Carolina Mountain Dog

Spay/Neuter in the Upstate

Spaying and neutering cats and dogs is proven to be the best way to reduce animal over-population, which continues to be a serious problem in the Upstate. For an excellent overview of some of the myths and realities of spay and neutering, read this document from the ASPCA.

There are a number of spay/neuter clinics in the Upstate South Carolina area. Check with your local humane society or veterinarian for the clinic nearest you. These include:

Animal Allies
Low-cost spay/neuter clinic
http://animal-allies.org

Greenville Humane Society
Spay/neuter clinic
http://www.greenvillehumane.com/pages/spayandneuter

Sarge's Animal Rescue Foundation, Waynesville, NC

Like many counties in Western North Carolina, Haywood County is continuously dealing with dog and cat over-population. Sarge's mission is to take adoptable pets from the county shelter and give them the loving care they need until their forever family adopts them.

Sarge's saves animals lives in Haywood County by placing them in local foster homes while they try to find permanent homes for them. The organization would eventually like to open an Adoption Center with quarantine space, comfortable pens, outdoor runs, a cattery, and areas for training and grooming. Sarge's Foster Program enables the organization to save many dogs and cats right now.

Sarge's currently holds adoption days on Wednesdays and Satrudays from 12:30 - 5:00 PM at their facility at 1659 South Main Street in Waynesville, NC. Sarge's encourages adopters to visit, and also needs volunteer assistance and donations. To learn more about Sarge's and to see animals available for adoption, visit: http://www.sargeandfriends.org/

Valentine's Pet Events are Heartfelt

There are a number of Valentine's-related pet events occurring in the Carolina mountains in the next few weeks, along with events to honor National Spay/Neuter Day, which is Feb. 23. Several of them are listed below. We encourage you to participate and support your local animal welfare and rescue organizations. If you know of other events, please comment so we can share the information.

Asheville Humane Society "My Furry Valentine" Adoption Weekend, Feb. 12-14
During this special three-day event, Asheville Humane Society will waive the fees on cats (normally $85) and kittens (normally $100). All adopters will be automatically registered in a contest to win a year's supply of pet food. Puppies and dogs are also available for adoption at regular fees. The shelter at Lee's Creek Road in Asheville will be open on Sunday, Feb. 14 to celebrate Valentine's Day. Visit www.ashevillehumane.org for further details.

PetSmart Charities "Second Chance for Love" National Adoption Weekend, Feb. 12-14
This three-day event takes place in PetSmart stores with the support of local adoption groups. Adopt a new pet and receive a free bag of Hill's Science Diet pet food, along with coupons and samples. The Adoption Weekend is scheduled at the PetSmart located at 150 Bleachery Boulevard in Asheville, NC, telephone 828-298-5670. Contact your nearest PetSmart store to see if the event is being held in your area.

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue Puppy Gram, Feb. 12
For a donation of $45, Brother Wolf, an Asheville animal rescue organization, will deliver a "Puppy Gram" to your sweetheart, as long as the address is within fifteen miles of the city. The Puppy Gram will include a visit from one of the organization's volunteers who will bring along a puppy (just to say hi), personalized card, rose, balloon, and a sweet treat. Deadline for orders: February 11. Visit www.bwar.org for further details.

Humane Alliance Cat Neuter-a-thon, Feb. 19
Tell every cat owner you know who lives in Buncombe County to get their un-neutered male cat over to Humane Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic, located on Heritage Drive off Leicester Highway in Asheville, on Friday, February 19. That's the day Humane Alliance will neuter the first 200 male cats who arrive, and the cats will also get rabies vaccines if needed, all for just $20 each. Call the clinic at 828-252-2079 for further details.

Animal Compassion Network Dine to be Kind, Feb. 23
When you dine at any Asheville-area participating restaurant on Tuesday, February 23, a portion of the proceed's from the day's dining will go to help ACN's spay/neuter assistance and foster programs. This is a great way to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner out and help animals at the same time. Visit www.animalcompassionnetwork.org for further details.

Jackson County Humane Society Spay-ghetti Dinner, Feb. 23
In honor of National Spay/Neuter Day, the Balsam Mountain Inn is holding a "Spay-ghetti Dinner" on Tuesday, February 23 from 5:30 - 8 PM. All of the proceeds from the dinner, plus half the proceeds from rooms at the Balsam Mountain Inn that day, will go to benefit "A-R-F," the Jackson County Humane Society. Visit www.a-r-f.org for further details.

What You Can Do to Reduce Pet Over-population

As 2010 unfolds, one of the problems we will continue to face in the Carolina mountains is pet over-population. Here is a stunning statistic: In the U.S., about 10,000 human babies are born every day. In contrast, almost 3,000 puppies and kittens are born every hour. That's why shelters and rescue organizations in our area are so overwhelmed with stray, homeless, and unwanted cats and dogs.

There are three important things you can do to help reduce pet over-population:

1. Spay or neuter your pet. It is essential to "fix" your pet so it cannot reproduce. In many areas, it is unlawful to own a pet that has not been spayed or neutered. As the statistic above proves, dogs and cats proliferate with ease, producing litters of typically 4 to 8 animals with each birth. Low cost spay and neuter procedures are available in Western North Carolina at Humane Alliance in Asheville (www.humanealliance.org) and in the Upstate at Animal Allies in Spartanburg (www.animal-allies.org).

2. Adopt a pet. If you are thinking of getting a dog or cat, please OPT TO ADOPT. Local shelters and animal rescue organizations have many animals available of all breeds, sizes, and ages. These are not "rejects" -- they are animals that are typically available because they have been found as strays or they have been surrendered by their owners. Rescue animals make the best pets -- they know they are being saved by their new owners and they become lifelong, loyal companions as a result. See the list of shelters and rescue organizations to find one near you. Please DO NOT buy pets from a pet store or a "backyard breeder" -- these animals are often bred in deplorable conditions and it is not unusual for them to have behavioral and health issues.

3. Help put puppy mills out of business. Puppy mills are hellish operations run by people whose sole purpose is to make a profit by selling as many puppies as possible. Female dogs are often kept in the worst imaginable conditions and used as breeding machines. Puppies produced at these mills are poorly socialized and often genetically or medically unhealthy. Many people don't realize that most pet store puppies come from puppy mills. Unfortunately, North Carolina is home to many puppy mills. You can help put these places out of business by boycotting pet store puppies and urging family and friends to adopt dogs from shelters and rescue organizations instead. For more information on how to put an end to puppy mills, check these resources: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/campaigns/stop_puppy_mills/ 
http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/puppy-mills/
http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/puppies_arent_products.cfm

Forever Farm, Lake Toxaway, NC

There are numerous shelters and rescue organizations throughout the Carolina mountains that work day in and day out and with limited resources to shelter, care for, and save the lives of dogs and cats. We're focusing on one -- Forever Farm -- because of its unique mission.

Forever Farm in Lake Toxaway, NC is a sanctuary for senior and special needs dogs and cats. About 30 dogs and 100 cats live there in a homelike environment consisting of both private and group living rooms, porches, and large fenced grassy play areas. The majority of Forever Farm's residents are adopted, but some who are very old or ill may remain there for the rest of their lives. Most of the animals come to Forever Farms from Western North Carolina, with an emphasis on Transylvania County.

Forever Farm is operated by Friends for Life, a nonprofit organization. Friends for Life opened the Forver Farm facility in 2005. Since the organization's inception in 2003, they've helped over 1000 special dogs and cats. They're currently full to capacity.

Friends for Life receives no government funding and they urgently need donations. They also have animals available for adoption. To learn more about Friends for Life and Forever Farm, visit: www.friendsforlifeforeverfarm.org, call 828-508-2460, or email them at friendsforlife@earthlink.net.

The Shelter Pet Project

Maybe you've seen (on TV) or heard (on the radio) the new ads for The Shelter Pet Project. These provocative ads feature talking animals who, not surprisingly, seem to be smarter than their human owners. The point of the ads, though, is to make it clear that animals adopted from shelters are not "bad" or "damaged" -- they're just unwanted by their owners. The Shelter Pet Project is designed to "give shelter pets a voice" and it is a joint venture between the Humane Society of the United States, Maddie's Fund, and the Ad Council.

The website for The Shelter Pet Project (www.theshelterpetproject.org) also features talking animals, plus a lot of cool resources, such as an "Adopt-a-Gram" you can send to family and friends, "Pet Personals" to help you locate a perfect pet, and "The Adopter Network," where you you can get questions about pets answered by experts. You can also view the clever television ads on the site.

Nov. 12 in Asheville-Taste of Compassion Fund Raiser

Animal Compassion Network's annual fund raiser, "Taste of Compassion," will be held on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 5:30 - 8 PM at The Venue, 21 North Market Street, in downtown Asheville. The event features a wine tasting and wine for sale, along with vegetarian hors d'oeuvres, music, and a silent auction. One of the items up for bid is a 2010 Subaru Outback, courtesy of Prestige Subaru.

Tickets are available online ($30) or at the door ($35). The fund raiser supports the work and programs of Animal Compassion Network, the largest non-profit, safe-for-life animal welfare organization in Western North Carolina. For more information, visit the organization's website: www.animalcompassionnetwork.org.

Adopt a Senior Dog

November is "Adopt a Senior Pet" month.

What's so great about senior dogs? Well, let's use Freddie, shown here, as an example. We adopted this little 14-year old shih tzu from the Asheville Humane Society. He fit right into the family. He gets along beautifully with our other two big dogs. He's got a mellow, laid-back personality. He doesn't ask for much -- he's happy just laying on your lap. To him, a car ride is the highlight of the day.

Senior dogs have a way of making you stop and take a minute to appreciate life. They deserve to live out their remaining days in a loving home. So think about adopting a senior dog from your local shelter or animal rescue organization.

Saving Lives on the Road and in the Air

Two organizations based in South Carolina's Upstate are helping to save the lives of animals. Freedom Train Animal Rescue Transports is a network of volunteers who transport animals from shelters and abusive or neglectful situations to screened and approved rescues and adoption homes. The focus is on sending animals from the South to the Northeast, but it can involve many states and regions. A transporter drives 60 to 90 miles with one or more animals and hands them off, relay style, to the next transporter. The organization welcomes applications for volunteer transporters as well as donations. Visit www.freedomtraintransports.com for more information.

Pilots N Paws brings together people who rescue, shelter or foster animals with pilots and plane owners who want to assist in transporting these animals. The organization does not directly arrange in-flight transports, but it facilitates networking between individuals via its website, www.pilotsnpaws.org. In September, the organization ran the "Pilots N Paws 5000," a one week event designed to transport thousands of animals to safety.

October is Adopt-a-Dog Month

The American Humane Association has designated October as Adopt-a-Dog Month. This is a great time to consider doing just that -- adopting a dog. As a reader of this blog, you likely already have at least one dog, but why not consider adopting another -- after all, they're pack animals!

Here in WNC and the Upstate, there seems to be a never-ending supply of dogs at shelters and rescue organizations. So even if you can't adopt right now, tell your friends and family to consider adopting. They'll gain a lifelong, loyal friend.

Please visit the "Adopting a Dog - Shelters" link at the top of this page for more information about adopting and a comprehensive list of shelters in WNC and the Upstate.

Shelters need and deserve our support, and there's a brand new national campaign underway to give animals in shelters a voice -- literally. The Humane Society of the U.S., in conjunction with Maddie's Fund and the Ad Council, have just launched a unique public service ad campaign with spokes-animals as the stars. It is clever and cutting edge, so check it out for yourself: www.theshelterpetproject.org .

Opt to Adopt!

The weekend of Sept. 12-13, 2009 is Fall National Adoption Weekend in all PetSmart stores, sponsored by PetSmart Charities. PetSmart will offer adopters free gifts and coupons during that weekend. In the Asheville area, you can visit Animal Compassion Network's "Prestige Subaru Fall Adoptathon" on Sept. 12-13 from 11 AM - 5 PM at the PetSmart on Bleachery Boulevard in Asheville. Participating area organizations include Asheville Humane Society, Avery County Humane Society, Haywood County Animal Shelter, Project Paws, Sarge's Animal Rescue, and others. For more information, visit www.animalcompassionnetwork.org. Chester, the handsome guy shown here, was adopted from Asheville Humane Society. He is the mascot of Carolina Mountain Dog!

Please consider adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue organization. Check with your local PetSmart to see if an adoption event is being held in your area. For additional information about adopting, along with a list of shelters and animal rescue organizations in WNC and the Upstate, go to the ADOPTING A DOG page.

WNC's Humane Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic

 The over-population of dogs and cats in WNC and the Upstate is evident in shelters every day. The same problem exists nationally. The solution to the stray, abandoned, and unwanted companion animal dilemma is this: only by implementing widespread sterilization programs, only by spaying and neutering all companion animals, will we get a handle on pet over-population.

That is the mission of Humane Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic, an organization that is both regionally and nationally prominent. Humane Alliance serves 23 counties and partners with over 40 animal welfare organizations within a 100 mile radius of Asheville. Humane Alliance has spayed/neutered over 200,000 dogs and cats in WNC since its founding in 1994. Humane Alliance sterilizes an average of 120 animals daily, or close to 23,000 annually, with 70 percent of them being transported to the clinic.

Humane Alliance also operates a mentoring/training program, the National Spay/Neuter Response Team (NSNRT) that helps other organizations learn how to open and operate self-sustaining clinics in their communities. As of May 2009, NSNRT has trained 55 organizations in 23 states. In 2009, Humane Alliance started a new training program for veterinary extern students and private practitioners.

Humane Alliance is open to the general public, providing affordable spay/neuter, along with low-cost vaccines given at the time of surgery. the clinic is located at 25 Heritage Drive, off Leicester Highway, in Asheville, NC. For more information, call (828) 252-2079.

Humane Alliance helps reduce animal over-population by offering high volume, high quality, affordable sterilization to WNC and, through its training programs, to the entire country!

DOG IS LOVE

The blue "DOG IS LOVE" bumper sticker that you see on cars throughout Western North Carolina (and beyond) is one of those viral community efforts that you may not know much about. But here's the behind the scenes scoop. In 2001, Suzi Katz of Asheville found a stray dog. She launched a website, www.loveyourbuddy.com, to help get the dog, who she named "Buddy," adopted. Suzi found him a home, but the website lived on as a place to sell DOG IS LOVE stickers. At first she just thought it would be fun to see them around, but as the stickers grew popular, she decided to use them to raise money and awareness for animal and rescue organizations. There are now a number of different stickers available at the website. Suzi has raised over $11,000 for local and even national organizations. That's what loving dogs can do!