NOTE: This newsletter is being resent due to a date error in the previous newsletter. We regret the error and apologize for the inconvenience. |
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Your news & updates from
Animal Care Sanctuary
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As we look back on quite the crazy year, we accomplished more than ever at ACS, despite the challenges that 2020 presented.
Firstly, the most exciting recap of the year: the total number of adoptions. After finding 989 animals forever homes in 2019, which was a record for us, we SHATTERED that mark in 2020 -- adopting out 1,243 cats and dogs to homes all over the region.
While 2020 was an extremely difficult year for many, the generosity of the human spirit was overwhelming watching so many families open their hearts and homes to animals in need. We all know of the love and joy our furry friends can give us, but it is also important to note the love and joy we give to these animals by welcoming them into their own homes.
Additionally, despite being closed for six weeks, our low-cost clinic also set new records, performing over 3,200 spay and neuter surgeries, 489 of which were from out-of-town transports. This means that our clinic is helping not just locally with the problem of overpopulation (especially with cats) but other communities in need as well!
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YEAR-TO-DATE
STATISTICS
As of December 31, 2020:
Adoptions: 1,243
Fosters: 252
Fosters-to-Adoptions: 129
Spay/neuter surgeries: 3,246
Clinic appointments: 2,430
Total Clinic Visits: 5,676
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Introducing Amazon Wishlists! |
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We're making it easier to give!
Monetary donations are of course always welcome and extremely appreciated, but we know that's not always for everyone, so we're introducing our Amazon wishlists!
These lists are updated regularly with items we always on the lookout for, such as enrichment toys, cleaning products, specific animal food and more!
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The year 2020 revealed the power of sanctuary. Whether it was the sanctuaries in our minds to escape the craziness of the year or the sanctuaries of our homes to protect ourselves from the coronavirus, our idea of what a “sanctuary” is took on whole new meanings.
At Animal Care Sanctuary, in both East Smithfield and Wellsboro, Pa., this power was experienced at a level that has never been before in our five-plus decades of existence.
In addition to our setting new records in adoptions, we opened our brand-new community clinic and dog kennel after years of fundraising, planning and building. These facilities were desperately needed as the kennel had been operating out of same outdated building since the 1980s, and the clinic was being run out of cramped trailer. Both of these new facilities improve how we can treat our canines and other animals to ensure they find their forever homes healthy and happy.
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We also bid farewell to our longtime CEO Joan Smith-Reese, who stepped down in October. In her 10 years at ACS, she worked tirelessly to transform the sanctuary for the better, and succeeded at doing exactly that. Her mark will be left on ACS forever.
Continuing our partnership with Humane Society International and Humane Society of the United States this year, we accepted 20 dogs that were rescued from dog meat farms in South Korea, as well as further developed our partnership with other transportation agencies to rescue animals from high-kill shelters in the southern U.S. The aforementioned 20 dogs were all spayed, neutered and examined by our veterinary teams and just about all of them have been adopted or are in foster care.
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Our Wellsboro location saw its own growth this year with the opening of its own gift shop as well as the introduction of hiking trails on the dozens of acres of woods and fields thanks to a grant awarded by Dominion Energy. The year 2020 also saw the Wellsboro dog park expand its membership as residents looked to safely leave their homes with their furry friends during the pandemic.
While 2020 has been an extremely difficult year for many, we’re so encouraged by the compassion that thousands of people and families have shown to animals as well as ACS and all the other shelters that rescue and support animals in need. We’re looking to keep this mission moving forward in 2021 and continue to find many more animals their forever homes and promote animal care and wellbeing across our communities.
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New Year, New Pet
It’s that time of year when families are super excited about the new puppy or kitten (or adult animal) that they brought home for Christmas. That excitement can feel short lived sometimes, as puppies begin chewing the kids’ new toys and the kitten claws up that sweater that Grandma gave you. Here are a few helpful tips for making sure you and your new companion have the best start to the new year!
- Vet visits! Be sure to get your new friend established as a patient at your vet clinic. Most vet clinics have limited availability for appointments, especially now with the pandemic. Getting established as a regular client right away can decrease your wait times when you need an appointment.
- Vaccines: Puppies and kittens need a series of vaccinations, just like human babies. One distemper vaccine will not protect them for life. Most veterinarians recommend a distemper vaccine every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age and the rabies vaccine at 12 weeks of age. Vaccines protect your new pet from various diseases that are often deadly.
- Socialization: Meeting new people and experiencing new things are vital parts of your puppy or kitten’s socialization. Until they are full vaccinated, avoid places like dog parks and pet stores, but instead spend time with well vaccinated adult animals and have humans of all ages come to visit. Newly adopted adult animals should be given time to decompress before meeting new people and going new places, so allow them some “chill time” before throwing a welcome home party.
- Enrichment: Just like humans, animals get bored and bored animals are sometimes destructive animals. Be sure to give cats a variety of scratching surfaces, vertical space for climbing such as a cat tree, toys, etc. Dogs need various toys, walks, exercise and games to play.
- Time: Having a pet of any age or species is a time commitment. Cats and dogs desire our attention, and it can be easy to forget about their emotional needs as you get back into the swing of work, school, etc after the holidays. Set aside time every day to play a game with your cat or dog, cuddle time, training time.
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Get to know ACS!
Johnny Williams - Media Coordinator
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How long have you been a part of ACS? Why did you get involved?
“I have been a part of ACS since April 2020. I previously worked for the local newspaper and always looked forward to covering Woofrock every year along with the other events happening at ACS, but whenever I visited sanctuary on the hill, I saw countless stories that deserved to be told and heard. So when the opportunity came to be the person to tell these stories, I jumped on it.”
Are you a dog person or a cat person?
“I definitely consider myself a dog person, though my preference has certainly become more balanced since joining ACS. Cats can be just about as awesome as dogs can be. Ultimately, it’s all about finding the right pet so you both can be happy.”
What’s your favorite part of your job?
“Telling the stories of the voiceless. Whether it’s a sad story to raise awareness for the plights of animals in need or the harsh realities of shelter life, or the always-joyful story of an animal with a rough start who has finally found its forever home with a loving family – all of these stories deserve to be told. And they all help forward the mission of rescuing animals in need.”
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SANCTUARY STORIES
Deangelo
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Being a part of Humane Society International's efforts to rescue canines from dog meat farms in South Korea is nothing short of an honor.
But the harsh reality of rescuing these troubled dogs is that not every canine gets a fair or happy rescue. Such is the case with Deangelo.
Deangelo is a big teddy bear of a dog. Like the rest of his South Korean rescues, he was super scared and timid when he arrived at ACS, but soon revealed his humongous heart of gold.
But Deangelo was also sadly diagnosed with cancerous tumors and is unfortunately on borrowed time. We put out a plea on Facebook for an emergency foster placement so he could go through his hospice care knowing what a real, loving home feels like.
That's when Gabby Cardamone, who last year saw another South Korean rescue through its hospice care, again came knocking and immediately fell in love with Deangelo. Gabby is a treasured friend of animals and ACS, and we're so happy Deangelo can finally experience what a real home is like.
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Rosa is tough older lady who came upon extremely difficult times prior to arriving at ACS.
She was brought to the sanctuary by the significant other of an employee of ACS, and it was immediately apparent to our vet team that her rear left leg was broken.
Upon further examination, our veterinarians concluded that Rosa's leg was "shattered," and that amputation would be required. Judging by the puncture wounds she also sustained, it's believed that Rosa was attacked by other animal while she was a stray.
In total, Rosa spent 42 days on medical hold while she underwent treatment and rehab for her injuries. At approximately nine years old, one would think it would take her longer to adjust to missing her leg, but Rosa has been a fighter!
Since exiting her rehab, Rosa is healthy and has joined the rest of our general feline population as she awaits her new forever home! She's a sweetheart just looking to settle down after a rough life!
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Thank you to the Dunham Family Foundation!
We want to give a big shout out to Dunham Family Foundation for awarding ACS Wellsboro with a grant to make some much-needed repairs and upgrading to our front porch and sidewalk entrance!
First impressions are important, and this sidewalk and front porch project are the first thing potential adopters see when they arrive at our Wellsboro location. We can't wait to start work on this in the spring once the weather breaks. Thank you so much Dunham Foundation!
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As a Monthly Donor, you are providing a gift that can be used for animals in their hour of need. Your donation will help ACS rescue pets from overcrowded kill shelters, inhumane conditions, hoarding situations and puppy mills. Your support will help us make more future animal rescues possible, as well as give us the resources we need to provide those animals with the attention and medical care that they need to be adopted. Monthly donations provide security to assure that ACS always has the resources needed to provide for animals at a moment’s notice. To become a monthly donor, please sign up online at www.animalcaresanctuary.org or contact Terry McKendry at [email protected].
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