New Government Regulations Announced for Flea and Tick Products

On March 17, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is taking a series of steps to increase the safety of spot-on flea and tick treatments for cats and dogs. Last summer, the EPA, which regulates topical pet treatments, reported a 50% increase in the number of adverse incident reports from the use of flea and tick products. As a result, the agency is reviewing current labels—ensuring that instructions are clear—and developing stronger evaluation procedures for existing and new products.

According to the EPA's press release, the agency's new protocol includes:

Requiring manufacturers of spot-on pesticides to improve labeling, making instructions clearer to prevent product misuse.

Requiring more precise label instructions to ensure proper dosage per pet weight.

Requiring clear markings to differentiate between dog and cat products, and disallowing similar brand names for dog and cat products.

Requiring additional changes for specific products, as needed, based on product-specific evaluations.

Launching a consumer information campaign to explain new label directions and to help users avoid making medication errors.

"The ASPCA supports the EPA's focus on clear labeling to distinguish dog products from cat products," says Dr. Steven Hansen, ASPCA veterinary toxicologist and Senior Vice President Animal Health Services. "This alone could save cats' lives. Improving the precision of the amount applied will also increase the margin of safety for very small pets."

Dr. Hansen adds: "Post-marketing surveillance and public education will also help, but veterinary advice is still key when using these products on old, debilitated, sick or pregnant pets."

Fleas cause anemia (low red blood cell count), carry tapeworms, and can transmit infections such as Bartonella; ticks also transmit many diseases, including Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. For more information about flea and tick prevention this spring, please visit our pet care pages online. 

ASPCA Pet of the Week: Cuddle Bug

Asher is a tender, nine-year-old feline, who’s sweet as candy and twice as nice. This gentle guy is just plain good company for those who like to keep things on the quiet side.

“Asher is one of the sweetest cats you will ever meet,” says Katie Watts, ASPCA Senior Feline Behavior Counselor. “He's very laid-back and affectionate, perfect for someone who wants to curl up and cuddle for hours!”

Handsome Asher enjoys the company of other cats, but he’s FIV positive and should only live with other felines if they’re positive, too. If you’re interested in adopting this lovely lad, please contact our Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. To see other animals looking for homes, visit our Adoption Center online.

****Got Facebook? Won’t you please donate your status to Asher today? Just copy and paste the following message onto your profile status to help spread the word that this kitty needs a home!

[Name] is donating my status to Asher http://www.aspca.org/asher, a cat at the ASPCA who needs a new home.

Dog Walking 101: Get Movin’ this Spring!

It can be a chore or a joy, dog parents, but we’ve all got to do it—yup, we’re talking about walking the dog! The walk is a fundamental element of canine care that exercises the mind as well as the body—without them, dogs are much more likely to develop unfortunate physical and psychological issues. (Walks also reinforce the bond between a dog and her pet parent!)

Whether you’re a proud new pup parent or a long-time, experienced dog handler, it’s always helpful to learn new ways to make walks with your pooch more enjoyable. Who says you can’t teach an old guardian new tricks?!

Here’s a sneak peek at Dog Walking 101:

• Many people think chain leashes look nice, but they are much heavier than nylon or leather and can be very hard on the hands. Even so, they sometimes work well for dogs who like to tug or bite the leash.
     
  
• Mix it up! Try taking your dog to new places. He’ll love experiencing the new sights, smells and sounds at a novel location.
    
  
• If your dog darts after local wildlife, it may help to walk him when critters are less likely to be out and about; avoid dawn and dusk.
    
  
• Don’t forget the goodies! Walks are great training opportunities. Bring Fido’s fave treats along, and practice tricks and obedience while you’re out in the world. 
     
  
• Even though popular spring plants like tulips and daffodils add much to our landscape, they can cause significant stomach problems for our furry friends. If your pooch likes to stop and smell—or nibble—the flowers, keep him on a short leash during walks.

Read the complete article Dog Walking 101.

ASPCA Happy Tails: Some Buddy Loves You

Buddy Lou is a gorgeous, older gent who came to the ASPCA after his pet parent passed away. At 10 years old, this tender Tabby was a perfect match for McKenna Moreau of Manhattan. We recently caught up with the new pet mom and her furry fella to see how Buddy Lou’s enjoying his new home.

ASPCA: When did you first meet Buddy Lou?

McKenna: Buddy Lou was the last cat I met when I visited the ASPCA in January. All of the cats were adorable in their own way, but I knew immediately that Lou was the one.

ASPCA: What won you over?

McKenna: I fell in love with his piercing green eyes, silky coat and playful demeanor. When he rolled over and showed me his belly, I knew it was time to bring him home!

ASPCA: How has Buddy Lou settled into his new home?

McKenna: It took about three days for Lou to get settled into his new home. Now, he dominates the space! I like to say that it's his apartment—I'm just living in it.

ASPCA: Does he have any funny, eccentric, or endearing habits?

McKenna: Lou sleeps in the weirdest positions. I can't imagine he’s comfortable when he splays himself belly-up across my lap, but he'd lie there for hours if he could!

ASPCA: What’s the best thing about adopting a pet?

McKenna: When I get home from work, I don't think about the stresses of the day or the list of to-dos piling up. I’m completely in the moment and ready to translate Buddy Lou's meows into a meal, a scratch on the head, or a little exercise.

ASPCA: What do you love most about Buddy Lou?

McKenna: He's such a positive guy—I like to think he makes me a better person!

Ringling Bros. to March Elephants into NYC

At around midnight on Wednesday, March 24, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will host its annual “elephant walk” through Manhattan to Madison Square Garden. The Asian elephants will disembark the circus train in Queens and walk into Manhattan through the Midtown Tunnel, then across 34th Street to Madison Square Garden. MSG is hosting the circus from March 25 through April 4.

Although the sheer oddity of seeing elephants walking our city streets compels many to stay out late to watch the spectacle, the ASPCA would like to remind New Yorkers of the inherent cruelty of circus life for wild animals. The abuse of elephants by the Ringling Bros. circus has been caught on tape by animal welfare organizations and documented by state humane agencies and U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors.

To attend the elephant walk is to endorse Ringling’s ongoing mistreatment of these intelligent, sensitive and endangered creatures. We urge compassionate people to avoid this event—as well as the circus itself, which subjects its animal performers to inhumane training methods and unnatural periods of confinement.

Instead, we ask that you:

• Talk to your friends and family, especially your children, about why you will not be attending the elephant walk or the Ringling Bros. circus. Check out our list of cruelty-free circuses—ones that don’t feature animal performers.
  
• Write to management at Madison Square Garden: feedback.msg@thegarden.com and let them know that by hosting Ringling Bros., they are supporting cruelty to animals.
  
• Contact local newspapers, blogs and television stations to inform them about the cruelty inflicted on circus animals.
  
• Fight animal exploitation and abuse by taking the ASPCA’s Pledge to Fight Animal Cruelty.

To learn more about circus cruelty, please visit ASPCA.org/circus.