ARL Humane Action Network

11/26/2024

IN THE NEWS: IA - Des Moines rooster owners will have to get neighbors' consent to keep their birds

"Rooster owners in Des Moines will have to get consent from their next-door neighbors to keep their birds under ordinance changes approved by the Des Moines City Council on Monday."

The city of Des Moines' latest ordinance will require neighbors to provide written consent that they're OK with living next door to a rooster.

11/25/2024

IN THE NEWS: IA - Newton City Council Gets Update on Dog Kennel Project

"The Newton City Council has already voted against three sites that were recommended by the Police Department. Chief Burdess says putting the kennel on any of the remaining sites will probably push the total project over the original budget of $150,000. The Newton City Council purchased the commercial modular kennel in late September. "

The City of Newton’s new $84,831 eight stall commercial dog kennel has arrived in town, but the City Council still has to decide where to put it. Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess updated Council members Monday night

11/25/2024

IN THE NEWS: NV - 8 puppies recovering after good Samaritan rescues them from trash bag found in dumpster

"A Las Vegas animal shelter is treating eight 2-week-old puppies that were found in a dumpster inside a trash bag."

A Las Vegas animal shelter is treating eight 2-week-old puppies that were found in a dumpster inside a trash bag.

11/24/2024

IN THE NEWS: NE - Dog found 'completely emaciated,' Omaha woman wanted for felony animal abuse

"Authorities are asking for help in the search for a women accused of animal abuse after a dog was found in horrible condition two months ago."

Authorities are asking for help in the search for a women accused of animal abuse after a dog was found in horrible condition two months ago.

11/24/2024

IN THE NEWS: IA - Animal Rescue League says phone scam is targeting lost pet owners, impersonating organization

"'The ARL has recently received reports of a scammer claiming to be a representative of the ARL. The scammer had contacted the owner of a lost pet and falsely claimed that the pet had been found and needed urgent medical care. The scammer then asked for reimbursement for medical expenses to be sent to a third-party payment processor in order to reclaim their pet, which is something the ARL will never do.'"

The ARL of Iowa is warning Iowans about reports of a scammer claiming to be a representative of the organization and contacting owners of missing pets, asking for reimbursement for emergency medical care.

11/17/2024

IN THE NEWS: IA - More Iowa puppy mills cited for federal violations

"Six Iowa dog breeders or kennels were cited for federal regulatory violations during the third quarter of 2024.

Breeders in only two other states – Ohio and Indiana – racked up more violations than Iowa’s breeders during the quarter that began on July 1 and ended on Sept. 30.

The violations are compiled and analyzed by Bailing Out Benji , an Iowa-based, animal-welfare organization that collects and republishes data on violators throughout the nation,"

Six Iowa dog breeders or kennels were cited for federal regulatory violations during the third quarter of 2024. Breeders in only two other states – Ohio and Indiana – racked up more violations than Iowa’s breeders during the quarter that began on July 1 and ended on Sept. 30. The violations ar...

11/17/2024

IN THE NEWS: IA - Growing stray animal population in Dubuque pesters residents, exposes ‘gap in service’

"1,183 animals were impounded by Dubuque Animal Control in Fiscal Year 2023, marking a 31% increase from FY 2021.

Due to the growth in the stray animal population, nearly 500 cats are up for adoption at the Dubuque Regional Humane Society. Director of Operations Bri Eickhoff noted about 80% of the cats at the shelter used to be strays."

More than 450 cats are up for adoption at the Dubuque Regional Humane Society, as the local number of stray animals climbs.

11/16/2024

IN THE NEWS: IA - Police: Dubuque man charged with animal neglect following deaths of 6 dogs

"Vance L. O’Hara, 41, of 433 W. Locust St., was arrested at 12:27 a.m. Thursday in the area of East 18th and White streets on a warrant charging six counts of animal neglect with serious injury or death and two counts of animal neglect with no injury.

Court documents state that eight chihuahua dogs were left in O’Hara’s care on Sept. 19. Six of the dogs died and were identified as having canine parvovirus."

Police said a Dubuque man was arrested after six dogs under his care died of a highly contagious disease.

11/16/2024

IN THE NEWS: NY - N.Y. Republican introduces ‘Peanut’s Law’ after pet squirrel’s killing

"A member of the New York Assembly has proposed changes to the state’s animal-seizure rules after Peanut the squirrel was taken from his home in Pine City and euthanized by the Department of Environmental Conservation last week."

Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, Oyster Bay Republican, has introduced an amendment to the state’s environmental conservation law that he’s calling “Peanut’s Law: Humane Animal Protection Act.”

11/15/2024

IN THE NEWS: IA - Newton City Council Has Another Potential Dog Kennel Site to Consider

"The new proposed site is city owned and south of the landfill at 3985 West 8th Street South. It’s a former farmstead currently in cropland and grassland. City Administrator Matt Muckler says if this site gets City Council approval, the City may be able to open the new kennel in early December."

The Newton City Council has another site to consider for the 8-stall dog kennel that has been purchased for city operated animal control services. Two city owned locations proposed by the Newton Police Department have already been

11/15/2024

IN THE NEWS: OH - Court ruling drills down on Ohio animal cruelty law

"The ruling overturned a lower court’s determination of Ohio’s law ruling that the animal cruelty statute only applied to dogs and cats that had “received care” from someone, not strays.

The Ohio Supreme Court said that although the law is not clearly written, it is designed to protect all cats and dogs, including those that are not kept in a residential dwelling or by a person."

A recent Ohio Supreme Court ruling and pending legislation are drilling down the animal cruelty law in Ohio.

11/14/2024

IN THE NEWS: IA - Marshalltown Feral Support working to solve cat issues

"Marshalltown Feral Support has certainly had its challenges, but is continuing the mission of helping resolve the stray cat issue. Steven Havens has been leading the effort since Marshalltown Strong TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) dissolved. He has stayed consistently busy, transporting as many as 10 cats at a time."

Marshalltown Feral Support has certainly had its challenges, but is continuing the mission of helping resolve the stray cat issue. Steven Havens has been leading the effort since Marshalltown Strong TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) dissolved. He has stayed consistently busy, transporting as many as 10 cat...

10/31/2024

NEW EPISODE: The latest episode of For Love of Animals is available!

In this week's episode, Carol and Dan are joined by ARL CEO Tom Colvin! They start off by sharing facts about black cats and rats, including how Tom earned the nickname "Rat Boy" from a DJ in California. Next, Tom tells all about the ARL's capital campaign to transform the future of animal rescue and how YOU can help! Dan shares a newly discovered species, then they wrap up by discussing ARL events.

In this week's episode, Carol and Dan are joined by ARL CEO Tom Colvin! They start off by sharing facts about black cats and rats, including how Tom earned the nickname "Rat Boy" from a DJ in California. Next, Tom tells all about the ARL's capital campaign to transform the future of animal rescue an...

10/29/2024

IN THE NEWS: GA - DeKalb County Commission approves ordinance regulating animal sales

"The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, at its Oct. 8 meeting, approved an ordinance banning the transient and outdoor sales of dogs, cats, and domestic rabbits in unincorporated DeKalb County."

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, at its Oct. 8 meeting, approved an ordinance banning the transient and outdoor sales of dogs, cats, and domestic rabbits in unincorporated DeKalb County.

10/29/2024

IN THE NEWS: IL - Evanston Animal Welfare Board weighs in on landlord pet restrictions

"The Animal Welfare Board covered plenty of ground during its virtual meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 9, but spent much of its time discussing proposed changes that would prohibit restricting tenants based on the breed of their pets."

10/28/2024

IN THE NEWS: IA - Fort Dodge man charged in Linn County with killing cat

"A Fort Dodge man was arrested Wednesday in Linn County and charged with violently killing a cat.

Jacob Mills, 38, is charged with animal abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor."

A Fort Dodge man was arrested in Linn County Wednesday and charged with violently killing a cat.

10/28/2024

IN THE NEWS: IA - Sioux City woman charged with starving dogs, cats

"Zunilda Reyes Vega, 32, was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Woodbury County Jail on seven counts of animal neglect, an aggravated misdemeanor, and two counts of animal neglect charged as a simple misdemeanor. Bond was set at $3,000.

Reyes Vega owned or had control over six dogs and four cats at her home in the 800 block of South Martha Street from August through Sept. 9, when animal control officers responded to complaints about dogs appearing thin and uncared for."

SIOUX CITY — A Sioux City woman has been arrested and charged with keeping starving, worm-infested animals at her Morningside home.

10/15/2024

IN THE NES: TX - Texas advocates want lawmakers to tackle stray pet crisis

"Animal shelters across Texas are — and have been — overcrowded, say advocates, who are urging the public to help by fostering or adopting these animals.

The more pressing challenge is convincing pet owners to spay and neuter their pets, animal welfare advocates said."

Animal welfare advocates plan to ask Texas lawmakers to make changes they hope will slow the growing number of stray animals across the state.