Get Ready for Paws for a Cause

It is hard to believe that September is almost here.  September immediately brings to mind our Paws for a Cause! walk September 17th.  I know that several teams are vying for the top honors of donating the most funds.  As reward for their hard efforts, the team will have their name engraved on our perpetual plaque, and win six gas cards. 

Walkers donating $100 or more will  have their names entered into a drawing to win a pair of travel tickets to Washington D.C. courtesy of AAA travel.

Individuals have the opportunity to win T-shirts, gift certificates, and over-night stays based on their level of donations. 

More details may be viewed on our website at www.lycomingspca.org.

Wonderful Adoption Story

(Below is an e-mail we received from an adopter.  And yesterday I received a visit from another adopter.  I just love these people!)


Hello,

We adopted Polly at the end of May.  We were told that she was one of the dogs that led to the rescue of all those beagles.  I just wanted to give an update on how Polly is doing.  She fits in great!  Our whole family loves her.  She's a little slow on learning all her commands, partly my fault for not being consistent, but with no proper training, I think she's doing great!  She sits on command, though it takes a few seconds because she can't stop wagging her tail (and her whole body pretty much wags with it).  She's learned high five instead of shake, lol.  She's pretty good at stay, and comes when she wants to, lol.  She knows what no means and drop it when she takes something that doesn't belong to her, like the cat's food, lol.  She is a big chewer, and no matter how many bones she has, she's always finding something else to chew on, so we're trying to break her of that habit.

She still gets scared easily.  Squeaky toys scare her.  If you throw a toy for her to go after, she cowers first, then runs after it.  When we go out back to go potty, any noise or movement stops her in her tracks and we have to start the whole process of sniffing around for that perfect spot.  IF the neighborhood kids are bouncing a ball, she cowers and hides behind me.  Something about the sound it makes really scares her.  She spends a lot of her naps under the couch, though when she is really scared, she tries to hide under my computer desk while I'm trying to work, lol.

She's about 98% house broken.  She's really good about letting me know when she needs to go potty during the day.  At night, that's a different story.  I've been buying those puppy pads and putting them down in the living room (where she sleeps) every night and she actually goes on them instead of the carpet, so that's what matters to me. 

She gets along just fine with our two cats, and is only interested in the bunny when we pay attention to the bunny.  As for her and our American Bulldog, Shiloh; I've attached a picture so you can see how well they get along.  :-)

Thanks again for letting us adopt this sweet girl.  She quickly became a part of our family and it's hard to remember what it was like before she got here.

Foster Home Needed

Before                                                                                    After

It is difficult to see from the before picture, but this Chow Chow was full of fleas, matted and dirty fur, and red irritated skin. While at the veterinarian for grooming she was found to have mammary tumors.   She is at least ten years old and was left outdoors in unsanitary conditions.  Officer Woltz has a hearing regarding the neglect case in September but we would like to find a long term foster family for this friendly dog.  We will ask the judge to relinquish the dog to the SPCA so that we can find someone to care for her.  Because of her age and the mammary tumors we are doubtful that we will be able to find an adopter for her.  But if you know of someone who would be willing to give care to this sweet girl, please send them our way. 



Pardon Our Mess

While construction on our new addition is proceeding, our cats are being kenneled in our board room.   We have rearranged things in all areas of the shelter to accommodate the felines while the work is being done.  Our staff has been wonderful in helping the cats adjust to the new housing.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate and the construction can proceed quickly.  Until then, we still want to find homes for our homeless cats and kittens.  If you can't adopt a cat yourself,  just let your friends and family know that we have great pets for adoption.

More Follow-up

Can you believe this is the same dog from my post of July 20?  Below is the e-mail I received from her adopter.
"

Hi Vickie,

Wanted to let you know that Grace is doing great. Had her to the Vet's this morning, she weighs 72 lbs. now, her hair is coming in pretty fast now and her old hair feels soft.  She is also getting a little muscle in her hind legs due to her increasing strength...running with Shem is helping. Her personality has blossomed and at times she is a brat (in the most loving way) I have started some training with her now that she is stronger.  Such a sweet, loving dog, think I will eventually put a TDI on her and take her to the nursing homes.

Attached is a picture of Grace with her nyla bones....notice she gathers them up and usually has several under her while chewing on one, don't think she wants to share with Shem."

What a nice way to end the work week!

Teddy Bear Update

Teddy Bear is the little Chihuahua with Hydrocephalus and no eyes.  Through some remarkable maneuvering, the little guy was transported to Chicago.  A veterinarian there found it remarkable that he was still alive.  They treated him with medications to help reduce the fluid build-up and recommended a low sodium diet.  His foster mom reported that he seems to be walking straighter. 

Just from his short time here we discovered what a loving little dog he was.  He was very alert to sounds and would stand up and walk toward your voice.  As soon as you picked him up he would wiggle around and lick your hands.  His favorite thing was to have his belly rubbed.

I just love happy endings!

Awesome!

Ali Swank held at dance at Trout Pond Park.  She arranged for the rental of the facility and a DJ.  Admission was $5.00 with proceeds for the Lycoming County SPCA.  After expenses she was able to donate $240 and some pet supplies.  Now that is quite impressive.  I am amazed at the youth of this generation.  Many are so generous and donate their time, talents, and when possilbe, goods or cash.  It makes my day to meet such caring people. 

Less Cats

With generous discounts from The Animal Hospital, Baker Veterinary Hospital, Lewis Veterinary Hospital, and Loyalsock Animal Hospital we have been able to increase the numbers of animals spayed or neutered.  This increase has translated into less litters.  So far this year we have received 183 less cats than the previous year. 

Out adoptions are up to 608!

So the ultimate goal is to adopt out more, prevent overpopulation, and find homes for all the homeless. 

We will keep on plugging along!

Rescues to the Rescue

We are very grateful for area rescue groups who have taken on four of our dogs.  Three of the pit bull puppies were transferred out today.  Out of the Pits rescue group already has screened applicants ready to adopt them.

Tiny Paws rescue is picking up our little Chihuahua Teddy Bear on Saturday.  They will have him examined by a veterinarian and see what treatments he needs to give him a good quality of life.

Plus we have had 18 adoptions since Saturday!  In my mind it has been good week.  (Cant' say that I'm looking forward to Monday though.  Monday's are always crazy.)

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget about all of the homeless, helpless animals.

Miracle Revisited

Miracle is the dog that was found shot three times and survived. (See blogs dated 3/28, 3/29, 3/30, 4/5). Charges for abandonment were filed against former owners Jason and Jodi Ellis.  The Ellis' hired an attorney and asked officer Woltz to settle the charges without going through a hearing.  This is some of the evidence as we know it:
1.  A family was given Miracle but returned her to the Ellis'.
2.  The next day we received a call regarding an injured dog which was found to be shot three times.
3.  When we found the owner of Miracle, Jodi Ellis referred Officer Woltz to their attorney.
4.  The caliber bullet that was removed from Miracle was the same caliber as a gun registered to an Ellis family member.  When searching for the gun under warrant, the Ellis' claimed that the gun had been sold.

Officer Woltz agreed to withdraw one count of abandonment if one of Miracle's owners pled no contest and agreed to pay restitution for half of the cost of Miracle's care.  Not so surprisingly, they agreed. 

Miracle has a new home and a life with people who love her.  I believe justice has been served, but karma is a different story........

Manic Monday

The Bangles got it right when they penned the song Manic Monday.  And that's the way I felt yesterday.  One of our staff members is on crutches so when we received a call about a dog that collapsed from the heat, there wasn't any available staff-so I went.

When I arrived on the scene I found South Williamsport Police Officer Devin Thompson.  He directed me over the dike where he had carried a 100 pound Rottweiler down to the river to help cool him down.  What I saw was remarkable.  A woman was sitting in the river holding up the dog's head while the owner was splashing water over the dog's body.  The woman sitting in the river, (Cinda Jones), had been driving by and stopped to help when she had been flagged down by her nephew. 

The dog, Zeke, did recover consciousness, but remained still while in the river.   The dog owner's father arrived on the scene shortly after me.  I supplied a sheet to carry Zeke up to our ambulance.  Officer Thompson and the dog owner carried the dog up the embankment and into our ambulance.  I drove Zeke to  the dog owner's truck where we transferred him into the air conditioned compartment.  The owner immediately took Zeke to the vet. 

Unfortunately, Zeke did not survive.  His temperature on arrival was 105 F.  That was after having been in the river to help him cool off.  While I am sad about the loss of this family's beloved dog, I am astounded by the efforts of the officer, passerby and owner to help save him.  The lesson to take away from this is that there are wonderful people who really care about animals.  And, heat is a dangerous condition not to be taken lightly especially for our pets who cannot tell us when they are too hot.