CFP Paw Print

Adoption Totals

Letter from the President

We’ve had a busy couple of months this fall. I would like to thank all of the volunteers who have stuck with us through this time of transition for Cause for Paws and have helped with the fostering, fundraisers and staffing the Center. Everyone has been coming up with great ideas for future projects.

The roadblock was a huge success. Special thanks to Sandi Simms for organizing it and to Psi Iota Xi for their help.

Thanks to the Woodlawn Center for sharing with us on the garage sale there. Thank you also to Mari Steffel and all the others who helped with the sale.

A big thanks to Jenny Vandeburg for her work on the newsletter. It is very well done and something we really needed for our members and those interested in us.

Be sure to check out our web site at www.acause4paws.com. Tammy Warner has done a wonderful job setting up the site with the dogs and their bios.

And finally, we owe a big round of applause to Sandi and Ray Simms for hosting the bonfire. Everyone had a great time, and the food was great.

We’ve really gotten things rolling, so let’s keep up the momentum as we go into the holiday season!

--Nancy Moore

CFP, the Humane Society and the Shelter: Working Together

The past few months have been a period of change for CFP, the Humane Society and the County Animal Shelter. One really positive change is that the three groups are now working much more closely. Specifically, the Shelter now provides a weekly list of their dogs, for us to post at the Center. Now, if we don’t have the dog a potential adopter prefers, we can refer them to the list. We are also displaying and placing occasional dogs from the shelter that have been there a long time and are deemed highly adoptable. In addition, we are sharing our connections to the breed rescue groups to help place purebreds through that avenue. We are looking forward to greater success through the continued teamwork.

Beware of Antifreeze!!!

As cold weather nears, it is vitally important that everyone remembers that antifreeze is deadly to pets. Remember to

wipe off your pet’s legs and stomach whenever it comes in from outside to remove antifreeze and salt. Your pet can ingest these chemicals while bathing itself and become very ill and die. Be alert for spills of antifreeze and clean them up as soon as possible.

One of our successful fundraising events is the sale of homemade dog biscuits, or "cookies," in decorated jars. We will be holding a cookie baking day on Sunday, Dec. 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. We have reserved the kitchen at Trinity Episcopal Church. Everyone is welcome to come and help. Please bring cookie sheets, mixing bowls and other useful supplies, if you can. Also, we will be decorating these jars for the holidays, so we also need fabric in holiday prints for the tops of the jars.

Roadblock Report

The roadblock in September was a rousing success, despite the rain (or maybe with the help of the rain!) on Friday. We were able to collect $3740 thanks to the generosity of the folks who came through on those two days. We owe some special thanks to the members of Psi Iota Xi for their help in staffing the roadblock.

-Sandi Simms

September & October Donors

A great, big, furry, THANK YOU goes out to:

National City Bank

Wal-Mart

Helen Zeibrand

Tracy Jones

Linda Rossonne

Vecita Goss

Helen Cleland

Kay Rohet

Bill & Yvonne Weidemann

Coping with Grief

When we love something and it dies, it can feel devastating. Anyone who considers a pet a beloved friend, companion, or family member knows the intense pain that comes with the loss of that friend. At the end of mourning, there is still sadness, but it is a sadness that is tempered by the happy memories that we still have. Here are some tips on coping with that grief, and with the difficult decisions one faces upon the loss of a pet.

1. Am I crazy to hurt so much?

Intense grief over the loss of a pet is normal and natural. Don't let anyone tell you that it's silly, crazy, or overly sentimental to grieve!

2. What can I expect to feel?

Different people experience grief in different ways. Besides your sorrow and loss, you may also experience emotions like guilt, denial, anger and depression. All of these are a natural part of grief.

3. What can I do about my feelings?

The most important step you can take is to be honest about your feelings. Don't deny your pain, or your feelings of anger and guilt.

4. Who can I talk to?

If your family or friends love pets, they'll understand what you're going through. Don't hide your feelings in a brave effort to appear strong and calm!

5. When is the right time to euthanize a pet?

Your veterinarian is the best judge of your pet's physical condition; however, you are the best judge of the quality of your pet's daily life. If your pet has a good appetite, responds to attention, seeks your company, and participates in playing or in family life, many owners feel that this is not the right time. However, if your pet is in constant pain, undergoing difficult and stressful treatments that aren't helping greatly, unresponsive to affection, unaware of its surroundings, or uninterested in life, a caring pet owner may choose to end their beloved companion's suffering.

6. Should I stay with my pet during euthanasia?

Many feel this is a gesture of love and comfort you can offer your pet. Some feel relief and comfort themselves by staying. For many, not witnessing the death (and not seeing the body) makes it more difficult to accept that their pet is really gone.

7. What can I do next?

When a pet dies, you must choose how to handle the remains. Sometimes, it may seem easiest to leave the pet at the clinic for disposal. But, if you prefer, more formal options are available, such as a pet cemetery, home burial or even cremation.

8. What should I tell my children?

You are the best judge of how much information your kids can handle about the death and the loss of their pet. Don't underestimate them, however. You may find that, by being honest with them about your pet's death, may address some fears and misunderstandings they have.

9. Will my other pets grieve?

Pets often form strong attachments to one another, and the survivor of such a pair may seem to grieve for its companion. Cats grieve for dogs, and dogs for cats, etc.

10. Should I get a new pet right away?

Generally, the answer is no. You need time to work through grief and loss before attempting to build a relationship with a new pet. When you do get a new pet, avoid getting a "look-alike" pet, which makes comparisons all the more likely. Never give a new pet the same name or nickname as the old. A new pet should be acquired because you are ready to move forward and build a new relationship-rather than looking backward and mourning for your loss.

--by Brandi Mannies

Don’t forget to volunteer to staff the Adoption Center on a Saturday!

Cat Litter-Choices, Choices, Choices

There are three main types of cat litter commonly available in stores: clay gravel, clay clumping, and moisture absorbent crystal.

Clay Gravel-This litter is coarse gravel made of clay. It is moisture absorbent, but has limited odor control ability. This type of litter has the advantage of cost, which is good, since, if you use clay gravel, you will generally throw away all the contents of the litter box and put in a fresh batch each time you change it out. You will probably want to change it out at least once per week.

Clay Clumping-This is also a clay product, but is fine, like beach sand. When a cat urinates, the litter and liquid form a clump, which can then be scooped out of the litter using a slotted scoop, along with the solid waste. It is recommended that you clean your litterboxes daily if using clumping litter. This litter does a better job of odor control, largely because the source of odor is removed on a regular basis. It is more expensive that the clay gravel, but does not require replacement as often. One of the drawbacks I have observed when using clumping litter is that it is tracked easily. Your cats can trail grit over the floor, which is not good for many floor finishes.

Moisture Absorbent Crystal-This cat litter is a substance similar to the stuff in those little packets you find in shoes at the store, used to keep them dry. Instead of clumping with liquid waste, it absorbs the moisture, eliminating the source of most litter box odors. Crystal litter must also be scooped daily. This product is the most expensive of these three litters; however, you will not need to change it out nearly as often. The manufacturers recommend that roughly four pounds of crystal litter is sufficient for one cat for one month. Every user needs to adjust that for you needs, of course. Crystal litter does not track nearly as much as scoopable, since the particles are larger, about the same texture as the clay litter.

Each of these cat litters is appropriate for different litter box needs. My five-cat household uses the crystal litter. Thankfully, all of our cats are OK with the texture. Some cats are more texture sensitive than others and will not be happy with the coarse texture. Or the reverse may be true-a cat accustomed to gravel or crystal may not like the fine clumping litter. Another feline quirk is being particular about how clean the litter is. The more fastidious cat may need one of the scoopable litters, either clumping or crystal, and you may need to scoop it more than once per day.

--Jenny Vandeburg

Tax Reminder

Just a reminder for the volunteers and foster families-expenses you incur for CFP, but for which you do not receive reimbursement are tax deductible. This included mileage, pet food purchased out of your own pocket and any other similar expenses. Keep a record so that you can pull it all together for your tax return.

$ $ $ $ $

Cold Weather Tips

With the approaching winter, it is time to remember to give extra care to our pets when the snow flies and the wind blows icy.

Make sure that your outdoor dog has a warm, dry place to sleep that is sheltered from the wind. This means that you need to put fresh moisture absorbing bedding in a wind-tight doghouse, such as straw or shavings.

Give your indoor pets a warm place to sleep that is away from drafts and off the floor, such as a pet bed or basket.

Never leave a pet alone in a car when it is cold. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold.

Never let your dog off its lease during a snowstorm or in blowing snow. It could be very easily lost.

Cats often climb up into the engine cavity of cars. When the engine is started the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. Remember to bang on the hood of your car to give any cats an opportunity to escape before you start it up.

Check your dog’s feet for ice between the pads if it spends time outdoors. Ice and snow can build up between a dog’s toes and be very painful. Also, watch for cuts in the pads from ice.

Short-coated dogs may need a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck. Look for one that covers the dog from the base of the tail on top to the belly underneath. We often think this looks silly, but for some dogs with light coats and little body fat, it is a necessity.

We are accepting additions to the mailing list for the CFP newsletter, the Paw Print. Just give us your name and address, either at the Adoption Center, or mail it to us, and we will be happy to send the next issue of the Paw Print to your home.

Being a Youth Volunteer

We have a program for youth volunteers. All kids ages 12 to 16 are welcome to help out at the Adoption Center on Saturdays. We allow younger children to also volunteer if accompanied by an adult. We need two youth volunteers at one time, in two-hour shifts, between the hours of 11 am and 5 p.m., to help walk the dogs and interact with all the animals to help their visit to the Center be as easy for them as possible. This is a great opportunity to learn about how animal rescue is done, and an excellent community service project.

In order to be a volunteer, just come into the Adoption Center on Saturday and pick up an informational form and a permission form, fill these forms out, and return them to the Center. Youth can also come to our General Meetings held on the second Thursday of odd months at 7 p.m. at the Adoption Center.

  Remember to Continue Heartworm Preventative

Remember to continue to give your dogs heartworm preventative throughout the winter. Local veterinarians recommend year-round use.

How YOU Can Help CFP

CFP is always in need of donations and volunteers. Here are some ways you can help us:

Cash Donations-Veterinary expenses for an animal usually are higher than its adoption fee. Cash donations are always welcome.

Other Donations-We need decent quality, dry dog and cat food, cat litter, dog treats such as pig ears, pet toys such as catnip mice and rubber chews, and leashes and collars (particularly Gentle Leaders). Other items we use regularly include paper towels, trash bags, copier paper, and air freshener. We also welcome donations of heartworm and flea preventatives.

Volunteers-We need both adults and youth to help on Saturdays at the Adoption Center. Youth need to be at least 12 years old and have parental consent. If you can’t help on Saturdays, please ask about other tasks. We often need help with fundraising events, such as making our all-natural dog biscuits.

Foster Homes-We always have more animals needing care than we have foster homes. A foster family had the following responsibilities: daily care for the animal, scheduling of and transport to needed vet treatments, social interaction with the animal, and transport to the Adoption Center when it is time for the animal to be adopted. Most foster animals are in foster care a minimum of 4 weeks, and there are cases where the animal is in the foster home for longer, due to a need for recovery from a veterinary procedure. We have need of all sorts of foster homes, for cats and dogs, puppies and kittens.

The following ad in The Atlanta Journal is reported to have received numerous calls:

"SINGLE BLACK FEMALE…seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I’m a very good-looking girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, tiding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping, and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. Rub me the right way and watch me respond. I’ll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Kiss me and I’m yours. Call xxx-xxxx and ask for Daisy."

Over 15,000 men found themselves talking to the local Humane Society about an 8-week-old black Labrador retriever. Men are so easy….

--Courtesy of Ed Closson

Nov 14 General Meeting, 7 p.m., Adoption Center

Dec 1 Dog Biscuit Baking Session, Trinity Episcopal kitchen, 1 to 4 p.m.

Jan 10 General Meeting & Elections, 7 p.m., Adoption Center

A Cause for Paws, Inc. (CFP) is a companion animal rescue organization focused on helping unwanted cats and dogs find homes in Cass and neighboring counties. We are financed solely by donations, either monetary or in the form of goods and services. All animals under the care of CFP are fostered in private homes; we do not maintain a shelter facility.

Check out our website:

www.acause4paws.com.To Help A Dog or Cat:

If you have or are aware of an animal in need of help, please call 753-5575 and leave a message on our voicemail. We will do our best to help you, but please be aware that we often have a waiting list, particularly for foster care.

When you call, please provide as much as possible of the following information:

• Your name, phone number, & the best times to reach you,
• Information about the dog or cat:
• Type of animal
• Sex
• Age
• Size
• Status of vet care
• Neutered or not
• Color/breed
• Distinguishing characteristics