Tell Tails. Holiday Transformation Tuesday: Sebastian s Story. What s Inside:

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1 Holiday 2016 Tell Tails What s Inside: President s Letter A letter from Jake Page 2 Sebastian s story continued Donate Your Soles Page 3 The DNA Results are In! Pages 4 and 5 Microchip Clinic Success Page 6 GOT? / AmazonSmile Memoriam to Ruth Stern Page 7 Happy Tails - Duke Page 8 Transformation Tuesday: Sebastian s Story On May 11, 2016 a concerned police officer called informing us that he spotted a small, ill-looking dog lying next to the curb on Brush Hollow Road in Westbury. Describing the dog, the officer s exact words were I thought he was a pile of garbage on the side of the road before I saw him move. The Town of North Hempstead s Animal Control officer immediately changed route to go save this little guy, and when he got there what he saw was shocking. A senior Shih-Tzu, his eyes were caked shut from severe infections and overgrown hair, his coat so matted it made it difficult for him to walk. He also suffered from emaciation, flea infestation, and skin infections all over his body. This was obviously a result of long-term neglect; a dog in this Sebastian before Tara with Bella condition does not arise overnight. Rushing back to the shelter, we all hoped this was not the end to his story. Our staff immediately set to work on him. The first step was shaving down the massive amounts of knotted hair, instantly making him more comfortable. Next was combating the slew of eye and skin infections plaguing him. Listless and forlorn, we weren t sure if this special little dog, whose name we discovered to be Sebastian, was going to win this battle. We were determined not to give up. Paws to Remember pavers are still available. Go to our web site: And click on the paver on the home page. Each day was a bit better. His coat grew back and started to shine from his tri-weekly medicated baths. His appetite increased and soon nobody s food was safe around him. Sadly, the damage to his eyes was too far gone and rendered him blind, but that didn t stop Sebastian. Our official office dog, he spent his days divided between proudly parading around the office and nesting in for naps- he is truly a clown of a dog. Continued on page 3 Sebastian after The Shelter Connection is a volunteer organization at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter. Our mission, in partnership with the Town, is to improve the quality of life for the dogs at the shelter and increase adoptions through training and socialization. A secondary mission is public education to shift the public perception about shelters and dispel the myth that shelter dogs are damaged goods.

2 The Shelter Connection Board of Directors Robert Slifkin MD President Jeff Rosen Treasurer Marianne Sikora Secretary Rosanne Palumbo Wellmaker Director of Training Regina Lagrasta Volunteer Coordinator Denise Waters Newsletter Editor Progressive Pit Program Coordinator Paula Hornak Kellner Public Awareness Coordinator Advisory Board Jenna Givargidze Director, North Hempstead Animal Shelter Erik Tallbe, CPA Accountant Chantelle DiLorenzo Attorney Dr. Diane Levitan Dip. ACVIM Special Thanks to: Photography: Margaret Tumino Mills Newsletter: Genna Tudda The Shelter Connection P.O. Box 226 Greenvale, NY Website: Facebook: The Shelter Connection Instagram: theshelterconnection The Shelter Connection is an all volunteer non-profit charitable organization. All contributions are spent on programs and services to improve the quality of life of dogs at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter. All contributions are fully tax deductible. 2 President s Letter: Speaking for The Shelter Connection I hope our entire community of supporters and animal lovers enjoys the best possible holiday. It has been a good year for us and the shelter. Many of our longer term residents have been adopted and are happily settled in their new homes. Thanks to our supporters the dogs have what they need to stay occupied and active. Thanks to a caring staff and TSC volunteers the dogs are socialized and exercised regularly. On a sad note we recently lost one of our dedicated dog handlers, Ruth Stern. She will be missed by all of us and, especially, by the dogs. Their lives were enriched through her love and compassion. Bob Slifkin Adoption A Pathway to Volunteering! The Shelter Connection is extremely fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers, some of whom have been with us for over 15 years. A common way our volunteers hear about us is by coming in to adopt! We d like to highlight a story from TSC volunteer Norene, who after losing her beloved rescue black lab came into the shelter looking for a new best friend with her husband, Ben. They became immediately smitten with, in their words, a young, handsome cross between a racehorse and a kangaroo. This was Jake, and this exuberant fellow had been returned to the shelter twice before Norene and Ben gave him the permanent and loving (and patient!) home he deserves. Norene went on to become a volunteer with us, helping out at many of our events and clinics. Here is a word from her about life with Jake: [Jake] is so loving and social. When we got home, he went crazy running/ jumping in our fenced backyard. After letting him get it all out of his system (not his happiness, just rambunctiousness) Jake realized he was in his forever home. He quickly learned what he could and could not do. We can t imagine life without him. He follows Ben like they are newlyweds; he eats, sleeps, laughs, goes on car rides and walks with us. He also loves our six rescue cats. They kiss him, lick his ears, groom him, and eat with him. We don't know if he thinks he is a cat or if they think they are dogs. We are in our late 60's early 70's and so is Jake. He celebrates his 10th birthday 'around ' Oct. 9th which in dog years make us the same age! Thank you TONHAS and TSC for all you do for the animals, adopters, volunteers & community. Please adopt a pet, even an 'unlikely one' will bring joy and love into your life. - Ben and Norene, Westbury

3 Month after month, Sebastien patiently waited for someone to see how special he was and take him home. Countless visitors peered over the counter to express how cute he was, but (understandably) taking on a 13 year old, blind and deaf dog who needs daily medication was not something they could do. Sebastian s spirits never faltered, though; he continued to make us smile every day! Tell Tails Holiday 2016 Thankfully, due to a wonderful network of friends and partners of The Shelter Connection, Patti from Our Best Friend s rescue caught wind of Sebastian s story and just had to meet him. We set up an introduction on a very warm Saturday in August, and, at least for Patti, it was love at first sight (we re sure if Sebastian could see it would have been for him too!). As always with these types of cases, parting was bittersweet, but we couldn t have asked for a better ending to Sebastian s chapter at the Shelter. Patti called us a few days later to let us know that he has settled in wonderfully, and was enjoying spending his days stomping up and down the driveway, loudly demanding dinner, and hanging out with his new doggy sister. Thank you again, Patti, for opening your heart to our little comedian our gratitude is endless. Update: After reaching out to Patti to request a photo for this article, she tearfully informed us that Sebastian had passed away after a short battle with cancer. She says she is heartbroken, but thankful for the time she got to spend with him and for all the laughs he gave her. He was one demanding little man! Thank you again, Patti, for making the last few months of his life the best he ever had. He so deserved them. Zeus can t believe how many shoes were donated! Thank you to all that contributed to TSC s DONATE YOUR SOLES fundraiser! We couldn t have done it without you. From September 1st to November 5th we held a shoe collection drive sponsored by WoofTrax and Funds2Orgs, and we needed to collect 2500 pairs to receive $1000 from Funds2orgs. This worthy, win-win fundraiser benefited our shelter dogs, and the shoes were passed on to individual and family owned micro-businesses in developing nations. We are floored by the outpouring of response we received for this fundraiser! Local businesses displayed decorated collection bins, schools held collections, supporters held their own mini-drives with family and friends, and many people drove far out of their way just to donate a single pair. A special thank you to our dedicated staff and volunteers who organized this and bagged the shoes, to Sousa Elementary School, Vincent Smith School, Our Lady of Fatima Church, Weber Middle School, Port Washington Animal Hospital, Old Shore Animal Hospital, Roslyn High School Animal Rights Club, and Pets Boutique. Final Count: 3025 pairs Wooftrax SHOES FOR SHELTERS 3

4 The Shelter Connection The Results are In! Breed DNA Analysis on Long Term Shelter Residents Just for fun, we decided to uncover the truth behind the uniquely adorable looks of some of our long-timers. When choosing a companion, although we always recommend to look past the breed and focus on matching your personalities, knowing the breeds can be key to explaining certain traits of a dog. Knowing breeds could also be helpful for veterinarians in identifying breed specific genetic disorders and diseases. For the DNA testing we used Mars Veterinary Wisdom Panel kits, which claim to be 95% accurate based on breed testing from 13,000 dog breed DNA samples in their bank. Here are the dogs we tested! Are any of them calling to you? If so, please call the animal shelter at for more information on how to set up a meeting and potentially adopt. Zeus Zeus is our longest resident at the shelter, living with us since He is a goofy guy with a loving personality he has even appeared on News 12 with the Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth! Zeus knows all of his commands, and would thrive in a home as the only pet in the house. Mixed Breed (likely from Hound or Sporting group) Walter Standard Bull Terrier Wow we knew Walter had to have Bull Terrier in him with his roman nose! Anyway, Walter is an expert cuddler who loves to lie around with his people, have his belly rubbed, and go for long walks. He is doing very well in our training program and is learning commands. Walter is patiently waiting for his new home but he cannot live with cats. Standard Bulldog Mixed Breed (Hound group) 4

5 Killian Tell Tails Holiday 2016 Killian was named after the Irish Red lager because of her beautiful amber coat. This friendly gal is shy at first but can be easily won over with treats. A perfect day for Killian includes a nice walk, a one sided game of fetch (don't expect her to bring the ball back!), followed by a nap at your feet. Cali Mixed Breed (likely from Herding group) Cali is a young and playful girl who is seeking her permanent human companion! Cali enjoys the company of other dogs, loves playing ball (this one WILL bring the ball back to you), and she would be an excellent jogging partner. Alf (Adopted!) Bobble Boxer Neapolitan Mastiff Rottweiler After over a year and a half, Alf recently found his forever home with an incredible family. However, his DNA results were too interesting not to share! Alf s father was a purebred Boxer, and his mother was an American Staffordshire/ Rottweiler, Neapolitan Mastiff cross, with his grandma being a 50/50 Mastiff and Rottweiler. Bobble is a goofy guy named for his (adorable) oversized head! Bobble loves to play with toys, go for long walks, and enjoys the company of other dogs. He has been patiently awaiting his forever home, and would thrive in an active household dedicated to continuing his training. 5

6 The Shelter Connection New Program Success: Free Microchip Clinics! (Also, What You May Want to Know Before Microchipping Your Pet) The Town of North Hempstead (TNH) in conjunction with The Shelter Connection has been hosting free microchip clinics to Town of North Hempstead residents every other month since November and we have had great success! We have helped give the best chance to over130 pets so far of being reunited with their owners in the event they are lost. Although a registered microchip shouldn t be the first line of defense (a collar with an ID and license tag is the best!), it is a great secondary source of identification since a collar can fall off or be purposely removed. Hosting these clinics, naturally we answer a lot of questions regarding the process. Here are responses to some of the most frequently asked questions about microchips: What is a microchip? A microchip is a small device, about the size and shape of a single grain of rice, used to help pet owners reunite with their animals in case they are lost. It is very important to make sure that your pet s microchip is registered with its associated company. Will implanting a microchip hurt my pet? Implanting a microchip is no more painful than any routine vaccination. Anesthetic is not required for this procedure, and it is implanted in the soft, squishy extra skin between the shoulder blades. Why should I microchip my pet? According to the Humane Association, it is estimated that each year over 10 million dogs are cats are either lost or stolen. A study published by the Journal of the American Veterinary Association tracked 53 animal shelters and calculated return-to-owner (RTO) rates for non-microchipped pets versus chipped pets. The study demonstrated that the RTO rate for microchipped dogs more than doubled compared to non-chipped dogs, and for microchipped cats the RTO rate was over 19 times higher than non-chipped cats. How does a microchip work? Many people think the microchip works like GPS, i.e. you would be able to see where the pet is on a digital map, but this is not true. When a microchip scanner is passed over, the microchip gets enough power from the scanner to transmit the associated ID number. The microchip will last through the pet s lifetime because there is no battery, nothing to keep charged, wear out, or replace. Using the ID number, the facility can call the microchip company and acquire the owner s information. How much will I save by bringing my pet to the free clinic? The average cost for implanting a microchip at a veterinarian is $45 plus a registration fee which varies depending on the manufacturer. At the free clinic, the implantation plus the registration is covered. The only requirement is that dogs are licensed with the TNH and cats are up to date on rabies vaccinations. 6 As an extra safety precaution, the TNH Animal Shelter remains as a guardian contact on the chip. This means in the event that no one can be reached on the provided phone numbers, the shelter is notified. If you are interested in participating in this program, please call the shelter at to inquire about the next clinic date.

7 GOT Jerky Treats? Tell Tails Holiday 2016 Continuing the GOT? series, we again ask for your help with Top Chews Chicken Jerky* for the dogs. They can t get enough of these treats and they re made in the USA! *These can be purchased through Smile.Amazon.com and sent directly to the shelter at 75 Marino Avenue, Port Washington, NY The Shelter Connections unique link is: is a simple and automatic way for you to support The Shelter Connection every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop through AmazonSmile, you ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the Shelter Connection, where 100% of that goes to the dogs at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter. In Memoriam: Ruth Stern It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and volunteer Ruth Stern, who was one of our dedicated dog handlers. Ruth passed away October 16 th after a brave battle with cancer. Ruth was a woman of many interests and talents. A constant thread throughout her professional and personal life was compassion for others, both people and animals alike. When she retired from her full-time practice in family law, Ruth became a volunteer at the Animal Shelter. As a dog handler, Ruth was deeply committed to providing love, compassion and enrichment to each of our dogs, whether it was while training them, sitting in quiet moments, or walking them on the nature trail. She relished the time she spent with them every week and, like all of us, celebrated each adoption. Ruth was soft-spoken and kind to all. Those who were closest to her at the Shelter knew her as a loyal and caring friend with a sharp sense of humor. She was also a big fan of the Mets, and was always ready to share her enthusiasm for her favorite team! Ruth and her devoted husband James shared their lives with their cat Kizzie and Elkhound Elke. Ruth will be missed by many family, friends, and all the animals whose lives she touched. Thank you to everyone that has donated to the shelter in her memory. Please Help us help the dogs Yes, I want to help improve the quality of life for the dogs at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter. Enclosed is my gift to support The Shelter Connection: $100 $50 $25 $15 $10 Other $ Please make checks payable to: The Shelter Connection and mail to: Your donation is fully tax deductible and will be acknowledged with a receipt. 100% of your donation will be applied directly to program services. The Shelter Connection P.O. Box 226 Greenvale, NY

8 The Shelter Connection Tell Tails Holiday 2016 The Shelter Connection P.O. Box 226 Greenvale, NY Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Greenvale, NY Permit No. 144 GOT Chicken Jerky? Don t forget to order through AmazonSmile! For more details see page 7. The Shelter Connection Tell Tails Holiday 2016 Happy Tail Duke Duke, once one of our favorite recurring residents at the shelter, came in as a stray several times before his owners made the right decision to surrender him their lives were just too hectic. This dapper 5 year old Cocker Spaniel didn t have to wait long before he was scooped up by a new family, and boy did he hit the jackpot! Duke has picked up full time job as office assistant at his new dad s workplace (his mom says they are inseparable a true bromance! ), and we ve heard reports that he exceeds all expectations. He spends his free time out on the boat, taking long naps in one of his many beds, and cuddling with his people. Thank you Marie and Harry for giving one of our special pups an amazing home!