Shelter’s Edge

This week our thoughts are with our friends and colleagues at our partner shelters, Central Oklahoma Humane Society and Oklahoma City Animal Welfare, who have been working round-the-clock to care for animals displaced by the storm.

The ASPCA Disaster Response Team is currently on the ground to support these agencies, and we’ve been sharing regular updates from OK Humane on our ASPCApro Facebook page. One that really warmed our hearts was this photo of Baby, a lost dog being united with her “grandma,” Vicki Lemmings, after OK Humane had managed to trace the voicemail on the number on Baby’s ID tag back to her owner.

Photo by: Michelle Karolicki/Central Oklahoma Humane Society

“We have been trying to catch as many reunification photos as possible,” says Michelle Karolicki, Relocation Program Manager at Central Oklahoma Humane Society. “This one of Baby just sort of happened.”

Vicki had spent the day driving to different shelters in the area looking for her son’s dog. When she learned that Baby was at OK Humane, she recounted to Today.com, she “went to the ground”—and then said, “Open that cage and let me in there!”

“She was on the phone to her family saying, ‘They have our Baby!’ when I took the photo,” says Michelle. “I feel so blessed to be part of moments like this.”

For more on the incredible work of the staff and volunteers at OK Humane and Oklahoma City Animal Welfare, follow Central Oklahoma Humane Society and Okc Pets on Facebook.

Check back on the ASPCA blog for news on the ASPCA Disaster Response Team’s efforts in Oklahoma City.

Related links:
ASPCA Partnerships: Oklahoma City
“Slammin’ Shelter Photos: Getting The Shot”

Where are the puppies going to come from? I have been waking up night after night lately in a panic thinking about this question… Really – where will the puppies come from?!

In many communities around the country we are reaching a crisis point – that is if you believe that people should have the opportunity to have a dog in their life, and that they should have the opportunity to choose what type of dog to be a part of their family. I do believe this. I feel strongly that a big part of becoming and retaining “humane communities” is that all have the opportunity to have a pet in their life. I do not think pets should be just for certain people (those who can afford a puppy from a high-end responsible breeder, for example), but for all people who want to care responsibly for a pet.

The crisis is that we are running out of puppies! There are many communities that simply do not have juvenile dogs entering their sheltering system and, in many cases, the adult dog population entering the shelters has significantly decreased – and significantly changed. What those in this field have laid the foundation for and have worked so hard for is happening! This is great news!!

And, this is the source of my concern.

So here is where the crisis is – when there is a need, the void is usually filled. How do we want the void left by the lack of puppies to be filled? I know one thing we can all agree on, we sure do not want it filled by puppy mills and those who breed with no understanding of the importance of early socialization, proper nutrition and the like.

This is a conversation we having been having for a few years… At HSUS Expo this year, I heard a few people mention the next step for some shelters may be to find ways in which we become the source for puppies for folks. I know what some of you are thinking – that in your community, there is certainly not a lack of puppies coming in. And that may be true. Chances are, there are less than there used to be, but there may still be puppies at risk. Yes – there are still plenty of opportunities for relocation programs to help move dogs and puppies from where there are too many to where there are not enough, but as responsible large-scale relocation programs like the PetSmart Charities Rescue Waggin’ help infuse source shelters with resources and know-how, we are seeing source shelters as temporary, as they too soon see the inventory entering their shelters change.

We know what a dog can add to our lives – how they can help us through the bad days, bring us joy when joy is hard to find, keep us honest, keep us human…and really, this is the kicker – that interaction can keep us kind. How can we fill this void? How can we assure that anyone who wants to add a dog to their life can find a humanely raised puppy? What does the future hold? Please let’s figure this out, ‘cause I need to be able to sleep through the night – I am keeping my dogs up!

Related links:
“Beaches, Bikinis and Bullies”
“All You Need Is Love”

Can you guess what this product is for?

P.S. This campaign sure has a nice ring to it… give your answer in the comment box. And to see what real men are made of, check out last week’s update.

Anybody finished their spring cleaning? We noticed our Amazing Shelter Photos file was overflowing—clearly it’s time to share these 10 smile-worthy reminders of the lifesaving work you all do.

Canyon County Animal Shelter, Caldwell, IDThree words for you—Kitty Photo Bomb.


The Humane Society of Southern ArizonaAristotle puckered up as part of a three-day Adore-a-Bull celebration.

Animal Rescue League of Boston, Boston, MAA few days after this fun photo collage was featured on Facebook, Moe (but of course) was adopted.


Southern Pines Animal Society, Hattiesburg, MSWhen SPAS’ adoption van broke down, they used this picture to raise funds for a new one—the donations came roaring in, and they got their new vehicle.


Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, Springfield, MAChance, adopted last fall, hanging with his human. Two paws up!


Special Bunny, Carnation, WA

Pet Helpers, Charleston, SCYup, it’s true—everyone loves ASPCApro webinars!

Charleston Animal Society, Charleston, SCProceeds from the first-ever Charleston firefighter calendar went to injured, abused and abandoned animals. Now that’s hot!

Kentucky Humane Society, Louisville, KYHomeward bound.


Ulster County SPCA, Kingston, NYWho ya calling a copy cat?

Got some photo faves of your own? Please share a link in the comment box.

Related Links:
10 More Photos We Love
Even More Shelter Photos We Love

Regardless of the type of program being utilized, it’s important to optimize pain control for cats and dogs undergoing spay/neuter. There are many acceptable and affordable analgesic agents to choose from. A veterinarian can design an anesthetic/analgesic protocol that incorporates the following concepts:

Multimodal Pain Control
- Combines multiple pain control agents in a single protocol
This allows drugs to act synergistically to control pain. Since a lower dose of each drug may be used in the combination, the negative side effects of each drug are minimized.

Pre-emptive Pain Control
- Use of a pain control agent prior to initial surgical incision
This is important because generally it is easier to prevent pain than it is to treat pain once it occurs.

References
Looney, A., et al, The Association of Shelter Veterinarians veterinary medical care guidelines for spay-neuter programs, JAVMA, Vol 233, No. 1, July 1, 2008.

The above article, as well as many other related resources, can be found at the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ website.

What are your protocols for controlling pain for cats and dogs undergoing spay/neuter surgery?

Photo courtesy of Kathleen Makolinski, DVM

Related links:
“Tip of the Week: Shelf Employed”
Upcoming Webinar: “Funding Your Spay/Neuter Program”