We have a crush…

…on Jackson Galaxy! A man who plays music and loves cats — it doesn’t get any better than that!

All gushing aside, Jackson Galaxy knows cats. On My Cat From Hell, he instructs cat guardians on best practices for keeping their cats (and themselves) happy and healthy…emphasis on keeping. Galaxy’s shelter background really shows through on episodes like “On the War Path” (Season 2), when he tears up after helping couple Bobby and In-Hae make peace between their cat, Marco, and dog, Yuki. As anyone who has worked with cats in shelters knows, so many are surrendered and ultimately put down for behavioral issues that could have been resolved.

In honor of World Spay Day…

The Good, the Bad, and the Fluffy

The Good: Today is World Spay Day!

Thank you to everyone who makes our work possible: volunteers who canvas target areas and talk to residents; residents who bring their pets to surgery; neighbors who share the word and encourage their friends to spay/neuter their pets, too; and clinic staff who ensure safe surgeries. Everyone plays an important part in helping address companion animal overpopulation in Hampton Roads.

The Bad: SB 359 was tabled (and essentially killed) yesterday at the House Agriculture Subcommittee. Thank you to Senator Creigh Deeds for serving as Patron of SB 329 and Delegate Mark Sickles for voting in favor. Thank you also to Charlottesville SPCA, Virginia Federation of Humane Societies, Richmond SPCA, Shenandoah Valley Spay/Neuter Clinic, Angels of Assisi, and UVA Law School for speaking in favor of the bill. And finally, thank you to everyone who contacted their representatives, asking for support of SB 359.

The Fluffy: Vote for Hank!

From the Washington Post: Hank for Senate: Cat campaigns against George Allen, Tim Kaine for Va. seat

February 24, 2012 Clinic

Olive

At our last clinic, we met Toad, a handsome grey and white kitty who had been bottle-raised by the Lewis family. This morning, we met Toad’s sister, Olive, who lives with the Thornton family. Olive doesn’t know she’s a cat, though – she thinks she’s a pit bull terrier!

Sienna

This pretty girl lives with Sienna and another dog. Sienna is Olive’s canine “mom.” She takes her maternal duties seriously and kept close to Olive in line. Sienna even furrowed her brow with worry when another kitty meowed nervously. Too sweet!

Irene

Another canine-feline duo (trio, really) this morning was Irene the tabby and white cat and Doodle the black Pug. Doodle and Irene came with Whoopie, who needs to wait until she’s a little older for surgery.

Whoopie & Doodle

After the low temperatures of the February 10th clinic, we really enjoyed today’s unseasonable warmth.

Raymond

Sharing the morning breeze with us was early arrival Raymond. This big goof came from a shelter in North Carolina where his name was Rainman. His family didn’t want to confuse him too much, so they kept the sounds of his new name similar. Of course, everybody loves Raymond. His neighbor even says, “Hi,” to him first before going into his own house after work. Raymond lives in one of our more recently added target areas in West Ocean View.

Otter

Also from the Ocean View area was Otter, a big-pawed grey and white cat. Otter was abandoned when his people moved. His new caretaker, Scott, would see Otter when walking his dog. Scott saw that Otter was on his own and began feeding him. From there, Otter began to follow Scott on his walks. One day Otter followed him all the way home! Now Otter has a furr-ever family.

For more picture of today’s clinic, visit our Facebook page.

Gus

When dogs are too big for the mobile clinics, we send them to other locations for surgery. Such was the case with Gus, who was neutered in January at the Norfolk SPCA Clinic.

Gus

This handsome four year old came from one of our target neighborhoods in Ocean View. His person heard about SpayHR from Suzy Swims while walking Gus on the beach. Gus’ “dad” worried about potential health issues related to Gus’ being unaltered. He also knew that too many animals are put down in shelters because of overpopulation.

On the day of surgery, he stayed by his canine companion’s side until Gus was administered anesthesia. He didn’t want Gus to be nervous. So sweet! We’re happy to report that the surgery went well.

 

February 10, 2012 Clinic

Our toes are still thawing from this morning’s cold! Thankfully, the chilly weather didn’t keep any of our clinic participants away, and they waited very patiently during the check in process.

Pearl

Pearl Woolwine Craig came with her family, who heard about SpayHR from their friend, Michaela Allen. Ms. Allen has been helping the homeless cats in her neighborhood. Pearl’s canine companion, Diva, is too big for the mobile clinic, so she is being spayed at the Norfolk SPCA clinic next week.

Roscoe

Someone who is big, but not too big to fit on the van, is Roscoe. This handsome mix adores his family and stayed close during check in. Roscoe’s feline friend, Gazpacho, was also neutered at today’s clinic.

Toad

Another cute pair from the morning was Toad and Otis. Toad is a handsome grey and white long-haired cat whose name just doesn’t seem to fit. His person told us the story: She found an abandoned litter of neonatal kittens and syringe fed them until they could eat on their own. Every time she picked up one of the kittens, he peed on her – just like a toad! The rest of the litter found homes and Toad stayed with his adoptive “mom”. Toad came with Otis the puppy, who received boosters today and will be neutered at a near future clinic.

A big thank you to New Hope Church and Community Center for allowing us to use their parking lot this month.

 

More advocay for SB 359

From Alley Cat Allies:

Trap-Neuter-Return is legal and protected in towns and communities all across Virginia, including Fairfax County, Arlington, and Richmond. This proactive bill will make it clear that municipalities can carry out TNR, the humane and effective approach for feral cats. While it won’t require TNR, this important bill will protect the right to practice it.

SB 359 has already passed committee and is headed to the full state senate for a vote next week. Contact your senators below to show your support for SB 359 and humane cat care.

For more information visit their website.

Additional Links:

Feral Cat Resources from Spay Virginia.

Program to Decrease Homeless Feral Cat Population Deemed Successful

Legislative Help for Feral/Free-Roaming/Community Cats

Please read Susanne Kogut’s blog post about SB 359 and follow her guide for helping this population of homeless animals.

From Your Voice Matters SB – 359

SB 359 is a bill designed to permit more wide-scale trap, neuter, return efforts in our Virginia Communities. This Bill was introduced by the City of Charlottesville and presented to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources by the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA. SB 359 was reported out (approved) by a 10 to 5 vote. This bill was discussed for over 40 minutes with opposition that we believe was simply not truthful in their statements. Fortunately the members of the Senate Committee were able to see through this smoke and mirror presentation and voted in favor of the Bill.

To read more, visit the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA Blog.

It’s especially important to thank Senator Deeds and your legislator (if she or he supported SB 359).

Additional links:

Richmond SPCA Blog

Waggin’ Tales Blog