spca of luzerne county - spring newsletter 2009

Angus reminds all pet owners that warmer weather means it’s getting even warmer in those cars. “While your pet may really want to come with you, the kinder thing is to keep them at home. Bring them back a special treat, take an extra walk, play with your pet and their favorite toy for a few extra minutes. They’ll never care about staying at home. Always remember that they’re just happy to be yours, and that it’s always better to be safe than sorry. The only ‘hot dogs’ belong on a bun. And if that hot dog is meant for me...hold the ketchup and onions, and you can skip the bun, too. Woof!”

March, 2009 This Newsletter Made Possible Through the Generosity of Solid Cactus, Inc. Spring 2009

SPCA of Luzerne County 570.825.4111 • www.spcaluzernecounty.org

For the longest time, I’ve written of how we see nearly 7,000 animals come through our doors each and every year. 2008 brought a change to that number. It was not an encouraging change.

For the first time in recent memory, we went beyond the 7,000 mark. While we take pride in being able to serve that many creatures, we are not at all happy that the numbers are increasing. The SPCA of Luzerne County is not a “business” that is encouraged by growth in numbers.Economic factors can’t be ignored in this equation. Foreclosures, those forced into homelessness, the many that have lost their jobs, all play a role in this situation. What I have to say again is very important, I ask politely that you’ll take a few seconds to read and consider.The SPCA of Luzerne County is not a government agency of any kind. We are not tax-dollar supported. For us, there is no safety net. We are reliant solely on your sense of philanthropy, the donations small and large from the caring citizens of this county. You make it possible. Times are tough, we all feel the sting. We only ask that you please keep us in mind. Thanks.As witnessed by recent events, the SPCA of Luzerne County enforces animal cruelty laws throughout the entire county. When justified, we obtain and execute search warrants, confiscate abused animals, provide for their immediate care, and subsequently prosecute those responsible as the laws of Pennsylvania allow.Now, a very pleasant task - I’d like to personally welcome Cary Moran to our staff. Cary is our new Humane Educator and Volunteer Coordinator and brings us wealth of animal welfare and animal

Vince Says...

Vince Says continued on page 4

Angus pays a visit to Lisa Romanelli’s Beekman Street Head-Start Class. Angus really is that big!

Inside this issue:Carey Moran’s SPCA Update • Page 2

A Little Love • Page 3

Our Hero • Page 3

Upcoming SPCA Events • Page 4 - 5

When You Need Us... • Page 5

Gothic Kitten Charges • Page 5

From the Cat Lady • Page 7

Humane Police Officers Sworn In • Page 7

Out of the Mouth of Angus

FROM THE

CAT LADYToo Many Cats

on page 7

2 524 E. Main Street, Fox Hill Road, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 This Newsletter Made Possible Through the Generosity of Solid Cactus, Inc.

Mark Warshal President

Tina Karl 1st Vice President

Heather Balester 2nd Vice President

Paul Lantz Treasurer

Arnold Fiergang Secretary

Barbara Dobrowalski Corresponding Secretary

Kathleen Daskalakes

Robert Edgerton, Jr.

Doris Magee

Kenneth Marquis

Effie Marshall

Nina Menichelli, Esq.

Karen Nocerine

Joseph Palko

Marion Pearsall

Sandy Rifkin

Louise Robinson

Scott Sanfilippo

Vicky Serhan

H. Robert Weaver

Amanda Wright-Kluger, Esq.

Pro Bono Counsel

Barry A. Yelen, Esq.

Joseph E. Kluger, Esq.

Board Members

2008 - 2009

SPCA of Luzerne County Spring 2009

Cary Moran’sSPCA UpdateEducationWhile the 2009 school year dwindles to a close, please keep us in mind for your summer programs as well as looking toward the new school year. Angus and Cary would love to visit with you and talk about Pet Care and Pet Safety. To Schedule a program, please contact Cary at 570-825-4111 or [email protected].

Pet Protectors!Our Pet Protectors are out and about this Spring! Please come to see them march in the Memorial Day parade and visit their booth for some home baked treats. All proceeds go to benefit the animals of the SPCA. If you are a child 9-14 yrs of age and are interested in joining the Pet Protectors, meetings are held the first Monday of each month.

Summer ProgramsThe SPCA Kids Camp is back for its third year. Children ages 6-13 can spend summer break with some of the 7,000 plus dogs, cats, bunnies and other animals served annually by the SPCA of Luzerne County. They will learn about animal care and safety, meet many different species of animals, and participate in hands on activities related to helping and caring for animals. This year’s programs will be held as follows: Session 1 – Ages 6-8 • June 22-26, 2009 9am to Noon daily

Session 2 – Ages 9-11 • July 20 – 24, 2009 9am to Noon daily

Session 3 – Ages 12 – 14 • August 17 -21, 2009 9am to Noon daily

It’s $50.00 per session and you can mail or call in to make your reservation. Class size limits 10 children so get your reservation made today!

Springtime Treasures? With the warmer weather we will be spending some well deserved time outside with our pets, enjoying the sunshine and the smell of spring flowers. With the awakening of the plants, trees and the sunshine, we don’t want to forget who else comes out of their long winter slumbers. ‘Tis the season of fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and gnats. They annoy us to no end, so you can rest assured that our faithful furry companions are less than happy to be bothered by them as well. Luckily, your veterinarian can provide you and your pets with much needed relief and protection through various preventatives. In many cases the medications to provide this protection carry a host of other benefits by aiding against other internal or external parasites that can not only be a nuisance but can affect the health of your pet. Speak to your veterinarian today about what your pet needs in the way of a preventative and enjoy the warmer weather safely!

Cary Moran, our new Humane Educator and Volunteer Coordinator, along with Angus.

Above, the Wags ‘n Whiskers crew with the SPCA’s Rose Norton during a recent taping of the show.

570.825.4111 • www.spcaluzernecounty.org 3Printing Generously Donated by Payne Printery, Inc., Paper Donated by Whiteman Tower.


Our Very Own HeroWe’d like you to meet Frank Dannert. Frank usually works in Adoptions. Maybe you’ve had the pleasure of meeting with Frank when you came in search of that puppy or kitty or rabbit. If you’ve dealt with him, you know. You know that Frank is a genuinely nice guy.What you don’t know is that Frank thought nothing of literally running from our shelter one evening to try and save a kitten that didn’t look like it could be saved. The call had come from neighbors in Lee Park, on Wyoming Street in Hanover Township, that a kitten was trapped in a storm drain. No one could reach the poor creature.Neighbors, passersby, and even emergency workers had stopped and tried with no success. They could neither reach this pathetic kitten nor coax her to move close enough to make the grab and save her life.On a chilly, windy and damp evening as the sun fell behind the mountains, Frank,

with the help of a handful of well-meaning neighbors, did what at first seemed to be the impossible. Before she slipped away, this soaking, dripping wet, crying little creature was snagged by Frank and whisked into a carrier. There was no discussion as to what her name would be from that moment forward; she’d be Wyoming.

Wyoming had been saved by Frank, and by those neighbors in Lee Park. They’re heroes, too. Heroes live right next-door to each and every one of us. Although those folks were thrilled that The SPCA of Luzerne County in the form of Frank Dannert had come to the rescue, Frank was gracious enough to instead thank them for their patience, caring, and cooperation. If that wasn’t enough, Frank took Wyoming home, he adopted her, she’s now Frank’s cat and, of course, grounded for life, which we all hope is a good long one.

Frank Dannert holds Wyoming in our Cat Room. Admiring Wyoming, and maybe Frank a little also, are Scarlet and Lauren of our staff.

A little love, a little patience, a little work, can all pay dividends.

This beautiful white shepherd came to us after his owner sadly became homeless and was forced to live out of his van. Named Sno at the time, SPCA Supervisor Vickie Cooper quickly recognized that, although Sno was nervous and apprehensive upon admission to our shelter, this dog had the potential to be one marvelous companion.

Vickie at first tried to place Sno with a rescue but had no luck. Realizing that this was a very smart dog, she next explored the possibility of a career in law enforcement for this beautiful animal. Again, no success.

Unwilling to accept defeat, Vickie worked with Sno until he was ready to be eligible for general adoption here at the SPCA. Shortly after he was, his “Forever Home” came along in the person of Ed Wildes of Mountaintop. Sno is now Coda and one happy dog. It’s another great ending, which we love, and which we wish we could have more of every single day. Please, come for a visit. Thanks, Ed.

Left to right are: Ed Wildes, Coda, and Vickie Cooper.



Upcoming SPCA Events...

From Cary MoranWatch for our Pets of the Week in

the Citizens’ Voice, The Times Leader, and on WBRE News at 11:00am

every other Friday.

Kids Club Meeting the First Monday of Every Month!

Beginning Mar 12th through Jun 11th we will be at KM Smith Elementary

with our Pawsitively Reading Program.

––– ------— March -- —--—–Mar 28th - Pictures with the Easter Bunny at the shelter 12pm - 3pm. Mar 31st - Each Tuesday through Jun 9 we will be at Lake Noxen Elementary with our Pawsitively Reading Program.

––-– ––—-- April --—-—–––

Apr 1st - Each Wednesday through Jun 10 we will be at Main Street Elementary with our Pawsitively Reading Program. Apr 2nd- Little Stars Nursery School with Angus. Apr 3rd - KM Smith Elementary PreK with Angus. Apr 4th - Pictures with the Easter Bunny at the shelter 12pm - 2pm. Apr 4th - Adoption event at Odyssey Fitness. Apr 4th - Scouting Festival, David Wert - boy scout will be holding a donation drive on behalf of the SPCA. Apr 13th- Volunteer Orientation Session 1- 10am to noon; Session 2 - 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Apr 18th - Barnes and Noble Book Fair at Barnes and Noble Arena Hub Plaza 10am - 4pm. Apr 20th - Dallas Sr. Center with Angus - mostly just to visit but also to talk about pet care and what the SPCA does. Apr 25th and Apr 26th - Cherry Blossom Festival. Apr 27th - Federated Women’s Club (speaking engagement). Apr 29th - College Miseracordia - Finals week Pet Stress Relief session for the Students and Faculty. Apr 30th - St. Pauls Pre-school in Mountiantop with Angus.

––– ----–-— May ----—–--––May 1st - Lake Noxen Elementary, Pet Care program with Angus. May 1st, 2nd and 3rd - Spring Adoption event at PetSmart Arena Hub Plaza.

SPCA Events continued on page 5.

pOur heartfelt thanks go to the wonderful and generous employees at SCHOTT North America, Inc.in Duryea. Due to their appreciation for our efforts on behalf of animal sheltering and animal welfare, they collected an impressive donation of supplies and money for the SPCA of Luzerne County.

Standing left to right; SCHOTT North America employees; Julie Lucarella, Amy Sincavage, and Mary Golya. Front and center, that’s Angus with Cary Moran.

sheltering experience to our community. Prior to joining us, Cary was the National Public Relations Coordinator for Petfinder.com. You’ll be hearing lots more about Cary in the coming months and likely meeting her as well. I’m often asked about funeral services by those who’ve lost a pet, a very traumatic experience. Each and every one of us here has cried the same tears as you in saying good-bye to a faithful and loving companion. One of the greatest satisfactions in this job is being able to help those in need. When the time comes, when you don’t know where to turn, we can help.Thanks a million for your continued support, especially during these tough times.

Vince Sweeney Executive Director

Vince Says continued from page 1

What You Can Do for the AnimAlsPeople often ask what they can do for the animals. One of the easiest things is to donate some of the supplies we use on a daily basis. Below is a list of items we use most frequently.

Wish List Items...H CAT LITTER (clay non-clumping)

H CANNED CAT FOOD H DRY KITTEN CHOW H CANNED

DOG FOOD H TRASH BAGS (55 GALLON) H TALL KITCHEN

BAGS H PRE-PAID FUEL CARDS H AA & AAA BATTERIES H 9-VOLT BATTERIES

H SPONGES H DISH DETERGENT H DUST PANS WITH SMALL BROOMS H DRY DOG FOOD (NO

RED DYE) H NON PINE FLOOR CLEANERS H SOFT SCRUB WITH BLEACH H PAPER TOWELS H DRY CAT

FOOD (NO RED DYE) H BLEACH H 6” PAPER PLATES H COLLARS & LEASHES H 8 ½ X 11 COPY PAPER H RABBIT PELLETS (PREFERABLY

PURINA) H GERBIL / HAMSTER / GUINEA PIG FOOD H ALUMINUM CANS (we recycle them for money) You can

always drop them off at the SPCA on the side of the garage. H Monetary donations are always graciously accepted

We rely solely on this community for support to keep our doors open; to keep doing what we do. Without you, we wouldn’t be here. When You

Need Us, We’ll Be Here...

All of us at the SPCA of Luzerne County know the pain and sorrow that the loss

of a pet can bring. We’re here to help. We offer

full services, including our Rolling Green Pet Cemetery

and Columbarium. On-premise cremation is also available as your needs dictate. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information. 825-4111. We can ease your burden at a very difficult time. It will be our honor and privilege to do what we can for you.



––– ----–-— May ----—–--––May 6th - Luzerne County Head Start with Angus. May 8th - Health Fair on The Square, Wilkes Barre 10am-3pm. May 9th - Rabies and Microchip Clinic at shelter. Times TBA. May 11th - Volunteer Orientation Session 1- 10am to noon; Session 2 - 5:30pm to 6:30pm. May 14th, 15th, and 16th - Fine Arts Fiesta at Public Square Wilkes Barre. May 14th Northwest Area School District Child Safety Fair with Vince. May 25th - Wyoming Valley Memorial Day Parade at Wyoming.

––– ----–-— June ----—–--––Jun 8th - Volunteer Orientation Session 1- 10am to noon; Session 2 - 5:30pm to 6:30pm Jun 13th - Reunion Picnic at Kirby Park 11am - 3pm. Jun 14th -Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club annual Motorcycle Run for the SPCA. Jun 22 - 26 - SPCA Kid’s Camp Session 1. Jun 23rd through Jun 28th - Northeast Fair at Pittston Twp.

––– ----–-— July ----—–--––Jul 11th - Pet Protectors Stars and Stripes Event at SuperPetz Edwardsville 11am - 2pm Jul 13th - Volunteer Orientation Session 1- 10am to noon; Session 2 - 5:30pm to 6:30pm.

For the most recent updates to our upcoming events, please visit our

website. To schedule an event with us, or to hold an adoption day of your

own, please contact Cary Moran at the shelter: 570-825-4111 or at

[email protected]

Come visit us at www.spcaluzernecounty.org

Go to our site. Click on Available Pets on the left side of the page. Visit

our site often, where you can see many of the pets we have waiting

for you. As always, you are invited to visit the shelter during our hours of

operation, which you can also find on our website. Remember, the SPCA of

Luzerne County is open 7 days a week.

SPCA Eventscontinued from page 4.Pet Protectors Youth Club

JOIN THE SPCA OF LUZERNE COUNTY’S

KIDS/TEEN CLUBAND HELP ANIMALS BY:

• RAISING AWARENESS• HELPING ANIMALS

• MAKING A DIFFERENCE

MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULED FOR:MON, APR 6, MON, MAY 4, MON, JUN 1, 2009

AT THE SHELTER 5:30 pm

For children ages 8 and up. Come find out how to help the animals in your community and

make a difference for the animals at the shelter.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT CARY MORAN AT THE SHELTER 570-825-4111.

Gothic Kitten ChargesDistrict Judge John Paul Hadzik forwarded

animal cruelty charges to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas regarding the “Gothic Kitten” case. Holly Crawford

of Ross Township will be arraigned on April 24th. Charges against William Blansett have been dropped.

Pet First Aid Course

The Pet First Aid Course teaches you emergency care procedures for cats and dogs and provides tips for keeping

your pet happy and healthy too.

Fore More Info Call 823-7161

Many Thanks to:

pLindsay Lane, at left, asked her friends at St. John’s Byzantine Church’s Youth Group in Wilkes-Barre to help the animals during the holidays, and they did indeed. Lindsay, thank you, we’re proud to call you a friend and supporter. Lending a hand, the SPCA’s Scott Gomelko.

pGirl Scout Troop #2815 from St. Nicholas Church in W-B visits us with a wonderful donation of supplies as their Christmas present to the SPCA.


Overpopulation is the number one cause of animal abuse in this country.

The good news is that we can do something about it.

Many Thanks to:

p WWON – Wilkes-Barre Women on Network, present the proceeds of their fundraiser and roast benefitting the SPCA. We can never thank them enough for their generosity and kindness. Left to right; Nicole L. Schake, Early staffing Services; Dawn Davison-Monk, Twin City Builders; Heather Dehnel, Event Planning 911; Mary Bartos, Bridal Trinkets.

pM&T Bank recently made its annual contribution to animal welfare in their community. Presenting M&T Bank’s donation are M&T Bank Vice President of Private Banking Barbara Toczko-Maculloch, and M&T Bank Banking Officer Deborah Saracino. We are in your debt.

The SPCA of Luzerne County Low-Cost Spay neuter FundSpaying and neutering saves lives. It gives companion animals the chance of a future by decreasing the incredible number of unwanted animals. It’s the only way to end this misery. Please consider a donation to this fund, which will help us offer financial assistance to those who otherwise could not afford to spay and neuter.

We humbly ask that you also remember us in your will.

...the beginning towards ending the misery.

SAVE THE DATE! The 13th Annual Motorcycle Run, June 14th, 2009.

A ”Senior” For A “Senior.”Adopt a “Senior” Dog or Cat for $30.00!Includes $20 adoption fee and $10 for microchip. All animals available for this program will be spayed, neutered, microchipped, and just waiting for you and your loving home. Seniors, aged 60 and over qualify for older pet adoption!

Visit or Contact The SPCA of Luzerne County for more information.


Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club’sAnnual SPCA Run


time, and dedication are all necessary, in large doses, to accomplish the task.

The SPCA of Luzerne County is putting its money where its heart is, so to speak. Our Spay/Neuter Assistance Program for the cats of low-income owners is the first step on the road, and we need you to help us along the path. If you care about cats and want to help them, you couldn’t find a better way to put your money where your heart is. Please send a donation today, and make sure you specify it’s for the Spay/Neuter Fund. Large or small, it will make a difference.

Many Thanks to:The Wilkes-Barre Chapter of POWER! for holding a “POWER Outage” at Cork to benefit our SPCA. POWER! is an informal group of professionals whose mission is to promote the our region as a vital and pleasurable place to live, work and play.

Too Many

Cats!By Our SPCA’s Cat Lady

It is the dream of every animal welfare organization, including the SPCA of Luzerne County, to some day become a “No-Kill” shelter and still accept every animal that needs our help. What a wondrous thing it would be if every adoptable animal could find a home with committed, responsible owners!

Over the past few years, that dream has become reality for dogs brought to our shelter. Sadly, a few dogs must still be euthanized for health or behavior issues that make them ineligible for adoption; that may never change. But the adoptable dogs get homes.

It’s a far different story for the cats we take in.

About twice as many cats as dogs come to us — about twice as many as there are qualified adopters for them. Because cats breed so fast and so often, because many people get a cat without considering the cost of and the necessity for altering it, or even the age at which reproduction can begin, “Whoops! litters” are common. Many owners don’t know that spaying or neutering is actually good for their cat’s health. Many just plain can’t afford the cost. And we end up with the hundreds of “surplus” cats and kittens that are the end result of the “failure to fix.”

Can you imagine the pain of looking into the beautiful eyes of a kitten as you euthanize it for lack of a home? Is it any wonder we dream of change?

Yes, it’s a wonderful dream, and it can be done. But like most worthy goals simply wishing won’t make it so. While we can’t create more homes, our community can stop breeding so many cats. Hard work, education, money,


Humane Police Officers Sworn InAfter successful completion of extensive state-mandated training, two SPCA employees were recently sworn as Humane Police Officers in Luzerne County Court.

Administering the oath was Clinton County Senior Judge Richard N. Saxton, Jr., seated. Standing, left to right; SPCA Shelter Manager Cindy Starke (herself a Humane Police Officer), new Officers Wayne Harvey and Crystal Wallace, SPCA Pro-bono counsel, Atty. Barry Yelen, and SPCA Executive Director Vince Sweeney.

“Please Tell Us What You Think”We’ve added a survey to our website. We’d appreciate a few min-utes of your time in taking the survey and answering our ques-tions. Your thoughts are very important to us, so tell us how we’re

doing, tell us what you think. Just visit our website and click on the link to take the survey.

Thanks!

Left to right: Therese Maxfield, Director for POWER! Wilkes-Barre, Ruth Corcoran, Cork, Vince Sweeney, SPCA Executive Director, Cathy Faatz, Events Chair for POWER! Wilkes-Barre and Joe Butcher, POWER! Wilkes-Barre.

SPCA of Luzerne County524 East Main StreetWilkes-Barre, PA 18702

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 125

WILKES-BARRE, PA

SPCA of Luzerne County 570.825.4111 • www.spcaluzernecounty.org

Phone: 570-825-4111 • Fax: 570-825-7898E-mail: [email protected]

Shelter Hours:Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 8:00 am–7:30 pm

Adoptions: 11:00 am–3:00 pm and 5:00 pm–7:00 pm

Wednesday & Friday: 8:00 am–3:30 pmAdoptions: 11:00 am–3:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 am–3:30 pmAdoptions: 12:00–3:00 pm

The official registration and financial

information of The Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of

Luzerne County, Inc. may be obtained

from the Pennsylvania Department of State

by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania;

1-800-732-0999. Registration does not

imply endorsement.

Bark at The Park 2009!The SPCA of Luzerne County’s 19th Annual Walk for The Animals...

We’re back at Frances Slocum State Park once again on Saturday, October 3rd, for one of Luzerne County’s favorite walks.

Save The Date! Saturday, October 3rd


Coming up in 2009!• SPCA Golf Tournament

• The Black Cat Ball

Watch for details

spca of luzerne county - spring newsletter 2009

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