Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Addressing Mistreatment and Abuse
Barrio Dogs gets many questions about what to do about dogs that are being abused, starved or chained around the clock. We have prepared a list of resources people can use to report the abuse or neglect to the Houston Police Department, Humane Society or SPCA. That works some of the time. However, there are other times when we need a different approach; for those occasions, we have created some posters that we mail to the dog owners or post on their street. We're not sure how much this helps the dog but at least the owners know that somebody is aware of how they treat their dog and is watching them.
The posters are formatted for legal-sized (8 1/2" x 14") paper; feel free to print out and distribute as needed.
The posters are formatted for legal-sized (8 1/2" x 14") paper; feel free to print out and distribute as needed.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Kroger Neighbor to Neighbor Program
Do you shop at Kroger? If you do, you can help us raise money. Please print this form and take with you on your next trip. At the register, ask them to scan the bar code and then scan your Kroger Plus card and it permanently links it to your card. From that day forward,every time you shop at Kroger and use your Kroger Plus card, a donation will be sent to us. The current bar code expires at the of April and we’ll have to do this again but the next one will good for a year. Please share with anyone you know who shops at Kroger!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Spay, Neuter and Vetting Resources in Houston
We often get asked about low-cost spay/neuter and vetting in Houston. Here are is a list of some relatively low cost resources. We have used some of these resources; others were referred by friends or we found on the internet. If you have used any good, low cost vets or vet clinics in the area or have comments about the list, please let us know.
Spay and Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) and Animal Wellness Clinic (snapus.org)
1801 Durham, Houston 77007
713-862-8001
Spay/Houston (spayhouston.org)
412F N. Sam Houston Parkway E, Houston 77060
Houston Humane Society Spay/Neuter Clinic (houstonhumane.org/clinic/)
14700 Almeda Road, Houston 77053
713-433-6421
The Greater Good (mygreatergoodvet.com)
1195 Katy Freeway, Houston 77079
Gulfgate Animal Hospital
216 Winkler Drive, Houston 77087
713-643-5723
Long Drive Dog & Cat Hospital
7327 Long Dr, Houston 77087
713-643-0633
Friday, March 2, 2012
Class Action Lawsuit Claims Cosmetics Are Not 'Cruelty Free'
Although Barrio Dogs is primarily about dogs, we care about the well-being of all animals.
By MATT REYNOLDS
LOS ANGELES (CN) - Five women say in a federal class action that Estee Lauder, Avon and Mary Kay resumed animal testing of cosmetics for the Chinese market while falsely claiming in the United States that their products are "cruelty free."
Lead plaintiff Marina Beltran demands $100 million in class damages from Estee Lauder, Avon Products and Mary Kay cosmetics companies.
"For years, defendants marketed and advertised their companies and their cosmetic products as not being tested on animals, when in fact defendants were testing their cosmetic products on animals so that they could sell products in China and other foreign countries, thereby reaping hundreds of millions of dollars in sales. Defendants later purported to disclose, at least on their websites, that they in fact were animal testing, but the disclosures were wholly inadequate and deceptive," the complaint states.
According to the 18-page complaint: "As a result of the aforementioned representations, defendants, for over two decades, achieved placement in the 'People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) - Do Not Test' list, a list of, among others, cosmetic companies that do not test products on live animals. Defendants were, until a matter of weeks ago, among the largest mainstream corporations to be included on PETA's cruelty-free lists.
"As a result of being included on the list, as well as many similar lists, defendants enjoyed the support of PETA and millions of consumers who buy cosmetics only from companies that do not conduct animal testing.
"Hence, the commercial success of defendants' products during the class period was positively influenced by their direct representations regarding animal testing. Simply put, defendants reaped hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from U.S. consumers who otherwise would not have purchased defendants' products."
The plaintiffs claim the three companies made "a profit-motivated decision to enter the Chinese market," and "subsequently began testing certain of their products on animals and/or hired others to conduct animal testing of their products."
"However, rather than being upfront with American consumers regarding their animal testing policies and adequately disclosing that they were not 'cruelty' free, defendants instead failed to inform consumers that they were not cruelty free and/or provided inadequate disclosures regarding the animal testing of their products," the complaint states.
Avon spokeswoman Jennifer Vargas told Courthouse News in an emailed statement that she could not comment on pending litigation.
"What I can tell you is Avon's commitment not to test on animals is the same as it has been for over twenty years: except where required by local law, Avon neither conducts nor requests animal testing in order to substantiate the safety of its products," Vargas wrote. "Avon does business in over 100 countries, and some select products may be required by law in a few countries to undergo additional safety testing under the directive of a government or health agency. In these instances, Avon will first attempt to persuade the requesting authority to accept non-animal test data. When those attempts are unsuccessful, Avon must abide by local laws and comply with that government's testing requirements.
"Nothing has changed, and we have been transparent on the issue regarding our requirement to adhere to local laws in countries where we do business," Vargas wrote.
Mary Kay said in an email that it did not conduct animal testing "except when absolutely required by law."
"There is only one country where we operate where that is the case and where we are required to submit our products for testing - China," the company told Courthouse News in an email.
It added: "This is a passionate issue for us. We are deeply committed to the elimination of animal testing, and our record speaks to that. We are working closely with the Chinese government to demonstrate that alternative testing methods ensure safe and effective products."
But PETA's Cathy Guillermo told Courthouse News that the animal rights organization was "extremely upset" when it learned that the cosmetics companies had tested their products on animals.
"It appears these companies have misled some consumers, and it appears that the plaintiffs may have a valid complaint here," Guillermo told Courthouse News.
The plaintiffs are represented by Michael Avenatti with Eagan Avenatti of Newport Beach.
Avenatti told Courthouse News: "We expect to uncover significant evidence in this case showing that each of the companies knew they were not coming clean with consumers."
The class seeks an injunction and damages for fraud/fraudulent concealment, unfair business practices, false advertising, violations of California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act.
Estee Lauder did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
LOS ANGELES (CN) - Five women say in a federal class action that Estee Lauder, Avon and Mary Kay resumed animal testing of cosmetics for the Chinese market while falsely claiming in the United States that their products are "cruelty free."Lead plaintiff Marina Beltran demands $100 million in class damages from Estee Lauder, Avon Products and Mary Kay cosmetics companies.
"For years, defendants marketed and advertised their companies and their cosmetic products as not being tested on animals, when in fact defendants were testing their cosmetic products on animals so that they could sell products in China and other foreign countries, thereby reaping hundreds of millions of dollars in sales. Defendants later purported to disclose, at least on their websites, that they in fact were animal testing, but the disclosures were wholly inadequate and deceptive," the complaint states.
According to the 18-page complaint: "As a result of the aforementioned representations, defendants, for over two decades, achieved placement in the 'People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) - Do Not Test' list, a list of, among others, cosmetic companies that do not test products on live animals. Defendants were, until a matter of weeks ago, among the largest mainstream corporations to be included on PETA's cruelty-free lists.
"As a result of being included on the list, as well as many similar lists, defendants enjoyed the support of PETA and millions of consumers who buy cosmetics only from companies that do not conduct animal testing.
"Hence, the commercial success of defendants' products during the class period was positively influenced by their direct representations regarding animal testing. Simply put, defendants reaped hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from U.S. consumers who otherwise would not have purchased defendants' products."
The plaintiffs claim the three companies made "a profit-motivated decision to enter the Chinese market," and "subsequently began testing certain of their products on animals and/or hired others to conduct animal testing of their products."
"However, rather than being upfront with American consumers regarding their animal testing policies and adequately disclosing that they were not 'cruelty' free, defendants instead failed to inform consumers that they were not cruelty free and/or provided inadequate disclosures regarding the animal testing of their products," the complaint states.
Avon spokeswoman Jennifer Vargas told Courthouse News in an emailed statement that she could not comment on pending litigation.
"What I can tell you is Avon's commitment not to test on animals is the same as it has been for over twenty years: except where required by local law, Avon neither conducts nor requests animal testing in order to substantiate the safety of its products," Vargas wrote. "Avon does business in over 100 countries, and some select products may be required by law in a few countries to undergo additional safety testing under the directive of a government or health agency. In these instances, Avon will first attempt to persuade the requesting authority to accept non-animal test data. When those attempts are unsuccessful, Avon must abide by local laws and comply with that government's testing requirements.
"Nothing has changed, and we have been transparent on the issue regarding our requirement to adhere to local laws in countries where we do business," Vargas wrote.
Mary Kay said in an email that it did not conduct animal testing "except when absolutely required by law."
"There is only one country where we operate where that is the case and where we are required to submit our products for testing - China," the company told Courthouse News in an email.
It added: "This is a passionate issue for us. We are deeply committed to the elimination of animal testing, and our record speaks to that. We are working closely with the Chinese government to demonstrate that alternative testing methods ensure safe and effective products."
But PETA's Cathy Guillermo told Courthouse News that the animal rights organization was "extremely upset" when it learned that the cosmetics companies had tested their products on animals.
"It appears these companies have misled some consumers, and it appears that the plaintiffs may have a valid complaint here," Guillermo told Courthouse News.
The plaintiffs are represented by Michael Avenatti with Eagan Avenatti of Newport Beach.
Avenatti told Courthouse News: "We expect to uncover significant evidence in this case showing that each of the companies knew they were not coming clean with consumers."
The class seeks an injunction and damages for fraud/fraudulent concealment, unfair business practices, false advertising, violations of California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act.
Estee Lauder did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
When It Comes to Stopping Animal Cruelty, It’s Good to Be Nosy
This great article is from the April 2012 issue of "Pets Matter" magazine. For information about reporting cruelty and abuse in the Houston area, check the link on this blog.
By Neil Ryan
Last summer, Lynn Varin noticed a skinny horse confined to a small paddock in her rural Vermont community.
"He was in a stall for 4 days with nothing to eat, only water. I know because I checked every day."
Lynn reported the neglected horse to local authorities. When Vermont State Police officers acted on her report, they found four severely malnourished horses. They eventually cited the owner for animal cruelty and instituted a program of supervision to ensure the healthy recovery of the horses.
Lynn chose to act on behalf of the helpless. At-risk cats, dogs, other companion animals and livestock depend on people doing exactly what Lynn did. If you suspect animal cruelty, it may feel uncomfortable or even nosy to do something about it, but it may be the only shot an innocent animal has. Reporting cruelty can be done easily and anonymously once you have the resources handy.
Recognizing Cruelty and Taking Action
Hitting defenseless animals, keeping them chained without exercise or leaving them exposed in severe weather all count as abuse. Mistreating animals can (and often does) escalate into domestic assault. Studies have shown a link between violence toward animals and violence toward spouses, children and elders. If you witness an animal in imminent danger, dial 911. Police will respond. You can choose to remain anonymous, or by identifying yourself, you can help in future prosecution.
By Neil Ryan
Signs of Animal Cruelty
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"He was in a stall for 4 days with nothing to eat, only water. I know because I checked every day."
Lynn reported the neglected horse to local authorities. When Vermont State Police officers acted on her report, they found four severely malnourished horses. They eventually cited the owner for animal cruelty and instituted a program of supervision to ensure the healthy recovery of the horses.
Lynn chose to act on behalf of the helpless. At-risk cats, dogs, other companion animals and livestock depend on people doing exactly what Lynn did. If you suspect animal cruelty, it may feel uncomfortable or even nosy to do something about it, but it may be the only shot an innocent animal has. Reporting cruelty can be done easily and anonymously once you have the resources handy.
Hitting defenseless animals, keeping them chained without exercise or leaving them exposed in severe weather all count as abuse. Mistreating animals can (and often does) escalate into domestic assault. Studies have shown a link between violence toward animals and violence toward spouses, children and elders. If you witness an animal in imminent danger, dial 911. Police will respond. You can choose to remain anonymous, or by identifying yourself, you can help in future prosecution.
Hoarding occurs when someone possesses multiple animals without providing adequate food, care and sanitation. Hoarders often fail to understand the consequences of their actions and may exhibit signs of mental illness. Reporting hoarding can be a first step toward getting that individual into new or additional treatment. Call your local animal control officer or police department. Those agencies have the power to remove the animals or take corrective action, and they’ll involve social services if necessary.Neglect is the most common form of cruelty, and it’s on the rise. As more Americans struggle with financial difficulty, many pets are put at risk of starvation, abandonment and death. The horses that Lynn observed in Vermont were victimized, in part, because of their owner’s financial situation.
Neglected animals may belong to neighbors you’ve known for years. They may try to hide the neglect due to embarrassment. You can try intervening yourself, or if you’re concerned about your neighbor’s reaction, many states and locations have set up tip lines and email addresses allowing you to call, text or email an anonymous report.
What Happens After You Report?
Most animal control officers view seizure and criminal charges as a last resort. Generally, officials or volunteers will attempt to educate the owner and provide that person with alternatives. If charges are brought, animal cruelty can range from a misdemeanor to a felony in certain cases.
Unfortunately, most states don’t have the resources to investigate and prosecute all incidents fully. You may have to follow up on your original complaint to make sure action was taken. Email your state legislators, and let them know that animal cruelty is a serious issue. It’s going to take persistent action to strengthen ordinances, laws and enforcement.
Nonprofit and volunteer organizations are on the front lines and under financial pressure as more and more animals arrive in their care. Look for rescue societies, shelters and community resources in your area, and volunteer or donate. Many nonprofit groups coordinate with authorities on cruelty issues. You may be able to report incidents through them.
Lynn is still keeping an eye on those horses. When people like you and Lynn stay observant and have the courage to act, it can make a huge difference (and nobody is going to call you nosy).
For more reading and local resources, visit the following URLs: www.aspca.org/ and www.humanesociety.org/.
Be Prepared to Act
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