March/April 2021 Newsletter
Word.
I am fond of saying that while we have established protocols and policies, our rescue should always remain flexible. We need to be able to pivot, swivel, and adapt to changes that we cannot control. Covid presented us with that challenge, and we were able to expand and retract programs to accommodate the new conditions and needs. Focusing on expanding the Pet Pantry, TNR and Transports (for free and low cost spay/neuter) programs, meant that we achieved reducing Shelter intake significantly. The Shelter has noted a reduction in feral cats and kitten intake, as well as no noticeable owner surrenders because of inability to feed pets. This success is made possible by our generous community and volunteers dedicated to animal advocacy. Thank you to all our hard-working volunteers who are committed to our vision of a No-Kill Community and making our programs successes to those ends.
PS; Apologies for this very late and not-up-to-par newsletter. Our webmaster has disappeared like a ghost, leaving us in a lurch. Anyone know WordPress?
Patricia A. Werick
President, Culpeper Humane Society
Announcing Two New Fundraisers!
Launching our first virtual online auction, Bidders for Critters, May 28-June 6! Mark your calendars! Teresa Kidd Long, our Social Media Fundraiser Manager, is spear-heading this effort. We need volunteers to help after the auction in handing out items and taking in money from the Winners. Text Teresa Kidd Long to volunteer at 540-718-7829! Exciting stuff here; we already have many fabulous items and cool gift certificates. This will be our first major fundraiser in over 1 ½ years, please help make this a profitable success. Be sure to join the Facebook Page, Bidders for Critters and INVITE YOUR FRIENDS! We need lots of bidders!
Weis Markets are once again holding their annual Paws for Pets Campaign in the month May! This year people will be able to donate money by ’rounding up’ as they cash out groceries! The entire month of Merry May! Please shop at Weis Market and share the marketing campaign from our Facebook page. This is big for us; we usually net over $1000! Let’s lean into this!
Save Lives!
We are now IN “kitten season” and need foster homes for cat/kitten care! We are only limited by volunteerism. If you are interested in giving a temporary home to foster cat/kittens and providing them with loving care while they wait for their “forever home”, become a Culpeper County Humane Society foster family. Please visit the link below and fill out our foster home application. Whole new, polished foster/adoption program! We provide orientation, training, resources and support!
Pet Pharm
Covid has made it difficult to get vet appointments, and kittens/puppies were especially at risk if they developed acute illnesses. Here’s the pivot; we created a full fledge pet pharmacy so that we can respond quickly to acute illnesses and save money! Our recent Facebook Pet Pharm blitz campaign proved hugely successful. Through our Wish List on Chewy.com, to-date, we were donated $1,105.36 in product and $425 in gift cards! We would have easily spent twice that amount if we relied solely on vet care. To be clear, we are only administering drugs that are non-prescription (or only those approved by veterinarians) but that are vital to treat and support typical ailments and illnesses in our foster pets. Getting a foster pet into good health means they can be adopted quicker, and we can save more!
We have some of the very best volunteers; people committed to making a difference in the lives of animals and people in our county. People in animal rescue are some of the most nurturing people you will ever meet. Despite families, jobs and all that entails, they still make time for animal rescue.
Volunteer Highlight!
Meghan and kitten, Boo
Meghan Knittle is our Foster Pet Care Manager and with her delightful daughter Lexi, also fosters kittens! Meghan is uniquely suited for both her roles as she is a full-time vet assistant at Clevenger’s Corner Veterinary Care. She is an invaluable source of experience and information. Meghan was instrumental in helping create our Pet Pharm, Cat/Kitten Fostering Manual, our new Cat/Kitten Fostering Orientation Zoom program, as well as developing new protocols for foster kitten care. She produces Kitty Kits that are filled with supplements to bolster immune systems, and meds to address URIs, GI tract distress, diarrhea, fleas and more. Should the foster pet need to address an acute condition, Meghan can advise treatment that will be readily available in the Kitty Kit. This is stress-free for cats/kittens and easier on fosters. Meghan makes herself available to foster homes to answer any questions, give advice, or recommend vet or emergency clinic.
Meghan and Lexi have 4 of their own cats, but since becoming a volunteer last year the dynamic duo have fostered 24 kittens!
Lexi marketing foster
In her rare spare time, Meghan enjoys crocheting, running, swimming and going to the beach. So why does she spend so much of her precious time on animal rescue? “It makes my heart happy”, she says, “I enjoy watching the kittens grow, helping with their care, and getting them adopted. You feel like you’re part of making a difference. These are animals that wouldn’t get the love and care otherwise”. As a mom she loves that it teaches her daughter responsibility, caregiving, and empathy. We refer to 12 yr old Lexi as a ‘pet whisperer’, she just has a natural affinity to animals, which they feel and respond to in kind. Thank you Meghan and Lexi, for making a difference!
Sssshhhhh….let’s see who’s in the
Kitten Nursery
Two mom-cats nursing their litters; Tortellini (sadly one of her kittens was born deformed and didn’t survive) and Hannah. Four orphans were found; the Cheese Company and doing well. Recently, we’ve taken in 13 more kittens! Some of those are already weaned and older, ready to be spay/neutered and posted for adoption.
Blast from the Past.
Adoptions
Lulu, Luca and Lucy (Mom, Auntie and Baby) were all adopted to the same home! Making the foster home, the adopters and them VERY HAPPY! Look how big Luca is (he’s the all black one)? Looks like Remy is on a throne, being treated like the Queen she is! Living the life as a single dog after all her pups were adopted! Our Anastasia, Dove and Mischa were fostered altogether and got adopted altogether! What a fur-party! More adoptions were made, but in an effort to expedite newsletter we’ll wait to announce next time.
In Memoriam.
Bullie was a Pit Bull, white with black markings, one over her right eye, a crooked ear and a bark that would demand attention. Like Spanky in Our Gang. I first saw her in 2010 dragging a big bone around, it was bigger than she was. In 2016 we found her abandoned in a house, the family left her, due to unforeseen circumstances. I had 3 cats, the decision to bring Bullie into our home came with some apprehension. Bullie adjusted quickly and became a joy in our lives. Even the cats liked being near her. Bullie hated being alone, she always wanted to be near us. Even though she was arthritic, she’d climb the steep stairs to our bedroom, so she could protect us. She had a wonderful sense of humor. I would tease her with a treat; run and hide and she would play along, chasing me and play growling. She LOVED riding in cars, loved being cuddled in a warm blanket, she loved people and after a caution’s greeting…she would lick your hand, OR knees if you were wearing shorts.
In October 2020 she had cancer surgery, it seemed it was successful, she triumphed and healed. Then on February 26, 2021 at 4pm the cancer became the stronger force and it killed my wonderful funny and constant companion. The 4 years with Bullie will always make me smile. We miss her so very much.
Bullie, you will always be in our hearts. Lis Piatt
Please contact us at info@culpeperhumanesociety.com if you have a furry beloved that you would like to pay tribute.
Put your skills and experience to work helping to improve the quality of life for pets and people in your community…
Who doesn’t love cute puppies, cuddly kittens and feeling good about themselves because they made a positive difference for animals in need? CHS is seeking to fill some key “behind the scenes” volunteer positions. If you have the skills, are reliable and can commit to volunteering at least one day per week we need you. We have an urgent need for skilled volunteers for the following positions:
- Manager Fundraising
- Grant Writer
- Coordinator Foster Care
- Coordinator Care-A-Van
- Transporters, transporters, transporters!
If you are interested in any of the listed positions please, send an email outlining any applicable experience and detailing why you want to volunteer with CHS to info@culpeperhumanesociety.org Please write “Attention: Debbie Siday in the subject line.
All positions, with the exception of transporters, require a basic knowledge of email and Microsoft Office.