NARDECCHIA NEUTER NEWS
Special events coming up in
2014
Mark your Calendars
A Non-profit,
Tax-deductible
501 (C) 3,
All Volunteer
Organization
Fall Basket Party
Richland Fire Hall
September 28, 2014
Annual Fall Luncheon
Sunnehanna Country Club
October 26, 2014
Check out our participation at
local events on Page 10
SUMMER IS HERE….. KEEP YOUR PET SAFE IN THE HEAT
Even on cooler days, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures
Even when parked in the shade on a warm day, animals (or kids or the elderly) can succumb to heatstroke or
death if left in the car unattended. Sadly, it happens every year.
Tips on how you can help



If you know who the owner is, a friendly "hey, your pet is hot" or some other means of striking up
conversation will alert the owner to the dangers of leaving their pet in the car. Keeping some "Don't
Leave Me in Here — It's Hot!" flyers in your car are also a great way of spreading the word.
Usually though, the car is in a parking lot and the dog is alone. In this case, speak with a store manager.
I have found store managers to be very helpful in locating the owner or calling animal control. They do
not want a tragedy happening in their parking lot.
Call your local animal control or the police for assistance. One of my friends is an animal control
officer. We were discussing the "pet left in a car" problem. I felt that surely, by now, the message would
be out about the dangers of leaving pets (or children) in cars on warm days. No, she assured me that they
get calls every year responding to distressed animals in left in cars. Some animals still die from
heatstroke, even when animal control is called. Minutes count.
But it's summer! I want to take my dog with me.
Pets are part of the family. We frequently take our dogs with us on outings. And, no matter how prepared, it
seems we always have to run a quick errand or two on the way to wherever we are going. We solve this
problem by parking in the shade, leashing or kenneling the dogs, and family members staying with the car and
the dogs, keeping doors and windows open.
If you are alone, the above scenario isn't possible and more creativity is needed. Here are some ideas.
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Volume 2, Issue 2● Nardecchia Spay Neuter ● (814) 535-2379

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Use the drive-up if possible. This works for some restaurants, banks, and pharmacies.
Shop in pet-welcome stores. Pet stores typically allow pets, and they do carry "human" items like candy
and snacks if you are in a hurry.
Utilize a travel kennel outside the car, in the shade, if possible. NOTE: Please use this tip judiciously
and with caution; not for use in parking lots, not in an area where your pet could be pestered by
bystanders, etc., etc. In general, travel kennels are a great way to keep your pet safe while in fresh air,
with cool water, and so on.
Bystanders are the "eyes and ears" to aid in preventing animal (and child) abuse and neglect. Getting involved
does make a difference, especially for those who may not have a voice. If you are uncomfortable reporting a
problem, please find assistance through a store manager, friend or family member to assist those in need.
Check out our revamped website @
www.nardecchia.org – We love it & hope you
will too! Give us some suggestions as to what
you would like to see on there!
Thanks to Volunteer - Teri Reed –
Nardecchia’s Web Master
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WE can make a difference.. ANOTHER WIN IN THE FIGHT AGAINST PUPPY MILLS
Changes to the Animal Welfare Act are something to celebrate!!!!!!
It used to be easy for the worst puppy mills to operate under the radar, leading to unspeakable
conditions for the dogs and puppies living there. An outdated section of the Animal Welfare
Act (AWA) left a gaping loophole: Dog breeders selling puppies directly to the public weren’t
required to be licensed. The AWA was created in 1966, before the Internet existed, and that has
spelled disaster for dogs, puppies, and the unsuspecting people who buy them online.
To close the loophole, animal lovers rallied around a campaign for change. Best Friend’s
legislative alerts, which give the public tools to contact lawmakers about animal issues,
generated over 125,000 communications to Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA), asking them to change the regulations.
Now, anyone who sells animals directly to the public must be licensed and inspected by the
USDA and will have to comply with the same minimum standards of animal care as breeders
who sell to pet stores. “Although those standards are far from adequate, it’s still a huge step
forward,” says Elizabeth Oreck, national manager of Best Friends’ puppy mill initiatives. “This
change was needed because people who were selling animals online did so with no oversight
whatsoever; they didn’t have to be licensed or inspected. “There was no accountability on the
part of the seller.”
While the change was much-needed, it is only one step in the right direction in the fight against
puppy mills. Elizabeth cautions, “Even with new regulations, it’s never a good idea to purchase
a pet online, sight unseen. Unless you can see for yourself where the animal is raised, you have
no way of knowing that the pet didn’t come from a mill.”
The great news is that adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue group is a sure-fire way to avoid
unknowingly buying a pet from a mill. The best part about that?? It saves a live….
WANT TO SPEAK UP FOR ANIMAL?
SIGN UP FOR BEST FRIENDS LEGISLATIVE ALERTS:
CAPWIZ.COM/BESTFRIEND
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Animal Poison Control Common Calls
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has an immense quantity of knowledge on a multitude of varying
toxins. They counsel people who promote pet health and participate in pet first-aid classes to keep the animal
poison control number (888) 426-4435, your vet’s phone number, and the local 24 hour emergency animal
clinic information nearby.
Because the animal poison control service is not funded by state or federal grants, as human poison control
centers are, the ASPCA must charge a $55 payment to counterbalance costs in most cases. While it may appear
like a lot of money, it may be the phone call that saves your pet’s life and keeps your pet healthy. The center
provides you a considerable amount of follow-up and follow-through with both you and your vet.
Here is a list of the common reasons for calls to the animal poison control center.
1. Pills and other people medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies, and dietary
supplements
2. Insecticides useful for exterminating fleas, ticks, and other insects
3. Mouse and rat poisons
4. Pet medicines, such as heartworm preventatives, arthritis relievers, and nutritional supplements.
5. Household cleaners, such as bleaches, detergents, and disinfectants
6. Herbicides.
7. Plants, such as lilies, rhododendron, azalea, sago palm, kalanchoe, and schefflera
8. Chocolate – foods like chocolate can be toxic to animals, especially small pets.
9. Home improvement products, including paint, solvents, and glues.
10. Lawn and Garden fertilizers
11. Anti-Freeze – As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a pet cat; one to two tablespoons
can kill a 10-pound dog.
Keep the phone number of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center-(888) 426-4435 along with that of your
local vet or clinic in an easy to find location. For more details and additional pet health tips regarding poison
prevention, go to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center online at www.aspca.org
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David Marsh of Boswell was the Steeler Ticket winner!!! Congratulations!!! Pictured below is his wife Linda
accepting the tickets for him from Nardecchia volunteer, LuAnn Walker, who sold the winning ticket.
EVERYONE LOVES A COOL TREAT ON A HOT DAY….
EVEN OUR PETS..
SNO-Cones – Feline Style…..
Just as humans love the summertime coolness of snowcones… cats can be drawn to a mound of shaved ice all
their own. Cats who are intrigued by the snow clumps that you track into your home in February will be
attracted to a bowl full of ice in July as well. You don’t need a sno-cone machine, you can make shaved ice in a
blender just as easily. Place eight to 10 ice cubes in a blender, add a half cup of water, and blend till it’s slushy
but not liquid. Pour into a bowl, then pop into the freezer for a few minutes to set the “snow”. Scoop out a
serving for kitty and let her explore. Garnish with a sprinkle of crushed dry cat food for a little crunch to go
with the chill. Or blend a spoonful or two of canned cat food with water, adding more to get a sauce-like
consistency. Pour it onto the shaved ice like a hot fudge topping for an official feline sundae!!!
Doggy-Delight…..
Real ice cream is not healthy for our dogs. The excess dairy can cause GI upset, plus there is too much sugar.
Lick-a-lot and Frosty Paws are two types of healthy dog “ice cream” that dogs love. But, if you want to save
money, or would rather not run out to the store, you can make a version of them yourself at home. Here’s how:
You will need:



1 ripe banana
8 ounces of plain yogurt (low fat or non-fat, Greek is ideal)
1 tablespoon of peanut butter (creamy is best)
Mix ingredients together in a blender or food processor. Pour mixture into three or four different small plastic
containers and freeze overnight. You can adjust the amounts of each ingredient to get the taste and texture your
dog likes best. Leave the treats in the container and serve to your dog; be sure to supervise (so he doesn’t eat
the container). These treats will last longer if you don’t pop them out of their containers. Experiment with mixins like finely diced carrots, apples, or lean meat.
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Volume 2, Issue 2● Nardecchia Spay Neuter ● (814) 535-2379
Need a special gift for an animal lover in your life?
How about a gift membership to Nardecchia?
Officers:
Jackie Williamson,
President
Lindsay Locher,
Vice President
Natalie Ramos,
Secretary
Ruth Luther,
Treasurer
Teri Reed,
Web Master
Call 814-535-2379
Email: [email protected]
Contact us for
information on how you
can help us help animals
by becoming a member!
Membership is only
$10.00 a year.
FUNNY BONES
Can dogs predict the
weather?
The answer is….. Yes!
How??? Well……..
According to a note that was recently found by one of
our members..
“If the dog is standing at the back door soaking wet, it’s
probably raining; if his fur looks like it’s been rubbed
the wrong way, it’s windy; if he’s got a foot-high drift of
snow on his head… it might be snowing. Of course in
order to accurately predict the weather, the dog will need
to be kept out of the house at all times.”
The note was signed: Sincerely --- THE CAT
Page 2
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2013 ● Volume 1, Issue 1 ● Nardecchia Spay Neuter ● (814) 2379
Volume 2, Issue 2● Nardecchia Spay Neuter ● (814) 535-2379
Frequently Asked Spay/Neuter Questions from Potential Pet Owners
Is the spay/neuter surgery for my cat/dog free?
The surgery is not free. However, many places have very low-cost surgeries, especially for people with low
income. Some programs and clinics are open to all regardless of income. Each program is different, and there
are about 2,000 programs nationwide.
How much will the spay/neuter surgery cost?
Prices vary by region and veterinarian. The price for vaccinations, which are often required, will also vary by
region and veterinarian. However, they are usually offered at a reduced rate. If you have researched the going
rate for spay/neuter surgery in your area, we think you will find that participating vets and programs offer
affordable rates!
How old does my pet need to be in order to be spayed or neutered?
For many years, veterinarians were taught that cats and dogs had to be a year old to be spayed or neutered.
Later, they were taught that six months was appropriate. Today we know that kittens and pups can be spayed or
neutered at the age of two months (or two pounds). The American Veterinary Medical Association has endorsed
this practice called Early Age Neutering; the animals recover more quickly from surgery when they are young.
Today some vets will spay/neuter at eight weeks of age, while other adhere to the old practice of six months of
age. The average age at which pets are spayed or neutered is four months.
How young can a female cat/dog get pregnant?
"Adolescent" cats and dogs as young as five months can get pregnant. For many reasons, it is important to
spay or neuter BEFORE the first litter is born - before six months.
Can brother and sister from the same litter mate?
A brother and sister from the same litter can create their own litters by the age of five months. It is not a good
idea to allow this to happen.
How long after my female cat/dog has had kittens/puppies can I get her spayed?
Mother cats or dogs can become pregnant while nursing. It is important to keep a nursing mother away from
other adult cats/dogs of the opposite sex. One can spay a mother as soon as the kittens or pups are weaned, (5 to
6 weeks for kittens and 4 to 5 weeks for puppies) and because of the risk of pregnancy this should be done.
Will neutering my male cat stop him from spraying?
It is best to alter males before they reach five months of age, and before they start "spraying" or "marking."
Even if a cat has started spraying, neutering may help. It usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks for the hormones to
subside after the neutering. Neutering helps prevent spraying, roaming and aggressive behavior.
Will my cat or dog feel pain during surgery?
Your cat or dog will be under anesthesia during surgery, and will feel no pain. You should keep the animal quiet
after surgery while she or he heals. Dogs and cats should be kept indoors; dogs walked on a leash.
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Will my animal's behavior change after being altered?
Your animal's behavior will not change except that male dogs and cats will be less likely to fight, roam and
spayed females will no longer go into heat.
Will my animal become fat and lazy after being altered?
Your animal will not get fat and lazy after being spayed or neutered unless you feed him/her too much. To keep
your pet healthy they should get regular exercise: walking for dogs, toys and scratching posts for cats.
Spay/Neuter Terminology:
Heat - Estrus ("heat") is the mating period of female animals. When estrus occurs, animals are said to be "in
heat" or "in season."

Cats: Cats normally have their first estrous cycle between 4 and 6 months of age, with the average age
around 5 months. The female cat has 2-4 estrous periods every year, each lasting 15-22 days. If she is bred,
estrus seldom lasts more than 4 days.
If successful mating does not occur, estrus may last for 7-10 days and recur at 15-21 day intervals. It is
possible for an unmated female to cycle every 3-4 weeks indefinitely.
Cats also have an estrous period 1-6 weeks after giving birth, so a female may be nursing one litter while
pregnant with another.
Behavior
Since there is usually no obvious vaginal discharge or swelling of the genitals during estrus in cats, as is
seen in dogs, behavioral changes are the only obvious signs that your cat is in estrus.
A cat in estrus often carries her tail to one side, keeps her hindquarters elevated, and seems unusually
affectionate. She will roll on the floor and seem much more restless than usual. The cat's voice seems more
piercing than usual and she may "call" for 1-2 days before she accepts the male.

Dogs: Estrus or Heat cycle - The average heat cycle for a dog is approximately 3 weeks (21 days) and since
this is an average, some heats are shorter (as little as 7-10 days), others are longer (4 weeks or more).
Average time between heat periods is seven months but some dogs can cycle as early as every 4 months,
some once a year. Lengths of heat cycles and intervals between cycles are different for each dog but most
dogs hit somewhere close to the averages.
Physical Symptoms:
Include bleeding from the vulva, swelling of the vulva, possible increase in urination and the most noticeable,
male dogs hanging around the house.
The next cycle usually begins about 7 months from the start of the last heat cycle, not the end of that cycle but
again this varies from dog to dog. The interval stays the same even if she becomes pregnant.
Spay - the medical term is ovariohysterectomy. In this major abdominal surgery the pet's ovaries and uterus are
removed. There is no evidence that a pet suffers from any personality or emotional harm by having their ovaries
removed. The uterus is also removed to insure that it does not become a source of infection over a period of
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time. If the surgeon simply tied or obstructed the Fallopian tubes (the channel where the eggs must pass into the
uterus) in order to make the female dog or cat sterile, she would still come into heat, attract males, and attempt
to breed. Experience has shown that the best procedure is to perform a complete ovariohysterectomy.
Neuter - another term is castration. In this surgery the doctor makes an incision in front of the scrotum and
through that incision accesses each testicle. The fibrous coverings of the testicles are incised and each testicle is
removed after securely ligating the blood vessels that attach to each testicle. The benefits of having a dog and
cat neutered are well documented. And to simply do a vasectomy to render the male sterile would not alleviate
the scent marking, desire to breed, territorial defense and other testosterone driven behaviors. Even in guard
dogs and hunting dogs, many owners report improved behavior and manageability when the dog has been
neutered.
(Adapted from - The Pet Center*)
1191 N. Center Ave
Somerset, PA
15501
Animal Medical
Center
2014 Winner of the annual
Happy Valentine’s Day to your Pet was…
Animal Medical Center
Pictured above are Teresa & Jamie
Thank you to everyone who participated!
“Like” us on FACEBOOK –
www.facebook.com/nardecchiaspayneuterfund
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Volume 2, Issue 2● Nardecchia Spay Neuter ● (814) 535-2379
Upcoming Events
Jackson Heritage Festival
July 18-20, 2014
At
Veterans Park in Vinco
Friday, July 18, 2014 – 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Saturday, July 19, 2014 – 12:00 noon-9:00 pm
Sunday, July 20, 2014 – 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm
Fall Basket Party
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Richland Fire Hall
Doors Open 11:30
Drawing Begins @ 2:00
Light Lunch will be served
Over 100 baskets with a value of $25.00
and higher
Stop by our booth!
We have a brand new banter this year. You can’t miss
us! Chat with our volunteers, check out our t-shirts,
scarves, & animal novelty gifts. 100% percent of
your purchase benefits our cause!
Thank you!
Money Tree & Lottery Tree
Admission: $7.00 includes
25 basket chance tickets
and a light lunch
Additional sheets of 25 basket chances can
be purchased for $5.00
Annual Fall Luncheon –
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Sunnehanna Country Club
Club Drive, Westmont, PA 15905
Donation $30.00
Doors open at: 12:00 Noon
Lunch at: 1:30 p.m.
Door Prizes – Chances on Lovely Gifts
– Animal Novelties
Tickets will be available soon for this
Anticipated event!
For advance tickets please call:
Lindsay – 814-418-2393
Jackie – 814-242-6403
Petco Adoption Days
Johnstown Petco 11-3 pm
August 23-24, 2014
October 4-5, 2014
November 8-9, 2014
December 6-7, 2014
Puppy Kuts Grooming
Salon
228 Harrison Avenue,
Robinson, PA 15949
724-340-5244
Grooming All Dog Breeds & Sizes
Featuring Hydro-Surge Bathing System.
Specialized Shampoos, Nail Clipping.
Evening & Saturday Appointments
Available.
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Volume 2, Issue 2● Nardecchia Spay Neuter ● (814) 535-2379
Announcing…
Pet Memorials
Losing a pet is one of the hardest things a pet owner will ever have to face. We will
never forget them and we will always love them. That’s why we are offering Pet
Memorials on our website www.nardecchia.org. With any donation amount you
can memorialize your pet with only their name and a few words. If you would like
to add a photo we are requesting a $25.00 donation. Visit our website
(www.nardecchia.org) for more information.
************************************************************
Do you have a story about how Nardecchia
has helped you or a friend with a pet, or
just an interesting article that you would
like to share for our next newsletter?
Contact Jackie Williamson, Nardecchia
volunteer and President at (814-242-6403)
or [email protected]
The cat could very well be man's
best friend but would never stoop
to admitting it.
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Volume 2, Issue 2● Nardecchia Spay Neuter ● (814) 535-2379
About us!
Nardecchia Spay & Neuter Fund is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3, all volunteer organization founded in 1999
by a group of friends wanting to make a difference in the pet overpopulation in our community. We are
a small, dedicated group of animal lovers who fundraise and donate 100% of all proceeds to benefit our
mission to spay and neuter. Tax deductible information is available upon request.
About 4 million cats and dogs are euthanized each year. That’s about 1 every 8 seconds. Spay/neuter is
a proven way to reduce pet overpopulation. Many of these unwanted animals are abandoned, left to
starve or freeze to death while some end up in shelters waiting their fate. By spaying and neutering just
one breeding pair of cats or dogs, we can stop more than 2,000 unwanted births in 4 years and over 2
million births in 8 years. Our area is no exception! We need your help more than ever to stop this
endless cycle.
We are always looking for volunteers, suggestions on new fundraising events, and interesting articles
for our newsletters. Right now we are running our annual membership campaign. A membership to
Nardecchia Spay Neuter Fund is a $10.00 minimum donation. When you become a new member or
renew your membership, you will receive our quarterly newsletter mailed to you so that you will be the
first to know when all of our events are happening. Do you have someone who is hard to buy for…
why not give them a “gift membership” to Nardecchia! We will even send you a post card for you to
give to the recipient telling about their gift membership. Simply fill out the gift membership form on
Page 6 and we will do the rest. A membership would make a gift for any occasion!
How We Can Help?
Our Mission
Nardecchia Spay Neuter’s mission is to
battle the canine & feline overpopulation
problem in the Cambria & Somerset Areas.
We can achieve this goal by financially
assisting low income persons and
providing help to stray, abandoned, and
homeless animals.
Vouchers will be made available to
approved persons and redeemed by
certified veterinarians. Help is granted on
an individual basis according to the amount
of funds available.
Are you low income?
We usually help monthly incomes of
$1,000 or less.
Do you have a pet or know of a cat or dog
that is in need of spaying or neutering?
Have you rescued or have litter after litter and can’t
find homes?
Do you have extenuating circumstances and are not
able to fix your pet?
If you need help and have nowhere to turn, call and
see if we can help you!
For More Information Write or Call
Nardecchia Spay Neuter Fund
131 Damian Drive
Johnstown, PA 15905
814-535-2379
Email: [email protected]
Please do not email requests for financial
assistance as they WILL NOT be considered.
Please keep in mind that the need for assistance is
GREAT, if the office answering machine is full,
please try again. We help those who qualify as soon
as we can and as our funds allow!
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If you haven’t yet sent in your membership, please
complete this form and return it with your donation.
The dogs and cats will really appreciate it.
Thank You!!
Hello Again Friends,
2014 is here, and once again the Nardecchia Spay Neuter Fund asks for your support.
We have been very busy again this past year, fundraising and helping our animal friends. At times, the group
feels overwhelmed by the endless begging for money and the thousands of animals that need our help.
But….here we are again!
In 2013 the Group was able to come to the aid of over 1,620 animals. So many cats were seen thrown away to
fend for themselves but ending up freezing to death or slowly dying of starvation and disease. So many dogs
we find beaten, chained, or thrown into the woods to die in some horrible fashion, wondering what they did
wrong.
By spaying or neutering, so many of these horrific endings never come to pass! Please help us again this year to
help the hopeless. You make our work possible.
Thank you,
The Nardecchia Spay Neuter Fund
 Please cut and return the bottom portion 
Nardecchia Spay Neuter Membership Form
Checks Payable to Nardecchia Spay Neuter
131 Damian Drive
Johnstown, PA 15905
2014 Annual Dues: $10.00
Name
________________________________________________________________________________
Address
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone ________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
________________________________________________________________________________
I would like to make a basket for the basket party held on the Last Sunday of March.
I would like to make a basket for the basket party held on the last Sunday of September.
I would like to attend the luncheon at Sunnehanna Country Club held on the last Sunday of October.
I would like to sell tickets for our fundraisers.
I would like to be informed of meetings and help the group.
I would like to donate a scratch off PA lottery ticket.
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