
The PACC911’s Bowl-A-Rama for Animal Rescue raised over $400 for FBRN! Thanks to FBRN Arizona Volunteers and their families- Kelly Howell, Lynne Oglesby, Lana Howell and Muriel Townsend for bowling for dollars for our needy frenchies!
National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests people who are looking for "man's best friend" to check out the millions of dogs at local shelters across the country. However, responsible pet ownership requires more than simply agreeing to take an animal into your life; the potential adopter should be ready to make a commitment that will enhance the lives of both the human and the animal.
With nearly 10 million animals entering local shelters across the country each year the Adopt a Shelter Dog Month helps focus attention on the pet population problem we face in this country.
Renowned dog trainer Joel Silverman also says that shelter animals make good pets, and that proper training is the key. Silverman's many canine pupils have starred in commercials, television shows, and feature films and often come from shelters. According to Silverman, pet owners that train their dogs have better relationships with their pets and less problems in the home.
"Most people don't realize that training is not as difficult as they think," says Silverman. "Training should be fun for both the pet owner and the dog and, in fact, usually strengthens the bond between them."
In a recent study conducted by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, researchers surveyed people turning animals in to 12 various shelters around the country to try to find our exactly why animals end up there. The study was published in the current issue of the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, and can be seen at The ASPCA's Web site (http://www.aspca.org). The study's researchers reviewed reasons why people gave up their dogs up for adoption, and found the following frequency of answers:
-- 29 percent surrendered their dogs due to behavior problems
-- 29 percent surrendered their dogs because of the family's housing situation
-- 25 percent surrendered their dogs citing incompatibility with the family's lifestyle
-- 15 percent surrendering their dogs due to the family's preparation and/or expectations.
According to The ASPCA, people bringing a companion animal into their lives need to thoroughly review their lifestyle and their readiness to take responsibility for the animal's care. The ASPCA advises people to consider the five questions below before they adopt a dog:
1. Am I ready to make a long-term commitment? Adopting a pet means being responsible for it's health and happiness for the rest of his or her life, which could be up to 15 years for dogs.
2. Is the animal right for my household? A strong, active pet may be too much for a young child or elderly person to handle. Small pets may be too delicate for rough play with children. Always make sure that everyone in the household agrees to adopt an animal.
3. Who will be the primary caretaker for the animal? One adult in the home should be designated as the primary caretaker so that the pet's needs do not become lost in the shuffle of busy schedules.
4. Can I afford the animal? The cost of a pet is more than just the purchase price or adoption fee; remember to include the cost of food, pet supplies, veterinarian bills and training.
5. Am I ready to commit to making this dog a good canine citizen? A well-trained dog is a pleasure and is welcome in public parks, on walks, and as a visitor. Research shows that people who take the time to train their dogs are more likely to keep them longer than people who don't.
Looking for a dog to add to your family? Consider adopting a shelter dog!
http://www.doghobbyist.com/articles/DogHobbyist/Adopt.html
© 2003 OnlineHobbyist.com, Inc.
WALKTOBERFEST
On September 22nd, 2007 the Berks County Humane Society held their 30th annual Walktoberfest for the animals at Shearers Barbecue Ranch in Sinking Springs, PA. In addition to Walktoberfest, vendors showed a variety of clothing, and physical therapists, groomers and trainers demonstrated their trade. A beer and wine garden and musicians entertained the guests. Crista Tam and her Frenchie Secret, and Marilyn Traeger and her Frenchie Newman manned the FBRN booth and did a brisk business educating the public about FBRN! Newman and Secret lured the crowd with their ever-changing costumes and bag of tricks. They raised $132.00 and signed up new volunteers. Fun was had by all!
 
 

FBRN at Puppy Mill Awareness Day 2007

Several FBRN volunteers (both human and frenchie) recently made the trip to the Puppy Mill Awareness Day, 2007 in Intercourse, Pennsylvania. This was FBRN's second year participating in the event, which was created to raise public awareness of the cruel and deplorable conditions within puppy mills. FBRN has been working closely with the Puppy Mill Awareness Day Organization to spread the word that we will find a way to stop the practice of "manufacturing" dogs for profit. This was an exceptionally special year, with a candlelight vigil on the steps of the Capitol (in Harrisburg) and with the largest crowd ever. The march through the streets of Intercourse was both exciting and inspiring! Tourists were snapping pictures as the protestors marched through the busiest tourist sections. Hopefully when they got home they shared those vacation pictures with people who did not know about Pennsylvania's dirty secret!

FBRN's participation in the Puppy Mill Awareness Day Organization was enhanced this year by two of FBRN's most committed members (Jan Frymyer and Shelby Carland) joining The Awareness Day Organization as official volunteers. Both Jan and Shelby have extensive experience with mill dogs and devote an enormous amount of time to rescue. As a rescue organization FBRN is incredibly fortunate to have the amazing volunteers that we have! French bulldogs are becoming more common in puppy mills due to their price tag. Millers will simply breed them to be larger so they can free-whelp, or cross-breed them with Boston terriers to create puppies that look like pied Frenchies. If we, as FBRN volunteers, could all commit to tell 5 people whom we are not acquainted with about puppy mills before the end of the year, our organization could reach over 1,500 people. There is strength in numbers and we have them! Maybe half of those people will tell someone else.....and half of those people will tell someone else...you get the picture. In our fight to protect the frogs, we are saving thousands of other dogs as well!

It was truly a wonderful experience to spend time with FBRN volunteers. Debbie Goodling visited with FBRN foster dog Samson (the handsome devil!) and Marilyn Traeger brought her frenchie Newman along. Yvonne Carbaugh came to help with her rat terrier Patsy. At one point we were all in a hotel suite with 7 frenchies having cocktails (the humans, not the frenchies!) They were all exhausted, and snoring could be heard from many different corners of the suite. There were frogs everywhere! Might I add that our booth was by far the best at the event, thanks to Jan! There was a steady crowd of visitors the entire day.

I would also like to point out that it was a frenchie that first "walked over the face" of Joyce Stoltzfus, the notorious Lancaster puppy-miller, at the candlelight vigil. I believe it was frenchie Philippe Frymyer (in all his brindle glory) who took the first steps. "Frogs are not going to take this anymore!", I heard him chant. For those of you who are not familiar with it, the face was created from digital footprints of the dogs that have been saved from the Stoltzfus mill. It was displayed at the "Puppies Are Biodegradable" art exhibit in Philadelphia, with a copy made for Awareness Day. We all signed the names of puppy mill dogs over Joyce's face, and displayed the final exhibit the next day as a backdrop for our guest speakers. I should also add that frenchies Newman Traeger, Luigi Frymyer and Willow Carland went along on the protest walk. It is a long walk for any frenchie, but the frogs stood strong for what they believed in (with a bit of help here and there.)
I will let the pictures tell the rest of story! -FBRN Volunteer Kim Alboum
Thank you to everyone who participated in Awareness Day 2007!

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