 We’ve all heard some form of the adage, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. Although this may hold true for many, at Cape Ann Animal Aid we believe it’s ALL about the destination. For the 1,300 plus animals that typically arrive at our Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter each year, the destination means a chance at a better life filled with love and a family of their own.
Things are bad right now in Texas for animals - maybe the worst we have ever seen them. Shelters are closed and euthanizing due to lack of space. Rescues are overflowing. Dogs are being dumped by the litter in parks, roadways, and cemeteries. Craigslist and Walmart parking lots are full of ‘free puppies.’ Gas stations and convenience stores routinely have hungry adult dogs looking for food. It is heartbreaking and overwhelming."
These two best friends were transported to our shelter in August along with 13 other abandoned pups. Levi was diagnosed with heartworm disease which can result in severe organ damage and death if left untreated. With the high volume of heartworm-positive homeless animals in Texas, rescue organizations cannot afford to treat them all and are faced with making difficult decisions.
Cape Ann Animal Aid’s Safe Harbor Program allows us to commit to saving as many homeless animals as we possibly can while allowing us to help our partners in areas of the country who are overwhelmed and stressed.
Jazz arrived from our partners in Georgia in early spring. He was found by himself at a very young age. He needed medical attention for an upper respiratory infection and a good amount of socialization help.
Animals can form bonds naturally in a previous home or while in foster care. They can also have friendship bonds strategically created to help reduce stress and/or correct behaviors.
Rat was transported to our shelter from a local Massachusetts rescue group and was diagnosed by our veterinary medical team with a heart murmur. Like humans, cats and dogs can live long healthy lives with heart murmurs but getting adopted is not always easy. Lucky for Rat, he now had Jazz to keep him company.
"Philip and Thomas, are a delight and best friends. Philip (Rat) is very kind and patient with Thomas’ (Jazz) shenanigans. My husband Bill died last year, and these two characters are wonderfully comforting companions. I am so grateful they were recognized as buddies at the shelter, as they helped each other adapt to their new home." Your compassion and support for homeless animals like Levi, Julian, Jazz, and Rat mean the world to us and the many other animals who benefit from our life-saving programs. Please give so homeless animals near and far, who rely on Cape Ann Animal Aid's Safe Harbor Program, can be guaranteed a second chance at a better life.
0 Comments
A mother dog travels far to Cape Ann Animal Aid for a better life for her and her newborn pups.7/9/2021
Rescuing Boo Boo and her pups from an unsafe home
It was discovered that Boo Boo was actually unable to care for her pups because she was malnourished and as a result not producing the proper amount of milk. Rescuing this family was crucial. When a mother dog stops feeding and begins rejecting her pups, malnutrition and disease can affect the health of the newborns. Transporting family of 7 to a safe shelter.
Because of you, animals in need are transformed and able to live their best life.
Please donate to help animals like Boo Boo and so many others who rely on the love and life-saving services at Cape Ann Animal Aid to ease their suffering and unite them with families who will become their forever homes.
Welcome to Takeover Tuesday! Each Tuesday in March, we have invited a different department to give a glimpse into what their typical day at 4 Paws Lane looks like on our social media. If you don't follow us on Facebook or Instagram, we've compiled all of our posts here to share with you! Tuesday, March 2nd: Sunniva Buck, Executive Director
My team and I meet each morning to discuss our plans to care for and ultimately find homes for each and every dog and cat at our shelter. Today we are talking about a recent transfer of animals that just arrived, reviewing the plans for our current animals in our care to determine who is ready for adoption, coordinating the 8 spay/neuter surgeries on our calendar, and discussing behaviors that we need to work on or consult with a trainer on. We are also discussing what volunteers will be joining the team today and what projects or animals we need their help with, like throwing the tennis ball 300 times to an extra active pup who is getting bored, hand feeding a cat that needs to feel we can be trusted or attacking the 6 foot high dirty laundry pile from our adorable but messy furry guests!  Like most days here, we are off to a busy start. For me, any day that begins with making a difference for dogs and cats is a good day. When you add an enthusiastic face wash complete with dog breath aromatherapy from a grateful guest, well it is hard to top. Thank you for caring about what we do and I hope my takeover brings you both some insight into what goes on here at CAAA and some smiles into your day.
Tuesday, March 9th: Mikayla and Taylor, Animal Caretakers
We got to see some of our great volunteers who have been taking dogs on offiste trips and helping around the building. Now, we're hanging out with our most recent transport of pups from Mexico and enjoying the warm(er) weather we're finally getting. There's nothing like a wet nose to cap off your day, before the craziness of tomorrow picks back up. Tuesday, March 16th: Shelter Medicine Team
Tuesday, March 23rd: Volunteer Team
 Hello CAAA friends! My name is Laura O'Neill, and not counting the year of hiatus due to the pandemic, I have been a volunteer working with our pups every Tuesday for about 6 years. I can't tell you how happy I am to be back!!!! This afternoon was my third shift back in the swing of things, and I loved every minute of it. I had the pleasure of romping and snuggling with so many sweet peas who will no doubt find their furever homes soon, and bring so much joy and love to the folks lucky enough to make them family.
After a check on the laundry (a constant need here as you might imagine) I get to head on up to the pups. My primary goal is to get them out, spend time socializing with people and other dogs, which includes comforting, playing, working on manners, watching for any strengths to be highlighted, areas where extra time and attention might be helpful to bring out their best. I get to be their buddy as they explore this new world they are in, and help make them ready to join a home. And it is a weird new world for sure. We are often like elephants to them... big, different language and movements... some dive right in, others (reasonably) need a little coaxing and extra love. There's good reason when you think about it for a pup to pause and feel things out. Today, I had one in particular who was sweet and easy to leash up, but anxious to leave her kennel, her safe place. A treat or two, soft encouraging words, and look at us outside cuddling like we've been buddies forever! I'd be reluctant too even if I met the sweetest elephant for the first time, and they asked me to go for a walk. It takes a bit of empathy, patience, gentleness and yes, sometimes bribes. But once outside it was belly scratches and hugs and zooms around the yard! She is perfect. As were all the dogs I spent time with tonight. It was fantastic to see her and four other pups just zip about together, socialize with each other, then make eye contact and come flying in for a hug and rest time in my lap, the others eyeing staff members and doing the same (always one outlier hanging on to a prized toy trying to egg the others back out into the field). My day was made much better by these fur heads, and while I would love to see them all again, my hope is I don't, at least not at the shelter, as it means they have moved on to the home they deserve. Be well! Tuesday, February 23rd is World Spay Day, and today we're sharing the impact that spaying and neutering your pet can have on the homeless animal population. Around the globe, litters of homeless puppies and kittens live on vacant properties and roam the streets. In 2020, 1,146 of Cape Ann Animal Aid's 1,195 adopted animals were transferred to us through our Safe Harbor Program, escaping a myriad of situations and possible euthanasia due to overcrowding. Heather from transport partner Road Trip Home Animal Rescue in Georgia, explains: "If everyone in Georgia spayed and neutered their animals, our shelters would not be overflowing, there would not be strays all over the roads losing their lives to cars, and there would be no need for transport rescues! What a glorious day that will be... until then, we continue our mission to help animals find homes no matter how far the journey"
Cookies spay procedure falls on World Spay Day this year, and Cape Ann Animal Aid provides spay surgeries for many dogs just like her every year. In 2020, we spayed over ten mom dogs and cats who had either come to us pregnant, or recently had a litter of unwanted puppies or kittens. Overpopulation doesn't just mean overcrowding - It often means that there aren't enough resources to go around. Speaking on the condition of Cookies and many homeless pets in Georgia, Ruth from Road Trip Home writes: "Another mama with newborn pups surrendered to animal control. Arriving at a shelter scared, hungry, and trying the best that she can to care for her tiny babies. Many of the pups that come into our shelter have health problems or diseases, and have received no health care. It is a struggle every day to fund the care needed to get these babies healthy and send them on to their new homes. The poor mama dogs live their entire lives raising babies and if not saved and brought to a shelter or rescue, succumb to heartworms or neglect."
Aside from the impact on the homeless animal population, there are also medical benefits for having your pets spayed and neutered. Dr. Alex Becket, CAAA Director of shelter medicine, elaborates: "Spaying your female dog will stop her from cycling, and also eliminate the possibility of ovarian and some uterine cancers. In addition, spaying your female dog will drastically decrease her chances of getting mammary cancer. Neutering your male dog will help prevent some undesirable behaviors such as roaming and marking, and will also help prevent problems later in life such as testicular diseases and cancers as well as prostate problems." To prevent overpopulation of cats and dogs in our area, Cape Ann Animal Aid has always spayed and neutered our animals prior to adoption. These surgeries are done as early as 8 weeks, provided the puppy or kitten is healthy, weaned from mom, and over 2.2 lbs.
|
Cape ann animal aid
An opportunity for you to learn more about the mission and programs of Cape Ann Animal Aid. Sharing candid insights, guest columns, breaking news, and of course, adorable photos of shelter animals. Archives
September 2021
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
Cape Ann Animal Aid • Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter • 4 Paws Lane • Gloucester, MA • 01930 • 978.283.6055
© Copyright 2020 Cape Ann Animal Aid • All rights reserved.
© Copyright 2020 Cape Ann Animal Aid • All rights reserved.