VISIT US AT OUR
UPCOMING
EVENTS!
IRHS Monthly Meeting– Tuesday, November 17th, 6:30,
KW Ruritian Bldg.
Transfer to Spay/Neuter– Wednesday, November 18th, RAS to Barron’s
4 Paws Monthly Meeting—Wednesday,
November 18th, 6:00pm, Tony & George’s
Tappahannock Farmers’ Market- Saturday, November 21st
Christmas On The
Town- Sunday, December 6th
4 PAWS THRIFT
801 Main Street West Point, VA 804-843-2902 Open Thursdays & Fridays 10:00 am – 5:00pm Saturday 10:00am – 3:00pm
NOVEMBER 2015
Is it really November again already? The holidays are fast approaching, and there is much to be done. We just finished up October, which is a busy event month for us. Thank you to everyone who came to our Wine & Cheese Fund-raiser on October 24
th at
Tony & George’s Restaurant in West Point. We raised over $3,000 which will help us spay/neuter many animals.
We have to keep the fund-raising going all year long in order to assist our community with the home-less animal population. Spay/neuter really helps cut the over-population of unwanted animals, and is often healthier for the animals themselves.
IRHS is teaming up with the King William/King & Queen Regional Animal Shelter, and the Essex County Animal Shelter to provide FREE spay/neuter for animals adopted from the Shelters for November and December. We’d like to see the shelters empty come Christmas.
A NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
If you already have pets that need to be spayed/neutered, we offer a monthly service in conjunction with the Regional Animal Shelter. Once a month we trans- port pets from the Shelter to Barron’s Surgery in Mechanicsville for their super low-cost services, and then return them for pick up at the Shelter that evening. Our November 18
th van is already
full, and we don’t run one in December, but we will be back in January. Reservations can be made by calling the Shelter at 769-4983.
We can also help you if you are a care-taker for a colony of cats. Controlling the population of cat colonies via T-N-R is a big part of the services we offer. The cats are trapped, neutered, given a rabies shot and medical exam, their ear is notched, and they are then returned to the colony. Call us if we can help.
Look for us at some of our upcoming fund-raising events and please help when you can. Cash donations are 100% tax-deductible as allowed by law.
We will have new cookbooks and special holiday gifts for people and pets available at our upcoming events: November 21
st at the
Tappahannock Farmer’s Market and December 6
th at
Christmas on the Town in West Point. And don’t forget to check out our 4 Paws Thrift Store at 801 Main Street in West Point (open Thursday & Friday 10am-5pm, and Saturday 10am-3pm).
Check out our Facebook page to keep up to date on events, adoptable animals, and more. And thank you for your continued support!
Anne
IRHS and
4 PAWS News
IRHS and 4 PAWS News Page 2
Why Cats Spray
This is not as simple a
question as you may
presume. Many think only
male cats spray. They
would be mistaken. Both
genders spray and pretty
much for the same
reasons. This month we
are going to begin to
address spraying to mark
territory. This spraying
is normally high and
runs down onto the
ground or floor.
Spray marking is the
number one reason cats
are surrendered to a
shelter and it is
preventable.
Cats are very
territorial and while
they are not necessarily
loners they do want very
much to limit who is in
their space. The more
often you see them mark
this way the more
aggressive they are
feeling about their
space. If it is
excessive marking, your
cat is also feeling
anxiety about their
space. An anxious cat is
not a happy cat. Help
must happen.
If this is happening
with an indoor cat it
can really be a
nightmare. If your cat
is marking the perimeter
of your indoors, ie
anywhere it can look
outside and see other
cats in "it's" yard,
you have territorial
marking. This may also
occur at door entrances.
ALL THINGS CATS If you brought another
cat into your cat’s
space it may mark any
and everywhere the
other cat goes. If
cats in your house do
not like each other
you may get
territorial marking.
You must first assess
what is happening and
what type of marking
your cat is displaying
and then once you have
established which is
the problem there is
help. Always be sure
the problem is not
medical. A trip to
your vet will answer
that straight away.
This article will
address marking
because another cat is
coming onto your
property. An un-
neutered male visiting
your property will
cause the most
problems. You may
think that you do not
have other cats around
but you do not see
what your cat sees
between 3-5 a.m when
it is watching out the
windows. Those are the
“catting hours” trust
me. This may cause
perimeter marking.
So if you have
determined your cat is
perimeter marking
indoors first, and I
stress this, you must
remove all trace of
past marking with a
high quality enzyme
product. Bleach,
vinegar or whatever
else you may be using
does not work. Only
enzymes work.
Next you must block all
windows where your cat
can look out.
For 30 days! ...Really!
Closing curtains does
not do it. All cats can
get behind a curtain.
Wax paper taped to your
lower windows will block
the view for your cat.
Then you must begin to
keep the other cats
away. Deterrents are
available. Find the
cat’s owner and
encourage the cat be
fixed. We have programs
to help with that. Call
804-885-3109 option 3.
Many cats respond well
to pheromones such as
Feliway. Spray in the
frequent marking areas
at 8” above the floor.
This can take a couple
of weeks to see a
difference in the
calmness of your cat.
During this time you
must spend extra time
playing with and loving
on your cat. Remember
prey drive play is what
keeps calm cats. Be
patient there may be
early mistakes out of
habit. Do not scold. Do
not punish. Your cat
needs to feel secure
again in its space and
with you.
We will in future
articles address other
types of spray marking
and how you deal with
those. In the meantime
if you have other
marking going on save
those old worn out
socks. You are going to
need them. If you need
more or immediate help
call Lynda 804-357-9619.
Lynda
November is Adopt a
Senior Pet Month
Top Ten Reasons to Adopt an Senior Cat
1. When senior cats are
adopted, they seem to understand that they’ve been rescued, and are all the more thankful for it.
2. A senior cat’s
personality has already developed, so you’ll know if he or she is a good fit for your family.
3. You can teach an old
cat new tricks: Senior cats have the attention span and impulse control that makes them easier to train than their youthful
counterparts.
4. A senior cat may very well already know basic household etiquette (like
not attacking your feet at night) anyway!
5. In particular, senior cats are often already litter trained and are less likely
to “forget” where the box is.
6. A senior cat won’t grow any larger, so you’ll know
exactly how much cat you’re getting.
7. Senior cats are often content to just relax in your company,
unlike younger cats, who may get into mischief because they’re bored.
8. Speaking of relaxing, senior cats make great napping buddies.
9. Senior cats often know that scratching posts (not furniture) are for scratching and toys (not hands or feet) are for biting.
10. Senior cats are some of the hardest to find homes for––so when you adopt a senior cat, you’re truly saving a life.
IRHS and 4PAWS News Page 3
DECA DOG WASH
.
Last month we told you about the King William DECA holding its annual Dog Wash on Saturday, September 19
th. All proceeds from the event were donated to
Indian Rivers Humane Society. Pictured here is student, Brandi Clark, co-president for KWHS DECA Chapter, presenting their check to our President, Anne Mason.
Please note that the November 4 Paws monthly meeting will be the third Wednesday instead of the last due, to the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Cookbook Update
Our cookbook is currently at the printers; however, we are expecting delivery any day now!! The books will be $20.00. There are 497 pages with great stories and pictures and recipes from Canada and Australia. If anyone is interested in placing an order please contact Connie Prince at 804-824-8640. Great Christmas and wedding gifts etc.
In honor of November being ADOPT A SENIOR PET Month, 4 Paws will be holding a special “Senior Cat Adoption” day on
Saturday, November 14th at the 4 Paws Thrift Store on 801 Main Street in West Point. If you are interested in giving one (or
more) of our adult cats a “furever” home, please contact Joan at 757-870-6883. There will be a variety of adults on display that
Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Come meet some of our “Seniors”!!
Gracie Tracey Squire Ana Clover Luna
Senior Cat Adoption Day
IRHS and 4 PAWS News Page 4
2015 Wine and Cheese Fundraiser
Our Annual Wine and Cheese and Silent Auction Fundraiser Event was held on Saturday, October 24th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Tony and George’s Restaurant at 2880 King William Avenue, West Point. The event was a success with over $3,000 being raised.
West Point’s 1ST Annual CRAB-0-WEEN
The West Point/Tri-Rivers Chamber of Commerce held its first Halloween event on Oct. 31 in Town Park. Crab-O-Ween included a cornhole tournament, costume contest, live music by Sweet Justice, food vendors, a beer and wine selection, arts and crafts vendors and Bubbles
the Clown. The event was planned after the Crab Carnival was canceled earlier in October. IRHS had a booth, selling merchandise and raffle tickets for the cornhole set made and donated by Johnny Clark. The booth raised over $400.00 on this day and the total raised by the raffle of the cornhole set was over $700.00 !!!!
Edith Potter was the winner of the painted heron window raffle!
John Boughton was the winner of the cornhole set!
IRHS and 4PAWS News Page 5
October may have been Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month, but that thought doesn’t stop now that it is November. Municipal Shelters and Rescue Groups should be the first place you look when adding a pet to your family. Three Reasons Why Adopting a Shelter Dog
is an Awesome Choice:
You’ll save a life! Too many animals are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them all. Rescue dogs know they have been given a second chance and are that much more appreciative of the loving home and family they have.
Shelter dogs are capable of making incredible transformations. Many dogs are sad and fearful when in the shelter, and may have had a rough time in their previous circumstances. But they are resourceful and flexible and will, with time, become a most amazing pet and family member.
ALL THINGS DOGS
You’ll never be without a best friend. Make sure you choose a dog that best fits your family and lifestyle, whether it is a running buddy or couch potato. You will find every breed (and mix), size, age and personality at your local shelter.
As mentioned in the President’s Message, IRHS is partnering with the KW Regional Animal Shelter and Essex County Animal Shelter to pay for spay/neuter surgery for every dog and cat adopted from the shelters in November and December. This is a great time to find your best friend and bring them home for the holidays.
Anne
November is Adopt a
Senior Pet Month
Top Ten Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog
1. Older dogs are housetrained. You won't have to go through the difficult stage(s) of teaching a puppy house manners and cleaning up after accidents.
2. Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.
3. Older dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly.
4. Older dogs have learned what "no" means. If they hadn't learned it, they wouldn't have gotten to be "older" dogs.
5. Older dogs settle in easily, because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.
6. Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been given.
7. What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first.
8. Older dogs are instant companions -- ready for hiking, car trips and other things you like to do.
9. Older dogs leave you time for yourself because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.
10. Older dogs let you get a good night's sleep because they're accustomed to human schedules and don't generally need nighttime feedings, comforting, or bathroom breaks.
IRHS and 4 PAWS News Page 6
November is
November 1 - 7
November is
November 11th