Second Chance Humane Society Pet Column

Become a Facebook Fan of Second Chance!

secondchancehumanesociety — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:02:38 +0000

Tasha loves Facebook!

Second Chance Humane Society would like to help shelter pets like me get a Home for the Holidays. We are hoping you can help us. We are initiating a little experiment in internet social media that we hope will spread the word about all the adoptable and adorable pets waiting for their forever homes here at Second Chance. It is a quick and easy as a way for you to make a difference this Holiday Season in saving the lives of pets in need. The more pets we can work together to find new homes for results in additional pets that can then be rescued through the Second Chance Shelter.

This social media experiment simply involves putting our Facebook page to its intended application of networking and expanding our community connections and outreach efforts. As such, we are inviting all our Pet Column readers to become fans of Second Chance Humane Society!

Through Facebook you can help us spread the word on adoptable pets seeking new families as well as other community services that Second Chance provides. You can also help us to promote our Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance Program, recruit foster care givers, promote our events, etc. You can also share in our success stories and give us feedback on how we are doing. We place a great value on our community connections and hope that Facebook will be another avenue for us to interact with our animal loving communities

Additionally, our Facebook page has photo albums which give you easy access to the wonderful photos of our many adoptable pets (photos by Real Life Photographs) which you can share with others. The photos are much larger than we can display on our website page and thus really help to promote the unique characteristics of all the various shelter pets.

Beyond helping our pets find Homes for the Holidays, becoming a Facebook fan of Second Chance also gives you access to updates on our events and news. If you are a Facebook member simply do a Facebook search for Second Chance Humane Society, once you find our page click on the “become a fan” button. Done. If you are not a Facebook member – we have no intention of pushing Facebook on you – but consider our invitation if you ever do venture into the Facebook world…

As I write this Pet Column there are 73 wonderful Fans listed on our Facebook page. I would like to see that number at least double after this Column is printed…it truly could be the way that I find my new family. As a lovely, young, and exuberant Retriever/Lab mix I can’t think of anything better than being with my new family for the Holidays…

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance, Volunteer & Foster Care, or other Programs. Visit our shelter pets online: www.secondchancehumanesociety.org. Direct Pet Column questions to: kelly@secondchancehumanesociety.org. Photo by Real Life Photographs.

Introducing Children & Pets

secondchancehumanesociety — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:02:57 +0000

Scotty the Cat - not the Marshall

Although pets make great companions and teachers for children it is important that such relationships be developed properly and safely. Not all children are comfortable around pets nor are all pets comfortable around children. However, with the right approach this dynamic can be transformed. Friendships between children and pets can lead to some of the most positive relationship and bonding experiences of a child’s early life.

So whether it is the pet, child, or both that is not accustomed to the other, how you proceed to establish comfortable relations between children and pets is critical to the speed and longevity of success. The guidelines below can help in this process:

When a new pet is brought into the home it is critical that the family not overwhelm and over-stimulate the pet. Recognize that the pet is entering a whole new world which can be frightening and unsettling at first. Allow the pet ample space to adjust, as well as time to learn the routines of the house and the individual household members.

Establish rules and routines early, yet allow for some leniency in the beginning as the pet adjusts to the varying novelty of the rules. This does not mean that you should allow your new dog on the couch if the rules are “no dogs on the couch” but it does mean that patience and repetition should be applied in teaching the rule. Thus, if the dog does plop itself on the couch – correct immediately but gently. Ultimately you want to build a trusting relationship where the pet looks to you for direction – out of respect and not fear.

Similarly there is a big adjustment period when a new person is brought into the household where pets reside. Whether it be a new baby or a visiting child it is important to allow the household pet time and space to adjust to new little beings in “his” or “her” home. Do not force the introduction if the pet is hesitant – let them approach the baby or child when they are ready. Always closely supervise pets and babies or children who are unfamiliar with one another. Speak calmly and reassuringly to the pet, communicating that the “intruder” is welcomed with confidence.

During initial introductions monitor your pet for any signs of fear or anxiety, if the pet is uncertain about the “new person” continue to monitor and supervise all interactions until the pet adjusts comfortably to the household addition. Play with your cat, walk your dog, etc. in the vicinity of the new family member, allowing your pet to associate the new person with positive aspects of the pet’s life. Have ample treats on hand to reward your pet for appropriate behavior around the baby or child.

Although a new family member typically means less time for the pets, do make an effort to not let your pet’s feel abandoned. This association of abandonment with the new baby will not benefit the relationship between pet and baby. Do your best to maintain important routines of exercise and play with your pets.

By the way, my name is “Scotty”, named after my favorite law enforcement officer, and as a “cat in waiting” here at the Second Chance Shelter I thought I would mention that my laid back personality makes me a good candidate for a household with children…come meet me today!

The Meaning of Rescue

secondchancehumanesociety — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:19:43 +0000

: Eddie the Lover

Although adopting a rescue pet is a heartwarming and transformative experience, Second Chance Humane Society urges anyone preparing to bring a new pet into the family to realize that it is a lifetime commitment. It is critical to acknowledge that pet adoption almost always involves a transition period while the pet learns that he/she really is a permanent family member – forever. Additionally the bonding and attachment process doesn’t happen overnight – but everyone has to get to know each other better at their own pace.

Eddie, a very good natured Red Heeler who has been at the Second Chance Shelter for several weeks wrote this poem to help remind us all of this.

“The Meaning of Rescue”

Now that I’m home, bathed, settled and fed,
All nicely tucked in my warm new bed,
I’d like to open my baggage, lest I forget,
There is so much to carry—so much to regret.
Hmmm—Yes, there it is, right on top
Let’s unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame.
As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave,
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
But I wasn’t good enough for they didn’t want me.
Will you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things — And take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage, To never repack?
I pray that you do—I’m so tired, you see,
But I do come with baggage—
Will you still want me?

Eddie adjusted smoothly to the staff, volunteers and the various other Shelter pets and is ready to make a new transition into a loving forever home. He has a deformed front foot which he has fully learned to accept and which does not prevent him from playing with other dogs or cuddling with staff and volunteers and living a completely happy and normal life. Come meet him today, one look into his angelic eyes and you will be hooked like the rest of us…

Ode to Pet Lovers

secondchancehumanesociety — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:16:48 +0000

To all pet lovers, from Spark Plug, an adorable cat waiting here at the Second Chance Humane Society for adoption…. Enjoy….

If I Didn’t Have a Dog… Or Cat……

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.
My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture & cars would be free of hair.
When the doorbell rings, it wouldn’t sound like a kennel.

When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without
wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.

I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted,
without taking into consideration how much space
Several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.

I would have money, & no guilt to go on a real vacation.

I would not be on a first-name basis with numerous veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grandkids through college.

The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, & leave him/her/it ALONE.

My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

My house would not look like a day care center, with toys everywhere.

My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.

I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L,,
F-R-I-S-B-E-E, W-A-L-K,, T-R-E-A-T,, R-I-D-E,, GO

I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much.

I’d look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading ‘mud’ season.

I would not have to answer the question ‘Why do you have so many animals?’ from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.

How EMPTY my life would be!!!

‘Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened’

Thanks to all who have helped Second Chance Humane Society increase adoptions by 50% over 2008 (through September that is…).

Shelter Pet Project

secondchancehumanesociety — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:12:23 +0000

Copper - shinier than a Penny

The Advertising Council, in partnership with The Humane Society of the United States, and Maddie’s Fund announced the launch of The Shelter Pet Project, a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign, designed to encourage pet lovers throughout the country to make shelters their first choice for acquiring companion animals. The Shelter Pet Project is the first national PSA campaign to bring together the largest animal welfare organizations and many shelters across the country for one unified goal—to increase pet adoption.

There are approximately 75 million dogs and 88 million cats in American households. Presently, most people do not obtain their pets from shelters, but rather from pet stores, the Internet sellers, friends, neighbors, breeders or other sources. According to The Humane Society of the United States and Maddie’s Fund, eight million pets enter shelters and rescue groups every year, with three million of these healthy and treatable pets euthanized due to lack of adoption.

The Shelter Pet Project aims to change the public’s perception of shelter pets and encourage Americans to save a pet’s life by adopting from an animal shelter or rescue group. Second Chance Humane Society is one of hundreds of shelters that receives a large variety of mixed and full bred pets that we hope you will consider for your next pet.

The humorous PSAs aim to break down the stereotypes associated with shelter pets and make shelters and rescue groups the desired place for people to find a pet. The ads feature stories of how pets come into shelters through no fault of their own, but to due owners’ issues, such as divorce, financial difficulty, and ill-prepared owners. The television, radio, print, outdoor and web ads direct audiences to visit a new comprehensive website, www.theshelterpetproject.org, to find out more information about how to adopt a pet from a shelter. The website also includes a “Pet Personals” section, where users are matched with pets from a local shelter or rescue group.

“We are proud to join with The HSUS and Maddie’s Fund on this very important campaign, the first in our 67-year history that will benefit pets,” said Peggy Conlon, President & CEO of the Ad Council. “This campaign will help change the conversation about pet shelters and help Americans understand that they are a wonderful place to adopt a pet. Ultimately, our efforts will provide loving homes for healthy shelter dogs and cats throughout the country.”

In addition to the new PSAs and website, The Shelter Pet Project will engage the target audiences through a series of social media strategies, including blog and online outreach, as well as social networking initiatives. The campaign will encourage advocates, shelter workers, pet lovers and all Americans to become a “fan” and take a pledge to adopt a pet on Facebook. Audiences will also have the opportunity to sign up on Twitter to receive tweets from a shelter pet, which convey his point of view, and view the new PSAs through YouTube. You can join through the following links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shelter-Pet-Project/126480082642

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shelterpets

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/shelterpetproject

My name is Copper, a handsome German Short Hair/Pointer mix here at the Second Chance Shelter – I certainly never deserved to become homeless – and by spreading the word on the Shelter Pet Project you can help pets like me find the loving forever homes we do deserve!

The Benefits of Adopting a Senior

secondchancehumanesociety — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:20:17 +0000

Sheba of the Shelter

My name is Sheba, Sheba of the Second Chance Shelter. I am one of the 14 cats that came to Second Chance after our parent died a few months ago. A few of us have found new homes but most of us are still waiting. We have all had dentals, vaccinations, and all but a few are now healthy and ready to move on. However, being advanced in age makes it challenging to find a new forever home and, although I am only about 8 years old with plenty of spunk, a few of my step-siblings are more at the retired age of 10+ and just need a warm and loving home where they can rest and cuddle.

Recently Second Chance had a successful adoption of a senior cat – the only downside to that great news was that it took almost two years to occur. Not that this is a bad place, but I would much rather be in a home of my own than here at the shelter for the next two years…but this Pet Column is not a sob story. It is a story of truth.

So let me give you the beta about adopting a senior pet – it is actually ideal for many families and worth investigating further. For example, we are so less needy than our younger counterparts and have learned to let go of many of our bad habits and demands. Most importantly we teach others an acceptance of life that is comparable to the Zen Masters teachings – BE.

Many people that I have briefly met at the shelter and who have had their hearts opened by my unabashed willingness to extend myself to them have ended up leaving with one of the younger cats here at the shelter. I do fully comprehend their fear of the potentially shorter lifetime we would have together. People would rather avoid or prolong the grief of saying goodbye that is a natural part of life, I understand this (remember I am a Zen Master…).

I also know that we make the most of what we have – and cat life longevity varies from up to 20+ years. So yes, adopting an older pet has certain risks to it, but there are no guarantees of longevity for any pet you adopt. The important thing is that the time we have together will be richly rewarded by love, connection, and companionship.

I am not attempting to persuade someone to bring a pet home that is not the right person or family, but I am asking you to consider that perhaps you ARE the right person. If you have a warm and comfortable home where I can stay inside and greet you and the rest of the family with willingly received rubs and purrs, you might want to consider coming to meet me or my step-siblings at the shelter.

Most of all I just want to fulfill my purpose, to love and be loved. In closing, at the risk of sounding melodramatic, I will leave you with this thought: every day more spent at the shelter is one day less I can spend with you…

National Feral Cat Day

secondchancehumanesociety — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:21:40 +0000

Sheba of the Shelter

October 16^th marks the 9^th Annual National Feral Cat Day and Second Chance Humane Society hopes that all Pet Column readers will participate in promoting this day devoted to protecting and improving the lives of cats around the country.

National Feral Cat Day was launched in 2001 by Alley Cat Allies, the national advocate for feral and stray cats and a recognized authority on Trap‐Neuter‐Return—a program in which cats who live outdoors are humanely trapped and brought to a veterinarian to be evaluated, spayed or neutered and vaccinated.

Trap‐Neuter‐Return is the best course of action for feral cats, because it ends the breeding cycle and stops behaviors associated with mating. Scientific evidence as well as decades of hands‐on experience shows that Trap‐Neuter‐Return is more humane than programs that rely on catch and kill.

“The cost of catch and kill is too high, and not only in terms of dollars,” said Becky Robinson, President of Alley Cat Allies. “Being killed in an animal pound or shelter is the leading documented cause of death for cats in the United States.”

Second Chance Humane Society operates a Feral Cat Program in Ouray and San Miguel Counties. One issue that I have encountered was being mistaken for a feral cat when in fact I was a friendly stray. (I am now available for adoption and can be found at the Second Chance Shelter – just ask for “Sheba”).

People often confuse feral cats with stray cats but there is a difference. A feral cat is a domestic cat that was lost or abandoned and has turned to the wild for survival. Or it is a cat that was born to a stray or feral mother and had little or no human contact.

Adult feral cats are usually too fearful to socialize and are not suited to cohabiting with people. Feral kittens have some potential toward being socialized and domesticated. Feral cats often live in family groups called colonies that form near a source of food and shelter. They can survive almost anywhere, and are found worldwide.

A stray cat, on the other hand, is a fully domesticated cat that wandered from home or was abandoned and has been on its own for a shorter period of time. A stray cat may be skittish in your presence, but because they once knew human companionship, they can usually be re-socialized and re-homed.

In understanding the distinctions between ferals and strays, the important issue to recognize is that all feral cats originated from a domestic cat and thus it is the responsibility of humanity to care for and protect them – as they are not truly “wild animals”.

Thus, if you do have an unfamiliar cat hanging about your house call the SCHS Helpline (below) and talk to someone about the best approach to help it find a home or get assistance through the Feral Cat Program. For more information about National Feral Cat Day, see www.alleycat.org/NFCD.

Intelligence of Dogs

secondchancehumanesociety — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:22:40 +0000

Stubby the Smartie

Stanley Coren

, an emeritus professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, canine researcher and author of “How Dogs Think” and “The Intelligence of Dogs”, is touting the newest research strategy for understanding dogs – utilizing tests meant for very young children. He states that these tests designed for pre-linguistic or limited-linguistic humans are now successfully being applied to see whether dogs have certain mental capacities.

Coren states, “And that allows you then to do a whole bunch of things, not only to determine whether a dog has a certain thinking skill but to place him in terms of where would he would be in terms of human beings, as well as in terms of other animals “. Thus Coren’s research has found that the mental abilities of dogs are close to those of a human child between 2 and 2½ years old.

Coren’s research reviews numerous studies that show how dogs are more like humans than previously thought. He says dogs can learn about 165 words and signals (265 for the more intelligent dogs), can count up to four or five, and have a basic understanding of arithmetic. Also, he says, dogs can intentionally deceive other dogs and people to get things they want.

Raving about the abilities of dogs, Coren stated: “We all want insight into how our furry companions think, and we want to understand the silly, quirky and apparently irrational behaviors Lassie or Rover demonstrate. Their stunning flashes of brilliance and creativity are reminders that they may not be Einsteins but are sure closer to humans than we thought.”

My name is “Stubby”, a very bright dog here at the Second Chance Shelter, and I would offer some words of caution regarding the application of this data. Anthropomorphizing intelligence indicators of dogs can be misleading as there are breed specific “intelligences” that humans would not value as highly but that indicate a “canine” intelligence that was important to the development of that breed. For instance, the tracking abilities of the Hound breeds, the breeds on the bottom rung of the “intelligence” would be more important to that breed than other skills that humans value.

Thus, just because the Border Collie is considered the most intelligent dog by obedience trainers does not mean that it is the best dog for everyone. As Coren points out, depending upon your lifestyle it may be more difficult to live with a more intelligent, rather than a less intelligent dog. An intelligent dog that is not appropriately trained, socialized, exercised, or mentally stimulated will find other ways to manage these energies – and often these behaviors tend to be undesirable for pet parents.

As a smart Jack Russell Terrier, I will do best in a home where I can receive vigorous daily exercise and plenty of companionship – come visit me at the Shelter today!

Pledge for Life

secondchancehumanesociety — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:05:31 +0000

"Treasue" the real treasure...

Second Chance Humane Society is very fortunate to not have to resort to euthanasia to make space for other pets. Not all shelters have that freedom as they are overwhelmed and overburdened with too many homeless pets. Yes, millions of homeless pets are still being euthanized in shelters across the country every year. We are making great improvements, reducing the number from 17 million (of just 10 years or so ago) to under 4 million. But that is still several million too many.

The book “One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter” confronts the realities of the larger shelters that are forced to euthanize pets on a daily basis. The authors of “One at a Time”, Diane Leigh and Marilee Geyer wrote a “Pledge for Life” which I wanted to share with all Pet Column readers. I think it is powerful, and if everyone was willing to take such a pledge millions of homeless pets would not be facing euthanasia.

I care about animals.
I want to help bring about an end to the homeless animal tragedy.
I believe that the euthanasia of millions of animals in shelters every year is an unacceptable solution to this tragedy …

And I understand that my actions have a direct effect, that my actions can create change.

I pledge to never cause an animal to be in an animal shelter.

I pledge …
To understand the commitment of taking on a companion animal.
To be ready and willing to accept that commitment before I bring an animal into my home and my family.

To educate myself so that I can make a good choice of an animal.

To save a life by adopting a homeless animal from a shelter, rescue group, or from the street.

To protect my companions from becoming lost by keeping them safely confined and wearing current identification at all times.

To not contribute to overpopulation by spaying and neutering my companion animals.

To provide my companion animals with the basics of food and shelter and medical care, and to provide them with the love and companionship they need to be happy.

To include my companion animals as part of my family, to socialize them so that they are comfortable in human society, to train them so that they will be safe and be good citizens.

To work through problems with my companions, and to include them in my own life changes.

To always demonstrate respectul, loving and responsible companion animal care so that others may learn from my example and want to do the same.

I make this pledge to the animals, between them and me,
to the animals I know, and the ones I may never see,
to the animals in my home, and the ones in our shelters,
to the animals here, and the ones yet to come.

I make this pledge to honor their love and companionship, to acknowledge their intrinsic value, to respect them as living beings who carry the same precious spark of life that I myself do.

I understand that the solutions are in my hands.

I pledge to use those solutions, and in doing so, to begin to create a community and a society that shows compassion, love, and respect for those who cannot speak for themselves.

My name is “Treasure” and as a homeless cat here at the Second Chance Shelter, I urge you to consider taking this pledge. As I await my new family to find me and discover the treasure that I am, I am grateful to all the supporters of Second Chance, for I will not be one of the millions meeting an untimely ending…

Chip Chip Hooray – Second Chance Celebrates 15 Years!!!

secondchancehumanesociety — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:59:36 +0000

Wrangler wrangles up the smiles.

Second Chance Humane Society is celebrating 15 years of success and invites the entire community to join with us! There will be two celebrations in two areas of our large service region. On Saturday September 26 we will be celebrating in Telluride at Elks Park and on Sunday September 27 we will be in Ridgway’s Town Park.

Both events take place from 3-5 PM and involve “Chip Parties” offering ½ priced micro-chipping for all pets (only $25!) as well as an array of “chip” treats such as chocolate chip cookies and ice cream, chocolate chip cake, chips and dip, etc. There will be music and giveaways as well.

Second Chance is hosting these community parties to highlight its origins (15 years ago) as a grassroots non-profit organization that has developed successful rescue and prevention programs and services as a result of the generosity, commitment, and consistent support of its surrounding communities. Second Chance is also intends these parties to reflect our deep appreciation for all that the Ouray and San Miguel County communities have done (financial contributions, volunteering, donating and shopping at our Thrift Shop, etc…) to allow us to keep growing and rescuing hundreds of homeless pets each year.

We hope that community members will visit us (in the park of your choice) and take advantage of the great deal on micro-chipping your pets. This is the absolutely best way to assure that your pet can quickly be returned to you if lost. Microchips (implanted quickly and painlessly into subcutaneous layer of your pets skin) are tiny, harmless, and cannot (despite rumors) be tracked by a satellite. They are simply encoded with a serial number that can be read by a scanner and tracked immediately to the pet parent listed in the database.

Another celebratory event taking place as a benefit for Second Chance will be occurring on Sunday September 20^th at 2 PM at the Petco parking lot in Montrose. In a nation-wide effort to support local shelters, maurices stores (in 44 states across the country) are hosting pet-themed fashion shows. The event in Montrose, “Rescues & Runways” will feature models (sporting the latest fall looks from maurices) and adoptable pets on the runway. There will also be a silent auction with all proceeds going to Second Chance Humane Society.

Additionally, maurices store in Montrose is encouraging shoppers to support Second Chance Humane Society by bringing pet supplies to its store in exchange for a coupon for 20 percent off one regular-priced item. The campaign goal is to collect 500,000 pounds of supplies in its 700 stores across the nation. Leashes, collars, toys, treats, and certain brands of pet foods are all being accepted at maurices throughout the month of September.

So come out and experience fashion, music, chocolate chips and microchips, and much more all in support of a 15 year tradition of providing second chances for homeless pets throughout the region! My name is “Wrangler” and I am very excited about my doggie debut on the “catwalk” as I am certain to catch the eye of my new forever family…