What a month at Pets Alive. One of the worst I can ever remember.
It has actually defeated me a little bit and slammed me to my knees. I’ll get back up again and dust off and go on, but sometimes we need some time to sit in the dust and cry. This is one of those times. Tomorrow or maybe next week I’ll be back with my fists in the air, but this week I’m feeling rather defeated.
First we had to say goodbye to Glen. Our wonderful, very senior horse. He had been battling a series of medical issues since we had taken him in a few years ago. Cancer, severe malnourishment, inability to absorb protein and much more. He was a tough case and we spent a lot of money and time and love on him. Last year, we even had to remove one of his eyes and still he valiantly fought on, grazing, hanging with his goat friends, and greeting EVERYONE who approached his fence. He was a special horse and we all loved him dearly. It was difficult to let him go and I still miss him and feel a pang in my heart when I see the gate to his pasture just standing open and empty. No matter how many years I am here, I hope that never goes away. I hope that it always hurts to lose one, and that I will always feel this terrible loss when we do.
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Animal Rescue by kerry on Jun 09, 2011. There are comments.
Oreo’s Law (now CAARA) WILL “die” without your calls and letters!
On Monday or Tuesday, Oreo’s Law (now known as CAARA – Companion Animal Adoption & Rescue Act ) will be voted on by the New York State Assembly Agriculture Committee. But it is not likely to pass without a large showing of community support between now and then. That is because the opposition has been lobbying strongly against the bill once again. We told them last year we would NOT allow this to happen again.
WE NEED YOU NOW.
“Where New York goes, SO GOES THE NATION.”
CAARA would:
- End “convenience” killing when there are empty cages and when animals can share kennels or be sent to foster care
- Require pounds to post strays, including photographs and descriptions, on the Internet so their families can search for them online
- Require transparency in operations by requiring shelters to make their statistics public
- Require pounds to scan for microchips, maintain lost/found lists, and match lost with found animals in the shelter
- Require fresh food and water, environmental enrichment, clean living environments, as well as prompt and necessary veterinary care
If CAARA is defeated, thousands upon thousands of cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, rabbits, and other animals will continue to be needlessly killed in NYS shelters every year—animals CAARA has the power to save.
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Legislation by kerry on Jun 03, 2011. There are comments.
Foster program
With more than 140 senior dogs and more than 100 senior cats up for adoption at PAW, creativity is the key to getting those furries into the loving homes they deserve at this time of their life. Unlike other foster programs in which the foster parent commits to taking in an animal temporarily while a suitable adopter is found, the Senior Foster program at PAW asks foster parents to commit to the animal for the rest of the animal’s life. We understand that the potential cost of medical care is one of the main reasons many people reject the idea of adopting a senior pet. So Pets Alive Westchester provides the medical care for seniors in our program.
With your help, we can get these animals home. Committing to a senior is one of the most rewarding ways you will ever find to help an animal in need. It has been heartbreaking to come here, go through the records and see animals that came in as puppies, still here 14 years later. Absolutely gut wrenching. Seniors, especially those who have spent most of their life in the shelter, are extremely grateful for any amount of love and attention that is paid to them. They have outgrown most bad habits, and appreciate simple things such as great smells coming from the kitchen, leisurely walks in the evening, and a soft, cozy place to rest their old bones at the end of a long day. In return they will be a faithful companion to you and give you uncompromising love and devotion. Won’t you please consider providing a loving home for one of these deserving animals?
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Updates by kerry on May 17, 2011. There are comments.
One month turned to two and a dream became a reality………
I arrived in PR mid-March to search for land for Pets Alive Puerto Rico and received an exciting phone call from my good friend, fellow rescuer and all around angel, Iris. The First Lady of Puerto Rico had heard about my rescue work over here from Iris’s husband, who works directly with the Governor of Puerto Rico. I was invited for an audience at her office to discuss plans for Pets Alive Puerto Rico. After running out and buying a frock (I didn’t pack anything apart from shorts and t-shirts – good dog rescuing gear!) I went to La Fortaleza, The Governor of Puerto Rico’s Mansion.
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Updates by kerry on May 15, 2011. There are comments.
Huckleberry came to Pets Alive Westchester a few months ago from a high kill shelter in the south where he had been turned in as a stray. He was in very poor physical condition and he had a large wound on his neck. As is the fate of so many dogs who wind up in the southern shelter system, Huckleberry was slated to be killed. A local southern rescue took him in and lovingly mended not only his wounds but his broken heart. When they asked for help placing him into a loving home, Pets Alive Westchester agreed to take this beautiful, sweet, boy and to find him a home.
When Huckleberry arrived, we were amazed at his stunning good looks and his gentle loving personality. This boy will find a home quickly, we thought. He waited patiently, and he watched as all of the dogs that made the journey north with him were adopted. New dogs came and went, but Huckleberry barely got a second glance. He was beginning to get restless, and had began pacing in his kennel run. He wanted out of the kennel. He wanted a quiet place to rest. He wanted company.
One night as we were making our rounds in the kennels, we found Huckleberry whimpering in his run, in obvious pain. We could see that his leg was broken. By following the trail of blood in his run, we theorized that he had climbed to the top of his run, gotten his leg caught and finally fell to the floor.
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Animal Rescue by kerry on May 07, 2011. There are comments.
So I’m in Puerto Rico for a few days to sign some legal paperwork and help scope out land for a place to build and start up an operation here. Chrissy has been in Puerto Rico for the past two months solid, trying to broker deals and arrangements for us to build an animal sanctuary here. This is really Chrissy’s baby. She has been in PR on and off for five years trying to make a difference. Now, it is about to become a reality. A no-kill sanctuary dedicated not only to saving the lives of the satos (meaning “street dog” in Spanish), but also to try to change the very attitude and care level in Puerto Rico.
It is hard to explain, unless you’ve been here. I know I’ve heard about it for years. People would tell me “oh there are hungry dogs all over the cities there” when they came back from vacation. And Chrissy would of course tell us stories. Stories that would tear your heart apart.
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Animal Rescue by kerry on May 01, 2011. There are comments.
The annual 2011 Fur Ball Gala Event Is On! BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!
The Fur Ball is a fabulous formal evening celebrating the animals that have been saved by Pets Alive.
There are cocktails, dinner, music, dancing, silent auctions, and our annual Awards presentation. Please join us in making our largest annual fundraisers for the animals, a huge success! This is the event that helps fund us for the entire year. PLEASE support this event!
The 2011 Pets Alive Hudson Valley Fur Ball Gala
Friday, June 17th,
From 7pm – 11pm,
Falkirk Estate & Country Club, Central Valley, NY
Everyone can be a part of supporting the Fur Ball, even if you can’t attend!
- Show your support as a Fur Ball sponsor and gain recognition at the event and beyond.
- Include your special personal message, or place an advertisement in the event program
- Come to the party! Guest list reservations $125 p.p.
- Volunteer to work on the committee that puts this event on each year! Please help by emailing community@petsalive.com
Together we will make the Hudson Valley Fur Ball a success for the animals!
You can also attend the Westchester Fur Ball!
Pets Alive Westchester Fur Ball, Saturday, June 11th, Mount Kisco, NY.
For additional information, or questions, contact community@petsalive.com
Sanctuary animal updates:
Since my last update on February 23rd, the following dogs were adopted: Rufus, Sassy, Celine, Princess, Buffy, Spot, Elmo, Roxy, Scooby, Jake, Selma, Sandy, Ted, Yogi, Sam, Rookie, Grizz, Tonka, Yukon, Polly Anna, Chauncey, Dara, Charlie Girl, Larry, Mallory, Betty Jo, Brenda, Shelly, Belinda, Sage, Jess, Buddy, Butch, Bethany, Bishop, Bear Cub, Shania, Max, Bambi, Mallory, Javier, Theodore, Dublin, Bunny, Jonah, Glacier, Duncan, Elle, Reese, Jelly Bean, Buddy & Cadbury, Sophie & Lavender, Pogo & Razzy, Lucky & Sammy, Bobey, Bear, Jenny, Enzo, Moose, Rocky (Larry), Sweetie, Peep, Josh, Taffy, Timber, Griffin, Snoopy, Stephen, King, Homer, Gentry, Gentle Ben, Buster, and Elvis.
This month we had an awesome adoption day. On April 2 EVERY adoption was a double! There were four adoption appointments for dogs and one for cats and every family took home TWO animals! Five appointments resulted in ten animals going home. What a great day. If you have a SINGLE pet, please consider a playmate for him or her. Long days without you can really result in behavior or aggression issues. A playmate and companion often alleviate those issues. There are so many animals in need. Hope you consider a friend for yours!
The following cats were also adopted: Ramos, Black Gold, Tootles, Miss Priss, Frankie, Archie, Sharon, Leslie, Roberta, Buddy, Angie, Molly, Sasha, Sasha2, Mitzy, Panda, Rabbit, Steve, Tommy Kitty and Nina!
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Updates by kerry on Apr 26, 2011. There are comments.
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So recently we heard from another local animal sanctuary. They said some of their members had come to them and were expressing outrage at our participating in the ASPCA Challenge when we have spoken out so vehemently against the ASPCA in the past.
Are we hypocrites for being willing to take the ASPCA’s money?
I don’t think so.
YES. We have GREAT issues with SOME of the things that the ASPCA has done – namely, or course, killing Oreo. However, we also strongly support many of their other programs and the progresses they have made in their behalf. Their low or no cost spay/neuter vans have been excellent in NYC – helping countless numbers of animals and helping to prevent more from coming into shelters. Their fighting against puppy mills has been well received and respected, and their pit bull awareness, pit bull programs, and trying to change the image of pits has been a great start in changing the public’s views on these great dogs. There are MANY things they do well and some they do terribly. We always speak out against the things we can’t tolerate and publicly insist that they fix.
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Animal Rescue by kerry on Apr 21, 2011. There are comments.
Today, marks six weeks since shots rang out in Chesterfield SC, killing as many as 22 dogs, and yet to date no arrests have been made, no criminal charges have been filed and the men accused of these reprehensible acts remain on PAID administrative leave.
Yes. Paid. After viciously murdering animals, they can sit home, basically on vacation, and get paid for it.
Sheriff Sam Parker’s office, which oversees the Chesterfield Shelter, initiated the investigation. So here we have the department that is directly connected with running the operation investigating themselves. Nice, right?
Well, YOU didn’t think so, and thanks to your calls and outrage, Governor Nikki Haley’s office stepped in and asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to takeover. SLED was asked to lead the investigation and turn over their findings to the Attorney General’s (AG) office. Great, right? Welllll, not so fast….read on.
On March 31 when the investigation was “complete” and the findings turned over to the Attorney General for review, it appears almost NONE of the KEY people responsible for calling attention to this were even interviewed!! That includes the volunteer who first unearthed the bodies of these animals, the 4 animal control officers accused of these crimes, the eye witnesses who came forward regarding the abuses they witnessed at the shelter, and none of the evidence of dog fighting was ever examined.
SAY WHAT??
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Animal Rescue,
Legislation by kerry on Apr 16, 2011. There are comments.
Now through March 27th – Sponsorship Drive!
Times are difficult for rescues all over the country and we are seeing more and more shut down. As a result, the need for us to commit to, and help MORE animals each month has grown. We are looking to increase our monthly animal sponsorships to meet this increased demand on our resources, and help us save more lives. Will you help us achieve our goal of 100 new monthly pet sponsors this week? 100% of your sponsorship is used for food and medical care for the animals.
We’re not gonna lie, or sugar coat it. We NEED your help to survive. The city, town, state, government – none of them give us any money or help. We survive ENTIRELY because people like you read this, and believe in what we are doing and believe in no-kill. WANT to see no-kill, want to see an end to the inhumane slaughter of companion animals that come to shelters because they are down on their luck and they need help.
The help they get in most shelters, is to be killed. We are determined to put an end to that. We work toward it every day.
Please consider sponsoring a pet. Your monthly donation of just $18 (three cups of gourmet coffee) will help us to save the life of an animal every single month. Please consider taking this step. We need you, and more importantly THEY need you. When they come to a shelter, starving, cold, scared and hurt, we promise you – and we promise them – that we will extend our hand, pick them up, and help them. We will not walk them to a back room and kill them. Please help us. They deserve it. We need your support.
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Uncategorized by kerry on Mar 21, 2011. There are comments.