Vol. 29 No. 4 Winter Issue - Published Quarterly Winter 2012

Wrigley Writes ....................................................................................... 2Pups Paroled .......................................................................................... 3We Live for Happy Endings ................................................................ 4A-Team Saves At-Risk Dogs ................................................................ 4Volunteer Corner ................................................................................... 5From the Executive Director ................................................................ 5 “Trap-Neuter-Return” Program .......................................................5-6SpokAnimal Adoptee Stars at Training Seminar .............................. 6From the Board President .................................................................... 7Purrs, Licks and Tailwags .................................................................... 8Taking a Bite Out of Cancer with “Bark for Life” ............................. 9Thank You Pet Sponsors ....................................................................... 9How You Can Help ............................................................................. 10A Small Act of Kindness Goes a Long, Long Way .......................... 11Finding Fur-Ever Homes Through Rescues & Runways .............. 12Subaru of Spokane Helps SpokAnimal “Share the Love” ............ 136th Annual Thanksgiving Dog Walk ................................................ 14In Loving Memory and Honoring Tributes ..................................... 15

What’s Inside: Page

More about the Pawsitive Prison Program on page 2 & 3

One of the Airway Heights Corrections Center dog han-dlers wrote: “This program means more to me now than it did when I was first told I was accepted. Actually, you might say it all started with my ‘acceptance’ in more ways than one. It has been a roller coaster of not just bonding with Her-bert, but with my cell-mate as well. Both of us have learned better ways to talk and deal with others as well as with each other. And I’d like to say, with ourselves, too. The word “no” has all but become extinct. It’s actually kinda funny trying to think of other ways to answer or comment, without the “no” word. Yeah, it’s been a challenge, but a welcome one. Learning something different has always been cool to me. But learning something that is possibly life changing can be rather daunting at best. This has been crazy-cool so far, and I’m just getting started. I truly hope that this program doesn’t end for me. Who would have thought that there could be something actually positive in this place that I could carry with me, possibly forever?”

A whole lotta love goes into every prison pup.They are there to learn. They teach, too.

Teamwork, Patience, Responsibility, Unconditional Love. This program has far reaching effects, beyond the prison walls and beyond training wonderful dogs to become wonderful pets. We and our children learn much from being raised with animals. Many inmates have children at home. Many relate what they are learning about positive training to raising their kids and how what they are learning will change how they parent in the future. The dogs these men train may have a profound effect on how their children

grow up and raise the next generation. Kim Imel and Carol Byrnes have donated many great books to the prison library. Prison dog handlers and other inmates have access to a library of positive training books, including one called “The Power of Positive Parenting” by Latham, which isn’t about dog training at all. World-renowned trainer Terry Ryan has donated an autographed copy of her “Coaching People to Train Their Dogs” and filial therapist Rise Van Fleet sent us an autographed copy of her book “The Human Half of Dog Training.” These books address positive interpersonal relationships as well as dog training. One of our current handlers has eighty dog books of his own in his cell. Since they aren’t allowed to share directly with other inmates, he is planning to donate some of his per-sonal books to the prison library. These books will remain long after he is released back into society. He has set his sights on “going to the dogs” when he gets out. This program is vo-cational rehabilitation. Hopefully his experience in the pro-gram will help him make better life choices in the future than the ones he made that brought him here.

Animals Can Be Our TeachersLove. Acceptance. Empathy.

2

program moving forward. So, what about it? Want me to let my friends, the prison pups, know that you are helping them out? Thanks in advance for all of your support. I know I would not be the dog I am or be where I am at if it were not for the generous support of humans like you! Happy Holidays and New Year!!

~ OUR MISSION ~ SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. is dedicated to the placement, protection and health of animals through legisla-tion, education and programs.

Board of DirectorsPres: Christel Carlson Treas: Barbara Grant

Secretary: Angela Scheres Suzy Dix Molly Lundberg Mary Rush Carmen Murphy

Cynthia Schwartz

Friends of SpokAnimalKim Kamel Frank HarrisonKathy Hull Regina Winkler

Location:SpokAnimal C.A.R.E.

710 N. Napa • Spokane, WA 99202

Phone:(509) 534-8133 • Fax: (509) 535-9630

Clinic: (509) 534-4253

Website:http://www.spokanimal.org

Shelter Hours: Adoption Center:

10AM-6:30PM ~ Mon-FriNoon-4PM ~ Sat-Sun

Licensing / Front Desk:10:00AM-6:30PM - Monday - Friday

24-hour Lost Pet Hotline:232-2230

Veterinary Clinic Drop-in Hours: Vaccinations, microchips and

well-care exams. Sterilization by appointment.

2:30-4:30PM ~ Monday1:30-6:00PM ~ Tuesday

10:00AM-6:00PM ~ Wed. & Thurs.2:30-4:30PM ~ Friday

Noon-3:30PM ~ Saturday

If you are interested in viewing the partner organizations Community Stats for SpokAnimal, Spokane Humane Society, SCRAPS or Pet Savers, please visit their websites.SpokAnimal: www.spokanimal.orgSpokane Humane Society: www.spokanehumanesociety.orgSCRAPS: www.spokanecounty.org/animalPet Savers: www.petsavers-spokane.org

SpokAnimal & Partners’ Stats

We’re on Facebook! Stay up to date with all things SpokAnimal and talk to us! Our Companion Animal News quarterly newsletter is available for download on our website at www.spokanimal.org. We hope you will share your paper copy with another animal lover when you have finished reading it - reduce, re-use, recycle! For an up-to-the-minute update, we also

Come See Us Online!

put out a regular e-letter. If you would like to join our email list, you can sub-mit your email address on our website, or email outreach@spokanimal.org to be included.

Wrigley Writes

Wrigley

As we come to the holi-days and the beginning of a new year, it makes me think about my life and the lives of my canine buddies. I am so grateful to finally have a home where I am snuggled and warm and where every need is met. I am also grate-ful that I ended up on the road to my forever home through the Pawsitive Dog Training program at Airway Heights Correction Center. Just this month six of my friends have started their own journey through the prison program and I know they are going to have a great time. While their im-mediate needs of shelter, food, training, and most of all generous amounts of love will be met, they need a few more things to help them on their journey to their forever home. I told all of them, Emma, Ellie, Cassie, Lucy, Bruce, Annie, and Micky that I would ask our dear SpokAnimal friends to help them out. All of these wonderful dogs need someone waiting for them ‘on the out-side’ to be their forever families. All of them but Ellie who has a home eager and waiting for her release in February. On page 3 is a wish list for my buddies. I know it is a little specific, but the awe-some staff at AHCC have already ap-proved these items so they are safe for the dogs and humans living there. In addition to the things listed, financial support is always needed to keep the

3

♥

• Training treats, lots of them! Treats need to be small or easily torn into small treats for rewards for a job well done. For the health of all of our dogs, please be sure to purchase treats produced in the US or Canada.

• Small dry treats (Smack N Snacks, Itty Bitty Buddies, Zukes mini naturals, etc)

• High Value soft treats (jerky style treats such as Evangers or Zuke Fillets, freeze dried meat treats)

• Specialty toys (West Paw retriev-ing toys are always a hit, tightly braided fleece tug toys, stuffed animals with squeekies)

• Coats sponsorship (it is cold and several coats have been pur-chased to keep the dogs warm and dry when outside, sponsor-ship for each of these coats is needed)

• Any item can be dropped off at the front desk of either the shel-ter or the clinic at SpokAnimal. Be sure to label the items “Prison Dogs” to make sure they get to the correct recipients. Financial donations can be made in per-son at the shelter or clinic, on line through the SpokAnimal website, or on line through the Pawsitive Dog Facebook page. To ensure all contributions are correctly distributed to the pris-on program, note ‘Prison Dogs’ on all donations.

Important links:Facebook page: http://www.fa-cebook.com/PawsitiveDogPrison-ProgramSpokAnimal prison dog page: http://www.spokanimal.org/pris-onpups.php

Pups Paroled!Prison Dogs Looking for Forever Homes

Jasper, Maverick, Millie, Sidney, Wrigley and Spencer are all happy in their new homes following their graduation from the Pawsitive Dog prison training program.

Maverick in his new home.

Pawsitive Dog Wish List:

A whole lotta love goes into every prison pup.

4

We Live for Happy Endings ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Chloe

Best friends, Chloe and Littlebit

Chloe On June first, in the process of look-ing for a lost pet, Littlebit, we came to SpokAnimal. After four days of look-ing for our lost, deaf Chihuahua, we had given up hope. We came into Spo-kAnimal and saw a tea cup Chihuahua called Rose. Love at first sight. After filling out all the papers, and paying the fees, we returned the next day to pick up the newly spayed Rose, renamed Chloe, and began our trip home to Or-egon. When we were almost to Pasco, we received a phone call informing us that Littlebit, the lost 5lb deaf teacup Chihuahua had been found. We turned around and drove back to Spokane to retrieve him and then returned home to Oregon. I am writing at this time to let you know that Chloe is doing great and has become a very precious part of our home. We want to thank all of you at SpokAnimal for your care and concern and the great work you are doing. I am sending you some pictures of Chloe (the little Rose who wouldn’t eat) to show you she is doing great. Thank you, Pam and Greg Beitel

Florence and Charlie Carrico shared this great photo of them with their beautiful German Shepherd who was adopted from SpokAnimal and their adorable mini-Aussie who was from a cruelty case in the Tri-Cities. Two lucky dogs with Santa!

Carrico Family

By Kathy Robbins The A Team trainers are going strong, working with dogs who have issues that could make them unadopt-able. The team saves most of the dogs they work with. When asked about their most challenging and rewarding dogs, they mentioned many different issues. Peter Hamel reported about Bar-ney: “Barney, an about 10 month old male pit mix, was the dog I found most rewarding to work with. He arrived at the shelter very thin, quite possessive about his food, and not interested in interacting with people - to the point that he would growl and snap at any hand that approached his bowl and actively avoided being touched. Not a very appealing condition! Most of the team collaborated on developing an in-tervention strategy. It quickly became apparent that Barney was incredibly smart and responded, as most dogs do, to positive and patient guidance and instruction. He had a youthful exuber-ance that was a joy to watch plus an ever increasing appreciation of what

A-Team Saves At-Risk Dogspeople had to offer. It took about one month of teamwork with Barney and ultimately he no longer was concerned about people approaching his bowl, learned to enjoy a nice back rub, a knew come, sit, stay, and leave it. Barney was adopted on October 30.” Debbie Walker and Kathy Robbins remember Chloe fondly. Chloe, a small Lab mix, was an owner surrender from homeless people, along with her litter brother Spike. At the SAFER assess-ment, Chloe resource guarded her food. A friend of Kathy’s wanted to adopt Chloe, and since she had a potential home, the team went into high gear to work with her. Three different teams worked with Chloe on three separate days, and Chloe then did well on her second assessment, Kathy’s friend was called, and Chloe was adopted. (See the article about Cosi, formerly Chloe, in this issue on page 6). Bernice Furukawa not only worked with the little Poodle mix Boo, but went one step further and arranged for Boo to go to foster care. Boo was from a hoarder, and when he arrived at the

shelter he was the most frightened and unsocialized of the dogs from his for-mer home. Bernice recalls, “I worked with him for a couple of weeks and was able to carry him around socializing him. He was still so scared that he did nothing when SAFERED. I knew he needed special care.” Since the foster found a home for Boo with a friend, we still hear about his progress, and he has blossomed in his new home! Wade Ramm specializes in working with those large, rambunctious and un-trained dogs who would otherwise not be adopted because people can’t handle them on walks. He teaches manners to the wildest of them, and they then get adopted. Jess Moody can work with any dog, from the wild ones to the scared ones. Debbie Walker, Patti Parker and Kathy Robbins work with the frightened and unsocialized dogs, and the resource guarders. More dogs are being adopted thanks to the work these trainers do with the dogs. They can’t save them all, but they DO save most of them!

Is your forever friend waiting for you

at SpokAnimal right now?

5

Volunteer Corner

Thank you for your diligent efforts—the two of you con-tinue to make a tremendous impact at SpokAnimal. Not only do Rebecca and William brighten up and share with staff and volunteers alike their friendly and hard-working attitudes, they do this all with a smile on their face. Consistently help-ing out at the shelter tri-weekly, no task is too big or too small when it comes to them. A true team, they are always willing to step up and take on anything asked of them—from organiz-ing and cleaning out the events center, to loading up our ve-hicles with supplies for offsite events, to making goody-bags for adoptive parents, to even decorating this year’s “Giving Tree,” we can always count on them to do one heck of a job. Thank you Rebecca and William, we cannot express enough how appreciative we are for your enthusiasm and helping out in shelter operations—Congratulations on being Volunteers of the Quarter!

Rebecca & William: AllStar Team and SpokAnimal’s Volunteers of the Quarter

Dear Friends, As we come to this very special time of year, I am remind-ed daily by people just like you exactly what SpokAnimal has meant over the years. I receive pictures and hear stories of wonderful pets that have changed lives—and even saved lives. I hear from someone who has used our Pet Pantry food bank, and is now helping because they are in a better place. I hear from victims of domestic violence who tell us that sim-ply by having their pets with us in a safe environment for a couple of weeks has allowed them to make safe changes in their lives for them, their children and their pets. I hear from teenage volunteers about the impact that our education department, the reason they are now volunteering. I hear from people who have adopted their service and companion animals from us, allowing them to better function in today’s world. Every day someone thanks us for the Dorothy Clark veterinary clinic at SpokAnimal, which allow them to sterilize a pet whose surgery would otherwise not be affordable. I am thankful to KREM television for sponsoring our Pick of the Litter segment for over 20 years, bringing SpokAnimal and our pets into homes each Tuesday on the noon show. Because of this, I am always amazed how many people recognize me as I go about my daily life. The media spots have allowed us to take our message to the people of our area, and we appreci-ate the work of all our media supporters. I hope each of you has the happiest of Christmas, Hanukkah, or other holidays you celebrate. For me, your support makes it one of the hap-piest Christmas times. Thanks.

Gail B. MackieExecutive Director

From the Executive Director

“Trap-Neuter-Return” Program Helps to Save Lives and Free Up Shelter Space

Each year, SpokAnimal Animal Control officers consistently turn in the highest volume of free-roaming cats from the 99207, 99212 and the 99217 zip codes. As a community, it is important that we help to stabilize the population of feral cats, which is why SpokAnimal received a grant from PetSmart Chari-ties to allow us to spay/neuter free roaming or feral cats in the following zip codes: 99207, 99212, & 99217. For just $5, you can now bring in a cat residing in these zip codes (you, yourself do not have to be residing in these zip codes to bring them in, just the cat) and the cat will be spayed/neu-tered, ear tipped, and receive a rabies vaccination on us. The “Trap-Neuter-Return” program,

promoted by the ASPCA, is a more hu-mane and effective alternative to eutha-nasia for managing and reducing feral cat populations, which often times, can become a nuisance to communities. Cats are and have been the num-ber one problem in intake at our shel-ter. “Due to the volume of cats that are turned in, it is simply not feasible to have a three-day holding period like dogs do, so neither the city or county has a holding period for them unless they have traceable identification or a license,” said Gail Mackie, Executive Director. “That is why we not only en-courage micro-chipping of domesticat-ed cats—so when animal control gets a call or complaint for a free-roaming cat,

Continued on page 6

6

By Kathy Robbins On December 1 & 2, Spokane Dog Training Club sponsored a two-day training seminar on Competition Agil-ity and Obedience Training. The semi-nar featured well known East Coast trainer Diane Bauman (www.dianebau-man.com). During the planning stages, Diane asked the club if they could pro-vide her with a young, small to medi-um sized female shelter dog who was untrained. Mary Jane Shervais, the Training Director appointed club mem-ber and SpokAnimal volunteer trainer Kathy Robbins with the task of identi-fying a suitable dog for the seminar. To insure that the right dog would be avail-able, Mary Jane and Kathy began look-ing in September. If a dog was found early, Mary Jane decided she would just adopt the dog herself, so that it would be recovered from the spay surgery. A small Lab mix named Chloe was found in early September who had been own-er surrendered with her litter brother by homeless people. Mary Jane decided to adopt her and name her Cosi. Unfor-tunately, she resource guarded her food when she had her SAFER assessment, so the shelter A Team went to work to make her adoptable. Why would an accomplished train-er like Diane Bauman want to risk her

SpokAnimal Adoptee Stars at Training Seminar!reputation on a shelter dog that knows nothing? Because Diane Bauman has been rescuing dogs since 1974 and is a great friend of shelters. Many of her personal dogs over the years have been rescues, and she has four rescues at this time. She told me that the rescue dogs have consistently performed better in trials than the purchased puppies. She thinks that not only are the rescues al-ways grateful for what they now have, but that they have proven themselves to be survivors who can handle stress and overcome it. You also have a bet-ter idea of what you are getting for temperament and personality than you do when you buy a puppy. Well, little Cosi from SpokAnimal proved Diane’s point very well. She was a real trooper all weekend, learning every behavior quickly. Diane says that while all the shelter dogs she has worked with at seminars have been very nice dogs, our Cosi is “exceptional.” She is very adaptable and giving, easy to train, and Diane could place 12 dogs like Cosi im-mediately. Cosi is now back at the Shervais house, where she will stay for the rest of her life. She will be training with Mary Jane and playing with her Golden Retriever sisters, which she does every day without fail! Mary Jane reports

that there has been no behavior that she would describe as resource guarding. SpokAnimal is very grateful that someone with Diane’s standing in the dog training world is promoting the adoption of shelter dogs. Most of the dogs we see at SpokAnimal are NOT second hand rejects. They are dogs who unfortunately came from situations where they were not loved enough to be trained, or dogs whose loving owners fell on hard times and could no longer care for them.

Come in and find your perfect partner!

they can scan it and easily see it belongs to an owner – but, we promote programs like the ‘Trap-Neuter-Return’ one, so we can help stabilize feral cat populations through sterilization in different areas of Spokane.” In 2011, SpokAnimal and S.C.R.A.P.S combined received over 1,200 free-roam-ing or feral cats. Unfortunately, because many of these cats have not been social-ized properly or domesticated, the place-ment options are limited for these cats. While SpokAnimal is actively trying to place these cats, such as in our “Farm Livin’ Is the Life For Me,” barn cat pro-gram – in which we send feral cats to serve as rodent control for those living in rural/farm areas, we hope that commu-nity members will take advantage of this stellar $5 deal to help stabilize feral cat colony populations through the “Trap-Neuter-Release” program. You can even

rent a trap at SpokAnimal at the front desk of our shelter. Then, you can trap the cat, we will spay/neuter for you, ear-tip (crop 1/4 inch off the tip of the left ear, so that the cat be easily recognized as having been sterilized as a member of a managed colony) the cat, and even provide a rabies vaccination for the cat, where you can then release it back to the location the cat originally came from. Not only is this program a great way to become more involved in the commu-nity, but the “Trap-Neuter-Release” pro-gram actively frees up space in our shel-ter, saving room for those animals that are surrendered by their owners. Please get involved and become an advocate for the “Trap-Neuter-Release” program – not only will you be helping to stabilize feral cat colony populations, but you will be helping us to save the lives of the many cats that come through our shelter.

“Trap-Neuter-Return” Program (continued)

See page 14 for information about the $5 cat sterilization.

7

From the Desk of the Board PresidentHeartfelt ThanksDear Animal Lovers, I am personally thankful for what my membership on the SpokAnimal Board of Directors for the last nine years has brought to me (not counting the dogs and cats in my life), but most im-portantly, the empathy it has taught my daughter who volunteers with me. I am thankful for our staff, donors and volunteers, all working together to make SpokAnimal the vibrant organiza-tion it is. When we look back just a few years, we can see just how far we have come. We are grateful that five years ago the ASPCA declared us a Mission: Or-ange city—thus allowing us to learn from their staff, use their experts, and join with other cities for networking. They pro-vided us with training for staff and board members in a multitude of areas. As we “graduate” from their support, we are an immensely stronger organization in a stronger humane community. The im-proved (live) release rate and decrease of incoming pets speaks volumes. We are grateful for Dorothy Clark and her vision. Her bequest enabled us to purchase and renovate a warehouse across the alley turning it into a state of the art veterinary clinic where we pro-vide low fee sterilizations, microchips and vaccinations to the public. As well, we provide veterinary care to the ani-mals in our care. We are grateful for the vision of staff members who have developed new pro-grams designed to foster animals, the Cruizin Kritters program which trans-ports pets to guaranteed placement partners in other cities, the Farm Livin program that places at risk cats in farm homes where they are wanted and cared for. We are so thankful for the people on the other end of these programs, the foster homes, the other shelters and the farms and businesses. We are grateful for our media part-ners. KREM has offered us a weekly spot on their noon news for over 25 years. Pick of the Litter has found homes for over 1500 pets during this partnership, as well as giving us a platform to an-nounce breaking news on programs and events. KXLY continues to host us every other Monday morning with their Pet PALS program. KHQ has had pets for adoption segments both on the televi-sion and on their internet program. We

are currently working with them on an exciting new segment. The Exchange Want Ads have been vital in our Farm Livin program and we thank them for their partnership. The Spokesman, In-lander, Huckleberry Press have all sup-ported our mission as well. We are grateful for the advent of so-cial media which plays an ever increasing role in connecting animals with homes. With the help of PetFinder and our loyal volunteers Steward and Kathy Robbins, our animals are featured daily on that site as well as being available in real time on the SpokAnimal Android app. Our corporate donors have come through for us on numerous occasions with discounted merchandise or out-right donations. That means the money we would have spent to purchase food (thanks to Aslin Finch, Walmart, Costco, Target and many others) can help with other projects. We are grateful for individual do-nors who give $5-$500 at a time. You make a difference in the lives of the ani-mals in our care. Some of you donate on a monthly basis via credit cards. Some of you have matching giving at your work. Many of you have notified us that you are remembering us in your estate planning. You have continued donat-ing through these last several years of economic turmoil. We have seen many heartbreaking stories over the last few years. Individuals who find themselves victims of the economy. Our pet pantry is able to help those in need, keeping the pet in the loving home it already has. We are grateful that after years of work, we partnered with the City of Spokane, who leases us 12 beautiful acres of property for use as a dog park. It was the donations of you, our donors, who erected the fencing. It was the work of our development staff that ac-quired (just this month) a grant from the Nutro company to fund water. It was a grant from the Manito Garden Club that will provide us with trees for the small dog area. Your continued donations will fund future improvements. And finally, I am certainly grateful that my two house cats and two gigantic SpokAnimal dogs greet me every eve-ning when I arrive home. Their indi-vidual lives are a blessing to me. Christel A. Carlson, President

Valerie Topacio, a Seattle native and Spokane newbie, is extremely excited to be working with Director of Community Outreach, Bridgette Bossio, as her new assistant. Topacio, a recent Political Science Gonzaga University graduate comes to Spok-Animal with background experience and a passion for writing, graphic design, marketing and connecting with others through social media and on-the-ground outreach, mak-ing her a great fit for the position. An animal lover, and a three-cat lady herself, she hopes to continue to edu-cate more people about ways they can be a more responsible pet owner as well as assist Bossio and SpokAni-mal in vamping up their presence in the community. She believes that on-the-ground activism and a consistent presence at off-site events sharing SpokAnimal’s mission, “to place and protect the health of animals through legislation, education and programs for pets and their people”—contin-ues to create a more compassionate community. “It’s amazing to be a part of an organization where staff and volunteers inspire positive ac-tion and responsible-pet-ownership awareness,” Topacio said. “I hope too, through conversations with the community and by providing a per-sistent and enthusiastic presence that I can help inform the mission of SpokAnimal, and make an impact that matters, especially in the life of a sweet animal.”

New Assistant to SpokAnimal’s Director of Community Outreach

8

Special thanks to Kay and Lindsey from Pug Group of Spokane for their donation of dog food and $350.00 they raised from their calendar sales! They have 150 members and at any given day you might run into 20 or 30 pugs playing at the SpokAnimal Dog Park!

Woofs to the Inland Empire Kennel Club for their donation for our dogs.

Thanks to Spokane Art Supply for hosting an adoption event and art raffle of a wonderful Terry Lee painting!

Thanks to Monterey Café for Give Back Wednesdays!

Thanks to Santa and Mrs. Claus - aka Stan and Jocelyn Paluch - who were at PetCo on South Hill Saturday tak-ing pictures with people’s pets. A lot of money was raised for the shelter. The dog on Santa’s lap was named Thing 1 which a small child explained to me is from a Dr. Seuss story about a Grinch stealing Christmas. Thanks to Santa’s magic, little Thing 1 was adopted into a wonderful family soon after this pic-ture was taken. Three cats were also adopted - it was a very good day!

working with animals as a kick off for their fund raiser to collect money and supplies for SpokAnimal. Several stu-dents expressed interest in zoology and marine mammal training and were ex-cited to learn about clicker training and watch Stanley demonstrate. The fol-lowing week Carol returned to accept wonderful donations of pet food, train-ing rewards for the Prison Program and nearly $200 in cash donations collected by the students.

Ridgeview teachers Cindy Ghezzi and Cat Svoboda invited Carol Byrnes and her sidekick Stanley to come for their annual animal care presentation and holiday fund raising drive. This has been an event for over twenty years! The kids make homemade dog treats, blan-kets and cat toys to sell to raise funds and special treats in handmade bags are brought to the shelter for people to purchase and as gifts from the kids for any animal left in the shelter on Christ-mas Day. They outdid themselves this year, collecting food and rewards for the shelter and prison training program and over $500 in cash donations! We love Ridgeview Elementary!

Purrs to Our Friends:Thanks to Laurie Pechous-Clark for her generosity making Christmas orna-ments and selling them to benefit Spo-kAnimal.

HUGE thanks to Nature’s Pet North, Prairie Dog Pet Mercantile, Kritter Kookies, and all the individual do-nors who have provided food, toys and training rewards for our Pawsitive Dog Prison Training program and to Shear Heaven & Excel Grooming for clean and shiny pups!

Purrs, Licks & TailwagsThank you!Sharing, Caring Students

Here are Isabel and Blake who orga-nized a supply drive for SpokAnimal at their school, Westview Elementa-ry. Both are eight years old and huge animal lovers. Selena is pictured with little sister Isabel - she started the tra-dition two years ago, but has since moved on to Middle School. Thanks so much, Westview supporters and special thanks to Isabel and Blake for all your hard work putting this together!!!

Balboa Elementary 6th graders held a fundraiser for shelter animals at Spok-Animal and raised $197!

Cheney Middle School animal science students invited Education Director Carol Byrnes to speak about animal sheltering, animal training and careers

9

The American Cancer Society’s “Bark For Life” – a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their own-ers held October 13th at Whispering Pines Park at Eagle Ridge, raised nearly $9,500 – funds that will help support the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. Jocelyn Paluch, responsible for or-ganizing the event for its second year – poured her heart and soul into plan-ning Bark For Life. Inspired by her dog, Sophie, who was her loving care-giver throughout her recovery of cancer – from surgery, to chemotherapy, and to radiation treatments, put together a truly remarkable and memorable event – one that SpokAnimal feels lucky we had the opportunity to be a part of. With nearly 60 vendors participat-ing, SpokAnimal was able to share in the presence of an inspiring community event, having too much fun with the dif-ferent games and dog demonstrations showcased this year. “We are incredibly thankful to our generous participants and donors, I do believe that we helped to ‘Take a bite out of cancer,’” said Paluch – who is already planning the works for next year’s success. Many area rescue groups joined Bark for Life this year too, including the Delta Society Pet Partner Program,

Taking a Bite Out of Cancer with “Bark for Life”

Phot

o C

redi

t: D

eke

Clo

yd, o

f “O

n th

e Ed

ge Im

ages

” Cop

yrig

ht 2

012

Phot

o C

redi

t: D

eke

Clo

yd, o

f “O

n th

e Ed

ge Im

ages

” Cop

yrig

ht 2

012

Gail Mackie collected over 25 bags of pet food thanks to these birthday girls who hosted a party where instead of asking for presents, they asked for pet food donations! What a wonderful way to celebrate another year of life – Thank you girls for thinking of the animals!!

Jocelyn Paluch with her dog, Sophie

HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Re-sponse, the Great Dane, Greyhound, and Washington Basset Rescue groups, Pet Savers, Power of the Paw in Idaho, SCRAPS, and the Spokane Humane Society. We look forward to next year’s event. Thanks for having us at Bark for Life!

Thank You, Pet Sponsors!The following animal lovers donated $25 or more to sponsor animals in our adoption center.

Andrea Fallenstein x 1Daniel Loftin x 1Sonya Donson x 1Ruby McNeill x 8Julie Schirmer x 1Serena Dodrick x 1Lilia Vega x 1Kathryn Muelder x 1Robert & Micaela Sutphin x 5Rebecca Milton-Weiland x 1Kathryn Muelder x 3Anna Whitney x 2Pam Whitcomb x 3Laura Lambert-Booth x 1Ellen Tanaka x 5Andrew Catucci x 1Shirley Alexander x 12Sarah Lee x 1Tracy Phillips x 1Patricia Thompson x 1Retha Inman x 1

Mary O’Byrne x 1Beverly Babcock x 1Susan O’Connor x 1Marilyn & Edgar Basler x 1Dr. Jon & Sally Wamba x 2Adrienne Brownlow x 2Holly Renga x 4Shari Hemmerling x 1Colette Farley x 1Ursula & Jon Lanam x 1Donnetta Havens x 3Kathleen Wolfe x 2Ken Adams x 1Jim & Geri Swope x 1- for KodiNanette Blackaby x 2Jan & Johnny Humphreys x 4Carole Zuppe x 1Ruth Dewalt x 5Kevin Isherwood x 1Nancy Bookamer x 1

Francis & Laura Augusta x 1Cory French x 2Paula Ronhaar x 2Jason & Jen Friederichs x 1Colleen McNichols x 1Truella Stone x 4Kathy Taylor x 1Fred & Dorothy Radebaugh x 4Brenda Johnson x 1Sharon Chen x 1Jerrilynn Foster x 1Betty & John Zurenko x 1Ron & Barbara Morrison x 1Tom & Marion Smith x 1Rita Jessen x 1Vesta Rise x 1Debbie Walker x 2Mardee Ellis x 1Shannon Howard x 1Erin Clason x 4

We Can’t Do What We Do Without YOU!

10

HOW YOU CAN HELPSpokAnimal is a non-profit and tax-exempt organization. All contributions, donations and gifts are tax-deductible.

Soggy DoggyEliminate muddy foot prints and help homeless animals!

Recycle Shoes!Clean out that closet and bring us your gently used shoes. We’ll turn them in and collect donations for the shelter!

Shop at Petco

Blood Drive

Nectar Tasting Room BenefitComing Soon - Canines on the Catwalk

You can contribute to SpokAnimal in so many ways - everything helps.

Please give!

11

SpokAnimal staff is lucky to work in an atmosphere where we are able to witness many beautiful acts of kind-ness, all throughout the year. From students organizing pet food drives at their school or club organizations, to hosting birthday parties where instead of asking for presents they ask for pet food, to people showing up at PetCo on the South Hill asking if they can fill up a cart of goodies for the animals – we are thankful to have so many kindhearted supporters that consistently go out of their way – going above and beyond – to change the fate of an animal’s life, helping them to find a home. Thank you for being a part of the process and the result of so many animals finding warmth throughout the year and in the wintertime, us staff cannot be more ap-preciative of the many ways you gra-ciously support SpokAnimal!

A Small Act of Kindness Goes a Long, Long Way

Nicholas the Eagle Scout: Nicholas Reyn-olds, a local Eagle Spokane Eagle Scout, raised over $700 on Oct. 27th and 28th, collecting over 40 bags of pet food to fill up our pet-food-bank! Thanks Nicholas!!

Kyrah Kelly: Kyrah Kelly decided to change-up the format of her “Sweet 16” Birthday party gathering. Instead of ask-ing for presents, she asked and collected pet food for SpokAnimal, inspired by her own shelter dog, Ella! Thank you Kyrah for your generosity!

Woman with the cart: Thanks to the parent of “Hank the Boxer Babe,” SpokAnimal was able to fill up a cart full of dog and puppy goodies at PetCo on Dec. 3rd – from Kongs to toys to dog food – we cannot thank you enough for this act of kindness!

Nicole Crosby: Nicole Crosby, in lieu of gifts for her 44th Birthday party this year, threw a “Toast for Tails” bash, where she said she didn’t let anyone in her front door to celebrate unless they had a donation for SpokAnimal’s critters! Not only did she fill up our Christmas tree space in the shelter lobby with ample dog and cat food, she do-nated $100 to help the animals! Thank you Nicole, your kindness radiates!!

WE NEED - OFFICE SUPPLIES:• Black medium point pens• Colored copy paper• Regular Copy paper• Card Stock paper• Printer Cartridges - 12A, 36A, HP 74-75, HP 901• Yellow highlighters• Post it notes• File folders• Legal pads• Paper shredder• Paper cutter• Bulletin board• Flash drives• Portable hard drive MISCELLANEOUS:• Wet floor signs• Nails, screws, etc.• Big black trash bags for the dog park• 100 slip leads - $48• Usable human shoes for recycling• Gift cards for gas for the Cruizin Kritters program• Food gift cards for Cruizin Kritters (to feed those people who drive 10-12 hours to deliver and return home)

FOR THE ANIMALS:• Purina dog and cat food• Treats• Peanut butter for stuffing kongs• Toys – kongs• Non-clumping cat litter• Powdered kitten and puppy formula: 28oz Esbilac Powder for nursing puppies $21.88 each 12 oz KMR powder for nursing kittens $11.88 each FOR OUR FOSTER CARE TEAMCLEANING SUPPLIES:• Bleach• Gallon Rubbermaid garbage cans• Bathroom cleanser,• String mop heads• 32 gallon bags• Laundry detergent• Paper towels• Tall kitchen bags• Window cleaner• Hand soap scrub• Brushes• Toilet paper• Simple green• Swiffer wet cloths

Sit Up & Beg

No matter how small or large the donation, SpokAnimal is

very grateful for all!

12

Ready, set, runway! SpokAnimal teamed up with Mau-rice’s at NorthTown Mall this year for our first “Rescues & Runways” Event Oct. 27th. With over 15 shelter dogs strut-ting their stuff down the runway with SpokAnimal staff and volunteers, we had a total of 12 adoptions and were able to raise $1,755—funds to help support the animals and opera-tions at the shelter. Thank you Staci at Nature’s Pet for all of your help and giving goodies to the adoptive parents at Rescues & Runways! Our volunteers—over 20 of them, helped make this event possible, so thank you for sharing and being a part of our success—from dog handling, to helping set-up the event, to assisting at the silent auction table—to walking dogs down the runway, we hope to make this event an October tradition and work with Maurices and Northtown again--Thanks again for your support!

Finding Fur-Ever Homes Through Rescues & Runways

We had a total of 12 adoptions and were able to raise $1,755.

Angela and Aaron find their perfect match: A Shepherd puppy mix.

Officer Ken Trambitas has worked for SpokAnimal as an Animal Control Officer for the City of Spokane for twenty five years. That’s 175 in dog years! Now the Director of Field Op-erations, he’s a familiar face in neighborhoods all over town as well as numerous interviews in front of TV cameras over the years. Ken says his favorite part of the job is being able to rescue animals from bad situations and reuniting lost animals to their grateful families. One of his most exciting calls was a bite case on Spokane’s southeast side. A German Shepherd had bitten a child and was at large. He tracked it to a corner lot, fenced on two sides. There were children coming home from school and only Ken and his catch pole stood between them and the agitated dog. The dog repeatedly charged Ken and he blocked it with his pole, keeping it at bay until the kids had safely passed. After several aggressive charges, Ken was able to loop the dog on his catch pole as it lunged forward. He was suddenly aware that an audience had gathered on a deck next door when they burst in to cheers and applause. “I would like to say that I really appreciate the evolution of Animal Control over my time of employment, becoming a respectable career. I believe Animal Planet and Animal Cops had a hand in making the general public aware the job is not just “dog catching”, said Ken. Our cheers to you, Ken, for all your hard work and dedication to helping Spokane’s animals and public safety your top priority.

Twenty Five Years

Coming Event

13

Our animals need homes too! Become a Sponsor!Your one-year Sponsor helps us care for the thousands of homeless dogs and cats that come through our doors each year. Every animal is a unique individual with their own hopes and needs. Through our Sponsor-a-Kennel Program you can be part of the work we do and make a difference for our animals. We provide tons of love, and your sponsorship will help to provide food and shelter, vaccinations, treatment and medications, blankets and toys.

$100 to Sponsor a Dog Kennel $100 to Sponsor a Cat Kennel

$250 to Sponosor an Outdoor Play Area $500 to Vehicle SponsorName ____________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________

City________________________ State_____ Zip _________

Phone ____________________________________________

Email _____________________________________________

Payment Method: Check Cash Visa/MasterCard

Card #________________________ Exp. Date: _________

Signature_______________________ CVV Code: ________

Please print your message below:

Your Inland northwest humane socIetY

710 N. Napa Street development@spokanimal.orgSpokane, WA 99201 www.spokanimal.org(509) 534-8133

As we reflect on the year, Spok-Animal has many things to be thankful for—including how Subaru of Spokane helped us adopt out over 50 animals dur-ing “Share the Love” weekend, Dec.1st and 2nd. Thanks to them, SpokAnimal was able to host a wonderful gathering downtown at Subaru—an event com-plete with Santa Photos, Pet Adoptions, Raffle Prizes, and a Silent Auction – all proceeds which help to benefit the ani-mals and shelter operations of SpokAni-mal. Not only did we adopt out over 50 animals—but we raised over $1,745! We couldn’t have done it without the more than 30 volunteers who helped make this event possible—from set-ting up the event, to handling the dogs and transporting them, to helping with clean-up—We are so thankful to have such loyal and enthusiastic volunteers, willing to step-up and help out however you can! Special thanks also to our donors, who made the event even more fun: Staci & Dave Vail of Nature’s Pet for providing the healthy sample treats for all adoptive parents, Santa, Beautiful Photos Studios, Costco for the donated

Subaru of Spokane Helps SpokAnimal “Share the Love”goodies, and the ASCPA for the goodies in the raffle bags. Thank you—until next year!

Phot

o cr

edit:

Dra

goon

Stu

dios

Phot

o cr

edit:

Dra

goon

Stu

dios

Meet your match!

Thank you again to all volunteers who participated in SpokAnimal and Subaru’s “Share the Love” Event! So many animals found their homes this holiday season

because of YOU!

14

I know this feeling all too well. The sadness and the strange sensation that you can still feel them with you. Sometimes I can swear I feel my baby girl’s head on my leg or hear her soft bark, in the middle of the night. In memory of all the animals who were loved and are sorely missed...especially at these special times of the year. May God bless each person who lost an animal that was once a part their heart and soul...and may they never be forgotten.

SpokAnimal really lucked out this year at our 6th Annual Thanksgiving Day Dog Walk! A gorgeous clear day with crisp morning breeze, we had over 80 dogs and 50 people in attendance and were able to enjoy scenic views of the river. Thanks to your charitable donations and presence, we were able to fund-raise over $800 for the Dog Park. Installing water access for the dog park is currently under works, so stay tuned! Thank you again to all of those who joined us for this wonderful holiday tradition, we sure enjoyed having you and sharing this special gathering with us! Until next year! Special thanks to our lovely donors for making this year an extra-special treat-filled and great event: Staci Vail with Nature’s Pet, who provided all of the healthy sample treats and goodies for your furry friends, Costco for do-nating baked goods, Albertson’s for the hot chocolate, Starbucks for the coffee, Aslin Finch for more delicious treats, PetSmart on Newport Hwy for the dog toy giveaways, and Prairie Dog Pet Mercantile for more treats!

Thank you, we appreciate your support.

6th Annual Thanksgiving Dog Walk At SpokAnimal Dog Park at High Bridge a Huge Success!

The Greyhound rescue group brought 7 of their rescue dogs to the event--Thank you for sharing this day with us and for all of your collar donations! They, along with Jocelyn Paluch and her dog Sophie had a great time.

A regular at the dog park, he decided to walk his dog, but literally.

This dog picked out his own toy after his walk and kept his eye on the prize the whole time!

Valerie & Bridgette, hard at work and en-joying the company of those who came to the walk--We cannot thank you enough for your support!

When You Feel Me in Your Heart$5 CAT STERILIZATIONSFREE ROAMING ONLY

Cost includes sterilization, rabies, vaccinations and ear tipping. Must live in zip codes 99207, 99217, 99212. Those bringing in cats need not live in these zip codes, cats just need to be brought in from there!

While funds are available.

Walk-in Clinic Hours:Mon ........................................ 2:30-4:30pmTue ......................................... 1:30-6:00pmWed .................................10:00am-6:00pmThurs ...............................10:00am-6:00pmFri .......................................... 2:30-4:30pm1st Sat. ea. month ................ 12:00-3:30pm

Surgeries by appointment, call509-534-4253

15

In Loving Memory and Honoring Tributes

of ‘Dewey’ – who lives on in the memories of Chris & Nancy Zietlow

of ‘Rosie’ - much loved by Don & Cyndi Cutler

of ‘Biskit’ - loved and missed by Larry & Gayle Kiser- all of us at Diamonds in the Ruff

of ‘Dart’- Michael Suryan

of ‘Holly’, ‘Rosie’, ‘Diesel’ & ‘Mona’- Cherie Pepiot

of Jim McGoldrick- Tony & Suzanne Bamonte

of Jeanne Whipple- Pat & Kirk Thomas

of ‘Sandy’- Georgia Stewart

of Howard B. Johnson- Jean Stanek

of ‘Missy Lou’ aka ‘Princess’- Venessa Cunningham

of ‘Brinkley’ & ‘Walter’- Kathy Fair

of Earl Nolan- Kathy & John Hatcher- Cindy & Jeff Van Leuven- Rocky Elliott

of Jay T. Richards, loving mom of the birds & animals & nature- Joyce Garland

of Benjamin R. Sonnenberg- Ann Dompier- Fran Stazel- Mary Corbin- Lorri Ellstad Burchett

of Jim Ezzell- Roine La Salle

of ‘Spanky’ the Wonder Cat- Adrienne, Mark & Felisha Brownlow

in remembrance of a very special lady, a wonderful friend, Judy Wooten- Carol Bray

of ‘Mocha’ ‘Scrabble’, ‘Oakleigh’, & ‘Wesson’- Dave & Jackie Colton

of our beloved lab ‘Ashe’- Jack & Valerie McIlroy

of Tom Smith- Jan & Bill Hale

of ‘Zoop’- Hubert Jones

of ‘Sparky’- Elizabeth Sanderson

of Matthew Manville- Roberta Robinson

of ‘Brinkley’, the most wonderful dog- Maureen Hunter

of ‘Silver’ & ‘Buster’- Catherine Corcoran

of ‘Ozzie’- Mattie Kivett

of Judy Shoemaker Wooter- Marjie Roark

of ‘Bumpy’- Dr. James & Willa McAllister

of ‘Allie’- loved and missed by Bill & Kathy Walsh

of Judene Schenk- John Schenk

of Robert “Bob” Reid- Mattie Ann Kivett

of ‘Millie’ & ‘Ariel’- Barry & Linda Shook

of our forever friend – missed everyday, ‘Mandy’- Cindy & Doug Slaton

of Jackie Clemens- Steward & Kathy Robbins- Royce Murray- Alejandra Murillo C- Carol Douglas- Heather Haines- Dan Devroye- The CGD Family

of Brigitte Lankford- Carney Holman- Lowell & Kathleen Ruen- Michael & Patricia Woodard- Carol Larson- Laurette Culbert

of Phyllis Hinkens- Anne Carlson

of Uncle Bob- Barbara Harder-Lyons

of Jim Keeling- Mr. & Mrs. Donald Rader

of Susan Brison- Connie Branch

of ‘Pitty’- Zoe Arneson

of Frank DiMauro- Lindsey Cook

In Honor & Tributeof Kade, Happy Birthday!!- Griffin and Hudson

of Dorothy Balum- Marilee Roloff

of Duane & Inie Pepiot’s 60th Wedding Anniversary!- Cherie Pepiot

of Dave Hebb, husband, father and grandfather- Cherie Pepiot

of Bruce Davis- the Office of Admin Hearings

of Sharon & Hunter- Carolyn Doyle

of Darren Dixon’s 40th birthday- Linda Dixon

of ‘Fofo’- Robert Cristen

of Barb Baumann- Alan Kabat

SpokAnimal C.A.R.E.710 N. NapaSpokane, WA 99202(509) 534-8133

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDSpokane, WAPermit 1012

When you finish this newsletter pass it along to a friend !

Mailed quarterly to over 13,000 animal lovers.Editor: Carol A. Byrnes

Executive Director: Gail B. Mackie

Mr/Mrs/Ms _________________________________

Phone ____________________________________

Address __________________________________

City___________________State _______ Zip _____

Email _____________________________________

I’d like to volunteer! Please call me!

Please use the following supporter/donation of $__________________________ in support of SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. in its work with animals and public education.

Yes, I’m a SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. supporter!

Pet Sponsor . . $25

Cat Dog Either

Support/Donation FormSpokAnimal C.A.R.EA non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals.

(If different from label)

Please send me _____ complimentary copies of Companion Animal News

Enclosed is $ _____ to helpwith the printing and postage costs.

Please make changes belowIs your name correct on our mailing list?Is your mailing address and zip code correct ? (Due to the use of bulk rate for mailings, Companion Animal News cannot be forwarded.)Are you receiving duplicate copies of Companion Animal News?Would you like to receive more than one issue of Companion Animal News? (Companion Animal News makes wonderful reading for office clients or school children.)If so contact Angela Scheres, 534-8133, ext. 210.

We Need To Know !

Looking to adopta cat or dog?Pick up a mouse!

Visit us on the web!www.spokanimal.org

and www.petfinder.com

Upcoming Events

Issues of SpokAnimal’s Companion Animal News are now available

for download online at www.spokanimal.org!

For more info, call Bridgette Bossio at (509) 534-8133, ext. 209

or email: outreach@spokanimal.org

TUNE IN! SpokAnimal is featured on:KREM Ch 2 - Tuesday noon news KXLY Ch 4 - Monday on Good Morning NWKHQ Ch 6 - Live streaming at noon Wednesdays

Volunteer & Foster Orientations - Meetings are held twice per month on the 2nd Saturday at 10:30am and the 4th Wednesday at 6:00pm at SpokAnimal, 710 N. Napa

Mile High Sports Event January 14 (See page 12 for details)

Dog People Blood Drive Feburary 9 (See page 10 for details)

Puppy Love Wine Tasting at Nectar Feburary 13 (See page 10 for details)

Paws & Poles (Watch our website for details)