BCHS Shelter Puppy Finds Loving Home

Photo: Aubri with Todd

Summer generally is a tough time for animal shelters across the country in terms of being at capacity. The Bradford County Humane Society is no exception. Dogs of all types of breeds, cats, kittens and puppies find their way into the shelter doors.

One such terrier mix puppy the staff named Toad came into BCHS as a stray in June. Toad had no hair and was suffering from a skin condition called Demodex. Demodex is a form of mite that lives in the hair follicles. In most dogs, these mites never cause problems. However, in certain situations, such as an underdeveloped or impaired immune system, intense stress, or malnutrition, the mites can reproduce rapidly, causing symptoms in sensitive dogs that range from mild irritation and hair loss on a small patch of skin to severe and widespread inflammation. Toad’s condition is not contagious to other dogs, nor humans, and he is on medication to help alleviate the issue. His hair is beginning to grow back and he remains a happy, go lucky puppy.

BCHS began asking the community for a foster home for him so he could thrive and get more attention, but Toad ended up finding a forever home. Aubri Mosier from Ulster adopted him and renamed him Todd. She states that he is extremely happy in his new home with her other pets Mitchell, a mixed breed dog also adopted from BCHS, and Nick, a Jack Russell Terrier Beagle mix. Todd’s hair is all growing back and he is a happy, healthy puppy.

If you are thinking of getting a new pet for your home, check your local animal shelters. There are so many dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens that are looking for a special home.

Foster Needed For Shelter Puppy

Photo: Toad, a terrier mix and Amanda Forbes, BCHS Vet Tech Assistant

Summer generally is a tough time for animal shelters across the country in terms of being at capacity. The Bradford County Humane Society is no exception. Dogs of all types of breeds, cats, kittens and puppies find their way into the shelter doors.

One such terrier mix puppy the staff named Toad came into BCHS as a stray in June. Toad had no hair and was suffering from a skin condition called Demodex. Demodex is a form of mite that lives in the hair follicles. In most dogs, these mites never cause problems. However, in certain situations, such as an underdeveloped or impaired immune system, intense stress, or malnutrition, the mites can reproduce rapidly, causing symptoms in sensitive dogs that range from mild irritation and hair loss on a small patch of skin to severe and widespread inflammation. Toad’s condition is not contagious to other dogs, nor humans, and he is on medication to help alleviate the issue. His hair is beginning to grow back and he remains a happy, go lucky puppy.

All dogs, especially puppies need socialization with humans. BCHS is looking for a special foster home to take care of Toad where he would receive more attention and would thrive in a home environment.

If you are interested in fostering Toad, please call the shelter at 888-2114 or stop into the shelter on Route 220 in Ulster to fill out a Foster application.

Senior Project Raises over $1,200 for BCHS

Many schools in our community and across the country require high school seniors to choose a non profit organization to do a Senior Project. The project normally entails performing a certain amount of community service hours as well as possibly raising funds for the organization.

Mikayla Lambert, a high school senior living in New York City at ballet school but enrolled in a cyber school associated with Sullivan County High School chose to do her senior project for the Bradford County Humane Society.

"I really care about animals and wanted to raise money and supplies for the Bradford County Humane Society," stated Lambert.

She wrote letters and made several phone calls to local Sullivan County and Bradford County businesses to raise a total of $1,270 plus pet food, cat litter and other supplies to support BCHS.

"This type of support is so important to the sustainability of our shelter. There are so many wonderful students in our communities that choose us as their senior project. It makes me proud to know that so many care for animals. The fact that Mikayla did all of this remotely while in New York City is truly phenomenal," stated Jennifer L. Spencer, BCHS Executive Director.

BCHS would like to extend a huge thank you to Mikayla and all of the businesses that support the shelter.

6 Year Old's Birthday Party Benefits BCHS

On Sunday, June 9th, Anna Dunn from Wysox held her 6th birthday party in honor of the Bradford County Humane Society. 15 children and some adults attended her party and donated cat food, dog food, treats, and other supplies for the animal shelter.

"It always makes me so happy to see children so selfless to want to donate to our shelter in lieu of birthday gifts. Our animals sure appreciate it!", stated Jennifer L. Spencer, BCHS Executive Director.

BCHS encourages anyone to hold a fundraiser to help support the homeless and abandoned animals.

Photo: Emily Dunn, Anna Dunn, and Chickie, a hound mix available for adoption.

Gabriel Needs Your Help

About a month ago a stray Siamese cat named Gabriel found his way into the Bradford County Humane Society's doors. Straggly and unable to walk properly, BCHS staff took him to Milan Vet Clinic to be medically assessed. It was determined that he had been hit by a vehicle of some sort and had two separate breaks in his leg. Surgery involved putting pins in his leg to repair the breaks.

Happy, spirited and very loving, Gabriel came out of surgery and is doing very well. His surgical bill was well over $750 that BCHS paid for . BCHS is asking for the community's assistance to help pay for his surgical bills.

"Every year our shelter spends at least $18,000 on veterinary bills to care for our homeless and abandoned animals. As a nonprofit animal welfare organization we struggle to provide funding. We are lucky to have people in our local communities help us when in need," stated Jennifer L. Spencer, BCHS Executive Director.

If you can help Gabriel with his expenses, please send a check to BCHS, PO Box 179, Ulster, PA 18850 and note that it is for Gabriel's vet bill. Any donation, big or small will help.

Towanda High School Senior Builds Dog House for BCHS

Photo: Chyenne Ackley and BCHS Dog Perro

Chyenne Ackley, a senior at Towanda High School, decided to help out the Bradford County Humane Society by building a dog house for their shelter dogs. As a high school senior, she had to do a Senior Project. This portion of her project was to fulfill her community service hours.

Using her own money, Ackley purchased all materials needed to construct the dog house. For two months Chyenne worked at putting it all together.

"This is truly phenomenal that Chyenne not only chose us for her community service hours, but that she constructed such a beautiful dog house. It is so well constructed. We will use it in our back exercise yard for our shelter dogs," stated Jennifer L. Spencer, BCHS Executive Director.

If you are interested in helping out your local Bradford County Humane Society, contact Jennifer at 570-888-2114.

The Bradford County Humane Society is a United Way Agency.

Stellabration Supports BCHS

Photo: Kathy Hollingsead, Baby Peyton, and Jennifer L. Spencer, BCHS Executive Director

When the Hollingsead family adopted Stella, a blue tick coon hound puppy, in the Spring of 2008 there was no way for them to know what an impact this young pup would have on dogs and cats all over the county.

A few weeks after the Hollingseads adopted Stella, her young and angelic life was suddenly cut short. This loss left the family heartbroken and devastated. Anyone who has experienced this kind of loss understands the pain and sorrow associated with the passing of a beloved family pet. Unlike many dogs, this was not the end of young Stella’s legacy.

One year after the loss of Stella, the Hollingseads hosted a “Stellabration”. Family, friends, and well-wishers were invited to celebrate the short life of little Stella. People were asked to bring in donations or a loving gift for one of the homeless animals at the Bradford County Humane Society. The Hollingseads served food in dog and cat dishes, they served numerous hot dogs, “Stella” beer, and an amazing cat litter cake topped with cookie crumbs and tootsie rolls. The cake was placed in a litter pan and served with a cat litter-scooper.

The Stellabration continues to grow bigger every year as family and friends come out to support and honor Stella’s tragically short life. The 5th annual Stellabration was held in April and truly displayed everyone’s compassion for their companions as they received a remarkable amount of support. The Stellabration raised over $1,100 to help needy animals from all over the county. Participants also donated hundreds of pounds of pet food, cat litter, and several other boxes packed full of canned food, cleaning supplies, assorted toys and blankets.

On behalf of the Bradford County Humane Society, we would like to extend a special thank you to the Hollingsead family and everyone who attended this year’s remembrance.