How Do You Sleep At Night?

I had someone say that to me today.  To me it was a verbal slap in the face.  Animal sheltering is a difficult job.  There are too many animals and not enough homes.  Shelters around us are going 'no kill'.  While that is an admirable goal, it creates a problem for us.  People from those counties want to bring their animals to us.  We quickly become full and we need to find homes for our existing animals before we can take in more.  Then what about the animals waiting to come in?  Do we leave them to their own devices or do we euthanize an animal to make space?  As awful as that sounds, that is a reality for our shelter.  Fortunately, we don't have that problem for the dogs.  All adoptable dogs stay at the shelter until they find a new home.  We are not that fortunate for the cats because we get so many and we are the only open admission shelter in a nine county area.

So how do I sleep at night?  I know that I do my very best to help animals find homes.  I know that I do not like seeing animals on the street trying to fend for themselves and be subject to accidents, poisoning, or injury by people who do not like animals.  So before you ask me 'How do you sleep at night?', ask yourself, "What can I do to help the animals?"

Cats in Trees

I recall reading a story about a fireman who was tired of getting calls about cats in trees.  His response to calls was to ask, "Have you ever seen a cat skeleton in a tree?"

I feel like saying that sometimes.  This weekend there was a cat in a tree.   The neighbors were up in arms.  There were angry phone calls as to why we weren't responding.  First off, we do not have a cherry picker to pluck an unfortunate cat out of a tree.  Secondly, if a crowd (including dogs) stands at the bottom of the tree, yelling for the kitty to come down, it won't come down.

We usually recommend that someone places a can of stinky cat food at the bottom of the tree and let the cat come down on its own.

Construction Day One

The area is marked and the 'road' is being dug and filled with stone to accomodate the big equipment.   We look forward to our newest project. 

Growth at the SPCA

The SPCA is growing!  We are excited to be able to expand our services.  Above is a scan of our new building addition.  The blue color shows existing office space.  The yellow area is the addition.
 
My March 8th blog describes the rooms and how they will be used.  Just got news that work should begin this week.

 

St. Catrick's Day

The Lycoming County SPCA is celebrating Saint Catrick’s Day with specials the entire week beginning March 11.  This is a holiday that is completely unique to animal shelters and is totally fictional.  Its origins are unknown but it is thought that a shelter cat, walking across a keyboard, invented the day.  In recognition of this improbable holiday, the Lycoming County SPCA decided to give adoption incentives for its felines awaiting homes.

 

            Beginning March 11, the SPCA will have green, three-leaf clovers decorating its lobby window.  Each clover will contain discounts or gifts for each cat adopted.  On Saint Catrick’s day, March 16^th, all cats will be available for an adoption fee of the adopter’s choosing.  (A deposit of $30 is required if the cat chosen is not yet spayed or neutered.)

 

            Each year the SPCA receives thousands of cats.  Very few are identified by their owners and returned to their homes.  In an effort to rehome stray and abandoned cats and kittens, the SPCA offers unique adoption opportunities for potential adopters. 

 

            Cats have a reputation for being aloof but if you meet the right cat you will find that they are quite affectionate.  I myself have always had dogs but I love the cat I have now.  There is something very comforting about having a cat curled up next to you on the sofa and purring softly in your ear. 

 

            Cats have several advantages over their canine counterpart.  They do not require walks but do enjoy playing.  Many grow to be great mousers.  Felines can be left home overnight or even for a weekend when provided adequate food and water.  They are easily entertained by watching birds and squirrels from their perch on a windowsill.  Cats are tidy and will use their litter box as long as it is cleaned regularly.  If you have cold feet, cats make good foot warmers.  And best of all, they are sweet and loving animals waiting for just the right person.

 

            Anyone who has considered adopting a cat should visit the SPCA.  Each adoption includes a wonderful feline, initial shots, 30 days free health insurance, a microchip identification and registration, and spaying or neutering.  There are so many to choose from you might want to adopt two!

Ground Breaking Event March 8

The Lycoming County SPCA will hold a ground breaking ceremony on Friday, March 8, 2013 at the rear of the facility on Reach Road.  Plans are underway to add additional space for incoming felines, a future surgical room, and a multi-purpose space that will be used for dog training, behavior tests, and a post-operative recovery area.

Plans call for three additional rooms.  One room will be set aside for incoming cats. Incoming cats will be processed and their records stored in the SPCA data base.  Staff will check lost reports in the hopes or reuniting pets with their owners.  Then the felines will be evaluated for health and temperament, receive inoculations, worming, microchip, and have their spay or neuter surgery scheduled.  They will then be moved out to the public area for adoption.

 A second, larger space, is designated as the multipurpose room.  This are will be used for temperament testing the dogs, training classes for SPCA volunteers and dogs; public dog training classes, and as a post-operative recovery area.

 The third space is being planned as a surgery area.  Currently the SPCA takes animals to local veterinarians for spaying and neutering.  By having a surgical space, the SPCA can plan for veterinary services on site. 

 This addition has been made possible through the generous donations of: Ms. Melanie Ruth Johnson on behalf of her family: Barbara S Goldstein, Melanie Goldstein Johnson, and Marsha E. Goldstein in memory of their father, August Goldstein, Jr., who loved dogs; The First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania from their great grant program; and Mark Barbour in memory of his parents Grace and Robert Barbour of Montoursville who loved cats.

 Staff and volunteers at the Lycoming County SPCA have shown how versatile they are by making use of any space for temperament testing and training.   Volunteer animal handling class has been held in the lobby, conference room and even the garage.  Now that construction will begin, the office spaces are being rearranged.  While the various rooms at the shelter may seem to be in disarray, the SPCA is still providing the best possible care for the animals.