RCAS

Marlow and Shorty would like you to meet Kit and Riley!

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2013-01-16T10:34:44-05:00

Back in December, Marlow and Shorty graduated from the New Leash on Life program. Marlow, a yellow lab mix, was a special guest from the Moore County Humane Society. He wowed us all with his mastery of tricks and obedience. Shorty, a corgi mix, was brilliant, and even a last minute trainer change couldn’t spoil his big day. Marlow and Shorty went home with their new owners on the day of the graduation, but before they left, they asked us to share their graduation video with you.

Now that you know the caliber of training involved, just imagine the skills that our two new classmates, Kit and Riley will have once they’re done!

Kit is a female Australian shepherd. Her gorgeous red fur is only matched by her sweet, affectionate manner. Kit needs a home without cats, but does brilliantly with other dogs and people.

From RCAS

Riley is a male Australian cattle dog mix. He craves the attention of his adoring family, and will probably be doing backflips for you by the end of his training!

From RCAS

But what is New Leash on Life? It is a joint program between the Randolph County Animal Shelter and the Randolph Correctional Center. Two dogs are selected from the shelter, are fully vetted, and then spend the next 8 weeks in training at the correctional center. Four inmate trainers are responsible for every aspect of their care and training for those 8 weeks. Training focuses on basic obedience, safety, and some fun tricks. At the end of the programs, the dogs are available to adopt. The adoption includes spay/neuter, full vaccinations, and, of course, one amazing dog! All New Leash dogs are heartworm negative and current on heartworm preventative. Adopters fill out an application and, once approved, can arrange to meet the dogs before the program finishes, to be sure it’s a good match. The adoption fee is $200.

We are so proud of our dogs and trainers! Stay tuned to our Facebook page (Facebook.com/rcaspets) for the upcoming graduation of Kit and Riley. To apply for either dog, click here.

Holiday Photo Fundraiser

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2012-11-01T00:26:00-04:00

It may be the first day of November, but it's not too early to start thinking about holiday photos! We had such a good time last year that we're doing another photo shoot fundraiser. Our amazing Julia Carol Photography will be back to get your photos on Sunday, November 11 from 10am-4pm.

Book your appointment here: https://rcaspets.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php. You'll need to select November 11 from the calendar and fill out the form. (it gives you the option of every Sunday in November - PLEASE NOTE - we will only be doing this on the 11th , so don't book a different day :) )

Cost is $20 per 15 minute slot, 2 pets maximum per 15 minutes, please (it takes a while to get everyone looking the same way). One 4x6 photo print is included with each 15 minute session, and other sizes (including mailable holiday cards!) are available.

A portion of the proceeds goes to support the animals of RCAS, and we'll give you a tax deductible receipt for any donation you'd like to add!

Email with questions, and sign up quickly, space is limited!

Back to School

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2012-08-09T01:24:32-04:00

Hugo and Buttercup (now known as Cassie) have graduated the New Leash program and are ready for their forever homes! We are so impressed with these two, and their trainers must take all the credit. Here’s a video of the whole graduation:

Cassie has settled into a beautiful dog who would be an ace at agility:

From RCAS

And Hugo is one of those once in a lifetime dogs, the kind that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without:

From RCAS

To apply for either dog, please download the application (here) and return it.

From RCAS

Lila will be entering the program very soon, along with Lucy. Lucy already has an adopter (!), but we’ll be looking for a very special family for Lila. She’s a 2 year old yellow lab, spayed and fully vetted. The guys are looking forward to emphasizing service work with her, and we can’t wait to see the results!

From RCAS

Meet Hugo and Buttercup

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2012-06-19T01:23:51-04:00

Where does the time go? Suddenly, it’s summer, and we’ve graduated another class of amazing shelter dogs from New Leash on Life.

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Ginger (formerly Fozzie) and Pepper (formerly Maggie) were stars - we think this was the most talented group yet! Our team of inmate-trainers in tandem with the trainers from Southern Tails Dog School put on quite a show for us.

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Now we’ve got two more hopefuls, and we’re looking for their forever families!

Meet Hugo and Buttercup!
Hugo is an Australian Cattle Dog mix with striking golden eyes and a winning smile. He impressed us all with his pre-program skills, which included an extremely charming down and roll-over. We cannot wait to see what the guys will train Hugo to do!

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Here’s Hugo meeting his new trainers:

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Buttercup is prettier than the flower. She’s a little more shy than Hugo, but we see great things in her future.

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Buttercup and her trainer fell in love right away:

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We want fabulous families for both of these guys, so if you’re interested, let us know! Just fill out this application and send it in. The adoption fee is $200, which includes full vetting and all of the amazing training, plus a follow up session with the trainers at Southern Tails.

Let's Talk About Adoption

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2012-05-13T01:22:51-04:00

RCAS

From

Maggie Mae was adopted yesterday. Unfortunately, the family who adopted her decided not to keep her. Even more unfortunately, instead of returning her or letting us know, they opted to post her on craigslist. Fortunately, one of our volunteers recognized the number and description, and we were able to retrieve her.

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Let's be serious for a moment. Craigslist is a great place to post lost and found items, look for a job, or sell your lawnmower. And while we know that there are some good pet stories to come from a craigslist adoption, there are also a lot of less than good pet stories.

RCAS

From

Now you might be thinking to yourself, 'they're just a county animal shelter, what do they care what happens after the person leaves with an animal? Anything is better than being there." I'd like to disabuse you of that notion. We are "just a county shelter", and that means that caring about the adoptions of our animals is just that much harder to do - but we still do it every day. Our doors never close. Every business day, we have 4 officers driving to all four corners of the county picking up strays, handling nuisance complaints and dealing with bites. Once our doors close, we still have one officer on call to deal with emergencies - this includes weekends and holidays. In the summer months, it is not uncommon to have people lined up at our gates when we open to drop off strays, unwanted pets, and the never-ending stream of kittens and puppies that come with owning unaltered pets. From this stream of animals, we must first try to reunite, then evaluate and select as many adoptable pets as we can house safely and adopt out. And I know we’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: once we make an animal adoptable, it has no “expiration date”, it stays adoptable until it finds a home, which has been nearly a year for some of our animals.

RCAS

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We have come a long way in a few years. Our adoption and rescue rate has grown exponentially over the last 4 years, due in no small part to harnessing the power of the internet and our close relationships with our amazing local (and not so local) rescue groups. We have also come a long way in our adoption process, and we hope to go further. We have now sent 14 dogs through the New Leash on Life program: that’s 14 dogs who were less than adoptable and went through 8 weeks of training and vetting and have now found fabulous forever homes.

The old notion of going to the animal shelter for a cheap, disposable pet is over. When you come to us, you are getting an up front price break - $20 to adopt is very low. But we require a signed and binding contract that mandates altering any unaltered animal within 30 days unless otherwise directed by a vet. And we do follow up, and we have taken legal steps to enforce that contract when people have not done their due diligence. When Maggie Mae's one day family opted to give her away on craigslist, they not only didn't do right by her, but they failed to honor their agreement with us, which is why she's back at the shelter.

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Certainly, we would love to be able to send our animals out already spayed or neutered, and hopefully one day we will get there. For now, we do as much as we can. And we ask that you do as much as you can, too. Adopt from shelters instead of shopping in pet stores. Think long and hard before selecting any pet and be prepared to make a lifetime commitment to that animal - and have a plan ready in case the worst happens and you have to find it a new home. Spay and neuter your animals - all of them. Volunteer with your local shelter or rescue group. Donate what and when you can. And save craigslist for lawnmowers :).

Spring Has Sprung

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2012-03-13T01:21:30-04:00

Ok, sure, technically it won’t be Spring for another week, but just look outside! The birds are singing and the shoots are bursting from the ends of the tree limbs and out of the winter-brown grass.

The promise of warm days and nights is just around the bend, and with it, some exciting events at the shelter! First, be sure to join us this weekend as Books-A-Million puts on another bookfair to benefit shelter pets. On Saturday, March 17 and Sunday March 18 from 12pm until 4pm, a portion of book sales at the Randolph Mall Books-A-Million will benefit the animals of the shelter. We’ll be there on Saturday afternoon, showing off photos of adoptables and answering questions, so we hope to see lots of friendly faces.

Next, make your plans to join us on Saturday, March 24 as we host the Mutt Strut in downtown Asheboro. The Mutt Strut is part of the always energizing Human Race, sponsored by The Volunteer Center of Randolph County. We’ll be raising donations to benefit the shelter, and a portion of the funds raised will also benefit the Volunteer Center, which does so many wonderful things for our community. If you’d like to join us, you can send us an email; $20 gets you a Human Race T-Shirt, and $40 gets you a Mutt Strut T-Shirt. But what’s a strut without your mutt? (not nearly as fun) Please bring your reasonably well behaved dogs along for the fun. We’ll have prizes for 1st - 3rd place in runners with dogs and walkers with dogs, plus treats for your pets and t-shirts, bandannas and wristbands for sale.

Finally, be on the lookout for our newest New Leash on Life Candidates! Bill-bo and Maggie are packing their knapsacks and saying their goodbyes, because very soon they’ll head to their new home inside the Randolph County Correctional Center. Ten weeks later, they will emerge as two snazzy stars, so get your applications in quickly, these two won’t last long. We’ll post bigger photos and full bios very soon. Our current crop of New Leash dogs will be ready to graduate soon. These two have already found their future forever homes, but we’ll be sure to share pictures with you all the same. One last thing, we’re having great luck with our Kuranda Bed promotion. It’s a very easy and affordable way to make a huge difference in the life of a shelter pet. By clicking the link below, you’ll be directed to our “wish list”, where you can purchase a Kuranda dog or cat bed at a discount and have it shipped directly to us. But here’s something even neater! By clicking the second link, you’ll be directed to a special secret promotion page, where you can get an excellent deal on your very own Kuranda dog bed (10% off) and give us much needed funds. For every click on this link that leads to a sale, Kuranda will give us 10% of the money, and we can have it in dog beds or in cold hard cash that will go directly to the dogs and cats that need it. So remember, first link sends us a dog or cat bed, second link sends you a special discount and sends us money! Kuranda Dog Beds

Meet Bella and Luna

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2012-01-12T21:16:57-05:00

Fergus and Penny have found their families! Now meet Bella and Luna, our latest graduates.

From RCAS

Bella is a boxer mix who loves to snuggle and is smarter than you can even believe.

From RCAS

Luna is a German Shepherd who loves long walks and chardonnay on a spring evening.

From RCAS

If you’d like to learn more or adopt either Luna or Bella, click the application link in the sidebar or send us an email!

Holiday Hours

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2011-12-05T09:46:34-05:00

The staff of the shelter (and the mascots) wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Once again, we must thank everyone who has adopted, donated, supported and/or volunteered with us this year. You are all the ties that bind us to the community and the hope that we can work together and make our little corner of the world just a little bit nicer for the non-humans among us.

From RCAS

Our holiday hours are as follows:
Dec 26 and 27: closed for Christmas
Dec 29: closed to the public for training, service calls for emergencies only
Jan 2: closed for New Year’s Holiday

If you’re feeling particularly generous, there’s still time to donate this year! We always welcome monetary donations - these help with special programs like New Leash on Life and spay/neuter. But we’re also always in need of the following:

Heartworm prevention (Sentinel, Heartgard, Ivermaxx, etc.)
Flea and Tick prevention (Frontline, PetArmor, Comfortis, Advantage, Revolution)
Bleach
Dishwashing liquid
Laundry detergent
Cat Litter
Collars and leashes (especially martingale collars, all sizes)
Pet Taxis
Spay/Neuter vouchers
Cash donations for any of the items on this wish list and for veterinary care
Towels, blankets, sheets
Toys
Good quality horse hay for our miniature horse, Stargazer
Willing and knowledgeable volunteers to exercise dogs

And lest we forget, the most important things we need are adopters! If you are considering adding a pet to your life, please consider us or any of the local rescues. We are all working together to make the lives of our local animals as happy as possible - but we need your help to do it.

Warmest wishes for the Holiday season,

the staff and volunteers of the Randolph County Animal Shelter

Happy Thanksgiving!

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2011-11-24T22:35:54-05:00

We just got back in from an evening trip to the shelter to share a little Thanksgiving turkey with a few of our mama dogs. You'll be happy to know that they approve of our cooking method.

And, as the day winds down, we'd like to extend a very hearty thank you to everyone who has visited us, adopted from us, and supported our efforts this year.

We have a lot to be thankful for, here's a small sample of what we're thankful for:

To all our partner rescues, THANK YOU! You help us place our pets in loving homes and give them the time, care and extra attention that some of them need to thrive. You also lighten the load and give us more room for more adoptables, which is a win for everybody.

To our fabulous and hard-working volunteers, THANK YOU! You take time out of your day to help our shelter pets blow off a little steam. Every dog you walk and every kitty you nuzzle makes a big difference, please don't forget that. You help us all to remember the best parts of the job, and you make our animals better in the process.

To the local businesses (looking at you Southern Tails Dog School!) and all the veterinarians in Randolph County, THANK YOU! Whether it's help with a behavior issue, drumming up donations, or giving us medical advice or treatments, you're making it a little easier for us to make a few more dogs and cats (and the occasional horse, goat, or pig) happier and healthier.

You are all truly wonderful and make an extremely hard job just a little bit easier to bear.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

First-Annual Competitive Dog Trail Walk

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2011-10-05T21:41:18-04:00

From RCAS

Obviously the first order of business is to come up with a shorter title for this super-cool new event we’ll be debuting in a few weeks. While we wait for divine naming inspiration, let me give you the basic idea.

You and your (reasonably well behaved, rabies vaccinated, leashed) dog will show up at the designated meeting place at 12pm on Saturday October 22. Come early and bring a crate if you’d like to attend the open house before we start but don’t want to bring your dog (probably for the best, less stressful before the competition). Starting at 12, we’ll start sending out multiple dog-person teams in staggered increments (one starts at 12, the next at 12:03, the next at 12:06, you get the idea). You and your dog will walk about 1-1.5 miles overall, stopping ten times to perform a task or navigate an obstacle. A judge (perhaps a local celeb? one never knows!) scores your completion of the task from 1-10 (10 is the top score) and award points for the human member of the team and the canine member of the team. The team with the most points at the end of the course is the winner! There will be prizes for first through fifth place in several class divisions:

Junior - human team member is 16 or less
Amateur - love to go on walks, maybe not often on trails
Pro - run and walk with your dog, encounter lots of obstacles regularly, might have even completed a few levels of obedience

The registration fee is $5, bring it with you when you come. To sign up or request more detailed information about anything, please send us an email at rcaspets@gmail.com with your name, dog’s name, chosen class division and contact information (phone number, email address).

We’ll post the possible obstacles and rules shortly, so stay tuned for that if you’re still curious, but by all means, make plans to join us! We’re going to have a fantastic time, and you won’t believe the gorgeous scenery.

Fall is Here!

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2011-09-28T09:36:32-04:00

I don’t know if you’ve noticed it, but there’s that certain crispness to the air these mornings that just makes the world a little bit brighter. After a sweltering summer, we’ve finally made it back to fall, and not a moment too soon! When the leaves start turning and the days get shorter, it’s time to celebrate, so let’s get to it!

We kicked off the season last Sunday with our friends at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church for their annual Blessing of the Animals. This was our second visit, and we can’t say enough good things about the people we met! Several dogs found new homes (one had been with us since July!), we took in some much needed donations, and we met some fabulous pet owners and their pets. Big, big thanks to the folks at Mt. Vernon for inviting us!

Coming up sooner than you think, we’ll be setting up at DogFest. This is our first year in attendance, and we hope to see lots of you there. We’ll have T-shirts and goodie bags and some furry faces to meet and greet. DogFest is a great chance to meet lots of local rescues and rescue dogs, we can’t wait. DogFest is Sunday, October 16th from 1pm until 5pm at the Level Cross Community Center. For directions, visit the center’s website. For the most up to date info, keep checking Ruff Love’s website.

And the very next weekend, we’ll be hosting our own open house. Come by the shelter on Saturday, October 22 from 10am until 2pm and you’ll be able to visit with all of our adoptable cats and dogs, browse vendors, visit with Stargazer (our mini-mascot), and enjoy the lovely fall weather. We’ve also got a fabulous pet photographer coming, Julia Alexander (more details to come about that, shortly). And, as if that weren’t enough excitement, we’re going to be hosting our first annual competitive dog trail walk.

Hmm? Competitive dog trail walk??

Not sure what that is? Let me give you a quick rundown, because I know you’re going to love this. The course will wind through the trails behind the shelter for about a mile and a half. Every so often, there will be an obstacle, similar to something you might encounter on an outing with your dog. You might have to perform a basic obedience task, navigate an obstacle, or do a trick of some sort. Each station will have a judge, and you and your dog will each receive points based on how well you complete each task. We’ll have ribbons and prizes for first through fifth place, plus a few extra fun prizes. The whole thing should take less than an hour for you and your dog, and we’ll stagger the entrants to avoid waiting at obstacles. We’ll have a staging area separate from the animal shelter, so the shelter sounds won’t be distracting. More info about registration and obstacles will be posted very soon.

October is going to be an exciting month! Please stay tuned! (Oh, and tell all your friends. The more, the merrier.)

New Ways to Stay in Touch

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2011-08-07T12:04:47-04:00

From RCAS

Well kids, it’s finally happened. We’ve made it onto the Facebook. You can now add us to your feed and like us and do whatever else sort of Facebookian machinations you can imagine. Most importantly, you’ll be able to view our adoptables in one more place, and have another place to view and share shelter news. Our facebook is linked to our twitter account, because we’re totally cool like that.

Most everyone will know just how to navigate our facebook page, but just for kicks, here’s a quick primer:

Wall - this is where you’ll find the current updates and photos

Info - quick and easy reference guide, here’s where to look for directions to the shelter, our contact information, adoptions information and a site terms of use

Photos - pretty obvious

Our Adoptable Pets - this is the big one! check here for the same listings you can find on our website. Look, tell your friends, find a new friend.

One other quick note, you’ll probably notice that most comments don’t show up. We’ve done that on purpose. At their best, open forums are wonderful and encourage discussion and information sharing. But to get them to their best requires vigilant attention from moderators -- not something we have right now. Besides, we mostly just want to share information with you; you’re always welcome to ask us questions directly via email and telephone.

If you’d like to “like” us, visit www.facebook.com/rcaspets

The Birds of Summer

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2011-06-21T13:39:07-04:00

Wow, is it summer already? The thunderstorms and the thermometer certainly seem to be working in concert to make springtime a cool, distant memory. While our dogs and cats are relaxing in front of fans, we have a few new guests who are getting the full air-conditioned treatment.

From RCAS

These lovely, feathered flyers came in a large group, and they’re ready to hop off the tour bus and settle down with some new families.

From RCAS

We have around 50 cockatiels, lovebirds, parakeets and doves available for immediate adoption to qualified homes. What’s a qualified home?

From RCAS

I’m glad you asked! You’ll need to have prior experience with bird care (a reference from your vet would be excellent, though not required), and come prepared with a cage for your new companion.

From RCAS

Email us for more information or give the shelter a call at 336-683-8235 to arrange a visit. The adoption fee is still $15, but you must bring an appropriate transport container with you when you come. Animal rescue organizations are also eligible to take in birds, please have a valid 501(c)3 letter available for us to file.

From RCAS

Happy Summer and stay cool!

Help S.T.O.P. pet overpopulation.

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2011-04-18T23:33:57-04:00

Sweet, sweet springtime...

From RCAS

The trees are budding, the grass is growing, and the flowers are bursting out in riotous shades of pink and purple. Is there anything better than those first days that you can go outside and bask in warm sunshine and cool breezes? Spring means a return to growth and life after months of gray forests and icy temperatures.

But spring means something else, and it’s not quite so sunny. This is the beginning of breeding seasons for our domestic pets, and that means our shelter will soon be visited by more than a few puppies and kittens. Now don’t get us wrong! Tiny kitten faces are known to be irresistibly cute, and puppy breath is a schedule 2 narcotic for anyone who’s ever gotten a whiff. But the sad fact is that there just aren’t enough owners for the vast numbers of young dogs and cats that start filling the shelters at this time of year.

The most critical thing any pet owner can do is to spay or neuter their pet.

Owning an intact pet is a big responsibility, and few families are willing or able to prevent accidental breedings 100% of the time. We are fortunate to be located in an area near several excellent low-cost spay/neuter clinics, but what if that isn’t an option?

Dara and Bill Lamberson have taken it upon themselves to help those for whom even low cost veterinary service isn’t an option. Dara and Bill run Loving Pet Inn Adoptions in the same location as their excellent boarding facilities. For several years, they have helped to find homes for wonderful dogs in need, but now they’ve added a new jewel to the crown.

Dara has made a commitment to help stem the tide of accidental breedings by spaying the female dogs and cats of Randolph County. She’s placed a sign up sheet in our shelter lobby, and when someone comes to surrender a litter of puppies or kittens, we ask them if they’d like to be included on the list. From there, Dara contacts the individual and makes arrangements to have their female spayed at no cost to the pet owner. Since beginning this effort two months ago, 9 dogs have been fixed. One of those dogs was delivering 2 litters a year -- all which went directly to the shelter!

It’s not difficult to imagine the sort of impact that this program could have. Giving owners a chance to keep their pets and enjoy the benefits of no more surprise litters has the potential to really transform life for the animals of Randolph County. (we are, of course, thrilled at the possibility of fewer and fewer unwanted puppies and kittens!)

Dara and Bill (and RCAS) would love your input! If you have a pet that is in need of spaying and you can’t afford to do it yourself, please give them a call (336.393.0000) or email. You can find the information for that here.

Donations are also quite welcome. Remember, the more money in the fund, the more pets we can help! Loving Pet Inn Adoptions is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit, so your donations are tax-deductible.

To donate, send checks to

STOP (that’s Spay Today Outreach Program)
820 Gallimore Dairy Road
High Point, NC 27265

(you’ll be mailed a tax receipt if you like)

If you prefer to use a credit card, visit the website, lovingpetinnadoptions.org to make a donation.

The Wilson Project

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2011-03-28T23:08:43-04:00

From RCAS

Recently, a wonderful member of the community adopted one of our cats. Since adoptable cats generally stay twice as long (or longer) than adoptable dogs, this alone is fabulous news. You may remember Wilson, he had been up for adoption for quite some time, so he was a regular on our adoptable pets page. Wilson tested positive for feline leukemia, which would usually make him undesirable to many.

Feline leukemia affects about 3% of US cats. Those rates increase significantly among very young, ill or immunosuppressed cats. The disease is spread when uninfected cats come in contact with bodily fluids of infected cats. Infected cats are at a higher risk for cancer, blood disorders and infections due to a suppressed immune system. Ultimately, they may have a shorter life expectancy. (go here for more info)

FIV, or feline immunodeficiency virus, is another disease that affects about 3% of the US cat population. It is primarily contracted through an infected cat’s bite. Infected cats appear generally healthy, but the disease eventually leads to secondary infections due to the suppression of the immune system. (go here for more info)

Both of these diseases can be discovered through a simple test available at your vet’s office. Both diseases also have vaccines which lessen the chance that your cat will become infected.

But back to Wilson...

Fortunately, Wilson’s adoptive mom had a place for him to live where he would be in no danger of infecting other cats or being exposed to other cat illnesses. Normally, our story would stop there, and we would be thrilled to have found one more animal a loving home. But it doesn’t stop there! Wilson’s adoptive mom decided to raise money to help test other cats. The cost for the first pack of combination tests (which test for both feline leukemia and FIV) is $375 and will test 30 cats. Send donations to the Randolph County Animal Shelter c/o Randolph County Health Department, 1222-B S. Fayetteville St, Asheboro NC 27205. Be sure to reference the Wilson Project in the memo.

More updates than you can shake a paw at.

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2011-03-28T21:15:23-04:00

Well, now that you’ve had a nice long break from shelter news, how about I catch you up?

From RCAS

There’s so much to share, I don’t know where to begin! First off, let’s check in on Max. You’ll remember him as the very skinny dog found near death and tied to a telephone pole. Max has been basking in all the love and attention that our staff and volunteers can give him, and it really shows. He’s gained a considerable amount of weight, and boy does he have his strength back! We’ll keep you posted on his continued progress and the outcome of the legal actions. Max is going to need a very active family, so if you think you might fit the bill, send us an email!

From RCAS

I am so very pleased to announce that Gracie and Parker have completed the New Leash on Life program and have found wonderful new homes. Graduation was a few weeks ago, and they were paragons of doggy good behavior.

That must mean that we have a couple of new candidates, right? We do, indeed. Meet Sasha and Bruce Wayne.

Sasha

From RCAS

Sasha, a basset-heeler mix came to us as a stray, and her quirky beauty and warm personality won us over immediately. She’s still a young girl, probably around 1 or 2, and we’re certain that she’s going to excel in the program.

From RCAS

Bruce Wayne

From RCAS

Bruce Wayne has that indefinable charm and style that any dog owner would envy. We think he’s a spaniel mix, and his coat is softer than ermine. Bruce is a young guy, only about 6 months old, but he’s very smart and loves to play and snuggle. We’re sure that he’s going to win over the inmate trainers before eventually winning over one of you!

From RCAS

The next session has already begun and the dogs will be available to adopt very soon. Applications to adopt can be found here. The fee is $200 and includes spaying/neutering, all vaccinations, a leash and collar, plus a dog that’s passed the canine good citizen test! If you have any questions or would like to set up a meeting, send us an email or give us a call.

Max's Story

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-12-10T22:13:44-05:00

Meet Max. I’d like to tell you that he has a good reason for being so skinny, like a groundbreaking movie role or a David Blaine-like magician stunt. The truth is far less glamorous, though his seeming resurrection is the stuff of Hollywood.

From RCAS

Yesterday, the 9th of December, we received a call to check on a dog tethered to a tree. Our officer went out and found Max, an emaciated shepherd mix, with no food or water and no way to get to any. The saddest part was the presence of several other seemingly well cared-for dogs on the property. In situations where an animal’s welfare is at stake, we are able to step in and do what’s right for the pet. So Max was first carried to the shelter, and when it became clear that he needed more than we could offer him, we took him to the wonderful vets at Asheboro Animal Hospital.

Max spent all day there yesterday, lying on a heating pad and receiving warm IV fluids while the doctors and techs worked to stabilize his condition. His temperature was so low it didn’t register on the thermometer and other vital signs were nearly so low as to be irreversible. To say that Max has made a miraculous recovery is an understatement.

From RCAS

Today, he’s walking and accepting head scratches from anyone who’s willing. He’s going to need multiple small meals each day for a while until his stomach becomes accustomed to food again. After that, it’s just a matter of packing on the pounds and then making sure that he’s suffered no other ill effects.

I wish that I could tell you that Max was the first case of cruelty we’ve seen this year. The bad news is that Max is one of many animals that rely on us to right the wrongs of cruel and thoughtless owners. Currently, we have two dogs recovering from the effects of too-tight collars that became embedded in their skin, one dog that was starved and abandoned like Max, and another who was abandoned in her owner’s yard, alone and pregnant with several other dogs who weren’t as lucky as she. We await our day in court to confront the owners of these animals, and with photos, stories, and a little good karma on our side, we will tell their stories and hope it makes an impact. Hopefully the tough new legislation of Susie’s Law will be a deterrent for some.

Animal control is often painted with a broad brush of distaste. The old image of the “dogcatcher” is still fresh in the minds of the public. I’ve written about it before, but we do the jobs that sometimes have no happy ending. We do it because we must control our domestic animal population or risk falling victim to disease and injury. I can promise you that we would much prefer to control that domestic animal population through judicious use of spaying and neutering and proper dog training that keeps pets in homes with people who love them. And we never ever want to see the sort of desperate circumstances that come about as a result of cruelty and neglect.

From RCAS

Max has cleared the first hurdle, but he’s got a long run ahead. If you want to help Max and other cruelty animals, please send donations to the Randolph County Animal Shelter c/o Randolph County Health Department, 2222B South Fayetteville St, Asheboro NC 27203 or drop them off at the shelter or at Southern Tails Dog School, 613 North Fayetteville St, Asheboro.

New Stuff

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-11-22T04:17:26-05:00

Just a quick post to let you know about some fabulous new website features. First, be sure to visit the Adoption Resources page for training tips, spay/neuter information, and a great new e-book designed to make the transition from shelter to home an easy one.

Next, visit the New Leash on Life page, where we’ve got information about our new program, photos of the dogs, and a printable adoption application. We’ll be updating it regularly with progress reports. Remember, it’s our goal to find excellent homes for our new dogs, so be sure to share this page with anyone who’s looking for a well-trained canine.

Finally, visit our Adoptable Pets page! We’ve got some wonderful new dogs and cats, and they’d all love to spend the holidays with a new family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

From RCAS

Happy Cats!

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-11-05T10:26:59-04:00

A few weeks ago, we were the happy recipients of a grant from the Petfinder Foundation and the PETCO Foundation. A big pallet of Hide, Perch and Go boxes were delivered and our cats could not be happier about it.

You can learn more about the boxes at the links above, but here’s the general idea:
Cats feel secure when they have their own den, surrounded by their own scent. The Hide Perch and Go boxes give a cat two areas to rest, one more open and one secluded. It also breaks up their kennel space into separate areas for rest, eating and elimination. When a cat gets adopted, the box converts to a carrier. Once home, the box can be turned back into a den, giving the newly adopted cat a safe, familiar place to adjust to their new home.

I think you’ll agree, these are happy cats:

Meet Sidney, he's going to prison.

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-10-18T10:53:45-04:00

From RCAS

Oh, don’t worry, he’ll get back out. Sidney is our very first New Leash on Life dog. Starting very soon, he and another lovely dog named Gracie will be trained by inmates for 12 weeks. With the guidance of Southern Tails Dog School, Sidney and Gracie will learn basic obedience, tricks, and just general good dog behavior before being available to adopt. Adoptive pet parents will also receive follow up lessons from Southern Tails to make sure that the transition from inmate to reformed dog is complete. If you’d like to donate to the program, just send donations to the shelter (where and how is here) and specify “New Leash on Life” either on the check or on the envelope. You’ll be able to follow Sidney and Gracie’s progress online as soon as we get started.

Fall Fling Recap

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-10-18T10:22:06-04:00

Well! We just can’t stop talking about our big party. The Fall Fling was a great success, and we have all of you to thank! People came from all over to play with our dogs, cuddle our cats, and stand in awe of the amazing Stargazer. We adopted some pets and sold some cookies, but most importantly, we got to see some new faces that might otherwise not know about us and our awesome pets. A big thanks to our vendors who made our day just a little bit prettier and more delicious. And finally, a HUGE thanks to the Girl Scouts (troop 40680!) for helping us all day long and a GIGANTIC thank you to our donors. Your generosity was simply above and beyond. Thank you from our wet noses to our wagging tails.

Come to the Fall Fling!

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-09-29T11:31:41-04:00

All residents of Randolph County hate it...the inevitable post-Fall Festival letdown. It’s Monday morning, the smell of cotton candy and roast pork is still clinging to your jacket as you trudge off to another work or school day. There are no tents full of crafts and trucks full of treats in your future, that’s all behind you for another year. It’s just so depressing.

Fear not, good citizen! This year, we have the perfect antidote to post-fall-festival blues. Saturday, October 9 will be the second annual Fall Fling at the shelter! From 10am until 2pm, you can come and mingle with our adoptable dogs and cats and meet our newest mascot, Stargazer the miniature horse. (He might even do a trick or two if you ask him nicely)

Come hungry, because we’ll have hot dogs, snow cones and lots of freshly baked treats, with proceeds going to benefit the animals we care for every day. And if you haven’t yet picked out your Halloween pumpkin, hold off until the 9th, because we’ll have a pumpkin patch provided by Everhart Farms of Asheboro. In addition to selling you a pumpkin, they’ll also be happy to fill your shopping bag with local fresh produce and homemade jams, jellies and pickles.

You can even stock up on designer doggie accessories, courtesy of a local artist, and peruse and purchase photography from one of Asheboro’s own talented photographers.

Of course, we’ll also have lots of cuddly dogs and cats available to meet, play with, and take home if you find the right match. The Girl Scouts of Troop 40680 have graciously donated their time and will be on hand to help you with the adoption process. They’ve also made toys for all the dogs which will be included in take home bags for new adopters. Remember that the adoption fee is $15, cash, and you will need to bring a driver’s license or state ID to adopt.

And we’ll always take your donations of dog/cat/horse food (Stargazer likes Purina Equine Senior), cat litter, blankets, towels, shampoo, and cash. We do enjoy cash - it’s what helps us send special needs pets to the vet, and get some of our animals the extra care they need.

The recap:

Fall Fling, Saturday October 9
10am - 2pm
bring donations if you’ve got them
bring cash and ID if you’d like to adopt
food will be served
designer leashes, collars and photography will be available
PUMPKIN PATCH! (I may be a bit excited about that one, blame the crisp fall air)

Watch this, and be amazed!

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-09-20T23:28:26-04:00

This is just a quick post to share what I’m sure will be sweeping the internet very soon. The very talented group, OK Go (of the treadmill video fame) have produced a new music video, this time with dogs. Shot in one continuous take - no cuts, no edits - it took weeks of preparation and hundreds of takes to find just the right one. I think you’ll find the results just as fantastic as I did, especially if you have had the pleasure of teaching your one dog to sit and stop peeing on the couch leg. What’s key to me is that most of the dogs in the video were once shelter animals.

To read more about the dogs and the trainers and all the work involved, go here.

To learn more about how OK Go is using this video to raise money to help shelter animals, go here.

To find your own amazingly talented new best friend, go here.

And, if you want to learn more about one of our own hometown dog stars, and find out how to train your dog into the next music video champion, visit the folks at the Southern Tails Dog School here.*

*Full disclosure - this is not a paid endorsement. Southern Tails has no idea that they were going to be included on my Monday night whim posting. We just like the work they do, and Rory and the Canine Players are totally dog-celebrities in these parts.

Rescues and Runways

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-09-17T10:50:16-04:00

Didn’t I hear you say the other day that you were hoping for something to do next weekend? I did? Perfect, because I’ve got just the thing. Next Saturday, we’re having a fashion show with a decidedly doggy angle.

The wonderful folks at maurices have thoughtfully included us in Rescues and Runways, a national program in concert with the ASPCA to raise much needed funds for shelters and rescues around the country. From now until the end of September, you can drop off supplies (bleach, towels, dish soap, shampoo, flea preventatives, leashes, collars) or make a financial contribution at the Randolph Mall maurices location. Next Saturday, September 25 at 3pm, there will be a fashion show at the mall. Models will be showcasing the newest seasonal looks from maurices. But this isn’t your ordinary mall fashion show. These models will be trotted down the runway by real live gen-u-ine former shelter dogs. We’ll also have photos and information about all of our current adoptable dogs and cats. And, to commemorate this lovely event and also contribute even more to the cause, you can pick up a charm at any maurices location.
They’re just $5, and at least half of the proceeds to to support the ASPCA.

So, to recap:

come to the mall on September 25th at 3pm for the fashion show
meet some great former shelter dogs and learn more about the adoptable pets we have available now
buy a charm at any maurices to support the ASPCA
bring donations of supplies and money to the fashion show, or drop them off any time at maurices
adopt a shelter pet!

Just kidding! It IS all puppies and kittens!

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-07-29T21:43:58-04:00

Well, you know that’s not entirely true, but let’s pretend for the length of this blog post. Settle in, because this one’s going to be a little wordy. Let’s start with the misadventures of three Archdale kittens:

From RCAS

Emily, Haven and Price were just a little too eager in pursuit of their studies. Emily, a meteorologist, was hoping to study the cloud patterns of summer storms in central North Carolina and felt that the gutter was the best place to view the skies. Haven, an archaeologist, heard a rumor of remnants of an Occaneechi settlement somewhere in the storm sewer system. Poor little Price, an anthropologist, was down there to observe the behavior of neighborhood residents for a new article, “People. Just what are they all about?”. We know what happened next -- one ill-timed step, and all three intrepid explorers found themselves at the bottom of a storm drain, a bundle of rope coiled around their paws. To make things worse, no one was able to get to them for several days! It’s a good thing Haven packed that granola, or they would have been a lot hungrier than they were.

Now they’re rested up and ready to get back out in the field, and we’re hoping that a few of you brave scientists out there have room on your team for another member or two (or three). Come by for a visit, they’ll be the ones with the lab setup in their cat kennel.

From RCAS

Next up, a girl with plenty of style, but not so much luck:

From RCAS

This is Joan. Joan loves earrings. She loves them so much that, when an unscrupulous dealer at a woodsy flea market gave her a deal on a set of earrings, she didn’t even stop to ask why her jewelry was crawling around. By the time she’d realized her mistake, her baubles were firmly attached and making her feel awfully tired. When she came to us, we explained the nature of her mistake, and set about removing her arachnid friends with our special “jewelry remover” (we didn’t want to make her feel worse than she already did). Want to see the evidence of her misadventures? Beware - once you truly grasp the nature of what Joan is wearing on her ears, you might feel ill. (hence the big gap in case you’re scrolling down) (really, this is your last chance to turn away if you’re squeamish, just close your eyes and scroll for a bit until you see words again)...are you sure? OK, here’s Joan’s before photo:

We felt pretty ill when we saw it. All jokes and funny stories aside, this is what happens when nobody cares. The saddest part is that somebody did care, once. Joan came in wearing a collar. She’s friendly, and she walks on a leash like a pro. So somebody, some time, cared about her. And when they stopped, she nearly died from the ministrations of nature’s little vampires - ticks. Now Joan needs a home. She’s an active girl - all floppy feet and licks to your face. Even when she was weak from blood loss, she never stopped being a sweet, lovable girl. After a couple of days of her very own special paté (liver, kale and bacon fat), her blood was running strong and she’s been a bundle of puppy ever since. If you think you need a Joan in your life, be ready for long walks or sessions in the yard with a toy - she’s growing and has lots of energy. And of course, the most important consideration - Joan will need tick checks regularly! This is not so much a veterinary requirement as a personal request from Joan. She just can’t bear to see another tick, and frankly, neither can we.

Our last story isn’t really a story so much as a reminder. If you’re looking for a new pet, or know someone who is, don’t forget us! We have an ever-growing and ever-changing group of happy dogs and cats, many of whom are already altered. Our adoption fee is low, so even if your new friend doesn’t come spayed or neutered, there will still be money in the bank to have it done. And yes -- we often get purebreds or purebred mixes -- though the less identifiable mixes are just as sweet, furry, beautiful and fun. In order to give you another chance to see our adoptable pets, we’re now members of Twitter. Follow us @rcaspets to see dog and cats in the spotlight, read updates of new arrivals, and be the first to learn about upcoming events. Go there now! Then come see us, or email us if you have questions.

It's not all puppies and kittens...

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-07-28T08:33:10-04:00

If all we ever had to do was care for sweet pups and fluffy kittens day in and out, our jobs would be a heck of a lot easier. Sadly, there’s another very important element to the job of an Animal Control officer. When people fail in their obligation to keep their pets and livestock safe and healthy, it’s our job to step in and see that the animals find some relief.

Last weekend, a number of our officers and members of the sheriff’s department spent a hot, sunny Saturday surrounded by chickens, hoping to give them some long overdue relief. By now, you may have read or heard about the circumstances, but if not, let me give you the quick version: A local man has been charged with hosting and participating in cockfighting, among other offenses. He was also the owner of 400 chicks, hens and roosters in very bad shape. All in all, seven people were arrested, and 400 birds were seized. We couldn’t have done such a quick job without the help of the Humane Society of the United States. They brought transport trucks, workers and cameras with which to document everything. Click here to read their account and see video of the whole nasty affair, be advised, some of the scenes are graphic.

Puppies Galore, and Dog Matching Made Easy(ish)

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-06-16T01:49:47-04:00

It’s that time of year again -- the time of year when we can’t help but find ourselves surrounded by adorable balls of fluff. (to see them all, click here)

From RCAS

We love nothing better than to cuddle and snuggle and speak in high pitched voices to all these bundles of puppyness, but we think you ought to have a crack at it, too.

From RCAS

If you find yourself ready for awkward tumbles, squeaky barks, and a few weeks of piddle pads, you should definitely make a trip to see us. We guarantee you’ll find something cute staring back at you.

From RCAS

In other news, there’s an exciting new tool to help you find the dog of your dreams. Spot-a-Pup is a newly launched website designed to match you with dogs that meet all sorts of specific criteria. In addition to the usual age and size searches, you can also check off values for personality, activity level, grooming difficulty, and trainability.

From RCAS

When you search locally, you just might find a matching dog at our shelter, so give it a try if you’re looking (click the box to be redirected):

Of course, not everyone wants a cuddly puppy. Sometimes you need something just as cuddly, but a little more... bristly.

From RCAS

We’ve got that, too.

A Plug for Planet Dog

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-04-30T14:48:23-04:00

Just so we’re clear, this is a completely unsolicited plug for a company that just so happens to be awesome. Planet Dog didn’t pay for any advertisement or send us any freebies. What they did do was create a company who makes innovative products and gives back to the community.

Let’s look at the haul, shall we?

From RCAS

These are toys from the Produce line: realistically sized and shaped fruits and vegetables that have a lovely minty smell and are hollow for filling with treats or food (more on that in a moment).

From RCAS

The eggplant is soft and squishy but tough, and can hold about a cup of small diameter kibble. As a bonus, the hole in the top is large for easy filling but the shape keeps the food from all just spilling back out.

From RCAS

The artichoke has a smaller hole in the base and holds about a half a cup. This size provides an excellent challenge - your dog has to knock it around to get the food out, just remember to use a small diameter kibble.

From RCAS

The strawberry has a similar feel to the eggplant, and also holds about a half a cup of dry food.

From RCAS

The raspberry is the only toy that doesn’t get any action. They warn you on the site that this one is for small dogs only - but they mean really small dogs. It’s only slightly bigger than a ping pong ball, and the little treat hole is really too small for filling. But that’s ok, because it’s cute.

So why all this sudden interest in sharing my dog’s toys? Because giving your dog a toy filled with part of his daily ration of food is a great way to stave off boredom, and get him interested in chewing on things other than your coffee table leg. Many of the dogs that come to the shelter as owner surrenders arrive there because of bad behavior. Often, though, you can correct or prevent those behaviors simply by giving your friend something to do. Even the most uninterested dog will usually perk up when you start hiding food in his toys. And by focusing on the magic ball (or eggplant) that gives him food, Rover will eventually forget all about that old coffee table leg. Chewing on safe things not only encourages healthy behavior in your pup, but it burns energy, which means that by the time you come back home, you’re greeted by a calmer pet who’s ready to listen and play instead of a maniac who mauls you before you’ve put your keys down.
** This is the part where I need to remind you that I am not a dog trainer and I am in no position to give you advice. But, I am a pretty accomplished reader (I totally scored well on my 5th grade reading comprehension test) and I think these people have the right idea. In fact, the whole website is a great resource for anyone looking for another perspective on dog training and behavior.

The second reason to mention Planet Dog is to remind you about our adoption bonus program. When you adopt a shelter dog or cat, you’ll find a sheet inside your adoption folder called “Kiss me, I’m adopted.” Fill it out and send it in along with a copy of your proof of adoption and you’ll get a ton of cool stuff back in the mail:

From RCAS

You’ll get your choice of an Orbee Tuff Ball or Mouse, an “Adopt” sticker, a very cool Euro sticker in either “woof” or “meow”, a The Bark magazine mini-magazine, a trial issue of Dog’s Life magazine, a free year’s subscription to the Pet Protector pet locator service (plus an ID tag), and finally, a promotion code that will give you 15% off of Planet Dog merchandise for a whole year.

How cool is that? I’ll tell you, it’s very cool. I know because Buster told me so:

From RCAS

Buster knows cool.

Interested in seeing some adoptable pets? Click here.

Do you need a rabies shot?

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-03-15T14:04:56-04:00

From RCAS

Well, not you,personally, but does your dog or cat need one? At the end of the month, you’ve got a chance to get your pet’s mandatory rabies shot at a bargain price!

First, let’s just talk a moment about rabies. Rabies is a virus transmitted through the saliva of mammals, usually through a bite. Most reported rabies cases are found in wild animals like raccoons and foxes, less than 10% of reported cases come from domesticated animals.* NC law mandates that you keep your pets up to date with rabies vaccinations. If you fail to do so, you could be subject to a fine. Worse still, if your unvaccinated animal comes in contact with a rabid animal, you might just lose your pet for good.

From RCAS

Thankfully, it’s easy and inexpensive to keep up with rabies vaccines! Usually, your pet will receive a vaccination that is good for one year at their first vet visit, and after the first one, FiFi’s vaccination will last for three years. Check little Muffy’s records, or call your vet to find out when it will be time to vaccinate again.

On March 30, visit your participating Randolph County vet and only pay $10 for up to 3 years of protection. Not sure if your vet is on board? Call and ask, or call us for a list (336-683-8235).

Don’t have a pet to vaccinate? Click here for a list of available pups and kits.

From RCAS

*learn more about rabies at the CDC website.

Bailey, Lizzie and Iris

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-03-09T13:35:00-05:00

Ever wonder what happens when the lights go out in the shelter every evening? We have too, so we set up a hidden camera to catch the actions of a few of our favorite pets. What we found was shockingly funny.

From RCAS

Clearly, Bailey knew the camera was there, even though she pretended to be asleep while we were setting it up. Once we shut the door, she was up and wandering around, looking straight into the lens and making funny faces. But what happened next was more surprising than a treehouse in the middle of Manhattan. Bailey trotted over to the cat kennels and let Iris and Lizzie out. Lizzie produced a pack of cards and they all sat down to a rousing game of spades.

From RCAS

LIzzie might not look like a top notch cardsharp, but she’s a lot more than she seems. Sure she can be moody, and she’s no fan of photography, but under better circumstances, she’ll purr and keep your lap warm and trounce you at canasta. And with Iris busily mixing a cheeseball and laying out the Ritz crackers, it’s no wonder that they all look so eager for us to go in the late afternoon. I think I even heard a tummy rumble once.

From RCAS

For more about these and other adoptable pets, please click here.

A look ahead to Spring!

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-02-15T21:58:37-05:00

From RCAS

counterclockwise from bottom right, Rose, Astor, Camellia

They may just look like innocent pups, dozing the day away, but these industrious chiclets have big plans behind those fuzzy little eyelids. Rose, Astor and Camellia are aspirational gardeners, and nothing gets a gardener’s blood going quite like the last months of winter. It’s a time of plot planning and seed catalog browsing. A time to consider the blooms in one’s imagination, because the ground is barren and mucky. Rose is hoping to plant several varieties of heirloom vegetables, and a few choice summer ornamentals. Astor has been diligent in his research into the best that soil amending can offer. And Camellia, true to the shrub that bears her name, has all her pruners and saws ready for a springtime full of plant trimming. For more on these and the other available dogs and cats, click here.

Let's Get Serious for a Moment

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2010-02-03T21:48:35-05:00

From RCAS

First off, my apologies for the lag in posting - when I’m not at the animal shelter, I’m working in an industry that peaks from the end of November until mid-February. Regular dispatches will begin again shortly.

And second, if you’ve adopted or made a donation or volunteered in the last few months - thank you! A lot of wonderful pets have found new homes lately, and for that, we’re always grateful.

And third - this is the serious one - we’ve got to have a little talk. There’s been a little email explosion about a certain dog on our adoptable list. She was incorrectly identified in a third party email as “running out of time” and “destined for the gas chamber”. So let’s clear that up first, she’s not running out of time, and the only place she’s destined for is the home of her future adoptive family.

Let me take you through the process that begins when a dog or cat arrives at our shelter. If the pet is surrendered by an owner, and it is deemed to be healthy and friendly, it immediately takes up residence on the adoption side of the shelter. This is the kennel that you’ll see when you come to volunteer or look for your own forever friend. If the dog or cat comes in as a stray, it is kenneled on the holding side of our shelter. An animal is held there for 72 hours to evaluate its behavior, health, and to give their owner time to come and pick it up. After the 72 hours (these are business days, weekends don’t count), animals who are healthy, friendly and all around adoptable are moved to the adoption side. The adoptable pet is then posted online (usually in a timely manner - sorry!), and available for viewing and adoption at the shelter. Heck, you can even just come and walk them if you want, they love the extra attention! And that is the end of the story. Adoptable pets at our shelter do not have expiration dates. They will stay with us until they find their new family. So, if you hear that a dog at the Randolph County Animal Shelter is on the chopping block if you don’t come and rescue it before x-date, don’t believe it. It is simply not true. We never want you to adopt a pet based on guilt. We want you to come in and be captivated by that spunky little yellow kitten or the big Lab with the soulful eyes. We know that our pets have a much better chance of finding forever homes when we take emotional blackmail and impulsivity out of the equation.
Let’s talk just briefly about the other animals that pass through our doors. Not every dog or cat is a cuddly pet. Some are born wild, some are pets that have been on their own so long that they’ve become feral. Some are dangerously aggressive, and some are sick or injured. In a perfect world, there would be a home or a safe haven for all animals (even the less than desirable ones), but we know this world is far from perfect. So when you go outside and find a feral dog menacing you in front of your garbage can, or a stray cat mangling your housecat’s ears - we’re the ones you’ll call. The job of the animal shelter is not only to find new homes for unwanted animals, but to house and dispose of the ones who will never be wanted. We do everything in our power to treat all of our animals with dignity and respect from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave. The consequence of backyard breeding, puppy mills, and un-neutered pets is a glut of dogs and cats that become less and less wanted as they age. The best thing you can do to help out your fellow animal is to have it neutered and encourage everyone you know to do the same. There are plenty of places to find information about the health and behavioral benefits of having your pet altered, so I won’t go into it here. The point is, if less unplanned animals were born to begin with, there would be fewer unwanted animals to wind up in our shelters.

Now, enough seriousness! I promise to return ASAP with new pictures and new stories. Also, we’ve got another open house planned in the coming months, and a few new shelter features to share. 2010 is going to be a great year for dogs, cats and the odd pig or horse.

What are you doing on Saturday?

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2009-11-19T00:54:38-05:00

From RCAS

I’ll tell you what you’re doing! You’ll be hanging out with the coolest dogs and cats in the county at the first ever Animal Shelter Open House.

This Saturday, from 10am til 2pm, we’re opening the gates to celebrate all of our exceptional dogs and cats. If you’re looking for a new friend, this is an excellent opportunity. Locally renowned trainer, Ally Thomas, will be on hand sharing obedience tips and giving private lessons for anyone who adopts on Saturday.

From RCAS

If you’re not looking for a new friend, we hope you’ll still come out to take a tour of our facility, learn about our services, walk dogs, cuddle kitties and meet our staff and volunteers.

From RCAS

Even if you can’t stay for very long, why not drop off a bag or a few cans of pet food - all donations are going to Meals on Wheels.

From RCAS

Meals on Wheels, you ask?

Are we feeding people kibble now??

No, but the wonderful and deserving people who benefit from Meals on Wheels often find that their furry friends are going without unless they share their own portions. If you find yourself with an excess of dog chow or kit-n-kaboodle, why not stop by and share it with those less fortunate?

We hope to see you then. Click here for a map of our location.

New Web Address

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2009-11-05T23:12:26-05:00

Change your bookmarks everyone, the animal shelter has a new web home...

www.rcaspets.org
click here to put it in your browser

Easy, right? That’s the way we like it around here.

From RCAS

Lucille

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2009-11-05T18:54:56-05:00

From RCAS

Lucille is a special lady. Slightly demanding, but always with the best of intentions, she’ll steal your heart with a raspy bark. She loves nothing more than to sit in her chair, eat her cheese ball, and watch her stories. Lucille knows that you might publicly shun the sagas of Victor and Nikki and their tempestuous brood, but you know the story lines just as well as she does.

From RCAS

In all seriousness, Lucille is a complete doll, and she needs a special home. Initially, her outlook was grim, but with a little love, a little food, and about two hours of heavy duty work with the electric clippers, she’s as good as new. Lucille is spayed and has had recent dental work. If you think you might have the perfect home for a little old lady with a few special requirements but who still has plenty of love to give, please call (336) 393-0670 or email (rcaspets at gmail dot com).

From RCAS

And remember, she’s got her eye on you.

*new pets are up, click to see.

The Curious Case of Hamilton the Cat

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2009-10-18T20:02:59-04:00

<table style="width:auto;">From RCASIt all started with a discarded Miles Kimball catalog in the bathroom trash. Hamilton was just a wee kitten, barely tall enough to claw the toilet paper, when he spotted the glossy, colorful book peeking out between the used q-tips. The pages full of housecoats, shower shoes and easy peel window tinting were interesting, but that all paled when he discovered his first L.L. Bean in the afternoon mail. The fleeces! The muk-luks! It was enough to make Hamilton wish for bigger feet. Ever since then, Hamilton waits patiently by the mail slot every afternoon. He’s got his eye on some choice cashmere twin-sets and a stadium blanket and he’s hoping to catch them on sale.

From RCAS

For Hamilton and all of our other new pets, please visit the adoptable pets page.

An Important Message about Facebook

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2009-09-15T15:07:26-04:00

As you might know, some of our pets can be seen via a Facebook application called Save-a-Dog. However, we’ve heard from some of you this morning regarding “expiration dates”. Apparently, some of our pets are posted with alleged euthanasia dates. We’re investigating these postings (and if you have any links or screenshots, please email them to rcaspets (at)gmail(dot)com). We want to assure you that these “death dates” are false. All of our adoptable pets have a safe place at the shelter until they find a loving home of their own.

Katie and Samantha

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2009-09-08T15:06:52-04:00

From RCAS

Sure, they look like an unlikely pair, but aren't the best friendships the most unlikely? Maybe a longhaired tortoiseshell cat and a German shepherd look a little funny walking together in a park, or sitting quietly in the living room, watching reruns of Bewitched, but who are you to judge? Do we complain when you wash your socks in order of color and thickness? Do we even bat an eyelash when you refuse to touch your peas after one rolled over and mingled with the gravy? That's right. We don't say a word. But back to Katie and Samantha.

From RCAS

They met a few years ago, Samantha was building an addition to a 3 bedroom ranch style down the street from Katie's aunt's place. Katie was attracted by the sounds of the power saws, and went to investigate. Little did she know that Samantha would share her passion for fast cars and road tracks. Before either one of them knew it, they were chattering away over chicken chow mein, comparing the relative merits of Porsches versus Ferraris.

From RCAS

There have been a few disagreements over the years, Katie prefers a warm sofa and a nice bowl of rice pudding on a lazy evening, Samantha would rather sit out under the stars and drink an icy Stella Artois. But they compromise, like all good friends, and they find that they're all the better for it.
*New pets are up! Take a look at Jeannie, Terence, Randy, Bojangles, Siegfried, Jake, Vera, Ethel, Doreen, Christian, Ally, Jenny, Susie, Maddie, and Mark.

Have you seen me?

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2009-08-25T15:06:19-04:00

Last week, one of our darling pups went missing:

From RCAS

Have you seen him? He was lost on North Fayetteville Street, near the Randolph Memorial Park.

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He's an 8 year old Pekingese, a little arthritic, but oh so sweet.

From RCAS

If you have any information, please call the Randolph County Animal Shelter (336.683.8325).

More reasons to adopt.

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2009-08-25T15:05:32-04:00

Now when you adopt a cat or dog from the Randolph County Animal Shelter, you'll get over $30 in extras. Just look for this board:

From RCAS

All you have to do is send in a copy of your adoption certificate along with the supplied form (in your adoption packet) to the good folks at Planet Dog and you'll receive a free year's subscription to The Pet Protector pet location service, a coupon for a free Orbee-Tuff ball or mouse, a free Bark mini magazine, and lots more.

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Planet Dog who sponsor the Kiss Me, I'm Adopted Kit and make the awesome Orbee line of recyclable (and sometimes recycled), American-made dog toys.

And we've got new dogs and cats to come and visit! Click through to see...

Chace, the wonder dog

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2009-08-12T15:05:01-04:00

New dogs are up...go meet Bonnie, Austin, Manny, Clyde, Dot, Dash, and more puppies than you can shake a crochet needle at. And now, let's take a closer look at Chace:

From RCAS

Chace is a Real American Dog™. He dreams of being a cowboy, riding the open range and sleeping out under the stars (on warm, dry nights of course). Do cowboys still sleep under the stars? No? Well, a house would be fine too. Maybe a cowhide couch. That would solve everything. But like I said, he's a Real American Dog™, capable of going on walks, chasing a ball, and napping inconspicuously under the coffee table. Do you have a coffee table?

Shelly and Mona

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2009-08-01T15:04:07-04:00

From RCAS

Shelly and Mona are kennel-mates. Together, they've combined their shared interests into some fascinating conversations. As a bacon inspector, Shelly knows the best breakfast joints up and down the coast, and she could go on for days about crispiness versus chewiness, salt cured versus sugar cured, and thick cut versus thin. Mona's tales of opossum jazz are an excellent counterpoint. Her tales about long-tail Lupo, the famed marsupial marimba player, or one-eyed Jimmy, the world's wildest possum bass player, keep the dogs laughing long into the night. Sometimes their stories even intertwine, such as the time both of them got to talking about Weirdo Wally's Breakfast and Wings - an all night hot-spot known for their BLG's (bacon, lettuce and gizzard sandwiches) and a bopping all possum band. Come see them today and hear the tales for yourself.

From RCAS

Cats, glorious cats.

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2009-07-24T15:03:38-04:00

You know, sometimes I think people just don't understand about cats. Sure, allergies are a hinderance to some, but you people are missing a huge opportunity for entertainment if you don't have a cat. They're like a self-contained Vegas act - dancing, singing, the occasional tantrum, plumage - cats really have it all. And all they ask in return is a clean litterbox, a bowl of cat food, and a little bit of your attention (on their schedule, of course). So, without further adieu, let me introduce you to a few of the felines who are just waiting for comfier accommodations...

Muffin, CreamPuff, and Lorraine

From RCAS

Kittens are just adorable, aren't they? In addition to being natural comedians, these three have an in-bred knowledge of baking, having been raised in a flour factory. If you don't subscribe to Atkins, one or all three might make an excellent asset to your kitchen. Their zucchini bread is superb.

Edgar (formerly Esther)

From RCAS

Edgar did, in fact, used to be Esther. This wasn't a decision he made after deep thought, just a little mishap that happens from time to time. To put it in blunt terms, kittens aren't always easily identifiable at a young age, and our previous best guess was incorrect. He's ok with it, though, he's a very forgiving guy.

Jasmine

From RCAS

Jasmine is a peach. Patient, kind, exceptionally cuddly, she's just as beautiful inside as she is outside. A bit of a free spirit, she loves the world of homeopathy and natural healing. To be honest, we're not sure she knows what she's doing, but her kennel always smells so peaceful, she just might be on to something!

Of course, you don't have to be a cat lover to find a lovely new friend at our shelter. We've added a few new dogs and some new cats, you can find them here.

A New Place to Find Adoptable Pets

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2009-07-21T15:03:07-04:00

Now, in addition to our listings at Petfinder and other great adoption sites, you can find an up to date list right here. When new animals arrive, we'll post an entry letting you know, and also feature a few of our lucky dogs and cats. Just use the links to the right to subscribe or add us to your RSS Feed. Here's your first link.

And now, meet Sally:

From RCAS

Do you recognize Sally? If you do, it's probably because you caught her one-dog show, SALLY!, which appeared at area PetCo's for three consecutive weekends. Or you caught the video version of it on YouTube. Either way, Sally would like to thank you, and offer you a complimentary promotional mouse pad or coffee mug. Just come by and visit her! Sally has such a passion for acting, it's contagious. If you're around her for too long, you'll find yourself improvising comedic storylines or infusing your next trip to the handwashing sink with drama. That's just the kind of dog she is.

Welcome

rcaspets@gmail.com — 2009-07-21T15:00:54-04:00

Welcome to the new RCAS blog! Here you'll find featured pet profiles, updates when new pets arrive, occasional informational articles and stories from happy adopters. If you'd like to have updated pet profiles emailed to you, please sign up for our RSS feed (it's over there in the sidebar). We promise not to send you anything but pictures of dogs and cats, and the occasional goat. If you have a happy adoption story, please let us know so we can feature you in an upcoming post.