Second Chance: Steve & Pansier & World Spay Day

22 Feb Second Chance: Steve & Pansier & World Spay Day

My name is Steve. I grew up in a puppy mill. Frankly, it was a crappy existence. But now that I have been rescued, along with looking for a forever family, I have become the poster child for World Spay Day here at Second Chance Humane Society.

I will tell you more about what World Spay Day is but first want to share that Second Chance is hosting another low cost spay/neuter clinic here at the shelter this Saturday February 20. Come celebrate World Spay Day with a little snip snip of your unaltered pet…

Steve

World Spay Day is an annual campaign (since 1995) of the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International, and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. On the last Tuesday of every February, World Spay Day shines a spotlight on the power of affordable, accessible spay/neuter to save the lives of companion animals, community (feral and stray) cats, and street dogs who might otherwise be put down in shelters or killed on the street. The 23rd annual World Spay Day is February 28, 2017. 

The purpose of Spay Day is threefold:

• To raise the public’s awareness of the pet overpopulation problem.
• To promote spay/neuter surgery as the primary means of humanely addressing companion animal overpopulation (and that the spay/neuter solution also improves your pet’s health, reduces unruly pet behaviors and saves on the cost of pet care).
• To inspire each humane citizen to take personal responsibility for preventing the births of surplus litters by sponsoring the spay/neuter of at least one companion animal or feral cat.

Basically on Spay Day you can pledge with others worldwide to educate and promote the benefits of spay/neutering pets throughout the year.  You can also help fund the program.

Now I get to talk more about me, a handsome on- year-old Australian Shepherd with bright eyes and sensitive nature.  Having only ever known the confines of a wretched puppy mill I was pretty scared when I first arrived at Second Chance. But with loving staff and volunteers guiding me through an enriching rehabilitation plan, I am starting to actually enjoy myself.

I arrived with four Border Collies and a German Shephard.  Running together outside in the sun is something we all can’t believe we lived without. Although we feel a little more comfortable when we are all together, we are starting to see that people can actually be kind and caring. What a revelation.

So, while the prospect of life with people is still a little scary, I’m definitely watching out for that special person who can show me all the things I’ve missed out on and what it truly means to be human’s best friend. In the meantime, call Second Chance today to learn more about the upcoming spay/neuter clinic.

And if it is a purry pussy cat you seek, I would recommend Pansie. She too has had a rough go of it too.

Pansie

Pansie was abandoned by her previous owners and was also quite scared when she arrived at Second Chance. In fact, she spent her first weeks hiding. But after a while, she became curious about the people who brought her food and tried to pet and hold her.

While Pansie has never been all that playful or rambunctious, she is now feeling much more comfortable and will openly bask in the sunlight and welcome a loving hand for a pet or scratch. I bet when she finds a loving home, she will relax even more…

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet 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. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

Ted Hoff &  Magnificent Mae

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup or get your pup (or adult dog) trained than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)

Dr. Michelle and Wallowby