Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Chugly Revisited

 
I always enjoy visits from my more memorable adoptions.  Here is Greta in her pink harness, extra weight, and all her fur.  When she came to the Lycoming County SPCA (pictured right) she was missing most of her fur, and what she did have was patchy with sores and open wounds.  She was so frightened that I kept her in my office.  We quickly bonded and I enjoyed her personality.  I actually thought about introducing her to my three dogs but with two of them being elderly, I resisted the impulse.  I could see that she loves her new family.  (And she completely forgot about me-but that's OK-I'm glad she's happy.)  Her visit to the SPCA was twofold.  She came to look for a four-legged friend and visit the shelter staff. 

And those of you who are new to this blog-Chugly is the term I used to describe her charmingly ugly appearance.  I'm so happy to have seen her again!  Especially since she is doing so well and is so obviously happy.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Unfortunate Start in Life

This four month old dog was being harbored in a house where it was reported to be severely neglected.   It took some effort to expose the neglect, but we were able to remove the dog from the situation.  She hardly had any fur on her body, was underweight, and very weak due to her poor condition.  Since we rescued her she has put on weight and is much more lively and puppy like.  I'm looking forward to seeing her with her 'new coat on'. 

Friday, June 22, 2012

Fireworks and Pets

Pets don't do well when there are fireworks going off.  They often run, terrified by the noise, and just keep running.  Soon they are hopelessly lost and can't find their way back home.  Or worse yet, become injured; even killed.

So as the Fourth of July festivities begin, keep your pet safe and confined.  If your pet still manages to escape your best efforts, don't forget to put up signs in your area when your pet is lost.  And don't forget to call your local animal shelter.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Telling the Truth

Working for an organization that investigates and prosecutes cruelty cases, I've noticed that people have a version of the truth that suits them.  So I have to chuckle and not get worked up when people tell me their version of the truth.  For instance:

"My husband was away for awhile."  Translation:  He was in prison.
"I have health problems."                   Translation:  I'm addicted to drugs.
"I took the dog to the vet."                  Translation:  We drove by his office but didn't actually go in.
"I found this cat."                                Translation:  I don't want this cat anymore.
"I own my own home."                       Translation:  My landlord doesn't allow pets so I'm
                                                                                 trying to sneak it by him.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Sewer Kitten

This is the little kitten that was in the sewer.  We spent a lot of manpower setting and checking traps daily.  Unfortunately, we were hindered by well meaning people who were feeding the kitten so it had no desire to go into our trap for the food.  But finally, on Friday, June 15, the kitten finally went in the trap!  One of the men who helped us by opening the sewer grate wanted to adopt the kitten for his wife since she recently lost hers.  Her cat was an orange tiger too, so it seems that it was meant to be. 

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

120th Anniversary

Today is the 120th Anniversary of the signing of the Lycoming County SPCA charter.  Our organization has survived because of the dedicated donors, staff, volunteers, and board of directors who are committed to animal welfare and financial stability.  As we witness the closing of shelters across Pennsylvania, we are proud to say that we are still going strong and improving every day.

In just the past 13 years of my employment with the Lycoming County SPCA I have witnessed tremendous changes.  We no longer euthanize dogs because we run out of space.  This is due, in part, to spaying and neutering.  Our population is becoming manageable.  We still have periods of overflow, but manage to find foster homes and temporary housing.

Thirteen years ago an animal would come in, get its shots, then was put in a kennel.  Now, the animal is weighed, examined, ears cleaned, photographed, put on the web-site, scheduled for a bath, temperament tested, placed on the walk schedule, microchipped, and spayed or neutered. Thirteen years ago, every record was hand-written.  Now everything is recorded via computer. 

We are making progress.  In the moment it seems small and insignificant.  If you think about progress in terms of decades, WOW!  We are making progress.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Kitten in the Sewer

 
Pictured is our SPCA employee descending into the sewer to set traps to catch a kitten.  This was his second trip into the sewer.  His first attempt was to try to catch the kitten but it ran from him and he was unable to reach him in the small space. 
So our next effort involved placing towels, that were tied together like a rope, down into the drain.  Because the cat is feral it would run away from people.  On Monday, we placed traps for the day.  We removed them in the evening because we were expecting (and got) rain.

The food we left was undisturbed and we did not see evidence that the kitten was still there.  We are pretty sure that the kitten climbed up the towel ladder and escaped. We will periodically check just to make sure it isn't still there. 

Unfortunately, when a cat becomes feral it does not want any human contact.  This brings up an entirely different controversy of feral cat colonies. 

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Disposable Cats

                                                  How could someone give me up?
We live in a disposable economy.  The TV breaks.  Do we get it repaired?  No, it costs almost as much to get a new one.  So we get rid of the old and unwanted and buy new.  Or, in the case of the poor felines, you move, can't take the cat with you, so you leave it behind. 

Officer Woltz had a witness observe a man get out of a car with a carrier, dump three kittens out by the side of the road and drive off.  Why?  The poor little kittens ran off into the woods to fend for themselves.  Will they find prey to live off of or will they become prey? 

The staff at the SPCA just can't understand it. We value every life and can't understand why others do not. 

For those of you who have pets, you probably can't understand it either.  Our pets sleep in our beds, share our hearts, and love us unconditionally.  They are dependant on us to food them and keep the safe and healthy.  What a tragedy that they could be disposed of so cruelly!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Old Dogs New Home

Yeah, the two 10 year old poodle/bichons were adopted together!  They are now in their new home with people that will love and care for them.  Now that makes me want to come to work everyday.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Old Dogs


 The two little poodle/bichon mixes (Baby-brown, Fluffy-white) had to be surrendered due to the owner's health.  Imagine how difficult that was for the elderly woman who enjoyed their loving companionship.  And imagine how difficult it is for these 10 year old dogs to be in a noisy environment with new people, new smells, and lots of other dogs.  We would like to find a home for them where they will remain together.

The black lab mix, above, Nolan, arrived as a stray.  He is the perfect first dog.  He is mature, comfortable with long silences, walks nicely along side without rushing and pulling, and is happy with everyone he meets.  Since he arrived as a stray we don't know a lot about his previous life.  Perhaps he left his former owner to find a new family that will love him, give him delicious dog food, a comfy bed, and lots of belly rubs.  Are you that family?