Dishing the News on Pets and Animal Welfare Issues             Sept. 2007

Medical Care Begins at OHS

The long-awaited OHS Animal Medical and Learning Center is a reality. OHS veterinarians and medical staff are not waiting until the Sept. 18th ribbon cutting ceremony to start working -- they are already treating ill animals and performing spay and neuter surgeries.

	At work in a new OHS surgical room.

Equipment for the state-of-the-art animal hospital (which is directly attached to the existing OHS shelter) began arriving over the last several months. To date, OHS medical staffers, led by Director of Shelter Medicine Kris Otteman, have performed 100 surgeries.

In one of their first cases, OHS doctors were able to save the life of a sick Maltese dog who had been surrendered to the shelter for euthanization. A digital x-ray taken on site showed that an unusually large bladder stone was responsible for the blood in the dog's urine. Dr.Kirk Miller (one of three new OHS staff veterinarians) removed the stone, The dog, named Gizmo, recovered quickly and was adopted just a few days later.

Dr. Kris Otteman, foreground, heads up the surgical team at the AMLC.

Students from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine arrived at OHS earlier this week, and will complete a two-week residency at the center as part of their graduation requirement. The new center is the first in the nation to link a university teaching hospital directly to an animal shelter.

“This is the ultimate win-win situation for the students and animals,” said Sharon Harmon, OHS executive director. “We’ll keep the OSU students plenty busy with everything from diagnoses to surgery, and that additional capacity will allow us to reach out across the region and bring in animals from other shelters, increasing the number of pet adoptions in Oregon.”

The formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new center takes place Sept. 18, followed by a black-tie ball on Nov. 10, followed by a special three-day open house from Nov. 16-18. Stay tuned for more details. And remember: the new medical center is reserved for OHS animals -- please continue to take your pets to your family veterinarian.

Help support the new center by making an on-line contribution. Click here to make your gift today.

Owner Surrenders 25 Cats;
New Parents Needed Urgently

A happy ending to a possible case of animal neglect came true last month when the Oregon Humane Society accepted 25 cats from an owner in Rhododendron, Ore. The number of animals relinquished to OHS is the largest it has received from one owner this year, and one of the largest in the society's recent past.

	Venus, shown with her litter of one-week-old kittens, came to OHS with 25 other cats from Rhododendron.

The new arrivals came at the height of "kitten season," when the traditional influx of newborn cats stretches the capacity of the OHS cattery to the limits. "We've got a record number of cats available for adoption, and we're asking the public to come to the shelter and meet a new lifelong friend," said Sharon Harmon, OHS Executive Director.

The cats received last week from Rhododendron included eight kittens and two pregnant adult cats. “We had been very concerned about the health of the animals and possible neglect for some time,” said Austin Wallace, OHS Humane Investigator.

Rose Marie: at OHS since March and looking for her permanent home.

The animals were living on a rural property in Rhododendron, Ore., and had been the subject of several visits by OHS over the past year. There was no running water or electricity on the property, and no shelter other than the small car camper the woman lived in.

The woman who gave up the cats does not face criminal charges. “We’re here to help pet owners make responsible choices so that we can stop animal neglect and abuse before it happens. In this case, the owner made a caring and compassionate decision to give her animals to OHS,” said Wallace.

OHS has over 150 cats currently available for adoption. The longest feline resident is Rose Marie, a nine-year-old tortoiseshell mix who is outgoing, spunky and very active for her age. Rose Marie has been living at the shelter for over five months, and is eager to find a permanent, loving home. Although there is no time limit on how long Rose Marie (or any other animal) stays at the shelter, please don't hesitate to visit OHS and meet your new best friend today.

If you can't find space in your life for Rose Marie, you can help by supporting the OHS Homeless Animals Fund.
Click here to make your contribution.

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New TV Feature Highlights OHS Animals

Sammy & Jesse: Cable stars find a home.

There is a new television program that doesn't have sex, violence or story lines filled with deception and revenge. But after you watch it once, you'll be hooked. The ensemble cast of adorable creatures will steal your heart and have you glued to the set.

And best of all, you can tune in 24 hours-a-day and get a "fur fix" anytime you need it. The new show is called "Pet Adoptions on Demand" and is available free to Comcast digital cable subscribers throughout the Portland area.

Filmed on location at the Oregon Humane Society, the program features over two dozen short videos that highlight animals available for adoption. Viewers will not only get to see how the animal looks, they'll also learn valuable information about the animal's personality from OHS animal behaviorist Tanya Roberts and other OHS staffers.

The program's first success came with the adoption of a bonded pair of dogs named Sammy and Jesse. A Comcast viewer saw the two Labrador mixes (who had lived together for over six years) on the program and then came to the shelter to adopt both of them. "These were two very affectionate dogs who had been at OHS for almost six months. It was a real joy to see them find a home through the Comcast show," said Tanya Roberts.

To see the OHS pets on cable television, you must be a digital Comcast cable subscriber. Select the "On Demand" feature on the remote control (Ch. 1), then select "Local Programs," then select "Pet Adoptions." There is no charge for watching the program. Visit Comcast for more information about On Demand programs.

If your organization is interested in sponsoring Pet Adoptions on Demand, contact Jane Morrison, OHS Corporate Relations Manager, Email, (503) 416-7084.

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In September: Ride for the Paws & Pet Aid

Ride for the Paws Sunday, Sept. 9

Ride for the Paws: What do two wheels and four legs have in common? The 1st Annual Ride for the Paws motorcycle ride! This half-day ride through spectacular Northwest scenery takes place this Sunday, Sept. 9, with 100 percent of the registration fee benefiting animals at the Oregon Humane Society.

The ride, which showcases the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, starts at the Wingman dealership in Northeast Portland and finishes at the Oregon Humane Society shelter. At the shelter, riders will be refreshed with an ice cream social and get tours of the state-of-the-art OHS facility.

Click here to participate in Ride for the Paws.

	Pet Aid: Sunday, Sept. 21

Pet Aid 2007: Mark Sept. 21 on your calendar for the biggest and best Pet Aid concert ever. This year's concert, which benefits the Oregon Humane Society and Dove Lewis, features Smashing Pumpkins and Perry Farrell's Satellite Party.

Pet Aid 2007 takes place 7:30 pm at the Amphitheater at Clark County (17200 NE Delfel Rd., Ridgefield, WA).

Tickets for Pet Aid are $35 and $50 and are available through Ticketmaster. Visit radio station KNRK for more details.

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