Cuz You Know Your Dog Is So Much Cuter

How can you tell if your dog has what it takes to be on TV?

How do you handle a cat who is spooked by the lights?

Can a dog easily adapt to his ‘stage family’?

If you’ve seen a pooch in a pet-food commercial and thought to yourself, “My dog could do that!,” then you should join today’s live discussion with Victoria Wells, ASPCA Manager of Shelter Behavior & Training. Victoria, whom you’ve seen on Animal Precinct, will share her expertise on training animals for the camera. The chat will take place Friday 1/9, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST, on the ASPCA Online Community.

Why she rocks: Victoria trains animals for music videos, commercials and film, and it is her policy to only work on a project that portrays animals in a positive light. So, join the chat and find out if your little superstar has what it takes!

What’s it Like to Cuff an Animal Abuser?

Wanna know? Ask ASPCA Special Agent Joann Sandano. Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 17, we’ll be hosting a live chat with one of your favorite animal cops on the ASPCA Online Community.

You know Officer Sandano from Animal Precinct—she’s the agent who sports the high ponytail! Don’t miss this opportunity to chat up a real champion for animals. The discussion will take place from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST.

Please visit our anti-cruelty pages to check out previous discussions with HLE officers, including Supervisory Special Investigator Annemarie Lucas. For the latest news on what the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement team is up to, read our Police Blotter.

Special Holiday Chat with Poison Control Experts—Tomorrow!

Who is more enticed by the delicious scents of Thanksgiving dinner than your pets? Who is more jolly than a dog during the holiday season? And who is more curious than a cat when face to face with a bow-adorned box? The answer to all of the above: no one! Your pets are family, so do include them in your holiday celebrations—but do it safely. To find out how, join us for a live online chat with experts from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and discuss how to keep your pets safe from all the potentially toxic “goodies” that enter homes this time of year. Hosting the chat are Dana Farbman, CVT, Senior Manager, Professional Communications, and Dr. Eric Dunayer, Veterinary Toxicologist. Sample questions include:

What traditional Thanksgiving dishes are a big no-no for pets?

Help! My cat wants to chew on all of the wrapping paper!

How do I keep my pets away from holiday chocolates?

Chat time: Tomorrow, Friday, November 21, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST
Chat place: ASPCA Online Community

PLEASE NOTE: If you have a pet who is ill or you suspect may have ingested harmful substances, please contact your vet or Animal Poison Control.

Tomorrow: Join ASPCA Expert for Our Very First Horse Discussion!

Do horses like having people ride them?

How much social interaction does a horse need?

What’s the best way to introduce my new horse to the two I already have?

Until now, cats and dogs have gotten all the attention during the live expert chats we hold on our ASPCA Online Community. When asked if we could feature horses next, we just couldn’t say “Neigh!”

Here to give horses a much-deserved turn in the spotlight will be Dr. Emily Weiss, ASPCA Senior Director of Shelter Research and Development. Dr. Weiss is the resident equine expert on our website’s Horse Behavior Q & A; don’t miss this opportunity to pick her extensive brain—live! The discussion will take place tomorrow, Friday, November 7, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST, on the ASPCA Online Community. Check out our Equine Program to learn about the ASPCA’s work fighting cruelty against horses.

Ask The Author: Live Chat With Kathe Koja—Tonight!

Any young animal lovers out there? How about some aspiring writers? If that’s you, then we’ve got a great chance for you to talk an award-winning author. Kathe Koja, writer of Straydog, I will be hosting a live, online discussion today on Henry’s Book Club.

Don’t worry, you won’t have to miss school, because the chat isn’t until 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. EST. (We know. You were really worried about missing school.) So check out our guidelines for joining the book club. We look forward to hearing your great questions for Kathe. You can ask her about adjusting to high school, and how volunteering at a shelter can help you make friends!

*2002 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award
Kathe Koja’s novel, Straydog, is the story of Rachel, a high school student who falls for a tough, stray collie named Grrl. A story of letting go, this book provides an opportunity to discuss the humane treatment of animals and the importance of trust in all relationships.

JOIN LIVE DISCUSSION WITH KATHE KOJA!

Live Chat Today: How To Meet Your Canine Match

My husband and I both work, and we have two active toddlers. What kind of dog would be a good fit in my home?

When you’re looking to adopt a dog, it’s so easy to fall in love with the big-eyed beauty who rolls over the minute you come near his kennel. It’s tempting to take him home that instant, but let’s face it—you can’t really predict if he’ll fit your lifestyle without learning more about him. That’s why Dr. Emily Weiss, ASPCA Senior Director, Research and Development, is here to explain how you can select a great pet using the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match™ program, a fun color-coded system for pairing pooches and people. Please join Dr. Weiss for a live discussion this Friday, October 17, on the ASPCA Online Community. Dr. Weiss will be on hand from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST to help you find the right dog for your home.

* If you work at a shelter or are interested in starting one, join our chat and ask Dr. Weiss about our Meet Your Match program, and learn tools you can use to match pets with adopters!

Live Chat Today: Ask the Expert About Dog Health

Why should I neuter my dog?

What’s up with Fluffy’s itching and scratching?

How can I tell when my pooch isn’t feeling well?

It's Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month, and the doctor is in! Here to help you dedicate the month to keeping your dog healthy is Dr. Miranda Spindel, ASPCA Director, Veterinary Outreach. She'll be on hand for a live chat on the ASPCA Online Community today, Friday, October 10, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST. Don't miss this opportunity to get pro pooch advice! If your dog is sick, however, please make sure you see your vet immediately.

Happy One-Year Birthday, ASPCA Online Community!

A year ago, we launched our very own social network in response to requests from our members, who asked to be able to post pictures and videos, and to make groups for other animals besides cats and dogs. Now, 12 months and 14,000 members later, we talk about every critter you can think of!

Post photo albums of your pets on the ASPCA Online Community!

Here is an overview of the ASPCA Online Community’s coolest features:

• Frequent live chats with ASPCA experts; join us this Friday, October 10, for a dog health chat with Dr. Miranda Spindel.


• Participate in discussion forums. With these enhanced forums, you can add photos and videos to your posts.


• Create your own profile—you can upload your photos and videos, and get comments on them.


• Personalize your page.


• Send and receive friend requests to connect with other community members.


• Celebrate your favorite animals with those who share your affection by joining groups such as Reptile Room and That’s Fishy! You can even create groups of your own.


• Keep your very own blog!


• Comment on other people’s pages and receive comments on yours!


• Track your activity—and your friends’ activity, too.

So, come wish us a happy birthday and join the ASPCA Online Community! Send a friend request to Elyse, community rep for the ASPCA...see you there!

Wanna Be a Shelter Volunteer? Live Chat Today!

What kind of training do I need to volunteer at a shelter?

My teenager wants to volunteer—what does she need to know?

I run an animal shelter in my small town. How can I find qualified volunteers?

Donating your time to animals in need is one of the most rewarding commitments you can make. Volunteering at a shelter provides mutual fulfillment for both human and animal—and it’s a great way to satisfy your desire for animal companionship if you can’t have a pet right now or your landlord doesn’t allow animals. Volunteering is also a fun option for older students who want school community service experience.

Join Diane Wilkerson, Senior Manager at the ASPCA Adoption Center, for a live discussion on shelter volunteering in the ASPCA Online Community. The chat will take place today, September 26, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST. Interestingly, Diane was a volunteer herself before joining our staff!

Does Your Pooch Have What It Takes To Be A Therapy Dog?

If your dog has a knack for brightening someone’s day, it may be time to harvest his natural charm and skills and train him to be a therapy dog! Maybe you’ve heard of dogs bringing cheer to kids and hospitals and think your dog might be good at that, but you don’t know how to go about making it happen.

Starting this Saturday, September 27^th, the ASPCA, along with licensed Delta Society instructors, will hold a series of classes to help prepare interested pet parents and their pooches for a formal evaluation to become Delta Society Pet Partners.

The classes, held by the ASPCA in conjunction with the Delta Society, provide training for human/animal teams in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Animal Assisted Activities (AAA). Following certification, these teams dispense love, hope and cheer in major New York City medical and mental health facilities as well as schools.

For more details on the specific classes and what they cover, and to sign up, check out our website.

Animal Assisted Therapy on the ASPCA Online Community:

You might find it useful to have a first-hand account before you decide to enroll your pet in classes. Check out the transcript of the online chat we held with Greer Griffith, ASPCA Manager of Animal Assisted Therapy. Greer also runs an Animal Assisted Therapy discussion group. To participate or browse, go ahead and join in!

… Because bark-ter is the best medicine… Bark-ter? Groan. We tried.

Live Chat All About the ASPCA -Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, Friday, September 12, please join ASPCA Executive Vice President and Science Advisor Dr. Stephen Zawistowski--we just call him Dr. Z!-- to discuss your questions about ASPCA history and the ongoing fight for the humane treatment of animals.

Join the chat group!

Place: ASPCA Online Community

Time: Noon to 2:00 PM, EST

*Order your copy of Dr. Z's book on the history of the ASPCA: Heritage of Care.

Join Us Today for Live Chat With ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Expert

Are instances of animal cruelty becoming more prominent in the courtroom and in police investigations?

Why would someone harm a helpless animal?

How can we educate communities on the horrors of dog fighting?

News of animal abuse is warranting more of the public's attention than ever, with increasing interest in discovering what's behind the cruelty. Here to discuss how we can fight animal cruelty by better understanding what drives humans toward it is the ASPCA's Dr. Randall Lockwood, Sr. VP, Anti-Cruelty Field Services. His expertise draws from 25 years of partnership with humane societies and law enforcement agencies.

Join Today's Chat!
Chat time: Noon to 2:00 PM, EST.
Chat place: ASPCA Online Community

Get Training Tips From An ASPCA Expert Today!

Does your dog walk you in the mornings? Does your cat join you at the table for dinner? Don't get frustrated. Animals aren't born knowing how to sit, stay or get off the furniture when you tell them to, but they can be taught—and we can tell you how!

Please join the fabulous Victoria Wells, ASPCA Manager of Shelter Behavior and Training, for a live discussion all about animal training. Wells, who you may have seen featured on Animal Precinct, will be waiting in the ASPCA Online Community from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST on Tuesday, August 19—that's today—to offer advice on how to train your pets to behave properly, in and out of doors.

P.S. Please note, you'll need to log in to post your questions, so click here to sign up if you're not already a member of the ASPCA Community. Joining is easy and free—we promise!

Talk Pet Travel Safety with Dr. Z this Friday, August 1

What should I pack in my pet’s travel kit?
Is it better to feed my cat before or after a long trip?
How can I get my dog used to car rides?

Getting ready to hit the road or air with your four-legged friend? Globetrotting with your pet or just taking a nice long drive doesn’t have to be stressful—if you take the right precautions. Please join ASPCA Executive Vice President and Science Advisor Dr. Stephen L. Zawistowski—we just call him Dr. Z!—for a live chat about traveling with your pets.

The chat will be held on the ASPCA Online Community on Friday, August 1, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST. You’ll need to register in order to ask a question, but signing up is easy, fast and free!

Free Summer Health Advice from ASPCA Vet, Wednesday, July 9, Noon to 2:00 P.M.!

How can I tell if my puppy is overheating?

Is it okay for our dog to swim in the ocean?

My cats just seem to lie around when it’s hot out! What can I do to make them feel better?

As the mercury continues to rise, we’re very excited to welcome back Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, for a live chat about enjoying the summer safely with our pets. Join us on Wednesday, July 9, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST on our ASPCA Online Community. Dr. Murray will be available to answer all of your burning questions about protecting your pets from heat exhaustion, potential poisons and other seasonal hazards.

P.S. You’ll need to join the ASPCA Online Community in order to post a question for Dr. Murray. It’s free and takes just seconds to sign up!

Need Cat Behavior Advice? Talk To ASPCA Expert Live, Friday at Noon!

Help, my kitty eats so fast that she vomits!

Why does my cat refuse to use the litter box?

How can I convince Fluffy to remove her nails from my sofa?

Does your mischievous meow-ser puzzle you with odd eating habits and not-so-agreeable scratching post choices? Ask Dr. Pamela Reid, Vice President, ASPCA Animal Behavior Center, all of your burning questions about funny felines and their unusual antics. From midnight stalking to birdie watching, your cat’s behavior is fair game! Join Dr. Reid on Friday, June 20, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST, in the ASPCA Online Community. Hope to see you then!

Ask The ASPCA Vet: Summertime Help For Hot Pups And Cats

As temperatures soar in many areas of the country, pet parents have been asking us how to help dogs and cats beat the heat. We passed on the following questions to Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital:

I'm trying to leash train my five-month-old Lab puppy. How long is too long a walk when it’s 90 degrees out?
—Susan C.

“The exact length of the walk would depend on the temperature outside, the dog's condition, etc.,” says Dr. Murray. “The most important thing is to monitor your dog. Does he look tired? Is he panting fiercely? Are his gums getting red? If you see these things, it's time to stop. Certainly on really hot days, I think that a mile is a reasonable limit, but you have to compute all the factors, such as time of day, shade versus sun, etc. He will be able to do more in the early morning or at dusk than at noon, for example. Have fun with your puppy!”

Dr. Murray also offered up some hints for safe exercise in the summer:

1. Always have lots of fresh water to offer your puppy every 10-15 minutes or so.
2. Try to exercise during the times of day when it is not as hot and sunny. The best times are early morning or evening. Avoid exercise between 10:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M.
3. Try to keep your puppy in the shade.
4. When it is hot outside, exercise should be moderate. Long periods of strenuous exercise when it is hot could lead to heatstroke.

I'm always a little worried in the summer about leaving my two cats (both short-haired) without AC. How hot is too hot? At what point should I leave it on for them if I'm away at work? Thanks!
—C.H.

“Since cats did evolve in the desert, it is felt that they can tolerate somewhat higher temperatures than people can, as long as they are not in the sun and have plenty of water,” explains Dr. Murray. “However, when it is really muggy, they do seem to become sluggish and uncomfortable. If it is affordable for you, they will be grateful if you use the air conditioner to keep the temperature in your home around 80 degrees while you are out. If you put on the AC, but set the temperature higher than you might if you were home, they will be quite happy. When the temperature goes above 90 degrees—outside or in—they don’t seem to like it any more than we do. Thanks for your concern about your kitties’ comfort!”

Got a question for Dr. Murray? In honor of Adopt-A-Shelter Cat Month, she’ll be answering all your cat health-related questions this Wednesday, June 11, from noon to 2:00 P.M. on the ASPCA Online Community!

Because Rhinos Are Cool, and So Are People Who Write About Them

Animal lovers, young bookworms and aspiring writers are invited to attend a live chat with author Cristina Kessler next Tuesday, May 20, from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. EST. The award-winning author will discuss her book, Our Secret, Siri Aang, about a 12-year-old Maasai girl who finds a mother black rhino and her tiny baby hidden in the African bush.

Even if you didn't read the book, we still would love to see you at the chat! Kessler can answer questions about her 17 years living in Africa, African wildlife and what it’s like to be a writer.

P.S. Teachers, why not ask your students to join the chat as an extra-credit assignment?

Parents, Talk with ASPCA Expert About Humane Education!

How can I reinforce humane education for my kids during the summer?

Why is it important for kids to learn about animal welfare?

I heard you have a book club—can I sign up?

Hey parents, want to chat about raising the next generation of veterinarians, animal cops, shelter workers and volunteers? If you’d like some great suggestions for teaching your kids how to begin a lifetime of loving and respecting animals, please join Joanne Pentangelo, ASPCA Humane Education Specialist, for a live discussion on Friday, May 9. She’ll be waiting for you on the ASPCA Online Community from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST, and we at the ASPCA—especially the four-legged “staff”—are grateful for your interest in showing kids how to care for the furry members of the family.

Live Chat about "ER Vets"Tomorrow!

Henry's Book Club is pleased to host Donna Jackson, Henry Bergh Children's Book Award winning author of ER Vets, for a live chat tomorrow, Tuesday, April 29, from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. EST.

Please show your support for Henry's Book Club, and join in the fun. Donna will answer all your questions about the life of ER Vets. Please invite your whole family to participate--it's easy to register.

Live Chat with ASPCA Animal Behaviorists--Tomorrow!

My cat doesn’t seem to know the difference between his scratching post and our new couch—help!

Everything in our house has been deemed a chew toy by our new puppy—what can we do?

How can I keep my cat out of my baby’s crib?

Can I prevent my dog from jumping up on guests?

We’d all love to understand our pets better, especially when they get their paws, noses and whiskers into mischief! That’s why we decided to host a four-hour pet behavior chat with three of our experts! Please join us tomorrow, Friday, in our ASPCA Online Community as we speak with the ASPCA’s Dr. Jennifer Sobie, Lifeline Behaviorist; Kristen Collins, CPDT, Animal Trainer and Carmen Buitrago, MSc, CPDT, Associate Behaviorist and Trainer. The live discussion will take place from noon to 4:00 P.M. EST.

“Behavior is our route to affinity with animals,” says Dr. Sobie. “Behavior is both the expression and the means to improve the welfare of animals in our lives.”

Don’t miss this exciting chance to participate in our special behavior discussion—twice the time, twice the information—and learn what makes your pets do the cute, not-so-cute and crazy things they do.

ASPCA Day--The Aftermath

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Huh? Oh, excuse us, we're still exhausted from all the celebrating yesterday! Thanks for helping us celebrate ASPCA Day! We hope you had as much fun as we did. We’re honored by all the landmarks that lit up in orange last night, including the Empire State Building, the Sears Tower—and even Niagara Falls! But we are even more moved by your outpour of affection and support for all those wonderful animals out there who need homes. ASPCA Day may be officially behind us for this year, but there’s still more fun to be had and more awareness to spread! Make sure you stay tuned to our website to keep up to date on how to help fight animal cruelty—and if you were at Union Square in New York City with us yesterday, you just might see yourself decked out in orange when we post our photos!

So, how did you celebrate yesterday? Are you a teacher who had your class dress up in orange? Did you organize a special event in your area to spread the word about fighting animal cruelty? We wanna hear your story, so enter our Community Leader contest. You could win a trip to New York City!

If you don’t want to enter the contest, but still want to share photos and stories from your community’s ASPCA Day celebration, you can do so on the ASPCA Day Group on our Online Community. We look forward to hearing from you. Thanks again!

Live Chat With Officer Annemarie Lucas--Tomorrow!

Going orange for ASPCA Day this April 10? Great! We’ve planned some exciting events for this special day, which honors the ASPCA’s victories on behalf of animals. Many of these victories resulted from the lifesaving work of our ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement officers, whom you’ve probably seen in action on Animal Planet’s hit series, Animal Precinct. To learn more about their work, please join us for a talk with ASPCA Supervisory Special Investigator Annemarie Lucas at our ASPCA Online Community tomorrow, Tuesday, April 8, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST. Don’t miss this chance to talk to one of the ASPCA’s finest and find out how to prevent animal cruelty in honor of ASPCA Day!

Live Chat With ASPCA Toxicology Experts -- TODAY!!

Has it hit you yet? The holidays are coming! Time to start preparing! And to help ensure that the furry members of your family have a safe and happy season, too, we’ll be holding a live online chat with two toxicology experts from the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center. On hand to discuss how to keep your pets safe from all the potentially toxic “goodies” that enter the home this time of year will be Dana Farbman, CVT, Senior Manager, Professional Communications, and Dr. Eric Dunayer, Veterinary Toxicologist.

Wanna find out how to keep your pets away from your Hanukah chocolates, or which foods from the Thanksgiving buffet are safe to give your pooch? Our chat will be held today, Friday, November 9, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST, and will take place in our new ASPCA Online Community.

Join ASPCA Forensic Vet for a LIVE CHAT -- TODAY!!

How does a forensic vet gather evidence in an animal cruelty case?

What is it like to testify at an animal cruelty hearing?

What tools do you use to do your job?

Because of TV shows like CSI and Law and Order, real-life jurors expect forensic science to back up all the evidence presented to them—and animal cruelty cases are no exception. These days, jurors don’t just want any old evidence—they want forensic evidence.

“It’s because of ‘the CSI effect,’” says ASPCA Forensic Veterinarian, Dr. Melinda Merck, who literally wrote the book on using science in investigating animal cruelty. Merck, who often testifies as a forensic veterinary expert for animal cruelty cases around the country—including animal hoarding, dog fighting and animal torture—has also recently authored the textbook Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations.

She'll join us for a live online chat in our brand-new ASPCA Online Community today, Friday, October 26, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST, to answer your toughest questions on veterinary forensics.

A Social Network of Our Very Own!

Great news, guys! We launched a brand new ASPCA Online Community for our discussion boards, and it's loaded with lots of other amazing features!

We launched this new community in response to requests from our members, who asked to post pictures and videos, and to make groups for other animals besides cats and dogs. With the new ASPCA Online Community, they can. We’ve seen tremendous response— after only 3 weeks, we’re up to 500 members, and user feedback has been extremely positive.

Here is an overview of our very own social network’s many features:
-Frequent live chats with ASPCA experts
-Participate in discussion forums. With these enhanced forums, you can add photos and videos to your posts.
-Create your own profile—you can upload your photos and videos, and get comments on them.
-Personalize your page.
-Send and receive friend requests to connect with other community members.
-Celebrate your favorite animals with those who share your affection by joining groups such as Reptile Room and That’s Fishy! You can even create groups of your own.
-Keep your very own blog!
-Comment on other people’s pages and receive comments on yours!
-Track your activity—and your friends’ activity, too.

So, come join the ASPCA Online Community and send a friend request to Elyse Orecchio, community rep for the ASPCA...see you there!

Live, Online Expert Chat on Dog Behavior Tomorrow

My dog is friendly with all dogs we meet on our daily walks, but there’s one perfectly nice poodle he always growls at. What gives?

Why does my dog eat her food so fast? You’d think we were starving her!

What makes your dog tick? (Besides ticks.) Why does he behave like, well, a dog? You probably have lots of questions about your canine’s crazy behavior. Joining us with answers is Trish McMillan, ASPCA Senior Manager, Animal Behavior, who will be hosting a live online chat -- tomorrow!

To ask McMillan about your dog’s behavior, log in to our brand new ASPCA Online Community next tomorrow, Friday, October 19, between noon and 2:00 P.M. EST.

Chat About Your Dog's Health With ASPCA Vet -- TODAY!

We've mentioned it a few times, but it's worth repeating: October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month! Here to kick things off is Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President, Veterinary Outreach. Dr. Miller will join us for a live, online TODAY from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST, to answer your health questions about shelter dogs and your own pups. Here are a couple of examples:

I am interested in adopting a special needs dog—what do I need to be prepared for?

What are some less obvious signs that it’s time to take my dog to the vet?

How do small shelters with little money deal with a dog’s health problems?

Miller has been working with pooches at the “A” for almost 30 years and has recently co-edited the first textbook on shelter medicine, Shelter Medicine for Veterinarians and Staff. She’s currently working on a textbook devoted to the management of infectious diseases in shelters.

P.S. Please note, you'll need to log in to post your questions, so click here to sign up if you're not already a member of the ASPCA Community.

Chat With ASPCA Animal Cop -- TODAY!

Some of our Humane Law Enforcement cops have achieved celebrity status thanks to their appearance on Animal Precinct. Special Agent Diane DiGiacomo is one of them, and she'll be available today, from noon to 2 P.M., to chat with you one-on-one.

So, what to ask, what to ask? For starters, you can hit her up for behind-the-scenes info on the taping of Animal Precinct. Or log on to tell her how cool she is! I don't know about you, but I want to know what it's like to flash that badge to unsuspecting, animal-abusing bad guys on the street, right before she slaps on the cuffs. Most of these brainiacs don't even realize they're committing a crime when they harm little creatures.

DiGiacomo has been at it for ten years now, and you can bet she's seen it all. A dog abandoned in an apartment, a starving kitten, a puppy abused on the street—"I am very dedicated to protecting the animals we all cherish so much," says Officer DiGiacomo, "and I’m looking forward to chatting with a great number of animal lovers like myself."

Join Officer DiGiacomo in the ASPCA Online Community today from noon to 2:00 P.M EST, when she’ll be on hand to share her experiences with you. Please note, you'll need to log in to post your questions, so click here to sign up if you're not already a member of the ASPCA Community.