Tails in the News
By Sarah Dahnke
The Aviary and Adoption Center in Elizabeth has dedicated a memorial garden exclusively for deceased parrots. Because some birds can live for almost 100 years and may have several guardians during the course of their lives, the garden is intended to create a special place for these unique creatures to be honored with dignity after they die, according to the center.
The Aviary and Adoption Center, administrated by The Gabriel Foundation, has cared for more than 1,000 parrots and found homes for around 600 since it was created in 1996. It rescues birds from hoarding situations and takes relinquishments from people who no longer want them, due to behavioral problems or noise. For more information visit TheGabrielFoundation.org.
The Denver International Airport is currently in the planning stages of creating a boarding facility for dogs, cats, and other pets. The 24-hour center, which would be financed and operated by a private company, could potentially care for at least 100 dogs, 100 cats, and a number of birds and exotic pets. Passengers would pay a fee, which has not yet been set, for their pets to reside in the facility while they travel, providing convenience for the traveler and an additional source of revenue for the airport. If the plans are solidified, construction will begin in August 2008, and the facility could open as early as February 2009.
Cats have more to offer than good looks and a warm body, and the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match Feline-ality program, which is utilized by the Boulder Humane Society, is working to show adopters that felines are great companions too.
The program involves assessing the behavior of shelter cats and matching them with adopters who have a complementary personality and lifestyle. The ASPCA defined nine “feline-alities,” which are assigned to cats after their behaviors are observed, paying particular attention to independence and boldness. Potential guardians fill out a short questionnaire about their lifestyles and expectations of a pet. Human and animal surveys are color-coded to reflect their personalities, and while people aren’t prevented from adopting outside of their color match, the codes help them understand what type of cat they will be taking home.
Boulder Humane Society says the number of days cats stay at the shelter has reduced by almost half since it implemented the program about a year ago. It’s been using a similar program for canine adoptions for a number of years, where the shelter has also seen a notable amount of success. The Larimer Humane Society in Fort Collins and the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region in Colorado Springs also utilize the Meet Your Match program.
What better way to celebrate local no-kill shelters than by sipping the finest wines and donning your Halloween best? Dreampower Animal Rescue is hosting its 9th Annual Whiskers & Wine Fundraiser on
Oct. 27.
The event will take place in the West Wing Conference Center at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. In addition to the wine tasting, there will also be a silent auction, raffles, and a prize for the best Halloween costume. Proceeds will benefit Dreampower, Pet Project, and Rocky Mountain Siamese Rescue.
Dreampower Animal Rescue Foundation is a nonprofit founded in 1990 that works to find permanent homes for dogs, cats, pigs, horses, rabbits, and all other displaced animals, through a foster network.
For a limited time, the Denver Dumb Friends League will be offering adult cat adoptions for a $10 fee, discounted from the normal $100 fee. The move is an effort to place the “staggering number” of homeless cats in permanent homes. Additionally, adopters can take home an adult cat and kitten for $115, which is the standard fee for adopting a single kitten. To see the adult cats available for adoption, visit DDFL.org.
On Sept. 8, the town of Castle Rock and the Denver Dumb Friends League (DDFL) hosted the annual Pooch Plunge to benefit the DDFL’s Buddy Center shelter. The event hosted more than 200 participants, who swam in the Butterfield Crossing Pool, played with Frisbees and enjoyed fun in the sun. “We were excited by the community support from the residents and pet-related businesses of Castle Rock,” says Lea Ann McCaslin, Buddy Center manager. The benefit raised nearly $1,000 for the 16,000-square-foot shelter.
Memorial garden for parrots opens in Elizabeth
The Aviary and Adoption Center in Elizabeth has dedicated a memorial garden exclusively for deceased parrots. Because some birds can live for almost 100 years and may have several guardians during the course of their lives, the garden is intended to create a special place for these unique creatures to be honored with dignity after they die, according to the center.
The Aviary and Adoption Center, administrated by The Gabriel Foundation, has cared for more than 1,000 parrots and found homes for around 600 since it was created in 1996. It rescues birds from hoarding situations and takes relinquishments from people who no longer want them, due to behavioral problems or noise. For more information visit TheGabrielFoundation.org.
Boarding facility in planning stages at Denver airport
The Denver International Airport is currently in the planning stages of creating a boarding facility for dogs, cats, and other pets. The 24-hour center, which would be financed and operated by a private company, could potentially care for at least 100 dogs, 100 cats, and a number of birds and exotic pets. Passengers would pay a fee, which has not yet been set, for their pets to reside in the facility while they travel, providing convenience for the traveler and an additional source of revenue for the airport. If the plans are solidified, construction will begin in August 2008, and the facility could open as early as February 2009.
Program boosts cat adoptions at Boulder Humane
Cats have more to offer than good looks and a warm body, and the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match Feline-ality program, which is utilized by the Boulder Humane Society, is working to show adopters that felines are great companions too.
The program involves assessing the behavior of shelter cats and matching them with adopters who have a complementary personality and lifestyle. The ASPCA defined nine “feline-alities,” which are assigned to cats after their behaviors are observed, paying particular attention to independence and boldness. Potential guardians fill out a short questionnaire about their lifestyles and expectations of a pet. Human and animal surveys are color-coded to reflect their personalities, and while people aren’t prevented from adopting outside of their color match, the codes help them understand what type of cat they will be taking home.
Boulder Humane Society says the number of days cats stay at the shelter has reduced by almost half since it implemented the program about a year ago. It’s been using a similar program for canine adoptions for a number of years, where the shelter has also seen a notable amount of success. The Larimer Humane Society in Fort Collins and the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region in Colorado Springs also utilize the Meet Your Match program.
Wine tasting fundraiser to benefit local animal groups
What better way to celebrate local no-kill shelters than by sipping the finest wines and donning your Halloween best? Dreampower Animal Rescue is hosting its 9th Annual Whiskers & Wine Fundraiser on
Oct. 27.
The event will take place in the West Wing Conference Center at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. In addition to the wine tasting, there will also be a silent auction, raffles, and a prize for the best Halloween costume. Proceeds will benefit Dreampower, Pet Project, and Rocky Mountain Siamese Rescue.
Dreampower Animal Rescue Foundation is a nonprofit founded in 1990 that works to find permanent homes for dogs, cats, pigs, horses, rabbits, and all other displaced animals, through a foster network.
Overwhelming cat population sparks discounted adoption fees
For a limited time, the Denver Dumb Friends League will be offering adult cat adoptions for a $10 fee, discounted from the normal $100 fee. The move is an effort to place the “staggering number” of homeless cats in permanent homes. Additionally, adopters can take home an adult cat and kitten for $115, which is the standard fee for adopting a single kitten. To see the adult cats available for adoption, visit DDFL.org.
Farewell to summer fling raises money for local shelter
On Sept. 8, the town of Castle Rock and the Denver Dumb Friends League (DDFL) hosted the annual Pooch Plunge to benefit the DDFL’s Buddy Center shelter. The event hosted more than 200 participants, who swam in the Butterfield Crossing Pool, played with Frisbees and enjoyed fun in the sun. “We were excited by the community support from the residents and pet-related businesses of Castle Rock,” says Lea Ann McCaslin, Buddy Center manager. The benefit raised nearly $1,000 for the 16,000-square-foot shelter.
