All posts by The Dog Lady

Humane Society Horrible Hundred Puppy Mills 2021

Photo:  HSUS
Photo: HSUS
From the Humane Society of the United States:

The Humane Society of the United States is reporting on problem puppy mills, including some dealers (re-sellers) and transporters. The Horrible Hundred report is a list of known, problematic puppy breeding and/or puppy brokering facilities.

It is not a list of all puppy mills, nor is it a list of the worst puppy mills in the country.

We provide this update annually, not as a comprehensive inventory, but as an effort to inform the public about common, recurring problems at puppy mills.

The information in this report demonstrates the scope of the puppy mill problem in America today, with specific examples of the types of violations that researchers have found at such facilities, for the purposes of warning consumers about the inhumane conditions that so many puppy buyers inadvertently support. Continue reading Humane Society Horrible Hundred Puppy Mills 2021

COVID-19 Detector

Photo:  Doctors Hospital of Sarasota
Photo: Doctors Hospital of Sarasota

A new four-legged, wet-nosed addition greets people at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota. “Buffy” is a 2-year-old, sweet-tempered, yellow Labrador retriever and a highly trained scent detection dog from Southeastern Guide Dogs. Buffy meets visitors as they enter the hospital and if she detects COVID-19, the visitor is asked to get additional testing. Testing can be done free of charge at the hospital or if visitors prefer, another location.

Trainers at Southeastern Guide Dogs placed “Buffy” in a scent detection study nine months ago. Using deactivated samples from COVID-19 patients at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Buffy was trained to detect changes in a person’s immune system. Labrador retrievers have an estimated 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to about six million in humans. The dogs can detect our body fighting the virus. During training, the dogs are approximately 95% effective at detecting COVID-19 in a person. If Buffy detects COVID-19 she simply lays down at the visitor’s feet and waits for a treat.

Visitors entering the hospital will still be screened by a hospital caregiver, have their temperature taken and be required to wear a mask. Buffy is being used as an extra resource, although a very furry one, to help keep the community safe. Hospital CEO, Robert Meade, adopted Buffy and she lives with the Meade family when she is not at the hospital.

Thanks for helping, Buffy!

#MaskUp #BackUp

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!

Tuesday Top Ten: Top Dogs Virtual Exhibit from AKC Museum of the Dog

Photo:  AKC MOTD
Photo: AKC MOTD

Announcing the Top Dogs Virtual Tour! Join us for a FREE virtual tour of this exhibition! Just reserve a free “ticket” and you will be emailed a link to the tour. No donation is required, but always appreciated.

This exhibition takes a closer look at the top ten breeds, examines their histories, and speculates what exactly about them captures the hearts and minds of so many Americans.

The in-person exhibit at the AKC Museum of the Dog in NYC runs from May 6th to August 31st; I’m assuming the virtual tour is the same.

Sign up here.

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!