Monthly Newsletter for No-Kill Animal Shelter

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Volume 2, Issue 10
11/01/2008
TPC Remodel—Facelift Finale Unveiling November 15th
Written & Edited by Brandi Bruns
TPC has been undergoing a in the evening, and food all isting one that was broken.
Inside this issue:
lot of changes recently. You day long. Come see what Thank you to Brandi Bruns
Immune Boosting Diet 2
may have noticed our out- Sprint and IIDA has given and Sharon Bratcher for
door remodel completed by our shelter!!! A $5 entry straightening the facility and TPC Available Programs 2
Sprint employees. If you’ve fee donation is greatly getting it ready for the vol-
Local Group Saves Cats 3
been inside, you’ve seen appreciated. unteers. Thank you to Dr.
Featured Adoptable Pets
other changes happening 4
Nancy Coats for making new
TPC would like to extend a
throughout our entire facility curtains for the main cat In Loving Memory—April 5
special thank you to some
thanks to IIDA. room. Thank you to Jake
Crate Training Your Dog 5
individuals that helped Dalton who donated his time,
The Pet Connection will be make the Sprint outside Happy Tails—Carrie 6
equipment, and arranged
unveiling our facelift finale remodel possible. Thank for all of the dirt fill to be Happy Tails—Baby 6
at an all day open house on you to Jason Huff, Nate hauled in for free. Thank
Saturday November 15, Home 4 Holidays Flyer 7
Bratcher, & Adam Bruns for you to TPC’s animal handlers
2008. We will have activi- spending 8 hours the night Pet Utopia Flyer 8
for moving animals here,
ties for the kids, pastries in before putting in a new PetPalz Monthly Donor 9
there, and everywhere to
the morning, wine and beer window & covering an ex- TPC Recycling Program 10
make this event possible!
Current TPC Wishlist 11
Home For the Holiday’s 2008
TPC 2008 Statistics:
pets in our country. We come families and homeless • TPC has spayed/neutered 2347 pets in
have over 110 pets at our pets. Please support this 2008 alone!
facility looking for their important adventure. We
• TPC has provided low-cost vetting to
forever home! are currently helping 600 2171 pets in 2008.
The Pet Connection is part- animals per month on a very
• TPC has placed 596 pets in homes
Each year as many as 4
nering with the Helen Wood- small budget. With your
during January—October 2008.
million orphaned dogs &
ward Animal Center in Home support more can be done.
cats are euthanized due to
For the Holidays. The cam- Our goal is to increase TPC
shelter overcrowding & lack
paign goal is to find homes memberships for 2009 to Hours of Operation:
of awareness. More than
for 1 million pets between help support our spay/
Monday: Closed
1/4 of these pets are pure-
Oct. 1, 2008—Jan. 5, 2009. neuter & adoption pro- Tuesday: 9a-8p
breds. grams. An annual member- Wednesday: 9a-8p
We encourage families to Thursday: 9a-5p
ship is $25 per person.
TPC is helping reduce over- Friday: 9a-8p
adopt a pet this holiday
population in KC by pro- Saturday: 9a-8p
season from a local shelter Those interested in being a
Sunday: 9a-8p
viding low income spay/
or rescue group to help the hero to a pet can learn more
neuter services to low in- Pets can be shown Monday’s by appoint-
more than 8 million homeless at www.thepetconnection.net.
ment only. Call 913-671-PETS to schedule.
Home For the Holiday’s: http://www.animalcenter.org/home4theholidays/

2. Paws for Thought
Page 2
TPC Immune Boosting Diet
* 1 package frozen chopped
We have been asked on sev- in a crock pot. Cook on
broccoli
eral occasions what we feed high for approximately
* 1 cup brown rice or oats
our dogs at The Pet Connec- 10 hours or until all of the
* 1 TBL spoon Ionized salt
tion whom need an immune items can be “mashed” to-
* TBL Spoons garlic powder
boost! So, we’ve decided to gether.
share our immune Boosting
“Gruel” recipe. Ingredients:
* 1 lb hamburger meat
* 2-3 small to medium Sweet
Combine the following items
Potatoes
TPC Available Programs
Behavioral Consultations: (vaccines available for sur- under 40 lbs
gery pets)
Microchipping:
Drop
Off: 8-
9am
Pick
Up: 5-
Thursday’s: 7:15p & 8:30p 6pm
Sunday’s: 7:15p TPC offers low-cost HomeA-
Ap-
*Free to adopters gain microchipping to the
pointments required for sur-
Our building houses more than just an adop-
*$5 TPC members p/session
tion facility! We also have low cost vet public for $25. Simply bring
gery patients. Schedule ap-
services, behavioral consultations, and volun-
*$10 non-members p/session your pet in during open busi-
pointments by calling 913-
teer opportunities!
ness hours! No appointment
671-PETS
Volunteer Orientation:
needed.
Prices vary based on income.
(Required for all volunteers &
community service workers): Recy-
Adoptions:
Sunday’s: 6:00p cling:
Includes
Recycle
spay/
for
neuter, vac-
homeless
cines, tested
pets!
negative
TPC accepts aluminum cans,
(FeLV/FIV
ink & toner cartridges and
cats Heart-
old cell phones. Bring your
worm dogs), treated for fleas,
Low Cost Vet Clinic: recyclables to The Pet Con-
worms, & micro-chipped.
Mon-Wed-Fri weekly nection, 5918 Broadmoor!
*$25 membership for all +
Drop off: 8-10a for surgery Can recycling is outside by
*$25 admin fee cats
Pick up 5-7p the garage door. Ink, toner,
*$25 admin fee dogs
Walk in vaccines: 8a -12p & cell phone recycling avail-
40+ lbs
Tuesday’s: Surgery Only able inside our facility.
*$85 admin fee dogs

3. Paws for Thought Page 3
The Pet Connection Helps Local Rescue Group Save Cats
Everyday there are people are tied to the post and cats thanks to TPC the cats have Article by Aubry Hoffman
and Jason Huff
that inspire us to continue the with their kittens are found been fixed and roam free
work that we are doing here abandoned in carriers. On hot at the shelter.
at The Pet Connection. Tina day Tina and her crew found
Friend of the Friendless gets
Bratcher is one of those peo- a cat and five kittens duct-
numerous calls from animal
ple. Tina along with her no- taped inside a cardboard
control officers to pick up
kill, non-profit rescue group, box. “Some animals are sim-
cats and kittens that have
Friends of the Friendless, have ply dumped out the car
been dumped at the pound.
been working tirelessly for door,” she said.
They also spend a lot of
the past four years to rescue
There are many stories, a time helping people that Tina with one of her rescued cats.
cats that would have been
feral cat had her kittens in a have been feeding and car-
abandoned or killed.
man’s garage and he threat- ing for feral cats and can no
Tina works out of the shelter ened to shoot them if Friends longer afford to do so. Friends of the Friendless
Animal Rescue Group
in Lexington, Missouri that of the Friendless didn’t get
Because of the high cost of PO Box 411
their president Gina Duggan them out. The cats have now
vetting a cat Friend of the Lexington, MO 64067
and her husband Mike pur- been trapped, fixed and
Phone: 816.200.9571
Friendless was very limited
chased with the sale of their roam free at the shelter. Tina
in the number of cats they
home. The shelter consists of a tells a story about a
support.”
could help. They had
farm with multiple out- “hoarder.” The family of an
reached a point where their
buildings. Before Tina and her elderly woman asked Tina to The Pet Connection would like to
accountant told them they
crew started their rescue ef- take some of her cats. When expand our vet services to ad-
couldn’t help anymore cats.
forts there wasn’t a facility they arrived at the woman’s ditional days. In October, we
It wasn’t until Tina’s good
for cats, the Lexington com- house cats were everywhere were able to host the $5 on
friend Jacque Wiskur told
munity didn’t tend to spay or and the stench was terrible. Tuesday as well. If you would
her about The Pet Connec-
neuter and there was a huge The woman only wanted them like to be a feral cat friend and
tions $5 free range cat
feral cat population. to take four or five but Tina sponsor a clinic, please call
spay/neuter program that
and the crew managed to 913-671-PETS or make a dona-
“We’ve been told that before Tina was able to continue
rescue most of the cats before tion online at
our group existed, cats were her efforts. Since then Tina
they left. www.thepetconnection.net.
thrown over the bridge into has shown up every week at
the Missouri River,” says Another lady outside town The Pet Connection with Tina’s stories are endless. Thanks
Bratcher. had been feeding feral cats seven to thirteen cats who to TPC and all their faithful sup-
for two years at a vacant need vet care and spay/ porters Tina continues to save
Tina is often asked where she rental property next door. neuter services. Jason Huff, cats.
finds all her cats, especially Then a man moved in and Director of Operations,
when she makes her weekly said he wanted the cats gone, oversees the veterinarian
trips to TPC. Tina finds her claiming he had eaten cats services. “If it wasn’t for the
cats all over and her stories before. Tina quickly began generosity of our donors, we
will pull at your heart. A lot of setting traps to rescue the would not be able to do this.
their animals are found by an cats. Since then all the cats Please renew your member-
old rural mailbox where dogs have been rescued and ships and continue financial

4. Paws for Thought
Page 4
Featured Pets Available for Adoption
Nash dled very roughly as a kitten tions. She is a sweet girl who
was & as a result she can be tem- enjoys being pet under her
born peramental. Selena does not chin. She is front declawed
6- like to be picked up & is & is approximate 9 y/o.
10- sometimes iffy about being Baby is good with other cats.
08 & is a beautiful buff color pet. She will need an owner
tabby. He came to TPC from that will respect her wishes. Bebe
a local Humane Society. He She is an extremely playful was
is a very sweet, playful, girl & especially loves the rescued
In our cageless facility, visitors find
dogs and cats comfortably living in well-adjusted kitten who fishing pole cat toys. Selena with her
a homelike environment while
loves to play with cat teasers is fine around dogs. She is ok siblings
awaiting their forever home!!
& get petted all over includ- with cats, but she can be from a
ing his belly. Nash is good bossy. sandbox
with other cats & would eas- when
ily adjust into most situations. Ralph (a.k.a. Opie) is a she was 3 months old (her
friendly DachX. He is not brother is Rufus). The puppies
Dudley was picked up as a de- were very shy & came from
stray in manding a horrible environment. Bebe
Leaven- in any was adopted, but her owner
worth & way. It was not able to keep Bebe
rescued does in the fence & for Bebe's
Two of our featured dogs last month,
from take a safety she was brought back
Buddy & Daisy have found their forever
homes. animal control. He is a lov- little to TPC. Like most Labs, she
able Hound who likes to be time for him to adjust to new is an energetic waterdog.
with his people. He has a dogs. He gets along with all She is still shy & will take
LOT of energy. He wants to of his foster moms dogs. He some time to adjust to a new
get to know other dogs, but knows commands for come, home. She is good with other
should not be around cats. crate up, go outside, & do dogs. Bebe is doing great on
He is doing well on his house- your duty. He gets along her basic training. Bebe
training & sleeps in a kennel with cats ok, but sometimes would love a home with an
at night. Dudley needs train- likes to chase them… but active owner who will take
ing on barking & walking on only to play. They just don’t her on walks or runs. Bebe
lead. We are working with always find him amusing. requires a tall fenced in
him on that here. He is 1-2 Ralph is 2 y/o. yard. She escaped from her
y/o. His favorite past time is previous home & if bored,
sniffing things. will do the same in her new
Baby
home. She has beautiful blue
was
eyes. Bebe likes older chil-
Selena is a special girl who re-
dren, but is scared of small
will need a special home. cently
children. If you can't adopt
She re-
Bebe, perhaps you could
was turned
become her dog walker
most because her owner was mov-
friend or you could make a
likely ing. Baby eats a special
donation for her care.
han- diet for Urinary Tract Infec-

5. Paws for Thought Page 5
In Loving Memory of April
April was adopted from The April passed away peace- ever loving and devoted
Pet Connection on October fully at home with her family friend. You will be missed
31, 2004 by a wonderful by her side on October 23, little one. And you will al-
couple who promised to give 2008. ways have a sacred place in
her the happy life she de- our hearts. “
served. April was a devoted April’s family says, “She was
Rest in peace sweet April you
and beloved companion to the ultimate lap cat, super
athlete and play pal, protec- will be missed!
Steve & Kate for almost 4
years. tor of home and hearth, and
Crate Training Your Dog—by TPC Behavioral Staff
Crate training is the most up. You cannot punish your schedule is very helpful to the
popular method of house- dog for eliminating inappro- housebreaking process so the
breaking your dog. Selecting priately if you do not witness dog knows when it will eat,
the crate is the first step. Your that action. Punishment will go outside, play, etc. When
dog should be able to stand only hinder the training proc- you put your dog in the crate
up in the crate turn around & ess, but praise for the correct say kennel or crate & reward
lay down, but with no more behavior will sped the proc- them for going in with praise
room than that. At the begin- ess up. Tethering your dog to & a treat. This will make the
ning of crate training your yourself is a sure way to crate a place the dog seeks
dog should be in the crate know that they won’t be out for refuge & is a safe place
when you are not directly of your site during this proc- for them. Using a crate is
watching him so there are no ess so they can’t have an very evolutionarily historical
accidents in the house. Dogs accident without you there to for dogs because they
do not like to go to the bath- correct it. Every time your evolved from wolves, which
room where they sleep & with dog eliminates outside treats use dens for shelter, the crate
no extra space your dog will & praise are very important, is the modern day den for
begin to understand that if think of it like potty training your dog & should be com-
they eliminate in the crate your child, the bigger of a fortable, safe, & a place
they will not have a clean deal you make it the more they don’t mind being.
place to lie down. If you catch important it will be to your
your dog eliminating in the dog. If you want to make it Things to remember:
• Praise & treats for elimi-
house the only thing that can extra rewarding get a treat
nating outside!
be done is to get them out- they really like & is only
• Praise & treats for going
side as quickly as possible & given when they eliminate
into the crate.
reward them for going out- outside, not at any other
side. If your dog eliminates in time, such as dried liver, or Watching your dog so they
can’t have accidents will
the crate or elsewhere there what ever kind of treat they
speed up the training proc-
is nothing to do but clean it really enjoy. Creating a
ess.

6. Paws for Thought
Page 6
Happy Tails—Meet Carrie!
Carrie is doing wonderful. hide bones. She does have session at Empire Pets this
She is a joy to have around. the tendency to snack on cat past Friday. She is too cute.
She still loves to go on car food here and there. But it
rides whenever possible. As works out okay since the cats Take Care,
soon as she sees someone sneak a bit of her dog food
putting on their shoes she here and there, too. Ron & Debbie R.
comes running. She loves to
make herself at home on your We have not had problems
lap, while you are watching with her allergies. We did
television. find out that she loves pea-
nut butter paws. They are
She loves to chase squirrels some quot;all naturalquot; treats that
and birds in our backyard. we found.
She and our three cats get
along fine now. Though she I have attached a few pic-
gives them a little growl if tures of Carrie right after
they get too close to her raw- she returned from a beauty
Happy Tails—Meet Baby!
It's been several months now are in the bathroom so she that has two small butterflies,
and Baby's personality has can drink from her own per- one red and one orange to
emerged in many adorable sonal water fountain. She accessorize. It looks just per-
and unique ways. The only loves to perch atop the TV fect on her!
problem is that she and our whenever it is on-I don't
other cat do not get along know if it is the warmth or Baby is a part of our family
quite yet. We still keep them just having the eagle's-eye now. Although I would love it
separated while we are advantage. She has a plastic if our two cats got along a
away and keep a close eye bag fetish. She has defi- little better, we are working
on them when we are home. nitely grown to a healthy through it and believe we
weight and has come to ex- make small strides towards
A couple things we have pect a regular feeding time. harmonious living everyday.
found out about Baby is that She despises an empty food
she LOVES LOVES LOVES bowl so much so that she I thank Pet Connection for
water. We have caught her nudges it off her perch when the special care they gave
many times up on the kitchen it is empty. our quot;Babyquot; and really ad-
counter seeking any standing mire the work you do and
water and, yes.....in the potty I recently bought her the facility you run.
(we keep the lid closed now) cutest new collar that is red
so I give her an extra large and white gingham with a Thank you very much!
bowl of water now. She also red bell and since it was too Jamie & Matt
likes to have the faucet turned plain to fit her personality, I
on low for her whenever you bought a charm to go with it
Submit your Happy Tails story & photos via email to: brandi@thepetconnection.net
Submissions will be posted on our Happy Tails page of our website and could be seen in our
monthly newsletter!

7. The Pet Connection, Inc.
5918 Broadmoor, Mission KS 66202
913-671-PETS
www.thepetconnection.net

9. PET PALz
Monthly Donor Program
The Pet Connection
5918 Broadmoor, Mission KS 66202
913-671-PETS (phone) 913-362-8460 (fax)
Name_______________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________
Phone________________________Email_____________________________________
Amount ___$10 ___$25 ___$50 ___$75 ___$100 ___Other__________
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Please initial the transaction of your choice:
_____1st of each month _____15th of each month
Please attach a VOIDED CHECK from the account to be drafted.
I hereby authorize a bank draft to The Pet Connection on the account designated, for the amount agreed to above on the
date indicated above. I understand that it is my responsibility to notify The Pet Connection in writing if I wish to withdraw
from this program at any time. I further understand that if the check is dishonored or returned for any reason, that the
amount of the check plus a processing fee of $25 (legal limit) will be electronically debited from the account by CCF.
Signature__________________________________________ Date______________
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Please initial the transaction of your choice:
_____1st of each month _____15th of each month
Type of card_______________________ Expiration date_______________________
Card Number______________________________________________
I hereby authorize a draft on the credit card account designated, for the amount agreed to above on the date indicated
above. I understand that it is my responsibility to notify The Pet Connection in writing if I wish to withdraw from this pro-
gram at any time.
Signature_________________________________________ Date_______________
The Pet Connection, Inc. is a licensed 501 (c) 3 organization. All donations are tax deductible.

10. Recycling—Go Green and Save Homeless Pets
The Pet Connection is pleased to announce that we have expanded our recy-
cling program! Recycling is an extremely important reality of the world we
live in. We must save our planet!!! Why not raise money to save homeless
cats and dogs while we’re at it!
Instead of throwing your cans away or taking them to the recycling center,
please bring them by The Pet Connection! Cans can be dropped off anytime
(open or closed hours) at our facility located at 5918 Broadmoor in Mission
KS. Our recycling bin is located on the south-east side of the building next
to the obedience center entrance.
We are also proud to announce recycling abilities for printer & toner car-
tridges and old cell phones! Recycling boxes are located in our main lobby
“The Bratcher Café” and can be accessed any time during open hours. Sim-
ply come in and place your product in the correct box.
Want to do a fund raiser for The Pet Connection? Collect aluminum cans,
ink cartridges, or cell phones from your schools, your neighborhoods, your
clubs and bring them in! You’ll save the planet and you’ll save the lives of
homeless pets all at the same time.

11. The Pet Connection, Inc. is a licensed 501 (c) 3 organization. All donations are tax deductible.