Dogs for Dawgs - A delicious success!
Mobile SPCA to benefit from the 50 States Tour to help homeless animals on August 17
“Last year was the inaugural run of the 50 States Tour which was a record setting event that raised nearly $47,000 for organizations that help homeless animals across the United States,” said Patrick Lomantini, the founder of BarkAID. “This year we’re looking to top the fund raising for all the organizations involved and are excited to see this event grow.”
Fusion Spa Salon at Legacy Village has begun setting appointments for the fundraiser on August 17. The suggested minimum donation to the Mobile SPCA is $20, the approximate cost to take care of 3 animals a day. The earlier you set your appointment, the better choice of times you have during the event. Walk-ins will be welcome and be done in between set appointments.
“We’re looking forward to having Patrick back again this year,” said Mobile SPCA Executive Director, Janine Woods. “This is a unique event to benefit the animals and it’s exciting to be part of a grass roots effort that is helping homeless animals across the country.”
“We are extremely grateful to Liko Crump and Fusion Spa Salon at Legacy Village for hosting our event,” said Woods. “Fusion Spa Salon uses Aveda products, a company that is working toward the end of animal testing. It’s a perfect fit!” Woods added.
Lomantini, who is a master stylist, has embarked on a number of fund raising ventures to help animals in need of homes, putting what he loves to do to work for rescued animals. That he knows of, there is no other event of its kind that visits all 50 states in the span of 50 days, and the goal is at least 50 haircuts per day in each location.
To make an appointment, please call Fusion Spa Salon at Legacy Village at 445-8926.
Fusion Spa Salon is a full service Aveda day spa and hair salon located in the Legacy Village at Spring Hill in Mobile, Alabama. Legacy Village complements the burgeoning high quality retailers found in the Spring Hill section of Mobile, with more than 90,000 square feet of upscale merchants. We are off of Dauphin Street, across from Springhill Medical Centerand conveniently close to Spring Hill College and the University of South Alabama.
- 12 Salon Stations
- 4 Spa Treatment Rooms
- Vichy Shower experience
- Private Shower and Locker Room
- Full Aveda Retail Line
- Hair Cut, Color and Treatment services for the entire family
- Relaxation, Deep Tissue and Stone Massage experiences
- Aveda Signature Facials & Waxing
- Aveda Signature Body Treatments
- Bridal & Special Event services
- Natural Nail services
- Professional Make-Up Applications & Lessons
- Pure Privilege Location
- Open 7 days per week
Aveda's stance on animal welfare is one of our founding principles: we don't conduct animal testing, and don't ask others to do it for us, unless the law requires it. We're continually developing new products, but our safety testing relies on human volunteers and scientific databases. Aveda is working toward the end of animal testing—without exception.
Basic obedience workshops were fabulous!
by Marcia Mathis
A well-behaved dog is a desirable dog. How much more appealing to a potential adopter would our Mobile SPCA dogs be if they were well-mannered?
In an effort to give every dog the best chance possible to sell themselves to a new family, the Mobile SPCA offered training classes to all volunteers who handle our pooches. Each person who interacts, walks and socializes our dogs can help them become all they can be with just a little effort. And if we all expend the same type of effort in a uniform manner, the dogs will be less confused and more likely to learn.
Tom Royal was kind enough to come to Mobile from SPCA Tampa Bay for four days' worth of training for 35 of our volunteers and staff. We were given the option of working with our own dog or using one of our adoptable dogs for the training exercise. As both my Kaiti Jane and I need LOTS of work, I opted for the former while everyone else in the class chose a shelter dog.
Luckily, it was not raining. Unluckily, it was windy as all get-out. But about eight or ten of us, armed with a fabric bag-o-treats (a big shout out to Universal Hardware for donating nail bags which were perfect for this use) collared and leashed our dogs and stood at attention in a big circle.
The instructor was knowledgeable and patient, demonstrating safety techniques, the proper way to administer praise and treats and various handling instructions and skills. From the preferred way to meet-and-greet a strange dog - which surprisingly is completely different from my way (run up to them making kissy sounds and talking baby talk) to helpful commands like "sit", "come", "stay", "wait", and a number of walking instructions with turns and side steps (all accomplished with varying degrees of success depending on the dog and of course the handler). Some of us had very smart dogs. Some of us had rather...strong-willed dogs. And some of the dogs had better handlers than others but I'm not naming names.
However, my Kaiti Jane, who is incredibly smart...gifted, actually...but who has a little stubborn streak (I have NO idea where that came from, probably her daddy) was doing quite well until the gale-force wind I earlier mentioned blew the whiteboard down - twice - right next to her which pretty much sent her into a fear-driven downward spiral that she never really recovered from.
But it was a fun-filled, information-packed two hours though, and we volunteers learned a lot that hopefully we'll be able to use during off-site adoptions and walking/socialization at the shelter. And the dogs seemed to have fun too because after all, the only thing a dog wants is to make his human happy. And praise for a job well-done will set any dog's tail to wagging. Well, that and a pound of dried turkey-dog treats. (Which are not bad...Robin and I tried some.)
We certainly appreciate Tom for coming to Mobile to provide such informative and useful classes to all of us. Armed with this knowledge and a little unified effort, we can make our MSPCA dogs - and volunteers! - the very best they can be.
Note: Tom went graduated from the Tampa Bay SPCA’s "Family Dog Trainer" class in April of 2009. He instructs, as primary or assistant, in basic obedience classes offered to the public in Tampa Bay. Tom assists Donna in private behavioral consultation sessions. He mentors new volunteers in safety, handling and kennel protocols and etiquette. He assists in dog assessments and works with shelter dogs' obedience and socialization. He assists potential adopters in dog selection and performs dog introductions of shelter dog and adopter's owned dog. Tom also works offsite adoption events for Tampa Bay SPCA. And if that’s not enough, Tom is a volunteer and foster home for Florida Boxer Rescue and works adoption events for them as well.
SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS:
Heather and Steven Morris
The Mobile SPCA is fortunate to be able to showcase many of our adoptable cats and kittens at PetSmart on Airport Boulevard. The cats who are rotated periodically get to enjoy higher visibility which increases their chances for adoption. But taking care of them is not PetSmart's responsibility...it falls on the shoulders of the MSPCA to assure their living quarters are always clean, that the kitties have fresh food and water and a little play time outside their kennels. It's a job with a lot of responsibility every day and we are thankful that we have a number of great volunteers who make the effort on a regular basis. Two of our PetSmart cat cleaners are Heather and Steven Morris and they are especially dedicated because they've been tending our kitties for three years non-stop! It all started back in September, 2008, when the Morris' saw an advertisement for a Sunday cat cleaner posted at Luv-A-Pet.
"We figured finding someone reliable to take care of the kitties on a Sunday was pretty difficult considering most people have other things they have to do and can't always make time on the weekends. We also love cats and since we can't exactly adopt every single homeless cat that's out there, we felt like we needed to do something else to help them in any way we could, so what better thing to do than volunteer our time taking care of them?" And take care of them they have! We've had a lot of volunteers who have helped at PetSmart over the years but few have been as faithful for as long as Heather and Steven. The Morris' both graduated from the University of South Alabama here in Mobile where they have lived for a little over 3 1/2 years after graduating. Married for four years, they adopted their very first kitty from PetSmart as a three month old tortie kitten who they named Mitzi. Since then, they have added to their furry family and now have a total of four including: Moe, an asthmatic gray and white tabby, and Punchy and Rosie, two twin ginger tabby kittens.
"We always try to spend time with each kitty, showering them with the love and attention they deserve, but we especially try to spend extra time with the very shy, anxious kitties who are new to the adoption environment. It's always great to see them if they're there the following Sunday and have them respond to us in a more outgoing manner. It feels like we were able to bring them out of their shell and give them an even better chance for a speedy adoption."
Thank you Heather and Steven for the fantastic job you've done for the Mobile SPCA and the happiness that you've brought into the lives of so many of our adoptable cats and kittens over the years. There are countless volunteer opportunities available.
If you'd like to help in any capacity, please call the office at 633-3531. The efforts of volunteers like Heather and Steven are what allows the MSPCA to exist and we thank every one of you who do so much for our dogs and cats.
Two for One Kitten Special!
The kittens in the office — and there are a LOT of them — are growing up before our eyes! They need homes now so we are having a SPECIAL ON CATS AND KITTENS — two for the price of one or half off the adoption fee on cats and kittens at the Mobile SPCA office. While supply lasts so hurry in for the best selection! All cats and kittens are fixed, vaccinated, microchipped and on preventative — over $250 worth of medical care already taken care of! Each kitten comes with an adoption packet that includes $35 in coupons from B&B PetStop and Pet Supplies Plus, a free bag of food, training video and other information.
The Mobile SPCA and American Red Cross are teaming up for the "Dog Days of Summer" and "Classic City Cats" Blood Drive - August 2 through September 29
You can help save lives — 2-legged & 4-legged — by joining our life-saving team and donating blood to the Red Cross and pet supplies to the Mobile SPCA.
- All blood donors will receive a Red Cross shirt and be entered into a drawing for a $1000 gift card.
- Help poor animals in need and homeless shelter animals by bringing in dog and cat food and supplies to support the Mobile SPCA's Pet Food Pantry
- Drawing will be held each month for a free dog or cat spay or neuter. Entry forms will be available at the Red Cross donation station.
- If you have a pet or have adopted a shelter rescue, bring a picture for the Red Cross bulletin board. The Mobile SPCA will also be featuring a "Pet of the Week" available for adoption.
- Coupons for $10 a spay or neuter are available at the donation station
Red Cross Donation Center
3442 Demetropolis Road • On the corner of Demetropolis Rd & Hwy 90
Hours: Monday- 12 - 6 pm • Tuesday- 12 - 6 pm • Thursday- 9 - 3 pm • Friday- 8 - 2 pm • last Sat. 8-2pm