Come visit SpayGeorgia at its booth at PawFest May 10, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Rhodes Jordan Park, Lawrenceville. Activities include PAWParade, agility demonstrations, low cost rabies and microchipping, dog contests, raffles vendors and more.

Karen Shrewsbury, SpayGeorgia board member and animal advocate, was interviewed by the host of "Nuestra Georgia." This Spanish television program airs on Univision (Channel 34), and the interview will be broadcast on Saturday, February 2 at 11:00 a.m. The program gave Karen the opportunity to publicize the problems of pet overpopulation. Almost 100,000 dogs and cats are euthinized annually in the Atlanta metro area. This is a shocking figure, and SpayGeorgia goes to the source of the problem by providing low cost spay/neutering. Reducing the animal population reduces the number of dogs and cats who suffer needlessly. We are grateful to Karen for her efforts to spread the word to the Hispanic community in Georgia.

SpayGeorgia, Inc., in cooperation with LifeLine Animal Project, has designated February 2008 as “Free Cat Neuter Month” in Georgia. The campaign targets the ongoing problem of pet overpopulation by offering free neuter certificates to applicants seeking the surgical service for their male cats during June. The one-time certificate also includes a free rabies vaccination for cats not already inoculated.

SpayGeorgia will honor the first 100 individual requests for the certificates, which must be used in February 2008. The LifeLine Spay & Neuter Clinic in Avondale Estates will provide the neuter service by appointment only. Special instructions will be provided when the neuter certificate is issued. Limit is one certificate per household.

To request the free neuter certificate, call SpayGeorgia at 770-662-4479.

Since 1991, SpayGeorgia, Inc., in cooperation with more than 100 participating veterinary clinics, has provided low cost spay/neuter services for nearly 60,000 cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens throughout Georgia. The all-volunteer organization has more than 600 members and serves as a model for other groups interested in developing similar programs in their communities.

Founded in 2002, LifeLine Animal Project is an Atlanta-based non-profit organization working on collaborative solutions to end pet overpopulation and stop the euthanasia of healthy and treatable dogs and cats in metro Atlanta animal shelters. LifeLine’s focus is to promote the adoption of homeless pets and to initiate and support effective spay and neuter programs. The cornerstone of the organization’s lifesaving efforts is the LifeLine Spay & Neuter Clinic, a low-cost, high-quality, high-volume clinic located in Avondale Estates.

Editor: For additional information on SpayGeorgia’s spay/neuter program, call SpayGeorgia at 770-662-4479.

Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway is a great friend to all animals, and to SpayGeorgia. You can often find him in the public eye, supporting the cause of spay/neutering, and pursuing people who are involved in dog fighting. He recently offered $10,000 of his own money for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of people involved in dog fighting in Gwinnett Count.

You can hear Sheriff Conway supporting SpayGeorgia in a recent television interview:

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=3333211&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=5.2.1

He also taped a Public Service Announcement in support of SpayGeorgia and our cause. You can view it here: http://www.spaygeorgia.org/Spay_GA_PSA1.wmv

Stop by and visit our display at the Gwinnett Humane Society's annual Pawfest. The event is on Saturday, May 12th, 2007 from 10 am - 4 pm. The event will be at Rhodes Jordan Park (100 E. Crogan St.) in Lawrenceville.

Pawfest is a fabulous, day-long celebration of the pet/human bond. Admission and parking are free. This is a family-friendly event. Leashed dogs are invited as well.

For more information, visit http://www.gwinnetthumane.com.

Atlanta Dog Trainer, LLC & Bow Wow Bungalow Dog Day Care are hosting a special adoption day and fundraiser for SpayGeorgia on April 29 from noon until 5pm at Bow Wow Bungalow Dog Day Care in Alpharetta.

Seven different rescue groups will feature their best adoptable dogs! Events will include raffles with great prizes! All dog lovers and dog-friendly dogs are welcome to come join in the festivities!

12900 Freemanville Road [next to Milton High School]

More info… [url]www.atlantadogtrainer.com[/url]

Free cat neuters available in June!

SpayGeorgia, Inc., in cooperation with LifeLine Animal Project, has designated June 2007 as “Free Cat Neuter Month” in Georgia. The campaign targets the ongoing problem of pet overpopulation by offering free neuter certificates to applicants seeking the surgical service for their male cats during June. The one-time certificate also includes a free rabies vaccination for cats not already inoculated.

SpayGeorgia will honor the first 100 individual requests for the certificates, which must be used in June 2007. The LifeLine Spay & Neuter Clinic in Avondale Estates will provide the neuter service by appointment only. Special instructions will be provided when the neuter certificate is issued. Limit is one certificate per household.

To request the free neuter certificate, call SpayGeorgia at 770-662-4479.

Since 1991, SpayGeorgia, Inc., in cooperation with more than 100 participating veterinary clinics, has provided low cost spay/neuter services for nearly 60,000 cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens throughout Georgia. The all-volunteer organization has more than 600 members and serves as a model for other groups interested in developing similar programs in their communities.

Founded in 2002, LifeLine Animal Project is an Atlanta-based non-profit organization working on collaborative solutions to end pet overpopulation and stop the euthanasia of healthy and treatable dogs and cats in metro Atlanta animal shelters. LifeLine’s focus is to promote the adoption of homeless pets and to initiate and support effective spay and neuter programs. The cornerstone of the organization’s lifesaving efforts is the LifeLine Spay & Neuter Clinic, a low-cost, high-quality, high-volume clinic located in Avondale Estates.

Editor: For additional information on SpayGeorgia’s spay/neuter program, call SpayGeorgia at 770-662-4479.

Pet deaths prompt recall of pet food

By Andrew Bridges, Associated Press Writer | March 16, 2007

WASHINGTON --A major manufacturer of dog and cat food sold under Wal-Mart, Safeway, Kroger and other store brands recalled 60 million containers of wet pet food Friday after reports of kidney failure and deaths.

An unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food, Menu Foods said in announcing the North American recall. Product testing has not revealed a link explaining the reported cases of illness and death, the company said.

"At this juncture, we're not 100 percent sure what's happened," said Paul Henderson, the company's president and chief executive officer. However, the recalled products were made using wheat gluten purchased from a new supplier, since dropped for another source, spokeswoman Sarah Tuite said. Wheat gluten is a source of protein.

The recall covers the company's "cuts and gravy" style food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches between Dec. 3 and March 6 throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The pet food was sold by stores operated by the Kroger Co., Safeway Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and PetSmart Inc., among others, Henderson said.

Menu Foods did not immediately provide a full list of brand names and lot numbers covered by the recall, saying they would be posted on its Web site -- http://www.menufoods.com/recall -- early Saturday. Consumers with questions can call (866) 463-6738.

Repeated calls to that number over several hours Friday night got only a busy signal. Attempts to reach a company spokeswoman for an explanation were unsuccessful.

The company said it manufacturers for 17 of the top 20 North American retailers. It is also a contract manufacturer for the top branded pet food companies, including Procter & Gamble Co.

P&G announced Friday the recall of specific 3 oz., 5.5 oz., 6 oz. and 13.2 oz. canned and 3 oz. and 5.3 oz. foil pouch cat and dog wet food products made by Menu Foods but sold under the Iams and Eukanuba brands. The recalled products bear the code dates of 6339 through 7073 followed by the plant code 4197, P&G said.

Menu Foods' three U.S. and one Canadian factory produce more than 1 billion containers of wet pet food a year. The recall covers pet food made at company plants in Emporia, Kan., and Pennsauken, N.J., Henderson said.

Henderson said the company received an undisclosed number of owner complaints of vomiting and kidney failure in dogs and cats after they had been fed its products. It has tested its products but not found a cause for the sickness.

"To date, the tests have not indicated any problems with the product," Henderson said.

The company alerted the Food and Drug Administration, which already has inspectors in one of the two plants, Henderson said. The FDA was working to nail down brand names covered by the recall, agency spokesman Mike Herndon said.

Menu Foods is majority owned by the Menu Foods Income Fund, based in Ontario, Canada.

Henderson said the recall would cost the company the Canadian equivalent of $26 million to $34 million.

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On the Net:

Food and Drug Administration: http://www.fda.gov/

© Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company

SpayGeorgia estará presente en la Feria Anual Hispana de Comercio y Empleo organizada por la Cámara de Comercio Hispana de Georgia. El evento se realizará el día 27 de Marzo, en el horario de 1 a 5 pm en el Centro Cívico de Gwinnett (Gwinnett Civic Center). La dirección es: 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097. Allí estaremos educando a la comunidad hispana acerca de la importancia de esterilizar a sus mascotas, estaremos entregando nuestros folletos, a la vez que ofreceremos a la venta nuestras camisetas y sudaderas y además estaremos colectando las tan necesitadas donaciones. Para más información, por favor diríjase a la página de internet de la Cámara a www.ghcc.com.

The cycle of violence is a chain of circumstances in which an adult abuses a child or animal. The adult passes down the violent traits and patterns to the child, who continues the cycle of violence. Domestic violence, child abuse, and animal abuse have a high correlation to each other, and this cycle of violence will continue until someone steps in to stop it.

Some statistics—

68% of battered women reported violence toward their animals by the batterer. 87% occurred in the presence of the woman and 75% occurred in the presence of children (Quinlisk, 1994-95).

71% of pet-owning women entering a shelter reported that their husband or boyfriend killed, harmed or threatened an animal. 32% of those admitted said that their children had hurt or killed an animal (Ascione, 1998).

A survey of women in a safe house in Utah found that 20% delayed leaving the abusive situation out of fear that their pet would be harmed. Data currently being collected in Canada found almost 50% delayed leaving (Ascione, 1997).

The 1995 Utah survey also found that children witnessed the animal abuse in more than 60% of the cases, and 32% of women reported that one or more of their children hurt or killed a pet.

The Latham Foundation Publication of “Breaking the cycle of Violence: A Practical Guide,” found adolescent histories of animal cruelty in:

25% of aggressive male prisoners

30% of convicted child molesters

36% of assaulters of women

46% of incarcerated sexual homicide perpetrators

48% of convicted rapists

89% of serial murderers

If compassion and respect for animals can be taught at a young age, the violence toward animals can stop and, in turn, lessen the violence toward people.

--Information from Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles

For more information regarding the Cycle of Violence, contact spcala.com and hsus.org

SpayGeorgia does believe that violence toward people is related to violence toward animals. Our mission statement includes, “Animal overpopulation is animal cruelty.”

The Latham Foundation

To foster a deeper understanding of and sympathy with man's relations -- the animals -- who cannot speak for themselves,

To inculcate the higher principles of humaneness upon which the unity and happiness of the world depend,

To emphasize the spiritual fundamentals that lead to world friendship

To promote the child's character through an understanding of universal kinship

http://www.latham.org/