Sleep Bus: A Mobile Shelter for Homeless People and Their Pets

In just two months Australian entrepreneur Simon Rowe has raised over $100,000 to convert buses into mobile shelters for the homeless and their pets.

The goal of his non-profit organization, Sleep Bus, is to provide is a comfortable and safe place to sleep for the night.

Other organizations provide long-term solutions and counseling while Sleep Bus meets an immediate short-term need.

Sleep Bus statistics indicate there are over 105,000 homeless people in Australia. Over 6,000 of these people are sleeping rough on any given night, with 1,000 of those under 12 years old.

Rowe, who experienced homelessness at the age of 19, was inspired to found Sleep Bus when he saw a homeless man trying to sleep in a doorway in the middle of the day.  

“That man, trying to sleep on a concrete floor, in the middle of the day, on a busy city street affected me in a profound way. And that’s a mild story; for many sleeping on the streets are being subjected to terrible weather, harassment, bullying, being robbed and worse. No one should have to live like that,” wrote Rowe on his Go Fund Me page.

Each Sleep Bus costs about $50,000 to purchase and convert, and will feature 22 sleeping pods - similar to the Japanese capsule hotels - and eight kennels for pets.

Other features include:

• 2 toilets, 22 personal items lockers under bus storage
• Security system, lighting system inside & out
• Intercom system for family sleep pods with parental control locks
• Each sleep pod comes with single bed inner-spring mattress, pillows, sheets and blankets (washed daily)
• The pod has USB charging for mobile phones, personal light, lockable roller door, climate control and television with auxiliary channel running adverts for available services in the area to help with pathways out of homelessness
• Each pod can be adapted for families, with parents able to control their child’s door lock and intercom for communication between designated family members only.
  
  
   

Nestle Purina Donated More Than $30 Million to Pet-Related Causes in 2015

Nestle Purina announced this week that in 2015 the company donated $31.5 million worth of pet food, pet supplies and monetary contributions to pet-related charities and other community organizations across the country.

The donations reached more than 120 pet welfare groups and the Urban Resource Institute, which operates four domestic violence shelters in the New York City area.

"At Purina we take our role as a responsible corporate citizen seriously and have always believed in supporting pet-related organizations in our hometown of St. Louis and in communities across the United States," said Kasey Bergh, director of Community Affairs, Nestlé Purina PetCare. "We believe that when pets and people are together, life is truly better, and we're very passionate about supporting charitable organizations that share our vision."

Purina donated money and pet supplies to the Urban Resource Institute to help URI build the first dog park – the Purina Pet Haven – in a Manhattan-based domestic violence shelter.

The new dog park opened in October at Urban Women's Retreat, a Tier I emergency shelter that is part of the URIPALS (People and Animals Living Safely) program. URIPALS is the only program in New York City, and one of few nationally, that allows survivors of domestic violence to live in the shelter with their pets.

Pet-welfare organizations used Purina donations for a variety of needs, including construction and repairs to pet shelters at organizations that are working to find forever homes for dogs and cats.

STUDY: Have Fun and Help Your Local Shelter Cats Fight Respiratory Infections

Some people volunteer at their local shelter and socialize with the cats living there. While this activity is enjoyable to humans it is also beneficial for cats. The study, Effect of interactions with humans on behaviour, mucosal immunity and upper respiratory disease of shelter cats rated as contented on arrival helps illustrate the benefits of human interaction for cats.

96 shelter cats were included in the study. One group received pleasant interaction with one person for ten minutes four times each day. Treatment lasted for ten days. The control group had a researcher in front of their cage (on the same schedule as the treatment group) with eyes averted.

The treatment group of cats kept their nice dispositions and had lower incidences of upper respiratory infections when compared to the control group. Here are the highlights of the study:

• Human interaction by petting, playing and grooming improved shelter cats' welfare.
• Treated cats were more content and less anxious and frustrated.
• Treated cats had increased concentrations of immunoglobulin A in their feces.
• Within 10 days, treatment had substantially reduced viral shedding.
• Treated cats had less respiratory disease, especially good responders to treatment.

Researcher (and coauthor) Nadine Gourkow said there was a "strong association between positive emotions induced by gentling and good health." It is thought that happy cats produce higher levels of immunoglobulin A which decreases their risk of upper respiratory infections. Researcher (and coauthor) Clive J.C. Phillips said, "We have learned that the domestic cat is very responsive to good treatment by humans."

Phillips said that these findings are also significant for cats living in a home. Similar results may also be found in dogs regarding kennel cough infections though this has not yet been examined. Phillips said, "The study has emphasized to me how sensitive pets are, including my dog, to gentle treatment."

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

PetSmart Introduces New Food With a Twist

PetSmart Inc. is adding a new food to their shelves. Good Natured pet food is designed to support your pet and pets in need. For every bag of Good Natured food sold PetSmart will contribute one meal to a pet; the advertisement on their website states “Do it for the good of petkind.”

PetSmart projects sales of this food to reach 250,000lbs in the first year. Good Natured is designed to be affordable and follows many of the current popular trends in the pet food industry. It may be purchased solely from PetSmart in Canada, the United States, and Puerto Rico.

PetSmart Chief Customer Experience Officer, Eran Cohen said, “At PetSmart, we know pet parents want the best for their pets. That’s why we are thrilled to launch this wholesome, quality food that is also affordable. Good Natured’s natural formulation is a great match for pet parents who want to serve up a healthy option to their own pet, while also providing a wholesome, nutritious meal to pets in need.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

2015 Summit Forum: Rescue Dogs

Animals are regularly adopted from rescues while dog breeding has taken a downturn; it is becoming less socially acceptable to purchase a dog from a breeder. Part of this stems from the idea that there are too many dogs and that breeders are contributing to the homeless dog population. A study in the United States has shown that this is not the case, purebreds make up a very small proportion of homeless dog.

The homeless dog population in North America is declining and has been for years. This can cause rescues and shelters to run out of adoptable dogs. A simple solution to this problem is to import dogs from other jurisdictions, countries, and even continents. However, the importation of dogs does not help the environment that they came from. It does not help other dogs. It does not help the dogs or people in our own country; in fact, humane relocation poses serious health risks to our pets and to civilians. How can health regulations be enforced? What guidelines are in place to allow a dog to enter the country? Should the movement of these dogs into the country be tracked and regulated? Is there a way to recast this dilemma as an opportunity to enrich communities or should these imports be shut down?

People are also concerned about the ethics of animal rescue. Is it always truly best for the animal? Another concern is the increasing behavioural problems that people are experiencing and the increase in dog bites. As rescue dogs become more prevalent in the adoption environment from myriad sources, issues in the areas of health and socialization have emerged. Who should be assessing dogs to ensure they contribute to a safe environment for people and animals?

Get the facts, have your say, move the industry.

If you are interested in participating at the 2015 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies please contact Shannon Woodward, Urban Animal Program Manager. 

Low Numbers of Purebred Dogs in American Shelters

The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) conducted a study to examine the types of dogs present in American animal shelters. One goal of the study was to estimate the size of the purebred dog population in shelters. Previous estimates put purebred numbers at approximately 25% of the shelter population. First-hand observers feel that this percentage is too high.

NAIA wrote, “Establishing more accurate information would benefit policy makers who rely on such data when drafting legislation; consumers who consider it when choosing a family dog; and society at large, which forms opinions and attitudes about dogs, based on their perception of such issues.” The 25% estimate is seen as causing an unnecessary stigma that purebreds are a large problem for pet population control. It also leads consumers to believe that purebred dogs are readily available at most shelters.1

Previously, breed designation has relied on owner statements or shelter staff. Shelter staff are not typically dog breed experts, nor are owners surrendering their dog. NAIA found that Collie-like dogs are labeled as Collies, chunky black dogs are labeled as Labrador Retrievers, and stocky short-coated dogs are labeled as Pit Bulls. According to NAIA, the previous studies that put purebreds at 25% of the shelter dog population in the 1990’s used the number of purebreds that entered shelters. They did not examine the percentage of dogs that were available to the public for adoption. It is important to make this distinction because purebreds are reclaimed by the owners more often than mixed breeds.1

The NAIA’s Shelter Project Study found that purebreds make up approximately 5% of the American shelter population. NAIA wrote, “It is interesting to observe that the number of purebreds in shelters would be 3.3% were it not for two breeds that are overrepresented, Chihuahuas and dogs described as Pit Bulls. Together, these two breeds account for 35% of all purebreds listed by shelters in this study. What is not well known is that Chihuahuas are the single most numerous purebred found in shelters today. Because Chihuahuas are small, attractive to adopters and highly adoptable, their numbers are especially high in shelters that import dogs for adoption.“ 1

Director of Government Relations for the American Kennel Club, Sheila Goffe said, "The NAIA study results are very encouraging. It is the most extensive survey on this subject to date and it shows that dogs identified as purebreds are rare in American shelters today, an outcome that responsible breeders, rescuers and AKC have worked decades to achieve. We are gratified that AKC programs were able to contribute to this result and we are committed to continuing these programs to further reduce the need for shelters and rescues – not just for purebreds, but for all dogs." 2

INTERVIEW: Tasha Welch - Research Poster Scholarship Recipient

Tasha Welch grew up around animals and hasn’t met an animal she doesn’t like. She grew up with a Labrador named Jasper and fell in love with her first rabbit at 15 years old. Currently Tasha has two rescued rabbits; Alice and Gilbert. Tasha’s experience with having companion rabbits and volunteering with a rabbit rescue created a passion for promoting responsible rabbit ownership and she has been able to pursue this at the University of Guelph with Dr. Jason Coe. Tasha has a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Biology and her Master’s degree explored companion-rabbit ownership and knowledge of rabbit owners. Now she is working on getting her research published in the hope that her discoveries will raise awareness to this understudied topic. Rabbits are gaining popularity as companion animals however they are also increasingly being found in shelters.

InfoStream (IS): Why do you believe that rabbits as companion animals has received so little attention?

Tasha Welch (TW): I think one of the main reasons companion rabbits have been so understudied is that the vast numbers of cats and dogs in households and shelters are perhaps overshadowing the popularity of companion rabbits. Over the years we have seen companion cat and dog research receive more and more attention, which is fantastic, however, as potentially the third most popular companion animal and third most relinquished companion animal rabbits should be included in the discussion. That brings me to my second reason, which is, we don’t really have any estimates of how many companion rabbits there are in homes and in shelters or rescues. If we could gather some numbers to provide evidence for their popularity and sadly the numbers of rabbits that shelters and rescues are overwhelmed with I think that others would see the need for attention in this topic. For me, it was my passion for companion rabbits and conversations I have had with organizations and shelter/rescue groups that drove me to pursue this research, so now I think I have a role to play in getting the topic of companion rabbits going. Lastly, I think that rabbits are a bit of an underrated pet. Through the conversations I have had with people, many are surprised I have rabbits as a pet and even more are surprised when they meet my rabbits how similar they are to cats and dogs in terms of having a personality and their affection. So a quote Dr. Coe uses that I think fits here is that ‘people don’t know what they don’t know’.

IS: What is your experience with rabbits as companion animals?

TW: Over the last ten years I have had four rabbits, three of which were rescues. My first rabbit, Thumper, I got when I was 15. She was a bit of an impulse purchase and I had no clue how to care for a rabbit. Luckily my parents supported me and helped me research about rabbits so I learned a lot about rabbits with Thumper. We found out all these things like they can be litter trained, they have personalities, they need access to unlimited hay and they need to be taken to regular vet check ups. I also learned how social rabbits are and after spending hours petting and sitting with Thumper every day she developed this goofy, affectionate and independent personality. After Thumper passed away, I started looking into rescues because of the research I had done and I noticed how there were so many rabbits without homes. So I ended up adopting my second rabbit, Henry, who bonded very closely with me; he would follow me around, sit at my feet when I was doing homework and beg for snacks in the kitchen. After Henry passed I knew I would continue to rescue bunnies since so many needed homes and developing a bond with a rabbit that has gone through whatever horrors in it’s life is a truly rewarding experience. The two rabbits I have now are Alice and Gilbert. Alice was actually a stray bunny we (I volunteer for Rabbit Rescue Inc.) caught when a friend of mine had seen a domestic rabbit roaming her neighborhood. Alice was a particularly rewarding rescue because when I first got her she bit and scratched and was very aggressive but with time she has become an absolute cuddle bug. Gilbert I acquired most recently and he was actually short listed for euthanasia because of an injury and his red eye, which is considered undesirable by people so he would be less likely to be adopted. So Gilly is my little angel bunny and luckily he bonded well with Alice so they both have their happily ever after.

IS: What prompted you study companion-rabbit owners’ knowledge?

TW: I think it really started from when I got involved with a rabbit rescue and noticed how many rabbits were coming in and how many rabbits other rescues and shelters had. Like cats and dogs, there seemed to be something happening to the bond between owners and their rabbit where that bond may either fail to develop or break down and the rabbits end up abandoned. From searching the literature, and going back to my own experience of getting my first rabbit with no knowledge of rabbit ownership, knowledge of caring for a pet is important in the development of the human-animal bond. I was lucky enough to have become educated on rabbit ownership, which I think supported the bond I developed with my first rabbit and I think that bond allowed me to work through challenges of pet ownership like going off to university, moving and changes with work and schedules. Without knowledge of ownership and the human-animal bond there is a risk to the rabbits becoming dispensable and disposable. So I think from my own experiences and passion for companion rabbits this gap in the realm of companion-animal research really stuck out to me as an area that needed to be studied in order to promote rabbit welfare and relationship between people and their rabbits.

IS: From what I understand your survey participants were rabbit owners. Did you survey acquisition sources and veterinarians? If so, how did their knowledge compare with rabbit owners?

TW: We did not survey acquisition sources or veterinarians, however, a study that is being prepared for publication in Massachusetts explored acquisition source staff knowledge of rabbit husbandry. The study found that rescue and shelter staff had the highest knowledge of rabbit husbandry compared to pet store staff. In my study participants who got their rabbit from a rescue or shelter on average had the highest overall knowledge scores compared participants who got their rabbit from other sources. These are two different studies in different populations, so I can’t compare the two, but the findings do support each other and suggest an area for further research.

IS: Can you summarize the results of your research with us? What are the most significant pieces of information that you discovered?

TW: The two consistent factors that we found to influence both owner knowledge and whether participants’ rabbit was spayed or neutered was where participants got their rabbit from and whether they took their rabbit for regular veterinary check-ups. So participants who got their rabbit from a rescue or shelter on average had the highest knowledge scores and were more likely to have a spayed or neutered rabbit compared to participants who got their rabbit from other sources. Participants who took their rabbit for regular veterinary check-ups on average had the highest knowledge scores and were more likely to have a spayed or neutered rabbit. So these findings suggest that acquisition sources and veterinarians can play a role in education prospective or current rabbit owners on rabbit husbandry and care and provide information on spaying or neutering of companion rabbits.

IS: How will you share the results of your research and provide acquisition sources and veterinarians with the most up-to-date rabbit care information?

TW: I think the best way to share the results of my research is through conversation. Over the years I have had the opportunity to attend and present at local, national and international conferences and this has been an excellent way to share my research with vast audiences including individuals from various animal-related organizations, companies, groups and stakeholders. These events have been excellent opportunities to start conversations about companion-rabbit ownership and the research I have done and to make connections with people across the companion animal field. Another way to share this research will be to publish the findings, which we are in the process of doing right now. To date I have not developed an education intervention, such as a booklet or website, for acquisition sources and veterinarians to share with current or prospective rabbit owners, however, this is definitely a goal for the future.

IS: How do you feel your research will promote rabbit welfare and have a positive impact on the human-animal bond?

TW: Research on companion cats and dogs has articulated the importance of owner knowledge to play a role in the relationship between people and their pets. Poor knowledge of pet ownership has been linked to increased risks of relinquishment. These findings for cats and dogs support the importance of owner education and I think this needs to be said for companion rabbit ownership as well. The research I have done is really a starting point for companion-rabbit research to promote education prior to getting a rabbit and throughout rabbit ownership. The study I did suggests two important avenues for educating prospective rabbit owners as well as enhancing or correcting the knowledge of existing owners. Acquisition sources can prepare prospective owners by informing them on the basics of care prior to individuals bringing home a new rabbit, and as animal-health experts, veterinarians can support this information and provide additional details on health and welfare if owners are encouraged to take their rabbit for regular veterinary check-ups. Based on research that has been done on cats and dogs, I think education can go a long way to ensure people are caring for their rabbit correctly, not only for the welfare of the rabbit, but for promoting the development of a positive and long-lasting relationship between the owner and rabbit and ultimately reduce the risk of relinquishment of companion rabbits.

Recommended Changes to Minneapolis Animal-Related Ordinances

Council Member Andrew Johnson of Minneapolis believes that changes in the city’s animal-related ordinances will be beneficial and a “huge step for those who care about animal issues.” Johnson worked on recommendations with Minneapolis Animal Care and Control officials and Citizens for Minneapolis Animal Care. The recommendations help define the responsibilities of pet owners and the city shelter.

                               

Minneapolis does not allow residents to own reptiles but these recommendations may allow reptiles as licensed pets. Rabbits are currently licensed pets but that may no longer be necessary. Ferrets will still require licenses due to their requirement for up-to-date rabies vaccinations.

Some of the recommendations support practices that are currently being developed. The city shelter has been fostering relationships with other rescue organizations in order to reduce the number of animals being euthanized. Minneapolis Animal Control Deputy Director, Caroline Hairfield said, “Our goal is to be able to adopt or transfer to other facilities all animals who are healthy and placeable in the sense of being mentally and physically treatable.”

Johnson also wants the city to change the way wild animals are euthanized. Currently injured wild animals are euthanized in a gas chamber (article did not state which gas is used). Johnson would like wild animals to be euthanized in the same way domestic animals are, by lethal injection.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Will North American Shelters Run Out of Dogs?

The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) aims to decrease the euthanasia of adoptable pets in American shelters. In order to be effective, they need greater knowledge of the pet marketplace. Recently NAIA conducted some research on shelter dogs. It is difficult to quantify the number of animal shelters in the United States, estimates range from 3,500 to 6,000.1

Several decades ago overpopulation was an issue across the United States however it has been eliminated in several regions. Now that shelters are feeling less pressure from canine overpopulation their roles are changing. In order to continue to offer dogs to the public some shelters are now importing dogs 1. The public safety issues of importing dogs will be discussed in a future InfoStream article.

Why are shelters running low on dogs? NAIA President, Patti Strand believes that one cause the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC encourages thoughtful selection of pets, sterilization of all dogs not intended for breeding, and highlights the commitments required to be a responsible dog owner. While the lack of dogs has been noticed across Canada and the United States, animal rights groups are still trying to eliminte American dog breeders. The main issue with this is that it is nondiscriminatory and negatively affects both responsible and irresponsible breeders. Strand said, "These extreme animal rights groups have become so ideological and irrational that they would rather risk importing rabid dogs from Asia and Africa than support humane, responsible breeding in the U.S. so consumers can purchase the dog of their choice from a responsible and in many cases regulated American breeder." 2 

   

Dr. Emily Weiss from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) writes, “I do not think pets should be just for certain people (those who can afford a puppy from a high-end responsible breeder, for example), but for all people who want to care responsibly for a pet. The crisis is that we are running out of puppies! There are many communities that simply do not have juvenile dogs entering their sheltering system. This is great news!! And, this is the source of my concern. So here is where the crisis is – when there is a need, the void is usually filled. How do we want the void left by the lack of puppies to be filled? I know one thing we can all agree on, we sure do not want it filled by puppy mills and those who breed with no understanding of the importance of early socialization, proper nutrition and the like.” 3

Huxley & Kent Launches Rescue Fund

A producer of upscale pet products, Huxley & Kent has started a rescue fund. The fund is designed to assist community rescues and shelters.

Each month a retailer will be selected to win a $250 USD donation to a rescue or shelter of their choosing. Retailers must order Huxley & Kent products to be eligible for winning.         

                    

Huxley & Kent Founder Robin Kershner said, “We are delighted to give back to the retailer communities with this fund. We feel that our retailers are all intimately involved in the needs of their pet rescue community, so who better than they to tell us where this money should go?  In addition, with at least 12—and we hope more—donations a year, there will be plenty of charities that will be impacted.”

   

READ THE ARTICLE

5000 Pets Find Homes During 2015 Maddie's Pet Adoption Days

Over 5,000 pets were adopted during a fee-waived adoption event, Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days. This is the sixth year for Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days and 89 shelters and rescues participated. Some locations even had lines prior to opening. Maddie’s Fund Founder Dave Duffield said, "Each year, Cheryl and I see the spirit of Maddie at every adoption location we visit. It's a tribute to her legacy and the power of one little dog to inspire a movement and bring communities together to find thousands of animals loving homes."

More than 35,000 dogs and cats have found homes during Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days. Maddie’s Fund donated $200 to $2,500 USD for each pet adopted to cover the cost of adoption. The funding helps support shelters and rescues throughout the year.

Maddie’s Fund President Rich Avanzino said, "We are on the one-yard line to achieving our goal of a no-kill nation. Events such as this help bring attention to the amazing companions who are waiting to find their wonderful homes in our nation's shelters. And we are thrilled at the sheer number of people who visited all of the locations over the weekend. We congratulate the groups on a successful event, and applaud the thousands of people who opened their hearts and homes to a shelter pet this weekend."

READ THE ARTICLE

Pethealth Inc. Acquires Vestafy

In May 2015, Pethealth Inc. acquired Vestafy; a workflow management software that specializes in the animal welfare industry. Vestafy was acquired fom Zeidman Technologies, LLC. Pethealth Inc. is “firmly committed to further investment in their platforms and growing their offerings.”

Steve Zeidman, the creator of Vestafy, said, “Vestafy was created to be customizable and shaped around what individual animal welfare organizations need and not the other way around.” Zeidman will join Pethealth Inc as the Vice President of Innovation and Research. Upon joining Pethealth Inc. Zeidman said, “As a member of a great team, I am committed to ensuring Vestafy and all Pethealth’s technology products empower our clients to focus their time and resources on our shared passion of saving lives.”

Michelle Cole, Pethealth Inc. Senior Vice President of Customer Success said, “We are happy to have Steve return to Pethealth working alongside Brad Grucelski and the PetPoint team. His years of experience and unique perspective will benefit both our company and our clients. Adding Vestafy to our suite of products further demonstrates our long-term commitment to delivering quality products and services for our partners in the animal welfare community.”

About Pethealth

Pethealth Inc., a Fairfax company, is one of the largest providers of medical insurance for dogs and cats to pet owners, operating in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. In addition, Pethealth is the leading provider of management software to North American animal welfare organizations through its cloud-based application and is the leading provider of RFID Microchips to the North American companion animal industry. Pethealth offers a unique range of products and services for shelters, veterinarians, and pet owners through a number of wholly-owned subsidiaries.

About Vestafy

Vestafy is the first Workflow Management Software in for the animal welfare field. It will surpass modular management software by providing unmatched flexibility, Vestafy allows each organization to customize the screens, workflows, and reports to directly match their operational processes and procedures.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE