The Fur (& Feather!) Flyer

HAWS' Mobile Adoption Center visits area businesses, pet fairs, festivals and events in the Waukesha County area all throughout the year.  It's another way we're reaching out to our community with the message of adoption, education and responsible pet ownership.  We set up inside and outside of stores, malls, parks... wherever pet people may be!  HAWS representatives even bring along an adoptable pet or two for viewing.

So if you can't come to our shelter in Waukesha, you can meet with us when we're out and about - and learn how you can bring home your new best friend right in your own neighborhood!  (Potential adoptors will need to provide proof of home ownership or landlord approval, and up-to-date vaccinations for animals currently owned, before any adoption can be approved.)

Dateline, July 16, 2008 - WAUKESHA

The Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) of Waukesha County, Inc. Animal Rescue Team sprang into action early this afternoon when a wayward Waukesha County Fair participant wandered across the shelter's front lawn on Northview Road in Waukesha.  The County Fair grounds are just down the road, west of HAWS' shelter at 701 Northview Road.

"We're used to seeing dogs being walked on our grounds, but not livestock:  it was quite a shock to look out our windows and see a large black steer looking back at us," said Jennifer Smieja, HAWS Development Coordinator.  "He seemed somewhat spooked, and just searching for a safe place away from the commotion and traffic."

HAWS Adoption Counselor Lisa Neaman, who has shown animals at the Fair in past years, identified the bovine as possibly a black Angus crossbred steer, weighing a minimum of 800 pounds.

Neaman, Kennel Lead Jaime Merkel and Spay-Neuter Clinic Manager Cassie Gugin ran out to assist the steer's handlers and a Fair official who were attempting to corral it back to safety.  The round-up lasted about a quarter mile, when the group was finally able to get a halter around the steer and wrangle it back into a trailer.  The HAWS staffers offered water for the animal that was obviously tired and weary from his jaunt.

Smieja noted with a smile: "With our ‘open admissions' policy, it makes perfect sense to us that he would seek Shelter at HAWS."

By the way - HAWS Halloween Howl II is coming up October 31, 2008!  Sure, it's warm outside, but mark your calendar now for a spooktacular time - and a great way to celebrate Halloween and help animals all at the same time.  Tickets will be available in late August...

She's still here.

Peggy (aka, Miss Piggy) has been at HAWS since February 1st of this year.  She was a stray that was wandering in Menomonee Falls who didn't get reclaimed by her owner.  So, after the 7-day hold period, we temperament tested her and put her up for adoption, hoping to place her in a new home.

She's still waiting!

It is a common misconception that shelters have a "death row" or "euthanasia list" - a list of animals that will be put down after a certain time frame if they are not adopted.  HAWS doesn't have a time limit - and Peggy is our latest proof of that.

So what kind of home does Peggy need?  Well, she's not a cat fan, so one without cats.  She does well with dogs - but not every dog, so we'll do an introduction with her and your resident best buddy.  Peggy loves people.  And kids.  She's been spending time with our Kids'N Critters Day Camp participants, doing training and socialization demos.  She "hangs" in the office with us, knows her manners, and is just a pleasant dog to be around.

It breaks our hearts to see the other dogs come and go, adopted out while Peggy waits.

We're just hopeful that the right home is coming.  Soon.

By the way - our kid's camp is in full swing, and having a blast!  If you missed out on this year's sessions, mark your calendars:  we also have winter camps while school is out, and we'll be taking registrations early next spring for the 2009 sessions.  Watch our website!

There was a great article in the Monday paper about the most common names for pets in our area.  We have our own list of "too popular" names that we try to avoid whenever a pet comes into HAWS needing a moniker.

For the most part, staff has sworn off of names like Buddy, Fluffy, Blackie, Shadow...

Here are some of the pets currently available at HAWS with the best names!

ACORN
This handsome cat is a shorthaired gray tabby.  Actually, Acorn was stuck up a tree and rescued by a HAWS staff member, so we can take credit for this name.

BLUE CRUSH
Blue Crush is a female Indian Ringneck Parakeet that was flitting around a business in Menomonee Falls.  Another "stray," she was also named by our kennel staff.

BO & ARROW
These two darling Guinea Pigs were surrendered together and will be adopted out together.  We're not sure if their aim is true but they DO "quiver" a little bit....

CHURCH
You've heard of a Churchmouse, how about a Church CAT?!  Another shorthair, Church has a beautiful dense gray coat.  He is 6 years old and a sweet young man who just needs some companionship.

SHREDDER
An American Mix rabbit, Shredder is just over a year old, and has been neutered.  Don't be fooled - he's more of a "gnaw-er."

By the way - we are selling tribute paver bricks as part of our fundraising campaign for our new facility.  We will continue selling the bricks even after we've reached our goal for construction, but what a great way to honor a family member or beloved pet, or just get your name "etched in stone"!  Log onto our facility expansion page to download a brick order form, or stop by the shelter and pick one up!

We all know that summer usually doesn't show up in Wisconsin until about...now.  Summer can be a GREAT time to interact with your pet!  But bringing your best friend along on road trips, even to the grocery store, can be deadly.

Many have seen the demonstrations on TV.  On a typical summer day a reporter parks his car in the sun, cracks the windows an inch or 2, and sets a thermometer inside to watch the dramatic rise in temperature.  Amazingly (or maybe not since we've seen this a lot), the inside of the car goes from warm to toasty to downright dangerous within minutes - less time than it takes to get that gallon of milk or bottle of soda.

Imagine being stuck inside the car.  Without car keys.  Or thumbs.

Keep in mind, I don't advise that you actually do this, but you might get an idea of what your pet is going through alone in your car in the summer heat by bundling up as though you were going out in one of our great snowstorms from this past winter (don't forget the wool socks).  Then, sit in your car in the sun, with the windows cracked about 3 inches.  When you start sweating, remember that dogs and cats don't sweat like we do, so do some panting.  Bark intermittently if you like.  And jump from seat to seat hoping someone will notice.  Had enough yet?

Hot cars kill pets.

If you see an animal in distress in a parking lot this summer, don't be afraid to help.  Go into the store and ask the management to page the owner.  Call us at HAWS or the police in the area for assistance.

If you don't have to, don't take your pet along in the car, either.  With gas prices (and safety) being what they are, no longer can we leave the car running with the A/C on while doing errands.  Your pet will be more comfortable in your home, near a bowl of water.

And a nice fan.

By the way - it bears repeating:  Its fireworks season.  Keep the safety and mental well-being of your pet in mind while the shows are going!  Pets should be safely inside - and try turning the TV or radio on to help deaden the outside noise for them.  Then, reward them for their bravery with a nice picnic and walk in the park.  Have a great July 4th holiday!