An Open Invitation
We encourage all animal lovers
to visit the shelter and see for themselves the significant improvements
that have been and continue to be made. The health of the cats
and dogs has never been better!!! There is no longer any overcrowding
with animals living in unsanitary conditions.
Cats are now tested for feline
leukemia and aids and dogs for heartworm as soon as they arrive
at the shelter. All animals that need vaccinations are given
them immediately and are kept separate from the healthy ones
for observation. Currently all dogs are personally accompanied
to their new home by our Manager, Christina Reed, to ensure the
home is suitable and the dog will be well cared for. Christina
has been so highly impressed with several of the homes she asked
some adopters it they would also consider adopting her! So far
no one has taken her up on her request.
New programs have been instituted
and others are being planned. A foster care program has been
implemented for kittens and puppies. As our team of foster families
increases, we plan to include special needs dogs that need one
on one attention before they are ready for adoption.
Please consider joining our Special
Events Team. On June 28th, we will be participating in Community
Day sponsored by Sears. As usual we will be at the Fantastic
Flea Market on August 2nd. We are currently planning an Open
House, but have not yet set the date. If you would like to help
with an event or have an idea for an event, please come to the
shelter and complete our volunteer application.
Positive relationships with other
animal welfare organizations throughout the Rogue Valley are
being established. By working together, we can all benefit from
each other's experience and ideas resulting in the improvement
of the welfare of the precious lives we have been entrusted with.
The Executive Director of a very
successful humane society recently toured our shelter for the
first time since 2003 and wrote "I hadn't been there in
a while and I was very pleased with what I saw. The organization
has made some great strides in improving the care and housing
of the animals there. Overall, I was very pleasantly surprised
by the changes that have taken place since my last visit. I commend
you and everyone involved on such hard work. It's not easy to
make the changes you've implemented, particularly with such a
large number of volunteers and limited paid staff."
Allegations have been about RVHS
- some of which are ridiculous and all of which are unsubstantiated.
You owe it to the animals to personally investigate the truth
of what you may have been told and not rely on hearsay. The
future well being of the animals at RVHS depends on your due
diligence.
Thank you for your continued
support of the animals in our community by your commitment and
donations to RVHS. We appreciate everything you do. Times are
tough and the cats and dogs rely on us to speak out on their
behalf and work to improve their welfare. If you have any questions
or would like more information about any rumors you have heard
about the administration of RVHS, please feel free to call the
shelter at 479-5154 and a member of the Board will return your
call.
Thanks to the generosity of everyone
who donated towards Stream's surgery she is well on her way to
recovery. She had the procedure on May 23rd and on June 6th she
went to her to her new home with two of the Vet Techs from Southern
Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center. She still may need some
additional procedures, but her new guardians will take care of
that. Our heartfelt appreciation to all of you who opened your
hearts (not to mention your wallets) to help one of the many
needy animals in our care.
FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED!
If you have love to share and
a heart for animals, volunteers are needed to provide shelter
as a temporary foster home. As kittens and puppies come into
the shelter, they need to be placed with a foster family where
they can experience loving care and trust with humans until they
are old enough to be spayed/neutered and adopted. This may be
a single kitten or puppy, litters or moms with their babies.
We also have adults who may have
an injury or traumatic experience and just need some convalescing
time with a gentle soul and quiet environment.
The fulfillment found in fostering
is tremendous. By offering a foster home, you are saving two
lives: the one you are providing a temporary home for and the
one who will take their place in the shelter.
And if sewing is your gift, the
cats greatly appreciate fleece and sherpa material sewn into
18" x 24" blankets.
You are invaluable to the animals
and we appreciate any help you can give us in saving lives!