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

[Jen]

Awww-thats ok! Thanks!

[kd]

WTH has happened to this place?? I haven't been on for a few months and this place has gone down the toilet. It seems lots of people are breaking EVERY code of conduct you put in place. It's Just disgusting. Whole threads dedicated to bashing one poster?!?!? I know when things got heated before, Elyse, you sometimes came on to reason with folks. Maybe you could again? I'd hate to see good people scared away because of a bunch of 'mean girls'.

[Dave]

It seems to be primarily with medical issues which would tell me that people are not reading the code of conduct or are more interested in bashing others rather than deal with issues regarding their pets. It really is becoming discouraging and if you try to smooth it out your attacked from both parties.

[kd]

I can not believe you have allowed that thread to continue. I am not on anyones 'side' but I know that no matter how bad the oringinal poster is porported to be, it does not justify letting this continue. Bashing someone never does the animals any good. It only makes the bashers feel better about themselves. Again, just disgusting. I will not be back. It's unfortunate, this use to be such a good place to come to for advice. People really cared about the animals, even if they had to stifle it for the cause. That's no longer the case here. Sad, is all I have left to say. :-(

[Roxanne]

What do you mean by "Bashing" and not helping the animals? We all want to save and come to to the aid of animals or we wouldn't even bother to rally the cause. If people don't want to hear the truth and call it bashing then maybe they need to rethink the truth being written? I guess I need a clearer explanation of what you are saying as pet owner's need to be aware of what is out there in good vets vs bad vets.. and if the bad vets get bashed maybe it's for a solid reason. I did a interview with a local TV station and there is so much to back up my cause about the bad vet's. The bashing term could be aka..don''t reveal the truth? Why be offended of the truth out here? Are you a Vet?...or maybe an investor in VCA Hospitals?

[bug]

hello

[Jen]

Well guess what? My friends hubby went in on half with us-so we each only paid the $60 but I got both of my furballs back! I will post pictures ASAP! Unfortunately,he didnt know this was going on,but my friend ,who is bipolar but was afraid to recieve treatment because her hubby is in the military,she had been on the low side of her bipolar and had up and left the house in the middle of January with the 2 cats and the 2 dogs left alone.So,because her hubby was in Iraq,the post housing contacted her mother and her mother came out and told the military humane peoples to just take the animals.I tell ya-the guys who rescued the animals were appalled at the living conditions the animals were left in.But what could they do? My friend was killed and her hubby was in Iraq.Once I explained the bipolar situation to them and that her hubby has tried really hard in the past to get her to the doctors,they decided that in all honesty there was nothing that could be done.My furballs are here tho and recovering.I have to keep the in a cage separated from my other cats because they do have an upper respiratory infection that Im treating them for
More laters,thanks to you for the verbal support!
Jen H

[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

[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

[Elyse Orecchio]

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