THE PET SCOOP. Letter from the President by Jo Traylor. PAWS of Northeast Louisiana

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1 PAWS of Northeast Louisiana THE PET SCOOP Winter Issue Our mission is to reduce and aid the population of unwanted and lost companion animals in our community and to support and encourage the positive interaction between pets and people. We are an all volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was founded in May 2003 to help the communities in northeast Louisiana. Inside this issue: PAWS Requests 2 Mardi Gras Pet Parade 2 Golf Tournament Recap 3 Painting with a Purpose 4 Strut Your Mutt Recap 4 PAWS Christmas events 5 Lost Pets 6 PAWS SNS Update 7 Happy Tails 8 Cat s Corner 9 PAWS for Reading 9 Year to Date 10 Letter from the President by Jo Traylor Another great year is almost over! Year 8 to be exact! PAWS success has been possible with the help of dedicated members and volunteers and generous supporters. We ve tried to keep everyone informed about events and PAWS Programs through our new website, group s, facebook, and the Pet Scoop. In a few days, it will be time to plan the activities for 2012, but we really, really need your input. If there was an event, fundraiser, or activity that was particularly meaningful to you or mega-fun, please let us know you d like for PAWS to do it again! Suggestions for new events are always welcome too. Events are intended as an opportunity to educate while entertaining and may also be an opportunity to raise funds to rescue shelter animals, offer spay/neuter services to low income pet owners, provide ID tags or aid in completing Spay-Neuter Services. PAWS board members contribute articles to the Pet Scoop to keep you informed of past events, organization accomplishments, useful information, and upcoming events. We sincerely need your feedback regarding features so that the quarterly newsletter stays fresh and anticipated with excitement just like gifts under the Christmas tree. Speaking of excitement!! The Krewe of PAWS Mardi Gras 6 th Annual Pet Parade fundraiser is 2 months away. We still need business or individual sponsors... deadline is Dec 30 to get all the sponsor advertisement. We re counting on volunteers to help with the best parade ever so please lend a hand when the request is made. On page 2 is a list of past events and Pet Scoop articles so let us know what you would like for PAWS to include in If you didn t like something in the past, tell us that too. Your input helps us use resources and volunteers most efficiently. your suggestions to pawsnela@yahoo.com with 2012 PAWS events in the subject line or send a note to us at PO Box Monroe, LA Thank you for your suggestions. Together we are the solution. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2 PAGE 2 THE PET SCOOP WINTER ISSUE PAWS Needs Your Feedback! by Jo Traylor URGENT feedback is needed so please clip this section out of The Pet Scoop, mark your suggestions and mail to PAWS of NE LA PO Box Monroe, LA 71207, or bring it to the next PAWS event. You can also put PAWS 2012 in an subject line and send your suggestions to pawsnela@yahoo.com. Many thanks! Events, fundraisers or activities that you would like to participate in: Mardi Gras Pet Parade Fundraiser Furry Friend Walk (Ruston) Super Adoption Day General meetings Monthly offsite adoption days Fall Fun Day at Kiroli Park Day of Caring at OPAS Best Friends & Biscuits social Spay/Neuter outreach Restaurant nights Wine tasting Painting for a Purpose Online auctions PAWS Membership Photo contests Bowling for PAWS PAWS Golf Tournament Strut Your Mutt walk/run (Ruston) Pet Scoop features you enjoy reading and would like to see each quarter: Event recaps Upcoming events Rescue program updates Spay/Neuter program updates Pet Therapy program updates Membership updates Membership forms Cat s Corner Happy Tails Cartoons Pet Safety Shelter statistics Shelter pet spotlight PAWS Needs YOU! by Christy Primm At the end of the year we reflect on how much we have accomplished over the last 8 years. We are able to achieve so much thanks to our members, supporters and volunteers. While you see us out at events and fundraisers, you don t see the work that goes on by our Board of Directors behind the scenes to make it all happen. Our organization continues to grow by leaps and bounds each year, so we are always looking for dedicated, motivated people to join us who are passionate about animal welfare and will be committed to our mission. We have several opportunities for people to get more involved than you would with a general volunteer position. Do you have a desire to make a difference in the lives of animals and people that goes beyond what you could do on your own? Do you have skills, resources or connections that you think would enhance our organization? Do you understand the epidemic of the unwanted pet overpopulation problem in our community and want to be a part of the positive change in Northeast Louisiana? If so, we want to hear from you! If you are interested in making a difference and have the time to commit to our cause, contact us at pawsnela@yahoo.com or to learn about these opportunities.

3 WINTER ISSUE THE PET SCOOP PAGE 3 Krewe of PAWS Mardi Gras Pet Parade by Christy Primm It s almost here! The 6 th Annual Krewe of PAWS Mardi Gras Pet Parade will be rolling through the streets of Antique Alley in West Monroe on February 11th. Now is the time to put those creative ideas into action and start working on your floats and costumes. As usual we will hold our float and costume contests and will award winners for Best Float, Best Small Dog Costume, Best Large Dog Costume and Best Non-Canine Costume. Get your free Krewe of PAWS t-shirt by registering early (only those pre-registering for the parade will receive a t-shirt). Details and registration information will be posted soon at We are also looking for sponsors to help make our parade bigger and better so we can raise much needed funding for our programs. We have 4 sponsor levels ranging from $100 Bronze Paw Sponsor to $1,000 Title Sponsor. We are also in need of in-kind donations to be used as carnival game prizes. If you would like more information or a sponsor brochure, parade@pawsnela.org. The deadline for sponsors is 12/30/11! Stay tuned to our website for more info! Golf Tournament for PAWS SNS by Angie Pritchett Overcast, cold weather doesn t stop golfers & there was no stopping our first golf tournament! On October 22nd, 24 teams came out to Frenchman s Bend Country Club for an exciting round of 18 holes of golf. Julie Lewis & her friends at FBCC Pro Shop hosted an excellent event. All teams received golf shirts, goodie bags, chances to win door prizes & lunch served by BBQ West. Everyone had the opportunity to boost their score by allowing the long drive pro, J.C Moore, to tee off for them on the 7 th hole. Almost everyone took advantage of this opportunity & J.C. didn t disappoint anyone. Julie & her husband, Tommy, put the tournament together as a fundraiser for PAWS Spay-Neuter Services. Their experience with golf & love of animals made it a huge success! We would like to thank Julie, Tommy, FBCC employees, PAWS volunteers, Zees Sauce, all our corporate & hole sponsors & all the golfers for helping to raise over $8,000 for Spay-Neuter Services.

4 PAGE 4 THE PET SCOOP WINTER ISSUE Painting with a Purpose by Angie Pritchett Painting with a Twist in Monroe hosted its monthly Painting with a Purpose fundraiser on October 23rd. Painting with a Purpose is a monthly fundraising event held at all Painting with a Twist locations as a centralized effort to raise funds that stay local in each market. PAWS Spay Neuter Services was honored to be chosen as the Monroe PWAT location s October non-profit. We chose the taupe fleur de lis painting in hopes that everyone would display their new artwork in their homes. We had a class of 45 very diverse people with varying degrees of artistic ability. The good thing is that absolutely anyone can be transformed into an artist in as little as 2 hours thanks to the skilled PWAT teachers! Members of Heart of Louisiana Humane Society even made a 2 hour drive to join us. Everyone who attended this event helped raise over $700 for Spay-Neuter Services, but more than that everyone had a wonderful time and took home their wonderful paintings! Painting with a Twist is fun for all ages! Strut Your Mutt by Samantha Luttrell The weather cooperated with blue skies and cool temperatures for Strut Your Mutt, PAWS first 5K run / 1 mile walk held November 5th. Participants were encouraged to bring their furry friend, and several dogs participated in the 5K trail run as well as the 1 mile walk. Owners reported that they were more tired than their dogs at the end! All proceeds went to the new PAWS Spay Neuter Center. Thank you to everyone that attended, and we hope to see you again next year.

5 WINTER ISSUE THE PET SCOOP PAGE 5 Christmas on the River PAW-rade by Jo Traylor The Christmas on the River PAW-rade was held in Antique Alley in downtown West Monroe on Saturday, December 3rd. This was the second year for the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau to hold this pet parade as part of their Christmas on the River festivities. Lots of folks dressed up their pets and built floats to participate in this fun-filled, family oriented event. Proceeds from this event will go to PAWS of NE Louisiana and also to the local K-9 Units. A big "thank you" goes out to the CVB for including PAWS again this year in the planning of their pet parade! Also want to thank all of our PAWS friends that came out to support us and get their Christmas spirit going! Antique Alley was filled with participants and parade spectators and we hope everyone had a lot of fun! Santa PAWS Came to Town by Nina Bennett 2012 Santa Claws photo fundraiser was a big success! Elves Jo, Nina, Jennifer, and Heather posed over 50 dogs and 2 cats with Santa Claws Joey Beard and Santa Claws Mark Rogers at PetSmart on Saturday, December 10, and Sunday, December 11. Pet ages ranged from 3 months old to 18. Some family members posed with their pets to save Christmas memories in a photo. A couple of ladies just wanted a photo with Santa! Our thanks to the PetSmart staff for allowing us an opportunity to raise money and spread some Christmas cheer.

6 PAGE 6 THE PET SCOOP WINTER ISSUE Lost Pets by Christy Primm I m Lost It CAN happen to your pet. Most of us consider our pets part of the family and would be devastated if a beloved dog or cat came up missing. Each day we are seeing more and more pets in our community that have become lost from home. protect your pet so they stay safely at home but be prepared in the event that they do go missing. 1. Keep your pet confined to your home and/or fenced yard. Our pets depend on us to protect them. If you allow your pet to roam free because you think he never leaves the yard, you are setting him or her up for something bad to happen. Dog fights, eating something in the neighborhood that makes them sick, speeding cars, disgruntled neighbors, wild animals, getting picked up by animal control (we have a leash law in Ouachita Parish even out in the country), dog snatchers (some of who steal dogs to sell to laboratories or for dog fighting), these are all dangers that your pet faces daily when they are allowed out on their own. 2. Don t have a fence? Even letting your pet out for 10 minutes by himself to potty can result in a missing pet. Your pet could be lured across the street by a rabbit/squirrel and into the path of a car, they could have a run in with an aggressive dog or wild animal, they could be stolen and the list goes on. Take the time to leash walk your dog to potty. That 10 minutes could be the difference between your pet being safely at home with you and being the next missing pet, never to be seen again. Jinks the OPAS office cat proudly wears his collar and ID tag One of the many sad dogs who come through the gates of the OPAS each day with a collar but no ID tag or microchip. 3. Keep a collar with a pet id tag on your pet at ALL times. You never know when they will sneak out the door or dig out of your fence. Don t like jingling tags? You can purchase collars with your info embroidered on it so no need for noisy tags. You can also have your pet microchipped at your vet s office. 4. If your pet does come up missing: ACT IMMEDIATELY. Don t assume he ll come home tonight or the next day. Check with neighbors to see if anyone has seen him. Keep current pictures of your pet as he ages so that you can quickly make a flyer and post around the neighborhood and at vet s offices. Take a flyer to the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter ( , 417 Well Rd West Monroe, ) right away and look for your pet there all pets that are picked up by animal control in Ouachita parish are taken there. If you don t find him, check back every few days. Use the internet! Post a picture of your pet on the Lost and Found Dogs of Ouachita Parish Facebook page, Craigslist, take a lost ad out in The News Star. The more people on the lookout for your pet, the better chance he has at coming home. According to the American Humane Association, only 17% of dogs and 2% of cats make their way back to their owners if lost. Don t let your pet become a statistic keep them safe at home!

7 WINTER ISSUE THE PET SCOOP PAGE 7 PAWS Spay Neuter Services Update by Angie Pritchett A question that has been asked more than once lately is, How is PAWS SNS coming along?.we are proud to announce that renovations are almost finished & the building looks wonderful. The PAWS & PAWS SNS Boards of Directors see the spay/ neuter center as a vital tool in combating the pet overpopulation in NE Louisiana. It is a dream that we don t want to give up on but it is a dream that has turned into a nightmare and had us in tears at times. Sadly we announce that while the building & renovations are almost finished and the building looks wonderful, it has taken all the monetary resources that we had to complete it. The finish line was just around the corner but now we feel that we are back where we started 2 years ago, at the beginning. We have had wonderful friends that have given to help this dream become a reality and we know that it WILL HAPPEN. Northeast Louisiana WILL be helped with the pet overpopulation. We WILL reduce the euthanasia rate at shelters in our area. We WILL help as many people that will allow us to because we do this for the animals. The sad reality is that we still need your help. We know that we have said we need, we need, we need but it is the truth! Once again with our heads down and our hands out we must ask for your help. We searched for vendors, contractors and workers that would donate labor or materials but we were not successful; our economy didn t allow that. We were able to get discounts on some materials but workers still had to be paid. What we thought to be a less costly renovation spiraled into a major overhaul that has doubled its estimate. We have a building that is now up to code but up to code at a great cost to the SNS bank account. Our dreams are not dead and our passion still lives on. WE CAN reduce the number of animals euthanized at the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter; WE CAN reduce the number of roaming animals in Ouachita Parish, Union Parish, Morehouse Parish, Jackson Parish, Lincoln Parish, Caldwell Parish, Franklin Parish and any other parish that needs our help and wants to bring animals to our facility. WE CAN make a difference in low income areas that love their animals but can t afford to keep them from multiplying. WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, sooner or later, we will. We have had the unfortunate timing of not only the rising cost of renovations but losing our Executive Director and the veterinarian that agreed to work for us. These are 2 key positions we hope to soon have filled but it is another daunting task that we have to overcome. To be honest there are days when want to give up but then we get the shelter statistics from just one local pound in area come in for the month and look at the number of unwanted animals that are euthanized and we keep going. We walk by the cages and see their faces and we keep going. We see how happy the lucky ones are with their new families and we keep going. PASSION: any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling. We ask that you help us with our passion; catapult us into transforming NE Louisiana into an area where there are not animals roaming the streets, crowding area shelters and dying each day simply because there are not enough homes to go around. With YOUR help, WE CAN forever change the lives of companion animals our community. All donations are tax deductible; no amount is too small or too large. The Board of Directors is all volunteer the administrative cost is very small, and there are many of things that board members pay for out of our own pockets so that we can make our dream come true. The money that has been raised thus far for PAWS SNS has gone to renovations. Once open, PAWS SNS will follow the Human Alliance model for low cost spay/neuter centers and most operating costs will be balanced out by surgeries performed. You can make a donation using our website at click on the Donate to PAWS Spay-Neuter Services icon or you can mail a check to PAWS SNS PO Box 15432, Monroe, LA. Please help us transform Northeast Louisiana into a community where there are no animals roaming the streets, crowding area shelters and dying each day simply because there are not enough homes to go around.

8 PAGE 8 THE PET SCOOP WINTER ISSUE Happy Tails From our Animal Shelter Rescue Program by Jennifer Pesnell Buster, Buffy, Biff and Bitsy were dumped at the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter in early August. 2 of the pups (Biff and Bitsy) were quickly adopted but poor Buster and Buffy lingered at the pound. Despite being adorable young puppies, they waited in the adoptable section for nearly a month with no adopters in sight and time quickly running out. Thankfully, a PAWS of NE LA supporter up in Pennsylvania saw the pups on petfinder and forwarded their profiles on to her brother who was looking for a furry family member. He fell in love with both pups and we were thrilled to put the lucky pair in foster care until they could transport to their excited new family. Buffy and Buster got all their vaccinations, Buster at the OPAS were spayed/neutered and treated for intestinal parasites and fleas before they could make their big journey home. Their foster mom Betsy took wonderful care of the pups down here and kept their new family updated on their antics until they headed home for Maryland on October 6th. Buffy at the OPAS Buster and Buffy s proud new owner, 11 year old Casey, wrote this essay titled One of the Best Days of My Life about the night his new puppies came home. It was a cold fall night but not just any night; it was the night when I was to get my new puppies. I was filled with energy because the thought of getting not one but two dogs was just too much. It was only a matter of time before I got my two new puppies named Buster and Buffy. Six and a half hours to be exact..in a matter of time, we arrived at our destination. I looked out the window and realized we Casey with Buster & Buffy were parked in a PetSmart parking lot. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. What do they look like? Are they wild? Do they bark a lot? I had so many questions in my head. Then I saw out the window a huge truck with pictures of dogs on it. It started to come towards us. Right then and there I knew my puppies were in there. I opened the door and ran as fast as I could to the truck. Finally, the man came out of the driver s seat and opened this door outside of the truck. I heard so much barking, but luckily it wasn t from Buffy and Buster. My Dad showed the man all these papers showing that we were picking them up. Then the man handed us our dogs. They were tiny! My Dad handed me Buster. As I cradled Buster, I could feel him shaking. I felt Buffy too and she was shaking even more. We came prepared with leashes and took them for a little walk. Then we picked them up and brought them in the car. I laid Buster on my lap. And, then we drove them to their new home. This was one of the best moments of my life. I have always wanted a dog ever since I could remember. I m an energetic kid and I like to come home after school and run around and play. Knowing I have two dogs to play with when I get home to release energy after school is great for me! They were worth the wait! A friend of Buster and Buffy s new family fell in love with the Louisiana pups. When they heard that their littermate Biff (now renamed Bucky) was returned to the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter they jumped at the chance to adopt him. Bucky Buster, Buffy and brother headed up to Maryland almost a month after Buster and Buffy and the reunited Bucky reunited in MD. siblings have enjoyed several play dates. We learned through facebook that Bitsy is in a wonderful local home and are thankful that this litter of puppies did not end up a sad statistic at the OPAS.

9 WINTER ISSUE THE PET SCOOP PAGE 9 Cat s Corner by Jo Traylor I woke up, I lifted my arms, I moved my knees, I turned my neck. Everything made the same noise: CrrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacccccK I came to the conclusion: I am not old, I am crispy! The aging process is no fun for your pets either. Make a resolution to see your veterinarian regularly in Annual vaccinations prevent some diseases while early detection of arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders and dental decay will mean a healthier pet for many years. PAWS for Reading by Samantha Luttrell When we think of people that may benefit from pet therapy, often the image that comes to mind is that of a resident in a nursing home, or a patient in a hospital. But therapy dogs can help in less conventional ways as well. For instance, in our PAWS For Reading program, children experience the benefit of a non-judgmental canine ear as they read aloud to therapy dogs. Our pet therapy teams visit local public libraries on Saturday mornings for storytime, offering children the chance to select a favorite story and read aloud to their canine friend. According to educators, learning to read is often less about intellectual limitations than about overcoming fears. Animals are ideal reading companions because they do not laugh, judge, or criticize, and they listen attentively, allowing children to proceed at their own pace. Scientific studies have shown that children who participate in animal assisted reading programs not only make enormous strides in reading and communication skills, but also gain confidence and build self-esteem. This program is also available for elementary schools and school libraries. Please contact us if you have any questions, or would like to set up a visit. Or, if you are interested in becoming a therapy team, please contact us for information about upcoming classes and certifications.

10 PAGE 10 THE PET SCOOP WINTER ISSUE Shelter Spotlight Each issue of The Pet Scoop will feature two adoptable animals from the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter. Please visit the shelter or check out their website at to see many more! Gypsy Rose is a longtimer at the shelter s cat building. She has been at the OPAS longer than any other animal. Gypsy is a petite and quiet young cat. She will walk on a leash/harness and enjoys bird watching from the a cat perch in the window. Her adoption fee is $50 and includes a 4 in vaccination, deworming and spay voucher. This Elf doesn't want to sit on your shelf but he does want his very own family to spend the holidays with. He has a great personality and loves everyone he meets. Photos do not do this irresistible cutie justice. Elf s adoption fee is $60 which includes 7-in-1 and bordetella vaccinations, deworming and a neuter voucher. GYPSY ROSE ELF Year to Date PAWS Program Updates by Jennifer Pesnell 185 dogs have been pulled from the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter so far in 2011 thanks to the PAWS Animal Shelter Rescue program. With the exception of 13 dogs currently in local foster homes awaiting adoption and/or transport to their forever homes, all the dogs are IN HOMES for Christmas! We do not allow dogs in our rescue program to be adopted as an outside dog nor do we send them to be kenneled indefinitely at rescues/sanctuaries. We are PROUD that the dogs we save are treated as a companion animal should be from the time they leave the pound on through adoption. Our Spay/Neuter Assistance Program has helped 343 pets under 40 pounds and 40 pets over 40 pounds get "fixed" so far this year! We expect that number to grow as we are currently verifying that the 82 surgeries we authorized in December have been completed. This year s spays and neuters alone have the potential of preventing MILLIONS of unwanted puppies and kittens from being born. Thanks to our Tag Your Pet Program we made 218 free pet ID tags and sold 527 at a discounted rate of $2/tag in Hours for our Pet Therapy teams have not yet been calculated but teams are busy year round visiting schools, nursing homes, hospitals and attending special events to share the love and promote responsible dog ownership and handling.

11 WINTER ISSUE THE PET SCOOP PAGE 11 WELCOME We would like to thank and welcome our th Quarter new and renewing members! NEW Bridget Hampton Courtney Groves Claire Stammerjohan Cole and Ginger Padgett Scott and Gayle Frick Laura Nickelson 22 new pet members! RENEWING Suzanne Atkins Dawn Lowell and Family Ann Cole Martha Rawls Amy Linder Brandy Leggett Wendy Langley and Family RENEWING Mary Cole Barbara Zeagler and Family Vickie Irwin Penny Schwich Phyllis Forseth Jeff and Allison Lux 21 renewing pets! 2011 Board of Directors: Jo Traylor President Nina Bennett Secretary Christy Primm Treasurer Amber Osbon Spay Neuter Director Angie Pritchett Website Administrator Jennifer Pesnell Rescue Coordinator Samantha Luttrell Pet Therapy/Humane Ed If you are a low income pet owner and need your pet spayed or neutered, please contact us today or Help spread the word. Pet overpopulation is a problem we can solve.

12 PAWS OF NORTHEAST LOUISIANA Post Office Box Monroe, LA Phone: Website: Join the fun and become a member today! Looking for a way to help but you are not sure how? Why not become a PAWS member? Each member will receive a special gift. Pet members receive a purple PAWS bandana. You ll be helping to fund our programs that will allow Renewing us to Member reach even more people & pets. Just cut out this form and mail it to the address Please above select along with number your and membership type of pets fee to be or join online at added. Pet memberships are $5.00 per pet per year. Dog Cat Other (please list) PAWS of NE Louisiana Membership Application Name Address Phone Please select a membership category: Please select number and type of pet memberships: Student/Senior $17.00/year Dog Individual $27.00/year Cat Family $52.00/year Other New Member * Pet memberships are $5.00 per pet per year.