Paws in Print T H E C O A S TA L H U M A N E S O C I E T Y N E W S L E T T E R
WINTER 2011 FEATU RES 4 Dog enrichment 6 Brooklyn 7 Best walk ever! 8 New vet welcome 11 From sad to glad IN EVERY ISSUE 2 From the Executive Director 5 Wish list 6 Upcoming events calendar 8 Memorials 11 Ask the vet OUR MISSION To assist by all means the prevention of cruelty to animals To alleviate and relieve the suffering of animals occasioned by any cause or causes whatsoever To establish, operate, and maintain shelter facilities for stray, homeless, or unwanted abandoned small animals To educate the population in the area served by the corporation and disseminate information and materials pertaining to humane principles in the treatment of all animals
64 ANIMALS
like the adorable Lyle shown here, were adopted during our record-breaking event
To ensure that all dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals are adopted into lifelong responsible homes
Kitten Extravaganza event breaks the all-time adoption record at CHS!
TOWNS WE SERVE
By Polly Anderson, Volunteer Newsletter Editor
Bowdoin
Harpswell
Bowdoinham
North Yarmouth
Brunswick
Phippsburg
Cumberland
Topsham
Durham
Pownal
Forty kittens zipped from foster homes to forever homes in the space of a few hours during a special adoption event in September. The cute-fest-under-a-tent with a ‘Two for the Price of One’ deal drew in feline fans like catnip while making it possible for each kitty to go home with a furry buddy. Since the adoption fee included a vet check, immunizations, spay/neuter, collar with ID, post adoption support and home-grown kittens, how could any cat lover resist?
Falmouth
Woolwich
Freeport
Yarmouth
Georgetown Coastal Humane Society, Inc. 30 Range Road Brunswick, Maine 04011 207 725 5051 / fax 207 725 4111 coastalhumanesociety.org
At the same time, we waived the fee for our older cats, dogs and small critters because
we had too many great animals who deserved homes. At the close of the event, 64 animals had been adopted! This total broke CHS’ previous record when 24 Mississippi pups were adopted in a single day. This adoption tent event was so successful that we staged an encore two weeks later with similar happy results. 52 animals went home with new human friends. Thank you so much to the foster families and adopters, and staff and volunteers who made a difference in the lives of so many animals by helping them to find homes.
F R O M T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R Ri
working on our Annual Appeal with furry admins, O C TO B E R and P É P É . KAREN STIMPSON,
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Help us make Coastal Humane Society the best animal shelter in Maine. We welcome your comments and suggestions and enjoy reading your emails.
It is particularly heartbreaking to see sad pet owners relinquishing animals that they can no longer afford. Shelters across the country are reporting record numbers of surrenders and abandonments due to the economy. What we’ve seen so far this year at the Coastal Humane Society is no exception. Regrettably, for every 3 –4 community-owned animals we stretch our budget to help each week (food, medicines, etc.), we have to turn away ten requests (mostly for free veterinary services) over the phone or literally at the door. The reasons that pet owners are coming to us are heart achingly varied: a home lost to foreclosure, layoffs, or people with unexpected illness who can barely pay for their own treatments, let alone their pets. So they forgo essential drugs or treatment, hoping for the best, until the animal is visibly suffering, and then they call us, pleading for help, or they show up on our doorstep to surrender the animal, costing the shelter eleventh hour emergency care. People who love their pets but find themselves in dire circumstances often, in desperation, turn to small and large deceits. In one instance, an older gentleman brought us a “stray” that had been hit by a car and needed immediate surgery; upon checking the microchip we discovered that the animal was his! Another person, turning in the family cat of 8 years, thin and clearly in need of a dental exam, explained how her daughter had developed a sudden cat allergy. Most commonly, there is the bunny left in a box by the door at night with three limp carrots and a tear-stained note explaining the vet’s estimate and their hope that some kind person out there would take pity on the ailing rabbit and pick up where they had to leave off. How sad that someone, perhaps just like you or me, relinquishes their bond with that animal who has meant so much to them in hopes of its happier ending, in another home, after the Coastal Humane Society fixes it up. Despite all the situations that the shelter can no longer afford to help, we have actually provided a remarkable amount of public assistance over the past year. We performed or paid for about 20 humane euthanasias for the suffering pets of people who could not afford the $100.00 –$250.00 typically charged by veterinarians. We also provided free medical support (often through community veterinarians), spay/neuter surgeries, emergency treatment, (continued on page 6 )
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LO C AT I O N
We are located on Range Road, off Route 1 North (Pleasant Street), in Brunswick, Maine. H O U R S O F O P E R AT I O N
Six days a week: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed Wednesdays & major holidays. OUR TRUSTEES
Scott Cushing Fran Philip Tom Hinman Rajiv Shankar Lee Johnson Todd Smith Tony McDonald Loraine Snyder Constance McCabe Halliday Moncore Dorothy Wentworth Lianna Kingsbury O U R E M P LOY E E S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Karen Stimpson FLOOR SUPERVISOR
Darlene Brunick SENIOR DOG TECHNICIAN
Linus Coulombe FRONT DESK MANAGER & COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Lisa Smith FRONT DESK ASSOCIATES
Lisa Rodzen Marie Murray BUSINESS & OFFICE COORDINATOR
Karen Rendall VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Kathy Sullivan MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Jane Siviski DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT
Rebecca Francis FINANCIAL MANAGER
Teri McRae VETERINARIAN
Dr. Mandie Wehr, D.V.M. VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
Tammy LeBeau, L.V.T. ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIANS
Katelyn Wells
Stephanie Gondek
Tracee Trudell
Chris Chavoustie
Allie Athearn Jane Johnson
Asheley Simpson Amanda Sundeen
VOLUNTEER EDITOR
Polly Anderson
LETTE RS TO THE EDI TO R & T H E S H E LT E R S TA F F
Dear Coastal Humane Society,
Above, left to right: M E E LO , from crowded hoarding home to pampered luxury. S K Y E , a CHS alumni still beloved 16 years later.
When I first met Meelo, he and 99 other cats had just been rescued from a hoarder. He was just one of 30 cats in a quarantine trailer on the shelter property. Meelo captured my heart because he was the first cat in the trailer to purr. I started slipping him treats and giving him extra strokes. It was clear that he was starved for attention. Soon he seemed to recognize me, HazMat gear and all. When he passed his medical tests, I snatched him up. Meelo is at home with me now. I still remember the first time I stroked him with my bare hand — and I bet he does too. He is lively, affectionate, and eager to explore his new world. Jennifer Caven, Volunteer E D I TO R ’ S NOTE:
On October 15, the hoarder cats were sprung from their isolation with fanfare and rejoicing to become available for adoption. It had taken nearly five months of dedicated care to get them to this point. Some very deserving cats are still available to take home.
We adopted Laisie, a red tick hound beagle mix, 16 years ago, when she was about a year old. Her family had a baby and found that caring for a pup was too much. We fell in love with her immediately. She was digging holes in the yard at CHS, and rolled on our feet. Laisie has seen me through the best and worst times of my life — the births of my two boys, the loss of a cat, the addition of three more cats, three moves, and a divorce. No animal could ever be as loyal as sweet Laisie. She is still alive — can you believe it? I am so blessed. She thrives on her daily walks, and still sleeps on the floor in my bedroom, curled up in a blanket. I can not put into words the joy that this sweet creature has brought into my life. I’ve never had a pet see me through so many changes as this darling pup. Thank you, CHS, for bringing Laisie and I together as a forever family. Kym G.
Skye (formerly known as Baby Jake) is doing great. He responds well to most commands so someone in his past has worked to train him. He brought me a roll of paper towels from the floor in the exercise room after watching me take some out of a cupboard. He is one smart dog. Oh, he has a mighty bark. He scared the heck out of me when he saw his reflection in the glass doors leading to the deck… what a goofball. Thanks to everyone at Coastal Humane Society who helped me with this adoption. Chris encouraged me to put my name in for adopting Skye. Stephanie was a wealth of information and answered all of my questions as we went through Skye’s history. Marie was efficient and professional in handling the adoption paperwork. I spoke to other staff members while there and each of my encounters was very positive. Keep up your much needed good work in the community. As I close, Skye is sound asleep at the base of my chair. Scott MacDonald
WHAT’S YOUR STORY? Tell us how your CHS pet is doing and send a picture. While we can’t fit them all in the newsletter, we try to post all “alumni” on our website. Submit your story on the alum page of our website.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
U P C O M I N G EVENTS
Doggy enrichment —
coming to a shelter near you…
Okay, it’s grim, but picture yourself in a small cell with a cold cement floor. A chain link fence blocks you from the kinds of things you wish you could enjoy: treats, glimpses of blue sky, whiffs of fresh air, human attention, a chance to play, something to do. People who you would like to hang out with look at you, then pass by. Hours merge into days, and then weeks. This emptiness of time is interrupted only by meals… short walks… some pats on the head… naps… the metallic clanging of kennel doors. What could make this time less boring and depressing? A game to play with a human? Yes! A puzzle to solve? Yes! Some mental stimulation? You’ve got it — doggy enrichment! Through the creative energy of staff and volunteers, dog enrichment is coming soon to a shelter near you (um, that would be CHS)! After a series of 3-hour “Dog Summit” evening meetings of volunteers, trustees and staff, CHS will launch a Dog Enrichment Program designed to perk up a dog’s day in the shelter. Activities can range from simple
stress relievers such as playing classical music in the kennels, to the mental stimulation of a different doggy toy or puzzle every day. A proven boredom buster is anything that requires a dog to work for his food, such as kibble stuffed into a rubber “kong” or treats trapped in cardboard tubes. After we’ve got the basic enrichments under our belts or collars, we will move toward more labor intensive offerings in 2012, such as “play groups,” obedience training, and agility courses.
If you are a human who is bored or in need of some “mental stimulation,” or just love dogs, we invite you to participate in this “enriching” new program! Call Volunteer Coordinator Kathy Sullivan at 725-5051, ext. 14 or email ksullivan@coastal humanesociety.org. We guarantee that our dogs will “enrich” your day! Below, left to right: Q U I N N , J A N E and J E S S I C A .
ANNUAL FUND reminder It’s your kindness that keeps our shelter doors open and helps our animals find forever homes. Can we count on you to donate to our Annual Fund? You can still give in the new year — the animals don’t mind. Help us make more happy endings. The easiest way to donate is online at our website, coastalhumane society.org.
The animals thank you for your generous support!
Did you know? 4
The Mastiff was one of the few breeds mentioned by name in The Forest Laws of King Canute, the first written laws of England in 1014.
OUR WISH LIST
We always need things
H A P P Y TA L E
We go through a lot of food, litter, and laundry caring for up to 200 animals every day! Canned cat and dog food, litter, towels, fleece blankets and bleach are at the top of our wish list — but there’s plenty more we could use.
Brooklyn
If you see anything on this list you can provide, please do. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter during business hours. We will gladly give you a receipt for your tax records, as well as a hearty thank you! GENERAL SHELTER ITEMS
ANIMAL CARE SUPPLIES
PowerPoint projector
Dog, cat, & kitten food (Friskies, Purina, Science Diet, Nutro, Pedigree. Protein based foods are best.)
Wireless conference phone Office supplies CD players for animal rooms Wood bark chips for dog yards & paths
Puppy Chow (dye-free) Small-Bites dog food Senior pet food
Highest quality digital camera
Chew bones & treats
Stainless steel tables & shelves
Litter scoops Dog toys
Utility garden shed or outbuildings
Peanut butter & Kong toys for dogs
White copy paper CLEANING SUPPLIES Plastic grocery bags for picking up animal waste Bleach, bleach, and more bleach! Paper towels, toilet paper, & tissues
Cat toys
Kitty litter — all kinds Chicken baby food Furry mice toys for cats Carpet trees & hidey-hole houses for cats Feather or wand toys for cats Large cinder blocks
Low-sudsing laundry powder
Humane animal traps — large sizes
New brooms & dust pans
Folding metal exercise pens
New high power, industrial strength vacuum cleaner Liquid hand sanitizer 30-gallon trash bags VETERINARY CLINIC ITEMS X-ray machine & developer Microscope Blood pressure machine with cuffs for animals Hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol Latex & non-latex gloves
Cat climbs Cat beds
Brooklyn, a muscular Mastiff mix, wasn’t a dog for just anyone. When this big four-year-old came to CHS in April, he was touch sensitive, skittish around strangers and generally hard to handle. Because none of the staff could get a leash on him for walks, he was placed in an isolation kennel where he had access to an outside yard. It took two months of patient work and affection before Brooklyn could overcome his fears and start to trust us. He finally graduated to the adoption floor. Still, finding the right home for Brooklyn was not going to be quick and easy. He was loud, large, strong and in need of training, so many visitors passed him by. Worse, he was adopted and returned; twice. It looked like Brooklyn would be a long-term resident. One day in August, I found a message from a man who had called about adopting him. John King and his wife Natalie lived five hours away, up in Aroostook County, near Caribou, almost into Canada. They had spotted Brooklyn on our website and were drawn by his resemblance to their Rufus, a much loved Mastiff mix who had recently died. We talked for an hour, not just about Brooklyn, but also about the many dogs they had rescued over the years. They decided they had to come down to meet him and to also introduce him to Tigger, their rescued Plott hound. When we hung up, I was confident that we had finally found a good match for our big boy. John and Natalie arrived two days later. When I brought the usually shy Brooklyn out into the yard, he greeted Natalie with wagging tail and doggy kisses! The meeting with Tigger was also a success — minus the kisses. With me on the adoption was Sally Bechtle, a wonderful volunteer who had spent hours working with Brooklyn. She and Natalie found many similarities between Rufus and Brooklyn. It was hard not to get teary-eyed when Natalie said the adoption was meant to be: Brooklyn’s kennel number (A2) was the same kennel number where they found Rufus, years ago. After the adoption paperwork was completed, Brooklyn exchanged farewells with staff and volunteers gathered out in the parking lot. He then climbed into “his” truck to start the long ride to his new life. “Brookie” is enjoying the wide open spaces of The County. It’s evident from the photos and emails the Kings have sent us that he’s happy with his new family — and the feeling is mutual. Some dogs just take a little longer to find the perfect home! — STEPHANIE GONDEK,
Animal Care Technician
5
FROM THE EXECUTIV E D I R E C TO R ,
continued from page 2 medicine, food, and pet supplies to the tune of over $35,000 out of our general operating budget. The George Fund, which was created expressly for this purpose, is generally depleted by the end of March each year. You ask how we can bear to do what we do? Here’s one reason: a year ago a grandfatherly gentleman came to the shelter. Polite, soft spoken, and apologetic, he told us that he was living marginally and was trying hard, really hard, to provide for his ailing terrier’s medical needs. We pitched in with bladder stone surgery and medications, which kept the dog going for 11 more months. Then came the inevitable... euthanasia. He left that day with her body, as sad as a man can be, and returned to us a few weeks later saying that he had been unbearably lonely. Could he adopt another dog? He would pay the adoption fee in monthly installments as his social security checks come in. He was so happy when he had that little tail wagging by his side as he filled out the adoption papers. We were soooooo happy to see them walking out together.
We are reducing our carbon paw print! If we have your email address on file, we’re going to send you the electronic copy of future newsletters. If you would like to receive the paper copy of Paws in Print, please email jsiviski@coastalhumanesociety.org.
So… yes, it is heartbreaking work, but it does have its heart lifting rewards! UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2012
Get involved with CHS!
KAREN STIMPSON, E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R
All listed events will be held at our shelter, unless otherwise noted. Visit our website (coastalhumanesociety.org) frequently to check for new workshops or other activities. J A N U A RY SAT 1/7
Rabies PLUS! Clinic 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Harpswell Town Hall 263 Mountain Road SAT 1/14
WANT TO HELP? If you are wondering what you can do to help, consider making a donation to the George Fund or the Annual Fund and we will continue to do everything we can to ease the pain and suffering of animals caught in the economic crosshairs. Above: CONTEST
PHOTO ,
submitted by Dave Gondek.
Rabies Plus Clinic 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Cumberland Town Hall 290 Tuttle Road THURS 1/26
Meet the Vet 7:00 p.m.
LO O K I N G F O R M O R E E V E N T I N F O ?
Visit our website at coastalhumanesociety.org! 6
SUCCESS STORY
Wicked good walk!
The 2011 Paws for a Cause Dog Walk was the best fundraising walk in CHS history! Nearly $25,000 was raised by more than 100 walkers — more than double the proceeds of any other dog walk! The wildly successful event also featured demonstrations, contests, prizes and of course an opportunity for CHS supporters to raise money for a very special cause and to parade the streets of Freeport with their canine friends. The 6th annual event took place in Discovery Park, Freeport in collaboration with L.L.Bean’s Dog Days of August celebration. On behalf of all of our animals, we offer a heartfelt thank you to the walkers and donors who participated in this Paws for a Cause Dog Walk. Thanks also to former Governor Angus King, emcee, and especially L.L.Bean for all of their support.
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NEW VETERINARIAN
CHS welcomes Dr. Mandie Wehr to the team The Coastal Humane Society has a new staff veterinarian! We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Mandie Wehr to the team. “I didn’t even consider veterinary medicine until I was in my early 20s,” Dr. Wehr admits. “I went to school for broadcasting then worked for a while until I discovered it was not for me. I tried different jobs and struggled to find a purpose. Then, I took our kitten, Misha, to the family vet I had grown up with and he asked me why I wasn’t considering veterinary medicine. He said he had always been so sure that’s what I would do.” Dr. Wehr’s first job in a veterinary clinic was at an animal hospital affiliated with the local shelter in Kodiak, Alaska. After that, she said she “was hooked.” A recent graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she was a regular volunteer at the Michigan Humane Society, Best Friends Animal Society, and the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program. She brings energy and enthusiasm to her work as well as extensive knowledge of the best practices of shelter medicine. In August, Dr. Wehr moved to Brunswick with her husband and 6 month-old daughter.
“I’m really enjoying CHS. I love how much the people who work and volunteer here are invested in the animals. While looking for a job on the east coast, I was impressed with CHS. The shelter seemed to be very progressive.” — D R . M A N D I E W E H R So, broadcasting’s loss is shelter medicine’s gain! As she settles in, she’ll narrow down her biggest goals for the shelter. To start, she’s focusing on making our intake area a more comfortable place for cats, decreasing opportunities for our animals to develop URI and streamlining intake procedures so animals will be available sooner for adoption. Just a few of many projects Dr. Wehr will undertake to ensure our ultimate goal—bringing CHS on a par with the best shelters nationwide. Our supporters are cordially invited to join us and Dr. Wehr for a “Meet the Vet” reception Thursday, January 26, at 7:00 p.m. at the shelter. — JANE SIVISKI,
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Marketing & Development Coordinator
People memorials
Donations were made in honor of the following special people between June 1 and October 1, 2011. E L K I N A L S TO N
Lewis Glenn K E L L N E R , J R . , A N DY
Marlise S. Swartz Y V E T T E & E D A R S E N A U LT
Dianna Thibeault CECIL BEANE
Glenis & Wayne Elliott AMY J. CRONE
Elaine & Mervin Wyman
HAROLD C. PLUMMER
Paula & Jim Cornelio Kay George Carl Graffam — Office Man Harry Crooker & Sons, Inc. David & Mary Ann King Anne W Knott Nancy Leeman J. Guy & Joyce Levesque Karleen & Roger Mattison Clement Nickerson Scottie & Judith Oliver Lynn & Robert Ouellette Lorraine Phoenix Gilbert & Carol Schneidewind Mr. & Mrs. Mal Strange Marilyn Tibbetts
JUNE FROST
L I L L I A N P OT T E R
Peter Fessenden & Anne Underwood Frosty’s Donut Shop
Frank & Nancy Gallagher Patricia Stauffer Grover Winnifred Marsters N. Quirk
MAX FURRER
Anna O. Furrer Richard Perry & Jason Ronco DIANA MARIE HANSON
Elizabeth Larsen Edith & David Rentz June Stewart
E L L A P R I E S T LY
Peggy & Frank Broadbent Wilbur & Katherine Higgins PAT R O B I N S O N
Mary Brown
MAX HENKE
ETHEL ROGERS
Stephanie Henke
Jeffrey & Catherine Plouff
THE HOLBROOKS
ROBERT SPEAR
Hilton & Dorothy Libby MILLIE HOUCK
Thomas & Kathryn Deschaine Margaret Spear
Chrys Graham
G E O R G E F. S TA F F O R D
ROBERT OWENS II
John & Sharon Johnston FRANK THELEN III
Skip & Johan Hansen Lloyd Henke Jim & Jennifer Vyhnak H E N RY C H A S E , J R .
Rick Brackett SUSAN KING
Nancy & Richard Coffin ARLENE KNIGHT
Martin Tetu LILA
Linda & Bill McCullough
Norma Baldwin Albert & Gladys Coffin Catherine & Henry Petroski Stetson Shores Campground, Inc. LEMUEL STINSON
Eugene Bubar & Sharon Bell Judith Stilphen NEAL STRANGE
Susan Kenney GEORGE WHITE
Candace & Harold White
Pet memorials
Dorothy W. Campoli
Donations honoring the following pets were received between June 1 and October 1, 2011.
W I L L I A M A . LO V E L L
ANNIE
R O B E R T LO G A N
Sandra Bouchard
Elizabeth Feil
CHAD MEIER
A P O L LO
Lamar & Carolyn Blount Kristi Clifford & Martin Meier Dan Edgerton Edward Schumacher & Inge Shumacher Security Benefit Associates Group Services, Inc. J U D G E M A LC O L M M U I R
Edward & Jo P. Bradley ARROW
Sandra Bolotsky BITTY BEAU
Connie & Skip Carlson BLACKIE & NERMEL
Kathryn Lufkin
Marie Barlow
B R O DY
EDITH MURCHIE
Deborah Smith & Reginald Dyche
Donald Murchie
BRUTUS
S C OT T O S G O O D
Julie Anne & Evan McDuff
Sherry W Shipley
BUSTER
A R T H U R P E R RY
Susan Sawyer
William & Carol Porter
CASEY
Stuart Singer
CASCO
REX ROBIN
LISA SMITH
Jane Siviski
Anne E. Murphy
CUPID
TUBBY ROO
Eric Howard Deborah Smith
Cecil & Susan Burtt
Erik & Abby Pearson
CHARLIE SPEAR
DAISEY
RUBEN
Margaret Spear
Karleen & Roger Mattison
Susan Beegel
D A KOTA
RUBY
Gregory Safranski
Elena Vandervoort
ELI
RUFUS
Andrea Mishou
Natalie King
E M I LY
SADIE
Jon Biehler & Karin Sadtler
Ann & Skip Robinson
FOSTER
SIERRA
Robert & Joanne Pennington
Christopher J. McCormick
F OX Y
TANGO
R. J. Pelletier
Jane Covey
FRANKI
TINKER
Barbara A. Olexa
Edward & Jo P. Bradley
G R E T TA
WHISKEY
Joseph & Bridget Lepley
Edward & Jo P. Bradley
I Z Z Y, TONY, ZOEY, & CLEO
WILLOW & MIDNIGHT
Larisa Ebinger
Evelyn M. Wotton
JACK
WILLIE
Bion Richards & Muriel Richards
Cecile Dolloff
JAKE
XAVIER
Whitney Houghton, MD
Ellen Nordholm
KESS
YODA
Karen Wilcox K Y R A R OSE
Kathleen Battiston Mary Beth Sullivan
Donna Henry
ZIMMER, DUKIE, & PINEA P P L E
LILI
Susan Pinette
Jane Siviski
ZOE
Pet honorariums
Donations honoring the following pets were received between June 1 and October 1, 2011. B R O O K LY N
Natalie King BUNNY
Ginny Remeika & Jim Burke DREW
Karen Wilcox HASKELL
Anne Townsend H E N RY H E R S O M
Dina Brooks JULES & PEARL
Ken Ames MADDIE
Virginia Smith MOOSE
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Cowan N I N J A , M OX I E , PAW S , M I T S U & EBONY
Julianne Dugas PAT R I C K
P E R S O N A L MEMORIALS
ROSA
Send your donation plus the name of the person(s) you wish to honor, and include your name, to Personal Memorials, c/o Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Rd, Brunswick, ME 04011
LO U I E
Angel Broadwater
Karen & Dick Hull
ZOEY
MAGGIE
Susan Pepple & Barry Libman
SADIE
Patricia Murtagh-Verville & Michael Verville
People honorariums
Helen M. Freeman
M A M A K ITTY
Linda Davis M A M U S HKA
Peter & Helen Frati M E R CY
Tracy Johnson Colby “ M E W ” ( MURIEL)
Susan Chase
Donations honoring the following people were received between June 1 and October 1, 2011. JANIS CHAPMAN
Jody Taylor SALLIE CRITTENDON & D O N A L D S O N MOORHEAD
James Burnett
M I LO
PETER FITZGERALD
Karen Manley
Betsey Hall Taber Keally Dan Rosenberg Samuel Rudman Abby Snyder & John Bennett
M I S SY CURTIS
Gladys & Brad Curtis M O L LY
Gerald & Lesley Tudan OZZY
The Brown Dog Inn P E P I TA & LEAPYLEE
David Hammond PRINCE
Jean & Tim DeFreitas PUMPKIN
William & Lisa Gribbin REMI
Amanda Davis RILEY
Beth Pelkey
LINDA MCENANY
Yolanda Berkowitz CORINNE MELANSON
Jeanne P. Whitten RACHEL PAC, ON HER B I R T H D AY
Christopher & Sally Brillant Dale & Malina Sexton SANDRA RICHARDSON
Sarah Boudreau NATALIE & LEONARD SHE A N
Penny Dennison Donald & Marcia Farr Anita Pappas
CHS is pleased to accept donations with the names of those whom you wish to memorialize. In order to properly celebrate your loved one, please specify next to each name whether your memorial is in the name of a special person or a beloved pet. Thank you for your continued support!
Heather & Stacia Stevens
Shirley J. Chace Susan Chadima, DVM Ellen Nordholm
Coastal Humane Society memorials
SHEBA SNOWBALL
Robert & Elizabeth Thiboutot
P E T M E M O R I ALS
Send your donation to us with the name of the animal(s) you wish to memorialize, and your name, to Pet Memorials, c/o Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Rd, Brunswick, ME 04011. OT H E R D O N ATIONS
Please note that all other donations will be listed in our annual report. Make your memorial or honorarium gift on our website. Please go to coastalhumansociety.com and click on “donate.”
Thank you!
9
NEWS
HAPPY ENDINGS make all the hard work worth it
Left to right:
SNOWBALL
and
PEPPER
.
“Set me free why don’t you babe…” You could almost hear The Supremes wailing in the background as a dozen proud and misty-eyed Cat Squad volunteers queued up outside our Cat Isolation Unit with their mewing charges. To the applause and appreciation of onlookers who came to share the celebration, they marched past clicking cameras and into the main shelter building to deliver their “captives” to the free roaming cat rooms. From June to October these cats endured confinement and the indignities of their medical treatment. Of the 60 animals we received from hoarder situations last spring, 36 cats had to be treated for ringworm, an infectious fungus (akin to athlete’s foot) that is the bane of crowded catteries. The ringworm protocols were arduous: volunteers suiting up in Tyvek coveralls; hours of monotonous cleaning; dips in stinky lime sulfur; cultures and daily meds. Under the leadership of staff member Lisa Smith, more than thirty faithful, hardworking and incredibly dedicated volunteers helped in this effort. Probably the toughest part of the ordeal for the cats was that they had to remain in cages the whole time. So when all the cats had received the requisite three consecutive negative test results, you can just imagine how eagerly everyone anticipated the big moment of springing them from their cages!
Did you know? 10
First out of the carriers were Snowball and Princess. Snowball was immediately friendly and curious and began working the crowd. Princess, more typical of cats that have been in long term isolation, quickly sought a hidey-hole under a bank of cages. After all the elated volunteers and prospective adopters went home and the shelter was dark and quiet, we can be sure that the cats crept out of hiding, one by one, to enjoy things they hadn’t been able to do for a long time: climb up a cat tree, look out a window, dribble a ping pong ball, find a feline friend or run across the room to whomp another cat on the head. This happy outcome was especially rewarding because nearly three years ago, CHS was quarantined by the state due to an outbreak of ringworm fungus. Since then, major improvements to shelter operations and the facility have placed CHS in position to assist in animal welfare cases involving the very same condition that caused our shut down in 2008. The organization is proud to have come full circle! At the time of publication, many of these special cats will have been adopted, and some may still be waiting for you to come and claim them! — KAREN STIMPSON,
Executive Director
Breeders today have bred the Mastiff for gentleness and have created an excellent companion, large enough to deter intruders and yet gentle enough to be dependable around children.
S TO RY ASK THE VET
Vet experts take on your toughest questions. Q: Why does my dog yawn so much? A : If you’ve ever wondered why your dog yawns so much, even when he’s wellrested, the answer may surprise you. When your dog yawns a lot, it could be a sign that he’s nervous and trying to relax himself. Yawning is one way that dogs communicate. So just as you might bite your fingernails when you’re nervous, a dog might yawn to calm himself down. Owners can use this behavior to their advantage. By smacking their own lips and yawning, owners can signal to their pets that everything is okay. Try it sometime if your dog appears stressed. Get his attention, smack your lips, and show your dog a nice, big yawn. It may help calm your pooch.
From sad to glad — A VOLUNTEER’S STORY
Even though I wanted to help, I’d hesitated to volunteer. I was worried that what I’d see at the shelter would be too sad. But looking away from sad things doesn’t make them go away, of course — whatever I chose to do, there would still be 30 cats in need of care. So, I signed up. I was one of the volunteers present when the cats were brought to the shelter from their original crowded, deplorable situation. They were disoriented from being taken out of their home (such as it was), and from being surrounded by strangers. Some cried or cowered at the backs of their cages with large, panicked eyes. It was the sight I’d been afraid of seeing, and I went home wondering if I could handle this commitment. But even the next morning, the cats looked noticeably better. Most of them were eating, sleeping, or just sitting watching us. A few hissed and spat. Big, beautiful Fuego, who had been car sick the day before, sat tall and calm with alert yellow eyes. Some of the cats purred and wanted their heads scratched. Outgoing Aladdin and Deschi wanted to come out and explore, but we couldn’t let them because of isolation protocols. The younger cats were eager to play. The situation suddenly seemed much more hopeful. It was the beginning of weeks, then months, of caring for these stoic and forgiving creatures — feeding, medicating, dipping, monitoring, and cleaning. The cats endured it all, some more patiently than others.
Q: How do I teach my kitten to learn her name? A : Good for you! Teaching a kitten to know her name help make her come when called. This makes it convenient for you, and safer if you need to search for a lost kitty.
I’d heard that some shelters would euthanize a roomful of cats if even one were to test positive for ringworm, but I hadn’t understood why. It’s just a fungal infection. But it is highly contagious and can spread from cats to humans, and shelters cannot allow cats exposed to ringworm to go out into the community. Seeing for myself how many volunteer hours and other resources were needed to treat these animals until they tested ringworm-free made it very clear to me why some shelters don’t even try.
But how do you teach Gypsy, Rusty or Dusty her name? Repeat it over and over during happy times, such as when your cat is eating or when you are petting or playing with her. Call her when she’s not near you. Then give your pet a treat or make a fuss when she comes.
I’m proud to work with a shelter willing to take on such a difficult challenge. I am grateful to the other volunteers and to the shelter staff who contributed so much time and effort to these animals. And I am so glad I chose to face something so sad, so that I could help these cats to face a happier life.
Never, ever shout her name when you are angry. You want her to associate her name only with good things. If you haven’t named your kitten yet, choose a name that is short and simple — and one you are comfortable calling out loud and outside.
Want to Volunteer? Visit our website at coastalhumanesociety.org!
— DR. LARRY McDANIEL, DVM,
“Purina Animal Instincts Podcast Series,” courtesy petcentric.com
Above, top to bottom:
IVY
and
FUEGO
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— REBECCA FRANCIS,
Database Manager & Volunteer 11
NON PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID AUGUSTA, ME PERMIT NO. 121
30 Range Road, Brunswick, Maine 04011 tel. 207 725 5051 fax 207 725 4111 coastalhumanesociety.org
FUN FACT
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Cat collar myth debunked! Myth: Cats cannot tolerate wearing collars, so pet owners shouldn’t use them on their kitties. Truth: Cats can adjust to wearing collars just fine, thank you. Their owners should always fit them with a collar and a personalized ID tag — and have them microchipped. Dr. Linda Lord, Dr. Brenda Griffin, the ASPCA’s Dr. Margaret Slater, and Dr. Julie Levy recently published a study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) which examined cat collar issues. The study found that 73% of the 538 cats fitted with collars and microchips still had those in place months later. Myth debunked! Another common myth is that cats get injured by wearing collars. The research found that the simple buckle collar style had the fewest reports of loss, front legs caught in collar, and mouth caught in collar. Dr. Slater noted, “The initial few days [of wearing a collar] were the most crucial
to make sure the collar fit correctly. Plus, it’s really important to provide continued attention and adjustments as needed to prevent problems.” Check the collar regularly to make sure it’s not too tight, especially on fast growing kittens. We let the research be our guide and4.now all of CHS’ cats go home with collars and ID tags. — LISA SMITH,
Community Outreach Coordinator
ED I TO R ’ S N OT E :
Indoor cats can escape and get lost3.too so an ID is just as important for them. And some cats just have a knack for losing their collars, so microchips are an important backup. Pick a collar that your cat will tolerate and check it often — especially a fast growing kitten’s — to make sure it doesn’t get too tight.
At right: M I S SY modeling her ID tag and collar (they match, no big deal!).