ABC4.com Reports: Online Registry Could Treat Animal Abusers Like Sex Offenders

ABC4.com published the a news item titled, "Online Registry Could Treat Animal Abusers Like Sex Offenders".  We cannot repost the story in it's entirety, but hope that you'll follow the link and read it for yourself.  The Humane Society of Utah will keep you updated on the progress of this issue.

The Humane Society of Utah Attends the 2010 Animal Expo

This spring, rising flood waters did not keep a flood of visitors from traveling to Music City U-S-A! While many came to see Elvis, Rhyman Auditorium and the famous hot spots Nashville’s known for, more than 1,400 animal lovers from 44 countries also came to Nashville...to network and learn the best ways to tend for animals whom come into their care.

Three members of the Humane Society of Utah staff made that trek to Tennessee for Animal Expo 2010, featuring 200 exhibitors and 70 workshops ranging from animal care, to adoption, disaster preparedness and veterinary medicine.  Here is a video that tells more about the Animal Expo 2010.

All told this was the largest gathering of animal advocates in the world and the exchange of ideas played like the sweet music coming out of the clubs right next door to Nashville’s convention center.

“There are quite a few changes we can make at our shelter to benefit the health of the animals, the adoption process and customer service,” says Kris Smith, Outreach Director for the Humane Society of Utah. “I learned quite a bit!”

Carlene Wall, Director of Operations for HSU discovered “a whole new set of shelter standards coming out so we will change alot of things to help animals stay healthier, emotionally and physically. We’re very lucky to be in the position we’re in here in Utah. Some shelters in other parts of the country can only take in 10 dogs and 20 cats at any given time. I can’t even imagine that. So we’re doing well...but there’s always room for improvement.”

Look for those improvements over the days, weeks and months to come at the Humane Society of Utah. And if you get to Nashville, make sure you keep an eye out for Elvis, whose likeness stands guard on honky tonk rooftops, watching over visitors to Music City USA...just as many of those visitors stand guard over the homeless animals in Utah and throughout our country.

Cities Beginning to Ban the Sale of Companion Animals in Pet Stores

In the past year, South Lake Tahoe, California banned the retail sale of cats and dogs.  West Hollywood, California also passed a ban on the retail sale of animals.  In the past few months, Richmond, B.C., has considered a ban on the retail sale of dogs to cut down on the demand for dogs from puppy mills and impulse buying of pets.  There are other cities that are beginning to follow the animal advocacy example, but it is important to understand why.

The Humane Society of the United States has linked pet supply chains to puppy mills, where dogs are bred in harsh, unsanitary conditions with little regard for health.  Several major pet store chains, such as PetSmart, are not selling companion animals in their shops.  Instead, businesses are referring pet lovers to local shelters and Humane Society organizations for pet adoption instead.

While cities may pass legislation that bans the sale of companion animals in retail stores, it is still up to the people in any area to make smart choices when it comes to getting a pet.  We encourage people to take the time to visit their local shelter or Humane Society to find a pet through adoption services.

For more information on pet adoption, please call us at the Humane Society of Utah.  Be an animal advocate and think twice before purchasing a companion animal from a retail shop.