Proceeds from the Pet Rock festival are distributed to
Massachusetts-based animal welfare organizations,
including shelters, cruelty
watchdogs and rescue
leagues.

Sunday, September 11th
Noon - 5 p.m. (rain date Sept. 18)
Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, MA

You can purchase tickets from the Pet Rock website.
Use the $1 off coupon at the gate when purchasing
your ticket.

There will be lots of games, contests, give-aways, live music, healthy pets, and more!

Enter the Pet Rock Festival Photo Contest. Please paws for a moment …your cat could be famous! Well, sort of. Enter your cat in the prestigious Pet Rock photo contest. How?

1. Complete the entry form.
2. Write your name and address on the back of each photo.
3. Write out a check or money order for the $5 entry fee for each photo, made payable to Pet Rock Fest.
4. Mail your entry form, photo(s), and entry fee(s) to:

Pet Rock Photo Contest
Charlene Arsenault, Worcester Magazine
172 Shrewsbury St
Worcester, MA 01604

Include your address on the back of the photo, and it will be returned. Winners will receive prizes, and unlimited notoriety—including being posted on the www.petrockfest.com site.

Without the efforts of the
Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) organization, mass breeding operations will continue to escape federal oversight, and the animals will continue to suffer.

If you could put a federal inspector inside a puppy mill —one of those large, unsanitary and largely inhumane breeding operations that has never known regulation before—would you? Well, now's your chance.

The Pet Animal Welfare Statute, or PAWS, will allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture to inspect puppy mills that are currently beyond the reach of federal law. These mass commercial breeders are taking advantage of a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act that allows them to sell puppies directly to the public and avoid all federal oversight. This means that no matter how horrific the conditions may be at the puppy mill, the USDA is not permitted to even look at the animals.

PAWS would change all this. Carefully written to avoid covering smaller "hobby breeders," PAWS would make sure that large breeding operations (those that sell seven or more litters in a year) are subject to the minimum requirements of the AWA.

Despite the bill's humane intentions, businesses that profit from mass producing puppies are opposing PAWS. These individuals have launched an aggressive misinformation campaign to scare animal rescue groups into believing that they would be covered under PAWS. Nothing could be further from the truth. Don't let those who profit from the factory-style breeding of puppies win in their effort to keep the doors shut on puppy mills.

1. Take action. Contact your Senators and Representative and urge them to co-sponsor and strongly support the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS). Click here to contact your legislators now.

2. Make a call. The puppy mill lobby is working hard to scare and confuse rescue groups into opposing PAWS. Your voice is needed NOW to help dogs in puppy mills. Please take a moment to make a short phone call urging your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor and strongly support the PAWS legislation. Click here for a sample phone script and to look up your Senators' and Representative's phone numbers.

3. Spread the word. Every single U.S. Senator and Representative needs to hear from constituents who care about animals. Ask your friends and family to call their Senators and Representatives as well. Click here to tell five friends to take action now.

Without PAWS, mass breeding operations will continue to escape federal oversight, and the animals will continue to suffer.

Thank you for taking action and for all you do on behalf of animals,

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States

Owners need to protect their dogs and cats from the sun and heat. They can suffer from heat stroke if they are kept in an unventilated home or car.

Animals in hot weather are susceptible to sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, all of which
may lead to serious medical problems.

 

School is out for the summer! It's time to play and have fun in the sun! But sometimes it's not so fun for pets. Do you know how to protect your kitties, pooches, and all other furry little friends when the temperature soars? Here's how to help them beat the heat.

	There's no place like home! Bring your dog indoors when it is too hot and let him relax in the coolest part of your home with you. Keep your kitties indoors, and always provide all of your furry friends with plenty of cold, fresh water.
	Help, I'm lost! Never leave your animal loose outside. Your animal friend might become lost, injured, or even stolen!
	Hot! Hot! Hot! In really hot weather, don't leave your pooch standing outside too long, and keep his walks short. He is closer to the street than you are, and his little paws can burn!
	Let's play! Have fun and exercise with your animal in the early morning or at night, when it is cooler. Do not play with your animal after a meal or in hot weather.
	If your kitty or doggie is a little pudgy or old, have him stay indoors as much as possible.
	Never leave your dog, cat, or any other animal friend alone in a car in hot weather! The inside of a car can heat up very quickly -- even with a window a little open -- and your animal will suffer. So, if your animal friends go on a trip with you, make sure you and your family take them wherever you go. Carry plenty of fresh, cold water.
	Splish! Splash! If you take your pooch to the beach, make sure he has a place to rest away from the sun, and give him plenty of fresh water to drink. Remember to rinse him off if he takes a dip in the ocean.

Shelter Hours

Sunday & Monday
Closed

Tuesday-Friday
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Gate closes
at 5:45 p.m.

Saturday
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Gate closes
at 3:45 p.m.

» DIRECTIONS

• CAT LITTER - the cheap, unscented, clay cat litter
  (Wal-Mart^® sells litter for only a couple dollars)
• Cleaning supplies, such as extra large heavy duty trash bags, bleach, etc.
• Canned KITTEN and PUPPY food
• Liquid laundry detergent
• Paper towels
• Rawhides and toys for the dogs and cat toys to keep our critters busy
• Old towels and sheets are very comfy for our homeless pets
• Old cell phones and ink cartridges are also being collected - the Shelter receives redemption fees and this also helps keep our environment clean by recycling them!
• Volunteer your time socializing with a homeless dog or cat – you can really make a difference!

Have you heard about our NEWEST CAMPAIGN for Recurring Giving? This convenient system allows you to automatically make a donation to the Sterling Shelter every month via credit card or checking account. This is an extremely powerful fundraising method that can allow the Shelter to save thousands of additional animals every year with a donation as small as $2.00 per month from you. Thank you!