Help Cripple Creek Ferals & Friends

Many of you who follow Bunny's Blog are familiar with my friend Vicki Boatright a.k.a. Bztat. Vicki is an artist who specializes in custom pet portraits, animal art, and other contemporary artwork.

A few month's ago, Vicki found a small female cat that she named Okey living in a parking lot in downtown Canton, OH. Okey was obviously cold and hungry, but she was also extremely wary of humans. When Vicki attempted to bring her inside, she fought hard and escaped.

So Vicki reached out to her friend Jill, who runs Cripple Creek Ferals & Friends. Jill provided her with a live trap and coached her through the process of earning Okey's trust. Within a few days, Vicki was able to bring Okey inside and gradually introduced her to her other cats. Now Okey is happily a part of her feline family! 

That's just one story and just one cat, but Cripple Creek Ferals & Friends rescues hundreds of cats from other dangerous, abusive or unhealthy situations. They are currently in the process of rescuing two large groups of cats, and they are charged with the cost of feeding, assessing, vetting, and finding permanent homes for them.

Vicki has established a Chip-in on her Okey's Promise blog to help raise funds for this project. It's her way of thanking the group that helped her save Okey from a life on the streets and helping many more cats in return. I hope you will consider making a donation too!

Lord of the Rings Nipclub

This Saturday, the twitter anipals are hosting a special event to help the animals in New Zealand through the Christchurch (Canterbury) SPCA from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST.   The hosts for the evening are Rumblepurr  and DashKitten. Both Rumbles and DashKitten live in New Zealand and know first hand about the important work that Christchurch SPCA does. 

Nipclub Manager TheNascarKitty is giving us free use of nipclub and providing noms, drinks, barktenders, and DJs.   The theme for the evening is Lord of the Rings, and you are welcome to dress up or come as you are. The hashtag for the event will be #nipclubNZEQ.

Many anipals have already contributed to Christchurch SPCA through the Chip-In on Rumblepurr's blog, and we are so very grateful for your help. I hope you will join us tomorrow for some fun, food and music while helping the animals in need!

Herbie and Jabby - Puppy Love

February is the month for love, and here's a super cute video of about the true love between a horse and a pup!

Help NZ Anipals

via Christian Science Monitor - For the second time in five months, New Zealand's south island city of Christchurch was rocked by a major earthquake on Tuesday afternoon local time.

Initial reports from Reuters news agency indicated that there were no reports of casualties, from the magnitude 6.3 temblor. But the New Zealand Herald is reporting casualties and major damage to downtown buildings, including the Christchurch Cathedral.

The quake occurred at 12:51 p.m., during a normal workday in Christchurch, according to the US Geological Survey. The epicenter was relatively shallow –just 3 miles deep – and close, about 6 miles from the country's second largest city, where some 26,000 full-time employees work.

Our friend d'Artagnan Rumblepurr has set up a Chip-In for the Christchurch (Canterbury) SPCA to help with the rescue/relief effort. Please consider making a donation to support our NZ anipals.

Image: TVNZ via Reuters

Help Make Bunny's Blog Better

Last month I participated in the Pet Blogger Challenge.  The idea behind the challenge was to share our thoughts about what we have done with our blogs and where we would like them to go in the coming year. I found it useful to give serious thought to why I blog and what I want to accomplish.

As I mentioned in my original post, the purpose behind Bunny's Blog has changed over time. It started out as an extension of Follow Friday on twitter - a way to  highlight who I follow and describe why I follow them. But over time it  has become more about the Be The Change movement, which originated at BlogPaws East in April 2010.

I am pleased with the direction Bunny's Blog has taken. I want it to be educational, informative and inspirational. I want to motive people to take action whether that means making a financial donation, signing a petition, or re-tweeting a link. But I also want it to be fun. So I post cute videos and funny pictures to lighten it up, especially when I've had two or three serious posts in row.

And this is where I need your help! I would appreciate your honest feedback on what you like and do not like about Bunny's Blog. What would you like to see more? What would you like to see less? And most importantly, what would you like to see that hasn't been posted yet?

I really want to make Bunny's Blog a better experience for you, my readers, so please leave me a comment or send me an email at vscook@hotmail.com. Thank you so much for your help!

Ebay Under Fire as Puppy Mills Controversy Erupts

via Change.org - In a January 16 blog post, Two Little Cavaliers urged animal lovers to contact eBay Classifieds, part of eBay Corporation, to shut down its live animal listings. This grassroots campaign is being supported by Change.org.  More than half a dozen pet bloggers have featured the Change.org petition on their websites, joining the campaign to end eBay’s pet listings.

The petition calls on eBay Classifieds to end its live animal listings out of concern that the site is providing a marketplace for puppy mills and unethical breeders to deceive consumers. Puppy mills are commercial breeders who mass-produce animals under inhumane conditions, resulting in health and behavior problems that buyers often don’t discover until after they’ve taken their new pet home. Internet anonymity, like that provided by eBay, makes it difficult to hold the people responsible for these abuses accountable.

“eBay is putting pets and consumers at risk,” said Stephanie Feldstein, an Editor at Change.org. “eBay listened to activists’ concerns when it came to keeping live animals out of their online auctions, but with eBay Classifieds, they’ve left the back door open for puppy mills and unethical breeders to find unsuspecting customers on their site.”

"The pet blogging community’s dedication to protecting animals and pet owners is incredible," said Feldstein. "Change.org is about empowering individuals to fight for the change they want to see in the world, and the tens of thousands of animal lovers and activists signing this petition have made it clear that they want to see eBay Classifieds end its live animal sales."

Although eBay Classifieds’ policy does not allow breeders with “a history of non-compliance inspections with the USDA” to list on their site, there is a loophole in federal law that allows kennels selling directly to consumers via online or classified ads to bypass USDA oversight. As a result, conscientious consumers are misled into believing that sellers on eBay Classifieds have been subject to inspections to ensure that their animals are treated humanely.

Animal activists argue that it’s impossible for the company to monitor the health or welfare of animals listed on its site, and they believe the only way for eBay to stop supporting animal cruelty is by shutting down its pet listings or expanding its partnership with Petfinder.com to allow adoption listings only.

Please join me in supporting this campaign by signing the Change.org petition and sharing the link on your blog, facebook profile or twitter.

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

Pets of the Homeless

This week's Be the Change for Animals challenge is Pets of the Homeless, a nonprofit volunteer organization that provides pet food and veterinary care to the homeless and less fortunate in local communities across the United States and Canada.

Most people who experience homelessness are homeless for a short period of time, and need help finding housing or a rent subsidy. Unfortunately for those with pets it becomes more difficult. Between 5% to 10% of homeless people have dogs and/or cats. In some areas of the country, the rate is as high as 24%.

Here's how you can help: 1) spread the word about Pets of the Homeless by sharing the link to their website, 2) "Like" their facebook page, and 3) follow them on twitter.

Other ways to help include: asking your local food bank or soup kitchen to become a distribution site; asking veterinarians, pet stores and groomers to become collection sites; volunteering to help to collect, repackage or distribute food; advising local vets and nonprofits about the Pets of the Homeless Grant Program; and informing local homeless shelters about the Sleeping Crate Project.

You can help make a difference to a homeless person with a loving, loyal companion animal!

Hoppy Valentine's Day

Check out these adorable bunny valentines! If you're looking for some bunny to love, please contact your local shelter or visit Petfinder.com.

Rabbit Rally Weekend

Did you know that rabbits are the third most common pet in need of adoption behind dogs and cats?  In honor of Adopt-A-Rescued-Rabbit Month, PETCO is having Rabbit Rally Weekend, sponsored by Kaytee and Super Pet. On February 12 and 13, many PETCO stores will be hosting rabbit adoption groups.  If you are a rabbit parent, you can bring your rabbit with you to meet and greet with other parents. 

You can also share your adoption story and read other stories on-line.  While you're there, consider making a donation to PETCO Foundation to support shelter rabbits. And check out this article from Kim at PETCO Foundation about her experience with Hef, her foster rabbit. He's a little rascal!

February Pawpawty

Love is in the air this month, and so the twitter anipals will be sharing the love with not just one - but two animal charities!

Many anipals have been very concerned about how the animals in Australia are coping with the flooding, cyclone and bush fires, so Frugal Dougal spoke to Pepi Smart Dog to identify a shelter for us to support. Pepi recommends the Animal Welfare League in Queensland since they have been working so hard to help all of the animals caught in the floods.

In addition, our friends at Pedigree have made it possible for us to support another shelter! This month's shelter chosen at random is Save A Pet in Grayslake, IL. Save A Pet is a great organization that is currently responsible for over 500 animals who have been abused, neglected, lost or relinquished by their owners. Every donation made to the Animal Welfare League will be matched dollar-for-dollar with a donation to Save A Pet!

And if that's not enough, Pedigree will also donate an extra dollar to Save A Pet for everyone who attends a special viewing party to be held during the Westminster Dog Show on February 15. That's a lot of love!

So join the fun -  the pawpawty starts this Saturday, February 12 at 2 p.m. Eastern. See you there!

StreetZaps

This week's Be the Change for Animals cause is StreetZaps, a non-partisan initiative organized and led by Blair Sorrel to reduce the risk of injury and fatality from contact voltage shock or electrocution resulting from damaged or tampered wiring.

In 2001, Blair read about how a leaking lamp post killed an innocent dog named Zorro in New York City. After reading this disturbing news, she recognized the pervasive danger of voltage hazard to pedestrians and their pets. Her advocacy began by posting a simple "Watch Where You Walk Your Dog" flyer. This outreach effort would evolve later evolve into StreetZaps.com.

According to StreetZaps, any metal object can deliver a shock including lamp posts, fire hydrants, manhole covers, pay phones, scaffolding, automated entrances, ATMs, and unmarked metal plates. Moisture increases the risk of shock while salt increases conductivity. Dog urine contains both.

Protect yourself and your dog by watching where you walk. Avoid tying your dog’s leash to – or elimination on – a lamp or any metal post. Avoid moving toward metal and walk instead toward wood, plastic and other non-conductive items. Avoid rubber dog booties, which retain conductive moisture. Avoid conductive ice melt products. Avoid leashes and collars with metal parts.

Learn more about this issue and help spread the word by visiting the StreetZaps Safety Page. You can also download the StreetZaps flyer and share the link on your blog, facebook profile or twitter. Help reduce the risk of outdoor shocks to pedestrians and their pets!

Mass Slaughter of 100 Sled Dogs

A dog-sled company in Whistler, BC ordered the killing of 100 dogs in April 2010, when bookings for adventure tourism slumped after the Olympic Games. Vancouver radio station CKNW obtained documents revealing that 100 healthy sled dogs were killed in a mass slaughter at Outdoor Adventures Whistler last April 21 and 23.

Mary Moriarty, head of cruelty investigations at the BC SPCA, says they are launching an investigation. She says there appear to have been breaches of the animal cruelty act in the cull and criminal charges are a possibility.

Please sign this petition asking the BC SPCA to prosecute to the full extent of the law and share the link on your blog, facebook profile and twitter. Let's make sure that such a senseless tragedy never happens again!

Photo by Drew Avery

Bunny Bowl

I'm from Pittsburgh so naturally I had to find a way to tie the Super Bowl with my love of pets. And here it is via Linda Wilson Fuoco at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Just one day before the Super Bowl, there will be a Bunny Bowl on the "home field" at the Animal Friends shelter in Ohio Township. Fifteen rabbits will run "free" on a floor decorated like a football field, with helmets and footballs strewn about for atmosphere.

"There's no penalty for holding our furry tailbacks," says the news release. "Anyone interested in learning more about rabbits and why they make great pets is free to join us for the Bunny Bowl" from 2:30 to 4 p.m. next Saturday. Information: www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org or 412-847-7000.

So let's go bunnies and Steelers!!!

Last Minutes With Oden

**Tissue Alert** This is an extremely emotional video of Jason Wood's last moments with his dog Oden, whose struggle with cancer finally came to an end. Those of you who have lost a beloved pet will recognize the heartfelt emotion shown here.



Canine cancer affects one out of every three dogs, and over half of those will die of cancer. Some breeds such as Golden Retrievers are hit even harder with up to 75% dying of cancer. For more information on canine cancer and what you can do to help, please visit the National Canine Cancer Foundation.