Message From The Executive Director

The Whatcom Humane Society’s Newsletter
Fall 2014
Message From The Executive Director
Dear Friends,
This fall, the Whatcom Humane Society celebrates our 112th anniversary. In late
October 1902, a committed group of citizens came together and founded the Society,
with a common goal and mission of helping animals in need as well as advocating
and educating on their behalf. I hope the founding members of our organization
would be proud of our efforts today.
As an open-admission animal shelter, we turn no animal away. This year, our dedicated
staff and volunteers will provide care and services to over 5,000 domestic and native
wild animals. Each animal that arrives at WHS – whether at our shelter facility, our farm
property or our wildlife rehabilitation center – receives care, comfort, necessary medical
attention and is treated with respect and kindness.
Laura Clark
Executive Director
Statement of
Principle:
The Whatcom Humane Society
believes that all animals, as
sentient beings, have value beyond
economic measurements and are
entitled to legal, moral, and ethical
consideration and protection.
Advocacy and education remain cornerstones of our mission, core values and
ongoing work. Since moving into our beautiful new building, we have been able to
expand our humane education programs by leaps and bounds. This past summer,
our inaugural Critter Camp was held – a series of 1-week day camps for kids ages
8-10. All sessions were full and for the month of July, the hallways and rooms at WHS
were filled with the laughter and exuberance of children, all immersed in learning
about animals of all kinds. What a phenomenal success!
Our education programs are not just focused on kids. This fall and winter, we will
offer several free education seminars to the public covering topics including: care
for senior pets, pitbull education, pet first-aid and CPR, chicken care, rabbit and
small animal care and more. It’s so rewarding to receive feedback from members
of the public who attend these seminars and receive information that will help them
become more responsible pet parents.
• Advocates for animals;
As the animal control provider for Whatcom County, we have the responsibility to enforce
animal related-laws and ordinances and hold people accountable for their actions. We take
this responsibility seriously. This can be difficult and frustrating work, as the laws in our
state (or any state for that matter) don’t go far enough to offer protection for animals and the
penalties for those that neglect and abuse animals are not nearly strong enough. In many
cases, the only advocate a neglected or abused animal has is the staff and volunteers at
WHS. Our organization has a moral responsibility to do everything we can to protect and
advocate on behalf of the animals in our community – domestic pets, native wildlife and
livestock. We are the voice for these animals; they cannot speak for themselves.
•Educates the community to
promote humane treatment and
respect for animals;
One of my all-time favorite quotes sums up our important community efforts and work:
Vision:
Our community treats all animals
with kindness, respect, and
compassion.
Mission Statement:
The Whatcom Humane Society:
•Provides for abandoned, injured,
abused or neglected animals.
“Never doubt that a thoughtful, committed group of citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead
(continued on page 2...)
WHATCOM HUMANE SOCIETY
CARING FOR ANIMALS SINCE 1902
Board of Directors
Message From The Executive Director
Janet Hofmann, President
Jennifer Sonker, Vice President
Pam Went, Secretary
Drew Wilkens, Treasurer
Ria Bordian
Victoria Savage
Neal Swanson
Kevin Williamson
Deb Wright (Continued from page 1)
Staff
Executive Director
Laura Clark
Administration
Kate Meuth Alldredge
LeAnna DeRoss
Animal Care
Amy Campbell, Manager
Sarah Hansen, Supervisor
Raena Anderson
Kyle Berger
Nadia Clayton
Tina Deming
Michelle Hackett
Alicia Langdon, Foster Care Coordinator
Leigha Maland
Adriana Willmersdorf
Wildlife Rehabilitation Services Alysha Elsby, Manager
Meighan Hawks
Penny White
Animal Control & Rescue/
Field Services
Paul Evans, Manager Rebecca Crowley, Lead Officer
Michael Anderson, Dispatch
Carrie Anderson
Sascha Baldwin
Vicky Gibbons
Marcus Goodrich
Meganne Shannon-Johnson
David Storm
For The Animals,
Laura Clark, Executive Director
Wish List
u
Postage stamps - both first class and post card
uNew cat toys and catnip
uDonated “air miles” to send staff to training conferences (please check with the
airline for their policy regarding donated miles)
uBlankets & towels (no electric blankets please) & Bathmats
Finance/Accounting
Dana Berger
uPaper towels & cotton balls
Special Events
Dana Browne, Manager
uDog walking harnesses – Gentle Leader easy walk harnesses, sensi-harnesses for
dog walking and training – all sizes, but especially L & XL
Community Outreach/
Humane Education
Cari Sachkowsky
uSturdy dog leashes and flat buckle collars
Volunteer Services
Carly Brewer
uHay, straw and grain for horses and other livestock
Customer Service
Danielle Yencopal-Smith, Lead Peter Anderson
Zakia Kaminski
uWhite and colored copy paper for our copy machine
Veterinary Services
Karen Rounds, DVM
Amy Armstrong, Vet Tech
uArt supplies for humane education programs (new or quality used)
Progra ms & Services
uLarge stall mats, head halters and lead ropes for the horses and livestock at our
farm facility
• Adoptions & Animal Care
• Lost & Found
• 24-Hour Animal Control & Rescue
• Investigations of Cruelty & Neglect
• Licensing
• Community Outreach & Special Events
• Humane Education
• Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program
(SNAP)
• Pet Food Bank
• Veterinary Services
• Volunteer Services
• Wildlife Rehabilitation Services
Location
OUR NEW LOCATION!
2172 Division Street
Bellingham, WA 98226
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This sentiment was shared by the founding members of the Whatcom Humane
Society 112 years ago, and it is shared by our current board of directors, staff and
volunteers today. Working together, we can make a positive impact and difference for
the animals in our community and beyond. I look forward to continuing this life-saving
work and sincerely thank you all for your continued support of our mission and the
animals in our care.
uNew dog toys and treats
uQuality new or used tractor
uUnopened bags and cans of dog & cat food (any brand!)
uHamster, rabbit, guinea pig and domestic rat food and treats
uQuality new or used laptop or desktop computers
uNew or used dog houses for animal control & rescue
uGift Cards to any of the following businesses: PetStop in Sehome Village, Costco,
Home Depot, Lowes, Hardware Sales, Whatcom Farmers Co-op, Joanne Fabric,
Michaels, Fred Meyer or Haggen Food & Pharmacy
uCat scratchers and clumping cat litter (Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract brand especially
appreciated)
HOURS OF OPERATION
Wednesday - Saturday
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday - Monday
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed to the Public Tuesday and
Major Holidays
uBaby Food, Frozen Berries, Cracked Corn, Bird Seed and Nuts for our Wildlife
Rehabilitation Center
Phone: (360) 733-2080
Fax: (360) 733-4746
Check out our Amazon.com wishlist! Visit Amazon.com, “gifts & wishlists,” then
type in Whatcom Humane.
www.whatcomhumane.org
For more information, please contact Cari Sachkowsky at
(360)733-2080 or email [email protected].
Santa Paws is Coming to WHS
Bring your companion animal to the Whatcom Humane Society
for a visit and photo with Santa Paws.
Saturday, December 6th ~ 11am – 5pm
Sunday, December 7th ~ Noon – 5pm
Whatcom Humane Society ~ Multi-Purpose Room
For a $20 donation, you will receive a 4 X 6 photo card
and digital photo file sent to you via email for use.
No appointment necessary. Dogs must be on a leash
and cats and other animals in a secure carrier. Proceeds
benefit the Whatcom Humane Society.
SAVE THE DATE
It’s not too early to plan for 2015.
Save the Date for these upcoming
annual WHS events.
Friday, February 27th
WHS Wine Social & Win An Instant
Wine Cellar Party ~ Bellingham
Cruise Terminal
Friday, March 20th
WHS Woof & Whisker Awards
Luncheon ~ Northwood Hall,
Bellingham
For sponsorship information or to
request an invitation, please contact
WHS events manager Dana Browne at
(360)733-2080, ext # 3014 or email
[email protected].
Monthly Pet Loss Support
Group Offered
Whatcom Humane Society’s monthly
Pet Loss Support Group offers support
and resources to help with the loss of a
pet. The Pet Loss Support Group meets
the 3rd Thursday of each month from
6:00pm to 7:30pm in the multi-purpose
room at the Whatcom Humane Society.
There is no charge for this group, no reservations are needed and you are
free to attend as often as necessary throughout your grief process.
The Pet Loss Support Group provides a safe, supportive place where pet
owners can share stories about their pet and work through their grief with
others who have suffered a similar loss.
Volunteers provide supportive help for those who have been touched by
the loss of a pet, are anticipating the death of a pet, are dealing with the
difficult decision of euthanasia, have suffered from a lost or stolen pet or
are wondering when/if it is time add another pet to the family.
For more information, please contact: [email protected]
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THE STORY OF
“BIG DADDY”
Since WHS started providing wildlife rehabilitation services last February hundreds of injured and orphaned native
wild animals have come through the doors of the tiny WHS wildlife rehab center (located on park property off
Mount Baker Hwy). The goal of the wildlife rehab center is to provide necessary care for wild animals and then
release them back into their native habitat.
That was the plan several months ago, when the center received a badly injured adult male barn owl. The owl
was found lying on the road, unable to move or fly. Upon examination, it was determined that the bird suffered
from spinal injuries, a compound fracture to his wing and ligament damage. His prognosis was poor. Maplewood
Animal Hospital (Dr. David Rabkin, DVM) generously donated their services to provide emergency life-saving
treatment and surgery for the owl, placing a surgical pin in his wing. The owl spent several weeks receiving roundthe-clock care at the wildlife center. Unfortunately, after weeks of recovery Dr. Rabkin and rehab center staff
determined that the owl’s wing would never fully recover to allow the owl to sustain flight needed for hunting and
survival on his own.
WHS wildlife rehab center manager and licensed wildlife rehabilitator Alysha Elsby was determined to give this
owl a second chance. She reached out to her contacts at the International Wildlife Rehabilitators Council and
Federal Fish & Wildlife Migratory Bird Officers. Soon after, she was contacted by a wildlife rehabilitation center
in Maryland that was involved in a barn owl nesting project. The center explained that due to habitat destruction,
barn owls had become almost extinct in Maryland. They had been working with local Fish & Wildlife groups to
restore barn owl species to native habitat areas where they could survive. This center was looking for barn owls –
especially male barn owls to ensure the program’s success.
While various federal and state agencies obtained necessary
permits and made preparations to transfer a wild owl crosscountry, “Big Daddy” as he was now called by WHS wildlife
center staff, interns and volunteers continued to gain strength
and receive care in a large bird flight enclosure located next to
the WHS wildlife center. During this past spring and summer
16 orphaned baby barn owls were received at the center. “Big
Daddy” became a surrogate parent to these owls, raising them,
teaching them how to fly, hunt and care for themselves until they
were old enough to survive on their own and were released back
into the wild.
While his injuries will most likely prevent him from ever being
fully released back into the wild, we hope that “Big Daddy” will
become a national ambassador for his species and can assist
barn owls all over the east coast to thrive and flourish in the
wild. Thank you to everyone involved in helping “Big Daddy”.
The WHS wildlife rehabilitation services center is funded entirely by donations. To support this vital program and
native wildlife in our community and beyond, visit www.whatcomhumane.org.
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The Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehabiltiation Center can be reached at:
email: [email protected]
(360)966-8845 or by
ANNUAL WHS KIDS POSTER / POEM CONTEST WINNERS
THE THEME: PETS ARE OUR FAMILY TOO!
Congratulations to the finalists and winners of this year’s annual Kids Poster & Poem Contest.
GREAT JOB!
3rd - 5th Grade Poster Winners
6th - 8th Grade Poster Winners
1ST PLACE:
CHAD ABBOTT
Title of Entry:
Hello Kitty!
See Ya Doggy!
2ND PLACE: ASIA BEASON
Title of Entry: The Tea Party for Two
FOSTER
1ST PLACE: AVIVA
e Loved
ar
ts
Title of Entry: Pe
2ND PLACE:
OMAVI OWENS
Title of Entry:
Always There
3RD PLAC
E: VITA ZN
UK
Title of Entr
y: A Family
of 3
3rd-5th Grade Poetry Winners (excerpts)
1ST PLACE:
LILO MASON-ZOLLFRANK
2ND PLACE:
SAVANAH PAXTON
3RD PLACE:
TAYLOR DANIELS
We
Family Poem
Pets are Family
I wave my hand,
They wag their tails,
We understand each other,
You see
I am part of your family.
I am an everlasting companion of the heart.
Together until the end.
Some families are big and some are small,
some humans can stay short and some
stand TALL, but you should know animals
are the best family of all!!!
6th - 8th Grade Poetry Winners (excerpts)
1ST PLACE:
KAELYN SAD
2ND PLACE:
JOSIE HICKS
3RD PLACE:
AURORA EDWARDS
My Dog, My Family
Thor
Animals Are Our Family
You could run like a lion.
You were not just my dog or my pet,
you were my family, you were my brother
with a wet nose.
A small gray warrior
Digging down deep
Waiting for the right moment
To jump out on his enemy
Real family are the ones that stay in your
heart forever
Every day family is in your mind and heart
Our family is our animals
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HELP! MY DOG HAS A BARKING PROBLEM!
Barking dogs have been in the news of late,
including a well-publicized case involving a
Corgi named Molly who was tragically shot
and killed by a neighbor. Note: The alleged
shooter in that case has been charged with
several crimes, including animal cruelty.
The case is pending.
Below is an excerpt of a wonderful and
extremely informative article written by
Angela Lenz, owner of Tails-A-Wagging
Doggie Daycare & Obedience Training
Center about barking dogs.
For the full article, please visit
www.tails-a-wagging.com
DOGS BARK. It is part of their natural and normal communication and behavior. Dogs can bark for appropriate and good
reasons, such as when strangers approach our house, they hear an odd noise, or they are herding sheep. Most of us want
our dogs to be “watch dogs” and alert us to anything unusual. But dogs can also bark inappropriately. To control barking in
our dogs, we first need to understand why they are barking.
Types of canine vocal communication
Dogs, as well as wolves use many types of vocalizations to communicate. This communication starts very early in life.
Young puppies make a mewing-like sound when they are searching for food or warmth. Louder crying sounds are heard
if the puppy is hurt or frustrated. As dogs get older, they make five main classes of sounds: howls, growls, grunts, whines,
and barks. Each of these classes of sounds is used in different situations.
WHY DOGS BARK.
•Alert/warning barks are the type of barks some owners encourage. They want their dog to alert them to the
presence of a danger or suspicious stranger.
•
Attention-seeking barks are most often used by puppies to get you to focus your attention
on them.
• Play/excitement barks are often short and sharp. These barks are common if
the dog gets too excited with the game.
• Self-identification barking is what you may be hearing when your dog seems to
be answering other dogs he hears barking in the neighborhood. It is his way of saying,
“I am over here.”
• Bored barkers simply need an outlet for their energy and a more stimulating
environment.
•
Lonely/anxious barking occurs if your dog is experiencing separation anxiety.
•
Startle barking occurs in response to an unfamiliar or sudden sound or movement.
General principles for controlling undesirable barking
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If we want to control barking, we need a dog who can obey us and relax. The dog needs
to look to her owner for behavior clues. If we can call her, have her lie down (dogs
do not bark as much when lying down) and stay, we are well on the way to solving a
nuisance barking problem. In addition, there are some common principles we can
use in modifying barking behavior.
First, in most cases shouting “No” is only going to make matters worse since the dog is thinking you are barking too
(and is probably happy you joined in). Be consistent. Pick a one-word command e.g., “Enough” or “Quiet” for the
behavior you want and always use that word in the same tone of voice. Everyone in the household must use the same
command and act identically.
Be patient with your dog and yourself. Changing behavior takes a lot of time, and you need to take it slowly, one step
at a time. If you become angry at your dog, the chance to correctly modify the behavior will be gone.
Reward the dog for good behavior. Positive reinforcement is much more powerful than punishment. Physical
punishment will do nothing but make your dog fearful of you and break down the bond you wish to have with her.
Food treats are fine to use as a reward at first. Often, picking a very special treat like small pieces of cooked chicken
or hot dog will make the reward seem even better. As time goes on, you will not give a treat every time, sometimes just
rewarding with a “Good Dog” and a pat on the dog’s chest. Do not hug your dog, talk soothingly, or otherwise play into
your dog’s barking. Your dog may then believe there really was something of which to be alarmed, afraid, or anxious.
This reinforces her behavior and she will likely bark even more the next time.
Make sure your dog is getting sufficient physical and mental exercise every day. A tired dog is a good dog and one
who is less likely to bark from boredom or frustration. Depending on his breed, age, and health, your dog may require
several long walks as well as a good game of chasing the ball and playing with some interactive toys.
WHAT NOT TO DO!
Controlling barking through corrective collars
There are numerous collars on the market that produce an electrical stimulation, an irritating ultrasonic sound,
or a smell when the dog barks. We DO NOT recommend these collars, as collars will not cure the problem.
They only punish the dog for doing a normal behavior.
Debarking
Debarking is a surgical procedure that removes the vocal cords from dogs. There are two
surgical approaches, one through the mouth, and the other through an incision in
the neck. Debarking is a cruel and inhumane act that is illegal in many states.
WHAT IF THE NEIGHBOR’S DOG IS BARKING!
A barking dog can be a minor annoyance or a major problem, depending on the
location of the dog, time of day or night and duration of the barking. Usually, a
barking dog does not warrant any attention, but there are situations when the
barking becomes a disruption and you need to take action.
If you are bothered by a barking dog, your first step should generally be to talk
to the dog’s owner. A respectful conversation can go a long way, as many
dog owners are not aware that their dog is barking and will work to solve the
problem. That being said, if a polite conversation is not possible, you have
other options.
Whatcom County cities and municipalities address barking dog ordinances
differently. If you need to file a barking dog complaint, contact our animal control
& rescue department for assistance and information about the laws in your
town/area. Our office will need the exact address (street number – not “the
blue house at the end of the road) of where the offending dog resides. WHS
animal control officers will provide you with a barking dog log you can use to
track the dates, times and duration of the barking dog. Our officers can visit
the dog owner’s home and provide education and enforcement. If the barking
continues, barking dog citations/fines can be issued.
To contact the Whatcom Humane Society Animal Control & Rescue Department,
call (360)733-2080, ext # 3017.
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SHOP AT FRED MEYER & RAISE MONEY FOR WHS!
Where Shopping & Giving Unite
Support your favorite nonprofit just by shopping at Fred Meyer with your Rewards Card. Fred Meyer is donating
$2.5 million each year – up to $625,000 each quarter – to the local schools, community organizations or
nonprofits of your choice. All you have to do is link your Rewards Card and use it when you shop at Fred Meyer.
Your Fred Meyer Rewards Card can help earn money for the Whatcom Humane Society...
it’s easy!
• Go to www.fredmeyer.com
• Click on the red REWARDS tab at top.
• On the drop down menu click on Community Rewards.
• Link your Rewards Card now.
• Sign in, using your personal Rewards Card information.
• Find Whatcom Humane Society, #82474
• Don’t forget to click SAVE!
You’re done!
Thank you for your support!
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LATEST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON ANIMAL RELATED ISSUES IN
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LINE, TYPE “JOIN EMAIL
NEWS LIST.” THANKS!
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You “Auto” Donate!
You “auto” donate your old car,
truck, boat, boathouse, RV or
trailer for the animals at the
Whatcom Humane Society. All
donated vehicles must be in good
running condition - no “junkers”
please! Your donation is tax
deductible and will help support
the programs and services that
WHS provides all year long. For
more information please contact
Laura Clark at (360) 733 - 2080,
ext. #3026 or email
[email protected]