Vol. 24 No. 4

Winter Issue - Published Quarterly

Winter 2007/2008

Feline Acclimation Project We have a new adopted shelter kitty. (It’s Diane Rasmussen’s fault!) She is an 8 month old Devon Rex. Skinny, curly-haired funny little cat with a big attitude. She was raised with a dog and another cat. But that didn’t mean she would instantly be good with unfamiliar dogs and cats! Only Basil the whippet (now 13) has experienced the process of welcoming new kitties to the family. We have had the same resident cat prior to the arrival of each successive new dog who’s joined the household over many years. Bugs the multitoed tabby has easily adjusted to the new dogs, but has never shared her house with another cat. Our current canine residents think Bugs is just another funny looking dog, but outsider cats are another thing altogether. I’ve watched the barking banshees streak from the porch and leap OVER Bugs to chase invading cats out of the yard. It’s been a test of diligence and management keeping the new kitten safe while teaching the dogs that this skittering thing is not to be chased or cornered. We have Rat Terriers. And a cat that looks a bit too rat-like to really be a cat. Little Benny was the worst. He could be sitting there sniffing her, sweet as pie, and then his expression would change. For all the world it seemed there was a cartoon bubble above his head in which his new sister cat had transformed into a giant turkey leg! This transition from potential snack to sibling was going to require major superVISION! It’s going on 3 months now and she has become a wonderful continued on page 2

What’s Inside:

Page

What’s Inside:

Page

Welcome New Staff .......................................................... 2

Volunteers ......................................................................... 7

Feline Acclimation Project (continued) ........................ 2-3

Avoid Impulse Buys .......................................................... 7

Happy Endings (continued) .......................................... 3-4

Purrs, Licks & Tailwags ..................................................... 8

ASPCA Mission Orange Update ....................................... 4

Thank You Pet Sponsors .................................................. 9

From the Executive Director ............................................ 4

A Rescue Dog’s Christmas Poem ..................................... 9

What’s Your New Year’s “Rover-lution”? ......................... 4

Happy Endings ........................................................... 10-11

Meet Your Match ............................................................... 5

Forever Homes - Where Adopted Dogs Blossom .......... 11

President’s Message .......................................................... 6

Giving Rabies Vaccine is Sure Way to Protect Pets ....... 12

Fill the Bowls .................................................................... 6

Pets in the World .............................................................12

HEART Visited by Humane Assoc. Rescue Rig ............... 6

In Loving Memory ............................................................13

How You Can Help .......................................................... 7

Basil Barks .................................................................. 14-15

Welcome New Staff Board of Directors Pres: Christel Carlson Vice Pres: John Dorwin Sec: Kimberly Kamel Treas: Barbara Grant Regina Winkler Linda Jacobs Kay Nash Dori Peck Mary Ronnestad

Advisory Board Terri Atkinson Lori Humphrey Cynthia Schwartz

Location: SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. N. 714 Napa • Spokane, WA 99202

Phone: (509) 534-8133 • Fax: (509) 535-9630

Website: http://www.spokanimal.org

Shelter Hours: Adoption Center: 10AM-6PM ~ Mon-Fri Noon-4PM ~ Sat-Sun Licensing / Front Desk 8:30AM-6:30PM 24-hour Lost Pet Hotline 232-2230

~ OUR MISSION ~ SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting kindness and consideration for animals through education, to reduce pet overpopulation through sterilization, and to establish programs and sheltering which meet national standards.

TUNE IN! SpokAnimal is featured on: KREM Ch 2 Tuesday noon news KXLY Ch 4 Tues. & Fri. on Good Morning NW KHQ Ch 6 Saturday morning news The BOB Catch us on Tuesdays at 4:30 pm

I am Liz Heinlein, the new Development and Outreach Coordinator. I joined the SpokAnimal team in early November. I have always loved animals and grew up with dogs and cats my whole life. Before SpokAnimal, I had been in media advertising. While talking to Gail about ways we could market SpokAnimal effectively, I fell in love with the organization and ultimately made the move to working directly here. My job consists of fundraising, event planning, community outreach, and the big goal of becoming more known and aware in Spokane. Currently I have a HUGE need for volunteers for upcoming events! We are doing some new and exciting things in 2008 and I am very excited to get new people involved and enthused about SpokAnimal! On the personal side, I was born and raised in Seattle, Wa. I grew up playing soccer and singing in church. In my spare time, I like to read, watch sports (Go Cougars!!), play soccer, and sing! I am part of a country band called Elizabeth Scott and the Hazzards, so if I am not at

work I am generally playing with my band! I moved to Spokane in April with my dog, Annie! It was a big change, but I absolutely love Spokane and we are very happy to be here! Thanks and talk to you soon! Liz Heinlein Development and Outreach SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. 509-534-8133 Main, 206-330-6230 Cell

Feline Acclimation Project (continued) part of our family. Even Bugs finally enjoys playing with her pesky little sister (when we aren’t watching, of course.) It was many weeks before I finally felt safe having her free in the house and slacked off from monitoring the animals every move. And with terriers and an active adolescent kitten, that’s a lot of movement! She’s gone from a yowling, unhappy feline to one big motorboat purr who drools while dancing on my lap. The dogs now sleep through her crazy antics in the living room. Here’s the progression from bad to better: Day one. New kitty refuses to come out of carrier at all without being physically extracted. A baby gate is installed across my office doorway to keep the dogs out. The cat carrier is set up on top of a file cabinet so she can peer out and see the dogs from an elevated perch and they can see and smell her from a safe distance. Several times a day she is carried to the bathroom where the litter box resides, inside the carrier so she doesn’t claw me,

yowling and hissing the whole way. She must be pried from the carrier and set in the litter box. Stress and change of diet make this an urgent need, so she readily uses the box as soon as her feet touch the litter. At night or when I am not home, she is safely secured in the bathroom with her carrier door open. The dogs obsess, snuffling at the crack under the door when she is in there. She growls from the other side. Day two. She peers out of her carrier more often from her lofty vantage point but still isn’t coming out on her own volition. She is still hissing and carrying on if dogs are visible, or might appear, or might be thinking about appearing. Periodically throughout the day, when the dogs are sleeping or outside, I take the new kitten out and hold her on my lap while I work at the computer. She stays there under protest, complaining the whole time and rushes back to her carrier when released. Resident Bugs Kitty sneaks in, looks horrified, hisses and rushes out. We are officially on her bad list. The dogs pace continued on page 3

Issues of SpokAnimal’s Companion Animal News are now available for download online at “http://www.spokanimal.org!” 2

Feline Acclimation Project (continued) the house, anxiously trying to get a glimpse of her. I provide them the opportunity to explore her carrier when she is not in it to get acquainted with her scent and I put blankets in the office that the dogs have slept on so she can familiarize to their scent as well. By the end of week one ... She is moving freely about the office, sitting on my lap for longer and longer stretches before rushing back to her carrier. She begins to seek attention, purring a little, instead of glaring at me with hateful eyes. She allows specific petting the head, the ears, under the chin and chest ... NOT the butt, not the hind feet and NEVER the tail! She begins investigating all the corners of the office. She only growls and hisses if a dog comes to the gate (which is more often now that she is mobile, but they are calmer now) and then rushes back to her carrier where she continues to complain until they leave. Her comfort level is growing, albeit slowly. Week two. This was a very long week of fits and starts. At last, the carrier is eliminated, replaced by a fluffy blanket. She occasionally approaches the gate and sniffs at the dogs on the other side. Dogs are given food rewards any time the cat is near. They start looking to me instead of looking at the cat - her proximity is now a signal of rewards to come. (Classical conditioning Pavlov would be proud!). They now salivate because looking at her predicts treats, not because she might be one. I carry her in my arms all around the house, letting her see all the rooms and let the dogs get used to seeing her in all the rooms. She complains loudly but doesn’t claw me. Our 2 year old grandson names her Nemo (she is orange and black like his favorite animated fish.) While she is still cranky with us, she is sweet with him. Part way through the week, the calmer dogs are brought in to the office one at a time for short training sessions while the cat watches from her perch on the file cabinet. Dog gets a reward, cat gets a tiny treat as well. If they don’t bother her, they may stay longer and get to nap under my chair while I work. As they acclimate, the kitten is brought down to nap in my lap while the visiting dog naps under the chair. Polite dogs are given the opportunity to sneak a little sniff and Nemo sneaks up on them while they are sleeping and sniffs cautiously, too. They begin to look at each

other with some sense of recognition. By the end of week two the visiting office dog is moving freely and there is rarely a span of time when there isn’t a dog (or two) present. The energy is more relaxed. Hissing and growling is only for direct contact with intent. She cuffs them if they are too invasive but doesn’t run. Benny is on leash during his visits so I can step on it and redirect him if she moves quickly. He stares intently and quivers and licks his lips. He gets big rewards for looking away from the cat and looking at me. Bonus jackpots if she is complaining and he looks away. The cat is starting to trust that I have things under control and holds her ground and lets me redirect him. He is walking on eggshells in big arcs around her now, glancing at me for approval instead of stalking her. Major improvement. But we aren’t out of the woods yet. Week three. Nemo joins us on the couch to watch TV in the evenings. The dogs snooze along side us. She occasionally ventures onto the floor and creeps around investigating. Unless she disappears from view, the dogs are content to watch her from the couch. If she sneaks off behind furniture it piques their interest, so they must be monitored and redirected. Luckily all have instant response to come and leave it - rewards are had by all. There is a lot of careful supervision and micro-managing as the biggest danger is pack mentality - if one bolts, the others might join in. Even though we are beyond the need for leashing in the office, Benny still drags a leash for safety when she is loose in other rooms. Its good to see his posture is more upright in friendly interest and there is no more calculated, predatory stalking. She can get over or under the baby gate to the safety of the office. As the days progress, she becomes more and more comfortable and her demeanor is less sneaky so the dogs pretty much ignore her. The only hissing and growling we hear is between Bugs and Nemo. This adjustment will take longer, although they are staying in the same room and walking closer to each other. We increase petting and attention when the other is visible, spreading each other’s scent on the other’s fur. The dogs are now only mildly concerned when the cats yell at each other, but it is still a worry that if the cats get into a spat, the dogs might jump in. She is still confined to the bathroom when 3

we aren’t home to supervise. End of week four. The baby gate is down for good. She is only contained in the bathroom when we are gone or can’t watch her. She cautiously explores all parts of the house and plays under the bed. She wanders amongst the dogs without batting an eye. Only Benny still obsesses about her whereabouts, but settles down as soon as he’s located her. When we get home from being gone, he runs to the bathroom door, excited for us to let her out, and cautiously sniffs hello without fixation. She bats his head and walks away with tail held high. He follows calmly, interested, but not fixated. By the end of Week five ... Nemo marches around the house like she’s lived here forever. She sleeps on the bed next to Benny at night and crosses paths with Bugs without throwing a fit. Bugs gives her a dirty look, but doesn’t rush from the room as if she has cooties! If Bugs is sleeping, Nemo stalks her and then pounces on the edge of the bed and runs. Tag, you’re it! Bugs is not impressed. She greets the dogs fearlessly and Benny’s tail wags loosely and his expression is soft. It was a rough start, but she’s part of the family now. I decorated the Christmas tree - with her help, of course - gingerly patting the unbreakable ornaments specifically located on the lower branches for her pleasure, where wagging dog tails and swiping kitty paws won’t be an issue. I reflected on her previous owner’s comment on her relinquishment form: favorite toys: anything that doesn’t belong to her. I had to smile. One person’s problem child is another’s entertainment.

ASPCA Mission Orange Update Dear Colleagues, Since the launch earlier this year of ASPCA® Mission Orange™ in five Target Communities, many animal protection professionals have contacted ASPCA National Outreach asking how their communities can be next. Our work in the Target Communities is intensive and long term (three years), and the ASPCA® Mission Orange™ initiative was designed to target our resources in order to make a greater impact. We’ve learned a lot in this first year, and our Target Community partners are having real success like in Tampa, where they’ve adopted 822 more animals in nine months than in the same period last year! In fact, we and our partner agencies have learned so much in this first year that we’ve realized we have to find a way to work with more communities and save even more lives - even before our first three

years are up with our current Target Communities. To that end, ASPCA National Outreach has made a New Years Resolution: Make Every Animal Count! If you’re interested in joining us, please read on. In 2008, up to five communities will be selected from a competitive application process to participate in Join ASPCA® Mission Orange™with the winners earning one year of intensive work with ASPCA experts focused collecting, analyzing and working with data to identify and implement the specific programs and practices that will increase live release rates in their communities. In less than a year, ASPCA® Mission Orange™ Target Communities have learned how to save more lives through targeted programming based on sound data analysis and you can too. It’s a lot of work, but saving more lives is worth it! And, future ASPCA® Mission

From the Executive Director… Dear Friends, Leona Helmsley bit off her grandchildren’s hopes of wealth by giving $12 million of her fortune to her M a l t e s e , Trouble. This surely gives new meaning to the words lucky dog. It did get me thinking however about the future of my own animals after I am gone. I know there are trusts for animals and a variety of other products on the market to assist on the animal side of estate planning. I was, however, just looking for a simple plan. Together with staff members, financial advisors and attorneys, we have developed a program and have actually set up a few of these plans already. Plans can be customized according to the needs of the pet owners. We recommend working through your own attorney to

finalize the plans and to ensure your wishes are followed. Please give me a call if we can be of assistance in your planning.

Gail B. Mackie Executive Director On just one day in December: On Tuesday afternoon, Dec 18th Gail reported: We adopted 10 cats, transferred 6 dogs, adopted 10 dogs, did Pick of the Litter on KREM and three KXLY television spots. We have radio spots scheduled for tomorrow on 820AM KGA about the Fill Our Bowls event, 11:15 Thursday on KGA about Santa deliveries, 7:30AM Saturday on KHQ with 2 dogs for adoption. We have benefit drives being dropped off/picked up from Columbia paint, KSPN & Fairchild. Whew!

Orange™ Target Communities will be selected from Join ASPCA® Mission Orange™ participants. Our Join ASPCA® Mission Orange™ competitive application process, which will include a community application, agency surveys and related attachments, will be published at ASPCA Pro.org in mid January. Applications will be due March 1. Up to five Join ASPCA® Mission Orange™ communities will be announced on ASPCA Day, April 10, 2008. Working together to save more lives will commence on April 11! If you’d like to be a part of our New Ye a r s R e s o l u t i o n t o M a k e E v e r y Animal Count, please email [email protected] to receive the application details in January. Best to you for a successful new year, Bert Troughton Senior Director ASPCA National Outreach

The “A” Asks You, “What’s Your New Year’s ‘Rover-lution’?” Ah, January 1! The New Year offers a fresh start to develop good habits and here at the ASPCA, we think it’s only appropriate to focus on the fourlegged members of the family. What can you do, as pooch parents, to make the year happier and healthier for your furry pals? What about a resolution to brush your dog every week or a commitment to sign up for an agility class? How about a promise to extend your daily walk? Just remember, at the top of all lists should be: Never go to bed without saying “I love you!” SpokAnimal hopes you will include our animals in your resolutions for the New Year. Sponsor a Pet, adopt, donate, volunteer!

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” – Roger Caras 4

Meet Your Match by Laura Felgenhauer As SpokAnimal begins to transition into a Meet Your Match facility, all staff are learning how to incorporate the new programs into their daily routines. One of the major steps in becoming a Meet Your Match facility is to provide behavioral assessments on each animal coming through the door for adoption. For dogs, this includes the SAFER assessment and Canine-ality or Puppyality assessment. While most of the SpokAnimal staff has recently attended training workshops learning how to conduct the assessments, it is the newly instated behavioral assessment team that is heading the canine part of the transition. The team includes new staff members Cathy Fox, Pat Moberly, and Laura Felgenhauer, as well as assessment volunteers Elin Zander, Judy Campbell, and Mary Bates. For almost two months now, the new team has been working their hardest to try and get each dog through the SAFER assessment. This assessment is a tool to help determine a dogs potential for aggression, something very important to know in order to ensure the adoption of safe animals. There are seven items to be completed with each dog in a specific order, according to SAFER creator, Dr. Emily Weiss of the ASPCA. Using proper handling techniques and keen observational skills, the assessors are able to see how each

particular dog responds to mild restraint, touch sensitivity, sound and movement as well as how they respond to new situations and social interactions with people. The assessment can also help determine potential for food aggression, possession aggression, and dog aggression. Once a dog has completed the SAFER assessment, kennel staff can determine the adoptability of the dog. The results of the assessment is a great tool to discuss any behavioral issues that a potential adopter may be faced with, and how they will deal with those in the home. After a SAFER assessment is completed, a Canine-ality can be determined for that dog. This assessment gives greater insight into the individual dogs personality and helps our staff match the right dog to the adopters wants and needs. In the Canine-ality assessment, we observe the dog’s activity while it is alone in a room, how it reacts to an energetic greeting by a human, if and what types of toys the dog enjoys playing with, if they might want to work for food and if they may know a few basics like sit or down already. The assessment also gives a score based on the assessors overall opinion of the dogs manners, taking into account things like leash walking and jumping up and overall energy level. Once scored, the dog receives a Canine-ality color and description.

When Meet Your Match is fully incorporated, those descriptions will be posted on the kennel with the dog for potential adopters to read. Like the SAFER assessment, the specific results of the dog’s Canine-ality will be a starting point to discuss with the potential adopter what type of dog they might see in their own home. The last part of the Meet Your Match program is to survey the potential adopters as to what they are looking for and expect from their new dog. Potential adopters will receive a color based upon their survey and by looking at those dogs of the same color, lets them know which dogs they are likely to be happiest with in their home and with their personal lifestyle. The ultimate goal of the Meet Your Match program is to create lifelong homes for these animals. What it requires is an effort on part of the staff and volunteers to correctly evaluate the animals behavior and then be able to interpret those results to the adopter. At this point in the transition, the behavioral team’s first priority is working to get all dogs through the SAFER assessment, and ensure that safe animals are being adopted. As we continue through the transition, it will be the effort of all staff and volunteers that will make Meet Your Match a success for those animals and adopters that come through our doors.

Cathy Fox, CPDT with her SpokAnimal adoptee, Hilde - a Lab/Pit cross.

Laura Felgenhauer with her SpokAnimal adoptee, Lily - an Aussie cross.

Pat Moberly, CPDT with Charlie the Golden, a change of career assistance dog.

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President’s Message Dear SpokAnimal Supporters: As another year draws to a close, the end of 23 years, SpokAnimals future is brighter than EVER thanks to the great staff and the support of folks like you. Our shelter staff has been doing a wonderful job with dog adoptions and placements. We continue to make headway with the cat population. We are really greatful to our top two cat sponsors, Will Parks and Shirley Alexander, together sponsoring 60 cats this year. Additionally, over 310 of our cats were adopted from the North Point PetSmart store. Many of our long-time donors have increased their support levels, and new donors have joined their ranks. The Board of Directors and staff want to assure you that your donation dollars are funding needed programs such as Lucky to be Alive, adoption outreach, sterilization programs for low-income pet owners, and individual animal sponsors. We had a great response to my pleas for kitty condo and doggie dorm sponsors this year. As we send out renewals, we hope you will be able to continue the program (see form on page 7 of this newsletter). Our urgent requests for much needed supplies (like laundry detergent and kitty

litter) have received a rapid and generous response - thanks. We continue to work closely with the Spokane Humane Society, SCRAPS, PetSavers and other area placement partners. The increased sense of community we all feel as we reach towards our joint goal of no more homeless pets is wonderful to behold. The animals are the true winners, as well as the community they inhabit. We have had several thoughtful children ask for presents for the animals for their birthdays or other special events this year. Children can learn compassion for the less able or fortunate by learning to care for the animals - life lessons that will always be valuable. I think of all the families that have gained a new member by adopting 1047 dogs year to date (937 all 2006) and 1230 cats year to date (1277 all of 2006). My own family is enriched by a six month old Doberman puppy we adopted last month. Winston joins several other SpokAnimal dog and cat adoptees. Here is wishing you and your family the best in 2008. We are glad to share our ideas, programs, and projects with you. With Gratitude, Christel Carlson, President

Fill the Bowls Area Shelters Take to the Streets SpokAnimal C A R E , SCRAPS, and the Spokane Humane Society took their food bowls to the streets on Wednesday December 19 from 10 am to 4 pm. Volunteers from all three shelters stood at the intersection of Spokane Falls Blvd. and Division streets with food bowls outstretched, in the hopes of raising money. Volunteers braved the cold and the snow in hopes of raising awareness for needed funding for the areas low-fee spay and neuter clinics. The three agencies have seen a significant drop in animals handled since the inception of the low fee spay/neuter clinics several years ago. However, the numbers still aren’t low enough, and the agencies want to remind the community to get their pets altered before the springtime flurry of animals. The funds raised will also go towards supplies and adoption sponsorships.

HEART - Humane Evacuation Animal Rescue Team Visited by the American Humane Association’s Rescue Rig! The Rescue Rig parked at Pet Savers Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic,7525 E Trent Avenue, Sunday afternoon on November 18th. The Rescue Rig was open to the public for tours. What a treat it was to tour this amazing support system for animals in distress during an emergency evacuation! What is the Big Rig? American Humanes “Rescue Rig” is an 82-foot

specialized tractor/trailer which includes: • Volunteer living accommodations – self-sustaining for 15 responders, stocked with 10 days supply of readyto-eat meals • Command Center with electrical generator, a VHF base radio and hand-helds, satellite dish uplink and downlink capability, computer and planning support capabilities

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• Basic veterinary surgery capability • Heavy gear storage • Urban search, rescue and assistance equipment • Flood search, rescue and assistance equipment • Technical rescue equipment – rope and high-angle rescue systems, swift-water rescue systems

HOW YOU CAN HELP SpokAnimal is a non-profit and tax-exempt organization. All contributions, donations and gifts are tax-deductible.

Sit Up and Beg WE NEED • Simple Green & Swiffer Wet cloths • Double sided mop buckets, mop heads and handles • Blankets and towels • Commercial washer and dryer for clinic and receiving • Bleach, bleach, and more bleach • Wet floor signs • Office supplies, writeable CD's • Vacuum cleaner • Bathroom tissue, paper towels • Photo paper

Volunteers Volunteer orientations will continue to be the third Wednesday of each month at 6pm, so January 16th, February 20th, March 19th, and April 16th. Thank you volunteers!! We calculated those with the most hours from October 1st through December 31st: Amanda Reeve- 6.75 hours, Erica Lorchik- 6.75 hours, Stacey Sanchez- 7 hours, Elin Zander- 20.95 hours, Judy Campbell- 12.45 hours, Don Winant- 12.95 hours, Gabby Deede- 5.50 hours, Mariah Tso- 5.50 hours, Delaney Dittman- 5.50 hours, Kirstin Craig- 5.50 hours, Vanessa Johnson - 73.75 hours, Natalie Holmes7.25 hours, Cory O’Brien- 14 hours.

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• • • •

Laminating sheets DVD-R disks Thumb drive 1.4gb LCD flat panel computer monitors (not the huge bulky ones) • Volunteers to do follow-up calls to adoptors Dog/Cat Enrichment Program • Volunteers to stuff Kongs, providing activities to pass the time for those who wait.

• Cheez Whiz (kong stuffer) • Peanut Butter (kong stuffer) • Large rawhides (temperament evaluations) • Small kitty toys or ping pong balls • Canned food for dogs/ puppies • Dog toys and all sorts of treats and goodies!!! Please Give Every Little Bit Helps!

Avoid Impulse Buys Every animal lover is drawn to that doggy in the window or cute kitten mewing from a cardboard box with the handwritten sign free kittens! Far too many of the animals turned into shelters and rescues are the result of this human weakness, without thought of the future cost and responsibility of that hasty decision. As tempting as it might be, it’s never a good idea to pick a furry life partner like you’d choose a pack of gum in the check-out line at the grocery store. Like any big purchase

or long term commitment, make sure it’s right before you dive in!

Cats can live up to 20+ years. Are you ready to take on that responsibility?

Please Help Save A Life - Become A Kennel Sponsor Please fill out the information below and mail along with your contribution to: SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. •  Kennel Sponsor • P.O. Box 3151 • Spokane, WA 99220

Name ___________________________________

Important: your message must fit in the squares below:

Address __________________________________ City_______________ State____ Zip ___________ (make checks payable to SpokAnimal C.A.R.E.)

Day Phone ________________________________

If you have further questions, please contact SpokAnimal at 534-8133.

Evening Phone ______________________________ 7

Purrs, Licks & Tailwags

Thank you! People Helping Animals!

Kathryn Baumgartner is in town visiting from Hong Kong. While here she made holiday scarves for all of the animals. In this picture she is assisting staff with tying a scarf on an animal waiting to find a new home. It All Adds Up! Each month we receive small donations with letters apologizing that the sender wishes it could be more. These generous contributions from people who care enough to share even though they are on a fixed income warm our hearts. One in particular wrote, if this check could be a million, it would be. Please know that every little bit helps and when added together at the end of the day, donations large and small make a HUGE difference to the animals in our care. Thank you so much! Businesses Helping Animals! Thank you, American Artworks for their generous donations to help us help the animals in our care. Big thanks to Northwest Medstar - on behalf of the medical crews, pilots, administrators and all the support staff of N.W. Medstar, Michelle and Big John from AMR, Jean and Mike Kelleher, Heidi Stephens and the Johnson family, they donated an amazing collection of much needed items - from towels and blankets to cleaning supplies to toys, treats and pet food (300 lbs of dog food and 76 lbs of cat food!) Thank you to Merill Lynch for giving back to the community by inviting staff to a reception at Center Stage and the Holiday Pops at the Fox Theatre. It was a fabulous night!

Susan Dailey and the crew at Columbia Paint held a holiday drive to benefit SpokAnimal. They brought us cash donations, pet toys, and cleaning supplies!

Ken Trambitas, Susan Dailey from Columbia Paints & Gail Mackie A huge thank you to Luigi’s for donating all of the meat for the stew we prepared and served to all of the animals on Christmas Eve. A lot of tails were wagging after that special treat.

The Commercial Banking Division of Washington Trust Bank. They hold a silent auction every year and those who have winning bids complete their purchases by making their checks out to the charity of their choice. Thank you, Kiemle & Hagood! Enclosed is a donation check ($150) from Kiemle & Hagood Company and its Employees & Associates. Our company has established a Casual Day Fund in which contributions are collected on a weekly basis throughout the year. This year Kiemle & Hagood has selected to donate a portion of the money raised to SpokAnimal CARE. We appreciate your organizations continued commitment and efforts to help animals without homes throughout our community. Kids Helping Animals! To Andrew Backlund who collects cans and uses all of the recycling money to buy pet food to donate to us! He said hes writing a letter to the Spokesman Review to encourage other kids to help. Alaina Bowers who donated toys, blankets, bleach and shampoo in celebration of her 11th birthday! To Kim & Eddie who did chores in their neighborhood at 25 cents per chore and raised $38.15!

Jeff and Stacy from Avista who brought a very impressive truckload of donations gathered by Avista employees. Thanks to Pat Stangel of Interior Decor, Inc for all the carpet samples for our cats. Friends of Seven - KSPS for the supply drive. Fairchild - for their generous contribution to help us help the animals. KXLY for broadcasting live on Christmas Eve, helping to place 4 dogs and a cat in the few hours they were here. Brian Dickmann, owner of Pizza Rita for his kind donation! 8

Big thanks to Jan Shumaker and the kids at Audubon Elementary for their collection of food, beds, toys, etc for the animals in our care. Thanks to Pat Moberly and her Golden Charlie who joined Carol Byrnes & Stanley. Hooray for Cindi Ghezzi & the kids at Ridgeview Elementary who held their amazing annual Christmas drive for the animals again this year. As they have for many years, the kids made and sold toys and home baked biscuits and collected many bags of pet food,and litter, as well as blankets and towels for the animals. Thanks to Steve Navratil and Ranger who attended the assembly with Carol Byrnes & Stanley. Cornerstone Christian Academy and Anne Wige for their donation of cat food, cat litter, a cat bed and several cat toys to make the season brighter for our feline friends.

Thank You Pet Sponsors! The following kind folks have shared their love of animals with those who wait in our adoption center - these donations of $25 or more make a huge difference in our quest for forever homes. Margaret Mattson Ron Reed x 16 !!!!! Will Parks x 20 !!!!! Pam Whitcomb x4 ! Kathy Coleman x2 Shirley Alexander x12 !!!! Donna Mergen x4 ! Robert & Esther Hildahl x2 Roger & Nancy Moore Lisa Funkhouser x4 ! Nancy McKennon Mary Elaine Penton x4 Lloyd & Kathleen Rudy Dick & Trudy Raymond Robert & Helen Hinnenkamp Eric & Kim Keating William & Donna Petty Michelle Powers Mark & Marjorie Winters Casie Gallo Ronald & Colleen Webber John & Betty Zurenko x4 !

Ingeburg Fisher Tom Spurgeon Lawrence Massey Leon Olney Truella Stone Jennifer Swain x4 ! Gilbert & Yvonne Goodwater x2 Leo & Jack Roberson Bernita McKereghan x2 Donald & Lavon Hatch John & Sally Wamba x4 ! Warren & Sandra Walker x4 ! Lisa Jensen Johnny & Jan Humphreys x4 ! Anna Marie Olson x2 Shawna Hirschel Gene & Sue Blankenship Dian Nelsen Ruby McNeill x4 ! Margaret Jones x4 ! Bill & Dianne Kersey Terry & Marilyn Daniels

Theresa Burgess Maria Riegert Mark Graham Holly Renga x3 Sandy Tarbox x2 Sue Wilhelm Ann Foss Karen Sanborn Steven Thain Jeff Johnson James Hall Sheryl Rice x4 ! Kenna & Michael May x2 Lois Strand Dan Bielenberg Ashley Peterson x2 Leslie Tunnell x8 !!!! Scott Mayo Jan Schollmeyer x2 Daniel Ortiz Mr & Mrs James Gillespie

A Rescue Dog’s Christmas Poem Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town, Every shelter is full - we are lost, but not found.

The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat, With so many to care for, they can’t stay to chat,

Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare, We hope every minute that someone will care.

They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer... We know that they wonder how long we’ll be here.

They’ll come to adopt us and give us the call, “Come here, Max and Sparkie - come fetch your new ball!!

We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads... of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.

But now we sit here and think of the days... We were treated so fondly - we had cute, baby ways,

Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears, Our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.

Once we were little, then we grew and we grew Now we’re no longer young and we’re no longer new.

If you can’t adopt us and there’s no room at the Inn, Could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?

So out the back door we were thrown like the trash, they reacted so quickly - why were they so rash?

We count on your kindness each day of the year, Can you give more than hope to everyone here?

We “jump on the children:, “don’t come when they call”, We “bark when they leave us”, climb over the wall.

Please make a donation to pay for the heat... And help get us something special to eat.

We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed, Now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made. If only they’d trained us, if only we knew... We’d have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.

The shelter that cares for us wants us to live, And more of us will, if more people will give. - Author Unknown

We were left in the backyard, or worse – let to roam, Now we’re tired and lonely and out of a home. They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye... “Maybe someone else will give you a try.” So now here we are, all confused and alone... In a shelter with others who long for a home. 9

Happy Endings ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Jack Number One Jack was lost at about 5 weeks old and taken to SpokAnimal, One of the workers there, Shea, took Jack to her house and nursed him back to health. She

Jack Number Two - Canine Good Citizen Pit of Distinction! In January 2007, my husband, Greg, and I adopted a pit bull puppy from SpokAnimal. We weren’t actively looking for a dog as we already had two pit mixes (one of which also came from SpokAnimal) but this puppy was dumped at the fire station where my husband works. In the time it took for SpokAnimal to come pick up the puppy, Greg had fallen in love. The next morning, he went down and put his name on the waiting list to adopt the pup - now called Philly by the shelter. Three days later, I went down and finalized the adoption process and we re-named the puppy, Jack. Our other two dogs went through obedience classes at Lilac City Dog Training so when it came time to enroll Jack it was an easy decision as to where to go. Jack started in the Puppy class and moved

took him to work with her on Nov. 9th and he was in the cage looking so sad and small. We had just put our thirteen year old dog Katie down just 4 days earlier, it was devastating to both my husband and myself. We never could have children so Katie was our child. We raised her from birth. Jack was the prettiest dog I had ever seen. We did not plan to adopt a dog from there, I was just wanting to touch and hold one. This little guy stole both our hearts right there and then. We brought Jack home and found him to be the smartest dog ever. After a few minutes he would sit on command and within days was house broke. He has been a blessing to us. At 8 weeks he was 11.1 lbs, now for his 12 week check up jack is now 18.5 lbs. Thank you SpokAnimal and Shea. Jack would like to thank you for saving him also. Because not only did jack need a home, we needed him.

on to Beginner and then on to Intermediate. At the beginning of the Intermediate class, our instructors announced that there would be an opportunity to take AKC Canine Good Citizen Test. The test was scheduled about 10 weeks out from the start of our class. Throughout the class, we practiced on parts of the test and when the time came to sign up for the test Greg and I discussed taking Jack. We almost talked about it for too long as when we went to sign up, Jack got the last spot available! The testing was held on November 14 and I was a little nervous about how our little stray pit bull would do. I was particularly nervous about the meeting a stranger portion of the test as the evaluator would have to groom Jack, pick up his feet and touch his ears. All of that is a lot to handle for a dog that is, at times, afraid of people. But all of our practice and work paid off - Jack passed all 10 items of the test and earned his Canine Good Citizen Certificate. Jack is a wonderful dog and I’m so glad we adopted him. He gets along great with our other two dogs and is a constant source of amusement for us. Jack’s obedience courses are not over and we will begin our next one in January. Who knows what will be the next adventure for Jack - maybe agility? 10

Trex & Zilla Dec 26th: Happy Holidays! Gail & her crew were wonderful. YOU made this a Christmas to remember. Thank you again for the delivery of our new family members (male) Trex and (female) Zilla. We are adapting to our new homes and look forward to growing and becoming good pets. The ONeill Family Zippy aka Pepper Just a note to say thank you for all that you do for our furry friends and to let you know that Zippy/Pepper that we adopted in late summer is doing great. We love her! Great watch dog and very devoted! Find enclosed something to help with expenses. Joan Syverson & Steve Naylor Special Thanks to Officers and Staff for Helping Rescue a Dog Named Thunder During Thanksgiving week, a Husky mix dog wandered onto the Inland NW Wildlife Council property on N. Market St. that was obviously lost or abandoned. The dog was unapproachable, but didn’t act aggressive or vicious and appeared to be someone’s pet. They couldn’t catch or contain the animal so they called SpokAnimal. The officer wasn’t able to catch the dog with the help of two of their volunteers either and so he suggested setting a live trap. By Sunday it was obvious the dog was not going to go into the trap and would stand back and continue to bark. Four or five officers arrived on the scene with a plan to possibly offer medicated food to subdue him and then corral him in a smaller area, when a call came from dispatch. There was a dog reported missing from an area miles away, but of similar description. The owners were notified and arrived at the Wildlife Council within the hour. Thunder the dog was identified as their family pet and immediately responded to family members. I personally want to thank all of the officers and staff of SpokAnimal CARE that participated in the rescue for their diligence and great care in taking the time to help Thunder survive his ordeal and be reunited with his family. Chuck Sauter, Board Member Inland Northwest Wildlife Council.

Happy Endings

(continued)

Jasper

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Dear Folks, Jasper, whom we adopted from SpokAnimal in August, has become a full fledged member of our family and is developing such a funny, winning personality. Toby loves his new companion and is remarkably tolerant of Jasper’s puppy antics. He remains slim but is growing daily, and we no longer see his ribs. We’re actually hoping to keep Jasper from getting chubby - a common problem in pugs. However with tons of exercise, I don’t see how he could get overweight! Dr. Colleen Carey & Dr. Arnold Cohen

Sassy! Just a few lines to tell you about my life in my new home. I was adopted in Oct of ‘07. My name is Sassy and I am an older Pekingese with only one eye. I really love my new home and run it all by myself. I don’t bark, but if my new mom goes and doesn’t take me with her, I let my new dad know all about it in a talk. When my new mom comes home, I scold her good! Then I wouldn’t talk to her. We really love our little Sassy. Thanks so much for her. Enclosed is $10 to help with whatever you need. Virginia, Nelson & Sassy Vettkamp

Forever Homes - Where Adopted Dogs Blossom!

photo credit: Brenda Cutting

Old Friends Still Eleven years ago, a black Border Collie cross with three white toes came into my life. He came from SpokAnimal by way of Pet Rescue and was a birthday present from my son. The best present ever! He is between 12 & 13 now, and Im almost 84. We were so lucky to find each other and I am so grateful to Pet Rescue for saving him for me. Bette Lindstrom

Murungu When Diana Roberts adopted Murungu, a yellow-lab cross, from SpokAnimal in 2003, he was a lanky adolescent. During the first few months of owning him, she found he could be as challenging as he was loveable. And he could be very challenging! Now, four years and many training classes later, Murungu is learning to dance in step - literally! Diana & Murungu are part of Diamonds in the Ruff’s Ruff Revue dance group who travel all over the Spokane area performing at nursing homes, hospitals and retirement communities doing Canine Freestyle performances. (See pictures below).

11

Ranger

Photo credit: Steve Navratil.

We often report about dogs who have recently found homes with great families but even more rewarding is when we get to follow up on dogs years later who found permanent homes with people who help them become the best dogs they can be!

L to R: Charlie the Golden, Ranger the Collie, actress Rachel Leigh Cook, actor Joseph Cross, Tabby the Whippet, Gretchen the Entlebucher, June the Lab cross. We’ve done several follow-ups on Ranger, a big rough-coated collie, a SpokAnimal stray adopted by the Navratil family. He’s not only passed the evaluation to become a Delta Pet Therapy dog, he is a Reading Rover volunteer in area schools and now, a movie star! Ranger, along with SpokAnimals Education mascot Stanley, SpokAnimal front desk staffer Mary Bates’ Cairn Terrier Abbie, and several other talented area dogs had roles in The Golden Door. Filmed in Spokane, The Golden Door stars Joseph Cross (Flags of Our Fathers/Running With Scissors), Sarah Roemer (Disturbia), Rachel Leigh Cook (She’s All That), Joe Pantoliano (Sopranos, Goonies), and Snoop Dogg. It is expected to hit the big screen in June of 2008.

Giving Rabies Vaccine is Sure Way to Protect Pets Denise Flaim, Animal House - Newsday October 29, 2007 Rabies has been eradicated. No, wait just a second. It’s poised for an outbreak. News reports in recent months have offered conflicting information about this deadly disease, the poster child of which is the foaming-at-the-mouth, deranged, marauding stray dog. Last month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the dog rabies virus had for all intents and purposes been eradicated in this country through vaccinations. Headlines to the contrary, that didn’t mean that rabies - an essentially untreatable disease, with only one documented human survivor in this country - has disappeared for good. It means only that the strain of the disease specific to dogs is no longer active in the canine population, having been last noted here in 2004. But while canine rabies is kaput, the disease still circulates among bats, raccoons and foxes. And because rabies is zoonotic - that is, it can be transmitted across species - humans can contract rabies from these wild critters, as can dogs and cats. We live, said Charles Rupprecht, chief of the CDC’s rabies section, in a “sea of rabies.” The good news, he continued, is that canine rabies - which is the most common strain responsible for disease transmission between dogs themselves and which poses the greatest threat to humans, because of our close-knit relationship with the fuzzy little guys - is now no longer a threat. Or is it? Last week, USA Today reported that the CDC is drafting new rules for importing dogs from abroad,

rules that might be in place as soon as next year. The reason? Concern that the foreign dogs might carry diseases such as rabies, which is still common in Latin America, as well as parts of Africa and Asia. This has left the realm of the theoretical. In March, a dog from India was flown to its new owner in Alaska - flying through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in the process - and was later pronounced rabid, according to the CDC. The influx of Mexican-bred dogs across the Southern California border is also cause for worry. In 2004, Los Angeles noted its first case of dog rabies in three decades after a Mexican import was diagnosed with the disease. (Earlier that year, the same scenario had occurred in Massachusetts, with a dog from Puerto Rico.) The proliferation of “puppy peddlers” accounts for about 10,000 puppies brought into San Diego County annually, according to one estimate. Shelters in communities where effective spay and neuter campaigns have all but dried up the stray-puppy supply are also bringing in young dogs from abroad to meet demand. Fear of igniting a pandemic from south of the border isn’t just limited to rabies: Eight years ago or so, multiple cases of canine hepatitis, a disease that, like rabies, is all but extinct in the U.S. dog population, cropped up in a San Diego shelter among dogs that had originated in Mexico. Even in the absence of threats from without, Americans should continue to vaccinate dogs for rabies, reminds Jean Dodds of Santa Monica, California a

veterinary immunologist, vocal critic of over vaccination and co-founder of the Rabies Challenge Fund. The purpose of the fund is to raise money for clinical trials to prove that the rabies vaccine imparts immunity for as long as five to seven years - not the three years currently acknowledged by the USDA. But that’s a far cry from saying vaccination is no longer necessary, Dodds stresses. “The whole point is not to stop giving the rabies vaccine, but not to give it more than it is needed” because of the risk of adverse reactions, she says. In fact, the reason canine rabies is under control in this country is precisely because of “herd immunity” - so many animals are properly vaccinated that when an infected animal is introduced, the disease cannot get a foothold. As a result, owners whose animals are properly vaccinated can rest easy at the prospect of rogue Rovers shedding life-threatening microbes in their pooches’ vicinity. “What it should flush out is those people who decide to break the law and can’t be bothered to have their animals vaccinated,” Dodds says. “The animals at risk will be those who are not vaccinated.”

Pets in the World Firm Offers “Family Allowances” to Pet Owners Fri Jan 4, 2008 9:42am ET Reporting by Linda Sieg TOKYO (Reuters) - Hoping to send the message that pets are life-long partners not disposable accessories, a Japanese maker of medicines for animals has begun giving employees who own dogs or cats a monthly “family allowance” for their pets. The number of pets in Japan has grown with greater affluence and a falling birth rate and there are now more

pet cats and dogs than children under age 15, but about 310,000 cats and dogs are put down annually, said Tokyo-based Kyoritsu Seiyaku Corp. “Everyone has the right to own a pet, but they also have the obligation to raise the pet for its whole life,” the company said, explaining why it had decided to offer employees who own dogs and cats a “family allowance” of 1,000 yen ($9) per month. “In the future, it is our dream that 12

this system will spread not just in the pet business but to other Japanese firms,” the company said in a statement. Kyoritsu Seiyaku does not yet allow its employees to take paid leave to grieve when their pets pass away, as does one Japanese pet food maker, but may do so eventually. “For now, we have introduced only the allowances, but we want to consider the condolence holiday system in future,” a company spokeswoman said.

In Loving Memory of Sarah - cherished friend of Deni Byrnes & Sharon Hargrave of sweet little Zoey - loved and missed by the Shearer family of Kelly, the end of a special era, and Trooper, missed by Diane Baker of Bartelby, special feline friend of Amy Barker of Sibar - very old equine friend of Myrtle & Earl Smith - Carol & Dana Byrnes of Christian, a beautiful, loyal and loving dog. She truly was a gift from God. - Carol Jarms of OShaughnessy - Carol Ellsworth - SpokAnimal Staff

of Poncho - the Humphrey Family of Hugo Hansen - Dennis & Sheila Pottratz - Robert W. Shelton of Elsie Gettman - Cheryl & Betty Johnston of Dave Fleming’s mother - Jean, Janene & Kathy

In Honor & Tribute of Teyn & Tom Musselwhite wedding - Nancy McKennon of Binsfield & Sapone - Cindy Sapone of Tapie and South Care Animal Clinic - Anna Marie Olson of Alaina Bower’s 11th Birthday of Sacred Heart Medical Center Public Relations - L&L Architecture Sign, Inc.

of Max - Dale Tillman of Rascal - Lisa Funkhouser of Soldier - Virginia Muller

of Eagle Ridge Newland Comm. - L&L Architecture Sign, Inc. of Domini’s L&L Architectural Sign, Inc.

of Chubby - Christel & Cyra Carlson - SpokAnimal Staff

of Judah & Sandy - Sheryl Rice

of Mike & Fran - Alyssa Fae Bresnahan

of William Johnson - George & Lenora Jacobson

of Jersey - Linda Wolcott

of Susan Englin - Craig Englin

of Pete Funkhouser - Lisa Funkhouser

of Tracy Staebell - Janice Staebell

of John Bradfield - Sheryl Forrest - Kevin Betz

of Virginia Derr - Mick & Paula Mott - Gail Mackie - Geraldine Wilkerson - Michelle Eames - Teri Beeman - Christel Carlson - Mary Belle Thompson - Kay Kirkland

of Nancy Strand Harbert - William Harbert

of Rusty McQuaid - Lois Strand

of Sweetpea - Virginia Muller

of Johnnie Carlson - Christel Carlson - Gail Mackie

of Penny - Consuelo Larrabee

of Skiddy - Lara & Brian Whitman

of Jennifer Johnson - Roxanne Grimm of Jim & Beverly Hofmeister - Janet Smith of J.O. Cravens - Pamela Beckstrom of Sharon Takeda - Sydne Phelps of Alida King - the Hartentiaux Family

of Betty - Ellen Selby

of Shirley Menzel - Becky Menzel

of Lucky - Betty Jo Bliss

of Julie Lackey - Teresa Simon

of Sandy Rogers - Sybil McCormack

of Pat Roberg - Becky & Patricia Roberg

of Mary Love - Dan Bielenberg

of David & Tracie Franke - Heidi Fritz

of Tillie - Linda Wilcott

of Snoopy, Christa Belle, Boots & Duke - Charles Lovett

of Susan Morris - Dad & M.J.

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Dear Basil, Kitty horrible habit of eating Corey has developed a lea e ve it m a while back, but th Roca. We had a proble s figured . Unfortunately, he ha command did the trick his nasty ays around to monitor out that we aren’t alw regular bathe litter buffet on a ways and he now hits sis. house there is no place in our Logistically, speaking, ch it and x where he couldn’t rea to relocate the litter bo cy. He is to the feline contingen still have it accessible mix, so d shepherd/Newfoundlan a black lab/Australian standard his head is just below quite big (113 lbs. and our vets I spoke with Petco and kitchen counter height). that will one had much to offer No e. vic ad for ice off to the I am therefore, turning help in our situation. pect for ed until now out of res experts. I have hesitat e, howare at the end of our rop your busy schedule. We solution. d for Corey and need a ba is is th ow kn We r. eve ted. will be greatly apprecia Any help you can offer e. Thank you for your tim

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Dear Roca, What to do about cat poop? Seriously, if dog treat companies had real doggy advisors, there would be a whole line of “Kitty Roca” snacks on the shelves! Dogs prefer cat poop to just about anything else on the planet. Ultimately, the best solution is to locate the cat box somewhere the dog can’t go. A closet or cupboard with a cat door work well. Many litter boxes are located in the bathroom for easy scooping. When you are home you can supervise well and “leave it” works. When you are absent, an inexpensive security chain installed on the bathroom door, so the cat can get in and out of the bathroom but the dogs can’t, will do the trick. Or put the litter box at the back of a closet behind a baby gate, so the cat can go under or over the gate, but there’s no landing room for the dog to hop over. Your pup will still be kissable when you return! The other more expensive option is one of those self cleaning litter boxes that scoops when the electric eye senses that the cat has left the box so there is nothing in the litter to snack on.

Signed, Craving Kitty Roca

Here’s to sweeter doggy breath!

Basil A baby gate or security chain may be the perfect solution.

Continued on page 15 14

Basil Barks!

Continued will be new to your new addition. There will be some normal hoarding and coveting, but be alert to signs of serious competition over specific items or types of items. Remove any bones of contention, at least temporarily. Step two is to plan where he will stay when you are away. It’s essential for a young dog to have a safe place for confinement when you can’t supervise, and a crate is also a good way to safely accustom a new adult dog to his new surroundings when you aren’t there to watch him. This is especially important during the settling in process, not only to keep your belongings safe, but if he panics and tries to escape the first time he is left, it will keep your doors and window moldings out of reach. Your new dog and present pooch shouldn’t be left alone together unattended until they are completely familiar and comfortable with each other. Should an argument break out, you must be there to intervene. Step three - check the perimeter. Once settled in, your new dog will probably be content to stay inside the fence that currently keeps your own dog safe. But many new pets are driven by the urgent need to get back to the home he remembers, leading him to test the boundaries, sometimes for several weeks. Make sure gates are secure and there are no holes to get under, over or through. Take him out and stay with him so you can be there to observe any scanning for escape routes. Step four - establish predictable patterns and rules from the start. He’ll appreciate a predictable meal time, a wake-up pattern that tells him when and where to go out. If there’s a no pets allowed on the furniture rule in place, don’t relax it just because he’s new - it’s easier to set limits and boundaries from the minute he enters your home.

Dear Basil, present for ChristOur family got a great to as trip to the shelter mas - an after Christm ing go t no ’ve agreed we are adopt a new dog! We store ading eyes at the pet ple to succumb to the y mill pp pu e liferating th as we are against pro e is a giv n ca e best gift we trade. We’ve decided th our ne do ’ve elter dog. We home to a homeless sh ity tiv ac , pe at size, hair ty homework and know wh g kin loo is ily ences our fam level and breed prefer h arc se r ou get started on for. We are anxious to is, n tio es qu r family! My for the right dog for ou for our new pet’s home ve ha u what tips might yo old ar ye 6 a resident dog coming? We do have a any le and enjoys the comp nt ge Aussie who is very g tlin es wr y av t hot and he of other dogs, just no lna rso pe od king for a go matches, so we’ll be loo y style for him as well. pla r ila ity match and sim Thanks! r Furry Present Looking Forward to Ou

Dear Looking, What a wonderful home your new dog is going to have! I’m glad to hear that you are looking for the perfect match for both you and your existing pet and that you plan to adopt a shelter dog! Step one is to have all your new pet’s supplies in place his own dish and bed. Since you already have a dog, you probably have dog food stocked in the pantry, but if your search is for a puppy, you’ll need to think about his younger dietary needs. New toys for both (remember your current dog’s toys

Hope That Helps!

Basil

Dear Basil, lit te r bo x My ca t wa s alw ay s w kitten. ne a t trained - until we go tter in ma lid so Now, if there is ANY d finds an it e us the box, she refuses to like my e us ho somewhere else in the ? do I n ca laundry basket. What Signed, Doo Doo

Dear Doo! Scoop more - add a second litter box - or purchase a litter box with an automatic scooping feature! To put this in perspective, when was the last time that you entered a stall in a public bathroom and found it had not been flushed, and sat down anyway?

Moving to the Next Stall!

Basil 15

Upcoming Events Volunteer Orientation January 16th February 20th March 19th April 16th 6:00pm at SpokAnimal

Looking to adopt a cat or dog?

Pick up a mouse!

Happy Mew Year!

Mailed quarterly to over 3,500 animal lovers. Editor: Carol A. Byrnes Executive Director: Gail B. Mackie

Call SpokAnimal for specific information on any coming event at 534-8133, ext. 206 or email: [email protected]

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