September Newsletter
The Pet Gazette News from Animal Harbor September 2019
Pets of the Month
Ruffian is a twelve-week-old calico kitten with unique markings and a cute personality. Named in memory after the Hall of Fame Champion racehorse Ruffian, she is sure to make a huge impact on her adopter’s life. She is a curious, playful kitty that has a strong purr and enjoys the affections of humans. She loves to vie for attention, and we think she will make an amazing family companion. She is up to date on vaccinations, FIV/FeLV negative, and awaiting her spay and microchip procedure when she becomes old enough. Ruffian is ready to go into our Foster to Adopt program. Ask us how you can start the process of adoption for this precious kitten today!
Norway is a three-year-old small breed mix that desires to be out of the shelter quick and in a hurry! He is not enjoying the stress of the shelter and just wants to be on a couch with his forever “hooman”. Norway has recently been given his vaccines and cleared of heartworm disease and is patiently awaiting his neuter, so he can go into a new home with a fresh start. Norway has a secret just between you and him. He says, “I won’t check your bank account, pedigree, or your credit score”. I’m only interested in one thing about you: the size of your heart. And...if there is room for a scruffy dog named Norway, then it is just the right size for me! Speaking of size, I think I am also the perfect size for a lap buddy to lay by your side for years to come!”
View all of our adoptable pets
Help Animal Harbor’s Holiday Wishes Come True with $100K from the Petco Foundation
Adopters are invited to share how their pet brightens their life for a chance to help Animal Harbor win up to a $100,000 grant award Pets brighten our lives. The Petco Foundation, in partnership with BOBS from Skechers, is giving us a way to brighten theirs this upcoming holiday season by granting more than $750,000 to qualified animal welfare organizations across the country. Anyone who has adopted a pet from Animal Harbor is invited to submit a story of how their adopted pet brightens their life to help give Animal Harbor the opportunity to receive up to a $100,000 grand prize grant award. Finalist awards will also be given ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, and adopters with winning submissions will receive up to a $1,000 Petco shopping spree to pamper their pets and BOBS from Skechers shoes for themselves. “We’re asking anyone who has adopted a pet from Animal Harbor to help us earn a grant this holiday season from the Petco Foundation by sharing their story,”. “You can help our holiday wishes come true by simply sharing how your pet brightens your life each and every day.” Starting now adopters can submit a story. Stories should highlight how pets brighten their adopter’s lives, in big and small ways, and should celebrate the love of their pet. Submissions must include photos to illustrate the story and can include video as well. Adopters should contact Animal Harbor for the organization’s point of contact, email and phone number to include in their submission. Adopters are also encouraged to visit the Petco Foundation Holiday Wishes webpage for more information, to read stories from previous winners, and to complete their submission. The deadline to submit a story is Monday, September 23, 2019, at noon CST. Winners will be announced during the holiday season. For a full list of prizes and for submission FAQs, visit petcofoundation.org/holidaywishes. Since 2013, nearly $4 million in Holiday Wishes grants have been awarded to help make the holidays brighter for pets in need during the holiday season and year-round. For more information, visit petcofoundation.org/holidaywishes and join the conversation on social media using #HolidayWishes and #BrighterTogether.
AH Staff Attend ACAT Conference
On August 5-6, shelter manager Emily Holland and adoption coordinator Kattie Lefevers traveled to Knoxville, TN to the Tennessee Animal Care and Control Conference sponsored by ACCAT (Animal Care and Control Association of Tennessee), CAIT (Companion Animal Initiative of Tennessee) and the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. This annual educational conference gave Animal Harbor an opportunity to learn, network, and discover new methods, tools, and services for improving their ability to help animals, and operate our hometown shelter more effectively. The conference featured speakers from leading animal welfare organizations and vet programs such as ASPCA, Alley Cat Allies, Animal Farm Foundation, Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, Emancipet, and Metro Animal Care and Control. Focused topics included recent scientific findings regarding problems related to animal sheltering, shelter animal quality of life, shelter medicine, feline upper respiratory infection, canine heartworm treatment, animal behavior, and proper animal handling.
Animal Harbor staff was able to bring home a wealth of information, tips, and tools to improve animal welfare while animals are being housed at the Harbor. “Reducing fear and anxiety and improving the quality of life of our animals is always our top priority at Animal Harbor,” says shelter manager Emily Holland, “and we have the power to make small changes that make a profound impact on the animals that we care for daily.” This conference gave us insight and tools to implement and help create an even better environment for the precious souls we house at Animal Harbor.
Jersey Finds a Home in Tennessee
Adopter Jaclynne Curtis wrote to us to say, "The adoption process was wonderful and super easy. We felt very comfortable with the staff at the Animal Harbor and instead of us going to "Shop" for a dog, the staff asked us a few questions and found a perfect match for our family! After a small amount of paperwork, we had the opportunity to foster Jersey to ensure that she would thrive in our home amongst our children and other dog. Animal Harbor continued to check on Jersey weekly and maintained her shots and spaying . After she was cleared by the veterinarian, we completed the adoption process and brought her home permanently! It was a breeze and very affordable!"
"Our family was so touched by the way the staff at the Animal Harbor treated all of the animals as if they were their own. The facility was very clean and inviting. We have decided that if we should ever add another furry family member to our growing brood, Animal Harbor will be the place to go! Since our adoption of Jersey, we have referred 2 families to the Harbor and one of them actually adopted a little guy named Oakley AKA Waylon! It was a wonderful experience, and showed my children that volunteering for a good cause is often very rewarding! Thank you all so much for the experience. Our family is forever grateful to you all!"