Press Releases

Wednesday, January 28, 2009
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Angela Speed
Direct: (414) 431-6104
E-mail: aspeed@wihumane.org

A Tale of Two Tails

MILWAUKEE - Two very special guests at the Wisconsin Humane Society are attracting some attention for their unusual tales, um, tails. If you look closely at the tail of Guinness, an adorable Bulldog/Pit Bull mix, you’ll notice the scar around the 3-month-old puppy’s tail. Dr. Randy Zeman of the Wisconsin Humane Society determined that this scar was the result of a cruel attempt to dock the pup’s tail. Fortunately, it is not painful anymore, but the botched tail docking has caused permanent nerve damage.

Tail-docking is a cosmetic procedure that is painful for the animal and is almost always unnecessary. Poor Guinness wiggles and wags every time someone approaches him, yet he’ll never be able to raise his tail in the air to say hello to people or other canines, thus hampering his ability to properly communicate. This little fellow also came to WHS with a bad case of mange, a skin infection, so it will be several weeks before he is ready for adoption. His adoring fans at WHS will keep him in good spirits until he’s fully recovered.

Another animal at WHS will be adopted with a short tail, but huge heart. Nickel, a 3-month-old kitten, was brought to WHS as a stray from another shelter in Wisconsin. During his initial exam, WHS veterinarians noticed that the tissue at the end of his tail was dead and was developing an infection, so they performed amputation surgery.

Little Nickel seemed quite relieved to be rid of that painful burden and he’s now spunkier than ever, eager to play with everyone! The doctor was able to save a good portion of his tail, so Nickels can still wave his shortened appendage under chins to request the attention of admirers. Aside from the amputation surgery, Nickels was microchipped, spayed, vaccinated and tested for feline leukemia, like all WHS cats in adoption. He’s now awaiting a nice family to take him home.

Nickels and Guinness are just two of thousands of animals that receive excellent veterinary care at the Wisconsin Humane Society every year. To help with a donation or see all the available animals, visit www.wihumane.org. The website is updated every 30 minutes!

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Interview/Photo Opportunity: Guinness and Nickels will be available for filming until 4:00 p.m. today. Call Angela Speed at (414) 431-6104 to schedule an interview.