It brought a smile to my face

I know this isn't the best view of these cute little guinea pigs, but it made me smile. We currently have two guinea pigs and thirteen rats for adoption.  And lets not forget the 47 cats and 69 dogs that are in the shelter.  Remind all of you friends and family that there are many animals needing homes in our shelter as well as in other shelters and rescue groups.  We need to find homes and you have the power to help us spread the word.  And smile the next time you see guinea pigs, even if it is from the rear. 

Pet I.D.

So far this year 55% of the stray dogs and less than 1% of stray cats have been returned to their owner.  You can help increase those odds by a few simple steps.

1. Put a collar on your pet.  Use a breakaway for your cat.  Write your phone number on the collar.
2. Put an identification tag on your pet's collar.  Your phone number and/or address can mean the difference between never seeing your pet again, or having it returned to you. 
3. Microchip your pet.  It is a lifetime identification and can be scanned at the shelter or a veterinarian's office.
4. License your dog, it is required by Pennsylvania State Law.
5. Call your local shelter if you do lose your pet.
6. Put up flyers in your neighborhood about your lost pet.  Alert area veterinarians in case they are brought in by a finder.
7. Don't assume that you will never lose your pet.  You never know when the plumber might prop the door open, the kids friends forget to close the gate, or (Yes this has happened) your pet jumps out of a window, etc, etc.

Facebook and such

You must by now understand what a nerd I am.  Not!  But you might want to check out the link below, and pass it on to all of your friends.  Help the Lycoming County SPCA win by adding us to Dr. Becker's facebook page.  Then after you do that you will have to start a page for your very own pet on dogbook.  (I kid you not).  Happy surfing this weekend. 

http://www.drmartybecker.com/contest/

Hard at Work

Officers Woltz, Lecheler and Fidler procured and served a search warrant Monday.  Twenty one beagles were removed from filthy conditions.  What was obvious from the initial investigation, was that the animals were not being cared for properly.  Upon closer inspection, many of the dogs were found to have mild to severe health problems.  I can't divulge details because we have an ongoing case, but we are treating every single dog for one thing or another.  How can one person possibly care for that many dogs?  Many dog owners are divided on how much care to give.  Some feel that the rabies shot required by Pennsylvania State Law, food, and water, are enough.  Then there are those who will go to any length to care for their pet including major surgery or chemotherapy at a veterinary hospital.

Our job is to alleviate suffering regardless of the philosophy of the pet owner.  These dogs are being provided veterinary care, medication, clean and sanitary conditions, and socialization.  After living in wire bottom cages it is very satisfying to see them curled up on a comfy bed.  That alone makes our job worth it.

Kitten Season

Here is a picture of a day old kitten that was born at a foster home. The mother cat came to us looking pregnant so we placed her in a foster home to have her litter.  We are so grateful to our foster volunteers who will keep an animal during pregnancy, lactation, and weaning or in cases of medical care.  Surprisingly, this wast the only kitten born.  The foster mom was concerned that there was only one kitten born so she took the mother cat to her vet for an x-ray.  This little kitten is destined to be an only.  Hope it becomes extremely spoiled!

Interesting E-mail

I received a lengthy e-mail today.  The second from this particular person.  One of the complaints was that our SPCA does not connect with the public.  I wonder how much of donors money I should spend on advertising.  The ASPCA spends something like 18% of their budget on advertising.  But when I see an animal that needs veterinary care I feel that I should spend the money there.  Yes advertising has its place.  The media is wonderful to us.  We are able to publish press releases, we have a web-site, a blog, a soon to be sent e-newsletter.  What I really need is a dedicated marketing person.  Know anyone who would volunteer to fill that role?

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

This is a picture of our cemetery.  Not everyone can see beauty in it but I do.  In many ways.  Spring is my favorite time to view the cemetery.  The trees are beautiful when they bloom, the grass is so green, and everything smells nice.  As I walk through the cemetery I find great comfort in reading the memorial plaques.  There is so much love there.  One of my rats died Saturday and I buried it in my back yard.  When I go past that spot I think of his cute little nose, and tiny paws that took food from my fingers.  But I have good thoughts, and I know that pet owners who bury their pets in our cemetery remember the unconditional love they shared with their special pet.

I do have one sad comment.  If you look closely you will see that the pink blossomed tree (Tree ID is not my forte) you will see that a large branch is lying on the ground.  The truth is that the tree is so old that it is just falling apart and needs to come down.  I have no idea how old it is but it is obvious that it has been here for many, many years.  If the tree could talk I hope it could bear witness to the fact that the grounds have been a peaceful place.  Full of barking dogs, hopeful adopters, tons of volunteers, laughter and tears.  I sure will miss that tree.