February Newsletter

February's Fabulous Feline

SKINNY MINNIE has been at the shelter far longer than she deserves! One of the first cats photographed back in June 2010, the reason for her name was clear - she was practically transparant! She was also quite the talker, demanding attention!




Minnie is not quite as Skinny now - only thin as a rail ;) (She's not anorexic, she's just born that way!). And she's not nearly as chatty. But she is still as wanting and deserving of attention! She is a sweetheart who is careful with her claws and does well with the other cats. Its time for her home!

Sound like the cat for you? Call (256)236-1581, email ashelter@bellsouth.net, or visit 1201 Parkwood Drive.

Not the right cat for you? Never fear, we have MANY more. Please visit the shelter or Oxford Exchange PetSmart to find the right cat for you.

Caught on Film!


Crisp weather doesn't mean hiding indoors for dogs - it means playtime! Check out these videos of our young dogs having a good time!

The unbearably cute trio in kennel 30:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoGhBZ9znvQ&feature=player_




Don't just watch me - adopt me!

Big snuggly baby in kennel 12 knows what a toy is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFxntrqkkqg&feature=player_embedded


Don't just watch me - adopt me!







This lab in kennel 14 knows what to do - no surprise there!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWqtJIfgV20&feature=player_embedded


Don't just watch me - adopt me!







It's not just the puppies having fun - this young goof knows what to do, too!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGI6Pf-WzQI&feature=player_embedded




Don't just watch me - adopt me!

Mark Your Calendar

FEB 2 - SAVE spay/neuter transport  learn more
FEB 5 - Adoptable dogs at Oxford Exchange PetSmart!!
FEB 14 - Valentine's Day - give your pets some extra love - but no chocolate!
FEB 16 - SAVE spay/neuter transport  learn more

FEB 22 - SpayDay USA - make sure your pets are responsible citizens and are safe from reproductive cancers

Thinking of adopting a new love for your Valentine? PLEASE remember that a pet's love lasts a lifetime - 10-15+ years for a dog, 15-20+ years for a cat. Give the gift of a trip to the shelter together to chose a pet you can love for that lifetime.

 1 Way 2 Help: Got Linens?

Everybody likes to snuggle up in something soft! Many places like Goodwill won't take old linens, but we sure will! We can be creative, too. Sheets, pillow cases, towels, wash cloths, place mats, baby blankets, small throw rugs and toilet seat covers, etc. ~ anything cloth that can be laid flat in a kennel to make comfortable bedding! These goods lead a hard, short life with frequent washings in hot water and bleach, and of course sometimes the pups are just in the mood to chew and tear. So we can always use more!

Newspaper is also always in demand! You don't have to think big or spend much to provide our pets with some love and comfort.

The Animal Shelter
1201 Parkwood Drive * Anniston AL 36201 * (256) 236-1581 * ashelter@bellsouth.net
M,T, Th, F: 10-4 Sat 12-3 (closed Wed, Sun)
http://www.theanimalshelter.net/
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We rely on donations and volunteers. Please help!

January Anniversary Dogs

These fantastic dogs are facing their anniversary at the shelter this month. What do they want as an anniversary gift? A HOME! Please help - please SHARE:


1st ANNIVERSARY

Seriously? TRAPPER is surely FAR too cute to be waiting for a year, you might think. But he has been!

Trapper is like a portable German Shepherd - in the 30# range. He is a calm dog...unless you invite him to "get silly" with you. Then the adorable burst of cute you see to your left will come out! He is an adorable tease of a guy. Does well with most other dogs, and we can't imagine mannerly kids would be a problem. Bring the family out to meet TRAPPER!

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16225600

It's BEAGLE!!! Yup, Beagle is just that exciting! You might think all beagles are a bit stubborn, and much more interested in sniffing the planet than being your best buddy. Not our Beagle!

Beagle LOVES to play. She plays with toys. She plays with dogs. She plays with you. She plays just to play! Look at that silly smile she's wearing - that's Beagle plotting to play! She is also fantastic with hugs and little kisses. Beagle is the best kept secret at the shelter. Come and get her!

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16225622


2nd ANNIVERSARY

"Unbelievable" is the only word to describe PEANUT facing his 2-year anniversary at the shelter.

Peanut is the kind of guy who would do well anywhere. He's laid back, he's adaptable, he doesn't cause trouble. He'll play a bit, but mostly he'll just be there for you. He gets along with other dogs just great! Having been in a shelter so long, he'll need an adjustment period. But he's worth that! He's a perfect house-dog size in the 30# range. What are you waiting for?

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/15640972




3rd ANNIVERSARY

Just in case you were wondering - no, you didn't read it wrong. TYKE came to the shelter in January 2008. As the generic "big brown dog," Tyke has been overlooked month after month, year after year.

At this point, Tyke is gonna need somebody as super special as he is. He can be a skeptic with unfamiliar people. It has been a while since he has been out in the "real world." Tyke's gonna need love. He's gonna need time. But guess what? You'll be rewarded! When Tyke knows you, and trusts you, and loves you, you get to meet the big goofball silly puppy he is on the inside. Got love? Get Tyke!

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/15640951


The Animal Shelter
1201 Parkwood Drive * Anniston AL 36201 * (256) 236-1581 * ashelter@bellsouth.net
M,T, Th, F:  10-4  Sat 12-3 (closed Wed, Sun)
http://www.theanimalshelter.net/

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Anniston, AL. We rely on donations and volunteers. Please help!

Helping Neighbors, Helping Pets

It is New Year's Resolution time!

Part II

There are so many ways you can take just one action to make life better for animals this new year, that this week's blog is a Part II!

Here are some ideas for helping animals in your own community. Keeping pets in their own safe and loving homes is the best option of them all!

• Offer to drive an elderly or limited-mobility neighbor's pet to veterinary appointments.
• Offer to walk the dog for an eldery or limited-mobility neighbor (this is a good community service project for a responsible teen).
• Sponsor a spay/neuter for a low-income person and offer to bring the pet to the transport (S.A.V.E.) .
• Donate a bag of pet food to someone in need. People who won't accept "hand outs" for themselves may still accept help for their animals.
• Provide clean, fresh straw or hay for an outdoor dog's house.
• Do you know of a dog on a chain? Offer to help put up a trolley, kennel, or fence. (Tips)

And one last thing you can do to improve the life of your own dog:

• Play with and train your dog! So many dogs are abandoned due to "behavior issues" that would never have developed if they had been exercised adequately and trained at the appropriate age. It is NEVER too late to train your dog to be a Canine Good Citizen. Then you can enjoy a lifetime together in peace and harmony. Our wonderful friends at The Four Paws offer very affordable training, check it out!

"Be the change you want to see in the world." ~ Mahatma Gandhi



LIZ sez "Exercise is awesome!"
LIZ is available for adoption:

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16998490

The Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Anniston, AL. We rely on donations and volunteers. Please visit http://theanimalshelter.net/ to help!

Act Locally

Now is the time of year when national organizations flood mailboxes and inboxes with requests for year-end gifts. But are you aware that those big lobby groups do not provide any financial help to local shelters like The Animal Shelter?

PATTI is available for adoption:
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/15640958

When times are tight and donations are down, it is small local organizations like ours that suffer the most. Unlike the big guys, we don't have a large bank account to fall back on. The Animal Shelter relies on our adoption fees (which cover vetting costs), the small amount we get from the city to hold strays, thrift store sales and your kind donations.

View our cats on Facebook
or at PetSmart!

We are a nonprofit organization, which means your donation is 100% tax deductible! Won't you act locally this year by giving a year-end gift to care for homeless animals in your own community? Our dogs and cats thank you!






ROWDY is available for adoption!
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16689440



GIVE ONLINE

Mail your donation to:

The Animal Shelter
1201 Parkwood Dr.

Anniston, AL 36201

2 Former Fosters Want New Homes 4 the New Year

We have two absolutely wonderful dogs who were in foster but are now back at the shelter. They have learned their house manners and have incredible temperaments. Both would very much like to be back in a home as quickly as possible. They are medium in size (probably in the 35-40 lb range), young ladies of 2 - 2 1/2 years old.

First we have Eva, a gorgeous cattle dog mix with the best, most even temperament. Eva finds the kennel environment stressful, and her coat gets rough in a hurry. It would be so wonderful for sweet Eva to get right back into a home like she deserves. Read more about Eva on Petfinder:

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16998477

Second we have our much-beloved Patti. Patti grew up at the shelter and has impressed everyone by being a loving, happy girl making friends with all her kennelmates. We have written about Patti before - well, now she's got house manners to add to all the other good stuff! Read about Patti on Petfinder:

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/15640958

Or revisit her earlier blog:

http://calhouncountyhumane.blogspot.com/2010/08/patti-needing-home-for-nearly-2-years.html

Can you make the New Year bright for these two girls and for the shelter staff who love them?

Please contact The Animal Shelter, (256) 236-1581 or ashelter@bellsouth.net

Forward this blog or their Petfinder listings to help them find homes.

The Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Anniston, AL. We rely on donations and volunteers. Please visit http://theanimalshelter.net/ to help!

Meet Patches!

PATCHES is a quiet little guy. Perhaps too quiet? Our smaller dogs usually have an easier time finding a home. Patches has been overlooked for a year! He needs you to make some noise and get him a home for the holidays!

Patches is such a handsome fella. He is a calm dog who is content to hang out and watch the scenery at the side of a good friend. You can't really tell in the photos, but he's a pretty little guy, so a great fit for the home. He will make a fantastic companion for a quiet home or perhaps a retired person needing a good friend.

Interested in Patches? Call (256)236-1581 or email ashelter@bellsouth.net

Share this blog or his Petfinder listing to get the word out!

Help us continue to care for him by donating on his behalf.



The Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Anniston, AL. We rely on donations and volunteers. Please visit http://theanimalshelter.net/ to help!

To Our Volunteers: You are Invited!

Animal Shelter volunteers, please mark your calendars for Sunday, December 12! You are invited to our volunteer appreciation and open house at the JSU Alumni House. We want to say "thank you" to all of our volunteers for the wonderful things they accomplish for the Shelter. Have fun mingling with other volunteers and enjoy the wonderful food!

(<-- p.s. Please vote for our tree every time you visit Quintard Mall!)

The Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Anniston, AL. We rely on donations and volunteers. Please visit http://theanimalshelter.net/ to help!