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| Blogs
by: Renee Robins, ACO, Owen Sound Animal Shelter |
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------------------- Recent Posts ------------------- |
Jan
31, 2011 _____________________________________________________________________________ |
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| Hound
From Hell?; Dogs Falling from Heaven?; Bling Time; Cabin Fever; Goats; UPDATE Pennies for Pets; Drop and Run; Finn; Cat By-Law; Calling all Musicians; Running At Large; Finn Update; Christmas Puppies; Daily Laugh; Shiver; Care Bear Visit; Map Turtle; Jeremy;
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Jeremy - Jeremy was the showcased on Friday as the Mix Morning Zoo guest as he is yet another favourite whom I sure would like to see go home fast.
He and Oliver were found roaming together cold and hungry. Both came eagerly to my voice tail wagging, were easily leashed, rode quietly and were wonderful to manage and care for. Both appeared to be once loved and cared for, both family friends, however, now were homeless, cold and hungry. Days after finding shelter they eliminated trash in their stool evidence that garbage had been their source of food as bags and rope came too. Yuck!
Oliver, a golden retriever and highly sought was adopted the day he became available, but sadly,
Jeremy a mixed breed was less appealing. They are like so many others at
the shelter - waiting and so very deserving. Jan
28,
2011 Map Turtle - All creatures great and small ... if I can house them I will help them all. Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and rats, degus and chinchillas, ferrets, cats and dogs, birds of various types and one very big iguana. We have had each of these homeless creatures adopted into new homes after coming through our doors. Although cats and dogs are our specialty we will do what we can to help any in need and yesterday help was found for a little tiny turtle. I was excited to hear he was coming, as anything new to have short term is kind of like a new present (and you wonder why I do what I do) and I was eagerly awaiting the mix morning zoo with my friend, rejoicing in the opportunity to showcase something a little different. However, Bubbles, the homeless
Map Turtle found a new home faster than I could even post him. No housing at the shelter required it seems.
Perhaps I should forget about that housing part all together? All creatures great and small,
OSAS will help place them all?
Jan
27,
2011 Care Bear Visit - A nice surprise today came on a surgery day (and hooray eight more altered). This is not a weird something or other taken from some creature, this not a donation of monies or food (although those are great surprises and needed) but this instead a great update from one who had spent many a visits to the surgery room. One who had been repaired and altered and repaired again, and again, then lost his limb and had it repaired again. Phew that fella sure needed a lot of care to go home. He appropriately named Care Bear.
For those who don't know him, he was found with his collar attached under his arm. This collar had become imbedded and when it was removed well... to put it mildly, that which was attached to it came off with it. Blog on Care Bear from August 2009...»; Blog on Care Bear from September 2009...»; Blog on Care Bear from October 2009...»; Blog on Care Bear from May 2010...»; and Blog on Care Bear from June 2010...»
It was months of hard work to get him well and I have thought of him often since his adoption. He has the nicest family! His mom and dad came bearing photos and wonderful stories of his joy. The entertainment and love he brings is heart warming. He and his cat sister Fancy (also from OSAS) live the lives of royalty - which they entirely deserve. Glad the doc was there to see the stories too, as without her
Care Bear would have perhaps had another ending to his story. Happy for happy endings, and thrilled with the update. Jan
26,
2011 Shiver - Only a few days ago it was so cold that I could not feel my fingers standing outside for mere moments. Defrosting inside was painful, as was the thoughts of those that were out in the weather without release. I thought of the wildlife unable to find shelter, the dogs left with inadequate housing, and the cats trying to find warmth under vehicles or in porches. Animals have winter coats, this I agree, and added body fat to keep them warm, but as the temperature dipped below minus 28 I knew that ears, toes and tails, were being frostbitten. Moments of pain defrosting without frostbite were making me ill as I thought of those with much worse freezing. I hate this time of year. With concerns for all being cold, freezing, dehydrating, and the discomfort that goes with it, I was sure awaiting the January thaw for some stress relief. On the same day, that the temp dropped sooo very low, two domestic bunnies appeared on someone's doorstep. Odd, I know.
Potentially, with the cold they were seeking shelter, as they were trying to get inside!! As stray rabbits, really not my call, but the thought of them freezing was not sitting well in my mind and we agreed to catch and gather them. A domestic rabbit lacking what a wild rabbit has, and not at all capable of living on its own. Thank goodness it went where the people were, who recognized it as domestic.
Shame on those people who turned it loose!! Although the ability to catch a running rabbit near impossible, a hungry stray rabbit with corn in a trap seemed to work out wonderfully.
So following the reclaiming period, this rabbit whom I may name shiver, will be looking for an indoor only
home - any takers? Jan
25,
2011 Daily Laugh - An Animal Control Officer and a Cop step into a washroom. There is one stall. Sounds like the start of something funny doesn't it? So, Animal Control Officer (who thinks she's pretty funny) says it out loud followed by a long pause. Policewoman smiles and adds "Cop let smartie Animal Control go first, as she prefers not to hear the punch line". Hey it was good for a laugh. Here is where you laugh. While coming out of bathroom the
Animal Control and Police Officer bump into (what are the odds) but the
Ministry of Natural Resources dude. (So many shoulder flashers in one place!) Together the ladies say with a smile "an
Animal Control Officer and a Cop come out of the bathroom, they run into the
MNR" OK ... Maybe you needed to be there, as did the Firemen and the
SPCA, but I have been laughing all day. Ha ha ha Jan
24,
2011 Christmas Puppies - Lady, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Roger, 1 stray Husky pup, 4 Shepherd cross pups and 1 Husky pup on its way, and already Keesha in and out, I think it's safe to say the Christmas pup season is upon us. I don't believe for one second the stray pups were lost and not found. I know puppies well enough to know they don't venture far, let alone in the minus temp weather. I also know that in the event it was lost and in a loving home, people would find me and thus them. That's 11 pups under 4 months of age and if you do the math ... Christmas being 4'ish weeks ago, makes them the perfect age to be Christmas gifts under the tree. Three people have actually claimed this. The saddest part is not that they are homeless, and despite all efforts people have not listened, but rather it's a bad time to be a homeless puppy. There are clearly so many others! All shelters are now facing a similar
dilemma. So, if you're considering a pup this year, have done the
research, thought about costs, needs and time, consider adopting now - for these pups
it is now. Jan
21,
2011 Finn Update - He was the perfect start to my week. Finn's adoption has kept me smiling and thinking happy thoughts through dumped puppies, surrenders, and as always too many cats. The reminder that it always works out in the end has been once again that which makes the job worthwhile. My theory that generally no news is good news, was not keeping me entirely satisfied as Monday became Tuesday, then Wednesday... Finn having been homeless a long while would have obstacles to overcome, and the first few weeks are always challenging ... I was starting to worry. Then came a fantastic update which brought tears to my eyes. Finn has now finished the week off perfectly.
This update makes his wait worthwhile, and my job too.
_______________________________________________________________________________________ Jan
20,
2011 Running At Large - Thankfully there was the happy adoption of Finn to start off the week, as otherwise for me this week would have been a rough one. On Saturday, the day my happy thought came, as did an unhappy thought. As many of you know, I fostered a dog, who had twelve pups. These pups lived with me until they became available, were placed up for adoption, and adopted out through the shelter. It was heartbreaking to bring them to the shelter, and very sad to each and every one go. Hard to see them behind bars, and harder still to not know what the future held for them. As I did my very best to select the best of homes, I am aware there are never guarantees and I have been shocked by many to find those I thought were less than perfect turned out to be, and others who I thought were wonderful turned out not to be - very human traits. I am pretty good at weeding this out, but unfortunately no one is perfect. I had hoped with the adoptions of this dozen they were good matches and no immediate concerns, all was well, and it was all OK. However, when one was found straying at large, and then not reclaimed, I must admit I was very disappointed. What's worse than fostering and returning, or adopting and not knowing?? Having them return to do it all again. It has been a long week watching my friend be with me the reclaiming period, before being permitted to be adopted out yet again.
I am thankful he is safe and well, and in a no-kill facility, rather than so many other poor alternatives. I am thankful to be given the chance to try again. This I am focusing on, and the happy thought of seeing him home again someday.
I am sure hoping that after this time around, the only time I will see him again is in updates and
on the Happy Tail web page.
Jan
19,
2011 Calling all Musicians - Attention all musicians, singers, vendors and important or just awesome people. An offer has come in from two fantastic musicians James Skarnikat and Justin Burgess for their assistance in the production of a new an exciting fundraiser, that of a benefit concert to be held in July. As this idea is still in the discussion and planning stages, this blog comes for your ideas, thoughts and connections. If you are interested in performing, please email me. If you are interested in sponsoring the event please email me. If you are a vendor interested in attending or someone interested in volunteering in any regard, I would be interested in hearing from you too! All contributions are appreciated and needed. Any money raised, of course, will be placed in our Spay/Neuter Medical Fund and used to keep us operating-literally. This is essential in the maintaining our no-kill policy. Only with much needed medical services can we keep them moving. Please keep an eye on the site for updates, and for information on this event, as we want you to know when and where this festival will be held and need you to make it a success. There
is information on Facebook about the event and updates too. It is hoped that this will be a day of fun all for a great cause.
Thank you to James and Justin for the great idea!! Jan
18,
2011 Cat By-Law - So, Ottawa has had a cat by-law in effect for many years and there you will see an abundance of chipmunks, birds, squirrels and everything in between. Hanover, and Owen Sound have a cat by-law too, but now Oakville wants to have a cat by-law ... there are upsides to this, including less bird kills, but there is also a down side to this. Cats being taken to the shelter in larger numbers than can be adopted out will most likely be killed by the shelters. Will this mean death to the Oakville cats? Will owners still allow their pets to roam freely? Read the clip
from 680news.com or the one here on the cat
prisoners of Oakville and
you decide. Jan
17,
2011 Finn - I am so very impressed with the many of you who clearly check the site often. You watch and wait as I do with parts crossed for each and every adoption with warm wishes for each. I know this, as on Saturday I posted an adoption without saying a word, and the happy emails came flooding in. For those not aware of what I am referring... Here it comes.. After months of waiting, so much pushing, prodding, hoping and wishing Finn has finally found his way out and his second chance. Hooray! Jump up and down! Yippee! With the biggest thanks to technology and my web goddess who makes it happen, it was possible to network with others, communicate, and alas find him a place hours away. Mississauga of all places - go figure! I delivered him personally through the snow and on yucky roads, with the help of my friend Becky (thank you Becky). As I needed to see him off and see him well it was a task I had to complete personally, and luckily the tears were not enough that I could still drive home. Only a few were shed and those were happy. He left me and headed to the vet for a once over, and I have heard the next stop was to buy him a new sweater. Lucky boy. I will wait now for updates, and promise to share
as they come in. In
the meantime I will celebrate with all of you to see his name under the
adopted section. :)
Jan
14,
2011 Drop and Run - It was about 12:00 noon when we saw them pull in and we noticed the dog in the back. As habit forces us to quickly memorize the dog, ask ourselves if we recognize it or the owners. We were watching closely and I noted the breed and description of the dog and knew someone had contacted me about the surrender of such a dog. I wondered if this was why it was here. I also wondered why they were there an hour early, as I was certain I had provided the hours of operation. As history has also taught us, we continued to observe. Within minutes a person was out of the vehicle, garbage bag in one hand, dog in other, dropping both and back in vehicle. In almost as fast a time Todd was out the door, grabbing dog and jumping in his vehicle in hot pursuit. As he drove he followed closely for perhaps a few blocks until they stopped and he confronted them. After being advised of a surrender fee (which they were already aware) advised we had recorded his plate and threatened with charges, it was agreed that they would return. Rummy now with us, with a name and helpful information to help him find a home, he will now be placed faster. It is unfortunate that
people would consider dumping a pet with the trash. It is unfortunate they would consider ripping off those that had offered to help them.
And, it is fortunate we caught up with them, and likely more fortunate they have given this dog up.
I suspect they have done this dog a favour. Too bad they did it the hard way. Jan
13,
2011 Pennies for Pets - After cancellations from snowstorms, Christmas break, and a lot of unfortunate timing, we finally celebrated with Hillcrest School for pennies for pets. Although we were lacking in Christmas music and decorations we were still very much in the spirit of Christmas. There were blankets, toys, treats and goodies and of course pennies - hundreds and hundreds of pennies!
The biggest thanks to Ms. Blundell's class (whom I know as Covas mom) who raised a whopping $1,000.00 dollars for the Spay/Neuter, Medical Fund! We did the match together and we think that covers over 50 pet surgeries! 50 lives changed with the help from students who baked goodies to sell at bake sales, collected pennies, nickels and dimes, and who pushed prompted and begged. What a great accomplishment! I am forever
grateful for their hard work and dedication to helping homeless animals - kudos to each and everyone of you.
Thank you Ms. Blundell, as always you have my admiration and thanks for teaching about compassion.
Kisses to Cova for me too, please. Jan
12,
2011 Goats - As I do my best to help all animals in need, this blog comes as a curtoisy to another rescue, in the hopes of finding loving homes for six homeless goats. Yes, goats. A fellow rescuer was passed on an email explaining the urgent need and this in turn was passed on to me. As space permits me from taking them to place them, and the inability to put them in the dog or cat room for so many reasons, there is little else I can do to help them :( As we are all animal lovers, and living in a rural area, this blog has my hopes up that perhaps a potential may be found. The message to me read "six goats rescued from cruel treatment" are now awaiting homes. Time apparently is of importance as it is marked urgent. These goats are seeking homes as pets, and are not to go for food. Ideally, persons who already have goats, or who are familiar with goats should inquire as goats like any pet should not face being homeless again because someone did not know what they were in for. Goats can be a whole lot of work! They are also a pet who can bring years of joy. Consider the commitment when considering their adoption please. I should also mention - animal control and all - know your zoning and by-laws too, as a goat in the city is baaaad news :) UPDATE:
The
goats found homes
- Jan
14, 2011 Jan
11,
2011 Cabin Fever - In the last two days we have taken four bite reports. All four involved situations which were avoidable had the dogs been properly socialized and properly exercised. As the cold weather is upon us, and the snow way past our knees I recognize that our pups may not be getting out and about as much as they should be. They are lacking stimulation, lacking dog entertainment and are I believe going a little stir crazy - cabin fever? There are many great games you and your pet can play indoors like hide and seek, and fetch. You can take 20 minutes to teach new tricks or consider taking up dancing (a great new idea in which you move together to music!) Keep their brains busy, this is key to their survival on all levels. Keep walking, or consider a dog walker if the outdoors now proves to be too difficult, or visit a dog park? There are even stores that permit pets, go shopping? Check out doctordog.com for more information on activities ...» For any information on any of these ideas email me.
I prefer to chat about keeping your pup happy over taking statements about bite incidents.
Jan 7,
2011 Bling Time - This is your friendly reminder, if you are a resident of Owen Sound, Georgian Bluffs, Saugeen Shores, Hanover, or really anywhere - it is likely time to get your dog their new bling. With the new year upon us, it is time to get the registry done of your pets. You will save money too if you do it now! (Prices go up after march 31) Besides, you want your monies worth right? The whole year for best price is way better than some of the year for more? It is my job to ensure your pets are tagged, but it is a by-law I support entirely placing my job aside. When your pet is tagged, I can find you. I have those records. I may find you anytime, making it easy to return a lost pet to you. In the event of an emergency we can find you, and if your pet ends up at someone's home who calls me, I can help them find you. For these reasons at the very least you should have one. It is the law, it is part of being responsible, and it helps pay for the service.
Tags may be purchased at your municipal office. Residents of Owen Sound may also purchase tags at the
Owen Sound Animal Shelter. Jan 5,
2011 Dogs Falling from Heaven? - I have had many strange calls over the years, but never before, have I ever had anyone report a call like the one today. It seems that while out on a routine call today, a strange thing occurred for the caller, a dog fell from the sky! Initially, I thought it was a joke ( and not funny in lieu of the present bird disaster). However, after getting the details I learned not only was this a legit call, but that it was urgent I attend.
A dog had jumped two stories from an apartment roof and was likely injured. This dog was found hunched, with blood dripping from his mouth, and dripping blood and urine from the other end.
In shock, we promptly gathered him, while doing our best to keep him comfortable while trying to locate his owner.
I worried not only for the outcome of this dog physically, but was worried an owner would not come forward. All ended well with the dog stabilized and home with his owner. This owner now with a
licensed dog (btw this would have helped us find the owner quicker) and some tips on keeping his dog happy while he is
away at work. Jan 4,
2011 Hound From Hell? - It was my first call of 2011 and I suspect it will remain memorable for a very long time. After arriving in one location to gather a dog which was long gone when I arrived (hate that) I was then sent to another to gather a found kitten. I could hear the dog when I stepped out of the vehicle, inside the home. I could hear his frustration with my presence and knew he was not happy to see me. I knocked, someone answered and I was greeted by a smiling Wiener dog (all teeth and not happy). Politely, I requested they pick up this pup, as this was in my best interest, and they obliged. He was placed on the other side of a baby gate. He remained there, barking and snarling the entire time we spoke. As I gathered the cat details I could tell the dog was almost at the end of the rope with his patience for me. In his defense I do smell of other dogs, am in uniform, am a complete stranger and was carrying a cage. I spoke to him, I offered him cookies and he did not want to be my friend. I hurried as quickly as I could trying to minimize his stress, but his momma thought maybe he'd be happier if we just opened the gate? Yikes!!! I placed the cage between he and I (if you have taken my bite prevention you know why) and was pretty sure I was in the clear. I thanked her and turned to reach for the door. He waited for just that moment and Whamo - he nailed me! Luckily in the boot. Then came those words I love to hear "oh he's never done that before".
Today, my first call of 2011, I was bitten in the boot, by a Wiener dog. Awesome! |
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2000-2011 © Owen Sound Animal Shelter. All rights reserved. |
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