I was dismayed to get an alert from the ASPCA that the New York City Housing Authority is implementing a new pet policy, effective May 1 (i.e. Friday!) that bans purebred or mixed breed Pit Bulls, Dobermans and Rottweilers.

The new policy also lowers the weight limit for allowable dogs from the previous limit of 40 lbs. to 25 lbs.

The most important thing to note is that, as the ASPCA notes: "Dogs already registered with NYCHA before the implementation of this revised policy, regardless of breed and providing they do not exceed the current 40 pound weight limit, will be grandfathered and allowed to remain in NYCHA housing."

Residents whose pets are not registered have until April 30 to submit a registration form, and have 90 days to obtain veterinarian certification that their dog is spayed or neutered, vaccinated against rabies and licensed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

For more information and links to all the necessary forms, visit the ASPCA Web site.

Be sure to tune in to Animal Planet at 10 p.m. EST tonight for a special episode of Animal Cops: Philadelphia, called Puppy Mills: Exposed.

The episode details a raid conducted last year by the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Limestone Kennels in Chester County, Pa., where almost 90 dogs were discovered living in deplorable conditions.

The show should go a long way toward raising awareness of exactly where that doggie in the pet store window came from -- and of the incredible work done by Humane Law Enforcement officers and shelter personnel who work so hard to protect these animal victims.

Finally! I've been saying for years that there should be some level of tax relief for those of us who dedicate our income to our pets!

That there is actual legislation being drafted is certainly a step towards a lively conversation on the subject. It also validates what we already know about the importance of pets as part of the family.

Actor-director Robert Davi writes in The Washington Times:

In 2008, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association estimated that Americans spent more than $41 billion on their pets. Being allowed to use these expenses as deductions would positively affect the tax burden on a majority of American households. I am pleased to report that Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, Michigan Republican, is taking the lead on this, working closely with us to write legislation.

The dog's appearance was enough to make a person cry. He was starved and looked like a skeleton. Walking was hard for him, and he was riddled with scars.

Nevertheless, the good folks at Adams County Pet Rescue in Ritzville, Wash., knew he deserved a chance and took him in and placed him in a foster home.

It didn't seem likely, however, that he would be adopted. He was in bad shape and, in addition, he was a Pit Bull Terrier, a much maligned breed. Nevertheless, his photo and description were placed on Petfinder. In addition to compassion, his rescuers and foster dad had an abundance of hope.

Carrie Hawley of Coeur d'Alene was mourning over the loss of her eight-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier, Bella, who had died of lymphoma. "I had a huge hole in my heart and could not stop the tears," she says. She and her partner started looking on Petfinder at all of the Pit Bulls that needed homes, knowing many would never be adopted.

Here's another update from Elizabeth Lujambio, founder of Marley's Pit Stop in Los Angeles, on Liza Bean, the shy pit bull she's fostering whose debilitating fearfulness was the subject of a phone consultation Elizabeth won with It's Me or the Dog star Victoria Stilwell.

(Read Elizabeth's first post-consultation update here.)

Week #2

With Victoria Stilwell whispering advice in our ears and the support all of the Petfinder members, Liza Bean and I embarked on week two of Liza's training.

Basic training agenda included reinforcement of the "sit" command and learning the "down" and "stay" commands. We also introduced a new person to the training: a tried and true Marley's Pit Stop volunteer and foster failure (he kept three foster dogs!), Dave.

Initially, I began the teaching of basic commands. Liza B. always had her "sit" mastered -- although, because she has such a long body, it takes her a bit to get there! Next, we began the "down" command, using treats and the leash from her already-familiar "sit."

We found out that while Liza can do a "down" nicely, she prefers to do so on grass, not on hard surfaces! Who's training who here?! We are practicing the mechanics on grass and can get her to a low crouch on cement. Hopefully, this week she will be able to do a proper "down" regardless of surface.
 

Today is Earth Day! You may be a die-hard eco-booster, a regular person doing their best (like me), or someone who is sick to death of hearing the "go green" message -- but the fact is, we as pet parents have a little bit more of an environmental impact than those without pets.

Luckily, Petfinder's sister sites have some great resources:

From PlanetGreen.com:

How to Go Green: Pets

6 Ways to Green Your Pet's Poop

Where to Get Green Pet Products

Make Clothes Out of Your Pet's Hair (apparently there are people who actually do this)

From HowStuffWorks.com:

8 Green Pet Care and Cleaning Tips

A few weeks ago we invited Petfinder rescue group members to nominate their behaviorally-challenged dogs for a chance at a complimentary phone consultation with It's Me or the Dog star and renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell.

Painfully shy pit bull Liza Bean at Marley's Pit Stop Rescue in Los Angeles earned the most votes from Petfinder visitors (meet the runners up here).

Victoria called Liza Bean's foster mom, Elizabeth Lujambio, and although she'd only committed to a 20-minute consultation, she spoke with Elizabeth for 45 minutes. "It was amazing!" Elizabeth tells us.

Victoria told Elizabeth that Liza Bean needed to do some independence training. Elizabeth realized she needed to "take a step back and stop thinking of her as my little dog -- and start giving Liza Bean some tools to build her confidence."

After the jump, Elizabeth's description of her consultation with Victoria and Liza Bean's progress.

A major cable network that happens to be very Petfinder- and pet-adoption-friendly is filming a series about cat breeds, and for an episode about the Selkirk Rex breed, they're looking for someone interested in adopting one of these exotic felines.

The producers are in touch with two rescue groups in particular about a pair of purebred Selkirks with star potential. If you're interested in adopting either of these cutie pies, contact their respective adoption organizations.

If you're the right fit for one of these great
cats, not only will you have a chance to be on TV, but you'll add a wonderful companion to your life.

According to our Cat Breed Directory, Selkirk Rexes are fun-loving, mellow and people-oriented. They're known for their distinctive soft, curly coat, which can be either long or short.

There are currently 15 Selkirk Rexes or Selkirk mixes available for adoption on Petfinder. Learn more about the breed.

Petfinder Mobile, our wireless application, has been nominated for a Webby award! This is truly an enormous honor for any Web site. We're in the Listings & Updates category in the Mobile division.

While winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and announced May 5, you can vote for us (through April 30) at the Webby's People's Voice site. (You'll need to register.)

And if you didn't know you could get Petfinder on your cell phone, well, you can! Just go to Petfinder on your Web-enabled phone or other mobile device and you'll see a specially formatted search field that fits right on your small screen (you can also go to m.petfinder.com to see what it looks like).

Our mobile site includes a click-to-call feature, so if you find your perfect pet while you're on the road, you can contact the shelter or rescue group with a single click.

The Obama family has a new pooch! According to the Washington Post, Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts gave a six-month-old Portuguese water dog to the Obama family as a gift.

Malia and Sasha named the pup Bo because their cousins have a cat named Bo and Mrs. Obama's father was nicknamed Diddley. Get it? Bo Diddley.

Although the Obamas did not get their pup from a local shelter as they'd said they hoped to, they say they plan to make a donation to the Washington Humane Society.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The puppy was purchased from a breeder and then given back to the kennel soon after the Obamas expressed interest in a Portuguese water dog, a source familiar with the adoption said."