Cats in Crisis Get Ready! the Walk for Animals Is May 1 Tales of a Happy Camper in the "Wright" Place AHS Board Contents a Message from Janelle Dixon of Directors
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ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY MAGAZINE SPRING/SUMMER 2010 ANIMALTRACKS Cats in crisis Get ready! The Walk for Animals is May 1 Tales of a happy camper In the "Wright" place AHS Board contents a message from Janelle Dixon of Directors The Animal Humane Society is the leading animal In this issue we once again open the doors to the cat overpopula- Nic Pifer - Chair welfare organization in the Upper Midwest dedicated tion issue being faced in communities across Minnesota and Cyndi Lesher - Vice Chair to engaging and serving local and regional communi- throughout the United States. This is not the first time we’ve writ- Jeff Ament - Treasurer ties of people and animals. Our mission is to engage the hearts, hands and minds of the community to ten about the crisis, and it won’t be the last. However, if we con- Teresa Morrow - Secretary serve more animals. tinue to build awareness and take measures to correct it together, Through comprehensive programs and services, the we will soon begin to make a difference in the lives of thousands of Scott Aebischer Animal Humane Society provides resources that com- homeless felines found in our local communities each year. Dr. Ed Clausman, DVM passionately serve all the stages of an animal’s life. In the article, we pose the question, “Why are there so many cats Barb Colombo As a private non-profit organization, we receive no without a home and why aren’t we doing more to help them?” One Kerry D’Amato federal, state or government funding and rely totally definitive answer is that cats are perceived as second class citizens in Lisa Goodman on private donations, merchandise sales and Dean Hedstrom adoption fees. our communities. They are viewed and treated differently in so many ways—ways that contribute to the crisis we face as a community. Don Jacobsen Sheila Kennedy 6 Consider the way we approach bringing a cat into our home. It’s James Lane ANIMALTRACKS different from the way we choose to get a dog. It is most often by Linda Lee SPRING/SUMMER 2010 happenstance—a friend’s cat accidentally has a litter of kittens and Murphy McKee we take one; an ad in the paper for free kittens draws our attention and we bring one home; a stray wonders Lia Melrose Circulation: 60,000 into our yard and three months later is sleeping in our bed every night. We get a cat with little forethought Writers: Josie Brickley, Tracie Jacobson, Dr. Ned Patterson, DVM Lori-Anne Williams or planning. Wayne Popham Editors: Laurie Brickley and Tracie Jacobson When it comes to dogs, we put forth great effort. We deliberate whether we have enough time, what size Boyd Ratchye Design: Mike Tincher, T DESIGN would be best, which breeds don’t shed and so on. We spend hours researching breeds, visiting online post- Damon Schramm Photography: Mandy Ashby, Sara Beth Photography, Matthew Harthan, Mike Kubes, ings of adoptable animals, talking to our friends and family about the decision—months can pass and then Kristi Skordahl Krista Erin Nelson, Pic'n Paw Photography, we make a purposeful choice about exactly which dog we will make a member of our family. Carolyn Smith Tom Sadowski, Laurie Schneider Once the dogs are in our homes the disparity continues: Dr. Robert Washabau, VMD Janelle Dixon – CEO/President 10 • Cities require that dogs be licensed, but not cats. Animal Tracks is published in April and October. • Dogs are microchipped and get a collar and ID tags; cats are more than likely to not receive these. • Dogs let outside are supervised and kept on a leash or in a fenced yard; cats are let out to roam freely. • Dogs are more likely to receive regular veterinary care, including annual examinations and vaccinations; cats are much less likely to get the same care. • Dogs are more likely to be spayed or neutered; cats are less likely to receive the important surgery and contribute more significantly to the overpopulation problem. on the cover • Stray dogs are more likely to be claimed than stray cats and have a higher rate of return to their owners. Photo by Krista Erin Nelson Although cats are loved and adored in homes across the country, we continue to see the above trends every- More than 70 cats per day arrive at the Animal where. These trends and behaviors which lead to overcrowding in shelters threaten the very lives of the ani- Humane Society between May and October each year. You can help. Read “Cats in Crisis: Why so many are 20 mals we love. Sadly, there are more cats surrendered to shelters annually than there are families willing to adopt them. homeless and how we can help them” to learn more. 3 A message from Janelle Dixon 4 Locations, hours and services This is a community problem and you can be part of the solution. We need to work together to change current trends and behaviors to provide a better quality of life for felines and reduce the number entering 6 Petcetera shelters each year. Please read “Cats in crisis: Why so many are homeless and how we can help them” to 8 A happy camper remembers learn more. The Animal Humane Society is a member of 10 Cats in crisis Pet Shelters Across America, a consortium of humane organizations throughout the 16 AHS Walk for Animals 2010 country that raise funds to care for animals in local shelters. 18 Walking the talk 20 Adopter profile The Animal Humane Society is a founding 22 Ways you can help member of the Minnesota Partnership for Animal Welfare (MnPAW) a coalition of 24 Memorials, tributes and honorariums animal welfare organizations in Minnesota Janelle Dixon, CEO/President committed to finding a home for every 29 Calendar of events healthy and treatable companion animal in Minnesota. 2 • ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY MAGAZINE SPRING/SUMMER 2010 • www.animalhumanesociety.org www.animalhumanesociety.org • ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY MAGAZINE SPRING/SUMMER 2010 • 3 locations hours our services BUFFALO FACILITY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY ADOPTION BIRTHDAY PARTIES 4375 Hwy. 55 S.E. Incoming Animals: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Let an animal choose you! Cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, ferrets, guinea pigs Have your birthday party at an AHS location and invite up to 15 guests. Buffalo, MN 55313 Adoption Center: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and small critters are available for adoption at our five locations. Call (763) 489-2220 for more information. (763) 390-3647 View the animals available today at www.animalhumanesociety.org. Pet adoption and surrender, memorial garden, microchip SATURDAY WILDLIFE REHABILITATION and nail clinics, pet loss services, retail area, shelter tours, Incoming Animals and Adoption Center: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. SURRENDER Injured and orphaned wildlife are treated at our Golden Valley location. youth programs SUNDAY No animal is ever turned away at any of our five open admission locations For information call (763)-489-2223 or visit Incoming Animals and Adoption Center: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. where we provide safe refuge for thousands of animals each year. www.animalhumanesociety.org/services/wildliferescue. COON RAPIDS FACILITY Visit www.animalhumanesociety.org/services/surrendering. 1411 Main St. N.W. Closed Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. LOST AND FOUND PETS Coon Rapids, MN 55448 PET BOARDING We offer a lost and found online bulletin board for you to post missing or (763) 862-4030 We offer two options for pet boarding. Our facility in Golden Valley found pets. Also, review stray animals in our care at our facilities at Pet adoption and surrender, dog training, microchip and nail clinics, pet loss services, retail area, shelter tours, contact (763) 489-2222 and Now Boarding near the Minneapolis-St. Paul www.animalhumanesociety.org/lostandfound. Airport (612) 454-4850. youth programs MAIN PHONE NUMBER BEHAVIOR HELPLINE (763) 522-4325 PET TRAINING Have a question regarding your pet? Call our helpline at (763) 489-2202. GOLDEN VALLEY FACILITY We speak fluent animal. More than 40 classes are offered weekly at our 845 Meadow Ln. N. WEBSITE Coon Rapids, Golden Valley, Woodbury and Now Boarding locations. ONLINE LIBRARY Golden Valley, MN 55422 www.animalhumanesociety.org Visit our online library for help with pet training and behavior at (763) 522-4325 Check out www.animalhumanesociety.org/training Pet adoption and surrender, dog playgroups, microchip and or call (763) 489-2217. www.animalhumanesociety.org/training/library. nail clinics, pet boarding, pet training, retail area, shelter THERAPY ANIMALS tours, wildlife rescue, youth programs PET FOOD AND SUPPLIES Purina One dog and cat foods and treats as well as Tidy Cat litter, Animal Ambassadors, AHS’s animal-assisted therapy teams visit hospitals, ST. PAUL FACILITY collars, leashes, toys and grooming supplies are available at our five schools and nursing homes. For more information call (763) 489-2220. 1115 Beulah Ln. adoption centers. Used goods are for sale in our Golden Valley TOURS St. Paul, MN 55108 Boarding lobby. Tours of our facilities are available to students or other groups by ap- (651) 645-7387 Pet adoption and surrender, microchip and nail clinics, HUMANE INVESTIGATIONS pointment. Maximum group size is determined by location. Golden Valley pet loss services, retail area, shelter tours, youth programs Our humane agents work with law enforce- also offers evening volunteer-led tours on the first and third Wednesday ment and respond to thousands of reports of of the month by appointment. To schedule a tour at any of our locations WOODBURY FACILITY animal neglect and cruelty each year. Visit call the AHS Education department at (763) 489-2220. 9785 Hudson Rd. www.animalhumanesociety.org/prevention.