You are currently browsing the monthly archive for January 2010.

Wednesday night, January 27 th around 5:15 pm a white car with two occupants’ was parked outside our surrender entrance at the SPCA.  At this same time, while driving out of the parking lot, Patt saw movement by the surrender door and went to investigate.  Although they did leave their car the occupants’ did not make contact with an SPCA representative and chose instead to release a black, male cat on our property before leaving.

We were able to catch the cat and take him safely inside where he was treated to a private suite complete with food and water, and then named Binky.  He is a very loving male cat with big green eyes.

This type of ‘surrender’ happens more often than you would think and some times we are not as successful at catching them, in fact it may be weeks before we even know there is someone roaming the campus and by then they may be in trouble.    The fate of these pets, until someone rescues them, is to live their life on their own in an unfamiliar and unfriendly environment.  We don’t know the circumstance from which this pet came, we don’t know their name or if their owners are looking for them.  Have they been tested and vaccinated?  We have no history and this can be a disadvantage to the pet. 

If you need to surrender your pet because you can’t care for it or your landlord won’t allow it, please give your pet a second chance at life and do it the right way.  If you see an employee before or after hours on campus talk to us, we are not heartless, we will not judge and we won’t turn our back on you or your pet.  We will do our best to find them new homes. Every one of us who work at the SPCA care about the well being of a pet we don’t even know because we have devoted our lives to this cause.  We save lives…won’t you help us?

Pets are not disposable

Benji is an 8 year old  Shi Tzu with a dislocated disk.  Benji can walk but when he tires his legs give out and needed a wheelchair to get around.  Once again Ken Suarez of Fox 13 worked his magic by reaching out to animal lovers, getting the word out about the SPCA.

The Volunteers at the Hillsborough County Animal Services donated a wheelchair to us last week.  One day later Brenda called about Benji.  I am sure by now you know the ending of this story.  We could not have made it happen without the volunteers of HCAS.  They are Benji’s Guardian Angel!

Fox 13′s Ken Suarez reported on the progress of Lemondrop a couple of weeks ago talking about pets that need wheelchairs and how the pets surrendered to the SPCA in Lakeland were helped and found a forever home.

The day after the story aired a man named Jesse called asking for help for his baby Sandy.  Jesse saw the story on Fox 13 and hoped we could help.  At the time of Jesses call we did not have any resources or wheelchairs but that was about to change.  The very next call was Connie, she had a wheelchair for the exact breed of dog Jesse had.  Connie called Jesse, they met and the rest is history.  Jesse has a wheelchair for Sandy and Connie has a new friend.  Ken Suarez did another story on wheelchairs, this time it was about Connie, Jesse and Sandy.  Another happy ending!

Lemondrop came to the SPCA a few months ago after he was left to die in a park in Lakeland, Florida.  Suffering from broken bones in both back legs he was looking at having a wheelchair for the rest of his life.  Dr. Chapnick of Veterinary Healthcare Associates of Winter Haven, Florida donated his time and the facility to perform the surgery to help Lemondrop walk again.  After 2 months of therapy Lemondrop is now running, yes running everywhere he goes.  Al and Melinda just knew it when they saw him that this was their next family pet.  Al will call him, “Lemon” after the actor Jack Lemon and Lemon will be a snowbird for a short time because his parents are from Illinois, my home state.  Everyone at the SPCA hugged and kissed Lemon and told him that they would see him again and they will.  Don’t you just love happy endings?  This dog touched so many people you can’t help but wonder if he is a Guardian Angel himself?

I love you too!

 

Name: Freddie

Gender: Male

Age: 5 months

Species: Cat

Breed: Domestic Shorthair

Orphaned Since: 10/14/2009

Freddie is one of a kind.  He gets along great with other cats and is simply unforgettable.  He has been waiting 3 months to find a loving home so stop by and meet him today.

 

Name: Gypsy

Gender: Female

Age: 2 years

Species: Dog

Breed: German Sheperd Mix

Orphaned Since: 1/7/2010

Gypsy is a cheerful dog that is looking for a caring owner to love on her. She will greet you with a smile and leave you with delightful dog years of fun. Down miss out on a chance to spoil this adorable German Shepard mix.

Visit us at the SPCA
Adoption Center open Mon – Sat, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
5850 Brannen Rd S in Lakeland
Call 646-7722
www.lovemyspca.com
All pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinations are up to date through our full-service medical center which is also open to the public.

Happy Friday, everyone!

The SPCA is so excited about an exciting way that you can help us without having to give a penny.

Here’s how to help:
1. Go to http://www.theanimalsheltersite.com and click on the purple box that says “Click Here to Give – It’s FREE!” You’ll be taken to a new page that tells you how each click goes to feed rescue animals.

2. At the top of the new page, there should be a small banner that says “Help your favorite animal shelter win a prise!” Click on that button that says “VOTE TODAY!”

3. A new window should open that allows you to vote for a shelter. And, since we are your favorite shelter, this should be easy. :)  Fill out the box with our name “SPCA, Inc.” and state “FL”, and it should bring us up. Then, you can vote!

4. Next you’ll be taken to a page that asks you to identify the animal pictured. Give a simple answer to ensure that you’re not a random computer racking up votes for a shelter. A simple answer like lion, dog, cat, fish, etc. will suffice.

5. You’re done! Thanks for the vote!

Now, every day through April 18, you can come back and vote for us to help us get the prize! I’ve made the page my home page so that I don’t forget to vote every day. You can also include a link to this blog in your e-mail signature or forward this blog to friends so that they can help, too.

Thanks in advance for your help!

From our friend, Jeff, a volunteer pilot with Pilots n’ Paws:

Today’s flight was from Marathon to Daytona Beach and back to Marathon. Davie was to be euthanized last Thursday in Atlanta, GA. A woman at my local bank decided to adopt him, and..a transport [was put] in motion. The shelter was contacted and Davie was pulled. A doctor from Jacksonville, FL flew up to Atlanta and picked up Davie and several other lucky pups and transported them back to Jacksonville. Several rescues drove to Jax and picked up the pups and Davie was on his way to Daytona Beach to be fostered over the weekend by a Labrador Rescue. I flew up to Daytona with the adopter…who plans on keeping Davie’s name the same. A good pirate name like “Davie Jones” is quite fitting for the Florida Keys.

Another beautiful day to be in the air.
 
Jeff
 

Name: Tinkerbell
Gender: Female
Age: 6 months
Species: Cat
Breed: Domestic Shorthair
Orphaned Since: 10/28/2009

Tinkerbell has grown up at the SPCA, and she is in great need of a place to call home. Two months have gone by, and she has been putting her best purr forward! Come down to meet this charming black and white kitty. She’s sure to put smile on your face as you get ready for 2010!

 

 

 

Name: Oliver
Gender: Male
Age: 1 year, 3 months
Species: Dog
Breed: Hound/Retriever Mix
Orphaned Since: 12/29/2009

Oliver is one QUALITY DOG! He’s a playful guy that loves to run. In fact, he’s conquered the agility equipment at the SPCA and never grows tired of showing his skill and smarts. If you’re looking for a quality, intelligent, handsome and friendly K9, then, Oliver is the dog for you! 

Visit us at the SPCA
Adoption Center open Mon – Sat, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
5850 Brannen Rd S in Lakeland
Call 646-7722
www.lovemyspca.com
All pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinations are up to date through our full-service medical center which is also open to the public.

Spay Day 2010 is on Tuesday, February 23, and the SPCA has big plans for that week to recognize this national day of awareness.

Pet overpopulation is a serious problem in our area, region, country and world. There are thousands of pets that are born homeless every day. Spaying and neutering your pet is the only remedy to this problem.

During February, we will send out weekly e-mails to raise awareness of the benefits, myths and general information concerning pet sterilization. You can subscribe today if you’re not a part of our e-mail lists.

And, anyone that has their pet spayed or neutered at the SPCA during the week of Spay Day 2010 will be entered into a drawing to receive a FREE year’s supply of Revolution or Advantage. What a deal! You can make your pet’s appointment by calling 863/646-7722.

Spread the word with us and help us combat pet overpopulation!

Lakeland, Fla. – Lemondrop is thankful for the guardian angels of the SPCA and of Veterinary Healthcare Associates (VHA) in Winter Haven. Thanks to the kindness of the staff from both organizations, the 10-month-old Labrador Retriever mix can now walk again.
He was found wandering in Lakeland’s Common Ground Park and dropped off at the SPCA at the end of October. X-rays revealed that Lemondrop suffered a fracture in one of his back legs that later healed incorrectly. The injury caused him to rely heavily on his front legs and walk with a noticeable limp.
A mass e-mail was sent to SPCA supporters asking for help to get Lemondrop a front-wheeled cart to eliminate his dependency on his front legs. The e-mail was answered by many supporters, including the concerned veterinary staff at VHA.
Lemondrop is now up for adoption and able to walk on all fours thanks to surgery and rehab donated by VHA, totaling over $4,000. The monies donated by SPCA supporters for Lemondrop were formed into a fund which will go to help other canines with medical issues similar to his.
For more information about Lemondrop or the SPCA, visit www.lovemyspca.com, call 863/646-7722 or e-mail info@lovemyspca.com. The SPCA Adoption Center is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Veterinary Healthcare Associates is located at 3025 Dundee Road in Winter Haven. The state-of-the-art facility also operates a 24-hour Emergency Center. For more information about VHA, call 863/324-3340 or visit www.vhavets.com.
 
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For more than 31 years, the SPCA in Lakeland, FL has been a leading advocate for animal welfare in our community, especially Polk County and surrounding areas. The SPCA is a private, non-profit organization; we do not receive state or federal funding and we are not a United Way Agency. Contributions from caring individuals allow us to continue our mission to aid and adopt animals in need, reduce pet overpopulation, and educate the public regarding responsible pet ownership. The SPCA provides low-cost adoptions of dogs and cats and low-cost veterinary services through the SPCA’s full-service animal medical center, including spay/neuter services and vaccinations.