Quarterly

Newsletter

April-June 2023

Welcome to our ninth quarterly newsletter! Here, you'll find a summary of everything that's happened at HSoP in the last few months. From fundraisers, to adoptions, to stories about some of our most special animals, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at our shelter's highlights.

April 2023

Badger's Merlin Fund Story

Badger the cat arrived at HSoP as a stray in February of this year. The nice people who brought him in said they had seen him around for a while but were concerned about the state of his eye. On intake, it appeared that Badger was missing his left eye. We took him down to Animal Clinic & Hospital for a closer look. The veterinary team determined that Badger was born this way, as there was tissue in the socket but no actual eyeball. Even though he was born this way, the open eye socket presented the risk for infection and foreign bodies. His team recommended that the tissue be removed, and the eye socket be closed to prevent this from happening.

 

Our Merlin Fund for lifesaving medical care ensured that Badger could receive the care he needed, along with several other cats who required extraordinary care around the same time. Badger received the treatment he needed, and sufficiently looked like a pirate cat by the end! He healed in no time at all and was even able to join our director on the 250th episode of Real Housepets of the Palouse on ZFun 106.1. Badger wasn’t just a one-eyed cat. He also had a hilarious personality! With his fun demeanor and unique appearance, Badger was adopted from HSoP in no time at all. We are so happy that we could help him heal up and find his forever home!

How Jenga Helped Sriracha

Back in February, a pregnant cat arrived at HSoP in need of warm and safe shelter. We decided to name her Jenga! Jenga gave birth soon after arriving, and proved to be an excellent momma cat. She had two babies: a tortoiseshell female named Boggle, and a black male named Jumanji. A few weeks after Jenga gave birth, we had another momma cat arrive at HSoP with her two newborn kittens in tow. She was quite spicy upon arrival, so we decided to name her Sriracha (her two kittens were named Mayo and BBQ to stick with the condiment theme). The transition to HSoP was quite stressful for Sriracha, and we soon discovered that she had stopped producing milk for her babies. This meant that the kittens would need to be raised as “bottle babies”, being cared for and bottle-fed kitten milk replacer every two to three hours around the clock.

 

In an effort to provide Sriracha’s kitten with the best outcome possible, we tried to see if Jenga would be willing to accept Mayo and BBQ as her own. To our surprise and delight, Jenga took the kittens in almost instantly! Truly having some of the best mother instincts we’ve seen, Jenga continued to raise Boggle and Jumanji alongside Mayo and BBQ. There was an age difference of about three weeks between the litters, but that made no difference to Jenga. The four kittens continued to grow, play, and learn with one another until they were ready for adoption.

 

Boggle and Jumanji found homes during our Umpqua Bank adoption event, and Mayo and BBQ were adopted shortly after they became available! Jenga is still in our care and will likely be looking for a barn home to live out her days. She loves her kittens but isn't nearly as interested in people! After Mayo and BBQ joined Jenga, Sriracha still seemed highly stressed and unhappy with human company. We were thankfully able to find a barn home for Sriracha, where she has been living and working happily for a few months now. We’ve even been told that she’s come out of her shell and even asked for pets a few times! We are so happy that this story has a happy ending for everyone involved. Because of Jenga, Mayo and BBQ were able to grow up with all of the care, love, and attention that kittens typically receive from their mothers. Take a look below at some adorable photos of Jenga, her kittens, and Sriracha’s kittens!

Here is Jenga with the two babies she birthed at HSoP: Jumaji and Boggle!

Here's Jenga with her two "adopted" kittens and one of her own. Look at how small they are next to Jumanji!

Here we see BBQ (at the front) and Mayo (at the back). Jenga did such a great job raising them!

Jenga was an excellent momma cat, and always made sure her four babies were well taken care of.

May 2023

Idaho Gives

Each year, the Idaho Nonprofit Center highlights all of our state’s amazing nonprofits through Idaho Gives! This online giving event is meant to shine a light on all the important work being done by nonprofits throughout the state and manages to generate millions of dollars in donations. This year, Idaho Gives ran from May 1st through May 4th. More than 640 organizations participated in the fun, including HSoP! This year, we set a goal to raise $5,000 in donations during the event. This was an ambitious goal for us, and our amazing Board of Directors stepped up to ensure we could meet it. Our generous board members offered to match the first $2,000 in donations, dollar for dollar. This made all the difference in achieving our goal! When Idaho Gives began, our community showed up in full force. In just three days, 54 people donated $5,385 to HSoP! This amount not only surpassed our goal but became the most we have ever received through the event. To say we’re grateful would be an immense understatement! These funds will allow us to continue offering second chances and better outcomes for pets in need throughout Latah County. From all of us here at HSoP, thank you for your support!

NoTail's 18th Birthday!

If you’ve visited HSoP in the last three years, chances are that you were greeted by a very exuberant cat named NoTail. NoTail is our resident office cat/office manager extraordinaire. She’s an extra special kitty because she's a female orange tabby (did you know that 4 out of 5 orange cats are male?) and was born without a tail. She essentially chose her own name! NoTail is loved dearly by the staff and volunteers at HSoP, and has quickly become a mascot of sorts for our organization. Having lived outside most of her life, NoTail retired her outdoor lifestyle and traded it in for a life of safe love and luxury indoors. We estimated her to be about 17 years old, and May 5th was her estimated 18th birthday! After such an impressive milestone, it only made sense to shine a light on our beloved golden girl. Please enjoy some photos of our beautiful lady down below and join us in wishing NoTail a belated happy 18th birthday! We are so grateful for her every day. If you haven’t had a chance to meet NoTail, you’re sorely missing out! Stop by HSoP and visit her between 1:00-6:00pm Monday through Saturday. *Please note, HSoP is open from 2:00-6:00pm through July 9th*

Umpqua Bank Adoption Event

Everyone loves kittens. You know what people love even more? Unexpected kittens! With kitten season in full swing, we needed some help finding adoptive homes for all of the cats and kitties in our care. Thankfully, our friends at Umpqua Bank in Moscow were more than willing to lend a hand. We teamed up for our first off-site adoption event in nearly three years and saw great success! Umpqua Bank even made a donation to help all of our feline friends go home for half the usual cost. The event ran from 11:00am-1:00pm on May 19th, and we saw four adoptions in just two hours! Our three kittens Chip, Boggle, and Jumaji were all adopted during the event, in addition to an adult cat named Printer. The fifth cat who came along, Cat-ssandra, was adopted from HSoP the very next day! This event was a huge success, and helped create more room at HSoP so we could assist even more cats in need. We are so grateful to Umpqua Bank for allowing us to use their space, and for helping all of our cats find loving homes! We look forward to visiting your branch with more feline friends in the future. Take a look below at some of the kitties who were adopted at Umpqua Bank!

Hunga Dunga Bingo Night Fundraiser

One of the best parts of being based in Moscow is all of the wonderful and community-oriented small businesses there are. Hunga Dunga Brewing Company is no exception, and regularly looks for ways to support our area nonprofits. For the last several months, Hunga Dunga has been hosting bingo night fundraisers to support rotating community nonprofits. The events had beer, wine, and cider for sale from Hunga Dunga, plenty of giveaways, and cash prizes for every game! We reached out to the folks at Hunga Dunga and joined forces for our own bingo fundraiser on Wednesday, May 17th. There were plenty of new and familiar faces in attendance, and we had so much fun seeing everyone win prizes throughout the night! In just three hours, Hunga Dunga helped us raise $1,172 for HSoP. We were blown away to see the success of this fundraiser! Thank you to each and every person who took time out of their day to attend bingo night and help generate funds for HSoP. We will ensure that each dollar is directed toward helping those who cannot help themselves in Latah County. We would also like to give a special thank you to the Hunga Dunga team for coordinating this whole fundraiser! We had a wonderful time and would be so happy to do this again in the future. Keep an eye on their social media for info about the next bingo fundraiser!

The awesome team who ran bingo and sold drinks! They kept the fun flowing all night long.

The 1912 Center Great Room was filled with animal-loving folks from our community. We're so grateful!

June 2023

HSoP Kitten Shower

Have you heard about kitten season? It's the period of time when HSoP receives the most homeless kittens in need of care. Generally running from April to October, kitten season is signaled by warmer nights and longer days which encourage more outdoor cats to stay out and wander at night. This, in turn, leads to countless more kittens! Each kitten season, we take in roughly 200 lost and orphaned kitties. While this may seem like a super cute problem to have, it also means that we need enough supplies to care for them!

 

Our annual Kitten Shower is a great way to support our lifesaving work while learning about kitten season and snuggling some of the kittens in our care. The event operates a lot like a baby shower, encouraging financial and material donations to make our work possible. This year’s Kitten Shower took place on Sunday, June 4th, and we were so excited by the turnout! In just three hours, the Kitten Shower raised $1,770 for HSoP, in addition to dozens of useful supply donations. These donations will have a substantial impact on the number of kittens we’re able to care for, and we have our loyal supporters to thank for that! We had three litters of kittens in attendance, and each of them received crucial socialization through the event to help them find loving homes.

 

We would like to give a big thank you to our dedicated event sponsor, Moscow Realty. Moscow Realty covered the full out-of-pocket costs for the event, ensuring that every penny donated would be able to support the pets we care for. Thank you, Moscow Realty, for your generous and continued support! We would also like to thank our local Rosauers and Jimmy John’s, who helped make the event a success by providing delicious refreshments for guests to enjoy. This year’s Kitten Shower was a huge success, and we look forward to hosting the event again next year! Take a look below at some pictures from the Kitten Shower.

Paw-louse 5k Fun Run and Walk

One of the fundraisers that we look forward to each year is the Paw-louse 5k Fun Run & Walk. Beginning back in 2010, the dog-friendly 5k is a great way to get outside, meet some friendly pups, make new friends, and support your local humane society all at the same time. The race follows Paradise Path on UI campus, which makes for a beautiful track in the early summer. This year’s 5k took place on Saturday, June 24th, and we were lucky enough to have the weather on our side! The sun was shining, and there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky.

 

We had nearly 100 people show up for race day, plus dozens of happy pups who tagged along for the fun! It was a joy getting to watch the dogs meet and interact with one another. There were wagging tails and smiling faces everywhere we looked! The race began at 9:00am, and all of the racers had finished the track by 10:30am. After running more than three miles, the racers needed some fuel! Thankfully, our friends at Moscow Bagel & Deli had us covered. They donated more than 100 bagels with cream cheese spread for everyone to enjoy. We also had Milk Bones to reward all the pups for their hard work! In total, the 5k raised $2,692 for HSoP. Thanks to our wonderful group of 5k sponsors, we can ensure that every penny earned from the race will be directed back to serving pets in need in our area.

 

We would like to thank everyone who volunteered to help the race run smoothly and safely. We couldn’t have done this without your help! Thank you for stepping up to lend a hand for pets in need. We would also like to extend a big thank you to all of our sponsors! Animal Clinic & Hospital, Northwest River Supplies, Pets Are People Too, Gritman Medical Center, Hyperspud Sports, Moscow Bagel & Deli, Idaho Central Credit Union, and North Idaho Athletic Club each played a crucial role in making the 5k a reality. Thank you so much for your dedicated and generous support of this event!

1/2 Priced Pet ID

Running now until Monday, July 31st, HSoP is offering half-priced pet ID! That means you can make your pet a custom engraved name tag for just $4, or provide them with lifelong microchip identification for $15. Accurate pet ID can make all the difference and dramatically speed up the process of reuniting lost pets with their families. Don’t risk losing your beloved companion. Make sure that they have reliable and up to date ID!

Microchipping is offered by appointment only. Please give us a call at (208) 883-1166 to schedule your appointment today! Engraved name tags are available during our regular business hours, between 1:00-6:00pm Monday through Saturday. *Please note, HSoP is open from 2:00-6:00pm through July 9th.* Visit our website to learn more about microchipping and the importance of accurate pet ID.

Summer Pet Safety Tips

Summer is finally here! While everyone loves some sunny outdoor fun, there are some risks to be aware of as the weather continues to warm up. Here are some tips to keep your pets happy, healthy, and cool this summer: 

  • Never leave your pets alone in a parked vehicle. 

    • Even for just a few minutes, and even with the windows cracked. Cars behave like ovens in the summer heat, and the internal temperature can rise by 20 degrees in just ten minutes! Don’t risk losing your furry friend. Please leave your pets at home if they cannot come with you. 

  • Be aware of the ground and air temperature before walking your pet. 

    • Hot asphalt can easily burn paw pads and cause a lot of pain for dogs. Before walking your dog, press the back of your hand against the asphalt for seven seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet.

    • Try walking your dog in the morning or evening when the temperature is cooler. If possible, walk them on grass instead of asphalt. 

    • Consider investing in some protective shoes for your pet!

  • Know the signs of overheating in pets.

    • Excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, weakness, and collapse are all signs of overheating. 

    • If your pet is overweight, elderly, or has a flat face, they could be at an increased risk for overheating or heatstroke. 

    • If you believe your pet could be suffering from heatstroke, please contact your vet immediately!

  • Be aware of stagnant water. 

    • Do not leave your pest unsupervised near bodies of water. If your dog happens to drink from a pool of stagnant water, they could be at risk for serious illness. Stagnant water (often called standing water) can contain harmful bacteria and parasites. If you fear your pet could be suffering from toxic waters, contact your vet immediately! 

    • Always remember to pack ample clean drinking water for your companion. 

  • Visit the vet for a summer check-in.

    • Make sure that your pet is up to date on vaccines and free from any heartworms. This is also a great time to ask about flea and tick prevention.

Upcoming Events!

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events and fundraisers! We'll be sure to share more details as time goes on, but it's always good to know these dates ahead of time. We can't wait for all of the pet-loving fun we have planned; be sure to join us!

 

HSoP Adoption Event - Saturday, July 15th from 11:00am-1:00pm

Stop by Northwest Wado-Ryu Karate, located at 407 S Washington St Suite #102, on Saturday, July 15th between 11:00am-1:00pm to meet our cute ad cuddle adoptable cats and kittens! Planning to visit the farmer's market that day? We'll be right near the market! Remember to stop by and meet our lovable feline friends.

 

Howling at Hamilton - Sunday, September 10th from 1:00-6:00pm

The canine event of the summer is back! The Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center is going to the dogs on Sunday, September 10th from 1:00-6:00pm. Registration is $15 per dog and all proceeds benefit HSoP.

HSoP Pets Currently Available for Adoption:

 

Jadis

This pretty girl is about 4 years old and enjoys human company. She can be a bit spicy at times and makes sure that everyone respects her boundaries.

 
Read More!
 

Toad

Super smart but not very well trained, Toad is about 2 years old and full of energy. He needs a lot of exercise and would likely thrive in an active home.

 
Read More!
 

Lunchable

If you're looking for a "people person" type dog, look no further! Lunchable is about 4 years old and loves human friends. He already knows sit and shake!

 
Read More!
 

Liar

This guy was super sweet on intake, but started showing sass once he was feeling better! Liar is about 4 years old and enjoys attention on his own terms.

 
Read More!
 

Queenie

Her name is a big hint! Queenie is roughly 6 years old, and looking for her castle. She is very independent but appreciates attention when she asks for it.

 
Read More!
 

Marshall

Marshall is about 2 years old and would love a home where he can sing to his heart's content! Being a Treeing Walker Coonhound, he sure has a lot to say.

 
Read More!
 

Hattie

At about 4 years old, Hattie could use some training in her new home. She is not yet potty trained but may benefit from having a routine or canine friend to follow.

 
Read More!
 

Froggy

This handsome guy has previously done well around dogs his size and would likely make a great hiking partner. Froggy is about 6 years old and has some anxiety.

 
Read More!
 

Kaya

This pretty lady is about 8 years old, super friendly, and just a little bossy. She has arthritis in her hips and hocks, and would likely do well with other dogs.

 
Read More!
 

Nellie

This beautiful girl is about 8 years old and sweet as can be despite being declawed on all four paws. She absolutely loves human friends and is so talkative!

 
Meet Me at the Shelter!
 

Alfredo

Alfredo is about 4 years old and arrived with a collar-related injury. Since healing up, he loves getting to take naps under all his warm blankets!

 
Meet Me at the Shelter!
 

Mrs. Potts

This gorgeous girl, around 2 years old, raised a healthy kitten at HSoP and is now ready for her own home. She's talkative and loves human friends!

 
Meet Me at the Shelter!

Get in Touch

We love hearing from our community! If you'd like to get in contact with us for any reason, feel free to shoot us an email, call the shelter, or reach out to one of our social media accounts.

 

For ease of access, you can also press this button to be redirected to our website! 

 
Contact Us
2019 East White Avenue, Moscow, ID, USA
(208) 883-1166

Share with your friends!

Share on FacebookShare on X (Twitter)

Visit our website