Dog Center Blog

Kayleigh is a beautiful black lab mix about 5 years old. She has a little gray on her chin that makes her look a bit older than she actually is. You see Kayleigh has had a hard life. Not being spayed till just recently no telling how many litters of puppies she has had. And Kayleigh was scheduled for euthanasia at the Bemidji animal control when she was rescued and brought to the loving care of Karen Good of Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue. She is currently available for adoption.

Kayleigh is a move in ready dog. She gets along great with other dogs. She is housetrained and can be left with free roam of the house while you are away. Eager to please, Kayleigh would be happier if someone was around home with her at least part of the day a few days a week. Kayleigh is just learning how to play …. she is learning what toys are and is going through a time of exploration and curiosity.

She is currently being fostered at Rescue Buddy Boarding. As much as she loves it there she would love to find a forever home …. could you be the one?

If you are interested in adopting Kayleigh please click here to read more about her.

Reposted from the Animal Humane Society Website:

Time is critical for Puppy & Kitten Mill Bill

Friday, March 5, 2010

The Dog and Cat Breeder Bill (S.F. 7/H.F. 253), also known as the Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill is before the Minnesota Legislature. The bill will put in place licensing and inspection of dog and cat breeder facilities in Minnesota, bringing an end to inhumane breeding practices.

Currently, the bill is still “on the table” in the respective agriculture and veterans committees in both the Minnesota Senate and the House of Representatives. We need your continued support to help members of the committees understand the importance of the bill and to “call it off the table” for discussion.

Time is critical. The first policy committee deadline is next Friday, March 12. If we are not granted a hearing by that time, the bill will not pass this year.

You can make a difference with one phone call. Please call all of the following members on the committees (listed below) before noon on Monday and let him or her know you support S.F. 7/H.F. 253. If you live in one of these districts, please make certain your legislator knows that fact. To find your district and State legislators, go to: Minnesota District Finder.

MN Senate Agriculture and Veterans Committee Members
State the bill number and the Senate author’s name: S.F. 7 authored by Senator Don Betzold

Tony Lourey 651.296.0293
Lisa A. Fobbe 651.296.8075
David W. Hann 651.296.1749
Rod Skoe 651.296.4196
Dan Skogen 651.296.5655
House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee
State the bill number and the House author’s name: H.F. 253 authored by Representative Tom Tillberry

Mary Ellen Otremba 651.296.3201
Kent Eken 651.296.9918
Terry Morrow 651.296-8634
Dean Urdahl 651.296.4344
Now is the time to be a voice for animals.

Explain the importance of the bill and that it is a highly collaborative effort among many animal groups and volunteers, and the bill has a long list of supporting organizations and individuals—including you.

Talking points for your call

Educate them on what goes on in puppy and kitten mills

If you call this weekend, chances are you’ll reach the legislator’s voicemail. Please leave a message with your name and support of S.F. 7 (Betzold) or H.F. 253 (Tillberry).

Legislators are also hearing from breeders and others who oppose the bill. Your voice will make a difference. Don’t wait—call today!

Small Dogs:  Wayzata Chuck & Don’s,  1147 Wayzata Blvd. East, Wayzata, MN 55391

Medium & large dogs will be at the Minnetonka Petco at 13691 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka.

Hours for both events are 10 am to noon.

We hope to see you there!

Small Dogs:  Wayzata Chuck & Don’s,  1147 Wayzata Blvd. East, Wayzata, MN 55391

Medium & large dogs will be at the Minnetonka Petco at 13691 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka.

Hours for both events are 10 am to noon.

We hope to see you there!

Here is a New York Times blog post about legal rights for animals.

Here is a New York Times blog post about legal rights for animals.

Daisy, the Shih Tzu  and Susie the Poodle continue to adapt and adjust in their foster home.  Their foster mom has sent me an update, which you can read below.  These two little dogs came to us from a puppy mill with a myriad of health problems and an evident lack of socialization with humans.  They’re making progress and looking great.

Well, it’s not official just yet. They haven’t announced it online, however I heard from someone at BCAA that HOPE WON!!  I’ve still got my fingers and toes crossed until I see it posted here on the Helen Woodward Animal Center website. . . WOO HOO ! ! !

Well, it’s not official just yet. They haven’t announced it online, however I heard from someone at BCAA that HOPE WON!!  I’ve still got my fingers and toes crossed until I see it posted here on the Helen Woodward Animal Center website. . . WOO HOO ! ! !

It’s been over a year now since my last “foster failure” (in animal rescue term that translates to … the foster can’t let go of their foster dog and adopts their dog!! … fyi, this last foster failure was my third one with Pet Haven so I am officially on the DO NOT LET MARILOU FOSTER!!) … On January 3rd, 2009 I officially adopted Ahnung (pronounced ah-NUNG and means star in ojibway). Ahnung came to Pet Haven from Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue …. dumped along with her litter of 8 puppies in October, 2008. She has come a long way since then … she arrived with heartworm, lymes disease, coccidia, and no front teeth (grinding her front teeth down to her gums in search of food) … after adopting her and getting a thorough check by our vet we learned she had also been shot and has remnants of a pellet in one of her nipples. There is so much to her story, and to mine, as we have walked this incredible journey of healing together. And as we have done we have expanded that circle of healing to include youth at a program of St. Paul Public schools called The Lab that serves youth in special education, grades 7-12 and are committed to providing creative and experiential learning opportunities that support long-term social & emotional health for urban youth.

Last year Ahnung and I spent many hours and months bonding and going through training. At the end of 2009 Ahnung officially passed the Delta Society therapy dog test and we are now a Pet Partner team as we volunteer doing animal assisted education at The Lab. I wrote a reflection piece that was posted on The Lab’s website that shares more of the work we are doing at The Lab. I named my sweet girl Ahnung because I wanted her to have a name that will always remind her of her roots … I wanted her to know she came from Red Lake reservation and to be proud of her ojibway roots. I also wanted her to know that she is my north star and as she works with youth at The Lab I have witnessed over and over again the birth of a star as I witness the connection and healing that takes place between a youth who has been through so much (just like Ahnung, and many of us) and an angel with four legs and lots of fur!

Ahnung and I will continue our work in the community and at the end of April will be going through training so that we can volunteer at hospices in addition to schools.

If you would like to read more about her journey and her adventures, she has her own blog: http://ahnung-northstar.blogspot.com/ and you can also find her on facebook … search for “Ahnung”.

I have been blessed and honored to be serving my third term as president of Pet Haven. And I share with you just one story of the gift I have been given through the work of Pet Haven … there are many more, and I am sure all of you have many to share as well. If you have adopted a dog or a cat from Pet Haven we would love to hear from you. Email us at editor@pethavenMN.org.