We’re Fixin’ to Fix Animals!

Cool—a task force of 22 vets was convened by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians to create guidelines for spay-neuter programs nationwide. (Isn’t it nice when we all work together toward a common goal?) On the task force was our very own Dr. Kathleen Makolinski, ASPCA Director of Veterinary Outreach.

We’re thrilled to have helped set these guidelines. Says our ASPCA prez and CEO, Ed Sayres, “We endorse the guidelines document as a means to ensure the welfare of individual animals when they undergo sterilization procedures, regardless of where such surgeries occur.” Read on for more information about the guidelines and where they can be found.

Setting the bar for spay-neuter programs is a milestone in the animal welfare industry! Wahoo!

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.

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.

New ASPCA Online Book Club--For Young 'Uns!

With the launch of Henry’s Book Club, named after visionary and ASPCA founder Henry Bergh, young animal-loving readers can sink their teeth into wonderfully written humane books─and share their thoughts with each other online.

Each month our humane education experts will feature a book for young adults from our collection of Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award winners. Readers will be invited to a moderated online discussion with thought-provoking questions provided by ASPCA experts and the book authors themselves. And, as a special experience, they’ll be invited to live, online chats with the authors. Our first author chat will be held next Thursday, February 14, from 4:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST, in the Henry's Book Club Online Community. Ann Martin, author of this month’s young adult selection A Dog’s Life: The Autobiography of a Stray, will answer readers’ questions directly.

For the little literati, not only will we feature a book each month, chosen by Henry, the club’s canine mascot who dons a Bergh-esque top hat, but we'll give parents and teachers guidelines on how curious young readers can start their own book clubs. So let’s put some great humane literature into the hands of our next generation and let them discuss the books with their own literary set.

Go, Nikki, Go!

We recently wrote about Nikki Granat, the 12-year-old singer who did a benefit concert for us. Nikki’s concert in New Jersey raised over $300 for the ASPCA. Wow!

Now Nikki’s back—this time on the radio! This Saturday, the little songbird will be a guest on Junson Radio Kids.

“Tune in to hear Nikki's story, and how you can join her in her efforts to help homeless animals.”

Jonzun Radio Kids airs every Saturday, from 12:30-1:00 P.M., E.S.T, on WPUL 1590 AM. During broadcast times, the show streams worldwide.

Nikki Sets Good Standards for Kids—By Singing Them!

Why, thank you, Nikki Granat! Our new 12-year-old friend will be singing to raise money for the ASPCA and for The Friends Of County Animal Shelters in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Proud parents Jay and Robin Granat wanted to introduce their daughter to the concept of philanthropy, and asked her to choose a charity to support. “I feel bad when I see puppies without homes and I wanted to sing to help them,” says Nikki.

Crooning classics by legends like Nat King Cole and Jennifer Holliday, Nikki is obviously no ordinary kid. So show this special songbird some love in Jersey this weekend!

Performance info:
Sunday, September 16th
2:15 P.M.
Oritani Field Club; Hackensack, NJ

To read more about how kids can help animals, check out our kid site, Animaland!

Teachers, Invite the Animal Kingdom Into Your Classroom!

Want your classroom to be aflutter with young animal lovers this September? Check out the ASPCA's Humane Education section for some great ideas on how to incorporate animal themes and humane lessons into your plans. Kids love animals—and including them in a reading, writing or math activity can make the lesson more effective and double the fun.

You'll find:

- Back-to-school classroom tips

- An animal-themed event calendar

- Downloadable lesson plans (in keeping with national standards)

- Children’s book list

And that's just for inside the classroom. We also offer service learning projects and links to volunteer opportunities that allow students to practice being humane citizens in the giant classroom outside of school.

Cascading Cat Mobile

Who wouldn't want a bunch of cats hanging around? This whimsical cat mobile will brighten any room and is especially purrfect for a child's room. It is handcarved and handpainted by artists on the island of Bali, Indonesia, from non-endangered plantation wood. The three-dimentional work of art comes fully assembled and balanced. All you need to do is hang it.

This mobile should not be used over a baby's crib. The product is recommended for ages 6 and up. (But isn't it nice that older kids get to have a mobile, for once?)

Visit our online store for more details on the product.

Just for Kids! Ask Azula: Do Chipmunks Make Good Pets?

I was thinking of catching a wild chipmunk. Do you have any opinions on this animal as a pet? —Erica, age 13

You may not like what I am going to say, Erica, but I’ve gotta say it. At ASPCA Animaland, we think it’s great to have companion animals as pets (animals who have been domesticated, or bred to live with humans), but we strongly believe that wild animals should not be kept as pets.

Learn More

Just for Kids! New on ASPCA Animaland: Nose for News

KIDS WHO ROCK The Tech Squad at MS 391 gave an awesome Christmas present to NYC's homeless pets.

DOGS WHO ROCK Meet some canines who can ride skateboards and play the piano (not at the same time, though!).

PUPPY LOVE You asked if we had any awesome pics of pooches? You got 'em!

Attention Parents & Teachers!

The new issue of the ASPCA Animalessons® teacher newsletter is now available at http://www.ASPCAeducation.org/.

The feature article, What is Service Learning?, provides information on this important activity and how service learning can be included in the classroom. The article is accompanied by four reproducible handouts, which include:

- How to make a catnip toy and bake dog biscuits

- A project on how to beautify school grounds

- Ideas for partnering with a local food bank to provide food for pets

- Tips for organizing a towel and blanket drive

Parents, do not miss our new issue of the Parent Newsletter, all about community service projects that you can do with your family. Additionally, service projects make up the theme of our new ASPCA Animaland Pages for kids, which will be featured on the website for the month of November. Feel free to download and share with the children in your life.

Educators and Parents: Teach Kids About Emergency Preparedness

The new issue of the ASPCA Animalessons™ teacher newsletter is now available at www.ASPCAeducation.org.

The feature article, Emergency Preparedness, provides information on what can be done before, during and after an emergency. Students are introduced to the importance of having an emergency evacuation plan for their family, including their pets. The article is accompanied by seven reproducible handouts.

Michigan Residents: Help Pass HB 4254!

HB 4254 would require public schools to provide alternatives for students with a moral objection to dissection.

Some Michigan high schools still require students to dissect cats. In states that permit pound seizure (e.g., Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin), Class B dealers who do not breed animals, but instead obtain them from “random sources,” can purchase cats from shelters and sell them to companies that prepare animals for school dissection. Class B dealers may also profit in this way from the sale of cats who have been stolen by middlemen called “bunchers.”

HB 4254 is a “win-win” bill, as it would allow students who object to dissection to opt out, while not requiring any action of students who do not object.

Michigan residents, please click here to urge the House Education Committee Chair, Brian Palmer, and your representative to vote “YES” on HB 4254!

Brand New Website: ASPCA Education

Today marks the launch of our new website dedicated to humane education - ASPCAEducation.org. This website is a great resource for parents and educators who want to teach children to care about animals. Features include lesson plans, service learning projects, workshops, children's books, our free newsletter, and an online store!

SALE: Humane Education Programs - Great for Teachers!

Attitudes of respect toward animals and the environment are formed when a child is young. That is why we created I Love Animals and Yo Quiero a los Animales, two programs for youngsters in grades K-3.

Both programs feature 30 hands-on activities that you can use to promote humane attitudes and behaviors. Activities such as What Do Animals Eat? and Good or Bad? help children understand the needs of companion and other animals, and how we should treat them. All the activities are reproducible, and are accompanied by simple-to-follow lesson plans.

This week only: 15% Off!

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Humane Heroes!

ASPCA honors Illinois students for proposing canine-friendly legislation.

Chicago (May 24, 2006) State Rep. Toni Berrios and the ASPCA honored students at Brentano Math and Science Academy today with special presentations for successfully proposing a resolution to the Illinois General Assembly.

Four eighth-grade students won a districtwide contest, sponsored by State Rep. Berrios, for researching, developing and proposing a new measure that was adopted as House Resolution 1026. The No Canine Profiling Resolution urges the State to encourage municipalities not to enact breed-specific dog bans and to establish programs that educate residents, as well as encourage laws that target irresponsible dog owners.

Read the rest of the press release...