Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week September 17-23

In animal shelters across the country, stray dogs and cats and owner surrendered animals are sitting in cages waiting for that special person or family to come and adopt them. Unfortunately for some, their stay can be much longer because they are deemed "less adoptable" for some reason, or are not even considered by people who come in looking for a particular breed, or a puppy or kitten for instance.



Photo: Harriet, our longest term resident, has been at BCHS since March of 2011.


Petfinder.com has announced that September 17th - September 23rd is Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week. This is a chance for those special needs animals to be in the spotlight. Some dogs may be older, or have vision or hearing loss. That certainly doesn't make them unworthy of finding a comfy place by your fireplace, or at your feet or laying on the couch with you as you watch your favorite television show. There are cats that might have had surgery, or are very independent or "set in their ways." They still would like a comfy lap to lay on, or a place on your windowsill to sit in the sun and purr themselves to sleep.

Jennifer L. Spencer, Bradford County Humane Society Executive Director urges those looking for a pet to visit the shelter and view the adoptable pets. "Almost three years ago, I adopted a two-legged Chihuahua that was deemed very unadoptable because of her special needs. I took one look at those eyes and her spunky personality and knew that I had to take her home and care for her. Just because she has a disability doesn't mean that she isn't still a dog and loves to go for walks and play with her toys. She really is independent and is just like any other dog you know!"

There are a few dogs and cats at BCHS that have been at the shelter for many months. They need to find a home and be out of shelter life. We will feature one each day this week.

"Stop by your local animal shelter and take the time to look at all of the animals that are there. Trust me, one of them will find their way into your heart, and your home," states Spencer.

BCHS Memorial Garden Gets an Upgrade

The Bradford County Humane Society has many dedicated volunteers that come in weekly, sometimes even daily to walk dogs, wash dishes, or play with our cats.  One volunteer has worked at the shelter since 2003.  Leona Miller used to come into the shelter and wash cat litter pans, mow lawns, and keep up with other maintenance jobs.  Then she moved 1,200 miles away to Wisconsin.  That didn't stop her dedication to the shelter.  In the summertime Lee (Leona) will stop at BCHS and mow lawns or keep up with a memorial garden that she created on the property for her two beloved dogs that were adopted from BCHS. 

 

Magnum and Titan were both dogs that Lee fell in love with and had to take home to care for.  Magnum passed away in 2007 of cancer, and then recently Titan passed away also from a form of cancer.  "Titan used to dance with me every night and was always by my side. I have a deep hole in my heart and miss him terribly," says Miller. 

 

Although Miller is in pain she is grateful for the work and compassion that the staff has at BCHS.  "I thank God everyday for giving me this life to use to care for animals," states Miller.  "Coming to the shelter keeps me alive and makes me feel good about helping the staff and the animals at BCHS," she went on to say.

 

"Shelter dogs are sitting in their cages waiting for a home and are grateful when they are adopted," states Kennel Manager Maryanne Mosier who has worked at the shelter for over 22 years.

 

Recently Miller came to the shelter to add a memorial plaque to her memorial garden with Titan's name engraved on it.  "We are so thankful for Leona for her years of volunteer service for us, and feel her pain of the loss of her Titan.  We know how difficult losing a pet is." states Jennifer L. Spencer, BCHS Executive Director.

 

BCHS looks forward to the next visit that Lee makes and welcomes her and other volunteers openly. To become a volunteer at BCHS, stop in the shelter and fill out a volunteer application.

BCHS Dog Gets Adopted from Dushore Founder's Day

Karen Sysock and Bella

Every year the Bradford County Humane Society either holds or attends over 35 events in Bradford and Sullivan County. Some of these events are school related, but most are community minded.

On August 11th, the Bradford County Humane Society teamed up with supporters from Dushore Market to have a booth outside of their store. Three adoptable dogs were brought as well as many retail items for sell to support the shelter and informational brochures and photos.

One little star, Bella, came and was instantly capturing the hearts of many onlookers. She was part of a humane seizure from a hoarding situation that took place along with 5 other dogs. Bella, a Yorkshire Terrier Chihuahua Mix also called a "Chorkie" was one of these seized dogs.

One of the workers at Dushore Market, Karen Sysock instantly fell in love. "I felt as if I had to adopt her immediately!" That is exactly what Sysock did. Jennifer L. Spencer, BCHS Executive Director brought Bella back to the shelter in Ulster for Sysock to fill out adoption papers and make the connection complete.

"I love to go to these events when we take adoptable animals and they get adopted out the same day or the next week. It makes it all worthwhile and very rewarding," states Spencer.

For upcoming event listings and to view adoptable pets, click on one of the links in the right menu. Your new pet could be waiting for you!

BCHS to Host Micro-Chipping at Event

A few of the many available kittens at BCHS.

The Bradford County Humane Society is proud to offer enrollment for this year's Micro-chipping event to be held at the Picnic With Your Pooch at the Grovedale Winery on Saturday, September 15th from 12-4.

Wyalusing Valley Pet Clinic will be on hand to insert the chips. We ask that you pre-register with Jennifer at the Bradford County Humane Society by calling 570-888-2114.

The cost for the micro-chip is $35.00 and will be paid at the event.

Microchips have been particularly useful in the return of lost pets. They can also assist where the ownership of an animal is in dispute. BCHS and animal shelters across the country benefit using microchip identification products by more quickly and efficiently returning pets to their owners. When a pet can be quickly matched to its owner, the shelter avoids the expense of housing, feeding, providing medical care, and adopting the pet out.

BCHS is equipped to scan for several different forms of chips should a stray arrive at the shelter, and that is one of the first steps they take to make sure that the dog gets back to its rightful owner.

Adoption Fees Reduced for Spayed and and Neutered Cats

From now through September, adoption fees are reduced to $25 for all spayed and neutered cats at the Bradford County Humane Society. The usual fee for a cat that has been altered is $50.00.

We have a huge selection of cats that are already altered. Many have up to date shots and all are looking for loving homes.

Stop by BCHS on Route 220 in Ulster to see all of the animals up for adoption, or click the link in the menu at right for our pet list.

Photo: Tootsie and Mia, two of our many black and white cats waiting for homes.

BCHS Gearing Up For 4th Annual Picnic With Your Pooch

On Saturday, September 15th from 12-4, the Bradford County Humane Society is partnering with The Grovedale Winery in Wyalusing to hold their 4th Annual Picnic With Your Pooch.

The entrance fee is $3.00 per family, or bring in a bag of dog or cat food to donate to the shelter.
The Wyalusing Pet Clinic will be offering Micro-chipping for your pet. The fee is $35.00 per chip. Please sign up by calling Jennifer at 570-888-2114.

Entertainment for the event includes the River City Trio, games for kids, face painting and much more. Food will be provided by Amore Pizza and others still to come!

Live dog agility demonstrations will be provided throughout the day.

Get a photo of you and your pet! Pet photography will be offered by Ruback's Photography - pet portraits are only $10 each, and $1 of that will be donated back to BCHS! Many other vendors will also be available including 4 Seasons Farmers Market, Creekside Creations, Animal Care Sanctuary and many others.

BCHS will bring shelter dogs up for adoption as well as photos of all of their available pets waiting for their forever homes. BCHS will also be selling various t-shirts, dog and cat toys, scarves, as well as a raffle table with many items from various local businesses, a 50/50, and donations of any kind will be accepted throughout the day.

The Grovedale Winery tasting room will be open all day. Wine can be bought by the glass or bottle to take home or enjoy outside. Grovedale Winery is offering a special bottle of wine with an animal print label - a portion of the money for every bottle sold will be donated to the Humane Society.

Vendors are still being accepted. If you are interested in being a vendor, please call Jennifer at 570-888-2114.

Help BCHS This August

We have many, many kittens available for adoption!

The Bradford County Humane Society urges you to take time out of your busy schedule of work, getting the kids ready for school, taking vacations and other summer activities by thinking of all of the homeless animals at the shelter. "This time of year is so hard on animal shelters. We are so full with stray dogs, cats and even humane cases. We are in need of many things - volunteers, cat litter, pet supplies and for people to open their hearts and homes by adopting a loving animal," states Jennifer L. Spencer, BCHS Executive Director.





In 1992, the International Society for Animal Rights kicked off International Homeless Animal Day to raise awareness about the pet overpopulation epidemic in the U.S., with a focus on spay/neuter programs to reduce the number of unwanted animals.

Harriet is our longest term resident.

At the heart of the matter, International Homeless Animal Day isn't unlike SpayDay USA, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, National Animal ShelterAppreciation Week, and several other similar awareness holidays. But with millions of pets dying in shelters every year, the heart of the matter is still broken and could use all the attention it can get. So, tomorrow is as good a day as any to start changing the future for homeless animals.

Here are four ways you can get involved:

• Help someone get their pet spayed or neutered. With so many animals who need homes, accidental litters and careless backyard breeding only makes the problem worse. You can find a low-cost spay/neuter program in your area to support, or help a local rescue group or neighbor in need pay for the surgery. (And if your own dog or cat hasn't been snipped yet, change starts at home.) 
• Volunteer at your local shelter. Any help you can provide frees up more resources for the animals. Tasks like dog walking not only improve the animals' quality of life while they're locked up, but the interaction, exercise and training that happens on the walks makes them infinitely more adoptable. And, if you're lucky, maybe you'll find your next companion while you're at it. 
• Speak up for homeless animals. Help local shelters get the word out help get their animals loving homes. The animals need us to speak for them. 
• Be the Change. Start a collection for monetary donations, pet food drives, or even collect blankets and towels for the dogs and cats at the shelter. 

Percy

These are all little things that can make a big difference. The homeless pet problem won't disappear overnight, but by the end of the day tomorrow, we can be one step closer ... and one step means lives saved.