October 7, 2008
Feline Virus Temporarily Halts Cat Admissions At the Cleveland Animal Protective League

The Cleveland Animal Protective League has recently experienced several cases of feline panleukopenia, a highly contagious and often fatal virus that is sometimes called feline parvovirus. Panleukopenia has a sudden and deadly onset and can wipe out a population of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated kittens and cats in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, many cats that come into the Cleveland APL have not been previously vaccinated and are therefore at a higher risk of contracting and spreading the disease to other shelter cats that are in the process of becoming fully vaccinated at the APL.

According to studies, panleukopenia has a fifty to ninety percent fatality rate in susceptible cats/kittens. It can manifest as a neurological or intestinal disease. Signs and symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cleveland APL Executive Director Sharon Harvey explains, “Shelter animals are especially at-risk for disease because they arrive unvaccinated and are housed in an ever-changing environment that increases their stress and reduces their immunity to illness. The risk exists at every shelter that provides temporary housing and care to stray cats.”

As a precautionary measure for the welfare of both incoming and resident cats, the Cleveland APL is temporarily suspending all cat admissions until October 18th. Cats currently at the APL that are under four months of age or that have not completed their vaccination protocol will be held and observed in quarantine for a two-week period. Quarantined cats will be available for adoption in two weeks as long as they don’t become infected with the virus. Cats that are four months old and up and that have been fully vaccinated will continue to be available for adoption, as will dogs and small mammals.

People wishing to surrender a cat to the Cleveland APL should:
          • Contact the APL’s Admissions department at 216-771-4616, ext. 141, to schedule an appointment to bring your cat in after the quarantine has been lifted on October 17th;
          • Even after the quarantine has been lifted, in order to help the APL manage its cat population and keep the cats in its care healthy, please continue to schedule appointments to surrender a cat;
          • Prior to surrendering a cat to a shelter, have a veterinarian administer the necessary vaccinations to protect the cat from panleukopenia and other contagious viruses.

According to Harvey, “Our priority right now must be to protect the well-being of the cats we already have in our care and avoid exposing susceptible incoming cats to a potentially life-threatening virus. We take the trust our community places in us to be stewards for the homeless animals in our care very much to heart. By taking these steps, ultimately, we are saving lives. We ask our community to be understanding and to hold on to their cats and kittens until we can re-open. We also hope the community will continue to be willing to work with us in the future to better manage our admissions process for animals so that we can ultimately help more.”

October 1, 2008
“Treat yourself to a dog (or cat)” to Celebrate National Adopt-A-Dog Month!
Cleveland APL Offers Month-long Adoption Specials

Although Halloween ends the month, the Cleveland Animal Protective League is offering “treats” to dog and cat adopters during the entire month of October in celebration of national Adopt-A-Dog Month.

“The annual Adopt-A-Dog month is an effort by animal shelters across the country to call attention to the wonderful dogs who have been ‘tricked’ out of a good home and are looking for a new lifetime companion.

The Cleveland Animal Protective League is going to treat anyone who adopts one of our awesome dogs in October with some great gifts,” said APL Executive Director Sharon Harvey. “And, as we have over 600 totally awesome cats in our care right now, the APL is putting a local spin on this celebration by offering an adoption special for kittens and cats during the first week of October.”

During the entire month of October all dog adopters will go home with:

• A FREE 5 lb bag of Hill’s Science Diet dog food
• A FREE Build-a-Bear Maltipoo stuffed companion
• A FREE training DVD
• Microchips will be available to ALL adopters for a low, low price of $15--this includes registration!

During the first week of October, cats 4 months and up will be available for an adoption fee of only $10 and kittens under 4 months will be $25! Cats also come with a FREE informational DVD.

All animals are spayed-neutered, tested for heartworm or FeLV/FIV, have received age appropriate vaccinations and treatment of worms and fleas, and come with a collar and APL ID Tag, helpful species-specific animal care information, a free initial veterinary exam, and 30 days free ShelterCare pet insurance. Cats/Kittens come with a travel box, and dogs/puppy adoptions include a leash. All adoptable animals can be seen at www.ClevelandAPL.org.

August 29, 2008
Group of Ohio Humane Societies to Bring 100 Dogs Rescued from West Virginia Puppy Mill
to Ohio for Adoption -- Including the Cleveland Animal Protective League

A large puppy mill operation in Parkersburg, West Virginia was shut down earlier this week by the Humane Society of Parkersburg with support from other animal welfare organizations.  All 927 dogs were rescued in what is believed to be the largest puppy mill raid in West Virginia history.  The Humane Society of Parkersburg has been granted custody of the animals removed from the Whispering Oaks Kennel.

The Humane Society of the United States, United Animal Nations, Best Friends Animal Society and the Humane Society of Missouri provided assistance in removing the 927 dogs from their squalid hutches in less than 30 hours.  Once at a nearby emergency shelter, they received necessary care.

The Ohio Federated Humane Societies is coordinating the transport of nearly 70 dogs from the seizure to Ohio where they will be given further medical care and transferred throughout the state to be made available for adoption.  Each of the rescued dogs will be spayed or neutered so that they will never again be forced to contribute to the cycle of pet overpopulation.

Partner organizations participating in the Ohio-based transport are members of the Ohio Federated Humane Societies and include: Cleveland Animal Protective League, Humane Society of Allen County, SPCA Cincinnati, Humane Society of Greater Dayton and Capital Area Humane Society (Columbus).

Rescuers Margaret Garrett and Dave Walchanowicz from the Cleveland APL drove out this morning in Rover, the APL’s 39 cage adoption vehicle, for the trip to Parkersburg.  They will return late this afternoon with fifteen, one to three year old Dachshunds, and two dogs from the Humane Society of Parkersburg. 

The trip, initial intake needs, and boarding expenses for the dogs were generously sponsored by Invisible Fence of Northeast Ohio and Invisible Fence Cleveland West.

Once at the Cleveland APL, the dogs will be evaluated for their special needs and readiness for adoption.  Sharon Harvey, Executive Director of the Cleveland APL shared, “We are honored to be among the groups called upon to help these special and deserving animals.  While we will continue our unwavering commitment to serving the animals in our own community, which we pledge we will continue without interruption during this time, we will always try to do everything we can to extend our circle of compassion even further in times of extreme need such as this.”

August 12, 2008
"Bolt Across America" Visits the Cleveland APL and "Empty the Cages" All on Saturday, Aug. 16

The Cleveland Animal Protective League (APL) is proud to host a stop on “Bolt Across America,” a fund-raising adventure inspired by Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming film, “Bolt.” In the movie, a little girl named Penny who is voiced by Miley Cyrus, has a dog named Bolt who befriends a little hamster who gets around in a ball. The Bolt Across America tour features four “Bolters,” who will roll through cities coast to coast to raise money for the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

The Bolters will be appearing at the Cleveland APL on Saturday, August 16, from noon to 4 p.m. During their visit, the APL is hoping to “empty its cages” of the many wonderful cats we have in our care. Currently, our cages are overflowing with approximately 300 cats (we have dogs and rabbits, too!) that are either up for adoption or just waiting for their chance to be moved into the adoption area. Meanwhile, there is an average of 30-40 new cats coming into the APL each day. Our special cat adoption fee will be in place on Saturday. Adult cats, aged 5 months and older, are available for adoption at a reduced fee of $25 and adoption fees for senior citizens over 60 years of age are waived compliments of the Pets for the Elderly Foundation. Kittens are currently available for a reduced fee of $50 and a second feline friend can be adopted for $20!

“The Cleveland Animal Protective League is pleased to partner with ASPCA and the Bolt Across America tour to raise awareness about animals in need. We hope visitors will enjoy seeing the festivities on Saturday, and consider going home with a new best friend,” said APL Executive Director Sharon Harvey. “And if you can’t adopt a cat, please consider making a donation or becoming a foster parent. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll be helping the Cleveland APL save a feline life.”

June 12, 2008
Cleveland APL's "Cats on Tour" Adoption Campaign Hits the Road Again This Weekend!

Yes, it’s that time of year again – time when unsterilized, free roaming cats are having litter after litter of kittens and the feline population of area humane societies, shelters and rescue groups is skyrocketing.   At the Cleveland APL alone, there are over 600 cats in need of a loving home and a second chance.  With the goal of preventing a population crisis at its animal shelter, the APL has launched “Cats on Tour,” a fun, new lifesaving campaign designed to raise awareness about cat overpopulation, the importance of cats as members of the family, and the need to adopt.

The Cleveland APL will be sending fabulous adoptable felines of all ages, colors, and personalities “on tour” each weekend through the summer and early fall.  Rover, the APL’s mobile adoption unit, will transport adorable, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, FeLV and FIV tested cats who are just waiting to fall in love with their new best friend.  A knowledgeable team from the APL will accompany the cats on each appearance to help adopters select the purr-fect cat for them. 

Executive Director Sharon Harvey explained, “It’s like a purring Springsteen tour, but we’re not waiting for you to come to us to adopt a cat, we’re bringing them to a neighborhood near you and making it fun and easy!   Our Cats on Tour campaign is part of a multi-pronged initiative to raise awareness about the number of cats that need homes and to stay ahead of the number of cats that are coming into the APL.”  Harvey added, “We’re becoming increasingly concerned that we’re going to start losing ground unless we can find more homes for our cats in less time.  So, please check the schedule, plan an outing, have fun, and adopt!”

In celebration of the ASPCA’s Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, through June, adult cat adoption fees are $25 for all cats aged 5 months and up and $50 for kittens under 5 months of age.  Other special pricing is available for pairs.  Every cat and kitten is spayed or neutered, has had initial vaccinations, been tested for FIV and feline leukemia, and comes with 30 days of free pet insurance.  Cats can also be microchipped for identification for an additional $20.

May 30, 2008
Adopt a Feline Star During "Purr-mier" Month at the Cleveland APL
$25.00 Adult Cat Adoption Fee, Free for Seniors

In celebration of Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, for the month of June, the APL will undergo a transformation into Purrywood and host homeless, feline celebrities who played starring roles in locally produced films such as Iron Cat, The Incredible Cat, Cats and the City, and Kingdom of the Many Kitties! 

Beginning June 1, 2008, Purrywood’s feline celebrities, like Sarah JessiCat Parker and HarriCat Ford, will be available for immediate adoption. Adult cats, aged 5 months and older, will be adopted for $25.  The adoption fee includes initial vaccines, FeLV/FIV testing, treatment for parasites, spay or neuter surgery, a collar and tag, travel box, one month’s pet insurance, and a health exam from a local veterinarian.  Adoption fees for senior citizens over 60 years of age will be waived compliments of the Pets for the Elderly Foundation. Photos of adoptable stars can be viewed on the Adoptions page at www.ClevelandAPL.org.

Purr-mier Month is part of the Cleveland APL’s ongoing and successful campaign to find a home for every adoptable animal. “We believe our homeless cats are stars and that adopting one will add years of joy, entertainment, and rewarding companionship to any household,” explains Ayse Casson, Director of Operations at the Cleveland APL, ”We invite our community to join our life-saving efforts by welcoming a shelter animal into their home ... and have some fun with us while you’re at it!”

May 30, 2008
Cleveland APL Launches "Cats on Tour" Adoption Campaign on WGAR's Mantel and Michelle Morning Show!

It is that time of year again.  A time called “kitten season.”  As the temperature climbs, stray, unsterilized cats come out of winter hiding and reproduce litter after litter of homeless kittens, many of which end up at area shelters.  As a result, the Cleveland Animal Protective League is inundated with adult cats, litters of kittens, and orphaned kittens, but totally committed to continuing to find homes for every adoptable cat that comes in – and that means we need more adoptions to balance this lifesaving equation.

As part of the campaign to get more cats adopted, the Cleveland APL will launch a new, proactive, fun cat adoption promotion called “Cats on Tour” on May 30th.  Rover, the APL’s mobile adoption unit, will make its inaugural Cats on Tour appearance between 8 am and noon at the Clear Channel building at 6200 Oaktree Boulevard in Independence.  Michelle Maloney from WGAR’s Mantel and Michelle Morning Show will broadcast live from Rover during the 8 am hour and will be on hand to meet adopters between 9 am and noon. 

Executive Director Sharon Harvey explained, “It’s like a Springsteen tour!  Rather than wait for cat adopters to come to us, we’re bringing some of our wonderful cats who need wonderful homes to a location near you!  And, stay tuned ... we’re adding new locations every week!”

During the WGAR tour stop, Rover will be packed with adorable, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, FIV/FeLV tested cats who are just waiting to find their new best friend.  And, in celebration of Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, which runs through June, adult cat adoption fees at this tour stop will be $25 for all cats aged 5 months and up.  The $25 adoption fee will continue through June for every adult cat adopted from Rover, the APL shelter, and at the APL’s other offsite locations.

For more information about Cats on Tour or to become a stop on the tour schedule, call 216-771-4616.

May 1, 2008
Walchanowicz Family Named 2007 Cleveland APL Volunteers of the Year

On Friday, April 25, 2008, in celebration of National Volunteer Recognition Week, the Cleveland Animal Protective League recognized its volunteers at an annual appreciation evening generously sponsored by APL Volunteer Joan Rosenthal of Marigold Catering.  

In 2007, 590 volunteers helped to change the world for Cleveland’s homeless animals by contributing over 37,000 hours – the equivalent of 18 full-time employees. 

The Walchanowicz family was named the 2007 Cleveland APL Volunteers of the Year.   Dave, Lorie, and sixteen-year-old Shelby received the prestigious award for their extraordinary volunteer service to the Cleveland APL and its animals.  The family also received one of forty-three President’s Gold Volunteer Service Awards given that night in recognition of their more than 1,000 hours spent volunteering for the Cleveland APL.

Cleveland APL Director of Operations Ayse Casson shares, “They bring so much to the APL.  They are involved in every aspect of what we do from walking dogs, helping with adoptions, fostering animals, cleaning cages, caring for special needs and long-term animals to helping with special events.  They also always push us to be better and do more--as a team.”

“The people and animals of the APL have touched our lives.  It doesn’t matter if you volunteer 5 hours or 500 hours ... it’s making sure that each hour counts for these animals,” encouraged Dave.  The family shared a quote by Edward Everett Hale that says it all, “I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything but I can do something.  And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”

For more information about joining the Cleveland APL volunteer team, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 216-377-1627 or Volunteer@ClevelandAPL.org

It was announced today that Cleveland  is one of three communities from around the country chosen by the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) to participate in the prestigious “Join ASPCA® Mission: Orange™” national campaign to end the needless euthanasia of adoptable companion animals.  The Cleveland APL and Cleveland City Kennel teamed up and completed a rigorous, competitive selection process that looked at a demonstrated track record of leadership, number of animals impacted, and commitment to seeking progressive solutions.

For the next year, the Cleveland Animal Protective League and the City of Cleveland Kennels, as well as private and public partner animal welfare agencies in Buncombe County, NC, and Oklahoma City, OK, will work with experts from the ASPCA and the Richmond SPCA to collect and analyze data specific to their communities.  This will enable them to develop and implement programs designed to decrease the number of unwanted animals entering their shelters and increase the rate of animals being placed.  At the end of the year, the Cleveland team will have the opportunity to apply to become an ASPCA Mission: Orange target community and receive additional funding toward implementing these new programs.

 “John Baird, the City of Cleveland Animal Warden, and I are thrilled to have a chance to join what is a unique effort to reduce the number of unwanted pets in our community and continue to save even more lives,” said Sharon Harvey, Executive Director of the Cleveland Animal Protective League. “We have come a long, long way in increasing the number of animals successfully placed through our adoption and transfer programs, but we know we can do more.  We believe this opportunity will help us to identify progressive services and solutions that will further increase our ability to overcome the pet overpopulation and homelessness crisis in Cleveland and, ultimately, throughout our county and region.”

“This intense year-long learning experience is designed to help these communities save more animals’ lives,” said the ASPCA’s President and CEO, Ed Sayres. “Each of these communities has demonstrated that they are more than ready for the challenge.”

“While the geography and demographics of the selected communities vary widely, they all have several things in common: established working relationships among the participating agencies; high volume spay/neuter; and leaders with a real and demonstrated passion for making positive change,” said the ASPCA’s Julie Morris, Senior Vice President of National Outreach. “The more we can replicate success in different communities, the faster we can provide a proven, sustainable approach to improving live release rates for all communities.”

According to the ASPCA’s Bert Troughton, who is directing the effort, the application process was good preparation for the year ahead. “Participating communities and partner agencies will have one month to collect and record detailed animal population data using the ASPCA Mission: Orange dashboard,” said Troughton. “This information will form a detailed snapshot of the baseline year, from which ASPCA statisticians and community shelter professionals can determine which animal populations in these communities are most at risk and why.”

ASPCA Mission: Orange was originally launched in 2007 to save those animals most at-risk (i.e., shelter animals). The hallmark of the campaign, which is taking place in Austin, TX, Gulfport-Biloxi, MS, Philadelphia, PA, Spokane, WA, and Tampa, FL, is a collaboration with leading animal welfare agencies and organizations to implement a save rate at or above 75 percent for unwanted pets entering shelters.
For information about ASPCA Mission: Orange, and what may lie ahead for these communities, please visit www.aspca.org/missionorange.

About the Cleveland APL
Located in the Tremont District, the Cleveland Animal Protective League is the largest nonprofit humane society in Northeast Ohio and relies solely on donations to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty and provide shelter and care for nearly 11,000 homeless animals a year. The Cleveland APL’s mission is to foster compassion and end animal suffering through adoption, humane investigations, spay/neuter and education.  The APL has been serving the animals of Northeast Ohio since 1913.

About the City of Cleveland Kennel
The Kennel responds to all calls for services or complaints concerning animal ordinances and provides stray animal pickup throughout the City of Cleveland. The Kennel operates an adoption program, transfers adoptable dogs to other shelters for placement, and participates in spay/neuter initiatives.

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas and today has one million supporters in North America. The ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides national leadership in anti-cruelty, animal behavior, humane education, government affairs and public policy, shelter support, and animal poison control. The NYC headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital and adoption facility. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series “Animal Precinct” on Animal Planet. Visit www.aspca.org for more information.                                    

February 28, 2008
Cleveland APL Opens Spay/Neuter Clinic for Homeless Animals

Are you concerned about the number of homeless cats living on the streets, or the number of homeless animals in area shelters and rescue group foster homes?  Well, the Cleveland APL is, and starting this Friday will offer a new program geared toward curbing the number of unwanted cats and dogs being born every day and every year.

On February 29th, the APL’s NEW Animal Welfare Spay/Neuter Clinic will officially open its doors to other area shelters, 501(c)(3) humane societies and rescue groups, and feral cat caregivers to provide affordable, low-cost spay or neuter services.  Right now, approximately 30% of the animals available for adoption in area humane societies, rescue groups and municipal shelters have NOT been spayed or neutered.  In many cases, the reason is financial … agencies and caregivers just can’t afford customary surgery fees for the number of animals they’re trying to help, especially the smaller nonprofit groups, and not every caring, compassionate veterinarian can afford to provide discounted fees to groups caring for homeless animals.  In other cases, long waits for surgery mean animals are missing their chance to get out of a cage and into a home.  The Cleveland APL wants to help its fellow animal advocates eliminate these barriers.  So far, the Cuyahoga County Kennel, For the Love of Pits, PAWS, and the Portage Animal Protective League have partnered with the APL’s Animal Welfare Clinic to extend their reach and ability to serve more animals.

The Animal Welfare Clinic will also provide spay and neuter services for caregivers of feral cats who know how or are willing to learn how to use humane trapping methods.  Feral cats are wild, undomesticated cats that live and breed on our streets and in our neighborhoods.  Based on Cuyahoga County and Cleveland human census numbers, it is estimated that there are 225,000 feral cats living in Cuyahoga County and 75,000 in the City of Cleveland.  A true feral cat cannot be socialized and adopted, so the options for them are extremely limited.  A process called Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) is a humane and proven solution to the problem. 

TNR involves humane trapping of the cats, transporting them for neutering, and then returning cats to their colony or original location.  They then live out their days being monitored by a caregiver, no longer reproducing and creating increasing numbers of unwanted kittens and cats.  Eventually, the colony will go away on its own.  People interested in participating in the APL’s TNR program will need to trap and transport cats to and from the APL.  Traps can be rented for $1 per day or $5 per week.  The fee for surgery for a feral cat in the APL’s Animal Welfare Clinic is $40 and includes a FVRCP vaccination, rabies vaccination, and an ear tip.

Cleveland APL Executive Director Sharon Harvey said, “The Cleveland APL is and will continue to be committed to doing its part in creating a day when every pet has a home.  We applaud the humane societies, rescue groups and individuals that have been doing TNR and spaying and neutering their adoptable animals for years.  We now hope to make their lives a little easier by reaching out to them, as well as to other groups and individuals that haven’t been able to afford spay/neuter in the past!  Ultimately, this is about working together to help more animals so we can reach a time when there are no more homeless pets.”

The start-up of the Cleveland APL Animal Welfare Spay/Neuter Clinic was made possible by generous support from the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust, the ASPCA, PetSmart Charities and the Ferry Family Foundation.  There will be a check presentation at 2 pm.

For more information about low-cost spay/neuter services and fees at the Cleveland APL, visit www.ClevelandAPL.org.  Shelters and rescue groups can call 216.771.4616; ext. 126 and feral cat caregivers can call 216.771.4616; ext. 124 with questions.

December 28, 2007
5,000 Fixes for PetFix Northeast Ohio -- Organization to celebrate by launching the 2008 Cleveland Cats Project

The PetFix Northeast Ohio mobile low-cost spay/neuter clinic will alter its 5,000th animal on Monday, January 7, at the Cleveland Animal Protective League. In celebration, PetFix will partner with the Cleveland APL and the Cleveland City Kennel to launch the 2008 Cleveland Cats Project. With funding from the Billie Howland Steffee Family Fund of The Cleveland Foundation, the PetFix Clinic will spend a total of 20 days at the APL and the City Kennel during the next six months altering approximately 400 feral cats and cats of low-income Cleveland residents. It is estimated that the Cleveland Cats Project will prevent as many as 4,000 unwanted kittens from being born in the city this year alone.

PetFix, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2004 to end pet overpopulation in the region by altering cats and dogs of qualified low-income owners, feral cats, and shelter animals ready for adoption. The mobile clinic has been on the road for 24 months working with 19 PetFix Partner organizations in nine northeast Ohio counties, including the APL and City Kennel. PetFix Partners invite the clinic to come into their areas on a regular basis, qualify and schedule clients and collect fees. Animals are brought to the clinic in the morning and returned to their owners or caregivers in the late afternoon. Surgeries are performed in the mobile clinic by licensed veterinarians assisted by registered veterinary technicians and experienced veterinary assistants.

“We are very proud of what we have accomplished,” PetFix President Timy Sullivan remarked, “but we are just getting started.” According to Sullivan, it will take a network of mobile and stationary clinics working together to bring the birthrate for cats and dogs down to a number that the region can care for responsibly. “Our goal is quite simply to create a humane community where no animal lives out its life as a stray or dies in a shelter for lack of a home.”

Kittens as young as 8 weeks old and weighing 2 pounds are eligible for the PetFix Cleveland Cats Project.  PetFix charges $20 for a neuter and $30 for a spay. All feral cat surgeries cost $30. Cats over 6 months of age are required to receive a $6 rabies vaccination. Owners must show proof of low-income. Feral cat caregivers do not.

To schedule a cat for surgery through the PetFix Cleveland Cats Project, call the Cleveland APL at 216.377.1633 or Cleveland City Kennel at 216.644.2759. For more information about PetFix Northeast Ohio call 216.536.0930 or e-mail fixemnow@aol.com.

Contact Information: Timy Sullivan, President    ||||    Telephone: 440-247-8931

December 4, 2007
Santiago Supports New Collaboration to Help the Silent Victims of Violence

SAFE (Safety for Animals and Families in Emergencies) is a not-for-profit program serving Northeast Ohio that began 5 years ago with a simple conversation at Shaker Animal Hospital.  Family law attorney Leslie Gentile was relating her frustration to veterinarian James Prueter, DVM, ACVIM, about yet another case in which a client (who had left her home because of domestic violence) found her beloved pet had been severely injured by her abuser when she left. This conversation planted the seeds for the founding of SAFE.

In 2004, the Executive Director of SAFE, Lesley Ashworth, conducted a survey of 211 victims of domestic violence.  Almost 50% of those who owned animals said they would be more inclined to leave their abusive situation if foster care were available for their companion animals.  The bond between animals and humans has been well documented.  The Katrina disaster is a good example of humans unwilling to leave their companion animals in times of danger. 

Dr. Prueter reminds us that animals are “the canary in the mine” often predicting violence in the home or future violence in children.  Almost all mass murderers used violence toward animals at an early age—also many of the “school yard shooters” exhibited signs of violence to animals.

The collaboration between the Cleveland Animal Protective League (CAPL) and SAFE allows for an expansion of existing services to all victims of violence who are in need of temporary support for their loyal pets.  Although SAFE works closely with local area domestic violence programs, there are a significant number of domestic violence victims who never contact a domestic violence shelter and many domestic violence shelters can not accommodate animals.  SAFE also wants to broaden their services to include all victims of violence.  A victim of rape who is scared to return to her home and cannot take her pet with her—the senior citizen who is assaulted and needs temporary hospitalization but is frantic with worry about who will care for their companion animal—these are all situations that would qualify for SAFE services. 

The CAPL provides the initial medical evaluation and support for SAFE animals—after which, the animals are placed in carefully screened foster homes until they can be reunited with their family members.  “The partnership between SAFE and the Cleveland APL allows us to strengthen our commitment to helping animals-in-need while preserving an all-too-often severed human-animal bond,” said Cleveland APL Executive Director Sharon Harvey.  Harvey, who formerly served as the Executive Director of Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village, added, “The Cleveland APL takes great pride in the work we’re doing with SAFE as it embodies our commitment to building new, progressive, life-saving programs for the animals and people the APL serves.”

“Domestic Violence is one of the top criminal acts we see as elected officials in Northeast Ohio.  I am proud to support the partnership between the APL and SAFE.  This partnership will allow victims of Domestic Violence that have pets an opportunity to protect their beloved animals while they seek permanent shelter and guidance,” said Councilman Joe Santiago of Ward 14.

Contact Information
Lesley Ashworth, SAFE:  614-309-3905    ||||    Dr. James Prueter, SAFE:  216-561-7387
Sharon Harvey, Cleveland APL:  216-377-1618    ||||    Councilman Joe Santiago:  216-664-3706

The Cleveland Animal Protective League (APL) is joining more than 2,100 shelters around the world for the IAMS “Home 4 the Holidays 2007” adoption drive.  There will be special festivities every weekend in December.  Hours are Saturdays throughout December from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Sundays from noon – 4 p.m.  On Monday, December 24, holiday hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In the past, many animal shelters have discouraged pet adoption during the holiday season for fear that families will make emotional decisions and return their pets after the New Year begins.  Despite this concern, families invite more new pets into their homes during the holiday season than any other time of year.  If the animal shelter or rescue group turns them away, they go the nearest pet store, backyard breeder, or puppy mill to purchase a pet.  By remaining committed to educating prospective adopters and completing quality, lifelong adoptions, the Cleveland APL believes there is no reason any more of these pets will be returned than at other times of the year.  Meanwhile, lives are saved.

“The ‘Home 4 the Holidays’ campaign is a national event to promote the adoption of shelter animals,” explains Ayse Casson, Shelter Operations Manager at the Cleveland APL.  “We ask people who are thinking of adding a companion animal to their family during the holidays to adopt a homeless animal from a shelter or rescue group, rather than going to a breeder or buying from a pet store. By adopting an orphaned shelter animal, you’re not only giving a precious gift to a loved one, you’re also giving the gift of saving a life!”

Animals adopted during this promotion can have their picture taken with Santa Claus for only $5 from noon – 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 15 and Saturday December 22.  Refreshments will be available during the APL’s annual Holiday Bake Sale on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. through December 23.  Special ornaments will be displayed on the APL lobby Holiday Tree for every animal that goes “Home 4 the Holidays.”

“Last year hundreds of thousands of shelter animals nationwide found a new home thanks to this program,” states Casson, “At the APL, we have hundreds of animals in our care and hope that every one of them will have a new family to love for the holidays.”  Families not planning to add a pet to their homes this holiday season are invited to join the festivities by stopping by the Cleveland APL for a pet portrait photo with Santa, to purchase bake sale goodies, APL Gift Certificates, or to shop for gifts for your precious pet in our retail store.  Purchases will support the Cleveland APL’s life-saving efforts.