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The Lucknow Sentinel, 2015-11-18, Page 1010 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, November 18, 2015 Saving lives of dogs and cats Valerie Gillies Lucknow Sentinel Kathi Newell -Nicholson formed Adoptapet-PetRes- cue in 1998 after speaking with a local kennel owner who informed her that unclaimed pound dogs could be euthanized after their three-day stray hold was over. Newell -Nicholson states, "It is imperative to understand that the reason the pounds and streets are so full of home- less and discarded animals is due to people not being prop- erly matched for the pet before obtaining them, then the ani- mal pays the price when the discrepancies come to light." She expands on this by saying, "The issue of record numbers of discarded pets, unwanted kittens and cats and pups and dogs can be stopped by every single person's commitment and action to train the pet from the beginning, fix the pet at a young age to prevent unwanted behaviours and to ensure they do not contribute to the overpopulation crisis." In explaining how her Res- cue was formed Newell - Nicholson states, "I approached the local news- papers for a slot to advertise the found pets, created a website and obtained radio slots on the local stations. The word quickly spread and the local vets from Southampton, Walkerton, Durham, Ripley, Kincardine, Goderich, nwmo NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION Zurich, Clinton and Seaforth would all call me when the stray holds were up." The Res- cue is all volunteer run. New- ell -Nicholson advises, "there are no paid staff, no office, no company vehicles." Eventually foster homes were found and assessed to be ready to take in the number of unclaimed strays that came in weekly. These homes all accommodate the strays around their own family, pay- ing jobs and often their own family pets. These foster homes are spread throughout the area from Hanover to Kitchener, London to Goder- ich and beyond. Adoptapet- Pet Rescue provides the foster homes with food and vetting for the fostered animals. Since forming, the average number of incoming animals per year to Adoptapet-PetRes- cue is 100. Of these, very few animals are ever reclaimed. Many adult cats have been waiting for their forever homes for years, some since birth. Newell -Nicholson reports, "This year there were 100 dogs by midsummer and the cat and kitten population in need has been increasing despite Rescue's efforts. We have taken in 35 cats and kittens in the last 2 months. Unfortu- nately there are no spare cat fosters as they are full." She adds, "Thankfully Pet Valu in Kincardine allows the Rescue to showcase adoptable cats and kittens in their store cage. SOCIETE DE GESTION DES DECHETS NUCLEAIRES The close to 30 newcom- ers in the last few weeks are in addition to the 30 dogs and 40 cats the Rescue already had in foster care. Two pups, and several young adult dogs came in from Walkerton and Durham vet pounds, and more cats from Goderich vet pound. AdoptaPet-PetRescue pays out an average of $50,000 per year for vetting and supplies. Newell -Nicholson stressed that a common misconception is that the Townships help pay any vetting costs and that vet- ting is actually donated. This is not the case. There is no Town- ship funding and, although the vets try to help as much as they can, they only offer a discount on spay/neuter. The vaccines, deworming, parasite preven- tion, medicines, microchips and alternate surgeries are all full price. The adoption fees varybased on vetting. However, these fees do not come close to covering the actual costs. This iswhyfun- draising is so important. The Rescue sells Rheo Thompson Mint Smoothies throughout the area from Lucknow to Wing - ham, from Kincardine to Goderich and beyond. There is a process to adopt- ing a dog or puppy from Adoptapet-PetRescue. There is an online application to help match the family to the pet and vice versa. The application is reviewed and the applicantwill receive an invitation to meet NWMO Learn More Centre The Township of Huron -Kinloss is one of nine communities involved in a process of learning about Adaptive Phased Management (APM), Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is working collaboratively with the community to advance preliminary assessment studies. Learn about APM, meet NWMO staff, ask questions and offer your thoughts. Drop in to the NWMO community office and Learn More Centre in Ripley. Everyone is welcome. with suitably matched pets at the foster home. Familypets are also invited to ensure that all will get along. If all agree that the adoption is an appropriate option, the adoptive home is visited to determine that it is safe and suitable for a pet. When all is approved, the adop- tion is completed through the foster home location. Adoption of a cat or kitten is slightly different as most kit- tens are available to be seen at Pet Valu in Kincardine. An application is still needed and is reviewed, followed by the cat going to the adoptive home to visit with the family and their pets. If all goes well and it is a good match, the adoption goes forward. Upcoming fundraising events include a sale at Lake- shore United Church in Goderich on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22 where the public may purchase handmade cat- nip blankets and toys, dog bandanas, dishtowels, scarves and more. There will also be the opportunity to have Christ- mas pet photos taken at Pet Valu, which can also include children with their pets, on Sat- urday, November 28 in Goder- ich and Saturday, December 5 in Kincardine. Photos will be taken at both locations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. People interested in adop- tion are welcome to email petrescue@hurontel.on.ca or call 519-528-3045 after 6 p.m. NWMO Learn More Centre (Huron -Kinloss) 80 Huron Street, Ripley ON 519.386.6711 Wednesday Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Valerie billies Lucknow Senting Founder of Adoptapet-PetRescue, Lucknow, Kathi Newell - Nicholson holds her own dog Buddy who was also a rescue. Buddy is a former puppy mill dog. He was one of over 70 dogs that were rescued when the mill was closed. She held a fundraising sale in Lucknow on October 31, 2015. Gini Newell, mother of the founder of Adoptapet-PetRescue, Lucknow, snuggles a kitten from a litter that had just been rescued the day before the fundraising sale held in Lucknow on October 31, 2015. Many of the cats and kittens that were rescued had been starved for affection and quite literally, food, as the owner had 15 cats and kittens due to two females and each of their current litters and the remaining 4 from their last litters. He stated that he had no money for food or litter. He gave up 14 to the Rescue. &in Cjilchriat, daughter of Dale and Marilynne, recently graduated from the Vniveraity of Toronto' with a Mallen degree in 9nternational Development. She is returning to Kenya in January to work with the team at a sustainable farm as part of a children's rescue centre. You can get more information at https://www.classy.org/erinritarose Congr &in! We are proud of you. Love, your family.