Kids Aren't For Everyone

They just aren't. 

You hear it more and more often nowadays: People are either having children later in life… or just not at all! And that’s okay. Kids aren’t for everyone.

And you’ll find that sentiment can be shared among pets too.

::Pieces::

She can be a real hoot in a half.
On a normal day, she's generally in "all play" mode.

All spazz, all the time. 

Peacock feathers, bell balls, yarn, lanyards... you name it, she'll play with it. We love it. We can't get enough of it! So why, you may ask, would she be considered a pet not suitable for kids? 

You'll want to keep an eye on this one. 

When I said "all play" I mean all play. And for Pieces, playthings aren't just limited to the stuff without feelings.  

From chill to charge in seconds.

She's got her quirks! And that can sometimes include mistaking fingers for toys-ouch! She came to the San Antonio Humane Society as a stray and she's been in our care for over 5 months.

She's currently our longest resident. 

A Guardian Angel has generously made a donation towards her adoption fee to help her along her way to adoption.

So, what do you think? Have you got all the experience of a seasoned cat owner? We think Pieces would do well with a patient and equally playful family. 

• If you're one to spend hours just tossing the ball around with your feline friend, Pieces just might be the one for you.
• If you love to shower your cat with toys she's bound to destroy before the day is up, Pieces just might be the one for you.
• If you're okay with an accidental nip or scratch in the name of love and companionship, Pieces just might be the one for you.

"No Children Under 12"

 It can be a scary phrase. What does it mean? It can mean plenty! We hope adopters will keep an open mind and ask a staff member why a pet may be placed under certain restrictions. 

They're not always as concrete as one might think.

Adoptable pets at the San Antonio Humane Society may have age restrictions due to:

• their reactivity with other pets
• their high activity level
• their health
• or some other relevant history shared with us by previous adopters, rescues, or staff. 

::Fefe::

And her wonderful smile.

Visitors and staff are always surprised to see Fefe with a "No Children Under 12" restriction. She's a gorgeous 2-year-old Shepherd mix with an equally gorgeous smile.

She gets along well with other friendly canines, especially during her playgroups, and she's a part of our Canines-In-Training program. Fefe can"sit," "down," and "shake" on command...

...or for a few treats!

She takes her treats gently, walks well on her leash, looks good with a ribbon and flower around her collar, and just generally enjoys the company of others.

Come in and play! 

So why the restriction? Well, Fefe's been with us before.

Pictured here in February of 2016

Her adoption history has been complicated and unstable. When she first came to the SAHS she was a 3-month-old pup found as a stray on the streets of San Antonio. She was returned only a few days after her first adoption due to family and owner responsibility.

Simply put: they decided they did not have time to care for her. 

She was adopted the next day, and we didn't see her again for nearly five months. What now? Her previous adopters came to the conclusion that she was no longer suited to their home and responsibly returned her to the shelter.

She was adopted a third time, and this time around we did not see her again for over a year. This is where the "No Children Under 12" comes in. Her previous adopters claim Fefe, unprovoked, snapped at a child in the household. 

So, she's back again, and we're hoping that this time will be the last time. 

We're all about second (or third) chances.

To help ensure Fefe's next family will be her forever family, it was decided that she should go to a home with no children under 12. We're trying to insert a little stability in her life! 

We get it (of course we do!), interacting with dogs and cats is a learning experience. Heck, we have a whole Summer/Spring Camp dedicated to just that! Some kids may not know how to properly approach and connect with dogs or cats... and this can sometimes result in some dogs and cats not knowing how to properly approach and connect with children. And that's fine.

Though she does phenomenally well with other dogs!

Kids aren't for everyone. 

But if you're one to enjoy the company of a sweet, 

dog-friendly,

treat-motivated little lady,

Fefe might just be for you. 

Sure, Pieces and Fefe may not be for everyone, 

(the same could be said about all of our pets) 

but they may just be the one for you.

Don't let a pet's restrictions scare you away. It's an opportunity to receive a little education! Visit the San Antonio Humane Society on 4804 Fredericksburg Rd. and speak with our staff (who know our pets best), our dog trainer and volunteer dog trainers, or just take one of our pets out for a visit!

We are open every day 12PM - 7PM. 

Because they're Worth It

We pet lovers often describe our companions (to the chagrin of some parents) as our children. And like the typical child, in them is invested our time, our homes, our emotional well-being, and (of course) the contents of our bank account.

Because, well, of course!

Our shelter “children” aren’t much different. Though we may not get the privilege of watching the pups and kittens in our care grow into mature “adults,” for as little (or as long) time as they are under our roof the cost to care for them begin to stack up the moment they come through our front doors.

But, like all children, they’re worth every penny…

Montgomery

Montgomery is a pretty chill guy. In fact, his cup runneth slightly over $500 of chill!

Yo.

When Montgomery was first adopted from us, he was a lovable young kitten with promise. His adopters thought so too and took him home. Unfortunately, Montgomery developed a life-threatening condition that caused a restriction of blood supply in his legs. This condition required a veterinary specialist to perform surgery in both lower legs, and though his adopters’ love knew no bounds, their wallets did.  

Pardon?

Montgomery’s adopters were unable to afford the full cost of multiple surgeries. They eventually resolved to the sad fact that they would have to give up Montgomery so that he could find the care he needed. 

That's where the San Antonio Humane Society's Medical Rescue Fund comes in!

Many dogs and cats come through our doors needing a bit more medical attention than just the usual rabies vaccine. Our ability to care for these injured, sick, or neglected pets is often based on the amount of funds available to treat them in their time of need. Being a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of our community to ensure we always have the funds available to care for them. 

Montgomery received the surgery he needed to get the second chance he deserved, and he’s currently undergoing rehab in the care of one of our wonderful fosters to continue building strength in his legs. 

"Rehab"

Montgomery is a sweet young boy of only one year! We expect he'll be out and ready for adoption in just a couple weeks. According to his foster, Montgomery is an affectionate bud who enjoys belly rubs, loves to purr in response, and is a fan of string toys (keep an eye on our adoption page!).

With his FHNO surgeries over and done with, we're optimistic that his costs for care will stay on the average side, and after his neuter surgery, vaccines, microchip, and daily care are tallied up after adoption, we'll have "only" spent roughly $2,000 of care on this needy love bug. 

Worth it.

Artemis & Pepper-Jack

Artemis and Pepper-Jack are similar in many respects (besides they're contagious smiles).

(Left) Artemis & (Right) Pepper-Jack

They're both people-loving face-lickers who love to play and get belly rubs. They're both up and available for adoption. They're both (unfortunately) heartworm positive, and they both came to the San Antonio Humane Society in late March with some pretty serious and traumatic leg injuries.

Perhaps the biggest difference between them... is about $1,000 in surgery repair. 

1,000 what?

Artemis came in requiring surgery for a broken right hip that was likely due to a car accident. Though she received the necessary surgery, she still requires some walking/swimming therapy to build strength in her leg.

Life can be rough for those poor city strays.

Though it hasn't gotten Artemis down!

Pepper-Jack was transferred to the SAHS from Animal Care Services, and he had a pretty severely broken leg. It was touch and go for a moment there--we weren't completely sure if we could save it! However, after consulting with one of our awesome orthopedic veterinary specialists, Dr. Harper, we decided to move forward with a difficult, but inevitably successful, surgery.

Look at me now!

Pepper-Jack is such a happy-go-lucky trooper. He was walking on the repaired leg the next day! Incredibly uncommon.

And he hasn't really stopped since.

Though the cost to care, love and repair these two pooches may be dramatic, the reasoning behind the work and the hefty bill remain the same: 

They're worth it.

Want to help us in our mission to save and improve the lives of wonderful pets like Montgomery, Artemis, and Pepper-Jack? Consider making a contribution to Michael's Medical Rescue Fund!

Interested in adopting one of the pets featured in this story? Artemis and Pepper-Jack are is ready and waiting to find their new forever homes! The adoption fee for each pooch is $45. Visit us today! We are open from 12pm - 7pm. 

Montgomery is still currently in the care of his foster parents (and not available for adoption), but we expect him back, good as new, in the coming weeks. 

Lilly’s Biggest Obstacle

Jerry Seinfeld may have said it best when he stated that most people at a funeral would prefer to be in the coffin than to be giving the eulogy—in fact, it’s a commonly stated statistic that most people state their number one fear is public speaking … well…

Lilly has a lot in common with “most people.” 

Please direct all follow-up questions to my foster mom.

This 2-year-old golden Terrier mix came to the San Antonio Humane Society way back in early January after being found as a malnourished and gravely injured stray on the city streets. She had no collar, no microchip, and no tags.

Don't worry: she's better now.

Lilly’s foster would later describe her preliminary time in the care of our surgery and clinic staff as Lilly’s “pin cushion” phase.

Hilarious.

Lilly received pain meds, underwent FHO surgery, recovered, and then received her spay surgery. Her bodily aches and injuries mostly recovered, Lilly was finally able to make her way to foster care for some much need TLC and rehabilitation.

Yoga is a regular regimen for all our healing dogs and cats.

It became rather clear, that although her physical ailments were easily observed and treated, Lilly had many emotional wounds that still required healing. “Lilly’s biggest remaining obstacle,” says her foster mom, “is her shyness.”

Despite her timidity, Lilly has since thrived in her Foster’s care.
Of course, these behaviors don’t always transition perfectly when foster pets return to the shelter for adoption.

“I’m worried that when she goes back to the kennel, she may shut down again and be a bit evasive and unnoticeable to visitors.”

Lilly does well with her foster’s dogs.

Learning socialization ain't nothing but a thing.

And she’s always eager to see her foster mom (especially for dinner time).

Is there anything treats can't fix?

“Once Lilly loves you,” says foster mom, “she’ll accompany you everywhere in the house. [She’s] a couch potato and a lap dog. She is silly and dances and prances when she is let out of her crate or it’s dinner time.”

Lilly’s foster and the SAHS foster coordinator are hoping to find a forever home for Lilly without having to bring Lilly back into the shelter*. She’s done so well in her foster home that we would just hate to see her regress!

I prefer wide open spaces.

Although Lilly does well with kids, her foster mom thinks she would do well in a home with no children under 8 years old. Lilly loves her toys (especially nylabones), the outdoors, and meeting new dogs.

Especially if they're as chill as her foster siblings.

With regular walks through the park and after receiving sweets and treats from people she meets during her strolls, Lilly is learning to “find her voice” and overcome her fear of “public speaking.” 

Where she once feared her leash, Lilly has begun to eagerly approach her foster mom for walks. She’s become more willing to visit people and accept visitors in turn. Although she can still be a little wary of new places, with a little encouragement from her favorite person, she’ll follow her new family anywhere.

Ready when you are!

Interested in learning more about Lilly?
*Lilly is now available for visits and adoption on the kennel floor. 

Please stop by and pay her a visit! She can be a little shy at first, but all she needs is a little time and love. 

Or would you like to set up a visit?
Please contact our Foster Program Supervisor, Christina, atfoster@sahumane.org or call 210.226-7461 ext. 120.

All photos were provided courtesy of Lilly's awesome foster mom.

  

Finding a Family for Fen

We thought we had you with his cute, tear-jerkin’ video . We thought a little social media push would be enough to bring you in! But apparently, a little convincing is still in order.

Be nice okay?

We get it, we even anticipated it: Fentruck or “Fen” (2yo Australian Cattle Dog mix) is struck by the occasional bout of stress-induced anxiety. And being that his visits are by appointment only, we knew adoption would take some time.

Is there anybody out there?

(But come on!)

Though we love him,

Ain't it obvious?

every silly,

goofy,

and playful side of him,

we know what he really needs now is a stable forever home and a loving and understanding family.

Though we do our best to be sure that every dog and cat is comfortable, socialized, and loved, for some pets, the shelter environment can still be a stressful place.

Some days are harder than others...

Fen works almost daily with our Dog Trainer, Jenna, and she’s so eager to see him go to his new home that she’s offering free dog training sessions to Fentruck’s adopters. 

He's definitely got "sit" down.

He already knows how to sit, down, stay, wait, and leave it on command (especially for a treat or two), but Jenna is also hoping to show Fen’s new family how to help him through his anxiety.

If he can trust us enough to walk on the treadmill, surely he's braver than we know...

Fen can get a little nervous in new situations (who doesn’t?!), but all he needs is a little encouragement to calm down.

Encouragement: our favorite thing to give. 

Once he’s moved past his anxieties, Fentruck is just like any other young dog. He’s active, he has lots of energy, he enjoys running through the yard playing a game of fetch, and he enjoys giving kisses and cuddles to the people he loves and trusts most.

Just picture it!

We’re pretty serious about Fen.

And we’re only accepting serious inquiries when it comes to him. 

(Our nerves can’t take anything less!)

anything less than love, love, love...

Care to see if Fentruck fits perfectly into your family?

Please contact training@sahumane.org to set up an appointment!

What About Earl?

When I began this dog-training video project, there were 5 dogs actively involved in our Canine-In-Training program. The gist of the program? Gather together some of our long-time residents who would benefit from and be receptive to training from our dog trainer and dog training volunteers in order to help them become more “adoptable” to visitors. 

With that thought in mind, together with our awesome Dog Trainer, Jenna, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to highlight some of our awesome shelter dogs and to showcase the benefits and endurance necessary to dedicate you and your dog to some proper dog training. The problem? 

Distractions come easier than you may think…

It was silly of me to think these dogs would be here long enough to make this project more ambitious than it should be.

They were some pretty spectacular pooches: 

Boo

GreenBean

And so, while I diddle-daddled deciding how best to tackle this assignment, four out of the five of them were adopted.

It was wonderful news! And what does it mean? 

Boo was as adorable as we all thought she was. 

Snicker’s quick learning and plucky attitude finally landed him a family. 

GreenBean’s true colors showed through, despite his unappetizing name. 

Orie was as gorgeous as she was clever. 

And I now had plentiful footage of dogs who no longer needed help finding a forever home.

Snickers

Orie

But what about Earl?

Earl's nearing his 100-day residency date (an anniversary we aren't too fond of celebrating) and we're left with the all-too-common shelter-pet question: why are you still here? 

Earl is a sociable, active, and playful 5-year-old Hound mix. He's very treat-motivated (that means he can't get enough).

Please, please, please!

And that motivation helps him do well in our Canines-In-Training program. 

He can sit on command:

He's learning to walk well on his leash: 

No pulling here!

He does a little spin for rewards:

And he got the hang of "down" in no time at all!

Give or take a half-hour.

He's a real friendly dude. His size can sometimes be intimidating to potential adopters (60 pounds ain't nothin but a number!) but he's a friendly and playful goofball.

And he won't say "no" to a bit of affection.

He's a good boy! There are a few notes on his kennel card that may deter visitors from meeting with him. His active attitude and roughly playful nature mean we're looking for him to go to a home without children under 12. He loves toys and treats so much so that he sometimes can be a little mouthy when reaching for them, and we think it best he goes to a home with no cats. 

Who needs cats when you have me??

SAHS alumni receive a discount for dog training classes with our dog trainer, and we believe Earl would continue to benefit from dog training exercises and classes. 

A little dedication goes a long way!

He has a guardian angel, which means a donor has already generously paid for his adoption fee.

It's not hard to see potential here. 

We're hoping Earl doesn't meet his 100 days, but if it comes and goes and he's still here, no worries. He's in good hands, and he'll stay with us until he finds his new forever home. 

One tail-waggin day at a time. 

Interested in visiting Earl? We are open every day 12 PM to 7 PM at 4804 Fredericksburg Rd.