Paws in PrintT H E C O A S TA L H U M A N E S O C I E T Y N E W S L E T T E R

64 ANIMALS like the adorable Lyle shown here, were adopted during our record-breaking event

Kitten Extravaganza event breaks the all-time adoption record at CHS!By Polly Anderson, Volunteer Newsletter Editor

Forty kittens zipped from foster homes to forever homes in the space of a few hours during a special adoption event in September. The cute-fest-under-a-tent with a ‘Two for the Price of One’ deal drew in feline fans like catnip while making it possible for each kitty to go home with a furry buddy. Since the adoption fee included a vet check, immuni-zations, spay/neuter, collar with ID, post adoption support and home-grown kittens, how could any cat lover resist?

At the same time, we waived the fee for our older cats, dogs and small critters because

we had too many great animals who de-served homes. At the close of the event, 64 animals had been adopted! This total broke CHS’ previous record when 24 Mississippi pups were adopted in a single day.

This adoption tent event was so successful that we staged an encore two weeks later with similar happy results. 52 animals went home with new human friends.

Thank you so much to the foster families and adopters, and staff and volunteers who made a difference in the lives of so many animals by helping them to find homes.

WINTER 2011

FEATURES

4 Dog enrichment

6 Brooklyn

7 Best walk ever!

8 New vet welcome

11 From sad to glad

IN EVERY ISSUE2 From the Executive Director

5 Wish list

6 Upcoming events calendar

8 Memorials

11 Ask the vet

OUR MISSION

To assist by all means the prevention of cruelty to animals

To alleviate and relieve the suffering of animals occasioned by any cause or causes whatsoever

To establish, operate, and maintain shelter facilities for stray, homeless, or unwanted abandoned small animals

To educate the population in the area served by the corporation and disseminate information and materials pertaining to humane principles in the treatment of all animals

To ensure that all dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals are adopted into lifelong respon- sible homes

TOWNS WE SERVE

Bowdoin Harpswell

Bowdoinham North Yarmouth

Brunswick Phippsburg

Cumberland Topsham

Durham Pownal

Falmouth Woolwich

Freeport Yarmouth

Georgetown

Coastal Humane Society, Inc. 30 Range Road Brunswick, Maine 04011 207 725 5051 / fax 207 725 4111 coastalhumanesociety.org

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LOCATION

We are located on Range Road, off Route 1 North (Pleasant Street), in Brunswick, Maine.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Six days a week: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed Wednesdays & major holidays.

OUR TRUSTEES

Scott Cushing Fran Philip Tom Hinman Rajiv Shankar Lee Johnson Todd Smith Tony McDonald Loraine Snyder Constance McCabe Halliday Moncore Dorothy Wentworth Lianna Kingsbury

OUR EMPLOYEES

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Karen Stimpson

FLOOR SUPERVISOR

Darlene Brunick

SENIOR DOG TECHNICIAN

Linus Coulombe

FRONT DESK MANAGER & COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Lisa Smith

FRONT DESK ASSOCIATES

Lisa Rodzen

Marie Murray

BUSINESS & OFFICE COORDINATOR

Karen Rendall

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Kathy Sullivan

MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Jane Siviski

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT

Rebecca Francis

FINANCIAL MANAGER

Teri McRae

VETERINARIAN

Dr. Mandie Wehr, D.V.M.

VETERINARY TECHNICIAN

Tammy LeBeau, L.V.T.

ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIANS

Katelyn Wells Stephanie Gondek

Tracee Trudell Chris Chavoustie

Allie Athearn Asheley Simpson Jane Johnson Amanda Sundeen

VOLUNTEER EDITOR

Polly Anderson

BRUNSWICK

Chu

rch

Rd

Greenwood Rd McKeen

River Rd

Golf Club

EDITOR’S NOTE: Help us make Coastal Humane Society the best animal shelter

in Maine. We welcome your comments and suggestions and

enjoy reading your emails.

KAREN ST IMPSON, working on our Annual Appeal with furry admins, OCTOBER and PÉPÉ .

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

It’s a tough business we’re in. People often say to me, “I could never do what you do…it must be so heart breaking!” I tell them the truth: it is.

It is particularly heartbreaking to see sad pet owners relinquishing animals that they can no longer afford. Shelters across the country are reporting record numbers of surrenders and abandonments due to the economy.

What we’ve seen so far this year at the Coastal Humane Society is no exception. Regrettably, for every 3 –4 community-owned animals we stretch our budget to help each week (food, medicines, etc.), we have to turn away ten requests (mostly for free veterinary services) over the phone or literally at the door. The reasons that pet owners are coming to us are heart achingly varied: a home lost to foreclosure, layoffs, or people with unexpected illness who can barely pay for their own treatments, let alone their pets. So they forgo essential drugs or treatment, hoping for the best, until the animal is visibly suffering, and then they call us, pleading for help, or they show up on our doorstep to surrender the animal, costing the shelter eleventh hour emergency care.

People who love their pets but find themselves in dire circum- stances often, in desperation, turn to small and large deceits. In one instance, an older gentleman brought us a “stray” that had been hit by a car and needed immediate surgery; upon checking the microchip we discovered that the animal was his! Another person, turning in the family cat of 8 years, thin and clearly in need of a dental exam, explained how her daughter had developed a sudden cat allergy.

Most commonly, there is the bunny left in a box by the door at night with three limp carrots and a tear-stained note explaining the vet’s estimate and their hope that some kind person out there would take pity on the ailing rabbit and pick up where they had to leave off. How sad that someone, perhaps just like you or me, relinquishes their bond with that animal who has meant so much to them in hopes of its happier ending, in another home, after the Coastal Humane Society fixes it up.

Despite all the situations that the shelter can no longer afford to help, we have actually provided a remarkable amount of public assistance over the past year. We performed or paid for about 20 humane euthanasias for the suffering pets of people who could not afford the $100.00–$250.00 typically charged by veterinarians. We also provided free medical support (often through community veterinarians), spay/neuter surgeries, emergency treatment, (continued on page 6 )

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We adopted Laisie, a red tick hound beagle mix, 16 years ago, when she was about a year old. Her family had a baby and found that caring for a pup was too much. We fell in love with her immediately. She was digging holes in the yard at CHS, and rolled on our feet.

Laisie has seen me through the best and worst times of my life — the births of my two boys, the loss of a cat, the addition of three more cats, three moves, and a divorce. No animal could ever be as loyal as sweet Laisie.

She is still alive — can you believe it? I am so blessed. She thrives on her daily walks, and still sleeps on the floor in my bedroom, curled up in a blanket.

I can not put into words the joy that this sweet creature has brought into my life. I’ve never had a pet see me through so many changes as this darling pup.

Thank you, CHS, for bringing Laisie and I together as a forever family.

Kym G.

When I first met Meelo, he and 99 other cats had just been rescued from a hoarder. He was just one of 30 cats in a quarantine trailer on the shelter property.

Meelo captured my heart because he was the first cat in the trailer to purr. I started slipping him treats and giving him extra strokes. It was clear that he was starved for attention. Soon he seemed to recognize me, HazMat gear and all. When he passed his medical tests, I snatched him up.

Meelo is at home with me now. I still remember the first time I stroked him with my bare hand — and I bet he does too. He is lively, affectionate, and eager to explore his new world.

Jennifer Caven, Volunteer

EDITOR’S NOTE:

On October 15, the hoarder cats were sprung from their isolation with fanfare and rejoicing to become available for adoption. It had taken nearly five months of dedicated care to get them to this point. Some very deserving cats are still available to take home.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR & THE SHELTER STAFF

Dear Coastal Humane Society,

Above, left to right: MEELO , from crowded hoarding home to pampered luxury. SKYE , a CHS alumni still beloved 16 years later.

Skye (formerly known as Baby Jake) is doing great. He responds well to most commands so someone in his past has worked to train him. He brought me a roll of paper towels from the floor in the exercise room after watching me take some out of a cupboard. He is one smart dog. Oh, he has a mighty bark. He scared the heck out of me when he saw his reflection in the glass doors leading to the deck… what a goofball.

Thanks to everyone at Coastal Humane Society who helped me with this adoption. Chris encouraged me to put my name in for adopting Skye. Stephanie was a wealth of information and answered all of my questions as we went through Skye’s history. Marie was efficient and professional in handling the adoption paperwork. I spoke to other staff members while there and each of my encounters was very positive. Keep up your much needed good work in the community.

As I close, Skye is sound asleep at the base of my chair.

Scott MacDonald

WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

Tell us how your CHS pet is doing and send a picture. While we can’t fit them all in the newsletter, we try to post all “alumni” on our website. Submit your story on the alum page of our website.

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ANNUALFUNDreminderIt’s your kindness that keeps our shelter doors open and helps our animals find forever homes.

Can we count on you to donate to our Annual Fund?

You can still give in the new year — the animals don’t mind.

Help us make more happy endings.

The easiest way to

donate is online at our

website, coastalhumane

society.org.

The animals thank you for your generous support!

Doggy enrichment — coming to a shelter near you…

UPCOMING EVENTSUPCOMING EVENTS

The Mastiff was one of the few breeds mentioned by name in The Forest Laws of King Canute, the first written laws of England in 1014. Did you know?

Okay, it’s grim, but picture yourself in a small cell with a cold cement floor. A chain link fence blocks you from the kinds of things you wish you could enjoy: treats, glimpses of blue sky, whiffs of fresh air, human attention, a chance to play, something to do. People who you would like to hang out with look at you, then pass by. Hours merge into days, and then weeks. This emptiness of time is interrupted only by meals… short walks… some pats on the head… naps… the metallic clanging of kennel doors.

What could make this time less boring and depressing? A game to play with a human? Yes! A puzzle to solve? Yes! Some mental stimulation? You’ve got it — doggy enrichment!

Through the creative energy of staff and volunteers, dog enrichment is coming soon to a shelter near you (um, that would be CHS)! After a series of 3-hour “Dog Summit” evening meetings of volunteers, trustees and staff, CHS will launch a Dog Enrichment Program designed to perk up a dog’s day in the shelter. Activities can range from simple

stress relievers such as playing classical music in the kennels, to the mental stimulation of a different doggy toy or puzzle every day. A proven boredom buster is anything that requires a dog to work for his food, such as kibble stuffed into a rubber “kong” or treats trapped in cardboard tubes. After we’ve got the basic enrichments under our belts or collars, we will move toward more labor intensive offerings in 2012, such as “play groups,” obedience training, and agility courses.

If you are a human who is bored or in need of some “mental stimulation,” or just love dogs, we invite you to participate in this “enriching” new program!

Call Volunteer Coordinator Kathy Sullivan at 725-5051, ext. 14 or email ksullivan@coastal humanesociety.org. We guarantee that our dogs will “enrich” your day!

Below, left to right: QUINN , JANE and JESSICA .

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UPCOMING EVENTS

GENERAL SHELTER ITEMS

PowerPoint projector

Wireless conference phone

Office supplies

CD players for animal rooms

Wood bark chips for dog yards & paths

Highest quality digital camera

Stainless steel tables & shelves

Utility garden shed or outbuildings

White copy paper

CLEANING SUPPLIES

Plastic grocery bags for picking up animal waste

Bleach, bleach, and more bleach!

Paper towels, toilet paper, & tissues

Low-sudsing laundry powder

New brooms & dust pans

New high power, industrial strength vacuum cleaner

Liquid hand sanitizer

30-gallon trash bags

VETERINARY CLINIC ITEMS

X-ray machine & developer

Microscope

Blood pressure machine with cuffs for animals

Hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol

Latex & non-latex gloves

ANIMAL CARE SUPPLIES

Dog, cat, & kitten food (Friskies, Purina, Science Diet, Nutro, Pedigree. Protein based foods are best.)

Puppy Chow (dye-free)

Small-Bites dog food

Senior pet food

Chew bones & treats

Cat toys

Litter scoops

Dog toys

Peanut butter & Kong toys for dogs

Kitty litter — all kinds

Chicken baby food

Furry mice toys for cats

Carpet trees & hidey-hole houses for cats

Feather or wand toys for cats

Large cinder blocks

Humane animal traps — large sizes

Folding metal exercise pens

Cat climbs

Cat beds

OUR WISH LIST

We always need things We go through a lot of food, litter, and laundry caring for up to 200 animals every day! Canned cat and dog food, litter, towels, fleece blankets and bleach are at the top of our wish list — but there’s plenty more we could use.

If you see anything on this list you can provide, please do. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter during business hours. We will gladly give you a receipt for your tax records, as well as a hearty thank you!

HAPPY TALE

Brooklyn Brooklyn, a muscular Mastiff mix, wasn’t a dog for just anyone. When this big four-year-old came to CHS in April, he was touch sensitive, skittish around strangers and generally hard to handle. Because none of the staff could get a leash on him for walks, he was placed in an isolation kennel where he had access to an out- side yard. It took two months of patient work and affection before Brooklyn could overcome his fears and start to trust us. He finally graduated to the adoption floor.

Still, finding the right home for Brooklyn was not going to be quick and easy. He was loud, large, strong and in need of training, so many visitors passed him by. Worse, he was adopted and returned; twice. It looked like Brooklyn would be a long-term resident.

One day in August, I found a message from a man who had called about adopting him. John King and his wife Natalie lived five hours away, up in Aroostook County, near Caribou, almost into Canada. They had spotted Brooklyn on our website and were drawn by his resemblance to their Rufus, a much loved Mastiff mix who had recently died. We talked for an hour, not just about Brooklyn, but also about the many dogs they had rescued over the years. They decided they had to come down to meet him and to also introduce him to Tigger, their rescued Plott hound. When we hung up, I was confident that we had finally found a good match for our big boy.

John and Natalie arrived two days later. When I brought the usually shy Brooklyn out into the yard, he greeted Natalie with wagging tail and doggy kisses! The meeting with Tigger was also a success — minus the kisses.

With me on the adoption was Sally Bechtle, a wonderful volunteer who had spent hours working with Brooklyn. She and Natalie found many similarities between Rufus and Brooklyn. It was hard not to get teary-eyed when Natalie said the adoption was meant to be: Brooklyn’s kennel number (A2) was the same kennel number where they found Rufus, years ago.

After the adoption paperwork was completed, Brooklyn exchanged farewells with staff and volunteers gathered out in the parking lot. He then climbed into “his” truck to start the long ride to his new life. “Brookie” is enjoying the wide open spaces of The County. It’s evident from the photos and emails the Kings have sent us that he’s happy with his new family — and the feeling is mutual. Some dogs just take a little longer to find the perfect home!

— STEPHANIE GONDEK, Animal Care Technician

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UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2012

Get involved with CHS! All listed events will be held at our shelter, unless otherwise noted. Visit our website (coastalhumanesociety.org) frequently to check for new workshops or other activities.

JANUARY

SAT 1/7 Rabies PLUS! Clinic 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Harpswell Town Hall 263 Mountain Road

SAT 1/14 Rabies Plus Clinic 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Cumberland Town Hall 290 Tuttle Road

THURS 1/26 Meet the Vet 7:00 p.m.

K A R E N S T I M P S O N ,

E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R

medicine, food, and pet supplies to the tune of over $35,000 out of our general operating budget. The George Fund, which was created expressly for this purpose, is generally depleted by the end of March each year.

You ask how we can bear to do what we do? Here’s one reason: a year ago a grandfatherly gentleman came to the shelter. Polite, soft spoken, and apologetic, he told us that he was living marginally and was trying hard, really hard, to provide for his ailing terrier’s medical needs. We pitched in with bladder stone surgery and medications, which kept the dog going for 11 more months. Then came the inevitable... euthanasia. He left that day with her body, as sad as a man can be, and returned to us a few weeks later saying that he had been unbearably lonely. Could he adopt another dog? He would pay the adoption fee in monthly installments as his social security checks come in. He was so happy when he had that little tail wagging by his side as he filled out the adoption papers. We were soooooo happy to see them walking out together.

So… yes, it is heartbreaking work, but it does have its heart lifting rewards!

We are reducing our carbon paw print! If we have your email address on file, we’re going to send you the electronic copy of future newsletters. If you would like to receive the paper copy of Paws in Print, please email jsiviski@coastalhumanesociety.org.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, continued from page 2

WANT TO HELP?

If you are wondering what you can do to help, consider making a donation to the George Fund or the Annual Fund and we will continue to do everything we can to ease the pain and suffering of animals caught in the economic crosshairs.

Above: CONTEST PHOTO, submitted by Dave Gondek. LOOKING FOR MORE EVENT INFO? Visit our website at coastalhumanesociety.org!

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Wicked good walk!The 2011 Paws for a Cause Dog Walk was the best fundraising walk in CHS history!Nearly $25,000 was raised by more than 100 walkers — more than double the proceeds of any other dog walk! The wildly successful event also featured demonstrations, contests, prizes and of course an opportunity for CHS supporters to raise money for a very special cause and to parade the streets of Freeport with their canine friends. The 6th annual event took place in Discovery Park, Free-port in collaboration with L.L.Bean’s Dog Days of August celebration.

On behalf of all of our animals, we offer a heartfelt thank you to the walkers and donors who participated in this Paws for a Cause Dog Walk. Thanks also to former Governor Angus King, emcee, and especially L.L.Bean for all of their support.

SUCCESS STORY

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People memorialsDonations were made in honor of the following special people between June 1 and October 1, 2011.

ELKIN ALSTON

Lewis Glenn

KELLNER, JR. , ANDY

Marlise S. Swartz

YVETTE & ED ARSENAULT

Dianna Thibeault

CECIL BEANE

Glenis & Wayne Elliott

AMY J . CRONE

Elaine & Mervin Wyman

JUNE FROST

Peter Fessenden & Anne UnderwoodFrosty’s Donut Shop

MAX FURRER

Anna O. FurrerRichard Perry & Jason Ronco

DIANA MARIE HANSON

Elizabeth LarsenEdith & David RentzJune Stewart

MAX HENKE

Stephanie Henke

THE HOLBROOKS

Hilton & Dorothy Libby

MILLIE HOUCK

Chrys Graham

ROBERT OWENS I I

John & Sharon Johnston

FRANK THELEN I I I

Skip & Johan HansenLloyd HenkeJim & Jennifer Vyhnak

HENRY CHASE, JR.

Rick Brackett

SUSAN KING

Nancy & Richard Coffin

ARLENE KNIGHT

Martin Tetu

LILA

Linda & Bill McCullough

ROBERT LOGAN

Dorothy W. Campoli

WILLIAM A . LOVELL

Sandra Bouchard

CHAD MEIER

Lamar & Carolyn BlountKristi Clifford & Martin Meier Dan EdgertonEdward Schumacher & Inge ShumacherSecurity Benefit Associates Group Services, Inc.

JUDGE MALCOLM MUIR

Marie Barlow

EDITH MURCHIE

Donald Murchie

SCOTT OSGOOD

Sherry W Shipley

ARTHUR PERRY

William & Carol Porter

HAROLD C. PLUMMER

Paula & Jim CornelioKay GeorgeCarl Graffam — Office Man Harry Crooker & Sons, Inc.David & Mary Ann KingAnne W KnottNancy LeemanJ. Guy & Joyce LevesqueKarleen & Roger MattisonClement NickersonScottie & Judith OliverLynn & Robert OuelletteLorraine PhoenixGilbert & Carol SchneidewindMr. & Mrs. Mal StrangeMarilyn Tibbetts

LILLIAN POTTER

Frank & Nancy GallagherPatricia Stauffer GroverWinnifred MarstersN. Quirk

ELLA PRIESTLY

Peggy & Frank BroadbentWilbur & Katherine Higgins

PAT ROBINSON

Mary Brown

ETHEL ROGERS

Jeffrey & Catherine Plouff

ROBERT SPEAR

Thomas & Kathryn DeschaineMargaret Spear

GEORGE F. STAFFORD

Norma BaldwinAlbert & Gladys CoffinCatherine & Henry PetroskiStetson Shores Campground, Inc.

LEMUEL STINSON

Eugene Bubar & Sharon BellJudith Stilphen

NEAL STRANGE

Susan Kenney

GEORGE WHITE

Candace & Harold White

Pet memorialsDonations honoring the following pets were received between June 1 and October 1, 2011.

ANNIE

Elizabeth Feil

APOLLO

Edward & Jo P. Bradley

ARROW

Sandra Bolotsky

BITTY BEAU

Connie & Skip Carlson

BLACKIE & NERMEL

Kathryn Lufkin

BRODY

Deborah Smith & Reginald Dyche

BRUTUS

Julie Anne & Evan McDuff

BUSTER

Susan Sawyer

CASEY

Stuart Singer

NEW VETERINARIAN

CHS welcomes Dr. Mandie Wehr to the teamThe Coastal Humane Society has a new staff veterinarian! We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Mandie Wehr to the team.

“I didn’t even consider veterinary medicine until I was in my early 20s,” Dr. Wehr admits. “I went to school for broad-casting then worked for a while until I discovered it was not for me. I tried different jobs and struggled to find a purpose. Then, I took our kitten, Misha, to the family vet I had grown up with and he asked me why I wasn’t considering veterinary medicine. He said he had always been so sure that’s what I would do.”

Dr. Wehr’s first job in a veterinary clinic was at an animal hospital affiliated with the local shelter in Kodiak, Alaska. After that, she said she “was hooked.”

A recent graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she was a regular volunteer at the Michigan Humane Society, Best Friends Animal Society, and the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program. She brings energy and enthusiasm to her work as well as exten-sive knowledge of the best practices of shelter medicine.

In August, Dr. Wehr moved to Brunswick with her husband and 6 month-old daughter.

“I’m really enjoying CHS. I love how much the people who work and volunteer here are invested in the animals. While looking for a job on the east coast, I was impressed with CHS. The shelter seemed to be very progressive.” — D R . M A N D I E W E H R

So, broadcasting’s loss is shelter medicine’s gain! As she settles in, she’ll narrow down her biggest goals for the shelter. To start, she’s focusing on making our intake area a more comfortable place for cats, decreasing opportunities for our animals to develop URI and streamlining intake procedures so animals will be available sooner for adoption. Just a few of many projects Dr. Wehr will undertake to ensure our ultimate goal—bringing CHS on a par with the best shelters nationwide.

Our supporters are cordially invited to join us and Dr. Wehr for a “Meet the Vet” reception Thursday, January 26, at 7:00 p.m. at the shelter.

— JANE S IV ISK I , Marketing & Development Coordinator

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CASCO

Jane Siviski

CUPID

Cecil & Susan Burtt

DAISEY

Karleen & Roger Mattison

DAKOTA

Gregory Safranski

ELI

Andrea Mishou

EMILY

Jon Biehler & Karin Sadtler

FOSTER

Robert & Joanne Pennington

FOXY

R. J. Pelletier

FRANKI

Barbara A. Olexa

GRETTA

Joseph & Bridget Lepley

IZZY, TONY, ZOEY, & CLEO

Larisa Ebinger

JACK

Bion Richards & Muriel Richards

JAKE

Whitney Houghton, MD

KESS

Karen Wilcox

KYRA ROSE

Donna Henry

LILI

Jane Siviski

LOUIE

Shirley J. Chace

MAGGIE

Susan Chadima, DVMEllen Nordholm

MAMA KITTY

Linda Davis

MAMUSHKA

Peter & Helen Frati

MERCY

Tracy Johnson Colby

“MEW” (MURIEL)

Susan Chase

MILO

Karen Manley

MISSY CURTIS

Gladys & Brad Curtis

MOLLY

Gerald & Lesley Tudan

OZZY

The Brown Dog Inn

PEPITA & LEAPYLEE

David Hammond

PRINCE

Jean & Tim DeFreitas

PUMPKIN

William & Lisa Gribbin

REMI

Amanda Davis

RILEY

Beth Pelkey

REX ROBIN

Anne E. Murphy

TUBBY ROO

Erik & Abby Pearson

RUBEN

Susan Beegel

RUBY

Elena Vandervoort

RUFUS

Natalie King

SADIE

Ann & Skip Robinson

SIERRA

Christopher J. McCormick

TANGO

Jane Covey

TINKER

Edward & Jo P. Bradley

WHISKEY

Edward & Jo P. Bradley

WILLOW & MIDNIGHT

Evelyn M. Wotton

WILLIE

Cecile Dolloff

XAVIER

Ellen Nordholm

YODA

Kathleen BattistonMary Beth Sullivan

ZIMMER, DUKIE, & PINEAPPLE

Susan Pinette

ZOE

Angel Broadwater

ZOEY

Susan Pepple & Barry Libman

People honorariumsDonations honoring the following people were received between June 1 and October 1, 2011.

JANIS CHAPMAN

Jody Taylor

SALLIE CRITTENDON & DONALDSON MOORHEAD

James Burnett

PETER FITZGERALD

Betsey HallTaber KeallyDan RosenbergSamuel RudmanAbby Snyder & John Bennett

LINDA MCENANY

Yolanda Berkowitz

CORINNE MELANSON

Jeanne P. Whitten

RACHEL PAC, ON HER BIRTHDAY

Christopher & Sally BrillantDale & Malina Sexton

SANDRA RICHARDSON

Sarah Boudreau

NATALIE & LEONARD SHEAN

Penny DennisonDonald & Marcia FarrAnita Pappas

Coastal Humane Society memorialsCHS is pleased to accept donations with the names of those whom you wish to memorialize. In order to properly celebrate your loved one, please specify next to each name whether your memorial is in the name of a special person or a beloved pet. Thank you for your continued support!

PERSONAL MEMORIALS

Send your donation plus the name of the person(s) you wish to honor, and include your name, to Personal Memorials, c/o Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Rd, Brunswick, ME 04011

PET MEMORIALS

Send your donation to us with the name of the animal(s) you wish to memorialize, and your name, to Pet Memorials, c/o Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Rd, Brunswick, ME 04011.

OTHER DONATIONS

Please note that all other donations will be listed in our annual report. Make your memorial or honorarium gift on our website. Please go to coastalhumansociety.com and click on “donate.” Thank you!

LISA SMITH

Eric HowardDeborah Smith

CHARLIE SPEAR

Margaret Spear

Pet honorariumsDonations honoring the following pets were received between June 1 and October 1, 2011.

BROOKLYN

Natalie King

BUNNY

Ginny Remeika & Jim Burke

DREW

Karen Wilcox

HASKELL

Anne Townsend

HENRY HERSOM

Dina Brooks

JULES & PEARL

Ken Ames

MADDIE

Virginia Smith

MOOSE

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Cowan

NINJA , MOXIE, PAWS, MITSU & EBONY

Julianne Dugas

PATRICK

Heather & Stacia Stevens

ROSA

Karen & Dick Hull

SADIE

Patricia Murtagh-Verville & Michael Verville

SHEBA

Helen M. Freeman

SNOWBALL

Robert & Elizabeth Thiboutot

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Breeders today have bred the Mastiff for gentleness and have created an excellent companion, large enough to deter intruders and yet gentle enough to be dependable around children. Did you know?

NEWS

HAPPY ENDINGS make all the hard work worth it

“Set me free why don’t you babe…” You could almost hear The Supremes wailing in the background as a dozen proud and misty-eyed Cat Squad volunteers queued up outside our Cat Isolation Unit with their mewing charges. To the applause and appreciation of onlookers who came to share the celebration, they marched past clicking cameras and into the main shelter building to deliver their “captives” to the free roaming cat rooms.

From June to October these cats endured confinement and the indignities of their medical treatment. Of the 60 animals we received from hoarder situations last spring, 36 cats had to be treated for ringworm, an infectious fungus (akin to athlete’s foot) that is the bane of crowded catteries. The ringworm protocols were arduous: volunteers suiting up in Tyvek cover- alls; hours of monotonous cleaning; dips in stinky lime sulfur; cultures and daily meds. Under the leadership of staff member Lisa Smith, more than thirty faithful, hardworking and incredibly dedicated volunteers helped in this effort. Probably the toughest part of the ordeal for the cats was that they had to remain in cages the whole time. So when all the cats had received the requisite three consecutive negative test results, you can just imagine how eagerly everyone anticipated the big moment of springing them from their cages!

First out of the carriers were Snowball and Princess. Snowball was immediately friendly and curious and began working the crowd. Princess, more typical of cats that have been in long term isolation, quickly sought a hidey-hole under a bank of cages.

After all the elated volunteers and prospective adopters went home and the shelter was dark and quiet, we can be sure that the cats crept out of hiding, one by one, to enjoy things they hadn’t been able to do for a long time: climb up a cat tree, look out a window, dribble a ping pong ball, find a feline friend or run across the room to whomp another cat on the head.

This happy outcome was especially rewarding because nearly three years ago, CHS was quarantined by the state due to an outbreak of ringworm fungus. Since then, major improvements to shelter operations and the facility have placed CHS in position to assist in animal welfare cases involving the very same condition that caused our shut down in 2008. The organization is proud to have come full circle!

At the time of publication, many of these special cats will have been adopted, and some may still be waiting for you to come and claim them!

— KAREN ST IMPSON, Executive Director

Left to right: SNOWBALL and PEPPER.

ASK THE VET

Vet experts take on your toughest questions.

Q: Why does my dog yawn so much?A: If you’ve ever wondered why your dog yawns so much, even when he’s well- rested, the answer may surprise you.

When your dog yawns a lot, it could be a sign that he’s nervous and trying to relax himself. Yawning is one way that dogs communicate. So just as you might bite your fingernails when you’re nervous, a dog might yawn to calm himself down.

Owners can use this behavior to their advantage. By smacking their own lips and yawning, owners can signal to their pets that everything is okay. Try it sometime if your dog appears stressed. Get his attention, smack your lips, and show your dog a nice, big yawn. It may help calm your pooch.

Q: How do I teach my kitten to learn her name?A: Good for you! Teaching a kitten to know her name help make her come when called. This makes it convenient for you, and safer if you need to search for a lost kitty.

But how do you teach Gypsy, Rusty or Dusty her name? Repeat it over and over during happy times, such as when your cat is eating or when you are petting or playing with her.

Call her when she’s not near you. Then give your pet a treat or make a fuss when she comes.

Never, ever shout her name when you are angry. You want her to associate her name only with good things.

If you haven’t named your kitten yet, choose a name that is short and simple — and one you are comfortable calling out loud and outside.

— DR. LARRY McDANIEL, DVM,

“Purina Animal Instincts Podcast Series,” courtesy petcentric.com

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STORY

From sad to glad — A VOLUNTEER’S STORY

Even though I wanted to help, I’d hesitated to volunteer. I was worried that what I’d see at the shelter would be too sad. But looking away from sad things doesn’t make them go away, of course — whatever I chose to do, there would still be 30 cats in need of care. So, I signed up.I was one of the volunteers present when the cats were brought to the shelter from their original crowded, deplorable situation. They were disoriented from being taken out of their home (such as it was), and from being surrounded by strangers. Some cried or cowered at the backs of their cages with large, panicked eyes.

It was the sight I’d been afraid of seeing, and I went home wondering if I could handle this commitment. But even the next morning, the cats looked noticeably better. Most of them were eating, sleeping, or just sitting watching us. A few hissed and spat. Big, beautiful Fuego, who had been car sick the day before, sat tall and calm with alert yellow eyes. Some of the cats purred and wanted their heads scratched. Outgoing Aladdin and Deschi wanted to come out and explore, but we couldn’t let them because of isolation protocols. The younger cats were eager to play. The situation suddenly seemed much more hopeful.

It was the beginning of weeks, then months, of caring for these stoic and forgiving creatures — feeding, medicating, dipping, monitoring, and cleaning. The cats endured it all, some more patiently than others.

I’d heard that some shelters would euthan-ize a roomful of cats if even one were to test positive for ringworm, but I hadn’t understood why. It’s just a fungal infection. But it is highly contagious and can spread from cats to humans, and shelters cannot allow cats exposed to ringworm to go out into the community. Seeing for myself how many volunteer hours and other resources were needed to treat these animals until they tested ringworm-free made it very clear to me why some shelters don’t even try.

I’m proud to work with a shelter willing to take on such a difficult challenge. I am grateful to the other volunteers and to the shelter staff who contributed so much time and effort to these animals. And I am so glad I chose to face something so sad, so that I could help these cats to face a happier life.

Want to Volunteer? Visit our website at coastalhumanesociety.org!

— REBECCA FRANCIS , Database Manager & VolunteerAbove, top to bottom: IVY and FUEGO.

30 Range Road, Brunswick, Maine 04011 tel. 207 725 5051 fax 207 725 4111 coastalhumanesociety.org

NON PROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PAIDAUGUSTA, ME

PERMIT NO. 121

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FUN FACT

Myth: Cats cannot tolerate wearing collars, so pet owners shouldn’t use them on their kitties.

Truth: Cats can adjust to wearing collars just fine, thank you. Their owners should always fit them with a collar and a personalized ID tag —and have them microchipped.

Dr. Linda Lord, Dr. Brenda Griffin, the ASPCA’s Dr. Margaret Slater, and Dr. Julie Levy recently published a study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) which examined cat collar issues. The study found that 73% of the 538 cats fitted with collars and micro- chips still had those in place months later. Myth debunked!

Another common myth is that cats get injured by wearing collars. The research found that the simple buckle collar style had the fewest reports of loss, front legs caught in collar, and mouth caught in collar. Dr. Slater noted, “The initial few days [of wearing a collar] were the most crucial

to make sure the collar fit correctly. Plus, it’s really important to provide continued attention and adjustments as needed to prevent problems.” Check the collar regularly to make sure it’s not too tight, especially on fast growing kittens.

We let the research be our guide and now all of CHS’ cats go home with collars and ID tags.

— L ISA SMITH, Community Outreach Coordinator

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Indoor cats can escape and get lost too so an ID is just as important for them. And some cats just have a knack for losing their collars, so microchips are an important backup. Pick a collar that your cat will tolerate and check it often — especially a fast growing kitten’s — to make sure it doesn’t get too tight.

At right: MISSY modeling her ID tag and collar (they match, no big deal!).

Cat collar myth debunked!