Paws for a Cause Walk!

Diann Ambs designed the winning logo for this year's walk.  The walk will be September 17, 2011, rain or shine.  More details will be in future blogs.

Update on Miracle:
Her jaw is shattered and she will need surgery.  We have an appointment with a specialist on Monday.  I'm appreciative to all the people who have called in tips about who might own the dog and to all the donors who want her to have surgery to repair her jaw.

Miracle

If you read my post yesterday you will know that Miracle is the lab mix dog that was shot three times.  She is still at the vet's office and may be there awhile.  She had the bullet removed from her jaw, which is broken.  She may need a plate and wiring of her jaw on the right side.  Despite her injury, she was able to eat a little soft food.

I'm so disappointed that someone hasn't come forward to claim this dog.  My fear is that the owner was  the shooter.  The media has been wonderful about letting the public know about Miracle.  I will keep you updated with any news.

Do you recognize this dog?

This is 'Miracle'.  She is the dog that was shot 3 times, and managed to survive.  She will be having surgery to remove the bullet in her jaw because it is draining and filling with fluid.  We would like to find the person who did this.  If you know anything about this dog that was found on Dubois Hollow Road in Trout Run, please contact the shelter at 570-322-4646.

Guns ):-(

I'm a city girl.I have lived and worked in metropolitan areas most of my life.  When I moved to the Williamsport area I had my first rude awakening about guns on Doe day.  I was traveling between Philadelphia and Williamsport via the Northeast extension and interstate 80.  There were dead and gutted deer on roofs, hoods, trucks, etc.  Whoa!  What a shock for a city girl.

Now that I have lived in the area for 25 years, I've become more accustomed to the way of hunters.  However, I draw the line at shooting dogs.  Today, we received a call about an injured dog in the Trout Run area.  Our employee couldn't even get the van up the mountain road because of the ice.  She flagged down a passing motorist who had a flatbed truck.  Unfortunately she did not get the name of this nice man, but thanks to the good Samaritan who gave her a ride to pick up the dog.

The lab mix dog was found by the side of the road with bloody wounds, just shivering where she stood.  Despite her injuries, the dog was friendly and allowed our employee to cover her with blankets and place her in the truck bed.  And if you want to talk about a dedicated employee, she rode in the back with the dog to the van.

The dog was immediately transported to the vet where, upon closer inspection, the dog was found to be shot three times!

The female lab mix is being stabilized with IV fluids, and medication.  X-Rays have been taken.  We have to wait and see how she responds, and if any further treatment will be necessary.

Guns  ):-(

Air Conditioning

You must think I'm crazy to think about air conditioning, but what better time to have it installed than before we actually need it.  Let me back track.

Last summer was very hot a humid. (Remember that?)  In an effort to cool the dog kennels, we closed all the windows and doors, opened the main door to the kennel, turned down the air to 65, and tried to blow cool air into the kennels.  As a result, the dogs were cool but many developed kennel cough because we were not recirculating the air.

So when I was approached by a couple who asked me what projects I wanted to see accomplished I immediately thought of the air conditioning.  I also thought about the cat room and how nice it would be for the cats to have a sun room to run around in.  So,  I told them my suggestions, and they donated the funds to do both projects!!!!

Not only that, but because the heating is 12 years old, the installer recommended replacing the heating and air conditioning at the same time.  When I presented both estimates to the donors, they agreed. 

So   the heating and air conditioning are being installed this week and we are ready for our first heat wave.

Spring is here!?

The onset of spring brings crazy weather and an influx of animals.  For a while, we had very few dogs and cats, now our kennel is half full.  We are up to 199 adoptions so far this year and 89 animals were returned to their owner.  We are trying various ideas to bump up adoptions.  One idea is to offer a 50% reduction in the adoption fee for an animal that has been at the shelter for 30 days or more.

Purina will pay the adoption fee for Senior Citizens aged 60 or older-so spread the word.

Help pass the word about our special animals especially Queen.  She has been at the shelter since 1/21/11.  She a petite little girl, quiet and a little shy.  Pass the word that this cutie needs a home.  Her adoption fee is 50% off!  That includes her shots, leukemia test, and spaying.  What a deal for just $25!!!!!

The Flu

The flu is going through our shelter for both the humans and the animals.  For the humans, the flu virus eventually goes away.  Unfortunately for the cats, it is here to stay.

Shelters have the difficulty of dealing with various animals pathogens.  Here at the Lycoming County SPCA, we deal with it by scrupulously cleaning every kennel, every day.  Whew! What a lot of work. 

Even with all the cleaning and disinfection, some pathogens just won't go away.  It is most difficult for the cats who can get upper respiratory infections. The symptoms can range from a runny nose and watery eyes to pneumonia.  Despite our best efforts, most of the cats catch the flu.  We used to have a veterinarian who volunteered her time here every week and we asked her, "What can we do"?  Her response was, just house one cat. 

Basically, it is one of those airborne diseases that float through the shelter.  When people visit they stir up the air.  Then if a cat is shedding the virus, and visitors pet that cat, then go into the next kennel and pet the next cat, you have spread of the virus.  Do we have signs not to pet the animals?  You betcha. 

So what to do?  Me I'm going back to bed.