Time to Dispel the Myths About Shelter Dogs!

“Saving one animal will not change the world, but surely for that one animal, the world will change forever” (Karen Davidson).

Fostering can save the life of dogs or cats needing extra care when they arrive at Gibson County Animal Services (GCAS). Foster homes provide temporary refuge for pets that need help because of medical issues, need to work on socialization, or need extra care with a new litter of puppies or kittens. Foster homes save those pets that are too young to be adopted or who are elderly or injured and recovering from surgery. Foster parents can help bring a depressed dog or cat that just lost its beloved owner back to life. Fostering can save a pet’s life.

Sadly, some animals have been abused and need extra love and care in order to recuperate away from the shelter. Foster homes provide one-on-one attention to these animals and make their transition into a new home easier for both them and their new owners. Pets may need help with feeding, grooming, health issues, vaccinations, and medical appointments before they are ready to be adopted.

Fostering helps reduce overcrowding in shelters and helps pets who are not used to living in a home know what people expect out of them. Learning how to behave in homes can keep pets from bouncing in and out of the shelter.

Pets that are fearful because of their previous experiences may be seen as aggressive, making them harder to place in a furever home. Love and support from foster pet parents can help them let their true personalities shine and overcome their fears, making them easier to adopt.

Foster pet parents provide that loving care and get to know their furry guests, learning more about them and discovering if they like children or other animals, if they are couch potatoes or full of energy, or if they are needy or independent, making it easier to match pets with their permanent furever homes.

Sometimes pets just need a break, a vacation, from the shelter, to get away and enjoy some “me” time away from all the other dogs and cats. Those who can’t care for an animal for a long-term period of time can enjoy short-term furry companionship. Even a weekend outing can give a pet an emotional boost.

Those who are considering adopting a pet may want to foster first to determine if they have what it takes to be a pet mom or dad. Fostering can provide these individuals with a positive experience with a pet in need of love, possibly along with some dog or cat hair (or as we prefer to call it, pet glitter). GCAS provides foster families with the supplies they need such as food, cages, medication, and needed veterinary care — foster parents provide the love and care.

Fostering benefits us as well. Maybe we could use some exercise; an energetic pup can give us that extra encouragement to stretch our (combined) legs. Pets provide wonderful companionship and don’t care if the furniture needs to be dusted and might enjoy an extra ten minute snooze after the alarm goes off in the morning. Maybe we need to unwind — playing catch with the dog or watching kittens chase each other and the sunlight as it moves across the floor can be relaxing.

Of course, you may become a “foster fail.” I took in my little Jenna as a foster; within a month, we adopted each other. She was rescued after spending six years in a puppy mill as a breeder and was painfully shy and undernourished, weighing a mere four pounds. Today, she is more assertive and prances when she walks. Take a chance — maybe you can become a “foster fail,” too.

The annual wellness clinic at Princeton Veterinary Hospital on May 20, starting at 1:00 p.m. provides rabies booster and wellness check-up for only $20 (cash only) for Gibson County residents (low income/fixed income/ senior). Please pre-register by calling 812-386-8079. Once again, we thank the public for supporting us with our fundraisers in conjunction with Hacienda and Shelby’s Sweets, and invite you to check out our quilt raffle as well.

Please visit GCAS at 3840 South County Road 175 E,, Princeton, IN, and meet your new best friend. Please call 812.386.8079 if you have any questions. Come see us at the May DPI Street Market and our annual Cruzin’ For Critters car show July 2nd!

These dogs and cats are currently available for adoption at GCAS; they are waiting to make you smile.

CASA Held Awareness Event at the Park

In recognition of Child Abuse Awareness month, CASA held an event for children and families at Lafayette Park on Thursday, April 13th. There were bounce houses, health and service providers as well as food in the nearby shelter house.

Members of Ireland Homebased Services who offer families help.

Eastern Star Helped Service Dogs for Vets

The local Eastern Star provided a dinner at Patoka UMC on Saturday, April 22nd, to raise money for veteran’s in need of service dogs. The Program is called Pets for Patriots. There were also items for sale and basket auctions to help this cause that works with Indiana Canine Assistant Network.

1 Fiber Fanatics 6pm

Sewing with Susan 6pm

Quilting Speciality Class 6-8pm

*Registration is required! MUST be available for both this night & the eighth in order to finish project. Meeting upstairs. Limit 10 people, ages 12+

7 8 Chats with Charlie 10am

Total Eclipse! Learn about the past solar eclipse our area experienced in 2017 & how to prepare for 2024!

Fiber Fanatics 6pm

Sewing with Susan 6pm

Please make sure you call to register for these limited spots! Ext. 112

Quilting Speciality Class 6-8pm

*Registration is required! MUST have attended class on May 1st in order to finish project. Meeting upstairs.

1 4 15 Folk Music at the Library 5pm

September 2015

2 VU GED 12-3pm

3 5 6

Fiber Fanatics 6pm Sewing Class 6pm

9 VU GED 12-3pm

Books & Breadsticks 6pm

Join us at Susan Bobe’s Pizza for sodas & breadsticks while we discuss this month’s book: The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths

The Mighty Pen 6pm Special appearance tonight! Live via Zoom we will be meeting & speaking with Deb Haggerty of Elk Lake Publishing on publishing topics. Get your questions answered by an expert!

16 VU GED 12-3pm

Library Board Meeting 4pm Open to the public

*Jigsaw Puzzle going out until Memorial Day closing

10 Chats with Charlie

VU GED 123pm Basic Computer Class 2pm *Registration required. Limit 5 Fit Club 6pm 12 13

Create 18 VU GED 123pm Fit Club 6pm Everyone welcome!

19

Endangered Species Day We are honoring the importance of bees today with giveaways!

23 VU GED 12-3pm

Friends of the Library Meeting 5:30pm

We are welcoming new members!

Fiber Fanatics 6pm Sewing Class 6pm

Memorial Day Presentation 6pm Jim Munford presents Remembrance for the Men of the 58th. An evening of historical significance & honor for our fallen heroes of the past

Chats with Charlie 6pm Encore of Total Eclipse

30 Special Early Registration Day for Summer Reading 1p-

25 Special Early Registration Day for Summer Reading 9am2pm VU GED 123pm Fit Club 6pm 26 27 2 8 29 CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY

8pm