A quick reminder to watch us on Channel 48
artanimals2011-07-17T14:23:31-04:00If you didn’t catch Norfolk Perspectives at 8am this morning, the program will be re-aired at 8pm.
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07, 2011
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07, 2011
July 15 2011 Clinic
artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:08-04:00
SNIP truck
Friday morning’s gorgeous weather was a relief from recent heat and humidity. For months now, our clinics have been taking place in the parking lot for Let’s Go Pet Care, Eggleston Garden Center, and O Jardim Brazilian Cafe. This location is especially nice at this time of year, with so many
Eggleston Garden Center
blooming plants on display in the Garden Center.
Cats and cat caretakers were the stars of today’s clinic! With 18 cats scheduled, all but one cat made it on to the truck for surgery. The one missing cat is a community cat who evaded the trapper’s best efforts.
Silverness
We were thrilled to see Silverness and her “mom” Judy Nash, whom we met while canvassing one of our target neighborhoods one evening. Silverness was named by Judy’s granddaughter, who proclaimed that the fluffy kitten was “part silver and part princess.”
If you’ve ever wondered about that friendly cat on your street who doesn’t seem to have a home, here is some insight into how those situations develop:
Shadow
Smokey had been taken in as a kitten by an elderly man with Stage IV cancer. He found her after she had been hit by a car, and he spent a lot of time and money taking care of her. Unfortunately, this kind man died from his cancer in March of 2011. His sister came to clean out his house and found Shadow but could not keep her. The sister did not want to take Shadow to a shelter, so she let her out of the house, leaving her on the streets. Neighbors had been taking care of Shadow, as often happens in these situations, but no one had stepped forward to really take care of her by making sure she was spayed, vaccinated, and on the way to a real home of her own. Luckily for Shadow, Emily Dudley moved to this neighborhood. Emily has worked with her aunt, Nellwyn Beamon, on TNR, and brought Shadow to Friday’s clinic. Emily is also working to find her a new home.
These kittens need homes!
Eight of today’s patients were kittens born to two feral cats but raised from birth by a foster family. The momma cats were scheduled for surgery at
Please adopt me
a previous clinic, but much to their caretaker’s surprise, both cats gave birth the night before! Now the mommas are spayed, and all of their babies are, too. Please see our Facebook page for more pictures of these kittens, who are all available for adoption.
Reese
Returning to the clinic was the Kell family, with their Chocolate Labrador, Reese, a “child” of divorce. His people gave him up when they divorced, so the Kells added him to their family. Reese is such a handsome, well-behaved dog, it’s hard to imagine that the couple didn’t actually fight to keep him!
If you reside in one of our Norfolk Pet Project neighborhoods, please help us get the word out in your community. We can provide you with flyers or come talk to your civic league or other neighborhood events. We can always use volunteers, too.
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07, 2011
Watch us on Norfolk Perspectives- Channel 48
artanimals2011-07-11T11:27:26-04:00A representative from Spay Hampton Roads will be a guest on Norfolk Perspectives this Sunday, July 17, at 8am and 8pm. Stephanie Herman, Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center treasurer, will also be a guest on the show to discuss the importance and benefits of spay/neuter in Norfolk.
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07, 2011
Norfolk Pet Pantry
artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:08-04:00Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center, who have generously sponsored SpayHR clinics and provided funds for vaccinations, will open a pet food pantry for citizens in need.
From their website:
Who is qualified for assistance? Residents of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, or Chesapeake whoa re currently receiving government financial assistance or who have a combined household income less than $30,000 per year.
How can I apply? Fill out the attached application and bring it to one of the Pet Pantry events or mail it to P.O. Box 11403, Norfolk, VA 23517. You will need to bring a picture ID card, and proof of government assistance (eg: valid EBT card) or proof of household income less than %30,00 per year. Application.
When and where can the food be picked up? Available food can be picked up each Saturday from 1 to 4 pm behind the Norfolk Animal Care Center located at 5585 Sabre Road in Norfolk, Virginia. Food WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED FROM THE SHELTER ITSELF, only from the Pet Pantry when it is open. View Map.
Is the pet food availability guaranteed? No. Distribution will be based on supply and demand.
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07, 2011
“Fewer pets killed because of spay, neuter programs”
artanimals2011-07-07T10:54:25-04:00From Sue Manning with the Associated Press: “Fewer Pets Killed Because of Spay, Neuter Programs.”
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07, 2011
A “Thank You!” & A Response
artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:08-04:00We would like to thank Rev. Aaron Wheeler, host of “Let’s Talk About It” on WYRM 1110 AM radio, for having two of SpayHR’s representatives on his show Monday.
During the show, a gentleman called in to say he was hesitant to neuter his dog, because the dog enjoys sexual activity. His was a similar reaction to one we faced a few weeks ago, while passing out flyers on a Friday evening. In some cases, citing the statistics or health and behavior benefits of spay/neuter offers a larger context in which people with this argument will consider altering their pets. In some cases, these facts are not persuasive.
One benefit to spaying/neutering that many residents in Norfolk may not know about relates to the length of time a stray animal is given to be found. As unaltered dogs and cats are more likely to stray, this information is very relevant to people like the caller to Rev. Wheeler’s show. Let’s use the caller’s male dog as an example:
A male dog without identification (i.e., no tags, no microchip) but who is neutered will have a longer stray hold at Norfolk Animal Care Center (animal control for the city of Norfolk) than a male dog without identification who is not neutered. A longer stray hold gives the dog’s owner more time to find him. It also gives the dog more time to become comfortable in the shelter and thus a more viable candidate for adoption.
So, an unaltered dog without identification has only has five days at the shelter. After that five days, if no one has come to claim the dog, he can either be made available for adoption, transferred to a rescue organization, or euthanized. Alternately, a similarly unidentified male dog who has been neutered has ten days at the shelter.
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06, 2011
We’re into S & N
artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:08-04:00
our uniform
If you’ve attended one of our clinics, you might have noticed our unofficial uniform: a short-sleeved, black t-shirt bearing the message, “I’M INTO S & N (spay & neuter).”
While a bit cheeky, this message communicates our passion succinctly and directly. It also warrants a second glance, with many people initially thinking the “N” is a “M.” The most common reaction we get is people asking where they can get this t-shirt. So…
You can buy the “I’M INTO S & N (spay & neuter)” t-shirt at the ASPCA’s online store. It only comes in black but is available for men and women. For women, there is a crewneck and a v-neck option.
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06, 2011
Listen for us on WYRM
artanimals2011-06-25T11:28:53-04:00A representative from Spay Hampton Roads will be on “Let’s Talk About It,” which airs at 1:00pm on Monday, June 28, 2011.
“Let’s Talk About It” is hosted by Rev. Aaron Wheeler on WYRM Ministry Radio 1110AM. The number to call in with questions or comments is 757-622-9256.
Please listen and call in, and encourage others to do the same!
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06, 2011
June 23& 24 2011 Clinics
artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:08-04:00The two day total for spay/neuter surgeries came to 21 dogs and 17 cats!
We still need more cats from our Norfolk Pet Project neighborhoods, though, and especially community cats (friendly or feral cats without homes).
Cleo
One of those community cats came to our clinic on the 24th to be spayed. Her name is now Cleo, and she showed up at the Leggett residence, which is in one of our target neighborhoods. Cleo is the third community cat to join this household. We are very glad to be able to help this family, especially because they are helping so many animals in their community.
To view more pictures from these clinics, please visit our Facebook page.
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06, 2011
Cat fight!
artanimals2011-06-12T10:36:52-04:00In this corner, Neighbor A, who has been feeding stray and feral cats. In that corner, Neighbor B, who wants the cats gone.
Round 1: Neighbor B is tired of the cats using his flowerbed as a litterbox and creating a noise with their fighting.
Neighbor A feels bad for the cats, who seem hungry and without homes. He isn’t crazy about their fighting and outdoor bathroom habits, either, but he doesn’t mind too much and kind of likes having them around.
Round 2: Neighbor A notices more cats. Here and there, adults have added themselves to the mix, and litters of kittens keep being born by females who are already part of the group. He’s becoming a little overwhelmed now.
Neighbor B is really getting annoyed now; there are so many cats!
Round 3: Neighbor B has started trapping the cats and taking them to the shelter, where they will very likely be euthanized, especially at this time of year.
Neighbor A doesn’t want the cats killed, but he doesn’t know what to do.
After 3 rounds, is there a winner? No.
Why?
Neighbor A’s compassion is admirable, but he’s not helping the cats in the long run.
Neighbor B won’t reduce the cat population by trapping them to be killed. There are always more cats, and as long as at least a few who can reproduce are left, there will be more to come.
The cats are being fed but as their numbers multiply, there is more competition for food and other resources. Their numbers are not sustainable in their current situation or in a shelter.
Round 4: Neighbor A finds help from our organization. We show him how to trap the cats, so that they can be spayed/neutered, ear tipped, and vaccinated, then returned to their home environment. This is TNR (trap-neuter-return). He talks to Neighbor B about TNR and how it can help control the cat population. He also offers deterrents that will keep the cats out of Neighbor B’s yard.
After 4 rounds, we’re closer to having multiple winners. With time and effort, Neighbor A can help both the cats and his neighbors. Though not taking an active role in a solution (yet?), Neighbor B has more information and a better understanding of the solution. The cats have a better informed caretaker and their population is on the way to being controlled humanely.
This entry was inspired by conversations SpayHR volunteers have had with residents in Norfolk Pet Project neighborhoods, spay/neuter clinic participants, and people visiting local shelters.