Hello all,

Christmas is now over, but the callsfor help have not slowed down.Every day we get calls about catsand dogs (and sometimes otheranimals like bunnies) who areabout to be homeless or brought toa vet to be prematurely “put tosleep” if we can’t take them.Reasons for giving up pets rangefrom moving to allergies, but themain reason behind all this tragedy

is overpopulation – there are currently too many animals tore-home. We take in as many as we possibly can, and ourhearts break for the rest.

The dog population in our province has reduced dramatical-ly, but the cat population is out of control and seemingly onthe rise. As I write this from my warm home, there are home-less cats all across our province trying to find somewhere tocrawl in for the night.

Rescue groups dread spring and summer because theybring with them hundreds and hundreds of unwanted kit-tens. People think that cute kittens always get homes, but Iam afraid that this is not so. In 2005, over 1700 cats and kit-tens were destroyed at the two shelters in St. John’s - anumber comparable to the human population of Botwood.

Mass euthanization is not the long-term answer. We mustget to the root of the problem with a low-cost, provincialspay/neuter program. It really is the only way. A little known

fact - in St. John’s, you can have your animal destroyed forfree at the city shelter, but you cannot receive any help withgetting them “fixed.” Such backward logic!

Heavenly Creatures looks forward this year to working onfunding for a proactive spay/neuter program. We hope youwill support us in this critical endeavour.

Heavenly Creatures is a registered no-kill

animal charity that is dedicated to the rescue,rehabilitation and finding of homes forunwanted, abandoned and abused animalsin the province of Newfoundland Labrador.

Our main objective is to establish and main-tain a no-kill complex in the St. John's areawithin the next five years. Your support canhelp make this a reality.

NewsTNewsTailsailsNewsletterNewsletter

President’s Message

Valentine’s Edition

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Happy Valentine’s Day to all you animal

lovers out there! February and March areshaping up to be busy months for us bothrescue- and special event-wise.

Now’s the time to consider becoming amember or volunteer with our organization.Your kind donations or time spent helping uswill surely make a difference this winter.Visit www.heavenlycreatures.ca.today!

Jessica RendellPresident

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&& MMoorree!!

Ingredients: 1 cup Whole wheat flour,1 tsp catnip, 1/3 cup milk, 1/3 cup pow-dered milk, 2 tb butter or veg oil, 1/4 cupsoy flour, 1 egg, 2 tbsp wheat germ, 1

tbsp unsulfered molasses

Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Mix dry ingredients together. Addmolasses, egg, oil and milk. Roll out flatonto oiled cookie sheet and cut into

small, cat bite-sized pieces. Bake for 20 minutes and letcool. Store in a sealed container.

SSTTAARR SSPPOONNSSOORRThe Town Cryer

The Town Cryer is a popular, free bi-weekly paper distrib-uted to over 240 locations throughout St. John's and area.

Local owner and publisher Michelle Stead has been asteady supporter of Heavenly Creatures, generously provid-ing advertising space and feature articles to profile our char-ity throughout the year. Heavenly Creatures' AdoptionSpotlight is regularly featured in the Town Cryer's online ande-newsletter editions, reaching a wide audience.

A million heartfelt thank-yous to Michelle and the Town CryerTeam for helping Heavenly Creatures significantly raiseawareness of our mandate and animal welfare issues.

www.thetowncryer.ca

Valentine Kitty Treats

CANDY CAUTION: Don't leave the candies out.Most animals love the sweet taste, dogs especiallyhave a sweet tooth. Chocolate is particularly toxic forcats if consumed in a large quantity, or over a periodof time.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PET HAS INGESTED

CHOCOLATE? Warning signsare most commonly seen within12 hours or less, including: • Excitement / nervousness• Trembling • Vomiting/ Diarrhea • Excessive thirst / urination • Muscle spasms • Seizures • Coma (rare) • Death (rare)

FLOWERS? YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE! Flowersmay be a traditional Valentine’s gift, but they can betoxic to your furry companions. If you suspect yourpet may have consumed a toxic plant, call your vetor 24-Hour emergency animal hospital immediately.

BBEEIInngg VVIIGGIILLAANNTTAATT VVAALLEENNTTIINNEESS

Valentine's Day is known as a time for love and

friendship. Naturally, for animal lovers, our furry

friends are often part of the celebrations.

Don't forget the hidden dangers to your pets in thosewonderful boxes of candy and lovely bouquets of flow-ers you receive.

During your Valentine’s Day celebration, help protect your pet by keepingthe following out of their reach:

• Chocolate

• Flowers / plants

• Cellophane wrap

• Ribbon

• Lit candles

WHYWHY SPSPAAYY && NEUTER?NEUTER?

FRIGHTENINGFRIGHTENING FFACT #8ACT #8

If none are spayed or neutered, a

female dog, her mate, and their offspring

can produce 67,000 dogs in just 6 years.

SSUUCCCCEESSSSSSUUCCCCEESSSS SSTTOORRYY:: SShheeppSSTTOORRYY:: SShheeppWhen his ownerpassed away thispast fall, Shep,an eight-year-olddog, was leftalone and withouta home. Thanksto the ClarenvilleSPCA and a kindman named RodLyver, Shep wasbrought to ushere at HeavenlyCreatures.

After a couple of weeks in foster care, Shep found a love-ly home with a little female dog who is a miniature ver-sion of him!

“Since Shep came to live with us, Lola never leaves himalone - they are forever in motion! She loves him somuch - here you can see them playing their favouritegame: ‘Bitey Face.’

We love Shep so much and we are amazed at how effort-lessly he has fit into our hearts and our lives. We can'timagine life without him!” A big thank you to Joanne andPaul for giving Shep the second chance he deserved.

To submit your Heavenly Creatures adopted pet’s success story, simply e-mail us!

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EEVVEENNTTSS CCAALLEENNDDAARR“ROCKIN’ FOR THE CREATURES”

BENEFIT CONCERTFebruary 9th, 11 p.m. Unwind with yourfriends and enjoy live local acts at Distortion onGeorge Street. Cover is just $5, with all pro-ceeds going directly to the animals!

Performances by Virginia Fudge, Missed By The Good, andChris Kirby & The Marquee! Call 739-0077 for more details.

PIZZA FOR PETS & SILENT AUCTION

Boston Pizza and Heavenly Creatures are teaming up to help the animals!

On Sunday, March 4th from 12 noon to 8 p.m., dine atBoston Pizza Kelsey Drive and present our online voucherto donate 10% of your bill to Heavenly Creatures. Whetherit's a meal, or just dessert and coffee, it alladds up to help the animals! During theafternoon, a Silent Auction will takeplace with plenty of fabulous items up forbidding. We’d love to see you there!

www.heavenlycreatures.ca/events.asp

ASKASK THE VETTHE VET

Meika has been given up due to allergies. This prettyseven-month-old indoor cat is unspayed and unvaccinat-ed, but has not been exposed to other cats. Meika is a lit-tle shy around people, but she doesn’t mind dogs.

Her temperament is very quiet and sweet, and once shegets to know you, she reveals her true cuddly side! Willyou be the one to give Meika another chance? She sureneeds you. Call us at 739-0077 to find out more.

Q.Q. Why does my dog chew on her leg so much?

A.A. This type of behaviour tends to bemore a symptom of an underlying prob-lem rather than the problem itself.Whether related to pain, irritation, or a

behavioural issue, a skin lesion (or “lick granuloma”) canresult in significant trauma. Minor skin irritations canbecome major problems once a dog starts licking an area.

What started as a fly bite can very quickly turn into an openwound. Not only can skin irritations (from insect bites, trau-ma, allergies) result in this behaviour, but any sort of bonepain, joint pain or deeper process - even bone cancers -can cause a dock to lick or chew.

After ruling out the physical, consider the behavioural.Many dogs suffer from different forms and degrees of anx-iety, whether because of thunderstorms, separation fromtheir owners, a stressful environment or even lack of stim-ulation. The resulting licking or biting can lead to significanttrauma to the leg, requiring anti-anxiety medications,behavioural modification, antibiotics or even surgery.

In any of these cases, it is agood idea to speak with yourlocal vet to be sure your friendhas a leg to stand on.

Local vet Dr. Cheryl Laiteanswers your questions.

MEMBERSHIP & DONATIONSDonations can make a great birthday present, or remembrance of a

beloved pet. Become a member of Heavenly Creatures and help us continue our important animal rescue work.

Name: _______________________________________________ Membership Fees

Address:______________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Tel #: _______________ E-mail: ___________________________

Gift Donation (in the Name Of): ___________________________

Donation in Memory Of: _________________________________

Do you have a question,

comment or story to share?

info@heavenlycreatures.ca

Heavenly CreaturesP.O. Box 882, Stn C354 Water StreetSt. John’s, NL A1C 1C0(709) 739-0077Charity #865553655RR0001

Pet Puzzler:cupid; chocolate; bouquet;st valentine, puppy love

Family $20

Single $10

Senior $5

Associate $5

$20 $100

$50 Other amt $_______

Yes, I’d like a tax receipt. *applies to donations only

Donations

NEWS TAILS newsletter design and content is provided as a pro bono contribution from local communications consultant Jennifer Barnable. BRAVO!

PPEETT PPUUZZZZLLEERR Can you unscramble these

pet-related words?

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thceaoloc thceaoloc

utbuqoe utbuqoe

i naseentvtli naseentvtl

ppeyp ouvlppeyp ouvl

*Answers at bottom of page.

Corporate $50

Rememberinga Beloved Pet

Most people consider their petsfamily members, and when a petdies, the loss of companionshipcan be devastating. Studies haveshown that adults find this lossharder to cope with than childrendo.

Among the ways to ease yourloss are prayer, journal or poetrywriting, and preparing a memori-al so that your family can saygoodbye. Some join supportgroups or later volunteer withanimals. It does take time...

If a friend, co-worker or family

member has lost a beloved

pet, there are ways to show your

sympathy - stay in closer touchwith them as they grieve (even ifyou don’t understand why it hasaffected them so deeply. Bondswith pets are stronger than mostrealize).

Heavenly Creatures now offers

In Memoriam cards, which com-memorate departed loved oneswho were known for their love ofanimals. It's also a way of remem-bering a beloved family pet.

By making a donation to our char-ity, you not only honour a lovedone or pet, you are helping otheranimals get a second chance atlife. We’ll send a memorial cardacknowledging your thoughtful giftto the person's family or pet owner(you’ll receive a tax receipt). Visitheavenlycreatures.ca/donate.aspfor details.