The Haven News Spring Summer 2019

SPRING/SUMMER 2019

THE HAVEN

News

IN THIS

ISSUE THE AFFLECK AFFECT

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK HOME SWEET HOME DONATING OUTSIDE THE BOX ASK THE VET

THE AFFLECK AFFECT Read about Mint and Momosa's journey inside!

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559 S. Section St. • Fairhope, AL • (P) 251.929.3980 • www.havenforanimals.org

HOME Sweet HOME happy tails

THE

and lack of love. This discovery had affected him physically and behaviorally.

Affleck

Outward appearances don’t matter to the compassionate team at The Haven. It is what’s inside that counts. But, not everybody can see deep into the soul of a homeless pet, realizing their true beauty.

AFFECT

FEATURING ACADEMY AWARD ACTOR CASEY AFFLECK

Getting noticed by someone in “the business” is hard. But Mint, a 3-month-old kitten and her friend Momosa easily won over actor Casey Affleck, who has been in Fairhope filming the movie, “The Friend.” Mint and Momosa are not just your run of the mill classic tabbies. They were found abandoned in a box with their six littermates on a hot day at a local grocery store filled with vehicles entering and exiting the lot. It is a miracle they survived.

Momosa

Mint and Momosa are just two of the homeless pets who found shelter at The Haven. Casey Affleck is no stranger to helping causes dear to his heart, especially animal-related causes.

Casey strongly believes in giving back to helping animals and is a vegan. The Haven was honored to meet Casey. The actor had lots of kisses for the kittens, and, based on all the purrs, Mint and Momosa may be his biggest fans. A huge thanks to Dakota Johnson, also starring in the film, for showing your support for The Haven and our mission.

Researching and portraying a role such as Casey’s in “The Friend,” a husband coming to grips with his wife’s cancer diagnosis, can make life seem gray. But when homeless pets from The Haven take the stage, their love and affection bring sunshine back to your heart.

Volunteer APPRECIATION WEEK The week of April 7th through the 13th was designated National Volunteer Appreciation Week. Volunteers are the lifeblood of any non-profit, and that is especially true at The Haven. Volunteers fostering sick or nursing kittens and puppies, walking and socializing dogs rain or shine and caring for cats at offsite satellite locations helped bring out the best in the animals, helping them find a new loving home. And let’s not forget the volunteers who help at our ReSale Shop, write articles for the newsletter, take photographs of our precious charges, serve on the Board of Directors and on the fundraising committee. Each volunteer is an individual who has chosen to place The Haven on their calendar and invests their time to making The Haven’s life-saving mission possible. We salute our volunteers and unite when saying thank you to each of you for your time, talent, and dedication towards helping to end pet homelessness.

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Franklin

Mint FRANKLIN DESERVED SHELTER

On a cold, dark, and cloudy morning, a Good Samaritan arrived at The Haven with a sense of urgency in her voice. She found a medium sized, male dog who was in desperate need of help. The dog was thin with red and inflamed skin. This abandoned and helpless animal was shivering in fear. He stood at her side leaning heavily on her legs. It was clear this was another case of neglect.

The Haven caregivers got to work quickly, greeting him with gentle-hands. Their examination began with a new name for this special fellow. Franklin, as he would be called, was suffering from a poor diet, flea allergy dermatitis (itchy skin with hair loss),

It wasn’t long before potential adopter’s started to take notice of this once shy and fearful dog. Sometimes fate plays a role in life’s journey. Jared visited The Haven with the intent of finding a new companion. This kind-hearted potential adopter walked through the dog adoption area viewing all of the dogs. He passed up Franklin only to dash back to him where he found this brighteyed dog eagerly awaiting Jared’s approval.

Jared took Franklin outside for a stroll so he could find out if there was a connection. Franklin soon won over Jared’s heart with just a few wiggles and many kisses. “When he came up to me, I felt this dog would be a good companion to have around, and I was right!” said Jared. And, a love connection was made.

MR. GREY DESERVED LOVE Sharing your life with senior pets can have many rewards.

They are often already trained and need a loving home just as much as a younger pet.

The Haven received a call from a very worried family member who recently inherited a senior cat. Sadly, the man’s elderly father had unexpectedly passed away, leaving behind a sweet senior grey tabby. The son lives out of state and was surprised to learn that his father shared his life with a senior cat named, Mr. Grey. The son could not take on caring for another pet but was looking for a positive solution.

Shortly thereafter, the son visited The Haven with Mr. Grey as planned. The cat’s pupils were dilated and he was curled up as tight as he could in his pet carrier trying to hide from all the new sounds and scents. Mr. Grey didn’t know what had happened to his loving human companion nor what his future would hold.

The Haven’s caregivers could hear a soft meow when approaching the pet carrier. They noticed Mr. Grey was certainly at least 8-years-old, dehydrated, and malnourished.

He was suffering from a long-term flea allergy based on the condition of Mr. Grey’s skin.

Luna with Phyllis Hicks, volunteer

Franklin’s conditions began to improve. He looked forward to meal and snack times by devouring his new special diet. The flea preventative and weekly medicated baths healed his skin allergy.

Franklin was now transformed from the shivering, defeated dog, into waggy-tailed, sloppy kissing, and all happy dog! His coat may never be considered “normal.” With Franklin’s newly found layer or “coat” of confidence, his future was looking much brighter.

He was very patient and spent several weeks at The Haven allowing our caregivers to give him life-saving medical treatments.

Mr. Grey Photo courtesy of Ono Pet Photography

After weeks of calling The Haven home, Mr. Grey meowed in a unique way. This time his meow was much stronger and happier. It was his way of telling us he was feeling better and showing his appreciation.

Senior cats are one of the best pets one can enjoy spending time with. And, Mr. Grey’s adopter could not agree more. “I was looking to adopt a cat and noticed Mr. Grey on The Haven’s website,” stated Alyssa, Mr. Grey’s adopter. “I fell in love when I met him and he is so happy here in our home.” The Haven team is touched to see the transformation of Mr. Grey.

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Donating OUTSIDE THE BOX Donating to The Haven is more than dropping money into a donation bank or mailing a check.

Though these acts ARE appreciated, there are additional ways to donate for the animals.

HONOR A SPECIAL PERSON OR PET WITH A MONETARY DONATION. Make a monetary donation in their name. Your gift is a meaningful way to remember your two or four-legged loved ones and will continue to help save lives of homeless pets. Per your request, we can send a special note letting your loved one know about your caring gift in their name.

ADD A MONTHLY DONATION TO YOUR BUDGET. When the animals at The Haven can count on your consistent giving, The Haven caregivers can provide more efficiently and develop new programs to get them adopted. Ask your company’s Human Resource department for programs like workplace giving campaigns and gift matching.

NON-MONETARY DONATIONS. These donations include stocks, bonds and securities; personal property and real estate; vehicles in working, saleable condition; gift annuities and retirement and life insurance plans. On your next shopping trip, take along a copy of The Haven’s wish list.

DON’T FORGET YOUR TIME AND TALENTS ... VOLUNTEER! Volunteers are the waves carrying The Haven’s mission to the community.

Whether you give proceeds from a pet portrait or your lap to a neglected or abused furry friend, you can help bring The Haven’s goal of a no kill community closer to shore.

Shelter Adoption Hours Mon - Tues: 10am - 4pm Wed: Closed to the Public Thurs - Fri: 10am - 4pm 4th Sat of Each Month: 10am - 1pm Sun: Closed to the Public Shelter on Wheels off-site pet adoption events held the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Saturday of every month.

1st - Petco, Daphne 2nd - Daphne Animal Shelter, Daphne 3rd - Pet Supermarket, Daphne Shelter Location 559 S. Section Street Fairhope, AL 36532 (P) 251.929.3980 www.havenforanimals.org

CONNECT WITH US

For more information, please contact Mike Graham, Executive Director at (251) 929-2494 or mgraham@havenforanimals.org.

Ask THE VET

ASK A VET WITH DR. MARSHALL SENIOR PET EDITION

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE POSITIVES TO ADOPTING A SENIOR DOG OR CAT?

Seniors make some of the best adoptable pets! They’ve gotten over the puppy/kitten phase and are more excepting of life and life’s changes, and they’re grateful to have a second chance. They were someone’s pet at one time so to be given a second chance at a forever home is really a great gift for them.

WHEN ADOPTING AN OLDER PET WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO?

First thing that you should do, like with all new pets, is take the senior to a vet. Some things we see in seniors are arthritis, dental problem, or weight gain. Seeing a vet will give you a good overall picture of your pet’s health and how to treat or prevent any problems. When introducing a new pet to the home, you’ll want to reduce the stress on the new pet and the resident pet as much as possible. Have them meet out in an open area then slowly introduce them together in each room of the home. Give the new dog or cat his/her own bed and food bowl and try walking with both pets together to help start the bonding process.

WHAT ARE SOME PREVENTATIVE MEASURES A PERSON CAN TAKE TO ENSURE THEIR SENIOR LIVES A LONG AND HAPPY LIFE?

Your vet may recommend a specific diet to help prevent or treat some common problems like weight issues. Supplements can also be used effectively to help with kidney or liver complications. Arthritis is one of the most common ailments that we see that can be treated with supplements such as Glucosamine.

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