SECOND GLANCES

Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries

Quarterly Newsletter Summer 2007 Issue #22

P.O Box 293

Wellsboro, PA 16901

570-724-7919

570-724-4077

http://www.secondchanceas.org

secondchanceas@yahoo.com

Nearly six years ago, from the highlands of Pennsylvania, a small group of individuals started Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries. The group was linked by their undaunting belief that the lives of animals matter and deserve our utmost respect and consideration. Furthermore, when those lives become imperiled by some fate, we as people must intervene and help.

For six years, misplaced, lost, unwanted, ill, and needy animals were matched to families that opened their hearts and doors to help. Programs to help the elderly, and low income neighbors to care for their pets as well as programs to help pets in emergency situations, even fires, were created and still continue. Amazing though is that all of this is being done from homes, phones, Internet and meeting with caring people from Tioga and nearby counties.

The logo, which was created during those beginning years, framed the belief that centered or anchored all decisions- the welfare of each animal. The organization would be named Second Chance even though some animals that have come to us are already on their third or fourth chance and deserve every next chance we can give. The word sanctuaries replaced, even from day one, the word sanctuary because we saw that one facility or location could not effectively reach the animals and needs of our community. The more homes, families, and places available to open their doors to help, the stronger, more effective and more community based our efforts become. This belief is one of our strongest early decisions. Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries is locally based and locally linked to neighbors and neighborhoods. The more we stretch out, the more we will stay nearby to help and receive help.

Why the history lesson? Because the sun above our mission has started to glow. It's glowing because one of the key elements missing from our ultimate goal of providing homes for pets has been a home where young or unwanted pets can start anew. From there they can grow, rest, renew their health and outlooks, trust humans again, and finally meet individuals and families willing to take them to their homes and give them the personal care and love they deserve.

In short, we are in the process of surveying a ten-acre property in Tioga County. This property is the kind and thoughtful donation to Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries from a neighbor whose passion for her cats and animals, and concern for their plights and continued needs, guided her to approach us and make this proposal. So heartfelt is her decision that the site, with its magnolia tree and large weeping willow, is the same site that once held her home and her childhood memories. In the future it will hold even more fond memories as the place where cats can get a fresh start, find good times to wash away unpleasant memories, and meet other people who care and may even take them home.

In this issue we cannot yet share the details, even though we are bursting with excitement and anxieties, but in the near future we soon will! We do know that we need your support, contributions, input, expertise and, in the nearby future, even your time and hands. ( For those of you who have said that you would love to come and sit with cats and kittens, befriend them and help in their care....we are not ready yet but we are thinking of you. For those of you who have said that you would like to help with the creation of a part of a facility...we're closer to needing your contributions....but we are not there either) We do know that soon we will be breaking into a project that will bring to the northern tier of Pennsylvania a facility with concepts that will make real differences in the lives of the animals you have told us you care for. We do know that it will be a place to be proud of. We do know that it will match the expectations and dreams of the lady who unselfishly made the donation from her heart. The times are coming! We are excited! We would love to have you join us as we enjoy the glow ( and toils) of making this dream happen. It is for the animals and for our Tioga County.

It's hard to believe July 4th has come and gone and summer is into its second month of the season! This summer has been a summer out of the ordinary for our rescue efforts. We are currently in the midst of a record-setting number of calls on abandoned kittens, stray cats and the occasional stray dog. Our success rate of adoptions has, however, remained positive and our GrandPaws program and humane education program for children continues to thrive. Tracy Timmons, owner of Mountain View Kennels, continues to be a Godsend in her housing "last chance" dogs for us. And, of course, our foster homes are invaluable.

With summer, there has been really great news, and some very bad news. Our prayers have been answered with a donation of land on which to build a shelter for cats from a woman in Tioga County. We are so excited and look forward to seeking funding to break ground. However, on the tail end of the donation of land has come devastating news: our local PSPCA is going to close its doors within the next 6-12 months. It breaks our hearts to hear that a facility that we have networked with throughout the past six years since our inception is going to relocate to another county, thus hampering our common mission of providing homes for as many cats and dogs as possible. We wish the PSPCA good luck in their future endeavors, and find ourselves faced with a rather urgent calling. More than ever before we are going to be depending on our members and believers for assistance, guidance, support and faith in our mission to make this a reality.

We will be holding a public forum in Wellsboro at a later date, most likely in August or September. At that time we will provide our plans for the cat facility, the steps we have already taken and the steps we are facing in the future. I hope many of our members and supporters will be able to attend as we develop a plan for the future of the animals in our county.

If you would be so kind as to email us your current email address so that when the time approaches for our public gathering we may inform you as to the location, date, etc. We can also send you updates on our progress. We are also open to any and all suggestions to assist us...ideas, volunteering expertise in any capacity, experiences to share, etc. Please feel free to email anything of that nature as well. Lastly, we are actively seeking members to add to our board. If you are interested or know someone to suggest, please email us! secondchanceas@yahoo.com

So far this summer, the cat colony has been fairly dormant. We have not trapped a large number to be spayed/neutered, and no new kitties have been born due to previous spays we have provided for. In light of that, we thought a few tidbits about dangers to feral cats may be in order. Here are Kasey's thoughts....

I always imagine that summer must be a welcome season for feral cats ... nights filled with hunting adventures, lazy summer days, sleeping in the shade a couple of times a day, waking from their nap, stretching and slowly meandering over to the food dish for a little nibble and a cool drink, only to return to the peaceful slumber under the shade tree….

However, there are a few dangers that feral cats face during the summer. During this time of year, many feral cats face the danger of hay cutting season. Many of these cats live in old barns that are near fields that are cut for hay. Often when the cats are frightened by loud noises they will run into the grass to hide. They will crouch down, hoping that whatever it is that is making that noise will not see them and leave them alone. Unfortunately, the farmer and his tractor do not often see the cat hidden in the grass….

Another danger again relates to the farmer’s fields. The cats will often hunt in the high grass or growing cornfield, which usually grow close to the roads. Just like other animals such as the whitetail deer, they will often dart out into the road in front of your car, leaving little or no time for you to respond. Both of these dangers are difficult to prevent, but if drivers and farmers stay alert and use caution in areas that are the homes of these cats, many accidents can be avoided.

Here, from A to Z, is a list of qualities that make cats so darn loveable (and sometirnes, A trifle ornery!)

DEVILISH. You can count on cats to upset your plants, steal food from your plate and slip out the door when you turn your head.

JUMPY. The right sound can send your feline scurrying across the house in a flash.

MISCHIEVOIUS. You can be sure your missing cat won't come out of hiding till you stop looking.

OBSTINATE. It's difficult to train a cat to do anything but come when dinner's served.

A new business opened its doors in the spring in Wellsboro. It is the Artisan's Shoppe and is a true delight! Wendy Reber, owner of this gallery, showcases the best, most creative art works from 60 artisans in 31 mediums from our region. She also LOVES animals, and has networked with us to support our mission. Wendy sells "Sweet Home Biscuits" for your favorite canine, homemade by master baker D.L. McGann, and all proceeds benefit Second Chance. Stop in to see the treasures at the Artisan's Shoppe on Crafton Street in Wellsboro and say a big thank you to Wendy!

· Ever tried to outrun a dog? The average dog can run as fast as 19 miles per hour. That’s about a 3.15 minute mile! The fastest human mile ran ever was a 3.43 minute mile. Better to climb a tree as you*re not likely to win that race!

· Know a cuddly cat that likes people? No matter their name, it’s a good bet that it’s easier to say than “ailurophile” which is the name for a person who likes cats.

· If the dog is a man’s best friend, then Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan had the most best friends to date. Kublai Khan is on record as owning 5000 mastiffs!

· Cats' brains are more similar to the human brain than they are to dogs. In fact, cats and humans have identical regions in the brain responsible for emotion.

· Louis Doberman, a German tax collector, created the Doberman dog breed in the 1860’s to protect himself while he worked.

· Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not colorblind but can, in fact, see color. However, their color scheme is not as vivid as ours and can be likened to our vision at twilight.

· It's sad but true; 52% of pet owners report that their pets get more exercise than they do!

2. Why do you take me for a walk, then not let me check stuff out? Exactly whose walk is this anyway?

3. Why do we do any trick that involves balancing food on my nose? Stop it! It embarrasses me.

4. Why do I get a haircut that involves bows or ribbons? That's why I chew your stuff up when you're not home.

5. The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. You fooled a dog!Woooo-Hooooooo! Oh, what a proud moment for you the top of the food chain.

6. You take me to the vet for "the big snip", then act surprised when I freak out every time we go back!

7. You get upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests. Sorry, but I haven't quite mastered that handshake thing yet.

9. Why do you act disgusted when I lick myself? Look, we both know the truth, you're just jealous.

Now lay off me on some of these things, We both know who's boss here. (You don't see me picking up stuff you leave along the sidewalk, do you?).