Blog

Pre-Nuptial Agreement – For Your Pets?

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

More and more, our pets are being treated like family members. That’s definitely a good thing, and we wish everyone felt this way instead of so much of the mistreatment and disregard that we see all the time at the ARL. But as pets become more like family members, many of the same issues will begin to occur as with human children. Did you see the news recently where a man has already spent over $60,000 in legal costs to fight his ex-girlfriend for custody of their Pug/Beagle mix named Knuckles. That’s a lot of money! Is this a case of love for the pet, or partly revenge against his ex? Regardless of the motive, there are bound to be more cases such as this one

Just as children can be caught in the middle of a nasty divorce, so can pets. But children can’t be turned into shelters like pets. Unfortunately, shelters see animals surrendered as a result of couples splitting up. Wouldn’t it be a better idea to have a pre-nuptial agreement before people marry or move in together to decide what happens to the pets? Yes, it sounds so silly. Of course, when you’re in love and just moving in together, it’s easy to say, “we don’t need that” or “it won’t happen to us!” It’s a sad fact that over half of marriages end in divorce. Maybe it’s best to be realistic for the good of the pets so they don’t end up homeless. Also, much less costly if your dispute takes you to court, like the man in the story above!

The law in most states views pets only as another piece of property. Should a custody battle ensue, your pet’s future will be in the hands of the judge and your sentimental attachment may or may not be considered. If you’re lucky, you may get a judge who understands our emotional attachment to pets and it’s possible that visitation rights could be offered. Certainly, this is happening now. I have neighbors who divorced and the husband now comes to the house every Monday when the wife is at work and he stays there with the dog. It’s nice that they were able to work this out instead of spending $60,000 in court!

Some attorneys are specializing in pet custody cases. Wow, pets really are becoming part of the family! If you know someone who is getting married, planning on living together, or going through a divorce, let them know that these resources exist. As my mother might say, “what is this world coming to?!”

Obese Pets

Wed, 09 May 2012 13:44:00 GMT

A 39-pound cat was recently surrendered to an animal shelter after his elderly owner could no longer care for him. Apparently, Meow loved hot dogs, and his owner indulged him. A cat this size is the equivalent of a 600 pound man. Sadly, Meow passed away this week from lung failure, a complication of his enormous girth. He was only 2 years old.

That extra weight brings the same health issues for people and pets. Just like people, our pets are getting fatter. Many people like to spoil their pets and will give them anything they want. When that endangers the pet’s health, is that spoiling or abuse? After all, if this were a child, the parent would be charged with a crime. It should be no different with pets. And some people think that fat animals are cute. Cute, maybe, but is it fair to compromise their health and comfort? Is a 600 pound man cute??

Obesity in pets can cause joint problem (joints are simply not built to withstand that much weight!), heart and lung problems (again, cardio-pulmonary systems can’t handle the additional load), diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease. If we love our pets, we should not want them to suffer from these problems. A fat animal cannot run and play like his slim friends! By overfeeding pets, we are depriving them of a happy life.

Pet owners often forget how much they are feeding their pets, especially dogs. It’s so easy to sneak a few snacks to the dog when you’re eating, or give them a treat every time they go out for a successful potty break. Many people fail to count these as calories! It all adds up. For instance, if the recommended daily food ration is two cups, but you’re giving the dog the equivalent to an additional ½ cup in snacks, you are overfeeding and potentially upsetting the balance of protein to carbohydrates that quality dog foods are careful to measure. I once consulted with the owner of a fat dog who should have weighed 10 pounds who was having frequent housetraining accidents. When I inquired about the dog’s eating schedule, she said the dog ate ¼ cup of food twice a day. Okay, that’s great. Then I asked her if the dog got any treats in between meals. “Oh yes,” she said, “he gets a Milkbone every time he comes in from being outside.” I asked how often he did that. “Probably eight or nine times a day” was her response. Yikes! Eight or nine Milkbones is the equivalence of a full day’s food allowance. And a lot of carbs. Once the dog’s treats were cut back and replaced with high-protein snacks, the dog lost weight and stopped leaving “packages” in the house.

Overfeeding can often occur in multiple pet households. Some pets are grazers while others are gulpers. The gulpers may gobble their friends’ food too. When you see one pet in the household who is skinny and the other one fat, you know what’s happening here.

Allowing your pet to become obese is cruel. Please spoil your pets in other ways – lots of play, walks, toys and time with you of course!

Give Them Time

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:05:00 GMT

In the past few days, we’ve had a couple of dogs returned to us after being adopted, mainly because the dogs seemed anxious and did not immediately adapt to their new homes. Over the years, we’ve seen this happen quite a lot and not just with dogs. What many people do not understand is that some pets require more time than others to adjust to their new environments.

As we know, pets have individual personalities just like people. Some pets may walk into a new home and settle right in like they always lived there. But others, usually ones with a more nervous personality, may require more patience and some guidance so that they can learn to relax and feel at home. Remember, pets don’t understand your schedules and routines. They will need to be shown what to do.

One thing we often hear that new dog adopters might do is put the dog into a crate right after the dog has been adopted. While this may be well-meaning to keep the dog safe, it’s quite possible that the dog has never been in a crate. Imagine how the dog might feel, being in a strange place with new people and then gets thrown in jail! A crate needs to be gradually introduced to dogs. Never, ever put a dog in a crate, close the door and leave the house when you first bring the dog home. Instead, give the dog time to accept the crate as a good place. Put the crate in a place where the dog hangs out with you and your family. Leave the door open and place some treats in there so that the dog find the treats and then associates good things with being in the crate. Do this over time and watch to see if the dog willingly goes into the crate. Some will love it and use it as their own little private den. Others may take more time to feel comfortable in it.

Cats are often brought back to the shelter because they weren’t given enough time to adjust to their new homes too. Some cats will find a place to hide and won’t come out. This is perfectly normal. Consider that some cats may have lived at the ARL for many months or had been living on the streets. Give the cat time. Often a couple of weeks are needed to give the cat a chance. Just like dogs, a new home is strange and scary. They need time to adjust.

If your new cat is not coming out, you may need to gently coax him. If he comes out for food, water and the litter box, block the access to his hiding place for a short time so that he has to spend time with you. Set some goals that each day, he must come out for a specified length of time. Make the time you spend together extra-special. Give him treats and lots of attention. Gradually increase the amount of time you expect him to spend away from his “safe place” and notice if he is getting more relaxed.

Recognizing that every pet is different is the first step in understanding your new pet. Please don’t give up on them. That new pet could eventually be the very best thing that ever happened to you!

Need to Move With Your Pets?

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:15:00 GMT

At the ARL, we sadly see people needing to surrender their pets because they had to move and could not find a place that will take their pets. Because we are dedicated to preventing animals from being homeless, we try to help make suggestions if we know of any places that take pets. But we can’t possibly cover all areas, so here are a few suggestions if you or someone you know are in the situation where you need to move with your pets:

1. The number one recommendation is to plan ahead. Most people know in advance if they will have to move. Start looking immediately for a place that will accept your pets. Don’t assume that any place will allow your pets, and even if they claim to take pets, check their restrictions. Some will restrict to only cats, small dogs and many will not allow some dog breeds.

2. Contact as many resources as possible: real estate agents, apartment community managers, area shelters and rescue groups, and even the newspapers (local papers are best). Most supermarkets have free rental guides.

3. The Internet is a wealth of information. Craigslist offers listing of rentals by city or town. Also, realtor.com allows you to search for rentals with the criteria that pets are allowed. There may be other web sites to find if you just do some searching.

4. Network with people! You would be surprised at how many people know a friend who is looking to rent their property. Just like job hunting, sometimes your best resource is through someone you know.

5. Consider renting a home instead of an apartment where you can speak directly to the owner or rental agent. You may stand a better chance of convincing them to take your pets.

6. Do a good sell job that you are a responsible pet owner by explaining that your pet is house/litter trained and well-behaved. But be sure that you really are! A well-trained pet is a must for renters. You stand the risk of being fined or even evicted if your dog barks too much or if the property is being destroyed.

7. Remember that you may need to pay a security deposit prior to renting to cover any damages your pets may incur, and also some places may require an extra monthly pet fee. Be sure to factor that into your budget.

By all means, the last resort should be surrendering your pets. They are a lifetime commitment and need to be considered in all of your life plans.

Kitten Season 2012

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:56:00 GMT

It’s starting. What all open admission animal shelters dread – kitten season. The time of year when the stray and feral cats give birth to their litters of kittens, and people bring them into the shelters because they don’t know what else to do with them. Kitten season lasts from now until the late fall when the weather gets colder. Shelters will see hundreds/thousands of cats and kittens turned in during these months. It is a HUGE problem and accounts for the largest percentage of animals in shelters and very sadly, the biggest reason for euthanasia.

Someone called into a talk show on WEEU radio this week and asked for advice on what to do about a cat who had kittens in her yard. The woman stated that she didn’t want to bring them to the ARL because “they just kill them.” Whoa!!! It’s so sad that people are uninformed and make these blanket statements.

Here is the truth about what the ARL does with kittens:

1. If the mother is with the kittens, we will look for foster homes. Very often, staff members and volunteers step up to this task and bring the animals into their own homes.

2. We contact area cat rescue groups to see if they can take them.

3. The ARL has established relationships with several other shelters who will help if we need assistance.

4. If kittens are brought in without the mother and they must be bottle-fed, this is the most challenging scenario because we must find homes who are willing to commit to bottle feeding the kittens. This is difficult and arduous work. Not many people will do this.

5. Our last resort is humane euthanasia when all other options have been exhausted. If we are out of space, have no foster homes available, and other shelters or rescues are full, we have no choice. As the only open admission shelter in the area, we do not turn away any animal and we do our best to find them homes.

Things to Consider if You Find Kittens:

A mother cat will periodically leave her nest to hunt for food. If you see young kittens without their mother, it is likely she will return. It is always better for young kittens to remain with their mother. As discussed above, pre-weaned kittens (under 4 weeks) without a mother are very difficult to care for. The mother should return to the nest within a few hours if you watch quietly from a distance.
A mother cat may also regularly move her nest of kittens instinctively. If you see a single young kitten, it is likely that it’s the first of the group moved to a new location or the last of the group in the old location.

To stop the killing, we need the help of the public. People simply should not assume that it’s someone else’s problem. No shelter wants to kill animals. We can’t do it all alone - we need the public to help us to minimize the numbers of cats and kittens who come into shelters. Spay and neuter! If you know someone who is feeding stray cats, offer advice on where to get low-cost spay and neuter. Fairchild Foundation is making a difference in this community by helping with trap-neuter-release (TNR) services.

Please be a part of the solution – spread the word to help prevent homeless animals.

How Much Would You Spend?

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:12:00 GMT

When I was young and my first dog got sick, my mom spent $300 for our dog to receive kidney dialysis. It was a fortune back then. And we did not regret it because it gave us an extra month with our precious little 15-year-old Poodle. When my next dog developed cancer, I was an adult and making lots more money. And I spent a lot more money on her treatment. Lots and lots more. I never hesitated because she was the love of my life and I had the money. Today, it’s a different story. I work for a small non-profit animal shelter and feel the pain of so many people in this country right now. Salaries are low and many of us are barely scraping by. Would I and could I spend as much money now if my dog were to need expensive veterinary care?

It’s so easy to say that you would spend any amount of money to keep your pet alive. If it comes down to a decision between putting food on your table, paying your mortgage or spending the money on a pet, that’s a debatable question. The New York Times ran an article yesterday about the ethics of spending excessively to treat a pet. They present several opinions from various notorieties in the animal and health care field: John Grogan, author of Marley and Me, Temple Grandin, noted animal behavior expert, and others.

There are factors to consider: the age of the pet, the prognosis for treatment, and of course, your financial status. But the emotional factors cannot be weighed. In our society, pets are family members and that cannot have a price tag assigned to it. There are those who argue that the treatment for the pet should not exceed the replacement cost. Hmm, I guess then the Guinea Pig that cost $5 to adopt at the ARL and who your children adore should only receive $5’s worth of veterinary care. Needless to say, I would throw out that argument!

I encourage you to read the debate in the New York Times article. It’s thought provoking because many of us will face such decisions at some time in our animal-loving lives.

Growing Trends?

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:08:00 GMT

The ARL is seeing an increase in two very different types of behavior, human behavior not animal. One is very disturbing while the other is encouraging and gives us hope. You may have heard about the recent influx of dogs coming into the ARL with broken legs. Two that we know of were deliberate; one dog was thrown down the steps by a teenaged boy and the other had her leg broken with pliers. The other two dogs came into the ARL’s stray room anonymously, so we will never know if the injuries were a result of abuse. Now again this week, the ARL received yet another dog with a broken leg. In our 60 year history, we have never seen such a trend. The ARL is working on plans to reach out to the community to educate in hopes of reducing or even stopping this cruelty.

On a happier note, the trend of children becoming involved with fundraising to help the animals is growing. Not a week goes by that we don’t see a child come into the shelter who is bringing in donations. Many are forgoing presents at their birthday parties and are asking people to bring donations for the animals instead. Some children are even going door-to-door to solicit monetary donations for the animals. Others are enlisting the help of their schools or girl scout/boy scout troops to lend a hand. We are so encouraged to see so many wonderful, caring and selfless children.

When you work in an animal shelter and are constantly exposed to the cruelty that some people inflict on animals, it is easy to become jaded and angry. The focus tends to be on seeing the “bad” in people. But a better option is to focus on the good in people. Look at how many animals who get adopted? And the number of people who step up to be foster families? And the volunteers coming into the shelter are increasing as well. Of course, we could not be here without the generous donations. Combine that with the children who are learning to help the animals and it’s a winning combination.

We are realistic and know that there will always be animals in need, but let’s hope that the scales are tipping heavily in favor of kindness and charity. Thank you to everyone who helps the animals and are an example to the adults of the future who will determine the world for the animals when we are gone.

If You Find WIldlife

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:37:00 GMT

The ARL is grateful that Peggy Hentz and Morrie Katz from the Red Creek Wildlife Center appeared on our BCTV show on Monday. They shared with us many tips on what to do if you find wildlife. As you know, this time of year brings out the baby animals and you may be encountering them in your yard or anywhere you might be walking.

Please note that the ARL does not accept wildlife and we cannot come out to pick them up. If you do have issues with wildlife, it’s best to contact your local police department.

Peggy and Morrie explained a couple of “old wives tales” that I didn’t know were false and maybe you didn’t know them either. Did you know that if you find a baby animal alone such as a rabbit or a fawn, that they have not necessarily been abandoned by their mothers? In fact, most animal-mothers spend a great deal of time away from the nest for two reasons: they are foraging for food and they do not want to call attention to the babies. The only animals that keep their young with them are ducks and geese and opossums. If you do come upon or disturb a nest of animals like rabbits, place two pieces of yarn in the form of an X over top the nest. Come back the next day and if the yarn is still in place, you will know that the mother did not return to the nest.

Another thing I did not know is that if you handle a baby animal, the mother will NOT reject the baby because your smell is on it. A mother rejecting the baby is definitely untrue folklore.

If you find a baby animal and you are sure that the mother is no longer with it, you can call Red Creek and ask for their advice. They will not come for the animal but you can bring it to them. To avoid injury to yourself and the animal, place a box over the animal then slide something like a clipboard or a stiff piece of cardboard under the box, trapping the animal inside. It is also advisable that you wear sturdy gloves when attempting this. Gently turn the box upright and fold the opening so as to close the box but allowing air to get inside.

Should you disturb a bird’s nest, Peggy and Morrie gave great advice: Find a basket not much larger than the nest with a handle, place the nest in the basket and then hang the basket in the tree above where you found the nest! Brilliant!

Someone called into the show and asked a great question of Peggy and Morrie: What should you do if you find a turtle crossing the road? Morrie told us something that we didn’t know. Turtles find their mates by literally bumping into them. So it is vitally important to return the turtle back in the direction from where it came. Never take a turtle (or any other animal) out of its habitat.

If you need any more information on wildlife, check out Red Creek’s book, Rescuing Wildlife, available at http://rescuingwildlife.com/ And check out Red Creek’s web site too for more helpful information, http://redcreekwildlifecenter.com/

Thanks, Peggy and Morrie, for being on the show, and for the great information!

Your Pet’s Food

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:50:00 GMT

I’m sure that most of you have heard by now about the controversy with “pink slime,’ the beef by-products treated with ammonia that is added to some ground beef. Eeeeww!! It’s nothing less than disgraceful that the FDA has allowed manufacturers to sell this and think that it’s safe for us to consume. Just as we should be informed consumers of our own food, we need to be equally informed about our pets’ foods. By-products have long been a standard in pet foods, but that is changing. Commercial dog food became available in the 1930’s as a way to make money selling the leftovers that could not be sold to humans. Consequently, most dog foods consisted of cheap grains and meat by-products such as poultry beaks, claws, and feathers. The quality was poor but it was an easy way to feed the dog instead of table scraps. As we learned more about nutrition and how it affects our pets, new pet food manufacturers have sprung up with higher quality foods that are much healthier for our pets.

Even though pet foods have come a long way, there are still manufacturers that make inferior products. Read the labels! If the food you’re feeding your dog doesn’t list some kind of meat (not a by-product) as the first ingredient, it’s not giving your dog the proper nutrition. Dogs should not have a lot of grains. And poor nutrition can lead to health problems and vet bills.

You also need to be very aware of recalls and other information. Recently, chicken jerky has come under scrutiny as several hundred dogs have been sickened or died from eating certain brands.

And now just today, I read about a proposal to add perfume-like chemicals to lower quality dog food to mask the unpleasant, cheap odor. The food will be sprayed with additives to make the food smell like roasted chicken or Italian seasoning, just to make the dog’s owner feel that the food must be good if it smells good. This marketing ploy is no different, according to the article, than showing pictures of vegetables on cheap dog food bags to make buyers think that the food is healthy.

That’s why we all need to read and understand the ingredients. I asked a veterinarian for a food recommendation for my senior dog and she told me that she liked Science Diet Senior. Okay, the vet must know what she’s talking about but I checked it out for myself. What did I find? Corn was the first ingredient with chicken by-product meal as the next ingredient. Needless to say, I ignored that recommendation.

For our health and the health of our pets, we all need to learn about what’s in our food.

Let's Talk About Guinea Pigs

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:22:00 GMT

Oh the adorable guinea pig. With its inquisitive little nose, perky disposition and irresistible squeaky sounds, who would not want one? Before you say, “bring it on!,” there are some things we need to know about them. After all, they are desert creatures and are not at all like having a dog or cat. They are rodents and require special care.

The ARL receives quite a few guinea pigs and frequently we get whole families of guinea pigs because the owners didn’t understand the breeding habits of these furry friends. Did you know that a female can get pregnant at the tender age of 3 weeks?!! Yikes!! Yes, indeed. And did you also know that a female can get pregnant just 6 hours after giving birth? Oh my… And one more thing, a typical litter is 3-4 “pups” but it’s not uncommon for them to have up to 8 pups. So please make sure that your males and females are always separated. With all of the homeless guinea pigs, there is no reason to breed more.

Guinea pigs like it warm and dry, so please do not keep them outside when the temperature goes below 60 degrees. Inside and safe is best. Ideally, they like it between 60 and 80. Never keep them in an unheated or drafty area.

They need room to run around, so a cage for one guinea pig should be no smaller than 30 inches by 36 inches. If you’re keeping two together, then the cage should be larger - 30 by 50 is good. A web site called Guinea Pig Cages is a great place for more information. The bottom of their cage should be lined with a thick, soft bedding of shredded paper, straw or wood shavings (no cedar or pine, however). And they like to hide so give them an igloo or some kind of tunnel for a safe retreat.

Guinea pigs are very social creatures and need time out of the cage to be with you and to exercise. They can suffer from boredom and depression like any other creature, so take them out and show them some love every day! Since they are heavy chewers, you will need to monitor their activities when out of the cage so that they don’t destroy your home or chew on electric wires that could hurt them. Give them cardboard rolls from paper towels, wrapping paper and toilet paper.

As for feeding your guinea pig, buy a good quality food pellet and grass hay such as timothy. They also need a certain amount of Vitamin C each day which can be obtained through feeding them parsley, apples or citrus fruits. Fresh, leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale are good for them every day too.

Their cages must be thoroughly cleaned at least a week and spot cleaned daily. Use a vinegar and water solution and completely dry the cage. Moisture and dampness are not good for guinea pigs and increases the chances of illness and disease. All bedding must be replaced when the cage is cleaned.

And , of course, guinea pigs require veterinary care just like any other pet. A yearly exam is recommended, and every six months once the pet is over 4 years old.

Sound like something you can do? Then come on in to the ARL, we usually have at least one of these marvelous creatures for you to call your own!

True Love

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:45:00 GMT

If you are reading this blog, the chances are good that you are an animal lover and like to stay on top of the latest information. Loves comes in all forms: Puppy love, kitty love, bunny love and even critter love! Thank goodness, there is plenty of love to go around for all of the types of animals here at the ARL. The most touching kind of love for me is when I see someone accept an older pet into their heart. That’s truly selfless love. Chances are, that pet will not be with you for a very long time, but that’s okay, as long as you know you are giving a deserving animal a good home to live out the last months or years. Some people can do this, and understandably some people cannot.

Just the other day, I was walking through the lobby and saw a woman cradling an older Beagle, Susannah Clair, in her arms. She was lovingly stroking the dog and didn’t want to let her go. The love was unmistakable, and Susannah went home with the woman and her husband that day. Susannah was in the ARL’s Grey Muzzle Foster Program. Her background was unknown but due to her extreme shyness with people, we suspect she may have come from a puppy mill or another situation where she had not been socialized with people. This didn’t seem to matter to the woman and her husband; they wanted to give Susannah a chance.

Since its inception in 2009, the Grey Muzzle Foster Program has found homes for over 300 older or special needs pets. All of the foster homes and adopters know what true love is all about. We give thanks for you, and hope that others in the future will join the ranks of Grey Muzzle adopters.

Grey Muzzle has a couple of cats in the program but it is mostly dedicated to dogs. So that the cats won’t feel left out, we have created a new program to help get the older kitties adopted. Any person over the age of 60 may adopt a cat over the age of 5 years for just a donation of your choice. Older cats have so much love to give (true love!) and we want to see that they are given every opportunity to find a good home. As spring approaches, kitten season will be with us. That’s the time when stray and feral cats give birth to kittens and the ARL is flooded with them. And sadly, the older cats are then overlooked even more than usual. Older cats are just like people, they get better with age!

Please spread the word that older pets are here at the ARL just waiting for true love to come their way, and that we offer programs to help get these special animals the homes they so deserve.

What a Week - What a Year!

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:01:00 GMT

If you follow us on Facebook, subscribe to our email newsletters or regularly check out our web site, you know what the ARL had been dealing with this week, and for the past couple of months. We have had four dogs come into the shelter with broken legs. Two we know for sure were victims of terrible abuse; the other two came into our stray building with no information.

When we get an injured animal, the costs to treat it place an enormous strain on our resources. The cost to diagnose and treat a broken limb can be in the thousands, depending on the severity of the injury. And that does not include physical rehabilitation after the break has healed.

The ARL has the Noel Medical Emergency Fund, named for our Executive Director's dog Noel. Harry adopted her after she was brought into the shelter by police. She was found in the middle of Route 724 and had been hit by a car. Donations came in for her care and the Noel Fund was established. Any animal (dog, cat, critter or farm animal) who needs medical care is treated and the payment comes from the Noel Fund.

As you can imagine, with having four injured dogs over the past couple months to treat, the Noel Fund has been depleted. As news of the most recent arrivals, Diamond and Olivia, has spread, we are asking for donations to help build the fund back up again. Please consider donating, even a little bit will help. Our on-line donation form can be found here: On-line donations

Or you can mail a check to the ARL at P.O. Box 69, Mohnton, PA 19540

Thank you for helping us through this very trying time, and please send good thoughts that this trend of dogs with broken legs stops now.

Neighbors and Pets

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:50:00 GMT

Did all of you see the news on Tuesday about a man in Philadelphia who shot and killed his neighbor because the neighbor allowed his dogs to defecate on his lawn without picking it up? Here’s the story: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Man-Killed-Over-Dog-Dispute-Cops--139318818.html

What a sad, disturbing story and unfortunately reflects the growing lack of compassion and consideration in our society. The murdered man certainly was the victim but if he had been a good neighbor, not allowed his dogs to run loose and cleaned up after them, his life would have been spared and his baby would still have a dad. The murderer obviously has an anger problem and also lacks compassion. That was a human being you just killed. I’m grateful that he didn’t shoot the dogs too. Animals seem to be caught in the middle of stories like these, the innocent victims.

The stray cat problem raises the ire of many. Countless neighbors have to deal with stray cats who have been left to roam and breed by uncaring owners. The cats are using their gardens as litterboxes and can be a general nuisance. The cats are not to blame – where else are they to go? A story about a woman and her daughter who feed stray cats was in the news recently because the neighbors objected to so many cats hanging about. We can see both sides of the problem. As animal lovers, we hate to see stray animals starve. But if I was one the neighbors, I’m sure that I wouldn’t be too happy either. The issue has gone to the local government and as of this writing, has not been resolved. Everyone who feeds or rescues stray cats will be interested in the outcome.

Wouldn’t it be nice if people would all work together for a solution instead of looking to the government to intervene or worse, fighting is out? Nothing is resolved by violence. Unless you live on an isolated farm, you will have neighbors and you will eventually have an issue to work out. Please don't put the animals into the middle of the problem which is really just a symptom of other underlying issues. For the sake of the animals, come together for a solution. Everyone will be happier as a result.

A Tale of Two Lost Dogs

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:37:00 GMT

As you may be aware, the ARL takes in most strays from Berks County and many surrounding counties as well if their shelters turn them away. We get thousands of strays each year. We attempt to locate the owners for every stray who comes into our shelter. Sometimes we’re lucky and can return them to their owners. And many times, we locate the owners but they sadly do not come back for their lost pets. And then there are so many strays who we cannot locate their owners. We check the pets for ID tags, licenses and microchips, and we also have a file of lost pet reports that are checked when each stray comes in. All of this is very time consuming but worth it if we can reunite pets and their families. And it also saves space in the shelter for more pets if we can return the animals quickly to their owners. So we take this process seriously.

Over the past couple of months, we had two noteworthy incidents of lost dogs coming into the shelter with very different endings. Back in the fall, a lost dog was turned into the ARL. We scanned the dog for a microchip and it had one! Interestingly, the owner’s address was in Florida. Florida? How did this dog get to Pennsylvania? We called the owners but they had moved. We were able to track down the owners through perseverance and by luck found that they owners had moved to Berks County a month earlier. We contacted them and they came for their dog! It was a joyous reunion!

The other incident happened just last month. A stray dog came into the ARL with no license, no ID, and no microchip. We checked our lost pet file and had no information on this dog. She was a very nice dog and was quickly adopted after we held her for the legal 48 hours. Her new owners had recently lost their 17 ½ year old dog and fell in love with this homeless dog. More than two weeks later, her previous owners contacted the ARL with a lost dog report. We were saddened to tell them that their dog had been here and was adopted to a new family. We contacted the new owners to find out if they would be willing to give the dog back. They already loved her and were very bonded, and did not want to give her back. And they had no obligation to do that either. This is a very sad and difficult situation for everyone. We feel bad for the previous owners and can also sympathize with the new owners. The ARL cannot be faulted in this situation either. IF the dog had a microchip, the ending would have been very different.

Both of these stories illustrate the need to microchip your pets, ensure that they are always wearing ID and a license (if it’s a dog). You never know when your pet may escape through your fence, out your door, or get lost for other reasons. We love reuniting pets and families!

Decreasing Stress in Shelter Cats

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:47:00 GMT

We all know that animal shelters can be very stressful places for pets who are accustomed to living in a nice home, or who had been freely roaming outdoors. Shelters can be noisy, crowded and loaded with unpleasant smells associated with other animals. The animals are confined to small spaces and often have to share their “room” with other animals. Can you imagine living like that? You would be stressed too!

At the ARL, we have researched ways to decrease stress for the animals, especially cats who can be very susceptible. Cats are more likely to succumb to stress by not eating or grooming themselves and having a lower immune system resulting in illness.

Here are just a few of the things that the ARL is doing to decrease stress for the cats while they live at the ARL:

1. Cats love high places. No matter if they are alone in a cage or in a colony with other cats, they still enjoy sleeping on an elevated bed. Thanks to several generous donators, the cats at the ARL now have Kuranda beds in their cages! It didn’t take long for the cats to take to their new beds. And, of course, the four colonies have shelves where the cats can lie “above it all.”

2. Minimize moving cats from cages too frequently. When cats are taken out of their spaces every day for cleaning or to just rearrange the space, it places stress on them. Imagine yourself if you are staying at a hotel and you are told to pack up and move to a new room every night! It wouldn’t be a nice, restful vacation, would it? Cats like to be around familiar smells, their own scent, and each time they are moved, their scent must be re-established. Keeping them in the same space helps them to relax.

3. Cats love to hide! In our cat colonies, we have added easy-to-clean hollow cubes and boxes that cats can use to get away from it all. And even just a blanket that a cat can hide under helps!

4. Playtime! All cats need exercise and time to play. Each cat is given “recess” out of the cage to run around and play. We have a large variety of toys to increase their stimulation and reduce boredom.

5. Ability to be alone. That’s certainly not a problem for those cats in individual cages but for those living in the colonies, it’s almost impossible to find solitude. We’ve installed doors in each colony so that the cats can freely come and go outside to the ledge. Some love it out there where it’s quiet and others prefer to be inside to watch what’s going on.

Regardless of what we do for the animals, they will always be stressed when they are not in a nice, loving home. The ARL works with several cat rescue groups to find adopters and foster homes. Plus, cats are now a part of the ARL’s Grey Muzzle Foster Program. Please consider being a foster home to a homeless kitty!

What is a Blog?

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:33:00 GMT

If you are a regular reader of the ARL’s blog, you know that we use this space as a way to educate people about a variety of animal-related topics and happenings at the ARL. We love to communicate our knowledge of animals, from training and behavior to nutrition and care for critters and other animals. We’ve shared our struggles with the large number of animals who come through our doors, and asked your help as a community. We’ve brought you a wide range of information but one thing we have not done is use this blog as a political platform or a way to pass judgment on others. From the start of this blog back in May, 2008, we have stuck with only the issues concerning the ARL and we are proud of that.

Writing this blog takes time, time away from other equally important tasks that will bring awareness about the ARL and the animals to the public. We don’t have lots of employees sitting around thinking of clever blog posts to write which will amuse people. This blog is not an exercise in creative writing with hopes of a book contract! We rank this blog high on the priority list because it is a voice for the shelter. And we take it seriously. We believe that we have a large pool of great knowledge here and we want to pass that along to you.

As you may know, there are a huge number of issues swirling around PA that the ARL is or is not directly involved with. The state is close to crisis with animal control as some shelters are closing their doors to strays and municipalities unable to pay for animal control. Plus the problems of puppy mills and pigeon shoots, to name a few, are still challenging animal advocates. Just so you know, the ARL is not a lobby group. We do not have individuals getting paid to attend meetings that are not shelter-related. Although we care deeply about all of the animal issues, we cannot get involved with those that take away from our primary mission: to care for the homeless animals of Berks County. So, know that all of your donation dollars are going directly to the care of Berks’ animals.

The ARL has a huge undertaking being the only shelter in Berks and some surrounding counties that takes in so many animals. We must stick to that agenda; the animals need us.

Bunnies, Bunnies, Bunnies!

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

More pet rabbits than ever are showing up at the ARL. We currently have about 15 available for adoption. Why so many? Could it be that people buy bunnies because they’re so cute, then the novelty wears off? Or maybe they quickly realize that bunnies require a lot of care and that they will chew everything if left out? Or did they buy the pets for their kids and the bunny wasn’t willing to allow the kids to handle it?

Regardless of the reason why they come to the shelter, the ARL is faced with the problem of finding homes for them. This month, we are offering a free cage and water bottle with every critter adoption. That may be an incentive to come to the ARL for a bunny instead of buying one at a pet store. But people need to know to come to the ARL to find the bunnies. We must spread the word to people who only think they can get bunnies from a pet store or from a farmers’ market or a breeder.

The bunnies at the ARL get very special care and love. We have the very best volunteer named Juanita who dearly loves all of the critters. She really is the Critter Lady! Every day, rain or shine or snow and ice, Juanita spends more than 4 hours each day cleaning everything in the critter room. She buys them special treats like carrots and kale and other necessities. Each animal gets time out of the cage to run around the room for exercise and definitely to get kisses and love from Juanita. Constant handling of small pets is very important to ensure that are comfortable with getting petted and to ensure they won’t bite. Juanita even hugs and kisses the chickens if we have them! And you should see how every animal stands at the front of the cage when they know it’s time for Juanita to arrive. They know they are loved. You won’t get that kind of attention from a pet store or a farmers’ market!

How can we let the public know that we need adopters for our bunnies? If you have any good ideas, please let us know! Leave a comment here or email Chris at cshaughness@berksarl.org. We need your help and recognize that we can’t do it alone. Bunnies need homes too!

A Grim State for Animals

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:39:00 GMT

Pennsylvania once was known as the Puppy Mill Capital of the East. Then along came Governor Rendell and the many animal advocates who pushed for better laws to protect the animals. We advocates cheered and believed that things would get better. And they did for a while. But now, it seems that all around the state, animals are in trouble again. Shelters are closing or are going “no-kill” or “limited admission” and are no longer renewing their contracts with municipalities for animal control. And some municipalities can no longer afford to pay for animal control services such as the bankrupt Harrisburg. So where do the animals go? In a December 5 memo in Harrisburg, police officers were directed to either “offer the dogs for adoption to the person who called to report a stray, adopt the animals themselves, take them to an area where it would be safe to release them, or kill them.” What’s happening here?! What’s to become of the animals?

Little does the public know but the ARL takes in animals from other counties when their shelters turn them away. Some areas in Lancaster County do not have animal control contracts so the dogs come here. And speaking of Harrisburg, last week the ARL received a dog from there. He had nowhere to go. Who knows how many more may turn up at our doorstep in the future.

The ARL is bursting at the seams with stray animals. We are full just about every day. And it’s continuing to get worse, because of the issues noted above. The ARL is not a no-kill shelter, as some people have asked us. We are open admission, meaning that we take in any needy domesticated animal. We do not publicize that we are full – but the public needs to know it. We are always full and that means animals must die. We do not like it but where else are the animals to go if all of the other shelters turn them away? We also do not publicize that certain animals only have 24 hours to live. There are no set time limits for animals at the ARL. If they are healthy, well-behaved and we have space, they stay. But sadly, the pets who are there for a long time and nobody has considered adopting them, then they are considered to be unadoptable. Senior pets often fall into this category as do Pit Bulls. Luckily, we have the Grey Muzzle Foster Program for senior and special needs pets, and we’re working on ways to promote Pit Bull adoptions.

This sad state of affairs in Pennsylvania cannot continue. As animal lovers, we must tell the government to take action. And we also must ask the shelters that turn away animals to reconsider. Open your doors to any needy pet. The ARL cannot bear the burden alone. If you know of shelters in Berks and surrounding areas that turn away strays, talk to them. Tell them that you want them to reconsider their policies. If you know people who donate to shelters that are not accepting strays, ask them instead to bring their support to the ARL where the money is needed the most – because we help the most animals. And most of all, please spread the word that the ARL is usually filled to capacity. Come here for your next pet! The animals will thank you!

New Year’s Resolutions

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:24:00 GMT

It’s the end of December and the end of another year, a time when most of us take a look at our lives and decide what we would like to change. Businesses are no different. Most businesses draft strategic plans that will carry them through the coming months and years. These plans contain the goals of the business which are similar to resolutions.

The ARL has a few resolutions for 2012:

1. Better customer service: As of January 1, we are changing our hours to give you better customer service. In previous years, we had only been open one night a week. Now we will be open two nights, Tuesdays and Thursdays. And we will be opening an hour later in the morning. Why would we do that? For better customer service, that’s why! Presently, we open at 10:00am and the staff is still cleaning the kennels. When customers come through, they are tripping over hoses and walking through puddles. If a customer has a question or wants to take a dog out for a walk, the staff needs to stop cleaning and help the customer. That delays the cleaning process even more and may make the customer feel that they are interrupting the staff member. The later opening time of 11:00am will allow the staff to complete their cleaning procedures.

2. Accommodate more animals: Effective in January, the ARL will no longer be offering boarding services for dogs and cats. We will now be using the extra space to accommodate more dogs. The old boarding area will be used as an intake and holding area for incoming dogs. Boarding will be available still for anyone with emergencies such as weather events or urgent personal situations.

3. Staff training: The ARL has plans to rotate the kennel staff so that everyone knows each others’ jobs. Previously, kennel techs were either in the dog area or cat area. Now they will be trained in all areas.

4. Spay and neuter: The ARL has plans to spay and neuter as many pets as possible before they are adopted. This will help with the overpopulation issue, will reduce the need for our staff to follow up with adopters to ensure that they keep their spay or neuter appointments, and of course, will eliminate the need for customers to bring their pets back to the shelter to be spayed or neutered.

These are just a few of our resolutions for 2012. Now, how about you? Do you have any resolutions to help your pets and to prevent pets from becoming homeless? May we give some suggestions?

1. Be a foster home: The ARL’s Grey Muzzle Foster Program has helped over 300 pets find permanent homes. We are always looking for more foster homes.

2. Microchip and ID your pets: Sadly, many pets are lost and end up in shelters because their owners neglected to get them microchipped and place an ID tag on their collars.

3. License: All dogs must be licensed per Pennsylvania law, but more than that, a license is yet another way to identify your dog and help him find his way home should he get lost.

4. Spay and neuter: Do we need to say any more? All pets must be spayed and neutered so that they are not producing more pets that may end up in shelters.

5. Current on vaccines: Are your pets up-to-date on their vaccines? All dogs and inside cats must be vaccinated against rabies, per PA law and for theirs and your safety.

6. Address behavior issues now before they become a problem: So many dogs and cats are turned into shelters for behavior problems that could have been resolved if help was obtained before the problem became too unmanagable. The ARL has lists of trainers that you can call for help. And all adopters are entitled to attend the BARC dog training classes offered at the ARL for a low cost.

7. Donate to the ARL: Your time or money or items from the wish list all help us in our mission to help as many animals as possible.

Happy New Year to everyone. Thank you for all you do to help the ARL and the animals.

Building Relationships

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:22:00 GMT

The Animal Rescue League is not just a collection of buildings that house homeless animals. It’s a staff of caring people (paid and volunteer) who are a part of the community – your community of Berks County and surrounding areas. We work very hard to develop and sustain relationships with you, the residents who we serve and your pets, the officials of the municipalities and the business owners. Building and maintaining these relationships takes hard work and the ARL staff strives to do just that by reaching out to you in many ways.

In addition to providing the invaluable services of animal control, cruelty investigations and adoptions, the ARL strives to touch you through other avenues. Facebook has become a necessary way for the ARL to not only inform you of the happenings at the ARL but a way to share our lives. You see what’s going on with us and you tell us what’s up in with you and your pets! We invest a great deal of time and effort in the relationships we’ve made through Facebook. If you haven’t liked us on Facebook, please do so! And don’t look now but Twitter may be coming soon too!

Fundraising is another way that the ARL builds relationships with the community. We can’t adequately express our gratitude to the many people who pitch in and hold events for us or who attend and staff our events. Others who see the dedication are inspired by the team spirit, which is contagious and encourages people to join in or plan their own activities to help the animals.

Our greatest joy comes from witnessing the unselfish efforts of children to help the ARL and the animals. From the groups of school kids who do donation drives, to the individual child who foregoes birthday presents so that donations can be sent to the ARL, we cherish these relationships and are always looking to find ways to reach out to the children. They are the community of the future who will take the ARL forward one day.

Of course, anyone who stops into the ARL immediately becomes part of our community, and we hope to nourish those relationships too. We are working to do all that we can to ensure your experience at the ARL is a positive one. But like all relationships, there can be bumps in the road and unfortunately when the staff is faced with the stress of dealing with large numbers of unwanted or abused pets, that stress can impact their relationships with our customers. We hope that you understand and know that we are aware of how our actions can impact the relationships with you.

Lastly, the ARL wants to build relationships with the pets in our community. By encouraging spay and neuter, offering low-cost vaccine clinics, dog training classes, advice through this blog, and other information, we hope to keep your pets happy, safe and healthy with their homes.

Relationships take time, commitment and patience and we at the ARL believe that our involvement with the community is the best relationship for helping the animals.