Article 2: Continued: Calling all angels

This article was taken from: The Star Weekender 9th August 2008

Article: Dedicated to her dogs [Sungai Buloh, Kuala Lumpur]

This article was taken from: The Star Weekender 9th August 2008

Shooting is not the way to go

Just yesterday I saw the stray dogs of my neighbourhood happily playing and wandering around at the big empty roads nearby. But today, tragically they're gone. Shot by the council. The sound was deafening. It was a sick, un-necessary inhumane act.

The reason behind the shooting is to REDUCE the number of stray dogs on the road that are causing inconveniences to residents or people in a specific area.

Dear readers, this is what happens to the dogs when you file a complaint to the city council. There is no need for this senseless killings, all you have to do is contact an Animal Shelter and they will assist you by helping humanely catch the dogs/cats, neuter and possibly rehome them.

There are more human ways to reduce the number of strays on the road. Right now, I am still seeking land here in Penang to place the stray animals. I am doing my very best and you too can help by doing your part to save these beautiful loving creatures.

They deserve a better chance at living. Please give them a chance!!

Barbara Janssen - Article 2

This article was taken from: The Star Metro (North)

Barbara Janssen-Stray Rescuer [Penang]

This article was taken from: The Star Metro

Thought For The Day

I just thought I'd let everyone know that setting up this shelter was no easy task. Years ago, people were just putting me down, discouraging me and making every single negative remark that they could about the animal & environment field. I don't blame then for what they said, because I believe that back then, they didn't know any better.

But right now, I am getting all the support and encouragement I need from my family, friends, and all those around me. The joy overwhelmed me with such massive amounts of help pouring in. I can see that people are changing, they're beginning to understand the importance of animals and the environment.

The animals and environment...That's the way to go!

I can't force people to change, nor can I make them change. I can just try to help them make the change!

Things don't change overnight, they take time. So to all my animal and environment savers out there, NEVER give up & don't take NO for an answer!!

Do It Yourself Dog Agility Course

First Row From Left To Right:Figure A to F

Second Row From Left To Right: Figure G to L

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Constructing the Dog Agility Course

Safety Alert:

Always make certain that the construction is sound before allowing your pet to run the course.

1.

The first of the obstacles is the A-frame. Start with a sheet of 4'x8' plywood. Use a table saw or jigsaw to rip it to 3'x 8' (figure A). To make the 3'x8' piece rigid, build a frame made from 2x4s attached to the underside of the board (figure B). Attach them with a pneumatic nail gun through the face of the plywood into the 2x4 (figure C). Since the length of each side of the A-frame is eight feet long, use 8' 2x4s so only to have to cut pieces to cross the 3' width.

2.

Lift the structure up on its side and slide in 2x4s that have been cut to size to fit between the 8' 2x4s (figure D). Attach them with the pneumatic nail gun as well.

3.

The wooden rungs aid your dog's traction as he crosses the A-frame. Start measuring from the bottom of the panel every 12 inches, marking these with lines across the width of the panel. The rungs can be made from ripping a 2x4 in half and then cutting pieces that are 35", so that there is about 1/2" of reveal on either side of the panel. Attach the rungs using a bead of wood glue and then a pneumatic brad nailer with 1-1/2" nails (figure E).

4.

Paint the A-frame. The paint is a standard exterior house paint mixed with sand to add traction to the walls. Don't be afraid to paint generously – a second coat is definitely recommended. Colors are to your preference, but having two different colors on one side of the A- frame is recommended so your dog can get a clear picture of the obstacle (figure F).

5.

To attach the two sides of the A-frame together, use 3" hinges at the top and attach the two pieces (figure G).

6.

To hold the structure in different widths of straddle, attach eye-rings about midway down on the inside of the obstacle. Use a chain through the eye-rings to adjust the height (figure H).

7.

For the mini teeter, the plank will need to be a standard 8' 2"x12" board. For the base, you will need 2" PVC pipe as well as 2" PVC fittings.

8.

Cut the 2x12 board to 7'. Once the board is cut, attach two pieces of 2x4 to one side of the board, one 3/4" to the left of the center and the other 3/4" to the right of the center of the 2x12. This is going to be used to keep the plank in place once on the base of the teeter (figure I).

9.

With 2x4s securely in place, paint the plank (figure J). Again, use paint that has sand added. It is best to paint the ends of the plank brightly so your dog can easily decipher it as he approaches.

10.

To build the base of the teeter obstacle, you are going to use 2" PVC pipe and fittings. Start by cutting the 2" pipe into the following pieces:3 @ 14"4 @ 8"4 @ 5"

11.

Assemble the base using PVC primer and glue (figure K). Two of the 14" pieces make the outside edges of the base. There is a 90 degree fitting attached to either end of these.

12.

Add an 8" piece to either of the 90 degree fittings. To the ends of the 8" pieces, add a "T" fitting with the additional female pointing straight up. Repeat the process for the rest of the bottom of the base.

13.

Using the 5" pieces to build up, insert a 5" piece then a "T" fitting with the additional female facing the other side of the base. Add another 5" piece going and use a cap to seal the top. Between the two remaining females in the vertical "T" connectors, use your last 14" piece of pipe.

14.

The last step is to drill 3/4" holes into the top 5" pieces so that you can insert a piece of 3/4" metal pipe between them. This will be used as the support for the teeterboard.

15.

The last of the obstacles is the weave poles (figure L). These too are made from PVC pipe (1") and fittings.

16.

The weave poles general performance requirements are: the poles are to be at least 36" tall and should be 22" apart. They are to be a part of a semi-rigid structure that's base is to be no more than 3/4" high. 22" pieces of PVC as the runners (spacer bars) were connected by "T" connectors. Each "T" had a 37" weave pole for a total of six poles.

17.

To make the weave poles stay upright, use a "T" connector at each end with some extra pieces of pipe sticking out horizontally.

This Article Was Taken From: LIVING Dogs

Rescue Mission 1

Day 1, March 2nd 2008:

• I received a call from Narelle of Langkawi LASSie about an abandoned black, female dog around the Bayview Beach Hotel area in Batu Ferringhi. An australian couple fell in love with the dog. The dog's name is Max. I drove down and spoke to a mini market owner named Logan, who then informed me that Max was hit by a car a day before (Saturday) and has since gone into hiding. She (Max), appeared after I left.

Day 2, March 3rd 2008:

• I drove down in the morning. Hiked up to all the areas that Max went to. As it was getting hot, I think Max went into hiding to avoid the heat. Still no sign of Max... A Scotsman, David, saw Max in the evening. Narelle contacted me but the weather wasn't permitting, so I planned to head out in the evening the following day.

Day 3, March 4th 2008:

• I got a call from Narelle saying that David spotted Max twice in the morning. Once at about 8 am and second one was at around 10 am. I arrived at about 11:50am, no sign of Max. We decided to look for her in the evening.

• Narelle informed me that evening that David managed to catch Max but the leash broke. I went there and brought another leash. Myself, David and Dolly headed to Gil's Veterinary Clinic. Narelle arrived and finished the boarding arrangements for Max.

• Max's left eye is no longer functioning but at least she's been rescued and will have a happy time at LASSie.

Our first mission was successful. A big thank you to all those who helped out with this mission!

Universal Declaration On Animal Welfare Statement Of Support

Our Logo Designer (Memoriam)

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the loss of GrASS's logo designer, Les Chang, a talented individual, who passed away at 10:55 am on 18th February 2008 (Monday). He was a good friend, who would always help anyone out when asked without hesitating or doubts.

We'd like to thank him for all that he's done.

Thank you Les!

We will cherish the memories of you in our hearts always.

The 5 Freedom Of Animals

Animal welfare covers both its physical and mental well being and for an animal said to be in good hands includes not only their physical and mental well-being but also in sense of health, physique, fitness as well as a sense of well being. Any or all animals cared for by HUMANS must and has to be SAFE & PROTECTED against any form of unnecessary suffering.

We at GrASS strongly believe that the welfare of an animal be it on the farm, in a home, abandoned or at a slaughter house must be considered in these 'five freedoms' terms. The 5 freedoms define ideal states instead of standards for acceptable welfare. Together they form a logical and comprehensive framework for the analysis of welfare within any system together with the steps and compromises necessary to safeguard and improve welfare within the proper constraints of an effective livestock industry.

1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst - by readily having access to fresh water and a proper diet to maintain full health and vigour.

2. Freedom from Discomfort - by providing an suitable environment which includes shelter and a comfortable resting area.

3. Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.

4. Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour - by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind.

5. Freedom from Fear and Distress - by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

6.

*Note: This article was adapted from: Farm Animal Welfare Council

Welcome To GrASS

Hello Everyone!

I would like to welcome all of you to the Green Animal Shelter & Sanctuary (GrASS) blog-site. I named the place Green because it means that we at the animal shelter, are going green to help the environment and also to help animals simultaneously. Both of which these two go hand in hand with each other. Without a good environment, the animals wouldn't survive. Neither would humans too.

What does "Going Green" mean?

Going Green means that we should try to plant more trees, recycle, use environmental friendly products, & reduce the means that contributes to pollution of the environment.

Remember now, a little goes a long way. So everyone pitch in and do your part for our Earth!

What We at GrASS do

We offer shelter, sanctuary & boarding for animals/pets that are given up by owners, strays brought in by the public & also a temporary boarding home for pets whose owners have to travel.

We provide medical care, rehabilitation, grooming, agility & obedience training for the animals here.