Fat Boy Needs A Home

Fat Boy is a very sweet cat.  When he came to the shelter his name was Mama because the finder thought he was pregnant.  No, not pregnant, just fat.

Our lead kennel attendant thought it would be a great idea to put an adoptable cat in the public area so that visitors might want to adopt him.  Unfortunately, the other cats have not welcomed him with open paws. 

Fat Boy was sleeping peacefully on the second level of the cat tree pictured above.  Carver wanted to be there and bullied his way onto it and Fat Boy was relegated to the first level.  (Bulling happens in the cat world too.)

Meanwhile, Fat Boy continues to seek human affection but often hides to keep away from the other cats.  He needs a home.  Are you that home owner? 

Come and meet him for yourself. I think you will love him.

Heat Can be Dangerous for Pets

In the area where I reside, we are experiencing a heat wave.  Please keep in mind that dogs and cats 'sweat' through their paws and by panting.  A few mindful precautions will keep your pet happy and healthy.

• Provide shade and plenty of clean water.
• Walk your dog very early or late in the evening.
• Dogs who love to run and fetch will not slow down when they get too hot.  It is up to you to keep your dog from overheating.
• Avoid walking on hot macadam if possible. (Hot paws)
• Avoid taking your pet in the car if you need to run errands.
• If your dog (and sometimes cats) likes water, provide a kiddie pool for you dog to cool off.
• Be aware that dogs with short snouts are more prone to overheating.  (Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, etc)
• Rabbits are also susceptible to the heat.  Putting a frozen water bottle in with your rabbit will help them cool off.

If your pet becomes over heated, be aware of the signs and take immediate steps to save your dog.

• Heavy panting with salivating.
• Vomiting.
• Lethargy.
• Staggering gait.
• Unconsciousness.

If your pet exhibits the symptoms above-IT IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.  Your pet could die from overheating if it is past the heavy panting and salivating stage. You will need to cool your pet with cool water.  Not ice cold as this could cause shock.  Cool the animal at the 'arm pits', head, and belly area with cool wet towels.  Take them to your veterinarian. 

Smiles are for Sharing

Four times a year we print our SPCA newsletter.  Our most recent newsletter contained a story about George.

George spent his life chained to a dog house in unsanitary conditions.  He was flea infested with loss of fur, had internal parasites, an infected ear that caused swelling down to the side of his face, and he was about 10 years old!  Despite all of this, George found his forever home.  Notwithstanding the adversities George endured, he remained a happy canine and that helped him get adopted.

Because of that brief story, I received the nicest e-mail.  A generous couple was touched by the story and wanted to give to the Lycoming County SPCA and are purchasing and bring us a new Garmin GPS for our rescue vehicle.  That definitely made me smile!

Adopt A Cat Specials

The summer is always difficult due to the increased activity of incoming animals.  In June we celebrate with Adopt-a-Cat month.  Every adopter can adopt an adult cat for the donation of their choice and two kittens for the price of one kitten adoption.  What a deal!  Not only will an adopter get a wonderful cat or kittens, but also the initial shots, microchip identification, free 30 day pet health insurance, and the spaying or neutering.

Many people get free-to-a-good-home cats and don't realize the expenses involved in taking in an un-vaccinated cat.  So consider adopting your next feline companion from your local shelter.

The Kindness of Strangers

I am continually amazed at the kind acts performed by strangers.  From the individuals who find and bring in strays, to the individuals who nurse along abandoned kittens.  I have many memories of kindnesses over the years.

• The gentleman who saw the emaciated schnauzer while we had him at the veterinarian and adopted him.
• The family who adopted the ten year old Labrador with health problems.
• The woman who adopted two kittens with deformed front paws.
• The volunteers who take animals to off site locations to help them get adopted.
• and many more.

Even though this is not related to animals, I was the recipient of an act of kindness.  I had to deal with a family health emergency four hours out of town.  My mother was discharged from the hospital around 4:30 PM.  I had a lot of running around to get prescriptions and food; and get my mother situated.  Unfortunately I needed a key piece of equipment for my mother's breathing treatments.  After going to two pharmacies I ended up back at the hospital trying to get the required prescription.  By 8:45 PM I was in tears due to my frustration.  The nurses were so kind and one came to me with a cup of water and graham crackers.  She said, you probably didn't even have dinner.  She was right and I was very grateful.  In the end I got everything straighted out.

Even though we sometimes deal with idiots, it is so rewarding to remember those who are so kind.  Whether in the shelter or our personal lives, it is the kindness of strangers who make our jobs, and our lives happy.  Keep up the good work strangers!

Thank You for Complaining

Who in their right mind would be thankful for complainers?  I am thankful for those individuals who take the time to calmly inform me that a mistake has been made, or an event occurred that should not have, or a policy needs to be reviewed. 

I don't mind having a reasonable conversation about a problem.  Sometimes it is difficult to not to take things personally, but when problems come up it is always better to look at the problem and find solutions.  Sometimes the solution does not always make people happy.  But, hey, I'm willing to listen.  And hopefully the complainer will listen too.  As the saying goes, there are two sides to every story.

So how to handle a complainer from a situation that occurred in 2008?  Yes, five years ago.  I was in my yard with the dogs.  My neighbor is telling two other men that when his mother died he asked that donations be made to the SPCA and he never received a thank you.  "I don't know what they do with the money.  It probably went to the executives down there." he said.

OK, I had to say something.  He knows I work at the SPCA-was he goading me?  And I hated the fact that two people who may or may not know anything about the SPCA will have a bad view of our organization.  So I said, you know I work at the SPCA, is there a problem?  I'd like to correct it.  He told me that his mother had died about 4 years ago and thousands of dollars were donated and he never heard a word.

I tried to explain that we do send thank you notes but he cut me off and told me I had no business being in on his conversation! 

It left me frustrated because he cut me off and would not give me a chance to explain.  Plus, I'm not sure how the SPCA will be viewed by the other 2 men.  I could send a thank you letter and apologize for the oversight, but it might just get him worked up all over again.  After all, his Mom passed away in 2008.  It's hard to believe he still carries a grudge.  Or maybe he was just trying to get me worked up.