Summer 2001

Where Are the Dogs?
Feral Cat Update
CFC United Way
Events/Fundraisers
Sterile Feral Cat Walk 2001
Adoption Information
Purina Labels
Heinz Pet Products Symbols
Special Thanks

Where Are the Dogs?

Hello to all, and HAPPY SUMMER! I hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to the longer days and warmer weather. I know I like the extra hours of sunlight, but could do without all the heat. Anyway, many things are happening, and I’ll try to give you an update on as much as I can.

Recently, it was brought to my attention that we don’t mention the different ways in which we are now able to help dogs. Well, here are a few of the latest doggie stories:

Shelby, a border collie I found on the side of the road, survived Parvo (or something like it) and was adopted by the Artis family. Unfortunately, Shelby was a bit too much for little Sadie who is the current resident dachshund. However, Shelby was lucky enough (thanks to the Artis family) to find a new home with the Lemoine family. Shelby is now able to display her many talents and energies with the other Lemoine pooches.

Then there’s Fallon. Fallon was dropped off at the Facquier SPCA pregnant, with a litter of 5-month-old puppies and had never even been named. Due to the crowded conditions and the fact that her puppies had a much better chance of being adopted, Fallon was on her way down that long hallway when Angela Norman, a volunteer, happened by at just the right time. While we are unable to take any dogs in at this time, we were given the opportunity to spay her, get her all her shots, and do a heartworm test and a treatment of Revolution to make her more adoptable. This was done with the promise that she would not be euthanized if her time “was up”. We are grateful to the Facquier SPCA for allowing us to help this little cutie, who was SO worth the effort. We hear she spends her days with her new owner and another dog at work, only to come home in the evenings to chase birds from the vineyard. Hooray! That’s one for the good guys. What a thrill to make a difference. (A thrill I highly recommend.)

And finally, on a different note, I got a call from a woman late one night who was concerned for a dog that lived in a known drug house. The dog had just had a litter of puppies and was obviously not being cared for properly. Thanks to our friends who are volunteers at the shelter we will be able to keep tabs on her and get her out for the woman who rescued her if necessary. As I write this, the story continues to unfold.

Feral Cat Update

As far as the kitties, we are working feverishly to “fix” as many as possible, as fast as we can. There are litters all over the place at the colony I have been taking care of. I was not only able to capture a momma after nine hours of anxiously waiting to see if she would come back to take care of her new family, but I also was given another kitten (the same age) who was miraculously taken in by the momma of the first litter. This all happened the week I adopted my son, and I was sure doing the happy dance when that momma cat came back. The babies were born approximately May 7; there are four tabbies, some with white and a black one. I plan to get them neutered between the ages of eight to ten weeks. This is my only guarantee against furthering the overpopulation of cats.

I am sad to report that one of my favorites, Squeek, was hit by a car. Her little life ended too soon. At least she knew some small amount of comfort knowing she had a safe place to hide and plenty of food during her short lifetime. I still look for her every day at feed time and will miss her.

We at SADSAC are renewing our efforts to save this colony and a few others like it that we have just recently become aware of. Time and funds are short, but with your continued support, we will be able to bring you many more happy stories.

Sherry Meier, President SADSAC

CFC United Way

There has been a tremendous response to our request for help via the CFC. We thank all of you who have designated us as your charity! For those of you who would like to choose us, our CFC Number is 7768. These funds will help enable us to spay, neuter and save as many lives as possible in the future.

Events/Fundraisers:

We are running a concession stand at up-coming horse shows at Cedar Run Horse Center on Spriggs Rd. The next show is Aug. 11, 2001. Other dates will be available soon on our calendar, and we've also included directions for your convenience. Admission to the shows is free.

Unfortunately, our stash of yard sale items has been vandalized and some things were stolen. We respectfully request that you hang on to any yard sale items you may have until we decide what to do next.

We could still use any craft items for the next craft show. We're not sure of the exact date, so please check back or watch for the information on our calendar.

We are still microchipping at Independent Hill Veterinary Clinic. Please call (703) 791-2083 to make an appointment.

Sterile Feral Cat Walk 2001

SADSAC has been invited to participate as a co-sponsor in Alley Cat Allies' first annual cat walk-a-thon, the Sterile Feral Cat Walk 2001, for feline rescue organizations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We're delighted to take advantage of this opportunity both as a fundraiser and to help increase public awareness about feral cat overpopulation and humane methods of control.

Alley Cat Allies has created a beginner and an advanced trail for walkers. The beginner's walk will be 5K long, and the advanced walk will be 5 miles. Walkers will be asked to pay a $10 registration fee and to help find additional sponsors and donations. We will receive 90% of the proceeds designated for SADSAC, with the remaining 10% being used to defray Alley Cat Allies' administration costs.

Time: 8:00 AM, Saturday, October 13, 2001
Place: Belle Haven Park on the Mount Vernon Trail in Alexandria, VA

Hope to see you there!

Adoption Information

Adoption days are held twice a month, generally on the 2nd and 4th Saturday, from 11AM to 2PM at Independent Hill Veterinary Clinic, 13444 Dumfries Road (Woodbine Shopping Center on Route 234), Manassas, VA. Major holidays may interfere with this schedule, so for your convenience, we have a calendar where we regularly post dates. If you need more information, call Sherry at (703) 221-0324.

Save Those Purina Labels!

Check your dog and cat food bags for weight circles from Purina Proplan and CNM Rx diets for donation to SADSAC. You can drop them off at the clinic any time. Just tell the receptionist to give them to Sherry. We thank you in advance.

Heinz Pet Product Symbols

We still hope to begin participating in the Homeless Homer Program sponsored by Heinz Pet Products. Please watch for Homeless Homer or Morris the Cat symbols on these products:

After you've clipped the symbols, sort them into like "denominations", and when you have ten of the same symbol, staple them together--it's that simple! Like the Purina weight circles, these may be dropped off at the clinic for Sherry. Thank you!

Special Thanks To:

Special thanks to All of You who have made donations--you are too numerous to mention. Please know you are not forgotten!