COVID 19 Impact on Shelter Animals for 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic presented many challenges, but also a new life for many shelter animals across America, and the world. Shelter Animals Count Releases 2020 Animal Sheltering Statistics.
Shelter Animals Count (SAC), The Shelter Animals Count (SAC), National Data Base for Animal Sheltering Statistics enable fact-based insights to improve animal welfare throughout the country. SAC just released its 2020 Animal Shelter Statistics report. 2,386 animal welfare organizations provided data, representing 1,561 cities across 53 states and U.S. Territories.
“This report tells the story of a year in which animal shelters had to be incredibly resilient and think outside the box to keep helping animals and pets in their communities,” said incoming SAC Executive Director Stephanie Filer. “I am excited to see the continued results of that hard work in our mid-year 2021 report, coming this fall.”
The 2020 Animal Sheltering Statistics white paper provides a look at the 2020 data from Shelter Animals Count. The data was limited to organizations that completed a full year of reporting in 2020. The goal of this paper is to give an overview of the current state of the national sheltered animal database developed by SAC and demonstrate progress toward a truly national database that can be used to help understand the state of companion animals in this country.
Highlights of the report include:
COVID-19 Impacts
In 2020 there were 23% fewer animals relinquished by their owners, 27% fewer strays, and 22% fewer animals in need of sheltering overall than in 2019.
Because fewer animals entered the shelter system, there were also fewer outcomes overall, including 49% fewer sheltered animals euthanized.
Adoptions were down 17% from 2019 across reporting agencies for 2020 due to fewer animals entering the sheltering system (see intake reporting.
Stray/at-large animals were the most common reasons animals were in need of sheltering – accounting for 1.5M intakes (46.9%) in 2020.
Fewer pet owners gave up their pets in 2020 (753,847 relinquishments) than in 2019 (885,290 relinquishments), a 15% decrease.
The number of cats and dogs in need of sheltering was pretty evenly split, with cats representing 50.7% and dogs representing 49.3%. Puppies & kittens represented nearly 1/3 (32.1%) of pets in need of sheltering.
53.% of dogs and 60.7% of cats who were sheltered in 2020 were adopted that same year.
40.7% of dogs and 5.1% of cats who arrived as a stray in 2020 were reunited with their families.
16% of animals were transferred to other shelters who had the space and resources to help and 13.7% of cats were returned to the field.
Overall, 87.8% of dogs and cats had live outcomes.
Additional 2020 highlights
“Although 2020 presented many challenges for pet owners as well as animal welfare organizations, the numbers show us that we still saw an increase in pet lives saved, a decrease in pets entering shelters, and more pets remaining with their families,” said Jan McHugh-Smith, Board President of Shelter Animals Count.
Shelter Animals Count (SAC) is a collaborative, independent organization formed by a diverse group of stakeholders to create and share the national database of sheltered animal statistics, providing facts and enabling insights that will improve animal welfare throughout the country. The SAC database follows the Basic Data Matrix specified by the National Federation of Humane Societies.
This seldom discussed violent euthanasia procedure called Heart Stick Euthanasia is brought to you by Green Pets America Charities Group
Heart stick as it is called is jamming a lethal death injection directly into a shelter animal’s heart. It is a frightening and painful way to kill a shelter dog.
This cruel practice of killing shelter dogs without a sedative, by long needle injection into a wide-awake dog must be banned.
Heart Stick Euthanasia is a rarely discussed topic on how some shelter dogs and cats are cruelly and inhumanely killed in the US in animal shelters. We think this must be exposed, and openly be discussed, and ended. That is why we are writing, What is Heart Stick Euthanasia. To disclose this inhumane program happening in some animal shelters in the US.
Dogs After being euthanized
This is a real picture of a shelter dog being Heart Stick euthanized. Shelters generally euthanize dogs and cats one day during the week. Over 2 million dogs and cats are euthanized yearly in America’s shelters. Millions more across the globe.
Animals are sentient beings, meaning just as human animals they feel pain, sense fear, know if they are going to be harmed, and like us want to live.
Mass euthanizations are the exact opposite of non-violence.
The Green Pets America Charities Group has been researching and educating on Heart Stick Euthanasia at America’s animal shelters for years. Heart Stick euthanasia is done by county shelters to save money. It is cheaper for the shelter to not humanely sedate the dog, but euthanize the dog in one step, with a long steel needle jabbed straight to the live, and panicked kicking dogs’ heart as the dog tries to escape the attendant’s foot or grasp.
Heart Stick Euthanization
Heart Stick euthanasia is particularly brutal because many times, the dog moves, and the long needle misses the heart, piercing another organ. In that case, they do it again. If they euthanize a group of different size and weight dogs at once, each syringe may not have enough poison in the syringe, and the dog does not die immediately, so they must kill him again.
Most believe this inhumane practice ended a decade ago but it has really just slithered below the national radar. Our followers are sharing with us new examples where it’s still being done. Tennessee and Georgia are just two States we learned of this week.
If you have first-hand knowledge of this archaic violent practice reach out to us in confidence. Steve@GreenPetsAmerica.org
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR WORK TO END THIS BRUTAL PRACTICE IN SOME ANIMAL SHELTERS
I just finished Tom Brady’s book The TB 12 Method. It’s a very detailed and refreshing book on maintaining maximum health even as we grow older. As a 42-year-old professional NFL quarterback, who seems to getter better each year, not worse, even in this body pounding sport he is one to listen to on how to live and eat healthily.
One part of his
eating and wellness routine is hydration…how much water to drink for optimum health daily. I am one who drinks
little water daily. I never seem to think about it or be thirsty. But watching
my wife and older kids who go the gym or do Yoga regularly I watch them drink
water regularly and really enjoy it daily.
Brady’s hydrating mantra
is to drink half his body weight in ounces of water daily. So, at his weight of
two hundred-twenty pounds, he drinks 110
ounces of water daily. my first reaction
was…that’s a lot of water!
I not only realized I was way under hydrating but wondering
how our dogs were doing as well. So, I started researching this by talking with
vets and reading articles on hydration for humans and animals. This article
covers what I learned.
1. Many Dogs
Don’t Drink Enough Water
You might be
surprised to learn that while some dogs naturally and instinctively know to
drink the correct amount of water, many dogs today don’t drink enough water, And, some drink too much. So, it’s possible
your own canine companion is either under- or over-hydrated.
Keeping an eye on your pet’s water consumption is important
because too little can result in dehydration, urinary tract issues like kidney
stones, and organ failure. And drinking too much water can be toxic.
Also, the amount of water your dog drinks can be an
indicator of an underlying illness. Dogs with pancreatitis, parvovirus, or
leptospirosis tend not to drink much water, but a brewing bladder infection,
other types of infection, or a metabolic problem such as Cushing’s disease, and
diabetes can cause excessive thirst and water consumption. So, if your pet is
drinking less or more water than normal, you should have her checked by your
veterinarian to rule out an underlying condition.
2. Water Consumption Guidelines for Dogs
How much
water your dog needs each day depends on his size, diet, age, activity level,
and weather conditions.
A good
general guideline is that a healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1.0 ounce of
water per pound of body weight each day. So, a healthy 65-pound Labrador
Retriever should be drinking between about 33 and 65 ounces, or about ¼ to ½
gallon of fresh water daily.
If your dog is eating a moisture-rich, species-appropriate
diet, she’s getting some of her water needs met with each meal, so she may not
drink as much from her water bowl. But if she’s eating primarily dry dog
[Kibble} she will need more than the
average daily intake to compensate for the lack of moisture in the dry kibble.
If, however, you feed
your dog canned dog food he is getting a fair amount of water as can food has a
high moisture content, which is a good thing.
3. Special
Needs
Puppies need to drink small amounts of water every couple of
hours and should be closely monitored and encouraged to drink.
After a period of hard play or exercise, use caution when your
dog rehydrates. If he immediately laps up the contents of his water bowl, rest
him for a bit before you refill his bowl.
If your dog is outdoors often and very active, it’s good to have water outside in a clean bowl, or with
you when he exercises or runs with you so that you can give him frequent short
water breaks to keep him hydrated.
During the warmer months of the year, especially during
summer, it’s important to monitor your dog’s water intake to ensure she’s adequately hydrated.
4. Over-hydration
The medical term for the desire to drink too much water is
called psychogenic polydipsia. Symptoms of over-hydration (water intoxication)
include staggering/loss of coordination, lethargy, nausea, bloating, vomiting,
dilated pupils, glazed eyes, light gum color, and excessive salivation. In
severe cases, there can also be difficulty breathing, collapse, loss of consciousness,
seizures, coma, and death.
If your dog tends to overindulge in the wet stuff, make sure
you’re there to supervise his activity. The bodily condition that occurs when
dogs over-consume water is called hyponatremia (or inadequate levels of sodium
in the bloodstream). It is most commonly seen in dogs who like to stay in the
lake, pond or pool all day; pets that lap or bite at the water continuously
while playing in it; and dogs that swallow water unintentionally as they dive
for a ball or other toy.
Be aware of the symptoms of water overhydration and monitor your dog’s appearance and behavior when
he’s playing in the water. And if your dog
enjoys being sprayed with water from the hose or sprinkler, you should monitor
that activity as well. Water from a hose or sprinkler is under pressure, and
you’d be surprised how much your dog can swallow in just a short time of play.
5. How to
Tell if Your Dog is Under – Hydrated
To determine if your dog may need more water, lift some skin
at the back of her neck and let it go. If your dog is well hydrated, the skin
will fall quickly back into place. The skin of a dehydrated dog will fall more
slowly and form sort of a tent. Another method is to check your dog’s gums.
Moist, slick gums indicate a good level of hydration; dry or sticky gums mean
your pet’s body needs more water.
If your dog doesn’t drink enough water, make sure to praise
her and give her a treat whenever she drinks from her water bowl, and place
fresh water close to all the places she frequents, like her bed and food bowl.
Add dog-friendly tasty
flavorings like chicken or bone broth to your dog’s water to make it more tempting
and consider getting a pet drinking water fountain as a further enticement.
And most importantly for enough hydration for your dog, especially if you’re feeding dry dog food, switch to canned dog food to increase the amount of water your pet is getting from each meal.
If you have your dog on the Fresh Meals 4 Pets program, that is ¼ fruits, ¼ vegetables and 1/2 dry kibble, or wet food they will naturally get water from the fresh fruits and vegetables, which is a great way for getting properly hydrated. However, even on the Fresh Meals 4 Pets program you may still need to drink at least the minimum recommended water hydration requirement of 1.0 ounce of water for each pound of body weight each day. diet.
6. Summary –
Be Observant
Just as you and me the water needs of our bodies differ, daily,
weekly and by season so always be observant of your dog and you will be able to
tell if they are getting enough or too much water each week. Remember this,
hydration is critically important to your dog’s
health Humans and animals are mainly water and we cannot go long without
replenishing our bods critical need for good ole H2o.
These 6 Tips to Ensure Your Dog Drinks Enough Water Daily. How much water should my dog drink daily article by Steven Monahan, with research from world renowned holistic veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker’s blog at – https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/dr-karen-becker.aspx
This article is on feeding senior dogs 7 tips. As your once puppy now enters his or her golden years, some things will inevitably change. He’ll still be your best friend, of course, and the vacuum will always be his nemesis. But just like us human animal’s canine animals’ health needs change a bit as well.
One major area you should be aware of is the importance of quality food and supplemental nutrition you give your senior dog. We checked with the experts what to look out for and what you may need to adjust for your senior pup. Here are 7 important tips for your senior dog’s health.
As always, consult with your own veterinarian before making any changes to your pet’s diet—each dog is unique.
DENTAL ISSUES
If you notice your senior dog is having a hard time eating his kibble, dental disease and tooth pain may very well be to blame. While switching to a softer food may seem to help, it’s crucial to actually address the root of the problem. “Proper dental care can greatly enhance an older dog’s life,” says Dr. Heather Frankfurt, a Texas-based veterinarian who sees many senior dogs with advanced dental disease. “Imagine having a tooth ache, or many, for several years!”
If your dog has stopped eating, however, it’s very unlikely that dental disease is solely to blame—Frankfurt notes that most pets will figure out a way to eat through tooth pain. As with all changes to eating patterns, a visit to your veterinarian is in order.
2. JOINT SUPPLEMENT
Just as senior humans experience joint trouble, your dog is at risk of arthritis and pain. And while plenty of commercial foods are formulated to support joint health, an additional supplement may be appropriate. Frankfurt recommends that dogs over the age of 7 take a joint supplement; for larger breeds, this age could be even earlier. “There are many brands and types of joint supplements available, and it can become overwhelming to choose one,” she says. “Look for a product that contains MSM, chondroitin, and glucosamine—when combined, these ingredients promote healthy joints.”
3. ANTIOXIDANTS
Antioxidants are prized for their ability to fight disease and the effects of aging. They’re front and center at your trendy juice bar, and can be a healthy addition to your dog’s bowl as well, under the guidance of a veterinarian. “If they’re acting aged, they usually need antioxidants, in my view,” says Dr. Susan G. Wynn, a veterinary nutritionist. “One of the best ways to do this is to supplement fruits and veggies, but some dogs don’t tolerate them or won’t eat them. In that case, I will prescribe an antioxidant combination in capsule form.” If your pup is open to it, consider adding berries, turmeric, and dark leafy greens to his meal.
4. OMEGA-3S
Known to boost the immune system and reduce inflammation, omega-3 fatty acids are good for you and your aging pup. Want to reap the benefits? Consider adding fish to his diet. “Senior pets require higher levels of omega-3s for brain and heart health,” says Dr. Judy Morgan, a veterinarian certified in food therapy. “I use sardines, due to the higher heavy metal contamination in larger fish.” Fish oil supplements are another option to increase omega-3s in your dog’s diet. It is possible to get too many fatty acids, however, so be sure to consult with your veterinarian.
5. WATCH THE WEIGHT
A healthy weight makes for a healthy pup at any age. When seniors slow down, it’s especially important to keep an eye on that scale—extra weight is just as dangerous for our pets as it is for us.
“It’s just so easy to give an extra treat or fill up the food bowl a little bit more—food makes our pets so happy,” says Frankfurt. “However, obesity is something I take quite seriously because of the toll it takes on our pets’ bodies.”
So what can you do? Start with the basics, says Frankfurt. Measure precisely how much food you give at each meal, and never allow your dog to free-feed throughout the day—a constantly full bowl is a fast pass to obesity. Instead, feed your pet at designated intervals at least twice a day to keep him feeling satisfied. If he eats too quickly, consider a “busy bowl” or food puzzle to stretch out mealtime and help him get the most enjoyment out of those calories.
And don’t pay full attention to what the dog food bag says as how much to feed your dog. Watch him or her. If they look fat feed them less. If they look skinny feed them more. Meat produces muscle and grains can cause weight retention so feed your pet needed meat protein over grain proteins.
6. HEALTHIER TREATS
Your dog loves them, and you love giving them to him. But unfortunately, commercial treats are calorie bombs and can undo all the work you’ve done portioning out breakfast and dinner. Fresh fruits and veggies are just as rewarding—you just have to condition your dog to see them as treats.
“I always recommend that pet owners introduce veggies and fruits to their pets at as young an age as possible,” says Wynn. “They’re the healthiest treats we can use. If you teach the dog early that a vegetable is good, then veggies are treats to them.”
For easy rewards, consider small apple slices (without seeds), pear slices, blueberries, mini carrots, or for a cold treat… frozen green beans
7. RAISE THE BOWL
When was the last time you bought a new food bowl? Was it during puppy-hood? If so, it may be time to upgrade to something more senior-friendly. For dogs with joint trouble, Frankfurt recommends a raised bowl to reduce the need to bend, keeping mealtime as comfortable as possible. And while you’re at it, put those bowls through the dishwasher—we have a tendency to forget this chore. And don’t let multiple dogs drink from the same bowl as it can spread disease.
Enjoy today’s article on 25 green plants to grow in your garden friendly to your pet.
You love your pets. You share your home, your time, your affection, and maybe even your bed with your green pets. But should you share the food that you grow in your garden? The answer depends on what you grow.
In this issue of Green Pets you’ll learn 21 Plants your green pet should not eat. And learn 25 green plants your green pet can eat.
21 Plants Pets Shouldn’t Eat
If consumed, some of these plants may cause your pets only mild discomfort. But others could result in an emergency trip to the veterinarian.
So if you have curious pets and are growing any of these plants, make sure they’re out reach.
• Borage• Catnip
• Chamomile• Chives
• Coleus• Epazote
• Eucalyptus• Lavender
• Leeks• Lemon grass
• Lovage• Marjoram
• Mint• Morning glory
• Oregano• Parsley
• Sorrel• Sweet peas
• Tomato plant (and unripe fruit)
• Watercress• Yarrow
See any plants you didn’t expect? For me, catnip was a surprise. (After all, it’s famous for mesmerizing felines.) But according to the ASPCA, Catnip may actually cause vomiting and diarrhea in some cats.
How to Keep Animals Out of Your Garden
If you’re growing any of the plants above, you may be wondering how you can prevent your pets from eating them. Or maybe you’d just like to keep animals away from your garden in general.
Build a barrier. The best way to prevent your pets from eating your plants is to limit their access with a barrier.
Grow plants that pets don’t like. Plants that may drive animals away include pungent herbs, such as sage and rosemary, and the edible flower marigold. (Bonus: These plants will help repel bad bugs, too.)
Startle with motion-activated sprinklers. Most cats and dogs detest being sprayed with water. So for particularly troublesome pets, consider installing motion-activated sprinklers near your garden.This is also an effective method for scaring off other animals (e.g., deer, raccoons).
25 Plants Your Pets Can Eat (in Moderation)
Not all plants are dangerous, many are non-toxic (and even healthy) for dogs and cats.
The following plants have been deemed “pet-friendly.” But moderation is key. Too much plant material may cause digestive upset (i.e., a mess on your living room rug).
As with introducing any new food to your green pet, it’s best to add fresh produce to your pet’s diet gradually. Enjoy green living this summer for you and your pets. Green Pets America – Steve Monahan.
We hope you and your pet benefit from today’s article: 25 green plants to grow in your garden friendly to your pet
Bramble a 189-Year-Old Vegan Border Collie, was the world’s oldest living dog.
Supermarket pet foods are often composed of ground-up parts of animals deemed by U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors unfit for human consumption. The flesh of animals who fall into one of the categories of the four D’s—dead, dying, diseased, or disabled—is what often goes into pet food. Many of these animals have died of infections and other diseases.
In most all states it is legal to remove unusable parts from chickens and sell them to pet food manufacturers. Most pet foods contain the same hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics that are found in commercial meat products for humans
Vegetarian Dogs. Many vegetarians and vegans feed healthful, meatless diets to their companion animals. According to an article by PETA, one long life, healthy vegan dog example is that of Bramble, a 27-year-old border collie whose vegan diet of rice, lentils, and organic vegetables earned her consideration by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest living dog in 2002.
189 Year Old Vegan Border Collie
The dog, Bramble, a blue merle Border Collie, lived in the UK. What’s most amazing about Bramble is he actually lived on a vegan only diet of rice, lentils and organic vegetables. Her owner said he ate once a day and exercised a lot.
The owner of the dog, Anne Heritage, was a vegan herself. She just fed Bramble a big bowl of vegan dinner every evening. She explains that Bramble “is an inspiration and it just goes to show that if we eat the right things and keep on exercising, our pets and ourselves can extend our life”.
Seven Human Years for Every One Dog Year.
The age of 189 years comes from the common usage of counting 7 human years for every one dog year. This method is sometimes debated, but any way you count it – Bramble lived a long life.
Studies have shown that the ailments associated with meat consumption in humans, such as allergies, cancer, and kidney, heart, and bone problems, also affect many nonhumans. Pet food has also been recalled during mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), scares because of the risk that contaminated meat was processed into the food. One deputy commissioner states that cats especially “are susceptible to BSE.”
The nutritional needs of dogs and cats are easily met with a balanced vegan diet and certain supplements, stated James Peden, author of Vegetarian Cats & Dogs.
Meat Or No Meat?
Some people wonder if it’s “unnatural” to omit meat from the diet of a dog or cat. Animals in the wild commonly eat quite a lot of plant matter. Besides, to feed them the meat that they would naturally eat, you would have to serve them whole mice or birds or allow them to hunt for themselves, an option that is unfair to native species of birds and other small animals, since companion cats and dogs have been removed from the food chain and have advantages that free-roaming animals lack.
Vegetarian or vegan dogs and cats enjoy their food and good health, and a vegan or vegetarian diet for your companion animal is ethically consistent with animal rights philosophy, and our green living beliefs at Green Pets America….Green Pets, People Planet.
Why Millennials Love Dogs. Millennials recently overtook Boomers as the largest pet-owning group of Americans; by some estimates, more than half of them have a dog. Dogs are, for Millennials, a perfect balm for purgatorial anxieties.
If you have time and care to give, dogs love freely, they put you on a schedule, they direct your attention and affection and idle thoughts toward something outside yourself. The desire to turn outward and spend energy nurturing others is a mark of emotional maturity, but that nurturing needs a vessel…a dog or cat.
Dr. Michael Good DVM, in Memory. Going through photos today and I wanted to share this with our fellow companion animal friends. This is my kind friend, and yours, Dr. Michael Good with a rescue he was training to be rehomed. I interviewed him that day for an autobiography we were writing about him.
So happy his message and love of animals, and his Homeless Pets Clubs were presented to the World at our 2020 TEDx Dupree Park event. RIP our friend.
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RIP My Friend, Steven Monahan, Founder, Green Pets America Charities
How to Save 100% of Americas Animal Shelter Dogs and Cats. The average shelter euthanizes 35% of the dogs and cats they take in. That 35% is classified as “Problem Behavior”. Sorry to say but at that classification, many humans would have to be put down as well. This must change. We can save one-third of all shelter animals if shelters devote more resources to retraining. The www.GreenPetsAmerica.org Charities “tag Line” since 2007 has been “Rescue -Retrain -Rehome” Retrain is how we will save America’s shelter animals.
HELP US TEACH SHELTERS TO RETRAIN ALL DOGS AND CATS
Memorial Day Humans and Animal Heroes come in all shapes, genders and sizes. One thing they all share is a love for their country and humanity. We acknowledge, respect and love you always.
