A publication for the friends of the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA.
Summer 2017
The Tattle Tails
Record Attendance at Summer Jam
Summer Jam 2017 was a great event and fundraiser this year! The event that featured msuic, dancing, beer, wine, food, and kids’ activities brought in a record amount of people and raised more money than years past. The weather could not have been any better as it was cooler and partly cloudy. The first band of the night, The Judy Chops, brought in a large local following, the next band, Dance Candy, kept everyone partying and dancing, while the last band of the night, TUSK: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute, rocked the crowd. The night finished off with a bang with fireworks for the crowd to celebrate Independence Day. wwThe Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA would like to thank everyone who attended the event as well as the over 80 volunteers it takes to run the event so smoothly. A huge thank you to Massanutten Resort and Sarah Elson-Staniunas for hosting the event and doing all the behind the scenes work. This event is our biggest fundraiser of the year so it means so much to our organization and our animals. The money from this fundraiser directly benefits orphaned animals in our local community.
Thank you to our sponsors! Gold Sponsors: Rockingham County, CrossKeys Vineyards, The Dayton Market, MillerCoors, Blue Ridge Beverage Silver Sponsors: The Shenandoah Valley Kid’s Trail - get out and play in the ‘Burg, and Bathfitter. Bronze Sponsors: Harper and Company, Shenandoah Regional Airport, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, the Friendly City Fortune Raffle, Massanutten WaterPark, and Shenandoah Provisions Media Sponsors: Appeal Productions and iHeart Media of Harrisonburg Photos from Massanutten Resort and TUSK: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute.
UPCOMING EVENTS
2016-17 Board of Directors Officers President Dr. Darnice Pettigrew Vice President Karen Mast Treasurer Brenda Long Secretary Justin Bridges Directors Brandon Howdyshell Anngela Gibson Dr. Nina K. Smith Staff Executive Director Anne Anderson Shelter Manager Maggie Rucker Adoption & Rescue Coordinator Jo Benjamin Humane Educator & Volunteer Coordinator Lauren Watson Development/Fundraising Manager Emily Eby Assistant Managers Candice Dodson, Heather Cook Kennedy, Amber Nesselrodt Receptionist Kim Sites Animal Care Technicians Sandra Castro, Connie Delamater, Emma Haag, Candra Hisey, Olivia Towe, Ashley 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
For more informaiton on events visit: www.facebook.com/rhspca/events August 23 - Fundfest: The Judy Chops @ 5:15 p.m. @ Grassy Lot next to Turner Pavilion August 26 - Ag Day @ Green Valley Book Fair August 27 - Dog Days Dog Swim @ Westover Pool @ 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. September 2 - Foster Information Session @ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ R-H SPCA September 4 - Closed for Labor Day September 21 - Closed for Staff Training October 14 - Bobe Wade Subaru Adoption Showcase October 18 - Foster Information Session @ 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. @ R-H SPCA October 28 - Rocking R Ace Hardware Halloween Adoption Showcase
Money saved will go directly to the care of animals!
for keeping the grounds free from nasty bugs!
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 413 Harrisonburg, Va. 22803
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Email devdirector@ rhspca.org if you would like to receive The Tattle Tails electronically.
Many thanks to
Location: 2170 Old Furnace Road Harrisonburg, VA 22802
540-434-5270 info@rhspca.org www.rhspca.org
The Tattle Tails is published quarterly for supporters and friends of the RockinghamHarrisonburg SPCA.
Thank you to LD&B Insurance Agency and their employees for their wide variety of donations to the shelter and for generously contributing to the NOVA Fund. The NOVA fund helps animals with special needs and provides muchneeded surgeries that improve quality of life. For more information on the NOVA Fund visit rhspca.org/donate.
Thank you to The Fifer Family Foundation and the Estate of Garold Hopkins for generous donations in order to help the animals at our shelter.
Memorials
(from April 25, 2017 through July 31, 2017)
In Memory Of Our Friends In Memory of Mary Sharkey Berbes Stanley and Carolyn Sharkey In Memory of Mike Cash Dara and Charles Garten Rodney and Donna Shull Larry and Angela Caplinger Jeanne and William Dietrich Kenneth and Ruth Getz Blue Sky Radiator & Electrical Shop Jeff and Gretchen Germroth Whitesel Brothers, Inc. In Memory of James Lee Cubbage Linville United Methodist Church In Memory of Jane Dove Crystl and William Whitmire In Memory of John R. Eagle Kenneth Kline Dorothy Tompkins and Family Courtland and John Meyer In Memory of Jenna Gamble Jane Stover In Memory of Garold Hopkins Ken and Linda Kline In Memory of John David Huffman D.L. and Jo Ellen Perry
Cricket and Christopher Driver Melissa Mayhew Butch Strawderman In Memory of Paul Lacey Dennis and Toni Snyder GravesWhetzel Law, PLLC Jean Chevalier Marvin and Frances Luckett In Memory of Captain James Joseph “J.J.” McCabe Gayle Davis Hunter and Mary Margaret Hollar In Memory of Alvin Mullenax Linda and Paul Schacht In Memory of Dorothy “Mac” Muller Jack and Pam Alexander Cynthia Wilson In Memory of Bill O’Brien Jean O’Brien In Memory of Bea Reedy Shelia Akers Smith In Memory of Chad Rhodes Betty Melchor In Memory of Irene Smith Ronald Fulk In Memory of Dale Wegner II Dale and Waneta Wegner In Memory of Willis Whetzel Janet Whetzel
In Memory of Pearl and Alpha Jamison Linda and Paul Schacht
In Memory of Cam Wimer Eleanor Wimer Rebecca Puffenbarger
In Memory of Elaine Joecks Carol Yetzer Rachel Frye
In Memory of Jessi Wisler Charles Funkhouser
You can honor or memorialize a special person or pet in your life by donating to the R-H SPCA, which 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.
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In Memory of Lauren Tate Timothy Malone In Memory of Sofia Tolsma Vanessa Cruz John, Marsha, and Atticus Deavers William and Sandy Switzer and Family Hill Family (Amyl, Claudia, Andy, Thalita, Scott, Elizabeth, Patrick, Matthew, Nick, Josh, James, Jenna, and Noah) Deavers Tax Service, Inc. McIntyre/Lyons Families In Memory of Edward Turner Vickie Lester OGuin Karen Necsary In Memory of Peggy Zimmerman LDA Creations, Inc. Henry and Dorice Graham
In Memory Of Our Pets In Memory of beloved cat “Beau,” an adoptee from the SPCA 16 years ago Peter and Elizabeth Martens In Memory of “Bee” Brumback Julie Brumback In Memory of “Bodie” Milla Sue Wisecarver In Memory of “Brandy” Thompson, our yellow lab Sheldon and Cheryle Thompson In Memory of “The Cat” Loyd and Shirley Newman In Memory of “Dakota” Sally, Bob, and Amy Gartner In Memory of “Everest” John and Elizabeth Mauzy
In Memory of “Hobbs” Phyllis Sonner Larry Brown In Memory of our beloved GSD, “Hobo” Norman and Joyce Bradburn In Memory of “Justita” Janet Whetzel In Memory of “Maggie” Vickie Dean In Memory of “Miss,” “Hermie,” and “Tucker” Richard and Pam Wilkins In Memory of “Murphy” William and Elizabeth Arey In Memory of “Sam,” beloved Schnauzer Donald and Ginger Usry In Memory of “Samantha,” “Fosberry,” and “Kwami” Judith Lepera In Memory of our sweet, shaggy “Shadow” Susan and Fred Olson In Memory of “Sky,” a beloved pet Dottie and Fred Stoltz In Memory of “Timothy,” my furry 17 year old twin brother. You were a good and loving brother and I will miss you. Furry sister, “Tamar” Sally Lance
In Memory of “Frankee” and “Sky” Pamela Mason
In Memory of “Willy,” our son’s beloved tea cup Chihuahua Voncille and Leslie West
In Memory of “Gunner” Dennis and Janet Boffo
In Memory of “Winston” Quarles, my Pekingese Tresa Quarles
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In Honor Of Our Friends
In Honor of James David Taylor Buchanan’s Graduation Mary and Curtis Judge In Honor of Chick Pat Loomis and Cricket Driver Terri Denton In Honor of Rowan Meadow’s 10th birthday Brian and Rebecca Dean In Honor of Lee N. Norford Denny Eye Jack and Mary Whitley In Honor of Briana Phillips Donna Robinson In Honor of Lily Wilson’s birthday Leanne Cain
In Honor Of Our Pets In Honor of “Bitty” Rebecca Gridley
In Honor of former SPCA adoptee, “Delilah” Dottie Gardner In Honor of “Happy,” “Shaq,” “Lucy Lou,” and “Oliver” Linda Berry In Honor of “Precious,” our Welsh Corgi John and Virginia Phalen In Honor of “Winnie” Daniel Wachspress
Dog Success Story: Furdinand Finds Love Furdinand is a pit bull mix puppy who came to the R-H SPCA with a badly broken left front leg. He was six months old at that time. He must have been in severe pain when he arrived but he was still a happy puppy who wagged his tail whenever someone gave him attention. Staff at the shelter took him to the vet who decided the best thing to do would be amputate the leg. The healing time would be less and they knew he would have no trouble adapting. A foster home was quickly lined up where he would have time to heal and be well taken care of while waiting for his forever home. wwFurdinand was soon given a clean bill of health and was available for adoption. Staff at the shelter used social media to make sure everyone knew about this pup who was in need of a home. On May 17, Furdinand did find that home and was adopted! He went home with his mom and fur-brother. wwThere are so many people to thank for saving this pup. Thank you to Heartland Veterinary Clinic for preforming his surgery, to his foster for taking such good care of him while he waited for his forever home, and his adopter for choosing to adopt!
Volunteer Profile: Jill, the dog walker and foster Q: How long have you been volunteering/fostering? A: I started volunteering in 2011. Fostering came later, in 2015. Q: How did you get started volunteering/fostering? A: It had been in the back of my mind for a long time. When life changed and I found myself with free time, there was no reason not to. Q: What is your favorite part about volunteering/fostering? A: We all know that spending time with animals is beneficial to our own health and well-being. In this regard, I get as much, if not more, than I give. Sometimes I happen to be at the shelter to see one of my dog pals hopping in the car with their new person
or family. That is the absolute best! Q: What advice do you have for those interested? A: If you have any inclination, some spare time and/or some space to share in your home, please give it a try. If you’re reading this newsletter, you obviously care about animal welfare. Don’t underestimate the difference your efforts can make in the lives of these animals. You’ll feel great about yourself! Q: Can you tell me more about the animals you have at home? A: We share our home with one dog, named Ivy, an SPCA alum. We fostered her for a little while and knew pretty quickly we wanted to keep her for our own. She is wonderful!
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Rescue Success Story: Numerous Cats Get Second Chance
Each month, the Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA participates in a cat transport through a partnership with an ASPCA relocation and transport program. Volunteers with the ASPCA take these animals to a shelter in Massachusetts called Second Chance. At Second Chance these animals have a higher chance of being adopted, while the R-H SPCA makes room for more cats. To make this transport effective there is a whole process the staff goes through starting with our thick transport preperations book, performing health checks, checking weight, cleaning ears, reducing stress of the cats, loading them into carriers, and placing on the van for their trip. Each of the following photos explains the process. This sheet keeps track The Cat Transport of the cats that are Preperations book keeps scheduled to go on the all the information about transport and records the cats going on the updated information transport organized. about their health. It It includes health and is a list of what has behaviorial information been done and what needs to be done to make sure the about each cat going on the transport. This is where animal can go on the transport. the process starts over and over again each month. Cleaning ears is a routine practice that staff performs on the cats before the transport. It is important to clean ears on the cats to keep them clean and healthy before they make the long trip. Medical treatment and the long trip can be a little stressful for the animals. Connie, a kennel attendant, makes sure to give each animal some love and attention after she helps treat them by giving them some cuddles and calming them down.
Kittens are weighed on a regular basis to make sure they are large enough to go. Kittens do have to be two pounds to go to Second Chance just like they have to be two pounds to go up for adoption at the R-H SPCA. On the day of the transport, staff members show up early to help. Animals are taken from their kennel, placed into a carrier, then placed into a kennel on the van with water, food, and a litter box. Each pet is checked off the list and medical records are transferred over.
Since late 2016 when the partnership started, 197 cats have been transported to Second Chance. Second Chance takes cats from seven weeks to five years of age. All cats are given rabies shots, are up to date on age appropriate vaccines, tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and given a health check by local veterinarians. ww“The cat transports are very important to the shelter because it has been opening kennel space to accommodate for the volume of cat intakes. Without the transports the shelter would be over capacity with cats and there would be an increase of the euthanasia rates. In addition to transporting kittens this rescue also accepts cats up to five years old along with minor medical issues. It is very helpful being able to put cats and kittens into foster care with knowledge that those cats or kittens will specifically be going to an organization with a high adoption rate in a different demographic. Due to this life-saving opportunity there has been an increase in the live release rate for our organization,� said Amber, the feline manager. wwThank you to the R-H SPCA staff for working hard to prepare the cats for transport, to Dr. Pettigrew and Dr. Leavenworth who perform health checks, to the ASPCA for this program and coordinating the 6 actual transport, and Second Chance for taking these pets and finding them forever homes.
Thank you for the generous support!
Thank you to the Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene Life Group for spending one morning volunteering at our shelter! They were a great help in doing some landscaping projects, making toys for the animals, walking dogs and cuddling cats. A big shoutout to those who donated items for our Kitten Shower on May 13. The moms and kittens were very happy about all the food. REMINDER: We are always in need of Kitten Milk Replacer, Iams Kitten food both dry and wet, and foster homes for kittens and moms. Call 540-434-5270 for more information! Thank you again to Ashby Animal Clinic for a massive food donation! They run a spay/neuter special where you can donate a large bag of pet food or container of cat litter and earn a low cost spay or neuter. We thank them for their great work in preventing litters.
Cat Success Story: Phoenix Rises from the Ashes In May, a little gray kitten who was only about a month old was found by two ladies at the McGaheysville fire station during a craft show. They could tell he had been dumped there. He was very scared, hot, and severly dehydrated. wwThey decided to bring him to the SPCA where staff took over his care. They soon realized he had blisters and burns on his paws probably from the scorching pavement. The staff named him El Fuego which is Spanish for fire. wwAfter some medication, water, food, and attention he became a staff favorite as they babied him. His paws healed quickly and he grew to two pounds so he could be adopted. The development/ fundraising manager at the SPCA, Emily, and her husband adopted him and welcomed him into their home. He was renamed Phoenix because it means he has arisen from flames as a winner, beating lifes challenges and defeating hard times. The Phoenix is a symbol of rebirth and represents a victory over death which perfectly fits his story. wwHe is a playful, curious kitten but when he calms down he loves to sleep on your shoulder and chest and has to be as close as possible. He also has a love for food so we know he is going to grow into a strong, big boy.
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2170 Old Furnace Road P.O. Box 413 Harrisonburg, VA 22803
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