The Voice - Voice For Animals

The Voice
The annual newsletter of Voice for Animals-December 2013
President’s Message
Dear Friends,
A
s of December 2, we are now 26 years old!
Thinking about our accomplishments and
long-term goals, I revisited our VFA
informational pamphlet and thought you might be
interested in some of the words that are at the very
core of our existence.
We believe that all animals deserve compassion,
comfort, happiness, and respect. Our mission is to
give them a Voice.
We believe that silence and inaction in the face of
injustice is tantamount to complicity. We believe
that animals have the right to live their lives in
safety, free from abuse.
Because of these goals, we long ago instituted our
newsletter section Never Turn Your Back on an
Animal In Need to encourage others to act for
animals who need their help.
We work to eliminate animal suffering and
overpopulation, to educate the public, and to
promote sensitivity and caring toward all animals.
We continue to deal with the overpopulation
problem, working by ourselves and in conjunction
with other organizations in the area. We educate
through our newsletter, our website, Facebook page,
and in the way we live our own lives. We always
remind people that all animals matter and whatever
we can do for them we must be doing.
We offer hope, advice, and direction to people who
may not know where else to turn for help and we
are committed to helping as many animals out of
desperate situations as our resources allow.
Each year our newsletter provides a resource for a
variety of needs so that we can reach beyond our
limitations of money, time, and ability to provide
more help to our readers.
More often than not, the animals we help are the
ones who have been ignored, forgotten, hidden, and
all but written off.
Frequently, by the time we hear about these animals
they are only days or hours away
from death. A typical request for our help comes
only after the animal’s situation has fallen through
the cracks of larger, more rigidly structured
agencies. Our work begins at the point where others
leave off.
We are known for our spay/neuter programs and
you will read more about them here, but in addition,
through the Lilly Fund, as resources allow, we help
pay veterinary bills for sick or injured animals who
would otherwise receive no treatment at all or be
euthanized.
Inside This Issue
News From Maine…………………………………………… 2
Sources of Food and Financial Assistance……….. 7
The Vegan Corner……………………………………….… 10
Cats Across the Country………………………………… 11
Tree House Cats……………………………………..…….. 22
Thank You from the VFA……………………………..… 23
We have done so much; but there is still much more
to accomplish. As you can see in this newsletter,
foster homes are desperately needed. Yes, there is
significant effort involved in fostering, but the
rewards of helping an animal are immeasurable. If
we had had more foster homes and ultimately a
shelter/sanctuary, we could have helped Ziggy,
whom you will read about here, and others like him.
In these pages, you will also read about farm
sanctuaries in Maine and New Hampshire which
offer shelter to horses and other farm animals.
Similar concrete facilities would allow us to help
many more animals. For the moment, however, that
is still in the future, but your donation and volunteer
efforts on our behalf, could move these distant goals
to current reality.
Please won’t you lend your voice to this worthy
cause? Together we can make a world of difference
for those who depend on us; who give so much and
ask so little. . .
Until they speak to everyone as clearly as we hear
them through our hearts, there is a great and
urgent need for you to join us in becoming a Voice
for Animals!
Sincerely,
Caryl McIntire Edwards
President/Founder
Voice for Animals
News from Maine
Once again there were a number of animal related
bills proposed in the 2013 legislative session and it
was inspiring to see how many amazing animal
advocates made sure that their voices were heard! I
can’t say enough about how important it is for your
elected officials to hear from you that animal
welfare issues matter to you. So be sure to call,
write and meet with your representatives and even
attend public hearings to speak on behalf of those
that can’t speak for themselves.
Maine led the way back in 2006 by enacting the
first statute that specifically allowed judges to
include pets in protection from abuse orders and this
year LD 687 provided an important clarification by
extending it to include temporary orders. This
change was necessary because it is crucial to be
able to get animals away from an abuser during the
time when things are usually the most dangerous,
namely when a victim is leaving an abusive
situation. Allowing pets to be included in
temporary orders removes an obstacle that may
prevent a victim from risking their lives by staying
in an unsafe environment to protect their beloved
pet.
Other important clarifications were made to
Maine’s animal welfare laws. LD 484 ensures for
the humane trapping of cats for animal control
programs and spay/neuter efforts, which will help
protect cats and our communities. It also provides
new definitions so that animal shelters have the
necessary guidelines for handling rabbits, Guinea
Pigs, ferrets and others small animals that are
becoming increasingly common.
While there was an impressive showing in
opposition to LD 1239 at the public hearing,
unfortunately, this harmful bill was carried over for
further consideration by the Agriculture,
Conservation and Forestry Committee. Among
other things, this proposed legislation complicates
the law by unnecessarily revising definitions, strips
the Animal Welfare Program of key enforcement
mechanisms, removes important protections for cats
and dogs, and does a disservice to responsible
breeders. Accordingly, we will need to continue the
effort to keep it from passing once the legislature is
back in session, so stayed tuned for ways you can
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help. A great way to do so is to “like” the Maine
HSUS Facebook Page at
www.facebook.com/HSUSMaine.
On the wildlife front, LD 1474 sought to protect
black bears because Maine harbors some of the
cruelest methods of killing these majestic creatures.
At the bill’s public hearing, the Inland Fisheries and
Wildlife committee took the unusual step of
immediately voting on the bill, just minutes after
hearing testimony. The committee’s failure to give
the bill any serious consideration was a blatant
subversion of the democratic process. Additionally,
instead of engaging in a good-faith effort to find
common ground concerning the treatment of bears
the opposition, instead, made an unprecedented
attempt to silence Maine voters: LD 1303. This
proposed constitutional amendment sought to
prohibit citizen initiatives that limit hunting and
fishing. That’s because groups like the Sportsman’s
Alliance of Maine are afraid of what the voters
might have to say about the inhumane and
unsporting practices of bear baiting, hounding and
trapping. Thanks in large part to our dedicated
animal advocates, this heavy-handed power grab
was defeated and the voting rights that we’ve had
for more than 100 years remain intact.
The Legislature’s repeated failure to enact long
overdue protections for Maine’s bears is
disappointing, as is the opposition’s inability to
compromise, but these conditions perfectly illustrate
why this issue is ripe for the ballot. So be sure to
join Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting, a broad
coalition of groups and individuals, working to
gather 80,000 signatures to ensure Maine voters will
have an opportunity to put an end to cruel and
unnecessary trapping, baiting, and hounding on
Election Day in 2014. We only have until midJanuary to make that goal, so please visit
www.fairbearhunt.com to learn more and sign-up to
help Maine’s bears and hounds.
Thank you for everything you do to celebrate all
animals and confront cruelty. It is because of
heroes like you that these significant public policy
reforms are possible and I look forward to working
with you to accomplish more victories! - Katie
Hainsberry
News from New Hampshire
Gov. Maggie Hassan signed legislation (SB 133)
that allows New Hampshire to become a member of
the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. The
national law enforcement network prevents wildlife
violators who have lost their hunting, trapping or
fishing privileges due to illegal wildlife crimes,
such as poaching, in member states from
circumventing those license revocations in New
Hampshire. It also prevents New Hampshire
violators from evading their license revocations by
hunting, fishing and trapping in other member
states.
Sadly, SB 59, a bill that would simply prohibit the
extreme confinement of breeding pigs and veal
calves in a manner that does not allow them to stand
up, lie down or turn around freely was killed in the
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. It
would have ensured that two of the worst factory
farming practices, gestation crates for pigs and veal
crates for calves, are no longer legal in the Granite
State.
The New Hampshire Environment and Agriculture
Committee voted out HB 110 over the summer.
This “Ag Gag” bill, also known as a whistleblower
suppression bill, seeks to place obstacles in the path
of whistleblowers who would expose the
mistreatment of farm animals and food safety issues
on agricultural facilities. The bill gives the illusion
of animal protection. Unlike the other mandatory
reporting laws in New Hampshire, HB 110 is
deliberately designed to obstruct the detection and
documentation of farm animal abuse, not to ensure
these crimes are reported to the proper authorities.
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If the bill was truly meant to help prosecute animal
cruelty, it would include cruelty to cats, dogs, and
other animals. Instead, it manipulates existing law
that genuinely protects these animals, while
excluding the majority of them from the same
extended “protection” it purports to grant only to
livestock. The bill will go to the full House for a
vote when they return in January. -Joanne
Bourbeau
Farm Animal and Horse Rescues in
Maine and New Hampshire
As horse slaughter becomes legal again in the United States
(not Maine, but Canada is only a short road trip away)
knowledge of the location and work of farm sanctuaries in our
area becomes increasingly more important. All animals matter.
. . For more information about horse slaughter and what you
can do, check this website
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/horse_slaughter/#.U
p830SfidF4
See How You Can Help
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Maine
Maine Farm Animal Advocates and
Downeast Equine and Large Animal
Society (DELAS)2013 update.
The Orland shelter is full and unable to take in
animals but (DELAS), a state licensed nonprofit farm animal rescue, with the same
mission and goals to rescue, rehabilitate, and if
possible, rehome, horses and other farm
animals from across Maine, and our partner, is
still able to offer shelter from time to time.
DELAS currently provides a safe home to 11
equines, 6 goats, 8 geese, a sheep, a llama, and
a giant steer. Many of the animals at DELAS
came from very abusive situations. Many of
them will never be able to leave DELAS
because they are secure here and we feel that
here is where they are happiest and safest.
Daffy a young cross breed goat, for instance,
came to us with an ingrown halter, a deep
wound across her nose, and an absolute hatred
of people. She would attack anyone, especially
if they had something in their hands. She had
lived her entire life either chained to a tree or
in a dog kennel with barely enough room to
stand. After her mandatory quarantine she was
turned loose with the other goats to free-range
the fields and woods. While still not completely
trustworthy, and note she has very sharp
horns, she lets us pat her now and is learning
how to be a goat. She will be here forever and is
never penned unless we have planned visitors
who might be scared of her.
Then there is Cruz, the llama. Left to die when
his owner's property was foreclosed on, Cruz
has become the barnyard protector. Nobody
walks around the barn after dark without him
knowing and chasing them off. Nothing will be
stolen or abused as long as Cruz is on the job.
Ben, our giant steer, is aging and we are
grateful for every day with him. He came to us
many years ago from a bad situation and we
decided it was best to have him stay at DELAS
for life. He is featured in the picture attached.
We welcome visitors but asked that you contact
us to schedule a visit. You can find us on
Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/delas.equinerescue and
https://www.facebook.com/delas.equinerescue.
-Christina Perkins
Below is a list of licensed equine shelters
in Maine
Biscuit Ridge Farm Animal Rescue 5
Hesseltine Way Milford, Maine 04461
http://biscuitridgefarmanimalrescue.yolasite.c
om/
Double B. Animal Rescue 997 West Mills Rd.
Industry, ME 04938 207-778-6479
Downeast Equine and Large Animal
Society Cherryfield, Maine 04622
Everafter Mustang Rescue 463 West St.
Biddeford, ME 04005 www.mustangrescue.org
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First Light Farm Equine Shelter PO Box 42
Perry, ME 04667 www.firstlightfarm.org
Last Stop Horse Rescue Prentiss, ME 04487
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Last-Stop-HorseRescue/324557567565076
Maine Equine Welfare Alliancehttp://maineequinewelfarealliance.com/
Maine Farm Animal Advocates- Orland,
Maine Christina Perkins
Maine State Society for the Protection
of Animals P.O. Box 10 South Windham, ME 040820010 www.msspa.org
Peace Ridge Animal Sanctuary
Penobscot, Maine
http://peaceridgeanimalsanctuary.org
Rockin’ Ridge Equine Rescue 60 Edgecomb
Rd. Lisbon Falls, ME. 04252 207-353-6581
Here is a list of licensed New Hampshire
Large Animal Shelters
Live and Let Live Farm Rescue and
Sanctuary
GFAS Verified Sanctuary
www.liveandletlivefarm.org
Chichester, New Hampshire
Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescuewww.saveyourassrescue.org
23 Saw Mill Road, South Acworth, NH, 03607 (603) 8352971
Stratham SPCA Stratham, NH will
sometimes take large animals
The New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals
PO Box 196, 104 Portsmouth Avenue, Stratham, NH
03885 (603)772-2921 [email protected]
Sources of Food and Financial
Assistance
Financial Assistance
(For more information check The Voice -2012. It
can be found at www.voiceforanimals.net)
The Dog & Cat Cancer Fund
*work directly with veterinarians to help needy
families get treatment for their cats & dogs
suffering from cancer
www.dccfund.org
Fairy Dog Parents
*mission is preventing dogs from being surrendered
website: www.fairydogparents.org
Feline Outreach
http://www.felineoutreach.org/
Feline Outreach is a charitable organization formed
to promote the routine and medical care of
companion animals, particularly cats. Among other
goals, the organization may enable shelters and the
public to adopt, keep, and/or care for companion
animals, particularly those with special needs - this
support may be financial, educational, or in other
forms.
Frankie's Friends
Assists families who demonstrate substantial
financial need & whose companion animals would
have a good prognosis for long-term recovery to a
normal quality of life
website: www.frankiesfriends.com
Piggers' Pals
http://www.piggerspals.org/
Piggers' Pals: A Foundation of Hope is a nonprofit
organization that was designed to assist families in
need seek specialty level care for their companion
animals. The foundation will accept applications
from individuals or families that require financial
assistance to provide advanced medical and/or
surgical veterinary care that will extend both
quantity and quality of life for their animals that
would otherwise not be available to them.
Applicants will be screened as to financial need and
the ability to provide preventive health care both
before and after assistance from the foundation.
Land of PureGold Foundation
http://landofpuregold.com/ (Cancer specific)
Land of PureGold Foundation is a 501(c) 3
nonprofit providing cancer treatment grants for
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working dogs and funding research in comparative
oncology.
The Riedel & Cody Fund
Provides support, resources and treatment funding
for people whose companion animals have cancer
www.riedelcody.org
Tails of Hope Foundation, Inc.
A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping to
eradicate cancer and other life-threatening diseases
affecting companion animals
P.O. Box 2325, Monroe NY 10949-7325
phone: 845-926-3478
http://www.tailsofhopefoundation.org
Food and Spay/Neuter Assistance
Maine
York County Shelter Programs: Alfred (animal
food)
York County: Helping People, Helping Pets
Spay Maine (spay/neuter assistance)
The Animal Welfare Society: West Kennebunk
(spay/neuter assistance)
New Hampshire
Cocheco Valley Humane Society: Dover (pet food,
temporary foster program)
Rockingham County: Helping People, Helping Pets
Strafford County: Helping People, Helping Pets
The New Hampshire Pet Overpopulation
Program (paid for by a surcharge on dog licenses)
is available to dog or cat owners who meet one of
the following criteria:
The Food Stamp Program
The Supplemental Security Income Program
The Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families Act
The Aid to the Needy Blind Program
The Medicaid Program
The Old Age Assistance Program
The Aid to the Permanently and Totally
Disabled Program
If you qualify, you can have your cat or dog “fixed”
for $25 For more information, contact the N.H.
Department of Agriculture at 603-271-3697.
If you don’t qualify for the state’s fund, there may still be help available. Check the state’s website or use
the number above to call.
Buddy (dog, now nearly eighteen) and Lucky (cat) are members of the Edwards family.
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NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON AN ANIMAL IN NEED.
Finding a Lost Companion Animal
Resources
www.petrescue.com
Facebook Pages
-Maine Lost Dog Recovery; Maine Lost Cat
Recovery
-Granite State Dog Recovery; Granite State Lost
Cat Recovery
-Companion Animal Rescue
http://www.petrescue.com/petlibrary/petrescue/how-to-find-a-lost-cat-or-dog/
The following is excerpted from their website.
Search your property thoroughly. Walk the
neighborhood, talk to everyone, and leave your phone
number.
Carry a favorite toy or treats.
Make any noise that your companion animal is
familiar with. It’s also important to stop regularly, be
quiet, and listen for the animal to make a noise in reply.
Bring a powerful flashlight (even during daylight
hours) for checking in dark spaces. A frightened or
injured cat will hide in dark spaces and will not
come to you. An injured dog will also hide in dark
places.
Place strong-smelling articles outside your home
to attract the animal. Include dirty clothes, a cat’s
litterbox, dog’s bedding, and smelly food.
Call local veterinarian offices during the day. After
5 PM, call veterinarian emergency clinics.
VISIT your local Animal Control, humane
societies, rescues, and animal shelters, including the
ones in surrounding areas EVERY day
The Department of Transportation (DOT) or
Animal Control picks up dead animals daily, no
matter how difficult it is important to do this
DAILY.
Post MANY flyers about your lost animal within a
1-mile radius of where the animal was lost. Always
withhold several identifying marks and
characteristics.
If your animal is micro-chipped periodically
contact the company and give the number to animal
control, vet’s offices, and rescue groups/shelters.
Place an Ad in your local newspaper and check the
“found” ads daily.
Don’t ever give up! Companion animals have
been known to find their way back home after being
lost for several months (sometimes even longer).
Reporting Animal Abuse and Neglect
Maine
Start with the animal control officer or
police department. If you are unsuccessful in
this attempt call the Animal Welfare Office
8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday-Friday
207-287-3846
1-877-269-9200 (Toll Free)
[email protected]
After hours call the Maine State Police 207-9662121. They will contact the appropriate humane
agent.
New Hampshire
Start by contacting the town. If the town
feels unable to deal with the situation, it is
incumbent upon them to contact the state
veterinarian. If you are not happy with New
Hampshire’s new law, it is incumbent upon
YOU to CHANGE IT.
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The Vegan Corner
Cooking with a Conscience
Easy Mac & Cheez
Prepare pasta according to package directions. (For gluten-free recipe use rice, corn or quinoa pasta)
Cheez sauce
Blend following ingredients in high speed blender until smooth:
1 14 oz. block of organic silken tofu
1 cup nutritional yeast (can be found at most health food stores)
1-2 T paprika-smoked or sweet
2-4 T Dijon mustard
Add sauce to hot, drained pasta and serve.
Quinoa Salad
1 1/2 cups uncooked quinoa
3 - 4 cups of vegetable broth
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
juice from one lemon
3 TBSP olive oil
1/3 cup fresh parsley
1/3 cup cilantro
Cook quinoa in vegetable broth in small bowl.
Whisk together vinegar, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil.
Toss quinoa with parsley and cilantro and vegetables of your choice.
(fresh spinach, tomatoes, kalamata oives, scallions)
Add dressing and toss gently.
Salt and Pepper to taste.
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Cats Across the Country
Dusty is looking for a forever home after being abandoned in Eliot, Maine.
Cats are America’s most popular pet, with over 85
million living in our homes. Yet U.S. shelters take
in millions of cats each year, leading to high
euthanasia rates, and tens of millions unowned,
outdoor cats live in communities across the country.
The need for innovation in addressing cat
populations is clear.
Two, day-long “Rethinking the Cat” trainings were
held in Maine and Delaware in September 2013,
and both were successes. These states were selected
because they already had a strong foundation of cat
protection work, both by The HSUS and the local
animal welfare community, and a strong network of
local organizations which engaged in advertising
the event. Each daylong training consisted of a
Community Cat Track and an Adoptable Cat Track,
allowing for a large amount of material to be
presented in one day to eliminate the need for
overnight accommodations. Many organizations
appreciated this and sent multiple staff or volunteers
to attend both tracks.
The Maine Symposium was held on Wednesday,
September 25th, at the Black Bear Inn in
Orono. Approximately 130 people registered for
the training and 115 attended. One-third of
attendees were Animal Control Officers from across
the state, attending to fulfill Maine’s continuing
education requirements. Other attendees came
from all parts of Maine, and also Vermont, New
Hampshire and Massachusetts. Nine speakers
provided information on best practices for cat care
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in the shelter/rescue setting, marketing and adoption
tips, spay/neuter and community outreach program
models, pet retention program models and tips on
working with municipalities and implementing
effective TNR programs including a local
panel. Speaker organizations included The HSUS,
PetSmart Charities, three local Maine sheltering
organizations and the State of Maine Animal
Welfare Program. A huge thank you to the Mainebased Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, who provided
funding through a grant to cover the event costs and
even a small scholarship fund to assist attendees
with lodging and travel reimbursement.
The cat overpopulation problem can be a daunting
one but by working together, and by identifying
new approaches and best practices, we will achieve
our goals for cats and our communities.
-Katie Lisnik
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This year Voice for Animals had
information tables at the following
places and events
-Pet Expo-a July event in York, Maine sponsored
by Anni-mals of York
-Feral Cat Day VFA had a table at Anni-mals in
York, Maine sharing info about ferals.
-VCA Animal Medical Center in Portsmouth, NH
OPEN HOUSE VFA members Ramona Abella
and Caryl McIntire Edwards were present to hand
out VFA information and answer questions
visitors had about the organization. [See us on the
left.]
Caring for the Senior Cat
Generally, cats between 10 -12 years of age are
considered seniors but with advancements in
veterinary medicine and attentive guardians, many
cats are living well into their late teens and beyond.
Here are some tips for helping your cat be healthy
into her golden years.
Schedule annual wellness visits with the
veterinarian, important for all cats but particularly
for seniors. Your vet will perform an exam and
likely recommend a senior blood panel to screen for
early detection of any health problems before they
become serious and more difficult - and expensive
- to treat. Senior cats frequently suffer from kidney
disease, thyroid disease, liver disease, heart disease
and other conditions that may result in weight loss.
Some illnesses may be mistaken for signs of aging
so any changes in your cat’s behavior, appearance,
eating or litter box habits should be reported to your
veterinarian. Symptoms to watch out for include:
Urinary incontinence, straining or inability
to pass urine
Frequent urination
Lumps, bumps or scabs on the skin
Constipation or diarrhea
Vomiting
Shortness of breath, coughing or openmouth breathing
Weakness or lethargy
Drooling or bad breath
Changes in weight, appetite, amount of urine
produced or water intake
Stiffness or limping
Increased vocalization
Change in vision or hearing
Uncharacteristic aggression or other
significant behavior change
If your cat is indoor-only with no exposure to
outside cats, you may want to skip vaccines.
Vaccinations tax the immune system and senior cats
don’t need that.
Dental disease is common in older cats and can be
very painful. When bacteria gets into the
bloodstream it can cause diseases of the heart,
kidneys and liver. Cats with dental disease may
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have difficulty eating which can result in weight
loss. Attention to the cat’s mouth with routine
dentals can prevent a host of other problems.
Older cats appreciate special accommodations. In
one study, 90% of cats over the age of 12 were
found to have evidence of arthritis. Arthritic cats
benefit from litter boxes with lower sides for easier
access. Soft bedding can help and because elderly
cats can’t regulate their body temperature as well, a
heated bed or Snuggle Safe under a
blanket can be very comforting. Be sure that food,
water and litter boxes are easily accessible. Don’t
force a senior cat to go up and down stairs to eat,
drink or use the litter box.
Cats are obligate carnivores and senior cats require
adequate protein levels to maintain muscle and
organ function. High quality protein is easier to
digest and wet food is preferable to dry because it’s
kinder to the kidneys. Avoid, or at least limit fish
due to high phosphorus. More frequent feedings are
easier on a cat’s digestive system than one or two
large meals a day. Feed your cat to remain at an
ideal body weight. Overweight cats are at greater
risk for diabetes, liver disease, heart disease and
cancer.
Older cats may have decreased absorption of
nutrients from their intestinal tract and can benefit
from the addition of dietary supplements. Consider
fortifying the diet with vitamins and fatty acids or
Cosequin, shown to be helpful for cats with
mobility issues due to arthritis.
An older cat may appreciate help with her
grooming, especially in hard-to-reach areas where
mats are likely to form. Check claws periodically
and carefully trim as needed so they don’t grow into
the paw pads.
Her hearing may not be as sharp as it once was, her
fur may be thinner and she may sleep more than she
used to. Be patient and understanding of missed
litter box attempts, food spilled on the floor or an
increased desire to be close to you. In healthy cats,
these changes occur over time, at a gradual pace
that you probably won’t even notice. Being
observant will keep your senior cat in the best
possible health for the longest possible time so that
you can celebrate these precious golden years.
-November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month-Debbie
Fobes
Never Turn Your Back on an Animal
in Need
“You can never do a kindness too soon, for you never
know how soon it will be too late.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
In the summer of 2012, two starving cats showed up
in our backyard; one a young, gray female, the other
an older tiger with four double paws. The younger
one took up residence under our newly built shed; I
never knew where the older one stayed, but he
would show up around 11 am each day, sit in front
of the shed and stare at the kitchen window until I
fed them.
A search for their homes was unsuccessful and as
winter approached it was obvious that I needed to
find a way to get them safely inside and soon. I
didn’t feed them for a day and then I set my traps
which were baited with Jack Mackerel.
The young female went in easily and soon was
inside the house gobbling up more food. The tiger,
however, was another matter. He had obviously
been trapped before and was not about to be trapped
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again. Instead he headed for the kitchen door, as he
had many times in the past, and tried to get inside
that way.
A Facebook friend and VFA member, Amanda
Bernheisel, suggested I secure the cats and dogs in
other rooms, place food on the kitchen floor, open
the door, and just let it happen. The first try was
unsuccessful, but on the second try I moved the dish
farther inside, and reaching behind the cat with a
broom handle, slammed the door. The tiger kitty
was finally inside!
The gray cat warmed up quickly, but no person
connected to her was ever found, and she joined our
family as Smokey. The tiger was another matter. He
hid behind the desk in our office for many months,
coming out to eat and use the litter box only when
no human was present. Ultimately, however, he
came around. Named Bobby after my twin brother,
he now has become a member of our family, as
well.
Shakespeare in his play The Merchant of Venice
explains far better than I ever could how rewarding
rescuing can be.
He writes: “The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”
-Caryl
McIntire Edwards
Nip it in the Bud – Helping Cats in Lowincome Homes
Several years ago I attended a feral cat seminar at
the SPCA in Stratham, NH titled A Safety Net for
Cats in New Hampshire. The room was filled with
cat rescuers and humane society staff from around
the State. The focus was on effective ways to keep
feral cats out of the shelters through Trap Neuter
Return (TNR.) Following the presentation, time
was allotted for questions. One woman raised the
question about how we can help cats that have
homes but never see a vet. The room was quiet for
a moment but nobody answered her. I believe the
general sense was that these cats had a home and we
were there to work on helping homeless cats.
Although I shared that same general feeling over the
years since, I have thought about that moment many
times and how it was a missed opportunity to help
so many owned cats in impoverished conditions.
Fast forward to 2013 where Voice for Animals
(VFA) was awarded a grant from the ASPCA that
was written specifically to spay and neuter cats of
low-income families, I feel that I have come full
circle.
The effort to oversee this grant was daunting as it
entailed answering over a hundred calls from ads
that were placed in the Rochester Times free paper
and notices hung in local Community Action
offices. All callers were carefully screened to
determine eligibility for the grant and to collect
information for the intake form. Spay and neuter
appointments were made weekly for the cats over
the course of 4 months. Cat carriers were dropped
off to homes that had none as this was a
requirement for transporting the cats to the vet.
Voice for Animals supplied Advantage as a flea
treatment for the cats, most of them needed it.
People without transportation needed to have their
little patients in the carriers the morning of surgery
and VFA volunteers picked up and transported to
and from the appointment.
It was a thrill to help so many deserving cats get
spayed and neutered. Several litters of kittens were
surrendered through this process and will be
adopted into carefully screened homes. Thank you
to Cats 1st for helping with kitten adoptions.
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We would like to thank the veterinarians who
helped us spay and neuter 70 cats. A special thanks
to Dr. Tom Moon and his staff at the Rochester
Veterinary Clinic who performed the bulk of these
surgeries. Great Falls Veterinary Hospital in
Somersworth and the Animal Welfare Society in
Kennebunk were also instrumental in providing
surgical services.
And finally a huge thank you to the ASPCA who
made this all possible with their generous grant to
us.
Note: There are over 50 owned cats on a waiting
list to be spayed or neutered that missed the cut
off for the Nip It in the Bud Grant. We continue to
get calls weekly.
-Candy Burrell
Basic HTM L view
Animal Welfare Society Holds Spay
Neuter Clinics For Voice For Animals In
the wake of the ASPCA Nip It in the Bud
Grant for cats of low-income families
Voice for Animals had a surplus list of callers
requesting spay or neuter for their pets. We reached
out to the AWS in Kennebunk, Maine for,
assistance. They graciously arranged two clinics to
help us meet some of this demand. They gave us a
total of 42 surgery slots where they subsidized some
of the cost. We were able to offer this service for a
small stipend per cat. This included a rabies
vaccine. VFA supplied the flea treatment.
VFA volunteers met the families at a local meeting
spot and collected the cats for transport to AWS. All
went well and they were delivered back to their
families later that same day.
Thank you AWS for making a difference in the
lives of these cats!
-Candy Burrell and Rebecca Chasse
VFA’s Position on FIV
We recall many wonderful cats over the years that
have come up with a positive test result for Feline
Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). We don’t believe
that this should be a death sentence and have never
taken that position.
FIV is a slow acting virus that infects upwards to
3% of the healthy cat population. The cats at
greatest risk are intact, free roaming males. This is
because the virus is primarily transmitted by deep
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bite wounds and these cats are the most likely to
fight aggressively. A blood exchange needs to take
place for transmission of FIV; therefore mating,
sharing of food bowls and litter boxes and grooming
are considered extremely low-risk behaviors.
– Candy Burrell and Rebecca Chasse
FIV positive cats can live normal lives for years and
generally succumb to a secondary infection due to a
weakened immune system. When we adopt out a cat
with a positive FIV test result we
educate the adopter on how to provide a stress-free,
indoor-only environment. Quality food and lots of
love help immensely. When we integrate one of
these cats into our own homes, they are carefully
introduced to our resident cats and caution is taken
to ensure that there is no fighting.
A positive test result is not always reliable. For
example, an infected mother cat can transmit the
FIV antibodies to nursing kittens. Tests on kittens
under 6 months old may come up positive because
of these circulating maternal antibodies, when in
reality few of these kittens are infected with the
virus. If tested a couple of months later, most will
revert to a negative result.
The FIV vaccination is also controversial because
FIV tests cannot distinguish vaccinated cats from
infected cats. A decision to vaccinate should only
be done after careful consideration of this
implication.
A decision to take a life should never be made on a
positive test result. Today we are remembering all
of the FIV positive cats that we have known,
rescued and loved over the years: Nathan, Phoenix,
Joey, Eddy, Gimpy, Midnight, Tiger, Butterball,
Porkchop, Bulldog, and Crockett (who is currently
up for adoption). Some of these gentle, loving cats
still live amongst us today, others passed after
living full, long lives. Sadly, we would also like to
remember the less fortunate FIV positive cats, like
Ziggy, whose lives were abruptly ended because
they were in the hands of ignorance when tested for
FIV or even worse because it was the convenient
thing to do.
ABOUT CROCKETT
Crockett is just so darn cute! He has curious and
bright yellow eyes that stand out vividly against his
shiny black coat. Crockett has only been living
inside for a few weeks. He was abandoned by his
owners and lived on the streets for several months
before someone finally decided to call Voice for
Animals. He has been content in the house and likes
to bath in the sun shining through the windows into
the comfort and safety of a home. He loves to roll
over onto his back and show off his now full belly.
It appears Crockett was kicked at some point as he
seems to be nervous and defensive when loud
footsteps come his way. Walk slowy and softly and
he is fine. Crockett is FIV positive. For more
information, please email [email protected]
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Ziggy
I wanted to share my story of a stray cat that I had
the pleasure to get to know and help.
In the beginning of this past summer, I noticed a
“new” cat running around my neighborhood. I
would see him every day and as the days past, I
noticed he was getting skinnier. I started leaving
some food out for the cat hoping he would find it. I
began to notice that the food was missing, which I
hoped was a good thing for the cat. I started
watching for him and noticed that it was this cat
eating. As the days progressed, he started coming
closer to me and the food every day. To the point on
this one day that he walked past his food, came over
to me and rubbed against my leg a few times then
went back to his dish to eat. It seemed like he was
thanking me for the food. I called him Ziggy as he
would zig zag back and forth to be petted.
He started coming to my house twice a day every
day. He was so happy. He purred constantly and
absolutely LOVED attention. Unfortunately, I
already have 2 indoor cats of my own, and do not
have the space to accommodate another cat. I so
wished I could have as he was so loveable. He was
so mellow that even when the neighborhood skunk
came by wanting his food, he was never aggressive
towards it.
In August, I started to put a word out to anyone that
I knew to see if I could find a home for this guy
especially as I knew cold weather would be coming.
I did not have much luck in this department. So I
tried the local humane society and they would not
help as I was not in their service area. I then utilized
any resources I could locate online who might be
able to help. I did end up with one person who said
she would come get him and attempt to get him into
a local shelter where she was.
In October, I still was trying to find a place for him
as I knew cold weather would be here very soon and
I knew I had no warm shelter for this guy. But I was
still making sure that this guy was getting fed twice
a day and even found that he LOVED kitty treats.
He would eat his dinner and I would spend some
time petting him and giving him love. When it was
time for me to go inside for the evening, I would
give him his treats and say goodnight. Then the next
morning, he was right outside waiting for his
breakfast.
I finally was able to chat with someone online who
was able to help me with getting him into a shelter.
So one evening, I fed him his dinner gave him some
extra love and attention (and treats too). Got him
loaded into a carrier and brought him to the shelter.
It was a very hard thing for me to do, but I knew
that it was best for him.
It was hard on me the next few days as I knew he
wasn’t going to come around, but I still looked for
him.
About 10 days later I heard from the person who
helped me get him into the shelter. She said that
unfortunately the shelter had to euthanize Ziggy as
he tested positive for Feline FIV. I was so
devastated. This poor guy didn’t deserve that. He
was so loving and deserved to be loved just as
much!!!
People have reminded me that I was responsible for
letting Ziggy know that there was love out there.
That he wasn’t scared, nor was he hungry or cold. I
have a feeling that he found me for a reason. I was
so glad that I was able to spend the short amount of
time that I had with this wonderful animal.
I still have a lot of memories and still tend to look
for him outside every once in awhile. But I know
that he is in a better place now. He won’t ever have
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to know what it is like to not have to scared, or to be
cold, or hungry.
Thank you for letting me share my story with you.
-Darlene Hayes
Meghan and Phil Harford of Gonic, NH, are
mourning the loss of their beloved kitty companions
Mitty and Kyna. Kyna was only 8 years old and
died of an undetermined illness on August 31.
Mitty was 19 ½ years old and died on October 6.
Both Mitty and Kyna were rescued cats who were
full of love and gratitude.
Meghan and Phil, recently engaged to be married,
were in West Virginia in the summer of 1994 in
order to participate in a service project, when a stray
black and white kitten began to follow Phil.
Although, not looking to adopt an animal
companion at the time, it was clear that Mitty and
Phil were not to be separated. Mitty was a playful,
fun-loving kitty. She eventually became equally
attached to Meghan after Phil and Meg were
married.
Mitty was very cute and she knew it. She was
photogenic and almost seemed to pose for the
camera. Mitty regularly ran to the door to greet Phil
when he came home at the end of the day and did so
with a joyful meow, rubbing his shoes with her
paws. She continued to do this every day right up
until a couple of days before she died.
Tributes: Waiting for the Rainbow
Bridge
In memory of Oreo, who showed up in our
backyard once that I know of in the summer of
2013. I never saw him there again; but, sadly, I did
find him dead, struck by a car, near the entrance to
our driveway. Because no one came to get him, my
husband buried him in our flower garden along with
a chipmunk, who mattered, too. Oreo, know that if
you mattered to no one else, you mattered to us.
One day, I know we will meet at the Rainbow
Bridge.
-Caryl McIntire Edwards
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It was in May of 2008 that Kyna (Kee-nah, a
traditional Gaelic female name meaning “love and
affection”) joined the Harford family. Kyna was an
SPCA cat who started meowing pleadingly when
she saw Phil. Kyna was a Maine Coon cat with big
beautiful green eyes.
only days before she would leave them in August,
both Meghan and Phil were sitting with her, both in
tears. Despite being in her weakened state, Kyna
got up and came over to both of them as though to
comfort them. Later, when Mitty was close to her
time she would do the same.
Meghan went to see Kyna the next day and
completed the adoption. Phil came home later and
proceeded up the stairs to the second floor when
Kyna darted up the stairs under his feet and then
Although Meghan and Phil are heartbroken to be
without their kitty companions this holiday season,
the gift of love they received from both Mitty and
Kyna was far greater than the loss. It is in Mitty
and Kyna’s names this holiday season that Meghan
and Phil desire to give donations so that other
homeless cats might have the opportunity to share
their gift of love with human companions.
plopped on her back on the top of stairs as though to
express her gratitude and exclaim “I am home!”
-Meghan and Phil Harford
Cats Looking for a Family
But Always Getting Overlooked
Meghan and Phil soon learned that Kyna liked to
play fetch with a ball after Kyna found her way into
a box of cat toys in a closet and retrieved a ball.
She proceeded to carry the ball in her mouth while
making a funny cry, dropping the ball and waiting
for Meghan or Phil to throw it. Kyna was very
affectionate and loved to be held and cuddled.
It was in the early Spring of 2013 that Phil and
Meghan noticed that Kyna did not have her usual
energy. Later, after many inconclusive tests and
Eddie- Found napping on someone’s
porch, Eddie came back each night to
sleep. We agreed to take him and find him
a loving home. He has been waiting for
over a year. The stress of the shelter took
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its toll on him and he lost his hair but now
things are getting better. He made a friend
in Buffy and he seems happier.
Buffy- A 12 year old boy who is spending
his life at the shelter and would love to
find a forever home. He is patiently
waiting. This is Eddie’s buddy and though
we would love them to get a home
together it is not necessary. Buffy is ready
to go.
his life, left him thin and malnourished. A
compassionate couple took him in and
then contacted us for help. Kirby was
neutered and taken inside to be cared for.
He has embraced indoor living and won’t
go near the door. He has filled out and his
lush coat has filled in. He is a very smart
and intuitive cat that prefers an adult
home.
Cat Stevens – Found on the streets of
Massachusetts, this kitty found a home in
Dover where his guardian travels each
week, leaving him alone for days at a time.
He would love to find a family who is home
more to share time with. He is neutered
and a gentle, friendly boy.
Kirby- Struggling to survive the first year of
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Tree House Cats - In all of our years
doing rescue we have not had a tree house
cat but this year we have TWO! Both cats
found refuge in backyard tree houses to
survive the elements. Both have seen a
vet, been neutered and are now looking for
a forever family. Let us introduce you to
Forrest and Felix.
Felix is a handsome orange tabby who
found himself abandoned during Hurricane
Sandy. He found a tree house in his
Rochester neighborhood that helped save
his life. He has been using it up until
recently when he has been brought inside
while he awaits a new forever home.
Forrest is a handsome brown tabby cat
with nice white markings. He had a rough
time at first adapting to his foster home but
over time he has relaxed and is enjoying the
inside life. He has started to snuggle in bed
with the kids at night.
Felix’s Tree House
Forrest’s Tree House
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Voice for Animals wishes to say THANK
YOU to the following establishments:
Animal Welfare Society
49 Holland Road
Kennebunk, Maine 04043
207-985-3244
animalwelfaresociety.org
[email protected]
For all the help they have given us with
spaying/neutering cats from low income families.
Ann-imals
764 US RT 1 Suite 2
York, ME 03909
207-351-2777 8AM-8PM EST
[email protected]
http://www.ann-imalspetsupplies.com/info.html
For giving us space at her Animal Pet Expo, her
shop for Feral Cat Day, and the nail clipping
fundraisers she sometimes does for us along with
Green Dog Grooming
Bread and Roses Bakery
246 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907
(207) 646-4227
[email protected]
www.breadandrosesbakery
For donations from counter donation boxes
Green Dog Grooming Spa and Self-Service Dog
Wash
180
Woodbridge Rd.
York, Maine 03909
(207) 351-3018
For nail clipping fundraisers
www.greendogyork.com
Dr. Moon of the Rochester Vet Clinic
3 Rochester Neck Road
Rochester, NH 03839
603-332-5893
For spay/neutering most of the animals helped under the
ASPCA Nip It in the Bud grant
VCA
1550 Woodbury Ave.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
603-436-4922
www.vcahospitals.com/animal-medical-centerportmouth
Thank you to Jennifer Mitchell, office manager, who
organized their annual open house and included us.
Thank you to LRVC Students, LRVC Naples,
Maine for layout, printing and folding of this
newsletter.
Book Review
Campbell, Claire. Bozo’s War-Animals Under Fire
1939-1945. London: Constable and Robinson, 2013
Inspiring and harrowing stories of what it was like
to be a companion animal during WWII when
spay/neuter and massive inoculation programs were
unheard of.
Profoundly moving, this well researched book
reminds us that all animals matter and it is
incumbent upon us to ensure that they are included
in all protection and rescue efforts whatever the
disaster may be.
-Reviewed by Caryl McIntire Edwards
Board of Directors
President /SecretaryCaryl McIntire Edwards
Harrison, Maine
Vice President Candy Burrell Farmington, New
Hampshire
Treasurer Monique Chasse Somersworth, New
Hampshire
Lawyer Paula DeSaulnier Portsmouth, New
Hampshire
Debbie Fobes Berwick, Maine
Newsletter Caryl McIntire Edwards Harrison,
Maine
Animal Medical Center of Portsmouth
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Voice for Animals
PO Box 34
Harrison, Me 04040
www.voiceforanimals.net
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THANK YOU!
Until they speak to everyone as clearly as we hear them through our hearts, there is a great
and urgent need for you to join with us in becoming a Voice for Animals.
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