by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
Friday’s stormy weather could not keep at least 60 die hard Pack Ethic supporters and fans away from the ‘Whine & Apawtiser’s’ fundraising event at held at Baiting Hollow Vineyard & Horse Farm. The event drew in people as far away as New Hampshire and even Elwood and his mom Karen Quigley traveled 7 hours (traffic!) from Philadelphia to be part of the festivities. Who is Elwood you ask? Only one of the World’s Ugliest Dog’s – no really he is the 2007 winner of the world wide contest. It just goes to show people are not just passionate about animal rescue but know an amazing group when they see it.
Eric Bellows and Keri Whitfield are the life and breathe of the pack of dogs they live with, reform if needed, train and adopt out of Pack Ethic. As their website says, “Two people – One Home – Twenty Four hours of care…Pack Ethic Rescue is a dream – realized.” Whine and Apawtisers was a fundraising event to help them continue what they do to save lives – and they are not your typical rescue group, as the pack lives with them and are not kenneled.
There were ton’s of raffle baskets, and art auction done by Pack Ethic dogs and ones that have been adopted. There was also a generous donations of beautiful photos raffle off, taken by a Kyle Hubbs, a Junior pack leader and excellent photographer at just 14 years old.
A alumni of Pack Ethic, Remi a female pit bull was there with her owners. Eric told me that when Remi she arrived at Pack Ethic as a mere pup she was so terrified of everything she wouldn’t even move. You can see now from her picture that she is very well adjusted and so, so sweet! Owned by a lovely couple right here on Long Island now, and living the life of love.
I had a great conversation with Eric and it always so nice to talk to a fellow dog enthusiast, trainer, and animal lover who gets it. On hand to greet the many visitors was Vesper, an old dog who suffered a lifetime of abuse until Pack Ethic took him in. Vesper was on the move at the event practically the entire night, and he definitely knew who his people were with a happy wag and kiss to their faces, very sweet to see. Read his full story here.
If you have never seen a video of the awesome work that Eric does with his pack, you have to check out his Youtube channel. It will not only put you in awe of the pack and of the day in and day out hard work Eric puts in.
If you couldn’t make the event, and want to make a donation, click here, any amount will help. Pack Ethic Rescue is a registered 501c3 tax exempt charitable organization and donations are tax deductible.
More photo’s of the event here:
by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
On a sunny and beautiful afternoon this past Saturday, July 30, in Bridgehampton, over 100 guests and their four legged friends attended the first, ‘Unleashed Hits the Hamptons’ event. Unleashed NY is a non-for-profit organization that launched in 2010 and is just a year old. Unleashed has a unique approach to rescuing puppies and helping change the lives of middle school aged girls – Unleashed is an after school experiential leadership program for middle school girls that uses a social change curriculum focused on puppy rescue and welfare. Unleashed focuses on a pivotal time in the girl’s lives and the girls learn to advocate for others; think critically about a complex social problem; and, most importantly, gain confidence in their ability to lead change. This inaugural event in the Hamptons hopes to become an annual event to help raise funds and awareness about the cause.
The event was a star studded event bringing in pet celebrities and vendors alike including Erika Searl and her two dogs, Cubby and Ginger of the NYC TV Show Doggie Mom’s, and fantastic vendors such as; Hampton Pet Club, Life is Grruff, Hampton Pet Chef, Macaroni Kid and the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, and lots of scrumptious hors d’oeurves passed for both people and pets. There were also casting agents in attendance for potential stars of Animal Planet’s hit TV show ‘It’s Me or the Dog,’ featuring Victoria Stillwell.
“We were delighted to make our debut in the Hamptons this week and were so happy to attract so many enthusiastic supporters of girls and puppies. We look forward to making many new friends as we grow and develop this wonderful program. We invite anyone that is interested in Unleashed to check out our website to learn more about the great work that we do,’ said Shelly Wimpfheimer, Event Chair of Unleashed Hits the Hamptons.
The day also featured veterinarian, Dr. Barry Browning, who provided consultation for all of those nagging problems plaguing pet owners every day. Shelly also said, “We thank all of those who made this day possible, especially our generous sponsors, Ellen Kapit, Sotheby’s Realty, Middle Sister Wines, Pfizer Animal Health, Archie the Dog, Game Day Girl, Pine Barrens Printing, Scopinich Signs, Long Island Pet Professionals, the Zonta Club of Peconic, Dr. and Mrs. Fred Small and Julia, and last but not least, our generous hostess, Mary Moran.”
So many dogs were romping around, devouring yummy treats and gourmet pet food while enjoying a beautiful day in the Hamptons all for a wonderful cause and great new program.
To find out more about UnleashedNY go to their website and like them on Facebook too. If you are a local rescue group that would like to get involved with this program – please email info@unleashedny.org to find out more information.
More Pictures below!
by Robyn Elman, In Home Pet Services, Inc.
Pet Sitter Summer Safety Tips
Pet Sitters and dog walkers typically enjoy the warmer weather that spring and summer bring, and this is especially true this year, after a harsh, cold, snowy winter that seemed like it would never end. New York is definitely a place with extreme temperatures on either side of the mercury, and this spring has already seen temperatures reaching above 95 degrees.
On these extreme days with high heat and humidity, it’s important to make some changes in your pet’s daily routine with your pet sitter. For example, if you’re high energy dog usually gets an hour walk or run at the dog park, consider splitting the visit between inside and outside time, allowing your pet, and walker, to cool down from the heat. Keep a doggie water bottle next to the leash for your walker to take with them on the walk, and feel free to leave a bottle for the human as well.
Consider leaving the air conditioner on for your pet during the day, which your sitter will also surely enjoy after being in the heat all day. It’s also important to leave instructions on how to use an air conditioner in your house or apartment, and what settings you prefer. You should leave it up to your sitter’s discretion if the air needs to be left on for your pet.
If you are leaving for vacation, keep an eye on the expected weather for the day. Just because it’s a nice cool morning, doesn’t mean you can leave your pets outside until the sitter comes for the next visit. (Also note that NYS law requires any pet left outside to have proper shelter, fresh water and in some areas cannot be tied up for more than 3 hours at a time). Several years ago, on a particularly humid day, I was informed that the client left her dogs (English & French Bulldogs) in an outside enclosure, and I would find them there when I arrived for the first visit of a pet sitting that I was doing for the week. When I arrived, I was horrified to see that one the English bulldogs lying down, not moving, and upon closer examination not breathing either. He had died from heatstroke. This case was also the impetus for me becoming a Pet First Aid & CPR instructor so I could help teach people how to prevent death and injury to their pets. After all, preventable accidents are the leading cause of death in pre-senior dogs and cats, and this was certainly one of those cases.
If you hire a sitter to care for your dog on the 4th of July, let them know how your pet may react to the loud noises, or where they may be hiding in the house. Limit the amount of time they stay outside, and allow your sitter to turn the radio or television on for your pet if they feel it will help. Keep a leash handy also if the dog is normally just let in the yard by your sitter – leashing the dog during a time of year that fireworks may be occurring nearby is a safety precaution. Some dogs can be so terrified they will find anyway to get out of the yard and run for cover – simply having the sitter leash the dog and “walk” him in the yard will really help the dog from bolting.
Keeping your pet sitter in mind, as well as your pet, can make for a happy, healthy, and safer summer for all. Enjoy the season!
By Pamela Fitzpatrick, of YourDogWalkers, shihtzu58@optonline.net
August and Animals
Did you know that August 24 marks the date that the Animal Welfare Act was signed into law? This 1966 act, the original intent of which was to regulate the care and use of animals in the laboratory, has become the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. Other laws, policies, and guidelines may include additional species coverage or specifications for animal care and use, but all refer to the Animal Welfare Act as the minimum acceptable standard.
ASPCA founder Henry Bergh was born on August 29, 1813. In addition to founding the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1866, Mr. Bergh also helped form the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. According to their website, the ASPCA was the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere, and continues today with their mission “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”
Finally, most of us have heard of ‘Dog Days of Summer’ those hot late summer days when the air is hot and stagnant. In some European cultures, July 24 through August 24 is still considered to be the dog days. The name comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, (aka the Dog Star), is closest to the sun during the ‘Dog Days’ and that proximity was responsible for the hot weather. Sirius, which is found in the Canis Major (Big Dog) constellation, is the brightest star in our summer night sky. Why not look up at the stars tonight and see if you can see it?
May 28, 2010
Summer Safety for Pet Birds
by Susan Chamberlain of 14KaratParrot
Summertime can be the best time of year for your pet bird if you take a few precautions:
- Keep your bird’s flight feathers trimmed. Escapes often occur during warm weather when doors and windows are opened more frequently. Don’t want to have your bird’s feathers clipped? Be sure your pet is safely inside its cage when doors are likely to be opened.
- Keep ceiling fans OFF when flighted birds are at liberty inside your home.
- Make sure window screens are in good repair. This will help keep insects OUT and your birds IN!
- West Nile Virus is active during the summer. Be sure to prevent standing water in your yard.
- Take your bird outside safely in its carrier or travel cage.
- Whether traveling or at home, be sure your bird can seek shade inside its cage or carrier to prevent overheating. Never place an acrylic carrier or cage in direct sun.
- Remove fresh foods (eggs, fruit, vegetables, etc.) from your bird’s cage after a few hours, as spoilage happens more quickly in the warm months.
So enjoy your summer with your bird and of course keep safety in mind while doing so!
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