Animal Transport Contact Info for the USDA and APHIS

So you feel uncomfortable about an animal transport that you witnessed and you don't know who to contact and where to start, let's start with the USDA and APHIS.

Animal Rescue groups or even those portraying themselves as an animal rescue group or animal transporter still need to follow the basic laws in place to protect the animals they all proclaim they are working to save. However these day's we have an issue with Puppy Flippers, Class B Dealers and rescue for profit are all now hiding behind the animal rescue name and claim for a fast buck and their new household income.

Shelter dogs and cat's being sent from one state to another are required to have a health cert, water bowls, water, leashes, a log book of the travel time and a USDA Animal Transport License are all to be on board when these transports take place. These are all precautions put in place to put the animals health and care first, something most of these mass animal transports do not do on their own.

I personally am disgusted at the lack of care for these animals while on these state to state transports and I know many others are as well but people just do not know where to start to alert an official office let alone how to place a formal complaint. So here are just a few pointers.

Screen shot all of your evidence or questionable activity and save  it to your computer. Gather as much information on the animal transport, the departing location, arriving location, how many animals are on board, where they might have come from ( list a county animal shelter if that's the location) and the people names or groups that are involved as you can.

You can either file a complaint with the USDA/APHIS at:  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/aw_complaint_form.shtml


Or you can email them directly via the contact list listed below. You may need to click on the picture to enlarge the print for your better view.

This is only the first step in how to help the animals forced on these transports. Please stay tune for the next 2 blogs on what other departments need to be contacted and how you can help clean up the animal transport world that so many have jumped in the last few years as their new way of income.  Something the IRS is also interested in due to all the undeclared taxable income for so many who claim to be unemployed and are receiving state benefits thru their local Health and Humane Services Departments.

CT Law Restricting Animal Rescue Signed by Gov

Posted Jul 14, 2011 by lauraallen

Gov. Daniel Malloy has signed into law a bill that requires "animal importers" to register with the state which includes payment of a $100 annual fee.

Substitute House Bill 5368 also requires "animal importers" to comply with regulations that can be issued with respect to "health, safety and humane treatment" of the animals. The Commissioner of Agriculture is authorized to inspect the animals and any records of the "animal importer".
A violation can mean a fine up to $500.

Animal importers must also notify the state Dept. of Agriculture and local zoning officer of any sale, adoption, or transfer of animals that is open to the public. A failure to comply can mean a fine up to $100.
 
What is an "animal importer"?
According to the bill, an "animal importer" is "a person who brings any dog or cat into this state ...for the purpose of offering such dog or cat to any person for sale, adoption or transfer in exchange for any fee, sale, voluntary contribution, service or any other consideration".
This includes "any commercial or nonprofit animal rescue or adoption, humane relocation or delivery organization that is not otherwise required to be licensed". This means all rescues and those transporting animals to rescues within the state. The definition is broad enough to include those traveling through the state with rescued animals.

More requirements under the new law
Not only must animals imported into the state be accompanied by a health certificate, but the "animal importer" is responsible with limited exceptions for obtaining a veterinary exam and new health certificate for the animal within 48 hours of entering the state. Also, the animal must be examined by a licensed veterinarian every 90 days until the animal is sold, transferred or adopted. Veterinary records must be kept by the animal importer for up to 3 years. A violation of any of these provisions can mean a fine up to $500.
Then there is this provision: Any animal importer who intends to offer for sale, adoption or transfer any dog or cat at a venue or location that is open to the public or at an outdoor location, ... shall provide notice to the Department of Agriculture and the municipal zoning enforcement officer of the town ...not later than ten days prior to such event. Such notice shall state the date for such sale, adoption or transfer event, the exact location of such event and the anticipated number of animals for sale, adoption or transfer at such event.
A violation can mean a $100 fine.
This notice appears to apply to a rescuer transporting an animal into Connecticut for transfer at a shopping center, for example, to another rescue which may then take the animal for placement or transport out of state. notice.
The Federation of Responsible Rescues says the new law will "effectively ends the ability of legitimate rescues to offer dogs for adoption in the state of Connecticut by making the cost so prohibitive that adoption is not feasible for the vast majority of adopters."
Substitute H.B. 5368 specifically excludes breeders and dealers bringing dogs and cats into the state to deliver them for sale at pet stores.
Fines are also increased from a $100 maximum to up to $500 for violations of laws requiring health certificates for imported dogs and cats with copies sent to the commissioner of agriculture, permission from the state veterinarian for import of dogs or cats under a rabies quarantine, and the ban on the transport into the state dogs or cats less than 8 weeks of age without their mother for sale, adoption or transfer, and the sale, adoption or transfer of dogs and cats less than 8 weeks of age.
The new law goes into effect October 1, 2011.

Unlicensed Animal Transport of Shelter Animals

You pulled a dog thru social media, you dealt with profiles that you have never meet in person, you gave them money to transport an animal to you many states away, also you forgot to ask the Animal Transporter for their APHIS License number... which is a Federal Law.... so your mistakes paid for animals to be transported like this. Next time maybe you should check out who you are dealing with by asking some keys questions. This is not Animal Rescue nor Responsible Animal Transport.

 

Did you just pay for this to happen to these dogs? Do you Chip In on Facebook to pull and transport animals from Shelter via people and profiles you have never meet? If so this is what you might of just played a hand in.

APHIS Link: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/awr/awr.pdf

North Carolina Department of Agriculture County Animal Shelters Inspectors list by County

This will aid you to get in touch with the correct State Inspector of our County Animal Shelters by County.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture directly over seas our County Shelters. Click on the link below to search by County Shelter Inspection, Report, Warning Letters and Fines.

http://www.ncagr.gov/vet/aws/

NC Gas Chambers to kill Shelter Animals must END!

 

Why are Flow meter’s not being used on the Gas Chamber’s here in the NC Animal Shelter System? When was the last state Inspection on any of these Gas Chambers? Why are we even in this day & time with the information we have today euthanizing our unwanted pet population in this barbaric way? It’s bad enough over 300,000 ( and that is a skeptical number as if you pull by County reports we sit  about 350,000 animals) that are being killed in the NC Shelter System every year with more that 50% being puppies and kittens which are 12 weeks old or under.

Yet still in NC over 19 Counties electively choose to kill via Gas Chambers. Yes, they electively choose to use Gas Chambers even knowing how barbaric it is and knowing that euthanizing via EBI would save their counties money. So what surrounds the madness in some of these NC Counties to still choose to electively use Gas Chambers to kill these sweet souls, well I encourage you to sit down and write a personal letter to each of these County Managers and ask them for that answer. And let’s see if in 2013 we can dispose of all remaining Gas Chambers here in NC and for this to happen we need YOU ! The animals need you to get involved, the animals need you to write heartfelt letters to these County Officials and help us turn this around. Being killed in a County Shelter at 12 weeks old is horrible enough but to be killed via a Gas Chamber is just unacceptable in this day in time.

 

North Carolina you can do better and as citizens of North Carolina we should all be embarrassed after all these other states in close proximity around us have stepped up to ban Gas Chambers at County Shelter’s all together. We don’t have to sit and wait for a State ban on these Gas Chambers, we just need to address each of these remaining Counties on a personal level.

 

I’m in are you?

Quick List:

 

Wilson County Animal Control

http://members.petfinder.org/~NC508/index.htm 4001 Airport Drive NW Wilson, NC 27896 Phone: 252-291-8142

 

Rowan County Animal Control

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC350.html Rowan County Animal Control Just off I-85 1465 Julian Road Salisbury, NC 28146-2322 (704) 216-7768

 

Cabarrus County Animal Control

http://www.cabarruslaw.us/animalcontrol_0.asp Animals listed here: http://www.cabarrushumanesociety.org/   The Animal Control Office is located off of NC Hwy 49, behind Terminal Trucking, on G...

 

Gaston County Animal Control

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC278.html Gaston County Animal Control 220 Leisure Lane Dallas, NC 28034 Phone: 704-922-8677

 

Union County Animal Services

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC320.html Union County Animal Services 3340 Presson Road Monroe, NC 28112 704-283-8303

 

 

Davidson County Animal Control

http://www.co.davidson.nc.us/community/AnimalsforAdoption.aspx   If no animals are listed, please call!  Davidson County Animal Shelter 490 Glendale Road Lexington, NC 27292 336-357-0805

 

Randolph County Animal Control

www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC384.html Randolph County Animal Shelter 1370 County Land Road Randleman, NC 27317 Phone: 336-683-8235.

 

 

Iredell County Animal Control

www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC117.html   Iredell County Animal Control 243 Twin Oaks Road Statesville, NC 28677 Phone: 704-878-5424

 

Craven-Pamlico County Animal Control

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/cpasc.html Craven-Pamlico Animal Services Center 1639 Old Airport Rd. New Bern, NC 28562 (252) 637-4606

 

Brunswick County Animal Control

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC312.html Brunswick County Animal Services  429 Green Swamp Rd. 1.5 miles west of Supply, NC (910) 754-8204 or (910) 754-9261

 

 

Wilkes County Animal Control

http://www.humanesocietyofwilkes.org/animals.html Wilkes County Animal Control 408 Call Street Wilkesboro, NC (336) 903-7688.

 

Ashe County Animal Control

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC682.html   Ashe County Animal Control 767 Fred Pugh Road Crumpler, NC 28617 Phone: (336) 982-4060 (near West Jefferson)

 

Nash County Animal Control

www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC277.html Nash County Animal Shelter 921 1st Street Extension Nashville, NC 27856 (252) 459-9855

 

Granville County Animal Control

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC135.html Granville County Animal Shelter 5650 Cornwall Road Oxford , NC 27565 Phone: 919-693-6749

 

 

Johnston County Animal Control

www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC292.html Johnston County Animal Services 115 Shelter Way Smithfield, NC 27577 919-934-8474

 

Vance County Animal Control

www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC59.html Vance County Animal Shelter 165 Vance Academy Rd. Henderson NC 27537 Contact Phone: 252-492-3136

 

Beaufort County Animal Control

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC293.html Beaufort County Animal Control 3931 Hwy 264 East Washington, NC 27889 Phone: 252-946-45

 

Sampson County Animal Control

http://www.Sampson.Petfinder.com If no pets are listed, please call! Sampson County Animal Control 168 Agriculture Place Clinton, NC 28328 (910) 592-8493

 

Cleveland County Animal Control

Cleveland County Animal Control 1601 Airport Road Shelby, NC 28150 (704) 481-9884 sam.lockridge@clevelandcounty.com (704) 476-3161 Fax: (704) 482-3432

 

Martin County Animal Shelter

Recently bought used gas chamber from New Hanover County 1411 Land Fill Rd, Williamston, NC - (252) 792-6910

Taking Your Dog to The Vet - When it is It Unnecessary?

Veterinary clinics receive calls from people every day asking whether or not their dog their dog needs to come into the emergency room. Not only does it determine whether it’s time to hit the road, but it can also mean the difference between a regular office visit and much pricier ER fees. Ultimately it is the owner who must make the decision, but in times of panic some owners just don’t know what to do.

Most emergency situations are obvious: trauma from being hit by a car, severe bleeding, seizures, and passing out are, among others, classic signs that something is very wrong.. But there are numerous situations that don’t require emergency care which you can either treat at home or wait until normal visit hours to examine with your vet.  (Keep in mind, wowever, that it’s time to go to the ER if the situation changes or if the pet develops more signs or worsens)

Here are some of those non-emergency situations that can wait until morning:

• Lumps and bumps - If you are petting your dog and feel a lump that you haven't noticed before, you don't need to immediately go to the veterinarian.  If it isn't bothering the pet, you can wait and see if it gets larger. Contact your vet the following day so it can be noted in your dog's record.  If the lump grows or changes, diagnosis may require bloodwork, biopsy and/or x-rays. If the lump turns out to be benign (harmless), removal costs can range around $300 to $500.  If it is not benign, diagnosis and treatment can exceed $1,000.

 
• Bad breath and loose or missing teeth - As long as your dog is still eating and drinking, you can wait to contact your veterinarian to make an appointment for an oral examination and tooth cleaning.  If you don't have pet insurance, be prepared for hefty costs. Dental cleaning, anesthesia, x-rays and medication can be around $500. This is one price that it’s a good idea to pay, though; neglected teeth can lead to serious diseases, some of which can be fatal.

• Small tongue or mouth lacerations - Most people notice this when their dog’s saliva is tinged with pink or the water in their dog's water bowl has a slight pink color.  Dogs can easily give themselves minor scrapes and cuts in soft mouth and gum tissue and the majority of wounds in the mouth heal quickly.  If there is no active bleeding and your dog can eat and drink, you can wait to see the vet.  In the meantime, put some ice cubes in their water. Cold can help constrict blood vessels and therefore reduce bleeding.

• Dirty, smelly ears - Typically you can wait to resolve this condition. Even if your dog is shaking his head a little, dirty ears are almost never a serious issue. Clean the outside part of the ear with a cotton ball or Q-tip but be sure not to insert a cotton swab into the ear. The rigid stick can damage or puncture a fragile eardrum and if there is an infection, swabs can hurt.  Avoid using any medication until you speak to your veterinarian, especially medication formulated for humans. Treatment for ear problems typically costs $200 to $250 for ear swabs, cultures, cleaning and medication.

• Toenail torn or bleeding - If your dog will let you, try to examine the nail closely. Sometimes the nail tip has fallen off or just needs to be slightly pulled. If the nail was broken or shredded, there can be a significant amount of bleeding. Use a styptic pen or powder to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. Place a bandage around the foot, covering the nail, and contact your veterinarian the following day.


Remember to trust your instincts—many a dog has been saved when their owner had a hunch. Most of the time, though, you can tell when a trip to the doctor isn’t necessary. I hope this helps you to determine whether an injury is a real emergency situation.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon

P.S.  Pet insurance is a lot more affordable than you might think.  In fact, some comprehensive plans cost less than a dollar a day.  This health care coverage can help cover the costs of emergency care and regular well care.  To learn more, go to: petinsurance.com. 

Athens Lab Piles up Federal Violations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 29, 2012


Please contact Elizabeth Goldentyer to demand that TRS Labs of Athens (GA) receive the largest fine possible under the Animal Welfare Act for the negligence which killed several animals without access to water and allowed another to receive “severe bite wounds.”

Please insist that the USDA issue a fine, and let Dr. Goldentyer know that she MUST take action now!
Dr. Elizabeth Goldentyer
USDA/APHIS/AC
920 Main Campus Drive, Suite 2000
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 855-7100
Betty.J.Goldentyer@usda.gov


Contact: Michael Budkie, SAEN www.saenonline.org, saen@saenonline.org, (513) 575-5517
Attn: Assignment Desk

Athens Lab Piles up 10 Federal Violations in 6 Weeks; Multiple animals sick and dying at TRS lab

ATHENS, GA – Recently obtained federal reports reveal that negligence at the TRS lab of Athens (GA) has left multiple animals sick/dying resulting in ten federal violations in six weeks.

USDA inspection reports for TRS labs reveal a total of ten violations from 3/8/12 – 4/24/12 in areas of veterinary care, housing, sanitation, enclosures, and experimental supervision.

Sick animals including dogs and gerbils have been documented by federal inspectors. Several animals died without access to water. One animal had “severe bite wounds.” Another showed signs of a severe bacterial infection.

Research Watchdog Group SAEN has contacted the USDA to insist on a federal fine for the deaths of these animals.

“When animals die through negligence incompetent labs should pay the price,” said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director SAEN. “Allowing animals to die without water, receive severe bite wounds, and suffer from bacterial infections is in excusable.”

Federal reports reveal that in 2011 TRS labs experimented on 241 dogs, 129 cats, 18 hamsters, 18 ferrets, and 793 gerbils.

All USDA reports are available upon request from SAEN.