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Kiwi, Callie and Simone In-between

By Cathy McCafferty - Shelter Supervisor

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and this picture of Kiwi, Simone, Callie, Casper and Cooper definitely is. The Olney family started fostering kittens for the Sonoma County Animal Shelter in the spring of 2002, and they have been fostering and volunteering ever since.

The first litter that they fostered included a very sweet kitten, Kiwi, which they adopted. Foster volunteers are a wonderful breed, and the labor of love that they provide is hard to measure as they care for, socialize and teach orphaned litters and pets with special needs in their homes. I think it helps even more to have a permanent pet in the foster home that can assist with socializing and even grooming at times.

Simone the bunny was also adopted by the Olney's from the Sonoma County Animal Shelter, and it is fun for them to watch as Simone and Kiwi interact with their latest litter of fostered kittens, Callie, Casper and Cooper. There is a lot to learn for a young animal and much can be taught by an active foster family and their pets.

And foster volunteers also fall in love with their foster animals and find new wonderful forever members of their families as they serve their animal shelter and community. This adoption highlight reads like a piece on fostering, but through fostering three awesome pets, Kiwi and Callie with Simone in-between, found a fantastic home.

Shelter Story

Caring Kids

By Cindy Williams - Operations Manager

We are truly amazed by the resourcefulness and thoughtfulness of some very caring kids. There are many ways that members of the community help to support the Sonoma County Animal Shelter and the animals that we care for, but few get our complete attention as quickly as those who are so young and generous with their time, energy and money.

Stella Kampmann had a birthday party and asked that all gifts be a monetary donation for the Sonoma County Animal Shelter, raising $252.10 (which actually turned out to be $266.22 after our account clerk counted it). Thank you Stella!

Hailey Grantham completed some service hours for a church personal progress program, and donated 13 22" x 22" blankets that she quilted for our feline friends. Thank you Hailey!

Cousins and siblings Julian DeMaderios, Roman DeMaderios, Anthony Hogan, Celine Hogan and Micaela Peavey had a lemonade stand and donated $49.00. Mom and Auntie Angelica emailed that the kids "are looking forward to their next lemonade stand and returning with another donation." Thank you Julian, Roman, Anthony, Celine and Micaela!

Another youth donated $30.00 from a garage sale. Thank you caring kids of Sonoma County! Your contributions and generosity are greatly appreciated, and are making a huge difference for so many homeless animals.

Kinsey

By John Strathman, DVM – Shelter Veterinarian

An adorable older female beagle dog we call "Kinsey" came to us in early August 2011. We examined her and other than packing a few extra pounds, she seemed to be pretty healthy. We spayed her and put her up for adoption.

While out on walks with our volunteer dog walkers, however, Kinsey appeared to be having some problems. One volunteer thought she was having trouble urinating. Another volunteer thought she was constipated and having trouble going Number 2. There is a dry erase board outside the veterinary clinic where volunteers can post notes on problems they observe with shelter animals. We saw the notes on Kinsey and brought her to the clinic to have a look.

Kinsey was her usual cute and dignified self. She looked great, actually. But when I palpated her abdomen and got to the area where her bladder is, I felt something pretty weird like a bean bag or a bag of rocks. It was her urinary bladder all right and it was full of rocks. Cystic calculi, that is. And it felt like it was chock full.

We took Kinsey to surgery, opened her bladder and removed the stones. Her bladder contained about 20 calculi ranging in size from pea to golf ball. About 90% of her bladder lumen was occupied with stones. It's hard to say how long Kinsey had these stones, plus the urinary tract infection that caused them to form, but she has probably been suffering quietly for months, if not years.

Our volunteer dog walkers and kitty cuddlers give generously of their time to socialize, exercise, and share their love with animals that are awaiting new homes. Kinsey's case illustrates another great service that our volunteers provide. They spot problems and bring them to the attention of the veterinary staff so that we can take action. The volunteers that told us about Kinsey's difficulties probably saved her life. She is going to feel so much better being rid of those nasty bladder stones! Kinsey is such a stoic dog that a casual observer would easily overlook her serious medical problem. My hat is off to our astute volunteers, not only for their compassion in coming to the shelter to spend time with our animals, but for their sharp eyes and observations that help us provide better medical care. Thanks so much, guys!

Animal Control

Tyra

By Shirley Zindler – Animal Control Officer

Animal Control Officer Dustin Root received a call for a stray dog running loose in a busy parking lot. When he arrived, he found a scrawny black Great Dane puppy running in terror from everyone who approached. Finally, with patience and help from concerned citizens, he was able to corner and capture the pup.

Back at the shelter, the dog continued to shrink in fear from everyone. Animal Health Technicians Anne Figoni and Edward Kimball spent time working with her and she improved slightly but seemed unable to cope with the slightest challenge. Her behavior probably came from lack of socialization. Dogs that don't receive critical socialization during puppyhood have no idea how to deal with new people or experiences. She didn't know what a leash was and was terrified of everything. She sat through her stray hold without being claimed and was too freaked out, with the potential to bite, to be adopted. Something in the dog's total helplessness and depression spoke to me and I took her home to foster.

Having fostered and re-homed more than 300 dogs, our family is used to visiting canines but this dog was almost completely unresponsive. She showed no interest in me, my family or my other pets. She had finally started walking on a leash and would follow me dismally until I stopped and then she would lie down and refuse to move. We named her Tyra and spent a great deal of time coaxing her with treats and gentle handling but she remained completely shut-down emotionally. It seemed that for her, life was just something to be endured. She showed no joy in any of the usual things that dogs like to do. Most dogs are wanting to bond with me within a day or so but the days passed with little progress.

Tyra's coat had somewhat of a moth-eaten appearance and the vet discovered that she had mange as well as a respiratory infection. In addition to her other issues she had to have daily medications and horrible smelling dips. Getting a freaked-out dog with mile-long legs into the tub every week for a bath and dip was an experience in itself. As she recovered her health, her attitude improved as well. My husband's meatballs finally brought her around to the fact that people could be a good thing.

I brought Tyra to work with me each day and everyone from officers to shelter staff coaxed her with treats and affection. In the truck she slept on a bed I provided on the passenger seat. Going to work and riding in the truck proved to be helpful in building her confidence.

Gradually Tyra's true personality began to blossom and she came out of her shell. A truly delightful and intelligent Great Dane started prancing through life like she owned the world.

Shelter staff often volunteer to foster special needs animals, and our home was no exception. Sadly, during the time that we were fostering Tyra, our beloved rescue Doberman, Luci, passed away due to kidney failure. I had planned on eventually adopting another rescue Doberman but Tyra worked her Dane magic on us daily until we decided that she was home for good.

Thanks to Officer Root and all of the shelter staff, Tyra is now one of the happiest, silliest dogs I've ever known. She has doubled in size and her joy knows no bounds. She crashes through the house, bashing walls and clearing coffee tables with her ecstatically lashing tail. Fostering is a wonderfully rewarding way to make a difference in the life of a needy animal and it sometimes results in a beloved new family member too.

Volunteer Spotlight

Shirleé McLean

By Greg Mortensen – Volunteer Coordinator

Among our many excellent volunteers, this month we are spotlighting one of our Canine Kennel Assistants/Dog Walkers, Shirleé McLean.

Shirleé has volunteered at the Sonoma County Animal Shelter for one and a half years. She has a lot of energy and works hard exercising and training our adoptable dogs. You will see her in the dog playground and dog runs playing and running with the dogs. Shirleé comes and gives them her full attention and it shows.

Shirleé also helps with Mobile Adoptions and Special Events. Our Animal Health Technician, Ed Kimball, started a field trip program for our shelter dogs, and Shirleé participates by going to the beach and parks helping the dogs have a wonderful time. Shirleé has walked dogs in parades and has helped shelter dogs get adopted at mobile adoptions. Our adoptions are on the rise and one of the reasons is because of volunteers like Shirleé.

We would like to thank Shirleé for all that she does to assist our pets, especially our canine friends, the staff and the public.

If you are interested in volunteering at the shelter, please contact Greg Mortensen at 707-565-7116 or visit us on-line at www.theanimalshelter.org for more information.