October, 2017
Lakes Region Humane Society 
Fall eNewsletter

Dear Friend,
 
You are receiving this eNewsletter from the Lakes Region Humane Society because you expressed interest in our non-profit shelter by adopting a pet, requesting a newsletter, attending an event or making a donation. THANK YOU for your support and interest. Please enjoy this extended, special edition newsletter!



Save the Date
What We've Been Up To 

Much has been accomplished since the Spring Newsletter! Thanks to a private donor we were able to wall off a portion of the existing dog kennel in order to create an overflow space for dogs on medical quarantine status. This small change has allowed us to take in more transport dogs each month and provide additional space for  stray or newly surrendered dogs who may come in with contagious diseases. Prior to this project, our quarantine hold capacity was maxed out at 5 kennels; when those spaces were filled, Town Police and/or distressed pet owners would have to look elsewhere or wait until space became available. Now LRHS has 9 potential quarantine holds, which makes sense because we typically have more dogs on medical quarantine holds than on the adoption floor at any given time.
 
Summer was a whirlwind! 226 stray or unwanted pets came to us in need of medical care and homes, 159 of them were  adopted and 40 were reunited with their owners. Those 226 animals included 25 dogs who were transported up from Texas, 113 stray pets and 88 pets who were surrendered to us by their owners. LRHS made appearances throughout Wolfeboro, at the Wakefield Farmer's Market, Ossipee Tractor Supply Store, Tuftonboro Library, Ossipee Library, Wakefield Transfer Station and participated in the Wakefield Food Pantry's AARF Walk. Our Certified Professional Dog Trainer held many private    consultations and group classes with a focus on educating community pet owners on the importance of positive reinforcement training and K-9 manners. 
 
With the help of our Volunteer Board of Directors and Advisors we ran successful fundraisers such as the Spring Fashion Show at Bald Peak, East of Suez Dinner in Wolfeboro, Play "Fore" the Pets Golf Tournament at the Kingswood Golf Club and the Barn Bash held atop Cotton Mountain. Our final fundraiser of the season will be the annual Holiday Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the O'Bistro Barn in Wolfeboro on  Sun., Dec. 3rd. We hope to see you there!
 
Don't forget to tell your friends about our Free Barn Cat Program. Unwanted critters tend to find their way into attic spaces and barns and can reek havoc on electrical wiring, food and insulation. Our barn cats come fully vetted, spayed/neutered and microchipped, all we ask in return is that you take the time to transition them into your barn, garage, warehouse, etc. provide fresh food and water daily and maintain their basic veterinary needs. Visit www.LRHS.net and click the Adoption  tab to apply.
 
Lastly, we want to say thank you to our steadfast volunteers, hardworking and dedicated staff, generous donors, those who share our Facebook posts and those who help better this community by spreading a knowledge of basic pet care and responsibilities. 
Shameless Adoption Plug

Harley is a handsome, friendly and playful cat who is seeking a new home. He is almost 10 now and, due to the fact that he is completely deaf, needs to be an indoor cat. Harley is happiest when kept separate from other pets who can easily sneak up on him and startle him because he can't hear them.  

Sadly, this is not Harley's first stay at LRHS. In November of 2011 he was found as a stray in Wolfeboro and brought to us for safe keeping. No one called to report him missing and no one appeared to re-claim him. He remained at the shelter, until May 13th 2013 when he was adopted by a kind gentleman who also happened to be hearing impaired. It was a purrr-fect match!
Unfortunately, the gentleman who adopted Harley lost his home and could no longer care for the cat he loved so much. Harley was returned to LRHS on August 1st where he remains currently.

Harley is happy, healthy, microchipped, neutered and current on all vaccinations and flea treatments. He is low maintenance, enjoys napping in sunny windows and turns into a wild man when given catnip.  Please help us share Harley's story, he is the sweetest guy and is very deserving of a forever home to call his own.

The Saving Grace Program Saves Lives 

LRHS founded the "Saving Grace Program" in March of 2008. Grace was a rescue dog who, after arriving at our shelter, was diagnosed with a tear in her cruciate ligament which was causing her great pain. Surgery was required to get this 9 year old dog back on her paws and into a new home. The quoted cost of her surgery was financially overwhelming to us at that time - simply put, we could not afford it.
 
Staff and Board Members refused to give up on Grace and pushed out into the community to collect donations from friends, neighbors and past supporters. The public's response was generous and heartwarming. Grace received her  surgery and LRHS had a small amount of funding remaining which was used to start the "Saving Grace Program".
 
The "Saving Grace Program" is in place to counterbalance unforeseen emergency medical treatments for animals that arrive at our door in dire straits. This fund covers medical needs that supersede normal medical care costs such as vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, microchipping, blood testing, fecal testing and basic first aid.
 
Examples of Saving Grace Program usage includes eye removal surgeries, emergency room visits, limb amputations, dental surgeries, screenings and treatments for cancer, X-rays, medications for severe allergies, etc. LRHS is notorious for going above and beyond to provide pets with the medical, nutritional and educational opportunities needed to succeed in their new homes.
 
Since the beginning of 2017 we have spent a whopping $5,082 on emergency medical care for this community's unwanted pets. $4,000 remains in the fund and if we are lucky it will hold us through until spring. Rebuilding the Saving Grace Fund annually is essential to the well being of the pets in our care and to our mission. Our goal is to raise $8,000 by  Spring of 2018. We hope you will donate  what you can to help rebuild this continuously dwindling, yet life saving, fund-every little bit helps! 

Mr. T & Sadie 

Mr. T  and Sadie were removed from their home by Wolfeboro Animal Control in late August. Their fur was extremely matted and they were filthy. Once a matt appears, if not removed, it will move down toward an animals skin and tighten so that it restricts the animals movements and causes pinching of the skin and pain. Both Sadie and Mr. T had been living with restrictive matting for quite some time.

Once shaved, the dogs were chilly but comfortable and could enjoy unrestricted, pain free movement. Being friendly Shih Tzu's, both dogs found new homes quickly and are living the happy and loving lives they were meant to live.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that there were 10 cats living in the same home. The cats were also in brought into LRHS and treated for ailments.

Sadly animal cruelty happens daily. If you want to help put a stop to it, it is          imperative that you report it when you see or suspect it.  

Below: Before and after pictures of Mr. T (top 2 and Sadie, bottom 2). 

How to Report Animal Cruelty 

1) Your first point of contact should always be local law enforcement. Whenever legally acceptable, document evidence of the cruelty/neglect with photo or video footage.

2) Contact your local Humane Society to further report suspected abuse/neglect.

3) Contact a Humane Investigator. NH Humane Investigators are employed at the: NHSPCA (603) 772-2921 x 111, Animal Rescue League of NH (603) 471-0888 and Concord SPCA (603) 856-8756 x 240.

4) For complaints related to livestock, horses, pet stores, breeders, animal shelters and rescues or animal transports, contact the Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Animal Industries (603) 401-0287.

5) Contact the Humane Society of the United States (603) 401-0287.

What NOT to do:

Don't post photos or video of the abuse/neglect on social media. This may alert the perpetrator that local law enforcement is on the way.

Don't trespass on private property. Videos or photos should be taken from public property or from the road per NH law. Trespassing can put you, law enforcement and the animals at risk.

You should be prepared to provide an address for the area in question, an accurate description of what you witnessed, the types and approximate number of animals in question, the time of day the observation was made.
For more information on visit:  http://lrhs.net/reporting-animal-cruelty/

 
Lakes Region Humane Society 

P(603)539-1077  

F(603)539-1012

 

www.lrhs.net  


 
PO Box 655, Ossipee, NH 03864

11 Old Rt. 28, Ossipee, NH 03864 

LRHS Is Here for YOU! 

Year round, group classes or private consultations ranging from $60-$150.

Adoption Counseling  - This is what we live to do! Let our knowledgeable staff suggest the perfect pet for your unique lifestyle. 

Nail Trims  - by appointment, $12.

Low cost carriers/crates- $10 cat carriers, $25 dog crates.

Havahart Trap Rentals  - $30 refundable deposit.

Volunteer Opportunities  for animal lovers 14 year of age or older.

Military Discounts  - $20 off dog and $10 off cat adoptions for veterans.

Senior-to-Senior Discounts
If you are 65+ years of age and adopt  a cat or dog 7+  years of age, you will receive $20 off a cat adoption, or $40 off a dog adoption.

Lost & Found Pet Assistance -  Call us to report a found or missing pet.

Pet Advice -  Feeling overwhelmed with pet ownership? Call our trainer to discuss ideas on how to correct unwanted pet behaviors.

LRHS Wish List   

Bleach - Lots!
Yesterday's News Litter
Canned Kitten Food
Kitten Milk Replacement - liquid
Chopped Chicken  Canned Dog Food
Industrial String Mop Heads

Mr. Clean Magic Sponges   

Chicken Pate Canned Cat Food             

Paper Towels

Dawn Dish Soap            

Laundry Detergent                  

Toilet Paper

Dish Sponges                         

Dryer Sheets 

Scratching Posts

Instant Rice 

Pumpkin Puree 

Baby Food-Poultry Based 

Contractor Trash Bags 

 




Affordable Local Spay/Neuter Clinics
 
Local Spay/Neuter Clinics

Think you can't afford spay/neuter surgery for your pet? Think again! 

There are TWO low cost options just 40 minutes away. The Rozzie May Animal Alliance and the Conway Area Humane Society offer discounted spay/neuter surgeries to cats and dogs. Fees range from $70 - $85 per cat and $100-$175 per dogs. These fees typically include: surgery, a physical exam, ear cleaning, nail trim and rabies vaccination!
 
The Rozzie May Animal Alliance has a mobile spay/neuter unit which holds periodic clinics at the Ossipee Tractor Supply Store, making it even easier to get your feline fixed. Call either one of these fine non-profits today to set an appointment! 
 


Romeo's Story 

Romeo was surrendered by his owner in May with such severe damage to his left eye that it required removal. The Saving Grace Program turned Romeo's life around. He was adopted to a doting home on 5/30/17, right after his stitches  were removed.

Below: Romeo Pre-Surgery. 
 
Below: Romeo Post- Surgery 

Below: Romeo Recovered
 
Great Dane Update

Around May 5th, an individual entered LRHS to report the horrendous conditions witnessed inside of the home and alleged puppy mill operation located at 149 Warren Sands Rd. in Wolfeboro. The Managing Director of LRHS, Megan Fichter,         collected documentation of the conditions and  promptly reached out to Animal Cruelty Investigator, Tona McCarthy of the Pope Memorial SPCA in Concord, to share what she had learned. LRHS connected Mr. McCarthy with the Wolfeboro Police Department and followed up routinely to check on progress. 

LRHS was prepared to assist in any way possible, but due to the size and number of the dogs combined with the enormous cost to care for them for the duration of the court case, the Humane Society of the Untied States (HSUS) stepped up and agreed to take on the dogs, from planning and assisting with the initial evacuation, to providing long term care and medical assistance.

It's been months since approximately 80 Great Danes were rescued from the suspected puppy mill in Wolfeboro.  During that time, The HSUS has been diligently providing the dogs with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medical and behavioral care. The Wolfeboro Police  Department and legal team have been hard at work on the  criminal case and, earlier this month,  announced a dozen new animal cruelty charges against the defendant.

In mid-August, the defendant requested that the HSUS stop providing medical care to the dogs and requested that the dogs be rehomed into homes of the owner's choosing.  Motions to do so were filed in Superior Court and in District Court. Ossipee Superior Court dismissed the motion deferring to the District Court. Ossipee District Court reached a settlement that allows the HSUS to continue providing medical care to the dogs and prevents the rehoming of the dogs into homes selected by the owner. 

The criminal animal cruelty case is currently scheduled for  October 25th but is subject to change.
LRHS Board of Directors
 
Ruth Hall - President
Mary O'Brien - Interim V.P.
Karen Coan -Treasurer
Dorrie Vrettos - Secretary
Katie Adjutant
Carla Copeland
Holly Williams
Linda Pacheco
Lindy Viscio
Elizabeth Kelley
Thomas Young
Mary Lenzen
Stacey Grasso

Advisors to the Board
Carole Hunt
Judy Lawless
V. Richard Ward Jr., Esq.