Animal Care S A N C T U A R Y P. O. Box A • East Smithfield, PA, 18817 • (570) 596-2200 • www.animalcaresanctuary.org
Crowd
SUMMER 2010 NEWSLETTER
Springfest Draws a We are thrilled to report that the first annual Animal Care Sanctuary Springfest, held on May 22, 2010, attracted over 300 people! Animal lovers from all walks of life explored our facilities high in the beautiful hills of East Smithfield. Participants enjoyed walking dogs, getting free dog handling lessons, and taking tours of the facilities. There were hot dogs, hamburgers, and other goodies, as well as vendor tables offering petfriendly products and services. We also unveiled our brand-new dog run at Springfest. The dog run is a nearly acre-sized, fenced in outdoor space attached to the dog kennels. Board member Rob Redman cut the red ribbon, opening the dog run as dozens of happy canines dashed out of their kennels and chased each other in the sun. Animal Care Sanctuary cares for over 500 cats and 150 dogs (plus the occasional pigs, horses, and rabbits!), and is located on 130 acres of stunning woods and fields in the hills above East Smithfield. Springfest visitors were amazed
» IN THIS ISSUE Animal Care Springfest / 1 ACS Partners with Cornell / 2 Support Maggee’s Recovery / 3 New Dog Play Yard / 4 Meet Penny / 6 Our New Logo / 6 Message from the Chair / 7 Wish List / 7 Meet Ed Roemmelt / 8
by the size and scope of our care, and were taken aback by the landscape. Tours were given of the cattery, which offers the cats large communal cages, cubbies, towers, platforms, and even a special community play room with an indoor tree. Visitors also got to see the dog kennels, which provide our dogs with roomy indoor and outdoor shelter and, now, access to a safe and spacious fenced dog run. We are also happy to report that over $500 was raised during the event – donations that will go directly to improving the lives of our animals. We’d like to extend special thanks to Hudock Moyer Wealth Management, who donated all the hot dogs and hamburgers, Josh Cedarbaum and Ted Blagman, who offered free dog handling lessons, and the dozens of volunteers who made the event a success. ■
partnership
Cornell University
Recovery
ACS is proud to partner with the Shelter Veterinary Medicine program at Cornell University in nearby Ithaca, New York. In April, Cornell’s Dr. Jan Scarlett, Dr. Elizabeth Berliner and animal behaviorist Kelley Bollen visited ACS to provide a consultation. They found the conditions at ACS have vastly improved in the past year. As times change and new developments in animal sheltering are made, ACS works hard to keep up to best benefit the animals that call ACS home Cornell made
a change in the type of cage they are housed in. Instead of a one level cage, the cats are being switched to double level cages with their choice of hiding spots, play areas, and open areas. This gives the cats more control of their environment and ultimately makes them happier and healthier. We are also placing scratching posts in each cage for additional comfort and stimulation. Some simple cat toys Cornell recommended are: pipe cleaners, golf balls, ping pong balls, plastic bottle caps, and straws.
pools, and a variety of interactive toys. Inside the kennel, many improvements were suggested. Each dog should be able to have “private time” in their run. This can easily be attained by placing vinyl dividers over the chain link fencing inside the runs. We had some on hand, enough to do one section of the kennel, and we are obtaining prices to get more so that all dogs can benefit from the comfort it provides. In addition, the noise level in a kennel full of barking dogs can reach or exceed that of
many fine suggestions to better the environment and health of the animals here.
Additionally, playing specially-composed music to comfort the cats was recommended. ACS is in need of a good sound system to best provide this to the cats. Clicker and target training of cats were also recommended, and staff members will be undergoing training on how to best work with the cats in this way.
a jet engine. Noise suppression materials such as ceiling baffles would greatly increase the comfort of the dogs in the kennel. Ideally, each dog should also have a Kuranda bed (which you can donate on our web site). Stimulating toys such as Kongs are also recommended, as is music.
In the dog area, the construction of the play yard was well received by Cornell. Some recommended additions to it are benches and tables for volunteers and dogs to enjoy, agility courses, kiddie
If you would like to help ACS provide these improvements to the animals, please put “cat improvements” or “dog improvements” in the memo of your donation check. ■
In the cat area, all were very pleased to see the communal cat room and cages housing groups of cats that get along. This is both comforting and stimulating to the cats, as by nature cats are social creatures. Currently, approximately 140 cats are living in communal groups. We are striving to increase this number as much as possible. For the cats that do not live in social groups, Cornell recommended, and we are implementing,
Support
Maggee’s
Shelter Vet Medicine Program Visits ACS
COMMUNAL LIVING KEEPS CATS HEALTHY
special needs
Maggee came to ACS when her owners were no longer able to care for her. She was only 4 months old but it quickly became apparent that she had a problem. Her cough led us to perform x-rays that showed megaesophagus (ME). ME is an enlargement of the esophagus just above where it passes through the diaphragm
gested dog food mixed with water to the consistency of runny oatmeal. She must eat in a completely vertical position and remain in that position for 20 minutes after eating. This provides a straight path for the food to pass through the esophagus into the stomach. Then, Maggee can have no excited activity for
Her veterinary bills cost thousands, and she is in need of a Bailey chair. This is a custom made chair specifically made for dogs with ME. It is similar to a child’s high chair, but it keeps the dog comfortably in that upright position through their feeding and for the post feeding time.
on the way to the stomach. This causes regurgitation of the food and in some cases aspiration pneumonia. Maggee was one of those cases.
an hour. Maggee received small portions seven times a day to start, then we were able to increase the amount of food and interval between feedings. Maggee was tested for three main causes of ME – Addison’s disease, myasthenia gravis, and a thyroid disorder. Each of these tests was negative. So, Maggee was likely born this way.
If you would like to donate to Maggee’s treatment and Bailey chair, please send your check or donate online through our website with “Maggee” in the note. Maggee thanks you! ■
Various techniques were attempted to help Maggee keep her food down so that she could grow and develop properly, however none were effective. In May, Maggee developed pneumonia again. She was taken to Colonial Vet Hospital in Ithaca, NY for more specialized treatment. There, she was hospitalized for 3 days, her pneumonia was treated, she received ventilator treatments, and additional feeding techniques were tried. Finally, a way to feed Maggee where she kept the food down was found! Each day, Maggee is fed slurry of easily di-
MAGGEE MUST EAT SITTING UP
We at ACS continue Maggee’s specialized feedings and she is putting on weight and growing stronger every day. We are hoping for a very special home for Maggee; one that can continue her feeding and care so that she can continue to grow and develop into the wonderful dog that we know she is. In the meantime, Maggee needs your help.
3
Dog
facilities
Days
of
The dogs at ACS have something to celebrate! A new fenced play yard has been constructed for their enjoyment. Dogs can play fetch, interact with staff, volunteers, and other dogs in a large safe area. In just the first couple of days previously shy dogs have opened up and begun to play with people and other dogs. We feel this play yard will greatly help the dogs become more adoptable and better suited to enter a home and family of their own. Please enjoy these pictures of happy dogs in our play yard. â–
s u m m e r 4
5
Penny
Meet
ir a h C e th m o fr e g a ss e M A
Dear Friends, thank you and of Directors it is my honor to On behalf of the ACS Board in the lives of the you play in making a difference recognize the important role animals we care for. growth and diversity Sanctuary has seen tremendous The campus of Animal Care have accomplished we ing t exception, everyth hou wit ost Alm r. yea t pas the over donors. For example, generosity of our friends and the to nks tha n bee has far s thu the Ethel Perkins Program is now centered on our highly successful Adoption S to design and build sity of Ms. Perkins enabled AC Adoption Center. The genero rs can get to know ironment within which adopte an intimate, safe and warm env ore taking him or her home. their new family member bef and donors, are the enough that you, our friends We at ACS cannot emphasize mission. You are to You are critical to us and our life blood of this organization. for however long e, hom S animals that call AC the of s live the in nt orta imp vitally
At an adoption event, we were approached by a local beef farmer who found that a calf born on his farm appeared blind. After consulting with a veterinarian, ACS took the calf in and tried to help it. Six day old Penny, a red angus/Hereford calf, arrived at ACS and was instantly loved by all who met her. Upon veterinary examination, Penny was found to have an umbilical infection that was widespread in her body and pus had settled in her eyes, causing vision loss. After 3 weeks of antibiotics, Penny’s blindness was resolved! As ACS is committed to saving the lives of animals, Penny is being well cared for and will never be on someone’s dinner plate. She’s very social, loves meeting new people, and even follows us around off-leash. Penny is growing quickly and will soon move from her calf pen to our pasture area. ■
Our New
that may be.
yourself the amazing es you to visit us and see for com wel ary ctu San e Car l Anima our founder, Leslie the equally amazing vision of facility that has sprung from tinue to do for all that you have done and con Sinclair. We appreciate you and continue to work our most sincere hope that we ACS and our residents. It is abandoned animals haven for displaced, abused and together as we provide a safe and loving homes. until they transition into warm nce, Thank you for making a differe
Logo
Board of Directors Carrie Carroll Chairperson Rob Redman Vice Chairperson Eric Chase Treasurer Ron Sheehan Trustee
Executive Staff Joan Smith-Reese Executive Director Michelle Stymacks Director of Operations
Contact jsmithreese@ animalcaresanctuary.org (570) 596-2200
Carrie L. Carroll, Esquire Chair, Board of Directors
Summer has arrived at the Animal Care Sanctuary! Everything is so green and beautiful, which is what our new logo portrays. Coming up our driveway, you immediately notice the beauty of the green fields, the rolling hills of carpeted lawns, and the shades of green on our many trees. Logos symbolize the image an organization wants to display. Our logo is a reflection of the beauty of the sanctuary – green for the land, blue for the clear sky, and most importantly the animals. While they are here this is their home. While our tag line states sharing our home until they share yours the reality is for many of our animal friends, this is their “forever home” and it is our responsibility to provide them with the comfort, love and beauty they so deserve. We hope you agree that our logo reflects that image. ■
ACS LEADERSHIP
rescue
FOOD -
-
rieties (Turkey, Baby Food Meat Va Chicken, Beef) es not contain Please be sure it do onion powder en Broth Low Sodium Chick cer Kitten Milk Repla Dry Kitten Food inds) Dog Treats (All K ds) in K ll Cat Treats (A ny Variety) (A Canned Dog Food
CLINICAL + COMFORT - Betadine - Isopropo - Animal NylurAsilcngohBolottl es - Q-Tips - Nail Trim - Pet Brushesmers - Dog Kur - Cat Bedsanda Beds - Dog and Cat Toys 7
WishList CLEANING
- Paper Towels - Toilet Paper - Liquid Dish Soap - Hand Sanitizer - Large Lawn Size Trash Bags - Kitchen Size Trash Bags - Small Paper Plates - Towels/Blankets/Pet Bedding
profile
Meet
Ed Roemmelt
Ed began his employment at Animal Care Sanctuary with Leslie Sinclair in 1996, and is now the official keeper of the grounds. If you haven’t visited the sanctuary lately, you should come and see the beautiful landscape. Ed works tirelessly to make sure the lawns look like carpet, the flowers are beautifully blooming, and the trees and hedges are trimmed perfectly. Summer is the time of year that demands work is done for the outside; however Ed also tackles all of the special projects that are requested to make our animals
comfortable. Right now the cats are either in communals or Edconstructed two story condos! In the dog kennel washable barriers are being installed to give the dogs more privacy and Ed is assisting with that as well. On a personal note, Ed was the first person to adopt a dog when we started our adoption program in August of 2009. Ed and his dog Luke are pictured here and are best buddies. Luke often accompanies Ed to work and if you come up for a visit you can observe Luke supervising Ed’s work. ■
P.O. Box A East Smithfield, PA 18817