Clarion PAWS helps a three-legged kitty get back on its feet, Tri-County has several animals that have required veterinary care  and Precious Paws is caring for an injured kitten.  All the while, the medical bills keep mounting. Warning: A couple of photos may not be pleasant to look at, but the rest of them are as cute as ever.

Spuds is special

Clarion PAWS of Shippenville welcomed Spuds into its care. Spuds was found by a good Samaritan found along the road and taken to a veterinary hospital. PAWS took ownership of Spuds so he wasn’t euthanized.  PAWS needs help paying for Spuds’ vet bill which is over $1,200 because he needed his leg amputated to survive.

Donations are tax deductible. Those interested in donating can tell PAWS volunteers where to send the receipt.

In addition to donation for Spuds’ care the shelter could use more funds and adopters.

The shelter is at an all time high if 83 cats and kittens right now.

“We are still getting calls asking us to take more,” a shelter volunteer said.

“We also still have people who can’t afford our low-cost spay and neuter clinic, which we believe helps lower the populations.”

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.

Medical bills mounting

Baron

Recently Tri-County Animal Rescue Center in Shippenville has been overwhelmed by a tsunami of significant, unexpected medical costs, the center said.

It is looking for help from supporters and the public.

Here are just a few of the costly medical situations it is facing:

**A litter of kittens born at the center contracted “panleukopenia” in utero from their mom. While mom is fine, three of the remaining kittens have a condition that resembles cerebral palsy in humans. As part of their early care, they were all hospitalized at a cost of approximately $200 per kitten.

**Blackie, a 9-week-old kitten we took in, who was found in the middle of the road, has a ruptured eyeball that requires attention. His surgery will cost at least $500 with additional expenses for follow-up care and medications.

**After being surrendered to Tri-County by her owner, Julie the cat was diagnosed with breast cancer, an inoperable condition that has required extensive medical treatments such as x-rays, ultra sounds and medications, amounting to approximately $500 in medical costs.

**After we assumed the responsibility for a litter of eight German Shepherd-mix puppies, the puppies showed symptoms of the deadly Parvo virus.  The entire litter had to receive medical support for more than a week and, even with a generous discount from the animal hospital, the cost for care is well over $2,000.

The shelter responded to the question “Why do you do this?” with a simple answer.

“We do it because we care; we do it because we believe that all of God’s creatures deserve to be respected, loved, and cared for, and so we are committed to caring for each one of these animals to the best of our ability, for as long as we have the power to do so,” the shelter said. “We believe it is caring for these helpless animals that brings out the best in us as humans. We believe that our compassion makes the world a better place, not just for the animals, but for the entire community of our neighbors and friends. ”

Tri-County Animal Rescue Center receives no funding from federal, state or county sources. It is not  affiliated with the Humane Society or the ASPCA. It is a private non-profit.

The expenses listed above are in addition to what it costs daily for rent, utilities, food, preventive medical care and cleaning supplies so that we can shelter and care for the dozens of cats and dogs that walk through its door almost every day, in the hopes of finding loving, forever homes.

Since January alone, the shelter has taken in 68 homeless cats and 87 homeless dogs; it has re-homed 48 cats and 71 dogs.

“We continue to exist and take in unwanted or lost animals because folks like you have faithfully supported us over the past four years with the generosity and kindness of your hearts. Without your generosity, kindness, and support the services and outreach you have come to depend on and appreciate – like our pet food bank, our low-cost spay and neuter clinics, our ability to shelter homeless animals, and even photos with Santa – would disappear,” the shelter said.

“Now we need your generosity, kindness and support more than ever,” the center said.

A few years ago, friends of Tri-County Animal Shelter fell in love with a dog they met at Tri. The couple adopted Posey, grateful every day for the joy and love she brought them and they in turn gave Posey the best ever years of her life. Sadly, Posey passed away a few months ago, and the shelter’s friends, while grief stricken, want to do something to honor the memory of their beloved dog. They learned about Tri’s steep medical costs and are offering to personally match up to $2,500 in donations.

“We just simply cannot keep on keeping on without your help and support,” the shelter pleaded. “Every little bit helps.”

Donations should be marked with the identifier “matching” or “medical costs.”

“Blessings, purrs and tail wags to each and every one of you…,” the shelter added.

More information is available online at tricounty-arc.org or by calling the shelter at (814) 918-2032. The shelter is located at 9562 Route 322,  Shippenville. It is closed on Mondays. It is open from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Getting fixed up and then getting fixed

Christy Fackler posted earlier this week on Precious Paws Animal Rescue’s Facebook page about injured kitten Luna.

Luna had an injured eye and some neck wounds. At a vet visit, she got an antibiotic shot and is on drops for her eye. Fackler posted that they will have to see how Luna’s eye recovers before making further decisions on it. Luna is headed back to the vet in two weeks. She will be ready for adoption after she gets fixed.

“She is a lovable little kitty who will make someone a wonderful companion,” Fackler posted.

Precious Paws is still looking for the right home for Novah. Leah Anson with Precious Paws shared a photo of adoptable dog.

“She needs a patient, understanding home, because she is very shy at first,” Anson posted.

Fundraisers planned

Meanwhile, Precious Paws is having a yard sale this weekend and planning a craft fair for cooler weather.

The yard sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 160 Hovis Lane in Franklin. It is on Route 62 past the fairgrounds.

Those having any yard sale quality items to donate can take them to the sale on Friday morning.

A craft fair has been planned from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Rocky Grove Fire Hall.

“Our second craft fair will be bigger and better – we are moving to a larger venue to have more room for vendors. We hope to have more animal related vendors and adoptable animals at this event!,” the group posted.

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.

Put on your jogging shoes

Clarion PUPS has some exercise buddies for you. Those interested in Izzi, Jericho, Sadie and Prius can contact PUPS at (814) 764-5580.

The rescue group is also planning a rabies clinic from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the PUPS property located at 483 Pine St., Strattanville. Dr. Debbie McClaine DVM will administer the shots.

All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. The clinic is open to dogs and cats. Cost is $15 per rabies shot.
A previous rabies certificate must be provided in order to be considered a three year vaccine – otherwise all shots are one year. Proceeds benefit Clarion PUPS.

He’s a little scruffy

Scruffy the dog and Outback the cat are adoptable pets waiting at the Venango County Humane Society.

Scruffy, a Chihuahua mix, is a 5-year-old neutered male. Scruffy’s longer coat is gray, white and fawn. He came to the shelter with his buddies from a home that had too many dogs. This youngster needs individual attention, lots of time to bond with his new family and a refresher course in leash training, the shelter said. He’ll enjoy exploring the yard and going for short walks on leash.

Outback, a medium hair, is an 11 month old spayed female. She has a broad head that tapers into a modified wedge, yellow eyes, and a black and white coat. Since moving into her condo, she has adjusted quite well to her new surroundings, but she’d really like a place to call her own and a family to love, 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 humane society is available by calling (814) 677-4040 or online at venangocountyhumanesociety.org.

COMING FRIDAY: Tri-County Animal Rescue Center is gearing up for its International Homeless Animals Day event.

 

(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. More information about the blog is available by contacting Anna Applegate at 814-677-8364.)