Thursday, August 16, 2012
dusting things off...
giving this a whirl again. look forward to more uncensored rants and stream of consciousness...Now with a skeetown flair. ;)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
11 reasons to spay or neuter your pet
<<we are here to take over the world with cuteness!! mwahhahaha!
<<<why can't pet owners just spay/neuter?Friday, May 13, 2011
look what came to us today!
Often we get calls (and occasionally in person dropoffs) of wild animals in need- typically found out of their elements, abandoned by the rest of their kind, or badly injured. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to admit or care for these creatures, as that does require special licensing and permits. Thankfully we have a great network to tap into for resources, which we will share to the good samatarian looking to us for assistance.
This afternoon, a gentleman came to us carrying a generic dishcloth, with his hands cradled around the contents. Peeling back the cloth revealed this tiny soul...
He discovered it in his yard the other day, and did what he could to keep it stable while holding hope that mom and dad would come back and reclaim their wayward offspring. With time running short, he opted to drop it off to us on his way to work.
With concerned reluctance (not that we had much of a choice, as good samatarian sammy did a drop and squeal out of the parking lot departure), we kept an eye on our tender charge while lining up a plan of action. Thanks to the wonderful folks at a local wildlife rehab center (and an amazing staffer who went out of her way to transport the tiny fledgling), tonight he/she is in safe and knowledgable hands...and soon to develop bonds with 20 or so new "brothers" and "sisters".
And to solve a lingering mystery, this hatchling is a baby starling. Welcome to the world little one! Here's hoping one day we see you spread your wings and add a beautiful song to our days! :)
This afternoon, a gentleman came to us carrying a generic dishcloth, with his hands cradled around the contents. Peeling back the cloth revealed this tiny soul...
He discovered it in his yard the other day, and did what he could to keep it stable while holding hope that mom and dad would come back and reclaim their wayward offspring. With time running short, he opted to drop it off to us on his way to work.
With concerned reluctance (not that we had much of a choice, as good samatarian sammy did a drop and squeal out of the parking lot departure), we kept an eye on our tender charge while lining up a plan of action. Thanks to the wonderful folks at a local wildlife rehab center (and an amazing staffer who went out of her way to transport the tiny fledgling), tonight he/she is in safe and knowledgable hands...and soon to develop bonds with 20 or so new "brothers" and "sisters".
And to solve a lingering mystery, this hatchling is a baby starling. Welcome to the world little one! Here's hoping one day we see you spread your wings and add a beautiful song to our days! :)
really?
It's mind boggling what devices/storage containers people will use to transport an animal to us. Yesterday, 'The King of Beers' was used to contain a queen (momma cat) and her 6 newborn kittens. 'Newborn' doesn't begin to describe the freshness of these tiny critters. See that blood stain on the box? Afterbirth baby. Call me crazy, but the last thing a newly delivered momma wants to do is be crammed inside a flimsy, hops residue-y box along with 6 hungry and confused souls who are clamouring for a teat. If i were to push 6 babies out of my vajayjay, i think i might appreciate being able to stretch a little bit- not be crammed tighter than a rolypoly bug.
Moral of the rant? If you find a stray cat and need to bring it somewhere, AND you do not have felines of your own...call a neighbor or a friend. Chances are you do know someone who has a cat who you can borrow a carrier from for a little while (all you need to do to make it safe to return is simply clean it in a good bleach solution to kill any possible germs/parasites that may be lingering). Call your arrival spot and see if they have something you can borrow or rent- zip down to pick that up, gather the animal/s and see the carrier's return with the dropoff. IF you can't find any one with a carrier, you want to make sure that what you are using is a secure container. This box does not fit that bill....the wet cardboard is not strong enough to support an 8 pound cat. Mom can easily bust out of the top of the box. Babies can fall out of the gap where the "handle" is. We've had animals come in in rubbermaid containers and even pillowcases. A rubbermaid tote with handles that latch is a pretty good solution- just make sure to sacrifice the top for some air holes (a replacement can easily be purchased for $2 at most stores). Pillowcases are a bit rough, but if you can't find a carrier, and live under a rock where a tote is not in possession, they can be a somewhat secure solution- a knot around the top will keep Fluffy contained until she arrives to her nearby destination. Just don't knot it super close to the body- that limits the amount of air supply in the case.
Bottom line, transporting a cat requires security, to keep Fluffy and you safe. Tap in to your inner Macgyver and consider your options with a discerning eye.
This Bud's for you....not your cat.
Monday, May 9, 2011
o m g
an open request to those with limited auditory capabilities....PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CALL US when seeking information. There are other ways of learning what you need to know- having someone else make the call for you...hopping online (either with your computer or at a library, etc)...or coming down in person. You have no idea how painful it is for the person on the other end of the line who tries so hard to remain patient and attempt to work with you. When it is obvious that the impairment is causing a mountain of a roadblock, please let that be a gentle sign that it's time to end the call and seek another mean of information gathering. Thank you.
Friday, May 6, 2011
TGIF
sometimes reaching the weekend is akin to finally crossing the finish line after running a hard fought 26.2 miles (not that i'm familiar with the race...yet).
today we saw a six month old kitten returned for his excessive running, acting like a kitten, jumping on counters, acting like a kitten, play biting, acting like a kitten, high energy level, and wait....you guessed it...ACTING LIKE A KITTEN. Also, Inoverherhead Isabelle is embarking on a multihour move and didn't feel Spunky Kitten would travel well in her car- I offered the suggestion that some vets will prescribe medication to help ease any anxieties or discomforts associated with travel (and for the animal too!). However, like anyone else who calls or comes through the door- her mind was made up. This tender creature who she had 4 months ago pledged to a lifetime of care and devotion had to go.
(it's unreal, the reasons people will surrender a family pet and furry companion. I'd say the actual legitimate "houston, we've got a problem" reasons are few and far between. 'Too nice', 'too much energy', 'not playful enough', the list goes on and on...there's truly no pleasing most folks.)
Yesterday was a day that originally held much promise...the almighty and hallowed shutdown day. Shutdown day is a beautiful concept in theory...a regular working day with the exception that we are not open to the public. Imagine all the tasks and cleaning that can be accomplished when the door is locked, and when the phones are allowed to go to voicemail. Just one much needed day to scrub the nooks and crannies....to polish up...to tackle all those mundane little things that get pushed aside for "some other day". We also have a staff meeting to share what we are working on in different areas of the building...and things we can improve or have questions about. Yes, in theory, shutdown day is a beautiful thing. Buuuuut, it rarely winds up that way. We still have to periodically check our voicemails (or else return the following day to 90million and one new messages)- that takes forever to weed through (a word to those who may leave a message somewhere...if you get a recording and are at the point where you need to speak, by all means, please say something. Sitting on the line for 30 seconds trying to decide whether you want to hang up or not.....that's annoying. Because I have to waste that entire time listening to your silence- because god forbid you at the last second decide to blurt out "himynameisjohndoeandiadoptedcarolcolliethreeweeksagoandshe'sattackingmywifeandchildandalsopoopingstraightbloodsoineedsomeonetocallmebackasap!")
Also, with shutdown day, despite signs that go up on the doors a week in advance...despite signs at the end of the driveway the day off informing of our (non)buisness hours for the day, and despite basically beating everyone over the head with the news, we still get folks who insist on yanking on our doors in hopes of walking in. For the truly persistant, this means having to go out and address the gawkers and reassure them that we will reopen the next day, again taking time out from projects....And finally, we often will make exceptions to conduct business for adopters and families reclaiming a lost pet- one of which we made concessions for to allow in yesterday. Sadly Belligerant Bob created so much of a scene in attempting to take back his pet that a call to 911 for assistance was placed (note, it's a good thing we are in close proximity to the local police complex). So much for a quiet peaceful shutdown day....
Add to that the regular assortment of crazies who frequent our shelter and phone lines during the week, and it made for a very exhausting 5 days.
on a personal note, today was both a low and high day...starting off when i drove to work, saw a squirrel run in the road and swerved to allow him/her clearance to finish crossing- only to hear and feel a sickening crunch, and see a very stationary spot in my rear view mirror. :( I'm sorry Squirrel.
today we saw a six month old kitten returned for his excessive running, acting like a kitten, jumping on counters, acting like a kitten, play biting, acting like a kitten, high energy level, and wait....you guessed it...ACTING LIKE A KITTEN. Also, Inoverherhead Isabelle is embarking on a multihour move and didn't feel Spunky Kitten would travel well in her car- I offered the suggestion that some vets will prescribe medication to help ease any anxieties or discomforts associated with travel (and for the animal too!). However, like anyone else who calls or comes through the door- her mind was made up. This tender creature who she had 4 months ago pledged to a lifetime of care and devotion had to go.
(it's unreal, the reasons people will surrender a family pet and furry companion. I'd say the actual legitimate "houston, we've got a problem" reasons are few and far between. 'Too nice', 'too much energy', 'not playful enough', the list goes on and on...there's truly no pleasing most folks.)
Yesterday was a day that originally held much promise...the almighty and hallowed shutdown day. Shutdown day is a beautiful concept in theory...a regular working day with the exception that we are not open to the public. Imagine all the tasks and cleaning that can be accomplished when the door is locked, and when the phones are allowed to go to voicemail. Just one much needed day to scrub the nooks and crannies....to polish up...to tackle all those mundane little things that get pushed aside for "some other day". We also have a staff meeting to share what we are working on in different areas of the building...and things we can improve or have questions about. Yes, in theory, shutdown day is a beautiful thing. Buuuuut, it rarely winds up that way. We still have to periodically check our voicemails (or else return the following day to 90million and one new messages)- that takes forever to weed through (a word to those who may leave a message somewhere...if you get a recording and are at the point where you need to speak, by all means, please say something. Sitting on the line for 30 seconds trying to decide whether you want to hang up or not.....that's annoying. Because I have to waste that entire time listening to your silence- because god forbid you at the last second decide to blurt out "himynameisjohndoeandiadoptedcarolcolliethreeweeksagoandshe'sattackingmywifeandchildandalsopoopingstraightbloodsoineedsomeonetocallmebackasap!")
Also, with shutdown day, despite signs that go up on the doors a week in advance...despite signs at the end of the driveway the day off informing of our (non)buisness hours for the day, and despite basically beating everyone over the head with the news, we still get folks who insist on yanking on our doors in hopes of walking in. For the truly persistant, this means having to go out and address the gawkers and reassure them that we will reopen the next day, again taking time out from projects....And finally, we often will make exceptions to conduct business for adopters and families reclaiming a lost pet- one of which we made concessions for to allow in yesterday. Sadly Belligerant Bob created so much of a scene in attempting to take back his pet that a call to 911 for assistance was placed (note, it's a good thing we are in close proximity to the local police complex). So much for a quiet peaceful shutdown day....
Add to that the regular assortment of crazies who frequent our shelter and phone lines during the week, and it made for a very exhausting 5 days.
on a personal note, today was both a low and high day...starting off when i drove to work, saw a squirrel run in the road and swerved to allow him/her clearance to finish crossing- only to hear and feel a sickening crunch, and see a very stationary spot in my rear view mirror. :( I'm sorry Squirrel.
on the bright side...a beloved foster kitty of mine finally found her "fur"ever home! Tonight should see her snuggling with her new kitty daddy and hopefully making friends with new furry siblings to call her own. Congratulations Cornealia Marie! :)
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