Pet Tails
Buddy the Hound’s Series of Unfortunate
Events (and then a really fortunate one)
Virginia Beach Animal
Care & Adoption Center
Volume 12, Issue 12
January 1, 2014
Buddy the Hound’s story begins all the way back in April of 2012 when Inside this issue:
he was found wandering around, lonely and cold as a stray. He was
Buddy the Hound’s Series of
Unfortunate Events …
brought into the shelter, given a warm kennel and loved on while he
(continued)
waited anxiously for his owners. However, as days turned into weeks,
Winter Ready!
it became clear to Buddy that no one was coming. He was given the
Facebook/Twitter
name Butterscotch for his tawny fur and his wait became a wait to be
Dog Bite Safety Awareness
adopted … to find another family that he could give all of his love to.
He didn’t have to wait long because just twelve days after he arrived
at the kennel, Buddy was adopted. He couldn’t have been happier as he
pranced out of the kennel with his new mom and dad, ready to give
them all of the love and devotion that he had been storing up, waiting
for this moment.
But for Buddy the Hound, this wasn’t quite his happy ending. He was
having trouble adjusting to the younger children in the house who always wanted to take his toys and were louder and noisier than he was
used to. He hated to be left alone and when his owners left the house,
he did everything he could to escape its confines so that he could find
them.
Reluctantly, Buddy’s new family brought him back to the shelter and
said goodbye. Buddy was confused, he’d only been doing what he
thought a good dog should but after just over a year of living with and
loving on his new family, he found himself homeless and alone again.
2
3
3
4
You Are Invited …
5
VBPD Civilian Volunteer and
Intern Application
6
VBPD Civilian Volunteer and
Intern Application
(continued)
7
Criminal Record Information
Request
8
Foster Family Application
9
Foster Family Application
(continued)
10
Ask the Behavior Guy
11
Animal Spotlight
12
Some Animal Facts
12
Get to Know Your Breed
13
Something to Think About
14
Meet the Staff
15
Meet the Officers
15
Meet the Volunteers
16
Effective Counseling
16
Volunteer Opportunities and
17
Buddy the Hound’s Series of Unfortunate Events and Then a Really Fortunate One (continued)
After a week in the shelter, Buddy was given his second chance. He was adopted again and he
was thrilled. He couldn’t wait to give all of his love to his new family. But unfortunately for
Buddy, this wasn’t meant to be either. After a month, his deep need to be with his family at all
times was too much for his new, busy family to handle and once again, poor Buddy found himself back in a kennel at the shelter. After another month spent in the shelter, Buddy promised
himself that the third time was the charm. When he was adopted again, he swore up and down
that this would be his forever home.
But as Buddy’s luck—or lack thereof—would have it, fate intervened and it wasn’t in his favor.
His new owner’s neighbors quickly grew weary of his barking even though his new mom did everything she could to alleviate his stress when he was left home alone. She played him soft music and gave him toys and bones to occupy him but all Buddy could think about was being alone.
He bayed, he barked, and his new mom’s apartment complex said that he had to go.
So for the fourth time, Buddy found himself back at the shelter. His little hound heart grew
heavy… what if there was no perfect happy ending for him?
Fortunately for Buddy, though, the old saying “third time’s a charm” turned out to be bogus.
For Buddy, it was the FOURTH time that was the charm. His new owners fell in love with him
and took him home at the beginning of November. They fell head over heels for the little
hound with the big heart and he with them.
Buddy’s new owners called to gush about him recently. They said that he’s a lovebug who goes
for two long walks with his mom and dad every day. He runs and romps and plays in their backyard and he has a mama who can stay home with him all day so that he never has to sit alone in
an empty house and fret over his parents again. He loves being home with his mom but when
dad comes home he’s all tail wags and zooms around the house with excitement. They’re working on his separation anxiety and his manners and he’s walking wonderfully on leash now.
It may have taken him a year and some change and a few heartbreaks along the way but Buddy
the Hound mix found his happy ending, his forever home.
Turns out the fourth time IS the charm.
Winter Ready!
Winter is an important time of year to keep pets safe and warm. During this time
of year more animals are seeking shelter, being shrouded in pet clothing, and trying
to stay fit. We hope these tips prepare you and your pets for the coming winter
months …

Keep paws clean from salt and other chemicals on the roads

Avoid frozen ice by serving fresh water often

Bang on your car's hood to scare potential animals away before starting your
engine

If it is too cold for you, it is too cold for your pet. Animal’s fur is like a human
wearing a t-shirt. Keep pets inside dry, warm areas

Antifreeze is a poison that tastes deceptively sweet. Make sure your car is not
leaking antifreeze, and keep all antifreeze containers tightly closed and stored
out of reach

Remember to keep exercising your animals during this time of year

Wear reflective gear while exercising the animals

Keep pets away from chocolate, plants, holly berries and leaves, bones, and tinsel

Consider making an indoor potty for times of very frightful weather. There are
pet pee pads, indoor pee patches of pseudo grass, or train to use a litter box
GIVE US A “LIKE!”
Have you “liked” us on Facebook? Do you follow us on Twitter? One of the easiest ways for us to let potential adopters
know about the many adoptable pets at the shelter is by using social media. We post information about adoptables and
current events at the shelter. So join the 2050 people already “liking” us on Facebook and our 601 Twitter “followers”
as we get the word out! Find us at www.facebook.com/VBanimalcareandadoptioncenter and @adoptablePetsVB on Twitter and join in the conversations, and while you’re at it, invite your friends too. The more who know, the better the animals have at finding FURever homes!
Volume 12, Issue 12
Page 3
Dog Bite Safety Awareness in the New Year
Animal Control responds out to hundreds of dog bite cases a year, ranging anywhere from mild to severe. This
month we thought we would take some time out to discuss some of the most common reasons or ways people get
bit, and some alternative things that you can do with your pet to help avoid these kinds of stressful situations.
Stress is one of the number one reasons dogs sometimes bite! Dogs communicate far different from humans.
Sometimes a dog can be sending you very clear doggy signals saying “I’m uncomfortable right now; please leave me
alone.” The unfortunate part is that from time to time these signals can be easily confused or misunderstood. A
dog’s final desperate attempt to relay to you that he is very scared or uncomfortable sadly can result in a bite.
What are these signs? Dogs can display signs of being nervous and or uncomfortable in several different ways.
Lip licking - in some scary situations dogs will nervously lip lick repetitively. Pant heavily - everyone knows that
dogs pant heavily in active scenarios, but dogs will also pant heavily in nervous situations.
There are also a few behaviors that people tend to do toward dogs that unless you know the dog very well you
should avoid. Even in cases where you know the dog well, some behaviors are not a good idea. For example, putting
your face into a dogs face is one behavior that really should never be done. This happens a lot with small children,
and surprisingly frequently with adults as well. How would you feel if someone you barely knew suddenly just
rubbed their face all over you, or came in really close to your face to greet you? It would probably alarm you; the
same is true with most animals.
Holidays and occasions with large gatherings is also a time when a lot of bites occur. The atmosphere is very busy
and loud with both familiar and unfamiliar people around. If your dog does well and is comfortable in large social
gatherings then this really shouldn’t be a problem, but a lot of people tend to misjudge how comfortable their pet
is in this type of situation and find out all too late that they should have been more cautious. We all like our animals to socialize with our friends and family, but if your dog is uncomfortable or gets too worked up in these
types of situations it is okay to separate your dog from the crowd. Your dog will thank you, and although it doesn’t
seem like as much fun, you will ultimately be happier having hosted a party where the dog didn’t take a bite out of
someone.
Taking just a little bit of extra time to really read and understand what your dog is telling you can go a long way.
If you do have an incident where your dog bites someone, or another dog just remember that all bites are required by law to be reported within a 24 hour period. Contact your local animal control for further guidance on
how to handle the situation, and possible quarantine procedures. If your dog seems to have a repeated biting
problem or other behavioral issue it is always recommended that you seek advice/training from a field professional to help manage the problem.
For additional questions or concerns contact animal control at 757-385-4444.
Volume 12, Issue 12
Page 4
You Are Invited ...
As 2013 ends, I want to say thank you to all the volunteers and foster parents who give of their precious
time to help the stray, abandoned, and abused animals in our shelter as they stay here and search for a
new FURever family. Everything you do is important; the walks you give, the love you show, the pictures
you take, the information you post, the families you introduce, the laundry you wash, the dishes you
clean, the adoptions you make happen, the tags you flip, the events you attend, the temporary homes you
provide, and the poop you clean – everything is important and appreciated. The mission of this shelter
could not be completed if it were not for your dedication to the animals.
As 2014 begins, we look forward to another year of successes here on Birdneck Road, and can you believe
we are working on year number three in this beautiful facility?
For those of you who do not volunteer with the Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center, let me
challenge you to make 2014 the year you put those thoughts of volunteering into action and make the
commitment to volunteer! January is the perfect time for you to finally fill out that application and get
the ball rolling for some time well spent helping the animals of the Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center. I guarantee that your time will be rewarded when you see a homeless animal find a FURever
home. While volunteering is not all fun and games, the joy of helping make a difference in just one animal’s life is well worth the effort.
I have included in this month’s newsletter all the paperwork you will need to complete in order to start
your volunteering and fostering career here at the shelter (see pages 5—9 of newsletter). You are welcome with open arms here and I look forward to talking to you soon!
Just a quick word about fostering……we need more foster parents! It is never too early to start thinking
about “kitten season” and therefore, a good time for you to consider becoming a foster parent. Many animals need some care outside of the shelter for many different reasons and fostering gives you an opportunity to share your home with one of these special animals. It does not matter what you want to foster;
dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, birds, elephants…well, maybe not elephants…you will have the opportunity
to make a difference on a different level.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the volunteer and foster programs
at the Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center. My email address is [email protected], my
phone number is (757) 385-7478, and my door is open for you so please do not hesitate to get in touch
with me and I will make sure you have a chance to make a difference in the life of an animal, or two, or
three, or five thousand eight hundred and forty two!
Happy New Year!
Wayne Gilbert
Volunteer/Foster Programs Supervisor
Volume 12, Issue 12
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Virginia Beach Animal Control
Volunteer Foster Family Application & Information Sheet
Name: _________________________________________________
Date: __________________
Street Address: ___________________________________________________________________________
City: ____________________________
Zip: ______________
Alternate Phone: __________________________
What is your preferred method of contact:
Phone: ____________________
E-mail: ____________________________________
Phone
or
E-mail
Do you have other animals in your home, either owned or fostered? _________________
How many dogs do you currently have in your home? _________
Are they all sterilized? __________
How many cats do you currently have in your home? _________
Are they all sterilized? __________
Not including rabies vaccine, what other vaccinations do you provide for your animals? _________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have any other animals in your home? _______ If yes, please list what kind and how many:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Are there children living in or visiting the house? ________
If yes, please list their ages: _____________
Do you have a separate room or area where you could keep foster animals isolated? __________________
An annual home-visit is required of all foster homes. Are you willing to make your home available for a quick visit from
VBAC staff? ___________________________________________________________________________
Are you prepared to provide food, litter, toys, etc for the foster animals? __________________
(Minor medical care will be provided by VBAC’s on-staff veterinarian; more extensive care will be handled on a case by case basis with Supervisor
approval.)
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Volume 12, Issue 12
Page 9
Animals You Are Able to Foster
Please check all that apply. Remember you can always say no to individual animals or litters.
Felines:
______ Orphaned newborns needing bottle-feeding (1 day- 5 weeks)
______ Nursing mother and kittens
______ Kittens not requiring bottle-feedings (5 – 8 weeks)
______ Cats or kittens with a physical handicap
______ Cats or kittens requiring daily medication
______ Cats or kittens recovering from illness
______ Cats or kittens recovering from injury or surgery
______ Cats or kittens needing socialization
______ Cats or kittens needing to be observed in a home setting to determine behavior and temperament
______ Cats or kittens needing temporary housing due to owner’s extended absence
(deployment, homeless, women’s shelter, etc; these animals may need a month or more of foster care)
Canines:
______ Orphaned newborns needing bottle-feeding (1 day- 5 weeks)
______ Nursing mother and kittens
______ Puppies not requiring bottle-feedings (5 – 8 weeks)
______ Dogs or puppies with a physical handicap
______ Dogs or puppies requiring daily medication
______ Dogs or puppies recovering from illness
______ Dogs or puppies recovering from injury or surgery
______ Dogs or puppies needing socialization
______ Dogs or puppies needing to be observed in a home setting to determine behavior and temperament
______ Dogs or puppies needing temporary housing due to owner’s extended absence
(deployment, homeless, women’s shelter, etc; these animals may need a month or more of foster care)
Small Animals: (Usually for socialization, lack of space, or pregnancy/nursing)
______ Rabbits
______ Hamsters/Gerbils/Mice
______ Small Birds (parakeets, cockatiels, finches)
______ Rats
______ Guinea Pigs
______ Large Birds (parrots)
Please describe your experience with birds and/or small animals: ____________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume 12, Issue 12
Page 2 of 2
Page 10
Ask the Behavior Guy
In this edition of the newsletter we will expand on the previous column “Why does he do
that?” (go back and read the November newsletter) and address the concept of leadership and
dogs.
Traditionally, dog owners were told that they had to show their dog that the person is the
leader and the dog is the follower. If you didn’t do this, then your dog would take advantage of
your perceived weakness, stage a hostile takeover, and spend all its time demonstrating how it
has higher social status than you. So, people were taught to demonstrate their dominance over
their dog by being the first to go through doors, force their dog to walk behind them, or alpha
roll their dog when it didn’t listen or misbehaved.
Fortunately, the times they are a changing. We’ve learned that high status individuals—both
people and animals—in a social structure don’t spend their time jockeying for position. CEOs
don’t go around reminding middle management that he/she can fire them at any moment. School
principals don’t take kids’ lunch money to teach them their place. So why do we do silly stuff
like that with dogs?
In moments of uncertainty, humans look to leaders for guidance. Effective leaders help their
followers get what they want. And, guess what? Dogs are looking for leadership too! What
most dogs want is for someone who is confident and in control making responsible decisions
that will help them get the stuff they want from life. Dogs are a lot like two year-old kids;
they don’t want really complicated stuff but they want things like fresh water, food, walks, access to the great outdoors, ear rubs, toys, and play time.
So if you are giving your dog all this wonderful stuff, it’s pretty easy to become a great leader.
Just leverage these interactions by asking your dog to say “please” first by performing a
simple task (such as sit or wait). Dogs are cool with the notion that Nothing In Life is Free.
They can learn how to earn awesome stuff they want. And, just like with kids, pretty soon your
dog will being saying please for the stuff it wants—if you are patient and consistent enough to
not just give it away for free.
Not sure who said this but it’s the perfect quote to end to this column: “I don’t know if my
dogs respect me or not, but they’re greedy and I have their stuff.”
Happy New Year all!
Got a question you would like addressed in a future newsletter? Email the Behavior Guy at [email protected]
Page 11
Pet Tails
“Corona”- Pit Mix
Corona is a 44 lb. white female. She knows to
sit, walk on a leash, and catch treats and balls
in the air. This smart, laid back young lady is
good with other dogs and has a gentle spirit.
“Lorianne”- Domestic Short Hair
Lorianne is s soft, cuddly 1 year old female.
Her cute white boots, tuxedo chest and big
green eyes make you want to cuddle. She is
housebroken, good with cats, children and
dogs.
“Bonnie”- American Short Coat
Bonnie is a 1 year old rabbit with cute brown spots
and brown around both eyes. She is playful and
loves to go for “hops” wearing her harness.
 Cows are considered the foster mothers of the
human race because they produce most of the
milk that people drink.
 The first cow arrived in Jamestown in 1611.
 There are 9.2 million cows being milked in
110,000 farms in the United States.
 Cows are cud chewing animals. They chew
their cud for up to 8 hours a day.
 Cows have 32 teeth.
 93% of the cows in the United States are
Holsteins.
Page 12
 They make good family pets but must be
handled gently.
 Getting a guinea pig is a long time commitment as they can live up to 10 years.
 Guinea pigs are usually very quiet but can
call out quite loudly.
 The hairless breeds are sometimes called
“skinny pigs”.
 Never use an aquarium instead of a cage.
 They are very social and love fresh fruit and
vegetables as treats.
Pet Tails
Shetland Pony





Page 13
The breed came from Shetland
Isles—because of the harsh
conditions they are hardy and
strong.
Because they are “cute “ they
often become rebellious and
spoiled. When trained they make
great mounts for young children.
In 1847, children were banned
from entering coal mines so the
ponies became in great demand.
They lived in the darkness of
the mine for long periods of
time. The ponies adapted to
those surroundings and were
treated with great affection.
During the last of the 1900’s,
thousands of ponies left the
island, many shipped to the US.
This pony can live up to 30 yrs.
Akita
 The spitz breed originated in






Japan and was owned only by
the nobility.
They are highly intelligent,
fearless, and spontaneous.
They are very protective of
family, territory, and food.
They do not tolerate young children, they prefer well behaved
older children in the family unit.
They have a double, waterproof
coat and webbed feet for swimming.
Akitas require intensive, extensive socialization and obedience
training as they must know who
is master or they will take
charge.
It can be feline in its actionsface cleaning and finicky.
Pet Tails
Something to Think About
Volunteering at the Shelter was one of the goals I always had for myself. I especially enjoy
the freedom to come to the Shelter whenever I can, stay as long as I want and leave whenever
I can tear myself away. I can walk a dog, play with the cats, pet a bunny, or give out toys and
treats. But I have discovered that even though I like the freedom of being there when I want,
adhering to a schedule works for me. I schedule appointments and activities around the days
and times I plan on being at the Shelter, so, even though I don’t have a schedule, I have given
myself one.
Many establishments that deal with the public have realized the importance of Customer Service to keep people happy and have them return. Happy people tell others about their experiences.
Now, I would like to encourage everyone to consider becoming a volunteer at the Shelter and
experience the warm feeling it gives you to know that you are involved in helping to bring together a family and a pet. I would also encourage you to take the Adoption Counselor Orientation class to learn Customer Service Techniques to better achieve that goal and make that
match the best it could be.
With the New Year, we are looking to renew enthusiasm and vitality in the Adoption counselor
Program. What that means, is we would like to have a sign up for Adoption Counselors so that
we will know when you would be available to help educate the public in their adoption process.
Our start date will be a weekend in March. The hope is that you will sign up for at least a one
hour time slot and be available for Adoption Counseling. We may have the help of the Youth
Volunteers as Greeters in the lobby with Shelter Guides taking people to the different adoption areas.
This may work well for volunteers that like to stick to a schedule, as you know when you will be
at the Shelter. For the rest of us free spirits, there will be a sign in sheet at the front desk
when you do come in.
I hope you will consider taking part in this program that is vital to the successful adoption of
the Shelter animals.
Think about it.
Christine Shultis
Volunteer
Adoption Counselor Coordinator
Page 14
Pet Tails
Meet the Staff
Meet Aaron Sams …
Aaron Sams is a newer face to join VBACAC and has
worked with us as an Animal Caretaker for the past ten months. Born in Charleston,
WV, he has traveled extensively thanks to an Army father, living in North Carolina,
Georgia, and Alabama. Aaron is an Army veteran, married for 10 years with a 9 year
old son. He is an avid learner and plans on obtaining a veterinary technician license
later in life. He has many degrees, including an Associate’s Degree in Science
(chemistry and biology), Associate’s Degree in Arts and Science (zoology), and has
taken higher biology courses and physics at Christopher Newport University. He is
currently working on caretaker certification but has plenty of informal education
from his leadership and teaching positions at zoos and aquariums, educating others
about animals, the environment, conservation, and history. His areas of expertise
include some medical care of animals, including dietary needs, cleaning, medications,
and illness, as well as leadership abilities. Aaron received awards for attendance,
team player, leadership, and doing extra duties from his past employers. He is a
compassionate person who has an open heart for anyone who needs a friend. Aaron
enjoys working with the staff and volunteers who all help and show compassion to
both the animals and each other. He insists that “anytime an animal gets adopted or everyone pitches in to get things
done, especially on days that are short staffed, is a memorable and positive moment.” Aaron Sams is an amazing addition
to the VBACAC family and we appreciate him and all of his dedication, skills, and compassion!
Meet the Officers
Meet Animal Control Officer Humphrey…
Officer Doug Humphrey comes from a Navy family.
He was born in Norfolk, Virginia and settled in the
rural section of Virginia Beach. He was involved in
the Virginia Beach 4 H Club for several years. He
raised hogs, sheep and steers. He went to school at
Kellam High School and attended Forestry at Vo
Tech.
After graduating from high school, he applied for a
job position as Animal Caretaker with Virginia
Beach Animal Control and was accepted in 1984. He
was a caretaker for about a year and was promoted to Animal Control Officer.
During his career as an Animal Control Officer he attended the Virginia State Animal Control
Conference twice. He successfully completed the Virginia State Humane Investigators Course,
and in 1999 he was promoted to Animal Control Officer II. He is currently a General Instructor, a Firearms Instructor, and a certified ASP defensive tactics Instructor. He teaches the
firearms instruction to all new and current Animal Control Officers with the Virginia Beach
Animal Enforcement Team and thoroughly enjoys his job and the people he works with.
Volume 12, Issue 12
Page 15
Meet the Volunteers
Meet volunteers Erin and Kevin McCabe …
Kevin and Erin have been volunteering at the
shelter’s PetSmart satellite adoption centersince about September of 2007, when it was
still Animal Rescue of Tidewater. They stayed
on when the shelter took over a few years
ago. They also have since fostered kittens for
the shelter, most of them going through
PetSmart to be adopted.
Kevin retired from the Navy in 2010 and currently works at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard
and Erin works with children with Down Syndrome. They are active in their church. They don't
have any human children but have six fur-children (cats) and are currently fostering two feline
sisters for the shelter. They range in age from 15 to about 2. They get their "doggie fix"
by dog-sitting for the neighbors when they go out of town.
EFFECTIVE COUNSELING …
Includes good Customer Service.
To make the first encounter with the public more
meaningful, here are a few suggestions:
 Make eye contact – we all like to be acknowledged.
 Smile – you will get a smile in return.
 Offer a Greeting... Hi, Hello, How are you today.
This will start a conversation that could result in a successful
adoption.
Volume 12, Issue 12
Page 16
Volunteer
Opportunities:
Volunteer Front Desk
Greeter
Newsletter Team Member
Adoption Counselor
PetsMart Cat Center Volunteer
Foster Parent
Animal Transporter
Pet Portal (Petfinder)
Call Center Volunteer
Lost/Found Assistance
Volunteer
Small Animal Companionship
Special Events Volunteer
Vet Assistant
Youth Mentor
Adoption Follow-ups
Do you love animals and
want to give back to the
community? We have the
answer for you there are
many ways that you can
help, from walking dogs,
cuddling cats or advertising
pets that are up for
adoption. We also are in
need of foster homes to
increase the amount of
animals that we can serve.
Listed below are
volunteer opportunities…
Virginia Beach Animal Care & Adoption Center
341 S. Birdneck Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: 757-385-4444
Fax: 757-227-9687
E-mail: [email protected]
Cat Room Volunteer
Dog Walker
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact Jean Deliz at [email protected]. She’ll be
looking forward to hearing from you.
Shelter Statistics
Nov
2013
Nov
2012
Dec
2013
Dec
2012
Dogs Impounded
273
262
280
269
Dogs Reclaimed
156
137
168
154
Dogs Adopted
82
117
99
101
Dogs Transferred
12
18
14
15
Cats Impounded
257
238
140
171
Cats Reclaimed
17
16
21
13
Cats Adopted
89
101
96
81
Cats Transferred
5
16
4
2
Other Companions Impounded
14
3
12
15
Other Companions Reclaimed
0
1
0
1
Other Companions Adopted
12
8
19
18
Other Companions Transferred
0
2
1
0
It’s the Law
Did you know … The governing body of any locality
may adopt ordinances requiring that dogs within
any such locality be kept on a leash.
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday — 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. (reclaims only)
Thursday — 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Do you have a suggestion?
We’d like to hear it.
Please drop off suggestions in our suggestion box
and we’ll post the suggestion and the response in our newsletter.