SECOND GLANCES

Quarterly Newsletter

Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries

Number 2 Spring 2002 Issue

Dear Friends,

The year 2002 has arrived with Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries more determined than ever to join with you to assist and enrich the lives of pets in need.

Our new web site, destined to inform, educate and assist in spreading  our message is now online. It will also link anyone accessing the site to Four Paws Rescue in Millerton and the PASPCA in Wellsboro.  The site will let the community know of upcoming events and needs. It will also help find that needed pet in the Perfect Match program.

Our foster and adoption policies have been formed and are ready for implementing.

We have also committed ourselves to reaching out during many local events throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall.

            We have already placed several homeless or abandoned animals in great homes. Becoming a foster home would greatly help open the door of hope for even more  less fortunate animals.

            Searches are now underway for grants that will assist us in providing pet education programs in our schools as well as low cost spay / neuter programs for pet owners.

          Our Advisory Network of people in professional fields, business, or with expertise in all aspects of animal care is growing. This diverse network of caring community members will help us make strong decisions as we care for animals, build the sanctuary, locate homes for animals and deal with new or unexpected issues.

      More than anything else we need the backbone of a strong successful sanctuary...volunteers!

Presently we need:

*Homemade biscuits for the events we will attend this summer. Call and we

   can let you know the dates. We also furnish the recipes!

            * Help placing newsletters, posters   and cookbooks at area businesses.

            *Suggestions for fundraisers and help preparing for them.

            *and.... our regular meetings are on Tuesday evenings. Email, call or         contact us.

You are always welcome!

Sue Cook

President

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Paw Prints

       Spring, with its ever changing bouquet of sights and aromas, is the time for slow strolls and exciting jaunts to new spots and old haunts with your pet.  Spring also provides the practice grounds for reestablishing routines and behavior training relaxed during the winter months. Why not provide a pet picnic or new hike through old spots as the training site? You'll be surprised at the new perceptions for both the pet and human!

      The stroll, in town or out along a country path, may at times also provide an obstacle course packed with opportunities to avoid. Spring Clean-ups, spring cleaning and trash and garbage removal excite your pet's senses  but may be potential sources for poisons,  sickness and injury. If avoiding  them comes too late, make a strong attempt to identify or collect samples or labels and quickly contact your  veterinarian for advice.

       As neighbors plant new shrubs, trees, and gardens  they may be adding chemicals to enhance growth or root structures. As a safety and courtesy, avoid allowing your pet the opportunity to explore in new lawns and gardens.

     Last, don't forget the scoop and bag. It makes for a more pleasant spring and summer if your neighbors 

greet you with a wave and lemonade instead of the garden hose!

("Paw Prints" articles from Second Chance Sanctuaries are found monthly in the Wellsboro Gazette. Each article, based on sound advice from many sources, helps pets, pet owners and caring individuals.   If you have a topic of interest for us to research and add to this friendly advice column, we welcome your thoughts.)

Help Stop The Littering!

      Spring and Early Summer brings littering to its peak. Litter after litter of kittens are born...most unplanned by the owners and most potentially homeless in the future. They can be found everywhere... from farmers' barns, animal shelter doorsteps, open garages, remote woods, to busy highways.

     If you have a pet, have it spayed or neutered. If you have taken in a kitten or have found a cat with kittens, take the initiative to have it spayed.  If you have a neighbor that finds their pet either on the prowl or with kittens suggest that they take the time to do make an appointment with their veterinarian.

Need further advice or help...contact Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries at

724-4077 or 724-7919.

If Dogs Were Teachers,  you would learn stuff like...

When a loved one comes home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When it's in your  best interest, practice  obedience.

Let others know  when they have invaded your territory.

Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop and lie on your back in the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water, and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy,  dance around and wag your entire body

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing. Pout, and run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

Stop when you have had enough. 

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

AND FINALLY...

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

     FOSTER HOMES...

are a simple basic way to save the lives of displaced animals until permanent homes can be found for them. Volunteer foster homes take the animal into their homes and provide loving care, good nutrition and safety. While you provide the love and safety Second Chance Sanctuaries uses its network of programs and contacts to locate a permanent home. 

WHY DO THESE ANIMALS NEED FOSTER HOMES?

The kennels or cat rooms at Second Chance are full. When space becomes available the cat, kitten, dog or puppy can return to the sanctuary.
Note: At this time we are building the fostering network...even before the kennels or cat rooms. Homeless or orphaned animals today cannot wait to be helped in the future.

HOW DO I BECOME A FOSTER HOME?

We will ask you to sign a Foster Contract. It simply says that 
the animal belongs to the Second Chance Sanctuaries,
you agree not to give it away without Second Chance's approval,
that you acknowledge that you will not be paid to foster the animal,
and that you will not obtain services for that animal without receiving permission 
from Second Chance Sanctuaries.  It also confirms that you are willing to be responsible for the care and actions of the animal while it is in your care.

INTERESTED? Joining our fostering family WILL make the difference.
Contact Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries.

The companion cookbook for "Good Bites"...our collection of healthy biscuits and special treats for dogs, is in the works. It will be called, "From Scratch." It will be packed with healthy recipes and treats for cats. Please help by sending your favorite recipes!

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 Remember that program called "Perfect Match" where you can locate the new pet that you want...or find a home for one of your pets? The program is now also at the Second Chance Web Site. Listen to a possible "Perfect Match" that is already there:

"Oliver is an orphaned orange kitty with bluegrass eyes. He is about four years old and is very intelligent and clever.  He has been neutered, has had all of his feline shots,  and tested negative for feline leukemia." He is a very affectionate cat and loves to play.  He needs a loving home. He should be placed in a home as the only cat.  We do not know his response to dogs ( and vice versa!)"

If you are interested in meeting Oliver contact Carol (Second Chance Board Member) at 570-724-7452. Carol can also help other "Perfect Match" people and pets find each other.

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