We Really DO Need You

Supporting adoptions at the Josephine County Animal Shelter
Summer 2014
One Animal at a Time
Jaxx and Ali:
“I Call Him the
Life Lover”
Watching her dog Jaxx’s playful
antics during what owner Ali
Burke calls his “spazzy
moments,” she finds it hard to
believe he was once in danger of
being put down. But in his cage
at the shelter, that same energy
level expressed itself in
negatives: compulsive barking
and leaping at visitors. But Ali,
high
energy
herself, felt
the two
would be
the perfect
match. By
taking Jaxx
out on
daily runs
and doing
daily
BFFs Jaxx and Ali
training
with him,
Jaxx was able to redirect that
energy. Fears had to be dealt
with too. “He was terrified of
everything. Afraid of people, of
other animals, cars. Laundry
baskets.” Little by little, Ali
watched a new Jaxx emerge.
“Now he loves all dogs. He
sleeps with cats.” Most
rewarding, she says, “was
watching his personality come
out; it took a really, really long
time.” But now, she says, “I call
him the life lover.”
We Really DO Need You
Since the levy passed, many people
think Josephine County Animal
Shelter is “taken care of.” If only.
Shelter Friends remains responsible
for nearly all expense and effort
related to adoptions. Though the
shelter now pays for pre-adoption
spay/neuter, Shelter Friends
volunteers take care of almost all
daily cat care, the entire foster
program (including paying for food
and veterinary care), veterinary
expenses for dogs and cats, all offsite adoption events and animal
transport.
Do we need your help?
You bet we do.
Let’s take transport as one example.
Transporting cats to PetSmart in
Medford has resulted in the
adoption of 94 cats/kittens since
January. In the past 2 weeks,
transport to Oregon Humane
Society Second Chance Rescue in
Portland saved the lives of 14
kittens. For dogs, Raleigh Smith has
led the charge to deliver 43 dogs to
Northern California, Portland and
Seattle during the past 18 months.
Transporters are also needed weekly
to take a number of our younger
kittens to Medford area vets for
early spay & neuter. This early spay
and neuter program allows us to
maintain an extremely high
adoption rate for our kittens.
How many people actually do the
transport? For cats, we have 2 to 3
transporters. For dogs, same thing.
Do you ever drive to Medford? Let
us know. We really do need your
help.
Volunteer Tana Mason and kittens
ready for the run to PetSmart in
Medford.
www.savethewhiskers.org • 305 NE 6th Street, #864 • Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
Shelter Friends Opportunities
To Lend A Paw
1. Dog Enhancement: Our dogs
are under stress. They need friends.
Even if you only have time to walk
one dog, or spend 15 minutes
throwing the ball in the play yard…
it makes a difference. We can show
you how to walk a dog in a way
that helps him be more adoptable.
2. Shelter Transport Rescue Pack:
Go ahead, be a super hero as part
of our Transport Team for dog and
cat distance adoptions from
Roseburg to Portland, and Medford
runs to PetSmart and veterinary
offices.
218-7439. For dogs: Call Raleigh
Smith, 541-660-6578. Or, visit
www.savethewhiskers.org for a
foster application. Help with
fostering, adoption events,
fundraisers and community
outreach is also critical. Whether it’s
twice a week, every other week or
once a month – it helps. Please
contact Volunteer Coordinator
Tammy Moore at Tammy@
savethewhiskers.org.
Dedicated dog walker Jan
Olsson — rain or shine!
3. Cat Care Team: Be on the front
lines of kitty care as you tidy up our
adopting room and observe our
kitties. Kitty cuddles a top priority.
4. Foster: Whether you foster
kittens or a dog, you’re saving a life
when our shelter is full. We can
supply food, cage, veterinary care –
you supply love and socialization.
For cats: call Kathleen Weil, 541-
You can set up a
puppy pool…
Or throw a frisbee…
Provide kitty care…
Transport a cat to
a new home…
Or—adopt a new
family member!
www.savethewhiskers.org • 305 NE 6th Street, #864 • Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
Upcoming
Events
Aug 23 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
PetCo Adoption Event
PetCo, 891 NE D St, Grants Pass
HHH
Aug 30 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Low Cost Rabies and Licensing
Clinic, $15 cash only.
Shop Smart, Cave Junction
HHH
Sept 12 – Sep 14. Full day event.
PetSmart National Adoption
Weekend
3279 Crater Lake Hwy, Medford
HHH
Sept 13 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Adoption Event, Grange Co-op
1710 Schutzwohl Ln, Grants Pass
HHH
Sept 20 @ 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Applebee’s Pancake Breakfast
Fundraiser
Applebee’s, 250 Northeast Agness
Avenue, Grants Pass
HHH
Sept 27
Rogue Valley Kennel Club
Responsible Dog Ownership Day
Josephine County Fairgrounds
For more info: 541- 479-0917 or
www.roguevalleykc.org/
HHH
Oct 4 and Nov 8 @ 10:00 am –
2:00 pm
PetCo Adoption Event
PetCo, 891 NE D St, Grants Pass
Declawing?
NOT!
Wags ‘n Purrs
Every Whiskers will salute some of the wonderful people who have
helped the animals:
… Robert and Faye Dawson of
Jefferson State Mortgage for their
generous donation for a dog’s care.
… Leslie McLane and Tara Derlinger
for continued dog fostering.
… Dagmar and Hans for the building
of the Hero Train for Boatnik Parade…
… Radio stations and Courier for
publishing our events!
…Kris Gleisner for donating miniscratch blocks for our adoption room
cages.
…Karen Scott for financial support
from sales of her book, Sweet Pea.
…Linda Nahale and Pat Shaffner Hall
who participate in every event.
Mecha Clarke for transporting.
… Many thanks to all our foster
families!
Start Your Day with a
Great Breakfast...
And a Great Cause.
Shelter Friends
Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser!
Saturday,
September 20th
8:00 am - 10:00 am
Part I of 2
What is declawing? The amputation of
the cat’s last joint in each toe. It causes
lasting pain and possibly:
• soiling outside litter box, as cat
can’t scratch litter debris
• biting, due to loss of claws for
defense
• an unhappy cat in pain who can
never scratch, pull or stretch
Next issue: Alternatives to Declawing
Applebee’s, 250 Northeast Agness Ave., Grants Pass
Price is $7 of which $5 goes directly to Shelter Friends.
Contact Tana Mason, 541-944-4404. It’s your chance to support
AWESOME adoptions at Jo Co Animal Shelter.
www.savethewhiskers.org • 305 NE 6th Street, #864 • Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
305 NE 6th Street, #864, Grants Pass, OR 97526
www.savethewhiskers.org
Share the Love!
CLICK THE PIC OR CARE AND SHARE!
Many of you cannot dedicate time.
But everyone can Share our animals.
Facebook social media has a synergism
all its own! By one click- SHARE you
reach people exponentially! A person
that never even thought about bringing
a shelter animal into their home sees
the photo you share and says “that’s the
part of my life I have been missing”, or
“OMG – my friend is looking for such a
companion.” Click the pic and bring
traffic to our website! Show you care
and Share!
OMG
How to Introduce
a Cat and a Dog
Adopters often ask of a dog, “Does he get along with cats?” And vice versa.
For an excellent article by behaviorist Sherry Woodard on this, go to
http://bestfriends.org/introducing-cat-and-dog.aspx. Here are some highlights:
1. Two people
should be present
when introducing a
dog to a cat. Only
one dog should be
introduced at a time.
The dog should be
leashed.
2. If the cat is calm, s/he can be
allowed to move freely around the
room.
3. Praise the dog if s/he ignores the
cat. Things are going well!
4. If the dog becomes very alert,
stiffens and closely watches the cat,
he has a strong prey instinct. Do
not let him loose with the cat.
Put the cat in a room behind a baby
door, and keep them
separated. Divert your
dog’s attention on the
cat by playing with
him and getting him
focused on other
things. When he can
ignore the cat behind
the baby door, it may
be time to try introductions again.
Some dogs, however, cannot get
beyond their prey instinct and
cannot be safe around cats.
5. Never leave a kitten alone with
a puppy or a dog. Kittens are
small and fragile, and their quick
movements can excite a dog; they
are easily hurt by rough play.