Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 01/21/2009 02:20 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 01/21/2009 03:24 PM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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Cats, Cats, and more Cats~by Victor Claveau
The cathouse is overflowing with; you guessed it, cats, cats, and more cats. What are we to do with all these felines? An all-volunteer force of citizens helps to staff the Calaveras County Animal Shelter, located in San Andreas, and works in conjunction with the Sheriff Department's Animal Services who runs the shelter. The volunteers assist the county government by doing everything possible to care for and to find good homes for the various animals that come into their care.....
  
For over 30 years, the mission of the Calaveras Humane Society (CHS) has been to promote an excellent quality of life for the animals of our county. The vision is to work for the day when every adoptable animal will have a “forever” home and when sterilization is a routine part of dog and cat care.
Blair Wiley, CHS President and Arnold resident, arrived at 8 a.m., anxious to show me around the site and explain the various activities that were to take place. Over the next few minutes, a number of volunteers arrived to care for the animals. Some were dog walkers, and some were cat cuddlers-and-cage-cleaners, or both. Each of the animals gets a period of personal attention. The walkers take the dogs out, one at a time, for about 20 minutes in order for them to get exercise and to be petted and handled. On the other hand, the cats were simply brought from their cages and petted while their cages were being cleaned. Judy Telezinski, CHS Vice President, head of the cat program and Camp Connell resident, explained that if left alone for too long a time, the cats get “cage rage” and become difficult to handle.
Judy had also arrived at 8 a.m. in order to coordinate the transfer of 12 cats to the San Francisco SPCA. The San Francisco feline birth rate is lower than the demand rate. In other words, they have fewer births than homes that want pets. The low birth rate is due to top-notch local services in their area, which is something our area is trying to evolve toward down a long, long road. Volunteer and Valley Springs resident Mary Pons (member, CHS Board of Directors) has been transporting animals about once per month for about five years. Mary also has the responsibility of coordinating with other shelter organizations in order to find placement for the cats. She was successful with placing 24 cats outside of our area last month. In order to relieve crowding even further, on Thursday, seven more cats will be transported to a similar shelter in Pacific Grove. Thursday's transport will be driven by Lee Wise of San Andreas.
The Sacramento SPCA helps by taking the overflow of good dogs. Each dog is evaluated by CHS after it arrives at the shelter. A “Canine Adoptability Assessment” is conducted to ascertain the likelihood of adoption. The evaluation includes: Cage behavior (cleanliness and response to visitors); Responsiveness (play behavior, mental sensitivity); Handling (do they mind being touched, teeth examined, safe hug, and food aggression); Other dogs (do they like being around other dogs), and Leash (behavior or experience on a leash). A high score of 45 means that the dog will most likely be adopted rather quickly. Some breeds may have an aggressive reputation and are more difficult to place. There are breed-specific programs around the state that work to find proper homes for these animals as well. Cats are a bit more difficult to evaluate quantitatively. Simple friendliness is a key trait for cats.
The county shelter in San Andreas operates a monthly “Adopt-a-Pet Day” for shelter animals on the last Saturday of each month. This is similar to various Adopt-A-Pets held by Humane Society volunteers around the county at places like Starbucks in Valley Springs, Big Trees Market in Arnold, in downtown Murphys, at various home shows, fairs and feed stores, and even at Petco in Martel. CHS Adopt-A-Pet events provide an opportunity for potential adopters to meet pets in the CHS foster program, in addition to the many dogs adopted out after people view them on PetFinder.com and PetHarbor.com.
Applications for screening are on hand at Adopt-A-Pets, and CHS volunteers are there to answer questions about particular animals and to set up future adoptions. Adopt-A-Pet events also give CHS the chance to deliver general information about the Calaveras Humane Society, encourage membership, and speak with the public about general animal care issues relevant to our county.
The shelter will be holding a special Adopt-a-Pet program on Saturday January 24 for shelter animals. Pet food maker Hill's Science Diet will donate up to $80.00 towards the adoption of each pet from the shelter. This is a great opportunity to find that special pet and save money at the same time.
The shelter also has a “Foster Parent” program. Whenever the shelter gets overloaded with guests, volunteers open their homes to care for the animals. The alternative is euthanasia. If room remains available in our shelter, a cat may remain at the shelter or in foster care for as long as two to three months before a decision has to be made; otherwise, it would be a matter of days. Because of these programs, fewer adoptable pets are being euthanized. Last year 1.7% of the animals had to be euthanized; down from the previous year’s figure of 11.75%. The foster program is a key element of the adoption and placement program for dogs and cats. This program gives homeless pets a safe haven and tender loving care while people search for the best forever home for each animal.
For further information, go to: http://www.calaverashumane.org/
Volunteers are needed. Sign up at http://www.calaverashumane.org/volunteer.htm
For questions: chs@calaverashumane.org.
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