Chihuahuas Cause for Concern in Calaifornia

In January 2010, the American SPCA Adoption Centre welcomed 15 Chihuahuas that had been flown in from California to New York with the hope of finding forever homes for them.

Apparently, California shelters have seen a dramatic increase in the number of Chihuahua intakes -- this toy breed now make up 30% of the state's shelter dog population.

These dogs may be tiny... but this is a big problem for state shelters!

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Cooperative Efforts Helps Homeless Puppies

A recent story in the Edmonton Journal showed how the spirit of collaboration and cooperation can move mountains.... well maybe not mountains, but most certainly puppies!

A truck loaded with 22 medium and large breed puppies from the Winnipeg Humane Society arrived at the Edmonton Humane Society on February 21. According to society spokeswoman, Shawna Randolph, the pups will be put up for adoption as soon as they have the required medical and behaviour tests.

Apparently, Winnipeg has had fewer adoptions recently and an inexplicable increase in the number of puppies being dropped off at the shelter.

Winnipeg Humane Society's executive director, Bill McDonald, said that he asked the Edmonton Humane Society to help find homes for the pups because of its recent success at adopting out homeless dogs from California. More than 90 per cent of the 112 small breed dogs flown by private jet to Edmonton from Fresco, Calfifornia, last month have already been adopted.

"We are so thankful that the Edmonton Humane Society is helping us give these dogs the proper start," he said. "It was a happy occasion to see these pups hit the road."

Randolph added that the transfer of the puppies was made possible with the generosity of Cochrane's Automotive Repair, a west-end Lexus dealership, as well as volunteers Sandy and Les Raubenheimer. The repair shop serviced the Edmonton Humane Society's truck for the 1,700-kilometre trip at no cost, while the Lexus dealership supplied $2,500 for gas. The Raubenheimers, who drove, covered their own expenses.

Randolph said the Edmonton society will help other humane organizations and animal rescue groups whenever it can. The society plans to help the Humane Rescue Animal Team of northern Alberta by taking 13 homeless dogs off its hands in a couple of weeks and will continue to help with the California Canine Cuties program.

The first pups should be up for adoption in a few days, and the public is advised to check www.edmontonhumanesociety.com for updates.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Help For Haiti's Animals

Photo: Copyright WSPA/FAW With hearts and minds focused squarely on the devastating earthquake that occurred in Haiti on January 12, 2010, the world is extending its full support to those organizations providing humanitarian relief in the ravaged island nation. But the animal victims of this disaster need help, too! In effort to help the animals in this time of crisis, the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) was created. The coalition is comprised of the following organizations:

• American Humane
• American SPCA
• Best Friends
• Humane Society of the United States
• Humane Society International
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
• World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)

These groups have banded together with the belief that partnering across organizations is the most effective way to address the serious and enormous problems facing animals in Haiti. There are an estimated 5 million head of livestock in the country (mostly goats), a large stray dog population, and an untold number of companion animals and native wildlife all adversely affected by the earthquake. To donate to the coalition or sign up for updates, visit the Animals in Disasters blog set up by the WSPA.

Promoting Pet Adoptions in Your Community

Does it matter who adopts them.... or if they get adopted? Challenge: Your agency struggles to provide time, space and care for as many homeless pets as it can and competes for a limited number of potential adopters. Solution: Instead of competing, recognize the strengths of each organization in your community and work together. Remember, you are working on behalf of all animals in you community.... not just the ones in your care! You all work in the area of animal welfare... so why not work together!

• What parts of your mission do you have in common?
• What challenges do you all face?
• What programs do you duplicate?
• What resources can you share?

In 2010, make a point to think in terms of collaboration not isolation. Think "our animals" not "my animals." Adapted from "Bones of the Business" a regular feature in the PetSmart Charities quarterly newsletter. Used with permission from PetSmart.

PetSmart Charities National Adoption Event

As a heartwarming start to the holiday season, it was great to hear that 16,933 pets found their lifelong, loving homes during the PetSmart Charities Holiday National Adoption Event, held in all 1,145 PetSmart stores throughout the U.S. and Canada, November 13-15. More than 2,000 animal-welfare agencies throughout the United States and Canada participated and presented adoptable pets at every PetSmart Charities in-store adoption center. The Canadian National Adoption Event was proudly sponsored by PetSmart. "It's an amazing way to kick off the holiday season," said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. "During our four National Adoption Weekends in 2009, we have helped find homes for more than 66,000 pets." In the U.S. alone, an estimated 6 million to 8 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters each year, but 3 million to 4 million never find homes. During the last 14 years, the PetSmart Charities Adoption Centers have found homes for nearly 4 million pets. For every minute that the Adoption Centers are open, one pet's life is saved. "PetSmart Charities strives to raise awareness about the benefits of adopting rather than purchasing a pet," added Della Maddalena. "We are so happy to have exceeded our event goal and helped so many pets. We hope people will always consider adoption when they add a pet to their lives."

A heart-warming tale for a cold winter night

'Buckley's Story: Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher In the spring of 2005, author Ingrid King met Buckley. All it took for King, a long-time veterinary hospital manager, was one look at the small homeless cat, and she fell in love. Hard. And fast. Soon, her life was transformed. In King's warmhearted memoir, Buckley's Story: Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher, she shares the story of how -- rather unexpectedly -- one tortoiseshell cat touched her life forever. Buckley's presence in King's life leads the author to make major changes in her own life, inspired by the lessons this little cat taught through her joyful spirit and huge heart -- universal lessons that readers can apply to their own lives. But after only a few years, Buckley is diagnosed with advanced cardiac disease. In the following chapters of Buckley's Story, King tells of the sometimes heart-wrenching, sometimes joyous, final months of Buckley's life. The human-feline bond is an unbreakable one, and King retells the story with poetic grace. This book is a celebration of life and a reflection of the never-ending love that anyone who has ever loved and lost a pet can surely relate to.

Honouring Your Volunteers

Volunteers are the backbone of any nonprofit organization. Part of the joy that comes from working in animal welfare is getting know these hardworking and dedicated individuals who give so much of themselves to help companion animals. Even though animal welfare volunteers receive so much love and gratitude back from the animals they care for, they still appreciate receiving recognition from their peers. One way an organization can reward its volunteers is to nominate these individuals for the PetSmart Charities Lifesaving Volunteer Award. This is a special way to recognize volunteers who go above and beyond to help your agency fulfill its mission. Submit the story of one of your volunteer's amazing contribution to you agency and why he or she deserves the award. Submissions are accepted throughout the year, and winners are picked quarterly. Lifesaving volunteers are featured in the PetSmart Charities Quarterly newsletter with an article and photo. They will also earn their agency a one-time $500 award! To nominate a volunteer, please email: tspencer@PetSmartCharities.org Used by permission from PetSmart Charities, Inc. Learn more with free webinars at: www.petsmartcharities.org

Bones of the Business

Tips for Working Smarter Challenge: Your agency receives animals who might do better in a different environment or with different resources: more time, more space, some rehabilitation options (medical or behavioral) or different exposure for adoption. Solution: Instead of competing with other animal welfare agencies, recognize the strengths of each organization and work together for the homeless animals in your community by creating transfer relationships. Recognize program priorities In a transfer relationship, you must recognize that neither agency is the "villain" and neither is the "hero." The releasing agency and the receiving agency are equal partners. Considerations before entering a transfer partnership

• Can you commit consistent people-time for the program?
• Have you visited your partner agency to get a first-hand knowledge of conditions, philosophies and expectations?
• Are there seasonal considerations?

Build sound procedures to address logistics Write transparent procedures and requirements to clarify roles and responsibilities with WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN AND HOW. View the Spring 2009 issue of PetSmart Charities Quarterly newsletter for the complete story. Used by permission from PetSmart Charities, Inc. Learn more with free webinars at: www.petsmartcharities.org

AHA's Animal Emergency 'Rescue Rig'

When disaster strikes the American Humane Association goes to the dogs, cats and other animals! The American Humane Association’s 82-foot-long Red Star Animal Emergency Services™ Rescue Rig is the largest rescue vehicle in American Humane’s fleet of emergency response vehicles, customized to support responders and help animals in disasters. The specialized tractor-trailer is equipped with living accommodations and ready-to-eat meals for up to 12 responders, a command center with satellite dish, full veterinary surgery capability, and rescue and assistance equipment for urban and flood rescue situations. Since its inception in 1916 as American Red Star Animal Relief to help animals used in World War I, American Humane’s Red Star Animal Emergency Services has responded to national and international disasters, rescuing thousands of animals.