Animal Cruelty: Break The Silence

We have enslaved the rest of the animal creation, and have treated our distant cousins in fur and feathers so badly that beyond doubt, if they were able to formulate a religion, they would depict the Devil in human form.

~William Ralph Inge, Outspoken Essays, 1922

Guam Animals In Need from John McDaniel on Vimeo.

Dog Of The Year: Macon

GAIN’s Pet of the Year contest with over thirty entries was almost a dead heat with Macon nosing out a mischievous long-haired Chihuahua named Tyke by only 134 votes, Macon was declared GAIN’s top dog with a total of 584 votes.



Fostered by Julie and Chad Grady, it didn’t take Macon long to become a permanent member of the Grady household. “Chad had a Dalmatian when he was young, so it was pretty easy to adopt Macon,” Julie stated. “We discovered that Macon was deaf, but with the help of our other dogs, he learned sign language. After being photographed with the Air Force Fire Department crew, Chad is teaching him to ‘stop, drop and roll’. He is also doing school visits as part of GAIN’s education program.”

Macon was rescued after GAIN volunteers found him in a padlocked kennel with no food, water or shade. He was suffering from severe dehydration, sarcoptic mange, grossly complicated by dermatitis, open sores and the obvious pain of extreme starvation.



Macon was only 29 pounds when found, but within just a few short weeks his skin condition improved and he almost doubled his weight. He became the ‘spokesdog’ when GAIN introduced the Macon Petition to update the animal cruelty and neglect laws on Guam. As Dog of the Year, Macon will have a professional photo shoot with Ashleo, a bag of Purina dog food, treats and toys.

CAT OF THE YEAR: Angel

GAIN’s first ever Cat of the Year contest had cat lovers happy to vote for their favorite cat.

A somewhat unlucky cat named Angel easily won the contest with over 100 votes. Dr Diaz saved Angel after her owners brought her to the clinic. Apparently, she had been caught in a car engine, was missing part of her ear and her tail was badly infected. The tail had to be amputated and the ear trimmed.



Angel was put up for adoption, but imperfect kittens are not easily placed. Eventually, Dr. Diaz’ pleas found the right family and Angel became part of Cindy Bartels home.

Other cats who vied for the coveted title were: Fred, Happy, Curious, Nellie, Vinegar and Boba. As Cat of the Year, Angel will receive a bag of kitty litter, her favorite cat food and some special cat toys.

According to Shirley Miller, contest coordinator, “It was such a last minute idea! During the year we had rescued so many animals with such a variety of problems, we thought we really should do something to recognize them.” “Our Second Chance Boonie Rescue Program allowed us to save a pup with a cleft lip, a Chihuahua paralyzed and unable to use his back legs, a three-legged dog that had been injured and lost her left eye, a Pitbull whose front leg had to be amputated, and several animals with advanced stages of mange. Of course, Macon, was one of our success stories, but each animal brought to the shelter receives the love and care they really deserve.” In 2011, we plan to start the contest earlier and hold events where the animals can be seen by the public prior to voting.

Bark In The Park

Join GAIN every second Sunday of the month at 3pm by the Ypao Amphitheater for Bark at the Park, GAIN's monthly doggie play date! The next one is coming up this Sunday 01/09

Recognizing Animal Cruelty

Physical Signs
•Collar so tight that it has caused a neck wound or has become embedded in the pet’s neck

•Open wounds, signs of multiple healed wounds or an ongoing injury or illness that isn’t being treated

•Untreated skin conditions that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes

•Extreme thinness or emaciation—bones may be visible

•Fur infested with fleas, ticks or other parasites

•Patches of bumpy, scaly skin rashes

•Signs of inadequate grooming, such as extreme matting of fur, overgrown nails and dirty coat

•Weakness, limping or the inability to stand or walk normally

•Heavy discharge from eyes or nose

•An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal

•Visible signs of confusion or extreme drowsiness

Environmental Signs
•Pets are tied up alone outside for long periods of time without adequate food or water, or with food or water that is unsanitary

•Pets are kept outside in inclement weather without access to adequate shelter

•Pets are kept in an area littered with feces, garbage, broken glass or other objects that could harm them

•Animals are housed in kennels or cages (very often crowded in with other animals) that are too small to allow them to stand, turn around and make normal movements possibly with too many other animals.

This list was graciously provided by the ASPCA. If you think an animal in your neighborhood is being abused or neglected or fits any of the criteria listed above PLEASE CONTACT GAIN

Stop Animal Over Population: Sterilize your pet

GAIN is an active sponsor for low cost programs for local residents to get their pets sterilized. Get more information on this program and many others HERE