For more helpful tips, please visit ASPCA online. And P.S., if you’re going to be traveling with your pets this summer, please read our guidelines for safe travel.

ASPCA SUCCESS STORY OF THE WEEK: WINNIE THE POOCH
Kristin Lyons was living alone in a creaky old house when she decided she needed a canine companion. “Luckily, my landlord was a big animal lover, and was happy to let me get a dog,” says Kristin, who headed straight for the Providence Animal Rescue League.

Although the first dog Kristin saw wasn’t available, in the next cage over was a canine called Cleo. “She stood on her hind legs and tilted her head and looked at me,” recalls Kristin, “and I said to her, ‘You’re cute!’” The card on the cage explained that the retriever/chow mix was not good with other dogs or kids. “Since I didn’t have any kids or another dog, I thought she would be all right—plus, she was so cute I couldn’t imagine she’d be trouble.” Kristin also found out that Cleo and her sister, Patra, had been turned in together—which made them Cleopatra. “I didn’t think Cleo was a good name for her, so I changed it to Winnie,” says Kristin.

Almost eight years later, Kristin can’t imagine a better dog. “I found out that Winnie is great with kids and people, although she doesn’t always get along with other dogs on her turf. But she’s definitely a better companion than a watch dog!”

P.S. Visit ASPCA.org to read more happy endings—or to submit your own.

ATTENTION, “MOO”VERS AND SHAKERS: COW APPRECIATION DAY IS COMING UP!
Worshipped as a mother goddess in early Mediterranean civilizations and held sacred to Hindus as a symbol of the earth itself, the gentle cow can teach us all a thing or two about slowing down and smelling (okay, eating!) the flowers. You can honor the beautiful bovine on the upcoming 20th annual Cow Appreciation Day on Monday, July 18 (though some folks celebrate it on July 15—that’s tomorrow]. Consider sending a pal an e-greeting (visit a search engine and type in “Cow Appreciation Day” to find one) or viewing the photo gallery at Farm Sanctuary online. 

FROM OUR EMAIL BAG: TOXOPLASMOSIS & CATS
Remember that old wives’ tale that pregnant women should get rid of their cats to avoid contracting toxoplasmosis? Many of our ASPCA News Alert readers do. “I have had conversations with friends who believe it,” writes one concerned subscriber, “and am worried that the myths still seem to be circulating. Could you put out a statement about this issue?”

We certainly can—with help from the ASPCA’s Veterinary Advisor, Lila Miller, DVM. “Toxoplasmosis is a protozoan parasitic disease that can cause birth defects in the developing fetus,” explains Dr. Miller. “The disease is spread by the consumption of infective oocysts, or tissue cysts, found in contaminated feces, soil, or raw and undercooked meat. But humans are much more likely to contract the disease by eating raw or undercooked meat than from contact with infected cat feces. It is also comforting to know that infected cats will shed the oocysts for two weeks only—and the oocysts require at least 24 hours outside a cat’s body to become infective.”

To eliminate the risk of infection, Dr. Miller offers the following precautions for pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals:

Dr. Miller also points out that clinical signs of toxoplasmosis in cats are vague and nonspecific, including fever, lethargy, depression and weight loss. If you suspect that your cat may be infected, it’s smart to get your pet checked out by your veterinarian.

U.S. PET OWNERSHIP: NEW SURVEY REVEALS WHO’S TOP DOG
Not too surprisingly, most of you are pet owners, ASPCA News Alert readers—but did you know that the majority of your neighbors probably are, too? According to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association’s National Pet Owners Survey, 63 percent of all United States households have at least one pet. The total number of companion animals includes 74 million dogs and 90 million cats—the latter figure representing a five percent increase in feline ownership over the past four years. Congrats, cats! (Yes, felines still hold the crown, despite the fact that 27 percent of cat owners complained that their pets are “too smelly.”)

To read more about the survey’s results, check out pet journalist/radio host Steve Dale’s column at Goodnewsforpets.com.

LEGISLATIVE ALERT FOR WISCONSIN ANIMAL ADVOCATES
Time to take action, Badger State residents! AB 527, introduced by Representative Pat Strachota, would authorize cities, villages and towns to waive the state law requirements of a rabies inoculation for dogs whose veterinarians determine that vaccination is inadvisable due to medical reasons. This important legislation would help ensure that dogs who are too sick or elderly to be vaccinated can still be licensed as required by law.

Wisconsin animal lovers, please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center today, where you can ask your state representative to support this humane bill.

Don’t live in Wisconsin? Stop by the Advocacy Center to find out how to get involved in passing humane legislation in your state.