Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter --- (New Site! FriendsofBCAS.org): June 2011

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Cat of the Month! | Ellie (39351)

Ellie has been adopted!

The shelter is now featuring a cat of the month! The lucky adopter will get $10 off the adoption fee and a kitty goodie bag!

This cat is such a gentle little sweetheart. She's a quiet, calm little 1-2 year old who will happily purr and rub on you when her soft fur is petted. She's been described as "precious" and "delicate", and simply seems like a very nice, low-energy kitty. She is interested in the world and does enjoy playing, but I think she just likes affection more. She seems like the type of cat who'd enjoy a lap or a sunny windowsill, and she seems to get along with other cats. She's got short, mostly white fur with black patches, and pretty, pale green eyes. Please come pay this sweetie a visit. She's still waiting for her loving forever home.

Please refer to Ellie's ID #39351 and call or visit the shelter today. 609-265-5073 || 35 Academy Drive Westampton, NJ 08060

Sunday, June 19, 2011

BCAS & Volunteers at Earth Fair and Dog Walk - 6/18/11

On June 18th, 2011, Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter participated in two fun events: Waggin' Tails and Trails (a fun, health-themed dog walk open to the public) and the annual Burlington County Earth Fair, both held at Historic Smithville Park in Eastampton! We had a lot of fun, and I look forward to participating in next year's events.

The Dog Walk: Waggin' Tails and Trails:

I've only got a few pictures to show from the dog walk, though my fellow volunteer Terry W. might have something to say about my not posting the picture she took of me doing jumping jacks at a walking station manned by exercise-minded children!

Don't the dogs look happy? The little guy's D-41786 Toby and the bigger guy is D-39503 Patch. As of this posting, both of these wonderful dogs are still available for adoption at BCAS.

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 6/9/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adoptions & Newsletter email sent out on 6/9/11.

• NOTICE: Dog walkers, on these very hot summer days, please limit the amount of time you walk/exercise a dog to 10 minutes, and do not run your dog.

• REQUEST: To help the dogs combat the heat, we'd love to get a kiddie/doggy swimming pool out in the yard so the dogs can have a nice, refreshing bath! Please email Jenn at jennak87@yahoo.com if you have a doggy pool or a sturdy kiddie swimming pool you'd like to donate!

• REMINDER: Volunteers, please do not write on the animals' clipboard papers. Notes about the animal should only go on the orange Volunteer Sheet.

• REMINDER: Every Saturday from noon to 3, volunteers can take shelter dogs to the Mount Laurel Petsmart to show the dogs off and promote adoption! We still need volunteers to help with this! After contacting Lorraine, you'd pick your dog up at 11-11:30 AM, drive it over to the Petsmart after a little walk, hang out with fellow dog lovers and their dogs, and return your dog to the shelter by 3:30 PM! It's fun and easy. Please contact Lorraine at jajachris@aol.com to help out.

Cat Of The Week! | C-39868 Kitty

Kitty is a 10-year-old dark tortoiseshell cutie. Kitty was surrendered to the shelter when owner was no longer physically able to care for her. Her former owner says she's a shy girl who's good with kids and other cats, and enjoys playing with balls and feather toys. Kitty is low/medium-energy lady who is very socialized and will purr and purr when given attention. She really adores people! She's a pretty girl too, with mostly black fur with spots of orange, and white fur on her chest, belly and legs. Come visit Kitty at the shelter soon and consider giving her the forever home she deserves!

Please refer to Kitty's shelter # of C-39868 when calling or visiting the shelter.
609-265-5073 || 15 Pioneer Blvd. Westampton, NJ 08060

Cats have a reduced fee for the month of June & July!! Come and rescue a cat!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Limited Time Offer: Cat & Kitten Adoption Fee $20!

The Burlington County Animal Shelter has reduced their cat & kitten adoption fee to $20 (twenty dollars!) for the duration of June and July, 2011.

This fee reduction is to help alleviate the overcrowding of cats and kittens at the shelter during the year's cat-heaviest months, "Kitten Season". Every year around spring and summer, kittens are born in huge numbers and flood shelters across the nation, displacing other cats for cage space. At shelters such as BCAS, which are required to take every single cat picked up or surrendered from within the County, cage space is everything, and the shelter is often forced to make space for incoming cats by humanely euthanizing the current residents.

Please, adopt your pets from where adoption is truly needed. Don't breed or buy while shelter cats die!

• Click here to see the shelter's hours and directions! •

• Click here to view the shelter's adoptable cats online! •

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

FIV+ Shelter Cat Needs Help!

UPDATE 6/11/11: Sweet Leo was rescued by BCAA! Roly, unfortunately, did not make it out of the overcrowded system. Please, opt to adopt, and spay or neuter your pets so wonderful animals like Roly don't ever get left behind again.

Please forward to every rescue and rescuer in the NJ area!

Leo ~~and Roly~~ need help ASAP. They are at the Burlington County Animal Shelter, which is currently overloaded on cats and must continually make space for incoming animals. These awesome cats have FIV+ test results and thus have a much lower chance of being adopted out than the average cat.

Both cats are in good health, and extremely friendly, affectionate and loving. ~~If Roly in particular had not impressed the shelter staff with his amazing sweetness, his time at this shelter may have been up by now due to his lengthy stay.~~

Anyone interested in adopting or rescuing one ~~or both~~ of these wonderful FIV+ boys can contact the shelter's Animal Advocates (jrichardson@co.burlington.nj.us or lcliver@co.burlington.nj.us), or BCAA's Volunteer Cat Advocate Linda (lindazaccaria@comcast.net).

Leo - 3-4 y/o, male, longhair
extremely loving!

• Leo is a 3-4 year old orange and white longhaired male who has been at the shelter since April 2011. Every single time Leo sees somebody coming near him, his paws start right up kneading in anticipation of love!

Roly - 1-2 y/o, male
incredibly sweet!

• Roly is a 1-2 year old black and white shorthaired male who has been at the shelter since December 2010. "Roly" is short for "Roly Poly", because once he starts getting petted, all he can do is roll around in bliss!

May 2011 Volunteer Newsletter - 06/06/2011

Below is the contents of the Monthly Communication volunteer email for May 2011.

Fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers,

Our standout volunteers for May were:
• Barb Moos - Barb stepped up to the plate and offered to be our dedicated cat groomer. Thanks Barb!!

• All the folks who participated in our Dog Walking Party on 5/14/11: Brenda Carillo, Danielle Giano, Deserae Giano, Bernie O'Keefe, Janice Peak, Jane Pratt, Brian Walsh, Terry Walsh & Judy Witt

• Everybody who made it out to our table at the Firefighters Competition on 5/21/11: Richard Brunker, Janice Peak, Jennifer Ackerman, Heidi Grundeland (and her family), Brian Walsh, Suzanne Biagini, Jessica & Daniel Clark, Judy Witt, Carol Ingham, Katie Amacher, Margie Ryan, Cindy Kossove, Sheryl Brankley

Thank you!!

"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

We NEED help with the following:

Fund-raising committee: We need folks for our fund-raising committee. The committee will organize and hold various fundraisers, i.e. bake sales, money collection stations, etc. We could benefit the animals more if we had some money to buy collars, advanced medical care, etc.
Promote a dog and cat of the month: Someone to creatively decorate the dog and/or cat's kennel to draw attention to the animal. We will also provide give-a-ways to the adopter, i.e. bag of food, collar, toys, etc. Please contact Penny at fobcas@yahoo.com if you want to facilitate the dog and/or cat every month.
Can you sell ice to an Eskimo? We need folks willing to contact local pet groomers, dog trainers, pet supply stores requesting donations or discounts for their services. To help with the 'Pet of the Month' program, it would be nice if we could offer the adopters free and/or discounted grooming, training, supplies, etc. for their new pet. This could be a win-win for us and the company donating their services/supplies. If interested, contact Penny at fobcas@yahoo.com.

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 6/2/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adoptions & Newsletter email sent out on 6/2/11.

• EVENT: On Saturday, June 18^th, we will be helping the shelter participate in the annual Earth Fair at Historic Smithville Park in Eastampton, a 15-minute drive from the shelter. We'll need dog handlers, among other things. Further details are pending! Email Jenn at jennak87@yahoo.com if you might be interested in helping out!

• EVENT: New Advanced Dog Handling Class: Animal Advocate John is generously holding "Training Parker" Advanced Dog Handling classes for the Yellow dog volunteers to learn how to handle and teach difficult dogs like Parker, one of the shelter's longest residents. The first class is on June 6th at 6PM at the shelter. RSVP to Penny at fobcas@yahoo.com.

• REMINDER: When leaving notes on the orange Volunteer Activity Sheet, please keep in mind that potential adopters will be reading them and choose your words carefully when it comes to negative behavior. Words that have strong negative meanings, like "aggressive", should only be used in clear cases of animal attacks, which are different from rough play. Animals with behavioral problems you think may become dangerous should be reported to shelter staff.

• REMINDER: Don't forget, we have a Youtube channel featuring animals of the shelter! Show your friends, spread the word! Email Jenn at jennak87@yahoo.com for information on how to contribute videos.

Our Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsofBCAS

• ANNOUNCEMENT: Volunteer t-shirts are now available! They cost $12 and come in a variety of colors. They have Friends of BCAS's name and email, a cute logo, and "Volunteers CAN make a difference" on them. Our fellow volunteer Barb designed and ordered these t-shirts, so email her at barbaramoosathome@yahoo.com if you'd like your own!

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 5/26/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adoptions & Newsletter email sent out on 5/26/11.

• EVENT: There will be a "Training Sasha" Beginners Dog Handling Class hosted by Animal Advocate John on 6/20/11 at 6:00pm. Space is limited and registration is required, so please RSVP to Penny at fobcas@yahoo.com.

• NOTICE (CATS): Volunteers may no longer groom (remove knots and trim nails) the cats. The exception is for volunteers who wish to be volunteer cat groomers. Regular volunteers who notice a cat that needs to be groomed should leave a note that contains the cat's ID and its grooming issue with somebody at the front desk. Please email Jenn at jennak87@yahoo.com if you want to volunteer to groom cats!

• NOTICE (CATS): Cat socializing in the conference room is NOT available during Rabies Clinic hours. This is unfortunately because you have to walk through the lobby to get there with your cat, and all the dogs will make your cat veeery nervous.

• NOTICE (DOGS): Dog walkers wishing to become Yellow Walkers must schedule an appointment with Animal Advocates John or Lisa. Their email addresses can be found on the shelter's Petfinder website.

• REMINDER: Volunteers can ONLY write notes on the orange Volunteer Activity Sheet on each animal's chart. We can't write on any of the other chart's papers, including the front paper. Even if you don't play with that animal at that time, feel free to leave a note on the Activity Sheet! You might say "this dog knows sit", or "this cat is very friendly", if it hasn't already been noted by somebody else. Be sure to sign and date your note, and include something like "not out" if you didn't take the animal out.

• REMINDER: Volunteers should not be counseling potential adopters. Please feel free to share your personal positive experiences with animals with potential adopters, but when it comes to the details of adoption, owner/pet compatibility, or factual information such as adoption fees, please refer the person to a staff member.

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 5/19/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adoptions & Newsletter email sent out on 5/19/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

I know you're excited to see who got adopted this week (so many great animals found homes!), but please spare a moment to read the following announcements:

• Reminder: Cat Party! We're having a cat party on the 11th of June and we've got very little interest so far. If we don't get enough participants, we'll have to cancel on the poor kitties. They already get significantly less attention than the shelter doggies do, so please consider stopping by! RSVP to Penny at fobcas@yahoo.com.

• New Advanced Dog Handling Class: Animal Advocate John is generously holding "Training Parker" Advanced Dog Handling classes for the Yellow dog volunteers to learn how to handle and teach difficult dogs like Parker, one of the shelter's longest residents. The first class is on June 6th at 6PM at the shelter. RSVP to Penny at fobcas@yahoo.com.

• Reminder: Clinic Volunteers Still Needed: BCAA still needs volunteers to help with cat and dog reduced-fee spay/neuter clinics. The more animals we fix, the less poor babies will crowd our shelter! The next clinics will be: W'boro 5/22 (cats), W'boro 6/5 (cats), Browns Mills 6/26 (dogs). Help reduce the number of strays and email Linda to volunteer at lindazaccaria@comcast.net.

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 5/12/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adoptions & Newsletter email sent out on 5/12/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

I know you're excited to see who got adopted this week (so many great animals found homes!), but please spare a moment to read the following announcements:

• Our partners at BCAA need volunteers to help run low-cost spay/neuter clinics in targeted areas. The next clinic dates are: 5/22 & 6/5 Willingboro, and 6/25 Browns Mills. For more information or to volunteer, please email Linda at lindazaccaria@comcast.net. (Wondering why you should help? The more fixed animals there are, the less cats and dogs overcrowd and die at shelters. Think about it!)

• Last call to join us at the Dog Walking Party on Saturday the 14th! Email Penny at fobcas@yahoo.com to join in on the fun!

• Sweet Potato the 3-legged cat needs a foster or forever home! Sweet Potato came to our shelter with a broken leg and was rescued by BCAA. His leg was seriously infected and had to be amputated, but Sweet Potato doesn't seem to notice! He is too active for his current foster family's other pets, and he needs to find a new home. BCAA covers the medical expenses of all their foster animals. Please email Linda at lindazaccaria@comcast.net for foster or adoption information!

Adopt A Pet :: Sweet Potato - Willingboro, NJ

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 5/5/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adopted Animals email sent out on 5/5/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

I know you're excited to see who got adopted this week (so many great animals found homes!), but please spare a moment to read the following announcements:

• The shelter is permitting us to bring shelter dogs to Adoption Days at the Petsmart in Mount Laurel every Saturday from 12-3 PM. We still need volunteers to transport and show off dogs. It's a fun way to spend an afternoon, for you and for the dogs! Email Jenn at jennak87@yahoo.com to volunteer or for more information.

• Reminder: The volunteer Dog-Walking Party is on Saturday the 14th, from 10:30 AM on! Come meet your fellow volunteers and make some dogs happy :) Email Penny at fobcas@yahoo.com if you'd like to join us!

• We are always and forever in need of people to help us post the shelter animals online to sites such as Petfinder.com. All you need is a digital camera, computer access, and some free time each week. Training is provided! We need animal photographers as well! Email Jenn at jennak87@yahoo.com to volunteer or for more information.

• Please help us spread the word about the Friends of BCAS. The more volunteers we have, the more good we can do. To help advertise, you can download this printable flyer (PDF) and post it around your area.

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 4/28/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adopted Animals email sent out on 4/28/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

We thought you'd like to see some of the wonderful animals that were adopted most recently! Your efforts help the animals to stay calm and sane, and this makes them so much more attractive to potential adopters. We truly appreciate the time you put in, and we know the animals do too.

This is only a partial list of this week's adopted animals. I was unable to get the full list due to being sick for half the week, but rest assured more critters were adopted recently. I'll catch you up next week!

The Cats:

C-38941 "Beret", C-40108 Butch

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 4/22/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adopted Animals email sent out on 4/22/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

We thought you'd like to see some of the wonderful animals that were adopted most recently! Your efforts help the animals to stay calm and sane, and this makes them so much more attractive to potential adopters. We truly appreciate the time you put in, and we know the animals do too.

More cats and dogs were adopted, rescued, fostered or reclaimed beyond these below, but I don't have pictures!

The Kitties:

C-37291 (here for over 7 months!), C-38890, C-39316 Ashes, C-39645 JoJo Potato

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 4/14/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adopted Animals email sent out on 4/14/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

We thought you'd like to see some of the wonderful animals that were adopted most recently! Your efforts help the animals to stay calm and sane, and this makes them so much more attractive to potential adopters. We truly appreciate the time you put in, and we know the animals do too.

Many more cats and dogs were adopted, rescued, fostered or reclaimed beyond these below, but I don't have pictures!

The Kitties:

C-39490 (adopted), C-39817 (rescued), C-39921 Drake (adopted), C-39922 Tucker Cruise (adopted)

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 4/7/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adopted Animals email sent out on 4/7/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

We thought you'd like to see some of the wonderful animals that were adopted most recently! Your efforts help the animals to stay calm and sane, and this makes them so much more attractive to potential adopters. We truly appreciate the time you put in, and we know the animals do too.

The Doggies:

D-37585 Bruiser (adopted after SIX MONTHS), D-38923 (adopted after 5 months), D-39441 Tangie (rescued by BCAA)

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 3/31/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adopted Animals email sent out on 3/31/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

We thought you'd like to see some of the wonderful animals that were adopted most recently! Your efforts help the animals to stay calm and sane, and this makes them so much more attractive to potential adopters. We truly appreciate the time you put in, and we know the animals do too.

More cats and dogs were adopted, rescued, fostered or reclaimed beyond these below, but I don't have pictures!

C-39322 (adopted), C-39497 Ella (adopted), C-39498 Ernie (rescue), C-39647 Jake (adopted)

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 3/25/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adopted Animals email sent out on 3/25/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

We thought you'd like to see some of the wonderful animals that were adopted most recently! Your efforts help the animals to stay calm and sane, and this makes them so much more attractive to potential adopters. We truly appreciate the time you put in, and we know the animals do too.

D-39060 Hunter (rescued), D-39985 (adopted), D-40001 (adopted), D-40017 Precious (reclaimed)

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 3/17/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adopted Animals email sent out on 3/17/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

We thought you'd like to see some of the wonderful animals that were adopted most recently! Your efforts help the animals to stay calm and sane, and this makes them so much more attractive to potential adopters. We truly appreciate the time you put in, and we know the animals do too.

I have no pictures of any departed dogs this week! None were adopted that I'm aware of, but two were reclaimed. Three cheers for those two, and let's hope more dogs find happy homes next week :)

Special thanks to my kitty photographers, Jen Hall and Danielle Giano! I simply don't have the time to get great pics of every single cat, so if it weren't for them, several of these pictures would have been of kitties behind bars!

If you'd like to become an animal photographer and help us showcase the cats and dogs to potential adopters through great pictures, please email me at jennak87@yahoo.com! We can use extra help with both dogs and cats.

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 3/10/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adopted Animals email sent out on 3/10/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

We thought you'd like to see some of the wonderful animals that were adopted most recently! Your efforts help the animals to stay calm and sane, and this makes them so much more attractive to potential adopters. We truly appreciate the time you put in, and we know the animals do too.

More cats and dogs were adopted, rescued, fostered or reclaimed beyond these below, but I don't have pictures!

C-39566 Jake (adopted), C-39436 (adopted), C-39544 Moe (rescue)

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 3/3/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adopted Animals email sent out on 3/3/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

We thought you'd like to see some of the wonderful animals that were adopted most recently! Your efforts help the animals to stay calm and sane, and this makes them so much more attractive to potential adopters. We truly appreciate the time you put in, and we know the animals do too.

More cats and dogs were adopted, rescued, fostered or reclaimed beyond these below, but I don't have pictures!

D-39509 (reclaimed), D-39516 Smiley (rescue), D-39610 (rescue), D-39615 Pabst (adopted)

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 2/23/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adopted Animals email sent out on 2/23/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

We thought you'd like to see some of the wonderful animals that were adopted most recently! Your efforts help the animals to stay calm and sane, and this makes them so much more attractive to potential adopters. We truly appreciate the time you put in, and we know the animals do too.

More cats and dogs were adopted, rescued, fostered or reclaimed beyond these below, but I don't have pictures!

D-39559 Harley (adopted), D-39612 (adopted), D-39627 (adopted)

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 2/17/2011

Below is the contents of the weekly Adopted Animals email sent out on 2/17/2011.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers!

We thought you'd like to see some of the wonderful animals that were adopted most recently! Your efforts help the animals to stay calm and sane, and this makes them so much more attractive to potential adopters. We truly appreciate the time you put in, and we know the animals do too.

Maybe you recognize some of these lucky adopted or rescued cats and dogs (and rabbit)?

A special mention goes to 39709, this cute bunny who was adopted out in three days flat. Yay, bunny!
A snake was also adopted very quickly, but I lack a picture of it.

Friends of BCAS - Weekly Email 2/9/11

Below is the contents of the weekly Adopted Animals email sent out on 2/9/11.

Hello, fellow Friends of BCAS volunteers! It's time for another weekly Adopted Animals email.

We thought you'd like to see some of the wonderful animals that were adopted most recently! Your efforts help the animals to stay calm and sane, and this makes them so much more attractive to potential adopters. We truly appreciate the time you put in, and we know the animals do too.

Maybe you recognize some of these lucky adopted or rescued cats and dogs?

39608, 39550, 39575 and 39177, all adopted

Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter --- (New Site! FriendsofBCAS.org)