Janet Mercer, SPCAI Webmaster

This month Operation Baghdad Pups is marking the 5th anniversary of the first pet saved from Iraq and brought to the United States to be with his soldier. I am also remembering my trip to Iraq 2 years ago this week as part of the Operation Baghdad Pups rescue team. I was in charge of rescuing two cats and a dog during that mission.

National Cat Day was founded in 2005 by Pet Lifestyle Expert & Animal Welfare Advocate Colleen Paige to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of cats that need to be rescued each year and also to encourage cat lovers to celebrate the cat(s) in their life for the unconditional love and companionship they bestow upon us.

Enjoy these super-fun cat videos!

In April, the Maryland Court of Appeals issued a devastating ruling against pit bulls and their owners.

“STRICT LIABILITY ADOPTED IN RESPECT TO ATTACKS ON HUMANS BY PIT BULL DOGS AND CROSS-BRED PIT BULL DOGS.

I want to introduce you to a very special dog who will help me talk about a very difficult subject. His name is Daniel and he has an amazing story. He was placed in a carbon monoxide chamber in an Alabama shelter last fall along with 17 other homeless dogs. Amazingly, Daniel survived the gassing. A rescue group was able to take custody of Daniel and find a forever home for him. He now lives a happy life with Joe and Geralynn Dwyer in New Jersey.

Simon Tofield, an English animator, has created a very fun cartoon series about his cat, which has become very popular around the net. He has lots of entertaining videos, stuffed toys, books, and even his own app! His website is http://www.simonscat.com/. Below is one of Simon's most recent (mis)adventures!

Last summer our dog Buffy had a scary, but not at all uncommon, injury: a ruptured disk. This problem is most likely to occur in small, mixed breed dogs such as Cocker Spaniels and Dachshunds. Buffy had tried to jump onto our bed from the floor and instead fell back onto the floor yelping and whimpering. He was clearly in a lot of pain. In the beginning, he could not even hold up his back end to eliminate. Often, when this happens to dogs, the cause is unknown. Fortunately, we witnessed Buffy's injury so we knew what was going on quickly.

Animal Planet has named the top 20 cutest animals! See if you agree. Since my adorable Buffy isn't pictured, I say no!

http://animal.discovery.com/pictures/livescience/cute-animals.html

We received this heartbreaking news from Soi Dog Foundation in Thailand:

I am writing to you from Bangkok where flooding still threatens the lives of animals. The crisis is worsening with additional areas flooding though we hope that the flood waters will start to recede. I cannot over emphasize to you the critical nature of the situation and the urgency involved in the rescue efforts.

PETA is filing a lawsuit on behalf of five orcas at two SeaWorld locations, claiming that they are being subjected to involuntary servitude. What do you think? Can the 13th Amendment be interpreted to protect animals?

http://news.yahoo.com/peta-lawsuit-seeks-expand-animal-rights-222219887.html

LA County requires all dog owners to microchip their pet. What do you think? Should dog owners be required by law to do this? Do you think that the extra expense might mean fewer dogs are adopted? Please comment below!

Hi, I'm Janet Mercer, and I've been SPCAI's webmaster since May, 2010. In addition to my husband, Mark, and my two young adults, Jenny and Jamie, my family includes Buffy, a 2 year old cocker spaniel/golden mix, Snickers, a 13 year old tortie, Tigger, a 3 year old orange tabby and Smokey, a 3 year old gray tabby.