Sometimes statistics are just too vast or vague to understand; however, here is some information from the ASPCA that we found that may put you in a tail spin. Why are there so many abandoned, neglected or  relinquished  pets in the United States?

The American Humane Association estimates approximately 8 million animals enter shelters each year.

Here are some other statistics:

This is so sad. What more can we do? This is a national problem that has gone on for a long time. There must be an answer? What do you think? Let us know through email or our Facebook site. 

We found a kitten that may have been thrown out of a car near Pie Town. A caller informed us about a kitten needing to be rescued and they  said the tiny kitten was either put in a coffee can and thrown out of a car or put in the can and left in the middle of the road! He looked like he had been hit by a car or suffered road rash from being tossed on the highway. He was rushed to see Dr. Duncan, was examined, and stitched up, given antibiotics and plenty of water. The vet said he was going to be ok. The Faith Fund will help with some of this little fellow's medical bills. His name is now Pretty Boy Steve and he is doing great. As soon as he gets a bit older he will be neutered with funds from the Zimmerman Foundation. It is this type of community support that helps Fur and Feather do the work we love for abandoned animals in Catron County. 

The driveway and road that brings people into the property at Fur and Feather is getting a much needed grading and load or two of rock for the low spots.  Work will continue for a few days and after  another rain more grading and loads of rock will be brought in to make a smooth, less muddy ride. If you are planning to come out to visit in the next week or so keep an eye out for the tractor or dump trucks.

Brad Bueachamp trimming hooves

Last week Brad, Jonathan and Sarah were working hard with our three horses, cleaning up and trimming their hooves. One of our horses, Little Joe, is having a hard time standing on one of his hooves while having the other hooves trimmed.  He is about 30 years old and has bad arthritis in his knee.  We have been keeping an eye on him, and he gets senior feed and supplements for older horses. If anyone wants to help with handling and grooming our horses, please contact Em on Facebook and she will set you up some regular days you can come out to our beautiful sanctuary, enjoy the day, and help one of our senior horses get some greatly appreciated love. All of our horses are seniors and can't eat any sort of hay so they are on pellets and need  supplements. If you are so inclined to donate, you can get us senior feed at the local feed store in Quemado.  Genine and Brad at the Gatherin' Place in Pie town welcome you to drop off any donations for Fur and Feather.  Just let Sarah Ross know you have so she can pick it up.     575-773-4674

Walkin' the dog

Shiner working it on treadmill

You may laugh out loud at this photo; however, Shiner is getting a great workout on our latest invention. Sarah  got an old treadmill out of one of the storage sheds on the property, cleaned it up and put a cage around it and stuck Shiner on it to see if she could get the boy to walk on it and get some much needed exercise. Guess what? It worked. Not only does it work the dogs love it. This will free up time for the few trainers we have at Fur and Feather. In fact, we only have one trainer, and that would be Sarah. This contraption will be so useful as winter approaches because when it is too cold outside for human interaction with the animals, putting them on the treadmill in a warm building will be a big relief. This brings up the topic of our future project--a covered agility course. We were the recipient of a grant from The Babes and Bullies Grant that will help to help  fund this play yard. We have applied for another grant for this project, but we won't know if we got it until next year. We have the budget, design and location finished but we are still looking for contractors to give us a decent bid. Hopefully that will happen in the next month.  We will be planning a work day to clear the area where we want to put the agility course. If you want to come out and stay a day or so, let us know. You can bring your camper, pitch a tent, or sleep under the stars.  We will keep you posted on details and progress.

Babes and Bullies is a group of people out of Albuquerque that support changing the misconceptions about pit bulls. There next fundraiser will be

Dia De La Perros on October 9, 2016 at Tiguex Park in Albuquerque. This is another event will be putting up a booth. Events like these help us to get the word out about our effort to find forever homes for our animals.  We want to invite anyone who thinks they can help out on the day of the event. We need you and your support so please call Sarah @ 575-773-4674.  

Fur and Feather has a number of senior dogs and one of the most unique and sweetest is Consuela. She is a greyhound cross and has been at the sanctuary for as long as anyone can remember. She had a few people interested in her but her smile may seem a bit out of the ordinary for most folks. Now our sweet Consuela is sick.  She has dysplasia and has stopped eating.  It's not that she isn't going to get the medical care she needs, it's just that it would be so nice to find her a home so she can get some extra love and care.  Her funny smile is hard to catch on camera, but when she gets excited she bares her teeth, not in aggression, but in a smile of love.