April is Prevention of Animals Cruelty Month

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American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has designated April as Prevention of Animals Cruelty Month to raise awareness of animal cruelty and to educate the public on how to recognize and report it. Thirty-three state, including Texa and the District of Columbia have passed laws that make intentional acts of animal cruelty a felony.

Is animal cruelty on the rise, or are more people stepping up and speaking out for animals? What constitutes animal cruelty or abuse? Unintentional abuse usually occurs when someone is ignorant of the proper way to care for a pet. Neglect, inappropriate food, or no or inadequate shelter are common when animals are owned by people who either don’t know enough about the pet’s requirements or simply don’t care enough to learn. But unintentional abuse through neglect is still abuse.

Intentional abuse—deliberate acts of cruelty toward an animal—are far easier to identify: torturing, maiming or killing an animal. These acts are often the result of rage, either toward the animal or toward a person. In Cleveland, Ohio, there are various ways to report animal cruelty. Call The Animal Protective League, to report a suspected case of animal neglect or cruelty, at their cruelty hotline at (216)-377-1630. They suggest that if you are calling with an extreme emergency after hours, to contact your local police for assistance. Calls regarding loose or stray dogs should be reported to your city (216) 525-PUPS or county animal warden at the following numbers: City of Cleveland Warden, (216) 664-3069, Cuyahoga County Kennels. 
If possible, photograph or videotape the neglect or abuse. A picture is worth a thousand words, and photographic evidence may save an animal’s life.

Animals depend on us for companionship and for food and shelter. They also depend on us to protect them, to care for them and to speak up for them. Caroline's Kids Pet Rescue is a Cleveland-area non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the care and humane treatment of aged, chronically ill and abused cats. They want to provide an alternative to euthanasia for cats that are not suffering but yet have been abandoned or surrendered by their owners. Their office hours are Monday - Friday 10 am - 5:30pm for adoption, volunteer opportunities, and fundraising help. Currently they are not accepting any cats. They are a limited admission facility on an available space basis. Visitors to the sanctuary are most welcome, since the cats love company. The sanctuary is open for tours seven days a week between 10am -2pm at 7394 Morley Road in Concord Township, Ohio.
For more info: www.clevelandapl.org/humaneinvestigations.htm, www.carolines-kids.org/