Meg's Pups - Week Three

Well there was a BIG difference in the little pups this week when we went for a visit. Momma Meg is taking such amazing care of her brood. Not only was she great once again about us coming into her space at her foster home, but the little ones are fat, healthy and have wonderfully shiny coats. There are two little girls, who happen to be the biggest at the moment, and five little men in the group.

Once again we cannot thank Karen enough for providing the foster home that Meg needs while she cares for her pups. A few, as you can see, are trying to stand up which doesn't last long but is fun to watch. Just about all of their eyes are open and a few of them have their ears starting to stand up. Momma Meg was too busy getting lots of attention from our Animal Care Manager Nadine while we were there to get her picture taken, but she is looking as good as the little ones.

It is not only puppy season but it is also of course kitten season. We often have a lot of kittens coming in at this time of the year, sometimes with their mothers and sometimes without. Foster homes are desperately needed so that these wee ones have the time to grow before finding their forever home. 

Foster friends are given everything they need to care for these very helpless creatures. Food, litter, toys, blankets, and an animal care team at the shelter that are there to support them each step of the way.

Not everyone has the lifestyle that will allow them to adopt a pet, but if you have an interest and you have time fostering is a good alternative and a much needed resource to the shelter. We could NOT do what we do or save the number of animals we do without our foster friends. Learn more by visiting out main site at www.brantcountyspca.com or give us a call at 519.756.6620.

**** Wait! We cannot forget to tell you that because of our last story Byron was adopted. His new owners drove all the way from Guelph after reading about him through a Facebook post that had been shared by a friend.****

Byron - A good dog who needs a GREAT home.

Every once and a while a pet comes into our care that needs a little more than normal, and this is one of those cases.

Byron is a two year old Shepherd cross who is a little bit of a wall-flower. Part of the reason is that he as a type of canine retinal degeneration. After having been checked out by a veterinarian he was deemed healthy in every other way and has no other health issues, nor will more arise because of the degeneration in his eyes.

What does this mean for Byron? Dogs with this type of issue have the symptoms progress over time. They usually experience night blindness first and then the condition progresses. Already it has been noticed by the staff that he seems to have very little peripheral vision and can only tend to see things straight ahead.

Because of all of this Byron needs a special home. His assessment has already labeled him as a wallflower meaning that he needs a patient owner with a relaxed lifestyle. We would not be doing the best for Bryon by placing him in a home with children as the sudden movements that he cannot see are not fair to him. He is sweet and with some gentle guidance and a little help he will make a wonderful companion. Here is the best part, because of Byron's existing medical issue his adoption fees are waived.

If you think that you are that right person for Byron because contact the office today. As you can see from his photos he's a smiley guy who needs the right home, we hope it won't be long before he finds his perfect match.

Ruby goes to school.

It seems that everywhere we go these days we are asked "How is Ruby doing?". If you have not heard of Ruby yet here is the Cole's Notes version . . .  Ruby is a puppy that was brought to us with a case of mange so severe that we were unable to determine her breed. Estimated to be about four to five months old she is suffering from what animal cruelty investigator Brandon James said is the worst case of the skin disease he has seen. Named Ruby by our staff because her skin was ruby red, she was found wandering in the area of Fawcett and River roads on Saturday March 24th and brought into the shelter.

Since her first days at the shelter Ruby has had her ups and downs, resting with a Foster Friend who is taking care of her medically, physically and emotionally. Today she was well enough to say thank you to a special group of kids who along with their teacher have raised over $400 to contribute to Ruby's care.

The students in Ms. Grey's Grade 4-5 class at Graham Bell-Victoria school didn't mind the interruption today, and they were even more surprised when Officer Brandon James came in with Ruby so she could show them her own brand of appreciation for helping in her healing process.

Having a class contact us and offer to help is great all on it's own, having the students raise over $400 mostly in pennies is another. These children should be applauded for their effort and compassion, as should Ms. Grey for fostering and encouraging these qualities in each of the children in her classroom.

Ruby still has a ways to go, but we can't wait to bring her back to Graham Bell-Victoria and Ms. Grey's class once more before the end of the school year to keep them updated on her progress.

The Importance of Foster Friends

There are so many different ways to volunteer at the Brant County SPCA and one of them is by becoming a foster family. By becoming a foster friend you will be supporting the animals that need most -- literally. Whether providing a comfortable, isolated place for pregnant animals, or feeding orphaned kittens every four hours, you will be contributing to the health and well-being
of many animals. Though all food, supplies and medical care are provided by us, the time, commitment, benevolence and understanding will be up to you.

One of the amazing foster friends that we have right now is Karen from Pet-D-Gree Professional Pet Care Services. Not only does Karen lead a busy life with her pet centered business but she has also been working with the Brant County SPCA for many years fostering some of our animals in need when she has the time. Karen's foster right now?

New Mom Meg and her band of new pups, all seven of them! Because of our foster friend Meg was able to give birth outside the confines of the shelter and is able to bond with her pups in an environment that is quiet, spacious and had plenty of care.

Sometimes our lifestyle makes it hard to make the years of commitment that a pet will need and we understand that. This is a way for pet lovers to give back to an organization that needs places short term to house animals that are most in need.

Thank you Karen and to all our other foster friends for the dedicated work that you do for the Brant County SPCA. We will be following Meg and her pups over the next weeks and introducing you to other foster friends, volunteers, pets and staff.