SPRING/SUMMER 2021
THE HAVEN
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FOSTERING TRANSFORMATION HAPPY TAILS VOLUNTEER VIBES DOG TRAINING TIP A CHILD WHO LOVES ANIMALS HELPS THE HAVEN
559 S. Section St. • Fairhope, AL • (P) 251.929.3980 • www.havenforanimals.org
Fostering Transformation FOR PIPER
The word foster means to nurture and encourage growth. When Donna Hoskinson was asked to foster Piper, she did just that. She nurtured and encouraged Piper, and Piper has transformed from fearful and defensive to sweet and playful. Piper, an American Blue Heeler mix, was a stray who came to The Haven from a local animal control shelter. Besides being skittish, Piper had a tumor on her tail. Luckily, the tumor was successfully removed. Because Piper was so easily frightened, she needed a place to feel safe while she healed. The Haven reached out to Donna, who willingly agreed to help.
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When Donna first started fostering Piper, she said Piper was afraid of everything and barked and growled at anyone who came near her. Donna started by sitting with Piper in her crate. She proceeded to walk Piper on a leash, just in the house at first, then around the neighborhood. When Piper was comfortable walking in the neighborhood twice a day, Donna and her family introduced her to the dog park in Fairhope. Piper soon loved going to the park. Donna took the same approach for each of Piper’s fears. She and her family exposed Piper to whatever she was afraid of, starting small and building Piper’s confidence. “She gradually learned that she was safe and nothing bad was happening to her,” Donna explained. Piper is still shy around new people and a little standoffish, but Donna is so proud of how much Piper has changed. Thanks to Donna and her family’s patience, nurturing, and encouragement, Piper is much closer to being ready for a furever home. “She will need someone who is willing to play with her and give loads of love and attention,” Donna said. She adds that Piper is a smart dog and will make someone very happy. Donna is heartbroken to let Piper go because she has brought so much joy to the family. “But I can save one or help save many,” Donna remarked. “So I have to let her go to help others.” Donna wanted to volunteer as a foster, “So I could really impact the lives of the animals at the shelter and help them socialize and show them love while they are waiting for their forever home.” Fosters are always needed and very much appreciated. Michael Graham, Executive Director at The Haven, continued, “Fosters are simply amazing!” Every animal that is cared for by a foster parent means another open spot at The Haven for more animals to be rescued. Become a foster today, and your love can transform lives like Donna’s did for Piper.
Photo Credit: Ono Pet Photography
ALWAYS MAKE TRAINING FUN!
By: Hillary Ducote Sansone, AKC Evaluator & Owner of Unleashed, (251) 375-1600
Your dog will want to learn more and will be eager to work when you use high-quality treats, toys, and positive reinforcement. Remember that training is a bonding experience between you and your dog so make it fun for you both. Venture out and explore the wide world of dog training and sports. If you have a dog who loves the water, give dock diving a try or if you have a dog who has the nose to hunt, give barn hunt a try. There’s so much to do with your dog than just stopping at basic obedience. Keep going and see where it takes you! The memories you make will last a lifetime and your dog will thank you!
Happy TAILS
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WE ALL NEED A LITTLE FAITH
There was no doubt that it would take some hard work and a lot of Faith to save this girl. When Faith came to the shelter, she was so malnourished her head looked too big for her body. You could see every bone showing under her skin. She weighed a meek 40 pounds when she arrived at The Haven. As days grew into weeks, we were all amazed at the progress Faith was making. Faith was such a fun-loving dog; she would wag her tail and always come to the front of the kennel to greet you. The Haven caretakers noticed her becoming more inactive. So right away, she was tested for heartworms, and the results were, as we feared, POSITIVE. Her heartworm treatment appointment was scheduled, and Faith was off to the vet. Now that Faith’s insides and outside were healthy, she was ready for her big day — all 81 pounds of her. When her big day arrived, we all knew that if we just had a little Faith, she would find her forever home.
YOU HAD ME AT MEOW! Ashe was among eight cats that were living outside in the frigid cold. His fur was terribly tangled and he was scratching at his ears like there was no tomorrow. But, that did not stop Ashe from being the sweetest thing that ever came in the shelter. It was obvious someone had loved him when he was very tiny because he was content being pampered. Ashe was cooperative when the Haven caretakers gave him the royal spa treatment, he had a nice soothing bath, a good manicure, and those itchy ears scrubbed squeaky clean. After Ashes day of royal treatment, he was ready to give someone all his love. Pete contacted us looking for a loving cat and we knew right away that Ashe would be an amazing fit. The Haven caretakers set up a meet and greet and we were right, he was perfect. We knew that Ashe was special and would do great things. Boy were we right. Before Ashe left the shelter he starred in a short video with Pete about The Haven and adopting. So I guess you could say Ashe had Pete at Meow!
Volunteer Vibes
Maggy and Tom Grant are the ultimate volunteers — always willing to do whatever is needed, in addition to being financial donors.
The Fairhope residents discovered The Haven when they were looking for an older dog to adopt. In the almosttwo years they have volunteered, their help has been invaluable. Maggy said that working with the cats at PetCo, Jubilee Plaza, twice a week is a joy. “We try to get the cats to interact with people, to get them adoption ready in addition to providing care.” They are also involved in other ways. A Haven Animal Transporter, Maggy enjoys taking cats and dogs to vet appointments and other places as needed. “Tom and I spent an enjoyable weekend afternoon at home assembling ten dog beds for the shelter,” she said. They
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share their home with their beloved rescue dog, Missy, and two rescue cats, Daisy and Gizmo, one of whom was fostered, with her kittens. About volunteering for The Haven, she said, “It gives us a sense of purpose and giving back. During the pandemic, it has given us something to focus on besides our jobs and our day-to-day lives. We get more out of it than we give. The people at The Haven do so much for the animals in our area.” Maggie and Tom encourage others to volunteer and donate too. Thank you, Maggy and Tom Grant, from The Haven, for all that you do!
A CHILD WHO LOVES ANIMALS HELPS THE HAVEN Loving animals has always come naturally to 10-yearold Anna Dernlan. It was no surprise to her parents when she chose to make her Christmas donation to The Haven. “At Christmas, we always donate to a charity”, said her mother, Kara. “Anna chose The Haven, because we got mail from them, and she wanted to help animals.” While Anna, a 4th grader at Bayshore Christian School in Daphne, is too young to be an official volunteer, she is finding a way to make a difference. After making her donation, she and her mother were given a tour of The Haven, to see where her donation went. “As she has no pets, visiting The Haven gave her a great opportunity to be with animals”, remarked Kara. “She has always loved cats but fell in love with a couple of the dogs, too. While there, she made some kongs with treats inside for the animals.” Anna’s love of animals has been encouraged by her family. “Some day she would like to be a veterinarian. Anna’s grandfather just retired from a career as a veterinarian and her aunt is one,” explained Kara. Anna said, “I want to help animals and hopefully others will enjoy those pets as much as I do.” Thanks, Anna, from everyone at The Haven. You are a very special girl!
ADOPTION SHELTER LOCATION 559 S. Section Street Fairhope, AL 36532 (P) 251.929.3980 www.havenforanimals.org
ADOPTION SHELTER HOURS Mon - Tues: 10am - 4pm Wed: Closed to the Public Thurs - Fri: 10am - 4pm 4th Sat of Each Month: 10am - 1pm Sun: Closed to the Public
SHELTER ON WHEELS off-site pet adoption events held the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Saturday of every month. 1st - Petco, Daphne 2nd - Daphne Animal Shelter, Daphne 3rd - Pet Supermarket, Daphne
CONNECT WITH US
Please see changes in hours and services on our website due to COVID-19. The Haven is a no-kill, 501©3 non-profit who shelters and finds adoptive homes for abused, neglected, and homeless animals treating them with love, respect, and medical care. Through education and volunteer programs, we promote community awareness of pet overpopulation and responsibility. 15-HAVAL-0521-N
