October 2014

NEWS & NOTES

It's doggone good information to know.

Celebrate the Ear Tip and the Block Heads!

October 19th is Feral Cat Day and October 25th is National Pit Bull Awareness Day

Both animals often face similar fates in communities. Both are judged harshly for reputations that aren't theirs alone, but are lumped into a category that is considered unsavory in communities.

Feral Cats

Feral, stray, pet and community cats are all members of the same species; they are all domestic cats. But stray cats or "feral cats" are also different from each other in a very important way - in their relationship to and interactions with people or caretakers. Feral cats can be easy to live with, given proper care, making sure the entire colony is spay/neutered, and that their basic needs are met.

You can spot a feral cat by their ear tip. An ear tip is one ear that has been cut straight across during a spay/neuter surgery to make them easily identifiable in the community as a spayed feral cat that is part of a managed colony. More questions about what a feral cat is or isn't? Check out this link from our friends at Alley Cat Allies here.

Pit Bull Type Dogs

"Pit Bull" is a loose label assigned to a variety of breeds that have a stocky build, blocky head, and cropped or pointed ears. Pit Bull type dogs have a long and contorted history dating back to the 1800's. Because of their assumed association as "killers" or "fighters," pit bull type dogs are often last to be adopted in shelters, acquired for the wrong reasons, or avoided in communities. However, more and more documentation suggests that these dogs are individuals and one should not be judged because of the actions of a few that misrepresent the breed. Still have questions about pit bull type dogs? Read more about their history with this article from BAD RAP here.

Want to learn more about pit bull type dogs? Meet us, a few friendly "block headed" dogs, and check out the documentary "Beyond the Myth" at a public showing at the Auditorium at the Monroe County Public Library.

When: Thursday, October 23rd

Time: 7:00-9:00pm

Place: Monroe County Public Library Auditorium

VIPaws & Pet Partners Handler Training Workshop

Learn the skills needed to visit safely with your animal in hospitals, nursing homes, classrooms, and other facilities. Successful completion of this course, in an instructor-led or online format, is required for registration as a Pet Partners team. Workshop attendance allows for hands-on, personalized instruction as well as the opportunity for discussion and questions.

Topics include:
● How to tell if both you and your animal are a good fit for Pet Partners.
● Preparing yourself and your animal for visits.
● Identifying and decreasing stress in your animal.
● Animal health and safety.
● Special needs of specific client groups.
● How to interact with different types of people.
● Facility health and safety codes.
● Patient confidentiality.

For more information, or to register, contact Sarah DeLone or call 335-9453 or visit here.

Pet Partners Handler Training Workshop

** This course is for handlers only. Please leave your animal companion at home**

When: Sunday, October 12th

Where: 3409 South Walnut Street

Time: 8:30-5:00PM

VIPaws Orientation and Information Sessions

Do you have a great pet? Would you like to share that unconditional love with people in need? Find out more about how to become a part of VIPaws, our therapy animal group of Pet Partners teams. This orientation is FREE, is for humans only and requires reservations. Please call 335-9453 or email to reserve your spot today!

When: Thursday, October 16th
Where: 3410 South Walnut Street
Time: 5:30PM

When: Tuesday, October 28th
Where: 3410 South Walnut Street
Time: 5:30PM

Volunteers Needed!

We need a few friendly, outgoing, responsible, detail oriented volunteers to help in our office. Duties include answering phones and directing calls, taking Spay/Neuter and medical assistance applications, issuing vouchers, data entry, scanning and more. Shifts are available M-F between 9:00 AM and 4:00PM. Volunteers need to commit to a weekly schedule. Please apply here.

You Ran for the Animals!

Congratulations!

To all of our runners, walkers, participants two-legged and four. Your efforts and support helped to raise over $15,000 towards the services and programs of the Monroe County Humane Association. These funds will directly provide more spay/neuter assistance, humane education, and emergency vouchers to pets in our community.

If you were a participant in this year's Run for the Animals by walking or running, we want to hear from you! Finish this quick 10-question survey so we can include your thoughts when we plan the 2015 Run for the Animals! Find it here!

Find the run results here.
Find run photos here.

Still seeing RFTA Signs?

Bring in any of the Run for the Animals yard signs and posts that you still see in the community and we'll get you one of the 2014 RFTA T-shirts or a water bottle.

(Limited sizes and quantities available! Better hurry!)

Signs can be dropped off to MCHA at 3410 S. Walnut St. and you can call 812-333-6242 with questions!

If you were an event sponsor this year, we want to hear your thoughts! Follow this survey and answer a quick 10-question survey so we can include your thoughts when planning the 2015 Run for the Animals! Find it here!

Find us in the Community!

Find out more about where we are in the community by following our calendar here.

Coming up soon!	Every Month
VIPaws Orientation Monroe County Humane Association 3410 S. Walnut St. Please RSVP here. Thursday, October 16th Thursday, October 28th 5:30-7:00pm	$15 Microchip Clinics Every Friday evening, 4:30PM- 6:30PM Bloomington Animal Care & Control 3410 S. Walnut St.
Pet Partners Handler Training Workshop When: Sunday, October 12th Where: 3409 South Walnut Street Time: 8:30-5:00PM	ARF! Animal Reading Friends at the Monroe County Public Library Saturdays, 10:30AM - Noon Main Branch: October 18th Ellettsville Branch: October 4th Animal Advocates Club Monroe County Humane Association/City of Bloomington Animal Shelter 3410 S. Walnut St. (Every Third Thursday of the month) September 18th 6:30-8:00pm Sign up here.

Stay Connected

PO Box 1334, Bloomington, Indiana � 812-333-6242
www.MonroeHumane.org