765 Stevens Road, Pittsford, VT 802-483-6700 www.rchsvt.org

FOU

RPAW

S FL

YER

Rutland County Humane Society

Fall 2011

Camp Furry Friends

RCHS took an exciting step toward fulfilling its mission of “offering community programs that benefit both animals and people” this summer. The little brown building next to the RCHS shelter, normally home only to extra supplies and a couple of field mice, was alive with activity the last week of July as twelve 9-11 year olds took part in Camp Furry Friends, a humane education summer camp.

The idea of offering a humane education camp has been on the back burner at RCHS for several years. Since the shelter renovations in 2010, we were able to move forward with the idea as the building that formerly housed the business office became available to us. The camp’s cur-riculum was developed over the winter and spring through the combined efforts of RCHS staff and a handful of dedi-cated volunteers: Jenny Parker, Marc Meile, Rhoda But-ler, and Marielle Blais.

During the one-week camp, RCHS staff and volunteers helped the kids learn about responsible pet care, develop-ing empathy, clicker training, careers helping animals, and the importance of spay/neuter. Campers enjoyed art projects, visits with resident shelter animals, snacks, and lots of kisses from Maddie, an RCHS alumna and recog-nized therapy dog.

RCHS will be offering expanded summer camp opportuni-ties in 2012 so please keep your eyes open! If you are an educator, or have experience working with middle-school-aged children, and are interested in volunteering, please contact Jessica@rchsvt.org.

RCHS Staff member, Julie Merwin instructs campers on an art project

Campers and Maddie assemble to say goodbye to camp Furry Friends

“We looked! And we saw him! The Cat in the Hat! And he said to us, “Why do you sit there like that?” I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny. But we can have lots of good fun that is funny!”

Keep your eyes open as the Cat in the Hat and the RCHS staff have fun and do good during the week of September 14-18. We have challenged ourselves: 5 days to adopt out 50 of the more than 120 adult cats that have entered our shelter this summer.

Stay tuned!

PAGE 2 FOURPAWS FLYER

Tim Bergendahl, 67 years young and a retired computer scien-tist, joined RCHS as a volunteer in April 2011. He is recently semi-retired to Rutland from the greater Boston area and cur-rently owns and operates a nanotechnology consulting firm.

He was inspired to start volunteering in late 2010 when he adopted a stray tuxedo cat named Samantha. Samantha, al-ready known to Tim as Harlequin, had been a frequent visitor to the Rutland neighborhood where he lives before she vanished in August 2010. Upon learning Harlequin/Samantha might be at the RCHS shelter, Tim paid a visit to identify the long-haired tuxedo cat. While he wound up taking her home, he couldn’t forget the other animals he had seen at the Stevens Road shel-ter. Several months later he attended a volunteer orientation.

Tim’s skills as a carpenter have benefitted the shelter animals as much as his personal attention to them. In particular, he recalls a time when he was asked to help repair a gate for one of the dogs’ out-side exercise yards. He explained, “Within about 45 minutes, the gate door was securely back in place and ready for canine visitors. An hour or so later, as I was driving out of the shelter's parking lot, I saw two dogs in the exercise area I had just repaired and made available for them. That had a great impact on me, demonstrating that I could do things for the pets that might have long-term benefits.”

About a Dog named Hunter

One of the things that has always fascinated me is the ability of dogs to trust and love after the most terrible experiences. This is a story that demonstrates how true this is. A donation was received in memory of a dog who had recently passed away. Along with the check was a note from his owner, Joan Brown, that read:

“We are giving this in memory of our Walker-hound, Hunter, who died last Friday. Our son and his friend found him seven years ago in a leg hold trap behind our house. The poor dog had been running wild all winter long and was so emaciated.

Hunter, being wild, was ill mannered, scared and a bit aggressive because of it. But in the last years of his life he slept on a bed, went to our work part time and day-care the other days and lived amongst 4 cats. He actually would smile when he greeted us and was loved dearly. He loved us unconditionally. Although he wasn’t an RCHS dog he still very much needed a home and family.”

Here at RCHS we see many dogs like Hunter. Their stories have sad beginnings and happy endings. While Hunter was given the home he deserved, he also obviously gave back to his family.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

PAGE 3 FOURPAWS FLYER

American Shelter Dogs Gretchen Goodman

Devi came into the shelter as a stray. We looked at her. We looked at her again, and again, and again. We kept looking at her while she was with us. None of us could really come up with any clear idea of what breeds came together in Devi. At times we thought Terrier, Border Collie, Dachshund, and several other breeds. In the end, she was adopted because of her size and personality, not be-cause of her breed. Devi’s case was a perfect example of how hard it is to determine the breed of a shelter dog.

Studies have shown that, despite shelter staffers’ experience and knowledge of dogs, when DNA tests are done, we rarely get it right. Veterinarians who volunteer at the shelter are often asked for their best guess of a dog’s breed(s). We find that if you ask 5 veterinari-

ans what breed they think the dog is, you get 5 different answers. We have heard of people who have tested the DNA of their mixed breed dog and been completely surprised by the answer. It is important to note that many of today’s breeds long ago descended from mixing other breeds, and that the test used may be influenced by that history.

Why does this matter? Because many dogs are passed over by potential adopters when they see a breed designation that doesn’t appeal to them. They may walk by a kennel without a look. In fact the dog in question may not have any of the cage card’s breed designation in his genetic background. What a dis-service this can be to some great dogs.

Because of these studies, a few shelters are no longer using breed designations. Instead the term “American Shelter Dog” is being used with a description of color, size, and temperament. Devi would have been listed as a medium-sized brown American Shelter Dog who is a bit introverted but affection-ate, quiet, and easygoing.

The designation of American Shelter Dog compares with shelter cats’ “breed” designations of Domestic Short, Medium, or Long Hair. These terms are used when in fact we may have Maine Coon, Siamese, Persian, and who knows what breeds mixed together in any given cat.

Petfinder – the most used pet adoption search database – requires breed specification in the listing, so popularizing the term American Shelter Dog will take time. Personally, I like it so much that my dog, an RCHS alumna thought to be a Border Collie Mix, is now an official American Shelter Dog when people ask about her breed.

Wiggles and Wags Three Tomatoes Trattoria Rosie's Girls Yard Sale Donors and Shoppers RCHS Volunteers at many events this Spring and Summer Darbi’s Home Services Dunkin Donuts/Donuts of Rutland Wiles Family Ilma Rosskopf Colby Atwood

Wind Riders 4-H Club Rutland Town School Mill River Union High School Holly & Mitch Ferguson Steven Wilson Rutland High School Art Club Rachel Horn Ali Jones West Rutland Girl Scout Troop 30019 Abbie Foley, John Foley & Ethan Gaiotti Chalynne Colomb

PAGE 4 FOURPAWS FLYER

Otis

Domy

Socks

Rocco

Sal & Mergie

Trot

Teddy

Gizmo

RCHS ALUMNI

Sandy

Dixie

Camilla

Scottie and Julius

Lunker

Jed

Callie

PAGE 5 FOURPAWS FLYER

April Incoming: 97 Outgoing: 75 Placement: 81%

May Incoming: 119 Outgoing: 87 Placement: 87%

June Incoming: 153 Outgoing: 146 Placement: 82%

July Incoming: 144 Outgoing: 116 Placement: 79%

EVENTS

Doing the Numbers

Killington Dog Days Benefitting RCHS A Great Success!

Dogs, Frisbees, music, games, vendors, demonstrations, and more dogs made Killington Dog Days benefitting RCHS a fun and success-ful weekend for all! Everyone enjoyed watching the Skyhoundz and UFO Frisbee competitions, as well as participating in the RCHS games (50 paw dash is always a favorite), watching agility and danc-ing demonstrations, visiting with vendors and non-profits, and hav-ing a great time with their favorite canines. Our thanks to sponsors PETCO and Mix 98.1, along with our vendors, for making the event possible. A special thanks to the Killington Office of Tourism and Economic Development and our RCHS Volunteers for all of their hard work in making the weekend a reality.

Duck Derby!

The ducks in our annual Duck Derby made a race to the fin-ish with our largest paddling ever making their way down-stream! Low water levels in Killington forced us to find a new location. And that we did, on Route 4, in a wide stretch of the river with lots of rocks and fast water. But all of our ducks made it to the finish. Our first four ducks (duck numbers 181, 813, 126, and 728) won cash prizes as did our last duck (a very tired 183). Our thanks to all of our “adoptive parents” as well as our volunteers who helped them along their journey and captured everyone as they crossed the finish line!

The cats at RCHS have two rooms in which they live while awaiting adoption. Many of them like to find a spot to get away from the others from time to time.

Rosie’s Girls Summer Program of Rutland built these adorable cat boxes for our community cat rooms and 5 raised dog feeders.

Clockwise, starting above: 50 paw dash, Look-alike Contest and Barrel Racing at Killington Dog Days

The check-out line was long, but our yard sale customers agreed it was worth the wait. RCHS raised almost $3,000. Thank you to all who donated merchandise and our shoppers.

As this newsletter went to press we have over 150 cats in our custody. Please, if you have room in your heart and home, consider adopting an adult cat from RCHS.

PAGE 6 FOURPAWS FLYER

Carris Reels Charitable Giving Committee visits kittens while presenting a check for $1,000 to Beth Saradarian, Director of Outreach for RCHS.

Beth Saradarian accepts a check from the Wind Riders 4H Club who raised money to help the animals at RCHS.

Lesli's Leash Lines Lesli Hyland

It was January 1998 when a young female dog came seeking shelter at RCHS. She was a carica-ture of a dog — long ears, wide eyes, and a huge belly. We dubbed her "Goat." (Honestly, she looked like a well-fed Nubian goat!). Goat was heavy with puppies, so I took her home to foster her, and 10 days later she gave birth to 9 crazy-colored pups on January 15, 1998. Goat was scared and confused, not understanding what these tiny, mewling beings wanted from her. Eventually, the mommy hormones kicked in and she raised the pups as well as a young dog could. She was barely out of puppyhood herself.

One of her pups stayed with me permanently and grew to be my friend, my agility partner, and the love of my life. Pogo is 13 years old now. Goat was adopted by my folks in Massa-chusetts. Mom softened her name, calling her Gillie (get it? Gillie Goat?), but my Dad called her Goatie. Gillie Goat was walked twice a day for 13 years. Rain, shine, or snow, my Mother walked her in the morning and my Dad in the eve-ning. They walked down to the coffee shop, around the town common, and later in Gillie's life, simply around the block. Gillie was a pro at Flexi leash manners, learning to go around obstacles to one side or the other on command. She was able to run off-leash at Dean Junior College's athletic field. She learned tricks, had fantastic house manners, and was a good companion for my parents.

Gillie died this past week after a long, gradual decline in health. We estimate that she was close to 15 years old. There is nothing about Gillie's life that is exceptionally noteworthy. She never saved anyone from a burning building or won any ribbons or became a therapy dog. She was simply a good dog, and we loved her, and the world is a lesser place without her. Gillie Goat's legacy is her presence in our memories. Fourteen years of memories would've been completely different without her in our family.

My thoughts go out to my parents and my brother.

Perhaps there is another dog out there somewhere waiting to make more memories . . .

PAGE 7 FOURPAWS FLYER

MONEY HAS BEEN DO-NATED IN MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING ANI-MALS:

Katie Andras Peter Arel Mr. Iffy Austin Pheobe Barrett-Larson Betsy Blackman Prince Blackwood Brusier Cinnamon Brown Hunter Brown Samantha Brown Bobcat Christian Phil Collette

Cosmo Collins Katie Cooley Bear Crawley Kiwi Desforges Sam Drinwater Mandy Firliet Chubbs Fowler Neptune Gillen Wild Fire Hanselman Lou Harvey Fluffy Heibler Cody Hotaling Max Howard Nico Jones Minnie Ketchen Nina Kimball

Andi Marconi Barney Marden Smokey Martin Nez McCoy-Jacien McGuyver & Gambler Fluffy & Ziggy Melen Toby Owens Sammy Peters Ozzy Resetar-Humphries Ginger Roberts Timmy Roberts Andy Saradarian Etta Savageau Luna Schuft Brusier Smith Smokey & Travi

Darling Smyrski Koda Solari Harley & Moose Spaulding Bob Stahle Bohdi Stewart Rusty & Tuffy Tracey Lady Indigo Turner Troubador Whisper Underwood Pebbles West Harvey Fenway & Mardi West Nala Witt Pokey Wright Boomie Valley-Dwyer

MONEY HAS BEEN DO-NATED IN MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING PEO-PLE:

Joyce Ainslie

Betty Alger

Edwin Anderson

Ruth E. Benham

Jean Brien

Suzanne Brough

Raymond B. Corliss

Shirley Corliss

Brian C. DeLance Sr. Loraine Duncan

Ernestine French

Lois J. LaFrance

Reginald Goddard

Sonya M. King

Joyce LaPlante

Gary LaRose

Leona McKearin

Nicholas Menduni

Jonny Jay Parent

Jeanne Petty

John G. Potter

Margaret J. Spaulding

Richard Stack

Raymond J. Tanner Sr.

MONEY HAS BEEN DONATED IN HONOR OF THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE:

Karen Bratland & Dee Krzynski

Ernest Clerihew

Kathleen Entinger

Larry Lattanzi

Dawn McCormack

Dr. Scott McLaughlin

Dr. Kris Smith

Kim Rezk

Carol Smith

Susi Taylor

Teddy & Chip

Dr. John & Dayle Wheeler

Steven Wilson

Zak Missie Suzie & Pufferina

Fall Safety Tips for Pets

Although Vermont passed a law requiring a bittering agent be added to antifreeze it didn’t take effect until 2011. There is still some of the older chemical around so be careful of spills because animals are attracted to the sweet taste.

With Halloween coming up remember that candy and the wrappings can make your pet sick. Also be careful of your pet running out the door as it opens for Trick or Treaters.

Rodenticides (Rat poison) attract mice and rats but may also attract your pets – use wisely and protect your pet.

Human Medications top the list of accidental poisonings of animals. Over the counter drugs like ibuprofen can be ex-tremely toxic to animals so use and store safely. Also to be avoided are sugar free candy and chewing gum containing xylitol.

Large quantities of garlic and onions can also cause problems. Keep your dog from eating wild mushrooms, most will be harmless but the 1% that aren’t can be lethal. Grapes and raisins are also to be avoided.

Your veterinarian can provide information on keeping your pet safe and treating a pet that has eaten something he or she shouldn’t have. Don’t wait, at the first suspicion of a problem call your veterinarian.

765 Stevens Road Pittsford, VT 05763

Non-profit Org.

U.S.POSTAGE PAID

Pittsford, VT Permit #6

RCHS Board of Directors: Phyllis McCoy-Jacien, President Linda Dukeshire, Vice President Mei Mei Brown, Vice President Amanda Gearwar, Treasurer Christi Koch, Secretary Bill Burke Susan Englese Rob Macpherson, DVM Darcy Nelson Dave Yendell

Staff :

Gretchen Goodman, Executive Director Jessica Danyow, Director of Operations Beth Saradarian, Director of Outreach and Special Events Erin Predom, Administrative Assistant Susan Smith, Adoption Center Coordinator Cheyeane Crossman, Health Technician

Animal Care Technicians: Julie Merwin Bethany Bushman Lisa Henry Adoption/Intake Counselor: Robin Smith Poirier

Phone: 802-483-9171 Fax: 802-483-6342 RCHS@RCHSVT.org

Calendar of Events: Please check out the News & Events page on our website (rchsvt.org/news-events) for more events as they come up throughout the winter & early spring.

3rd Annual Dock Diving at the Lake House Pub & Grille, Sunday, September 25 at noon – Join us for a splashing good time at the Lake House Pub & Grille on Lake Bomoseen for a dock-diving competition to benefit RCHS. Registration be-gins at 11 a.m., practice jumps start at noon, and competition starts around 1 p.m. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place long-est jumps as well as biggest splash and most comical! Fun for everyone! Check our website at www.rchsvt.org for more details.

Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, October 2 at 2 pm – In honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, please join RCHS and Reverend Lee Crawford of Trinity Episcopal Church for the Blessing of the Animals. It will be held at the shelter on Stevens Road in Pittsford and all are welcome! Bring your pet or a picture of your pet for a special blessing. All dogs must be on leashes and cats and other pets in safe carriers. Visit www.rchsvt.org for more information.

11th Annual Golf Tournament, Friday, October 7 – A great day of golf can have lasting benefits for the animals in our care. Enjoy a day on the course, compete for prizes, and enjoy an after golf banquet. To register or become a sponsor please contact the RCHS Business Office at 802-483-9171 or visit www.rchsvt.org Join us this year and see how much fun a good deed can be!

Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament, Saturday, November 19 – RCHS is hosting a Texas Hold’em to raise funds for the animals in our care Saturday, November 19 at Bowlerama in Rutland. Visit www.vtpokerleague.com for more details.