the
scoop 12
S P RI N G 2012
THE PENNSYLVA NIA SPC A NEW SL ETTER FOR AN I M AL LOV E RS
| from death’s door to
| a happy home: stella
| the miracle dog
O
n a blustery day last November, Pennsylvania
SPCA Humane Law Enforcement officer Jack
Ardrey responded to a report of a dog in distress
in the backyard of a home in State College. Upon arrival,
he saw a young female pit bull mix lying on the ground,
unresponsive. Limp and underweight, the dog did not
respond to his touch. Recognizing the urgency of the
situation, Officer Ardrey rushed her to the nearest vet
hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Officer Ardrey prepared to transport the dog to a facility
where she would undergo a medical examination to
determine the cause of death. But as he held the body in his
arms, he was shocked to detect faint breathing. After another
more intensive examination, it was discovered that the dog’s
heart was indeed still
beating, though at only
seven beats per minute
(a healthy dog’s heart
rate is 60-160 beats
per minute). Hospital
staff gave Stella blood
transfusions, IV
fluids and warmed
her small body. The
following day, Stella
amazed everyone
when she got up and
began walking – weak,
but very much alive.
Officer Ardrey charged
Stella’s owner with
animal cruelty, and
the owner legally
Stella Before
surrendered her to the Pennsylvania SPCA. While Stella was
extremely malnourished and sick, the staff held onto the hope that
she would make a full recovery, and worked hard to nurse her to
health. On November 29, they received the ultimate reward for
their efforts: a healthy, happy Stella was adopted into a new home.
The lifesaving love and care Stella received is made possible
by people like you who support the Pennsylvania SPCA – and
whose donations fund Officer Ardrey’s work. Your generosity
ensures that whenever there is an animal in need in your
community, the Pennsylvania SPCA is there to help. Give a
gift and save a life today at www.pspca.org/donate.
In this issue
 Leave a Lasting Legacy
 New Faces.
Same Mission.
 2
011 Year-End
Review Stats
 A
dopt-A-Kennel
 Behavior Team Finds
Creative Solution to
Lady’s Anxiety Problem
 R
udolf Takes His First
Steps to Recovery
Stella After
WE’RE ONLINE! Follow these stories and more by joining us online on Facebook and Twitter. Go to
www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaSPCA or www.twitter.com/PSPCA and join the thousands of supporters
already linked in!
P E N N SY LVA N I A S O C I E T Y F O R T H E P R E V E N T I O N O F C R U E LT Y TO A N I M A L S |
S P R I N G 2 01 2
the inside scoop
| leave a lasting legacy to
| the pennsylvania spca
D
id you know that IRAs and
retirement plans can be heavily
taxed when left to your heirs? By
designating a nonprofit organization like
the Pennsylvania SPCA as a beneficiary,
you can leave a legacy tax free. This easy
designation costs nothing and can make a
tremendous impact on the animals in need
that we have yet to meet. Learn more at
www.pspca.org/donate/planned_giving.
The Pennsylvania SPCA is dedicated
to preventing cruelty to animals and
enforcing laws for their protection
and welfare in Pennsylvania.
For more information about planned giving, or if you have already made a gift
and would like to be recognized as a member of the 1867 Society, please email
plannedgiving@pspca.org or call 215-426-6304 ext. 265.
| new faces. same mission.
headquarters
350 E. Erie Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19134
215-426-6300
For information on adoption and clinic
hours and locations, please visit
www.pspca.org.
24-hour humane law
enforcement hotline
Call 866-601-SPCA (7722) or email
cruelty@pspca.org to lodge cruelty
complaints. Emergencies are handled
24 hours a day.
volunteering
Interested in volunteering your time
at the Pennsylvania SPCA? Visit
www.pspca.org/volunteer or email
volunteers@pspca.org.
Marc Peralta Eric Daugherty
COO and co-CEO
CFO and co-CEO
A
s a valued supporter of the Pennsylvania SPCA, we are thankful
everyday for your time and efforts. Because you are an important
part of our team, we want to keep you in the loop about
important news and changes. Susan Cosby has stepped down from her position as President and CEO of
the Pennsylvania SPCA to pursue other opportunities. The Pennsylvania
SPCA thanks her for her leadership and dedication over the past several years
and wishes her well in her new endeavors.
As an organization, the Pennsylvania SPCA has achieved many milestones over
the last several years, including adding new services like low-cost vaccination
clinics, reducing the number of homeless animals in shelters by aggressively
focusing on increased adoptions and lifesaving activities, and developing
a robust spay and neuter program. The Pennsylvania SPCA’s humane law
enforcement team continues to be an important presence in both Philadelphia
and in multiple counties in the state, investigating and prosecuting a high
volume of animal cruelty cases. Continued on Page 3
2
the scoop
For questions or comments about
The Scoop, please contact Cara Levy
at clevy@pspca.org or 215-426-6304,
ext. 265.
other information
Official registration and financial
information on the Pennsylvania
SPCA may be obtained from the
Pennsylvania Department of State by
calling toll free within Pennsylvania,
800-732-0999. Registration does not
imply endorsement.
design
EU Services
649 North Horners Lane
Rockville, MD 20850
www.euservices.com
P E N N SY LVA N I A S O C I E T Y F O R T H E P R E V E N T I O N O F C R U E LT Y TO A N I M A L S | W W W. P S P C A . O R G
continued from page 2
All of these good things will continue, according to Helene van Beuren, Chairman of the Pennsylvania SPCA Board
of Directors. “The Pennsylvania SPCA has a strong strategic vision and an unrelenting commitment to meet current
and emerging needs in the community. While it is with mixed feelings that we accept Sue’s decision, we know that the
organization will continue to pursue our mission to be a strong advocate and voice for helpless animals. The Board of
Directors has elected Eric Daugherty, Chief Financial Officer, and Marc Peralta, Chief Operating Officer, to serve as interim
co-CEO’s, while the Board conducts a national search for a new CEO.” Though you may be seeing new faces around the Pennsylvania SPCA shelter, our mission still remains the same: to prevent
cruelty to animals and enforce laws for their protection and welfare in Pennsylvania. Thank you for your continued support
of our animals and we look forward to another successful year.
what’s the scoop
| new faces. same mission.
| behavior team finds
| creative solution
| to lady’s anxiety
| problem
A
fter Pennsylvania SPCA surgeons saved her from
a near-fatal blockage from snacking on chicken
bones, Lady found herself facing an even bigger
challenge than learning what not to eat. Surrendered by her
original owners when they could not afford her medical
care, Lady was placed in our Greenhouse adoption center to
find a new home. Unfortunately, Lady did not adapt well to
life in a kennel and began to experience severe anxiety.
While it is common for dogs to exhibit minor signs
of kennel stress, Lady began to spin in her kennel and
obsessively lick the walls. Her nervous behaviors consumed
her, and Lady started to lash out toward other dogs. One
day, while being placed back in her kennel after a walk, Lady
got so frenzied that she made a serious mistake: she bit a
volunteer. It became clear that Lady was truly suffering, and
something had to be done to help her.
When the Behavior Team saw what was happening, they
knew the only way to help Lady was to get her out of her
kennel. But in a busy shelter, alternatives are scarce and
resources limited. The wait for a foster home could take
weeks or months, and her chance of getting adopted while
exhibiting such stress in the Greenhouse was unlikely. After
brainstorming with other departments, the Behavior Team
decided to try something unusual; an in-shelter foster home
behind the counter in the Adoption Center.
Knowing Lady’s history, the Adoptions staff was nervous
to have her hanging around all day, but with training from
the Behavior Team, they soon took on the new challenge.
The first two weeks saw little progress – Lady spent her time
sleeping all day! But the time outside the kennel gave Lady
the comfort she needed to relax and adjust to her new
Lady
surroundings. With time, her anxiety vanished and her love
of belly rubs began to emerge. Staff went from being afraid
of Lady to stopping by the Adoption Center to visit with
her. Once her stress dissipated and her confidence
reemerged, Lady was again ready for adoption. She found a
new home a few weeks later, and began her new life a happy,
healthy dog.
The Pennsylvania SPCA is fortunate to have a full-time
behaviorist on staff to work with dogs like Lady, who need
special care before being placed into a new home. Without
the combined efforts of the Behavior Team and Adoption
Counselors, Lady’s story may not have ended happily. You
can help us continue to help dogs like Lady by making a
donation to support behavior training and rehabilitation at
the Pennsylvania SPCA today.
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S P R I N G 2 01 2
3
what’s the scoop
2011 year-end review stats
Here’s to another great year
together at the Pennsylvania SPCA!
There are many impressive statistics that show what a difference
the PSPCA and your support made in the community in
2011. But ultimately, many of our greatest achievements are
simply immeasurable: the joy of adopters bringing home a new
family member, the relief felt by animals saved from abuse and
neglect, the love given to shelter animals by staff and volunteers,
and the faith that with hard work ... together we can make a
difference in the lives of animals in need!
DANCER
Dancer just couldn’t seem to find a home
that understood her needs. After being
adopted and returned multiple times,
things were starting to look bleak for
Dancer. Instead of giving up hope for
this wonderful girl, however, the PSPCA
staff ramped up promotion efforts - and
it worked! An adopter saw a photo of
Dancer online and decided she was their
dog. A face to face meeting at the shelter
sealed the deal; Dancer was adopted –
this time into her forever home.
4
Adoptions %
Over 9,000 animals were adopted from the Pennsylvania
SPCA in 2011. At the PSPCA Headquarters in Philadelphia,
a total of 6,788 animals found new homes! Humane Law Enforcement
Our dedicated Humane Law Enforcement Officers saved
1,861 animals from cruelty or neglect throughout the state. Veterinary Services
20,030 animals were spayed or neutered, one of the
most effective tools against pet overpopulation! HASHBROWN
Struggling to cope with the sudden life change
of being left alone at a shelter, Hashbrown
started becoming reactive toward other dogs.
Thankfully, Hashbrown’s anxiety did not go
unnoticed by the PSPCA’s Behavior Team and
within a few weeks of daily training, there was
a marked improvement in her behavior. The
mental and physical stimulation of training
allowed Hashbrown to relax, greatly reducing
her stress level and dog reactivity. With her
new-found skills keeping her happy, Hashbrown
was quickly adopted!
BRIT
CASPER
Brit is a handsome orange tabby cat
who had the unfortunate luck of
being struck by a car. He survived the
ordeal without sustaining any internal
injuries, but his left hind leg was
severely damaged and ultimately had to
be amputated. Thanks to the love and
dedication of the PSPCA veterinary
staff, Brit healed quickly after surgery
and within a few weeks, was adopted
into a loving home.
Casper came to us in 2011 with ears
so badly infected he needed surgical
removal of both ear canals. The PSPCA
was faced with raising almost $2,000
to cover the cost of the procedure.
When word got out that this amazingly
friendly, gentle dog needed surgery,
funds from our supporters came
pouring in! Casper’s surgery was
successful and thanks to you, he is now
living pain-free with his new family.
These
amazing
animals
received
our help
IN
2011
D-RICK
Right now, D-Rick is probably curled
up on a cozy sofa, enjoying the warm
comfort only a loving home can provide. If the PSPCA Humane Law Enforcement
Department hadn’t saved him, D-Rick
would still be living in the dirty, crowded
van he and his siblings were kept in by his
previous owner. Thanks to HLE efforts,
D-Rick was removed from that horrible
situation, adopted, and finally has the life
he deserves.
P E N N SY LVA N I A S O C I E T Y F O R T H E P R E V E N T I O N O F C R U E LT Y TO A N I M A L S | W W W. P S P C A . O R G
what’s the scoop
| adopt-a-kennel at the
| pennsylvania spca
O
ur Adopt-a-Kennel program is in full swing, and you
can join in the fun! For a gift of $300 you can adopt
a cat cage and for just $500 you can adopt a dog
kennel or a cat condo. We’ll place a plaque on the kennel with
your name, your company’s name, or the name of someone
you wish to honor for one year.
Our kennels house homeless animals throughout the year as
they await adoption. Your support will help keep them healthy
and happy while they patiently wait for their new forever
homes. Your plaque will remain on the kennel in your choice
of our Philadelphia or Danville shelters for one year and you
can renew your gift and keep your plaque on your kennel for
as many years as you would like.
Your generous gift will help save lives and will give hope to
dogs and cats without anywhere else to turn. Contact the
development department at 215-426-6304 ext. 228 for more
information or to Adopt-a-Kennel.
| rudolph takes his first steps to recovery
spine offered little insight to what was causing his paralysis. Faced
with a poor prognosis, veterinary staff wrestled with the decision
of what to do for Rudolph. He was otherwise healthy, happy, and
had a will to survive. Dr. Germanis decided to give Rudolph the
chance to fight.
The shelter hospital staff cares deeply for all of the animals under
their watch, and Rudolph was a special patient. The nursing staff
worked hard to carry out all of the orders required to keep him
on the path to rehabilitation. One day, after a few weeks of antiinflammatory medicine and cage-rest, the seemingly impossible
happened: Rudolph rose to his feet and tentatively began to walk!
Rudolph with toy
T
his December, PSPCA Humane Law Enforcement
Officer Derrick Schlitter responded to a complaint of
cruelty in a North Philadelphia home. Upon arrival,
Officer Schlitter discovered two sick pit bull type dogs weighed
down by heavy chains, living in unsanitary conditions. One of
the dogs, now named Rudolph, was lying in the cold mud, unable
to lift himself away from the surrounding accumulation of filth.
Worried over what could possible lay ahead for this paralyzed
animal, Officer Schlitter quickly transported Rudolph to the
shelter for emergency treatment. When Rudolph arrived at the PSPCA shelter hospital, Dr. Lisa
Germanis was shocked to find his temperature was a dangerously
low 97.5 F, compared to a normal temperature of 102.5 F. What
was worse, however, was that Rudolph was still unable to use his
hind legs and had poor control of the front. Radiographs of his
“This is why I always choose to give an animal in Rudolph’s
situation a chance to recover,” says Dr. Germanis, who, along
with the rest of the shelter staff, was ecstatic to see Rudolph
walking on his own. “Caring for an immobile animal is hard
work, but seeing them begin to walk again makes it totally worth
it.” Since Rudolph’s first steps last week, he has made tremendous
progress. No longer does he need the aid of a walking harness for
short trips outside, and his mood is brighter than ever. Veterinary
Technician Victoria Bradley has formed a special bond with
Rudolph and knows the intricacies of his people-orientated
personality “He loves his squeaky bone, but his real reward is
receiving praise...when he hears my voice, he comes running!”
Rudolph is currently living in the shelter hospital, growing
stronger every day under the love and guidance from the
Pennsylvania SPCA veterinary staff. He has been a source of
inspiration for everyone here at the shelter and will continue to
win the hearts of staff until the day comes when he will be ready
for adoption. Our donors give us the means to provide Rudolph the support
and care he needs to recuperate. Amazing stories like Rudolph’s
would simply not exist without your compassion and generosity.
Please consider making a donation today to help Rudolph and
other animals like him. Your gifts make a difference!
P E N N SY LVA N I A S O C I E T Y F O R T H E P R E V E N T I O N O F C R U E LT Y TO A N I M A L S |
S P R I N G 2 01 2
5
Adoptable PLEASE
animals that
still need you HELP THEM
SUPER DOGG
BUNNY
TOUCAN
Super Dogg is a friendly, 5
year old Jack Russell mix who
has quite the pep in his step!
He is in love with life and
can’t wait to find an adopter
who can match his energy
level. Super Dogg would
make an amazing jogging
partner and an all-around
wonderful companion.
Bunny was living in a home
for the past 13 years, so he’s a
little put-out that his golden
years are being wasted in the
shelter. He is a sweet boy
whose purr can be heard
from across the room. Please
come adopt Bunny and give
an older gentleman the life
he deserves.
Toucan is an intelligent and
playful 3.5 year old pit bull type
dog who was saved from an
owner suspected to be involved
with animal fighting. Toucan
wants a loving family who will
shower her with all of the hugs
and belly rubs she’s missed
out on! Toucan loves people
and will happily share her new
home with a cat or two.
GOOD DOG
sponsors
our sponsors
The Pennsylvania SPCA Would Like to Thank
Our Sponsors for Their Generous Support!
BAD
DOG
GOOD DOG GALA
In Kind Sponsors
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
Cenero Audio Visual
CITYSPACE
Flying Fish Brewing Company
Republic Bank
Sila Heating & Air Conditioning
Sniffles & Friends
Two Paper Dolls
Additional Corporate Support
Cozen O’Connor
Larson Allen
Morgan Lewis
ThePhillyDog.com
The Turville Company
VIP Patrons
Andres & Jim Stewart
Brindisi Animal Foundation
Bruce & Patricia Stouch
Edmund & Kimberly Garno
Harry Madonna
James Hellyer & Deirdre Affel
John & Joyce Castiello
Mac & Craig Brand
Marsha Perelman
Michelle Thomson
Norr-Metz Charitable Fund
Terence & Pamela Brennan
BAD DOG BALL
SPONSORS
Amoroso Baking Company
DiBruno Bros
Knit Wit
Modern Eye
Zarwin Baum
In Kind Sponsors
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
Cenero Audio Visual
CORT Event Furnishings
Main Line Photo Booth
Philadelphia Brewing Company
ASPCA.ORG
6
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