INSIDE THIS ISSUE…

> Be Kind Contest

> Pets for Patriots

> Top Dog House Merchant Honored

> Putting for Pets Returns

Spring 2010

OUR MISSION The purpose of the APF is to address pet overpopulation and animal suffering through education and appropriate action, to enhance human/animal relationships, and to provide care to animals in need.

Animal Cruelty is Everyone’s Responsibility

DID YOU KNOW?Training contributes to your dog’s health, happiness and safety. Comet is a graduate of our Pet Academy.

She says that he has won many people over with his wonderful temperament. When they encounter other dogs and owners on their walks, she lets them know that Irving is friendly and it is OK for their dogs to approach. But every now and then, people still steer clear, fearful that he is aggressive because of his breed.

Since Irving became a part of Gina’s life, she has learned a lot about “bully breeds” so that when asked she can educate others on the many breeds and mixes that fall under the pit bull label. She believes that Irving may be a purebred American Staffordshire Terrier, although DNA testing cannot confirm this. But whatever his genetic makeup, Gina feels Irving is a great representative for “pit bulls” and intends for both of them to do their part to help change how they are viewed.

Gina came to the APF to visit the cute rat terrier she saw on our website. On her way to meet him, she spotted another dog curled up in a ball on his bed. After finding the terrier to be a bit too independent for her taste, she went back to see the dog that caught her eye. As she knelt down at his kennel, “Irving” got up off his bed and gently licked her fingers through the cage.

Irving looks like the type of dog you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley. Many would have been put off by his muscular build and short cropped ears that make his square head look massive. But looking past the cage card, which read “pit bull mix,” and into Irving’s expressive eyes, she knew she had found the dog of her dreams. Gina calls his personality amazing, and she is not Irving’s only fan.

They have completed Basic Manners 101 through APF’s Pet Academy and plan to take the Canine Good Citizen class next. She looks forward to the day when she can share Irving as a therapy dog.

For an eye-opening study on how public opinion on various breeds has been shaped, visit nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com and read “The Pit Bull Placebo: The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression,” by Karen Delise.

Changing Attitudes Toward “Bully Breeds”

Irving is becoming a great ambassador for “bully breeds.”

Animal cruelty is rampant in our community and yet there are few convictions for these acts. Much of the reason that crimes against animals often go unpunished is because they are unreported or not reported in a thorough manner. In addition, laws pertaining to

animals are often misunderstood, even by police agencies that are charged with enforcing them.

That is why it is so important for all who care about animals to be familiar with cruelty law, as well as how to effectively document and report these crimes.

APF volunteer Sheila McGee is passionate about this topic and empowering people to take action against cruelty and neglect. A student of HVCC’s Animal Law program, Sheila has developed “Reporting Animal Cruelty,

What Caring Citizens Need to Know.” This free program is for anyone with a concern for animals, especially those who have witnessed animal cruelty or neglect and not known what to do about it. It provides an excellent overview of animal cruelty law, along with guidance on gathering evidence and who to contact for help.

This program will next be presented at the Troy Public Library on Tuesday, April 13. Call 274-7071 to reserve a seat. Visit our website for future dates and additional resources.

53 Maple Avenue, Scotia, NY 12302 • 518.374.3944 • www.animalprotective.org Volume 28 No. 1

lOW-COST COMMUNITY SPAY/NEUTER PROgRAMThe APF offers low-cost spay/neuter services for cats and kittens. Contact one of our five partner organizations for further information and to schedule an appointment. The fee is $70* and testing for FIV/FeLV and rabies vaccination are also included.

> Robin’s Nest (518) 779.3020

> love Me Spay Me (Guilderhaven) (518) 861.6861

> HOPE (518) 248.0355

> Cat Tales (518) 248.9682

> Montgomery County SPCA(518) 842.8050 *plus $5 transport fee

• Read and Comment on Our New Blog: “Thoughts Unleashed”

• Sign Up for E-news for All the Latest Shelter Updates

gET CONNECTED TO THE APfVisit www.animalprotective.org for a complete list of activities and programs. Look for our brand new website in April with more helpful information and new ways to interact with us!

In past few months, we have been inundated with news reports of dogs, cats and other animals being tortured and/or killed in the Capital Region. Here at the APF, I am sorry to say, we see many animals who have suffered at the hands of their abusers. There are scarred dogs who have served their time in the fight ring and are abandoned because they are no longer useful to their owners. There are emaciated cats with sores and patches of fur missing from years of neglect. Often these animals come to us as strays, so there is no one to hold accountable for these crimes. They are crimes nonetheless.

I know it sounds cliché but it truly does take a community to put an end to this abuse. And by that, I don’t mean a public gathering on the steps of the Capitol. It’s important to realize that a crime that goes unreported will never be punished, and that is where we need to start.

I urge you to attend our ongoing program – Reporting Animal Cruelty: What Caring Citizens Need to Know. It will help you to understand what constitutes animal cruelty and what the average citizen can do – actually must do – to help stop it.

Ten years ago the people of New York raised their voices in outrage over a cat named Buster who was sadistically tortured. That outcry resulted in Buster’s Law, which makes such vicious acts felonies. Assemblyman Jim Tedisco has now penned a new piece of legislation to pick up where Buster’s Law leaves off.

The new bill seeks to prevent those convicted of animal cruelty violations from owning a companion animal unless they can prove

that they have undergone a psychological evaluation that clearly indicates they are of sound mental capacity and ability to care for an animal in a humane manner. In answer to the case of a horse named Skye who was savagely stabbed and killed, it also adds equine companions to those animals already protected under this law.

There is a quote by Albert Einstein … “The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.”

We all need to ask ourselves what kind of world we want to live in. If we don’t take on the responsibility of speaking up for the animals, we have no one to blame for the consequences of violence in our community, as the two are so closely intertwined.

You have a voice. Please join with us to speak up and speak out. This may be the most important gift you give to the animals.

Rosalie R. AultEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

P.S. Some of you may know that my father passed away recently. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere appreciation to all who lent support by way of sympathy cards, flowers, donations, hugs, notes, and especially all of the staff and volunteers who attended the service. My family and I were truly touched by your thoughtfulness.

From the Executive Director

PetGazette is a publication of the APF, a nonprofit corporation in Schenectady County, New York. It is published three times a year for more than 6,000 readers. We welcome your comments.

Please contact: Marguerite Pearson, LVT Director of Communications (518) 374-3944, ext. 113 pearson@animalprotective.org

Board of Directors Rebecca Pauley, President Lisa DiCocco, Vice-President Martha Meskutovecz, Secretary Jo Freedman, Treasurer George Belev Anne Hartranft Annemarie Lanesey Steve Malinowski Kris McConville Judy McCullough Sara Veeder

The APf is an independent nonprofit humane society funded by donations. It is not a municipal agency and receives no city, county, or state funding.

PET ADOPTIONWe place healthy and tempera-mentally sound animals in responsible homes with the expectation that adopters will provide quality and lifelong care. Our process includes an adopter questionnaire and an agreement detailing the kind of care every animal should receive.

ANIMAl SURRENDERWe accept unwanted animals from Schenectady County residents. A minimum of $25 per animal is requested to offset the cost of care that we provide; approximately $200 per animal.

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Connecting Pets and PatriotsWe’re proud to announce our participation in a new adoption program for members of the military. Pets for Patriots is an organization dedicated to connecting homeless pets with military personnel at any stage of their careers – active, reserve, retired or veteran. Adoption fees are waived for adoptions of qualified pets, which include dogs or cats at least two years old, as well as large dogs and special needs pets. Service men and women

interested in the program must first apply through Pets for Patriots and provide proof of their military service. Approval takes only

a day or two, after which the adopter can visit the APF to meet a new friend. To ease the financial costs associated with pet ownership, Pets for Patriots also provides access to reduced cost pet care. For more details, visit www.petsforpatriots.org or call 374-3944, ext. 113.

SHElTER SUPPlY DRIvE THROUgH APRIl 8

For the second year, BJ’ s wholesale club is holding supply drives in their Capital Region stores to help area animal shelters. Items donated at the Rotterdam store between March 24 and April 8 will help the APF. Please check out the wish list at the store entrance and pick up an item or two for the animals. BJ’s is located at 70 W. Campbell Road, across from Rotterdam Square Mall.

SAl’S MARKET NAMED “TOP DOg”

Sal’s Quality Market on Guilderland Avenue in Schenectady was recently named our 2009 Dog House Merchant of the Year. Caroll Weakley, a longtime employee of Sal’s, was instrumental in encouraging her customers to donate their spare change to the “little purple doghouse” on her counter. She must be quite persuasive, as all those nickels and dimes added up to nearly $1,100 for the animals! Our dog house boxes are placed in over 60 local businesses. All a merchant needs to to do is provide a small space for the box and a volunteer will pick it up on a regular basis. If you wish to get involved, please give us a call at 374-3944, ext. 114.

Caroll Weakley displays the certificate honoring Sal’s Market as Dog House Merchant of the Year

gET INvOlvED!Come to a Volunteer Orientation to learn more about the mission of the APF and the many ways you can help animals. Call 374-3944, ext. 118 to reserve your spot.

Next Orientation: > May 19, 6:00 - 7:30 pm

PetSmart is New Home to APf CatsIn January, the Niskayuna PetSmart became our new satellite adoption center for cats. Formerly operated by Robin’s Nest, this collaboration is unlike any other in Capital Region animal welfare history.

Since 2005, Robin’s Nest cat rescue has helped the APF to place nearly 500 cats, and has also been a partner of our Community Spay/Neuter Program. Now we have taken our relationship one step closer. We have contracted with Robin Paniccia, founder of Robin’s Nest, to manage the PetSmart clinic for the APF.

The change came about at the suggestion of Paniccia, who found

it increasingly difficult to manage the intake and housing of cats, but wanted to remain actively involved in adoption. The “merger” made sense, as both organizations share a commitment to quality, lifelong adoptions and aggressive spay/neuter efforts.

Although Robin’s Nest no longer operates as an adoption entity, it continues to be one of our community spay/neuter partners.

The PetSmart satellite provides the APF with a permanent offsite adoption location, which will enable us to reach a different population of adopers while increasing our community

visibility. It is open seven days a week, for a total of 30 hours, and is staffed by Robin and volunteers.

We’ve already seen some very promising results. In January and February, 75 cats were adopted from PetSmart in addition to the 64 adopted from the shelter. This represents an increase of 61 cat adoptions compared to the same period last year!

Stop in for a visit at Mohawk Commons, 406 Balltown Road in Niskayuna, to meet Robin, our offsite adoption team, and maybe even a new feline friend.

8th Annual“Be Kind to Animals” Poster & Essay ContestFor All Kids in Grades 1 through 5 Entry Deadline: Friday, April 9

Theme: “Adopt Me!”Pick any animal that is available for adoption at the APF and either write a story or design a poster encouraging adoption of that special pet. Visit www.animalprotective.org for pictures of our pets.

Complete contest details are available at www.animalprotective.org and by calling 374-3944, ext. 119. Winners will receive prizes and be honored at an awards reception during Be Kind to Animals Week in May.

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In Honor and In Memory of Special People and Animals Who Have Touched our Lives ... While gifts of any amount are genuinely appreciated, due to space constraints only gifts of $25 or more are guaranteed inclusion in the newsletter. Listing reflects gifts made between October 21, 2009 and February 26, 2010.

IN HONOR OF PEOPLEJOHN ARTICOlODolly Lee SimmonsMARgE ASSINIJane SternSHEIlA ATHANBetty AthanKATE BAKER AND SUZANNE SCHAlOWJohn and Karla KennedyANITA EvANS BENSONBonita JoslinglORIA BlUMEve PieciukCAROl BRENNAN AND MUffINDenise, Cary, Helena and RyanMR. AND MRS. TODD BUTlERThe Clark Family Trust MCCAUlEY CANNIZZOHilary Hutchison-PorterMRS. CATHEll’S 4TH gRADE ClASSEdward Jamison and Alicia Shultz ROBBIE CAUfIElD PAINEJim and Mary CaufieldCAROl CIMINOJamie GreenbergBENJAMIN CUTlERDorothy MeyerHElENA DECAPRIO’S RETIREMENTMr. and Mrs. John Van Der WerkenlARRY DAgOSTINOApollo and LeBronCRAIg W. DUBOISFrank DuBoisMARgE fENNEllLynne SalernoSUSAN fRONCZEKRick FronczekPAM AND CARl gARKOWSKIThomas CastnerMAXINE gEORgE AND BRUCE fElDMAN’S WEDDINgSusan Holdridge and David FruchterDr. Russell and Karen MankesDolores WeifenbachMARgARET gARYThe Scanlon’s in MaineHEATHER gRIMMITTAnne TrimbleTHE HOUCK fAMIlYLisa DiCoccoElAINE MARIE HYSONGeraldine MancinoJUlIEJulia StoneJOHN AND BUNNY KAUTZMANRichard KautzmanlIZ, vIC AND JAKEAdam LansingMARIA lOIZIDES’ RETIREMENTYour Friends at DDDCAITlIN lURENZDenise LurenzJUDITH MANgINOC.L. King & Associates, Inc.ROBERT MANTZNancy Passer and John HaherMARgARET AND BEllEPaula and John BourgeoisMARIE THE TEMPOS Gals at Cengage LearningSHEIlA MCgEERobert and Joan SilerEARl MCMUllEN’S 90TH BIRTHDAYJeff, Bob, John, Judy and KateMD lAB AND PfgELisa ThompsonMARTHA MESKUTOvECZThe Harter FamilyGayle, Christine, Joe, Karen and Michael and all the puppies!MARTHA AND ED MESKUTOvECZMatthew ShafferPAT MONTONEMartha & Ed Meskutovecz

MARgUERITE PEARSONEd and Martha MeskutoveczKaren PirozziPAMElA PEDINOTTIDebbie CarpenterEileen WilliamsRONAlD AND ARlENE POWlESVarian PowlesEvElYN RAIMONDIRon and Ellie HuntEllie ShahbanMR. AND MRS. WAYNE SMITHTodd, Erica and Autumn ReicheltTHE STAff AT REXfORD POST OffICE: KIM, MIKE, JOHN AND EvERTPeter and Thelma FordTHERESA ROSACalvin and Ellen YoungMarie TripplYNNE SAlERNOMarcia and Bob BahanSUSAN SMITHTeresa Gavin-RE/Max PremierSUSAN STENSONBarbara WagarJANE STERNMarjorie AssiniNAIA TAPPAPatricia ColganIRENE AND STEvE TRUDEllDorothy MeyerBARBE WAgARBonnie NuendelEIlEEN WIllIAMSPam PedinottiBIll AND MARIlYN YUNICKBob and Anne Yunick

IN HONOR OF PETSAMBER AND PIPERLarry and Norma Gardiner BEllA AND COMETWilliam Berner-Keeper RescueBEllEPaula and John BourgeoisBENNY, OllIE, SPOT AND KITTENTricia MargasBlUE AND lIllYKimberly Green and Andrew KouzanBOO KITTYThe DeMichele FamilyBREWSERRobert and Frances FazioDONNERElizabeth VillalobosDUCHESSWinnifred TournierEMMA, SMOKEY, lUCKY AND TOMMYDeborah WernerETHAN, lUCY AND HEATHER ANNEDiana NataliegYPSYLouise and Paul LewisHAMPTONGloria BlumHOWDY’S 7TH BIRTHDAYMommy and DaddyISABEllAJoanne and Chloe BessingerIvAN AND CASPARMargaret and Gary WilsonMADDIEPatricia GroeberMAggIE, OUR BOSTON TERRIER BABYKathy and David BurkeMAXShirley CalkinsMOllY AND NICKDolores TuohyMOUSIE-PAUlJoan PfliegerOlIvIARobert and Janet BrunsPARKERMr. and Mrs. Sidney Kaufman

RUSTYShirley EatsSMOKEYAline PirroneSNOOPYVirginia and Wayne RaynsfordSONNYEdna GageSOPHIE gRACENancy Jane BattenWAIKACarol FullerZEKEAnn Ritter

IN MEMORY OF PEOPLEDONAlD ARMSTRONgKraig and Mary-Lou ArmstrongPETER D. ATTANASIOThe Staff at Fireside Louis MasulloDeborah MeyersRobert and Susan NuttallArlene and Dom PatiernoDom and Flora ScaviaFrancis and Nadine TomaRICKY BARBERDeidre BarberBIll BEECHERPam PedinottiPAUl BEgINJim and Bonnie AusfeldDICKY BENAQUISTOPam and Jerry PedinottiDAvID E. BENNETTSusan BraidwoodKaitlin and Brian CaffreyPenelope and Joseph CargioliDon and Chris DeLukeDrs. Robert, Donald, Dean and James DeLukeEllen EdwardsGlencliff Parent Teacher OrganizationDoreen and Steve HennesseyMary and Robert MurphyAnne O’BrienSally and Jack QuinnKristen SchreerGlenn SlagelDana and Jim SmithLee and William TootillNadine VineJohn and Victoria WallimannDONAlD BONESTEEl, SR.Robert and Shirley NorwoodRAlPH J. BUONOME, SR.Friends at Building #12ClAY BUSIERDr. and Mrs. Albert BryanEdna and Peter BusierCRAIg AND MARCIA COMSTOCKRichard ComstockKATHlEEN A. CONgDONMr. and Mrs. Harvey ChildersJoseph and Sylvia SlezakWIllIAM DAlTONRobert and Linda PruskoJOHN ‘JOE’ D’AMICOCarmella CiaranelloJames and Madeline PetraskeRotterdam Democratic Club, Inc.Roslyn WarlikDorothy ZatrepalekHIlDA J. DAMBERgLillian R. CorboWilliam and Mariann GoldBECKY DANDROWCapital Hearing CenterMARlENE DAvENPORTMarilyn and Benjamin AngersJan HitchcockMaureen RossiJUNE DAvIS AND SONS DANIEl AND JACKFriends at New Vision Business OfficePaul LaFalcefRANK R. DEBIASEJoseph Marcello

lEONORA DEllAHOYAudrey ChouffiJACQUElINE DIBIASETeresa Harrison and Dreama MeadowsDONAlD f. DUNHAMMicki and Jack BasalJames J. CorbettDavid and Janet RusselllUCIllE EDWARDSSandy, Erin, Cie-Jai and JakeWIllIAM D. EDWARDSRuth EdwardsJennifer McGowanRANDY ENglAND AND HIS DOg fRITZMichael KaraginesBEv EOffNorma and BerniePAUl fITCHMelanie and Elizabeth MattusJEAN fIRSTENCElPam BlakeyLorraine Della VillaJune DonovanJo Anne MooreMarguerite PhilbrickHAROlD fOOTE, JR.Kathy and Tom RiderCAROlE gARDNERMr. and Mrs. Chris RickertJANETTE l. gEERScotia-Glenville Teachers AssociationlEWIS gOlUBPam PedinottiBlANCHE gROSSMANTerry D’AttilioDONAlD R. gRIffINVicki’s co-workers at the Bankruptcy Court Clerk’s OfficeDoris Griffin and FamilyArt and Dale ManciniKurt OlendorfHARRIETTE HAMIlTONNiskayuna Police Benevolent AssociationglORIA HUNTERRita DurandJacqueline and Michael FosterMr. and Mrs. Stanley SojaJOHN ‘JACKIE’ IDECJohn KnauppGail, Joey and Jason KrissBEATRICE ITZOPat and Tom ItzoMADAlIENE E. JAMIESONMr. and Mrs. Robert MooreNancy OkonskiCONNIE JOHNSONBarbara WagarARTHUR KASZUBSKICharles and Marcia MooreHElEN KOCHEMGerald DrzewieckiHOWARD KOERNERLynn KoernerHENRY R. ‘HAl’ lENZDawn and Donald DavisBONNIE lESCINSKYSusan HastingsBIll lOWEClare McMahonJERRY J. lUMIARuth TownsendBEvERlEY lYONSaratoga Springs City School DistrictC.S.E.A Unit 8456ANNE MASTROIANNID. Edward AugustKathleen AugustNic and Marianne AugustKarole DelaneyDennis and Jodie DeMuthWilliam and Priscilla GochaRobert and Carole IsgroDonna and Michael MillerTed and Toni MurawskiArlene and Joe NatalieMr. and Mrs. Frank ParisiTIMOTHY C. MCKEONAssociation of State Tax ExaminersThe Bedrock Inn

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KODYS.A.M.A.lITTlE gIRlJean PecklUCY SUSIJoy BloomsteinlUKE, EBONY AND vONNIEMitch and Robbie BergMANDY, OUR BElOvED gOlDEN RETRIEvERMr. and Mrs. Reuben WeinsteinMAggIEDeborah LayaouMAggIE lOUISEBarbara MosherMAggIE AND CASSIPatricia FurlongMAgICDiana and Seyffie MalekiMAgINN CONlEYMarty and Jean GoldsmithMANDYMary Ann CoonsGloria PerrottoMCCAvITYClaudia RolfeMISTYBarbara LukasGarnett TidwellMISTY MORRETTMary MorrettMITTENSPam and Jerry PedinottiMOCHA AND ROCKYHetty Jo Brumbach and Robert JarvenpaMOCHA, SOOKIE AND PUMPKINMalene IngramMOUSE ANDERSONSamara AndersonMUffIN AND MIMIPat HutchinsMURRAY JACKSONKaren JacksonNICKY AND BABYNancy TediscoNINAChristine GrossmanNYLee BurnsOREO ASHfORD lANDI-ROgERSDenise Landi and Joan RogersPACOMary Gene and Joe TanskiPARfAIT AND BUffERJohn and Christine DeMariaPEANUTDebbie BigelowPEDELynn RiversPIPPINBrenda JohnsonPRECIOUSMr. and Mrs. Thomas BartlettREBECCABarbara HaughtRUBYTom and Patricia DeLorenzoRUBY gANNONSandy, Alan and Ally RohloffSAMMark PhoenixSCOOTERRoy and Trudy KrouseSIR WAgglES Of THE HElDERBERgSCarol TetlakSlICKRoberta TurnerSMOKEYJoanne and Chloe BessingerSPATSYMary C. SchultzSPIKEMr. and Mrs. Thomas YuilleSTEllARita Marie Rowney, HomebuddiesSWEET PEA MASTERSONEleanor MastersonTEDGramTOBYEmma and SueTROUBlEDiane ScalaWICKER MUCHMOREJean Marie MuchmoreWINSTONMary Smith and Robert Fleming

Bruce Dewey and Gloria BoneWayne and Karen GetterBenjamin HollowayWilliam MeersPhilip and Kathleen MorrisClifford H. Quay & Sons, Inc.Sean and Deanna RussoMarilyn and Milton WelshSkip and Mary Ellen WilcoxMrs. John YoungEARl MCMUllEN, JR.Margaret FisherEileen FoxVeterinary Specialties Referral CenterKEITH RICHARD MCNEIlHarriet RodwellMark and Valerie RyanlTC. JOEl MEADER, USARRobert and Kathleen DittusvICTOR B. MION, JR.Patricia MionMARY AND PAUl MONACORosemarie MeliusMY DAD JOEDebbie LommaKAROlINE NEHlSMelissa BuechnerMARIE S. NITCHMANJacqueline L. de La ForgueEMElIA ORBACZJoanne DeyoefREIDA PAYNEClare CaplingerNANCY PIPITOPam PedinottiDONAlD C. PREDDICEIrene BaileyEd and Marlene MyersEDWARD S. PRYSTUPBeukendaal Fire Department Ladies AuxiliaryRobert and Phyllis DeckerArthur and Sheila DonahueHelen and Brode Duke, Jr.Sarah FlemingRobert and Susan LeachDave and Nancy OlsenMr. and Mrs. Edwin OtisBetty ReichBarbara VanEttenHANNAH ARlENE QUICKRose CondeBOB REAgANThomas QuinnRONAlD R. RENUSMrs. D. CrispPhyllis and Thomas FyfeMr. and Mrs. Michael Del Costello & FamilyGreta NataleMIRIAM RIDERSteven RiderTom and Barbara Rider

ElMER RIETHCo-workers at APFMitch and Robbie BergWilliam and Jeanne BrownHarry and Linda BullockMr. and Mrs. Edwin BurchellFrances CuomoJudy and David DillenbeckYvonne and Michael DivakKaren and Allen DoaneDominic and Eleanor D’OnofrioElsie D’OnofrioMichael D’OnofrioMary FordenMike and Jamie GuidarelliLaurie HoffJoseph and Shirley IhnatolyaMargaret ManikewitzThe Maryanopolis FamilyMartha and Ed MeskutoveczRobin PanicciaRebecca PauleyNorris and Marguerite PearsonJosephine PecorinoCynthia PlacekRosalie and Sr. Dolores Puglis

Patrick RavaMrs. Constance ShepardLinda SusiRon ZimmermanRUTH E. ROMPHPatricia Nudi and Gram’s GangWESlEY ROSEClaire BrunkhorstMARION SAfRANSKIHenry NehlsvESTA T. SAgERRuth and M. Gregg GauCECElIA SCHARfENBERgGertrude IrvineMr. and Mrs. Joseph Mann, Jr.Clara PerlmutterDAvID SEPECarole and Tony BonilloRICHARD SKIBINSKIRonald SkibinskiJAYNE SMITHLeon Smith, Jr.ANgElIN STANKUSMary FreyJo-Ann’s Coworkers at St. Peters HospitalJoan KapelleJames and Karen StankusLois TourtellotJOAN A. STEvENSJames and Karen Lasher and FamilyJohn and Betty VanArnumlORRAINE N. STROBECKMichael and Brenda EmanueleJoAnne McKeonPatricia RoseScotia group of the American Sewing GuildLearay Rayburn-SilviaESTEllE MERZ SWARTCarol CrawfordDEBORAH TODTBruce and Anne SiegelDIANA TRAfICANTELinda WolfeKARIN C. vAlENTEKathy and Bill BarnerHan-hua and Irene Chang and FamilyLouis and Diane LezziNew York State Tax and Finance Audit DivisionSavannah and Cooper SidoteGrace and Gerry SunBERTHA MAE vARRONEFred and Janice BlaseJohn DeMatteo, Jr.Amy FarnanDaniel and Stacy HopkinsSue and Charles LainhartTIMOTHY J. WARRENMaryrose RobilattoWESlEY J. WEAvER, JR.Rosary Altar Society of Immaculate Conception ChurchSchenectady Chapter of The Elfun SocietyCarole SheiferTown of Charlton and FriendsJOSEPH I. WHITTlESEYSchenectady Chapter of The Elfun SocietyTHERESA ZUBAlJohn and Cindy KielbGary and Renate Russell

IN MEMORY OF PETSAIRIESMarie HorningAlEXANDERGrace CarterAlPHAMr. and Mrs. Francis CampbellAMYRAMary C. SchultzANgEl SPIllANEDiane HouckBANDIT AND ARCHIEShannon Snyder and Helga WilsonBARNUMEllen and Dolores BuehlerBARONThe Durante FamilyBEAR, BUMPER AND SHEENA DECAPRIOTheir Mom, HelenaBEBEJane LeesBENSON AND SNICKERS fIEglRuth NaylorBOBOLinda RhodesBONNIEConnie Muncaster

BUDDY KOSTMom and DadBUTTONS TESSITOREPeter and Millie WhiteCASSADYDebra CareyCHA-CHA, HEATHER AND lAURIEMichael and Brenda EmanueleCHAPlINSusan ShakoCHEWIERobert and Rita MichalekCHlOEAdele GrassoCINDER HEARNErnie and Sherry HearnDiane HouckCIRCE AND THAISAngela EconomouClAWDELaurie Stedman and Bill WineCODYClaudia RolfeCOOKIE, MESHA AND NEDDIERoger and Olga EvansCRICKET AND TINKERBEllEChris and Debbie CogginsDAISYJean KontaDEMETRIUS AND PEPPERMargaret and Gary WilsonDOMINO AND MIDNIgHTRichard and Lora Bonaker DYlANBarbara BieganskiflOPPERRichard and Diana RobertsflOPSY, SAMMY, ANNIE, MINNIE, BUNNY ROCKY, BASHfUl, fUZZY, NEllIE AND vIOlETFilomena MigluccifREDDY AND J.D.Jack and Marsha BrownfRISBIERobert and Lisa BenuzzigEORgIE BRONKNatalie ConovergINgERThe Donnelly FamilyRoger EhlegOlDIEDeborah RutnikgOlIATH AND MORgANPhyllis OchsgRACEMargaretgUSPam and Jerry PedinottiHANNAH, A gREAT fAMIlY DOgOrion and Carol BarberHANNAH HOUCKLisa DiCoccoHARPO AND gABBYJoAnn CoghlanHARRYJoan HotalingHOllY PETROSKYThe Patnaude FamilyJACK, BElOvED PET CATBeverly CallanJACKPeggy Van DelooJACKSONKrista LoercherJAKEGail RenusJAKE AND TWEEBSBarbara and Alan MaddausJASPERMary AdamsJERICHOJulie Cooper and JasperJESSEKelsi BackusJORDANMarianne SauterKARMASandy Smith K.C. STRONgCharlene and Bob StrongKESEY gOlDINJudy McCulloughKIllIAN BIElAWSKIDawn BielawskiKINgIE gIlMORECheryle Gilmore

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Paws for a CauseJoin us on April 9 and 10 at the Mental Health Foundation’s 4th annual “Paws for a Cause” at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. The event features dozens of exhibits and free seminars on subjects such as training, grooming, and reporting cruelty, as well pet care topics including dental care, chiropractic and acupuncture. There will also be exciting performances by the Purina Incredible Dog Team and an appearance by William Berloni, renowned trainer of animals for stage, movies and television. Meet Chico the Chihuahua, star of Broadway’s Legally Blonde! Visit www.pawsforacause.net for details.

Healing Touch for Animals The APF will host a Healing Touch for Animals weekend work-shop from August 27 to 29. This level 1 workshop is for animal health care practitioners, owners, trainers and anyone with an affinity for animals. You’ll learn gentle, yet powerful tools for enhancing an animal’s well-being, allowing you to speed healing of injuries, illnesses and surgery, improve behavioral problems and stress-related issues, and enhance training and competition skills. The concepts apply to all animals. Workshop will be taught by Carol Komitor. For information call George or Joanne Belev at 518-399-7056 or visit www.healingtouchforanimals.com.

Bird Club to Hostliterary Night Capital District Pet Bird Club Literary NightDate: Monday, April 5, 2010Place: Niskayuna LibraryTime: 7:00 - 8:45 pm For details on this and other Bird Club activities, visit www. birdclub.bravehost.com.

Pet first Aid for Dogs and Catspresented by Tundra Spirits and the APF

This comprehensive, hands-on workshop will cover emergency procedures, CPR, rescue breathing, disaster planning and more.

Date: Saturday, May 1 Time: 1:00 - 5:00 pmFee: $45 per personCall 374-3944, ext. 119 to register.

Kitten Shower Saturday, April 17, 12-3 pm “What’s a kitten shower,” you ask? Like a baby shower, it’s a chance to gather care items and supplies for the new arrivals. Our shower will be hosted by Girl Scout Troop 2387 of Clifton Park. They’ll be providing refreshments, favors and educational materials.

Kids are also invited to drop in and learn how to make cat mats and other items for the shelter pets!

Shower Wish listSnuggle Safe Heat DiscsCat carriers Small fleece blanketsCanned kitten and cat foodPlastic litter pans with low sidesWash clothsBaby shampooSmall flea combs Small bottles of Light Karo SyrupBaby wipes (unscented, no alcohol)

Some items are available on our Amazon.com gift registry. Visit www.animalprotective.org.

Your Purchases Help Our PetsDon’t Forget to Love Your Pet, LLC features shirts and magnets with adorable stick figures of pets, along with their “don’t forget” message. During April, May and June, $2 per shirt and $1 per every magnet purchased online will be donated to the APF. Visit www.dontforgettoloveyourpet.com to check out these truly pet-friendly products.

Visit www.animalprotective.org for class schedule, or call 374-3944, ext. 121.

Puppy Pre-School • Basic Manners 101 • Canine good Citizen • Agili-O

APf Pet Academy > Certified trainers > Small classes> Positive training methods

1624 Union Street, Schenectady

Sondra’s Fine Jewelry proudly presents their exclusive line of paw jewelry for 2010 with 30% of the proceeds going directly to the APF. This fabulous line for the animal lover includes two sizes of sterling silver or 14k gold paw pendants, with or without a blue topaz or pink topaz, for your furry girl or boy. You may also include a birthstone or a diamond. The line also includes earrings, a bracelet, and a removable charm. A tie tac/lapel pin and cufflinks are also on the way. Think spring, graduations, anniversaries, birthdays or Mother’s and Father’s Day, and show your support for the animals!

Sondra’s Shines for Shelter Pets

Available exclusively at

Night at Bourbon Street Benefits APfJoin us on Friday, May 14 at Bourbon Street Bar & Grill, located at 2209 Central Avenue in Schenectady, for a fun night out for the animals. There will be special drinks and karaoke to benefit our shelter pets. (How much would your friends pay to hear you sing in public?) Bartender and animal lover Casey Blum attended one of our volunteer orientations and wanted to do something to help. He doesn’t have time to volunteer, so he decided to donate 25% of his tips from his jobs at Bourbon Street and Backstage Pub and Grill to the APF during the entire month of May! Don’t drink? Don’t worry – there will be plenty of “neutered” beverage options as well. More details coming soon.

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Bottle and Can DriveMany thanks to everyone who donated their empties to our recent bottle and can drives. We also appreciate all of the volunteers who helped at these events.

Our Next Drive is Saturday, April 24

Thank You!Tails of TreasureOur thanks to all the kind folks who helped to make our Tails of Treasure jewelry event a great success! We could not have done it without the support of all who donated jewelry and our team of dedicated volun-teers. Special thanks to Exit 9 Wine and Liquor Warehouse for providing the bubbly; Water’s Edge Lighthouse for hosting us in their beautiful banquet room; and Sondra’s Fine Jewelry for all of their involvement and continued support. (See their paw pendants to left.) Tails of Treasure returns next February and we will accept jewelry donations all year long. Contact Kim for more details at jess@animalprotective.org or 374-3944, ext. 119.

flippin’ for fidoOur special thanks go out to everyone who was involved with our pancake breakfast, including attendees, our fantastic volunteers and the following donors: By George Food Specialties, Inc.; Price Chopper Supermarkets of Altamont Avenue, Schenectady and Balltown Road, Niskayuna; Hannaford Supermarkets on Consaul Road and Altamont Avenue, Schenectady; Mohawk Dairy of Amsterdam; and The Ancient Order of Hibernians for hosting our event.

Our incredible garage sale will be held at the APF on Saturday, June 12 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. We are seeking donations of gently used books, jewelry, CDs, DVDs, small furniture, household items, sports equipment, holiday and craft items, toys and, of course, pet supplies. No clothing, upholstered furniture or electronics, please. Drop off will begin in May. Visit our website for updates, or call 374-3944, ext. 114.

• Registration includes greens fee, cart, dinner and prizes• There will be raffles and other surprises • Tee sponsorships are available

Fee is just $100 per person. Contact Mary at 374-3944, ext. 114, or forden@animalprotective.org for registration and details.

Is the APf “Rich”?by Marguerite Pearson, Director of Communications

One day I was chatting with my plumber as he was fixing my sink. He asked me where I worked and I told him the APF. He responded, “Aren’t you the ones who have all those fundraisers?” This threw me a bit. Was this really all he knew about us? What about all the great work we do? No mention of our adoption, spay/neuter or educational programs?

I realize that many people don’t know about all that we do here. In addition, many have the perception that the APF is a wealthy organization. Granted, we do hold lots of fundraising events, but this is out of necessity and our desire to achieve a balanced budget.

Our annual operating budget is $1.2 million. And if you add up all of our fundraising efforts – from Pennies for Pets to the Fireplug 500, plus revenue from adoption and other services, they only meet 70% of our expenses. The rest is made up from interest on investments. Our endowment provides a vital safety net, without which we could not survive.

Fundraisers are not only critical to supporting our day-to-day operations, but they also allow us to involve and engage different members of our community in meaningful ways. We appreciate those who donate bottles and cans and garage sale items just as much those who come to our walk or play in our golf tournament. And we are very grateful to our volunteers who play a vital role in all of these efforts. Yet these activities alone are not sufficient to achieve larger objectives.

Historically, bequests have been the driving force behind major initiatives, such as the construction of our new shelter back in 1994. In order to take on new projects, such as expansion of our low-cost spay/neuter program, we need both large gifts and bequests.

So please keep those bottles and cans coming – we appreciate every contribution and effort! But if you have hesitated to give more because you have the perception that we’re “rich,” please reconsider. We’re always happy to speak with supporters who are interested in learning more about us and how their gifts can help us to address critical needs and make some of our bigger dreams for the animals come true. Please call 374-3944, ext. 113.

UPCOMINg EvENTS

Sunday, June 6 Shotgun start at 1:30 pmVan Patten Golf Course, Clifton Park

2nd Annual “Putting for Pets” golf Tournament

A Perfect Mother’s Day giftOur Yankee Candle fundraiser features lots of deliciously scented candles and gifts. Stop by the APF to look at a catalog, or visit our website to view online. The shelter receives 40% of every purchase.

Orders must be in by April 10 and delivery will be in time for Mother’s Day!

Our 18th Annual Walk for Animals takes place on September 11 in Central Park, Schenectady.

To learn about vendor and sponsorship opportunities,

please call Marguerite at 374-3944, ext. 113.

www.animalprotective.org 7

Anastasia Kasey Kane Abby Muffy & Bailey

Cutie Pie Alfalfa Sophia Belle Samantha

Heidi Marky Jeremiah Sage

WE'vE gONE HOME!Share photos and updates of your APF pets on our Happy Tails page, coming to our brand new website in April. Please mail or e-mail to pearson@animalprotective.org.

Shopping for a feline friend?Visit our new adoption center at PetSmart!

Come Meet Our Pets! Now at two locations ...

53 Maple Avene, Scotia

Tuesday 12:00 - 4:30 pm Wednesday 12:00 - 4:30 pm Thursday 12:00 - 7:30 pm Friday 12:00 - 4:30 pm Saturday 12:00 - 4:30 pm Closed Sunday and Monday

53 MAPLE AVENUE SCOTIA, NY 12302

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 1016

ALBANY, NY

RETURN SERvICE REQUESTED

Cat Adoption Center Mohawk Commons 406 Balltown Road, Niskayuna

Monday 1:00 - 8:00 pm Tuesday 1:00 - 8:00 pm Wednesday 6:00 - 8:00 pm Thursday 1:00 - 8:00 pm Friday 6:00 - 8:00 pmSaturday 12:00 - 5:00 pmSunday 12:00 - 4:00 pm