TNR coverage on WVEC

Norfolk considers controversial proposal to control feral cats

Christie Chipps Peters of the Portsmouth Humane Society addresses the notion of “controversy” in the story well: “It’s a problem that’s already there and I think that we’re just being able to provide a solution,” she added, “I don’t understand the controversy. to me it’s black and white. you save a life or you don’t.”

Thanks to Norfolk City Council member Tommy Smigiel for voicing his support.

Part of the video segment is filmed at the Lambert’s Point colony near Tortilla West.

Sharon Adams of the Virginia Beach SPCA argues that a TNR effort by the city of Norfolk may encourage residents to abandon their cats That already happens. Residents abandon their dogs, too. Adams also makes the specious argument that feral cats die violent deaths, such as being hit by cars or shot by BB guns. That does happen, as it does to “owned” cats who are allowed to roam.

Ultimately, more TNR support and action would lead to a decrease in the overall population of free-roaming cats and the subsequent intake of these cats by Animal Control.

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…

Look for us in the Virginian-Pilot

Today’s Virginian-Pilot includes our print advertisement about community cats:

If you care enough to feed them, care enough to fix them.

Free and low-cost spay/neuter is available for outdoor cats.

Female cats can become pregnant at 5 months of age and will mate with their offspring to produce hundreds of kittens over a short period of time. Finding homes for litter after litter is not a long-term solution, and with 3 out of 5 cats being put down, shelters are not a good option either. The cost of an outdoor cat spay/neuter is not much more than a large bag of cat food – which is what you’ll need a lot more of if you don’t fix them.

Please, make things easier on the cats, your neighbors, our shelters, and you. Fix the cats you feed.

To schedule a spay/neuter:

www.spayhr.org

757-456-1215

 

 

 

 

Find the billboard, cont.

We’ve seen another Shelter Pet Project billboard (no picture yet) in Norfolk on Granby Street, right after the bridge and before  Crackers. This billboard features a cute Chihauhau concerned about the size of her ears.

Recently, the Shelter Pet Project added new media to their campaign. There are new billboards, web banners, radio spots, and television commercials.

Though we’ve spotted a few billboards in this area, we’d never seen any of the television commercials until recently on Halogen TV. According to their website, “Halogen is the first and only television network focused on socially conscious entertainment featuring reality-based series, documentaries, films and specials. Our 24-hour schedule highlights humanitarian, eco-entertainment, and pop culture programming.” It’s fitting then to have “Mutts” commercials like Olive and Shemp shown on this network.

Check out Halogen’s 2012 Special Awareness Days Calendar. July 31st is Mutts Day. January 13th is Make Your Dreams Come True Day. Could it be a coincidence that January 13th is also our first clinic for 2012??? Hmm…..

(Yes, it is actually just a coincidence, but pretty cool nonetheless.)

 

Free vaccines and low-cost surgeries for pets in Va. Beach

From the Virginian-Pilot:

Three animal groups are offering free vaccinations, shelter and bedding – along with reduced-cost spaying and neutering – for cats and dogs in Virginia Beach on Jan. 7.

To read the entire article, click here.

Window Smashing Grinch

 

Check-in at Let's Go

Let’s Go Pet Care has long been a supporter of SpayHR. They allowed us to use the parking lot at the shopping center for mobile clinics, and even opened their store space for check in with the Neuter Scooter. On especially cold mornings, we enjoyed delicious coffee from next door’s O’Jardim. (The food is just as good.)

We were disturbed to hear someone broke into both businesses this week. To read the full story and view footage, visit the WVEC website. The story includes a link to surveillance video posted on YouTube. If you have information that will help police, please call the Crime Line, 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

 

Find the billboard…

One of our volunteers noticed this billboard for the Shelter Pet Project the corner of 26th Street and Colonial Avenue.

From the Shelter Pet Project website: The Shelter Pet Project, launched in 2009, is a public service ad campaign focused on spreading the word that pets in shelters are wonderful and lovable, and encouraging potential adopters to consider the shelter as the first place to look when acquiring a “new best friend.”

Have you seen other Shelter Pet Project billboards around town? Send us a picture and the location, and we’ll post it here!

Just a reminder…

The rain date for Friends of Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center’s Dogs Gone Swimming event is today, September 25.

ART Pet Costume Contest on Facebook

Announcing the 1st Animal Rescue of Tidewater Pet Costume Contest – with prizes!

Simply take a photo of your pet in a costume and email it to artanimals@yahoo.com by Oct 15th. ART will announce and post all the contestant pictures in a Facebook gallery and have everyone on Facebook vote for the best one! The pet with the most likes will win a Gift Certificate to Lola’s Caribbean Restaurant (with a pet friendly patio), the Mambo Room Latin Dance Studio, Fur Frenzy Pet Spa and cupcakes from Blue Castle Cupcakes. Send your photo in today!

We can’t wait to see your pet!
Animal Rescue of Tidewater

Our Facebook Link:
http://www.facebook.com/animalrescueoftidewater

September Events for Dogs

Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center and Let’s Go Pet Care have been wonderful supporters of SpayHR. Friends has donated funds for clinics to pay for spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations. Let’s Go has allowed our mobile clinics to take place in their parking lot and offered use of their store space for some clinics. Both groups are sponsoring fun events for dogs (and people) in September.

event flyer

On Saturday, September 17, Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center will host the third annual Dogs Gone Swimming at the Norfolk Fitness & Wellness Center:

With the city’s pools closing for the season, the day is going to the dogs – literally! For a small admission fee, your dog/s can enjoy an “end-of-season swim” at the city’s recreation center. Join with other parents of “fur-kids” to celebrate a day where no one will say “No Dogs Allowed”! All proceeds to benefit animals at the Norfolk Animal Care Center.

Participants can register online or in person on the day of the event. Early registration is recommend, though, as spaces fill up quickly!

event flyer

On the other side of town and on the following Sunday, Let’s Go Pet Care, Eggleston Services, and the Chesapeake Humane Society will host their Pool Pawty.

Get your dog(s) in on the fun for these good causes!