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Thank You ALL for a Successful Barktoberfest 2009!
It was a beautiful day and fun for all 2-legged and 4-legged attendees. We had an excellent turn out and all of your purchases and contributions are already making a difference in helping town pounds care for their dogs. Click here to see some of the excellent photos taken by our volunteer Barktoberfest photographer.
Municipal pounds continue to suffer from over-crowding, and funding for medical services typically has to fall behind the essentials like dog food, cleaning supplies, heat and electricity. This year at Barktoberfest, we raised $8000, which will go directly to making sure dogs have access to the medical treatments they need while they wait to be placed in their forever homes.
Every year at Barktoberfest, we hold our doggie contests. I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 2009 winners:
- Best Trick: Kara with Roxie from Ashby, MA
- Oldest Dog: Nancy with Lucky (16 years old!)--two time winner, from Lowell, MA
- Fastest Sit: Steve with Grissom from Tyngsboro, MA
- Highest Jump: Dane with Genghis--winner third year in a row, from Littleton, MA
- Looks Most Like Owner: Olivia with Buddy from Acton, MA
- Best Booty Wiggle: Martin with Rico from Billerica, MA
We look forward to seeing you all again next September for our 10th Anniversary Grand Gala Barktoberfest Event!
Warmest regards,
Seana Dowling
President, PoundHounds, Inc. |
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| Happy Scenes from Barktoberfest
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Health Check
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
If a dog has Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA), his or her immune system sees its own red blood cells as foreign, and produces antibodies to destroy them. Symptom onset is typically sudden. Some of the symptoms may include lethargy, vomiting, and the lips, gums and eye margins will appear pale--not the normal pink-to-red color. Because there aren't enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the brain, some dogs will experience fainting spells.
If left untreated, the dog will suffer and die. Most dogs will respond to steroid therapy (Prednisone is widely used) to supress the immune system, helping to prevent red blood cell destruction. An initial blood transfusion may be required for a critically anemic dog. Steriod therapy will need to be administered for months or even the rest of the dog's life; however, some dogs do recover and no longer need therapy.
If you suspect your dog may have AIHA, it is vital that you take your dog to your veterinarinan immediately. |
| Happy Scenes from Barktoberfest
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ACO Resources
PoundHounds Presents at MAC Meeting
On November 15th, PoundHounds Board Member Marcia Peters presented to approximately 20 ACOs who attended a meeting of the Massachusetts Animal Coalition.
The meeting was held specifically for ACOs to review the MAC program and provide updates on Massachusetts animal welfare initiatives. Key topics included pending legislation to revise animal control laws and the new MA Veterinary Medical Association program, implemented to help defray medical costs for stray animals.
The PoundHounds slide presention detailed our mission and urged Animal Control Officers in attendance to enroll and use PoundHounds services.
Following the presentation, ACOs were able to visit the PoundHounds 'Leashes by the Pound' station set up in the lobby, and pick out new and gently used collars and leashes to bring back to their facilities. |
| Happy Scenes from Barktoberfest
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November is for Seniors
Adopt-a-Senior Dog Month
'Fall in love' this month with a senior dog! Potential adoptors often pass by senior dogs because they are looking for a younger dog. Those adoptors who do open their hearts and homes to senior pets bring home calm and loving animals with few demands.
Senior dogs are really just looking for the basics in life: food, water, a comfortable place to nap and of course, love and affection. They are content just being in the same room with you. Often, when a senior dog is introduced into a home that has a younger resident dog, the old and wise senior will help teach the younger dog better manners and calm composure!
When a senior dog enters a shelter, it is very often due to a life-changing event: death of an elderly owner, a serious injury, new baby with allergies or a move.
It's hard on any dog who loses a home and family, but the confusion and anxiety is more difficult for older pets to bear. The shelter environment takes its toll on a dog who may never have been away from his or her home. Older dogs may wait many months before being adopted. Some never get the chance to find that new home and are euthanized. So please don't walk right past the cages with the older dogs--stop and get to know them, and give them a chance. | |
Featured Dog for Adoption
Looking for an Experienced Owner
This isn't an advertisement for a job opening, but an experienced dog-owner is recommended for this handsome guy. 3-year old Jackson is looking for structure and will benefit greatly from an owner with natural confidence and strong leadership skills.
He is friendly, smart and loves to go for walks. He would make an excellent running companion. He is a fast learner, he just needs an owner willing to provide him structure, consistency, and of course, the love that will make him the best dog he can be.
To learn more about Jackson, click here or call the Taunton, MA pound at 508-822-1463. |
| Happy Scenes from Barktoberfest
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Gorgeous Dakota was in the care of Nancy Gonsalves at the Norton, MA Animal Shelter. Nancy reached out to PoundHounds for help with a cross-posting on the PoundHounds website. And the posting worked! A local woman "fell in love with Dakota's picture" and adopted him right away. Before Dakota went home, the Norton Shelter picked up the tab for a bath and grooming. Congratulations Dakota! |
Campaign of the Month
Give Back America
When you are doing your Holiday shopping this year, please consider purchasing through the "Give Back America" website--a percentage of every purchase you make will go to PoundHounds.
Click the button below to see all of the retailers that are part of the program and start shopping now!
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'Back Office' Volunteers Needed
Can You Donate Your Time and Skills?
PoundHounds is looking for a few people to help with a couple of our administrative or 'back office' tasks. Specifically, we're looking for a person to work from their home to make regular updates to our website. We are also looking for someone who knows Facebook and can manage the PoundHounds Facebook page. Last but certainly not least, we'd like to find a talented events manager who would be willing to help us plan for our 10th Anniversary Barktoberfest Gala, scheduled to be held next September.
Please e-mail us if you are interested in helping us. E-mail info@poundhounds.org, and please put "Office Volunteer" in the subject line. |
| Happy Scenes from Barktoberfest
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Dog Quote of the Month
"The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man's."
--Mark Twain | |
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About MAC
Spay/Neuter License Plates
 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 2008, funding from MAC allowed PoundHounds to spay or neuter 42 dogs in 10 different town pounds across Massachusetts. Those procedures represent over $7,500 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.
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Thank you for your continued interest and support of the invisible dogs in town pounds. We can't do it without you! Please visit the PoundHounds website at: www.poundhounds.org for more information. Or, contact us directly:
Message Center: 508.435.5029
Address: PoundHounds, Inc. - P.O. Box 454 - Hopkinton, MA 01748
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| Helpful
Links |
Follow these links to learn how you can help PoundHounds:
Links to other important Websites:
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