Brett's Blog

ZooToo update

Today is the last day of the shelter makeover contest.  It looks like the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area is 6th in overall points, so it will win at least $5000.  The top 20 are finlaists and judging will determine who is the most deserving of the million dollar makeover.

I sure hope we win, we are in desperate need of a makover for the sake of the animals.  We have outgrown our space and need to add on immediately.  However, the final notofication won't come for another month.  We will have to wait and see who the big winner is, we may still come in 2nd place and win $10,000, but we are assured $5000 for being in the top 20 nationwide.  Kudos to all the participants who are helping animals in their communities.

I am really impressed with the number of people who have joined ZooToo and have become regular "posters" on the site.  It certainly shows a dedication to all of the animals across the country and it's a good feeling knowing there are other people out there like myself advocating for all of these homeless creatures.

I am hoping that the sponsors of the site realize the huge success of this contest and plan to do it again next year to help another deserving shelter.  By working together, businesses, non-profits, and individuals can hopefully overcome the overpopulation of animals and end their mass suffering.

Naming the New Dog Law...

My internship  will soon be finished and Special Deputy Secretary of Dog Law Enforcement Jessie Smith apporached me today about extending my stay to a paid internship for the summer.  She has been working on the new dog law legislation with Governor Rendell and the Dog Law Bureau.  This summer they will be very busy getting the bill drafted and she asked me if I would like to help.  She knows my passion for animals, especially dogs and thought I would be interested.  As much as I would like to get a job that pays well, I am tempted to take the paid internship, knowing the pay will be very low.  This is something I am extremely passionate about and feel a great need to be a part of.  I may not be a major player, but just being involved in making a difference in the quality of life for these animals will give me a great sense of satisfaction.  I guess my husband will have to put up with me not having an income for a little while longer.

Part of the new dog law is naming the bill. They are trying to come up with something catchy, but meaningful and professional.  I hope to contribute to help make it something special that the public can identify with and truly understand the purpose of the bill.

When I went back to school a few years ago, I never thought I would end up in the Department of Agriculture, working on dog related issues.  I was a Business Administration major when I started at HACC, I then switched my major to Information Technology.  When I started at Penn State Harrisburg, I chose a Communications major because I didn't really know what I wanted to do, but liked the idea that  I could take cinema, video and humanities courses. As I approach graduation, I am thankful for all of the guidance I have received from my professors who have helped me find my way in helping to make a difference in the lives of animals. 

Walk for the Animals - Giving to the shelter

On Saturday May 17th, the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area will hold its annual 5k Run/Walk for the animals at Wildwood lake Sanctuary.  This is a great opportuntiy to get out and enjoy some fresh air and exercise with your dog(s).  If you don't have a dog, come on out and meet some adoptable dogs from the shelter. 

HSHA also offers micro-chipping and low-cost vaccinations at this event.  Last year's event raised over $15,000 for the animals.  We hope to exceed that this year!

HSHA holds many fundraisers throughout the year such as the Penguin Plunge in January, Bartending night in February, the Run/Walk in May, Auxiliary yard Sale in May, Wine tasting in June, Christmas in July, Claws and Paws Golf Tournament in August, Hogs for Dogs in September and the Fur Ball Gala and Auction in November.  It is through these fudraisers that we are able to provide a safe haven for unwanted animals and a place where they can be adopted.  We definitely have something for everyone and hope to see you at one of these events.

Most people don't realize it, but animal shelters such as HSHA receive no government funding and rely solely on the generosity of individual private donations to support unwanted animals in their communities.  Did you ever stop to think what our community would be like if we didn't have an animal shelter to take care of all of these homeless animals?  We would see a lot more animals on the street because there would be no spay/neuter services provided, no humane police officers to intervene on behalf of stray animal attacks or dog fighting.  Starving dogs and cats would roam the streets in large quantities looking for handouts.  In fact, in many countries that's exactly what goes on.  Through the generosity of individual donors, volunteers and some businesses, our Humane Society here in Harrisburg has been able to maintain its shelter to care for all of these animals. Check out their website for more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution. 

Me or the Dog...

My latest interest is Animal Planet's, Me or the Dog TV show.  I think one of the most important things people can do for their dogs is to train them.  I personally have two high-maintenance dogs and Dingo is the worst.  He is a Shiba-Inu with a very stubborn personality.  He's the kind of dog that gives dogs a bad reputation. 

Fortunately, with good training, bad dogs can learn good behaviors.  This show is all about training, for the owner and for the dog.  Safety is also of utmost importance, especially when it comes to children and dogs.  I highly recommend visiting the website and watching the show for good advice on how to make a happy home with your dog.

Victoria Stilwell is a dog trainer from England who has been working in this field for more than 15 years.

Her show is a huge success. According to the show's website: For the past three years, Victoria has been working with some of Britain's most unruly dogs (and owners!) on her TV show, It's Me or the Dog. On the show, she counsels families with difficult dogs to help solve their pets' behavior problems. She has also written two books (It's Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet and Fat Dog Slim: How to Have a Healthy, Happy Pet). Detailing her reward-based training philosophies (which include "Thinking Dog" and learning the power of body language in both owner and dog), the books give owners the keys to having a happy, confident pet and a balanced, healthy dog-owner relationship.

Many dogs end up on the street or in shelters because of bad behavior.  By training dogs properly we can help keep dogs in their "furever" homes and reduce the number of unwanted pets.  Training is available at local pet stores such as PetSmart and trainers are also listed in the YellowPages.  Victoria lists several training tips on It's me or the Dog website too.

A good dog is trained dog!

Burea of Dog Law

I'm doing an internship this semester at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in their Press Office.  It's mostly interesting as many topics relate to animals.  I got the internship through my very good friend, Jessie Smith, who was appointed Special Deputy Secretary of Dog Law Enforcement, two years ago by Governor Rendell.  Jessie knew of my passion for animals and my desire to get employment once I graduate!  Needless to say, I'm happy she offered me the internship.

One of my projects has been to create an Excel file of all the different types of kennels in Pennslvania.  I had no idea there were more than 1000 kennels in this state alone!  There are many types of kennels: breeder kennels, hobby/show breeders, research kennels, non-profit shelter, rescue, for profit pet stores, sporting dog kennels and more.  The number of breeder kennels is staggering.  With such a huge overpopulation of dogs in Pennsylvania it's hard to believe we still allow dogs to be bred and sold.  Although Jessie can't divulge everything about the survey, I can only presume it may be to find out how many are actual breeder's.  Since Governor Rendell is committed to cracking down on puppy mills and to changing the current dog law.  I hope this information serves a valuable purpose in helping to address the needs of dogs who are bred and kept under inhumane conditions.

To learn more about kennels in Pennsylvania, or to look up a kennel to see if it has met current inspection standards please visit the Kennel Inspection Database.

Lost and Found, Licensing and Micro-chipping

I just got off the phone with my neighbor Gretchen.  She had called to say a police officer was at her house with a male chocolate lab who was lost.  It wasn't her Zeke, but she was calling a few neighbors before the officer took him to the Humane Society.  She knew it wasn't mine, but thought I might know who he belonged to because I'm known in the neighborhood as the animal lady/humane society volunteer and all around helper of animals.

I thought it might be Bella, the Vander Aark's dog, but it wasn't.  I told her to have the police  officer drive him down to my house and I'd take a look at him to see if I recognized him.  A few minutes later Daisy and Dingo erupted into loud barking and I went outside to see him.  My husband Tom came out and said it was probably the Jordan's who live across Country Club Road. 

Sure enough, Rick Jordan had been looking for him and the very kind police officer drove the dog home.  A very happy ending.

Unfortunately, not all endings are this happy.  Hundreds of thousands of animals are lost every year, not all are found.  Many are hit by cars and suffer unspeakable tragedy and often painful deaths.  If you have a pet PLEASE get them licensed, put identification tags on their collars and get them micro-chipped.  This saves lives and countless hours worrying.  A good site to check out is America's National Lost and Found Database.

If your pet is lost, the first thing to do is call your local police department and report the animal as missing, call friends and neighbors to alert them, call your local animal shelter and any rescues in the area to file a missing report (they want your pet returned to you as well, otherwise they take up space needed by other stray and abandoned animals). Once a report is made, if the animal is found and someone calls, they know to call you, or if the animal is lucky enough to be brought to the shelter, they will call you before the animal gets adopted out (if he's lucky) or PTS'd (Put To Sleep).

If you don't have a dog license, call your local municipality or visit them online to obtain a license.  Low-cost micro-shipping is often provided at animal shelters and rescues as well.  Check their website for clinic dates and times.  Locally, HSHA has them monthly.  Many veterinarians are now offering this service to their clients too.

Rescues and other great places to get a pet...

All of my animals have come from a rescue group or the Humane Society of Harrisburg.  I do not believe in purchasing a dog, pure-bred, or God forbid a puppy mill dog.  Daisy my yellow lab, pit-bull mix came from a rescue in Virginia.  She and her brother had been rescued from a high-kill shelter in North Carolina where her mother was put down, or in shelter terms PTS'd ( put to sleep).  Dingo came from the West SHore shelter of HSHA.  My daughter's Girl Scout troop did a huge pet food drive about four years ago and donated all the food to HSHA. I told them I shouldn't go in to shelter because "something" would end up coming home with us.  The girl at the shelter assured us we could put the food in the garage and I didn't have to see any animals.  We brought several cars and trucks filled with food and they raised the garage door...wouldn't you know there were two crates in the garage!  One had Dingo it.  He had an injured paw with an open sore and his big brown eyes looked longingly at me.  We dropped off all of the food and left, but I couldn't get him out of my mind.  I ended up going back for him and he's been with me ever since.  He's a mama's boy and is very loyal.

Lucy, Miss Tigger, and Muffin all came from the Castaway Critters.  Pudgie came from my sister-in-law's farm in Dillsburg.  He was one of six cats a stray mama cat had given birth to under front porch.  We picked up Ozzie at a Rutter's in York on the way home from our beach house a few summers ago and of course you know about JoJo from my previous blog.

There are several rescues in Central PA alone and hundreds more across the state, including Humane Societies and SPCA's.  A great resource for choosing a pet is Petfinder.com, which lists animals by breed, type, location and usually gives a description and photos.  Unwanted animals are a result of overpopulation, so before buying a bred dog, I urge anyone who is thinking of adding a pet to consider adopting from one of these animal rescues. For every dog that is purchased another dies.

And don't forget, PLEASE SPAY and NEUTER!

HSHA needs you and HSUS needs me...

The Humane Society of Harrisburg Area (HSHA) ZooToo points are holding at #4.  We really need this shelter makeover and hope to win this contest.  All it takes is a few more people to sign up - it's free, to put us at the top. 

Often times I get junk e-mail asking me to register to win, or to "earn" something on another website.  ZooToo's shelter makeover isn't like the rest.  Their site is devoted to helping people to help their pets and helping homeless animals and shelters across America.  This is one cause I passionately believe in.

As I'm approaching graduation and looking for a job, I am drawn back to what originally inspired me to go back to school and get a degree...helping animals.  I've  been surfing the net looking at all sorts of jobs and employment services.  I happened to land on the Humane Society of the United States' website www.hsus.org and found a wealth of information and job openings.  Many of the jobs are in Gaithersburg, Maryland and I hadn't really planned to relocate as I love Camp Hill.  However, my heartstrings are tugging unusually hard.  Gaithersburg is only aboout 30 minutes from Georgetown where my daughter goes to school.  How convenient is that??  Our weekend farm is about an hour from Gaithersburg, so that would still be a hike. 

I never thought about leaving Camp Hill, it's where all my memories of raising my daughter are, our friends and our life.  Sometimes life throws a curve ball just to see if I'm paying attention.  I am a deeply connected, intense person.  The past year has been incredibly rough for me.   When Alex went to college I felt like my heart had been ripped out.  It's hard to imagine leaving a place that has so much meaning to me; coaching her softball teams, soccer teams, cheering her on at all of her tennis matches, being her Girl Scout Leader, watching her earn her Gold Award, watching her perform in all of the school musicals, watching her go from reporter, to copy editor to editor in chief of her school newspaper, watching her win numerous scholarships and feeling the tears of joy stream down my face at her graduation.  I loved every minute of being her mom, but now it's time to let go and watch her find her way at college and for me to spread my wings to see where they take me.  My first love is Alex, my second is all of the homeless animals who need advocates.

The Humane Society of the United States will hopefully receive my resume and cover letter on Monday.  I hope to hear from them soon before I change my mind about leaving this place I call home.