WeSNIP NEWS

Friday, April 16, 2010

Fairhaven

Fundraiser for WeSNIP

Have loads of fun while raising cash for WeSNIP. The Human Race is a 5K walk and 5K/10K timed run and the only local fundraising event that allows each participant to choose the non-profit where they want their pledge money to go. Last year the Human Race drew 434 racers and raised more than $48,000 for 50 nonprofit organizations, many of which do not have the resources to put on a fundraising event of their own.

This year the race is Saturday, June 12 and will be centered around Zuanich Park in the port area. There’s a hearty lunch served after the race, lots of great prizes for race winners, individuals and teams raising the most money, and individuals, groups and pets with the most creative costumes. There is also a Family Fair with balloon animals, face painting and children’s games.

Information regarding registration and sponsorship forms & fees, etc at:
http://www.whatcomvolunteer.org/events/the-human-race

WeSNIP is looking for competitors and donors - join Angi and Jason (of Tails-a-Wagging) in participating in the race and raising funds for WeSNIP.

For information regarding WeSNIP participation contact Aly Hoover at (360) 734-3055, or chore@whatcomvolunteer.org.

WeSNIP reached an important milestone. Since it’s first day out on the road in August of 2008, 5,000 spay/neuter surgeries have been performed on the Spay Station in
Whatcom and North Skagit Counties.

The Journal of the American Veterinarian Medical Association reports:

The population of dogs and cats in the United States currently exceeds the capacity of our society to care and provide homes for them as companion animals. As a result, millions do not have homes and are euthanatized annually by animal control agencies, humane organizations, and veterinarians in private practice. Many dogs and cats that are not adopted can become victims of trauma, starvation, or disease. The AVMA concludes that dog and cat population control is a primary welfare concern of our society. http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/animal_welfare/population_control.asp

Staff, volunteers, and families celebrated lucky number 5,000 with a cake for the humans and treats for all of the kitties & dogs.

Chris arrived early to register families. Little Girl’s Mom was first in line and the 5 month-old Chiweenie (Chihuahua and Dachshund mix) was lucky 5,000.

Videographer, Bill Bailey, interviewed Dr. Karen Mueller for the Whatcom Humane Society TV show "PetWatch" shown on TV Channel 10 (BTV10). Philip Dwyer interviewed Patricia and Little Girl’s owner Katie Lawrence for the Bellingham Herald newspaper.

(Bellingham Herald photograph)

“Owner Katie Lawrence of Bellingham, hands over "Little Girl," a 5-month old chiweenie, to veterinary technician Kathryn Weiss, Thursday morning, April 15, 2010 in Fairhaven, to be the 5,000th pet to get spayed or neutered in Whatcom and Skagit counties at the WeSNIP mobile spay station. Little Girl also will get a free micro chip ID. Lawrence adopted the chiweenie, which is a cross between a chihuahua and a dachshund, from someone else who couldn't keep her. More information on the free or low-cost service is online at wesnip.org”
PHILIP A. DWYER | THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Jins waited with his owner. He’s a 10 month-old tuxedo who was found wandering on a road in the County. His owner saw a flyer for the Spay Station in Ferndale. Snoopy’s owner held him in line. He’s a 7-month old mixture of Chihuahua and probably Rat Terrier. His owner saw him advertised on Craigslist and rescued him from an unhealthy environment. She adopted a kitty from Whatcom Humane Society. Snoopy and Abby love to play together.

	Apple Head Chihuahua	Deer head Chihuahua

Chico, the 2 year-old “apple head” Chihuahua waited with his owner. The term apple head is used to describe any chihuahua with a round or "dome-like" head similar to the shape of an apple. The term deer head is used to describe any Chihuahua that does not have the characteristic apple shaped head. Deer head Chihuahuas tend to have a longer noses and a head shape similar to that of a miniature young deer.

	Border Collie	Blue Heeler

Mickee, the 1 year-old Border Collie/Heeler mix was traded for a video game. His owner saw a flyer for the Spay Station at The Market in Fairhaven. The Border Collie has an inordinate amount of energy and requires more than physical exercise. They thrive on work, play, mental stimulation, and close contact with their owner and family. The Blue Heeler is one of the most intelligent breeds, they are not the kind of dog to lie around the living room all day or live happily in the backyard with only a 15 minute walk. They need much more exercise than that and something to occupy their mind daily or they become bored.

Laura and Kat arrived with Bessie, Canine Mascot Extraordinaire, in the back seat. Kat has taken a job with veterinarian practice in Sedro Wooley, near her home. She and Bessie will be greatly missed.

Finley, the 5 month-old Grey/White tuxedo registered his opinion of his morning. He was definitely NOT amused. He was left at his owner’s house by the owner’s sister, who never came back for him. The family read about the Spay Station on Craigslist. Kacia, the 10 month-old tabby looked out from her carrier with huge eyes. She was rescued from a farm and her owner saw a flyer about the Spay Station downtown Bellingham.

Olivia waited with her owner. She is all black except for 2 distinctive white eyelashes. Her owner adopted her from a former room-mate and saw a flyer at the Food CO-OP. Flora, with the gorgeous green eyes, is an adult tabby who was given to her owner, who read about the Spay Station online.

Tinkerbell’s owner was referred to private veterinary practices for Tinkerbell’s spay. She’s a year old Chihuahua who weighs 3 lbs. There is a five-pound requirement for dogs to be spayed or neutererd onthe Spay Station.

Cindy and Patricia arrived.

Bunny and David arrived. Then, Dr. Karen joined the group with her children.

7 year-old Lainie and 11 year-old Joseph came to join the celebration. Bill showed Joseph how to use his video camera.

Cindy passed out cat and dog treats to the families as they boarded their animals. Kat finished up cat boarding.

Next it was the dogs’ turn. Tank and Dollar boarded. They are 7 month-old Boxer/Australian Shepherd mix brothers. They were rescued, freezing and starving from living in a crate in a van. Such lucky, sweet boys.

After the boarding was finished, the celebrations started!

David and Bunny cut the cake and Joseph presented a floral bouquet and balloon to “Little Girl’s” owner, Katie Lawrence.

The WeSNIP Canine Mascots posed, sporting celebration bandanas (left to right – Oz with Cindy, Thoreau & Sunny with Joy, and Bessie with Kat).

Chris, Laura, Kathryn, Kat, Dr. Karen, and Patricia celebrated the 5,000 milestone, with Bessie looking on.