Need to Relax? Come Pet a Cat

By Laura Fulda

Yesterday, I was feeling stressed after working on my computer, so I decided to take a break and visit our community cat room at our Animal Community Center. 

Boo Boo Kitty, a black and white tuxedo, immediately greeted me. She followed me over to the couch and rubbed up against my legs.  I pet her soft fur.  She looked up at me and then sprang into my lap.  She settled in. I closed my eyes, took a few deep breaths - and relaxed.

It wasn’t long before Bingo, a shiny 1-year-old black kitty jumped up on the sofa beside us. He climbed onto my chest, rubbed his head against me and wrapped his paws around my neck. Boo Boo Kitty didn’t seem to mind.  I was in pure kitty bliss!

Both of these affectionate cats would make wonderful pets to one or two lucky adopters. But I worry that some people may overlook them.

Boo Boo Kitty is 14 years old. I’ll admit, she’s no spring chicken, but consider this: Cats can live to be 20 or even 24 years old. Plus, when you adopt an older or "Golden Pet," you get special discounts in our Whole Pets store and Medical Center.  What I love about these savvy senior cats is they have established personalities. What you see is what you get. The bottom line is Boo Boo Kitty has many good years left to live and lots of love to give.

While Bingo is only 1-year-old, some people may pass him up because they think black cats are a dime a dozen. They’re looking for something more “exotic” or “unique” looking. I happen to think Bingo resembles a sleek black panther. But looks aside, what really stands out about Bingo is his loving personality. He is one of the most affectionate cats I’ve ever met.

Bingo is bonded with Idgie, a shy, sweet 7-year-old Torbie kitty who warms up quickly once she gets to know you. And what a purr she has on her! HSSV is hoping to adopt Bingo and Idgie together. Adopters who adopt bonded pairs of cats get a special discount too!

All of these cats gave me just what I needed: Unconditional love, attention, and time to relax. At the end of the day, that’s what I think we all want and get from our animal companions. What does your pet give you? I’d love to hear from you.

Chihuahua Spay/Neuter Month Starts May 1

By Melissa Lisbon, HSSV Volunteer

Did you ever notice that there are a lot Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes at HSSV? I asked Dr. Julia Lewis, HSSV’s chief veterinary officer why this was the case, and she told me that 30% of the dogs brought in to HSSV as strays, surrenders or transfers are Chihuahuas or Chihuahua mixes!

I was happy to learn that HSSV would be running a spay/neuter special the entire month of May for Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes. Spays will be $40, and neuters will be $15. Qualifying dogs must weigh less than 25 lbs., which shouldn’t be a problem since Chihuahuas are a small breed of dog.

I also learned that there are a lot of health benefits from spaying and neutering, such as preventing certain types of cancer. However, Dr. Lewis emphasizes that "the most important benefit to spaying and neutering is not the health of the animals having the surgery, but it is for all of the puppies who don't have to be born into a situation where they don't have a home."

Given the high numbers of these little dogs, I think HSSV’s May Chihuahua spay/neuter program will have a real impact on the Chihuahuas’ homeless situation.

Click here to learn more about HSSV's spay and neuter services.

Pet of the Week

By Amber N. Yoo, HSSV Volunteer

Remember Beauty, last week's featured pet? HSSV still needs your help to find her a family of her own, so they're making her pet of the week again! Can you believe no one's fallen for those big blue eyes yet? If you know someone who could use some extra sunshine in their life, please tell them about Beauty. She's an outgoing cat who loves to be around people. The time couldn't be better to adopt Beauty, because adopters can name their own adoption price if they mention the PawFurred Pricing promotion.

How You Can Help
Every week, HSSV asks the community to help find one special pet a loving home. There are three easy ways to help, and you can do them all from the comfort of your home!

1. Click here to see Beauty's video, then share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

2. Print out the Beauty's flyer and post it at your local hangouts.

3. Donate online to help animals like Beauty get the care they deserve.

How did you help the Pet of the Week? Post a comment and let me know!

Thyroidectomy Helps “Lady” the Cat Live A Normal Life

By Laura Fulda

I was browsing our website today looking at all of our lovely cats available for adoption when I noticed Lady’s picture. I first met Lady when she was being treated in our hospital. She’s a super sweet kitty who looks like any other 11-year-old brown tabby, but she is very special. 

When Lady first came to us, she was suffering from a disease called hyperthyroidism. That’s when a cat’s thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone and no matter how much the cat eats, it remains hungry and thin.  Other problems like a rapid heart rate, restlessness can occur. Lady was no exception. She was painfully thin and her fur was in patchy and dull.

Most animal shelters put a cat to sleep if it suffers from hyperthyroidism because it’s difficult to medicate the cat (via pills two to three times a day). There’s another treatment called Radioiodine therapy but that’s expensive because cats have to be treated in the hospital for two weeks.

At HSSV, we go out of our way to find solutions and Dr. Andrea Moore, one of our veterinarians was no exception.  She called Adobe Animal Hospital, one of our veterinary partners, who had performed several successful thyroidectomy surgeries. That’s where the surgeon removes all or part of the cat’s thyroid glands. Cats usually have small islands of thyroid tissue scattered in other locations in their bodies. These "ectopic thyroid cells" can usually produce all the thyroid hormone the cat will need.

Dr. Dave Roos from Adobe evaluated Lady and agreed to perform the surgery at a discount for us. Dr. Moore even sat in on Lady’s surgery to learn how to perform this amazing procedure on future shelter cats.  After the operation, Lady recovered in our animal hospital for several weeks while our staff lovingly tended to her and monitored her thyroid levels to make sure they were normal.  They were and now Lady is up for adoption!  

I love the fact that community partners like Adobe Animal Hospital are helping us save animals lives and are willing to teach our vets how to perform certain procedures. I love that HSSV looks for creative solutions to help all of our animals, even 11-year-old cats like Lady. It’s a win-win for Adobe, HSSV and Lady.

If you or someone you know might be interested in adopting Lady, her animal ID number is 80335. Click here to view Lady’s resume on our website. Click here to make a donation to help other animals like Lady.

Spring has spring and kitten season is here!

By Laura Fulda

Easter is just around the corner, and while that conjures up soft and cuddly bunnies in some people’s minds, it makes me think about kittens. That’s because we’ve already seen dozens of kittens at Humane Society Silicon Valley. In fact, just this past week, two kittens were found near our dog park and several more hungry, scared kittens were found in a box near our parking lot! Thankfully, our staff quickly found them and our medical specialists are tending to them. These precious fur balls were just a few weeks old, so they will be given medical exams and placed into foster homes until they are 8 weeks old or weigh at least two pounds. That’s the age and weight kittens must be before they are ready to be spayed/neutered and placed up for adoption. If you'd like to learn more about helping orphan kittens or becoming a foster parent, check out our upcoming class on Raising Orphan Kittens or our Kitten Foster Orientation Class. Foster parents play a vital role in helping us save the lives of a thousand plus kittens every year. 

Fortunately, loving families quickly scoop kittens up, because who doesn’t love a playful, cuddly kitten? The downside is the presence of adoptable kittens usually means adult cats are overlooked.

To help find homes for all these furry felines, as well as adult dogs, Humane Society Silicon Valley is offering Pawfurred Pricing throughout the month of April. If you adopt a cat or dog age 6 months or older from Humane Society Silicon Valley, you can pay an adoption fee that fits your budget.  Every animal goes home vaccinated, spayed/neutered, microchipped and with an ID tag. This is really a good deal since spay/neuter surgery alone can cost up to $300 at a private vet office. The bottom line: If you adopt a cat or dog from HSSV, not only are you saving a life, but you’re helping to create space so a new cat/dog can be adopted into a loving home. And, you’re saving money. A win-win in my book.

Want to Take the Next Step? Click here to see HSSV’s adoptable cats and dogs.

Click here to learn more about HSSV’s adoption procedure.

Pet of the Week

By Amber N. Yoo, HSSV Volunteer

Wow, she's a Beauty, that's for sure! Check out this 2-year-old kitty waiting to meet you at Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milpitas:



As you can see from the video, Beauty is outgoing and loves people. I can just imagine her in her new home greeting her family and following them from room to room. What a purrfect companion she'll be for some lucky person!

But, first, HSSV needs your help. Will you help find Beauty a home of his own this week? Interested adopters can name their own adoption price if they mention the PawFurred Pricing promotion.

How You Can Help:

Help HSSV spread the word that Beauty is waiting to meet her new best friend at Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milpitas.

Here are a few ideas:

• Email this post to a friend
• Blog about Beauty yourself
• Tweet all about her
• Post her to your Facebook wall
• "Like" Beauty's YouTube video and share it with your friends
• Print out Beauty's flyer and post it at your local coffee shop, library, work, etc.
  

Do you have more ideas? Post a comment and let's get started!

P.S. We found a home for Otis, the last kitty we featured. Oreo, last week's pup is still available.

How did you help the Pet of the Week? Post a comment and let me know!

Happy Tails: Monkey

By Jamie Emming, Satellite Adopiton Manager

At HSSV we all know cats are individuals, some will curl up on any vacant lap while others could play for hours. Our adoption counselor David had to smile when he looked through Lisa and Jeff’s adoption survey and saw “from quiet to gregarious” any personality of cat is “fine with us”. A whole range of possibilities for potential matches came to mind and he knew they would be leaving that day with one of our adoptable cats.

The couple already had a HSSV alumnus at home. Razzleberry, a 13-year-old ginger tabby had recently lost his cat companion of eight years, Indy. Indy had helped Razzleberry adjust to his new home and turned the scared little orange cat into a confident kitty. Lisa and Jeff wanted to bring another cat into their home for Razzleberry to continue Indy’s legacy of feline friendship.

David remembered a group of shy cats who had recently been surrendered to HSSV that needed some extra TLC. One of them would be a perfect match for a gentle cat like Razzleberry to coax out of their shell. Monkey, a one year old black cat, who had been described as affectionate and playful by his last home had become a little withdrawn. All the unfamiliar sights and sounds made him shy with new people. Lisa and Jeff slowly met Monkey, talking softly to him and letting him sniff their hands. Just this little bit of kindness allowed him to let down his guard enough to warm his way into their hearts. They took him home that day.

It’s been about a month since their adoption and the couple tell us they it’s “hard to imagine life without him”. While Razzleberry has been underwhelmed by their new addition, every once and awhile they catch the two boys rubbing up against each other. They know they will be friends very soon.

Are you looking for a feline friend? Join us this Saturday for PurrFest and take advantage of “PawFurred” pricing all April for cats and dogs (6 months or older).

Pawfurred Pricing in April for the Purrfect Cats (and Dogs!)

Kelly Grant, HSSV Employee

With Spring sprung all around us, "The kittens are coming, the kittens are coming," continues to ring in my head! I can't help but anticipate a flood of weeks-old kittens arriving at HSSV's doorstep any minute. While I’m eager to hear the mews and purrs of these adorable "kids" who will undoubtedly trigger my maternal instincts, it's a hard knowing the competition they will create for our cats (and dogs) who have already been waiting weeks, and sometimes months, to find a loving home.

Thankfully, there's a solution!

Throughout April, Humane Society Silicon Valley is offering Pawfurred Pricing, a special promotion inviting adopters to create the adoption fee that's best for them for adult cats and dogs (6 months or older). All pets are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, temperament tested, medically examined and come with an ID tag.

I love that HSSV is taking it one step further this Saturday, April 16 with the "PurrFest" Cat Adoption Event from 1:00-5:00 pm at our Animal Community Center at 901 Ames Avenue in Milpitas. This cat extravaganza features dozens of gorgeous felines from HSSV and participating rescue groups. HSSV's satellite adoption centers at PETCO Saratoga and PETCO Sunnyvale are also joining in the fun.

Cat lovers are bound to find someone special that purrs their way right into their heart! Look at these beauties and tell me you don’t want to take them home! Let’s get the word out to our friends and families so they too can find the cat of their dreams!

Pet of the Week

By Amber N. Yoo, HSSV Volunteer

Meet Oreo, a 4-year-old Border Collie mix, a fun-loving, extremely smart boy who loves to please. Check out his video:



Will you help find Oreo a home of his own this week? Interested adopters can name their own adoption price if they mention the PawFurred Pricing promotion.

How You Can Help:

Help HSSV spread the word that Oreo is waiting to meet his new best friend at Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milpitas.

Here are a few ideas:

• Email this post to a friend
• Blog about Oreo yourself
• Tweet all about him
• Post him to your Facebook wall
• "Like" Oreo's YouTube video and share it with your friends
• Print out Oreo's flyer and post it at your local coffee shop, library, work, etc.
  

If we each do our little part to help Oreo, we can make a big impact ... and find him a new family! Interested adopters can head over to Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milpitas or click here to learn about the adoption process.

P.S. We're still looking for a home for Otis, last week's kitty. Tell your cat-loving friends!

How did you help the Pet of the Week? Post a comment and let me know!

Celebrating Supporters of HSSV at The Fur Ball 2011

By Alexandra League, HSSV Volunteer

In just a few short weeks Humane Society Silicon Valley will host The Fur Ball 2011, their annual black-tie fundraiser. This year’s event, “Carnival of the Animals” is a Venetian-style masked ball sure to please all in attendance. As one of the volunteers in place to support the event, and with some of my own experience in event management, I’m truly in awe of the production that is put on each year to honor the supporters of HSSV. I’ve volunteered at HSSV events in the past – you’ll usually see me with a stellar team of traffic comrades, directing vehicles and parking in our affectionate reflective vests - no flags or vests at this event.


The devotees invited to this private event have played a part in enabling the 82 years and counting of HSSV’s ability to bring people and pets together. And so in return, HSSV celebrates their enthusiasm with an elegant evening of humans and well-behaved animals socializing, a silent and live auction, decadent dinner, wine for every palate, the infamous martini luge and live music to boot. HSSV builds the venue from the ground up, attentive to every detail from the pet concierges to the place settings; the event is truly a work of art and appreciation. I look forward to making that experience even more memorable as one of the 100+ volunteers joining the HSSV staff to ensure all our guests have a great time.


If you are interested in learning more about supporting HSSV or The Fur Ball, please contact Robert Armbrust.

Button Helped Me Battle Breast Cancer, Part III

By Melissa Lisbon, HSSV Volunteer

Read Part I and Part II in this series.

As November drew to a close, the pure joy and love of my foster kitten, Button, continued to help me through my chemotherapy treatments. Soon it was time for Button to be neutered and be brought back to HSSV for adoption. I knew it would be difficult to say goodbye to this special little kitty, but I was also convinced that he needed his own home and his own people to love.

The day came for my husband and me to load Button in a carrier with his favorite toy and blanket and take him to HSSV’s satellite adoption center at PETCO in Saratoga. It was a Saturday morning. HSSV staff member Linda Ngo and a volunteer were cleaning the kitty compartments, getting ready for a day of visitors. My husband and I lingered, chatting with Linda and making sure little Button settled into his new compartment. Linda was so kind; I knew Button was in good hands.

It was hard leaving PETCO that day. Button had helped me more than he knew, and now it was time for me to help him get the life he deserved. My only hope was that he would get adopted quickly.

Later that day, I went to look up Button on the HSSV website ... He was gone! Could it be true that in four short hours, he’d already been adopted? An email to Linda confirmed it was true! He didn’t even have to spend a single night in the adoption center. Our sweet Button had been adopted by a nice couple. Through Linda, Button's new family emailed us a happy update and sent many precious photos including the two in this post.

My goal in fostering Button was to prepare him for adoption. I didn’t expect his presence to have the healing affect it did on me. It turned out that his kitten innocence, trust and endless cuddles were just the medicine I needed to distract me from my health situation and provide comfort during a difficult time. While Button was our guest, I enjoyed every moment by focusing on the present and not being preoccupied with the future. As a result of this experience, I've coined a new treatment which I call "cuddle therapy." The power of cuddle therapy should not be underestimated!

I intend to foster again. I look forward to future foster experiences and know that, despite the short time our foster animals are with us, each animal makes a significant impact on our lives. The real benefits of fostering an animal in need are definitely a two-way street.

Have you fostered an animal? Post a comment and share your story.
If you’d like to learn more about fostering, click here.

Pet of the Week

By Amber N. Yoo, HSSV Volunteer

Meet Otis, an outgoing 2-year-old kitty who is always ready for an adventure. Check out this video introduction:



Will you help us find Otis a home this week?


How You Can Help:

The idea is to spread the word that Otis, the adventurer, is waiting to meet his new best friend at Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milpitas. So, share, share, share!

Here are a few ideas:

• Email this post to a friend
• Blog about Otis yourself
• Tweet all about him
• Post him to your Facebook wall
• "Like" Otis' YouTube video and share it with your friends
• Print out Otis' flyer and post it at your local coffee shop, library, work, etc.
  

If we each do our little part to help Otis, we can make a big impact ... and find him a new family! Interested adopters can head over to Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milpitas or click here to learn about the adoption process.

P.S. Remember Leonardo? He was last week's Pet of the Week and he was adopted!!

How did you help the Pet of the Week? Post a comment and let me know!

Happy Tails: Ryan

By Jamie Emming, Satellite Adoption Manager

Look at those big brown eyes and floppy pink tongue! Ryan, the 1-year-old Basset hound mix, was the very definition of cute and wrinkly! This all changed for us when we’d clip on a leash. The normally rolypoly hotdog would turn into a badger wanting to pull this way and that. Add another dog to the mix and your problems would only escalate as Ryan would bark and pull without you knowing if he wanted to make friends with the other dog or if his intentions were less than amiable.

Luckily, Ryan had come to the right place to find a new home! At HSSV, we see lots of dogs with manageable behavioral challenges. Our Behavior Team set to work making up a plan of action to keep the 33 lb hound happy and work with our Adoptions Staff to find him the right home. A specialized group of trained volunteers stepped in to take Ryan on walks in places he wouldn’t see other dogs and get him accustomed to walking on a leash and focus on his human handler rather than any distractions.

While Ryan had many suitors during his time at HSSV, the right family didn’t come along until Ryan met Richard, Tanya, and their young son. After an initial meeting where Ryan did well with their six-year-old son, they returned the next day to sit down with one of our behaviorists and form a plan to continue Ryan’s training post-adoption. Tanya had already purchased all of our recommended reading for Ryan and finished the first book, “Feisty Fido” overnight.

A month later the family updated us on Ryan’s progress. The couple work from home and all the attention Ryan has been getting has really paid off. He’s walking great on leash and is less interested in other dogs now that he has a family to focus on. Ryan loves their son, following him all around the house. Because of their care and devotion through training Ryan’s behavioral problems are now a thing of the past as he enjoys his new life as one of the family.

Do you have a dog you’ve help overcome a behavioral problem?
Comment below to share your story with us!