Furry Friday
Story: I haven't been posting much of anything lately, somehow distracted by nothing of great import. How did I miss a whole month of Furry Fridays? Well, at least there was this one incident last week that's worthy of sharing.
I was walking the hallway downstairs (separated from the adoption areas that are upstairs) after dealing with printer problems in the Exam room when I heard a sound sort of like a human child cry but not exactly. It had the right pitch and volume but wrong timbre and duration. I looked around and saw someone walking down the hallway with a large blanket. I had a suspicion, so I dallied at the end the hallway before turning a corner...
The human reached the scale at the other end of the hallway and then lifted up the blanket. Sure enough, a fawn was there. Zhey was none too happy about the journey to getting weighed. I don't know the story, but I figure our Wildlife department got the deer moved along quickly to volunteer rehabilitators who can care for injured or orphaned animals until they're strong enough to release back into the wild. This job doesn' t pay much, but it does have its occasional perks with unusual surprises waiting around any corner. :)
Animals: Jem has been waiting at the adoption floor for a few weeks already. The patch of skin and fur that's sloughing off at the shoulder probably doesn't help encourage human interest. For those who are curious anyway, the further revelation of ear mites and additional medical treatments must chase off any remaining desire. But truly there's a very friendly kitty waiting behind these inconveniences!
Jem is a 2-year-old spayed female with a pretty grey, yellow, and white coloring. Zhey has been cautious but adorable every time that we've visited together. I think Jem would be good in a home with people of any age. Zhey likes lots of petting, although rubbing the ears does cause a flat-ear-and-head-shake reaction because of the uncomfortable ear problem. I think that maybe a course of medication is provided during adoption, but the adopter does still need to apply ear medication until the problem is cured.
Also waiting a few weeks, Earthquake's stay on the adoption floor is a little more difficult to understand. Not that you could tell from this crouched mug shot, but this 7-month-old neutered male is actually extraordinarily friendly. (I'm guessing that the bow tie was unappreciated only because it was unreachable by paws.) The name, however, is very appropriate. With a purr that isn't easily heard but is very easily felt throughout zheir whole body, this active guy enjoys lots of play time. Earthquake is very willing to cuddle and provide attention just to get a chance at bounding around the floor chasing everything that shakes and crackles. I think that zhey would be great in a home with either kids or active adults. Earthquake even seemed curious about the other cats nearby, although there were cage doors separating everyone so I don't know how well zhey tolerates other felines in close proximity.
Definitely a solo cat, however, is Summer. I saw this pretty kitty and figured that even by the end of the day, zhey would be gone to a new home. First day went by, and then second day went by... it must be the "only cat" designation that discourages human interest. That's too bad, because Summer has been quite curious and affectionate with me. I think humans of any age would do well with this wide-eyed wonder. Soft and cuddly, Summer is a 1-year-old spayed female Siamese mix who deserves a home among humans that can provide a lot of attention.
As of this writing, Jem, Earthquake, and Summer are all available for visitation and adoption at our Golden Valley facility.
How You Can Help: If you know someone trying to find a new home for their family pet, please do try to help them find a suitable adopter. It's in the best interest of the animal to avoid the whole stressful ordeal of moving through any shelter environment. If the pet can move directly from one home to another, without having to spend time among hundreds of other unfamiliar animals in a shelter, then there's less opportunity for disease transmission or stress related illness. If someone asks you, then please just take a minute to sincerely consider options for where their animal could be placed. Yes, your local animal shelter can offer a useful opportunity for someone's pet, but it might be better for the animal if a well-placed recommendation could find a pet a new home without involving the shelter system.
I was walking the hallway downstairs (separated from the adoption areas that are upstairs) after dealing with printer problems in the Exam room when I heard a sound sort of like a human child cry but not exactly. It had the right pitch and volume but wrong timbre and duration. I looked around and saw someone walking down the hallway with a large blanket. I had a suspicion, so I dallied at the end the hallway before turning a corner...
The human reached the scale at the other end of the hallway and then lifted up the blanket. Sure enough, a fawn was there. Zhey was none too happy about the journey to getting weighed. I don't know the story, but I figure our Wildlife department got the deer moved along quickly to volunteer rehabilitators who can care for injured or orphaned animals until they're strong enough to release back into the wild. This job doesn' t pay much, but it does have its occasional perks with unusual surprises waiting around any corner. :)
Animals: Jem has been waiting at the adoption floor for a few weeks already. The patch of skin and fur that's sloughing off at the shoulder probably doesn't help encourage human interest. For those who are curious anyway, the further revelation of ear mites and additional medical treatments must chase off any remaining desire. But truly there's a very friendly kitty waiting behind these inconveniences!
Jem is a 2-year-old spayed female with a pretty grey, yellow, and white coloring. Zhey has been cautious but adorable every time that we've visited together. I think Jem would be good in a home with people of any age. Zhey likes lots of petting, although rubbing the ears does cause a flat-ear-and-head-shake reaction because of the uncomfortable ear problem. I think that maybe a course of medication is provided during adoption, but the adopter does still need to apply ear medication until the problem is cured.
Also waiting a few weeks, Earthquake's stay on the adoption floor is a little more difficult to understand. Not that you could tell from this crouched mug shot, but this 7-month-old neutered male is actually extraordinarily friendly. (I'm guessing that the bow tie was unappreciated only because it was unreachable by paws.) The name, however, is very appropriate. With a purr that isn't easily heard but is very easily felt throughout zheir whole body, this active guy enjoys lots of play time. Earthquake is very willing to cuddle and provide attention just to get a chance at bounding around the floor chasing everything that shakes and crackles. I think that zhey would be great in a home with either kids or active adults. Earthquake even seemed curious about the other cats nearby, although there were cage doors separating everyone so I don't know how well zhey tolerates other felines in close proximity.
Definitely a solo cat, however, is Summer. I saw this pretty kitty and figured that even by the end of the day, zhey would be gone to a new home. First day went by, and then second day went by... it must be the "only cat" designation that discourages human interest. That's too bad, because Summer has been quite curious and affectionate with me. I think humans of any age would do well with this wide-eyed wonder. Soft and cuddly, Summer is a 1-year-old spayed female Siamese mix who deserves a home among humans that can provide a lot of attention.
As of this writing, Jem, Earthquake, and Summer are all available for visitation and adoption at our Golden Valley facility.
How You Can Help: If you know someone trying to find a new home for their family pet, please do try to help them find a suitable adopter. It's in the best interest of the animal to avoid the whole stressful ordeal of moving through any shelter environment. If the pet can move directly from one home to another, without having to spend time among hundreds of other unfamiliar animals in a shelter, then there's less opportunity for disease transmission or stress related illness. If someone asks you, then please just take a minute to sincerely consider options for where their animal could be placed. Yes, your local animal shelter can offer a useful opportunity for someone's pet, but it might be better for the animal if a well-placed recommendation could find a pet a new home without involving the shelter system.