animal tales - Medina County SPCA
Transcription
animal tales - Medina County SPCA
WINTER-SPRING 2012 Est.1985 MEDINA COUNTY SPCA ANIMAL TALES Director’s Message Stephanie Moore, Executive Director 2011-2012 Officers Exec. Director Stephanie Moore smoore@medinacountyspca.com President Hub Marquis hub@wallover.com Vice-President Steve Vojvodich Treasurer Lloyd Knudsen Secretary Susan Vlcek Board of Directors Jeff Holland Lloyd Knudsen Tom Jenkins Sandy Larson Steve Vojvodich Penny Evans Hub Marquis Jim Prueter Susan Vlcek One year ago, on February 11th, 2011, the Medina SPCA removed 124 dogs from a hoarding home in Gloria Glens, Ohio. That event did many things for the SPCA; it taxed our resources, overwhelmed our volunteers and, in a positive way, changed the way many people see and think about the SPCA of Medina County today. On a much smaller scale, and with the same fervor and enthusiasm of that fateful day in February, we do the same thing every day of the year at the SPCA. So it is very important that we all take time to celebrate the little things and the day-to-day joys that make our hearts sing doing what we do. It is because of those joys that I felt it was important to share the following story with all of you…….may you too celebrate all you do in helping us care for these animals: Humane Officer Mary Jo Johnson mjjohnson@medinacountyspca.com Animal Care Facility Hours 12-4 Closed Wed and Sun Medina County SPCA 245 S. Medina St Medina, OH 44256 330-723-7722 www.medinacountyspca.com Newsletter Editor Carol Klingel klingel@neo.rr.com & Twitter Very pregnant Aphrodite and her seven puppies One year ago this month (2/13/11 to be exact), a batch of 14 Cairns came into Col. Potter Rescue, named the “Famous Lovers” because of their Valentine’s Day arrival. Aphrodite, Paola, Adonis, Cyrano, Heloise, Echo, Francesca, Roxanne, Narcissus, Pierrot, Abelard, Pierette, Juliet, and Romeo. They all grab you, but one of them stole our hearts, and as soon as we saw this photo, we applied to adopt her. Aphrodite waited until she was safe and warm in CP’s loving arms to bring her six puppies into the world, lovingly fostered in Missouri by Stacey and Alice Wagers. Her pups were named Yertle the Turtle, Lori the Lorax, Star Bellied Sneetch, Mulberry, Marvin K. Mooney and Horton, all after Dr. Suess characters. Aphrodite -- NOW TESS -- is our little “Princess Angel.” We gave her our beloved Miri’s birthday (February 10) and estimate her to be 2 years old. Miri crossed the Rainbow Bridge November 22, 2010, and we believe she sent us Tess to fill that hole in our hearts. www.CairnRescue.com ~~~ Col. Potter Cairn Rescue A happy second birthday and first gotchya day to you ,Miss Tess Ami! President’s Message Hub Marquis, SPCA President Happy New Year to all of our loyal members of the Medina County SPCA. As we reflect on 2011, it was a very busy year. The association brought in over 1200 animals. This had to be a new record for the SPCA, and it certainly put a lot of stress on our people as well as our facility. We appreciate all of our volunteers who help us daily and without whom we would not be able to save all the animals that we do. The SPCA would not be able to function without all the hard work our volunteers put in on a regular basis. We also really appreciate all the kind donations that are given regularly. People are donating food and necessary items for the animals or making a monetary donation. All are very much appreciated. I would also like to note that the SPCA and our Executive Director, Stephanie Moore, have been mentioned multiple times in articles in the Medina Gazette, the Sun Newspapers and the Medina Post. The news agencies have helped get the word out to the county about many of the stories concerning the animals that have been neglected or abused. They have also kept the people up to date on raids/rescues that our hard working Rescue Team unfortunately has to perform on a regular basis. Finally, as a reminder, please check the Fundraiser calendar of events to know when the many events are happening so you can participate in helping raise funds for the organization. Recently we had a very successful “Night at the Races” and we will be having our annual Dinner Auction on April 28th. As always, Thanks to all of you for your continued support of the SPCA. I believe in animal rights, and high among them is the right to the gentle stroke of a human hand. (Robert Brault) A Day in the Life of a Humane Officer Mary Jo Johnson Look at this weather----rain, snow, temperatures going up and down from the teens to the fifties all in one day. Imagine for a moment that you live outside, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, with little or no protection from the elements. Your roommates might be a scary spider, a hungry rat, a lonely kitten, a backyard dog, or an old horse. Is this acceptable shelter? Legal accepted shelter for livestock animals can simply be a tree or a dip in the land, a round bale of hay, or a lean-to with three sides. Any natural or man-made wind block can be considered shelter. We would rather see livestock in a barn with clean, wholesome water and fresh hay. A cat or kitten can just curl up in any small space, like a bucket or under a wooden front porch, to keep warm, hopefully in a dry place that will keep out the unpredictable wind and rain. A raccoon can burrow in the ground to escape the rain. But imagine being a dog, living in a 4’x6’ chain link kennel, or just in a backyard, without a plastic doghouse in which to curl up and stay warm, unable to escape the wind, cold, rain, snow or sweltering heat. Meals come once, maybe twice a day, and it’s a welcome relief from the boredom and discomfort you experience day in and day out. The human that brings the food usually yells at you to stop jumping but you are so excited to see him that you can’t sit still. He doesn’t understand that you are saying, “Hello, I’m glad you’re here! I have waited all day to see you! Thank you for coming! Hello, can you hear me?” Then the human leaves, and you eat, lie down again, and wait hopefully to see something to entertain you. Is this acceptable? When you look into the eyes of a stray animal you realize how the laws have to change from seeing animals as property to seeing them as a warm beating heart in need of a home. I ask everyone to look for ways to change the laws that protect our four legged friends when you are lying in your warm, comfortable bed tonight. If you want more information about dogs living on chains and what you can do about it, please visit the following website: www.dogsdeservebetter.org. Prosecutor's Corner J. Jeffrey Holland, SPCA Prosecutor The SPCA investigates and prosecutes violations of Ohio’s animal cruelty laws. We are thankful for the hard work of Humane Agent Mary Jo Johnson for bringing these cases to light. Here are some recent ones: James Kopacz was charged with animal cruelty for neglecting to properly care for a rabbit, which was called in to the SPCA by a local veterinarian. The rabbit was badly matted and covered in urine scalds. Mr. Kopacz pled no contest to the offense. His sentence is deferred to allow him to complete a two-year diversion program. If he is successful, the charge will be dismissed at his costs. If he fails to complete diversion, the matter will be set for sentencing. Among other things, Mr. Kopacz will be able to keep only one dog and a tank of fish, and will be subject to random inspections. He will reimburse the SPCA for our vet expenses. This program was offered to Mr. Kopacz because he did seek veterinary assistance, even though he waited too long to do so. Augie and Stephanie Katona of Hinckley are awaiting trial in the Medina Municipal Court on seven charges for alleging animal neglect regarding 31 dogs, 5 cats, 2 horses, and a number of other domestic animals. We are waiting for a court ruling before the case can proceed. Penny Nicholson was found guilty of one count of companion animal cruelty in the Wadsworth Municipal Court. The charge involved failing to provide care for a dog after its leg was fractured, and for lack of adequate food. She was sentenced to 30 days in jail, suspended. She must complete one year of probation, during which she is permitted to own only one spayed or neutered dog. She is subject to random inspections by the SPCA. She was also fined $150 plus court costs, and must perform 24 hours of community service. Dale Lind. Two separate cases were pending against Dale Lind: The first case was about neglect of a cow. The other case involved neglect of sheep, calves and chickens, cockfighting and possession of cockfighting implements (known as possession of criminal tools). There were 6 counts in all. Lind pled to 2 counts of animal cruelty and the one count of possession of criminal tools. The other counts were dismissed. Lind surrendered all of the animals which were seized and retained by the SPCA. The SPCA waived any claim for restitution for the surrendered animals. Judge Dale Chase set the sentencing hearing for November 5, 2012. Until then, Lind will be subject to random, unannounced inspections by the Probation Department and the SPCA. In addition, Lind will continue to be inspected by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Amber Svoboda of Brunswick pled to one count of cruelty to a cat. The other charge was dismissed. The cat was found covered in maggots and unfortunately had to be euthanized for humane reasons. Svoboda was sentenced by Judge Chase to 90 days in jail, suspended, a $200 fine, court costs and $100 restitution paid to the SPCA. She will be on probation for 5 years. During that time, she is not permitted to have any animals, and her property is subject to random inspections. Phyllis Jeffries of Westfield Center pled to 2 counts of companion animal cruelty relating to 44 cats and a dog. Two counts were dismissed. Jeffries was sentenced by Judge McIlvaine to 90 days in jail, suspended, and will serve the maximum probation term of 5 years. She must complete 24 hours of community service; complete a mental health assessment, and follow any recommendations for treatment; may only possess one cat and one dog, spayed or neutered; and is subject during probation to random unannounced inspections by the SPCA. Charles Kovach faces 5 counts of cruelty pertaining to the care of his 5 horses. Charges are pending in the Medina Municipal Court. Amy Clark was charged with three counts of animal abandonment for leaving three boxes of cats and kittens at the SPCA facility late at night. Charges are pending in the Medina Municipal Court. Mary Ann O’Brien is charged with 4 counts of companion animal cruelty for allegedly neglecting 4 cocker spaniels. Trial is scheduled for March 8th in the Wadsworth Municipal Court. She faces another charge for a separate cocker spaniel. Trial is not yet set in that case. The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. (Gandhi) Humane Education Erin Lowe, SPCA Humane Educator Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day…… In the previous newsletter I told you how my husband and I were expecting our first two-legged son (we are already proud parents to Jack, our six year old puggle). This is the follow up on how things went the first few weeks we were home. On December 13th our son, Aiden, was born—8lbs, 3oz, 21 1/2” of perfect, bouncing boy. When we arrived home on the evening of the 15th, I was very anxious. How would Jack react? Did I do everything I could have to make this transition as easy as possible? If Jack doesn’t like Aiden, what do we do? I had done a ton of research on how to introduce your two-legged baby to your four-legged baby. Bring home a blanket from the hospital with the baby’s scent on it was the one tip that stuck out to me, so we did that. When we came home, we found Jack in his ‘house’ (his kennel) wearing a shirt that says, “I’m a big brother!”with Aiden’s hospital blanket under his feet. I took Jack out back to run around and when we came back in the house, he ran over to Aiden, who was fast asleep in his car seat. Jack started whining. A lot. He started licking Aiden, panting heavily and his eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his face! We realized, very quickly, it was too much for Jack. My husband took him out front for a walk, while I settled in with Aiden. The first hour all four of us were in the house together, Jack’s level of anxiety went from zero to off the charts. Thankfully he has his ‘house’ to go into to calm down. Our first night with Aiden was wonderful. Jack was the problem child that night. The next morning I was getting frustrated with the situation. How could I make it easier for Jack? How can I let Aiden understand he’s a little brother? How can I make our house a comfortable home again with this super cute addition? And that’s when it hit me, that Rome wasn’t built in a day. How could I possibly expect Jack to understand what is happening overnight? Over the next few days, Jack realized things were different, but okay. We kept taking him for walks, giving him positive reinforcement and even when we were so tired we couldn’t see straight, we’d sit on the floor to play with our first, four-legged son. Aiden is now seven weeks old and Jack has become very supportive of his big brother role. Whenever someone other than my husband or I holds Aiden, Jack sits next to them the entire time, or walks next to them while they are holding him. Even with all the tips we researched, the only way to know how Jack would react, was to have it happen. Now that things are settled down and routines are in place, Jack adores his little brother. Every now and then he has a bad day, and when he does, I just remind myself, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Tech Talk Reagan Bednar, Registered Veterinary Technician Do you ever wonder, when you go your Veterinarian with your new kitten, why they recommend a test for FELV? And what is FELV? What do these four letters stand for and why are they so important? FELV stands for Feline Leukemia Virus. Feline Leukemia is a virus that is transmitted from Mom to kitten, from a bite wound where blood or saliva is exchanged, and fecal matter and urine. In the United States, approximately 2 to 3% of all cats are infected with FELV. Rates rise significantly—13% or more—in cats that are ill, very young, or otherwise at high risk of infection. Often we do not know when our cats and kittens are infected with FELV until they are very sick. The symptoms of FELV are poor coat condition, loss of appetite, slow weight loss, persistent fever and diarrhea, upper respiratory, skin and urinary infections and dental disease. FELV can be diagnosed with a blood test. If your cat is negative, they should receive vaccinations and boosters every 3 years. Unfortunately, if your cat tests positive, there is no treatment or cure for the disease. A FELV positive cat can live 2-3 years after being infected; they should be separated from other cats in the household, spayed or neutered and fed a nutritionally balanced diet. All cats and kittens should be tested for FELV to help prevent the spread of such a serious and fatal disease. Please contact me at vtgirl391@yahoo.com with animal health topics you’d like to learn more about. MCSPCA PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM What is planned giving? Planned giving is a way in which you can give to Medina County SPCA by including us in your overall estate and financial plan. Depending on the type of planned giving strategy used, there could be immediate or future tax benefits for you. Ways to help sustain the MCSPCA’s work now and into the future: Unrestricted Donation: Your gift of cash or securities will be used for shelter operating costs or an area of greatest need. Restricted Donation: Your gift will be used only as you specify. Will: Your legacy will continue after you are gone. Sample Bequest Language: I give, devise, and bequeath to the Medina County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MCSPCA), federal tax id. number 34-1507786, 245 S. Medina Street, Medina, Ohio 44256, the sum of $___ (or describe the real or personal property or estate portion) to be used for its general purposes. Life Insurance and Retirement Beneficiary Forms: Simply list “charity” as relationship to beneficiary, plus name, address and tax id. number of the MCSPCA. ● Visit us at 245 S. Medina St. every day except Wednesday or Sunday from 12—4 pm to find your new best friend. ● Go to www.medinacountyspca.com and click on the adoption link. Charitable Remainder Trusts and Charitable Lead Trusts: Your planned gift will enhance your income and offer significant tax benefits. We recommend that you consult with your attorney or financial advisor. Contact Jeff Holland at 330.239.4480 for more information. Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission - to be of service to them whenever they require it. (St. Francis of Assisi) Dear Medina County SPCA, Please accept this donation in honor of Robert W. Keyes, as he celebrates his 90th birthday. He has been a supporter of Medina County SPCA for many years. He manned the aluminum can collection dumpster at the County garage for more than 15 years along with parking cars at the fair. He has a caring and loving heart for all animals. May God continue to bless your ministry, Robin B. Maag Honoring Abbey Meyers’ 17th Birthday Francine Durbin Our Littlest New Friend Edyth Coe Honoring Jim Kusch Joshua Kuschmeader Honoring son, Edward Frank Bontempo, Jr. APRIL Sat. 21st EARTH DAY @ Buffalo Creek Park 9TH ANNUAL DINNER AUCTION Sat. 28th Sun. 18th HINCKLEY BUZZARD DAY / SPCA ADOPTION EVENT Elizabeth Staub Cindy Schindelholz Christine Jervis Logistics Coordinator Root Candles HOME & GARDEN SHOW @ Medina Community Ctr. & Her Pets Minnie & Jake Honoring the birthdays of David & Kelly Schindelholz God bless, Sat. 10th & Sun. 11th Honoring Daughter, Debbie Barteu Gift to SPCA from David Bartlett’s Birthday David & Deborah Bartlett Just want to share how our tree looked before we loaded up on the 23rd of December to bring our donations to you. Hope that it helped. We were so proud to be able to give and hope to do so in the future! MARCH HONOR GIFTS AND TRIBUTES MAY JUNE Sat. 5th ANNUAL MEDINA COUNTY ADOPT-A-THON @ Medina Armory 10 am— 3 pm Saturdays MEDINA FARMERS MARKET (June through September) @ Medina Eagles Club 2nd ANNUAL SPCA SUMMER KIDS CAMP JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER Sun. 29th 1st ANNUAL RESCUE TEAM PICNIC MEDINA COUNTY FAIR PARKING AKRON/CLEVELAND ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS & ALL-AROUND TOWN BOOKS SOLD AUGUST—DECEMBER SPCA CALENDAR DEBUT HOT DOG SALES AT MEDINA BUEHLER’S Sun. 26th DOGGIE PADDLE @ Hinckley Ledge Lake VALLEY CITY STREET FAIR Sat. 9th PET EXPO @ Akron’s Hardesty Park OCTOBER ABUSE WALK WITH A FRIEND around Medina Square 3rd ANNUAL SPCA GALA Fundraising Fun Joanne Knudsen We continue to have fun raising money for the animals. In December, Barb Havlin and Sue Nisoff again chaired our “Pet Pictures with Santa” at Medina PetSmart. This event made approximately $400 for the animals. Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped with Pet Pictures and thanks to Medina PetSmart for allowing us to do this at their store. Our Entertainment book sales are finished. Profit from book sales and donations from Buehler’s shoppers totaled just under $6,300. Thanks to all of the many volunteers who sat at our table, answering questions, passing out information, and selling the books. The four Buehler’s stores in Medina County; Forest Meadows, River Styx, Brunswick, and Wadsworth each allowed us to sit at their stores for three days. Thanks to Buehler’s Fresh Foods for its continued support. We are planning to sell Entertainment books and Our Town and All Around books again next year. We have just finished another fun fundraiser, our Second Annual “Night at the Races” event. This year it was held at Rustic Hills Country Club. We had 129 in attendance. First, our Night at the Races 2012 patrons were treated to a delicious buffet of pizza, wings, pasta, salad, chips, beer, pop and dessert. We had Chinese auction items, a 50/50 raffle, $2 and $5 sideboards, door prizes, and ten races on which to wager. Many people “named” their own horse for $20 and if their horse(s) happened to win their races, they were given a $25 gift card. Thanks to all who generously sponsored this event. Thanks, also to those who donated auction items, door prizes, and desserts. And last, but not least, thanks to all of our volunteers who sold tickets and generally helped to make this event a success! This year’s “Night at the Races” earned over $6,200. (In 2011, we earned about $4,700.) We hope to make this an annual event. Thanks to Don Laub and Lloyd Knudsen for chairing this fundraiser. Watch for our 9th annual dinner auction coming up on April 28 at The Medina Eagles. It will be “Raining Cats and Dogs.” This promises to be another fun evening. Come and join us at our monthly fundraising meetings on the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Our new meeting place is RIVER STYX BUEHLERS COMMUNITY ROOM (Rt. 18 and River Styx Rd., Medina.) “Many small people, in many small places, do many small things, that can alter the face of the world.” www.shop.com/medinacountyspca is the new place to do all your family shopping AND generate revenue for the shelter at the same time! Millions of products, thousands of stores. By making a small shift to ordering online the items you’re already buying, with dollars you’re already spending, you combine your business volume with that of hundreds of other people – which converts into royalties for the SPCA. This is a free service. Save time, energy and money shopping for your family. Earn cashback® on your own purchases and get paid a .5% referral bonus for each person you invite to support the shelter with THEIR shopping! Want to be doubly helpful? Order something you know the shelter needs – say, paper towels – and have it delivered directly to the shelter! You make a donation, earn cashback®, the shelter gets the towels, AND the business volume towards royalties. Give it a try. Need help? There’s a shop consultant you can contact – info on the site! (OR: Give it a try. Need help? Contact Deb Waldron – dzwaldron@gmail.com ) Greenkeepers Lawn Service & Landscaping 5528 Lafayette Road Medina OH 44256 330-721-0059 HONORING AND MISSING OUR BELOVED PETS Cassie & Boomer Spanky Shirley Ann Blacker Frank & Deborah Judson Nana & Joey Wayne Winchip Dingo Arena Mari Arena Jon, Nancy, Mary & Schnitzel Tommy Quincy Szucs Bill & Sally Gardner Anita Robertson-Szucs Wolfe & Fang Lynda Drake Gail Torok Lila Lehrer Precious & White Snowball Gretchen Buchanan Dennis Gilbert Boots, Pepsi & Jolie Diablo & Rosie Wayne Winchip Bernice Hemeyer Senea’s Lil Cookie Doc Lila Lehrer Barbara Mann Bentley Headley Maggie Adrienne Yarborough Kristine Headley Gus & Dusty Dennis & Mellany Horvath Elizabeth Staub Bob & Sylvia Medvick Zoe Vegas, Baby, Princess, Bandit, Sweetie, Bart, Spottie, Zeke, Norman & Callie Festus & Nellie The Walker Family Chloe Becky Overcasher Lola Lila Lehrer Blue Belle Marge Ruhlin Mason Wayne Winchip 330.722.8500 426 S. Court, Medina, OH 44256 “We Love a Challenge and Our Dogs” help@astro-computers.com www.astro-computers.com I care not much for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it. (Abraham Lincoln) Thomas Buit Jacklyn Rambert Katherine Scheid Margaret Natole & Margaret Schaffer Robert Runner Timothy Buit Michael Winthrop Mary Walters Jean Taylor Eva Janecek Donna Allen & Debbie Decker Thomas O”Neill Carol Matejcik Logar Linda Pfeiffer Marsha Meyer Alexandra Taylor Richard & Linda Heitz Phyllis Vanek Richard Wise Ted Stults Robert & Forrest Mohrman Richard Stephenson George Deal Judith Fisher Joseph Smelko Daniel Clugston Liam Dickson Peggy Koontz Aaron Switalski Jacobson Employees Nina Bates Denny & Kathy Burns Linda Peterson Barbara Mann REMEMBERING DEAR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES Jim Schultz Kristine Headley Jim Mills Cheryl Vetter Greg & Stefani Watterson Kathleen Garrison Bruce Clark Vernon & Marlene Jividen Claudia Williams Amanda Usberghi Joanne Allen Sherry A. Zimmerman Donna Allen Debbie Decker Janet Meadows Linda Stanec JoEllen Kelly E.C. Haznam Julie Burke Joan Sams Don & Cindy Fuller Rhonda Sandridge Thomas Kranstruber Former Coworkers from Westfield Insurance Victor Maynard Mighty Auto Pro Jack Heiszek Art & Lisa Ritchie Mary Maurer Fae Krokey Judith Delahoyde Patricia Morris Richard Noll David Parker Virginia Higgins The Horwitz Family George & Julie Bumbulis Ron Bumbulis Suzanne Heiszek Bob Wozniak Bruce Herman Robert & Susan Sklenka Helen Myers Brown Memorial Hospital Aniko Trombitas Kalnoki Hazel Zegarcic Sharon & Kalnoki LLC Donald Myers Joanne Scobie Anna Endicott Employees of Home Depot Medina Leah Branstein Carol Szakovits Kelli Baker Caroline Crawford Nicholas Furillo Shirley & Steve Auxter Nicholas Sirovica Bob Searcy Jon Lloyd George Kamposek Jan Sponsler Nancy Dalton Barty Ulrich Overlook School Ernest Schemmel Robert & Carol Whitehead Al Szunyog Jeff Holland Jim & Maureen Cook Vernon & Marlene Jividen Jane Garrett Lucille West Barbara & Donald Gilbert Doris Ar Barbara VonBenken Travis Parker Bob & Cindy Turk Donald Schmidt Keith & Heidi Calvin Beth Lofy Andrew Becker, Jr. Edeltrud Schmidt Friends at Memorial School Elvin Hamm Vernon & Marlene Jividen Betty Lambert Margaret Clevidence “Animals can teach us the true meaning of Unconditional Love.” Animals can teach us the true meaning of Unconditional Love. (Dick Goddard)