Welcome to the ASPCA Online Community!

[Elyse Orecchio]

Hi! Ready to Rock This Forum?
Thank you for visiting the ASPCA discussion forum. We are committed to allowing freedom of expression for our members, and that includes maintaining a safe space for people with opposing views to express themselves. We get posts from all over the country and even the globe, so needless to say, people come with different viewpoints on animal welfare. We see this diversity and variety as a real strength-- dialogue and debate are an integral part of the educational process, as well as an important tool in exploring different sides of complex issues.

ASPCA Code of Conduct
Okay, I know we said we want you to have the freedom to express yourselves. And we do. But a few rules never hurt, right?
• Be nice! No flaming. Many posters come here for information, not to be called names.
• Please respect the different backgrounds and education of posters—especially when it comes to diverse perspectives on animal treatment. The best thing you can do for animals is politely educate on how to protect them.
• No one needs to hear you correct them on proper grammar and spelling. Let’s talk animals, not the difference between affect and effect.
• Wanna talk about religion and race? Well, we don’t. We wanna talk about animals.
• Don’t gang up with other posters against one person. It’s not nice! Better to stick to animal talk.
• Did I mention you should…talk about animals? Cool! Now get to it and have fun!

Medical Questions:
Please, please, please do not submit questions about emergency medical problems here. If you think that your pet is sick, contact your veterinarian. Self-diagnosis or delay seeking proper veterinary care may worsen your pet's condition.

Questions for the ASPCA:
While the ASPCA staff does monitor the ASPCA Community, we can't always answer individual questions via the discussion boards. If you have a question for the ASPCA, please visit www.aspca.org or send me a message via my profile.

Reporting Discussion Board Abuse:
To report discussion board abuse, please visit: http://aspcacommunity.ning.com/main/index/report.

All right, now that you've gotten the boring rules part out of the way, start postin' some animal love! Can't wait to talk to you!

Best,
Elyse

[Dave]

I'm glad to hear that your babies are finally re-united with you. That in itself must give you some piece of mind.

[Jen]

yes it does thank you
Jen H

[AlexMel]

I am so happy you got those kitties back! I have tears in my eyes. Thank God they are safe! May God Bless them! : )

[Roxanne]

Pet Advocates please view the two URL's. Our voice's need to be heard and all pet owner's need to be aware of VCA Animal Hosptials.. Copy and paste in your browser:
Animals Our Crying Out For Our Protection
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=537061a40e3551df24ef6a&ski...

Money Money Money $$$$$$... VCA Pet Hospitals http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=535de57ece7ff8cacd9736&ski...

[pistons58]

Roxanne,
I wasn't aware of this until I viewed both videos. I had an experience with them many years ago when we moved back to MI. We needed to make a trip back to IL so I looked for a place to board my cat. VCA was right down the street - couldn't board without up to date shots - they gave him his 3 shots and he became deathly ill whn I got him home. Took him back, they gave him a shot to counter-act the shot. They did not charge me but did manage to tell me it was my fault for having waited so long!!! EXCUSE ME????? He was here with you while I was out of town - who waited too long??? OMG - it's scary just like with human doctors - you just never know.
Kathy

[Shadow]

duh? What is a VCA hospital?
Blondie in OH

[Elyse Orecchio]

I see the board has calmed down after a bit of commotion...thanks to everyone for your cooperation.

[Dana B]

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right place but I'm going to ask anyway. The ASPCA is termed a "no-kill" shelter, correct? I am giving a speech on shelters and I was wondering what the reasons are for choosing to be a "no-kill" shelter ( and what classifies it as a no-kill shelter ) The shelters that do euthanize animals gives reasons such as overpoplation. I know the ASPCA must have that problem also, so how do they cope instead of euthanizing animals when space is needed? I guess, in other words, how can the ASPCA survive not euthanizing animals, when the other shelters that euthanize animals say they have to because they need room. (I am pro no-kill shelters btw) But my speech is persuasive so I need both sides, so I'm trying to get reasons. Any opinions from anyone would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Roxanne]

The "no-kill" or "low-kill" shelters that I know of in Indiana stop accepting strays once they are too full. This iis what I have heard from a local vet here. They only have so much room and so many cages so this would make sense but also put's even more importance on getting each pet adopted quickly so there are no animals turned away or left for animial control. The no kill shelters also seek out other means of adoption including finding foster homes or rescue groups to save animals that have been in the shelter for months, I am very impressed with the Hamilton County Humane Shelter but not with their partnership with VCA. Funding is a huge issue and sometimes it appears these shelter's have to make deals with the devil (self interest groups) to survive and save our pets. I am sure if you called a no kill shelter they could give you all the facts. Good luck on your speech!

[Dawn]

I am an animal lover. I have a neighbor that has so many abuse/neglect issues that I have to witness daily and don't know what to do about it. I have called our county animal control, they came out once due to dead dog being left to lay, but they say they can't do much.
What does a person do to stop such filth when their county doesn't have any control?
Also don't want more problems with neighbors, but it's very hard to watch what's going on outside my own door. Feeling helpless.

[Joe C. Lawrence]

What do I do about a mistreated dog in Holmdel, NJ? This kid at school (college), Charles Tumazos son of John Tumazos of Holmdel, NJ, rich as all get out think their dog, a husky, is too strong so they are starving it to death and keeping it chained outside - no dog house, in the bitter cold. Charles says the dog can eat grass and doesn't need food for a month because it's a husky. It's a terrible thing to see. Her name is Pretty girl or something like that. Their address is 11 Yellow Brook RD in Holmdel,07733, ph 732-444-1033. I don't know what to do.

Joe

[marjorie farrell]

hi joe
can you call your local precient or call your local humane society, this should not be going on, this dog may die before anyone gets help for it, and how in the name of heaven can a dog live on grass, he will die if no gets to him fast
you are a good person to notice this, but this dog needs "HELP " A S A P
PLEASE DO CALL YOUR LOCAL POLICE PRECIENT, AND THEY WILL REFER YOU TO THE LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY FOR HELP
A BIG ANIMAL LOVER
MARJORIE