Haven Halo Winter/Spring 2016-2017 Vol. 12 No. 1

Winter/Spring 2016-2017 Vol. 12 No. 1

FOR FRIENDS OF THE HAVEN ADOPTION GUARANTEE ANIMAL SHELTER IN FAIRHOPE, ALABAMA

2016 a Pawsitive Year Saving Lives at Satellite Spaces Happy Tails - Buster and Calyspo It’s a Van Bring Your “A” Game to MMOR 2017 City of Fairhope Shelter Animals Count Report

Above: Bambi, adopted.

WWW.HAVENFOR ANIMALS.ORG DONATE TODAY

Executive Director MESSAGE It’s been an exciting year for The Haven animals and we are thrilled to share with you some “pawsitive” results.

Thanks to you, we have been able to rescue, rehabilitate and place 721 cats and dogs in loving homes this year. Our programs and services like Project S.A.F.E. (Saving Animals From Euthanasia) saved over 581 animals from our friends’ at the municipal animal control shelters across Baldwin County. And the exciting news doesn’t end there.

Over 250 dedicated volunteers from all areas of the County donated over 6,588 plus hours, donating their time and talent to foster animals, walk and social our dogs, advocate for our cats at pet adoption events, serve on committees to raise funds and awareness, and much more. This is the highest number of volunteer hours we have received in our 16 years of service. We could not do our life-changing work without them.

Ending pet homelessness in Baldwin County is a large endeavor, but I know in my heart that we will achieve this goal because of caring individuals like you. For every homeless animal, we invest approximately $300 to cover necessary medical care, food, and shelter. The Haven relies on the generosity of individuals like you to help save these precious lives. Many of our animals have been victims of abuse and neglect and require special medical care in order to make them healthy and ready for adoption. From spay and neuter surgeries, heartworm treatments, and even basic veterinary care, our costs have risen as has the number of lives we have rescued this year. There is not a more important time than now to show your love by making a tax-deductible donation, today.

Hundreds of homeless cats and dogs need our help and are hoping they will be next to find a happy ending. I urge you to please make a donation of $25, $50, or more, today using the enclosed envelope or click here. Your gift will immediately go towards helping rescue a loving animal who is hoping for a second chance.

Thank you for making 2016 a “pawsitive” year for the homeless animals. I hope you will find it in your heart to make a donation if you are able. We look forward to working with you to save even more homeless cats and dogs in 2017.

Sincerely,

Michael Graham Executive Director P.S. Your support is needed more than ever. You can be a Special Angel by making an investment in your community by becoming a recurring donor. Your consistent monthly donation will help us with our ongoing efforts to create and sustain a no-kill community. Click here to become a Special Angel, today.

Stay connected with us!

 www.havenforanimals.org  facebook.com/havenforanimals

@havenforanimals  instagram.com/thehavenforanimals

2016 a Pawsitive Year 2,736 loads of laundry 9,575 pounds of dog/cat food 581 Spay/Neuter surgeries -104 previously altered 6,588 volunteer hours

THANK YOU

to everyone who volunteered and gave during the year to provide us with the tools and resources needed to care for our Haven residents!

Halo is a publication of: The Haven No-Kill Adoption Guarantee Animal Shelter, PO Box 1063, Fairhope, Alabama 36533.

V O L U M E 12 Contributing Writers: Mary Ardis Brittany Arndt Kyle Poston Liz Tetley Sarah Toulson Copy Editor: Liz Tetley Contributing Photographers: Kathie Ono of Ono Pet Photography Graphic Design: Michael Graham

Transfers: Baldwin Cty Animal Control Shelters - 550 Owner Surrenders - 99 Returns - 27 Strays - 3

Chairman, Board of Directors: Stephanie Calhoun, LPC Executive Director: Michael Graham

Saving Lives at Satellite Spaces

by Mary Ardis

Thanks to volunteer warriors like Valerie Meyer, Megan Shively and Sheena McGivney, 47 cats have found “furever” homes since the end of March 2016 at PetCo’s Cat Adoption Center in Daphne. Valerie, Megan, and Sheena are volunteers in the Fantastic Feline program which The Haven No-Kill Animal Shelter relies on to promote their adoptable felines to the public. Furry, friendly felines can be seen and adopted conveniently from the store’s location.

Megan has been a volunteer for The Haven approximately one year. Initially, Megan spent time socializing the cats at The Haven’s shelter in Fairhope by interacting with the felines that live in the Cat Community Center, a peaceful colony of about 20 to 30 cats.

“When I received an e-mail from The Haven requesting additional help from volunteers to help with the cats at PetCo, I decided to help out. They only need cleaning once a day which takes 30-60 minutes but there is always extra time to visit with them. The PetCo staff looks after the felines during the day and before closing each night. I have a full time job and can’t volunteer during the week so I volunteer on Sunday mornings. It’s a great way to start the day – visiting the cats,” Megan stated.

Valerie has been a volunteer for many years with The Haven.

A couple of months ago she decided to give up some time on her Saturday mornings to also help care for the cats that The Haven has for adoption at PetCo.

Sheena joined The Haven’s life-saving team in the spring of 2016 and has been not only helping care for the furry felines at PetCo, but she also has assisted with transporting the cats to and from the shelter.

“Volunteers are the life-blood of our agency. We could not help homeless pets especially those at our satellite locations without them. All of us greatly appreciate their time and effort,” said Michael Graham, executive director of The Haven.

The Pet Supermarket in Daphne is another great adoption site The Haven uses for the Fantastic Feline program. This site opened on December 20, 2012. Since that date 106 cats have been adopted instead of euthanized. Forty-six of those cats were adopted just this year.

If you would like to join the Fantastic Feline Program, shoot The Haven an email at volunteer@havenforanimals.org. Donations are always needed to help cover medical costs to help make our felines healthy and ready for adoption. Your tax-deductible gift can be mailed to The Haven P.O. Box 1063, Fairhope, AL 36533. The cats will thank you with happy purrs.

1. Parish, adopted. 2. Valerie Meyer and Megan Shivley, Haven volunteers.

3. Valerie Meyer holding Tanner, adopted. 4. Megan and Valerie caring for our cats.

Happy Tails - Buster

by Brittany Arndt

Although he was very shy and frightened at first,

Elizabeth Holyfield saw a lovable pup in Buster.

Buster arrived at the Haven quite scared. He would not take treats, wag his tail, bark, or try to socialize with anyone. He would not even like going for walks! He was clearly abused and neglected.

The staff and volunteers worked with Buster for months, sitting in his cage for hours, working with him endlessly to try and earn his trust. Gradually, Buster began making great improvement. Eventually, Buster was a whole new dog! He helped rehabilitate other abused and frightened dogs.

Elizabeth says that Buster loves going for long walks, swimming in the river, riding on the boat, and snuggling with his blanket.

Elizabeth has two boys and Buster has taken to them immensely.

“Every time I hug one of my boys, Buster jumps up to join in.”

The Holyfield family is very grateful for their newest member.

Happy Tails - Calypso

by Brittany Arndt

Ariana Wilson wasn’t initially looking to adopt, yet

she couldn’t keep herself from being drawn to Calypso.

She came into the shelter just as sweet and sassy as she is now. When she was examined, the vets found she was an older cat and suffered from some motor control issues. Even though this cat would be difficult to place considering her age and health issues, her personality shined.

Staff and volunteers worked to showcase Calypso and find her that perfect home. Ariana was introduced to Calypso at PetCo while she and her fiancé were across the street doing laundry. “We noticed she was blind, but she was just the sweetest kitty,” Ariana says. Calypso has already adapted to being in a house with a dog and hedgehogs as well! Ariana says Calypso loves lying on the patio and basking in the sun. Ariana is so thankful for this unexpected meeting. “She has

made our family feel whole.”

1. Buster with his new owners. 2. Buster playing with Elizabeth. 3. Calypso relaxing in her new home. 4. Calypso’s professional photo by Ono Pet Photography 5. Calypso playing with her new friend, a hedgehog.

It’s a Van!

by Kyle Poston

T

he Haven is proud to introduce our newest addition to our lifesaving resources, the Mobile Adoption Rescue Unit, MARU JR! Thanks to a grant from PetSmart Charities, The Haven was able to adopt Jr. and begin utilizing the much-needed vehicle to help homeless pets.

The Haven needed a vehicle that could not only transport a larger number of adoptable animals to their vet appointments, but also to allow Haven team members to transport animals and supplies to our pet adoption events. Before Jr. The Haven relied on their truck which had very limited space and many mechanical issues. The truck could only transport 3 animals a day to the vet, and this limited the number of animals we could have prepared for a new home. After many trips to the mechanic, and a very stressful breakdown, we were forced to retire our truck.

Adopting Jr was a great opportunity for The Haven as Jr can transport 12 animals daily and can also pull our MARU Senior to some of the bigger pet adoption events we have through the year. Jr can also assist in any rescue mission we have due to disaster. We are so thankful to not only PetSmart Charities for this amazing vehicle, but also to our sponsors like Ono Pet Photography.

Be on the lookout for our newest member, MARU, Jr.! We will be taking Jr. to our offsite events on the first, second, and third Saturday of each month which provides our precious charges a chance at an audience that doesn’t make their way to our shelter.

Bring Your “A” Game to MMOR 2017

by Sarah Toulson

A

lright Haven team!

Time to lace up your cleats and don those jerseys! The time for masks and merry-making will soon be upon us, and the Haven is ready to celebrate the Mardi Gras season in style! Mark your calendars for the 14th annual Mystic Mutts of Revelry Parade presented by McSharrys Irish Pub scheduled for February 18th, 2017 in beautiful downtown Fairhope. Our theme for this year’s parade is “The Haven Scores Another Rescue,” so prepare your pups to bring their “A” game and show off their favorite sport or sports team.

The event will kick off with registration at the Fairhoper’s Community Park beginning at 10:30, where we will host music, activities, and a photo booth to take your pet’s picture in costume, have refreshments for sale, and more. The parade will begin at 1:00 pm on Morphy Avenue on the south side of the park.

To register by February 17, visit www.HavenForAnimals.org/mmor/parade. Same-day registration will be available at the park until 12:30 pm. The registration fee is $10, and children six and under are FREE. The MMOR parade is one of the Haven’s biggest annual fundraisers, made successful by generous donations and countless hours of work provided by our volunteers. This year, we are going for the gold with a fundraising goal of $25,000. These funds will aid us in continuing our mission of finding forever homes for abused, neglected, and homeless animals, as well as provide much-needed care such as spay/ neutering, microchipping, and vaccines. Please join your fellow animal-lovers for a fun time and a wonderful opportunity to help us continue finding forever homes for our furry friends!

Shelter Animals Count Report 2016 City of Fairhope Animal Shelter

Species By Age A - Beginning Animal Count (Date: 11/1/2015) Live Intakes B - Stray / At Large C - Relinquished by Owner G - TOTAL LIVE INTAKE Outcomes I - Returned to Owner J - Transferred to another Agency

Adult

Canine Up to 5 months

Adult

Feline Up to 5 months

Total

0

1

5

4

10

236 1 237

53 1 54

65 5 70

110 0 110

464 7 471

143 75 71

4 49 49

7 46 46

2 77 77

156 247 243

4

0

0

0

4

K - Returned to Field M - Subtotal: Live Outcomes

0 218

0 53

1 54

0 79

1 404

N - Died in Care P - Shelter Euthanasia R - Subtotal: Other Outcomes S - TOTAL OUTCOMES

1 4 5 223

1 0 1 54

2 11 13 67

6 4 10 89

10 19 29 433

14

1

8

25

48

The Haven Baldwin Co Animal Control

T - Ending Animal Count (Date: 11/30/2016)

Capture the Moments with Your Pet and Create Lasting Memories

Call today!

(251) 490-5282 kathie@onopetphotography.com

www.onopetphotography.com

Shelter Adoption Hours

10:00 am - 4:00 pm Mon - Tues Closed Wednesday to public 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Thurs - Fri 10:00 am - 1:00 pm 4th Sat of each month* Closed Sunday to public *Off-site pet adoptions held the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Saturday of every month.

559 S . S e c t i o n St .

P. O. B ox 10 6 3 Fa i r h o p e, A L 3 6 5 3 3 2 51-9 2 9- 398 0

Our Life-Saving Partners

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MMOR 2017: Saturday, February 18, 2017 Go online to check out our list of upcoming pet adoptions events, promotions, and • Registration opens at fundraisers.

Fairhoper’s Community Park at 10:30 AM with live music by Grayson Capps, a professional photo booth, & more family-friendly and pet worthy activities • Entry fee: $10 per dog and • $10 per person over age 6 • Pre-registration: Available until 4:00pm on February 17 online or at the Haven, $10 per dog and $10 per person over age 6.

• Parade begins: 1:00 PM • Route: through downtown Fairhope - map with route and parking can be viewed here.

Stay connected with us!

 www.havenforanimals.org  facebook.com/havenforanimals

@havenforanimals  instagram.com/thehavenforanimals

Please Make a Tax-Deductible Donation Today