connecting lives fall/winter 2014

1Fall/Winter 2014 Connecting Lives

ConneCtingLivesCompassion support proteCt love

CalgaryHumane .caFall/Winter 2014

adopt learn

HowSocial

is your

dog?

BEHIND THE

SCENESTake an in-depth look into our Protections and Animal Care

Departments

I’ve LostMy Pet!

HumaneEducationChange The World, Kiddies!

Get Glitzed Up For This Years Event

& Much More!

2 Fall/Winter 2014 Connecting Lives

Welcome to the new Connecting Lives, a magazine on the lives of the animals and people at the Calgary Humane Society.

Your generosity and support makes our work possible.

EditorJamie Hickey

DesignerStephen Bellaart

Contributors Shandell Van Hell, Phil Fulton, Jamie Hickey, Tammy Mazubert, Brad Nichols, Melaina Slater, Christy Thompson, Ainsley Grant, Barbara Walmer, Mike Skrypnek, Stephen Bellaart.

We welcome your comments on any articles in this issue.

©2014 by the Calgary Humane Society. Permission to reprint articles, artwork or photographs must be obtained from the editor.

Help us recycle. Pass this newsletter on to a friend or donate it to an office.

Executive DirectorCarrie Fritz

Calgary Humane Society4455 110 Avenue SECalgary, AB T2C 2T7

Phone: (403) 205-4455Fax: (403) 723-6050www.calgaryhumane.ca

To DonatePhone: (403) 723-6000

Hours of OperationMonday to Friday12 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Calgary Humane Society is a non-profit, charitable organization. Charitable Reg # 11882 3632 RR0001 .

Our mission: To help as many animals as we can.

table of contents3-5

6

7

8-9

10-11

12-13

14-15

16

17

18-19

20-21

22

23

How Social is your dog get to know your pet’s personality.....

want to volunteer?......................................................

ask gary van meowski we dare you!..................................

humane education Get ready to change the world..................

Kids camp Creation: Doggy Diets..................................

i’ve lost my pet! what do i do?......................................

Animal Care A behind the scenes look...............................

Cocktails for Critters: Chloe is through with excuses...........

CHS BMO Mastercard helping the animals = priceless..............

Planned Giving Leaving a Legacy....................................

a day in the life of a protection officer............

pROTECTION UPDATES.....................................................

happy tails ...................................................................

After a tremendous loss, On August 1st, 2014 a group of dedicated animal lovers set out on their motorcycles for a 3-day adventure to raise money for CHS and to remember a friend and father, Glen Garland. On September 5th, 2014 the folks from Ride Dog Ride presented CHS a cheque for $25,000.


Jordan Smith commented on this

Calgary Humane Society posted a link45 minutes ago

From the blog...

HOW SOCIAL IS YOUR DOG?

Calgary Humane Society

By understanding your dogs personality we can help you determine what activities are best for your and your furry friend!

Like . Comment . Share

You, Sharon McDonald and 87 others like this.

Not all dogs like to play.

To some people, that sentence is a complete shock.

What do you mean not all dogs like to play? How is that even possible?

As humans, we often expect all dogs to get along with one another, or expect that they will eventually sort conflicts out. Unfortunately, it is not that easy. Like humans, dogs have different play and interaction styles, some of which are incompatible. Some dogs want to play, some are happy to simply co-exist and some pooches do not want other dogs around them. Just as you may not get along with everyone you meet, your dog will also have preferences for different canine personalities.

So how can you manage your playful (or not so playful) pup? The key is building an understanding of what your dog wants in terms of doggy social time. Preventing problems between dogs is the responsibility of the owners. Dogs need to play by the rules and owners need to teach them the rules by having a good relationship and clearly communicating expectations. Owners are also responsible for managing the situations that they are exposing their dogs to and ensuring they are setting their dog up for success. Understanding which type of dog you

have is key.Dogs can fall under four different personality types:

Social dogs: These dogs enjoy playing and are great with most dogs.

Tolerant dogs: These dogs are laid back and have long fuses.

Dog selective: These dogs have very specific styles of play that are tolerated and are selective about canine friends.

Dog reactive: These dogs have a very short or non-existent fuse for other dogs. It is important to note that reactive dogs may still be very affectionate towards people and can be great family pets – they just do not want four-legged friends. It is important to point out that all breeds of dogs can be social, tolerant, selective or reactive. It is easy for us to judge a big dog for being dog reactive and assume all little dogs are social dogs. The area of the social spectrum your dog falls in depends on a myriad of factors, breed only being a small contributor. By understanding which one of the four personalities your dog possesses you are then able to understand what things affect a dogs level of socialability.

(Read More)


You, Michael Klein and 31 others like this.

Calgary Humane Society5 hours ago


What Four things can affect a dog’s sociability?

1. Individual circumstances: Tolerance levels and play style can change with age and circumstance. Typically, as a dog ages they become more selective about the dogs they chose to interact with. Health conditions, dental problems and other stresses can also impact a dog’s social tolerance. It is the responsibility of the owner to continuously monitor their dog during social interactions and end the interaction if either dog is showing signs of stress or conflict.

2. Leashes: Many dogs are great off-leash, but will react to a dog if they meet on leash. Leash reactivity is a behavior that can be addressed through training and situation management. If your dog is leash reactive, contact Calgary Humane Society’s behavior team to discuss the best training options.

3. Individual triggers: Your dog may have specific triggers that lead to inappropriate behavior. Triggers may include toys, rough play, food, a leash, eye contact or the presence of a small animal. To manage this situation, redirect your dog to an appropriate activity, which may be rest until the trigger can be dealt with.

4. Fences or barriers: Dogs should not be allowed to bark, growl, lunge or fence fight with other dogs on the other side of a fence or window to avoid these behaviors becoming habits.

Janet Simpson posted 2 photos1 Day ago

Taking the dogs to the dog park @ 3:00pm. Anyone up for a doggy playdate?


You and Graham Stuart like This

Graham Stuart Buster and I would love to come hang out this afternoon!1 Day ago Like

You, Michael Klein and 53 others like this.


What are my responsibilities when allowing my dog to play with other dogs?

Manage the Situation:Owners need to be proactive and realistic so that problems can be avoided. Monitor the body language of not only your dog, but other dogs in the area throughout the play interaction. Ensure that if either dog is being inappropriate with other dogs that play stops and both of you leave the situation. Remember though, this is about managing the situation, not punishing your dog. Praise your dog when he or she has a relaxed body and good manners around other dogs. Also, try to avoid having dog interactions in areas that allow dogs to become cornered or trapped. Set Fido up for success!

Appropriate play:For appropriate play to occur, owners need to watch their dog for any gestures that are concerning for a high risk of conflict. Any type of play that is allowed to continue for a prolonged period of time can escalate into undesirable behaviors. Redirect the dogs with other activities or remove the dogs for a ‘play break’ if concerning behaviors begin to appear.

Positive Social Gestures for Play: Play bow, lateral movements, exaggerated repetitive movements, low and slow tail wagging, balanced play.

Concern for Conflict and Miscommunication: Chasing (especially one-sided chasing), pinning a dog with quick releases, body slamming, excessive barking, increase in arousal, rough play, mounting, stalking, chin and head over shoulders.

High Risk for Conflict: Pinning a dog with no release, high arousal, bullying, play that hurts or scares the other dog, stalking that scares the other dog.

Understanding what type of canine social skills your dog has, and the type of play they engage in, can sometimes be eye-opening for owners. It may mean re-evaluating trips to the off-leash park or play sessions with friend’s dogs. Many owners do not even realize that their dog is not interested in being around other dogs. The important thing is realizing this is not a bad thing. You may just need to modify some things to ensure your dog is not only happy, but also safe.

Finally, we encourage everyone to be kind to others who own dog selective or dog reactive canines. It is easy to jump to conclusions and make negative assumptions about owners with reactive dogs. In reality, there are many situations that can lead to dog reactivity and owners with reactive dogs are often doing a lot of work “behind the scenes” to try and address the reactive behaviors. Part of being a good canine community citizen is recognizing when the humans need to manage a situation. If you encounter a reactive or selective dog that is showing concerning or high risk behaviors, remove your dog from the situation to allow the other dog the time and space he or she needs to calm down.

If you have a reactive dog or a dog that shows concerning behaviors during play it is your responsibility to manage those behaviors and seek out resources to help you address them. Calgary Humane Society’s behavior department has a wide range of options available from group classes to private consultations. To discuss your dog’s specific needs, get class recommendations or to ask questions about your dog’s behavior, call our free behavior help line at 403-723-6057


You shared this

You and 8 others liked this.

Emily Wong1 Day ago

An amazing, quiet night in with Daisy. Look how happy she is to be relaxing at home!

You, Will Burns and 4 others like this.


WEVOLUNTEERS

Looking to make a difference in your community?

At Calgary Humane Society, we have hundreds of volunteers who commit tens of thousands of hours of volunteer work each year. Ever wonder what all those volunteers are doing? Here are just a few examples…

• Walking dogs• Socializing animals• Laundry and dishes• Assisting with behavior classes• Assisting the veterinary team• Fundraising• Writing animal biographies• Helping with youth programs• Fostering animals• Helping with large events• Much, much more

Interested in getting involved as a volunteer at Calgary Humane Society? If you are 16 or older and able to make a 6 month commitment to regular volunteer shift we would love to hear from you!

Looking to make an impact with your whole office? Participate in a team builder you will never forget by arranging a group volunteer day for your corporate group! We have a limited (however VERY important!) number of group volunteer opportunities that we need help with here at CHS. Here are the requirements for groups that would like to volunteer: • Must be 16 and older • Maximum of 25 volunteers • Single-day, group volunteer opportunities are hosted M – F for a 3-hour shift (9:00am – 12:00noon or 1:00pm – 4:00pm) Groups will be asked to help with tasks around the shelter. Groups will not be able to perform tasks involving direct interaction with the animals given the safe animal handling training required for all staff and volunteers who work directly with the animals, but your group will still spend the day working alongside some adorable furry faces!

Looking for more information on group volunteer opportunities? Email [email protected] or visit www.calgaryhumane.ca/volunteer for more details!


SCRATCHING POSTHello peoples.

It is no mystery to me why you people would look to a cat for advice. I am far wiser than most of you peoples afterall. You would think that you would sooner talk to someone of your own species before a common office cat, but as we all know, I am not your average cat!

Alas, you are mere 2-legged beings and if there is anything that I have learned in my nine lives it is that cats know everything! Don’t waste your time looking that up in Wikipedia and take my word for it!

Looking to get a feline perspective on things? Email your questions to [email protected] and maybe your question will be worthy enough to be featured in the next issue of Connecting Lives.

Dear Gary,I hear this year’s Cocktails for Critters Gala is headed up by a cat! What can you tell us about this fabulous feline?- Feline Fanatic

Dear Fanatic,Chloe? Be still the pitter patter of my heart! Chloe, you make me feel glowy!I may seem soft and doughy,But my love for you I’ll showy!My darling feline Chloe.

Dear Gary,I am curious, what are your thoughts on toilet training cats?- Curious

Dear Curious,Your cat is already doing you a HUGE favour by pooping in a box. Don’t push your luck.

Hi Gary,My dog won’t stop barking and charging the fence! What can I do to help him?- Loud Backyard

Dear Loud,Dogs are gross. Get a cat.

P.S. The peoples at CHS have told me I need to tell you that you can talk to our behavior department behavior helpline by calling 403-205-4455 and those peoples will help you find a solution.

Gary VanMeowski’s

Until next time my dedicated minions!Gary Van Meowski, out!


Have you ever wished you could change the world? At Calgary Humane Society, we aim to do exactly that. You probably hear us talk a lot about creating a world with no more homeless, abused, neglected or abandoned animals and you may be wondering how we are working towards this. The answer? Humane Education!

Get Ready to...

CHANGE THE W RLDWHAT IS HUMANE EDUCATION?Simply put, Humane Education aims to create a better future for all living things by promoting a key set of values with the goal of building a world that is a better place for all living things. Our three key values are:

1. EmpathyEmpathy is about taking a walk in somebody else’s shoes. Empathy is more than just understanding someone else, in fact, it is considered by many psychologists to be the root of “pro-social” behavior. Pro-social behaviors are the behaviors that allow us to build relationships, maintain friendships and connect with our communities. Without empathy, we could not have strong relationships with others. Empathy is what allows us to understand how our actions may impact the feelings, thoughts and emotions of others.

3. CompassionEmpathy is a foundation for understanding others, but compassion moves those feelings into action. In acting compassionately, children learn that they can have a profound impact on the community around them and that they play a key role in “creating the world they want to live in”. Humane Education is about teaching children how to mobilize their empathetic feelings into compassionate responses.

2. RespectHumane Education teaches children about why other people (and animals) sometimes need help, and why needing help is not a bad thing. One of the most harmful things we can do to someone is to “other” them, yet this happens every day. “Othering” is the process by which we separate ourselves from another living thing and assign ourselves a special status that prevents us from “being like them”. However, when we teach children to be empathetic and compassionate to others instead of judging them we foster the values of respect for all living things! At Calgary Humane Society we connect to this value by teaching about animals. Using animal examples, children learn that even the smallest fish deserves to have good food and a safe home by virtue of being a living, thinking, feeling being.

Why are animals so helpful in Humane Education?Many children have a natural curiosity about, and connection with, animals. By connecting the values of Humane Education to lessons about animals, our specially trained and experienced educators at Calgary Humane Society are able to inspire children to think about compassion, empathy and respect in new and creative ways.

Teaching through animal interactions is also very helpful for children who are developing the skills of empathy! Why? Because animals do not speak. As people, it can sometimes be easy to assume that other people know and feel what you do. From a very early age, we start to “take for granted” that other people have a similar experience to us and should have the same knowledge as us, even if that is not always true. By encouraging children to have empathy for animals, we encourage children to “step outside of themselves” and consider how this other living thing, even one that has a very different life from the child, is experiencing the world. As children practice this skill, they begin to understand how the world will look different to different people and learn to take on the perspective of another person (or animal).


How can I get my child involved in Humane Education?From in-school presentations to youth clubs and camps, Calgary Humane Society has a number of great educational programs for kids and youth available!

In-School Programs – Our in-school educational programs are available for children in kindergarten through grade 12! These curriculum-connected programs start at just $50 per class and are a great way to bring the message of humane education (and a lot of fun!) to your classroom. Thanks to our generous supporters, subsidies may be available for schools that cannot afford the presentation fee.

Youth Clubs – Calgary Humane Society has a great selection of weekly and monthly club programs for kids and youth aged 7-15. Club members learn more about animals, participate in activities around the shelter and make a difference in the lives of our furry friends by organizing a fundraiser for the animals!

Birthday Parties – It’s time to paw-ty with a purr-pose! Join Calgary Humane Society and celebrate your birthday with some fantastic furry (and not so furry) friends. Learn more about the shelter, create a cool craft, play fun games and meet some animal friends! All proceeds from birthday parties are used to help the animals at Calgary Humane Society!

Kids Camps – Looking for a great summer or winter camp that your child will never forget? Camps are now available for youth from grades 1-9. Campers learn more about animals, complete cool activities around the shelter, meet some awesome animals and make great new friends!

1.

2.

3.

4.

We cannot participate in a program but can my child bring in a donation?We’re glad you asked! ABSOLUTELY! We love to meet young people who are helping pets in Calgary. In fact, we would love to take your child on a tour of the shelter so they can see first-hand how their hard work will benefit the animals we care for.

If your child is interested in collecting donations, we encourage you to check out our website for some great suggestions and an up-to-date wish list of our most needed items. If your child has collected donations and you would like to set up a tour, contact [email protected].

I’m a teacher! How can I bring Humane Education to my classroom?We love talking to teachers! Email [email protected] or call our Humane Education Coordinator at 403-723-6045 to learn more or to book a program. Information on our in-school presentations is also available at www.calgaryhumane.ca/teachers.

How can I support Humane Education in Calgary?For more information on how you can support Humane Education at Calgary Humane Society, please contact our Resource Development department at 403-205-4455

Be a CHS Superhero!

Join a Club

“Camp“ with us

Host a Party


Deliciousdoggy diets!

Did you know that dogs and cats are lactose intolerant? Below we have listed a couple treats that will meet your dogs special needs while tasting scrumptious!

dairy free cookie1 cup brown rice flour1 cup tapioca flour1 egg1 cup crushed pineapple1/4 cup coconut oil1/4 cup honeyShredded coconut

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F2. Whisk two flours together3. In a separate bowl, beat egg and stir in pineapple, coconut oil& honey4. Pour pineapple mixture into flours & stir5. Lightly spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray6. Scoop little balls of dough onto baking sheet7. Bake for ten minutes 8. Let treats cool then they are ready to serve!


Delicious

Peanut ButterDog cookies!2 cups of flour (white or wheat, if your pup has no wheat allergies)1 cup of rolled oats1/3 cup of smooth peanut butter1 tablespoon of honey1/2 tablespoon of fish oil1 1/2 cups of water

DirectionsPreheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.Mix the flour and oats together in a large mixing bowl. Pour in one cup of water and blend until smooth. Add in the peanut butter, honey, and fish oil and mix until all the ingredients are well blended.Slowly add the water until the mixture has a thick and doughy consis-tency.Lightly flour a cooking surface. Roll the dough onto the cooking surface to create a 1/4 inch thick sheet.Use a cookie cutter to create shapes. Place the cookies onto a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes. Allow to cool completely before feeding.Pro Tip: If the dough is too sticky to roll, slowly pad more flour onto the dough ball.

Be careful what you do Rovers food though because some foods can make him really sick. Read below for the yes and no’s of the dog world.Yes: brown rice, chicken and chicken meal, eggs, whitefish meal, raw and steamed veggies, No: grapes, chocolate, avocado , onions, garlic

This two-page spread was created by our 2014 Mixed

Media summer campers! Good work, ladies and gents!


I've My Pet!LostAn action plan for what to do when you lose an important part of your family

If you have ever lost a pet, you are familiar with the rising sense of panic that sets in as you discover that your furry family member has wandered away from home.

In the animal admissions department at Calgary Humane Society, one of the biggest daily tasks is comparing hundreds of lost reports to all of the animals that come in to the shelter. Each day, Calgary Humane Society’s animal admissions receives frantic calls from pet owners who have lost their beloved companion. While our animal admissions team work very hard to ensure every lost pet at CHS makes their way home safety, there are many steps that pet owners can take to ensure their pet returns home safety.

DON’T PANIC! This first step is, by far, the hardest. As scary as it is to discover your pet is missing, the most important thing you can do is remain calm. Replace your panic with a new mantra:

Stop. Think. Plan.Stop and take a few deep breaths. Examine the situation and think about what may have happened (when was the last time you saw your pet, how long ago was that, where is your pet inclined to go etc.). Once you have some ideas, start making a plan. If your pet has been gone for a very short time, it may make sense to go looking and calling for them. If they’ve been missing for a while, then calling friends to help look and calling in lost reports might be a better plan.

Start making lost reportsUnfortunately there is no central registry for reporting lost pets, so this step can take some time. Lost reports are only as valuable as the information they contain, so take the time to retrieve your pet’s identification records and other information that could be important. When you call, provide as much information as you can about where and when your pet was lost and provide as much descriptive information as you can. Was your pet wearing a collar? Do they have distinctive markings? Is one leg shaved because of a recent blood test? These little details greatly increase the chance that someone will correctly recognize your

pet. Sending or posting good quality digital photos of your pet will also help aid in recognition.

Where should you make lost reports? Anywhere in the community you feel someone may bring your pet… but here is a good start!• Calgary Humane Society Animal Admissions - 403-205-4455• City of Calgary Animal Services – 311• “Lost and Found” section on Kijiji/Craig’s List/Local Buy/Sell websites• Your Facebook wall/twitter/social media. Make sure to set your privacy settings so friends can share your post!• Lost pet groups for your city on social media websites• Smaller rescues in the city, especially rescues that focus on “street dogs” or “street cats” and rescues that are specific to the type of pet you lost

Put out things to entice your pet homePut food, a favorite bed and other familiar objects out to help tempt your pet back home. If your pet is skittish or scared, renting or borrowing a live trap and putting the items into the trap may help. Have somebody keep an eye on these items to watch for your pet to return.

Arrange a search partyCall friends, relatives and neighbours to help search for your pet. When assigning jobs, remember that your pet is most likely to go to the people they are familiar with. Choose the people that your pet is most familiar and friendly with to go out and search. Ask the people who do not know your pet as well to help make lost report calls or give them a picture to take to local shelters or ask them to compare the picture to photos of lost animals on the City of Calgary website.

Create lost posters and hang them up.Create lost posters with a picture of your pet. Include a number that you can always be reached at (like a cell phone) on the sign. Hang up the posters in the areas that you think your pet might be, concentrating on areas where lots of people will see the signs. Ask businesses in the area if you can display a lost poster in their store. Make notes about what businesses and locations you have signs in, because you will need to take them down once your pet is home!


Keep updating your signs and lost reportsCall in to update the lost report frequently and check on your signs to make sure they are still hanging up and readable. Continue to update any online or social media posts regarding your lost pet so people know if you are still looking. Also, make sure that if any of your information changes you also update your pet’s microchip and update your veterinarian in case your pet’s tattoo is traced.

Never give up hope.At Calgary Humane Society we have seen some amazing reunions. We have reunited pets with their family years, even decades, after they went missing.

When your pet is home, thank everyone! Everybody loves a happy ending. Once your pet is home and safe, make sure to update anywhere that you made a lost report (so they can remove the report from their records), update your social media posts and ask friends and family to pass along your thanks to anyone they know that helped by sharing your post. Go in to the local businesses where you have your lost signs and let the owners know that your pet was found (and take the posters down). Thank those that helped with searching or with making calls.

Stop this from happening again.Examine the situation behind how your pet went missing and evaluate what could prevent a similar problem in future. Examples of this could be investing in spring-close systems for gates, filling in fence gaps and/or letting visitors to your home know if your pet likes to sneak through open doors.

If you have lost a pet and wish to make a lost report or need advice on locating a lost pet, our animal admissions department is ready to help! Give us a call at 403-205-4455

Lostwhen it comes to your lost pet?

403-

205-

4455

403-

205-

4455

403-

205-

4455

403-

205-

4455

403-

205-

4455

403-

205-

4455

403-

205-

4455

403-

205-

4455

403-

205-

4455

403-

205-

4455


BEHINDTHE

SCENESA day in the life ofAnimal Care

If you have ever visited Calgary Humane Society’s shelter, you have likely seen the impact of one of our most central, but often invisible, departments: Animal Care. Each and every day, our dedicated animal care staff work hard to ensure each and every animal at Calgary Humane Society receives the best possible care. Animal care is responsible for the daily set-up and cleaning of hundreds of kennels, ensuring each animal receives a balanced meal of appropriate foods and providing extra love and attention to animals that need it most.

In animal care, the day begins long before the shelter doors ever open. As early as 6:30AM, our animal care staff arrives to begin the continuous tasks of prepping meals, cleaning kennels and spending a few moments with each animal in the shelter. In addition to basic hygiene and feeding, animal care also plays a crucial role in enrichment for our animals in the shelter by setting up each animal with soft linens, a warm bed and a selection of species-appropriate toys or environmental enrichment items.

At Calgary Humane Society, we know why we LOVE Animal Care… but we want you to know too! We could not do the work we do without these incredible staff members so today we bring you…

Top 10 ReasonsWe Love

Animal Care!


10. They have amazing animal wrangling skills! Have you ever tried to keep a puppy in a single room? If you have, you’ll know it feels a little bit like trying to wrangle a box full of packing peanuts. No matter what you try, that puppy seems to get everywhere! Now try that times eight and you’ll get a bit of a taste for the role of Animal Care! Fall marks the close of puppy and kitten season at Calgary Humane Society, but all summer long our awesome animal care staff have been cleaning kennels filled with adorable puppies and kittens who would just LOVE to go on an adventure – but they never have a chance to escape! We don’t know how they do it, but we’re sure glad they do.

9. They provide a comforting routine! For many of our animals, coming to the shelter is a loss of everything familiar. Animal Care staff provide a consistent routine and set of friendly faces for all of the animals at Calgary Humane Society.

8. They monitor the day-to-day health of the animals. Fido not eating? Did Fluffy sneeze? Is Polly drinking enough water? Animal Care staff record the day-to-day stats for each animal so our animal health team can identify right away if an animal is feeling off.

7. They provide daily socialization. Being in a shelter can be scary. Our Animal Care staff provide every animal with loving and friendly interactions each day.

6. They seat a 400+ patron restaurant full of special diets every single day. Animal Care is responsible to ensure that every animal receives the correct food in the correct amounts each day. Quite a challenge with 400-500 mouths to feed!

5. They prevent the spread of disease. Shelters are like kindergarten! If one cat comes in with a cold it does not take much to spread it to everyone else. Our Animal Care staff follow strict protocol to prevent the transfer of disease between animals.

4. They never give up. No matter what our Animal Care staff face, they come in and face it as a team. Whether it is an influx of animals from a hoarder or learning the specialized care needed for a unique exotic, these staff are ready for the challenge!

3. They go the extra mile. Last Christmas one of our animal care staff noticed a few long-term cats that could use some extra attention. By the next day she had strung battery operated Christmas lights around each long-term resident kennel! This is just one example of this team going the extra mile!

2. They never back away from even the smelliest of tasks! Puppies love to have poo parties! Whether it is a small deposit or a major mess, Animal Care never flinch in the face of the stinkiest of tasks.

1. They make our shelter safe and healthy for every animal in our care. At the end of the day, Animal Care makes it possible for Calgary Humane Society to provide exceptional care to all of our animals. Without this amazing team, we could not provide safe refuge and comfort to animals in need.

Thank you and we love you, Animal Care!

Top 10 ReasonsWe Love

Animal Care!


SaturdayN O V E M B E R

1, 2014 119 12 Avenue S.W.

Hello peoples, my name is Chloe, your 2014 Cocktails for Critters Spokescat.

I’ve heard every excuse in the book.

Before becoming the Cocktails for Critters 2014 Spokescat, I heard enough excuses to last a lifetime. New baby, no-pet housing, too expensive, not enough time… excuses, excuses, excuses. In fact, I’d like to share a few numbers with you…

10 – my age (but don’t you DARE call me a senior! I have plenty of pep in my step thank you very much)

6 – The number of homes I’ve had in just 10 years.

4 – The number of times I found myself at Calgary Humane Society

0 – The number of times it was my fault.

Now, before you go thinking this is going to be a sad story, I don’t want your sympathy! I’m a tough cookie and each time I got knocked down, I got right back up, flaunted my fabulous self and now I have an amazing family that adores me. I’m a success story (and with fur like this, how could I not succeed?!) and I’m not the only one! Every year, Calgary Humane Society sees hundreds of animals that have been moved from home to home through no fault of their own… and for every one of those animals, Calgary Humane Society represents a second chance.

This year, I’m out to put an end to the excuses.

Together, I know we can do it. Your support will help Calgary Humane Society continue to spread the messages of compassion, empathy, humane treatment and respect for all living things. Together, we can build a caring and compassionate community where every animal has a forever home. Together, we can end the excuses.

Cocktails for Critters 2014 will be held at Hotel Arts on November 1, 2014. Join me and all of my friends from Calgary Humane Society and help us ensure a future where every home is a forever home. I’m on a mission to create a better future, and I know you are too! So mark this event in your calendar…

No Excuses!

Getting ready for the big event? Well I happened to find a “purr-fect” cocktail recipe to celebrate, Spokescat style! This “Here Kitty Kitty” creamy “meowtini” is courtesy of a mixologist at Loa in the International House Hotel in New Orleans!

It’s called Here Kitty Kitty:

First you will need catnip-infused brandy. To make this you will need any kind of brandy and some catnip. Add 1 tablespoon dried catnip per 5 ounces of brandy and shake vigorously 4-5 times over 30 minutes, then strain through a fine strainer.

Next, you take 1oz. of your cat-tastic brandy liquor and add 2 teaspoons crème de violette, 1oz. cream, 1/4 oz. ounce simple syrup into a shaker filled with ice. Give it a few shakes of a cats tail and strain into a “cat bowl” (or a martini glass if you prefer!)

Enjoy and check out calgaryhumane.ca/cocktails to order your tickets for my party!

Chloe's ultra posh mixture will have you purring in luxury!


Help the animals.Get the BMO®

Calgary Humane SocietyMastercard®

Apply today!bmo.com/chs1-800-263-2263

When you choose the Calgary Humane Society MasterCard®* from BMO® Bank of Montreal, every purchase you make helps Calgary Humane Society provide unwanted, neglected and abused animals care, shelter, compassion and a second chance at finding a loving family of their own – at no additional cost to you.

BMO is one of Calgary Humane Society’s newest corporate partners. We are working with BMO to build the foundation for a successful Affinity Card Program… one that not only generates revenue to cover the costs associated with carrying out our important work, but also offers valuable benefits that personally reward you for using the card!

• With the BMO CHS AIR MILES®† MasterCard, earn 1 AIR MILES reward mile for every $20 in card purchases¹ – no annual fee²; or

• If you prefer, choose a BMO CHS CashBack®† MasterCard and get 0.5% CashBack on all your card purchases³.

You’re invited to review the card features online at bmo.com/chs. Make the choice that matters. Please help support Calgary Humane Society by applying today and selecting the card that makes sense for you.

Terms and Conditions

1. Award of AIR MILES reward miles is made for purchases charged to your account (less refunds) and is subject to the Terms and Conditions of your BMO MasterCard Cardholder Agreement. The number of reward miles will be rounded down to the nearest whole number. Fractions of reward miles will not be awarded.2. Ongoing interest rates, payment grace days and annual fees are subject to change.3. Award of CashBack is made for purchases charged to your account (less refunds) and is subject to the Terms and Conditions of your BMO MasterCard Cardholder Agreement. The number of CashBack rewards will be rounded down to the nearest whole number. Fractions of CashBack rewards will not be awarded.

®Registered trade-marks of Bank of Montreal.®*Registered trade-mark of MasterCard International Incorporated.TM†/®†Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Inc. and Bank of Montreal.


Don't Make a(Charitable) Mistake

Written By Mike Skrypnek

I met my good friend, Glen, for coffee the other day. We were sitting at a ridiculously small table in a crowded café discussing his recent experience donating money to charity. He mentioned that a month prior, he was golfing with a friend who supported a charity that he thought could use some more help. Inspired, Glen decided he wanted to make a charitable gift so he met with his financial advisor and they figured he could sell some stock in a company he’d held for a while, then donate some of the proceeds and gain a tax credit. He was pleased, as he was told that the charitable contribution tax credit would help offset the capital gains taxes realized on the sale.

After he made his donation, Glen told me that he found out some things about the charity. He said the charity actually used his funds to pay its office rent – the month before it was evicted! He lamented that he should have done more homework. He genuinely wanted to support the cause, but didn’t realize the organization itself was in such dire straits.Hearing that, I gulped back my espresso and tried to reassure him, although I understood that instances like that happen quite often. I then shared some of the glaring, but typical mistakes that made his philanthropic gift count for less than it should have.

I told him that, first of all, he could have avoided all his capital gains tax by donating the shares directly instead of selling them. His advisor should have been able to provide him with that much information. Next, I mentioned that there are a number of resources that he could have used to do just a little more homework on the charity. A little knowledge of its basic financial circumstances, found in the Canada Revenue Agency charity information website, could have shone a light on the impact versus the futility of his gift.

As the café emptied, we talked about how he might maximize his next gift. In end, I think Glen went away with a pretty sound understanding of the unfortunately common mistakes Canadians make when they give their hard-earned cash to charities. In fact, I have seen these happen so often, I incorporated the top seven (see next page) of them into a special report. Of course, none of this could rectify Glen’s experience, but he now knows his options and he is still committed to a larger, meaningful legacy gift.

If you plan to make a lasting gift of themoney that you worked so hard to earn,

make sure it counts.


Don't Make a(Charitable) Mistake

The Top 7 Mistakes in Giving

1. You don’t know that your RRSP or RRIF will be your most-taxed asset, eventually. Most people I speak to do not realize their registered plans, while excellent lifetime tax sheltered savings vehicles, are probably the worst way to pass wealth. When I explain to them that, when the last remaining spouse dies, the value of their registered plans is considered disposed of and realized as income in their final tax return, they are surprised. And when I explain that a RRSP or RRIF worth $500,000 means that roughly $200,000 will go to taxes, they are aghast.

2. You don’t consider your legacy. My grandmother was a beautiful kind-hearted woman and when she died at 97 last year, her great-grandchildren knew her well. They knew what she stood for. Contemplating charitable giving requires contemplating your legacy. I direct people to view their legacy through the eyes of their grandchildren. Envisioning their vantage point as beneficiaries of what we do today shapes the impact of our giving.

3. You aren’t aware that we’re all involuntary philanthropists. Webster’s Dictionary defines a philanthropist as “a benevolent supporter of human beings and human welfare.” Well, what is a person who gives up half of his income and approximately one-quarter of his capital gains to support the general welfare of his country? Taxpayers are involuntary philanthropists. You probably believe you’d be more effective directing your wealth, and guess what? The government generally agrees. The government incentivizes voluntary philanthropists. There is tax-free gifting of securities and healthy tax credits for charitable donations.

4. You fail to understand how you can make your gift go further. Without proper advice or guidance, people like my friend Glen might think they can do less for charity than they are actually capable of. Sitting down with an expert who understands planned giving could have helped him. There are many tools and tactics that can be used to leverage surplus wealth to give more and pay less tax. It requires direction from an expert advisor to determine the best-suited strategies for a family.

5. You focus on the wrong metrics. Investigating a charity on the basis of its expense ratio alone, or who the chair of the board is, isn’t enough for a good decision. Asking about the success of the charity in accomplishing its mission will provide better insight. Information itself is not wisdom, and numbers are not all key metrics.

6. You make the wrong gift at the wrong time. Deciding to make an impactful gift is the first step. The second is to maximize the impact both for the charity you wish to support, and for your financial circumstances. Reviewing your financial, tax and estate planning will identify opportunities in maximizing your gift’s impact. Do you give now or give through your estate? How can you make your current surplus cash flow do more? There are ways to give multiples of what would otherwise be a small annual gift. Review your personal circumstances and then consult a professional advisor.

7. You don’t seek professional help. You don’t have to become a specialist in areas of your life that you don’t know. Hey, you don’t do self-dentistry. Establishing a relationship with a professional who is an expert in planned giving and client-centred is crucial to successful legacy planning. If your advisor starts conversations with “What is important to you?” or “Where do you want to make a difference?” you’re on the right path.

Mike Skrypnek, author of Philanthropy; An Inspired Process, is an expert in guiding families in the journey to make a bigger impact in their lifetimes and beyond. This is the first of a four-part series.

Are you interested in receiving more information about planned giving, income tax reduction or estate tax elimination?

Contact Ainsley Grant at (403) 723-6001 or email your questions to [email protected]


Ever wonder what a “day in the life” looks like for an officer in Calgary Humane Society’s Protection and Investigations department? This issue, we asked Brad Nichols, Manager of Animal Cruelty Investigations for Calgary Humane Society to share more about what CHS officers do on a day to day basis.

RIDE ALONGRIDE ALONGCalgary Humane Society’s Protection and Investigations department is a law enforcement agency. Having said that, we very much follow a community policing model. We investigate, on average, 1300 concerns of animal cruelty, neglect and abandonment per year. Of those 1300 files, around 20 of the most severe or prolonged are prosecuted. I would estimate that those 1300 files would concern the welfare of 4000 animals.

Of those 4000 animals, we seize approximately 250 per year. The trend becomes clear, enforcement action is taken in about 5% of all files investigated. So what is done with the other 95% of investigations? Education and compliance. Every interaction is an opportunity to improve the life of the animals in that home and CHS Peace Officers use those opportunities to educate animal owners on proper animal care, enrichment and the legal consequences of either failing to comply with orders or committing the alleged acts.

The following is an education heavy day in the life of a CHS Peace Officer:

Arriving at the office in the morning, there are messages waiting from the previous day’s investigations. When we attend a concern and the offender is not home, we leave notices indicating the reason for our attendance and a brochure full of resource material for every category of animal crime we would investigate. This morning, I have messages from two residences I attended the previous day.

The first was a concern that the cat is being left outside in all kinds of weather. Once on the phone with the accused, I advise them of the nature of the concern and give them an opportunity to respond. In this case, as with many others, the owner feels justified in giving the cat the freedom of the outdoors. I advise her of the potential animal protection offenses she is committing by failing to provide adequate shelter, and by allowing the cat to run at large, offences under the City of Calgary Bylaws. I go through my spiel on how outdoor cats are at risk of traffic, predation, trapping, disease, pregnancy and cruelty. What really gets her attention, however, is the story I tell her about the cat I found dismembered, probably by a coyote, in her community the week before. She commits to restricting the cats access to the outdoors for her cat’s safety.

The second call is from the alleged abuser of a dog. Again, I advise of the concern reported to the department and allow opportunity for explanation. The abuse is denied and I ask to set up an appointment to view the animal in order to do my due diligence. The owner is cooperative to have me attend today, a good sign that there is no injury to the dog. I go through the possible consequences of causing distress to an animal.

Time to hit the road. It is a hot day today and the majority of my calls will likely be heat related. Priority calls are always those where the animal is at risk of grievous injury or death. The morning has not reached peak temperature for the day, so I will


attend a medical neglect complaint first. The complainant has described a dog with untreated wounds for more than a week. Attending the residence, the owner is home and consents to my entry to the home to view the dog. I detail what has been reported as I examine the dog. The dog does have several puncture wounds in its leg, but they appear fresh.

The owner claims that their dogs got in a fight 2 days previous and that they have been keeping an eye on the wounds. The dog also has a large mass on its abdomen, which was not reported. I advise them that these wounds may need stitches and that the punctures along with the large mass will require

veterinary care. I educate them on the consequences of depriving adequate veterinary care and give them the option of getting to a vet clinic within 24 hours or having me seize the dog.

Finances are often a reason veterinary care is declined, as is the case here. I advise that the dog needs veterinary care regardless of their ability to afford it, which may necessitate difficult decisions such as surrender to the Humane Society or speaking with their orwn vet about euthanasia to ensure that the dog does not suffer unnecessarily. They elect to seek veterinary care, which I will follow up on tomorrow to ensure compliance.

Now into the afternoon, it is quite hot out. I get a call from dispatch concerning a dog left in a hot car at the mall. This is considered an emergency, so this call jumps the queue and I’m on my way. I arrive at the vehicle and see that there is a senior black Lab in a black vehicle, the worst case scenario. Fortunately, the vehicle is partially shaded and the dog does not appear in immediate physical distress, allowing me to attempt to find the owner, rather than smash his window.

While I am checking the doors and windows for easy access points, the owner returns to the vehicle and very cavalierly asks what the problem is. I advise him that he very nearly lost his window and his dog as a result of his poor judgment. I educate him on the danger of dogs left in hot cars, why their respiratory systems are different than humans and that cracked windows only mitigate, but do not solve the problem. Seeming somewhat receptive, I leave him with the warning on the understanding that he is leaving now with his dog and will leave him at home from now on.

Off now to a concern about dogs left outside without any shelter or water. I attend the residence and no one answers the door. With an animal potentially in distress, I have authorities under the Animal Protection Act to enter the yard to assess the animal and correct the distress. I enter the yard and find 2 dogs in a dog run with only a plastic crate for shelter. The run is located in the direct sun and the water has dried up. These dogs are good candidates for seizure. As I am on the verge of taking the dogs, the owner emerges from the back door, claiming not to have heard the door bell. I identify myself and advise that changes are going to need to be immediately made to the dogs’ living conditions to come into compliance with the law.

Rather than address the animal welfare issue, the owner wants to know what right I have to be in his yard. I am happy to provide him with an explanation of the authorities granted to me by the Provincial government. I direct the conversation back to the dog run. I advise that a plastic crate is no protection from injurious heat and is therefore inadequate shelter. I also point out that the run is in the direct sun and the water had dried up. I educate him on how the culmination of these problems could result in heatstroke. I advise them how close he was to seizure of the animals and charges under the Animal Protection Act. I order him to take the dogs in the house until such time as a proper shelter can be constructed. I will follow up after the compliance date.

My last stop of the day will be at the alleged abuse case I dealt with by phone earlier. Attending this house I find a healthy and happy dog showing no signs of abuse. We could write these files off as unfounded and do nothing more, but, as something happened to trigger the call, we have a conversation about possible behavior concerns causing tension in the owner/pet relationship. Finding out that the dog’s barking is causing problems, I give the owner some tools to correct the concern, directing toward the citronella bark collar and enrichment rather than a shock collar and confinement. I educate him on the ineffectiveness of negative reinforcement training and give him the phone number for the CHS behavior help line for free advice. I caution him on the potential consequences of abusing an animal.

Now done for the day, I have satisfaction in knowing that despite not removing any animals or charging any neglectful or abusive owners, I positively affected the lives of every animal I encountered. This is why I do this job.

Education is 95% of animal protection enforcement


Jennifer CLAYTON - Charged December 19, 2013 for allowing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act, has pleaded not guilty and a trial date has been set for December 2014.

Vichai NGOTNGAMWONG - Charged December 19, 2013 for allowing a 13 domestic banded pigeons to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act, has been convicted and sentenced to a $1000 fine and a lifetime prohibition from owning or caring for animals.

Jenna BOSWELL - Charged February 8, 2013 for allowing 4 dogs to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act, was convicted and sentenced to a $4600 fine and a lifetime prohibition from owning or caring for animals once her existing 2 dogs, ordered spayed and neutered, pass away.

Eric WILTZEN - Charged February 8, 2014 for allowing 9 exotic animals to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act, was convicted and sentenced to a $700 fine and 10 year prohibition form owning or caring for animals.

Patricia and Lana SIEMENS - Charged November 27, 2013 for allowing 3 dogs to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act, failed to appear in court. Arrest warrants have been issued.

Chad BLANCHARD - Charged October 26, 2013 for causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to a dog contrary to section unnecessary pain 445.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada, failed to appear in court. An arrest warrant has been issued.

Debra TORODE - Charged November 25, 2011 for allowing 53 cats to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, pleaded not guilty. A trial date has been set for January 30, 2015.

Andrew FOSTER - Charged May 17, 2013 for causing a cat to be in distress contrary to section 2(1.1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta and willfully permitting to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury contrary to 445.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada, was convicted and sentenced to a $1500 fine and a 5 year prohibition from owning or caring for cats.

Danh LY - Charged April 10, 2013 for allowing a cat to be in distress contrary to section 2(1.1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $300 fine and a lifetime prohibition from owning or caring for animals.

Jonathon THIBODEAU - Charged August 24, 2012 for allowing a cat to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $1200 fine and 5 year prohibition from owning or caring for animals.

Bradley FORSBERG - Charged July 18, 2013 for allowing a cat to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $1000 fine.

Joseph HOGAN - Charged May 18, 2011 for allowing 34 dogs to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $5000 fine and a lifetime 3 animal limit.

Joseph HOGAN - Charged March 24, 2011 for allowing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, previously convicted and prohibited on a 34 dog offense, was convicted and fined another $1500.

Amaritpal GILL - Charged September 21, 2011 for allowing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $4000 fine and 10 year prohibition from owning animals.

Peter LOWTHERS - Charged December 18, 2012 for causing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1.1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, willfully killing, maiming, wounding, poisoning or injuring a dog contrary to 445(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada and willfully permitting to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury contrary to 445.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada, was convicted and sentenced to a $1000 fine and a lifetime prohibition from owning or caring for animals.

Mariko DORMER - Charged August 22, 2013 for causing 5 dogs to be in distress contrary to section 2(1.1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta (5 counts) and willfully permitting to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury contrary to 445.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada (3 counts), was convicted and sentenced to a $3000 fine and 10 year ban from working in the pet industry.

David CHAN - Charged February 25, 2013 with 2 counts of causing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, pleaded guilty. Sentencing will take place in September 2014.

Valerie PENNY - Charged September 22, 2012 for causing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1.1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta and willfully killing, maiming, wounding, poisoning or injuring a dog contrary to 445(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada, pleaded not guilty. A trial has been scheduled for August 2014.

Ashley ONEN - Charged February 28, 2011 for allowing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $7000 fine and a 10 year prohibition from owning or caring for animals.

Richard SUNDIN - Charged June 19, 2013 for allowing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, pleaded guilty. Sentencing will take place in September 2014.

Nicolino CAMARDI - Charged May 3, 2014 for willfully permitting animals to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury contrary to 445.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada, remains in custody.

Carrie STEVENS - Charged April 14, 2014 for allowing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta.

Dianne HALL - Charged August 8, 2014 for allowing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta

Mark BARROS - Charged July 30, 2014 for allowing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta.

Tara TAYLOR - Charged July 26, 2014 for allowing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta

Sandra and Stephen LEMAY - Charged May 30, 2014 for allowing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta.

Darren LAW - Charged June 26, 2014 for allowing 9 dogs to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta.

Kyle JOHNSON - Charged August 1, 2014 for allowing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta.

Gary SEITRIET - Charged June 27, 2014 for causing a cat to be in distress contrary to section 2(1.1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta

Beverly CREED - Charged June 27, 2014 for 51 counts of allowing a dog to be in distress contrary to section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta.

Protection & Investigation Updates 2014 Investigation Stats (to July 31)

Abandonment 167Physical Abuse 128Inadequate Shelter 184Malnutrition 41Inadequate Water 17Grooming Neglect 18Medical Neglect 119Dirty Conditions 55Overcrowding 8Hot Car 33 Other 58Inspections 6

Total 834

Animals Seized 380


successful adoption stories from calgary humane society

Razzle: I wanted to write an update on our almost 5 year old GSD Alexandria, formerly “Razzle”. We adopted her 4 years ago in December. We put a lot of time, effort, and TLC into Alex. She was crazy hyper and had food aggression. She is an quick learner and loves to try new things. One of her favorite things to do I go hiking/ scrambling in the mountains! We love her to pieces and are so glad we were able to adopt her!

Kipper: Kipper just wants to say hello to his old friends at the CHS and let them know he is a happy bun!! We adopted him back in October and he is the most snuggly sweetie, we love him so much! Thank you for rescuing him CHS.

Lily: Hello CHS! Just wanted to give you an update on our Lilly. She has been with us since February of this year. She is 100% part of the family and we all adore her. In fact I wonder at times if any cat has ever been loved so much! We will be moving to a new home soon and she will have way more room to run around in. Here is a picture of her looking out the window. I’m afraid that is as close to the outside as she will ever get. Thank you again so much for completing our family.


4455 110 Avenue SECalgary, AB T2C 2T7ConneCtingLives magazine

Please don’t change homes without us!If you’re moving send us your change of address.

connecting lives fall/winter 2014

Documents

thiscalgary humane society

humane education

calgary humane societyby

dogs personality

ride dog ride

new connecting lives

furry friend

chs bmo mastercard