Talkin Pets

Program Designed to Help Animal Rescue Groups Succeed

(Jan. 29, 2013)—The Humane Society of the United States is pleased to announce the launch of “Rescue Central – Resources to Help Rescue Groups Save More Lives.” Rescue Central is a resource program to help animal rescue groups professionalize and function at their highest potential. The initiative is the first of its kind at the national level.

Rescue Central will provide assistance and expertise to help animal rescue groups operate more efficiently and effectively, build coalitions, discover new tools and techniques for funding their operations and attain the highest levels of animal care. It will also provide rescue group leaders with a forum to interact, get and give advice, and share tips and ideas.

“Animal rescue groups play a vital role in improving animal welfare in communities across the country, but many could use a little extra guidance and additional tools to reach their potential,” said Abby Volin, rescue group coordinator for The HSUS. “The Humane Society of the United States is thrilled to launch Rescue Central to help rescue groups save more animals.”

Rebecca Poling of DFW Animal Rescue in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, said “Animalsheltering.org website has long been a reliable source for animal shelter staff looking for information on best practices in a variety of areas, and now rescue groups will be able to benefit from HSUS’ expertise as well. From the latest money saving tips to expert advice on recruiting and retaining foster homes, the new Rescue Central section of animalsheltering.org has it all.”

There are an estimated 10,000 private rescue groups in the U.S. and Canada, including breed-specific groups, foster-based groups, sanctuaries, transport groups and spay/neuter groups. They play an essential role in helping to reduce the problems of animal homelessness and euthanasia in our communities. Through Rescue Central, The HSUS is committed to providing those groups with the tools and resources they need to achieve even greater success.

For more information about Rescue Central, visit animalsheltering.org/rescuecentral

Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our "HumaneTV" app.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org.

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Saturday, Nov. 17, the 322nd day of 2012.
There are 44 days left in the year.

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Born Free USA asking people to honor bats this Halloween

Washington, D.C., October 8, 2012-- This year is the “International Year of the Bat,” one of the most misunderstood wildlife species and, with Halloween just weeks away, their reputation often suffers this time of year.

Born Free USA, a leader in wildlife conservation and animal welfare, is working to stop the rapid decline in bat populations. “Humans can help bats by dispelling the myths that cause needless harm to and fear about them,” says Monica Engebretson, Senior Program Associate for Born Free USA. “They are actually vitally important to ecosystems and agriculture.”

According to Adam Roberts, Executive Vice President of Born Free USA, “Bats are extremely valuable to our country’s agriculture due to the incredible number of insects these small animals consume and many homeowners encourage bats to roost near their homes by installing specially designed bat houses to reap the insect control benefits that bats provide.”

“Fear of contracting rabies is the greatest fear people have about bats, however rabies only affects a small percentage of bats – less than one half of one percent, and the risk of contracting rabies is further minimized by following basic precautions such as not handling or touching bats with bare hands,” Engebretson explains.

Bats may choose to roost in exterior building walls or attics and may raise their young in these spaces. If building or homeowners are unable to accommodate the bats, it is a widely accepted best practice to humanely exclude bats from unwanted roosting areas after they have finished raising young and when they are not hibernating. Blocking access to a human occupied interior area of a building is a simple and effective method to prevent contact with bats during this time.

Roberts explains, “Individuals can help offset the threats faced by bats and reap the benefits of having bats around by becoming “bat smart.”

Born Free USA top tips for being bat smart:

• If a bat flies into your home, as long as no direct human contact has occurred the bat can be released outdoors. First leave a door or window to the outside open to allow the bat to leave on its own. If it does not leave on its own the bat can be safely captured and released outside using a box (cover the landed bat with a box, slip a piece of cardboard between the wall/floor and the container gently tapping the bat inside). Then wait until nightfall and take the box outside and release the bat outside.
• If you find an injured bat or a bat who appears unable to fly call your local wildlife rehabilitator, your local animal control or public health office.
• Create roosting sites for bats on your property by installing bat houses – build your own or buy one. Plans for building or purchasing bat houses can be found on the internet.
• Humanely exclude bats from buildings and spaces that you don’t want them to roost in. Exclusions should only be done when young bats are mature enough to leave the roost and when bats are not hibernating. Bat Conservation International www.batcon.org has detailed instructions for humanely and safely excluding bats from buildings.
• Take reasonable precautions- never handle bats with bare hands

Born Free USA is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to the United States the message of “compassionate conservation” — the vision of the United Kingdom-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film “Born Free,” along with their son Will Travers, now chief executive officer of both organizations. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally.

More at www.bornfreeusa.org; on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bornfreeusa; and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BornFreeUSA.

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Saturday, July 28, the 210th day of 2012.
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Columbia Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Hemisphere Media Capital and P+M Image Nation present a PG-13, 103 minute, action, adventure, comedy, sci-fi, directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, written by Lowell Cunningham, David Koepp, Etan Cohen, Jeff Nathanson and Michael Soccio with a theatre release date of May 25, 2012.

Walt Disney Pictures, Mandeville Films and Muppets Studio present a PG, approximately 120 minute, comedy, family, musical, directed by James Bobin, characters by Jim Henson and screenplay by Jason Segel with a theatrical release of November 23, 2011.