthday click here.

Pet Connection News

Pet Connection Humane Society in Bismarck will be going through some changes this year. They're going to need YOUR help. Pet Connection is in need of donations to keep running. I'll keep you posted with any fundraisers or events that might take place.


Here are some excerpts from the article:

Stray animals in the Bismarck area may have a hard time finding homes after December 2006. That is when the Pet Connection humane society's lease is up on their facility north of Bismarck.

Wendy Artlip, president of the Pet Connection board of directors, said the building was constructed by an independent benefactor in 2000 under the condition that Pet Connection would eventually pay for the building. Now, Pet Connection does not have enough money to make payments on the building.

"We're looking at options," Artlip said. "We would like to build a more animal-friendly space. This is a beautiful building that has a lot of human amenities, but we'd like to gear the building more toward animals."

Shelly Bank, secretary of the Pet Connection Board of Directors, said that what the organization really wants is a simple, energy-efficient building that is easy to sterilize for the animals' well-being.

"We're hoping to get the community more involved in helping us stay open," Artlip said. "Right now, we're actively looking at land and facility plans."

Bill Kozel, vice president of the Pet Connection board of directors, said Pet Connection currently houses around 200 animals at a time, including dogs, cats, chinchillas, iguanas and birds. Since the facility was opened in 2000, it has placed 2,093 animals in homes.

In addition to taking in strays, Pet Connection visits nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, bringing animals for the residents to see. Pet Connection also works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take in animals seized from kennels deemed by the government to be unfit.



Rest of the article can be found here:
"In need of a new home"
Bismarck Tribune, The (ND)
January 26, 2006
Author: KATIE BROWN; Bismarck Tribune

Ollie Ollie Oxen Free?

This is Ollie. He's a 5 month old terrier cross, neutered. Staff at the Grand Forks Humane Society say he's a very friendly and very active pup, common traits in the terrier breeds. I bet Ollie would love to find a permanent home where he could share his love and exercise to his heart's content. Could you or someone you know be the one to free Ollie? Don't worry, he's not sticking his tongue out at you. :o)

If you or someone you know might be interested contact the humane society in GF today! Phone: 701-775-3732; email: gfhumane@yahoo.com

Fluffy

Know someone looking for a gorgeous long hair tabby? Consider Fluffy, who is temporarily living at the humane society in Dickinson. Not only is she good looking, she's also box trained, spayed and free of health problems!

For more information click here.

Update on Penguins

I have an update from the penguin news story (see post on Keeping Non-Domesticated Animals).

The parents of the stolen penguin, Toga, are expecting! Kyala and Oscar are keeping a close eye on their egg, which should hatch in about 40 days. They still haven't found the creep(s) who stole their first offspring, Toga, from the Amazon World Zoo Park. Hopefully the zoo staff will have tighter security this time around.

For full story click here.

Finnegan

From Fargo's Adopt-A-Pet:

Finnegan is a neutered male Lab/Pointer/Blue Heeler cross dog, birthdate 11/7/02, He is a powerful dog at 25" and 75lbs. Finnegan is house-trained - he rings a bell when he wants to go outside. He is used to being free in the house during the day.

For more information on Finnegan click here.

Illegal Puppy Peddlers

SAN DIEGO -- Cute, cuddly puppies -- you see them advertised in newspapers, on display in parking lots or on street corners. Many of them include papers -- documents to prove they are pedigreed and healthy. The only problem: They're not.




Don't buy dogs from newspapers and pet stores! If you really want a pure bred dog find a reputable breeder.


Full story here.