Sorry, no pictures in this one. . .
Jackson is doing great, thanks to all who have so generously donated to his medical fund. He still has a long way to go before he is completely better, but he is starting to look (and act) more like a dog every day. His skin infection is finally starting to clear. He still has some areas that need daily treatment, and he still needs regular baths, but most of the yellow crustiness is gone. His treatment for the demodex (non-contagious skin mite) will be on-going for quite some time, but he takes his medication faithfully. It seems that his eye infection is cleared up, but he continues to need artificial tears as the skin around his eyes is still badly scarred.
Jackson's personality has really started to show in the past few days. It seems that he is not a "morning person" and would prefer to sleep past the alarm buzzing. Once he is awake, he has a voracious appetite! This little guy LOVES food. Its nice to see him putting some much needed weight onto his skinny little frame. Jackson has a tail that just won't quit wagging. Now that the hair is starting to sprout back on it he wags it proudly! He seems to like everyone he meets and doles out kisses to anyone who gets close enough. Jackson does well with the hustle and bustle of the office and doesn't seem to mind the frequent comings and goings of all the dogs. He also doesn't seem to mind the cats! (Actually, I think that he likes the cats because they always seem to be spilling bits of food for him to clean up!)
Just like the majority of the animals that come through our door, Jackson has brought more joy to us then we could ever give back to him. He is a constant source of amusement and fun. And his willingness to cuddle comes in handy when "rescue work" gets overwhelming. I know that Jackson will be with us for a while more, bit I am already a bit sad that he will eventually leave us. But Jackson deserves a great family - one that will take care of him and treat him like the little king that he is deep down inside. I just hope that his new family understands that we will *require* regular Jackson updates and frequent visits! We want Jackson kisses!!!!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Jackson is an amazing little guy with a story I wish I knew. I found Jackson on Wednesday at the Berkeley Animal Shelter while I was out temp testing dogs. While there were many available dogs at the shelter, there were none that fit into our program at the moment. And while I did not take Jackson home with me right away, I made a mental note to tell my ED about him. Once she heard about him, I knew that HAR would take him in! Little did I know that she would fall in love herself and foster him in her own home.
Jackson is somewhere between 9 months and 1 1/2 years old. He is probably a pure bred Yorkie, but it is obvious that he was poorly bred. He has a genetic (non-contagious) skin condition called Demodectic Mange. This is what has caused his massive hair loss. And while demodex doesn't itch, it still causes skin irritation which has contributed to his secondary skin infection. This mite/infection has made it's way to his eyes causing some corneal scaring. Jackson also has a malformed jaw which caused him to retain many of his baby teeth and which also causes his tongue to hang out constantly.
Jackson looks like a mess. . . and probably feels like a mess. His medical bills are adding up quickly and he still has a long way to go before he gets better. If you would like to read more about Jackson, or if you would like to donate to his medical fund, please click here.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Adopt-a-ton
Our friends over at the East Bay SPCA are hosting a HUGE adoption event. It is called the
Summer of Love Adopt-a-thon
It will be helf Sunday, July 19th in Jack London Square from 10am-3pm.
We, at Hopalong Animal Rescue, will have cats and kittens, and dogs and puppies.
We hope that you will stop by and say hi. . .or will perhaps meet and fall in love with a new furry family member.
Summer of Love Adopt-a-thon
It will be helf Sunday, July 19th in Jack London Square from 10am-3pm.
We, at Hopalong Animal Rescue, will have cats and kittens, and dogs and puppies.
We hope that you will stop by and say hi. . .or will perhaps meet and fall in love with a new furry family member.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Economy In Crisis
One day a father and his daughter are walking on the beach. They come across thousands of starfish washed up on the shore. The little girl begins to throw them back into the water. Her father says, "Don't bother, dear, it won't make any difference". Surprised the little girl looks at her father and then down at the starfish in her hand and says,"It will make a difference to this one."
Everywhere we look, we see the effects of the economy. I am getting more and more requests from people who are loosing their homes asking us to take in their animals. We are also getting more and more requests from shelters asking us for help. We are trying our best to help as many people, and their animals, as we can. But we often find ourselves turning people away. We simply cannot help everyone. And it is during these times that it is easy to become depressed. We easily forget all the happy stories of the hard luck animals finding their forever homes. But, the truth is that HAR has adopted out almost 250 animals this year. That is two hundred and fifty cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies that have found wonderful loving homes that wouldn't have been able to do so without the help of the staff and the dedicated volunteers and fosters. And while it is true that we can't help everyone, we are still making a difference in the lives of MANY animals each and every day.
Everywhere we look, we see the effects of the economy. I am getting more and more requests from people who are loosing their homes asking us to take in their animals. We are also getting more and more requests from shelters asking us for help. We are trying our best to help as many people, and their animals, as we can. But we often find ourselves turning people away. We simply cannot help everyone. And it is during these times that it is easy to become depressed. We easily forget all the happy stories of the hard luck animals finding their forever homes. But, the truth is that HAR has adopted out almost 250 animals this year. That is two hundred and fifty cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies that have found wonderful loving homes that wouldn't have been able to do so without the help of the staff and the dedicated volunteers and fosters. And while it is true that we can't help everyone, we are still making a difference in the lives of MANY animals each and every day.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Two Kittens are Better than One
Many people who work with cats and kittens will tell you that it is better to adopt two kittens instead of one. There are probably a hundred good reasons why this is true, but here are my top 5:
One kitten can become lonely
A kitten left alone during the day can become lonely and bored, which sometimes can lead to mischief. Two kittens will never be lonely, especially if they are siblings. In fact, you'll often find situations in shelters and rescue group adoption where a cage will contain two kittens with a sign, "These kittens may be adopted only as a pair." Shelter volunteers recognize that siblings really need to stay together. And since shelters are often frightening, unfriendly places to small creatures, unrelated cats often form close bonds that should be respected when adoption time comes.
One kitten can just drive an older cat nuts
Although it might sound contrary, an older, established cat will probably accept two kittens better than one. One kitten will seek out the older cat as a playmate, or worse, tease and pester the senior cat which can cause stress to an older cat. The kitten in return, will be "rewarded" for his playful efforts with hisses and swats. Two kittens will expend their energy in play with each other, leaving their older "uncle" to relax in peace.
They help each other burn off energy.
Even the most devoted human caregiver can quickly become exhausted by trying to keep up with the energy of a single kitten. Two kittens will wear each other out, leaving their human parent free to just enjoy watching them.
Fewer behavior problems with two kittens
Many people who experience behavior problems with kittens find that some of them go away when they adopt another playmate. What may be perceived as mischief is often just the result of boredom. Much like their human counterparts, kittens sometimes misbehave because "negative attention is better than no attention."
They will each have a friend for life.
Two kittens who grow up together will almost always be lifelong friends. Although they will sometimes have their little squabbles (what friends don't?) you will more often see them engaging in mutual grooming, playing together, and sleeping with their best pal. If you are considering adopting a kitten, think about your best friend and consider whether you would deprive your kitten of the enrichment a friend brings to life.
One kitten can become lonely
A kitten left alone during the day can become lonely and bored, which sometimes can lead to mischief. Two kittens will never be lonely, especially if they are siblings. In fact, you'll often find situations in shelters and rescue group adoption where a cage will contain two kittens with a sign, "These kittens may be adopted only as a pair." Shelter volunteers recognize that siblings really need to stay together. And since shelters are often frightening, unfriendly places to small creatures, unrelated cats often form close bonds that should be respected when adoption time comes.
One kitten can just drive an older cat nuts
Although it might sound contrary, an older, established cat will probably accept two kittens better than one. One kitten will seek out the older cat as a playmate, or worse, tease and pester the senior cat which can cause stress to an older cat. The kitten in return, will be "rewarded" for his playful efforts with hisses and swats. Two kittens will expend their energy in play with each other, leaving their older "uncle" to relax in peace.
They help each other burn off energy.
Even the most devoted human caregiver can quickly become exhausted by trying to keep up with the energy of a single kitten. Two kittens will wear each other out, leaving their human parent free to just enjoy watching them.
Fewer behavior problems with two kittens
Many people who experience behavior problems with kittens find that some of them go away when they adopt another playmate. What may be perceived as mischief is often just the result of boredom. Much like their human counterparts, kittens sometimes misbehave because "negative attention is better than no attention."
They will each have a friend for life.
Two kittens who grow up together will almost always be lifelong friends. Although they will sometimes have their little squabbles (what friends don't?) you will more often see them engaging in mutual grooming, playing together, and sleeping with their best pal. If you are considering adopting a kitten, think about your best friend and consider whether you would deprive your kitten of the enrichment a friend brings to life.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Mama Kitty
Kitten season is stressful not only for us animal workers, but also for the mama kitties. These cats were often once someone's family pet that they neglected to have spayed and then left to roam the neighborhood. If she is not caught and spayed, a female cat can have roughly 3 litters per year, with an average of 4-6 kittens per litter.
If a mama cat finds her way into a shelter with her babies, she will inevitably stay in that shelter longer then her babies. Many people will often over look mama cat and instead choose to adopt one of her cute and cuddly babies.
Mama Kitty (MK) was destined to be one of those over looked mamas
Mama Kitty came into a near by shelter with four beautiful Siamese and Russian blue babies. Because the babies were too young to be on their own, the entire family went into one of our amazing foster homes. Once the babies were old enough to be separated, they were placed into loving families. Mama Kitty needed some time after her babies left before she could be placed up for adoption. It was during that time that her foster family decided that she had already found her home! She was such a good attentive mama to her babies and yet still found time to play with the resident boys. She won the entire family (the two leggers, and four leggers) over with her sweet and gentle disposition.
Luckily for Hopalong, the fosters still continued fostering and Mama Kitty has proven to be an asset with the subsequent litters. She takes charge of them, shows them the ropes, and even gives them their daily baths! And right now, she is anxiously awaiting her next litter of youngins to play with.
Mama Kitty was lucky to find her forever home quickly because many mama cats often stay in the shelter or in foster homes for a few months after their babies are adopted. So, if you are looking to add another feline friend to your house, consider the fact that kittens only stay small for a little while. Please take the time to consider adopting a mama cat.
If a mama cat finds her way into a shelter with her babies, she will inevitably stay in that shelter longer then her babies. Many people will often over look mama cat and instead choose to adopt one of her cute and cuddly babies.
Mama Kitty (MK) was destined to be one of those over looked mamas
Mama Kitty came into a near by shelter with four beautiful Siamese and Russian blue babies. Because the babies were too young to be on their own, the entire family went into one of our amazing foster homes. Once the babies were old enough to be separated, they were placed into loving families. Mama Kitty needed some time after her babies left before she could be placed up for adoption. It was during that time that her foster family decided that she had already found her home! She was such a good attentive mama to her babies and yet still found time to play with the resident boys. She won the entire family (the two leggers, and four leggers) over with her sweet and gentle disposition.
Luckily for Hopalong, the fosters still continued fostering and Mama Kitty has proven to be an asset with the subsequent litters. She takes charge of them, shows them the ropes, and even gives them their daily baths! And right now, she is anxiously awaiting her next litter of youngins to play with.
Mama Kitty was lucky to find her forever home quickly because many mama cats often stay in the shelter or in foster homes for a few months after their babies are adopted. So, if you are looking to add another feline friend to your house, consider the fact that kittens only stay small for a little while. Please take the time to consider adopting a mama cat.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Pet Survivor Program
Nikko and Gypsy are two very sweet senior dogs that came into Hopalong through our Pet Survivor Program. Nikko, the white 15 year old male, and Gypsy, the black 11 year old female, became part of the Hopalong family when their ailing owner had to move into an assisted living facility that didn't allow pets. Because he made arrangements for them prior to entering the facility, we ensured that these two sweet, family dogs never entered a public shelter.
Many people love their pets like family, but few people actually create a plan in the event of tragedy. It can be difficult to think about these things, but it would be even more difficult for these (often older) pets if they ended up in the shelter system.
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