Rabies Vaccine - Important Notice...

As many of you may know I am against the over-vaccination of our dogs. They are primarily geared at revenue and are highly dangerous to our pets. I suggest you read up on "vaccinosis".. just google it. In the meantime, there is an important bill in California that needs your attention. I've read the bill, and at it's core it has little problem. The primary goal as it is read is to simplify the procedure for attaining a license for your dog. It wants to do away with the antiquated process of having to show a certificate at an animal control office to attain the license. It will allow for online registration and modernized methods.

My issue with the bill is that it still requires dogs to be vaccinated at too young of an age, and is not 100% clear on the duration of the vaccination period: 1 or 3 years. I am for "titer" tests on dogs to see if they still carry to anti-body to rabies, and wish that to be stronger stated in any legislation and give owners the option to submit medical titer results as opposed to simply vaccinating. This should be an option. Even though the costs would be higher, many people would gladly pay. Making these options available and allowing people to license their dogs / pets this way would probably see an increase in license fees. Please read below:



CALIFORNIA Rabies Bill AB 2689 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_2651-2700/ab_2689_bill_20100408_amended_asm_v98.html introduced by Assembly Member Cameron Smyth, Chair of the Local Government Committee has been referred to the Local Government Committee http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/newcomframeset.asp?committee=17
and will require annual rabies vaccinations and puppies to be vaccinated at 3 months of age in "rabies areas" (portion of bill text below) as determined by the State Public Health Officer -- violation is impoundment.

It is URGENT that ALL concerned pet owners contact the committee and tell them to reject this bill in its entirety. The COMMITTEE PHONE is (916) 319-3958 and the members contact information is listed below. PERMISSION GRANTED TO POST AND CROSS-POST this notice, please help spread the word and take action to defeat this legislation.



Cameron Smyth - Chair

Rep-38 (916) 319-2038 Assemblymember.Smyth@assembly.ca.gov

Anna M. Caballero - Vice Chair

Dem-28 (916) 319-2028 Assemblymember.Caballero@assembly.ca.gov

Juan Arambula

Ind-31 (916) 319-2031 Assemblymember.Arambula@assembly.ca.gov

Steven Bradford

Dem-51 (916) 319-2051 Assemblymember.Bradford@assembly.ca.gov

Mike Davis

Dem-48 (916) 319-2048 Assemblymember.Davis@assembly.ca.gov

Steve Knight

Rep-36 (916) 319-2036 Assemblymember.Knight@assembly.ca.gov

Dan Logue

Rep-3 (916) 319-2003 Assemblymember.Logue@assembly.ca.gov

Jose Solorio

Dem-69 (916) 319-2069 Assemblymember.Solorio@assembly.ca.gov

SEC. 2. Section 121690 is added to the
Health and Safety Code , to read:
121690. In rabies areas, all of the following shall apply:
(a) Every dog owner, after his or her dog attains the age of three
months, shall no less than once every two years secure a license for
the dog as provided by ordinance of the responsible city, city and
county, or county. License fees shall be fixed by the responsible
city, city and county, or county, at an amount not to exceed
limitations otherwise prescribed by state law or city, city and
county, or county charter.
(b) Every dog owner, after his or her dog attains the age of three
months, shall, at intervals of time not more often than once a year,
as may be prescribed by the department, procure its vaccination by a
licensed veterinarian with a canine antirabies vaccine approved by,
and in a manner prescribed by, the department.


The Rabies Challenge Fund

www.RabiesChallengeFund.org

I am interested in the work of the Rabies Challenge Fund and its research to determine the amount of vaccines we need to give our animals to safely vaccinate them against rabies. I am including the link to them above and urge you to research this information on your own. Over-vaccinating a dog or any animal is dangerous and un-necessary.

Thanks for giving a voice to animals...

Robert

______________________________
Robert Cabral
BOUND ANGELS
"giving a voice to animals"
www.boundangels.org
www.BoundAngels.tv
www.youtube.com/boundangels
www.blackbeltdogtraining.com
join the revolution!

MOVING?? WTF

You know it never ceases to amaze me how many people give up their dogs, so just let me vent here for a moment. Whoever came up with the excuse, "I have to give up my dog because I'm moving..." should be slapped up side the head - hard.

For the past several years I've heard a plethora of excuses for giving up the animal that's shared it's life with you, the most honest is, "I just don't want him any more." It's stupid, but honest. I can't imagine any excuse for giving up a pet once I've commited to it, but then again, that's just me. Commitment is something some people take seriously while others have no idea "what it means." Since these people probably meander through their meaningless lives with little focus on structure or function, they probably don't see the meaning for focus let alone commitment. These people probably make bad parents, employees and partners. If you can let go of an animal that has given it's life to you, only to drop it at a shelter with little regard to what will happen to it; leaving it with a person you've never met, then your charachter may be a bit flawed - actually severely flawed.

But, back to the idea, "I'm moving and can't take my dog with me." I would like to know where that special place is where you are moving where dogs are illegal. I've traveled around this country a bit and haven't found a state, nor city that has a ban on dogs. Recently I was forced to move and did find it a little bit challenging to find a place that would allow dogs, but I persevered... and believe me, my scope of interest of where I wanted to live was much more limited than most people. I can promise you that if its important enough for you, you'll find a place that allows dogs. In fact ask yourself this question, "If giving up my dog will cost me 15% of my yearly pay, would I expend the effort to find a place that will take me WITH my dog?" And if you answer YES to this, WTF is wrong with you?

Am I being a jerk here? NO. I'm speaking for the animal that, when dumped in a shelter has less than a 30% chance of getting out alive. The animal that has no voice after you walk out the front door back to your normal life, the animal that sits and wonders WHEN you will be back... you always came back before. These animals deserve a voice, and their voice is taken from them... I am that voice today... and I am pissed.

Think about what you do BEFORE you get a dog or cat. This is one reason why I am criticized when I don't speak out against breeders. In my opinion, if you get your dog from a breeder and keep it for life, you are NOT a part of the problem. But, no matter where you get your dog, if you dump him when you grow tired, move or can't afford him anymore... YOU ARE THE PROBLEM. Lets take the blame off of people who have little if anything to do with the problem and place it squarely on those who ARE THE PROBLEM.... irresponsible pet owners... not breeders.

THINK - its a life your messing up... its your choice to be a selfish ass or be to be kind.

Divided We Fall

I know this post may fly in the face of many people in rescue, but I have to say what I feel. Since I entered into this field I've found a lot of egos present in the animal rescue community. Everyone knows a better way to do things, and people are very divided on their stands. This is very evident in the debate about the No Kill Shelter concept. I think everyone wants it, but no one understands the magnitude of the problem. Shelters are overcrowded because people keep dumping more and more pets into the shelters. People blame breeders first and foremost, and I differ on this point very strongly. I believe the problem is with un-reputable breeders. For years I've taken the side of good breeders and know for a fact that many good breeders are doing more to help the problem than hinder it.

The problem to the pet "overpopulation" problem does not lie with reputable breeders, it lies with stupid people who are irresponsible pet owners, who can't keep their dogs in their homes or yards - they don't spay or neuter and their dogs are running around making more unwanted dogs that we kill at a rate of several million every year. Then lets look at back yard breeders, puppy mills, impulse shoppers on the internet buying dogs, people who don't train their dogs or grow tired of them.

Legitimate breeders screen potential homes for their puppies more thoroughly often than rescue organizations, they qualify people who are getting one of their puppies, and they will take a dog back if it doesn't work out. So... lets put the blame of this problem squarely where it lies, and off of the reputable breeders who have a love and passion for their dogs, just like us.

I get angry when people point fingers and blame without a solution. Do people actually think that we should stop breeders? That makes as much sense as sterilizing people until there are no more orphans. Lets take the efforts and focus on educating people about responsible pet custodianship, lets team up with breeders and see how we can work together. Statistics show that there are about 30% pure bred dogs in shelters. I think that number may be a bit high, but close enough to consider. That means more than 70% of our "problem" lies with irresponsible people who are breeding dogs to show their kids the beauty of "The Miracle of Life." Which to me is one of the most idiotic things and it borders on bestiality. If children should learn about the miracle of life, shouldn't it be from humans.. oh yeah, we can't show naked people, that would be a sin.... But don't get me started there.

I'll close this post with my typical disappointment in the people who complain and complain and do very little to solve the problem, and my hat off to all of those people who make the world a better place for animals! You know who you are.

Robert Cabral
BOUND ANGELS

Dogs Poisoned in Washington State

Here's a story that should shake up everyone who has a dog. In Washington state someone is killing dogs using poisoned laced meatballs.

I've heard about this before and its one of those things that can only be explained as absolute idiocy.

Please watch the video and spread the word. There are ways to train your dog not to eat food from strangers, but it is a lot of work. I would suggest you keep you dog closer to your home than the fence in your yard and monitor him when he is out. IF, you should happen to know someone who is doing something like this, please report it to us or your local police department.

Giving a voice to animals,

Robert

The Revolution Has Begun

I received an email the other day and it floored me, I wanted to share it with you. I met Dennis through my good friend Kim a few months ago. He runs a pet store in Camarillo and his passion is saving dogs. He is a one of a kind guy and a real stand up person. He told me that he really loved the concept of Bound Angels, and had created a media center in his store that shows Bound Angels videos all day long. The center is beautifully created and a joy to visit. Everyone who walks into All Pet Headquarters in Camarillo can see the videos playing, learn about adopting shelter dogs, and NOW... adopt a shelter dog right there.

Dennis has dedicated an entire area of his store to puppies from kill-shelters that can be adopted from him instead of buying one. My hat is off to Dennis. The photo above is the marquee over the area where the puppies are house. He concept was a Knight riding in and freeing a dog and bringing him to a forever home. Here's a quick quote from the email which made my day:

"Robert, I truly like your work and think you do a great job with the videos and also believe the revolution has begun. A tribute to your work……Dennis"

Dealing with Fear Aggression

Last week a friend of mine asked me for some help in dealing with a pair of German Shepherds that were adopted to a very nice lady living in Santa Barbara. The best part of the story is that after these two a father and daughter had sat in the shelter for almost a year, they were adopted from a youtube video inspired by our Shelter Angel Video Program.

Well, it seems as though the girl, Lilly had a little bit of a biting issue. Some trainers had worked with her, but the lady was still a little pensive about how to handle Lilly. I offered to ride up with my friend and pay a visit.

This was a classic example of fear based aggression which is oftentimes mis-diagnosed as dominance. This is a very bad mistake and can be impossible to fix if not properly handled. Trainers who approach all situations with a blanket approach are the culprits of messing up more dogs than anything. I've seen motivational based trainers mess up dogs with serious dominance issues and correction based trainers mess up dogs with fear based aggression. I was happy to step in in place of a trainer who might screw this girl up any more.

I could see immediately that Lilly was very insecure without her dad Romi around. So I taught the owner how to build up Lilly's confidence and work from there. I will post an article over at www.blackbeltdogtraining.com in the next week on how to deal with fear based aggression in dogs.

The most important thing I would like to stress here is that it is crucial in dealing with a dog with aggression to determine the cause of it before you try to solve it. A good trainer / behaviorist will cost a bit more, but will solve the problem in a manner that is fair to the dog and it will work. I received an email that the owner already better understands how to deal with Lilly's personality and is doing the homework to get her on her way.

Don't Adopt a Dog Because You Feel Bad

I've had a note to myself, sitting on my computer for the last month to write this particular blog post.

It might be hard to understand what I mean by "don't adopt because you feel bad," so I will explain. It seems all to often people are swayed by their emotions when it comes to adopting a dog. Having created many campaigns geared at getting dogs adopted out of our shelter system, I'd like to be clear on something very important. Adopting a dog is a decision that lasts for many years, and because of that should be carefully evaluated. Yes, the warm and fuzzy feelings of saving a life is enough to make people jump in with both feet, but you have to think about the logistical aspects and long term ramifications of what you are doing. A dog is a commitment for many years, not just for today. This dog will be a member of your family for the next 10 or more years. The feeling of sympathy that you are feeling today will soon pass and you'll be dealing with the reality of what you just got yourself into for many years. This often creates a resentful person, and that is not fair to you or your new dog.

I don't say these things to be harsh, but to be realistic. All to often as a dog trainer I see people complaining that the dog they rescued is turning out to be a nightmare to both them and their dogs. If you're adopting a dog to save his life, you need to understand that this dog, no matter how bad you feel, will need structure. Feeling bad because he was living in the shelter, and was about to be put down, will make you treat him in a state he's not used to. Dogs are very resilient creatures, and all too often I see people hanging on to the negative past of the dog long after the dog has forgotten, or should I say "moved on."

The recidivism rate at shelters is a testament to what I am saying. Some shelters have over a 50% return rates on dogs that were adopted. This is in part due to: no screening, evaluation or consulting on what people are getting into. Dogs do have feelings and shuffling them around from place to place, shelter to home, home to rescue and so on creates dogs with behavioral issues.

When people first bring rescue dogs into their homes with their personal dogs, they often drop the ball on the introductions. If the dogs get along at first, they think that all is well and they forget about it. Eventually there will be an issue, and both dogs and people would be better served to understand the proper way to introduce a new dog into a home. I cover this in my article on www.blackbletdogtraining.com called "Bringing Home the New Dog."

Adopting a dog is a decision of compassion, but it must be infused with a dose of logic. Take your time, understand what you are getting into and do your homework. Saving a life is one of the most important things you will ever do. Be sure that you are in fact saving the life and making that commitment. It requires some thinking about the dog and your situation.

Robert Cabral
Bound Angels