2020 Newsletter
December 2020
Dear Friends of The Home Stretch Dog Haven,
As with many non-profit organizations, our ability to hold fundraising events came to a halt this year; however, the number of dogs that required our care increased, placing a greater demand on our resources. Our community really stepped up, demonstrated by increased donations of cans/bottles, money, and supplies, all of which helped meet the demand. We are humbled, appreciative, and so very grateful.
In ongoing efforts to support our community, we established a petfood bank with donations from County Max and others. Individuals can reach out privately if they need help feeding their dogs or cats. We have also shared petfood with our local community food pantry and the Loc-Mor Thrift Store. We were fortunate to have continued access to our local low-cost spay/neuter clinic throughout this challenging year, which we have utilized and to whom we have made many referrals. We provide our community with ongoing support by fielding phone calls about dogs in crisis situations: lost dogs, dogs hit by cars, dogs left outdoors in the elements, and those with major behavioral problems.
One of the many highlights of our year was rescuing Franklin, a 150-pound, 2-year-old Landseer Newfoundland. He was originally purchased from Amish breeders by a goodhearted man who did not choose the right dog for his lifestyle, and who turned to us for help. As adorable and sweet as he was, Franklin had no manners. He would come bounding up to greet you, but as you can imagine, he was intimidating. We assessed his needs but spent the majority of his time with us screening dozens of candidates to carefully place him in the perfect home. Franklin has a passion for water. Thanks to our supporters, we have developed a large network, through which we were able to find a home for him on the ocean in Maryland with a dad who immediately put him into a training program. We just received word that he has passed a Basic Manners dog training course. Way to go, Franklin!
We are very pleased to have added a partner who shares our passion for rescue. She has been invaluable to us by transporting dogs, facilitating on-premise meet and greets, and taking into her home some of our more challenging behavioral cases.
Lastly, we are very excited that our feral cat program has grown and become self-sustaining. It has relocated to the “Oldest House in Moravia.” They are doing amazing work to care for our local feral cat population and were successful in soliciting support from the Village, no small feat. Congratulations to The Cat Program!
From our Haven to your home, Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for 2021!
Gretchen’s First Blog
They pull in your driveway and out creeps this petrified pregnant mama with ears that were mangled by a ?human being?. Five days later the babies are coming — some were alive, some died, one was deformed and rotten — but 7 are fighters and begin to flourish. All part of Mother nature, because life is a fine line, a balance, and you really never know which way it will go. The great Mother of nature makes that final call!
Against all odds, they start to grow, and the laundry starts to flow. Before you have a chance to exhale and begin to believe, people are gathering hoping to claim a tiny miracle as their own to bring home and love. Some days you think, “what have we gotten ourselves into,” but most days you know it will be over as quick as it started and are enjoying every second with the roly-poly, innocent little turd winders. It gives one the sense of having been given a Heavenly gift! As quick as they arrived into your reality, they are suddenly gone. You know that they are on their way to a happy ending, while my emotions run the gamut from deepest joy to deepest sorrow…
Fall 2019 Newsletter
November 2019
Dear Friends of The Home Stretch Dog Haven,
We are writing to express our sincere gratitude for your generous donations over the years, whether in the form of money, supplies, raffle or silent auction items, baked goods, and/or other talents at our Fillmore Auto Show and Christmas in Moravia fundraisers. This year we received several donations from local service organizations, and we have been touched by generous giving made in the form of memorials for loved ones who have passed.
After several individuals expressed concern to us for the plight of the many colonies of feral cats and kittens throughout the Village of Moravia, the Home Stretch expanded this year to include a trap, spay/neuter, vaccinate, and release program for feral cats. To date, with the dedicated leadership of Patty Reynolds, we have taken direct action with the Spaulding, Myers, Grove and Cayuga Streets, West Cayuga and Central Streets, and other colonies. The majority of adult cats were released back to where they were trapped, while others were relocated. Kittens young enough to lead non-feral lives were provided medical attention and adopted. Marshmallow is pictured shortly after being trapped and after medical care and loving attention before adoption.
We continue to provide community support by fielding phone calls for crisis situations: lost dogs, dogs hit by cars, dogs left outdoors in the elements, and major behavioral problems. We educate about the importance of spaying and neutering and refer to appropriate programs. In addition to the many area dogs that we assessed and rehomed after careful evaluation and screening, this year we collaborated with other organizations to bring a handful of dogs from the south that would otherwise be euthanized. Mia and her 9 puppies joined us in October and all have been rehomed.
All of this has been possible because of your support. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
From our home to yours, Happy Holidays, and Best Wishes for 2020.
If you are moved to provide additional support this holiday season, we would be very grateful for:
- Gift Cards:
- Amazon.com, Chewy.com, Tractor Supply, Walmart, Target
- Paper towels
- Puppy potty pads
- Unscented baby wipes
- Spray bottles
- 13-gallon trash bags
- Laundry soap – any brand
- Diamond Natural Lamb & Rice Dog Food – Adult, Puppy, Senior Small Breed
- Grain free canned dog food – 4 Health brand (Tractor Supply)
- Kitten & cat food – Paté style
- Grain free dog and cat treats
- Dog clothing/coats – all sizes
- Cat toys, catnip & scratching posts
- Pine Horse Pellets, 40 lb bags (used as litter)
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