March, 2017
News From the Shelter


Coming and going
In the first 2 months of this year we found homes for 22 cats, 11 kittens and 7 dogs. The most satisfiying placement was also the most involved. After weather related delays Anna and Maria, the last of the Anatolian Shepherds settled into their forever home in south-east Oregon. If you missed the saga of the sad seizure and the 10 puppies here is a link to the winter print newsletter.
      
Anna and Maria at work!
We have a slideshow of our 2016 happy endings/beginnings.
   Watch!

  
 

Dizzy the Cat - Reunited With Family After 2 Years!
An adorable calico cat recently arrived at HSJC after being found in uptown Port Townsend. This little cat was found huddled in a pile of leaves almost the same colors as she is, trying to keep warm in the snow
Dizzy and her happy human!
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As is the protocol at HSJC, we immediately scanned the kitty to see if she had a micro-chip, and she did! On contacting the chip company, staff was informed that the chip had been implanted at a vet clinic in Hawaii. We called the Hawaii clinic, and were told the chip was put in about 7 years ago. Clinic staff seemed dubious that the owner's contact information would still be valid, but happily it was! The cat's family live in Coupeville, and were stunned but understandably very excited to hear from us. They said the calico's name is Dizzy and she went missing from their home over 2 years ago! They had no idea how she crossed the water to get to Port Townsend, but were so incredibly excited to be able to take her home with them after all this time.
We can only guess how Dizzy got to Port Townsend - either she rode over on the Coupeville/Port Townsend ferry with a person who'd found her (and later lost her), or she came over accidentally in a vehicle, perhaps asleep in the bed of a truck and waking to find herself on the ferry. Either way, we were so glad to be able to get this girl home where she belongs, and her family were more than thrilled to take her home at last.
 
This was such a happy ending. All cats and dogs that we place are microchipped. Do take the time to get your companions chipped and keep the info up to date. Should you find a lost animal take it to us or a vet to be scanned.



Tomas hangs with his many toes! 
Polydactyl Cats. Lots of toes!
  Recently a litter of polydactyl kittens came to our shelter, and they were quickly adopted to loving homes.  "What does polydactyl mean?", you may ask.  The word comes from the Greek "poly", meaning "many", and "daktulos", meaning "toes" or "fingers".  Polydactylism is a genetic mutation resulting in having more than the usual number of toes on one or more of their paws.  If one parent has extra toes, there is a likelihood that some of the kittens will be polydactyl. Having extra toes offers no lifestyle advantages, except making them cute in the eyes of their humans!
  We just took in Tomas who is also polydactyl, one thing to know is that nail trimming is vital so that the many toenails don't get ingrown.                                            
  The most famous polydactyl cats are in Key West at Ernest Hemingway's home and now museum. The decendants of his beloved cats are protected and cared for by his estate and are a draw for tourists.
 
Good news!
 The Cross Charitable Foundation grant money that we won is at work and we will have a spiffy new 12 x 16 building. It will be a space for quiet time with our animals and for much needed storage. Should be in place by the end of March. If you have shelving you can spare let us know!
Still chilly!
While waiting  for spring after this especially cold winter come by and buy your cat or small dog some fleecy love. The cozies can be fun sleeping bags, a cozy bed, or a hidey space The catnappers are loved by cats and small dogs. The talented and generous volunteer who makes these for the animals  finds fabulous fabric. She steps right up with custom warm gear for the small dogs whenever needed.
                                                
 Two board members took a workshop with Isabel Bay Design to update our web site. With her guidance and knowledge we like it and hope you do too. If you would like to learn how to build a web site or just have Adrienne build  one for you- we give 4 paws up!
Big thanks to Steve G who was our web king for so long!

Become a "Friend of the Shelter"

 

  

          Please join with other pet owners, animal lovers and civic-minded residents to preserve the integrity of our open admission shelter. You can help by becoming a Friend of the Shelter and making a recurring donation - monthly or quarterly - via Pay Pal or credit card. You can also arrange recurring donations through your bank account. We welcome all donations, but recurring donations are especially welcome, as they provide a continuing, reliable source of support.

      To find out more about making a recurring donation, click on the Donation button below. Thank you for helping us to help the dogs and cats of Jefferson County! 

Donate!
                       
About that vehicle.
We are signed up with this program that will pick up your project- running or not. They will  sell it, send you the tax info for a deduction, and send the proceeds to us. No muss, no fuss. They do boats too!


Become a member of HSJCWA!
The annual meeting is March 21, 5:30 in the basement of the Bishop Block, 714 Washington in Port Townsend. We have space on the board for 2 more members. If you feel you could be of use let us know before hand.
Find the membership application on this page.
Bagheera the cat.
We made a plea for special donations for a special cat with a serious wound. We have received generous donations to help pay for his care. More is welcome. You can read about this sweet patient boy on our Facebook page There are some graphic images of his wound. We will continue to post updates as he heals. Hadlock Vet has been devoted to his healing.
                                             

Quick Links
Volunteer!
Volunteers are the valuable assets that make it possible to keep our shelter running. There are lots of ways you can make a difference in the lives of the dogs and cats in our care.
Click here for an application

Listen to KPTZ's Care and Connect interviews all about us.
                                                  
Humane Society of Jefferson County WA | friends@hsjcwa.org | http://hsjcwa.org
112 Critter Lane
no mailbox
Port Townsend, WA 98368