Written by: Humane Pennsylvania Community Outreach Programs Manager, Alexandra Young

October 16 is National Feral Cat Day! Since I met my first feral cat over 20 years ago, almost every day has been a celebration of National Feral Cat Day for me. Luke was a 4-month-old feral kitten that was basically kit-napped from his familiar outdoor home as part of a grassroots effort to save his litter. Half a year later, he was still terrified of humans. He had no potential adopters, and he no longer had a safe outdoor home. He was really miserable — as were his caretakers.

Luke’s case alerted me to the plight of feral cats and the consequences when good intentions fail. Many outdoor “friendlies” can backslide after being adopted as an indoor pet when their familiar routine and environment disappear. Common pitfalls of failed rescue attempts are:

• Litter box avoidance (indoors or outside)
• Repeated escape attempts (or finally succeeding)
• Aggression or shutting down

Stray or Feral?

“Stray” cats usually refer to those that enjoy physical contact with us and know how to ask for food and attention. One may think the cheek rubs, belly rolls and purrs mean “Please save me!” but this may not be what the cat truly wants or needs. Strays are often lost or abandoned pets, but they may also be indoor/outdoor unsupervised pets.

A “feral” cat runs when approached and deliberately avoids interaction with people. They have had little or no exposure to human contact or confinement, and they will attack if they can’t escape when cornered or handled. They’re often born outside as descendants of multiple generations of ferals.

Many factors influence a cat’s behavior at any given moment, and without a complete history calling one stray or feral becomes subjective. Regardless of its label, there is a way to control the population that respects cats’ nature and virtually eliminates kit-napping scenarios. It’s called TNR, otherwise known as Trap-Neuter-Return.

TNR’d cats are humanely captured, surgically sterilized, vaccinated against rabies and ear-tipped (one-third of an ear cut straight across) before being released back to their original outdoor “home.” Ear tips are universal symbols that a cat:

• Can’t reproduce
• Is rabies vaccinated
• Likely has a feeder (or a few!)
• Is at “home” and should be left alone unless obviously sick or injured

Kittens as young as 2 months old can be safely sterilized by a trained veterinarian. Early sterilization is critical, because a kitten can have her first litter at 6 months old. Many ear-tipped cats are also microchipped so they can be returned home just like your own family pet. Although cats are instinctively solitary, TNR’d cats often live in groups (called colonies) to share resources. Scientifically proven* benefits of TNR include:

• Reduces complaint-inducing behaviors, including fighting, spraying, and breeding
• Stabilizes population
• Frees up valuable shelter/rescue resources to needy pets
• Promotes peaceful coexistence
• Advocates humane treatment of all animals
• Avoids needless euthanasia

Returning sterilized cats to areas where other cats live may seem counterintuitive. However, due to the vacuum effect, new cats move into voids created by the removal of existing cats to take advantage of food, water and shelter. On the other hand, the practice of trapping, removing and killing cats often results in increases in free-roaming cat populations.

Humane Pennsylvania, through its Healthy Pets Initiative, offers the following services to assist you with free-roaming cats:

• Bottle Baby Kitten Kits
• Low-cost or free TNR surgeries for free-roaming cats
• “Pay-what-you-can” neighborhood vaccine and microchip clinics
• Free cat food to community cat caregivers through Spike’s Pet Pantry
• Free winter cat shelters made by volunteers
• Community cat and TNR guidance and advice

Be the Change

Humane Pennsylvania is building the best community anywhere to be an animal — including a community cat. And every person can be a part of the solution. Here’s how you can help:

• Become a foster parent for kittens, either on your own or through Humane Pennsylvania
• Volunteer to distribute pet food, make cat shelters or help at vaccine clinics
• If your municipality offers TNR services, thank your council and use the services!
• Attend council meetings and encourage elected officials to support TNR, offer a trap loan program or set aside funding to subsidize TNR surgeries
• Donate to Humane Pennsylvania to support our community cat programs

By working together as a community, we can improve the lives of free-roaming cats and the quality of life in our neighborhoods. Using the right approaches, we can save lives, decrease problems associated with unsupported community cats and have healthier, happier communities!

* Resources for scientifically validated benefits of TNR:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12523478/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26799109/

By Dr. Simoneau, Chief Veterinary Officer for Humane Pennsylvania 

Did you know that August 22^nd is National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day?

This is your friendly reminder to schedule your annual wellness exam if your kitty hasn’t been to the vet this year. Establishing a relationship with a vet for a wellness visit is essential; it helps ensure that your vet can see your cat should your cat ever have any urgent needs. If your cat is up-to-date with vaccines, a yearly exam is still an important step to make sure your cat remains healthy. A head-to-tail exam for every cat is necessary to assess dental health, monitor body weight, check lumps and bumps, and check lab work to detect early disease in senior cats.

On a head-to-tail exam, a veterinarian assesses the skin for common issues like ear and skin infections, as well as evidence of external parasites such as fleas and new lumps or masses. Mouth examinations help locate signs of dental diseases. A cat’s bodily condition, or fluctuation in weight, is a great way to signify that blood and urine tests should be ordered so that vets can screen for organ or endocrine dysfunction. In addition, fecal samples are recommended annually to screen for intestinal parasite eggs.

Common cat diseases to look out for:

• External and internal parasites (i.e., fleas, ear mites, roundworms, tapeworms)
• Skin and ear infections
• Skin masses
• Dental disease
• Kidney disease
• Hyperthyroidism

August 22^nd is also National Be an Angel Day. If your cat has already been to the vet this year, be an angel and sign up for Spike and Tilly’s Giving Clubs at https://humanepa.org/donations/capital-campaign/ to help ensure other cats get vet care in honor of your cat(s)!

By: Leann Quire, Director of Shelter Operations for Humane Pennsylvania 

If you ever had a pet go missing, for any length of time, you know how terrifying and stressful it can be.

The fear of never seeing them again sets in immediately. Or if they end up hours away – how will someone get in contact with you? What if they’re hurt and need help?

The thoughts, concerns, and anxieties can go on and on until your beloved pet is back in your care, safe and sound.

July is National Pet Loss Prevention Month, which is intended to bring awareness to the many animals that go missing every year. Animals are family – and they deserve to stay safe in their homes, by their owner’s side.

To help ensure your animals remain safe by your side, we are going to discuss some helpful pet loss prevention tips.

Microchip

What is a microchip? A microchip is a tiny radio-frequency identifier that is inserted under your pet’s skin, typically between the shoulder blades.

The chip has a unique identification number that appears when it’s scanned with an appropriate device (typically found at shelters and veterinary hospitals). Some police officers even carry microchip scanners now so they can immediately scan stray animals to see if they can get them back to their owners quickly.

If your dog or cat is not already microchipped, talk to your veterinarian about setting up an appointment. Many shelters and rescue groups hold vaccine and microchip clinics, some of which you don’t even need an appointment to attend.

Throughout the year, Humane Pennsylvania offers pay-what-you-can vaccine and microchip clinics. You can find upcoming dates by going to humanepa.org.

Register and update the chip! Many people who have had their pet microchipped make the mistake of not keeping their information updated or even checking to make sure their pet’s microchip is registered. Contact your microchip company regularly to update addresses, phone numbers, and alternate contacts.

Not sure if your pet is microchipped? Many shelters and veterinarians will scan your pet at no cost. Call those in your local area to find one that can help.

Once you receive a microchip number, you can use AAHA’s microchip lookup at https://www.petmicrochiplookup.org/ to determine whether the microchipped is registered, what company your pet’s chip is registered through, and how you can update necessary info. You can also find out how to get your pet’s chip registered if it isn’t already.

Report a Lost or Found Animal

If you find a lost pet, there are some important things you should do to play your part in helping that animal get back to its owner.

• Check with neighbors to see if anyone recognizes the pet.
• Take the animal to a local shelter or veterinary hospital to get scanned for a microchip.
• Call your local shelter to complete a found report or to see if they have any lost reports that match the description of the pet you found.
• Post to Facebook groups and websites created for helping owners find their lost pets.
• If you are unable to keep the pet safe while you try to find the owner, call the municipality where you found the pet and see who they contract with to advise you on where to take the pet to safely stay while the owner is located.

Spay and Neuter

Spay and neuter isn’t just important for controlling the pet population; it can also prevent animals from going astray. Intact males are highly driven to roam and find a mate, so they are more likely to find ways out of the home.

Supervise

Don’t leave your pets unsupervised. Even in a fenced yard or enclosure, you should always be with your pet in case they find a faulty fence post, are a master digger, or have perfected the art of fence climbing.

Collars, Harnesses, and Leashes

Make sure your dog wears an appropriate fitted collar or harness. You don’t want to find out the hard way that the collar was too big and your beloved pet slipped out of it while trying to chase a bicycle or squirrel.

Use the “two-finger” rule to check for a proper fit by sliding two fingers between your dog’s neck and collar to make sure the collar is not too snug or too loose. You should not be able to pull the collar up and over the dog’s head.

Remember that dogs grow, lose weight, and gain weight just like people do, so it is important to frequently check how your dog’s collar fits and also that it is in good condition.

Harnesses are also great options for smaller breeds and brachycephalic breeds (short nose dogs like pugs and bulldogs) with delicate windpipes. Harnesses can discourage pulling, provide you with better control, and prevent injury to the neck area.

There are many different kinds of harnesses, so do your research or work with a professional to identify which harness is best for you and your dog.

Retractable leashes are generally not safe and are not recommended. Retractable style leashes provide little control and often extend very far, which can be dangerous if you and your dog are walking near roads or encounter other animals that are not pet-friendly.

Additionally, the cord used in these leashes is not durable and can snap or easily tangle around the walker or dog and cause serious injury.

Talk to your veterinarian or trainer before making the decision to purchase a retractable leash.

Proper Identification

Not only should your pet have properly fitted collars and harnesses, but they should also have proper identification if they happen to get loose.

An identification tag with your pet’s name, along with your phone number and city, can increase the chances of you reuniting with your pet.

Having your pet’s current rabies tag, license tag, microchip tag, and identification tag on their collar is beneficial and increases the chance of your furry friend getting back home.

We hope you never have to experience the terrible stress of having a pet go missing, but hopefully, following these tips will result in a quick, healthy, and happy reunion!

Today we celebrate Lauren Henderson, our Director of Development, who continuously perseveres and exceeds our expectations! Lauren truly puts the “L” in building the best community anywhere to be an animal or animal caretaker, and we are so happy to have her on our team! Learn more about Lauren and some of the fantastic things she’s done since her time with Humane Pennsylvania!

What do you love most about working for Humane Pennsylvania?
I genuinely enjoy connecting people to our organization, whether by attending an event or having their business partner with us for a fundraiser. It’s so lovely to see people really embrace our mission and have an understanding of what Humane Pennsylvania is all about.

What do you see as your most significant accomplishment since your start with Humane Pennsylvania?
My biggest accomplishment has been my ability to continue to grow and learn within the organization. When I started here five years ago, I was the Events/Donor Relations Manager. Now, to be Director of Development is very exciting and rewarding for my career.

What is one of your favorite Humane Pennsylvania memories from the past year?
A couple of months into the pandemic, we started selling mystery boxes to boost the Humane PA’s income. My coworker Chelsea and I would come into the office (with masks on, of course) for a few hours a day and stuff hundreds of boxes! It was a lot of work, but seeing the support still coming in was fantastic, and hanging out with Chelsea is pretty great too.

What part of your position do you enjoy most?
I love forming relationships with the donors and corporations I work with to become as passionate about supporting the animals we serve as we are.

What is one fun fact about you that we might not already know?
I am a HUGE Philadelphia sports fan; I love the Sixers, Phillies, Eagles & Flyers!

Thank you, Lauren, for all you do for Humane Pennsylvania and the animals in our care!

In light of Pet Fire Safety Day, which takes place on July 15^th this year, we took time to chat with Andy Gudinas – Berks County Suppression Instructor, Lieutenant and Paramedic, Samantha Kaag – Berks County EMT and Firefighter, and Chad Moyer – West Reading Fire Chief, about the different ways we can ensure the safety of our pets before and during a fire!

What are some common ways pets can start a fire?

Andy Gudinas (A.G.): Most common are kitchen fires, whether by bumping the knobs for the burners or knocking something onto the stove.

Samantha Kaag & Chad Moyer (S.K./C.M.): Stoves are the number one cause of fires by pets. Electrical cords are also a hazard because dogs, cats, mice, bunnies will sometimes chew on them. Unattended lit candles are not only dangerous on their own but can be easily knocked over by pets.

How can I prevent my pet from starting a fire?

A.G.: Prevention is not so easy when animals have free reign. Keeping them out of the kitchen unattended is best practice.

S.K./C.M.: You can remove stove knobs or use stove knob covers, block off access to the kitchen, and never leave an active stovetop or a lit candle unattended. Also, DO NOT leave food boxes, bags, or anything your pet may want to jump up to get in, on top of the stove. Keep pet-designated food/water bowls away from risky areas. Hide your plugged-in electrical cords appropriately and check on your pets (especially smaller ones), periodically, when left to roam.

What should I do with my pets during a fire?

A.G.: You would be surprised; the pets usually have a natural instinct to flee when there is a fire. A lot of the time the pets beat the humans out of the house.

S.K./C.M.: Try to evacuate the house with them; this can be made easier by keeping leashes and crates near an exit and having an escape plan in which someone is designated to grab the animal, if able to do so safely. If you cannot secure them get out and stay out.

What if I can’t take my pet with me when I escape from the fire?

A.G.: If you can’t get them out, DO NOT go back in to get them. Let the arriving responders know the last known location and a description of the animal.

S.K./C.M.: You should get yourself to safety and let the dispatcher and/or firefighters know that there are pets inside, upon arrival, and tell them about any potential hiding spots your pets may run to. When you get out, stay out, leave it to the firefighters on the scene.

How can I prepare myself, my family and my pet for a fire (in general)?

A.G.: Practice fire drills and establish escape routes. Designate a meeting place. If you do this often, it becomes muscle memory for your pet. Positive reinforcement is key. Lastly, post pet finders on or near the front door — they let responders know to keep pets in mind while performing primary and secondary searches.

S.K./C.M.: You can prepare by having a fire plan in place for your family that includes your pets; having a plan for a fire is important for any family to practice. There are also stickers you can put on your doors and windows to alert firefighters that there are pets inside.

In one year, there are nearly 360,000 house fires; pets cause over 1,000 of them. Unfortunately, almost 40,000 pets do not survive because of fires each year.* Awareness and having a fire plan can save the lives of not only you but your loved ones and your pets as well.

*These statistics were provided by Samantha Kaag, Berks County EMT and Firefighter.

Being associated with a hardworking, dedicated employee like Aida May makes us proud. Her contribution and commitment to our work are unmatched and, without her, this journey would certainly not be the same. On behalf of Humane Pennsylvania, Happy 10 Year Work Anniversary! To show our appreciation, we sat down to learn more about Aida and the impact she’s made – here’s what she had to say:

1. What do you love most about working for The Humane League of Lancaster County?

The difference we’re able to make in people’s lives every day. It’s a different experience here. We’re able to come in and help everyone, whether it be re-homing their pet, finding them a new pet, or even situations where they come to us for resources when they’re not able to financially care for their pets for medical reasons. That’s probably the greatest thing — being able to keep the animal in their home.

2. What keeps you motivated to do the great work you’ve been doing for the past 10 years?

I would say just seeing the difference in some of the animals that come to us, like Ned for example. I’ve seen him come in with matted hair and underweight and just not in the best condition. Now he’s 100% different. So you see these animals, whether they’re bottle baby kittens or underweight adult dogs, and the care that the team here puts into them and the general dedication from the public. It really helps and we’re able to turn it around for these animals and get them into loving homes.

3. Are you a dog person, cat person, or critter person?

I’m a cat person for sure!

4. Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?

I would say definitely both of my first and current supervisors. Becky – she worked with me when I first started here and I had no experience. I worked in retail prior to coming here. I had pets growing up, but no experience with animal welfare, and she really molded me into what I am now. And of course, Leann. She has helped me grow so much, from working as a tech to now being in a managerial position. It’s something that I didn’t even know I could do, but she helped me grow and helped me make decisions that led to my continued growth within the organization.

5. What’s one thing you’re learning now, and why is it important?

I’m constantly learning about the medical aspects of the shelter. That’s something that’s a pretty big passion of mine and it’s something that’s always evolving. I love working with our veterinary team and learning about why our animals are feeling certain ways and what we can do within the shelter to help them. That way in future cases, it helps me make decisions in regards to what the next step would be for the animal. Does it need immediate care? Can it wait until our veterinarian and I have a minute to calm the animal down?

6. What do you see as your biggest accomplishment since your start with HLLC?

My biggest accomplishment would be: starting with no experience when I first came into the shelter and being able to move up within the organization. I started as a temp in the front office, left for a little bit when I had my first child and then I was hired back, full-time, as an animal care technician. I was a tech for a few years and now I’ve worked my way into a supervisory role with the rest of our team. I’m always amazed by how far I’ve come within the organization. It’s a great organization, and I love that we’re able to see people grow within it.

7. What’s one of your favorite Humane Pennsylvania memories from the past year?

Hmm, from within this past year? This has definitely been a crazy year but I would say, even with Covid-19, we were still able to help with transports from hoarding situations and we were able to work alongside other locations. I love that we were able to make a difference despite COVID and still keep the ball rolling. We continued helping our community and anywhere else that it was needed.

8. Do you have a favorite animal at the shelter currently? If so, who?

My favorite would have to be Vincenzo! He is an FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) positive cat that has been with us for a little while. He came to us after a caretaker outside of the shelter noticed that he had some pretty severe wounds and his eyes were not in the best condition. I really loved watching him come around. He was so shy when he first got here and now he just makes biscuits everywhere. I love him. He’s so sweet and, after months of medical care, he’s finally ready for adoption.

9. What’s a task you love doing around the shelter?

I would say anything that involves being hands-on with my team. They’ll typically call me when we have cats that are a little bit harder to handle. I love working with the team. I spend a lot of time in my office, with paperwork and stuff to do, but being able to help them when they’re giving vaccines or just giving them an extra hand with anything, in general, makes me happy.

10. What three words would your coworkers use to describe you?

I would say compassionate and understanding and patient.

11. What’s one fun fact about you that we might not already know?

I own a pretty wide variety of animals. Of course, I have my cats and I have a couple of dogs. I have an axolotl, which is a Mexican Walking fish. I have guinea pigs and beta fish as well.