News Briefs
Computers Needed
Are you upgrading your computers at work or at home? Please keep Willamette Humane Society in mind for your old machine!
The dust and hair from the animals we shelter takes its toll, and we are constantly in need of replacements.
To donate your computer, please bring it to the shelter at 4246 Turner Rd SE, or contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Minimum Requirements:
- SATA Hard Drive
- 2 GB of DDR2 RAM
- 1 gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit processor
WHS partners with the ASPCA and S.T.A.R.T. to save dogs
Willamette Humane Society is proud to partner with Shelter Transport Animal Rescue Team (S.T.A.R.T.) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) for an arriving transfer of dogs from southern California on Thursday, May 2nd. Once at Willamette Humane Society, the dogs will receive medical examinations, temperament testing, spay or neuter surgery if necessary, and all due care before being made available for adoption in the days following the transfer.
With ASPCA support, S.T.A.R.T. volunteers will depart with 100 dogs by ground transport from Riverside County Department of Animal Services in California on April 30th to make the long journey north.
The dogs are being transported so that they may be put up for adoption in Oregon and Washington, where they are more likely to find homes than in southern California. The ASPCA’s coordinated national relocation program draws on the proven economic theory of supply and demand to transport sheltered dogs from localities where supply exceeds demand to areas where demand matches the supply of adoptable dogs.
Having a healthy demand exceeding its local supply of dogs, Willamette Humane Society has partnered with S.T.A.R.T. since May 2012, and has been able to find homes for nearly 300 dogs originating from southern California.
Introducing the Kennel Buddy program for volunteers
Willamette Humane Society is proud to announce the Kennel Buddy program. In addition to three walks a day and playgroups each week, we now have special volunteers known as Kennel Buddies to visit with dogs.
Watch our Kennel Buddy video, featuring the song “Open the Door” by Judy Collins.
The Kennel Buddy program gives extra companionship to dogs waiting for adoption. It helps to prevent or overcome “kennel stress,” and is an excellent way to form a positive association with their space and learn new skills!
For volunteers who can’t accommodate a regular dog-walking schedule, being a Kennel Buddy is the perfect way to spend quality time with dogs on the adoption floor. Buddies spend as little or as much time with the dogs of their choice.
Join our team of volunteers as a Kennel Buddy today! To become a Kennel Buddy, attend a Volunteer Orientation, and complete a Volunteer Application. After a short interview and Open Paw training, you’ll be ready to “open the door and come on in” to the kennels to help the dogs! For more information, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or call 503-585-5900 ext. 312.
Announcing the 2013 Humaneitarian Award Recipients
Click here to view the event slideshow
Dr. Sheri Morris, Dr. Mark Stoenner & Juan Lopez of Willamette Valley Animal Hospital (WVAH) accepted the 2013 Humaneitarian Award at a special public reception on Wednesday, April 17, at the Copper Hill Reception Center. In its seventh year, the Humaneitarian Award is presented by Capitol Subaru, and recognizes a person or group who exemplifies Willamette Humane Society’s mission of providing compassionate services to pets and people.
Dr. Morris says their mission at WVAH is to “help people by helping their pets.” They provide free examinations and discounted veterinary services to non-profit rescue groups, including Marion County Dog Control, Hope’s Haven, Second Chance Salem, Fences for Fido, Goodfellas Pit Bull Rescue, St Martin’s Rescue, Salem Friends of Felines and others. The team at WVAH has also raised over $20,000 to assist area rescues by donating the proceeds from a series of low cost vaccine clinics. For needy clients, WVAH established a “Happy Ending Fund,” which provides approximately $500 of veterinary services each month to cover everything from basic exams to fracture repairs and life-saving surgeries.
WVAH’s community involvement goes beyond their clients and area rescues. Community Outreach Coordinator Juan Lopez is involved in everything from education projects with Salem-Keizer School District and Salem Public Library to services for pets of the elderly through Willamette Valley Hospice. “I have taken a very special interest in working with the pets that belong to homeless American Veterans” said Lopez. Together with Dr. Stoenner, he provides veterinary care to pets of the homeless, and coordinates with the American Red Cross to setup warming tents during the colder months of the year for pets and their owners. “Most homeless shelters do not allow animals indoors, and most homeless pet owners would rather freeze outdoors risking their own lives just to be with their pets” said Lopez. With the support of WVAH, Juan Lopez has been a key player in organizing service days for the homeless and their pets with the cooperation of the City of Salem, local churches, and service groups.
Three new awards were also given at the ceremony, sponsored by Capitol Subaru, Valley Credit Union, and Mountain West Investment Corp. The Golden Paw award went to Tracy Crandall for her involvement in animal welfare and exemplary prior service as a Willamette Humane Society board member. The Young Paw Award went to Harley Amick for her intensive work as a young volunteer, and for helping to establish the Humane-a-Teen initiative at Willamette Humane Society. The Volunteer of the Year award was given- along with an honorary embroidered red apron, the official garb of WHS volunteers- to Randy Mills for 1,000 hours of service this year alone, and his demonstrated passion for making the match between adopters and pets.
Career Opportunities at Willamette Humane Society
We are currently hiring for a wide range of positions at Willamette Humane Society! Join our team of dedicated professional staff to serve the pets and people of our community!
Current openings include:
- Cleaning Specialist
- Adoption Specialist - On Call
- Development Assistant B
- Shelter Operations Director
Click here to learn more or apply
New Cat Condo Pass-throughs Installed
Thanks to a grant from the Bernice Barbour Foundation in January, the kennels in Cattery B are getting a much needed expansion. By merging two adjoining kennels by means of a pass-through, the expansion provides the cats with greater physical mobility, particularly for our larger cats or litters. Studies have identified ideal kennel accomodations for reduced stress in cats, and our merged kennels bring us closer to this ideal. The kitten room recently had this upgrade completed, and the kittens love it.
Salem Heating and Sheet Metal is currently in the process of adjoining the kennels, and the cats are very excited. Come on down to WHS Thursday through Mondays, and see how the new kennels help the cats to stretch, play, eat, or whatever cats like to do.
Watch a video of the construction here.
Watch a video of the kittens at play in the new playroom here.
Watch The New Mary’s Place video!
Check out the new video from the grand opening of “Mary’s place,” the new puppy and small dog playroom. Special thanks to Wendy Brokaw and CCTV for the production of the video.
Watch it HERE.
New Cat Adoption Blog
Have you seen the cool new cat adoption blog? New WHS volunteers, Shelly Mackerell and daughter Elisha have started photographing our cats and putting them on a blog to increase exposure and chances for adoption. Check it out here!
How You Can Help the Seized Dogs From Brooks
Many of you have asked how you can help in our efforts after the recent seizure of the dogs from the Brooks warehouse.
As for donations, Jen Kaser, our Shelter Manager, noted we could use some enrichment treats and toys (see ideas below). Of course, any cash donations you or your friends may chose to make to help underwrite the cost of initial and potentially extended care for these and other dogs within our shelter. (We have other dogs on protective custody awaiting legal action too.)
Suggested Donations for the Brooks dogs and others in strays or isolation:
• Enrichment treats such as Nylabones (med-large) or (real) marrow bones,
• Kongs (we have plenty of PNB to stuff them at present) and other strong chew toys,
• Wet canned dog food,
• General training treats or dog biscuits - not made in china!
• Monetary gifts to cover some of the medical test and treatment costs.
Want more ideas? View our published Shelter Wish List on our website – under Donate at: http://willamettehumanesociety.org/animal/shelter/donate/shelter-wish-list/
WHS Takes in 14 Dogs in Brooks Dog Abuse Case
During the evening hours of Sunday, January 13, Marion County Deputies and animal control officers contacted Willamette Humane Society (WHS) Shelter Director Jamie Fitzpatrick regarding a potential dog neglect case. WHS was asked to take in some of the dogs rescued from the horrific conditions in which they had been kept. Marion County Sherriff’s officers, Dog Shelter personnel and veterinarian cruelty officers served a warrant and entered a warehouse in Brooks filled with 140 dogs.
After law enforcement finished its initial evidence collection, WHS was allowed to enter the warehouse to help assess the animals. Initially WHS had agreed to take in only seven dogs, but after seeing the horrific need, Shelter Operations Director, Jamie Fitzpatrick agreed to double the amount, taking in 14 dogs into the facility.
All 14 dogs are receiving medical care and special refeeding plans. Almost all the animals are seriously underweight, several with various sores, injuries, and potential ailments. By Monday, several had just begun to lift their heads, raise off their beds or attempt to engage with staff after their initial fearful or lethargic behaviors.
Shelter leadership will work with our shelter veterinarian and medical staff to establish treatment protocols. “We may be caring for these dogs under protective custody for months through court dates unless they are ‘surrendered’ to the respective shelters,” said Joan Towers, WHS Executive Director.
Marion County Dog Shelter took in 20of the abused animals. WHS took in 14, and Oregon Humane Society took the rest. While WHS does not have the resources of larger facilities, or the staff equipped or empowered by law to do cruelty investigations, caring staff provide compassion and varied services to homeless and abused pets.
