On April 12 hundreds of homeless dogs, cats and companion animals gathered at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center for the first ever Super Adoption Day in our area. The event was sponsored by one of the coolest groups of folks you could ever meet, Best Friends Animal Society.
Best Friends began in the 1970s with a small group of dedicated animals lovers in Arizona and has grown into the largest animal sanctuary in the nation. A testament to the power of dreaming and thinking big, Best Friends is now the home to about 2,000 dogs, cats and other animals. Based in Angel Canyon in Kanab, Utah, the group now has a 33,000 acre ranch for the animals. From Angel Canyon it provides adoption, spay and neuter services, educational programs and a magazine with a circulation of over 200,000.
The animals at Best Friends come from shelters and rescue groups from around the country. Many of the animals require rehabilitation or special care. Often Best Friends will exchange an adoption-ready animal for one that needs some assistance. Of the animals taken in by Best Friends about 75 percent are eventually deemed adoptable and find good homes. The remainder become a part of the menagerie of unique animals that live in Angel Canyon, located near some beautiful parks including the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park. Contact Best Friends for a visit. It is an essential trip for animal lovers. For info visit bestfriends.org.
At Super Adoption Day in Reno, I met all kinds of cool friends. There were dog parades, live music, clinics, dog training and grooming demonstrations. I saw my person almost shed a tear as the animals still looking for homes were paraded onstage as ‘The Girl Band’ sang the moving tune, ‘Take Us In.’ I even saw some ferrets from Wind and Willows Ferret Rescue. Not only did they have some nice ferrets but you have to get an ‘I love ferrets’ t-shirt. I had a sweet spot for a Vizsla mix named Pumpkin from Fallon but we somehow resisted the urge to bring her home.
The goal of the day was to find homes for 100 animals but after just one hour 32 animals were placed in homes. By the end of the day about 130 animals found there forever homes. Some local groups adopted all the animals they brought to the event and went back to their shelters to get more. Aside from all the adoptions it was a great opportunity for dozens of local animal groups to work together and compare notes. I can’t wait till next year.
We have been having our own adoption days around here every Saturday and they have been quite a success. When I visited the shelter Zahra was the only familiar face from last month. I can’t forget Sara, our 3 legged Border collie, living in her foster home. This girl is awesome.
Nanette from the Humane Society never lets things stay quiet around here for long and a group of new recruits has just arrived from Reno. I met Rocky, a Malamute/German Shepherd mix, and we headed down to the Truckee River for a walk.
Rocky is a tall slender fellow. When we first met his tail was so far between his legs – well you get the idea. Rocky wouldn’t even take treats from my companion so I ate some for him. By the end of our walk Rocky was eating treats like they were going out of style. His tail rose high above his rump and curled from side to side as if conjured by snake charmer. Rocky was happy to splash in the river, chase sticks and run around with my sister Olive. She is so immature.
Rocky is a mellow guy. He came from Reno because he was a fence jumper but he walks great on a leash and doesn’t try to bolt if he gets a little freedom. We met a few dogs and some people on the Legacy Trail and we all got along great.
Come and meet Rocky, he’s a knockout.
~ For more information on Rocky visit hstt.org. Have a great month.
Puppy Season
It’s puppy season, and the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (HSTT) is doing a marvelous job of keeping up with supply and demand. Animal Programs Manager Nanette Cronk has recently rescued several litters of puppies from euthanasia in Reno. When they are brought to Truckee, volunteers participating in the Foster Homes program provide a temporary, safe and loving environment for puppies and kittens waiting to be adopted. They also provide a valuable home atmosphere for older pets needing extra attention before they can be placed. The foster parents bring the animals to Adoption Days on Saturdays to find forever families. It has been ‘standing room only’ in the puppy adoption bungalow with families vying for the prized pups. If you are interested in volunteering as a foster, contact HSTT at 530-581-3199.
Truckee Ducky Derbee
June 8
Float some ducks and win some bucks. The Fifth Annual Truckee Ducky Derbee rubber duck races will be held at The River Ranch to benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. The pre-race party starts at 2 p.m. and the race begins at 4 p.m. Cost to sponsor a duck is $10, and the top three ducks win cash. Highway 98 at Alpine Meadows Road, riverranchlodge.com. 530-581-0181.
Don’t be a Poop
Continually
The snow has melted and has revealed the stinkin’ truth. Some dog owners (you know who you are) are not cleaning up after their canine companions. Leaving feces on trails, in parks, along roadsides, and in greenbelts (not to mention on your neighbors’ lawns) is unhealthy, harmful to our watersheds, nasty, and plain old inconsiderate. Carry biodegradable bags with you every time you take pooch for a walk and do your duty. Mountain Hardware sells ‘Ruffin’ it,’ 100 percent biodegradable bags (30) with a dispenser that hooks onto your dog’s collar for $8.29. Bad poop karma lasts a long time.
