Lisa Stanziano – Page 29 – Friends of SFACC

Heading Back to Work? Prep Your Pet

(photo c. Embark)

For the past several months, pets of folks who are working at home during the shelter-in-place have enjoyed the extra attention and company. As people return to work, even part-time, some pets might experience separation anxiety. The American Veterinary Medical Association has a few tips to minimize the stress of this change:

Start slowly introducing your pet to a workday routine. Get your pet accustomed to new wake, feeding, and walking times.
Practice leaving the house and your pet. Start out leaving for short periods and then gradually extend the time.
As you leave, give your pet a small treat to help create positive connections to your leaving.
If you see signs of anxiety—such as destructive activity—do not punish your pet. Instead, shorten the time you are away and slowly build up to longer periods. Stay calm when leaving or returning home.
Before leaving, engage in play and activity. Burning energy can help keep pets calm and relaxed.
If you’re planning on using a pet sitter, dog walker or pet daycare, be cautious. Exposing your pet to others can increase your pet’s and your own risk to COVID-19. Follow protocols put into place by the daycare and do not use the service if you or your pets are sick. Keep cats indoors. Do not put face coverings on pets and do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or any other products not approved for animal use.
Dog parks are starting to reopen, but you want to maintain, as best you can, a safe distance between your pet and others. Don’t allow people you don’t know to pet your dog and you shouldn’t pet theirs.
Keep your pet occupied during your absence with long-lasting treats, food puzzles and automatic feeders.
If you typically used a crate when you were gone but haven’t been using it during the shelter-in-place, now is a good time to explore your options. You can decide to do away with the crate or if you plan to use it, start doing so now, while you’re still at home, putting the dog inside for short periods and giving them rewards. Dogs should not be left in crates for extended periods of time.
Look for signs of stress, such as excessive barking or whining, agitation, destructive behavior and inappropriate urination or defecation. Consider setting up a camera so you can see how your pet is doing while you’re gone. You also can then show the behavior to a veterinarian, who can help you figure things out.

Four Cats and a Boy Named Finn

Jennifer O’Loughlin is what we call a “repeat adopter.” She’s adopted four cats from ACC over the years. It all started in 2001 with a grumpy green-eyed tortie named Harley that she adopted and renamed Chloe and an orange tabby she named Fig. When her son Finn was born in 2007, Chloe immediately became fast friends with Finn. (Fun fact: Jennifer almost named Chloe “Finn” before she ever knew she would have a child). Says Jennifer, “I was never fearful the cats would scratch or harm the baby. Of course, I was watchful but the cats just accepted him, especially Chloe who constantly nuzzled him. I called Finn “Chloe’s little kitten” because wherever he was, the cat was there looking over him.”

With a laugh, Jen adds, “Fig was a little more wary especially when the baby learned to walk- the cat took off for higher ground.” Fig was something of a klepto cat. “Fig was fond of jewelry. He’d pick up rings, and other jewelry pieces and I’d find them in odd places.” Chloe and Fig were a huge part of Finn’s life.

In 2016, when Chloe was almost 18, she became ill and passed away, and Jennifer went back to ACC to adopt a third kitty, 5-year old Greta. Finn renamed her Tinkerbell (was Greta) after a character in his favorite movie at the time (Hook) “because she was the prettiest girl in the world.” They had a very special bond.

In early May of this year, Fig was euthanized at almost 20. Jennifer had adopted him at 5 months old and was devastated—he shared so much of her life. Two weeks later, Tinkerbell was diagnosed with lymphoma of the liver and spleen. Jennifer gave her palliative care and she died a few weeks later, on Juneteenth. “My heart shattered…to lose two in a matter of weeks. “We were both devastated. Our home is not complete without a cat to love.” She knew that ACC was holding virtual adoptions during the covid shutdown and she filled out the online adoption application.

Meanwhile, ACC volunteer Dawn had spent a week fostering a special needs cat named Bella, who reportedly had been left behind in a house, which happens sometimes when people are evicted and don’t know what else to do with their pets. “She was a special needs foster, because she was a little fearful and bitey.” In the care of her foster home, Bella became relaxed and calm, and reportedly not even afraid of fireworks.

In early July, the adoption stars aligned, and Jennifer and Finn welcomed Bella into their home. Jen decided to rename her Mishka, “it means “sweetheart,” “little bear” or “little white bear” or “Gift from God” in many languages). [photo] She is settling in marvelously: She’s playful, agreeable, very affectionate, and gorgeous. It took her 3-4 days to decide I was safe enough she could sleep on my bed. She snuggles into my underarm, on my shoulder or on top of my head on my pillow every night touching my face with her polar bear paws. She seems a little leary of taking in all the views from our little apartment as if she’s agoraphobic (she looks surprised when she sees people, cars, dogs or hears birds in the park across the street). She’s very content sleeping on the sofa or my bed. We adore her!”

Reflecting on the joy that all of their cats have brought to their family and what they’ve taught Finn—unconditional love, empathy, and caring for a living being–Jennifer decided to make a donation to the Friends of SFACC, in gratitude for the ongoing work of the shelter staff and volunteers. “Mostly, I want to give back to the city agency and its legion of caring volunteers. They’ve given so much to me and my family, and adopting from SFACC for nearly 20 years has been an incredibly positive experience. They’ve saved the lives of countless animals─and that takes money.” ACC provides many services the many residents are unaware of, including temporary shelter for pets of domestic violence survivors. “Having been in two relationships marked by domestic violence, I know pets can be in immediate danger as a means to maintain dominance and control through fear. It’s hard enough to flee especially when you’re afraid to leave your pets behind.”

Jennifer’s gift will help continue the programs that guide adoptable animals to their forever families. We’re so grateful for her generosity and for sharing her story.

July 2020

Ear floof kitten champ Hannah (now Senneca) is now in her furrever home. Looks like she has lots of cuddles in her future!

Happy One-year Adoptaversary to Opal (aka Tippy)! Her dad says, “I can’t believe it’s been a year since Opal’s traumatic street-life existence melted away into a loved-filled one at Clement Nursery, and in mine.”

Foster win! “thanks to some great matchmaking by ACC staff, we brought home this adorable young mama to foster after she finished raising her 9 kittens. Only took three days for us to know she was a keeper. Juliette now has her forever home with us, and is already the queen of the castle.”

Mama, now Cora, has found her forever home! Happy tails sweet girl!

Sweet gray boy Asher was a stray and has been adopted by the person who found him.

Rocky adopted.

A huge congratulations to adopter Geoffrey for adopting Nova, from our partner org Boise Bully Breed Rescue! Geoffrey writes, “Nova is doing great and I couldn’t be happier. We are working well together and have been on a routine, where we walk in the morning and in the evening before breakfast and dinner. We have made trips around town, to the river and beach, doing pretty good in public stores and businesses, and we are improving with her social skills with other pets, mainly dogs.
During our walks, Nova is confronted with many things (people, squirrels, people and dogs, birds, flocks of geese, even cats, dogs behind fencing) she had seemingly learn to leave most distractions along the way, alone. The more we work together, the better she gets. I couldn’t imagine her going away. Yes, it is safe to let others know, she has been adopted!”
A big thank you to BBBR staff member and dog trainer Bill for showing Nova to her new dad! Thank you BBBR Foster/Adoption Coordinator Ashley for facilitating the adoption.

Matias was adopted has already proven himself to be an ace lap cat!

It’s a foster win for sweet Cookie! This sweet little lady arrived at the shelter terribly matted and scared, but has blossomed during her time at SFACC and in foster. Her foster has made it official, “she’s growing more confident and relaxed every day.” Congratulations to both of you!

Moon was one of the Hurricane Irma pups. His new full name is Hamilton Moon and his family loves him dearly!

Kitten boy Biga has happily joined the family of ACC grad Bomboloni (adopted last year; was Shiva)( their dad is an Italian baker). Bomboloni’s mom was worried he’d get lonely when they went back to work after having been home during SIP, so she applied to adopt another cat. She thought he might like a feline sibling since whenever she watched cat videos on her computer he’d come up to the screen and touch his nose to it. She didn’t care about age/sex/color as long as it was a good match for Bomboloni. Our adoption adviser thought of a kitten whose adoptions kept falling through and the match has worked out better than we could’ve hoped! He’d just been waiting to go home to his new big brother! Check them out enjoying a kitchen playfest!

Max (was Palmer) was adopted this month and is loving his new home: “The dog brothers are getting along great.” His husky brother is clearly giving him some modeling lessons!

Scrumptious pup Dora (was Fruity Pebbles) was adopted in March and is thriving in her forever home! Her adopters report “Here are some new shots of our favorite dog in the world. She couldn’t be better and we couldn’t be happier.” Yay Dora!

Guinea pigs Blythe and Gwenyth adopted.

Butterbean adopted through Beyond Rescue.

Duke Ellington recently had his 10-year Adoptversary!

Kobe

Petunia then (sweet pup at SFACC) and now (gorgeous and happy in her forever home)!

Handsome Stumpy McGee adopted!

Rescue road trip! Thor and Loki were backyard dogs who were surrendered to us a month ago with terrible dermatitis. They responded really well to basic care and treatment from us, came out of their shells, and had a fun road trip (complete with a stop for doggie ice cream) up to their foster home with Wigglin’ Home Boxer Rescue-WHBR. They are now blossoming in their foster home in rural Oregon. They’ve already got several interested adopters and are having a blast. Thank you to our new rescue partner, and all our transporters and rescue partners!

Tippy and Spotty were adopted together. Yay!

Topsy and Turvy went to our rescue partner, Copper’s Dream. Thank you!

June 2020

In June, SFACC had 101 virtual adoptions and 250 animals were transferred to partners–rescues and other shelters. Here are some adoption highlights and updates…

Sweet boy Scrappy has been adopted! He’s got a big forever family, including canine sister Billie, who was adopted from SFACC in 2018.

Bonded pair update: Meo Meo and Miu Miu! “We adopted this bonded pair back in February and I wanted to let you know how happy and healthy they are together in their new home! Thanks for the joy they bring!”

“This is Shaunday (it’s a nickname that means ‘Little’ in Kiowa). You may remember him as Steve McQueen. He has been with us for five years, and we are so thankful to you guys for giving this scared little dental disaster a new shot at life. He is a senior now at 11 (not that you could tell beyond the very slightest cloudiness in his eyes), living in Oklahoma City with his own backyard and a big sister and an endless parade of foster siblings that he rules over from the back of the sofa. He is safe and loved forever.”

“Here is Trey (formerly Geneva), 4 yrs old on June 15. She came to my house at 3 months old from SFACC. All kitty fun all the time. Fetches. Ruins chairs. Best cat ever.”

“This is Tory. We adopted her in 2013. Our little blind chi/pug. She can’t wait for the day she can start visiting her favorite SFACC staff!”

Two ACC alumni, both May 2019 grads, meet on the streets! Chuy (Malcolm) and Theo (Joaquin) had a surprise meetup. After a brief hello they got down to some fun sidewalk playtime!

A guinea pig happy tails update with extreme cuteness! Guinness was adopted back in April and just had his first birthday party with his brother Niko. What a great pair they make!

Hooray! Cutie pie Mr Buttercup is headed home with his new mom.

Good boy Kimchi has gone home with his new family! Happy tails sweet boy.

Update about ginger gem Sprinkle! “I adopted this 6-year-old sweetie a little a year ago. He is the nicest chillest cat who tolerates his grumpy older sister with grace. He loves telling me about his day and getting in a good snuggle. But generally, he’s a low key independent little guy. He came with the name Sprinkle and I couldn’t change it because it suits him. I’m lucky to have this ginger boy in my life. Thanks ACC!”

Jones (ACC grad) went to his forever home with Michelle and Guido through adoption partner Muttville and we couldn’t be happier for him! We know he’ll be the perfect first dog for them and they’re all looking forward to going on weekend adventures together!

“Just wanted to take a minute to say thanks. I worked with NASRN (National Anatolian Shepherd Rescue Network) to foster “Hunter” now Bubba one year ago tomorrow. He fell in love with our same age Anatolian mix girl. …He was said to be Anatolian/Pyrenees… He grew more and was a handful at first but I knew he had a good heart. We kept working with him and now he is an AWESOME MAGNIFICENT dog. Thanks SO MUCH for doing what you all do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Transport Volunteers – Cindy Dughi, Chris Johnson, and Jessica McEntee

Last month we shared a transport story (Curbside Pickup) about ACA Kathryn Jones, bringing an ACC dog to Idaho rescue for a second chance at adoption. This month, we pay tribute to three volunteer transporters: Cindy Dughi, Chris Johnson, and Jessica McEntee.

Transporting Is Transformative
By Cindy Dughi

I’ve been a volunteer at SFACC for about 18 months. I had just left a very difficult work environment and I needed to give back. My love for cats is known by everyone. When friends go away, their cats come and stay at “The Kitty Spa.” I did not have a cat of my own so I shared one with my friend. I would tell him that little Oreo called and needed a spa week and she would come stay for a visit.

I began as a cat volunteer at the shelter. I am not sure if I really heard this or if I made it up, but I was glad we were not supposed to adopt any animals for 6 months. In the first 3 months I wanted them all. But an opportunity came up to foster a 13-year-old cat (an ACC alumni) belonging to a U.S. veteran who was in the hospital and subsequently rehab. I took in Miss Paige. She was amazing and we grew to love each other. We even went to see her daddy in rehab. It was hard but after 6 months, she went back home. I thought I might be a foster fail but actually the gentleman adopted ME! I get to see them at least once a week to this day.

While doing my cat work, I heard about a need for drivers to take animals to other rescues for specific needs that they had. Since I was unemployed, I wanted to give as much as I could. Working with Tim, Maria, and Allen is such a joy. Our group is amazing. We are all so responsive and caring, knowing that the time we take to get an animal to a rescue could save its life. During our current SIP with the pandemic, it has saved my sanity, and I know it is the same for other drivers, in that we became essential workers and were able to go out to complete our necessary jobs to save the animals.

I have transported cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, racoon babies, birds of all kinds, bunnies, guinea pigs, rats, turtles, and dragons (yes!). I have traveled mainly to The PHS in Millbrae and Wild Care Center in San Rafael but have also been to Menlo Park for Ratzy Rat Rescue, Ohlone Rescue for wild animals, Fairfield and Mill Valley for rabbit rescues, Morgan Hill for sled dog rescue, Marin HS for cat adoptions, Vallejo for a reptile rescue, and Sacramento for a puppy adoption. But my favorite and most life changing is SnapCats in Santa Rosa. I had the opportunity to transport an elderly cat, age 16, to a forever home. This was a rescue org unlike any I’d seen before. I pulled into the yard and got my old man out and walked up to the house. The sliding door said “Come in but look down please.” I opened up the door to a large room filled with 20-30 cats, toys, food bowls, and an outdoor enclosed patio with hammocks. At closer look, I realized that each cat had a disability. Blind kitties, and kitties with neurologic disabilities but all of them coming over to greet me. It was so beautiful. But that was just the beginning. We went up into the house and there was a whole area dedicated to elderly cats. I opened up the carrier and my old man came out and walked over to another old man laying by a water fountain; they sniffed and he laid down with a restful sigh. He was home. On the same level is a dedicated area solely for cats with cancer. As each cat is welcomed, they go on the website and are “adopted” for a pittance a month to cover their needs at the rescue. One man lives there but many volunteers help during the day. My takeaway was how happy and adjusted each one of the cats were. They had a safe and loving home. Just a little different. But aren’t we all?!!

The transport team can always use more drivers. While there is no compensation for gas or tolls, if you itemize your taxes, you can get 14 cents/mile reimbursement. I have a regular car, nothing special. The animals are in carriers, except one funny puppy (9-month-old husky) that I drove to the south bay. We secured him but somehow he ended up with his paws on my shoulders as we drove down 101…yes we got some looks and photos taken but I have learned now to test my knots and carabiners!

The rescues we visit are all so different but they share one goal: to help those who have no voice to help themselves. So, if you have a car and want to help, come join the Transport Team.

Singing with Pigs
By Chris Johnson

I’ve been volunteering at SFACC for approximately three and half years, primarily as a dog-walker, but I’ve also transported animals for much of that time. With sheltering-in-place, it has, necessarily, been my only activity at ACC, and I couldn’t be happier for this opportunity to participate in the shelter activities and to spend some quality time with the animals. Plus it doesn’t hurt that traffic has been so light, one bright side to the SIP.

Transporting is easy. I’m retired, so I have plenty of time. I drive a 2007 Honda Fit, a boxy hatchback which, while barely suitable for transporting humans, is actually quite good for transporting animals. I’ve managed to transport goats, pigs, baby raccoons, baby skunks, coyote pups, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, many birds, including raptors, pigeons, gulls, crows, hummingbirds, and songbirds, and, of course, plenty of cats and dogs. For the most part, no special gear is required. Most animals ride in cardboard or plastic carriers, though I have used metal crates for some of the larger animals. But, occasionally, you have to be creative. The goat was fairly particular, and ultimately was transported on a bed of hay, with a folded metal crate serving as a barrier between the back of the car and the driver’s seat.

We cover a lot of ground, the animals and I. For the most part, I take them from ACC to various rescue organizations, humane societies, foster homes, and adopters across the greater Bay Area. Occasionally, when the rescue group is located further afield, a convenient midway point is chosen, and a handoff is made with another volunteer who takes the animal on to its destination (Some ACC transporters have taken their charges all the way to destinations as far away as Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, and Southern California!)

I’ve had many great experiences transporting animals, and it’s challenging to pick one favorite. It could have been Pepper Ann, the pig I took to Flat Broke Farm in Cotati (very chatty), or the goat, also brought to Flat Broke Farm (very willful!). But I think my favorite had to be the seven beautiful husky pups I took to the Humane Society of Silicon Valley in Milpitas. Somehow, they all fit in my car. And while they could be quite raucous at times, they would, in unison, snap to attention when addressed directly. It was a sight to behold and very satisfying.

I get a lot out of transporting these animals; experiences that would be challenging to get elsewhere. I get to converse and sing with pigs (with nobody else looking on), and marvel at the strange, otherworldly sounds that baby raccoons somehow generate. And there is real drama traveling with a magnificent raptor in one carrier, an upset gull in another, and in the third, a baby hummingbird which can’t miss a meal and needs to get to Peninsula Humane Society’s Wildlife Center as soon as possible. I get to meet the many great, devoted, and passionate people that work at or, in some cases, single-handedly run the various rescue groups, and I get to visit the homes of the many wonderful foster families as I deliver their new charges. But, ultimately, I transport because it is another way that I get to participate in the process of delivering these beautiful animals to their new and better lives. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Driving Miss Daisy
By Jessica McEntee

I set out with Daisy, a large Rottweiler, on Saturday morning (May 30th) to meet a transporter in Yreka who would then take her to Portland, Oregon to a rescue where she would start her new life. In April I had done the same type of handoff with a pittie who had been accepted by the same rescue, called The Heart of Rescue (THOR). They accepted Daisy after incredible staff person, ACC Katy Jones, contacted them. There are limited rescue options for Rottweilers in California so Katy has reached out farther and established a partnership with THOR in Oregon (and with another rescue I transported to in Arizona in March!).

Daisy was the perfect copilot and made the 5-hour ride to Yreka very enjoyable. When we arrived in rainy Yreka, I found out that the transporter I was supposed to be meeting had an unfortunate emergency with his own dog. After hearing more about the situation, I was concerned that even if I could deliver Daisy to the transporter, it would be a challenge for him to drive her the rest of the way to Portland given his current circumstances. After discussing the plan with Katy Jones and THOR’s founder, Daisy and I decided to finish off the trip ourselves!

It would have been a shame to come that far and have to turn back around to SF without completing our mission. Daisy helped me stay nice and alert for the next 5 hours of the drive and even sang with me! It was so gratifying and very much worth 1300-mile drive to be able to drop her off at her foster’s house and know that Daisy had officially started her new chapter. (The founder of the rescue was also immensely grateful.)

Transports are not only incredibly rewarding, but you might also get a chance to be serenaded on your drive!

Foster update (below): “Daisy is doing amazing and her foster family absolutely loves her. She has learned to play with toys – her favorite is her monkey!”