Have you seen the Web site that’s offering people $15 to $50 for their no-longer-wanted dogs or cats, which can then be resold for animal research?
This is a chance, proclaims ibuystrays.com, to “Get in on the billion dollar pet industry.”
“The sad truth is that once Fido or FiFi outgrow their cute age, many pet owners simply no longer feel the love,” says the company’s pitch. “I Buy Strays would be thrilled to take that burden off your hands and pay you at the same time.”
Put away the torches and pitchforks. It’s not what it seems. The Web site was set up by a gentleman we’ll call Jay. He is a software programmer in Georgia; and, he says, he is not really an animal dealer. But neither is he an animal activist.
“I’m not even a vegetarian.”
He says he recently discovered that dealing in animals like this — as a Class B animal dealer — is legal under the federal Animal Welfare Act, passed in 1966.
“I just couldn’t believe that it was true,” he said by phone a few days ago. “I always thought that people stealing pets from back yards and selling them to labs, that was an urban legend. … So I was floored to find out it was true.
“Then I started looking into it a little more, and I found that the bill to outlaw this failed to pass four times already. I was just shocked. … This business really only works under the radar. It struck me this would make a good Web site.”
He implored visitors to contact their representatives and demand that they vote against a pending bill that would ban such dealers.
After a couple of weeks — and hundreds of thousands of page views, including more than 7,000 from the Chicago area, and a couple thousand e-mails — groups such as PETA and the Humane Society and the urban-legend-debunking Web site scopes.com figured out the real story and pronounced the site a fake and/or satire. So Jay — who, by the way, has a dog and two cats and who says he’s donating profits from the site to various animal organizations — is coming clean.
“When Snopes and PETA and the Humane Society . . . come out and say you’re fake, it’s kind of hard to keep that up.”
If nothing else, he has generated an important discussion and maybe even gotten folks to urge their representatives to support the ban.
“This site is fake, but the issue is real,” Jay said. “So I do feel that I raised awareness.”
Free surgery on Spay Day
In conjunction with the 14th annual Spay Day USA on Feb. 26, several Chicago-area facilities are offering free spay or neuter surgery for cats and dogs.
Residents of these ZIP codes are eligible: 60608, 60609, 60617, 60618, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60623, 60628, 60629, 60632, 60634, 60636, 60639, 60643, 60644, 60647 and 60651. Pet owners must register in advance by calling one of the following locations: Chicago Animal Care and Control, 2741 S. Western Ave. (312-747-1406); the Anti-Cruelty Society, 157 W. Grand Ave., Chicago (312-644-8338, ext. 347); Animal Welfare League, 6224 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago (773-667-0088); Animal Welfare League, 10305 Southwest Highway, Chicago Ridge (708-636-8586).
You have to live in one of the targeted ZIP codes and be the legal owner of the cat or dog, which must be between 8 weeks and 10 years of age. Call for details and restrictions. And if you don’t live in one of the ZIP codes, the cost is $10 for a cat and $25 for a dog. Pit bulls and pit bull mixes are free too.
2 to cheer at Westminster
Two Chicago-area dogs are scheduled to compete in the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 11 and 12 in New York.
Tilly, an Airedale terrier, and Smasher, a border collie, are among the 2,627 dogs in this year’s event at Madison Square Garden.
Tilly (registered name Huntwood’s Waltzing Matilda) is owned by Robert and Andrea Berkowitz of Chicago. She has won four best-in-shows and won best in breed at Westminster last year for Airedales.
And Smasher (TC Gymbaroo Tried and True UDX6 HXAds) is owned by Pat Schulz of Lake Forest and Nancie Mages. He’s an American Kennel Club triple champion.
The Westminster show, featuring 169 breeds, will be televised live both nights at 7 o’clock on USA Network, and at 8 p.m. Monday on CNBC.
– – –
Events for pets and their people
Thursday, Feb. 7
Evanston:
“An Evening With Dog Listener Jan Fennell,” 6:30-9 p.m. at Northwestern University; $20 in advance, $30 at the door (25 percent of proceeds benefit Save-A-Pet). Dog trainer and author Fennell will help dog owners build a better relationship with their pets. To register or for more information, contact Mary Lynne Doleys at doglistener@peaceful paws.us or 224-210-0201.
Friday, Feb. 8
Chicago:
“Unleash Your Love,” a Valentine’s Day party for pets and their people; 5-10 p.m. at Stay, A Modern Dog Hotel, 4130 N. Rockwell St. $100 per person in advance or $125 at the door (pets and kids are free). Go to chicago caninerescue.com or call 773-294-9305 for reservations.
Chicago:
“Animal Magnetism,” a fundraiser for PAWS Chicago; 7 p.m., Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie St. Tickets are $125 in advance, $25 per pet, or $150 and $25 the day of the event. Buy tickets at 773-890-5118.
Saturday, Feb. 9
Woodstock:
Horse Sense Workshop, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Hooved Animal Humane Society, 10804 McConnell Rd. Topics include horse ownership, finding the right horse, caring for a horse and bringing a horse home. Cost, including lunch, is $30, $50 for two persons from the same household/stable, and $15 for each child under 18. Registration deadline is Feb. 4. Call University of Illinois Extension McHenry County at 815-338-4747 or register online at web.extension.uiuc.edu/mchenry/.
Chicago:
A pet health demonstration given by Heartworks CPR certified pet first aid instructors at Red Dog House, 2031 N. Damen Ave. Suggested $10 donation will go to Mondog, the community organization that sponsors Montrose Dog Beach in Chicago. Sign up at 773-227-7341 or by e-mailing steve@reddoghouse.com.
Cary:
“Must Love Dogs,” a singles event sponsored by Young at Heart, a rescue for senior cats and dogs; 7-10 p.m. at Chasin’ Our Tails, 766 Industrial Drive. Adoptable dogs will be available to play with and help break the ice. Bring a photo of your dog — sorry, no canines allowed — to show around. Cost is $30. Go to yahpetrescue .com or call 847-529-2025.
Tuesday, Feb. 12
Chicago:
“Best in Show,” a benefit for the Sit! Stay! Read! literacy program; 7-10 p.m. at Fat Cat, 4840 N. Broadway. The Westminster dog show will be shown live on large-screen TVs. Tickets are $50 in advance or $60 at the door (sorry, no dogs). Call 773-545-6629.
Saturday, Feb. 23
Orland Park:
Candlelight bowling to benefit PAWS-Tinley Park; 9:30 p.m. at Orland Bowl, 8601 W. 159th St. Tickets ($30 plus shoe rental) can be purchased at the shelter, 8301 W. 191st St., Tinley Park.
Chicago:
“Spotlight Humane: Chicago,” a semi-formal evening to benefit a program to combat dog-fighting rings in Chicago. 7 p.m. at Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, 20 E. Chestnut St. Tickets at spotlighthumane.org.
