Thursday, December 28, 2006

This IS Kansas Dorothy!

Can you believe it, state and federal authorities are poisoning prairie dogs on private property AND charging the owner (who wants to protect the prairie dogs) for the "service". Read on.... http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/nov/23/some_kansas_prairie_dogs_being_exterminated_poison/?state_regional

http://wwwnytimes.com/2006/12/11/us/11prairiedogs.html?ex=1167022800&en=5289c7e652315fe6&ei=5070&emc=eta1

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Go Bill

State of New Mexico

Office of the Governor

Bill Richardson

Governor

For Immediate Release: Contact: Gilbert Gallegos

December 27, 2006 (505) 476-2217



Governor Richardson Announces 10-point Animal

Protection Package



SANTA FE -- Governor Bill Richardson today announced a $3.6 million animal protection package that he will present to the Legislature next month. The Governor announced his plan to help the state’s animal population at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society.



“We are taking a comprehensive approach to protecting animals, starting with a significant investment in preventing pet overpopulation and a strong animal welfare oversight board,” Governor Bill Richardson said.



The Governor’s 10-point plan includes:



$150,000 for Animal Welfare Oversight Board

Governor Richardson proposed $150,000 in recurring funds to create an Animal Welfare Oversight board that will be housed within the Regulation and Licensing Department.

The board will be run by an Executive Director who is responsible for addressing issues of animal welfare at the state level.



$2 million for Animal Shelter Improvements and Operations

Governor’s Richardson’s budget will also include $2 million to help animal shelters around the state improve infrastructure and services.



$500,000 to expand spay/neuter programs.

Governor Richardson proposed $500,000 to expand the existing statewide spay/neuter program to help reduce pet overpopulation.



$100,000 to create grants for adoption and placement programs

Governor Richardson proposed $100,000 in grant monies to help defray the costs of room and board to organizations that offer foster homes for pets awaiting adoption.



$500,000 in grant awards for Aged and Neglected Horse Sanctuaries

Governor Richardson’s proposal invests $500,000 in grant awards for aged and neglected horse sanctuaries. The funding will be geared specifically for facilities that take in unwanted farm/ranch/sport or wild horses.



$150,000 for the New Mexico Livestock Board

Governor Richardson’s budget provides the New Mexico Livestock Board with $150,000 to help them in their efforts to care for abused and neglected horses.



$100,000 for UNM Center for Wildlife Law

Governor Richardson’s proposal includes $100,000 for the UNM Center for Wildlife Law to conduct a study on the effects of climate change on wild animal migratory and residence patterns.



$100,000 for pilot program for schools

Governor Richardson’s budget will include $100,000 for a pilot program for New Mexico public schools to teach humane care and treatment of animals to schoolchildren, which will be administered by the Public Education Department.



The Governor’s proposal also included his plan to urge the Federal Government to improve management of wild horse herds and to develop tourism programs at national wild horse territories. He also pledged his continued support for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s effort to ensure that both Blacktail and Gunnison prairie dogs are maintained as a keystone species, while respecting the rights and considerations of ranchers and municipalities.


Plus he's made a pledge to ban cockfighting in New Mexico!

Write him, email him, or call him with YOUR support!

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Lilo needs a home.....

Not any more! Thanks to all of you who responded. Lilo has a home, in fact Lilo has 2 homes, now we just need to figure out which one will be Lilo's home!

CGR

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Newsletter


The fall newsletter has been distributed. If you want to receive a copy, you'll have to wait until 1 January 2007, when it will be posted on the website. After that date, go to www.prairiedogpals.org/archive and click on FALL NEWSLETTER to download a pdf copy of the newsletter!

CGR....

Prairie Dog Pal-ooza

For Immediate Release:
December 5, 2006

Contact: Tammy Fiebelkorn, 505-410-3884
What: “Prairie Dog Pal-ooza” inaugural event to benefit Prairie Dog Pals
Who: Everyone interested in preservation of prairie dogs and their habitat
When: Sunday, April 22
2 – 4 pm
Where: St Timothy’s Lutheran Church

Support NM’s Prairie Dogs!
Learn about Prairie Dog Language and Society from Dr. Con Slobodnikoff

Albuquerque, NM — The inaugural Prairie Dog Pal-ooza event to benefit Prairie Dog Pals is coming soon. The event will feature a presentation by world-renowned Dr. Con Slobodnikoff. Dr. Slobodnikoff is the preeminent researcher into the communication system of Gunnison prairie dogs and the relationship between their communication and cognitive abilities. Don’t miss this chance to learn about the culture and society of prairie dog colonies, and their extensive vocabulary!

Prairie Dog Day will also feature a silent auction, entertainment, refreshments, great music by country-blues band Selsun Blue, and a chance to meet the folks who work everyday to save prairie dogs and their habitat. The silent auction will contain wonderful items donated by generous New Mexicans including art, gift certificates, travel packages, jewelry and much more. Great snacks will be provided by the Vegetarian Society of New Mexico.

Advance ticket sales are $20, or 2 for $35. To buy your tickets, contact Tammy at 505-410-3884 or go online (after January 15) to www.prairiedogpals.org.

Please mark your calendars now for this wonderful event! More event details coming soon.

Prairie Dog Pals is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare, preservation and continuous humane care of urban prairie dogs within New Mexico, as well as the education of the public about the species. www.prairiedogpals.org. For more information, please call Tammy at 505-410-3884.

Full house at Oasis


Here's a picture of Lynn making her presentation!

Oasis Presentation

Dateline 11 December 2006

McKinley Community Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico

W. C. Fields warned against sharing a stage with animals or children but Prairie Dog Pals’ intrepid outreach director, Lynn Diehl, warmed hearts with a presentation peppered with personal anecdotes about her interactions with prairie dogs. She also encouraged the 75 enthusiastic participants in the Oasis class “Get Acquainted with Some of New Mexico’s Wildlife”, to meet Petie the Prairie Dog Pals’ spokes-rodent who was also in attendance.

Oasis is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for mature adults. They offer challenging programs in the arts, humanities, wellness and volunteer service. This particular class provided attendees with the chance to meet some of New Mexico’s feathered and furry friends.

Lynn provided an overview of Gunnison’s prairie dogs including information about their history, habits, habitat, and how to help. Lynn’s discussion touched on the prairie dog’s role in maintaining a healthy prairie ecosystem. She dispelled some commonly held misconceptions such as the idea that prairie dogs carry plague (they don’t) and that they breed frequently (they only breed once a year). She provided insights into their language, family structure, and the complexity of their burrow systems. Lynn ended the presentation on a philosophical note citing their place in the grand scheme of things and how other animals would suffer in the absence of this keystone species.

Lynn provided each attendee with a folder including the newsletter, several articles and a photograph of two prairie dogs “kissing”.

Wildlife Rescue provided a live exhibit featuring some of its educational birds including owls, a raven and a kestrel.

Prairie Dog Pals extends its thanks to Lynn for the research, assembling the information and making the presentation. A thanks is also given to Dick Westphal, member emeritus, who coordinated with Oasis to have the presentation included in its fall line up! And finally, to the Oasis staff and management who made this event possible!