AWL calendars are now on sale for just $5.00 each while supplies last. AWL cookbooks are still $10.00 each.

Transcription

1 Anima l We lfa r e Le a g ue Dr a nc e S t. Po r t Cha r lo t t e, FL ( 9 41) wls he lt e r.o r g Ad o p t io n ho ur s : 10 :0 0 AM - 3:30 PM S und a y - S a t ur d a y Open fo r vo lunt e e r s & s t a ff 7 :30 AM - 4:0 0 PM S und a y - S a t ur d a y Me mb e r o f t he Unit e d S t a t e d Huma ne S o c ie t y Lik e us o n Fa c e b o o k - AWL Pe t s & Anima l We lfa r e Le a g ue o f Cha r lo t t e Co unt y Fl Vo lunt e e r s Fo llo w us o n T wit t e r - AWL Pe t s I f yo u would lik e t o ma k e a d o na t io n t o o ur s he lt e r, p le a s e vis it o ur websit e a t : ht t p :// wls he lt e r.o r g /c o nt r ib ut e /g e ne r a l-fund / AWL calendars are now on sale for just $5.00 each while supplies last. AWL cookbooks are still $10.00 each.

2 We are looking for foster friends to help with our abundance of cats. Please call us and ask to speak with someone in the Intake Building if you are interested. January Sunday, January 15 Books & More at the Sun Flea Market, 8505 Paulson Drive, Port Charlotte 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Future Events Saturday, March ll, 2017 Monday, January 16 Pet Therapy at Sterling, contact Kat Stamis if interested (941) Tuesday, January 17 Pet Therapy at The Palms, contact Kat Stamis if interested (941) Wednesday, January 18 Pet Therapy at Harborville, contact Kat Stamis if interested (941) Thursday, January 19 Charity Rummage Sale at Coldwell Bank, 2825 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, time to be determined. We will need 2 volunteers to work the AWL information table and 3 dog walkers to take 1 dog each. Please see the signup sheet on the volunteer coordinator's office door. Friday, January 17 - Sunday, January 19 Pet Therapy at Brookdale and Consulate, contact Kat Stamis if interested (941) Friday, January 20 Books & More at the Sun Flea Market, 8505 Paulson Drive, Port Charlotte 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Pet Therapy at Jacobsen, contact Kat Stamis if interested (941) Saturday, January 21 Books & More at the Sun Flea Market, 8505 Paulson Drive, Port Charlotte 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mom & Pop Pet Shop, 615 Cross Street, Punta Gorda, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. We need 2 more volunteers to take 1 dog each. PetSmart Adoption Weekend, Cochran Boulevard, Port Charlotte starting on Friday, January 17 - Sunday, January 19 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. We will need 3 volunteers to work the AWL table and 6 dog walker to take 1 dog each on each shift. There will be 2 shifts each day: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. & 12:30-3:00 p.m. Please see the signup sheet on the volunteer coordinator's office door.

3 PetSmart, Cochran Boulevard, Port Charlotte from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. We need 3 dog walkers to take 1 dog each. January Sunday, January 22 Books & More at the Sun Flea Market, 8505 Paulson Drive, Port Charlotte 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday, February 4 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. we will be at 7 Palm Auto Mall dealerships in Punta Gorda. We will need a table volunteer & dog walker with one dog at each location. We can add additional volunteers if we have them. See the signup sheet on the volunteer coordinator's office door. Featured Cat of the Week: Ms. Tina Monday, January 23 Pet Therapy at Sterling House, contact Kat Stamis if interested (941) Tuesday, January 24 Pet Therapy at The Palms, contact Kat Stamis if interested (941) Wednesday, January 25 Thursday, January 26 Pet Therapy at Vick Manor, contact Kat Stamis if interested (941) Friday, January 27 Books & More at the Sun Flea Market, 8505 Paulson Drive, Port Charlotte 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Pet Therapy at Village Place, contact Kat Stamis if interested (941) Shelter rummage, plant, & bake sale 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Animal ID Species Cat Breed Domestic Shorthair/Mix Age 3 years Gender Female Size Medium

4 Saturday, January 28 Books & More at the Sun Flea Market, 8505 Paulson Drive, Port Charlotte 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Color Black Spayed/Neutered Yes Declawed No Housetrained Unknown Location Adoption Center Intake Date 11/21/2016 ARN 1205-C16 Stage Available Currently Available at Pet Supermarket in Port Charlotte Thank You Collingswood Animal Hospital Community Service Orientation at 10:30 a.m. in the shelter's conference room. Collingswood Animal Hospital, 1419 Collingswood Boulevard, Port Charlotte for heading up a food drive for our animals. If you would like to donate cat or dog food to them, the hospital will match the donation! The food drive ends on Tuesday, January 31. Volunteer Orientation 11:45 a.m. in the shelter's conference room. Basic Dog Walker Training at 1:15 p.m. in the shelter's conference room. J.M. Smucker Company Recalls Select Lots of 9Lives, EverPet and Special Kitty Canned Cat Food.

5 J.M. Smucker Company is voluntarily recalling select lots of its 9Lives, EverPet, and Special Kitty canned cat food due to possible low levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1). PetCo, 1808 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. We will have an information table and three dog walkers with one dog each. Shelter rummage, plant, & bake sale 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. According to a company release, "the affected products were distributed to a limited number of retail customers from December 20 through January 3, 2017." For the complete list of cat foods being recalled go to: For more information go to: /news/alerts-recalls/jm-smucker-companyrecalls-select-lots-9lives-everpet-and-special -kitty-canned-c?roi=echo e131a32bf2547a1ede006b0d9f4224&utm_ source=newsletter&utm_medium= &utm _campaign=recall_ &button We are looking for donations of fleece by the yard to be made into dog and cat blankets. If you are interested in helping us with sewing projects like this, please let us know and we can get you started. The sewing group is known as The Crafty Ladies and includes Patty, Dee, Sue, and Chris. A special thank you to Dee Butrum for keeping our pet blankets in good repair over the summer. Featured Dog of the Week: Eddie

6 The training will eventually be mandatory and scheduled quarterly for all dog walkers to maintain her/his dog walker status starting in March. The March dates are Saturday, March 4 & Saturday, March 18 in the shelter's Animal ID Species Dog Breed Rottweiler/Mix Age 4 years Gender Male Size Medium Color Brown/White Spayed/Neutered Yes Declawed No Housetrained Unknown Location Adoption Center Intake Date 12/6/2016 ARN 1036 Stage Available Shelter Factoid Did you know that the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County Fl. was named the Non-Profit of the year in 2015 & 2016 by the Charlotte Sun Readers Choice Award? Ongoing Dog Walker Training for 2017 Update Starting in 2017 the shelter is starting a new dog walker training program for all dog walkers. The Ongoing Dog Walker Training will begin on Saturday, January 21 at 10:00 a.m. in the shelter's conference room. The first topic will be Controlling A Dog During a Walk. This introductory class will be optional but highly recommended.

7 conference room at 10:00 a.m. Special arrangements can be made for dog walkers who are unable to attend these two dates. As in the Basic Dog Walker Training class, there will be a PowerPoint presentation focusing on the what, how, and why of a specific part of the dog walker protocol followed by practical training with Gordon Smith and John Blaney. One new topic will be addressed at each class that is based on just one focal point of the Basic Dog Walker Training. Doctor Mark DeGrove, DVM, will be contributing to the training from a veterinarian's professional point of view based on what is seen in his practice. Per Mark, "All people involved in walking the dogs need to be on the same page for consistency so the dogs will know what is expected of them on each walk." Again, all dog walkers must attend at least one of the two training classes starting in March to maintain her/his dog walker status. This is how that will work: If you are a dog walker rated at the red level and do not attend at least one training class each month, you will be downgraded to the blue level. If you are a dog walker rated at the blue level and do not attend one training class per month, you will be downgraded to the green level. If you are a dog walker rated at the green level and do not attend one training class per month, you will be downgraded to the yellow level, and will need to attend the basic dog walker training held at 1:15 p.m. in the shelter's conference room on the second and fourth Saturday of every month. The dog walker downgraded to the yellow level can no longer walk dogs until she/he attends the basic dog walker training. Dog walker promotions will remain the same except John or Gordon will need to approve the upgrade. Promotions of new volunteers can still be granted by the dog walkers that agreed to be shadowed. This continuing training is vital for the dogs so Do Dogs Get Colds? Everything You Need to Know By Jennifer Coates, DVM According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year in the United States, there are millions of cases of the common cold. The CDC states that adults have an average of 2-3 colds per year, and children have even more. So, with human colds being

8 they will be walked consistently every time they go outside. All dog walkers need to be on the same page to get the dogs walking well on a leash. A well behaved dog walking on a leash is much more adoptable than a dog that pulls and jumps on people. Four Ways to Keep Your Indoor Cat Entertained While You're Away When faced with leaving their furry companions alone during the day, pet parents often suffer from separation anxiety -- not so much from their pets as from themselves and their own guilt over leaving their pets to fend for themselves in a lonely house. Here are four ways to help your cat stay occupied while you're gone; after all, he can't nap all day long. 1. BUILDING THE FUN ZONE When your cat is ready to play, a special space that has been set up just for that purpose is important. Even if you don't have an extra room to devote as a cat haven, a corner of a room or a window will suffice. Set up a nice cat tree and/or scratching post that is specially made for climbing and claw exercises. Perches that overlook the yard will also give her hours of free, albeit mundane, entertainment. If you are a do-ityourselfer, you can build a sitting shelf that sits on the inside ledge of the windowsill using just a shelf, brackets and fabric, or you can buy one from a pet supply store. A bird feeder placed outside the window will provide hours of entertainment (and maybe a little frustration!). There are also ways to make it so that your cat can go outside while staying inside, with an enclosure that juts from the open window, allowing your cat the best view of all. This is another project that you can either take on yourself, or buy pre-assembled. Start simple: You can begin by hanging toys from different spots so your cat has something to bat around, and place little jingly balls and furry mice on the floor for your cat to bat across the room and play a game of makebelieve chase. 2. GET A "BUDDY" If your cat is an "only child," you may want to consider adopting a feline brother or sister for her. Keep in mind that it can be challenging to integrate a new pet into the household, especially if your cat is older and is used to being the sole holder of the throne, but it is worth the effort to give so common, it's natural to wonder whether our dogs can catch colds too. What is a Cold? First some background about colds in people. Many different viruses can cause the common cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common... Other viruses that can cause colds include respiratory syncytial virus, human parainfluenza viruses, and human metapneumovirus. Symptoms usually include sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, headaches and body aches.* Do Dogs Get Colds? Determining if dogs get colds depends on whether we focus on the causes or symptoms of the illness. The viruses that cause colds in people are generally species-specific. Except perhaps under the rarest of circumstances (for example with large doses of certain types of parainfluenza), the viruses that make people sick with a cold are incapable of causing illness in dogs. So if you're wondering "can dogs get sick from humans," the answer is almost always "no," at least with regards to cold viruses. On the other hand, reports of humans and dogs sharing infection with some types of influenza viruses (the cause of more serious infection we call "the flu") have recently been published. Previously, we did not think dogs could come down with human flu, so keep in mind that things do change in the world of viruses. Practicing common sense hygiene like washing your hands frequently when either your or your dog is sick is always a good idea. But now let's look at the "Do dogs get colds?" question for the point of view of the symptoms that develop. Many viruses and even a few bacterial species that do infect dogs (e.g., canine adenovirus type 2, canine respiratory coronavirus, canine parainfluenza virus, and Bordetella bronchiseptica) cause clinical signs in dogs that are almost indistinguishable from those seen in people who are suffering from colds. Dog cold symptoms like sneezing, congestion, watery eyes, coughing, runny nose, and just feeling "off" are quite common, it's just that different infectious agents are generally involved when a dog rather than a person gets sick. Cold Remedies for Dogs When dogs look like they have a cold, we need to assess just how bad they feel. If a dog is still eating and drinking and wants to be relatively active, it is

9 your furry feline a companion she can grow to love (and groom). When two cats get together, playtime can really be productive and new games will be invented, even if you are not home to witness them. 3. PUZZLES AND SNACKS If your cat is into treats and snacks, a food puzzle toy can be a great way to keep him occupied. These typically ball shaped toys are made to be stuffed with small pieces of food (or treats), which are released only when your cat figures out the right way to undo the catch or turn it the right way to make the treat fall out. This is good for stimulating your cat's brain and his muscles. Most pet supply shops sell different versions of treat puzzles, or you can look online. 4. SOOTHING SOUNDS The poet William Congreve wrote that "music has charms to soothe a savage breast." We know this to be true for the savage man, and it is also true for our domesticated savage companions. If you find that your cat responds to certain styles of music, you can collect more of that style and set it up to play quietly on the home stereo while you are away. If in doubt, you can't go wrong with classical. Stick with the soft pieces, piano and string rather than trumpets and drums. There is also a large choice of soothing meditation music that you can play for your cat. Just don't be too surprised if you come home one day and find your cat in the lotus pose. Sure, your cat is probably more than happy to spend her day alone. She needs her rest after a reasonable to try symptomatic care and home remedies. Encourage your dog to rest, drink, and eat so his immune system has the resources to fight off the infection. Wipe your dog's eyes and nose with a warm, damp cloth to keep him comfortable. Breathing humidified air can also ease dog congestion, so why not keep your dog in the bathroom with you while you take a long, hot shower. But do not give your dog human over-the-counter cold remedies without first consulting with your veterinarian. Many are potentially quite dangerous when given to dogs. If at any time your dog is not eating and drinking well, appears uncomfortable, has difficulty breathing, or fails to return to normal within a week or two, it is time to make an appointment with your veterinarian. He or she can rule out other causes of your dog's congestion, sneezing, coughing, etc. These might include pneumonia, nasal foreign bodies, inhaled irritants or allergens, tumors, nasal mites, fungal infections, and more. If your veterinarian does diagnose your dog with the equivalent of a cold, he or she might prescribe antibiotics (only if a bacterial cause is likely), cough suppressants, decongestants, or anti-inflammatories to make your dog feel better and hopefully speed his recovery. Finally, dogs who are congested, sneezing, and coughing are often contagious to other dogs. Always isolate a sick dog to help prevent the spread of disease. Source: do-dogs-get-colds-everything-you-need-know?icn=hp- WINTER&icl=Do%20Dogs%20G et%20colds?%20 Everything%20You%20Need%20to%20Know long night of resting, but enriching her environment with some extra toys, visual distraction, music or companions will probably end up being one of your greater ideas. If nothing else, it will ease your guilty conscience and make you a happier pet owner. Source: _ct_keeping_your_cat_entertained?icn= HP-Hero&icl=4-ways-to-keep-indoor-cat-entertained Common Mistakes Fish Owners Make By Adam Denish, DVM Contrary to what many pet parents may believe, caring for and maintaining a happy, healthy fish tank can require some legwork. From overfeeding your fish to using the wrong water in your tank, here are the top 10

10 mistakes new fish owners often make and how to avoid them: Mismatching Your Species of Fish Overfeeding Your Fish Overfeeding leads to overeating and excess waste and a habit of overfeeding can lead to water quality issues that can make fish sick. Aim for feeding your fish the amount of food that it will consume in about three minutes. If you notice that too much food winds up trapped in the gravel, reduce the amount you are feeding. If you use flake food, refrain from tipping the bottle over the fish tank, instead take a small pinch with your fingers, or transfer food to an old spice bottle with holes in the top for easier dispensing. If you do overfeed, remove the excess food in the tank with a net. Most fish are opportunistic feeders and search for food all day long. Grazing herbivorous and young fish (like guppies or small angelfish) may need two small feedings per day and may benefit from having plants to nibble. Some fish are omnivorous and require more protein, like African Cichlids or, in saltwater aquariums, triggerfish. These fish can eat once per day and enjoy a more substantial meal of freeze dried or frozen worms or shrimp. Include scavengers like snails and crabs in your tank to balance out the community and clean up uneaten food. Succumbing to New Tank Syndrome "New tank syndrome" arises when a tank lacks a sufficient population of bacteria necessary to process the nitrogen compounds that result from fish waste. Building up bacteria in your tank starts by adding a few hardy, inexpensive fish (like tetras or platys to a freshwater aquarium or damsels to a saltwater aquarium). After adding the starter fish, allow time for the nitrogen cycle to proceed. Some experts recommend adding sand or gravel from an established tank to move the process forward. There are also a variety of additives that can help you establish the bacteria and cycle the water more quickly. Monitoring the nitrogen compounds with a chemical testing kit will reveal how the tank is cycling and indicate when you can begin slowly adding more fish. Most aquarium stores will gladly test water samples and offer guidance about the best practices with your tank.

11 Fish owners have lots to say about the personality of their pets. Before adding multiple species to your tank, connect with fellow fish hobbyists who can attest to whether two species will live together peacefully. There are also charts available to help you mix and match species based on the level of aggression. If you happen to like an aggressive species of fish, such as Oscars or African cichlids, you will need to select tank mates that can tolerate aggression, usually others of the same species. Mixing aggressive fish with passive fish can lead to bullying. Fish that are too frightened to come out of hiding during feeding time will eventually starve to death. Avoid making impulsive purchases of fish and plan your tank selections in advance with research. Overcrowding Your Tank Planning for your fish population is an important first step. The rule to keep in mind is one gallon of water per inch of fish, though bear in mind that aggressive fish require more lateral swimming space. If you select aggressive fish, double the size of your fish in calculating the number of gallons of water per fish needed for swimming space. Be sure to find out what the adult size of the fish you select will be and the habits of those fish. Also consider that rockwork and decorations infringe on the swimming space, and should be taken into account when determining adequate space for the inhabitants. Taking a Vacation Without Back-Up While you head off for a beach vacation, the care of your aquarium will need to be addressed. Properly training a pet-sitter to fill in for you while you are away is the best defense against disaster. Make it as easy as possible for a sitter to give the correct amount of food by setting out portions in a weekly pill organizer. Explain how to check the temperature of the tank and make an adjustment if needed. Leave written instructions for how to deal with tank issues such as water evaporation, death of a fish or cloudy water conditions as well as contact information of a trusted aquarium store professional or fellow hobbyist. If your vacation is for a short weekend, there are automatic feeders as well as slow dissolving food cakes available. Technology also makes it possible to have a camera #1 Put egg cartons on the walls of the kennel to absorb the sound. Great suggestion! For 2017 the shelter plans to put sound absorbing panels on the walls of the kennels to reduce the amount of noise the dogs make. The shelter is also planning to install a sprinkler system throughout the adoption building this year. Cut back the Brazilian weeds on the main road from I- 75, you cannot see the shelter's sign until you almost pass it. #2 Cut back the Brazilian weeds on the main road from 75, can't see your sign until you almost pass it. Another great suggestion because this gets on the nerves of a lot of people. The brush and trees do block the view of the shelter's sign at the corner of Drance Road & Harborview, however the property where the vegetation grows does not belong to the shelter so there is nothing we can do about it. If we could trim back the vegetation, it would grow back quickly. #3 Hello, Mr. Klemish, I cannot remain silent any longer, as it is breaking my heart... I have been a donor, here for several years now, and always tried to obtain items that you have requested on line, without reservation...you need it...you got it! From me. After the many items I have arrived with a trunk full of items to drop off, I decided to join the Family of Volunteers, which I did this last year. Have done so mostly on weekends.

12 focused on your aquarium for owners to check remotely and provide extra reassurance that everything is okay. Not Understanding Temperature Control Smaller tanks are subject to faster temperature swings than larger tanks. Use a simple temperature-sensitive sticker to help quickly monitor the heat. Fish and invertebrates are sensitive to shifts in temperature, so make it a point to check the heater or chiller regularly. Avoid placing the tank near a draft or a sunny window and monitor the temperature to stay between 72 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that some species require slightly lower or higher temperatures. For example, koi and their popular cousins, the goldfish, are best kept at temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while freshwater angelfish come from warmer waters and prefer temperatures between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Sadly, I have noticed dirty water bowls, litter boxes, soiled beds. towels, and some with empty food bowls, when I inquired a staffer about the food...i was told I FORGOT!!! What's going on here?? Do your job or quit wasting the shelter's precious money! Lastly, I have observed a large bag of dry puppy food taken from the shelter upon the end of the staffers day shift and out the front door placed on the bench, covered with a cloth bag. If free food on any kind...donations...is allowed to be taken, please forgive me, as I feel they are taking from the mouths of many animals that call this shelter, Home... I feel violated and outraged, after all these years of donating here, where have all my offerings really gone? I will no longer donate. Also noted that only certain staffers/non-staffers have full control over the donation box at the door, others are told Do Not Touch! In conclusion, I will continue my volunteer hours here, on a limited basis, and just hoping...that all donations reach the proper places. Thanking you in advance for your time and consideration in this matter. A Loving Volunteer... Dear Loving Volunteer, Thank you for the letter and expressing your concerns. Let me address them one by one. Overlooking Disease Paying close attention to the appearance and habits of your fish can help you catch illness early. Early detection is the best way to prevent disease from spreading to other members of your tank. Adding new fish is often the source of a disease. When fish are transferred to a new environment, the stress can weaken their immune system making the fish susceptible to infection. Keeping a quarantine tank for newcomers to occupy before release into your main tank is an important step in guarding against the spread of disease. Most fish hobbyists advise that new fish should be quarantined for 21 to 28 days. Fish should appear hardy, have clear skin and eat readily before transferring to your main tank. The quarantine tank also serves as a hospital when you have a fish that looks ill. If possible, transfer the fish to the quarantine tank and seek medical advice for

13 The donation bin located in the lobby of the adoption building is next to the front door for the convenience of donors. After an item is received, we like to inspect the donation to determine if we can use the item or not. We also look for dog toys that our dogs cannot have and either put the toys in the gift shop or dispose of them for the safety of the dogs. the best treatment protocol. Neglecting Your Tank Forgetting to feed your fish, not keeping up with the maintenance of your tank and not monitoring its water quality will limit the lifespan of your aquarium. Successful fish hobbyists routinely maintain the needs of the tank on a schedule. If marking the calendar to note when it is time to change the filter or setting an alarm to feed the fish isn't your style, consider some automatic feeders and water quality probes that might help keep you on track. There are even water quality monitoring devices that wirelessly connect to your home computer system to alert you of any changes. If you fear your interest in the hobby is waning, take a trip to a public aquarium or even your local fish store to get some inspiration. Being Impatient with Tank Maintenance "Slow and steady wins the race." This quote applies to tortoises racing overconfident hares as well as to fish hobbyists. Having a fully stocked show tank does not happen overnight. Planning and researching the equipment, monitoring the water quality and purchasing compatible inhabitants are essential steps to success. Taking the time to build up a show tank will help you avoid common mistakes and induct you into a longlasting hobby that millions of people enjoy. Using "People" Water The water you use for brushing your teeth and bathing is treated with chlorine and can be toxic to your fish. Treat water with chlorineremoving additives, following the directions for use. Refrain from using any soaps on your aquarium equipment. Hot water and small measures of bleach carefully rinsed away should be sufficient. Store bottles of treated water to use for replenishing the tank after evaporation. Keep up with water changes every two or three weeks. Source: slideshows/top-10-mistakes-fish-owner s-make?roi=echo f34c6be81ed9c f70e41cb&utm _source=newsletter&utm_medium= & utm_campaign=nws_01_10_17&utm_ content=nws_fishmistakes The animal's food & water bowls, litter boxes, beds & towels are all cleaned and sanitized every morning between the hours of 7:30-10:00 a.m. As the day goes by, the animals eat their food and drink the water they are given in the morning, and afterwards the cats use their litter boxes and the dogs are taken outside to go to the bathroom. Some of the dogs also empty their bowels and urinate in their kennels before or after being taken outside, and some of the cats become sick and vomit for various reasons. All of this happens while we are open for business and dealing with adoptions, provide medical attention to some of the animals, and some animals need other types of care such as going to or from PetSmart & Pet Supermarket & taken to see Dr. Tulcan as needed. That keeps the staff pretty busy especially if they also need to help with laundry. It is very easy to forget that one particular animal needs a new bed or blanket. Also, all the animals are provided with the proper caloric intake to either lose, maintain, or gain weight. That means that food bowls will sometimes be empty, but the animals are still well fed. As the day goes by, staff cleans up after the animals as best they can, and at the end of the day each kennel and condo gets a quick clean and food and water bowls are refilled so the animals are as comfortable as possible while the shelter is closed. The next morning the cycle of work begins again and this continues 365 days per year. At Volunteer Orientations new volunteers are asked to help keep the kennels and condos clean when they see that a dog or cat has made a mess of any kind. It is a group effort between staff and volunteers. Food donations are either taken directly to the dog room or cat area of the adoption building as needed when it comes in. The food that is not immediately needed, or not used by the shelter, goes to the food shed in the shelter's yard. There, the dog and cat food is sorted and stored. The food that the shelter does not use is set aside to form a food bank for Charlotte County residents who cannot afford pet food. The shelter also needs to provide food to our foster friends who have taken one of our cats or dogs into his/her home for various reasons. The shelter provides all food, bowls, beds, etc. for the animals, and in some cases we need to deliver food.

14 I hope this answers your questions & eases your mind about donating to the AWL. Bruce #4 I, Jim I, kennel tech, suggest you give me a raise. See our complete calendar of events at: Follow us on Twitter - AWL Pets Like us on Facebook - AWL Pets & AWL Volunteers Copyright 20XX. All Rights Reserved.