West TN Animal Coalition

3rd Annual WTAC Memphis in May Triathlon Coming in May!

michelle — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:24:23 GMT

Please help us save lives....we need everyone involved.

3rd Annual Triathlon Fundraiser for Spay/Neuter West Tennessee May 18, 2008

Contact the West Tennessee Animal Coalition if you want to help raise funds for spay/neuter in West Tennessee.

Rescue/Humane Organizations help raise funds for a Spay/Neuter to benefit 26 counties in West Tennessee.

Triathletes we need you to participate for a county in West Tennessee.

What else you can do:
Please contact: Ona Cooper 901-210-8495

Please visit: http://www.westtnanimalcoalition.org

New Parvo Virus Discovered

chefsnocook — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 20:23:31 GMT

Affects Adult Dogs Too

Oklahoma State University has discovered and issued a report on a new varient of the Parvo virus. The heart and intestine is attacked by the virus and there is a heavy mortality rate associated with the virus.

Two rescue groups in West Tennessee have reported dealing with a strange strain of parvo in the past two years. Both rescues are confirming that the puppies that succumbed to the new strain had between 2 and 4 sets of shots each and should have been protected against parvo. Unfortunately, the puppies were dead within hours of showing any sign of illness.

Both West Tennessee groups had necropsies and the results were the same. Parvo.

For more information visit the Oklahome State University site:
http://www.cvhs.okstate.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=437&Itemid=291

Be a Part of The Animal World and Memphis Animal Services Pet Adoption Event Saturday, Feb 2!

michelle — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:40:33 GMT

Saturday, February 2 from 11a-3p

Petco, Poplar Plaza
3468 Poplar and Highland Ave.
Memphis, Tennessee 38111

Bring in the new year with a compassionate resolution...to support the animals at your local animal control facility.

If you are in Memphis, sweet, loving dogs and cats from the Memphis Animal Shelter will be available for immediate adoption at Petco Poplar Plaza. They need you and this is an opportunity to start the year off by helping through adoption, fostering and/or volunteering.

This event will be inside Petco even though temps are looking very good so it will be a good day to come and say hi. But best of all, we can help you find your next best unconditionally-loving friend! And it never fails that new, exciting relationships are formed and networking increased at these events.

Starbucks will be providing complimentary coffee. Lots of cool toy and book giveaways along with Old Navy freebies and other gifts from generous supporters. Spin Street Music is donating some awesome CD's. We will also have some Best Friends giveaways that are sure to put a smile on your face.

Please help us as we seek to save lives and strengthen the community on behalf of the animals. Our bi-monthly events that started in November '07 have been extremely successful. Let's keep up the great energy and success!

Sponsored by The Animal World and Best Friends Animal Society.

What you can do:

(1)For more info, visit
Animal World
http://www.animalworldusa.org/

(2)Come out, adopt and save a precious life.

(3)Share this event with a friend.

(4)Become a foster for shelter pets. It will save a life and only take a few days/weeks of your life.

(5)Visit AW website to see heartwarming photos from previous adoption events.
http://www.animalworldusa.org/photo.htm

2007 Holiday Show

cyrusm — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:34:58 GMT

The second annual Best Friends Holiday Art Show is now hanging in the Village Artspace.

If you're looking for a special gift for someone, why not give the gift of art? The Holiday Show features work from several of the artists who have shown in the Village Artspace during the year.

Be sure and drop by the village and check out the art! You'll also be helping the animals, because 20% of all sales go directly to Best Friends Animal Society!

2007 Holiday Show

cyrusm — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:34:58 GMT

Mike Lorrig Exhibition

cyrusm — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 22:00:30 GMT

Mike Lorrig is a well known fashion and advertising photographer in Los Angeles. Mike is passionate about helping animals and volunteers regularly for Best Friends as well as other organizations in the LA area. These photographs of farm animals were created in traditional portrait style using a dark background, thus focusing on the beauty and personality of animals normally only thought of as a food source. Check out Mike's website

20% of all sales benefits Best Friends Animal Society.

Mike Lorrig Exhibition

cyrusm — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 22:00:30 GMT

Another Typical Stray Dog in Rural West Tennessee

WestTNAnimalCoalition — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 22:26:35 GMT

BEAR, The Friendly Stray – A Success Story!

By Susan Brown & Kathy Sumpter

So you’re at your weekend get-a-way, kickin’ back, doing a little fishing and just enjoying nature. Here comes a dog; must belong to someone, he’s so cute. But, oh, look at his side, his fur is missing and the area’s covered with open sores, how could someone let it get so bad?! Where’s his family? Certainly, he has a family to care for... What would you do? Do you say “Awwww, that’s so sad, poor dog” and look away. Or do you help the dog? Here’s what a couple from the big city did to make a difference...

... Meet Bear... the friendly stray. He wandered up to a camper on the Tennessee River, one of the thousands dumped in rural counties when the "owners" get tired of them. Sometimes because they outgrew the cute puppy stage, had an illness or injury that was too much trouble or expense to treat, or the people moved away and just left their loyal pets to fend for themselves.

Terry and Mary Scott, a wonderful couple from Memphis, who were camping over 100 miles from home couldn't just leave this dog on his own. They called a local veterinary clinic to learn what could be done. Next they called an animal welfare advocate in the area for help.

To see that Bear, the stray dog, didn’t continue to suffer, the couple agreed to pay the vet bill to treat the mange and check for other health issues. Bear was also to be neutered and receive all vaccinations. Terry and Mary even made a donation of a 10 x 10 kennel to a local rescue group, Tennessee River Rescues, for Bear to be cared for and boarded for awhile in order to give enough time to clear up the mange before they take Bear home to become a regular part of their family.

Bear became healthy in foster care and now lives in his new home. He is very happy with his new family which includes Terry, Mary and their other dog, Bandit.

Personal Note from Susan Brown: I can't stress enough the importance of spay/neuter to prevent pet overpopulation. Please take this responsibility of pet guardianship seriously and have your pets fixed before they ever reach breeding age. Many serious diseases and behavioral issues will not occur if pediatric spay/neuter is done.

Pictured above: Bear with Bandit and Terry – Happily Ever After

Joyce Heuman Kramer Solo Exhibition

cyrusm — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:31:26 GMT

Joyce Heuman Kramer Solo Exhibition
August 4, 2007 : 10:50 PM
Joyce Heuman Kramer feels a special connection to wildlife. The creatures fascinate, inspire and even direct her in her work. Well, not so much work as painting.

She unveiled her current watercolor series of wild birds during a reception at the Best Friends Village Art Gallery last Saturday night. The exhibit will run for several weeks.

For Amy Abern's full article on Joyce's artwork
CLICK HERE

Joyce Heuman Kramer Solo Exhibition

cyrusm — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:31:26 GMT

Alton Photographer Gary Alan Kalpakoff Exhibits Collection of Animal Photographs

cyrusm — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:27:43 GMT

Alton Photographer Gary Alan Kalpakoff Exhibits Collection of Animal Photographs
June 10, 2007 : 12:00 AM
Gary Alan Kalpakoff, a long time resident of Kane County and one of our premier local photographers, is the current featured artist at The Village Artspace.

An exhibition of Gary's photographs representing the animal world will be on display for the next 8 weeks. The opening reception on Saturday, June 2nd was a great success; over thirty people showed up from all over Kane County to view Gary's Photographs. 20% of all sales from the current exhibition will benefit Best Friends Animal Society.

For questions about the artist, artwork, or how to make a purchase, please contact the artist at his website: garyalankalpakoff.com

Alton Photographer Gary Alan Kalpakoff Exhibits Collection of Animal Photographs

cyrusm — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:27:43 GMT

Not Left Behind: Photographs by Troy Snow

cyrusm — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:25:10 GMT

Not Left Behind: Photographs by Troy Snow
May 10, 2007 : 12:00 AM
Hurricane Katrina brought devastation to the streets of New Orleans, but it also brought a dedicated team of animal rescuers from Best Friends, who saved thousands of stranded pets.

Award-winning photographer Troy Snow was one of those rescuers, and Not Left Behind is the story of what he saw when he was there. This deeply moving tribute follows some of the Best Friends team as they rescued and cared for the animals. 17 stunning photographs show what it was really like and how frightened, shocked, but ultimately resilient, pets were given back their lives by compassionate volunteers who would not leave them behind.

A book containing these photographs and many more may be purchased for 50% off at the Best Friends Store. All proceeds benefit Best Friends Animal Society. Please click here for more information.

Not Left Behind: Photographs by Troy Snow

cyrusm — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:25:10 GMT

Tamara Dormer and Jennifer Andrews collections to be Displayed in the Village Artspace

cyrusm — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:21:38 GMT

Tamara Dormer and Jennifer Andrews Lend Artwork to be Displayed in the Village
March 7, 2007 : 12:00 AM
In mid January of 2007, the previous year's Holiday Art Sale, one of the first curated exhibitions in the Village Artspace, had been up for over six weeks and was ready to be replaced by another exciting collection of art....

Cyrus Mejia, the Sanctuary's Resident Artist, and Josh Baird, Cyrus's assistant, were seeking to display a new body of original artwork that expressed the mission of Best Friends in the Village as soon as possible. A collection of Troy Snow's photographs from the "Not Left Behind" publication were in the process of being printed and framed, but would not be ready to hang for another few weeks.

One day in January, while Josh and some friends were at the village eating lunch, Tamara Dormer, a caretaker at dogs, brought up the fact that her former husband was an artist, and she had many of his paintings at her home. She also owned the original artwork of other animal artists from across the nation. Tamara was very gracious in agreeing to bring the artwork to the sanctuary property to be seen by members of the Village Artspace Committee. The Committee selected 10 pieces that were soon put on display at the Village.

Jennifer Andrews, an artist and humane educator, came into the picture when the Village Artspace Committee decided they needed a few more images to fill some of the extra wallspace. She kindly agreed to lend us whatever artwork interested us. Jenn had many expressive and colorful paintings to choose from. We finally selected two pieces that best fit the empty wall spaces and that harmonized with Tamara's collection.

We feel the show was a success thanks to the generosity of these two magnificent art supporters. Thank You Tamara and Jennifer!

Tamara Dormer and Jennifer Andrews collections to be Displayed in the Village Artspace

cyrusm — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:21:38 GMT

Off The Wall

cyrusm — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:16:34 GMT

New Exhibitions InThe Village Artspace

RE: RE: West Tennessee

Echo88 — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 19:52:24 GMT

In Bells the Animal Clinic there offers $60 spays and $50 Neuters. I'm not sure if this price is for everyone or just for us rescuers. If you live near the Weakley County area and are interested you can contact me at froggies_r_coming@hotmail.com. We go when we have a full load.

Fostering Tennessee Animals

WestTNAnimalCoalition — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:11:57 GMT

Pass it on – it’s a pleasure, a blessing and a joy

By Kathy Sumpter, President of the West TN Animal Coalition

The photo is of four of my current foster pups. These 9 week old guys & girl are currently at the vet clinic to be spayed & neutered. Jazzy, the girl, is adopted so isn't listed on the rescue's Website – she’ll be going to her new loving, forever home in a week or so; the boys, Dusty, Drummer & Tanner are still available for adoption. Ohhhh.... so cute!

I hear so often from people, “I don’t know how you can foster only to give them up when they’re adopted. I couldn’t do it, I’m too softhearted”. I don’t think they mean to imply that people who foster are ‘hardhearted’, but isn’t that what it sounds like they’re saying? Well, truth is, someone who fosters animals until adopted is very softhearted, so softhearted they are unwilling to let their pain stand in the way of helping an animal left stranded because of another person’s irresponsibility.

Yes, it'll be bittersweet when these kids leave for their forever homes, but in the meantime, I am very lucky to have them here with me. When it’s time for them to go to their forever family, I will just blank out my mind, load the pups up in the car and drive them to their destination. I am not a crier, so for me the tears don’t pour... I wish they did, maybe that would help me to flush the pain out quicker. I feel drained afterward... I internalize it... my heart cracks, I can’t speak (or I’ll squeak), I won’t be able to write for awhile because my hands will shake, and I do a lot of starring off into space. But, a couple days later, when I get a message (hopefully with photos) from the adoptive family saying that they love their new family member, well... it’s difficult to describe the shear JOY I feel. And I let the rescue know my home is available to take in another foster, to help more animals and to add more joy to my life.

It’s a given, when we foster we save the lives of the kids we take in (this litter was abandoned on a secluded dirt road when they were only 6-7 weeks old – how could a person believe a puppy that age would not suffer a horrible fate???); but there’s more... we also put a dent in the overpopulation problem so other unwanted litters aren’t abandoned because these kids will not perpetuate the problem (they are spay/neutered prior to adoption). In addition to knowing that fostering has saved lives, ended their suffering and eliminated potential future suffering, I do it for very selfish reasons, they bring me immeasurable pleasure.

It doesn’t need to be a financial burden to foster, a well run rescue sets their adoption fee to cover the costs to get the pups ready for adoption (vaccinations & deworming at least X2 times and spay/neuter surgery) so the rescue should supply the basic medical care to get the animal ready for adoption and will provide food, if necessary (since the food costs are not usually calculated into the adoption fee and the rescue won’t be reimbursed otherwise, I pay for my foster’s food as a tax-deductable donation to the rescue).

Pass it on... tell your friends, families, co-workers and acquaintances what a blessing it is to foster; don’t consider the ‘softhearted’ factor, the benefits outweigh the pain. And for people you encounter who have unaltered females so they can experience having cute puppies/kittens in their home... show them that if they foster they have the best of both worlds... the miracle of puppies/kittens and they don't have to care for them for over ten years or bear the scar on their soul for abandoning the growing animals when they realize they can’t find homes for them.

When the foster area is set up efficiently there is no burden to fostering, only joy. I sit out on the park bench in my puppy pen and just soak in the wonder of it all. When I look back on all the animals I’ve fostered, I see their faces in my mind and smile – talk about warm and fuzzy feelings!

2nd Annual Pearls for Paws 2007

WestTNAnimalCoalition — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:49:07 GMT

Presented by West Tennessee Animal Rescue, Inc. – Saturday, August 18th – All proceeds go to the Spay/Neuter Program for West Tennessee

Join the West Tennessee Animal Rescue for an evening of Music, Dancing, and Fine Dining Bank of Camden in Camden, Tennessee August 18th from 6pm til 11pm

Where: Bank of Camden, in Camden, Tennessee - exit 126 off I-40 approximately 13 miles from interstate on the right

A LIVE auction will be held for an elegant pearl necklace along with several other items and silent auction.

All you can eat cocktail shrimp with other choices such as steak and trimmings by Creative Catering

Complimentary wine from Old Medina Winery

Entertainment: “The Unassigned” LIVE

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Message from Shannon Dykstra, President of West TN Animal Rescue:

As you all know, dogs and cats know no boundaries...therefore, we offer this program for all of west Tennessee.

If you are a rescue group, I encourage you to attend or help spread the word about this much needed and worthwhile program that will help everyone.

We realize that ultimately spaying and neutering is what will help end the over population problem in our area.

For everyone, if you can't attend, you can still help share the word and/or make monetary donations in any amount.....

and for those who can attend, you can purchase tickets online or at the door
$50 per person or $75 for two (bring a friend, it's cheaper!)
Every dollar donated will help spay or neuter a pet in West Tennessee.

There is a paypal link on our homepage at: www.west-tn-animalrescue.petfinder.com. Just make sure you put P4P in the purchase line. This will ensure your donation to go strictly for spay/neuter.

You can also send checks or money orders to:
WTAR
P.O. Box 54
Holladay, TN 38341
Make checks payable to WTAR with P4P in the memo line.

We have literally HUNDREDS of silent auction items available for that evening and a few live auction items as well...

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$50 per person or $75 per couple
Contact:
Shannon Dykstra
731-234-4152 or wtar@bellsouth.net

All proceeds to benefit West TN Animal Rescue Spay/Neuter Program