Conference misery::feline_v1

    
    
    	Awesome entry Mike.  This is a much better explanation to what
    	I was asking for in the Bingo note I entered a few days ago.
    
    	JJ
    

    Wow! Some entry!
    
    Love to see Long Range Planning happening before, not after..:-)
    
    L-

    To give you an idea of the areas we need help in, here are some of the
    committees to be organized for our capital funding drive:
    
    1. Advertising/Public Relations Committee
       o Theme planning
       o Advertising agency contributions   
       o Billboards
       o Print/radio/TV ads
       o Poster campaign (artists)
       o Flyers (creation and distribution)
       o Direct mail
       o Telephone solicitation (direct mail follow-up)
       o Promotional brochure planning/development
       o Newsletters (progress reporting)
    
    2. Building Committee
       o Liaison with architect
       o Groundbreaking 
       o Construction management
       o City records/permit planning/coordination
       o Budget management
       o New equipment planning/research
       o Daily operations maintenance planning/coordination during construction
        
    3. Fundraising Committee
       o Special events planning/coordination:
         a. Banquets
         b. Concerts
         c. Celebrity endorsements/event coordination
         d. Product donations/raffles
         e. Bake/Rummage/Garage sales/Auctions
         f. Launch party (cocktail party at Country Club with scale model
            of new building, speeches)
       o Corporate interviews
       o Research
       o Federal grant writing/submission
       o Feasability study (interview local privately held organizations
         that have recently completed capital fund raising drives)
    
    4. Land Acquistion and Management
       o Site research for satellite locations and cemetery expansion
       o Planning/coordination with realtors, city planning/zoning
       o Staffing requirements
    
    5. Shelter Operations Committee
       o Personnel requirements/planning/interviews
       o Equipment requirements/acquisition
       o Operations budget planning/management
       o Full time veterinary services 
    
    6. Services Expansion Committee
       o Feasability studies/planning
       o Grooming/Boarding facility
       o Retail pet supplies operation
       o 24 hour emergency services/vehicles (Ani-mobile)/personnel
       o Library/resource center (with A/V services)
       o Wildlife rehabilitation center
       o Proctor Animal Cemetery expansion/planning
       o Spay/Neuter clinic
       o Vaccination clinic
       o Educational program (schools, media)
       o Obedience classes   
       o Show ring
       o Extensive pet therapy program
    
    Our overall goal statement:
    
    "To become New Hampshire's flagship animal welfare organization
    offering the best services and supplying the solution to any animal
    related issues. Become the ultimate authority that people can rely on
    when they think of animals, to look to us for help, assistance, or just
    to provide comraderie with animal lovers. Provide shelter to all
    communities in our geographic sphere."
    
    If you personally can't help, please spread the word to all your animal
    loving friends and relatives. We're looking for all kinds of talent. If
    you have friends/relatives/acquaintances who own businesses or provide
    services that fall within our needs, please ask them to contact the
    shelter to explore ways in which they can help. Call the Executive
    Director, Michele Clemons, or the Public Relations Manager, Judy
    McAdam, at 603-883-8512. And THANKS!
    

    Mike,  I am glad it was such a success.. I know my  2 had fun..
    ..Wow an Easter seesion would be great!!!! Wait until
    I tell  Happy and Precious..
    Kate, Happy, Precious(PURPURRPURR.

    
    
    	Bummer...forgot all about it (and I'm a volunteer too!)
    
    	Worst of all I didn't get to meet the infamous Happy
    	and Precious!  what a shame
    

    
    	Mike
    
    
    	pppfffftttthhh!  =)
    
    	my cats never would have sat still long enough anyway!
    

    My horseclub just went through the re-naming ordeal!! :-)
    
    I like # 4 or 5. Granite State Animal Rescue League.. 
    #'s 6-8 sound like you provide guard dogs!
                  
    I also like the idea of naming it after the founder....
    "New Hampshires Kendall Humane Society (or Animal Rescue League)
    "Granite States Kendall  "       "        "     "      "
                    
    Lynne

    
    
    	Mike,
    
    	I like the favorite name thus far.  And I think naming the
    	new wing after Jeannie Kendall is a wonderful idea!
    
    	JJ
    

    Ditto ditto on naming a new wing after Jeannie.  She sounds
    like a wonderful person and to think we had a person back
    in the 20's that really cared for the well being of animals.
    She would be very proud of all the work being done and She 
    deserves a wing in her name!!
    
    Sandy
    
    ps.. Mike you are also doing a wonderful job in this Humane Society.
        I enjoy reading your updates on the progress and the details of
        this shelter.  Thanks for caring for all the loving homeless 
        animals.
    
    
    

    Some sobering statistics published by the Humane Society of the United
    States:
    
    o TWELVE MILLION dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens are left at humane
      societies each year in the U.S. alone
    o EIGHT MILLION of these animals have to be euthanized due to lack of
      new homes
    o In 6 years, one female dog and its offspring can be the source of
      67,000 puppies
    o In 7 years, one female cat and its young can produce 420,000 cats
    o 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the United States EVERY DAY!    
      Compared to the 10,000 human births each day, it's clear to see that
      there can NEVER be enough homes for all these pets.
    
    PREVENT A LITTER: IT'S GOOD FOR YOU
    o Spayed and neutered pets are better, more affectionate companions.
    o Neutered cats are less likely to spray and mark territory.
    o Spaying a female dog or cat eliminates its heat cycle. Estrous lasts
      an average of six to twelve days, often twice a year, in dogs, and an
      average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats.
      Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and
      attract unwanted male animals.
    o Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to bite. Unaltered animals
      often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those
      that have been spayed or neutered.
    o Neutered males are less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or
      get into fights.
    
    April is Prevent A Litter Month. Please do your part!
    

    Mike-
    
    I think the *average cat owner is not aware of FeLeuk and
    its implications.  Giving the *ACO the choice will most
    likely mean that they will wave the test because it costs
    *them* money.  Any explaination given to the perspective
    adopter about FeLeuk & the like, may not necessarily be 
    understood,(immediately or at all), and the adopter may
    be so excited about bringing home the pet...you catch my drift.
    Being an experienced cat owner and knowing about the implications 
    of FeLeuk and the like, I would not have a problem with the 
    adoption fee being asked.
    HOWEVER, most people balk at the adoption price for "just a cat".  
    I was advising someone here at my office about were to go for 
    kittens....(Shelters, human societies, etc...) when another worker
    who owns cats, butted in and said that they want too much money
    for a cat, you can get them for free at........
    The educated cat owner would have no problem with this.
    
    * average cat owner = not educated
    
    Lynne                
    

    
    
    	Mike,
    
    	I think that if one were to look at the list of things
    	that are looked over on the cats and the number of shots
    	given the cat, then it would amount to as much or LESS
    	than if they were to take the cat to the vet and have the
    	same exams and shots done.
    
    	Of course like Lynne stated, an uneducated cat owner might
    	not realize this and squawk about the fee.  But anyone
    	that's dealt with or had cats before would probably find no
    	problem with the $40-$50 fee.
    
    	JJ
    

I think that unless you don't allow adopted cats to be outdoors, then you must
test them and make the new owners aware of the results.  I also think that with
all the services you are providing the cost is nominal.  I also feel that the
kind of folks that would be very turned off by the cost may not be the folks 
that you would have wanted as adopters anyway.  That goes along with the old 
theory that folks value what they pay for.

Couple of ideas:

1) I realize that the cost of syringes isn't that much, but is there anyway that
you could get them donated to the shelter?

2) I know that the cats that are already fixed would cost more if they were 
already spayed if the shelter was the one that performed the surgery, but to 
charge less for unneutered cats would encourage some people to adopt unneutered
pets and then they may not be responsible about getting the deed done.  Seems 
that the shelter would want to encourage the adoption of already neutered cats.
Could you flip flop the prices?  If you did that, would the numbers adopted make
up the difference?  Or what about charging the one higher fee for both neutered
and unneutered and using the excess to cover Felv testing?

Jo

I adopted my Ryan from Nashua Humane several months ago, when it cost $40.
He's well worth the price, and I knew that I was getting a good deal for a
young, neutered male with all his shots.  But I've owned cats for quite some 
time and am very knowledgeable about what cat care costs.  Perhaps making it 
more clear what you're paying for would help people understand why the fee 
is that high.  I know that there was not much effort to tell me exactly what 
I was paying for, but don't know if that's standard procedure, or if they
assumed from my manner and questions that I knew what I was doing.  And, of 
course, regardless of what care he'd gotten, I took him to my own vet for 
another thorough going over when I got him (which was stressed by the way).

People have such a tendency to want everything cheap.  When someone advertises
a "free" cat, it draws attention.  But if you factor in the vet work that's
already done at a shelter, it all evens out.  In fact the shelter cat is often
more of a bargain.  As with just about everything, it seems to come down to 
education.

As to your question, I think the Felv testing is VERY important.  I've had my
Tenzing for 8 years, and I would never have considered exposing her by adopting 
a cat that was not tested clear.

Karen, Tenzing and Ryan (worth every penny).

    I'd say that from a business standpoint, it's well worth your while
    to try and make the "standard medical checkup" part of your operation
    self-sustaining.  While it's true you could try to solicit donations 
    of money or materials, there's only so much charity to be gotten out
    of a particular community.  Far better to get donations for other
    necessities instead.
    
    I think the best approach to take would be to make the checkup and
    FeLv testing mandatory, and inform the prospective parents of this
    up front.  This would be much easier for them to swallow if you
    compared your fee against a vet's fee for comparable services:
    "Yes we require it, but you'd do most of it yourself ANYWAY if
    you cared about the animal, and we can do it for less because
    we're non-profit".  Yes, I know that this sentence glosses over
    some subtleties, but you want a simple "sound bite" you can convince
    the customer with.
    
    Just my 20 millibucks...
    
    --jim
    

    Like the others have said, I'd pay that much because I know what is
    involved caring FULLY for your cat.
    
    It's a shame that everyone isn't as aware. I have a friend who has an
    outdoor female, not spayed. She's actually a neighbor, I'm begining to
    wonder if I want to be her friend. I asked where the cat was & she said
    she was outside & that she thought she may be pregnant...AGAIN.
    
    "again?" I asked, wondering why she didn't have the cat fixed last
    time. She couldn't be bothered, too expensive, the cat is a pain in the
    butt, etc. So, we're sitting there talking about it & I figure I'll
    bring up testing & stuff. The cat has never been tested for FEluk, &
    I don't know if it's had it's shots, cuz when I went into the dangers
    of not having your OUTDOOR cat tested for feluk (never mind spayed) she
    seemed to think I was being a bother. She dropped the subject. I told
    her flat out, I will find her another home if you can't give her the
    care she needs. She just said, "Bonnie, what kind of person do you
    think I am? I'll find homes for the babies, I'm not going to just let
    them go wild!" I sed, Well you have to get her tested & vaccinated too,
    or you'll be paying a LOT MORE if she gets sick!! I somehow think she'd
    "get rid off" the cat iff it was sick & the bills were over $100!
    
    She says she's going to get all of this done & thanks me for informing
    her, but I think it's because this is obviously more important to me
    than it is to her. I just wish she realized how important it is to her
    cat!
    
    Bonnie

    I think you should put up a poster or two outlining the care that
    each cat at the shelter receives and the average vet cost then total
    it up.  $50 won't seem that bad if you do that.
    
    One of my big arguements to people to get them to go to shelters and
    pay the price is that they can count on a healthy cat!  I've had
    people tell me horror stories about the "free cat" they got and
    the subsequent vet's bills.  And often the bills aren't just for the
    new cat, they're also for the current residents who get sick too.
    If you stop FLV testing then you remove one of the big selling points
    for going to a shelter.  
    
    Also, what are you going to do with the cats if you don't test them?
    If you put them all in together then you risk spreading FLV from one
    cat to others.  I would think you'd need to know up front who is
    negative.
    
    Kitty Angels charges $50 per cat.  People pay that price.  
    
    re: Spaying - When I adopted Bumpy & Mao from the MSPCA I paid
    $35 for Mao and $5 for Bumpy.  Mao was too young to spay.  I had
    the option of getting her spayed at Angell Memorial for free or
    bringing the spay certificate from a vet and getting $30 back.
    (This was 11 years ago)   Perhaps you could work a deal like 
    that.  Charge more for the unneutered animals but refund the
    difference between spayed vs unspayed price upon proof of
    neutering.
    
    Nancy DC

    I was going to suggest the same as Nancy, a comparision of the costs
    between your operation and the traditional vets.  Granted most
    uneducated folks may not want to spend that much money, and would 
    prefer to get the cheapest pet available - but would you want to 
    place a cat w/ someone who isn't going to provide the proper basic
    care....There are so many people who think cats don't need
    vaccinations or need to be neutered.  It's because of this attitude
    we have the problem w/ the 20+ dropped off females.
    
    Overall, I think you should charge the $50 (or what ever is comprable
    to other area shelters) for an adoption fee, but really discuss it
    with the potential adopter - in fact this is a great chance to educate
    someone who isn't.
    
    just my 2 cents......Michele
    

    I remember when I adopted Nikki from the shelter 3 years ago.  About 2
    or 3 days afterwards he came down with an awful URI, so bad that he had
    to be hospitalized to fight it.  When I casually mentioned this to a
    Humane Society volunteer she informed me that there was a virus going
    around at the shelter while Nikki was there and since he was probably
    harboring it prior to joining our family, the shelter would incur his
    veterinary expenses.  They kept their promise.  Nikki was there for 4
    days and I never received a bill, but did make another donation to the
    shelter to express my appreciation.  I know that vet bill was a costly
    one!
    
    So, here's another plus for properly run shelters.  You get what you
    pay for, and the adoption cost is really a very nominal fee compared to
    what a vet would charge to do the same.
    

    Mike:
    
    	another idea......If there are standard questions folks might
    	ask.....what not put them up in a poster form too (questions
    	in red and answers in black?).
    
    	ie:
    
    	Q:  What does the shelter do?
    
    	A:  THe shelter.......
    
    
    
    	M

    Actually, I would take any cat I adopted off to my own vet post haste
    for checking and shots, regardless of what had been done at any
    shelter.  I trust my vet, and shelter personnel vary.  No aspersions
    on you guys, of course.
    
    I also feel better about my vet doing surgery like spaying,
    so you might want to go the deposit until you bring back a signed form
    from the vet saying the cat has been altered type of route as an
    option.
    

    For all those who helped me with renaming the Humane Society in Nashua,
    thank you, and I'd like to announce that we've chosen a new name:
    HUMANE SOCIETY OF NEW ENGLAND.
    
    Our ad agency is working on a new logo and press releases now.
    
    Thanks again!
    Mike

    You can bet on it Mike!!
    
    I'll have to bring in my little TV radio, since my cable Co doesn't
    pick up WMUR. Unfortunately, I won't be able to SEE you, since it has
    no picture, but I'll be listening in!
    
    Will you remember "us little people" when you're famous!!? ;*)
    
    Bonnie

    I am pleased to announce that the Humane Society of New England, 24 Ferry 
    Road, Nashua, NH, is now carrying dog and cat foods and supplies.

    Thanks to a joint venture with Food for Pets, the Shelter is now serving 
    as a distribution channel for dog, cat, puppy and kitten foods and a full 
    complement of supplies. A percentage of the profit from the sales will be 
    donated to the Humane Society by Food for Pets. We are excited to be 
    offering this service to the community and are grateful to Food for Pets 
    for their sponsorship of this program.

    Now you can get the same high quality foods and supplies that Food for Pets
    carries without having to drive all the way to Amherst or Manchester -- and
    you'll be contributing to the Humane Society at the same time!

    Because we have space limitations, we will be carrying only Science Diet,
    Eukanuba, and Iams food products initially, but we will be able to get 
    anything that Food for Pets carries via a regularly scheduled shuttle 
    service; therefore, if we don't have what you need, just place an order 
    and we'll have it for you in a day or two. We'll also be carrying leashes, 
    collars, bowls, flea collars, toys, treats, beds, litter boxes, cat litter,
    and so on. 

    Additionally, Food for Pets will provide a 5% to 10% discount to anyone who
    displays a Shelter membership card with purchases at either of their two 
    locations in Amherst and Manchester. Cards may be obtained at the
    Shelter anytime Tuesday thru Saturday, 10am to 6pm.

    This service is open to the public. So whether you're adopting a pet from 
    us and need a starter kit, or just want to surprise your pet with a new 
    toy, come to the Humane Society and contribute to a worthwhile effort. 
    Thank you.

Humane Society of New England
24 Ferry Road
Nashua, NH 03060
(603) 883-8512
(603) 883-4572
    
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

PRESIDENT:         Denise Harman 
VICE PRESIDENT:    Bill Studley 
TREASURER:         Eleanor Benson 
SECRETARY:         Vacant
DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Vacant
DIRECTOR:          Barbara Alves
DIRECTOR:          Barbara Beierl

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:    Harold Holland
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR:   Michele Clemons 

STAFF:
   Corey Arbogast 
   Craig Arbogast
   Cheryl Axtman
   Bernie the Rescue Dog
   Len-Ann Ethridge
   Eve MacDonald
   Donna Potter
   Debra St. Laurent
   Tammy Vaillancourt

SHELTER HOURS:
       o Tuesday thru Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm
       o Monday 5:00pm to 8:00pm (for stray pick-ups and licensing only)
       o Closed Sunday
       o 24 Hour Emergency Animal Rescue League
    
ADOPTION FEES:
       o Neutered Canine: $50
       o Unneutered Canine: $40*
       o Neutered Feline: $50
       o Unneutered Feline: $40*
       o Rabbits: $10                     
       o Gerbils, Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs: $5
   
*Includes $10 neuter deposit. Deposit is refunded upon proof of neutering.
    
Canine adoption fee includes:
       o heartworm testing
       o deworming
       o fecal testing
       o distemper vaccination
       o collar
       o leash
       o ID tag
       (All internal parasitic disease is treated if required)
       
Feline adoption fee includes:
       o distemper vaccination
       o FeLeuk testing
       o fecal testing
       o deworming
       (All internal parasitic disease is treated if required)
       
TERMS OF SALE: 
       o MasterCard 
       o VISA 
       o Cash
       (no checks accepted)    

Directions to Shelter:
    
    FROM SOUTH OF NASHUA:
    Route 3 North to Exit 7E. Through lights. Left onto St. Laurent St. 
    (behind the 99 Restaurant/Comfort Inn). Second right onto Ferry Road. 
    Shelter is 1/4 mile up on left just behind Proctor Animal Cemetery.
    
    FROM NORTH OF NASHUA:
    Route 3 South to Exit 7E. Take first left at lights onto Henri Burque 
    Highway. Take first left onto St. Laurent Street (behind the 99 
    Restaurant/Comfort Inn). Second right onto Ferry Road. Shelter is 1/4 
    mile up on left just behind Proctor Animal Cemetery.

HISTORY

The Humane Society was founded in 1900 by Jeannie Kendall, a staunch animal
rights activist in her time, who started her legacy by fighting for humane
treatment of the horses who provided all of Nashua's transportation in her day.

In 1929, the 6 acre site the shelter is now located at, was donated by Roscoe
Proctor. A 3 acre pet cemetery, dubbed Proctor Animal Cemetery, was started on
the site at that time. In 1979 the existing building was erected to the rear of
the cemetery. Prior to the construction of this building, the city's animal 
welfare efforts were managed by a variety of individuals in a number of
different locations throughout the preceding years.

TODAY

The Humane Society cares for over 4,000 domestic and wild animals each year and
extends its services to sixteen local communities including Amherst, Brookline,
Greenville, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Mason, Milford, Merrimack, Mont Vernon,
Nashua, North Pelham, New Ipswich, South Lyndeboro, Temple, and Wilton.

Our services include:

o Pet Therapy -- brings pets to area nursing homes and special needs homes
o 24 Hour Emergency Animal Rescue Services
o Adoptions -- placing unwanted pets in new homes
o Wildlife Rehabilitation -- a comprehensive program that ministers to the sick
  and orphaned wildlife in the area; the animals are treated and released back
  to the wild
o Proctor Animal Cemetery -- providing a final resting place for loved pets;
  private cremation and burial services including selection from a variety of
  burial containers; perpetual care
o Community Education -- taking an animal welfare education program to area
  schools
o Educational Guidance and Consulting -- assisting the pet owning public with 
  information about all aspects of animal care
o Publications -- a bi-monthly Membership newsletter, Animail, reports on the
  Humane Society's activities and is a storehouse of animal care information

THE FUTURE

Plans are underway to increase the physical size of the building at 24 Ferry
Road by 7,000 square feet. We estimate this addition will cost approximately
$2.5 million and we are eagerly seeking assistance with fundraising efforts.

The addition will help us better respond to the increasing animal welfare needs 
of the ever-growing region we serve. Additionally, valuable space will 
provide additional kenneling areas which will permit us to keep animals for a
longer period of time thereby increasing their chances for adoption. 

Also planned is construction of a controlled environment to house sick animals
in order to prevent the spread of disease. Proper funding will provide necessary
medical facilities and staff to quickly respond to the health issues that
plague the community's homeless animal population. Additionally, spay and 
neuter services will ensure that all animals adopted through the shelter will 
be neutered prior to adoption, thereby reducing the sky-rocketing pet 
population. According to the Humane Society of the United States, 70,000 
puppies and kittens are born each day in the United States; this compares to a 
human birth rate of only 10,000 per day. It's clear to see that the pet over 
population issue is an important one and the Humane Society of New England is
committed to minimizing the problem through neuter programs and education.

We also aim to provide bereavement counseling services; develop a library and 
information resource center; open satellite shelters to better serve
surrounding communities; expand the Proctor Animal Cemetery; offer grooming and 
boarding services; open a retail pet supply store; add conference/meeting room 
facilities; and construct office space on the second floor in order to free up 
valuable animal care space on the ground floor.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT 

Already assisting with this effort by providing tremendous financial support
are the following:

o David Lopatich Architects, Nashua, NH -- providing all design work at cost
o Merganser Corporation, Amherst, NH -- providing construction services at
  cost
o Allan Swanson Corporation -- providing site planning services at no charge

Additionally, Digital Equipment Corporation has recently donated two personal
computers, software, and printers to assist with the effort. 

We are currently seeking donation of creative time by a local advertising 
agency to assist with the development of a comprehensive publicity campaign.

Qualified volunteers are needed to help put various stages of the capital
expansion program into effect. A fundraising office must be developed and 
staffed full time in order to manage the tremendous goals of the program.

We hope to break ground within the next 5 years.

    As I am no longer on the Board of Directors for the Humane Society of
    New England, I will not be posting cats/kittens up for adoption in this
    conference. I hope that another volunteer can take over this effort.
    
    Please contact the Humane Society directly at (603) 883-8512 for
    information on adoptions or events/activities. Thank you.
    
    Mike Philbrook

    
    
    	I don't have all the specifics but I was at the shelter
    	last night and there are LOTS of babies up for adoption.
    
    	Some were found in a dumpster, some were found on the
    	side of the road in a trash bag by a jogger.......
    
    	All those screaming little faces and I couldn't take
    	any home.  
    
    	There were tigers, creams, orange/whites, blacks, you name
    	the color and they have one......
    
    	JJ
    

    
    The following cats/kittens are available for adoption from the Humand
    Society of New England, 24 Ferry Road, Nashua, NH.  Please call (603)
    883-8512 for more information.
    
    BREED		SEX	AGE		COLOR
    
    DSH			M	12 weeks	black/white
    DSH			F	12 weeks	black
    DSH			F	12 weeks	black
    DMH			F	1 yr		dark tiger
    DMH			F	13 weeks	buff & white
    DSH			M	1 1/2 yrs	black
    DMH			M	13 weeks	buff
    DMH			F	13 weeks	orange/white
    DSH			F	6 months	calico tiger
    
    DSH = Domestic short hair
    DMH	= Domestic medium hair
    
    All cats are FeLeuk tested negative. Cats are given a thorough medical
    evaluation, are fecal tested and dewormed.
    
    Adoption fees are $50 for neutered cats, $40.00 for unneutered cats.
    The $40.00 fee includes a $10.00 neuter deposit wich is refunded 
    upon proof of neutering.  Cash, Visa and MasterCard accepted. 
    Adoption fees are tax deductible.
    
    Shelter hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
    however, this week the shelter is closed on Tuesday but opened today,
    Monday, 11/4, until 8:00 p.m.