China Dog Culls

Theanimalrescuesite.com is urging all citizens to sign an online petition to end dog slaughters also known as culls in China. (Source: IFAW).

"Instead of modern humane methods of rabies prevention, government officials in China often resort to mass slaughters of dogs in which dog-beating squads kill any dog spotted on the street, even if it has an owner," states a press release. "Indiscriminate slaughter of dogs is not an effective way of controlling rabies."

To sign the petition access http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/460053201.

In unrelated pet news, the annual Canines, Cats & Cabernet fundraiser for Operation Kindness, a no-kill animal shelter in Carrollton, Texas was a great success and the first successful one to date. Nearly $160,000 was raised to help the creatures. A live auction was also featured and some pets were actually adopted into new homes.

In other animal news, you can help put a roof over a cold, lonely dog through the "Angel for Animals" program of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

"Right now the winter chill is already bringing misery to neglected backyard dogs," an email from the group states. "In 2008 PETA gave nearly 300 dogs a place to get out of the elements by providing them with a sturdy, weatherproof house."

To donate towards the cause, look up https://secure.peta.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2480&2480.donation=form1&set.custom.Campaign_Code=C09LEABLMBG online.

You can remember canines with a trip to Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, according to writer Laura Claverie. (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/travel/thisweek/stories/DN-dogchapel_1129tra.ART.State.Edition1.94a596.html).

The carving 'Flying Sally' inside the chapel is dedicated to the dogs there.

"But the sign at the top of the mountain says it all: 'Welcome. All Creeds, All Breeds. No dogmas allowed," Claverie says. "Since it's opening in 2000, more than 100,000 pet owners have visited the chapel and paid their respect to the dogs (and a few cats) that were important in their lives."

Most tack love notes to their pets on the chapel's walls, she writes.

"'The soul knows no species, nor does love,' says one note," the article states. "Bugle the Beagle was my best friend when I was three.'"

Outside the chapel, a teary-eyed young couple sit in the grass, arms around each other, obviously mourning the loss of their dog in December.

Stephen Huneck's Chapel at Dog Mountain is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in summer, until 4 p.m. in winter. The nationally known artist who built the museum featuring his whimsical artwork, with almost all of it including dogs he loved, passed away Jan. 8.

A memorial service will be held for him on the mountain in the spring.

For more information on the museum, call 800-449-2580 or visit dogmt.com.