So recently a group that we have tremendous respect for, and work with frequently, contacted us about the Chesterfield, SC shelter. This is the shelter that some time ago was attacked for being one of the cruelest in the nation, (allowing dogs to maul each other, killing dogs that had rescues or homes lined up, not feeding the animals, etc etc). There was also a huge outcry from the public to dismantle their barbaric gas chamber (that went un-inspected for years and basically TORTURED the dogs to death) and to stop the other horrors that went on. Their response to the naysayers and the whistle blowers? They sneered and killed ALL the dogs – EVEN THE ONES THAT HAD RESCUES WAITING FOR THEM.
Well. That sure taught all those naysayers a lesson, didn’t it?
The group we work with stopped helping there after that. They were so sick about this, so deeply sick and wounded that all these dogs died as “retaliation” that they couldn’t go back and help anymore. Did that mean anything to the shelter workers? No. They don’t CARE people. Do you think I’m kidding? Lying? Making this up? Exaggerating? I’m not.
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Animal Rescue by kerry on Mar 05, 2011. There are comments.
ELMSFORD, N.Y. – Pets Alive Westchester is proud to announce the appointment of Joy Sarnelli-Carson, Executive Director, and John Sibley, Director of Operations. With hundreds of animals waiting for homes, Sarnelli-Carson and Sibley are facing significant financial hurdles in the effort to keep the doors open on this 81 year old organization. Sarnelli-Carson and Sibley are up to the challenge, and are expected to bring monumental changes that will breathe new life into to the struggling shelter.
With their focus squarely on the needs of the animals in their care, Sarnelli-Carson and Sibley will implement solid plans for fundraising to secure the future of the organization. Their plans also include programs to broaden the reach of adoption promotions for their highly adoptable pets, plus a senior pet foster Program to help some of their aging residents find loving, forever homes.
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Updates by kerry on Mar 04, 2011. There are comments.
Pets Alive Gets Grant to Vaccinate Dogs for Influenza
Petfinder.com Foundation furnishes funds to protect shelter dogs from canine flu.
Pets Alive, in Middletown, N.Y, now has help in protecting dogs against canine influenza virus (CIV), a highly contagious disease that spreads easily from dog to dog, especially those in close proximity. The no kill organization received a grant for the vaccines as part of a Petfinder.com Foundation program to build community immunity against this respiratory infection. The foundation partnered with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, a global animal health company and makers of the NOBIVAC(r) Canine Flu H3N8 vaccine, to fund the grant.
Because CIV is relatively new, most dogs have not built up immunity to the disease. Dogs can get the disease by being exposed to those that have it, as well as playing with toys or drinking from bowls used by other dogs. People can also unwittingly spread the germ if they come in contact with infected dogs.
“Shelters and rescue organizations are often the first places that new diseases already in the community become evident. Dogs come in from the community and are released back into it, and often move to and from states with confirmed cases,” said Liz Neuschatz, director of the Petfinder.com Foundation. “Canine flu can be a real problem for shelters, where one sick dog can cause an outbreak through an entire facility. We are pleased to be part of this effort to help protect the community by providing canine flu vaccine to Pets Alive inc.”
Dog flu is a growing problem throughout the U.S. It has been confirmed in 34 states so far, but tracking the disease is hard because it is so difficult to diagnose. Dogs are contagious before they show any symptoms. By the time the dog starts coughing, it’s too late. Virtually all dogs exposed to the virus will become infected, and some will get more serious infections, such as pneumonia, which can be fatal. Dogs that go to doggie daycare, boarding facilities, groomers and shows and are vaccinated for canine cough (Bordetella) are also at risk for canine flu. Information about canine flu is available at www.doginfluenza.com.
The grant for Building Community Immunity seeks to protect all at-risk dogs in the community, including those in close proximity with other dogs, as is the case with shelters and rescue facilities. It also provides greater assurance to adopting families that their new pets will be healthier and much less likely to be sick or get more serious, and sometimes fatal, infections. The grant further links PetFinder.com member shelter and rescue grant recipients with local veterinarians to protect all adoptable dogs in their care. The program promotes veterinary visits for wellness exams and, when appropriate, the second dose administration of Nobivac Canine Flu vaccine.
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About Petfinder.com Foundation
The Petfinder.com Foundation was created in 2003 to respond to needs of its Petfinder member shelters and rescue groups and to assist them in ensuring that no pet is euthanized for lack of a home. The vaccine grant will help keep dogs healthy and adoptable.
About Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, based in Boxmeer, the Netherlands, is focused on the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of animal health products. The company offers customers one of the broadest, most innovative animal health portfolios, spanning products to support performance and to prevent, treat and control disease in all major farm and companion animal species. Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health; subsidiaries of Merck & Co. Inc., Whitehouse Station NJ, USA. For more information, visit www.intervet.com.
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Animal Rescue by kerry on Mar 01, 2011. There are comments.
Sanctuary animal updates:
Since my last update in November, the following dogs were adopted: Patriot, Daphne, Goldie, Princess, Nikita, Kiana, Dixie, Adam, Zip, Bear, Kelsey, Einstein, Eddie, Indiana, Waylon, Chowder, Zamba, Murphy, Georgia, Roscoe, Harley, Cherokee, Princess, Kimmie, Tyler, Buster, Sheree, Blossom, Bozo, Tyler, Twinkie, Kelsey, Chelsea, Gardenia, Rosanna, Elf, Mistletoe, Lilly, Sugarplum, Silverbell, Klondike, Romeo, Butters, Blizzard, Maximillion, Zeus, Dio, Lillie, Frosty, Daniel, Luna, Woody, Jupiter, Willie, Mona Lisa, Rose, Otis, Posh, Buddy, Jade, Joshua, Scruffy, Winston, Clarence, Holly, Charlie Chaplin, Ivy, Maggie, Coco, Chuck, Dusty, Blake, Luna, Gracie, Petunia, Tyson, Roxy, Goldie, Samantha, Duke, Boston, Daisy, Shadow, Dixie, Bartey, Foster, Harper, Charlie Brown, Shorty, Lulu, Sonny, Fluffy, Littleman & Princess (together!), Katie, Sunny, Wilford, Walter, Wilbert, Marley, Abel, Holly, Jada, Olive, Pea, Suzy, Chico, Willow, Honey, Stuart Noble, Parsley, Isis, Annie, Jack, Kitsche, Moonie and Red (together), Honey, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pickles, Onyx, Noble, Duncan, Jenna, and Rufus.
The following cats were adopted: Vivian, Ventura, Gigi, Tootles, Angie, Momma, Spunky, Splish, Chloe, Blizzard, Cuddles, Garcia, Beauford, Victoria, Sammy, Indigo, Spazzy, Buffy, Abby, Spanky, Cici, Splash, Ness, BeBe, Spooky, Mimi, Rami, Boots, Sheba, Lucy, Pinwheel, Tiger, Sharon, Chloe2, Boychek, Ramos, Miss Priss, Angie, Tootles, Black Gold, Sasha, Leslie, Buddy, Roberta and Frankie.
Noteworthy adoptions:
The stand out adoptions of the past few months would be Stuart Noble, Moonie & Red, and Sheba.
Stuart Noble had lived on the end of a chain for 15 years. His name was originally “Stupid”. Imagine being tied to a dog house and left outside for 15 years of your life and being called Stupid. It broke our heart. We brought him here, he was adopted, and now he will spend his twilight years living inside where he is warm, has had a name change and is well loved. It has touched our hearts a great deal that his new family appear to love him so much. We are really grateful to them for welcoming him home.
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Updates by kerry on Feb 23, 2011. There are comments.
So we were able to get Oreo’s Law put forth again to the Agricultural Committee (Thank you Micah Kellner).
This is just the first step of getting this bill passed.
Truly none of us felt it would be a problem, initially, to get it through this first committee. It was later we thought we’d have the true battle. But we underestimated the ASPCA – they have done this before, we were neophytes. They recognized that the best way to make sure it never saw the light of day was to influence the first committee to can it…and they did. They didn’t actually shut it down, they were just able to get it “tabled”, which meant that months ago they just all agreed NOT to vote on it until next session.
So in that time, we estimate that 16,629 number of animals have died in New York Shelters as a result.
Well here we are again.
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Legislation,
No-kill by kerry on Feb 11, 2011. There are comments.
You all know that Pets Alive often goes head to head with shelters that are still practicing archaic policies that result in the killing of perfectly healthy and adoptable dogs and cats.
Everyone knows by now about our experience with the ASPCA as we tried to save Oreo, a dog that suffered a life of cruelty and brutality. She was thrown off a six story building, had surgery, recovered, and then was killed by the ASPCA – even though we agreed to take her here.
We then went after the Jersey Shore Animal Center for their ridiculous policy of killing all FIV+ kittens and cats. We all know FIV+ cats can live perfectly normal and happy lives. It is also VERY difficult to spread, and kittens who test positive, often test negative for the disease after a retest once they are six months old.
We have gone after hoarders, the CACC, publicly denounced shelter directors that kill animals rather than take alternate options for them. We fight against archaic policies that result in animal deaths and we argue with shelters that want to kill dogs and cats rather than develop programs to help them get adopted.
We don’t just FIGHT and yell though. We work with shelters that WANT help and we try to take in their overflow, show them how to develop programs to get more adoptions, we help train their staff and we give them our policies, adoption contracts – anything that can help them get on their feet and stop the killing.
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No-kill by kerry on Jan 29, 2011. There are comments.
There is no end to the crazy emails and letters that we get. Some are so unreasonable and strange that we just shake our heads. Others make us laugh. Others are highly insulting. Many people give us their opinions or tell us how we could improve or do better, or how they would do it. Many also tell us “thanks” or “great job” or “we’re glad you’re there”. This blog is going to be about some of the crazies though. Come and take a dip with us into the twilight zone of unreasonableness. Are you ready? Are you wearing your crazy hat? You’re gonna need it.
Let’s call letter one “I don’t medically care for my animals, so I now realize you’re not going to adopt to me, so I am going to make that about YOU and not about me“. Hmm. A little long for a title. Maybe I need to wordsmith that a little? OK, let’s go.
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Featured Letters by kerry on Jan 10, 2011. There are comments.
We recently received a letter in the mail. It was addressed to one of the dogs here.
Most of you know him.
Our Cam.
If you don’t know the story of Cam you can read my blogs about him here:
1st blog: http://network.bestfriends.org/blogs/kerryclair11159/archive/2007/05/05/90226.aspx
2nd blog: http://network.bestfriends.org/blogs/kerryclair11159/archive/2007/06/01/90211.aspx
3rd blog: http://network.bestfriends.org/blogs/kerryclair11159/archive/2007/09/08/90218.aspx
We talk about him a lot and he is really special to the staff here and to the volunteers. He has been a catalyst for many changes here and many policies and he is just an all around great guy. I love him. If he hadn’t bitten my husband, he’d be living at my house now. Sigh. Oh well. 
Anyway, as you know Cam is definitely one of our favorites. Staff love to dress him up for …well…I was going to say for Halloween, but then, that’s not true. They dress him up for any occasion, or any non occasion and they paint his toenails, and he gets boxes in the mail specifically for him (he LOVES to play with basketballs and they will show up now and again in the mail for him). So it wasn’t really a surprise to see a letter come in addressed to him…but ah…the contents. The contents were. I was going to summarize it but I think it might be best to let you read it yourself.
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Dear Cam,
Woof! |
My name is Jake.
I’m a 1½ year old border collie.
You don’t know me, but you helped save my life, and I want to tell you about how you did that and send you something to say thank you.
After my forever family adopted me in April they quickly realized that I was really, really scared of like, everything. Somebody in my past did bad things to me and I was especially terrified of strangers and people I didn’t trust… but instead of running away I would try to protect myself… humans call it fear aggression, I called it self defense in a world that hurt me too many times.
One night my family was crying so hard because they had been given the option to bring me back to the shelter, where I would have been put to sleep. They loved me so much but people said that keeping me meant lots of scary risks and no guarantees. That night, one of my humans found your profile on the Pets Alive website. She started crying again when she read about you, because you were just like me and your story really touched her. Knowing that your friends at Pets Alive were able to save you and win over your trust made her believe that maybe I could be saved too. She told the rest of our family about you, and Cam, you were a glimmer of hope on the darkest night of our lives.
You made them believe in me!! I guess it’s kind of obvious what they decided to do, since you know, I am typing this… well, sort of… I’m helping. They promised me that success was the only solution and that they were going to learn how to help me become unbroken, no matter what.
My family says that I have completely changed their lives- that I’ve taught them how to love more than they ever thought was possible… that I’ve made them stronger and taught them so many things about life and love and never giving up. It’s been a lot of hard work for all of us, and we still have lots of work left to do, but I have learned how to trust my family completely and I’ve made so many new friends. And oh my goodness I LOVE life! I’m so happy now and I let my friends pet me and hug me and play with me and I’m so full of love that sometimes I give kisses! I even let them dress me up (shhhh don’t tell anybody, but I totally love it- I hear you like dressing up too! ). And I LOVE playing with basketballs, just like you! Basketballs are THE BEST TOYS EVER! The best.
Cam, you helped save my life and now I get to experience all of these wonderful things! I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so brave and not giving up. You are one of my heroes. I’m so glad that you have such wonderful friends in your life and I hope that one day you’ll find the perfect forever home! Dogs like us are really special and have so much love to give to the people who understand us, and we have so many things to teach the world. We help make the world a better place through the lives we touch and ultimately change. You changed my life from miles and miles away without even knowing it- that’s pretty special!
You and your family at Pets Alive inspired my family to never give up on me and I hope you all have a very merry Christmas/ happy holiday. I wanted to send you some treats but I didn’t know if they’d make it over the border (I hear there’s dogs with good noses that work there), and I was gonna send you a Kong, but they’re kinda hard to mail. So instead I’m sending you a Petsmart gift card, and the next time one of your friends is at Petsmart, they can use it to buy you a Kong (or something else super fun) and some of your favourite treats as a Christmas and a thank you present from me and my family- because you totally deserve it!!
Sending you happy tail wags and kisses!
And my family sends you lots of love!
Your friend,
Jakey
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Featured Letters,
Why we do this by kerry on Dec 27, 2010. There are comments.
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It’s the holiday season at Pets Alive. A wonderful time. People send us cards, letters, pictures, treats. Boxes and gifts for the humans and animals here, appear each time the mail is delivered. Truly it is a magical time of year. Magical. Just like Pets Alive is. A magical place and a special place.
 This is the time where we look back and reminisce about the year that has passed. The animals that have passed through our doors. They always arrive the same way. Pulled from euthanasia lists all over the country – in our backyard, or from somewhere else – they arrive the same. Huddled in the back of their crates. Eyes wide. Sometimes shaking. Confused. Scared. Unsure. And to each one we tell the same thing “You are safe now. You will never know hunger again. You will never be the victim of abuse again. You will never have to live in fear again. Come into our arms, through our doors, and now, maybe for the first time, know love and warmth, plenty of food, and soon – a forever home.”
We watch as they transform.
With every animal that comes to us, we watch this change take place. That skinny, huddled, terrified animal, blossoms under the care of our staff and volunteers. Soon they lose that anxiety and are filled with joy, tails wagging, faces grinning. They are happy, greet us each day, go for walks, for outings and find a friend to live with while they wait for their people. We live for the moment that they are in a car, going up our driveway, head out of the window as they look back. I imagine at that moment they are saying “Thank you. I wouldn’t have made it without you.”
That “you” is not us. It is YOU, our friends, our partners in rescue.
 YOU, our volunteers, sponsors, adoptive families. YOU who give your hearts to help the animals find freedom and know love.
Together WE saved over 2,000 animals this year. Together, we stepped in to save the troubled Elmsford Shelter and welcomed them into the Pets Alive family. Because of your support, we have saved the dogs of Dead Dog Beach in Puerto Rico. Together, we helped more shelters become no-kill, training and supporting them, taking in their overflow. We have made a tremendous difference. With your help, and the help of our network we saved hundreds of animals that we couldn’t take here. We helped draft Oreo’s Law and together we will work to see it passed this year, so that no animal that has another option will be killed in shelters in NY. At Pets Alive in Middletown, we saved 120 beagles from a testing laboratory. All have been adopted! With your help we rescued over 90 animals from hoarding situations and found them all homes. We have worked to get animals, that other rescues would not take, off the euthanasia lists of the CACC in NYC. We will break ground on a medical facility to help our animals and the local community animals. We acquired the “Magic Bus” to help us get our volunteers and animals to adoption events. We redid every outdoor kennel, doubling our capacity while making the runs twice the size.
When we first came to Elmsford, there were 600 cats there, 400 of which lived in cages. All are now free to roam in rooms with friends. And 300 have been placed. There were over 350 dogs there, over 150 were seniors. Many of the seniors have been placed and we are down to a total of 220 dogs. We are in the process of getting a vet on staff full time, and building a surgical suite on site. Since becoming Pets Alive Westchester, the adoptions have increased from a few a month to between 50-70 a month. Volunteers are starting to come regularly and help us with fund raising and off site events. Elmsford is also becoming a magical place. All of these changes have helped us to cut operational expenses there by over 60%, and we are steadily rebuilding relationships in Westchester. To be successful though, we still need your help in Westchester.
 We appreciate your support and ask that you continue to support us in the coming year. We have some funding challenges and as usual it is one of our biggest worries. Your help is what keeps us going.
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.
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 2011 where we can save more animals and make more of an impact on the community and the country.
From Kerry Clair, Executive Director, and the entire Pets Alive staff
 P.S. You can make your impact last all year.
Please consider sponsoring the life on an animal at Pets Alive.
These monthly sponsorships truly help keep us alive.
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