Her Casa Is Their Casa Kennel Enrichment Program Makes Indiana Shelter Dogs Happier, More Adoptable

scoop

Honey, an older pit bull with a damaged lip, was initially frightened when rescuers found her during a raid in July on a dogfighting operation in Gary, Ind. She blossomed into a sweetheart, thanks to love and attention provided by Casa Del Toro Pit Bull Education and Rescue volunteers. Her Casa is Their Casa Kennel enrichment program makes Indiana shelter dogs happier, more adoptable

BY JIM BAKER

When The HSUS’s Animal Rescue Team missing a big chunk of her lip. “She was on a based Casa Del Toro Pit Bull Education and and local law enforcement raided a Gary, heavy logging chain, and she had no food, no Rescue. Ind., dogfighting operation last July, they water, and was just sitting in basically feces In 2010, Adams and her volunteers had found dogs stashed everywhere. and mud,” recalls Chris Schindler, manager of pioneered a canine enrichment program at Some were crated in the kitchen of a The HSUS’s animal fighting investigations. Indianapolis Animal Care & Control, offering trashed house where the occupants had The frightened dog would retreat to toys and treats, obedience and agility train- been cooking crack cocaine on the stove. her decrepit doghouse, emerging only to ing, and basic human kindness to keep shel- Others languished in feces-laden crates in bark at her rescuers. But that didn’t last ter dogs happy and occupied. the basement or outside in the muddy yard. long—in 20 minutes, Schindler was able That’s the kind of attention The HSUS Still others were confined to rusted cages to gain Honey’s trust, pet her, remove her sought for the Gary dogs, who would have or filthy crates stacked on top of each other chain, and carry her off the property. She to stay at the kennel until they could be inside a decrepit shed, where boarded-up and 19 other seized dogs were taken to a adopted—a process that could take weeks windows blocked out all light. boarding kennel. or even months. They’d need outlets for Outside the back door, the first dog re- That’s where they met Laurie Adams and their energy. “They’re social creatures; they

sponders saw was Honey, an older pit bull other trained volunteers from Indianapolis- need things to do,” says Anne Sterling, MAST AJ

6 ANIMAL SHELTERING JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG HSUS Indiana state director. “They get bored—crazy bored … and that’s when they really give up and [don’t] engage with the world anymore.” Instead, with help from Casa del Toro, the dogs were finally able to experience simple pleasures like running in the grass, soak- ing in the sun, eating good food, and playing with humans. Honey—who soon gave birth to two pups—blossomed in their care. “She’s just progressed in leaps and bounds,” Schindler says. “She just became one of the most lov- able and friendly dogs.” Honey has changed a lot of minds about pit bulls, Adams says. Some would say that Adams has, too. Dale Douglas, a Casa Del Toro volunteer, and Laurie Adams, the group’s founder, prepare The Road to Change enrichment toys for the Gary, Ind., fight-bust dogs at a boarding kennel. When she worked as a field supervisor and kennel manager for Indianapolis Animal Care being kept in a rented kennel, “were so shut ter had problems caring for dogs held and Control (IACC) back in the late ’90s, down,” she says. “We started [taking] just long-term in cruelty or bite cases; they Adams witnessed daily the flood of pit bulls baby steps with them,” offering the dogs were housed in the investigation/stray ken- who entered the shelter but never left. peanut butter-stuffed chew toys, basic train- nels, and at the time, they received little It gnawed at her. “When you work in ing, and TLC. stimulation. Under state law, dogs involved the kennels … you see every dog that comes Seeing a dramatic improvement in the in bite cases aren’t allowed out of their through there,” Adams recalls. “At the time, dogs’ behavior—they went from trembling kennels, and it’s likely they will end up a lot of shelters did not do pit bull adoptions, and cowering in the back of their runs to being euthanized. and our shelter was no different.” being relaxed and playful—inspired Adams “Those are the dogs that normal vol- The plight of dogs who never really had a to develop the program at IACC. The shel- unteers do not get to touch. Nobody goes chance moved her to take action. She began in those kennels but the kennel workers,” pulling out those pit bulls she considered Adams says, noting that the municipal shel- highly adoptable and placing them one at a ter is typically so full of animals and under- time in homes. staffed that employees are hard-pressed to But she wanted to do more. In 1999, she provide enrichment. “There’s a lot of good formed Casa Del Toro (in English, “House of people there, and as much as they want to, the Bull”); today, the group has a network of they just don’t have time.” eight foster homes and about 40 volunteers who participate in fundraisers, adoption and Help in the Trenches education events, and a kennel enrichment Casa Del Toro volunteers now work in all program at her former shelter. of the shelter’s kennels. And they no lon- In 2010, Adams—who had stayed in her ger work only with pit bull-type dogs (IACC position at IACC while getting her nonprofit has been placing them since 2009, after a off the ground—resigned to devote herself full change in leadership brought about a new time to her rescue efforts and to a new project: policy). Volunteers provide enrichment to all developing the kennel enrichment program run the shelter’s canines and are branching out by Casa Del Toro volunteers at IACC. to work with cats, too. Those who want to The idea grew out of what Adams had work with dogs being held in bite, cruelty, seen while helping out with enrichment for or confiscation cases have to first complete 109 dogs seized during an August 2009 dog- Laurie Adams of Casa Del Toro sees eye 200 volunteer hours at the shelter, partici- to eye with a dog who’s enjoying some fighting raid in Orange County, Ind., that The outdoor enrichment activities provided by pate in a mentoring program, and take some HSUS participated in. The dogs, who were the group’s volunteers. advanced dog-handling classes.

ANIMAL CARE EXPO 2012 IS COMING SOON! GET EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS AT ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG/EXPO 7 Volunteers like Shawna Ping, operations IACC is the largest shelter in the state, as manager of the enrichment program, try well as Indiana’s busiest animal control de- anything they can think of to stimulate the partment, Sterling says. The city shelter typi- dogs mentally and physically. That includes cally houses more than 600 pets, and it takes playing calming music on CDs so the whole in about 18,000 animals each year, according kennel can hear it, and taking scent toys to Darcie Kurtz, assistant administrator for and filling them with dried leaves or grass kennel operations. The need for enrichment clippings, or alluring aromas like vanilla and is huge. Given the scope of the challenge, sandalwood. Each dog gets a scent toy, or Kurtz says, it’s hard to know just how big an sometimes a food puzzle, to make them impact the program has had so far. “But any- think about how to get the treat. thing that you can do for an individual animal With no direct contact allowed and no can’t help but be good.” time outside the kennels, “we give those ani- In August, The HSUS presented Casa Del mals what they can have,” Adams says. Toro with a $10,000 donation, so the rescue For dogs who aren’t confined to their can expand its kennel enrichment program runs, volunteers use agility equipment to ex- to shelters statewide. Adams and Ping are ercise the dogs, clicker training to teach them putting together a starter kit, with basic toys basic obedience—such as how to “keep four and equipment that other shelters can use to on the floor,” so they don’t jump when po- launch their own programs. tential adopters approach their kennels—and “Laurie is a phenomenally gifted per- teach them cute tricks, like how to give a son. I think she’s an incredible dog han- “high five.” They even let them swim in dog- dler,” Sterling says. “Casa Del Toro is gie pools in the summertime. dealing with one of the most neglected Volunteers have transformed two rooms types of dogs, in Indiana and throughout in the shelter into “real life” rooms, with the country. They’re doing amazing things couches and radios, where they can take dogs in giving these dogs … care that they other- for one-on-one time in a home-like setting. wise wouldn’t have.”AS

Willow, one of the fight-bust dogs Casa del Toro has been helping, has a ball during

outdoor playtime. BRANAMAN JAMES PAGE: OPPOSITE AJ MAST. PAGE: THIS

8 ANIMAL SHELTERING JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG NEWS FROM THE HSUS

You’re helping us. We’re helping you. We’re all helping animals. Carry on!

Society in Maine. The Second Chance Animal Shelter of Massachusetts, which had sent staff to help out at the emergency shelter, also took in 12 of the dogs, including one injured pooch named Ebony, who had a broken jaw that had been left un- treated. “Being up there every week, I just fell in love with Ebony,” said executive director Sheryl Blancato. “It broke my heart that such a sweet dog had endured so much.”

After the storm. In July, The HSUS provided a $1,500 Shelters in Crisis rebuilding grant to the Build an Ark Foundation after the organization’s Ellijay, Ga., facility was destroyed by an April tornado. The facility served as a foster home to baby sheep, goats, rams, alpacas, ponies, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, and baby chicks as well as dogs and cats. The HSUS also part- nered with community service group The Underground to provide volunteers for a rebuilding event led by the nonprofit group Tara Loller of The HSUS gets a trademark greeting from Velcro, a super-friendly kitty who New York Says Thank You. was among nearly 700 cats rescued in June from a Florida hoarder. Heads Up! Kudos & Thank Yous and in September, the groups held a mas- The biggest and best conference for the What’s New, Pussycats? For the kitties sive adoption event that attracted hundreds animal welfare field is The HSUS’s annual placed at a Florida adopt-a-thon in August, of participants—and 257 feline friends went Animal Care Expo, this year May 21-24 the answer is “Homes!” A huge multi- home with new families. at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las agency rescue led by Alachua County Animal Vegas. Register by March 31 to save $50. Services resulted in the seizure of nearly Puppy mills AND a hurricane—what Visit animalsheltering.org/expo for details. 700 cats from a sanctuary-turned-hoarder next? In July, the Vermont State Police, as- The redesigned animalsheltering. in June. Multiple organizations—including sisted by The HSUS, the Humane Society org has launched! Come check out the The HSUS, Alachua County Animal Services, of Chittenden County, and the Franklin new site and explore all the resources we RedRover, All Cats Healthcare Clinic, the County Humane Society, seized 58 malnour- have to help you work smarter. One of Alachua Humane Society, and the Maddie’s ished, dehydrated, and parasite-infested the new features is an interactive train- Shelter Medicine Program at the University Labrador dogs from an alleged puppy mill. ing calendar where you can post your of Florida—pitched in to help with their In September, after seven weeks of car- local events—go to animalsheltering.org/ care at a temporary shelter for more than ing for the animals at a temporary location events to give it a try. We’ve also launched five months. Visitors to the shelter included (the emergency shelter even expanded to Marketplace, a comprehensive source Doreen and Oliver Bauer, whose work with take in some animals who needed shelter for products and services for the animal feral cats was profiled in the September- after Hurricane Irene), The HSUS got legal care field. Special offers and discounts October 2011 issue of Animal Sheltering custody and was able to begin placing the will be offered monthly—check it out at and who took in six of the rescued felines. animals. Many area shelters stepped up animalsheltering.org/marketplace. Rescuers grew quite attached to the orange to help, including the Windham County Feb. 28 is the 18th Annual World Spay tabby above—or rather, he became attached Humane Society; the Humane Society of Day, and February is Spay/Neuter Awareness to them! By late summer, most of the cats Chittenden County; the Central Vermont Month. It’s not too late to participate—visit were healthy enough to start going home, Humane Society; and the Animal Welfare worldspayday.org to register your event. AS

ANIMAL CARE EXPO 2012 IS COMING SOON! GET EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS AT ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG/EXPO 9 made driving difficult. His work with animals Hisworkwith difficult. driving made back hisbad after ago, ACO years six about page. aFacebook through program themainepomproject.org at donations takes also he masks; for the pay tohelp money toraise classes aid first teaches Dane,” uptoaGreat Silcott gerbil says. he “anything andfit a sizes from inthree come They pets. for masks oxygen with state the throughout organizations rescue and ments depart- fire aimstoequip which Project, POM Maine byfounding the interests those bined com- Two he ago years hometown. andahalf his inNaples, technician medical emergency firefighter/ avolunteer as serves also and Maine, insouthwestern towns six for officer the case. ison Silcott Bobby that literally—knowing 10 10 Pets in Maine can breathe a little easier masks oxygen forpet charge ACO the Maine leads ofA Matter Life andBreath Maine. Looking on is beagle, Silcott’s lemon-drop Priscilla. throughout departments rescue and tofire supplying is Silcott that masks oxygen pet the of one demonstrate him, in beagle alittle with hound abasset Elvis, dog his and Silcott Bobby ANIMAL SHELTERING A former truck driver, Silcott became an driver, became truck A former Silcott ananimalcontrol as works 50, Silcott, BETTER KNOW ANBETTER ACO JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 , and promotes the , andpromotes —

ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG ate editor James Hettinger. Hettinger. James ate editor me that this is the way that I can raise money, raise waythatIcan that this isthe me to occurred itjust class, the taking After a set. 75 bucks cost money. no Ihad was They lem myprob- but that, before years for acouple masks these I’d about known classes. aid/CPR first cat or dog Cross-certified Red teaching Silcott: Bobby masks. oxygen pet with project to supply emergencypersonnel Animal Sheltering cusses his work with cusses Elvis andPriscilla. Elvis dogs, andtwo cat the Angela mals includes ani- ofadopted menagerie own His Naples. of town bythe 10 on donated park acres adog anddeveloping Societies, of Humane Federation Maine the and Shelter Animal Hills Harvest ofthe boards the on serving includes In the edited interview below, Silcott dis- below, Silcott interview edited the In In May of 2009, I started Istarted of2009, May In : Tell us about your your : Tell about us Animal Sheltering Animal associ- when I was doing that. that. doing Iwas when enjoyed. I looked as at a myself paid tourist thoroughly Ireally ajob was That road. the over again trailer atractor drive Probably anything else you’d want to do? If you weren’t an ACO, is there are. you level same the atiton rationally. looking not They’re is wrong.” they’re thinking is, not fact The that that see not could someone way that asking myself, “Why? How? There’s no constantly Iwas intothis, got Ifirst when ment has saved me a lot of grief, because state- simple that And thinking. irrational hard you try, it’s impossible to rationalize how matter no this—that me told apist ather- actually, ago—and long I found out thinkingperson of entering the field? advicewouldWhat you give a young you stop to think about it, it’s pretty heavy. heavy. it’s pretty it, tothinkabout you stop When animals. saving around, arestill things they’re to animals]. fit[the designed because masks, oxygen pet isthose of that part abig Ibelieve toit. happened ing even owner, noth- think to the would you and back it togive able Iwas later 20and minutes tome, itout Brought breathing. not scious, stove, uncon- wood the behind was It cat. Spike. hiscat, was where was mainconcern His victim. anythan other different no was He victim. the become denly sud- 20 over for years firefighter a volunteer who’s been somebody to see interesting ally re- itwas And backyard. inthe atree struck Actually, bylightning. it struck was house firefighter’s volunteer ofour one enough, family. tothat world the animal, itmeans one save you if Iknow but inMaine, here numbers from smoke inhalation alone. I don’t have the 40,000 to 150,000 pets perish every year the entire of state Maine. Ultimately, isto equip thegoal departments. andrescue fire tolocal ofcharge free pletely com- masks oxygen pet ofthese 162ent sets topres- able we’ve been of2009, May since And classes. the toteach certified Igot so When I’m dead and gone, hopefully these these hopefully gone, and I’m dead When found the Burnham [Chris] chief Deputy that Ironically firsthand. I’ve witnessed from anywhere According to the ASPCA, AS

WENDY SILCOTT KITS & PITS

Tipping the Scales: Getting Turbocharging Fat Cats Up and Out Pit Bull Adoptions

If holiday partying has made your Many shelters today struggle to adopt jeans snug, you’re probably eager out the sometimes-overwhelming num- to shed a few pounds. Losing weight is even ber of pit bulls and pit-bull-type dogs who come more cumbersome for fat cats confined in through their doors. Animal Farm Foundation small cages. Thinking big can help you find (AFF) has designed a program to help these dogs homes for your chubby kitties. find homes. Implementing just one small piece Capital Area Humane Society in Hilliard, of this program—marketing the dogs through Ohio, houses fat cats in an area called Weight- community events—can take your pit bull place- Loss Camp, where they have room to burn a ments a long way. few extra calories. The shelter offers fat cats “If you’re trying to sell the idea of adopt- for $15 each, or two for $20, a huge discount ing out a pit bull, you need to bring the dogs to from the usual adoption fee of $70 per adult where the people are,” says Stacey Coleman, ex- cat. This year’s fattest cat was a 6-year-old ecutive director of AFF. 0ETFINDERprovides shorthair who weighed in at 23 pounds. Coleman recommends combing local news- Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) papers and event calendars to get the skinny on you with the tools in Lynnwood, Wash., conducted a blog/ what’s hot. Festivals, sporting events, and even to help your adoptions Facebook challenge to get donated work-to- farmers markets can be great places for your eat cat toys. PAWS explained how these toys dogs to get noticed. Some people don’t know last a lifetime help the cats, videotaped the cats enjoying the much about pit bulls—they may never have met toys, and directed people to specific toys on one!—so integrating them into normal activities and keep your pets as Amazon.com, which made it easy for the donor can be a great backdrop for that first meeting. cherished members of to buy and ship their purchase to the shelter. The When choosing dogs for these events, toys make fat cats more active, and, because it’s choose the most friendly, outgoing, well-be- their new family. fun to watch them work for their food, fat cats haved dogs you have. Eye candy is a good idea s get noticed more by potential adopters. too, so if you’ve got a perfectly mannered, #HIP&UR+EEPS The SPCA Tampa Bay in Florida has volunteer pretty, pretty princess pit bull, bring her along. Earn free HomeAgain feline counselors, also known as “purr-sonal train- Coleman recommends against bringing microchips for your ers,” compete for the highest adoption total. One a dog with a really sad back story to these organization adopted fat cat can easily trump five kittens, be- events—you’ll want to create a positive air cause the tally accounts for the cats’ weights, not around your dogs. Also, resist the urge to bring s)NSURE&UR+EEPS their numbers! Deducting cats’ weights from the the staff favorite who’s been with you for six adoption fee doesn’t hurt either. The shelter has months and is really sweet, but has a few be- Pet health insurance for also transformed an area outside the cat kennel havior issues. $5 for the first month into a small garden with low-calorie snacks—cat- Taking your dogs to events is not only a from PetFirst Healthcare nip and cat grass—which has boosted adoptions: great opportunity for the dogs, but for staff A cat being walked on a leash in the garden at- and volunteers as well. It’s a nice change s4RAIN&UR+EEPS tracts instant attention, and fat cats get priority of pace and can provide your people with a for leash walks. Cage signage indicating that a project they can “own.” When selecting staff $0.99 dog and cat training cat is a leash-walker helps them fly (well, waddle) or volunteers, be sure to choose people who DVDs & discounted out the door. Adopters can purchase harnesses are confident, outgoing, and friendly, and Thundershirts available and are taught how to fit them properly. They are can handle tough (and ill-informed) questions for purchase and donation urged to check the fit often, in the hopes that the about pit bulls. AS harness will need tightening before too long. For more ideas about how you can Tell us the skinny on your strategies turbocharge your shelter’s pit bull to find homes for fat cats at asm@ adoptions, check out AFF’s free video at humanesociety.org. vimeo.com/27018082. Petﬁnder.com/admin/furkeeps — Nancy Peterson —Adam Goldfarb

ANIMAL CARE EXPO 2012 IS COMING SOON! GET EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS AT ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG/EXPO 11 ing’ to me now, the on look her face comes ‘suffer- word the said someone “If well. too lief work that day, Nikki all and remembers re- doing team,was medical shelter’s the on treating her. could begin staff so to Nikki theSPCA, took andimmediately dog, upthe topick out carenary needed for her injuries. Purl came hecouldn’the said theurgent veteri- afford her mother was to nowhere found. be and head, her off rotting actually were ears Her thatears they had sliced into deeply her flesh. bands so rubber wrapped tiny with backyard, inaneighborhood up alone again—tied found her had owner her but len, sto- been had mother andher She old. weeks 2011 inJanuary Purl 8to shewasonly 10 when differently. out shemight haveturned not intervened, ofTampa SPCA Bay the had fighter—but 12 12 alover, is Nikki mix bull-boxer Pit struggle against animal cruelty. Nikki’s has beco The pooch haven’t ears damaged ruined her looks. ANIMAL SHELTERING Cherie Buisson, a veterinarian formerly formerly aveterinarian Buisson, Cherie Her owner had called the SPCA because Nikki was picked up by humane Jill officer of Adorable of Ambassador BY JIM BAKER superstar humane education tobecome ordeal mixsurvives Pit bull TO THE RESCUE TO THE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 tightly around her not a not ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG the story on the news. news. the on story the saw town, anearby “dun-EE-din”), nounced Steve Kelli Chickos and (pro- ofDunedin and the broadcasts TV local through quickly spread through recalls. myfingers,” licking Buisson started She … tail. her wagging start was did she thing bynature. wasn’t she afighter that dent evi- became Butitquickly duringfights. hold a opponents canine her todeny ears her crop to attempting been had abusers her and that for afighting ring, bound might havebeen ears. her amputated then case, ries to document them for criminal a possible inju- ofthe photos took Buisson twice. ears found around the bands rubber wrapped her says. Buisson awful,” just anditwas stunk, andthey len, swol- just were ears her and there, I was that acknowledged barely She to mind. News of the cruelty the puppy had gone gone had puppy the cruelty ofthe News towake up, first her the and started “We Nikki that speculate Purl and Buisson She anesthesia. under Nikki put Buisson me an for ambassador of victims dogfighting, and a fa powerful St. Petersburg Times . tor of the SPCA said they picked us because like direc- her. dogs other acting to help “The mix. aCatahoula Jaxson, plus breed, of the dogs four senior with home cue, their sharing res- ingreyhound involved been long and had shelter, the from cats two adopted already as the leading hademerged candidates. They Steve but Kelli too, soon and applied of others Dozens Nikki. adopting about inquiring began life isfulloflove,” immediately She Kelli says. ofherfelt like Ihave tomake rest surethe ofher. instantly off myeyes couldn’t Ijust take before. days five just surgery her from recovering still Nikki, carrying room the walked into AtPurl lunch, that supporters. ter shel- honoring aluncheon toattend invited andshe’d planning, been estate inher Bay head,” clingingtoher ears her Kelli says. thing that you could hold in your hands, with sight, just to the tiniest see this little [dog], And they wanted to adopt Nikki in part out,andI myeyes crying “I started Tampa SPCA included recently Kelli had sad and pathetic most the just was “It ce in the

LAURIE MEEHAN-ELMER/LMEIMAGES.COM I said that I would help Nikki be an ambassador for the breed … that could speak out against animal cruelty,” Kelli says. She’s kept her word: Kelli and Nikki have become regular attractions at the shelter’s outreach and humane education events, showing up at events such as Pit Bull Awareness Day in October and Volunteer Appreciation Night. In March of 2011, “they invited her to be one of the guest stars in their big gala, and we had this little black dress made for Nikki,” Kelli says, laughing. Nikki is also the inspiration for Nikki’s Ninjas, a team Kelli has formed to participate in SPCA Tampa Bay’s biggest annual fundraiser, a 3K pet walk. Though Nikki has become a powerful symbol of the need to combat animal cruelty, no one has been charged in her case. Police were told conflicting stories about who injured her, and no clear-cut proof has emerged. Nikki has totally healed from her ordeal, showing no ill effects from the experience (apart from her closely cropped ears). She has a normal, active life in the Chickos household, where she is “besties” with dog pal Jaxson, Kelli reports. In her “public” life, Nikki has become a humane education superstar in the community. “They always invite her back [to the shelter] for all sorts of things, and I’m just Nikki’s mom. Nobody really knows my name, and that’s just fine,” Kelli says, laughing. AS

Steve and Kelli Chickos of Dunedin, Fla., adopted Nikki from the SPCA of Tampa Bay after Kelli saw a story about Nikki on the local news. Nikki has become best buds with their dog, Jaxson, a Catahoula mix.

ANIMAL CARE EXPO 2012 IS COMING SOON! GET EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS AT ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG/EXPO 13 SQUEAKS, SQUAWKS, AND SLITHERS

Keeping Them Hoppy MOUTHPIECES Taking rabbits for a walk Carlin Abbitt grew up with a menagerie of animals in and around her home, and when We’re opening the she began volunteering at the Washington Mouthpieces department Humane Society in the District of Columbia, to reader submissions! she found a new group of critters to care for. So many shelters and She noticed that while the cats had their rescues have produced proponents and the dogs had theirs, the fantastic public service small animals didn’t get as much action. “I announcements. If you’ve think that a lot of people just aren’t used to

WASHINGTON HUMANE SOCIETY HUMANE WASHINGTON created one you’d like small animals like I am,” she says. So as she to share so that other stayed, she began gravitating toward the Washington Humane Society volunteer Carlin Abbitt has started using a harness to groups can use it, please little guys more and more often, trying to take the shelter bunnies outside for exercise. submit it to us. We’ll use provide them with more fun and enrichment. some of the best ones in At a pet supply store, she recently picked up It’s a great reminder that small animals the magazine. a harness designed specifically for small animals, need enrichment, too. If you want to try this and began taking some of the shelter’s rabbits out with some of your own bunnies, make The small print: Submitted PSAs out to the puppy play area to exercise. Some of sure you’ve got a harness that fits them com- can retain your organizational the bunnies took to the new playtime immedi- fortably, and let them hop to it in a safe, branding, but you must be OK ately; others were more hesitant—but the very confined space. with allowing other groups to first bunny Abbitt took out, a white rabbit named For those more accustomed to walking add their contact info so that Topsy, was over the moon about the situation. the shelter’s canine residents, it’s time to ad- they’ll be able to use the ad in “She literally kicked up her heels,” Abbitt says. just expectations: You’re not going to be get- their own communities. But regardless of their behavior in the ting a workout like you do when you walk an playpen, most of the rabbits seem to be energetic pooch. “It’s not like walking a dog,” The technical stuff: Our benefiting from their workouts: Back in their says Abbitt, laughing. “When you ‘walk’ a preferred file format is PDF/ cages, many of them stretch out as though rabbit, it’s more like, you stand there, and X-1a:2001 with crop marks at least .125 inches from artwork. they’ve just come from a great exercise ses- very slowly, the rabbit hops around you.” Accepted alternate file formats sion and are ready to kick back and chill. And Got a tip for enrichment or adoption of are QuarkXPress, InDesign, shelter staff have noticed a decrease in some your squeakers, squawkers, or slitherers? Tell Illustrator, or Photoshop. If an of their occasional cage-stress behaviors. us about it at [email protected]. ad is submitted in a format other than PDF, graphics and fonts must be included — images must be CMYK and 300 Checked out the new Shelter Pet Project The Shelter Pet Project is the result of a dpi. Line art must be at least television and radio public service an- collaborative effort between The Humane 600 dpi. The dimensions must nouncements that went live in November? Society of the United States and Maddie’s be (or must be adjustable to) You can be a part of the Shelter Pet Fund, and the Ad Council, the leading full page including bleed: 8.375 Project movement. Here’s how: producer of public ser- inches by 10.75 inches; live ■ Post your adoptable pets to vice advertising (PSA) area/non bleed: 7.125 inches by Petfinder.com to ensure the campaigns. The goal is 9.5 inches. public can find your shelter. to make shelters the first ■ Help bring the campaign place potential adopt- To submit a PSA for to your community! ers turn when looking use in Mouthpieces, If you’re interested in to adopt a new pet, please contact us at reaching out to local ensuring that all healthy [email protected]. media, we can help. Email us at and treatable pets find loving homes. Visit [email protected]. theshelterpetproject.org to find out more ■ Join us at facebook.com/ information about the campaign and to ShelterPetProject. view the PSAs. AS

14 ANIMAL SHELTERING JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG Baby, it’s cold outside. BUT DOES IT HAVE TO BE SO EMBARRASSING? There are more practical ways to keep me safe and warm this winter. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. First off, keep me If we’re going to go When you take Don’t let me eat Finally, can you inside! I’m happiest romp in the snow me out for a walk, any antifreeze. consider another when I can curl a lot, make sure I clean up my paws That blue stuff color for my up with you. So is get enough food with a damp towel tastes awesome to couture? Pink the cat. He HATES and water. Keeping afterward. Snow me, but it’s super makes me being cold. warm burns more clumps and that poisonous. look fat. of my energy. (And salty stuff that I need my energy to melts ice gets cope with the cat.) into my pads and irritates them. Doing a World of Good A new name reflects an annual spay/neuter initiative’s scope

BY JAMES HETTINGER

It started 18 years ago as Spay Day USA, raise money for an eligible animal but The HSUS’s annual campaign to call at- welfare organization’s spay/neu- tention to the importance of spay/neuter has ter program. The Humane Society always included participants from around the Veterinary Medical Association Spay Day events in 2011 included The HSUS teaming world. Run in cooperation with The HSUS’s (HSVMA), the veterinary affili- with the ASPCA and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals to provide free spay/neuter, cat and dog global affiliate, Humane Society International ate of The HSUS, is a World Spay food, vaccinations, and microchips to pet owners in (HSI), the event last year attracted partici- Day partner, and HSVMA’s Rural Manhattan’s Lower East Side. pants from 46 countries. And now, its name Area Veterinary Services program will reflect that global scope. receives photo-contest money to help spay Sarno to pass a Spay Day proclamation. The last Tuesday in February, known in and neuter animals. Wilhelm hopes to build on that effort this recent years simply as Spay Day, has been re- The importance of the cause is beyond year with a statewide proclamation from christened World Spay Day. “It’s truly more question. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. an international event now than it ever has “Spay/neuter solves almost all the prob- Twenty or 30 years ago, Wilhelm re- been, so the name World Spay Day better re- lems that we have in rescue,” says Judy calls, pet rabbits were typically confined Cataldo, a volunteer for the to a backyard hutch. Owners today have Merrimack River Feline Rescue learned that pet rabbits are intelligent, so- Society in Massachusetts, which cial animals who belong indoors, she adds, has held Spay Day events for but progress has been slower on convincing several years, including last year owners to spay or neuter. “I see the trend teaming with the Massachusetts going in the right direction,” Wilhelm says. SPCA on a 24-hour spay-a-thon. “I’d like to see it go faster.” “People turn in animals because The HSUS helps organizations publi- of aggression or because of cize their events through a website (world- spraying or wandering or what- spayday.org), and offers advice through ever, and it’s like—spay/neuter. a downloadable event planning guide. Cats get feline leukemia or FIV. Registered participants can also get free Why? Because they weren’t posters and handouts; merchandise is flects what the program actually is,” explains spayed and neutered. It just all keeps coming available at cost. Vicki Stevens, a senior project manager for back to spay/neuter.” Still on the fence about taking part? The HSUS and the event’s coordinator. Set The House Rabbit Connection, a foster “I’d say get involved. I think the public for Feb. 28 this year, World Spay Day will program serving central Connecticut and loves it,” says Mary Ellen Zoulas, a veteri- take place during Spay/Neuter Awareness western Massachusetts, took part in its first narian and medical director for the Seattle Month. Animal welfare organizations, indi- Spay Day last year, and president Marlene Animal Shelter’s Spay and Neuter Clinic. The viduals, and businesses will team up through- Wilhelm says she hopes to “amp it up a little municipal shelter has taken part in Spay Day out February to hold events promoting spay/ bit more” this year by holding more events in since at least 2000, and its events offering neuter as a way to curb pet overpopulation pet stores (the group did about five last year) free spay/neuter surgeries have created lines and prevent animals from being eutha- and distributing more information about the that stretched around the block, Zoulas says. nized in shelters. Many of the events offer importance of spay/neuter. Spay Day events remind the participants low-cost spay/neuter surgeries to targeted Similarly, Wilhelm wants to pro- that they’re part of a larger community pro- populations, Stevens says. Participating orga- mote the photo contest more (includ- moting spay/neuter, she notes. “It’s a builder nizations also hold fundraisers, set up spay/ ing a mention in the group’s newsletter, of community—everyone getting together neuter displays in local libraries, or distribute The Pursuit of Hoppiness) so the House for one unified purpose.” AS materials at community gatherings. Rabbit Connection can increase its share The HSUS runs a related photo contest from a few hundred dollars to more than To learn more about World Spay Day, that allows people to post photos of their $1,000. And last year the group worked participate in the photo contest, or to THIS PAGE: DANA EDELSON. OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT: TIM MURPHY/FOTO IMAGERY, LTD.; pets online, then solicit votes at $1 apiece to with Springfield, Mass., mayor Domenic register an event, go to worldspayday.org. CENTER: LIBBY ROBERTS/PENINSULA HUMANE SOCIETY & SPCA; RIGHT: OTTAWA HUMANE SOCIETY

16 ANIMAL SHELTERING JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG THE BUILD-OUT

BY JIM BAKER A “Pound” No More Room(s) with a View

In June, Denver Animal Care & Control In September, the Peninsula Humane opened its new, 36,000-square-foot ani- Society unveiled its new Tom and Annette mal shelter—a vast improvement from its Lantos Center for Compassion in Burlingame, 30-year-old site. The $17 million facility, Calif., a $25 million, 56,700-square-foot nearly triple the size of the old structure, fea- space, located within both a new building tures separate lobbies for adoption services and an existing and lost and found; energy-efficient heated three-story struc- flooring and natural daylight throughout; ture, connected colony rooms and condos for adoptable cats; via a bridged el- medical isolation areas to reduce disease evator lobby. The transmission; and a surgical suite that will facility was spe- The retail store in the new Ottawa Humane Society building. allow for on-site spay/neuter and care for in- cifically designed jured animals. The shelter is also on track to to bring areas of A “Destination” Shelter achieve certification in Leadership in Energy the old shelter and Environmental Design (LEED) at the Gold into full view of In July, the Ottawa Humane Society level, with the potential to obtain LEED-NC An architectural detail the public, includ- opened its new, $17 million, 40,000-square- Platinum, which would make it the first build- from the Peninsula ing a wildlife re- foot shelter, replacing an inadequate facility Humane Society’s ing in Denver to be so designated—as well habilitation room built in 1967. The building houses the mu- new Tom and Annette as the first animal shelter in the country at Lantos Center for behind a huge, nicipal animal shelter, an adoption center, a that level of certification. “That would be an Compassion. floor-to-ceiling humane education center, and an expanded extraordinary honor to achieve that,” says window; a kitten veterinary clinic. Dogs are housed in brighter, Heather Lewis, a principal at Animal Arts in nursery room, where visitors can watch feed- pod-style kennels, with outdoor runs cov- Boulder and the project manager for the shel- ings; and the Canine Enrichment Center, a ered in artificial turf. Adoptable cats live in ter’s design. The response has been great, two-story, indoor/outdoor area where staff community rooms and condos with access and volunteers work with shelter dogs. The to toys, climbing trees, and an indoor/out- center features a retractable roof, artificial door cat porch. The facility also has a cen- turf, and doggie water fountains—decorated tral spray cleaning system (the old kennels to look like dogs’ heads—that empty into were cleaned by mop and lacked drains). drinking basins. The shelter also has two large The lobby features a large, open area called aviaries where injured birds such as hawks a “rabbitat,” where visitors can view adopt- and owls stay until they regain the ability to able rabbits, and the entire facility has a fly; the public can’t access these areas, but modern HVAC system and isolation rooms visitors can watch the birds on a monitor on that have a near-hospital air quality, accord- the first floor. “We’re still learning how visi- ing to Mandy Chepeka, manager of commu- tors walk through our facility, what they find nications. “People are just so much happier interesting,” says Scott Delucchi, senior vice to be here ... [The old facility] looked like a president of community relations. “Everyone place that animals needed to be rescued [wants] to look at the kittens, and the vol- from, and that’s not what a humane soci- The entrance to the Lost & Found lobby of unteers doing the feeding. It’s pretty ador- ety is,” she says. “There are a lot of people the new Denver Animal Shelter. able.” The shelter was intended to integrate going to [see] it as a destination, because of the important, sobering issues of humane the adoption area,” says Sandy Davis of Barry according to Doug Kelley, director of the education and domestic and wildlife animal J. Hobin & Associates Architects in Ottawa, agency. “Our visitation is up about 28 per- care with the playful, humorous side of the who served as principal architect, while cent, and the public has been very impressed. human-animal bond, according to George George Miers of Swatt/Miers was consulting When people used to come to the old shel- Miers of Swatt/Miers Associates, the archi- architect. “They were basically working out ter, we would struggle with educating them tecture firm that designed the shelter. From of a broom closet before.” that the ‘pound’ is no longer a word that’s painted Groucho Marx quotes to the reruns used in association with animal shelters,” he of Lassie on the TV monitors, “the Center for Is your organization retrofitting or says. “… And we just don’t get people saying Compassion reminds us of the incredible im- building a new facility? Tell us about it ‘pound’ when they come in here.” portance of animals in our lives,” Miers says. at [email protected].

ANIMAL CARE EXPO 2012 IS COMING SOON! GET EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS AT ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG/EXPO 17 18 18 ANIMAL SHELTERING JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG inches square for $500. Bricks, Bricks, for $500. square inches for $250, 8 square or inches 4 sizes: intwo tile a photo shelter. our tovisit comes for anyone visual who colorful wall a now cheerful, provides The andorganizations. viduals, indi- topets, tribute to pay giving the donors opportunity tion center campaign, capital adop- the complete help to tive afundraisinginitia- as began “Wall of Love”the effort as the “bricks-and-tiles project,” staff (AHS) homes.” animalsfind all the tohelp ofLove’ ‘Wall our created they much, pets belong to people who love them so asmile. “Those with explained receptionist the his eye. caught had dogs of avariety picturing oftiles area,groups tion words to denote dog, puppy, and cat spaces in out an attractive manner. spell tiles of Groups areas. public center’s adoption the throughout placed carefully been have project fundraising Love” of “Wall Society’s Humane Asheville the of part are that Tiles On Sept. 14, 2010 14, Sept. On HUNT LAUREL BY Society Humane Asheville forthe bucks big ofLove” raises “Wall Building aWall those dogs available for adoption?” for adoption?” available dogs those and asked, the desk proached reception “Are ap- boy young wide-eyed center—a education and adoption new Society’s Humane Asheville Donors could purchase could Donors Society Humane toAsheville Known “No, theyaren’t avai Mounted on the walls behind the recep- the wallsbehind the on Mounted —the opening day of the dayofthe opening —the lable for adoption,” for lable Bricks, which wereBricks, placed on the walkway entrance entrance walkway the on inscribed with the name to the shelter, could be of a person, pet, or an an or pet, aperson, of organization. copywriting, illustration, design, andphotog- design, illustration, copywriting, AHS. benefitting directly price purchase of the percent 80 innearly resulting costs, at modest vendors bylocal produced were andtiles bricks versions. Both preferrednors the 8-by-8 larger brick to friends or family. tiles, the do- two Of a togift ability andthe cost affordable more popularmost format withdue donors, to the added. print apaw wanted at$100, priced were $110 or who for those Bricks anorganization. or apet, of aperson, name the with inscribed be entrance, could walkway exterior the on placed were which Local volunteers donated professional donated volunteers Local We found that the $100 were the bricks Animal (or Animal Lover).” Animal (or Animal there,”be and “Honor thy will intown “All cats cool the there,” be will intown dogs cific to the wall: “All wall: tothe topcific the spe- brochures some had also We facility). new our building of costs the and donations connection between their a mortgage,” the (making with saddled be can’t puppy reminded people that “A We project. the advertising brochures toproduce raphy

ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY SHOW ME THE MONEY

We targeted a list of area pet-related busi- accounted for and names were spelled correctly adoption center. A donor appreciation event nesses for distribution of our brochures, includ- was critical. As construction progressed, staff in September 2011 gave donors the opportu- ing veterinarians, groomers, pet boutiques, and and board members developed a schematic nity to view their brick or tile in place. doggy day care establishments. We recruited for tile placement throughout the adoption “These tiles are magical,” says Katherine board members, staff, and volunteers to deliver center’s public areas. As a result, groups of tiles McGowan Shenar, the shelter’s president brochures, ready for display in acrylic holders. spell out the words to denote dog, puppy, and and CEO. “I’ve watched as folks have located A veterinary practice agreed to staple the bro- cat areas in an attractive and engaging manner. their beloved pet’s tile on the wall, and tears chure to its receipts, and several businesses that For any group wanting to try this, we advise fill their eyes. I wish that every homeless ani- aren’t pet-related displayed them as well. deciding early how much text and what kind of mal in our care finds a home where they feel Project publicity included email blasts images will be acceptable, and not to make ex- this depth of love.” AS to more than 4,000 supporters, print and ceptions. While the project required painstaking electronic newsletter coverage, and a web- record-keeping, it was worthwhile; it’s a visually Laurel Hunt is the author of Angel site link to the brochures. The most effective appealing part of the new facility, and donors Pawprints: Reflections on Loving and advertising proved to be word-of-mouth, or who ordered a brick or tile really love seeing it. Losing a Canine Companion and Angel through personalized notes sent with a bro- “The tiles range from really great shots Whiskers: Reflections on Loving and chure to friends. One of those resulted in a taken by a professional down to little faded Losing a Feline Companion. She serves $100,000 contribution to the campaign, in snapshots that you can tell are 20 years old,” on the board of AHS and volunteers addition to the nearly $100,000 raised by says Jim Fulton, director of programs. The wall with Paws on a Mission’s pet therapy sales of bricks and tiles. even includes at least one fictitious beast: program. Her blog, Bark Wag Love, Meticulous planning and record-keeping “There’s even a drawing of a unicorn. I always includes fundraising ideas for shelter were crucial to the project’s success; donors tell kids that whoever finds the unicorn wins.” and pet therapy programs, pet loss were paying to honor their pets or other impor- AHS continues to promote the purchase resources, and human-animal bond tant people, so making sure that everyone was of bricks and tiles for additional areas of the stories at laurelhuntbooks.com.

Watch Your Fundraising Soar! Cloud-Based Fundraising Software Made Easy!

More “Excellent” ratings than any other Campbell Award Winner for donor management software “Exceptional Customer Satisfaction” “A Consumers Guide to Low Cost Donor Management Systems” - NTEN / Idealware

donorperfect.com/shelter

Up % To 25 Off for Shelter Partners! Ask for details.

ANIMAL CARE EXPO 2012 IS COMING SOON! GET EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS AT ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG/EXPO 19 MUTTERINGS

BY ARNA COHEN

Reclassifying Hoarding Shop Till You Drop Sheltering professionals have long been aware of the filth and disease that hoarders force Attention, shopaholics! Now you can indulge upon the animals they collect, but the recent proliferation of reality television shows about your habit and help homeless pets at the hoarding has finally dragged this poorly understood disorder out of the shadows and into same time. Shop your favorite online stores the public spotlight. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognizes hoarding as a through adoptashelter.com, and a percent- serious mental illness that is difficult to treat, but its classification as an obsessive compulsive age of whatever you spend will be donated disorder (OCD) has in many cases kept sufferers from getting a clear diagnosis and insurance by the stores to the animal nonprofit organi- coverage for treatment. Hoarders often don’t fit neatly into the OCD category. For example, zation of your choice (maybe your own! You OCD patients are usually aware that they have a problem and want desperately to conquer it, while many hoarders insist there’s nothing wrong with them. Blind to the filth they live in, they often show elements of addictive behavior, post-traumatic stress disorder, and many other problems. Now the APA is considering changing how the illness is classified. The group began studying the issue in 2010 and is contemplating spinning hoarding off as a separate disorder for the 2013 version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, a move that may make it easier for hoarders to get the help they need. could be funding a raise for yourself by shopping! OK, maybe we’re getting carried away). The website is the brainchild of Chris Ruben, a Texas-based marketing consultant whose clients include pet product companies. He wanted to help shelters devote their time to caring for animals and worry less about fundraising. “We were trying to find a fundraising tool that was free, easy to use, no login, no password, and people would do what they’re normally doing—shopping online,” says Ruben. Simply go to adoptashelter.com, choose the shelter or group to receive the donation, then click on “Shop Now” to buy at Amazon, Wal-Mart, PetSmart, and hundreds of other big-name retailers. Every penny of the percentage each store agrees to donate goes to that charity. Users can also nominate organizations to be added to the site. You can’t take it with you, so why not spend like there’s no tomorrow?

Calling all Adopters Looking for a new pet? If you live in the Washington, D.C., area, you can let your fingers do the talking with a smartphone app from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) in Northern Virginia. Designed for the iPhone and iPad, the app displays real-time photos and information about cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and other small animals available for adoption at the shelter. “It’s much more user-friendly for someone using a smartphone,” says Susan Sherman, AWLA’s deputy executive director. “If you just look at a Web page, everything is very small and hard to see. This is a very clean design, configured for that size.” Board member Ron Novak of Segue Technologies Inc. of Arlington developed the app and donated it to the AWLA, saving the organization thousands of dollars. More than 650 users have downloaded the app, available for free in the

iTunes App Store, since it was launched in spring 2011. THIS PAGE, TOP: MCARPER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; BOTTOM: ITUNES.APPLE.COM. OPPOSITE PAGE: MARYLAND MVA

20 ANIMAL SHELTERING JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG Arms of Steel, Hearts of Gold Fans may know them as heavy hitters on the field of competitive sports, but three professional athletes in Baltimore want the world to know that behind those bulging muscles, shaved heads, and fearsome tat- toos are tender hearts that love their pets. The Baltimore Sun reports that Ravens linebacker Tail of the Tags Jarret Johnson, Orioles center- If cats could drive, they would so get this license fielder Adam Jones, and mixed plate. Maryland drivers can support feral cat martial arts fighter John Rallo spay/neuter programs by ordering the “Trap teamed up with the Mayor’s Neuter Return” license plate, which raises aware- Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory ness about ferals and trap-neuter-return organi- Committee in a public service zations throughout the state. Many states have campaign entitled “Show Your animal-friendly plates that support spay/neuter Soft Side,” which rolled out in programs, but this one is dedicated entirely to October to send kids the mes- feral cat welfare. Proceeds benefit Community sage that macho does not equal mean. “Hurting an animal is not a rite of passage to show Cats Maryland, a Baltimore-based nonprofit your manhood,” says committee director Caroline Griffin, who developed the campaign that receives $20 per plate. But fundraising along with advertising executive Sande Riesett after a string of horrific animal abuse crimes wasn’t the main point behind the plates accord- committed by juveniles. In a radio spot, the 260-pound football player baby talks to his dog, ing to cofounder Peg Nemoff. “The idea … was while on his poster, the martial artist’s massive arms cradle his black-and-white cat, Doobie. to get the word out about TNR,” she says. For “Only a punk would hurt a cat or dog” is the slogan. Whatever you say, sir! more information, visit communitycatsmd.org.

Grow, Fur, Grow! Rumpelstiltskin made his name by spinning straw into gold. You can make yours by turning cat hair into cute stuff like pincushions, finger pup- pets, and of course cat toys. Crafting with Cat Hair: Cute Handicrafts to Make with Your Cat, by Japanese writer Kaori Tsutaya, is admittedly a cute book, filled with photographs and detailed instructions on how to harvest (brush the cat, don’t shave her) and process cat fur (wash the fur, not the cat) and create adorable products that would most likely sell like hotcakes at a cat show. We fear the negative effect this could have on the lint roller industry, but what a great way to get those lazy cats to earn their keep.

ANIMAL CARE EXPO 2012 IS COMING SOON! GET EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS AT ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG/EXPO 21