Fund-Raisers that are Life-Savers!

Emily poses with Avery at a Fund-Raiser

The Friends of Powell County's Pets is a non-profit organization (a 501(c)(3) to be exact).   This means that we rely on donations and fund-raisers to help pay for veterinarian care, medicines, food, transports, and various other costs incurred while fostering and rescuing animals.   We do not make any money off of our adoptions.  In fact, our adoption fee only covers the cost of the spay or neuter surgery plus vaccinations (and even that is deal!).   Right now, we have two amazing fund-raisers that truly have helped us in our rescue efforts.  And these fund-raisers won’t cost you a dime!

Ask us about our Kroger Fund-Raising Cards!!!

The Kroger Fundraising Program

Our local Kroger has been an amazing supporter of our cause!  And Kroger’s fund-raising cards have truly been a blessing.   These cards work just like a normal gift card except each time you use it, Kroger donates 4% of the total to FOPCP!  It costs you NOTHING, and it’s simple to use.   Here’s how it works…

All donations benefit homeless animals!

We will issue you a special fund-raising card that can be used at any Kroger location.  The next time you go shopping, you can load up to $500 on the card at the service center.  When your shopping is done and you are ready to check out, just swipe your fund-raising card to pay.   That’s it!  Each time you use the card, Kroger donates to FOPCP.  And you can recharge the card over and over again.  You can even use the card when paying for prescriptions or when filling up the tank with Kroger gas.  It is quick, convenient, and it will help the animals in need.  The more donations we get, the more animals we can help!  And if you shop at Kroger regularly, you are already going to spend that money.  Why not help some homeless animals, too? 

iGive.com

Do you shop online?   At Amazon, Best Buy, iTunes, or Ebay?   Well, join iGive.com and each time you buy online, iGive will donate a portion of what you spend to FOPCP.   It’s easy to do!  Just log on to iGive.com, and specify “Friends of Powell County’s Pets” for you charitable donations.   Then browse through their list of online stores.  Click on the store when you decide to shop, and when you check out, iGive will be notified to make the donation.  Simple, easy, and quick.  iGive.com is totally free. Plus, you get access to free shipping deals and exclusive coupons, on top of the great deals you'll find every day through our network of 800+ stores.

If you would like to know more, email us!  Or call (606) 481-5721.  We will get you set up on a Kroger Fund-Raising Card, and we thank you for your support!  These fund-raisers are truly life-savers when it benefits homeless, abandoned, and neglected animals.

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Clinic

Volunteers helping with Dog Recovery

This past Saturday, we held our low-cost Spay & Neuter Clinic.  We had 37 animals come in for surgeries, and many more for their vaccinations.  We had pets of all shapes and sizes, from itty-bitty kitties to droopy-faced bloodhounds.  A big thanks goes out to Woodstock Animal Foundation for their co-sponsoring our clinic!  Their support allows us to offer the residents of Powell County affordable vet services, and these clinics have made a dramatic impact on the animal population in our community.

Wake up, Sleepy-head!

To date, our spay-and-neuter clinics have allowed us to alter over 800 animals.  Spaying and neutering is an essential element to control the animal population.   Think about this....In six years, ONE dog and her puppies can be the source of 67,000 puppies.  In seven years, ONE cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens.  Powell County has a population of only approximately 13,000 PEOPLE.  Spaying and neutering not only allows our pets to continue to live a happy, healthy life.   It also eliminates unwanted litters, thus reducing the numbers of homeless animals.  Together we are making a positive impact in our community!

During our clinics, we have volunteers that attend to all of the animals as they are in recovery.  Each animal gets specialized attention as they come out of anesthesia.  For some dogs, waking up can be VERY disorienting, but our volunteers are there to comfort them through this process.  We have actually had pet owners drop their dogs off in tears, fearful that their dog might have a rough time after surgery.  But we assure them that our pet patients get all the love and care that we would give our own.  After all, we are animal lovers!

Sometimes they make funny faces when they wake up.  Tee hee.

Foster Failure?

For those of us that foster animals for our rescues, it is not uncommon to take on a dog that truly steals your heart.  When an animal is in our care, we really see to it that all of their needs are met.  Food, water, shelter, medicine, basic training, and love.  They look to us for comfort and safety, especially when they come from a scary place like a shelter.  All of our foster animals are special, and sometimes it is heartbreaking to let the animals go even if you are assured that the animal is being adopted into a wonderful home.  

Sometimes, we fall in love and decide to adopt the animal ourselves!   Everyone in rescue eventually has a "foster failure."  That sounds like a negative term, but it actually is not.  It just means that there was such a wonderful connection with the foster parent and the animal, that the foster couldn't imagine their family without it.  The foster animal has found it's forever home!

We recently sent a group of animals on transport to Rogers' Rescue, and Micah was fostered at Isis Negron's home.   Needless to say, Isis fell in love and Micah has now a part of Isis' family.   She sent a photo of Micah and his adopted siblings.   SO CUTE!   Isis said, "He is an absolute perfect fit!  Our dogs LOVE him and so do we.  He's such a sweet guy and so well-behaved!!!"

We're so excited to see Micah in his new family, and so happy that we have a strong network of rescues to work with, like Rogers' Rescue!  We know that regardless if our dogs are fostered or adopted, they will always have a safe home.  

   

Ross is up for adoption

Ross was abandoned in the Red River Gorge. He sat in the same spot for 3 days, waiting for his owners to come back and pick him up. He even sat in the rain.  We were alerted to his situation by a couple from out of town, and we quickly took him into foster care. Ross was shy at first, but he has really come out of his shell. He likes to run and play, and would be a great family dog. We suspect he is part Jack Russell, and part beagle. He is less than a year old. He's looking for a new forever home, and a family to love. If you are interested in adopting this lovable guy, contact The Friends of Powell County's Pets at 606 481 5721.

Surprise Guests from Chicago!

Casey, Vikki, and Pepper.  Pepper is being shy!

We had a surprise guest show up at our Bake Sale a few weeks back.  Vikki and Casey Morris stopped by on their way home to Chicago to say hi, and they brought Pepper!  Pepper was adopted through FOPCP, and Shannon Wyatt coordinated a transport to Chicago so that Pepper could be with her new family.  Vikki sent us some photos, and told us a little more about Pepper's new family life.  Here's what she said...

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We knew from the picture she would be perfect. Pepper started out a little timid, but there is little sign of that now! She immediately took to the two sisters she has come to be inseparable from. As for the humans in her life, we could not have known how sweet this “pound dog” would turn out to be. This is the only way we will ever get another dog; shelter dogs really are one of the best things in life. 

Pepper and her sisters!

The past year with Pepper has been full of firsts for her; we try and take her and her sisters everywhere and she has become quite a self-taught hunter! Every day starts with a burst of energy and ends with her exhausted and curled up in bed with us. We cannot thank FOPCP enough for helping us come together with our little mutt. Your help in not only facilitating us getting her, but with her long transport to us made it all possible. All along we thought we were saving this little dog, but our great times over the past year has us wondering exactly who was really helping who.   

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It is AWESOME to hear success stories like this, and we feel very honored that Vikki and Casey took time out of their vacation just to say hi.  Seeing this happy family together is very inspiring.  We hope more people like the Morris family will adopt from overcrowded shelters rather than buy a pet from a breeder.   Rescue pets make the best pets!   Thank you, Vikki and Casey, for giving Pepper such a wonderful home!         

Now THOSE are happy dogs!

Animals in Our Foster Care

One of the most rewarding aspects of working with FOPCP is placing the right animal with the right family.   Though we have limited space, we provide foster homes for a few animals when we can.   Through fostering, we are able to learn about the animal's personality and behaviors.   Then we can make a better decision when finding them the perfect family.   Fostering also gives us a chance to socialize, doctor, and train our animals as needed.  Currently, we have a whole new crew of fosters eager to find a new home.

Ross is a lovable guy!

Ross is a sweet little guy who had been abandoned.   He was terrified, and hid from the very people who were trying to help him.   After he realized he was in no danger, he slowly came out of his shell.  Now that he is in foster care, he is learning to interact with other dogs.  He's doing great, and now the only thing that is abandoned about him is his shyness.

Hattie is just looking for a lap!

Hattie is an adorable beagle mix.   She's playful, and would make a great family pet.   She aspires to be the perfect lapdog!  Weighing only 15 pounds, this full-grown female has kept her playful puppy looks.

Teva has a killer smile!

Teva always has a smile on her face!   She's about a year old, but she's very active and loves to play.  She is a beagle mix, but her coloring makes her unique.   She has pale browns and yellows in her coat, and she's absolutely beautiful!

Cap'n Jack!  You know, like Jack Sparrow.  
But without the eye shadow.

Brave little Cap'n Jack lost his eye in a dramatic pirate duel.   Naw, just kidding.   He had an infection that went untreated.   After his surgery, we took him into foster care so that he could recover.  He is unique, with beautiful chocolate brown fur swirled with white.  He's still a kitten, but he has learned to use the litter box and is great with dogs and cats.   He's a sweet little guy, and he's searching for the ultimate treasure....a new loving family!      

Adele is a super sweetie!

Speaking of one-eyed animals....we have one more!   Adele is an amazingly sweet lab mix that also has one functioning eye.   The vet suspects her other eye was blinded at birth.  She already walks perfectly on a leash, and really loves to spend time with people.   She is calm and happy, and would make a great pet for an older couple.

These are just a few of the new animals in foster care.  We will post more about them in the next few days, including videos!   If you think you might want to meet any of these guys, let us know!   They are all sweeties, and would love to be a part of your family!

Click here to see all animals available for adoption!

Overcoming Fear of Mean Ole Men

Eve and Jessie at their new home in North Carolina

Autumn Chandler traveled from North Carolina just to adopt Eve and Jessie from Powell County!  These sweet girls were eager to start their new life with the Chandler family.  But as they settled into their new home, it was discovered that Jessie was struggling with an odd fear; Jessie had a of men.   

"As soon as my husband walked through the door the first day she came home, she started growling at him," Autumn explained.  Autumn hoped that Jessie would eventually warm up to her new adopted dad.  Unfortunately, she continued to show signs of fear when approached.  It became clear that Jessie needed a psychological intervention.         

Jessie (the man hater) has a sweet smile!

A dog's fear of men doesn't necessarily stem from past episodes of abuse.   This fear can also develop from the lack of proper socialization during puppyhood.  To a dog's perspective, a man's physical presence can be quite intimidating.  But with the right approach (and a little patience), the dog can easily conquer this fear. 

First, Autumn and her children had to ignore Jessie.  This is a difficult task for a dog-lover, but it forces the dog to depend on the very person they are fearful of to provide for them.  Autumn said, "A dog won't be able to continue to have those fearful feelings if they have to totally depend on that individual for their livelihood."

Eve is telling to Jessie not to be a scaredy-cat.

This approach also requires encouraging the dog to approach the target of their fear.  This was achieved during feeding time.   Autumn's husband would feed the other dogs first, and then focus on Jessie.   He encouraged Jessie to take a step towards him before she would receive her dinner.   When she approached him, Jessie would receive praise and her reward.  After a couple of feedings, Jessie would run to her new daddy without hesitation.  This association of feeding (which is a form of affection) helps the dog associate good experiences with the subject of their fear.    

FOOD?  Well, maybe this mean ole man ain't so bad.

Walking on a leash is a vital bonding experience for a dog owner.  When done correctly, it develops trust and establishes the owner as a pack leader. Jessie was encouraged with treats to walk on a leash, and eventually had no problem letting her adopted daddy lead her on walks.

During these desensitizing exercises, Autumn took a quick trip to allow Jessie to rehabilitate and learn that "big ole mean men" aren't really all that bad. The training was a success, and now they are a big, happy family.  

"When we returned, my husband and Jessie were best buds. As a matter of fact, he is her favorite now!!"

All better now!

If you are dealing a dog that is fearful of men, remember to not force the dog beyond their comfort zone.   Allow the dog to approach the subject of their fear on their own.   And use treats to encourage the dog's progress.  If the problem persists, you may need to seek help from a dog trainer or behaviorist.