Kloe, found injured in a dumpster
“Saving the life of one animal may not change the world, but the world will surely change for that one animal.”
Earlier this month, Butte Humane Society took in an injured kitten who had been rescued from a dumpster by Samantha Bettencourt, assistant manager of the townhouse complex where Kloe was found. In her own words, here is Part 1 of Kloe’s story:
“I met Kloe very late one Sunday night. As a property manager, I had been inspecting units on the premises that night when two tenants called out to me. They were standing near a very large move out dumpster, provided for the tenants to rid their units of unwanted furniture before moving. They then told me they had found a cat in that dumpster just a few minutes prior. One approached me holding a very small, fragile yet adorable kitten. They said they had reason to believe that she was hurt. She had been found clinging onto the corner of a tilted couch inside the dumpster, clawed to it as if in danger of falling further into the rummage. They were unsure what to do with her so I quickly and willingly took her in, hoping to provide her with some food, warmth and protection for the night. When I got her home she was shy and would cry when she was put down. She moved slightly and I realized that something was wrong with her back left leg. Although unsure what the issue was, I assumed maybe it had been broken while inside the dumpster. With that we proceeded to feel her and try to make her as comfortable as possible. She loved cuddling and being held.
I was able to take her to a vet just a couple days later where they expressed to me their concern of a potential hernia. The issue in her leg was not that it was broken, it was that they could feel that her intestines had shifted down to her leg due to a potential trauma she had endured, assumingly in the dumpster. It was heartbreaking. Over the next couple of days Kloe became more comfortable at my place and with my roommates around her – although still hurt, she wanted to run around, play and do all the things other kittens love to do.I soon got in contact with Trenton at Butte Humane Society and he was able to explain to me the options they had for her, emphasizing their new ‘Second Chance’ program. He assured me they would get Kloe the help that she needed and would be a great candidate for their program. I was able to take her in the next day – they confirmed her condition and were able to get her into surgery the same day! As heartbreaking as it was for me to surrender this sweet kitten I had grown so close to, I was extremely happy and grateful they were able to help her so quickly. Seeing the staff with her and the other animals reassured me she was in amazing hands. I am still so very thankful to have had Kloe for the time that I did and for the amazing people of Butte Humane Society.”
Posted in Second Chance Medical Fund by .
Jun 13
7
Press Release: Butte Humane Society a Contender in National ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge
BUTTE HUMANE SOCIETY A CONTENDER IN NATIONAL ASPCA RACHAEL RAY $100K CHALLENGE
BHS Seeking Support to Increase Adoptions and Community Engagement
(Chico, CA) – Butte Humane Society (BHS) is seeking the community’s support to help achieve two ambitious goals this summer: place at least 720 animals into loving homes, and win the Community Engagement Award in the ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge. By achieving these goals, BHS would receive more than $30,000 in grant money and hundreds of homeless animals will be united with loving families in the community.
The ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge, which began June 1 and concludes August 31, is getting BHS national attention – including a recent mention in the Wall Street Journal – as they join forces with 48 other shelters across the country to save the lives of homeless cats and dogs.
ASPCA and Rachael Ray are offering $600,000 in grant money this year to reward shelters and their supporting communities’ hard work and help them continue to save more lives. A grand prize of $100,000 is awarded to the shelter with the biggest percentage increase in adoptions during the $100K Challenge compared to the same time period last year. If BHS is able to place 720 animals into adoptive homes, the nonprofit will receive $5,000.
Additionally, the Community Engagement Award of $25,000 will be awarded to the shelter who demonstrates the best job of getting its community involved in its life-saving efforts. BHS is dedicated in topping their success in 2009 when they came in 2nd place in the national Zootoo.com shelter makeover contest. To stay connected and help BHS win the community engagement award, follow BHS on Facebook at facebook.com/
During the last two $100K Challenge contests, participating shelters saved the lives of 101,263 homeless cats and dogs. But this is not enough – ASPCA estimates approximately five to seven million cats and dogs enter animal shelters each year, with only about half of them being adopted. BHS and the other 48 shelters cannot fix this problem alone – they need the help and support of their communities.
If you are not able to bring a new fuzzy friend into your life, you can still help BHS save lives and find homes by encouraging friends and family to consider adoption from BHS when seeking a new pet. Additionally, there are many other ways you can help homeless animals in your community, such as becoming a volunteer or foster parent, inviting BHS to speak to your class or club, or hosting an event at your business.
To find out more about BHS and the $100K Challenge, ways you can help, and information about partnership opportunities, visit buttehumane.org/100k.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(1 PAGE)
Contact: Dustin Alexander
Telephone: 530-343-7917 ext. 135
Email: dustinalexander@
Address: 2580 Fair St, Chico CA 95928
Posted in BHS Events Opt to Adopt Press Releases by .
BUTTE HUMANE SOCIETY INVITES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SUPPER CLUB
Local Restaurants Support Animals by Hosting Supper Club the First Wednesday of Every Month
(Chico, CA) – Butte Humane Society (BHS) is calling all foodies and animal lovers! The Butte Humane Society Supper Club is held the first Wednesday of every month at local restaurants. Each restaurant has generously pledged to donate 15% of dinner sales made during Supper Club to Butte Humane Society. Attend Supper Club each month and enjoy a delicious dinner with likeminded individuals, all while supporting local businesses and the homeless animals in the community.
Supper Club in June will be held on June 5 at Gen Kai Japanese Restaurant and Sushi, located at 605 Mangrove Ave Suite 180 during their dinner hours of 4:30-9:00 pm. To see the full Supper Club calendar and view participating restaurants, please visit buttehumane.org/supperclub. Also, to stay in the know about all Butte Humane Society happenings, please like them on Facebook at facebook.com/buttehumane.
If you are a local restaurant that would like to be involved in the BHS Supper Club, months October to December are available. Please contact Kaitlin Tillett at 530.343.7917 x134 for more information about how to get involved.
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Posted in BHS Events Press Releases by .
BUTTE HUMANE SOCIETY INVITES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SEMINAR
Estate Planning and Pets Seminar with Guest Speaker Cheryl L. Tyree
(Chico, CA) – Butte Humane Society (BHS) is hosting a free Estate Planning and Pets seminar for community members. The seminar will be held at the Chico Public Library meeting room, located at 1108 Sherman Ave from 11:30 am – 1 pm on June 13. This seminar will cover topics including wills, trusts, pet guardianship, and more.
Guest speaker Cheryl L. Tyree, Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney, will discuss how to leave a legacy through effective estate plans. Also, learn how to plan for your pet’s future and how Butte Humane Society’s Pet Guardianship Program can offer you peace of mind.
Please RSVP by June 12 to Kaitlin Tillett at 530.343.7917 x134 or kaitlintillett@buttehumane.org to attend the seminar. If you are unable to RSVP by June 12, you are welcome still welcome to attend, space permitting.
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Posted in BHS Events Press Releases by .
Many people want to help the animals in their community, but don’t know where to begin. Sometimes animal lovers feel like they don’t have the strength or endurance to walk energetic shelter dogs and play with frisky kitties. The good news is there are many ways your local animal shelter could use help. No matter who you are or what your age is, you’re bound to have skills and talents your local animal shelter could use.
One of the most obvious ways to help your local animal shelter is to volunteer your time and talents. Even people with health concerns preventing them from handling animals or doing physical tasks can help. For example, something as simple as answering phone calls can be a tremendous help. Administrative tasks like this will free up staff time, so more time is spent caring for the animals.
Additionally, shelters are always in need of volunteers with professional or legal skills. For example, a seasoned professional in human resources can help the shelter develop an employee handbook. An accountant can improve the bookkeeping to ensure good records are always kept. A retired lawyer can help review bequests and contracts.
Donating funds and encouraging others to give is another helpful way to support your local shelter. Get creative by coordinating a party or social event for all your friends, and donate the proceeds to the shelter. A birthday celebration, cook-off, yard sale or community dog walk are all great ways to make new friends and gather resources for shelter animals. The event is bound to grow each year as the word gets out, and before you know it, you’ll have a successful fundraising event!
Another great way to help shelter animals is by opening up your home to foster animals while they wait to be adopted. This brings out the animal’s personality more than in the shelter, which helps adopters determine if the animal will be a good fit for their lifestyle. It also decreases the animal’s exposure to viruses and bacteria common in shelter environments. Even more, it opens up kennel space at your local animal shelter, which means more lives can be saved.
All in all, one of the best ways to help your local shelter is to be an advocate. Tell your friends about your experience adopting a pet from the shelter and what a wonderful companionship you share with your four-legged friend. Spread the word on how rewarding it is to volunteer and help homeless animals find loving homes. Let community members know how to support events and fundraisers put on by your local shelter. You’d be amazed at the impact one positive supporter can have for shelter animals in the community!
Actions you can take to help the animals at Butte Humane Society:
- Adopt. Find out more about the adoption process and see the animals currently available for adoption at our adoption centers.
- Volunteer. We are greatly in need of cleaning, socialization, and foster volunteers! Click here to get started.
- Donate. Every little bit helps fund the care of our rescued animals. You may make a secure donation online, mail a check to our administrative office, or collect items on our wish list.
Posted in Foster Program Opt to Adopt by .
May 13
31
June Business Buddies
Butte Humane Society’s Business Buddies program partners with local business to increase the exposure of adoptable animals to community members. Businesses participating in the program display two flyers, one featuring three cats and the other featuring three dogs, in their store or office. The animals on these flyers change each month in efforts to help the animals find loving homes quickly.
If your business would like help more animals find homes by displaying the Business Buddies flyers each month, please contact Kaitlin Tillett, Development Team Member, via email.
If you would like to inquire about one of the animals featured on this month’s Business Buddies, please contact adoptions at 530.343.7917 x203.
This month, our featured animals are:
Posted in Opt to Adopt by .
May 13
30
Your Support in Action
Gem, a 1-year-old domestic medium hair mix, came to us March 2013 as a stray. She was dehydrated, not bearing weight on her rear quarters, and had runny discharge from her eyes and nose. After a thorough examination by our medical staff, it was determined Gem had a fractured pelvis, most likely caused by being hit by a car. Because of the generous contributors to the Dorothy N. Johnson Second Chance Medical Fund, Gem was able to spend over 40 days in our care receiving treatment and recovering from her injury. The first weekend Gem become available for adoption, she was quickly adopted into a loving home. Your contributions truly gave her a second chance at a healthy, happy life!
Kind supporters of our Second Chance Fund provide us with the resources needed to house, feed and provide healing care for over 600 sick and injured animals each year. Thank you for putting hundreds of animals, just like Gem, on the road to recovery!
Actions you can take to support other animals like Gem:
- Foster. We are always in great need of reliable foster families to care for sick and injured animals. This gives the animal time to heal while they receive treatment to ready them for adoption. Click here to get started.
- Donate. Every little bit helps fund the care and treatment of Second Chance animals. You may make a secure donation online to the Second Chance Fund, mail a check to our administrative office, or collect items on our wish list.
Posted in Foster Program Opt to Adopt Second Chance Medical Fund by .
May 13
30
Adopt a Rescued Cat Today!
One month ago, Butte Humane Society was alerted to the local cat hoarding situation that required the rescue and care of 136 cats from a single-family home. Working together with City of Chico Animal Services, Chico Cat Coalition, and Companion Animal Welfare Alliance (CAWA), all 136 cats were removed as quickly as possible and placed under the care of these agencies in order to find new homes.
Sally and her new mom Judith – first hoarder cat adopted!
In that time, Butte Humane Society (BHS) has handled 90 of these cats directly, from vaccinations to spay & neuter to evaluation for adoption. Some younger kittens required foster care, others required medical treatment, and some adults were found to be too unsocialized for typical adoption placement. So far, 6 of the rescued cats have been placed, with assistance from CAWA, as “barn cats” where they can be relocated to a secure property to help keep down rodent populations.
Nearly 40 of the rescued cats at BHS have been adopted by loving homes in our community so far. The first of these cats to be adopted was Sally, a gorgeous female Siamese. Her new mom Judith Fawcett had recently adopted another Siamese from BHS named Otto, and when she heard the news about the hoarding case and saw Sally’s photo, she knew Otto was getting a sister and came to us right away.
City of Chico Animal Services initially took in 33 of the rescued cats and has placed many of them in adoptive homes, but they too have multiple cats who are still a bit fearful and are being kept in the hopes they will socialize more to the point of becoming adoptable. It is likely that some of the remaining cats at the City of Chico Animal Services will also need to be placed as “barn cats.” The remaining cats are in the care of CAWA, Chico Cat Coalition, or private foster homes, and BHS is working with these groups to help facilitate medical care, adoptions and “barn cat” placements.
- Adopt. Find out more about the adoption process, and see cats currently available for adoption at our adoption centers.
- Volunteer. We are greatly in need of cleaning, socialization, and foster volunteers! Click here to get started.
- Donate. Every little bit helps fund the care of our rescued animals. You may make a secure donation online, mail a check to our administrative office, or collect items on our wish list.
BUTTE HUMANE SOCIETY BEGINS SPAY/NEUTER VOUCHER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Qualifying Pet Owners Get Significant Discount, Free Rabies Vaccine for Cats
(Chico, CA) – Butte Humane Society (BHS) is now offering spay/neuter vouchers to qualifying persons needing financial assistance with the spaying and neutering of their pets. Anyone can qualify by providing proof of economic need through eligibility for one of the following programs:
- - CalFresh (Food Stamps)
- - SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/ State Supplementary Payment)
- - SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)
- - Medi-Cal / CMSP
- - Medicaid
- - Unemployment
BHS vouchers are good for spay/neuter services at the BHS Spay & Neuter Clinic, located at 587 Country Drive in Chico.
If you believe you qualify for the BHS spay/neuter voucher program and are ready to have your pet(s) spayed or neutered, you must verify your eligibility with clinic staff before scheduling the surgery appointment. You may visit the clinic during public hours (Monday through Friday, 9 am – 4:30 pm) and show proof of assistance eligibility and a photo ID to obtain the voucher. Alternately, you may send proof of assistance eligibility and a copy of your photo ID prior to scheduling your appointment, via fax at (530) 345-3576 or email vouchers@buttehumane.org.
Vouchers will cover half of the cost of spay or neuter surgery, and a free rabies vaccine will be provided for cats who are not up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. Also, any client presenting a voucher will not be charged any additional fees for animals that are in heat, pregnant, overweight, or cryptorchid (has undescended testes.)
Even without the voucher, the BHS Spay & Neuter Clinic offers spay/neuter surgery and other services such as vaccinations, testing and microchipping at a much lower price because of its nonprofit status. Spay/neuter grants and donations supplement the cost of surgery, which is often offered to the public below actual cost. This helps more people get more pets spayed and neutered, reducing pet overpopulation in our community.
For more information on BHS Spay & Neuter Clinic services, go online to buttehumane.org/clinic or call (530) 343-7917 ext. 202.
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LAST CATS TAKEN FROM LOCAL HOARDER; FINAL COUNT IS 136 CATS RESCUED
First Group of Rescued Cats Available for Adoption at BHS Beginning May 2
(Chico, CA) – Today the last group of cats residing with a local hoarder has been taken into custody by Butte Humane Society (BHS.) Forty more cats were found to be hiding throughout the residence, bringing the total number of rescued cats to 136. More than 60 cats are currently being housed at BHS.
BHS will be the primary adoption agency for the rescued cats, and the first cats are being spayed and neutered today (May 1) and will be available for adoption on May 2. The BHS Cat Adoption Center is open 12-6pm every day, and is located at 587 Country Drive in Chico. Photos of available cats will also be added to the adoption listings at www.buttehumane.org.
Since BHS does not have the space to take in all 136 cats at once, other agencies and foster homes are temporarily housing many of the cats and will transfer them to BHS when space becomes available. Adopters are needed quickly so that more rescued cats can be spayed or neutered and become available for adoption. If you are not able or interested in adopting a cat yourself, you can still assist BHS by encouraging adoption to your friends, family, coworkers, etc.
Despite the crowded conditions in their previous home, the cats show no visible signs of neglect and are healthy and friendly. The ages range from young kittens to young adults, and many are “polydactyl” having extra toes on each paw. A few cats are less socialized and would be happiest as “barn cats” to keep down rodent populations on the adopter’s property.
Because of the limited space at BHS and the other agencies involved, foster homes for the rescued cats are also greatly needed. Foster volunteers will care for one or more cats in their own home until space becomes available at the BHS Cat Adoption Center or are matched with an adopter. To find out more about becoming a foster volunteer, email foster@buttehumane.org.
Butte Humane Society is an independent nonprofit organization located in Chico, CA and is completely funded by community donations. Since BHS is absorbing most of the costs of preparing these cats for adoption, including evaluation, medical care, vaccinations and spay & neuter, donations are greatly needed. You may donate online securely at buttehumane.org/donate, or via phone at (530) 343-7917 x135, or via cash or check at the BHS Administrative Office at 2580 Fair St., Chico, CA 95928.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(1 page)
Contact: Dustin Alexander
Telephone: 530.343.7917 x135
Email: dustinalexander@buttehumane.org
Address: 2580 Fair St, Chico, CA 95928
Posted in Opt to Adopt Press Releases by .