Pet Me Magazine Spring Edition 2017 by Pet Me! Magazine

April-June 2017

Your Guide To All Things Pets

Equestrian Trails Inc.

Horse Community Advocates

PLUS: When the Shoe Doesn’t Fit Kitten Season Giving the Gift of Life – A Foster’s Perspective & Much More!

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Pet Me! Magazine™ APRIL-JUNE 2017

Adoptables

Awesome

New Leash On Life To adopt one of these awesome dogs visit our website at https://www.nlol.org. 16742 Placerita Cyn Rd, Newhall | 661-255-0097 Photos by That Spunky Monkey Photograpy

Roscoe

Sunshine

Ryder

Not much is known about Roscoe’s past except that he came to the shelter as a stray. Roscoe made a huge impression on everyone with how calm his demeanor was. Roscoe is still exploring the world; the good news is that Roscoe is very adaptable, polite and listens well, so he has more than enough going for him to help him adjust to this whole new world he now finds himself in. He would probably be the star of any obedience class he was enrolled in, and likes other dogs - provided he is given a proper introduction to them. Roscoe has displayed a wariness of some men and may require time to bond with any male he encounters. Interested adopters should expect to spend time with our trainer and Roscoe to work out times to help him bond with his new potential family.

Meet Sunshine: a bright, beautiful, downright regal Chow Chow/Retriever mix with a love for life, looking for a forever home to call her own! This lovely lady entertains for hours on end: chasing tennis balls, shaking hands, and showing off her adorable facial expressions to anyone who will watch. For a senior dog, she sure is just as quick to learn new tricks! A staff favorite at New Leash On Life, absolutely nothing can keep this strong-spirited girl down - not even cancer, of which she is a survivor. We are so proud of all she has overcome; now she just needs that perfect someone to treasure her for the rest of her life! Sunshine is fully obedience trained, and loves nothing more than settling down in front of the fireplace after enjoying an evening walk with her favorite person in the world… and we are hoping that’s you!

Hi, my name is Ryder and I am an energetic, super friendly Min Pin. Maybe a little too friendly with some of my other dog friends here at New Leash, but I’m working on it. At the shelter I was in with a number of different personalities including fearful and aggressive dogs, but I behaved myself very nicely when the New Leash staff came to see me. They were impressed with how easy going and friendly I was. I have a tendency to want a lot of personal attention, so I’d love to be in a house where I’m the only dog, but a friend who knows how to correct me if I get excited would be great too. Come down and say hi! I’m looking forward to meeting you.

Ferdinand

Herbie

Meatball

We first met Ferdinand at the end of a long row of kennels in one of the highest-kill shelters in the area - he instantly came up to our staff members and leaned into their legs, begging for ear scratches and wiggling his stumpy tail in excitement. Ferdinand has blossomed into a smart, loyal, loving guy who wants nothing more than to stretch out in the sun or play in the dog park. We suspect Ferdi was primarily an outside dog in his previous home without much interaction. He would benefit from a home with experienced dog handlers or someone experienced with his breed. Ferdi is incredibly smart and wants nothing but to please his people and play all day. We have no doubt that with a little effort, Ferdinand will make the finest of dogs -- full of enough love and loyalty to last for years to come!

Herbie’s family surrendered him stating in their notes about him that “he’s not good with dogs, kids, people, he’s good for nothing.” We spotted Herbie in the very back of the kennel lying in a bed trembling. When we walked away to view other dogs, he had come out to see us all on his own! We knew right then he was just scared and overwhelmed and rightly so. Once staff were off leash with Herbie in the meet’n’greet area of the shelter, he came up to us and didn’t want to leave our sides. Herbie is now wagging his tail and is excited to see us when we visit him. A quiet home where he can take his time to get used to his new surroundings is ideal for him.

Before Meatball was rescued from a high-kill shelter, things looked pretty grim. Luckily, our Rescue Team got to Meatball just in time -- we knew our Staff and Trainers would have no problem showing Meatball the correct way to a forever home. Due to his strength and energy levels, it is recommended that Meatball be in a home with only older children. He seems to get along with most other dogs, but thrives when the other dog has manners. Meatball definitely needs a daily outlet for his energy, such as a long walk. He does well on a leash and will only continue to improve. Meatball is a genuinely happy dude, full of pep and personality, so if you have an active lifestyle and are looking for a handsome guy to take along for the ride, Meatball is your man!

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APRIL-JUNE 2017

Contents 2 Dog Adoptables 4 Equestrian Trails Inc. – Horse Community Advocates 8 When the Shoe Doesn’t Fit The beauty of animals is that they bring us joy.There are those of us who

12 Kitten Season: When Intervention Does More Harm Than Good 18 Giving the Gift of Life – A Foster’s Perspective

love the feeling of rushing like the wind on horseback, such as the members of Equestrian Trails Inc., an organization stemming from the 1940s, which you can read about inside. But with ownership of animals comes responsibility. For horse owners there’s shoeing, and for dog and cat owners there’s spaying and neutering, among many other obligations.

Sadly, there are those who do not understand those responsibilities, and Larissa Barnes writes about the importance of foster families for abandoned and

20 Cat Adoptables

abused pets.There is always a need for more fosters because, unfortunately, kittens and puppies continue to be born in numbers too large for animal lovers

22 Directory for All Things Pets

to care for them.

Take care of yourself and your furry ones this spring!

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

Bridget Alves Publisher

Pet Me! Magazine

email: petadv@petmemag.com Web: www.petmemag.com PUBLISHER Bridget Alves EDITOR Martha Michael ART DIRECTOR Doug Conboy PUBLISHER Bridget Alves COVER PHOTO Provided by Equestrian Trails Inc. Find Us On Facebook and Twitter Pet Me! Magazine

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Pet Me! Magazine™ APRIL-JUNE 2017

Equestrian Trails Inc.

Horse Community Advocates

or more than 70 years, saddle pals in the horseback riding community have joined forces to promote safety, preservation, and simply enjoy trail riding together. The not-for-profit Equestrian Trails Inc., or ETI, was organized in Long Beach in 1944, at the end of World War II.

Horsemen in Long Beach had pulled together to patrol power lines and guard property from attack during the war. Trained by the Long Beach Police Department, they were depended on to keep the area safe – all on horseback. The men in the group wanted to continue to serve after wartime, plus be ready in case of future conflicts, so they launched ETI. The mission of the organization includes promoting “equine legislation, good horsemanship, and the acquisition and preservation of trails, open space and public lands,” according to the ETI website. Kimberly Dwight is the former editor of Equestrian Trails Inc. Magazine.

continued on page 6

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Pet Me! Magazine™

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continued from page 4 “Within ETI there are ‘Corrals,’” she explained. “Some only show (horses) or do gymkhana (a day event with competitions between horseback riders). Some do a little of everything.” ETI has “single purpose” and “varied purpose” Corrals. “Corral 138 is primarily Antelope Valley,” Dwight said of her local group. “We have members in Palmdale, Lancaster, Acton, Agua Dulce, Saugus, Castaic, Canyon Country, Littlerock, Rosamond, Pearblossom, Tehachapi, and even Simi. So you don’t have to join the Corral in your area if you ride with friends in another area.” Corral 138 matches the freeway name, and Simi Valley’s Corral number is 118, like the freeway in their area. Corral 118 primarily does horse shows, according to Dwight, while Corral 138 goes on trail rides mostly. “We camp and occasionally host trail trials,” Dwight added. “There is a Corral 9 in Littlerock; Agua Dulce is Corral 86; and Canyon Country has (Corral) 21, which does gymkhana.” You do not have to be a member of ETI to participate in events, she said, though some events may be limited, so members have priority. There are approximately 30 Corrals, most in Southern California, and they each usually have monthly meetings and host Facebook pages.

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It’s not all fun and games, however, which you see on the website: “ETI is constantly working to protect our horse keeping rights and our equestrian lifestyle. Riding the trails and communicating with local, state and federal agencies allows us to maintain and expand our riding areas. Clinics and seminars help improve our horsemanship, and banding together to reach out to policy makers and lawmakers keeps our lifestyle going. These are the overall benefits of joining and being involved in ETI. Another key factor is simply that a group has a stronger voice than an individual. United we can influence the laws, ordinances, and policies that affect our ability to have and enjoy our equines in the present and in the future.” There is networking and the exchange of ideas and resources within the organization, thanks to its openness to riders everywhere. Members host and sponsor horse shows, gymkhanas, drill teams, mounted assistance units, and many other equine activities year round. Thanks to the foresight of those 20th century riders, trails have been created throughout communities for horses and hikers. And over the next 70 years, what they established has made ETI an important resource for today’s horse men and women to enjoy. For more information, visit ETInational.com.

Pet Me! Magazineâ&#x201E;˘ APRIL-JUNE 2017

Upcoming ETI Events April 22 Corral 86 Acton Mountain ride: Larry & Sharon (661) 816-9000, com@SharonVanLoon.com April 29 Corral 138 Saddleback Butte State Park ride and lunch: Elaine (661) 946-1976 emac43031@gmail.com April 29 Sergeant Steve Owens ride at Castaic: Contact asbensah@lasd.org, (213) 229-3347 May 6 Hogs N Horses ride from Vincent Arena: lis.thom@yahoo.com May 14 CGA Gymkhana - Antelope Valley Desert Riders, Palmdale: http://www.avdesertriders.org/ (661) 944-6133 May 19-21 Pat Puckett Horsemanship Clinic, Agua Dulce: momonhorse@socal.rr.com, Jennifer Jacobsen 661-406-2701 May 21 Corral 86 Paramount Ranch: Laurie (661) 268-0758, Luvmibarn@aol.com June 11 CGA Gymkhana - Antelope Valley Desert Riders, Palmdale: http://www.avdesertriders.org/ (661) 944-6133 June 9-11 Corral 138 Tehachapi camping trip: contact Laura mybech1@gmail.com (661) 433-8616 June 17 Corral 86 Oak Grove/JPL Ride: David & Melissa Haggai (661) 733-7807, meldave6571@yahoo.com Pet Me! Magazineâ&#x201E;˘

Pet Me! Magazine™ APRIL-JUNE 2017

When the

Doesn’t Fit

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Pet Me! Magazine™ APRIL-JUNE 2017

By Martha Michael

nyone who has had podiatry issues knows how crucial the health of your feet really are. And walking in shoes that don’t fit properly or aren’t constructed well can cause a world of hurt. The same is true in the equine world – they need the right shoes too. The experts in charge of the trimming and shoeing of horses’ hooves are called farriers. Mikey Rogers of Acton is a farrier serving in and around the Santa Clarita Valley. “I started learning the trade five years ago with Jason Jacobs and have apprenticed under the best farriers I could find, from Southern California to Northern Arizona and back again,” Rogers said. “(I worked) under a few reining cow/cutting horse trainers as well.” Rogers has numerous clients, who he keeps on a 6- to 8-week schedule. “When I shoe a horse the first thing I do is look at the conformation of the horse, then find the natural angle and balance of the hoof, keeping the bone column aligned,” he explained. “This is very important to me, to keep everything aligned and keep the horse sound, comfortable and extending the useful life of a horse. … I do this by trimming the foot and putting new shoes on.” At times, Rogers takes on clients whose horses’ hooves show signs that their previous farriers weren’t doing quality work. “It’s usually because the horse ends up sore; they’re trimming off too much foot, making the horse real tender,” he said. “Or the angles are off, which doesn’t always have a quick effect on the horse, but does make a horse more susceptible to tendon injury, arthritis, and bursitis, especially if the horses continue to be shod that way.”

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continued from page 9

Local rider Christy Keyes of Valencia has had a rough time when it comes to farriers. A lifelong horseback rider, she grew up in Santa Clarita, riding at Don-E-Brook Farms and even rode as a college student at New Mexico State University. As a young adult, Keyes was boarding two horses – Dotty and Chex – at a ranch in Santa Clarita. Unfortunately, she hired a farrier who she believes was inexperienced. “I don’t believe he had done a reining horse before, because although he talked a good talk, his work on Chex showed otherwise,” Keyes said. But things went from bad to worse when she hired someone new. “He was seemingly able to ‘trace the lines’ for about two shoeings, but then Chex came up lame,” she said. “I thought he was foundering, so I rushed him to the hospital, where they took X-rays of his hooves. The first X-rays showed an everso-slight (0.01) difference of the angle of his coffin bone from one front hoof to the other.”

It cost her $500 for medical treatment and bute, a pharmaceutical treatment for inflammation, and they told Keyes to hand walk Chex and start him jogging straight lines when he felt good enough again. But it happened two more times, each time three months apart. “Then both of my horses went lame!” Keyes said. “I noticed both of my horses’ hooves deteriorating before my very eyes! They were splitting, chipping and cracking. The fourth set of X-rays showed each hoof angle on both horses to be so different!” The vet explained it this way: “It’s comparable to standing on your toe on one foot and your heel on the other.” When Keyes asked the farrier if her horses had developed white line disease, his reaction was less than professional. “It was scary! He said that he was intentionally using shoes too large for my horses, as if that’s okay!” Keyes said. At this point, Keyes hired a new vet and a corrective farrier. Both horses are sound again, but she has frequent issues with her current farrier arriving late. “You take the good with 10 Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ APRIL-JUNE 2017

the bad. His work is worth the wait,” she said. “My horses are sound.” So, in total, Keyes paid $2,900 to the farrier, then $1,200 to a corrective farrier, plus $3,700 in vet bills. “More importantly, both horses suffered unnecessary pain,” she added. “I’ve learned the hard way that this is why it’s so important to do your research, make sure the farrier has a good reputation, is educated in equine podiatry and comes recommended by a vet. They say, ‘No hooves, no horse.’”

Keyes is unhappy with the lack of regulation in the field, and has serious doubts about the level of instruction at many of the farrier schools. “I strongly believe that accountability is something that the equine industry should evolve with, even if it starts as small as Yelp,” she said. “There are too many con artists in the field of farrier work. There should be some regulation other than the tiny world of ‘word-of-mouth.’ Farriers can also be the greatest scientists, healers and sometimes even replace your vet if they really know equine podiatry and have spent the time, just as any other skill, trade or mastery, studying and researching it inside and out.” After her experience, Keyes has decided to use a corrective farrier who studies the science of equine podiatry. “My horses are my family and it hurts me to see them hurting,” she said. “I do believe experience is invaluable with any trade, (but) shoeing is not just nailing shoes on a horse’s hoof. It’s a science, and people who want to shoe a horse are seeking a profession in a health field. We need to do our research as horse owners and not rely 100 percent on word-of-mouth.”

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Kitten Season When Intervention Does More Harm Than Good By Larissa Barnes

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pring has sprung and with it the pitter patter of tiny feet … well, tiny little paws, at least. March marks the official welcome of kitten season, which for many sounds like a cute and fluffy time of the year. To those in animal rescue or others who have seen it first hand, it is a dreaded introduction to months of orphaned kittens and all night bottle feeding. The season, which runs until October in some parts of Southern California, stokes the fear it may never, ever end! But what do you do if you stumble upon a delightful nest of tiny, fluffy, mewing babies? It is not unusual to find a group or a single, un-weaned kitten in your garden or local park, seemingly abandoned by mom. Although you may have wonderful intentions, sometimes intervening is not the answer.

is raining, freezing or there is an immediate threat such as dogs, cars or heavy foot traffic, you may have to intervene. Mother’s milk is always best for kittens, and taking them away from their mom can mean the kittens will not survive, so be as patient as possible. In fact, 50 percent of young kittens who are taken away from their mom will not survive, so intervening is a big decision to make. If you have to leave before Mom comes back, as long as the kittens seem safe it is still a better option than taking them. Come back to check on them as soon as you can, or see if a neighbor or friend can check for you in a few hours.

First: Wait & Watch

Mother cats go off to search for food, they hide when they think danger is near and they regularly relocate their kittens (one at a time) to avoid predators. Before removing the kittens, try to determine if the mom is coming back (more often than not, she is). You can do this by watching from 35 feet or more away. Sometimes a mother will not return for hours or until she senses the danger has gone; and in her mind the danger is the human hovering near her litter. Kittens can survive this period as long as they are warm, so obviously assess the situation. If it

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continued from page 13 If The Mother Cat Returns

If the mom returns and the area is safe, it is best to leave the kittens with mom until the kittens are weaned (six weeks). You can provide shelter and food, but make sure you keep

the two away from each other. The food will attract predators or other cats and Mom will move her kittens to a different location. By offering food to the mommy cat you should get an indication if she is a friendly kitty or unsocialized (or often just terrified). Mommy is friendly: Many friendly cats are abandoned and when they realize you are not a threat, they will be very affectionate and quite happy to be with their rescuer. If Mommy Cat is friendly and you are able to offer her a place to stay while she weans her kittens, then that is a wonderful and very kind act — you won’t regret it. It may take some time to build up to that level of trust and, of course, if Mummy had the kittens in your garden, garage or workshop, then you have easy access to spend time with them. At the age of 6-8 weeks her babies can find homes and the best way to do that is to contact local rescues. If you have brought Mommy and babies inside,

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then 8 weeks is the preferred age. You want to ensure that the kittens (and Mom) are fixed, vaccinated and microchipped. Giving them away for free to people you don’t know is never a good idea. Mommy is unsocialized: Most neighborhoods have unsocialized community cats and if Mommy cat fits that category, the six-week rule still applies. Provide food and shelter until the kittens are old enough to leave their mother. Contact your local rescues and shelter about bringing the kittens in so they can be fixed and vaccinated and available for adoption. Please do not forget about Mom — she will be pregnant again soon if she isn’t spayed. Many local rescues offer a Trap-Neuter-Return program. Fix Nation provides low cost spaying for stray and unsocialized cats, and your local rescue community will be happy to help with providing traps to collect her. Consider allowing Mommy cat to be fixed and returned to your care/ garden – she will need a safe place to stay and will help keep away

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continued from page 15 rodents and other stray cats. Most rescues will provide resources and help.

If The Mother Cat Doesn’t Return

If you discover that Mom is not coming back, then you should remove the kittens. This is crucial to the kittens’ survival. But you must be prepared to see this project through to weaning if you decide to intervene or take the kittens to your local animal shelter. But remember; finding volunteers to take on bottle-feeding on short notice is difficult, and you may need to help the kittens for a few days while volunteers are organized. Feeding and Caring for Newborns: The first step is to make the kittens warm. Once you have done that they will need feeding. Cow/regular milk is not an option. The best thing for kittens is kitten replacement formula; but if you cannot get that from the store, goat’s milk is the second best option. If you feel the kittens are dehydrated you can mix the kitten milk replacement with pediatric electrolites. All of these should be served warm and through a weaning bottle or medicine dropper/syringe orally. Never feed a cold kitten; make sure they are warm first! Next you will need to help the kittens go to the restroom. Get a damp and warm tissue 16 Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ APRIL-JUNE 2017

and rub it on the kitten’s anus/genitals. For a newborn kitten, this process of food and elimination will need to occur every three hours. Work with a local rescue or your local shelter in finding help and advice – even providing care for kittens for a few hours or days can help save their lives. It is always important to remember that it is not the mommy cat’s fault she has had babies, she is doing the best she can and loves her kittens. The best solution for reducing litters is to spay and neuter them, so please ensure that all kittens and cats in your care are fixed. Shelters and rescues are always in desperate need for kitten fosters and donations to assist with the costs of bottle feeding; any help you can offer is always greatly appreciated.

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Giving the Gift of Life A Foster’s Perspective By Larissa Barnes

s a shelter volunteer, I tend to gravitate toward the sick, the injured, the old and those that are just a little bit more needy. These are the animals that, for one reason or another, are not suitable for immediate adoption. They tend to be overlooked in the shelter and people who have the potential to provide homes for them don’t realize they exist. Over the years I have

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heard a thousand people say they “couldn’t do it, it would be too hard and too sad,” and yet every time I hear it, I can’t help thinking, “How could you not?” The stark reality of shelter life is that animals come in with injuries, they are found hit by cars or attacked by another dog or coyote, neglected or pregnant. And those are just the strays. Every day animals are surrendered because their pet has become senior, maybe has a medical condition that they cannot or do not want to treat, has been injured, gotten pregnant or needs some kind of help. It is easy to get angry at someone who brings in his dog of 15 years because her hind legs are no longer supporting her weight. It is easy to shake your head at the family who surrenders their kitty of nine years because she peed outside the litter tray suddenly, but they never took her to the vet. But it is also easy to feel heartbroken when an older man brings his dog into the shelter for euthanasia because he can’t afford the vet bills to remove his best friend’s cancer and he doesn’t know what else to do. At the end of the day, irrespective of how or why these precious souls end up at the shelter, they need someone to help them. More and more shelters are going above and beyond to give injured and animals with medical needs a chance. Blood panels, surgeries, dentals – they are all possible, but only if they have a place to go for recovery. A little senior doggy needs a warm, cozy home to live in after having a tumor removed. The kitten who was hit by a car and needed her leg ampu-

tated really should recover in a home where someone can teach her how to walk again. That’s where fosters come in. A foster’s job is to bring the animal into his/her home and love them, to treat their wounds and spirits until they are ready to be adopted. The process could take a week or a few months, depending on the circumstances. Sometimes the length of fostering is a lot longer. Sadly, many animals that come to the shelter are senior and no amount of love or medicine will make them better. What they need more than anything is a place to live and be loved for their remaining days, weeks or months – often years. Hospice fosters are always in short supply. Shelters are full of cats and dogs that are in their gold-

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Novembe r/December 2016

To All Things

Pets

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Awesome

Adoptables

Forgotten Angels Cat Rescue has gorgeous kitties looking for their forever homes! www.forgottenangelsrescue.org (661) 273-9822

Olivia Have you heard the rumors about FEMALE Orange Tabbies? Well, they say that we are a bit rare or uncommon. Statistically speaking, only 20 percent of orange kitties are female, which means I’m “SPECIAL.” Some people say that we “Ginger Girls” are a bit DIVAESQUE too. Well, I’m here to set the record straight, at least where I’m concerned. I am only a bit of a DIVA when it comes to other kitties and I really do try to get along with other cats as long as they know I’m the boss. Of course, when you’re as rare as I am (haha-ha-ha) I’ve earned the right to want all the attention to myself. I would love the chance to have a family to call my own and to soak up all of the attention. I have been known to take awhile to warm up to new people, but even while I’m getting to know you, I’ll rub up against things, arch my back and PURR ON. When I get to know you, I’d love to sit in your lap while you’re watching TV or I can even help when you have office work to do. I’m good at typing emails, although I’ve been told they don’t always make sense to humans, and I’m very good at holding down papers and keeping them from falling of the desk. When the other furry fosters are sleeping, I love to run up/down the hall and chase things that might or might not be there. I also love to chase my many toys and even the laser pointer toy.

Paris After living with her original family for four years, this sweetie was dumped at a HIGH KILL Shelter after a new family member moved in that didn’t want to be around cats. When a rescuer saw her at the shelter and saw how sweet she was, the plan was to find her a home. Unfortunately, Paris does not like other kitties so it was hard to find the right home for her, and when the rescuer herself had a change of living situation, Paris found herself back at the same HIGH KILL Shelter waiting for whatever was to come next. Paris is now safe and in a foster home that will love her until she finds that purrfect family that doesn’t have any other kitties and can give her the love she deserves. She does really well with people of all ages and she lights up when kids come to visit with her at adoption events. She’s playful, full of energy and she is always purring and ready to show you love. This very special and patient girl deserves an amazing family to call her own. IS IT YOU?

Buddy Buddy was adopted as a FLUFFY little kitten and he lived with his Dad for six years until the new girlfriend moved in. Sadly, they didn’t hit it off and she didn’t see the need to share her boyfriend with a “CAT,” so he got the boot. Even with his world turned upside down this boy couldn’t be sweeter, more trusting, loving and desiring attention. He’s used to sleeping with his dad and spending a lot of one-on-one time with his human. He loves to talk and tell you what’s on his mind and that’s especially true when it’s treat time or after you’ve been gone at work. He is in a foster home with other kitties and seems to enjoy the company of the cute little girl named Princess. He would also do great as an only kitty since he lived as an “only child” for the past six years and enjoyed being the king of his castle. He’s been around children, and even dogs, while with his original family and seemed to enjoy their company as well.

20 Pet Me! Magazine™

Sadie Sadie is a spitfire! She’s got personality times 10 and she will most certainly keep you entertained. She loves her sunny spot at the top of her 6-foot cat tree, but she will always make time for her adult human friends if there is petting and LAP TIME involved.Her foster mom has recently discovered that she doesn’t like to play with toys by herself; that’s something that she enjoys with her human friends. A laser toy or feather toy are her favorites, or even a feather on the end of a string are great ways for her to exercise. She’s also up for a game of peek-a-boo from atop her condo where she can look down on her silly humans. Sadie was not treated very well by the small children in her previous home; they were allowed to pull on her tail and even chase her around the house so she has decided that she does not care for small children at all. She would love an adult home where she will be treated like a QUEEN and can spend quiet time on someone’s LAP. Growing up as an ONLY KITTY and never having another kitty friend, she does not care for other cats, not even a little bit, so she would need to be an only kitty in her new home.

Odin Odin was relinquished to a Los Angeles County shelter without a name and was getting sicker by the day. While recovering his health in a foster home he slowly started coming out of his shell! He is a perfect gentleman with his litter box and enjoys wet and dry food. At sixteen years old Odin doesn’t need a lot of cat toys or a cat condo – he is content lying on a pillow or cat bed and especially loves soaking up the Santa Clarita sun. He ‘wags’ his tail and stands perfectly still while being petted – he has even learned to love getting ‘booped’ on the nose! Odin is curious about his dog and cat housemates, and would adjust to a home with animals that are already cat-friendly, but he would also enjoy being an only pet so he can dote on and love his human family.

Pet Me! Magazine™ APRIL-JUNE 2017

continued from page 19 en years and adopters ignore because they can’t commit to the idea of having a senior pet. Everyone agrees the 10 year old golden lab who needs pain relief for his arthritic knee deserves a loving home - yet without an adopter or foster, a shelter has no choice but to euthanize. It is sad and it is unfair, yet is a reality. Rescue organizations do their best to take animals out of shelters, especially those that are not able to be adopted. In fact, rescue facilities are inundated with requests for help and most rescue organizations are desperate to do more. Without fosters they have nowhere for them to go. They cannot commit to taking a senior cat or a pregnant dog without knowing they have a loving home for them to stay in. So, “How can I foster, it would be so hard to say goodbye” – how can I not? I assure you it is harder to look into the eyes of a mother cat with her six kittens that she adores and nurtures and tell her that no one can help. It is harder to look at a senior dog and explain that she will die at the shelter alone rather than in a home. Once again, this is the terrible truth. But, you can help. You can be a foster. You don’t have to do it all the time, you don’t have to take the hospice case, and you don’t have to commit to months. You can care for the kitten that needs a few weeks of love. You can love the injured dog that needs 10 days for his stitches to heal. Of course, if you can take mommy cat and her babies for six weeks, then wonderful! Next time you are at the shelter, ask to see the animals that are in the medical area. Maybe you can be their hero. Contact local rescues to see if you can help. Become a volunteer at your local shelter, even if it is to just provide foster care. Ask yourself, “How can I not?”

Pet Me! Magazine™