Public Service Announcement

 People please don't do this! Animals should always ride INSIDE your vehicle!! 

Animals can be seriously injured when in the back of a truck and even killed!

Also NEVER EVER leave a dog inside a car, at 70 degrees outside the car can become a death sentence for your dog in only 10 minutes 

I Guess I Don't Understand What You Do-A Rescuer's Point of View

I borrowed this from Ms. Wilson's blog please go check her out!

“I guess I don’t understand what you do.”

APRIL 3, 2013JENIE

Like many animal rescuers, I am guilty of assuming that the whole world knows what goes into animal rescue.  How could it not be common knowledge that this is an all consuming career that doesn’t provide for sick days, or holidays, or even weekends off?    It is demanding, challenging and fulfilling work.  Most rescuers are not paid for their efforts and for those who are, it is a small amount.  Animal rescue is not something that can be done half-heartedly.

But not everyone is aware of that, as I was reminded one night recently when I was late to a friend’s dinner party.  My friend, the hostess, was obviously a little miffed at my tardiness.  I offered my sincerest apologies, explaining that it had been a stressful day at work and an emergency came up, and it couldn’t be avoided.  She looked at me with a confused and accusing stare and said, “I guess I don’t understand what you do.  Don’t you just sell dogs?”

I’m sure my face fell as I felt the sting of her words that seemed to minimize the importance of what I do.  Not wanting to deal with the feeling of being insulted and hurt in a group setting, I smiled and moved on to another subject.

I realize it is my fault if some of my acquaintances don’t have a clear picture of animal rescue.  Of course, my nearest and dearest know what I do and how important it is to me.  But sadly, true animal lovers who really care and WANT to hear your rescue stories are few and far between.   When I’m in a polite social setting, I try to restrain myself from sharing too much.  Some people aren’t animal lovers, while others are too sensitive and can’t bear to hear your stories of rescue.  So, out of respect, I keep it simple.

Most people can’t relate to what I do and probably refer to me as that “crazy dog lady”… and I am fine with that label.  In fact, I embrace it.  Because to me, animal rescue is a calling, a ministry, a passion… it is job that can build you up and bring great joy only to strip you down and break your heart.  It is the best and the worst of humankind.  It’s a roller coaster of emotions, because in one day you can fall in love, fight back rage and mourn a loss.

Every single day, rescuers have to interact with people who either “just don’t get it”, or simply don’t care.  People from the public enter our facility and demand we solve problems caused by their irresponsibility, neglect and ignorance.   And when our resources are depleted or our foster homes are filled to capacity and beyond, they become enraged.

Every day we are presented with beautiful cats and dogs that will likely be destroyed unless WE find a way to help.  It’s a hefty burden to carry and it has made many of us great at thinking outside the box.  Most rescuers are excellent at juggling space.  If one dog or cat can crash at this place then that frees up that space to put this one!  It can be exhausting!

The objective of a rescuer is not to make life easier for humans or to make them feel better about abandoning their responsibilities.  Our goal is to save the life that would otherwise be lost because of the selfish decisions made by humans.  I will never understand how a human can look into the eyes of a dog or cat and not see the life that is inside there, the soul that is present.  That animal is not “just a damn dog” nor a “nuisance cat”.  It is a living, breathing creature capable of feeling and experiencing pain.  These animals are also capable of great, unconditional love. They bond with us and they communicate with us.  How can ayone look into those eyes and NOT see that?  How callous must someone be to look into those eyes and SEE IT, but not care?  In the end, it’s not the human that suffers, it is the animal.

Rescue animals can show you the beauty of forgiveness.  I am in constant awe of a rescued animal’s resilience.  Just being amongst these injured, yet hopeful, souls is a beautiful experience that is difficult to explain.  The bond you develop with these creatures is incredible and strong.  Once you’ve nursed an animal back from the brink of death, it is a challenge not to feel anger or contempt for the person who caused it.

As humans, we are advanced, evolved creatures.  We are able to problem solve, communicate, reason, etc.  However, we can be a barbaric species.  Humans can be selfish, cold and uncaring.  We should try to learn a thing or two from our four-legged friends.  Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could be strong enough to survive the cruelty of the world, yet pure enough to forgive completely, to be able to love unconditionally with no expectations, and to be perfectly content living in the present?

According to the City of San Angelo Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Operating Budget Report, a shocking 14,116 cats and dogs entered the San Angelo Animal Shelter.  Of them, only 14% were adopted, 9% were redeemed as lost pets by their owners, while the rest were destroyed.  That means that the City of San Angelo Animal Control has a kill rate of over 77%.  This is the third highest kill rate in Texas, with Harris County having the highest kill rate of 82%.  The city operates the shelter at a budget of over $738,522.  Are you okay with that?

I am an animal rescuer!  I have held puppies and kittens in my hands when they were first born.  I have held an injured dog in my arms as it died.  I have bandaged wounds and treated illnesses.  I have physically removed dogs and cats from inhumane, deplorable conditions.  I have fed them, watered them, medicated them, loved them and buried them.  I have circulated petitions.  I have begged breeders to think twice before breeding their dogs.  I’ve held the hands of a woman saying goodbye to a pet her neighbor poisoned.  I have placed a puppy in the lap of a child who lost his father.  I’ve cleaned up urine, feces and vomit.  I write grants asking foundations to help us in our effort to make San Angelo a better place.  I attend meetings and seminars.  I fight to stretch a budget.  I stay current on legislation.  I monitor state and local politics, and I beg for money to pay veterinary bills.  I am animal rescuer, and I don’t sell dogs, I clean up messes created by humans!

 UPDATE:  This is my very first blog post, and I am overwhelmed by the response I have received from everyone!  As a rescuer (as I’m sure many of you are well aware), there is never enough time in the day.  But I hope to add to this blog as often as possible, and I would be honored if you would subscribe and give me your feedback.  Again, thank you all so much!

Fireworks and your pets

Please keep your pets inside this 4th of July! While we enjoy fireworks our animals find them scary. 

More pets are lost on the 4th of July than any other day of the year!

To help frightened pets:

Turn on music and keep them in a room where they can't hear the fireworks

Also a Thunderjacket will help them stay calmer

About Me

This is myself and my dog Madison, I am a college student who was bit by the rescue bug after competing in costume contests at different rescue events all around Oklahoma.

Madison is my Weimaraner she's 10 years old and my baby. She enjoys getting dressed up and going on with me to all kinds of different events. She's always got a smile on her face and loves attention.

Madison has a sister named Maggie, and she also has some pug aunts named Zoey and Princess (they'll make appearances on the blog in due time) She also has two lizard siblings named Rose and Nitwit.

Why A "Free Kitten" is NOT Really Free

How Much?

By far the largest expense of taking in a "free" unaltered kitten is the cost to spay or neuter that kitten. Taking your new kitten to the vet for surgery should be a "no brainer". Here are a few reasons why this is important:

Females should be spayed because they:

• Reach sexual maturity at 4-5 months of age
• Go into heat every 2-3 weeks with only 2 days between cycles
• Are pregnant for only 67 days
• Can have up to 5 litters a year averaging 4-5 kittens in each
• Can get pregnant again while they are nursing
• Will mate with brothers, fathers and sons if able

Males should be neutered-nuetered mailed: 

• Are less likely to spray urine to mark their territory
• Are more accepting of other pets
• Roam less and hence decrease their risk of injury from other cats, cars and animals
• Fight less over females and hence have a reduced chance of contracting Feline Leukemia and FIV which sadly is incurable (unspayed females can also contract these deadly viruses during mating)

Both male and feamle kittens benefit from "early" spay and neuter ( at less than 6 months of age)

• Less mammary cancers in females
• Less aggressive behavior development in males

1+1= 420,000

One female cat and one male cat and their offspring resluts in 420,000 kittens in 7 years. The solution to the problem of pet overpopulation is for you to spay or neuter your cat.

The Cost of a Free Kitten

Adoption Fee: $0

Office Visit*: $40--> this is per visit for 3 sets of shots add $80

Testing for Feline Leukemia and FIV: $35-->Viruses transmittable to other cats

Vaccinations** (FVRCP and Feleuk): $35--> Boosters given 3 weeks apart to kittens

Fecal Testing: $17--> Common issue in kittens up to 6 months old

Ear Mite Treatment: $12-->common in stray kittens

Worming (not tapeworms): $10 -->eliminates/prevents round and hook worms

**Rabies vaccine: $20--> Required by law at 13 weeks of age then annually

Neuter (males) : $100 --->for females add $50 more

___________________________________________________

Total Cost of a "free" kitten: $269.00

*Office Visit: It is always advisable to take every new pet you acquire to your veterinarian within 6 weeks of adoption for a wellness exam. This first exam establishes your new pet as a patient, sets their schedule for future vaccines/recommendations your vet may recommend and serves as a check to make sure the stress of an environment change hasn't triggered any underlying issues.

**Vaccinations and Rabies: FVRCP and Feleuk vaccines are given at 3-4 week increments, minimum of 2. Rabies is required by law at 13 weeks of age (earliest) or immediately for cats/kittens with no vaccine history then annually. Additional visits to your vet for these scheduled vaccines may incur additional office visit charges.

OKC Area rescue organization adoption fees range from $65 to $75 

MOST of these items are commonly included in the adoption fee at local rescues and shelters where kittens are 13 weeks of age or older

SOME rescues also include microchipping in the Adoption Fee

Ask for a medical record on any pet that you adopt. This record should detail all procedures and vaccines and when presented to your vet, prevent costly duplication of efforts.

Cost of vet care may vary from the example cited here: This should be used as a guide only.

Consider ALL the costs!

Immediate Financial Costs

Sure "free" sounds like a bargain but what other "freebies" might come with this cute little kitten? Does she also come with free diseases? Free fleas and parasites? Free deadly viruses? More importantly, will she also provide you with more free kittens when she is 5-6 months old that you'll need to feed and find homes for? All these additional "freebies" will take a toll on your wallet.

Cost to Your Existing Pets

When you bring a free kitten in to your home it may carry unknown bacteria and viruses if it hasn't seen a vet. If you have other pets in the home, they will be exposed to illnesses, worms and viruses your free kitten may carry.

Emotional Cost

It is easy to get attached to those cute little kitten faces very quickly. Your whole family will fall totally in love in just a few days! Protect your heart, and those of your family's by ensuring the kitten you adopt is healty. A sick kitten or one who dies could leave long term scars on those you love.

Kitten Behavioral Cost

There is no replacement for a momma cat's discipline and training. Kittens weaned from their mothers before they are 10-12 weeks old often become biters, play too rough, don't easily accept other cats and have nursing withdrawals.

Don't Believe Us? Check out these other references

www.all-about-cute-kittens.com/free-kittens.html

www.scribd.com/doc/15858403/Free-kittens-the-Actual-Costs

http:/prairieecothrifter.com/2011/09/free-kitten-cost-9000.html

This information is brought to you by Pet Adoption and Welfare Services of Oklahoma, Inc.

PAWS-OK

Local Feline Adoption Options

Pet Adoption and Welfare Services (PAWS-OK)

www.pawsok.com

PetSmart Adoption Center at Rockwell and NW Expressway

405-204-3964

pawsok@sbcglobal.net

On Facebook at www.facebook.com/pawsok

Community Cat Coalition of Edmond

Petco Adoption Center in Edmond at 324 S. Bryant

405-294-CATS (2287)

edmondcats@gmail.com

On Facebook at www. facebook.com/edmondcats

Hands Helping Paws, Inc.

PetSmart Adoption Center in Norman at 666 Ed Noble Pkwy

405-410-5718

www.petfinder.com/shelters/OK252.html

Find Them on Facebook

Ms. Kitty's Cat Rescue

www.mskittyscatrescue.org

Two PetSmart Adoption Centers 63rd and May and 1-40 and MacArthur

All Hours Animal Hospital--Veterinarian

Adoption Center: 609 NW 8th St., Moore

(405)237-1055

Adoption Hours: 8am to 6pm daily

Specializing in adult cats and special needs cats for adoption

An added benefit of adopting from a rescue is their "return policy" in the unlikely event that you can no longer care or keep your cat, the rescue organization will take them back and find them a new home.

Some tips about Animals and Plumbing

1. Keep the toilet lid closed

cleaners/chemicals used to keep toilets clean can harm your pets

2. Do not flush cat litter down the toilet

There is NO SUCH THING as flushable cat litter. It will expand and clog your drain.

3. Keep pets away from standing water

Do not allow your pets to drink water from sinks/tubs that are backed up. TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTION IF YOU HAVE USED ANY DRAIN CHEMICALS OR CLEANERS.

4. Keep cabinet doors closed

Leftover chemicals may be on copper piping which can get on pets. When the pet grooms itself they will be ingesting the chemicals

5. Do not place your cat litter box in the tub

Cat litter that falls out of the box can fall into the drain. The cat litter will expand and clog your drain

6. Do not put dry pet foods down your disposal

Dry pet food can expand and clog your drain.

7. Cover/cap all clean outs 

Small pets can fall into an open cleanout along with your pets toys. Large pets can step into the open cleanout and injure their legs.

This information came from The Plumbing Company

405-367-7388

tpc-theplumbingcompany.com

Madison's Rescue Animals of the Week

Ike and Tina

Ike & Tina here…..We’re gonna start out telling you a little bit about our past….Some “Poor Fool” left us to roam the streets and fend for ourselves. We spent many “Sleepless” nights trying to figure out what to do. You see, we aren’t very big, about 7 & 8 lbs, so living on the streets was difficult. We then ended up at the shelter and this wonderful group, Oklahoma Yorkie Rescue, came and saved us. We tell them all the time “I Idolize you”.  Our foster mom keeps telling us that the “Poor Fool” that left us to roam the streets doesn’t have a clue what they missed but “It’s All Gonna Work Out Fine”. She tells us all the time there ain’t no “River Deep Enough, No Mountain High Enough” to keep us from getting the forever home we deserve. So, now we need to find our forever homes. The dogtor says that we are pretty young, maybe 2-3 years. She says we are so sweet and funny when we play.  We love the other dogs at foster mom’s house and don’t mind the skin kids too bad either. We know that our forever home will be “A Fool in Love” with us. If you think you can give us a new home run on over to www.okyorkierescue.org and fill out the adoption application.  We can’t wait to see “The Way That You Love Me”

A Video of Ike and Tina

Snow

Snow is a shepherd mix.  She has one beautiful blue and green eye and one blue eye.  She is 10 months to a year old.  She has been spayed and it up to date on shots.  She is heart negative.  She is great with kids, and gets along well with dogs and cats.  She would make a great all-around indoor/outdoor family dog.  She is a medium-sized dog.

If you'd like to check us out, our web address is http://www.clevelandareapoundpals.com/

Willie

Willie is a happy and playful boy.  He is smart and learns quickly.  He is just waiting for some to call him their own.

He is also completely vaccinated and on heartworm preventative and microchipped.  He is 8 months old.  Good with other dogs and cats.
 

If you are interested in Willie please contact Misfits, Mutts and Meows at

Willie's Petfinder Profile

Misfits Mutts and Meows Facebook

Contact Joy at 405-471-3922 or email misfitsmuttsmeows@hotmail.com.