April 11, 2008
Welcome to our weekly email newsletter, your source for the latest news from our animal welfare community and information on pending humane legislation.

Pet Poison Alert: Popular Plant Is Attractive—but Deadly—to Dogs! ASPCA experts recently found that the seeds and berries of the Brunfelsia plant are potentially dangerous to companion canines. From 2001 to 2006, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center treated 38 cases of Brunfelsia poisoning, three of them fatal—a reminder for humans to be wary of this pet-unfriendly flora.

ASPCA Demands Cancellation of TV’s Greatest Show on Earth Ringling Bros. Circus has a long history of abusing animals in the name of entertainment. Please join us in urging executives at TNT to cancel their upcoming series.

ASPCA Pet of the Week: Quiet Riot Sometimes it’s the ones who speak softly—and carry a big purr—that make the strongest statement.

How Much Does It Cost to Have a Pet in 2008?
Check out our breakdown of yearly expenses for a variety of animal companions.

Could You Be the Next ASPCA Community Leader?
Tell us how you rocked ASPCA Day and you could win a trip to New York City!

On Our Bookshelf: Marley & Me (Now in Paperback!)
We love this story of a young couple’s lessons in love and tolerance at the hands (er, paws) of a 97-pound Labrador retriever.

An ASPCA Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) guarantees that you’ll receive payments for the rest of your life based on the gift you’ve made to animals in need. Beginning on July 1, 2008, based on the yearly review by the American Council on Gift Annuities, annuity rates will go down. This will, in effect, decrease payments received on CGAs started after July 1. If you’d like to take advantage of the current, higher rates, please visit ASPCA.org, or contact Marsha Pierson, CFP, at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4505 or marshap@aspca.org for a personal, confidential proposal.

You can compare current and new rates at ASPCA.org.

That cute little puppy you see in the pet store most likely came from a large-scale, substandard commercial breeding operation, commonly known as a puppy mill. True to the name, puppy mills operate like factories, manufacturing dogs—but, all too often, without the regulations that are standard in other industries. Treated as commodities, both breeder dogs and newborns suffer horrific abuses and substandard living conditions because quantity over quality is the name of the game. Sadly, the law can’t always help these animals, but you can. Make smart choices when looking for a new pet—get informed by reading our Top 10 Ways You Can Help Fight Puppy Mills and use your voice to educate your friends.