1.  Robin's Dog Tip: Dangers to Dogs (and Other Pets) ... Outdoors and Indoors

To access the Tip Sheet, click the link or paste it into your browser:  

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_DangerstoDogs.php

2.  Help other animals in extreme danger during World Week for Animals in Laboratories (WWAIL) April 20 - 26


Will you help speak up for helpless animals and speak out against cruel treatment of animals in testing and
research? 
 
Millions of animals continue to suffer and die in laboratories, but you can join with citizens and
scientists working for positive change that will help people as well as animals.  Details and ways to help
follow from experts in lab animal issues:

A Landmark Agreement
In February, 2008, three U.S. government agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National
Toxicology Program (NTP), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), signed a five-year agreement to
create innovative and animal-free methods to evaluate the safety of drugs and chemicals with the goal of
phasing out animal tests entirely.

The NRC's Groundbreaking Report
In July, 2007, the prestigious National Research Council (NRC) issued a report, "Toxicology for the
21st Century," which outlines a new approach that would rely less on animal studies and focus instead
upon in vitro methods. According to the report, "Over time, the need for traditional animal testing could be
greatly reduced, and possibly even eliminated someday." 

Broad and sweeping changes are slowly being realized for animals in labs. Yet millions still remain captive
in cages, subject to intolerable cruelty. They will not live to see the day that these changes come about,
which is why we urgently need you to join forces with IDA and other animal-protection organizations to
vigorously work for such a transformation to happen as soon as possible. While there is reason to celebrate,
there are still far too many scientists who adhere to obsolete, imprecise, and heartless animal experiments.

Never-Ending Nicotine Experiments  
It may be unfathomable, but in 2008, many animals still die in cruel, archaic, and useless nicotine
experiments to tests tobacco's deleterious effects on the body. That's why IDA has developed our Up in Smoke
campaign, which targets experiments that force pregnant and newborn animals to be pumped full of
nicotine. This is just one example of the kind of horrendous animal experiments that we need to stop.
Sadly, there are many such vile experiments occurring daily in laboratories.

Please, make a commitment today to take action for animals in laboratories between April 20th and
26th—the week of WWAIL. It could be as simple as making a phone call or writing a letter.

Imagine how powerful we could be if everyone reading this would just take a few minutes to engage in even
one action for animals in labs.

Here are  ways to help animals during WWAIL:

- Take part in IDA's Call-In Days to National Institutes of Health (NIH) during WWAIL to ask them to
put an end to the use of animals in nicotine experiments. Contact  caroline@idausa.org 

- Send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
For sample letters, go to http://wwail.org/editor_letter.html 

- Organize an event in your area such as a demonstration or educational table. Visit 
http://www.WWAIL.org  to learn about the many different ways to participate. 

- Volunteer to set up a "Memorial Field" display for WWAIL that will solemnly commemorate the millions of
animals who die in the name of science. It's simple, yet powerful, and IDA can help you with setting up
this poignant display. Contact  caroline@idausa.org 

- Adopt an Activist! Right from your computer... go to
https://secure.ga0.org/02/adoptanactivist

Your actions are vital to help bring about the day that no animal has to suffer in a laboratory. The 
important steps that the U.S. government is taking to phase out animal tests have great potential to
profoundly impact the use of animals in experiments. There's never been a better time to advocate for
change.

Sincerely,

Barbara Stagno
WWAIL 2008 Coordinator

3.  Nature's Best photography competition 2007 photos

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/01/15/ST2008011502265.html

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For more free tipsheets on dozens of behavior, health,
safety, adoption planning, and other topics, skim the
Dog Tips index at: 

<http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/dog_tips.php>

For excellent books to help with nearly every canine care issue, as well as cat and other companion animal
topics, see:

<http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Books.php>