animal tales - Stafford Animal Shelter

ANIMAL TALES
Stafford Animal Shelter Newsletter
Cat Wing Opens!
The power tools stopped and the purring began on 9/9/09
as we moved into our long-needed and much-anticipated new
Cat Wing. The Shelter was built in 1999 with space to accommodate only a dozen cats, but we’ve housed from 50 to 100
felines at a time since opening our doors. Cats lived in an
education room, bathrooms and hallways. The Sick Bay rooms
vented into the healthy cats’ ad-hoc areas, causing consistent
disease contamination problems. The kittens, whose vulnerable
immune systems require they be separated from adult cats,
have had to grown up in hallway cages, with our public
bathroom as their only exercise space.
The new nine-room Cat Wing has multiple exercise and
play rooms, a sun porch, and
for the first time, kittens will
have their own room to romp
in to develop their physical
strength and agility. Rooms
for new arrivals and unwell
cats are isolated and have
separate laundry and cleaning
facilities, greatly reducing contagious diseases and staff labor
and medical treatment costs. The new Cat Wing is projected to
accommodate the next twenty years’ growth, increasing our
capacity to house 300 cats.
Instead of playing with cats in the hallway or bathroom,
volunteers will be able to socialize and groom cats in the open
play rooms. There is a special viewing and meeting room for
potential adopters. The Holly Arden Ring Memorial Cat Sun
Room is sure to be a favorite with cats and volunteers alike.
There are still donor naming opportunities available for new cat
kennels and various play and healing rooms. Call 406/222-1311
to learn more. Stop by and see the bright new Cat Wing for
yourself Tuesday – Saturday 11 am to 5 pm.
Fall 2009
Happily Ever After
Stafford Animal Shelter believes
that every animal deserves a
second chance, and sometimes a
fifth chance. James was abandoned
outside the Shelter when his family
had a baby and didn’t want him
anymore. A young black lab/hound
cross, he was brimming with pep.
James is a handsome guy and got
lots of attention. Unfortunately, his
high energy and ability to escape
from most enclosures resulted in
him being adopted out and returned
three times within two months. We
feared that he’d never be adoptable.
Then Charles Scanlon came along. Scanlon’s tough exterior
is matched only by the openness of his heart. One of his dogs
had recently died and his remaining dog, Kelly, was lost without
a companion. Scanlon saw several dogs that interested him
online at staffordanimalshelter.org and brought Kelly in to pick
himself out a new dog. When Kelly and James met, they
immediately bent in play bows and began romping. “That’s why
we picked James,” explains Scanlon.
Scanlon was aware of James’ energy and escape artist past
but says, “I’m the kind of guy who thought he needed another
chance.” Scanlon addressed James’ issues by always keeping
him leashed except in a fenced dog park. While James will take
off if let out of the house offleash, regular exercise and attention
minimized his escapes. “It’s the hound in him,” Scanlon
explains, “You’ve got to give him exercise.”
James still jumps four feet in the air on leash. Scanlon says,
“It’s hard to say if he’ll ever calm down fully, but all he needed
was a chance and he’s calmed down quite a bit. You’ve just got
to be patient and try to figure out what a dog needs to make him
happy.” He jokes, “He’s still crazy for his morning biscuit and will
toss my socks in the air until I trade him a biscuit for a sock.”
James is a lucky guy – first Kelly picked him out and then he got
the understanding and dedicated Scanlon in the bargain!
See more photos of Bark in the Park on Page 4
Big Dog Supporters:
Shelter Info
Letter from the Executive Director
The Stafford Animal Shelter
3 Business Park Road
Livingston, MT 59047
Phone: (406) 222-2111
Fax: (406) 222-8752
Website: www.staffordanimalshelter.org
Email: [email protected]
The shelter is located east of Livingston
on Old Hwy. 10. Exit 337 from I-90
Shelter Hours
Tuesday-Saturday 11-5
Closed Sundays and Mondays
See adoptable pets online at:
www.staffordanimalshelter.org
STAFF
BOARD
Executive Director
President
Vicki Blakeman
Jon Ellen Snyder
Veterinary Technician
Linda Wright-Taillie
Vice President
Andy Art
Veterinary Assistant
Secretary
Amanda Suzette Herauf
Juliann Jones
Development Coordinator
Kris King
Treasurer
Maureen Byrne
Animal Caregiver
Supervisor/
Outreach Coordinator
Leslie Seaton
Customer Service
Representatives
Directors
Stacey Raney
Maggie McGuane
Jamie Schwarz
Courtney Kane
Christopher Meyer
Elaine Divens, Laura White, Angie Bieschke
Photographer/Animal Caregiver
Yvonne Venturino
John Hammerel
Angela Thomas
Tawni Welch
Please thank our
hardworking
staff for putting
the animals first
every day!
Photo of Venturino by Lynn Weaver
Animal Caregivers
Yvonne Venturino, our very talented photographer, is the
reason for our great photos. Pet portraits are difficult to do
well, but she captures our animals’ best side each time!
The shelter has been a beehive
of activity this summer. I’m sure
many of you have noticed the
changes as you have driven by.
We are just finishing up the
details of our Cat Wing addition.
Special thanks to all of our
visitors who have dealt with the
mess and confusion all summer,
what a great learning experience!
It has been a pleasure working with Neil Greathouse,
Troy Chase, Shaun Ryan and Scott Wagner, from Battle
Ridge Construction. Their office is just down the road
and they have been wonderful to work with as has our
local architect Jim Snyder. The addition blends in so well
it is hard to tell where the existing structure ends. These
folks have given us a great, healthy space. We thank
them and our kitties thank them. This addition will
serve our cats’ needs for many, many years. Although
they wish to remain anonymous, we are deeply grateful
to the group who granted us the funding to build our
new cat wing. It is vital to the health and well being of
our feline friends. We invite you all to visit often.
Early this year we were approached by Independent
Power Systems in Bozeman about applying for a grant to
Northwestern Energy for several solar panels. We
received the grant in the amount of $20,000. This grant
allows us to install a 12 panel solar array on our south
facing roof. The power produced from this array will
offset 12% of our electricity costs through the year.
Independent Power Systems will be installing the solar
panels in mid-October. Special thanks to Sarah Ray at
Independent Power Systems for her help in administering
this grant.
Special thanks to all who attended, sponsored and
helped with our Fur Ball in May and Bark in the Park in
August. Both events were fun and successful although
not as profitable as in previous years due to the general
economic climate. Like many of our non-profit counterparts, our contributions are down. We have drastically
cut our expenses by 15% and increased efficiencies to
achieve more in less time. We continue searching for
innovative ways to increase our income and cut costs.
Please help your furry friends to the best of your ability.
Every contribution helps an animal in need.
Membership Off to a Flying Start
We are pleased with the initial response to our new Membership Program, which was kicked off in our last newsletter.
Thirty eight individuals or families joined, donating a total of $2,235. Their benefits include: 20% off all retail products,
event discounts, newsletter acknowledgment, invitation to an exclusive event and saving homeless animals’ lives. The first
exclusive event was a members only invitation to the first Cat Wing Open House. Please consider joining today. Levels
are: $50 for Individual Annual Membership, $100 Family Annual Membership, $35 Senior Annual Membership, or you can
become a Monthly Supporter at any level that fits your budget.
Member List
Naomi Dunbar
John Dunn
Robert Andersen
Eric & Bonnie Erickson
Edgar Arrighi
Anne Gwaltney
Jill Balanda
David Grusin
Dorothy Baskin
John & Janice Hammerel
John Blackwood
Bob Hancock
Sally Ann Boe
Ken Hancock
Merrilee Bryan
R.M. Hendrickson
Bettyruth & Charles Burdette
John & Judy Hochmuht
Karen Cates
Joann Huff
Susan Hellesmark Childs
Roy & Leilani Kinne
Ralph & Sheryl Costanzo
John D. Luther
Milla Cummins
Pat & Theresa Lynch
Allan & Eleanor
Metrick
Michael & Martha
Miller
Virginia Muldoon
Judy Olson
Sharon Richardson
Mary Ann Sadowski
Kathryn Shelley
Mike Slevin
Florence Taylor
Kimberly West
Rita Wieringa
Helen Wright
Major Donors
We appreciate gifts of all sizes but want to especially acknowledge
donations of $100 or more received since the beginning of the year
American Bank
Art, Eve and Mike
At Home on the Range
Barry, Patricia & Tom
Basini, Buzz & Dawn
Boston, Rosemary
Carroll, Lea
Chiaviello, Jacqueline
Coolidge, James
Cranston. Evelyn
DeVault, G.P.
Diedrich, Deeann
Eggers, Carol
Faries, Bette
First Interstate Bank Billings
Floyd, Geral & Merilyn
Floyd, Wendy
Frisk, Jason
Frisk, LoAnne & Jason
Gallagher, Doris and George
Geering, Gabe
Greenwood Company
Haidle, Roxanne & Simpson, Steven
Hanson, Janet
Hartman, Janet & Ronald
Hoefler, Suzanne
Jarrett, Jane
Johnson, Larry and Sharon
Keats, Carol
Lackey, Ella Deon
Lahren, Henry
Martin, Charles
McCormick, Jeanne & Michael
Menges, Bruce and
Kane, Courtney
Network For Good
Noah, Chris & Sam
Oleron, Inc
Pagliaro, Carla
Paolini, Kenneth
Phillips, Claire
Regula, Vicki & Joseph
Sandberg, Jean
Steveson, Beverly
Strom, W.H.
Summer Fund
Supervalu, Inc.
Syvertson, Dolly
Van Dyke, J. Gary & Lynne
Volk, Vinita
Warsh-Mott Funds
Welch, Jane
Werle, Marlys & Robert
West, Karrie
Winan’s School
THANKS EVERYONE!
Fun Fundraisers
Volunteers prepare trays of
Fur Ball taste treats
Fur Ball guests enjoy a taste of
Asia at Chico Hot Springs
Stafford Animal Shelter has two main fundraisers.
This year Fur Ball was held May 15th and Bark in the
Park on August 16th. While both events are
entertaining and great fun, their purpose is to raise
enough money to keep our doors open.
The 10th Annual Fur Ball offered a tour of the
world through food and wines from six world regions,
and guests said it was fun going from station to
station enjoying diverse food and beverages. Bark in
the Park was highly entertaining as well, with dogs
jumping into the City Pool for contests, sporting their A 3-legged former Shelter dog
acrobatically fetches a ball
best swimsuit or costume, and performing hilarious
tricks in the Park. While there was a high
turnout at Bark in the Park and plenty of
laughter and tail-wagging, participation in
the Walk-a-thon was dramatically down as
was money raised through retail and food
sales.
Unfortunately, the amount of fun at
events was not matched by funds raised.
We are grateful that Business Partners and
Volunteers really stepped up this year, and
to the many people who worked hard to
support our events. We have high hopes
that the economy will be on the upswing
Eager dogs contestants watch as a dog
next year and our events will be both fun
jumps in theLivingston City pool
and funded!
Kids’s Corner
Our Animal World Rocks Our World
The idea for Amora McConnell and
Isabel Davis’ business, Our Animal
World, started with a cute dog painted
on Amora’s face at a Fair that made
them think of a logo. Once they had a
logo and business name, they decided
on a philanthropic theme. “We both
love animals so much we thought we’d
give the money to Stafford Animal
Shelter,” Isabel says. They started out
with a lemonade stand selling greeting
cards. “Then we thought we’d take it to
the next step,” says Isabel. The
Isabel and Amora sell their
business partners convinced Isabel’s
goods at Farmer’s Market
father, Colin, to build birdhouses staying with the animal theme – out of scrap wood and old signs
from Chico with the girls’ design and decoration input.
Our Animal World did brisk business at Livingston Farmer’s markets
all summer selling the unique birdhouses, Davis’ finger-weaved necklaces,
various crafts, and greeting cards for every occassion featuring Amora’s
artwork. By September, they’d sold nearly all of their 47 birdhouses so will
be on hiatus until they’ve replenished their inventory.
Of working so hard all summer, Isabel says, “It’s easy when you know
where the money is going.” At their final Farmer’s Market, Amora and
Isabel presented the Shelter with a whopping $464.24! All the animals in
the Shelter’s world want to thank Our Animal World, Amora and Isabel,
and all their supporters and customers for their amazing generosity.
Dog Bite Prevention for Children
Five million people, primarily children, are bitten by dogs in preventable scenarios every year in the US. Did you
know neighborhood and family dogs are most responsible for dog bite-related injuries? A bit of knowledge and
prevention techniques can make a big difference. We recommend discussing dog bite prevention with kids, including
play-acting potentially dangerous situations.
Much of dog/human interaction is counterintuitive and kids’ natural reaction to dogs further exacerbates the
problem. Children naturally put their hands and faces, complete with smiles and eye contact, in dogs’ faces. Great
with people – dangerous with dogs. Dogs consider smiles to be baring your teeth and eye contact as a confrontation.
Also, when young people encounter a dog that is behaving aggressively – growling, barking, hair raised, ears back –
their natural tendency is to scream and run. These reactions trigger a dog’s natural prey instinct to chase. If a dog
approaches a child aggressively, they should stand still like a tree with their arms at their sides, avoiding eye contact
or smiling and edge sideways away. This prevents the dog from thinking the child is confrontive or a moving target.
Children should call calmly for adult assistance. If a dog attacks, they should act as with a bear attack – curl up like a
rock and cover the back of their necks with their hands.
Children should also be taught not to pet dogs in yards they pass – dogs consider this an attempt to break into
their territory – and never taunt dogs, throw things or kick at them; these trigger even a friendly dogs’ aggression.
Walk past a barking dog, and if they are persistent, a stern “No” often halts their barking.
Train kids to always ask a dog owner if it’s OK to pet a dog. Little dogs bite more often than large dogs. Patting
dogs’ heads right off disconcerts many; offer a downturned fist to sniff first and then pet under the chin – reaching
over their heads to pet them should only be done with a well known dog.
Children should be drilled on dangerous scenarios. Never approach a nursing dog – even a friendly dog you
know will lash out to protect her pups. Also, dogs that are eating or chewing on a bone or toy should not be
approached; they consider you a threat to their food. The most dangerous circumstance is getting between fighting
dogs or a dog chasing a cat – never break up a fight; leave the situation and get help from an adult.
Dog bite situations can be prevented at home. Adults should practice taking their dog’s food and treats away as
soon as a dog joins the family so they won’t snap around food. Spaying and neutering prevents most aggression,
including protective nursing mothers and males on the trail of a female in heat. Dogs are social pack animals and do
best when included in families’ space and activities. Dogs left alone on chains or in the yard are far likelier to be
aggressive. Teaching kids about interacting safely with dogs will go far in preventing dog bites that make children
fearful and require dogs be put down.
Stafford Animal Shelter is your source for animal behavior advice. Phone 222-2111 or email
[email protected] with your questions. Archived Montana Pioneer advice columns can be found on the
Behavioral Advice page of staffordanimalshelter.org.
Wish List
Tax-deductible donations
heating pads for kittens
small dog treats
paper clips
stapler
bleach
scissors
mouse traps
papertowels
plastic clothes pins
natural air freshener
adding machine with tape
‘Fishing Pole’ dangling cat toys
large pooper scooper for dogs
canned Friskies senior
& kitten food
peanut butter and Kong toys
legal notepads
rubber dishwashing gloves
cloth crib bumpers
white printer paper
Computer speakers
Post-it note pads
dry erase markers
brooms & dustpans
Kleenex, toilet paper, and
brush-style bottle scrubber
sponges with scrubber side
Thanks for your generosity. You may drop items off
during our business hours: Tues - Sat 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Volunteers of the Month
“The best way to find yourself
is to loose yourself in service
to others” - Ghandi
May - Fur Ball Committee
June - Chris Newman
July - Patty Martin
August - Bark in the Park
Contest Judges
September - Linda WrightTaillie, Kitten Foster Mom
Bark in the Park Contest
Judge Jordan Coleman
Media Friends Helps us Make an Appearance!
We couldn’t get the word out about the shelter
without the generosity of the local media. Special
thanks to: Livingston Current for running a free
Pet Personals ad in each issue and informational
tidbits in their Classifieds; Montana Pioneer for a monthly pet advice
column and regular free ads; The Bozone for free color ads and promoting Shelter events ; KGLT, KBOZ and KBZM who run free event and
public service announcements for us and the Livingston Enterprise for
free weekly briefs and for covering pertinent shelter issues. The Pet
Personals ads in the Enterprise are sponsored by generous Business
Partners and individuals. Thank you to
all the great media advocates for their
support and help in getting educational
pet information out into the community
and helping homeless pets find homes.
Livingston Current runs free
Pet Personal ads every issue
Big Dog Supporters
Livingston Enterprise Pet Personal ad sponsors needed:
$35/week or $140/month, call Kris at 406/222-1313
2009 Business Partners
Caring Canine Supporters
Pet of the Week Supporters
Sign up to be a 2010 Business
Partner today! Contact 406/222-1313
or [email protected]
Top Cat Supporters
American Title & Escrow
Axis Solutions
CTA Nelson Engineering
Dave Viers and Associates
First Interstate Bank
Guardian Title
Montana’s Rib and Chop House
Sparkling Dawg Design
Winan’s School
Big Bear Electric
Bridger Feeds
Chico Hot Springs & Day Spa
Colmey Veterinary Hospital
Livingston Veterinary Hospital
Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply
Petsmart
Way Out West
Yellowstone Coffee
Anderson Zurmuehlen
Graybeal’s All Service Heating &
Cooling
Suzanne Hoefler Studios
The Bozone runs a free color Pet
Personal or event ad every issue
This year Stafford Animal Shelter’s
animals are giving thanks for the
Business Partner donations that
put food on the table for them!
American Bank
Ark Accounting
Miler Architecture
Native Landscapes & Reclamation
Printing for Less
Sealtight Chinking & Home Sealants
Tri-County Sheet Metal
The Doctor is In - Jeff Dickerson
The Weight of Weight
The 2007 Pet Obesity Prevention Study found many pets are overweight or
obese - 43% of dogs and 53% of cats! Dogs that were overweight lived 1.8 years
less then their healthy lean litter-mates. And the overweight litter-mates developed
significant health problems three years earlier in life. These problems include early
onset of arthritis, diabetes, irreversible liver disease and heart-cardiovascular
problems such as hypertension.
With the advancements in veterinary care that has extended pet life spans
into the late teens - we must be proactive in preventing disease problems earlier in life. Everyone agrees we want
our furry companions to live long, active, high quality lives. The good news - unlike many medical conditions,
overweight/obese pets can be 100% cured of this medical condition.
What can be done to keep our pets from gaining weight and having problems? First, always measure meals
compliant with the amount recommended for the pet’s ideal weight. Feed at breakfast and dinner times and pick
up food bowls between. This regulates the pet’s weight and provides owners with an opportunity to monitor
appetite changes that could indicate illness. It also provides an easy way to assure needed medications are given
properly.
Second, pick the right food with your veterinarian, who is trained in nutrition and understands your pet’s
medical problems to assure a healthy choice. Work with your veterinarian to calculate daily calories needed and
how to read this information from the label. There are many weight management diets available when exercise
routines seasonally change.
Third, exercise, exercise, exercise! It’s good for all of us! I recommend that dogs get two 30 minute walks
each weekday and longer walks on non-work days. Cats need 20 minutes of play time daily; chasing toys, laser
pointer, etc. This not only keeps pets’ weight in check but provides muscle tone and joint health to curtail arthritis,
improves circulation and heart condition, and prevents many behavioral issues. Talk to your veterinarian about the
amount of activity that fits your pet’s other medical issues. Lastly, forget treats that add calories. Give them attention
with play time, exercise, or brushing their hair and teeth instead of treats.
How will you know when your best friend’s weight is correct? Ask your veterinarian for an ideal body
weight and measure monthly. Learn to use body condition scoring from your veterinarian. You should be able to
easily feel shoulders, ribs and backbone (but not see them), and see a waist from above. And there is the visitor/
friend test too; when they start commenting on how “lean and mean old Fluffy is” you know you’re on the right
track to enjoying many healthy years of Fluffy’s companionship.
Dr. Jeff Dickerson owns Livingston Veterinary Hospital and has served the medical and behavioral needs
of pets for over 20 years. Visit him at www.mtpetvet.com or call 222-3011.
Top Cat Supporters:
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At the Stafford Animal Shelter we house
the homeless, feed the hungry, prevent
unwanted pregnancies, and on the side
we run a matchmaking service.
Is Your Albertson’s Card Linked to the Shelter?
Did you know that you can support the Shelter while you shop at no cost to you? If your
Albertson’s card is linked to the Shelter, a portion of every dollar you spend there will feed our
animals. Call 406/222-2111 with your card number (it’s on your receipt and we need your
phone number also.) These funds are down by half this year - why not help at no cost to you?
License Plates Available Year Round
You can purchase a Stafford Animal Shelter License Plate year
round, regardless of your license plate renewal date. A portion of
every plate purchase goes directly to caring for our animals.
Big Dog Supporters: