Foster Pet of the Day

Carter, a foster dog available for adoption in CA.

Submitted by Marji who writes:

Carter is currently living with me in Grass Valley. He is a foster dog of Center for Animal Protection & Education (CAPE) :
PO Box 67176
Scotts Valley, CA 95067-7176
831.336-4695
Email: postmaster@capeanimals.org

Carter is a 7-yr-old mastiff mix with a big head and bigger heart! He is blind, but that doesn’t deter him from exploring his world with enthusiasm and joy. He was adopted from Palo Alto Animal Services 7 years ago at the age of 4-months. When he was 6, his guardians returned him to the shelter without realizing he was blind. Once they found out, they took him back, keeping him for another year before realizing that caring for two toddlers and a galumphy 75-lb dog was too difficult.

Lucky for Carter, I was excited to foster him! He is a gentle-natured dog who is far easier to care for and more low-maintenance than my 14.5-yr-old 35-lb dog! He knows sit, come, stay, down. He LOVES tennis balls. Sometimes you have to pat the ground next to the tennis ball and he’ll pounce like a puppy! He runs zoomies around the yard and figures out new spaces pretty quickly.

Carter just wants a permanent retirement home, preferably with someone who is home part of the day (he loves his people).

The rescue I am fostering for would probably be willing to transport him out of state, but I’d really love someone who can meet him first…and maybe wouldn’t mind sending me updates about how awesome he is!

He would do best as an only dog, but he might do well with a large, older, VERY tolerant dog. Not many dogs can tolerate it when his nearly 80-lb frame runs into them.

Shirley, I’m really surprised to still have Carter. I guess I knew he’d be more difficult to place but living with him? He’s so easy! I’ve had him for two months and would really just love it if he could find a home where he gets all the attention he deserves.

Not That Size Matters…

When I attended a workshop at the 2011 No Kill Conference that included Susanne Kogut on the panel, she mentioned that at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA (where she was director at that time), 39% of intake went to foster.  In 2011, CASPCA took in 3828 dogs and cats.  That works out to nearly 1500 pets in foster care. Wikipedia has the combined population of the city of Charlottesville and Albemarle Co, both of which are served by CASPCA, at 118,398.

At the January 31 board of directors meeting of  New York City Animal Care and Control, Interim Executive Director Risa Weinstock addressed the subject of fostering.  She explained recent developments:

The AC&C has created a fast-track program just for fosters. Until recently, fosters had to take all the training courses expected of a shelter volunteer.  With the new streamlined process, Weinstock said the AC&C  recently added 17 new people who could be fosters.

Patrick Nolan, newly named Chairman of NYC ACC, spoke up to say that he was an approved foster himself and asked how many people the shelter has on the foster list.  Ms. Weinstock reportedly answered that there were 47 people on the foster list.  Bear in mind that 17 of them were just added under this new fast-track program.  So there were 30 until very recently.  And one of them is the chairman of the pound.  I am presuming the other 29 people are regular citizens but I don’t know.

NYC is home to more than 8 million people.  In the past couple of years, NYC ACC has been taking in roughly 30,000 animals a year.  If NYC ACC were to send 39% of intake out to foster like CASPCA does, that would indicate a need for about 11,700 foster placements.  But until recently, the pound had only found 29 people (who aren’t the chairman) willing to foster out of 8 million.  How hard are they looking?  How committed are they to saving pets’ lives?  Fostering is a key program in the No Kill Equation.  I wouldn’t recommend ignoring it.

So yeah, it’s great that NYC ACC’s new fast-track program has significantly increased the foster list.  But if NYC is aiming to one day save more than 90% of its pets like Charlottesville does every year, the pound is going to need a fastER-track program to develop any sort of foster program that will have a meaningful impact on lifesaving.  If anyone on the board is concerned with that.

(Thank you Anne D. for the link.)

Pre-Announcement Announcement

I was going to wait until I had more info to share, such as a name and other important items, but I am too happy to wait.  So this is the pre-announcement announcing the arrival of a new beagley family member, who will be announced in more detail in an upcoming announcement.

This little girl was in a catch and kill pound which allows someone in to photograph dogs.  The photographer then sends out an e-mail with the pictures and that e-mail gets forwarded by various pet advocates.  Someone forwarded me the e-mail containing the beagle pic one week ago and with the help of some people I’ve never met, the dog was pulled, fostered and transported to within 90 minutes of me.  I picked her up yesterday.

The ride home. Those toenails were trimmed shortly after arrival.

Her bones are sticking out, half her tail got left somewhere at some point and she looks generally like she’s been through the wringer.  But she is as gentle and sweet as can be.  She’s been sleeping in one of the beagle beds like she has never slept before in her life.  She’s only gotten up when it’s time to eat or to go out and potty.  We have a vet appointment today for a tune-up and an all points inspection.  You can count on seeing an update on this gal very soon.

Thank you so kindly to everyone who sent me beagles in need.  And of course to those who helped me get this sweet dog home.

***

I have always depended on the kindness of strangers. – Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire

Foster Pet of the Day

Tiger is an adoptable cat in New York City. (photo submitted by Anne Davis)

Submitted by Anne who writes:

I pulled a cat off the kill list at the NYCACC a week before xmas because a woman in VA said she wanted him. After he was delivered to me the potential adopter backed out. Now I have this cat in my tiny apt. with 3 other cats. He is so sweet, healthy, mushy lovebug, neutered 3 yr. old who loves other cats. I love him but due to space and finances can’t keep him. I just want to make sure Tiger ends up in a wonderful, cat loving home with another playful cat. Tiger is very playful and affectionate.

Tiger in NYC (photo submitted by Anne Davis)

Anyone interested in learning more about Tiger should e-mail Anne.

Jacksonville Pound: Never Too Busy to Kill

Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services in FL was very busy on Friday after issuing a public appeal for help on Thursday due to the shelter being over capacity:

The shelter, which has a capacity of 390 animals, had 466 animals Thursday morning. By closing time at 4 p.m. Friday, 186 animals had been adopted, fostered or taken by rescue groups over the two-day period, [city spokeswoman Monica] Landeros said.

Amidst all the lifesaving, courtesy of the so-called irresponsible public, the kill techs were apparently patrolling the halls, looking for victims.  An employee recognized a pair of bottle baby kittens who had been sent out to foster.  The foster had brought them back to the pound Friday in order to transfer them to another foster, who was on the way to pick them up.  The employee reportedly did not know the new foster was on the way and I guess the prospect of killing healthy newborn kittens was too exciting to take the time to ask.  The kittens were killed before the new foster could get in the front door.

Characterizing the killings of two healthy kittens the public was willing to save as an “unfortunate miscommunication,” Ms. Landeros said the pound “has begun necessary improvements” to avoid similar killings in future.  When the local paper asked her for specifics on these improvements, she refused to answer.  Because why do anything to reassure the public, right?  And next time the pound issues a plea for help and people don’t show up for fear of having pets they cared for immediately taken to the kill room with no questions asked, the city of Jacksonville can tell the media they “have to” kill because the irresponsible public won’t help.

(Thanks Eucritta and Clarice.)

Being Born is Not a Crime

In May and June of 2012, records obtained via FOIA show the Memphis pound killed a total of 20 kittens and 22 puppies for the crime of being “too young”.  Being born is not a medically hopeless condition requiring euthanasia.  It is a gift, something to be cherished and protected.

Photo submitted by reader Ashley, who writes: “My foster kitten, Ollie, at 1 week old, right after a feed.”

Photo by reader Ashley, who writes: “Ollie at 10 weeks with one of my other fosters, a couple days before they were adopted.”

Compassionate foster owners value the lives of newborn kittens and puppies and are willing to put in the work to make sure they are well cared for and given every chance at a good life. Shouldn’t a taxpayer funded “shelter” at least do as good a job as the so-called irresponsible public?

Foster Pet of the Day

Yes Weego, you may have a biscuit. (Photo submitted by Ona Cooper.)

Ona from Meows and BowWows in Memphis writes:

Weego needs a foster.  We have him in a home nobody lives in and several of us are alternating going over there 3 – 4 times a day.  There is a feral cat colony that lives there and one of the cat ladies is helping with Weego too.  We use this house (with permission each time) for isolation purposes when we first pull a sick dog.  Sounds like we have him in a dump doesn’t it…hahaha.  In fact it is a large home in a wealthy neighborhood.  The owner came out and turned on the A/C just for Weego.

After Weego’s initial isolation period he was in foster care a few weeks but marked his territory everywhere.   When he pees – it goes on forever and ever and ever, like Austin Powers when they were thawing him out.  Weego was then going to be fostered by Holly but her dog Leo and Weego got into a fight and Leo ended up at the vets office for a puncture wound very close to his eye.   Sooooo…. we are looking for a home without other animals and that is why Weego is doing an extended stay at the house. 

I went ahead and had him neutered so as to help with the marking and not getting along with other dogs.  He doesn’t seem to have the need to mark anymore but we are a little paranoid about putting him with other dogs.

Weego had his first injection for heartworms yesterday, so treatment has begun.

Weego is laid back and likes being where ever you are.  He is a super cool dog and loves any attention you give him.  He plays with toys and is always agreeable to what you want to do.  He doesn’t even mind being kenneled.  He gives sweet kisses too.

Weego decided he wanted to have brown eyes, mostly. Check out the dash of blue in the one eye (click to enlarge). (Photo submitted by Ona Cooper.)

Weego was saved from MAS.  If you are in the Memphis area and interested in providing a foster home for Weego during his heartworm treatment, please e-mail Meows and BowWows at MeowsandBowWows@gmail.com or leave a comment here.

Foster Pet of the Day

Submitted by reader Terri who writes:

Miss Bea is a eight-ish year old border collie mix with a touch of chow (the tongue doesn’t lie).  She came to us after a national group did a rescue at a local hoarder.  Miss Bea was at their temporary shelter when she started to give birth and they asked us to put out a call for a foster home.  The ease with which Miss Bea raised her puppies leads us to believe this was not her first litter; thankfully it is her last, and we were pleased to be able to help her raise these puppies in luxury.

Despite an old injury from being hit by a car, Miss Bea was apparently a dominant force in the pack of dogs at the hoarder home.  However, she has settled in quite nicely at my house and gets along with all of the dogs we have exposed her to-dominant as well as submissive.  She is smart and just wily enough to make you smile.  Miss Bea is not trustworthy around cats or chickens, and in a small household she would probably be ornery to the other dogs when it came to food.  She is not food aggressive around me or my dogs but I am a strong pack leader.

Miss Bea comes fully vetted and is heartworm negative.  We would transport her for the right home (after arranging a home visit).

We would love to find a forever home for this sweet dog.  I think she could be happy in many different situations-as a companion for an older person or as a partner for someone who hikes. She will be an active dog for many years to come.  Don’t let that grey muzzle fool you-this girl ain’t no granny.

Please contact Terri at homewardboundofms@gmail.com

The Homeward Bound Project of MS is a 501(c)(3) organization started and run by vet students at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Since 2007 we have coordinated the transport of Mississippi shelter pets to no-kill shelters in New York and New Hampshire.  All shelter pets are fully vaccinated, altered, heartworm tested negative (or treated) and have been in foster care.  Our transported pets do not displace local dogs; most are adopted within 2 weeks of arrival and the increased traffic often results in local shelter pets being adopted as well.

Foster Pet of the Day: Ruby in TN

Ruby has a 50% tail to wag and 100% love to give.

Ruby is being fostered in the Memphis area. Her foster mom Lori reports that sweet Ruby has been vet checked and is estimated to be 3 – 4 years old. Ruby was found wandering and at some point in her adventures, donated half her tail to Doggie Escapades Which Shall Remain Unknown. The thing that touched me about Ruby was that Lori said when she lets her dogs inside, Ruby goes right to her crate, as if she knows she’s not home. Please share Ruby so hopefully she can find a place where she knows she’s home.

Contact foster owner Lori at lcurlich@yahoo.com

 

Harper: Where There’s Life, There’s Hope

A man at a chain store parking lot was selling eight-week-old Pitbull puppies for $50 each.  A woman approached him and asked about the moving garbage bag he was holding.  He tried to blow her off but she pressed the issue and he eventually gave her the swimmer puppy that was in the bag.  The Good Samaritan took the puppy to the local shelter where staff determined the puppy should be killed.  Erica Daniel, a foster home provider who was at the shelter at the time the puppy arrived, asked if she could take her home and give her just 24 more hours of life.  Ms. Daniel named the puppy Harper.

Harper at the time of her rescue.

Ms. Daniel made an appointment for euthanasia at a veterinary office for the next day. She decided to do everything she could think of to help Harper, who was stuck in the splayed position seen in the above photo, up until that time:

“The longer she was like that, the more she stayed in that position,” Daniel said. “It felt like rigor mortis — like her legs might break.”
Despite that, Daniel kept massaging Harper’s tight muscles, hoping to alleviate at least some of her stiffness and pain. Within just a few hours, Harper started lifting her head and looking around. Her front legs became more limber as well, so much so that she tried using them to walk and pull herself around.

Daniel’s reaction: “WHOA.”

Ms. Daniel cancelled the euthanasia appointment and took Harper to a vet for second opinion.  Although that vet was not initially hopeful, they decided to conduct the appropriate tests in order to make an informed decision:

And, as it turned out, the rumors of Harper’s demise were greatly exaggerated. Her organs were functioning just fine, and she had no heart murmur or serious brain abnormalities. The medical conditions she did have required treatment — but nothing that warranted putting her to sleep.

Whoa again.  A canine hydrotherapy clinic heard about Harper and offered free swimming and massage therapy.  The pup responded very well and soon developed the ability to walk.  Harper is now 11 weeks old and enjoying being alive.

Harper's face says it all.

Thank you to the kind-hearted woman who cared enough to rescue Harper from the trash bag in the store parking lot.

Thank you to Ms. Daniel who didn’t give up hope, even when the shelter staff wanted to kill Harper.

Thank you to the veterinarian who, despite misgivings about a positive prognosis, conducted the necessary tests to determine if those fears were founded in factual evidence in Harper’s case.

Thank you to the canine hydrotherapy business for donating services to help Harper thrive.

Thank you to everyone who has donated money for Harper’s medical bills and to Ms. Daniel’s organization, Dolly’s Foundation, which rescues bully breeds in need.

The irresponsible public strikes again.