Shelter Hours of OperationMonday-Friday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.Saturday 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.Sundays/Holidays Closed (410) 527-1466

Defenders of Animal Rights, Inc.P.O. BOX 25 • PHOENIX, MARYLAND 21131

www.adopt-a-pet.org

“ The scales of justice must be equal for all God’s creatures.”

Our shelter ended 2020 with the dramatic rescue of Gracie and Frannie. The belly ofeach dog was bulging with puppies, though we had no idea Gracie would have eight andFrannie would give birth to 11! When there is a large litter, there is concern that somepuppies will not get enough of their mother’s milk to survive. We weighed each puppy everyday to determine if bottle feedings of formula were necessary. Despite the odds, we savedevery single puppy. (Gracie is pictured above with her newborns. Below photos show herpuppies at eight weeks of age. Please see page 3. You won’t want to miss Frannie’s beautiful babies.)

Gracie

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021

RESCUED: TWO DOGS, ABOUT TO HAVE 19 PUPPIES!

Frannie

Jocelynn Roland Johnny Stevie

Hannah David Molly Shana

-2-Defenders of Animal Rights, Inc., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating cruelty to all animals. Our shelter is proud to help many animals, even those with extensive medical problems. There is no limit on the time we hold animals for adoption. If a pet is not adopted right away, we hold the pet until a good home is found. Donations for our work are tax deductible. Current financial info. is available upon request. Write Defenders of Animal Rights: P.O. Box 25; Phoenix, MD 21131. Call us at (410) 527-1466. Or, for cost of copying/postage, contact MD Secretary of State; State House; Annapolis, MD 21401; or the Virginia Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs.

Mary Jo Kovic President/Treasurer

Erin Gillis Vice PresidentProgram Manager

Liz Brooks Secretary

Ashley Shanklin Photographer

Julie Wunder Photographer

We do not use a professional fundraiser or any fundraising organization. We do not sell, give, or lease donors’ names.

FLORIDA RESIDENTS: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINEDFROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. FLORIDA REGISTRATION CH 961. North Carolina Residents: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-814-5400. The license is not an endorsement by the state.

*BABY BEAR-in loving memory of a very sweet gray and white kitty. He was with us 12 years.-Sadly missed by Mom and Dad Pennock

*C. BENJAMIN BATES-in loving memory. Donors to the C. Benjamin Bates Memorial Fund include: Diana & Tommy Chin, Valerie Earwood, and Douglas Shelton.

*BELLA-in loving memory of our beloved dog-Megan and Keith Karnish*BRAD, *SUSAN, and *DOUG-in loving memory-Don and Gina Woods*BRIE-in loving memory-Patricia Lee*CHARLES BROWN, JR.-in loving memory of my father-Debra Smith*BURTON-in loving memory-Howard Berliner*BUSTER BOY-in loving memory-Mommy and Daddy*CHICKWEED-in loving memory of your sweet girl-Renée and the girls at the Animal Medical Clinic of Dulaney Valley

*KRISTA LYNN CHEPULIS-in loving memory of my dear niece-Aunt Dolly*CHLOE-in loving memory-Marian Munoz*CISKO-in loving memory of K9 officer Cisko, Badge #3779-Karen and Ben Ensor*CUDDLES-in loving memory of your sweet girl-Renée and the girls at the Animal Medical Clinic of Dulaney Valley

*NANCY CUTAIR-in loving memory-Marion and David Taylor*DACIE and *TOOPS-in loving memory. God’s gifts to me-Ruth A. Roberts*DALLAS-in loving memory of Dallas who left me 3½ years ago-Clyde Weitzel*FEISTY and *CUPBOARD-in loving memory-Kathy Sheppard*FRED, *WILMA, and *DANDY-in loving memory-James Galovich*FREEDOM-in loving memory of the best cat I’ve ever had-Suzanne Winkler*FRITZI-in loving memory of my dear Fritzi, our crown prince-Bodo and Ingeborg

MEMORIALS: Contributions may be sent in memory of a loved one. We acknowledge gifts tonext of kin. All donations over $25 are published. Thank you for honoring:

ARE YOU MOVING? Kindly let us know if you are moving as our mailings are not automaticallyforwarded. Our newsletters are our only way to keep in touch. We don’t want to lose evenone friend who cares about homeless animals. Thank you.

Homeless on the streets, these kittenshuddled together for warmth and safety. Ourshelter became their safe haven, providingeverything they needed or could ever want.

It is always tough to ask this question,but it is so necessary for the continuation of our rescue work. Will you please rememberDefenders of Animal Rights, Inc., in your will or on a life-insurance policy, or bankaccount (POD). Our federal tax ID number is 52-1061126. On behalf of all the animals whowait for help and cling to hope just as thesekittens did, we thank you.

MAGGIE, STEPHEN, AND JAKE

-3-

Frannie’s puppies are identical in appearance, but we couldn't stand to omit any of them from this story. We hope weput a smile on your face. Thank you for your kind support thatwrapped loving arms around two families in desperate need.

Anthony

Gus

FRANNIE’S BABIES

Bill

Rhonda Tucker Willie

Bryant

Lynn Humphrey

Mark

Elliott

-4-PUTTING YOUR KIND DONATIONS TO WORK

Sonia

Imagine this frail, little cat allalone in a flower bed and struggling forevery breath she took. Sonia was sick withan upper-respiratory infection that plaguesmany homeless cats and kittens.

Lacking proper nutrition, warmth, andeven the most basic veterinary treatment,animals on the streets suffer. They alsohave a short lifespan. Our quick responseto Sonia’s illness saved her at a time whenshe must have thought no one cared.

Sophia

Stephanie

Marco

Marco and Stephanie each had a prolapsed rectum. This condition commonlyoccurs when an animal has prolonged, severediarrhea or routinely strains with bowelmovements. Improper diet and neglect,sadly, go hand in hand.

Surgery corrected the problem and provided an opportunity for these pets tolive normal lives.

The pain of a fractured leg overwhelmed this three-month-old kitten.She needed a veterinary orthopedic surgeonright away. Pain medicines. Six weeks ofcage rest. Follow up x-rays to make sureher leg healed properly.

Thanks to your help, Sophia can nowrun and play without a lifetime of suffering.

Mason’s homeless days in the citywere filled with danger. He sustained abloody wound on his tail—perhaps from thebite of a rodent. Sadly, part of his tailhad to be removed. Mason was hospitalizedfor two weeks during which time he hadlaser treatments to promote healing. Hehas completely recovered.

Mason

-5-*DELANEY GADDIS-in loving memory-Katherine Miller*NANCY GIDLEY-in loving memory of my dearly departed Mom-Kimberly Thompson *GINGER-in loving memory-Thomas W. Moore*GOLDIE and *WHITEY-in loving memory of our recently departed kitty cats. R.I.P.-Mark Vleck*GIL GRUZYNSKI-in loving memory-Andrea Chapman*HANNAH-in loving memory of your sweet girl-Renée and the girls at the Animal Medical Clinic of Dulaney Valley*CHRISTINE PATRICIA HARTMANN-in loving memory of my daughter, a cat lover-Leslie Hartmann*LILLIAN INFANGER-in loving memory of Lillian who loved animals, loved Defenders, and loved the newsletters!-Charlene Gwizdala

*JACKSON-in loving memory-Valerie Noll*JAKE and *LYLE-in loving memory-Lorraine DiVincenzo*TED LEVIN-in loving memory. Donors to the Ted Levin Memorial Fund include: Dana Galvin, Naomi Harris, Laura Lampel, Laura Naide, Kathryn Schnitger, Jill Shenk, and RouteSmart Technologies.

*LILO-in loving memory of my cat-Dee Delaney*DEBORAH LIMMER and *DELANEY GADDIS-in loving memory-Maureen Foley*CORRINE LOPATKOVICH-in loving memory-John Lopatkovich*LUCKY-in loving memory-Michael Posato*LUCY-in loving memory-Mary Ann Reott*LUNA-in loving memory of my granddog-Joy Bloodsworth*MACY-GIRL-Loud and obnoxious to the end. Miss you like crazy!-Ellen Fendrich*MADELINE and *LADY-in loving memory-Love, Steve Swann*MAGGIE-in loving memory of your sweet girl-Renée and the girls at the Animal Medical Clinic of Dulaney Valley*JACK MARLOW-in loving memory-Deanna E. Marlow*HOLLY BERRY MILLER-in memory of my beloved dog-Shirley Miller*MISCHIEF-in loving memory-Diana Wiley*MISS M-in remembrance of a cat lover-Brian B. Daily*MONKEY-in loving memory-Mary Ellen Curtis*MOOSE-in loving memory of my son’s dear cat. He was much loved, opinionated, and dedicated to his “dad”. We all love and miss him.-Rebecca T. Baugh

*MARCIE MOSCA-in loving memory-Patricia Phillips*JOE NICHOLS and *DAPHNE-in loving memory of Joe Nichols and his beloved Daphne-Madelyn Nichols*SUSAN NICHOLSON-in loving memory-Gregory C. Bannon*NICKY and *MIAMI-in loving memory. I will love you forever. You are always in my heart.-Maureen Vidal*OLD TOM, *OUTBACK, and *PATCHES-in loving memory of 3 precious cats-Eva W. Jordan*OLLIE-in loving memory-Bonnie Kassel*OREO-in loving memory-Dawn Kreidler*GEORGE & DOROTHY PELUSO-in loving memory of my parents-Jackie Peluso*PENNY-in loving memory-Cate McCarthy*PENNY-in loving memory of your sweet girl-Renée and the girls at the Animal Medical Clinic of Dulaney Valley*PHOEBE-in loving memory-Michael and Barbara Robinson*PATRICIA POTTER-in loving memory-Joan and George Markos*MARIE ROGALSKI-in loving memory of our dear friend-Lutherville Timonium Recreation Council*ELEANOR ROTH-in loving memory of my mother-Kathy Head*SARA-in loving memory-Samuel Pais*SCHNITZEL-in loving memory of our beloved Doxi-John and Sharon*SISSY-in loving memory of your sweet girl-Renée and the girls at the Animal Medical Clinic of Dulaney Valley*STELLA MARIE-in loving memory-Penny Webb*THOMAS STRICEK and *CHIŬN-Merry Christmas in Heaven. I love you both and I miss you.-Love, Hugs, and Kisses, Mom and Grandma

*EDNA SURASKY-in loving memory-Sylvia Rodeffer*CAROLE (SEABREASE) SZATKOWSKI-in loving memory of Carole who loved animals and loved Defenders for its dedication to animal welfare, supporting their efforts for over 30 years.-Peter Szatkowski

*TASHA-in loving memory of Tasha who was loved by all-Darlene Fleckenstein*TOBY and *MIA-in loving memory-Opal F. Worley*BARBARA URICHECK-in loving memory. Animals held a special place in your heart, especially BJ.-Your sister Teresa and family

*RACHEL VAN DER EERDEN-in loving memory. Donors to the Rachel Van der Eerden Memorial Fund include: Edward Eichman, Amanda Lawson, Georgene Martin, Chad & Sarah McNamara, Ross Rismiller, Rodrigo Ruiz, and Rosalie & Shane Zell.

*JESSE WEISBERG-in loving memory-Linda Riley*WILLIE and *SYLVIE-in loving memory of my friend’s beloved cats-Samantha Voxakis*WILLOW-in loving memory of our precious girl-Harry and Paula Burkholder*MILLY L. WILSON-in loving memory-Brenda Koester*SARAH WILSON-in loving memory of my Mother, friend to all animals-Sallyann Page*SUSAN YAQUIANT-in loving memory-Justin Yaquiant

-6-WE CAME TO THEIR RESCUE

Dear Kind Member:

We hope you have been well. We thank you for remaining devoted to our animalsdespite all the hardships and suffering caused by the pandemic. Please know that the veryfirst time we put loving arms around Millie, you were here with us comforting this abandoned dog.

Millie was chained outside a discount store known for its cheap prices. In the eyesof her owner, Millie’s life was cheap, too. Millie was not spayed and obviously had manylitters. She was left on the street—fair game for someone else to mistreat her and tosell any future puppies she would have.

Miles away, another dog felt her heart sinking into despair. An animal control officer found Fiona in a basement where, tragically, this pitiful dog had been confined forover a year. Fiona had limited access to the outdoors. She rarely saw sunlight. She wasextremely sick from all the horrible neglect.

There wasn’t a moment to lose when it came to fixing Fiona’s many health problems.She had an infection in both eyes and ears. We were shocked to see large patches of missing fur due to a significant bacterial infection over her entire body. Fiona was alsosuffering from anemia and thyroid disease.

We tackled each illness with the best veterinary care available. Fiona often suckledon a pink baby blanket that we gave her. Along with our love, it comforted her.

Right now, our shelter is full with no fewer than 100 animals (dogs, cats, puppies,kittens, a bird, and farm animals). We do not receive any local, state, or federal aid. If you can give a contribution without cutting your own financial needs short, we are enormously grateful. We cannot thank you enough.

When we think back to Fiona’s imprisonment, we understand what hurt her the most. It was something far worse than all hercombined physical ailments. It was her unfulfilled need—the need of every single dog—to please an owner. To make a human feel happy and to offer forever love and loyalty like no other.

These are difficult times, and we hope you are taking goodcare of yourself. We deeply appreciate whatever you can do for our homeless ones.

Millie Fiona