pictured below: Abi, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Belle, a gorgeous brown tiger cat, area very lucky to live in this country, or their fur may have ended up trimming a "faux fur" parka collar. - photo by Tracie Leigh

Is that REALLY "Faux" Fur?

The Humane Society of the United States recently urged speedy passage of a bill to require honest labeling of fur and to bar the import of a dog species from China, so that dogs are not killed to make fashion garments passed off as harmless “faux fur.” The legislation was introduced on the heels of an ongoing HSUS investigation exposing the widespread scandal in the fashion industry.

A team of HSUS investigators found a proliferation of falsely labeled and falsely advertised dog fur on fashion clothing sold by some of the largest names in U.S. retailing. Of the fur-trimmed jackets subjected to mass spectrometry testing by The HSUS, 96 percent were found to be domestic dog, wolf or raccoon dog, either mislabeled or not labeled at all. The raccoon dog is a member of the dog family with markings resembling those of a raccoon, known to be skinned alive for fur in China.

Nordstrom’s, Tommy Hilfiger and Bluefly.com advertised jackets trimmed with fur from domestic dog as “faux,” The HSUS discovered. The dog fur appeared as trim on the hoods of coats from popular brands such as Joie, Tommy Hilfiger and Andrew Marc.† Additionally, The HSUS revealed that J.C. Penney was selling raccoon dog fur mislabeled as raccoon. The retailer pulled the garments, blacked out the name of the species from the label, and returned the coats to the floor to be sold.

It is illegal to import, export, sell or advertise any domestic dog fur in the United States. Fur from other animals must be identified with a label, but only if the value of the fur exceeds $150. In response to the investigation and to public outcry against these companies, U.S. Representatives Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Michael Ferguson (R-N.J.), along with 28 additional cosponsors, introduced the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act, which aims to protect consumers and animals by outlawing the import of fur from raccoon dogs and requiring all garments trimmed with fur to be labeled, regardless of value.

“Selling domestic dog and raccoon dog fur as ‘faux’ or other deceptive names is unconscionable,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS, the nation’s largest animal protection organization. “We’re very grateful to Rep. Moran and Rep. Ferguson for introducing this important legislation, and we urge Congress to pass the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act to prevent animal cruelty and consumer fraud.”

The coats trimmed with raccoon dog fur were sold online as “raccoon” by Neiman Marcus, Dillard’s and Smartbargains.com (Loehmann’s online retailer) and as “rabbit” by Bergdorf Goodman and Footlocker. Other retailers uncovered selling misidentified or unlabeled raccoon dog fur include Lord and Taylor, Ross, D.E.M.O, Macy’s, J.C. Penney and Burlington Coat Factory.

The designers involved include well-known brands such as Diddy’s Sean John, Jay-Z’s Rocawear, BeyoncÈ Knowles’ DerÈon, Calvin Klein, Andrew Marc, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Bogner, Baby Phat and DKNY. Many designers and retailers were shocked by The HSUS’s test results: DerÈon, Macy’s, Rocawear and Sean John pulled the offending garments, with Rocawear and Sean John pledging not to use raccoon dog fur in the future, and Calvin Klein announced it will phase out the use of all fur.

“Americans don’t want Lassie turned into a fur coat. Unfortunately, that’s happening today because consumers lack the right information to make an informed purchase,” said Rep. Jim Moran. “In the U.S., we treat cats and dogs as pets, not trimmings for the latest fashion wear. Our laws should be reflective of the special status Americans bestow on their companion animals, not contradictive.”

Half of all fur garments entering the United States come from China, where large numbers of domestic dogs and cats as well as raccoon dogs are killed every year for their fur by brutal methods, sometimes skinned alive.

The Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000 banned the trade in domestic dog and cat fur after an HSUS investigation revealed the death toll at 2 million animals a year and found domestic dog fur for sale in the United States.

“If consumers buy fur jackets from China, it’s

very possible they are getting falsely labeled fur from domestic dogs or raccoon dogs skinned alive,” Pacelle added.

(at right: Bales of cat fur located at a Chinese warehouse. -photo courtesy of HSUS.)

“American consumers have every right to know whether the faux fur coat they think they are buying is falsely labeled,” said Rep. Michael Ferguson. “We are a nation of animal lovers and it’s just outrageous that consumers are being deceived. Congressional action is needed to make sure the best, most accurate information is made available when purchasing new jackets and coats.”

The Moran-Ferguson legislation will outlaw raccoon dog fur and close a loophole in the Fur Products Labeling Act of 1951 that exempts garments with a “relatively small quantity or value” of fur from requiring labels disclosing the name of the species, the manufacturer, the country of origin and other pertinent information for consumers. The Federal Trade Commission defines that value today as $150—an amount that allows multiple animal pelts on a garment without a label.

In addition to Reps. Moran and Ferguson, other original cosponsors of today’s bill include Reps. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.), Howard Berman (D-Calif.), John Campbell (R-Calif.), Lois Capps (D-Calif.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Robert Filner (D-Calif.), Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.), Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), Kenny Marchant (R-Tex.), George Miller (D-Calif.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Todd Platts (R-Pa.), Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), Jim Saxton (R-N.J.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Chris Shays (R-Conn.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Pete Stark (D-Calif.), Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.).

Visit www.furfree.hsus.org for more on The HSUS’s fur investigation. Information provided by the Humane Society of the United States.

Restoring Balance and Structural Integrity by Lisa Derby Oden 

“I pulled my favorite wool sweater out of the closet only to discover that it had somehow slipped off the hanger it had been carefully suspended from and snagged itself on a closet hook,” begins Karen Miller, Certified Practitioner for Equine Natural Movement Series. “The snag from the hook had contorted the fibers of the sweater in such a way that the left side pulled out like a cone nosed alien and the right side puckered in like a moon crater. I put the sweater on hoping my body would encourage it back to its original form.”
“I looked absurd and felt uncomfortable all day because I couldn’t move without the sweater rubbing and pulling on my skin. When I took it off I was able to gently rework the woven fibers until the sweater looked and felt symmetrical. Form and function returned. The sweater had structural integrity again!”
Karen continues, “Imagine the sweater as an expansive and intricately woven physiological system that could cover a horse’s body just below the skin. This biological system is real - it is called fascia and is the horse’s connective tissue system. The fascia connects and surrounds everything in the horse’s body, surrounding and separating each individual muscle, muscle groups, and even the layers of muscles. Equine fascia is the horse’s structural support system, covering and supporting the horse’s whole body.”
“Puckers and pulls in the continuous fibers of equine fascia are the result of physical and emotional traumas to the tissue. These traumas, acute or chronic, cause varying tension patterns that can pull a horse’s body out of its own natural balance. Equine Natural Movement (ENM) is therapeutic body work that helps reestablish natural balance and natural movement.”
“ENM works by releasing superficial tensions in the body that allow the practitioner to identify deeper tension patterns that lock a horse into compromised movement. Key areas of the body are freed up, than carefully integrated back together. This allows the horse to find its natural freedom and flexibility and to use its body as a whole without having to rely on the compensatory movement that prevented him from moving the way he is designed to move. When form and function return, the horse has structural balance again!”
Equine Natural Movement Series has applications for performance horses that are in training and competition, recreational horses that are used for pleasure and trail riding, and horses that are in rehabilitation for injury.
Irene Novy shares her story about her trail horse. “Rosey is my 12 year old Quarter Horse/Morgan mare. Over the past few weeks of riding I noticed that her stride was short and she would always swing her head to the right, especially when walking down hills. Karen Miller started her sessions on Rosey. I was a bit skeptical how such a small woman was going to help such a large animal with just her hands. Each of the sessions was well over an hour in length. I have never seen such a positive response.
The day after the first session Rosey was very slow moving in her paddock. By day two she was running, kicking and playing. When I took her for a trail ride her stride lengthened and she no longer swung her head to the right. The friend I ride with noticed that Rosey’s right hip was dipping lower than the left, again, more pronounced going downhill. As the sessions with Karen continued, you could see, hear and feel the results of the ENM work. By the end of the fifth session Rosey no longer took short strides after warm up, her head stopped swinging to the right, and her hips were even. The benefits my horse reaped from Equine Natural Movement were amazing. Rosey is much more comfortable, her performance has improved dramatically and she genuinely enjoys going out for her trail rides.”

(pictured above: Above, the ENM practitioner works to identify tension patterns in this horse's neck. Below: as the practitioner works, the horse drops her head much lower. This release of tension means greater flexibility and freer movement.)

Equine Natural Movement Series training is currently offered through the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy, in Worcester MA, and Friendly Haven Rise Farm in southwest Washington. Joseph Freeman, Certified Structural Integrator, is the creator of the Equine Natural Movement Series. He and other faculty members provide the instruction. He says, “The Equine Natural Movement Series is a specialized method of somatic education that balances the horse’s structure bilaterally and front to back and gives the horse a better relationship with gravity. The series educates the horse’s nervous system and connective tissue system by rebalancing and repatterning the way he uses his whole body. Through the sessions, the horse becomes aware of himself in a new way that is more natural.
The benefits of The Equine Natural Movement Series are graceful movement; optimal overall performance; power and strength through efficient use; greater precision; and a pervasive sense of bodily comfort and ease for your horse. The Equine Natural Movement Series repatterns the structure of the horse’s body. “A balanced horse uses his muscles in harmony rather than one side working to compensate for the restrictions of the other.”
Horse owner Beth Weidman also had Equine Natural Movement sessions for her pleasure horse. She says, “How wonderful to know such a helpful method of healing. I can hear the horses of southern NH collectively sighing in relief that tension can be relieved and their bodies can finally be balanced with your help.”
For more information, contact Karen Miller, Certified Practitioner, Hair of the Dog Farm, New Ipswich, NH, 603-878-4879. www.evenequine.com. Visit Joseph Freeman’s website at www.josephfreeman.com. Visit Bancroft School of Massage Therapy website at www.bancroftsmt.com.

Small Pets Can Transmit  SALMONELLA too!  

(Above) Molly, an adorable pet hamster, photographed by Renee McGrath of Worchester, MA

Beware the cute pet hamster. It could be harboring salmonella, and it could pass the dangerous bacteria on to you. Health experts are warning, "Pet rodents can spread bacteria. They should be considered cute but contaminated," says Dr. Stephen Swanson, lead author of an article published in the Jan. 4 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. "They are in schools and kindergartens and day care centers around the country, which is not to say they can't be, but if young children are going to handle them, parents and teachers need to be cognizant that these animals can shed these bacteria."

 Most of the 1.4 million salmonella infections that occur annually in the United States come from food, but some come from contact with animals. Animal-related cases have also been documented from reptiles and amphibians, chicks, ducklings, kittens and hedgehogs. But there had been no real connection between "pocket pets" such as hamsters and human cases of salmonella until an outbreak in August 2004.

 "This is the first multistage outbreak of salmonella ever described from pet rodents," Swanson says. While working as an epidemic intelligence service officer for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stationed at the Minnesota Department of Health, Swanson was the original lead author of a 2005 report which first connected rodents with human cases of salmonella. He is currently a pediatric infectious disease physician with the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

The trail started on Aug. 30, 2004, when a veterinarian for a Minnesota pet distributor notified the Minnesota Department of Health that two hamsters from a shipment of 780 had tested positive for salmonella and that the animals were dying in large numbers.  Unbeknownst to her, the pet distributor had already shipped 243 of the original 780 animals to 15 retail pet stores in four states. The strain of salmonella involved was a rare one, and investigators were ultimately able to identify 28 matching isolates in humans. Of 22 patients (or their parents) who could be interviewed, 13 (59 percent) had had contact with rodents purchased from retail pet stores. Two individuals (9 percent) had become infected through contact with a primary patient. Seven patients (32 percent) did not appear to have had any exposure to rodents.

One 4-year-old boy in South Carolina had been hospitalized for five days in June 2004. Nine days before he fell ill, his family had purchased a hamster from a pet store. The hamster died two days later. In August 2004, a 5-year-old boy in Minnesota also fell ill four days after his family purchased a mouse. The mouse died one week after it was purchased. A 23-year-old pregnant woman in Missouri fell ill after she purchased live rats and mice to feed to her pet python. No salmonella was isolated from the culture of the snake feces, and the rodents and their cages weren't available for testing. The woman's baby, born prematurely after the mother fell ill, also had salmonella and was in intensive care for 56 days before going home.

Not only was this the first such outbreak documented, the strain involved was resistant to several drugs. "There was widespread abuse of antimicrobials within the (pet) industry," Swanson says. "Antimicrobial use in the industry is potentially contributing to the dissemination of multidrug resistant types of salmonella."

The bottom line: People can and should keep their pets as long as they look healthy. But, experts say, a few simple tips can safeguard health: Wash your hands frequently -- not just after handling the pet, but also after touching cages and bedding. Don't kiss or hold the rodents near your mouth. Don't let the pets roam in areas where food is eaten or prepared. Stay away from a pet that appears ill or has diarrhea, and don't buy a hamster, mouse or rat which appears sickly in any way. Parents should supervise young children who handle the pets and contact their environments. Finally, certain individuals, such as people with compromised immune systems or pregnant women, may want to avoid direct contact with animals, as these women are a particularly vulnerable population.

Excerpted from an article by Amanda Gardner, 2007 HealthDay News, January 4, 2007.

Holiday Safety for Pets in Your Household

Gatherings for family and friends are important traditions during the holiday season. It’s not uncommon during the hustle and bustle of the holidays to want to include pets and activities with pets as part of the family. Here are a few reminders to keep your pets safe and happy throughout the holidays.
Feeding your pet a special treat from the table can do more harm than good. Table scraps from a holiday dinner, especially ones covered in gravy or containing poultry skin, can cause severe gastrointestinal upset. Do not give bones from poultry of any kind to your pets, as they can splinter, form sharp points and get stuck in the throat, gums, roof of the mouth or esophagus, causing severe health problems. Onions also are toxic to both dogs and cats. Finally, never feed your pets chocolate or baked goods containing chocolate, as this contains a stimulant that can cause agitation, hypertension and heart arrhythmias if ingested in large doses. Also beware of human food scraps or treats containing candy, seeds, pits from fruits, alcohol, macadamia nuts, walnuts, tin foil, and cellophane candy wrappers. When cooking dinner for your guests, be sure to move pet birds away from the kitchen area. Fumes released from non-stick cookware and self-cleaning ovens can be deadly.
    During the holidays, pets may be confused as to why their usually quiet home is now full of people and noise. Providing pets with a quiet place to retreat, where they can come out to visit if they wish, will help them be more at ease.
    To prevent your pet from accidentally being stepped on, tripped over, or sneaking out the door, keep your pet safely secured in a separate room. Provide him with a bed, fresh water, and toys to keep him occupied. Playing soft music can also help to keep him calm and relaxed. Although your schedule may be hectic, try to keep your pet’s feeding, walking, playtime, and sleeping schedules the same.
Pet owners also should watch pets when doors are opening and closing frequently. Dogs and cats can easily slip out in the commotion. Make sure your pet has a collar and id tag on in case she happens to dart out an open door.
   Twinkling lights around the house mean extra cords and plugs—and more tempting “chew toys” for pets. Take some extra time during decorating to tape down or cover cords to help prevent shocks, burns or more serious injuries.
Anchoring the top of the tree to the ceiling with a strong cord will help keep it in place around pets. Cats also are inclined to eat tinsel hanging from trees—this can cause intestinal obstruction—so keep tinsel decorations high on the tree where cats won’t be tempted.
Certain holiday plants, such as lilies, amaryllis, hibiscus, and certain types of ivy, may make your pet sick or cause serious illness if he ingests them. Keep these out of your pet’s reach. Mistletoe and holly berries, as well as poinsettia plants, can also be poisonous to pets, causing severe stomach upset. Pine needles can be irritating and sometimes damaging to a pet’s intestine, requiring veterinary care. Clean up pine needles regularly as they can be toxic to your pet if eaten. Also, prevent your pet from drinking the water in the tree stand. Stagnant water or chemical preservatives can make your pet sick. The use of pet repellent sprays can help keep animals away from areas and objects that may cause them harm.
    Choose and review holiday gifts given to your pet to make sure they are safe. When giving to charities is part of your holiday spirit, consider the many pets not as fortunate as yours. You can share the holiday spirit with animals who need your support with an in-kind donation of blankets, towels, pet beds, dog Kong toys, non-clumping cat litter, new cat toys, or peanut butter which will provide the animals with fun toys to stay occupied and cozy places to snuggle in at night. You can also make a financial contribution as a gift to a friend or family member who already has everything. While this may be the season of giving, animals should not be given as gifts. The choice to welcome a new pet into the family is a personal one that requires thought and commitment. Instead, purchase pet accessories or offer to pay for the adoption fee so your loved one can choose the right companion and provide a loving, forever home.
    Last, but not least, spend extra quality time with your pet, engaging in some of her favorite activities so that you, your family, and your pet have a safe and happy holiday season!
Information from the Univ. of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine; www.vet.upenn.edu; and The Chittenden County Humane Society, S. Burlington, VT, www.chittendenhumane.org.