The Animal Placement Bureau Blog

APB needs a new home!

2006-07-24T18:59:00.000-04:00

June 18th was our last Pet Parade at the Clark Rd. location. Please watch this space for updates on our search for a new adoption event location.

If you can help, or refer us to another potential facility, please e-mail info@apbpets.com, or call 517-346-4505!

Lansing Pet Parades will be held at:

PETCO
510 Frandor Avenue
Lansing, MI 48912

July 23rd, 12pm - 4pm
August 5th, 12pm - 4pm
August 13th, 12pm-4pm

Meet Wally

2006-07-12T09:53:00.000-04:00

Wally is truly one of the sweetest dogs I have every met. He LOVES to be pet and cuddled and would do anything for just a little bit of attention. This little guy was found wandering outside of a gas station.

No one was looking for him.

He still looks for his people, wandering around whining but is starting to understand that they are NOT coming back.

Wally is good with everyone and everything - dogs, cats, kids, men (he LOVES men), women - you name it, he loves it! Wally does well with othe dogs, but is still learning how to "play". He ignores cats. Things he loves nearly as much as people are balls, food, stuffy toys and treats.

Wally is crate trained, and is doing really well with his house training. He never has "accidents", but was neutered as an adult. Because of this, he does mark occasionally, but is doing really well learning that marking is not something a sweet puppy should do. Wally does t have that beagle bay, but uses it sparingly, normally he barks twice per day - once when he sees you in the morning, once when you get home from work.

If you are looking for an extremely easy going dog to join your family, Wally is definitely the dog for you!

Free Dog & Cat Vaccines - 6/17/06

2006-06-14T23:17:00.001-04:00

Animal Placement Bureau

AND

Michigan Humane Society

Free Dog & Cat Vaccines

Sat. June 17th

10AM to 2PM

at Ferris Park, Shiawassee & Pine

(2 blocks north of the Capitol, 3 blocks west of LCC)

ALL ANIMALS MUST BE ON LEASHES OR IN CARRIERS

FREE DHLPP vaccinations given to healthy dogs over 6 weeks old.

FREE FVRCP vaccinations given to healthy cats over 6 weeks old.

FREE RABIES vaccinations given to healthy dogs and cats over 4 months old.

DONATIONS APPRECIATED

Friendly Retiree Seeks Retirement Castle!

2006-05-16T10:51:00.000-04:00

Muffin
Wheaten Terrier Mix
50 lbs
11 years old

I am an owner-surrender, looking for a new place to retire. I had to leave my home after my person suffered a stroke and couldn’t take care of me anymore. I’m fortunate and really glad to have found a temporary home with APB, but can’t wait to find my permanent retirement castle!

I like to play ball, go for walks, and especially car rides. I enjoy playing with other dogs, too; I’ll just take myself out of the game for a break on the sidelines now and then. Basically, I get along with everyone, but I suppose I might accidentally knock over a very small child if the child isn’t too stable on his or her feet yet. My eyesight is a little poor, since I have minor cataracts. I get around well; just sometimes need to be called in the right direction. When I catch sight of a squirrel in the yard, though, I’ve got no problem chasing him, just like the old days!

My ideal home would be one with somebody who can spend a lot of time with me, even just watching t.v. together. I’m a senior looking for a place where I can enjoy a leisurely life and be a companion to you and your other pets, too. Come to meet me at the next Pet Parade!

Up Coming Events APB will be at in Grand Rapids, MI

2006-05-15T12:24:00.000-04:00

Park n Bark Adoption Expo: Noon to 4pm, Sunday, May 21st, sponsored by PETCO at 3165 Alpine NW in Grand Rapids. Mulitple rescue groups showing available dogs. Free Dog Bite Prevention Coloring Books courtesy Kent Co. Health Dept.

The Rescue Road Show: Sat, June 24th, 11am to 4pm at Furry Critterz Fashions & Gifts, 5293 Eastern Ave SE (Eastern at Kalamazoo SE) Grand Rapids, MI Multiple canine breed and all breed rescues.

Meet Trixie

2006-05-13T10:57:00.000-04:00

Trixie came in last Saturday, one of the last six dogs to come out of a Collector situation in Baldwin.

Her job was to stay outdoors and alert the old man to anyone coming around his mobile home.

Apparently this job she did for him didn't pay so well as you could count every rib she had and her backbone was extremely prominant. Our go-between driver, who had been negociating with the man, had to do some fast talking to get Taffy and Trixie away from him. Said he didn't know what he'd do without their guard duties being filled.

Trixie is a blue tic hound, according to the old man, she's supposed to be 8 years old, but we doubt that. We'll know more after her vet appointment this week.

She's a lover. More outgoing than Taffy from the get go. She will flatten herself to the floor if you reach for her, but she's quickly up and looking for food and attention. She lives to eat and getting her from crate to back door is tricky unless treats are obvious because she's off, nose to the ground, snooping, scouting for kibble crumbs which Mitzy Morgan, my pitty-piglett girl distributes daily at each feeding, some of which land outside the crate. Thanks to Trixie, vaccuming duties have been greatly reduced.

Both girls have gained considerably in just the week they've been here, eating a generous portion of Eukanuba Kibble, canned mixed in and topped off with puppy replacement formula three times a day. A sporting dog water supplement was added to their water the first few days, giving them extra potassium, minerals and vitamins as they were both dehydrated as well as half starved.

The woman who brought them out of the situation had been up there twice and never saw any food or water dishes for them. She saw the old man throwing pieces of snicker candy bars at them the first time. The second time, it was potato chips he was tossing around.

But he had told her that he couldn't afford to feed all those dogs. (Total head count in the beginning was over 30. Mostly small dogs living in the trailer with him.) Guess no one ever pointed out that dog food is much cheaper than candy bars and potato chips. He refused to let the outdoor guardians go at the first visit, but finally conceded to let her take them the second time.

Miraculously, Trixie and Taffy both seem to be in pretty good health for being deprived so long. Firm stools from the beginning, they've been wormed now and Trixie's coat is getting some shine to it. Teeth are in pretty good shape too.

It breaks my heart to think of these two girls living out there in the dead of winter, no body fat and just a dog house and a chain. But that is how it must have been for them. Trixie was said to be allowed in the house at times at least.

Over the past month, a total of 22 dogs have been brought out of his place. There are 8 remaining, that he wants to keep. Small ones like the chihauhaus and matted fuzzy ones that Julie, Lisa, Bellowood and ANSOL have divided up.

Meet Taffy

2006-05-13T10:49:00.000-04:00

Meet APB's new foster dog, Taffy. She's an Aussie mix that arrived last weekend from a collector situation in Baldwin, MI. She and Trixie were this old man's outdoor "guard dogs". Their job was to live at the end of a chain and bark if anyone came around.

They were enshrined, one on either side of his mobile home. Living alone in the midst of 30+ dogs total. For some reason, all of the small dogs, which lived in the trailer home with him, were not adequate noise to alert him to anyone coming around.

Extremely shy at first, Taffy was so thin that she could be picked up and carried with one arm. I swear she weighed less than 18 pound Beethoven, Mike's retired trucking terrier. Because of the fur, it wasn't as apparent in these before pictures, but she was probably as much underweight as Trixie. Very food motivated, to say the least. She's come around quickly.

With in three days she was coming to me for treats and then just for hugs and pets. The tail came up about Wednesday. Until then it would wag furiously while still tucked tightly between her back legs.

Karen J came over Tue to take pictures and Taffy ran when she saw her and wouldn't budge, even for food, from the refuge she took at the far end of the yard. When Karen came back on Wed night and we bathed Taffy, Taffy, despite being unfamiliar with and disgusted by the bathing process, started coming up to Karen.

Story goes that Taffy is supposed to be four years old. The old man had her mother and one day when he went to feed her, he found her dead and this puppy, Taffy, crawled out from under the dog house.

Taffy is a very loving little girl. After her vetting is done and we work on her shyness and housebreaking for a bit, I think she'll find a home soon.

Well, shyness and table surfing, lol. Brought her and Trixie in a couple nights ago and was busy trying to crate Trixie who was more interested in finding food morsels that Mitzy tosses around the vicinity of her crate than she was being crated, when suddenly I see that Taffy is standing in a diningroom chair, licking my plate clean. Now each trip in the back door requires that she stop off and check out the table. We're working on that.

Introducing Your New Pet

2006-05-12T21:58:00.000-04:00

Introducing your new dog to the rest of your four legged family can be difficut, but there are ways to make the transition easier. There is a ton of information available on the internet on how to increase your chances at a successful introduction.

If you are introducing a new dog to a resident cat, the general consensus is to provide the cat with a medium sized room that includes her food, water and litter box. One website recommended feeding the cat and new dog on opposite sides of the door, and slowly moving the dishes closer together (with the door closed, of course), and then, using two doorstops, allow the animals to view each other, and repeat the process mentioned above.

Swapping scents is also a prevalent recommendation. Wipe one pet down with a towel and place it under the other's food dish, on their bed, or in their favorite space.

Removing the cat from its room, and allowing the new dog to sniff around will give the dog yet another way to get used to the cat's scent.

First and foremost, avoid fearful or aggressive meetings at all costs. If these behaviors become a habit, they can be extremely difficult to change.

For face to face meetings, some suggest that you keep your dog on a leash, and have another family member pay attention to the cat while in the same room. Start out with lots of short visits. Always supervise visits and make sure there is always an escape route for your cat.

Some recommend that for overly timid or fearful cats, to place the cat in a carrier and allow the dog and cat to sniff each other or place the dog in a crate and let the cat loose to sniff the dog.

Baby gates are our friends. Use them to keep your pets separate when unsupervised until you are confident that they live safely together.

All good behaviors must be rewarded!

More information is available at these websites:

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Cat.html
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Introducing.html
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Intro.html
http://www.cuhumane.org/topics/catdog.html
http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/introducedog.htm
http://www.sspca.org/Dogs_IntroducingDogs.html

Senior Dogs....

2006-05-11T19:36:00.000-04:00

For Joey, and all of the APB seniors.....may there always be room in my house for the dogs that the world is "done" with....

One By One

One by one, they pass my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can't run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.

I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?

My family decided I didn't belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can't justify how they left me for dead.

Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs get adopted away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond the cage.

You took me home, gave me food and a bed.
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.

And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To you, my dear person, as long as I live.
I may be with you for a week or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.

And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.
And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear

Author unknown

And Baby Makes Seven

2006-05-08T08:46:00.000-04:00

Meet Sadie and AC. Sadie is eight years old. She was found by her people parents on the side of the road as a puppy. They took her home and made her one of their family. She got to sleep on their bed and eat good food and get lots of pets and scratches. Meanwhile, her parents decided to start a human family.

When there were two human children and Sadie, her parents decided to get her a four legged brother. That's how AC joined them when Sadie was five.

Last year, Sadie and AC's parents had a third child. They decided that five kids (three human and two canine) were too much and that two of them had to go. Sadie was sure that because she had been there longer, she would get to stay, but that's not how things worked out. Sadie and her brother, AC were told that they didn't make the cut, and had to leave.

Sadie and AC's parents put an add in the paper advertising them for $5. Five dollars seemed like a low value for someone who shared three years of their life, and even more crazy for Sadie, who shared almost her entire 8 years with her family. Luckily, APB saw the add first and rescued them.

Sadie was very scared when she came into foster care. For the first few days, she would only come out of her crate to go outside and go to the bathroom. AC was a bit more friendly, but was constantly whining, looking for his people, but Sadie seemed to know that their people were not coming back to get them.

Sadie is extremely overweight, but her new diet will work wonders! Soon she'll be as svelt as her brother, AC. AC is young, happy, friendly and springy. He loves to "talk" and play fetch and chase.

There are countless dogs out in need of loving, nurturing homes like Sadie and AC. If you have a place in your heart for a dog like Sadie or AC or the many dogs rescued by APB, please check out our website for more information.

Have You Heard of Black Dog Syndrome?

2006-04-29T01:05:00.000-04:00

According to Wikipedia, Black Dog Syndrome refers to the low adoption rate and high euthanization rate of black dogs (and cats!) in shelters. Black dogs are often the last to be adopted from an animal shelter.

The general public is likely not aware of how doomed black dogs are when they are brought to the average animal shelter. Black dogs, particularly large black dogs like Labradors or Lab mixes, have a very difficult time getting adopted, and are euthanized at a staggering rate at many animal control facilities throughout the country. The sad truth is, they are overlooked in favor of lighter colored dogs.

Some of the reasons given by would-be adopters are that it is more difficult to see and connect with a black dog in a poorly-lit kennel, that they don’t photograph as well - and thus are passed-over by Internet viewers, or that they are perceived as menacing. There are even those who believe black dogs will bring them bad luck.

There is absolutely no scientific evidence to support the position that color has any bearing whatsoever on temperament, health, or overall quality of any dog, regardless of breed!

Tear Jerker, But Something Everyone Should Read!

2006-04-28T19:27:00.000-04:00

My Name is Sam

By Chris Benton

After I was discharged from the Navy, Jim and I moved back to Detroit
to use our GI bill benefits to get some schooling. Jim was going for a
degree in Electronics and I, after much debating, decided to get mine
in Computer Science. One of the classes required was Speech. Like many
people I had no fondness for getting up in front of people for any
reason, let alone to be the center of attention as I stuttered my way
through some unfamiliar subject, but I couldn't get out of the
requirement, and so I found myself in my last semester before
graduation with Speech as one of my classes.

On the first day of class our professor explained to us that he was
going to leave the subject matter of our talks up to us, but he was
going to provide the motivations of the speeches. We would be
responsible for six speeches, each with a different motivation.
For instance our first speech's purpose was to inform. He advised us
to pick subjects that we were interested in and knowledgeable about. I
decided to center my six speeches around animals, especially dogs.

For my first speech to inform, I talked about the equestrian art of
dressage. For my speech to demonstrate, I brought my German Shepherd
"Bodger" to class and demonstrated obedience commands. Finally the
semester was almost over and I had but one more speech to give. This
speech was to take the place of a written final exam and was to count
for fifty percent of our grade. The speeches motivation was to
persuade.

After agonizing over a subject matter, and keeping with my animal
theme, I decided on the topic of spaying and neutering pets. My goal
was to try to persuade my classmates to neuter their pets. So I
started researching the topic. There was plenty of material, articles
that told of the millions of dogs and cats that were euthanized every
year, of supposedly beloved pets that were turned in to various animal
control facilities for the lamest of reason, or worse dropped off far
from home, bewildered and scared. Death was usually a blessing. The
final speech was looming closer, but I felt well prepared. My notes
were full of facts and statistics that I felt sure would motivate even
the most naive of pet owner to succumb to my plea.

A couple of days before our speeches were due, I had the bright idea
of going to the local branch of the Humane Society and borrowing a
puppy to use as a sort of a visual aid. I called the Humane Society
and explained what I wanted. They were very happy to accommodate me. I
made arrangements to pick up a puppy the day before my speech. The day
before my speech, I went to pick up the puppy. I was feeling very
confident. I could quote all the statistics and numbers without ever
looking at my notes. The puppy, I felt, would add the final emotional
touch.

When I arrived at the Humane Society I was met by a young guy, named
Ron. He explained that he was the public relations person for the
Humane Society. He was very excited about my speech and asked if I
would like a tour of the facilities before I picked up the puppy. I
enthusiastically agreed. We started out in the reception area,
which was the general public's initial encounter with the Humane
Society. The lobby was full, mostly with people dropping off various
animals that they no longer wanted.

Ron explained to me that this branch of the Humane society took in
about fifty animal a day and adopted out twenty. As we stood there I
heard snatches of conversation, "I can't keep him, he digs holes in my
garden," "They're such cute puppies, I know you will have no trouble
finding homes for them." "She is wild, I can't control her." I heard
one of Humane Society's volunteer explain to the lady with the litter
of puppies that the Society was filled with puppies and that these
puppies, being black, would immediately be put to sleep. Black
puppies, he explained, had little chance of being adopted. The woman
who brought the puppies in just shrugged, "I can't help it" she
whined, "they are getting too big, I don't have room for them."

We left the reception area and Ron led me into the staging area where
the incoming animals were evaluated for adaptability. Over half never
even made it to the adoption center. There were just too many. Not
only were people bringing in their own animals, but strays were also
dropped off. By law the humane society had to hold a stray for
three days. If the animal was not claimed by then it was euthanized,
since there was no background information on the animal. There were
already too many animals that had a known history eagerly provided by
their soon to be x owners.

As we went through the different areas, I felt more and more
depressed. No amount of statistics could take the place of seeing the
reality of what this throw away attitude did to the living, breathing
animal. It was overwhelming. Finally Ron stopped in front of a
closed door. "That's it." He said. "Except for this." I read the sign
on the door: Euthanization Area. "Do you want to see one?" he asked.
Before I could decline, he interjected, "You really should, you can't
tell the whole story unless you experience the end." I reluctantly
agreed. "Good," he said. "I already cleared it and Peggy is
expecting you." He knocked firmly on the door. A middle-aged woman in
a white lab coat opened it immediately. "Here's the girl I was telling
you about." Ron explained.

Peggy looked me over. "Well, I'll leave you here with Peggy and meet
you in the reception area in about fifteen minutes. I'll have the
puppy ready." With that Ron departed, leaving me standing in front of
the stern looking Peggy. Peggy motioned me in. As I walked into the
room, I gave an audible gasp. The room was small and Spartan. There
were a couple of cages on the wall and a cabinet with syringes and
vials of a clear liquid. In the middle of the room was an examining
table with a rubber mat on top. There were two doors other then the
one I had entered. Both were closed, one said to incinerator room, and
the other had no sign, but I could hear various animal noises coming
from behind the closed door. In the back of the room, near the
door that was marked incinerator, were the objects that caused my
distress. Two wheel barrels, filled with the bodies of dead kittens
and puppies.

I stared in horror. Nothing had prepared me for this, I felt my legs
grow weak and my breathing become rapid and shallow. I wanted to run
from that room, screaming. Peggy seemed not to notice my state of
shock. She started talking about the Euthanization process, but I
wasn't hearing her. I could not tear my gaze away from the wheel
barrels and those dozens of pathetic little bodies. Finally, Peggy
seemed to notice that I was not paying attention to her. "Are you
listening?" She asked irritably. "I'm only going to go through this
once." I tore my gaze from the back of the room and looked at her. I
opened my mouth to say something, but nothing would come out, so I
nodded. She told me that behind the unmarked door were the animals
that were scheduled for euthanasia that day. She picked up a chart
that was hanging from the wall. "One fifty-three is next." She said as
she looked at the chart. "I'll go get him."

She laid down the chart on the examining table and started for the
unmarked door. Before she got to the door she stopped and turned
around. "You aren't going to get hysterical are you?" she asked.
"Because that will only upset the animals." I shook my head. I had not
said a word since I walked into that room. I still felt unsure if I
would be able to without breaking down into tears. As Peggy opened the
unmarked door I peered into the room beyond. It was a small room, but
the walls were lined and stacked with cages. It looked like they were
all occupied. Peggy opened the door of one of the lower cages and
removed the occupant. From what I could see it looked like
a medium size dog. She attached a leash and ushered the dog into the
room in which I stood.

As Peggy brought the dog into the room I could see that the dog was no
more than a puppy maybe five or six months old. The pup looked to be a
cross between a Lab and a German Shepherd. He was mostly black, with a
small amount of tan above his eyes and on his feet. He was very
excited and bouncing up and down, trying to sniff everything in this
new environment. Peggy lifted the pup onto the table. She had a card
in her hand, which she laid on the table next to me. I read the card.
It said that number one fifty-three was a mixed Shepherd, 6 months
old, surrendered two days ago by a family. Reason of surrender was
given as jumps on children. At the bottom was a note that said Name:
Sam.

Peggy was quick and efficient, from lots of practice, I guessed. She
laid one fifty-three down on his side and tied a rubber tourniquet
around his front leg. She turned to fill the syringe from the vial of
clear liquid. All this time I was standing at the head of the table. I
could see the moment that one fifty-three went from a curious puppy to
a terrified puppy. He did not like being held down and he started to
struggle. It was then that I finally found my voice. I bent over the
struggling puppy and whispered "Sam, your name is Sam." At the sound
of his name Sam quit struggling. He wagged his tail tentatively and
his soft pink tongue darted out and licked my hand. And that is how he
spent his last moment. I watched his eyes fade from hopefulness to
nothingness. It was over very quickly.

I had never even seen Peggy give the lethal shot. The tears could not
be contained any longer. I kept my head down so as not to embarrass
myself in front of the stoic Peggy. My tears fell onto the still body
on the table. "Now you know." Peggy said softly. Then she turned away.
"Ron will be waiting for you." I left the room. Although it seem like
it had been hours, only fifteen minutes had gone by since Ron had left
me at the door. I made my way back to the reception area. True to his
word, Ron had the puppy already to go. After giving me some
instructions about what to feed the puppy, he handed the carrying cage
over to me and wished me good luck on my speech.

That night I went home and spent many hours playing with the orphan
puppy. I went to bed that night but I could not sleep. After a while I
got up and looked at my speech notes with their numbers and
statistics. Without second thought I tore them up and threw them away.
I went back to bed. Sometime during the night I finally fell asleep.
The next morning I arrived at my Speech class with Puppy Doe. When my
turn came to give my speech. I walked up to the front the class with
the puppy in my arms. I took a deep breath, and I told the class about
the life and death of Sam.

When I finished my speech I became aware that I was crying. I
apologized to the class and took my seat. After class the teacher
handed out a critique with our grades. I had got an "A." His comments
said "Very moving and persuasive." Two days later, on the last day of
class, one of my classmates came up to me. She was an older lady that
I had never spoken to in class. She stopped me on our way out of the
classroom. "I want you to know that I adopted the puppy you brought to
class." She said. "His name is Sam."

Cash For Critters!

2006-04-28T08:18:00.000-04:00

We need your empty ink cartridges and old digital cell phones!! Drop them off at our Pet Parade site. Bring one, bring twenty, no amount is too big or too small, each empty ink cartridge or cell phone brings APB a monetary donation and is greatly appreciated!! You can help to save dogs from death row, pay for medical bills, food and emergency care by doing something you do anyway...recycling those empty ink cartridges!

THE WEDDING OF THE YEAR!

2006-04-27T18:43:00.000-04:00

Dog Wedding Shower

Sunday, April 30th, 2:00 pm at Absolute Gallery, 307 East Grand River

Cost is a donation of money or items to participating rescue groups/shelters

Join us for the dog wedding shower of the year!

Dog Wedding

Saturday, May 20th, 2:00 pm (rain date is May 21st)

$5.00 per person/dog

Join Zsa-Zsa Main and Big Boris Badinov as they enter the canine version of hold matrimony on the grounds of the Turner Dodge House. The "mother of the groom" is an APB foster mom and board member! (Lorna) An Ingham County Animal Control Officer will be officiating the ceremony. Tickets are $5 per person/dog and proceeds will go to the Turner Dodge House. Reception following the wedding on the grounds of Turner Dodge.

In lieu of wedding gifts donated to APB:

Frontline, dog shampoo, grooming combs or nail clippers, Kongs, leashes, CASH, used ink cartridges and cell phones
(for recycling), toys, crate blankets, Eukanuba dry dog food, treats!