- 1. ASPCA Happy Tails: Spirit Paws
- 2. From October 2-10, New York Celebrates All Things Animal
- 3. ASPCA Pet of the Week: Urban Cowgirl
- 4. Photo Contest: What’s Your ASPCA $100K Challenge Story?
- 5. October Is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month!
- 6. Radio Personality Trey Morgan Visits the ASPCA
1. ASPCA Happy Tails: Spirit Paws
Our loyal readers know the ASPCA is especially committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of four-legged victims of natural disasters. When we received the following story from Dan Mahdavi in our inbox, we couldn’t resist sharing it. In 2007, Dan adopted a kitten named Niomee who was rescued by a shelter in Southern California during a devastating round of wildfires. Turns out that kitten was special in more ways than one.
After my cat passed away three years ago, my life was at a stalemate. I called my doctor, a cat parent himself, who said “Maybe a new baby needs your love.” In Persian folklore, if you adopt a cat, the spirit of the deceased cat stays with the new one.
I went to the shelter and adopted two kittens. One of them—Niomee—was caught in a trap in the 2007 Perris, CA, wildfires and was stuck there for four days before someone rescued her. She was very skinny. I brought her home on November 2007, and for two months she stayed isolated, only getting out of bed to eat.
On March 7, 2008, the birthday of my kitty who had passed away, I was thinking about how she used to put her head on the floor next to me and do a flip. While I was having these visions, Niomee finally emerged, stood right next to me, put her head on the floor, and did the very same flip! I was amazed and truly believed in the cat spirit. Today Niomee is a very healthy and happy kitty.
To read more stories of furry fate, please visit our Happy Tails Archive.
2. From October 2-10, New York Celebrates All Things Animal
Hey Tri-Staters, the first week of October is the 2nd Annual New York Week for the Animals! The statewide celebration begins Saturday, October 2, and will conclude on October 10, 2010. Adoption fairs, low-cost spay/neuter events, R.E.A.D. dog programs in libraries, comedy shows, animal law events, nature walks, special educational programs at zoos and sanctuaries, food donation drives and opportunities to visit farm animals are just some of the exciting activities scheduled to take place all over New York.
The ASPCA is proud to kick off the week with our Central Park Fall Fiesta in NYC! Come to 110 Street and Malcolm X Boulevard (the northern border of Central Park) on Saturday, October 2, for live music, entertainment, free pet microchipping, and info booths staffed by ASPCA animal behaviorists, groomers and Humane Law Enforcement Agents! The Fiesta runs from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. with spay/neuter surgeries beginning at 7:30 A.M. More details here (pdf).
New York Week for the Animals is presented by Animal World USA in partnership with the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals. This special week is sure to be enjoyable and educational for both adults and children—and most importantly, will make a difference for animals. Check out www.newyorkanimals.org for a full schedule of events—you’re sure to find a few activities near you. See you soon!
3. ASPCA Pet of the Week: Urban Cowgirl
Janet had a rough start in life, but recently found refuge at the ASPCA Adoption Center. This soulful Hound pie is still adjusting to the sights and sounds of the big city, and will need positive feedback to learn to love new people.
Janet enjoys the company of other dogs, but can be a little pushy when she wants attention. She’s looking for an adults-only home with experienced pet parents who will give her lots of unconditional love.
If you’re interested in adopting Janet, please contact our Animal Placement department in New York City at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. To see other animals looking for homes, visit our Adoption Center online.
****Got Facebook? Won’t you please donate your status to Janet today? Just copy and paste the following message onto your profile status to help spread the word that this dog needs a home!
[Name] is donating his/her status to Janet http://www.aspca.org/janet, a dog at the ASPCA who needs a new home.
4. Photo Contest: What’s Your ASPCA $100K Challenge Story?
So you’ve heard us crooning week after week about the incredible work of our $100K Challenge contestants—those shelters that are coming up with innovative ways to motivate their communities and save more animals’ lives. At stake? Oh, just a cool $100K for the shelter that saves the most animals.
So far, our Challengers are kicking some serious butt, but we know they aren’t doing it alone. Without the public adopting cats and dogs in record numbers, the Challenge wouldn’t be such a smashing success. Which is why we want to hear from you—the public!
Have you adopted or fostered an animal from one of our contestant shelters during the months of the Challenge? Did you volunteer for one of our Challengers? Or perhaps you were reunited with your pet at a Challenge shelter? If so, we want to hear your story! Submit a photo and brief overview of your experience, and you could help your local shelter win a $1,000 grant.
An ASPCA jury will select 20 finalists based on the quality of the photo submissions and how well the stories demonstrate the Challenge’s mission to save lives. The public will vote for six grand prize winners, and the participating shelters of those six winners will each win a $1,000 prize! The six winning entrants will receive a snazzy ASPCA water bottle, and the 20 finalists will take home a prized ASPCA t-shirt. Anyone who has adopted, fostered, volunteered, or reclaimed an animal at a Challenge shelter during the months of August, September, or October 2010 is eligible to enter. So submit today! The deadline for entries is November 14 at midnight EST, and winners will be announced on ASPCA.org by December 7.
Not sure if your local shelter is participating in the $100K Challenge? Check out our full list of contestants! Then share the contest with your friends and neighbors by posting the link on Facebook or Twitter.
5. October Is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month!
October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month, and that means it’s time to pay tribute to all things canine and get more homeless pups into forever homes. To get the party started, we’ve prepared a special section on ASPCA.org devoted to the lovable, loyal shelter pooch. Whether you’re an experienced dog guardian or are thinking about adopting in the future, this is the place to celebrate and find answers to all your questions about shelter dogs.
Learn how to find the right dog for you, use our nationwide search tool to find him, and then read all about how to keep him happy, healthy and entertained for the duration of your lives together! And aspiring Spielbergs, take note: you can make your pup a star by entering our Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month video contest! You have plenty of time to produce your masterpiece—the deadline for submissions is October 31.
Head over to aspca.org/ASDM to read all about it, and remember—there are millions of wonderful, adorable shelter dogs in our country who need homes, so please opt to adopt!
6. Radio Personality Trey Morgan Visits the ASPCA
National radio deejay Trey Morgan has long sought to give back to his community—but like many of us, he wasn’t quite sure where to begin or how to spare the time. Not easily defeated, Trey created 30 Deeds, 30 Days, a campaign to challenge himself and motivate others to donate their time to local charities.
30 Deeds, 30 Days set Trey and his wife, Brooke, on a journey to volunteer with 30 different charitable organizations—one for each day of the month of September. On September 28, the couple brought their good-deed campaign to the ASPCA, where they spent the day making a difference in the lives of our shelter cats and dogs.
“Taking the time to volunteer with abused, neglected and homeless animals has been such a rewarding experience,” explains Trey. “Whether walking dogs, cleaning cages or working to help an animal overcome his fears—volunteers truly do make a difference.”
Check out our inspiring video of Trey and Brooke as they share their experience volunteering at the ASPCA.
To learn more about making a difference for animals in your community, visit our Top Ways to Help Your Local Shelter.