Pet Dish for May 26, 2009

In this issue:

• Warming up to kitten season
• Life celebrations
• Summertime purrs
• Chatting with Paula Z
• More treats
• Scratching post

Nadia shivers off winter in time for kitten season.
How you can help cats in need
Nadia arrived at Animal Humane Society in Coon Rapids in early April with no name, no owner and no temperature reading. Brought in by the owner of the pool she was found howling in, Nadia was so cold she was literally freezing.

AHS veterinary staff moved quickly to bring her temperature back up. They administered warm fluids under the skin and gave the shivering cat a warm-water enema, in addition to surrounding her with heated rice bags, heating pads and blankets. Nadia was also given a can of warmed cat food that she quickly devoured. Some time later, her temperature still wasn’t registering. Staff could only hope for the best and that Nadia would make it through the night.

Her recovery was like the night turning into the day. When AHS staff checked on her the next morning, they found Nadia on her feet and back to a normal body temperature. It was almost as if the night before never happened. Now on the adoption floor at AHS, Nadia faces a new struggle—she is just one of nearly 300 cats currently available for adoption at AHS’s five facilities.

May kicks off the start of kitten season, a season that runs through late fall and a time where we see incoming feline numbers that exceed 2,000 per month. “There is a whole different mindset when it comes to cats,” explains Cindy Johnson, director of customer service at AHS. “There is a belief that cats should be allowed outside to roam and many aren’t sterilized. Our spay/neuter messages don’t seem to hit home with cat owners.”

What that means for adult cats like Nadia is an extended stay on the adoption floor. The average stay for an adult cat quickly moves from days to months as people rush to take home kittens. At AHS, we’re working hard to create space on our adoption floors and counteract the affects of extended stays for cats with upcoming promotions for Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat month in June, researching the possibility of subsidized spay/neuter programs and Mission: Meow, an innovative new program now in its second year.

Mission: Meow is a program that you can take part in now to help a cat in need. It is a partnership between AHS and the public whereby animal lovers take in an adult feline houseguest this summer and bring him or her back in the late fall when the animal has a better chance at being adopted. In return, AHS provides a litter box and all food, toys and litter.

For more information on the program, please visit www.animalhumanesociety.org/missionmeow. We’ll keep you posted on our June promotions in the coming weeks.

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Celebrating life in your words
Shirley Anne Olsen spent her life helping others, people and animals alike. Her home was always full of animals, especially cats. She often took in strays and would have at least four cats in her home at one time. When she passed, her family and friends wanted to honor her compassion for animals by providing an opportunity for others to help homeless and neglected animals, and so they created a Tributes page on the Animal Humane Society website.

In their own words, they tell Shirley’s story. They share photos of her life, each one with an animal friend. And they allow people to make monetary contributions to AHS in her name.

You too can celebrate the life of your family and friends by creating a Tributes page. Celebrate the adoption of a new pet. Celebrate your best friend’s upcoming nuptials or the birth of your brother’s first child. Whatever you’re celebrating, don’t forget to include the animals in need at AHS. Create your Tributes page today.

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Spend the summer with AHS
Late poet and author Celia Thaxter had it right when she said, “There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.” At Animal Humane Society, we have such gratitude for the support we receive from the community it can easily be said that we experience summer year-round. But during actual summer months we like to get out and tell more people about the great things happening at AHS. While you’re out, stop by and visit us at the following event:

Flint Hills International Children’s Festival
Saturday-Sunday, May 30–31
Rice Park, St. Paul

AHS is about bringing families together with lifelong pets. That’s why we’re excited to celebrate families at the Flint Hills International Children’s Festival. Celebrate the family bond with us and watch for our booth on this Festival Family Weekend. According to organizers of the event “families will experience unprecedented performing arts at the Ordway Center and be able to participate in the vibrant World Party.” For more information, visit www.ordway.org/festival.

Twin Cities Pride Festival
Saturday–Sunday, June 27–28
Loring Park, Minneapolis

AHS helps all people and families when they’ve found themselves in a position where they can no longer care for their pet—no matter the pet, no matter the situation. And, we help bring all families together. Help us celebrate this same kind of diversity and equality at the annual Pride Celebration. The event commemorates diverse heritage, inspires the achievement of equality and challenges discrimination. For more information, visit www.tcpride.org.

Paws on Grand
Sunday, August 2
Grand Avenue, St. Paul

Get your paws on Grand Avenue in St. Paul to celebrate the pups we love at the 4th annual Paws on Grand event benefitting the animals of Animal Humane Society. Get a table for two (your pup and you!) at many of the avenue’s restaurant and take a stroll to pamper your pet with treats, toys, photo ops, microchip clinics and more. Save the date and watch this e-newsletter for additional information.

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Chatterboxes
How to quiet your dog’s bark
Some dogs bark at the neighbor walking by. Others bark at shadows. And the reasons are quite simple: some are bored and need attention, others are just loving life and letting you know about it. We can’t stop them from using their voices, but there are actions we can put in place to keep them from being a nuisance. Animal Humane Society Behavior and Training Specialist Paula Zukoff explains what you can do in the following Fox 9 “Ask the Trainer” segment.

 

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Birthday party for the animals
Schedule your child's next birthday at Animal Humane Society! AHS birthday parties include a shelter tour, educational activities, animal-themed games and crafts and a visit from a special animal guest. Participants may also make a toy or other item to donate to a shelter animal. Parties can be scheduled for ages 6+ at any AHS location. Learn more…

 

Dogs and Drinks event jumps into spring
Show your support for dog friendly resources in our community by letting your pooch run loose and jump into spring at an upcoming Dogs and Drinks event being held at Now Boarding on Saturday, May 30 at 7 p.m. All small dogs less than 15 lbs may attend the event, all dog lovers and humans are welcome. Reservations are required and attendees are entered to win hundreds of dollars in gifts and prizes. Bring your husband, your girlfriend, your mother, your brother, but don’t forget to bring man’s best friend. Learn more…

 

Local author writes for family pets
Local Master Bread Baker Klecko has created can’t-miss biscuit recipes that put your dog’s tastes first, and now they’re benefiting the animals of Animal Humane Society. Find the recipe that’s right for your pup by picking up a copy of his new book “K-9 Nation Biscuit Book: Baking for Your Best Friend” at a book signing Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to noon at Saint Agnes Baking Co. in St. Paul. Klecko will be joined by AHS’s Deb Balzer who contributed to the book. Both will be signing books with proceeds from the sale going to the animals of AHS. Learn more…

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Leave a compassionate legacy for animals
There are many ways to support the animals of Animal Humane Society. One very important way is to ensure your compassion for animals is carried on after you’ve passed away. Include AHS in your estate planning by naming it as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy or including a bequest in your will to replace your annual gift. Click here for additional information on the many ways you can leave a legacy for animals.

Great trade-in value on your used car
You can help animals get their tails wagging by making a tax deductible donation of your used vehicle to Animal Humane Society. All funds received from the trade in of your vehicle go back to the animals in our care. We accept cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles and more. The donation process is quick and easy and we offer free towing in all 50 states. Learn more…

Wish list
Homeless and neglected animals love checking things off our wish list. New Kongs and a little Timothy hay are the makings for a great day on AHS adoption floors. See what you can provide by reviewing our current wish list.

 

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