Spring 2014 - Protectors of Animals

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POA, Inc. · 144 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118
N on P ro f it
O RG A N I Z AT I O N
U S P O S TAG E PA I D
H A RT F O R D C T
PE R M I T N O 5123
Hi, my name is Mittens!
I came to POA when I was pregnant and struggling to survive
on the streets. I was the best mom to my five kittens and was so
happy they found homes. When I left my foster home after my
kittens were adopted, it was so hard for me to adjust to life at
POA! I hope you can understand that I want you to love me,
but sometimes it takes me awhile to warm up! I love to play
and I have recently discovered how great laps can be! I
prefer a home with adults or older children and I will be a
faithful loving cat for the person who will take the time to
see past my sometimes prickly exterior to my soft
marshmallow center! I am FIV positive, but I can live a very
long and happy life!
Visit www.poainc.org to view my profile and read
testimonials about how great adopting an FIV+ can be!
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V o l u m e
Protectors of Animals, Inc. is
looking for volunteers for the
following positions:
· Adoption Counselors
· Animal Care
· Animal Socialization
· Dog Training & Handling
· Transportation
· Fund Raising
· Foster Care Homes
· Medication Team Members
We need your help!
We will train in all positions.
POA is a non-profit, primarily
volunteer, no kill organization which
rescues abandoned, stray and
impounded cats & dogs.
Call 860·569·0722
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POA News
P r o t e c t o r s
Do you love
cats & dogs?
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A n i m a l s
1 · SPRING
2 0 1 4
POA Rolls Out the Red
Carpet for the Fabulous
Forties Frolic
POA’s March 15th fundraiser, the
“Fabulous Forties Frolic,” was a
smashing success! The theme was
glamour from Hollywood’s Golden
Age, as typified by the dazzling gowns
of such movie stars as Rita Hayworth
and Katharine Hepburn. The event was
held at the Mt. Carmel Banquet Hall
in East Hartford, CT. Silver curtains,
a red carpet with red velvet stanchions,
and even a life sized cut-out of Marilyn
Monroe greeted guests at the front door.
The band started playing at 6:45 and hors
d’oeuvres were served; dinner fare included
a delicious Italian buffet, with pastries and
coffee set on tables for dessert.
The banquet hall tables were decorated
formally with black tablecloths and white
napkins. Specialty tables featured a tall,
lighted glass vase with a silk orchid. The
specialty tables were $800 ($66 per ticket
instead of $55). Purchasing a specialty
table guaranteed reserved, preferred seating
and provided an additional donation to
The Glamour Girls got the
crowd into the swing of things!
POA. General seating tables, decorated
with gold, silver and red balloons with
“Hollywood” imprinted on them, were
tied to gift bags that looked like moviescene clapperboards. Many of the ladies
wore 1940s glitzy fashions, and the guys
wore outfits such as a “zoot suit, (a suit
made popular in the 1940s, with large,
padded shoulders and tapered trousers)
and a 40s-era military uniform. One couContinued on page 4
Three Barks for
“Voices for Animals Day”!
“Look inside (page
7) to find out why
Christine Penney and Mindy Baller volunteer
as POA Adoption Counselors”.
On February 21st, POA volunteers and
some of our amazing adoptable dogs added
their yips and yowls to the ASPCA’s firstever Connecticut Voices for Animals Day.
Held at the Legislative Office Building in
Hartford, Voices for Animals Day was an
opportunity for animal lovers to meet with
their state legislators face-to-face to talk
about the issues facing animals in CT.
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At the top of the list was an issue that
impacts the dogs in our state: the inhumane treatment suffered by animals in
breeding facilities commonly known as
puppy mills. These puppy mills supply
puppies to Connecticut’s pet shops. The
ASPCA’s national No Pet Store Puppies
campaign urges consumers not to buy
Continued on page 2
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spring 2014 Event s
P OA News is a
p ub l icat ion of
Protectors of Animals, Inc.
144 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118
and is published four times a year.
Event
Date & Time
Location
Host
PetSmart National
Adoption Weekend
May 4th-6th
PetSmart
Putnam Plaza
5 Main St.
East Hartford
PetSmart
POA Attending
Cam Jammers
Sun., May 4th
10 am - 3 pm
(Rain Date May 18)
Windsor Elks Club
130 Deerfield Ave.
Windsor
Windsor Elks Club
POA Fundraiser
Help Willy’s
Friends Pet Fair
Sun., May 18th
11 am - 4 pm
Coginchaug Reg. HS
135 Pickett Lane
Durham
Help Willy’s Friends
POA Atending
POA General
Membership Mtg.
Tuesday, May 20th
7:30 pm
POA Adoption Ctr.
144 Main St.
East Hartford
POA
POA
Information Table
Sat., May 31st
Beckett & Associates
Veterinary Services
1269 Main St.
Glastonbury
Beckett & Associates
Veterinary Services
N e w s l ett er Staff
Kerry Bartoletti, Sushama Dhakite,
Susan Dimmock, Stacey Doan,
Ron Plante, and Gregory M. Simpson.
P OA PHONE NUMBERS
Cat Adoption: 860·569·0722
Dog Adoption: 860·569·0722
P OA Off ic e rs
President: Jody Macrina
Vice President: Stacey Doan
Secretary: Sara Taylor
Treasurer: Zachary Stewart
In addition to the events above:
Cat Shelter Saturday Hours Open House, 144 Main St., Unit O, E. Hartford
Every Saturday 10:30am - 4pm
Third Sunday of every month 10am - 2 pm, other days & evenings by appointment.
POA Dog Meet & Greet every 1st and 3rd Saturday at PetSmart, 5 Main St. E. Hartford
P OA board m emb er s
JoAnn Azzara, Debbie Nichols,
Ron Plante, Jordan Price, Greg Simpson,
Roopa Rajaramadoss, and Mukesh Sharma
THREE BARKS
E x ec u t iv e di r ector
John Thomas
Connecticut Votes for Animals (CVA),
the legislative arm of animal welfare in
our state, has been actively lobbying for
a ban on the sale of puppy mill dogs in
Connecticut pet shops and has launched a
Humane Pet Shop campaign and the CT
Alliance for Humane Pet Shops. POA is
a part of this network of animal welfare
organizations and local businesses that are
advocating for positive change in the pet
shop industry. Want to add your voice to
this issue? Visit the CVA website at
www.ctvotesforanimals.org.
- Continued from page 1
any items – including food, supplies, or
toys – at pet stores that sell puppies.
P OA Mee ti ngs
Meetings are held in May and October on
the third Tuesday of these months at
7:30 pm at the POA Adoption Center,
144 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06118
Phone: 860·569·0722.
Members are welcome to attend.
POA was on hand at the event with
adoptable dogs to promote adoption as a
humane alternative. “POA was the only
rescue group asked to bring along dogs,”
said POA Vice President, Stacey Doan.
“We brought Maya and Porkchop and they
were the hit of the day!”
The annual meeting is held on the third
Tuesday in May with officer elections held
every-other year. The next officer elections
are in May 2014.
Visit us on the web at www.poainc.org
or www.petfinder.org and follow the
links to Protectors of Animals, Inc. in
East Hartford, CT.
WE H O N O R THE FO U ND I NG
WO ME N OF PROT ECTOR S
O F A NI MALS , I NC .
Dru Harder
Trudy Samsom
Hildur Sullivan
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Porkchop enjoying the spotlight with Legislators and representatives of ASPCA and CVA.
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Memorial Donations,
“In Honor of” Donations
and Contributions
Memorial Donations - People often want to
do something special in recognition of a
significant event. It might be a happy occasion like a birthday or anniversary tribute. It
might be in times of sadness: the death of
a family member, friend or beloved animal.
All memorial and pet memorial names are
listed in a special section of POA News.
Contributions - A contribution can be made
to a specific areas such as spay and neuter,
vet costs, cat adoption center, dog division
or general fund.
“In Honor of” Donations - In Honor of
Donations are a special way to give tribute
to family members and friends while
helping animals at the same time. Giving a
donation “In Honor of ” a person, a pet, an
event, a birthday, a wedding, a graduation,
an anniversary or as a holiday present is a
marvelous way to salute the recipient. It is a
great choice as a “thank you” for a person’s
deed or service.
All donations to Protectors of Animals,
Inc. are always greatly appreciated and we use them directly for the benefit of the stray, abandoned and abused animals we rescue!
Please complete the form below and send
with your contribution to:
You will receive an acknowledgement of
your gift and all in honor donations will be
listed in a special section of POA News.
Protectors of Animals, Inc.
144 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118
Memorial Donation
Your Information
“In Honor of ” Donation
Name
Contribution
$50
$100
Other­ ­_______
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Payment Information
I would like to pay by check:
Check Number:
(Please make checks payable to POA.)
I would like to pay by credit card:
Email
Memorial Information
In Memory
of
By
Credit Card Number:
Expiration Date:
“In Honor” of Information
Phone Number:
In Honor of
Signature:
By
Please send this completed form with your contribution to: Protectors of Animals, Inc., 144 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118
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MEMORIALS
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- Continued from page 9
In memory of “Shadow”, by:
Kathleen Campbell
In memory of Lillian Peterson, by:
Clarine Nardi Riddle
Lesia Cuipka Bongiovanni
Martha Murray
In memory of Cody Lee Ericson, by:
John & Barbara Maloney
Christine Penney
Laureen Spinelli
Ramco Environmental
Michele Greaves & Joseph Popovitch
Wendy & Gary Ehrhardt
Eithne & Albert Pardini
Tolland High School Sunshine
Mary Kathleen Knox
Jami DeGuire
Heidi & Mark Leone
Susan York
David & Jo-Ann Kaminsky
Susan Keane
Joane Bolduc
Donald & Barb Jacques
Corinne Lorenzet
Elaine Wilmes Pandolfo
Ernest & Susan Fontaine
Cheryl Richards
Mary Fennelly
Elizabeth Regan
Michelle & James Grady
Helen Reynolds
Alfred & Arlene Bertolin
John & Roxann Mylek
Tolland High School
Harold & Carmela MacDonald
Barbara Long & Roxann Walters
Tolland Middle School
Norma Mawdsley
In memory of Shea Choma, by:
Timothy Brahaney
Lila & William Mailman
Jayne & Ronald Pendola
Rowland Technologies
Lefurge & Gilbert, PC
Jane & Jorge Simon
Michael & Nancy Handler
Barbara Lofstrom
Alan & Margaret Aleia
In memory of Marie Maturo, by: Gail Francis
In memory of Melissa Smith for Christmas, by:
James Schoendel
In memory of Michael Ackerman, by:
East Hampton Lions
James R. Hansen
In memory of “Molly”, by:
Karin James
Shelley & Robert Langer
In memory of “Smokey” the cat, by:
Stacey Sayers
In memory of “Murphy”, by: Duane Oat
In memory of Sophia Slusarz, by:
Robert Slusarz
In memory of “Murphy”, “Dancer”, &
“Brady”, by: Anne-Louise Gracyalny
In memory of Sue Carros & “Coco”, by:
Charnley Parr
Sandra & Norman Wunsch
In memory of my springer spaniel adoptees, by:
Helene Rosenblatt
In memory of the Bugbee Family’s cat. by:
Miriam Chirico
In memory of “Nala”, by: Andrew Lieberman
In memory of “Nelly”, by: Elaine Fazzino
In memory of Travis Booth, by: Jo Duguid
In memory of Officer Kelley-Durham Wine &
Spirits, by: Kathleen Maldonado
In memory of “Twinkle”, by:
Victoria Hartt
In memory of Patricia Berry, by:
Scott Ferguson
Alford
Robert & Mary Lou Vallario
Suzanne Werner
Martha Murray
In memory of Wallace Inkpen, by:
Sandra Inkpen
Linda Camarco
In memory of “Zeo”, by:
Robert & Nancy Macaione
In memory of “Penny”, by: Andrea Elston
In memory of “Dixie”, by: Sally Young
In memory of Robert Brennan, by:
Joyce & Edward Willing
In memory of “Emma” & “Mouse”, by:
Duncan Summerville
Lynn Milan
On February 8th, POA lost a good friend
and dedicated volunteer. She was known
for taking care
of the tiniest of
kittens and willingly passed that
knowledge on to
other foster moms
in the organization. If you had
an emergency at
3am, she was the one to call. Her calm
demeanor helped all of us get through
some difficult situations with these completely helpless creatures. Lynn had a very
impish, dry sense of humor and was always
first to laugh at herself. She was a great
resource for practical, no nonsense advice,
which I think, stemmed from her service
in the Army and her career as a nurse at
St. Francis Hospital. She always asked
about your family and would encourage
kids she spoke to about their interests.
In memory of “Rocket”, by: Cynthia Roys
In memory of “Frankie”, by: Caran Larson
In memory of “Sammy”, by:
Evelyn & Harold Burr
In memory of “Ginger”, by:
Laura Sutkowski
Elaine Fazzino
In memory of Sandra Breault, by:
Skinner Road School PTO
Steven Rozanski
Jean Potter
Cynthia Calegari
Terry Strubell
Charles Chatterton
Linda & James Williams
Diana Wyatt & DST Output Team
Dana Marker
Gatria B. Labutis
Greg Simon
Gayle Simon
Amy Simon
Skinner Road School Staff Club
Patricia Johnson
Harold & Claudia Brown
In memory of “Golda” & “Elan”, by:
Marjorie Buccilli
In memory of his dogs, by: Joseph Wolk
In memory of Howard Ziegler, by:
Tri Town Precision Plastics, Inc.
Dale Saunders
Howard & Sharon Ziegler
Dorothy Fuller
In memory of James Wallace Hart, by:
Carol Ward
Bixby Merle
Joanne Gotta
Gail Francis
In memory of Jeanne Fallon, by:
Keith & Linda Parkany
In memory of Sandra E. Lane, by:
Shirley & Stephen Finney
In memory of “Leo”, by: Pamela Reynolds
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GoodNews Letters
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Cody is a wonderful dog. He obeys the
sit, stay and lay down commands. Erik takes
Cody for his morning walk before school
and walks and plays with him when he gets
home. Cody has a bed in Erik’s room and at
bedtime Cody follows Erik upstairs and settles
in for the night. Thank you for making all
this possible!
Rosalie
gracie
Gracie was
very timid and
fearful. Progress
has been slow,
but steady. She
has spent a lot of
time in the closet
of my guest room
(which is now HER domain). She comes
right up to me & talks when I’m putting her
food out now (quite the little chatterer), but
I’m still not allowed to touch her yet.
Evelyn
pepper & pe n n y
The kittens are doing great! They love
their new home! They run around playing
together all day.
They are super
cuddly and are
constantly purring.
Sometimes I catch
them cleaning each
other, which is the
cutest thing! They
are getting big fast!!
We love them very
much.
Christine
Here is our beautiful Bella. We’ve had her
one year and we can’t imagine being without
her. She has been a wonderful pet and we just
love her. Hope all is well at POA!
June
ivy
Ivy is a perfectly sweet, playful, snuggly
kitty. We love her and are pretty sure she loves
us. She’s a spoiled lap kitty and she deserves
it. We looked at
the Facebook page
the day I visited
POA and were very
touched by all the
love for Ivy. Thanks
for everything you do
for pets in need. We
will always support
you!
Keri
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POA is excited to announce their SPAY
Connecticut program, a resource for lowcost spay/neuter services available to Connecticut residents, is now online! POA has
joined with representatives from over 30
states to act as state leaders for the United
Spay Alliance (USA). USA is a national
coalition of independent state spay/neuter referral programs focused on getting
the message out about the importance of
spay/neuter and providing resources for
affordable spay/neuter services. SPAY Connecticut will connect people throughout
the state (via internet and telephone) with
participating programs offering low cost
spay/neuter services.
In addition, SPAY Connecticut will focus
on getting the word out about the importance of spaying and neutering early, to
avoid “oops” litters. When is the best time
to spay or neuter your pets? Believe it or
not, 72% of people in a survey either gave
the wrong answer or said they didn’t know.
In fact, of the pet owners who admitted
their pets had at least one litter, 59% of cat
owners and 38% of dog owners say those
litters were “unintentional” and “accidental”. Getting pets “fixed” by four months
of age prevents unwanted litters and helps
end animal over-population.
We’ve had a great time getting to know
Grommet. He is really a very special and
sweet dog! Sammie and he have been getting
on great too, and
it’s wonderful
to watch them
playing together,
being such a great
matchup of highenergy personalities. The picture
shows a rare quiet
moment after
they’d worn each
other out. Last Sunday we also took them to
Chatfield Hollow Park, though shy at first,
he was walking with confidence by the end of
the outing!
Matt & Kyle
A
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“We’re excited to be the Connecticut state
leader for United Spay Alliance,” says
POA President Jody Macrina. “The cost of
surgery should not be an obstacle to spaying and neutering pets. There are many
low-cost options available in Connecticut
and the bordering states.”
grommet
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POA Wants
to Spay
Connecticut
bella
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Spay Connecticut plans to roll out their
state wide information campaign in June
via a media launch and by hosting an event
to create some buzz and encourage people
to spay or neuter their pets.
For now, you can learn more about Spay
Connecticut, find low-cost resources for
spaying/neutering, and find out how you
can help spread the word by visiting:
www.spayct.org
or by calling:
1-844-SPAYCT1 (1-844-772-9281)
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- Continued from page 1
singing tunes from the 1950s, 60s and
70s. Guests danced until midnight!
The featured speakers were long-time POA
supporter U.S. Senator, Richard Blumenthal, and East Hartford Mayor, Marcia
Leclerc. As a raffle prize, Sen. Blumenthal
generously offered a tour of the Capitol in
Washington, D.C. and lunch with him in
the Executive Dining Room. (The winner
could also have a tour/lunch at the CT
State Capitol if they chose).
A Silent Auction was held with fifty
fabulous items being offered, all of which
were bid on and won. A 50/50 raffle was
also held, raising $2,140 in total with the
winner receiving $1,070 and $1,070 going
to POA.
286 tickets were sold and as the banquet
hall holds 300 the event was almost a sellout. The fundraiser netted POA close to
$27,000, which is the most POA has ever
made on a fundraiser! The “Forties Frolic”
was a lot of fun and a wonderful time was
had by all!
POA president, Jody Macrina, welcomed
the attendees with an address that highlighted the advances in animal welfare
that have been made since the 1940’s.
“Since POA was founded in 1975, we
have striven to be a leader in the animal
welfare field,” said Macrina. “We were one
of the first rescues in our state to practice
pediatric spay/neuter to ensure that no
animal that leaves us can add to the problem of pet overpopulation. We adhere to
standards that meet the physical, medical
and behavioral needs of the cats and dogs
that are in our care. And, we have clear
adoption processes, requirements and
guidelines in place to ensure that these
animals will never know abandonment,
cruelty or homelessness again!”
Long time POA supporter, Sen. Richard Blumenthal,
was one of the evening’s featured speakers.
ple even dressed as June and Ward Cleaver
from the TV show “Leave it to Beaver”.
The Glamour Girls band entertained the
crowd. The three Girls were dressed at first
as the World War II-era Andrews Sisters,
and sang 1940s swing music. They later
changed into sparkling evening dresses,
POA Shelter Stats
Fabulous Forties Frolic attendees pack the house and
made it one of the most successful POA events!
LOW
COST CAT SPAY & NEUTER OPTIONS
H.O.P.E. Spay/Neuter Clinic - 130 Scott Rd., Waterbury, CT
Have you wondered just how many
animals you are helping when you support
POA? Here is a look some shelter statistics
for 2013 and for the first quarter of 2014!
(All animals are spayed/neutered and
vaccinated prior to adoption.)
Hascost
thespay/neuter
cost of getting
cat oratdog
neutered,
vaccinated
been keeping
Low
andyour
vaccines
the spayed,
time of surgery
fororcats
and dogs.
you
from doingcall
the203-437-7955
right thing? Ifor
so,visit.
many
low-cost options are available throughout
For
information
www.hopect.org.
the area. Please call for up-to-date pricing, hours of operation and appointment
information.
Visit www.spayct.org for other options and information on special programs.
2013
Cats
Central CT Cat Project
Monthly low cost spay/neuter (includes vaccinations) clinics for cats.
For information call 860-828-5287 or visit www.fobac.org.
Dogs
Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society Spay/Neuter Clinic
171 Union St., Springfield, MA
Low cost spay/neuter and vaccines at the time of surgery for cats and dogs.
For information call 413-781-4019 or visit www.dpvhs.org.
First Quarter 2014
Cats
New Hope Clinic - 214 Canal St., Plantsville, CT
Low cost spay/neuter and vaccines at the time of surgery for cats and dogs.
For information visit www.hopect.org.
Cats/Kittens Admitted to Shelter: 662
Cats /Kittens Adopted: 654
TNR (Feral Cats): 160
Dogs/Puppies Admitted to Shelter: 82
Dogs/Puppies Adopted: 82
Cats/Kittens Admitted to Shelter: 133
Cats /Kittens Adopted: 121
TNR (Feral Cats): 2*
Rhode Island Community Spay/Neuter Clinic - 235 Elm St., Warwick, RI
Low cost spay/neuter and vaccines at the time of surgery for cats and dogs.
For information call 401-369-PAWS or visit www.ricsnc.org.
Dogs
Dogs/Puppies Admitted to Shelter: 24
Dogs/Puppies Adopted: 24
TEAM Mobile Feline Unit
Low cost spay/neuter and vaccines for cats. For information call
Toll-free: 1-888-FOR-TEAM (888-367-8326) or visit www.everyanimalmatters.org.
*Winter has hampered TNR efforts, but
we will be back in full swing with the
improved weather!
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Memorials and Honorarium
“There is an Indian legend
which says when a human dies
there is a bridge they must cross
to enter into heaven. At the
head of that bridge waits every
animal that human encountered during their lifetime. The
animals, based upon what they
know of this person, decide
which humans may cross the
bridge. . . and which are
turned away.”
In honor of Amy Hawes, by:
Nina Elizabeth Price
In honor of Anna Hardy, by:
Robert J. Georgi
In honor of “Apollo”, by:
Christopher Droukis
In honor of Aunt Marmar & Aunt Baba,
by: Tammy Ferris
In honor of Barbara Kimball, by:
Faye Williamson
In honor of Barbara Ruzansky’s birthday, by:
Caresse Amenta
In honor of “Beagle Boy” & “Misty”, by:
Nancy Woolhouse-Mueller
In honor of Clarice, by:
Kathleen & Bryan Magyar
In honor of Diane Carangelo Gruner, by:
Robert Carangelo
In honor of Donna & John Kershaw, by:
Linda Williams
In honor of Evelyn Fishman, by:
Pam Richardson
In honor of Gail Frances of Glastonbury, by:
Marie Maturo
In honor of Gwen & Mike O’Connell, by:
Wendy Beifer-Tyler
In honor of Holly Grant’s birthday, by:
Annmarie Wagner
In honor of Kenneth Sheppard, by:
Karen Mowad
In honor of Kyle Clary Beaudette & Otto,
by: Jackie Downing
In honor of Lisa Tracy, by:
David Tracy
In honor of “Finn”, by:
Janet Franklin
Jennifer Decker
Billie-Jo Schultz
Tara Brousseau
David Gadd
Tamara Longman
Orman Coonfield
Christina Wells
Mark Ashford Consulting Inc.
Carol Myers
Karen Ashlynn Abbott
Bonnie NeSmith
Michele Moses
Meredith MacCracken
Marguerite Nutter
Stephanie SosciaJohn Larson
Kristy MacDonald
Melinda Begelman
Rita Garcia
Jennifer Barron
Deana Dean
Thomas Munn
Dawn Jones
Diana Sluhan
Jeanie Ives
Megan McGrath
Lorri Brooks
Brenda Woods
Eileen Spear
Jeanie Ives
In honor of Paul Zimmerman, by:
John Zimmerman & Marlys Jarstfer
In honor of Richard & Constance Aranosian, by: Glenn & Lisa Hansen
In honor of Richard & Renee Kober, by:
Shirlee-Ann Kober
In honor of Shelby N. Collier, by:
Jonathan Schaefer
In honor of Stacey Doan, by:
Judith & Manuel Silvia
In honor of Steven Lovelace for Christmas, by: Kristen Kilpatrick
In honor of ”Sunshine’s” 8th birthday, by:
John & Pamela Feola
In honor of “Suzy”, by:
Megan Hempstead
In honor of The Swift Family, by:
Deborah Navin
In honor of the wedding of Julie Aldrich &
Jesse Rickis, by: Angela Murphy
In loving memory of Rosalind A. Roberto, by:
Dawn Taylor
In memory of Angela Kergaravat, by:
Diane Fiedorowicz
In memory of “Bill” & “Soni”, by:
Mary Hanley
In memory of “Bo”, by;
Ann Beloin
In honor of Martin Maznio, by:
Margret Mearman
GMS Cheer Fund
Josephine Smietana
M. A. Erickson
Candace Caswell
Chad & Lynn Marrison
Janet Egan
Raymond & Cornelia Bartels
Sandra Gilletti
Raymond Tomasco
Michele Matava
Deborah Mearman
Josephine Wallace
Ann Mallin
In memory of Brenda Gadarowski, by:
Joseph Hundhammer
In memory of “Casey”, “Grace”,
“Littlefood”,”Uggie”, & “Belle”, by:
Peter & Jan Grandahl
In memory of “Cheetah” Christianson, by:
Betsey Smith
In memory of “China” & all the others, by:
Steven Lovelace
In memory of Clara Jane Guiot, by:
Jon & Mary-Ellen Foster
Grace Mullen
Robert & Lois Charron
Anna & Friedrich Hecht
In honor of Michelle Scanlon, by:
Jeffrey Scanlon
In memory of Clare Malloch, by:
Laina Malm
In honor of Mike Davies, by:
Diane Kerper
In memory of Dewey O’Dell, by:
Margaret Preato
Jean Gorczyca
Beverly Quinn
Arlene & Richard O’Dell
In honor of our pet loving friends & family, by: Anne & Bill Green
In honor of ‘Paco’, by:
Francis Cunnane
Continued on page 10
In honor of Patricia Rolfe, by:
Shakti Lane
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“Love-A-Bull”
“Trainable, Adorable, Lovable, Adopt-A-Bull”
POA has a variety of dogs available for
adoption, but have you considered a Pit
Bull or Bully type dog? While POA rescues
dogs of all shapes, sizes, breeds, and breed
mixes, we’d like to take a moment to enlighten you about the often misunderstood
Pit Bulls, and invite you to consider those
we have available for adoption. As any fan
of the breed will tell you, there are many
highly like-a-Bull qualities about the breed.
They are intelligent, loyal, and highly-trainable.
POA Pit Bull alumni
have gone onto careers as
therapy dogs, law-enforcement dogs, demonstrations with
children in schools…and mostly
as great family pets.
Contrary to myth, they can
also get along fine with
other dogs, cats, and other
animals. In fact, Pit Bulls
typically get along well with
each other, because they enjoy
the same, rugby-style of play.
They are not inherently
aggressive or vicious. With
proper socialization and
training, they are no different from other breeds or
mixes. What matters, as with
any breed of dog, is how the
dogs are trained and socialized.
They can make great
family dogs. They are
devoted to their families,
and can get along fine with
children.
Before you close the door on a
Pit Bull or Pittie mix, let our
adoption counselors show you
how fun, smart, and safe these
dogs can be.
Please visit our “Love-A-Bulls”
page on the POA website for
more information.
Our Avail-A-Bull candidates are
zeke
rocky
Zeke is a 2year-old barrel
of laughs. He’s
a beautiful
Pit/Staffordshire mix, with sturdy build,
gorgeous black-and-white coat, and big
clunky head. He is a handsome boy, and
he’s got the personality to match. A real
charmer, he is calm, he walks beautifully
on the leash and hangs on your every
word and request. He walks around with
a perpetual smile and happy tail. His
clownish antics and happy spirit are infectious, and he is the favorite among our
volunteers. Despite his size and strength,
he is the easiest dog in our kennel to walk.
A true gem.
Rocky is a 3 year
old, male, Pit
Bull terrier/Boxer
mix. Rocky is a smaller version to your
typical pit bull at around 35 lbs. He is a
big sweetie and he just loves being with
people. He is curious of the world around
him but if asked for his attention he is
more the willing to give it to you. He is
an active boy who loves going on walks
and would be a great hiking buddy. He
also loves playing with toys or rolling on
his back for a belly rub. His ideal home
would be one ready to include Rocky in
the daily activities, with a nice yard to
play in as well as someone who will enjoy
daily walks.
cassie
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Cassie is a 20-weekold, female, Lab/
Husky/Pit Bull mix.
She is a real sweetheart, but don’t let
her cute puppy looks fool you! She’s got
an independent, confident spirit, so she
needs a home with prior dog experience.
She has been housebroken, and is learning
basic commands, and how to accept direction from people. She is very smart and
very attentive, so she is doing wonderfully,
and will simply need a permanent home
with dog experience and who knows how
to handle a puppy with a bit of attitude.
She plays well with other dogs, which
helps direct some of that puppy energy.
She also gets along with cats.
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Shelter Needs
Cat Litter: Any type of Pine Litter or Clay
Scented Litter, any brand.
(NO scoopable please).
Cat Toys: Any small catnip filled toy.
Feathers on sticks. Little mice.
Containers of dry Cat Nip.
Cat Bedding: Must be totally washable.
(No items containing foam please).
Dog Food: Dry: Pro Plan, Purina One,
Blue Buffalo or California Natural (regular
variety, although we could use a bit of
weight-control formulas too).
Canned: Blue Buffalo, California Natural.
Dog Toys & Treats: Milkbone soft
“chewy” treats. Snausages, Scooby Snacks,
Milkbone biscuits, beef or chicken sticks,
edible flavored Nylabones. Dentabones and
Dentastix, rawhide chewies.
Toys: Kongs (any size) and kong fillers
(cookies or paste), tennis balls, fetch toys,
soft toys to cuddle with.
Dog Bedding: Soft, washable, dog cushions/dog pillows/dogdonuts.
Blankets: soft to cuddle up on.
Dog Collars, Leashes: or No-Pull
Harness: (Any size, any color), “no-pull”
harnesses are always needed. Halti Head
Collars, leashes, Martingale & Easy-Walk
Harnesses.
Other Supplies: Paper towels, tall kitchen
garbage bags, hand sanitizer, medium disposal
latex gloves, Ajax antibacterial dish soap,
bleach, colored copier paper, stamps, brooms,
dust mops, sponge mops and mop heads.
Also Needed: Monetary donations, food &
litter expense sponsors, rent sponsors.
Donations can be dropped off at the POA
Cat Adoption Center, 144 Main Street,
East Hartford, CT 06118. Please call for
times that volunteers will be there before
coming. (860) 569-0722
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“A View Volunteered”
Cat Food: Canned: Friskies Pate (NO
shredded, chunk, sliced and NO FISH
flavors) Dry: Purina, Meow Mix, or
Purina One. (NO Treats)
Kitten Food: Canned: Friskies kitten food or Purina One (NO fish product).
Dry: Friskies, Purina Kitten Chow or
Purina One.
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… don’t shop, ADOPT
Sometimes I think the word must not
be out. But when I check the internet,
I find dozens of web sites on this
topic within seconds. Maybe people
are just not paying attention. I’m
hopeful that people who do know will
care and do something about it. I’m
talking about puppy mills.
It is a short path to puppy mills for
those who buy puppies from pet
stores. Pet shops may say that they
don’t buy from puppy mills and actually this is usually true. Pet shops buy
from brokers who buy from puppy
mills. These puppies are often sold
with accompanying false claims that
the store would never sell puppies
from a puppy mill.
Please show that you care about
animals by not buying puppies from
pet stores, breeders, newspaper ads,
or on the internet. This is how the
puppy mill industry can eventually be
defeated. Instead, save a life. Find a
new friend. Visit a shelter.
For the animals,
Gregory M. Simpson
Workplace
Giving
Here is some information that will help
you get us on your company’s list of
approved charities:
Many employers will match charitable
donations made by their employees
throughout the year. Often employers
extend these matching programs to include
gifts made through workplace giving
campaigns such as the United Way. Check
with your Payroll Administrator or Human
Resources department to see if POA is on
your company’s list of approved charities in
your workplace contribution campaign. If
we are not listed, ask if you can write us in
or have us added to the list.
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The Pet Industry Joint Advisory
Council reports that 3500 to 3700 of
the as many as 12,000 U.S. pet stores
sell cats and dogs. They estimate that
pet stores sell between 300,000 to
400,000 puppies yearly. The Humane
Society of the US estimates that the
number is more likely 500,000.
Each year millions of dogs are sent to
animals shelters. Half of these will be
euthanized, because all shelters do not
operate with Protectors of Animal’s
no-kill philosophy. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that
one in four of the dogs entering U.S.
animal shelters is a purebred. Consumer demand for purebred puppies is
the number one factor contributing to
the misery of puppy mills.
In the seven worst puppy mill states
of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and
Pennsylvania, breeding dogs are
frequently housed in horrendous
conditions, most often producing sick
and traumatized puppies. Breeding
stock animals are caged and continuously bred for years, without human
companionship or a loving family.
When their fertility wanes, they are
frequently killed, abandoned, or sold
to another puppy mill. The average
puppy mill houses between 75 and
100 breeding animals, most of which
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are housed in hutch-style cages with
wire floors. Puppies are then shipped
cross country by truck.
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Full Name & Address:
Protectors of Animals, Inc.
144 Main St., Unit O
East Hartford, CT 06118
Website: www.poainc.org
Tax ID/EIN number: 06-0959891
Some companies will give grants to organizations where their employees volunteer.
Ask your Human Resources department or
Community Relations department if this
is available at your company and how you
can go about taking advantage of this great
way to help our animals even more!
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We know you love POA,
but we need you to
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us.
Are you on Facebook?
You can actually play a part in our success,
and more importantly, help us place our
adoptable animals. Almost daily, our
volunteers create new posts about our
animals. Sometimes these animals are new
to our rosters, and we want to get the word
out. Other posts are simply snapshots
of life at our kennels… animals being
animals, they offer plenty of photo opportunities. Dogs swimming, cats wrestling,
kittens doing things they shouldn’t.
Please LIKE our page, INVITE your
friends to follow us, VISIT us often, and
SHARE our posts. You’ll have lots of fun
(when you probably should be working).
With every action, you actually help spread
the word about our adoptable animals,
because all your friends and acquaintances
(or friends from high school you barely
remember) will see your shared posts, and
they too will help spread the word.
President’s Address
I would like to offer our thanks to all of
you who support us with your time, your
donations, and your advocacy. With your
help, and the work of roughly 300 to 350
volunteers, we rescued and placed over 650
cats and kittens in 2013, over 80 dogs, and
we trapped and neutered 140 feral cats and
returned them to their colonies.
ships, establishing processes and expanding
programs. POA took another big step in
2013 that will impact our future for years
to come. We created a Strategic Planning
Committee, tasked with taking a thorough
look at where POA is headed in both near
and long term, while assuring that our core
values and mission remain intact. While
each day presents us with new opportunities and unexpected turns, it is important
to have a sense of direction and a vision
for where we want to go. The SPC has
looked critically at POA’s history, taken
a 360-degree view of our environment,
and sometime early this year, will unveil a
strategic plan for the organization.
As I look back at 2013, I see a year in
which we turned a big corner. In 2013,
POA hired its first ever employee, John
Thomas, as our Director of Shelter Operations. While POA is still a volunteer-run
organization, it was apparent the organization’s evolvement and plans for the future
required a dedicated person to oversee
operations. In his first year in that role,
John has recently been named Executive
Director and has proven to be a tremendous asset to POA by building relation-
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Spay Connecticut
is a POA program that advocates for spaying
and neutering
of companion
animals and
feral cats, and is an information
resource for low-cost spay/neuter programs
available for residents of our state. There
will be more information about this program in the coming months!
We hope to have your continued support
in 2014 and beyond, and we look forward
to sharing more good news!
With many thanks and happy tails,
Jody Macrina
President, Protectors of Animals
And as we look at 2014, we already see
new ways that we will impact the animals
in our community. The Spay Connecticut
website (www.spayct.org) is now online.
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What Makes Our Volunteers Tick?
You’ve seen an ad in the newsletter about
the need for volunteers and you are
intrigued! You love cats and dogs, but you
haven’t made the call to volunteer. Maybe
you are not sure what the job descriptions
are, or how you can apply your experience
to the various volunteer opportunities
available with POA! You may have only
a few hours to give or many and we want
to let you know about the kinds of things
POA volunteers do! In this issue, we are
focusing on Adoption Counselors and why
Christine Penney and Mindy Baller do
what they do!
What does a POA
Adoption Counselor do?
The POA adoption process is very
thorough to insure that each animal has
the best chance to find the home that
meets their needs and fits the lifestyle and
environment of potential adopters. The
counselors work collaboratively and listen
“Finn”tastic
Journey from
Neglect to a
Bright Future
Poor Finn was found on the side of a road
and brought to West Hartford Animal
Control. Thought to have been hit by a
car, a local vet determined that the 2 yearold cat was actually suffering from neglect.
His fur was matted and he was covered
with fleas. He was also blind and had limb
deformities, most likely due to improper
nutrition. While his muscles will become
stronger, nothing can be done about his
limb deformities; with proper nutrition he
may regain some sight, but it may only be
shadows.
carefully to each other’s ideas, so that each
counselor can become confident in their
positions. Adoption Counselors may do
some or all of the following: write animal
profiles and take pictures for posting online, conducting phone or in person interviews with potential adopters, checking vet
and personal references, facilitating “meet
and greets” at the shelter and providing
support and coaching after the animals go
to their new homes. Hours can vary and
while most hours working with the cats
are done at the shelter, many of the hours
logged for the dog adoption process can be
done from home.
position for her, as it makes great use of
her combination of people skills and animal skills. Her “feel-good” moment – her
favorite part of the adoption process – is
the moment of completing a good match
between a cat or kitten and its new owner.
She also enjoys getting to know the cats at
the shelter!
Why does Mindy Baller do it?
Why does Christine Penney do it?
Christine Penney began volunteering at
POA in 2011, after seeing a Facebook page
about an abused dog and deciding to work
with animals on the local level. She has
been a cat Adoption Counselor for the
past year. She feels that this is the best
Mindy began her volunteer work by providing foster homes for rescue dogs, fostering dozens of dogs and adopting two. No
longer having room in her house to foster,
she wanted to volunteer more time directly
with dogs. She was thrilled to learn that
POA needed a volunteer at the Wethersfield shelter! She spends approximately five
hours per week working from home on the
adoption process and five at the shelter.
Mindy estimates that she has facilitated 10
to 15 dog adoptions!
ophthalmologist. He is eating well and
gaining strength and also is developing an
increased awareness of his surroundings.
POA sends a heartfelt thanks to Janette for
all her expert and loving fostering of Finn!
And -- congratulations to Finn on his
bravery and remarkable progress!
After hearing about Finn, POA knew they
had to help him, and volunteer Janette
Sullivan opened her home to foster him.
At first, Finn would only eat dry food out
of Janette’s hand, but soon was eating from
a bowl placed near him.
Before long he was able to find his food
and water on his own.
With Janette’s patience, Finn learned
gradually to find and use his litter box.
Soon he was using his litter box without
accidents and was also starting to groom
himself regularly. At this time he is navigating his foster home on his own, and
there is a noticeable improvement in his
walking. “Before he was creeping along
the floor and now he is standing tall and
strong (for Finn)”, wrote Janette in her
blog Finn’s Chronicles which you can follow at http://finnatpoa.blogspot.com/.
Finn’s future is bright! He had an appointment for a pre-neuter physical on
April 8, and also an appointment with the
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Finn gets ready for a nap, after exploring his foster
home and enjoying a nutricious dinner!
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