Volunteers Needed in Ogden for "My Furry Valentine" Adoption Event

Next weekend February 11th-12th we are hosting our first mini-Super Adoption event in Ogden! We’ve never gone this far north before and we need your help finding volunteers.

"My Furry Valentine" will be held the New Gate Mall in Ogden next to Mr. Mac. It’s open to the public Saturday February 11, 10am-7pm and Sunday February 2, 10am-4pm.

We will need volunteers help for the following positions, Bolded shifts are the most critical:

Roadies! THE MOST IMPORTANT POSITION: That’s right, people who are good at loading and unloading trucks and setting things up.
• Friday February 10, 8-9am Help needed at storage loading trucks in SLC, directions upon request
• Friday February 10, 10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm unload trucks and set-up at adoption event in Ogden
• Sunday February 12, 4-6pm Tear-down and clean-up event, reload trucks
• Wednesday February 15, 8-10am Unload trucks into storage unit in SLC, directions upon request

• Sunday February 12 around 6/7 pm Unload trucks in to storage unit in SLC, Directions upon request, we'll call you as we're on our way there

Event Assistance: A good place for new volunteers; assist with event by watching gates, holding signs, cleaning up and directing people as needed.
• Saturday the 11th,8-noon, noon-4pm, and 4-8pm
• Sunday the 12th, 7-11am, 11-3pm,and 3-6pm.(3-6pm also includes cleaning up.)

Cat Care: Cat care involves scooping litter boxes, making sure the cats have food and water, taking out trash and keeping the cat adoption area clean. You may need to help groups bring animals back and forth between event and trucks. Other tasks as needed.
• Saturday the 11th,8-noon, noon-4pm, and 4-8pm
• Sunday the 12th, 8-11am, 11-3pm,and 3-6pm.(3-6pm also includes cleaning up.)

Dog Care: Dog Care involves walking dogs, picking up poop, making sure they have water, shoveling up and replacing shavings that line kennel floors, taking out trash. Other tasks as needed. Not all groups will allow NMHPU volunteers to walk their dogs. Help rescue groups load and unload dogs as needed. Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Saturday the 11th,8-noon, noon-4pm, and 4-8pm
• Sunday the 12th, 8-11am, 11-3pm,and 3-6pm.(3-6pm also includes cleaning up.)

If you can help out please email me at kristinas@bestfriends.org as soon as possible! Let me know your full-name, phone number, email address and top three choices of where/when you would like to help out. We need the most help Friday and Sunday. All volunteers should come ready to help and be flexible if we need to reassign you.

Together we can save them all,

Kristina, Volunteer Coordinator

Meet Staff Member Ashley Farmer!

Hey there! I am Ashley Farmer and I am the new Voucher Program Specialist with No More Homeless Pets in Utah. In this position, I work to extend access to low-income Utahns for free spay and neuter surgeries through our Free Fix Program. I volunteered with NMPHU about 6 years ago at the Super Pet Adoption where I found Patches O’Houlihan—a half Irish Wolfhound, half standard poodle buddle of Iovin’. I count myself incredibly lucky to be working with this amazing group of people on behalf of all of these wonderful animals!

Let me tell you a bit about myself. I am a Virginian through and through. I was born in Richmond and grew up in Appomattox, VA (For you history buffs, that is the where the American Civil War ended.). Eight years ago, I found myself in Salt Lake City attending Westminster College (Go Griffins!) where I received my B.S. in Social Science with an emphasis in Political Science. During my time at “Westmini,” I really fell in love with the West. Everything is a bit more relaxed out here and open. In 2009 I made my way back to Westminster (Go Griffins, again!) and graduated in 2011 with my M.A. in Community Leadership.

My career aspirations have taken me into various positions within the Human Services and Nonprofit fields. I have worked with Salt Lake County Criminal Justices Services, screening those booked into Jail for pretrial release. I was the Grassroots Relationship Manager with the American Cancer Society, working with their Government Relations Department advocating for legislation for equal access to healthcare. I went over to The Road Home as worked as their Volunteer Coordinator. And then I was fortunate enough to be hired by NMPHU. There is a definite pattern in the positions I have held to advocate and provide services for those who are experiencing tough circumstance of various forms.

In my free time, I am an avid yogi. I practice Anusara Yoga and have started to venture to the hot world of Bikram Yoga. I try to escape often to Southern Utah for hiking adventures (I’m spoiled in that aspect since my Dad is a Utah State Park Ranger. I like to mooch off him to get into some really fun places.). I also love music and going to concerts (My first concert was Paul McCartney at 7 years old, thus, beginning a lifelong love affair with The Beatles.). Some of my favorite bands are the aforementioned Beatles, The Smiths, The Clash, Radiohead, The Pixies, and so many more. Plus, I have a great affinity for folky, bluegrassy, twangy, countryish music. (Sorry. Getting on a Music Soapbox for a sec.) I am also a firm believer that the only music worth buying should be on vinyl. I have the best group of friends that I like to get into various shenanigans with on a regular basis. I enjoy reading historical nonfiction and watching documentaries of the Ken Burns ilk. And finally, I am a volunteer with Catholic Community Services of Utah’s Refugee Resettlement Program and am having a blast working with a family from Bhutan right now as they adjust to life in the Salty City!

I have to say, I have had so much fun since I’ve started at NMPHU and am awe inspired by our dedicated staff and volunteers! Everyone is so nice, so funny, and have been so incredibly patient with me as a learn the ropes around here. Again, I count myself as being very lucky to be here and am very excited about the work we are all part of!

The Big Fix in January

The mission of No More Homeless Pets in Utah is to end the euthanasia of homeless dogs and cats statewide and to promote humane alternatives for feral cats. One of the ways we achieve our mission is through spay and neuter surgeries.

You may ask how something like spaying and neutering your pet will help the homeless pet problem. Why should I get my pet fixed? The sad truth is that millions of dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States every year due to pet overpopulation. In Utah alone, over 30,000 homeless, unwanted animals are put to death each year. The best way to avoid the problem of unwanted pets, and one of the kindest things you can do for animals, is to make sure that your cat or dog is spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering saves lives.

And we won’t stop until the entire state of Utah is fixed!

In January of 2012, we are focusing on Salt Lake County. The Big Fix will be visiting Kearns, West Valley City, and Taylorsville throughout the entire month. We are making it easy for residents of these cities to fix their pets!

As an incentive to get your cats fixed, female cat surgeries are FREE, with proof of residency in West Valley, Kearns or Magna. Surgeries for male cats and all cats from other cities are only $25.

Big Fix Schedule:
Jan 3 & 4: Kearns – Oquirrh Park Fitness Center (5624 S 4800 W)
Jan 9 & 10: West Valley City Animal Services (4522 W 3500 S)
Jan 16-18: Taylorsville/Kearns – RC Willey (3915 W 4700 S) (Free gift in the store!)
Jan 23-25: West Valley City – Redwood Recreation Center (3100 S Redwood Road)

Call today to make an appointment! 1-866-PETS-FIX or 801-432-2124 x10.
Now is the time to get your pets fixed; you won’t find better prices anywhere else!

Candy's Happy Ending

The end of 2011 is approaching, and we here at No More Homeless Pets in Utah and our supporters have a lot be proud of. We can take a look back at our accomplishments over the past year and reflect upon how all of us together have made such an important difference in the lives of others. The evidence is overwhelmingly true: Kindness and second chances can truly change someone’s entire world.

Candy is just one example of the many dogs and cats whose world we’ve been able to transform. Candy was born at the beginning of 2000 and when we first met her, she was on the euthanasia list at a local shelter. Her “tipped” left ear told us that she had been living a life on the streets, most likely part of a feral colony. However, it was clear from the beginning that Candy wasn’t afraid of people. Our adoptions team pulled her from the list and took her into our adoption program. In 2004, Candy found a new home. Candy’s new family included a little girl with autism, and Candy and the young girl became inseparable. The girl carried Candy around with her everywhere and even took her to school every day. Candy was a source of comfort and companionship to this young girl and Candy’s patience and unconditional love became the center of this young child’s universe.

In June 2010, Candy was returned to us, citing “litter box issues”. Candy was dropped off at our offices and the mother told the little girl they would come back and get Candy later that day. They never returned.
Candy was taken to the vet for a check-up. It was determined that sweet Candy had a severe urinary tract infection, which was both painful and caused the “issues”. Candy was placed on antibiotics and within a few days, she was the same darling girl she’d always been.

Then Candy developed stomatitis, and had to have her teeth removed. Despite all the pain and visits to the vet, she remained her sweet self and regained her health. Candy took up residency in our offices, going to adoption events and the journey to find a loving, forever home for her had begun once again.
One day last October, we received an adoption application for a senior cat. The family originally wanted to meet another older cat in our program but when they read Candy’s profile, they just had to meet her. This prospective family was just starting out, with their first baby on the way. They came to meet Candy and immediately fell in love. She was adopted that very day.

Candy’s new family has stayed in touch with us, and the love affair has continued ever since. This older lady has adjusted really well to her new home and routine. “Candy is such a sweet little character! We love her funny twitching tail when she’s excited and her loud purrs when she’s getting the attention she wants,” her new family writes. She’s even taken up playing with Nick, her new dad. Every night around 9pm, she suddenly gets a boost of energy and she and Nick chase each other around the house playing tag. They are looking forward to Candy being a best buddy to her family’s new baby.

Candy’s incredible road from a life on the streets to cuddling with her new family has been possible because of your support. This is the kind of change you can be a part of by sending us your donation today. Most older cats don’t get second chances, but thanks to your support, we can continue to change the world for homeless pets again and again.

Candy’s story is just one of many happy endings we here at No More Homeless Pets in Utah can be proud of. Together, we can save them all.

Celebrating Seniors!

Recently, all of the staff members at No More Homeless Pets in Utah were asked to share their thoughts on adopting senior cats and dogs in honor of Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Since she recently adopted Trina, a senior cat she absolutely loves, Volunteer Coordinator Kristiina decided to write a whole blog post to express her thoughts.


Where do I start? This is going to be a bit of a ramble because I could talk about my love of Trina for days. I really didn't know how good I had it with Trina until I fostered a teenage kitten. Trina is so much easier than a kitten or a young cat. She doesn't claw my furniture at all. The only thing she claws is her scratching pad. She doesn't really care for cat toys so the only treat I need to buy her is catnip. She always uses the litter box. She doesn't have any bad habits like stealing my food or chasing our dog.

She is perfect.

I don't want to make her sound boring just because she is calm. She still has lots of funny quirks. For instance, sometimes she meows but without any sound. You can see her mouth move but nothing happens. It's so cute. She absolutely has to be in the kitchen if anyone walks in there. She'll jump up from whatever she is engaged in and bolt into the kitchen. Then she'll just meow at the cupboard. It's totally bizarre. You can open the cupboard but she doesn't really care. She is also obsessed with her scratching pad. If she thinks you are going near it she runs to it. Because if you are going to pet her, she would really prefer you pet her while she is sitting there. It's like her throne and she feels very special when she sits on it.

But the best part about her has been watching her slowly open up over the last six months. Every week she gets more and more loving and comes out of her shell. After 3 months I thought I pretty much knew her personality, but I still learn something new every day. Last night, I figured out that she likes to get under the covers and she has recently started sleeping curled up around my head instead of next to me.

So far she has not really been a lap cat and prefers to be a next-to-my-lap cat-- but the longer we live together, the trips to my lap have become more frequent and it's really exciting to me to see the progression of trust in our relationship. I think sometimes people are more drawn toward buying a puppy or kitten instead of adopting an adult because they think the bond will be more natural . . . and maybe they are right. But for me, the bond built with an older, more reserved animal has been so much more rewarding. And what it really comes down to is that if you want to bond with an animal, young or old, you just need to spend time with him or her and the bond will form on its own.

Another reason I hear people give for not wanting to adopt a senior animal is that they want more time with the animal before he or she passes. They want to put that sad time off and feel that adopting a younger animal is a way to do that. I can sort of understand this. Losing a companion animal is one of the hardest things one can go through. But in the end, wouldn't you rather have an amazing being in your life for a few years than not at all? And just imagine what a great last few years you can help a senior cat or dog have if you're just willing to open your home to one of the older adoptable animals at a shelter or rescue group.

If people aren't willing to adopt seniors, they're going to end up in limbo at rescue groups or euthanized far before their time in a shelter. Maybe years down the road after she passes I will change my mind and say losing a loved one isn't worth it. But for now I am so happy to have her a part of my family that I'm quite sure I would be kicking myself if I hadn't adopted her.

Kristiina Stromness
Volunteer Coordinator

More musings on black cats . . .

Last week, our Fundraising and Events Director Danielle talked about black cats in her blog, and they've also been on my mind.

Last year I finally adopted my small black foster cat "Missy" (short for Mischief
Monster) from our adoptions program. She had been in our program for almost a year, and still had not found a permanent home of her own. As she is such a great cat, I was surprised that she had not been adopted out. Then one day I took her to an adoption event and noticed that she looked just like all the other pure black cats that were there. Though each had a distinct personality, none had markings that made them stand out. Even when she was at adoption events, Missy has an outgoing, playful and fun personality--but she seemed to blend into the scenery so much that passersby just didn't see her. Sometimes even now in my home she will become part of the shadows and I will not see her until she opens her sparklingly pretty large green eyes.

Back when I noticed all those black cats up for adoption, I wondered if superstition might also play a part in why they get over looked at adoption events. Surely not everyone believes they are bad luck!

In some countries like the United Kingdom or Japan black cats are considered to bring good luck. Others believe petting one will bring you good health and wealth. So not everyone looks at them like they are a bad omen.

But the other day a neighbor of mine stopped by our house. I invited her inside. She started to enter our home until Missy startled her at the top of the stairs. After seeing my friendly and inquisitive black cat, she quickly backed out the door and refused to come back inside -- even though it was raining heavily outside! She's usually quite cheerful and talkative, but this time she looked at me like I had offended her somehow.

I was really surprised at her reaction, especially since Missy has become such a great little family member and best friend to Penelope, our 6-month-old daughter. They seem to have a mutual fondness for each other. Missy can't leave Penny alone and insists on sitting right by her when ever she can. Penny giggles and grins any time Missy comes over. At one point, I even saw Penny trying to suck on her ear -- and she actually succeeded for a moment! But Missy was such a great sport. In fact, we were at a toy shop recently and found a small black stuffed animal for Penny to pack around with her. She loves her mini Missy and sucks on her ear as well.

But Missy isn't the exception to all those black cats out there; she is the rule. Since I was young, I have seen so many other black cats love and be loved tremendously by family and friends.

When I was a kid, a small and sick black kitten found its way into our window well one cold winter morning. She was barely alive, but we were determined to make sure she thrived -- despite her tiny size and severe breathing problems. My brother decided her name was Eekers, and it seemed to fit her perfectly. When we first found her, we weren't allowed another pet -- we had a full house of strays that crashed at our place. So my brother hid her in his room until she needed to be looked at by a vet. At first, the vet recommended putting her down because her lungs were small and deformed. But my brother insisted he would care for her and slept with a humidifier in his room. The moisture seemed to help. He took care of her every day and ran home after school to see her.

She needed regular vet treatment, which was an expense that my mom was concerned about, so my brother did odd jobs for neighbors like raking leaves and mowing lawns to help out with the cost. Eekers, but then a funny little string bean looking kitty with spindly legs, would follow him around or wait for him on the porch like a dog.

They were inseparable until one day she finally took her last breath in his arms. She only lived for 3 years, but her little life meant so much to my brother. She was his best friend for those years, and a beautiful black cat. Clearly, there's no reason to reject these cats simply because of their color.

Like Danielle mentioned, there really are some great black cats in our program waiting for a loving home, and you can see them all online. If you're looking for a new feline friend, don't overlook them!

Maranda Hawkes
Volunteer Coordinator

Black Cat Musings

Ok, it’s October. Halloween is almost here. And what do people involved in animal welfare think about during this time of year? Black cats, of course.

Black cats have gotten a bad rap throughout history. In most places, they have been victims of superstitions and negative preconceptions. We’ve had it pounded into our brains that they’re bad luck and associated with witchcraft and the occult. And if that isn’t enough, they are one of the animals most likely to be euthanized in shelters. They are very frequently overlooked at adoption events or shelters. They don’t stand out in cages, they often have indistinguishable features, they can be considered “plain” when compared to other cats.

I live with a black cat. One of the best decisions I ever made was 12 years ago when I adopted her. She had been a victim of animal abuse - someone set her on fire. Her injuries were extensive but she received good veterinary care and survived. When she was strong enough, I took her home, named her Salem and she’s been part of my family ever since. She limps and has scars and is missing parts of her ears, but she is beautiful to me. She’s happy and sassy and I love her more than words can say.

But what does any of this have to do with October and Halloween?

At a recent staff meeting, my co-workers and I had a conversation about whether or not black cats should be adopted out in October. There are many shelters and rescue groups who suspend adoptions of black cats (and some even all cats!) for fear they will be tortured. Others continue adoptions as normal. There are mixed feelings on the subject here at NMHPU.

Suspending adoptions. The conventional wisdom is that this is necessary to protect them from bad people with evil intent, specifically satanic cultists who use them for ritualistic killings. But is the concept that they face more dangers at Halloween time real or just urban legend?

I did an informal internet search, and everything I read stated that there are NO statistics to back up claims that incidences of satanic rituals involving black cats go up at Halloween.

The truth of the matter is that animal abuse occurs ALL YEAR. It’s not a seasonal occurrence; it’s an everyday reality for many animals. And satanic cults are not the ones responsible for the majority of the torture – it’s pranksters, trouble-makers, budding psychopaths and people who have no respect for life. And cats do indeed face danger from such people at Halloween, as well as every other day of their lives.

What other stresses and dangers do black, and all other, cats face at Halloween?

1.People who adopt them to use them as costume accessories and “living decorations,” and then return them after the holiday. (This one surprised me! Who would think to do such a thing??)

2.Noise and commotion

Point #1 is enough to make one feel adoptions should be suspended! That added to the potential threat of animal abusers makes you want to suspend adoptions of black cats forever! However, I really don’t think this is necessary as long as agencies have a solid screening process for adopters. Being thorough in screening should ensure the animals go to good homes. There ARE good homes out there, and you don’t want any cat to miss out on being seen by a great adopter. Plus, denying adoptions only gives the public the wrong idea about black cats – possibly reinforcing stereotypes – and not letting people see how lovable they are.

But when you get right down to it, the best thing you can do to protect your cats from Halloween dangers and stresses is to KEEP THEM INSIDE. At NMHPU, we believe pet cats should be inside all of the time. When they live indoors, they are safe from cars, fights with other cats, attacks by dogs and predators, people with bad intentions, getting lost...….the list goes on and on. If your cats are safely indoors, you don’t have to worry about any of these factors in October, or any other time of the year.

Salem was set on fire in October. Who did this horrific thing to her? Was it part of a satanic ritual? Was it teenage boys being bad? Was it someone on the path to becoming a human murderer? Did her abuse have anything to do with Halloween, or was it just a coincidence that it happened during that time of year?

I will never know.

What I do know is that come Halloween weekend, Salem will be inside with her favorite person – warm and safe and loved. Something I wish for all of the cats out there, whatever color they may be.

Danielle Slaughter
Fundraising and Event Director

P.S. We have many wonderful black cats in our adoptions program! Carlos loves to play fetch (he brings back the ball!)! Alice is young and petite and cuddly. And there are many more… Check them out at our Adoptions page!