SPCHS Receives $1200 Thundershirt Grant

Thundershirt’s mission is to bring relief to the millions of dogs and dog owners struggling to cope with dog anxieties. The Thundershirt is designed to provide a constant, gentle pressure to a dog’s torso creating a dramatic calming effect for most dogs. Thundershirt continues to investigate dog anxiety and fear issues with scientific-based studies and surveys from recognized veterinarians and customers. In its first two years, Thundershirt has helped tens of thousands of dogs across the country and around the world.The Petfinder.com Foundation  partnered with the Thundershirt company to award Thundershirt grants. The goal of the grant program is to reduce the stress and anxiety in shelter dogs, in turn making them more adoptable and better able to find their forever home.The grant is made possible by our partnership with the Thundershirt company. The Thundershirt alleviates stress symptoms in over 80% of the dogs who use it. When used at a shelter, the Thundershirt can help dogs relax, reduce the behavioral issues associated with stress and make the dog more adoptable.The Thundershirt then follows the dog to her new home, providing her with a soothing pressure that should help to reduce her anxiety and improve the adoption experience for both dog and owner.The Thundershirt is also great for:

• Fear of thunder/fireworks
• Separation anxiety
• Travel anxiety
• Crate training
• Problem barking
• Hyperactivity
• Leash pulling
• And more!

Thanks to Executive Director Jeannette Sterling applying for the grant, SPCHS received a box of $1200 worth of Thundershirts recently–in every size imaginable.  We’ve used them on dogs large and small with remarkable results.  Since these aids go home with a dog when it is adopted, our supply will need replacing.  If you purchase a Thundershirt here: http://www.petfinder.com/promotions/thundershirt, 15% of your purchase will go directly to the Petfinder.com Foundation, and you can have it shipped directly to us.  The dogs will soooo appreciate your donation!

Training Materials:

• View an instructional video to learn how to use the Thundershirt.
• To learn more about the Thundershirt and how effective it is and for frequently asked questions, click here: Thundershirt Training Materials
  
  Having trouble downloading? Right click the link and select “Save Link As”.

SPCHS Receives Wyss Foundation Grant

South Pacific County Humane Society has received a $4,000 grant from the Wyss Foundation of Portland, Oregon.  The Wyss Foundation has long supported SPCHS with annual grants given to support a variety of projects and general operating costs.  This year’s grant will be used to complete the new Meet & Greet service area.  The Meet & Greet area is designed to provide a private area for potential adopters and adoptees to interact and assess their mutual compatibility.  When not in service for adopter introductions, the area will serve as a recreational, socialization and training area for our shelter pups.  The ability for shelter canines to receive regular exercise and socialization outside of the normal shelter environment, is crucial is maintaining physical and mental well being.

The receipt of the Wyss funds represents the final grant needed to begin work on the Meet & Greet service area.  Work on the area began this week and is expected to be completed by the end of April, 2011.  Other support of this crucial project has been provided by the Templin Foundation, Herbert M. Zahl Foundation, SPCHS board member Cal Middleton, and SPCHS donors.

While SPCHS has received the bulk of funds needed to complete the project, more support is needed to prevent use of SPCHS reserve funds.

IF you would like to help SPCHS complete this project, please feel free to donate online or mail your support to, SPCHS, PO Box 101, Long Beach, WA 98631.  Please put “Meet & Greet” in the memo field of your donation.

A big WOOF! of appreciation to the Wyss Foundation and supporters of the Meet & Greet project!

Petfinder Foundation Grants SPCHS Free Canine Flu Vaccine

Through their “Building Community Immunity Grant”, the Petfinder Foundation has awarded SPCHS free vaccine for our shelter pups against Canine Influenza.

Emerging in 2004, Canine Influenza is a relatively recent addition to the threats against our four legged friends.  The flu was originally transferred to canines from the equine population and has adapted to the canine biology to become a regular and widespread threat.

Although the virus spreads readily from dog to dog, there is no evidence to support that it can be transmitted from dogs to humans.

Through their collaboration with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, the makers of Nobivac Cainine Flu N3N8 vaccine, Petfinder is making up to 1,000,000 doses available to local shelters.  SPCHS has been awarded 428 doses, enough vaccine to treat 214 animals.  We are grateful to Petfinder for their continued support of the shelter community and the animal-welfare cause.

Thanks Petfinder!!!

Thanks to our 2010 Foundation Supporters

South Pacific County Humane Society is deeply grateful for the generous support of the following foundations, which share our mission to improve the lives of animals and people through advocacy, education, and support. Our supporters’ commitment to animal welfare improves the lives of the animals and people we help every day, and ensures that legacy.

The Healthy Paws Foundation

The Herbert M. Zahl Charitable Foundation

The Loren H. Corder Foundation

The Pedigree Foundation

The Templin Foundation

The Wyss Foundation