Friday, August 20, 2010

Because of Teddy....



ALR Family and Friends,

In February of 2001, I did something that changed my life and possibly many of yours as well. I rescued a golden retriever that I named Teddy.

For months I attended adoptions, looking for a yellow female and each time got passed over for a “stay at home mom” with a pool and a house at the lake. Finally, after my fourth Adoption Day, they called about my third choice, a 2 year old red male, which wasn’t at all what I was looking for and I wondered why I had even put him on my list? The next day the foster called and we set up a visit. Reluctantly, I drove to Peachtree City to meet “Ash.” I had no intention of adopting him, but the foster told me there was another shelter dog waiting to take his space, so of course, I signed the papers and we headed home.

The first few days were a disaster. He was apparently a country dog and he was on a mission to escape my small fenced yard, which he did successfully about three times in the first two days. To make matters worse, he had no personality and wanted nothing to do with me. After 3-4 days of this, I decided he wasn’t the dog for me and I called the foster to return him. Of course there was NO foster available, so they asked if I could hang onto him for a day or two more. Well, the very next day Ash did a complete turnaround and he was here to stay. I changed his name to Teddy and he quickly became my constant companion and co-pilot. I was so excited about my rescue experience and this great new friend, that I decided I’d like to help more dogs like Teddy find forever homes.

Teddy became the “Ambassadog” to the 600+ dogs that came to live with us over the years, patiently sharing my time and his home with 4-5 fosters, often at the same time. He welcomed each new dog accordingly, taking it all in stride, which wasn’t the case with my other dogs, who made it their mission to keep them in their place. One by one my family and friends all found themselves with dogs they never knew they wanted, but soon couldn’t live without. The passion became a mission and we decided to start our own rescue in 2007. Since every dog in every shelter is described as a “lab” or “lab mix,” we decided to start Atlanta Lab Rescue. With lots of help and support, and by partnering with other groups around the country, we’ve pulled, transported and rescued over 2,500 dogs...and it’s all because of a slightly raggedy red retriever named Teddy.

About a month ago I found out that Ted had liver cancer. Monday, after a brief and very brave fight, we said goodbye to him. At home surrounded by friends he went with a smile on his face, wagging his tail. Teddy’s big goofy grin was hard to resist and constantly reminded me how lucky I was. My heart is truly breaking and I find it hard to believe how much this dog changed my life for the better. Someone gave me a book a couple of years ago called “Rescuing Sprite by Mark Levin, a nationally syndicated broadcaster. The book talks about a dog he rescued named Sprite and how this dog enriched his life, it’s a must read for anyone who has rescued a dog.

This week we’ve taken in 6 more dogs (so far), including Laurel a yellow lab in Warner Robins shelter  that has been so neglected she’s developed a skin condition and chronic ear infection that are literally torturing her. Our bank account has about $1000 in it which will barely cover Laurel ’s vet bills, and I’m told we can’t afford anymore dogs right now, but how do we say no to her or any of the other 5? Someday they too may change someone’s life…God bless all of you who open your hearts and homes to these dogs to foster and adopt and those who so faithfully support our efforts.

Thank you,
Becky Cross
Co-founder/Director Atlanta Lab Rescue
http://www.atlantalabrescue.com/
Click here to Donate

Friday, July 16, 2010

The Trouble with Heartworms

What is a heartworm?
A heartworm is an actual worm that can live inside the heart. Heartworms are nematodes related to free living worms like earth worms. The adult heartworms are six to ten inches in length and when they reproduce, the baby worms are called microfilaria. These microscopic baby worms are released into the dog's blood stream.

How do dogs get heartworms?
The microfilaria are picked up and carried from dog to dog by mosquitoes. So we see a lot of heartworm infections in any area with a lot of mosquitoes. We see many cases of heartworm disease throughout the southeast, but Florida has the greatest number of heartworm cases of anywhere in the U.S.

What are the symptoms of heartworms?
Symptoms include weight loss, lethargy, and coughing. Left untreated, heartworms will lead to heart failure and eventually death.

Are heartworms treatable?
While heartworms are treatable, the procedure can be costly and there can be side effects.
Most importantly, safe and effective preventative medications are available from your veterinarian. Most of these medications are given once a month and kill the baby heartworm before it becomes an adult worm.

So what should dog owner's do to protect their dog from heartworms?
  • Your veterinarian will perform a blood test to make sure your dog is not already infected.
  • If the heartworm is negative, the doctor will prescribe a heartworm preventative medication.
  • Continue the heartworm prevention all year long, for the life of the animal.
  • Have an annual blood test to make sure the medication has been effective.

Dear Labby

Dear Labby,


My Lab has really bad breath! He could peel the paint right off the wall! Is there any hope for kinder, gentler breath from my four legged friend?

Sincerely,
Craig in Cumming




Dear Craig,

I know what you mean! Sometimes my Lab's breath curls my toes! But all is not lost. There are many things you can do to eliminate the stinkiness!

Did you know it is estimated that up to 80% of all dogs have periodontal disease? That's serious business. It causes inflammation, mineral build-up, plaque, tooth decay and gum disease. Even worse, Periodontal Disease predisposes your dog to heart disease, respiratory disease, diabetes and arthritis.

So, what can you do?

First of all, encourage your dog to chew. Dog biscuits, Nyla bones and chew toys work really well for scraping the teeth clean and they usually have fun doing it. Avoid canned or wet food. The hard crunchy kibble makes a huge difference in keeping those choppers sparkling!

Second, at least once a week, brush your furry friend's "furry" teeth. Introduce the toothbrush gradually and be sure to follow up the brushing with plenty of praise so your pup will start to look forward to it. Be sure to use dog toothpaste. People toothpaste has additives that can be harmful to our four-legged friends since they don't spit it out.

If those simple fixes are not improving the problem, talk to your vet about it. Your vet will look for warning signs like brownish spots on the back teeth, a thin red line running along the gum lines and deterioration of the root and bone. Once the issue is identified your vet may suggest a thorough cleaning, particularly of the affected teeth or application of an antibiotic gel under the gums in the area where bacteria may have settled.

Just like in people, tooth problems may be irreversible, and your dog only gets one set, so be sure to pay attention to them. There is no need to breathe in the toxic fumes from your pooch's mouth for eternity. Dog bad breath has a cure! Until next time...Woof!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Vets warn about effects of heat on pets

by Winston Jones/Staff Writer
times-georgian.com

This time of year is often called “the dog days of summer,” but the current hot temperatures can cause heat strokes and other problems in dogs, just like in humans, a local veterinarian warned Monday.

“Animals instinctively know to stay out of heat,” said Dr. Justin Verner, DVM. “But dogs are such loyal companions, they often stick with us out in the sun until they’re overcome by the heat.”

Unlike humans, dogs don’t sweat, Verner noted. He said dogs cool themselves by panting, passing air rapidly over the tongue to cool the blood circulating through the mouth.

“It’s an inefficient system of cooling,” he said. “Dogs need to find a cool, shady spot when outdoors, under the deck or beneath bushes.” He said they also need lots of fresh water.

He said dogs with short snouts, the “smashed in” face dogs, such as bulldogs, Boston Terriers, pugs, pekingese and shih tzus, are especially prone to heat problems since they can’t breathe as effectively as longer snout dogs.

Verner said pet owners often miss heat stroke symptoms and dogs rapidly progress to death without treatment. The common signs of heat stroke in a dog are rapid panting, twitching muscles, lethargy, hot skin and a dazed look.

“I’ve seen many dogs with heat stroke and they usually don’t make it,” he said. “They have trouble breathing and when their temperatures get above 106 degrees, their organs begin shutting down.”

Verner said if you think your dog might be having a heat stroke, cool it off with a water hose and get it to a vet immediately.

He also warned against leaving dogs in cars, even when the windows are partially down and even on days that don’t seem hot.

“Some breeds of dogs are very intolerant of heat,” he said. He said asphalt paving drives the heat up fast.

“It’s best to keep your dogs out of the midday heat,” Verner said. “Take them out for exercise in the early morning before the sun comes up or late in the afternoon after it’s gone down.”

Additional heat suggestions from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) inlcude:

• if you see a dog in a parked car, take down the car’s information and have the owner paged over the store intercom or notify law enforcement authorities;

• don’t take your dog with you jogging except during cool times of the day and provide plenty of water and rest;

• keep dogs indoors and provide them with shade and drinking water when outdoors;

• and if you see a dog that looks in distress, contact authorities.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Retractable leashes pose problems for people and their pets

Reposted from Consumer Reports Blog

Heather Todd didn’t bring a leash with her the day she took her pooch Penny to a pond near Boston in 2005. So she borrowed a retractable dog leash to help keep her Labrador retriever in check. But it didn’t. Retractable leashes pose problems for people and their pets  The 90-pound dog suddenly took off running and dragged Todd across the sand. When she came to a stop and recovered her wits, she spotted something lying on the sand. With horror, she realized it was a human index finger; with greater horror, she realized it was her own. The cord of the retractable leash had looped around her finger and pulled taut when Penny bolted.


“It just cut it off like a sharp knife,” Todd says.

She wrapped her hand in a towel, grabbed the finger, and headed to the hospital, but doctors were unable to reattach it. Todd, who’s now in nursing school, says there are times when her missing finger causes problems. “I get by. You just adjust,” she says.

Todd’s story may sound like a freak accident, but retractable leashes are responsible for a surprising number of injuries each year, including amputations.

In 2007 there were 16,564 hospital-treated injuries associated with leashes, according to Consumer Union's analysis of statistics collected by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Of those, about 10.5 percent involved children 10 and younger; 23.5 percent involved injuries to the finger. The CPSC's data does not parse the leashes into types but it's likely that the amputations were caused by retractable leashes.

The most common injuries reported were burns and cuts, usually sustained when the cord came in contact with skin as it rapidly paid out from the handle of a leash. Others occurred when the cord got wrapped around part of the owner or the dog.

Todd sued the maker of the leash as well as the distributor, as have others who have been injured by retractable leashes. Todd told us that the company settled her case for an undisclosed amount.

Retractable-leash makers do put some pretty stark warnings about their products on their Web sites and on the packaging. Germany-based Flexi, one of the largest manufacturers of the leashes, has a long page of warnings on it Web site. Here’s how it begins:

“To avoid the risk of eye or face injury and cuts, burns, and amputations to your body or the body of another person from the leash cord/tape or all belt and hook, (sic) read and follow these Warnings and Directions for Use before using your Flexi leash.”

The CPSC has announced only one recall of retractable leashes in recent years. Last September 223,000 “Slydog” brand retractable leashes (at right) were recalled after several complaints were received by the agency about the metal clip breaking and flying off. The company subsequently changed to plastic clips.

Karen Peak, a professional dog trainer in northern Virginia who runs a Web site called SafeKidsSafeDogs, says she often observes injuries from retractable leashes-and has experienced a couple herself.

“One day a dog got away and I grabbed the cord to keep it from running into the street and it gave me a painful cut between my fingers,” she says. “And it was a little dog, a Maltese.”

Peak says she doesn’t allow retractable leashes in her training classes and thinks they should only be used on well-behaved dogs that respond to voice commands.

“They should never be used on neighborhood walks or in stores or other situations where there might be distractions that can make a dog suddenly bolt,” she says. In those types of situations, she advises owners to use a solid leash no longer than six feet long.

Peak says dogs can suffer some of the same types of injuries from retractable dog leashes as people do. In addition, dogs suffer injury to their necks and backs when they are suddenly jerked to a stop when they run out the length of the leash.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Dear Labby












Tackling Springtime Allergeries

Dear Labby,

Lately I have noticed that my Labs’ allergies are getting worse and causing more frequent itching and licking. Do you know what may be causing it?

Thanks,
Katie in Kennesaw


Dear Katie,

Spring pollen is in the air… and on our cars, lawn furniture and unfortunately on our pet’s fur. Unlike humans who react to allergies with a stuffy nose, watery eyes and a scratchy throat, pets react with skin problems, goopy eyes and ear infections.

Unfortunately there is no magic pill to cure your Labs’ allergies but there are a lot of treatments for the symptoms. Check with your vet to see if any of these suggestions may work for your situation:

  • Change your pet’s food to a natural brand for 8-10 weeks and watch for allergic reactions. If there is no reaction, feed your four-legged friend the original food. If the symptoms return, then the diagnosis is probably a food allergy. Your vet will then help you choose different foods that eliminate certain ingredients until the culprit is determined.
  • A cold bath with a medicated shampoo can do wonders for some dogs. For my dog, it certainly gives him a little relief from the itchies.
  • When your Lab comes in from the yard, try to wipe his feet off before he comes in the house. It may seem like a lot of work, but remember that whatever they step in outside ends up on your carpet and floors and then gets inhaled again.
  • Adding Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty acids to your Labs diet may also do the trick. They are a natural anti-inflammatory remedy and are virtually harmless to your pet if given as directed. I add a few squirts of the liquid version to my Labs meal every day.
If you are not seeing success with these tips, your vet may choose to go a step further and prescribe medication:

  • Antihistamines, such as Benadryl, are safe medications that see about a 33% success rate among users. The main side affect with this type of treatment is that in some animals (just like people) the drug may make them sleepy. Be sure to check with your vet for correct dosage amounts.
  • Immunotherapy or allergy shots typically show a 70%+ success rate. Your dog will be tested to determine what inhalants they are allergic to including mold, pollens, dust, feathers, wool, cotton and cats. A specific serum is developed for your pet and the shots are administered for up to 12 months by the pet owner at home. They are safe but it may take six or more months to see any improvement.
  • The last resort is administering steroids, which help to reduce the inflammation that causes itching. Steroids are a final remedy because they may damage the pet’s liver, cause diabetes and possibly promote behavioral changes such as increased or decreased appetite, thirst and urination.
Allergies are becoming more and more common in pets. Don’t give up hope if it is determined your Lab has allergies. There are many different options that you can explore to find the right combination so that your dog will live a long, happy, itch-free life. Until next time, Woof!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Dear Labby

Dear Labby,

I was thinking about sending my newly adopted Lab to Doggie Daycare. What are your thoughts about them?
Sincerely,
Dawn in Dunwoody

Dear Dawn,

Doggie Daycare is the BOMB and there are many benefits for both you and your dog if the situation fits your Labs’ personality.

One reason to take your pup to daycare is for socialization. Take your pooch for a trial run to see how he interacts with the different personalities. Sometimes large dogs become aggressive towards smaller dogs, so it’s important to make sure the daycare keeps the small and large dogs separated. If your Lab does not have an easy-going, submissive personality, daycare may not be the right environment for him or her. Hiring a Petsitter to excerise your dog could be an alternative this case.

Daycare is the perfect place for Labs to let out their energy and play. It’s like a gym membership for dogs! If your dog spends more time on the couch then he does on a leash, then daycare may be the answer.

Another great reason to go to daycare is for those days when you know you will be gone from home for a long period of time. Your Lab will get plenty of attention and someone will make sure he gets outside and “does his business”. If you are still potty training, daycare is also a good solution to keep him on your schedule.

Before you pick a daycare, make sure these items are on your “MUST HAVE” list:

  • Trained and certified owners and staff
  • Staff is trained in first aid for pets
  • The play area is supervised at all times, with lots of room for playing indoors and out
  • Willing to give you a tour of the entire facility. Nothing should be off limits.
  • Clean! This is hard thing to accomplish with so many four-legged pups in-house, but it is a must. If they can keep it clean, then that is the place for you!

There is a lot of information available online if you have more questions. Here are two links to start you out:

1.   Dog Day Care -- Good-or-Bad
2.   Choosing A Good Dog Day Care  

I hope you find this info helpful and can see the benefits! If you are looking for a great social spot and an outlet for all of that Lab energy, check out a Doggie Daycare near you. 

 Email  Dear Labby  with all your Lab questions. Submissions may be edited for space and style.

Return to March Newsletter

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

It's Spring and Fur is in the Air

If your furniture, floor and carpets have more [pet] hair on them then your Uncle Fred’s head, you know Spring is here!

The fact is, shedding fur is a natural process for dogs (and cats). Some shed year-round, while others may only shed in the spring to reduce their winter coat. Dogs will also shed broken or damaged hair if their skin is irritated from by allergies. Yes, like people dogs can have seasonal allergies too.

Although the cycle of losing fur is just part of being a dog, there are ways to help control the amount of shedding, while keeping the home cleaner and the dog more comfortable. A schedule of regular grooming, vet visits and a healthy diet can help reduce the amount of shedding from your pet.

Daily Grooming

Plan a regular grooming schedule for the dog. Brush him daily to control the release of fur. Go outside, and smooth the brush over his back, tummy and legs. Allow the loose hairs to fall outside and collect in a dog brush. This will reduce the amount of loose fur on the dog's body, keep the interior of the home cleaner and provide daily attention for the dog.

Bi-Weekly Baths: Tips for Washing Your Dog

The sooner you get the dead coat out, the sooner a new coat will come in. “Self-serve” dog washes are an excellent option to using your bathtub or paying an expensive grooming fee.

Wet your dog with the warmest water your dog can stand. You want it very warm, but not hot enough to burn the dog's skin. Use your fingers to work through the coat and loosen it up. You don’t need shampoo. Work your fingers through the coat as you lift and wash away the fur from the dog.

Use a blow dryer to dry the coat. The dryer will help to blow away any remaining loose hair.

Never Shave a Lab

The ONLY reason to shave anything on a Lab is:

1. For Surgery
2. For a Hot Spot

Only your vet should shave the area that needs to be shaved. If you see a hot spot, then let your vet treat it to keep it from spreading. Shaving a Lab for routine maintenance is WRONG and is NOT healthy for the dog.

The Facts and Fiction About Shaving A Lab:

Fiction: Shaving a Lab will reduce shedding.
Fact: The dog will only shed shorter hairs.

Fiction: All that hair must make the dog hot.
Fact: The undercoat actually keeps the dog cooler.

Fiction: Dogs can’t get sun burned.
Fact: A shaved dog has and increase risk of being exposed to damaging UV rays that they would not otherwise be exposed to

More suggestions...

1. Feed your dog appropriate pet food. A pet’s coat is often a reflection of what they eat. Feed a high quality/premium food with good digestible protein sources.

2. Cover your furniture and car seats. Upholstery is a magnet for pet hair, and removing pet hair from furniture or car seats can be tedious. If you allow pets on your furniture or bed, you would be wise to invest in a few furniture throws. Throws will keep your furniture looking (and smelling) better and make your home more inviting to guests. Car seat covers are also an excellent investment and are highly recommended.

3. Control allergies and fleas. If your pet is scratching because of allergies, supplement with Vitacaps® and Biotin to control inhalant allergies that irritate the skin. Be sure to see your veterinarian to make sure your pet is getting proper allergy relief. To prevent itching and scratching from fleas, use a flea repellent that your vet recommends to prevent and control infestations.

4. Have regular checkups. Many diseases can affect the skin and haircoat. Regular visits to your veterinarian will help identify problems early and provide more effective treatment.

5. To control shedding, use the right brush. Not all are created equal.

6. Remove hair from upholstery and your dog’s bed as soon as possible. Newly shed hair is easier to remove before it works its way into upholstery fabric. A tape roller is one of the best tools for removing hair.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Grace's Law Passes onto the GA Senate

Urge the GA Senate to Ban Remaining Gas Chambers!

On March 16, 2010 the Georgia House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly, 132-49, to pass H.B. 788 which would ban use of the remaining CO gas chambersto kill shelter animals in Georgia and also make heartstick illegal by statute.

WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW

Grace's Law, is now assigned to the Georgia Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee whose members are found here.(Just click on their names for contact info.) Georgia State Senator Jack Murphy is the bill's senate sponsor.

Call or Fax (no emails) and Urge the committee members to vote yes on H.B. 788 and end use of CO gas chambers and cruel heartstick to kill shelter animals. All but a handful of Georgia counties and cities inside and outside of metro Atlanta have already stopped this! A list of the counties/cities can be found here. If one of the committee members is your state senator, be sure to let him or her know that.

COUNTIES/CITIES USING GAS CHAMBERS

1. Ashburn, City of (in Turner County)
2. Cobb County
3. Butts County Animal Control
4. Cordele, City of (in Crisp County)
5. Cuthbert, City of (in Randolph County)
6. Haralson County Animal Shelter
7. Hawkinsville, City of (in Pulaski County)
8. Henry County Animal Control
9. Lakeland, City of (in Lanier County)
10. Mitchell County Animal Control
11. Vienna, City of Animal Shelter (in Dooly County)

While animal euthanasia is not a pleasant topic, the ability to get a more humane Animal Welfare act passed into Georgia law makes it a topic worth broadcasting and providing to friends with information.

Grace's Law is the first step in a ground swelling movement to Reform Animal Welfare Law in Georgia. The next focus for Reform will be to reduce the at-risk population (through education and more effective spay/neuter programs) by at least 60% and give the politicians a reason to do it- $140million/year in savings.
For more information click here

Return to March Newsletter

Friday, February 12, 2010

ALR Says Farwell to Trevor

by Fern Garber


"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers

Although it’s never easy, and despite our best efforts, sometimes we at Atlanta Lab Rescue must say good-bye to one of our charges. It is with sadness that earlier this month we helped Trevor cross the Rainbow Bridge.

Trevor arrived at Atlanta Lab Rescue in June of 2009. At that time, he was taken to the vet to be neutered where it was discovered he had a grade 5 heart murmur (grade 6 is the max). Yet, even with this condition and although he was an older rescue (his age was ‘guesstimated’ at about 14), Atlanta Lab Rescue Board Member and volunteer extraordinaire, Frank Conn, agreed to foster Trevor to make whatever time he had left comfortable and dignified. For almost eight months, Trevor played and ran with Frank’s other dogs. He loved everyone, made people laugh and never created problems in the home. When Frank traveled, Becky took on the fostering care.

Frank was planning to bring Trevor to the January 31st Adoption Day at the Buckhead Petsmart, but on Saturday, Trevor’s health took a turn for the worse. His systems were failing and he was losing the battle. So, in the afternoon on February 4, Frank took the gentle soul to the vet and bid him farewell.
 
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. 
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
 
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

1 in 5 prefers pet to partner for Valentine’s Day

Reuters  Mon., Feb. 8, 2010


NEW YORK - Rather than spending Valentine's Day with their partner, one-fifth of adults would prefer to be with their pet, according to a joint global poll by Reuters/Ipsos.

The survey of 24,000 people in 23 countries found 21 percent of adults would rather spend February 14 with their pet than their spouse, although the French were least likely to choose a furry friend over a human, with only 10 percent taking that option.

But the survey found that age and income were more of a determining factor than nationality when it came to romance, with younger, less affluent people more likely to choose their pet as their Valentine's Day companion.

John Wright, senior vice president of Ipsos, said 25 percent of people aged under 35 opted for their pet over their partner compared to 18 percent of those aged 35-54 and 14 percent of people aged 55 plus.
Men and women were evenly split over the question.

Those choosing pets over people were also more likely to be those who have a lower income (24 percent) compared to those who were middle or higher income earners (20 percent).

"Likely defying stereotype, the desire to spurn a partner for a pet is not rooted in gender but rather age and even there it seems the older you are, the least likely it is you'd choose pet over partner," said Wright.
"While there are country differences, it's more of a personal choice made by younger and less affluent individuals."

On a country-by-country basis, residents of Turkey were the most likely, at 49 percent, to choose their pet over their spouse or partner.

Next came India with 41 percent, then Japan with 30 percent, China with 29 percent, the United States with 27 percent and Australia with 25 percent.

On the other hand, the nations where residents were the least likely to want to spend the day with a pet instead of their spouse or partner were France at 10 percent, Mexico 11 percent, the Netherlands 12 percent and Hungary at 12 percent.

About 1,000 individuals participated on a country by country basis via an Ipsos (http://www.ipsos.com) online panel with weighting employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflected that of the adult population according to the most recent country census data.


Tuesday, January 26, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR


All of us at Atlanta Lab Rescue want to wish our friends and supporters, fosters and volunteers a Happy New Year!  We hope 2010 finds you in good spirits and optimistic for the coming year.  Our inaugural issue of  The Real Labs of Atlanta Calendar was and continues to be a great hit.  Sales are strong and as a fundraiser, we've managed to satisfy some of our outstanding veterinarian costs. But, it wouldn't have been successful without the many supporters, contributors and consumers who helped by promoting, disstributing and purchasing calendars throughout Atlanta and surrounding communities.  The dogs would like to give everyone a well deserved scratch behind the ears and a tummy rub.  You Rock!

Although we are an all volunteer organization, we do have overhead;  which consists mostly of medical care and treatment of our rescues, including spaying/neutering, vaccinations, heart worm treatment and urgent care needs when we bring in animals.   As the dogs are on the mend, our costs then turn to fostering, housing and finding forever homes for those in the program.  On average it costs $600 to bring a dog into our program and vet them for adoption.

We are proud to report as of December 31st, 2009 we rescued, cared for and took in more than 325 dogs. This year we hope to raise the bar and save 400. I know together, with your continued support, we can we reach this goal!  

Becky Cross
Atlanta Lab Rescue

 

© 2009 Atlanta Lab Rescue