The Pet Pulse Spring 2015 AAF To Celebrate Ten Year Anniversary! 10 Years...And Counting! The Animal Adoption Foundation opened its doors to its new facility on March 25th, 2005. Thank you to all of our volunteers, donors and adopters for making it a wonderful ten years and with your help we are ready for ten more!
Letters From Home! Cali (Jasmine) is doing wonderfully! She enjoys cuddling with mom and dad and loves to play with her big sister, Roxy. We feel so lucky to have been chosen for this smart girl! Claire Knox We adopted Tito, (formerly known as Alaric) back in about March when he was 8 weeks old. Love him more than words can explain! Brenna Rose Rudy, (Squirt), posing for the camera after we bathed and dried. We sure do love this boy! Jennifer Lee Cromer Parchman Here s Jane (bottom) and Toby (formerly Sunny)!! They do love each other! Pamela Thomas-Warner www.aafpets.org Page 2
FRANKIE FINDS HIS FAMILY! Frankie is a 14 ½ year old Maine Coon cat that was abandoned in October of 2013. Room 3 at the Animal Adoption Foundation became his new home where he lived with several other cats. As hard as everyone tried to help him adjust to shelter life, he still struggled. He spent most of the time hiding in his cubby and we couldn t be sure that he was eating well. Because most of my volunteer work is with the kittens, I had only heard about Frankie in conversation with other volunteers and went into his room one day to see him. There was something about his big brown eyes that reached deep inside me, and I asked if I could take him home to foster him of course the answer was yes. As fosters for Frankie, my husband (Greg) and I were asked to learn as much as we could about him so that the AAF could find him a home. They wanted to know if he liked other cats or dogs, how is he with children, what does he like to eat, is he friendly, does he use the litter box, and anything else about his personality that would help. He came home with me a frightened, confused cat. He ran under the stationary tub in our laundry room, and that is where we made his bed. We would go in and out periodically and check on him. We kept him in the laundry room away from our other cats because it is important when introducing an adult cat into a household with other adult cats to keep them separated. We decided that the laundry room would be a perfect place for Frankie for a while. The room is right off the kitchen and has a window for sunlight and with the door closed it provided Frankie with his own safe place until he got used to us. After six hours Frankie was still under the blanket in his bed and looking at him was heartbreaking. A few minutes later Greg went into the laundry room and Frankie was standing by his bed. We both sat down on the floor with the hope that Frankie would come over to us on his own. We talked to each other and then to Frankie and he slowly made his way over to Greg and laid his head on Greg s lap. It goes without saying that tears filled my eyes progress in just 6 hours. In a few minutes he came over to me and laid across my lap. It is hard to put into words the feeling inside when a frightened confused animal shows that he trusts you. It was also apparent to us that he was really drawn to Greg because he would keep going back to be on Greg s lap. We wondered if his previous owner had been a man. He ate for us, used his litter box, and we tucked him in his bed and felt very satisfied with the progress made. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent for the AAF, please contact us at 513-737-PETS. MAKE A DIFFERENCE! OPT-to-ADOPT Page 3
After two weeks it was time to introduce Frankie to our cats a slow process. They first saw each other through a small crack in the door and it quickly became apparent that Frankie did not like other cats! No matter what we did, the hissing was a clear sign that Frankie wanted nothing to do with them, and the introduction to our dogs went the same. This also gave us one of the reasons why he was so frightened while at the shelter he was in a room with other cats. So far we had learned several things: he prefers men, he uses his litter box, he does not like cats or dogs, and he can hiss very loudly! Frankie eventually claimed our bedroom and bathroom as his area and preferred that no other animals be back there. He seemed very happy to sleep his days either on our bed or under the bed depending on his mood. In the evenings, as long as the other cats were in the lower level, Frankie would come into the family room and get on Greg s lap or lay in front of the fireplace and sleep. By March, it seemed that he was very comfortable with his routine and was fitting in very well. After a visit to the vet it was discovered that Frankie had cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that is potentially fatal. Greg and I decided that the best thing for Frankie would be to live the rest of his life with us. After all, he had been abandoned once, was 14 years old, and had a heart condition. Would it be fair to him to go through another adjustment? So we adopted Frankie and made him part of family. After being with us for a year and three months now, Frankie has become the king of the house. He goes everywhere, and his favorite sleeping spots are wherever the sun is and the other cats are not! He loves both of us, but there is no doubt that Greg is his favorite and wherever Greg is, you will find Frankie. In the evening you will find them both napping in the recliner with Frankie tucked securely in Greg s lap. If Greg is outside working, Frankie will watch him from inside through the window and will follow him from window to window. At night he sleeps on Greg s side of the bed. It is hard to imagine a time when Frankie was not here because he is such a part of our daily routine. He still does not like our other cats or dogs and hisses whenever he passes them they basically ignore each other and everyone is happy! What I do find interesting is that he likes the small kittens that I foster. He will lay and watch them play like a proud grandfather watching his grandchildren and the kittens like him. I don t know how long Frankie will live, but I do know that his senior years will be filled with naps in the warm sun, plenty of food, Greg s lap to sleep on, cats and dogs to hiss at, kittens to watch and a safe loving home where he feels secure and loved. Thanks, AAF, for taking Frankie in and for giving us the opportunity to foster and to adopt him. He is one special gentlecat and we love him! Sharon Ollinger Foster and Volunteer for AAF A Pets Love is Always Unconditional Page 4
LOCAL STUDENT GIVES BACK! Meet Jenny Kristof! Jenny is currently a senior at Mount Notre Dame High School. All seniors at MND must complete a capstone service leadership project that requires a minimum of twentyfour hours of service work that the student completes at a non-profit agency of her choice. Jenny s sister, Christy Kristof, previously volunteered at the Animal Adoption Foundation in high school and also adopted a cat from the AAF. Jenny Kristof loves animals and contacted the shelter in May in hopes to work with the AAF as the non-profit of her choice for her capstone project. Jennifer Karpanty, AAF Assistant Director, agreed to mentor Jenny for the project. Ms. Karpanty was familiar with the project and the goals since she was a panelist for numerous students at MND in 2014 during the Senior Capstone Showcase evening. Jenny Kristof s role in the project was to lead and organize it. Jenny really liked the idea of promoting the mission of the AAF shelter pets on social media in a video that she would create. Jenny met with the Assistant Director several times and also filmed the pets and volunteers on numerous occasions. Jenny spent countless hours planning, recording, and editing the video. She completed the video and it was posted on social media in December before Christmas. Her video is titled All I Want For Christmas Is You - Shelter Tails. The video already has 660 views and counting. Check it out on our website (www.aafpets.org) or on the AAF YouTube channel. The final part of Jenny s project will be to create a PowerPoint presentation about her project and experience to a classroom of family, friends, and guest panelists from the local community on March 16, 2015. Students will receive verbal and written feedback about their project and presentation. We want to thank MND High School for motivating students to do service work and give back to the community. It was a pleasure working with Jenny and she did an excellent job! She plans to continue volunteering at AAF and may even create another video. Jenny has already accomplished a lot at a young age. She worked on this project on top of attending school and working. We know that her story and work will be an inspiration to others to work hard and utilize their talents to give back in a positive way. If you are a student or a member of an organization and would like to help the shelter, please contact the AAF: aafpets@yahoo.com 513-737-PETS www.aafpets.org Jenny Kristof filming at the AAF. Jennifer Karpanty and Jenny Kristof. Page 5
Acknowledgements...Thank You To All! Leadership Level ($1000) Protectors ($100) Patrons ($50) Friends ($25) Jenny & John Mor Geoffrey & Sherry Robbins Chandler/Hansey Family Bethany Sarosy Fraternal Order of Eagles Jane Robinson The Bertke Family Stephany & David Sloneker Sarah & Joe Marcum Donna Ronsheim Wanda Schumacher Chelsea Sorrell Exemplary Level ($500) Patti Schopmeyer Jan & Owen Wrassman S. Stoss Brian & Leslie Black Rose Sweeney Barbara Seipel Ginny Thiell Merrill Lynch Mary Wentzel Michelle Sparto Beverly Thompson Ellen Skaggs F.A. Weppler, LLC U.S. EPA, Friends & Judy Trenn Totes Isotoner Zevi Miller Colleagues of Debra Lang The Breiner Family Cindy & Ernie Pendergrass Ruth Engel Larry & Lindy Waters Donald Regan Heather MacPhail Cutz & Clipz, LLC Ellen Weisman The Cahill Family Julie Fuqua The Gruenhagen Family John Whitaker William & Nancy Zeilman Supporters ($250) Errol & Joanne Byers Amy & David Groff Edward & Judy Krautter Ival Watson Shirley Ziegler Joseph Cochetti Susan Riley Stephanie Morrison Deborah Paradiso M. Ruehl Ann Regan Protectors ($100) Barbara Buckner Kathy Bunnell Jenny Chesnut Tammera Dietz Donna Ronsheim Janet Abdon Yvonne Dudley Mary Sue Durning Janet Gorman Gwyn Wright Mary Hanseman Jayne Haverkos Julie Jackson Janet Jones Gregory Kaiser Belinda Koehler Ronald Mangus Patricia Miceli Milhrete Construction, LLC Gina Mouser Greg Phillips Lynne Piepmeyer Karen Auffinger Myra Krauth Kim Shay Maura Hafer Barbara Rackers Don & Kathy Berkemeyer Badin High School Southern Ohio Dog & Game Glenn & Joyce Mundstock Angela Smeltz Patrons ($50) Sandy Allen Stephen & Carol Archdeacon Nancy Axmacher Bruce Best Carole & Darel Bono Ray Boyle Treasure Chesnut Flo & Dick Coggeshall Elder Class of 2004 Marjorie Fugate Sue Glaab Maggie Gonzalez Elizabeth Harwell Bob & Bonnie Hauser Anne & Paul Hemmings Kim Huber Dominic Iacobucci Kimberly Kemp Deborah Kuhlman Catherine Lindloff Leslie & David Markesbery Kris & Kevin McSweeney Beth Michaud Linda Owens Dianna Johanson The Buckley Family William Keiholz Family ($30) The Bunco Club Jennifer Kokos Amy Eldridge Village West Framing & Gallery Stephanie Golden Jackie Roy Martin Hasenzahl Jean Pater Friends ($25) Lori Bailey Sandra Baldwin Robert Bowen Janet Clegg Larry & Louise Dettmer Patrick Dressing Nancy Douglas Jamey Englert First United Methodist Church Shirley Hamilton Shirley Hicks Troy Mann Rachel Keppeler Chris Langis R. Lawson Betty McAdams Kathy McRoberts Alisa Miller Katherine Mohylsky Cynthia Rashty Karen Miller Mel & Debbie Colegate Michael Williams Honorable Mention Brian & Christine Banke Joan Barnes Lori Bridgers Jaci DeFelice Julie Brown Meredith Epperson Linda Fenzel Kimberly Gorman Amy Hamlin Regan Henry Marty & Gina Hicks Riley Hicks Jessica Horne Erin McKenna Dale & Trice Lehmann Stephanie Michael Ann Mumpower Peter Williams Harold Forshey Denise Purvis Jessica Redman Henry Regan Cynthia Retherford Rhonda Hampton Bernard Bloom Peter Rosskamm Dan Threm Delores Wagonfield Tonya West Cincinnati Public Library Page 6
Honorable Mention The Schutte Family Debbie Bruns Kathleen & Garrett Florea Richard & Maryann Toerner Krista Roth Kathy & Bruce Laake Tim & Karen Toerner Edna Young Lynn Locke In Memoriam: Carole & Darel Bono in memory of Sadie Jennifer Chesnut in memory of Indie & Reily Flo & Dick Coggeshall in memory of Ernie Lauer Larry & Louie Dettmer in memory of Jerry Glacken Marjorie Fugate in memory of Bailey Janet Gorman in memory of Murphy Marty & Gina Hicks in memory of Elmer Tolson Riley Hicks in memory of Elmer Tolson Troy Mann in memory of Riley Myra Krauth in memory of Andy Krauth & Oakley Becket R. Lawson in memory of Jimmy Vance Catherine Lindloff in memory of Sue F. Lowery Patricia Miceli in memory of Marilyn Clawson Alisa Miller in memory of Darby Cindy & Ernie Pendergrass in memory of Percy Graham Ann Regan in memory of Kevin R. Regan Ann Regan in memory of Robert T. Regan Donald Regan in memory of Robert T. Regan Susan Riley in memory of Squirt Jane Robinson in memory of Patricia Davis Ellen Skaggs in memory of Toby Ginny Thiell in memory of Madison Delores Wagonfield in memory of Kay Morrissey Jan & Owen Wrassman in memory of Taylor Koo Elder Class of 2004 in memory of Taylor Koo Linda & Charles Evans in memory of Taylor Koo Mary Hanseman in memory of Taylor Koo Patricia Miceli in memory of Taylor Koo Chelsea Sorrell in memory of Taylor Koo Barbara Rackers in memory of Taylor Koo Diana Johanson in memory of Taylor Koo Kathy & Bruce Laake in memory of Taylor Koo Barbara Rackers in memory of Taylor Koo Dianna Johanson in memory of Taylor Koo Kathy & Bruce Laake in memory of Taylor Koo Elizabeth Harwell in memory of Greg Lang Bernard Bloom in memory of Greg Lang In Memoriam: Rhonda Hampton in memory of Greg Lang U.S. EPA, Friends of Debra Lang in memory of Greg Lang The Schutte Family in memory of Ruth Ann Stone Debbie Bruns in memory of Ruth Ann Stone The Cahill Family in memory of Ruth Ann Stone Kathleen & Garrett Florea in memory of Ruth Ann Stone Richard & Maryann Toerner in memory of Ruth Ann Stone William Keilholz in memory of Ruth Ann Stone Karen Miller in memory of Ruth Ann Stone Tim & Karen Toerner in memory of Ruth Ann Stone William & Nancy Zeilman in memory of Julia Chapman Martin Hasenzahl in memory of Julie Stockelman Mel & Debbie Colegate in memory of Julie Stockelman Southern Ohio Dog & Game in memory of Julie Stockelman Edna Young in memory of Julie Engel Bill & Jennifer Kokos in memory of Dorothy Carter Jean Pater in memory of Ernie Lauer In Honor: Cincinnati Public Library in honor of Maria Sferra Sandy Allen in honor of Sophie & Jimmy Brian & Leslie in honor of the Ralph C. Donnell Family Lori Bridgers in honor of Casper & Coco Kim Huber in honor of the Sunderhaus Family Kim Huber in honor of the Paulinelli Family Kim Huber in honor of John & Ruth Engst Chris Langis in honor of William Dibble Dale & Trice Lehmann in honor of Kristin Lehmann Jenny & John Mor in honor of Kathleen Bunnell Lynne Piepmeyer in honor of Dawn Alcorn Denise Purvis in honor of Elizabeth Sullivan Bethany Sarosy in honor of Barb Orbegozo Stephanie & David Sloneker in honor of Pauline Clark S. Stoss in honor of Kate Stoss Judy Trenn in honor of Tony Mack Larry & Lindy Waters in honor of Dave & Liz Dietrich John Whitaker in honor of Trish The Breiner Family in honor of Carol Bakos The Bertke Family in honor of Carol Bakos Kim Shay in honor of Leslie Markesbery Page 7
P.O. Box 13119 Hamilton, OH 45013 Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Hamilton, OH Permit No. 389 Shelter Location: 2480 Millville-Ross Rd. Hamilton, OH 45013 513-737-PETS Address Service Requested Visit our Website: www.aafpets.org Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/animal adoptionfoundation The AAF is solely funded by donations, with no government aid. Please don t forget about the many pets anxiously awaiting new homes at the AAF. The Animal Adoption Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please give generously. We need you. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated! Yes, please let me help the animals! Leadership Level $1000+ Patron Level $50 Benefactor Level $500 Family Level $30 Supporter Level $250 Friend Level $25 Protector Level $100 Please check this box if you would like an acknowledgement of your donation sent to you via email. Please write down your email address in the space provided below. Thank you for saving a tree (and a stamp). Name Please clip and return to: Address City/State/Zip The Animal Adoption Foundation 2480 Millville Ross Road Hamilton, Ohio 45013 Phone Number/Email