SECOND GLANCES

Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries PO Box 293 Wellsboro, Pa 16901 Newsletter Fall 2007 Issue 19
570-724-7919 secondchanceas@yahoo.com www.secondchanceas.org

The Leaves Are Calling from Glen to Glen

One red leaf fringed in golden yellow still speckled with remnants of summer green arrived. Last week, when I found it flagging me down from a nearby maple, it screamed to me like a cardinal defending its territory from its mirrored intruder at my kitchen window. Today its flock has grown to thousands begging you and I to savor the new season that lasts until late December.

But indeed, are we enticed by the wonders of autumn or do we put ourselves on hold until the December holidays, or the opportunities awaiting to man our snow shovels and winter duds? Do we shuffle our feet through heaping leaves with our dogs or kids... and maybe even fetch a ball or stick for them? Do we sit outdoors soaking in the warm fall rays of sunshine purring our content while wincing as our favorite feline exercises its paws in our thigh? Do we even expose our ever hurried hearts to the soft pleasures of a walk through the solitudes of rain quieted leaves... possibly even with an occasional nudge from a four-legged best friend?

If a list was made today, not a Holiday list, call it an autumn list...what would you write? What wonderful places could you visit? What simple fun could you have? What treats could you taste or experience? What childhood favorites could you rekindle for yourself or start for your children? Which events would your pets include if they were asked?

Make your list now. You can even read our newsletter when dusk arrives (Unless you are outdoors preparing to sit near a campfire awaiting the arrival of a star-lit Autumn evening toasting marshmallows or your toes.) Promise also to stand an extra 30 seconds in a blinding snowstorm for each item you do not achieve.

As an often abrasive Earl Pitts says....Wake up, America.... It's Fall!

New and Improved and Needing Your Support

The Coins-For Critters Canister Program now and in the future helps provide funds that go directly to the care of pets under our care. It is one of our base contribution programs for addressing daily pet care needs. Due to the increase in requests as well as our projected construction of the Dorothy Condict Feline Center in Middlebury Center, we have improved and expanded the program. New canisters and many new and returning friends in Tioga County have supported us by providing counter space in their businesses for the canisters. (If a favorite business is missing please contact SCAS. Their welcomed support spreads the word on our programs and helps even more animals in need.) As you frequent these fine business neighbors, thank them for participating and if

possible trickle a coin or two into the canister. It sounds good! And as the canisters say....

The Animals Thank You!

Neighborhood Businesses Currently Participating

Pump and Pantry-Tioga

Pump and Pantry- Lawrenceville

Pump and Pantry- Mansfield

Donna’s Market-Middlebury

Cornell’s Farm Store- Middlebury

Hampson’s Agway- Wellsboro

Tony's Pizza- Wellsboro

Rockwells- Wellsboro

TSEFCU- Wellsboro

Your Mamma’s Mug- Wellsboro

Frog Hut- Wellsboro

Dunham's- Wellsboro

Mansfield Agway- Mansfield

Wellsboro Small Animal Hospital- Wellsboro

Veterinary Medical Center- Mansfield

Tioga Office Products- Wellsboro

Flossie’s Beauty Shop- Wellsboro

Eddie’s Truck Stop- Covington

Krout's Kitchen- Wellsboro

Night & Day Coffee Cafe- Mansfield

Native Bagel- Wellsboro

Vargeson’s Market- Elkland

Cerchie’s Western Auto- Elkland

Nature’s Valley Natural Foods-Wellsboro

Dear friends,

Wow! What a summer it has been! As we finally realized our dream of land (Mrs. Dorothy Condict of Middlebury Township so generously donated the 10 acres of land. Upcoming articles will disclose more about Dorothy, her generous donation, and our plans for creating a wonderful facility for Tioga County on the site.) On its heels was the news of the local Wellsboro PSPCA*s impending closure within the next year. This has indeed pushed us into high gear to start preparing for taking over the responsibility of the future of Tioga County’s animals in need. The local SPCA is planning to move its operation to Potter County, a neighboring county to ours. Their new facility will be a minimum of 30 miles from Wellsboro, the central-most community in Tioga County. The welfare of our animals in need is going to be in tremendous jeopardy. People are not likely to travel that distance to drop off stray dogs, kittens and cats, and surrender their own loved ones for various reasons. Second Chance appealed to the PSPCA in early August to perhaps work out an agreement for us to use their grounds until we are ready to operate at our own facility. Matt Baker, our state representative, also appealed to them on our behalf. As of this date nobody has received a reply.

We are eager to step up to bat to provide a nurturing, humane future for Tioga County animals. However, we cannot do it alone. The local SPCA has a parent organization in Philadelphia that provided much of the funding for the operations. Second Chance, as a local organization dedicated to serving local needs, will depend on the people of Tioga County for financial and volunteer support.

We have stepped up our public awareness and fundraising in order to expedite the accumulation of funds for the operation on the facility. (See related articles in this newsletter). However, we first need to obtain funding for the building of the Dorothy Condict Feline Center. We are exploring grant opportunities, raising public awareness in order to possibly secure endowments, and networking with other animal welfare facilities to explore other options. We also desperately want to build a canine facility on the grounds as well.

We are actively seeking volunteers to assist in fostering dogs or cats, helping out in grant writing, advertising, fundraising…the list goes on and on! Please visit our website, call us or email us with any suggestions or to become involved in our activities. Ten or eleven months are going to pass very rapidly, and when it passes, we need to be ready to give our animals the “second chance” they so rightfully deserve.

We would like to acknowledge businesses which have donated money, exposure, or advertising for our cause. Thank you to the following: Chip’s Carpet & More, WNBT radio, The Artisan’s Shoppe, and Mountain View Kennels in Wellsboro. Also, thank you to Greco’s Markets in Mansfield for allowing us to use their facility for our Pedal for Pets fundraiser. Thank you so very much----it’s a beginning, and will hopefully pave the way to our future.

Sue Cook, President

Summer Memberships Edward Unangst Pat Meadows Ralph & Ann Jones William & Lydia Storey Amy Sincavage Edgar & Linda Lawton Sharon Schickling		Sharon Manikowski William & Lydia Storey Blue Seal Pet Foods Margaret Cummings Edward Unangst Laura Ahlum Wendy Reimann Carol Handler
Summer Donations Daybreak Ministries Brittany Gonzales Linda Lane	Jessica Harper Sandra Folzer Caprice McCarthy Charlie Messina	Desmond Gleason Jeanne Reich Diane Hollis Karen Franks

Kasey's Kat Kolony

(an ongoing journal of Second Chance's managed feral cat colony)

Summertime is winding down, but unfortunately it did not stop the birth of two new litters of kittens. Each litter contains three feisty fuzz balls that are deceptively cute and serene until the moment you scoop them up. One such fuzz ball was basking in the sun, soaking up the last warm rays of summertime, when my husband slowly reached down and picked up the little tortoiseshell. A viper was unleashed. He kindly tried to give the kitten to me who instantly latched on to my forefinger. I believed that my days as a ten-fingered typist were numbered. I gave the kitten back to my husband. The kitten hooked its needle like teeth into his hand, which later on we discovered, left a very perfect impression of her teeth. We then decided that the kitten was very upset that we had interrupted her sunbathing routine and quickly put her back in her sunny spot.

We learned an important lesson that day - that although these kittens may look and sometimes act like tame kittens, they must be approached with caution. Looking back on the situation, my husband and I realized some things that we did wrong when picking up the kitten. First, picking up the kitten from a sleeping position was a sure way to startle the little guy. Second, we should have instantly cuddled the kitten in our shirts or a blanket trying to make it feel secure (and keep us safe from claws and teeth). And finally, we should have bribed the little cutie with food (cats are like men in that sense). Next time we will approach the little guy with a lot more caution and common sense.

One final note: one of the feral cats has figured out where I live. In the morning, usually while most of you are still in dreamland with Angelina Jolie or George Clooney, I am tramping up the road in the dark to feed my colony. For the last two weeks, waiting at the end of my drive, is a big black and white cat that I call Cousin. He was one of the first cats to be neutered and after four years has decided that I need an escort in the morning for my quarter mile walk. If I wait for him to catch up, he will sit down and look at me, but as long as I keep walking, he will trot along about ten feet behind me, meowing the entire way. Maybe in another four years I will be able to pet him, but this time I will remember to bribe him with food.

Protect the pets you love.

Rabies Clinic

Saturday, October 27, 10:00-Noon

DVM Rusty Sampson, Hampson’s Mansfield Agway, and SCAS will be offering a rabies clinic at the Mansfield Agway. The fee for each cat or dog is $5.00. All dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier. If possible bring prior Rabies vaccination papers with dates to the clinic.

Other clinics are being planned for communities throughout Tioga County. Check at the Agway, WNBT, newspapers or with SCAS for other dates and times.

First Annual Crafton Street Block Party...

Very Successful!

We were able to participate in the Crafton Street Block Party this past August. Merchants on this block organized the festivities, complete with free hot dogs, pizza, sandwiches, and other goodies. There was entertainment during the afternoon, free blood pressure screenings, cheerleading demonstrations, games, artisan exhibits, radio coverage by KC 101, and more! Second Chance adopted six kittens on this afternoon and provided games for the children and pet care information. Wendy Reber, manager of the Artisan’s Shoppe on Crafton Street, invited us to be a part of this exciting afternoon. We feel very fortunate to live in a county in which the businesses work together to provide an afternoon of fun for all. It truly warms the heart to know that local merchants are behind us and welcome us as a part of the community. And we are there for EVERY community in the county. Together we can make this work!

Pedal for Pets 2007

The support for our biggest annual fundraiser has grown better each year. This year 'Pedal For Pets' not only grew as a fundraiser, but our friends added many new dimensions!

Riders and walkers, many with their canine companions, started at 1:00 on Sunday, September 30th on the bike trail behind Greco's Market at the Mansfield Plaza and traveled north, even to the boat launch at Tioga Lake! Before, during, and after enjoying their bike or hike everyone could return to the plaza to exchange tales and meet new friends. Greco's Market opened up the space in front of their store for Second Chance. A bake sale, kittens for adoption, kettle corn and the famous Greek cuisine with chrisburgers, baklava pies and pastries awaited the participants and customers entering the plaza.

We owe thanks to many for this year's success: Greco's Market, Caprice and the Vaganos sisters for their amazing culinary skills, Larry & Sheila Harris with their kettle corn, and the bake sale bakers: Dianne Hawk, Kris Houser, Julie Heck, Carole Cosner, Robin Emery, and everyone else enlisted to bake.

Thanks also to Barbara Zimmerman and friends with our cat and kitten adoption program, all of our board members who were able to participate, especially Dave Burket, the mind behind the creation and organizing of the event. This event promises to be even better next year! Place it on your calendar, grab your bike or sneakers, your dog, and your friends, and join in!

First Ingredient...a Love of Animals...Especially Cats

The first day we met we walked to her nearby homestead. All remnants of buildings were gone. A majestic weeping willow and an aged magnolia tree etched into the setting rose above beds of wildflowers and emerging bouquets of family floral heirlooms. Beyond laid somewhat time blurred orchards with pears, apples and vines. There were fields, overgrown slightly with berry vines, autumn olive, and multifloral rose.

Dorothy painted us a picture of the homesteads past and her dream of the present. She told us of her love of cats and shared stories of other animals. She shared her thoughts on how she wished a place could exist where cats received personal care, where families and friends could come and visit with the cats and many would take them to the best place of all...their homes. During their stay each cat could enjoy the warmth of sunshine and be given daily opportunities to explore the outdoors, even if from a protected enclosure. Most of all she wanted each cat to live its lifetime without fear of unneeded euthanization or cruelty. She asked if ten acres would suffice to begin this sanctuary.

Second Chance Animal Sanctuary shares Dorothy's vision. Together we, with Dorothy at our side, will begin..on Dorothy's 10 acres! Stay tuned! Join in! This exciting project is beginning!

We, the animals shamelessly exposed to the public in these humiliating costumes, have homes.

Instead we would like to put our humans, less trained and with occasional behavior quirks... up for immediate adoption.

A special paws up thank you goes to' From My Shelf Books' for sponsoring this issue of Second Glance. Check out their shop and give them an extra thank you for becoming part of our 'friends of the animals'.

CANS FOR CRITTERS PROGRAM

Second Chance Sanctuaries is currently setting up aluminum can recycling centers throughout Tioga County. The program details and the collection areas in each community will be announced soon. All proceeds will be used for animal care.