SPCA, Inc. » mochurch

SPCA’s FIRST Critter Camp a Success!

mochurch — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:57:08 +0000

Week 1-2 of Critter Camp went well with the 3 – 5 graders the first week and the 6 – 8 graders the second week.

Below is the list of stats and highlights of our camp for both weeks:

15 Campers, 3 volunteers and 1 teacher (Beth Humrich).

Interactive activities included a rotation of Grooming, Cat Care and Agility Yard which were the most popular.
- Groomed 22 dogs
- Interacted a learned behavior of 66 cats
- Walked and taught shelter manners with 26 dogs
Fridays we learned Clicker Training with Christine Strickland and Minnie Burke.
Started with speakers every morning including:

Patt Glenn- Kindness to animals, bite prevention and who we are here at the SPCA
Linda Singleton and Cal Arter- Brought her therapy dog Cody; talked about the use of therapy dogs.
Mary Church- Disaster Preparation and the Scoop on Poop; being a responsible pet owner.
Linda and Cassie from the Medical Center- Animal Health, Veterinary Care, Microchips, and Heartworm Prevention.

Made dogs toys, painted cat carriers, made animal magnets- all given back to the SPCA.
Watched surgeries.
Pet Care Scavenger Hunt with a digital camera
Wrote descriptions of 1 cat (Chauncey) and 1 dog (Vanilla) best paragraph went up on our website, great writing assignment for the kids.
No serious injuries
No behavior issues- all kids were well behaved and very smart.
Collected $34 in donations from one student who saved up all year!
Received cat and dog donations.
3 cats and 2 dogs got adopted by Critter Camp parents!

Feedback:

“Thank you for providing this wonderful opportunity for the kids in our community. Nick thoroughly enjoyed Critter Camp and was eager to get to camp each morning. We are so thankful that he found our newest family member, Hampton.”

“Thank you for a wonderful program! We are looking forward to next year!”

“My daughter loved walking the dogs and interacting with the animals. I appreciate the information you shared with them, e.g. heartworm prevention, therapy dogs and spay and neuter.”

“Everything was fantastic from the logistics to the snacks and fun. Thank you for making my daughter Molly’s camp experience such a great one. She is looking forward to volunteering in the fall.”

“Nick loved it! Josh loved it! You do so many activities and it appears to be very organized. Great Job!”

“Watching my daughter’s face light up each day I came home and asked her what she did. She loves caring for the animals and has since taken up the Clicker Training with our dog at the house.”

Many parents responded that we should have the hours extended for next year.

Also when asked about the quality of teaching with speakers and interactive activities we got EXCELLENT across the board.

Thank you SPCA staff and volunteers for making this program a great success!

I am looking forward to next summer’s Critter Camp. Please check our website for details on next year’s Critter Camp.

ZUMBATHON… Getting Fit for a Cause!

mochurch — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:38:41 +0000

Saturday, May 15 we had our first SPCA Zumbathon. How it came about was an instructor named Paquita Mora came to me wanting to do a fundraiser for the SPCA, making ALL proceeds going to the SPCA. I thought Zumbathon was a great idea! We have a great partnership with the Kelly Rec Center and they let us use their gym for free!

We all had a blast! Many people said they would do it again!

I even brought Lilly for Support! She was very motivating.

The Scoop on Poop

mochurch — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:55:43 +0000

Protect our water scoop the poop!
Scooping your pooch’s poop isn’t just a courtesy; it’s the healthy and environmentally sound thing to do.
A day’s waste from one large dog can contain 7.8 billion fecal coliform bacteria.
BRING IT!
- Always bring a plastic bag when you walk your dog.
BAG IT!
- Use the bag as a glove to pick up the pet waste. Scoop up the waste and trun the bag inside out around the waste.
DISPOSE IT!
- Properly dispose the waste by placing it in a trash can, flushing it unbagged down the toilet.
- NEVER throw the waste in a storm drain!

Why Get Rid of Dog Poop?

Fecal Coliforms- such as E. Coli. These microorganisms can make the water that we rely on for fishing, swimming, and drinking unsafe. This can make a person very sick!
Roundworms- Roundworm eggs can be found in dog poop and can be easily transferred to other hosts through ingestion. If a dog eats that poop that has roundworm eggs it can be transferred to that dog.
Giardia- This is another parasite that can be found in dog poop and can be transferred to dogs and humans. Giardia can cause diarrhea, cramping, and abdominal pain. Most commonly contracted through the drinking of water that has been tainted by feces.
Salmonella- This could also be found in dog poop and can be spread from dog to dog or dog to human. Avoid feeding your dog any uncooked meats or eggs.

If we ALL picked up our dog’s poop we will keep our air fresh and water clean!

Let’s keep our parks and sidewalks poop free!

Be a responsible pet owner!

Summer is Just Around the Corner…

mochurch — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:31:53 +0000

Critter Camp 2010

**15 spaces available each week.

Grades: 3-5 Grades: 6-8

July 12-16 July 19-23

Critter Camp invites students to startmaking a difference in the world. This camp

provides a meaningful opportunity for 3rd

- 8th grade students to discover the world

of animals. Campers will be mentored by

staff and volunteers from the SPCA.

Campers will have a chance to see the

daily routine of Polk County’s only openadmission

animal shelter complete with a

full-service animal medical center. Each day,

campers will have the chance to interact

with kennel attendants, veterinary staff

and many four-legged residents.

Cost: $120 for members,

$150 for non-members

Attendants will also have the chance to register

one-month earlier

than anyone else next summer!SPCA, Inc. • 863/646-7722 • 5850 Brannen Rd. South, Lakeland, FL 33813 • www.lovemyspca.com

POP for Popsicles!

mochurch — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:21:04 +0000

Pets on Parade

KICKOFF PARTY

Friday, Feb. 26

4 – 6 p.m.

SPCA Education Center

5850 Brannen Road South in Lakeland

• Pre-register for the Walk or 5K

• Set up your online fundraising page

• Win tickets to see:

Annie

• Enjoy Popsicles and free treats from Rita’s!

SEE YOU THERE!

Party with the Animals

mochurch — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:32:04 +0000

On Saturday, October 3rd we had our first birthday party for Ansley who was turning 7 years old. It was her idea to donate her birthday to the SPCA. So we planned her birthday with games, cake and a campus of kindness tour. Ansley and all her friends enjoyed all the furry creatures and understood that they all need forever homes. When it was time to open presents, not only did Ansley receive gifts but so did the SPCA. It was Ansley who told all her friends to help the SPCA by brining gifts for all the doggies and kitties that are waiting patiently for there forever homes. With every present Ansley open she was excited to see some dog toys and then some cat toys and pet food. She loves animals so much and was proud do say that “I celebrated my Birthday with the SPCA”

If you would like more information on how you can “Party with the Animals,” please call 863.646.7722 to speak to Mary Church. A $50 deposit is required to hold any date.

All Party Packages include:

- 3 hour rental of the education room

- Package of 15 invitations

- Visit from adoptable animals

- Up to 15 party guests

- Campus tour with age appropriate humane education

- Birthday t-shirt for the guest of honor

“It’s Ok to Cry”

mochurch — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:45:28 +0000

Grieving Over a Lost Pet?

Learn How to Cope with the Pain

What: Pet Loss Support Group

with Licensed School Psychologist, Dr. Raschke

When: Saturday, October 24

from 2p.m.-3 p.m.

Where: SPCA Education Room

5850 Brannen Road South in Lakeland

Who: All who has lost a pet and would like to

learn how to cope with the pain.

How: Sign up by using the calendar at lovemyspca.com

or call 863.646.7722 Ext 117

Should I Stay or Should I Go…

mochurch — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:59:16 +0000

Still debating whether or not to come to Single Mingle?…. Seriously?

All you can drink wine, benefiting the cute homeless puppies and kitties.

Go to www.lovemyspca.com: click on events and sign up now!

By the way… Video coming soon…

____________________________________________________________________________

Single Mingle Bark

When: Thursday, August 13 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Where: Vitner’s Winery in Merchants Walk

Cost: $30 in advance $35 at the door

www.lovemyspca.com

Must Love Dogs…

mochurch — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:07:49 +0000

Roses are red, violets are blue,

I am single, oh so are you?

On August 13^th come drink wine with me,

And bring your dog too, oh what fun it will be!

It benefits the animals of the SPCA,

And $30 is all we have to pay.

It’s all you can drink wine at Vintner’s in Merchants Walk,

Be there at 5:30 so we can talk!

_______________________________________________________________

Single Mingle Bark

Thursday, August 13

Vintner’s Cellar Winery in Merchants Walk

5:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $30 in advance, $35 at the door.

Not a wine lover?

You can still come – $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Please RSVP

to www.lovemyspca.com or Mary Church at 863.646.7722 Ext. 117

Bark in the Park 2009 is Confirmed!

mochurch — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:21:06 +0000

Take me out to the ball game…

Please join us on Friday, August 14 at Tiger Town located at 2125 North Lake Drive Lakeland, FL 33805.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and game starts at 7:00 p.m

Tickets are $5 in advance 50% goes to SPCA.

Pooch Passes are only $1. All pooch pass proceeds go to SPCA.

Please contact the SPCA Community Outreach Coordinator Mary Church at mchurch@lovemyspca.com.