by Mary Powell
Margo and Rodger Ellis lost both their black Labrador Retrievers within a short time of each other--Ziggy died in August of '99 and Binkley this last March. Although losing two good and longtime loyal friends was a heartbreak, Margo and Rodger soon found room in their hearts and home to adopt Champ and Cowboy from the Stock Island Shelter.
I remember Cowboy. He was on the short list at the shelter, and I and the shelter volunteers thought he would be killed soon. "I was taken with Cowboy," said Margo. "I liked him right away." "He was hard to adopt out because he was a big dog," said Rodger. But now Cowboy has a permanent home with parents and a dog-brother.
"We have always adopted from the animal shelter, or have taken in animals that were homeless," said Margo.
"Abandoned and homeless animals make the best companions," she said. "Maybe they make such good pets because they have suffered adversity and seen the bad side of life, it makes them so much more thankful.
"We adopted Champ in Binkley's honor," said Margo, "because Champ was an abused dog just like Binkley was," she said. "(Shelter volunteer) Lisa Cowen told me how shy and scared he was, and how much attention and care it took to bring him out of his shell. But he's just fine now!"
Both Margo and Rodger want to let us know that if any one of us is thinking about getting a pet, the best place to look for a lifetime companion is at the shelter. "And please spay and neuter your pets," said Margo. "There are so many dogs and cats running around reproducing indiscriminately. Eventually their offspring will end up homeless! Maybe license fees for unfixed dogs should be more expensive ," she said. "That way those who are responsible pet owners can be rewarded somehow."
Want a loyal, loving friend? The shelter's the place to look. Call 294-4857. You may find the love of your life there!
by Mary Powell
Georgia Favelli's the one who keeps the community informed on the SPCA Shelter on Stock Island. She is persistent in contacting local newspapers and radio stations with information on homeless animals available for adoption.
Both she and Lisa Cowen are stalwart SPCA volunteers who show up at the shelter almost daily, to walk the dogs and spend time with them. Their kindness and caring keeps the abandoned dogs, who spend most of their days caged up, from going "shelter crazy."
Although the paid staff do their best to make sure the dogs and cats get attention, the volunteers can give special individual attention and affection to the animals-- they aren't saddled with paperwork, maintenance, upkeep and other duties that are necessary to run the shelter.
Cowen and Favelli started volunteering at the shelter almost a year ago as part of the Key West Kritter Patrol. They stayed on when the SPCA announced that only SPCA volunteers were allowed at the shelter.
Cowen believes that shelter dogs "are more personable, and they're as good as any dog from a fancy kennel," she said.
"I volunteer at the shelter because I feel that the animals there are in dire need of my help. They go for walks, I take them to lunch, they ride in my car," she said. "I know all their names, I give them hugs, treats.
"Ce Ce Crane taught me this. She would point out a dog to me and say `this dog's depressed. It needs to go out.' And we'd take the dog out of its cage, play with it, and sometimes take it to lunch or for a ride, and CeCe would say, `this will get this dog through till tomorrow.'
"This is the way I feel about volunteering-- I'm really needed here."
And more volunteers are desperately needed-- if only to come once or twice a week to spend time with an abandoned cat or dog and keep them socialized until they find a permanent home.
There are presently 28 puppies that will soon be available for adoption and the three mother dogs will also be up for adoption as soon as the puppies are weaned. And it's kitten season again which means more litters to be adopted out. This is in addition to the adult dogs and cats that need permanent homes.
The reason I'm told that some of the animals are euthanized is not only because they have been at the shelter too long and have to "make way" for new dogs and cats that are surrendered or abandoned when the shelter gets overcrowded, but also because after a certain time, some of the animals get so depressed and sick of confinement that they are no longer emotionally fit to be adopted.
This is where volunteers are most needed-- to help the animals socialize with people until they are adopted out.
Lisa is so anxious to get Watson (her favorite), Misty and Drew good homes that she and Georgia are willing to bring the dogs to meet with people at their homes who show an interest in adopting them.
"Georgia and I would do this because these are three healthy and happy animals that need good homes, and they're on the `short list,'" said Lisa. "If this is what we need to do to get these dogs adopted, we'll do it.
"If you're interested in adopting a certain type of dog or cat, or any shelter animal for that matter, please call me at 294-8366."
If you'd like to give some time to the animals at the shelter, please call the shelter at 294-4857 or Lisa Cowen at 294-8366.