KLTV Report

 MISSION

APET SPCA’s mission is to eliminate unwanted dog and cat over-population, reduce animal cruelty, neglect and abandonment through a comprehensive, low cost, affordable spay/neuter program in rural East Texas.  We recognize the importance of a public outreach program and education to foster a public sentiment of responsible pet ownership.  We also seek to build the first SPCA type shelter in our area to provide refuge and adoption options for a multitude of homeless cats and dogs.

CAN YOU HELP?    By Betty Porter August 18, 2011

It was an amazing rescue yesterday! We are all still trying to recover from what we first thought to be “about 14 dogs”, then turned to 22, and ended up at 29 dogs we transported to the Richard Klein Animal Shelter in Jacksonville. The dogs were housed in a small house where the owners stayed and another very small house about 10 yards away. Two large dogs were in a cattle trailer and one pit-bull was tied to a small shed. (The night before, the Pit tried to go after a dog that had gotten out and pulled the whole side off the shed with his strength).  Connie brought tranquilizers for The Pit and the big yellow dog in the trailer. And I believe we used it on one other dog. That was done first so it could be working while we began to load up the others one by one. These two dogs would have fought to the death had they gotten the chance according to the owner.  Even after we got them to the shelter one was in one kennel and the other was in one next to it and they tried to get to each other. Angela had to go in and get the Pit with her pole and drag him out and move him.

What an extraordinary  team we had…George and Connie Carlisle from Quitman, Van Wells from Holly Lake, Jeff Whitcomb from Winnsboro, Mahlon and Betty Porter from Holly Lake. We really needed the muscle because they had to lift crates with several big dogs in them and put them in the vehicles. I was so proud of how kind they were to the owners, not judging them, only helping them. It was very much appreciated by both of them. There was even some gentle joking back and forth with them, usually through their tears.

The owners, a brother and sister in their 60’s suffered and sobbed as they watched and helped us get all the dogs in crates. These dogs had never been around other people except for them, had seldom if ever been outside. They were their “babies” as they called them. The dogs have been well cared for in one sense, none were starved. They spent the entire day every day caring for them and loving them. The dogs clearly loved them too.  None have been spayed or neutered. Most have not had shots that could be traced. We did call the vet in Lindale and found out they had administered 12 shots to some pups once.   It was heartbreaking for them to give these dogs up so we kept reassuring them they were doing the right thing and that now their “babies” can have a chance to be the only dog in a family that loves them, will take them for walks and play with them. They were kind and appreciative to all of us through the entire day and continually thanked us. 

    It took over 3 hours for this part of the process, bringing one dog out at a time and they were not happy to be forced into a crate. We had the owner handle the dogs so no one would be bitten. Van had one or two bites on his hand in spite of that. The lady had several on her arms. Finally we got them all loaded up in the cattle trailer, George’s truck and Mahlon’s APET van. The sun was very hot and we had a long way to go. The owner wanted to go with us so he could see where we were taking them. (He was happy afterwards that they were safe there)

We arrived in Jacksonville at 1:20 and the timing was terrible for them as they close up until 2:00. The dogs were getting too hot so we drove to a gas station and I asked if we could use their hose to water them down. We squirted them and soaked them all over so it really helped. There was a lot of vomit, urine and poop in the cages, which we expected even though I had asked them not to feed them yesterday morning. They said they waited until about midnight the night before to feed them.

    When we arrived George noticed a wheel had come off the cattle trailer he was pulling. He doesn’t know when it happened but it could have been a tragedy. On the way home our Van broke down and we limped over to the side of the road. Our van is still outside of Jacksonville!! We will pick it up in a few days when it is repaired. George brought us back to Mineola where my car had been left at Brookshires parking lot. I then took the owner and the one dog he couldn’t leave over there, home. It was the oldest dog, sweet as pie and about 10 years old. We were glad he got to keep one.

    Angela with Richard Klein Animal Shelter had really cut us some slack by charging $250 for what she thought, and I thought would be for 14 dogs. Normally the cost is $70 and $80 per dog. However, we had more than double that. I wrote her a check for $500. I have had a few donations but need to find some more. Maybe April can put this situation on Facebook for us and it will bring in some help. I have had a couple of friends who have promised to help. We will put a fishbowl up at the shop and hopefully get some there.

    As tired as we all were after a 12 hour day in the heat there wasn’t one complaint from the group I mentioned above. And as hard as it was, it was also a most heartwarming day and they would all do it again tomorrow if it was necessary and so would I. I can never  thank them enough. 

After a few days go by, Connie and I will go back and try to get permission to take their 15-20 cats to the vet. They are not in good health. They are also all in the house.  If you can help, please do so.  Please make a notation that donations are to be used for Operation Dog Rescue.  ALSO You Can CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK! 

2010 APET SPCA Accomplishments

• Spayed/neutered 875 companion pets.  Total funding thru APET $40,132.  35% of female cats/dogs were either in heat or pregnant when presented to the clinic.  4,248 cats and dogs sterilized since November 2006 under the APET Low Cost Spay/Neuter program
• Scheduled Spay/neuter services provided with Dr. Howton and Dr. Gerdes of Winnsboro Veterinary Medical Center in Winnsboro, TX
• Conducted 3 Low Cost Vaccination/Micro Chip Clinics  (Mineola, Holly Lake Ranch, Winnsboro)  204 dogs and 44 cats received vaccinations or microchip at a reduced rate
• Continued to receive annual financial support from Wood County  Commissioner’s court for spay/neuter program in the amount of $3500
• Maintained the Doggone Good Stuff Thrift Shop on Pacific St. in Mineola and rent house adjacent.  75% of the profit from the thrift shop and rent house is designated for the building fund and 25% goes to our Operating fund.
• Utilized PetFinders.com website as a tool to assist in locating homes for stray, abandon or homeless animals.  Facilitated placement of many displaced pets through a referral system.  Collaborated with other rescue groups in placing abandoned and stray animals
• Continued Transfer Partnerships with Texas SPCA in Dallas as a source for adoption placement of abandoned Wood County animals
• Coordinated coverage in local newspapers including:  Winnsboro News, Wood County Democrat, Mineola Monitor, Hawkins Journal, and Holly Lake/Hawkins Gazette.
• Provided monthly APET SPCA program coverage in Mineola Monitor, (APET In The News) circulation 3500 readers
• Maintained an active website: www.apetspca.org
• Attended 20 speaking events at local clubs, civic organizations or city councils providing information and education regarding the animal abandonment condition in Wood County, availability for spay/neuter, etc.
• Published and distributed A Pet Tail  our quarterly newsletter with information about our programs and  animal issues
• Aired  a monthly KMOO radio spot reaching over 29,000 listeners
• Received a designation as a Valued Partner in the Guidestar Exchange Non Profit Registry website
• Hosted 2^nd Annual  Spaghetti Dinner/Silent Auction fundraiser in Mineola
• Established a membership program with 101 family members and 7 business members This program incorporates local merchant discounts and is a fund-raising avenue for APET
• Partnered with the Mineola Chamber of Commerce on their Mineola May Days, Dogs Day Out event.  Also participated in community events in Winnsboro, Hawkins, Alba, Quitman and Golden.
• 4 Adoption events were held at the East Texas Gator and Wildlife Park in Grand Saline.  The December event included pet and owner photos with Santa.
• Garnered a regular monthly presentation venue on the Mineola Chamber of Commerce Board.
• Continued sales of APET published cookbook (Delicious Pawsabilities) and tee shirts
• Rotated continuous phone coverage to arrange vet services, help with animal issues and counsel callers.

2009 APET SPCA Accomplishments

• Spayed/neutered 1019 companion pets.  Total funding thru APET $47,267.  This amount is despite the economic downturn impacting our major donators.
• Vaccinated over 450 companion pets in 2009 at 3 annual vaccination clinics (Mineola, Quitman Sheriff Open House, Winnsboro)
• Average Spay/neuter XX per month
• Received financial support from two of the six Wood County cities for the future animal shelter and ongoing animal spay/neuter programs.  Continue to receive financial support from Wood County Commissioner’s court for spay/neuter program.
• Utilize PetFinders.com website as a tool to assist in locating homes for stray, abandon or homeless animals. Attended over 10 PetSmart adoption fairs.  Facilitated placement of many displaced pets through a referral system.  Collaborated with other rescue groups in placing abandoned and stray animals
• Continued Transfer Partnerships with Dallas & McKinney TX SPCA as a source for adoption placement of abandoned Wood County animals
• Had coverage in local newspapers including:  Winnsboro News, Wood County Democrat, Mineola Monitor and Hawkins Journal
• Had monthly APET SPCA program coverage in Mineola Monitor, circulation 3500 readers
• Maintained an active website: www.apetspca.org
• Attended 20 speaking events at local clubs, civic organizations or city councils providing information and education regarding the animal abandonment condition in Wood County, availability for spay/neuter, etc.
• Published and distributed A Pet Tail  our quarterly newsletter with information about our programs and  animal issues
• Had a monthly KMOO radio spot reaching over 29,000 listeners
• Received a designation as a Valued Partner in the Guidestar Exchange Non Profit Registry website
• Acquired donated food from Petsmart and other sources to provide to needy families for their pets
• Held our first annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser in Mineola
• Established a membership program with 106 family members and 9 business members
• Partnered with the Mineola Chamber of Commerce on their Mineola May Days, Pets Day Out event.  Also participated in community events in Winnsboro, Hawkins, Alba, Quitman and Golden.

2008 APET SPCA Accomplishments

• Spayed/neutered 1540 companion pets in 2008 with bills for services totaling over $68,000
• 30% of the female cats and dogs that were spayed last year were already in heat or pregnant.  Estimating that each pregnant or in heat female would had a litter that would produce 5 newborns (conservatively) that translates to 1770 animals that would have been introduced into our community in a matter of days.  Had the entire group of females not been spayed we could have seen as many as 4,815 newborns and remember cats can breed up to 3 times in a year and dogs on average twice.
• Vaccinated over 400 companion pets in 2008 at 2 annual vaccination clinics
• Average number of Spay/neuter 131 per month
• Have $75,000 in APET SPCA future animal shelter fund
• Submitted 1500 resident petition signatures to Wood County Commissioner’s Court with recommendation to hire a county animal control officer,  build a county shelter to serve the rural and unincorporated areas of Wood County and enforce current TX statutes regarding animal welfare and rabies vaccination requirements.  
• Since 2007, received financial support from four of the six Wood County cities for the future animal shelter and ongoing animal spay/neuter programs.  Continue to receive financial support from Wood County Commissioner’s court for spay/neuter program.
• Utilize PetFinders.com website as a tool to assist in locating homes for stray, abandon or homeless animals. Attended dover 20 PetSmart adoption fairs.  Facilitated placement of may displaced pets through a referral system.
• Continued Transfer Partnerships with Dallas & McKinney TX SPCA as a source for adoption placement of abandoned Wood County animals
• Had 4 APET SPCA stories aired on local television & radio stations
• Had coverage in local newspapers including:  Winnsboro News, Wood County Democrat, Mineola Monitor and Hawkins Journal
• Have monthly APET SPCA program coverage in Mineola Monitor, circulation 3500 readers
• Maintain an active website: www.apetspca.org
• Attended 26 speaking events at local clubs, civic organizations or city councils providing information and education regarding the animal abandonment condition in Wood County, availability for spay/neuter, etc.
• APET SPCA publishes and distributes a quarterly newsletter with information about our programs and  animal issues
• Have a monthly KMOO radio spot reaching over 29,000 listeners
• 2008 storm season of Gustov and Ike, APET SPCA volunteered foster homes for the displaced animals of folks who required shelter during and after the storms, housing displaced animals brought in by FEMA in association with the City of Mineola and the Red Cross
• $4,122 spent for emergency medical expenses for cats and dogs
• Acquired donated food from Petsmart and other sources to provide to needy families for their pets
• In 2008 Thrift Store income increased by 19.85 over income in 2007

2007 Accomplishments

A.  APET/SPCA mission:  reduce animal suffering in Wood County by:

• Raising funding for construction of  the Wood County APET/SPCA shelter
• Reducing unwanted & abandoned animals through APET/SPCA low-cost spay and neutering services to Wood County pet owners.

B.   Located in Mineola, TX and founded in 2003, APET/SPCA is a certified 501© (3) non-profit Texas corporation run solely by volunteers.  Local and state governments help fund APET/SPCA programs and its future animal shelter.  Other APET/SPCA donations come from local organizations, foundations, and private citizens.

C.    Goals achieved in 2007:

• Spayed/neutered 2300+ animals since 2006
• Conducting ten [10] spay/neuter clinics, monthly in Wood County, TX
• In 2007, received over $81,000 from governments, organizations and foundations for APET/SPCA low cost animal services and the future animal shelter
• Have $50,000 in APET/SPCA future animal shelter fund
• Purchased 29 acres in Wood County as future site of APET/SPCA shelter
• Received 100% signed support resolution from all Wood County cities
• Received signed resolution of support from Wood County Commission
• Operating a successful APET/SPCA Doggone Good Stuff Thrift Store
• Received financial support from four of the six Wood County cities
• Rescued over 200 dogs and placed them in adoptive homes
• Put all APET/SPCA rescued animals on PetFinders website
• Established partnerships with Dallas & McKinney TX SPCA as a source for adoption placement of abandoned Wood County animals
• Since 2006 had 10 APET/SPCA stories aired on local television stations
• Had coverage from East Texas largest newspaper, Tyler Morning Telegraph
• Two nationally respected architect-engineers donated blue prints for the proposed APET/SPCA shelter
• Set up an APET/SPCA website
• Have monthly press coverage by the Mineola Monitor
• Have a monthly radio program on KMOO
• Partnered with Mineola to foster disaster evacuees’ pets
• Had local newspapers and Tyler, TX television coverage for APET SPCA presentation to the Wood County Commissioners, urging them to address the animal problems in the County.

2006 Accomplishments

I can’t wait to tell you what a year this has been for APET SPCA, but first of all, I have to thank all of you who have supported the organization and stood with us through thick and thin.  We have become very successful with your support.  Because of you we have been able to:

• Get all the cities in Wood County as well as the County to sign resolutions stating they support our efforts,
• Convince many of the cities to support us financially,
• Obtain more Grants for our spaying and neutering programs,
• Enroll more members
• Increase donations.
• Buy a gorgeous piece of land east of Mineola on the corner of Hwy. 80 and 564,
• Run a very successful Thrift Shop, and
• Initiate a hugely successful spay and neuter clinic in partnership with Kaufman County.

With a generous grant from PetsMart we are able to offer spaying and neutering for cats at $10 and dogs for $20.  This cost also includes their rabies shot.  From June till December, 2006, three hundred fifty one (351) animals went through the program. Since our low cost program started in January 2007, fifty seven animals were fixed.  These are animals that would have never been treated unless we were there to help.

Decreasing the pet population will be our organizations primary focus until our new Wood County facility can be built.  By tackling the overpopulation we can make sure the animals that must be adopted in the future will have a sure chance to find homes.

We need your continued support and are asking that you renew your membership or join for the first time.  Your membership money goes to giving animals another “Leash on Life.” However, if you wish to just donate to the building fund simply designate how you want your money to be spent.  We have enclosed a membership form AND if you believe in what we are doing share this letter with friends so more animals can be saved.

Thank you for your kind generosity,

Pat Sevenants

(previous) Director of Operation, APET SPCA

2005 Accomplishments

• 145 Animals were Adopted – 15 of those went to Canada and were Adopted out within 10 days of their arrival (Note:  These adoption numbers do not reflect if an animals was returned and readopted)
• 52 animals were Spayed, 49 Neutered
• 666 Inoculations of which 300 Were Donated Thank you Sponsors!
• 53 Heart Worm Tests were given and 11 Animals were Successfully treated
• Several were treated for Provo, Worms, Emergency Problems and Mange
• 110 Animals were Moved to Rescue Groups
• 263 Families were Helped to Keep Their Pets or Shown How to Adopt them out properly
• 10-20 calls were Answered on a Daily basis helping families with Animal Issues and Solutions
• Had a Very Successful Casino Night
• Bought and Hoped a Very Successful Thrift Store  in Mineola
• Participated in several of the Cities’ and County’s Activities to inform the public of the organizations goals and objectives and spoke to many groups in the area about the problems we face

A detailed trip through APET SPCA invoices and records for calendar year 2005 reveals the following numbers for the year:

Canine Inoculations and Treatments

DHLP:……………………….116

Worm Treatment:………………51

Rabies:……………………….101

Bordetella:……………..………51

Fecal Checks:……………….…6

Spay Surgery:…………….…….52

Neuter Surgery:……………….49

Heartworm Medication:………..31

Six Month Flea Treatment:…….74

Bath/Dips for Infestations:..…….37

Kennel Skin Infections:………..20

Heartworm Treatments:……….11

Heartworm Tests:……………..53

Parvo Tests:……………………10

Clippings:……………….…….10

Worming Medication:……..…..30

Parvo Treatments:………………5

Other Treatments:………………3

Lacerations:……………………5

Lumpectomies:…………………3

General Exams:…………………3

Dental Surgeries:……………….5

Euthanasia:……………………..8

To summarize: 130 dogs were adopted out with contracts.  Another 10 were adopted out without contracts (informally to expedite a special situation, normally).  15 animals were sent to an animal rescue organization in Canada.  All were successfully placed in good homes.  APET SPCA assisted 263 families in keeping or successfully adopting out their pets.  110 animals were sent to specialized rescue groups.  Just over 450 inoculations were provided free to families with pets in need.

Feline Inoculations and Treatments

Felo Inoculations:……………….11

Rabies vaccinations:…………….9

Worm treatments:…………..…..3

Flea dip treatment:………………1

Fecal check:…………………….1

Neuter surgery:………………….4

Spay surgery:……………………3

General examination:……………1

Leukemia test:…………………..1

General medication:……………..4