SECOND CHANCE: BENNY & OLIVER

25 Oct SECOND CHANCE: BENNY & OLIVER

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. Every week, executive director Kelly Goodin will choose to profile two of the many animals from the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving homes. The column will be sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer and partners with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

National Pit Bull Awareness Day:

Second Chance Humane Society joins thousands of animal welfare organizations across the country Saturday, October 27 to honor National Pit Bull Awareness Day (NPBAD). The goal: appreciation and education designed to change perceptions and stereotypes about pit bulls and responsible owners.

NPBAD was established to educate and foster positive communication and experiences in the communities in which we live with our dogs. The initiative is dedicated to restoring a healthy image of bull breeds by promoting the truth about them. Knowledge is power and with education and advocacy, the truth will save lives by negating fear and biases generated by the media. Knowledge will also help circumvent knee-jerk reactions such as breed bans. The truth will result in fewer pit bulls ending up in animal shelters (and being euthanized).

On the surface it may seems curious that a nationwide effort would employ the use of a generic term such as “pit bull,” which is not an actual breed of dog. In fact, the term refers to a categorization or nickname for about six different breeds such as Staffordshire Bull Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier. It was chosen deliberately and is used for a very obvious reason: “Pit bull” is the handle the general public knows best. And “pit bull” is the phrase that evokes the negative connotations that surround this particular grouping of dogs (you know, the scary snarling thing that hates all other dogs and will eat your children). The objective of NPBAD is, of course, to change that negative image.

The Bull breeds are by nature athletic, energetic, loving, affectionate, eager to please, loyal, and playful dogs. Because breeders have been changing the purpose of the bull breeds from family dog to fighting dog they need to be adopted into responsible families who will not put them in situations that would lead to fighting. Socialized properly, the bull breeds are very playful and friendly with other dogs.

In honor of National Pit Bull Awareness Day, Second Chance Humane Society is promoting its Pit Fix Program that targets the parents of Bull breeds and Bull mixes to get them spayed/neutered for FREE. The program was created to address the high rates of homelessness and euthanasia of Bull breeds and mixes in Colorado. Because of the bad rap bull breeds have received, often resulting in (illogical) breed banning in communities throughout the nation, there are currently not enough homes for the number of so-called pit bulls brought into shelters and animal control facilities.

The Pit Fix Program is a responsible solution to reducing the population of bull breeds to a manageable number through affordable spaying and neutering. The surgery package also includes a free rabies vaccination and microchip with registration. The Pit Fix Program is being offered to residents of Ouray, San Miguel and Montrose Counties. Determining whether your dog qualifies for this program, however, will be at the sole discretion of the staff of Second Chance Humane Society.

Now please take a moment to get to know two of our awesome adoptable pets waiting for you at our Angel Ridge Ranch…
 

BENNY

BENNY:

My name is Benny and I am an adorable seven- year-old shepherd mix. I was brought to Second Chance because my elderly parent was no longer able to care for me. Fortunately, my friends at Second Chance have promised to find me another good home. Although I haven’t been here long, the shelter staff and volunteers have already found out that I am one cool dude. I have yet to meet a person, kid, dog, or cat that I don’t just want to shower with adoration. I have been told that I need to lose a little weight, but that won’t take long as I do enjoy walks and exercise. I have started a morning yoga practice and am interested in taking up Pilates as well – if my new family is into that sort of thing. But mostly I am just looking for my new best friend…

OLIVER

OLIVER:

Remember that famous moment in “Oliver Twist” when the starving, disheveled little orphan, Oliver, summons the courage to approach the wicked  headmaster for another bowl of watered down gruel?  “Please Sir, may I have some more?” Well that didn’t turn out so well for that Oliver. But for me, also an Oliver, so far, so good.

I too am homeless at a young age (six months), but when I asked for help, I found myself at Second Chance. Not only did they feed me as much as I wanted, they also put me and my best buddy, Fagin – definitely not a villain – in a super fun foster home. We have completely taken over the bed and are now seasoned snugglers.

If only I could have more of the same in my own forever home…

Note: Call the SCHS Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter, Volunteer, Feral Cat, or other Programs.  View our shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.