Partners For Pets Shelter Update-Sept. 2015

This is the look of a very happy adopted Benji and his new friend!!

Look at Those SMILES!

Hope all is well with you!  This has been another busy month with 164 adoptions in August!!  Total adoptions to date is 866 animals (533 dogs and 333 cats).  All were rescued from the pound and would have been euthanized but now have found new homes!!  Lots of events went on and the new shelter is coming along.  We had many sick and injured animals come in to the shelter that needed help.  

Amarillo and his new happy home!!

Some of our rescues this month include Muffin the Cocker, little Red the basset pup, a very pregnant Roxie that gave birth to 11 puppies, litters and litters of kittens and Tidbit.  We took in 110 dogs and cats this month which means all have to be given two booster shots, a bordetella shot, rabies shot, heartworm test for dogs, FIV/Felv test for cats, microchip, spay or neuter, and all other medical needed such as cherry eye repair, blood transfusions, fracture repair, antibiotic therapy, heartworm treatment, etc.  So far this year we have treated 63 dogs for heartworms.  

One of our new rescues is Muffin, a 12 year old cocker that was surrendered to the pound by her owner.  Muffin can't see very well and has a cherry eye that needs to be repaired.  She was very sad and anxious at the pound.  I really can't imagine what she must be thinking.  I think one of the saddest things is a very old dog at the pound.  I can't stand the thought of their last days there so we take them.  If we can find them a home it is wonderful.  Sometimes hospice care is needed and they get some TLC.  Many times they perk right up and what we thought was a few days to live turns into months or years.  Sometimes they are in very bad shape so we take them to the vet and hold them when they are put to sleep.  They get some last comfort and love.  Muffin will get her eyes checked and the cherry eye fixed and live her life in comfort.     

Little Red was brought into a local vet with a hematocrit of 7-normal is 25.  He was severely anemic due to fleas, whip and hook worms.  He needed two blood transfusions before he was out of the woods.  Red was turned over to us and is doing great.  Adopted!!

Momma to be Roxy was at the pound and about to give birth.  Nev pulled her and a great foster home stepped up where she delivered 11 puppies.  Momma and babies are doing well.

This year has been a record year for litters of kittens.  Our fosters and the shelter have been overwhelmed by the number of kittens.  If you would like to foster a litter please go to our website at www.partnersforpetsil.org and fill out a foster application.  We could use your help!

Our heart was broken when Tidbit didn't make it after surgery to repair his broken leg.  Everyone rallied to raise the funds to get the plate placed in his leg.  That went well and he was on his way to recovery when he developed severe pneumonia.  Despite every one's best effort he didn't make it.  This is one of the reasons rescue is so hard.  

Purina is launching a campaign to help shelter pets get adopted. They are putting up billboards and local radio stations are running spots.  Partners For Pets has been named in several of the radio spots on Y98 and 107.7FM.  It is really cool to have people say they heard about us on the radio!  On Oct. 17 Purina is hosting an adoption event at the park next to Soulard market and Partners For Pets will be there!

The new shelter construction is moving along.  Todd and crew are hard at work most weekends and several times during the weekday evenings.  He always posts when he will be there so if you can come out and help, even for a few hours, we will get the shelter done all the sooner. 

P4P had several events this month to help raise funds for the medical care of our rescues. Hawgs For Dogs was Sept. 13 and the weather was beautiful. Thank you to Time Out in Troy for hosting the event.  On Sept 18 we had our Cosmic Bingo at the KC Hall in Highland.  And a fun time was had by all.  The Troy Tri Township Library hosted a "Book Bucks" for the kids this summer.  They received "Bucks" for each book read the the Friends of the Library matched that amount and Partners For Pets received a check to help the animals at the shelter from a successful reading program for the kids!

This October is packed with events so make plans to join us to help the animals at our shelter.  On Oct. 3 and 4, Petco is hosting their 50th year anniversary with an adoptathon.  Our goal is to find 50 dogs and cats a new home!  Please come by the Glen Carbon Petco and adopt your new best friend.

Jack Schmitt Cadillac will host Cars for a Cause on Oct. 10.  For every car sold that day they will donate $100.00 to our shelter!

Strut Your Mutt is a charity dog walk in STL on October 10.  If you sign up to be in Partners For Pets Pack you can walk with us to support our shelter.

On Oct. 17th we will have a huge barn sale at the new shelter.  We are accepting your items for the sale so check the dates and times when they can be brought to the shelter.  

Our annual Howl-o-Ween Fall Festival will be held at the new shelter this year.  FCB Bank is sponsoring the event and will be on hand with their food tent.  Lots of vendors have signed up and the costume contest and parade are planned.  This will be a fun day!!

Mark you calendar for our Trivia Night on Nov. 7th!!

Thank you to everyone that adopted, donated, volunteered, fostered, sponsored or cheered us on. We couldn't rescue them without you.  Lisa McCormick, Director/Founder

Oh Honey Bear!

Almost two years ago we got this terribly emaciated pit from AC.  He had been found in an abandoned house in Madison.  Right before they bulldozed the house they did a final walk thru and found him curled up.  When I first saw him I was shocked he was still alive.  The first thing out of my mouth was "Oh Honeybear, you poor thing" so he was named Honeybear.  Probably more fitting was Dozer.

Honey was so anemic from the fleas he almost needed a transfusion and could barely stand.  He also had a spinal infection that required several months of antibiotics. Dr. Mollet at Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital worked really hard to save him.  He wore his little coat for months since he had no fat and was cold all of the time.  He looked very dapper.  Honey lived in the shelter med room for months and got better every day. Finally he was ready to be adopted and Katie fell in love with his smooshy little face.  He is one loved dog. H will be one that sticks with me forever.  Never, never, never give up...

The day we got him-it was cold.

Honey Bear and his coat

His first bath-the water was red from flea dirt.

Christmas at the Shelter

Months later ready for adoption

Katie and Honey at Horseshoe

Katies' collage

Honey Bear Today!

Fractured Leg Alert! Tidbit Needs Some Help!

Little Tidbit had been at the pound for 5 days when Nev went in to get the dogs she had flagged to rescue.  It was obvious his leg was broken-he wouldn't put any weight on it and it was flopping around.  Such a sweet little guy and happy to go with Nev.  He was taken straight to our vet at Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital.  An xray confirmed he had a displaced fracture of the left front leg as you can see in the xray. 

A consult with the orthopedic vet was done and she felt a plate to hold the two bones together was needed for the best chance for Tidbit.  The leg could not be set and casted.  The cost of the surgery would be $1800.00 plus extra cost of additional xrays, medications, and check ups.  Another option would be $1600.00 and an external fixator could be placed.  Or the leg could be amputated for $400.00.  It seems pretty sad to amputate a leg that could be fixed.

Partners For Pets has had so many sick and injured animals in the last few months that our funds have been seriously depleted.  Donations have been low with the summer months.  The great news is that all of those animals we helped are doing great and many have been adopted.  Here is where you can help Tidbit.  Please make a donation to help with his surgery.  He really needs your help and deserves the best option for a complete recovery.  Just hit the donate button to the right.  You can  also mail it to us at PO Box 445, Troy, IL 62294.  Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital will also accept donations to help with his surgery.