March/April 2015 Issue of Pet Me! Magazine by Pet Me! Magazine

March/April 2015

Your Guide To All Things Pets

Shelter

Super Heroes

PLUS: Where the Wild Things Are Adele & Entropion The Realities of Pig Farming & Much More!

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Pet Me! Magazine™ MARCH/APRIL 2015

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MARCH/APRIL 2015

Contents 4 Shelter Super Heroes 9 The Realities of Pig Farming 10 Where the Wild Things Are 16 Adele & Entropion 20 All Creatures Veterinary Center 21 Happy Pets Announcement 22 Cat Adoptables 23 Directory for All Things Pets

Advertising Information Direct: 661.255.9979 Fax: 866.259.9201 29743 Seco Cyn. Rd. #518, Santa Clarita, CA 91350

email: petadv@petmemag.com Web: www.petmemag.com PUBLISHER Bridget Alves EDITOR Caroline Squires ART DIRECTOR Doug Conboy COVER PHOTO Caroline Squires PUBLISHED BY Pet Me! Publications

Spring is the season that calls us to pause our busy lives and invites us to wonder. It carries many symbols that represent renewal of life and of hope for the future. This issue is filled with stories of renewed life and hope for the future. Shelter Super Heroes takes a close look at the amazing and inspiring members of a shelter intervention program that is dedicated to helping owners keep their pets instead of surrendering them at the shelter. Their efforts are making a difference in their communities; hopefully more shelters will include an intervention program in order to reduce the number of pets entering their facility. As the weather becomes increasingly nicer, pet owners leave their pets outside more, but caution should be used; wild animals can pose a threat to small pets. Our article, “Where the Wild Things Are” provides you with information regarding these animals, and what you can do to help keep your pets safe. As always, thank you for your wonderful email and kind support. Please continue sending your input as it assists us in providing you with the information you want. We appreciate the privilege of bringing you Pet Me! Magazine. We are also full of possibilities here at Pet Me! Interns are wanted for writing articles, creating newsletters, blogging, and graphic design. Internships offer a great opportunity for you to explore potential careers, gain valuable job experience, and fulfill college requirements. Most importantly, you learn more about yourself and what motivates you. An internship is a great way to get experience, develop your potential, make contacts and expand your resume. If interested, please send your contact information to: info@petmemag.com.

Bridget Alves Publisher

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s e o r He Helping Pet Owners Keep Their Pets By Caroline Squires; Photos by Caroline Squires

Sara Harris with Savannah, a shelter dog 4 Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ MARCH/APRIL 2015

t some point, we’ve known someone who was no longer able to keep a pet. The reason can vary, but it usually has something to do with lack of finances, time, or resources to properly care for a pet. Sometimes people believe they don’t have any other viable option but to take their pet to the animal shelter. According to L.A. City Animal Services’ website, 50,240 dogs and cats were brought to their six animal shelters between 2013 and 2014. This number is comprised of both strays as well as pets that were surrendered by their owner. While 50,240 is a high number, it’s less than what it has been in the past, and there is still more to be done to drop that number again. Several Los Angeles City animal shelters have partnered with Found Animals, a privately-funded non-profit dedicated to helping pets, along with several rescue and community partners to implement a shelter intervention program in order to prevent pets from entering the shelter in the first place. Kerry Armstrong, a volunteer at L.A.’s North Central shelter, started an intervention program at the North Central shelter called Home Dog L.A., a non-profit organization, in order to keep pets out of the shelter by providing various types of assistance to pet owners.

Home Dog L.A. offers options for low-cost or free spay/ neuter (on a case-by-case basis), medical care, vaccines, pet redemption fees, landlord deposits, and humane euthanasia. They also offer food, bedding, collars and leashes. Armstrong said, “We keep about 40 pets out of the shelter every month and also help to return pets to their owners by paying redemption fees for people who cannot afford it.” When a pet is taken to the shelter by a Good Samaritan or by an Animal Control officer, an owner is required to pay a redemption fee in order to get their pet out of the shelter (the fee covers vaccinations, food, boarding, and medical care). However, sometimes pet owners cannot afford the $150 it can cost to claim their pet. Armstrong explained that by paying the redemption fee for owners who cannot afford it, a pet and owner are reunited, and the kennel space is freed up. Home Dog L.A. also provides veterinary vouchers to pet owners, which gives them a good rate at the local veterinary clinics Home Dog L.A. has partnered with. Armstrong explained, “We never pay over $300 for any service, and most of the time we don’t have to pay more than $100 to help someone keep their pet. It doesn’t cost a lot to keep

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Home Dog L.A.’s banner inside the North Central shelter Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ MARCH/APRIL 2015

continued from page 5 these pets out of the shelter.” Armstrong is a firm believer that every shelter should have an intervention program to help pet owners in need. Armstrong’s intervention program is based on one that came before hers. The intervention effort originally began at the South L.A. shelter and one intervention employee who sat outside the shelter to intercept anyone heading in with an animal to relinquish. In April 2013, their shelter intervention program was able to prevent 150 pets from entering the South L.A. shelter. 132 dogs, 17 cats, and 1 rabbit were able to stay in their homes. I went to the North Central shelter in L.A. and met several women who dedicate their time to helping pet owners. These shelter super heroes spend countless hours aiding people and pets in their community. Sara Harris, a bilingual counselor, works for Home Dog L.A. Her favorite question to ask is, “How can I help you keep your pet?” Harris has been asking this question of pet owners since 2013 and has seen the benefits of her tireless work. That same question is printed on a large banner above a table that is visible when a person walks into the shelter. Harris and other intervention workers are there 4 days a week and work 5-7 hours depending on the day. Harris explained how the intervention program builds relationships with local veterinarians, handymen, lawyers, dog trainers, groomers, shelter 6 Pet Me! Magazine™

staff, and rescue groups to create a network that she and other intervention workers and volunteers call upon when help is needed. Intervention program workers and volunteers don’t judge people, they just listen to pet owners’ complaints and problems: the dog barks so much the neighbors complain, his digging wrecks the lawn, her accidents ruin the carpet, he won’t walk on a leash or stay in the yard, she’s too skittish, or too wild. Harris explained that the owners are often times discouraged, angry, embarrassed, but often heartbroken as well. They go to the shelter because they feel they have no place left to turn or they believe the shelter is the best option. Harris counsels pet owners, discovers the reasons why they think they can no longer keep their pet, and then strategizes with them to develop a plan of action that will allow them to keep their pet. “Sometimes a $10 rabies shot will prevent a dog from going into the shelter,” Harris commented as she turned her attention to two girls who walked in and approached the table where we sat. One of the girls held a fabric bag close to her side while the other girl stood quietly next to her. The girl with the bag told us that her friend had just adopted a kitten from the shelter a week ago and was concerned about its health. It seemed as though the kitten had gotten an upper respiratory infection, and even though they had been giving it the antibiotics pre-

Pet Me! Magazine™ MARCH/APRIL 2015

scribed by the shelter, they weren’t sure if he was doing better because he was still sneezing. Harris began asking the girls questions about the kitten’s behavior, appetite, general appearance, and then all of a sudden, the kitten in question poked his head out of the bag. Harris looked the kitten over and assured the girls he appeared to be healthy, and they didn’t need to be concerned. Even though Harris was confident in her recommendation, she gave the girls one of her business cards and told them to call if they had any additional questions or concerns. Since many pet owners are unfamiliar with how the shelter system operates, Harris will navigate them through the system by explaining how it works, and the best ways to operate within it. For example, a couple came in to adopt their first dog together (neither one had owned a dog as an adult) and Harris spent a lot of time explaining how the shelter system works, the process of adopting a dog, how to see a dog that they were interested in, and what happens after all the paperwork is done. She also told them about a dog training class near them and offered her business card to address any questions they might have once they got home with their new dog. The couple was extremely grateful for her help and it made the process go a lot smoother for them. Luisa Mani, 28 years old, has been an intervention worker

at the North Central shelter for a month. Mani explained that many people are aware that they are at the shelter because word spreads among community members, but there are still those who don’t know about the program and could benefit from being aware it exists. For example, Mani told me, “There was one time when a family brought their Chihuahua to the shelter, and he was so skinny. They said he hadn’t been eating for a month. I cried later because it was so sad to see him in such pain and discomfort. I thought to myself why had they waited so long to ask for help.” Perhaps if more people knew about the intervention program, the Chihuahua she spoke of would have gotten medical care a lot sooner. The pet owner could have talked to one of the program workers and received advice and financial help to provide treatment for their pet. Even though the intervention workers’ goal is to keep pets out of the shelter, sometimes they have no place else to go. Harris walked me around the shelter and showed me a few of the dogs she wasn’t able to keep out of the shelter, but she is networking them online and talking with rescue groups to try to get them out. She showed me a dog whose owner was homeless and living in a car. The car’s window was smashed open while the dog was inside, and his face was cut up from the broken glass.

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continued from page 7 His owner took him to the shelter, at which point the intervention program was able to get him the medical help he desperately needed. His face is healed now, and he’s waiting to be adopted at the shelter. Despite sad situations that arise, Mani and Harris have found that after speaking with a pet owner, usually a solution can be found. Intervention members work with pet owners to do things like: fix a fence to secure a yard, pay a vet bill, teach a family to housetrain their dog, offer low-cost spaying and neutering. In fact, they provide advice for just about any pet topic an owner could have a question about. Found Animals Foundation has generously funded the majority of the South L.A. shelter intervention program since they started in April 2013. The program was considered a pilot project, with a goal to prevent 400 pets from entering the South L.A. shelter in 2013. The intervention program far surpassed that modest goal; within 6 months of operation, they prevented more than 1,700 pets from entering the shelter! These shelter super heroes make a difference every day in the lives of those who are most in need of help. This program is needed and valued by community members and hopefully one day all shelters will have an intervention program that will make a positive difference in their community too.

Pet Me! Magazine™ MARCH/APRIL 2015

THE REALITIES OF PIG FARMING By Larry Weiss

igs are highly intelligent animals, and many experts believe that their intelligence is equal to, or greater than, that of dogs. As well as intelligence, they have sensitivity to their living conditions. Like us, they need food, shelter, exercise, stimulation and love. One pig that has been taken into a home is the famous pig, Esther. She lives in Canada with two humans who adopted her and then became vegans because of their love for her. To view this loving tribute to the life of Esther the Wonder Pig and her human companions, please see the following video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zenvvkd9oMs But alongside this moving story of compassion, there are hundreds of factory farms in the United States that are turning over 100 million pigs into bacon and ham each year. How can they do this when each one of these sensitive animals is an Esther with the capacity to love, feel, and give? There is an effort in the agricultural business to portray themselves as family farmers like the farm described in Charlotte’s Web, with sunny outdoor conditions for the animals and fields of green grass. If you look on the containers for butter and milk, you will see these happy pictures. However, this is a purposely created and false illusion. Individually owned farms, known as “family farms,” produce a small percentage of food animals such as cows, pigs, and chickens. Most come from factory farms which are large, corporate-owned industrialized operations that raise billions of animals each year to sell for slaughter. On most factory farms, mother pigs spend the majority of their lives in “gestation crates” approximately 7 feet by 2 feet - too small for them even to turn around. Internationally acclaimed professor Temple Grandin of Colorado State University states, “...basically you’re asking a sow to live in an airline seat.” Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, and Rhode Island have banned these crates, but the majority of states still allow them. At just two to three weeks old, piglets are removed from their mothers and placed in large, windowless sheds without fresh air, sunlight or outdoor access. This cycle is repeated for several years until the sows can no longer produce and are sent to slaughter. What kind of life is this? Europe is far ahead of the United States in its treatment of pigs and other farmed animals. The European Union has passed what are known as the “Five Freedoms” for farm animals: • Freedom from hunger and thirst - access to fresh water and a diet for full health and vigor • Freedom from discomfort - an appropriate environment with shelter and comfortable rest area • Freedom from pain, injury, and disease - prevention or rapid treatment

• Freedom to express normal behavior - adequate space and facilities, company of the animal’s own kind • Freedom from fear and distress - conditions and treatment which avoid mental sufferings Why can’t we do that here? It is commonplace for farm associations to deride suggestions from people who haven’t been raised in farming communities. How can you know what it’s really like, they ask. In return I ask this question: if factory farmers are so anxious to have the “real” picture conveyed, why are they so resistant to let us know what’s occurring on their premises? If no cruelty is taking place, why are there laws in eight states that ban undercover documentation of animal cruelty? In this article, I have described love and cruelty, two opposites that exist in our treatment of pigs. Which will you choose? For more on this subject, please consult the following websites:: (Factory Farms and Family Farms) http://greenopedia.com/article/ what-is-factory-farm (Wikipedia on Gestation Crates) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestation_crate (Pigs on Factory Farms / ASPCA) https://www.aspca.org/fightcruelty/farm-animal-cruelty/pigs-factory-farms (European Treatment of Farm Animals) http://ec.europa.eu/food/ animal/welfare/factsheet_farmed03-2007_en.pdf (Vegetarian Alternatives) http://www.vegetariantimes.com/

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WILD

Pet Me! Magazine™ MARCH/APRIL 2015

Where the

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Things Are

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anta Clarita Valley has an abundance of wildlife and an abundance of people. When the two come in contact with each other, it can either be a moment you appreciate or fear. As we know, sharing space with wildlife is part of living in the suburbs and in order to keep pets safe, pet owners need to be informed and stay alert. SCV has a few wildlife corridors, but wildlife goes where it wants to, and I’ve seen many coyote, opossums, and raccoons trying to safely navigate the many obstacles that have been placed in their paths. We see more wildlife going about their business, as they dash across roads, behind buildings, and through parking lots, just to get to the small areas with enough greenery to live in and raise their young safely. They haven’t much choice anymore, but human proximity does offer them some advantages, such as new food sources, cast away fast food waste, pet food left outside, and even pets themselves. Coyotes— The average coyote pack consists of 4-5 animals that can keep an area of about 10-15 square miles relatively free of nuisance critters, and their preferences include: rats, mice, raccoons, and rabbits. Coyotes are a territorial canine species that stake out hunting territories and defend them against other predators, whether foxes or other coyote packs, by urinating, leaving scat, and howling. Confrontations with coyotes during cold weather when there are no pups yet are virtually unheard of, but multiple dogs being walked in a park or wooded area in the summertime are seen by resident coyotes as a dog pack encroaching on their home turf. Even then, leashed domestic dogs are often left alone because of their human companions, except when there are coyote young nearby in the bushes, which might trigger an attack. All reports show they do not attack the owners, but only the

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continued from page 11 dogs. That indicates there is a competitive reason for the attack. A person walking alone would likely be observed or ignored. Coyotes prefer to be ghosts—never seen and rarely heard. In communities with certain pitches of fire or police sirens, however, they can’t help but be coaxed to join in and harmonize with the sirens. Bobcats— The most common wildcat in North America, the bobcat is named for its short, bobbed tail. They are medium-sized cats and their coats vary in color from shades of beige to brown fur with spotted or lined markings in dark brown or black. Bobcats mainly hunt rabbits, rodents, birds, and even adult deer, which they usually consume during the winter months. They are excellent hunters, stalking prey with stealth and patience, then capturing their meals with one great leap. Usually solitary and territorial animals, females never share territory with each other. Male territories, however, tend to overlap. Territories are established with scent markings and territory sizes are extremely varied – generally 25-30 square miles for males and about five square miles for females. Bobcats have been known to live in SCV, and there have been reports of bobcats killing cats and dogs in neighborhoods. My sister saw one just this month in Valencia as she walked her

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dog. If you hear of a sighting in your area, keep pets indoors and be extra vigilant. Great Horned Owls— The great horned owl is the most common owl of the Americas, easily recognizable because of the feather tufts on its head. These “plumicorns” resemble horns or, to some, catlike ears. The birds nest in tree holes, stumps, caves, or in the abandoned nests of other large birds. Owls are powerful birds and fiercely protective parents. They have even been known to attack humans who wander too close to their young. Like other owls, these birds have an incredible digestive system. They sometimes swallow their prey whole and later regurgitate pellets composed of bone, fur, and the other unwanted parts of their meal. Owls are efficient nighttime hunters that strike from above, and use their powerful talons to kill and carry animals several times heavier than themselves. Owls prey on a huge variety of creatures, including raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, domestic birds, falcons, and other owls. They regularly eat skunks, and may be the only animal with such an appetite. Owls have even been known to prey upon unlucky cats and small dogs. Great horned owls are largely nocturnal so they can be difficult to spot. But in the dark after sunset, or just before dawn,

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Pet

Pet Me! Magazine™ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

2015-2016

ca l en d ar CONTEST

Supporting

Proceeds from The Pet Calendar Contest will be used to support Signal Multimedia’s Newspapers in Education (NIE) Program allowing us to continue providing schools in the Santa Clarita Valley with daily copies of the newspaper.

Think your pet could win? Online Entry

Mail-in Entry:

Walk-in Entry:

SignalSCV.com/Pet-Calendar

Signal Multimedia Pet Contest 24000 Creekside Rd. Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Signal Multimedia 24000 Creekside Rd. Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Deadline: Postmarked by March 27, 2015

Deadline: March 24, 2015 at noon

Click on the “Submission” tab.

Deadline: March 29, 2015 at 11:59 p.m.

by: d e r so Spon

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What does this mean for pet owners? Keep your small pets safe by keeping them indoors or under constant supervision when they are outside during peak hunting hours. When you take your dog for a walk, remember, it’s not only the law, but also much safer to keep your dog on a leash when you go hiking and walking. Keep in mind that most wildlife is more active at dawn, dusk, and at night, so take extra precaution when your pets are outside during these times. Dogs and cats are susceptible to being caught by coyotes, bobcats, and owls, so as a pet owner, remember to be vigilant and take the necessary precautions to keep your pet safe.

continued from page 13 they can often be heard vocalizing with their well-known series of “Hoo H’hoos!”

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By Linda Schultz

Adele & Entropion A

dele, a seven-year-old cat, came from a highkill shelter to her foster home, with an unknown past and in a great deal of pain. It was discovered during her first exam that she had eyelids that were completely folded against her corneas and she needed Entropion surgery to correct this serious and painful defect. She had likely corneal damage. Due to the years of her affliction, she shied away from contact with other cats, objects, and certain spaces. She preferred to be in a corner or enclosure by herself hiding. After her first surgery, and additional dental work, she was sud-

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denly able to see without discomfort and was starting to move about more freely. Her eyelids soon started to turn in again and hairs were once again rubbing her eyes, so she had a second surgery. Since her second surgery, she’s had great improvement; she runs, plays, dives under the feet of her foster mom, relaxes out in the open, enjoys sitting on laps, and eats well. The permanent damage that may have been done to the cornea in each eye has not prevented her from seeing and being able to adjust to her newly appreciated world. She’s a special lady with a slight handicap, but she’s ready to go to her forever home. Please consider adopting a special needs cat. They have so much love to give and are often overlooked. To meet Adele contact castaiccats@aol.com. More Information about Entropion It has a strong genetic component and often is present at birth due to a hereditary abnormality. Cats can have this condition, but it is much more common in dog breeds with flat faces, short muzzles and heavy facial skin folds.

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continued from page 17 Symptoms: • Eyelids appear to roll inward. • Excessive tearing. • Winking. • Conjunctivitis - eyes will appear red or inflamed. • Pain. Painful eyes cause dogs to paw and rub their eyes resulting in more damage. • Sensitivity to light. 18 Pet Me! Magazine™

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Diagnosis: A veterinarian should complete a thorough exam on the eyes while the pet is awake and relaxed, which will help prevent overcorrection or under-correction of the problem. The vet will pay careful attention to the placement of eyelashes and if/where they may rub on the eye. The vet will also need to check the eye for further damage caused by the defect, which is generally determined by using fluorescein dye to stain the eye. This stain will expose ulcers in the cornea of the eye alerting the vet that damage has been done to the cornea and treatment is necessary. Treatment: Treatment is always surgical. • Many times the surgery involves removing an elliptical piece of tissue directly under the eye; the two sides are sutured together pulling the affected eyelid down. Antibiotic eye drops or ointments may be sent home following the procedure. Prognosis: The success rate of entropion surgery varies based on breed, age, and case specifics. In general, entropion surgery is successful 90 to 95 percent of the time, and recurrence is very uncommon. However, sometimes a follow-up surgery may be needed to completely correct the condition.

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All Creatures Veterinary Center By Caroline Squires

any SCV residents might know All Creatures Veterinary Center as a 24-Hour clinic, but it is also a full-service clinic, which means it provides puppy and kitten exams, wellness exams, vaccines, microchips, spays, neuters, dental services, blood work, surgical procedures, and they have additional treatments and procedures such as acupuncture, ultrasound, endoscopy, stemcell therapy, and laser therapy for pets. All Creatures Veterinary Center has been under new ownership since 2011, and has been remodeled and recently expanded to accommodate a new surgical wing. The clinic primarily sees dogs, cats, and pocket pets. If you have an exotic pet, it is best to call before to make sure they have a veterinarian who can provide treatment. There are four vets on staff to provide your pet with 24-hour care. If you have an emergency, All Creatures is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and they don’t charge additional fees for bringing your pet during “emergency hours.”Their philosophy as to why they don’t charge extra is that often times people get home from work and notice their pet might have something that needs to be addressed, but it might not be a true emergency. Walk-ins are always welcome though weekends tend to be their busiest times, so it is always a good idea to call ahead to average a wait time. They offer several discounts, which include a discount for first time clients and a multiple pet discount. Call for more information or to schedule an appointment at All Creatures where they strive to treat their clients and their pets like family. All Creatures Veterinary Center is located at 22722 Lyons Avenue #5, Newhall, CA 91321 Phone: (661) 291-1121.

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appy Pets Veterinary Center would like to introduce our newest associate veterinarian, Dr. Jane Kelly. She has been a great addition to our Happy Pets family and I am sure everyone will agree once they get a chance to meet her. Dr. Jane Kelly was born and raised in northern New Jersey where she attended Rutgers University and received a bachelors degree in animal science. During that time she volunteered at a local wildlife rehabilitation center nursing wildlife, and at the New York Aquarium caring for seals and sea lions. Dr. Kelly moved to moved to California to attend veterinary school at Western University of Health Sciences during which time she completed an externship in alternative medicine. After graduation she completed a one year small animal rotating internship at Animal Emergency Medical Center in Torrance, CA focusing on emergency and critical care, internal medicine and surgery. Dr. Kelly currently lives in Glendale with her partner Abhi and their two cats Papaya and Lilu. She enjoys yoga, cooking healthy food and painting in her free time.

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Awesome

Adoptables

To adopt one of these pets, please contact Castaic Animal Shelter at (661) 257-3191 or visit the website at http://animalcare.lacounty.gov. All cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and come with a free vet visit.

Baby – Gorgeous Dilute Calico – Who will be her angel? She was

adopted from the shelter at just 2 months old. She was certain she had a place to call home until she was given away after a couple of years. Eight years later, Baby would find herself sitting in a metal cage at the same shelter she was rescued from as a kitten. She was confused and feeling very hopeless. She was at risk of not leaving the shelter and we stepped in; she was in boarding for a time and then adopted with another cat in our foster program. Baby is annoyed with the younger cat and is not happy in her home. Her adopters have asked us to help find her a new place to live. Baby is 10 years young.

Ginger Snap – My Cleopatra – My name is

Cleopatra. I am a stunning 1 1/2 year old Calico. I’m very playful and loving. I get along with other kitties and love lots of attention.

Teddy – My name is

Teddy. I was saved from the Lancaster shelter. I am very snuggly, love to have my belly and feet rubbed, and my fur is super soft. I am a Maine Coon, and I am approximately 1 year old.

Millie – My name is Millie. I am 6 mos. I am a love, and I enjoy playing and cuddling. I love other kitties too. I have lots of personality that I’d be happy to share with you!

22 Pet Me! Magazine™

name is Ginger Snap. I am approximately 8 yrs. old. I was found in December wearing a purple collar and bell, and I’m still looking for my family. I would like to find my home again.I am a petite Torti with stunning markings.

Milton – My name is

Milton… just Milton! I am 3 mos. old. I am full of energy. My foster mom calls me Speedy Gonzalez. I love to play and would love a home with another kitty friend!

Simon – This is me at the shelter. I was a little sick. I’m well now and as

good as new! Come meet me. I’m even more stunning than my picture! I’m a 1 yr. old lynx point.