Just listened to a piece on NPR this morning in which it was mentioned that there are still shelters that sell dogs and cats to research facilities. The practice is called pound seizure. They only keep the strays for the requisite 5 days, so if you don't get there in time, you are out of luck. I think they said only 17 states outlaw the practice. Maybe we should all check with our local shelters and ask if they do this. One person on the show said she got such an evasive answer that she knew her shelter followed that practice. Depending on what you find out, you could also organize to have the laws in your state changed. I will link a website I found and here is what it said about Virginia laws. The first part worried me, but the second part appears to ban pound seizure. "� 3.2-6547. Acceptance of animals for research or experimentation; prohibition No person shall use or accept for the purpose of medical research or experimentation any animal bearing a tag, license, or tattooed identification, unless the individual who owns such animal consents thereto in writing. � 3.2-6557. Animal control officers and humane investigators; limitations; records; penalties A. No animal control officer, humane investigator, humane society or custodian of any pound or animal shelter shall: (i) obtain the release or transfer of an animal by the animal's owner to such animal control officer, humane investigator, humane society or custodian for personal gain; or (ii) give or sell or negotiate for the gift or sale to any individual, pet shop, dealer, or research facility of any animal that may come into his custody in the course of carrying out his official assignments. No animal control officer, humane investigator or custodian of any pound or animal shelter shall be granted a dealer's license. Violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Nothing in this section shall preclude any animal control officer or humane investigator from lawfully impounding any animal pursuant to � 3.2-6569. " Here is a link that might be useful: pound seizure by state

You have a 3 toed box turtle (tortoise). See link below: http://www.aboxturtle.com/threetoed.htm The hind legs have 3 or 4 toes; the front legs have 5 toes. I have seen these in southern Illinois as well. These are land animals and people in that part of the country refer to those as "land terrapins". They are often found along roadsides and edges of farm fields.

Looks almost too good to be true! Also thinking about replacing some of our older rugs. I was going to head over to esalerugs. I know they are big online but they also have a showroom about 20 min away.

The cat would not go in my traps, and now I don't know where she is. I haven't seen her in months. Probably eaten by an owl,along with her babies. I did catch a fox and a raccoon. Neither were pleased... There are no free spay/neuter programs here and none that are reduced rate that are not obnoxious. But i did try to trap her. I can't be in a car with cats because my eyes swell shut but my sister would have driven her to the vet for me. It's easier just to pay for it myself. Trapped this one at work the other night for a truck driver. He said he would have it fixed and he and his wife wanted to attempt to make it into a housecat. It's a mean little thing. I think it will probably make a better barn cat. As long as there aren't any owls lurking.....