Humanely Speaking - Bangor Humane Society

Humanely Speaking
Bangor Humane Society Newsletter
We Did It!!
Fall 2012
By: Renee Ordway
Features
We Did it!
Happily Ever After
The Joy of Match-Making
Paws-itively a Success!
In Every Issue
From the Director
Ask the Vet
Paws for Thought
Shelter Highlights/Events
Austin’s Corner
Our Guiding Principles
Our Mission
The Bangor Humane Society
champions the humane
treatment and adoption of
companion animals, provides
quality care for homeless pets,
and promotes animal welfare
through education and
advocacy.
Bangor Humane Society
693 Mt. Hope Ave.
Bangor, ME 04401
207.942.8902
www.bangorhumane.org
Visit us on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/BangorHumane
Www.facebook.com/AustinBhs
BHS is proud to feed our pets
Hill’s Science Diet food!
The ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge
finished on Oct. 31st and proved to be aptly
named. It certainly was a challenge to all who
work and volunteer at the shelter. It asked all
of them, “What more can you do?”
When Executive Director Suzan Bell first
indicated she was interested in competing in
the annual challenge, she knew it was going to
take a lot of work and creativity from staff and
volunteers, and more support than ever from
those in the communities the agency serves.
hough many of the 50 competing shelters were located in major metropolitan
areas with much larger populations, the
staff and volunteers took a deep breath,
squared their shoulders, and let Suzan know
that they were “all in” and ready to give it
their very best shot.
Soon after the challenge began, everyone
quickly discovered that Suzan Bell not only
takes animal welfare seriously, but she also is
a fierce competitor. Everyone learned to support one another through moments of discouragement, everyone knew any new idea was
welcome, and staff and volunteers came together like never before in the history of BHS,
not to necessarily win a competition, but to
find more of our wonderful and deserving pets
new homes.
We are so pleased to announce that with
your help that goal was achieved.
In the final days of the challenge, we found
forever homes for 160 pets, surpassing our
competition goal, resulting in a total of 1,209
adoptions during the competition’s 91-day
span. Last year, during that same time period,
we adopted out 851 pets. At the time, the staff
and volunteers were very proud of that number. But again, the ASPCA Rachael Ray Challenge asked if we could do better. We could
and we did!
After another round of community voting,
BHS placed as one of three finalists for the
community engagement $25K award. Judges
T
Staff celebrated when they reached the 1,179 goal!
announced the winner of all prize awards on
Nov. 30th, when they delivered the news in
person, Ed McMahon style.
BHS was not chosen for the community
award, but it will receive $7K for participating in the challenge. Even though BHS did
not win one of the major prizes, it has won
much more than money. Everyone is filled
with pride and has been celebrating the 330
more lives saved during this competition,
along with the overwhelming amount of
community support that helped us get there.
And, it is all because of our hard-working
staff, volunteers, and you - the people who
raise them up each and every day and provide them with the strength needed to do this
important work. Here are some of the highlights from the challenge:
 During the competition, BHS gathered
4,000 new Facebook fans.
 BHS started a ‘Paw It Forward’ program
in which dozens of adoptable dogs are
secretly sponsored by other adopters,
donors, and businesses. The best part is
that 90 percent of adopters who discovered their adoption fee had been paid by
an anonymous donor opted to “Paw It
Forward” and pay for another available
dog. To date, this program continues to
grow.
 Many children generously chose to
Continued on page 8
2
From the Director
We did it! In 91 days, 330 more animals than last
year found homes, hundreds of families welcomed a
new member into their households, and many more
lives were saved. We couldn't have done it without our
wonderful, hard-working staff, our committed, compassionate volunteers, the dedicated, tireless efforts of our local veterinarians, and the overwhelming support from our community, who was with us
every step of the way to adopt, donate, and cheer us on.
As 2012 closes, I am filled with pride and gratitude for all those who
helped us achieve this incredible goal, and for all the animals that have
found the happy second chances they each deserve.
However, as amazing as it is to celebrate our success, our work is not
done. There are a lot of lives still left to save. And saving more lives requires more resources. During the last 91 days, we used one ton of cat litter
every eight days. We had 330 more animals to spay/neuter, vaccinate, and
be examined by a veterinarian. We’ve gone through more bleach, paper
towels, blankets, and supplies than ever before. So, for all of you who donated throughout the challenge, thank you. We’ve seen what we can do
together and we don’t want to stop now. We want to continue all that we
have learned and all that we have gained as we carry the “challenge mentality” into our future to continue saving more lives. But we can’t do it
alone. We have proven that when we are joined by our army of supporters,
we can do great things.
By now, you should have received our most recent agency appeal letter,
asking you to open your heart and make a monetary gift to help us continue
this important work. We told you about Chica, the one-year-old Whippet/
Boxer mix, who came to us after someone found her dumped on the side of
the road with a box of eight of her puppies. She was malnourished and
weak. We took her in, cared for her and her puppies, and cured her pneumonia in foster care. She beat the odds and survived because she knew
what awaited her if she did. A loving family to call her own.
If you have already sent in your gift, thank you.
If you have yet to make your gift, or are still considering whether or not to make one, we ask you
to consider this. If together we can save 1,209
lives in just 91 days, imagine the lives we could
save in the other 273. We need you to make that
happen.
We continue to offer love, compassion, and
direct care to each of the 5,000 animals that come
Chica dressed as a superhero
through our doors each year. Your monetary supfor Paws on Parade 2012.
port allows us to go a step further in providing
each with a necessary medical exam, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery,
specialized veterinary care and surgery as required, and to support our foster homes that nurture the weak and vulnerable– all of the things that help
us, literally, save their lives.
This season, join us as we celebrate the success of all the lives we saved
together during the ASPCA $100K Challenge by making a donation to
save the next homeless pet, like Chica. A gift that will allow us to take action rather than hesitate and wonder how her care will be paid for. A gift
that will allow us to do just what it takes, no matter the cost, to save another life.
Best, Regards,
Hours of Operation
Monday — Friday: 12:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.
Board of Directors
Emily McIntosh, President
Amy Faircloth, Vice-President
Steve Thomas, Treasurer/Past President
Lani Naihe, Secretary
Robert Shuman
Anne Marie Storey, Past President
David Cloutier, DVM
Louise Cross
Shriar Patterson
Bob Williams
Renee Ordway
John Kenney
Lanni Moffatt
Matt Nye
Jeff Russell
Our Staff
Executive Director
Suzan Bell
Shelter Operations Manager
Chris Young
Office Manager & Bookkeeper
Deborah Hawkins
Volunteer & Public Relations Manager
Stacey R. Coventry
Adoption Counselors
Sonia, Brittney, Kristin, Brittany, Cody,
Carol, Jaime, Paulie
Animal Technicians
Sarah, Nikka, Caroline, Katie, Mariah,
Kimberly, and Jill
Veterinary Technician
Alayne Newton
Foster Care Program
Kimberly Patterson
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Your Donor Dollars Matter...
Happily Ever After
Adoption Update
A
lmost five months ago, four very special ladies became a part of the BHS family. Cinderella, Jasmine,
Ariel, and Snow White—four huskies that were rescued by Maine Animal Welfare agents and brought from
their inhumane living conditions to our shelter. We are
more than happy to report that each husky has found the
fairytale ending that she truly deserves.
Cinderella went up for
adoption at the humane
society at the end of September, and after only a
week and a half of introductions with new people,
she was able to sweep her
perfect family match right
off their feet. She went
home with a great family
who sent us a wonderful
update, which included a
picture of her curled up in
Cinderella in her new home.
her very own dog bed,
like the true princess she is. Her adopter says she is warming up to them and becoming a real member of their family.
She went on to say that she, “even caught Cinderella wagging her tail the other night.” Cinderella wrote herself a true
rags to riches story, living up to the legacy of the Disney
princess she was named after.
Jasmine also went into
our adoption program, and
on September 13th, after
only using one of her three
wishes, she met her new
forever family. A loving
couple, who had the time,
patience, and big hearts
necessary to have a princess like Jasmine, took her
in as a welcomed member
of their family. We have
heard that she is adjusting
Jasmine with her new family.
very well, and has really
started to open up. The oldest of the four huskies, at just
five years old, Jasmine was the first to go up for adoption
and therefore, the first to begin the happily-ever-after chapter of her life.
Ariel and Snow White had different outcomes, but true
fairytale stories nonetheless. After reaching out to a sled
dog rescue in New Hampshire that also rescued three other
huskies from the same situation, Ariel and Snow White
were both taken in to their program. Located in Jefferson,
New Hampshire, the Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel houses
By: Kristin Harmon
over 100 sled
dogs. Although
the girls are encouraged to become a part of
the sled team,
they are not in
any way forced
to pull. They get
to be in the
fresh air that
they thrive so
much in, and
Snow White and Ariel enjoying their new home at
are around great Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel in NH.
people with
warm and loving hearts. They are faring well, and were
even given new names signifying that they truly graduated from needing a fairytale ending to getting one. Now
named Schooner and Tug, we have received updates
about both of the girls,
who look happier than
ever in their new environment.
The two puppies that
Ariel birthed were nurtured in our foster program and were each
quickly adopted. They
continue to thrive in their
new homes as prince and
princess-in-training.
Every once in a
while, a special case inSnow White and Ariel are reunited with
volving an animal in need the three other rescued huskies from
as they pull sled at Muddy Paw
pulls at the heart strings Maine
Sled Dog Kennel.
in a unique way. Every
animal deserves a magical life, and we are happy to say
that each of the adult huskies has attained full princess
status.
Ariel’s pups with
their foster parents.
4
Ask the Vet
Q: How can I keep my pet safe and stress-free
when travelling with me for the holidays?
A: Never sedate a pet before flying on a plane.
Secure your crates and carriers for travel by using zip ties to latch and secure carrier doors.
Keep your pets on leash at all times and
make sure they are wearing pet identification tags
and collars in case they get separated from you.
Post your pet’s photo, flight number, and your
contact information on the side of the carrier.
Notify the pilot that there is a pet on board, so
they can regulate the temperature accordingly.
If you plan to travel by car, check with your
veterinarian about sedating stressed pets. Take
plenty of bathroom and water breaks if you are
travelling long distance. Be careful when opening
the car door so your pet doesn't make a quick
escape. Pack their litter box, food, and favorite
items from home to help them acclimate to their
new environment. Wait for excitement to settle
before introducing them to strangers. If you will
be introducing them to resident pets, do so outside where they tend to be less territorial. Bring
treats to reward good behavior.
Q: Do you have any gift ideas for those special
pet lovers in my life?
A: Have your friends and family members make
a holiday list for their pets, including their favorite toys and treats. They know their pets better
than anyone. You don’t want to
buy that destructive chewer a
stuffy, when they really need a
hard plastic bone. You can also
buy give certificates to their favorite pet store, groomer, day care, or
training/boarding kennel.
Please stay away from buying a
pet as a gift. Instead, give them a
gift certificate to their local shelter
that they can use after the holiday
to find the right match for them,
after the hustle and bustle of the
holiday is over.

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Seasonal Tips
Despite their fur coats, pets are
sensitive to very cold weather, so
keep them inside where it is warm.
Don’t spoil your pet with lots of
treats or table scraps. They can get
sick or gain unhealthy weight.
Keep your pets away from holiday
décor, like tinsel, candles, and glass
ornaments. Remember, no candy or
chocolate.
If you bring a new pet home for the
holidays, reduce stress by creating a
routine. Give them their own space
until you have time to bond and
know your new pet.
Dr. Benson, Broadway Vet
Paws for Thought
Neuter your cat before five
months of age and it can
help prevent “spraying” or
“marking.”
In about 6-8 weeks post
surgery, neutering can also
help prevent roaming and
aggressive behavior.
Shelter Highlights
Ten-year-old Matthew Gross raised over $1,000 in
his “Ride for the Wet Nose” bike fundraiser to help
the shelter pets at BHS!
Thank you Jenny and Mutt Nose Best who raised
$750 in their Dog Wash for a Cause. With the
money they raised, they “Paw’d it Forward” and
paid the adoption fee for all of our adoptable dogs
to help us hit our Challenge goal!
We would like to welcome PetSmart, our new
Adoption Partner, to the neighborhood! They just
opened on Stillwater Avenue in Bangor and are
showcasing our adoptable cats!
Thank you to the towns of Bangor, Hermon, Winterport, Dover Foxcroft and Veazie who presented
us with a public proclamation of support for our
mission during their October Council Meetings!
Give the gift of love this
holiday season!
Make a donation in memory or in
honor of a loved one (two-legged
or four) and help give a second
chance to a shelter pet!
5
Volunteer Spotlight
The Joy of Match-Making By: Stacey R. Coventry
Saving 1,209 lives at BHS requires a lot of work from a
“Especially when they can see past all the ‘problems’ their
team of dedicated people with varied skills and designated
previous owners often say they have.” Kathy was right on the
roles. It takes kennel cleaners, dog walkers, veterinarians,
frontlines helping staff through the challenge, but her comand animal care technicians to vaccinate, evaluate, feed and
mitment went above and beyond at the end of the competiwater all the animals, foster parents to nurture the vulnerable
tion. Kathy took personal time off from her job at her local
and under aged, and those who spend extra time with the anilibrary to volunteer at BHS for the last five days straight to
mals to socialize with them and increase their adoptability.
help BHS hit its adoption goal. It was her goal too.
But it also takes a special group to find each animal a new
Like staff, Kathy shares in the joy of hearing adoption
home and match them with the right new
updates and celebrating each match-made success. It’s
It’s about finding extremely rewarding for her.
family. These people are the trained
the right match for “Kathy takes
adoption counselors. Most of them are
staff members, but every once in a while, one of our pets, extra time to get
we find a gem in our group of volunteers while fulfilling the to know each pet
who possesses the right mix of qualities
human need for and person to
to help both human and fur-friend find
companionship. make the best
each other.
match,” says
One of those rare gems is Kathy Doore, who has been a
Kristin Harmon, BHS
friend of the agency for ten years. She started out as a freadoption counselor.
quent visitor who brought treats for our staff and canines.
“She cares so much
Kathy Doore, middle, adoption helper at BHS.
She greeted customers and shared the stories of our adoptable that she even calls
dogs. Over the last year, her love for the BHS mission and
each week to check
inquisitive nature helped her fill a growing need at the shelin and see who has been adopted. She’s very special.”
ter. As the line at the front desk grew this summer, Kathy
Kathy’s advice to anyone interested in helping with
jumped right in to help with customer service. Her shelter
adoptions is to have a realistic and positive mindset.
visits increased from one hour to entire Saturday afternoons,
“You have to like helping both people and the animals
where she now responds to customer inquiries, answers the
because it is not about judging the adopter. It’s about finding
phone, discusses available pets, gives shelter tours, and does
the right match for one of our pets, while fulfilling the human
adoption visits.
need for companionship,” says Kathy. “I love the happy tears
“It’s the best feeling when you meet open-hearted people
we all share when a person chooses to adopt a friend. We can
willing to give one of our pets a second chance,’ says Kathy.
see the joy as the hole in their heart is filled.”
“
“
Austin’s Corner
I know the holidays are right around the corner, but let me tell you something – Austin is
ready to tuck in for a long winter’s nap. As the
official BHS Cat of Residence (I prefer that to
house cat), I can tell you this place has been a
bit zoo-like for the past three months. Dogs and cats have
been quickly coming in and going out, and staff has been
more focused than ever on finding them their forever homes.
I hear daily staff cheers celebrating all the pets who have
been going home, capturing each with a photo. I know that’s
a good thing, but it’s taken a lot out of me to watch all of this
perched on the counter. Busy, busy, busy.
I hesitate to mention it, but I have launched my own Facebook Page. You can find it if you search for Austin, House
Cat. My person with thumbs picked that title, clearly dissing
my title choice of Cat of Residence. Last time I checked, I
had 119 friends. I could use a few more, so look me up.
On my page you can read about and see pictures of our
pet of the week, chosen by various BHS employees – with
my approval of course. You can also see interviews about
some of our long-term residents who are looking for homes,
and ask questions about BHS, its staff and its animals – and
me. We also have bios of the awesome staff who work hard
to keep me (and the other critters) fed and happy.
Anyhow, enough about me. While hundreds of once homeless pets are now snuggled into new homes for the winter,
many more are still here waiting for their turn. We always
need blankets for each animal to curl up on while they wait.
Also, saving all those lives these past 91 days, (1,209 to be
exact) sure did use up a lot of our supplies. We definitely
could use some wet dog and cat food for those furry friends
on special diets. We also went through one ton, yes, one ton
of cat litter every eight days. So, if you could drop some off,
we would appreciate it. Any kind will do. We aren’t picky.
Everyone, of course, wants to play on occasion. I amuse
myself by passing through the dog kennels and making them
bark, but our other cats and dogs really rely on having a toy or
two. Our supply sure is low and it really helps them pass the
time while they wait for their new special person.
There’s a lot of good work going on around here. Lots of
new happy families. I hope you might consider stopping by to
adopt one of my fellow fur-mates or drop off some goodies to
brighten their stay while they are here. Trust me, everyone
will make all over you if you do – more hubbub I suppose –
and I’ll be watching between naps.
Austin
6
Paws-itively a Success!
Paws on Parade 2012
By: Stacey R. Coventry
Over 500 two-legged and four-legged friends of the Bangor Humane Society walked in support of homeless
pets on Saturday, October 6th, for the 19th annual Paws on Parade along the Bangor waterfront. A warm and
sunny autumn day graced the largest ever Paws on Parade, which raised over $70,000 dollars. Over $35,000 was
raised in sponsorship dollars, including this year’s Top Dog Major Sponsors, Qualey Granite & Quartz and Quirk
Subaru. Another $35,000 was raised in donations and pledges from over 300 individuals.
Dozens of local businesses and vendors lined the waterfront, including Veazie Veterinary Clinic, Truman Collars, Green Acres Kennel, BarkDannas, Bangor Dog Park, Bark for Life, and many others. The event also featured
an Adoption Runway Show that showcased some of the adoptable dogs available at BHS. ZuZu, an English Bulldog who won the lead role in the upcoming Penobscot Theater production of “Annie,” led the walk with other
“orphan” cast members. Logan Nelson from Carden Kennels provided
a canine agility demonstration.
Associate Pastor Mary Ann Taylor from St. John’s Episcopal
Church initiated the 1.5 mile walk with a pet blessing. Participants
crowded the sidewalks and filled the streets of downtown Bangor with
laughter and enthusiasm for pet adoption, as the “Annie” orphans sang
songs of cheer. Dogs donned orange and black bandanas donated by
Quirk Subaru, while walking teams showcased their names on colorful
custom-designed t-shirts.
The event concluded with announcements of raffle and prize winners. Team Kindred Spirits, led by Dr. Mark Hanks, won the Top
Adoption Runway
Fundraising Team Award with over $9,000 raised. Lani Naihe, Secretary for the BHS Board, won the Top Individual Fundraiser award with over $2,000 raised. Other contest winners
were a Great Dane-Saint Bernard mix for largest dog; a pocket-sized Chihuahua for smallest dog; a Bassett Hound
for biggest ears; a Cocker Spaniel disguised as Batman for Best Costume; and a person and her Poodle dressed as
bananas for Best Look-Alikes.
This year was the first time BHS opened its doors for adoptions after the event to highlight its participation in
the ASPCA $100KChallenge. As a result, over 20 animals were adopted in just four hours that afternoon.
BHS would like to thank all of the sponsors, teams, walkers, adopters, volunteers and donors who helped make
this year’s event the most successful to date.
“Annie” orphans lead the parade.
7
Paws for Photos
Lanie Naihe, Top Individual
Kindred Spirits, Top Team Fundraiser
Smallest Dog Winner
Subaru Dogs help distribute bandanas
Largest Dog Winner
BHS staff holds a puppy that was
featured for adoption at Paws.
A person plays with her dog on the
waterfront.
Look-Alike Winner
BHS staff and dogs pose at the Quirk Display.
“Annie” cast of orphans introduce ZuZu as
the production’s “Sandy.”
8
‘We Did It!” Continued from page 1
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collect donations to the humane society in lieu of birthday gifts,
donated proceeds from lemonade stands, and held donation
drives.
The shelter received public proclamations of recognition
throughout October from surrounding communities.
Bangor Savings Bank donated $2,500 in $50 gift cards to
Green Acres Kennel, which were distributed to adopters during
a special adoption event.
Mutt Nose Best held a Dog Wash fundraiser at Blue Seal in
Bangor, and used the money to sponsor every adoptable dog as
part of the ‘Paw it Forward’ program to help BHS hit their
Challenge goal.
The agency strengthened its
relationship with local media, including the Fox network, WABI, Kiss 94.5, and
WKIT, and forged a new
relationship with WLBZ,
which kindly featured an
adoptable pet every night
during October.
We adopted 30 cats through
City Councilman, Ben Spraque, presents
our popular Cats On Tour
Suzan Bell, Exec. Dir., with a public
mobile adoption program in proclamation of support from the city of
Bangor, the first of five towns to do so.
which we transported and
showcased some of our
adoptable cats to 13 area businesses throughout our communities to increase our outreach.
In July 2011, BHS had 78 trained and active volunteers. Today
it has 125, and that number continues to grow.
The goal of the ASPCA Rachael Ray Challenge
was to inspire shelters to go “above and beyond – to
increase adoptions, reunite lost pets with their owners,
build community engagement and save more lives.
This success has motivated the BHS staff to embrace
the “challenge mentality” into the future so they can
continue to increase adoptions and grow community
support.
BHS has been doing good work for a long time, but
learned there are always opportunities to do better – to
save more lives.
The staff and volunteers rose to the challenge and
so did you. Thank you!
Our Guiding Principles
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Treat all animals and people with respect, dignity, and
integrity.
Work diligently to end companion animal overpopulation by
increasing awareness of spay and neuter programs.
Promote adoption of physically and mentally healthy companion animals.
Educate and train caretakers to develop fulfilling and lifelong relationships with their companion animals.
Serve as responsible stewards of our resources.
Hold ourselves to the highest standards of safety, care,
and cleanliness.
Raise public awareness with regard to the humane treatment of animals.
Use euthanasia only as a last humane option in the best
interest of the animal.
Shania thanks you for
your support!