The GHS Guardian - the Guelph Humane Society

The GHS Guardian
The Guelph Humane Society Newsletter
Fall 2015
“122 years of ensuring the welfare of all animals and preventing cruelty and suffering”
Winter can be so much fun! It can be great to go
for long walks under falling snow. Many dogs love
to romp in the fresh snow, and cats like to sit at the
window and watch the birds that are outside at the
feeder. But the season can also be dangerous for
our pets. From frozen rivers to salted sidewalks
and sub-zero temperatures, we need to pay
special attention to our pets and protect them from
the winter hazards. When you’re outside with your
dog, pay attention to the signs that tell you it is too
cold for him. Lifting of the paws and whining can
mean that your dog is cold to a point that it is
painful or could mean that his paws are stinging
from the salt on the roads and sidewalks.
We also recommend keeping your cat indoors.
Many cats that are left outside in the cold winter
months suffer from frostbite (or worse) and often
lose the tips of their ears. This is very painful for
them. Even if
your cat can find
shelter, it won’t
be as warm as it
would be curled
up next to you
on the couch.
Winter Safety Tips:
Never leave your pet alone in a cold car. Cars hold
in the cold, acting like refrigerators, which can cause
your pet to freeze to death.
Keep your pets warm. If it’s too cold for you to stay
outside, it’s too cold for your pet. While some breeds
can withstand colder temperatures, it is important to
be cautious and attentive.
Keep animals away from puddles. They may
contain ethylene glycol found in antifreeze which can
be fatal if ingested.
Keep your pets away from bodies of water. With
melting ice and rising water levels, lakes can be
extremely dangerous for you and your pet.
Wipe your pet’s paws and underside after being
outside. Salt and ice melt can irritate and burn, and
also be fatal if ingested.
Be aware of cats seeking warmth under vehicle
hoods. Try knocking on the hood of your car to scare
them away before starting the engine.
Dress for the weather. Use booties and winter
sweaters to help keep your pets warm during outdoor
excursions.
- See more at: http://ontariospca.ca/blog/cold-weathersafety-tips/#sthash.hJrVOTHM.dpuf
Guelph Humane Society
@Guelphhumane
Guelph Humane Society
500 Wellington St W P.O. Box 684
Guelph ON N1H 1L5
519-824-3091
www.guelphhumane.ca
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Volunteer Spotlight
As a not-for-profit, we rely strongly on the support of our volunteers to help keep us afloat. It’s because of their
dedication that we are able to operate on a day-to-day basis. From animal enrichment, cleanliness, community
awareness and helping to raise funds for the animals in need, with their big hearts and love for animals our
volunteers help us to provide a better life for those animals who need it the most. We want thank all of our
volunteers for their hard work in helping make their community a better place. We would like to highlight some
of our volunteers who have gone above and beyond:
Brenda Fitzgerald
The Guelph Humane Society has had the incredible pleasure of
having Brenda Fitzgerald as part of our Volunteer Team since
September 2002. Not only is Brenda an experienced animal care
provider but she is also kind, patient and gentle with animals, even
under the most challenging situations. Her compassion, integrity and
calm nature are qualities that those around her quickly appreciate.
Brenda has contributed in many different roles as a volunteer,
whether it be hosting orientations for new feline well-being volunteers,
attending adoption events, speaking with potential adoptees about the
cats we have at our location, or maintaining the adoption board at the
Guelph Cat Clinic weekly, for the past 10 years, Brenda has done everything with a smile.
Brenda Fitzgerald, we are truly indebted to have you as part of our Guelph Humane Society family! Thank
you!
Linda Caston
Linda Caston has been a Board member, kitten foster mom and many other
various other roles throughout the years at the GHS. Linda was recently awarded
the University of Guelph President’s Community Service Award for her dedication
to coordinating the Animal and Poultry Science department’s fundraising to benefit
the United Way. Congratulations Linda! Linda’s involvement with the GHS, as well
as the United Way and Community Veterinary Outreach, clearly shows her
commitment to community service and her dedication to both animals and people.
We are so proud to have such an amazing individual as part of our team.
John and Lynne Kirkconnell
John and Lynne Kirkconnell have been amazing supporters of the GHS for the past two years. Events
are a huge component at the GHS and help us to raise funds for the animals to get the utmost and
proper care before they find their forever homes. They have canvassed dozen of businesses and
secured the vast majority of the silent auction prizes for two of our major events; the Walk & Whine
and the FurBall. They have driven many hours all over the city to pick up, organize and deliver these
prizes. Their hard work and contributions have been essential in the success of these events. Thanks,
John and Lynne, for all for your hard work and dedication!
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Cat
Please support our Holiday Campaign to raise $50,000 by
December 31st – our animals need YOU!
We Are Your Shelter!
The Guelph Humane Society needs YOU to help us continue our 100+year legacy of helping the animals in the
City of Guelph and Wellington County.
With your support we can continue to provide the proper education, commitment, and resources that are needed
to:
 Ensure that animal cruelty and suffering is eradicated from the City of Guelph and Wellington County
through a population who makes responsible choices for both themselves and the animals.
 Minimize animal surrenders by providing alternative options and support for those in need AND reunite lost
and stray pets with their owners, thereby keeping families together.
 Provide high quality food, medical care and more for the cats, dogs and other small domestic pets we house
until they find their forever homes.
 Ensure the animals we care for are properly assessed and receive any necessary behaviour training and
enrichment necessary to place them safely with the best family possible.
 Provide humane education programs within our community, through Critter Camp, March Break Camp,
School Visits, Community Visits, Birthday Parties and more.
 Create “A sustainable population of healthy animals supported by a community that cares.”
HE WAS LOST AND ABANDONED, BUT WAS LUCKY TO
GET A SECOND CHANCE!
In February 2015, Norm was brought to the Guelph
Humane Society. He was taken immediately to a vet;
suffering from poor nutrition, he was under-sized and
his teeth were in deplorable condition. He was also
under-socialized resulting in some complex behavior.
Before
After
After several days his health was more stable and he
went in to a foster home. With guidance from the
Guelph Humane Society, his foster parent did wonders
with him, providing a high quality diet, training,
socialization, exercise, and lots of TLC.
He gradually improved physically and behaviourally
and his health was much better. He still required extensive cleaning and enamel work for his teeth – but no more
major surgery, because of his amazing diet!
At this point, the Guelph Humane Society had decided it was time to start searching for a more permanent home
for Norm, and in May 2015 he found his forever home with an amazing veterinarian.
Without support from the community Norm never would have received the amazing treatment and care that he did.
Your support today will help save an animal in need, like Norm: www.guelphhumane.ca
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“I just wanted to give you an update on how Sprocket a.k.a
Cooper is doing. He is an amazing dog! Very very smart and
full of personality! Cooper has been a busy boy since you
last saw him in May. He accompanies my fiancé, Brad, to
work almost everyday, depending on the weather. Cooper
loves work so much that he runs excitedly to the front door
when Brad says to him, “ready to go to work?”. At work
Cooper gets to run around a country property and go for
hikes with my future father-in-law’s dog, Weiser. Cooper also
goes to the Fergus dog park where he has met even more
dog and human friends. Here he enjoys running free, sniffing,
playing with the chuck-it and going for a dip in the pond. At the
dog park he is off leash and we have never had a problem with getting him to stay with us, come when called, or
leaving when it is time to go. Cooper has also ventured to our cottage in Owen Sound where he gets to go swimming
and on boat rides.
In our home Cooper has done extremely well. His relationship has improved with the cats and he has even become
play-mates with the youngest. Cooper can often be caught cuddling with Aria and giving her multiple kisses. Aria
will push her face into Cooper’s head to get rubs - it’s so cute!!!!! Cooper is adorable; however, he has a few bad
habits. Cooper LOVES socks…. he has made it his mission to locate all lost socks in our home and vows to chew
on each one. Although this habit was annoying at first it has made our home a much cleaner place. Cooper has
learned a few tricks: dead dog, spin, stay/wait, high five, shake paw and shake other paw. He has definitely become
a part of our family and we love him very much! Thank you for working so hard on socializing him and on training
him, we couldn’t have asked for a better dog!” - Kathy
“Here are our GHS rescues today. We've had them for going on two
years. Charlie (the tabby) is the biggest lovebug we've ever known
and insists on being carried around on my husband's shoulders on a
regular basis. Prudie is a sweet-natured snuggler who loves to play
with her feather-wand and will not let a day pass without doing so.
They are best buddies, although Charlie likes to roughhouse a bit
more than she does. They will both be three years old come early
next year. We love them to bits!” - Kat
“My hubby and I adopted Zack and Snowball (now Boomie
and Crowley) in December 2014. These snuggly boys came
as a bonded pair and are the best companions I could have
ever asked for. Sweet, playful and adorable, we have never
looked back on our decision to adopt from the Guelph
Humane Society. So proud of my boys!” - Banello
“Hello, my name is Maddie & I had adopted "Chillie" - now Gocean, about
3 months ago. I just wanted to give you an update and tell you how she is
doing. Her last visit to the vet was great! At home, Ayla (my dog) and her
are getting along absolutely beautifully!! I have included a few photos. I'm
very happy to say that she's adjusted amazingly well and rather quick too!:)
Can’t believe such a small kitten could bring so much joy!”- Maddie
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Step 3: Secure your current pets in another room and
allow the new cat to roam and explore the house (if it is
ready and willing to come out of its own room). Allow it
to roam for about an hour before putting it back and
letting your current pets back out into the house. Now
your whole home smells like the new pet! Again, there
may be some grumbling and hissing. This is normal. Do
this every day until there is no more tension, grumbling
or hissing.
Proper introductions are key in ensuring a
good relationship between your new cat and
your current cat/dog. A bad first impression
can sour the relationship for years.
Introductions should be done in a series of steps.
You should not proceed to the next step until the
previous step has been fully completed. Rushing
the introduction can hinder the relationship and set
you right back to the beginning.
Step 1: Set your new cat up in a small room such
as a bedroom. Make sure your new cat and
current pets don’t see each other as you’re moving
the new cat in. This can instantly set them in a bad
mood against each other. Make sure your new cat
has everything it needs in this room (food, water,
litterbox, scratching post, toys, etc). Your new cat
will be nervous at first and no doubt your current
pets will be at the door as they can smell the new
cat. It is perfectly normal for there to be growling,
grumbling and hissing as they smell each other
through the door.
Step 2: After a few days you can start introducing
your pets to each other’s scent (no visual contact
yet!). You can do this by brushing your new cat
with a brush and then using the same one on your
other pets. You can also rub your new cat down
with a cloth and then place that cloth under your
other pet’s food dishes and vice versa. This allows
the animals to associate the smell of the other
animal with something pleasant like eating or
getting pet. There may be some growling or
hissing at the new smells. Do not proceed to the
next step until there is no more tension or hissing
around each other’s smell. Wait for your current
pets to go back to normal before proceeding!
Step 4: Visual contact! It’s time for your new cat to see
your current pets! Do this in short intervals and always
supervise. You can begin by having your new cat in a
large crate so that they can see each other but not
physically interact. You can also alternate and put you
current pet in the crate and allow your new cat out and
about to see them. There will likely be hissing, growing,
puffing up, etc. Keep meetings short and be sure to
separate them if they get too aggressive or stressed.
Continue to do this daily until they seem comfortable
enough to meet face to face without the use of a crate.
Step 5: Allow them to meet without a crate. Make sure
to supervise them and keep meetings short. Multiple
short meetings a day are best. Supervise until you are
confident that they are getting along.
Barn Cat Program
Have you heard about the Guelph Humane Society’s
Barn Cat Adoption Program?
This program is in place for cats that would not be
suitable for a home environment but would make the
perfect Barn kitty!
If you have a barn or know someone looking for a
barn cat that is spay/neutered, microchipped and
vaccinated, please email
adoptions@guelphhumane.ca or call the shelter at
519-824-3091.
Our Barn Cats are available at no cost, although we 5
do encourage a donation to help towards
spaying/neutering other cats in the Program.
Wanted: Forever Home
Shadow
Shadow was surrendered to the shelter when his owner became unable to
care for him any longer. Having lived with the same family all his life, he
was very distressed upon his arrival, but he is now doing great in his foster
home and ready to find his forever family!
Shadow is a very affectionate, loving, loyal dog who wants to learn and
please. He is what you call a Velcro dog and attaches closely to his
caregiver, never leaving their side. Being half German shepherd, he may
bark when visitors first arrive, but he is friendly with everyone once he meets
them. He gets along great with other dogs and is learning to get along with
the cats in his foster home as well. Shadow is fully house trained, well
behaved in the house and not destructive when left alone uncrated. He is a
pleasure to walk on a harness, enjoys playing ball and tug-of-war, and he
loves to snuggle! Shadow would prefer to live in a house with a yard rather
than an apartment. He has been around children and is fine with them, but
since he has never lived with them, we would like all members of his new
family to be over the age of 8.
Shadow suffers from a medical condition called Exocrine Pancreatic
Insufficiency (EPI), which is the inability of the pancreas to manufacture the
enzymes needed to digest food. This condition requires that his food be
supplemented with a medication that he must take with every meal for the
rest of his life. In addition, it requires a monthly vitamin B12 injection and a
high quality, low fiber diet to keep him at a healthy weight, as EPI may make
it difficult for him to maintain weight (currently at 62 lbs). Shadow's new
owner must be committed, and financially able, to provide him with the
needed medications, diet and regular veterinary care to monitor his
condition for the rest of his life; monthly expenses are estimated to be
around $200 or more. To find out more about EPI, please refer to
www.epi4dogs.com.
As Shadow is currently in a foster home, he is not available for viewing at
the shelter. If you are interested in meeting him, please call the shelter to
make an appointment!
Olenna
This pretty girl came to the shelter in April as a stray. She's got a few years
under her belt and is considered by us to be a superb senior, at 7 years
young! She is available for a reduced adoption fee of $100. She's a very
nice girl that likes to be pet. She greets us every morning with little meows
and is always eager to check out her new surroundings and explore! She's
not a big fan of being picked up and carried around; she prefers to use her
own four feet to get where she's going! Olenna is a very loyal girl who gets
very attached to her family and doesn't like to share them with other pets!
She'd be much happier as your only 4-legged friend! Olenna is currently
at the GHS waiting for her forever home.
If you would like to know more about Shadow and Olenna, call the GHS6
today at 519-824-3091
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Microchip – why it is important for you and your pet!
Telling someone your pet's name is not that difficult, but when it comes to describing appearance most of us find
the task much more tricky. A brown tabby cat with a white chest may appear grey to others. There might be
hundreds of white terrier mixes with sad brown eyes out there. This could be frustrating if you have lost your pet
and are trying to seek help in locating him. Are there any tools you can use to identify pets that would help to lead
them home?
The use of a microchip is a great method to provide permanent identification for your pet. The chip, about the size
of a grain of rice, is implanted just under the skin and stores a unique number that links the pet with its owner. If
your contact information changes, you simply update it with the microchip company so that your current information
is always available. More than 95% of stray dogs and cats that come in to our shelter with a microchip are safely
returned to their family.
Sadly, the majority of animals that arrive at the shelter do not have any kind of identification. Rest assured that the
pet you adopt from us will have this modern and convenient form of identification. The cost of microchipping is
relatively low and the procedure is quick and easy. If your pets are not microchipped, please consider doing it and
giving them the opportunity to return home quickly and safely.
CATS:
Canned Kitten Food
Cat Toys
DOGS:
Large and Extra Large Easy
……Walk® Harnesses
Pee Pads
Canned Puppy Food
Poo Bags
SMALL ANIMAL:
Rabbit Food
Guinea Pig Food
Small Animal Treats
Hay
Small Animal Bedding
Carefresh® Bedding
Wooden Chew Toys
GENERAL:
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Paper Towels
AA and AAA Batteries
Heavy Duty Flashlights
Duct Tape
Construction Paper
General Craft Supplies
Scotch and Masking Tape
Lysol/ or Disinfecting Wipes
Hot Water Bottles
Bleach
*Gift Cards from any
……Hardware Store or Pet
……Supply Store
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Thank you for your support!
Upcoming Events
Royal Kitty Music Fest
Thursday March 24th, 2016
8:00 PM at the Guelph Concert Theatre
166 Wyndham Street North, Guelph
National Cupcake Day
Join the Facebook page: Royal Kitty Music Fest
February 2016
Generously hosted and planned by Angela Nosal, an animal lover
who is devoted to helping the animals in our community.
Proceeds go to The Guelph Humane Society.
More information coming soon!
The Guelph Humane Society is now hosting birthday parties for a
variety of age groups!
Every birthday party held at the Guelph Humane Society includes:
Animal interactions
A party host
A decorated private party room for two hours
An animal themed craft
An animal themed game
A tour of the Humane Society
Birthday child can name the newest animal to the shelter
Cost: The cost of a two hour
party is $150, tax included.
For more information phone 519-824-3091 or email spawelko@guelphhumane.ca
Don’t forget to add us on
Facebook and Twitter!
Editor: Kelly Robison, Communications & Events Coordinator
krobison@guelphhumane.ca
Donations: Jenn Lorette, Fund Development Director
jlorette@guelphhumane.ca
Acting Executive Director: Lisa Veit, Associate Director
lveit@guelphhumane.ca
Guelph Humane Society
Contributors:
Gwen Preece, Volunteer Coordinator
@Guelphhumane
Guelph Humane Society
500 Wellington St W P.O. Box 684
Guelph ON N1H 1L5
519-824-3091
www.guelphhumane.ca
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