Meet With HSUS for Animals in Upstate New York

	Ithaca, New York HSUS Lobby 101 Seminar Monday, Dec. 7, 2009 6:30 - 8 p.m. Click here to RSVP. Watertown, New York HSUS Lobby 101 Seminar Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009 6 - 8 p.m. Click here to RSVP. Syracuse, New York HSUS Grassroots Meeting Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 6:30 - 8 p.m. Click here to RSVP. Albany, New York HSUS Grassroots Meeting Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009 6:30 - 8 p.m. Click here to RSVP.

Dear Friend,

Great things are happening for animals across New York. I'm the New York State Director of the Humane Society of the United States and I'll be hosting several free events throughout Upstate New York next month. I hope you'll join me to learn how you can take action for animals. Check the list for an event near you and click the links to get more details and to RSVP.

The U.S. Congress and the New York state legislature will be considering legislation that would significantly impact animals, such as a bill to help strengthen animal fighting laws and a bill to stop the proliferation of puppy mills in New York. We want you to know the most effective ways to get involved and communicate your message.

I'll hold two Lobby 101 seminars -- Dec. 7 in Ithaca and Dec. 8 in Watertown. Lobby 101s will provide you with basic, but effective, lobby techniques for citizen activists and provide information regarding some of the bills and issues being considered this year.

I'll also hold two grassroots meetings -- Dec. 9 in Syracuse and Dec. 10 in Albany. At these grassroots meetings, you'll have the opportunity to discuss current issues affecting animals and receive an update on animal protection legislation in which HSUS is currently engaged.

All events are free of charge, but an RSVP is requested to attend. Click on the links to learn more and to RSVP now.

Hope to see you at one of these events!

Sincerely,

Patrick Kwan
New York State Director
The Humane Society of the United States

P.S. Join The HSUS New York State group on Facebook. It's free (and fun) to set up your own profile and get involved.

P.P.S. Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/heypatrick.

Dogs Deserve Better: Winter Outreach

Please join SARO to remind people that a life on a chain is no life at all, but this holds especially true during the winter months.  On Saturday, December 5th SARO will be standing on the corner of Alliance Bank Pkwy and Park St asking people to please be kind to their dogs this winter and bring them indoors.

Why: To increase public awareness that having dogs on chains or in pens is not only inhumane and barbaric but also a public safety issue. More info at www.dogsdeservebetter.org
When: Saturday, December 5th, 3:30pm-4:30pm
Where: Syracuse, NY, on the corner of Alliance Bank Parkway and Park St.
NOTE: The Carousel Mall entrance is directly across the street from where we'll be. Mapquest: Type in 2100 Park St. for the Regional Market. If you are driving to this event please park in the Regional Market or the Regional Transportation Center parking lots not in the Carousel Center parking lot.
What to bring: Signs will be provided, or bring your own. Sign ideas are:"Dogs are family, too"; "Unchain your dog"; "No chains or pens for dogs"; etc.


Please remember to DRESS WARMLY!  We will be in the shade and it will be much cooler than you might expect.

Demonstration Location Map:


View Larger Map

Kitty, Reunited With Guardian, is Sole Survivor of House Fire

Last Friday, around four in the afternoon, a fire broke out at 1305 Cedarbrook Drive in Rome, NY.  Smoke and fire were reportedly coming from the house when the fire department rolled onto the scene.  Trapped inside where three feline friends, but their sole guardian, Dawn Baris, was not at home at this time.  According to one report, the house suffered substantial heat and smoke damage through out.  According to Rome Deputy Fire Chief Mark Kohlbrenner, two of the three cats did not survive. EMTs administered oxygen to the third cat, the cat is going to live.

While we can't all stay home to watch our companion animals 24/7, we can help fire and rescue teams by putting a decal on our front doors or windows that lets them know their are animals inside.  You can buy one from most pet stores or you can order a free one from the ASPCA.

Fireworks Safety

It's the forth of July and while you may be looking forward to the fireworks that come with the holiday, your pets are not.  To your pet, fireworks are loud, confusing and down right scary.

For your pet's safety and comfort you should:

• Leave your pet at home.  Your house is where your pet spends most of their time and therefore where the feel the safest. If they become scared while at home they will be less likely to run off, but if they do, it will make it easier for your pet to find it's way home.
• Bring your pet indoors.  Putting the walls and curtains of the house between your pet and the lights and sounds of the fireworks will help your pet feel safer.  Being indoors will also make it harder for your pet to run off.  Make sure you close the curtains as your pet may break through a glass window for a path to escape.
  
• Take your pet for a walk before the fireworks start.  Having your pet go potty before the fireworks will help keep your pet from having "accidents" should they become frightened from the fireworks.
• Make sure your pet's tags are up to date.  Should your pet run away during the fireworks, current tags help anyone who finds your pet get them back to you.  You should include a cell phone number on your pet's id tags, if possible.
  
• Don't bring the fireworks home.  Your pet is going to be curious and want to investigate new smells and sounds.  So when you light a firework and set it on the ground to get a safe distance before it explodes, your pet is going to investigate the firework, which may explode in your pet's face.

Have A Happy and Safe 4th of July!!

Additional Links:

• HSUS: Fireworks Are No Blast For Pets
• PETA - Fireworks Disasters: Tell Us Your Story