Spunky was adopted on Saturday! His new mom Andrea was so happy and excited that Spunky would now be hers! She told us that he has a bunch of new outfits and will be spoiled in a good way 😀 We’re so happy for Spunky!! He will now know the love and security of a forever home. Best wishes to him and Andrea in their new life together!
Do you remember our little Peanut? We met her a few weeks ago while performing our routine Saturday morning task of the professional photo-shoots for the new dog intakes that entered the shelter that week. This tiny, 10 pound dachshund/beagle mix-breed girl was emaciated and grossly sick with Bordetella. There was evidence that she had been over-bred and medically neglected. We knew she would have to endure a long weekend until Dr. Cindy could see her at the shelter so we pulled her from the facility immediately and began her vetting that afternoon with antibiotics – and more. With her ribs and spine showing, we knew tiny meals given 4 hours apart were all she could endure until her stomach got use to food in it. Given a ¼ of a cup of chicken and rice prepared for her, there was obvious distress in her stomach as she immediately went down on her belly as soon as she finished it. Comforted and consoled, the discomfort passed and she appeared to be herself. With an impending spay and a course of antibiotics, we put a plea out to the community in hopes of finding the best adopter ever for this tiny, sweet girl. Sometimes placement happens quickly and sometimes it takes an extended period of time so while she was receiving her vetting we were interviewing too. A combination of Facebook and a radio spot on WQMX proved fruitful and we found her a home within short-time. With a weakened immune system, Peanut had difficulty kicking the Bordetella virus which caused a delay in her scheduled spay. PIFFP doesn’t ever put an unaltered pet back out into the community so this meant she would need to stay in foster care until she was strong enough to tolerate anesthesia and surgery. While Peanut was in our care she received a couple medicated baths to better condition her hair and skin that suffered tremendously because of her malnourishment. On her last bath we discovered a mammary tumor (the equivalent of breast cancer in humans) and immediately knew we uncovered another medical condition that must also be addressed immediately. No one has ever said animal rescue is easy but this quickly became a very complex case. After nearly 3 weeks, Peanut improved enough to go to surgery (for her multiple issues which would now include a bilateral mastectomy) and she is presently recovering comfortably and gaining some weight; however, there is a huge lesson in why we want to share her story… We preach spay and neuter to the public (or to anyone that will listen!) CONSTANTLY and this is the reason. With every heat-cycle or pregnancy you allow your dog to have her chances of developing reproductive organ disease and cancer is increased EXPONENTIALLY. Not a little bit – a lot! Additionally, there are health benefits for our male dogs that are neutered too. Who would think this could be life-threatening for a 5 year old little girl? Well, sadly, we have been told it is. Awaiting the pathology report that is due on Thursday, we will learn whether the mass is benign or malignant. If it’s benign, she will adopted by her awaiting family and loved until her last days. If it’s malignant, she will live the rest of her days with me and we will make sure she is loved and happy and has a great quality of life until we will be forced to help her over the rainbow bridge. With information pending, we remain hopeful and intend to keep you all informed as to what her future will be. We give special “thanks” to Dr. Cindy and Dr. Dane Arends for always being in our corner. You two are “good people” and PIFFP appreciates you. Thank you to Peanut’s pending adopter, Barbie, for your patience and constant contact with us. We know you love her already! In closing… NO EXCUSES – SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS! This doesn’t have to happen to your dog – or any dog. There are many health benefits associated with this procedure and by spaying/neutering you are doing your part to reduce the pet over-population epidemic we are experiencing in this community. ~ Georjette Thomas
Brinn, one of the longest residents at Summit County Animal Control, was adopted by one of our radio listeners! Brinn’s new name for her new life will be Paris! Her human sister, Peyton, picked it out and she is so excited to have another doggie in the family! Madison and Dawn of our behavioral team did the meet and greet between Brinn and her new canine sister and everything went great. We are so so so happy that Brinn/Paris will now know the love and security of a forever home!! She deserves it!
Steffie’s #FreedomRide! We caught these two guys as they were driving away with their new companion. Everyone was so happy and excited to get Steffie to her forever home! Good luck, we know there will be many years of wonderful friendship!
Weekly dog photos consist of more than just getting a dog to sit, lay down, and look at the camera. It’s also a ton of fun for us and the dogs!!! Check out canine behavioral trainer Ron Shannon and new dog intake Bam goofing around 🙂
Rally is working on his leash manners through our Canine Behavioral Assessment and Enrichment Program. Madison says he’s doing very well. In this video, she’s teaching Rally to follow instead of lead which is why you see them changing directions when Rally gets too far ahead. The second part of the video shows Rally practicing to sit on command and look at his handler. Going on walks is great way to connect to your dog emotionally and should be relaxing and enjoyable for both of you! Rally’s getting a great head start for his future family 🙂
Mindy, a 9 year old German Shepherd from SCAC, has found her forever home!! We are so thankful that this older girl will again know the comfort of a home and the love of a family. She was so nervous in a shelter. Here she is getting a bath with Ron Shannon and her new mom and sister! Thank you to the Farabee family for adopting this sweet girl!
Check out Riley (blonde) and Java (black) playing!! Cute video right?! Well, yes, but we also want to explain how meet and greets go and why they are so important! This was done under the expertise of The Dawning of a New Dog – Dawn Pokorny /Dog Trainer. Only after walking Riley and Java together, and letting them meet in a controlled setting, did Dawn let these two boys off leash to play together. There has to be structure to a meet and greet, one can not just throw dogs together, cross their fingers, and hope for the best. Even as playful and cute as this video is, it wouldn’t have been possible had Dawn not gone through the proper steps prior. This is why we always stress a meet and greet prior to adopting: 1- Dogs don’t have to like every dog they meet, and just because we’ve introduced them to a few dogs at the shelter does not mean that they like all dogs! 2- It is always best for dogs to meet on neutral territory. Your dog can get protective of their home, and cause a fight that would not have happened had you chose to introduce them on neutral territory. Just like people, introductions matter and we want to set them up for good impressions 🙂 3- Many people don’t fully understand the psychology behind dogs. Why do dogs meet nose to butt? Not only do they get the most information there, but it is extremely less intimidating than two dogs meeting face-to-face. Eye contact in the animal world is a threat! That’s why it’s important to start with a long, STRUCTURED walk where the human is leading. This lets the dogs relax and calm down. Then doing an on-leash intro, and then finally if all is good, letting them do a supervised off-leash intro. 4- It is best to find out before adopting what you are going to have to deal with. Are they best friends right away, will it take some time to bond, or is it an absolute “NO, I don’t like this dog!” You don’t get a refund. And it is very stressful to return a dog- not so much for you as the dog you’re returning! So find out before you ever take them home if a potential new dog will get along with your existing dog.
Michelle Mattern and Tom Taylor have adopted sweet Autumn from SCAC! This adoptable beagle mix will now know the love and security of a forever home! We’re sure she will fill her parents’ hearts with love and joy! Best wishes to Michelle, Tom, and Autumn… and thank you for choosing adoption 🙂
Brindy has found her forever home!! This sweet, petite girl came into to SCAC last week and we are so happy that she didn’t have to wait long for a family! Allison Sweeney is her new mama, don’t they look great together?! Thank you Allison for choosing adoption, and best wishes to you and Brindy!