Meet Brooklyn

New foster dog alert! Meet Brooklyn, a 3-year-old Shih Tzu. She is my new foster dog and has fit into our lives very easily and quickly! She is blind, but you would never know. She is a real cuddle bug. We're hoping she'll get adopted soon before we get too attached.

Sisters are Adopted Together

Great adoption news -- Thelma & Louise, Shepherd sisters, were adopted together today! The two-year-old sisters have always been together and are inseparable.

Join the KC Pet Telethon

These are photos from the 2008 KC Pet Telethon. If you want to lend a paw and get involved with the 2009 KC Pet Telethon on February 15 visit www.hsgkc.org.

Shelter Pets: October 2008

Meet a few of the adoptable pets at the shelter right now.

See HSGKC Pets on KSHB TV

Make sure and tune into the Saturday Morning Show on KSHB TV (Channel 41 for you old timers). Every other Saturday, between 8:30-8:45 am, a humane society pet is featured. The current dates scheduled are: October 18, November 1, 15 and 29. Kiwi is the dog being featured on the October 18 show. Live TV and shelter pets -- you never know what can happen!

Talc "Jumps" Into the Spotlight

On Tuesday, October 7, KMBC TV reporter Brenda Washington came to the Humane Society to do a few live spots during their morning show. The story was about Chihuahuas and how they are not necessarily the best dog for everyone. (In response to the recent movie release Beverly Hills Chihuahua.)

During the live segments Brenda featured Benson, a humane society Chihuahua that was looking for a home. During the last live segment, just as Brenda was wrapping up the interview Talc, a white cat, jumped onto Brenda's shoulder. Brenda was a great sport and recovered quickly by saying to the viewers, "If you want to adopt a dog or a cat, come down to the humane society." The news people back in the TV studio howled with laughter. It was great "live" TV. You just never know what will happen when you're in the humane society's cat room (with 20 cats freely walking around)!

Good news to share -- Benson has been adopted. Talc is still waiting for his forever home.

All Roads Lead Home Movie Premiere

Movie Premiere Helps to Save Homeless Pets

On Wednesday, September 24, “All Roads Lead Home” premiered at The Palazzo Theater, located in Overland Park. The movie, filmed in Kansas City, is a touching story about family, unconditional love, precious life and the challenges along the way that eventually open our hearts and lead us back home.

Actors Jason London (“Man in the Moon”), Vanessa Branch (“Pirates of the Caribbean”), and Vivien Cardone (“Everwood”) starred in the movie and will attend the premiere along with the director Dennis Fallon. The movie also features Peter Coyote (“E.T.”) and the late Pete Boyle (“Everybody Loves Raymond”).

Photo: staff and volunteers pause on the "Red Carpet" during the premiere event.

Fergie Visits KKFI

Fergie was this week's Dog of the Week on community radio KKFI 90.1 FM. Every third Wednesday at 1:45 pm a dog from the humane society visits KKFI during Dr. Mike's program.

Fergie is a one-year-old Lab/Corgie mix. She weighs just 23 lbs and has a sweet personality.

Big Martini 8

It's time to raise your glass to help the homeless pets of Kansas City at Big Martini 8 on Wednesday, October 8 from 5-9 pm at McCormick & Schmick's on The Country Club Plaza. Big Martini 8 is a fun and furry cocktail party and auction. Visit http://www.hsgkc.org/ to buy your tickets ($20 -- includes 4 drinks and passed hors d'eouvres).

Bridget is Adopted

I know it's been awhile since my last posting. Things at the humane society have kept me very busy. But not too busy to foster a few dogs this summer, including Bridget (on left).

Bridget was a stray, senior Terrier mix that found her way to the shelter several months ago. Senior pets tend to take longer to be adopted.

Bridget was adopted two weeks ago and is doing great in her new home. Her new owners have even bought her a stroller so they can enjoy long "walks" together.

Calling All Dog Lovers

We are in the midst of planning for the 21st annual Dog-n-Jog. The event is Sunday, June 8 on the Country Club Plaza. DNJ is for all athletic abilities (dog and human). Participants can sign up for a 1-mile run or walk or the 2-mile run or walk.

Online registration begins April 8 at www.dognjog.org. Register from now until June 7 for only $25 or $35 on June 8 at the actual event. All registrants receive a fun pack with a DNJ shirt and lots of dog and people goodies.

DNJ is a great family event too. There are are wide variety of activities held during the event, including: agility demos, pet caricatures, pet photos, micro chip clinic, free pup cones from Sheridan's Custard and more!

Chance is a Cover Dog

Chance, a 1-year-old Jack Russell Terrier Mix, is being featured in the California-based canine mag Bark Magazine. It was on a whim that I submitted various shelter pet photos to the magazine. The editor fell in love with Chance's photo -- who could resist his smile?

You can find Chance's modeling debut in the March issue of Bark Magazine, now on newsstands. He is on the table of contents page.

More great news about Chance -- he was adopted earlier this week. He lives with a very nice couple and their dog.

Pet Telethon a Furry, Fun Success

Wow, what a night the Pet Telethon was! It was the eighth annual event and my third time coordinating it. I am blessed to have a fantastic group of animal lovers that work for months behind the scenes to make sure the event is a success. Because of their countless hours -- this year's Pet Telethon far surpassed its $100,000 goal and raised $164,000. All the funds raised will benefit the animals in the no-kill shelter this year. The HSGKC does not have an endowment to support the day-to-day efforts. Because of this, events like the Pet Telethon are organized to literally pay for the food, housing and medical costs of the shelter pets. Without events like the Pet Telethon, we wouldn't be able to serve as many pets as we do each year.

Gary Lezak has hosted the event for the past eight years. This photo was snapped of us about 30 minutes before the cameras went live. Breezy is on the left and Stormy is on my lap. Both dogs were adopted from the HSGKC.

It's Hallie Special Day

Hallie, my foster dog, was adopted on Thursday. What a sweet dog she was to foster. The first day or two with me she was hyper, but she quickly calmed down and adjusted to our home. She loved playing with my two dogs and they seemed to also enjoy her company.

Hallie came to the shelter because her owner went into a nursing home.

Volunteer Perks

Every month at Volunteer Orientation Class we warn the volunteers it could happen to them --- pet adoption! Usually there is one special shelter pet that will steal a volunteer's heart. Eventually the volunteer will relent and adopt the pet (unless someone else does). I like to call this adoption phenomenon a volunteer perk!

Today, Rain was adopted by a volunteer. Both Rain and the volunteer are lucky to have found one another. I think they are a perfect match. Rain's main job now is to keep her new canine companion in line in her new home. I'm sure she won't have any trouble letting him know who is boss.

CJ and Charlie Leave Together

CJ and Charlie were adopted today by a very nice couple . They had been watching CJ on our website for quite some time. CJ came to the shelter as a feral kitten. Over the past two years CJ has become more friendly and socialized.



Charlie hasn't had a bashful day in his entire life! He's a very friendly guy that acts more like a dog.

Sometimes it Happens

A handful of times each year we have a pet returned. Even though we have the lowest animal return rate in the city, it's still hard to see the pets come back. But, we'd rather have them brought back to us than stay where they are not wanted.

This happened to Abby. She was adopted last year and lived with her family for nearly a year or so. Unfortunately things weren't working out for everyone involved and she's back at the shelter.

When she came back she definitely seemed to remember our kennel caretaker and several of our longtime volunteers. Hopefully it won't take too long to get her adopted again. She's a sweet girl and definitely deserves a great family to love her.

Bernie's Special Day Finally Arrives

Bernie, my foster dog, was adopted this week with another senior shelter pet, Sam. Bernie and Sam now have two older siblings, a Poodle mix (HSGKC alumni) and a terrier mix.

The couple that adopted Bernie were originally looking for just one senior pet to adopt. They had lost one of their dogs a few months ago due to old age.

When our volunteer manager heard about the couple coming in to meet Sam, she suggested to our shelter director to talk to them about adopting Bernie too. Our shelter director then spoke to the couple about this idea and they said they had seen Bernie on the website and would consider it.

On Saturday, Bernie got ready for his big day and took a bath. He really wanted to make a good first impression with the potential adopters. And I guess it worked -- because they fell in love with both Sam and little Bernie! Bernie immediately took a liking to the husband and Sam fell in love with the wife.

We've already received a report from the adopters about Bernie and Sam's first night in their new home. Bernie followed the husband around the house like a love-struck teenager. Sam went around the house and tried every dog bed at least once (like Goldilocks) before choosing one!

Of course after fostering Bernie for three months, we are sad to see him go but also happy he's found a home. He was a very special little guy with lots of personality.

Good Bye Newton

More great cat news -- Newton was adopted today by a very nice couple. They first saw his photo on the hsgkc.org website. Then on 2/13 The Kansas City Star ran his photo and biography in their Pet of the Week segment. Once they saw him in the paper they knew he was the one for them.

Newton has been at the shelter a very short time. Congrats Newton!

Dottie is Featured in Extreme Home Makeover

Look very closely in the basket and you will see Dottie, a recent HSGKC shelter pet. Next to Dottie is Ty Pennington, the exuberant TV personality of Extreme Home Makeover.

A few weeks before the taping of a Kansas City, KS Home Makeover Show, I received a call from the show's producer. He asked to see if we could provide a Toto-type dog for the taping of the show's opening. They were planning to spoof a scene in The Wizard of Oz and have Ty play the role of Dorothy.

We were happy to provide Dottie for the taping, with our volunteer coordinator providing supervision. If you were able to catch the February 10 show, you'll see little Dottie did a terrific job sitting in the basket as Ty pedaled the bicycle. (She had lots of treats in the basket.)

Great news about this TV star -- she was adopted several months ago and is doing great!

Hattie Heads Home

I forgot to share the exciting news of Hattie's adoption. She went home with her new family on Saturday. Hattie loved to spend her days lounging in the cat hammock in Cat Room 1. The hammock was below a window -- prime real estate in Cat Room 1 with the sunshine pouring in on it. When Hattie first came to the shelter she did not especially like being in a cat room with 30 other cats. Over time, she adjusted and became a very comfortable with her roommates. Hattie was probably the cleanest cat at the shelter. She was meticulous about keeping her beautiful white coat perfectly groomed. We're happy she found a home, but we'll miss seeing her in her hammock!

Kingsley & Frannie Find a Home Together

Attention cat lovers -- we've got great news today to share. Kingley and Frannie, two longtimers, were adopted by a really nice lady! Kingsley and Frannie may look like siblings, but they aren't. They both have been at the shelter for more than a year waiting to be adopted. Kingsley was the official greeter of Cat Room 2. Frannie enjoyed the one-on-one attention of our volunteers in Cat Room 1.

Adult cats stay the longest at the shelter. Most people choose to adopt a kitten rather than an adult cat for various reasons. Adopting an adult cat has many advantages. Our shelter staff work individually with potential adopters to find the right match for the both people and pets.

A Longtimer Finds a Home

Keaton, a six-year-old German Shepherd, was adopted last week. He was probably the smartest dog at the shelter. The kennel caretaker had been working with him for months on commands and Keaton had mastered them. Most pets at the HSGKC are adopted within a few weeks or months, but some do stay longer. Keaton had been at the shelter for two years waiting for his forever family to adopt him. Before coming to the HSGKC he lived on a chain and was teased by the neighborhood children. I'm happy to share that he's been adopted by a very loving couple and everyone is getting along great.

A Busy Day for Adoptions

Our shelter director had a busy day with four dog adoptions -- Peanut, a Jack Russell Terrier, Jackson, a Westie, Betsy the Beagle and Miley the Boxer Mix. All four of these dogs were at the shelter a very short time. Small dogs typically get adopted quicker than the larger dogs. Shelters and humane societies are a great place to find purebred pets. About 25 percent of the pets in shelters are purebreds.

Beetle's Eyesight is Restored

Beetle came to the HSGKC in the summer of 2007. The person that brought him into the shelter said he was a stray. After an examination by our vet staff, it was determined that he was blind due to a genetic issue. The Gabriel Fund covered the costs of his eye surgery to restore his vision. I had the privilege of fostering this sweet dog for six weeks as he recovered. I'm happy to report his eyesight is completely restored and he was adopted by a very nice couple in Olathe.

The Gabriel Fund is a special fund that humane society donors can give to that specifically covers the medical costs of homeless pets that come into the shelter sick or injured. Most pets served by The Gabriel Fund have injuries from being hit by a car, or are suffering from illnesses like Parvo, Mange, etc.

The photo above is Beetle two weeks after his surgery.

Welcome to KC Pets

The focus of this blog will be to highlight the everyday events at The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, a no-kill shelter in Kansas City, KS. I hope you enjoy reading about the fun and furry happenings at the HSGKC.