There are other moms, though, who don't have a very happy life. These are the four-footed moms who have litter after litter after litter, starting about this time of year.

Even with all the adoption and intensive spaying and neutering that's been taking place throughout the country over the years, animals still turn up abandoned, many of them pregnant or with kittens or puppies in tow.

We get calls all the time from people who no longer want their animals or from people who have found these no-longer-wanted cats and dogs. The shelters are overflowing with them. Most of them don't make it out alive. There simply are too many and not enough homes for them all.

It really does make you wonder: when are people going to get a clue?

There are kittens everywhere you look. If they are lucky, they will end up in good homes. If they are unlucky, they will end up with people who do not get them altered, then throw them away. In fact, people often keep the offspring and "get rid of" the parent. Or, they will let them have lots of litters first, before they abandon them.

This is not a happy topic, but it is one that humane groups must deal with all the time. Many animals aren't placed these days unless they are spayed or neutered, which is good news. But many are still being placed unspayed and unneutered, which just keeps the problem going.

Please SPAY & NEUTER! If you can't afford it, we'll pay for it. If you know people who have unaltered animals, please call us so we can help them.

PLEASE -- so much heartache, especially for the poor animals, could be stopped so easily.

PLEASE.

PALs For Adoption

These are some of the cats we have available for adoption. They are spayed, neutered, vaccinated, tested for diseases and wormed.

They have wonderful personalities -- trusting, loving, happy, and are looking to be adopted by caring, loving people. They are 10 weeks old.

Breed Discrimination

The Humane Society of the United States would like to hear from California residents who have been denied homeowner's or renter's insurance, who have had their policies canceled, who have experienced increases in rates, or have been forced to give up their dogs because they own a specific breed.

The HSUS and other animal protection organizations are planning to propose legislation in California that would prohibit insurance companies from making decisions on coverage based on the breed of someone's dog.

HSUS West Coast Regional Office, P. O. Box 417220, Sacramento, CA 95841-7220; 916-344-1710; Fax: 916-344-1808; www.hsus.org/wcro; wcro@hsus.org.

A Bitter Taste - It's the Law

Pets and children have become sick and died after ingesting sweet-tasting automotive anti-freeze. California law now requires manufacturers to add a
bittering agent to their product. A similar law has been proposed in Nevada to safeguard children, pets and wildlife.

Abuse of Pets and Humans

In 2002 the California legislature made it mandatory for animal control agencies to report suspected abuse cases of elderly or dependent adults. County child and adult protective service agencies are also required to report cases of suspected animal abuse. Studies have shown that abuse of a pet may indicate abuse of children or elder adults, or vice versa.

A representative from the Pet Adoption League recently attended a forum offered in Nevada County about making life safer for elders, dependents and their pets. The time was very well spent.

To find out about the next seminar, contact Sara Stillwell at Sara.Stillwell@ocjp.ca.gov or 916-327-5674.

Training Video to Fight Abuse

A new training video, "Animal Abuse: Why Cops Can, and Need to Stop It" is available to law enforcement officers who want to learn more about investigating cruelty cases.

Produced by In the Line of Duty, the video shows the clear connection between animal abuse and violence toward human beings. Animal cruelty is a felony in most states and officers are required to enforce the laws. By doing so, they help people as well as animals.

Videos (or CD-ROMS) are available for $95 from www.lineofduty.com or by calling 800-462-5232.

$$ Pet-Friendly Investing $$

It is easy to invest in companies that your pets would be proud to own. Visit the Social Investment Forum (www.socialinvest.org) for a list of mutual funds that select companies sensitive to animal issues and screen out those that harm animals.

Too Many Vaccinations

Ann N. Martin, a leading authority on commercial pet foods and related animal-health concerns has spent her career taking on the pet-health establishment. She is the author of Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food and Protect Your Pet: More Shocking Facts.

In a recent article in Better Nutrition, she talks about vaccination decisions.

She says that research in recent years indicates that there is no scientific evidence to support the need for annual vaccinations. She quotes veterinarian R. Schultz, PhD, a professor at the Veterinary College at the University of Wisconsin as saying, "Annual vaccinations, a practice started many years ago, lack scientific validity or verification." Not only are they unnecessary, they can be dangerous, leading to conditions such as cancerous tumors at the injection site, skin problems, bladder or ear infections, lupus and other autoimmune diseases, even cancer.

While many veterinarians and veterinary schools no longer recommend yearly vaccinations, some vets still push them. Why? Martin says it's the money. A vaccine costs about 79 cents. Vets charge $16 to $20 to give this dose along with the cost of the office visit. "It's been estimated that veterinarians charge $36 million a year for vaccinations that aren't necessary," says Spring,

Texas-based Bob Rogers, DVM, who has also started legal action in Texas against this practice.
Susan Wynn, DVM, suggests doing a titer test (a special blood test) to check antibody levels.
Many veterinarians are vaccinating every three years and only for necessary vaccinations. Some are vaccinating even less because they feel that early vaccinations provide life-long immunity to the pet.

Martin gives this advice:

• Never vaccinate a puppy or kitten under eight weeks of age.
• Never vaccinate a pet that's ill, taking medication or is malnourished. Also, don't allow your pets to be vaccinated if they're at the vet's office for any type of surgery.
• Avoid combination vaccines. Given one at a time, spaced over six to eight weeks, vaccinations are less likely to cause side effects.

To see the complete article, call us (530-273-7958) and we'll send it to you,
or go to www.betternutrition.com.

Vaccination Health Risks

Nationally and internationally, companion animals are being over-vaccinated -- a practice that is resulting in vaccine related deaths, severe illnesses,
reduced longevity and large monetary costs to pet guardians.

A study of more than 1,000 cats and 1,000 dogs in the United Kingdom by Canine Health Concern showed a one in ten risk of adverse reactions from
vaccines.

Source: www.next2kin.org

Animal Dream
by Amanda Larsen

I dream of a good future for the animal shelter

I dream dogs and cats would have lives that aren't helter skelter

I dream that no one would fall into an endless sleep

I dream dogs and cats would have good homes and not weep

I dream dogs would have a bigger kennel to run in

I dream cats would be loved by their family and not turned in

I dream dogs will be like people and get pampered like a star

I dream of the day when cats would not be behind the shelter's metal bars

I dream dogs and cats will be praised with almighty attention and not abuse

I dream of a good future for the animal shelter

Amanda is a student at Seven Hills School and volunteers at the Nevada County Animal Shelter.

Shelter Needs Help

The Nevada County Animal Shelter on McCourtney Road, just before the landfill, has made amazing inroads over the last few years due to the very
dedicated volunteers who help the animals there find homes, who make the animals as comfortable as possible while they wait for homes, who pay much of the necessary medical bills themselves, and, in general, make the environment as positive as possible.

There are many ways you can help -- even for just a couple of hours a week. Consider cuddling cats or walking dogs. After being in pens and cages 24 hours a day, how nice to have someone take you for a walk or hold you for a while.

Or, you can help by answering phones, doing a little computer work, transporting a pet to the vet, assisting with adoptions, taking laundry home, or doing general clean up. When puppies reside at the shelter, bathing them is a fun thing to do. Fostering a cat or dog is also a big help to the shelter.

There are many ways to help. If you absolutely cannot volunteer, ask what items they can use or donate to the shelter fund.

Please call Cheryl Wicks, the volunteer coordinator, at 272-8833 to see how you can help brighten the lives of these animals.

If you'd like to go to the shelter, please call ahead for their hours: 273-2179. The hours have been severally cut back and change constantly.

To find out more about volunteer opportunities, go to www.newdawndogrescue.org or to see the animals available for adoption at the shelter, visit www.newdawnrescue.petfinder.org.

Help the Adoption Center

The first volunteer coordinator at the Nevada County Shelter was Teresa Bryerton, who has gone on to start the first animal adoption center in Grass Valley: Friends of Nevada County Animals.

There are many ways you can help these animals. Once you're done cleaning and feeding, the fun begins: playing with all the animals, taking them for
walks, brushing them, helping with adoptions, transporting pets to the vet, and more.

Even if you can't help, go by and see the great time the people and animals are having at Friends. The Adoption Center is located at 10147 Joerschke Drive in Grass Valley, in the same building as Reed's Locksmithing, across from Weiss
Brothers Nursery.

Hours: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Thursday and Friday; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. You can call the center at 477-8700, but we're told that it's best to go by and check out the operation to see all the ways you can help out.

If you can't help, consider donating money or needed items. Please check with the center to see what is needed.

To learn more about Friends or to see the animals they have available for adoption, go to http://fonca.nccn.net.

A Happy Ending

Remember Hokget, the little terrier mix who was stranded aboard the fuel tanker Insiko off the coast of Hawaii? The people were rescued but he was left behind.

The Hawaii Humane Society launched a rescue effort but couldn't find the drifting tanker. When the Coast Guard spotted it, the crew boarded the boat and found Hokget inside a tire, growling and shivering. He had been holding on for 24 days.
Hokget, a Taiwanese word for "good fortune," now lives with a friend of the Insiko's captain in Hawaii.

 

Animals and people need to understand each other. And, quite honestly, it's the people who need the education. Ed Sayres, San Francisco SPCA

Or Help PAL

The Pet Adoption League always needs volunteers, too. You can help by fostering, transporting pets to the vet, feeding feral cats or helping with the
trapping and/or recuperation, mailings, phone calls, delivering pet food to seniors, and/or special projects as they come up.

Check out all the places who need volunteer help and go with the one you like.

Cloning Update

A year after the birth of cc (Carbon copy), the cloned kitten, it's clear she's nothing like Rainbow, from whom she was cloned.

Despite identical genetic makeup, the two not only look different -- Rainbow is a chunky calico and cc is a sleek gray and white cat -- they also have very
different personalities. Rainbow is reserved, while cc is outgoing and playful.

People who expect to clone their pets will be disappointed. They will not be getting the same pet.
As yet, they have not been able to clone a dog.

Source: "Animaline." To subscribe, write to Animal Welfare Assn., Inc., P. O. Box 410120, San Francisco, CA 94141 or call 415-771-1649. Annual membership, which includes the newsletter, is $15.

I Adopted Your Cat Today

I adopted your cat today.
The one you left at the pound.
The one you had for ten years
And no longer wanted around.

I adopted your cat today.
Do you know he's lost weight?
Do you know he's scared and depressed
And has lost all faith?

I adopted your cat today.
He had fleas and a cold,
But don't worry
You've unburdened your load.

I adopted your cat today.
Were you having a baby or moving away?
Did you suddenly develop allergies
Or was there no reason he couldn't stay?

I adopted your cat today.
He doesn't play or eat much.
He's very depressed,
But he will learn again to trust.

I adopted your cat today
And here he will stay.
He's found his forever home
And a warm bed to lay.

I adopted your cat today
And I will give him all that he could need.
Patience, love, security, and understanding.
Hopefully he will forget your selfish deed.

copyright Shell 2001 www.theanimalspirit.com
Reprinted with permission.
theanimalspirit@hotmail.com 

PAL Librarian Recommends

Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy by Matthew Scully is about the many ways humans (mis)treat animals and is an inspiration to change. The author, a speechwriter for George W. Bush, implores us to be merciful, especially since the animals cannot ask for mercy themselves. He covers the horrors of hunting, whaling, factory farming, to name a few topics. He wonders how we can allow creatures to endure so much pain at our hands. He suggests that it stems from "our own boundless capacity for self-delusion, especially where there is money involved." Scully ponders historical, religious and philosophical considerations in his examination of the very essence of our humanity. He believes our society has distorted the biblical concept of dominion to excuse abuse and exploitation. He goes on to say that many of us mean well, but we don't recognize or examine our feelings, much less what drives our ethics. For those who don't know about the torture that animals experience every day, this will be an eye-opener, and will hopefully help change some of the things we accept as "normal."

Thanks, Subaru!

The cover story in the Winter 2003 issue of Drive, the magazine for Subaru owners, featured the plight of homeless animals. "Pets: The Shadow Population" is a four-page article reprinted from The Pet Surplus: What Every Dog and Cat Owner Can Do to Help Reduce It by Susan M. Seidman.

The book and article stress that getting a pet from an animal shelter is the best way to get a pet and be a good citizen at the same time. "Every deliberately bred animal that moves into a home preempts a place needed by a deserving orphan that may not otherwise survive," Seidman writes.

If you would like to read the entire article, we would be happy to mail it to you. Just call us at 530-273-7958 or email us at palmailbox@yahoo.com. Or, get the book at your favorite bookstore.

In Memory of . . . 

Romeow, from Karen & everyone at the Bookseller
Romeow, from Glenn & Merridy Cross
Romeow -- "To honor the memory and life of Romeow.
What a good cat!", from Ridge, Karen, & Sabrina Eagan
Tai Foon Avery, from Helen Avery
"With warm memories of our sweet Farley,"
from Margie & Dave Ballenger
Tessa Becker, from Avis Becker
Teenie Berl, from Diane & Lou Berl
Princess Brasher, from Suzie Brasher
Streaker Cross, from Glenn & Merridy Cross
Honey, Sassy, Juno, and Misty Egger, from Diane Egger
Jake Fairman, from Mike & Chris Fairman
George Forbes, from Cynthia Forbes
Marion G. Fox, from Arvona Greene
Amos & Charles Graydon, from Shirley Slavonic
Toni Green, from Pat Grace
Wilbury Lake, from Paul & Vicki Lake
Charlie Lewis, from Marsha Lewis
Bubba & Lucky Licari, from Barbara Licari
Marion McGuire, from Frances McCurry and from
Mimi & Kissi McGuire, "for all the love and care."
Allen J. Peterson, from Marilyn Peterson
Shanti Rabe, from Ursula Rabe
Mary Raglin, "Who loved all animals,"    
from Tora, Crystal, and Melody Raglin
Caesar & Red Rosen, "You both fought the good fight
and we miss you," from Hy & Bernice Rosen
Sydney Smith, from Lynette Smith-James
Derra Stewart, from Charmaine Emerald
Patrick Straka, from Pat Grace
Sarah Wagner, from Betty Melbourne
Harry Wilkinson, from Isabell Thomas
Kevin Wiser, from Pamela Easter
Kevin Wiser, from Charmaine Emerald
Kevin Wiser, our wonderful and gifted writer. A great loss
to our community. Come in the spirit and visit us,
Kevin! from Emma Gerhart
Kevin Wiser, from Tina Ludutsky-Taylor
Kevin Wiser, from Marilyn Richards
Kevin Wiser, from Cathy Thompson
Kevin Wiser, from Kerana Todorov
Kevin Wiser, from Cheryl Vandrimmelen
Kevin Wiser, from the Union Staff
Kevin Wiser, from the Pet Adoption League

In Honor of . . .

"In honor of all my precious animals," from Patty Irish
Darby Ash, from Norma Ash
Joyce Haire, "Happy Mother's Day!"  from Jennifer & Jeff Alvarez
Skippy Hanzlik, from Brad Hanzlik
Jeanne Ingram, "Happy Birthday!"  from Roy & Teresa Jennings
Shirley Nibbelin, "Happy Birthday!" from Joyce Haire

Success Stories

Back by popular demand --  some of the placements PAL has made over the years.

When the Berls moved to Vallejo, they took their cats with them. Sadly, many of our calls are from people who are moving and no longer want their animals.

Diane and Lou couldn't imagine leaving them
behind! We wish more people were like the Berls, who keep their pets no matter what.

Our animals depend on us to love and care for them for their lifetimes, making them true members of the family, not deserting them when they are no
longer wanted.

Thank you, Diane and Lou, for making these cats so happy!

Like so many cats and dogs, Lady ended up at the shelter. We put her in a foster home as soon as we had an opening.

She was adopted by Landon and Gina Chase of Granite Bay. Much loved, this exceptional dog lives a happy life with people who would never consider taking her to a shelter or pound!

Lady (a popular name for a dog) was adopted from PAL by Joyce Wells of Grass Valley three years ago. When we spoke to Lady's guardian, she said she loved Lady "tremendously" and everything was going very well. She even bought a T-shirt which she said spelled out their relationship: "My dog walks all over me."

Our animal friends love us so much; it's nice to hear that people who adopt them love them just as much in return.

De Kennedy of Fair Oaks adopted Pierre from PAL in January of 1995. Three months later, she decided Pierre and she needed a friend so she adopted Gigi, too.

De is another true animal lover and friend to the animals. She considers them friends as well as members of the family. The pictures we receive from De of her four-footed companions tell it all: happy cats lounging and luxuriating and clearly living the life they deserve.

Both of these cats were abandoned by their people -- that's why they ended up at PAL. But they never have to worry about that now. With De, they know they will always have a life-long home and will be treated with love and kindness for the rest of their days.

If only all animals could live such happy, carefree lives, knowing they're OK for life.

The Bradways met Isabelle and fell in love!

Shorty's lucky day came when Lois Ann Abraham saw him at an adoption event and decided he was the one for her. Hers was the perfect home for him, since Shorty preferred being an only cat and she only wanted one cat. They are both living happily with each other in Sacramento.

When Irene Martin of Nevada City took Sadie, it was only to foster her. But, as so often happens with foster pets, Irene fell in love and kept Sadie.

Sadie had had some tough times, but those days are over now that she is in a loving home.

Lucky Sadie!

When Indy's person could no longer keep him, Indy came into the PAL foster/adoption program.

Jeffrey Almori and Laurel Boyd of Colfax adopted him. It seemed like the perfect home for Indy, and Jeff and Laurel really liked Indy!

When Amelia Davis of Grass Valley called us, she said she was looking for a fun, cute cat. Smarty seemed like just the right guy for her. And, sure
enough, when they met, they knew they were meant for each other!

Another happy cat in a happy home.

Richard and Beverly Barber of Lake of the Pines wanted a sweet dog to adopt.

Daisy was looking for a kind family to adopt. They met, fell in love, and, well . . . you know the rest of the story.

The volunteer who did the follow-up visit said Daisy loved her new life!

Hiker and Missy were in PAL's care after their person left the country. We hoped we could place them together; they love each other and had been together since birth.

When Ken Ebi of Grass Valley called to adopt two great cats, we knew exactly which two would be perfect for him!

Autumn was adopted by David and Barbara Nelson of Nevada City. Autumn was part of a litter brought to the shelter; a volunteer took her and one of her sisters to foster until the ideal home came along. The Nelsons are just the right people for Autumn and she seems to be just the right dog for them. They let her be herself and say they "wouldn't know what to do without her." We're
told she loves to play ball, is sweet, loving, happy and an all around fantastic dog.
(Autumn's sister also found a super home.)

Chris and Di came to us like all animals who are no longer wanted by their people. These beautiful cats had lovely personalities to go with their gorgeous looks. Even though their people no longer wanted them, they still had each other. And they had the kind foster person who took them in until a new home was found for them.

Jeff Jorissen of Penn Valley saw them when we were in front of Longs one day and decided to adopt them both. This was good news, since Jeff's home sounded perfect and they could stay together.

So many absolutely wonderful animals die in shelters every day because someone no longer wants them. Yet they have so much to give. Won't you consider rescuing a pet, rather than buying one, when you're ready to adopt?