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18 03, 2011

March 18, 2011 Clinic

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:08-04:00

SpayHR Bumper Sticker Debut

Help us spread the word about spay/neuter by using one of our new bumper stickers! That’s what Bella and Bear Bear Cook’s “Big Daddy” did!

Bella

Bella (the camera hog hanging out the window) and Bear Bear (a shy guy hiding behind her) were the first arrivals of the morning. This cute Maltese duo lives with a Beagle and a Hurricane Katrina dog, both of whom are spayed/neutered. Their family does not want any puppies – four dogs are enough – and found out about Spay Hampton Roads on Craigslist.

pepper

In addition to Craigslist, today’s clinic participants heard about us in a variety of ways. Tiffany Wilson has been watching Freecycle, waiting for us to come to her neighborhood. When she saw there was space for today’s clinic, she contacted us right away for an appointment to have her dog, Pepper, neutered.

Alice & Missy

Alice Raynor heard about our clinics from a friend who had previously participated. She brought Missy, a Pekingese/Shih Tzu mix, to be spayed this morning. Juliette Gretzler heard about our clinics from her neighbor, who will receive a gift certificate as thanks for the referral. Elaine Woods-Martinez received an email from Willoughby iNeighbors, which shares community information with subscribers. She brought her Yorkshire Terrier, Otto, to be neutered.

We’re thankful for all of the hard work our volunteers and former clinic participants put in to share the message about spay/neuter. We still need Norfolk cats in our clinics, though, so please look for feline friends in need of a snip!

March 18, 2011 Clinicartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:08-04:00

11 03, 2011

March 11, 2011 Clinic

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:08-04:00

SNIP van at PETA

Our first March clinic and – – – the clinic van had a flat! Quickly and early this morning, our volunteers sprang to action, calling clinic participants and sending everyone to PETA Headquarters (the clinic was originally to be held at Let’s Go Pet Care). With patience and flexibility, everything ran smoothly, and we had 8 dogs and 11 cats spayed/neutered today.

Kitty & Lenny

One story that particularly touched us was that of Francia Madua. Her daughter saw a man abandon two cats at a McDonald’s. The cats are now with the Maduas, who hadn’t planned to be their caretakers and were very happy we could help them. Though only one of the cats was scheduled for surgery, the clinic was able to fit in both Kitty and Lenny this morning. We are thankful for citizens like the Maduas who act with compassion and take responsibility where others will not.

Fig & Nola

The last patients to arrive were Dachshunds Fig and Nola, who came into Kristin Mauer’s life when the people who bought them decided they no longer wanted to care for them. Kristen suspects they came from a puppy mill and thus has been very vigilant about their health. Both dogs are up to date on their vaccinations and will soon be sterilized, too!

Because of the last minute change in location and ensuing rush to inform everyone of the change, we did not get to talk to too many people or take many pictures. On such a hectic morning, we were glad for the cooperation of the PETA clinic staff and dedication of our volunteers.

March 11, 2011 Clinicartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:08-04:00

1 03, 2011

Is this why some people don’t spay/neuter?

artanimals2011-03-01T22:58:53-05:00

Who says we animal advocates don’t have a sense of humor…

Pet Owner Not Bothering to Neuter Loser Cat

Is this why some people don’t spay/neuter?artanimals2011-03-01T22:58:53-05:00

25 02, 2011

February 24 & 25 2011 Clinics

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:09-04:00

Neuter Scooter

This week clinics were again held in the Let’s Go parking lot, but surgeries were contracted out through the Virginia Beach SPCA’s Neuter Scooter. As with PETA’s mobile clinics, we were delighted to work with such a wonderful staff. They even offered us a view of inside the clinic van! (Please visit our Facebook page for those pictures.)

On Thursday, 12 dogs and 6 cats were spayed/neutered; on Friday, 13 dogs and 7 cats were spayed/neutered.

Sassy

The first cat to arrive Thursday morning was Sassy, who was found in a cactus at just a day old with eyes still closed. Sassy was bottle fed and raised by Patricia Orner and is now 9 months old.

Tiffany Brown won our dog food raffle. She had her Lhasa Apso/Poodle mix, Elmo, neutered this week, and we expect to see her Rottweiler mix soon!

With the check in process a bit different, we didn’t get to talk to as many people about their pets; however, we did take pictures and posted them on our Facebook page.

Both days brought warmer weather than we experienced earlier in February, but we were still happy to warm up with a cup of delicious coffee from O Jardim Brazilian Cafe, located next to Let’s Go Pet Care. (If you go, try one of their donuts-wonderful and warm!)

February 24 & 25 2011 Clinicsartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:09-04:00

25 02, 2011

The cost of FREE (part 1)

artanimals2011-02-25T15:51:39-05:00

A main component of Spay Hampton Roads is the Norfolk Pet Project, a long-term program that provides free spay/neuter to targeted neighborhoods based on income levels and calls to Animal Control. Most publicity for homeless pets focuses on animals at shelters or on the streets, with the goal of finding homes for them. We are trying to take a step back to get to the root of the issue: that more animals are born than there are homes for. Who can help us get there? The humans charged with caring for these animals. If an explanation of how spay/neuter can save the lives of multiple animals and that the procedure can be done at a cost lower than expected (and sometimes for free), we believe people will decide to have their pet spayed/neutered.

What is the value of FREE, though? Let’s look at the costs associated with PETA’s SNIP and ABC vans, with whom we contract for surgeries. These mobile clinics already offer very reasonable prices for surgeries and general veterinary services for anyone with a pet.

Cat spay/neuter: $40

Dog spay/neuter: $70

$40 can buy 8 packs of cigarettes; $70 can buy a full tank of gas for a large truck or SUV. For the amount of money you might spend on coffee or fast food in a month, you could help your pet and save lives.

While the Norfolk Pet Project provides free spay/neuter for qualifying residents, there is a tangible, immediate ($40, $70) value to that service.

The cost of FREE (part 1)artanimals2011-02-25T15:51:39-05:00

22 02, 2011

All About Rabies

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:09-04:00

The City of Norfolk’s animal shelter, Norfolk Animal Care Center, will be offering free continuing education lectures in 2011, the first of which is tomorrow evening, February 23. The discussion is entitled “All About Rabies.” Come to learn more about the disease, the importance of keeping your pets current on vaccinations, and more. There will be a brief Q&A after the lecture.

This lecture will begin promptly at 6PM and will be held at the Fairlawn Recreation Center located at 1014 Kempsville Road, Norfolk, 23502.

All About Rabiesartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:09-04:00

22 02, 2011

Happy Spay Day!

artanimals2011-02-22T15:56:23-05:00

Today is the 17th annual Spay Day. How are we celebrating? By having two clinics this week!

Residents of Park Place, Kensington, and Lamberts Point/ODU are eligible for FREE spay/neuter for their dogs and cats. Please register online or call 456-1215.

Happy Spay Day!artanimals2011-02-22T15:56:23-05:00

20 02, 2011

February 18, 2011 Clinic

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:09-04:00

Clinic check-in

What a beautiful morning for saving lives!

Ms. Munchkin

We were very happy to see nearly twice as many cats at today’s clinic as compared to last week’s clinic. The first cat to arrive was Ms. Munchkin, a beloved member of Deborah Perry’s family. Deborah received one of our mailed announcements and is spreading the word to her friends and neighbors. (Thanks, Deborah!) She even got her neighbor’s cat, Pumpkin, on the schedule for today.

Eazy

The first dog of the day was Eazy, the easy-going Chihuahua. He came with his human Cecil Gidddens, who also heard about our program via the mail. Eazy is actually Cecil’s wife’s dog, and Cecil’s other dog (“his” dog) is already neutered.

Sgt. Pepper

As always, many participants are helping community cats in a variety of ways. Cathy Mathias has been to previous clinics and returned today to have Sgt. Pepper neutered. Sharon Puryear brought Kitty Kitty, a neighborhood stray, to today’s clinic. She is trying to find Kitty Kitty a forever home. Unfortunately, Sharon has a neighbor who is NOT spaying and neutering, and the cat population continues to grow in her community.

Little Bit

Little Bit was delivered by her mom to Regina Floyd’s yard. Little Bit also needs a home of her own. Alice Levi brought two kittens, Little Gray and Tilly, who were born in her yard during one of the snow storms this winter. She and her family are trying to break the cycle of animal overpopulation by having these two kitties spayed.

For more pictures from today’s clinic, please visit our Facebook page.

February 18, 2011 Clinicartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:09-04:00

11 02, 2011

February 11, 2011 Clinic

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:09-04:00

Though the snow kept some of our community cats away (i.e., untrapped), we still saw 9 dogs and 8 cats at today’s clinic, our first in the Park Place/Lambert’s Point/ODU area of Norfolk.

PETA ABC van

The PETA ABC van was parked in the Let’s Go Pet Care parking lot.

Princess & Little Scarlet

Kenneth Willandt brought two of his cats, Princess and Little Scarlet. Kenneth had brought his dogs (“Sweet Dogs”) to the rabies clinic held at Let’s Go on January 30, and we were glad to see him return to take advantage of the spay/neuter clinic, especially as Princess has already been a mommy (Little Scarlet is her daughter).

Tiger

The first cat of the day to arrive, though, was Tiger, a handsome orange tabby, who came with Sue Gates. Sue and Tiger won the drawing for a free bag of cat food! Our dog food winners were Chikari Britt and Velvet.

Cat

One of the most interesting stories of the morning came from Corey Portalatin-Berrien, who brought the simply named Cat. Cat has taken up residence with one of the Hope House Foundation teams in Norfolk. Initially feral and very wary of staff and residents, Cat is now well loved and taken care of by her own “team” of people. After today, she will also be spayed and vaccinated.

Velvet

Chance

While most of the pets at today’s clinic were from Park Place, we saw a few from neighborhoods previously targeted by the Norfolk Pet Project. Chance’s person, David Santiago, saw one of our flyers on his car. They live in the Ocean View area. David gave Chance a “chance” when his previous person was going to take him to a shelter.

Our first dog of the day, Buster, was from the Oakdale Farms area, where we just finished holding clinics. Buster is a very active, excited young guy, so we couldn’t get a good picture of him.

We hope to continue seeing many dogs, cats (MORE cats, please, Park Place), and people at next week’s clinic. Thanks to Let’s Go for use of their parking lot.

For more pictures of the people and pets attending our clinics, please visit our Facebook page.

February 11, 2011 Clinicartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:09-04:00

11 02, 2011

February 7, 2011 Clinic

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:09-04:00

Our final clinic to be held in Northside Community Park brought 19 animals: 6 dogs and 13 cats were spayed/neutered.

Scrappy

Today Margaret Turner brought Scrappy to be neutered. Previously, we neutered her other dog, Tucker, whom her family saved in Kentucky. While in Kentucky for a funeral, they saw that Tucker was about to be shot and thrown in a river! Now he is safe in Virginia with them…and his canine pal Scrappy.

Faith

Another dog duo taking advantage of our clinics was Faith and Gilbert. Both attended today’s clinic with their human Ann Crew.

Gilbert

Oreo & Sunshine

Feline friends Sunshine and Oreo came together, too, with their person Dorothy Velvin. Oreo is squished in the back of the cat carrier.

Pooti

He’s a little hard to see in the picture, but Pooti’s there! He was found as a stray by Carol Miles, who is trying to rehome him.

Also providing a temporary home for a cat in need is Camille Berry. A friend of hers found Optimus in Norfolk but could not keep him. Camille is taking care of Optimus until her friend is able to do so.

Optimus

We have enjoyed our time in the Oakdale Farms/Denby Park neighborhoods, though we wish more residents had participated in our FREE program. Many thanks to Northside Community Park for allowing our mobile clinic vans to use their parking lot for so many weeks. We now move to the Park Place (and adjoining) neighborhood in Norfolk, with the hope that we will see many people and pets working with us to reduce companion animal overpopulation and euthanasia.

February 7, 2011 Clinicartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:09-04:00

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