When
Animals Need Help When
Animals Need HelpWe’re not exactly “Animal ER,” but the JCHS does have a long history of helping animals (and their people) in times of emergency. Over the years, we’ve convinced professional tree-climbers to volunteer to rescue cats who got themselves out on a limb. We’ve provided fliers, advertising, moral support, and person power to help locate lost pets. We’ve paid for emergency veterinary care, and we’ve helped out when people have been hospitalized, leaving no one at home to care for their companion animals. Our goal is to support and encourage people as they deal with their animal emergencies.
Earlier this year, we received a call from a resident worried about the exploding population of feral and semi-feral cats in her neighborhood. Once largely rural, the area where she lives is now being heavily developed. She’d been trying to capture the elusive but hungry cats and kittens herself and get them to her veterinarian for routine care and neutering. But she realized that, without help, she would no longer be able to keep up with the need.
After long discussions with her about possible strategies, we agreed to provide a combination of support: lending humane traps, seeking support from the Unash Neuter Program, and providing funds directly to her veterinarian for testing, vaccinations, worming, and related services. For her part, our resident negotiated a reduced fee schedule with her vet, who was very sympathetic to her plight. She trapped the cats and kittens one by one and handled the veterinary logistics. She has found homes for many of them and has herself adopted a few she considers otherwise "unadoptable.”
From our perspective, this project has been a model for citizen/JCHS interaction and cooperation in an animal emergency.
We’ve helped people find homes for their companion animals when they or their families have faced unanticipated medical or personal crises. Sometimes we have arranged for temporary care, occasionally even on a long-term basis. We’ve helped low-income, disabled, and elderly people pay veterinary costs when a companion animal has been injured. Whenever possible, we have asked them to discuss fee discounts with their veterinarians.
The Animal Shelter has turned to us for assistance with “special needs animals” mainly dogs and cats who have injuries, illnesses, or behavior issues requiring care or expense beyond what the shelter can provide. At shelter staff request, we have also taken in many mothers with litters, as well as orphans, some of whom have required bottle feeding. Usually, after their emergencies have been handled, we simply put these animals into our Fostercare Program until they can be adopted.
Sometimes a good Samaritan brings an injured stray to a veterinarian for emergency treatment, but does not have the money to pay for the needed care. When emergency funds are available, we help with the bill. Sometimes, when there is no other viable option, we ultimately put the healed animal into a foster home.
We could do more if we had more volunteers, more foster homes, and more funds. You can help!
The
Doctor Is In---should you get a pet?by Nadia Vandergaast, DVM from Creature Comfort Veterinary
Center, Iowa City
You’re new in town, with no family or friends close to you. Your work is demanding, leaving you little spare time to pursue a social life. You’re in college, struggling to adapt to a new life, being away from your family, aching for a friend. Your spouse has died and suddenly the days are too empty, the house too big. You have small children, and want them to develop empathy for other living creatures. So, what should you do next? And it comes to you: maybe I should get a pet. I won’t be so lonely, it will love me, and it might even be a way to meet new people, right?
Absolutely! But before you rush to the animal shelter or the pet store, before you peruse the paper looking for that special furry (or not so furry) friend, take the time to figure out which kind of animal is best suited to you and your lifestyle.
Once these questions have been addressed, it,s time to figure out which animal is for you. While cats and dogs are still the most popular choices, a number of other interesting and equally appealing animals are available. Let,s consider the pros and cons of a number of animal choices.
Dogs are capable of great love and loyalty but they will need your time, attention, and training to make the most of the relationship. Being social animals, they will not appreciate being left alone for hours at a stretch. Active breeds will appreciate you and be better behaved if they can get the exercise they crave. Dogs may not be a good choice if your house is empty most of the day, if you have lots of scheduled activities after work, or if you simply would prefer not to have an animal that seems to need so much from you.
Cats have become increasingly popular as people find they do not have the time for a dog but still want the companionship of a furry animal. Cats are usually more self-reliant than dogs. They will appreciate your companionship but may not demand it as vigorously as a dog does. They will use a litter box readily and tend to keep themselves clean. On the other hand, they can get into almost any place they desire which can be frustrating if you don,t want them on the kitchen counters or the top of the refrigerator. On a final note, many people discover that they are allergic to cats, which would of course make this animal an unsuitable choice.
If dogs or cats don,t tickle your fancy, you may want to consider something a bit more exotic. There are many choices, including but not limited to rodents, reptiles, fish, rabbits, ferrets, and hedgehogs. Most of these animals will be relatively easy to house, as they often are kept in aquariums or cages. As these species have grown in popularity, more information has become available regarding their care.
Food and other specialty items can often be found reasonably easily. But veterinary knowledge on these species may be limited, and you may need to travel some distance to get good veterinary care for these animals. It may also be difficult to find some of these animals for sale.
Hopefully, this article has given you some thoughts on what to think about when you,re considering whether or not a pet is right for you. A good match can lead to lots of fun and good times. A bad match can lead to disappointment and frustration. Take the time to consider what you really need and want from a pet. Both of you will be glad you did!
Be
an Informed Voter: Animal PoliticsAs election day rolls around and you prepare to cast your vote, remember those who have no voice of their own: animals.
There is not a lot of information available at this time regarding the candidates, stance on the issue of animal advocacy. But because this is the last issue of our newsletter that will be printed before election day, we wanted to bring up the subject of where the candidates stand.
For animal issues, state politics are the most important. To see how your state representatives are voting, visit the Doris Day Animal League website. The site indicates that Joseph Lieberman, Vice President and democratic presidential candidate Al Gore’s running mate, has a perfect score of 100 for his voting record regarding animal advocacy issues in the Senate.
Neither Gore nor republican candidate George Bush nor their campaign workers have responded to e-mail and voice mail inquiries as to their stand on the issues of animal advocacy. The Johnson County Humane Society encourages you to continue this research on the candidates before casting your vote this November.
Longtime
JCHS Member DiesA memorial service was held for Ursula Delworth, longtime member of the Johnson County Humane Society, on Thursday, June 8 in Iowa City. Ursula was a former JCHS president and served two terms on the Coralville/Iowa City Animal Control Advisory Board. She is most remembered for her work with the Unash Spay/Neuter Program and for organizing the Society’s food bank for animals program.
Ursula received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 1969 and worked at The University of Iowa as a full professor since 1976. Her scholarly work focused on women and ethnic minorities, student development, and clinical supervision. If you wish to make a donation in Ursula’s memory, please send it to the Johnson County Humane Society, PO Box 2775, Iowa City, IA 52244.
Alley
Cat Allies Helps Feral CatsJust ten years ago, Louise Holton and Becky Robinson decided they needed to "do something" to ease the plight of urban feral cats. And do it they did! Their organization, Alley Cat Allies (the first national group dedicated to promoting humane nonlethal control for feral cats) has become the world’s leading organization addressing this area of animal welfare. In fact, Cat Fancy Magazine just listed the founding of Alley Cat Allies in 1991 as one of the “Great Moments for 20th Century Cats.” ACA’s “Trap, Neuter, Return,” or TNR, method of feral management is now endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, the Cornell Feline Health Center, SPAY USA, the Doris Day Animal League, and many animal protection groups.
As many JCHS members know, working with ferals can be very difficult and frustrating, but also extremely rewarding. Although it can take months or years to gain the trust of a feral cat (and sometimes, with some ferals, that never quite seems to happen) you can still take meaningful steps to help them.
ACA publishes a strong quarterly newsletter and provides resources for people committed to helping ferals. And, for an excellent introduction to the world of ferals and how to help them live a cruelty-free life, we recommend ACA’s just-released video, “Trap, Neuter, and Return: A Humane Approach to Feral Cat Control.” We have a copy to lend.
Kitten-proofing
TipsA good way to approach kitten-proofing a house is to get down on the floor and do a 360 from six inches. Once you see what a kittens sees, you’ll discover all sorts of tempting and potentially dangerous "playthings" to interact with.
Pay special attention to the “underneaths” of furniture which often provide access to unsafe, confined spaces you never knew existed. Electric cords, computer cables, and drapery and blind pulls also need protection from little feet and tiny teeth. A kitten-proof home will be a safer place for the rest of the family, too.