to read the July 2016 issue of Wagging Tales Newsletter

WAGGING TALES
N ew s, Events & Happy Stories for Staff & Volunteers of
Charleston Anim al Society
LOOKING FOR LOVE
By: Heather Thomas
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thur, Aug 4th: 4p - 8p
Yappy Hour
James Island County Park
Sat, Aug 6th: 2p - 8p
Triangle Char and Bar Kayla Cup
9800 Dorchester Rd, Summerville
Mon, Aug 8th: 7p - 9p
Dog Day Monday
Charleston Riverdogs Stadium
Sat, Aug 13th: 8a - 12p
Steps to a Healthier Community
Family Fun Walk & Health Fair
155 Jackson St, Charleston
Sat, Aug 13th
Pride Parade and Festival
Downtown Charleston
Mon, Aug 22nd: 7p - 9p
Dog Day Monday
Charleston Riverdogs Stadium
I spent some time getting to know a very sweet 2 year old
Staffordshire mix named Kasey. He’s full of personality. Here are some
fun facts I learned about him in our interview.
What are some of your favorite activities?
K asey: Definitely going outside exploring parks, trails, and I love to
play with squeaky toys. I have a lot of energy but that means I’ll rest
good when it’s time for bed.
What kind of family matches your lifestyle?
Wed, Aug 24th: 4p - 8p
Ghost Monkey Brewery "Beers &
Paws" Social & Chili Team Sign-Up
Mt. Pleasant
Thur, Aug 25th
HSUS Disaster Training
Public Works and CAS Training Room
Sat, Sept 3rd: 7:30p
Pups on the Pitch
MUSC Health Stadium, Daniel Island
Sat, Sept 11th: 12p - 5p
Dog Day Afternoon
Wannamaker County Park
K asey: I am looking for a family who enjoys being active. I’d love to
have my own play area or back yard. But I also enjoy giving kisses
and being held.
Issue 16 – 07.25.2016
~~~~~~~~
Page 1 of 8
Would you rather wear a harness or a collar?
K asey: A harness is way more comfortable for me.
Do you enjoy the company of other dogs?
K asey: I am a social dog. I enjoy meeting and greeting humans and other dogs.
Kasey was a pleasure to meet. Stop by Charleston Animal Society and talk to him yourself if you are
looking for a new best friend.
LOOKING FOR LOVE
Pepe Le Pew is also looking for love. He had a busy schedule and we couldn’t
set up an interview but here’s a little information about him.
He was brought in by animal control at the end of May. He came into the
shelter almost bald and diagnosed with a severe skin disease. Of course, with
the help of the knowledgeable staff at the Charleston Animal Society, he is
recovering quite well. His treatments have shown improvement and he is ready
to find his forever family.
Issue 16 – 07.25.2016
Page 2 of 8
A few more pics of Pepe’s before and during treatment progression
WHO’S WHO?
By: Winkie Welborn
JENNIFER WINCHESTER
This month we’re meeting Jennifer Winchester, Director of Philanthropy. She just celebrated her 1year anniversary with the organization at the end of June. Prior to joining Charleston Animal Society,
Jennifer worked at the Medical University of South
Carolina. We are lucky to have her on our team helping
to raise much needed funds in support of our work.
After all, without the help of our amazing supporters,
Charleston Animal Society wouldn’t be able to save so
many lives.
Philanthropy encompasses the generous donations of
much needed funding to worthy, charitable causes. In
Jennifer’s role, she focuses heavily on major gifts and
planned giving, among other fundraising activities.
Issue 16 – 07.25.2016
Page 3 of 8
She has specifically developed the Founders Program to acknowledge gifts and pledges at the
$25,000 level (donors are able to spread out the giving over 5 years, if desired). Jennifer also
established the organization’s Giving Societies, which are donations based on levels of giving from
$1,000 and up, and include various forms of recognition.
Jennifer works strictly through personal contact to develop meaningful relationships between those
who feel an intrinsic connection with what we do. Whether via phone, email, meetings, or cards, she
estimates that she contacts at least 10 new people a week, in addition to keeping in regular contact
with existing investors. She is considering parties at Board Member’s homes where potential donors
can learn about Charleston Animal Society and all of the various programs we sponsor. In hopes, that
they too will become major donors themselves.
Jennifer and her beau, Josh, share their home with 4 pets: a 15-year old Boston Terrier – Winston, a
4-year old cockapoo – Sully, a 13-year old Siamese mix – Brodie, and a 5-year old tabby cat –
Cooper.
PETIQUETTE
By: Lisa Kindsvater
Charleston Animal Society’s Behavior Team, which includes lead Donya Satriale and team members
John Martin, Erin MacGovern, and Jessie Sanders, plays an important role in successful adoptions on
many levels. First, all dogs over the age of six months are evaluated using a seven item checklist
developed by the ASPCA. Most assessments take place around day three after arrival in the shelter,
says Sanders. This gives the dogs time to adjust and settle down before they are assessed. The
reason evaluations are so important is because the “SAFER assessments” can pick up on behaviors
that may need modification before dogs are placed on the adoption floor.
The team looks for things such as
excessive energy, inappropriate play, and
the most common which are fearful or
reactive tendencies. The staff then spends
time with these dogs using various
behavior modification techniques. Often
behavior staff has “high value” food treats
making good behavior very tasty and
rewarding for the dogs. Sanders says the
team usually works with around three to
ten dogs at any given time.
In addition to the Behavior Team,
Charleston Animal Society also utilizes
Issue 16 – 07.25.2016
Page 4 of 8
some canine residents as “helper dogs” in making assessments of fellow dogs. One famous resident
is Gumby, who now lives full time at the shelter. By taking note of his reactions, the Behavior Team
can make additional interpretations of other dogs’
behaviors.
Sanders also notes that most assessments of food
guarding, which is on the ASPCA behavior
checklist, have recently been stopped. After
participating in a pilot program, the Behavior
Team determined that food guarding behavior is
often something that is seen in the shelter
environment, but not in a real-life home situation
where the dog is not stressed.
Along with behavior assessments, Sanders
emphasizes that enrichment is a main focus for
the Behavior Team. She says that daily interactions enrich the lives of dogs during their stay at the
shelter. It is essential to keep the dogs active and engaged during the time they are living in a kennel
environment. Charleston Animal Society uses an enrichment program developed by Aimee Sadler
called “Dogs Playing for Life”, which utilizes dog socialization in a play group setting, similar to what
you’d see at a dog daycare. “It is very important to keep the dogs’ minds working,” says Sanders.
“And thirty minutes in a dog play group is comparable to a two-hour walk.”
There are different levels of intensity for the play
groups, she explains. Some dogs are very rowdy and
others are more passive. It does not take the Behavior
Team long to figure out which groups fit individual
dogs. These groups range in size from 10 to 25 dogs
rotating in and out of the play groups. And, some dogs
really do best just going on solo walks, she adds. “The
goal is, all dogs out two times, every day.”
All this dog walking and dog playing calls for a lot of
supervision. That is where dog savvy, confident
volunteers are essential. The behavior team looks for
people who can manage either time outside working with a play group or outside walking and/or
showing off dogs. In the summer months, it is especially difficult to find enough volunteers, she
adds. <If you’re interested, please check out our website to sign up to volunteer at
www.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org/volunteer/ or email Steve O’Brien at
[email protected]>
Issue 16 – 07.25.2016
Page 5 of 8
To further facilitate successful adoptions, the Behavior Team also offers adoption counseling. Often, a
member of the team will do follow up calls with families to make sure things are a great fit and that
all questions are answered. From arrival at the shelter to going home after adoption, Charleston
Animal Society’s Behavior Team keeps the focus on happy dogs.
By: Morgan Edens
We may be having a bit of a dry spell here in Charleston
weather-wise, but Charleston Animal Society experienced a
flood of a different kind this past June, a flood of kittens and
cats! As posted on the Society’s social media accounts, a total
of 51 kitties were dropped off at the shelter from a single
hoarding situation alone.
The animals had all lived in an apartment together and most were in need of medical attention. To
make those numbers even more staggering, a total of 47 cats and kittens were brought in from
animal control and the community that very same day.
With a total of 98 new mouths to feed, staff and volunteers at the shelter were scrambling to find
space and food for their new guests. The staff’s break room and bathroom was made into makeshift
kitty quarters. The S.O.S. was sent out to Charleston’s animal
loving community to ask for food donations. The clinic’s
veterinary staff had their hands full tending to all the new
medical needs the felines brought with them and even some
surrounding vets welcomed a few cats into their treatment
facilities to lend a hand.
Many of the kitties have already found their new homes and the
adoption team is doing a great job to make sure the rest soon
follow!
Issue 16 – 07.25.2016
Page 6 of 8
SNAPSHOTS
By: Heather Thomas
Are ready for a cuteness overload? Here are some snapshots of the cats and kittens waiting for
adoption in the shelter!
First we have Naomi, a beautiful all white cat. She was found living at a ball field on Johns Island
with 13 other cats and kittens. The crew members that brought the cats in had to convince the group
of kitties to come with them by offering a variety of treats!
The next snapshots include a few of the cats and kittens rescued in the hoarding case in West
Ashley.
Issue 16 – 07.25.2016
Page 7 of 8
DOG TRAINING CLASSES
Upcoming dog training classes available through Charleston Animal Society’s Canine
College can be found below. For more info or to sign up, visit
www.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org/dog-training/
 August 10th – Puppy Kindergarten
 August 10th – Dog Obedience 101
 August 15th – Pet Therapy Prep Class
 August 21st – AKC Puppy STAR
 August 21st – Puppy Pre-School
 Every Second Saturday – Puppy Club
 By Appointment – In-Home Private Dog Training
If you’re interested in contributing to the Wagging Tales Newsletter,
please contact Jamie Healy at [email protected]
We’d love to have you on our amazing volunteer team!
Issue 16 – 07.25.2016
Page 8 of 8