Safe Harbor's Lab Gab
June 2008
Volume 1, Issue 5 |
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Our Mission Statement
SafeHarbor Lab Rescue is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) charitable organization run solely by volunteers for the purpose of successfully rehoming stray or surrendered Labrador Retrievers in Colorado by offering medical care, training resources and breed education.
2008 Statistics as of May 31, 2008
Labs Placed - 84
Labs Taken In - 95
Spayed/Neutered - 33
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Hello Friends of Safe Harbor!
We hope you're enjoying our monthly LabGab Newsletter. The Newsletter Team, Leslie Brown and Judy Funk, have given it a great new look and want everyone to know your comments and ideas for articles are always welcome!
With summer upon us it's a wonderful time to be out and about with your Lab. After a swim, be sure to keep an eye on those ears for any sign of pesky problems. Remember your Lab's heartworm test and preventative too. Yes, we do have heartworms in Colorado. A big, never-empty bowl of water - for drinking, that is! - is a warm weather must.
Thanks to all for your support of Safe Harbor and those lovable Labs. Let us hear from you soon! You can reach our Newsletter Team at LabGab@SafeHarborLab.org
Jacky
SHLR President
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 Foster Homes Needed!Are you having trouble getting yourself out the door for some exercise? Do you need some help this spring and summer keeping your family and friends entertained? Won't anyone sit and watch old movies with you at night? We have the solution to your problems. Foster one of our great rescued Labs! They love to go walking and/or running, they love to roll around on the grass and chase balls, and they can be great couch potatoes that won't hog the remote!
Please consider becoming a foster home for a rescued Lab . . . it's rewarding, it's fun, and you'll feel great about yourself for the wonderful thing you're doing for the Labs on their journey to their forever home!
You provide the food, shelter and loads of love for about a month. We provide the medical care and have a fabulous team to support you every step of the way. And your grateful foster Lab provides the fun and affection!
So what are you waiting for? Email Mary Downs at yellow4lab@comcast.net and she'll fill you in on how to get started!
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Sam with Barb and sister SHLR alum Kacey
Sam's Success Story
Fate -- we all are familiar with it in some way. Well, Fate played a big part in Sam's story. This handsome Lab was discovered by volunteer Barb Heersink in her local shelter. He had been picked up as a stray. Barb immediately called us and asked if we could take him into the program. Soon Sam was in Barb's car headed to Denver and his awaiting foster home. She delivered him safely...but when Barb looked in her rear view mirror, he was giving her the - "why are you leaving me, I am supposed to be with YOU!!!" - look. Barb cried all the way home and promptly put in an application to adopt him! Soon Sam and Barb were reunited and heading back home. Sam joins another SHLR Lab in the household, Kacey (Miss March on our 2008 Calendar)!
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VET'S CORNER: Obesity By Jeff Steen, DVM
Obesity, the excess accumulation of body fat, is the number one nutrition related problem in dogs and cats in our society. Between 25 and 40 percent of animals in America are considered obese. Obese pets have more breathing and orthopedic problems than normal pets and have more problems with heat and exercise.
The two primary causes of obesity are overeating and lack of exercise. When a pet consumes more calories than it burns, the excess calories are stored as fat. Over time, this extra weight adds up and the animals slowly become obese.
The diagnosis of obesity is determined through a veterinary examination with the pet's weight and body condition taken into account. Bloodwork may be indicated if the veterinarian suspects an underlying medical problem such as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus and hyperadrenocorticism.
Assessment of the current daily intake of food, treats, table foods and exercise are important in developing a successful weight loss program tailored to the individual patient.
Treatment of obesity includes treating any underlying medical problems (i.e. hypothyroidism), decreasing the pet's daily caloric intake and increasing the level of physical activity. A variety of weight control and diet prescription foods are available to help the pet achieve its ideal weight more quickly.
Everyone in the household must be on board when starting a weight loss program. Caloric intake and exercise should be monitored carefully. Progress exams every four to six weeks are necessary to monitor the weight and make adjustments to the weight loss program. Most pets require six to twelve months to reach their ideal weight. Owners who are more committed to the weight loss program have higher success rates in achieving goals and ultimately improving their pet's health.
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 Leslie and Tess
Volunteer Spotlight - Leslie Brown
Leslie became a co-founder of Safe Harbor shortly after her beloved yellow Lab, Tess, crossed the Rainbow Bridge. "She was my 'heart dog', that dog you get once in a life time; starting Safe Harbor was something I wanted to do to honor her memory."
Les is especially fond of helping dogs with special needs. The blind, deaf, physically disabled and seniors are always welcome as fosters in her home. A few have wiggled their way into her heart and stayed on as permanent residents. "Yes," smiles Les, "my house has truly gone to the dogs!"
A "renaissance woman" when it comes to rescue, not only has Les fostered more dogs than she can count, but she's our lead grant writer, coordinator of the 2009 Calendar Photo Contest, always a smiling and welcoming face at events, transporter to points near and far in her trusty white Forester and has performed just about every job in Safe Harbor over the years, including several years as Adoption Coordinator. Les is always there, ready for whatever is needed to help the Labs!
A cause Les feels strongly about is educating people on the repugnant puppy mill industry. She rescued Libby, a traumatized puppy mill breeder seized in a raid in Northern Colorado a few years back, and is dedicating her efforts to increase awareness to this gentle soul's memory.
What a difference Les has made in the lives of so many dogs and people!
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TEAM SPOTLIGHT: SHLR Hotline Team and Email Responder
You have a Lab to surrender, you want to adopt a Lab, you found a Lab you, you lost your Lab, you'd like to donate. . . who are you going to call? The SHLR Hot Line at 303-464-7777 that's who!
Our Hotline receives messages 24/7 and is staffed by 8 well-trained volunteers who each work on the Hotline for one week at a time. They quickly respond to the messages by speaking with callers, doing research when needed and directing calls to the appropriate areas within the rescue. Sue Olson, Hotline Coordinator, trains the volunteers, keeps them up to date on the latest information and prepares a quarterly rotation schedule. Our other top notch Hotline volunteers are: Liz Buckley, Mary Downs, Julie Henderson, Jill Jorgensen, Nancy Kostro, Cindy Nielsen and Erin Reed and Lee Struble.
The public also contacts us though our website www.safeharborlabrescue.org. Inquiries are promptly handled by Sue Olson, a well seasoned volunteer of 5 years. She follows in the footsteps of long time email responder Jim Illg who was recently assigned to Merchant Marine duty in Hawaii.
Our Hotline volunteers and email responders are on the front lines when it comes to PR for Safe Harbor. We are truly blessed with this fabulous crew to represent us and the Labs!
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Event Follow-Up - Successes
PETCO Adoption Fair - On May 10, Safe Harbor Lab Rescue volunteers weathered out the wind and cool temperatures to attend PETCO's adoption fair. Twice a year the PETCO store located in Golden, hosts an animal adoption fair. This year over 37 rescue groups were present and at least 97 animals were adopted - fantastic results! Kudos to Petco for holding this event to help the rescue groups gain attention and find new homes for the animals. Thank you to Mary Downs, Leslie Brown & Chocolate the Lab, Mary Garber & Koda the Lab, Marie McGill & Sully the Lab and Stephanie Collins for volunteering your time.
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Yappy Hour at City Bark - On May 16, City Bark hosted an evening Yappy Hour for humans and dogs to benefit Safe Harbor Lab Rescue. The turn out for this event was huge. While the dogs played in the pool the humans enjoyed beers from Flying Dog Brewery and grilled goods. Many wags go out to City Bark and the Safe Harbor volunteers, Tiffany & Geoff Richardson, Bridget Collier, Becky Wilson, Patsy Juarez, Danielle & Jeff Gaines, Kristen Quigley and Chris McKeon.
Upcoming Events
***Second Annual SHLR Calendar Photo Contest - Deadline for entries has been extended to June 15, 2008. Winners will be featured on our 2009 Calendar!! *** Fetch! Photo Contest/Calendar details
LabFest 2008 - Join us in September for our annual celebration of Labs everywhere and their families - Silent Auction, Barbecue Picnic, and SWIMMING for the Labs!
Fetch! Events Details
LabFest 2007
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| Contact Information
601 16th Street, #C-322
Golden, CO 80401 phone: 303 464-7777
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