Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week

The "Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week" Campaign is the week leading up to Valentine's Day.

The Cause:

Cards and dog treat coupons are being mailed to dog owners across the country in the efforts of shedding some light on the topic of chained dogs and abuse. A brochure being given along with the goodies details how chaining a dog up is the equivalent of abusing a dog.

Dogs Deserve Better, a non-profit group whose mission is to bring chained outdoor dogs inside, is asking for animal lovers to step forward and support this worthwhile and honorable cause.

This group is pleading with dog owners to either give their pets up or bring them indoors, especially during winter. They go on further to explain that every pet is in need of human contact on a daily, if not hourly basis. This human contact is very difficult to come by when your dog is cruelly chained to a tree all by himself. These animals, if left tethered to the tree for an extended period of time, will become unhappy, distanced from others, bored and this may lead to aggression. Studies conducted by Veterinarians and Animal Psychologists have concluded these facts to be true.

State Efforts:

Three states have already enforced the law of time limits on dog tethering. These states include Nevada, Maryland and California. Other states are working towards the same efforts for this type of law to be made mandatory. These states include Pennsylvania, New York, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, Rhode Island, Hawaii, New Jersey, Maine and Washington.

Sadly, none of the remaining States in America have laws against chaining dogs. Even though almost every Animal Control Officer and Humane Officer working and volunteering in the USA can attest to the fact that the most common animal cruelty complaint that they receive is about chained and penned up dogs, there are still no laws regarding this cruel issue.

In order to have laws passed in every US State, citizens need to encourage their local and State Representatives and Senators by voicing their concerns about this neglectful, abusive and inhumane treatment of dogs.

Dogs Deserve Better has created a page on their website where they have placed letters that you can print out and mail to your Legislator, as well as to the Editor of your local newspaper. There are other materials, such as brochures and flyers that you can also download and printout to be distributed in your neighborhood.

Other Ways In Which You Can Help:
If you want to help this cause please send pet treat coupons, donate a cash gift or make Valentine's Day cards and send to:

Dogs Deserve Better, Inc.
P.O. Box 23
Tipton, PA 16684

You can also donate by either calling 1-877-636-1408 or visiting the Donations page. Dogs Deserve Better also accepts annual memberships and automatic monthly donations.

If you know of a chained dog please contact the Humane Society of the United States and reveal the address of the dog. You can do this anonymously at 1-202-452-1100.

The Dogs Deserve Better Organization:

The Dogs Deserve Better organization has a very informative website that will keep you up-to-date on all of the latest news regarding this law.

Dogs Deserve Better is also looking for concerned animal lovers to take on Volunteer Area Representative roles in communities across America and will help provide brochures, flyers and letters with your name and contact information listed.

Success Stories:

Would you like to read some success stories of how "Have a Heart Chained Dog's Week" has changed many dogs' lives? You can read all about them by visiting the Success story page at Dogs Deserve Better.org.

These stories may very well make you teary eyed, but you will also be relieved and happy for the dog whose life was spent tethered on a chain until Dogs Deserve Better came to their rescue.

Photo Credit:tobyotter