2013 Goals
My New Year’s Eve celebrations usually come to an end long before midnight. I enjoy time with family members, and then spend time thinking about the year past and the year future. I have usually chosen my theme for the New Year a couple of weeks in advance, so I think about how the theme [...]
Trap/Neuter/Release
Critter Corner By Paulette Dean In early summer, Dr. Richard Wilkes, the State Veterinarian, established a work-group to study the comprehensive animal laws. The idea for the workgroup came before the last legislative session, but became a reality after the session was a contentious one for animal issues. I was asked to serve on this [...]
Neighborhood Cats
This past Saturday, I was grocery shopping and, as usual, a large portion of my shopping was being done in the pet food section. A woman who saw my cart filling up with dog and cat food told me she buys cat food every day. As we spoke more, she told me that she is [...]
Halloween
This is the time of year when I tell you that I hate Halloween. I hate the way we start receiving calls about lost black cats before Halloween, I hate the gruesome costumes, and I hate knowing what I know about the “holiday.” About three years ago, Lynn Shelton (board president and humane investigator) and [...]
Cats in Engines
Helen Keller once said (and I am paraphrasing) that it was her desire to accomplish great works, but it was her destiny to accomplish small tasks as if they were great. With that in mind, we would like to suggest that you perform a small task that may avert a tragedy for an animal. Simply [...]
Mutt Strut
Each October since October 2001, we have held a fundraising event called the Mutt Strut. This event provides an opportunity for dog owners to take their dogs for a walk and raise money to help homeless animals. It’s a wonderful event that we always look forward to and enjoy. Since Mutt Strut 2011, we have [...]
15 Years Lot Dog
After twenty years of working for the humane society, it is difficult to recall every animal with which I’ve come into contact. However, there are many that will never be erased from my mind, and another one joined those ranks last week. On Wednesday, we received a call from a person who was concerned about [...]
Fritz Childrey Fund
We are thrilled to announce the expansion of the Fritz Childrey Fund for Older Friends. Beginning immediately, the adoption fees will be waived for the adoption of any senior dog or cat. For the purposes of this program, we will consider dogs and cats older than eight years old to be senior animals. The majority [...]
Disposable Pets
About 25 years ago, I read a story in some now-forgotten animal welfare newsletter about bringing new pets into a home where there are already pets. The account told of a family who had had a cat for many years. He was getting old, so they decided they would acquire a kitten. Suddenly, they started [...]
Billy
In May of 1997, a tiny black and white kitten was brought to the shelter. He had been picked up on a remote road in the county, about to be hit by a car. He reminded us of another black and white kitten, Billy, that had been adopted a year before, so he was named [...]
