The ScoopN e w s f r o m t h e W a s h i n g t o n H u m a n e S o c i e t y

The Washington Humane Society (WHS) Field Services team – composed of 14 Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) and Animal Control officers – responds to emergencies and complaints 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Annually, they respond to nearly 15,000 calls, of which the Humane Law Enforcement team investigates over 1,300 cases of cruelty or neglect.

This fall, Nico Dauphine, a former Smithsonian National Zoo researcher, was found guilty of attempted animal cruelty for trying to poison cats in her neighborhood, thanks in part to the efforts of the WHS Humane

Law Enforcement Department. In March, Dauphine was caught on tape feeding rat poison to stray cats outside her Columbia Heights apartment building. A local feral cat colony manager noticed a substance in the cats’ food that was later found to be poison. She notified the WHS Humane Law Enforcement Department immediately. The HLE team sought and secured security footage from the apartment building that showed Dauphine taking something out of her purse and placing it in the food.

Dauphine was found guilty by the DC Superior Court, and she resigned her post with the Smithsonian Zoo the next day. She was later sentenced to 180 days, suspended; 120 hours of community service; a 12-month probationary period during which she is prohibited from working or volunteering with cats; and she is required to contribute $100 to the Crime Victims Compensation Program.

In the fall, another local resident was found guilty for his crimes against animals. Dervaughn Turner of Washington, DC, pled guilty to two counts of animal cruelty. Metropolitan Police Department officers recovering a gun reported at a DC residence called WHS Humane Law Enforcement officers to investigate a report of dogs used for fighting residing at the home. In January 2011, three dogs were found at the address, along with dogfighting paraphernalia. Two of the dogs received thousands of dollars’ worth of treatment by veterinarians for injuries

and wounds from dog fighting. In August, Turner was arrested for knowingly housing dogs used for fighting, and in December, he pled guilty to his crime. Each count of animal cruelty carries a one-year supervised probation and a 30-day suspended sentence. In addition, he is required to pay $1,000 in restitution and commit 40 hours of community service.

WHS Animal Control Officers rescued a deer from the Tidal Basin, a young fox trapped in a net and an injured monitor lizard from a Metropolitan Police raid, all in one early fall day. And two field officers proved that no obstacle is too big or too foul when they rescued two geese from a Blue Plains waste treatment facility in the summer. Despite being so busy here in DC, Humane Law Enforcement

WhS Field officers: protecting and Serving All Animals

community cat programpage 4

WhS Rescues Fishpage 7

1 2spring

(continued on pg 8)

p ro tec t i ng An ima l s f o r ove r 1 40 Yea r s

Walking through our adoption center typically instills a feeling of urgency about how we can find more homes for more animals immediately. This drive is important as our work is never finished and the animals need us so desperately. However, to keep doing our work to the best of our ability, it is crucial that we also keep perspective about the lives we have already saved.

The other day while looking at the faces of the animals in our care, I was struck with an unusual, but also welcome, sense of calm and relief. As I looked into the eyes of a cat who had been beaten, I knew that because of us he will never again feel the pain and fear he faced daily before our field officers came to his rescue. I was able to kneel down and greet a scared stray dog who roamed the streets of DC for who knows how long. While she previously spent every day searching for her next meal, I am now able to gently reassure her that her belly will be full.

Washington Humane Society staff members spend their lives rescuing and protecting animals. That dedication doesn’t end when we’re off the clock; many staff members take animals home with them to provide some temporary TLC until adoptive homes are available. In fact, as I write this, my foster dog little Sugar Foot sits in her bed next to my desk chewing on a tennis ball.

In this issue, you will see that cats and dogs are not the only animals whom WHS protects. A recent case involving goldfish raised some eyebrows outside of our circle of friends and supporters. Questions surfaced about the time and effort spent rescuing what some considered to be small and insignificant animals. We felt otherwise. We learned that a local pond would be drained for the winter and in all likelihood the fish would die an unpleasant death. We couldn’t accept this, and our Humane Law Enforcement Officers immediately engaged the community – volunteers, neighbors and WHS staff – to work together to do whatever they could to save those fish.

Whether it’s cats or dogs, an injured fox or small fish, WHS will do everything in our power to step in to rescue and save every animal we can. We may have only a small number of staff but we also count you, our friends and supporters, as a critical resource. Our field services team responded to nearly 15,000 calls last year, and to me that is more than a number. What it really means is that 15,000 people cared enough about animals in their homes and in their communities to do something to help them. When you think of it that way, it’s pretty heartwarming.

For the animals,

Lisa LaFontaine President and CEO ceo@washhumane.org

The InSIde ScoopThe Washington Humane Society publishes

The Scoop quarterly to inform friends and

supporters about our work protecting,

sheltering and improving the lives of homeless

and abused animals in Washington, DC.

The

Scoop

Nina BentonSteve BralovePriscilla Clapp Saone CrockerMarie DrisselLouie DweckTerri FarielloEllen Kassoff Gray Anissa GrossmanWilliam Harrop Kenton W. Keith

Erika KeltonLisa LaFontaine Laird PattersonAmanda PolkSteven StoneJennifer SullivanJay Timmons Andrew Weinstein Charles WeirDrew Willison

Editor: Jacquie Toppings

GeTTInG In ToUch Cruelty/Neglect Reports: 202-BEHUMANE (202-234-8626)

Call our main number, 202-BEHUMANE(202-234-8626), and enter an extension for the following areas:

Development/Fundraising, ext. 221Public Relations/Media, ext. 205 Finance, ext. 252Human Resources, ext. 209

hoURS And LocATIonS7319 Georgia Avenue, NW 202-BEHUMANE (202-234-8626) Adoption Hours12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. dailyClosed for adoptions on Wednesdays

Cruelty reports are accepted 24 hours a day

1201 New York Avenue, NE202-576-6664 Adoption Hours12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. M - F12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. S, SStray and unwanted animals are accepted 24 hours a dayClosed for adoptions on Wednesdays

National Capital Area Spay and Neuter Center1001 L Street, SEFor appointments call 202-88-ALTER (202-608-1356) (by appointment only)

Lisa with Lila

Board of directors

3 The Scoop

We all know a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, but in some cases, a spoonful of sugar is the medicine. In November, an 8-week-old puppy, Lucy, was surrendered to the Washington Humane Society. She had suffered severe injuries to both of her rear legs and was unable to move, so she was rushed to the emergency clinic where a skilled veterinarian determined that one of her legs was so badly broken that it would have to be amputated.

Even with the amputation successfully performed, the puppy was still in danger. There were deep lacerations and abrasions on her other hind leg, leaving it very susceptible to an infection that could spread to the rest of her body and ultimately be fatal. Dr. Megan McAndrew, the Washington Humane Society’s Medical Director, called upon ancient wisdom for a natural remedy that would clean and heal the wound: sugar.

Sugar has natural antibiotic properties that have helped heal wounds like this precious puppy’s, now nicknamed “Sugar Foot.”

“It’s a common treatment I’ve used since graduating from vet school,” said Dr. McAndrew. While staving off infection, sugar also greatly increases the rate of healing, reduces scarring and has been proven to be less painful than other treatments. “Within a day or two of applying sugar, the wounds looked healthier and within a matter of weeks, healed. Sugar is great because it’s always available and it’s an inexpensive, natural healer.”

With a little patience and care, little Sugar Foot has made a full recovery under the foster care of WHS’s own President and CEO, Lisa LaFontaine, and she is now waiting to find a forever home.

At the Washington Humane Society, the only open-door shelter in the nation’s capital, no call for help goes unanswered, and no animal is ever turned away, even if they need urgent and costly medical care. Thanks to our caring community of animal lovers, Sugar Foot has gained a second chance at life and hopes to share her sweet personality with a loving family this spring.

Any time your pet becomes sick or injured, please contact your veterinary care provider immediately. To donate to Sophie’s Fund for Emergency Medical Care, or to become a foster volunteer, visit www.washhumane.org.

A SpoonFUL oF SUGAR…To The ReScUe

The Scoop

No doubt, the students at The George Washington University are very busy with their studies. Regardless, they are community-minded and last fall they opened their packed schedules and made time to raise more than $12,000 for the Washington Humane Society! Not only did they raise significant funds, but they raised awareness for WHS’s regional animal welfare work, collected shelter supplies and recruited volunteers for year-round initiatives such as the WHS foster program.

President Kyle Campbell of Sigma Epsilon fraternity led a most successful Sweetheart Week fundraiser. He rallied his fraternity to motivate all GWU Greek Life on the campus to participate in a friendly competition to raise the most Paper for Puppies – that is, paper money! Students went online to donate and participate in live competitions during the week including a So You Think You Can Dance? contest and a sorority fashion show.

The Washington Humane Society has an ongoing partnership with the Greek system at GWU and we are grateful for the leadership Sigma Epsilon has taken to make this happen. Thank you, future community leaders!

WhS ReceIveS 12,000 pApeRS FoR pUppIeS FRom SIGmA epSILon SWeeTheART Week AT The GeoRGe WAShInGTon UnIveRSITY!

Lucy Before Lucy After

4 The Scoop The Scoop

Founded in 2006, the WHS Cat Neighborhood Partnership Program (CatNiPP) is designed to address the challenges faced by property owners surrounding the presence of stray and feral cats, all while treating the cats in a humane and ethical manner. Stray and feral cats are the product of human neglect – owned cats are too often abandoned and those who are not neutered produce litters upon litters of kittens. Unaddressed, the process continues and seems unstoppable. Through CatNiPP, the Washington Humane Society endorses a management method called Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). TNR works because it addresses the root of the problem – the breeding. In TNR the cats are humanely trapped and brought to our National Capital Area Spay & Neuter Center where they are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and given a physical exam. They are also “eartipped” to signal that they have been treated by a veterinarian. After receiving care, the cats are then returned to their outdoor home – to live out their days in a managed colony.

Recognizing WHS’s important work with feral cats, the organization received a $93,240 grant from PetSmart Charities to increase the number of spay and neuter surgeries performed on feral cats roaming in the Northeast quadrant of Washington, DC. The grant was designed to reduce stray and feral cat intake into shelters by using a targeted approach to impact free-roaming cats in specific regions. The grant will help WHS sterilize 2,200 cats over two years.

As the Washington Humane Society launched its first official CatNiPP community information sessions last year, it became clear quickly that due to an overwhelming feral cat population, Northeast DC would be a natural area to roll out a targeted effort to address the alley cat concerns in the neighborhood. Through information and education, WHS embarked on a CatNiPP partnership in the Northeast in the hopes of encouraging neighbors and communities to come together and assist WHS with its mission to manage DC’s feral cat population through TNR.

The first TNR session had a respectable turnout of neighbors primarily from the Northeast neighborhood of Trinidad. Concerned neighbors, those with complaints and anyone seeking advice on feral cats, came together to engage with the CatNiPP team. Most participants left the session excited to get started and grateful there was an effort to help them with their neighborhood alley cats. Many offered to work together on this new project, trapping and transporting animals to address their local cat colonies.

Fortunately for WHS, Danielle Bays was on board to assist with this effort. Danielle, a WHS volunteer, neighbor and homeowner in Trinidad, and an enthused cat advocate, began volunteering with CatNiPP to manage TNR calls and trapping efforts. Danielle trapped regularly in her neighborhood and was already known as the neighborhood “cat guru.” It is not unusual for her to get knocks at her door when new kittens are spotted, an injured cat turns up or a neighborhood cat goes missing. Danielle soon became a part-time employee at WHS, assisting tremendously with CatNiPP, and now works full time as a community outreach coordinator.

The TNR effort in Northeast DC has taken on a block-by-block, alley-by-alley approach to get as many cats spayed and neutered as possible. Thanks to the support of our community, CatNiPP is now well on its way to reaching this goal.

Through coordinated efforts, CatNiPP and its volunteer partners are ramping up to bring in 25 or more feral cats for TNR each week from this targeted area. Using mapping tools, a dedicated group of volunteer trappers and through coordinating calls about colonies in the area, CatNiPP expects to report amazing numbers by the grant program’s end. Currently, WHS has performed almost 400 TNR surgeries from the Northeast quadrant alone since summer 2011. In addition to being on track to perform 1,100 TNR procedures each year from Northeast colonies (over a two-year period), CatNiPP also completed 1,300 cat spay/neuter surgeries in the entire DC metropolitan area in 2011. To date, CatNiPP has provided over 5,800 TNR procedures to area feral cats in DC, Maryland and Virginia. With a record 185 TNR surgeries in January, including over 75 cats from Northeast, we believe CatNiPP’s numbers in 2012 will surpass all previous years’. To learn more about CatNiPP, attend a TNR information session or to volunteer to help with this program, please contact CatNiPP Program Manager Alyson Burgess at aburgess@washhumane.org.

commUnITY cAT pRoGRAm mAkInG An ImpAcT

5 www .wa s h humane . o rg

The 11th Annual Sugar & Champagne Affair was held February 1, 2012, at a brand new location: the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Gracious hosts Chef Todd and Ellen Gray of Equinox and Watershed Restaurants and Muse at the Corcoran Gallery of Art once again welcomed animal lovers with a sweet tooth – and their four-legged friends – to an evening of delectable desserts and fine sparkling wines.

The evening honored our own animal crusaders: the Washington Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement Officers, Animal Control Officers and Humane Educators for the amazing work they do to protect and serve DC’s animals. We were proud to recognize them for making our community a better place for both people and animals.

The VIP tasting room featured savory cuisine from top area chefs at restaurants including Art and Soul, Bayou Bakery, Equinox, PS7, Think Food Group, Restaurant Eve, The Source, Marcel’s, 1789 and Kushi. Guests also had the opportunity to meet contestants from TLC’s hit show, the Next Great Baker. In total, more than 50 restaurants treated over 700 guests to delicious gourmet desserts, and WHS raised an incredible $80,000 to help DC animals.

In addition, WHS honored Humane Heroes who helped make a difference in the lives of animals within the District. Honorees included: Educator Maurice L. Baker; Fox 5 Anchor/Reporter Holly Morris; ABC 7 News and News Channel 8 Reporter Scott Thuman; UPS; The Big Bad Woof; Wagtime; DC Fire Department Sgt. Christopher Holmes; and Marielle Shortell of Syzygy Event Productions.

Emceeing the event for the first time was dynamic 94.7 Fresh FM Host Tommy McFLY. WHS is also grateful to 2012 Sugar & Champagne sponsors: Trade Center Management Association; Bistro Bites; The Sugar Association; DIAGEO; Zagat; 94.7 Fresh FM; The Hill; NOVADog; LivingSocial; Yelp; and of course, hosts of the last 11 great years, Todd and Ellen Gray.

SUGAR & chAmpAGne = SWeeT SUcceSS

Time to Celebrate? If you are celebrating a wedding, birthday, anniversary or any milestone…or perhaps the

life of a special animal who graced your life, you can show your support for the Washington Humane Society by requesting donations in lieu of flowers or gifts from your friends and family. Today, you can become a

personal Champion for local animal welfare!

Simply go to www.washhumane.org/support_donate and motivate your friends to support your favorite

cause for your special occasion.

You can create your very own, customized In Celebration page on the WHS website! By using

the tools provided on this web page and following our easy directions, you will be able to set up your own fundraising page, upload pictures and invite your friends and family to

“Give Where You Live” and join your Celebration.

As the only open-door shelter in the District, no animal is ever turned away from the Washington Humane Society

for any reason. WHS accepts stray and unwanted animals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Now that is something to support and Celebrate!

If you have questions regarding set-up or navigation of the In Celebration page, please contact Darcy Levit at

dlevit@washhumane.org or (202) 683-1824. Thank you and many happy returns!

In Celebration

6 The Scoop

When Anne Wynne Taylor was made executor of Kathleen Franzen’s estate, a transformation occurred. Anne’s deep friendship of 35 years and personal sense of responsibility prompted her to initiate a bold gesture on behalf of her dear friend, Kathleen. Anne and Kathleen shared a love of cats, particularly those

in desperate need of help: feral cats, street cats, barn cats, as well as abused and neglected cats.

To honor Kathleen Franzen and her husband William Taylor (a NASA rocket scientist who passed away just five years before Kathleen), Anne and her husband Joseph James designated critical funding in March 2011 to support the Washington Humane Society’s programs devoted to cats including: 20 humane traps; 1,100 feral cat sterilizations for our trap, neuter and release program (CatNiPP); 200 free spay/neuter vouchers for owned cats; coverage of medical expenses for sick foster cats; CatNiPP intern salary and program marketing materials; and the renovation of the Adoption Visitation Room at the Washington Humane Society’s Georgia Avenue Adoption Center.

A special event was held January 5 at our Georgia Avenue Adoption Center to dedicate The Kathleen Franzen and William Taylor Adoption Visitation Room. WHS staff and volunteers are delighted to use the beautiful Visitation Room as an office for our Adoptions Counselor, a quiet zone to meet adoptable animals and to conduct private adoption assessments and as a central, bright space in our shelter for a positive WHS experience.

Please visit our adoptable animals (first online, www.washhumane.org, and then when you fall in love) at the Washington Humane Society at 7319 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20012 or spread the word to Give, Volunteer & Adopt with WHS!

Anne Taylor’s legacy gift has advanced the WHS mission and promoted our sustainable future. This exceptional philanthropic gesture demonstrates the beauty that vibrant friendships bring to our community, among humans and animals alike. To learn more about how you can make your own philanthropic impact, contact Darcy Levit, Director of Major Gifts at dlevit@washhumane.org or (202) 683-1824. Thank you!

WAShInGTon hUmAne SocIeTY donoR SpoTLIGhT!

The Washington Humane Society is pleased to announce the renewed support from The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation for our vital programs and services for 2012. This unrestricted grant helps WHS provide comfort and care to nearly 30,000 animals annually. The Cafritz Foundation has funded WHS operations for many years. Investment in WHS from community leaders like the Cafritz Foundation is critical toward our sustainability and growth.

Lisa LaFontaine, President and CEO of WHS, commends Cafritz for its support: “We are honored to receive this gift, and we take great pride that The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation has once again recognized the important role the Washington Humane Society plays in improving the quality of life for all residents of the Washington, DC area. Their support enables us to pursue our mission, save lives and enhance the lives of people and animals in the community. We are most grateful for the generosity and confidence the Cafritz Foundation has shown us.”

The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is the largest private, independent, local foundation focused exclusively on the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The Foundation is the legacy of Morris Cafritz, one of Washington’s leading commercial and residential builders from the early 1920s to the mid-60s. An outstanding civic leader known for his generosity, Morris Cafritz established the Foundation with his wife Gwendolyn in 1948.

The Washington Humane Society is committed to combatting pet homelessness in our region by finding lifelong homes for as many animals as possible, as quickly as possible. The inclusive, engaging programs, services and activities of WHS enrich the lives of animals and people throughout the Capital Region. Heartfelt thanks to The Cafritz Foundation for helping to advance the WHS mission!

The moRRIS & GWendoLYn cAFRITz FoUndATIon ReneWS cRITIcAL SUppoRT FoR WhS

7 www .wa s h humane . o rg

Over several days in November, the Washington Humane Society Humane Law Enforcement team, headed by Officer Michael Triebwasser, responded to the first case of its kind. The officers sought to rescue close to 1,000 fish – originally thought to be koi, but later determined to be primarily goldfish – who were dropped into a “pond” at Meridian Hill Park in Northwest Washington by a local resident during the summer.

These fish were brought to the pond by a man who wanted to beautify his neighborhood; however, over the months, the fish multiplied tremendously and eventually, the pond needed to be drained for the winter season. There was no plan in place for the fish who were living there. The community was concerned, and when our officers learned that these fish might not survive, they immediately sprang into action. WHS contacted groups across the region to help ensure these fish could be safely removed from the pond and given a new home.

The rescue began on a chilly and wet Thursday morning in mid-November. Two officers geared up in waterproof attire and dove right into the pond with nets of all shapes and sizes. With so many fish covering two very large separate fountain areas, they quickly realized they had their work cut out for them. After a long day’s efforts, they were able to rescue a small portion of the population by very slowly and carefully gathering the fish and placing them into large buckets filled with water. The following day, they came back to the park prepared with a larger team, including WHS Animal Control Officers, dressed in dry suits kindly supplied by DC Fire/EMS. However, even with the aid of additional officers, hundreds of fish still remained.

The pond was to be drained without exception on November 30. With that in mind, WHS put out a plea to our friends and neighbors; and almost immediately, the community who had expressed concern for these fish came to the rescue – quite literally. After reading our calls for support on our Facebook and Twitter pages, and on local blogs like Prince of Petworth, volunteers

quickly began contacting our officers to see how they could help save the remaining fish. On the final rescue day, the WHS team led a group of over 20 volunteers of all ages to collect the remaining fish. Sifting through cold, wet algae piece by piece, the final fish were recovered. Shouts of joy came from the youngest of volunteers with each fish found.

The fish have found homes in the ponds of caring neighbors and organizations throughout the community. A special thanks goes out to the National Aquarium for loaning us multiple nets, which helped us complete a successful rescue, and for connecting us with G and G Aquatics, a trusted group that is helping to find homes for these fish. We would also like to thank Raymond Yee Jr. with Aquamarine Systems LLC, who aided with

the rescue and personally helped to place these fish in new home environments, and DC Fire for allowing us to use the dry suits they supplied for much longer than anticipated.

The Washington Humane Society provides comfort and care to nearly 30,000 animals each year. Our doors are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While serving an urban area means we see a lot of dogs, cats and companion animals, we believe that every animal matters; we never say “no” to an animal. This assignment – though different from our usual duties – proves once again that when we partner with a caring community, together we can develop real solutions to all types of animal-related issues.

WAShInGTon hUmAne SocIeTY ReScUeS FISh WITh The heLp oF A cARInG commUnITY

8 The Scoop The Scoop

cARmIne’S dc SUppoRTS WhSWashington Humane Society partner Carmine’s DC generously provided an incredible meal for WHS staff to enjoy at the annual WHS Holiday Party January 18. The team at Carmine’s went out of their way to create a delectable all-vegetarian menu for WHS’s annual staff event, allowing more than 90 WHS staffers from all five WHS facilities to enjoy some quality team-building time at a fabulous DC venue. Carmine’s also kindly provided a delicious pre-race meal for WHS Marine Corps Marathon runners in October. We can’t thank Carmine’s DC enough for supporting the WHS cause and showing how much dc loves dc animals.

Officers also made time to help animals across the country. Disaster Response Specialist and Humane Law Officer Ann Russell responded to aid animal victims of last spring’s horrible flooding in Conway, Arkansas.

These and countless other cases demonstrate that WHS believes that every animal, regardless of breed, age, condition or any other factor, deserves protection from cruelty and harm. Our officers live WHS’s mission to protect and serve all the animals of the District day in and day out. We hope you will join us in thanking them for their efforts and do your part to help animals and help WHS protect and serve those in our community. To report cruelty or neglect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call 202-BE-HUMANE. To learn more about WHS investigations, visit www.washhumane.org and click Fight Cruelty.

WhS Field officers: protecting and Serving All Animals(continued from pg 1)

WhS pAck oF mARIne coRpS mARAThoneRS RAISe

oveR $33,000!Woof, Woof – that is, THANK YOU from our animals! WHS Pack Leader Ivan Carter of Comcast SportsNet joined 27 runners for the Marine Corps Marathon on October 30 to raise over $33,000 for WHS programs and services! Each runner raised at least $1,000.

Special paws of thanks to:

• Carmine’s Restaurant for hosting the pre-marathon “carb load” dinner

• UPS for the runner t-shirts

• Wellness Veterinary Care and Dr. Katie Stembler

And to our rock star runners – The WHS Pack – thank you!

Alicia Aleman

Karolyn Bako

Kristina Barrow

Lori Bassinger

Joan Beilstein

Amanda Brady

Lauren Carlino

Ivan Carter

Jennifer Cotrell

Meagan Cummings

Tiffiny Dunn

Tenere Ekperigin

Audra Heagney

Ting-Ting Kao

Erin Kruth

Todd Lease

Jay Marsh

Mckenley Mason

Kirsten Milhorn

Judith Munyon

Claire O’Brien

Tammy Orndorff

Louisa Phillips

Ashley Raspor

Sandra Salvatori

Abigail Sze

Vanessa Tesoriero

Brianne Wasson