Cats and Dogs, a Magazine Devoted to Companion Animals

cats and DOGS B

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A Magazine Devoted to Companion Animals

Mary Ann and Spanky need homes Piper’s Palace Page 13

The end of an era --- Page 8 Vicky’s Pet Connection

On the Wild Side – Page 15

Winter 2020

Retail store benefits cats in Muskegon Page 22

FREE

Seasons Greetings from

Santa Fe Trading Co. 325 Butler St Saugatuck, Michigan www.santafetradingco.com 269-857-1359

CONTENTS Animals for Adoption Carol’s Ferals ........................................................................

5

Cannonsville Critters ...................................................

6

BestPals Animal Rescue ..................................................

11

Noah’s .......................................................................................

12

Piper’s Palace .........................................................................

13

Reuben’s Room Cat Rescue ............................................

14

Muskegon Humane Society .........................................

19

Almost Every Month

On the Wild Side Page 15

Business Card Directory ..............................................

4

Ask the Trainer ...................................................................

4

Willow’s World ..................................................................

10

On the Wild Side ................................................................

15

Furry Philosophy ..............................................................

20

Community Resource Guide .......................................

21

Features The End of an Era ............................................................

8

Thank-you to Vicky’s Pet Connection ...............

9

Shelter Statistics ..............................................................

16

Retail store benefits cats in Muskegon ............

22

Cats and Dogs PO Box 996, Jenison, MI 49429-0996 616-777-0645 catsanddogsmagazine@comcast.net www.catsanddogsmagazine.com Cats and Dogs, founded in 2006, is a free publication supported by advertisers. Magazines are distributed throughout Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon and surrounding counties. We are not responsible for services and products advertised. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

Winter 2020 • www.catsanddogsmagazine.com

Willow’s World Page 10 Publisher: Janet Vormittag Owner: JLV Enterprises LLC Deadlines Spring: Feb. 10 - Summer: May 10 Fall: August 10 - Winter: Nov. 10

Home delivery of Cats and Dogs is $16 per year. Make your check payable to Cats and Dogs and mail to: Cats and Dogs, P.O. Box 996, Jenison, MI 49429-0996

Advertising information: 616-777-0645 - catsanddogsmagazine@comcast.net

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Ask the Trainer

BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY

Communicating with our Dogs

By Robert Crough Owner/trainer Paradigm Dog School LLC. Far too often we just expect our dogs to understand what we are saying to them without giving any thought to how dogs process information or how it will be received.

We must learn our dog’s language, and they must learn ours to effectively communicate with each other.

Whatever words you choose to communicate with your dog, they need to mean one thing and always mean the same thing. Once you have taught your dog the meaning of a word, it is important to maintain relevance of that word. Keep your dog/owner vocabulary strong. Do not get into the habit of repeating commands. Repeating yourself weakens the message.

I have taught for years that there are four things you ever need to say during training. Verbiage beyond these for base words can become confusing to our dogs and slow the learning process. It doesn’t matter what specific word you use, but you do need these four words that have these specific definitions.

The classic is a big, NO! This is your word that means DANGER! Not that you hate them or are mad, but what they are doing is going to cause them harm. For example, a dog picks up a face razor. NO! The release word is another necessary word. This word means the dog is no longer under command. I always teach the word, okay. This word is the bell a school age person hears between classes or at the end of the day. For example, if you break a glass, then command the dog, sit-and-stay, and after you clean up the mess you say, okay.

The, yes, and the soft, no, are the last two words you need. The definition of yes means keep doing that thing or great job. Used to mark behavior like a clicker. It doesn’t mean the task is over, but so far it’s going good.

Then you have your soft no or nope or uh-oh. The definition of this is like saying go fish or try again. The dog is not in trouble. We want the dog to try something different.

Staying consistent with these four words can greatly improve the quality of your training and make your training times more efficient.

616-949-1390 www.noahspetcemetery.com noahspc@comcast.net

Robert Crough can be contacted at www.paradigmdogschool.com.

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The End of an Era

By Janet Vormittag After more than two decades of rescuing cats and dogs in West Michigan, Vicky’s Pet Connection is closing their doors.

“We feel confident there are a lot of good groups out there—the animals are in good hands,” said Vicky Freund who, along with Nancy Mogle, formed the rescue in 1997. The Ada-based group became a nonprofit 501c3 in 1998 and helped bring animal rescue groups into the mainstream.

During their years devoted to pets, Vicky’s found homes for close to 16,000 animals.

“But what we’re most proud of is spaying and neutering almost 20,000 cats and dogs at no cost to the public,” Nancy said.

Those surgeries cost close to $600,000.

Vicky’s Pet Connection funded Inner City Kitties where cats in the inner city of Grand Rapids were spayed/ neutered for free. For years, the group funded the spay/ neuter surgeries for Carol’s Ferals and Focus on Ferals.

They also offered free surgeries for pit bull type dogs and donated money to C-SNIP and the Kent County Animal Shelter for specific spay/neuter funds.

Nancy credits Pete and Tuti DeMaagd with their early success. Pete, a columnist and restaurant reviewer for The Grand Rapids Press, and his wife Tuti were huge animal lovers. When the couple found a lost beagle in Rockford they contacted Vicky’s and liked the group’s innovative alternative to animal shelters and humane societies.

“They became our champions,” Nancy said. “They were an energetic couple with a passion for animals.”

The couple hired an attorney to do the paperwork for Vicky’s to become a nonprofit organization. Tuti also helped organize fundraisers.

“She put her heart and soul into it,” Nancy recalled.

It was through Pete and Tuti that Vicky’s received their largest donation. A friend of the DeMaagds left the group close to $250,000 in her will.

“It was a huge amount of money to us,” Nancy said.

The amount made her reminisce about a conversation she had with Vicky while the two of them sat around a campfire dreaming of starting a pet rescue group.

“We thought if we could raise $5,000 we could save the world,” she said with a laugh.

Nancy credits Vicky with the ingenuity and imagination that it took to start an animal rescue.

“There’s nothing impossible for Vicky Freund. Without that we wouldn’t have been a success.”

But while Vicky was the idea person, Nancy was the organizer. Their diverse talents worked in harmony to make the rescue a reality. Another distinction Cats and Dogs - 8

After 23 years in pet rescue, Vicky Freund (left) and Nancy Mogle, cofounders of Vicky’s Pet Connection are dissolving their nonprofit and closing their adoption center and pet supply store. They pose with a poster of The Lucky Ones, photos of animals they adopted out in one month. between the two women was their preference of pets: Vicky preferred dogs while Nancy favored cats. Their differences made the division of labor easy.

Nancy reflected on the animals she has met. “Animals teach kindness, resiliency, love and forgiveness. It’s just amazing to learn those lessons.”

She’s thankful for the veterinarians who taught her to recognoze and treat common issues with rescued animals, thankful for the phenomenal adopters and for the volunteers who humbled her by how much they gave to help homeless animals. She’s thankful for the shelter workers and all the rescue groups.

The pandemic played a part in their conclusion that it was time to call it quits. “It was a reluctant decision,” Nancy said.

Because of the state shutdown, The Critter Cottage, which is the group’s adoption center and retail store, had to close in March. That resulted in the layoff of volunteers and the downsizing of their adoption program.

Nancy said it gave them a feel of what closing would be like.

Vicky, who still works a full-time job, had already slowly withdrawn from the group’s daily operations.

“It’s emotionally and physically exhausting work,” Nancy explained.

When Nancy retired from her job a few years ago she dedicated her free time and energy to the rescue.

But at 72, Nancy said she can’t do what she used to.

Her back is bad so she can’t lift. She fell and broke bones in her hand, and she can’t hear very well, which makes interviewing potential adopters over the phone like a Continued on page 9

www.catsanddogsmagazine.com • Winter 2020

Continued from page 8

Saturday Night Live skit.

She added that the Kent County Animal Shelter, where she gets cats for their adoption program, now has its own foster program and they currently treat sick and injured animals that years ago would have been euthanized. Plus, there are so many rescues stepping up to the plate.

“It’s in good hands,” she said. “It’s time to pass the baton.”

Nancy admits she can’t walk away completely. “I’ll still foster (cats and kittens) for the shelter, but I’ll take them back for adoption.”

Thank-you to Vicky’s Pet Connection

By Carol Manos, founder of Carol’s Ferals By now, you’ve probably heard the news. After 23 years of fantastic work, Vicky’s Pet Connection is closing its doors. Another non-profit hit hard by COVID-19 and 2020.

I owe Vicky and Nancy an incredible debt of gratitude, for, without them, there would be no Carol’s Ferals.

In 2006, when I first started doing TNR in West Michigan, no one knew what it was. I had huge passion but zero experience, zero plan, and zero funding. I did what I could out of my home (much to the consternation of my neighbors).

Cats were dropped off at my place, kept in cages in my garage, and spayed/neutered in C-SNIP’s mobile unit (that’s all that was available back then). But somewhere, somehow, I connected with Vicky and Nancy, who took me and my fledgling organization under their wonderful wings.

I remember the first time I went to their home, which had a lower level that housed the cats that Nancy pulled from the Kent County Animal Shelter. Every Monday, she went there and withdrew as many adoptable cats – cats on the verge of being euthanized – and brought them into her home. Always taking into careful consideration how many she could properly manage, this amazing woman had to pick the cats she hoped she could find homes for, knowing that the ones that didn’t get a sticky note designating them to be a VPC cat would be euthanized by the end of the week. Can you even imagine the anguish of making those types of decisions as you start every week? I cannot. I don’t think I would have the strength to do what Nancy did for so many years.

Winter 2020 • www.catsanddogsmagazine.com

The cats pulled from the shelter got healthier and stronger and were tested and treated for everything from fleas to panleukopenia (aka distemper, the crushing deadly feline version of canine’s parvo.) Nancy’s knowledge of cats is impressive, and she shared what she knows with me.

Although Vicky and Nancy had a process for rescuing cats and dogs from the shelter, they weren’t set up for TNR. But when Vicky and Nancy came to me with the most incredible offer I could have ever dreamed of: Paying for spays and neuters of cats and kittens that my community cat caregivers trapped. It blew my mind.

Each month, I’d crunch the numbers, forward the bills, and count my blessings as they provided the financial support that made my TNR work possible.

Together, we cut a swath through the free-roaming feline population in our neck of the woods.

As time passed on, I became more confident as Carol’s Ferals’ status became more concrete. As our TNR numbers increased, and we eventually outgrew C-SNIP, they helped me identify my veterinarian who served as our sole vet for our first eight years.

When they no longer were using cages and equipment, they gave it to other organizations. In fact, all the stainless steel cages in our quarantine room came from them.

But Vicky and Nancy’s assistance didn’t stop with me. They continued to coach, guide, nurture, and educate so many of the people involved in the rescues that are part of West Michigan today. Vicky and Nancy’s model for animal rescue created in the late 90s is now standard operating procedure for many organizations today. Their roots in the rescue community run deep and wide, and for that, I am forever grateful.

Simply put, Carol’s Ferals exists thanks to Vicky’s Pet Connection. I owe them an outstanding debt of gratitude that I know I cannot possibly repay, except to continue Carol’s Ferals’ mission of TNR. Thank you, Vicky, Nancy, Annette (outstanding longtime lead volunteer), and the entire team at Vicky’s Pet Connection. I wish you blessings for whatever path you choose in this next chapter of your lives. I hope I’ve done you proud. ~Carol

XMKP A

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Willow’s World The Destroyer(s)

By Tricia L. McDonald Cats and boxes—they go together like peanut butter and jelly. The smaller the container, the harder the cat will work to fit into it. Our Millie is no exception. She loves to climb into empty boxes. Unfortunately, Willow believes boxes are to be destroyed. And it doesn’t take her long to make shredded cardboard out of any size box.

On occasion, her cohort Ernie will join in. There have been multiple instances where I’ll hear them chasing each other through the house with bits of packaging in their mouths.

Every time I visit a pet store, I take great pleasure in admiring the plethora of soft dog toys in various shapes, colors, and sizes. I especially love the ones that are shaped like wiener dogs. If there is a squeaker embedded inside their squishy body, I am in heaven. And even though, based on past experience I know better—I have brought one (or two) home with me.

Willow’s first task (in her mind) when I present her with a soft, squeaky toy is to excise the invader’s squeaker—regardless of the toy’s level of cuteness. She puts one paw on it and pulls at it with her teeth. Within minutes I hear a RIPPPPP!! After spitting out a mouthful of stuffing, she carries on, intent on finding and killing the squeaker. This routine is continued over and over until she has victory over the poor defenseless squeaking apparatus.

Her second task then begins—the disemboweling of the toy. She pulls every bit of stuffing out until it looks like a wet, sloppy rag surrounded by bits of cotton. It is a sad sight.

When Ernie moved in with us, I thought I had found my toy partner. Surely he would enjoy playing less aggressively with stuffies. However, I didn’t consider who would be teaching him the fine art of toy destruction.

Turned out he was a fast learner.

Next, I tried plastic doggy toys. Those seemed like a better fit for my demolishers. Wrong! The outer material was no match for the teeth of a bull terrier, or a Frenchie taught by a bull terrier. I wasn’t ready to admit defeat yet, though.

Mike purchased a cool suction cup dog toy. One end was a suction cup that would be affixed to the floor. A rope was attached to it and at the other end was a ball.

It was advertised as indestructible and interactive. They were only correct about the second word. It took seven minutes for Willow to get the suction cup part off the floor. Then she and Ernie each grabbed an end of the rope and wrestled with it until the whole toy was in tatters.

Now I am resigned to thick rubber toys. In fact, the Cats and Dogs -10

Kong© toys seemed resistant, but they didn’t stand up to Willow either. She chewed the tops off two of them. Guess it’s time for me to throw in the white flag—but I’ll have to keep it away from her or she’ll tear that to bits too.

I may have to sacrifice occasional toys for her to destroy though, because now she has moved on to more significant objects—doggy beds. When Willow is tired and doesn’t want to sleep, she will put her open mouth on the side of her bed. While it looks like she is about to destroy it, she just falls asleep like that. It was all kind of cute—in a crazy Willow way—until she changed her tactics and started biting holes in the bed. Willow was sneaky in this new act of destruction, and I didn’t catch on at first.

That was my bad, as was evidenced by the bed explosion I found when I walked into my office one afternoon.

Apparently, the bed had tried to attack her, and she had to save herself (and us).

At least that’s her story.

Tricia L. McDonald is an internationally published author, public speaker and writing coach. Her new middle-grade book, The Sally Squad: Pals to the Rescue was published in March 2020. Her Life With Sally series (four books) is a compilation of stories chronicling life with her miniature bull terrier, Sally. Quit Whining Start Writing is a guide to help writers put away the excuses and get the writing done. For more stories and book information, please follow Tricia at triciamcdonald.com. www.catsanddogsmagazine.com • Winter 2020

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Piper’s Palace is located in the Zeeland/Holland area, and is dedicated to saving kittens from the streets of Michigan.

https://piperspalace.wixsite.com/kitten 231-683-8427 • piperspalace@yahoo.com All cats are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on vaccines, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped.

Earth does well with most cats, but is bossy and would do best with a laid back cat, one who doesn’t want to be boss too. She does well with dogs, if they stay out of her space. She would not do well with a hyper dog or hyper children. Did we mention she is beautiful?

Mary Ann and Spanky are beautiful kittens. They are playful and like to be petted. They do well with other cats and children.

Paris and Nicky are in search of a forever home TOGETHER only. They are a bonded pair of sisters. Paris is the more outgoing confident one. Paris is very loving and likes to cuddle. Nicky is a more shy and laid back. She follows Paris’ lead and would do best in a quiet home. They both do well with other cats.

Plymouth is a handsome boy in search of his forever home. He is shy, but warms up quickly. He likes to cuddle, play, and he gets along with other cats!

Little Jean was born outside.

Eighty percent of kittens are born outside to stray/feral mothers.

Without human assistance, kittens like Jean only have a twenty to thirty percent chance of making it to a year old. The average lifespan of a stray/ feral cat without human assistance is just a short 2 years. During this time they will fight over food, territory, and mates. They will become infested with fleas, parasites, and diseases and viruses like fiv/felv, and panleukopenia. These cats live terrible lives. If you can please help by donating to the Trailer Park Kitties Fundraiser #3 on Facebook it would be greatly appreciated! Many trailer parks are a huge problem in West Michigan. People get free kittens, and when they are no longer little and begin to reach sexual maturity they are thrown outside and begin breeding. The cycle continues over and over again. I am asking you to please help me to continue to end this terrible cycle. All funds will go towards spaying and neutering the ones already brought into rescue, TNR, other medical, and food. This is a side project I have been working on and it really means a lot to me. I would also appreciate any kind of dry and wet food for them.

A special thanks to Noah’s Pet Cemetery & Crematory for sponsoring our page.

Winter 2020 • www.catsanddogsmagazine.com

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On the Wild Side with Allyson Swanson

A Rare Visitor A predator dashes through the night sky, flight silent.

Her gold eyes lock onto movement from high above as she calculates the exact time and direction to pounce. One moment she’s high above her prey and the next BAM, her razor-sharp talons close around her meal in triumph.

She’s a fierce hunter unlike any other. Bugs and small rodents stand no chance. Oh, did we not say? She’s only 2.8 ounces, on average, and about 7 inches tall. Welcome Wildlife Rehab Center’s first ever Saw-Whet Owls!

When the first call came in on the WRC phone line from a concerned employee at an Intermediate school in Allendale, we assumed the small owl in need would be the more common Eastern Screech Owl. In 30 years of operation WRC has only ever seen one Saw-Whet come through its doors. While they aren’t considered a threatened species, by nature of their size the SawWhet owls are easily predated by larger birds of prey and therefore are a very secretive species. Upon arrival at the school, I carefully opened the box and was met with a tiny adorable tawny colored owl with delicate white feathers framing mesmerizing golden eyes. She was beautiful and clacked her disdain at me the whole drive back to the center.

With no outward injuries, we sent her to our wonderful veterinarian to see if something may be going on that was too small to feel on a physical exam.

Even more surprising was her clean bill of health, which lead us to conclude that she must have had a collision mid-flight and just needed a little R&R and a few meals to get back on her feet. Exactly one week later she was ready to return to her home territory and we were ecstatic for her! Imagine our surprise when on that day a photo was sent to us via text of another small owl found on the ground in a wooded area, clearly another Saw-Whet! Following the same series of steps, it was determined he too had a mild case of head trauma from a collision and a short rest with us had him ready to return home soon.

While their stay with us was so very short (blink and you may miss them!) and not as involved as some of our other rescues, their fierce predatory spirit and willingness Winter 2020 • www.catsanddogsmagazine.com

to threaten me despite their adorable pint-sized body, earns them a place in my heart as a rescue to remember!

Allyson Swanson is a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator with Wildlife Rehab Center Ltd, 1504 Union Ave NE, Grand Rapids. She has been licensed since 2013 but started as a volunteer over fifteen years ago. Since then she has worked with countless species of birds and mammals and has become one of the main local resources for Virginia Opossums. She is also the Center’s Education Coordinator and does presentations with their Educational Ambassador animals. allyson@ wildlife-rehab-center.org – 616-606-5805

In-Home Pet Care When You Can’t Be There THE CAT’S MEOW Pet Sitters Jeanine Buckner Veterinary Assistant

616-791-9696 Loving Home Care For Your Pet During my 18 years of working in veterinary medicine, I realized the need for an alternative to boarding. Thus, The Cat’s Meow Pet Sitters was created. By keeping your feline friend in her familiar home surroundings, you and your cat experience less stress while you are away. My first home visit with you and your cat is at no charge. Information regarding medical care, instructions on feeding and watering, litter box patrol and playing with and/or grooming your cat will all be discussed. At no additional charge, bringing in mail and/or newspapers and watering plants can also be done. Pampering your cat in her/his own home is a wise alternative to boarding. Your cat will thank you!

Jeanine Buckner, Owner

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Kent County Animal Shelter

Humane Society of West Michigan

740 Fuller NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

(formerly Humane Society of Kent County) 3077 Wilson Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 49534 2018

2019

DOGS RECEIVED/ADMITTED: 1,878 1,428 RETURNED TO OWNER: 48 16 ADOPTED (Altered): 1,318 1,317 ADOPTED (Not Altered): 213 4 SOLD: 0 0 TRANSFERS: 3 2 SHELTER ANIMALS EUTHANIZED: 67 49 OWNER REQUESTED EUTHANIZED: 204 191 CATS 2,363 RECEIVED/ADMITTED: 13 RETURNED TO OWNER: 1,924 ADOPTED (Altered): 76 ADOPTED (Not Altered): 0 SOLD: 3 TRANSFERS: 95 SHELTER ANIMALS EUTHANIZED: 191 OWNER REQUESTED EUTHANIZED:

2,238 15 2,075 7 0 4 66 113

* Owner requested euthanized animals are NOT included in intake totals.

14345 Bagley St., West Olive, MI 49460

2018

2019

DOGS RECEIVED/ADMITTED: 1,458 RETURNED TO OWNER: 229 ADOPTED (Altered): 1,131 ADOPTED (Not Altered): 0 SOLD: 0 TRANSFERED: 40 SHELTER ANIMALS EUTHANIZED: 71 OWNER REQUESTED EUTHANIZED: 0

1,375 236 1,000 0 0 86 50 0 2,317 62 1,854 0 0 50 178 0

* Owner requested euthanized animals are NOT included in intake totals.

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2019

DOGS RECEIVED/ADMITTED: 2,246 RETURNED TO OWNER: 677 ADOPTED (Altered): 550 ADOPTED (Not Altered): 13 SOLD 0 TRANSFERS: 202 SHELTER ANIMALS EUTHANIZED: 436 OWNER REQUESTED EUTHANIZED: 354

2,152 646 787 24 0 158 300 245

CATS RECEIVED/ADMITTED: 2,049 RETURNED TO OWNER: 28 ADOPTED (Altered): 326 ADOPTED (Not Altered): 0 SOLD: 0 TRANSFERS: 1,038 SHELTER ANIMALS EUTHANIZED: 340 OWNER REQUESTED EUTHANIZED: 310

2,496 56 678 2 0 1,254 330 160

* Owner requested euthanized animals ARE included in intake totals.

Allegan County Animal Shelter

Harbor Humane Society (Ottawa County)

CATS 2,003 RECEIVED/ADMITTED: 70 RETURNED TO OWNER: 1,494 ADOPTED (Altered): 0 ADOPTED (Not Altered): 0 SOLD: 72 TRANSFERS: 177 SHELTER ANIMALS EUTHANIZED: 0 OWNER REQUESTED EUTHANIZED:

2018

(Managed by Wishbone Pet Rescue since April 2011) 2283 33rd St., Allegan, MI 49010 2018 2019 DOGS RECEIVED/ADMITTED: 546 508 RETURNED TO OWNER: 206 --ADOPTED (Altered) 289 211 ADOPTED (Not Altered): 10 23 SOLD: --0 TRANSFERS: 3 4 SHELTER ANIMALS EUTHANIZED: 38 58 OWNER REQUESTED EUTHANIZED: 9 12 CATS RECEIVED/ADMITTED: RETURNED TO OWNER: ADOPTED (Altered): ADOPTED (Not Altered): SOLD: TRANSFERS: SHELTER ANIMALS EUTHANIZED: OWNER REQUESTED EUTHANIZED:

302 --241 36 0 0 12 13

388 10 247 44 --12 24 5

* Owner requested euthanized animals ARE included in intake totals. www.catsanddogsmagazine.com • Winter 2020

Ionia County Animal Shelter

Pound Buddies Animal Shelter Muskegon County 1300 E. Keating, Muskegon, MI 49442

275 Sprague Road, Ionia, MI 48846 2018

DOGS 1,076 RECEIVED/ADMITTED: 380 RETURNED TO OWNER: 247 ADOPTED (Altered): 176 ADOPTED (Not Altered): 0 SOLD: 160 TRANSFERS: 125 SHELTER ANIMALS EUTHANIZED: 9 OWNER REQUESTED EUTHANIZED: CATS RECEIVED/ADMITTED: RETURNED TO OWNER: ADOPTED (Altered): ADOPTED (Not Altered): SOLD: TRANSFERS: SHELTER ANIMALS EUTHANIZED: OWNER REQUESTED EUTHANIZED:

2019 1,312 466 286 268 0 125 156 18

271 4 88 39 0 81 77 4

* Owner requested euthanized animals are NOT included in intake totals.

139 2 47 3 0 51 36 15

DOGS RECEIVED/ADMITTED: RETURNED TO OWNER: ADOPTED (Altered): ADOPTED (Not Altered): SOLD TRANSFERS: SHELTER ANIMALS EUTHANIZED: OWNER REQUESTED EUTHANIZED: CATS RECEIVED/ADMITTED: RETURNED TO OWNER: ADOPTED (Altered): ADOPTED (Not Altered): SOLD: TRANSFERS: SHELTER ANIMALS EUTHANIZED: OWNER REQUESTED EUTHANIZED:

2018

2019

647 214 189 137 0 34 21 0

627 218 138 176 0 62 32 0

616 13 62 297 0 30 107 0

786 17 162 421 0 59 114 0

* As of August 2017, this facility does not provide owner requested euthanasia.

Please adopt and spay/neuter your pets.

Every year the live-release rate from animal shelters improves, so a huge thanks to the shelter workers, volunteers and rescue groups who help find homes for homeless cats and dogs.

While homeless cats and dogs are being euthanized is shelters and humane societies, please consider adoption.

Many of the dogs sold in pet stores, through classified ads or over the Internet come from puppy mills. Sometime puppy mills sell directly to consumers through websites designed to give the impression of a reputable breeder.

A puppy mill is a massive breeding operation where hundreds of dogs are kept in overcrowded and often unsanitary conditions without proper veterinary care, food, water or human interaction. Puppies born in puppy mills are often sick, poorly socialized and have hereditary and congenital defects from being bred carelessly. The parents of the puppies can live their entire lives in a cage. If you decide to a buy a puppy directly from a breeder, don’t do so without seeing where the puppies and their parents are raised and housed. Ask questions, get references.

www.quickfixvet.com Schedule your appointment online Affordable dental cleanings Low-cost spay/neuter Vaccinations Microchipping Wellness checks Our Mission: To prevent the unnecessary euthanasia of healthy dogs and cats by providing quality, reduced-cost spay and neuter surgeries, and to provide low-cost basic services to those who need it.

Winter 2020 • www.catsanddogsmagazine.com

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Books that make great Christmas presents for people who care about animals!

The Save Five Series are fictional books that explore some of today’s relevant animal issues such as factory farming, medical and cosmetic research, dog fighting, animal hoarding, and captive hunting preserves.

If you have compassion for animals and love to read, you’ll appreciate Janet Vormittag’s heroic tales of Alison Cavera as she fights for animals who share this planet with us.

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The Save Five Series Dog 281 (book 1) MoreThan a Number (book 2) The Save Five Club (book 3) You Might be a Crazy Cat Lady if ...

Available at amazon.com janetvormittag.com or by calling 616-777-0645

www.catsanddogsmagazine.com • Winter l 2020

This page paid for by Clock Timeless Pets!

Winter 2020 • www.catsanddogsmagazine.com

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Furry Philosophy

By Jodi Jarvis -Therrian, CCPDT-KA CTDI Most of us remember the wise words from Dr. Suess: “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.

Maybe Christmas, he thought... doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more!”

“Well, in Whoville they say - that the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day. And then - the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of *ten* Grinches, plus two!”

I believe our pets often share the same message, gifts from the heart mean so much more; it is the laughs, homemade gifts, and the things you did to give back that will resonate the most in your memory. Our pets don’t care the price of things, for them it’s about the love and fun.

There is something about Christmas that puts that sparkly fairy dust in the air. We bake, we wrap, we want to give and make merry.

My furry friends and I would like to encourage you to share just a smidge of that magic in your heart and merriment and remember to give back in anyway that resonates with your heart.

Giving back can be not only rewarding but also fun. I really enjoy heading up charity pet photos with Santa. It is an evening of laughter, joy and giving back. Even this year, with the pandemic we found a safe way to continue the tradition. Sometimes you have to do a little creative thinking and stay diversified but when you are jolly elf, doing Santa’s good work for those who need it, a way presents itself.

The greatest gift I ever received, I sadly lost the end of January after 15½ years, my dog Odin J. I am so grateful for all the years we spent together, teaching each other, increasing our bond and enjoying the never long enough journey. I write this article to continue his message to “Help all dogs (and pets) live their best lives,” in his honor. The love I received from the little rescue boy found freezing in the snow was something I hold in my heart forever and ever. Odin knew I could never replace him. He also knew I was lonely and sent me a gift from heaven above to help my heart heal. He sent this gift via Louisiana to Muskegon Humane, a furry white dog with Odin marking both his sides in the shape of a heart so I knew his message was clear. This goofy silly boy named “Odin J.’s Heavenly Sent Heart” ‘Olaf A Snowman’”, keeps a smile on my face and my heart lighter. I KNOW Odin J. will always be my guardian angel and is making sure I am taken care of.

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Another of my most treasured gifts, which I was given right after Odin J. passed is a gold bone that hangs on a kennel at Muskegon Humane Society. This bone was given as a gift from my good friend and business partner, Paula. She generously donated this bone and paid to sponsor a kennel for one year in Odin’s name.

The sponsorship pays for a dog to eat in the kennel for one year. I cannot think of a greater honor to a loved one than to sponsor this in their name. I plan to continue this sponsorship for as long as I am able. I go in to the shelter to visit and take photos and try to find homes for all the dogs, but feature the dogs in his kennel on social media in his honor, in hopes they can find their furever family even faster.

One by one we can all make a difference. What way would make your heart smiles? What time, talent or gift can you afford to give? Shelters are struggling now more than ever. “ Saving that one dog (one cat or one horse) will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.”

Angel Odin, Olaf, Raven kitty and I make a Christmas wish that all the homeless pets and those in shelters will have their world changed for the better. We hope they find their perfect fur-ever home and never feel lonely again.

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Community Resource Guide Cemeteries Clock Timeless Pets 1469 Peck St., Muskegon, MI 49441 231-722-3721 - www.clocktimelesspets.com Noah’s Pet Cemetery & Crematory 2727 Orange Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-949-1390 – noahspc@comcast.net www.noahspetcemetery.com Sleepy Hollow Pet Cemetery 2755 64th St. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315 616-538-6050 – www.sleepyhollowpc.com info@sleepyhollowpc.com

Feral Cat Support Services A Feral Haven Supporting feral/community cats in Ottawa and Allegan Counties by loaning live traps, and providing spay/neuter vouchers and food. http://www.aferalhavenmi.org – 616-399-1774 a.feral.haven.mi@gmail.com

Humane Societies/Shelters Allegan County Animal Shelter 2293 33rd Street, Allegan, MI 49010 269-686-5112 - www.petfinder.com/shelters/MI299.html Harbor Humane Society 14345 Bagley Street (at US 31), West Olive, MI 49460 616-399-2119 - www.harborhumane.org

Pet In-Home Hospice Heaven at Home Pet Hospice In-home pet hospice, palliative pet care and euthanasia for companion animals 616-498-1316 – doc@pethospicevet.com www.pethospicevet.com

Pet Services Pleasant Hearts Pet Food Pantry Helping keep pets and families together since 2016 info@pleasantheartspetfoodpantry.org www.pleasantheartspetfoodpantry.org 1539 Taylor Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Pet Training Paradigm Dog School Professional dog training 616-886-4214 – paradigmds@gmail.com www.paradigmdogschool.com Wolf Song Enterprises, LLC Animal behavior consulting, Animal training, Animal talent Wolfsongenterprises@gmail.com – 231-744-7141

Rescue Groups BestPals Animal Rescue Center 13888 Blair St., Holland, MI 49424 Call for appointment, 616-212-3368 www.bestpalsarc.wix.com – bestpalsarc@gmail.com

Humane Society of West Michigan 3077 Wilson Drive NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534 616-453-8900 - www.hswestmi.org

Cannonsville Critters Helping cats in Montcalm County Michelle Hocking, 989-287-2553

Ionia County Animal Shelter 3853 Sparrow Drive, Ionia, MI 48846 616-527-9040 - www.petfinder.com/shelters/MI342.html

Carol’s Ferals Trap-Neuter-Return and Adoption 616-560-0555 – www.carolsferals.org

Kent County Animal Shelter 740 Fuller Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 616-632-7300 - www.accesskent.com/kcas

Headin’ Home Pet Rescue 185 Panther Dr., Holland, MI 49424 616-886-1474 - headinhomerescue@sbcglobal.net www.headinhomerescue.org

Pound Buddies Animal Shelter & Adoption Center 1300 East Keating Ave., Muskegon, MI 231-724-6500 - www.poundbuddies.org

Pet Boarding/Sitters Canine Country Club In-home pet sitting and dog walking 231-755-3230 The Cat’s Meow Loving Home Care For Your Cat Jeanine Buckner, veterinary assistant - 616-481-6878

Hearts of Hope Dog Rescue Until there are none, rescue one 616-366-8455 - rescueofhope@gmail.com www.rescueofhope.com Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary ‘A home along the way’ for dogs in need.

Adopt - Volunteer - Donate 8935 Thompson Rd. Lake Odessa, MI 48849 www.mackenzies.info Muskegon Humane Society - a no kill, non-profit shelter 2640 Marquette Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 231-773-8689 - www.muskegonhumanesociety.org Continued on page 22

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Community Resource Guide Pet Tales Rescue A non-profit, volunteer, foster-based, all-breed dog/cat rescue.

Kathy Brown, P.O. Box 88084, Kentwood, MI 49518 616-446-1591 – pettalesrescueboard@gmail.com www.pettalesrescue.com – www.facebook.com/pettalesrescue Reuben’s Room Cat Rescue Jeanine Buckner A no-kill, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization 616-481-6878 - www.reubensroom.org catrescuereubensroom@gmail.com West Michigan Ferret Connection Education - Boarding - Adoptions - Rescue Dee Gage, 616-447-2978 - wmfc2001@sbcglobal.net

www.westmichiganferretconnection.com

Westie Rescue Michigan Inc A nonprofit volunteer organization providing assistance and foster care for homeless West Highland White Terriers.

Jackie Curtis – 810-632-5477 westierescuemi2@yahoo.com – www.westierescue-mi.com Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance Managing the Allegan County Animal Shelter P.O. Box 124, Douglas, MI 49406 (800) 475-0776 - www.wishbonepetrescue.org

Spay/Neuter C-SNIP Affordable spay/neuter services We have clinics in Grand Rapids and on the Lakeshore 616-455-8220 – info@csnip.org www.csnip.org Quick Fix Veterinary Clinic www.quickfixvet.com Affordable routine care, dental cleanings and spay/neuter

Specialty Businesses CBD Store of Michigan For you and your pet 37 East Main St., Fremont, MI 49412 616-291-9558 – rglupker@gmail.com www.cbdstoremi.com

Veterinarians Quick Fix Veterinary Clinic www.quickfixvet.com Affordable routine care, dental cleanings and spay/neuter

Wildlife Wildlife Rehab Center 1504 Union Ave. NE, Grand Rapids 616-361-6109 – www.wildlife-rehab-center.org

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Resale store benefits cats in Muskegon

By Janet Vormittag Who starts a retail store in the middle of a pandemic?

The answer? A handful of cat loves in Muskegon County.

The Heaven Can Wait Retail Resale Store, 1032 Sternberg Road, opened Oct. 17.

All proceeds go to Heaven Can Wait, a nonprofit rescue group dedicated to reducing the overpopulation of cats through spay and neuter. They find new homes for hundreds of cats and kittens each year.

“Every penny goes to the rescuing homeless kittens and cats. We provide medical care and find them loving homes,” said volunteer Renea Clark, the brainchild behind the store.

Renea has been volunteering for Heaven Can Wait for three years by fostering cats and helping organize fundraisers.

Normally the group holds a yard sale in May, but because of Covid-19 the sale was postponed until July.

By that time July rolled around they had several storage units full of items to sell.

“We’ve been amazingly blessed with donations,” Renea said.

The sale, which included an arts and crafts pop up market, was held in a vacant store and outside plaza of a strip mall on Sternberg Road. It went so well that Renae wondered what it would be like to have a resale store year-round. She talked to the mall’s owner and presented the idea to Heaven Can Wait’s board of directors.

“The community has embraced our store and the mission of Heaven Can Wait.”

“Everyone was really excited, and it happened real fast,” Renea said.

Members of the group (Staci, Diana, Carla, Laurie L, Lori, Poel, Kim and Tricia) spent the rest of the summer searching for store fixtures and items to sell. They went to garage and estate sales and offered to take left-over items.

“We had a lot of fun on the journey to get here, but at times it became a challenge because we always need volunteers,” Renea said.

“The community has embraced our store and the mission of Heaven Can Wait,” she said.

The store has a mix of old and new items for sale.

There are handmade toys for cats and dogs, antiques, house wares, books, electronics, jewelry, clothes, seasonal items and much more.

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You can follow Heaven Can Wait Retail Resale Store on Facebook for sales, new items and other information.

Due to Covid-19 store hours have been reduced to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The store is closed Mondays through Friday at this time.

If would like to donate items or volunteer to help staff the store call 231-737-5644 or call Renea directly at 231-329-0938.

Carla Clark (left), Renea Clark (center), and Laurie Pummel are volunteers at Heaven Can Wait’s new retail resale store in Muskegon.

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