Shelter News: Shelter News

Shelter News

Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter

360 Haywood Road

Manahawkin, NJ 08050

(609) 978-0127

http://fosocaf.blogspot.com/

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The German Shepherd stray was reclaimed.

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Joan Jotz spent some time yesterday working with Augie and Tilly:

Augie's training: I worked with Augie this afternoon on his food possession problem. Augie is smart, but very puppy playful.

I started to teach him the "leave it" command. We began outside after a walk, putting small treats on the ground and asking him to leave it. Took a few tries but he got the concept. Trish let me use the back examination room to work with him some more. I did the same thing with the leave it command, and he was good at waiting until I released him. Then I tried it with a food bowl, placing a few treats in the bowl and telling Augie to leave it. This was a bit more difficult for him, but he did manage to restrain himself. After a few seconds of waiting I rewarded him from my hand, then let him have the bowl. Eventually I was able to remove the bowl without him growling or stiffening. These are just the first few steps, but Augie did so well!!! I will be there tomorrow morning to work with him some more if anyone wants to observe. I sent a few photos to Joanne E. of Augie as we worked. You can see his concentration. Good boy!!

I also worked a bit with Tilly. She is understandably not very confident, and a bit head shy. Best to pet her on the chest, not her head. We went in and out of the kennel for a bit, and she was fine going in with the use of treats. Eventually she just followed me in. She is sweet and affectionate, just unsure.

Augie is concentrating.

Augie learns the Leave It command

UPDATE from Joan today:

Hi JoAnn and all volunteers,

I worked with Augie again today on the "leave it" training. He did well again, and his self control is getting better and better. Now he waits for "permission" to get the food from his bowl. I am still able to move the bowl around a bit, and even away from him without Augie showing any signs of stress...no growling, lip lifting or freezing.

I also showed Colleen how to work with Augie's "leave it 'Command. She trained with him for a while and Augie responded well to her commands. Good work Colleen!!

So after about an hour working with Augie, we played some ball and let him chew on a tug toy as his reward. It may actually be a good idea, since he likes to leash bite, to bring a tug toy along on his walks so he has something to chew and carry. Will try that next time.

Joan

SHERMAN SHERMAN SHERMAN!

Yes, our boy SHERMAN is still at Camp Bow Wow and really needs to move on from foster life to a real home of his own. The kind folks at Camp Bow Wow are caring for him at their expense. At the present time, we only have one foster spot there, so getting SHERMAN adopted not only opens a spot for another dog who may need help, but lets face it, SHERMAN sure would like to have a rug, bed or couch of his own!!! So please keep posting our guy and try to find him a home!!! He so deserves it!!

From Erma:

To all volunteers:

Our next event is a table at Viking Village on Sunday, May 27th. from 10-4:30.

Please sign up for Set up and/or cleanup. Two or more people are needed for each time slot. Please e-mail Joanne, jeckert30@comcast.net, with the shift and task you will cover.

Set Up: Kevin & Cassie, Donna

Cleanup: Erma

Manning the table from:

10 - 12 -- Barry & Claire, Joan, Donna

12- 2 -- Janet, Michelle

2-4:30 -- Kathy R, 2:30

If you sign up for setting up you must be at Viking Village at least by 9- 9:30

All the animals thank you.

Note from Dave:

Hey!! Soco is in the Barnegat Patch, the online newsletter. He looks so well, regal, as we know the well-mannered gent is! He's the featured animal of the week.

Terrific to see yesterday that the sweet, soft as velvet mushmouse, Bella got adopted!! Good for you girl!! And seeing that Sunny went home with weekend volunteer, John, is real nice. He's got Labs and Lab experience, and having the goofy, playful, handsome, twinkie-yellow Lab, SunnyDoodle around the house will certainly be a neat situation for all!! And we 'll always be informed of his mischief/progress and all.

Had a rough week with family issues (and I always appreciate that everyone does. You all have some burdens or stuff to deal with, and you handle them), but as i was scrolling thru the note section of my phone, I came across some tucked away notes that I made at one time or another, and it kinda made me take a breath, relax, and handle, whatever, and keeps me a little even keeled.

You know those "live, laugh, love,"( I added "learn") sayings? I had added "The outside of a dog is good for the inside of a man," and "Save some dogs, and some dogs will save you," and on a lighter note, my favorite cartoon of a guy walking down the street with his dog, and the dog says " Who you gonna listen to? the voices in your head or your best friend??" I guess that one's the most true!!!

See ya on the other end of the leash Tuesday morning. Dave

Walkers Needed!

Please check the schedule below and help. Although walkers' start times were adjusted to 9 a.m., Connie has advised me that this change is not yet in effect. 8:30 a.m. walkers are still welcome.

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Love our dogs? Then adopt one as a Shelter Pup and FRIENDS will get a portion of the sale! Shelter Pups has turned a select group of dogs from our shelter into amazing and realistic plush pups. Check out Casper and wonderful Sherman! It's a great way to “adopt” one of our dogs and help our volunteer FRIENDS group at the same time. Shelter Pups can also make customs of your very own dog. Check it out and bring one of our dogs home as a Shelter Pup!

http://www.shelterpups.com/fosocas.php

Adorable Stuffed Pit Bulls (Pitbulls) from the FOSOCAS

www.shelterpups.com

These stuffed dogs and puppies need your help! Our stuffed dog shelter is literally stuffed with with cute and realistic plush dogs begging for a good home. Adopt a stuffed plush animal for fun, and rescue one for real.

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To All Volunteers:

In light of the new rules imposed by the Health Department, all volunteer information must be current. If you have not volunteered since January 1, 2012, your file is NOT up-to-date, and therefore, needs to be updated.

We would like to correct this problem as soon as possible, so within the next 10 days please notify Erma at erma45@live.com and let her know your intention. If you are no longer interested in being a volunteer and we do not hear from you in the next 10 days, your paperwork will be pulled and you will have to start over if you would once again like to be a volunteer.

We do understand that some of you are summer volunteers, and those files will definitely be out-of-date. Before you begin volunteering again, it is important that you fill out the proper paperwork to bring your file to a current status. You will also need a refresher orientation.

Due to the large amount of inactive files, we felt it necessary to update at this time.

One of the new changes is the requirement to wear a badge or a volunteer T-shirt while volunteering at the shelter. Your badge identifies you and shows your status as a green, yellow, or red walker. Should you need a badge, please email Coleen at coleen710@comcast.net.

Thank You for complying with our request. We so appreciate all that you do, and thank you for your time and for caring for the animals.

Dottie Reynolds

dreynolds36@verizon.net

From Erma: Everyone can pick up their ID cards and t-shirts at the shelter. Leave a note if I'm not there, and we'll get them to you. T-shirts are $10.00 each donation; ID cards are free.

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Martha Windisch has graciously offered to hold dog-training sessions for the volunteers who walk dogs at the shelter. The sessions will be held on May 14 or June 17. If you would like a little help with understanding dogs' body language, help with getting the dogs in and out of their cages, etc., let me know and I will pass your information along to Martha. These sessions would be held at 10:30 a.m. on those dates.

June 17

Sarah Swan
Linda Cook
Pat Devine
Kevin & Cassie Kelly
Michelle
Linda Bonvie
Barry
Jesse
Janet

From Martha:

I won’t be reviewing the shelter rules since I’m not a volunteer dog walker and cannot be relied on to get them correct (however I do know that two leashes are required and no smoking while walking dogs – of course!) – what I don’t know are where people are allowed to walk and not allowed to walk (except county property is okay – but don’t know where that is – my guess is that the people who walk dogs do know this and that this is included in the volunteer training on the Thursdays). I will be covering training – 1. training to improve the dogs’ adoptability, 2. training (and management methods and tools) to help manage the dog (i.e. when getting the dog in and out of the runs and when going through doorways), 3. Some help with leash walking issues (i.e. how to encourage/teach dogs to walk on loose leash), 4. Some training/management that could help with unruly dogs – i.e. dogs that jump up, bite the leash, etc., 5. a discussion of equipment – i.e. types of leashes and collars (only a discussion – people like what they like – but, some knowledge on equipment pros and cons and safety would not hurt).

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The next FUND RAISING EVENT will be June 23rd at the shelter--JUNE JAMBOREE!! Anyone wishing to help with the event, or has some ideas for fund raising please call me, Connie at 609-698-4833!! Thanks so much!

I will also be posting some outside community outings that will need volunteers to attend and assist with. I know we have one in Viking Village, and also the Barnegat High School is doing the play 101 Dalmatians and has invited us to set up outside and promote our group.

When I get confirmation from Dottie, I will post at the shelter.

Thanks again for all you do to make these events a success!!

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All new walkers may walk green dogs on their own once they have gone through orientation. New walkers may walk yellow dogs once they have been with a red walker and told by the red walker they are okay to move on.

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All volunteers must wear either their ID badge or a volunteer T-shirt.

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Do NOT try to clean Dallas' ears! She doesn't like having her ears cleaned, so that's best left to the pros.
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Green walkers please look for volunteers with the red dot on their badge. They will help you with anything you need.

From Connie:

It has been asked of us volunteers to not come to the shelter during Rabies clinic. They are always so busy during one of these events, and since we cant walk dogs during this time it would be great if we were just there from 9 to 10:30 and then again after at 1:00. I know I was there one day and saw the madness and well I couldn't get out the door fast enough!!!! CRAZY BUSY!!!

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From SOCAF Management:

All dogs need to be walked with two leashes at all times, whether they are being walked from the pen to their runs, or just a few feet. No excuses, please!

The dogs must be on county property at all times when being walked. They cannot be walked IN the street or across the street.

Smoking is not allowed while walking dogs.

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TO ALL VOLUNTEERS:

If you see a dog limping, notice a lump, blood in the stool, etc., anything out of the ordinary, or if there is an incident with the dog, be sure to notify the supervisors, document the incident, and put it into the dog's file, keeping a copy for yourself.

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Dog Walking Schedule:

Please check the dog-walking schedule below.

There are many days and time slots with little or no coverage.

Please e-mail me with the days and times you are able to cover.

If no one can cover, the dogs will either not get out in the morning or have to go back inside early on those days.

The minimum number of walkers needed by 9:00 a.m. is two in order to handle the task of getting dogs out for their first morning walk.

Volunteers are really needed early in the morning, 9:00 a.m. every day! Even if you can only help for a half hour or an hour, it would help.

The dogs are color coded. New volunteers may NOT walk Red dogs. Please pay attention to the color coding and the cage cards. Red walkers' names in red type.

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Important: Please do not sign up for a shift if you aren't sure you can make it! Other volunteers come in if there isn't enough coverage. Some people have signed up for shifts and have been either late or not shown up at all. We really need at least two people early in the morning--9:00--to get everyone out.

Tue	5/22	Dave: 8:30-12	Pat & Ken: 8:30-9:30	Carol: 10:30-?
Wed	5/23			Barry: 1-3	Pat: 2-6
Thur	5/24	Dave: 8:30-12	Pat & Ken: 8:30-9:30	Carol: 10:30-11:45
Fri	5/25		Carol: 9:30-?
Sat	5/26	*Another Red walker needed early	Kathy R.: 8:30-11*
Sun	5/27	Linda: 8:30-?	Kathy R.: 8:30-11
Mon	5/28	Coleen & Stevie: 8:30-?	Kathy R.: 8:30-11
Tue	5/29		Pat & Ken: 8:30-9:30
Wed	5/30				Pat: 2-6

REMINDER: Every Tuesday is surgery day. Find out who is having surgery when you come to walk the dogs.

Those scheduled for surgery are to receive a short walk only in the morning and NO TREATS or food.

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New Volunteer Orientation 11 am sharp

1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, conducted by Dave
3rd. Sunday of each month, conducted by Casey.

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Dog Walking: Volunteer hours are every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., until 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Cat volunteer hours are every day from noon to 5 p.m.

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We appreciate all you do and have done each and every day to pave the way for our group to succeed.

Dottie Reynolds - President

Kathy Gross - Vice President

Leigh Sharpless - Recording Secretary

Merry Niewojna - Treasurer

Joan Aljoe - Trustee

Bob Aljoe - Trustee

Cricket Luker - Trustee

Jackie Ostberg - Trustee

Mary Ensminger - Trustee

Rick Ensminger - Trustee

Peggy O'Malley - Trustee - Petsmart Cat Program

Scott Sharpless - Trustee

Meet our group!

The Friends of the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter

Click here for our website to learn more:

http://www.fosocas.org

The mission statement of our group is to offer an additional avenue of care

for the animals that the Shelter cannot cope with. These are the animals that

have catastrophic physical problems or illnesses which need special medical care.

Animals that would otherwise have died or been euthanized and would have never

known the happiness of a loving home.

We also provide much needed support to the shelter. We help take care of physical

needs such as an industrial size washing machine, blankets, food, halters,

and an outdoor cat cage. We also provided swinging "doggy doors" for all

the kennels at the shelter, thereby making it much more cost effective.

In the summer the heat stays out and in the winter the heat stays in.

These are just a small sample of the needs of the shelter we provide.

We are a local to LBI and Manahawkin organization. Our founders are

very active in the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter and decided

they needed to more. So Dottie and Eleanor got together and made a

commitment to do what they could to make the animals lives at the

shelter as good as they could be, until they found a loving home.

President and Founder Dottie Reynolds

Vice President Kathy Gross

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Friends are on Facebook.

Click here to join.

We have a Wish List on Amazon!

You can see it here: http://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/2QHTG5OOWSDVF/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_ws_1pRtpb03PX8NV

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Check out our dogs and cats on Petfinder: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ174.html

FOSTER HELP NEEDED!!!

From Susan:

We are looking for volunteers to foster cats that need medical attention. Medicine is usually administered from between 10-14 days. This is not a very difficult thing to do. You need a separate room to keep the cat away from your pets.

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KITTEN FOSTERS NEEDED

If interested in helping out, please contact the shelter at socaf@ochd.org.

From Susan:

To all volunteers who wish to socialize with the cats when I am not there, PLEASE take only one cat out at a time. Cats that should not be taken out have an X with a circle around the X. These cats need time to adjust to the shelter.

Thank You, Susan

SOCAF's Gallery of Glorious Cats

Special Thanks to Amy and Jennifer for taking these pics and for keeping us updated as to which cats are where.

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