New and Improved Facility

Spring, 2013 | Volume 44, No. 2
The
GUARDIAN
Renovations Provide
New and Improved Facility
If
you’ve come to visit us anytime
between October and March, you
may have encountered some entrance
issues, a bit of dust, and the sound of
saws. The Women’s Humane Society
recently underwent an internal renovation project and, boy, what a whirlwind
it has been. Our goals for the renovation included creating more space for
our clients in the lobby (especially our
four-legged clients!), improving animal
health and comfort in the kennels and
cat adoption areas, and increasing
the number of exam rooms for client
convenience.
When we began the project, our
hospital and shelter lobbies were
two separate, smaller areas. With a
few walls removed, we created one,
large, open waiting area. “We wanted
to create a more comfortable waiting
area with some elbow room that both
our shelter and hospital clients would
enjoy,” says Cathy Malkemes, CEO.
“We believe the renovations provided
us with that and so much more.”
In addition to the lobby renovations,
the kennel roofs also received an upgrade. With the dynamic hot summers
and cold winters we’ve had over the
“We thank all of our
clients for your patience
during the renovations.
We invite you to visit us
to experience the new and
improved facilities… ”
years, we had the animals in mind
when we started this project. The
kennels now include an enclosed roof
with a new HVAC system that helps
control the temperature. With that,
we’re hoping the only panting coming
from our dogs is because they just had
a great exercise in our courtyard!
Renovations in the hospital allowed
us to add an additional exam room.
We have also upgraded our x-ray
machine to digital to provide state-ofthe-art diagnosis tools.
We’ve made some technology upgrades as well by installing electronic
medical record-keeping software on
computers in each exam room, allowing our veterinarians and veterinary
technicians to better serve our clients
with easy record access.
We thank all of our clients for your
patience during the renovations. We
invite you to visit us to experience the
new and improved facilities and stay
tuned to our website, Facebook, and
Twitter pages for updates. Visit our
website for daily hours or call us at
215-750-3100. Hope
to see you soon!
This spring, we will be extending our foster care network and are looking for volunteers. If you would like to
be a foster caregiver, send us an email at [email protected] or call us at 215-750-3100.
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5/6/13 10:26 AM
Take
Your
Dog to
Work
Day
For most, summer is a time to relax
and enjoy the warm weather. But at the
Women’s Humane Society, summertime is
our busiest time of the year.
It’s the time of year when pet owners
come to us seeking assistance on flea,
tick, and heartworm prevention for their
beloved pets.
It’s the time of year when many families
consider adopting a new family pet – while
the kids are off from school.
- J U N E
2 1 -
For all dog lovers out there, we
have a special holiday for you — Take
Your Dog To Work Day. Celebrated on
Friday, June 21, 2013, Take Your Dog
To Work Day is a way for employees
to unwind a little, spend some time
with their pet, and spread the message
of the importance of adopting from a
shelter.
The first Take Your Dog To Work
Day was back in 1999 as a way to
encourage people to adopt dogs from
local shelters and rescue groups. This
mission still holds true today as we celebrate its 15th year in existence. If you
and your place of business participate
in this pet-friendly holiday, we encourage you to post Take Your Dog To Work
Day pictures on our Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/WomensHumaneSociety. We can’t wait to see them!
It’s the time of year when we feel like
there are more hours in the day. Maybe this
is because there’s more daylight and things
that need to be done — like taking your pet
for his/her annual veterinary exam.
No matter what your need – we hope
you’ll turn to the Women’s Humane Society
for assistance. For over 140 years we’ve
been serving the region and ensuring
Founded in 1869 by Caroline Earle White
Catherine Malkemes
Chief Executive Officer
Suzanne Bush
President
3839 Richlieu Road
P.O. Box 1470
Bensalem, PA 19020-5470
215-750-3100
www.womenshumanesociety.org
We also hope that you’ll support us
with a donation. Whether it’s an annual
or monthly gift through our Sustaining
Steward program, your support helps
us care for animals while successfully
implementing new programs like our cat
and kitten foster program.
Enjoy the warm months of summer!
With appreciation,
Cathy Malkemes
Sustaining Steward Program
If you haven’t already heard, our
Sustaining Steward program is up and
running. We’ve had some wonderful feedback but we still need your help to make it
even better.
need to increase, decrease, or pause your
donations, you just let us know — we’ll
take care of the hard stuff.
Through the Sustaining Steward
program, donors support the Women’s
Humane Society monthly instead of annually. Think about it: trash is taken out once
a week, you buy a cup of coffee to get
you through the work day each day, and
bills are paid monthly. Now you can make
a monthly commitment to care for animals
and support your favorite animal shelter.
• Food, shelter, and medications for
abandoned and surrendered animals
Becoming a Sustainer Steward is easy
as 1, 2, 3! All you need to do is decide
on a monthly giving amount and it will automatically be deducted from your credit/
debit card every month. We let you stay
in control of everything so if there’s ever a
Published by
Women’s Humane Society
America’s First Animal Shelter
that animals are
treated humanely
while sheltering and
providing the health
care they need.
Here’s what your monthly donations will
be providing:
• The resources needed to find new
homes for animals
• Investigations of cruelty and neglect
cases
• Affordable veterinary care
• Education/training programs and much
more!
We make sure that your support won’t
go unnoticed. Aside from helping animals,
you will receive a 10% discount off veterinary services in our animal hospital
(excluding supplies, medication and food)
and, as always, your monthly gift is tax
deductible and an annual tax receipt will
be provided.
To become a Sustaining Steward
or for more information, please
contact our Development
Department at 215-750-3100
or via email at info@womens
humanesociety.org Î
Thank you!
T HE GUARDIAN | Spring , 2013
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5/6/13 10:26 AM
Beginning 11/19/12 – 4/2/13
T R I B U T E S
In Memory of Pets…
UNKNOWN LOCATION
Roxie and Remmy – Rose Laserow
Rambo – Beloved pet of Lauren – Anonymous
ARIZONA
Shep Simerly – Joyce Kennedy
CALIFORNIA
Danny – Our precious dog brought so much love and
joy into our lives. You are missed so very much, Danny,
and you will live on in our hearts and thoughts forever.
– Sandra Kasakoff
COLORADO
Tucker – In loving memory of my precious and beautiful boy-cat. Deeply loved and missed forever!
– Betti Jones
FLORIDA
Grady – Olivia misses him so much, as do we all.
– Victor Bertotti
MARYLAND
Luke – A sweet, caring chocolate-colored lab. He was
a precious family member. – Karen Cain
MINNESOTA
Alley Cat – We are praying for you as you mourn the
loss of Alley Cat, your family member, playmate, and
friend. – Love, Dennis, Mary and Oliver Grosenick
MISSOURI
Riley – Riley had only three years with such a loving
family, but in that short time he gave such love to so
many! I know he is playing free in the field of Heaven
and he misses you, too! – Emily Murray and the Girls,
Lady Zelda and Kia
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Houlie, Bailey, and Broadway – Safe journey, Houlie!
You will be missed. Bailey and Broadway, you will be
missed also. Three wonderful and loving pets.
– Dawn M. Clancy and Betsy Kruse
Jack – A small dog with a big heart, we will miss you
in our lives. – Dawn M. Clancy and Elizabeth P. Kruse
NEW JERSEY
Echo – Laurie Squire
Dexter – You came into my life at eight weeks and
held onto my heart for almost 20 years. In loving
memory of my handsome silver tabby, with the softest
silkiest coat. You were a kind, loyal, and friendly cat
who always had something to say. You loved belly rubs,
your sister Sassy, and Aunt Linda. I miss you, sweet
boy. – Margaret A. Cotoia
Bob – Faithful companion and sweetest boy of Gloria
and Ty. Nobody ever looked so handsome in a life vest
or enjoyed the water more than Bob. He had the spirit
of a puppy and the wisdom to know that he was always
deeply loved. – Margaret A. Cotoia
Jade and Krystal – Patricia Cotoia
PENNSYLVANIA
Chloé Marie Pavlik – Thank you for 13½ cherished
years. Mama loves you and misses you! XOX.
– Janet Pavlik
Amanda – Much loved cat of Sandy and Larry Driscoll.
Rest in peace, beautiful Amanda.
– Love, Kathy and Rich Leidy
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3506_WHS NL. singleindd 3
Chester – My Uncle Jim’s beloved dog.
– Gail Furman
Puff – Much loved dog of Patty. – Frances F. Jueds
Sissy Dog – Sissy was a 2-year-old beagle when we
met her at the shelter. She was a good dog, enriching our lives for 12 more years before she passed on
October 5, 2012.
– Christina Bednarz and Christopher Dymek
Caesar – Who left us all too soon. Dearly missed by
Kim, Joe, and Kevin. – Faith Harrop
Fibi – Ludmila Reigel
My Will – Jacqueline Shaw Gerace
Tillie – Sheldon Liss
Princess – Linda Mohollen
Meatball – George and Cathy Stasky
Paka – Beloved companion for over 14 years, now
reunited with his dear friend, Obie. – Judith Ehrman
Tiger and Petro – Dorothy Martino
Onyn – Diana Armstrong
Tori – In memory of my beloved cat. – Roberta Peirce
Molly and Hans – Devoted companions of Cliff and
Donna Laing. – Kevin and Beverly Ingram
Molly – Precious cat. – Robert and Camille Zagaroli
Cosmo – In memory of our beloved Cosmo, who
received wonderful care at your facility.
– The Braciszewski Family
Millie – Beloved feline friend of Rev. Diane Sickler.
– Anita Cherkes
Buddy and Red – My Aunt Kathy’s beloved cats.
– Donna and Drew
Missy – Joan T. Eberhard
Molly – Linda Weyler
Doodles and Rosie – Doodles, most loving and
constant companion to her mom, Bernice. Three of her
four pups lived with them. Rosie, tiny 2 lb. Yorkie given
2 years to live – passed away at 12 years. Dearly loved
and missed by Bernice and Bob Shore.
– Lorrie Cardimon
Latté– Cecilia Mehaffey
Murphy – Beloved dog of Richard High.
– Leslie Congdon
Goldie – Who adopted us on 10/14/95 at WHS.
– Marie Paschall
Baby Face – My furry child.
– Gladys Steinslofer
Daisy – In memory of Daisy, beautiful cat given a loving home by Doris and Vince Gillespie.
– Kevin and Beverly Ingram
Devon – In memory of a much loved cat who belonged
to my friends Winston and Wendy Moody.
– Frances Jueds
Gracie and Sammi – Beloved pets of the Speers Family. – Lorie Becker and Katie Duncan
Our pup Peggy – William Donaghy
Oliver – Gary Friedman
Carl – Our beloved cat, we love you and will miss you.
– Jackie and Chuck
All of our pets over the years – Claire Berk
Knickers – Elizabeth South
Homer – The much loved Pug of the Petka family. Rest
in peace, Homer. – Love, Kathy and Rich Leidy
Lily – In memory of the beautiful cat of Bernadette and
Frank Andrews. Rest in peace, pretty girl. – Love Kathy
and Rich Leidy
Kirby – Katherine Long-Lit
Murray – Beloved pet of the Gossner Family.
– Trish Friedrich
Brownie – Beloved pet of Dianne Campbell Thomas.
– Gwen and Chuck Bernstein
Lady Guinevere – Beloved pet of Sue Tyre.
– Kathleen A. Cantz
WISCONSIN
Abby and B.J. – To Abby, my quiet little tortoiseshell
girl, and B.J., my sweet loving boy black cat, losing
both of you this past year, February 1 and April 30, left
a sad place in my heart. I take comfort in knowing you
are healthy and whole again, waiting for the day when
we will meet again.
– Love, Mom (Kathy Koenig, Sun Prairie, WI)
In Honor of Pets…
UNKNOWN LOCATION
Hummer Spadaro-Williams – Anonymous
MARYLAND
Jerry and Spike – Peggy Becker
NEW JERSEY
Abby and Ripley – Suzanne Leis
PENNSYLVANIA
Sparkey – A sweet boy who joined my pack from
WHS. Thank you! – Faith Harrop
Jack and GiGi – Our sweet cats. You fill our lives and
our home with warmth and joy, fun, and love!
– Diane C. Mooney
Cory Cat – Stephen and Diane Czerviski
Precious – The Diringer family
Mogul – Mike and Sybil Swanson
Precious – We love our dog, Precious, who has been
with us for over 12 years. Without your facility, we
would not have found her.
– Gratefully, the Diringer Family
Snoopy the Cat – Joseph R. Gadaleto
Cory Cat – Diane Czerviski
All the lost animals – Sherri Bogin
Mr. Beaujangles – Janice A. Seglinski
Chilly, Rockie, and Oreo – Catherine Sommerer
Molly – Denise Kolenda
Finnegan – Deborah Kucowski
Harley – Robert Littleton
Sheba and Prima – Dolores O’Hara
Abby – Lawrence Bujas
Banjoe and Spooky – Robert S. Tiest
Stone, Casey, and Chloe – Anonymous
Danny Boy – He went missing on Wednesday
night from his home in Bensalem. We prayed to
St. Anthony for his safe return all through that evening
and into the morning hours. Then Jim and Lauren got
the call that Danny Boy was found and was being taken
care of by WHS. Thank you for all you do. It was a
great reunion.
– Catherina Loveless, Danny Boy’s Grandmother
My little Genie – Rita Matteo
Tiger – Marsha Starr
All our four legged friends – Anthony Salvitty, Sr.
Sebastian – Adopted from WHS. – Alina Fish
Dodger – John Florence
Red Sombrero “Lady” – Dustin Tate
5/6/13 10:26 AM
T R I B U T E S
Ginger – Isabella Wendling
Casper – Elliot Miller
In Memory of People…
UNKNOWN LOCATION
In memory of Ruth Ozer – Ralph Ozer
CALIFORNIA
Phyllis Waterman – My beloved Aunt.
– Virginia Rasmussen
CONNECTICUT
Anthony Bellomo – Clifford Zlotnik
FLORIDA
Beloved brother of Donald G. Smith
– Liana Stanton
Ibrahin Hidalgo – In loving memory.
– Liana Stanton
MASSACHUSETTS
Bob Tappan – Suzanne Raps
MICHIGAN
Victoria G. Miller – 3/8/37 - 4/13/14. God rest her
soul. – Arthur W. Miller
NEW JERSEY
Charles Alderman – Stephen and Virginia Monson
John Berendt – Pam and Norm McDaniels
Lynn Forlano – Marlyn Horvath
Anna L. Spaziano – Umbertina Lombardi
Calvin Holland – Kenneth and Joann Brachelli
Margaret Beasley – Dottie DuCoin
Jean Hendrickson – In memory of my sister.
– Gerald J. Mangine
Rose Merrick Petsis – Uncle Vic, Louise, Chery,
Jayne and Linda, Uncle Bill and Aunt Joann, Robin
Hoy, Esther Vanderslice and Steve Petsis, Mary Lou
Capella, John and Cass Douris, Donna and Bill Beath,
Anne Hinkel, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Bezanis, Betty V.
Petsis,
Rose Merrick Petsis – A mother, much loved.
– Sandra Driscoll
Joan Wolf – Fandie and Stu Layton, Sam Appel, and
Joy Brown
OHIO
Norman Douthitt – Diane R. Cinadr
PENNSYLVANIA
Ida Cohen – Beloved aunt of Robbi Skversky.
– Nadine Unger
Michael Ratz – Walt and Carol Woytus
Joan Potts – Gary Potts and Shari Palermo
Marie Lis – David and Helen Allen, Debbie and Chuck
Allen
Anne “Nancy” Dougherty – The Hartzell Family, Lorilyn Andor, Elaine Alberts, William Bergman, Brenda
Martin, the Lacianca Family
Louis V. Carboni – The Henry-Graham family,
Lou and Patricia Carboni, the Kicinski Family,
Denise Herens
John G. C. Fuller – Marthena Scollon
Randolph A. “Randy” Eckert
– Jeff, Cath, and Kass Gunn, Michele J. Gray
Dennis P. Haggerty – Katherine Terry, the Danny
Craige Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McKenna,
THE GUARDIAN | Spring, 2013
3506_WHS NL. singleindd 4
Michael Lefkoe, Indian Crest Faculty Club
Catherine Palmer – Helene Bates
Mollie Cohen – Beloved wife and mother.
– The Silverstein Family
Jane Faust – Betty Pearson
Eugene Frank – Julia Krenzel and Cliff Levine
Harry and Anne Selling – In memory of my
parents. – Linda Aceto
Anthony V. Bellomo – Clifford Zlotnik, Catherine McGlinn, Michael and Theresa Whartenby, Louise Leahy,
Kathy Conway, Edward and Eileen Tepper
Charles Wohlgemuth – E. J. Fawcett
Providencia Canino – My beloved mother, and our
deceased dog, Daisy. – Ada Canino
Steve Yuhas – Cindy and Maeve
Thelma Cornell – A great lady and lover of animals.
– E. Costello
Helen Blumberg – Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Pincus
Mary Jane Potter – E. Matthew Steinberg, Veronica
Palovcak
Karen Kahmar – Carolyn Kinney
Sandra Lee Huber – Jeneen McHugh
Olive Summers – My Great Aunt who raised seeing
eye dogs. – Patricia Pyrih
Charles Gale – Patricia Pizzo
Gladys K. Seeman – Dana
Ella E. Russell – Treasurer of WHS with Bernice
West, President, in the 1940’s. – Ella R. Torrey
Raymond E. Obringer – Clement and Liza Piscitelli,
Daniel and Kathleen D’Angelo, John and Emelda
Lindquist, Bruce and Lori Lindquist, Freda, Rick,
Joanne, Barb, John and Steve Keane, Sandra L.
Boland, Madeline Obringer and Family
Rose – In memory of my sister. – Lena Polter
Tara Althouse – Judith Langan
Nancy C. Barrie – Ann Sabia
James G. Elliott – Tammie Hansen, Brian Shank,
Sherry Elliott, Margaret Queripel-Gilmore, Denise M.
Wolfe
Chez DeMarco – My sister loved all animals,
especially dogs. – Rob Truck
Thomas Porrini, Sr. – Gladys Steinsloffer
Edwin D. Bielski – James Burtt, Peter T. Reynolds,
Mrs. Pat Bielski, Megan Leslie, Beth Gentile, Scranton
Office of the Drug Enforcement Agency, Anonymous
through JustGive.org, Sally and Charles Burkman,
Susan M. Boyle, John Bielski, Renae and Mark Newhouse, John and Deborah Hutzayluk, Harrisburg Office
of the Drug Enforcement Agency, Candace E. James
Edwin D. Bielski – He had a remarkable and
tremendous impact on his students, family, and
friends, and will be missed.
– Jay Lawfer and Kathy Makransky
Madeline A. Loewy – Dorothy McLean
Elizabeth Braun – Mary Claven
Michael Priore – Edward G. Victor
Margaret L. Dusablon – Barbara M. Rees, Anna
Rees
Floyd E. Goman – Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Pincus
Rosemarie Castagna – Helen Coppens, the Zwiercan
Family
Frank Peterson – Leah Liss
In Honor of People…
UNKNOWN LOCATION
Rose Capitano – Anonymous
CALIFORNIA
Mrs. Lucille Bon – Cathy Bon
MARYLAND
Ginny Foster – In honor of her retirement.
– Barbara Robinson
NEW JERSEY
Lorraine Wierzbicki – Letitia Principato
Maryellen Claussen – Merry Christmas!
– Diane Roebock
NEW YORK
Jamie Lehman – Enjoy your volunteering at WHS!
Merry Christmas. – Karen Lehman
Judith Carter Knouse – Merry Christmas!
– Florence Williams
NORTH CAROLINA
Victoria Murphy–Luchansky – Celia Ewald
PENNSYLVANIA
Regina Jones – Merry Christmas!
– Jamie Giambrone
Alma Coia, Ann Horst, Yvonne Tine, Joyce
Hannisch, Elayne Brown, Albert Troglio, Paul
Hess, Rev. J. Connor Haynes, Linda Pond, Mr. and
Mrs. Thomas Kramer, Mr. and Mrs. James Maginn
– Merry Christmas!
– Robert and Camille Zagaroli
Juleen Hall – Donna Kenyon
Ellie and Bernie Koval – Frank Corso
Ferd and Alma Reetz – Elizabeth Clark
Joe and Cynthia Restino, Vince and Irene Gilorma,
David and Shauna Pipher and family, Valerie
Pipher, and Chris Rowe – Happy Holidays!
– C. Brewer
Ingram Family – Merry Christmas! – Doris Gillespie
Susan Stolte – Happy Birthday!
– Robert and Camille Zagaroli
C. Brewer – Irene C. Gilorma
Jeff Barr – Happy Birthday! – Ken and Kim Ross,
Edward J. Barr, Mirabeth K. Wiley, Mary Ann and
Christophe Bursk, Stanley E. Blaszczak, Grant and
Monica Thompson, Anthony J. Graziano, Pamela
Duffy, Richard and Tracy Mason
Robert and Camille Zagaroli – Alma Coia
Susan L. Anderson – In honor of her kindness to my
parents, Vincent and Kathy Polo. – Michele Polo
Joyce Hannisch and Joseph McGee – Happy
Birthday! – Robert and Camille Zagaroli
Rudolph Gerace – Diane Gerace
Derek James Shaw – Maryellen Shaw
Sara S. Herman – My mom. – Donna M. Brumberg
Doris Day – Irene H. Genco
Derek James Shaw – Maryellen Shaw
Dr. Nicole Paul – Janice Paul
George A. Kaechelin, Sr. – Marie Kaechelin
Steven and Stacy – Cindi Miller
Carol and Ken McKinney – Anne Sears
A
5/6/13 10:26 AM
Foster Parents for Kittens Still Needed!
•Commitment to
The Women’s
Humane Society is
care for kittens
still looking for volunfor a time period
teers to serve as fosranging from
ter parents for litters
10 days to three
of young kittens. We
months
have recently started
•At least two free
our Kitten Foster
hours each day
Program — a foster
to spend caring
mentorship program
for and socializing
that guides the kitten
with kittens
fostering experience
•Ability to travel to
from intake to adopand from WHS
tion.
As the peak of
•Sensible child
kitten season is upon
involvement if the
“We’re still in need of
us, we are in even
foster parent has
foster parents and
more need of volunchildren
encourage all who are
teers willing to be “The kitten fostercome a kitten foster
interested to volunteer
ing program is a
parent. To reduce the
because it’s such a
great way for us to
risk of illness, foster
rewarding experience.”
help even more cats
parents will provide
and kittens once
care to only one unit
kitten season starts,” says Kitten Foster
at a time (a unit may include a mom and
Program Manager Heather Hanisco-Schher litter or a single kitten). renk. “We’re still in need of foster parents
Anyone interested in participating in
and encourage all who are interested to
the program must meet the following
volunteer because it’s such a rewarding
requirements:
experience.”
•A one-on-one interview with our kitten
foster program manager
•A warm, dry, safe place in a separate
room in the home, away from other
animals
•The ability to keep accurate, up-todate medical records
If you’re interested in becoming a
foster parent for our cats and kittens,
please complete the volunteer form
found on our website at www.womenshumanesociety/volunteer-form or
call Heather Hanisco-Schrenk at
215-750-3100. Î
New Happy Tails Program
Incentive for Adoption Clients
The Women’s Humane Society
is partnering with Sesame Place,
a SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
family theme park located right in
Langhorne, Pennsylvania.
Under its Happy Tails program,
Sesame Place promotes adoptions
at our shelter by donating park
tickets to anyone who adopts from
the Women’s Humane Society. Our
adopters will receive two free singleday admissions to the Sesame Place
theme park; it’s Sesame Place’s way
of saying “thank you” for helping
animals in need.
We are extremely excited about
this new adventure with Sesame
Place and we know this new adoption incentive program is a way
for more of our animals to find their
forever homes. Visit our website,
www.womenshumanesociety.org
for more information, or stop in
during adoption hours for details.
Your Pets’ Health During the Summer: How We Can Help
Associated most with “school’s out,” vacations, and warm
weather, summertime has always been viewed in a positive way.
While we don’t disagree, the Women’s Humane Society asks
that you take the necessary precautions to keep your pet safe
not only during the summer, but all year-round as well. There are
a few unwanted creatures that we want to avoid meeting at your
next veterinarian visit!
Keeping your pet up-to-date on their vaccinations is something we stress immensely at the Women’s Humane Society.
Summer is a critical time to also take the necessary steps to
prevent heartworm, fleas, ticks, and rabies.
Heartworm is a disease caused by parasitic worms that live
in the arteries of the lungs and occasionally the left side of the
heart in dogs and cats (and a few other mammals). This disease
(continued on back page)
T HE GUARDIAN | Spring, 2013
3506_WHS NL. singleindd 5
5/6/13 10:26 AM
Kitten Season Has Arrived
F
or all those who aren’t familiar with
the concept of kitten season, it’s the
time of year when cats prolifically
give birth, resulting in overcrowded animal
shelters and rescue groups. Kitten season
usually begins in the spring, peaks in the
summer, and tapers off in the fall. Needless to say, the Women’s Humane Society
will be busy this summer as usual due to
our feline friends.
Animal over-population is a serious
problem resulting in over 6 million homeless animals every year. One way to prevent kitten season is to spay and neuter
cats. When a cat hasn’t been altered, its
hormones can drive it to escape from the
home and find a mate, resulting in a litter
of kittens. As you can imagine, people
who have cats that become unexpectedly
pregnant typically won’t want to keep
those kittens and will usually give them to
a nearby animal shelter or rescue group.
Cats can become pregnant at the early
age of 5 months, so the sooner you spay
or neuter your cat, the better. Unfortunately,
once kitten season has started, there is no
stopping the inevitable.
There are, however, still a few ways you
can help during the peak kitten season:
pay and neuter your cats and
• S
encourage others to do the same
• D
onate food, money, or your time to the
Women’s Humane Society
• B
ecome a cat foster parent (see article
on previous page for more information
about our Cat Fostering Program)
• Adopt a cat
During the summer season, the Women’s
Humane Society will have its 2nd annual
“Favor Our Felines” summer discount and
promotion to help our cats and kittens
find their forever homes. Because June is
Adopt-A-Shelter Month, June 1st will be
the start date for the “Favor Our Felines”
promotion and will run until the last day
of August. All summer (June, July, and
August), our cat adoption fee will be
50% off. In addition, we will have a different
discount or promotion for every month:
• June: 50% off FIV test
• July: Free 2nd Booster shot at
follow-up visit
• August: 15% off your next hospital
exam fee
And don’t forget about the new
Sesame Place “Happy Tails” incentive.
See the article in this newsletter with
information on how you can receive two
free tickets to Sesame Place! Î
If you’re interested in adopting a cat, please stay tuned to our adoptions page on our
website at www.womenshumanesociety.org/adoptions during the busy cat season.
…Pets’ Health During Summer
(from previous page)
is spread by mosquitoes — a common summertime enemy for
both humans and dogs. Luckily, heartworm is 100% preventable when you take the right steps — ask our veterinarians for
the heartworm prevention medication WHS provides.
Fleas and ticks are parasites that are also more prevalent
during the summer months. These parasites can carry various diseases including tapeworm and Lyme disease and can
make your pets life extremely uncomfortable. Again, there are
medications available at WHS that can both prevent and treat
flea and tick infestation.
Last, but certainly not least, is the rabies vaccination. Rabies
is a virus that affects the brain and spinal cord of dogs and cats
and is primarily passed through a bite from an infected animal.
In Pennsylvania, the law requires all dogs and cats, ages 3
months and older, to receive a rabies vaccination.
The rabies vaccination, heartworm prevention and treatment medication, and flea and tick prevention and treatment
medication are all provided at the Women’s Humane Society’s
animal hospital and are administered by our trained veterinarians and technicians. We’re here to keep your pet safe and
healthy during the summer and all year-round. Walk-in hours
are available, or to schedule an appointment, call the hospital
office at 215-750-5252. Î
T HE GUARDIAN | Spring, 2013
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