PAWS TO PONDER

by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society

Did you know, “a New Year’s resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western World, but also found in the Eastern World, in which a person resolves to continue good practices, change an undesired trait or behavior, accomplish a personal goal or otherwise improve their life at the start of a new year” according to Wikipedia.org.?

Warwick Valley Humane Society resolves to adhere to our mission to” improve the lives of animals in our community and beyond by protecting all animals and keeping lost and homeless pets safe and happily sheltered until being reunited or adopted.  We advocate for compassion, respect, humane treatment, and responsibility for all animals, and promote spaying and neutering through education and programs.

We hope to continue our TNR (trap-neuter-return) program called “For the Ferals” through the efforts of a select group of knowledgeable volunteers.  Managed feral cat colonies are where the cats have been spayed/neutered and vaccinated then returned to the area they call home. Volunteers then feed them daily, provide appropriate shelter and monitor their health.  This is the proven humane approach to cat overpopulation control and the elimination of related neighborhood nuisances.  

One of our goals for 2024 is the creation of the Pet to Vet program whereby a select group of volunteers with their own vehicle would be available on an appointment basis to transport pets to veterinarians within our immediate area for those owners who do not have a means of transportation.  Pets require medical care during their lifetime, and we want to ensure their health and wellbeing by offering this program.  One of our directors recently took a parrot with his elderly owner to the vet for a checkup!   If interested in becoming a transport volunteer or need a Pet to Vet ride, please contact the shelter. 

The animals that come through our doors as unclaimed strays or as unwanted pets may be called homeless but will be given every opportunity to start their life anew.  Many will require veterinary care. Many will be under socialized and need more time to adjust to cage or kennel living.  Many if not all of the dogs will need leash training and more.  Some pets will require special diets or lifetime medications.  All will need time to decompress and get to know their shelter caregivers.  

We begin every year looking forward to it being better than the last. Animals live day to day.  Their past may be embedded in their fear or distrust, but they do not dwell on what happened yesterday or last week or worry about tomorrow or next month.  They truly live in the moment, lingering in shelters days to months to sometimes years.  It is our hope that they get adopted because we want better for them.  We want a stable, responsible home for each where they will be happy and well cared for for the rest of their life. Because every pet deserves to be considered family members.  “Our pets are our family.” – Ana Monnar 

Our Pet of the Week: