HELP US!

They come tired, scared and weak, they come seeking refuge, a kind hand, a gentle voice, looking for a haven, love and a place to lay their weary head.

They are welcomed in by loving hands and kind hearts that wrap them in love, they are welcomed in by our foster families.

These are the eyes of hope, of love of the ability to heal, Consider joining our foster heroes become a foster family and help these gentle souls on their road to recovery and their forever homes.

-Cindy Bartels, GAIN

Foster Care from John McDaniel on Vimeo.

Paws To Remember

How animal DNA brings abusers to justice:

(NEWSER)

For three decades, human DNA has been used in court; now, abused cats and dogs are benefiting from their own genetic evidence. Thus far, only a few cases have been won with help from DNA, but its use is “becoming more and more common,” an expert tells the New York Times. In addition to helping win a few convictions—two of which were returned this month—the genetic material has prompted many guilty pleas.

Scruffy the cat was put down after being brutally burned by a pair of teens; DNA from burnt tissue helped identify the animal and link them to the crime. “When the vet comes in and testifies about the extent of the injuries, the gruesome nature of the way the flame was applied, the extraordinary way the cat suffered—this is the cat,” says a deputy DA. In most cases, defendants “end up pleading,” said a lab director, “because their lawyers know what would happen if they brought that kind of cruelty in front of a jury.”

We Lost A Good Friend

We received some horrible news today. Our Greyhound, Maggie, that was adopted and sent to Japan last year became overly stressed during the earthquake. She had a heart attack and died before her family could even get out of the building.

Thank you Tomoe for giving her love and making the last year of her life so beautiful and full of light.

Treasured Friend
I lost a treasured friend today
The little dog who used to lay
Her gentle head upon my knee
And shared her silent thoughts with me.

She’ll come no longer to my call
Retrieve no more her favourite ball
A voice far greater than my own
Has called her to his golden throne.

Although my eyes are filled with tears
I thank him for the happy years
He let her spend down here with me
And for her love and loyalty.

When it is time for me to go
And join her there, this much I know
I shall not fear the transient dark
For she will greet me with a bark.

MACONS LAW (it is hard to believe it is the same dog)

31st Guam Legislature unanimously passed Macons Law AKA Bill 9 on Thursday, Feb. 24. Animal Cruelty and Abuse can now be prosecuted as a felony. Of course, this is just step 1 -- now we need to urge Animal Control, the Mayors, and GPD to issue citations and insist that the court punish people who abuse and neglect animals on our beautiful island.

Macon Approves


Julie...you done good girl! Macon is gorgeous. Congratulations on your compassion and perserverance.

Attorney Stephan Otto on the Big Show with Travis Coffman

The Animal Legal Defense Fund applauds Guam for strengthening its animal cruelty laws. Listen to the Big Show with Travis Coffman every day 2 to 6 pm on Newstalk K-57. Listen to the interview here

Does an animal abuser live in your neighborhood?

(ALDF)Communities have good reason to be concerned about the whereabouts of animal abusers. In story after heartbreaking story, abusers repeat their violent crimes against helpless animals, and often go on to victimize people as well. Keep your animals and your families safe.

Sign on to demand that your state require animal abusers to register in their communities.

Copyright © 2010 ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
Reprinted with permission of the ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND www.aldf.org

The Animal Legal Defense Fund Applauds Improvements to Guam's Anti-Cruelty Laws

(ALDF) Last week, the Guam Legislature voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 9, which dramatically strengthens the territory's laws protecting animals. Once the bill is signed into law, Guam will finally join the list of U.S. jurisdictions with felony animal abuse penalties. The new felony penalty will apply to not only cases involving cruelty, but also neglect of an animal which results in his or her serious physical injury or death. Guam had ranked 52nd out of 56 in the Animal Legal Defense Fund's (ALDF) 2010 rankings report on the strength and comprehensiveness of the laws of each state and territory in the U.S.—leading Guam to be named one of the nation’s “best places to be an animal abuser.” These new improvements will likely lead to a significant upward movement for Guam in this year's rankings.

In addition to the new felony penalties, Guam’s new legislation makes animal abandonment a misdemeanor; authorizes law enforcement seizure of mistreated animals, and adopts robust minimum care standards and other definitions which mirror much of what is contained in ALDF's model animal protection laws. Guam also just passed a bill to ban commerce in shark fins.

“We commend Guam for adding real teeth to their laws protecting animals,” says Stephan Otto, ALDF’s director of legislative affairs. “This law sends notice that Guam is serious about protecting animals and in ensuring that those who abuse them are appropriately punished.”

Along with Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Kentucky, North Dakota, Idaho, and Mississippi were singled out in ALDF’s most recent rankings report for their weak laws protecting animals. While Guam’s bill is a significant step forward, there still remain areas that can be improved upon to make Guam safer for both animals and people and to reduce the burden on the groups helping the island’s animals.

Copyright © 2010 ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
Reprinted with permission of the ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND www.aldf.org