Making resolutions

Humane PA, a political action committee, had published its top five New Year’s Resolutions. Precious Paws Animal Rescue has scheduled an adoption event and a spring fundraiser. Clarion PAWS, Clarion PUPS and the Venango County Humane Society have a lot of adoptable animals in need of homes.

Top five 2017 resolutions to give animals a political voice in PA

Humane PA has published its top five New Year’s Resolutions in the hopes that people will incorporate them with their own resolutions.

Together, the PAC hopes to make a meaningful difference for animals in Pennsylvania by passing a record number of laws in 2017 to protect animals from cruel acts.

“Let’s all pledge that in 2017, we will pass more humane legislation, engage more legislators, and continue to increase the influence of the animal vote,” Humane PA said.

Here are the PAC’s suggested resolutions:

*** I will respond to EVERY legislative action alert from Humane PA, as well as other animal groups working on policy in Pennsylvania. When a bill is moving, a telephone call or email to a legislator’s office is EXTREMELY important. A call from you, the constituent, can make the difference between whether your legislator is a yes or a no vote on bills impacting animals, and there have been issues we lost by ONE vote.

*** I will utilize social media to engage more people and to increase the visibility of the animal vote. To help engage more advocates in public policy, increase the visibility of the animal vote, please share posts on your own Facebook pages, and your friends’ pages, as well as to groups you belong to, and retweet Humane PA tweets too.

*** I will thank our legislators each time they cosponsor or support a humane bill. It is important to let them know that we are watching and we appreciate when they vote humanely. A thank you goes a long way.

*** I will recruit friends, family, coworkers and everyone else I know who cares about animals to get involved in public policy. Invite your friends to join the Humane PA community on Facebook, sign up to get Humane PA e-newsletters and alerts and regularly visit the Humane PA website, which is full of resources to help advocates effectively make a difference.

*** I will remind myself that one person can make a difference for animals and that our voices matter. Your phone call, email, visit or letter can be what influences your legislator to support a piece of humane legislation or oppose a bad bill.

“These resolutions are easily doable. Many of our resolutions can be fulfilled in two minutes – two minute actions that can yield huge results,” Humane PA said.

Humane PA said it has already seen tangible proof that its actions are impacting the political climate: A record number of animal-related bills were introduced in 2015-16; the numbers of co-sponsors for humane legislation are increasing; candidates are issuing position statements on the humane treatment of animals; legislators are posting animal concerns and events on their Facebook pages and websites; legislators are contacting many of their constituents, to ask their position on bills; the list goes on and on.

“2017 has enormous potential to improve the lives of animals – as a new legislative session begins. It is time to pass stronger and more bills and to also defeat the bills that will cause more animal suffering. With many new legislators, it is up to us to help educate them about anti-cruelty legislation,” Humane PA said.

“Every lawmaker in the state should understand that their voters care deeply about the humane treatment of animals and expect their elected officials to do so also. We hope you will incorporate our resolutions into your daily lives to help create as much positive change for animals as possible in 2017,” it added.

About Humane PA

As Pennsylvania’s political voice for animals, Humane PA’s mission is to increase the engagement of the Pennsylvania animal community in public policy and to elect officials who believe that all living creatures should be treated compassionately and that deliberate acts of cruelty to animals are not acceptable in a civilized society.

In states across the nation, people who care about animals are mobilizing, using the political process, and succeeding in passing strong laws to protect animals. Humane PA PAC is committed to creating an empowered and vocal community that can influence the legislative process.

Humane PA firmly believes that a critical step in achieving its goal of eliminating cruelty to animals within the Commonwealth is to elect candidates who demonstrate an understanding of the issues and support policies to address and criminalize deliberate acts of cruelty.

Humane PA encourages everyone in Pennsylvania who cares about animals to get involved in the legislative process and get to know their legislators. People’s participation is vital on behalf of animals since the more members we have, the more influence we will have with Pennsylvania politicians.

More information about Humane PA can be found online at humane-pa.org or on the PAC’s Facebook page.

Meet and greet

Precious Paws Animal Rescue in Franklin will hold an Adopt A Pet event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 7, at Tractor Supply, 6885 US 322, Franklin.

The rescue will have some of its adoptable kittens on hand.

Kittens available through adoption through Precious Paws include Petey, Noir and Steele.

Linda Jackson, a foster with Precious Paws, posted some new photos of kittens in late December on the group’s Facebook page. Included in the tabbies in the cabinets photo is Jackson’s Baby Girl cat.

Luke Jackson posted about Petey and said “Petey is one of the chillest cats I’ve ever met. He doesn’t even mind if you pet his belly.”

Petey is white with orange markings.

Noir is the black and white tuxedo kitten. Steele is a gray kitten.

Think spring

The rescue has also created a Facebook event page for its Spring Craft show. The show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department. The rescue has vendor applications available.

Precious Paws is looking for volunteers interested in starting plants and/or painting flower pots for May Mart. The group is hoping to sell catnip and plants at a booth there this May. Precious Paws has the pots and potting soil.

Precious Paws can be reached by phone at (814) 671-9827 or by email at AdoptPreciousPaws@gmail.com. More information about the group and its low-cost spay/neuter program, SNYP, can be found online at pparfranklin.com or on the group’s Facebook page.

Looking for a better life

Clarion PAWS in Shippenville has Farrah and Marlon (and lots of other felines) who are seeking the good life.

Farrah had a rough life before coming to PAWS, the rescue posted to its Facebook page.

“This poor girl was left with her sister, who has been adopted, in a completely empty apartment. She is bigger and fluffier than most of our other residents. She can be a bit cranky with her roommates but that’s just her torti-tude. She gets along well with other cats and loves attention,” the rescue added.

The rescue also posted about Marlon who is a young adult.

“He came to the PAWS house when his barn home wasn’t right for him. He is also too sweet to be living outside. He wants all the attention to be focused on him. He makes sure volunteers have room on their lap for him and is sure to get in any picture being taken,” the rescue said.

Clarion PAWS is located at 11348 Route 322, Shippenville, Clarion River Hill, between Scrap Happy and Clarion Electric.

The PAWS house will be closed to the public Saturday, Jan. 1. because of the spay and neuter clinic being held offsite.

The adoption center is open from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The center is closed Fridays and Sundays. More information is available online at www.clarionpaws.org, the group’s Facebook page or by calling (814) 229-1231.

Terrific terriers

The Venango County Humane Society in Seneca has a couple of terrific terriers up for adoption. Sparky and Tonka (as well as others) are looking for a home of their own.

Sparky, an American Staffordshire Terrier/Boston Terrier mix, is a 4-year-old neutered male. He has the round eyes, erect ears, and coloring of a Boston Terrier; the muzzle and compact body of a Staffie.

“Sparky is a lively dog. He loves playing with toys, playing games, and interacting with people. His exercise needs can be met with a moderate walk on leash or a romp in the yard. Sparky will be easy to handle if walked with a halter and leash. His coat requires only minimal care,” the shelter said.

Tonka, a Terrier mix, is a 1- to 2-year-old neutered male. He has a white and brown coat with some gray on the face and ears and dark brown eyes.

“Tonka is a lively boy who’s always ready for adventure. He’s independent, amusing, and a great companion for people with a sense of adventure and humor. He’ll need to stretch his legs with a good walk or short run every day. Tonka likes to explore but should only do so in a safe area. He’ll be happiest as a house dog with access to a yard. His coat needs brushing one or two times a week,” the shelter said.

Adopted within the past few weeks were felines Luther, Squirrel, Curly Fry, Nikki, Buster and Tux and canines Jaxon and Shadow.

The humane society is open from noon to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

It is located at 286 S. Main St., Seneca. More information on the Venango County Humane Society is available by calling (814) 677-4040 or online at venangocountyhumanesociety.org.

Finding homes and fundraising

Clarion PUPs in Shippenville is planning for its Easter Extravaganza and still looking for a home for some plump puppies.

The group’s Easter Extravaganza will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at the Park Inn by Radisson, Clarion. Vendor applications can be found online at clarionpups.org under the fundraising tab.

Meanwhile, the rescue posted that chubby little puppies Snickerdoodle, Chocolate Chip, Peppermint Patty, Mistletoe, Candy Cane and Sugar Cookie continue to grow every day. The rescue reported that momma dog is doing well also.

More information about PUPS is available by calling (814) 764-5580, online at clarionpups.org, on the group’s Facebook page or by emailing clarionpups@gmail.com.

At the tail end

*** A rabies clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 14, at Oakland Township Volunteer Fire Department in Dempsytown. The cost is $15. Dog licenses will be available from the Venango County Treasurer’s office.

*** DukeFest will hold a bake sale starting at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Northwest Savings Bank in Franklin during Franklin On Ice.

 

(All About Animals is a weekly blog that appears on Venangoextra.com and Clarionextra.com. Interested persons or groups can submit information to bigdogs.thederrick@gmail.com. Readers may also submit photos or stories of their animals to bigdogs.thederrick@gmail.com. More information about the blog is available by contacting Anna Applegate at 814-677-8364.)