WANTED: Bundle of joy looking for long-term relationship. Will provide hours of entertainment and cuddle time in exchange for delectable meals and access to indoor bathroom facilities. Looking for some special time with that someone special to show me that humans are a caring species. Call 479-5154 if interested.

So this may be a bit of a stretch but we're sure this is every kitten and puppy's yearning when they are brought to the RVHS as babies. How much more comforting to spend your early growing up months in a warm home with affectionate humans to play with? It sure beats spending those months in a cage, just waiting to grow up, get spayed or neutered, and finally be adopted. Though our extremely dedicated staff and volunteers do all they can for our animals, little ones deserve to have some freedom and interaction with a family, especially in their early developmental months of life.

Being a foster parent is so very rewarding. It is a wonderful escape from the constant stress we all feel these days. Being witness to a little one's antics will make the pressures of the day just melt away.

We can all learn from their carefree attitude and trust, which is an honor to be a recipient of. I guess you could even say it is a great form of therapy!
So along with offering a helping hand to the RVHS and allowing us more room to take in immediately adoptable animals, you are enhancing your own life by exposing yourself to the delight of fostering. Our need is great, so please pass the word along. It is a wonderful project for older kids (with parent's supervision of course!} especially during the summer months. Seniors also find the experience enriching and a worthy cause to dedicate their time to. Please come by and complete a foster home application -we will be eternally grateful!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Effective February 13, 2009, the membership dues have been increased to $20.00 per year. For those who send in a regular or monthly donation, please designate all or part of your donation to go towards membership. If the full amount cannot be paid at once, we will be pleased to accept installments.

The cost of mailings to the voting members and the time spent maintaining the membership list is considerable. The most important right a voting member has is to cast a vote in the annual election for directors. In order to vote in the next election which will be held in early 2010, all dues for 2009 must be received (not postmarked) by December 31, 2009. Every person who donates money or goods, volunteers their time or helps the animals in any way is part of the RVHS family and your thoughts and suggestions are always welcome.

Applications for new members are available at the shelter and on our website.

Membership

What does being a member of the RVHS mean? By paying annual membership dues of $ 20.00 you are entitled to vote in the annual election for the Board of Directors. When the RVHS was first incorporated in 1964, it did not have voting members. In 1981 this was changed and became a membership organization. Then in 2004 ballots were sent to those who were determined to be members, and the majority of votes received were in favor of again becoming a non voting membership organization. After a lawsuit was brought against the RVHS in December of 2007, the membership with voting rights was reinstated.

It has been our experience that having a membership organization with voting rights is a cumbersome, time consuming and costly endeavor. Each board member puts in long hours volunteering in various aspects of managing the organization and the time spent dealing with membership issues could be more productively spent in furthering our goals for the shelter.

Many organizations that have had voting members in the past no longer do so and very few membership organizations allow voting rights. Such is the case of the recent membership drive by a local nonprofit organization, which does not include the right to vote for the board of directors or to have any say in the running of the organization.

We appreciate all of you who support the work we do at RVHS to care for as many cats and dogs needing homes as can be safely taken care of. Without your caring assistance many of these precious beings would face an untimely death or an unknown future. Thank you.

FUR EVER FRIENDS PROGRAM

The newly formed dog training classes were off to a great start on Saturday January 17 when 26 people attended the first behavioral lecture on dogs 101.

Trainer Behaviorist, Gidget Walcha, proceeded over the two hour lecture giving insight into the minds of our four legged friends and discussed the importance of understanding the way they thin, "You have to understand them to communicate in a way they understand us" is Gidget's philosophy of the animal world. For this reason all classes begin with the lecture on why dogs chew, bark dig, bite and jump. Once you know the whys then you can begin the training process. A discussion of products on the market for dogs was also discussed educating the class on the various items.

The program is in the "infant" stages and having completed its first session is considered a complete success. Each dog that is adopted will receive at no charge to the adoptee, the two hour lecture followed by one group training class. After completion of this first phase the student has the option of continuing with three more classes for a donation of $45.00.

The lecture was offered for participation from the general public and raised $140.00 in donations. A second lecture is already scheduled and the response from an article in the Daily Courier has been wonderful. The public is requested to offer a $20.00 tax deductible donation and will have the option of enrolling their dogs into the training program for a donation fee of $85.00.

They will receive a credit for the lecture fee that will go toward the training. This is a win win situation for dogs, human companions and the Rogue Valley Humane Society.

We have more ideas in the works which include a Behavior Hot Line, a monthly obedience for all dogs in waiting. We will keep you updated with our progress.

ONE HOUR A MONTH

One Hour a Month is all it is! Think of it this way - one day during the month, when you are at work, tell yourself, "For the next hour, I am working for the animals". Then, get out your check book and write a check for what you make per hour. It's just an hour. You spend countless hours with your own pets. Think of those that are caged, or think of the millions of unwanted puppies and kittens. It's much easier to write a check then. Don't forget to mail it.

Thrift Store - Donations & Volunteers Needed

The Rogue Valley Humane Society operates a Thrift Store, located at 1169 Redwood Ave. We have been successfully operating this store for many years. The income is very important to the financial stability of the society. This year the monthly income has been steadily rising. These proceeds help pay for food, care and the labor to operate the animal shelter. We do all this with a very small group of committed volunteers. At the present time we only have eight volunteers that are very dedicated and come in rain or shine. The need for more volunteers is always present. The public support with their donations of usable items in good condition is much appreciated. We thank you for your support. For additional information on the Thrift Store, please call 955-3367.

For people who just want to have fun, volunteering at the shelter is always an upbeat and fulfilling experience. Call the shelter to find out the many ways you can help.

More Volunteer Options

Medical Matters
Parvo in Puppies and Dogs

This past year Rogue Valley Humane Society experienced several cases of Parvo which is a viral disease of dogs. Parvovirus affects puppies more than adult dogs and grows in rapidly dividing cells. The intestinal lining has the biggest concentration of rapidly dividing cells in a puppy's body. The virus attacks and kills these cells, causing diarrhea (often bloody and foul smelling). It causes puppies or adult dogs to vomit and become lethargic and unable to absorb nutrients or liquids.

Symptoms usually begin with a high fever, lethargy, depression and loss of appetite. Generally, it takes 7 to 10 days from the time of exposure to start showing symptoms. Parvo is highly contagious and can remain infections up to 9 months or longer if conditions are favorable. It can be transferred on our shoes, hands and even car tires. Any areas that are thought to be contaminated with Parvo are immediately disinfected multiple times with Clorox bleach which is the most effective and inexpensive agent.

Some puppies infected with parvo will die despite prompt and adequate treatment. A good estimate is that 80% of puppies treated for Parvovirus will live. Without treatment 80 % or more would die. Although the treatment is very costly to the shelter, we continue to provide the quality care that is necessary to adopt a healthy happy puppy or dog.

The Shelter is in need of solar power tubes for the cat rooms. Natural sunlight (UV) light helps prevent ringworm and is essential to reduce stress in shelter cats which can lead to other illnesses. The small tube is the approximate equivalent of a 300 watt light bulb. Bob Arritola of SOLATUBE Tubular Skylights of Grants Pass has agreed to discount his regular prices on the purchase and installation for us. The cost of the tubes is $375.00 each for three or more and all donations are tax deductible. The kitties would appreciate your help in improving their quality of life while here at RVHS.

Everyday we use:
* Paper towels
* Wood stove pellets which are used instead of cat litter
* Bleach, dishwasher liquid, laundry detergent
* Trash bags
* Disposable gloves
* Hand sanitizer
Just for the animals:
* Dog (Kong (black) toys would be best!) and cat toys - no soft toys please -   plastic that can be sanitized is needed
* Leashes (strong ones), collars
* Brushes and combs?
* Cotton blankets (no electric ones please) and sheets
* Science Diet kitten and puppy food
* KMR liquid kitten milk replacer, bottles,nipples
* Esbilac (Milk Replacer] for puppies
* Revolution for cats and dogs
* Pet Vitamins
Office supplies:
* White or yellow copy paper
* Stamps
* Pens, pencils, yellow markers
* Legal size envelopes
* Post-Its
* Scotch tape

In 2008 three new programs to enhance the welfare of the animals were instituted. The cats are tested for Feline Leukemia and Aids ($12.50 per cat), the dogs are tested (and treated if positive) for heartworm ($5.00 per test) and all cats and dogs are spayed or neutered before adoption. The cost for spaying and neutering in 2008 was just under $15,000. By doing these tests in house, we are saving a considerable amount of money.

With the anticipated decrease in donations we now must consider some kind of modification and/or elimination of these programs. We can no longer afford to pay these additional costs as well as care for the animals on a daily basis.
We are asking for your assistance to help us continue these important services.

The financial support we receive from all the animal lovers is greatly appreciated. We could not continue to help the animals without your ongoing support. In these times of economic difficulty we are grateful for every donation that goes for the care and feeding of the many cats and dogs who stay with us until they find their forever home.

PAWS UP!
THIS PAWS UP IS DEDICATED TO EVERYONE
WHO HELPED WITH THE BARN CLEAN UP

• The Clean Forest Project who coordinated the effort and provided many volunteers.
• Southern Oregon Sanitation for donating one 30 yard dumpster.
• Allied Waste for donating one 30 yard dumpster.
• Tom Vallejo of Vallejo Land Improvements for removing the blackberry bushes that were threatening to take over the barn.
• Marlene Holt for donating the money for the cost of the fuel for the machine to remove the blackberry bushes.
• North Valley High School life skills volunteers.
• Dutch Bros, who donated coffee to keep the
  energy going and the volunteers warm.
  

Rogue Valley Humane Society
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Susan Beldman, President
June Peterson, Vice President
Mary Hanson, Secretary

Linda Bradley Lloyd, Treasurer
Don Ewald
Bill Fien
Dawn Franz
Heather Hanson
Bob Klamm
Angie Burger

STAFF

Margaret Varner, Shelter Manager
Tanya Allen
Raquel Beckett
Luke Johnson
Mike Murphy

NEWSLETTER

Susan Beldman, Co-Editor
Heather Hanson, Co-Editor
Mary Hanson & Margaret Varner, Contributing Writers
Tanya Allen, Photographer

RVHS Official WEBSITE

roguevalleyhumanesociety.org