Crisis at MDAS - Urgent!!!

Okay, by now you may have heard the "state of emergency" of Miami Dade Animal Services, the county shelter that has been the target of many news releases lately. This would only add to that long list of issues that concern the citizens of Miami, and outrage the local animal advocate groups that have been targeting the shelter director, Sara Pizano.

On March 24th, a press release from the shelter manager, Xiomara Mordcovich hit the news, and circulated the web, about an epidemic of distemper, a disease found in dogs, and often cats, that is highly contagious, and left untreated, deadly! It effects the neurological system of the animals and cause them epilepsy, seizures, and it makes them very ill. They begin losing motor skills, run high fevers, and it causes them to oddly twitch. In essence, often the best thing to do for the animal showing signs of the disease, is humane euthanasia, but as I mentioned it can be treated.

In the press release, studies showed more than 50 dogs tested positive for distemper! The best thing that the shelter could do is close it's doors! People cannot contract the illness, but they can carry the disease on their clothes and transfer it to other pets. The best preventative, is of course early vaccinations, and annual boosters are a good way to keep your beloved pet from harvesting the disease. Other ways to safeguard them against distemper, is quarantine new pets you welcome into your home! As an extra precaution, you can always have your veterinarian do a blood panel to test for it as well. Plain and simple, be a responsible dog owner!

Unfortunately, the downside to closing the shelter is that the animals left inside have been potentially exposed! The thoughts of the director reflect that she will euthanize them all to rid the shelter of the disease, and then completely disinfect the shelter walls in it's entirety! How many animals might that be? 250 dogs, 60 cats, give or take. Wow! That seem like an extreme measure for so many to be culled. No one wants to hear of a "mass-killing" taking place within their community, especially of cute puppies! So of course, this started a media frenzy! Rescue groups have stepped up their efforts in order to save some lives! Calling upon the public to help in any way possible, whether it be through donations, fostering temporarily, or just plain adopting them once they are pulled from MDAS. This again, is good and bad...

I am all for saving animals lives, but does the average person really know what they might be getting into when caring for a sick pet? Minus the expenses that could easily accumulate, what about the tireless efforts of keeping this dog alive? It goes beyond your basic TLC, and there are no guarantees. So what about the heartache after weeks of vet care and love, when the animals weak body still succumbs to the illness? It's devastating. I hate to sound like I am on the side of the shelter, but I hate even more, hearing of the heart-breaking stories of someone who tried so hard and feels like a failure because the animal didn't survive. In this particular case, it would be only be the fault of the Sara Pizano for releasing these infected pets back out into the community!

She should close the shelter doors to quarantine the dogs and cats inside, but not order to euthanize them while being there. In fact, this would give them sufficient time to thoroughly clean, sanitize, disinfect, and kill the bacteria, germs, and viral diseases lurking in the cracks and crevices of the facility; but in this same time they should also stop all euthanasia unless it deemed necessary. This would allow for the disease to break if found in certain dogs, treat them, and keep them isolated. Not every dog will be positive, so why is Pizano so quick to kill? One will never know.

If you would like to help in any way, shape, or form, please contact us as soon as possible! As I will post this on our FB page too, we encourage all the sharing, cross-posting, and exposure about the subject at hand to get the word out!! We have many rescue partnerships in Miami, so as quick as the touch of a button, funds can be shared and transferred to cover the vetting expenses, and pull fees to help the ones left behind. At least with rescue groups, I can trust they are familiar with distemper and know the procedures in handling each case individually.

  

Together we can save one life at a time! Help make the difference before it's too late, please donate! Thank you!

Animal Rescue Directory on Facebook - Great Resource

http://www.lacroixtees.com/fb_directory/animal-rescue/

For all those rescue groups and organizations that are looking to get more exposure, what better way than through facebook? It's a great networking system, and most of us nowadays have a profile set up, and browse ocassionally to find the latest updates! I know that we (NCP), has a page setup to share news, crosspost for other rescues, and to accept more donations.

The link above will direct you to a facebook directory for rescues nationwide! Sign up and let them add you to their list, so when people search by region/state, it will pop up! Easy, and a fantastic idea! We are always trying to help fellow groups, especially when it come to the animals! Remember, one person can make a difference! Together, we can create a force, and save one life (or more) at a time! Thank you for helping us all make a difference! Please share, thank you!

"Make adoption, your first option!" 

The Three Little Bears

Ever heard the story of the three little bears? Well this may be a different version than what you expect!

To start, I have to tell you that my email inbox is full and overflowing! I get flooded with emails and often time I have to pick and choose which ones I open. With spring approaching, I felt some "spring cleaning" was in order, and so this morning I felt it appropriate to tackle my email account! I started scrolling along and I came across one titled "Bear Country". Well being the animal lover, I decided to find out what it was all about, and I'm so glad that I did!

Ironically, it let to another blogger page under the name Proppe's Paddles. I joined his blog, and thanked him for sharing, and so I share it with you! Comical, yet educational, this would be a dream come true for most people! All I have to say is, I'm jealous, but what an experience!

Please share and have a wonderful day everyone!

Strange Animal in our Lake

"Strange Animals"

In most housing developments of South Florida, there are lakes or ponds within the community. We have one in what would be our backyard, and it gives me great pleasure to sit on the porch and admire the view! Often times, the birds come flocking up the lower banks and wait for handouts of some sort. I've identified Coots, Muscovy Ducks, and Ibis, hanging around for free food. Ocassionally an Osprey will circle over head and skim the top of the lake as if it were merely dipping it's toes (or should I say talons?), instead of hunting for fish. And speaking of fish, I am sure there are many species in the lake, I have seen catfish, and what looks to be minnows of some sort, or perhaps offspring of some of the larger fish, and tadpoles. Though I have not seen frogs or toads by the lake, they must be close by to leave their young in the water to grow.

Anyway, at one time I was told the lake is stocked with Peacock Bass something I would be unfamiliar with. Often in the afternoons or early evenings, kids, teens, and even some adults would come down to the water with buckets in hand, and fishing gear. I assume to catch the bass, as I was told it was a decent fish to eat. Perhaps more for the sport of it, I never really saw any of them pull up much worth cooking.

Recently, I was out back in the morning enjoying the beautiful day that was to unfold, and here come the freeloaders! So I went inside and grabbed a few slices of bread to tear up and feed the hungry mouths awaiting. I chucked some pieces out ont the grass for them to find, and some in the shallows of the water. I see some of the coots scatter as if a predator was lurking below and I couldn't figure out why. They swam away from the floating bread crumbs. Then suddenly a shadow of something caught me eye! It was a huge fish, and it was skimming the water for crumbs too! It would come up and surface to eat the soggy bread and then swim over to another piece. It was becoming territorial towards the birds, so it would literally chase them off if they floated to closely to were the food was. Pretty amazing to see.

What was even more amazing was that another fish appeared and they became competative with each other! Because of the size of these fish, I had to assume these were the infamous Peacock Bass that thrived in the lake. My guess, they are about 20 inches or so, and not starving by any means! I got some great pictures of them, and then captured the video of them feeding. They seem to know when I am feeding the birds and appear to get their share of the food. Every morning, like clockwork!

Mother Nature is amazing!