Fall/Winter 2017

Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2017 A Quality of Life Shelter 133 Hilltop Road • Sprakers, NY 12166 • 518-673-5670

Greetings,

It is that time of year again in the great Northeast! I hope you all know how to prepare your pets for winter. Like humans, our pets have to prepare for the upcoming season. It is important to acclimate them slowly to the colder winter weather. By nature, most animals want to be outside, so please follow these winter weather tips by the ASPCA. • If it is too cold for you, it is too cold for your pets.

Keep them inside.

• Keep your pets hydrated.

• Feed pets a little more than usual.

• Dry your pets’ feet and stomachs after walking.

This will help remove salt which can be harmful to pets.

• Massaging petroleum jelly on paw pads before walking can help.

• Coolants and antifreeze are lethal poison for dogs and cats.

• Do not leave pets inside a car during cold weather.

Check out all the services we offer at Ayres Memorial Animal Shelter on line at www.ayresanimalshelter.org. or call 518-673-5670.

Sincerely, Joe Rosemyer, President, Board of Directors Ayres Memorial Animal Shelter

Board of Directors

Ayres Memorial Animal Shelter, Inc. Joseph Rosemyer - President Suzanne Stegich - 1st V.P. Dale Folmsbee - 2nd V.P. Elaine Nalli - R.S. Elizabeth Wilson - C.S.

Melanie Shibley - Treasurer Esther Frank Karen Fredericks Jeanne DeValve Stan McMillan

SHELTER STAFF: Claire Custer, Manager • Lorraine Fredericks • Marissa & Rich Christman • Carol Burns (sub) • Nicole Folmsbee Veterinarians

Dr. Linda Kolnick • Dr. Tom Armitstead Fort Plain Animal Hospital • Glove Cities Veterinary Hospital Printed & Designed by Lee Newspapers, Inc. • 6113 St. Hwy. 5 Palatine Bridge, NY • 518-673-3237 • www.leepub.com

Pictured by the new shelter sign are Claire Custer, Marissa Christman, and Cassidy Christman, three generations of care and love for animals.

A picture of Cassidy with her first senior foster dog and best friend Batman.

★ U PCOMING E VENTS ★ November 22 Pie Sale at Big Lots 9AM-?

December 2 Open House Noon-4PM For current information, check www.ayresanimalshelter.org or visit us on Facebook.

Ayres Memorial Animal Shelter, Inc. 133 Hilltop Road Sprakers, NY 12166

A Continuation of Doug Ayres’ History And Shelter Policies From the beginning, the animal shelter has considered service to animals its top priority. It offers haven to the stray, unwanted, unidentified, lost dogs brought to it by the dog control officers of the towns and municipalities under contract with us. In addition, some privately owned animals are accepted for regularly scheduled fees from individuals when space is available.

Dogs are kept as part of the resident canine population until new owners offer suitable homes. The shelter expects that anyone adopting a female dog or cat will have it spayed. It is recommended that male animals be neutered; that all dogs will be licensed according to New York State law; that local dog ordinances will be adhered to; and that proper care, including veterinarian services where required, will be provided.

Cats, unfortunately for their welfare, are not subject to dog control officers. Private citizens must assume all responsibility for cats. The shelter will do its part in cooperating with individuals up to the limits of its capabilities.

Special Note: One of Doug Ayres’ goals was to eventually be able to do spay and neuter operations right at the shelter. We have now accomplished that part of his mission.

Ayres Shelter Spay & Neuter Clinic

Our clinics are now held right at Ayres Shelter (133 Hilltop Rd., Sprakers, NY 12166) Call for more information 518-673-5670 LIMITED APPOINTMENTS Call ahead to be put on our waiting list Every animal must have a valid rabies certificate.

Rabies and DHPP shots available at the clinic.

Rabies - $10 • Distemper - $15 Microchips available at $25 per pet

AYRES SHELTER MEMBERS $5 DISCOUNT per pet.

No animal accepted at clinic without full payment of fees prior to surgery

Wish List and Needs Clay Litter • Garbage Bags • Dye Free Dog Food (4 Health, Purina One, Iams, Rachel Ray) • Paper Towels • Bleach • Sponges • Dish Soap

In Memory of: Lelah Stam Helen Donaldson Benjamin Rose Emily Gallt William Cook Leslie Carson Leon Walrath Jeremiah Goldswer Edna Walts Delbert Becker Stephan Weishaupt Joseph Muhlig

~ Memorials ~ Elsie March Delaney Lois Lloyd Carolyn Bullock Tony Diviyak Sharon Hoffman Veronica Marino Teresa Snyder Bernard “Bernie” Mueller Luigi Marchione Winfred Walrath Taelor Kennedy-Bowman Gaines Voight Harold Carpenter

“Foxy” “Mike” “Gabby” “Pippi” “Payton” “Figaro” In Honor of: “Ollie” Daniel Pantalone Suzanne McComas Baize Wintermute Anne Farina’s 100th Birthday Soren & Remi Veit Birthday

Mossy Creek Kennel Ramona Schafsteck 607-264-3933

469 Barringer Road, Cherry Valley, NY 13320

Shelter Report For the Year 2017 From January 1 -August 31, 2017 Took in 119 dogs Reunited 39 with their owners Adopted: 77 Took in 103 cats/kittens Adopted: 81 Leatrice Natola

ABCDT-Certified Dog Trainer

250 N. Comrie Ave., Johnstown, NY 12095 518-762-7613 • Fax: 762-2817 www.harveyshomeandgarden.com

A very special Thank-You to Jayson for the amazing effort to raise money for our animals!

Jayson chose Ayres to raise money for this year - but this isn’t his first year doing this. For the past few years, he has been able to help different organizations, too.

For the past five Fridays, he set up a lemonade stand and sold delicious cookies. And boy did his hard work show! Jayson presented Marissa with a check for $750 today. We couldn’t be more thankful and honored to have such great young supporters.

And thank you to everyone who helped him make this such a success.

Jacob, John and Jake Sheldon helped deliver all of these donations for our animals by the Glen Reformed Church.

We couldn’t be more thankful for the generosity shown for our animals.

Beagles Harry and Harvey couldn’t contain their excitement. They were so happy and loved all the goodies and petting.

ARE YOU A DOG LOVER?

These girls are two more at the top of our “Thank you” list for the awesome job they did raising money to help our shelter cats and dogs.

Alyssa and Emma set up a lemonade stand at their home in Burnt Hills and made many “sweet treats” to sell along with their beverage.

Their friends, neighbors, and other animal lovers contributed $111.00, treats, and some toys for the benefit of our animals. We sincerely appreciate young people like Alyssa and Emma who are willing to work hard on a project because they truly love and care about animals.

Thanks, girls you’re amazing!

Pet Portraits in Oils Jeanne DeValve jdevalve@roadrunner.com 518-673-3737

…..Then these are important questions you probably have asked.

How did people who breed large quantities of puppies first learn that this process could be a massive money-maker?

Where do they acquire breeding stock?

Who takes the puppies to pet stores and delivers to people running on-line sales?

What forces are at play to convince us that a pure bred dog has more value than a mixed breed, and how do those forces affect the creation of large scale breeding operations?

Who else makes lots of money in the dog trade?

Who suffers?

For answers, read Kim Kavin’s The Dog Merchants .

She explains the whole operation involving the treating of canines as things to be bought and sold.

Kavin, Kim. The Dog Merchants: Inside the Big Business of Breeders, Pet Stores, and Rescuers. New York: Pegasus Books Ltd., 2016.

Handmade Collars & Leashes as Cool as your Dog! 518-762-BARK (2275) • 11 S. Market St., Johnstown, NY bark@LaVillaDogWorks.com See our website for store hours and upcoming events www.LaVillaDogWorks.com

Brutus

10 Year Old Male Staffordshire Terrier Mix

Beggin’ for Adoption Tuck 7-8 Year Old Male Shepherd Mix

April

5 Year Old Female American Bulldog Mix

Rocky

Rod

5 Year Old Male Beagle

Young Male Beagle

Camper

Zoey

2-4 Year Old Male Husky Mix

2 Year Old Female Min Pin Mix

ADOPTED Rez 5-7 Year Old Male Beagle

Harry

Rebel 2 1/2 Year Old Male Coonhound

ADOPTED

8-9 Year Old Male Beagle

Nina

Nike

6-7 Mo Old Female Pit Bull

ADOPTED

1-2 Year Old Male Pit Bull

Mason

6-7 Year Old Male Shepherd Mix

Grover

15 Mo Old Male Lab

Zeus 1 Year Old Male Shepherd/Lab Mix

King 10-11 Yr Old Female Greyhound Mix

Hal

11 Year Old Male American Eskimo/Corgi Mix

5-6 Year Old Male Rottweiler Mix

Baby

Max

2 Year Old Male Pit Bull

Jordan 6 Year Old Female Catahoula Leopard Dog

Papo 7 Yr Old Male Staffordshire Terrier Mix

Bobby 4-5 Yr Old Male Lab/Terrier Mix

Snuggles 13-14 Year Old Male Tiger

Beggin’ for Adoption Marvin

5-6 Mo Male Orange Tiger

Oz

5-6 Mo Male Tiger

Mack

Rhett

3-5 Year Old Female

5-6 Month Old Black Male

Link 2-3 Year Old Male

Ruby Sabrina

5 Month Old Orange Tiger Female

Donny 10 Year Old Male

1 Year Old Female

Addison

Blaze

Buster

1-2 Year Old Gray Female

4 Month Old Orange Kitten

4 Month Old Gray Kitten

ADOPTED

ADOPTED

Bashful 3 Year Old Female

Mayor

Cameo

8 Year Old Male Tiger

10-13 Year Old Tiger Female

Gabby 8 Year Old Female

Mandy 6 Month Old Female

Karma 2-3 Year Old Female

Volunteer Spotlight

When Melissa Witkowski started following Marissa Glasser-Christman’s FB page several years ago, who knew what life had in store for them both and for Chris (her husband) as well as all of the fur babies they have bonded with over the years? Melissa is originally from Long Island; Chris was a Jersey boy. They lived in the Albany area and then moved to Lake Tahoe across the country. Through seeing posts from friends, Melissa started following Curtis’s journey from seven years at Ayres and finally to a wonderful home of his own.

When she and her husband moved back to the area, Marissa reached out to her and asked if she would like to drive from their home in Scotia to do a “doggie outing” with a shelter dog. Their first dog was Joey. They stayed connected to him until his adoption.

Walks, swims, burgers, ice cream…whatever the agenda was for the day, the dogs were always up for it, jumping into the back of the vehicle, ready for an adventure. Melissa immediately noticed how much the staff care for the animals, citing that they are “some of the best people I have ever known.” The Witkowskis have worked with many dogs, taking a break only long enough for Melissa to deliver their son and rest for the summer before jumping right back in, son Max in tow now, too!

Rich Christman is a part time Ayres staff member who, in his own right, should be recognized as a dedicated volunteer. Rich holds an open dog obedience class at the shelter in-

corporating our shelter dogs, many of which attend with their shelter buddies. Chris Witkowski was one of those people. For eight weeks, he drove all the way to Ayres on a Wednesday night and took Brandi to classes. Brandi has since been adopted thanks to the attention and patience of Melissa, Chris, and Rich!

When asked what advice Melissa may have for new volunteers, she stated that it is a huge commitment but worth it. “We’re giving to them (the dogs), but really they’re giving to us.” Prior to having Max, they also took the dogs to adoption clinics and collected food from various locations that were donating. Melissa has a donation drop off at her work and many co-workers are very generous to her cause. Some of them have even adopted pets from Ayres.

Melissa stated that the shelter staff are inviting, even to their son. She said that she feels as though Ayres is like a small community adding that it is like they are family. She stated, “It is nice to see the passion and to be part of that. I love what they (staff) do. They truly give everything they have. They make it as wonderful for the animals as they can while they wait to be adopted.”

To Melissa the Ayres Shelter would like to say that we could not survive without volunteers like you, Chris, and even Max. We salute you and look forward to a long and happy relationship with you all!

Fetch Who knew that the sweetest pleasure of my fifty-eighth year would turn out to be my friendship with the dog?

than any famous lobbyist for the mortal condition.

These barricades and bulwarks against human loneliness,

That his trembling, bowlegged bliss at seeing me stand there with the leash would give me a feeling I had sought throughout my life?

they used to fill me with disdain, but that was before I found out my metaphysical needs could be so easily met

Now I undertand those old ladies walking their Chihuahuas in the dusk, plastic bag wrapped around one hand,

by the wet gaze of a brown-and-white retriever with a slight infection of the outer ear and a tail like a windshield wiper.

content with a companionship that, whatever else you may think of it, is totally reliable.

I did not guess that love would be returned to me as simply as a stick returned when it was thrown

And in the evening , at cocktail hour, I think tenderly of them

again and again and again— in fact, I still don’t exactly comprehend.

in all of those apartments on the fourteenth floor holding out a little hot dog on a toothpick

What could that possibly have to teach me about being human?

to bestow a luxury on a friend who knows more about uncomplicated pleasure

Tony Hoagland

SUPPORTING AYRES MEMORIAL ANIMAL SHELTER Levels of support:

Member $25

Friend $50

Sponsor $100

Donor $150

Benefactor $200+

Other $ ______

Dogs - $125 Two distemper vaccinations, rabies shot, two wormings, flea treatment (if needed), spay/neuter, microchip, heartworm test, lyme test.

Cats - $50 Two distemper vaccinations, rabies shot, two wormings, flea treatment (if needed), FELV/FIV test, ear mite treatment (if needed)

Your Choice _____________________________ If you would like to help with fund-raisers, please call Dale at 518-673-5114. We always need help, especially bakers!

If you would like to volunteer at the shelter, call Claire at 518-673-5670 (afternoons).

Please provide your name ____________________

Puppies - $70 (Plus $50*) One or two distemper vaccinations, rabies shot (for pups over 3 months old), one or two wormings, flea treatment (if needed), microchip

Address _________________________________ __________________________________ Phone # ___________________ email ___________________________________

Kittens - $15 (Plus $35*) One or two distemper vaccinations, rabies shot (for kittens over 3 months old), one or two wormings, flea treatment (if needed), FELV/FIV test (if old enough), ear mite treatment (if needed)

Credit Cards Are Now Accepted *State law requires $35 spay/neuter refundable deposit to be taken for all kittens and puppies at adoption.

Please send your support choice, this form, and your check to Ayres Memorial Animal Shelter 133 Hilltop Rd., Sprakers, NY 12166

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

Mahatma Gandhi

ADOPT A BLACK CAT OR DOG 10. They are easier to find in the snow.

9. They absorb heat so they are perfect for cuddling on a cold winter day.

8. They appear thinner.

7. They excel at night games of hide and seek.

6. They never look dirty.

5. Black goes with everything and always coordinates with your outfit.

4. They look presentable on formal occasions.

3. Black is a combination of every color on the spectrum so your animal is actually blue, green, red, etc.

2. Black is invisible when stuck to your good black coat.

1. A BLACK ANIMAL IS JUST AS LOVING AS ANY OTHER COLORED ANIMAL.

(Internet)

Happy Ending I adopted Oriana 5 years ago to be my companion and protector. Picked up as a stray, she had so much love and energy and I knew it was meant to be right from the beginning. I started volunteering at Ayres 4 years later, and my husband and I fell in love with Elissa. Again we knew it was meant to be and we found out that Ori loved her too!!!

Together our little family of 4 spends time tent camping, running, snuggling, taking road trips, hiking, swimming and eating.

Our lives are so full of love with these two silly girls and I can’t imagine where we would be without them.

★ FEATURED PET ★

Grover

Meet Grover. He is a 5 to 6 year old neutered male Ro weiler mix. Grover was found on Bu on Road, Sharon Springs and came to the shelter on March 24, 2017.

He was skinny, had some small wounds, long nails, and was very uncertain. Today he is very playful, loves riding in the car and going for walks. He loves people, and playing with other dogs. He has a ended a couple of high school baseball games on his outings!

Grover is good with some dogs, but would do best in a home with older kids and no ki ies.

Grover’s adoption fee has been sponsored by a generous supporter hoping to help find him a loving forever home.

Gifts for which we are especially grateful

Sign - Tara Hogan & Jim Fiaschetti Bench - Fred Anderson & James Whipple Blacktop - Anonymous

Web Design & Facebook Page by Marissa Christman • AdoptaPet.com and Petfinder.com photos - Nancy Bell