Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Special thanks for donations!
A special thank you to those who made donations as part of the America's Giving Challenge sponsored by Parade magazine.
Malia Scarnato
Tessa & Tasha Scarnato
Mary Jane Velliquette
Buddah: My first rottie
Mary Jane Velliquette
Zeus: My second Rottie
Mary Jane Velliquette
Lilly my third rottie: Rescue
Janine Gray
This donation is from Grimm Gray, I adopted him from NCRR, and he is wonderful!
Patricia Reu
In Memory of Klyde
Michelle Widmann
in Memory of Cleopatra Widmann
FAITH STUART
On behalf of the stuart family, sasha and chippie.
Diane Sacripanti
In Memory of Storm
Jerry Overcash
Honorable mention for Barry Gough
Jesse Iversen
Anastasia Jones
Pamela Olive
This donation is for our dog, Heidi. Love Ken, Pam, Erika and Kira
john james
JUDD Just ugly damn dog
Malia Scarnato
Tessa & Tasha Scarnato
Mary Jane Velliquette
Buddah: My first rottie
Mary Jane Velliquette
Zeus: My second Rottie
Mary Jane Velliquette
Lilly my third rottie: Rescue
Janine Gray
This donation is from Grimm Gray, I adopted him from NCRR, and he is wonderful!
Patricia Reu
In Memory of Klyde
Michelle Widmann
in Memory of Cleopatra Widmann
FAITH STUART
On behalf of the stuart family, sasha and chippie.
Diane Sacripanti
In Memory of Storm
Jerry Overcash
Honorable mention for Barry Gough
Jesse Iversen
Anastasia Jones
Pamela Olive
This donation is for our dog, Heidi. Love Ken, Pam, Erika and Kira
john james
JUDD Just ugly damn dog
Labels: donation
# posted by Herb @ 8:05 PM
Friday, January 25, 2008
Older Dogs - It's Just Icing on the Cake!
by Sandy Clabaugh
The grey hair of an aging dog, spreading across the muzzle and over the eyebrows, is known as "frosting." And to me, there's nothing more wonderful than a frosted face with all the wisdom and experience it communicates and all the love it speaks of that is still there to give.
We understand the heartbreak that results when people are forced to put an older pet in a shelter. But regardless of the cause of the dog's being relinquished, our hearts melt for these senior citizens. We know they have earned security with age, not change. We also know it's likely that they will be waiting for a forever home much longer than the youngsters in the shelter, because many people are reluctant to adopt an older dog.
People give many reasons for not considering the older dogs available for adoption, but in fact, an older dog may be the perfect pet for you.
People say…"An older dog won't bond with me like a young one will." It's true that an older dog doesn't bond as a young one does; an older dog usually bonds with new guardians even more than a young dog. This statement is actually true—an older dog usually bonds with new guardians even more than a young dog. Animals who have experienced loss or a difficult past often display their desire to form new and stronger attachments. They have found someone to love them and they have no intention of letting go!
People say…"An older dog up for adoption must have problems, or it wouldn't need rescuing." The reality is that pets enter shelters and rescue societies for every imaginable reason. Often it's not the dog that has the problem, but the human. Many people get a dog because it seems like the thing to do, not because they truly appreciate the qualities—and needs—of the species. Others are forced to surrender their pets for personal reasons. There may be a problem with a particular dog, but you are much less likely to find a senior dog that isn't housebroken or a senior dog that snaps; older dogs have usually overcome any bad habits they had when they were young.
People say…"An older dog will have more medical bills." To some extent, this may be true, in that older dogs need more medical "supervision," such as geriatric testing during their annual exams. But there is no health guarantee for a dog of any age. One-year-old dogs can die of cancer. And puppies have larger immediate medical bills because of their need for vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery. And don't forget the bills for chewed shoes and shredded drapes!
People say… "We won't have much time to enjoy her." There are no more guarantees for our dogs than for our human loved ones. You never know how long a beloved pet, or person, will be with you. Love is what matters, no matter how long we might be able to share it.
So the next time you consider getting a "new" dog, don't pass those frosted faces by so quickly. You might be giving up the sweetest dog that has ever graced your home and your life.
The grey hair of an aging dog, spreading across the muzzle and over the eyebrows, is known as "frosting." And to me, there's nothing more wonderful than a frosted face with all the wisdom and experience it communicates and all the love it speaks of that is still there to give.
We understand the heartbreak that results when people are forced to put an older pet in a shelter. But regardless of the cause of the dog's being relinquished, our hearts melt for these senior citizens. We know they have earned security with age, not change. We also know it's likely that they will be waiting for a forever home much longer than the youngsters in the shelter, because many people are reluctant to adopt an older dog.
People give many reasons for not considering the older dogs available for adoption, but in fact, an older dog may be the perfect pet for you.
People say…"An older dog won't bond with me like a young one will." It's true that an older dog doesn't bond as a young one does; an older dog usually bonds with new guardians even more than a young dog. This statement is actually true—an older dog usually bonds with new guardians even more than a young dog. Animals who have experienced loss or a difficult past often display their desire to form new and stronger attachments. They have found someone to love them and they have no intention of letting go!
People say…"An older dog up for adoption must have problems, or it wouldn't need rescuing." The reality is that pets enter shelters and rescue societies for every imaginable reason. Often it's not the dog that has the problem, but the human. Many people get a dog because it seems like the thing to do, not because they truly appreciate the qualities—and needs—of the species. Others are forced to surrender their pets for personal reasons. There may be a problem with a particular dog, but you are much less likely to find a senior dog that isn't housebroken or a senior dog that snaps; older dogs have usually overcome any bad habits they had when they were young.
People say…"An older dog will have more medical bills." To some extent, this may be true, in that older dogs need more medical "supervision," such as geriatric testing during their annual exams. But there is no health guarantee for a dog of any age. One-year-old dogs can die of cancer. And puppies have larger immediate medical bills because of their need for vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery. And don't forget the bills for chewed shoes and shredded drapes!
People say… "We won't have much time to enjoy her." There are no more guarantees for our dogs than for our human loved ones. You never know how long a beloved pet, or person, will be with you. Love is what matters, no matter how long we might be able to share it.
So the next time you consider getting a "new" dog, don't pass those frosted faces by so quickly. You might be giving up the sweetest dog that has ever graced your home and your life.
# posted by Herb @ 10:40 PM
Letter from a shelter worker
I have worked for a kill shelter for three years now. Some of you may call me a "killer" while others say "I couldn't do your job". I will admit my job is difficult. People come in and drop their animals off everyday claiming they are moving or they do not want them or they are old and the owner can't bring themselves to take responsibility for their own animal. I don't go out looking for animals to euthanise, I have animals that have come from the shelter but I can't take them all. I am hoping to educate people not only about the job I do but how to all work together and stop the irresponsible pet owners that let their animals run wild, that neglect their animals, and those who drop them off at our door.
When I first started at Animal Control I had a love for Rottweilers having three of my own all rescued from the shelter. I quickly learned that no one wanted to adopt our rotties and I really didn't know what to do. I started e-mailing rescues and got no response until one day our shelter manager gave me Diane's name and told me she was the President of North Carolina Rottweiler Rescue. I was hesitant at first because I thought she would think I was nuts or be like some of the other rescues that wanted heart worm tests and vet checks before they would even consider my request. Well, to my surprise when I contacted Diane she only wanted to know the dogs temperament and how long she had to come and get him, I was amazed and she kept her word to me the Rottweiler some of you may know as Diesel lived. Three years later I am still working with Diane and NCRR and they are one of the most respected rescues at the shelter I work at. To date NCRR has saved at least 20 Rottweilers from my shelter alone not to mention a few other breeds when requested. NCRR has always kept their word, they have always found a way to help me find these dogs homes.
Rescues need to realize we want all the animals to find good, loving, and responsible homes but we at shelters are overwhelmed with the pet overpopulation and irresponsible pet owners. We also do not have a vet on staff so we don't have the means to diagnose or treat dogs that may have come in sick or injured. I ask all the rescues to help me and the rest of the Animal Control professionals don't work against us and call us "killers" to make yourselves look better, address the problem at hand and educate the public on responsible pet ownership, come to our shelters and rescue the animals. I understand that not enough people volunteer to help the rescues and believe me I am so grateful for all of those with NCRR that have stepped up to help and give these animals another chance. Can we all find a way to work together to save these animals and educate our communities to solve the pet overpopulation problem? Again I welcome any rescue that reads this to help me and other shelters out and step up to the plate if you don't know where to start or how to help your local shelter contact NCRR I can assure you from my experience with these wonderful men and women they can lead you in the right direction.
Finally I would like to thank NCRR and all the RESPONSIBLE rescues out there that have helped their local shelters and who have stood behind the shelters to help them save lives without people like you people like me would not be able to do our jobs. So to all those who have told an Animal Control worker " I couldn't do your job" you are right in a way because I couldn't either without Diane and NCRR!!
When I first started at Animal Control I had a love for Rottweilers having three of my own all rescued from the shelter. I quickly learned that no one wanted to adopt our rotties and I really didn't know what to do. I started e-mailing rescues and got no response until one day our shelter manager gave me Diane's name and told me she was the President of North Carolina Rottweiler Rescue. I was hesitant at first because I thought she would think I was nuts or be like some of the other rescues that wanted heart worm tests and vet checks before they would even consider my request. Well, to my surprise when I contacted Diane she only wanted to know the dogs temperament and how long she had to come and get him, I was amazed and she kept her word to me the Rottweiler some of you may know as Diesel lived. Three years later I am still working with Diane and NCRR and they are one of the most respected rescues at the shelter I work at. To date NCRR has saved at least 20 Rottweilers from my shelter alone not to mention a few other breeds when requested. NCRR has always kept their word, they have always found a way to help me find these dogs homes.
Rescues need to realize we want all the animals to find good, loving, and responsible homes but we at shelters are overwhelmed with the pet overpopulation and irresponsible pet owners. We also do not have a vet on staff so we don't have the means to diagnose or treat dogs that may have come in sick or injured. I ask all the rescues to help me and the rest of the Animal Control professionals don't work against us and call us "killers" to make yourselves look better, address the problem at hand and educate the public on responsible pet ownership, come to our shelters and rescue the animals. I understand that not enough people volunteer to help the rescues and believe me I am so grateful for all of those with NCRR that have stepped up to help and give these animals another chance. Can we all find a way to work together to save these animals and educate our communities to solve the pet overpopulation problem? Again I welcome any rescue that reads this to help me and other shelters out and step up to the plate if you don't know where to start or how to help your local shelter contact NCRR I can assure you from my experience with these wonderful men and women they can lead you in the right direction.
Finally I would like to thank NCRR and all the RESPONSIBLE rescues out there that have helped their local shelters and who have stood behind the shelters to help them save lives without people like you people like me would not be able to do our jobs. So to all those who have told an Animal Control worker " I couldn't do your job" you are right in a way because I couldn't either without Diane and NCRR!!
# posted by Herb @ 9:40 PM
Friday, January 11, 2008
Special Thanks!
A special thanks to Jimmy at FastSigns and Vince at Sign-A-Rama for donating banners to NCRR for use at our adoption events!
Labels: donation
# posted by Herb @ 10:53 AM
