Home    About Us    Adopt A Pet    Help Us    Lost & Found 

	SUMMER 2003
In This Issue...
2002 Statistics Cheri Dobbs bids farewell June is ADOPT-A-CAT Month - Buy a ticket to win a fabulous Mia Lane cat print! Guardian Angel program Humane Education dog Shelby retires to the farm. Federal government's move to update Canada's century-old animal-cruelty law has hit another snag...	Lots of fun summer events! Howl Like the Stars Karaoke night at No. 9 Legion Summer Wish List Pets and Hot Weather Heart-wrenching poems Summer Fare for Furry Friends dinner at Liaison School of Culinary Arts ... and of course, more Happy Endings!
Shelter located at: 1 Binnington Court Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 8:30 to 5:00, Saturday 9:00 to 4:00, Sunday closed Phone: 546-1291 Emergency service available 24 hours at day, 7 days a week for animals in distress.

Where did they come from...
We provide services for animals throughout all of Frontenac County, but the central city area is by far the busiest for us. We get 48% of dogs and 61% of cats from the City of Kingston.
In addition to the above figures, we also admitted 679 wild animals.
Over 300 were birds, but a number of squirrels and raccoons also needed our help.

What does all this mean...
The good news is that people are reporting more cases of animal abuse than ever.
The bad news is that our community is still producing way more animals than are wanted.
The answer is simple - have your pet fixed!
Looking for another pet? Consider adopting an unwanted animal instead of
supporting puppy mills by purchasing from pet stores, and if you lose your
pet, please check with us. Chances are it is here waiting for you!

Home    About Us    Adopt A Pet    Help Us    Lost & Found 

President's Message
This is my last year on the Board for the Kingston Humane Society.  I cannot
remember exactly when I joined the Board, the best guess is 14 years ago, give or take a year.
I have seen many changes during that time and have seen staff, board members and volunteers come and go. I have met some wonderful people because of my connection to animals and to the humane society.  Our desire to help animals joins people from different backgrounds and circumstances. People who would never have the opportunity to meet are brought together because they share
something in common, a love of animals.
I am struck each day by the dedication of the staff at the shelter, and thankful that we have managed to find people who work together to save lives. These people spend their days rescuing, loving, nurturing animals, and sometimes having to make tough decisions when the animals are critically injured or so sick they cannot be saved.
We are also fortunate to have an Inspector/Shelter Manager who has laid countless charges in cases of animal cruelty, which sends a strong message to the community that we will not allow such abuse to exist. Our volunteers are always working on a project of some kind. They are now working on raising money for dog beds designed by the volunteers, sewn by them as well.
These beds will provide a warm, cozy spot for our dogs awaiting adoption.
This is just one of many projects the volunteers have undertaken, because they want to help the animals and make a difference in their lives.
I am proud of our reputation in our community and of all the good work we do, proud to have been a part of that for these so many years, and proud to call any of the staff, volunteers and board members my friends. I will not disappear completely; I will still be part of the fundraising team, working behind the scenes to help raise money for our many programmes and services.
I could never completely leave the Kingston Humane Society, because my desire to help animals is too much a part of who I am.
Cheri Dobbs
President

Inspector's Corner
WOW the nice weather has finally arrived! New flowers, new buds on the trees and of course, NEW OFFSPRING. When you come across wildlife offspring please leave hands off! Mom is probably close by collecting food or taking a break.
As for domestic pets, here are a few ideas to ensure your pets stay healthy and safe:

• Yearly shots, rabies included
• Stooping and scooping

These both help in controlling the spread of different viruses.
Pet identification, by way of tags, tattoos and micro chipping, may help in
your pet¹s quick and safe return if he or she strays. Also, spaying and
neutering is the number one way of ensuring your pet will not want to wander
looking for a mate.  Please remember the hot weather will soon be upon us so
leave your pet HOME where it¹s cool.
K. Murphy
Inspector/Manager

BINGO VOLUNTEERS
Kingston Humane Society is in need of a select group of volunteers to run
Bingos for the Shelter
Interested? Please call   546-1329

Upcoming Events for June- Adopt- a-cat month 

 - Can you make room in your heart and in your home for a feline in need?

• JUNE 7th - Annual Lawn Sale at the Shelter
  We will be accepting items two weeks prior to the Lawn Sale only, as we are
  very limited for space.
• JUNE 8th - Howl Like the Stars Karaoke
  Join the Kingston Humane Society at the No. 9 Legion
• JUNE 11th - 15th - Humane Education/Cat Adoption Booth at Cataraqui Town
  Centre
• JUNE 21st - Strawberry Feast for the Furry dinner
• JUNE 21st - Pet Valu Gardiners Road fundraising BBQ
• SEPTEMBER 14 - 21st - OSPCA Violence Prevention Week
• SEPTEMBER 21st - OBig Paws at Little Cat¹ Walkathon and Day in the Park

What's been happening...

• Every month, Money Mart and Cheque Cashing Centers on Division Street
  picks a local charity organization to collect money for. For the month of
  December 2002, Money Mart chose the Kingston Humane Society and collected
  over $1500.00 to go toward the care of the over 3000 animals that will come
  into the Shelter in 2003.
• Every year the Queen's Charity Ball also chooses a non-profit, non-medical
  charity organization to do fundraising for.  Last year we submitted a
  proposal to Queen's Charity Ball asking them to choose the Kingston Humane
  Society for their year long fundraiser. We waited patiently for a response.
  When word came that they did pick us, the staff was delighted.  Now nearly
  one year later, Queen's Charity Ball has given us a cheque for over
  $9100.00! The money will be put toward the day to day running of the Shelter
  to help keep these animals fed and cared for until they are adopted into
  permanent homes.
  
  On behalf of the animals, the staff would like to send out a big thank you
  to all of the staff at Money Mart involved in collecting money, and those
  involved in the Queen's Charity Ball for their hard work in a year long
  fundraiser!

STUDENTS BUILD BETTER LIVES FOR OUTDOOR DOGS

March 24, 2003 held the Kingston Regional Skills Competition. This held competitions for a wide range of skills from hair styling and robotics to web design and carpentry for students from various schools. The students who entered the carpentry competition ­ called Team Carpentry - picked the
Kingston Humane Society and built dog houses for us to use in our "dog house exchange". This is where we give the opportunity for people to exchange their poor dog houses for one of ours which meets the proper guidelines of  Ideal Dog Houses for Canada's Out Door Dogs. These houses are insulated and contain an interior windbreak for the animal.
There were five groups of students, two people per doghouse. These students ranged in age from 16 to 18 years of age. They were: Jason Kent and Matt Smith from L.C.V.I, Scott Kelford from Frontenac Secondary School, Joel Young from Sydenham High School, Steven Castignier and Mykel Fourtnier from Napanee Secondary School, Chris Hughes and Tom Roberts from Q.E.C.V.I, and unable to attend were Derek Moore and Jeff Rogers from Ernestown Secondary School.
Each team worked very well together and were creative and productive. These students are very hard workers and needed little or no direction while building their doghouse. The students won first to fifth place. They were judged on safety, teamwork, procedure, written work and the final product.
With the Kingston Humane Society, there is no first and last place when it comes to improving the quality of an animal's life. 
We all work together to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Thank you,
Rhonda Harpell
OSPCA Cruelty Agent
Community Relations Coordinator

Laura and Matt Young recently celebrated their Birthdays and they requested donations to the Shelter rather than gifts for themselves! There were donations of food, toys treats, blankets, hamster wheels and a handmade animal cage/carrier.
Their generosity is deeply appreciated by the Shelter staff and animals!

Home    About Us    Adopt A Pet    Help Us    Lost & Found 

 Humane Education Report
A Farewell to "SHELBY"
After four years of educating thousands of Kingston and area children, one of the Kingston Humane Society¹s education dogs, Shelby, will be entering retirement this year. Shelby has brought joy to many faces, both child and adult. Shelby began as an education dog at the age of nine months. It was just she and I in the beginning, both of us learning the ropes together. We visited day-cares, playgroups, schools, adult community groups and public events. Shelby was a hit everywhere we went, always being asked to "come back soon." As time went on Amber joined our team and Shelby quickly taught her the ropes, and she learned early. Amber began visits at the age of 10 weeks. Amber will now be taking over the job solo. Shelby will be retiring to the life of a farm dog. Days of rolling in the mud, playing in the hay
loft, swimming and just being a dog. I am sure she will be missed, but she has let me know that her time as a visiting dog is over. Retirement officially starts at the end of June, when I will be taking a one year maternity leave and will return in July 2004 with Amber. I am sure Shelby would like to say a heartfelt farewell to all of those she met and taught over the last four years. She will never be forgotten.

• A huge thank you to the students in Mme Martha Runte's grade six class at Polson Park PS. They were able to raise more than $400.00 for the animals at the shelter through a bake sale. The idea for this wonderful fundraising was due to the compassion of two students, Olivia Schneider and Amanda Cronk.
  The entire class received certificates as did the school. At the Humane Society we are very inspired and encouraged by the generosity of so many of today¹s youth. They will continue to be the animal heroes of the future.
• The education department has been in full swing. Many visits to schools, day-care groups and a variety of public events. Thanks once again to all the fantastic volunteers who continue to support the Humane Society and the important work I do as I educate our future adults. The cat booth at the Cataraqui Town Centre found a home for a lucky cat and raised more than $1000.00 in only three days. We also attended the City of Kingston's Culture & Recreation Leisure Showcase where we recruited a number of new volunteers.
  We also attended the Body Shop's Annual "Women of Courage" event again this year.
• Another first for us as well. Amber and I recently became the first therapy dog team ever at Kingston Penitentiary. We visit every few weeks to the wonderful group that also has a working partnership with us in merchandise sales. The group known as the "Free Spirit Affirmative Business" is a group of psychiatric patients within the institution that makes a variety of products that we sell in our shelter, and we split the profits.
  All products are made from recycled materials and are all made at the institution. We are very proud of this partnership and look forward to a long relationship. Please come to the shelter and support this worthwhile program by purchasing a catnip mat, bag holder or collapsible water dish.
• May will bring about another humane education/cat adoption booth at Cataraqui Town Centre, during Be Kind to Animals Week. June will also involve a humane education booth during the dog show at Lake Ontario Park
  (no cats though - they don't want to go there!)
• In celebration of 'Adopt a Cat Month' in June, the Kingston Humane Society will be holding a raffle for the chance to win a framed 18 " X 18 " Mia Lane print! Mia Lane is a well known Canadian artist who delights many with her animal art with a heart.¹ Mia depicts wild life and domestic animals (specializing in dogs and cats). Mia has generously donated one of her
  beautiful prints titled "Mice are nice, but butter is better" as a fund-raiser for the humane society. Tickets will be available starting May 1. The draw will be held Monday, June 30, 2003. (You can visit Mia's virtual studio at www.mialane.on.ca)
•  I would like to send out a mammoth thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers. Our volunteers spend countless hours walking, playing, petting,
  bathing, brushing, fundraising, folding, tidying, typing, painting,
  dishwashing, stocking, weeding, flower planting, picture taking, shovelling, poop-scooping and most importantly, loving.
• Our animals thrive and have a better quality of life thanks to the endless support shown by the many volunteers at the Kingston Humane Society. During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, the Staff and Board of Directors of the Kingston Humane Society would like to extend our heartfelt thanks (and so do the animals). You guys are the best!
  
  I want to wish everyone a safe and happy summer and I look forward to seeing
  everyone again when I return in July 2004!
         Angie Cox R.V.T.
         Humane Educator
         O.S.P.C.A. Agent
  
  Note: Angie will be taking a year off as her first baby is due this summer!

Home    About Us    Adopt A Pet    Help Us    Lost & Found 

Definition of 'animal' may hold up cruelty law
KIM LUNMAN
Tuesday, April 22, 2003 Globe and Mail
Ottawa < The federal government's move to update Canada's century-old animal-cruelty law has hit another snag with proposed Senate changes, including one suggestion to exclude the words "has the capacity to feel pain" from the bill's definition of animal.
Documents obtained by The Globe and Mail show that the Senate is also looking at a proposal to exempt some groups from the new law.
Animal-rights activists are so enraged by the proposals that they are threatening to withdraw their support from Bill C-10B. The bill was tabled in 1999 to strengthen animal-cruelty legislation, which has not significantly changed since 1892.
As passed by the Commons, the bill defines an animal as "a vertebrate, other than a human being, and any other animal that has the capacity to feel pain." 
A Senate committee has proposed amending that definition of animal to read "a vertebrate, other than a human being."
The term vertebrate refers to species with a backbone, such as fish, birds, mammals and amphibians. Using that word would exclude creatures such as octopus, squid, lobster and crab.
The documents outlining the proposed changes suggest the bill's definition of an animal is "overly broad" and say there is continuing scientific debate about "whether a being has the capacity to feel pain."
The documents outlining possible amendments were prepared after a March 27 meeting in camera of the Senate's standing committee on legal and constitutional affairs.
"The definition in Bill C-10B feeds into concerns that the bill adheres to animal-rights philosophy and that an ideological shift is taking place in favour of the emancipation of animals," the documents state.
Animal-rights advocates accuse the Senate committee of capitulating to the animal-industry lobby.
"We will withdraw our support of the bill if they go ahead with the amendments," said Shelagh MacDonald, program director of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. "We are absolutely drawing a line in the sand. The original intent of the bill is to improve animal-cruelty laws.
This would go backward."
The Senate is also considering exemptions for hunters, trappers, scientific researchers acting under "generally accepted standards," those who practice animal husbandry or slaughter, and natives practicing "traditional hunting, trapping or fishing."
Ms. MacDonald said this would create a two-tiered animal-abuse law.
The Liberal government wants to amend the Criminal Code's section on cruelty to animals to impose tougher penalties.
Under the bill, those convicted of causing "unnecessary pain and suffering or injury to an animal" could face maximum jail sentences of up to five years and a $10,000 fine. The maximum penalty for animal cruelty now is a $2,000 fine and six months in jail.
Advocates for various animal industries have appeared before the Senate legal affairs committee to explain that their members treat animals humanely but want to be exempt from the cruelty bill. They want assurances that people who use humane methods will not be subject to attempts by
animal-rights groups to prosecute them privately. The Poultry Welfare Coalition wanted an amendment to protect chicken farmers, and the Canadian Council for Animal Care and the Association of
Universities and Colleges of Canada requested exemptions for research labs that adhere to industry guidelines.
The committee even called on pain experts, who testified that a lobster being boiled does not feel pain.
Bill C-10B is close to becoming law, but amendments could delay the already stalled legislation once again. It's currently in Senate committee after third reading in the House and second reading in the upper chamber.
If the Senate decides to send the bill back to the Commons with amendments, MPs could vote on the amended legislation and pass the law or send it back to the Senate for changes.
Animal-rights advocates say the proposed changes, if adopted, would weaken the bill considerably and make it more difficult to prosecute cases of animal cruelty. 
"Senators have lost sight of the very serious problem of animal cruelty in Canada," said David Loan, campaign manager for the International Fund for Animal Welfare. "I'm hoping the Senate will take a step back and remember what this law is for. They're setting it back prior to 1892."
The bill's supporters include the Association of Chiefs of Police, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the governments of Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.