Washington Humane Society Blog

Together Forever...We Hope

In July of 2009, Rhett and Scarlett were carried through the doors of the Washington Humane Society for the very first time. Along with twenty other cats, they were rescued by WHS Humane Law Enforcement Officials from an animal hoarding situation. Only two months old, and already the victims of neglect, Rhett and Scarlett were malnourished, fearful of people, and had never received even basic medical care. Once at the shelter, they were intentionally paired together as companions to provide each other with comfort and socialization while staff members and volunteers worked tirelessly to assure their health and well-being.  

The moment we were all waiting for arrived in September: Scarlett and Rhett, now affectionate healthy cats, were adopted together!  However, their story does not end there.   Almost three months ago, Rhett and Scarlett were returned to the Washington Humane Society.  Facing military deployment overseas, their loving adopters could no longer care for them.  Just like their namesakes, Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler, of the classic American epic Gone with the Wind, this pair has faced drama and uncertainty as the world they knew has fallen apart around them and comforts have been lost.  Invested in their present well-being and future, the Washington Humane Society understands the stress their experiences have caused them.

With this in mind, Scarlett and Rhett are once again available for adoption as a pair at our Georgia Avenue location.  As littermates and a bonded pair, often found sharing food, grooming each other and snuggled as one in a comfortable cat bed, it is crucial for Rhett and Scarlett to find their forever home together.  While “frankly my dear” adult pairs tend to remain on our adoption floor longer than cats not required to be adopted as part of a pair, it’s worth the wait knowing that Scarlett and Rhett will always have the comfort of each other.  In the meantime, Washington Humane Society staff members and volunteers work together to provide Scarlett and Rhett with care and affection as we wait for their future adopter(s).  Rhett and Scarlett remain hopeful because, in the words of the legendary Scarlett O’Hara, “after all, tomorrow is another day.”

Washington Humane Society takes pride in the fact that we do everything we can for every animal in our care. You can help us provide even more care and comfort by helping us secure a spot in the ASPCA's $100K Challenge. In order to enter the competition to win the $100,000, Washington Humane Society has to be in the top 50 for online votes out of the 93 groups competeting nationally. Voting can be done every day and ends on April 15th. Please help animals like Rhett and Scarlett by voting for Washington Humane Society at www.votetosavelives.org 

Submitted by: Lexi Lepiarz, Animal Care Manager/Interim Shelter Manager, WHS Georgia Avenue

Update on Ivan

Many of you may remember, Ivan was stolen out of his kennel in the adoption area at the WHS’s New York Avenue shelter last December.  Due to fast reactions of staff and immediate help of the local media in circulating his story, Ivan was returned safely to the shelter very shortly after, making for a great outcome to what may have ended tragically.  However, his story does not end there; he is still waiting for his happy ending.

Ivan has been in the home of a WHS foster volunteer since he was returned to us and he has been patiently waiting for a new family to call his own.  A lively, active, 9 month old puppy, Ivan is quite a snuggler, according to his foster parents but he is also very happy to play in the yard and go for walks. He will make a great companion for someone who enjoys the outdoors and wants an enthusiastic canine company.  He is house trained and crate trained and would really enjoy doing a training class in a group setting.  If you are interested in adopting Ivan contact WHS New York Ave facility for more information 202-576-6664

Ivan and friend playing at the shelter

Help Washington Humane Society provide care to more animals like Ivan by voting for us in the ASPCA's $100,000 Challenge to Save Lives at www.votetosavelives.org

 

Submitted by - Jess Townsend, WHS Customer Service Manager/Rescue Coordinator

 

Doggie Play Groups in Full Swing!

  The Adoption Center on New York Avenue is faced with many challenges, it’s a rather old building and has limited space for the number of animals we take in but it is fortunate to have significant outdoor space. This space is now the focus of a new behavioral enrichment program that almost all of the dogs benefit from, this, our new Play Group program has instantly shown great results!

On average, WHS’s shelter on New York Avenue houses 3,000-4,000 dogs annually, and can house as many as 100 dogs at a time. For this many dogs, it is challenging to provide them with the mental and physical stimulation that they require so that they remain happy and healthy during their stay. By introducing play groups to our current enrichment and training programs, we are adding another important layer to the overall health of our shelter dogs and socializing with other dogs prepares them for their new homes. This also gives staff more information about their personalities, which helps us make good adoption matches. And we sure do want to increase adoptions!

The play group program comprises at least three types of play groups: puppy play groups, active and energetic adult dog play groups, and older and/or small dog play groups. Staff supervision is an important element of the play groups. It is important that we determine what is and is not appropriate play and keep the dogs safe.

Play groups are a great benefit to the dogs for so many reasons, and they are also great for staff. In this field we often face stressful or sad situations, and what better way to relieve some of the stress by spending time with the animals that we care for so much? Every day since the program started the staff and volunteers have noticed positive changes. Dogs that once incessantly barked at other dogs when they walked by their cages now seem more relaxed, more at ease in the presence of the other dogs.

We are looking forward to the success of this program and encourage staff from other WHS locations to come visit any time to see some of the action!

WHS staff is constantly developing programs like this to make the life of shelter animals more complete during their stay. You can help by helping Washington Humane Society qualify for a spot to win $100,000 in the ASPCA’s $100K Challenge to Save Lives. Please take a moment to log onto www.votetosavelives.org and vote for Washington Humane Society. You can vote everyday until April 15^th 2011 and every vote counts.

 

 

 

Appeal from WHS President & CEO, Lisa LaFontaine

Please listen to the follwing appeal from WHS President and CEO, Lisa LaFontaine

 

Vote for WHS in the ASPCA's $100K Challenge to save lives at www.votetosavelives.org

 

 

The Story of Brandy

When they brought her to us they said a "table fell on her" and they couldn't afford to bring her to the hospital.  It was clear that her leg was broken and that she was in desperate need of medical attention.  The female puppy was about 2 ½ months old and despite her obvious discomfort, could not stop wagging her tail or giving kisses to all the WHS staff who took turns holding her.

We brought the puppy, now called Brandy, to our friends at SouthPaws in Fairfax where we knew she would be given the best care possible.  Upon examination the doctor concluded that a table may indeed have fallen on her, but it happened some time ago... poor Brandy had likely been suffering for weeks!

There is no way to know what really happened to Brandy, but once she entered our care we knew that we had to do everything within our power to help this sweet, innocent dog.  Brandy's leg was fused back together and she was medicated to relieve the pain.  For the first time in a long time, she could rest comfortably and begin the healing process.  It has been two weeks since her successful surgery at SouthPaws and she is well on her way to living the life she deserves.  Brandy is continuing her recovery in a foster home and will soon be ready for adoption.

We were only able to help Brandy because of our Sophie’s Fund for Emergency Medical Care (Sophie’s Fund is a temporarily restricted fund used to provide special medical attention to the animals most in need).  We use this fund judiciously and are especially mindful that the fund is only replenished through the generosity of our donors.

We need your support to ensure that there are resources available to help sick and injured animals like Brandy.  At any given time, there could be dozens of animals who could benefit from the advanced medical treatment it allows, but our resources are limited. Please consider making a contribution to Sophie’s Fund today to help provide the life saving medical care required for so many of our animals.

Every day, the Washington Humane Society is grateful for the generosity of our community: our donors who support Sophie’s Fund and all of our other programs; our partners such as SouthPaws that provide outstanding medical attention to our animals in need; foster families who open their homes to afford extra special care when it is most needed; and to the families who adopt dogs like Brandy and give them a loving forever home.