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

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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.

Via Rail Draw
It was raining cats and dogs again today. Whoever coined that saying might have been a dog catcher. 

By 10:00 am there were five stray dog calls and five picked up. By noon the phone was ringing off the hook. Why people seem to only notice the cat is out when it is raining - I will never know. We were under pressure to catch up, getting everything done on time and get the doors open, but thanks to the Via Rail Draw we still had a smile on our face. 

The Draw was done a little early, as I thought it was fair to do it on the Mix. This way, it would be Jamie to draw the ticket and announce it publicly (I wanted everyone to win).

The lucky winner was Pat Bain of Markdale, a friend of the 
Shelter (Tara's mom) who actually took a big part in the creation of the surgical room. It was Pat who pushed us to move forward on it and gave us the first few thousand dollars she campaigned for. I was excited to see her name drawn, and think those Shelter angels were at work again. 

Her reaction was shock and thanks. Pat thanked the Shelter and staff and reminded us that we do a job to be proud of.

We needed a reminder today, and am glad to have had it! Congrats Pat... toot toot! Enjoy your holiday!

AND THE WINNER OF THE VIA RAIL PASSES IS
PAT BAIN FROM MARKDALE!
Pat said ..."I was speechless when ... called with the good news.  I don't win contests! ... thank you [Renee], Todd and the staff for your energy and caring."  

Peggy Is Back
And all is well. We were fortunate that when the vet went into her he found some lining he could use. This means no mesh and less chance for infection and a faster recovery! We are so thankful, and still keeping our parts crossed for her. Like Price, Peggy is not out of the clear just yet. 

Now, spayed I am certain she can find a home as long as we can get her well. She will get lots of TLC, cage rest and she should be good as new in no time! A great girl deserving of this chance and we are thankful to give it to her.

On another note, tomorrow is the final day for the Chatters Via Rail Draw. Send in your money ASAP, if you want to get a ticket for this great draw. These monies go to the spay/neuter medical fund and will be used to help Peggy and others like her. And, who doesn't need a holiday! 

The draw will be done on-air at the Mix tomorrow. Listen in to hear if you're a winner! Can't wait to give it away!

Peggy Update
Remember Peggy AKA peg leg? The cat from a few blogs back (months perhaps) who had a cat bite abscess, much like Price, and we feared would loose her leg? Well, we saved her and her leg mended and she was almost good to go and then trouble "popped up". 

Upon examination to move her to the adoption room, we discovered a lump, minor at first, and we thought it could be kittens - so we held her. Thank GOD. This lump soon grew and grew and it became apparent this was not babes.

Our vet examined her and told us it was a hernia and with cage rest all would be well until her spay and at that time they would simply stuff her insides back to where they belonged. A hernia is usually a rip in the abdomen lining and the intestines generally fall out of place. 

We booked her in, and waited, as always we had to wait a month to get her in (we need that surgical room). Off she went with our last bunch to Durham and all was well. Then came that phone call "Peggy's hernia is too great, her intestines are nearly in her leg and we cannot repair it". I was ill with that call and feared it was over for her. But, she came back and I could not let her go after seeing that fight in her eyes when she returned. So, booked her another appointment with a special vet who could do a mesh repair. This repair will place a mesh inside her where the stomach lining once was becoming the place to hold them until the lining heals. There is not enough wall as it is now to repair it. 

Peggy will be under the knife tomorrow and needs all of your prayers. She has stayed with us this long, a feat difficult to achieve considering she has full use of her bowels. All will be well after recovery, so please keep her in your thoughts.

Donations are being accepted to cover the costs of her hernia operation? I'm hoping for a great phone call tomorrow.

School Visit
Today I had a visit with some young friends at Duffrin School. 

I was asked to discuss with the JK/SK class some information about animals and babies. I took the time to educate about animal care. 

With me I brought three kittens - soon to be up for adoption (yet another bunch of kittens at the Shelter). Although they were young, the children that is, I made sure they all understood the importance of care for life! I talked about, and made sure they all knew cats and dogs lived a long long time (and to them 20 years must have seemed very long). I also made sure to discuss keeping the animals healthy, watch after them, take care of them, be sure to go to the vet for needles and fixing them (thank God no one asked me what fixing meant - lol). 

I stressed that the Shelter is full with homeless cats, again, many of these kittens and expecting moms. I spoke to the children about adopting and that they should bring their parents to see me. I also stressed that they need to not let their pet make more! Again, thankful we didn't get into how that was done! 

It was, as always, nice to see so many enthused about loving animals; I hope they learned a little something too. 

The three with me entertained and brought lots of laughs. I do think they left with names: Maggie, Tiger and Whiskers. Lots of love for them and a good time for all of us.

Bite Prevention Seminar
Thank you to my friends at ANML-RESQ for the invite to present to you on Dog Bite Prevention. I enjoyed my Saturday in your company and had a great time chatting with all of you. 

Dog Bite Prevention is a topic I hold very important. It is essential that if people and dogs are to cohabitate, we should know how to stay safe for both our sakes! Here's hoping that with what you have learned another dog, another child, another person, can be kept out of harms way and another dog kept in a loving home throughout its life without ever having to be viewed as a monster. 

I found it fascinating, as I always do, to hear from a room full of people that work with dogs, that you have all been bitten. How unfortunate that we cannot be taught what to do before this happens? 

For those of you who missed the presentation, and are looking for details on how to be and work safe, I will do my part to share it with you (presentation is best) - I am here to help all of you.

Oscar (Buster)
Something different and unexpected happened today. We had a dog surrender, not that this is different, but it was a dog that had already been at the Shelter a week, we had named and had already given up thinking his owners may come for him. 

I suspect it may have been the blog, how else would they have known we had him? OR think to come for him after all that time? I hope perhaps they learned from my blog and decided to be responsible. 

OK, so, they did not take him home ... BUT it turns out they were already looking for a new home for him (the reason they didn't bother to call??) AND, whatever the details or reason I no longer care. I'm just glad they were in and we now have a bit of history on Oscar, formerly Buster.

Oscar is a bit older than we thought, has been with young children and has been great in the house. Reassuring to know and great to be able to pass that on to his next home. If nothing else, he is now a turned in dog not a thrown out dog, and that changes things in the eyes of a new potential. And makes me feel much better about it too.

Oscar Ain't No Grouch!
Six stray dogs on the weekend. Five reclaimed. Only one with ID, and that one had the owner calling first thing in the morning too! I just don't get it. 

He was found cowering under a bush, and we assumed the fireworks had scared him off, but no calls - not one, and his reclaiming period is up tomorrow. 

Oscar

He is about five or six years old and is a neutered male - just the sweetest giving old man. I wonder where he has been and wonder how they have not noticed he is not at home, and wonder if they have, why don't they care? 

He has, of course, no ID. Sometimes I think the reason pets don't have ID is simply the owner does not want to be found. BUT, of the five with no ID, this was the case with only one. 

Here's hoping his next home will notice when he is missing, and will care enough to come for him! We have named him Oscar as his belly was, well, full of garbage. Not a sign of a well cared for dog perhaps? Only Oscar knows. 

Thank God we are not one of those places that his time now up would also mean his life. He needs a chance to be in a loving home!

Ginger Genetics
It is a rarity to have a calico male, in fact, genetically it is almost impossible. It is as hard to have a tortoishell male. It is also tricky to have a white bi-eyed cat who hears. Genetics can be so strange. 

It is also hard, perhaps not as much, but less common to have an orange cat that is female. When someone says it is a girl, and it's orange I always double check, as was the case with Ginger. 

Today, for a brief moment, I had two such anomalies in the Shelter. A friend of the Shelter, who watches the site, knew someone who wanted an orange tabby. They had hoped for a female and an older cat - Ginger was perfect for them and went home today to be a sister to another in that quiet older home we hoped she would have. Luckily with this Shelter friend and new adopter they brought another friend who was also partial to orange and preferring a female (I had only moments before acquired my second named Charlotte).  Charlotte was surrendered for being too shy ... huh? Whatever the reason, this orange girl sat behind the desk, waiting to be moved to another spot - which turned out to be just perfect for her. The third friend could not resist Charlotte and committed to take her home.

For a brief moment there were two orange females at the Shelter, but now they are both gone. Gone to loving forever homes. Their colour and sex being their best selling features. Good luck girls!

DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR TICKETS!

Fundraiser event for TWO VIA RAIL PASSES to anywhere in Ontario or Quebec, return for two, anytime they want to be used (except Christmas and Easter) to be used up in the year. These passes in return I will give to a lucky person and their person of choice. To get in on this fundraiser make a $5.00 dollar donation to the Shelter. 

OMG They Are At It Again
Oh my... that was one crazy long weekend! It seems that the rain, the tourists, the late ins' and outs' of people, the firecrackers and perhaps less attention by owners of their pets ... we were more busy than I ever expected. 

I tried to fix it with the power of blog, but no such luck. It may even be a record, but I can't say we have ever kept track, never hoping the "stray dog record" was one we ever wanted to beat. 

It was a loosing battle ... in the last three days there were six stray dogs - only one with ID I might add (come on guys, I would have called ya). There were five lost cat calls. There were two calls from one person at 3:00 am (thanks lady) about a raccoon in her soffit - it seems she thought we could come, get it, then maybe stay and make sure it did not come back. One call about a wandering skunk at 6:00 am cause we know they should not be doing that! huh? And three frantic owners looking for those lost dogs. I don't think we slept as much as we would have liked, as it was the pager that went off every chance we had to close our eyes. 

I am thankful that there were, however, no calls from our recent adopters and no returns. I suppose it could have been worse?

The Cranks
It started out pretty crummy today with me chasing two stray dogs and a cranky lady at the door with yet another "stray" cat. By noon I was slowly cursing under my breathe, but in no time it all got better and then became awesome. 

Are you sitting down? First came a delivery from Royal Canin, an awesome food, free to the Shelter to feed our homeless pets and with it great gifts for the Mutt Strutt! Then came the adoption of Scruffy, by the nicest people who have been listening to the Mix Morning Zoo for months just waiting for a companion for their older dog who lost his friend. Then came the adoption of Chazz, and then Stoakly. Then I forgot all about being cranky, but instead was feeling like celebrating. There were tears in my eyes when it was decided Dakota too would be going home, after months of waiting and trying. Sure hope it works out for him, as in his three years of life this is home number three. 

Then our "medical supply guy" popped in with our new sterilizer, anesthetic machine and light. The thoughts of our surgery room beginning to come together put us all on cloud nine. Especially, as we had just adopted out two newly fixed kitties - we fix'em and they go! 

A visit then followed by "Stanley's Dad" who has been at it again, gathering donations for the shelter, and has raised another 500 dollars! Just when we thought it just could not get any better a forever home came for sweet Dee Dee. FINALLY! 

With such great adoptions, I am looking forward to the long weekend, in the hopes it continues on the good side, and less on the side the day started. 

Here's hoping for a safe, happy, long weekend and please hang onto those dogs for me :)

Four Cats, Two Dogs and a Turtle in a 'Wendy's' Cup
I was off to Durham today to pick up my altered kitties and two dogs. One, a shy Bouvier mix, and the other a Spitz and Border Collie mix. 

Once the cats were loaded, Yvonne and I spoke about the dogs, their history, their stories and she told me how they were unreclaimed strays. 

The Spitz mix brought tears to my eyes as she showed me his prong collar, the marks on his neck and then told me how she had found a dead rotten turtle stuck to the dog and the collar. Yes, you read that right. This boy somehow became entangled with a turtle, I suspect by rolling, and well, he and the turtle became one. The turtle had been there for some time before found as it had decomposed and was mainly a shell. Yvonne and I laughingly named the dog Franklin (you know me making light of a pretty serious heartache) and thought we could perhaps name the other dog Shelly (it's OK to laugh - this is heartbreaking). 

As I headed Franklin out to the truck, I spot something  on the ground near my foot! The tiniest turtle I have ever seen, standing right there in the middle of the gravel parking lot. 

Definitely, would have been squashed! So, of course, I pick it up and put it in a Wendy's cup, and carry it back inside with me. Still laughing about our turtle names, we talked about the new find. 

I had searched for some water, but alas none is found -  where on earth did this little turtle the size of a quarter wander from? I drove off, with four cats, two dogs (with turtle names) and a turtle in search of a pond!

Dee Dee
Today was her day. Today, Dee Dee was spayed - finally after months of waiting she is social enough, healthy enough and so ready to go home. Up for adoption for what feels like forever, it is time to see this girl go home. 

Tomorrow, she will come back altered and I hope this makes her more desirable. If I could have changed her colour I would have done that too! She needs patience, understanding and a quiet loving home. She loves cats, and tolerates dogs. She loves all gentle people. Dee Dee has walked the Shelter floors, and perched up high on the counter for a while now and has accomplished many great social struggles with success. It is now her turn to shine. 

If you're considering a young cat who loves to entertain and who is independent as most cats can be, BUT will sit with you for petting, she is the cat for you.

This girl now has all her medical expenses taken care of and her spay is done. Thank you to my daughter who sponsored her for me for Mother's Day! 

Let's hope my Mother's Day treat will be the gift that gives twice with Dee Dee finding her new home soon!

Stressed to the Collar
Dear sweet Ella is a homeless bunny who came to me as an owner surrender. 

She had a little red on her neck where she had been chewing, we treated her, and placed her up for adoption. The next day, the spot had grown, so when I treated her the second day, I watched her a little closer. On the third day, when it doubled in size I had become concerned. It seems sweet Ella has a nervous disorder, and under a great deal of stress with the barking dogs, meowing cats and not in a familiar home which has lead her to chewing out her hair.

As a solution, I decided to make her a bandana. I offered her many toys, things to chew and places to hide. It turns out Ella is smarter than me ... in about five minutes she had eaten it. Then came a dilemma .. how to keep her from chewing - something she could not eat? I would love to bandage it but she will eat it. Bitter apple spray ... well that is food too. So, now, our bunny is a cone head.

An Elizabethan collar used generally on dogs and cats now fitted to bunny size is keeping the stress chewing away for now. What Ella really need is a special home for a special bunny and in a hurry. She could soon be bald! Who adopts bald bunnies?

Consider her and tell your friends, who may also be looking? Please send warm thoughts to Ella. Bunnies are sensitive and this poor girl is stressed a little extra too much (and likely her cone is not helping).

You Did It!
It is a known fact that sometimes I use the blog to my advantage. Sometimes to ask for help and assistance, and other times to educate and teach. 

A few blogs ago, I blogged about a strange bird that had me stumped in the hopes a blog reader might be a bird expert, to answer my questions quickly. However, it seemed a few blogs passed, and I must admit the not knowing was driving me a little 'coo-coo' ... pardon the pun. I have discovered on-line a need for a simpler way to locate a bird - a form perhaps "enter area here" and "description here" and "type of bird here" - where I could enter water or shore bird" and then perhaps pictures would pop up? Just a suggestion if anyone is listening? 

Instead, days have been spent searching. Many of you have searched too. Finally the blog paid off, and I think I have the answer. A blog reader, Jody, sent these two great links: Link #1; Link #2. And another blogger, named Kateri (who emailed a picture of the bird to Bruce Peterjohn of the USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter). Dying to know what it was ...it is a Virginia Rail ... check out the links. See what you think?

This bird is, in fact, a water bird who actually does not fly. Oddly, he is not a local bird and interestingly he uses his wings to swim and he is a great runner (beep beep - told ya)! 

Our theory of him perhaps being caught in fishing line could be correct and thankfully this species is not endangered. A relief as this bird is no more. 

Providing education with this blog it seems, and thanks for those that helped me search. 

Heat?
Raise your hand if you have ever seen a cat in heat! Hand raised here and probably about three-quarters of the blog world people have too. For those who have not, and unfortunately there should be more of you, (less cats in heat needed) let me tell you, the cat is crazy!

A female in season, ready to reproduce looses her mind. She cries, (yells honestly), rolls around, climbs your leg, puts her hiney all over you, crawls on her belly like a silly fool and does not quit until a mate is found. Sometimes if no mate is found, and this is what we hope, it can be weeks of this crazy behaviour till it ends. This goes on all hours of the day, and night, and at the least appropriate times, like nap time for you? AND when not altered, give her a few weeks, and she is at it again! I have seen it way too often, (yes I live the Tylenol commercial) and take for granted sometimes that there may actually be people who have not seen it. 

Corrie was adopted a few weeks ago. She sold herself by rolling around, crying, and standing on her head. I was not there when she went, unfortunately, or I would have made sure that they knew this cute behaviour was not to be so cute in a few hours. They took her to the vet, she was vaccinated, and the vet said "a spay is done two weeks at the earliest after vaccines". In a normal case, this would have meant nothing, but when Corrie is climbing legs, and trying to get out the window, and singing all night, it was too much for them to handle. 

Sad that there was no offer to come back for her after she was fixed - that did make me wonder. BUT, her heat has ended and she is now trying out home number two, or three, I guess if you consider the first one. 

Let's hope she makes her surgery before this comes back again ... guaranteed they are prepared regardless, phew. AND, again, I remember how bad we need that surgery room?

Dog and Cat Tags
Yesterday 700 letters went out regarding dog and cat tags. Today, a few hundred phone calls came in. Yikes!. 

These calls varied from saddened home owners whose pets had passed and who were heartbroken to receive the reminder. There were others who were stressed out and cranky and feared people were complaining, cranky people who had trouble with cats in their neighbourhood and did not feel they should buy a dog tag until this was resolved, cranky people who thought tags were too costly, people who did not understand why they needed one, cranky people who were new to the address, and well let's just say most callers were upset. 

So, to clarify these letters for those who received them:

1. This is a computer generated form letter.

2. This letter is sent out by address (we don't personally know you - this is definitely not personal).

3. This letter is a friendly reminder that the deadline for tag purchase was March 31, 2008. If you had a dog last year and don't now, the computer doesn't know. Please contact us.

4. If this letter is received by someone who has already purchased a tag, my apology for the computer error and contact us - we can fix it.

5. AND if you 'just don't understand and don't get it', we will explain it to you and will clarify any concerns. 

All dog and cat owners in Owen Sound will receive these letters if they haven't bought their tag. It is our job to make sure you get one. I'm sorry if we upset you, but, a fine would be much worse and we have saved you from that. 

If you still don't have your tag - come down to the Shelter or the City Hall and purchase one. Soon we will be at your door. Please, do us both a favour and get one ASAP.

Emergency
It doesn't happen very often, but today I was stumped. At noon they banged frantic on the door and when we opened it, I was shocked, surprised and dumbfounded. It seemed these helpful persons had found some sort of bird down at the Marina, it was in desperate need of some help, and as they held this wild bird in their hands, I knew it was in trouble. 

At first glance I was puzzled, what was this strange bird, and with a look at its injuries, I was well stumped. This bird was nearly missing the lower portion of his legs. As they dangled, and he kicked them, I feared they would fall off, and knowing he was in certain pain, I knew there was no saving him. 

Even after taking that recent new wildlife course, I knew no magic, and knew a bird with no legs, really did not stand a chance. The pain for him being unbearable, we ended it for him. Then came the original question again. What was this bird? I dreaded the thoughts he might be something exotic, or endangered. 

I have not seen one like this, and I need some help. I know he is a water walker, this I can tell from his long legs. I know he is not a swimmer, as his feet are not webbed. I know he spears his food, as his pointed beak is long like a dagger, and I know I have never seen one, which makes him not all that common, as I tend to look at creatures. 

If I was to hazard a guess he could be a sandpiper. More guesses include the Northern Flicker, some sort of Heron, or Crane, a Marsh hawk, or some sort of Sandpiper. I like the idea of him being a Roadrunner, beep!, but somehow I have my doubts. Any idea? Let me know!

Teeter
Finally after months of waiting, attempts at socialization, and very careful handling, Teeter has gone home. Not, perhaps, the most sought out place I sure wanted this wild boy to be all comfy on a couch, but a home where he will climb hay bales, lay in the sun, and be as wild as he wants to be. There will be food in his belly, and he will be safe from the city streets. A farm home for this wild boy was the best place for him to be, where he can continue his wild cat ways for the rest of his days. Often street cats, those that are really wild not just someone's found stray, can be rehabilitated and learn to trust and be joined with a home and a family. 

Many, like our Llyle, and Mickey, and Dee Dee too, can be given time and patience and with a little TLC can find that place. Sometimes, as with Teeter, rehabilitating comes too late. The other shelter would have killed him, and his death was certain, instead we neutered him, and waited for a place for him. Still lunging and cowering with all of our attempts to befriend him, even offering him the best of food, and we could not win him over. Humans were his enemy, and he would not forget. That which kept him alive on the streets for years would have meant certain death in another place. In Teeter's honour I have decided to start a list, a group per say, of potential places. In love of Ferals, or Feral Friends, or perhaps we can call it LAF, Location for Altered Ferals. Whatever it will be it will be a list of potential places for Ferals who are altered to go. Once they come into our care, we will alter them. But placing them is sometimes harder and without spending months cooped up in a cage with no where to go, having a plan is needed. 

If you or someone you know can provide a safe haven, a warm spot, food, TLC and medical care if needed, then please contact me. There will be others, I will need a place for them to go. AND sometimes waiting months is not a good option. In his Teeter's honour, let's get this started. 

Keep your eyes and ears open. They deserve to live, and with a place to go we can do it.

Anyone who would like to offer your barn/shed as a place for these cats to live, please contact me.

This is a link to information from Best Friends, outlining some of the things you may want to know about feral colonies . Alley Cat Allies is a wonderful source of the 'how-to' information. How to Create a Grassroots Community Program to Help Feral Cats (.pdf) This comprehensive manual from Alley Cat Allies is a blueprint for creating a successful program to help feral cats and motivating people in your community to support the project. Includes samples of promotional posters, press releases and necessary forms.

Zoe
There was some difficulty in naming her. She was different and special, as they all are, and so much more than a Muffin. She was strength, comfort and she was empathy. She was a fighter and she watched her brother die. We saved her from malnutrition, from illness and we watched her grieve and fight. 

She was placed up for adoption today and it brought tears to my eyes remembering her brother who did not make it. His name was Price, and her name needed to go with that but was to be something heartwarming. 

It was heartwarming to see her go, and that name would stay with me forever. As Price got his name by accident, it had not occurred to me she would need one to go with it. Pricey and ???Cash?? hmm ... Monopoly? Gamble? Lucky? and then it hit me ... Hope? Faith? Joy? Faith seemed to be the best suited and with that she was posted and placed in the "good to go" room. 

They came for someone special, they had not read the blog and they had not known her struggles, but I was quick to tell them. When I saw the tears in that woman's eyes I knew there was compassion and love there. When she returned later, after thinking the adoption over, she told me Faith was going home and with a new name and I was thrilled.

Faith seemed to have a name waiting for her all along. Her name was Zoe before she ever had met her person (as that was the lady's intention to call her new cat). Appropriate because Zoe means Life. So true!
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May 1, 2008 |  Share your comments with us. 

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