Pet Dish for December 19, 2008

In this issue:

• Animal Humane Society gets an online makeover
• Compassionate teen's love for cats
• Contessa's unfinished journey
• Now boarding pets

Out with the old (website and e-newsletter) and in with the new (exciting features)

The New Year is a time to make improvements and expand on the knowledge we gained from the year before. At Animal Humane Society, we’re getting a head start on 2009 with the launch of our new website and e-newsletter. They both still have a wealth of information, but with a lot more exciting features.

• Adoptable animals are now found on the home page, which means you don’t have to dig to see which furry friend you can take home
• Follow-ups on successful adoptions including personal stories and pictures of animals in their new homes
• Direct access to news and events information from the home page
• Expanded information on current animal welfare issues and upcoming legislation—including information on how you can get involved
• Coming soon: Additional details on available animals including if they came from a cruelty case, need additional training, if they’re not suitable for homes with children, etc.
• Coming soon: A new lost and found animals section allowing those who have lost a pet to review the stray animals at any of our five facilities

The web address remains the same. See what’s new at www.animalhumanesociety.org.

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Cats get love thanks to compassionate teen

Donations come into Animal Humane Society in many forms. Monetary gifts, supplies, volunteer time and in-home foster care are just a few of the ways the community shows its support for the work we do. For 14-year-old Molly, supporting our efforts is all in a day’s work.

“She’s a sweet, caring girl,” states her mother Cindy. “She’s always thinking about how to make the world a better place for animals.”

Her thinking has paid off. Molly has taken on the role of primary caregiver (under her parent’s supervision) for the foster kittens they bring into their home. She’s proudly taken on the task of feeding each kitten and ensuring they have clean litterboxes. She also, along with her friends and five-year-old sister Mia, helps the kittens develop socialization skills before they come back to AHS for adoption. This is done with countless hours of play time and affection.

For many teens, the work would end there. But Molly wanted to do more. She started saving her allowance to purchase fleece material to make blankets. After a few weeks she saved up enough money to make 30 blankets.

“It was important to her that all foster kittens have a blanket,” states her mother. Molly and her family dropped the blankets at AHS Golden Valley the day before Thanksgiving.

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Journey for chocolate Labrador retriever not over yet

Oftentimes, getting to a safe haven is only half the journey for homeless and neglected animals. Contessa, a Labrador retriever at Animal Humane Society’s Buffalo facility, can attest to that.

Contessa’s stay in Buffalo is just one of many stops she’s made on her journey to find a new home. She has spent time at other shelters and has overcome obstacles that you would never imagined she had faced.

When she was brought to AHS, her rear right leg was deformed and she walked with a limp. X-rays were taken that showed she had several healed bone fractures in the leg and her hips. But Contessa isn’t one to sit around and lick her wounds. AHS employee Tracie Jacobson got to experience her energy and enthusiasm for life firsthand.

In an effort to get her adopted, Tracie took Contessa to WCCO for a media appearance. As they were leaving the studio, Tracie wasn’t able to get Contessa into the kennel in the van the first time. When she tried to take her back out to have another run at it, the two tripped over each other. Contessa landed on her feet while Tracie landed in snow piled around the meters. “Contessa thought that was great,” Tracie said. “So she jumped on top of me and started giving me kisses.”

Many more kisses are sure to come when Contessa receives her happy ending and gets adopted into a new home. Learn more about her and the hundreds of other animals waiting for new homes this holiday season at each of our five facilities.

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Now boarding dogs, cats and other furry friends

Pack the bags of your dog, cat, ferret, rabbit, bird, goldfish —almost any pet, and bring them with you on your… way to vacation.

Now Boarding, a 24-hour pet boarding facility adjacent to the airport, has begun taking reservations. Opening later this month, Now Boarding provides convenient drop-off and access to your terminal. Park your vehicle in their lot and hop on the provided shuttle to catch your plane.

Comparable in cost to other pet boarding facilities, it provides:

• Overnight boarding
• Family kennels for two to three dogs from one family
• One-on-one playtime, group exercise inside and out
• Doggy daycare seven days a week
• Spa treatments including massage, shampoos, ear cleaning, a pet therapy pool and pawdicures
• Dog training services

But it also gives you the opportunity to give back to animals not as lucky as your own. Now Boarding will operate as a for-profit entity with the net proceeds going back to fund the care of the nearly 40,000 homeless and neglected animals taken in each year by Animal Humane Society. For more information and to make your reservation, visit www.nowboardingpets.com.

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