So a lot of you had contacted us about the “Hunter situation” here in Orange County. Hunter is a dog at the Orange County Sheriff’s K9-Unit. His handler, Deputy Edward Josefovitz, was leaving the department and wanted to take Hunter with him. I must say that at first I felt like I had to be on the side of the handler. How could you live with a dog for two years and then be forced to give it up? This poor family must be heartbroken, I thought. So I looked for more information and all the web had was stories about how much the family loved him and that he was sick and elderly and was now living in a cement pen, depressed and dejected laying in the back of it, day after day. I confess I was really surprised and felt terrible for these people. So I reached out to the Sheriff’s department and spoke to Orange County Sheriff’ Carl DuBois. I’ve known Carl for a lot of years and was really surprised that he would treat an animal this way. REALLY surprised. That’s because Carl is a HUGE dog lover. In fact when his dog died this past year, he and his wife couldn’t get another one because they were so crushed and heartbroken by the loss. So how could this situation be true?
It’s the holiday season at Pets Alive. There’s a foot of snow on the ground here in Middletown, New York and more is falling right now. Pets
Alive is 80 acres of magic, and this is the most magical time of the year. Boxes of cookies and treats appear out of nowhere, and this is
the time when we receive cards and letters from all of the wonderful people who saved the lives of the animals in our care.
The wall in the Brick House outside our office becomes speckled with photos of the animals who found their forever homes this year, a sea of
smiling faces — human, canine, feline and even equine. We all have memories of the people and animals that we’ve met so briefly here this
year, and we all have those special memories of the animals and people we will never forget. It’s amazing to read the cards, look at the
pictures and get that feeling again, remembering and sharing a special moment that warmed us months ago, a respite from the weariness that
sometimes casts its shadow around here.
It’s those moments that leave their imprints on our hearts, amidst the time away from our families and loved ones — the missed birthdays and
other occasions, the inquiries from our friends and families asking us where we’ve been, the understanding spouses, the getting up in the
middle of the night to meet a transport of scared dogs that were headed for the gas chamber or a deadly needle. The endless stream of animals
needing our help that never seems to slow down.
The gnawing in the pit of our stomachs every time we worry about where the next month’s funds are going to come from.
This is Matt, sitting here in my family room, typing this on my computer. Roscoe, the dog with the 2 luxating patellas that needed
expensive surgery is curled up next to me on the couch, and Tyson, the little black dog that I picked up from a transport and fell in love with
immediately is snoring peacefully on the other side of me.
Kerry is at home anxiously awaiting the arrival of a transport of 14 dogs that were headed for the gas chamber in North Carolina. She was
outside earlier in the snow with her 4 dogs, including Jake, the puppy saved from a needle in Georgia, and Scrumpy, the one-of-a-kind Corgi mix
who is “awkwardly designed,” with his front legs shorter than his back ones and other interesting features. He’s only alive because of a
clerical error. It’s quite a story and he’s quite a dog.
There are a year’s worth of stories here thanks to the generous support of people like you. We often speak of how fortunate we are to be here
at Pets Alive, and we truly feel like we have the best jobs in the world.
As the Pets Alive employees and volunteers pass the door of our office they stop to read the cards and letters on the wall, contemplating their
own personal favorites. We will often hear people sharing those stories, remembering an animal that touched their heart. It makes us
smile.
We appreciate your support and ask that you continue to support us in the coming year. We have some funding challenges and it’s one of our
biggest worries for 2009. Share some cheer this holiday and donate to Pets Alive. Your help is what keeps us going.
As we take a day or two off with our families we will take a few moments to reflect on our success this year and all of you who have made it
possible. Thank you to everyone who adopted an animal this year, to Rob and Marisol Thomas for their help, both financial and spiritual. Thanks
to all of our generous volunteers and supporters. We truly can’t do this without you. We love you all.
Thank you for the cards, emails, notes, telephone calls, pictures and other expressions of your support and affection. We read them all and they have made
a tremendous impact on us. One of the donation checks that came in this week had a blue post-it note attached to it that said “I’m SO GLAD you didn’t go under.”
Yes ma’am. So are we.
From our families to yours, and from our Pets Alive family to yours, we wish you a joyful holiday season and look forward to a 2009 where we can save more animals
and make more of an impact on the community and the country.
Kerry Clair & Matt DeAngelis
Pets Alive Executive Co-Directors
And the entire Pets Alive staff
Filed in Uncategorized by kerry on Dec 22, 2008. There are 0 comments.
Pets Alive currently needs to fill two positions — a cat caretaker and a horse caretaker. If you are interested in working with animals and can start almost immediately, please email us your resume and a note on why you want this job to: info@petsalive.com.
Cat Caretaker
This position is 36 hours a week and the hours are somewhat flexible to help fit your schedule. The main job is really cleaning, and not playing with cats, so please recognize that. You MUST have no allergies to cats or cleaning products, and be able to work outside as we do have a feral cat area that also needs cleaning and care, even in the winter and the rain. The pay is $10 an hour and we offer corporate benefits only (you can pay for a discounted health plan if you choose to).
Position Summary:
Working within a team setting to oversee the health, well being, and general care of cats.
Essential Duties:
Preparing food (including special diets; feeding, watering, and medicating cats.
Socializing with cats, light grooming, watching behavioral issues, feeding patterns, and creating a positive living environment.
Cleaning work areas and preserving physical appearance of cat buildings and grounds: litter box cleaning, sweeping, dusting, mopping, trash removal, scrubbing, etc.
Working and interacting with visitors and volunteers: assigning work, answering questions, promoting Pets Alive’s mission, and assisting with their needs.
Monitoring overall health and behavior of animals and reporting changes/concerns to manager.
Other duties as assigned.
Experience / Requirements:
Must work with a positive outlook, be upbeat, energetic, and take initiative.
Strong desire to work with cats. Previous experience a plus.
Experience in interacting with the general public.
Ability to professionally advocate Pets Alive’s positions on issues.
Basic computer skills helpful.
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to routinely lift 40 to 50 pounds.
Must be able to work in all weather conditions.
Horse Caretaker Position Summary:
To feed and monitor horses and to ensure standards of care are adhered to.
Description of Duties:
Attend meetings and provide staff with updates.
Support company and department standards, procedures and strategic directives.
Oversee the ordering of supplies, food and medication for the department.
Perform caregiving duties, feeding, grooming, and maintain a clean working environment.
Monitor, evaluate and document farrier work.
Monitor overall health and behavior of animals and report changes/concerns to manager and appropriate individuals/systems.
Create a healthy and positive living environment for the animals.
Assist in transporting of animals as requested.
Interact with volunteers, interns and visitors; answer questions and assist with their needs.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications/Experience:
A working knowledge of horses with proven ability to promote a positive, cooperative work environment.
High level of interpersonal skills. The ideal person for this job is a team player, personable, professional, positive, energetic, proactive, tactful and diplomatic.
Able to perform strenuous work in adverse and hot weather conditions.
Able to lift 60 pounds.
Filed in Uncategorized by kerry on Nov 11, 2008. There are 0 comments.
It’s the holiday season at Pets Alive. There’s a foot of snow on the ground here in Middletown, New York and more is falling right now. Pets
This is Matt, sitting here in my family room, typing this on my computer. Roscoe, the dog with the 2 luxating patellas that needed
Thank you for the cards, emails, notes, telephone calls, pictures and other expressions of your support and affection. We read them all and they have made
Horse Caretaker