Bark Radio

Terry and Dee welcome Aimee Sadler to the studio today. Aimee is from Longmont Humane Society in Colorado. Hear about play groups as a tool in her work with shelter dogs. This is a fascinating look at a model you may not be familiar with. Longmont is an open admission shelter and boasts a 92.5% live release rate. And, Longmont has gone green. Bravo!

Bark Radio’s Terry Griffith met Jon Dunn at the Best Friends conference in Las Vegas. In this episode of Bark Radio, Terry and Dee talk with Jon about the role of social media in the animal rescue community. Help Best Friends create a world of no more homeless pets. Visit Best Friends Network: Social Networking to Save Lives. Your local rescue group (must be a 501c3) can benefit from Best Friends’ global presence. Learn how.

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month. Terry and Dee spoke with Joanne Silverman, director of Fetch-a-Cure recently about the organization’s mission and the many events on tap for November. FETCH a Cure will promote its See Spots campaign by partnering with Richmond merchants in honor of fighting pet cancer, the deadliest of diseases. Participating sponsors will donate part of the sales from specified items or services to See Spots, meaning you can help our furry friends simply by frequenting the See Spots participants. Make it your goal to raise canine cancer awareness and funds for FETCH a Cure. Learn more.

Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary in Ohio takes in special needs animals, especially dogs. Don’t miss this very special interview with Deborah Parker. This wonderful woman is an inspiration to all animal lovers. Learn more at www.saintfrancisanimalsanctuary.org and donate generously to this worthy cause.

Terry and Dee talked recently with Shanna from Bully Paws rescue in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Like so many people in the rescue community, Shanna and her team of volunteers are overwhelmed with the number of dogs who need homes. Yes, the economy has made it worse. There are not enough foster homes. Volunteer today. Adopt today. Give generously to this and all rescue groups. They are all bursting at the seams.

Terry and Dee visited Kat Simons recently in her studio at Lite 98. These three animal lovers talked about working dogs, homeless animals, upcoming events, and much more. Murphy the therapy dog was along to provide chocolate therapy to one and all.

What is Dogs Deserve Better? To find out, Dee and Terry interviewed DDB founder Tami Thayne, who you may know better as Tammy Grimes, animal activist. Tami is passionate about her mission – that all dogs deserve to be part of the family, not to be chained or penned outside, removed from their pack. If you know of an abused or neglected dog who is chained or penned, you can go to the Dogs Deserve Better website to report it anonymously. Do it today. Because you can make a difference. Because dogs DO deserve better.

“Would you for one second choose to live the life of these dogs?

No matter what reason is given, the bottom line is that it is NOT ok to chain a dog for life
Dogs should not have to live chained or penned as prisoners, yearning for a place in a family,
craving acknowledgment, respect, and love. They DESERVE BETTER,
and we as caretakers have the obligation to provide it for them.”
– from the Dogs Deserve website

Robin Starr, CEO of the Richmond SPCA, sat down recently with Dee and Terry to talk about the many this amazing no-kill facility. Robin shares with our listeners the details of Project Safety Net – a group of programs designed to improve the lives of pets in our community and keep them in loving homes.

• Wellness clinics take place at the Richmond SPCA’s Robins-Starr Humane Center, located at 2519 Hermitage Road. The fee is $20 per animal and includes a wellness exam. Low-cost preventative vaccinations and medications may also be purchased at the time of your appointment. Starting Monday, October 5, 2009 hours are every Monday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Appointments are required. 
• The Pet Pantry is for Greater Richmond area individuals and families (residents of the City of Richmond or the counties of Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfield and Goochland) who are unable to feed their pets. The Richmond SPCA will assist by providing temporary pet food assistance. This service is being offered to households in need of short-term help with the cost of food (for their owned animals) .
• Share-a-Pet.Volunteers bring the love and warmth of animals from the Robins-Starr Humane Center to residents of retirement and convalescent homes.
• Paws for Health. Richmond SPCA volunteers and their carefully screened pets visit local hospitals, nursing homes and retirement communities.
• Pets on Wheels. Elderly and/or disabled clients of the local Meals on Wheels program are provided adult cats as companion animals. They pay no adoption fee. They are asked only to love and care for the animal as long as they are able. Meals on Wheels delivers the pet’s food. Litter and other supplies are provided by the Richmond SPCA. Necessary shots, any required medications and other veterinary care are administered by Richmond SPCA staff. Generous contributions make it possible for the Richmond SPCA to take care of all these services at no charge to the client. It is well known that people with pets live happier and longer lives. This program is a wonderful opportunity to give a loving home to a pet who needs one and in return receive the love and companionship that a treasured pet can provide.
• Sheltering Animals for Abused Families (SAAF). Often a fear of leaving a pet behind in an abusive situation keeps abused women and families from seeking help. In collaboration with the Richmond YWCA and Safe Harbor, the Richmond SPCA shelters pets of women and families who leave situations of domestic abuse. The acronym stands for “Sheltering Animals for Abused Families.”
• Seniors for Seniors is a cat adoption program that unites seniors living in pet-friendly retirement communities with senior cats who will provide them with years of wonderful companionship. Adults living in Richmond-area, pet-friendly retirement communities may contact the Richmond SPCA’s adoption manager at 804-521-1315 to learn more about this program. 

A great time was had by all at Tuesday night’s University of Richmond vs. VCU men’s soccer game in Richmond, VA. Terry and Dee were there and had a chance to talk with some terrific folks. Listen to today’s interview and learn more about Friday’s march on Washington, DC for canine cancer research. Luke Robinson, Hudson and Murphy, the Great Pyrenees, and their Mommy G talked with us (well, two of them did), as did Joanne Silverman, Director of Fetch-A-Cure.

Luke and The Boys are in the neighborhood! Dee and Terry interview Luke Robinson about two events occurring this week. Tuesday, Sept. 15 they will be at the University of Richmond Spiders vs. VCU Rams soccer game for a meet and greet. Bark Radio, Fetch-A-Cure, and Three Dog Bakery will be there, too. Then on Friday, Sept. 18 the march on Washington happens. Can you afford a single day out of your life to join with like-minded dog lovers and tell the world there needs to be more research done on canine cancer? Details at www.2dogs2000miles.org. See you at Lady Bird Johnson Park at 10:00 am on Friday!

2009 March on Washington Video