Animal Welfare Goody Bag Donation Drive by South Shore Pet.Com

****DUE TO THE BLIZZARD ON SUNDAY AND THE NEED TO PREPARE  –DONATION TIMES TODAY SAT 12/19 WILL BE 10-12.

This year the team at South Shore Pet.Com is coordinating a small Goody Bag donation gift drive for animal welfare and rescue groups. We’re making 10 bags for 10 shelters/ rescue groups, we’re putting in paper towels, laundry detergent, beds, blankets, dog and cat toys and treats, and more. Would you like to help  by donating a roll or paper towels,a bottle of detergent, a blanket, toys or treats etc?

To donate call 781-447-5489 and we’ll arrange for pick up, or you can drop items off at our office at 237 Broadway in Hanover Tue 12/15 and Thursday 12/17 from 9:30-2:30pm and Saturday December 19th from 10-12. ****DUE TO THE BLIZZARD ON SUNDAY AND THE NEED TO PREPARE  DONATION TIMES TODAY SAT 12/19 WILL BE 10-12.

The Googie Bags will be delivered over the Christmas season during regular business hours. We’ll post the pictures online as we get them.

We’d like to thank our current donors!

• 10 doggie treat bags from Go Fetch Pets Bakery
• Shaklee laundry detergent by Lisa Cheatham
• LAUNDRY DETERGENT FROM South Shore Ferret Care
• cat treats and 2 cat beds, towels, and blankets by The Kitty’s Corner.
• Assorted treats and blankets from Nicole Meunier

Suggest a Shelter or Rescue Group

Our team has a few special shelters near and dear to our hearts but we’d like to invite you to suggest a worthy shelter or rescue group, and the ones with the most suggestions will make our top ten list! To suggest an organization please use the Post A Comment option below!

ps for small animal organizations we’ll substitute cat and dog treats for appropriate treats! i.e bunny treats, ferret treats, bird treats etc etc

Cooking Up Ways To Help Pets

Times are tough. So many cats, dogs and other animals are waiting to be adopted, looking for foster homes and being surrendered at record rates. It is difficult for most of us to find a way to help that doesn’t require us to open up our homes and rearrange our current pet’s lives to accommodate one more. And right now one more mouth to feed isn’t an option for most of us.

But shelter animals aren’t the only ones in jeopardy and you CAN help, one can of food at a time-by keeping a pet in a loving home and out of the shelter in the first place.

Massachusetts food pantries are visited by thousands of families each month. A majority of these families never expected to be in their current situation and are facing the difficult decision to surrender their family pet because dog and cat food is hard to find at most food banks. No one should be forced to make that decision.

Marlo Manning, Board Member of Fairy DogParents.org, a 501c3 charity organization that qualifies families for temporary food, medical and general wellness assistance in Massachusetts said “We currently support eight Sponsor Dogs with monthly food drop offs. The families were struggling financially and it was either feed themselves or their dog. ”

This Holiday Season-you can help animals right in your own community. “There are many charity organizations already set up to help animals,” Said Marlo, “It’s as easy as stopping by your local grocery store or food bank and donating either canned or dry dog/cat food.”

If your town or city doesn’t have a food bank please contact your local grocery store to see if they collect food for distribution to those in need. Or bring your pet food donation to the Fairy DogParents table in the food court of Independence Mall in Kingston Saturday December 5th between 11am-3pm or Sunday December 6th between 12pm and 3pm and it will go directly to a pet family in need.

You can get involved by donating food to help animals in need. A list of local food banks and grocery store drop off locations are listed below:

Hannafords Supermarkets (most locations): Norwell & Kingston locations

Braintree Community Food Pantry
594 Washington St
Braintree, MA 02184
(781) 356-0161

Hingham Interfaith Food Pantry
685 Main St
Hingham, MA 02043
(781) 740-8180

Scituate Food Pantry
344 Country Way
Scituate, MA 02066
(781) 545-5827

Rockland Food Pantry
12 Church St
Rockland, MA 02370
781) 878-1078

Pembroke Food Pantry
142 Center St
Pembroke, MA 02359
(781) 293-4107

Marshfield Food Pantry
1981 Ocean St
Marshfield, MA 02050
781) 837-0359

Charity Guild Food Pantry
501 Main St
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 583-6680

The Pet Pantry
P.O. Box 333
Easton MA 02334
E-mail: director@helpfeedpets.org

http://helpfeedpets.org/

If you can think of another food pantry or ways to help animals please post a comment below and share it with our readers-Thank You

“Feline Friend-Z” Tue October 27th, 29, 30 and 31, 2009

Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts
announces “Feline Friend-Z”

New non-profit animal shelter extends adoption center hours and offers reduced adoption fees to increase adult cat adoptions Adoption fees will be reduced to $100 for all cats over six months old (a $50 reduction). In addition, all bonded adult pairs (that’s two cats that came to the center together) will also be available at the single adult cat adoption fee of $100.

WHAT: The Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts (APCSM) will be hosting a “Feline Friend-Z”, in an effort to find forever homes for their resident cats and to raise awareness about the newly formed non-profit’s animal shelter. “Feline Friend-Z” will feature reduced adoption fees for adult cats and extended adoption hours while providing an opportunity for the community to visit the shelter, meet the new team and acquaint themselves with the many adult cats that are in the APCSM’s care.

The APCSM is hosting the “Feline Friend-Z” as a means to inform and encourage potential adopters about the benefits of bringing an adult cat into their homes. Often, the playfulness of a kitten overshadows their older felines, but adopting an adult cat allows for a better match of the cat’s personality to the adopters and their lifestyles.
Community members interested in adopting a new friend are encouraged to visit the adoption center and to also visit www.apcsm.org <http://www.apcsm.org/> for more information about the adoption process and available pets.

WHEN: Tuesday October 27th, 4 – 8pm
Thursday October 29th, 2 – 8pm
Friday October 30th, 2 – 4pm
Saturday October 31st, 12 – 4pm

WHERE: Animal Protection Center’s Adoption Center, 1300 West Elm St Ext, Brockton
The Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts (APCSM) is an open admission animal care and adoption facility, with focus on prevention of cruelty to animals, education and helping the community. Each year, over 4,000 animals in the area find themselves with nowhere to turn. The APCSM is committed to providing these homeless animals with humane and compassionate care in their time of need. For more information, visit www.apcsm.org <http://www.apcsm.org/> .

Press Release by: Chuck Givonetti, Board of Directors Clerk
Animal Protection Center

Paws In The Park Success For “APCSM”

Sunday October 11th was a beautiful fall day and the Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts benefited from the sunshine and warm weather, along with hundreds of animal lovers who came out to support the 1st Annual Paws in the Park benefit event, held at Borderland State Park.

Volunteers, and community businesses orchestrated a fun and well-organized event for participants. The APCSM reached their initial goal of $50,000, and with an event as successful as Paws In The Park, they demonstrated that they’re well on their way to getting this new organization off the ground.

The APCSM, recently formed to step in and take over the MSPCA’s closing shelter in Brockton, is a tight knit group of animal experts, local business leaders, animal lovers, and volunteers, and they’re opening their doors-and organization- with an invitation for more people from all backgrounds to step forward and become a part of what they’re hoping to do to help animals.

Paws In The Park attracted dogs of all shapes and sizes, and ages. When I first arrived I recognized Sheena, a beautiful, sweet shelter dog. Sheena is an eleven years old girl who’s been looking for a new home for months-she’s a well behaved, and lovable girl, who is looking for a home without cats or kids. Although tired from the dog walk, she rested and was enjoying being out in the sunshine, laying in the grass, and being around people for the day.

While Sheena took a break for pictures, I got a chance to chat with Megan Plante, who works at the shelter and was there when it was the MSPCA. I was curious to know what happened to the animals in the shelter when the MSPCA’s management ended at the end of September. “Some were transferred,” she said, “Rabbits went to a rabbit rescue, and some animals, like Sheena, stayed in the shelter.”

Afternoon activities at Paws In The Park included a canine agility demonstration. Amy White, a volunteer who helps run agility classes at the shelter, was helping direct dogs owners through the agility course with their dogs. “This is a great way for beginners to see first hand if they’d like to sign up for classes” said Amy. Dogs of all sizes were walking up the double wide planks, and having fun.

The Pet Pantry, a group of teens from the Easton area, were collecting pet food donations and promoting their efforts to help area pets stay in their homes. Jessica Stone said “We collect pet food donations and money, and we buy pet food and supplies and donate them to area food pantries, so families struggling financially can feed their furry friends too!” To join their efforts go to: www.helpfeedpets.org or call 508-587-3752.

The best part of the day was talking with so many interesting people and meeting so many beautiful dogs. For more information on the Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts go to apcsm.org.

All photos are the property of SouthShorePet.Com and Pam Weber.

Pet Fashion Show Organized By Local Teens

You’re never too young to make a positive impact on the lives of our animal friends.

I was impressed and inspired by six animal welfare activists between the ages of eight and twelve years old whom collaborated to host a fundraiser fashion show for dogs to benefit the Scituate Animal Shelter.  The fashion show team Mikaela Kelly, Morgan Tedeschi, Madison Muha, Brooke Dubois and Sam and Megan Pender relied on their friends and family to participate with their dogs for a five-dollar donation.

The event was held September 1st at 1:30pm in the Walnut Tree Hill neighborhood in Scituate and drew a crowd of more than one hundred people. To raise additional funds the team also set up face painting, paint your own dog biscuit, a bake sale and sold tickets for twenty-five cents to take a turn on the zip line set up in their yard.  “I liked the face painting the best,” said three-year old fashion show participant and budding philanthropist Lexi Washburn.

The fashion show featured twenty-four dogs across various breeds.  Some of the contestants dressed as famous athletes, hula dancers, ladybugs and cheerleaders.  The categories included Small Dog, Medium/Large Dog and Best in Show. The winners included Sammi the Corgi, Sonny the Chocolate Labrador Retriever and Mia the Shia Poo, respectively.  Each winner received a generous gift bag and a Golden Sneaker trophy.

When asked what inspired them to hold a fundraiser Mikaela Kelly explained, “I went to the animal shelter to volunteer but I am not old enough. They gave me a list of ideas to help them and we have been planning this event since June.”

The even was a tremendous success raising $550 for the Scituate Animal Shelter.

Rare Cows and Kids-The Furry Kind!

By Tonia Evans

Plimoth Plantation’s Rare Breed Parade

On Saturday March 21st, approximately 75-100 people, including my aunt, and me, gathered at the Plimoth Plantation to take part in the Rare Breed Parade. In attendance were the farm animals, the Plimoth Plantation staff, English Village Characters, the Plymouth 4-H Club that works with the Rare Breeds Program, and a handful of visitors from parents and kids-and I don’t mean the baby goats!
Read more

Whole Cat Workshop

By Tonia Evans

The Petfinder.com Whole Cat Workshop-The Solution To Cat Overpopulation

On Sunday March 8th, I attended the Whole Cat Workshop, which was coordinated by the Massachusetts Animal Coalition. The workshop was held at the Tufts University of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton, MA

When I woke up that day I knew that it was my opportunity to wear a new t-shirt that I received as a gift-which stated-Crazy Cat Lady, across the front! For a cat person like me, it’s an awesome experience to walk into a conference with hundreds of other cat lovers. The scheduled speakers were very informative, and participants chimed in sharing their tips for cat rescue and care.

Read more

PET INDUSTRY CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

By Tonia Evans
Here is a list of upcoming classes, For Tickets go to Classes & Workshops

Free Animal Welfare Promoters Workshop

Register for Saturday March 7th 9-10AM, Wed March 25th 5-6 PM, or April 8th 7-8 PM

Read more

PETCO Foundation to Donate To Area Animal Shelters

By Tonia Evans

Tree Of Hope Raised $3 Million for Homeless Animals

Good News for South Shore area animal welfare and rescue groups. The PETCO Foundation recently announced that they reached their fundraising goal of $3 million dollars and will soon be providing grant money to organizations in our area- and others around the country. Read more