Bark Radio

If you are an animal lover living anywhere near Austin, Texas … today’s episode is a must-listen for you. Ellen Jefferson, president of Austin Pets Alive talked with Terry and Dee recently about her organization’s attempts to make Austin a no-kill city. What does that mean? No-kill is a philosophy in which savable animals are not put to death. It limits euthanasia to animals who are irremediably suffering or vicious. Make a difference right now by joining the Austin No-Kill Coalition. You can keep up with the national no-kill organization at No Kill Nation.

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Austin Pets Alive isn’t proposing taking over the entire operation of their local shelter after all. Learn more in today’s episode. Next, Terry and Dee talk about some interesting collars available for our dogs. Can your dog Tweet? Mattel’s new product will help with that. Next there’s the vibrating collar for deaf dogs. Sweet! And then there’s the GPS device from DogTracs that attaches to your dog’s collar. With this one, you create a virtual fence and when your dog wanders out of that area, you get a text message with Fido’s location.

Today’s episode finds Terry and Dee discussing Austin’s Town Lake Animal Center, a shelter with a dreadful kill rate. 6,161 dogs and cats were euthanized there in 2009. The good news: Austin Pets Alive, a local nonprofit, has stepped up to make Austin a no-kill city. And what’s that about Rachael Ray’s dog attacking someone? After setting the record straight on that one, the discussion moves to Terry’s volunteer experience at Bark, a Richmond rescue group and the Richmond Animal League’s new spay/neuter clinic.

The conversation about dog laws continues in today’s episode of Bark Radio. Florida is, once again, trying to pass Breed Specific Legislation. Should the legislation pass, following is the estimated cost. And that’s just the cost in dollars. The cost in lives taken for no reason except perception is much higher.

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Estimated Number of Dogs 3,837,760
Estimated Number of Dogs described as Pit Bulls 266,670 (The most likely type of dog to be discriminated against)

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Breed-discriminatory legislation not only affects owners of the targeted dogs by interfering with their right to own property, but also taxpayers forced to fund its enforcement. Animal control programs already tend to be underfunded. Attempting to enforce breed-discriminatory laws will only deplete limited animal control resources more quickly. Misguided breed-discriminatory laws restricting specific types of dogs will cost the citizens of the state of Florida over $25,669,200, while accomplishing little.

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Costs Associated With Breed-Discriminatory Laws

• Animal control and enforcement costs: $15,955,860;
• Expenses for kenneling & veterinary care: $3,570,920;
• Expenses related to euthanasia & carcass disposal: $3,486,570;
• Litigation costs resulting from dog owners impacted by the legislation: $279,640;
• DNA testing costs: $2,376,250.

Actual costs to the citizens of the community will be higher as these estimates do not include:

• Shelter veterinarian if not already onsite;
• Increased enforcement staffing;
• Capital costs associated with increased shelter space.

[1] American Veterinary Medical Association, U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook, (Schaumburg, Ill: Membership & Field Services, American Veterinary Medical Association), 2008.
[2] Calculations based on analysis by John Dunham and Associates, a New York City based economic consulting firm.
John Dunham and Associates: New York

*estimated cost

Information provided by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, The American Bar Association.

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HB429 tanked in Virginia’s General Assembly. Why do Dee and Terry care? Why should Bark Radio listeners care? Because NOT changing the language in the existing law amounts to Virginia agreeing that breed specific legislation is a good thing. It’s NOT! Here’s the existing paragraph from the bill with the new language that should have passed italicized:

. . . . .

Such animal may be euthanized in accordance with the methods approved by the State Veterinarian or disposed of by the methods set forth in subdivisions 1 through 5. However, no pound may euthanize, or prohibit the adoption of, any dog based solely on breed. No pound shall release more than two animals or a family of animals during any 30-day period to any one person under subdivisions 2, 3, or 4.

. . . . .

That proposed language simply states that dogs should not be killed because of the way they look. Have some spare time? Read the bill in its entirety. And here’s who voted for and against. Yes: Knight, Shuler, James, Sickles–4. No: Lohr, Orrock, Marshall, D.W., Poindexter, Bell, Richard P.–5. Talk to your delegate. Contact those who voted yes and thank them. Contact those who voted no and express your displeasure.

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Bark Radio’s Dee Bogetti just published her puppy book: Puppies chew shoes, don’t they? In today’s episode, Terry and Dee discuss why the book’s subtitle is “a user’s manual for people with puppies”. Dee says “this is not a training book but rather a way to successfully prepare for a new puppy.” The book is available online at lulu.com.

An update on the 14 missing dogs in Tennessee is the first topic of conversation at Bark Radio today. Turns out the whole thing was a hoax perpetuated by one woman. Next, learn about the stray dogs who live peacefully with the residents of Moscow. Among the 35,000 strays are those who ride the metro. This is a win-win story. And this just in: Bark Radio is one of The Top 20 Dog Sites Of 2009 – The Best Of The Canine Web.

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And this just in: Bark Radio is one of

The Top 20 Dog Sites Of 2009 – The Best Of The Canine Web

A Bark Radio friend recently experienced a middle-of-the-night emergency with her six-year-old Lab, Tootsie. If you’ve never seen a dog having a seizure, it’s a very scary thing. The good news is that Tootsie seems fine and we hope she never ever has another seizure. Learn more about seizure disorders here. Want to learn about administering first aid to your dogs? Take the Red Cross pet first aid class. And put your local emergency vet’s phone number in ALL of your family’s phones.

When this episode of Bark Radio was recorded, the disappearance of 14 dogs in from Canine Hope Rescue in Tennessee was in the news. Terry and Dee discuss this situation as it existed then and will continue to update listeners in future episodes. The most tragic story in the news, however, is Haiti. Best Friends Animal Society is part of the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti. The coalition was formed to meet the needs of animals affected by the earthquake. Learn how you can help! And on a lighter note, listeners are invited to nominate Bark Radio as Richmond’s Best Kept Secret.

This British singer is more than just a pretty face. Maria Daines is an animal activist who is changing lives – one dog at a time. Bark Radio’s hosts caught up with Maria recently to talk about One Life Rescue, the UK’s Dangerous Dogs Act, her music, and much more. Thank you, Maria, for all you do!!

Listen to Maria’s newly released hit – Buddy’s Song

Buddys Song by Maria Daines

@MariaDaines on twitter

http://www.maria-daines.com/

http://www.oneliferescue.org/

http://www.ddawatch.co.uk/