Train Your Pet

Well behaved pets are the best!  You don't have to worry about visitors, damage to your property, or other aggravations.  While we have formal classes for dogs, cats can be trained too.  At the minimum, you can train your cat to stay in doors and not jump on the kitchen table or counters.

The SPCA has a wonderful trainer by the name of Tracy Free.  Her philosophy is

"Play and Praise" Dog Training Classes. Tracy has 20 years of experience in working with animals. Tracy understands that training should be tailored to the individual needs of both the dog and the human. Making your dog more confident and wanting to please you is her ultimate goal.

What you will learn

     Week 1 Leash manners/pacing

     Week 2 Focus and Recall (come)

     Week 3 Sit

     Week 4 Down  

     Week 5 Wait/Stay

     Week 6 Graduation

The Cost

            $55 for a Lycoming County SPCA dog.

            $80 for all other dogs

            A check for the full amount is required to reserve your spot in class.  Sing up at the   

            shelter.

Requirements

     Proof of current vaccinations including up-to-dates Rabies shot.

     Current Pennsylvania dog license.

     Dog must be flea free.

What to Bring

     <嫼ɡ>    Four or Six foot nylon leash.  (No chain leashes or retractable Flexi-leads)

         Dog should wear a flat nylon or leather collar, head halter (Gentle Leader®), or Easy Walk Harness.  Martingales or nylon check chokers are allowed if fitted properly.  NO choke chains or pinch collars.

         Your dog’s favorite toy or ball.

Next Class 

          October 8th at 4:30 PM at the shelter. 

Are You a Chef?

We are having an interesting fundraiser, something we have not tried before.  Every day in the month of November we are raffling off one Pampered Chef item. 

Only 300 tickets will be sold at $10.00 each.  If you like to cook and like to help our animals-then this is an easy way to contribute.  (And possibly win a great prize).  Stop in the shelter and pick up your ticket, or mail us a check and we will complete a ticket for you and send you your number with the drawing schedule. 

Filled to Overflowing

Ferrets snug in their cage.

Our shelter is officially overwhelmed.  Every single space has animals.  We have
61 cats
59 dogs
32 guinea pigs
5 ferrets
2 birds (not available for adoption)
2 rats
1 rabbit
1 turtle
25 fish
1 iguana (not available for adoption)

and a partridge in a pear tree (Just kidding about the partridge). 

Should We Count the Individual Fish?

What would you do if you saw a five foot iguana hanging from a window?  Well, in this case, they called the SPCA.  The iguana was just the beginning.  It is difficult to capture all of the cages, but Office Woltz and staff removed 32 guinea pigs, one 12 year old dog, one turtle, one aquarium of fish (about 25), and one huge iguana.  The living conditions were so bad that the house was condemned.

Fortunately for the animals, the owner relinquished all but the iguana to the SPCA.   Soon we will be making them available for adoption.

Hard at Work

I wasn't kidding when I said I had the best employees.   The front desk is a constant hive of activity as staff:

• Answers phones,
• Helps customers,
• Takes in animals,
• Adopts out animals,
• Answers questions,  (lots and lots of questions)
• Schedules vet appointments,
• Makes follow up calls on adopted animals,
• Takes calls regarding possible cruelty and neglect,
• Provides recommendations regarding problem animals,
• And did I say answers phones?
• Completes dog licenses,
• Assists low income individuals to provide spaying and neutering of pets. 

And this is just front desk activity!

Paco

This is Paco on my desk.  He can be demanding and often nudges my typing hands until I stop everything and pet or brush him.  He arrived at the shelter as an emaciated adult in 1999.  We think he is about 13 years old now.  Someone saw something very special in him (and they were right) and he became a house cat. 

For some reason Paco singled me out, sitting on my desk, eating my lunch, and seeking my attention.  Cats have a knack for  finding their new families and Paco is no exception.  Everyone at the shelter loves him and he pretty much loves everyone too.  He isn't too fond of children but his response is just to walk away.

He has used up several of his nine lives.  The first when he was found, emaciated and brought to the shelter.  His next was when he was attacked by a dog that had gotten out of the kennel.  After that incident Paco lived with me for a few years until he stopped using his litter box.  I took him to the vet who did not find anything initially.  I brought him back to the shelter.  He continued to have accidents and started to lose weight.  So, back to the vet.  He was hyperthyroid.  Got that under control and he resumed using his litter box. (Another life)

He continues to have health issues that we treat (like anemia).  (Another life)

And he gets upset when he can't come in my office.  For instance I had Miracle in my office while she was awaiting adoption and Paco would not come in because Miracle wanted to play with him.  So he started licking himself making bald spots.  (Is that 1/2 a life?)

Anyway, he is an interesting character and we love him very much.  How can you not love a cat who walks across your desk, drinks whatever beverage you have, shares your lunch, and purrs like a Harley Davidson?

Best Employees Ever

Our employees work here becasue of their love of animals.  Kelli is a prime example of one terrific employee.  She often volunteers her time after work to add stories to the animal's profiles.  She has fostered numerous animals in her home  (thanks to her Mom & Dad too).  Kelli is the Canine team leader and monitors the dogs for health and temperament issues and reports them to the kennel manager.  We can always depend on Kelli to care for the aniamals and go above and beyond!  Her list of abvoe and beyonds goes on and on.  The SPCA and our animals are so lucky!

Remembering 9/11

September 11 is one of those days that I will always remember.  I will also remember the search and rescue dogs who helped find people who were buried under the remains of the twin towers. 

Today is a day to remember and be thankful that we have rescue volunteers and workers, police and firefighters, health care givers, amazing search and rescue dogs, and the ability to heal.

Peace and Love

Unsung Heros

Wow!  What a week.  Being so close to the Susquehanna River was nerve wracking.  The thought of evacuating all of our animals was a concern.  My heart goes out to all of the families who did have to evacuate and did experience flooding.

But I do need to commend all of the individuals who stepped up to the plate and agreed to help in fostering our dogs and cats in the event of an evacuation.  THANK YOU.

And thanks to the Lycoming CART members who set up shelter for the animals that were evacuated in Muncy.  Coordinator Sherri Moore with her husband Spurg, and son Mike, along with a few other CART members who set up the animal shelter.  Kudos for braving the weather and lack of power.  I'm sure the animal owners were grateful that their animals were well cared for .

In the unlikely event.....

In the unlikely event we would need to evacuate the animals at the SPCA, would you be able to foster a cat or dog?   If so, please call us at 570-322-4646 and let us know if you could take a cat or dog, or multiple cats or dogs.

The cats have crates.  The dogs would have leashes and collars.  We do have a limited number of large crates for the dogs.

Prepare Pets for Possible Disaster

Know where you can go with your pets in case you need to evacuate.  Make sure your have:

1. Collar and leash.  Write your phone number on the collar as well as having your dog license and ID tag.  Think about getting a microchip for a lifetime identification for your pet.
2. Food, bowls, water.  (Pan with litter or shredded newspaper for the cat(s)).
3. Shot records.
4. Pictures of your pet(s).
5. Medications.
6. Crate and bedding.
7. Toys and treats.

Prepare any other special items for your pet(s).  Don't be put in a situation where you can't take your pet with you because you aren't prepared.  Places that will allow you to stay during a disaster may not allow pets if you do not have shot records and a way to confine you pet.  (Leash, crate).  So plan ahead and be ready.

Work in Progress

This will be our free roaming cat room.  We will have a sliding glass door leading from the main cat room into this room.  Cats will have room to run and play.  Look out the windows.  interact with visitors. And lounge around all day.  There have been studies related to illness in shelter cats finding that cats that have room to play with separate areas for feeding, and bathroom, fare better than cats confined to smaller spaces.   We have lots of ideas for platforms, beds, and walkways.  I hope the cats are as excited as I am. 

 

Love for Sale (Legally)

Nothing warms my heart as much as seeing an animal walk out the door with a new family.  Sometimes, the staff knows deep down that it won't work.  We try to give them good information so that they can make an informed decision.  Sometimes we flat out say no.  (It never goes well). 

We discourage giving pets as gifts, however, we can provide gift certificates so that the recipient can choose the pet that is right for them.

If you are a parent and think your 12 year old is going to feed, water, walk, and clean up poop without constant nagging you should not get a pet.

If you work 12 hours a day, you should not get a puppy.

If your significant other is allergic, you should not get a pet.

If your landlord says you cannot have a pet, there is a 100% chance that the landlord will find out and you will need to get rid of your pet.

Seems like common sense but sometimes people lose their sense when they see and adorable puppy or kitten.  Just today a couple brought in their two dogs.  One of which they paid $999.99 at a pet store in New York.  Plus microchip, warranty, supplies; they ended up paying $1400.00.  Wow! 

And now the dog is here looking for a new family.  What price would you pay for unconditional love?