The Tattle Tails- Fall 2016

A publication for the friends of the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA

The Tattle Tails

Fall 2016

Happy Holidays to All! The Holiday Season gives us a wonderful opportunity to again thank our supporters: our donors, adopters, and volunteers. We could not fulfill our mission without your continued support.

We rely on the support of the community with their time, talent, and treasures to provide shelter, food, medical treatment, and love to the animals in our care. We care for our shelter pets as we work each and every day to find forever homes for the orphaned animals. Many of these animals arrive anxious and scared. Some were given up by their owners due to unforeseen life circumstances. Some were strays, found aimlessly wandering the streets. Some of these animals were simply no longer wanted.

Would you consider making a donation to the R-H SPCA during this Holiday Season? With your ongoing support, we can continue to accept all the animals coming into our shelter, and care for them compassionately. Your donation will help us continue to care for our homeless, furry friends.

Please help us, help them! Thank you for your support!

Home for the Holidays Coming Up!

Our annual Home for the Holidays adoption event will be held Nov. 12 through Nov. 19 at the shelter on Old Furnace Road.

During this annual program, we are offering a discounted adoption fee of $25 for animals that are spayed or neutered. This fee includes a microchip, regular vaccines, flea and worm treatment, and a rabies vaccination if age appropriate. If they aren’t spayed or neutered, we are asking for a spay/neuter deposit, plus a $10 adoption fee. If you were considering adopting a pet, November is the perfect time. You can add a new family pet just in time for the holidays, so they are indeed “home for the holidays”!

2016-17 Board of Directors Officers

President Dr. Darnice Pettigrew Vice President Brandon Howdyshell Treasurer Brenda Long Secretary Justin Bridges

Directors Aaron Graves Dr. Charles H. Henderson, III Karen Mast Dr. Nina K. Smith Butch Strawderman

Staff Executive Director Anne Anderson Shelter Manager Maggie Rucker Humane Educator & Volunteer Coordinator Lauren Watson Director of Development Patricia May Assistant Managers Candice Dodson, Heather Cook Kennedy, Amber Nesselrodt Receptionist Kim Sites Animal Care Technicians Connie Delamater, Candra Hisey, Claire Pitt, Katie Taylor, Olivia Towe, Ashley Williams, Jessica Williams, Charlotte Wylie Hours of Operation: Incoming Animals & Adoptions Monday-Saturday 10:00 am–4:00 pm Wednesday evenings from 5:00 pm–7:00 pm Location: 2170 Old Furnace Road Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 413 Harrisonburg, Va. 22803 540-434-5270 info@rhspca.org www.rhspca.org

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Welcome to our redesigned newsletter! We are working to provide more information in a more reader friendly format. We hope you enjoy the new design, and the additional news we are able to provide! Let us know what you would like to see in future newsletters.

Email your ideas to devdirector@rhspca.org.

DID YOU KNOW??

We are excited to announce our newly updated online donation system!

Visit rhspca.org to donate to the R-H SPCA with ease and convenience!

You may choose to make a onetime donation, or a recurring donation.

Donating electronically saves both time and money!

The Tattle Tails is published quarterly for supporters and friends of the RockinghamHarrisonburg SPCA. Email devdirector@ rhspca.org if you would like to receive The Tattle Tails electronically.

Money saved will go directly to the care of animals!

We have launched our new website!

Visit rhspca.org to see the new user friendly design.

Many thanks to: The Hildred Neff Memorial Fund of The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County for funds to enhance our adoptable cat area. & Google for a grant to support our NOVA care fund.

Memorials

In Memory Of Our Friends

In Memory of Janet Arehart Michael Arehart In Memory of Alice Bowen Jeffrey and Mary Ann Markunas In Memory of Charles W. Breeden Mike Brantley and Family Patsy Dellinger Robert and Patricia Johnson John and Virginia Phalen In Memory of Lori Budde Ed and Mindy Morrison In Memory of James M. Cook Bill and Sue Adams Bender Insurance Agency, Inc. Harold and Carol Bercher Carole and Donald Bernat Roy Bernat and Robert R. Wright Wanda Buckles Charles Henderson Marcia and John McGrath C.Z. and D.C. Moyer Denise Whitman In Memory of Edna Dulaney Sentra Community Service In Memory of Nyoka Faye Eppard Frances Bolton Norman and Joyce Bradburn Deavers Tax Service, Inc. John Lam Keith and Nancy Mumbert In Loving Memory of Fred and Virginia Funkhouser Terri Denton In Memory of David Gifford, Sr. Hardesty House Visitor Center In Memory of Jamie Hedrick Betty Hedrick In Memory of Jo Ann Kile Dorothy and Clinton Shuey Austin and Joyce Sizemore In Memory of W.T. “Tom� Leake Betty R. Adams Judith and David Adams Nancy C. Bryant Lois and Charles Geil

Ella Joan Grandle Edward Ney and Margee Greenfield Ney Jane and Richard Parker George K. Sayne Charles and Barbara Simmons John Schuster and Milla Sue Wisecarver In Memory of Fay Litten Charles Miller In Memory of Shirley Miller Charles Miller In Memory of Dr. Ronald J. Nelson Michael and Violet Allain David and Pamela Barrows Carol and Harold Bercher David Bernstein and Sharon Cote Jean Cash Charlotte Colaw Nancy Farrar Joan Funston Wallace and Eleanor Holthaus Karen Lam Gordon and Gail Miller Kama Miller Philip and Dorothy Smedile Denise Whitman In Memory of Ruth Puffenbarger Clara Becky Hyre Brenda Hyre Ruddick In Memory of Irene Reynolds Joanne and Ray Life In Memory of Chad Rhodes Emily Everling Jennifer Sampson In Memory of Merceda Rowzee Becky Rapp In Memory of Joy Elizabeth Rhodes Sandy Susan Wheeler In Memory of Carolyn Annette Schulte Fulks Run Elementary School In Memory of Shirley Shoemaker Ida and Stanley Keeler In Memory of Don Sommerville Dennis and Sara Zimmerman In Memory of Merle Sponaugle Russell and Barbara Nichols

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In Memory Of Our Pets In Memory of “Alfie” Aldhizer Ellen Adams

In Honor of Linda Light Marcia and John McGrath

In Memory of “Baby Buck” Alan and Shirley Gould

In Honor of my dear friend Pat Loomis Terri Denton

In Memory of “Basedow” Anne Anderson Patty May

In Honor of North Fork Veterinary Hospital “Wilson” Rhodes

In Memory of “Casper,” beloved dog of Joan Funston Diana and Joe Enedy In Memory of “Daisy” Anne Nielsen In Memory of “Fluffy,” “Smokey,” “Lady,” and “Shane,” our beloved pet cats Linda Schacht In Memory of Shirley Miller’s dog “George” Charles Miller In Memory of “Herman Usry,” beloved cat Kitty Wilkins and Topper Curl

In Honor of Paige’s 11th Birthday Keri and Paul Hutcheson In Honor of Elizabeth Sharps Phillis Spitzer In Honor of Martha Showalter’s Birthday Bradley Showalter In Honor of Melissa Showalter’s Birthday Karen Proffitt In Honor of Julia Stringer, on her 21st Birthday Jessica Stringer

In Honor Of Our Pets

In Memory of “Hermie” Pam and Richard Wilkins

In Honor of All Creatures, Great and Small Mary Keller

In Memory of “Josie” Dale and Charles Kipps

In Honor of Lady Paul and Marsha Rexrode

In Memory of “Laci” Jayne Rynar In Memory of “Lila,” Wayne Harrison’s cat Terri Denton In Memory of “Miss Molly” Linda and Kenny Berry In Memory of “Precious,” beloved cat/companion of Beatrice Rolon Marylee Ford Huffman In Memory of “Rudy” Patty May In Memory of “Sawyer” Wilkinson Jan S. Miller In Memory of “Tikka,” loved and cherished by the Culbreth Family In Memory of “Wednesday” Lori Hanger

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In Honor Of Our Friends

Good Luck!

We bid a fond farewell to Ashley, our canine manager, and Taryn, our rescue coordinator, as they begin new chapters in their lives. Thank you for your years of dedicated service to the R-H SPCA!

You can honor or memorialize a special person or pet in your life by donating to the R-H SPCA. A gift to the R-H SPCA helps us care for the orphaned and abandoned animals in our community. What better way is there to honor or memorialize a pet, a friend or a family member than by helping our animals in need?

Email devdirector@rhspca.org or call 540-434-5270

Animal Palooza Successful!

We are so grateful to the Rockingham County Parks and Recreation Department for hosting the firstever Animal Palooza as a fundraiser for the R-H SPCA. Although September 24 was a bit on the warm side, all participants, guests, and volunteers had a splendid time!

Our judges included local media personalities Vic Bradshaw, Daily News Record; Chris Carmichael, iHeart radio; and Jay Webb, WHSV-TV. These dedicated judges deliberated on the winning pooch in the distraction race, the most talented canine in the talent show, and the best kisser, tail wagger, and eyes in the pup pageant. Bobbing for treats was easy to judge - the winner was the dog who gobbled up all the treats quickly. Dancing with the dogs posed more of a challenge - all dancing teams brought their own magic into the competition ring. We appreciate Vic, Chris, and Jay for donating their time and talent to the event, and we look forward to another smashing success next year!

We especially appreciate the help of Rockingham County Parks and Recreation representatives Jerry West and Ashley Adams, for all their hard work, great ideas, and dedication. We appreciate the participation of several vendors and educational speakers, including Ashby Animal Clinic, Dr. Emma Inman; Heartland Veterinary Clinic, Nerdy Dog’s Pet Shop, Oh Fur Pet’s Sake pet sitting, and Pup Picasso.

Judges Chris Carmichael, Jay Webb, and Vic Bradshaw pose with the winners of the Pup Pageant, which judged the best kisser, best eyes, and best tail wagger. These judges enjoyed lots of doggie affection, especially during the best kisser competition!

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Maya Goes Home!

Maya, a pit bull/shepherd mix, patiently waited for her forever home since her arrival as a stray in June. Maya did not handle kenneling very well; she was very reactive to other dogs, and obviously very unhappy.

Thanks to the kindness of a returning foster parent, Maya was fostered for about a month, where she quickly discovered the joys of couches and squeaky toys, learned sit, shake, and come on command, and became fully house-trained.

This returning foster parent had discovered the delight in fostering animals who needed some special one-on-one attention. He worked with Maya to reduce her anxiety level, and allow her true personality to shine through.

The shelter staff introduced Maya to other dogs on play dates. She became best friends with her foster’s family dog. Throughout her time in the foster home she blossomed, developing into even more of an outgoing and family-friendly personality.

Upon her return to the shelter, Maya had settled down tremendously.

She was able to handle the stress and kennel environment much better after her foster experience, where she had lots of personal attention.

Prior to her foster time, Maya did not appear very appealing to potential adopters. After fostering, she was much more calm and approachable.

Potential adopters could learn more about how she fared in a home situation, thanks to feedback from her foster parent.

This young canine has found the perfect home; she started her new life in September! Maya is sure to bring lots of love and affection to her new family.

Canine Manager Ashley says, “We are so grateful to all the foster families who open their homes and hearts to these animals who need lots of love and special attention. Giving an animal the chance to relax and enjoy life helps their true personalities to emerge. Some animals simply don’t thrive in a shelter environment, and the foster experience makes them so much more adoptable. Thank you!”

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◊◊◊ We want to thank and recognize the Estates of Willa Good, Janice Keller, and June Smith!

Through your planned gifts to the R-H SPCA, you have ensured the future care of shelter pets. ◊◊◊ Thanks to our rescue partners, who last quarter helped in placing our orphaned animals into homes: ASPCA Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Mutts Matter North Shore Animal League Second Chance Animal Shelter ◊◊◊ Thanks to our wonderful volunteers and our generous donors. We could not fulfill our mission to promote respect, compassion, education and advocacy resulting in a humane and sustainable environment for all animals without your continued dedication and support. We appreciate all that you do!

Making Sense of Bequests Have you ever considered remembering the R-H SPCA in your will? A bequest is simply a gift that is given, or “bequeathed,” to a person or organization after a donor’s death.

Bequests can impact an organization dramatically. Bequests offer financial stability in the future for an organization and they also provide significant benefits to the donor.

The amount designated in the bequest is usually not subject to state inheritance or estate taxes. Of course, all assets remain in the donor’s control during his or her lifetime. And, most importantly, a bequest allows a donor to leave a lasting legacy to an organization.

The R-H SPCA has received many bequests over the years. These generous gifts have enabled us to care for the orphaned animals who come to us. We have been able to upgrade our clinic, and offer more vaccines to our animals when they arrive. We have made significant building improvements, resulting in a more comfortable environment for our shelter pets.

We rely on the generosity of our community to keep our doors open.

Bequests are gratefully and humbly accepted and appreciated. They help to ensure our future stability and success, and, ultimately, forever homes for our shelter pets.

Would you consider leaving a gift for the R-H SPCA?

Many thanks to the BioLife Plasma Services team for their help in cleaning out the old shelter!

Success Stories

Titoobah Finds Love!

Titoobah is a silver tabby stray who came into the shelter at the end of August. She was about three months old. When she came in, she had a warble under the skin of her neck; a warble is a botfly larvae.

The shelter staff and vet worked with Tiboobah, and removed the warble at the end of August. They continued to treat the wound, and gave the kitty plenty of antibiotics to fight off infection. In time, the wound healed up, and Titoobah’s weight went from 2.2 pounds to 3.4 pounds.

The young kitty still had a scar on her neck, but that didn’t deter her adoptive parents, who have renamed her Isabel. This lap loving social butterfly went home to meet her new canine sibling.

Feline Manager Amber says, “We were so happy when Titoobah went home. She struggled for a long time with her health, and after lots of tender, loving care by the staff, she grew healthy. We are glad she found her forever home.”

Upcoming Events November 12 - 19: Home for the Holidays, with special adoption fees of $25 if pet is spayed or neutered; $10, plus a spay/neuter deposit, if pet isn’t fixed. Check our Facebook page to learn more.

November 10: Volunteer Orientation, 5:30 - 6:45 November 26 - December 10: Ten Thousand Villages Community Shopping Event, shop at Ten Thousand Villages and mention the R-H SPCA, and we will receive a percentage of their proceeds during that time!

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Harrisonburg, VA Permit No. 9

2170 Old Furnace Road P.O. Box 413 Harrisonburg, VA 22803

Please join us in thanking our extraordinary Pet of the Week Sponsors!

Harrisonburg Towing & Storage 137 Towman Lane Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Heavy duty towing, recovery and heavy hauling