A little monday morning musing

I love my best friend.   I met him nineteen years ago this week and over the years our friendship has evolved into something more supportive than many spouses share.  We have shored each other up through the sadder life events and shared the joy of the sweeter ones.
It really is frosting on the cake that between the two of us we very likely know how to make / grow / build or fix anything we could possibly think of.  While its not the reason we are close, over the years we have both saved a lot of money by being able to dip into our joint skill set pool.
Its one of the reasons the military places such a premium on teamwork.   Centuries of experience have taught them that it is the most efficient and effective way to get any job done.
Which is why it is such a delight to see signs of this popping up in the animal rescue world.   Last week, I was thrilled to see the Petfinder rep for the Yarmouth SPCA promoting a fundraiser for Clare Feral Friends.  Their auction was a huge success ... no doubt in no small part from the boost.
Even better  ... efforts like this have a positive impact on the reputation of all parties involved.  In realspeak .. while it is not the original objective .. it is Very Good Public Relations for groups to support each other.
Last month .. the whole PACS team came down to the Valley to attend a HART fundraiser.  ( The subject of how the founder of PACS is trying to build better relationships within the cat rescue community is a really neat subject deserving of its own post on another day :)
Even better ... the kind folks running the online auction to fundraise for Atlantic Small Dog Rescue have been very generously sharing their auction with other rescues.  Last week they helped Second Chance Terrier Rescue fundraise for a good dog in need.  This week the proceeds for their auction will go to HART.
Best of all are the groups who share their own success and accept adoptables in from other groups who either don't have the space or the resources.  As with so many other things, SHAID has led the way with this and for years have been bringing in dogs from Metro.
Being No Kill does attract support and adopters, hmmm?   
Nor is SHAID alone in this now.  The LA Shelter up in Amherst has done well enough that they are often able to bring dogs in from other groups as well.
Being on a better path has also allowed the society to help others.  The Metro shelter has been bringing in dogs from the Yarmouth and Cape Breton Branches.  They have been able to take more owner surrenders and certainly deserve bragging rights for the way things have turned around.
Of course, they are blowing their own horn by publishing their stats online.   Are they legally obliged to?  Of course not ... but taking that first step towards transparency has played a significant role in their journey towards No Kill.
In fact, their adoptions are such a success now that they were able to very generously offer ..  both in writing to HRM and verbally to the contractor to accept any and all pets from the tiny little new pound. 
And before the keyboards catch on fire ... for a municipality that is home to well over half the province's population to have sixteen half or eight full kennels for dogs and eight kennels for cats is an incredibly optimistic number that seems to bear no correlation to the statistical history available from the society.  So yes .. I will call it tiny.
Remember the bold optimistic spirit at the end of March this year when the press and public were able to tour the new facility.
The owner was quoted as saying that " its vision was to change the way the people think about the city pound by providing exceptional animal care and a service the citizens of HRM will admire and respect" 
How were they going to do that with such a small pound?  On my friend Joan's blog, she quotes the manager as saying that they want to work with local rescues to adopt out animals that come in through them and are suitable for being adopted out - .
The reason that successful businesses research existing data before engaging in new ventures is  ... as our history teachers used to preach ... to avoid repeating mistakes that have already been made.
There is nothing in the existing historical data to suggest that transferring pets out to other rescues was a viable option.  Based on statistical data from the previous year, the number of dogs transferred to other rescues or groups for an eight month time period would equate to 12 dogs.
How many have been transferred?  To date,by asking all my rescue contacts,  I have only been able to find 15 dogs that have been transferred out to other rescues.   In all fairness it should be mentioned that SHAID was asked once, but at the time of the request already had a full house.
In a world where every rescue in the province generally has a waiting list of a dozen dogs for every available slot, this shouldn't come as any big surprise, hmmm?  Even worse, everyone I've been speaking with in rescue says that they are encountering the highest rate ever of owner surrenders and abandoned pets this year. 
No surprises there ... we've lost a couple of thousand jobs just here in the valley this year and are not alone on what sometimes seems to be a sinking ship.
What about Metro?  To date , they have been "taking in unidentified cats from them that were brought to HB or the Emergency Clinic injured, typically as a result of being hit by a car, with HB covering the vet treatment costs and us handling the adoption side." ... but that this has not been a large volume.
How many dogs have been transferred to Metro?  Zero. Zip.   How many requests have been made to Metro?  Nada.  Nothing.  Not a single one.
Is this a problem?  Only if any dogs are dying.    If everyone is getting adopted... if the number of dogs killed for behavior/health issues is under ten percent ... then its no big deal.  Clearly there is no need for the very generous offer of help from the former contractor.
Adoptions are the key to No Kill success and these days there is Always room at the Metro inn ... especially for dogs.  If for whatever reasons, the new facility has chosen not to avail itself of the standing offer of help, that simply means that Metro will be able to broaden their horizons and help other spca's in other provinces.
But of course, understand that this is all sheer speculation without anything but historical data to work with.   Based also on a constant ratio between impounds and reclaimed by owners.
What time is it?  It is always time to remember that teamwork is the best way to save the animals.  And as my old drill Sgt used to say ... anyone who thinks there is a "me" in team has it all backwards.
Its amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn't matter who gets the credit   Source unknown

The Power to change IS the power of change

On chilly days like this, I love making bread.  Making it by hand is a great way to work out the figurative frustration of Rome not being able to be built in a day.  Even better ... I know enough about nutrition to recognize the benefits of knowing what's in my food.  Best of all is the lovely way the colder temperatures just seem to magnify the already aromatic scent of bread while its baking.
On a breezy day like this, the scent will carry around the neighbourhood... sending more than one of my neighbours down to the village in search of their own.   Its the same principal that underlies the success of offsite adoptions, hmmm?  In this busy world, the very best 'advertising' are the tangible things that can be experienced first hand.
Which is why I was pawsitively delighted to discover last night that this year the society is going to have a float in the annual Parade of Lights this weekend.  What a wonderful idea!
Why?  Because this is an event that attracts lovely big crowds .... last years parade was attended by an estimated 70,000 people.  Just imagine the possibilities!  If only one percent of the people who attend are woken up to the possibility of pet adoption ... one measly little percent ... that could translate to 700 good pets finding homes as a result!  Wow!
Even better .. because most of the society branches have embraced the Home for the Holidays program ... the float will also include a promo for their main holiday fundraiser ... which in keeping with the spirit of the program has been rebranded as Home for the Holidays.
Best of all, this is all happening at a time when people are just a little more sentimental and so are better able to embrace the lovely idea of opening their heart to a homeless pet.  What an effective way to underscore the 'competition' offered by pet stores and back yard breeders and grubby puppy millers hiding behind the facade of the free online ad sites.
Three years ago, when personal agendas were still powering the society, who would have imagined this lovely new world ... where they actually deserve bragging rights for the work they have done?
Or to paraphrase an old Jimi Henrdrix song .. what wonderful things can begin to happen when the power of love for the animals is greater than the love of power.

(Cat)ching Up

From the first time I saw a picture of Miss Ruby, I could tell she was a smarty pants.  She was so emaciated that we had absolutely no idea what a beauty she would become .. yet I could tell from her eyes that this clever girl already understood that life had just taken an abrupt turn for the better. 
To this day, she leads my boys around by the nose.  When Henry has something she wants ... she still uses her tried and true tactic of distracting him by barking at the window.  When Andy has commandeered the spot closest to me ... she will use a bit of soft sell to entice him out for a little fun before taking his spot ;)
Amazingly ... my sweet girl is not one bit food aggressive .. although she carries enough clout that even the cats take the long road around past her dish.
The point that I'm making in my roundabout way is that I have always been a big fan of women that think outside the box.  And nowhere is that more evident in my everydays than in the incredibly resourceful way many find to fundraise for their rescues.
They hold BBQ's and walks .. they go to market each week ... from festivals to open houses right through to speed dating gigs ... if there is an innovative way to raise funds for their rescues and shelters, it will be found.
Now before the keyboards catch on fire, yes I know that many good and kind men are engaged in animal rescue .. up to and including my hero Nathan Winograd.
When people think of TNR, most folks do tend to get sexist and portray them as a bunch of "crazy cat ladies".  Yet nothing could be further from the truth than such a sexist generalization.
Here in this province, one of the first folks to embrace TNR was a lovely man who has done much to get the idea and concept of TNR out in the media... Pierre Filiatrealt ... of PACS.   He is also currently serving on the provincial board of the society and if I'm not mistaken has also taken some promising first steps to unify the voice of the hard working TNR folks around the province.
Another one of my favourite fellows is a person who blogs by the name of Peter T Wolf with a must read blog called Vox Felina.  The next time someone starts spouting off about the damage that stray and feral cats cause to the local wildlife, you send them off to read this blog. 
Unlike the TNR opponents, this is a fellow who Does deal in facts, hmmm?
I've been feeding birds for most of my adult life and have to say that the biggest danger to wildlife is humans.  We encroach on their habitats, bringing chemicals that affect their ability to procreate  ... and as such represent a much more significant threat to wildlife.
But I am wandering afield in my usual fashion.  The point I am trying to make in my meandering way is that our hard working TNR folks ... of both genders .. are remarkably innovative.  Even better, they have fine tuned the art of doing their work in an economical fashion efficiency experts can only fantasize about.
These days, municipalities are all concerned with making ends meet.  Might I suggest that supporting the hard working TNR folks in their area would give them excellent value for their "buck'
When riverbanks overflow and bridges burst at the seams, municipalities are quick to seek help.  If their budgets do not include providing modest support for TNR, perhaps its time for residents in this province to contact their MLAs to request provincial assistance.
What time is it?  Its always time to remember that just as the roads and bridges aren't going to fix themselves, the cat overpopulation issue isn't going away until the kitties get fixed.

On Painting the Whole Picture

Last night, I was working on my gardener's journal.  Why do I do that?  Over the years, I've learned that the best way to see the big picture is by creating a relevant database. 
This is particularly important for an organic gardener who uses time honored traditional methods of pest control and crop management instead of the quicker but more environmentally lethal chemical choices.   Is it more work to be an organic gardener?  You bet!  But it is a personal choice made out of regard for my own health... and that of the continual parade of wildlife that are attracted by the shrubbery and gardens.
Numbers have been critical to the success of the No Kill Movement.   When advocates argue that "many" dogs die in shelters .. no one gets particularly worked up.  But when advocates have been able to provide specific numbers, it paints a clear picture of the problem at hand.
Numbers are also a great way to measure success.  Which was why, back when there was a changing of the guard on the provincial board of the society in 2008, one of the first acts of the remaining board was to initiate a new policy of making their statistics and the minutes of their monthly meeting freely available online.
Prior to that, the society was long on rhetoric about respect for life and short on taking any serious steps toward No Kill.
What happened when they started posting the numbers?  Were they always pretty?  Not even close! 
What did all this transparency achieve?   Quite a bit.  By being bold enough to shine some light in some dingy and disgusting corners, the society was able to measure the scope of the situation and start taking steps down their New Path.
Every year now, their stats as a whole are getting better.  But that isn't even the most important result.   Like the proverbial rolling stone, the society is shedding its 'moss' and picking up speed and support along the way.
In other words .. the better they do .. the better they're doing.  Just like anything else in life ... hmm?
Is everything peachy keen and perfect now?  Of course not .. but at least they're on the right track.
Three years ago ... when Celtic Pets was a ticking time bomb waiting to implode on our consciousness ... who would have imagined that the society would be working its way to No Kill?  That is the power of numbers and the true strength of transparency.
Which is why of course the reputable private rescues in this province have declared a position of support for the principals of No Kill.  They also take Nathan Winograd's advice ... " do a good job, tell someone about it and ask for their help" 
Even better, Shelters like the Lilian Albion in Amherst and SHAID in Bridgewater understand that there is strength in numbers for the animals and are quick to bring in animals from other groups when they have space.
At the end of the day ... we have almost all the tools needed to get to No Kill Nova Scotia.  A provincial society with resolve and determination, private rescues and shelters, hard working TNR groups and of course many many kind hearts in the animal loving community.
Whats missing from this picture?  A little clarity about Animal Control.   But aren't they government and so subject to Freedom of information requests?  Not in most cases.   For instance,  Annapolis County has a pound run by its AC, so a concerned citizen can apply for the information if its not given on request.
But in other places, such as Kings County and HRM, the sheltering is contracted out.  Why is that a problem?  Because of course contractors are not handcuffed by the same freedom of information restrictions as their government counterparts.  In other words, they only have to provide the information if they WANT to ... and are under no obligation to provide accurate numbers.
And it will very likely stay that way unless the law is changed.   Without a law that requires AC and all of its sheltering contractors to provide publicly posted stats, most of Nova Scotia's animal control stats will remain veiled in mystery.
Why is that a problem?  If there is no sense of the scope of the problem, how can their ever be a meaningful solution.
Of course it might not be in the best interests of contractors to provide the information that might inspire the institution of pet retention programs that would reduce the size of the plum pie, eh?
What time is it?  Its time to understand that shining a little more light isn't about pointing fingers and assigning blame.  Its about painting an accurate picture with the information that taxpayers are entitled to  ... so that as voters they can make informed decisions about what kind of communities they want their children to grow up in.

A Grandmother's Guide to Living with Coyotes

I love going to the woods on a downdrenching day like this ... especially this time of year.  By now all the serious hunters looking for deer for the freezer have already used their tags .... so in realspeak a rainy day means we are less likely to bump into recreational hunters unfamiliar with property lines.
Being the cautious sort, the fire is laid but not lit before we go ... but by the time the dogs are towelled off its coziness has already caught.  The dogs have all been with me long enough to know the drill, so they are never put off by the wet.
But the earlydog detection system DOES give me good warning when there are coyotes ahead on the trail.  There was a time when such sitings were more rare, but as the area has built up my friend's land has become one of the last pockets of old wood around, hmmm?
River Ridge subdivision now sits where the west end of the woods were.   To make matters worse, one of the old time large landowners in the area passed away a few years ago and his widow was quick to have the property clearcut... taking out hundreds of acres of woodland wildlife habitat in one fell swoop.
Is she the only villain in the picture?  Not even close... although the topic of the political pressure and publicity campaigns being mounted by the wood related businesses to justify clearcutting is subject for a blog with a different focus than mine.
Without wandering too far afield, suffice it to say that in the natural world, nothing exists in a bubble.  When wildlife habitats are destroyed, of course the wildlife will have to shift location if they are to survive.  I'm a middle aged grandmother, not a biologist .. but even I can see that.
Instead of a coyote cull, it would be more to the point to place a moratorium on irresponsible wood harvesting practices that destroy wildlife habitat.
But until there is sufficient strong voter feedback to change the status quo, here are a few lessons that this middle aged grandmother has learned about living with coyotes :

• Never, Ever leave children out unsupervised.  Coyotes teach their young to hunt with the more vulnerable living beings like children and pets
• coyotes are wild things, not pets .... don't feed them.   Keep a bucket in the freezer for meat bones and such so that your green cart doesn't draw them in
• don't tie dogs out .. in fact don't leave dogs out unattended.  Period.
• don't let your dogs offleash after dark ...even in a fenced yard.
• It just isn't safe anymore for house cats to go outside.  Period.
• always carry something noisy like a loud whistle or an air horn in the woods.  Cell phones are great but the coyotes don't care if you call 911, eh?
• If one is feeding feral cats, make sure that safe secure shelter is provided so that they dont' become coyote chow.
• If you are feeding stray cats, please be aware that they very likely do not have the finely honed instincts of a feral and will need to have safe shelter in a building after dark.   Insulated little snuggeries can be tucked into garages or sturdy sheds to keep them safe ... until they can either be vaccinated and introduced into a household - yours or someone else's
• Carry a flashlight after dark
• Keep your BBQ clean
• If you're not experienced in the woods, please don't go out there by yourself
• and last but definitely not least ... pay attention to your own dogs.   I always know when the coyotes are down by the pond because Miss Ruby is on full alert when she's watching them, hmmm?

Last night the coyotes were singing up in the gravel pit not far from my place.   Out here in the country, sound really travels, and I could also hear every dog outside for miles kicking up a fuss.   After all, our dogs may be pets but they instinctively know what we often shrug off .. that good care and caution is needed around coyotes.  
I'm a middle aged grandmother who either hears or sees coyotes nearly every day and I still do not believe in a coyote cull.  Its been on for a month now and hasn't slowed the coyotes down
What time is it?  Its time to encourage our politicians to effectively address the coyote issue properly .. by restoring and protecting wildlife habitats. 
Until then ... be sensible and be safe... because the cull isn't really going to do a darned thing.

More Hope for the Holdays

I love cool crisp sunny days like this.  Last week's weather has put paid to the last lingering leaves ... and seeing as we are still knee deep in hunting season it just seems ever so much safer when the woods are wide open and brighter, hmmm?  
I know that we are on private land ... and I know that we are wearing more orange than the average road crew ... but I also Know from experience that occasionally we can still stumble across the odd soul who has lost sight of property lines while tracking their prey.
I also love the way SHAID has embraced the Home for the Holidays spirit.   Once again, they are celebrating with special adoption fees for the kitties who have been waiting for more than five months to find their Furever Homes.  This year, Claire, Iman, Copper and Bridget ... along with two sweet seniors - Flash and Gonzo are being featured.  
What does that mean?  It means that SHAID has underwritten the adoption fee for each of these lovelies so that any one of them can be adopted for the Very Modest Sum of seventy-five dollars.
Why do they do this?  Because the kind folks at SHAID have tried this before and they know that it works.  They are Not adopting pets out to become presents ... but they DO understand that this is a sentimental time of year that just inspires kindness and compassion in so many people.
I've also noticed, that when they do this program, that the other cats in the shelter seem to 'move through' a little more quickly.  Why?  Because any adoption incentive has the lovely side effect of bringing notice to all the pets for the group wise enough to take the first step.
What time is it?  Its always time to understand that adoption incentives are not putting pets "on sale" but simply shining a brighter light so that their loveliness can be seen more clearly.

Claire

Iman

Copper

Bridget

Flash

Gonzo

NEVER too old to be loved

shel-ter:  5. a building serving as a temporary refuge or residence for homeless persons, abandoned animals, etc.

I'm sure when Watson was first brought to the Yarmouth SPCA shelter, he was pretty darned grateful to be warm and safe and not to be hungry anymore.   But if its tough to be a homeless pet, the ante really steps up for chubby middle aged fellows like Watson ... no matter how cute and snuggly and affectionate and appealing that they are.

If I fall a little in love with all the great pets that I list, I really root for the seniors.   So of course I was delighted when I had to remove Watson from my site because he had been adopted.

Now usually when dogs are returned to a rescue, there is some new little tidbit on their bio.   Maybe they'll need to obedience training... or perhaps they'll need a cat free home ... or an adult only one ... sometimes they might even need to be the only dog in the home.

So when Watson popped back up on the Yarmouth SPCA Petfinder listing, I was curious not to see any new little bits on his bio.  Why was this adorable little guy back at the shelter?

But sometimes there just isn't a good reason .... and I suppose we should just be glad for dog's sake they are welcome 'back at the inn'.  

So now .... after a tease of a taste of life in a home,  Watson is back at the shelter.  Quieter and sadder to be back .... so now when people come to the shelter he might not put his best and brightest paw forward this time.

The good news is that he is a dog, and that means that he will have even more love than anyone could possibly imagine for someone willing to give this great guy a real shot at the good life.  Even better, he's a beagle and that means there is a super sized serving of smarts in a snugly little package.

Best of all, being older means wiser and Watson is not going to need to be housetrained / learn how to leash walk/ etc.   He's just a great little guy who is ready to be someone's very best friend right now :)

What time is it?  Its always time to remember that senior pets are NEVER too old to be loved.