Join THLN For An Evening With Animal Advocate Madeleine Pickens

The Texas Humane Legislation Network’s mission is to promote the humane treatment of animals through legislation, education and advocacy. They are the political arm and voice for every animal abuse victim, animal rescue group and shelter in Texas, and are responsible for making animal cruelty a felony in Texas.

They are having a very special event for Metroplex animal lovers this Thursday, May 7th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. “An Evening with Madeleine Pickens” will be a fun and informative discussion regarding the state of animal welfare and advocacy in Texas. Mrs. Pickens, a famous horse breeder and lifelong animal advocate, and her husband, T. Boone Pickens, have been a driving force against horse slaughter in the United States, and were instrumental in the rescue of over 800 animals during Hurricane Katrina.

If you are interested in the welfare of animals in our community and wish to help protect those who cannot protect themselves, please join THLN as they celebrate our mutual passion for improving animal’s lives by “giving a voice to those who have no voice” at this exciting event.

Date: May 7, 2009
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Place: The Plaza, 3535 Gillespie, Dallas, Texas
RSVP: rich@thln.org
Hors d’oeuvres * Wine * S. Pellegrino
Donations Accepted

DOGWELL'S Bow-Wow Bailout!

DOGSWELL wants to do its part to help during a down economy. They realize that when people lose their homes, the dogs sometimes pay the price as well. Therefore, the company is giving a free bag of dry dog food to the first 10,000 eligible people who submit a completed DOGSWELL Bow-Wow Bailout redemption form.

For more information and to see if you are eligible for free dog food, please go to http://www.dogswell.com/index.php?id=148. DOGSWELL does not have corn, wheat, or added hormones in in its food.

Pets Lower Your Stress

These are stressful times, and we could all use something to help us relax a little. If you have high blood pressure or are feeling stressed, adopt a pet! Researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. Other studies have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is less on pet owners, especially men, than on those who don’t own a pet. So in addition to providing unconditional love, devotion and companionship, our dogs and cats can help us live healthier, happier and maybe longer lives.

By Jonnie England
Metroplex Animal Coalition

Candlelight Vigil for Burned Dogs Tuesday, April 14, at Dallas City Hall

A Candlelight Vigil in memory of the two dogs who were set on fire in southeast Dallas last weekend will take place Tuesday, April 14, from 8 to 9 p.m. at Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla St. Animal Connection of Texas (ACT), Metroplex Animal Coalition(MAC), and Texas Animal Defense Coalition(TADC) are sponsoring the vigil.

Speakers include Susan Oakey with ACT, Jonnie England with MAC, and Kent Robertson with Dallas Animal Services (DAS). Candles will be provided, and participants are invited to bring their dogs. Animal Guardians of America will have adoptable pit bulls on site.

Saturday, April 4, residents in Pleasant Grove called 911 to report two “fireballs” running down the street. Dallas police responded and found two badly burned pit bull terriers — a male and a female. Dallas Animal Services was called to rescue the dogs, which had to euthanized the next day. Two teenaged boys have been identified as suspects, and Dallas police are investigating the case. Seven other dogs belonging to the same family are in protective custody at DAS. A Dallas municipal judge will decide April 15 whether they will be returned to the owners.

The two burned dogs have been named Hope and Justice by organizers of the Candlelight Vigil.

By Jonnie England
Metroplex Animal Coalition

List Lost & Found Pets on Pegasusnews.com

When a beloved pet is missing, getting the news out is critical. In addition to hanging up flyers and canvassing the neighborhood, you can post the information on PegasusNews.com at http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/in/news/missing/. Found pets can be posted as well. The posts have information about the pet that will help with identification and the location where the pet was last seen or found. Photos and any reward information can be included.

Photo courtesy of missingpetpartnership.org.

21 Cats Recovered From Plano Motel Room; Ron Teague Arrested on 2007 Felony Animal Cruelty Charge

More than 20 cats were recovered from a Plano motel room Monday after authorities learned the room’s occupant had been jailed.

Ronald L. Teague, who was indicted by the Dallas County Grand Jury earlier this month on a charge of felony cruelty to animals, was arrested Sunday after being questioned by Plano Police in an unrelated incident.

Monday morning Plano Animal Services recovered 21 cats and kittens from his room at the Motel 6 on Hwy. 75 at Park, where Teague had been living for some time.

“As you might expect, the stench was terrible,” said Jonnie England, Director of Animal Advocacy with the Metroplex Animal Coalition. “Litter boxes lined the walls, and there were plates of food all over the floor. Many of the cats appeared to be in fairly good condition, but several had obvious signs of illness. Three cats, including the mother of four young kittens, were confined to the small bathroom. One cat has a severe mouth infection, at least one has ringworm, and another was thin and had hair loss.”

Six of the cats had been taken by Teague from other individuals, said England, and those were returned to their owners. The remaining 15 cats were taken to Plano Animal Services for evaluation.

The felony cruelty indictment stems from a July 2007 charge in which approximately 60 live and 25 dead animals were found in deplorable conditions inside his East Dallas home. The day before the animals were discovered, Teague had been arrested following an hour-long, high-speed car chase from Dallas to McKinney. When finally stopped by police, Teague had a dead cat inside a carrier in his car and said he was taking it to a veterinarian.

It’s expected that Teague will be transferred within a few days to the Lew Sterrett jail in Dallas to await trial on the felony cruelty charge.

Story and photos by Jonnie England
Metroplex Animal Coalition

Cat Adoptions This Saturday at Northpark

New Beginnings Cat Rescue will be holding an off-site adoption event this Saturday at the Northpark location of Lush Cosmetics.

Northpark Center
(1st level near Macy's)
Saturday, April 4th, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm


While homeless animals have been sold to research facilities for experimental testing, Lush Cosmetics is an animal-friendly business. They do no animal testing and will not buy ingredients from companies that do.

In addition to the opportunity to provide cats with a permanent and loving home, visitors to the adoption event can get one-on-one skin and hair care consultations and hand treatments. Product demonstrations and samples will be available. People who adopt a cat at this event will receive a free gift courtesy of Lush Cosmetics and guests will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for free Lush products. No purchase is necessary.

To learn more about Lush Cosmetics please visit www.lushusa.com.