Creature comforting

Feral cats, mangy dogs and finite funds are some of the obstacles local animal welfare groups faced this year, but they managed to accomplish a lot despite the odds. Approximately 1,800 discarded pets found new homes, and many of them received spaying and neutering surgeries. Here’s what Kootenai County rescue groups had to say about 2005.

Second Chance Pet Rescue

Achievements: Besides finding homes for 145 dogs and cats in 2005, this volunteer group spayed and neutered 240 animals through their public assistance program. The group’s star coonhound, Tres, a prior Handle Extra Feature Creature, was found in Post Falls with a severely mangled knee. Foster care coordinator Angie Brainard’s pet grooming clients donated money for amputation surgery. The three-legged dog was adopted to join a rehabilitation hospital in Washington, D.C. He offers companionship to Iraq war veterans and amputees.

“Soldiers draw a lot of inspiration from him,” Brainard said. “He had nothing, he was nobody and now he’s somebody, a morale-builder and a service dog. He would have been euthanized for sure.”

Obstacles: Hound and hunting breeds frequently enter the rescue and owners don’t understand how to handle their howls.

“Boundaries and limits need to be set and taught,” Brainard said.

Another growing issue is providing for pets when senior owners die or develop health problems. Brainard’s pet peeve is adult children who won’t take in pets, particularly if they have gifted elderly parents with that pet as a puppy.

“Most small and toy breeds live 14 to 16 years and you’re left with an older dog that no one wants,” Brainard said.

Contact: 664-4106

Concerned People for Animals

Achievements: This nonprofit group set out to complete 2,005 spay and neutering surgeries in the year 2005 and met that objective by mid-December. This was the first year they surpassed their goal, which is set annually to equal the date of the year. Increased donations helped accomplish their mission. The group is based in California, but the North Idaho branch was responsible for three-quarters of the surgeries and $80,000 was spent in local veterinarian fees.

“If one female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in just seven years, think about just how many cats and kittens we have saved from not being born into a world that can’t or won’t care for them,” said leader Ami Jo Gibson.

Obstacles: Educating the public about the impact of unaltered pets is an ongoing need. Gibson’s pet peeve is animal cruelty, as evidenced by frozen water bowls and empty food dishes. Some owners call her when they can’t afford to feed their pets.

“A lot of people have no consideration of the cost involved,” Gibson said. “It’s not cheap to have an animal.”

Contact: 687-5054

Post Falls Animal Shelter

In 2005, this shelter took in 697 dogs: 455 were released to owners, 34 were adopted out, 156 were sent to other rescue groups and 50 were euthanized or sent to Washington State University’s veterinarian school.

Achievements: In October, a new facility with 40 kennels opened on Auto Row Road. Shelter aide Kristi Williams appreciates the extra space.

“I’m glad that we have a bigger facility, a cleaner facility,” she said. “We have more adoptions, less euthanasia and are more rescue-friendly.”

Animals are transported to shelters as far away as Seattle in an effort to spare lives. Adoptions have no fee, but require proof of spaying or neutering within thirty days.

Obstacles: Limited manpower keeps the shelter from operating at full capacity. Dogs have 10 days for relocation, reclaiming or adoption. Williams’ pet peeve is the lack of compliance with licensing laws.

“It would help cut down on the shelter population,” she said. “When we pick up (stray) dogs, we’d have a home to send them to.”

Contact: 773-3517

River City Pet Rescue

This small group of volunteers banded together two years ago because of overpopulation at the old Post Falls shelter. The group found homes for about 40 dogs and 10 cats last year.

Achievements: A mastiff puppy arrived at the Post Falls shelter covered with mange. He was friendly and seeking love, but no one wanted to touch him. He was slated for euthanasia when a rescue volunteer committed to treat his disease. The reward was a beautiful coat on an unrecognizable pup. He was successfully adopted.

Obstacles: All animals are spayed and neutered and many require medical care. Money and foster homes are always needed.

Contact: 773-1222

Little Long Dogs Dachshund Rescue

Achievements: Since opening her home to unwanted dachshunds last March, RuthAnn Hoffman found families for 20 of the littlest dogs. One was a purebred prizewinner. His “best in show” ribbons accompanied him to his new home.

Obstacles: Seven dogs still await adoption and one pup didn’t make it. He was 13 years old, ill and abandoned.

“That was very heartbreaking,” said Hoffman, who operates the rescue single-handedly. “Dogs are not a throw-away. They’re a lifetime commitment.”

Her goals for the new year include finding foster families and recruiting volunteers. Dental, medical and food bills are paid with whatever she recoups through adoption fees.

“I don’t think that people realize that about small rescues,” she said. “We’re not funded by anyone but our own paycheck.”

Contact: 683-6943

North Idaho Ferret Rescue

Achievements: More than 20 ferrets found homes last year. All were spayed, neutered, vaccinated and de-scented before adoption.

Obstacle: An overpopulated rescue home in Portland called for help, which resulted in 16 additional ferrets for the North Idaho rescue. Several animals needed surgery to remove adrenal tumors, which would result in death if left untreated. Veterinarian bills are a challenge, although the group does receive discounted services from local vets.

Contact: 772-4343

Coeur d’Alene Animal Shelter

About 45 animals were adopted out monthly and two dogs or cats receive spay and neutering services every week throughout the year.

Achievements: Relocation to a facility on Hazel Avenue means that dogs now romp on a grassy, fenced area, instead of pavement.

“We’ve gotten more kennels and can help more animals,” manager Debi Slater said.

Obstacles: Slater hopes that the new year will bring improvements in the city cat ordinances.

“There are so many cats in this town, it’s the worst problem,” she said. “There’s no place to put them.”

Contact: 665-7379

Kootenai Humane Society

The pet adoption center took in 1,078 animals and adopted out 903. Owners reclaimed 98 animals. Most animals leaving the shelter are spayed or neutered.

Achievements: “We keep on growing, and we have some new programs,” said director Francine Moniz.

The Safe Haven program began this year, which partners with the Women’s Center. It arranges pet care for women so they are more willing to leave abusive domestic situations. KHS also expanded their foster care program, so kittens, puppies and animals recovering from medical procedures can stay in private homes. Training classes were added to help eliminate behaviors that may interfere with the success of an adoption.

Obstacles: Foster homes and volunteers are always needed. Moniz expects to concentrate more on spays and neutering in 2006. Plans are underway to help low-income pet owners access surgeries.

“We absolutely have to spread the word about spay and neutering so that the numbers coming in are less,” Moniz said. “It’s a community problem. We have to step up and work on that.”

Contact: 772-4019