Join Animal Samaritans at the Westfield Shoppingtown Mall in Palm Desert for the first adoption event of 2012. Visit shelter dogs and puppies hoping to find a forever home.
Date: Saturday, January 14
Time: 10am – 2pm
Place: Westfield Shoppingtown Mall in Palm Desert–1st floor outside of Sears.
Questions? Call Michelle 760.343.4271
My dog Scout is an incorrigible rascal. After years of good behavior, she insists on jumping onto the couch (and me) when I sit down. For the first four years of her life, the couch was off limits. However, recently my pet sitter had her sitting on the couch for three days straight; she said Scout acted like it was her bed, and she was jumping onto it when they sat down, so they figured it was okay.
Now when I sit on the couch Scout immediately jumps onto it–like it’s an old routine or something. I tell her “no,” snap my fingers and she hops down. Then, when I’m not looking (or she thinks I’m not looking) she sort of crawls her way back onto the couch. I look at her and she freezes. If I say nothing, she inches her way toward me. I look at her again and she freezes. Then, as if I didn’t realize she was on my lap, she inches her scruffy snout toward my face. I turn back to the T.V. and her tongue is licking my chin. Needless to say, she has won me over.
She loves me no matter how many times I reject her. My ego could never handle that. She always wants my affection and approval; she is the world’s best friend.
Tell us why your dog or cat makes a great pet. Email pr@animalsamaritans.org and we’ll post some of your entries in future e-blasts. Give your pet’s name, type (dog or cat), breed description, your initials, and the city you’re from. For example:
From R.J. in La Quinta: Snickers, a long-haired tabby cat.
From C.S. in Palm Springs: Duke, a 4 year-old boxer mix.
Ruby needs our help. This sweet, gentle, boxer needs surgery for an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury. Sadly, at public shelters animals with injuries such as hers are not always saved due to the veterinary cost involved in helping them. But Ruby’s now safe with Animal Samaritans and awaiting her surgery… after that? Adoption to a wonderful owner who falls in love with her–which won’t be hard.
We’re asking for your help in covering the cost of Ruby’s ACL surgery. Please know that any additional money raised for Ruby will go into our Animal Care Fund, which was created to help pet owners on a limited income provide life-saving medical care for their pets.
To donate to Ruby’s surgery, please call Michelle Hodge at 760-343-4721, or mail your donation to Animal Samaritans, c/o Ruby & Animal Care Fund, P.O. Box 513, Thousand Palms, CA 92276
Come see Ruby at AnSams’ animal shelter, located at 72-307 Ramon Road in Thousand Palms. Our hours are Tuesday through Friday, from 9am – 4:30pm and Saturdays from 9:30am – 3:30pm. Questions? Call 760.343.3477 x4
1. I will have my pet microchipped. This is a safe and affordable way to ensure your animal is returned to you should she get lost. About the size of a grain of rice, microchips are painlessly inserted beneath the upper layer of your pet’s epidermis.
2. I will update my pet’s vaccinations. Protect your cats and dogs from deadly diseases such as parvo, feline leukemia and rabies. Vaccinations are essential for indoor-outdoor cats, and dogs that frequent animal parks. Vaccinations are given on a walk-in basis, first come, first-served, Monday through Saturday from 9:00am – 4:30pm. Vaccinations are between $15 and $20 dollars.
3. I will safeguard my home from chemicals & poisons. Snail bait, rat poison, and weed killer can be lethal if ingested by your pet. How do you know if your animal has been exposed to deadly toxins? Be mindful of changes in his behavior. Uncharacteristically lethargic or aggressive behavior could mean something is seriously wrong with your animal. Foaming at the mouth, nausea or blood in your animal’s urine or stool are obvious signs to take your pet to the vet.
4. I will get pet insurances for my four-legged family members. Consider this, blood transfusions and surgeries can cost thousands of dollars. If your pet ingests poison, is hit by a car, or injured by a predator, you could be scrambling to pay his vet bill. No one wants to lose their pet because they couldn’t afford to pay for his medical care.
5. I will not addict my pet to human junk food. Pets get diabetes too, and we all know how dangerous chocolates can be to our dogs and cats, particularly dark chocolate. Lean meats and vegetables can be quite good for your animal, so if you must feed them your food, give them the healthy stuff. Also, if you want to avoid creating a pet that begs while you eat, refrain from feeding him from the table.
6. I will spay or neuter my pet. Spaying and neutering has proven to increase the lifespan of your animal. It is also regarded by the animal welfare community as the single most effective way to reduce animal overpopulation, homelessness, and the resulting euthanasia of neglected or unwanted cats and dogs. To schedule an appointment, go online at www.animalsamaritans.org, or call 343-3477 x3
7. I will foster a pet in need. When you foster a homeless dog or cat, you give it a chance to be adopted. AnSams provides free foster orientation classes for anyone 18 or older.
8. I will give my pets the exercise they need. Dogs, especially large dog, need their exercise. Your pet will be more loving and obedient if he gets the playtime he needs. Just like proper diet, proper exercise is key to raising a happy, healthy pet.
9. I will be consistent with rewards & punishments. Where resolution #7 speaks to your animal’s physical health, this resolution is for his mental well-being. If you are too harsh in training or your animal he will learn to fear you, and fearful dogs and cats make unpredictable, often aggressive pets. To earn your pet’s respect, practice positive reinforcement. Most pets, if treated well, learn to behave because they want to please you. Of course, never underestimate the motivating power of a tasty treat.
10. I will get my pet’s teeth cleaned. It’s not just a luxury for four-legged divas. Good oral hygiene is vital for your pet’s overall health, and can add years to his life. It can also help with bad pet breathe, and ensure your pet retains all his teeth into old age. Call 343-3477 x3 to make a pet dental appointment, or schedule an appointment online. AnSams now offers non-anesthetic dental care.
Cambio a trámite migratorio podría prevenir cruel separación familiar
Los Angeles – El Departamento de Ciudadanía y Servicios de Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS) anunció el viernes que presentará ajustes limitados pero sensatos al trámite migratorio que permite a ciertos solicitantes de una visa familiar pedir un perdón pro unificación familiar. Con esta modificación, el perdón se podrá solicitar dentro de Estados Unidos. Actualmente, los ciudadanos estadounidenses y los residentes legales permanentes confrontan retos superfluos, burocracia, y peligros al tratar de obtener la residencia legal para un esposo, esposa, hijos, padres, o hermanos. Los solicitantes deben pedir a su familiar y una vez aceptada su solicitud y se ha establecido una fecha para la entrevista, el ser querido debe regresar a su país de origen para ser entrevistado. Dicha salida del país da paso a un castigo de 3 o 10 años (para aquellos que son indocumentados o que han vivido en el país por más de seis meses) durante los cuales la persona no puede reingresar a Estados Unidos. Se debe pedir un perdón pro unificación familiar fuera del país y mientras dicha solicitud es aprobada, la persona es obligada a permanecer alejada de sus seres queridos durante semanas, meses, y hasta años. En algunos casos, la espera en ciertos países hace peligrar la salud, el bienestar, y la vida misma de aquellos que han aplicado a una tarjeta verde pero que no pueden regresar a este país. El siguiente es un comentario por Angélica Salas, directora ejecutiva de la Coalición pro Derechos Humanos del Inmigrante en Los Angeles (CHIRLA por sus siglas en inglés).
“Celebramos el cambio al procedimiento de pedir un perdón pro unificación familiar, y aunque limitada, es una solución sensata a un problema simple. Al modificar levemente este trámite migratorio, USCIS está ayudando a que miles y miles de familias no sean cruelmente separadas.
CHIRLA elogia el esfuerzo de la Administración Obama por defender la unidad familiar de aquellos que esperan ansiosos el resultado de sus solicitudes migratorias. El pueblo estadounidense entiende con claridad la importancia de una familia unida y es por eso que se les permite a los ciudadanos estadounidenses y a los residentes legales permanentes peticionar a sus seres queridos para estar juntos. Durante muchos años, una burocracia arbitraria ha obligado a un incontable número de ciudadanos estadounidenses ha separarse de sus esposas, esposos, o hijos durante semanas, meses, y hasta años.
El procedimiento actual para obtener un perdón pro unificación familiar es insensato, cruel, y hasta peligroso para las vidas de aquellos que buscan obtener una visa. No existe una explicación equilibrada por qué un esposo, esposa, o hijos deben arriesgar hasta su vida en un lugar incierto fuera de Estados Unidos para esperar una decisión sobre un estado migratorio al que ya califican.
Este ajuste administrativo beneficia solamente a los esposos, esposas, o hijos de ciudadanos estadounidenses, pero no existe razón válida para no implementar el mismo trámite con las solicitudes de residentes legales permanentes. Los mismos riesgos, peligros, y obstáculos le esperan a sus seres queridos cuando son obligados a dejar el calor de su hogar y viajar al exterior para esperar la aprobación de su perdón”.
Proposed change in key immigration procedure will keep thousands of families from cruel separation
Los Angeles – The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office announced Friday it is introducing a limited, common sense procedural change that will allow certain visa applicants to file their family unity waivers in the United States. Currently, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents face unnecessary and dangerous bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining lawful permanent resident status for their spouse, child, parent, or sibling. They have to file a visa petition, and once the petition is approved and the visa appointment scheduled, the qualifying loved one has to travel to a U.S. consulate in their home country to be interviewed. Departure itself triggers a 3-or-10 year bar to re-entry to the U.S. for many applicants (those who are undocumented and who have been living in the U.S. for more than 6 months). The necessary waiver of the bar must be applied for while the applicant is waiting in the home country. The decision on the waiver often takes weeks, months or even over a year to be completed. Meanwhile, families are separated and spouses and children are forced to wait in potentially dangerous situations until a waiver decision is made and then can complete their visa processing and return to the U.S. with their lawful permanent resident document (“green card”).
The following is a statement from Angelica Salas, executive director for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA).
“While limited in scope, the proposed in-country family unity waiver processing change is a welcome rational solution to a simple problem. By gently adjusting how USCIS processes family unity waivers, thousands upon thousands of families will remain together.
CHIRLA applauds the Obama Administration for standing on behalf of families seeking to be reunited with their loved ones while their visa application process moves forward. The American people understand the value of a strong and united family and that’s precisely why US citizens and lawful permanent residents can apply for “green cards” for a spouse and children and unite their families. For too many years, arbitrary bureaucracy has forced many US citizens to be separated from wives, husbands, and children for weeks, months, even years.
The current family unity waiver process makes no sense, is cruel, and at times endangers the lives of those seeking a lawful visa. There is no rational explanation as to why a husband, wife, or child must risk his or her life in a dangerous place outside of the United States waiting for a lawful status decision for which they qualify.
The in-country family unity waiver processing change will apply only to spouses and children of U.S. citizens but there is no valid reason not to extend the same processing opportunity to immediate family members of lawful permanent residents. The same risks, dangers, and obstacles await these loved ones when they are forced to go abroad and wait for their waiver to be approved.”
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