That is the dilemma facing shelters throughout the country.  Of course I am talking about the temperament testing dogs.  It is such a heated debate between shelters and animal rights advocates that taking a stance is certain to ostracize you from one or the other.

The truth is that both sides have valid points.  Shelters are always asked about the overall temperament of a dog by potential adopters, and they have rightful concerns when placing dogs into family homes.  Animal-rights advocates take the side of the shelter dog and claim the unfairness of the test.  And, if you’ve never seen what a shelter temperament test looks like, I urge you to research it online.  There are plenty of video examples available.  These tests are archaic and downright torturous to the dogs being subjected.  Often times good dogs fail for a multitude of reasons not the least of which is the tester doesn’t know how to read a dog’s reaction.

If you watch the needless prodding and instigating of the dog during the test you’ll understand why so many fail, and those that fail get killed.  Yes, based on the outcome of their temperament test many shelters will destroy the dog.

Over the last 6 years I’ve evaluated hundreds of dogs and found a much better way to do it.  A system, in which dogs are encouraged to pass, not pushed to fail.  BARC (Behavior Assessment & Reactivity Checklist) is not a test, but exactly what it says – a checklist.  It is a glimpse into the personality of the dog, a picture of how dogs are and how they can be.

If the dog responds in an unfavorable way, we don’t destroy them, we give them another chance, we want to see if the dog has the ability to succeed, and most do.  BARC takes into consideration the stressful environment of the shelter and treats each dog as an individual.  For the dogs that don’t fare well on the assessment, we have a glimpse of the issues the dog needs help with, and this can easily be referred to a behaviorist, trainer or rescue.

BARC is an assessment tool that most any dog savvy person can apply and the results are easily understandable.  The evaluator simply checks off the behaviors he / she observes in the columns on the checklist.  There is no guessing, nothing creative, it is black and white.  There is no fairer test on the dog and no clearer way to assess a dog than BARC.

I have used the components of BARC to evaluate countless dogs for placement in family homes, in educational programs with at-risk youth, as well as for court testimonies on dangerous and vicious dog cases.  I have re-assessed dogs that have been temperament tested by other testing protocols at shelters and proven better results hands down every time.

BARC is available to all shelters, all rescues and anyone involved in evaluating dogs.  Best of all it is a free resource available as a download at: www.boundangels.org/barc

http://m.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-emotions/201204/did-cesar-millan-have-hang-the-husky

Dogs that bite people get killed.

People that block a dog’s attempt to bite are scolded.

I’d rather find myself in the second category than in the first.

I would like to offer a reality check to the controversy that has ensued over the episode in which Cesar Milan immobilizes (or as is commonly referred to) as “hangs” a dog which was trying to land a bite on him.  I’d like to be clear that I am not a friend of Cesar nor do I have any vested interested.  I’d simply like to shed some light on a highly charged issue that, if not clearly understood, can cost countless dogs their lives unnecessarily.

First we must understand that dogs bite when they feel pressured, when they are afraid or when they are protecting themselves.  If we allow them to bite we put them at risk of being killed for this behavior.  Teaching a dog not to bite is simple with some dogs and much more complex with others.  Determining which dog you are dealing with separates the novice from the expert.

Having worked with hundreds of dogs with various types of aggression, I can tell you that Cesar’s methods were not too out of line with what most competent trainers, at least those who deal with these types of dogs, would see as fair.  The problem is that oftentimes those who opine are those who have never dealt with a dog of this size or drive.   Furthermore they could never deal with this type of dog using a purely reward based method.

Since most of my work is in the public sector, dealing with dogs at shelters that other trainers and owners have given up on, I can tell you that most of these dogs don’t have a chance at life, they’re on the waiting list to be killed and put in a barrel.  If these dogs show aggression, they are put down.  There are no progressive desensitization programs in most of our nations shelters; it’s simply –“show aggression, or what we think is aggression, and you’re dead.”

Is there a better way to train?  Possibly.  However, the question remains, is there something else that can be done when you’re holding one end of a leash connected to a dog that is trying to bite you?  No!

The question is commonly asked if people would do this to a child.  This is a one-sided naïve question that has no logical place and nothing to back it up.  In order to be fair in comparison we must understand that dealing with an 80lb dog is less like dealing with an upset child and more like dealing with a 200lb man coming at you with a knife.  This can be clearly seen knowing that an 80lb police dog can easily incapacitate a 200lb human assailant.  Now, if we were to offer this type of dog, same drive and size to a trainer without the ability to block his behavior, I can promise you a couple of things:

1. the person is going to get bit.
2. the dog will be put down for his behavior.

Treats and toys are the way I begin all training with dogs, and it is what I teach everyone to do as well.  However, when a dog doesn’t respond to this I recommend a continuum of force, one specifically geared to the particular dog.  It’s simple, when it comes to aggression, we can move up the ladder of training or down the hallway to kill the dog.

Comparing training dogs to handling children is absurd and unfair to children and dogs.  The love we have for a human is different from the love we share for our dogs, and believe me I love my dogs more than most people.  However, let’s ask these questions:

1. Would you let your child poop on the side of the road?
2. Would you let your child eat dried food from a bowl on the floor?
3. Would you walk your child on a leash with no shoes and allow her to eat grass?
4. And most importantly, would you put your child to sleep if her illnesses were too much for her to bear?

Once we can honestly address these questions, we can move away from anthropomorphizing our dogs.  They deserve better!

Now we can re-address the question of fairness in this situation.  If a dog is attacking someone who is working with them what should be the etiquette?

SO many people paint all dogs with a broad brush.  Just like people, no two dogs are the same and no two dogs respond exactly the same to training methods.  Therefore assuming that all dogs will respond to one method of training, be it motivational or compulsion, is unfair to the dog.  Some dogs do better with one method than another and in order to remain fair to the dog we must step outside of what we believe and give the dog what he needs at that moment.

Those who don’t deal with dogs who bite should not delve into the discussion of how best to handle the situation.  Just like those who don’t know about medicine should not offer medical advice.  Is hanging a dog right for the average person?  NO.  But that was never the question at hand.  The question here is the criticism of one trainer who took the political hit by putting this technique on his show.

The irony is that the people posting this video, for the most part are those looking to capitalize on the charged emotion this video brings.  Instead let’s focus on the thousands of dogs that are being killed in our nations shelter.  Perhaps those who differ in opinion could join a volunteer program at their local shelter and work with the dogs that really need help.

Robert Cabral
Bound Angels
Black Belt Dog Training

Just when you think you’ve seen it all something comes along to amaze you.

This amazement isn’t always good, but there’s always something good about it.  The other day I was at the West LA shelter doing a series of temperament tests for the K9 Connection program when I walked down the kennels and found Chewey and Maggie Sue cuddled together in their run.  Yes, cuddled together.  They were wrapped up in each others arms like a loving human couple would be to keep each other safe from any harm that might befall them.  I’ve seen some really cute things, but this just about took the cake.

Chewey is a 100lb mastiff and Maggie Sue is a 30lb beagle mix.  It seems that Chewey has some sort of an issue that makes him wobble when he walks, he has to sit down every so often to keep from getting exhausted.  But that doesn’t bother Maggie Sue, she goes over and licks his face and waits for him.  Chewey will often  pick up the leash and walk Maggie Sue along the yard.  it is the cutest thing I’ve seen in a DAMN LONG TIME.  Thank God the shelter staff is focusing on getting them a home together.  It would be the ultimate injustice to see these two get separated,  especially after their human just dumped them at the shelter and left them for dead.

The good news is that Chewey’s hip issue is getting better with some acupuncture treatments.  He is a super sweet dog and so is Maggie Sue.  Please watch their video, http://youtu.be/ocdilCS_pwM

Please share their story, they really deserve a break.  They’re great with people and other dogs.  They need a place to live out their lives together… TOGETHER..  they need to stay together.  Please help them get a home and I’ll send you a Bound Angels Tshirt or Hat.

join the revolution,

Robert

I see the eyes on the dogs behind the bars at the shelter, it’s almost as if I can hear their thoughts and their cries.  They look through the bars hopeless and broken.  The faces are the same, the dogs are the same, the stories are the same.

As so many rescues and big organizations come into the shelters to help, why do theses same dogs remain?  The same ones I saw before, I see today.  With all of the millions in help, why does this scene look so familiar?

If you wonder who I speak of, it’s the old, the pit bulls, the hopeless ones.  Puppies are the first ones out of the shelters, as are the purebreds, but what about the 7-10 year old dog that no one sees?  Why don’t people take them?

I’ve said the same thing for years and I say it again today: If the shelter was filled with pure bred dogs and puppies people would be rushing there.  But they’re not.  The shelter is filled with pit bulls, pit mixes, old dogs, aggressive dogs and the shut down dogs.  When rescues and big money groups step in and “rescue” the cute puppies and the purebreds what remains, remains.  The same dogs that didn’t get adopted before, don’t get adopted when you clear out the others.  Why does this upset me so?  Because many of those dogs that are being “rescued” were only at RISK OF ADOPTION at the shelter.  I’ve been criticized over and over for speaking the truth, but it remains the truth.  The reason people don’t want to go to the shelter is because “it is do depressing.”  That will remain the case when the hopeless stay there and are surrounded by other hopeless dogs.

Through Bound Angels’ Shelter Video Program we’ve saved hundreds of “hopeless” dogs from shelters and we saved a few cute ones too.  It was always our single minded goal to increase traffic into the shelter and rescue dogs through exposure.  It is for the sake of those that need rescue most that we need to be aware of this.  There are a few rescues that do the hard work and rescue those that no one else takes, you know who you are, you are my friends and those that agree with what I say.  The others, who cherry-pick the best dogs at the shelter and get them for the lowest price, then adopt them out at a premium, you are no better than the pet store on the corner – in fact you are worse.  For those that throw their weight around with big names and fancy titles, you are not helping the problem.

What is the answer to the problem, it’s really quite clear.  Get people to love their dogs, make pet ownership fun and easy, make spay and neuter available for every person who can’t afford it and make it accessible.  Get people into the shelters by showing them there are great dogs in the shelters….  and give hope to the hopeless.

Next time you walk the aisles of your local shelter, ask yourself:  Is the hype true that 30% of the dogs at the shelter are purebred?  If so, where is that 30%?  I’ve visited hundreds of shelters and was never able to substantiate that figure.

Let’s all come together for the sake of the animals that need us most.  Let’s work together to save animals, not to make our names bigger than the other organizations, and certainly not to take in more donations this year than we did last year.  After all, what good is a big name and a big fiscal statement when our legacy is littered with the carcasses of those we are entrusted to save.

Robert Cabral

I’d like to share with you my letter to Governor Jerry Brown to urge him to reconsider his position on the changes to the Hayden Law.  I hope you’ll join me in pointing out the benefits of a law that saves the lives of the most innocent victims of our state’s economy, our companion pets.  This law is important for any pet owner, not just those in rescue.  The changes to this law are life threatening to anyone who may lose their pet.  Please read my previous blog post to get an idea of the proposed changes.

These proposed changes are a death sentence to tens of thousands of animals almost immediately.

Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol #1173
Sacramento, California 95814

Dear Governor Brown,

It has come to my attention that you may be considering rescinding one of the most progressive and important laws for animals- The Hayden Law, a unique bill that gives hope to the most hopeless of animals, those living in our municipal shelters.

I understand that no good act comes without cost, but California, as a state of compassionate people who care for their pets and the lives of all animals would be strongly disappointed in a man who could instantly, with the single stroke of his pen, cause the death of thousands of innocent lives.  The pen is mightier than the sword, and I urge you to consider this before you sign.  This move on your behalf could leave your term in office tainted by the lives of innocent pets (in the hundreds of thousands) and the humans that care for them.  Your position and decision is a powerful one, and I encourage you to choose compassion for our states’ pets, that like your pal Sutter need us to speak for them.  It truly is not just about shelter pets, but also about all pets that are protected by this bill.

There can be no greater act of compassion than the one we do for a creature, be it human or animal, that cannot repay us for that act.  Yes, we do face rather tough economic times in our state and the world as a whole, but this is not the time, nor is California the state, to cast aside the most hopeless of our inhabitants for fiscal measures.  Almost every pet living in our shelters today once lived in a home and was loved by someone.  For reasons beyond their control, they have been cast aside and entrusted into the care of our shelter system.  What would it say of us if our answer were simply – NO, we don’t care?  They may have no voice, but we do and we must consider that and stand up for them.

Bound Angels is a unique non-profit organization that works with municipal and private shelters throughout the US developing progressive training and adoption programs that save the lives of countless shelter pets.  We have reached thousands of followers through our training as well as facebook, twitter, blogs, and email campaigns.  I can assure you that everyone I know shares the view that I am expressing to you in this letter.

I would be happy to discuss the dismal situation of many of our shelters and the steps that we, as a compassionate society can take to make great change.  Rescinding the Hayden Law is a bad idea, no matter how great the financial offset may be, what would be saved in dollars would be lost in compassion.

Respectfully,

Robert Cabral

Bound Angels – Founder / Executive Director

click here to see my previous blog highlighting the proposed changes.

thank you for taking the time to help those who have no voice.

Robert Cabral

Since this event there has been much discussion about who is right and who is wrong.  The only real facts that are clear are that Kyle Dyer was bitten on the face.  Denver authorities have placed the dog under a 10 day mandatory quarantine and cited the owner (standard procedure).  They say that the dog will be returned to the owner if there are no signs of rabies.

I’ve remained intentionally silent, but  feel the need to speak out because of the ripple effect that this event is causing.  There was an interview with a behaviorist afterwards where he claimed the dog was giving off signals such as moving away and panting.  I’ve watched the video several times and none of these signals are that clear.  Furthermore, he stated that the dog was suffering from some “residual trauma”  from the incident (he was pulled out of the ice a day or so earlier). Residual trauma is often blamed for many behaviors that dogs exhibit whether they are as a result of the trauma or not.  The facts should only consider the current events and mistakes that led to the bite.  And I use the term bite loosely, because it was a snap.  He bared his teeth very quickly and snapped.  Yes, he was restrained, but that doesn’t play as much into the incident as the proximity of Kyle’s face.

To be fair to Kyle the newscaster and to the dog there are a couple of things that are not addressed here.  First and foremost, putting your face that close to a dogs face is a recipe for disaster.  However, people do it ALL of the time.  I can go through facebook as well as many  rescue sites and see people with their faces right in the face of a dog that they don’t even know.  Some people even allow their children to do it.  It is downright stupid to do this, it is also selfish, because the dog will suffer after he bites.  If you’ve ever seen two dogs playing, grabbing a  hold of one another’s faces is one of the most common types of play between dogs.  Watching this attack, nothing indicates that he was being aggressive, he just “snapped.” He did give a short snarl as I mentioned above, but by the time he did, it was too late.  The person holding the leash never saw that and couldn’t control the subsequent bite.

Take into account the fact that he was not with his owner, he didn’t know the person who was in his face and he was obviously sensitive to the environmental stimuli of the TV studio.  Let go of the “past history” for a moment, and any of these, let alone all of them probably put him in a very defensive or uncomfortable position.  The person(s)  that should be reprimanded here are only the one holding the leash for not telling Kyle not to get that close, and Kyle herself for getting that close in the first place.

I don’t want to go on about her mistake because she is obviously a dog-lover and cared deeply about this dog – mistakes happen.  People should learn from the incident and understand that putting your face that close to a dog’s mouth is a bad idea.  It is also a bad idea to let your children “play” with your dog unsupervised or in a manner that can cause injury.  Dogs play rough, that’s because they are dogs.  They know little control, and even if taught still tend to play rough.

Before anyone analyses the dog’s behavior, we need to understand that putting our face in ANY dog’s face is not fair to the dog.  The need for humans to over coddle animals leads to mistakes that often cause the animal their lives.  I’ve written countless times on the need to allow dogs to be dogs and to understand their need for play.  Dog’s don’t like to be confined, coddled, hugged or handled unless it is on their terms.  Otherwise, they may tolerate it until they’ve had enough.

Let’s all learn from this, play with a dog the way a dog likes to be played with and save the coddling for children and stuffed animals.

The utter dismantling of The Hayden Law is a death sentence to countless thousands of animals at risk in the California shelter system.  The modifications of this law will remove the most important and primary rights that animals need to stand a chance at rescue and adoption.

I have seen the benefits of this law first hand and am enraged that the topic to dismantle this law is even a discussion by our Governor and elected officials.

In order to give you a better idea of the dangers of this law, please see the text of the law below and my explanations that follow…  Please note the crossed out text is what is currently law, it will be removed if Governor Brown gets his way.  The underlined words are the additions.   My comments ***follow each section in bold italics:

__________________________________________________________________________________

1834. A depositary of living animals shall provide the animals with necessary

and prompt veterinary care, nutrition, and shelter, and treat them kindly. Any depositary that fails to perform these duties may be liable for civil damages as provided by law.

1846.  (a) A gratuitous depositary must use, at least, slight care for the preservation of the thing deposited.

(b) A gratuitous depositary of a living animal shall provide the animal with

necessary and prompt veterinary care, adequate nutrition and, water, and shelter, and

*** Basically and clearly stated: necessary and prompt veterinary care is no longer required
_________________________________________________________________________________
SEC. 4. Section 31108 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:

31108. (a) The required holding period for a stray dog impounded pursuant to this division shall be six business days, not including the day of impoundment, except as follows: 72 hours from the time of capture.

*** Reducing the state mandated hold time from 6 days to 3 days is a death sentence for ANY and ALL animals 72 hours after arriving at the shelter.  This means, people will have less time to find their pets in the shelter and the law will allow these animals to be destroyed / killed.  Animals awaiting adoption or rescue will no longer be safe past the 72 hours after they arrive.  Remember, shelters are not open 24 hours a day – that means even the hours the shelter is closed is a ticking clock.
__________________________________________________________________________________

(1) If the public or private shelter has made the dog available for owner

redemption on one weekday evening until at least 7 p.m. or one weekend day, the holding period shall be four business days, not including the day of impoundment.

(2) If the public or private shelter has fewer than three full-time employees or

is not open during all regular weekday business hours, and if it has established a procedure to enable owners to reclaim their dogs by appointment at a mutually agreeable time when the public or private shelter would otherwise be closed, the holding period shall be four business days, not including the day of impoundment.

*** Item 1 and 2 continues in the abolition of more time available for owner pickup. __________________________________________________________________________________

31752. (a) The required holding period for a stray cat impounded pursuant to this division shall be six business days, not including the day of impoundment, except as follows: 72 hours from the time of capture.

*** This section spells out the same fate for cats.
__________________________________________________________________________________

(c) Notwithstanding Section 31752, if an apparently feral cat has not been

reclaimed by its owner or caretaker within the first three days of the required holding period, shelter personnel qualified to verify the temperament of the animal shall verify whether it is feral or tame by using a standardized protocol. If the a cat is determined to be docile or a frightened or difficult tame cat, the cat shall be held for the entire required holding period specified in Section 31752.

***  This section tears into the rights of cats that may be frightened.  These cats can be killed because shelter personnel will be able to label them feral and destroy them.
__________________________________________________________________________________

…and for the best part –

32003. All public pounds and private shelters shall keep accurate records on

each animal taken up, medically treated, or impounded. The records shall include all of the following information and any other information required by the California Veterinary Medical Board:

(a) The date the animal was taken up, medically treated, euthanized, or

impounded.

(b) The circumstances under which the animal was taken up, medically treated,

euthanized, or impounded.

(c) The names of the personnel who took up, medically treated, euthanized, or

impounded the animal.

(d) A description of any medical treatment provided to the animal and the name

of the veterinarian of record.

(e) The final disposition of the animal, including the name of the person who

euthanized the animal or the name and address of the adopting party. These records

shall be maintained for three years after the date the animal’s impoundment ends.

*** Striking this section virtually removes all accountability from shelter for record keeping.  Which means, the animals destroyed never really existed.  NONE…  no record keeping which, by the way is REQUIRED BY THE CALIFORNIA MEDICAL BOARD!
__________________________________________________________________________________

Remember, striking this law is not just about saving shelter dogs, cats and other pets, it is about the basic rights of any pet living in California.  If your pet gets lost or impounded, it can be killed under this law.  Furthermore, allowing the partial dismantling of this law opens the floodgates to continue to abolish the rights of pets under the flawed guise of cutting state spending.  There are countless places spending can be cut without putting our pets at risk.

On a closing note, the proposed “monetary” savings would amount to $23 million, which is less than 2/10ths of 1% of our $13 BILLION deficit.

What is a pet’s life worth???

Urge Governor Brown and your local representatives to think twice.

Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841 Fax: (916) 558-3160

Senator Mark Leno,
Chair, Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee:
916-651-4003

Assembly member Bob Blumenfield,
Chair, Assembly Budget Committee:
916-319-2040

Please act now and help us help all pets in California.

join the revolution,

Robert Cabral

Many of you who read this post may not life in California where this law is in effect, but I urge you to read on anyway.

The Hayden Law SB 1785, written in 1998 by Tom Hayden is one of the most progressive laws for shelter pets anywhere.  It came into effect in July 1999.  It requires shelters to hold pets for a specified period of time (4-6 days), it gives rights to these pets as well as rescue organizations and makes saving lives a little less daunting.  The law has undoubtedly saved hundreds of thousands of lives and is as (if not more) important today than it was when it was first put into place.  The initial goal of the bill was to end euthanasia as a way of population control by 2010.  Well, 2010 has passed and we may have reduced killings, but we are nowhere near no-kill.  Repealing this bill will be a stifling blow to pets in California.

California Governor Jerry Brown is considering repealing the law (or modifying it as they are saying).  He is not the first person who has considered less than favorable decisions for shelter pets, but he is the one doing it now – therefore the reason for this post.  As a person who works with shelters, rescue organizations and the pets that are condemned in our shelters I can tell you that this is one (if not THE) most important law when it comes to saving shelter pets in California.  I have used the code in this law to save many dogs that I could not have saved were it not for this law.

It’s important to consider when looking at this, it’s not just shelter pets that are at risk, but all pets.  In the event any pet ends up in the shelter, they will be at risk.  If your dog or cat ends up lost or impounded – even at no fault of your own, their lives will be at imminent risk.  So I encourage you to take the time to watch this video by clicking here.

Then, please contact  Governor Jerry Brown, by clicking here.  You can call, email or send a letter.  It doesn’t matter what you do, but do something.  Also, there is a petition set up that you may consider signing as well.  Here is the link to the petition.

I thank you for your time and the animals that we save thank you.

Robert Cabral
www.boundangels.org

Over the years I’ve seen so many people approach rescue with their hearts bleeding and only hoping to do the right thing.  In fact, one thing I see over and over again is people starting their own non-profit rescue organization in an attempt to do it better than the others.  It is always their goal to do more than the next guy, but this often times comes back to bite them in the ass.

I don’t think there’s a person who starts a rescue that doesn’t have the purest of  intentions, but the separating between rescues is very disturbing.  Everyone in rescue is scrambling to get the small amount of money that is out there, and it’s getting more and more scarce.  I hear it from friends that they get completely bombarded from every angle asking for donations.  The issue remains, “It’s us against them.”  Municipal shelters could save more and more lives with the help of everyone who wants to do more; but by aligning themselves outside of the shelter these rescues choose to divide (and not conquer).  In an overwhelming attempt to keep afloat, many of these rescues end up not being able to take the animals that are in the most dire need of rescue: the sick, the old and the behaviorally challenged.  I get calls and emails asking for temperament tests on dogs to see if they are dog friendly and handleable.  If they’re not, they are often cast over by people who really want to, and should, help.  It is THESE dogs that need rescue.  Shelters should not have that tough of a time adopting out manageable, healthy pets.  But, and this is where we will ruffle some feathers, so many rescues take only adoptable pets in hopes of placing them in families that “they” see fit.

This is where the “funnel theory” comes into action.  With the amount of pets coming into our nations shelters everyday (they go in the top of the funnel), the pets going out the front door of the shelters (that would be the bottom of the funnel) don’t even out.  The hole on the top is too big for the hole on the bottom.

What our nation’s homeless pets need is advocacy and education.  We need people to understand that pets are a lifetime commitment, dogs (in particular) need training and people need to be held accountable for their actions.  It’s not ok to dump a pet, it’s not ok not to train a dog.  If people have to obey traffic laws when driving, why shouldn’t people have to obey pet laws when owning pets.  These people ruin it for everyone and cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of shelter pets.

If we can get together and educate the public, work with shelters on adoption programs that work, training shelter dogs, fair assessment tests, marketing dogs for adoption, public education on training and spay and neuter as well as proper pet custodianship, we will be closer to solving he problem than imaginable.

When I founded Bound Angels it was my goal to provide a service that no one else did, and to this day we still provide that service: education and awareness for our nations shelter pets.  We’ve provided hundreds of temperament tests, thousands of educational handouts, humane education campaigns as well as marketing campaigns all free of charge to rescues and shelters.  I hope that more and more people will join us and take advantage of the lifesaving tools we make available to save those that need us most.

If you’d like more information on how Bound Angels can help your shelter, please take a look at our resources available and contact us.

Robert Cabral
founder / executive director
Bound Angels

Some just hit you harder than others…

It was over two years ago that a case came to my attention that would change my life.  A case in which a dog had been isolated for 14 months in an LA County Shelter after being condemned by the court and sentenced to death.  It took us a 14 month court battle, thousands in fees and a fight for Puppy that no one thought we could win.  Well, we did win.  Puppy was freed after over a year living in a 5′x7′ cell.

Once freed we were able to transport him to a sanctuary in Texas called Smiling Dog Farms, there Puppy enjoyed his last years of life and freedom.  If not for the kindness and compassion of Jay and Ricky, Puppy would have had no place to go.  Puppy was accused of aggression and was labeled a vicious dog by animal control.  In most cases he would have been destroyed and met his fate at the end of a needle while laying on a cold table.  Instead Puppy lived with Jay and Ricky, in their home, and that is where he died – of natural causes – just last night.  His last days he spent in a bed and being loved.

If you’d like to see Puppy’s Video from the fight to the rescue, please click here. Get your tissues ready, but know that we won this fight and Puppy got what so many dogs never get; a chance at life.  He was neglected, dumped at the shelter, then adopted by someone who didn’t give him the fight that Puppy deserved, but with the help of our friends and donors we saved him.  We saved him: You and I, Jay and Ricky, Bound Angels and Smiling Dog Farms… and all of you who donated, prayed, cared and helped.  Thank you to everyone from the Agoura Shelter, thank you to Shannon Keith, thank you to Yaz, Stacy, Robin and so many others…  But most of all – thank you Puppy for touching my life and making my mission even stronger and giving me the strength and courage to continue this sometimes tireless fight.  Knowing you lived and that we saved you refuels my soul.

Godspeed Puppy, see you on the other side!