No Kill Kansas City?

The Observer took an evening and went to hear a man named Nathan Winograd speak.  Mr. Winograd is a former lawyer who has become intensely involved in the rethinking of how to work with homeless companion animals.  It was a very interesting and very challenging presentation.
In a nutshell, Mr. Winograd believes that if you do certain things whole heartedly and have leadership committed to the idea of not killing animals that can be placed in homes, you can reduce the number of companion animals that are killed in an animal shelters.  Over 4 million animals were killed in animal shelters in the United States in 2010.  Winograd believes more lives can be saved and the leading cause of death for cats and dogs is not being killed in an animal shelter.
Winograd has worked in several shelters around the United States, both as a leader and a consultant.  His formula for action is for animal shelters to do the following things and make a commitment from kennel floor to boardroom to not killing healthy animals for whom it is possible to find homes.
1. high-volume, low/no-cost spay/neuter
2. comprehensive adoptions
3. foster care
4. use of volunteers
5. marketing/public relations
6. medical care and rehabilitation
7. behavior care and rehabilitation
8. neuter and release (TNR)
9. working with rescue groups
10. pet retention efforts
11. proactive redemptions

Mom cat and kittens at KC Pet Project

Most of this list is pretty self explanatory:  reduce the numbers of cats and dogs born in a year, adopt as many as possible, use foster care as a bridge to adoption or further rescue, lots of volunteers to spread out the work load and give the best possible care to animals, making sure the community knows about the shelter and the animals therein, caring for the medical and behavioral needs of animals in the shelter, trapping feral cats and returning them to locations creating stable colonies,  working with other organizations in a cooperative manner, helping pet owners solve problems so they can keep their pets instead of having to give them up to a shelter, and helping owners find and be reunited with their lost pets.  After hearing and reading about the success stories, a person could think that this is possible.  I still think it is possible, but in this spring season of puppies and kittens, and watching many animals come in the front door of the Kansas City Missouri shelter, and not very many go back out that same front door in the possession of families and rescues, it seems like a very large task.  It was discouraging today to look around the KCMO shelter and watch the staff and volunteers of Kansas City Pet Project labor with the knowledge that not enough animals had yet found their way out the front door.  
I am still digesting what Mr. Winograd said and still reading his books.  One thing is clear to me.  You can't just do one of these  items listed above--you need to do all of them, and not halfway.  Some of them interlock as well.  However, the spring is when the scope of the problem is truly appreciated.  It's not just that there are many animals, it is just that it isn't their fault they have ended up in the situation they find themselves and it becomes a matter of proper stewardship and care to find a solution to homeless pets that does not involve killing them.
Kansas City Pet Project is less than six months old in operating the Kansas City Missouri shelter.  They are still building their base of donors, volunteers, and foster families.  If you are interested in helping the shelter in anyway, visit the website, www.kcpetproject.org or call 816-513-9821.
For more on the work of Nathan Winograd visit www.nathanwinograd.com.

Adoptable dog at KC Pet Project

On Making Life Better for Pets In Kansas City

For the fourth time ever, and the third time since the take over by a private group, this blogger visited the Kansas City Pet Project. The Observer continues to be impressed with the way the place is going. The out of date buildings and awkward topography of the location haven't changed but it's clear that a new spirit is in the place.

The very first time I visited the dog adoption area, the odor almost knocked me over. Since then, each time I have visited it has smelled reasonably clean to very clean (no place with 100 or more dogs in kennels, not all of whom get to go out as much as they should will smell perfect). The dogs, of course, are noisy, and there is not much help for that, other then keeping a ground level of activity that is positive for them. Maybe someday, when a new building is built, or this one is renovated, the bars that make the place look like doggy jail and still permit careless contact that can spread disease will go away, replaced by modern Plexiglas...

The cat area was moved from an unventilated basement to this office area even before the change and the area is far from perfect. However, the space gets some ventilation, and the cats get light and entertainment from the windows there. The area is clean, and sensible moves like moving the garbage can that held cleanings from the litter boxes out of the room keep the area from having a strong smell. It is possible to keep cats healthy here with innovation, attention to detail and discipline.

Most of the folks who are working with Kansas City Pet Project are veterans of animal work in this city. The veterinarian worked at Wayside Waifs and I recognized some faces from other animal welfare organizations. This one ingredient of being a city that cares well for animals, bringing one of the metro's largest open-admission shelters up to par, is moving smartly in the right direction.

It was good to see that the initial loss of funding to programs that helped provide services for spaying and neutering companion animals was restored by the Jackson County legislature this week. It was earlier removed in one of those penny-wise/pound foolish moves that pols are famous for. Because animal shelters and other efforts to get pets into homes are just part of a city's proper plan for animal welfare: the sheer number of animals bred must be reduced. That means an aggressive program of sterilization for many animals. That includes making sure that low income pet owners have a way of getting that done for a lower costs. That also means taking care of the strays of the city, whether it is getting them homes or TNR. People are important, but the problem of pet overpopulation is not going to go away--if anything it will get worse--if an investment in prevention is not made.

Meantime, the KCPP is a non-profit concern running the Animal Shelter at 4400 Raytown Road in Kansas City. They take contributions of cash or needed items. The shelter is open most afternoons except closed all day Mondays. Available pets are listened on Petfinder as well as accessed through the KCPP site and via Facebook.

LINKs:

KC Star: Animal welfare groups get funding after all.

Kansas City Pet Project on the web and on Facebook.

Petfinder website.

Photos by The Observer, and yes, the young couple in the picture adopted the cat they are visiting.

Chain of Hope and How the City Can Mess With You

I think that for the majority of us, whether we personally own or like companion animals, we desire that animals be treated humanely, without neglect or cruelty. Sometimes it is a matter of stewardship of investment, and sometimes it is just the right thing to do. Groups of people have come together to help animals, and to help other people help animals. Chain of Hope is just one of those groups. They have felt called to carry out their mission in some of our city's most difficult neighborhoods, rescuing animals from poor conditions, providing reduced cost and free vet services, providing outside shelter for animals and helping poor pet owners feed their pets.

Late last week the organization was paid a visit at its facility at 27th and Tracy by KCMO Animal Control and by KCMO Neighborhood Codes people. The two visits were not happy ones, resulting in 4 citations from Animal Control and a 15 day vacate order from Codes. They provide a perfect example of how a city can harass its citizens in an unhelpful way.

You can't have more than 4 adult animals in a residential home in KCMO; you can have as many young--less than 5 month old--baby animals as you can care for and maintain properly. AC decided that some puppies that Chain of Hope had were over 5 months--meaning that they were over the animal limit. Tickets resulted.

If you want to run a business out of a house in a residential area, you must get the approval of neighbors within a certain radius of the home. Chain of Hope was unable to do this--just one neighbor held out. (Side note: Why? In that neighborhood, you would take a chance on a new neighbor moving into that house? The chances of them being good neighbors is pretty slim. I'd take a bunch of well kept dogs over what could live there. Worse yet, the house could become vacant, which attracts animals far more annoying than dogs. Some of those animals have two feet...) They were maintaining the residential rules of keeping 4 grown animals or less, but Codes was upset because no one was "maintaining residence there." (Side note number two: Thanks stupid Code Enforcement bozo, for saying that on the public airwaves that someone is not in the house 24/7. Now, in order to maintain safety and preserve property, someone will have to be in the house 24/7. Preferably with a Concealed Carry Permit, a side arm and a big ass shot gun.)

It just seems to me that these two city departments went out of their way to be pains in the rear to Chains of Hope. In fact, to me, it served as a perfect model of how City Hall can harass you to death if they get it in their pea-pickin' thick bureaucratic skulls that they want to. I would bet that the City Codes inspector can find something wrong on the property of any this blog's readers if they really wanted to. Makes you wonder also, when people can hoard animals for years and repeatedly, and not get the sort of attention that Chain of Hope has.

Chain of Hope and AC are allies, not enemies--doesn't someone realize this? Both have roles to play to keep KCMO healthy and to assure that animals are treated humanely. This is just a bad scene here, and could have been dealt with in a much more cooperative manner.

One more question: The new group taking over the management of the Animal Shelter--are they going to have any say over how AC works--or are they going to end up fighting against this city department that is supposed to be working with them?

Two news agencies picked up the story:

KSHB: "KC Urban rescue given..."

KCTV5: "Chain of Hope in Battle to..."

Chain of Hope's web site with details of the City Hall rally noted below, and links to more details about the encounters with AC and Codes last week.

Rally today for Chain of Hope at City Hall, 12 noon.

A Loss

The Observer household has lost a member: Our wonderful LadyCat passed away a week ago today. She was 16 years old. She came to me as a stray, a momma cat who had had a litter of kittens. Everyone loved the adorable little kittens and they were all given homes by various residents and neighbors of the apartment complex in Grandview that I lived in at the time. No one wanted to adopt the mostly grown adolescent mom cat. So she came to live with me and the other cats I had at the time.

She turned out to be sweet, kind and flexible. Never one to put up much of a fuss, she accepted a move and another cat being brought into the household. More kitty personality started showing up after the move as our quarters were bigger. She shined despite health problems, presenting herself for medicine when needed without needing to be chased. She was the last of the first group of cats I owned, comforting as cat losses to age and illness came and accepting of newcomers.

My only regret is that her final acute illness came when I was away. I could not hold her, stroke her fur or talk in her ears as she slipped away.

You become one who cares for animals knowing that almost all animals do not have as long a life span as humans. You know that the day will come when your animal's life will come to an end and you will have to say good bye. Yet you accept this as part of the deal, because of all the richness you receive by having animals in your life.

Peace, my LadyCat, peace.

Small Anniversary Coming Up

One year ago September 23, 2010, a small slightly fluffy kitten joined The Observer's household. She was found by a friend of mine--more accurately she found him--when she approached him in a rainy McD's parking lot. She was the size of his hand at the time, slightly rumpled and damp from the rain. She let him collect her, and he presented her to me, knowing I liked cats. I really didn't have plans to acquire a new cat, but I took her, well, because it was 11 at night, and the radar was showing more storms coming.

Photo taken September 24, 2010; the day after the SmallFry, stranded in a McDonald's parking lot, was rescued from thunderstorms. Yes, those are GirlCat death rays in the background.

I called around to see if there was someone who could help me get her to a good home. Everyone had wait lists/no resources yada yada and so there was no help. I didn't name her for several weeks because I was hoping not to get attached, plus, well, I was not coming up with much for names at the time. After about 3 weeks, I figured I better give her a better name than SmallFry and so she got a proper name.

She is a cute cat. She's never gotten very big--she is easily the smallest of my cats. She guards her food with fierce sounding growls, leading me to believe that she lived in a household with many cats, or with dogs. In fact, that growl is something of a trademark. She growls when displeased, rather than meowing. It is funny to hear this mean sounding noise coming from this smidgen of a cat.

I didn't plan on having another cat, but I am glad I was able to get this little one off the street. She is one smart observant little cookie, playful and athletic. A lot of fun and a blessing--a happy one year anniversary.

SmallFry today, pictured outside on the stoop during some supervised outside time.

Wayside Waifs Visit, August 19, 2011

I took myself--and the iPhone--to Wayside Waifs last Friday. It is so much fun to see all the animals that are ready for adoption, and to see the youngsters as well. Here are some of the photographic results of that visit. Pictured animals may already have been adopted (yay!) so check at www.waysidewaifs.org for the most current listing of available pets.

There were several black kitties ready for adoption of all ages, from young to mature.

Beautiful odd-eyed cat--gorgeous black and white markings.

A pile of kittens, one of two piles there that day. Lots of kittens still available at the shelter.

Believe it or not, this beautiful dog was found as a stray, and tended to by a concerned family until there was room at the shelter for her to stay.

These are dachshunds, incredibly-- I have never seen wiener dogs colored this way. I saw them up later and they looked every bit of the doxy!

Lord only knows what breeds have mixed together here but the results are very appealing.

Me, take me!

Wayside Waifs is in south Kansas City at 3901 Martha Truman Road. On the web at www.waysidewaifs.org. Open 2-8 weekdays except Monday and Tuesday, 12-6 weekends. Call 816-761-8151 for more info.

Adopt-A-Thon on NOW; Over 100 Adopted Already!

Adopt me, but only if you really are ready for all it entails...

First, before we go any further, let me tell you what reasons should stop you from adopting a companion animal:

You should not adopt a pet if you cannot afford it. (It costs roughly $2/day for me to feed my four cats.)

You should not adopt a pet if you are not allowed to have animals where you live.

You should not adopt a pet if you or anyone in your household has a problem with impulsive, explosive anger such that the animal might be in danger.

You should not adopt a pet if you cannot make the pet a true part of your family--this means that the animal spends the majority of its time indoors with you.

You should not adopt a pet if you really don't like animals. (!)

You should not adopt a pet if all members of the household do not agree on the adoption going forward.

You should not adopt a pet if you are not sure you can process the fact that companion animals do not live as long as humans, and eventually, you will have to part ways with your beloved pet due to old age and/or illness.

You should not adopt a pet because the shelter is having a special on adoption fees!!!

With those words of caution, we move forward to talk up the Adoptathon at Wayside Waifs, one of my favorite events evah. Wayside Waifs goes all out to make the adoption experience positive and easy--with lots of people helping out, and fees cut in half.

106.5 The Wolf has been at least a three year sponsor for the adoptathon, coming up and broadcasting from Wayside Waifs. It was pretty busy when I went up to check things out this early afternoon. By 3 p.m., over 100 animals had been adopted out!

There were still some really cute kittens around--but I wouldn't bet on any of these pictured cuties being available the way adoptions were going when I left. You should check the website if you want to see the latest animals ready for adoption.

Don't you just love it when dogs sit this way? This attractive dog has blue eyes!

Handsome orange tabby cat--big grown boy--easy going and sweet.

Wayside Waifs special adoption event will be going on all weekend with special hours and adoption rates. On the web at www.waysidewaifs.org. Wayside Waifs is located at 3901 Martha Truman Road in south Kansas City. Phone 816-761-8151.

Woof!

Editor's Note: The latest number I have on pets adopted is 122 as of about 5:45 pm. Wow! That's a record! Woof woof!

Wayside Waifs Visit

Today was just one of those all around crappy days, where nothing got finished, and everything took longer than expected. After some time of prayer and meditation, I found that a visit to Wayside Waifs was also indicated.

As usual, plenty of wonderful animals were available. This is Pearl. She's blonde like a yellow lab, but has this beautiful black undertone to her coat. It's really soft too. When I first saw here in her kennel, she gave me a smile, then rolled over and showed me her belly.

This is Racquel, a shepherd mix. She was exclusively an outside dog for much of her life, but now sits for treats and pets. She's over two, but still looks like a pup. She is not as big as a full German Shepherd dog but she's not tiny either.

On to cats: This is the aptly named Fluffy, a two year old black medium haired cat. Such pretty eyes!

Kitten (and puppy) season will be upon us soon. These two little guys, grey tabbies, are in the vanguard.
This nifty looking fellow is 3 year old Bubba. Bubba is friendly to people, but somewhat timid at times. He is a beautiful brown tabby and white. While I visited with him, he rolled over and let us rub the really soft fur on his belly!

So now after visiting these critters and others, I have some more cute animal photos, and the faint oder of dog. The latter will dismay the cat crowd at home but that is what soap is for. To see wonderful critters for yourself, in person at 3901 Martha Truman Road in south Kansas City, MO or on line at www.waysidewaifs.org. Phone: 816-761-8151

The Observer's New Kitten

A guy who uses the WiFi at the McD's that I often go to went to leave about 17 days ago. It had been storming that day, and more was on the way. He quickly returned inside the store carrying this kitten in his hand. She was all wet on her legs and belly, and shaking. I held her against me as I chatted on FB, and then I took her home. This is the kitten about 15 days later. She's grown, her fur is soft and she is bold and funny. I investigated avenues to find her a home, but everyone has a waiting list. So she's mine, at least for now.

She needs a good name! I've tried out a few but haven't found any I really liked yet. Ideas?

Wayside Waifs Wednesday

It was good to go and enjoy the cats and dogs at Wayside Waifs this afternoon after seeing all the news today. Also, it's good to note that Cole and Duke, dogs I featured a couple weeks ago have been adopted. So here are two new critters to consider.

This is Tsunami, a beautiful brindle Akita. He is three years old, very energetic and outgoing. Akitas are a wonderful breed, very intelligent, but not for first time dog owners. However, I can tell you from experience with my BFF's Akitas that you will never have a better dog. Check out Wayside Waifs' page on Tsunami for more details and a cute smiley picture.

This is Boogie, a red and white neutered male. He is two and a half years old. He loves to play. He loves to visit. He is a really nice cat. In addition to his ball, in the above photo he is modelling Soft Paws, little plastic claw covers for cats. You should check this guy out if you are in the market for a cat.

Wayside is having special extended hours and special adoption fees for their Adoptathon this weekend. To prepare for the Adoptathon, the shelter will be closed Thursday Sept 10. See below for Adoptathon details.

Join us for the Fall Adoptathon, sponsored by 106.5 The Wolf! All adoptions will be half price! We have over 300 animals in our shelter looking for fur-ever loving homes. 106.5 The Wolf will be broadcasting live all weekend. Here are our special extended hours: Friday, September 11 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday, September 12 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday, September 13 Noon - 6 p.m.

Wayside Waifs is located at 3901 Martha Truman Road in Kansas City. On the web at http://www.waysidewaifs.org/.

Wayside Waifs Wednesday

The SKC Observer will be posting every Wednesday some photos and info about wonderful adoptable pets at Wayside Waifs, the animal shelter here in the south part of town. Wayside Waifs has been in operation since 1944, and now has this gorgeous facility to help care for the animals. Way back in 1990, I adopted a wonderful cat from these folks. Buddy passed away in 2007; this is one way I can both celebrate his successful life and give back a little bit. So here goes...

Meet Sam, an "older" cat gentleman. Sam was given up by his owner when she could not care for him any more. Sam is 12 years old. He's not much for small, rambunctious children, or other felines, but he is interactive, playful and very talkative and responsive to people. As you can see, he is an orange tabby with white on his chest and paws. He has "freckles" on his nose and lips, not uncommon on orange cats. Cats can live to their upper teens and even to twenty, so Sam has plenty of good years left.



These handsome dudes in this terrible picture (animals are always so cooperative about picture taking!) are Cole (L) and Duke (R) They are both about 4 years old, and grew up together. They were found, with a note, tethered to the door at Belton Animal Control. I doubt the owner was cruel or mean, just in a tight spot. The dogs were well fed and healthy, and the note contained all kinds of helpful info for perspective adopters. Cole and Duke are housebroken,
know how to use a doggy door, leash trained, and good with kids. They are friendly and interactive when you approach them. Cole is part lab, all black (a little grey around the muzzle), with a lab type coat. Duke looks for all the world like a very small Bernise Mountain Dog, with waves of hair on his back, orange "eye brows" and a white tip on his feathery tail. They are both probably 60 lbs, not small dogs but not huge either. They'd do well with a family, or active couple. Cole seems the less active of the two, but it can be hard to discern personality at the shelter sometimes. You just have to come see them yourself!

Wayside Waifs is located at 3901 Martha Truman Road in Kansas City, MO. The phone number is 816-761-8151. The hours are Wednesday-Friday 2 p.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 12 noon to 6 p.m. The Shelter is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The website, which has listings for all adoptable pets, including photos, is http://www.waysidewaifs.org/

Consider adopting a pet--they'll love you forever.