PetSugar

What's Your Take: Do Pets Have a "Subjective Value?"

PetSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:30:51 -0700

After nearly three years of litigation (!), the case of Dexter has come to an end. When Doreen Houseman and Eric Dare ended their relationship in May 2006, a New Jersey court ruled Eric could keep their pug since it was in his possession at the time. However, earlier this year, an appeals panel reversed the decision saying the judge neglected to consider the dog's "subjective value", making him more like a family heirloom or work of art that cannot simply be awarded to one party for a face-value payment - Doreen received $1,500 - no one can measure Dexter's exact worth.

Now the pup will rotate every five weeks between the homes of the separated couple - do you agree with the "subjective value" decision overturning the custody ruling?

The Scoop: House and Senate Pass PA's Puppy Mill Bill!

PetSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:00:42 -0700

Bow wowee! I'm super duper pleased to announce that both the Senate and the House of Representatives approved the "Puppy Mill Bill" in Pennsylvania yesterday! Affecting any commercial breeder selling or transferring more than 60 dogs per year, the main change in the approved bill is that owners get three years to comply with the long list of regulations to make their kennels more humane . . . as long as they've not already been found guilty of violating these rules.Clearing the House with votes of 183-7 and the Senate 49-1, Rep. James Casorio, D-Westmoreland, the bill's prime sponsor, said:

This is the day that we eliminate Pennsylvania's reputation as the puppy mill capital of the East. The mistreatment of thousands and thousands and thousands of dogs kept in deplorable and inhumane [conditions] will no longer stand.

Although it's just the first step, it makes great strides in changing these horrible conditions and I hope an advancement for animal welfare that will one day (soon) prompt changes and policy consistency across the country.

Source

Does Your Dog Have a License?

PetSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:00:41 -0700

I'm betting we're all on top of our pets' shots, but does your doggie have a license? Even though many cities, like NYC, require you to renew dogs' licenses annually, not everyone does – or even knows! – to do this. Some quick research about our policies here in San Francisco, found this shocking (to me) stat: There are an estimated 120,000 dogs living in San Francisco . . . and only about 20,000 of them are licensed at this time!

Like I advocated for tags in addition to microchips, having the proper pet license can be a quicker way to reunite you with a lost pet, as those tags are immediately visible.

Source

Out and About: Hawaii's Quarantine Rules

PetSugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:00:29 -0800

Welcome to Hawaii! Off the bat, I want to mention that the Aloha State has a special quarantine law designed to protect resident people and pets from potentially serious health problems associated with the introduction and spread of rabies. All dogs and cats, regardless of age, must comply with Hawaii’s pet import requirements. This makes it impossible to bring your doggie or kitty for a last-minute family vacay – you'll need at least four months of preparation, including rabies vaccinations and a blood test that requires waiting 120 days after a successful test result before entering the state. If you do arrive or relocate on the islands before this time period ends, you'll not only have to give up your pet, but you'll also have to pay boarding fees of $224 for five days or less (plus $17.80 each additional day after that) and relinquish your pet to the quarantine station on Oahu where you can visit during afternoon hours but cannot take animals outside of their outdoor kennel enclosures. To learn more about Hawaii's laws, read more.

This is a big improvement from the previous law, which required all pets to endure quarantine for at least 30 days, but it still makes travel to the nation's only rabies-free state difficult and pricey – even after paying for the necessary health requirements, it costs an additional $165 to get your pet released from the airport to the island. For those of you who've planned a trip in advance and waited the requisite time, they now also have a direct-release program for dogs traveling between the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu making it smooth sailing for subsequent island hopping.

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Two Bizarre Ways to Put Your Dogs to Work at a Tailgate

PetSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:51 -0800

It's nearly game time - since your dogs' tail waggin' tailgate is already in full effect, now it's your turn . . . to get them a gift that keeps on giving.

The ~~stylish~~ functional Tailgate Companion has six pockets to put your pooch to work - use it to hold grilling essentials, icy beverages, or even mustard and ketchup (if he's not already sporting it).

If that's not quite his style, swap out a normal neckpiece for the new Kurgo Wander Collar. Its leash ring doubles as a bottle opener. Kinda brilliant in theory yet, while there aren't any laws about walking a dog while drunk, I'm guessing this could violate an open-container policy on normal city streets. But at a tailgate - no problemo.

Do you think these items are more cool . . . or more crazy?

Do You Know How Many Pets Are Allowed Per Household?

PetSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:15:54 -0800

Having a houseful of cats can earn you mean names - who are you calling crazy?! - but do you know how many animals you can legally own in your county? I checked out Cat Ladies at the SF Documentary Film Festival earlier this month and the producers were asked about law breaking for the movie. The flick was filmed in Canada, with different pet laws by region, but there were still concerns about ratting out (ha) pet owners over the legal limit.

Which brings us to Dudley, MA, where a woman put her home up for sale because she had more than three cats, which would require a residential kennel license in her area. I know it's come up for celebs (like Paris Hilton) and I honestly don't know how many pets my city legally allows per home, but I'm sure just one lil guy is fine. Do you?

Do Tell: Weigh In on Mandatory Spay/Neuter Laws

PetSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:05:06 -0700

Even if your furry friend is fixed, how do you feel about being told to do so not just by vets or animal behaviorists but by the government!? Last week, a statewide mandatory spay/neuter bill (SB 250) passed the California State Senate and is off to the Assembly to quite possibly become law.

In order to keep an unsterilized pet, you'd need a license or else your animal could be taken away from you. Now, I understand the needless death and overpopulation of shelter animals, but this seems a bit troublesome for lower-income families who would sterilize a pet, if not for the prohibitive procedure price. Do you think this bill is a good start . . . or does it do more harm than good?

Source

Do Tell: Would You Get a Dog With a Partner Before Marriage?

PetSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:30:44 -0700

Not that I'm trying to prepare for the worst but would you adopt a pet before getting hitched . . . or lay down the law in terms of who gets the furry friend if you break up? Perhaps the case of Dexter makes me a bit too worrywart, but lemme know if you did or would make this choice and how you'd prep for the future just in case.

What's Your Take: Legal Ban on Declawing?

PetSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:00:59 -0700

Considered mutilation by many, a simple mention of the word "declaw" warrants an adamant response from even nonfeline fans. Even though the vocal aversion to declawing is already a no-brainer to most of you, the recently proposed ban on the procedure here in SF has earned (what may appear to be) some unlikely challengers - the SPCA.
Even though the organization both opposes the procedure and doesn't practice onychectomy at its hospital, it doesn't agree with legal regulation and SFSPCA President Jan McHugh-Smith worries the proposed law could have other negative side effects:

"The SFSPCA is opposed to declawing . . . but we are concerned about the option being taken away from the guardian. They could potentially give up the pet, and it could end up in a shelter and end up being euthanized."

So the argument is not just about the morality of the procedure but on the involvement of politics in medicine and that city council members have no place regulating such procedures - what's your take?

Source: Flickr User Muffet

The Scoop: Gerard Butler in the Middle of a Dog Fight

PetSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:55:05 -0700

Nope, not a cat fight - the sometimes heartbreaker Gerard Butler had a furry run-in with the law in NYC on Monday. TMZ is reporting more details on the dog fight involving the actor's smooshy, who we've glimpsed frequenting the set of The Bounty (along with fan fave, Norman).

Gerard's off-leash Lolita was allegedly attacked street side by a Greyhound, Mayfly, which caused the actor to push away the offending animal . . . and later bring his Pug to a vet for injuries. Although the Greyhound's owners claim that Gerard smacked one of their dogs without cause, no charges have been pressed and all the involved pups are OK.

I understand the illegality of having a pup off leash but, as someone who's had her dog attacked unprovoked as a puppy, it's a split-second reaction and a scary thing for all parties involved - do you think there's more to this story? Before you share, check out a cute video of Lolita looking rather friendly on leash as a puppy back in 2007, when you read more.