PARK COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER Wags and Whiskers April 2013 Shelter Success Depends on Devoted Members Ken Markert, Board President The Park County Animal Shelter is a more complex business than most people realize. We have a very broad mission--running an efficient no-kill shelter, finding good homes for our guests, promoting responsible pet guardianship, and working to end pet overpopulation. This requires the board, staff and our volunteers to constantly work on a lot of different things. Rather than discuss all aspects of our operation, this column focuses on just two important topics membership and the Shelter s animal population. Membership. We presently have 294 members in good standing and two kinds of members. Regular members are ones who fill out a membership form and pay annual dues. In addition, anyone who donates $25 or more is counted a member for the year. We changed our membership system last year. Previously, memberships lasted 12 months from when a person joined. This required us to send out membership renewal notices every month. Now we run all memberships for the calendar year. This change has made the process easier to manage with fewer resources spent on administration and leaving more for animal care. The Shelter s Winter Membership Drive was our first try using the new once-a-year renewal system. 145 members renewed bringing in just under $6,000. Many of these members also sent additional contributions, which amounted to an additional $5,000. This event was a success thanks to the kind generosity of our devoted members. Thank you! Most of our operating funds are donated by members and members are often repeat donors who contribute year after year. The number of members has held steady over the last two years. It would undoubtedly be good for the Shelter to expand the membership base and get more people involved in supporting the Shelter. I have a special request: this spring, ask a friend to join PCAS. We have posted our membership form on the PCAS website. www.parkcountyanimalshelter.com. You or your friend can print out the membership form. Encourage your friend to send it in with their membership check. If each of us does this, the Shelter s long term financial prospects would surely be brighter. Please help us accomplish this. The Animal Population at the Shelter Shelter Manager Brittany Vaughn has begun keeping population statistics for animals that come to the shelter. Keeping these statistics will help us better manage the Shelter. In January, Brittany gave the board a detailed report on animals at the shelter in 2012. The Report showed that for the year, the Shelter helped a total of 511 animals. The mix of animals is roughly 40 percent canines and 60 percent felines. Success at the Shelter is primarily measured in two ways: adoptions and redemptions. The shelter found permanent homes for 245 animals last year 102 dogs and 143 cats or 48 percent of all the animals that came to the shelter. Redemption is what we call it when a stray brought to the Shelter is recovered by its owner. 194 animals were redeemed last year, accounting for another 38 percent of our animals. You do not have to adopt stray animals to appreciate the Shelter if your family s dog or cat gets lost, the Shelter is there to receive them and keep them safe until they are brought home. At the end of the year, we had 28 dogs and 33 cats in the Shelter s care as either residents or as placements in temporary foster homes. This resident population varies from day to day. But at the time of the report, those animals were 12 percent of the all the animals that came to the Shelter in 2012. Unfortunately, some of the animals in our care must be euthanized, typically because of some grievous health problem. The suffering of eleven animals (2 percent) ended this way in 2012. As a no-kill shelter, we do not put animals down as a means of controlling the Shelter s population levels. In contrast, this is exactly what many city pounds do routinely euthanizing healthy, adoptable animals. Rarely, we must euthanize animals (actually it is done by a veterinarian) when it is the most humane thing to do. These population statistics also help us understand our impact in the community. In the case of my household, we accounted for two of the Shelter s 245 adoptions last year. After fostering a dog last winter we decided to keep her. Later, my son fostered five kittens born under the shed at the shelter. All found new homes except a little tortoise-colored one who stayed with us. They have brought a lot of joy, especially for the children. Multiply that joy by 100 or so each year and that is quite an impact!
Page 2 CALENDAR OF EVENTS & PAST FUND RAISERS WE ARE COMBINING THE MEMBERSHIP AND BOARD MEETINGS ON THE THIRD THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH. Membership meeting starts at 5:30 pm. CHECK OUT THE DOG AND CAT BANKS THAT ARE LOCATED IN 30 LOCAL BUSINESSES! We collected $1,185.72 between January and March. Don t forget to put a dollar a month in the banks! If you would like a bank for your business, contact Gerry Patterson at 587-6436. Membership Meeting April 25th at 5:30 pm Riverside Cemetery Office Tails and Trails check with Mary Whitmore for more information. 578-8902 Spring Garage Sale at Sage Creek Community Club June 8th Dawn Day will be taking items for donation. Please, no clothing. There will also be a Country Breakfast served by the Community Club. For more information, call Dawn at 899-3852. PAST FUND RAISERS Pi Day Fundraiser The Interact Club and CHS held a fundraiser on Pi Day (3.14) and all proceeds benefited PCAS. They sold t-shirts, auctioned off pies, and also smashed pies in the faces of some of their favorite teachers. They raised over $400. Thanks to Club members and their sponsor Lauren Perry! Photos with Santa at The Barn raised $203 Jack Russell and Corgi Dog Races Kelsey Brown is the person that puts in a whole lot of time to make this event a big success. Even though attendance was down from the previous 2 years, the event raised $10,284 for the shelter. We would like to thank all the sponsors for their donations. The winner of the small dog house raffle was Tara Hart from Cody, and the large dog house went to M. Eichenberger from Rock Springs. Thank you to Race Sponsors: Fremont Motors Powell Natures Design Taxidermy Schrader Metal and Design Yellowstone Sports Medicine Rocky Mountain Discount Liquors Laura McGehee White Ink Printing & Shipping Powell Big Horn Basin Radio Network Cody Enterprise Midwest Fence Mtn West Farm Bureau Jeanna Kennedy Wyoming Diesel Power Reindeer Ranch Ron s Exxon/Rodeo West Susan Ahalt Auntie Q Antiques Dude Ranchers Association Wyoming Financial Ins Powell & Cody Brewgards Jersey Denvir The Terrace 2012 PCAS Animal Statistics Dog Adoptions (102) City Strays 38 City Surrenders 19 County Strays 33 County Surrenders 12 Cat Adoptions (143) City Strays 113 City Surrenders 8 County Strays 18 County Surrenders 3 Deaths/Euthanized 11 Redeemed City Strays 160 Redeemed County Strays 34 Animals in Foster Care 61 TOTAL ANIMALS HELPED BY PCAS = 511 Adoptions Dogs/Puppies Cats/Kittens Dec 9 16 Jan 10 6 Feb 7 5 March 12 31 Currently in the Shelter: 5 Dogs/Puppies 11 Cats/Kittens 1 cat & 8 dogs are in foster care
Page 3 2013 PCAS BYLAW CHANGES The PCAS Board has proposed the following three Bylaw changes and is asking the membership to approve these in the May 2013 election. PCAS STAFF Brittany Vaughn Shelter Manager Kassi Wesolowski Assistant Manager Polly Churma Vet Tech Brett Corbin Jesse Hailey Chris Hallman Kayla Pooler Nan Santos PCAS BOARD MEMBERS The first set of changes will provide for a better transition for newly elected board members. The current Bylaws do not say when newly elected officers and directors take office. Lately, the practice has been to elect directors in May and they take office a few days later on June 1 st. It would be better for the Bylaws to specify that directors take office on July 1 st. This would allow for a more orderly transition. If approved, these changes would become effective with the 2014 election. The following two changes are proposed to address this: Section 5.02. (Concerning Director s Term of Office) ADD NEW SUBSECTION: 5.02.04. Each member of the Board of Directors shall take office on July 1 st of the year in which the director was elected. Section 6.02. (Concerning Officers Election and Term) ADD NEW SUBSECTION: 6.02.05. Each officer shall take office on July 1 st of the year in which the officer was elected. The third proposed Bylaw change is to officially change the name of our organization to the Park County Animal Shelter and dropping all references to the Humane Society of Park County. We use both names now but the Humane Society name is our legal name. The Park County Animal Shelter name is a better fit for what we do running the largest animal shelter in Park County. The national Humane Society of the United States has an anti-hunting platform. PCAS has never been affiliated with the national group, never contributed money to it, and never endorsed their antihunting positions. However, the fact that we share a similar name reportedly associates us with the national group and limits our popularity in Park County. The following change is proposed to address this: Ken Markert Pres. Andy Whiteman, Sec. Jan Riley, Treasurer David Burke Bettye Dominick Jerri Sperry Mary Schock Sam Welch ARTICLE I: (Name and Office) ADD THE FOLLOWING: The name of the organization shall be the "Park County Animal Shelter," a Wyoming non-profit corporation, hereinafter Corporation and DELETE THE FOLLOWING: The name of the organization shall be the "Humane Society of Park County," a Wyoming non-profit corporation, hereinafter "Corporation" doing business as (dba) PARK COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER. A note to those who love their pets: SPAY AND NEUTER CLINICS CONTINUE TO REDUCE UNWANTED PETS IN PARK COUNTY! In early April we are holding another clinic to spay and neuter approximately 100 cats and 10 dogs. $5,400 has been set aside for the program which includes rabies and distemper vaccines. Donations for these clinics are always appreciated, and should be sent to: PCAS Spay and Neuter Fund, PO Box 203, Cody, WY 82414. Spay and Neuter Clinics make a difference. Statistics from various animal groups show that one un-spayed female and one un-neutered male cat and their offspring can produce over 42,000 kittens in seven years. The Community Assistance Program has helped Spay/Neuter 801 animals in Park County. We sincerely thank our sponsors, donors and volunteers for your support in improving the lives of dogs and cats and reducing the pet over-population in our county. If something happens to you, what happens to your pets? We need to make sure our pets are taken care of if we can no longer provide for them. Talk to friends and family who would be willing and able to care for your pets in case something happens to you. Then put your plans in your will or trust and include funds that will compensate those who will be taking care of your beloved pets. It is pretty easy to do! You can also list the PCAS as one or your beneficiaries in your will, trust or financial accounts. This could take care of many pets in Park County until they find a forever home. This is also pretty simple. Call the Shelter for more information, 587-5110.
Page 4 PET POWER By Brittany Vaughn, Shelter Manager So often stray animals will come to us at the shelter and we say to ourselves, If only you could tell us where you came from! I frequently look at my own animals and wonder what they are thinking. Then I hear stories about psychic animals; those that know when an earthquake or other catastrophic events are about to happen. I have always read that animals pick up on subtle sensory factors in events like these. They notice changes in air pressure or tremors in the ground that go unnoticed by the rest of us. Looking at my own dog, I have to question whether she would actually be able to alert me to any impending danger or not. While my dog may not have much potential as a Weather Man, she could be part of the category of pets that have pet-sensory perception. This is the sixth sense that many of us think our animals have, and it is due to the close connection between a person and their pets. Dr. Allan Schoen says that people and their pets have an intimate connection that can lead to our pets seeming to understand our needs, read our moods and maybe even communicate with us in ways that transcend words or body language. I know I have experienced this sensation for myself; the only time my old family cat used to sit on my shoulders was if I was crying or upset, and all three of my current animals always sit near me at times like this. My mother had epilepsy, and anytime she would have a seizure our old hound dog would lay at her feet. If you are considering getting a pet, here is another reason to make the commitment: a lifelong friend who actually cares if you are sad! Few things are more comforting than knowing that we are not alone, and a furry companion could be the one to bring you this comfort! (Info from petcentric.com) PetFinder and the PCAS webpage are now being updated on site at the shelter; this is where you can go for the most current list of adoptable animals. Shelter Manager Brittany is trying to learn more about how to manage the webpage, so if anyone is familiar with Word Press and can teach her any tricks of the trade it would be much appreciated! On the PCAS webpage, you can now make donations through PayPal. You can also become a PCAS member. Like PCAS on Facebook! We post pictures of all strays that come to the shelter. It s a great way to see if we have your missing critter! Brittany Vaughn can be heard every Thursday on the Eagle Radio Station with Bobby Rock at 8:40 am. Tune in! L I F E T I M E S M A L L A N I M A L H O S P I T A L Malcolm L. Blessing, DVM Erin L. Pedersen, DVM Justina R. Pahl, DVM Dawn O f f i B. c e Knopp, H o u r DVM s : M o n d a y F r i d a y 7 : 3 0 a m 5 : 3 0 p m B y A p p o i n t m e n t P l e a s e 5537 Greybull Highway P.O. Box 203 Cody, WY 82414 (307) 587-5110 www.ltsahosp.com Phone: 307-587-4324 (24 hours) Fax: 307-587-5065 Helping your Pet be its Best for a Lifetime
Page 5 The Shelter is open to the public from 12:00-5:30 pm everyday. 587-5110 Website parkcountyanimalshelter.com E-Mail manager@parkcountyanimalshelter.com SEND MAIL TO: PO BOX 203 CODY, WY 82414 Adopting a Pet There are many loving pets available at the Shelter. They have been neutered or spayed (if age appropriate). And have received their first series of shots. A free veterinarian visit is included with participating vets. Adoption Fees are: $35 for a Cat $50 for a Dog over 5 years old $75 for a Dog under 5 years old You don t have to be a Park County resident to adopt a pet. Stop by the Shelter at 5537 Greybull Hwy. We are open everyday from 12:00 5:30 pm. Volunteers Needed To all animal lovers, young and old. We are in need of volunteers to help with - Dog Walking and Socializing Cleaning the Shelter Petting the animals If you are interested please call the Shelter and talk to Brittany or Kassi. Thank you for all your help with our critters! PCAS WISH LIST: Walmart cat litter Pedigree canned dog food Purina dry kitten chow Dog and cat treats (rawhide chews, KONG dog toys) Bleach Liquid HE laundry soap (perfume free) Paper Towels Hand Sanitizer Hand Lotion 30 gallon heavy duty black garbage bags Disinfecting wipes Duct tape Dishwashing gloves Liquid hand soap 13 gallon white garbage bags 16 x20 Storage Shed We Appreciate our Volunteers and Sponsors! Alex Mitchell Linda Sparrow Terry Sparrow Jim Shapple Connie Moore Taminie Wagner Mary Keffer Shannon Smith Holly Moen Mary Whitmore Gerry Patterson Doug Blough Dawn Day Mary Jo Hardy Linda Kolak Becky Ransom Jessica Cross Kelsey Brown Carla Fortunato Connie Lockwood Jean Crutchfield Shana White Stacey McIntosh Leigh Dvarkshkis Eric Berg Jane Zubia
Page 6 S O H A P P Y T O B E A L I V E by Doug Blough My article is part tribute and part cautionary tale. The moral of the story will be: Your ailing pet wants to live waaay more badly than you realize. My little Trina dog is a perfect example. I wrote recently about my best buddy Trinity, who died in February. At the shelter for a year when I met him in 2000, he was getting kennel crazy, even growling at the dog walker he loved, when Betty would return him to his kennel. On that lucky day he became mine, my old truck became his sanctuary he guarded fiercely. Soon after, I was struck by the little brown Spaniel named Sarah a mean guy had surrendered. I took her for a short walk with Trinity, but after returning him to the truck, I forgot to close the door. Suddenly Trina bolted and jumped into the truck with Trinity. Fearing the worst, I ran to rescue Trina, only see Trinity licking her lovingly. Sarah became Trina, and they became a love story for the ages. In my writings, I always referred to Trina as Trinity s fiancée. Now, after 11 years, I ve revised it to Trinity s widow. On a terrible day, 9/11, 2010, a carpenter on the jobsite backed over Trina, smashing her tailbone and rear foot. Days at the vet hospital and weeks of convalescence at home was painful to watch, and I began to feel it was selfish to keep Trina alive in misery. I sadly made the appointment. During the final ride, with Trinity next to me and Trina at the passenger window as always, I called her name. Every other time, Trina s head would immediately turn to meet my gaze, but this time she refused, reducing me to a blubbering mess. Waiting in the grass outside the clinic, I prayed the vet would somehow talk me out of the plan. She came out with the needle, but said, You know, her eyes look brighter, and since you say she s now peeing on her own, why don t we give it another week? I was ecstatic, and even though Trina has been bowels incontinent, the little surprises on the carpet seemed a small price to pay for her love. Her foot slowly healed, and she seemed to have a passion for life greater than ever. She vigorously rolls in the grass when we go walking. With Trinity gone, Trina goes everywhere with me, and when I grab the leash, she spins circles, barking like a puppy. Months ago, I realized I rarely find those morning Easter eggs anymore. After 2+ years, her incontinence seems to have amazingly healed itself. Her dead tail has actually started to wag again. Even with her limited, cataract vision and hearing, Trina celebrates life everyday with rolling, hole-digging, puppyish antics. So please remember: as long as you re still alive, your pet s joy and reason for living is fully intact. Also remember: Shelter dogs like mine make the most loving, grateful pets. Thank you, PCAS! SHELTER HAPPENINGS In the past two months, the shelter has been able to purchase two motion cameras that are mounted outside and able to pick up any activity and send it directly to the computer inside the building. These cameras cost $600 and will help in catching anyone who is trying to break into the shelter or drop off unwanted animals after hours. Through a generous $6,000 grant from a local establishment, we purchased a fire alarm system from Kenco which will be installed soon. We will also purchase additional fire extinguishers. The outdoor cat area is now open on nice days. Two small outdoor benches have been ordered and some toys have been placed in the area to entice cats to come out and play. If anyone has furniture or cat toys to donate, please talk to Brittany. Since February 15th, the shelter has been covered by a new General Liability and Directors and Officers insurance plan from HBI Insurance Co. Our former policy was discontinued due to the loss of funds by a former employee. Many thanks to Board Member Jan Riley for her work with Netti at HBI Insurance for working out the details. Big Horn Redi-Mix and Park County Redi-Mix donated and delivered the gravel that has been spread out in the driveway, in front of the building, and in the dog runs. Dawn Day contacted these companies who were happy to help out. Brittany and staff rented a Bobcat and moved the gravel around. Thank you all! The Peterson Estate, who generously gave $25,000 to the shelter in 2012, also donated four pieces of beautiful jewelry which the Shelter Board intends to sell. For information about the jewelry, call Jan Riley at 587-9241.
Pick Me! Pick Me! Page 7 Darth Vader is our resident old man at the ripe old age of 8 years. This sweet guy loves to lay in the sun, and would love to find a family to spend the rest of his life with. Honey is as sweet as her name! This lovely girl came to us as a stray. She is a 4 year old Mastiff mix, and she loves to play! She enjoys going for walks and is crazy about playing with stuffed animals. She likes to play tug-of-war. She would be best in a home without cats or young children. Honey gets along with some dogs, so it would be advised that the dogs meet prior to her adoption. Honey is a little bit weary of new people at first, but is pretty quick to warm up. Tux earned his name because his fur looks like he is wearing a little tuxedo! He is a big cat with a big heart! Poor Tux has had to stay in a cage here at the shelter though, because he isn t crazy about other cats. He is looking for his forever home in a house with no other cats. This handsome devil has stolen the hearts of all of the shelter staff! He has so much personality, and is such a ham! He loves to chase the laser lights and loves to curl up in your lap. Most of the staff would adopt him if it wasn t for his one flaw: Bam does not like dogs. He gets along with most other cats, so would be great in any home as long as it is dog free. Grant is such a beautiful cat! If you talk to him, he will talk back. He is very affectionate and gentle, so he would be a perfect family cat. SHELTER MURAL GETS A TOUCH UP! Did you know some of the dogs and cats in the mural in the shelter had been residents? Cathi Bearpaw is the artist and painted it in 2004. Cosmo, with the bow and PK are deceased. Cosmo moved with us from the old shelter. Miss Merry Sunshine lives the life with Mary Whitmore. The shepard was an old lady, pregnant and in bad shape. Cathi adopted her. Cinnamon, the chow was a former resident but had a home. Bill the driver, rotties and others were Cathi s family. Cathi moved out of state with her seven kids. Eric Berg will be building a frame for a plastic covering to protect the mural and Laurel Markert recently repainted it to brighten up all the colors. If you would like to see how pretty this is in color, visit the Shelter.
5537 Greybull Highway P.O. Box 203 Cody, WY 82414 (307) 587-5110 Open to the Public: 12:00-5:30 pm everyday Website: www.parkcountyanimalshelter.com E-mail: manager@parkcountyanimalshelter.com Next Membership Meeting- Thursday, April 25th at 5:30 pm Riverside Cemetery Office, Gulch Street WANT TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS? We are now accepting ads for our April newsletter. The charge is $25 for business card size, $50 for double that size and $100 for three times that size. Call Bettye at 587-9449 for more information. Thank you to all who have purchased ads!