A shaggy, salt and pepper colored terrier and poodle mix with an injured leg became the 2,000th animal rescued by Animal Samaritans’ Adoption Alliance program. Animal Samaritans met Pet Orphans of Southern California, an animal rescue group based in Van Nuys, California, at the RIverside County Animal Shelter, on September 4th. Jeff Brady and Jody Davidson of Pet Orphans were excited to be part of AnSams’ 2,000th rescue milestone.

 The rescue event included 5 cats and 11 dogs. Three of the dogs, including the 2,000th rescue, were injured.  One was a pointer mix with trauma to the head; recently, a veterinarian was forced to remove one of his eyes. But the rescuers knew that going into the rescue.

 “We house up to fifty dogs and cats at a time in our private shelter,” said animal rescuer Jeff Brady.  “We often take the less desirable ones and hard to place animals too, those more likely to be put down.”

Animal Samaritans SPCA Inc. | 72307 Ramon Road (Shelter); | 72120 Pet Land Place (Clinic) | Thousand Palms | CA | 92276-0513

Are you a recent client, pet adopter, supporting member, or financial donor of Animal Samaritans?  If so, we want to thank you!  Look for our Pet Owner Appreciation Savings postcard in your mailbox this month, or simply print out this e-newsletter.  Bring your appreciation offer to Animal Samaritans’ Veterinary Clinic and receive $5 off each pet vaccination, and $7 off pet microchipping.

• Shots just $10 – $15 with this offer!

• Pet microchipping just $18 with this offer!

• No office visit charge for vaccinations or microchipping — save again!

• No appointment needed for vaccinations or pet microchipping — just walk in!

• We’re open Monday through Saturday for pet vaccinations and microchipping, from 9am – 4pm

• Vaccinated pets live longer and suffer fewer diseases

• Pet Microchips reunite lost or missing pets with their owners.

Dog fighting–brutal, inhumane, uncivilized, unspeakable dog fighting– was not only legal in colonial America, but it has also sanctioned and promoted. The practice of pitting two dogs against each other until one is either killed or so grievously injured it can no longer defend itself, continued in America without notable outcry or punitive repercussions into the late 1800s.

At the beginning of the 1800s, English dog breeders were busy mixing breeds to develop the Staffordshire Bull Terrier–aka pit bulls–and it is thought the first pits were brought to America in 1817. Today, pit bulls are still the most widely abused (and maligned) dogs enslaved within the insidious world of underground dog fighting; however, since the much-publicized dog fighting bust on pro footballer Michael Vick, it appears the face of dog fighting is evolving. Dog fighters have begun to expand their selection of warrior-victims to the larger, more muscular Argentine Mastiff and the Presa Canario.

The Presa Canario most likely evolved through the breeding between the now extinct Bardino Majero of the Canary Islands, and English Mastiffs imported from Britain. Sadly, these big fellas were bred specifically for dog fighting.  They stand just over two feet tall and average between 80 and 130 pounds. Extremely pack oriented, they are not suitable for the average pet owner.  While the Argentine Mastiff is exclusively white in coloring, the Canario may be fawn colored or brindled.

Dog fighting has been illegal in all 50 states since the 1860s.  California Penal Code 597.5 states that any person who engages in the following activities is guilty of a felony, and may be imprisoned for 16 months, two years, or three years (depending on the offense), and/or fined up to $50,000. It is a felony to:

1. Own, keep, or train a dog with the intent of using that dog for the purpose of dog fighting.

2. Intentionally cause any dog to fight with or injure another dog.

3. Allow any form of dog fighting or dog-on-dog violence on your property.

In addition, the penal code state that anyone on the premises of a place intended for dog fighting for the purpose of assisting or watching the fight, may be imprisoned up to one year in a county jail, fined up to $5,000, or both.

If you suspect someone of engaging in, or preparing to  engage in, dog fighting or any other form of animal abuse, document the time, place, and incident of the suspected offense, and contact The Riverside County Department of Animal Services at760.343.3644. Their Coachella Valley headquarters are at the Riverside County Animal Shelter, which is located next to Animal Samaritans’ veterinary clinic on the Animal Campus in Thousand Palms.

The Palm Springs Public Library is proud to announce a new partnership with Crave, a desert and wine bar in downtown Palm Springs, as the new host and location of the monthly Wine Book Club.

Going into its fourth season, the Wine Book Club is a group, led by a Librarian, that meets the last Wednesday of each month (December’s meeting will be on 12/19/12). Attending is FREE and open to the public, anyone over the age of 21 is welcome to attend and join in the discussion of that month’s book selection over a glass of wine (for a nominal fee). Crave will also be offering happy hour for the attendees at a special price.

The new schedule for the Wine Book Club’s 2012-12013 season will begin on Wednesday, September 26th at 6:00 p.m. at Crave, located at 390 N. Palm Canyon Dr. in Palm Springs. The group is reading and will discuss Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman. The full schedule can be found on the library’s web site at  HYPERLINK “http://www.palmspringslibrary.org/” www.palmspringslibrary.org or on a book mark available at the Library or at Crave. All books are available to be checked out at the library and many of the books are available as an eBook or downloadable audiobook and can be downloaded from the Library’s website.

Crave is a new dessert bar that opened in downtown Palm Springs in April 2012.  Their focus is to have a place where people can decompress from their day

and connect; with each other and the community. These connections are the heart of Crave’s unique experience and that focus made it the perfect location for the Wine Book Club.

Crave is open Wednesday through Sunday evenings for dessert and on Saturday and Sunday mornings for coffee and  fresh baked croissants and scones. To find out more about their hours, menu offerings and special events visit their web site at  HYPERLINK “http://www.palmspringslibrary.org/” www.craveps.com or call 760-469-4587.

The City of Palm Springs has a wonderful history of valuing library services. As far back as 1919, well before incorporation, the residents had established a public library in a small adobe building. As the village grew, the citizens followed the library through more than 12 different locations. With over 100,000 individual items, the Palm Springs Public Library offers a varied and comprehensive collection to the community. The Library is located at 300 S. Sunrise Way, on the corner of Sunrise Way and Baristo Road, one of the anchors of Sunrise Park and a destination for residents and visitors alike. For more information call 760-322-READ or log on to  HYPERLINK “http://www.palmspringslibrary.org” www.palmspringslibrary.org.