Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable Day

August 12th is Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Day! For someone who doesn’t spend very much time working in animal welfare, that might sound confusing, but it’s very simple. Many adopters want the “perfect” pet, the prettiest, friendliest, youngest, cutest pet. But think of all the homeless pets who are older, not the best looking, or need some training. There’s nothing wrong with pets like that, they can give all the love that the “perfect” pet can, and they’ll appreciate your love even more.

All sorts of silly things can affect how adoptable a pet is. Black cats and dogs are often overlooked, large dogs are the last to be adopted, senior cats are forgotten in the face of fresh young kittens. Pets with special needs can still be wonderful companions, they just need a little something extra.

These are some of the special animals at MHS that might be considered “less-adoptable”. If you’re open to adopting the “perfect” pet, you might find that one of these homeless pets is the purrfect one for you.

Lynx & Laurel



Lynx and Laurel are both semi-feral cats that just adore each other. Laurel is very shy with people on her own, but when she’s with Lynx she’s like a whole new cat! They rub on each other and meow with their little high-pitched voices when they want attention, so you always know when they’re in the mood for it. The advantage to adopting cats like Lynx and Laurel is that they won’t be bothering you every minute of the day like some cats that just crave attention all the time. They would be fine staying home alone during the day.

Visit Laurel and Lynx on Petfinder.

Ellen



Ellen came from a home where she lived with 47 other cats and two dogs. There’s nothing you can throw at her that will surprise her. She’s a bombproof kitty. Even though she’s an absolute sweetheart, Ellen hasn’t been chosen for adoption yet! She blends in with all of the other black cats, so she doesn’t get much attention. Her appearance doesn’t suggest that there’s anything special about her, but she is just so sweet that when you sit down with her you learn there’s something special under that dull black coat. And what’s wrong with a black cat really? They go with everything!

Visit Ellen on Petfinder.

Samson



Samson is a senior Chihuahua. He’s just tiny, the sort of dog you could put on your lap and enjoy a movie with. Older dogs might not have as many years left, but doesn’t that mean they should enjoy their golden years? He is calm and sweet, so he might make the perfect senior companion for a senior person. There are many health benefits to having pets as a senior citizen. They help lower blood pressure and reduce feelings of loneliness. Don’t you want to help make Samson’s golden years his best?

Visit Samson on Petfinder.

Dean



Dean is a five-year old hound mix. He needs an adult home that can work with training with him. He needs someone who can teach him the rules, what behavior is acceptable and what behavior isn’t. He’s very specific about who he likes, so he needs work accepting strangers. He doesn’t seem to like children much either, so he should live in a home with adults only. The fact that Dean needs training, and that’s he’s a large dog in a world where small dogs rules, means many people pass over him. Large dogs are wonderful, though. Need someone to keep you warm in the winter? A big dog can do that. Tired of looking for animals that hide when it’s time to go the vet? A big dog can’t do that.

Visit Dean on Petfinder.

Olivia



Olivia is an older cat with hyper-active thyroid. She needs daily medication, but she makes that a breeze. She is so gentle and sweet that when it’s pill time (and she needs it twice a day) she just swallows it likes it’s nothing. Olivia is so very loving and calm, she just wants to cuddle all the time. She has a big bed in our kitchen that she is always in. Nothing makes her happier than snuggling right into it. Admittedly, no matter how easy it is to do, giving daily medication really doesn’t have an upside. You’ll just have to settle for feeling great that you’re helping a special needs girl live a long and happy life.

Visit Olivia on Petfinder.

There are many other special animals at the Meriden Humane Society who need your help. These animals might be considered “unadoptable” by some, but we know that there is a home to fit every animal. What one person might consider a special need, someone else might think of as a quirk! If you’re looking for a quirky pet, come on down to visit with our cats and dogs. Even if everyone doesn’t consider a pet to be perfect, they might be the perfect one for you!

Wildlife Rehabilitation

The occasional wild animal finds its way to the Meriden Humane Society in need of help. However, because we have no wildlife rehabilitator, we cannot take in wild animals. If you need help with wildlife, we can point you in the right direction, starting with the list of contacts in this post.

Most of the time wildlife should be left alone, but there are certain situations where a professional wildlife rehabilitator must be contacted. If you need help with orphaned, injured, or immature wildlife it is important to contact a professional. Only a liscenced wildlife rehabilitator has the expertise to care for wild animals.

If you have found a wild animal in need of help, here are some local wildlife rehabilitators listed by town.

To find a liscenced rehabilitator in your area, see complete listings here.

Berlin

Hungerford Park
(860) 827-9064
Migratory birds
Non-migratory birds
Bats
Reptiles/Amphibians

New Haven

Gaylene Vasilopoulos
(203) 435-1982
Non-migratory birds
Small mammals
Reptile/Amphibian

Jennifer Weiffenbach
(203) 777-4241
Non-migratory birds
Small mammals
Raccoons
Reptile/Amphibian

North Haven

Diane Brignola
brignola_d@hotmail.com
Small mammals
Racoons

Stratford

Dr. Louis Pieper, Jr.
Barnum Animal Hostpial
(203) 378-0687
Migratory birds
Non-migratory birds
Small mammals

Southington

Dabid & Kathleen Pendell
(860) 621-4249
Raptors only

Jayne Amico
(860) 2768433
Native songbirds (specializing in Chimney swallows, killdeer, hummingbirds, woodpeckers)

Wallingford

Rosanne Falconieri
Yalesville Veterinary Hospital
(203) 265-1646
(203) 988-8733
Squirrels
Opossums
Reptiles
Songbirds

West Haven

Wings And A Prayer
(203) 809-8694
Birds only

Wishlist: Washing Machine

One of the least glamorous jobs in the shelter is working in the laundry room. You get all the mess and funny smells that come with cleaning cages, without getting to interact with the animals as much. All in all, it isn't very much fun, but it needs to be done every day or the dirty pile will start touching the ceiling.


Chipmunk contributes to the laundry process.

You can imagine that with the amount of laundry we have to wash, our machines don't last long. That's why every few months we seek out replacements for washers that won't wash and dryers that won't dry. There's only so far learning the little tricks, like hitting it on the left side twice and slamming the lid, can take you. Well, we're down to a single washing machine again and looking for a new one.

We don't need a brand new washer, or a pretty one, or one with lots of fancy settings. We just need something that will make our towels clean. If you have an old washing machine or dryer that you don't need, it would be appreciated very much by all of the animals counting on clean blankets every morning.

If you have a washing machine or dryer that you'd like to donate, please contact us at (203) 238-3650 or email us at meridensociety@sbcglobal.net.

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter

Spay and neuter can be very expensive at a private vet, but is the single most important thing you can do to help solve pet overpopulation. Preventing litters from being born means there will be more homes for all of the animals that are already in shelters. The cost can seem prohibitive, but thanks to these low-cost options everyone can afford to neuter their pets.


Help prevent the suffering of abandoned kittens.

H.O.P.E. Spay/Neuter Clinic
130 Scott Rd
Waterbury, CT 06705-5204
203-437-7955
http://www.hopect.org

The Fox Memorial Clinic (cats and dogs)
701B Russell Road, Newington, 06111
860-594-4503
http://www.cthumane.org/site/Pageserver?pagename=care_spayneuter

TEAM Mobile Unit (cats only, including ferals)
1-888-367-8326
Spay/Neuter and Vaccines
http://www.everyanimalmatters.org

Friends of Animals (cats and dogs)
1-800-321-7387
Call for certificate, location, and prices
http://www.friendsofanimals.org/programs/spay-neuter/index.html

SPAY-USA (cats and dogs)
1-800-248-7729
Call for certificate, location, and prices
http://www.spayusa.org

Central CT Cat Project (cats only, including ferals)
$70 includes vaccines
860-828-KATS
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/CT325

Hartford Veterinary Hospital (cats and dogs)
2300 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT 06111
860-666-1447
Call for prices and to schedule an appointment

Sterile Feral Program (cats only, including ferals)
$50 for feral cats, $90 for domestic cats, includes vaccines
Weekly clinic held in East Hartford and Ashford
860-242-9999 ext. 318
laura@ourcompanions.org
http://www.ourcompanions.org/pages/programs_ferals.htm

Compassionate Care Animal Center - S.T.A.R.T Program (dogs and cats, including ferals)
Program for low-income families and individuals. Servies are offered on a sliding scale at a very reduced rate, and in some cases there are no charges at all.
Monthly clinics in Middletown.
860-380-0415
http://www.compassionatecarect.org/programs.html

Brandford Compassion Club (stray and feral cats)
Assistance provided for spay/neuter and vaccines for stray and feral cats.
203-315-3795
brandfordcompassionclub@yahoo.com
http://www.brandfordcompassionclub.org

Friends of Feral Cheshire Cats (feral cats only)
Assistance with trapping, sterilizing, and releasing feral cats, and fostering feral kittens.
P.O. Box 946, Cheshire, CT 06410
INFO@FRIENDSOFFERALCHESHIRECATS.ORG
http://www.friendsofferalcheshirecats.org
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/CT299

No Adoptable Dogs?

The Connecticut SPCA is bringing 400 dogs to Connecticut for adoption, on the premise that there are no adoptable dogs in the whole state. All animals deserve homes, of course, but bringing those 400 dogs here puts the animals already in Connecticut in danger. Since the remarks about there being a lack of adoptable animals in Connecticut are coming from a generally reputable source, people believe it, but it just isn't the case. There is a whole kennel of dogs here at the Meriden Humane Society who would disagree with the statement that there are no adoptable animals.

It doesn't stop with dogs, though, and there are plans to bring cats to Connecticut as well. Here at MHS we receive so many requests for help with cats and kittens that we can't possibly take every single one of them, and the situation is the same for every rescue group out there. If there is one thing Connecticut already has enough of, it's cats and kittens. Saying otherwise is extremely irresponsible and puts all shelter animals in Connecticut at risk.

Fred Acker, the director of the Connecticut SPCA, said, "There's a real shortage of adoptable dogs in Connecticut." Here are some of the dogs that would argue otherwise.

Herschal



Herschal is a big friendly guy. He wants a family that he can curl up in bed with and just fall asleep on. He gets along great with kids, dogs, and cats. If you love Pit Bulls, you will love this dog.

Visit Herschal on Petfinder.

Scotty



Scotty is an adorable Brussels Griffon who is just a blast to be around. If you're looking for a high energy dog that will love to play long and hard, this is him. This is the dog you've been looking for. He wiggles all over when you open his crate and is just bursting with energy. He can't wait to get outside for walks.

Visit Scotty on Petfinder.

Fluffernutter and Peppercorn





These two dogs are just so sweet. Peppercorn is a little more of an adventerous soul. Not too adventerous, though, and he doesn't stray much farther than his leash stretches. Fluffernutter is a bit of a slow walker and tends to lag behind on their walks, but is eager to catch up and be held. They absolutely love each other and desperately want a home together. These two would make great companions for anyone looking for calm, low-maintenance dogs.

Visit Fluffernutter and Peppercorn on Petfinder.

George



George is a young dog with tons of energy. He is a Great Dane/Bloodhound mix and is therefore very strong, so large breed experience would be useful with him. He loves to play in water and had a great time splashing around in the stream by the shelter. He is looking for a family that's as active as he is.

Visit George on Petfinder.