By Kathleen Silver
Recently, a kitty adopted from HSLC four years ago was returned to us. Unfortunately, Mindy’s family developed allergies and couldn’t keep her. Mindy, a gorgeous Tabby, also has one issue other than needing a new home: Obesity. She can’t effectively clean herself with so many extra pounds. Her coat was matted and dull by the time she came to HSLC. Mindy’s foster parent supposes that her previous home may have free-fed the companion animals in the house; therefore, it’s likely that Mindy snacked — a lot.
A Little On Obesity
Attempting to get a food-driven kitty like Mindy not to overeat may be challenging. After all, it can be difficult to resist the constant meowing and big round eyes. But obesity in cats and dogs is one of the top dangers leading to diabetes, intra-abdominal cancers, heart disease, and hypertension. Furthermore, with disease comes extra veterinary costs for medications and tests and an increased risk of complications from anesthesia if a pet ever needs surgery. Obesity is common in older indoor pets that are not as active as they were in their early years and can lead to osteoarthritis, degeneration of joints, and bladder stones. Overweight pets are more likely to have shorter lives and tend to interact less with their families physically. They can be more lethargic, so it is easier to miss early signs of illness.
When a cat or dog is heading toward severe weight gain, it is time to acknowledge the situation. It is imperative to consult with a veterinarian on the correct approach to helping your companion animal lose or maintain weight so obesity doesn’t creep into their life. Simply cutting the amount of food may not be the ideal approach. It’s possible to cause a cat or dog to become malnourished by cutting food. What’s best is to talk to your veterinarian about the type, frequency, and portion sizes of the new food to facilitate weight loss. Then, it is the pet owner’s job to be consistent with the food and resist the temptation to give treats.
Introducing a pet to a new food takes time. Most pets like their routine, and changing it can cause them to retreat and become moody. Take the first 2-3 weeks to mix their everyday food with the new food. The goal is to wean them off the old food and habituate to the new, healthier diet.
Exercise is another feature to help an obese or overweight animal. However, exercise must begin slowly if the pet usually doesn’t move much. Even if a cat or dog lays on its back batting at a toy — that’s some exercise! Many people might say, “My pet won’t play.” But, with some trial and error, you will find an activity that your pet will enjoy. Once you find it, commit consistently to playing with your cat or dog for 5-10 minutes daily, more if possible. As time passes, your pet will eventually become more interested and may even seek you out for a few more minutes of playtime.
Back to Mindy’s Story
As for Mindy, she now eats a special low-carb diet to give her the best life possible and to reduce her weight. Mindy’s foster parent, Stephanie, reports that in only four weeks, Mindy’s coat has regained most of its former sheen, and she’s back to grooming herself.
Mindy is great with children and other cats; she tolerates dogs. Miss Mindy always finds a way to curl up on a lap. She craves attention and loves cuddling. However, Mindy won’t do well with a home that free feeds. She will need her meals on a schedule. Stephanie also says she doesn’t beg for food between meals, likely due to the high-quality food she’s now eating.
Mindy plays with toys and loves to interact with people and children. She has the most fun chasing plush toys with sounds or bells and hunting ribbons and string. Mindy is very friendly and ready to find her new home.
February 2023 Update: Mindy has been adopted! However, you can click here if you’re interested in adding one of her friends to your family!
By Hannah Feeley
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with three fosters for the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC). They each shared their stories and advice for new foster parents.
Meet Tyler
Tyler and his roommate, Katie, started fostering during the pandemic and have fostered 14 cats thus far with HSLC. They initially started fostering to cope with COVID-19 pandemic isolation and the emotional toll but continue to foster because it’s meaningful and fun.
Tyler mentioned the potential financial toll of fostering. Although HSLC covers all vet care expenses, it relies on the community to donate food and supplies. Otherwise, the fosters cover these costs which can add up. But Tyler and Katie have felt that the costs are worth it.
Despite both working full-time, Tyler and Katie still find time to play with and socialize the cats to get them ready for their forever homes. Katie, for instance, sets aside arts and crafts time with the cats.
Tyler recommends that new foster parents reach out to their animal rescue for advice. He highlighted that our HSLC family has given him great guidance with each animal.
Meet Jamie
Jamie and her two daughters recently became short-term fosters for HSLC. She is a homeschool parent, with two senior dogs.
Jamie was volunteering for HSLC as a cat condo caretaker at a local pet store. When the cats in the condos needed a break, her kids encouraged her to take the cats home. Both Jamie and her kids noted the incredible feeling of letting the cats decompress for a few days. Plus, they found the experience to be really fun.
Jamie emphasized that cats do not need a lot of space; whatever room you can provide may actually be more than they’re used to. She appreciates the flexibility of short-term fostering as it allows her to help the animals without making a lengthier commitment.
With the holiday season upon us, HSLC is currently in need of short-term and vacation fosters. So, if you’re considering fostering, this would be the perfect time to give it a try.
Meet Carol
Carol is retired and has fostered cats with HSLC since 2018. Carol was initially introduced to fostering by a friend and hasn’t looked back since.
In explaining to me why she fosters, the joy in Carol’s voice was evident. – she does it because it’s enjoyable. Carol has also made (human) friends by fostering. Each time a foster cat is adopted, she makes a new friend with the adopter who sends updates about the cat’s wellbeing.
As a long-term foster parent who often takes in mistreated animals, Carol’s advice for new fosters is short and sweet: be patient. Spend time with the animals but have the patience to allow them to come out of their shells on their own.
Some people fear they won’t be able to give up the foster animals when the time comes. But Carol’s mindset is different: the more animals she can foster, the more animals she can help find homes. It’s a beautiful process and Carol is enthusiastic about her next foster.
If you’re interested in becoming a short or longer term foster, please contact us at foster@humaneloudoun.org or complete a no-obligation online application.
Stuart’s love of animals started when he was about nine years old with his first dog, Rusty. She was a mixed Wirehaired Fox Terrier and put Stuart on a quest to save as many dogs as possible. Fast forward to 2016 when he became a dog foster for the Humane Society of Loudoun County after attending an orientation. For his very first foster he was given Poe, a Plott Hound who could only walk in circles. Undeterred, Stuart kept signing up to foster, and at last count, he had fostered 20 dogs including his current foster, Willow. Undoubtedly, Stuart believes strongly in the mission to “adopt don’t shop”; he encourages others to foster and become the bridge between an animal’s past life and their forever life.
By Kathleen Silver
Destiny, as defined by dictionary.com, is “something that is to happen or has happened to a particular person or thing; lot or fortune. The predetermined, usually inevitable or irresistible, course of events.” No single word can better describe the story of three tabby cats found on the side of a road in Purcellville. If you ask their foster parent, Tracy — she knows she is part of their destiny, and perhaps it is you, dear reader, destined to give them their forever home.
Right Place, Right Time
This story of destiny began nearly a year ago. Tracy, a Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) foster parent, briefly saw a figure in the dark of early morning as she was driving home. She wasn’t sure if it was a raccoon or other animal, but she needed to keep to her schedule.
Then, just a couple of days later, a friend called Tracy to let her know that only mere steps away from her house, there were several abandoned cats. So, Tracy walked over and found five cats. Two cats seemed more feral than the others, but Tracy knew what to do. First, she thought how funny it was that these kitties showed up steps from the home of someone who could help them immediately.
What was even more intriguing was that three of the cats huddled together. At the time, they were healthy kittens, and from Tracy’s experience, she surmised someone had dumped them. And Tracy knows that someone (whether they knew it or not) put them in the right place to ready them for their next adventure.
With the valuable assistance of trapper extraordinaire and fellow HSLC foster parent, Donna, Tracy scooped them up, and soon, they were named: Morris, Myrna, and Felix. Let us tell you about these lovable, adoptable adolescents who are more than ready to meet their next destiny of a forever home:
Myrna
Myrna is a precious kitty cat who does all the everyday things like winding around legs to give affection. She’s vocal about her love for her owner and her brothers. Myrna easily entertains herself with her toys in a lazy yet interested way. She’s a full-figured girl who loves her treats and is bonded with Morris. Shhhh…she’s Tracy’s favorite!
Morris
Morris can be shy but not afraid of things like the vacuum. He often wants to help with chores while crossing under Tracy’s legs. Morris gives long, wet nose-kisses and loves his owner to pet him. He loves to be babied and picked up, unlike Myrna and Felix. He’s shy around strangers but only needs time to get to know his parents and a warm, loving home, and he will soon be purring away. He absolutely loves being close to Myrna.
Felix
Felix is the most independent and likes to spend time alone. He’s not keen on strangers, but as a young adolescent, he only needs encouragement to find his kitty mojo. He is especially happy in his kitty condo during the day and likes to visit his cat friends at night. Tracy believes the right home might include a “cat-savvy” dog. In addition, Felix may benefit from having a confident and friendly cat in the household to show him the ropes.
A New Destiny Awaits
All three cats have given off vibes as “shy”; however, Tracy sees them as retreaters, not aggressors. That means that at this young age, they have learned to protect one another. But when asked to come out of their shell, they adapt and thrive. They have not once been aggressive as a side effect of their shyness. Instead, they are food motivated, comfortable with humans who are familiar to them and love to play when encouraged. They need patient adopters who will let them come out of their shells at their speed. If you do that, the reward will be sweet, loving cats.
So, who would like to make Felix, or Morris and Myrna a new destiny? Complete a no-obligation adoption application or contact us at adoptions@humaneloudoun.org for more information.
With the end of the year in sight, many people are looking for ways to combine their desire to help the causes they believe in with their desire to save on taxes. Here are four options to consider that can help you make the most of your giving this year.
Donate an Auto or Real Estate
If you have a vehicle or piece of property you want to unload, consider donating it to the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) for what could be a significant tax deduction. We offer free pick-up for donated vehicles of all types—cars, trucks, boats, and even ATVs. Our real estate program takes any property type (land, homes, commercial) in any location so long as there is equity.
Donor Advised Fund (DAF)
A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is like a charitable investment account, for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations like the Humane Society of Loudoun County. DAFs are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle in the United States because they are one of the easiest and most tax-advantageous ways to donate. DAFDirect, a widget available on our website, enables you to recommend grants to HSLC directly from your DAF.
Give from your IRA
Qualified Charitable Distributions, or QCDs, are designed for supporters who want to make a charitable donation directly from their IRA to charities like HSLC. While there is no charitable deduction for making a charitable contribution using a QCD, the IRA distribution used to make the contribution is not subject to taxes. In 2024, the minimum age for QCDs is 70 ½ and the annual limit is $105,000. You may also consider designating HSLC as a beneficiary of your IRA.
Fund a Charitable Gift Annuity
Consider converting appreciated assets to a charitable gift annuity, which will provide you with reliable payments for life while supporting HSLC’s work. You will also receive payments that are partially tax-free and receive favorable capital gains tax treatment.
Note: HSLC does not give tax advice to individuals. Please consult your professional tax advisor on how the above options might affect you specifically.
By Kathleen Silver
According to the SPCA, senior dogs are the hardest to get adopted. They spend four times longer in a shelter waiting for adoption versus younger dogs. For cats, kittens are adopted 82% of the time, but once a cat reaches 18 months old, it only has a 60% chance of being adopted.
Each animal, regardless of their age, should know what it feels like to be loved. Senior animals are wise, laid back, lovable, and appreciative of their caretakers. You may think you need a certain disposition to take on a senior pet, but people from all walks of life can be great candidates to foster or adopt an older companion animal. As November is National Adopt a Senior Pet month, we’ve reached out to a few folks to learn what it takes to care for a senior pet.
Fostering a Senior Pet
When Carol and Matt wanted to add a cat to their household, they were introduced to Erin. After the Herndon couple got to know her, they recognized Erin’s personality as easy-going, and boy, was she sweet! Erin remained a foster with Carol and Matt until her last days.
Erin didn’t hear very well, suffered from asthma–which required daily medications–and numerous other health issues. Carol said that administering the medications was their main challenge. But, once they had a routine for the medicines, it became a normal part of running their household.
As with any foster parents with the Humane Society of Loudoun County, Carol and Matt had a support system around them. The volunteers on HSLC’s Animal Care team were always responsive when they needed help. In addition, their vet at Loudoun Cat Care was available on short notice to lend an ear or to get Erin in for a check-up. Carol and Matt are grateful to everyone, including those who donate in support of HSLC’s foster program, for helping them give Erin the care she deserved.
Carol and Matt feel they are the same as any pet owner. They wanted their own senior kitty, Little Guy, to have a companion. Although she had some challenges, Carol and Matt relished the love Erin gave to them and did not view the support she needed as an inconvenience. Matt remembers fondly the times when Erin would make a cozy, warm nest in his lap.
Adopting Into a Big Family
Scarlett Phillips adopted Margo the cat from HSLC in early 2020 after she saw a post for her on the NovaCats Facebook page. At 14 years old, Margo was surrendered to a Maryland shelter due to the previous owner’s cat allergies. She was blind, had high blood pressure and arthritis. Scarlett looked at Margo’s photo, thought of her busy household with foster children, dogs, and cats, and said to herself: Margo will love it here, and we’ll all love Margo!
In certain ways, Margo reminded Scarlett of her dear grandmother. She loved food, had a hard time seeing, was tiny and walked stiffly. Plus, she had this funny meow that melted everyone’s hearts. Scarlett knew she needed to give Margo a chance to be settled and to live out her golden years surrounded by love, no matter how much time she had left. Scarlett and her husband believe that taking in senior pets is one of the “best things anyone can do.”
Who Should Adopt a Senior?
What is the best personality type to care for a senior pet? The answer is there isn’t one. Rather, it’s about an individual’s commitment to care for the animal. Senior pets come into a home with different challenges and rewards. But, those who take in older animals have come away with a feeling of warmth and reward like no other. As Scarlett Phillips says, “Open your heart, take a chance, and life can be good.”
Visit the HSLC website to learn about adopting or fostering a senior companion animal.
As a foster-based, all-volunteer organization, the Humane Society of Loudoun County relies on the community to provide homeless animals the second chances they deserve. Here are five “paw-some” ways to help our furry friends this holiday season.
1. Go Shopping
When you do your holiday shopping at Amazon Smile, please designate The Humane Society of Loudoun County as your charity. While on Amazon, be sure to check out our kitten registry and charity wish list. We also have a wish list on Chewy.com.
2. Support Giving Tuesday
This international day of giving on November 29 is the perfect time to “paws” and make a life-saving donation to HSLC. The more funding we have, the more animals we can help!
3. Become a Guardian Angel
Maybe you’ve fallen in love with one of our animals but can’t adopt. Or perhaps you see a cat or dog that has been on our website for a while but hasn’t been adopted. Sponsoring an animal’s adoption fee, in part or full, will increase the odds that they will find a loving “fur-ever” home in the near future.
4. Donate Your Vehicle or Property
Got a vehicle you want to unload before the new year? Consider donating it to HSLC. We offer free pick-up for donated vehicles of all types—cars, trucks, boats, and even ATVs. We also launched a real estate donation program this year to support our life-saving mission.
5. Give through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)
More and more supporters are using DAFs to manage their charitable giving. They combine the most favorable tax benefits with the flexibility to support your favorite causes, like HSLC.
Thank you for helping animals in need this holiday season and throughout the year.
By Roman Freeman
You can see them all the time, if you’re looking – in the grocery store, at the mall, and in restaurants. We know that Service Animals get special privileges; but what are the rules? Who can have them? And when is an animal a Service Animal?
Americans with Disabilities Act
To understand the rules of Service Animals in the United States, we need to take a look at a set of federal laws known as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You may have heard of this before. For one thing, this is the legal precedent under which businesses are prevented from firing employees because of mental or physical disability. One of the many other things this set of laws covers is Service Animals.
It is important to note that the Americans with Disabilities Act is the one and only federal legal authority on what is and is not a Service Animal in the United States. Currently, there is no rule within the ADA that requires Service Animals to be registered or to have paperwork proving their Service status. This also means that there are no legal registries or certifications in this country on a federal level. Anyone can print off a card or a paper packet that says their animal has been “certified” as a Service Animal. But legally, this means essentially nothing.
Service Animal Defined
Then, how is it decided what is legally considered a Service Animal? The ADA states the following qualifications:
- A “Service Animal” is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
You can see a list of some examples of work and tasks a Service Animal might perform (in addition to guiding the deaf or blind, or alerting to episodes of health conditions such as diabetes or seizures) here. You may also view a legal definition of disability and some conditions that may be recognized as a disability here.
- The work or tasks the dog is trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs who function solely as comfort or emotional support do not qualify as Service Animals under the ADA.
Emotional Support Animals are, however, considered Assistance Animals and therefore legally receive housing rights. While Service Animals receive both the rights to live in any facility their handler occupies as a residence regardless of rules about pets on premises, and the rights to accompany their handler anywhere the general public is allowed to go; Emotional Support Animals (ESA’s) do not legally receive public access rights to be present in places like grocery stores or offices which do not otherwise allow pets on premises. When it does not directly conflict with a person’s housing rights regarding the Animal, an individual site can decide whether an ESA is allowed on premises.
- A Service Animal must be under control of its handler at all times. Service Animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless this interferes with the person’s disability or the associated work the dog does. If they are not in some form tethered to their handler, the handler must keep control of the dog at all times with voice, signal, or other effective controls.
Summary
In short, a Service Animal is legally any dog trained to actively perform work or tasks to mitigate a disability, without presenting a danger to the public in any way and kept under control by its handler at all times. There are no rules at a federal level about breeds, certifications, registries, or training methods. You can view more about these laws and others at the ADA website.
Why do I say “our” feral cats? Because these cats live in our community just like we do. And, since we care about and take care of our community, we also need to take care of these kitties.
Feral colonies are made up of cats that have had little or no contact with humans. Most people may not even know they are there. Often, they are unseen, unheard, and sadly, unsung.
How I Got Involved
While walking my dog near our home, I noticed a lady feeding cats in a car lot. She explained that the cats were supported by the Humane Society of Loudoun County’s Community Cats Program, which uses Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) as the least costly and most humane way of stabilizing cat populations.
I offered to help right on the spot and that was the start of a beautiful and unexpected journey. As I was unable to take needy animals into my own home, this was a path where I could greatly improve the lives of an entire colony of cats.
How It Works
With the help of a handful of volunteers, we each take turns feeding once or twice a week and covering for one another during vacations, etc.. Some of the food is provided by donations.
At first, we approach the cats tentatively and, over time, confidently. We survey them for illness or injury, although many have received vet care thanks to HSLC’s donors and vet partners. One cat was completely blind. But, with proper support, we were able to find him a loving home where he became comfortable enough to be petted.
The sweet little critters look forward to our regular visits. We are welcomed with a chorus of meows of varying tones. Each cat has a different degree of wildness and openness to pets and scratches. I have a name for each member of the colony based on their behavior or appearance.
In truth, I look forward to my visits as much as they look forward to mine. I hope that more people will consider assisting these at-risk animals by becoming cat colony caretakers. The gratification is immeasurable!
Loree Rupy, Feral feeder and rescue driven
By Kailyn Carr
As is the case with people, our furry friends are subjected to a variety of medical conditions as they get older. One of the most common diseases impacting aging and obese pets is diabetes mellitus. Many people are intimidated by the idea of adopting animals with diabetes, thinking that the disease cannot be successfully managed. But, with proper care and treatment, diabetic dogs and cats can live long and healthy lives.
Animals adopted through the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) will have a medical record noting any pre-existing diseases, including diabetes. I highly recommend fostering or adopting a pet with diabetes. Consider their condition an opportunity to provide extra love and support to animals that may not have been shown that kindness before coming into your life.
Spotlight on Oreo
Pets with diabetes have a very special place in my heart because I happen to have one of my own. Oreo is an older cat at the sprightly age of 13; he has been a part of my family since he was just a few weeks old. He was diagnosed with diabetes about 2 years ago after we noticed he had been losing large amounts of weight. While we had to adjust to caring for him, there was never any doubt that we would do everything we could to make him as healthy and happy as we could.
Ever since the diagnosis, Oreo has thrived on his medications and adjusted feeding schedule. Moreover, he remains the lovable, cuddly, attention-seeking (for all of the right and wonderful reasons), and vocal cat that we grew up with. We sometimes forget that he’s a senior cat when he shows so much youthful energy while playing with his toys.
Caring for Pets with Diabetes
- Do your research using credible sources like PetMD and AVMA.
- Listen to your vet as they will know your pet’s history. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions about diet, exercise and medication.
- Monitor your pet’s weight and behavior on a weekly basis. If you notice any dramatic shifts, contact your vet immediately.
- Be patient as you and your pet adjust to a new care plan.
