President's Message
New Rescue Law in Virginia
CFC United Way
Events/Fundraisers
Please Help Shadow
Adoption Information
Purina Labels
Heinz Pet Products Symbols
Special Thanks

President's Message

Well, lots to report lately. SADSAC has been going to the dogs recently. We have been able to place Brandi in a new home, and almost immediately took in another dog named Soba. Soba has just been adopted and is having a blast with his new owners. Congratulations to both families--we know you’ll enjoy these guys for years to come.

We also had the opportunity to help some friends of SADSAC, Cindy and Sharon, with a Husky mixed dog named Onyx. Onyx had it really rough. She was dumped by a former owner on his disabled mother, who relied on neighbors to feed and water her. When Cindy went to pick her up, she was tied by a very short chain outside, and well, I’ll spare you the rest of the details, except to say that we believe she had been tied there for years. She is terrified of people and wouldn’t even make eye contact with us for the first several days. Her collar had worn all the hair, skin and some of the flesh from around her neck, and it was sheer luck that Cindy went to pick her up that day. The flies were buzzing all around her, and her fate would have been horrible if she hadn’t gotten out of there within hours. Although we did not take her in to foster her, we were glad to help financially as our funds gratefully allowed. She is in a special foster home now and is safe and comfy.

We were also able to help a severely ill mother dog and her puppies who were suffering from Parvo Virus. Parvo Virus is a preventable disease that kills its victims through dehydration. It was a long process, but we thank Wendy from Pet Assistance League for taking the puppies to place for adoption and the German Shepherd Rescue for taking Princess the momma. Princess had us particularly worried because she was sick for a whole week longer than her puppies were. I hear she’s been having an absolutely fabulous time in her new home. Atta girl, you deserve it!

As far as the cats go, I have had a particularly great month. Belle, Boo and Sassy have all been adopted in the past few weeks. Belle and Boo got to go together, and Sassy runs her new home with a little dog named Piddles for companionship. So many laps, so little time. These were the most friendly of my gang, and seem to have made themselves at home right away. You go girls! Also Tenga and Raven also were adopted. I hear Tenga is slowly adjusting to the other kitty in the house, but loves her very own little human girl, and Raven has been renamed Slick because of his early misadventures in the ceiling. Who would have thought a cat would choose to hide in a dropped ceiling? Not me, that’s for sure. He’s a wiley one, that one. Glad his new parents didn’t give up though, he’s worth it!

The ferals are the same, the spaying continues. There are two colonies we are currently working on. The going is slow. It seems they are telling each other not to get in the traps, but we will keep plugging.

It’s kitten season, and with it comes the flood of disturbing phone calls. There are so many, and we are so few. The best we can do is try to spay them before it happens. We will continue to do our best and save the few we can. As always, many thanks for all your support. Without you, we couldn’t save any.

Sherry Meier, President SADSAC

New Rescue Law in Virginia

On July 1, 2002 a law went into effect in Virginia which will make it very difficult for rescue organizations to continue to help animals. Formerly known as Senate Bill 260 and now part of Chapter 787, this law places a number of requirements on rescue organizations and foster homes in the state. Rescuers accepting more than six animals a year must:

• register annually with the state and pay a $100 fee per group, plus a $50 fee for each foster home;



• submit to inspection of their private homes by the State Veterinarian or his representative to determine if any violation of animal law has occurred--no warrant required. Foster homes may also be inspected;



• post contact information in all pounds and shelters in the locality they serve--in some cases, this could be half the state;



• pay for a listing in the local phone book;



• make their homes accessible to the public during "business hours".

Rescuers are opposed to this law for a number of reasons. The proposed annual fees for rescue groups and foster homes are excessive. Most rescue groups lose money on nearly every animal they place. Groups will have difficulty finding the funds to pay this registration fee each year, not to mention the cost of maintaining a business listing in the telephone directory.

Additionally, rescue groups will be unable to find foster homes because people won't want their addresses to be made public, nor will they want to be subjected to warrantless inspections of their homes. And, of course, public posting of these addresses will jeopardize the safety of rescuers as well as provide the means for an owner to "dump" an unwanted animal. Finally, rescuers and foster families often are employed full time and unable to make their homes accessible to the public during "business hours" even if they had that desire.

We hope this law will be repealed in the next session of the General Assembly, and many rescuers are working toward that end. You may find more information on the efforts to accomplish this goal, including ways you can help and a list of legislators to whom you may write, by visiting http://www.no-sb-260.com/. [Please note that this website is no longer active.]

Unfortunately, we at SADSAC will have to adjust our practices. We will be confining our efforts to neutering the feral cat colonies we know of and placing the pets we have. We regret this decision, but while this law is in effect we feel we have little choice.

CFC United Way

SADSAC's United Way CFC designation number is 7768 if you would like to make a payroll deduction contribution. We have been able to collect approximately $300.00 per quarter, thanks to your generous contributions!

Events/Fundraisers:

We are running a concession stand at upcoming horse shows at Cedar Run Horse Center on Spriggs Rd. Dates will be available on our calendar, and we've also included directions for your convenience. Admission to the show is free.

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

Please Help Shadow

Shadow is a 6-month-old German Shepherd with severe hip dysplasia in both hips. He will require surgery to repair his hips at a cost of $1,500 to $1,700 per hip. We're hoping he can be placed with a local GSD rescue group who will be able to foster him and find him a loving home. Shadow is a really sweet boy who deserves a chance to live without pain. If you can, please help with a donation toward his surgery.

Update, Aug. 8: We are still accepting donations to fix his hips. Please help if you can--we need about $1500.00 for surgery on his second hip.

Update, Oct. 13: Shadow was placed in a great home, thanks to German Shepherd Rescue! We're so glad this wonderful, sweet dog has been adopted and has an opportunity for a long, happy life.

Adoption Information

Adoption days are generally held twice a month, the 2nd Saturday, from noon to 2PM at Independent Hill Veterinary Clinic, 13444 Dumfries Road (Woodbine Shopping Center on Route 234), Manassas, VA, and the 3rd or 4th Sunday at Petco, 10800 Promenade Lane. 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:

Jesse Weinhold, Vickie Bradford, Dr. Connell and staff of Independent Hill Vet Clinic for helping with all the recent SADSAC pets and their care.
The Barker Family for somehow knowing when I am just about out of kitty litter!
Angie and David Talaber and Siri Wine from Siamese Rescue, you not only made my day, but I think my whole year!
Jo Kinnaly for the incredible amount of work you do on our site, keeping me sane and helping in just about any other way imaginable.
Lemoine Family, who found it in their hearts to help yet another dog as its foster home.
Barbara Feild for all your help and support.
Bonnie Purnell for sponsoring my little princess, Belle.
The Parish and Meier Families for putting up with all of this stuff!