February 29, 2008
Welcome to our weekly email newsletter, your source for the latest news from our animal welfare community and information on pending humane legislation.

Shelter Pooches Strut Their Stuff in ASPCA Talent Show Earlier this month, ten talented dogs showed a panel of celebrity judges and a cheering audience just how smart, fun and loveable shelter dogs can be. And the contest yielded bigger prizes than we imagined—one week later, our winning mastiff mix, Jazz, was swooped up by a loving family.

ASPCA Pet of the Week: Wanna Grow Old With You It’s what we’re all looking for: a special someone to cuddle with on a cold winter’s evening, someone who’ll be there through thick and thin. Could your special someone be Fabian?

Support Federal Bill: Keep Sick Animals Out of Food Supply
Although “downer” cows are at the heart of the biggest beef recall in U.S. history, Congress has not moved on the Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act in over a year. Here’s how you can help.

Animal Lovers, Donate Now—Without Spending A Dime!
AnimalAttraction.com, a fun online community for pet lovers, will donate $1 to the ASPCA for every new member who registers on the site—and for each friend you refer, they’ll donate another dollar!

ASPCA Shelter Dog Photo Contest Update: Wendie Gets Adopted!
In the words of shelter staff at the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, “Her big smile, sparkly eyes and characteristic wiggle were pretty darn irresistible!”

ASPCA Is Charity Of The Day At GoodSearch.com
What if the ASPCA earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Well, we do! Visit GoodSearch.com to add your two cents (or three or four) to animal welfare.

The prize: an all-expenses-paid, three-day trip to New York City, a year’s supply of pet food, a gift basket and tour of ASPCA headquarters, which includes a meet-and-greet with Animal Precinct officers and Ed Sayres, ASPCA President & CEO.

Now that we’ve got your attention, we’ll tell you how to win it! The ASPCA is holding the second annual Community Leader contest, sponsored by Iams^® Dog and Cat Foods. We’re challenging you to put on your creative hat and think big when planning your ASPCA Day activities this April 10. Starting April 11, show us what you did to spread awareness of the importance of preventing cruelty to animals in your community.

To learn more about the contest and see the amazing stuff folks did to get our attention last year, please visit ASPCA.org.

I always hear the term “Breed Specific Legislation,” or BSL. What does that mean? How can I help pass humane legislation in my state? How do anti-cruelty laws get passed?

The number-one question we get here at the ASPCA is: How can I help? (This also happens to be our favorite question!) Lobbying for laws that protect animals is a great way to get involved. Wanna find out more about humane laws and how the legislative process works? Just ask the ASPCA’s Ledy VanKavage, Esq., Senior Director of Legislation and Legal Training.

VanKavage will be on hand to answer your questions live next Friday, March 7, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST in our ASPCA Online Community. She’ll be bringing her expertise from over 20 years of work in the humane movement! For more information, please visit the Lobby For Animals section on our website.