animal rescuers - resources - support

[Inuus]

I know there isnt alot of options when one rescues or finds and animal and that totally sucks. But I would say its better to take them off the streets and not let them suffer. I understand the thought of being "free" but from experience I can say dogs running wild and livestock dont mix. I just had more own horror story with that last week(but dont want to go into details not the place for it)Heck sometimes dogs running loose and cats dont mix.

I do wish there were more $$ and more organizations to help

Kudos for all of you that do you best!

[violaine]

checking in with everyone. today was kind of a trying afternoon with a situation my committee investigated involving two dogs. the guy who telephoned in the information is a builder, and a second time caller to our committee. he was actually very involved and distressed during The Process.

i'm not sure detail-wise how much to put here ? it can be disconcerting to see in person, and words to read often evoke images. the builder noticed through recent land clearing, a few cases which might not otherwise be visible and/or helped. animal control actually did something [albeit small] today.

well, tomorrow is a new day- and the builder is joining us for a meeting involving these kind of issues. if enough people come forward, a voice for the animals will arrive in the name of ordinances designed to be protecting them.

[Kimbo]

Originally Posted by violaine

checking in with everyone. today was kind of a trying afternoon with a situation my committee investigated involving two dogs. the guy who telephoned in the information is a builder, and a second time caller to our committee. he was actually very involved and distressed during The Process.

i'm not sure detail-wise how much to put here ? it can be disconcerting to see in person, and words to read often evoke images. the builder noticed through recent land clearing, a few cases which might not otherwise be visible and/or helped. animal control actually did something [albeit small] today.

well, tomorrow is a new day- and the builder is joining us for a meeting involving these kind of issues. if enough people come forward, a voice for the animals will arrive in the name of ordinances designed to be protecting them.

I hope things are going better. I know from my experience there are many highs when involved with rescue and change...but there are also many lows.

[Kimbo]

Originally Posted by Diavolo

Pasado's made some serious mistakes during Katrina resulting in dogs being sent to a horder in Arkansas where they ultimately died. They were too interested in publicity and forgot about the animals. I think they mean well, but they dropped the ball and dogs died.

I was there helping in Katrina with HSUS...I know first hand what happened and I stayed very involved after I left. There were many mistakes that were made that caused the death of animals..everything from shutting us down from going in to search to sending animals out to kill shelters. Animals were euthanized to take in the Katrina animals, the Katrina animals were next. There were many mistakes made and many things learned.

I've spent countless hours volunteering for Pasado's...They made mistakes as did many others. I stand by them and their efforts. They have made a huge difference for animals here in Wa state.

[WolfyOne]

Originally Posted by Softly

not sure if this belongs here.

but I got a cat yeterday. adopted from the spca she is between 2-4 yrs old, they couldn't tell. she is a tortie.

anyway she has been sneezing since we brought her home. and Daddy has a cat and I don't want him to get sick so for now we put her in our extra bedroom with her litter, food and comfy bed. I called the spca and they said keep the cats apart for a bit and they are giving us some medicine for the sneezing.

do you think the other cat is going to get sick??
I feel horrible...

I have a few sneezers in my house. They get allergy shots every month. Our vet said we could give them half a benadryl a day, but our little drama queens foam at the mouth when we try to give them pills. R has learned from our country vet how to give shots . With our brood of rescues, we keep medication on hand in case one gets sick.

With yours coming from a shelter, I'd be careful she doesn't have pneumonia. We've had to battle that here more than a few times. We keep a stethoscope on hand so we could listen to their lungs.

[violaine]

[QUOTE=Kimbo;42473]I hope things are going better. I know from my experience there are many highs when involved with rescue and change...but there are also many lows.

thank you and i agree with you !

here's the higher aspects- the guy who phoned in to us about the two dogs [and another case] is now on our committee! he's actually already taken supplies to additional dogs - because he's outgoing and gentle, on the road a lot , and a fierce advocate/activist for animals, he will be an awesome person to have on our team.

the two dogs i wrote about in the earlier post were seen by the health/environmental department , who were instrumental in getting the situation improved by miles, not the animal control !

good to see you, kimbo

[Kimbo]

Originally Posted by Softly

not sure if this belongs here.

but I got a cat yeterday. adopted from the spca she is between 2-4 yrs old, they couldn't tell. she is a tortie.

anyway she has been sneezing since we brought her home. and Daddy has a cat and I don't want him to get sick so for now we put her in our extra bedroom with her litter, food and comfy bed. I called the spca and they said keep the cats apart for a bit and they are giving us some medicine for the sneezing.

do you think the other cat is going to get sick??
I feel horrible...

How did it turn out? Runny nose w/discharge, sneezing, discharge from the the eyes, mouth breathing, lack of appetite are all indicators that the cat has an URI. If your cats have had their FVRCP they have been inoculated against Rhinotrachetis. Cats who have had their shots might get sneezy but they don't generally get a full blown infection. It can kill a cat if left untreated.

[violaine]

a group of concerned citizens - including the committee i am on, and several others, are going to have some press coverage this evening on the shelter i've been writing about. someone at a meeting we held about a week ago, must have been a spy for the shelter, because they now are posting on a brand new FB page- and listing animals -the first time in their history of existence in this county! unbelievable. i mean, any change is obviously great for the animals. we want to see the shelter moving forward in so many areas, and hopefully they might zoom right into the 21st century.

anyway, this day/evening will be for the animals- and voice given to them by people who are true to their missions, with a clear vision. glitch-free monday.

[Kimbo]

Originally Posted by violaine

a group of concerned citizens - including the committee i am on, and several others, are going to have some press coverage this evening on the shelter i've been writing about. someone at a meeting we held about a week ago, must have been a spy for the shelter, because they now are posting on a brand new FB page- and listing animals -the first time in their history of existence in this county! unbelievable. i mean, any change is obviously great for the animals. we want to see the shelter moving forward in so many areas, and hopefully they might zoom right into the 21st century.

anyway, this day/evening will be for the animals- and voice given to them by people who are true to their missions, with a clear vision. glitch-free monday.

Good luck to you..I am glad they are posting the animals FINALLY--Gez.

I hope they get the link to http://www.petfinder.com/index.html

[AtLast]

Need some advise-

I have a 14 year old cat (Luciano) that is in great shape, very active and spry. However, he is getting older and I am thinking I should be giving him something for his joints. Are there cat foods available with glucosemine and condrotin (sp?)? Giving him a pill everyday would be insane (and upsetting to him), so I am thinking along food lines. He is on "senior" kitty food, but I am wondering about a joint health specific food for cats. Thanks.

[owen4u1904]

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

{{{{Andrew}}}} I just love your post and can relate to so much of it!

As a child ~ animals were my sanctuary. I found safety and refuge in caring for them and in the peace they offered amongst the craziness of my life.

As an adult I have had to work diligently to not bring home every stray I come across. Living in a border town means that I see A LOT of homeless animals and it tears me up to not be able to help them as freely as I would like. But...I do what I can by volunteering at our local animal care centers and by offering my home as a foster site when I can.

There are animals that I have had in my home that, due to experience, I would not have back...but for the most part I can weigh the benefits against the draw backs and find that the unconditional love and laughter these animals have brought into my life have, by far, been well worth the time, money and energy spent.

I still live with my parents... ..lol...but, I have been banned from bringing home cats. Or any other kinda animals that I find. Of course it is kinda funny, cause now we have 3 cats that I never found. We have or Mama cat who came to us prego. We kept one from her first litter. She had like 4 more litters, then her 5th litter she had a grey kitten which she never had before. But it was kinda weird, cause we just had a grey cat who ran away or went to the woods and got beat up or something and was never seen again. So we kept the grey kitten. LOL, our family is real orginal though, we named her kit. So we have 7 cats with more kittens on the way and 3 dogs.

[Kimbo]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

Need some advise-

I have a 14 year old cat (Luciano) that is in great shape, very active and spry. However, he is getting older and I am thinking I should be giving him something for his joints. Are there cat foods available with glucosemine and condrotin (sp?)? Giving him a pill everyday would be insane (and upsetting to him), so I am thinking along food lines. He is on "senior" kitty food, but I am wondering about a joint health specific food for cats. Thanks.

Hey buddy..Hope life is well in your world! My vet gave my cat Cosequin for my Bella's joints. you sprinkle it on their food. I do not think you have to have a prescription. I bet there is other stuff out there but that is all I am familiar with.

[Kimbo]

Originally Posted by rbentley1904

I still live with my parents... ..lol...but, I have been banned from bringing home cats. Or any other kinda animals that I find. Of course it is kinda funny, cause now we have 3 cats that I never found. We have or Mama cat who came to us prego. We kept one from her first litter. She had like 4 more litters, then her 5th litter she had a grey kitten which she never had before. But it was kinda weird, cause we just had a grey cat who ran away or went to the woods and got beat up or something and was never seen again. So we kept the grey kitten. LOL, our family is real orginal though, we named her kit. So we have 7 cats with more kittens on the way and 3 dogs.

I really wished you would take into consideration spaying your cat. I know you mean well but it is appalling to many of us that spend countless hours rescueing animals --- over 6 million animals a year are euthanized. Please spay your cat. Allowing her to breed like this is irresponsible IMHO.

In many cities it is against the law to allow an animal in heat to roam free.

If you need any help with resources please PM or post here...we are a wealth of resources.

[FeminineAllure]

http://www.petco.com/product/106533/...oft-Chews.aspx

This may work for your cat Kimbo.
~Hugs to him~

[Andrew, Jr.]

Atlasthome,

I have no clue what to give a sr. cat for joint care. Things you can do around the house is to put out a heating pad (on low) and put it under a towel and let your baby lay on that. Stop her from jumping up and down. Pick her up. My baby is elderly too. And I use a heating pad in the winter months. She loves it. As long as she is happy, Daddy is happy.

Ask your vet for something you could put in her water or sprinkle over her food. Pills are a no no for my elderly cat. It just is too much for her too.

Love,
Andrew

[violaine]

there was a good turn out tonight at the meeting of concerned citizens including rescue groups/foster people, and lots of volunteers belonging to various committees. the reporter wants to interview the commissioners plus the chief animal control officer before running the piece. i heard this before from him, as i've worked with the same reporter on a handful of our own newspaper stories. however, tonight was a different tone all together, with a room full of amazing people sharing experiences regarding the animal control shelter- it gave a voice to the animals - past, present, and looking towards a brighter future.

a news station was scheduled to come, but at the last moment, there were three breaking stories so that just gives us another opportunity to get this issue out a bit later- not such a bad dealio.

one paper already covered it. we're on the way.

tomorrow, i will attend a meeting of the commissioners to get the animal control shelter statistics, which i've been asking for far too long! also, i will inquire about an animal advisory board being formed, to be a liasion for animal control and county commissioners. i should be able to get all the statistics i want if there's a board in place [the present chief of animal control disbanded that board years ago!]. another plus to having a board, is the members are diverse- humane society will have a seat, and That Means- we will get ordinances for anti-tethering !!

tomorrow comes early, and i'm not a morning bird.

[owen4u1904]

Originally Posted by Kimbo

I really wished you would take into consideration spaying your cat. I know you mean well but it is appalling to many of us that spend countless hours rescueing animals --- over 6 million animals a year are euthanized. Please spay your cat. Allowing her to breed like this is irresponsible IMHO.

In many cities it is against the law to allow an animal in heat to roam free.

If you need any help with resources please PM or post here...we are a wealth of resources.

I totally get what you are saying. She is the only one we never got spayed. She came to our house pregnant and just kept having them. Eventually the dr had a talk with us too, and he had to really make us understand that it is okay to do an "abortion" type of thing. The first couple of times when was getting ready to spay her we would notice she was pregnant. We kept our a kitten out of the 4th set, and that is when she took off. She still eats our house but we cant catch her and we know she is pregnant again so me and the rest of my family agreed that she will probably come inside to have them so we need to watch for her and just keep her in the house this time. Thank you for letting me know but this story does let people know that cats need to spayed and you just have to learn to deal with that part that I mentioned above.

[AtLast]

Thank you so much. Yes, Lucci does have a portion on my bed that I have put a big heating blanket out on. Both cats and my dog snuggle up there! He has been showing that he needs more warmth in winter and has actually been coming in much earlier as the day gets colder. He mostly hangs out in my backyard and keeps an eye out for anything that moves.

I will ask my vet about any supplements as I have to take both cats in for annual exams and some shots.

No, I can't oill him, too upsetting for him and he doesn't have many teeth left. But, overall, he is aging quite well which makes me very happy. Very playful and still very agile. I just want to give him anything that might help his joints as he continues to age. There are oddles of things out for dogs.

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

Atlasthome,

I have no clue what to give a sr. cat for joint care. Things you can do around the house is to put out a heating pad (on low) and put it under a towel and let your baby lay on that. Stop her from jumping up and down. Pick her up. My baby is elderly too. And I use a heating pad in the winter months. She loves it. As long as she is happy, Daddy is happy.

Ask your vet for something you could put in her water or sprinkle over her food. Pills are a no no for my elderly cat. It just is too much for her too.

Love,
Andrew

[violaine]

Today at the meeting of commissioners –

I spoke briefly with the secretary to commissioners prior to 9:30 meeting, and asked her if the statistics would be on the agenda. She handed me a copy of the agenda, and there was nothing pertaining to the animal control shelter. Secretary told me the statistics would be available, and the chief animal control officer would be present next meeting on Tuesday- 9. Feb. 2010, at 9:30 A.M. I wasn’t sure if I could bring up the topic of the statistics anyhow, and secretary said that I could when the commissioner called for “wishes to be heard”. My goal was to get a word in about having an Animal Advisory Board established [like it used to be before the Chief AC Officer disbanded it years ago]. With an Advisory Board, a lot of great changes could take place.

The meeting began as scheduled, and after about ten minutes, I could hardly believe my ears.... NOTHING was on the Agenda for today about the AC/shelter, yet one commissioner began addressing the complaints at our animal control shelter, plus their awareness of the FB citizens concerned about the AC/shelter page.

Thank goodness on staying to be a presence there, as I almost left since the secretary and agenda made no mention of the discussion!

The commissiners were looking at an investigation of the AC/shelter by The Animal Board of Health [who are NOT on our team]. A few areas where Animal Advisory Boards/Board of State Federation of Shelters and ABOH do cross paths, i.e. rabies holding periods, and abuse cases. The ABOH has no background, education, or experience in the animal sheltering department.

I gave comments when the room was addressed to do so, – which should be publicised in the minutes- welcoming and urging the diversity of an Advisory Board. This would not be a cost to the taxpayers- as one commissioner stated budget cuts for AC ahead, and there would be an expense involved with Advisory Board implementation.

If the commissioners want an independent investigation of AC by the ABOH, there will not be anything found- and of course, the AC/ shelter and commissioners come off looking clean. We know this is not the case, and are in desperate need of transparency via a watchdog organisation like Board of State Federation of Shelters. This is heavy artillery in the most positive degree.
For example, when statistics are requested, they need to be sent out, versus never receiving them. Financials, et c.

I telephoned BOSFS today directly after hearing the commissioners. My contact will get on this immediately to the Board of State Federation- and did mention a person she had in mind who has many years of experience, and another individual at a private Humane Society. She will also write to the commissioner who brought this to the agenda.

People/taxpayers might have attended if discussion of the AC/shelter had been posted to their website/agenda. The scary thing is, if the commissioners do not wish to discuss public matters, and only wish to stick to “roads/hwys”, then someone else needs to be the boss of the animal control/shelter!

So, BOSFS is writing to commissioners offering to do an independent investigation of the AC, as this was brought to her attention. Humane society here has already submitted the BOSFS info to a commissioner.

[Kimbo]

Originally Posted by rbentley1904

I totally get what you are saying. She is the only one we never got spayed. She came to our house pregnant and just kept having them. Eventually the dr had a talk with us too, and he had to really make us understand that it is okay to do an "abortion" type of thing. The first couple of times when was getting ready to spay her we would notice she was pregnant. We kept our a kitten out of the 4th set, and that is when she took off. She still eats our house but we cant catch her and we know she is pregnant again so me and the rest of my family agreed that she will probably come inside to have them so we need to watch for her and just keep her in the house this time. Thank you for letting me know but this story does let people know that cats need to spayed and you just have to learn to deal with that part that I mentioned above.

It's hard to take a cat who has roamed freely outdoors and then make them a complete indoor cat. It's not impossible but the fact is when they want to get out most often they will.

If she is pregnant and has kittens, well it's still winter, they're at risk. If you can't catch her I would recommend trapping her. It would be easy for you with her already feeding at your house. There are very humane traps for getting cats. There are a lot of resources in your area. .

http://www.spayneuterservices.org/resources.htm

http://www.petsalivespayneuter.org/