 | Animal Assisted Therapy Course Phil Arkow reports that Camden County College's continuing education department offers a Survey Course in Animal Assisted Therapy. The course is available most terms. The sessions have included field trips to a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed children who learn empathy by caring for pets, a nursing home where visiting pets spread cheer among the senior residents, and more. Students learn about opportunities to introduce animals into a wide range of healing environments, where both people and animals benefit from the human/companion-animal bond. For more info, call Sheri Porreca at the college at 856-227-7200, ext 4273. Contact Phil Arkow at Pet Pals, Features Dept., Courier Post, PO Box 5300, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034, email arkowpets@snip.net, fax 856-627-2252. Animal Sheltering magazine Animal Sheltering, the magazine published for Animal Shelter personnel by Humane Society of the US, is now available on the internet, at http://www.AnimalSheltering.org. You can list a job opening, register for HSUS events, promote your animals, hire a consult, read public advisories, and read the magazine online. Anti-Freeze When temperatures drop across much of the country, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) urges pet owners to step up precautions against dangers your pets may face outdoors. Antifreeze, for example, can be fatal to dogs and cats if ingested - even in very tiny doses. Unfortunately, because of its sweet taste, animals are attracted to this commonly used automotive chemical, so be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle. You may also want to consider switching to a propylene glycol-based antifreeze, which is significantly less toxic than conventional ethylene glycol antifreeze. This will provide an added margin of safety for pets and wildlife, but remember - no antifreeze is absolutely safe. If you suspect that your pet has ingested antifreeze - or any poisonous substance - call your veterinarian or the APCC's emergency hotline at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more information on poison prevention, visit http://www.napcc.aspca.org.. Backyard Dog brochure NJ Animal Rights Alliance has a new project - "Shep, the Backyard Dog Fund." The purpose is initially to educate the public about the cruelty and neglect implicit in the continuous outdoor housing of dogs, and ultimately to outlaw this cruel and abusive practice. NJARA has created a brochure that is available free to any to any shelter, rescue group, veterinarian, or ACOs. Contact NJARA, P.O. Box 174, Englishtown, NJ 07726, (732) 446-6808, fax (732) 446-0227, njara@superlink.net. Breed rescue directory - Project Breed Project BREED Directory - Green Book Edition provides nearly 4000 contacts for nationwide rescue of 322 dog breeds & many other species. $35 each. Contact Project BREED, Inc., P.O. Box 15888, Chevy Chase, MD 20825-5888. Declawing 
The public needs to be told about alternatives to declawing. The British Veterinary Medical Association has found the practice of cat declawing unethical; the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association recommends the procedure not be performed; the Cat Fanciers Association feels that the procedure should not be done; and the American Veterinary Medical Association states: "the declawing of domestic cats is justifiable [only] when the cat cannot be trained from using its claws destructively." Feral Cat Conference for South Jersey Renee Hughes of ALTER is in the process of compiling a mailing list for the state of NJ to begin communication for a possible network of organizations and individuals who assist feral cats with TNR (trap,neuter,return). So far there are 200+ names statewide. It would be very worthwhile if we could have a conference in our part of the state, and active volunteers are necessary to help organize it. Contact Renee at PO Box 329, Hightstown, NJ 08520, 609-443-0016, fax 609-371-6237, email alterinc@worldnet.att.net.
Free food and litter Check with grocers and convenience stores that carry cat litter and bags of dog and cat food. They sometimes have torn bags that cannot be sold, but can be donated to shelters and rescue groups Fur Looks Stupid brochure Friends of Animals has a great leaflet with pictures of a lynx, a coyote, and a raccoon wearing human wigs. The caption says: "You look just as stupid wearing theirs." Please help get the message out about fur - in addition to the incredible cruelty of the fur industry, lets show people that it looks stupid to wear the skin of another creature! Get 10 full-color leaflets for $1. Send orders to FoA, P.O. Box 30042, Hartford, CT 06150-0042. (Contact FoA, 777 Post Rd., Darien, CT 06820, 800-321-7387, http://www.friendsofanimals.org.) Hot and Cold Cars On December 7, 2000, Governor Christine Whitman signed A1184, a law making it a disorderly persons offense to leave an animal unattended in a vehicle in very hot or cold weather. Lawyers in Defense of Animals - NJ New Jersey Lawyers In Defense of Animals acts as a clearinghouse for legal cases involving animals. It is often difficult to find attorneys who are qualified and interested in helping animal-related cases. NJLIDA can help you find someone who is knowledgeable and who cares. Contact NJLIDA, PO Box 174, Englishtown, NJ 07726, 732-446-9060. League of Animal Protection Voters NJ Animal Rights Alliance has joined the newly formed League of Animal Protection Voters, a coalition of 11 organizations with a combined membership of nearly 15,000 people in NJ. The League's intent is to show legislators that animal-friendly individuals represent a large block of their voting constituents. The League will monitor NJ legislation, & will ask members to write for or against certain legislation. Contact NJARA, PO Box 174, Englishtown, NJ 07726, 732-446-6808, njara@superlink.net. Microchip - Free from Avid Avid ID Systems will donate a Microchip reader/scanner free to any shelter that asks for one. The shelter should send a request on their letterhead, and include the following information: number of animals admitted each year, number adopted, number euthanized, and maximum capacity of the shelter. Avid requires that every animal is checked on admission to the shelter and on the way out, either through adoption, or euthanasia. Contact Avid ID Systems Inc., Attention: Sales, 3179 Hamner Ave., Norco, CA 92860.
Military Dogs Dogs have served in the military since WWII. Dog teams averted over 10,000 casualties during the Vietnam War. Explosive detector dogs are used on a regular basis for Presidential security. Sled dogs parachuted during WWII on rescue missions for downed airmen. But the US military lists dogs as "equipment." The US is the only major power without a memorial for its military dogs. The K-9 Corps Stamp Committee has formed to request that the US Postal Service issue a commemorative stamp honoring our nations military working dogs. The Vietnam Dog Handler Association is also trying to have a memorial statue built in Washington, DC, to honor the animals who gave their lives while saving the lives of so many people. We've honored Bugs Bunny and Marilyn Monroe. It's about time these animal heroes received recognition. Contact Mike Lemish, 508-366-0082, email K9writer@aol.com, http://www.vdhaonline.org, and http://www.web-wired.com/clcargo, or contact K-9 Corps Stamp Committee, PO Box 1337, Westborough, MA 01581-6337. Mobile Spay/Neuter Vans SPAY/USA offers A Guidebook to Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinics, with topics including: 8 models from around the country; a sample business plan; Do's & Don'ts as you plan your van; scrounging for free or inexpensive equipment; necessary, unnecessary & optional equipment; a sample budget. Send $13 to SPAY/USA, P.O. Box 801, Trumbull, CT 06611. Call 800-248-SPAY for info. In March, The State Department of Health published its amendments to NJAC8:23A-1 et seq, the regulations that govern how animal shelters, kennels and pet stores are operated. NJ is the first state in the country that requires shelters, kennels & pet stores to take steps to safeguard the animals' quality of life while in the facility. For example, they are now required to reduce "the negative impact of excess noise, smells, visual stimuli, and perceived threats," and provide "socialization, exercise, increased privacy, and ... comfort, such as soft bedding," wherever necessary. Also, all animal control vehicles purchased after 3/00 must be equipped with air conditioning and heating to maintain a comfortable temperature for animals in the vehicle. Both animal caretakers & ACOs who transport animals must now obtain "prompt" veterinary care for sick and injured animals. During euthanasia, shelters using an intracardiac injection of a barbiturate may only do so on animals who are heavily sedated, anesthetized, or comatose. There are many other changes & amendments. To obtain a copy, call the State DOH at 609-588-3121. Pet Purchase Protection Act Governor Christine Whitman signed Assembly Bill #960, the Pet Purchase Protection Act, which requires pet shops to refund the purchase price, reimburse veterinary fees, or provide replacement for sick cats or dogs under certain circumstances. It increases penalties for pet stores that sell sick animals,. requires towns to do a background check before issuing pet shop licenses, and requires towns to hold a mandatory license revocation hearing once a pet shop has sold a certain number of sick animals or animals with congenital defects. If anyone has problems with a pet store, they should contact their municipal Department of Health. Pot Belly Pig placement The Pig Placement Network in Mantua helps place potbelly pigs who are in need of a home. The pigs are given medical treatment and evaluated for emotional and physical needs before being placed. Nori Brown is president, and Dr. Steve Milden is the consulting veterinarian. Contact PPN at 856-468-0665, e-mail pigadopt@aol.com, web site http://www.pigplacementnetwork.com. Rabies clinics Rabies clinics are held throughout the year in NJ, and the dates are determined by the individual towns. They are open to dogs and cats. Each town requisitions the vaccine from the state, and receives it with syringes and paperwork free. The only expense to the town is the cost of the veterinarian and staff, and they usually charge a fee for each animal seen. Towns are not required to advertise the dates of the clinics, so residents must call their city hall to find out when and where they are being held. Some towns do not have clinics, but any resident of NJ can take their animal to any clinic in the state for the free shots. Some towns do charge a small fee for the shots, while some only charge nonresidents, but most are completely free. Some towns require that every animal who gets a rabies vaccine must be licensed. Regulations for animal shelters, kennels and pet stores in NJ In March, The State Department of Health published its amendments to NJAC8:23A-1 et seq, the regulations that govern how animal shelters, kennels and pet stores are operated. NJ is the first state in the country that requires shelters, kennels & pet stores to take steps to safeguard the animals' quality of life while in the facility. For example, they are now required to reduce "the negative impact of excess noise, smells, visual stimuli, and perceived threats," and provide "socialization, exercise, increased privacy, and ... comfort, such as soft bedding," wherever necessary. Also, all animal control vehicles purchased after 3/00 must be equipped with air conditioning and heating to maintain a comfortable temperature for animals in the vehicle. Both animal caretakers & ACOs who transport animals must now obtain "prompt" veterinary care for sick and injured animals. During euthanasia, shelters using an intracardiac injection of a barbiturate may only do so on animals who are heavily sedated, anesthetized, or comatose. There are many other changes & amendments. To obtain a copy, call the State DOH at 609-588-3121.
One of the last things Governor Whitman did before leaving for Washington, D.C., was to redline the request for funding for field investigators from the 2002 budget. Governor DiFrancesco can put it back in, and so can any member of the Assembly or Senate budget committees. Letters should be sent to the Senate Joint Appropriations Committee in favor of restoring funding for field investigators to inspect pet shops, shelters, kennels, and pounds for
violations of state health regulations. Contact Senator Robert Littell (Chair of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee), (R-Sussex, Hunterdon, and Morris), P.O. Box 328, Franklin, NJ 07416, (973) 827-9200, fax (973) 827-0348, e-mail SenLittell@njleg.state.nj.us
and Assemblyman Leonard Lance (Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee) (R-Warren, Hunterdon, and Mercer), 119 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822, (908) 788-6900, e-mail AsmLance@njleg.state.nj.us, and ask them to restore funding in the 2002 for field investigators.
Siamese Cat Rescue Nancy Louie told a SHARE meeting about Siamese Rescue of VA. The New Jersey chapter is in contact with 3000 people nationwide, and they are extremely effective at finding homes for Siamese cats from owner surrenders, shelter pulls, and other sources. All cats are tested for FeLV and AIDS - they cannot take cats who test positive. All cats are spayed/neutered if not already done. They have a network of cross-country transport, Meezer Express. They also have a "Geezer Express" for older cats. Contact Nancy in Marlton, NJ, at 856-810-9615, e-mail desktopstudio@home.com, web site http://www.siameserescue.org. Tellington Touch (TTOUCH) At the SHARE meeting on 5/23/99, Kathleen Sigel gave a demonstration of TTOUCH, a training and healthcare system developed by Linda Tellington-Jones. Kathleen held one of Toni & Marie's newest orphan kittens, a sickly and nervous little bit who soon stopped trying to get away and settled into a relaxed nap in Kathleen's arms. Kathleen will provide information about the technique, including a brochure describing its use. Call her at 856-728-6164. Traps - Tomahawk If you need humane traps for rescuing feral cats or other animals, contact Tomahawk Live Trap Co., P.O. Box 325, Tomahawk, WI 54487, 715-453-3550, 800-272-8727, email trapem@livetrap.com, http://www.Livetrap.com. (Note: Tomahawk does NOT manufacture leghold traps, but other livetrap makers do.)
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