United Hope for Animals would like to support the efforts of the Humane Society of the United States on behalf of mistreated puppy mill dogs across the country. We urge you to please sign their petition.
According to the HUSU, in response to concerns about thousands of dogs who are denied basic humane care at large-scale commercial breeding facilities, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published a proposed rule that would close a gaping loophole in the Animal Welfare Act regulations. The rule would require large-scale breeding facilities that sell puppies sight-unseen over the Internet, by phone, or by mail to be licensed and regularly inspected for basic humane care standards.
Do your part to help improve the conditions of puppy mill dogs everywhere by supporting the efforts of the Humane Society of the United States. Not only does it help the dogs, but it will help prevent heartbreak for those families that unwittingly purchase one of these dogs from a pet store or online. Oftentimes they have untreatable genetic abnormalities or remain sickly throughout their lives because of unscrupulous breeding practices.
Pets arriving at the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center come in all shapes, sizes and states.
On April 19, A4419212, an eight-year-old (possibly older) Westie-Maltese mix, was brought into the shelter having been found as a stray. Knowing that senior pets often need extra networking to find a new home, we added him to our list for Glamour Shot Day that weekend. As a result, A4419212 became “Tommy,” and our volunteers soon realized what an amazing personality he had. Sociable, sweet, gracious and calm, he quickly bonded with his handler during the shoot. We also discovered that his teeth had been very neglected (he cried when we tried to look) and he badly needed dental work – another strike against this senior’s chances of adoption.
Once the shoot wrapped up, one volunteer couldn’t stop thinking about Tommy, and very generously offered to sponsor his dental work if a good adopter could be found. Incredibly, that is exactly what happened!
Tommy was adopted just a few days later, thanks to the help of everyone who touched Tommy’s life once he was at the shelter: the photographers who captured his image, the volunteers who spent time getting to know him during the shoot, the posters who put his profile on Petfinder.com, where his new mom found him, the adoption coordinator who answered the potential adopter’s call and facilitated a meet and greet at the shelter, and, of course, the volunteer whose generous donation of dental work helped make this possible.
Tommy and new sister Sasha.
Here is Tommy (right) three days after his adoption, out for a walk with his new sister, Sasha. He has been groomed and had his dental work done, and while he is down to just two teeth, we think he’s looking great! Congratulations to Tommy and thanks to all those involved.
Tommy’s story is just one example of how our team of dedicated volunteers rallies round when needed. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to save nearly as many lives. We’re always on the lookout for more volunteers, in all kinds of roles, so if you’re interested in helping us continue our vital Shelter Support Program with Baldwin Park, please fill out an application on our website.
We recently received an update from Tommy’s new mom, Susie. She told us that she realized she kept referring to him as “My Little Trooper”… so “Tommy” is now “Trooper”! Susie’s vet thinks that Trooper is closer in age to 12, and that, while he’s lost most of his sight and hearing, his heart and lungs are strong. Sasha has welcomed him into the house, and he enjoys his soft treats and his walks. As Susie summarizes, “He is a happy little dog and, I think, very much enjoying his retirement home.”
Update: We are extremely sad to report that Tommy passed away last week, following several fairly serious health problems and increasing dementia. Susie reports, “He greatly enjoyed his meals and treats, his two beds, a warm house and neighborhood walks. Sasha and I were happy to spoil him, and we will miss him.”
While we are so sorry that Tommy is no longer with us, we are very glad that he enjoyed an extra year of quality life that otherwise he wouldn’t have had – thanks to Susie, Holly, Susan, Janette, Viri and all the UHA volunteers who made it happen.
This here’s Tucker!! This lucky dog is certainly a toughie, he was hit by a car and lived to bark about it. Named for the way he has to “tuck” his back leg underneath him… and for good reason!
He was left at the Baldwin Park Shelter with a broken back leg and a fractured neck, and with no funds available to fix him, this little trooper sat in his cage in the medical ward, unseen by anyone who was looking for a new doggy to adopt, and destined to be put to sleep without anyone even noticing he was there. When we first discovered him, his sweet brown eyes told us a LOT.
He was very sick, in a lot of pain, and was giving up on life. It’s sad to think that a once wiggly and playful puppy no longer had the strength or the spirit to lift his little head.
We scooped him up and headed to Dr. Jones’ vet office in Santa Monica, where it was discovered that he had developed kennel cough that had progressed into severe pneumonia. Luckily, his neck healed on it’s own while he laid still in his shelter cage, and broken back leg isn’t in too bad of shape, so surgery will have him up and going for walks on all four legs in no time!! But unfortunately, little Tucker doesn’t have health insurance… That’s where YOU come in!
IT’S FUNDRAISER TIME!
Tucker’s foster dad, Matt, will be participating in the California 2012 70.3 mile Ironman Triathlon this Saturday, March 31 in honor of, and dedicated to Tucker and all of the amazing people at United Hope for Animals (UHA), who spend their days and nights saving those who cannot save themselves, and creating a world where the relationship between humankind and animals is guided by compassion, and not cruelty.
They actively participate in the struggle to end the needless suffering on innocent animals through spaying and neutering, rescue, and adoption. UHA is also working with the Humane Society of Tijuana to help their extreme need for spay/neuter clinics, medical care, and they are working to help end the horrible practice of euthanization by electrocution of dogs and cats in shelters.
Your tax-deductible donation toward his surgery will not only give Tucker the chance to run and play like a puppy again after his broken leg has been fixed, but any donations that go beyond the money needed for his surgery will be allocated to SO MANY other sweet doggies and kitties who are awaiting their fates in the shelters. NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL—OR TOO BIG!
With your help, we can help to ensure that many more can be rescued from those cold, wet floors, and placed is the warm, loving, and responsible homes that they deserve. After all, who else do we human beings look to for the pure and absolute unconditional love that only a furry companion can provide…?
We have a lot to learn from these guys, and anyone who has ever welcomed an animal into their life knows the answer to the question: who rescued whom?
*** Special thanks to the team of people who made it possible for us to rescue sweet Tucker: the Baldwin Park Staff and Volunteers, Linda D, Laura & the tireless people at United Hope for animals, Suzann, Dr. Jones & his staff, Tucker’s Foster Family and their vet friend, and YOU, for reading his story and donating to help us help him! THANK YOU!
UPDATE: A big, HUGE thank you to everyone who was rooting for Matt as he set out to tackle the 70.3 mile California Iron Man Triathlon with a determination to not only finish the race, but raise enough money so that little Tucker could have the surgery on his leg that he so desperately needs.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this worthwhile fundraiser, Matt was able to more than $3,500! The donations will be enough to cover Tucker’s costs for surgery, his post operation care, as well as give United Hope for Animals a little extra to help save the lives of a few more sweet and deserving pets like Tucker.
It’s not every day that we are able to raise as much as we did during this fundraiser, and we thank Matt for charging thru the difficulties and challenges of an Iron Man Triathlon. When asked what he thought about when he was reaching extremes of exhaustion along his race, out of breath he answered, “Well, a lot of things! Mostly I reminded myself that I was racing for Tucker and all of the homeless animals out there who need someone to fight for them.
“And I thought about all of my friends, family, and co-workers who donated so generously… it gave me a whole lot more strength to keep going even when I thought my legs were going to just give out. Thanks so everyone for their love and support!! WOOOOO TUCKER!! We did it, little buddy!!!”
For those of you who are pinching pennies this year, but still want to help United Hope for Animals do our vital lifesaving work with dogs and cats, consider signing up with GoodSearch.com and choosing United Hope for Animals as your charity.
One person just doing regular web searches and making occasional online purchases will raise about $1 per month for UHA, but if we get enough people to participate then $1 will turn into $10 and that will turn into $40 per month and so on.
As an added incentive, once UHA has 10 people signed on to participate, we will start giving away a free UHA baseball cap to the person who earns the most money for us on GoodSearch.com. Our baseball caps are well made with a velcro closure to fit all head sizes. It’s a navy blue with our logo on the front and slogan on the back.
In addition, once you have started using Good Search, spread the word by adding a simple signature line to your emails:
United Hope for Animals would like to support the efforts of the Humane Society of the United States on behalf of mistreated puppy mill dogs across the country. We urge you to please sign their petition. 
This here’s Tucker!! This lucky dog is certainly a toughie, he was hit by a car and lived to bark about it. Named for the way he has to “tuck” his back leg underneath him… and for good reason!
He was very sick, in a lot of pain, and was giving up on life. It’s sad to think that a once wiggly and playful puppy no longer had the strength or the spirit to lift his little head.
Your tax-deductible donation toward his surgery will not only give Tucker the chance to run and play like a puppy again after his broken leg has been fixed, but any donations that go beyond the money needed for his surgery will be allocated to SO MANY other sweet doggies and kitties who are awaiting their fates in the shelters. NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL—OR TOO BIG!
One person just doing regular web searches and making occasional online purchases will raise about $1 per month for UHA, but if we get enough people to participate then $1 will turn into $10 and that will turn into $40 per month and so on.