Puerto Rico HoyAA Imprimir 17 Octubre 2010
“Para esta medida no estamos preparados”
Creen que muchos abandonarán sus mascotas para no pagar una cuota de inscripción
No creen que el proyecto presentado por la senadora Melinda Romero vaya a resolver el problema de los animales abandonados o maltratados. (primera hora)Por Joel Ortiz Rivera / joel.ortiz@elnuevodia.com
Imponer una cuota por sólo registrar las mascotas en Puerto Rico, en vez de educar primero a la ciudadanía y ofrecer vacunación y esterilización para los registrados como parte de lo que cubriría dicha prima, es uno de los escollos que enfrentaría el proyecto del Senado 1811.
Esta medida, propuesta por la senadora Melinda Romero, también le colocaría un ‘microchip’ al animal para monitorearlo e identificar a su propietario en casos de maltrato o de abandono, casos que sin duda se elevarían debido a que las personas preferirían deshacerse de sus animales a tener que pagar $20, según Susie Palou.
“Para esta medida creo que no estamos preparados”, dijo Palou, vicepresidenta de adopciones de Faro de Animales, entidad que opera un albergue en Humacao. “Culturalmente tenemos que trabajar con la educación y la conciencia. Implantar una medida así de repente no resultaría bien”.
Afirmó que “no resuelve nada. A nosotros nos dejan animales enfermos porque la gente no quiere pagar veterinario. Y los van a dejar por no pagar $20. La gente lo quiere todo gratis. Los albergues están tan llenos que no aguantan. Además de que las adopciones están bien lentas”.
Palou, quien en su carácter personal a veces rescata animalitos abandonados, se preguntó, por ejemplo, si ella tendría que pagar por los gatitos y perros que salvó recientemente y a los cuales les busca un hogar.
Al insistir que una solución debe ser la esterilización, Palou además resaltó que se debe atacar el problema de los ‘criadores de marquesina’, o como explicó, personas que utilizan a sus animales para hacerse de dinero mediante la recría pero sin tener los debidos permisos.
La directora ejecutiva de la Sociedad Protectora de Animales, Maritza Rodríguez, no quiso realizar comentarios sobre el tema ayer por estar reunida, pero a través de una ayudante informó que prefería empaparse más sobre el tema antes de emitir una opinión.
Si se aprueba el proyecto de Romero, los propietarios de mascotas en la Isla tendrían que pagar $20 para registrar a cada una de ellas. Si fuesen especies exóticas el costo subiría a $25; si son atletas, como caballos de carrera, pagarían $50 y si son de colección el precio se elevaría a $100.
El proyecto ha causado polémica debido a que su autora manifestó que poner a pelear gallos sería una violación al Código de Bienestar Animal, Vida Silvestre y Flora de Puerto Rico, que se crearía mediante este proyecto.
http://www.elnuevodia.com/paraestamedidanoestamospreparados-799822.html
miércoles, 8 de diciembre de 2010
sábado, 4 de diciembre de 2010
I am the voice of the voiceless,
"I am the voice of the voiceless,
Through me the dumb shall speak,
Till the deaf world's ears be made to hear,
The wrongs of the wordless weak,
And I am my brother's keeper,
And I will fight his fight,
And speak the word for beast and bird
Till the world shall set things right.
: Ella Wheeler Wilcox"
Through me the dumb shall speak,
Till the deaf world's ears be made to hear,
The wrongs of the wordless weak,
And I am my brother's keeper,
And I will fight his fight,
And speak the word for beast and bird
Till the world shall set things right.
: Ella Wheeler Wilcox"
Quotations
“I never married because there was no need. I have three pets at home which answer the same purpose as a husband. I have a dog which growls every morning, a parrot which swears all afternoon, and a cat that comes home late at night.”
Imponen multa por abandonar perrita Lolita
Imponen multa por abandonar perrita Lolita
jueves, 2 de diciembre de 2010
09:04 p.m.
Mariana Cobián / Primera Hora
Por dejar a su perro abandonado por varios días, Julivette Lozada Delgado tuvo que pagar $300 por los cargos que enfrentó por maltrato de animales, $288 de restitución de gastos de veterinario y $200 a la Fundación de Oficiales en Defensa de los Animales de Caguas.
Esa fue la sentencia emitida por la jueza Susana Serrano, del Tribunal de Caguas, luego de que la acusada fuera declarada culpable el 13 de octubre pasado, por los delitos de maltrato por negligencia y confinamiento contra una perrita de alrededor de dos años de edad.
Los hechos se remontan al 8 de julio pasado, cuando la mujer se fue del complejo de apartamentos donde residía y dejó a la perrita color negra amarrada a una pileta en una terraza comunal sin techo, a la intemperie sin agua ni comida.
Los administradores del lugar se comunicaron con la ex inquilina para que buscara a la mascota, lo que nunca hizo. Fue entonces que llamaron a la Policía y la agente Millie López investigó y se quedó con la perra, a la que rebautizó como Lolita.
“Yo quedé satisfecha porque por lo menos pasó la vergüenza de que todos saben lo que hizo. Todo lo que pasó, por lo menos hoy (ayer) se vio arrepentida, muy distinta a otras veces que no mostraba arrepentimiento, que le daba lo mismo, pero ahora fue más sumisa”, manifestó la agente López.
La dirigente de la Fundación agregó que “estoy satisfecha porque por lo menos sé que esa persona no va a volver a maltratar a un animal”.
La agente destacó que, aunque pensaba quedarse con ella, dará a Lolita en adopción porque “cuando haya otros rescates, no voy a poder cuidarlos a todos, así podrá atender otros perritos en la misma situación”.
“Lolita está bien linda. De lo más bien…preciosa y bien gorda”, expresó López, quien dijo que las personas interesadas en adoptarla, pueden llamar al (787) 743-1306.
http://www.primerahora.com/imponenmultaporabandonarperritalolita-449697.html
jueves, 2 de diciembre de 2010
09:04 p.m.
Mariana Cobián / Primera Hora
Por dejar a su perro abandonado por varios días, Julivette Lozada Delgado tuvo que pagar $300 por los cargos que enfrentó por maltrato de animales, $288 de restitución de gastos de veterinario y $200 a la Fundación de Oficiales en Defensa de los Animales de Caguas.
Esa fue la sentencia emitida por la jueza Susana Serrano, del Tribunal de Caguas, luego de que la acusada fuera declarada culpable el 13 de octubre pasado, por los delitos de maltrato por negligencia y confinamiento contra una perrita de alrededor de dos años de edad.
Los hechos se remontan al 8 de julio pasado, cuando la mujer se fue del complejo de apartamentos donde residía y dejó a la perrita color negra amarrada a una pileta en una terraza comunal sin techo, a la intemperie sin agua ni comida.
Los administradores del lugar se comunicaron con la ex inquilina para que buscara a la mascota, lo que nunca hizo. Fue entonces que llamaron a la Policía y la agente Millie López investigó y se quedó con la perra, a la que rebautizó como Lolita.
“Yo quedé satisfecha porque por lo menos pasó la vergüenza de que todos saben lo que hizo. Todo lo que pasó, por lo menos hoy (ayer) se vio arrepentida, muy distinta a otras veces que no mostraba arrepentimiento, que le daba lo mismo, pero ahora fue más sumisa”, manifestó la agente López.
La dirigente de la Fundación agregó que “estoy satisfecha porque por lo menos sé que esa persona no va a volver a maltratar a un animal”.
La agente destacó que, aunque pensaba quedarse con ella, dará a Lolita en adopción porque “cuando haya otros rescates, no voy a poder cuidarlos a todos, así podrá atender otros perritos en la misma situación”.
“Lolita está bien linda. De lo más bien…preciosa y bien gorda”, expresó López, quien dijo que las personas interesadas en adoptarla, pueden llamar al (787) 743-1306.
http://www.primerahora.com/imponenmultaporabandonarperritalolita-449697.html
Dead animals by the road, a serious situation
DeDead animals by the road, a serious situation
december 3, 2010Print
by The Daily Sun staff Change Text Size Comments
Change Text Size of Story
If you are logged in, you can set the default text size for stories by going to Account >> Preferences
The daily disgrace of passing near a dead animal by the road and watching its process of decomposition has become an habitual, sad case for tourists on our island. According to Cindy Badano, Animal Rights Special Committee President, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company loses around $15 million yearly on tourists who actively boycott visiting the island or deny going back to such a pitiful scenario.
In a public hearing held Thursday by the Natural and Environmental Resources Committee, presided by or the district of Humacao senator, Luz M. Santiago González, the strongest point of discussion was whose responsibility is it to offer orientation on how to comply with Law 154 (Law for the Well-being and Protection of Animals), which was signed on Aug. 4, 2008. The committee is currently investigating if and how well municipalities and government agencies are complying with this law.
According to Badano, this law has been internationally availed by The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as one of the most progressive ones concerning this topic. The animal protector maintains that the responsibility of removing dead animals from the road belongs to the municipalities.
Answering the concerns of animal protectors, Jesús Vázquez, Spokesman for the Health Dept. assigned to the State Office for Animal Control, said that they have oriented around 5,000 law enforcement agents on how to deal with the situation.
However, this job is not even close to the demand of cases generated on the island. Vázquez said that they are still in need of an effective protocol regarding the management of abused animals recovered by the Police.
“It’s not that easy... we need help from the Police Superintendent and community groups. We need a critical number of people to multiply until we get to the point where we want to be,” said the government official. The protocol draft was begun in 2008.
Ana María Hernández, Spokeswoman for the Animal Rights National Organization, specified that Law 242 of August 30, 2000, assigns the State Office for Animal Control $1.5 million in funds to be employed in encouraging municipalities and bona-fide private entities through subventions. With these funds, proposals directed toward stray animals’ rescue, control and adoption processes could be developed, in addition to having shelters and offering education to members of the community.
According to Vázquez, even though municipalities have the responsibility of presenting proposals to the State Officer for Animal Control, only six or seven municipalities assisted to the last meeting.
Sen. Santiago González emphasized the importance of knowing which municipalities comply with the requirements and equipment necessary to receive these subventions favoring a permanent structure. To this argument, the spokesman answered that “there are municipalities such as Carolina, whose Municipal Police unit helps by offering talks to San Juan and state police officers.”
As evidence during the hearing, Puerto Rico suffers from a lack of education concerning the extent of both laws concerning animal rights. Citizens as well as government officials lack a uniform protocol to follow, and there is no special fund to defray the costs of dealing with abused animals.
http://www.prdailysun.com/news/Dead-animals-by-the-road-a-serious-situation
december 3, 2010Print
by The Daily Sun staff Change Text Size Comments
Change Text Size of Story
If you are logged in, you can set the default text size for stories by going to Account >> Preferences
The daily disgrace of passing near a dead animal by the road and watching its process of decomposition has become an habitual, sad case for tourists on our island. According to Cindy Badano, Animal Rights Special Committee President, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company loses around $15 million yearly on tourists who actively boycott visiting the island or deny going back to such a pitiful scenario.
In a public hearing held Thursday by the Natural and Environmental Resources Committee, presided by or the district of Humacao senator, Luz M. Santiago González, the strongest point of discussion was whose responsibility is it to offer orientation on how to comply with Law 154 (Law for the Well-being and Protection of Animals), which was signed on Aug. 4, 2008. The committee is currently investigating if and how well municipalities and government agencies are complying with this law.
According to Badano, this law has been internationally availed by The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as one of the most progressive ones concerning this topic. The animal protector maintains that the responsibility of removing dead animals from the road belongs to the municipalities.
Answering the concerns of animal protectors, Jesús Vázquez, Spokesman for the Health Dept. assigned to the State Office for Animal Control, said that they have oriented around 5,000 law enforcement agents on how to deal with the situation.
However, this job is not even close to the demand of cases generated on the island. Vázquez said that they are still in need of an effective protocol regarding the management of abused animals recovered by the Police.
“It’s not that easy... we need help from the Police Superintendent and community groups. We need a critical number of people to multiply until we get to the point where we want to be,” said the government official. The protocol draft was begun in 2008.
Ana María Hernández, Spokeswoman for the Animal Rights National Organization, specified that Law 242 of August 30, 2000, assigns the State Office for Animal Control $1.5 million in funds to be employed in encouraging municipalities and bona-fide private entities through subventions. With these funds, proposals directed toward stray animals’ rescue, control and adoption processes could be developed, in addition to having shelters and offering education to members of the community.
According to Vázquez, even though municipalities have the responsibility of presenting proposals to the State Officer for Animal Control, only six or seven municipalities assisted to the last meeting.
Sen. Santiago González emphasized the importance of knowing which municipalities comply with the requirements and equipment necessary to receive these subventions favoring a permanent structure. To this argument, the spokesman answered that “there are municipalities such as Carolina, whose Municipal Police unit helps by offering talks to San Juan and state police officers.”
As evidence during the hearing, Puerto Rico suffers from a lack of education concerning the extent of both laws concerning animal rights. Citizens as well as government officials lack a uniform protocol to follow, and there is no special fund to defray the costs of dealing with abused animals.
http://www.prdailysun.com/news/Dead-animals-by-the-road-a-serious-situation
lunes, 22 de noviembre de 2010
Para crear conciencia en esta NAVIDAD
Para crear conciencia en esta NAVIDAD
Un animal NO es un Regalo que puedas devolver o cambiar su VIDA depende de ti se Responsable..
Antes de Regalar o Pedir un animalito como REGALO DE NAVIDAD.... Recuerda que son seres que sienten y padecen que su promedio de vida es de 12 a 15 años .... Son una responsabilidad Son como niños eternos... Lo que si te puedo asegurar es que una vez llegue a tu vida la misma cambiara ...... Quien disfruta del amor sincero, puro y leal de una mascota jamás sentira la tristeza de la soledad.
Los animales NO son peluches, NO son juguetes son seres Vivos por eso todos debemos comenzar a crear conciencia ya que muchas personas en esta época piden de regalo mascotas y luego de un tiempo las abandonan.
Un animal NO es un Regalo que puedas devolver o cambiar su VIDA depende de ti se Responsable..
Antes de Regalar o Pedir un animalito como REGALO DE NAVIDAD.... Recuerda que son seres que sienten y padecen que su promedio de vida es de 12 a 15 años .... Son una responsabilidad Son como niños eternos... Lo que si te puedo asegurar es que una vez llegue a tu vida la misma cambiara ...... Quien disfruta del amor sincero, puro y leal de una mascota jamás sentira la tristeza de la soledad.
Los animales NO son peluches, NO son juguetes son seres Vivos por eso todos debemos comenzar a crear conciencia ya que muchas personas en esta época piden de regalo mascotas y luego de un tiempo las abandonan.
sábado, 20 de noviembre de 2010
The night before Christmas, a rescuer’s tale
The night before Christmas, a rescuer’s tale
T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house
the puppies were running and jumping about
their toys were all over the floor, sofa and chairs
they even had toys laying on the stairs
The older dogs were just trying to sleep
but the little rug rats tugged at their feet.
I was doing my best to medicate, clean –up and feed
at the outside kennels, before I’d get some sleep
I knew the puppies had other plans
for sleeptime was not part of their cares
they wanted to chew, run, poop and dance
I hugged all the sick ones, the hurt and the scared
their memories still lingering from times of despair
When all of a sudden not a sound was heard
I stopped my cleaning and listened instead
How strange was to me not to hear the brats
what were they doing, not even the old ones were on their mats
Something strange must have happened and I ran to the road
Up the driveway came my pack, the young and the old
the lame and the weak, the thin ones and fat, the blind,
the deaf and even the cats
And what to my wandering eyes did appear,
but the whole pack comforting a little ones fears.
They’d gather around him, smelling and kissing,
leaning and talking in their doggy sounds,
tails all a wagging a friend had been found.
Where did you come from little one I said
There is no more room, there are no more beds
A home I can’t offer mine is just shreds
But I can give you hope, love and respect
I can share some food, a dry place instead
Here you’ll have friends, playmates and can learn
that not all the humans are evil dead
I can’t offer much just safety and love
and pray that the Lord will protect us from above
I sat on the stoop with my pack and this friend
the night before Christmas had a glorious end
A little one saved from the clutches of hell
but how long my Lord will I prevail
how long before men will try to hurt them again
how long can I continue this trend
Then the skies were filled with a song
a heavenly host told me how to be strong
fear not for the Lord knows your ways
fear not for God all wrong will stay
these are his creatures his love will abide
soon there will be a turn of the tide
And there on my stoop with the weak and the lame
the ill and the scared, the hungry and in pain
the young and the old, the blind and the deaf
we feared no more when the angels left
For God was with us and blessed are we
who follow the path of he who leads
Y. Torres
11/16/2010
10:30 am
T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house
the puppies were running and jumping about
their toys were all over the floor, sofa and chairs
they even had toys laying on the stairs
The older dogs were just trying to sleep
but the little rug rats tugged at their feet.
I was doing my best to medicate, clean –up and feed
at the outside kennels, before I’d get some sleep
I knew the puppies had other plans
for sleeptime was not part of their cares
they wanted to chew, run, poop and dance
I hugged all the sick ones, the hurt and the scared
their memories still lingering from times of despair
When all of a sudden not a sound was heard
I stopped my cleaning and listened instead
How strange was to me not to hear the brats
what were they doing, not even the old ones were on their mats
Something strange must have happened and I ran to the road
Up the driveway came my pack, the young and the old
the lame and the weak, the thin ones and fat, the blind,
the deaf and even the cats
And what to my wandering eyes did appear,
but the whole pack comforting a little ones fears.
They’d gather around him, smelling and kissing,
leaning and talking in their doggy sounds,
tails all a wagging a friend had been found.
Where did you come from little one I said
There is no more room, there are no more beds
A home I can’t offer mine is just shreds
But I can give you hope, love and respect
I can share some food, a dry place instead
Here you’ll have friends, playmates and can learn
that not all the humans are evil dead
I can’t offer much just safety and love
and pray that the Lord will protect us from above
I sat on the stoop with my pack and this friend
the night before Christmas had a glorious end
A little one saved from the clutches of hell
but how long my Lord will I prevail
how long before men will try to hurt them again
how long can I continue this trend
Then the skies were filled with a song
a heavenly host told me how to be strong
fear not for the Lord knows your ways
fear not for God all wrong will stay
these are his creatures his love will abide
soon there will be a turn of the tide
And there on my stoop with the weak and the lame
the ill and the scared, the hungry and in pain
the young and the old, the blind and the deaf
we feared no more when the angels left
For God was with us and blessed are we
who follow the path of he who leads
Y. Torres
11/16/2010
10:30 am
martes, 9 de noviembre de 2010
Cámara levanta prohibición de perros pitbull
Noticias CompartirAA Imprimir PolíticaNext Next
34
07 Noviembre 2010
4:25 p.m.
Cámara levanta prohibición de perros pitbull
Aprueban proyecto que permitiría la posesión de los animales
Por Yanira Hernández Cabiya yhernandez@elnuevodia.com
La Cámara de Representantes aprobó esta tarde a viva voz el proyecto que levanta la prohibición que existía por Ley a la posesión de perros “Pitbull Terrier”.
La legislación tiene el propósito de “establecer las obligaciones de los dueños de animales domésticos peligrosos y potencialmente peligrosos y enmendar la Ley Núm. 70 de 23 de junio de 1971, a los fines de permitir la posesión de los perros conocidos como “Pitbull Terrier” e híbridos producto de cruces entre estos”.
“Además, mediante las enmiendas propuestas se adoptan medidas de seguridad para el manejo de animales domésticos peligrosos y potencialmente peligrosos”, reza la medida.
La misma fue aprobada con un hemiciclo vacío, ya que los representantes tanto penepés como populares se encontraban reunidos en caucus. Los únicos presentes al momento de la votación eran el portavoz Rolando Crespo y el representante José Jiménez Negrón como presidente incidental, quienes además aprobaron otros siete proyectos que constituían el primer calendario del día.
En un segundo calendario, están los dos proyectos relacionados a la reforma contributiva que habrán de debatirse más tarde.
http://www.elnuevodia.com/camaralevantaprohibiciondeperrospitbull-813762.html
34
07 Noviembre 2010
4:25 p.m.
Cámara levanta prohibición de perros pitbull
Aprueban proyecto que permitiría la posesión de los animales
Por Yanira Hernández Cabiya yhernandez@elnuevodia.com
La Cámara de Representantes aprobó esta tarde a viva voz el proyecto que levanta la prohibición que existía por Ley a la posesión de perros “Pitbull Terrier”.
La legislación tiene el propósito de “establecer las obligaciones de los dueños de animales domésticos peligrosos y potencialmente peligrosos y enmendar la Ley Núm. 70 de 23 de junio de 1971, a los fines de permitir la posesión de los perros conocidos como “Pitbull Terrier” e híbridos producto de cruces entre estos”.
“Además, mediante las enmiendas propuestas se adoptan medidas de seguridad para el manejo de animales domésticos peligrosos y potencialmente peligrosos”, reza la medida.
La misma fue aprobada con un hemiciclo vacío, ya que los representantes tanto penepés como populares se encontraban reunidos en caucus. Los únicos presentes al momento de la votación eran el portavoz Rolando Crespo y el representante José Jiménez Negrón como presidente incidental, quienes además aprobaron otros siete proyectos que constituían el primer calendario del día.
En un segundo calendario, están los dos proyectos relacionados a la reforma contributiva que habrán de debatirse más tarde.
http://www.elnuevodia.com/camaralevantaprohibiciondeperrospitbull-813762.html
miércoles, 3 de noviembre de 2010
Spaying and Neutering
What Is Spaying and Neutering?
Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures performed by veterinarians that render dogs incapable of breeding by removing their reproductive organs. When a female dog is spayed (also called an ovariohysterectomy), the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed. Neutering commonly refers to the castration of males and the complete removal of their testicles.
What Are the Health Benefits of Spaying and Neutering?
Spayed dogs are less likely to develop breast cancer and will not be at risk for ovarian or uterine tumors. Neutered male dogs will not get testicular cancer and they will have a decreased chance of developing prostate enlargement. By neutering male dogs, you lessen their desire to roam, thus decreasing their risk for injury and transmission of infectious disease.
Why Should I Spay or Neuter My Dog?
In addition to the many health benefits, spaying or neutering your dog ensures that he or she won’t contribute to the pet overpopulation problem. Even an unsterilized dog who lives primarily indoors may escape or break away from a leash on a walk and could mate and produce puppies. Each year, millions of homeless dogs are euthanized or end up in shelters simply due to a lack of good homes.
What Are Some Behavioral Issues Associated with Dogs Who Aren’t Spayed or Neutered?
Both male and female dogs will show general behavior signs such as howling, barking and urine marking. There is also a strong need to roam and find a mate, often leading to fighting.
When Is the Best Time to Spay or Neuter My Dog?
It is generally considered safe for puppies as young as eight weeks of age to be spayed or neutered. In animal shelters, surgery is often performed at this age so that puppies can be sterilized prior to adoption. In an effort to avoid the start of urine marking in male dogs and eliminate the chance of pregnancy, it’s advisable to schedule the surgery before your dog reaches six months of age. It’s possible to spay a female dog while she’s in heat, but not always recommended since she may be susceptible to increased blood loss. Though older dogs can be good candidates for sterilization surgery, your vet can best determine if the procedure can safely be performed. Please check with your veterinarian about the best time to spay or neuter your pet.
Spay-Neuter
What Are Spaying and Neutering?
Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures performed by veterinarians that render cats incapable of breeding by removing their reproductive organs. When a female cat is spayed (also called an ovariohysterectomy), the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed. Neutering results in the castration of males and the complete removal of their testicles.
What Are the Health Benefits of Spaying and Neutering?
Spayed cats are less likely to develop breast cancer and will not be at risk for ovarian or uterine cancer, while neutered males will not get testicular cancer. By neutering male cats, you also reduce the risk of injury and transmission of disease, since intact males have a natural instinct to roam and get into fights with other cats, who may have contagious diseases or parasites.
Why Should I Spay or Neuter My Cat?
In addition to the many health benefits, spaying or neutering your cat ensures that he or she won’t contribute to the feline overpopulation problem. Even a cat who lives indoors may escape and produce kittens if not sterilized. Each year, millions of homeless cats are euthanized or end up in shelters due to a lack of good homes.
What Are Some Behavioral Issues Associated with Cats Who Aren’t Spayed or Neutered?
Although any cat can spray urine to mark territory, intact males are those who most often engage in this behavior. Both intact male and female cats may try to escape their homes to roam outside. When female cats are in estrus (heat), they yowl and attract male cats.
When Is the Best Time To Spay or Neuter My Cat?
It is generally considered safe for kittens as young as eight weeks old to be spayed or neutered. In animal shelters, surgery is often performed at this time so that kittens can be sterilized prior to adoption. In an effort to avoid the start of urine spraying and eliminate the chance for pregnancy, it’s advisable to schedule the surgery before your own cat reaches six months of age. It’s possible to spay a female cat while she’s in heat, but not always recommended since she’s susceptible to increased blood loss. Although older cats can be good candidates, your vet can best determine if the procedure can be safely performed.
What Happens When My Cat Is Spayed or Neutered? Will He or She Act Differently?
After sterilization, your cat may be calmer and less likely to exhibit certain behaviors, but his or her personality will not change. Contrary to myth, a neutered cat does not become lazy and overweight. Fixed males do require fewer calories to maintain their body weight, so please talk to your vet about adjusting your cat’s dietary needs.
Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures performed by veterinarians that render dogs incapable of breeding by removing their reproductive organs. When a female dog is spayed (also called an ovariohysterectomy), the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed. Neutering commonly refers to the castration of males and the complete removal of their testicles.
What Are the Health Benefits of Spaying and Neutering?
Spayed dogs are less likely to develop breast cancer and will not be at risk for ovarian or uterine tumors. Neutered male dogs will not get testicular cancer and they will have a decreased chance of developing prostate enlargement. By neutering male dogs, you lessen their desire to roam, thus decreasing their risk for injury and transmission of infectious disease.
Why Should I Spay or Neuter My Dog?
In addition to the many health benefits, spaying or neutering your dog ensures that he or she won’t contribute to the pet overpopulation problem. Even an unsterilized dog who lives primarily indoors may escape or break away from a leash on a walk and could mate and produce puppies. Each year, millions of homeless dogs are euthanized or end up in shelters simply due to a lack of good homes.
What Are Some Behavioral Issues Associated with Dogs Who Aren’t Spayed or Neutered?
Both male and female dogs will show general behavior signs such as howling, barking and urine marking. There is also a strong need to roam and find a mate, often leading to fighting.
When Is the Best Time to Spay or Neuter My Dog?
It is generally considered safe for puppies as young as eight weeks of age to be spayed or neutered. In animal shelters, surgery is often performed at this age so that puppies can be sterilized prior to adoption. In an effort to avoid the start of urine marking in male dogs and eliminate the chance of pregnancy, it’s advisable to schedule the surgery before your dog reaches six months of age. It’s possible to spay a female dog while she’s in heat, but not always recommended since she may be susceptible to increased blood loss. Though older dogs can be good candidates for sterilization surgery, your vet can best determine if the procedure can safely be performed. Please check with your veterinarian about the best time to spay or neuter your pet.
Spay-Neuter
What Are Spaying and Neutering?
Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures performed by veterinarians that render cats incapable of breeding by removing their reproductive organs. When a female cat is spayed (also called an ovariohysterectomy), the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed. Neutering results in the castration of males and the complete removal of their testicles.
What Are the Health Benefits of Spaying and Neutering?
Spayed cats are less likely to develop breast cancer and will not be at risk for ovarian or uterine cancer, while neutered males will not get testicular cancer. By neutering male cats, you also reduce the risk of injury and transmission of disease, since intact males have a natural instinct to roam and get into fights with other cats, who may have contagious diseases or parasites.
Why Should I Spay or Neuter My Cat?
In addition to the many health benefits, spaying or neutering your cat ensures that he or she won’t contribute to the feline overpopulation problem. Even a cat who lives indoors may escape and produce kittens if not sterilized. Each year, millions of homeless cats are euthanized or end up in shelters due to a lack of good homes.
What Are Some Behavioral Issues Associated with Cats Who Aren’t Spayed or Neutered?
Although any cat can spray urine to mark territory, intact males are those who most often engage in this behavior. Both intact male and female cats may try to escape their homes to roam outside. When female cats are in estrus (heat), they yowl and attract male cats.
When Is the Best Time To Spay or Neuter My Cat?
It is generally considered safe for kittens as young as eight weeks old to be spayed or neutered. In animal shelters, surgery is often performed at this time so that kittens can be sterilized prior to adoption. In an effort to avoid the start of urine spraying and eliminate the chance for pregnancy, it’s advisable to schedule the surgery before your own cat reaches six months of age. It’s possible to spay a female cat while she’s in heat, but not always recommended since she’s susceptible to increased blood loss. Although older cats can be good candidates, your vet can best determine if the procedure can be safely performed.
What Happens When My Cat Is Spayed or Neutered? Will He or She Act Differently?
After sterilization, your cat may be calmer and less likely to exhibit certain behaviors, but his or her personality will not change. Contrary to myth, a neutered cat does not become lazy and overweight. Fixed males do require fewer calories to maintain their body weight, so please talk to your vet about adjusting your cat’s dietary needs.
viernes, 22 de octubre de 2010
ley 158
From: Cindy Badano Rosado
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 11:20 AM
To: 'atumanera@primerahora.com'
Subject: Atencion Adela (pitbull)
“Disentimos enérgicamente de la decisión de este Tribunal por que tiene como resultado directo no sólo la eutanasia de Zafira, la cachorra objeto de este litigio, sino que implicará el exterminio a largo plazo de decenas de miles de mascotas en Puerto Rico…Tras examinar detenidamente el expediente ante nuestra consideración, entendemos que la Ley Núm. 158 de 23 de julio de 1998 que prohíbe la posesión y venta de los perros Pitbull e impone a sus dueños la obligación de sacrificarlos so pena de sufrir multas y penas de cárcel, es inconstitucional”
-Opinión disidente del Juez Presidente Hernández Denton a la cual se une el Juez Asociado Rivera Pérez.
El Tribunal Supremo quedó dividido ante la controversia planteada por la orden de eutanasia contra la cachorra Zafira. Se confirmó el poder de razón del estado (police power) pero quedó evidenciada la irracionalidad de la medida que, bajo pretexto de proteger la ciudadanía contra ataques de perros peligrosos, en este caso ordena la eutanasia de una cachorra mansa que es considerada como un miembro de la familia. La Jueza Asociada Pabón Charneco y el Juez Asociado Kolthoff Caraballo confirman la constitucionalidad de la Ley 158, mientras el Juez Presidente Hernández Denton, el Juez Asociado Rivera Pérez y la Jueza Asociada Rodríguez Rodríguez entienden que la medida es inconstitucional. La inhibición del Juez Asociado Martínez Torres selló el veredicto: Zafira debe morir. La decisión no es por consenso, sino por falta de él. Un día muy triste para todos los que queremos nuestras mascotas y las consideramos parte de nuestra familia. Especialmente triste para los que tomamos en serio la Ley 154 de 2008 para la Protección y Bienestar de los Animales la cual recoge el principio establecido por la Organización de las Naciones unidas que “parte de la premisa de que todo animal posee derechos y, en particular, derecho a la existencia, al respeto, a la atención, a los cuidados y a la protección por parte del ser humano”.
La decisión deja a Puerto Rico con la lamentable distinción de ser la única jurisdicción que ordena el sacrificio de estos animales, aunque se trate de uno dócil. Hoy día ningún estado ordena la eutanasia compulsoria y automática de todo Pitbull dentro de los límites de su jurisdicción. De hecho, en Ohio, el estado con la ley más estricta respecto a los Pitbulls, su tenencia no se prohíbe de forma absoluta ni se ordena su eutanasia automática.
Sin embargo, tenemos motivos para pensar que ya se están gestando medidas y movimientos para que situaciones como ésta no se repitan. Por ejemplo, el Secretario de Agricultura paralizó todos los casos relacionados a la Ley 158 y prohibió a los veterinarios de la agencia que dirige dictar órdenes de eutanasia mediante la Orden Administrativa 2008-48 de 27 de octubre de 2008. También, la Asamblea Legislativa aprobó el Proyecto de la Cámara 1890 en cuya Exposición de Motivos cataloga la Ley 158 como un error, mientras un informe de la Comisión de Recursos Naturales, Ambientales y de Energía de la Cámara de Representantes señala que la Ley 158 “no adelanta ningún fin público”. Adicionalmente, la Resolución Conjunta 443 de 18 de mayo de 2009, aprobada con el respaldo de la Comisión de lo Jurídico y Ética, logro establecer una moratoria adicional en los casos relacionados a la Ley 158 con el fin de “detener los sacrificios injustificados”. Ya en el lamentable caso de la masacre de Barceloneta, donde se examinó la razonabilidad de la orden emitida por el Alcalde Sol Fontánez ordenando incautación de todos los perros que se encontraran en los residenciales públicos de su municipio, el 1er Circuito expresó en 2009 que los contornos de derecho constitucional a la propiedad sobre los perros están lo suficientemente delimitados como para denegar el reclamo de inmunidad del alcalde que ordenó la incautación. Me parece que todo esto culminará inevitablemente en la derogación de la infortunada Ley 158 en un futuro cercano.
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 11:20 AM
To: 'atumanera@primerahora.com'
Subject: Atencion Adela (pitbull)
“Disentimos enérgicamente de la decisión de este Tribunal por que tiene como resultado directo no sólo la eutanasia de Zafira, la cachorra objeto de este litigio, sino que implicará el exterminio a largo plazo de decenas de miles de mascotas en Puerto Rico…Tras examinar detenidamente el expediente ante nuestra consideración, entendemos que la Ley Núm. 158 de 23 de julio de 1998 que prohíbe la posesión y venta de los perros Pitbull e impone a sus dueños la obligación de sacrificarlos so pena de sufrir multas y penas de cárcel, es inconstitucional”
-Opinión disidente del Juez Presidente Hernández Denton a la cual se une el Juez Asociado Rivera Pérez.
El Tribunal Supremo quedó dividido ante la controversia planteada por la orden de eutanasia contra la cachorra Zafira. Se confirmó el poder de razón del estado (police power) pero quedó evidenciada la irracionalidad de la medida que, bajo pretexto de proteger la ciudadanía contra ataques de perros peligrosos, en este caso ordena la eutanasia de una cachorra mansa que es considerada como un miembro de la familia. La Jueza Asociada Pabón Charneco y el Juez Asociado Kolthoff Caraballo confirman la constitucionalidad de la Ley 158, mientras el Juez Presidente Hernández Denton, el Juez Asociado Rivera Pérez y la Jueza Asociada Rodríguez Rodríguez entienden que la medida es inconstitucional. La inhibición del Juez Asociado Martínez Torres selló el veredicto: Zafira debe morir. La decisión no es por consenso, sino por falta de él. Un día muy triste para todos los que queremos nuestras mascotas y las consideramos parte de nuestra familia. Especialmente triste para los que tomamos en serio la Ley 154 de 2008 para la Protección y Bienestar de los Animales la cual recoge el principio establecido por la Organización de las Naciones unidas que “parte de la premisa de que todo animal posee derechos y, en particular, derecho a la existencia, al respeto, a la atención, a los cuidados y a la protección por parte del ser humano”.
La decisión deja a Puerto Rico con la lamentable distinción de ser la única jurisdicción que ordena el sacrificio de estos animales, aunque se trate de uno dócil. Hoy día ningún estado ordena la eutanasia compulsoria y automática de todo Pitbull dentro de los límites de su jurisdicción. De hecho, en Ohio, el estado con la ley más estricta respecto a los Pitbulls, su tenencia no se prohíbe de forma absoluta ni se ordena su eutanasia automática.
Sin embargo, tenemos motivos para pensar que ya se están gestando medidas y movimientos para que situaciones como ésta no se repitan. Por ejemplo, el Secretario de Agricultura paralizó todos los casos relacionados a la Ley 158 y prohibió a los veterinarios de la agencia que dirige dictar órdenes de eutanasia mediante la Orden Administrativa 2008-48 de 27 de octubre de 2008. También, la Asamblea Legislativa aprobó el Proyecto de la Cámara 1890 en cuya Exposición de Motivos cataloga la Ley 158 como un error, mientras un informe de la Comisión de Recursos Naturales, Ambientales y de Energía de la Cámara de Representantes señala que la Ley 158 “no adelanta ningún fin público”. Adicionalmente, la Resolución Conjunta 443 de 18 de mayo de 2009, aprobada con el respaldo de la Comisión de lo Jurídico y Ética, logro establecer una moratoria adicional en los casos relacionados a la Ley 158 con el fin de “detener los sacrificios injustificados”. Ya en el lamentable caso de la masacre de Barceloneta, donde se examinó la razonabilidad de la orden emitida por el Alcalde Sol Fontánez ordenando incautación de todos los perros que se encontraran en los residenciales públicos de su municipio, el 1er Circuito expresó en 2009 que los contornos de derecho constitucional a la propiedad sobre los perros están lo suficientemente delimitados como para denegar el reclamo de inmunidad del alcalde que ordenó la incautación. Me parece que todo esto culminará inevitablemente en la derogación de la infortunada Ley 158 en un futuro cercano.
MUCHAS VECES LA FELICIDAD NAVEGA EN EL RECUERDO, PERO EL DOLOR QUE CONLLEVA DERIVA EN UN RECLAMO QUE NO LO LAVA NINGUNA LÁGRIMA
http://linde5-otroenfoque.blogspot.com/2010/07/llegan-las-vacaciones-y-comienza-el.html
'I Gas Cats & Dogs For A Living'
'I Gas Cats & Dogs For A Living'
I GAS DOGS AND CATS FOR A LIVING
Yes, I Gas Dogs and Cats for a Living.
I'm an Animal Control officer in a very small town in central North Carolina. I'm in my mid thirties, and have been working for the town in different positions since high school.
There is not much work here, and working for the county provides good pay and benefits for a person like me without a higher education. I'm the person you all write about how horrible I am.
I'm the one that gasses the dogs and cats and makes them suffer. I'm the one that pulls their dead corpses out smelling of Carbon Monoxide and throws them into green plastic bags. But I'm also the one that hates my job and hates what I have to do.
First off, all you people out there that judge me, don't. God is judging me, and I know I'm going to hell. Yes, I'm going to hell. I wont lie, it's despicable, cold, cruel and I feel like a serial killer. I'm not all to blame, if the law would mandate spay and neuter, lots of these dogs and cats wouldn't be here for me to gas. I'm the devil, I know it, but I want you people to see that there is another side to me the devil Gas Chamber man.
The shelter usually gasses on Friday morning.
Friday's are the day that most people look forward to, this is the day that I hate, and wish that time will stand still on Thursday night. Thursday night, late, after nobody's around, my friend and I go through a fast food line, and buy 50 dollars worth of cheeseburgers and fries, and chicken. I'm not allowed to feed the dogs on Thursday, for I'm told that they will make a mess in the gas chamber, and why waste the food.
So, Thursday night, with the lights still closed, I go into the saddest room that anyone can every imagine, and let all the doomed dogs out out their cages.
I have never been bit, and in all my years doing this, the dogs have never fought over the food. My buddy and I, open each wrapper of cheeseburger and chicken sandwich, and feed them to the skinny, starving dogs. They swallow the food so fast, that I don't believe they even taste it. There tails are wagging, and some don't even go for the food, they roll on their backs wanting a scratch on their bellys. They start running, jumping and kissing me and my buddy. They go back to their food, and come back to us. All their eyes are on us with such trust and hope, and their tails wag so fast, that I have come out with black and blues on my thighs.. They devour the food, then it's time for them to devour some love and peace. My buddy and I sit down on the dirty, pee stained concrete floor, and we let the dogs jump on us. They lick us, they put their butts in the air to play, and they play with each other. Some lick each other, but most are glued on me and my buddy.
I look into the eyes of each dog. I give each dog a name. They will not die without a name. I give each dog 5 minutes of unconditional love and touch. I talk to them, and tell them that I'm so sorry that tomorrow they will die a gruesome, long, torturous death at the hands of me in the gas chamber. Some tilt their heads to try to understand. I tell them, that they will be in a better place, and I beg them not to hate me. I tell them that I know I'm going to hell, but they will all be playing with all the dogs and cats in heaven.
After about 30 minutes, I take each dog individually, into their feces filled concrete jail cell, and pet them and scratch them under their chins. Some give me their paw, and I just want to die. I just want to die. I close the jail cell on each dog, and ask them to forgive me. As my buddy and I are walking out, we watch as every dog is smiling at us and them don't even move their heads. They will sleep, with a full belly, and a false sense of security.
As we walk out of the doomed dog room, my buddy and I go to the cat room. We take our box, and put the very friendly kittens and pregnant cats in our box. The shelter doesn't keep tabs on the cats, like they do the dogs. As I hand pick which cats are going to make it out, I feel like I'm playing God, deciding whose going to live and die.
We take the cats into my truck, and put them on blankets in the back. Usually, as soon as we start to drive away, there are purring cats sitting on our necks or rubbing against us. My buddy and I take our one way two hour trip to a county that is very wealthy and they use injection to kill animals. We go to exclusive neighborhoods, and let one or two cats out at a time. They don't want to run, they want to stay with us. We shoo them away, which makes me feel sad. I tell them that these rich people will adopt them, and if worse comes to worse and they do get put down, they will be put down with a painless needle being cradled by a loving veterinarian.
After the last cat is free, we drive back to our town. It's about 5 in the morning now, about two hours until I have to gas my best friends. I go home, take a shower, take my 4 anti-anxiety pills and drive to work.. I don't eat, I can't eat.
It's now time, to put these animals in the gas chamber. I put my ear plugs in, and when I go to the collect the dogs, the dogs are so excited to see me, that they jump up to kiss me and think they are going to play. I put them in the rolling cage and take them to the gas chamber.
They know. They just know. They can smell the death.. They can smell the fear. They start whimpering, the second I put them in the box. The boss tells me to squeeze in as many as I can to save on gas. He watches. He knows I hate him, he knows I hate my job. I do as I'm told. He watches until all the dogs, and cats (thrown in together) are fighting and screaming. The sounds are very muffled to me because of my ear plugs. He walks out, I turn the gas on, and walk out.
I walk out as fast as I can. I walk into the bathroom, and I take a pin and draw blood from my hand. Why? The pain and blood takes my brain off of what I just did.
In 40 minutes, I have to go back and unload the dead animals. I pray that none survived, which happens when I overstuff the chamber. I pull them out with thick gloves, and the smell of carbon monoxide makes me sick. So does the vomit and blood, and all the bowel movements. I pull them out, put them in plastic bags.
They are in heaven now, I tell myself. I then start cleaning up the mess, the mess, that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not spay or neutering your animals. The mess that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not demanding that a vet come in and do this humanely. You ARE THE TAXPAYERS, DEMAND that this practice STOP!
So, don't call me the monster, the devil, the gasser, call the politicians, the shelter directors, and the county people the devil. Heck, call the governor, tell him to make it stop.
As usual, I will take sleeping pills tonight to drown out the screams I heard in the past, before I discovered the ear plugs. I will jump and twitch in my sleep, and I believe I'm starting to hallucinate.
This is my life. Don't judge me. Believe me, I judge myself enough.
I GAS DOGS AND CATS FOR A LIVING
Yes, I Gas Dogs and Cats for a Living.
I'm an Animal Control officer in a very small town in central North Carolina. I'm in my mid thirties, and have been working for the town in different positions since high school.
There is not much work here, and working for the county provides good pay and benefits for a person like me without a higher education. I'm the person you all write about how horrible I am.
I'm the one that gasses the dogs and cats and makes them suffer. I'm the one that pulls their dead corpses out smelling of Carbon Monoxide and throws them into green plastic bags. But I'm also the one that hates my job and hates what I have to do.
First off, all you people out there that judge me, don't. God is judging me, and I know I'm going to hell. Yes, I'm going to hell. I wont lie, it's despicable, cold, cruel and I feel like a serial killer. I'm not all to blame, if the law would mandate spay and neuter, lots of these dogs and cats wouldn't be here for me to gas. I'm the devil, I know it, but I want you people to see that there is another side to me the devil Gas Chamber man.
The shelter usually gasses on Friday morning.
Friday's are the day that most people look forward to, this is the day that I hate, and wish that time will stand still on Thursday night. Thursday night, late, after nobody's around, my friend and I go through a fast food line, and buy 50 dollars worth of cheeseburgers and fries, and chicken. I'm not allowed to feed the dogs on Thursday, for I'm told that they will make a mess in the gas chamber, and why waste the food.
So, Thursday night, with the lights still closed, I go into the saddest room that anyone can every imagine, and let all the doomed dogs out out their cages.
I have never been bit, and in all my years doing this, the dogs have never fought over the food. My buddy and I, open each wrapper of cheeseburger and chicken sandwich, and feed them to the skinny, starving dogs. They swallow the food so fast, that I don't believe they even taste it. There tails are wagging, and some don't even go for the food, they roll on their backs wanting a scratch on their bellys. They start running, jumping and kissing me and my buddy. They go back to their food, and come back to us. All their eyes are on us with such trust and hope, and their tails wag so fast, that I have come out with black and blues on my thighs.. They devour the food, then it's time for them to devour some love and peace. My buddy and I sit down on the dirty, pee stained concrete floor, and we let the dogs jump on us. They lick us, they put their butts in the air to play, and they play with each other. Some lick each other, but most are glued on me and my buddy.
I look into the eyes of each dog. I give each dog a name. They will not die without a name. I give each dog 5 minutes of unconditional love and touch. I talk to them, and tell them that I'm so sorry that tomorrow they will die a gruesome, long, torturous death at the hands of me in the gas chamber. Some tilt their heads to try to understand. I tell them, that they will be in a better place, and I beg them not to hate me. I tell them that I know I'm going to hell, but they will all be playing with all the dogs and cats in heaven.
After about 30 minutes, I take each dog individually, into their feces filled concrete jail cell, and pet them and scratch them under their chins. Some give me their paw, and I just want to die. I just want to die. I close the jail cell on each dog, and ask them to forgive me. As my buddy and I are walking out, we watch as every dog is smiling at us and them don't even move their heads. They will sleep, with a full belly, and a false sense of security.
As we walk out of the doomed dog room, my buddy and I go to the cat room. We take our box, and put the very friendly kittens and pregnant cats in our box. The shelter doesn't keep tabs on the cats, like they do the dogs. As I hand pick which cats are going to make it out, I feel like I'm playing God, deciding whose going to live and die.
We take the cats into my truck, and put them on blankets in the back. Usually, as soon as we start to drive away, there are purring cats sitting on our necks or rubbing against us. My buddy and I take our one way two hour trip to a county that is very wealthy and they use injection to kill animals. We go to exclusive neighborhoods, and let one or two cats out at a time. They don't want to run, they want to stay with us. We shoo them away, which makes me feel sad. I tell them that these rich people will adopt them, and if worse comes to worse and they do get put down, they will be put down with a painless needle being cradled by a loving veterinarian.
After the last cat is free, we drive back to our town. It's about 5 in the morning now, about two hours until I have to gas my best friends. I go home, take a shower, take my 4 anti-anxiety pills and drive to work.. I don't eat, I can't eat.
It's now time, to put these animals in the gas chamber. I put my ear plugs in, and when I go to the collect the dogs, the dogs are so excited to see me, that they jump up to kiss me and think they are going to play. I put them in the rolling cage and take them to the gas chamber.
They know. They just know. They can smell the death.. They can smell the fear. They start whimpering, the second I put them in the box. The boss tells me to squeeze in as many as I can to save on gas. He watches. He knows I hate him, he knows I hate my job. I do as I'm told. He watches until all the dogs, and cats (thrown in together) are fighting and screaming. The sounds are very muffled to me because of my ear plugs. He walks out, I turn the gas on, and walk out.
I walk out as fast as I can. I walk into the bathroom, and I take a pin and draw blood from my hand. Why? The pain and blood takes my brain off of what I just did.
In 40 minutes, I have to go back and unload the dead animals. I pray that none survived, which happens when I overstuff the chamber. I pull them out with thick gloves, and the smell of carbon monoxide makes me sick. So does the vomit and blood, and all the bowel movements. I pull them out, put them in plastic bags.
They are in heaven now, I tell myself. I then start cleaning up the mess, the mess, that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not spay or neutering your animals. The mess that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not demanding that a vet come in and do this humanely. You ARE THE TAXPAYERS, DEMAND that this practice STOP!
So, don't call me the monster, the devil, the gasser, call the politicians, the shelter directors, and the county people the devil. Heck, call the governor, tell him to make it stop.
As usual, I will take sleeping pills tonight to drown out the screams I heard in the past, before I discovered the ear plugs. I will jump and twitch in my sleep, and I believe I'm starting to hallucinate.
This is my life. Don't judge me. Believe me, I judge myself enough.
Ser rescatista en Puerto Rico una misión casi imposible
Ser rescatista en Puerto Rico una misión casi imposible
by Hector Ivan Diaz on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 11:50am
El ser rescatista en este país no es fácil la tarea y si alguien puede hablar de eso es este servidor que se ha arruinado y sigo la lucha con mis perritos. En este país todo son discusiones baladíes respecto a los animales los únicos que viven bien son los que los explotan, aquellos que solo son rescatistas de televisión y prensa que cuando hay una caso que atrae la atención buscan la forma de salir retratados con la víctima como los grandes héroes.
Los políticos hacen proyectos para vistas publicas solo para cobrar dietas sabiendo que esos proyectos no van para ningún lado con asesores de boberías que nunca han tenido ni un gato asesorando de cómo hacer un proyecto en bien de los animales. Otros utilizando a personas de asesores que solo buscan lucrarse.
El gobierno persiguiendo a los rescatistas como criminales mientras los verdaderos violadores de la ley 154 se ríen de nosotros.
Los alcaldes en su gran mayoría dicen que no tienen dinero para los albergues pero gastan millones de dólares en estatuas y letreros en sus municipios. Claro está de ahí pueden recibir mucho dinero por debajo de la mesa.
Pero nadie se acuerda muchas veces de la labor que hace Marbella, Luce, Doña Julia con sus más de cien perros todos costeado por ella, Alma Febus, la misma Nancy Camacho con quien he tenido diferencias pero reconozco su trabajo y su entrega, en Naguabo Ángela, en Mayagüez, Tomas, en Arecibo Nancy que a pesar de ser invalida da de comer con lo que recibe del seguro social a mas de cien perritos, Nilka que de sus dinero sale todos los días a dar de comer a gatos y perritos que tiene en su ruta, Judy Nieves en Barceloneta en fin todos a y cada uno de los que día a día luchan en las calles por salvar a los animalitos que son tirados a la calle día a día en este país de decimo mundo.
También Rose García en Carolina, Edna en Reparto, Jennifer en Arecibo personas que ha dejado parte de su vida en la defensa de los animales,
No se me puede quedar doña Marta López, Delma Fleaming, Sally, Adrie y Ada Torres quien tuvo que ver cómo le sacaban sus gatitos del su apartamento para matarlos. Muchísimos héroes anónimos que día a día tratan de dar una mejor vida a loa animalitos en el país,
Hoy leemos con tristeza que se cierra otro lugar de salvamento para los desventurados satitos que son los más afectados
Recuerdo a Laisa y su mama paradas en las luces de tránsito buscando ayuda cuando ellas dos y su papa se dieron a la tarea de levantar este albergue ellos solitos después se unieron gente de otros lados y estaba funcionando.
Pero sabemos lo difícil que es mantener un albergue sin ayuda y más aun cuan debido a los abusos de algunos supuestos rescatistas las compañías que nos donaban comida están escépticas a hacerlo por las cosas malas que se han hecho.
Nosotros no estamos tan bien pero tenemos la esperanza de poder llevar nuestros animalitos a una finca que nos han brindado para hacerlo pero desgraciadamente no podremos recibir mas animalitos pues hay una cantidad limitada.
Hoy mi corazón sangra y mis ojos se humedecen ante esta noticia recibida.
by Hector Ivan Diaz on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 11:50am
El ser rescatista en este país no es fácil la tarea y si alguien puede hablar de eso es este servidor que se ha arruinado y sigo la lucha con mis perritos. En este país todo son discusiones baladíes respecto a los animales los únicos que viven bien son los que los explotan, aquellos que solo son rescatistas de televisión y prensa que cuando hay una caso que atrae la atención buscan la forma de salir retratados con la víctima como los grandes héroes.
Los políticos hacen proyectos para vistas publicas solo para cobrar dietas sabiendo que esos proyectos no van para ningún lado con asesores de boberías que nunca han tenido ni un gato asesorando de cómo hacer un proyecto en bien de los animales. Otros utilizando a personas de asesores que solo buscan lucrarse.
El gobierno persiguiendo a los rescatistas como criminales mientras los verdaderos violadores de la ley 154 se ríen de nosotros.
Los alcaldes en su gran mayoría dicen que no tienen dinero para los albergues pero gastan millones de dólares en estatuas y letreros en sus municipios. Claro está de ahí pueden recibir mucho dinero por debajo de la mesa.
Pero nadie se acuerda muchas veces de la labor que hace Marbella, Luce, Doña Julia con sus más de cien perros todos costeado por ella, Alma Febus, la misma Nancy Camacho con quien he tenido diferencias pero reconozco su trabajo y su entrega, en Naguabo Ángela, en Mayagüez, Tomas, en Arecibo Nancy que a pesar de ser invalida da de comer con lo que recibe del seguro social a mas de cien perritos, Nilka que de sus dinero sale todos los días a dar de comer a gatos y perritos que tiene en su ruta, Judy Nieves en Barceloneta en fin todos a y cada uno de los que día a día luchan en las calles por salvar a los animalitos que son tirados a la calle día a día en este país de decimo mundo.
También Rose García en Carolina, Edna en Reparto, Jennifer en Arecibo personas que ha dejado parte de su vida en la defensa de los animales,
No se me puede quedar doña Marta López, Delma Fleaming, Sally, Adrie y Ada Torres quien tuvo que ver cómo le sacaban sus gatitos del su apartamento para matarlos. Muchísimos héroes anónimos que día a día tratan de dar una mejor vida a loa animalitos en el país,
Hoy leemos con tristeza que se cierra otro lugar de salvamento para los desventurados satitos que son los más afectados
Recuerdo a Laisa y su mama paradas en las luces de tránsito buscando ayuda cuando ellas dos y su papa se dieron a la tarea de levantar este albergue ellos solitos después se unieron gente de otros lados y estaba funcionando.
Pero sabemos lo difícil que es mantener un albergue sin ayuda y más aun cuan debido a los abusos de algunos supuestos rescatistas las compañías que nos donaban comida están escépticas a hacerlo por las cosas malas que se han hecho.
Nosotros no estamos tan bien pero tenemos la esperanza de poder llevar nuestros animalitos a una finca que nos han brindado para hacerlo pero desgraciadamente no podremos recibir mas animalitos pues hay una cantidad limitada.
Hoy mi corazón sangra y mis ojos se humedecen ante esta noticia recibida.
Laika
Laika is the first acknowledged living creature to have orbited space. A good-natured mongrel stray of calm disposition from the streets of Moscow, there is much speculation regarding Laika's ancestry. Some reports describe her as a Husky-mix or Samoyed-mix, almost certainly with strains of Spitz and Terrier in her bloodline, and it has even been suggested that one of her parents may have been a Beagle. Laika was probably around three years old when she was launched from Earth in Sputnik-2 on November 3, 1957. She was one of three dogs trained for the flight, the other two being named Albina and Mushka. Albina flew twice on a high-altitude test rocket, while Mushka was used to test instrumentation and life support. Laika weighed approximately 13 lbs. and her initial given name was Kudryavka ("Little Curly") but she was also nicknamed Zhuchka ("Little Bug") and Limonchik ("Lemon"). "Laika" is the Russian word for "barker" and was used to describe all Spitz-type dogs prior to the Nineteenth Century. Still, most of the world just called her "Muttnik." Her pressurized cabin within the spacecraft resembled an elongated ellipsoidal nest. The high walls were covered with soft padded material and there were intricate life support instruments positioned everywhere. Laika was secured in place with a special harness and had access to both water and food (a special high-nutrition gel) during the flight.
According to a NASA document, Laika was actually placed in the satellite on October 31, 1957, three days prior to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome (located NorthEast of the Aral Sea). She was carefully groomed...her coat sponged with a weak alcohol solution and then finely combed. Areas of her body where electrodes would be attached were painted with iodine and powdered with a streptocide. It was reported that Laika suffered no extreme ill-effects during the ascent and insertion into orbit since the electrodes recorded relatively normal vital signs under the circumstances, although she did seem somewhat agitated and her pulse rate did rise to three times its resting level. While weightless, she was able to take food and water from the onboard dispenser, bark and move around...although her movements were restricted by the harness she was wearing.
Originally, it was uncertain how long Laika had survived in space, with initial estimates ranging from twenty-four hours to one week and the possible speculation that she had lived for as many as ten days. The method of Laika's death was also unknown initially. One rumor suggested that the last of the food in her dispenser contained a poison which put her to sleep just before her life-support batteries ran down...another that her chamber was eventually filled with gas for painless euthanasia after a few days in orbit...or that she may have expired when her oxygen suppy depleted...or that she succumbed to extreme cold. In 1999, several Russian sources stated that Laika had died after four days in space when the cabin overheated. However, in October of 2002, during a gathering of the World Space Congress in Houston, Texas, it was revealed by Dr. Dimitri Malashenkov of the Institute for Biological Problems in Moscow, that after five to seven hours following the launch of Sputnik-2, no lifesigns were being received from Laika. By the fourth orbit, it was apparent that the little dog had passed away from overheating and stress...undoubtedly an exceedingly painful and distressful death. According to Gyorgi Grechko, a cosmonaut who previously worked as an engineer at the Korolev Design Bureau, it seems likely that when Sputnik-2 bounced off the atmosphere, it failed to separate from the booster rocket and thereby rendered the thermal control system inoperative.
Sputnik-2, which weighed half a ton and was reportedly launched to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution, continued to circle the earth for 163 days. During that time, it completed 2,370 orbits and traveled approximately 100 million kilometers. On April 14, 1958, the spacecraft...carrying the body of its valiant little pioneer...fell out of orbit and burned up during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. Since there was no recovery procedure for true orbital flights in 1957, Laika is the only creature knowingly sent into space to die. Her death sparked animal rights debates across the planet. In Russia, Laika and all the other creatures that made space flight possible are remembered as heroes.
In November of 1997, a plaque commemorating the contributions of Laika and other animals that were studied in the space program was unveiled at the Institute for Aviation and Space Medicine at Star City, just outside Moscow. The monument itself pays tribute to the fallen Russian cosmonauts, but in a corner is the image of a small mongrel dog...ears standing straight. A year later, one of the former lead scientists who had worked on the Soviet "animals-in-space" program expressed his deep regrets regarding Laika:
"The more time passes, the more I'm sorry....
We shouldn't have done it....
We did not learn enough from the mission to justify the death of the dog."
REGISTRO GRADUAL PARA LOS ANIMALES EDITORIAL DE EL NUEVO DÍA
15 Octubre 2010
REGISTRO GRADUAL PARA LOS ANIMALES EDITORIAL DE EL NUEVO DÍA
El Proyecto del Senado 1811 que crearía un Código de Bienestar Animal, y que enmienda otras leyes relacionadas con la vida silvestre, la caza y la pesca en Puerto Rico, tiene que ser objeto de un profundo debate en que se escuchen todos los argumentos y se valoren sus repercusiones.
El Proyecto del Senado 1811 que crearía un Código de Bienestar Animal, y que enmienda otras leyes relacionadas con la vida silvestre, la caza y la pesca en Puerto Rico, tiene que ser objeto de un profundo debate en que se escuchen todos los argumentos y se valoren sus repercusiones. Han abundado en estos meses los proyectos de ley redactados a la carrera, sin poner en contexto la situación del País y sin profundizar en sus posibles consecuencias. Es el caso de este proyecto, que trata de regular todas las cuestiones que tienen que ver con los animales, ya sean de compañía, de servicio, agrícolas o exóticos, al igual que otras actividades como la caza y la pesca.
No dudamos de la buena intención de este proyecto, en especial porque el maltrato y abandono de animales es un gravísimo problema que empeora el deterioro de la sociedad. Sin embargo, como venimos planteando constantemente, antes de aprobar una ley de esa naturaleza hay que hacer una valoración realista de nuestras metas y posibilidades.
En concreto, Puerto Rico necesitaría contar con un registro de animales como los que existen en algunos países desarrollados. Es la meta que debemos perseguir: que la población de perros y gatos, que es la mayoritaria, las aves y hasta los caballos, sean parte de una política de control que garantice su salud y protección.
Pero para que pueda ajustarse eventualmente a esos parámetros y previamente a la entrada en vigor de un registro con todas las de la ley, Puerto Rico tendría que acometer una intensa campaña de esterilización y vacunación masiva, gratuita o a bajo costo, así como un coordinado y civilizado recogido de mascotas y animales abandonados por sus dueños o realengos y que deambulan por las calles.
De hecho, ante la situación socioeconómica del País y en respuesta al eventual anuncio de un registro, miles de personas optarían por prescindir de sus mascotas de forma inadecuada. Tendríamos entonces en las calles el triple de abandonos que tenemos hoy. Eso demuestra más la necesidad de una ofensiva como la que proponemos, como transición al registro.
Ya con ese registro formalizado y una vez el animal entra al sistema de datos, se exigirá evidencia de vacunación anual y se podrían activar mecanismos de seguimiento y fiscalización. Pero pretender aplicar a rajatabla una ley que conlleva multas y penalidades, provocaría irónicamente más sufrimiento y maltrato del que se pretende evitar.
En la actualidad, ningún municipio mantiene una política activa y consistente de control de animales realengos. Si mal están las ciudades, llenas de perros y gatos abandonados y enfermos, peor están las zonas rurales. Por eso se hace imprescindible, también, una gran campaña educativa.
El registro debiera asimismo contemplar el servicio gratuito o a bajo costo de esterilización, si así lo solicita voluntariamente el propietario de una mascota.
Por último, y de acuerdo a la propuesta, todas las funciones de registro de animales, licencias, recogido callejero, vigilancia, rondas y aplicación de la ley recaería sobre el Departamento de Recursos Naturales. La pregunta es, ¿estamos ante un mecanismo realista ante la situación que enfrenta ese departamento? Y, por otro lado, ¿cuánto personal adicional requerirá este plan y de qué presupuesto se estaría hablando?
Tenemos que avanzar como sociedad y proteger a los animales mediante una política pública que cumpla su función sin representar una carga económica onerosa para los ciudadanos y amparada en una ley que, además de unificar toda la legislación existente sobre esa materia, tenga una aplicación gradual, y en ningún modo abusiva.
REGISTRO GRADUAL PARA LOS ANIMALES EDITORIAL DE EL NUEVO DÍA
El Proyecto del Senado 1811 que crearía un Código de Bienestar Animal, y que enmienda otras leyes relacionadas con la vida silvestre, la caza y la pesca en Puerto Rico, tiene que ser objeto de un profundo debate en que se escuchen todos los argumentos y se valoren sus repercusiones.
El Proyecto del Senado 1811 que crearía un Código de Bienestar Animal, y que enmienda otras leyes relacionadas con la vida silvestre, la caza y la pesca en Puerto Rico, tiene que ser objeto de un profundo debate en que se escuchen todos los argumentos y se valoren sus repercusiones. Han abundado en estos meses los proyectos de ley redactados a la carrera, sin poner en contexto la situación del País y sin profundizar en sus posibles consecuencias. Es el caso de este proyecto, que trata de regular todas las cuestiones que tienen que ver con los animales, ya sean de compañía, de servicio, agrícolas o exóticos, al igual que otras actividades como la caza y la pesca.
No dudamos de la buena intención de este proyecto, en especial porque el maltrato y abandono de animales es un gravísimo problema que empeora el deterioro de la sociedad. Sin embargo, como venimos planteando constantemente, antes de aprobar una ley de esa naturaleza hay que hacer una valoración realista de nuestras metas y posibilidades.
En concreto, Puerto Rico necesitaría contar con un registro de animales como los que existen en algunos países desarrollados. Es la meta que debemos perseguir: que la población de perros y gatos, que es la mayoritaria, las aves y hasta los caballos, sean parte de una política de control que garantice su salud y protección.
Pero para que pueda ajustarse eventualmente a esos parámetros y previamente a la entrada en vigor de un registro con todas las de la ley, Puerto Rico tendría que acometer una intensa campaña de esterilización y vacunación masiva, gratuita o a bajo costo, así como un coordinado y civilizado recogido de mascotas y animales abandonados por sus dueños o realengos y que deambulan por las calles.
De hecho, ante la situación socioeconómica del País y en respuesta al eventual anuncio de un registro, miles de personas optarían por prescindir de sus mascotas de forma inadecuada. Tendríamos entonces en las calles el triple de abandonos que tenemos hoy. Eso demuestra más la necesidad de una ofensiva como la que proponemos, como transición al registro.
Ya con ese registro formalizado y una vez el animal entra al sistema de datos, se exigirá evidencia de vacunación anual y se podrían activar mecanismos de seguimiento y fiscalización. Pero pretender aplicar a rajatabla una ley que conlleva multas y penalidades, provocaría irónicamente más sufrimiento y maltrato del que se pretende evitar.
En la actualidad, ningún municipio mantiene una política activa y consistente de control de animales realengos. Si mal están las ciudades, llenas de perros y gatos abandonados y enfermos, peor están las zonas rurales. Por eso se hace imprescindible, también, una gran campaña educativa.
El registro debiera asimismo contemplar el servicio gratuito o a bajo costo de esterilización, si así lo solicita voluntariamente el propietario de una mascota.
Por último, y de acuerdo a la propuesta, todas las funciones de registro de animales, licencias, recogido callejero, vigilancia, rondas y aplicación de la ley recaería sobre el Departamento de Recursos Naturales. La pregunta es, ¿estamos ante un mecanismo realista ante la situación que enfrenta ese departamento? Y, por otro lado, ¿cuánto personal adicional requerirá este plan y de qué presupuesto se estaría hablando?
Tenemos que avanzar como sociedad y proteger a los animales mediante una política pública que cumpla su función sin representar una carga económica onerosa para los ciudadanos y amparada en una ley que, además de unificar toda la legislación existente sobre esa materia, tenga una aplicación gradual, y en ningún modo abusiva.
I rescued a human today.
I rescued a human today.
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.
As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view
from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I
didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today.
Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't
feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made
little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.
Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.
A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.
As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view
from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I
didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today.
Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't
feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made
little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.
Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.
A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
Pediatric Spay/Neuter
Spay/Neuter of Shelter Animals
Pediatric Spay/Neuter
Facts About this Safe and Effective Procedure
Pediatric spay/neuter is the subject of ongoing debates among veterinarians
that is fraught with misinformation, misconceptions and high emotions.
Although millions of domesticated animals have been surgically sterilized,
many veterinarians believe sufficient conclusive research has not been
conducted to determine the best age or reproductive stage of life to spay
and neuter dogs and cats.
However, studies have been conducted that show that pediatric spay/neuter is
safe and effective in both the short and long term. This information can
help allay many of the veterinarian's fears so they may embrace the concept
as readily as they embrace neutering at 6 months of age.
Early Age Spay/Neuter Defined
The harshest criticism by veterinarians of early age neutering is usually
reserved for surgeries performed on animals as young as 6-8 weeks of age or
under 2 pounds of body weight. But early age spay/neuter should be broadly
defined as surgical sterilization procedures performed on animals who are
6-16 weeks of age or under the traditional age of 6 months. Using that
definition, surgery performed on a 4-month old female animal would be
considered a pediatric spay.
Because the term "early" implies that the procedure is being performed
prematurely, some veterinarians proposed that alternative language might be
more acceptable. Some alternative terms for early age spay/neuter include:
* Juvenile spay/neuter
* Pediatric spay/neuter
* Prepuberal spay/neuter
* Prepubertal spay/neuter
* Prepubescent spay/neuter
History of Spaying and Neutering
Many veterinarians are not aware of the different theories that have been
advanced regarding the timing of spaying a female cat or dog. Both
veterinarians and the general public might be surprised to know that in the
early 1900s, veterinarians advocated spaying bitches between 3 and 6 months
of age, or even prior to weaning, and castration was done as early as 4
weeks of age. At one time it was believed that it was beneficial for animals
to have a litter before being spayed, while another prevailing school of
thought, until fairly recently, was that animals should go through one heat
before being spayed.
Many veterinary colleges are currently teaching that spaying and neutering,
also known as gonadectomy, can be done safely at any age, but believe that
pediatric spay/neuter is a tool mainly for population control for shelter
animals only. However, pediatric spay/neuter should be considered for
animals belonging to the general public as well.
Revisiting the Six-Month Recommendation
Six months of age is generally considered to be the standard recommendation
for spaying and neutering puppies and kittens. It is unclear from the
scientific literature how that conclusion was reached.
It is now known that spaying an animal before the first heat prevents the
development of mammary gland tumors later in life. Since kittens may go into
heat at 4 months of age, waiting until 6 months risks accidental pregnancy
and loses the protection against mammary gland cancer.
It would appear that decisions about when to spay and neuter are based more
on the individual practitioner's comfort level and familiarity with the
surgical technique and anesthesia rather than on any sound scientific or
medical evidence.
The six month age requirement for surgery came into question in the late
1970s when shelters encountered difficulty getting adopters to comply with
contractual agreements to neuter their newly adopted pets. Despite various
incentives, many adopters simply refused to abide by the agreements once
they had acquired the animals.
Some shelters found that litters from animals they had adopted out were
being brought back to them, and that they were thus actually contributing to
the overpopulation problem. They decided the best solution would be to
neuter the animals before they were adopted, but the six month age
restriction meant that puppies and kittens could not be altered.
Once it was determined that no compelling medical reason could be found in
the veterinary literature to wait until the animals were six months of age,
pediatric surgeries began to be performed. Dr. Leo Lieberman is the
acknowledged pioneer of pediatric spay/neuter. He began performing the
surgeries in the late 1970s, and they have been performed by shelters ever
since.
A Growing Body of Evidence
In 1993 Faggella and Aronsohn published surgical and anesthetic protocols in
the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) for
safely neutering animals as young as 6 weeks of age. Although the surgeries
had already been performed safely on thousands of shelter animals, these
articles provided the much-needed research data to prove that the procedures
were indeed safe to perform.
On July 18, 1993, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House
of Delegates approved a resolution on early age spay/neuter which stated:
"Resolved that the AVMA supports the concept of early (8-16 weeks of age)
ovariohysterectomies/ gonadectomies in dogs and cats, in an effort to stem
the overpopulation problem in these species."
Aware of the controversy surrounding this statement they also added:
"The concept is for the benefit of animal shelter and humane society
spay/neuter programs. Individual veterinarians have the right/responsibility
to decide at what age they will perform the procedure."
In 2004, the policy was revised and the "concept" portion of the statement
was removed.
Throughout the 1990s, groups such as the American Animal Hospital
Association (AAHA), American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (ASPCA), American Humane Association (AHA), Cat Fanciers Association
(CFA), American Kennel Club (AKC), Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS), and the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) endorsed
pediatric spay/neuter.
Despite these endorsements and the body of evidence already gathered through
research and anecdotal information from over 25 years of performing
pediatric procedures, the debate still goes on. This information should help
resolve some of the problems and concerns.
Concerns about Pediatric Spay/Neuter
An often-cited concern regarding pediatric spay/neuter is a lack of
sufficient scientific data regarding long-term consequences. The following
are commonly discussed issues:
* Obesity
* Stunted growth
* Cranial cruciate ligament rupture
* Hip dysplasia
* Behavioral problems
* Lower urinary tract disease
* Secondary sex characteristics
* Urinary incontinence
* Infectious disease
* Hypothyroidism
* Diabetes mellitus
* Neoplasia
General Concerns about the Long-Term Effects
The results of studies of the long-term outcome of gonadectomies performed
at an early age or traditional age in cats and dogs were published in JAVMA
in the December 1, 2000 and January 15, 2001 issues, respectively. The
studies were performed at the Texas A&M Veterinary College by Dr. Lisa Howe
on 269 dogs and 263 cats from animal shelters.
The conclusion for dogs was that "with the exception of infectious diseases,
prepubertal gonadectomy may be safely performed in dogs without concern for
increased incidence of physical or behavioral problems during at least a
4-year period after gonadectomy."
Shelters that held puppies long-term encountered problems with parvovirus.
However, the authors of this paper did not conclude that prepubertal
gonadectomy caused parvovirus. The puppies in the study were at an age where
they were susceptible to parvovirus and housed in a shelter environment
where parvovirus can be common; they developed parvovirus for these reasons,
and not because they were sterilized as pediatric patients. (Studies have
also shown that, unrelated to surgery, the longer animals are held in
shelters, the more likely they are to become ill. Shelters that held puppies
short-term did not encounter similar disease problems.)
The conclusion for cats was that "prepubertal gonadectomy may be performed
safely in cats without concern for increased incidence of physical or
behavioral problems for at least a 3-year period after gonadectomy."
Another study addressing the long-term effects of pediatric spay/neuter was
published in JAVMA in the February 1, 2004 issue. This study was performed
at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine by Dr. Vic Spain,
who looked at the records of shelter animals (1,842 dogs and 1,660 cats) who
were sterilized as pediatric patients. This study provided follow-up for as
long as 11 years.
The conclusion for dogs was that "because early-age gonadectomy appears to
offer more benefits than risks for male dogs, animal shelters can safely
gonadectomize male dogs at a young age and veterinary practitioners should
consider recommending routine gonadectomy for client-owned male dogs before
the traditional age of 6 to 8 months. For female dogs, however, increased
urinary incontinence suggests that delaying gonadectomy until at least 3
months of age may be beneficial." It is important to note that the female
dogs with reported urinary incontinence remained in their homes and were not
relinquished to the shelter. The long-term Texas A&M study did not find
similar results about urinary incontinence, and another study from 1992
showed a higher incidence of urinary incontinence in female dogs spayed
AFTER the first estrus cycle.
The conclusion for cats from the Cornell study was that "Gonadectomy before
5.5 months of age was not associated with increased rates of death or
relinquishment or occurrence of any serious medical or behavioral condition
and may provide certain important long-term benefits, especially for male
cats. Animal shelters can safely gonadectomize cats at a young age and
veterinarians should consider recommending routine gonadectomy for
client-owned cats before the traditional age of 6 to 8 months."
It should be noted that similar focused studies have not been conducted to
establish the long-term safety of gonadectomies performed at 6 months of
age.
Obesity
Obesity is influenced by a number of factors, and while neutered animals do
have a tendency to weigh more than intact animals, it occurs regardless of
whether the surgery was performed prepubertally or at the conventional age
of six months. A published study in 1991 indicated that dogs did not develop
obesity when they were sterilized at either pre or post puberty. Another
study from 1996 showed that cats can gain weight after gonadectomy, but this
is for both gonadectomy at the traditional age as well as prepubertal.
It should be stressed again that obesity is a multi-factorial problem. Even
an intact animal can become obese if a proper diet and exercise regimen is
not followed. Just as in humans, dietary indiscretions and lack of activity
are the real culprits in this case.
Growth
Many veterinarians erroneously believe that pediatric spay/neuter will stunt
the growth of animals. In fact, the exact opposite is true. This concern
about stunted growth following prepubertal gonadectomy has been refuted by
multiple studies.
In contrast to intact dogs, pups spayed or neutered at 7 weeks of age and
male pups neutered at 7 months of age had greater final radius and ulna
lengths. The removal of hormonal influences on the growth plates of the long
bones results in delayed closure, resulting in bones that are actually a
little longer. However, no clinical significance to this difference in size
has been found.
In cats, although prepubertal gonadectomy had a similar effect of delayed
closure of the growth plates, this did not lead to clinically significant
differences in the final length of the long bones.
Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture
In humans, cranial cruciate rupture (CCL) is more common in women than men
and may be more likely to occur during certain phases of the menstrual
cycle, which may be due to a hormonal effect on joint stability (Root
Kustritz). Reported incidence of rupture of the CCL in dogs is 1.8%, and
this is reportedly more common in sterilized female and male dogs than in
intact dogs (Root Kustritz).
The exact cause and effect relationship has not yet been defined, but in
addition to the suspected hormonal influence, heredity, body weight, and
body condition score may all play a role in CCL rupture (Root Kustritz).
There have not been any studies that have shown that delayed closure of the
growth plates of the long bones results in asynchrony and/or abnormalities
in joint formation as a cause of CCL rupture in dogs.
Hip Dysplasia
Long term studies have looked at the incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs and
the association of hip dysplasia with pediatric spay/neuter (Howe, personal
communication). The reported incidence of hip dysplasia is 1.7% with an
increased incidence in large and giant-breed dogs (Root Kustritz). In the
long term Cornell study, puppies that underwent pediatric spay/neuter before
5.5 months of age had an increased incidence of hip dysplasia. However, an
additional finding of this study was that dogs that were gonadectomized at
the traditional age were three times more likely to be euthanized for the
hip dysplasia as compared to the early gonadectomized group. The authors
suggest that early age gonadectomy may be associated with a less severe form
of hip dysplasia (Howe, personal communication).
Behavior
The effects of pediatric spaying and neutering on behavior remain largely
unknown. Sterilization and the subsequent decrease in related hormones have
been correlated with a decrease in gender-specific behaviors. Neutering at
any age reduces the urge of male animals to spray urine to mark territory,
roam and fight with other male animals. The demonstration of sexual
behaviors in male cats can make them undesirable house pets, and a decrease
in such behaviors is a powerful benefit of having them neutered. Also, the
trainability of working dogs is not altered by gonadectomy and does not vary
with age of the dog at time of surgery (Root Kustritz).
The large Cornell study of dogs sterilized before 5.5 months of age
indicates an increase in noise phobias and sexual behaviors and a decrease
in escaping, separation anxiety, and urination in the house when frightened
(Spain, Scarlett, Houpt, 2004). However, a different study showed no
difference in the incidence of overall or specific behavioral problems
between early-age and traditional-age sterilization (Howe, 2001).
There is some early evidence that animals that are gonadectomized at 7 weeks
or 7 months of age are more active and excitable, and that male and female
cats may be more affectionate than those left intact, but this is a fairly
subjective observation that requires more research to substantiate. There
does not appear to be any clinical significance to any observed behavioral
differences.
Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Pediatric spay/neuter has not been found to contribute to a higher rate of
urinary tract obstructions in male cats. Studies have been conducted on male
cats to determine the incidence of urinary tract obstructions in all
populations. It was found that the diameter of the penile urethra did not
vary between animals neutered at 7 weeks or 7 months of age or from intact
male cats.
It was originally believed that castrated cats had a higher incidence of
urinary tract blockages, but this is not the case. The penis in male dogs
castrated at 7 weeks of age is smaller as is the os penis, and preputial
development is juvenile in comparison with dogs castrated at 7 months of age
or left intact, but there has been no clinical significance attached to
those differences.
Secondary Sexual Characteristics
The vulva of spayed females is smaller than that of intact bitches, but
there is no evidence that there is any clinical significance to this size
difference. Perivulvular dermatitis occurs in intact as well as spayed
females, and is related to obesity rather than sexual status. Mammary glands
and nipples are also smaller.
The penis and prepuce of male animals will retain a juvenile appearance, but
again, there is no evidence of any clinical significance in animals that are
not sexually active. There is a reduction in the male cat's ability to
extrude the penis from the prepuce, but there is no knowledge of any
clinical problems associated with this. It can occur whether the surgery is
performed at 7 weeks or 7 months of age.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence, or the inability to control urination, may be observed
in female dogs whether they are spayed or intact, and regardless of the age
when spayed. Older, intact female dogs may experience incontinence naturally
as a result of the decrease in circulating estrogen, which has an effect on
the external urethral sphincter. In spayed dogs, incontinence may be seen
soon after the surgery has been performed, years later, or not at all.
The long-term Cornell study showed a slight increased risk of urinary
incontinence for female dogs spayed before 12 weeks of age (12.9% vs. 5.0%).
However, it is important to note that there was no incidence of
relinquishing these dogs to the shelter; they remained in their homes. Also,
the long-term study from Texas A&M that followed dogs out 4 years post
surgery did not show an increased risk of urinary incontinence. Finally,
another study from 1992 showed a higher incidence of urinary incontinence in
female dogs spayed AFTER the first estrus cycle (20.1%).
It would appear that there is a need for more research, but practitioners
who are concerned about this slightly increased risk of incontinence may
still safely perform prepubertal puppy spays at 3-4 months of age. Many
shelters continue to perform the procedures on puppies under 3 months of age
because the study did not show an increased risk of relinquishment because
of incontinence, which can be treated, and because of the high rate of
failure to return for spaying when adopters are allowed to take intact
female puppies home.
Infectious Disease
It is true that some shelters find an increased incidence of infectious
disease (in particular, upper respiratory infections (URI) in cats and
parvovirus in dogs) in animals that are neutered prepubertally, but the
stress of anesthesia and surgery affects adult animals as well, not just
kittens and puppies. One study showed that surgery and anesthesia have
little effect on the dog's ability to mount a humoral antibody response to
distemper vaccination. Many of these shelter animals might have developed
disease anyway because of the presence of these infectious agents in
shelters.
Good screening of surgical candidates, a comprehensive veterinary health
care program that includes deworming, good nutrition, stress reduction, good
sanitation, appropriately timed vaccinations, etc., and good post-operative
care can minimize the impact of this problem.
Shelters that neuter animals only after they have been selected for adoption
and send them home after the surgery to recuperate seem to have fewer
problems with upper respiratory infections. Infectious disease should not be
a problem in the private-practice clinical setting.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs more commonly in sterilized dogs than in intact dogs,
but while there is an association, a direct cause and effect has not been
established. The overall incidence of hypothyroidism in dogs is 0.2 to 0.3%.
Certain breeds, such as Doberman Pinschers, Golden Retrievers, and
Dachshunds, have a predilection for this disease.
In performing a risk-benefit analysis of pediatric neutering, it should be
pointed out that the incidence of hypothyroidism is low, the condition is
readily treatable, and most dogs have a good response to medical treatment.
In addition, other diseases which can be prevented by gonadectomy (such as
mammary neoplasia, pyometra, and prostatic hyperplasia) have much higher
incidences and may not have as favorable an outcome as hypothyroidism.
Diabetes Mellitus
Sterilized male and female cats have been shown to have an increased risk of
developing diabetes mellitus than intact male and female cats (Root
Kustritz). Other risk factors for cats in developing diabetes mellitus
include breed (Burmese have a higher incidence), sex (males have a higher
incidence), obesity, and increasing age (Root Kustritz). Recent new theories
suggest a high-carbohydrate, dry-food diet may also be a contributing factor
to the development of diabetes in cats.
Neoplasia
There has been concern that pediatric spay/neuter may increase the risk for
certain types of cancer. But, pediatric spay/neuter will also decrease the
risk for other types of cancer. For example, mammary gland tumors are the
most common type of tumor of female dogs, with a reported incidence of 3.4%.
Mammary gland tumors are the third most common tumor of cats, with a
reported incidence of 2.5% (Root Kustritz). Sexually intact dogs and cats
have a much greater risk of developing mammary gland tumors than
gonadectomized animals (Root Kustritz). The literature also shows that the
risk of developing mammary gland tumors in dogs spayed prior to the first
estrus is 0.5%, while the risk after the first estrus is 8.0%, and the risk
after the second estrus increases to 26%.
Another type of neoplasia that may be affected by gonadectomy is prostatic
neoplasia. While some studies show an increased risk of prostatic neoplasia
in castrated dogs (Root Kustritz), the reported incidence of prostatic
tumors in dogs is only 0.2% to 0.6% (Root Kustritz), and it occurs in both
intact and castrated male dogs. So while castration does not protect against
prostatic neoplasia, it does protect against other prostatic diseases seen
more commonly in intact male dogs. These include benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH), cystic hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia, paraprostatic
cysts, prostatitis, and prostatic abscesses.
Another tumor associated with gonadectomy is hemangiosarcoma. Spayed females
have 5 times the risk of developing cardiac hemangiosarcoma compared to
intact females (Root Kustritz). However, the overall incidence of cardiac
tumors in one study was only 0.19%, making them very uncommon compared to
other tumor types.
Gonadectomy can increase the risk of development of osteosarcoma (OSA) by
1.3 to 2.0 times (Root Kustritz). In one study, there was a significant
increase in OSA in sterilized dogs that had undergone gonadectomy at less
than 1 year of age, but the overall incidence of OSA in this population of
dogs (Rottweilers) was much higher than that in the general population,
which suggests a hereditary component (Root Kustritz). Also, in this study,
the life span of sexually intact and castrated male dogs did not differ, and
the life span was actually increased in spayed female dogs compared to
intact female dogs (Root Kustritz). This study also looked at dogs that
underwent gonadectomy before 1 year of age, and this cannot be defined as
pediatric spay/neuter (Howe, personal communication).
Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) is the most common tumor of the urinary
tract of dogs. Gonadectomized animals have an increased risk of developing
TCC compared to sexually intact animals (Root Kustritz). However, a cause
and effect relationship has not been defined, and TCC in dogs is reported to
be at most 1.0% of all malignant tumors (Root Kustritz).
Testicular tumors are the second most common tumor type in dogs. Although
malignancy is considered low for these types of tumors, castration is
usually curative (Root Kustritz). Ovarian and uterine tumors are not common
in dogs and cats, and although malignant tumors of the female reproductive
tract have been reported, sterilization is usually curative (Root Kustritz).
Special Pointers for Pediatric Surgical Patients
The following pointers highlight the main considerations when performing a
pediatric surgical procedure.
Pre-Surgical and Anesthetic Considerations
The handling of pediatric patients before surgery should be minimized to
prevent excitement before sedation for surgery. The staff should be urged to
resist the temptation to play with the puppies or kittens. Excited animals
will resist being restrained, and they become more difficult to sedate.
Littermates should be housed together to reduce stress.
Intramuscular or subcutaneous injections for initial sedation or
pre-medication are recommended as less restraint is needed.
Animals should not be fasted for more than 3-4 hours before the procedure to
avoid hypoglycemia.
Hypothermia can be a problem for these patients. A small area of hair at the
surgical site should be clipped and a warm surgical scrub used. The use of
alcohol should be avoided or minimized because of its cooling effects on the
skin. Supplemental heating sources should be used as needed, such as
circulating hot-water heating pads or carefully monitored warm-water
bottles. (Avoid placing them directly on the skin, and remove them
immediately when they become cool.)
There are many different protocols in the literature for pediatric
anesthesia. The most successful protocols are usually already in use by the
veterinarian with adjustments for the weight difference. The use of
isoflurane inhalation anesthesia eliminates many of the concerns about
biotransformation of anesthetic drugs in the liver and kidneys of pediatric
patients. (Halothane should not be used on the pediatric patient.) The
current recommendation is to use multimodal analgesia, such as nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) in combination with opioids.
Good monitoring of the patient for safety is no different from the protocols
used for any other patient. These include observing the heart and
respiratory rates, depth of anesthesia, color of the patient's mucus
membranes, etc.
Surgical Considerations
A supplemental source of heat should be used to prevent hypothermia during
the surgical procedure. Circulating warm water heating pads covered by a
blanket or towel on the surgical table work well.
Some surgeons recommend that the surgical incision for spaying female
puppies should be more caudal than the incision for female adult dogs. The
location of the incision for spaying kittens remains the same as it is for
adult cats, in the caudal third of the ventrum. Male puppies may be neutered
through a scrotal incision, the same as male cats.
Tissues must be handled gently and close attention paid to hemostasis, but
this is true in any surgical procedure. The truth is, in most cases,
bleeding in these animals is minimal. Usually only single ligatures are
indicated and hemoclips can also be used, compared to the adult patient
where double ligation is often indicated.
Pediatric animals can have a significant amount of clear abdominal fluid,
but this is normal.
The animals should be tattooed in the inguinal region, on the ventral
abdomen or have tattoo ink applied to the incision to identify them as
having already been neutered. Tattooing is as important for males as it is
for females, as it might spare male animals from exploratory surgery if it
was assumed the animal had bilaterally retained testicles.
Post-Surgical Considerations
Puppies and kittens should be kept warm in the post-operative period.
Heating lamps can be used to prevent hypothermia as long as the patient is
closely monitored while under the lamp. If there are problems with the
recovery, their temperature and blood glucose should be checked.
A small meal should be offered within an hour after anesthetic recovery to
minimize the chance of developing hypoglycemia. If there are signs of
hypoglycemia, treat quickly and accordingly. Many practitioners recommend
routinely applying a small amount of Nutrical on the gums of the recovering
pediatric patient.
Some surgeons recommend avoiding the use of PDS suture material in the
subcutaneous and subcuticular (intradermal) tissue, as there have been
reports in the literature of PDS in these tissue layers being associated
with the post-op complication of calcinosis circumscripta.
Additional Advantages to Pediatric Spay/Neuter
One of the main reasons why many veterinarians do not perform pediatric
spay/neuter is that they are most comfortable performing surgery on animals
that are 6 months of age or older, and they believe there are no compelling
reasons to change the current protocols in their private practices. However,
there are actually many advantages to pediatric spay/neuter. Although some
have been mentioned before, they are summarized here:
* Veterinarians who are familiar with the surgery and anesthesia concur that
pediatric spay/neuter is much less physiologically stressful on younger
patients.
* Animals should be fasted for only 2-4 hours in order to prevent them from
developing hypoglycemia. This can be an advantage for clients who often
forget to withhold food for several hours from adult animals prior to
surgery and then object to rescheduling their appointment. (Many surgeons
still recommend an overnight fast for adult dogs, although this practice is
also falling out of favor.)
* Animals are awake and ambulatory usually within an hour of completion of
the surgery, so they can be fed a small meal and then sent home the same
day, avoiding a stay in hospitals that frequently do not have staff
available to monitor them overnight.
* Once the veterinarian has gained experience, the surgery is much faster
and easier, so it is less stressful on both the patient and the surgeon.
* There are fewer perioperative complications associated with pediatric
spay/neuter than with spay/neuter performed at an older age.
* Pyometra is a potentially life-threatening condition whose incidence
approaches 66% in older unspayed females. It can be very expensive to treat,
and it occurs with much greater frequency than some of the other concerns
mentioned in this article, such as CCL rupture or cardiac tumors. This major
health concern is easily prevented by prepubertal spaying.
* Veterinarians often cite a fear of losing money by performing pediatric
procedures. However, many veterinarians also admit that they subsidize the
cost of surgically neutering adult animals with other procedures or simply
lower the cost and absorb the financial loss. Pediatric surgery is less
expensive because of the use of fewer materials, and because less staff time
is needed for surgery and pre and postoperative preparation and monitoring.
* Private practitioners are strongly urged to comply with the recommendation
in the Cornell study to perform the procedures before the traditional age of
6 to 8 months. Doing so prevents accidental pregnancies and the development
of mammary gland tumors in females later in life. If the procedure is
performed or scheduled when the last vaccination is given at 3 to 4 months
of age, the veterinarian does not have to worry about the client forgetting
to return, or shopping around and going elsewhere for the surgery. It can be
included as part of a kitten/puppy care package of vaccinations, deworming
and neutering. The delay in neutering pets is often responsible for the
production of accidental litters that end up at shelters.
* Embracing the concept of "one health" that promotes the link between
animal and human health and welfare requires veterinary participation in
solving community problems. Studies have shown that intact animals are much
more likely to be relinquished to shelters than sterilized ones. Pediatric
spay/neuter is an essential component of a comprehensive community strategy
to end the euthanasia of unwanted companion animals in the United States.
* Pediatric spay/neuter should not be considered a tool just for humane
societies because shelter animals actually represent a small source for
acquisition of pets. Simply neutering that population will not have
sufficient impact on reducing the overall pet overpopulation problem. The
best strategy includes education about responsible pet ownership, increased
efforts to improve adoptions, counseling to keep animals with behavior
problems in their homes, and the prevention of births of unwanted animals.
Surgical sterilization is one part of the solution that only veterinarians
can provide.
Conclusion
As with all veterinary procedures, there are potential complications and
both advantages and disadvantages to any spay/neuter procedure. Each patient
should be evaluated on an individual basis and the veterinarian should
discuss both the benefits and risks for spay/neuter surgery with the client.
Pediatric spay/neuter is important for humane societies and shelters because
with these procedures, almost every animal can be sterilized prior to
adoption, which helps prevent the birth of unwanted litters that often end
up at the shelter. Private practitioners should also consider performing
pediatric spay/neuter on their patients because of the many medical
advantages as well.
Lila Miller, DVM, is Vice President of ASPCA Veterinary Outreach.
Pediatric Spay/Neuter
Facts About this Safe and Effective Procedure
Pediatric spay/neuter is the subject of ongoing debates among veterinarians
that is fraught with misinformation, misconceptions and high emotions.
Although millions of domesticated animals have been surgically sterilized,
many veterinarians believe sufficient conclusive research has not been
conducted to determine the best age or reproductive stage of life to spay
and neuter dogs and cats.
However, studies have been conducted that show that pediatric spay/neuter is
safe and effective in both the short and long term. This information can
help allay many of the veterinarian's fears so they may embrace the concept
as readily as they embrace neutering at 6 months of age.
Early Age Spay/Neuter Defined
The harshest criticism by veterinarians of early age neutering is usually
reserved for surgeries performed on animals as young as 6-8 weeks of age or
under 2 pounds of body weight. But early age spay/neuter should be broadly
defined as surgical sterilization procedures performed on animals who are
6-16 weeks of age or under the traditional age of 6 months. Using that
definition, surgery performed on a 4-month old female animal would be
considered a pediatric spay.
Because the term "early" implies that the procedure is being performed
prematurely, some veterinarians proposed that alternative language might be
more acceptable. Some alternative terms for early age spay/neuter include:
* Juvenile spay/neuter
* Pediatric spay/neuter
* Prepuberal spay/neuter
* Prepubertal spay/neuter
* Prepubescent spay/neuter
History of Spaying and Neutering
Many veterinarians are not aware of the different theories that have been
advanced regarding the timing of spaying a female cat or dog. Both
veterinarians and the general public might be surprised to know that in the
early 1900s, veterinarians advocated spaying bitches between 3 and 6 months
of age, or even prior to weaning, and castration was done as early as 4
weeks of age. At one time it was believed that it was beneficial for animals
to have a litter before being spayed, while another prevailing school of
thought, until fairly recently, was that animals should go through one heat
before being spayed.
Many veterinary colleges are currently teaching that spaying and neutering,
also known as gonadectomy, can be done safely at any age, but believe that
pediatric spay/neuter is a tool mainly for population control for shelter
animals only. However, pediatric spay/neuter should be considered for
animals belonging to the general public as well.
Revisiting the Six-Month Recommendation
Six months of age is generally considered to be the standard recommendation
for spaying and neutering puppies and kittens. It is unclear from the
scientific literature how that conclusion was reached.
It is now known that spaying an animal before the first heat prevents the
development of mammary gland tumors later in life. Since kittens may go into
heat at 4 months of age, waiting until 6 months risks accidental pregnancy
and loses the protection against mammary gland cancer.
It would appear that decisions about when to spay and neuter are based more
on the individual practitioner's comfort level and familiarity with the
surgical technique and anesthesia rather than on any sound scientific or
medical evidence.
The six month age requirement for surgery came into question in the late
1970s when shelters encountered difficulty getting adopters to comply with
contractual agreements to neuter their newly adopted pets. Despite various
incentives, many adopters simply refused to abide by the agreements once
they had acquired the animals.
Some shelters found that litters from animals they had adopted out were
being brought back to them, and that they were thus actually contributing to
the overpopulation problem. They decided the best solution would be to
neuter the animals before they were adopted, but the six month age
restriction meant that puppies and kittens could not be altered.
Once it was determined that no compelling medical reason could be found in
the veterinary literature to wait until the animals were six months of age,
pediatric surgeries began to be performed. Dr. Leo Lieberman is the
acknowledged pioneer of pediatric spay/neuter. He began performing the
surgeries in the late 1970s, and they have been performed by shelters ever
since.
A Growing Body of Evidence
In 1993 Faggella and Aronsohn published surgical and anesthetic protocols in
the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) for
safely neutering animals as young as 6 weeks of age. Although the surgeries
had already been performed safely on thousands of shelter animals, these
articles provided the much-needed research data to prove that the procedures
were indeed safe to perform.
On July 18, 1993, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House
of Delegates approved a resolution on early age spay/neuter which stated:
"Resolved that the AVMA supports the concept of early (8-16 weeks of age)
ovariohysterectomies/ gonadectomies in dogs and cats, in an effort to stem
the overpopulation problem in these species."
Aware of the controversy surrounding this statement they also added:
"The concept is for the benefit of animal shelter and humane society
spay/neuter programs. Individual veterinarians have the right/responsibility
to decide at what age they will perform the procedure."
In 2004, the policy was revised and the "concept" portion of the statement
was removed.
Throughout the 1990s, groups such as the American Animal Hospital
Association (AAHA), American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (ASPCA), American Humane Association (AHA), Cat Fanciers Association
(CFA), American Kennel Club (AKC), Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS), and the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) endorsed
pediatric spay/neuter.
Despite these endorsements and the body of evidence already gathered through
research and anecdotal information from over 25 years of performing
pediatric procedures, the debate still goes on. This information should help
resolve some of the problems and concerns.
Concerns about Pediatric Spay/Neuter
An often-cited concern regarding pediatric spay/neuter is a lack of
sufficient scientific data regarding long-term consequences. The following
are commonly discussed issues:
* Obesity
* Stunted growth
* Cranial cruciate ligament rupture
* Hip dysplasia
* Behavioral problems
* Lower urinary tract disease
* Secondary sex characteristics
* Urinary incontinence
* Infectious disease
* Hypothyroidism
* Diabetes mellitus
* Neoplasia
General Concerns about the Long-Term Effects
The results of studies of the long-term outcome of gonadectomies performed
at an early age or traditional age in cats and dogs were published in JAVMA
in the December 1, 2000 and January 15, 2001 issues, respectively. The
studies were performed at the Texas A&M Veterinary College by Dr. Lisa Howe
on 269 dogs and 263 cats from animal shelters.
The conclusion for dogs was that "with the exception of infectious diseases,
prepubertal gonadectomy may be safely performed in dogs without concern for
increased incidence of physical or behavioral problems during at least a
4-year period after gonadectomy."
Shelters that held puppies long-term encountered problems with parvovirus.
However, the authors of this paper did not conclude that prepubertal
gonadectomy caused parvovirus. The puppies in the study were at an age where
they were susceptible to parvovirus and housed in a shelter environment
where parvovirus can be common; they developed parvovirus for these reasons,
and not because they were sterilized as pediatric patients. (Studies have
also shown that, unrelated to surgery, the longer animals are held in
shelters, the more likely they are to become ill. Shelters that held puppies
short-term did not encounter similar disease problems.)
The conclusion for cats was that "prepubertal gonadectomy may be performed
safely in cats without concern for increased incidence of physical or
behavioral problems for at least a 3-year period after gonadectomy."
Another study addressing the long-term effects of pediatric spay/neuter was
published in JAVMA in the February 1, 2004 issue. This study was performed
at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine by Dr. Vic Spain,
who looked at the records of shelter animals (1,842 dogs and 1,660 cats) who
were sterilized as pediatric patients. This study provided follow-up for as
long as 11 years.
The conclusion for dogs was that "because early-age gonadectomy appears to
offer more benefits than risks for male dogs, animal shelters can safely
gonadectomize male dogs at a young age and veterinary practitioners should
consider recommending routine gonadectomy for client-owned male dogs before
the traditional age of 6 to 8 months. For female dogs, however, increased
urinary incontinence suggests that delaying gonadectomy until at least 3
months of age may be beneficial." It is important to note that the female
dogs with reported urinary incontinence remained in their homes and were not
relinquished to the shelter. The long-term Texas A&M study did not find
similar results about urinary incontinence, and another study from 1992
showed a higher incidence of urinary incontinence in female dogs spayed
AFTER the first estrus cycle.
The conclusion for cats from the Cornell study was that "Gonadectomy before
5.5 months of age was not associated with increased rates of death or
relinquishment or occurrence of any serious medical or behavioral condition
and may provide certain important long-term benefits, especially for male
cats. Animal shelters can safely gonadectomize cats at a young age and
veterinarians should consider recommending routine gonadectomy for
client-owned cats before the traditional age of 6 to 8 months."
It should be noted that similar focused studies have not been conducted to
establish the long-term safety of gonadectomies performed at 6 months of
age.
Obesity
Obesity is influenced by a number of factors, and while neutered animals do
have a tendency to weigh more than intact animals, it occurs regardless of
whether the surgery was performed prepubertally or at the conventional age
of six months. A published study in 1991 indicated that dogs did not develop
obesity when they were sterilized at either pre or post puberty. Another
study from 1996 showed that cats can gain weight after gonadectomy, but this
is for both gonadectomy at the traditional age as well as prepubertal.
It should be stressed again that obesity is a multi-factorial problem. Even
an intact animal can become obese if a proper diet and exercise regimen is
not followed. Just as in humans, dietary indiscretions and lack of activity
are the real culprits in this case.
Growth
Many veterinarians erroneously believe that pediatric spay/neuter will stunt
the growth of animals. In fact, the exact opposite is true. This concern
about stunted growth following prepubertal gonadectomy has been refuted by
multiple studies.
In contrast to intact dogs, pups spayed or neutered at 7 weeks of age and
male pups neutered at 7 months of age had greater final radius and ulna
lengths. The removal of hormonal influences on the growth plates of the long
bones results in delayed closure, resulting in bones that are actually a
little longer. However, no clinical significance to this difference in size
has been found.
In cats, although prepubertal gonadectomy had a similar effect of delayed
closure of the growth plates, this did not lead to clinically significant
differences in the final length of the long bones.
Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture
In humans, cranial cruciate rupture (CCL) is more common in women than men
and may be more likely to occur during certain phases of the menstrual
cycle, which may be due to a hormonal effect on joint stability (Root
Kustritz). Reported incidence of rupture of the CCL in dogs is 1.8%, and
this is reportedly more common in sterilized female and male dogs than in
intact dogs (Root Kustritz).
The exact cause and effect relationship has not yet been defined, but in
addition to the suspected hormonal influence, heredity, body weight, and
body condition score may all play a role in CCL rupture (Root Kustritz).
There have not been any studies that have shown that delayed closure of the
growth plates of the long bones results in asynchrony and/or abnormalities
in joint formation as a cause of CCL rupture in dogs.
Hip Dysplasia
Long term studies have looked at the incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs and
the association of hip dysplasia with pediatric spay/neuter (Howe, personal
communication). The reported incidence of hip dysplasia is 1.7% with an
increased incidence in large and giant-breed dogs (Root Kustritz). In the
long term Cornell study, puppies that underwent pediatric spay/neuter before
5.5 months of age had an increased incidence of hip dysplasia. However, an
additional finding of this study was that dogs that were gonadectomized at
the traditional age were three times more likely to be euthanized for the
hip dysplasia as compared to the early gonadectomized group. The authors
suggest that early age gonadectomy may be associated with a less severe form
of hip dysplasia (Howe, personal communication).
Behavior
The effects of pediatric spaying and neutering on behavior remain largely
unknown. Sterilization and the subsequent decrease in related hormones have
been correlated with a decrease in gender-specific behaviors. Neutering at
any age reduces the urge of male animals to spray urine to mark territory,
roam and fight with other male animals. The demonstration of sexual
behaviors in male cats can make them undesirable house pets, and a decrease
in such behaviors is a powerful benefit of having them neutered. Also, the
trainability of working dogs is not altered by gonadectomy and does not vary
with age of the dog at time of surgery (Root Kustritz).
The large Cornell study of dogs sterilized before 5.5 months of age
indicates an increase in noise phobias and sexual behaviors and a decrease
in escaping, separation anxiety, and urination in the house when frightened
(Spain, Scarlett, Houpt, 2004). However, a different study showed no
difference in the incidence of overall or specific behavioral problems
between early-age and traditional-age sterilization (Howe, 2001).
There is some early evidence that animals that are gonadectomized at 7 weeks
or 7 months of age are more active and excitable, and that male and female
cats may be more affectionate than those left intact, but this is a fairly
subjective observation that requires more research to substantiate. There
does not appear to be any clinical significance to any observed behavioral
differences.
Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Pediatric spay/neuter has not been found to contribute to a higher rate of
urinary tract obstructions in male cats. Studies have been conducted on male
cats to determine the incidence of urinary tract obstructions in all
populations. It was found that the diameter of the penile urethra did not
vary between animals neutered at 7 weeks or 7 months of age or from intact
male cats.
It was originally believed that castrated cats had a higher incidence of
urinary tract blockages, but this is not the case. The penis in male dogs
castrated at 7 weeks of age is smaller as is the os penis, and preputial
development is juvenile in comparison with dogs castrated at 7 months of age
or left intact, but there has been no clinical significance attached to
those differences.
Secondary Sexual Characteristics
The vulva of spayed females is smaller than that of intact bitches, but
there is no evidence that there is any clinical significance to this size
difference. Perivulvular dermatitis occurs in intact as well as spayed
females, and is related to obesity rather than sexual status. Mammary glands
and nipples are also smaller.
The penis and prepuce of male animals will retain a juvenile appearance, but
again, there is no evidence of any clinical significance in animals that are
not sexually active. There is a reduction in the male cat's ability to
extrude the penis from the prepuce, but there is no knowledge of any
clinical problems associated with this. It can occur whether the surgery is
performed at 7 weeks or 7 months of age.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence, or the inability to control urination, may be observed
in female dogs whether they are spayed or intact, and regardless of the age
when spayed. Older, intact female dogs may experience incontinence naturally
as a result of the decrease in circulating estrogen, which has an effect on
the external urethral sphincter. In spayed dogs, incontinence may be seen
soon after the surgery has been performed, years later, or not at all.
The long-term Cornell study showed a slight increased risk of urinary
incontinence for female dogs spayed before 12 weeks of age (12.9% vs. 5.0%).
However, it is important to note that there was no incidence of
relinquishing these dogs to the shelter; they remained in their homes. Also,
the long-term study from Texas A&M that followed dogs out 4 years post
surgery did not show an increased risk of urinary incontinence. Finally,
another study from 1992 showed a higher incidence of urinary incontinence in
female dogs spayed AFTER the first estrus cycle (20.1%).
It would appear that there is a need for more research, but practitioners
who are concerned about this slightly increased risk of incontinence may
still safely perform prepubertal puppy spays at 3-4 months of age. Many
shelters continue to perform the procedures on puppies under 3 months of age
because the study did not show an increased risk of relinquishment because
of incontinence, which can be treated, and because of the high rate of
failure to return for spaying when adopters are allowed to take intact
female puppies home.
Infectious Disease
It is true that some shelters find an increased incidence of infectious
disease (in particular, upper respiratory infections (URI) in cats and
parvovirus in dogs) in animals that are neutered prepubertally, but the
stress of anesthesia and surgery affects adult animals as well, not just
kittens and puppies. One study showed that surgery and anesthesia have
little effect on the dog's ability to mount a humoral antibody response to
distemper vaccination. Many of these shelter animals might have developed
disease anyway because of the presence of these infectious agents in
shelters.
Good screening of surgical candidates, a comprehensive veterinary health
care program that includes deworming, good nutrition, stress reduction, good
sanitation, appropriately timed vaccinations, etc., and good post-operative
care can minimize the impact of this problem.
Shelters that neuter animals only after they have been selected for adoption
and send them home after the surgery to recuperate seem to have fewer
problems with upper respiratory infections. Infectious disease should not be
a problem in the private-practice clinical setting.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs more commonly in sterilized dogs than in intact dogs,
but while there is an association, a direct cause and effect has not been
established. The overall incidence of hypothyroidism in dogs is 0.2 to 0.3%.
Certain breeds, such as Doberman Pinschers, Golden Retrievers, and
Dachshunds, have a predilection for this disease.
In performing a risk-benefit analysis of pediatric neutering, it should be
pointed out that the incidence of hypothyroidism is low, the condition is
readily treatable, and most dogs have a good response to medical treatment.
In addition, other diseases which can be prevented by gonadectomy (such as
mammary neoplasia, pyometra, and prostatic hyperplasia) have much higher
incidences and may not have as favorable an outcome as hypothyroidism.
Diabetes Mellitus
Sterilized male and female cats have been shown to have an increased risk of
developing diabetes mellitus than intact male and female cats (Root
Kustritz). Other risk factors for cats in developing diabetes mellitus
include breed (Burmese have a higher incidence), sex (males have a higher
incidence), obesity, and increasing age (Root Kustritz). Recent new theories
suggest a high-carbohydrate, dry-food diet may also be a contributing factor
to the development of diabetes in cats.
Neoplasia
There has been concern that pediatric spay/neuter may increase the risk for
certain types of cancer. But, pediatric spay/neuter will also decrease the
risk for other types of cancer. For example, mammary gland tumors are the
most common type of tumor of female dogs, with a reported incidence of 3.4%.
Mammary gland tumors are the third most common tumor of cats, with a
reported incidence of 2.5% (Root Kustritz). Sexually intact dogs and cats
have a much greater risk of developing mammary gland tumors than
gonadectomized animals (Root Kustritz). The literature also shows that the
risk of developing mammary gland tumors in dogs spayed prior to the first
estrus is 0.5%, while the risk after the first estrus is 8.0%, and the risk
after the second estrus increases to 26%.
Another type of neoplasia that may be affected by gonadectomy is prostatic
neoplasia. While some studies show an increased risk of prostatic neoplasia
in castrated dogs (Root Kustritz), the reported incidence of prostatic
tumors in dogs is only 0.2% to 0.6% (Root Kustritz), and it occurs in both
intact and castrated male dogs. So while castration does not protect against
prostatic neoplasia, it does protect against other prostatic diseases seen
more commonly in intact male dogs. These include benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH), cystic hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia, paraprostatic
cysts, prostatitis, and prostatic abscesses.
Another tumor associated with gonadectomy is hemangiosarcoma. Spayed females
have 5 times the risk of developing cardiac hemangiosarcoma compared to
intact females (Root Kustritz). However, the overall incidence of cardiac
tumors in one study was only 0.19%, making them very uncommon compared to
other tumor types.
Gonadectomy can increase the risk of development of osteosarcoma (OSA) by
1.3 to 2.0 times (Root Kustritz). In one study, there was a significant
increase in OSA in sterilized dogs that had undergone gonadectomy at less
than 1 year of age, but the overall incidence of OSA in this population of
dogs (Rottweilers) was much higher than that in the general population,
which suggests a hereditary component (Root Kustritz). Also, in this study,
the life span of sexually intact and castrated male dogs did not differ, and
the life span was actually increased in spayed female dogs compared to
intact female dogs (Root Kustritz). This study also looked at dogs that
underwent gonadectomy before 1 year of age, and this cannot be defined as
pediatric spay/neuter (Howe, personal communication).
Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) is the most common tumor of the urinary
tract of dogs. Gonadectomized animals have an increased risk of developing
TCC compared to sexually intact animals (Root Kustritz). However, a cause
and effect relationship has not been defined, and TCC in dogs is reported to
be at most 1.0% of all malignant tumors (Root Kustritz).
Testicular tumors are the second most common tumor type in dogs. Although
malignancy is considered low for these types of tumors, castration is
usually curative (Root Kustritz). Ovarian and uterine tumors are not common
in dogs and cats, and although malignant tumors of the female reproductive
tract have been reported, sterilization is usually curative (Root Kustritz).
Special Pointers for Pediatric Surgical Patients
The following pointers highlight the main considerations when performing a
pediatric surgical procedure.
Pre-Surgical and Anesthetic Considerations
The handling of pediatric patients before surgery should be minimized to
prevent excitement before sedation for surgery. The staff should be urged to
resist the temptation to play with the puppies or kittens. Excited animals
will resist being restrained, and they become more difficult to sedate.
Littermates should be housed together to reduce stress.
Intramuscular or subcutaneous injections for initial sedation or
pre-medication are recommended as less restraint is needed.
Animals should not be fasted for more than 3-4 hours before the procedure to
avoid hypoglycemia.
Hypothermia can be a problem for these patients. A small area of hair at the
surgical site should be clipped and a warm surgical scrub used. The use of
alcohol should be avoided or minimized because of its cooling effects on the
skin. Supplemental heating sources should be used as needed, such as
circulating hot-water heating pads or carefully monitored warm-water
bottles. (Avoid placing them directly on the skin, and remove them
immediately when they become cool.)
There are many different protocols in the literature for pediatric
anesthesia. The most successful protocols are usually already in use by the
veterinarian with adjustments for the weight difference. The use of
isoflurane inhalation anesthesia eliminates many of the concerns about
biotransformation of anesthetic drugs in the liver and kidneys of pediatric
patients. (Halothane should not be used on the pediatric patient.) The
current recommendation is to use multimodal analgesia, such as nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) in combination with opioids.
Good monitoring of the patient for safety is no different from the protocols
used for any other patient. These include observing the heart and
respiratory rates, depth of anesthesia, color of the patient's mucus
membranes, etc.
Surgical Considerations
A supplemental source of heat should be used to prevent hypothermia during
the surgical procedure. Circulating warm water heating pads covered by a
blanket or towel on the surgical table work well.
Some surgeons recommend that the surgical incision for spaying female
puppies should be more caudal than the incision for female adult dogs. The
location of the incision for spaying kittens remains the same as it is for
adult cats, in the caudal third of the ventrum. Male puppies may be neutered
through a scrotal incision, the same as male cats.
Tissues must be handled gently and close attention paid to hemostasis, but
this is true in any surgical procedure. The truth is, in most cases,
bleeding in these animals is minimal. Usually only single ligatures are
indicated and hemoclips can also be used, compared to the adult patient
where double ligation is often indicated.
Pediatric animals can have a significant amount of clear abdominal fluid,
but this is normal.
The animals should be tattooed in the inguinal region, on the ventral
abdomen or have tattoo ink applied to the incision to identify them as
having already been neutered. Tattooing is as important for males as it is
for females, as it might spare male animals from exploratory surgery if it
was assumed the animal had bilaterally retained testicles.
Post-Surgical Considerations
Puppies and kittens should be kept warm in the post-operative period.
Heating lamps can be used to prevent hypothermia as long as the patient is
closely monitored while under the lamp. If there are problems with the
recovery, their temperature and blood glucose should be checked.
A small meal should be offered within an hour after anesthetic recovery to
minimize the chance of developing hypoglycemia. If there are signs of
hypoglycemia, treat quickly and accordingly. Many practitioners recommend
routinely applying a small amount of Nutrical on the gums of the recovering
pediatric patient.
Some surgeons recommend avoiding the use of PDS suture material in the
subcutaneous and subcuticular (intradermal) tissue, as there have been
reports in the literature of PDS in these tissue layers being associated
with the post-op complication of calcinosis circumscripta.
Additional Advantages to Pediatric Spay/Neuter
One of the main reasons why many veterinarians do not perform pediatric
spay/neuter is that they are most comfortable performing surgery on animals
that are 6 months of age or older, and they believe there are no compelling
reasons to change the current protocols in their private practices. However,
there are actually many advantages to pediatric spay/neuter. Although some
have been mentioned before, they are summarized here:
* Veterinarians who are familiar with the surgery and anesthesia concur that
pediatric spay/neuter is much less physiologically stressful on younger
patients.
* Animals should be fasted for only 2-4 hours in order to prevent them from
developing hypoglycemia. This can be an advantage for clients who often
forget to withhold food for several hours from adult animals prior to
surgery and then object to rescheduling their appointment. (Many surgeons
still recommend an overnight fast for adult dogs, although this practice is
also falling out of favor.)
* Animals are awake and ambulatory usually within an hour of completion of
the surgery, so they can be fed a small meal and then sent home the same
day, avoiding a stay in hospitals that frequently do not have staff
available to monitor them overnight.
* Once the veterinarian has gained experience, the surgery is much faster
and easier, so it is less stressful on both the patient and the surgeon.
* There are fewer perioperative complications associated with pediatric
spay/neuter than with spay/neuter performed at an older age.
* Pyometra is a potentially life-threatening condition whose incidence
approaches 66% in older unspayed females. It can be very expensive to treat,
and it occurs with much greater frequency than some of the other concerns
mentioned in this article, such as CCL rupture or cardiac tumors. This major
health concern is easily prevented by prepubertal spaying.
* Veterinarians often cite a fear of losing money by performing pediatric
procedures. However, many veterinarians also admit that they subsidize the
cost of surgically neutering adult animals with other procedures or simply
lower the cost and absorb the financial loss. Pediatric surgery is less
expensive because of the use of fewer materials, and because less staff time
is needed for surgery and pre and postoperative preparation and monitoring.
* Private practitioners are strongly urged to comply with the recommendation
in the Cornell study to perform the procedures before the traditional age of
6 to 8 months. Doing so prevents accidental pregnancies and the development
of mammary gland tumors in females later in life. If the procedure is
performed or scheduled when the last vaccination is given at 3 to 4 months
of age, the veterinarian does not have to worry about the client forgetting
to return, or shopping around and going elsewhere for the surgery. It can be
included as part of a kitten/puppy care package of vaccinations, deworming
and neutering. The delay in neutering pets is often responsible for the
production of accidental litters that end up at shelters.
* Embracing the concept of "one health" that promotes the link between
animal and human health and welfare requires veterinary participation in
solving community problems. Studies have shown that intact animals are much
more likely to be relinquished to shelters than sterilized ones. Pediatric
spay/neuter is an essential component of a comprehensive community strategy
to end the euthanasia of unwanted companion animals in the United States.
* Pediatric spay/neuter should not be considered a tool just for humane
societies because shelter animals actually represent a small source for
acquisition of pets. Simply neutering that population will not have
sufficient impact on reducing the overall pet overpopulation problem. The
best strategy includes education about responsible pet ownership, increased
efforts to improve adoptions, counseling to keep animals with behavior
problems in their homes, and the prevention of births of unwanted animals.
Surgical sterilization is one part of the solution that only veterinarians
can provide.
Conclusion
As with all veterinary procedures, there are potential complications and
both advantages and disadvantages to any spay/neuter procedure. Each patient
should be evaluated on an individual basis and the veterinarian should
discuss both the benefits and risks for spay/neuter surgery with the client.
Pediatric spay/neuter is important for humane societies and shelters because
with these procedures, almost every animal can be sterilized prior to
adoption, which helps prevent the birth of unwanted litters that often end
up at the shelter. Private practitioners should also consider performing
pediatric spay/neuter on their patients because of the many medical
advantages as well.
Lila Miller, DVM, is Vice President of ASPCA Veterinary Outreach.
domingo, 10 de octubre de 2010
150,000 stray animals in Puerto Rico
San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini called on his fellow islanders to look around them and take care of their pets, because there are 150,000 stray animals.
“According to a study done on the island in 2002, there were 100,000 pets (sic) stray in the streets. Presently, it is estimated at 150,000, indicating the problem is growing,” said Santini.
The mayor said the situation has gotten out of hand. That is why it is more important each day to hold activities like the Pet Fair (Feria de Mascotas) which starts today in the San Patricio shopping center, to create awareness and educate our people about the conditions necessary for our animals and how to care for them.
Speaking of the Animal Control and Adoption Center in San Juan, he said “we keep the animals for a reasonable time and we try to maximize their probabilities of being adopted. But, the shelter cannot be a permanent home for companion animals, because beyond food and water they need love and attention from a master.”
Center Director Mariangeli Gely explained that “our participation in this festival, in addition to promoting adoption as the first alternative, is also to create awareness among the population about animal control through sterilization, a service which we offer at the center.
“We also educate and orient about the abandonment of pets in the streets, according to Animal Abuse Law 154,” she said.
http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1278736389
“According to a study done on the island in 2002, there were 100,000 pets (sic) stray in the streets. Presently, it is estimated at 150,000, indicating the problem is growing,” said Santini.
The mayor said the situation has gotten out of hand. That is why it is more important each day to hold activities like the Pet Fair (Feria de Mascotas) which starts today in the San Patricio shopping center, to create awareness and educate our people about the conditions necessary for our animals and how to care for them.
Speaking of the Animal Control and Adoption Center in San Juan, he said “we keep the animals for a reasonable time and we try to maximize their probabilities of being adopted. But, the shelter cannot be a permanent home for companion animals, because beyond food and water they need love and attention from a master.”
Center Director Mariangeli Gely explained that “our participation in this festival, in addition to promoting adoption as the first alternative, is also to create awareness among the population about animal control through sterilization, a service which we offer at the center.
“We also educate and orient about the abandonment of pets in the streets, according to Animal Abuse Law 154,” she said.
http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1278736389
New Goal for HSUS: Achieving a No Kill Community
Two hotly debated leaders from the world of animal welfare recently sat down for an interview that gave great insight about the future of realizing a nationwide No-Kill policy for companion animals. Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) dedicated three days of his blog to his interview with Robin Starr, CEO of the Richmond SPCA and creator of a no-kill city.
Yes, this is the same Wayne Pacelle who was in-charge of the HSUS as it stood by while hundreds of rescued fighting dogs were euthanized. And yes, this is the same Robin Starr who met with controversy last summer when her deaf and blind dog died after being left alone in a car.
However each individual has also been a pioneer in the field of animal welfare and rescue and the concept for the interview gives us a glimpse into the future policies of the HSUS.
Earlier this year when Pacelle was criticized for his role in euthanizing dogs rescued from a dog-fighting operation, HSUS made a commitment to begin evaluating all rescued dogs on an individual basis. This commitment has led HSUS to launch The Shelter Pet Project – a multi-million dollar marketing campaign to end euthanasia of healthy and treatable homeless animals.
It has also led to the creation of the National Federation of Humane Societies. This is a coalition of dozens of major shelters and rescue groups throughout the country that have vowed to stop euthanasia for healthy homeless pets by the year 2020.
In his blog Pacelle said, “…there is broader acceptance of no-kill principles, and an acknowledgment that it must be our goal as a movement to find homes for healthy animals and to halt the killing of animals except when it’s medically necessary. There is a pathway, although a challenging and difficult one, to see an end in the years ahead to the routine euthanasia of animals in shelters.”
The new coalition may have been what prompted the interview with Robin Starr. Her discussion gives a great overview of how a city can implement a no-kill strategy. Even if it helps one town change, the effort will be worthwhile.
Pacelle explains how Starr took the Richmond SPCA in 2002 from a “traditional animal welfare group” to a no-kill shelter and how she ultimately moved the entire city to adopt no-kill principles. She discusses how her decision was controversial because the act of euthanizing pets had become the accepted practice for controlling pet overpopulation in Richmond. And she states how her organization was “aggressively attacked” by other animal rescue groups when she made her decision.
Starr reveals her partnership with Richmond Animal Care and Control (the city-operated shelter) and how they helped create a town in which “no healthy homeless animal would lose its life.” Her goal was achieved in 2006 and the city of Richmond, VA has remained that way ever since.
Starr points that there are many “multi-pronged” steps to create a successful no-kill city. Here are some of the first steps her group took:
Create a vast volunteer based foster network that can provide individual care and rehabilitation for homeless pets with special needs. This was especially helpful during kitten season.
Establish a Pet Retention Program. Richmond SPCA created a hotline to help solve behavior questions for pet owners. The goal was to keep as many cats and dogs in their homes as possible.
Set up very accessible, low-cost/no-cost spay and neuter clinics. The program also targeted specific areas where pet overpopulation was at its worst.
Create a progressive pet adoption program.
Institute an aggressive Trap-Neuter-Return program for feral cats.
Educate the public about the need to adopt from a shelter.
Establish a wide network for fundraising.
The group even learned how to utilize social media resources to communicate with the community. It came in handy when they tackled their latest goal, this year.
Starr said, “This year we decided that we were going to take on the goal of saving the life of every neonatal kitten in the city of Richmond that was not seriously ill. To do so, we needed to vastly expand our foster care network to meet the huge demand in the spring and summer kitten season months. We broadly communicated that need, responded quickly when people offered help to us and removed every roadblock possible to getting kittens out to a huge number of foster care homes. We gave them training and trusted them to care. The result was that we saved the life of more than 500 neonatal kittens in 2009.”
Wayne Pacelle’s interview with Robin Starr is both practical and enlightening. It shows how one city can take a step in the right direction on behalf of homeless pets and it proves that every city can get organized and lessen the suffering of abandoned cats and dogs.
Here is the link to Pacelle's Blog
Read more: animal welfare, no kill policies, euthanasia of pets
Yes, this is the same Wayne Pacelle who was in-charge of the HSUS as it stood by while hundreds of rescued fighting dogs were euthanized. And yes, this is the same Robin Starr who met with controversy last summer when her deaf and blind dog died after being left alone in a car.
However each individual has also been a pioneer in the field of animal welfare and rescue and the concept for the interview gives us a glimpse into the future policies of the HSUS.
Earlier this year when Pacelle was criticized for his role in euthanizing dogs rescued from a dog-fighting operation, HSUS made a commitment to begin evaluating all rescued dogs on an individual basis. This commitment has led HSUS to launch The Shelter Pet Project – a multi-million dollar marketing campaign to end euthanasia of healthy and treatable homeless animals.
It has also led to the creation of the National Federation of Humane Societies. This is a coalition of dozens of major shelters and rescue groups throughout the country that have vowed to stop euthanasia for healthy homeless pets by the year 2020.
In his blog Pacelle said, “…there is broader acceptance of no-kill principles, and an acknowledgment that it must be our goal as a movement to find homes for healthy animals and to halt the killing of animals except when it’s medically necessary. There is a pathway, although a challenging and difficult one, to see an end in the years ahead to the routine euthanasia of animals in shelters.”
The new coalition may have been what prompted the interview with Robin Starr. Her discussion gives a great overview of how a city can implement a no-kill strategy. Even if it helps one town change, the effort will be worthwhile.
Pacelle explains how Starr took the Richmond SPCA in 2002 from a “traditional animal welfare group” to a no-kill shelter and how she ultimately moved the entire city to adopt no-kill principles. She discusses how her decision was controversial because the act of euthanizing pets had become the accepted practice for controlling pet overpopulation in Richmond. And she states how her organization was “aggressively attacked” by other animal rescue groups when she made her decision.
Starr reveals her partnership with Richmond Animal Care and Control (the city-operated shelter) and how they helped create a town in which “no healthy homeless animal would lose its life.” Her goal was achieved in 2006 and the city of Richmond, VA has remained that way ever since.
Starr points that there are many “multi-pronged” steps to create a successful no-kill city. Here are some of the first steps her group took:
Create a vast volunteer based foster network that can provide individual care and rehabilitation for homeless pets with special needs. This was especially helpful during kitten season.
Establish a Pet Retention Program. Richmond SPCA created a hotline to help solve behavior questions for pet owners. The goal was to keep as many cats and dogs in their homes as possible.
Set up very accessible, low-cost/no-cost spay and neuter clinics. The program also targeted specific areas where pet overpopulation was at its worst.
Create a progressive pet adoption program.
Institute an aggressive Trap-Neuter-Return program for feral cats.
Educate the public about the need to adopt from a shelter.
Establish a wide network for fundraising.
The group even learned how to utilize social media resources to communicate with the community. It came in handy when they tackled their latest goal, this year.
Starr said, “This year we decided that we were going to take on the goal of saving the life of every neonatal kitten in the city of Richmond that was not seriously ill. To do so, we needed to vastly expand our foster care network to meet the huge demand in the spring and summer kitten season months. We broadly communicated that need, responded quickly when people offered help to us and removed every roadblock possible to getting kittens out to a huge number of foster care homes. We gave them training and trusted them to care. The result was that we saved the life of more than 500 neonatal kittens in 2009.”
Wayne Pacelle’s interview with Robin Starr is both practical and enlightening. It shows how one city can take a step in the right direction on behalf of homeless pets and it proves that every city can get organized and lessen the suffering of abandoned cats and dogs.
Here is the link to Pacelle's Blog
Read more: animal welfare, no kill policies, euthanasia of pets
El cáncer de mamas en los perr@s
El cáncer de mamas en los perr@s
Entre la información que conseguí tenemos que:
• Los tumores de las glándulas mamarias son el tipo de tumor más común en las perras no esterilizadas, aunque no siempre son malignos. Los tumores benignos tienen buen pronóstico y no suelen ser peligrosos para la vida de la mascota. Los tumores malignos no siempre tienen la misma gravedad, dependen del tamaño y estado en que se encuentren, si hay o no metástasis y de cómo responda la mascota al tratamiento. El 50% de los tumores que se producen en perras son de mamas y de estos el 50% son benignos.
• La edad media de perras en la diagnosis es a partir de los 8 años. Puede haber uno solo o varios tumores, y pueden ocurrir en unas o más glándulas. Son muy raros los casos de perros machos con este tipo de cáncer pero pueden darse.
• La incidencia de cáncer en los perros es ligeramente superior a la de las personas, mientras que los gatos presentan cáncer con menor frecuencia.
• Está comprobado que la posibilidad de sufrir un cáncer aumenta con la edad.
La mejor forma de evitar el cáncer de mamas en perras es mediante la esterilización antes de su primer celo, pero esto nos deja definitivamente sin la posibilidad de tener cachorros, aunque disminuye a un 0,05% la posibilidad de este cáncer. Si usted nunca ha pensado en tener cachorros lo mejor es esterilizar antes del primero celo, si lo hace después de su tercer celo las probabilidades aumentan al 26%.
Otra consideración a tener en cuenta es que se ha determinado que existe una relación entre la obesidad infantil y la aparición del cáncer de mamas en la adultez. Una perra que fue obesa de joven y se alimentó con comida muy grasosa tiene mayores probabilidades de desarrollar tumores que otra.
El tratamiento suele ser quirúrgico, se procede a la extracción del o los tumores y preferiblemente los ganglios que puedan estar afectados, luego se puede aplicar quimioterapia. Los perros suelen tener una buena receptividad a la medicación así que puede tener buenas probabilidades de salir con bien del problema, claro esto está directamente sujeto al tipo de tumor, si es agresivo o no, si está diseminado o encapsulado y si se presenta o no metástasis.
Lo más aconsejable es examinar con frecuencia a su perra, revísele las mamas como si estuviera jugando con ella para que pueda percatarse si existe cualquier bulto o dureza. Si eso sucede, no se asuste, llévela al médico veterinario inmediatamente pues mientras más pronto se diagnostique y se trata mejor son sus probabilidades de sobrevida y siempre tiene la posibilidad de estar dentro del 50% de tumores benignos que se resuelven mediante cirugía.
La Sociedad Americana del Cáncer en Veterinaria ha desarrollado una lista con los 10 principales síntomas que produce el cáncer:
• Bultos anormales que crecen de forma persistente.
• Heridas que no cicatrizan.
• Disminución de peso
• Pérdida de apetito.
• Sangrado por cualquier orificio del cuerpo (boca, nariz, genitales, entre otros).
• Mal olor.
• Dificultad para comer o tragar.
• Rechazo al ejercicio (cansancio).
• Cojeras persistentes.
• Dificultad para respirar, orinar o defecar.
Recomendamos la esterilización porque es una operación fácil y definitiva (no tendrás más problemas de celo), reduce considerablemente la incidencia de cáncer de mama y elimina totalmente las infecciones de útero, muy frecuentes en perras adultas, así como tumores ováricos y embarazos psicológicos. Además, como ya se ha dicho antes, los cachorros mestizos son los futuros perros abandonados.
La ASPCA (La Sociedad Estadounidense para Prevenir la Crueldad contra los Animales, según su sigla en inglés) recomienda encarecidamente que castre o esterilice a su mascota lo antes que pueda. Actualmente, muchos veterinarios esterilizan perros y gatos a la corta edad de ocho semanas. De hecho, esterilizar una hembra elimina la posibilidad de que se desarrolle cáncer uterino u ovárico y reduce considerablemente el riesgo de cáncer de mama.
Entre la información que conseguí tenemos que:
• Los tumores de las glándulas mamarias son el tipo de tumor más común en las perras no esterilizadas, aunque no siempre son malignos. Los tumores benignos tienen buen pronóstico y no suelen ser peligrosos para la vida de la mascota. Los tumores malignos no siempre tienen la misma gravedad, dependen del tamaño y estado en que se encuentren, si hay o no metástasis y de cómo responda la mascota al tratamiento. El 50% de los tumores que se producen en perras son de mamas y de estos el 50% son benignos.
• La edad media de perras en la diagnosis es a partir de los 8 años. Puede haber uno solo o varios tumores, y pueden ocurrir en unas o más glándulas. Son muy raros los casos de perros machos con este tipo de cáncer pero pueden darse.
• La incidencia de cáncer en los perros es ligeramente superior a la de las personas, mientras que los gatos presentan cáncer con menor frecuencia.
• Está comprobado que la posibilidad de sufrir un cáncer aumenta con la edad.
La mejor forma de evitar el cáncer de mamas en perras es mediante la esterilización antes de su primer celo, pero esto nos deja definitivamente sin la posibilidad de tener cachorros, aunque disminuye a un 0,05% la posibilidad de este cáncer. Si usted nunca ha pensado en tener cachorros lo mejor es esterilizar antes del primero celo, si lo hace después de su tercer celo las probabilidades aumentan al 26%.
Otra consideración a tener en cuenta es que se ha determinado que existe una relación entre la obesidad infantil y la aparición del cáncer de mamas en la adultez. Una perra que fue obesa de joven y se alimentó con comida muy grasosa tiene mayores probabilidades de desarrollar tumores que otra.
El tratamiento suele ser quirúrgico, se procede a la extracción del o los tumores y preferiblemente los ganglios que puedan estar afectados, luego se puede aplicar quimioterapia. Los perros suelen tener una buena receptividad a la medicación así que puede tener buenas probabilidades de salir con bien del problema, claro esto está directamente sujeto al tipo de tumor, si es agresivo o no, si está diseminado o encapsulado y si se presenta o no metástasis.
Lo más aconsejable es examinar con frecuencia a su perra, revísele las mamas como si estuviera jugando con ella para que pueda percatarse si existe cualquier bulto o dureza. Si eso sucede, no se asuste, llévela al médico veterinario inmediatamente pues mientras más pronto se diagnostique y se trata mejor son sus probabilidades de sobrevida y siempre tiene la posibilidad de estar dentro del 50% de tumores benignos que se resuelven mediante cirugía.
La Sociedad Americana del Cáncer en Veterinaria ha desarrollado una lista con los 10 principales síntomas que produce el cáncer:
• Bultos anormales que crecen de forma persistente.
• Heridas que no cicatrizan.
• Disminución de peso
• Pérdida de apetito.
• Sangrado por cualquier orificio del cuerpo (boca, nariz, genitales, entre otros).
• Mal olor.
• Dificultad para comer o tragar.
• Rechazo al ejercicio (cansancio).
• Cojeras persistentes.
• Dificultad para respirar, orinar o defecar.
Recomendamos la esterilización porque es una operación fácil y definitiva (no tendrás más problemas de celo), reduce considerablemente la incidencia de cáncer de mama y elimina totalmente las infecciones de útero, muy frecuentes en perras adultas, así como tumores ováricos y embarazos psicológicos. Además, como ya se ha dicho antes, los cachorros mestizos son los futuros perros abandonados.
La ASPCA (La Sociedad Estadounidense para Prevenir la Crueldad contra los Animales, según su sigla en inglés) recomienda encarecidamente que castre o esterilice a su mascota lo antes que pueda. Actualmente, muchos veterinarios esterilizan perros y gatos a la corta edad de ocho semanas. De hecho, esterilizar una hembra elimina la posibilidad de que se desarrolle cáncer uterino u ovárico y reduce considerablemente el riesgo de cáncer de mama.
sábado, 9 de octubre de 2010
Alcaldesa se opone a experimentación con monos
Alcaldesa se opone a experimentación con monos
[foto]
El portavoz de la comunidad Pueblito del Carmen, en Guayama, aplaudió la
aprobación de la resolución del Senado que rechaza los planes de
Bioculture para importar más de cuatro mil monos macacos a la Isla.
(Archivo )
miércoles, 6 de octubre de 2010
Darisabel Texidor Guadalupe / Para Primera Hora
Guayama.- La alcaldesa de la Ciudad Bruja, Glorimari Jaime Rodríguez,
reafirmó su oposición al establecimiento de una empresa criadora de monos
en su pueblo a través de una ordenanza aprobada el pasado 29 de septiembre
en la Legislatura Municipal.
“En Puerto Rico existen pueblos que están siendo invadidos por plagas de
monos y otras especies de animales que representan un serio peligro para
la vida silvestre, la flora, la fauna y la agricultura, así como otras
actividades económicas”, dijo la Alcaldesa en referencia a que el Gobierno
no ha podido establecer programas efectivos para capturar y eliminar estas
plagas.
La Primer Ejecutiva municipal reiteró que desde que conoció sobre las
intenciones de la empresa Bioculture, de establecer un laboratorio de
crianza de primates, se opuso tenazmente.
En la ordenanza, Jaime Rodríguez expresa su enérgica oposición a que se
establezca cualquier operación relacionada con la importación,
exportación, reproducción, crianza, venta, comercialización y
experimentación con monos –o cualquier especie animal– que se dedique a la
investigación científica, o para cualquier otro fin.
Ésta indicó que su administración tiene la obligación ministerial de
proteger y conservar los recursos naturales que existen en su entorno
ecológico y que, por tal motivo, entiende que los mismos no deben ser
expuestos a actividades industriales, ni de cualquier otra índole, que
puedan constituir una amenaza a los mismos.
Jaime Rodríguez mencionó que el Municipio no necesita tomarse riesgos, los
cuales en un futuro podrían representar serios problemas en el manejo de
las plagas de monos y otras especies.
“Queremos preservar un estado anímico saludable que incida en la paz y
seguridad de la ciudadanía”, reiteró la alcaldesa guayamesa.
Por su parte, Roberto Brito, portavoz de la comunidad Pueblito del Carmen
–donde se construye el proyecto– se mostró satisfecho y agradecido con la
aprobación unánime de las ordenanzas 9 y 11.
“Éste es un golpe más que le damos a Bioculture para que vea que nuestra
lucha no termina”, expresó el líder comunitario.
Igualmente, manifestó que Bioculture sigue engañando al pueblo, ofreciendo
empleos que no existen y ayudas a la comunidad que no llegan.
“Estamos confiados en que prevaleceremos; sólo esperamos que el Tribunal
Apelativo se dé cuenta de que esto no va para ningún lado”, señaló Brito.
Por otro lado, aplaudió la aprobación de la resolución del Senado que
rechaza los planes de Bioculture para importar más de cuatro mil monos
macacos a la Isla.
La resolución solicita al Departamento de Agricultura federal y al
Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre le denieguen cualquier permiso a esta
empresa israelí.
http://www.primerahora.com/alcaldesaseoponeaexperimentacionconmonos-430386.html
[foto]
El portavoz de la comunidad Pueblito del Carmen, en Guayama, aplaudió la
aprobación de la resolución del Senado que rechaza los planes de
Bioculture para importar más de cuatro mil monos macacos a la Isla.
(Archivo )
miércoles, 6 de octubre de 2010
Darisabel Texidor Guadalupe / Para Primera Hora
Guayama.- La alcaldesa de la Ciudad Bruja, Glorimari Jaime Rodríguez,
reafirmó su oposición al establecimiento de una empresa criadora de monos
en su pueblo a través de una ordenanza aprobada el pasado 29 de septiembre
en la Legislatura Municipal.
“En Puerto Rico existen pueblos que están siendo invadidos por plagas de
monos y otras especies de animales que representan un serio peligro para
la vida silvestre, la flora, la fauna y la agricultura, así como otras
actividades económicas”, dijo la Alcaldesa en referencia a que el Gobierno
no ha podido establecer programas efectivos para capturar y eliminar estas
plagas.
La Primer Ejecutiva municipal reiteró que desde que conoció sobre las
intenciones de la empresa Bioculture, de establecer un laboratorio de
crianza de primates, se opuso tenazmente.
En la ordenanza, Jaime Rodríguez expresa su enérgica oposición a que se
establezca cualquier operación relacionada con la importación,
exportación, reproducción, crianza, venta, comercialización y
experimentación con monos –o cualquier especie animal– que se dedique a la
investigación científica, o para cualquier otro fin.
Ésta indicó que su administración tiene la obligación ministerial de
proteger y conservar los recursos naturales que existen en su entorno
ecológico y que, por tal motivo, entiende que los mismos no deben ser
expuestos a actividades industriales, ni de cualquier otra índole, que
puedan constituir una amenaza a los mismos.
Jaime Rodríguez mencionó que el Municipio no necesita tomarse riesgos, los
cuales en un futuro podrían representar serios problemas en el manejo de
las plagas de monos y otras especies.
“Queremos preservar un estado anímico saludable que incida en la paz y
seguridad de la ciudadanía”, reiteró la alcaldesa guayamesa.
Por su parte, Roberto Brito, portavoz de la comunidad Pueblito del Carmen
–donde se construye el proyecto– se mostró satisfecho y agradecido con la
aprobación unánime de las ordenanzas 9 y 11.
“Éste es un golpe más que le damos a Bioculture para que vea que nuestra
lucha no termina”, expresó el líder comunitario.
Igualmente, manifestó que Bioculture sigue engañando al pueblo, ofreciendo
empleos que no existen y ayudas a la comunidad que no llegan.
“Estamos confiados en que prevaleceremos; sólo esperamos que el Tribunal
Apelativo se dé cuenta de que esto no va para ningún lado”, señaló Brito.
Por otro lado, aplaudió la aprobación de la resolución del Senado que
rechaza los planes de Bioculture para importar más de cuatro mil monos
macacos a la Isla.
La resolución solicita al Departamento de Agricultura federal y al
Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre le denieguen cualquier permiso a esta
empresa israelí.
http://www.primerahora.com/alcaldesaseoponeaexperimentacionconmonos-430386.html
Dogs Have Greater Sense Of Friendship Than People
Bestselling author Jeff Masson has long been interested in the relationships between animals and humans.
The dog holds a very special place in human development. In his groundbreaking and inspiring new book, Jeff looks back over the past 40,000 years of dog-human companionship. He explores the idea that humans have developed our capacity for love, sympathy, empathy and compassion -- because of our long association with dogs.
VegSource gives this new book -- The Dog Who Couldn't Stop Loving -- our highest rating: Absolute Must Read!
¨The ability to reach out to other species, for example, is pretty much unique to humans and dogs.¨
¨Dogs have a greater sense of friendship than we do. They are also able to enjoy life in daily events to a greater extent than humans: their joie de vivre is unmatched. They attach for life. As for loyalty, well, I rest my case. I do feel that in the future we will learn about some emotions dogs have that are beyond humans
The dog holds a very special place in human development. In his groundbreaking and inspiring new book, Jeff looks back over the past 40,000 years of dog-human companionship. He explores the idea that humans have developed our capacity for love, sympathy, empathy and compassion -- because of our long association with dogs.
VegSource gives this new book -- The Dog Who Couldn't Stop Loving -- our highest rating: Absolute Must Read!
¨The ability to reach out to other species, for example, is pretty much unique to humans and dogs.¨
¨Dogs have a greater sense of friendship than we do. They are also able to enjoy life in daily events to a greater extent than humans: their joie de vivre is unmatched. They attach for life. As for loyalty, well, I rest my case. I do feel that in the future we will learn about some emotions dogs have that are beyond humans
martes, 5 de octubre de 2010
Un poco de historia de San Francisco de Asis y un Cantico por todas las criaturas
"poco de historia de San Francisco de Asis y un Cantico por todas las criaturas."
un poco de historia de San Francisco de Asis y un Cantico por todas las criaturas.
Un fuerte abrazo solidario.
Bendiciones.
************************************************
Un día en el año, se piensa en casi todos los países de la tierra en esos compañeros que comparten el planeta con nosotros, y con los cuales el ser humano ha establecido desde remotas eras, una relación, que trasciende hasta la época actual. Este día es el 4 de Octubre, día que se conmemora la muerte de San Francisco de Asís.
Francisco nació en Asís, Italia, dentro de una familia acomodada, en el año 1182, pero se despojó de todas las riquezas materiales y se dedicó a servir y ayudar no solo a sus semejantes, sino también a todos los seres vivos y a todos los animales, a los que consideraba hijos de Dios y llamaba "hermanos", se dirigía a ellos y era escuchado por estas criaturas; le obedecían las aves, peces, y es famosa la intervención que tuvo en Greccio al lograr que un lobo salvaje no atacara mas a la población. Entre sus muchos escritos se encuentra el "Cántico de las Criaturas", basado en el sentido de hermandad hacia la naturaleza, donde expresa como todas las criaturas están unidas en un solo coro de alabanza a Dios. El sentía compartir algo con todas las criaturas, y las consideraba hijas de Dios, y como tales consideraba que se debía respetar su vida, su existencia, pues eran un regalo del Creador, sin las cuales el hombre no podría sobrevivir. Francisco sentía un profundo respeto y admiración por todo lo que se hallaba en la naturaleza, desde el menor de los insectos hasta el astro rey. Francisco reconoció que las criaturas de Dios tenían una interdependencia, y que romper los lazos que las unen es una grave falta. Murió el 4 de Octubre de 1226, y fué canonizado en el año 1228.
El 4 de Octubre, ha sido instituído para la celebración del Día Mundial del Animal, en conmemoración del Santo Francisco de Asís, considerado como el primer humano que se concibió a sí mismo en relación con todas las cosas creadas, y que consideraba, sin importar la diferencia, que todos somos criaturas de Dios incluyendo en esto toda la realidad animada e inanimada.
En tiempos de Francisco, estas ideas eran vistas con extrañeza y hasta desdén, pero este Santo, se adelantó 800 años, siendo su legado el habernos dejado como enseñanza que debemos comprender nuestro lugar en el orden creado, ya que nuestro bienestar está integrado al bienestar de todo el medio ambiente.
En el año 1929, el 4 de Octubre fué declarado Día Mundial de los Animales, por iniciativa de la Organización Mundial de Protección Animal en congreso celebrado en Viena, y es en 1980 que el Papa Juan Pablo II, lo declaró Patrono de los Animales y de los Ecologistas, momento a partir del cual esta celebración toma mas auge a nivel mundial, celebrándose en muchos países con la Bendición de las Mascotas.
Dentro de esta celebración, hacemos especial referencia a nuestras mascotas, que con su fidelidad y nobleza acrecientan nuestra humanidad, considerándolos nuestros semejantes, y como les llamaba Francisco, nuestros "hermanos". Con un gesto nos dan alegrías, nos acompañan en momentos de dificultad, y están compartiendo nuestra vida, formando parte de nuestra familia; pero también hay seres que los maltratan y sacrifican. Si en todas las conciencias estuvieran presentes la enseñanzas de San Francisco de Asís, la fauna no sufriría de los excesos que se ven actualmente, al tomar cada uno su lugar como parte, y solo una parte, de la gran comunidad que es la creación.
***********************************************
EL CÁNTICO DE LAS CRIATURAS
Altísimo y omnipotente buen Señor,
tuyas son las alabanzas,
la gloria y el honor y toda bendición.
A ti solo, Altísimo, te convienen
y ningún hombre es digno de nombrarte.
Alabado seas, mi Señor,
en todas tus criaturas,
especialmente en el Señor hermano sol,
por quien nos das el día y nos iluminas.
Y es bello y radiante con gran esplendor,
de ti, Altísimo, lleva significación.
Alabado seas, mi Señor,
por la hermana luna y las estrellas,
en el cielo las formaste claras y preciosas y bellas.
Alabado seas, mi Señor, por el hermano viento
y por el aire y la nube y el cielo sereno y todo tiempo,
por todos ellos a tus criaturas das sustento.
Alabado seas, mi Señor, por el hermano fuego,
por el cual iluminas la noche,
y es bello y alegre y vigoroso y fuerte.
Alabado seas, mi Señor,
por la hermana nuestra madre tierra,
la cual nos sostiene y gobierna
y produce diversos frutos con coloridas flores y hierbas.
Alabado seas, mi Señor,
por aquellos que perdonan por tu amor,
y sufren enfermedad y tribulación;
bienaventurados los que las sufran en paz,
porque de ti, Altísimo, coronados serán.
Alabado seas, mi Señor,
por nuestra hermana muerte corporal,
de la cual ningún hombre viviente puede escapar.
Ay de aquellos que mueran
en pecado mortal.
Bienaventurados a los que encontrará
en tu santísima voluntad
porque la muerte segunda no les hará mal.
Alaben y bendigan a mi Señor
y denle gracias y sírvanle con gran humildad.
un poco de historia de San Francisco de Asis y un Cantico por todas las criaturas.
Un fuerte abrazo solidario.
Bendiciones.
************************************************
Un día en el año, se piensa en casi todos los países de la tierra en esos compañeros que comparten el planeta con nosotros, y con los cuales el ser humano ha establecido desde remotas eras, una relación, que trasciende hasta la época actual. Este día es el 4 de Octubre, día que se conmemora la muerte de San Francisco de Asís.
Francisco nació en Asís, Italia, dentro de una familia acomodada, en el año 1182, pero se despojó de todas las riquezas materiales y se dedicó a servir y ayudar no solo a sus semejantes, sino también a todos los seres vivos y a todos los animales, a los que consideraba hijos de Dios y llamaba "hermanos", se dirigía a ellos y era escuchado por estas criaturas; le obedecían las aves, peces, y es famosa la intervención que tuvo en Greccio al lograr que un lobo salvaje no atacara mas a la población. Entre sus muchos escritos se encuentra el "Cántico de las Criaturas", basado en el sentido de hermandad hacia la naturaleza, donde expresa como todas las criaturas están unidas en un solo coro de alabanza a Dios. El sentía compartir algo con todas las criaturas, y las consideraba hijas de Dios, y como tales consideraba que se debía respetar su vida, su existencia, pues eran un regalo del Creador, sin las cuales el hombre no podría sobrevivir. Francisco sentía un profundo respeto y admiración por todo lo que se hallaba en la naturaleza, desde el menor de los insectos hasta el astro rey. Francisco reconoció que las criaturas de Dios tenían una interdependencia, y que romper los lazos que las unen es una grave falta. Murió el 4 de Octubre de 1226, y fué canonizado en el año 1228.
El 4 de Octubre, ha sido instituído para la celebración del Día Mundial del Animal, en conmemoración del Santo Francisco de Asís, considerado como el primer humano que se concibió a sí mismo en relación con todas las cosas creadas, y que consideraba, sin importar la diferencia, que todos somos criaturas de Dios incluyendo en esto toda la realidad animada e inanimada.
En tiempos de Francisco, estas ideas eran vistas con extrañeza y hasta desdén, pero este Santo, se adelantó 800 años, siendo su legado el habernos dejado como enseñanza que debemos comprender nuestro lugar en el orden creado, ya que nuestro bienestar está integrado al bienestar de todo el medio ambiente.
En el año 1929, el 4 de Octubre fué declarado Día Mundial de los Animales, por iniciativa de la Organización Mundial de Protección Animal en congreso celebrado en Viena, y es en 1980 que el Papa Juan Pablo II, lo declaró Patrono de los Animales y de los Ecologistas, momento a partir del cual esta celebración toma mas auge a nivel mundial, celebrándose en muchos países con la Bendición de las Mascotas.
Dentro de esta celebración, hacemos especial referencia a nuestras mascotas, que con su fidelidad y nobleza acrecientan nuestra humanidad, considerándolos nuestros semejantes, y como les llamaba Francisco, nuestros "hermanos". Con un gesto nos dan alegrías, nos acompañan en momentos de dificultad, y están compartiendo nuestra vida, formando parte de nuestra familia; pero también hay seres que los maltratan y sacrifican. Si en todas las conciencias estuvieran presentes la enseñanzas de San Francisco de Asís, la fauna no sufriría de los excesos que se ven actualmente, al tomar cada uno su lugar como parte, y solo una parte, de la gran comunidad que es la creación.
***********************************************
EL CÁNTICO DE LAS CRIATURAS
Altísimo y omnipotente buen Señor,
tuyas son las alabanzas,
la gloria y el honor y toda bendición.
A ti solo, Altísimo, te convienen
y ningún hombre es digno de nombrarte.
Alabado seas, mi Señor,
en todas tus criaturas,
especialmente en el Señor hermano sol,
por quien nos das el día y nos iluminas.
Y es bello y radiante con gran esplendor,
de ti, Altísimo, lleva significación.
Alabado seas, mi Señor,
por la hermana luna y las estrellas,
en el cielo las formaste claras y preciosas y bellas.
Alabado seas, mi Señor, por el hermano viento
y por el aire y la nube y el cielo sereno y todo tiempo,
por todos ellos a tus criaturas das sustento.
Alabado seas, mi Señor, por el hermano fuego,
por el cual iluminas la noche,
y es bello y alegre y vigoroso y fuerte.
Alabado seas, mi Señor,
por la hermana nuestra madre tierra,
la cual nos sostiene y gobierna
y produce diversos frutos con coloridas flores y hierbas.
Alabado seas, mi Señor,
por aquellos que perdonan por tu amor,
y sufren enfermedad y tribulación;
bienaventurados los que las sufran en paz,
porque de ti, Altísimo, coronados serán.
Alabado seas, mi Señor,
por nuestra hermana muerte corporal,
de la cual ningún hombre viviente puede escapar.
Ay de aquellos que mueran
en pecado mortal.
Bienaventurados a los que encontrará
en tu santísima voluntad
porque la muerte segunda no les hará mal.
Alaben y bendigan a mi Señor
y denle gracias y sírvanle con gran humildad.
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