Fun Dog Show a Success!

On September 27th, the HSPC hosted their first Fun Dog Show at the Autumn Harvest Festival in Marlinton, WV.  Many participants and spectators came out to festivities in-spite of a threat of rain to show their support. Our four-legged friends could participate in five categories: Best Trick, Best Costume, Most Mysterious Heritage, Best Mirror Image (Pet/Caretaker), and People’s Choice.  A Best of Show participant was also named.  Winners received ribbons and prizes donated by various local businesses.  A special thanks to everyone who participated and we look forward to seeing you next year as this event continues to grow!

Thank you to our sponsors:
Pocahontas County Spring Water, Fairmont Printing, Snowshoe Water & Sewer, KONG 

Class Winners!

Best of Show: 
#1 – Deucey, Maria Heil, #2 – Buddy, Caitlin Buchanan
 #3 – Biscuit, Waylon Shisler, #4 – Lexi, Elizabeth Hefner 

Best Trick
#1 – Buddy, Caitlin Buchanan, #2 – Deucey, Maria Heil
#3 – Willie, Andrea Biondi, #4 – Missy, Kim Coleman 

Mirror Image
#1 – Hunter Lo, Ashley Moore, #2 – Maxwell, John Coleman

 Best Costume
#1 – Biscuit, Waylon Shisler, #2 – Lexi, Elizabeth Hefner
#3 – Sweetie, Chad Friel, #4 – Chase, Florence Hanna 

Most Mysterious Heritage
#1 – Droopy, Tudy Sanders, #2 – Toto, Dorothy Simkins
#3 – Biscuit, Waylon Shisler, #4 – Missy, Kim Coleman

 People’s Choice
#1 – Acie, Steve Heil, #2 – Biscuit, Waylon Shisler

 

KONG!

The HSPC recently received over 50 Classic KONGs from the KONG Company’s shelter raffle.  KONG products are known for their performance and durability and the toys will be a great addition to the shelter environment for the many dogs currently in foster care.  Since HSPC can foster only a limited number of dogs at the current time, they will donating the remaining KONGs to other Humane Societies and rescues in the surrounding areas.  A special thanks again to KONG!

To see the wide selection of KONG products available for both dogs and cats visit www.kongcompany.com.

 

WVa Puppy Mill Busted! 1,000 Dogs Freed

On August 23, 2008 W.Va made national headlines as local authorities raided the Whispering Oaks Kennel, a puppy mill located in Parkersbug.   An investigation of the property was brought on by complaints that the property owner was discharging pollution without a permit.  After arriving on scene, authorities discovered a puppy mill housing nearly 1,000 dogs living in inhumane conditions.  Officals were able to convinced the owner to relinquish ownership of all the dogs on the property and sign a document barring her from operating another breeding facility in the future.  The dogs were of various breeds, but mostly dachshund.  An emergency shelter was constructed near the puppy mill as dogs were removed from the property and now the animals have been moved shelters around the nation were they will be evaluated and put up for adoption.  

For more information visit hsus.org or the following link: http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/disasters_press_room/a_thousand_dogs_freed_from_wv_082408.html.

You can stop puppy mills.  Visit http://stoppuppymills.org/ for more information.

 

Thank You Snowshoe Foundation!

A special thanks goes out to the Snowshoe Foundation who awarded the Humane Society of Pocahontas County a $500.00 grant which will be used for the various spay / neuter clinics held throughout the year.  The contribution of the Snowshoe Foundation and other organizations is vital in helping ensure that the animal population in the county stays happy and healthy.  For more information on the Snowshoe Foundation visit http://www.snowshoemtn.com/aboutus/snowshoe-foundation.htm.

 

Animal Care Expo 2008

Animal Care Expo 2008, Orlando, Florida

Humane Society of Pocahontas County volunteers Amy and Erin Coleman escaped the cool weather to attend The Humane Society of the United States’ 17th Annual Animal Care Expo held May 14 – 17, 2008 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida.  The Expo is the world’s largest education conference for the animal care, control, and rescue field and this year’s event turned out a record number of participants, over 1,700 from around the United States and various other countries.  During the four day event, participants attended educational workshops, visited the exhibit hall which featured 175 booths highlighting companies and organizations dedicated to animal care, attended a regional meet and greet, and more.  “The Expo was fantastic.  The workshops were well presented and provided the newest information on issues that are relevant to all animal care providers.  I was also able to meet with icons in the animal care movement and with representatives in the region that will serve as invaluable contacts.  I cannot wait to take what I learned during this experience and put it into action in our county,” said Erin about the conference.  The 2009 Expo will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada and is expected to once again draw record attendance as the Animal Care Expo joins with the National Conference on Animals in Disaster.  For more information on the Expo please visit animalsheltering.org/expo.

 

Volunteer Spotlight

Emma Beard and Jane Dumire, both long standing Humane Society of Pocahontas County members and friends, were recognized at a recent tea for Extraordinary Women at High Rocks Academy in Hillsboro. Emma Beard, 99 years young, has contributed a significant amount to our building fund and continues to help us work towards our goal of having a countywide coordinated response to animal abuse and the need for education and a spay/neuter program in Pocahontas County. Jane, our 2007 Volunteer of the Year, has acted as our treasurer for the last two years, has single handedly coordinated several spay neuter and rabies clinics, fostered many animals, and is leading the team getting our new offices up and running in Marlinton. With the help of many talented volunteers and donors, we are off to a rousing start in 2008!

 

Hey Rachel – Our New Vista

The Humane Society of Pocahontas County  would like to introduce their new staff member.  Rachel Tribbett from Buckeye has completed her training in Atlanta GA, and is now a certified VISTA member. Rachel graduated from Pocahontas County High School in 2005 and attended East Tennessee State University. Rachel will help increase public awareness of the need to control our domestic animal population and support the Humane Society’s program to assist county residents, particularly low income people, in spaying and neutering their pets. Rachel will also assist in recruiting volunteers and coordinate community programs, as well as develop community and school presentations.  She’ll prepare articles for publication, and will try to educate the public as to the importance of maintaining their pets’ health and a happy lifestyle.

 

410 Second Avenue

Thanks to a sharp-eyed Humane Society of Pocahontas County board member, quick action on part of the board, and donors who made the building fund possible, we are the proud owners of a very nice doublewide office building!  It will be placed on a raised foundation at the old Hanover Shoe Factory site on Second Avenue in Marlinton. Our new address will be 410 Second Avenue in case you want to send congratulations (or a check!).  The building will house our new VISTA member, outreach and education coordinator Rachel Tribbett, and will become the site of our first Thursday board meetings, as well and hosting rabies clinics and in future, spay / neuter clinics. We will house some cats there awaiting homes and possibly even puppies on their way to rescue! We see the building as a step towards wider community recognition and support of our efforts and a bridge to making a county animal shelter a reality.