SECOND Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries Wellsboro, PA

GLANCES Spring 2004 Issue 9

Who Let The Dogs Out???

Although the song is getting older, this annual rite-of Spring is already off and onto the sidewalks, lakesides, hillsides and meadows. Kids, couples, moms and strollers, retirees, and friends...everyone seems to be grabbing a leash, clipping on their favorite pooch and anchoring their feet because that pooch is already out the door.

We should be very thankful dogs let us tag along and do this "chore" with them. We become reacquainted with nature, neighbors and changes in the neighborhood. We can find "near-solitude", fetch-and-retrieve exercise, or time for chatting with a child or sweetheart. Whichever we chose our canine friend won't mind. Sticks, trees, scents and scenes, even stones or old wrappers have already drawn their attention away from us.

A few precautions are needed. Beware of humans walking and using cell phones, they are distracted more than cell-phone wielding drivers. You can recognize them by the tip of their head and stumbling actions caused by not observing the path before them. They may appear very startled when your dog sniffs them. Also be alert for oncoming squirrels. They hide in ambush behind tree trunks ready to dart out in front of your unexpecting canine friend. You will recognize the startling attack when your arm suddenly attempts to remove itself from its socket.

Your return home will be noticed by everyone. That unforgettable smile will signal to every jealous admirer, "I let the dog out!"

Oh...you don't have a dog to use this excuse for getting out... Contact Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries, a dog rescue group, or the SPCA. Some groups will even lend you a dog!

Warm Hearts Melting Away The Chills

The long, chilling days of winter have definitely taken their toll on all of us. And, when the weather occasionally breaks into sunshine and warm temperatures as it has recently, it always reminds me that yes, this too shall pass, and spring will be upon us before we know it. This past winter has indeed been a very chilling one, and as we anticipate the emerging crocuses, I can't help but think about the unfortunate animals out there without a home, surviving as well as they can. We have tried to assist whenever we can. We are assisting one of our members who is currently maintaining a feral cat colony of approximately 30 cats and kittens. They are a mixture of cats dropped off, those who have wandered into the colony, as well as offspring of those that are there. She has managed to trap and continues to trap a good number of them. With the assistance of the SPCA and Dr. Kreger, she has seen to it that they are tested for disease and spayed/neutered. Once this is done, they are re-released into the colony to rejoin their peers. She also feeds and waters them regularly. Second Chance is providing food for this colony and we welcome any donations of dry/canned cat food with open arms! Our hats are off to this young woman, as well as to countless others who incorporate animal kindness into their daily lives.

We continue to receive calls nearly daily from those who need to find a home for a furry friend, and also calls from those who would like to help in any way. We have placed several purebred dogs into certified rescue groups as well as found permanent homes for others. These success stories are the fuel that keeps us going, as well as the phone calls and offers of support from our members and others.

The Charlotte Lappla Elementary School in Wellsboro has been very supportive of our program. During the holidays the children brought in cat and dog food to help in our efforts. When I first brought the food home, I thought, "What are we ever going to do with all of this?" Needless to say, there are only a few cans of dog and cat food left. The food was given to limited income pet owners, the feral cat colony, as well as to those who adopted animals from us. This food was invaluable! Thanks, kids!

The kindergarten at Charlotte Lappla is selling kindergarten-made original books very soon. All proceeds from the sale of these books will be donated to our sanctuary. I visited these classes recently and discussed with them what a pet needs and chatted about animal compassion. I heard some very interesting and revitalizing stories! It is so refreshing to see children becoming involved in the welfare of animals. They are the future of animal compassion.

As we approach the springtime, we will be confronted with an abundance of calls from people with kitten and puppy litters. Please contact us if you know of anyone who is interested in adopting a kitten or puppy. Or, if you are interested in fostering an animal that needs a home, please get in touch with us through our Email or phone. Our website has photos of just a few of the animals looking for a home. There are many, many more.

Sue Cook
Second Chance President

P.S. If you do have any cat food you would be willing to donate to the colony, please contact us at: (570) 724-7919.

New and Use(d)ful from Second Chance!

	We will be holding our annual gas card raffle through April into June. Raffle tickets are $1 apiece, or 10 for $5. The prize is a card worth $100 for gas.
	The recyclable cartridge program is in full swing! Please let us know if you have any inkjet/laser cartridges. They are worth money to us, which translates to money to help the animals. Call 724-7919 for information
	Our monthly Paw Prints articles continue to be published in the Wellsboro Gazette monthly. These are timely advice columns on pet care. Keep an eye open for them!
	Grandpaws Cans are out in area businesses. Your extra coins really do help the beloved pets of elderly members of our community.

We continue to make our homemade pet biscuits, which are made from purely wholesome ingredients. Our thanks to Nature's Valley Natural Food Store in Wellsboro for supporting us by offering our biscuits for sale to customers.
(Our best-selling biscuit cookbooks are still available for sale as well! Check our website or ask a board member for one.)

To Each An End That Begins With Happy

...then there is the story of a forelorn dog, whom we will name 'Buddy', whose owner met an early unexpected death. 'Buddy' is a somewhat aging mix, and was destined to go to the local PSPCA later that week because nobody in the family had a place for him in their homes. We placed him on the website and made numerous calls to people who are looking for a new furry friend to adopt. However, 'Buddy' was either too old or too big for their tastes. One single call to an older couple who had offered to be temporary foster parents for us solved the problem! They took 'Buddy' into their home, and after a few days...well, you know the rest of the story. Now 'Buddy' has a new home with an older couple who love him very much!

Prospective pet owners often do not realize that rescue groups exist throughout the nation. If you are looking for a certain breed of cat or dog and you have been unable to locate that particular breed, there most likely exists a rescue group where you can adopt an animal in need of a good home. We have dealt with several rescue groups over the past months and they are organized, caring people who want the animals in their care to find a nurturing, safe home. Contact us for help on locating that special breed We have an extensive list of various dog breed rescue groups within 200 miles of Wellsboro. Searching on the Internet can also locate a particular rescue group.

The sites below are also especially helpful:

www.1800saveapet.com and www.pets911.com

	We wish to thank Rockwell's Feed, Farm & Pet Supply for sponsoring this newsletter.

Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries Adoptables :

Buck and Sweetpea really need a home.  Both are very nice and just need the love and attention you can give