Bette Grahame Bette Grahame, President PRESIDENT S MESSAGE. Fall 2016

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1 Board of Directors: Please visit us at or at Fall 2016 Bette Grahame, Pres. Gretchen Price, VP Randall Phillips, Treas. Molly Crowell, Sec. Fonda Bell Astrid Brock Tom Cabrera Sarah Landon Denise Merricks Sybil Martino Tedi Wright Gratefully, THE HUMANE SOCIETY/SPCA OF NELSON COUNTY PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Every month the Humane Society/SPCA Board of Directors meets to discuss the operation of Almost Home Pet Adoption Center: What are its needs and how are we meeting or not meeting those needs? One of the first items on the agenda is to review a monthly Animal Activity Report. We learn how many dogs and cats were in our custody at the start of the month; how many new ones were surrendered by owners; how many were transferred to AHPAC from the Nelson County Animal Control Facility; how many might have been adopted and then returned. Then we look at how many adoptions there were; how many were transported to other no-kill facilities in more populated areas; and how many died or had to be euthanized because of terminal illness or injury. Lastly, we look at how many were on-hand at the end of the month. Our observations: 1) Our intake of dogs has gone down substantially and most are finding homes locally or through transports to other no-kill shelters. There are always some that are more difficult to place, and they remain with us for long periods of time. However, we don't have the overcrowded kennels we had in the past. 2) Our intake of cats and kittens, on the other hand, keeps going up. At the end of September, we had 56 dogs and 157 cats at AHPAC or in foster care. For some time now, the garage at AHPAC has been used as an overflow room with a number of large cages containing kittens. Heating and ventilating are problematic. If it were not for people willing to foster, some kittens, as in the past, would probably have to be euthanized at the county s facility. Ursula and Haven would love to hear from you. So, ready or not, we feel it is time to move forward with expansion plans on the property that we purchased several years ago. Many of our directors and staff members will form a study group to plan for a new facility to meet our needs. Once those plans are in place, we will look to you, our supporters, to help us fund construction and additional staff. Perhaps it is time for another festive Animal House Ball? Anyone interested in helping to plan one of these or another successful fundraiser for the new Cat House? Please, let us hear from you. Bette Grahame Bette Grahame, President Shopping at Amazon.com? Use smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate.5% to the Humane Society-SPCA of Nelson County.

2 Thanks, Allie. It Was Her Birthday, but She Gave Almost Home the Gift Most young girls would be excited to celebrate their 10th birthday, with the presents and party being the best part of the fun. One area girl, though, chose to use the occasion of her 10th birthday as a chance to give back. Allie asked her family and friends to forego giving her gifts for her birthday. Instead, she asked them to bring donations for the animals at Almost Home, and also asked if she could have her party at the shelter. Donations were collected before her party, and were also brought to the adoption center on the day of her event. A table of cupcakes was set on the front porch and donations were collected. Allie and her guests enjoyed the company of the adoptable dogs and cats, particularly our big, lovable hound Skillet. Allie's generosity resulted in $290 in cash donations as well as 150 pounds of dog food, many treats and toys, cleaning supplies, cat litter and cat food. What an inspiration this young lady is, and we are certainly fortunate to have her as a friend of our shelter. Thank you, Allie! Need gift ideas? We can help With the holidays fast approaching, you may be looking for gift ideas. A few suggestions: Loving Cup Vineyard donates $2 from every bottle sold of their Dudley Nose Rosé, and the label features an AHPAC alumni. Pick up a gift certificate from our Thrift Shop, where there are also lots of new items available for your furry friends. Know someone who would like a new companion? A gift certificate from AHPAC may be the answer. We will work with them after the holidays to find them the best friend ever! Safe and happy holidays to everyone! This group of volunteers came out to Almost Home on September 29 to offer a day of service to their community. They work for Waterstone Mortgage in Charlottesville, a company that volunteers in the community on a monthly basis. The volunteers walked dogs, cleaned cat cages, and cleaned windows. A big thanks to all. Visit us on Facebook at

3 Our Kittens Head North Preparations for the journey to NEAS Each year, Almost Home takes in about 300 kittens. Some are adopted locally, but most are transported to Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, Massachusetts, thanks to their ongoing mission to save animals. More than two decades ago, NEAS made it their mission to help save puppies that were being put down at alarming rates. These pups were transported to Massachusetts where spay/neuter and licensing have helped minimize unwanted animals. Nelson County Humane Society/SPCA has sent puppies to NEAS for the past 20 years. About four years ago, NEAS began to accept large numbers of kittens from us, too. Now as kitten season rolls around each spring, we begin to prepare our kittens for their journey. Over the years, as transports north became more common, those states began to see an increase in certain animal diseases that had not been prevalent in the past. To combat this unwelcome problem, strict protocols were put in place both by the state of Massachusetts and by NEAS to ensure the transport of healthy animals. The process So, what does it take to get our kittens to Massachusetts? The preparations can be mind boggling as we must follow a very specific and time-sensitive protocol. When a kitten enters our shelter, all its information is recorded on a spreadsheet. Kittens must be four months old to go to NEAS. If they reach five months old, they must be spayed or neutered before going. Thus, the clock starts ticking. Can we prepare the kitten for transport Say hello to Upton. during that golden age between four and five months old? The kitten must have at least two, or if possible, three, RCP vaccinations that are given between two to four weeks apart but have not been given within two weeks of transport. The kittens must be treated for worms, ear mites, and fleas, and receive a negative result for Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS tests. Although most kittens are placed in foster care upon arrival, NEAS requires at least two weeks of fostering before transport. Only kittens who are friendly and outgoing can go to NEAS. The foster parents become housekeepers, caregivers, and chauffeurs to their little furry charges. As transport day approaches, health certificates are required, and volumes of paperwork are faxed to NEAS. Each kitten s medical and social history is reviewed, and we are informed whether the animal has been accepted. The day before transport the van is set up with crates for each litter of kittens with newspaper, towel, hammock, litter box, and water dish. Bette Grahame always drops off cookies for the drivers and for the staff at NEAS, making everyone happy! On transport morning, foster parents begin arriving at Almost Home at 6. Each kitten is collared with its name, ID number, and description. One by one, kittens are loaded into the van. By 7, the van is ready for the 12-hour Salem journey. Once there, the kittens are held in quarantine for two days as NEAS vets evaluate each one. Finally, their pictures are taken, a write-up is done, and they are placed on the website and adoption floor. Often, within 24 hours, most of our little unwanted Nelson County kittens have found a loving home. All worth it It takes weeks and an army of foster providers, volunteer drivers, staff, and veterinarians to move these kittens. The cost per kitten for transport runs between $60 to $110, with additional expenses averaging $400 per trip. Sending our kittens (and puppies) to NEAS allows us to save most of the adoptable fuzzy little beings that are turned in to Nelson County Animal Control or Almost Home. As an added bonus, during the winter after kitten season is over, NEAS accepts adult cats who are healthy and friendly. In 2016, we were able to send two older cats, Georgia and Olivia, who had been at Almost Home since 2007 and needed to be adopted together. Both are now in their forever home in New England. We continue to be grateful for our relationship with NEAS that has made so much possible.

4 Happy shares the couch with a pal at her new home. Bully Breeds, in a New Light When one thinks of dogs, it is often in the terms of loyalty, courage, unwavering love, and forgiveness. There is one type of dog, however, that is often the subject of discrimination: the Pit Bull Terrier. The stereotypes that surround this highly misunderstood type of dog could not be further from the truth. Pit bulls and American Staffordshire Terriers, particularly, are loving, loyal family dogs. Here at Almost Home, we ve placed numerous Bully breed dogs in homes with caring families. Here are three: Happy, a Pit Bull Terrier pictured at the top of the page, came to us in January 2015 and went to a foster home. She was returned to the shelter when a resident dog there didn t get along with her. As the months passed, Happy became frustrated in her shelter room, and she began lashing out at other dogs. She was then deemed a staff only dog. This spring, several volunteers took her to events and found that, away from the shelter, Happy was a different dog. Her profile and photos were updated to reflect her true personality. Then one day a family with no other dogs fell in love with her. Now, she is a beloved family member, spending her days in a warm home getting tons of snuggles and playing lots of fetch. Beauty and her new family. Beauty, an American Staffordshire Terrier, was turned over to Animal Control in the autumn of About 6 years old then, Beauty had spent her life outside on a chain, having litter after litter of puppies. She was pregnant again when she arrived at Almost Home, and Beauty s life and her pups were saved by her caring fosterers, who had to rush her to the veterinarian s office for an emergency C-section. Nine pups survived and went on to be adopted. Now it was Beauty s turn. One might think that after all she d been through, Beauty would not care for humans. Her beautiful spirit, however, proved to be one of forgiveness and love. These days Beauty is a pampered family pet, an amazing animal who lights up every room she enters. Beauty s tail is always wagging and her smile ever present. Her forever family also includes a one-eyed cat and another dog. Mickey and his best buddy. Mickey, a white- and redbrindled pit bull, came to us in January 2015 as a 3-year-old. He loved people, got along well with other dogs and cats, and was very well-behaved, but he was overlooked for six months because of his breed. Finally, Willie, an artist and musician, took one look at Mickey and knew he d found his dog. Since then, they have become best buddies. Their favorite activity is hanging out at home together. Life could not be better for both of them. Beauty, Happy, and Mickey are just three of so many Bully-type dogs waiting for homes. Misinformation and stereotypes keep many of these dogs in shelters or worse. These three are shining examples of the amazing dogs these breeds truly are. If you are considering adding a canine companion to your family, don t overlook the Bully breeds. They just might be the right dogs for you!

5 Why I Foster Kittens Rewarding, entertaining, downright heartwarming By Diana Smith My home already has a good complement of pets, so why would I want to complicate my life by bringing even more into the mix? I didn t plan to, but working as a volunteer at Almost Home opened my eyes to the limitations of a small no-kill shelter, where space is a challenge and there is a huge influx of homeless kittens every spring. Where to put them? How to socialize them? How to give them space to play and explore? I could see that they deserve so much more. When I learned that Almost Home has a special relationship with Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, Massachusetts willing to take animals from overpopulated shelters and very successfully find them forever homes I realized that by fostering a litter of kittens, or even just one cat, until they were ready to make the journey in our shelter van using volunteer drivers, I could make a difference. I ve never looked back. Fosters No. 16 and 17 were with me until mid-october, and they became fully adjusted, happy, healthy and delightful companions. I tearfully said goodbye the morning they left while embracing the knowledge that they will find happy homes up north. Every one of my fosters has found a forever home! Fostering kittens is rewarding, entertaining, and downright heartwarming. My first foster litter was a mama and five babies. In the second week, two of the kittens died from a respiratory virus and I was ready to hand the rest back. I thought, I can t do this. But the experienced staff at A mama and her kittens enjoy some quality time in their foster home. Foster cat Eddie bonds with the family dog. Almost Home helped me understand the realities of kitten care, the bumps in the road, and how to reach out for help. The best thing about fostering kittens from Almost Home is that you are offering a temporary home a few weeks, a few months and what a difference you can make! Fostered animals that are accepted for adoption by our partner shelters are prized for their good health, manners, affection and adaptability to many residential situations. This is why I foster kittens! Diana Smith serves on the HS/SPCA Board of Directors, is a volunteer at Almost Home and editor of the Wintergreen Valley Association quarterly newsletter.

6 Improvements at Almost Home Almost Home president Bette Grahame put her painting skills to use on the new recycling container. We ve Started Recycling at AHPAC Several months ago, we began recycling at AHPAC. For many years, adding another aspect to our very busy shelter day seemed difficult, but our ever generous volunteers responded favorably to the idea and offered to help. A suitable container was found, and our own multitalented Bette Grahame painted adorable recycling animals to signify item placement. A little extra effort helps the environment and will keep our disposal costs down in the future. New Retaining Wall Keeps Mud, Floods Away Since Almost Home Pet Adoption Center opened in April 2004, the staff has been plagued by problems from flooding and mudslides from the steep slope behind the building during heavy rains. The problem may finally have been solved thanks to a beautiful retaining wall constructed by Paul Cangialosi, a contractor from Gladstone. This project was made possible with funds from a very generous bequest from the Edith E. Stauffer-Scott Trust. We are grateful to Susan G. Oliver, trustee, for directing this legacy to us. Visit us on Facebook at

7 One Year Later, Wolverine Is a New Dog It's been a year since we took in a litter of puppies injured by a lawn mower. At the time, the Humane Society of Fairfax County agreed to care for the puppies, and volunteer Emily Bell drove them there. Here s a happy update: The owners of one of the puppies have named him Wolverine, after the comic book character who never dies from his wounds, and they love him very much. They even threw him a big birthday party! (That s the birthday boy, at left.) We re grateful for funds on spay/neuter program The Humane Society/SPCA of Nelson County recognizes that spay/neuter is the key to controlling the overpopulation of cats and dogs. All of our adult cats and dogs that are adopted from Almost Home Pet Adoption Center are spayed or neutered prior to being released to their new owners. Those too young for surgery are adopted out with a Neutering Certificate. Our adoption fees help to defray the costs of spay/neuter, testing, vaccinating, worming and flea treatment, but do not cover them. We are very grateful for reduced rates charged by participating veterinarians. Currently our primary veterinary hospitals assisting us are the Lovingston Veterinary Hospital, Old Dominion Animal Hospital in Charlottesville, and the Lynchburg Humane Society s Spay Neuter Clinic in Evington. We are so grateful, that for a number of years, we have been receiving spay/neuter assistance from the Companion Animal Fund, a division of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, in the form of annual grants of $1,000 to $2,000. We recently received $5,000 in funding from the county s fiscal year budget to spay and neuter some of the animals being transferred from the County s Animal Control Facility to Almost Home. The HS/SPCA Board of Directors and the Nelson County Board of Supervisors are appreciative of the teamwork between the Almost Home staff and the staff of Nelson County Animal Control, which has resulted in all of the non-aggressive animals from the county s facility being saved, making our county a No- Kill Community for the past six years. In prior years, the HS/SPCA has received grants from Petsmart, Petco, and the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies specifically for Spay/Neuter assistance. With these grants, we have been able to offer free, or reduced cost spay/neuter for Nelson County Wolverine as a puppy. Don t Overlook Seniors Amy, our pretty, 14-year oldcat was adopted recently. She had been at Almost Home because her owner, who had Amy since she was a kitten, passed away. We are so grateful for adopters willing to give older animals a loving home. residents pets. Some of these grants were designated specifically for spaying/neutering feral cats. We continue to arrange for transportation to the spay/neuter clinic in Evington, via the clinic s van, which picks up animals at Almost Home twice a month, and offers low-cost spay/neuter. If you, or someone you know who resides in Nelson County is in need of assistance to get a cat or dog spayed or neutered, please call to schedule.

8 Humane Society/SPCA of Nelson County 29 Stagebridge Road Lovingston, VA Almost Home Pet Adoption Center Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid Charlottesville, VA Permit No. 2 Meet Spanky. Your new dog or cat is waiting for you at Almost Home, at the corner of US-29 and State Road 624, about 2.5 miles north of Lovingston. Stop by or visit our website at Holiday Matching Fund Once again, we are pleased to offer our Holiday Matching Fund. Generous donors will double your December donations, and all funds will go directly to help the animals in our care. To qualify, please have your donations postmarked by Dec. 31, Thank you in advance! Donations can be sent to: Humane Society/SPCA of Nelson County 29 Stagebridge Road Lovingston, VA 22949