lifeline Grants help Animal lovers become heroes

Vol. 22
| No. 2 | Spring 2008
p u b l is h e d f o r m e m b e r s o f u ni t e d ani m a l na t i o ns
LifeLine Grants Help Animal Lovers Become Heroes
Volunteers jump start HEAR program • UAN/UC Davis partnership benefits shelter animals
EARS volunteers provide canine bliss at “Camp Reno” • Help for heartworms
Greetings!
The first time I heard
“my” feral cat purr, it
reminded me just
how rewarding the
two-way connection
can be between a
human and another
animal. Similarly,
EARS volunteers have
told us that the experience of finally getting shy dogs from “Camp
Reno” to take treats from their hands was
among the most memorable moments of
their lives (see Page 8 and 9).
This issue of UAN’s Journal, in particular,
highlights the human-animal bond. Our
new humane education program (Page 3)
helps children understand the knowledge,
compassion, respect and empathy needed
to develop common bonds with animals
and gives them the opportunity to see
that not only do animals need us — but
we need animals.
Most of you already understand the value
of this connection, but much animal suffering in our society is as a result of the failure
of this bond. Stronger human-animal bonds
would mean decreased pet abandonment in
home foreclosures, decreased acts of cruelty
and neglect, decreased relinquishments
at shelters and decreased abandonment
during disasters. Recognizing the value of
caring for others has other benefits as well,
potentially strengthening relationships within
families and communities.
Thank you for your compassion, respect
and empathy for animals! Please continue to
join us as we work to build communities that
increasingly understand the importance of
these values.
Warmly,
Nicole Forsyth
President and CEO
Above: For Nicole, the bonds she shares with others (including with her cat, Milo) serve as a
constant inspiration for expanding UAN’s programs
to benefit people, animals and communities.
Vo l . 2 2
| No. 2 | Spring 2008
Table of Contents
2
Crisis Relief Grant Spares Parrots
3 Volunteers Jump Start
Humane Ed Program
4
6
8
UAN, UC Davis Vet School Partner
to Save Shelter Animals
4
LifeLine Grants Help Animal Lovers
Become Heroes
EARS Volunteers Provide Canine
Bliss at Camp Reno
10
LifeLine Saves Lives
12
Help for Heartworms
13
Kudos & Katcalls
C o v e r : Firefighter Tony Pavilonis turned to UAN
for financial assistance after rescuing a
young puppy from a burning trailer park.
Photo courtesy Stephen Berend/Bluffton Today.
The Journal is published quarterly by United
Animal Nations and is distributed to its members.
© 2008 United Animal Nations.
Design/Layout Page Design Group
S T A FF
President & CEO Nicole Forsyth
Chief Financial Officer Rebecca Sarsfield
Director of Programs Karen Brown
Director of Communications Alexis Raymond
Director of Emergency Services Matt Herlocker
Director of Field Services Shannon Asquith
Director of Education Alexa Mergen
Program Coordinator Cristina Stoyle
Events & Volunteer Coordinator Michael Herrera
Program Assistant Rachel Mowery
Development Manager Erin Sowa
Membership Services Coordinator Tiffany Benton
Membership Services Assistant Laurel Meleski
Administrative Assistant Angela Murray
U N I T E D A N I M A L N AT I O N S
P. O. Box 188890
Sacramento, California 95818
tel: (916) 429-2457 fax: (916) 429-2456
web: www.uan.org e-mail: info @ uan.org
8
10
PRO T E C T I N G A N I M A L S
I N D A N G ER OR N EE D
The mission of United Animal
Nations, a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, is to
protect animals in danger or
in need and to focus attention
on their plight.
Members Matter
In a recent issue of our PMULines e-mail newsletter, we asked women
who have stopped taking hormone drugs made from pregnant mares’
urine (PMU) or avoided them altogether to share their stories. We
received a tremendous response from women who have sought humane
alternatives for dealing with menopausal symptoms. Below are just a
few of their enthusiastic responses.
I didn’t know how cruel the Premarin
After first learning about Premarin
industry is to the horses — I learned
and the PMU industry through UAN,
that from your magazines. From the
I was shocked. This information was
start I have used plant-based hormones,
useful, though, when my physician
Prometrium and the generic Estradiol. recommended Premarin for me. I was
I told my doctor that I wanted something
informed enough to request a plant-
that didn’t come from animals. I am glad
based medicine. I have shared the
to hear that this is a growing movement.
article I read in your publication with
— Gay Kramer-Dodd women at work, and will continue to
advocate for cruelty-free medications.
…I never started on Premarin or Prempro
$23,848: Amount in LifeLine Crisis
Relief Grants given to victims of the
Southern California fires in October
to help them obtain vet care or temporary boarding for animals.
855: New Emergency Animal Rescue
Service (EARS) volunteers trained
— Linda Witfoth
because of what I learned from your
newsletters. I decided I had options, other
I had a total hysterectomy at age 50,
than the “traditional” pharmaceutical
almost five years ago. I have been using
drugs. Ultimately, in order to get what
bio-identical compounded estrogen
I wanted, I traveled 400 miles to find
and testosterone from the start. It was
a doctor who would help me, and paid
a little rough for a while but I don’t
out of pocket for all my testing and my
understand why a woman would feel
cruelty-free hormone treatments.
right with horse hormones in her body!!! — Traci Hughes
UAN by
the numbers in 2007
— Suzanne Cocovinis
Have you avoided PMU drugs in
favor of a cruelty-free treatment
for menopausal symptoms?
Let us know by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. We’ll send
you an “I’ve Switched” pin so you can proclaim your choice.
Stay informed about the PMU industry and other issues related to horses. Sign up for the PMULines e-mail newsletter at www.uan.org.
385: Animals who received lifesaving
vet care thanks to a LifeLine Individual or LifeLine Rescue Grant
250: Dogs who were rescued from
a puppy mill in Maine thanks to help
from Emergency Animal Rescue
Service volunteers
536: Horses adopted through
PMURescue.org
74: EARS volunteers deployed
to care for animals in temporary,
emergency shelters
4: Number of stars UAN received
from Charity Navigator, the highest
rating possible
3: Cities in which UAN began
piloting its new Humane Education
Ambassador Reader (HEAR) program
1: People it takes to make a difference.
Thank you for supporting UAN in 2007!
Spring 2008 Journal www.uan.org
Program News
Crisis Relief Grant spares parrots
By Karen Brown, Director of Programs
R
ecently I found a classified ad selling
baby Congo African Grey parrots for
$1,000 each. The breeder touted them
as “hand-raised” and praised their ability
to “talk.”
I live with a Congo African Grey parrot
and yes, her ability to mimic words, noises
and beeps is astounding. Xanadu is a
normal, vivacious, temperamental wild
parrot who was bred in captivity and
raised to be fond of humans. But she lived
in two other homes before mine, even
though she has no atypical behaviors.
Even well-adjusted parrots aren’t easy
pets. They live to be 80 years old, and
are active, messy and needy. Because
of this, many end up unwanted and in
need of rescue.
In February, UAN awarded a $1,500
LifeLine Crisis Relief Grant to Project
Perry, a Virginia rescue and
sanctuary that took in 15
such parrots from a breeder
who claimed they had grown
“unproductive.”
The parrots were imported
from Africa decades ago, and
were likely bought and sold
numerous times before
ending up in a dusty, windowless basement, locked in small
cages without any toys or fresh fruits
and vegetables. Most of the birds were
so bored that they had plucked out their
cagemates’ feathers from the neck up.
Project Perry took in the parrots,
despite facing thousands of dollars in
veterinary care and specialized diets and
countless hours of rehabilitation. UAN’s
grant helped pay for urgent veterinary care.
Executive Director Matt Smith reported
that after two months of rehabilitation, the
parrots are improving.
“It’s so rewarding to see them progress,
considering all they have been through,”
he said. “When they live in the outdoor
aviary, we’ll give them back the sunlight,
natural rain baths and breezes they lost
when they were taken from the wild.”
With deluge of postcards, UAN asks
Wyeth to do more to help horses
I
magine receiving a large, heavy
cardboard box unexpectedly.
Inside you find 16,974
cards, each signed by
a different person,
United Animal Nations Spring 2008 Journal
each calling on you to do more for
the horses used in your business.
UAN has worked for more than a
decade to educate people about the
unsavory origins and effects of Premarin,
a hormone drug made by Wyeth from
pregnant mares’ urine (PMU). As many
as 7,000 mares spend five months of
their annual pregnancy in tight stalls;
Wyeth claims that the 5,000 foals born
each year never go to slaughter, but they
don’t track all the foals to make sure.
Making matters worse, Wyeth prohibits
all ranchers from working with rescue
organizations that might help them
place unwanted mares and foals.
In a letter accompanying the postcards, UAN called on Wyeth to track
horses used in or born as a result of the
PMU industry to prove that they do not
go to slaughter. Additionally, UAN pointed
out ways that both Wyeth and PMU
horses could benefit from allowing ranchers
to work with horse rescue groups.
We haven’t heard back yet, but we
will continue to pressure Wyeth for these
changes. Many thanks to the UAN
supporters who made this incredible
delivery possible!
Visit www.uan.org to request educational
brochures and see a list of alternatives to Premarin and other PMU drugs.
Volunteers jump start
humane education program
T
wenty people have become
Humane Education Ambassador
Reader (HEAR) volunteers
in Sacramento, California;
Washington, D.C. and
Victoria, British Columbia
since UAN began offering training workshops
in early 2008.
“These volunteers
want to help animals
and kids,” said
UAN Development
Manager Erin Sowa,
who trained in January.
Sacramento volunteer Jewel Buckley
was new to animal protection issues
when she trained with her friend Katrina
Balcius in March.
“I learned that humane education
is a big issue, not something to be taken
lightly,” she said.
“I was surprised by how in-depth the
HEAR training is,” agreed Erin. “It covers
not just what you are going to be doing
as a HEAR volunteer, but why.”
HEAR volunteers identify outreach
opportunities at libraries, schools, youth
groups and other venues, then use
resources designed by UAN to facilitate
storytelling and discussion.
“We need to start when they’re
young,” said Jewel, who is studying to be
a teacher. She will lead story time events
at a Sacramento bookstore and plans to
partner with Katrina to bring the HEAR
program to her younger sister’s school.
“The HEAR training gave me things
to think about and things to bring up in
discussion with kids,” said Serene Watson
of Victoria. “The training focuses on
preparing and understanding fully the
concepts we are trying to convey.”
Serene said the camaraderie that
developed during the HEAR training
generated enthusiasm and raised her
confidence. Within a month of
finishing her training,
she arranged a monthly
story time with an intercultural association.
“None of the kids had
ever had pets,” Serene
said of the students she met
on her first visit. “But they
were still really excited about
animals and excited to have
me there. Most kids know
somebody else with cats or dogs.”
Serene read aloud the book Max
Talks to Me and said, “We paid attention
to Max’s eyes [in the illustrations].”
Serene helped students “understand
the story and how animals and humans
can communicate in ways other than
words.” She used the HEAR Discussion
and Activity Guide to structure the visit.
“I also asked the children to pay
attention to any animal encounters they
have and to share their stories when we
meet again,” she said.
“The HEAR program helps animals
by teaching children to respect them at
a young age, and helping them develop
critical thinking skills through literacy,”
Erin explained. “Everybody who hears
about the program thinks it’s fantastic
and wants to learn more.”
Interested in becoming a HEAR volunteer? Visit www.uan.org/hear to
join our workshop interest list. Contact
Alexa Mergen, Director of Education, at [email protected] to bring a HEAR
program to students in your community.
Photo contest
winners
selected
C
ongratulations to the winners
of our Humane Education
Photo Contest! These photos were
chosen for their depiction of the
human-animal bond; they will be
featured in UAN’s promotional
materials for the new Humane
Education Ambassador Reader
(HEAR) program.
California, is
Lex ie Cataldo of Napa,
ner for this
the “Editor’s Choice” win
ghter, Coral,
dau
her
of
o
adorable phot
and Kato the kitten.
Kim Cady of Nashville, Ten
nessee,
won our “Readers’ Choice”
poll for
this touching photo of her
father, Chris,
and his cat, Ramblin’ Jack
.
Spring 2008 Journal www.uan.org
Program News
Twice as happy
UAN and UC Davis School of Veterinary
Medicine partner to save animal lives
T
he histories of Dexter and Breaker
are clouded, but their futures are
brighter — thanks to the University of
California, Davis School of Veterinary
Medicine and UAN.
A Lifeline Grant from UAN enables
UC Davis veterinarians to repair the
broken bones of shelter animals at no
cost to the shelters. Patients receive
foster care during recovery, usually
from veterinary students, and all pets
are spayed or neutered.
Dexter, a tan Chihuahua from the
Solano County shelter, arrived at the
School of Veterinary Medicine with a
fractured front leg. Dr. Jen MacLeod,
a faculty surgeon, and Dr. Matt Stepnik,
a resident, repaired Dexter’s leg using
metal pins placed in a cross to
hold the fractured bone in place.
Breaker was living on the
street in Yolo County. Two Good
Samaritans brought him to the
William R. Pritchard Veterinary
Medical Teaching Hospital at
UC Davis after witnessing a car
hit the dog.
Dr. Barbro Nordquist, a resident, explained, “Breaker had a
fracture of the upper arm. He
needed three surgeries before he
healed properly. He has a metal
plate and a wire in place that
allowed him to heal.”
Residents in this program
are veterinarians who spend three
years perfecting surgical techniques to become certified as
orthopedic surgeons. Dr. Nordquist
Left: Once a shelter dog with a fractured
leg, Dexter is ready to play thanks to a
partnership between UAN and the UC Davis
School of Veterinary Medicine. Above: UC Davis
veterinarian Barbro Nordquist not only helped
repair Dexter’s fracture, she gave him and
fellow shelter dog Breaker a new home.
United Animal Nations Spring 2008 Journal
performed Breaker’s first surgery under
the supervision of faculty member Amy
Kapatkin, who then performed the next
two delicate surgeries.
Dr. Nordquist gave Dexter and
Breaker postoperative care — and a
new home. “They are doing great,” she
reported. “They can go for long hikes
and runs without getting tired. They
have a lot of energy, get along really
well, and play indoors for hours. They are
quite entertaining, as Breaker will often
play with my cat, Flea, who weighs more
than the dogs.”
Since mid-2007, School of Veterinary
Medicine faculty and residents have used
the UAN LifeLine Grant to repair fractures
in 14 cats and dogs from shelters and
rescue groups in Alameda, Sacramento,
Solano and Yolo Counties. Without the
complex procedures, many of these
animals would have lost their lives.
The LifeLine Grant benefits animals
twice, Dr. Nordquist explained. “The
program dramatically increases our
exposure to fracture repair, thus contributing to our education,” she said. “We
also help give animals a second chance
to find a good home and live a long
and healthy life.”
Emergency Animal Rescue Service
UAN, other organizations, help 200 animals
at overwhelmed North Carolina shelter
I
n February, the State of North Carolina
Depar tment of Agriculture and
Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) asked
UAN to deploy Emergency Animal Rescue
Service (EARS) volunteers to care for
154 dogs and 26 cats at a no-kill animal
shelter in Hendersonville that had become
overwhelmed with the number of animals
it tried to save and was unable to care for
them adequately.
Six EARS volunteers cleaned up the
shelter grounds and provided basic animal
care, such as feeding, cage cleaning
and socialization. Thanks in part to their
efforts, most of the animals were adopted
by families or placed with other animal
shelters for additional rehabilitation
within days.
UAN’s Director of Emergency Services
Matt Herlocker and two EARS volunteer
leaders, North Central Regional Director
Diann Wellman and Ohio State Coordinator Bonnie Morrison, provided shelter
and volunteer management for the collaborative response, which also included
staff and volunteers from other local and
national animal protection organizations,
such as the Asheville Humane Society,
Animal Compassion Network, American
Humane Association and The Humane
Society of the United States.
We couldn’t have accomplished
everything without UAN. Your
help and professionalism was
critical to our success.
—Mark Howell, Emergency Planning Specialist with NCDA&CS
EARS volunteers help Southern
California rescue group
I
n January, animal control authorities
in Southern California warned a man
with 250 dogs, 30 cats, horses, llamas,
emus and other animals living on his
property without proper food, water and
shelter that the animals could be seized
and possibly euthanized if he didn’t
improve their living conditions. Instead,
he surrendered them all to a local rescue
group, which sought help from other
groups in dealing with the overwhelming
number of animals.
The Gentle Barn Foundation in Santa
Clarita offered to take in 150 animals
and assist with providing care for the rest.
One of its e-mail pleas for assistance
found its way to UAN, and staff quickly
determined that UAN’s Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers,
with their training and experience in
temporary emergency animal sheltering,
could provide significant assistance for
Gentle Barn.
More than 20 EARS volunteers
jumped in to care for the dogs and build
temporary kennels, and UAN provided
a $2,000 LifeLine Crisis Relief Grant to
assist with urgent veterinary care costs.
One first-time EARS responder,
Gwynne Rowe, said, “The animals were
so happy to have us helping them. Everyone worked so hard to provide shelter and
food and pass out medications.”
According to EARS volunteer Michele
Lago, “It was fantastic meeting some
of the other UAN volunteers. To see the
EARS volunteer Michele Lago cuddles with a female pointer mix she described as
“absolutely the sweetest dog I’ve ever met.”
dogs’ response to humans even after they
had been through such a horrific time
was inspiring.”
Desiree Burt, development associate
with Gentle Barn, reported that only
25 dogs and 14 cats still await new
homes, and she reflected on the impact
of the EARS volunteers. “The volunteers
saved lives. They worked in the worst of
worst conditions, asked for nothing in
return and were out there to help the
animals,” she said.
Spring 2008 Journal www.uan.org
J Animal Heroes
UAN’s LifeLine Grants, other resources, help
Good Samaritans and animal rescuers become heroes
JJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJ
While rescuing victims trapped inside a burning trailer in Bluffton, South Carolina,
firefighter Tony Pavilonis noticed a small puppy whose leg was tangled in wire,
unable to free himself to escape the smoke and flames. As none of the residents
in the trailer park had plans to save the helpless pup, Tony instinctively rescued
him from the snare, not thinking for a minute about the future costs of saving
the puppy’s mangled leg or finding him a loving home.
the firefighter
rushed the puppy
to the veterinary
clinic, authorizing the staff to do whatever was necessary to save the little
guy’s life and, hopefully, his leg. Only after making sure the puppy, now
named Phoenix, was safe did Tony realize that the costs associated with
rescuing and caring for him might be more than he could manage on his
own. Fortunately for Tony, donations from a nearby rescue organization
and local community members, plus a LifeLine Rescue Grant from UAN,
helped fund Phoenix’s hospitalization and treatment.
Tony later explained that “he couldn’t turn his back on the puppy,”
unaware of the expenses to come.
But Tony’s scenario is a common one for Good Samaritans and animal
rescue organizations—immediate thoughts are on bringing an animal into
safety, and the details about how to pay for emergency treatment and
provide long-term care come second.
Understanding that funding an unexpected lifesaving treatment can
be difficult, UAN helps to ease this financial burden by providing LifeLine
Rescue Grants, with a quick online application process that can take as
little as one to two business days. Because emergency treatment can be
expensive and LifeLine Grants are not intended to cover all of the costs, the
UAN Web site also includes a list of other assistance programs, organized
by state, breed, and injury or illness, as well as guidance on community
fundraising activities, which all can help direct rescuers toward additional
funding possibilities.
United Animal Nations Spring 2008 Journal
Tips on caring
for and placing a
rescued animal
So you’ve rescued an animal —
now what? Here are some tips
on what to do next:
J Evaluate health. Visit your vet to
Opposite page top Phoenix’s foot was mangled when he was ensnared in wire during a fire, but
thanks to a firefighter’s heroics, he is happy and healthy in his new home (opposite page bottom).
Above left An animal rescuer gave Happy, a former puppy mill breeding dog, a chance for a
better life. Above right Thanks to a Good Samaritan, Rocco’s days as a stray cat are behind him.
Funding emergency treatment is
not the last step for rescuers — these
animals also need long-term care. If Good
Samaritans decide that they cannot keep
the animals they’ve rescued, they face
the challenge of placing these animals in
Rocco to play during his recovery, despite
the doctor’s orders for strict confinement.
“Rocco gets along with everyone…he
is so patient and sweet,” Laurie reported.
“Thanks again to UAN for helping us!”
ResQ Animal Coalition in Redding,
appropriate homes, as in the case of
California found Happy, a former breeding
LifeLine Rescue Grant recipient Laurie
dog rescued from a puppy mill, a home
Stone of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and the stray
before she even had her emergency surgery,
cat Rocco who suffered from a fractured
which was funded in part by a LifeLine
pelvis after being hit by a car.
Rescue Grant.
He explained that
“he couldn’t turn his
back on the puppy…”
unaware of the
expenses to come.
“Everything seems to be coming together
for this girl,” said Barbara Dykstra of ResQ
Animal Coalition.
The combination of dedication and
access to resources can go a long way in
making an enormous difference in the life
of an animal once in dire need. [See our
sidebar for tips on placing a rescued animal.]
And as for Phoenix, the puppy rescued
from the fire? Tony decided that Phoenix
would be the perfect addition to his family,
as long as his two dogs didn’t mind. As
soon as Phoenix came home, Tony reported
Laurie could not permanently keep
that everyone got along great, and Phoenix
Rocco in her home after his surgery, but
now tries his best to hang out with his big
her friend turned out to be a great match
brothers and share their full-size toys.
for Rocco’s needs. The cat is now happy
with his new family that includes two other
make sure the animal is healthy
and without any illnesses that
could threaten your resident
pets. Have the animal spayed or
neutered! Find low-cost spay/neuter
programs and referral services in
your area at www.neuterspay.org.
If emergency treatment is necessary,
seek financial assistance through
UAN’s LifeLine Grant program
and visit www.uan.org for other
fundraising ideas.
J Evaluate behavior. Get to know
the animal to determine the most
suitable forever home. Is the animal
good with kids and other animals?
What about temperament?
J Spread the word. As rescue groups
and shelters generally stay full,
try to find the animal a new home
on your own. Contact friends and
family members, put up fliers
around your neighborhood and at
local hotspots, and post a short
description in your local paper
and on Web sites such as Petfinder.com.
Charge a nominal fee of $50 or
more; “free to good home” ads can
attract uncommitted adopters and
people with ill intent.
J Carefully screen adopters. Be sure
the animal is going to a good home.
Thoroughly interview interested
people, visit their homes, and
write and sign an adoption contract.
You’ve worked so hard to rescue
this animal—make sure adopters
will follow your lead!
“The tennis ball is the size of his head,
but he’s still playing with it!” Tony reported.
cats and two dogs—all happily tempting
Spring 2008 Journal www.uan.org
Emergency Animal Rescue Service
Camp Reno effort gives
desert dogs a second chance
W
indy is a black, medium-sized border
collie mix of indeterminate age.
Her previous places of residence include
the desert, an emergency shelter and, for
two weeks, a bathtub. But thanks to more
than one dozen of UAN’s Emergency
Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers,
Windy was recently adopted into what
will finally be her forever home.
one-on-one attention that only UAN’s
EARS volunteers can provide.
“The dogs lacked consistent human
interaction for years, so at Camp Reno
we introduced them to very simple
pleasures — dog treats, warm beds and
a loving, human touch,” said Shannon
Asquith, UAN’s director of field services.
After four weeks at Camp Reno, the
dogs developed more confidence around
humans and were transferred to longterm foster care situations or sanctuaries.
Fostering trust
Windy was one of 32 dogs relocated
in January from a remote ranch in Gabbs,
Nevada to “Camp Reno,” a temporary
shelter that UAN operated to give the
previously unsocialized dogs the care
and human interaction they needed to
prepare for adoption into new, permanent homes.
More than 150 dogs were living on the
ranch when their owner — a rescuer who
had become overwhelmed and couldn’t
adequately care for so many dogs — died
of a heart attack in May 2007. Local and
national animal protection organizations
were able to relocate most of the dogs
to other shelters, but 32 of the shyest and
most frightened ones didn’t quite trust
people and needed the kind of patient,
EARS volunteer Ashley Dunleavy of
Davis, California, agreed to foster Windy
through the Yolo County SPCA in hopes
of helping the extremely shy girl learn to
trust and live with people.
“She was one of the most closed off
of all the dogs at Camp Reno,” Ashley
explained. “It took about three weeks for
her to take a treat from my hand, and
when she did, I was so excited I called
everyone I knew just to tell them.”
Ashley said that Windy spent the first
two weeks at her house living in the
bathtub, her “safe place.” But gradually
her fear lessened and soon she began
joining Ashley on the couch or for walks
and trips to the dog park.
Above: Former Camp Reno canine Windy was once too timid to get out of her bed, but now she takes walks and cuddles with her new adoptive family.
Right: After spending four weeks overcoming her shyness with EARS volunteers
at Camp Reno, Kumquat now awaits her forever home at the Humane Society
of Truckee-Tahoe in California.
United Animal Nations Winter 2008 Journal
For some, sanctuary
The dogs who were not ready to be
relocated to foster care or permanent
shelters when Camp Reno closed
in late February were transferred to
sanctuaries instead.
Five of the shyest — Abel, Dixie, Itsy,
Tippy and Herbie — are now living at
the Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks,
Washington, where Executive Director
Steve Markwell specializes in working
with dogs who have lived on the streets
or have been abused.
Steve reported recently that all
five dogs are still extremely shy, but
making progress.
“Itsy and Tippy are doing well, but
Able continues to make the most progress,” he said. “He approaches and licks
my fingers, and allows me to pet him
when things are calm. I’m hoping to start
leash training soon.”
On March 3, Best Friends Animal
Society in Kanab, Utah, took in the last
four dogs from Camp Reno — Daisy
(now Pauley), Nosey, Squeeky (now Lana),
and Brian (renamed Pirate).
A Volunteer’s Tale
Experiencing joy and overcoming
obstacles at Camp Reno
By Norma Rodriguez, EARS Southern California State Coordinator
Best Friends Dog Care Assistant
Manager John Garcia said the dogs
clearly got a good head start on their
socialization at Camp Reno and have
shown varying degrees of improvement
since arriving in Utah.
The power
of collaboration
Shannon attributes the success of Camp
Reno and the overall effort to remove
all 150 dogs from the Gabbs ranch to
the collaboration of various national and
local animal protection organizations.
“Clearly, 150 dogs are more than any
one organization can handle,” she said.
“But by working together and contributing
the skills and services we are best known
for, we were able to provide a happy
ending for animals who faced an otherwise bleak future.”
Groups that removed dogs from
the Gabbs ranch or took in dogs from
Camp Reno include Best Friends
Animal Society, The Canine Club, City
of Sacramento Animal Care Services,
Dalmatian Rescue of Colorado, High
Sierra Animal Rescue, Cirrus Ranch,
Contra Costa County Animal Services,
Dog Town Canine Rescue, El Dorado
County Animal Control, Grateful Dogs
Rescue, The Humane Society of the
United States, The Humane Society of
Truckee-Tahoe, The Nevada Humane
Society, Olympic Animal Sanctuary,
The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA,
Pet Network, Placer County Animal
Services, Sacramento SPCA, Santa Cruz
SPCA, Seal Beach Animal Care Center,
Solano County SPCA, SPCA of Northern
Nevada, Wylie Animal Rescue Foundation,
Yerington Animal Shelter and the
Yolo County SPCA.
I
t took me about a “New York minute”
to decide to travel to Reno, Nevada
to work with the “unsocialized” dogs
from Gabbs. Never having worked with
dogs who had not been accustomed
to consistent human companionship,
I had all sorts of unrealistic plans and
expectations. I imagined bonding, playing and walking with them. But then I
met the dogs and in yet another “New
York minute” all my expectations and
plans were out the window!
I arrived mid-morning and went
directly to the shelter where Sacramento,
California-area EARS volunteers Lloyd
Strong and Janell Matthies were busy
interacting with the dogs, cleaning and
taking care of little things like refilling
water bowls. What I noticed right away
was how quiet all of the dogs were —
very unlike a typical shelter where the
entrance of a stranger sets off a chorus
of howls and barks. One would think
that after being corralled, captured,
transported and kenneled these dogs
would respond with at least vocal outrage, but not one made a sound.
I also realized, after confining dear
Moe and making repeated attempts
to give him an antibiotic, that none of
these dogs were aggressively defensive.
Of course we used caution when
approaching them, but not a single one
charged, growled or threatened us when
we entered their kennels. Still, getting
most of them comfortable enough
to let us hand feed or pet them took
several days, and sometimes longer,
depending on their level of fear.
Every day was a new experience,
sometimes a joy, sometimes a challenge. My first “joy” came on my third
day there. As I unlocked the door of
the shelter that morning I heard a bark!
“Did you hear that? Someone is
actually greeting us!” I exclaimed.
Another great joy was the day Wilma
greeted me at the door of her kennel
with a wagging tail. I can’t remember
when my heart soared so high!
After about four days at home I
happily returned to Reno, where much
progress had been made in a short time
by the hard-working, compassionate
EARS volunteers and other community
members.
I feel fortunate to live close to a
couple of the Camp Reno dogs, Betty
and Allie, who were transferred to Seal
Beach Animal Care Center. I have
Every day was a new
experience, sometimes a joy,
sometimes a challenge.
visited them several times and am
happy to report that they are responding
well, walking on leashes and coming
when called.
This was an unusual deployment
for all of us, truly a learning experience,
but more important, an opportunity to
demonstrate the love and compassion
we EARS volunteers have for animals.
Spring 2008 Journal www.uan.org
LifeLine Saves Lives
Through the LifeLine program, United Animal Nations (UAN) provides lifesaving
emergency veterinary care grants to animal caregivers. Many of the animals in need
are victims of abuse or neglect who are rescued by Good Samaritans or grassroots
rescue groups. UAN also awards grants to low- or no-income families and seniors.
Meet a few of the hundreds of animals we will help through LifeLine this year.
Lilly
F
aps
fortunate mish
a series of un
d
re
ffe
su
lly
t
Li
ven urgent ve
rescued and gi
t.
an
before being
ne Rescue Gr
help of a LifeLi
care with the
or such a young dog, Lilly had
already been through a lot in her
sixteen weeks of puppyhood, including
going through multiple owners and
suffering from mange. In an even more
unfortunate turn of events, Lilly’s owner
tripped over Lilly and sent her tumbling
down the stairs, resulting in a fractured
elbow that was too expensive for her
owner to treat. Lilly was surrendered to
a vet clinic to be euthanized, and Donna
Hall, a director-at-large from Precious
Animal Welfare Society (P.A.W.S.) of
Michigan, stepped in to save this young
girl’s life.
As a new organization, P.A.W.S. did
not have enough funding to pay for
Lilly’s urgent surgery and still care for
the 32 other animals in its program, so
P.A.W.S. President Kristine Jordan
began contacting individuals and organizations to find donations for Lilly’s cause.
Through fundraising activities of their
own and a sizeable grant from another
organization, P.A.W.S. came close to
their goal. A LifeLine Rescue Grant filled
a portion of the remaining funding gap.
Lilly’s surgery was a success, challenging Donna to keep the playful puppy still
while she recovered. Already, P.A.W.S.
has received many applications to adopt
Lilly once she’s ready, no doubt thanks to
her amazing story and wonderful personality. “Lilly touches everyone she meets,”
explained Kristine. “She’s a sweet, loving,
beautiful puppy who has kept her spirit
through this long, painful ordeal.”
LifeLine Also Helped…
Hannah… receive
Mee Meow… a shy
unplanned surgery to remove
her kidney, six times the
normal size and threatening
to end her life way too soon.
rescued kitten desperately
needing amputation of a
detached and infected paw.
Dr. Peepers… a rambunctious
kitty suffering from a fractured hip
after playing too hard with his brother.
10 United Animal Nations Spring 2008 Journal
Darron… the vivacious foster dog
who needed emergency surgery for a
twice-broken leg previously left untreated.
Learn More on the Web
Learn more about the LifeLine program and
read more success stories at www.uan.org
Blossom
B
lossom originally came under the
care of Maranatha Farm, an animal
rescue organization in South Carolina,
after her previous owners used a hammer
and screwdriver to ram three large holes
in the bridge of her nose and break out
her front teeth. Overcoming this horrific
abuse, the tenacious puppy then underwent seven unsuccessful surgeries to
close the hole in the roof of her mouth,
which would clog with food and prevent
Blossom from breathing, as well as to
unblock her nasal passages with the
hopes of restoring close-to-normal
breathing altogether.
Faced with funding one last highcost surgery, Maranatha Farm carried
out the largest fundraiser in its history
to collect the bulk of the money needed
for the urgent procedure, and
foster dad John Emerson applied
online for a LifeLine Rescue
Grant to bolster their efforts.
With incredible determination,
amazing fundraising success,
and an approved LifeLine
Rescue Grant, Maranatha
Farm had the money necessary
to give Blossom a chance at
a complete and happy life.
Three weeks after the surgery,
John classified the procedure as “an
unqualified success,” and Blossom now
spends her time getting to know the
world through a restored sense of smell
and unhindered breathing. “She almost
sniffs too much — you can’t get her to
stop going up and down your arm or
A victim of ho
rrific abuse, Li
feLine recipie
Blossom now
nt
enjoys a bright
and happy lif
e. leg or all over your face,” John explained.
For this strong girl with an extraordinarily bleak past, her future certainly
seems to be “blossoming” into a life of
sweet and joyful days!
Letters of Appreciation
T
hank you very much for
the assistance…Boo Boo
is, in my humble opinion,
the cutest, sweetest thing
and I love him despite his
lunacy and fears. Thank
you, thank you, thank you!
He is a sweet boy and I
am so happy to have him
home, healthy and safe!
— Susan Gennoe
I
t is so nice to know that
other people besides us
understand how very precious
each life is. The unconditional
love that our furry babies give
us cannot be overstated in its
importance. They deserve so
much back from us… God
bless you and all of your
supporters for caring and
for helping. I am so touched
and so very grateful.
I
can’t thank you enough for
your generosity. You probably know it means a lot to
us, but I wanted to say it anyway. Your donation came at
a time when it was either life
or money. I wanted to choose
life. Thank you so, so much.
— Todd Cotgreave
— Teresa Clark and Nobu
Spring 2008 Journal www.uan.org 11
Hokie & Friends
Heartworms:
What they are, why your dog (yes your dog!)
is at risk, and how to treat them
Hi Caring Animal People (CAPs)!
We are excited because spring is here, so we will get more
outside play time! But spring marks the beginning of heartworm
season, which here at UAN means a spike in LifeLine Grant
applications for heartworm treatment. The disease is 100
percent preventable, so we’re here to give you some tips on
how to keep dogs heartworm free!
Heartworms are nasty little parasites that start
their life cycle in mosquitoes. They are found in all
50 states and Canada. Think inside-only dogs are not at risk?
Wrong! Infected mosquitoes can find their way into your house
or bite even in the short time Fido goes to the bathroom outside.
How can a little mosquito cause so much
trouble? In order for a dog to be infected with heartworms,
he or she must be bitten by a mosquito that previously bit a
heartworm-infected animal. When the infected mosquito bites
a dog, heartworm larvae make their way into the dog’s blood-
Is my cat
at risk? Yes!
Although they are not
natural hosts for heartworms, cats are also susceptible to heartworm disease. And
since feline hearts are smaller, just a few heartworms
can cause damage (as opposed to 25 or more in a
40-pound dog). Diagnosis in cats is tricky and there
is currently no safe treatment option, but their immune
system seems to be pretty effective at keeping the
infection at bay. As with dogs, there are many heartworm
preventatives for cats on the market.
Speak with your veterinarian about your options.
12 United Animal Nations Spring 2008 Journal
stream where they develop into infective larvae over the next
six months. They travel through the blood vessels to the lungs,
and grow into adults in the heart. The adult heartworms then
produce offspring called microfilariae.
Heartworms can live for five to seven years in dogs, and
in that time they can harm the blood vessels of the lungs and
heart, which leads to other health issues and can even be fatal.
So how do you treat heartworms?
If the infection is mild, some clinics will treat heartworm with
preventative, such as Heartgard. This is somewhat controversial
because preventative does not kill adult heartworms, but may
shorten their lifespan and will prevent them from producing
microfilariae. This means your dog will still exhibit signs of heartworm disease such as coughing and lethargy, but the preventative slowly kills microfilariae and larvae so your dog won’t be
reinfected. It is important to keep the dog restricted for several
months, as his health is still compromised by the heartworms.
It isn’t ideal treatment but is better than no treatment at all.
For severe infections, immiticide treatment is the only option.
This typically involves two to three injections over a few months
that kill adult heartworms and microfilariae. This treatment is
risky because many heartworms die at once and circulate
through your dog’s system, potentially leading to blood clots in
the vessels or lungs. Restricting activity for several weeks while
the heartworms slowly die is important.
Of course, the best treatment is prevention. Many
heartworm preventatives are on the market, and some also help
prevent other infections like roundworm and whipworm. Talk to
your veterinarian for more information.
— Hokie & Friends
Kudos to Oprah Winfrey for informing millions of viewers
that most dogs sold in pet stores are bred in unsanitary, overcrowded and inhospitable puppy mills, and for advocating
shelter adoptions. Oprah’s groundbreaking April 4 show was
emotional, accurate and informative, and will likely change
the way millions of Americans acquire pets.
www2.oprah.com
Kudos to NBC’s Nightline for its March 13 story on the
foreclosure crisis’ impact on pets and already overwhelmed
animal shelters. Thank them for showing that animals are
the innocent victims of this financial crisis.
abcnews.go.com
Kudos to Mayor Vince Trively of Randolph, Iowa for canceling
plans to offer a $5 “cat bounty” for the capture of feral cats,
opting instead to work with animal rescue organizations on a
trap-neuter-release program. 107 S Main Street, Randolph,
IA 51649.
www.randolph-iowa.com
Kudos to Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. for making it
a felony to torture a companion animal, punishable by up
to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine. Thank the governor
for acknowledging the seriousness of such crimes. Utah State
Capitol Complex, 350 North State Street, Suite 200, PO Box
142220, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2220.
www.utah.gov
Exercise your pets
with safety this spring
S
pring is a time when we all begin spending more
time outdoors, taking our dogs for longer walks
and on adventures to
the woods, mountains
or beach.
According to the
book Knowing Your
Pet’s Health: A Guide
for Optimal Wellness
from Snout-to-Tail,
exercising your pets can:
• Prevent weight gain
• Keep joints, ligaments and muscles strong
• Reduce pain and suffering associated with arthritis
and hip dysplasia
• Keep the immune system active
• Keep the heart, lungs and other organs strong
and functioning at their best
• Provide social interaction and mental stimulation
Buy your copy of Knowing Your Pet’s Health: A Guide
for Optimal Wellness from Snout-to-Tail today to get
tips on how to design an exercise regimen for your
pets around their abilities and attributes. One dollar
of every book sold will benefit four animal charities,
including UAN, as part of the Million Petizen Rally.
Learn more about the Rally and order the book Send your Kudos or Katcalls by
mailing a letter or sending an
e-mail to the address provided.
at DoggieDoggieAreYouOK.com.
Heartworms: Signs and symptoms
Dogs with heartworm disease can exhibit varying degrees
of symptoms. Dogs with mild cases often exhibit no
symptoms at all; in fact, bloodwork and chest x-rays may
appear normal in such cases. Coughing, fatigue, lethargy,
weight loss, appetite loss, vomiting and difficulty
breathing are among the signs of more advanced
stages of the disease.
Learn more about the symptoms of and treatment for heartworms at www.uan.org/heartworm
Spring 2008 Journal www.uan.org 13
The power of love
S
eeing Maggie sitting happily on the couch, you would never guess that four months ago she was timid and
scared of humans. She lived on a remote desert ranch with only a pack of dogs for company and a hay hut
for shelter. She had never seen a blanket, a dog bed, a ball or even a cookie.
But spending four weeks with UAN’s Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers changed all that.
Maggie was among 32 dogs rescued from the desert and taken to a temporary shelter in Reno, Nevada, where
EARS volunteers provided the love and attention they would need to adjust to life in loving homes (see page 8).
After a few weeks in Reno and a few more in
a foster home, Maggie met her mom, Karen, at
an adoption event, and it was love at first sight.
“Maggie was cute and quiet and looked really
loving,” said Karen’s daughter, Sarah. “We just
knew she was the right dog.”
Now Maggie pals around with canine companion Peja and even attends a training class to
continue her human socialization. According to
Sarah, she is already bonded to her new mom
and is adjusting well to life away from the desert.
“She likes jumping on the couch, burrowing
right into you and licking your face,” Sarah
explained. “Then she tilts her head and looks
at you like she is saying, “’Love me.’”
Find out more about our amazing EARS volunteers at www.uan.org.
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