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PLEASE TELL YOUR DOG AND CAT OWNER FRIENDS.

Even if you don't personally have a pet,
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO SOMEONE WHO DOES.

      
Recently, a doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. The dogs loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog (Calypso) decided the mulch smelled good  enough to eat and devoured a large helping.  She vomited a few  times which was typical  when she eats something  new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way.  The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk . Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.  

Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's website,  This product is HIGHLY toxic to  dogs  and cats.   Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's,  and they claim that "It is true that studies have shown that 50%  of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer  physical  harm  to a variety of  degrees (depending on each individual dog).   However, 98% of all dogs won't eat   it." 

*Snopes site gives  the following information:

Cocoa Mulch,  which is sold by:

• Home Depot,
  Foreman's   
  Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores

contains a  lethal ingredient called 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and  cats. It smells like chocolate and it really   attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last  2-3  weeks.

Theobromine is in  all chocolate, especially dark or baker's  chocolate which is  toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean  shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline.  A dog that  ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions  and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and  the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal  amounts of theobromine.   

Tax Breaks for Pet Owners

Animal shelters across the country have reported a sharp surge in abandoned animals, many cut loose b owners who can no longer afford to care for them. Now, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (Republican - Michigan) has introduced a bill that would use the federal tax code to help.

The Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act would allow pet ownders to deduct the cost of food, veterinary care, and other pet-related expenses from their income taxes - up to $3500 per year. McCotter says the bill would provide tax relief for pet owners while at the same time strengthening "the human-animal" bond.

Leo Grillo, an animal-rights activist, says a tax break for the 60% of AMericans who own petw will help keep pets in the home, where they contribute to the emotional well-being of families. "If Americans are happy and emotionally stable, they are going to be more productive, and that helps the economy," he says, adding that the bill also could ease the cost of local animal control services.

William Ahern, director of policy and communications at the Tax Foundation, says the tax code should not be used to make people "happy". He adds, "It's just another snow flake in the blizzard of unjustifable tax deductions, exemptions, and credits that congressmen propose to curry favor witha particular group of voters."

Senate Issues

Have you ever wondered how our USA senators vote on animal issues? This is very interesting...... read on

Click on the link here to see - Who actually votes for and against animal rights and care. How about writing or emailing those senators who scored over 70 or higher and thanking themfor their vote. If you get a great response from your Senator / Office - why not tell us and we'll put it on the website. You can also contact us for more information on local pressure groups. Please email us using the "Email Us" button on the menu on the left hand side of this page.

Below is a key to the Senate Chart - that shows you who is a Prime sponsor, who takes a pro-animal position through co-sponsorship of a bill, a vote, signing a letter, or leading on pro-animal legislation.