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ANIMAL RADIO | December 21, 2003
a not-for-profit tri-weekly newsletter
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In this newsletter:

* AKRON, OHIO - CAT HATERS' CITY
* "MAX" TOPS LIST OF PET NAMES
* HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS - NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO ADOPT
* WHAT TO DO IF YOU YOUR PET IS "M.I.A."

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THIS WEEK ON ANIMAL RADIO
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Best Friend's founders Michael Mountain and Francis Battista explore a dog owner that sued the American Kennel Club over the length of his Spaniel's tail, Germans that are outlawing the use of live animals in the circus, the Whitehouse taking advantage of loophole to make changes in the endangered species acts so that endangered animals in other countries can be imported and killed, a cat missing for ten years that returned home.

Then, Best Friend's founder Faith Maloney and resident vet Dr. Virg answer your phone calls.

And before it's all over for this week - we've rounded up all the best Animal Stories. Grab ye chestnuts and gather round the hearth for holiday stories from Karen Lee Stevens, Dean (and Trixie) Koontz, Peter Gethers, Michael Mountain and Mel Blanc. Stories include the tear jerking Jim Willis' "How Could You" and "The Origins of Cat and Dog" as told by ASPCA President, Ed Sayres.

And next week, we're LOOKING BACK at 2003 in the Animal World.
Guests include the President of Maddie's Fund, Richard Avanzino;
Animal Protection Institute's Michell Thew;
Editor of "Animal People," Merritt Clifton;
President for the Fund for Animals, Michael Markarian;
and actress and advocate, Tippi Hedren.
The week after next: Special Needs Animals

LISTEN TO ANIMAL RADIO: A list of 70+ AM-FM RADIO STATIONS that
broadcast Animal Radio is at the bottom of this newsletter. Consult your
station for day and time.

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HEAR OUR MISSION NOW: http://AnimalRadio.com/about.ram

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YOUR OPINION - WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY
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We always welcome your response to articles in our newsletter. We wish we could publish all the e-mail, but there is simply not enough space here.
You may view other comments online at http://AnimalRadio.com.
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UGLY:

Glenn Wagner responded:
I hope that the Ugly story was not meant to be a heart felt story, because
it just made me mad. Where was the author when Ugly needed them the most -
while he was living. The author writes that Ugly tried to get into the
apartments, I would assume trying to escape the hard life he was living on
the streets, but everyone turned their back on the poor guy. Ugly showed
all the signs of a loving cat, but no one would take the next step, bring
him in and save his life. What an awful ending to a desperate cat's search
for love.

Verna Miller responded:
The story of Ugly broke my heart. Thank you so much for including it. If only the world had been kinder to him. I will pass it on to my cat friends.

Lesli & Kathy of R.A.I.N. responded:
Please remove us from your list of subscribers. Your story of "Ugly" the tomcat was sad and heartbreaking, but was the most devastating was the fact that the writer claimed to care so much for this cat, yet never had him neutered or brought him inside out of harms way. How can a person profess to care so much yet let horrible things happen which are considered animal abuse. How can a decent animal loving person see this story and be shocked that no one stopped these things from happening. We here at R.A.I.N. see what happens very clearly to animals who have no defense and refuse adoption to many for having children who may very well do things as described in "Ugly's" story. It may be just a story but where is the help for this cat who no one wanted and many made fun of. Wanting to be like"Ugly"? I do not think so. Unless you want to get picked on and injured and killed while no one around would help you, when all you wanted was to be wanted and safe and loved. If this is the example of your idea of a good story for your email newsletter, count us out.

Editors notes:
To say the least, it got pretty ugly around the here after we published the story of "UGLY," We were amazed to see exactly a 50/50 division and heavy response. I personally won't stop my subscription to the Sunday Herald because there was a story that I didn't like or didn't have a happy ending, especially if it was my business to know the sad and tragic plights of animals in our country. We respect everybody's thoughts. We'll leave you to your own conclusions.
If you're new to this newsletter, you may view the story of "UGLY" by going to the "Community" area of http://AnimalRadio.com and selecting "newsletter archives.
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IDITAROD:

Pamela Leopper responded:
I am shocked and disgusted at the savage ways of this "sport." This is
unreal to imagine. Thank you for educating me on the dark side of the
races. One is lead to believe through media coverage that the dogs are
doing something they love and are so dedicated to their owners that
losing/stopping is not an option. The rosy picture I had painted in my head
of the dogs sacrificing themselves for their owners is now replaced by one
of pain and fear.

Filomena Poli Aleman responded:
As a teacher, what can I do to help?
I just read your article on the Iditarod Race. I am not just disgusted, but saddened. I used to teach about this particular race as part of a theme in my curriculum. I am a supporter of animal rights and try to do all I can to prevent animal cruelty when I know of it. Thank you for putting the information out on the WWW and Animal Radio!!!

Janice Kobi of Lancaster, OH. responded:
In the article about the Iditarod it states that the US Dept. of Agriculture disapproved of "tethering of dogs was inhumane." Could you please give us more information on this report. I work with animal abuse issues in Ohio and would like to present this to our state legislators when we meet next year. We are building our case and would welcome your support.

Editors note: The permanent tethering of dogs as a primary means of enclosure is illegal where the law applies. The law applies to those entities that must be licensed under the Animal Welfare Act- "Class A breeders." We strongly suggest you visit http://www.helpsleddogs.org to learn more. You may also email SledDogAC@aol.com if you have any additional questions regarding the inhumane treatment of dogs at the Iditarod.
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{Comments welcomed at: YourVoice@AnimalRadio.com}

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ALDF FIGHT IN HEARTLAND OHIO
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(Akron, Ohio) - Not many people hate dogs. Not many people hate horses. Not many people hate chickens or goldfish. Yet for some inexplicable reason, certain people hate cats. Just why is a mystery. But one thing's clear: Cat haters have a new capital city -- Akron, Ohio.

In 2002, the Akron city council declared war on cats by passing an ordinance that made any feline caught outdoors illegal -- and subject to summary execution. At the time, councilman Michael Williams told his fellow council members he'd "sleep fine" if 20,000 cats died as a result. Sadly, it looks like Williams is getting his wish. More than 2,000 cats and kittens have been killed since the ordinance was passed, and dozens more are dying each week.

"What's happening in Akron is both a tragedy and a travesty," says ALDF Executive Director Joyce Tischler. "There are more compassionate -- and effective ways to control the feral and stray cat populations. But rather than explore these options, Akron's leaders have gone on an indiscriminate killing spree."

Fortunately, animal advocates in Akron are fighting back -- and ALDF's backing them up.

ALDF attorney Jeffrey Holland has filed suit on behalf of six Akron residents with cats. "We did everything we could to seek compromise and common ground," Holland says, pointing out that local activists presented the city with a variety of alternative plans that would use trap-neuter-return strategies to reduce the number of free-roaming cats.

Though these models were based on successful programs in other Ohio towns, the council ignored them, passing instead an ordinance that essentially sentences outdoor cats to death.

"The council wasn't interested in alternatives," says Deanne Christman-Resch, co-chair of Citizens for Humane Animal Practices (CHAP), which was formed to fight the ordinance. "They basically wanted to round up cats because they consider them a nuisance. They claimed cats are a big health concern because of rabies, but that's bogus. There hasn't been a case of cat or dog rabies in this county for decades."

It's not just the city's motives that have been called into question. So have its methods. The city hands out cat-traps to anyone who asks for them. As long as a trap is "active" -- i.e., capturing cats on a regular basis -- the individual is allowed to keep it.

"We know that people are trapping cats to get back at neighbors because of personal feuds," she says. "People who are in organized dog-fighting are trapping cats because they can use them to train their dogs. We've got animal dealers here who sell cats to research. A lot of these animals are never even making it to the pound." says Holland.

Certainly the city has done nothing to deal with the problem humanely -- it doesn't even have a spay/neuter program despite studies (presented to the city council by CHAP) that demonstrate that such efforts are cheaper and more cost-effective than killing.

"What does it say about a community's government when both public sentiment and hard facts are ignored and numerous offers of expertise and assistance are rebuffed?" asks Becky Robinson, national director of Alley Cat Allies, which has been working with CHAP to fight the ordinance. "In the face of something so vile, everyone -- not just the people of Akron -- must stand up and demand that it stop."

{ALDF, go to www.aldf.org. | Alley Cat Allies, go to www.alleycat.org.
Hear ADLF countdown 2003 with Animal Radio next week, go to http://AnimalRadio.com}

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TOP NAMES OF 2003 ACCORDING TO VPI
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BREA, Calif. - Most people like to think of their pets as members of the family, and they demonstrate it by giving them human names. Pet owners don't usually get too creative, according to new research released today by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI).
ÊÊÊÊÊ After conducting a thorough review of its policyholder records, VPI, the country's oldest and largest health insurance plan for pets, found that the most common pet name is Max. It ranks number one for male dogs, cats and birds.
ÊÊÊÊÊ "Unlike human children's names, which can become popular choices based on famous actors or athletes at the time, pet names appear to be fairly consistent," explains Dr. Aine McCarthy, director of Veterinary Services at VPI. "Of course, having a common name doesn't keep your pets from being very special to us."
ÊÊÊÊÊ Following are the top 10 pet names of 2003, based on VPI's 360,000 policyholders:

1. Max
2. Bailey
3. Buddy
4. Molly
5. Maggie
6. Jake
7. Lucy
8. Daisy
9. Rocky
10. Sadie

ÊÊÊÊÊ Other common names among VPI client's pets are Buddy, which appears in the top 10 list for male dogs, cats, birds and reptiles, and Lucy, which is the most popular female exotic (rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.) name and appears in the top 10 list of female dogs, cats, birds and reptiles.

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ANIMAL RADIO ADDS RADIO STATIONS
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Animal Radio adds new affiliates: If you are one the many "Best Friends" employees or volunteers, you now can listen to "Best Friends" on Animal Radio in Kanab. All of Southern Utah joins the radio network on KREC Star 98.1 and KDXU am 890. For a complete list of the 70+ radio stations that air "Best Friends" on Animal Radio, scroll down.

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HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS
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More than 200,000 orphaned dogs and cats are expected to begin the New Year in their new homes following the 5th annual Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive.

Home 4 the Holidays began in 1999 when Helen Woodward Animal Center organized 14 San Diego area shelters, finding homes for orphaned pets. Each pet ãwent homeä with a holiday meal of Iams food and a booklet of coupons redeemable at PETCO.

In its 4th year 1,200 Home 4 the Holidays animal shelters and pet rescue groups in 20 countries completed 180,000 adoptions during the holidays.
From November 10, 2003 through January 4, 2004 animal shelters and rescue groups worldwide will ãjoin pawsä during Home 4 the Holidays 2003 with a goal of 225,000 adoptions.

ãHome 4 the Holidays will continue to break records,ä according to its creator, Michael M. Arms, President of Helen Woodward Animal Center. ãWhat better gift can any of us give during the holiday season than to give a home to an orphaned pet?

Arms says that adopting a shelter pet during the holidays is a necessity.Ê ãMore families invite pets into their homes during the holidays than any other time of year. If our shelters turn them away, we may as well give them a map and send them to a puppy mill while the orphans continue to wake up behind bars.ä

{You can hear Mike Arms this week on Best Friends http://AnimalRadio.com}

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THE FEELING OF FEAR THAT OVERCOMES YOUR ENTIRE BODY
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...when you first realize that your pet is missing. She's not where she should be. You've heard that the first few minutes of your pets disappearance can make all the difference in the world.

Finding Your Lost Pet ö What Do You Do?
First of all, make sure your pet is really lost by searching your property very carefully. There are a lot of small spaces in a home that a pet can get into. Donât overlook the smallest of spaces, as you would be surprised as to what an animal can get into. Some places to search in the house are under furniture, in the clothes and linen closets and even in your bookshelves. When looking outside your home, you should check both under and in vehicles, under the house, in drain pipes and even in the trees.

Okay, youâve searched your property very carefully, and youâre sure that your pet is missing. What do you do?

First, start searching your neighborhood. Walk around and call your petâs name, but also knock on your neighborsâ doors. They most likely know your pet, and if they havenât seen them lately, will keep an eye out for you. And, talk to everyone you see from the paperboy to the school crossing guard. Are there kids in your neighborhood? Kids are also a great for searching for lost pet, as you would be surprised as to how much ground they can cover on their bikes. When searching your neighborhood, make sure you search at different times of the day and night. Most often cats donât stray too far and are usually on the move in the early morning or evening hours.

Put up flyers in your neighborhood with your petâs picture and your contact information, offering a reward, but donât state the amount. Things to include are the date and place your pet was lost, breed, sex, age, weight, color and any special markings along with your telephone number. Donât put your name on the flyer. And, if there are small businesses in your neighborhood, ask them if you can leave some flyers with them. Another good idea is to place the flyer in your local grocery store in the pet food aisle.

You should also put an ad in your local paper. Check with your local newspapers and radio stations. Some will allow you to post this information for free.

Next, visit your local shelter, as well as all shelters within a 20 miles radius. You should do this at least every other day, because most shelters donât keep animals longer than 72 hours. Make sure that you also leave a flyer with these shelters.

Have you ever thought about checking with the highway department? This is hard to do, but you need to know. The highway maintenance department is required to give a list of any deceased animals found to the animal control, even if they were wearing tags.

You may event want to consider hiring a pet detective. No, not Jim Carey, but a real professional. Make sure that you ask what their fees are up front, check their references and find out if they charge you if they donât find your pet. Also, find out if they look for missing animals and not just ones that have been stolen.

There are some precautions you can take to make sure that your pet doesnât get lost, and if they do, what you can do to make sure that they are found and returned quickly. Make sure that they are wearing identification. A Microchip or a pet tattoo is also a good thing to do. Take photos of your pet so you will have recent photos should they become lost. And, spaying or neutering your pet will also help, as altered animals are much less likely to stray.

Whatever you do, donât give up. Sometimes animals can disappear for months and then suddenly show up on your doorstep.

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FINAL THOUGHT
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Dog's Rules For Christmas

1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.

2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:
Don't pee on the tree
Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree
Mind your tail when you are near the tree
If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open
Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree

5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part:
Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans
Don't eat off the buffet table
Beg for goodies subtly
Be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa
Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach unless you can get away with it...

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important:
Observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important)
Respect the territory of other animals that may live in theÊhouse
Tolerate children
Turn on your charm big time

7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night.

DON'T BITE HIM!!

Happy Holidays from all of us here at Animal Radio!!

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ANIMAL RADIO STATION AFFILIATE LIST
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2 million weekly listeners and growing. Welcoming STAR 98.1 and News Talk KDXU 890 to Animal Radio. You can hear these great stations all the way from Mesquite, Nevada to Best Friends country in Kanab Utah. New stations soon TBA for Pennsylvania.

STATE MARKET CALL FREQ TIME DAY
AK Dillingham KRUP 99.1
AL Birmingham WSMQ 1450
AR Hope KXAR 1490
CA Los Angeles KOST 103.5 6:30am Sunday
CA Santa Barbara KTMS 990 6pm Sunday
CA San Luis Obispo KVEC 920 6pm Sunday
CA Santa Maria KSMA 1240 6pm Sunday
CO Buena Vista KDMN 1450 6:00 Saturday
CO Colorado Springs KWYD 1580 6:00 Saturday
CO Denver/Longmont/Boulder KLMO 1060 6:00 Saturday
CO Vail/Aspen/Breckenridge KSKE 610 6:00 Saturday
CT Bridgeport WICC 600
CT Hartford WNTY 990 4pm Saturday
CT New London WSUB 980
DC Washington D.C. WPLC 1050 9am Sunday
FL Ft. Meyers/Naples WCNZ 1660 3 Sunday
FL Sarasota
FL Sebring WWTK 730
GA Jasper WYYZ 1490
IA Marshalltown KFJB 1230
ID Idaho Falls KZNI 1260
ID Pocatello KZNR 690
IL Chicago WBIG 1280 3 Sunday
IL Elgin WRMN 1410 2 pm Thursday
IL Princeton WZOE 1490
IL Vandalia WTRH 93.3
IL Sterling WSDR 1240
IN Marion WGOM 860
KY Murray WNBS 1340
KY Murray WKJM 1320
LA Lake Charles KAOK 1400
MA Boston WBPS 890 3 Sunday
MA Providence WPEP 1570
MD Baltimore WHFC 91.1 noon Wednesday
ME Portland WLOB 1310
ME Rumford WLOB 96.3
MN Duluth-Superior WDSM 710
MN Waseca KOWZ 1170
MO Osage Beach KRMS 1150
MO West Plains KWPM 1450
MS Greenwood WABG 960
NC Albemarle WSPC 1010
NC Charlotte WSPC 1010
NM Clovis KICA 980
NM Los Alamos KRSN 1490
NV Las Vegas KSHP 1400 8pm Sunday
NY Crown Point WIPS 1250
NY Brentwood/Long Island WXBA 88.1 9am Sunday
OH Portsmouth WPAY 1400
OR Salem KYKN 1430
PA Ambridge WMBA 1460
PA Pittsburgh WBVP 1230
PA Youngstown WPIC 790
RI Providence WNRI 1380 3 Sun
SD Mitchell KORN 1490 9am Sat
SC Greenville WAIM 1230
SC Florence WJMX 970
SC Charleston WTMA 1250
TN Chattanooga WGOW 1150
TX Brownwood KXYL 96.9
TX Tyler/Longview KRBA 1340
TX Lubbock KKYN 1090
TX Texarkana KTFS 940
UT St. George/Brian Head KREC 98.1 6am Sunday
UT St. George/ Kanab KDXU 890 am 10am Sunday
VA Johnson City WFHG 980
VA Johnson City WFHG 92.7
VA Richmond WHAN 1430
VT Burlington WIPS 1250 9am Sunday
WA Tri-Cities KTCR 1340
WV Bluefield-Beckley WHIS 1440
WV Tazewell WTZE 1470
WY Cheyenne KRAE 1480

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Meanwhile, listen online.

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