ID Your Pet

Approximately half of the dogs and 2/3 of the cats we receive are strays.  Strays are more likely returned to their owners when they have identification (ID).
1.  Write your phone number with a permanent marker on the pet's collar. 
2.  Get a microchip.  Most shelters and even veterinarians offices have the ability to scan for a microchip.  When you get your pet microchipped, re-check it about a month or so after insertion.  (They sometimes back out of the insertion point.)
3. Make sure your microchip is registered and up-to-date.  When you change your address and phone number, remember to update your pet's info.
4. Make sure you have up-to-date licensing for your area.
5.  Purchase an ID tag with your address and phone numbers on it.
6.  If you do lose your pet, check with your local shelters, put up flyers in the area where you lost your pet, and if you can afford it; put an ad with a picture in your local newspaper.

Only 66% of the dogs and 3% of the cats find their owners.  Don't let your pet be one of those strays that doesn't find its way back to you.

How Cute!

We are approaching the end of kitten season and soon the phone will be ringing with requests for kittens for Christmas.  While we love to have all of our animals adopted, we are very reluctant to have them given as gifts unless the recipient is present.

Children are not quite as discriminating when it comes to choosing a pet, but many adults have a favorite breed or personality that they look for in a pet.

So if you think you want to give the gift of a pet, you should consider taking the recipient along to choose the perfect one.  If you prefer the element of surprise on Christmas Eve or Day, consider a gift certificate.  We can provide you with a gift certificate for a cat or a dog and the adopter can choose the perfect pet after the holiday craziness is over.  It has the benefit of being less stress full for both human and animal, plus there is less chance that it will be returned.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

I am so grateful for my wonderful staff, a supportive Board of Directors, and many generous volunteers and donors. There are days, however, when I want to pull my hair out.  Thankfully I'm not bald yet.

So what are you eating for Thanksgiving?  Many concerned about animal welfare believe in Tofurkey.  (Or other vegetarian substitutes).  Frankly, I am happy to eat vegetarian but I do enjoy meat.  So I am eating ham for Thanksgiving.  My favorite part of the meal is a good glass of Chardonnay. 

Whether you are enjoying vegetarian (that would include wine right?) or a plump turkey and all the fixings, remember to be thankful for our four legged friends and celebrate all the wonderful people who care for their welfare.  (Even us meat eaters)

What did Solomon Do?

A reader of my blog asked what was my decision about the people who wanted their dog back.  (Some days I feel like Solomon).

I called the adopter.  She raved about the dog she adopted and how much she was enjoying her.  She also mentioned that she had bought another puppy because she really wanted a Labrador.  I mentioned how the family was regretting the fact that the dog ended up at the SPCA and really wanted her back.  She asked me if there were children involved.  Yes, there were two school age children but I wasn't sure of their ages.  The adopter wanted to talk to her husband and would make a decision.

The adopter called the family and decided that she would return the dog to the family.  There were a lot of tears and hugs exchanged when they brought the dog back and returned it to the family. It was bittersweet.  The adopter had a heart bigger than I could describe because she clearly loved the dog, and the dog clearly loved her.

This is what amazes me about my job.  I meet some wonderful people.  (I also meet a lot of idiots but that is fodder for another blog).  So now the dog is back with its original family and they are happy.  And the adopter with the big heart is willing to give us a try again and find another SPCA dog to love.  She did say it will be a little while though.  It was harder than she realized to say goodbye to her four legged friend, but she now has four two legged friends who will be forever grateful that they got their dog back.

Someday I feel Like Solomon

Remember the story about King Solomon?  He had two women, both claiming to be the mother of the same baby.  In an effort to determine who the real mother was, he ordered his guards to cut the baby in half so that each mother could have half.  The real mother cried out, no, let her have my baby.  So Solomon knew that the mother who would save her baby was the real mother.

So this morning, a woman approached me about getting her dog back.  Her father-in-law brought the dog in because he thought it was too much for them to take care of.  To make matters worse, he lied to us and said the dog was a stray.  Meanwhile the dog was here 4 days, then adopted.  The husband called after the dog was adopted, wanting it back, and was told no-it was already adopted.  Now the wife is begging to have the dog back. 

How unfair for the SPCA staff to be put in the middle of this family's conflict.  How unfair to the adopter to even consider giving the dog back.  How unfair that the father-in-law took it upon him self to take the dog, and lie to the SPCA!  How unfair that I am asked to to my job, then undo it!

Rewards of the Job

On December 7th at 3:15 PM, Officer Larry Woltz will be presenting evidence in an effort to convict the individual who shot and killed a white German Shepherd and then threw it into the river.  (See Blog of 2/28/2011)

This has been an arduous process of gathering evidence, interviewing possible witnesses, coordinating with the district attorney's office, and distinguishing the lies from the truth. 

While this is a preliminary trial, the perpetrator will have the opportunity to either plead guilty or not.  If not, there will be a trial.  Until Dec 7........

Pet Pictures with Santa

This is a cropped and scanned picture of my dogs that I had in a little frame from one of our first pet pictures with Santa.  The Great Dane is no longer with me, but I still smile whenever I see his picture.  The beagle mix and dachshund mix are still living and loving.

Our picture taking and backgrounds have gotten much better over the years.  If you need a picture to make you smile, you should bring your famly on Saturday, Novermber 19 to have a photo taken.  Santa will be in house from 10 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4 PM.  Two legged family members are welcome too.

For just $10 you will receive a 5x7 and e-mail of the photo.  Or if for $15, you will receive the 5x7 and a CD.  You are welcome to reproduce the photo.  Hope to see you there!

If you Witness Abuse

If you witness the abuse of animals call your local shelter, even if you are not sure.  The Lycoming County SPCA Humane Society Police Officers investigate every call we receive.  Some of our investigations involve simple counseling when people don't understand the needs of an animal.  Other cases require that we remove the animal(s) for their health and well being.

The Lycoming County SPCA can only investigate cruelty, abuse, and neglect in Lycoming County.  Our officers petition the court for their appointments and must participate in continuing education every two years.

People often say, 'I could never do your job.'  my response is, 'I do it because it is very satisfying to see the animals go to a wonderful home.' 

Help us keep animals in wonderful homes.  Report the abusers and help us make a difference.

Help for Injured Animals

We receive phone calls every week from people whose pets have a sudden illness or accident and can't find veterinary care.  I can understand a veterinarian's point of view.  They are self employed and have expenses to pay and earn a living.  If they have people who come to them all of a sudden with no established baseline, they ask for payment up front.  The pet owner will swear that they will pet the veterinarian, but once the pet recovers, they forget the promise.  So a veterinarian gets stiffed several times and then develops a policy of not treating unknown clients without payment first.  Is it right?

I, unfortunately see many, many pet owners who do not provide any vet care.  We receive animals with half their fur missing; flea infestations, parasite infestations, limps, lumps, injuries, emaciation, etc.  It is extremely frustrating for shelter workers and the Humane Officers to see this on a daily basis.

I believe that every pet owner should establish a relationship with a veterinarian.  That way, a pet will receive necessary vet care and, should it be injured; the vet will be more willing to let pet owners make payments.

What I would like to see is a free to low cost vet clinic where people pay based on their income.  I can dream can't I?

DNA Test for Dogs

I have a mutt.  She looks a little like a Chihuahua and a Corgi.  Some think she has Jack Russell or Dachshund in her.  Do you have a dog that you just can't figure out?

Well now you can test your dog's DNA.  I just ordered kits that we will sell for $64 plus tax.   So if you are curious, or you have a friend or family member that needs a unique Christmas gift, consider a doggie DNA kit. Sounds like fun to me!

Ten Things a Shelter Worker Should NOT Say

10.  WTF!  You are giving up your pet because it sheds?
9.  OMG.  You haven't taken your 3 year old pet to the vet since it was a pup and now that it has no fur left you want to DONATE it to us?
8.  Do you know how much money I make?
7.  So, you have a cat in your yard and you want us to pick it up.....if you had cockroaches in your kitchen would you expect  an exterminator to get rid of them for no charge?
6.  You tie the dog to a dog house, she is not spayed, and you wonder why she keeps having puppies!
5.  If you didn't let your cat out it wouldn't be lost.
4.  You lost your cat a week ago and you are just now calling to look for it?
3. Do you really think your child would take care of a pet without your supervision?  Do you expect him to do his own laundry too?
2.  Your dog is too big? Did you think your Saint Bernard would stay puppy size all its life?
1.  You should be euthanized.

So Touching!

One of our volunteers asked if the Lycoming County SPCA would donate a dog to TADSAW (Train a dog save a warrior).  It is an effort to help our service men by providing them with a companion.  Below is an email we received from a recipient.  Situations like this is why we come to work every day.

"We are the recipients of the dog you knew as Atlas (now named Alistair).  He was the dog you donated to TADSAW (Train a dog save a warrior a division of Penny’s from heaven).  Iohanna was the one that you dealt with and she said you would like to have an update.  So I have attached two photos of my husband and Alistair.  His training is still in progress to become a full service animal, but for the first time in over a year my husband was able to stay in a grocery store long enough to complete my whole list.  This may not seem like much to many, but because of his PTSD for him it is huge.  My husband served in Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia and has not been the same since.  We would like to say thank you to each and everyone one of your employees and volunteers.  Without your generous donation of sweet Alistair my husband would not be making the progress that he is.  So, thank you does not seem nearly enough and we wish we could do so much more.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

Can't Sleep

I wake up in the middle of the night and immediately start thinking of all the work on my desk.  November is a particularly busy time because we have our Sweet Temptations event.  Tickets are selling like hot cakes.  (Pun intended)  It's always a lot of fun with our celebrity emcee.   This year Stef Davis of WBRE will emcee our event.

Since it is the 10th anniversary we will have ten dessert vendors. YUM! 

There are 100 auction items and the majority can be seen through our link on our website on the events page.  There are some very special items;  a signed and numbered Armstrong print, a football signed by Joe Paterno, and more......

And don't forget our wonderful adopted dogs.  You will be surprised by some of their stories.

Shelter Closings

All across Pennsylvania shelters are closing their doors.  What does that mean for us?  It means more animals, more stress, more phone calls, more people needing help.  Lycoming County is in North central PA.  Tioga, Potter, Union, Northumberland, Montour and Sullivan Counties do not have shelters.  Bradford county SPCA called today asking if we had room for their overflow.  Unfortunately we did not.  It is just wild crazy that the State of Pennsylvania, and many of the townships and boroughs rely on SPCA's for animal control.  What will the municipalities do if the all SPCA's decide that they will be limited admission?  Where will all the animals go?  The Lycoming County commissioners withdrew $25,000 in funding for our SPCA.  I think that they should decide what to do with all the excess animals.