You can now help our shelter animals without ever leaving your house or donating a dollar.  All we need you to do is VOTE!  A simple click of the mouse could help WHS win the “Shelter Challenge”. The Animal Rescue Site together with Petfinder.com are asking the public to vote for their favorite area rescue organization.

Seventy-three grants will be awarded for a total of $100,000 to eligible Petfinder.com members. Final prizes will go to the eligible Petfinder.com organization with the highest accumulative votes for the duration of the Challenge as specified in the rules.

You can start VOTING TODAY!!   Please visit http://bit.ly/1zZ6zm to cast your vote.  The contest ends at midnight (PST) on December 20th, 2009.   

We are counting on WHS supporters to put us over the top!!!

Animal Control Officer Shawn Covington dropped off this adorable puppy at our Georgia Avenue shelter on Friday. The cute pooch was part of WHS' Black Friday special. 

The deal which offered 50% off adoption fees was a success. Dozens of animals found forever homes just in time for the holidays!   

We also got plenty of news coverage. Please check out our website.

Calling all Pit Bull owners, lovers, advocates and anyone interested in learning more about this "hot topic" breed. Join the Washington Humane Society Behavior & Learning Department and members of WHS for a group discussion over coffee and hot chocolate, during which we'll talk about the myths, facts, and other popular issues surrounding Pit Bulls.

We will discuss:

• Breed-specific characteristics

• Aggression, arousal, and why dogs fight

• Biases against the breed

• How you can help

• ...and so much more!

Saturday, December 19, 10am - 12pm

The Washington Humane Society

Behavior & Learning Center

*Seminar fee is $25 and supports the animals in our care.

*Pre-registration is required. Seats are limited.

For registration details please contact askthetrainer@washhumane.org

 
The Fashion for Paws event at the Toka Salon & Spa was a success.

Please check out the news coverage:

Bisnow Scene

WUSA- TV

By Nick Gilman Shelter Director

Thomas is just the sort of cat that animal shelters know there is not much hope for.  At a time when even the healthiest and cutest kittens have hard times finding homes, Thomas’s chances were slim.  Slim, however, does not describe Thomas.  He was grossly overweight,  ten years old, and had been turned into the Washington Humane Society’s New York Avenue Shelter by an owner who said he’d tired of Thomas’s penchant for urinating outside his litter box. 

Animal shelters throughout the United States struggle to find homes for cats.  There are just so many adoptable cats, and good homes are hard to come by.  And when adopters do come to shelters for cats they’re often looking for kittens.  An older, overweight, grumpy, male cat with urination problems is often impossible to place.

So, when Jacob and Andrea came to the WHS New York Avenue Shelter and told us they’d be interested in an older cat that might bond with their own nine year-old female cat Ginger, we steered them to the front of Thomas’s cage.  Jacob and Andrea had already visited a number of our adoptable cats in the shelter.  They’d spent time in our three adoption rooms and seen kittens, pure-breds, and other friendly cats in all shapes and sizes.  But, when they filled out an adoption application it was Thomas’s name at the top of their list. 

Several weeks after the adoption we received a nice card and letter from Jacob and Andrea.   Thomas was adjusting just fine; he was getting along well with Ginger and his urination problems have disappeared, even if his belly has not. 

Animal shelter work is full of small surprises, challenges and, occasionally, victories.  When those victories come on behalf of a ten year-old, grumpy and plump cat, it is cause for celebration, indeed!

You can now help our shelter animals without ever leaving your house or donating a dollar.  All we need you to do is VOTE!  A simple click of the mouse could help WHS win the “Shelter Challenge”. The Animal Rescue Site together with Petfinder.com are asking the public to vote for their favorite area rescue organization.

Seventy-three grants will be awarded for a total of $100,000 to eligible Petfinder.com members. Final prizes will go to the eligible Petfinder.com organization with the highest accumulative votes for the duration of the Challenge as specified in the rules.

You can start VOTING TODAY!!   Please visit http://bit.ly/1zZ6zm to cast your vote.  The contest ends at midnight (PST) on December 20th, 2009.   

We are counting on WHS supporters to put us over the top!!!

The Washington Humane Society's Behavior & Learning Center is now offering private lessons for companion rabbits! Rabbits are the third most surrendered animal to shelters and are growing in popularity as companion animals. We're here to help first-time rabbit owners get off to a great start with information on keeping their bunny safe, healthy, and happy. We can also help rabbit owners with:

• Litter box training

• Destructive behavior

• Bonding and introductions for new pets

• Aggression concerns

• Trick training ...and so much more!

Contact askthetrainer@washhumane.org for more information or to schedule an appointment for you and your rabbit.

Visit Toka Salon and Spa in Georgetown on Sunday, November 22nd from 12-4pm.

Toka will be donating 50% of all proceeds to Fashion for Paws.