WeSNIP NEWS

Friday, June 11, 2010

Mt. Shuksan from Artist’s Point

The mountain's name, Shuksan, is derived from a Skagit Indian word meaning "Rocky and Precipitous”. Shuksan is composed of Shuksan greenschist - This is oceanic basalt that was metamorphosed when the Easton terrane* smashed into the west coast of North America, approximately 120 million years ago.

*A terrane in geology is a fragment of crustal material formed on, or broken off from, one tectonic plate and accreted — "sutured" — to crust lying on another plate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Shuksan

It was overcast and threatening rain when Cindy, our Station manager, drove the Station into the parking lot at Shuksan Middle School inBellingham.

Chester, the poodle, raced around the parking lot as registration began. Vet Assistant, Laura, introduced the latest WeSNIP Canine Mascot, her French Brittany named Kaelie. Laura said, “Her name is derived from Ceili (pronounced kaelie) or Ceildh which is a traditional Celtic dance.”

French Brittany History

The Brittany takes its name from the province in northern France where it originated, possibly as long as 1,800 years ago. While there is no consensus on the origins of the breed, many experts believe the dog is a product of interbreeding between English pointers and spaniels native to Brittany. The strong historical ties between Brittany and southern Britain lend strong support to this theory, as frequent interaction between merchants, politicians, and hunters could easily have resulted in pairings between English and French hunting dogs. Depictions of dogs bearing a strong resemblance to the Brittany can be found in paintings and tapestries dating back to the 17th century, in which one sees the dog being used to locate and capture game, much as it is used today.http://www.breederretriever.com/dog-breed-history/69/brittany.php

Chris set up for registration while Andy shot video footage for an upcoming WeSNIP fund raiser. A family registered their animals.

Lindsay, and her friends Hali and Carly, held Little Girl, the mom Chihuahua, and one of her babies. Lindsay’s family brought the Chihuahua family to the Spay Station and Nicole’s family brought a kitty.

It was a downpour as Andy covered her camera while filming Patricia's arrival to help on the Spay Station.

Chris met with the Middle School volunteers and explained how they would be labeling pet carriers before the animals were boarded.

Hali and Devon labeled the carrier for the kitty that Joy transported for a woman who does not drive. Staci and Patricia chatted while the volunteers waited to help and Chris continued registration.

A little Chihuahua peeked out from behind the Spay Station registration sign while Chester waited in line, wrapped in a towel to protect from the rain.

Bullet, the Pitbull mix, was loaded on board.

Kitty boarding began.

Devon held an umbrella over Laura as she went over information as kitties were boarded. A young girl waited in line with her precious kitty.

The Middle School volunteers continued to shield the staff and families.

The sun came out in the afternoon for discharge.

Little Girl was released in the cage with one of her daughters. Her other daughter, rode home in her own carrier after surgery.

Patricia discharged a small dog while families visited in the parking lot, waiting for their pets.

Laura gave general discharge instructions to the waiting families while Andy filmed. Patricia gave individual discharge instructions to a young girl and her family.

Patricia discharged a small dog and then a kitty in a BIG carrier went home.

Patricia gave individual instructions to Chester’s owner before handing him over to her. They were one happy poodle and owner when they left to go home.

Bullet was discharged – she was also ready to go home!!!

Two more kitties were unloaded and sent home.

A happy family waited for their kitty. The little boy was very proud that his Spider Man towel was used to cover his kitty.

WeSNIP had a first at Shuksan Middle School: Precious kitties have arrived in boxes, cages, baskets, pillow cases, and a laundry hamper:

This was the first time a kitty arrived in a bird cage!!!!

Teacher, Staci Hurley, explained her Middle School class focused on teaching the students about the results of animal overpopulation. Some students from that class were inspired to volunteer at the Spay Station.

“I taught a three-week unit to each of the 8th grade classes, and I really wanted them to understand what happens every single day in shelters across the country. On average, 4-6 million pets each year, and close to 11,000 dogs and cats each day are killed simply because there are not enough homes. I think there is a big disconnect between the kids (and adults for that matter) and the statistics and what it really means. It is easy for them to say, "Oh, that's sad" when they hear numbers like that, but until you really experience it and see it for yourself, you can distance yourself from it. I showed the students videos that had kittens, puppies, and adult dogs and cats being euthanized, I showed footage from puppy mills so students could see the horrific conditions and what industry they are supporting if they buy a dog from an online breeder or pet store, and we read stories about animal abuse and neglect. I thought they were at an age where they could handle the material, and I felt it was important for them to learn about it, because it is the reality of what is happening. If they feel moved enough, they will not only become more responsible pet owners, but they will spread the word and educate others, and they will also take action, like these girls did, and volunteer to make a difference.”

The girls raised $130 in a coin drive at school, and were invaluable in helping the Station staff and volunteers on a very rainy day.

Nicole Andreason, Lindsey Conway, Hali Sandstrom, Carianne DiSpigno, teacher Staci Hurley, Carly Glick, and Devon Fuhrmeister

They are, after all, teen girls!!!

Many thanks to the Shuksan Middle School administration for allowing the Spay Station to park and do surgeries in their parking lot.

The WVC annual at Zuanich Point Park

Kudos to runners Jason & Angi, and Aly, WVC Volunteer Chore Director, and the other participants in the Whatcom Volunteer Center Human Race. They raised over $1,000 for WeSNIP!!!!