According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are two primary categories to plan for:

 

In our premiere issue of the e-NewsHound, our featured dog for adoption was Sadie.  Sadie was a long term resident of the Billerica town pound and PoundHounds stepped in to help facilitate her adoption by sponsoring her training.  Sadie had spent many months at the pound and needed to be socialized.  Sonia Mullen, the trainer who took Sadie's case, fostered her in her home and trained Sadie for several months.  With Sonia's help, Sadie progressed slowly but steadily and became a well-adjusted, obedient dog.
 

Along came a lovely family from Rhode Island who had seen Sadie's photo and contacted Sonia for more information.  The family packed up their two small dogs and headed to Sonia's home in New Hampshire to meet Sadie...and wound up taking her home the same day.  Sadie's new family reports that Sadie is doing great.

 

Billerica Animal Control Officers (ACOs) Maureen Ray and De Murphy are two individuals wo consistently go the extra mile to help the dogs who come into their care. 

 

De has dedicated over 10 years to her role, and continues to find it challenging and gratifying.  She has worked with countless animals--and people--taking on difficult situations and doing her utmost to ensure excellent outcomes.

 

Maureen, with 3 years as ACO under her belt, is energized when she knows she has made a difference--in the life of an animal and when she helps the person behind the animal.  "Education can make all the difference in the world," says Maureen.  "I don't believe there is such a thing as a stupid dog and sometimes pet owners ready to abandon an animal can learn that they do have power to change behavior--both the dog's and their own."   

 

Maureen and De have reached out to PoundHounds regularly over the years for help with a variety of cases:  emergency medical treatments, spay/neuter services, training, adoption publicity and more.  "We have been blessed to have support from PoundHounds.  The future of many dogs would have been bleak if they weren't there to help," states De.

 

Although De and Maureen had trouble picking one particular dog that they felt PoundHounds has helped the most, there is one case that stands out.  Maureen and De were managing a difficult situation where someone was breeding American Bulldogs and dumping them when they were no longer needed.  The dogs were friendly and in decent health but they had absolutely no manners or social skills.  "If it weren't for PoundHounds sponsoring their training, those dogs never would have been able to live in a home"  said Maureen.  With the extra effort by Maureen and De, all of these dogs are now living happily in their forever homes.

 

PoundHounds would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Deni Goldman, Hull, MA ACO for her achievement.  MSPCA-Angell and the Animal Rescue League of Boston presented her with the award on June 14, 2008 at the Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts annual meeting.  Goldman was selected from among hundreds of ACOs in Massachusetts.  She was cited for her efforts at improving public awareness of animal care and for a system for locating lost pets, similar to the 'Amber Alert' for children.     

Flash is a 2 year old male "Podengo Portugueso" - an energetic breed - who is looking for an active owner to keep him on the move.  He walks well on a leash and enjoys hiking and jogging.  He is good with cats, other dogs and older children.  No toddlers for this guy because of his energy level.  Click here to learn more about Flash or call the Taunton Animal Shelter at 508-522-1463.

Many town pounds lack the funding to provide more than the 'basics' for the dogs in their care:  food, water, and shelter.  Dogs are often sleeping on cement floors with only an old towel or blanket for warmth and comfort.  PoundHounds wants to change that.  We want dogs in town pounds to have the dignity and comfort of sleeping in a dog bed during their stay.   PoundHounds strives to have 'a bed in every kennel' in town pounds.  To achieve this goal, we have set up an account with Kuranda Beds, manufacturer of the durable elevated dog bed design that is comfortable for dogs and great for shelters and pounds because they are easy to keep clean.    To order a bed, simply visit the "Donate a Bed" page on the Kuranda Bed website and select PoundHounds, Hopkinton, MA from the drop down menu. Kuranda Beds has special pricing for donated beds ranging from $50 for a small bed to $99 for a large bed.  Most shelters prefer a medium or large bed because they tend to take in more medium and large dogs than they do small dogs.

The Massachusetts Animal Coalition (MAC) disburses grants to non-profit humane organizations and municipal animal control agencies.  The grants are funded by the sale of the Massachusetts Spay/Neuter License Plate Program.  

 

MAC has provided funds for PoundHounds to pay for spay/neuter procedures for PoundHounds sponsored dogs.  In 2007, funding from MAC allowed PoundHounds to help 8 different town pounds spay/neuter 81 dogs.  Those procedures represent $10,000 in MAC support. 

 

Please show your dedication to animals and help control over-population.  Register your new car or swap your existing plates for spay/neuter plates.

 

The cost for a license plate is $40.  Of that, $28 funds this statewide program; the remaining $12 is a one-time only cost to cover the manufacturing of the plate.  Two-year renewal fees of $40 go directly to the program.  

 

Learn more about how to obtain a Spay/Neuter license plate.  Visit the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles site.