February 2016 Newsletter Adoption Story

Lieutenant Dan

by Diana Russell

On a cool day last fall a passerby spotted a limping cat. They couldn’t catch it as it acted wild but they knew it needed help. They set a trap and caught the cat so they could bring it to the CCHS to be cared for. Normally staff does a thorough examination of each animal upon intake. Dubbed Tiger Too, the big tabby was having none of that! Staff thought he was feral and so kenneled him in a quiet corner to settle. When his kennel door was opened, Tiger would try to dart out and escape.

Tiger Too had to be sedated so that our shelter vet, Dr. Lindsay Gehring, could examine him. It was discovered that one of his hind legs had several old breaks that were healing improperly. Dr. Gehring determined that the best course of action was to remove the leg. Tiger’s leg was amputated and he was kenneled in the clinic to begin the healing process. This was when shelter staff made a discovery – Tiger wasn’t feral after all! Perhaps he was just frightened and in pain when he was brought to us, but he turned out to be quite friendly. As he healed he was allowed to roam freely in the clinic area where he quickly stole the hearts of all he met. Because those of us who work at the shelter sometimes have an oddball sense of humor, Tiger Two was renamed Lieutenant Dan in honor of his missing limb.

Once Dan was fully healed he was sent to PetSmart in Wichita where CCHS has kennels in the store's adoption center. After only a few days the Karasek family saw him there and were charmed, but did not adopt Dan as they weren't looking for a new cat. However, he stayed on their minds. Diane says, “Jim and I would stop at PetSmart occasionally when we were in Wichita. When we were home after seeing Lieutenant Dan, Jim made the comment that he couldn’t stop thinking about him. We went back the next day and adopted him.” And they couldn’t love him more. The Karasek’s three grandchildren love Dan, too! Nolan, especially, loves Dan. So much so that he sleeps with a framed photo of Dan.

“Dan has become a very loving member of our family. We love him so much and appreciate the care he received from CCHS before we got him.” Thank YOU, Jim and Diane for giving this wonderful, three-legged boy such a loving home!

Update on Black Jack from last month's newsletter:

Sadly, Black Jack's foster dad passed away a few weeks ago. However, his foster mom decided to give Black Jack his forever home and adopted him!

Newsletter January 2016

Black Jack

Meet Black Jack, a cheerful little dachshund with a difficult history. Jack first came to the Cowley County Humane Society in May of 2013 as a puppy. He had been found as a stray and brought to us. He was vetted and adopted by a family less than two weeks later. Sadly, his family had to return him after only three months due to financial hardhips.

Black Jack found a new home in just four days and lived with this family for two years. But he was returned, again because his family was suffering financially and couldn’t afford his care. Two weeks later another family took him home, only to return him the same day because he didn’t get along with their other dogs.

Was Black Jack ever going to find his furever home?

During his latest stay at the shelter behaviors in him were observed by shelter staff that concerned them. Behaving normally one moment, Black Jack would suddenly become stiff and fall over on his side. Shelter veterinarian Dr. Lindsay Gehring examined him; the exact cause of this behavior was uncertain, but it appeared Jack had cataplexy. Cataplexy is a condition which causes a person or animal to suffer sudden physical collapse while remaining conscious. Cataplexy is not life threatening but it can be very upsetting to observe.

Since Jack’s future health needs are uncertain, the shelter staff submitted him to a rescue group. While waiting to hear from the rescue, a couple visited the shelter looking for a small lap dog. They had recently lost their elderly dog and were looking for a companion for the husband, who was in hospice care for a terminal condition. CCHS Animal Care Manager Mary Brill had been taking Black Jack home with her every evening and suggested him as he loves nothing more than laying in someone’s lap, being petted. He seemed the perfect solution! However, with the husband’s health, the couple was concerned about adopting a dog who may need extended medical care. After a quick conference, shelter staff suggested they take Jack home for an extended foster. This seemed the perfect solution.

The couple took Black Jack home in October and he’s been a loveable buddy for a gentleman who benefits from his constant companionship. Jack’s future is still uncertain. But, for now, this little dog with health concerns of his own is providing invaluable support, many kisses, and loving snuggles to a man who greatly needs them!

End of Year Review

Despite our donations being down in 2015, the county cutting our budget by $7,500, and the Rescue Waggin' no longer stopping by our shelter, we have managed to adopt out more animals than ever before! A record number of 1290 animals found new homes in 2015 (1131 in 2014)! 

We were also able to significantly lower our euthanasia rate by 55% compared to 2014.This was achieved by an aggressive adoption policy, being able to treat more animals with medical problems, initiating a foster-to-rehome program, holding adoption events in the Wichita/Derby area on most weekends and working with rescues and foster homes. Winfield Police Department and local businesses have partnered with CCHS to feature Pet of the Week and give more exposure to adoptable animals. We hope to continue adopting out more animals and lowering the euthanasia rate even further. 

Last year, we graduated from PetSmart's Rescue Waggin' due to the success of our adoption program. However, we continue to be a shelter in good standing with the program and remain eligible to transport dogs on an on-needed basis.

Our shelter veterinarian, Dr. Angela Gatton, left us in early 2015 to move out of state. We welcomed Dr. Lindsay Gehring as our new shelter vet. 

In 2015, our outdoor kennels became too dilapidated for further use. They had been repaired repeatedly by the Winfield Correctional Facility work crew during the past few years, but were beyond repair at the end of 2015. With the help of our investment in Legacy Fund, donations, fundraisers by community members, and Orscheln Farm and Home Store, we were able to purchase new ones!

With a Little Help From Our Friends

We can't do what we do without you! Here are just a few examples of the support we have received in December. A huge thank you to everyone who has donated, volunteered or adopted!

Whittier's 5th Grade Class Becomes Sponsor

Teresa Cox & Percy visiting Mrs. Rogosch's class

Karen Rogosch's 5th grade class at Whittier Elementary School collected $215 for a community service project, benefiting CCHS! The class officially became a shelter sponsor. Mrs. Rogosch has initiated fundraisers for the shelter for many years now and invites board member Teresa Cox, along with her dog Percy, to speak to the students about fostering and responsible pet ownership. Percy was adopted from CCHS by the Coxs in 2007. Thank you so much, teachers and students!

Winfield Courier's Santa Pics

Winfield Daily Courier managing editor, Judith Zaccaria, hands a check to CCHS Board President Lacy Lovewell

On December 12th, the Winfield Daily Courier held their annual kids' photos with Santa event to benefit the shelter. $240.50 were raised! Thank you, Courier!

Surprise for the Shelter Staff!

Winfield Middle School Builders Club visited the shelter with some delicious Christmas goodies for the staff! They will be hosting a fundraiser in January to benefit the shelter. The goodies were much appreciated!

Farid Family Donates Blankets

 

Santa came two days early for the shelter animals when the Farid family donated a basket full of warm blankets! Thank you!

Miss Elegant Teen Kansas Raises Funds

Jody Furrh, Miss Elegant Teen Kansas, adopted her service dog Justice from CCHS in 2015. In order to raise funds for the purchase and expansion of our outdoor kennels, she is selling a t-shirt which she designed. Please call Jody at 620-517-0948 to purchase.

Labyrinth of Terror

A huge thank you to Richard, Angela, and Mike Steiner for presenting us with a check in the amount of $362 today! They had organized the Labyrinth of Terror in Winfield, with support from Cowley County Community College students, to benefit us and the Winfield Food Pantry.They plan on doing the whole thing over again next year--keep an eye out for event info!

Click here to order!

The Gift of Life

All of the shown animals have been adopted from CCHS! We have achieved a record number of adoptions this year, despite a massive budget cut from the county and our donations being down. Please consider making a donation so we can continue saving lives! 
Click here to donate--no amount is too small!

Adoption Story: Victoria

This story had been submitted to the PetCo Holiday Wishes grant contest and was chosen as one of the finalists. The results are in: CCHS didn't win a prize, but we congratulate all of the shelters and rescues who received grants! Whatever the outcome, Victoria and all the other shelter animals who have found loving homes won the biggest prize of all!

Victoria-Oldie but Goldie

by Alice Shaffer

It is said that good things come in small packages-something which was not evident at first glance when this tiny, stray dog arrived at CCHS.

 The senior Chihuahua lady was in dire need of help. She was about 12 years old, emaciated, dehydrated, her nails curling into her pads; she also had only five bad teeth left, was suffering from an ear infection, an ulcer in her eye and a severe flea allergy, leaving her skin bare, oozing, and scabby.

Despite all of her ailments, Victoria was so sweet and loving that the shelter staff was determined to give her the help she needed and find the right home for her. Knowing that my husband and I have a weakness for senior Chihuahuas, they already had an idea which home that might be.

During my five years as a CCHS volunteer, I have managed to not adopt every Chihuahua in sight and let the shelter staff know that I wasn't about to adopt this one either. My resistance started waning when they told me Victoria's age and condition. I finally agreed to see her and when I held this sweet little dog in my arms and she gave me a kiss on the nose, the deal was sealed--Victoria was coming home with us!

The old girl not only started gaining weight, but also spunk. Every day Victoria grew healthier, livelier and entertained us with her antics. Now,two months later, her hair has grown back, her health is good and she has turned out to be a real clown! Victoria dances when the treat bag comes out, she loves to roll in the grass, play on the bed, run around the yard like crazy and make us laugh.

Victoria after having regained weight
 and hair

There is much more laughter around the house and many more smiles since this little princess has arrived! One kiss from her can make the day's stress melt away, one dance and good mood is inevitable. 

It is true-good things do come in small packages. In this case, a three-pound package full of life, love, and a wagging tail!

A version of this story was submitted to the PetCo Holiday Wishes writing contest and chosen as a finalist. 33 grants worth $5,000 - $100,000  are given to shelters which adopted out the animals in the stories. Winners will be announced mid-December.

Annual Tasting and Benefit Auction 2016

It's never too early to start promoting our biggest fundraiser of the year - the annual wine tasting and auction! Come celebrate a tea pawty with us on Saturday, April 9th at Baden Square in Winfield. Tickets include wine, finger foods, auction, and much more!
Special thanks to ACHS art teacher Howard Levy for hand-drawing the cat and dog!

Replacement of Outdoor Kennels

Opportunity for outdoor kennel sponsorship!

December Adoption Special

Bring them home for the holidays!