Adoption Diaries: I Think I'll Go For a Walk Outside Now...

Elyse's Adoption Diary:

I can officially walk level one (easy) dogs at the ASPCA adoption center now! This weekend I completed my training. Dog Captain Neal Kushner, who generously donates his time on Saturdays to train new volunteers on dog walking, gave us a whopping 3-hour lesson. After giving his table talk, Neal took us out to walk Cookie.

Cookie is a darling 7-year-old pit mix with unusually large ears for her breed! She was a delight to walk with outside--cooperative and inquisitive. All three of us in training took turns walking her...and guess which one of us got the honor of demonstrating her first poop scooping?

I returned to the adoption center yesterday. There seem to be a whole lot of puppies there right now! Speaking of puppies, Bella's bunch are growing beautifully. Here, see for yourself!

Remember how small they were in my last photo?

My 'lil video clip du jour is of Zena. I didn't get to know her well, but I hung with her long enough to fall in love with that amazing tongue of hers! Observe her conversation with a dog mate:



Don't worry, I didn't neglect the cats! (As if!) Of course, I made my usual trip to the "fat cat habitat" and hung with Whitney (guys, why is she still there? Did you NOT see last week's purr video??). Whitney's buddy Missy turned out to be a real mush ball too. Give her a head rub and she's golden.

Over in Habitat 1 is Fresca. She likes to hang out in the window and observe NYC foot traffic, and she apparently also likes to pose for photographs.

** Be sure to check out my Flickr page to see all the photos from my visits to the adoption center.
** Click here to view available animals at our adoption center.

Adoption Diaries: Reunited!

Elyse's Adoption Diary

Whitney's back in her habitat! For those who don't recall, Whitney is the fabulous white cat I fell for weeks back. I had to endure a couple weeks without her as I waited for her to recover from her upper respiratory infection. Now, she's back and purrier than ever. I had to take a video so you could hear this loud motor for yourself. Observe:

My favorite part is toward the end, when you see her rest her head on my lap.

I implore you, give her a good home! As much as I'll miss her, I'll be thrilled to see her gone. This 4-year-old white love ball is waiting for the chance to make someone very happy and spoiled. I'd take her myself if my own cats would let me.


Aaaaand this is Tulip. Tulip has been here at the ASPCA for almost 2 years. She was rescued by our Humane Law Enforcement officers, who found her scarily emaciated. They took her back to the ASPCA, and within a week, she regained 48% of her weight! That's half a Tulip! Now, I must admit she has a pretty good life, living in a corner office and getting pampered all day by the corporate folks who work on her floor.

Everybody stopped me to tell me how much they loved Tulip and to please get her adopted (so come on, people, my reputation is at stake). Even though Tulip likes "her" office, Tulip needs a great home, a place she doesn't wonder where everyone went off to on weekends and national holidays. Besides, we want to give other cats a chance to be an office foster.

Hey, I have two more adoptions to report! Gomez, a wonderful and kind cat, and a little funny pooch, Hedley, found homes. Thanks for all the warm comments you've sent about these guys! Keep up the good work! Who knows, you may have helped guide their adopters to them.

** Be sure to check out my Flickr page to see all the photos from my visits to the adoption center.
** Click here to view available animals at our adoption center.

This Week is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week!

Have you been telling yourself that you really ought to stop by your local shelter some time soon? Well, this week is the perfect time to do it!

Let the folks at your shelter know how grateful you are for the work they are doing. Many of them are volunteers, and their best—and only—reward is to improve the lives of the animals with whom they so tirelessly work.

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week was launched in 1996 by the Humane Society of the United States. The HSUS says: “This campaign was designed to acknowledge and promote the invaluable role shelters play in their communities and to increase public awareness of animal welfare issues and shelter services.”

Click here to see the ASPCA’s list of 10 ways you can help your local shelter.

Adoption Diaries: Litter Your Life with Love

Elyse's Adoption Diary:

There really ought to be a warning...I was walking down Bark Avenue (at our adoption center), and turned the corner, and boom! There they were--a litter of nursing puppies! Can you say cuteness overload? It was almost too much for my heart to take!

The only thing better than puppies are ones getting their breakfast from mama. This is Bella. Doesn't she look proud?

And this is Chewy (no, not from Star Wars). Chewy's another silly one. The little Yorkie made himself right at home on my lap. Fuzzy, sweet and curious, he's everything that's wonderful about small dogs. As I headed for the door after our cuddle session, he whimpered, "Don't leave me."
Jazzy Joyce has been here since June of 2006. She's a sensitive 10-year-old, and prefers to be petted on her head. Jazzy was treated for an overactive thyroid gland in September. She's still working on growing back her fur, but I don't know, I think she looks pretty cool without it.

I'm pleased two report that two animals I've mentioned here previously have been adopted! Pocahontas, the sweet old cat, and Cola, the sweet old dog! This was a good week for our seniors!

** Be sure to check out my Flickr page to see all the photos from my visits to the adoption center.** Click here to view available animals at our adoption center.

Adoption Diaries: They're the Pits!

Elyse's Adoption Diary:

This is Oreo, 3 months old. He wasn't too interested in the idea of leaving his cage. That is, of course, until I took him out and we played for a few minutes. When I dared return him to his kitty condo, he made quite a scene. He wanted out! As I played with other cats, he jumped all around and kept sticking his nose and paws out of the holes, like you see in the pic, and yelling at me. Poor thing looked so pathetic and desperate that he made me feel guilty...I eventually gave in and let him back out.

And here is Pocahontas (I'm desperately trying to refrain from making any silly puns or references to the legendary Native American princess). Pocahontas loved to pose for me like a statue. See? And when I put her in my lap, I knew she'd have stayed there forever if she had a choice. She definitely wouldn't be there if she were younger (she's 12).

Gomez was incredibly difficult to get a photo of, but for the sweetest reason. I couldn't get far away enough to take a picture because the little love bug shadowed my every step! He wanted some up close and personal rubbing. Finally, I broke out the cat dancer toy -- here he is above, ready to attack.

Now, on to the doggies. I got to witness something really neat -- Special Agent Ruiz (you may recognize him from "Animal Precinct") brought three pit puppies in. He had just rescued them from the Bronx. These guys were so anxious to eat they consumed their food in seconds! Just look at them playing! All together now: awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

I thought I'd leave you with a treat: this is 2-month-old Norma, who was intrigued by my camera. If you listen carefully, you can hear her loud purr. She was adopted by the time I left. They go so quickly when they're that little and cute. It's the older ones who really need help, the poor darlings!

** Be sure to check out my Flickr page to see all the photos from my visits to the adoption center.
** Click here to view available animals at our adoption center.

Our Take on the Ellen Story

We have been getting tons of inquries from you regarding "the Ellen situation." To recap, Iggy, the dog adopted by Ellen DeGeneres from the Los Angeles-based rescue group Mutts & Moms, was recently removed from Ms. DeGeneres’ hairdresser’s home after the rescue group learned of the re-homing that was conducted without its knowledge or prior approval, as specified in its adoption contract.

Here is our official statement:

Said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres, “Ms. DeGeneres’ love and concern for animals has become practically iconic. As such, we have the utmost respect for her actions in trying to provide loving homes for animals in need—she sets a great example for not just other celebrities, but the entire American public.”

“We also understand the point of view of Mutts & Moms. Several shelters, including our own, have similar language written into their contracts that essentially function as a safety net for the animals they adopt out, so that adopters know they can always bring the animals back in case the adoption doesn’t work out. With an estimated five to seven million companion animals entering shelters every year, the last thing any responsible shelter wants to see is the unnecessary euthanasia of pets.”

All shelters in the United States function as independent entities, each with their own specific adoption policies. “Had a similar situation been encountered with an ASPCA adopter,” said Sayres, “and had the new home met our adoption criteria, in all likelihood we would have encouraged the new home environment for the animal. Furthermore, the ASPCA applauds those who provide responsible pet care by providing veterinary needs—such as spaying or neutering—behavior training, as well as providing the animal with a safe and loving home.

“We would encourage Mutts & Moms to re-visit their approach to this situation and look forward to a positive outcome that reinforces the importance of pets in our society and the human-animal bond.”

Click here to see the adoptable animals here at the ASPCA.

Adoption Diaries: All About Dogs

Elyse's Adoption Diary:

Come on, what's cuter than a litter of brand new kittens?

I met these little guys yesterday. They are being fostered in the office of Barbara MacDonald, who is Volunteer Coordinator, Feline Enrichment, at the ASPCA Adoption Center. I don't know how she gets any work done (but she does--she's fabulous!).

After I pried myself away from the kittens, I headed on over to Bark Avenue to play with some doggies. When I walked into Cola's room (which is bigger than my cubicle), Cola greeted me on her hind legs, her ears straight in the air. This funny girl cracked me up--she was more intrigued by my notepad than me, until she realized I give head rubs and my notepad doesn't. When I dared to stop rubbing, she thrust her head into my hands to tell me, "Don't even think about stopping."

Cola is such a sweet girl. The only reason she hasn't been adopted is she's 11, and of course people typically go for the young 'uns. But look at her! How can you resist those giant eyes and that silly underbite! It looks like she has fangs, which is almost scary 'til she starts licking you all over the place like the goofball she is.

Honorable mentions go to Hedley and Eva, two more small dogs who share a room.

Isn't Eva just the silliest little Shih Tzu? And Hedley's got that unbearable "please take me home" face. Ooh, I just want to squish them!

After I had my doggie fix, I went to the cat habitat to visit Whitney, whom I'd been thinking about all week. I was so looking forward to seeing her, but sadly, just as I got there, an animal technician was taking her to the doctor upstairs. I'm keeping my paws crossed for her, and hoping I can see her next week and hear that tremendous purr of hers.

At least I got to play with Harriet. You may recall, I started writing about her last week.

As you can see, she still needs to lose weight, but she's been working very hard on her diet and looks better already! Her coat is really stunning in person. Her colors are quite vibrant and lovely.

That's all for now. Check in next week to read about more animals at our adoption center and get updates on these guys!

Click here to view available animals at our adoption center.

Looking for Love in the Big City?

The recently renovated, state-of-the-art ASPCA Adoption Center hosts the most amazing adoptable dogs and cats—and here at ASPCA.org, we’ve been doing some of our own renovating to help these homeless pets.

The new online ASPCA Adoption Center features fabulous photos of our available animals taken by New York-based professional photographer Geoffrey Tischman, along with detailed descriptions of the animal’s vital stats, ideal home, and likes and dislikes.

Wanna find out how poodle-mix Desdemona gets in touch with her inner diva? We can also introduce you to a tabby whose list of awards includes “Voted Most Macho.” Come check them all out today at the ASPCA Adoption Center. (Even if you’re not looking to adopt in the near future, it’s fun to see who's out there anyway. Hey, you never know!)

Adoption Diaries: Getting To Know You

Elyse's Adoption Diary:

This week I began socializing cats at our adoption center after joining other volunteers in a cat class. My plan is to bring you weekly updates of the cats I get to know. Why? The most important reason is to give these cats some much needed PR, of course (maybe you readers will want to adopt someone!). The other reason is, frankly, I wanted an excuse to gush about kitties and doggies! I'm still in dog training (more on that next week).

So, the cats of the A: Some cats are in cages (really nice, modern ones that don't haver bars!) and others are in habitats. Habitats are spacious rooms that house cats who can freely roam about and interact with each other.

Yesterday, I walked into what I've dubbed the "fat cat habitat." The overweight cats are put together, of course, because they are on similar diets. I made my rounds, patting kitties one by one. Suddenly I heard a gigantic rumble. Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I turned around and saw Whitney frantically trying to get me to come back and pay more attention to her. She stuck her head out as far as it could go, wanting some more ear rubs . Whitney is a 4-year-old stunning snow-white girl. I LOVE white cats! "Ok, Ok!" I told her. "Relax, I'm coming!"

I scooped Whitney up into my arms and carried her to the socialization area. I sat down and she plopped herself on my lap. I'm not kidding, this girl has the loudest purr I've ever heard. Oh man, I'm so in love.

As I played with Whitney, another cat, Harriet, investigated the stuffed meerkat I had on the floor by my purse. Harriet's a cutie--she mostly lounges, but does have little spurts of playful energy. Like when she sees a meerkat. Harriet has been with us since Sept. 06--needless to say, she can really use a home.

I wandered into the next habitat and found Pierre. Pierre is a beautiful boy, here since March 06. He has an old scar with fur missing between his shoulder blades. He'd love to go home with another cat from his habitat or join a household that already has other felines. Pierre is one chill dude.

Here's Pierre coming toward me with that swanky walk and "come hither" eyes.

This is Smokie. Smokie is being fostered in an office by two employees--Karen Lopez, Manager of Shelter Staff and Trish Suess, Intake Assistant. The second I walked in he started purring and licking me (maybe he could tell I had pizza just before?). Smokie is a cuddly mushball who loves to explore--especially boxes. His foster moms said he's getting pretty bored and is needing a home, like, yesterday. I don't blame him! Usually folks get to leave an office after working all day! And he works very, very hard. I hear he's about to be promoted.

Click here to view available animals at our adoption center.

New York Showcases Its Cats This Weekend

If you’d like to spend zero and see 500 cats this weekend, head on over to NYC’s Madison Square Garden for its giant Adopt-A-Cat event. The public is invited—admission free—to meet the homeless cats presented by more than 20 local animal shelters, humane associations and rescue groups.

And yes, of course the felines of the ASPCA will be making an appearance! Once they heard that people were going to be adopting kitties, they told us we better bring them along if we know what’s good for us. And you know cats—can’t say no to ‘em. Of course, the silly kitties also thought the event was at a real garden (we let them down gently).

Public hours:
Saturday, October 13th: 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Sunday, October 14th: 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

**In conjunction with the event, the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's animals, along with the Cat Fancier's Association, will present a Code 3 van parked outside MSG, on 33rd st. and 8th Avenue, both days this weekend. You’ll get a chance to tour a real mobile animal hospital!

This One's For the Kiddies

Top 10 Things You Can Do For Your Dog

October is Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month—and here at the ASPCA, that means that we’re not gonna stop talking about how great dogs are from now until October 31!

To get the pooch party started, we prepared a list of 10 things you can do for your dog this month…and every month!

1. Is your pooch an action hero or a couch potato? If you can’t feel Rover’s ribs, he may need to shed a few pounds. Ask your vet about a healthy and safe doggie diet-and-exercise program.

2. Tag, you’re it! Be sure your dog wears a collar with ID tag that includes your family’s name and phone number.

3. Did you know that your dog has her own personal hair stylist? She sure does—and that would be YOU, of course! It’s a good idea to brush her once or twice a week. (If she has long or curly hair, you’ll need to comb her every day.)

4. Your dog has her own personal trainer, too! Yup, that’s right, you again! Spend at least 20 minutes a day playing her favorite game, whether it’s fetch, Frisbee or find-the-biscuit.

5. Fur sure! Check your dog’s coat and skin for lumps, bumps, flakes and scabs. If you find what looks like teeny specks of black pepper, tell an adult. Poochie may have fleas!

6. Snip tip! Did you know that your dog’s nails should be clipped regularly? Your vet can show you how.

7. Is Boo Boo on his best behavior? A well-mannered pooch can walk on a leash without pulling and understands the commands “Come,” “Sit!” and “Stay!”

8. Mean greens! Keep Kookie away from poisonous plants and trees, including lilies, azaleas, rhododendron, English ivy and yew.

9. Puppies just wanna have fun…and when they start teething, they just wanna chew. Get your pup set up with a nylon bone.

10. Be a hot shot and make sure your dog visits the veterinarian for a checkup once a year.

To learn more about animals, visit Animaland, our website for kids!

Chat About Your Dog's Health With ASPCA Vet -- TODAY!

We've mentioned it a few times, but it's worth repeating: October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month! Here to kick things off is Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President, Veterinary Outreach. Dr. Miller will join us for a live, online TODAY from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST, to answer your health questions about shelter dogs and your own pups. Here are a couple of examples:

I am interested in adopting a special needs dog—what do I need to be prepared for?

What are some less obvious signs that it’s time to take my dog to the vet?

How do small shelters with little money deal with a dog’s health problems?

Miller has been working with pooches at the “A” for almost 30 years and has recently co-edited the first textbook on shelter medicine, Shelter Medicine for Veterinarians and Staff. She’s currently working on a textbook devoted to the management of infectious diseases in shelters.

P.S. Please note, you'll need to log in to post your questions, so click here to sign up if you're not already a member of the ASPCA Community.

Happy October!

Today we're kicking off Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month!

ASPCA Dog Photo Contest

What does your canine pal do when no one's looking? You know…when he has space, time and perhaps permission to set his own agenda for a bit? Like during the day when no one’s home, or out in the backyard when he thinks no one’s looking. Are you up for the challenge? Take a step back from your usual caretaking role for a day, and just observe. Catch your dog in the act of being...your dog.

Enter your photo today!

Resources:
7 Steps to Picture-Perfect Pooches We asked photographer Traer Scott for some tips on capturing companion canines on film.

Need inspiration? Check out last year's winners.

Other awesome goodies for this month that's all about dogs, dogs, dogs:

DOG CARE 101 Caring pet parent + our tips = one happy, healthy companion canine.

GOOD BUDDIES Check out our truly Awww-inspiring pics of pooches and their pals.

OH, BEHAVE! Expert advice on correcting Boo Boo’s bad habits.

BRINGING HOME A NEW POOCH? We’ve got top ten tips for you.

Top 10 Dog Books ASPCA staffers share some of their fave canine-themed reads.

ASPCA in the News: ASPCA Gives Money To Austin Animal Shelters

CBS 42
February 8, 2007

(CBS 42) AUSTIN Austin area animal shelters and organizations received nearly $300,000 Thursday morning. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has pledged hundreds of thousands of dollars for them to start new programs and help continue and upgrade current ones.

Austin is one of four cities receiving money from the ASPCA, along with Philadelphia, Tampa, Fla., and Gulfport Biloxi, Miss.

The ASPCA has worked to prevent cruelty to animals for nearly 150 years, and 2007 is certainly no different.

Read the rest of the news article...

New Article: Shelter Spotlight

Each month we’ll feature shelters across the country that are making a difference in the lives of animals in their community. It’s time to get the word out about these movers and shakers!

MEOW: Cooperation, for Cats’ Sake
In the world of animal welfare, bad news often dominates the headlines. And it’s not just the media that ignites pessimism—sometimes organizations with varying philosophies within a community aren’t as kind to one another as they could be.

The greater Seattle area, however, is a wonderful example of a community (and there are many across the country!) with a different mindset. The area boasts an extensive network of shelters, rescue groups and independent rescuers who all work together to tackle challenges and create solutions.

Read the rest of the Shelter Spotlight...

ASPCA in the News: NY1 Video of New NYC Shelter

Watch the video of NY1's Roger Clark reporting on the ASPCA's newly renovated NYC shelter!

Download Video: dialup / broadband

New at the ASPCA Store: "Shelter Dogs" (We love this book!)

Over 50 shelter dog portraits! From the book Shelter Dogs, Merrell Publishers 2006, photo credit (c) Traer Scott 2006.

While volunteering at shelters, photographer Traer Scott was asked to take photos of the dogs she was working with for records and Internet adoption sites. As her files grew, Scott realized that many of the dogs whose photos she had in her archives never made it out of the shelter alive. “I found that no matter what, I couldn’t bring myself to delete their photos, which were in some cases the only record of their existence,” she says. A few months later, Scott began to create the beautiful, honest portraits that make up Shelter Dogs. The 96-page book features 50 dogs, their souls and spirits revealed through Scott’s images. The author included notes explaining how each dog came to the shelter and what eventually happened to him or her. As important as it is beautiful, Shelter Dogs is a must for anyone who cares about animals—and anyone who’s ever been to a shelter. Quite simply, we love this book. Buy it now from the ASPCA Online Store!

ASPCA in the News: Renovated shelters are the cat's meow

USA Today

The surroundings are plush. There are duplexes with glass walls, funky modular furniture, brightly colored cushions and hallways lined with elegant portraits.

This is no luxurious Manhattan co-op, at least not one inhabited by people. The residents enjoying these high-gloss digs are more than 350 homeless cats and dogs living in the newly renovated shelter unveiled Monday by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

With the $5 million upgrade, the ASPCA replaced cages with glass cubicles, cinderblock walls with waterproof Corian. They installed high-energy air filters and stucco ceilings to cut down on odors and noise. Piped-in sounds soothe the animals. Cats, for example, get the sounds of birdsongs and babbling brooks.

Read the rest of the article and view the photo gallery.

Shelter Spotlight: Summer Camp, Shelter-Style

Each month we’ll feature shelters across the country that are making a difference in the lives of animals in their community. It’s time to get the word out about these movers and shakers!



Summer Camp, Shelter-Style
Ah, summer camp! Hikes in the woods, arts and crafts in the rec. hall, scratchy name tags sewn into your clothing, perhaps even your first kiss. While you might not expect the same experiences at a camp sponsored by a shelter, nature walks, making toys for shelter animals and sloppy dog kisses are common threads that run through many of them. No need to label your underwear, these day camps run from three to six hours a day for one to three weeks. Let’s sample some of the variety served up by three camps in Madison, NJ, New Orleans, LA, and Staten Island, NY.

Read the rest of this article...

Tags: ASPCA, Animal Shelters, Summer Camp

Save the Strays - The $10K Challenge

In an effort to salvage a program to save New York City’s homeless animals, the ASPCA is pledging $10,000 to the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, Inc.—and we’re challenging compassionate citizens to match our donation dollar-for-dollar by July 31.

Are you up for the $10K Challenge?

The rising cost of gasoline has curtailed the efforts of the Mayor’s Alliance to fuel a transport van that shuttles animals from city shelters to foster homes until these animals can be adopted. Most of these animals would otherwise be euthanized.

But with your support, we can ensure that the Mayor’s Alliance continues its transportation initiative. Please take up the challenge to match our grant today—the city’s homeless animals need our help!

You can make a secure donation online today, or mail your donation to the ASPCA, c/o Mayor’s Alliance, 424 East 92nd St., New York, NY 10128.

ASPCA in the News: Sheltered pets get a $10K reprieve

amNewYork: Sheltered pets get a $10K reprieve

Inspired by an amNewYork story published Thursday, the ASPCA has pledged $10,000 to help strays whose lives are at stake -- and it's asking you to help too.

After reading the exclusive story Thursday about how rising gas prices are crippling a program that transports animals from city shelters to foster homes, officials at the ASPCA decided to make the grant to the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals.

"We hate to see rising gas prices usurp efforts to save the lives of adoptable pets," said Edwin Sayres, president and chief executive of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "The Mayor's Alliance program is crucial to saving the lives of cats and dogs that otherwise would never have a chance and in getting us closer to our goal of being a no-kill city."

Read the rest of the story...

Top Ten Ways to Help Your Local Shelter

You don’t have to be an animal expert to help out at your community’s shelter. You just need to have the time and desire to lend a helping hand. And it doesn’t have to be a lot of time, either. In fact, whatever you do for a living, you’re bound to have skills and talents that your local shelter can use.

1. Go To School!
Dog school, that is. Grab a handful of tasty treats, find a suitable canine and get to class. Helping teach shelter dogs to sit, stay, walk calmly on a leash or shake paws will make them infinitely more adoptable. The Humane Society and SPCA of Austin, TX, for example, boasts a team of volunteers who spend their time playing with puppies and taking adolescent dogs to obedience classes. Other helpers pursue more advanced training and learn how to evaluate temperaments and match adopters with suitable dogs.
Read the rest of the ways to help your local shelter...

Top Ten Reasons to Adopt from an Animal Shelter

1. No assembly required! Shelter pets come complete with shots, house training and a lifetime of love.

2. Every dog should have his (adoption) day.

3. Make a fast friend. (It only takes minutes, but it lasts a lifetime.)

4. You can’t find Cats on Broadway anymore.

5. Girls dig guys who are sensitive and caring.

6. Guys dig girls with cool dogs.

7. Shelters are filled with stars waiting to be discovered—just ask Benji and Morris!

8. You current best friend probably can’t catch a Frisbee in his mouth.

9. You can stop looking for love in all the wrong places.

10. It’s the easiest way to gain superhero status.

Read more adoption tips...