state of the ark - hsfc.org of the ark celebrating 40 years of rescuing, housing and adopting...

STATE OF THE ARKCelebrating 40 years of rescuing, housing and adopting homeless animals

www.hsfc.org Fall, 2008

CONGRATULATIONS KENDAL MOORE, VOLUNTEER OF THE QUARTER!

Some of you may know Kendal as a longstanding volunteer (since the 1990s!) but what you may not know is that Kendal was the driving force behind HSFC’s new pet food pantry Ani-Meals.

Kendal’s first experience with HSFC was working at the Orange Crate thrift store (now Second Chance 2). She also helped with cat adoptions, which were, at that time, held either at the Orange Crate on Sundays when the store was closed or at volunteers’ homes on weekends. She has assisted with various fund raising events and even served for a short period of time on the HSFC board of directors.

When asked the impetus for Ani-Meals, Kendal stated “I read a story about a spike in demand at a pantry in Illinois and wanted to find a local pantry where I could donate. When I asked the HSFC if there were any local pantries, they said, “No. Let’s start one.” After much research and planning with the members of the board, the pantry officially opened on Saturday, September 6th. Then much to our delight, our local CBS affiliate, WUSA9, came out and did a story on the pantry including a short video clip and interviews with a couple of our beneficiaries. It has been a lot of fun to work on and to see it come to completion.”

Kendal’s pets include six-month old brother and sister Manxs, Mylo (formerly Bubba2) and Belle, who were adopted from HSFC.

“Volunteering with the HSFC has been about working with extraordinary people who aspire to make the world a better place by helping protect animals from cruelty and neglect. Every aspect of the HSFC inspires me to carry out that mission as well. “

Thank you, Kendal, for all of your hard work and especially for your recent extraordinary efforts on behalf of Ani-Meals.

In This Issue ...Volunteer of the QuarterWags and PurrsAdoption StatsWarning! Dangerous Items to AvoidWedding BellsUpcoming EventsHoliday Pitfalls and RemindersSuccess StoriesFeral Cat Issue on Quantico Marine BaseJulie Ericsson to Leave HSFCNew HorsesBoard InformationA Great Dog StoryEmergency Services POCsGeneral Info - HSFC

EXTRA!! EXTRA!!Simba has been adopted!!!!! He also recently appeared in the November/December issue of The Bark Magazine as the featured Shelter Smiler! Fame, Fortune and a Forever Home!

Simba’s update to post in next Volunteer News!


WAGS, PURRS, CHIRPS, NICKERS, SNICKERS, SQUEALS, HUGS AND NEIGHS TO THESE SPECIAL ANGELS

Special thanks to the volunteers who helped at the Fairfax City Fall Festival October 11: Kendal Moore, Carmen Newett, Judy Harlow, Melissa Figueiredo, Vicki Kirby, Marlene Hammer, and Lynne Mayo.

To:

Lisa Millican for her ongoing training and support of the farm dogs, even after they’ve been adopted.

It can’t be said enough - to Kendal Moore for her efforts in establishing the Pet Food Pantry. We thank her, too, for researching areas to advertise the Thrift Stores and scoring a second hand store website that lists us as number one on their site. Look for our ad on www.thriftshopper.com.

Jeanne Taylor for securing a $2,000 grant from HSUS to help continue to fund the Ani-Meals program.

Felix and Oscar ... Naturally, and to Weber’s Pet Foods in Fairfax City for supporting Ani-Meals by allowing drop boxes to be placed at their locations for donations; similarly, to the caring staff at Transaction Network Services Inc., (TNSI) in Reston for their recent generous donations of pet food and supplies to the pantry inventory.

Michelle Brendel for volunteering to speak on behalf of the HSFC at the Clifton Lions Club meeting on November 13.

Jean Franklin from George Mason’s Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity for organizing a farm workday with 15 of his fellow brothers.

Elaine Hunolt for donating dozens of farm and yard tools and many more much needed items for use at the farm.

Debra and Robert Otto for taking such wonderful care of Josie as a foster giving her an extra couple of months of a qual-ity of life and for their general continued willingness to go above and beyond for HSFC. Linda Rollins for continuing her work with us, in spite of not feeling well. Linda, we wish the best for your speedy recovery.

Regular volunteers at the office, thrift store and cat socializers: Diane/Martha Pritchett, Lynn Nelson Paretta, Claire Davis, Brian Krasner and Donald Chadduck.

Regular farm volunteers who provide much needed friendship and consistency for the dogs and horses: Betsy Thompson, Rachel Szyszka, Jennie Sunner, Monica Kelson, Marilyn Campbell, Avanthi Gopallawa, Paul Hodges, Stephanie Ruffner.

Board members who are unpaid and volunteer many hours per month at all of the HSFC locations to ensure the organi-zation runs smoothly, and, more importantly, that the animals receive the highest quality of care while they await their forever homes: Vicki Kirby, Mary Kendall, Marlene Hammer, Lynne Mayo and Jeanne Taylor.

Sunday and After Hours Feeders Mary Kendall, Tim Tuggle, Debra and Robert Otto, Mike and Deb Siluk, Lynne Mayo, Marlene Hammer, Diane Hale, Darby Schlaht, Kate Bennett, Stacy Overman and Pat Trenner.

A THOUSAND TIMES OVER, THANK YOU ALL!!!!


ADOPTION STATSThrough 9/30/08, the Humane Society adopted out 79 cats, 69 dogs, five rabbits, four guinea pigs, one hamster and four birds into loving homes. A special thanks to all of our foster homes, home visit volun-teers, socializers, outreach program volunteers and adoption placement volunteers.

HELPING THE COMMUNITY

Through 9/30/08, we provided financial assistance or supplies to the public so their pets could receive the medical care or supplies they needed. Seventeen were issued as scholarships (not to be remunerated) while thirteen were distributed as community support. The HSFC feral TNR (Trap, Neuter & Return) program remains a success! Through 9/30/08, the feral out-reach program trapped, neutered and released (TNR’d) approximately 215 cats and kittens.

Through 9/30/2008, our administrative offices have responded to 5,145 phone calls, 3,673 e-mails and 1,428 walk-ins. These numbers do not include com-munity members supported through Ani-Meals.

VOLUNTEERS - WE NEED YOU! AND MORE OF YOU!

HSFC is always growing and trying to do more to help the animals in our care and those in our community. To continue our success, we need to increase our volunteer base for all areas - the farm, the office and both thrift stores. Our volunteers are our best campaigners - if you know someone who is interested in a volunteer opportunity, please pass along our information. If your employer / work-place encourages volunteerism, we’d be happy to discuss a group opportunity with them. Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts / Teams ... be creative!

And for all that you already do, we heartily thank you. We couldn’t do it without you.

Some foods that are considered good for people can be very dangerous for pets. The list below highlights some of the most common foods that can be dangerous to animals. This is not an exhaustive list and any decision to provide your pet with food not specifically intended for ani-mals should be discussed with your veterinarian or pet nutritionist.

The following foods may be dangerous to your pet:

Alcoholic beverages Apple seeds Apricot pits Avocados—toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle and dairy goats Cherry pits Candy (particularly chocolate, which is toxic to dogs, cats and ferrets, and any candy containing the sweetener Xylitol) Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans) Grapes Hops (used in home beer brewing) Macadamia nuts Moldy foods Mushroom plants Mustard seeds Onions and onion powder Peach pits Potato leaves and stems (green parts) Raisins Rhubarb leaves Salt Tea (caffeine) Tomato leaves and stems (green parts) Walnuts Yeast dough

(List extracted from www.hsus.org)


Wedding Bells!

On October 18, the HSFC farm saw its first wedding when our much beloved caretaker, Cara, surrounded by well-wishers in front of a beautiful blue sky, married Danny Parker. It was a perfect, crisp fall day, the bride was positively glowing in her happiness and the horses even got in a whinny or two! We wish Cara and Danny all the best as they embark on this journey together (with Cara’s kids - Gideon, Atreyu, Girlie, Houligan, Elrod and the bird and horses)!

No horse was in sight until the minister pronounced Cara and Danny husband and wife, and they suddenly galloped over the horizon!


UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Following are a few upcoming events or volunteer activities. Please email [email protected] for details or updates or contact the below-listed party through the main office if you’d like to help out as well ~ we are always on the lookout for more volunteers!

Fairfax High School Craft Show - November 15-16 (Vicki Kirby)Santa Paws @ PetSmart - Reston 12/13 and 14 and 12/20 (Marlene Hammer or Jeanne Taylor) see belowHoliday Party, December 7, 2008, from 1-4pm at the Farm. RSVP: 703.385.7387 or email [email protected] (contact Carol Relkin for more information)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SANTA PICTURES!

Dates: December 13/14 and December 20th Times: 11 AM – 4PM Place: Newly opened PetSmart in Reston!

Have your pet(s) photos taken with the REAL Santa for only $10 (HSFC to receive half the proceeds of this event). Other raffle benefits to be included in portrait fee. See you there – HO HO HO!

HOLIDAY PITFALLS AND REMINDERS

As the holidays approach, we may want to share the good cheer with our family pets – DON’T. So many addi-tional dangers are present in the home during the holiday that it actually requires more diligence to ensure our pets are safe. A few notes of caution:-- Keep cocktails out of reach. If ingested the animal could become sick and weak, and may go into a coma.-- Not only is candy dangerous but ingesting aluminum foil or cellophane wrapper from these candies can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage.-- Floral arrangements are especially dangerous. We all know the potential dangers from holly berries and mistletoe but lilies of all kinds are toxic as well. The lily can cause liver failure in cats.-- Cover the Christmas tree water if you put up a live tree. This water may contain fertilizers and stagnant tree water can be filled with bacteria. -- Be extra careful with tinsel and ribbon. If ingested these can become lodged in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction. -- Be careful with candles. Animals can easily knock over holiday candles and start a fire, and curious kittens are particularly at risk of getting burned by candle flames.

Don’t forget to keep the poison control number handy all year long. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 888-426-4435. Also, make sure you know the number and directions to the animal hospital in your area that stays open 24 hours.

If traveling with your pet, don’t hesitate to be candid with your family or friends and inform them of potential dangers they can help avoid as well (as noted above). Also, take a few minutes to help your pet(s) adjust to their new setting - go over basic commands in the new environment to ensure they are well-mannered and will be asked to return to the holiday gathering next year!


Success Stories

A quick peek at Delilah (white dog, right) enjoying summer with her “brother” and playmate, Sam. “Recently, we celebrated the first year our sweet, loving, Delilah joined the family. Thank YOU.”

Just wanted to give you an update on Georgia (no photo). She is doing great. She has the run of our kitchen/family room during most days. She gets lots of parsley, lettuce, some banana, apple, carrot, really likes cilantro, besides her pellet food. I made her a cardboard box home with two tunnel entrances. She lets Kurtis carry her around cradled like a baby. She won’t let Don or I do that. If we pick her up, she struggles, but she lets Kurtis pick her up. Kurtis loves to lie next to her. They are so cute together cuddling on the floor. She is doing well with her two potty places, and hasn’t chewed any wood, so we are happy with her. I still think about Tiger, wish I could have taken him too. Signed, Joy

In an earlier issue, we included a piece on Lucky Lou (left), a cat who was in dire straits until he was rescued by the people who would become his new best friends. The expense of his emergency and subsequent care seemed staggering but thanks to the generous support of HSFC, Lucky’s surgery did not become a financial burden for his new caregivers. His family is happy to report that his surgery was a huge success and he is doing better than anyone could have ever imagined. The other cat in the household... Phoebe, a 4 year old gal, had bonded with Lou and had become his mother.... “THANK YOU HSFC!” Much love, Andrew/Brandy/James

Hi! I adopted one of your dutch rabbits named Bramble about a month and a half ago. I just wanted to let you know that he is doing great! He’s adjusted very well to the family, and is becoming more and more sociable with other people/strangers. And he’s just about the cutest thing anyone’s ever seen :) Thanks again for your help in the adoption process! Caroline

Picked up the fine boy at the Humane Society, then Nuby went to the vet and got a shot; he was very good. He’s been home for 30 minutes and is exploring his territory and his new sister. Zee and Nuby have exchanged a few hisses, but tails are up, and currently they are playing peek-a-boo around the coffee table. Tentative,, but we are sure they will make fast friends. I knew he was our boy the moment I ment him, and we can’t wait until he feels at home! I like the picture of him exploring the babyland (right)! Signed, Aimee


More Happy Tails ... Tales?

I hope you are all doing well. I thought I would give you an update on Tucker (formerly known as Graham). He and Romeo are the best of pals. They are rarely far from one another. Tucker is definitely more serious natured than Romeo; therefore, he is truly the boss. However, Tucker permits Romeo to initiate and play quite roughly and think he is the boss. Tucker and us know that Romeo is totally out of his league if Tucker gets serious.

Tucker remains very good natured and totally has adjusted to our family. He is slowly letting a few regular visitors into his inner circle. It is very slow going though. If someone he does not know well comes up to him too fast or on the rare occassion that Ludwig has reprimanded him in a stern voice--Tucker tinkles on the spot. Considering how much traffic (people) come thru this house on a daily/weekly basis, Tucker is doing great.

He and Romeo love playing outside now that they are both trained on the invisible fence. They can run full speed and body slam and race all over. I was very hesitant to let Tucker off the leash in the fear that he would bolt. Not an issue--he does not like to be far from us, especially me. I love being able to let the dogs play outside when the kids are out or we are doing yardwork without worrying so much.

Tucker is so clever. Any barricade that we put up to prevent him from entering an area, sleeping on the couch, etc. he manages to circumvent. I thought Romeo was fairly smart but he can’t hold a candle to Tucker. Here are a couple of cute pics of the boys together. It really helps Tucker to have Romeo around. Romeo is fearless of people and very friendly. Tucker watches Romeo’s reaction to people and it really helps Tucker be more comfortable around people. (Romeo, left; Tucker, right, both photos) Signed, Tracy

“Everything’s good!” (Picture of Destiny, below) Signed, Jade

Send Success Stories to

[email protected]


WE NEED YOUR URGENT HELP TO SAVE THE FERAL CATS ON QUANTICO MARINE BASE!

As some of you may know, HSFC has been actively supporting an effort to institute humane management for feral cats at Quantico Marine Base. We learned that Quantico Marine Base has been catching and killing the feral cat colonies on the base grounds, especially disturbing when an effective, humane Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program has been utilized in the past. We have pursued a moratorium on the feeding ban and cat trap-ping that has been mandated by the Base Commander, Colonel Charles Dallachie and ask for your support in continuing this effort.

We currently have in place a correspondence campaign (letters to Base Commander and legislators) to facili-tate the humane management alternative. If you are willing to participate and wish to receive a copy of the draft letter and contact list, please email [email protected]. Documents will be emailed to you for easy editing/cutting/pasting.

Feral cats exist in every community and they usually live in family groups called colonies. Feral cats are not socialized to humans and are therefore not adoptable. Thousands are routinely killed in animal pounds and shelters each year. If you want to help a feral cat, get educated about a program called Trap-Neuter-Return, a humane method of care that ends the breeding cycle and creates a safety net for the cats and our community. Alley Cat Allies’ web site (www.alleycat.org) is a great source of information on Trap-Neuter-Return and the importance of spay and neuter for all cats.

The campaign basically asks that the base officials consider the benefits that Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) has already shown for the cats on Quantico Marine Base and require Colonel Charles Dallachie to allow the care-takers to continue to feed these cats and reinstate the previous effective, low-cost, and humane management program that was in place by caring rescue groups.

Email: [email protected] for your copy of draft correspondence and a contact list.

Thank you for your support!

Julie Ericsson is Saying Goodbye

Our part-time caretaker, Julie Ericsson, is leaving HSFC the endof November, 2008. Julie has decided the time is right to move on in her career and her personal life and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Julie has been an invaluable resource to HSFC in covering caretaker shifts and in providing excellent vet-tech support to the organization! We will all miss you, Julie, animals and humans alike! So volunteers, if you are at the farm between now and late November, please take a moment to wish Julie well and to personally thank her for all of her efforts and hard work on behalf of HSFC.

Thank you,

Julie!


MEET HSFC’S NEWEST EQUINE RESIDENTS

Recently the HSFC received a frantic call from a horse owner who had lost her home due to foreclosure. When the final day came for her to vacate her property we arranged to pick up her horses and place them in our care. The two gorgeous Quarter Horses, named Tita and Quest, had been on her property for over 23 years and in all those years had never been on a horse trailer or housed in a stall, so we certainly had our work cut out for us! Fortunately, these sweet equines walked right on the trailer, with a encouragement from some yummy horse treats, and were more than happy to come and live at our farm (they must have known how spoiled they’d be there). After a few introductory days meeting their new friends over the fence, they were introduced into one of our herds. Today, they are healthy and happy, can be lightly ridden, are very sweet and loving and available for adoption.

Come on out to the farm to meet our new residents and join their growing list of new friends. You can also check them out on our web site at www.hsfc.org.

(L to R: Quest and Tita)

BOARD INFORMATION

At the July 29, 2008 meeting of the Board of Directors, it was decided that the current Officers would retain their Board positions as follows:

President: Vicki Kirby Corresponding Secretary: Marlene HammerVP and Treasurer: Mary Kendall Recording Secretary: Jeanne Taylor Director: Lynne Mayo

Term expiration for the current Board is May, 2009. Anyone interested in joining or in nominating a member to join the Board of Directors should contact any current Board member for additional details and discussion.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

South Paws Emergency Clinic8500 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax, VA703-752-9100

Hope Center for Advancement of Vet. Medicine /Emergency Vet Clinic of Northern Virginia140 Park Street SE, Vienna, VA 703-281-5121

Prince William Emergency Vet Clinic8610 Centreville Rd, Manassas, VA703-361-8287

Leesburg Emergency Animal Hospital2 Cardinal Park Drive, #101B, Leesburg VA703-777-5755

Springfield Emergency Vet Clinic6651-F Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA703-451-8900


VA/MD Vet Emergency Services2660 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 703-823-3601

Fairfax County Animal Shelter703-830-1100703-691-2131 (Warden)

Wildlife Assistance Hotline703-440-0800

A Great Dog Story

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named ‘Lucky.’ Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky’s toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky’s other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box; he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact; she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary’s dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won’t understand that I didn’t want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable. Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn’t even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn’t come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn’t understand what was wrong. She couldn’t move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blan-keted, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It’s been 12 years and Mary is still cancer-free. And Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

FUTURE ISSUES OF STATE OF THE ARK

Anyone wishing to include an article in the next issue of State of the Ark should submit content in writing to the Administrative Office, Attention, Jeanne Taylor, or by email to [email protected] by January 15, 2009.

HUMANE SOCIETY MISSION

The Humane Society of Fairfax County, Inc. (HSFC) is a non-profit, private organization established in 1968. The mission of the Humane Society of Fairfax County, Inc. is to promote humane education; to prevent all forms of cruelty to animals, both domestic and wild, by every legitimate means; and to assist the community with all matters pertaining to the welfare of animals.

United Way Campaign # 8734 CFC # 93406

CVC (Virginia) # 8030

HOURS AND INFORMATION

HSFC Administrative Office 4057 Chain Bridge Rd. Fairfax703-385-7387 (PETS)Hours of operation:Monday - Friday 10-5Saturday 10-4; Sunday - Closed Cat and Small Mammal Adoptions-Administrative OffIces -4057 Chain Bridge Rd. Fairfax703-385-7387 (PETS)Adoption hours:Monday - Friday 10-3Saturday 10-3; Sunday - Closed

HSFC Farm Centreville VAAll visitors must call ahead - 703-385-7387 (PETS)Dog and Horse adoptions - by appointment only

HSFC Outreach Cat ProgramCat Adoptions held at area PetSmart and Wylie Wagg stores- check our website www.hsfc.org for dates and times or call 703-385-7387 (PETS)

Second Chance 1 - Thrift Store4057 Chain Bridge Rd. Fairfax703-385-7387 (PETS)Hours of operation:Monday - Friday 10-4Saturday 10-3; Sunday - Closed

Second Chance 2 - Thrift Store929 W. Broad St. Falls Church703-533-9268Hours of operation: Monday - Friday 10-4Saturday 10-4; Sunday – Closed

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL

Full-time Office Manager: Carol Relkin Full-time Thrift Store Manager: Elisa BoteroFull-time Animal/Farm Caretaker: Cara DonatoPart-time Office Manager (Main Office): Debra Otto

Board of DirectorsPresident: Vicki KirbyVice President/Treasurer: Mary KendallCorresponding Secretary: Marlene HammerRecording Secretary: Jeanne TaylorDirector: Lynne Mayo
