New dogs great and small, we have them all!

This past week, we received a wonderful selection of dogs for adoption- just in time for the holidays. Some of the pooches we received from other overcrowded shelters, and the rest we rescued from the hoarding situation recently brought to light in the North part of the state.

There is a great “pot-pouri’”of different breed mixes. Several of the dogs from the hoarding situation are pointer or English Setter/pointer mixes. They are very handsome, larger dogs with beautiful markings. We also received some Pomeranian mixes, and other smaller breeds.

What amazes us even more than the physical attributes of the rescue dogs is their very nice personalities! These dogs were kept in squalid conditions, and some, like large “Lefty” was kept in some sort of a box (not described as a crate or cage, it was a box, pure and simple) that was apparently so small that he had difficulty even standing up. As a result, all the white patches on this sweet black and white dog were stained yellow with his own urine. Now, after a bath, he shines and is truly black and white!

Some of the dogs from this situation have been very frightened and unsure upon their arrival at our shelter. But, to a dog, we could see that they were all gentle souls, and loved people and were very excited to receive attention. It never ceases to amaze us that dogs like these, that were neglected by humans, can still love people.

These dogs will soon be up for adoption. If you have room in your heart and home for a loving dog that has had a rough start in life, please come and visit our new canine residents.

Bennie the Bengal is quite the character

We received this gorgeous kitty as an owner release through another shelter. He was surrendered to a shelter because he apparently had some separation anxiety and did not like it when his person left him alone to travel for business.

Bennie is very outgoing and affectionate, and one unusual thing we noticed about him is that he seems to love dogs! When we recently walked a large dog past his cage, he went crazy- chatting and rubbing on the cage and trying to stick his paw through the bars to reach the dog.

So, we think Bennie would be delighted to have a new home where his people stay home most of the time, and even better yet, where he could have his own dog!

Shelter wish list

We want to let our supporters and all the wonderful adopters and visitors to the shelter how grateful we are for your support and kindness. We are hoping a lot of our shelter residents will find their forever homes this holiday season.

Jo-Jo is very ready to “a-go-go”

This handsome young yellow lab/hound mix was found in another county, all alone and nine miles up a logging road. He had been there a while, because he was so starved that he had to be boarded with a veterinarian who gave him the TLC  and good nutrition he needed to survive.
Well, he more than survived, he thrived! He definitely put on some weight,  but  could  stand to gain a few more pounds. But, “playful energy” is this guy’s middle name, and the shelter staff and volunteers have become quite smitten with him.
He has an almost cat-like mischievous streak, and when the staff lets him “help” clean the dog runs at the end of the day, he goes into his “zoomie” mode, pulling all the just-folded and placed dog run blankets out of the houses and roaring around with them. Jo-Jo is also talented at pulling at the mops in use, and gathers any toys left in the runs.
In other words, he has a lot of fun energy, and would love to be in an active home where he could be someone’s running or hiking partner. He does, however, definitely have an affectionate side, and is eager to please and quick to learn.
If given the chance, young Jo-Jo would make a wonderful, loyal companion for someone. Could you be his someone and give him a chance at a new life? Come and meet Jo-Jo today.

Shelter Wish List

We still have a fairly large kitty population in the shelter,  and would be very grateful to receive bags of cat litter- the traditional, clay type like “Tidy Cat”. We try to change the litter in the cages and rooms frequently so the shelter smells better, and the kitties have a nice clean environment. Thank you, and the kitties thank you!

Simon says: please help me find my way home!

This handsome young Siamese mix boy is the beloved pet of one of our volunteers, Melanie. Melanie is a very dedicated member of the Humane Society, and some of you might know her from her extensive dog and cat rescues the past few years in Eastern Oregon.
Those of us who volunteer at the shelter rarely adopt the “shining star” members of our dog and cat residents. Instead, we more often take home the less adoptable critters- the ones less likely to find good homes.
But for Mel, Simon was the exception to the rule. Of all the kitties she has rescued and nursed back to health, she always wanted a Siamese, and when Simon came along, it was love at first sight.
Sadly, last Tuesday, Simon went out briefly into his   fenced back yard in the morning and just disappeared. Gone from his home near N. Washington and 13th St, and gone from Melanie’s heart.
She and her husband Curtis have looked for Simon in all kinds of weather and all times of the day and night to no avail. They have distributed flyers and talked to neighbors.
Please, if you have seen Simon or know where he is, call Melanie at home at 642-2114 or on her cell at 541-589-1104.She is offering a substantial reward for his safe return.

So far, little Lexi is anything but lucky…

Lexi is a pretty petite dilute calico kitty that came into the shelter at the end of December 2009. One does not have to be a math whiz to realize that this is a very long stay for her.
She is one of those quieter kitties that people often just don’t notice. Rather than the “look at me” flashy markings of a bright calico, Lexi has the softer more muted tones of apricot and gray. So, for months, this young girl has lingered in our kitty playroom, watching as literally dozens of other cats and kittens have found loving homes.
Lexi is still waiting for someone to lover her, but it will take a special person to seek her out and offer her his or her heart and home. We are hoping that special person, someone who feels sympathy for her plight of lingering her life away in a shelter, will give her a chance and come for her soon.

Shelter wish list

We have had a few donations of dry dog and cat food come into the shelter this past week, but are still in need of more. Next time you shop, please think about the needy animals and bring them some food. Thank you for your help.

I decided to name her Penny, my Lucky Penny, and she is adding to my life every day. She gets along well with all the other babies.  Every thing is full of wonder, so trying to get a good pic of her is tough.  We’ve gone on a few walks as a group and a ride or two.  She loves her toys and plays ball with me a lot.


Remember Zipper?  He’s still mom’s boy and the pup is Gerald’s new baby.  Her name is Lady Bug.

I just want to thank all of you for Penny.

Thanks again,

Lee & Deja

Tucker- from Beverly Hills to day after day in a cage…

We got this very young-at-heart white poodle mix boy from a California rescue group. The fact that he appeared to be an owner release makes us think that this surely must be proof that times are  hard all over, even in Hollywood!
Tucker is about 8 years old, and is a mid-sized poodle weighing about 20 pounds- a very nice size. Not a large standard, but not a tiny, more frail mini, either. He adores people and attention, and has a wonderfully playful nature for a middle-aged gent.
Like most poodles, he is very bright and eager to please. Plus, he has that other great poodle trait- he doesn’t shed.
When people approach his cage, he is so delighted that he barks- he is not trying to be threatening, he is just saying “hello” and hoping that his special person is the one standing in front of him. A person who wants a sweet older dog and who is willing to give him a chance, and take him into a loving home. Away from life in a cage and the day after day he spends alone.

Please help- loving cats and kittens in desperate need of loving homes!

We have beautiful cats and kittens biding their time as they wait for their new “forever homes”. Some of the kittens we say are literally growing up in their cages. It is very hard for these high-energy babies to be so confined.
We try hard to make life as good as possible for our felines, with toys, soft beds, and good food. But, shelter life is no substitute for being in a loving home, where they are free to run, play, and sit on the laps of their favorite creatures in all the world- their people!
Our adoption fees for kitties have always been very good, and are even more reasonable this fall. Come in and see our wonderful selection of felines- our Manager Diana promises you that you will be glad you did. Adopting a kitty from a shelter is a win-win situation. You can get the satisfaction of rescuing a needy animal and are rewarded with a loving companion in return.

Shelter wish list

We are running very low on some of the supplies we need to make life better for our shelter critters. Currently, we are in need of both dry dog and cat food, canned dog and cat food, paper towels, and trash bags- the 13-gallon size.
We are hoping our loyal supporters will again think of the animals, and bring in some supplies next time they shop. We are very grateful to receive donations. Thank you.

News flash! We can actually say that handsome Bailey is a purebred lab!

We are always very careful not to list any of our dog residents as “purebred” anything, even though they often look to be very true to their main breed type. We get a lot of “mystery mixes”, but in Bailey’s case we know he is purebred black lab because we have his AKC papers.
Bailey is just under 5 years old, fully up to date on his vaccinations, is microchipped, and is a very well behaved boy. He knows how to sit, shake, and come, is housetrained and loves to play ball. He would love an active, outdoor oriented owner who could take him hiking and swimming- his other main passions in life.
He is not destructive in the house, and is used to being around older kids and adults, but apparently small children can make him nervous.
As is also true with a lot of labs, Bailey loves tennis balls, and he will come with his own supply of tennis balls when adopted. He has been with us since August, and being in a cage is definitely starting to wear on this active, playful dog.
If you are looking for a great dog, then look no further- come and meet Bailey today and give him a new start on life!

Fond of ferrets? We are expecting  a nice couple in this week
By mid –week, we are expecting to receive a couple of pet ferrets in at the shelter- released by their owners who had to move. Apparently, there is a boy and a girl; both are altered and up to date on their vaccinations.
So, if you are interested in adopting these cute little critters, call our Manager Diana during usual shelter animals or stop and meet them in person.

Sweet molly would love to be your “easy-keeper”

A lot of people who have had the pleasure of having labs as their loyal companions would be the first to tell you that these guys are slow to grow up. General rule of thumb among lab aficionados is that their dogs seemed to finally reach adulthood at about age 5- before that time, these great family dogs can be prone to lapses into puppy behavior and goofy antics.

This is why a little   older retriever like six year old  “Molly” can be such a wonderful adoption option for those looking for a lab young enough to still have the spirit of adventure, and yet old enough to know not to eat the couch…

True to her breed, Molly has never met a stranger, is easygoing, and very anxious to please. She is a gentle dog that loves to go for walks, is spayed, housetrained, and would love to be a family dog, or a single person’s best friend.

Molly is generally good with other dogs, and most likely could make a friendly companion for another dog –friendly canine. She has been with us now for several weeks, and you can see in her big brown eyes just how badly she wants to belong to someone and to have a loving home. Please come and meet Molly and help her make her dream come true.

Dogs and cats don’t know their ZIP codes

When we have room in our shelter, we try to reach out to other shelters that are overcrowded and facing the very sad realization that some of their dogs and cats will have to be put down. This year, we have been able to take numerous dogs from several rescue groups that are working with California shelters that have high euthanasia rates.
And, we have been very pleased to take in kitties from both surrounding shelters and rescue organizations.
What enables us to pursue our mission of saving lives is the wonderful support we get from our members and the community. We are blessed with hard-working volunteers, and supporters who are willing to step up to the plate with supplies and monetary donations.
We are also grateful to the people in the community who care enough to spay and neuter their pets. Over the years we have been very fortunate to be able to offer low cost spay and neuter programs for pets of lower income folks, and many people have taken advantage of these programs. The end result is that the number of unwanted pets in South Pacific County, while still significant, has decreased considerably.
This decrease in our local unwanted pet population and the wonderful support we have received has allowed us to help animals in need from other areas- dogs and cats facing an end to their lives.

Right now, we have a great selection of dogs and cats needing loving homes. There are gorgeous adult cats and cuddly kittens of all colors and descriptions- all available at reduced adoption rates.
Dogs and cats don’t know their ZIP codes, and aren’t aware that they might be considered “outsiders”. All they know is that they want good homes and someone to love them.
Thank you for helping us save lives.

It’s the year of the orange kitten!

Every year at kitten season time, we think we see a trend in the color or coat patterns of the kittens we get in to the shelter. Last year was the year of the tiger; the previous season was the “white year”- you get the picture.
This year, we have decided it is definitely the year of the orange kitten, which delights us. Those of us who have had the pleasure of having orange kitty companions agree that their traits go beyond color, as they are very often extremely friendly and attentive felines- almost dog-like if you will.
My own love of orange kitties started with my Dad’s cat “Redrick”. He was my father’s constant and devoted companion, and was always there to “help” Dad work in his garage or in the garden. Nothing aloof about Redrick- he openly adored Dad, and Dad thought his orange boy was a gift from heaven. My own orange boy, “Murphy”, has been keeping me in wonderful company for over 15 years now.
We have some great orange fellows in right now, and true to form, they are very loving and people-oriented. I say fellows, because the majority of orange kitties are males, but we also have a few of the more unusual female “orangesicles” in.
The orange color in cats can be beautifully variable, from the dark orange ones called “red” to the very light ones labeled “cream”. We have a wonderful selection of orange kittens both bold in color and gorgeously subdued in tone. They are all ready and anxious to find their own loving new homes. Come in and see these little beauties and see why we think orange kittens are great!

Trinket would love to be your “work in progress”

This pretty young lab mix girl is one of those dogs we say “doesn’t show well in a cage” because of her exuberant behavior. She loves people so much and gets so excited when she sees someone approaching, that she not only wiggles herself almost inside out she froths  at the mouth! Talk about excited!
But, like most of the dogs that get overly excited in their cages, Trinket becomes a different dog altogether when she is taken out of her cage and gets some “one on one” attention she so craves. She will sit on request, gives doggie kisses, and lays her head in your lap with her eyes closed- a dog briefly  in heaven.
Trinket came to us from another shelter- given up by her owners who didn’t have enough time for her. She loves to play with toys, is delighted with anything that contains water (she plays in her water bucket daily to amuse herself), and would thrive in  an active home where she would be taken for walks- or even better to a lake or the beach!
She needs the right person to come along and be willing to work with her to reach her full potential. The right person who can look past her behavior in her cage and give her the love and companionship she so desperately wants. That person will be rewarded with a fine and loyal companion with just a little effort and understanding.
If you feel you are the right person to give Trinket a chance, please come down and meet her. We will take her out of her cage for you to a quiet place to “meet and greet” where you will see and appreciate  the “real” Trinket.

We have new kids on the block!

This past week, we got in some nice new dogs- all sizes and all descriptions. They range in size from poodles  to lab size and are  various mixes, including hounds, terriers, and Aussies. Most are young; several under a year of age, and all people-friendly and anxious to find new loving homes

Shelter wish list

We have had some very good kitten adoptions (thanks to everyone who came to our Kitten Chaos shower and adopted little furry companions) but still have a very nice selection of darling, playful kittens.
These little guys seem to thrive on Purina Kitten Chow, and we are running quite low on our supply. We would be very grateful to receive donations of Kitten Chow, and appreciate your loyal support of our no-kill shelter. Thank you!

Tessie wonders: “Is there truly someone for me?”

This pretty young cattle dog/shepherd mix girl has been with us since the first of May, so she has the unfortunate distinction of being our longest time dog resident.
Tessie came to our shelter from Eastern Oregon when she was surrendered by her owner who loved her very much but realized she couldn’t give her the time and attention she deserved. She loves people and enjoys playing ball and will sit, shake hands (or paws, as the case may be!) and lie down on request.
The ideal home for Tessie would be one where she would be the only dog and could get a lot of attention from her people. The “only dog” criterion isn’t written in stone, however. Tessie has been seen here to be very friendly with some of the other canine residents- as is true with most dogs, tolerance and friendliness is often promoted just by the successful  exchange of a  “doggie calling card” sniffing episode.
Tessie is trying hard to remain upbeat as she stays here day after day and watches other dogs go to loving homes. She is quieter and more attentive in her cage than a lot of the other dogs, and watches visitors intently to see if maybe, just maybe, someone is going to approach and pet her.
She thinks that a after all, if that someone would take the time to pet her, they just might see what a nice dog she is and give her a new chance at life- a life filled with love and no cage.

On July 2nd, United Pet Group, Cincinnati, Ohio voluntarily expanded its recent recall of its Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement tablets for Dogs to include additional pet nutritional supplement products for dogs and cats due to possible Salmonella contamination. The list of recalled products is provided below. The Food and Drug Administration is aware of this recall.

The recalled products are sold nationally at various retailers. The products include various United Pet Group Pro-Pet and Excel branded products for dogs and cats, and certain other private label brands of the same products. All of the affected products are in tablet and powdered form. These products are being removed from retail stores and consumers should immediately stop feeding these supplements to their pets. The affected products are those with expiration dates that include and are between “01/2013″ and “06/2013.” Products with expiration dates earlier than 01/2013 or later than 06/2013 are not included in this recall. The expiration date can be found imprinted vertically on the right side of the product label.

Laboratory testing has revealed that some lots of some of these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The company is recalling the additional products out of an abundance of caution.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

People who handle these products can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with them or any surfaces exposed to these products. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with the product should contact their healthcare providers.

Consumers who have purchased the affected products are urged to contact United Pet Group or the place of purchase for further direction. Consumers may contact United Pet Group at 1-877-399-5226, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST.

TABLE OF RECALLED PRODUCTS

###

FDA Press Release

RSS Feed for FDA Recalls Information

After a fairly quiet spring, kitten season has hit with a bang, and we have now over 30 kittens that need homes. We have little guys of every description: tigers; orange sherbets; black beauties; white with pretty patches, and some with shorter than normal tails.
What matters even more than what the kittens look like, is their sweet personalities and their longing for human companionship and for homes of their own. We try hard to make the shelter a good place for them as they bide their time, with scratching posts, condos and toys, but let’s face it, a cage is a cage…
Summer is a great time to adopt a kitten (or even better, two kittens!!!). When the kids are out of school and the family has more spare time, it can be time well spent to bring home a new furry companion and get them oriented to their new lives. Also, it is a wonderful opportunity to introduce the kids to the satisfaction and sense of responsibility that caring for a pet can bring.
While we have very reasonable prices for cats and kittens, we know that adoption fees are important to the stability of the shelter. But we also know how vital it is that our critters don’t linger in our no kill shelter, and soon have loving people to hold them and make their lives complete. Please come in and see our kittens and give them a chance.

Shelter Wish List

After you have read about our many kittens, it probably will come as no surprise that our wish list is also about kittens and what they need. We would be very grateful to receive donations of Purina Kitten Chow, and canned cat food. The kittens seem to do well on the kitten chow, and the canned food is a wonderful treat for these little guys while they are in cages, or are under the weather and have less than normal appetites.
Also, we want to remind low-income South Pacific County residents that we still have “Fix Your Cat Free” vouchers available to get their cats altered and help prevent even more kittens- kittens that might be unwanted and as a result, are destined to live short, hard lives. Come in and get a voucher today- free is a very good price and can help save lives!!!