A no-kill Shelter dedicated to loving and nurturing the animals in our care until they find new homes - no matter how long it takes.

OSAS 
by: Renee Robins

Archives
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Mar '07 Blog;
Feb '07 Blog;
Jan '07 Blog;
Dec '06 Blog;
Nov '06 Blog;
Oct '06 Blog;
Sep '06 Blog;
Aug '06 Blog; 
Jul '06 Blog
Jun '06 Blog;
May '06 Blog;
Apr '06 Blog;
Mar '06 Blog;
Feb '06 Blog

email your comments to:
owensoundanimalshelter@inmail24.com

Success Story:
- They made it... read Renee's blog;
- Read Todd's Interview;
- Little dog pulled
from icy water;

We depend on donations from private funding to support our Spay and Neuter Fund.

Keep up-to-date  with our schedule.

Roll'n, Roll'n, Roll'n ... 
The dog days of summer have arrived, and boy did they ever roll in full force. 

Me with that sticky note in my pocket again, to update the site, and an eleven hour day of rush - rush - rush. By the end of it all, there were four dogs out, three dogs in, two releases, a stray and a ferret adoption. Boy, oh boy! 

As for the cats, we did gain one, almost as a stray (lol) but, it turned out I personally knew her landlord and called to check the story out ... it soon became a release. Kept me giggling through all that chaos, and will keep me laughing well into tomorrow. Some people! :)

We have our next Garage Sale set for May 26th - you must come ... this year one of the Friends of the Shelter has donated hedging (white) cedars. Used often for hedges or to reforest a lot. The trees are 1' to 5' great for hedges or reforesting your lot ... 6 for $5.00 or $2.00 ea:

We have just started another fundraiser for dogs and cats. Surprise bags for your pets ... dogs and cats ... available for $2.00 each:

And the biggest thank you for the wonderful flowerbed that was done for the Shelter this past week ... it looks terrific!

Must be spring ... everything is looking so great!

Don't forget my workshop tomorrow. Love to see you there.

Perfect Gentlemen
I was going for the effects of 'something a little different', with the Morning Zoo, and Rogers - being primarily cats and dogs for quite some time. 

In the hopes of "mix'n it up a bit" pardon the pun, the three Chilean Bros were chosen. Unfortunately, the excitement of bringing these large rodents on the radio and TV, clouded my common sense. 

At 10:00 am, it occurred to me, that travel could be difficult as I searched for a carrier with small enough holes to not allow them to slip through. At 10:30 am and moments before we aired, it occurred to me that there could be trouble. Three large rodents who run very fast, only two people there to stop the tidal wave of rodents, and one who needed to push the buttons! Now, imagine if you will - me with a degu in each hand, fearing any moment that one or both may shoot away and disappear into those wires. Me with my hands full unable to run and snatch them up before the inevitable happened. Fortunately, the brothers were perfectly behaved and so, I decide to conquer TV. 

Again, at 11:05 am with moments before we go live at 11:07 am, I realize the same dilemma - now, with the exception that viewers can see everything that was about to happen. As Gloria's first guest perched on her chest, I was secretly hoping that it would stay there, and not go burrowing, (as they do) and make the next few minutes X-rated which would make for some very strange TV. 

Luckily, the three Chilean Bros could have been named the three fine gentlemen as they sat perfectly still with a gentle purr. Better yet, the added publicity did just as it was hoped, and the boys found there way home that very afternoon.

The Chilean Brothers
With the arrival of two more dogs today, the pressure is on. It seems the "dog days of summer" have now arrived, a bit early again this year, as people have busy lives or are moving and bring me their pets. 

Unfortunately, not all dogs come in are surrenders and we also have "strays". Sometimes real strays are reclaimed, but some "strays" come from owners who wish to get rid of their dogs. So, we are beginning to see a full house. We will be doing some renovations soon (oops did I let that slip) and we are hoping for less capacity in the dog area.

Daisy, with a short stay, found herself a teary owner, who was so emotional over their meeting, I am certain it is a great match ("she is so perfect" was what they said) ... love that. Hoping that some of those who really need homes get that chance, especially those who have been with me a while, like Hunter, Buddy and Harley. 

I am anticipating a fun-filled morning with Chilean Brothers (the 3 Degus) on the Mix and Rogers ... leaving the stress of a full dog room behind me until I get back to the Shelter later this afternoon.

Wildlife
With the warmer spring weather, dogs and cats are roaming, and the wildlife are doing their spring things. They are nesting, mating and having offspring. 

Calls of concerns for wildlife out and about are pouring in, and the calls to pick up injured, and deceased animals on the road are beginning to rise. Wildlife are just that - wild animals - they cannot be reasoned with or "taught a lesson" - they deserve to be where they are as much as we do - as far as I am concerned. It is essential we learn to live with them, so, here are a few tips (without writing a novel):

1. Animals are seeking shelter to have their babies, this includes skunks, raccoons, squirrels and rabbits. They seek shelter in any enclosed space they can gain access to. If you have any open areas under the deck, in the garage, or under your eaves troughs your home is a target to become their home. Hide food sources, keep the garbage picked up. Cover and block any holes. If a wild animal takes up residence in one of these places, do your best to make it less pleasant, leave the radio on, bang pots and pans, make loud noises (especially at night). They will leave and move their offspring if they feel threatened.

2. If you see a wild animal never approach and call the MNR to report it MNR 519-376-3860, Midland Wildlife 705-534-4350, Serenity Wildlife Refuge 1-866-398-0666 or serenity1@look.ca.

3. Be certain your pet is confined - dogs and cats are terrible enemies for these animals - not to mention the vet bills if your dog meets a porcupine. If your cat must go outdoors fasten a bell to the collar to save the lives of birds.

4. When driving at night, be alert, and expect animals to be on the move. At night, use your high beams on your car when you can, honk your horn at the sight of eyes reflecting in the dark. This keeps wild animals and domestic animals off the roads. Keep your hand on the horn until you pass, as a deterrent to keep them off the roads. Let's face it, who wants to drive a car that smells like a skunk? :)

5. Don't throw food in the road or at the sides of the roads as this will draw them out to it to eat.

6. NEVER disturb a nest or pick up a baby animal. Just because you do not see mom this doesn't mean she isn't around. She is more than likely hiding and possibly with the others. There is never just one.

7. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator, before you move an animal. If it is in danger, simply cover it with a box, and get to the phone. Many mothers (rabbits for example) leave the nest during the day to return to feed only at dusk.

8. Be sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccines, especially rabies - if permitted to wander where there is wildlife.

Never hesitate to call and ask questions. Always ... call first and never touch!

Babes
Well I wondered all night, and it was on my mind all morning, and of course first thing I had to do was check on those tiny babies. 

My concern all night was that mom being so young and not knowing what she was doing, might not keep them warm or feed them. I had done all I possibly could to keep them alive in and that without mom there was nothing more I could do.

Way to young to survive on their own, and way to risky for the young kittens to be introduced to a new mom. If the others were older, we might have had this option but I know that this won't be the case for these kittens. Luckily, all is well and are eating, warm, dry and looking so content with a happy and content mom. Who will NEVER be experiencing another litter. 

On another great note, I know you noticed we received a brand new dishwasher - it was donated along with a years' supply of soap. And you will never guess - today a plumber arrived to connect it. All this was donated ... thanks Brian!  You knew it would take us months to get this in and you were right. I am now looking forward to washing dishes for a change - another tedious task now made simple! :)

What a Monday!
Two cat surrenders, three dog surrenders and one was a mom with pups, also a stray dog and a stray ferret. Phew! At that wasn't all that took up my day ... one of our many expectant moms decided it was time.

Unfortunately, this poor young mom had no idea what that meant. When I found her, there was one cold and dying baby in the litter box still wrapped in it's sack, and another still totally encased in the "bag of waters" and drowning. My apologies to the co-op student for what happened next, as certainly he now has some visuals he may never forget. I bare handedly ripped it open, pulled that kitten out and began rubbing and warming it. AND it got worse. Five babes later, and mom with no clue what to do (I literally pushed them out ... yes pushed them out ... you read that right). Opened it all up, pulled them free, dried them, warmed them and helped them learn to nurse. 

I needed more kittens, like I needed more kittens. This makes litter number five. If chances were different and we hadn't been there, mother nature would have helped me with those numbers - as this litter would never have made it. However, I like to challenge mother nature often, and I also like to win. Let's hope she doesn't try to get even with me any time soon.

Age
Sometimes the hardest part of my job is when I can't do anything at all. 

Sometimes an animal needs more than I can give them - money is never an option, or time, or effort - but sometimes all of these things are not enough. The ones that always test my strength and require the most compassion are not the young or the weak, but instead the very old. 

The elders, who know a quiet life and have grown accustomed to it are the hardest hit when they are delivered to us at the Shelter. They struggle the most and are the toughest for me to watch, for what they truly need is to go home. They are those that go off their food, won't eat or drink, sit and face the wall, and get down right despondent. 

Typically, the older cats deal with this life transaction the hardest, and often come as close to death as they can before they can try to bounce back. AND boy does an upset cat sure let you know it! 

Today, two elders - Reiley and Teeka - spent weeks adjusting, settling, and getting over that shock and found themselves great loving homes. It was Teeka, despite not really ever having left her little hide box, who I had found the most challenging to place. 

I hope the adjustment time for these two is short.

Friday Mix
It was pretty tricky choosing the next Zoo visitor today. 

My choice originally was a dog named Lucky - always humorous when the dog named Lucky ends up homeless. There was a joke about that I think. However, Smokey our third alteration on Tuesday had a story, as did Harley and Owen, and I thought you might want to know about it too. 

Smokey had been at the Shelter since Valentine's Day. Her pudgy tummy was responsible for her stay with us. She was looking rather round, and as a "stray" female we thought we would hold her until she delivered her kittens (that's what we thought). When it did not grow that much larger, and did not appear to be a baby belly - she became next on the spay list. 

As it turned out, this kitty should have also been named Lucky, as her bulge was the result of a hydrometra, which was basically water in one of her tubes in her uterus and in no time it would have become pyometra, which meant her tube could have ruptured resulting in Smokey's death. 

Talk about a close call! Another reason to have your cat spayed. Maybe I should really change her name to Lucky! :)

More Shocking News
A successful trip to the vet, and three more friends now ready to go. 

Owen, now properly altered, his friend Smokey a now spayed grey and white female, and an old friend with a long sad story to tell, are now all ready for forever homes. 

So, I know you remember Harley, a male Walker Hound, who was at the Shelter for a few months, was adopted out - returned, and then spent a few more months with us before finally being adopted to a home about a month or more ago.

I had regular updates on Harley, which lead me to believe he had a good home, with many trips to the country to run, lots of love, TLC and training. They called me to report he was missing, I took a report - it seemed he had slipped away. When I had not heard, and became worried, I called for another update and what I found out made me ill. They told me "he was picked up by the dog catcher", and even worse "they were not going for him, and did not care what happened to him". I was tormented with the thought of my friend Harley being at this "pound" and knew he would not be placed and worse yet, he would be destroyed. So, unable to live with the thought of Harley's death, and it being on my conscious, I drove to this "pound" with my employee Sandi's support and adopted him back and brought him to the Shelter.

I took pictures of what he looked like when we got him in the Shelter door... 

When we could get a really good look at him, we found that he was sick, terribly thin (as thin as Will was) and needed a great deal of care. He had also sustained dog bite (shown in last picture - bite marks on his face). We have been through weeks of medications, vet appointments and special care, to get him to the point he is today. My friend Harley is now neutered and I hope that he will soon find a loving home. 

Here's hoping that our saving him was a step in the right direction, and not a sentence to a long, long time behind bars here at the Shelter.

Thank You
A kitten was released to me; a young six month old male. This kitten was not surrendered by his owner, but rather by a very kind person. They convinced the kitten's owner to give this unwanted and unloved boy up. Thank goodness the person had happened to chat with this other "person" who casually mentioned he was about to neuter the cat - with an exacto knife. 

Owen, as he is called now, has been saved from torture. Oddly, this "person" believed that this kitten would not feel pain when altered this way. 

I know this person - with this terrible plan for neutering Owen - will not read this blog or understand what this blog is trying to say. But, every pet should be altered and every alteration should be done by a vet. It hurts as bad as it would if it were you, and without medication it is absolutely cruel and wrong! 

This message, with the smallest chance they will see it, is to let them know that Owen was altered properly today at our Vets, and will return to us tomorrow to find a new home.

Thank you for bringing Owen to me - 'you' know who you are! :)

Beavers
Today, there was some preparation for tonight's big event.

Tonight, I was surrounded in busy beavers. For a change these Beavers had two feet instead of four (OK, so really I don't spend a lot of time with beavers, but I have been known to remove them from weird locations in the past).

The meeting with the Owen Sound 6th Beavers, was a great time. These boys were very well mannered, and full of all sorts of fantastic questions. I love spreading the word of the Owen Sound Animal Shelter successes, to preach responsible pet ownership, and to give some insight into the life of a homeless pet. The opportunity to speak to the children is always enjoyed, although we do spend a lot of time talking about their pets. 

Two children, and a Beaver leader, brought their pet with them - you will never guess ... it was my buddy Will. 

As always we were a great team, with Will stealing the lime light. That superstar is recognized and admired everywhere he goes! He is a prime example of the difference we can make, and I was glad to have him there ... always glad to see his wiggle too.

Thanks for inviting me guys!

Rescue Groups
It was becoming the same kind of blog story, dog rescued from another animal control and his days were numbered - we agreed to take him and today found him a home - happy ending. 

But, this time, the dog was Ko Ho - who would have thought? A purebred, gorgeous male, well behaved, and with few behavior troubles was left to die. You bet you - I contacted his owner and they left him there. Ko Ho "...who may run if not tied..." to quote them. Ya, I spoke with them - Ko Ho went on some travels and ended up at the wrong place - where they left him permanently. 

Luckily, Ko Ho and I crossed paths, and today he was given a second chance at a better life. However, this time we did not do it alone. The greatest thank you to the JRT Rescue, especially Cathy, for posting him. It was this posting that brought these Jack lovers (who loved their Jack for 11 years) to my door ... all the way from Toronto. Good luck Ko Ho - this is a second chance well deserved. 

It is fantastic when the rescue groups work together, and that we are blessed with it working so well. It is those like Ko Ho who benefit the most, and we should all reap the reward of pride.

Fundraising ... here we go!
So, today I received an email from Sunsweet Fundraising - thought you might be interested.

Apparently they are checking to see if OSAS is looking to try out new products. I am always looking for ways to raise funds for our spay/neuter/medical fund (which, by the way, there is another appointment for Tuesday - love that). It is great to be able to keep the animals moving. 

I really do not want to eat a pile of chocolate, are you interested in selling candies, chocolates or cards? Let me know by email osas@bmts.com

Steam
I am so thrilled I need to tell you. Likely this will not be nearly as fantastic to anyone other than my staff, but bear with me. 

Following our fantastic adoption day, and the expected arrival of cats from the list (it is all about the ins' and outs') - we have a great deal of prepping to do. The isolation area where the cats go temporarily is a constant battleground, it is us vs. germs. Non-vaccinated and street cats carry a great potential for any virus, and this area can be a danger zone if we are not careful. Empty cages are scrubbed, disinfected and scrubbed and disinfected and sprayed and then wiped down. It is a time consuming, labour intensive job which is essential in saving lives.

Here it comes ... today, we tried out our new piece of equipment. We recently purchased (it was on sale) a portable steam jenny. This magical steam machine allows us to "boil" cages at 280° degrees! How awesome! So, we scrub, wipe, disinfect, wipe and steam! I know, not so incredible for you, but we were totally thrilled to do six cages, with potential perfection - in less than an hour!

This steamer is great - perfect for everything! Now for the carpet cleaner...

Adoptions Galore
I love a day with so many fantastic adoptions that I need to write a note (I live for notes anyhow) to remind me who needs removed from the web site, as my memory cannot hold it all. 

There were five cat adoptions today, one didn't make the site yet, and the rest were all newly available. Persons who adopted them were all people who were waiting for them to become available. 

Wendel went to a home in Elmira and they stayed over in Owen Sound just to be able to take him home. How great is that?? Everyone thinking about the decision, choosing the cat which would make the right fit AND prepared to wait to be sure it was just purrfect. There is nothing better than the right match, in forever homes. 

Congrats Tig, Wendel, Ivana, Peaches and Freckles on your forever homes.

Easter Presents
Easter is a time for rebirth, second chances, and a new life. Anyway you look at it, with religion, or with just spring around the corner, it is all about doing it again with a fresh start. 

Our Easter gift was about doing it all again, with new hope and faith in starting over. Without getting too excited, (and starting that jinx fear) I wish Willie and his new family a warm and happy Easter. I knew you wanted to know, so here is what Will's new family said...

...Renee I just want to say thank you for letting Will be with us ... I have felt connected to him since I first started reading about him, and now that I have him with me I don't ever have to worry about him again. We will do the best we can to make sure the rest of his life is a happy and healthy one. ... Once again thank you for the best Easter present I could ever ask for and hope you have a good holiday with your family. Becky

And, there was more than Easter bunnies and chocolate eggs, delivered this Easter. The Shelter, had a delivery of its own, a chocolate coloured baby kitten.

Hope you had a great Easter!

Happy Easter
As we wrapped up for a day off - OK a day without the public, but never a day off - I mentally prepared for the Easter Bunny's arrival on Saturday night at my house. 

I anticipated the chocolate arrival with cellophane, ribbons, and plastics. I thought of our company schedule and our away times. While I prepared, I thought perhaps I should remind you to think of your four legged children this holiday. 

Here are a few precautions:

1. Pets eat treats, hidden or not hidden. When placing them in a location, remember where you put them, and be sure it is out of the reach of your dog, cat. Candy wrappers that smell of chocolate, and goodies, will be eaten too - whether treats are inside or not.

2. Many Easter goodies are poisonous to your pets -  chocolate causes hyperactivity, tremors and seizures and in severe cases liver damage and shock - even death. The amount of 4 oz. of chocolate can kill a 10 pound pet.

3. Alcohol is not for pets.

4. Easter plants such as lilies are toxic to cats. Please put your plants out of reach.

5. Do you have company coming? Be sure your pet does not get lost in the shuffle and that they are supervised at all times with strangers. Remember, particularly where food and possessions are involved - always supervise your pet with any child. 

And lastly, and most importantly, pets eat bunnies. Keep your pets watched, so the Easter Bunny does not get eaten ... so he can come to our  house :) 

Happy Easter!

The Sh#t Has Hit the Fan
I am sure you want to know "how's things" with Will? Well, let's say, as expected. 

To put it mildly, the "sh#t has hit the fan" ... or rather his cage. He is clearly under stress, and his bowels once again are letting us all know just how bad he feels.

However, through it all, he and I, are hanging in there ... each hour is better. We have spent great quality time, which he enjoys, and I must admit is fantastic for making me feel better too about the situation.

Rex and Mush (two dogs) and Fibs (the kitty) went home today and there are more cats now on the site. 

These are all happy thoughts for sure. Also, the thought that my Will is with me again, until his forever home is found, and not running or starving. The thought of that, would have been far worse.

I've Seen It All
A totally crummy day and really had no desire to tell you of my troubles... 

Today was filled with surrenders. Three dogs and a cat. By 2 pm I was up three pets, and I'm sorry to say that one of them was my good buddy Will.

Fatter and sooo thrilled to see all of us; it tore me to bits. His whole body wiggles were missed, but not enough that I would want him back at the Shelter like this.

By 5 pm and three hours of his cries - I didn't think he could have taken much more ... it was gravol for him and I, to settle both our bellies and hopefully to help him sleep. 

As I carried him to that cage, I prayed he forgive me and forget as quickly as before. 

I am so sorry pal!

Tripp
You have noticed, Trip is gone and has been adopted. You must be dying to know. 

In fears of jinxing things (did I ever tell you I was supersticious) ... let's talk about it later. You see, I talked about Trixie and hoped that would bring us good luck, but then she was returned today.

I was sooo terribly sad that I jinxed it? Her very tired prior owners, kindly handed her back. Although last night they slept, BUT she pooped on the floor when they gave her a bark collar. I warned them ... when dogs are frustrated, well it comes out ... one way or the other! They didn't seem to believe me that everything would pass (pardon the pun), and she was returned. 

She cried for about an hour, and it made my heart bleed for her with every whine. However, it broke the heart of someone else, and they listened to her sad tale. They had already been interested and knew they had to give her a chance, and were committed to working the separation issues through. They promised to ask for help. 

Here's hoping this blog hasn't jinxed Trixie again?

On another note, this just in from Vincent's new family:

...Vincent continues to settle in ... his house training is improving and he is eager to please. Relations with the cats are also improving. We shortened his name to Vinny and he comes when called, but we haven't let him off the leash yet; not till he is micro-chipped. 

I hope Trixie settles in her new home. It's no way to treat a dog - just dumping it (returned to the Shelter) ... someone dumped a cat on our doorstep - still around, but ... we give it plenty of shelter and food. Regards Mike

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