Thursday, January 27, 2011
Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities
Dog and Cat Toys
Postage Stamps
We will have a table at the show with pictures of dogs and cats and information regarding volunteering at the shelter, as well as adoption and fundraising events.
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Petsmart's National Adoption Weekend
Volunteers are still needed for February 11, 12 and 13th at the Petsmart in Cherry Hill (across from Cherry Hill Mall between Target and Kohls). We can be there from 11 am to 4 pm each day. We could use people to transport dogs from the shelter to Petsmart and hang out with them in the store and at our table. Or you could come to Petsmart to man the table and hang out with a dog. Even if you can spare and hour or two, we could use your help.
Call the shelter at (856) 663-3058 to volunteer.
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Sunday, January 23, 2011
Cats and Kittens at Almost Home and Volunteers Needed
Almost Home Animal Shelter has several cats who have resided here for a very long time. They would love to be sitting in a sunny window or curled up on the couch or a chair in a home of their own. These cats are wonderful and truly deserve a place to call home. Please consider adopting one of them or pass this blog along to your friends and ask them to pass it to their friends. The more people who see it, the better the chance our kitties have of finding their forever home.
Fluffa is now 5 years old. Her owner passed away last year and Fluffa was brought to us. Fluffa is a longer haired kitty who loves to be brushed and definitely needs it at least once a week to keep her coat from getting too messy. Her owner used to have her shaved down once a year. Fluffa is a sweetheart. She gets along with other cats, but prefers to just be left alone by them. She is over that kitten stage and is a sophisicated woman. Fluffa is looking for a home to just hang out. A perfect lap cat.
Johanna came to the shelter with her litter of five kittens. Johanna was just about a year old herself and that was in March of 2009. Her kittens are all long gone to their new homes and JoHanna is still here. She is a very loving girl. She gets along well with other cats. She doesn't even mind dogs. JoHanna would love to be in your home. Please come in and meet her.
Dumpling hasn't been here too long, but he came in with his mom, Apples. Dumpling was just 8 weeks old when he got here in August. But he hasn't gotten adopted yet. Neither has his mom, Apples. They are both so sweet and loving. Mother and son have very similar personalities. Apples is just a little over a year old herself. They would make a great team in your home.
Desi is one of our longest residents. She like to run around when she first comes out of the cage. People then think she doesn't like them. But if you give her 20 minutes to run around and stretch, she becomes a goofball. Desi is also very particular about her drinking habbits. She dips her paw into the water and licks it off. No need to get the whiskers wet drinking from a bowl. Desi also likes to relax in the highest spot she can find. You may find her on top of the file cabinets, on top of the bank of cages, or on a book shelf. She really is the class clown.
Mindy came to us as a surrender with another cat and a dog. Duncan (the dog) went home several months ago and Derby (the other cat) went home last week. Mindy is the last one. The owners came in and said they had a house fire and couldn't keep their animals because of the damage to the house. They didn't think we would check it out, but we did. The firemen even told us they had a small stove fire but there wasn't any real damage. They just wanted to get rid of their pets. Mindy is a doll baby. Her cute little pink nose will make you smile. Mindy is around two years old now. She has been here since August of 2009.
F.B. (aka Fat Boy, Funny Boy, Fabulous Boy) was stuffed in a small carrier and left at our door. F.B. has been here over two years and he is one of our office cats. He loves to be pet and scratched on his back. His belly is ticklish, so he doesn't like a belly rub for very long. F.B. loves to be the center of attention. If there is a room full of people he would like to be touched by each one. As you can see by the picture, he has a little problem with spacial relationships. F.B. weighed over 30 pounds when he came to us. He is down a few pounds, but he prefers to think of himself as "big boned." We would miss F.B. if he left us, but we would love to see him find a permanent home and the love of a family.
Nickel is our other office cat. Nickel has been here since February 2010. She actually lives on the corner of my desk. I received an animal control call to pick up an injured cat. A family had gone into their shed to get shovels out for a coming snow storm. Nickel was in the shed ,almost dead. She was down and out, barely breathing and all skin and bones. I brought her back to the shelter because I didn't think she would make it to the emergency hospital. I put her on a blanket with a heating pad under it and I gave her some fluids. In a few minutes she was meowing and trying to lift her head. I made her a slurry of canned food and KMR and started putting a little bit on her tongue. In a few more minutes she was lifting her head to lick from the bowl. She really had the will to live. Nickel had damaged the top of her mouth and knocked out her top front teeth from trying to chew her way out of the shed. But don't let her fool you, she eats dry cat food and dog food (if she can get it). Nickel also enjoys people food if you'll undulge her. And just like F.B., we would miss her if she wasn't here, but would love to see her go to a loving home.
These are just a few of the many cats here at Almost Home. There is also Jeffrery, Columbus, Captain, Girtman and more who have been here for a long time. Please consider adopting an adult cat. Even when you adopt a kitten, they are only kittens for less than a year. When you adopt an adult you know exactly what you are getting. Please pass this around to your friends and family. Ask them to pass it along too. The more people who see the cats, the better the chances of them finding a home. Thank you!
P.S. Volunteers are needed for Petsmart's National Adoption Weekend on February 11, 12 and 13. From 11 am to 4 pm/ Even if you can come for an hour or two it would be greatly appreciated. Volunteers are also needed to transport dogs from the shelter to Petsmart. If you can help, please call the shelter (856) 663-3058. Thank you.
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(WooHoo! Queen went home today. Thank you Christine! 1/24/11)
Queen is approximately 7 years old. She is a plus size girl. She has a medium length coat which has been getting matted at the shelter so we have shaved her in the back. Queen is very quiet and like Fuffa, just wants to hang out. Queen has been with us for two years. She was brought in as a stray, but we have our suspicions that the people who brought her in were her owners. Queen loves everybody she meets and will be a great companion. Is there a senior citizen in your life who might like the company of Queen?
These are just a few of the many cats here at Almost Home. There is also Jeffrery, Columbus, Captain, Girtman and more who have been here for a long time. Please consider adopting an adult cat. Even when you adopt a kitten, they are only kittens for less than a year. When you adopt an adult you know exactly what you are getting. Please pass this around to your friends and family. Ask them to pass it along too. The more people who see the cats, the better the chances of them finding a home. Thank you!
P.S. Volunteers are needed for Petsmart's National Adoption Weekend on February 11, 12 and 13. From 11 am to 4 pm/ Even if you can come for an hour or two it would be greatly appreciated. Volunteers are also needed to transport dogs from the shelter to Petsmart. If you can help, please call the shelter (856) 663-3058. Thank you.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Update on Ziggy
Here is the story about Ziggy, one of our Happy Tails stories of 2010. Ziggy and his new owner, Frank stopped in for a visit yesterday. I took a couple pictures of them both and have added them at the end. Ziggy is absolutely beautiful. His coat is so handsome. He looks so happy and ust adores Frank. Frank is looking for a friend to play with Ziggy. So maybe one of our current residents will be going home with them soon.
In August, Ziggy became a part of our office staff. Ziggy stole my heart the moment he came in the front door on a control stick. Ziggy was also so matted and dirty, he thought someone was hurting him every time he moved so he was snapping at anything or anyone who got close to him. We wanted to make him comfortable as soon as we could, so four of us worked on him, to hold him still so he couldn't bite anyone and a couple people cutting and shaving different areas to get the job done quickly. Ziggy had whole pieces of poop stuck in his hind fur. He smelled just lovely!!! Once we got him shaved and comfortable, he turned into such a nice little man...eventually. Although, he became so accustomed to being hurt when he was touched, he would scream every time we tried to pet him or pick him up. It was just a matter of being patient and knowing that he was being hurt even though he was screaming. The more we touched him and picked him up, he began to become desensitized and soon learned being hugged and up on someone's lap was wonderful and felt good! His open wounds, urine burns on his skin and eye infections cleared up, Ziggy was a little gentleman.
Ziggy was very afraid of meeting new people, especially men. But, a man that worked at the business next door greeted him every morning when I took him outside. Ziggy began looking for Frank every day and they became great friends. Frank talked his girlfriend into stopping in to meet Ziggy with their dog. They all became friends rather quickly. Two days later, Ziggy went home with Frank and is now a very loved member of the family.
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Sunday, January 16, 2011
Looking Over Our Success Stories In 2010
We had many success stories here at Almost Home in 2010. Some of them are unforgettable. When I am having a bad day, I think about these animals. That enables me to keep going. If I wasn't here doing this job, who would take care of them. These are the dogs that would be euthanized if we weren't around when they need us. Here are a few of the dog stories (next time cats):
Droobie is a beautiful, male pomeranian, approximately 2 years old. A woman and her daughter came in one evening with Droobie wrapped in a sheet. He was seizuring violently. The woman put him down on the floor and Droobie ran and hid in the corner. He was seizuring, but very aware of his surroundings. I put him in a small crate so he couldn't hurt himself while thrashing around and headed off to Rothman Animal Hospital where he was given medication to slow down or stop a seizure. It had almost no effect. The doctor waited an appropriate amount of time and gave him another dose. Still nothing. She repeated this a couple more times with basically the same result. I went to CVS and purchased a home drug test kit (the ones parents purchase to test their teenagers). Droobie tested for cocaine. Droobie had either been given cocaine or possibly swiped somebody's stash that was left on the coffee table. So, Droobie was set-up with an IV of fluids for the night and we just hoped for the best. In the morning, Droobie was still trembling, but not seizuring like he was the night before. We brought him back to the shelter and continued to treat him with fluids for several more hours. He continued to improve. It took several days for Droobie to return to normal. Just as soon as he got his balance back and was returning to normal, a very nice couple who had adopted a beuatiful little chihuahua mix from a few months before stopped in looking for a frined for their dog. They became best friends almost instantly and went home together the next day.
In July of last year we received a call about a small dog running in the street that needed help. When Steve arived he found a black, white, extremely dirty and very matted little shih tzu. Buddy's coat was so long and matted that it was difficult to tell what kind of dog it was. Buddy would try and bite if he turned to the right or left. Just bite at the air because the matts were so tight and pulled on his skin and he thought someone was pinching or pulling at him. It was his own hair. Mild sedation was required in order to completely and safely groom Buddy. Buddy had eye infections in both eyes, as well as irritation on his skin from the matts being so tight and pulling on his skin. Once they were better, he was ready for a home. Buddy was adopted shortly after his grooming.
Droobie is a beautiful, male pomeranian, approximately 2 years old. A woman and her daughter came in one evening with Droobie wrapped in a sheet. He was seizuring violently. The woman put him down on the floor and Droobie ran and hid in the corner. He was seizuring, but very aware of his surroundings. I put him in a small crate so he couldn't hurt himself while thrashing around and headed off to Rothman Animal Hospital where he was given medication to slow down or stop a seizure. It had almost no effect. The doctor waited an appropriate amount of time and gave him another dose. Still nothing. She repeated this a couple more times with basically the same result. I went to CVS and purchased a home drug test kit (the ones parents purchase to test their teenagers). Droobie tested for cocaine. Droobie had either been given cocaine or possibly swiped somebody's stash that was left on the coffee table. So, Droobie was set-up with an IV of fluids for the night and we just hoped for the best. In the morning, Droobie was still trembling, but not seizuring like he was the night before. We brought him back to the shelter and continued to treat him with fluids for several more hours. He continued to improve. It took several days for Droobie to return to normal. Just as soon as he got his balance back and was returning to normal, a very nice couple who had adopted a beuatiful little chihuahua mix from a few months before stopped in looking for a frined for their dog. They became best friends almost instantly and went home together the next day.
In July of last year we received a call about a small dog running in the street that needed help. When Steve arived he found a black, white, extremely dirty and very matted little shih tzu. Buddy's coat was so long and matted that it was difficult to tell what kind of dog it was. Buddy would try and bite if he turned to the right or left. Just bite at the air because the matts were so tight and pulled on his skin and he thought someone was pinching or pulling at him. It was his own hair. Mild sedation was required in order to completely and safely groom Buddy. Buddy had eye infections in both eyes, as well as irritation on his skin from the matts being so tight and pulling on his skin. Once they were better, he was ready for a home. Buddy was adopted shortly after his grooming.
In August, Ziggy became a part of our office staff. Ziggy stole my heart the moment he came in the front door on a control stick. Ziggy was also so matted and dirty, he thought someone was hurting him every time he moved so he was snapping at anything or anyone who got close to him. We wanted to make him comfortable as soon as we could, so four of us worked on him, to hold him still so he couldn't bite anyone and a couple people cutting and shaving different areas to get the job done quickly. Ziggy had whole pieces of poop stuck in his hind fur. He smelled just lovely!!! Once we got him shaved and comfortable, he turned into such a nice little man...eventually. Although, he became so accustomed to being hurt when he was touched, he would scream every time we tried to pet him or pick him up. It was just a matter of being patient and knowing that he was being hurt even though he was screaming. The more we touched him and picked him up, he began to become desensitized and soon learned being hugged and up on someone's lap was wonderful and felt good! His open wounds, urine burns on his skin and eye infections cleared up, Ziggy was a little gentleman.
Ziggy was very afraid of meeting new people, especially men. But, a man that worked at the business next door greeted him every morning when I took him outside. Ziggy began looking for Frank every day and they became great friends. Frank talked his girlfriend into stopping in to meet Ziggy with their dog. They all became friends rather quickly. Two days later, Ziggy went home with Frank and is now a very loved member of the family.
Carlos was hit by a car on Route 130 in June. When I picked him up I wasn't sure he was going to make it. the very kind and efficient staff at Rothman Animal Hospital went right to work on him. Carlos did lose the one eye, but the other the other eye returned to normal. Carlos' medical bill was about $800 and that is with us providing the anticbiotics and some other things he needed. Carlos was adopted by a client at Rothman Animal Hospital who's chihuahua mix had just passed away. Carlos is doing very well in his new home.
These are just a few of our "boo-boo" babies in 2010.
In April of 2010, we received several calls about a chocolate lab running around in a neighborhood. Every time we went out there, the dog was nowhere to be found. Finally, one late Friday night I got the call that the dog was in someone's house. When I arrived "Madison" greeted me at the door, like she was the dog of the house. The woman who had her said she was great. She let her in the house and she kept her for several hours, thinking the owner might come by looking for her. The owner has unfortunately never called for her. We believe Madison was just dropped in the neighborhood by her owner who no longer wanted her or couldn't care for her.
Madison is approximately 3 years old, friendly, loving and playful. She walks extremely well on a leash and learns very quickly. Madison is also housebroken. Madison prefers to be the only pet in the house. She does not like cats and is very dominant with other dogs. She is one of the most affectionate dogs in the shelter
Unfortunately, Madison is heartworm positive. She needs an expensive treatment to rid her of the heartworms. We can provide the treatment, but she needs to have a home (or foster home) so she can get the treatment. Here's why: The first treatment is an injection of Immiticide. This can have several side effects, especially if the dog is allowed to be active. Madison will need one month of cage rest. No running around even in the yard. She will have to be on a leash to go out to the bathroom and then right back in the crate. (Or, she can be on a leash with you, as long as she is calm.) The reason for this is that if she becomes active and excited, her blood pressure goes up and this may cause too many heartworms to dislodge and die at one time, which could be catastrophic for Madison.
Then, thirty days after the first treatment she gets a second treatment, then 24 hours after that she gets a final injection of Immiticide and then 30 more days of rest. Once that 30 days is over, Madison will be a normal, well dog again. We have done this treatment many times and it generally goes very well. Every one of our cases has been a great success. If you, or someone you know, is looking for a great dog and they don't have any other dogs or cats, Madison could be the perfect one. They must be willing to help her through the treatment. Please let us know if you are interested.
Once of my many goals for 2011 is fundraising to insure we can continue to take care of the dogs and cats who come to us in "not-so-perfect" condition. Many times these are the most loving and appreciative pets we have the privilege to care for. They bring so much to our lives. Even when they are hurt, abused, neglected and sick they love us unconditionally. Even if you can't foster or adopt Madison or any other dog or cat, we could use everybody's help to plan and implement as many fundraising activities as we can. I have lots of ideas but I need help to complete them. Get in touch with me if you can help too! The shelter phone number is (856) 663-3058 and our e mail is almosthomeshelter@comcast.net.
Thanks for reading this blog and helping our animals.
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Monday, January 10, 2011
Good Weekend at Petsmart Despite the Snow!
Despite the few inches of snow on Saturday morning, people still came out to purchase food and supplies for their pets at Petsmart. Jessica, our little chihuahua/terrier mix has an application for adoption. Shelly, Ruddy and Roxanne were very well-behaved and greeted everyone. We are very proud of them. They showed off the manners they have learned while they have been with us. People donated both food and money, both of which are always needed. Petsmart has invited us to come in with dogs any Saturday and Sunday we would like. We have Febrauay 11, 12 and 13th scheduled for the National Adoption Weekend, but we can do more between now and then if we have more volunteers. If you can spend an hour or more at Petsmart with a dog, or even at the table talking to people, we would greatly appreciate it (and so would the dogs).
Please call the shelter at (856) 663-3058 or email at almosthomeshelter@comcast.net if you would like more information. Thanks! Tweet This
Please call the shelter at (856) 663-3058 or email at almosthomeshelter@comcast.net if you would like more information. Thanks! Tweet This
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Upcoming Events and Volunteers Needed
Dog Adoption Event at Petsmart in Cherry Hill
Date: January 8 and 9
Time: 11 am to 3 pm (we can stay later if we have enough volunteers)
We will bring as many dogs as we can to be seen by potential adopters.
Volunteers are needed to staff the table or bring a dog from the shelter to Petsmart
and help them meet and greet their potential new family. Even if you can stop by for an hour or bring a dog from the shelter for an hour or two. It would be greatly appreciated.
Petsmart National Adoption Weekend
Date: February 11, 12 and 13
Time: 11 am to 3 pm (we can stay later if we have enough volunteers)
Again, volunteers need to staff table, transport and handle dogs.
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