Animal Welfare Group at Urban Harvest (Bismarck)

This Thursday North Dakotan's to Stop Animal Cruelty will have a table at Urban Harvest in Bismarck from 10am-8pm. They will have information and petitions available for people to sign. If you live in the area but haven’t had a chance to sign the petition this is your chance! Even if people feel neutral about the issue but support the democratic process it's worth signing the petition!

 Don’t live in the Bismarck area? No worries, there are signature gatherers at events going on all around the state. Check out their other events to find a signature gatherer near you!  

About the initiative
Over the last few months volunteers all over the state have been putting in a lot of hours and hard work on gathering signatures to get an initiative on November's ballot. If passed, a new section of law would be added to our existing animal cruelty law that would make extreme and intentional acts of cruelty to dogs, cats and horses a Class C felony. This section of law includes the same exemptions that are in our existing law (anything relating to hunting, agriculture or medical practice.)

There's been a lot of ongoing discussion over the past several years among legislators and other groups about change in this area but due to questions about wording, interpretation, etc. nothing has ever moved forward. As a result this initiative was written, in a very concise and balanced manner, to bring to the citizens to decide. In other words: it’s specific to our most common pets, includes only the most malicious types of cruelty and does not infringe on common practices held sacred by many ND citizens. 

There was a great story on the North Dakotan's to Stop Animal Cruelty group recently. Here it is in case you missed it: Group Fights to Change the Animal Cruelty Laws in ND

Drive to stiffen animal cruelty laws cites beating death of Grand Forks dog

My heart goes out to this family and the poor little dog who lost his life. Sign the petition to help North Dakotans to Stop Animal Cruelty get a measure on the ballot this November that would make awful acts of abuse such as this a felony.

Grand Forks Herald | May 4 2012

"People working to increase North Dakota penalties against animal cruelty are citing the recent killing of a pet dog during a Grand Forks home invasion and robbery as an example of why the cruelty laws should be toughened. North Dakotans to Stop Animal Cruelty, a coalition of animal shelters, veterinarians, pet rescue operations, animal control officers and others, said the beating death of a Chihuahua named Baby “demonstrates why certain acts of animal cruelty must be punished as felonies.”

Read the full article

Changing Laws to Save Animals

The North Dakotans to Stop Animal Cruelty group is gaining momentum. There's a great article in the latest issue of High Plains Reader that nicely summarizes why a stricter animal cruelty law is needed in ND.

Read the article!

Interested in helping North Dakotans to Stop Animal Cruelty with this grassroots endeavor?

1. Visit their website
2. Become a fan of their Facebook page to stay informed
3. Get involved!

Freddie in Jamestown

Freddie is currently the featured dog at James River Humane Society. From his bio:

Freddie came in as an owner surrender. He is about 3 years old and is a Lab mixed with what looks like Great Dane. He's a tall boy! Freddie would do well in just about any home. He can be active when you want him to be but he could also be a couch bum too if you'd let him! Freddie loves everyone he meets once he gets to know them and loves attention! He seems ok with other dogs through the fence but would have to meet any future house guests before he goes home just to make sure he clicks with them!

If you or someone you know might be interested in meeting Freddie contact the .

Prevention of Extreme Cruelty to Dogs, Cats and Horses Act

The Prevention of Extreme Cruelty to Dogs, Cats and Horses Act is continuing to go forward! The proposed “Prevention of Extreme Cruelty to Dogs, Cats and Horses Act” would make it a class C felony to “maliciously and intentionally” burn, poison, crush, skin or otherwise severely harm any dog, cat or horse.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger has a week to review the proposed initiated measure and approve it for circulation. Supporters then would have until Aug. 8 to get about 13,500 petition signatures to get the measure on the November general election ballot.

The proposed law includes exceptions involving “customary practice in production agriculture,” lawful medical research and actions taken to protect a person’s life or property.

For more information check out the rest of the article cited above in the Grand Forks Herald.

Foster Homes Needed in Valley City

The Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals in Valley City is currently looking for people to foster animals. From their web site:

HELP WANTED: FOSTER HOMES

Compassionate, patient, loving family or individual needed for a rewarding foster home position to save the lives of pets in need. Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals is looking for a responsible pet lover to provide temporary care of lost, surrendered or abandoned animals. Work from the comfort of your own home! You decide when, how often, and what types of pets you can foster (dogs, cats, kittens, puppies, large or small). No specialized animal training is required but is a plus!

Duties include: basic care, socialization, playtime & communication for updates on progress with foster home coordinator.

Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals will provide: pet nutrition, vet expenses, kennels, collars, leashes, kitty litter, and advice.

Salary: This is a volunteer position. Payment will be made with purrs, wags, kisses, & cuddles.


They are also in need of volunteers for other things and have a needs list for supplies. Check out their web site for more information on how to help them out!

Bjorn in Grand Forks

Bjorn is living at the Circle of Friends Humane Society in Grand Forks and is currently their "Pet of the Week." This is his bio from Petfinder:

Bjorn is my name, and independence is my game. I'm a strong guy, about a year old, and you could call me Top Cat. I don't put up with other cats or their behavior because this is my world and other cats just don't fit into it! The urban dictionary refers to someone with my name as one who is suave, charming, and a big tease. Sounds about right. I do enjoy being petted by humans, and sometimes I'll let you do it even if I'm not in the mood. I find it's important to keep my human happy!

If you live in the Grand Forks area and would like to find out more about Bjorn check out their web site for contact information.

ND voters support making animal cruelty a felony

There's a proposed measure to strengthen ND's animal cruelty law where the text specifically states that it only includes cruelty toward dogs, cats and horses. It also states that it doesn't pertain to agricultural practices. How does Katie Pinke with the ND Dept of Agriculture interpret this to mean that, if passed, it will ultimately end agriculture? This state needs stronger animal cruelty laws. If the ag people aren't doing anything wrong then they have nothing to worry about. And if they are then...oh wait...they still have nothing to worry about. What's the problem then? Really, I don't get it.

Link to article/video on WDAY News in Fargo.

Animal Cruelty Law Action in ND

Great news! A group in Bismarck is taking action to get a measure placed on the ballot to strengthen our state's animal cruelty law. Once the ballot measure is submitted to the ND Secretary of State they will need 13,452 signatures to get it on the ballot! Stay tuned for more information.

Here's the link to an article in the Bismarck Tribune.

Blackie in Williston

Blackie is the Pet of the Week at the MonDak Humane Society in Williston. Blackie is a black short haired kitty, about 3 months old. He is litter box trained and current on all vaccines and deworming. He is VERY social and will purr constantly as the love continues! He gets along with other cats, kids, adults and will tolerate a dog. He loves to be held, is a perfect cuddle bug for anyone with a warm lap!

Contact the MonDak Humane Society for more information.

Cold Weather and Our Pets

The cold weather of North Dakota is here. Some areas will be experiencing an Extreme Cold Watch tomorrow (-40!!). As responsible guardians for our animals, we need to insure that their safety, well-being and health are kept in mind during the winter months. In other words, don't be a creep!

The ASPCA offers a great list of cold weather tips on their web site. Tips include:

• Keep your cats INSIDE.
• Don't leave your pets in your car.
  
• Use pet friendly ice melt.

Read the article for more info and tips.

Take a look at this other article from the weather experts at The Weather Channel.

Jingle, Tux and Gracie in Jamestown

The Jamestown Police Department Animal Impound currently has three stray cats. They are on borrowed time and need to find homes soon. If you, or someone you know, living in the Jamestown area is planning on getting a cat please consider visiting the impound. Below are photos w/bios of the three cats temporarily living at the impound. For more information call (701) 252-1000 or visit their web site.


Tux is a male neutered Black and White (tuxedo) cat that is a stray at the pound. He is on a limited stay basis and will need his owners to come get him or an adopter to come rescue him.

















Jingle is a female Kitten only about 5 months old. She was found as a stray and will need her owners to come get her or to have someone adopt her as she is on a limited stay basis at the pound.
















Gracie is a female grey adult cat that came to the pound as a stray. She looks like she may have been nursing kittens not to long ago. Gracie is on a limited stay basis and will need her owner to come find her soon or to find a new adoptive home.

Pet of the Week: Ella in Fargo

“Hey Folks! I am Ella, a 3 year old lab-mix who is looking for a wonderful forever home. Originally, I was adopted out through the FM Humane Society when I was younger and got returned because my owner could no longer keep me. I have lived with older children, so I would love to find another family to adopt me. Everyone here at the shelter tells me how sweet and well-behaved I am. I love to go for long walks if you’d take me, and my favorite game is fetch (and keep away, but I’ll give the ball back eventually!). My foster dad used to take me to the lakes in the summertime, and I discovered that I love water! I’m not a big fan of those furry little creatures you call ‘cats,’ but I’d make a wonderful solo companion. I’ve been patiently waiting for my forever home for a long time, and if you give me a chance I would be your best friend. Please stop at FM Humane Society where I will be waiting for you. Lots of slobbery kisses, ~Ella~”

Taken from the FM Humane Society web site. If you are interested in learning more about Ella or any other pet available for adoption contact the FM Humane Society.

On another note, congratulations to the FM Humane Society on winning a $1,000 grant from the Animal Rescue Site. Thanks to getting votes from their supporters they won the Shelter Challenge for North Dakota!