Gearing up for the new year

Tri-county Animal Rescue Center in Shippenville has posted its spay and neuter clinic dates. The DukeFest team lists some of its activities for the year. Safehaven in Tionesta provides a safe place for Puddles. Precious Paws Animal Rescue in Franklin, Clarion PAWS and the Venango County Humane Society are helping adoptable animals find homes. And Clarion PUPS provides your weekly puppy fix.

‘Fix’ the problem

Tri-county Animal Rescue Center in Shippenville listed its spay and neuter clinics for this year.

The spay/neuter surgeries are done though Allegheny Spay/Neuter Clinic in Woodland, Clearfield County,  (www.animal411.net).

The costs are

CATS: Males $55  and Females $65

DOGS: Males $95 and Females $105

The rabies vaccine is included with all surgeries and pain medication is provided or a long-lasting injection is given.

Additional vaccines are available at a nominal additional cost:

Feline FVRCP (distemper) – $12

Feline Leukemia TEST – $30

Feline Leukemia Vaccine – $20

Feline Ear mites or Intestinal Parasite Treatment – $5 each

Tapeworm  – $10

E-collar – $12

Microchip – $30

Canine DHLPP (distemper, parvo etv) – $15

Canine  Lyme Vaccine – $23

Canine  Bordetella (Kennel Cough) – $15

Canine ear Mites or Intestinal Parasites – $5 each

Tapeworms – 0-20 pounds $10,  21-50 pounds $20 and 51+ pounds $30

On the day of the clinic, at 6 a.m., pets must be brought to Tri-County Animal Rescue Center, 9562 Route 322, Shippenville, or may be transported directly to Allegheny Spay/Neuter if that is closer or more convenient. They are then transported to the clinic, have surgery and arrive back at our rescue center at approximately 2 or 3 p.m. to be picked up.

All cats are required to be in a sturdy carrier.  Dogs must be in a crate/carrier or on a solid collar and leash (they will be put in a crate on the van for transport).

An unlimited number of male cats can be sent, but all others are limited in numbers that may be sent.

People must send payment along with the application. Slots are filled in order of paid applications received.

The  dates for 2017 are: March 16, April 13, May 18, June 22, July 27, Aug 24, Sept 21, Oct 26, Nov 16.

The link to the application is at tricounty-arc.org.

The center also has a program in partnership with Clarion Animal Hospital for low income pet owners.   Applications for this program are available by stopping the center or calling to have one mailed.

Tri-County is located at 9562 Route 322, Shippenville. More information about Tri-County Animal Rescue Center is available on its Facebook page, by calling (814) 918-2032 or emailing contactus@Tricounty-arc.org.

DukeFest sets dates

“It is going to be a great year for DukeFest and all the rescue groups,” the Duke Fest team posted on its Facebook page.

First up on the calendar of activities is a bake sale on Friday, Feb. 3, at Northwest Savings Bank in Franklin. The sale will be the fundraiser “kickoff” for the upcoming Penny Raffle.

The DukeFest team will post details later about the raffle.

Those wishing to bake should message the group’s Facebook page.

More information about DukeFest can be found on its Facebook page.

 A safe place

Safe Haven Small Breed Rescue in Tionesta poste on its Facebook page that it had its first sanctuary rescue of 2017. The dog’s name is Puddles.

“I got a call early this morning telling me about a 12-plus-year-old blind Doxie/ShihTzu boy that was part of a cruelty case. He was neglected, severely matted and had to be shaved under sedation. This poor old boy has no teeth is mostly blind, he can see shadows, and just needed a place to be loved,” the rescue posted.

“You know I jumped to make a place for him. We picked him up at the shelter late this afternoon. Puddles has a soft warm bed, and a full belly tonight. He will join the pack in a few days after he is more comfortable and adjusted. I promised him that he would always have a safe place to rest his head, comfortable and loved. I intend to keep that promise,” the rescue said.

Safehaven Small Breed Rescue is located at 318 Barber Drive, Tionesta. It can be reached by phone at (814) 463-5004 or email at safehavensbr@gmail.com. More information about the rescue is available on its website at www.safehavensmallbreedrescue.org or on its Facebook page.

Mellow fellow needs forever home

Precious Paws Animal Rescue in Franklin is looking for a home for Casey and several kitties.

It also has planned an Adopt A Pet event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 4, at Tractor Supply at 6885 US 322, Franklin.

Theresa Weldon posted earlier this week about canine Casey.

“Casey’s owner died of lung cancer and we took in his beloved pet and promised to find him a good home,” Weldon posted. “Casey is 12 years old, but otherwise in good health. He’s been groomed at Margie’s grooming shop for most of his life. He doesn’t like to be cold and likes to snuggle in his bed. He is housebroken and walks well on a leash. His right leg does turn out bit but it doesn’t cause him any pain. He is a mellow fellow, gets along well with dogs and cats.”

” We would love to find Casey a similar home to his original home with a senior citizen,” she added.

Casey’s adoption fee is $100 and he’s neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, negative for heartworm and Lyme disease.

For more information, people may call (814) 671-9827.

Steel, Petey and Noir are available for adoption.

The fee is $50 and the kitties are all feline leukemia/FIV negative, vaccinated, neutered and parasite free.

Christy Fackler posted an updated photo of her foster Frodo to the Precious Paws Facebook page.

“Afternoon siesta for Frodo who is still waiting for a forever home. It was a busy morning for rambunctious playing for this guy who is full of energy,” Fackler posted.

People interested in adopting Casey, Steel, Petey, Noir and Frodo, may go to the website pparfranklin.com and download the adoption application, fill it out and send it in.

Precious Paws can be reached by phone at (814) 671-9827 or by email at AdoptPreciousPaws@gmail.com.

More information about the group and its low-cost spay/neuter program, SNYP, can be found online at pparfranklin.com or on the group’s Facebook page.

Donations can be made to Precious Paws, can do so through PayPal at Adoptpreciouspaws@gmail.com or mail a check to P.O. Box 784, Franklin, PA 16323.

All smiles

The Venango County Humane Society in Seneca has felines Petey and Sydney (and others) available for adoption.

Petey, a domestic medium hair, is a 3-year-old neutered male.

His rounded head tapers into a modified wedge, giving him the appearance that he’s smiling, according to the shelter.

“His white coat has a spot of brown on the face and interesting smudges of black on his head and body. Petey has such a contented expression and awesome coloring he could be in a cat food commercial,” the shelter said.

The shelter said Petey likes being petted but doesn’t demand attention.

Sydney, a domestic medium hair, is a 7-year-old spayed tabby. She has a round head that tapers into a modified wedge, green eyes, and a brown coat with white on the face and neck.

The shelter cat said Sydney is an indoor only cat, declawed in the front.

“Shy when she first meets you, Sydney will be a devoted companion once she gets to know you. She loves being brushed but does not like dogs,” the shelter said.

The humane society is open from noon to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. It is located at 286 S. Main St., Seneca. More information on the Venango County Humane Society is available by calling (814) 677-4040 or online at venangocountyhumanesociety.org.

Homes needed

Clarion PAWS in Shippenville posted about a need to find homes for three cats.

“These three adult cats have unfortunately begun peeing on the family’s 6-month-old baby’s clothing, furniture, etc.”

“The baby has health issues and has had surgery … the family loves the kitties but can’t handle all of this. They were perfectly fine before the baby so another home without children would most likely be fine,” the rescue posted.

Clarion PAWS is located at 11348 Route 322, Shippenville, Clarion River Hill, between Scrap Happy and Clarion Electric.

The adoption center is open from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The center is closed Fridays and Sundays. More information is available online at www.clarionpaws.org, the group’s Facebook page or by calling (814) 229-1231.

Puppypalooza

Clarion PUPS in Strattanville is busy caring for a bunch of busy puppies and planning for its Easter Extravaganza.

The rescue posted that vendors should make sure their applications and table fees are mailed in for the April 8 event. The group is already at its maximum number of 30 vendors, but the spots are not guaranteed until the applications have been received and the table fees have been paid.

The group’s Easter Extravaganza will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at the Park Inn by Radisson, Clarion.

Meanwhile, the rescue posted several videos of the puppies currently in its care. The rescue said they have had interest expressed in the pups, but there have been no deposits placed on their adoption fees, so the puppies are still available.

More information about PUPS is available by calling (814) 764-5580, online at clarionpups.org, on the group’s Facebook page or by emailing clarionpups@gmail.com.

Guardians of Rescue group helps dogs
in the areas of New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia

SMITHTOWN, N.Y. — One year ago, a community was rocked by an image of a frozen dog that was posted on social media by an animal control center in New Jersey. The dog had been found frozen to death on a city street, and the picture was posted as a message to others of how dangerous winter temperatures are for pets, and how important it is to take action to help keep them safe throughout the winter. In order to avoid recurring images like the one posted last winter, it’s crucial that people take pet winter safety seriously.

“Every winter there are animals found dead, injured, or ill because they are not being properly taken care of,” said Robert Misseri, founder and president of Guardians of Rescue, an animal rescue organization. “Our team puts in a great effort to help as many pets as we can, but we don’t do it all on our own. We are urging the communities to get involved in helping to keep the pets in their area safe throughout the winter chill.”

Guardians of Rescue (GOR), which has a new show called “The Guardians” that premiered at 10 p.m. Jan. 7, on Animal Planet, has been actively seeking out those dogs in the areas of New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia that are in need of proper shelter. Their mission is to get dogs from being chained outside to at least having a fenced-in area with a heated dog house, at no charge to the pet’s owner.

GOR goes into some of the most dangerous areas in order to help dogs that have been left outside without proper shelter. They first attempt to get the owner to surrender the pet to the rescue group, so they can find a better home for it, but if they resist, then they do the next best thing by providing it with better onsite living conditions. In addition to helping pets to have access to better shelter, the group has been providing homeless people in New York City with coats, and providing them with dog jackets and blankets for their pets.

“We all feel guilty sleeping in a warm bed at night knowing so many need shelter, but when we know of an animal who is suffering, we get there ASAP,” says Misseri. “We found out a dog was on a chain with a subpar shelter on Christmas Day, so we gave them a heated dog house, and large pen, so we could get him off the chain. We do a lot of work to help the animals, but we can’t do it alone, we need the community to get involved, too.”

Many people don’t realize the seriousness of pets being left outside during frigid temperatures. Pets left outdoors once it freezes are at risk for frostbite, hypothermia, and even death. Further, according to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, cold weather can also worsen some medical conditions pets may have, including arthritis. There are numerous things people can do to help protect their pets, and the pets of others in their community throughout the freezing cold winter, including:

** Shorten your dog’s walk when it’s very cold to help protect you both. Elderly pets may also have a difficult time walking on snow and ice.

** Short-haired pets will usually feel the cold more than those with more fur and body fat. Keep this in mind when it comes to determining how long to take them for a walk. If your dog will allow it, put a sweater on them when taking them out on very cold days. When brining your pet back in from a walk in the snow or on ice, be sure to wipe them down to remove any deicing chemicals that may be on their fur.

** Pets should always be indoors during freezing temperatures. Once the temperature drops below 40 degrees, pets should be brought indoors. For those who cannot keep their dog inside, opt for having a heated dog house, so they are kept warm during the winter.

** Pay attention to the dogs in your community left outdoors without proper shelter. They suffer horribly and need people to stand up and speak out for them. Such situations should be reported so they can be investigated.

** A common deadly substance that pets come in contact with is antifreeze. Because it has a pleasant taste to them, they will drink it, making it crucial that any spilled on the ground is quickly cleaned up. Also, pets should never be left alone in a vehicle during the cold weather.

“We have seen way too many dogs that live outside with very poor shelter, and they suffer so much,” added Misseri. “We have made it our mission to go out in full force and try to help as many of those dogs that we can. The laws on leaving pets out like that are very weak, so we have to do what we can to help make a difference for the animals.”

The community can assist GOR by watching out for animals in need and contacting the organization when they see those in distress. Guardians of Rescue provides assistance to animals out on the streets, helping to rescue them, provide medical care, food and shelter, and find foster-home placements.. They are also instrumental in helping military personal bring back their pets from the Middle East. To learn more, get involved, or to make a donation to support the Guardians of Rescue, log onto www.guardiansofrescue.org.

 About Guardians of Rescue

Based in New York, Guardians of Rescue is an organization whose mission is to protect the well-being of all animals. They provide aid to animals in distress, including facilitating foster programs, rehabilitation, assisting other rescue groups, and providing support to families, both military and not, who need assistance due to economic factors. To learn more about Guardians of Rescue, visit the site at www.guardiansofrescue.org.

 

(All About Animals is a weekly blog that appears on Venangoextra.com and Clarionextra.com. Interested persons or groups can submit information to bigdogs.thederrick@gmail.com. Readers may also submit photos or stories of their animals to bigdogs.thederrick@gmail.com. More information about the blog is available by contacting Anna Applegate at 814-677-8364.)