TailsInc.com

Stephanie Downs (right) and FiXit are researching the best ways to deliver spay/neuter messages. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Downs.

FiXit Foundation takes innovative approach to promote spay/neuter

By Brendan Quealy

Stephanie Downs’ idea of a vacation is spending a few weeks in Africa helping impoverished children and another couple weeks in India attempting to ease the feral cow problem. That may not seem like the ideal R & R for most, but Downs is passionate about making a difference locally, as well as internationally. Downs, who has endless energy, is especially chipper while talking about her pride and joy: the FiXit Foundation.

“The original idea came while I was working at a shelter in 2001,” Downs says. “I would see all of these people coming in with boxes of puppies and just dropping them off. We were already putting down 5 million animals a year in this country, so it seemed like spay/neuter was something we needed to focus on.”

Downs refers to her time volunteering at Los Angeles-area shelters as her “gateway drug” into animal welfare. With her background in marketing, Downs was interested in creating targeted campaigns that would motivate people in underserved communities to spay and neuter their pets. “There is a segment of the population that we are not meeting,” Downs says. “Twenty to 25 percent of the people in this country either do not know, or are misinformed, about spay/neuter.”
Read the rest of this entry →

Second Chance Animal Rescue
651.771.566
SecondChanceRescue.org

Hey! My name is Skyler, and if you are looking for a jogging companion, you’ve come to the right place. I am an energetic 3-year-old Labrador/Border Collie mix who gets along with everyone I meet—including all of the dogs in my foster home. I love to run around and play tug-o-war, so a fenced-in yard and a playmate in my new home would be great. I am really good on my daily walks and enjoy being around my caretaker day and night. I just love to have fun!

What movie star would you want to portray you in a movie of your life?
Tom Cruise. He always seems to be running every time I see him. Maybe he’s chasing a squirrel?

What do you dream of at night?
A big yard and lots of friends. That would be perfect.

Beach or mountains?
I say we do both and then grab a nice long nap on the couch.

Why should YOU go home with a family right now?
I am ready to be your best friend. I am a happy, sweet doggie with a lot of love to give!

Second Chance Animal Rescue
651.771.566
SecondChanceRescue.org

Hi! My name is Levi and I am a 1-year-old handsome boy who loves to purr. People love my white and orange ears and tail—and I’ve heard many times that my deep golden eyes are beautiful to stare into. I may be part Turkish Van, but my hair is shorter than most. I love to be loved … and will give it right back to you! I am social, friendly, and affectionate and would be so happy to be your new favorite lap cat! You’ll never be lonely with me around.

If you won the lottery, what would you do?
I would fund a research committee to tell me how I can catch that red dot once and for all. And then I’d buy a round of sushi for all my feline friends!

What do you dream of at night?
Hanging out with you, purring loudly, and falling asleep in your lap.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
How about the best cat you’ve ever had? That is my dream job!

Why should YOU go home with a family right now?
I’m a great cat! Beauty, brains, and a gentle soul. What more can you ask for?

Rescue organization finds homes for Golden Retrievers

Jerry Stahl was bored. Maybe that is not exactly accurate. Jerry Stahl was retired—and after six months of traveling with his wife and playing golf—he was looking for something to fill the time. Stahl was also still reeling from the passing of Jesse—his wonderful Golden Retriever.

“Jesse had a great personality and he just endeared himself to us,” says Stahl. “I have always been passionate about Golden Retrievers.”

Stahl began working with Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota (RAGOM) as a way to honor Jesse. It was the same organization that helped him find Jesse in 2006.

“I helped the RAGOM Board of Directors develop their first strategic plan in late 2010,” explains Stahl. “One of the issues we identified was the need for a full time executive director.” Stahl not only had the desired skills, but also the passion needed to succeed—and in February of 2011 he took on the position.

All of RAGOM’s dogs live with foster families, and each dog has a blog on the organization’s website (RAGOM.org). This affords people the opportunity to get to know the dog and his personality before they adopt.

“When I am feeling down, I just go on the RAGOM site and read the bios of all of the dogs living in our foster homes,” says Stahl. “Reading the individual stories is really uplifting.”

Stahl remembers Carly, a Golden Retriever who came to them weighing an obese 120 pounds. With the help of the staff, Carly dropped nearly 50 pounds. However, obesity affected her health—at 9 years old she was diagnosed with diabetes. Carly was also going blind, which is a common side effect from diabetes. Luckily for Carly, a generous donor provided enough money for the surgery to remove her cataracts.

“RAGOM has an incredible group of 800 volunteers, 300 of whom are active at any given time,” says Stahl. “Their talents and willingness to help are amazing.“

The breed-rescue group currently has more than 100 foster homes in their network. In 2011, this dedicated core of volunteers took in 437 Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes, adopting out 376 of them.

“We couldn’t do it without our donors and our fosters,” says Stahl. “Some rescues are kennel-based, but we don’t operate that way. All of our dogs are always in a home.”

RAGOM provides dogs with exceptional medical care. Each dog has a routine health exam, is spayed/neutered, and receives whatever care is necessary to be adoptable. In 2011, they spent an average of $571 per dog on vet care. But Stahl says financial stability is not an issue for RAGOM.

“The biggest challenge we have right now is the shortage of purebred Golden Retrievers,” explains Stahl. “We have 100 approved homes waiting to adopt a Golden Retriever under 6 years old. We don’t have enough dogs to meet this demand.”

RAGOM is currently reaching out to shelters and rescues in other states to bring in more young Golden Retrievers—Stahl knows there are good homes waiting for them.

“If we can’t help, we will put you in touch with a Golden Retriever rescue near you.”

For more information please visit RAGOM.org. If a Golden Retriever is in need of a loving, forever home, contact Jerry Stahl at Hotline@RAGOM.org. 

Greyhound Pets of America—Minnesota
763.785.4000
GPA-MN.org

Hello! I see you’ve already met my awesome brother, Alex. My name is Glenda and I’m a beautiful 67-pound, 3-year-old girl. I am very sweet and social, and dream of a home with a big yard so I can work out my energy. I love to chase, but I can be trained to work well with cats. I know my obedience commands, and will give you doggie kisses in exchange for a doggie treat!

What movie star would you want to portray you in a movie of your life?
Nicole Kidman. She is so beautiful.

If you won the lottery, what would you do?
My brother is buying us all collars and treats, so I’d buy new beds and fun toys. Of course I will spend it on my new family, too!

Why should YOU go home with a family right now?
I am very well behaved and a great canine companion.

Hamburger or hot dog?
I would love a burger, but I am grateful for whatever I get. You can’t go wrong.

Greyhound Pets of America—Minnesota
763.785.4000
GPA-MN.org

Oh, hey ‘dere! My name is Alex and I am a sleek, handsome, 3-year-old beautiful boy. I’m here with my four siblings: brothers Tom, Danny, and Billy, sister Glenda. I have a great personality, love playing with my toys, and I am the happiest on a walk. I love people, and especially cuddling next to you on the couch. I know my basic obedience commands, but I love to learn. Maybe you can teach me some cool tricks?

What is your favorite board game?
The best board game is whatever game I am playing with you!

If you won the lottery, what would you do?
I would buy my siblings and myself some beautiful new collars and plenty of treats. And of course whatever my new family wanted.

What do you dream of at night?
Finding my forever home! And staying busy with an active family.

Beach or mountains?
I’ve got the energy to do both if you’ve got the time.

The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) will honor John Vrieze and Jim Lewis for their work and support of the dairy industry with Dairy Appreciation Awards in May. Vrieze and Lewis will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to the dairy industry and for supporting the CVM’s education and research missions.

Created by the College’s dairy production medicine Group in 2011, the Dairy Appreciation Award is presented at the Minnesota Dairy Health Conference. Individuals are nominated for the award by members of the dairy production medicine group, and selected by vote. Read the rest of this entry →

PawPADs service dogs help veterans, disabled

When I hear midlife crisis, my mind immediately conjures up an image of a middle-aged male buying a red convertible, quitting his job, sporting a toupee, and hitting the bars for a last ditch effort to regain his youth.

But, what’s it like for a woman?

Well, for Linda Ball it meant moving to Minnesota in 2007 and creating an organization that provided service dogs to at-risk youth, the developmentally disabled, veterans, and prisoners. Not exactly your stereotypical midlife crisis, but Ball insists that is exactly what it was for her. Read the rest of this entry →

Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter
320.234.9699
HeartOfMinnesota.org

Hello there! My name is Rachel and I am a smart and active dog. I came to the shelter as a stray, but I am so grateful to have been rescued by the wonderful people here. As a Pointer, I’ve got a great nose and love to sniff around when we go on walks or hikes. I am up to date on my shots. I’ve been spayed, and everyone at the shelter says I am very well behaved.

What movie star would you want to portray you in a movie of your life?
Jennifer Aniston is beautiful, so she would be perfect. Plus, she has already played a very famous Rachel on Friends.

If you won the lottery, what would you do?
I think I would find homes for all of my new friends here at Heart. They are all great and deserve loving homes. If you come to visit me and I’m already adopted, please look at some of the other lovable animals here.

Why should YOU go home with a family right now?
I am a lot of fun and will get you out of the house. We all need some fresh air and exercise!

Beach or mountains?
Let’s go for a hike! Try and keep up.