Brought to you by … CONOUR ANIMAL SHELTER Monte Vista, Colorado Editor—Colette Skeff Volume12—October-December 2013 “Pet Talk is a publication dedicated to giving voices to the animals” Pet talk OEPN ADMISSION The Animal Assistance Foundation (AAF) believes that animal welfare is a community concern. Solving all the problems facing companion animals is a job that is far too big for one single organization. The only way to enact real, lasting change is through cooperation. Toward this end, AAF, along with other animal welfare organizations throughout the state and nation, has embraced the concepts behind the Asilomar Accords: nationally recognized goals focused on significantly reducing the euthanasia of healthy and treatable companion animals in the United States. We believe in supporting organizations that support and work towards embracing these concepts as well. As such, we encourage and support organizations that will accept any animal that comes to their doors, that place healthy, or treatable animals into new homes; that provide rehabilitation for those animal that may need some extra care and attention before they are adoptable.; and we accept that these organizations may have to make the difficult decision to euthanize animals who are so sick or behaviorally damaged that they would not become adoptable. We also believe the problem is a community problem and requires strong collaboration and cooperation between all of the unique organizations with a common goal to increase the live release rate across the whole state of Colorado. Unfortunately, until there are enough homes for all the animals who are born each year, and until there are no longer any sick, injured, aggressive, or unpredictable animals, euthanasia will still be a reality, a humane reality. It is this reality that the community has designated the responsibility of ever open admission shelter. Simply turning our backs on these animals and merely pronouncing that euthanasia shouldn’t exist won’t make the euthanasia go away; tirelessly working toward more animal adoptions, further pet pregnancy prevention, animal rehabilitation, and educating the public will reduce the necessity. The Upper Rio Grande Society, dba Conour Animal Shelter now carries the status as an “Open Admissions” shelter. See page 4 for what do the phrases “Open Admission,” “Open Door.” “Limited Admission,” and “No-Kill” mean. Visit Us Open 5 Days a Week Monday—Friday 10:00 am—5:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am—4:00 pm 2825 Sherman Avenue (719) 852-3366 www.conouranimalshelter.com conourshelter@gmail.com Kelloff Regional Center For the Arts Fundraiser Event—Fassett Building December 6-7, 2013 The puppies had their pictures taken with children for Christmas gifts. Conour Animal Crematory We care about your loving companions even when they have passed on!!! Open same days and hours as shelter BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jim Leist Board Chairman Michele Santi Secretary Colette Skeff Treasurer Becky Helmstetler Director Tom Bobicki Director Project Manager Ray Skeff **************************************************************** Armod Hinkle November 26 Chill was Armod’s dog. Chill and Colette became such good buddies that he adopted Colette. Frank Brouse Shelter Manager Cindy Wojciechowicz Shelter Assistant Chill and Colette STATISTICS: January 1 — December 31, 2013 Wish List Dog Food Dog Treats & Toys Dog Collars & Leashes Detergent Dishwasher Soap Paper Towels Blankets, Towels Newspapers Thank you to all those who have made donations to the shelter. It means so much and the dogs receive the quality of care they so deserve!!! Dog Intake: Strays—340 Owner Surrenders—160 Returns—18 Transfer In—3 Dog Outcome: Adoptions—290 Returned to Owner—87 Transferred to Other Shelters—132 “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then I want to go where they went.” ——-Will Rogers MISSION STATEMENT The Upper Rio Grande Animal Society is dedicated to providing a safe environment for the shelter and care of animals in need, and for the prevention of cruelty and abuse of all animals. It is our pledge to nourish the relationship between companion animals and humans through education, media exposure and readily available information and assistance. GO ON-LINE Find dogs for adoption: Pet Finder.com Petango.com Donations All donations of any kind are welcomed and appreciated! Send to P.O. Box 369, Monte Vista, CO 81144 OR Make donation through our Website slvanimalshelter.com What do the phrase “Open Admission,” Open Door,” “Limited Admission,” and “No-Kill” mean? Open Admission—Sometimes called open door-means that an organization will not turn away any animal that comes to their doors. Many of these animals are healthy, good natured animals who go up for adoption—and for organizations abiding by the Asilomar Accords, there are no time limits on how long they can stay up for adoption. However, there are animals that come to a shelter sick, severely injured, or too aggressive or behaviorally unsound to be placed up for adoption at that time. While open admission shelters will give at least temporary refuge to these animals, many limited admission shelter-which sometimes call themselves “no-kill” - do not have the resources to dedicate to such animals. These shelters must make a decision as to which dogs will receive their care and attention, and therefore they limit the number and type of animals they will accept. As a result, some limited admission shelters may choose not to help the animals that come to them with health and/or behavioral issues-sometimes the animals most in need. It is the AAF belief that no animal should be turned away. Sometimes, these animals can be rehabilitated but sometimes they cannot. In this case, we strongly believe that euthanasia is the most humane alternative to an existence of suffering and pain or being limited to life in a cage. While the phrase “no-kill” can stir many emotions in people, it can also be very confusing and misunderstood. There are many good organizations that call themselves “no-kill,” just as there are many organizations that are ‘open admission.” Ultimately, much of the confusion about “no-kill” stems from the fact that there is no universally accepted definition of the term. One organization’s idea of “no-kill” can very widely from another’s. In fact, many “no-kill” organizations also euthanize animals because of severe health or behavioral issues. Therefore, it is important to look into the issues surrounding the idea of “no-kill” in order to understand the way in which organizations help animals. Article by: Animal Assistance Foundation Online Resources URGAS serves the community by: Providing a connection between homeless pets and adoptive homes to place animals in loving, responsible, and permanent homes. Providing lost and found services for pet owners. Providing humane education to protect animals from cruelty and suffering. Encouraging pet owners abut the importance of spaying and neutering to reduce the number of unwanted litters. Protection livestock and the public, providing holding facility for law enforcement. Senior Tuesday—October 8, 2013 Homelake Residents Juniper Village—Residents delivered treats and toys they made for the dogs. ************************************************************************************* The dogs visit the Veteran’s Center at Homelake for Halloween October 29, 2013 “Happy Tails” All these dogs and many more found loving homes!!! Rachel Vance/Chiquita October 1 Brenda Hanna Family/Alex October24 Betty Anderson/ Rachel November 14 Chis Moore/Elizabeth October 8 Amber Newhouse/ Cassie October 25 James Jermigan/ Rocky November 15 Carols Nichols/Duke October 22 Dwight Walsh/Aladar November 7 Linda Hernandez/Ullyses November 16 “Happy Tails” Continued Elizabeth Torres/Madison November 20 James Vessals/Serena November 21 Jan Schanburg/Xena November 21 Steve Van Tresse/Mike November 21 Shane and Chelsea O’Neil/Oliver December 15 Jennifer Clutter Uriah and Umber December 18 Lorie Catlin/Xerxes November 21 Steve and Konnie/ Prince Harry December 5 Grace Morrisette/ Amazing Grace December 17 Christi Brandt/Odetta December 30