Washington County SPCA Newsletter Issue 01

W i n t e r 2 0 1 0

All Creatures Great and Small Richard Parsons, Executive Director As we begin a new year, it is a great time to reflect on successes, upcoming challenges and to think about the many blessings we enjoy. The Washington County SPCA has many things to be thankful for. I am thankful for the dedicated staff at the adoption shelter who works so tirelessly to provide care and maintenance for our animals, and to find homes for them.

The staff and I are grateful for our volunteers who exer-

cise the animals and who share their time to care for our furry friends. We are grateful for the many donations shared to offset the costs of our operations and to contribute to our new building fund. And while I am on the subject of thankfulness, let me say we are all especially grateful for the All Creatures Great and Small photography project.

Every week, Sherry Stinson of Tyler Creative; her dog handler and cat photographer, Angela Hawkins, and volunteers they have dubbed “The SqueakTeam” set aside time from their busy schedules to transform the Washington

County SPCA Adoption Shelter into a professional photo shoot fitting a rock star or dignitary. Lights are carried in and set-up. Backdrops are positioned.

Lenses of various shapes and descriptions are mounted on digital cameras. A crack team of volunteers are positioned with specific roles and directions. Two secret ingredients – treats and a squeaky toy – are unpackaged, and the magic is ready to begin.

This exercise, while fitting for Paris Hilton, is in this case directed at the furry friends more

All Creatures…

–Continued on Page 6

In This Issue All Creatures Great & Small.......1 From the President......................2 Success Story: Rudy.....................3 Adoption Techs.........................4-5 Around the Town..........................8 Alley Cat Alliance..........................9 Sponsors....................................... 10 Gifts of Love................................. 11

Sweet Fannie, 11-week-old female Tabby available for adoption.

Photo | Angela Hawkins | tylerdog.com

From the President I sat down to write this letter and began making a mental list of all the accomplishments made in the last half of 2009. I must say, I quite underestimated all that could be done in six months. Some of the changes and improvements are quite visible to the public’s eye, some are not. Due to space limitations, this will be brief but I thought you , the reader, would love a glimpse at what the staff and volunteers have managed to do.

WCSPCA Board of Directors President Dawnette Brady In July, a few of us went to Boulder, Colorado. We spent a handful of days being trained by PetsMart Charities’ Animal Behavior specialists on how to qualify dogs to participate in the PetsMart Rescue Waggin’ transport program (a phenomenal program/partnership we were awarded in late June). While there, we met with the architects at Animal Arts. We discussed in detail the intended use of the new facility. The floor plans and exterior elevations were presented to our Board. Further time and thought was given to what – given our mission – the future direction of the organization should be. Drawing on these discussions we moved forward with a major facelift on all levels. This is where the real work began. In six short months, we overhauled our image, made advancements in operations, and improved our adoption package.

IMAGE OVERHAUL. California-based scrapbooking artist, Marah Johnson, submitted a new logo concept. It was splashy and fun and we decided to use the image for a vinyl wrap on our trailer. Prior to the vinyl wrap cladding, the trailer was white with our contact information on a tiny magnetic sign. Now? Think “mobile billboard.” From this splashy logo concept came a simplified orange and royal blue version that is now our official logo (above right).

The next item begging for attention was our Web site. We upgraded our host service to handle more traffic and hired a firm to design the concept, structure and backend. To date, we are still working on the content and thank you for your patience.

Next, we needed a new photographer for our pet photos. We wanted photographs that made our pets’ personalities pop – in stepped Sherry Stinson of Tyler Creative. What a godsend she and her crew have been. In one of the many conversation with Sherry, we realized she did graphic design work as well as photography. In short order, she produced our beautiful new brochures and began working on a new format for this newsletter.

We acknowledged the future rides on the Internet. We were missing a large market by not aggressively chasing opportunities online. Our efforts were focused on our online presence. Previously a few individuals tirelessly entered every animal’s information and picture on four online adoption sites. Through the use of a free online listing service we now enter the information in one spot – one time – and it syncs with over 19 online adoption sites every day. This program also offers the ability to track traffic (“hits”) to our animals’ pictures. The number of hits has gone from 2,234 in July to 18,389 in December. Much of this increase can be attributed to a major presence on Facebook, Twitter and our recent involvement in newscasts, all of which have driven traffic to our Web site at www.WCSPCA.org.

Our physical facility received a facelift, too. It now bears our signature orange/white/royal blue. The offices have been rearranged to provide a more efficient work environment. We have all offices onsite now and let our Tri County Tech office go. The two trailers located on our property were moved to the south end of the main building. All cats were put into these trailers for easier care and better access for adopters. And thanks to the United Way’s Day of Caring – we received a new carport for our shed, new window air conditioning unit and fencing at the new property.

OPERATIONAL ADVANCES. Probably the most visible of the operational changes is our new Executive Director: Richard Parsons. He jumped on board this fall and has thrown his heart and soul into making this a success. We are so fortunate he decided to spend this time with us. In addition to a new Executive Director, we hired new staff members and added a position of Programs Director. In the next year, we’ll concentrate on making our volunteer base stronger to assist with our programs and staff.

From the President –Continued on Page 10

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16620 State Highway 123 Bartlesville, OK 74006-0040

(918) 336-1577

www.wcspca.org Executive Director Richard Parsons

Shelter Manager Paula Blower paulak@wcspca.org

Programs Director

Lianne McKinley lmckinley@wcspca.org

Facility Supervisor James Jones

Staff Cheri Harms Randy Hamilton Theresa Heape Cheryl Jackson Krystle Meade adoptions@wcspca.org Jordan Ratliff Sue Whiteturkey sue@wcspca.org Brad Widener Babs Wood adoptions@wcspca.org

Board of Directors Dawnette Brady, president Lindy Kidd, second vice president Susan Coker, treasurer Lauren Dreiling, secretary Bryan Acker Heather Bibles Jan Castelli John Fress Donna Gustafson Bill Griffin Bob Heil Chris Hester Jim Liehr Mike Teague

Mission The Washington County SPCA is an open access shelter whose mission is to protect the welfare of the animals we come in contact with, and to promote the humane treatment and well being of these animals.

We serve the animals, citizens, and communities of Green Country from our location at 16620 State Highway 123, just north of Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

The Washington County SPCA is a 501(c)3 private, non-profit organization not affiliated with any other entity and receives no government subsidies or funds from the ASPCA or The Humane Society of the United States.

Newsletter designed bywww.wcspca.org Sherry Stinson Tyler Creative | www.tylercreative.com

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& Photo | Sherry Stinson | tylerdog.com

Bartlesville Symphony Executive Director Lee GrothOlson and her muse, Rudy.

Making beautiful music together A little dog named Rudy finds a home

Every adoption from the Washington County Adoption Shelter is a happy occasion but it’s especially exciting when one of the longer-term visitors finds a happy home. That was the case for a stray named Rudy, picked up by Bartlesville Police Animal Control in September. Rudy, a scrappy little wild-haired fellow, was held in the animal control facility at the Adoption Shelter for four business days in accordance with city regulation. This holding period gives owners ample time to claim missing pets. When no one came looking for him, Rudy was entered into the Washington County SPCA computer system as available for adoption. He was then moved from the animal control facility to the shelter’s Adoption Holding runs. Adoption techs gave Rudy his name and began a medical maintenance routine. As part of that regimen, Rudy was taken to a local veterinarian to be neutered.

Rudy spent the remainder of September, all of October, and almost all of November in a small cinder block run. He was visited each morning by www.wcspca.org

someone from the housekeeping department who gave him fresh water and food. It may sound like a bedand-breakfast experience, but the dog runs at the current shelter are more like holding cells than comfortable accommodations. Rudy was quite popular with both staff and volunteers, who would sometimes take him out for a quick walk or give him a chance to run in one of the outdoor pens.

Early in his stay, Rudy and several of his associates had their pictures taken by Sherry Stinson of Tyler Creative and the volunteer SqueakTeam.

His photo was posted online and he was included in a video that was also posted. Many of his associates were transported to Boulder and Denver for adoption and his neighbors in the shelter frequently changed as new members joined the gang and others left to join adopting families.

At the end of October Rudy, nine other dogs, and two cats made a trip to the Washington Park Mall to represent the WCSPCA at the Halloween edition of the Bark Avenue and Meow Place Adoption Center. This

community outreach event happens at the mall on the last Saturday of every month and gives members of the public a chance to see some of the animals available for adoption.

While Rudy and friends made many great impressions, only one adoption occurred that day as the WCSPCA adoption tech’s husband couldn’t resist Cordell the cat. Rudy and the others returned to the adoption shelter and back to their daily routine in the runs.

The month of November dragged on for Rudy with a handful of visits from potential adopting families. Some had seen his picture on the shelter Web site, and others recognized him from Facebook, but Rudy didn’t make any special connection with any of the visitors. Thanksgiving came and Rudy was still homeless.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Rudy once again made the trip to the mall to represent the shelter.

He seemed happy to have a chance

A little dog named Rudy –Continued on Page 9

WCSPCA Winter 2010 | 3

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magine suddenly being left in a strange place filled with unfamiliar faces. The animals arriving at the Washington Country SPCA shelter are often confused and afraid; some need medical attention. But, as frightened as they sometimes are, most of these animals are on their way to happy, new lives.

“Perhaps the biggest misconception about our shelter is that we’re just

“These are dogs or cats that just this morning were living in a home, but suddenly find themselves put in the shelter and wondering when they will be going home,” said Richard Parsons, WCSPCA Executive Director. “It’s very emotional. For the most part, these animals are home-ready.

They’re housebroken. They’re used to living with people. They’re pets.”

“If the animal has been brought in as a stray, the first thing we do is scan it for a microchip,” said Wood, who has worked for the WCSPCA since 2006. Implanting microchips

A detailed look at the role of the Washington County SPCA Adoption Techs

Animals Receive Comprehensive Care

By Donna McNeely

here to hold animals for a few days and then, if no one claims them, put them down. That just couldn’t be farther from the truth,” said veterinary tech Cheri Harms, who has worked for the WCSPCA since 2002. “We are an adoption shelter. We want these animals to find good homes. That’s always our goal. And when a dog or cat is brought in or surrendered to us ,there are a lot of steps involved to get that animal ready for adoption.”

Adoption techs Babs Wood and Krystle Meade are on the front lines in the fight to find homes for the approximately 3,000 animals that arrive at the WCSPCA each year. The moment an animal is brought in to the shelter, Wood and Meade are responsible for its care.

Approximately 100 animals each month are brought in to the shelter as strays by Bartlesville Animal Control officers, but twice as many are brought in each month as “surrenders” by members of the public.

4 | WCSPCA Winter 2010

Adult dogs receive a standard six-inone vaccination shot, while puppies receive a seven-in-one shot that includes protection from Corona virus.

Two weeks later, puppies get a second round of shots. Dogs are tested for heartworm and cats are tested for feline leukemia. If test results are negative, each animal is then given a rabies vaccination. Each of these procedures are performed by Wood and Meade.

“It’s a lot to keep track of,” said Wood. “There’s a lot of hard work to do and a lot of paperwork. We’re busy all day long.”

“When it comes to giving shots, I usually hold the animal and Babs does the needle,” said Meade, who began working at the shelter in June 2009. She added with a smile, “I’m more the muscle. She’s the accuracy.”

Every animal must also be spayed or neutered before it’s adopted. Those procedures are performed by a veterinarian, but paid for by the shelter through adoption fees. Those fees help offset the many medical costs and the cost of housing and feeding each animal.

“There’s no profit here,” said Parsons. “We often keep these animals for months until they’re adopted, so the expenses really add up. The adoption fee helps offset that cost, but it

to identify lost animals has become increasingly popular among pet owners in recent years and can lead to a beloved pet’s quick return to its family.

If no microchip is detected, the animal is held for four days in the hope the owner will show up and claim it. After that, strays become available for adoption.

Every animal is vaccinated and given an oral anti-worm medication.

Dogs are given a nasal BordePhoto | Richard Parsons tella (kennel While Bartlesville Police Animal Control Officer Charles Aubrey cough) vaccine. holds a stray, Adoption Tech Babs Wood scans for a microchip. www.wcspca.org

doesn’t cover all the expenses. That’s why we depend so heavily on donations.”

Since the goal is to find a good home for each animal, it’s also the adoption techs’ job to evaluate each animal for adoptability.

This is especially important when selecting which animals will participate in the adoption transfer programs to Denver and Boulder, Colorado.

“The Denver transport program, or Care-a-Van Rescue, is funded by our shelter and the dogs are transported to Denver by our volunteers. The whole point of the program is to get some of our animals moved to Denver, where the demand for pets exceeds their local supply. There’s a lot of expense involved in this for us.

For the Boulder transport program through PetsSmart Charities, we’re required to make a series of videos of each dog that we plan to send. These additional behavioral assessments help qualify the animals for the program, but take time to do.”

“We’re looking for how outgoing or friendly an animals is,” said Wood. “We have to make sure the dogs aren’t aggressive. For instance, we see if they’ll walk on a leash and if they’ll play with us.

We find out if they’ll let us pet them and touch them. We’ll touch their paws and give their tails a gentle tug, just to make sure they’re friendly with people.”

“Basically, it’s the things a little kid might do to them,” said Meade.

Photos | Barbara Pearson | Southview Studio

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hen they’re not working with the animals directly, Wood and Meade show the animals to people who come to the shelter hoping to adopt a pet. Because they’ve worked so closely with the animals and gotten to know their individual personalities, they can make recommendations about which dog or cat might be a good fit for a particular person or family. Both Wood and Meade are always happy when a good match is made.

“I like the good feeling I get when I send an animal to a good home,” said Meade.

Wood agreed. “You know, we get emotionally attached to these animals. Especially when we know they’ve come in here scared and we’ve worked with them for so long. So when they get adopted, it feels really good.”

Both Wood and Meade say it’s the one-on-one time spent with each animal that really prepares that animal to be adopted. Unfortunately, they often can’t take time to play with each one.

“We just get so busy with all the medical care and other things that we have to do that we don’t have nearly as much time to play with the animals as we’d like to,” said Meade. “We really need more volunteers for that.”

“I’d love to see these dogs exercised and walked every four hours,” said Wood. “We definitely need volunteers to help with that.”

“The thing is, when an animal is played with, it makes them so much more socialized,” said Meade. “It makes them even more adoptable. And that’s what we want—for these animals to get adopted.”

The Washington County SPCA has placed 11,500 animals for adoption in the last decade! www.wcspca.org

TOP: WCSPCA Adoption Tech Krystle Meade helps two tiny kittens adjust to their new temporary home.

BOTTOM: WCSPCA Adoption Tech Babs Wood assists during one of the weekly photo shoots.

WCSPCA Winter 2010 | 5

All Creatures…

–Continued from Page 1

likely to be found in Ms. Hilton’s designer shoulder bag. Sherry’s photos have turned our shelter animals into rock stars!

Everyday people come to the shelter with a list of named animals they are interested in seeing for possible adoption.

They come from from Tulsa, Kansas, Texas, and surrounding states because they are seeing the project photos on our Web site or social networking sites where the photos are being posted like Facebook, flickr, and twitter. For the numerically inclined, this effort means an increase in hits to our Web site from 2,000 per month on average to over 18,000 per month.

Sherry specializes in animal photography professionally and we are blessed she shares her passion for animal welfare through her generous donation of talent and time.

Besides owning Tyler Creative and TylerDog Cards, Sherry also teaches photography at the local career tech, Tri-County Technology Center. Her passion and desire to make a difference for our animals has spilled over to some of her students. Many of the regular volunteer helpers come from her various classes and shoot behind-the-scenes photos or take turns wrangling the furry stars, dispensing treats, or manning the squeak toy. The SqueakTeam, as they have so been dubbed, most often consists of Judy Brown, Dee Chambers, Jill Noble, and Barbara Pearson.

I enjoy watching the photo shoot when I can, but I am only an interested observer of the process. My time is spent reflecting on the hours that must go into the effort once the photo shoot is complete. Selecting the best shot of each rock star and editing out the treat crumbs, occasional leash or helpful hands, followed by writing descriptions of each of the stars, making a video of them, and uploading to the Internet.

This translates to many more hours above and beyond the two hour weekly photo shoot.

To further help the cause, Sherry is starting a new line of greeting cards using images from the various photo shoots called “Shelter Dogs and Alley Cats,” soon to be available at

Photo | Barbara Pearson | Southview Studio

Bowen and Sherry Stinson bond before his photo is taken.

tylerdog.com and J. Zachary’s Interiors and Gifts in Bartlesville. A portion of the profits will come back to benefit the WCSPCA, so the animals are once again the winners!

As a business consultant, I automatically think about the opportunities to streamline the photo shoot process. If they would cut out hugging every single animal before it gets its picture taken and the loving on them afterward, they could save so much time. These steps in the process, well, they aren’t steps at all, I guess. The hugs are the obvious reason these folks are here every week donating their time and talents.

Sherry has often said she’ll know when her work is done when her services are no longer needed, because it means all the animals will have found homes. In the meantime, she and her volunteers will keep sharing hugs and taking photos to help our furry friends find homes.

The beginning of new year is a great time to share a hug for whatever reason. If you see Sherry or the staff from Tyler Creative or the volunteer SqueakTeam, share a hug with them.

Speaking of pictures…don’t just picture yourself sharing a hug with a forever friend.

Photo | Barbara Pearson | Southview Studio Come down to the adoption shelter to meet our huggable rock stars in person.

Volunteers Judy Brown and Angela Hawkins entice Riva with a treat.

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www.wcspca.org

Photo | Barbara Pearson | Southview Studio

Angela Hawkins, Sherry Stinson, and Jill Noble focus on getting the shot of sweet Kelly.

Photos | Barbara Pearson | Southview Studio

Counterclockwise from top: Volunteers Angela Hawkins, Dee Chambers, Sherry Stinson; WCSPCA Programs Director Lianne McKinley; volunteer Jill Noble; WCSPCA Shelter Manager Paula Blower; volunteers Barbara Pearson and Judy Brown. www.wcspca.org www.wcspca.org

WCSPCA Winter 2010 | 7

Join the Foster Team!

Kitten season is here! Bring adorable kittens into your home for a few weeks and be part of the Washington County SPCA’s lifesaving phenomenon. Potential foster parents need not attend a general WCSPCA volunteer orientation; just come to a one- session foster class.

To sign up, call WCSPCA Foster Care Facilitator Paula Blower at (918) 3361577 or for more information, email Paavo is available for adoption. Photo | Angela Hawkins | tylerdog.com

her at info@wcspca.org.

Around the Town

Success Story

Monthly KWON/KRIG Community Connection airs the first Wednesday of each month at 8:30 a.m.

Weekly Examiner-Enterprise TV Spotlight ad January 30 Bark Avenue & Meow Place at Washington Park Mall.

Come out and take home a forever friend!

February 13 Volunteer Training. Pleas call to sign up at (918) 3361577. Held at the WCSPCA. February 13 Meet the Executive Director and new shelter discussion from 12-1 p.m., held at the WCSPCA.

Photo | Richard Parsons

Bryan Acker leads volunteer training at the WCSPCA. If you’d like to become a volunteer, come to our next volunteer training on February 13th.

8 | WCSPCA Winter 2010

Photo | Richard Parsons

Beasley, a former resident of the WCSPCA now living with his new family in Wichita, Kansas, came back to the shelter to pickup another new friend, Petunia! www.wcspca.org

Alley Cat Alliance The Alley Cat Alliance is a group of volunteers for the Washington County SPCA who work with feral cat colonies and free roaming cats. Our mission is threefold: 1. To decrease the number of feral and free roaming cats through our Trap-Spay/Neuter-Release program.

2. To increase the quality of life for existing colonies.

3. To increase community understanding, acceptance, and support of existing colonies by decreasing irritating breeding behaviors and colony growth.

Here are five things you should know about cats outdoors: 1. Stray and feral cats can live anywhere they find food and shelter.

2. “Feral” and “stray” are not the same. Strays can usually be adopted; feral cats cannot. Feral cats are content living outdoors.

3. Studies show feral cats are as healthy as house cats.

4. Feral cats avoid human contact, especially people they don’t know. They don’t want to interact with you or your children.

5. The best thing you can do for feral and stray cats is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR).

Trap-Neuter-Return is an effective and humane way to stabilize feral cat populations. Cats are humanely trapped and taken to a veterinarian, where they are spayed or neutered and in some cases vaccinated. Kittens and socialized cats (cats who are friendly to humans) are placed for adoption. Healthy, adult feral cats (cats who are fearful of human contact) are returned to their colony site, where they are provided continuing care by volunteers.

Trap-Neuter-Return works. No more kittens. Their lives are improved, and the population stabilizes and declines over time. The behaviors and stresses associated with mating, such as yowling and fighting, stop.

If you are caring for a feral colony by providing food, water and shelter, the colony you care for might be eligible for Trap-Neuter-Return assistance from Alley Cat Alliance.

If you need assistance or would like to join the Alley Cat Alliance volunteer group, please contact Lianne McKinley, Programs Director, at (918) 336-1577 or lmckinley@wcspca.org for more information.

A little dog named Rudy –Continued from Page 3

to get out for a few hours and readily accepted a bath and fluff-and-dry.

Rudy led the pack to their stations at the storefront next to Dillard’s and settled in to meet the public.

Rudy made several new friends that day and one interested couple left to discuss the possibility of a new addition to the household. The couple came back later and chose to take one of Rudy’s friends home—a little fellow who had also been in residence at the adoption shelter for over three months.

As the day came to a close, Rudy settled in for an afternoon nap on the lap of an event volunteer. About that time, Lee GrothOlson of Bartlesville found herself with an extra hour on her hands, so she decided to stop by the mall. Upon arriving, she saw the www.wcspca.org

colorful holiday window on the Bark Avenue & Meow Place storefront and decided to stop in to see what the WCSPCA event was all about.

Rudy woke up from his doggy dream and fell in love at first sight!

Rudy knew he had been waiting for Lee and now all he had to do was let her know. Apparently, she got the message because Rudy and Lee were soon dancing and twirling together.

Lee quickly paid the adoption fee, which covered Rudy’s medical expenses, and they twirled off together towards home.

Rudy enjoys Lee’s place and appreciates her active lifestyle, especially when they walk together on the treadmill. Lee says that Rudy is a patient observer and waits in a cage crate while Lee is teaching one of her 20 piano students. She says he especially likes it when the mother of one

student allows her three- and fiveyear-olds to join Rudy in his crate during their older sibling’s lesson.

But life isn’t all fun and games for Rudy. During business hours, he now has work to do. Most days he’s found at his new place of employment, the Bartlesville Community Center.

While Lee is busy with her duties as Executive Director of the Bartlesville Symphony, she says Rudy is on constant alert and participates when called upon as a public relations liaison and staff motivator. Lee says Rudy sends much love to the other shelter animals and wants them to hang in there because there are other great connections waiting to happen.

Lee and Rudy also want to thank all the donors who made Rudy’s stay with the WCSPCA possible.

Rudy was just one of 140 animals placed for adoption in November.

WCSPCA Winter 2010 | 9

WCSPCA Sponsors Many thanks go out to the various businesses that support the Washington County SPCA. Please patronize these wonderful vendors. In the interactive version of the newsletter, all logos are active links to their respective Web sites.

D&Q

Pest Control, Inc.

P.A.W.S.

Unique Pet Boutique

Dr. Scott Cochran

Earnest Heating & Air Tulsa Hills

“Unique Pet Greeting Cards”

From the President –Continued from Page 2

Every time I went to the shelter – what was actually meticulously organized paperwork – looked like mountains of white that might swallow me whole at any second. There is a lot of paperwork necessary to keep up with over 150 adoptions per month. I was determined to become more efficient, and therefore lessen the load on our staff. Our society is trending toward paperless ways of doing business. We looked at what it would take to take this leap. In August, we had BartNet install a dish – no more dial-up internet access. Instantly, our staff was able to quickly and efficiently receive/send email, upload pictures/videos and do online updates to our Web site. After this improvement, we were finally able 10 | WCSPCA Winter 2010

to begin the arduous task of training and implementing a state-of-the-art shelter software. This web-based program allows us to print kennel cards with photos (rather than handwriting each one) , helps the staff keep up with medical records, and offers the ability to sell City licensing. Ultimately, this software led to the change in our adoption procedures.

ADOPTION PACKAGE. I periodically hear individuals question our adoption fees. Being an open intake shelter (meaning we don’t turn animals away), is a budget buster. We accept animals in less than stellar condition and do the best we can to nurse them back to health and place them in loving homes. Prior to January 1, 2010 a normal adoption would involve an animal who had been spayed/neutered, given its vaccinations and was – in our best judgement- in good

health. We are excited to announce from this point forth, all animals will be covered for the first 30 days after their adoption with health insurance. We provide additional protection by microchipping the pets. Each microchip is scanned and registered at the time of implantation. It’s our goal to give each pet the best chance of staying with their new family and living a happy life.

We end 2009 wiping the sweat from our brows. It has been a challenging year all round. With ramped up efforts, we have been able to stay away from the national trend of declining adoption rates. We had to spend some money to make this happen, yet we prudently saved money every chance we got. We wish you and yours a wondrous New Year and greet 2010 with the excitement of great things to come. Thank you for your continued support. www.wcspca.org

Gifts of Love Lucie is available for adoption. Photo | Sherry L. Stinson

Thanks to our generous supporters for Contributions and Special Gifts Special Recognition

• Dave’s Garden Glove Co-op Friends of 9kittymom aka Susan Coker, =^..^= • ElderCare Daybreak Adult Day Center • Quail Ridge Kool-Aid Stand by Hannah King (9), Ryan King (7), Alex Dickson (9) • James and Marcia Cochran • Barbara Marler Wisk • Lucille Stewart • Joyce Patterson • Wanda Burham • Martha and Gene Monday • The Tuesday Club • Alice Tennison • Phillip and Sandra Van De Verg • Chad Lee • First United Methodist Church • Victor and Cynthia Mitchell • Roxanne McCrary 9th Grade English Teacher, Bartlesville Mid-High

Adopt-A-Kennel The Washington County SPCA’s Adopt-a-Kennel program is a fabulous way for individuals and businesses to show their support for the homeless animals of Washington County, while at the same time helping to provide us with the resources we need to care for the thousands of homeless animals we receive each year.

Each kennel we “adopt” provides the shelter with resources to feed and vaccinate the shelter animals – over 2,500 animals last year alone. Kennels are sponsored on an annual basis.

Each year-long Adopt-A-Kennel sponsorship costs $1,000 and receives the following benefits: • Customized Plaque • Your choice of kennel based | on availability • Quarterly Bio Updates about the pet currently housed in sponsored kennel • Logo/Name on WCSPCA.org Web site • Annual Partner mention in newsletter (circ. 5K) • Subscription to Washington County SPCA Newsletter • Authorized logo use • Tax deductible receipt For more information, contact Programs Director Lianne McKinley at lmckinley@wcspca.org. www.wcspca.org

In Memory of (People)

• Sarah Lottridge from Anne Perce and family • JoAnn (Howard) May from Marjorie Tracy, Norma Gross, Raymond and Dolores Theis, Mitchell and Amy Cady, James and Jessie Ellis, Loren and Dorothea Basler, Mary Ann and Milo Witter • Joel R. Butler from Nancy A. Didriksen • Zelma Uber from Serena Cantrell • Bill Morgan from Don and June Peters • Rita Enos from Gary Mason • Evelyn Barr Reid from Delma Wilson

In Memory of (Pets) • • • • • • • • • • •

Chloe and Cocoa from Kathryn Ayres Butch from Barry and Susan Rogers Ginger from Mr. and Mrs. Ian McDonald Miss Callie and Lily from Virginia A. Riley Ferris Bueller and Buddy from Diann Gotwals Digger by Genevieve Yates Jake and Mallory from Ronnie and Debora Wolverton Tatum from Richard Parsons Chaunte from Erika Chancellor Frosty from Willard Bucher Abbey I from Frank and Melanie Parsons

In honor of (People)

• Robert Taylor from his wife, Karen Taylor • Bill Griffin’s Birthday from Roger and Dixie McClain, Sanders Whitehouse, Penny Quinn, William and Melanie Woodward, Glenda Garrison, Jim and Rebecca Liehr, John and Lynn Carpenter, John and Marion Snook, Raymond and Carla Lyle, Bill and Melinda Rule, Jolene James-Adams, Carl Vickburg

In honor, support, or appreciation of (Pets)

• • • •

Gozmo by Jean Redford • Sunny by Ted and Jean Jabara Muffy by Jerry Jordan • Foxy Brown by Patricia Raglin Lawrence from Don and Jerrie Brady Caroline from Lauren Dreiling

To give a Gift of Love, send your contribution of $50 or more to the WCSPCA, 16620 State Highway 123, Bartlesville, OK 74006.

At your request, the memorial or honorific gift will be printed here.

Contact Programs Director Lianne McKinley at (918) 336-1577 or lmckinley@wcspca.org for more details.

WCSPCA Winter 2010 | 11

www.wcspca.org Return Service Requested 16620 State Hwy. 123 Bartlesville, OK 74006-0040 Bartlesville, OK Permit No. 94

PAID

U.S. Postage Non-Profit Organization

I want to make a difference!

YES! I am happy to help unwanted and homeless animals on their way to a happier life. Please accept my taxdeductible donation to the WCSPCA in the amount of: $15

$20

$50

$75

Other $________

Name:_ _________________________________________________ Address:_ _______________________________________________ City:____________________________________________________ State: _ ________________ Zip Code:_ ________________________ Email:___________________________________________________ mail to: Washington County SPCA 16620 State Highway 123 | Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74006-0040 Photo | Sherry Stinson

12 | WCSPCA Winter 2010

Donate Electronically! http://www.wcspca.org/donations.php www.wcspca.org