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
spr ing 2011 featu res 1 With love, from Alabama 4 Happy Tale: Brianna 7 The “Cat Summit” 9 New Freeport clinic 14 Happy Tale: Bubba in ev ery issue 2 From the Executive Director 8 Wish list 12 Memorials 15 Upcoming events calendar ou r missio n 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 To ensure that all dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals are adopted into lifelong responsible homes tow ns we serv e Bowdoin
Harpswell
Bowdoinham
North Yarmouth
Brunswick
Phippsburg
Cumberland
Topsham
Durham
Pownal
Falmouth
Woolwich
Freeport
Yarmouth
Georgetown Coastal Humane Society, Inc. 30 Range Road Brunswick, Maine 04011 207 725 5051 / fax 207 725 4111 coastalhumanesociety.org
ta r a ,
rescued through the Puppy Pipeline, plays happily in her new home in Maine
With love, from Alabama by Polly Anderson, Volunteer
Trout, Tara, Tater Tot and 47 other pups are on the most important and probably longest ride of their lives. While they snooze companionably in puppy piles, a van speeds them away from death in the deep south to life in Maine. The trip began in rural Alabama at The Humane Society of Escambia County. The shelter is overcrowded with dogs as are many southern shelters. Trout had only three days on the adoption floor before he was destined for euthanasia. The shelter has no choice. They are overwhelmed with animals. Pet overpopulation is a serious problem in the South because fewer animals are spayed or neutered. The staff has worked diligently to reduce the euthanasia rate by finding placements for their dogs in other parts of the country, where they have a better chance of adoption. The health-
iest, most-likely-to-be adopted animals are chosen for transport. They receive their first shots and a certificate of health from a local veterinarian. Trout and his puppy pack are among the lucky ones. There is space available at Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk and at Coastal Humane Society in Brunswick. Great! But how to get them there? Puppy Pipeline comes to the rescue. The Puppy Pipeline Rescue Group of Georgia transports healthy dogs — and sometimes cats — out of Georgia and Alabama shelters to areas where space and homes are available — usually the Northeast and upper Midwest. The nonprofit group owns three specially equipped vans. Each van, with two drivers, makes a non stop overnight trek a week. Last year the rescue group made 130 trips, logged 226,443 miles and saved over 2,000 (continued on page 5)
fro m the e x e c u t iv e d i re c tor Ri ve
Golf Club
rR d
karen stimpson welcomes Tellisa , newly arrived from Alabama via the Puppy Pipeline. Photo: © 2011 Michele Stapleton, www.michelestapleton.com.
VOLUNTEE R S NEEDED Morning Cleaning
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. The shelter has openings for a few good volunteers to help with cleaning cat and dog rooms. Just three hours of your time one day a week would be a most welcome and important contribution. The benefits include purrs and tail wags, making friends with other dedicated animal lovers and knowing that you are needed and appreciated. Our Volunteer Coordinator is standing by — call Kathy at 725-5051, ext. 14
2
Which leads us to the question of save. Have we truly “saved” an animal if the end result turns out to be a long slow decline in a shelter instead of the happy arrangement of a forever home, or even a well-run rescue? Dr Emily Weiss argues on her blog of June 10, 2010, What Saved Means to Me, that saved is not just the saved of animals brought into a warm shelter from the cold streets by animal control — but the saved of ultimately making it out of the shelter and back into a warm home. “This also means to me that there is a risk,” she writes, “depending upon the number of animals entering the community system and the support in that community, that saved means that an animal who requires a very long shelter stay and high support may be euthanized so that many others can be saved.” Enter Nathan Winograd. In his No Kill Solutions e-newsletter, he states that inherent in the mission statements of “nearly every humane society and SPCA in the country are claims to cherish animals, enforce their rights, and teach compassion. He goes on to say that implicit within the “no kill” philosophy is the understanding that “some animals, such as those who are irremediably suffering or hopelessly ill, will be killed for reasons of mercy…that dogs that are aggressive with a poor prognosis for rehabilitation are a direct and immediate public safety risk who cannot be adopted.” With that in mind, let’s shift the focus to the other side of the coin. That is to say, let’s focus on “live release rate,” the industry standard for decreasing the length of an animal’s stay and increasing adoptions, all of which would eventually result in fewer animals coming into the shelter in the first place. Again I quote Weiss, “…focusing on getting more animals out alive is a different goal than one focused on no euthanasia. This is true for staff, and for community. Now — when one actively works on a goal of live releases, euthanasia will decrease — not because animals are sitting in the shelter, but because they are going home. Asking your community to rally around live release is a much more positive message — and frankly, one that I have not found to lead to the level of aggression and agitation that can surround a “no euthanasia” message.” So where does this debate leave us here at CHS? By the good fortune of location in an unusually humane state, we at CHS have happily been able to avoid many (continued on page 4)
ch
ee
nw
ur
Gr
oo
Brunswick
Ch
Every time someone asks me if CHS is a “no kill” shelter, I want to ask them, in return, “How much time do you have?” I want to tell them that animal sheltering is an emotional, complicated, and often messy business in which there are no easy answers, especially when it comes to matters of life and death. We face this almost daily as we consider, on a case-by-case basis, the questions of when is an animal too sick to survive, too aggressive to place out in the community, or just plain too unadoptable to find a forever home. We know we cannot save them all, and still we try.
Rd
The question of “no kill” dR
d
McKee
n
lo c at i on
We are located on Range Road, off Route 1 North (Pleasant Street), in Brunswick, Maine. ho ur s o f op er at i o n
Six days a week: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed Wednesdays & major holidays. o ur tr u s t e e s
Scott Cushing Fran Philip Tom Hinman Rajiv Shankar Lee Johnson Todd Smith Tony McDonald Loraine Snyder Connie McCabe Halliday Moncure Dorothy Wentworth o ur employ e e s executive director
Karen Stimpson shelter manager
Melissa Hewins senior animal tech
Linus Coulombe floor manager
Darlene Brunick certified Dog Trainer
Shannon Hall-Nutting animal care & adoption counselors
Ann Aspach Toni Sawyer Susan Smith Stephanie Gondek Katelyn Wells Emma Hunter Ashley Vining Susan Landry Leslie Riversmith veterinary assistant
Tammy Lebeau weekend Front Desk
Lisa Rodzen volunteer coordinator
Kathy Sullivan business & office manager
Karen Rendall customer service/community outreach manager
Lisa Smith bookkeeper
Teri McRae website & social Media coordinator
Jane Siviski volunteer newsletter editor
Polly Anderson
shelte r news
A tale of two kitties... g o o d n e ws!
CHS receives $86,500 grant! The Coastal Humane Society was recently awarded an $86,500 grant from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation. The foundation, established in Kennebunk in 1982, supports conservation of the natural environment and the wellbeing of animals and humans, mostly in Maine.
Several of our long-term feline residents have found homes! (These happy endings were made possible with your support. Thank you!) Rimpo, a sweet tabby stray, had been at CHS on and off for over a year. She was adopted twice but came back both times due to digestive problems. At the shelter she had to be in a cage so she couldn’t eat the other cats’ food which would upset her stomach. She began to show signs of stress from her confinement so she was sprung to the lobby to socialize and still be separate from the other cats. She dined daintily on her special diet, claimed a comfy upholstered chair and, when she wasn’t snoozing, schmoozed with visitors. She schmoozed her way right into the kind hearts of Rick and Kathy Meade. The Meades report that she has settled in happily. She is eating well with no digestive problems and they are slowly expanding her food choices. She has a favorite chair, purrs “like an idling jet plane” and has a slightly new name, Rinpo, short for Rinpoche, which means “precious jewel” in Tibetan Buddhist circles. They conclude, “We think Rinpo’s other adoptions didn’t work out because she was meant to live with us.” It sounds like this “precious jewel” found a gem of a home.
Rosie came in as stray in August 2009. This striking black and white cat was adopted twice but bought back each time due to landlord issues and escapes outdoors. Sweet but nervous, she compulsively licked patches of fur down to the skin while in the shelter. Believing her stress might be caused by the company of many other cats, she was given her own large cage in the hall. When she was let out of her cage for exercise she often made a dash for the front door. Now, 16 months after she first came to the shelter, she has found her forever home. Since December of 2010 she has been living with her new family and has decided she’s happy as an indoor cat! She tolerates the other two resident felines but gets along better with the dog. Her family reports that Rosie is still pulling out some fur, but is generally doing well. They hope that as she feels more secure and settled she’ll gradually give up her habit. Above, left to right: r i mp o and r o s i e are proof that there is a loving home for every animal — it just may take a little extra time.
CHS will use the grant to implement recommendations by the Humane Society of the United States for improving our facility, and for disease management and animal care. This grant, together with the anonymous donation announced on page 8 will also provide funds for customer service and adoption counselor training to achieve better/faster/ more lasting adoptions; conference attendance for for staff members to learn the latest best practices nationally and for a Social Media Specialist to improve animal marketing and customer services.
ginger:
Who says dogs don’t smile? 3
no k ill,
continued from page 2 heartbreaking decisions inherent with lack of space, or better put, we have been able to adopt out almost as many animals as have come our way. But we are still left to grapple with the ongoing thorny business of how to determine “too sick,” “too aggressive,” or just plain “too unadoptable,” given limited resources. I welcome your thoughts on these matters and encourage you to contact me: kstimpson@coastalhumanesociety.org. Now, regarding that question about “no kill”… aren’t you glad you didn’t ask?
K a r e n s t i mp s o n , e x e c u t i v e d i r e c to r
Always s o m e o n e wa i t ing f o r a n e w h o m e
Brianna — Here today… maybe still
tomorrow...and the stories go on M o n d ay m o r n i n g , N o v e m b e r 1 5
There’s a long haired, high spirited black angora adolescent kitten in the lobby show cart right outside my office door when I arrive. Unlike me at 9:00 am on a Monday, this cat – Brianna — is full of energy and cheerful antics. She is showing off with a catnip mouse, tossing it in the air and then pouncing on it vigorously. M o n d ay m o r n i n g , N o v e m b e r 2 2
Brianna gets up to greet me with a powerful meow as I arrive at my office door. But today she sounds more plaintive than playful. Though otherwise perfectly healthy, she is an “FIV cat,” which means she has a compromised immune system that can be passed on to other cats. Consequently she is confined to a cage in the shelter, a condition which she is none too happy about. I try to console her with a felt fish at the end of a “fishing line,” but as soon as I walk away she sinks back into her kitty bed…you can almost hear her sigh. M o n d ay m o r n i n g , N o v e m b e r 2 9
work sho p
I pass Brianna and this time my heart aches for her. She is reaching through the bars frantically trying to touch me and meow-wailing loudly. Her food and toys are untouched. Her water bowl is overturned. She wants out in a big way. She cries on and off all day. M o n d ay m o r n i n g , D e c e m b e r 6
Brianna barely looks up when I call her. She neither cries nor plays with the string I dangle. She is depressed, and I feel very sad for her. M o n d ay m o r n i n g , D e c e m b e r 1 3
CAT TITUDE II Does your cat think outside the litter box? Is she shredding your bedding? Discover the reasons for your kitty’s behaviors at one of our most popular (and free!) pet workshops. Cattitude II is April 26 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. in the Morrell Room at the Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick. Animal Behavior Consultant Karen Campbell and Dr. Debra Givin (“The Cat Doctor”) will shed light on many feline mysteries and answer your questions. Register online and submit questions to the experts ahead of time on the events page of our new improved website: coastalhumanesociety.org or call 725-5051, ext 14. Refreshments will be provided. 4
Brianna is gone! Brianna has been chosen! Over the weekend, an angel by the name of Rose Larkin gathered her up and took her home to be the lively happy little soul she was meant to be. But, in Brianna’s place is another sad face – another FIV cat longing to be anywhere but in a cage. This guy, a big soulful, low-key “tuxedo cat” was the beloved pet of an elderly gentleman who passed away in December, leaving “Bib’”alone in a trailer with no one to take care of him. (Please see Bib’s story on the back cover.) to d ay
As of this writing, Bib is still waiting “to be chosen.” Will you be Bib’s angel? — karen stimpson, Executive Director
Did you know?
Those born under the sign of the dog in Chinese astrology are considered to be loyal and discreet, though slightly temperamental.
c ommun i t y pr o g r a m
Pet grief support meeting If you have recently lost a beloved pet and are interested in attending a support group, Hospice Volunteers in Brunswick can help you. For more information call Kathe Pilibosian at 721-1357.
a la b am a ,
continued from front page dogs. Their goal for 2011 is to save 3,000. As the van with its precious cargo speeds toward Maine, CHS prepares a warm northern welcome and not-so-welcome, baths and dips (a lyme-sulfur dip is a precaution against ringworm). Towels, tubs, and name tags are laid out. After 20 dogs are dropped off in Kennebunk, the van finally rolls into CHS. The doors slide open and Tara, Tater Tot, Trout, and the remaining 27 are greeted enthusiastically by a gowned, gloved and bootied crew of staff and volunteers.
Each pup gets their own volunteer and is cuddled, weighed, identified, examined, shampooed, cuddled, dipped, dried and cuddled again. The clean and hungry pups are settled into kennels with litter mates and friends, blankets, toys and food. While they wait the required five days before adoption they get another medical check up, more shots and are spayed or neutered. At 6:00 a.m. on the first day of adoption, the temperature is 20 degrees with a foot of new snow. The shelter opens at noon but there are already eager — and hardy — adopters waiting in the parking lot. When the doors open officially, each potential adopter gets a number, and within 35 minutes all ten pups in the first group are claimed. Trout, Tater Tot and Tara all find homes. So do Tori, Telissa, Taco, Trigger, Bessie, Magenta and Penelope. CHS is planning more rescues like this one as space and resources allow. “While CHS’s first priority is to the animals in our area, canine overpopulation is a national, not a local problem. If the shelter has empty kennels and there are families eager to adopt great dogs, then we will work with other shelters to save lives,” said Shelter Manager, Melissa Hewins. The Maine and Alabama shelters and the adopters of the Alabama pups know that sometimes it takes a nation to save a dog.
Clockwise, from bottom left: j u l i e , To r i meets her new mom, J e s s i c a , G i d g e t . 5
as k t h e vet
Q : How can I get a landlord to feel comfortable renting to me when I have a pet? A : Many dogs and cats are relinquished when their owners move to an apartment where pets are not allowed. But there are ways to help a landlord feel more confident about allowing your dog or cat. For example, you could offer to sign an agreement and pay a pet damage deposit. It may also help to bring up the subject of pets in person, with the individual landlord rather than with the property management company. And you should definitely be prepared to promote yourself as a responsible pet owner.
Q : Why do cats knead? A : When kitty begins working those paws like she’s stomping grapes, you might wonder where this deep seated need to knead comes from. One reason for the behavior stems from kitten-hood — kneading mama’s teats stimulated milk to flow freely. Since kneading as a kitten was followed by a reward, your adult cat naturally continues this behavior in the hope of more good things to come.
If possible, get references from a previous landlord, neighbors and your veterinarian.
Another reason for kneading in cats is territorial marking. Your cat uses scent glands in the pads of her feet to mark the boundaries of her territory. So as your cat kneads she is leaving a personal “eau de feline” all over you and your living room furniture.
— dr. andrea looney, dvm,
— dr. larry m c daniel, dvm,
“Purina Animal Instincts Podcast Series”
“Purina Animal Instincts Podcast Series”
h a pp y ta il
Fox gets adopted! Fox came to CHS wearing a torn leash so we thought someone might come in to claim him, but no one ever did. His health check revealed that he was suffering from Lyme disease, and his overall condition was pretty bad. He got special food and was put on medication for the Lyme disease. During his long stay on the adoption floor, Fox always seemed anxious and stressed. He circled and barked incessantly. Fox often reacted to other dogs in the kennels, and exhibited a strong prey drive when out on walks. These behaviors made it hard for adopters to imagine having Fox in their homes. We discovered that if you went into Fox’s kennel to spend time with him, he would visibly relax. Many of the people who got close to him described him as a soulful dog. After 5 months, Fox was pulled from the adoption floor to be placed through a rescue group. A couple from Chelsea had fallen in love with Fox’s description on the CHS website months earlier, but weren’t ready to get another dog. They still checked periodically to see if he was still available, and assumed he had been adopted when he disappeared from the website. They began searching available dogs on rescue websites, and spotted Fox again. They agreed to have him come to their home for a “meet and greet” with them and their dog. After spending time with Fox they decided to do everything they could to make Fox part of their family. The dogs worked it out and became best friends. Fox eventually unwound from his time at the shelter. Now it seems he is enriching his family’s life as much as they are enriching his! — Mandy Fisher, CHS Dog Rescue Group Coordinator
6
new g rou p
I ntr o d u cing
The Cat Summit A small group of thoughtful, committed cat people Margaret Mead once famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Who we are Here at CHS a small group of thoughtful, committed cat lovers has united around concerns for lost cats, ferals, and fosters, and though they are not changing the world, they are certainly rocking the world of our community cats! They call their monthly meetings Cat Summits, and the Summiteers are a mix of CHS staff, volunteers, and an Animal Control Officer. Aiding the recovery of lost cats The first Summit was dedicated to brainstorming solutions to the high rate of lost cats (millions reported nationally) vs. the low rate of recovery (2%-5%). In researching actions that the shelter could take to match more owners to their pets, the group began to look at ways to minimize lost cats in the first place. Statistically, 95% of lost pets with tags are returned to
their owners. Enter: the collar and tagging machine! Now, all cats leave the shelter with a collar and identification which allows cat finders to more easily track down original owners. Additionally, the summit recommendations lead to more detailed information on our new website about finding a lost pet, daily Craigslist searches, and a dedicated phone line for reporting a lost or found animal. Working to help feral cats Next, the Summiteers tackled the plight of feral cats, especially ways to keep them from entering the shelter system. Ferals are once domesticated, now wild, animals that do not do well in confinement. Historically, CHS has been successful in placing ferals into guardianship through its Barn Buddies Program, but lately it seems that our community has about as many outdoor and barn cats as it can absorb. National success with TNR (Hava-hart trapping, neutering, and releasing the cat back to its area) inspired the Summiteers to recruit cat colony
caretakers and set up a training workshop, an instruction manual, a starter package — including a feral cat house, and free food and veterinary services for anyone willing to take on a cat colony. A volunteer steps up The latest Summit produced a volunteer foster coordinator, Forrest Dillon, who is working to increase the number of foster homes and off-site adoption centers for our overflow during the crowded cat season, as well as provide more support for them. Simple goals, big hearts The Cat Summit’s goals are simple: to improve the lives of cats and decrease the possibility of euthanasia.
join us
If you are interested in fostering, hosting an off-site adoption center, caretaking a cat colony, or joining our group, please contact Karen Stimpson at 725-5051, ext. 15; or kstimpson@inbox.com.
u p c omin g e v e n t to be n e f i t o ur a ni ma l s
Come play 18 holes of golf with friends on June 6, at the Brunswick Golf Club. Enjoy a cook-out lunch, win prizes and raise money to benefit the animals of the Coastal Humane Society. Registration is from 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. with coffee and pastries provided to help fuel your swings and putts. At 9:00 a.m., tee off with a shotgun start and scramble format. Try your skill — and luck — at a hole-in-one contest for a $10,000 prize! Get a foursome together and register online at coastalhumanesociety.org. See you on the green! Questions? Contact trustee Scott Cushing at scushing@suscom-maine.net.
7
ou r wis h list
We always need things If you see anything on this list that you could provide, please do! Donations can be dropped off at the shelter during business hours. We will gladly give you a receipt for your records. Thank you! Ge ne ral Sh elte r I t em s
an i m al i t ems
Power Point projector
Purina kitten, cat, puppy, & dog chow
Digital scale to weigh cats
Lamb & rice dog food
Small CD players for animal rooms
Chicken & turkey baby food, puree
Classical, meditation, & nature music CDs
Friskies puree cat/kitten canned food
Video recorder
Kitten milk replacement, powder/liquid
Stainless steel tables & shelves
Kitten nursing bottles
Utility garden shed or out-buildings
Bottle brushes
White copy paper Pens
Rabbit veggies: broccoli, basil, red leaf lettuce, & carrots with greens
Tripod
Chew bones & treats Toys: small animal treats & toys
Cl ea ni ng S upplies
Peanut butter & Kong toys for dogs
Bleach, bleach & more bleach Paper towels, toilet paper & tissues
V e t Cli n i c I t ems
Low-sudsing laundry powder
Digital x-ray machine
New brooms & dust pans
Microscope
Liquid hand sanitizer
Blood pressure machine with cuffs for animals
30 gallon trash bags Dish washing gloves
v ol u n t e er s
Dish washing pads
Front desk shift workers
Plastic storage zip lock bags
Landscapers & gardeners
High quality, industrial-strength vacuum
Data entry
Did you know?
good news!
CHS receives $100,000 anonymous gift! The Coastal Humane Society is delighted to announce that an anonymous donor has gifted $100,000 to the shelter. “The donor was impressed with the manner in which CHS revamped the entire organization and improved performance and organizational excellence over the past three years,” said attorney John Moncure, who notified CHS of the generous gift on behalf of the donor. Moncure went on to say that the donor wanted to be sure the gift would be used for a special purpose, not just operational funding. Moncure was directed to ask how the donation could best be used. Last spring, the board hired the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to conduct a review of shelter operations, policies and procedures to help in their quest for excellence in animal sheltering. Karen Stimpson, Executive Director, suggested that the donated money be used to fund a number of the HSUS recommendations and the donor agreed. Coastal Humane Society continues its efforts towards best practices. Interested volunteers or prospective Board Members are encouraged to contact the organization.
The largest breed of cat is the tiger which can reach nine feet in length — excluding the tail! c o m i n g s o on
Plant sale
It's time to dig, divide, and donate! This is one of our most popular CHS fund raising events. We’re looking for plant donations —and plant buyers — all for a great cause. When you’re gardening this spring, put extra perennials or annuals into pots, label them with the plant name and flower color, and drop them off at the shelter from May 13 – May 20. Please, no invasive plants, orange lilies, violets, or wild roses.
The Plant Sale will be held on May 21 and 22, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., at the shelter. We’ll have annuals, perennials, shrubs, and garden-related items. Master Gardener volunteers will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. All proceeds benefit our animals. Thank you! At left: Plant sale proceeds will benefit animals like L u cy . 8
comm unity resou rc e s
Freeport clinic serves low-income population with spay/neuter services About the clinic Are you looking for low-cost spay or neuter surgery for your dog or cat? Do you know someone who is? The Community Spay-Neuter Clinic in Freeport charges $60 for cats and $140-$180 for dogs, depending on size. The fee includes distemper and rabies shots for cats and distemper, parvo and rabies shots for dogs. Because the clinic focuses solely on spaying and neutering, it can offer the surgeries for less than a full service vet practice would need to charge. Two veterinary surgeons, Dr. Elizabeth Stone and Dr. Beth Sperry perform the operations.
Spay/neuter fees cats
$60: For cats which includes spay or neuter with FVRCP (“distemper”) and Rabies vaccinations dogs
Community services
$140: male or female, 2-24 pounds $160: male or female, 25-49 pounds $180: male or female, 50-75 pounds Prices include spay or neuter with Distemper, Parvo, and Rabies vaccinations. Pain medication will be given in clinic and prescription pain medication for 2 days “post-op” to go home with the patient. special pit bull packages
$110: Includes spay or neuter Distemper/Parvo and Rabies vaccinations. (Any size dog) May pitbull special: Mondays in May, male pitbulls can be neutered for only $50!
Hours of operation Community Spay-Neuter Clinic is open Monday – Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. More days will be added as the practice grows.
Location The clinic is located south of Freeport village at 475 US Rte. 1, next to Sunrise Cafe.
For more information Call 207-865-0772 or visit their website at www.communityspayneuterclinic.com. (To schedule an appointment, call them.)
Did you know?
“Our goal is to make spay/neuter services more affordable to pet owners who might not otherwise be able to sterilize their pets,” says Dr. Elizabeth Stone, Director, Community Spay/Neuter Clinic. “With thousands of homeless and unwanted dogs and cats losing their lives every year, these services are essential to solving our homeless pet overpopulation problem. I can tell you that the model we use for surgery has been perfected by the Humane Alliance and is the one that all of the spay neuter clinics follow and recommend. It has been researched by many highly skilled veterinarians and proven to be safe, quick (to reduce anesthesia time) and most effective for the animals.”
The clinic also offers their service to shelters. CHS’s latest group of Alabama dogs had their surgeries performed there. Dr. Stone also hopes to create a special fund to help low income pet owners. The Community Spay-Neuter Clinic was created by the Center for Wildlife Health Research, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that relies on community support and grant funding to operate. The clinic is made possible by the Center for Wildlife Research, with the help of grants from PetSmart Charities ($80,000 for equipment), the ASPCA and the support of many generous donors.
About the vets Dr. Elizabeth Stone graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Biology, and from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. She has worked in practices in Rhode Island and Minnesota. In 2008 she started doing spay-neuter surgeries at Coastal Humane Society in Brunswick as a relief veterinarian. The Community Spay-Neuter Clinic was born of her interest in helping reduce pet overpopulation, especially cats, as well as protecting wildlife from unowned cats. Dr. Beth Sperry graduated from Bowdoin College and the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Sperry has worked in practices in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. She moved to Maine in 2010 and is thrilled to combine her surgical skills with her desire to work towards the goal of decreasing pet over-population in our state.
Birds actually dream when they sleep. According to research conducted by the University of Chicago, they dream about their songs, have dream rehearsals, and sing the same songs better the next day. 9
u pco mi ng ev e nt
Coastal Humane Society announces its 2nd annual
Photo Contest We loved your photos last year and would like to see more! Would you like an opportunity to show your photos off to an appreciative cast of thousands? CHS invites you to submit your pawsitively favorite picture to our contest. The most win-some shots will be featured in our newsletter, which boasts a circulation of 8,000 and on our web site which has a worldwide circulation! Here are the five categories under which you may submit your photo:
Humor
Catch your animal in a funny pose or in the middle of some funny business.
BFF (Best Friends Forever)
Are your animals as close to each other as they are to you? Two paws up for camaraderie!
rules and guidelines Friday, May 27, 2011
You may enter one (1) photo per category, listed at left. If you wish, your photo may also be entered in more than one category.
submitting photos
acceptable animals
deadline
We will accept black & white and color digital photos. Photos can be uploaded to a special page on our new and improved website. You’ll find instructions on how to submit online at www.coastalhumanesociety.org. Each photo should be original and taken by the person submitting it. With each photo you submit, please include the following information: • Your full name and the name(s) of the animal(s) in the photo • Your address and telephone number • Your email address • The file name of the photo in case your information should get separated • The name of the category • A short caption about the photo or your pet(s), clearly identifying those present in the photo
Show us your critter enjoying the great outdoors.
Artistic
format
Here’s a chance to show your creative side.
Please submit photo files in JPEG (.jpg) or TIFF (.tif) format only.
Pets and People
file names
Capture the bond between human and animal.
A companion animal must be present in each photo. winners
The winners, one in each category, will have their photos featured in the next issue of Paws in Print and will also receive a prize. Winners and runners-up will be featured on our website.
photo quality
Photos should be at least 4 x 6 inches at 100% and of high quality (as close to 300 dpi as possible) so they will print well in the newsletter. For this reason, no cell phone pictures, please!
Pets in Nature
categories
To help us organize photos please use the following naming convention for the file name: Lastname_AnimalName.jpg Example: Smith_Spot.jpg If there are several animals in the picture, list animals from left to right as best you can. Example: Smith_Spot_Fluffy_Rover.jpg
Above and at right, for inspiration, we’re displaying an array of pet photos from last year’s entries. 10
11
People memorials
Donations were made in honor of the following special people between September 30, 2010 to January 31, 2011. Michae l Atwood
June & Hollis Bruce Linda Coombs Nei l An thoi n e
John Hurley D on Beattie
Pauline & Dennis Cote G ertrude Be rge ro n
Kay George
Coastal Humane Society memorials 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! p er so nal m e mo ria ls
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 p et me mor ia ls
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 her do natio ns
Please note that all other donations will be listed in our annual report. Thank you!
Jan in e Be ve rly Gly nn B e s s e y
Jennifer Haines Rachel Kathryn Haines John R. Bierer Keith & Michelle Havey Zeiders Enterprises Joe Cia mp o li
Carolyn Foster Ed na Ch ad b ourne
Pauline Higgins Cheste r Henry “ H ank � Ch a s e , Jr .
Bath Iron Works Melissa & David Boynton Gerald & C Brann David & Madeline J. Campbell Jane Chase Elizabeth C. Harmon Mary Staab & Mike McCormick Ann M. Reynolds Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Robinson Dieuwke & Pantelis Zolas
Caroline Giegold J o an C. Smi t h
Mary F. Bangs Michael & Nancy Beebe Susan Bristol Catherine R. Brown Sandra & Emile Caron Mr. & Mrs. Robert Chesebro Deborah Chesebro Robin Chibroski Weston & Linda Clement The Pennell Family Sarah & Anna & Nolan Deck Carol E. Haskins-McPhetres Peter & Ann LeBourdais Richard & Eileen Leighton Joan W. Leslie Mary E. McWilliams Harriet H. Spagnoli Pamela & Derek VanVolkenburgh Harry & Judy Warren
Dolores E. Williams Dorothy Stewart Frances J. Stewart
Bruce & Nancy Harrington Lornia & Donald Towle K en t H ilto n
Marion L. Reed Eve ly n J a qu e s
Marion L. Reed D ot J en s en
Caroline Giegold J ul i a K e en a n
Charles & Priscilla Vaughan Su s a n K in g
Dorothy Cooke D or a L e e
Sara Cockburn
Joanne Coombs G eraldi ne Cu rtis
Ronald R. Boyd Harold & Barbara Hutchinson Susan E. Lamb Mal C. Strange
M ary L e on a rd
Jean & Lewis Frank N a n cy M arqu i s
Katherine E. Hobart So nja N a d e a u
Maria Wescott R u th N a s on
Marion L. Reed P e g gy
Leon & Sandra Neihouse P hyll i s P in e t t e
Susan Pinette M om & B u f f y
Elizabeth Suna
He rbe rt Crafts II
M ull i g an R e e d
William K Bostwick
Mary Titcomb
Al an R. Davis
M il dr e d R o g er s
Laurel Davis
Carol & Harry Doughty Margaret Doughty & Margaret Wyman Margaret Dunlop Dana E. Gilliam Gloria Gray Frederick & Ada Haggett Leslie & Loren Hunter Carol A. Main Sandra & Lawrence Pye Susan J. Pye E. Lawrence & Martha Silver James & Linda Totman Barbara Wyman
Pam D enn is
Karen Sammer & Raymond Malley Che ryl Ann D esm on d
D avid D u b e
Gaye White Melvin Gerard Fu rbi sh
Jane & James Huggins Wilbur & Gloria Wilson
J a ni s Theri a ult
Janine Valliere D avi d Val e k
Charlotte A. Curtis W ill i a m Wa l s h
Karleen & Roger Mattison B everly J an e W i l s o n
Katherine Barter Bath Savings Institution, Bath Office Xi Beta Chapter Judith M. Rouillard L i z z i e Wha l en
Betty D White Laureen White
Al i c e H arrin gton
Howard Cluff
Ro be rt Coo mbs & his Belov ed Ba s s e t, R eb a
J . Lo u i s Sc hm i t t
M ar tha H . Go ul d
Rachel & Gerald Bernier Anita & Kenneth Black Earlene & Helen Black L. Valerie & Stephen Campbell Charlotte A. Curtis Leanne & Robert Lupfer Betty & Robert Masse Anthony & Debbie Purinton Claire & Charles Wallace
Nancy & A. Dean Abelon Salvatore & Paula DeDominicis
12
D or othy M . Go d d ard
Donna Blackwell
Pet memorials
Donations honoring the following pets were received between September 30, 2010 to January 31, 2011.
Abby
Joan P. Ashley A u s t in
Dolores & Jamie Bowman B a n z a i & Mr . J o ne s
Heather Sandelin B e aro n
Peter & Helen Frati Robert & Joanne Pennington B en
William & Diane Russell B ob
Walter Bull B o omer
Julia & Van McCullough Cassie
Joel & Carol Stinson Cl a ncy
Jeanette & Raymond Beaudoin Cl e o & K at i e
Dianne Haile C o c o & Br a n dy
Brian & Toni Marston Gi zmo
Kathy Kuchwara Gu inn e s s
David Skidgel H enl e y H am ill
Bart Osgood & Holly Steele H am s t e e
Monks Family Ko d a
Linda Lally K in g Art hu r
Patricia Holt L il a
Camilla MacFadyen
L i lly
Elizabeth Polky
People honorariums
Andrea Cronkite & Philip Kinney
Donations honoring the following people were received between September 30, 2010 to January 31, 2011.
M a gn u m
Rob & Caro ly n Allen
Lo ll i
Sharon DuPlayee M e g an , Bo nnie, Mo llie & Susu
Jon & Nancy Whitman M i t z i , P ete rle, & Ba mb u la
Ellen & Bob Allen B ruce & Peggy
Elizabeth & Stephen Jones
D a rcy H em in g way
Colleen Hemingway J ul i e J on e s , on H er B irt hd ay
Karleen & Roger Mattison L a u ri e L eml e y
Cameron Smith
Pet honorariums
Donations honoring the following pets were received between September 30, 2010 to January 31, 2011. Ivy
Elaine R. Doran P umpkin
M ar i a M ull i g an & her lov e o f ani ma l s
Susan Manning
Christine Blankenship
B ritn i Ba ker
Gail & Cyrus Kendrick
Marcia Beaudoin
C a sp i an
J u dy M ul d o on
Robin’s Property Services
M o lly
Edward & Jo P. Bradley Robert H. Gibson
Logan Ba k er
Barbara Rondeau
Marcia Beaudoin
D in a h
The N at ure C on s erva n cy
Bernard & Nanci LaCroix
M o lly McCai n
Catherine Dempsey & Timothy Blair
Kathy Jensen Jane E. Richmond
Nancy S. Andersen
Maria & Diana McCain M o o s e the Cab oose
Tammy Drake M r . B i g gleswo r t h
Susan B. Brew D avid M. B roo k s
C at hy Pa qu e t t e
Mary Ann Brooks-Gonyer
John Hernandez
Cin dy Ca mmarn
Fra n Phi l ip
Mildred & Donald Whirlow
Penny & Eric Wallace
Donna San Antonio & Holly Manoogian
Ob i e
Richard N. Jones
Ruth Crowth er
Tom & Liz Armstrong Andrew J. Curran David Findlay Michael & Lynne Gawtry Leanne Hardy Jim Hauptman Bryson Hopkins George & Virginia Kiesewetter
Donald & Patricia Brann
J e an & R i cha rd P i er c e
O c tob er
The D e Ma rs Family
Kimberly & Peter Gore
Dorothy Bragdon M u rphy
Sally Western N i ck y
William Bergquist & Kathleen O’Donnell Ol i ve r
Eleanor Leo Patc he s
Lorinda J. Bozeman P h o ebe
Beverly Levitt P i cn i c , Squea k e r s, K at i e & Tam arr a
Stanley & Donna Hargraves P u f f ( ak a E t he l )
Dennis & Barbara Small P u g sly
Wayne & Susan Fillion R a g am uffi n
Nancy S. Andersen R a s c al
Kathy Perry
Mo n a Ch ipm an
Ronald Chipman Au nt Mary Comparo n e
Carlene McGorty Ann e Led lie D ostie
Steven McAuley The Dunn Fam ily
Sa d i e Pr e s sma n , f or her b irt hd ay
Sadie Pressman Lo u i s e & H o ward R e i ch e
Sandra Scully
Barbara & Ronald Romano
Maxi n e & Will iam Duff y
Al R ipa
Dena Levine Ma rgaret & Mi ke D u ma i s
Mabel & Charles Franco Kaye E dm onds
Lee Hargadon Me lissa Foss
Melissa Foss-Levine M r. & M rs. Ti moth y Fo s s e t t
Nikki N. Theriault
J ul i e Tay lor
M urphy
Robert & Phyllis Flint Sa ni be l
Maureen Keegan So phi e
Denise Cole & Brandon Seubert
Donald Poore Mr . & Mrs . R i cha rd To nne s on
S c o ot er , Bea r-Bea r, B u cko , Casey & Clancy
Barbara Rondeau
Theresa Lash
Ge org e V oys e y
Janine Valliere
Al ek Gri mes
Marilyn Nulman
Marcia Beaudoin
V i ck i B i sb e e Wa rd
Leig h Ann e Ha rvey
Lori Chadbourne
R i ta T u rmay
Fra nk & G inn y Wr i ght
Maryellen Spear
William & Edith Millar
T e ton
J erem y Yo un g & Bra n d on L i s a
Kimberly French
M e To o
Robin Haynes & Richard Sears
J e an Sy lve s t er
The Georgetown Cen tral Schoo l Staf f
Spi k e , Nessie, Ch amp & Heidi
L u n a (Emmy )
David Skidgel
L u So u l e
Sk ip Fuci llo
Elizabeth Ruff & Julianne Morrison
H er she y
Stephanie & Alan Irwin
John & Denise Palmer
Rodney & Gladys MacLearn
Sn o w “Wh itie”
Robin Haynes & Richard Sears
M ira n d a Smi th
Jean & Richard Leslie
Leslie & Bob Sullivan
Fo ol i sh B e a s t & Sc ri bble s Fi sh
Lynn Hathaway
Shelly Vermette
R i ck y & Ta bby
Lorraine Sheffield & Marilyn Norton
R o g er
Jean & Richard Leslie
Ma rk Furrow
Tw o Spe c i al C o cke r Spa n i el s
Diana Mcfarland
Jean & Richard Leslie Kristine & Trevor Hanly
P ebbl e s & Pri s c ill a
Merita & Robert Young
T imb e r
Jeffrey M. & Abigail King Diggins To by
Gerry Orem Tri s tan
Virginia I. Newton Wa lly
Joan Schneider
13
ha pp y tai l
— Bubba — a Dog Rescue Group success Meet Bubba Bubba is a 7 year old Greyhound-Pit bull mix who had a rough start in life in a physically abusive setting. Bubba was brought to CHS in May of 2010. We found out quickly that Bubba was an escape artist extraordinaire, a direct result of his separation anxiety. He became one of the most walked dogs in the shelter because he could not be left alone even in a high fenced yard. Bubba also did not react well to other dogs in the shelter and startled people who walked by his kennel area by barking and jumping off the walls. These behaviors made it very difficult to get him adopted. A little extra Bubba needed extra training, exercise, socialization with other dogs, and some TLC. Rescue efforts started to pick up speed and turned into a group project. Some of the dedicated dog walkers gave extra time, training and attention to Bubba. He was eventually taken off the adoption floor for placement in a rescue group foster home. A forever home Eight months after his arrival at CHS, Bubba finally found a human who accepted him quirks and all. He is the only pet in the home, so he gets the attention he’s always craved. He even goes to work with his owner every day. Settling in with Bubba has not been easy, but his new owner is willing to do whatever it takes for his new companion to thrive and enjoy life again. And I’m sure Bubba will help his owner enjoy life too. — Mandy Fisher, CHS Dog Rescue Group Coordinator
At left: Thanks to the dedicated volunteers of the CHS Canine Rescue Group , dogs like Bubba get the extra time and attention needed to find to a forever home.
wh at i s th e ch s c an i n e re s c u e gro u p ?
Everyone loves an underdog but none as much as CHS volunteer Mandy Fisher and her dedicated CHS Canine Rescue Group. Each of the women in this unique group has her own special talent to give to our “difficult-to-place” shelter dogs. Stephanie O’Hanlon, Sally Bechtle, Nicole Shanks, Cathy Paquette, Amber Jensen and Susie Hobart go above and beyond to find homes for dogs who have not yet found their special place. Under Mandy’s guidance, this cadre of volunteers devotes hours searching for, contacting and visiting rescue groups to find
14
foster/adoption homes for our special-needs dogs. They conduct meet-and-greet sessions before placing animals into foster or adoption homes, then make follow-up visits to be sure the dog and family are compatible. Mandy and her crew passionately believe there is a home for each special dog. Their placement rate has been phenomenal. The people of CHS are proud of these dedicated women and applaud their perseverance and compassion. — kathy sullivan, CHS Volunteer Coordinator
u pco mi ng ev e nts
Get involved with CHS!
All listed events will be held at our shelter, unless otherwise noted. Visit our (new!) website frequently to check for new workshops or other updates. a p ri l
sat 7/9
Pet Wellness Workshop Cattitude II 6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Curtis Library, Brunswick
Rabies Plus Clinic 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
sat 4/30
New Foster Home Recruitment Reception 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. m ay sat 5/21
loo king ah ead.. .
Paws for a Cause Dog Walk, 2011 Saturday, August 20th 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Calling all pups, mutts and purebreds! Get your humans off the couch, give them some exercise and take them for a walk at the CHS Paws for a Cause Dog Walk. Join us for a day devoted to all things canine. On Saturday, August 20, the CHS Paws for a Cause Dog Walk fundraiser and L.L.Bean’s Dog Days of Summer will blend into a celebration of the family dog at Discovery Park in downtown Freeport. The main event is a dog walk down Main Street. Want to walk for the animals? This is one of our most important fundraising events and we need your help and the help of your humans. They can find more information and pledge sheets on our website. (They can also visit the shelter or call 725-5051, ext 14.) Your favorite humans should get a pack together — family, friends, workmates — and compete with other teams to see who can raise the most money. Contributions are tax deductible. For your convenience, a rabies clinic sponsored by the shelter is scheduled so you can get a vaccination for only $10. (Bring your latest rabies certificate if possible.) Your friends and family, human and canine, will enjoy contests, presentations, demonstrations, vendors, special activities and lots of treats. And...it’s free! Don’t miss it!
j u ly
TUE 4 / 26
Rabies Plus Clinic 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. sat 5/21 – sun 5/22
Plant Sale 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. wed 5/25
Pet Grief Support Meeting 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 45 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick
a u g u st sat 8/20
Paws for a Cause Dog Walk & Dog Days of Summer 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. L.L.Bean Discovery Park, Downtown Freeport Rabies Clinic 12 noon – 2:00 p.m. L.L.Bean Discovery Park, Downtown Freeport s e pt e mb er sat 9/17
Rabies Plus Clinic 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
june mo n 6/6
Golf Classic for the Animals 9:00 a.m. tee-off Brunswick Golf Club River Road, Brunswick sat 6/18
Rabies Plus Clinic 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
M o r e f o s t er ho m e s n e e d e d !
If you have room in your house (small is okay) to temporarily care for a CHS animal (all expenses, supplies and training provided) please contact Kathy Sullivan at 725-5051, ext. 14 or at ksullivan@coastalhumanesociety.org and attend our Foster Reception on April 30 at the shelter at 10:00 a.m. 15
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
adopt me
Do you know where I can find a home? My name is Bib. I am a big black and white male cat about 5 years old. I used to live alone in the woods, until I met a friendly cat named Liz. She took me to her home where her human fed stray animals. He put cat food out for me, so I stayed around. At first I was afraid, but her human was so quiet and gentle I went inside. One day, Liz wasn’t feeling well. She walked into the woods and never came back. Her human was very upset. He cried and cried. I got up into his lap for the first time and we became good friends. He was so kind, I used to sit in his lap all the time. A few weeks ago, he
had trouble breathing, and fell down. He died, like Liz. I hid when people came. A kind neighbor called me out from my hiding place, fed me, and brought me to the shelter. She could not take me to her house because I have FIV (a compromised immune system) and I might give it to her cats. I am neutered and have had all my shots. I am newly diagnosed with diabetes, but have not started on medicine yet. I love a warm lap and need a quiet indoor home where I can be the only cat so I can love my human all the time.
If you know where I can find a home, please call 725-5051, ext. 10. My medical expenses have been pre-paid.