THANK YOU to All of Our Amazing Fosters!

Fostering is one of the most important ways that Southern Pines Animal Shelter makes a difference for the animals in our community. Without foster homes, the young, the sickly, and the afraid would have no hope here. It is only with the help of our dedicated foster families that we can save the neediest of the animals that walk (or, more often, are carried) through our doors. So, this post is a shout out to all of the amazing foster families that give their time and their hearts to the animals of Southern Pines.

Clearly, I cannot list every amazing foster who has helped us in the past, but here are pictures of a few of our recent foster families with their foster babies. Please send us photos on Facebook of you and your foster animals so that we can make another post about just how awesome all of you guys are and what a great experience fostering can be.

Melissa Brown and her daughter have been fostering Luna and Cubby until their Rescue Waggin' dates. Fostering can be an amazing experience for children. It helps to teach compassion and responsibility and preps them for caring for their own pets in the future.

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 Christin Wychelewski-McGinnis and her family have been fostering a litter of five puppies for us since they were just a few weeks old. Obviously, they are having a lot of fun with their new housemates.

Jennifer Farmer, one of our new office workers, has been fostering this sweet little kitten named Peavey. He's brought a lot of joy and laughter to her household.

Kristi Pierce and her daughter are one of our most dependable and awesome kitten foster families. They recently fostered Hallie and her three newborn kittens Dipstick, Tootsie, and Pumpkin until they were big enough for adoption. They do a great job socializing their kittens so that they settle in well in their new homes! It's always hard for them to give their foster babies back because they love them so much, but they know that they are saving so many lives by continuing to foster for us!

Theresa Venette is one of our board members, and she has been fostering kittens for Southern Pines for years. This is a photo of her with a litter of kittens she bottle fed. Without dedicated fosters like her, kitten season would be much harder on our staff and the animals that we are devoted to.

 

 

Jennifer Harvey, one of our staff members, also loves fostering puppies and kittens that are too young for adoption. Sometimes, fostering is a great way to find your new best friend. Jennifer fostered Priya, a little brown pitbull puppy who was too young to be at the shelter, and they fell madly in love. Some people call these "foster failures," but we like to refer to them as "unexpected soulmutts."

 

And, finally, let me take a minute to pat myself on the back here. My boyfriend and I rarely go a week without a foster animal in our house. We especially love fostering kittens and older dogs who need a little TLC. We like to think that we are saving lives, but really it's animals like Ash and Ember and all of the other amazing foster animals that we've taken in over the years that save us every day. They show us a depth of love and devotion that many people go their whole lives without experiencing, and they give us so much laughter, too.

So, if you have a little room in your house and in your heart, please consider fostering an animal for your local shelter. They will appreciate it more than you can ever know, and they'll do their best to show just how much it means to them every day.

New Beginnings for Some Sweet Felines

Sweet Glimmer and Grotto, 4 week old orphans

A few weeks ago, Southern Pines helped to relieve an overwhelmed cat owner by picking up her community of cats after a family member abandoned them on her property. Thankfully, almost all of them were friendly and beautiful, so we knew we would be able to find them all loving homes fairly quickly. We took the twenty four cats back home to Hattiesburg with us that day, and our shelter veterinarian, manager, and staff volunteered late into the night to get all the cats vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and ready for adoption.

Wynne watching over her babies

Wynne's newborns

Glimmer

There were several of the cats, however, that were too young to be at the shelter without the danger of becoming ill, so one of our staff members got in touch with a rescue group out of Olive Branch, MS that she had recently become acquainted with. The rescue called New Beginnings happily agreed to take the most vulnerable of the rescued cats so we at Southern Pines could focus on finding homes for the older, adoptable cats. New Beginnings took two adorable Siamese orphans named Grotto and Glimmer and a sweet mother cat named Wynne along with her three newborn Siamese lilac point kittens, Alistair, Morrigan, and Leliana. The rescue not only agreed to take them, but sent one of their own board members to collect them from us. They ended up taking another new mother as well,  a Russian Blue named Satine and her four babies. That's eleven felines total! We were so excited to send these kittens to this wonderful rescue where they would be sent out into loving foster homes until they were old enough to be adopted.

Satine's babies now!

So, imagine how excited we were to get updates on Satine and her babies from their new foster mom and New Beginnings board member, Cheri. They are doing such a great job, we just wanted to give them a little shout out for all the great work they do. Thanks guys! Just take a look at these beautiful felines!

Satine's babies in their new foster home, exploring the big world.

Satine is settling right into her new foster home.

Check out this awesome rescue group on Facebook or at http://www.newbeginningsanimalrescue.net/ 

               

           

Rubee's Story

Rubee has a message she wears on her body. It is written in the scars on her face. It is a story created in dark rooms and hidden locations and told by Rubee’s limp, injured leg. Rubee has a message - one of pain, cruelty, mercy, and hope. Rubee’s story is experienced too often but isn’t told nearly enough. Rubee is kind, and gentle, and submissive. Rubee is a bait dog, and this is her story.

Most people have at least heard of dog fighting. Many have seen the pictures of the losers. Entire breeds suffer discrimination as a result of a stereotype created in a fighting ring by no choice of the dogs who are trapped there. What many don’t see are the hidden victims, the bait dogs. Chosen for their gentle and submissive nature, bait dogs live in deplorable conditions. They don’t even see the same sub-par care as a fighter or a breeder dog. You see, bait dogs are little more than a tool to those who use them. Used up and cast aside. Bait dogs are a punching bag, a practice run, an easy kill. In order to keep their prize dogs sharp, fighters use bait dogs to train their warriors for the ring. Often, dogs like Rubee have their muzzles tied shut to prevent them from putting up any kind of defense.

Imagine being bound and frightened, thrown into a ring with another who has been taught the stakes – kill or be killed. Imagine lying defenselessly as your flesh is ripped apart, your bones are broken. Imagine surviving only to know you will repeat the process again and again until you’re used up. How many of us, after being beaten and broken, would still show love, would still look trustingly at others. This is Rubee’s story.

 

For Rubee, being dumped was meant to be an ending. But Rubee is a different kind of fighter. Rubee came to Southern Pines scarred and lame. She entered foster care in hopes she would spend her last couple days in comfort and surrounded by love. We feared the worst, but Rubee asked us to have faith. On Day 2, she surrounded herself with toys. Day 3, Rubee showed us she wanted to walk. We discovered she had been shot, at least once, in the leg. She continued to show a determination not to miss out on this new kind of life. Each day Rubee shines, and we feel lucky to have her still here.

And while each day is a struggle and a miracle, we don’t know for sure yet how Rubee’s journey will end. But Rubee casts a light on a cruel world hidden in shadow. A world that takes so much from the dogs it holds hostage – their happiness, health, and reputations. You see, the world of dog fighting was created by humans and holds many victims. Bait dogs like Rubee, family pets stolen and used as practice, mother dogs bred like a factory to keep business going. Even the warriors, the prize fighters are victims – conditioned and trained to fight. Taught to be the meanest and toughest, to find victory or pay the price.

Rubee limped scarred and fragile into our lives with a message, a call for help. Her story is terrible and frightening and unnecessary. But Rubee brings a warning. This horrific world that seems so far away from many of us could be down the street, around the corner, just next door. Maybe Rubee started out as a beloved family pet just like yours. In the world of dog fighting there is no safety. If a bait dog can’t be found or bred – they’re stolen – from your backyard while you aren’t home, from just down the street where your dog goes to play. Your sweet, gentle loving dog is a target. Rubee’s story could be yours. Together, we can hear Rubee’s plea. Together we can take on a different kind of fight. Together we can let Rubee’s story make a difference.

Animal welfare organizations have taken up the fight. But we can’t do it alone. If you have information about possible dog fighting in your area or know someone who is involved in this terrible world, please contact your local law enforcement or Southern Pines Animal Shelter. The Humane Society of the United States even offers a $5000 reward for any information leading to the breakup of a dog fighting ring. Do it for the thousands of victims suffering every day, do it for the bait dogs like Rubee, do it for your own pet. Rubee has a story, won’t you help us tell it?

Kuru Part Two

KURU

A Tale(Tail) of Growth and Development: Part Two

Day 3 - Aug 5th continued

Took her out for photos – she’s a mess again with her food all over her – I didn’t notice until I saw the pictures – I guess it’s time for a bath with a warm washrag!  She’s loving her gad-abouts !  She always runs back for security – she’s enjoying the rubbing on her neck and shoulders and the top of her head.

Day 5 –Aug 7th

Today was uneventful – but Kuru was getting a bit braver and exploring her “world”.   After opening her cage, she darted out to greet me and then followed me to the kitchen for her food.  She would explore her new space, but always run back for security and assurance.  She would readily jump back into her cage for her “dinner” and then another short nap.  She’s so easy to take care of… loving this experience.

Play time is getting to be a lot of fun.   Watching her begin to explore her environment is really exciting.  She loves to track the bird on a stick and to perform a death defying leap onto her stuffed toy, running back for assurance when the toy rolls over!  She seems fascinated by her skills in jumping over a small bar under the coffee table, yet in her excitement, she bumps her head on the bar running back to her “daddy”.  She just learned to “climb” using her hypodermic needle-like claws to scale the chair!  I am so pleased that she has bonded and views me as her protector.

How does a kitten get so messy- so fast?  Kitty litter and cat food is stuck to multiple places on her!  Must seek advice from “cat ladies” at Southern Pines for best way to clean a kitten!  TOMORROW will attempt a kitten-washing experience!  Was a long day and ready to head to bed!

Day 6--Aug 8th 

Kuru is still making progress – eating some more soft cat food – She loves to just sit in her kitty litter and she often comes out of her cage with bits of litter stuck in her fur – She must know “daddy” is grooming her, because she sits still while he’s picking debris out of the fur!

Took her to Southern Pines to have a socialization experience with another kitten – She handled it quite well and didn’t seem to react negatively – but each time I checked on her, she would whine to get out – She played well and eventually settled down for a nap –

“Daddy” was volunteering as an Adoption Counselor at Southern Pines, so after his duties were over, Kuru was cleaned up and transported to the Yappy Hour at the Keg & Barrel restaurant.  She loved the attention from several guests, but so many dogs were around she went back into her carrying crate to sleep on daddy’s t-shirt – She fell in love with Ponjie, a rescue from Southern Pines who belongs to a friend of Kuru’s daddy.  They both seemed to be content with each other, so another play date may have to be scheduled with a canine!

 Stay tuned to Southern Pines Diaries for more on Kuru. A big thanks to Gus and other foster parents like him who are willing to take a hopeless little creature in and nurture them until they are more confident, stronger, and ready to be adopted out (or sent on the wonderful Rescue Waggin' transport). Fostering is hard work, but there is nothing in the world as rewarding. Please consider opening your home to one of our babies in need! Contact Southern Pines Animal Shelter at (601) 544-6632 for more information on fostering and other volunteer opportunities.

Kuru

KURU

A Tale(Tail) of Growth and Development

Day 1 – Aug 3rd 

Awakened at 4:45 a.m. to a tiny black mass of fur screaming to the top of it’s lungs – Eris (my roommate) had discovered a screaming kitten outside his room at 3:00 am and brought her inside and placed in a cage with water and a towel.  AFTER fixing my coffee, I investigated the situation.  A black furry little ball cowered in the corner hissing, howling and mewing as I reached for her.  

It's Raining Kittens

To the excitement of the shelter staff, lovely Luna and Harriet were both adopted into fantastic new homes. Luna went home with a family full of children and another rambunctious kitten, and Harriet went to a family that will shower her with affection.

In addition to these two happy adoptions, there have been a lot of other wonderful things going on at the shelter for the past few weeks and months. Volunteers have been trimming and planting and watering, transforming the shelter into an oasis for the animals. Partnerships with Petco and PetSmart have expanded the potential of Southern Pines to reach families in the community. Our volunteer photographers have been working hard to keep up with demand and to hone their craft, because they know that their photos could make all the difference for the animals they photograph. Everyone is working hard to make the shelter the best it can be for the animals in our care, and the incoming animals are never-ending.  

For instance, a cat named Nefertiti was recently surrendered to the shelter with her kitten Tiberia.

Nefertiti was a very young mother at only nine months, and Tiberia was only about three weeks old. She was an attentive and gentle mother to her sole kitten.

So, when a litter of three motherless two week old kittens was brought to the shelter, we had high hopes that she would take them in and care for them as if they were here own. She far exceeded our expectations, immediately nursing and nurturing the kittens as if they’d always been hers.

 Unfortunately, Nefertiti, we quickly realized, was unable to produce enough milk to feed three new kittens as well as her own. She’d had only one for so long. But she continued to clean them and keep them out of trouble while we bottle fed them, and the litter flourished under her vigilant care. Tiberia was thrilled to have new playmates. She had two little brothers, Nile and Egypt, and a little sister named Attia, a beautiful dilute calico.

Once they are old enough, all of the kittens and Nefertiti will be available for adoption at Southern Pines.

Unfortunately, due to lack of space, resources, and available foster parents, the shelter can only manage to save very few unweaned kittens every year. With so many cats coming to us in need, the shelter has to make difficult decisions about how to administer extremely limited resources. Thus, most baby kittens, especially those that are brought in without mothers to care for them, do not share the same happy fate that Tiberia and her sisters and brothers will have. While as many as possible are saved, the sad reality is that there are simply too many unaltered cats in the community, and that translates into too many unwanted litters. That’s when sweeties like Nile, Egypt, and Attia end up at the shelter, alone and hungry.

We have to continue to spread the message about spay and neuter. Our community is especially blessed to have our very own low cost Spay and Neuter Clinic, and it is our job to help keep them busy.

Ever and Orville, Part 2

 

It pleases me to say that sweet Ever was adopted the same day that her video (featuring excerpts from her diary entry) was posted. She was adopted by the very woman that found her on the side of that dusty highway. She is now the happy, well-adjusted member of a wonderful family. The woman who found her simply could not stop thinking about her, and when her son met her, it was love at first sight. Ever will even let him ride around on her back—she treats him like one of her very own puppies.


At the same time, it pains me to say that Orville did not experience the same happy fate. After being returned to the shelter because he and his new owner were not bonding well, he waited for another chance at a new life for weeks. Despite his waived adoption fee, no one took him home. Because he’d been at the shelter for far too long and had become depressed, Orville was tenderly ushered over the Rainbow Bridge by those at the shelter who had come to love him.

The shelter exists because this world is an imperfect place, and the most heartbreaking part of its existence is death. Orville was my friend—a friend to many at the shelter, but we can’t expect every story to be as happy as Ever’s. Sometimes, all that we can provide for an animal is love and tenderness for a short while.

Words are not adequate to describe the depth and complexity of emotion that comes from dealing with euthanasia, so I will not begin to attempt it here. Perhaps another blog post on another day. Here I will merely say that Orville was loved, and he loved us in return. I am thankful that I met him and was able to provide him some affection—perhaps the only he has ever known—before he crossed over that final bridge.

Rest in peace, big guy.