PO Box 1470
Bensalem, PA 19020
Last Updated:
07/29/2010 05:48 PM
© 2010 WHS
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News
Latest News Items:
Redner's Receipt Program -- Wednesday May 19th, 2010
When you sign up for the Save-a-Tape program at the new Redner's Warehouse Market in Bensalem, the Society will receive one percent of the receipt total for your purchases. To enroll in the program, visit the Customer Service Department at the store at 2506 Knights Road. Send your receipts to us at: Women's Humane Society, PO Box 1470, Bensalem, PA, 19020. Brown's ShopRite at 2200 Bristol Road in Bensalem also participates in the Save-a-Tape program.
The Perfect Canine Gift -- Wednesday November 11th, 2009
The quotes in the archived article below are from our contracted trainer, Deb. To determine the current schedule of classes and the level of service necessary to meet your family's needs, you may contact Deb at 215-437-1932.
OBEDIENCE CLASSES-TUESDAY EVENING, NOV. 17TH. SIGN UP NOW!!
AS THIS YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE, I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND GOOD WISHES AND THANKS TO ALL OF MY PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE STUDENTS.
IN CLASS, WE'VE FOCUSED ON TEACHING OUR DOGS AND OURSELVES NEW WAYS OF DOING THINGS. AS WE APPROACH THE HOLIDAY SEASON, THIS WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO SIT BACK AND REFLECT ON ALL THE LESSONS THAT OUR PETS HAVE TAUGHT US. THROUGHOUT ALL OF MY EXPERIENCES, I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS VALUE TO THE SAYING, DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF AND I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME VALUABLE LESSONS WITH YOU.
THINGS THAT WE CAN LEARN FROM OUR DOGS
NEVER PASS UP THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO FOR A JOY RIDE. ALLOW THE EXPERIENCE OF FRESH AIR AND THE WIND IN YOUR FACE TO BE PURE ECSTASY.
WHEN LOVED ONES COME HOME, ALWAYS RUN TO GREET THEM. WHEN SOMEONE IS HAVING A BAD DAY, BE SILENT, SIT CLOSE BY AND NUZZLE THEM GENTLY.
WHEN IT'S IN YOUR BEST INTEREST, PRACTICE OBEDIENCE.
LET OTHERS KNOW THAT THEY'VE INVADED YOUR TERRITORY.
TAKE NAPS AND STRETCH BEFORE RISING. RUN, ROMP AND PLAY DAILY.
EAT WITH GUSTO AND ENTHUSIASM.
BE LOYAL
NEVER PRETEND TO BE SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE NOT.
AVOID BITING WHEN A SIMPLE GROWL WILL DO.
WHEN YOU'RE HAPPY, DANCE AROUND AND WAG YOUR ENTIRE BODY.
NO MATTER HOW OFTEN YOU'RE SCOLDED, DON'T BUY INTO THE GUILT AND POUT. RUN RIGHT BACK AND MAKE FRIENDS.
DELIGHT IN THE SIMPLE JOY OF A LONG WALK.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS,
DEB
More Affordable Than Free -- Wednesday June 24th, 2009
Our eyes tend to twinkle over the offer of a "free" bundle of fluff. Take a moment to think about health and wellness of that fluff-ball and your family in the weeks, months, and years ahead. When you adopt a cat or kitten from the Women's Humane Society, your adoption donation covers the intake exam by a veterinarian that the animal received at the time of surrender. At the time of that exam, the kitten or cat received its distemper series vaccine, was wormed, and treated for fleas. The animal will receive another exam at the time of adoption, and you will contract to return within two weeks following your adoption for a free exam by one of our clinic vets. A free stool check to make sure the wormer cleared out any digestive tract parasites will also be performed at that follow-up exam. All of this for a recommended $20.00 donation. During the busy summer months, we reduce this recommended donation to $10.00 on a second cat or kitten.
If the kitten is 12 weeks of age or older, a rabies shot will have been given and the charge is $17.00 at the time of adoption. If the kitten or cat has not been fixed, the surgery will be done on animals over 3 months of age before they leave our facility. The fee is $55.00 to spay a female cat and $45.00 for the neuter of a male cat. For kittens under 3 months of age, you will pay this surgery fee as a deposit and make a surgery appointment by phone or when you come for your follow-up visit. There will be a $25.00 exam charge at the time that you return for the surgery. We recommend you make the surgery appointment at the time of your follow up exam. You will leave a $25.00 deposit to secure the date and this amount will be applied to the exam the cat will receive on the day of surgery. If you have the Feline Leukemia and AIDS combination test done at the time of adoption, the fee is $26.00. If you choose to have this blood test done at your follow-up exam, the fee is $51.00. We will microchip animals for $40.00 at the time of adoption or through our clinic at a later date. We will heartworm test for $20.00 at the time of adoption and you may purchase Frontline or medication to prevent heartworm for an additional charge. Bottomline, if you choose a second cat that has already been spayed or neutered, you can adopt this cat for as little as $37.00, though we do recommend the blood test to rule out the contagious illnesses of Leukemia and AIDS which would lead to $63.00 being due at the time of adoption. If you elect to get all of the medical services provided that are referenced above- you will pay around $100.00 less for an adopted cat when compared to even our clinic prices that reflect our animal welfare commitment to affordable vet care. You may learn more about our medical services and fees on the pages titled 'Donation/Medical Service Fees' in the Adoption section and on the 'Clinic/Hospital' page for those animals not adopted from the Society.
Obedience Series Begins -- Thursday June 4th, 2009
Here is a testamonial from one of our trainer's clients:
I had adopted a mixed breed, Dudley, who at the time was 5years old. It had been a long time since I had a dog and my husband did not grow up with animals so we read every book that we could get our hands on. Nothing worked...I was given Deb's number by a friend of mine who saw her privately.
Dudley had a hard time adjusting to our household and us to him. He had some issues with him pullling and chewing the leash which was the least of my worries, he would snap at my girls and it was difficult for us to have company because he behaved so obnoxiously.
I contacted Deb who initially worked with us at home.
Deb worked magic for us.
That was the best thing that we ever did!!!! Dudley is now just about the best dog we've ever had and is such a gentleman. We recently adopted another dog and immediately called Deb who was able to get us right on track and into a class.
I would highly recommend Deb and highly recommend that owners, whether it be first time owners or folks used to owning dogs take classes with Deb at the Women's Humane. I do have friends who purchased from breeders and have seen problem behaviors and I have recommended them to Deb.
For us, the benefits of bringing in a trainer and taking classes (the cost of which are relatively inexpensive compared to other places) sure beats anything that I've tried to do myself with books or T.V.
Mary M.
The Women's Humane Society in Bensalem is accepting registrations for the next series of obedience training classes that begin on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 9:30 am.
We routinely offer Puppy and Beginner classes. If there is interest, we will run intermediate classes and higher level courses with our agility equipment for dogs that have been through a beginner class and will obey basic commands the first time they are given.The cost for the seven week course is is $90. This price is well below market value as it reflects oour animal welfare mission to make responsible and fulfilling pet ownership affordable. Some classes also hold an orientation session. Participants must bring a health certificate from their veterinarian stating that the dog is in good health, has had distemper, parvo and rabies shots and has not external or internal parasites.
For more information about registering for obedience classes, call the Women's Humane Society at 215-750-3100. Saturday's trainer Deb can be reached directly at 215-437-1932.
Adopt a Pet: Get Candy -- Friday May 8th, 2009
In celebration of our 140th anniversary, starting tomorrow, May 9, adopters of dogs, cats and small animals will receive a special anniversary candy bar and a magnet. A lucky winner will find a golden ticket under the wrapper of one of the candy bars, entitling him or her to a gift bag full of items for humans and their furry friends. One adopter per family will receive the candy bar and magnet.
Pet Food Drive a Success -- Thursday May 7th, 2009
The Women’s Humane Society Pet Food Drive took in 1,494 bags and cans of dog and cat food. Food received was sent to eight Lower Bucks food banks, which will distribute the pet food to pet owners when they pick up food for themselves.
“We received a tremendous response to the food drive from the community,” said Jim Gaynor, Society Managing Director. “We were amazed at how much food was donated in two weeks.”
Society Board Members Colleen Gasiorowski and Carol McKinney organized the food drive after Gasiorowski volunteered to collect items for a food bank and noticed that food for pets wasn’t included.
“I asked, ‘What about food for the pets? No one seemed to have an answer, although some said that people in need don’t have pets,” Gasiorowski said. “So I did some research and found that people suffering economic hardships do have pets and that the number of these people with pets is growing. Many people feel that they have no other option but to give up their pets when times are rough. I thought that a food drive just for pets could help people stop worrying about how they are going to feed their pets and keep more pets in their homes.”
The Pet Food Drive was held from April 11 – 26. Donations were received at the Society and at the Bensalem Acme, Feasterville Petco and other locations, such as veterinary offices, groomers and churches. Several groups also held their own mini-drives.
Pet Food Drive -- Wednesday April 8th, 2009
We are hosting a pet food drive as part of our multi-prong approach to preventing the neglect and abuse of animals and our commitment to making pet ownership affordable. This drive will support loving pet owners during this difficult economic time. Donations will be forwarded to and distributed by several Lower Bucks food banks. We enjoy success in our mission due to the generosity of our supporters and the caring and animal loving members of our community. Cans and small bags of pet food are being accepted at our shelter between Saturday, April 11, 2009 through Sunday, April 26, 2009. Here are the hours you may drop off donations at the shelter: Saturday
8am to 5:45 pm (arrive by 5:30 please)
Sunday
8am to 2:45pm (arrive by 2:30 please)
Monday
7am to 4:45pm (arrive by 4:30 please)
Tuesday
7am to 5:45pm (arrive by 5:30 please)
Wednesday
7am to 7:45pm (arrive by 7:30 please)
Thursday
7am to 5:45pm (arrive by 5:30 please)
Friday
7am to 5:45pm (arrive by 5:30 please)
Volunteers will be collecting donations at the Petco on Street Road in Feasterville this Saturday, April 11, 2009 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. and on Saturday, April 18, 2009 and Sunday, April 19, 2009 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Stay tuned for a location during the final weekend of the drive. All monetary donations will be used to purchase pet food. For more details, view our Events page and calendar.
Pull Relationships Sought -- Thursday February 5th, 2009
The highly adoptable dogs offered by the Women's Humane Society continue to place as quickly as we can make them available. Our adopters can trust that we have taken a conservative approach to risk management when offering the dogs we place into their home and community.
If your shelter or rescue group has adoptable dogs that you have not been able to place, we are open to receiving these dogs through surrender or a pull transport in our fully heated and air-conditioned ambulance. Our affordable adoption rates do not allow us to factor pull fees into our pull relationships at this time.
We will travel up to two hours only to pull dogs as traveling greater than this distance with dogs exiting a crowded kennel environment carries a high risk of kennel cough breaking out in the week following the dogs' arrival at our facility. We will not pull dogs if symptoms of kennel cough are present in the sending shelter. We take our commitment to the health and well-being of dogs at our facility and in an adopter's home and community seriously.
Our kennel manager will meet with your founder, president, or pull coordinator to decide together which dogs we believe we can place. We are an open admissions shelter and no one involved wants us to pull dogs that will later be euthanized for health or behavior reasons.
Please visit our web page titled 'Giving Up an Animal' to learn more about how we define adoptable and our adoption pages to learn about our adoption focus and practices.
Together we can make a difference for animals and the people who love them.
Please email any questions to whshelpline@aol.com or call our kennel manager Brian Meyers at 215-750-3100 Ext. 234 to arrange a pull evaluation.
Holiday Highlights -- Wednesday January 7th, 2009
For the past two years, some of the final adoptions before the winter holidays have been medium-large mixed breed, mostly black or black and white dogs that were over the age of four. Two of them had been pulled from a city shelter that does not have the space that we have to offer larger dogs. You may find more information about Sasher or Sash on our Happy Tails pages following his December of 2007 adoption. Both Zed (a 6-year-old border collie mix) and Mickey (a 5-year-old dalmation/border collie mix) were adopted out in December of 2008 after being homeless since September of 2008.
In the days that followed the resumption of adoptions, cats stole the feel-good adoption lime light of the day. Cats that had been with us since the first and second week of November were adopted in the two days after Christmas. The Saturday after New Year's; Joy (who had been with us since October 14, 2008) found her furever home.
The Women's Humane Society continues to place highly adoptable dogs (friendly, healthy, young dogs with good habits that may be purebreds and are not Chows, Pit Bulls, or Pit Bull mixes) almost as fast as we make them available. If the first applicant is denied, a second or third viable applicant follows. Small dogs continue to place without even being posted upon the internet. If you are affiliated with an overcrowded shelter up to two hours from our facility and are interested in establishing a dog pull relationship, please email us at whshelpline@aol.com. You may learn more about how we define adoptable on our page titled 'Giving Up an Animal.'
Doggies in the Ruff -- Tuesday January 6th, 2009
Our contracted trainer, Deb, has been with us for over 14 years. She has expanded her services beyond classes at the Women's Humane Society in a comprehensive support service called Doggies in the Ruff. She considers herself a canine trainer and human educator because both roles are important to success when owning a dog.
By calling Deb at 215-437-1932 you can get information on enrolling in Puppy Kindergarten classes (forming at the Women's Humane Society in January of 2009) for those babies acquired over the holidays. We believe this is a critical opportunity to ensure that your puppy does not become a surrender and possibly euthanasia statistic if your last pet was when you were growing up or you thought all the responsibilities of pet ownership would come naturally. If that last puppy was just crazy and you are sure that this one will not be so crazy and nothing else has changed in your life or dog-owning strategies, don't risk another crazy puppy!
In addition to classes at our facility, trainers/educators at Doggies in the Ruff offer private sessions, pet sitting for both cats and dogs, pet walking and a phone consultation package. The puppy package includes a one hour consultation which will enable you to distinguish between normal puppy behavior and problematic behavior. Trainers will evaluate your household and make recommendations to prepare you for safety and function. Instructions will be provided on equipment, leashes/collars and the safest teething products. Increasing your canine understanding and knowledge will enhance your relationship with your puppy.
The Doggies in the Ruff trainers/educators will evaluate and temperment test shelter dogs and structure a training program that is unique to you and your dog. They have "first hand" experience with "second hand" dogs and can assist you in reshaping the dog emotionally, mentally, and behaviorally.
For more information about their training philosophies and an application download, go to the Obedience Classes page on this website.
X-SITE Program -- Monday October 13th, 2008
State Representative Gene DiGirolamo and Bensalem Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo helped unveil one of ten signs designed to publicize the problem of pet abandonment. The signs, donated by Mayor DiGirolamo and designed by members of X-SITE (Extreme Service and Intergenerational Training Experience), will be placed in strategic locations in Bensalem where people have been known to abandon cats and other animals.
The signs are just one part of a feral cat prevention campaign that X-SITE members have developed under the leadership of Janice Mininberg, Director of Education at the Women’s Humane Society. “We have a small, but very devoted group of young people who have been amazingly dedicated to educating the public about the problem of animal abandonment,†she said.
In addition to the signs, X-SITE members are circulating a petition in support of Pennsylvania House Bill 499, which would increase the fine levied for cruelty and abandonment of animals. The Bill was introduced by Representative DiGirolamo. X-SITE members have also written a brochure, entitled “Abandonment is Illegal,†which will be distributed to post offices, animal shelters and libraries. The brochure will be printed courtesy of Representative DiGirolamo.
X-SITE, sponsored by TODAY, Inc. and Building a Better Bensalem Together, provides opportunities for young people aged 13 – 15 to partner with adult mentors in training and community service programs. X-SITE members Ben Applegate, Sheldon Fogle, Jimmy Lamb and Nicole Rivera participated in the unveiling program. X-SITE member Tamarah Rago was unable to attend.
Paul Hartka, X-SITE Project Coordinator and former Society Pet Pals Club member, initiated the project with the Society. “The X-SITE members were so intrigued by Janice’s overview of the project that more than 50% of the members wanted to join the Animal Abandonment Prevention campaign,†he said.
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