Dog (and cat) Days of Summer

By Shannon McLaughlin

Whether you’re curious about adopting a pet from a local shelter or would like to find out how to get more involved with protecting animals in the area, we’ve got you covered.

Gimme Shelter: Adopting From Local Rescue Groups

We’ve all heard Bob Barker’s signature sign-off on “Price is Right,” urging viewers to help control the pet population by having their pet spayed or neutered, but how many people actually heed these old words of wisdom? According to The Humane Society, every day in the United States, thousands upon thousands of puppies and kittens are born because of the uncontrolled breeding of pets. Factor in the offspring of stray and abandoned companion animals and the total becomes even more startling. Every year, between six and eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters, some three to four million of these animals are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them. By spaying or neutering your family pet, you can be an important part of the solution.

If you are looking for a special pet, be sure to visit your local pet shelter. Pets from shelters tend to be older and as such are generally house trained and well-behaved. Most of the animals from shelters have been denied the warmth that comes from a loving family, so they are more prone to form an instant bond with those that show them a little affection. Also, vet fees can be astronomical and in today’s economy, can be a massive drain of your finances.

Both animal shelters and communities have distinct but important roles in achieving the goal of becoming a no-kill nation. For the love of our animal companions, it is unacceptable in this day and age to overlook no-kill solutions for placing healthy, adoptable animals that can be rehabilitated out of harm’s way. Focus on Homeless Animals is an all volunteer not-for-profit charity based in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania that helps homeless dogs and cats by providing services to the community and animal shelters to assist with finding quality homes for these unfortunate pets. The charity’s president, Gloria Aceti, has been in animal rescue since 1999. FOHA spays and neuters dogs and cats prior to adoption; provides medical care including vaccinations; and handles rehoming responsibly, which includes animal behavior training built-in to their adoption agreements. “FOHA is always in need of volunteers—we are currently seeking a donation of one half acre to one acre of land to build an adoption center and sanctuary for homeless dogs or cats,” said Aceti. For more information on Focus on Homeless Animals, visit www.focusonhomelessanimals.org or call (267) 392-5615.

Whether you clean crates, walk dogs, stuff envelopes or assist with fundraising events, you can make a difference in the lives of animals by volunteering at local shelters or protection organizations. To learn about volunteer opportunities within your area, see our sidebar for suggestions on where to assist in the area.

Paw-Friendly Pampering

From luxury pet supplies to a spa resort for your favorite four-legged critter, these paw-friendly destinations are sure to be a treat for you and your pet.

Bow-Wow features a gourmet line of doggie pastries, cookies and treats. 102C S. Main Street, New Hope (215) 862-9871.

Be sure to stop by Braxton’s Animal Works, a 70 year old pet store that has been a neighborhood meeting place in Wayne for three generations. 620 W. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne (610) 688-0769.

Cutter’s Mill, the Natural Pet Place, offers a wide variety of natural, organic and holistic foods for your pets, plus a wide variety of “gotta have it” accessories. 43 Paoli Plaza, Paoli (610) 647-1811; County Line Road & Route 202, Chalfont (215) 997-5052.

Doggie Style, where you can go to get all the pet basics such as food and nutrition needs as well as the fanciest pet pampering accessories, will be coming soon to Montgomeryville. 9 Airport Square, North Wales (215) 362-7300.

Dogs all around town camp out at Dogma, known for its pawdicures, Prima Dogma treatment and hydrotherapy. 105 N. Aberdeen Avenue, Wayne (610) 341-3647.

Holiday House Pet Resort has been keeping pets comfortable and loved in a peaceful home-away-from-home for over 40 years. 380 Shady Retreat Road, Doylestown (215) 345-6960.

Jake and Elwood’s House of Chews is an all-natural bakery and boutique for your favorite furry friend, and they proudly support animal rescue groups. 122 S. Main Street, New Hope (215) 862-2533.

Located in New Hope, Meow Meow is the perfect location to stock up on cute cat schwag—carrying everything that you could possibly want or need for your cat. 13 N. Main Street, New Hope (215) 862-0544.

Spot’s, the Place for Paws, has tons of toys, organic treats and chews and biodegradable doggy bags for man’s (and woman’s) best friend. 854 Montgomery Avenue, Narberth (610) 668-7768.

Shannon McLaughlin, a proud owner of six cuddly critters, is Bucks & Montgomery Living Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief and a pet illustrator (www.shannonmclaughlin.net).

SIDEBAR/Q&A:

Must Love Dogs

Local photographer Melissa McDaniel takes photos of rescue dogs and deaf dogs for two photo books that she is producing in order to raise proceeds for animal rescues. We were lucky enough to dig up some more details about her experiences with pet photography and rescuing locally.

How did your idea of doing the photo book projects come about?

I have a deaf dog, Sadie, who I adopted from the Bucks County SPCA. Her mother was deaf and her owners didn’t realize that all deaf dogs should be spayed and neutered, since their puppies will most likely also be born deaf. This was the case with Sadie’s mom’s litter. All of the puppies were born deaf, except one that could hear slightly. They then relinquished all of the dogs to the SPCA. Sadie is the best dog, and despite a few differences, such as using hand signals instead of verbal commands, and keeping her on-leash when she isn’t in a fenced in or enclosed area, Sadie is a normal dog. The deaf dog photo book came about because I wanted people to see deaf dogs for what they are, very trainable, very smart, ordinary dogs who happen to be deaf. I want to educate people about what is happening, and hopefully change things in the process.

The rescue dog photo book came about through volunteering at the SPCA and through working closely with animal lovers. I kept running into people who said they would never adopt a dog from a shelter. That amazes me. They truly think that shelter dogs are there because of something they did—that the dogs were so troubled and badly behaved that their owners had to give them up. However, the number one reasons for dogs ending up in shelters is foreclosure, job loss and moving—nothing to do with the dog’s behavior at all. I want to show rescue dogs and deaf dogs as the great family pets they can be, which is why all of the dogs in the books are dogs who have found their forever home.

The books will also highlight many great shelters and rescue groups around the country and the phenomenal work they are doing. It will also be promoted by the rescues and a large percentage of the sales will go directly to them. Buyers (and those that pre-order the books) will be able to choose a rescue, from a list of participating rescues and shelters, to receive the donated portion of their sale.

Tell us about your experience traveling through U.S. and Canada to photograph shelter animals for your upcoming book, “Rescued in America.”

My travels have been nothing short of amazing. I love what I do. I travel to parts of the country I’ve never been to before, I meet great people—many who are involved directly in animal rescue—and their dogs that all have touching stories of their own. It’s so encouraging to see the great work these people and groups are doing, and hear the passion in their voices. Many are so very grateful to be involved with the books. Due to the economy, the number of job losses and foreclosures, the amount of dogs in shelters is way up, while donations are way down. These groups need our help more than ever. Meeting them motivates me to keep going and to continue with the work I’m doing because I know my work will directly help these groups, who are the ones out there doing all of the vital work, rescuing these dogs.

With animal rescue as your subject matter, what makes you stay hopeful throughout your experience?

The amazing number of people who are passionate about the work they are doing. The fact that spay and neuter programs do work in keeping numbers down. The resiliency of dogs, who no matter their background or troubles they have been dealt— such as deafness—can turn things around, live in the present and live happy grateful lives. Dogs are amazing creatures, people could learn a lot from them.

Could you tell our readers a bit about the plight of pit bulls?

Where do I start! The problem isn’t pit bulls, the problem is bad owners. Labeling the problem as the breed is extremely dangerous—it’s not addressing the problem. In the 70s it was German Shepherds and Dobermans, in the 80s and 90s it was Rottweilers, now it is pit bulls. Especially through volunteering at the SPCA I have learned how wonderful these dogs can be. They are so willing to please, very sweet and very athletic and fun dogs. Because they are depicted by the media as a naturally vicious breed, they are sought after by dog fighting rings and being overbred, sold into fighting and then abandoned if they don’t perform as they should. I believe the statistic is one-quarter of all dogs that are euthanized in shelters are pit bulls. It’s tragic what is happening to this breed, which was once depicted as the all-American dog.  As if that wasn’t enough, breed-specific legislation (BSL) is limiting the towns where these dogs can live, and causing the abandonment of these dogs. One town in Colorado noticed a 60% increase in pit bull strays after a neighboring town enforced BSL that required all owners of pit bulls to give up their dogs or move. I have seen countless great pits and pit bull mixes at the shelter and seen numerous people overlook them once they realize they are pit bulls. Just look at what has happened to the Michael Vick dogs. Those dogs are truly ambassadors for the breed. The public, and media, needs to take notice of how well these dogs, with all they have endured, have adjusted to family life.

What are some of the myths that are associated with deaf dogs? Also, could you tell us about your project, “Deaf Dogs”?

Deaf dogs are thought to be untrainable, aggressive and a poor family pet. They are put to sleep by breeders because it is believed they will perpetuate the bad genes. Deafness in dogs is often caused because breeders breed two “blue merles.” This is perfectly legal, but often results in deaf puppies. These “imperfect” puppies are then killed. In fact, many groups, including the Dalmatian Club of America, promote the culling of deaf dogs by the breeders. Deaf dogs are just as intelligent as hearing dogs, just as trainable and make fantastic pets.

Choose which shelter or rescue group receives the donated portion by pre-ordering the photo books online at www.thephotobooks.com. Pennsylvania charities include the Bucks County SPCA and the Pennsylvania SPCA.

Pet Adoption Centers & Shelters

Almost Home Dog Rescue
P.O. Box 132
Doylestown, PA 18901
www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA604.html

Animal Friends Furever
P.O. Box 301
Warminster, PA 18974
(215) 676-3318, www.aff.petfinder.com

Animal Underground
P.O. Box 341
Ambler, PA 19002
www.members.petfinder.com/~PA317/index.html

Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center
1531 Upper Stump Road
Chalfont, PA 18914
(215) 249-1938

Bensalem Animal Control Officer
2400 Byberry Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
(215) 633-3659

Brookline Labrador Retriever Rescue
P.O. Box 638
Warrington, PA 18976
(215) 343-6087, www.brooklinelabrescue.org

Bucks County Pet Care
3395 Rte 413
Buckingham, PA
(215) 794-0423

Bucks County SPCA
1665 Street Road
Lahaska, PA 18931
1665 Street Road
(215) 794-7425

Cascade Beagle Rescue
P.O. Box 393
Yardley, PA 19067
(973) 863-7220, www.cascaderescue.org

CPR for Cats and Dogs Society
P.O. Box 474
Eagleville, PA 19408
(610) 539-8001, www. petfinder.com/shelters/PA65.html

Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals
328 Upper Gulph Road
Radnor, PA 19087
(610) 688-1018

Fuzzy Paws Adoption
Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
www.fuzzypawsadoption.com

Kitty Colony
Jenkintown, PA 19046
www.kittycolony.com

Kitty Cottage Adoption Center
1536 Dekalb Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422
(215) 731-0101, www.kittycottage.org

Last Chance Ranch, Equine Rescue
9 Beck Road
Quakertown, PA 18951
(215) 538-2510, www.lastchanceranch.org

Main Line Animal Rescue
P.O. Box 89
Chester Springs, PA 19425
(610) 933-0606, www.mlar.org

Make Peace With Animals
P.O. Box 488
New Hope, PA 18938
(215) 862-0605, www.makepeacewithanimals.org

MaPaw Siberian Husky Rescue
134 W. 7th Street
Lansdale, PA 19446
(215) 997-9217, www.sibes.com

Montgomery County SPCA
19 East Ridge Pike
P.O. Box 222
Conshohocken, PA 19428

Montgomery County SPCA
1006 Edge Hill Road
Roslyn, PA 19001

Montgomery County SPCA
1059 Sweifford Road
Perkiomenville, PA18074

Nick of Time
1060 Almshouse Road
Warrington, PA 18976
www.petfinder.com/shelters/nickoftime.html

Pets N Need of Bucks County
327 Valley Forge Court
Warminster, PA 18974
(215) 980-4060, www.geocities.com/petsnneed

Philly Dog Rescue
11 E. Spring Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003
(610) 642-4785

The Rabbit Habit
638 Roberts Avenue
Glenside, PA 19038
(215) 517-7067

Save the Cats
P.O. Box 251
Yardley, PA 19067
(215) 493-1158, www.savethecatsinc.com

Spay & Save
P.O. Box 122
Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
(610) 279-9714, www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA05.html

Stray Cat Blues
P.O. Box 8
Colmar, PA 18915
(215) 631-1851, www.petfinder.com/shelters/straycatblues.html

Tales of the Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue
P.O. Box 612
Colmar, PA 18915
(215) 412-0270, www.siberescue.com

Women’s Humane Society
3839 Richlieu Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
(215) 750-3100, www.whspets.rescuegroups.org