Welcome to our fourteenth quarterly newsletter! Here, you'll find a summary of everything that's happened at HSoP over the last few months. Between fundraisers, adoptions, special events, and stories about some of our most special animals, you'll get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what we do (and it's all because of you!).

July 2024

Sparkler the Three-Legged Kitten

In early July, we received an adorable tuxedo kitten in dire need of help. At just about two months old, one of her back legs had been broken for several days and she was clearly dealing with a lot of pain. The vets at Animal Clinic & Hospital evaluated the kitten, and after careful consideration, decided that the bone had been broken too long to heal correctly. Amputation was chosen as the best outcome for the little one, and her surgery began as soon as possible to remove the maimed leg. We decided to call her Sparkler, not only because the 4th of July was just around the corner, but also because of the amazing light she exuded despite her circumstances.

Sparkler was as happy, chatty, and cuddly as any kitten we've known. She was bursting at the seams with personality, and only showed more of her true self as she continued feeling better. Once her wounded leg was removed, Sparkler was almost unstoppable. She was standing up and wobbling around on her three remaining legs within a few days of surgery, and it didn't take more than a week for her to find balance as a "tri-pawd". We monitored Sparkler for several days after her amputation to ensure she was recovering correctly, and then she joined a loving foster home for the remainder for her healing.

Once she was completely recovered from surgery, Sparkler returned to HSoP in search of a loving forever home. She was already so accustomed to people and asking for their attention, so it's no surprise that Sparkler stole the heart of an adopter in no time. She was at HSoP for just a few days before finding her perfect match, and she was able to go home with her family that very same day. Since her adoption, we have heard nothing but great things about Sparkler! We have to imagine that she's just as vivacious as she was in our care, taking full advantage of her second chance in life. We are so grateful for the vets at Animal Clinic & Hospital, Sparkler's amazing foster home, and all of our supporters who made her care and recovery possible. Without your help, injured kittens like Sparkler would be forced to meet different fates. Thank you for giving a fighting chance to Sparkler and all the other pets who need our help!

4th of July Stray Dog Surge

Did you know that the Fourth of July sees more lost and found pets than any other time of year? Between the traffic, loud and unexpected noises, and bright flashing lights in the sky, it's no surprise that thousands of pets are spooked away by our Independence Day celebrations. Here are some tips to help your pets stay safe next July:

• Do not take your pet to watch the fireworks.

• Prior to July, ensure your pets have reliable identification. We encourage all owned pets to be microchipped and wear ID tags on their collars. HSoP offers both microchips and engraved ID tags at an affordable rate. Microchips are offered by appointment only, so please call us to schedule.

• Before festivities begin, make sure to exercise your pet thoroughly. This can mean a longer walk than usual in the morning, or extra playtime to help tire out feline friends.

• Once you return home, spend time creating a safe and comfy area for your pets to spend the evening. Animals can turn destructive when they're nervous or frightened, so it's important to clear the space of anything that might become damaged. Make sure that any accessible windows are securely shut and/or locked.

• Create some enrichment activities to help your pet stay occupied. If your pet is prone to separation anxiety, consider staying home or enlisting the help of a pet sitter.

The 4th of July is certainly a busy day for lost pets, but these tips can apply to most holidays and celebrations. Remember to keep your pet's safety a top priority everyday!

Sokka's Journey to a Happy Life

In early January, a very sweet cat entered our care. His name was Sokka, and he was surrendered to HSoP due to the expensive and exacerbating urinary issues he'd started showing in the home. His owner loved him dearly, but recognized that some aspects of the home were likely adding stress to Sokka's plate, worsening his urinary issues. For this reason, Sokka's owner made the difficult decision to surrender him to HSoP.

During his time at HSoP, Sokka was considered a "hidden gem". This meant that he was "hidden" in the employee-only area of the shelter, in an effort to limit the new faces, smells, sights, and sounds that could potentially cause him further stress in the cat lobby. We decided to offer visits with Sokka by appointment only. This ensured that we had the staff necessary for a calm and fear-free introduction, where any and all questions could be answered. Urinary issues are one of the most common reasons that owned cats are surrendered to the shelter, and we wanted to ensure that Sokka's new home understood exactly what it meant to take on a cat with this struggle. Our hope was to place Sokka in a quiet, calm, and understanding forever home, where his stress could melt away.

This fluffy guy may have had urinary issues, but he also had some great things going for him. He was chatty, affectionate, cute as can be, and very easy-going for the most part. He was the type of cat to thrive on window perches and chin scratches, never wanting more than that. It took a few weeks before Sokka had his first meeting with an adopter, and it took a few more weeks before he found the right fit. One day, an adopter came to HSoP in search of an adult cat. They met Sokka, learned about his struggles and needs in a new home, and decided that he was the cat they'd been looking for. We were so excited to see Sokka go home that same day, and we've heard nothing besides positive updates from his adopter since!

Cornhole for Animals at the Moose Lodge

The work we do never rests, and we are always looking for new ways to fundraise. When we were contacted by the Moscow Moose Lodge to organize a fundraiser together, we jumped at the opportunity! The wonderful folks at the Moose Lodge were determined to help HSoP and the pets in our care as best as possible. After lots of discussion, they landed on hosting a cornhole tournament! If you aren't familiar, cornhole is a game that's been growing in popularity the last several years. The goal is to toss your bean bags into the cornhole board of the other team, with points distributed based on where the bean bag falls. To add to the fun, we organized a silent auction to take place during the event with a wide variety of items up for grabs.

The event took place on Saturday, July 20th inside the Moscow Moose Lodge. Food and drink were available for purchase, with a portion of all proceeds benefiting HSoP. The event saw a smaller turnout than expected, but everyone who showed up gave it their all! Within just a few hours, Cornhole for Animals managed to generate $1,147 for HSoP and the pets we serve. This success was only possible thanks to the Moose Lodge and several generous sponsors who supported the silent auction. We would like to recognize the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge, Northwest Wado-Ryu, Gem State Crystals, North 40 Outfitters, Sam Dial Jewelers, Moscow Building Supply, Moscow Axe Throwing, Vine Wine Bar & Cellar, Essential Art Gallery & Fine Gifts, Fiegel Chiropractic & Wellness Clinic, Tito's Vodka, Kendra Scott Jewelry, and Lila Witter for their generous contributions which made this success possible. We also thank each and every person who took time out of their days to play cornhole and place bids in support of lost and homeless pets! Enjoy this photo of some cornhole players getting ready for the big tournament.

Sunday the Bunny's Perfect Home

Contrary to popular belief, we see more than just cats and dogs at the humane society! Every so often, we receive smaller friends who deserve homes that are just as loving as the rest of the pets who enter our care. Sunday the rabbit arrived at HSoP after she was rescued with her newborn baby by Palouse Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation (PWRR). PWRR helped Sunday get spayed to prevent any future bunnies from happening. Sunday's baby remained in the loving care of PWRR, while she joined the shelter as the smallest pet waiting for adoption. Since we seldom receive small pets, we seldom hear from people who are interested in adopting bunnies, guinea pigs, rats, or other fun-sized friends. Needless to say, it took some time before Sunday was able to find her match and leave the shelter for a home of her own.

Coming from the outdoors, Sunday was pretty unsure of human companionship. She would get curious enough to step out of her hidey-hole and look around, but the second she saw somebody approach, she would retreat back to the safety of her hiding spot. Getting Sunday to come out of her shell was a slow and steady process that was truly only possible because of our shelter volunteers. The most helpful thing for her was simply being read to! Over the course of several weeks, our volunteers spent hours reading to Sunday, helping her adjust to the sound of people talking. The difference was becoming clearer everyday. She would stay out of her hidey-hole for just a few minutes longer than the day prior, and seemed more interested in her surroundings. A big push came for Sunday when our small animal room had to be converted into a quarantine area. This moved Sunday into our main lobby, which has much more foot traffic than her previous spot! This exposed Sunday to countless more people, and did so much for strengthening her confidence around humans.

Sunday found her forever home in early August. It may have taken nearly two months for her to be adopted, but Sunday is now living her best life with an owner who loves her to pieces. We are so happy for both Sunday and her adopter! Please enjoy these photos of Sunday during her stay at HSoP. She had the cutest ears around!

August 2024

Porsche Club Donation Drive

For the second year in a row, our organization was blessed with support by the Inland Northwest Region of the Porsche Club of America (INWR PCA). They organized a hugely successful car meet up and donation drive for HSoP last year, and wanted to repeat their good deed this August! With the help of a generous discount from Petco, INWR PCA members and local car enthusiasts alike met in the Petco parking lot to appreciate each other's vehicles, meet some road-savvy four-legged friends, and make a substantial difference for local pets in need. They met the morning of Saturday, August 5th, and curated a mountain of donations within just two hours. Take a look below at all of the donation items they delivered! There was too much to even fit in a single photo.

We are so incredibly grateful to Mike McCullough, who organized the donation drive, and everyone who took time out of their day to celebrate cars and create better futures for local pets in need. Their donations have already made a huge difference! We would also like to thank our good friends at Petco, for once again providing a discount for the event, making even more donations possible for HSoP. Our community seriously rocks!

Spence Hardware Adoption Event

We always have adoptable pets available for visits at the shelter, but it's a rare treat when our pets get to meet people outside of HSoP. One of these special moments came in early August, when Spence Hardware & Supply invited us to host an adoption event during their Customer Appreciation Day festivities. They had great deals, yummy food, and even a dunk tank for customers to enjoy, with all proceeds benefitting the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department! Typically, we're limited to bringing adult cats and kittens along for off-site adoption events. Safety is the main reason for this, as new surroundings can be very stressful for shelter dogs and cause them to act out of character. This time was different... we were able to bring a lovely German Shepherd!

Orbit was a wonderful female German Shepherd who arrived in our care as a stray. She had an out-of-this world personality, with an heir of gentleness at the forefront. At around 6 years old, Orbit was a calm and relaxed lady who was simply looking for a comfy home. We've met plenty of German Shepherds in our line of work, and Orbit takes the cake for being the most easy-going of them all! When considering pets who could join us at the adoption event, Orbit was an easy "yes". She was accompanied by a less-than-enthusiastic adult cat, who decided it was best to let Orbit steal the show.

Over the course of two hours, we watched Orbit display some impressive manners. She met dozens of new people in the store, but was great about letting them approach her from the comfort of her bed. She adjusted to the unique environment rather quickly! There were even a few canine visitors who stopped by the store, and Orbit made no fuss about seeing the other dogs. Instead, Orbit showed a strong affinity for small human friends during her visit. She seemed infatuated with babies and toddlers, and was so happy when they stopped by to say hello! Her gentle demeanor was on full display when meeting the little ones. Despite Orbit catching the attention of several visitors, there were no applications submitted during the adoption event. That wasn't the case for long!

The HSoP dog kennels opened for general viewing at 2:00pm that day, just a few hours after the end of Orbit's visit. As soon as we opened, a family stopped by who had spent time getting to know her at the Spence Hardware event. It turns out, after talking it over, they absolutely loved Orbit and needed her in their lives! The family proceeded to apply for adoption, and after a successful meet and greet with their existing dog, she was able to go home with her people.

We are so grateful to Spence Hardware for inviting our pets to join their Customer Appreciation Day celebration. With their help, Orbit was able to show off her amazing personality and capture the attention of her new family where they least expected her. Thank you to Spence Hardware and Supply for making her heartwarming adoption story possible! She is now enjoying her second chance at life, surrounded by all the love that a good girl like Orbit truly deserves.

CatVideoFest at the Kenworthy

One of the events that we look forward to each year is CatVideoFest at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre. If you aren't already familiar, you're about to look forward to it, too! CatVideoFest is a compilation of funny cat videos, artfully curated from thousands of submissions. It's a celebration of all things feline and it even helps cats in need.

This year, the Kenworthy had two showings. It was a full house both nights! Our local feline fanatics came out in full force, with some amazingly cat-like outfits in the mix. The event raised $342 for HSoP through ticket sales alone, with an additional $158 being donated in the lobby. Thank you to the Kenworthy and to every single person who took time out of their day to watch the show and support our cause. We are so grateful for you!

Be sure to keep an eye out for CatVideofest next summer. We'll see you there!

Oleander's Journey to a New Life

*WARNING* This story includes photos of a severely malnourished dog, which may be disturbing to some readers. These photos were taken prior to Oleander's recovery.

Way back in April, a dangerously malnourished dog was found on the side of the road between Moscow and Troy. He was quickly taken to HSoP for care. Upon intake, the adult mastiff mix weighed just 42lbs. He was a big dog, but couldn't stand up straight or even hold his head up properly without assistance. Given the shocking condition he was found in, we truly feel that he was brought here just in time. He had such little muscle and body fat that he struggled to keep warm in the dog kennels. As a result, Oleander was decked out in fashionable sweaters for the first few weeks of his stay. Below are some photos of Oleander from the day he arrived in our care.

Oleander was taken to see a vet right away, and was placed on a regimen of several small meals per day. The reason for these small and frequent meals was to help his body adjust to the correct amount of food, after having gone so long without. The stomach can shrink when deprived of adequate food, so these small and frequent meals were helping Oleander's stomach expand back to normal at a safe rate. He began to perk up with these consistent feedings, and within a few short weeks, he started to show the weight gain we were looking for. Oleander spent the next few months truly coming back to life, both through body and soul.

By the time August rolled around, Oleander was over four months into his recovery and nearly ready for adoption. He continued packing on the healthy weight until he reached a reasonable 80lbs. This is nearly twice the weight he was when he arrived at HSoP, but is still on the lean side for his breed. Oleander is now a healthy boy with room to grow as he becomes even stronger! By the end of his recovery, Oleander enjoyed going on long walks and showed a true knack for exploration. He was adopted in late August by a person who had been following his story since the very beginning. Unfortunately, after six weeks, Oleander returned to HSoP. He had shown some aggression in the home which hadn't been present at the shelter, so now he's looking for a new home that can help him work through this.

Given his unknown but likely unfortunate background, we aren't surprised that Oleander will need additional training. He has overcome so much in the time we've known him, and now he needs the guidance to grow into an amazing dog and make the most out of his second chance in life. Oleander is still at HSoP, waiting to find his new best friend. If you think that you can give him the attention, structure, and love that he needs to thrive, we encourage you to come and meet Oleander in person! He's an incredibly happy and talkative guy who loves making new friends. As with any adoption, Oleander will have to meet any dogs in the home before leaving HSoP.

Thank you to our amazing donors who made Oleander's recovery possible! Enjoy some photos of this lovely guy enjoying life post-recovery.

Clear The Shelters

Every year toward the end of August, HSoP participates in a nationwide pet adoption campaign called Clear The Shelters. The purpose of this campaign is to highlight shelter pets and promote pet adoption, in an effort to open up kennel space for other pets in need. We were able to offer several discounted and waived adoption fees as part of Clear The Shelters this year, and we are so grateful to our sponsors for making those adoptions possible! By the end of the week-long adoption event, we saw four dogs and five cats adopted into loving homes with the help of sponsored adoption fees. Thank you to Moscow Realty, O'Brien Real Estate, and A-Team Home Loans for helping our adoptable pets find the homes they'd been waiting for. We would also like to thank community members Linda and Nancy for sponsoring a cat adoption, and HSoP board member Nate Sletteland, for sponsoring several adoptions in honor of the late Squeaky the Cat.

September 2024

Howling at Hamilton

Have you ever seen hundreds of dogs running loose in a waterpark? Howling at Hamilton is your yearly opportunity to watch this beautiful canine celebration, all while supporting your local humane society. Beginning in 2008, Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center has welcomed well-deserving dogs to enjoy everything the park has to offer on its last day of operation before being drained and prepared for winter. The result is a dogs-only pool party, chock full of jumping, swimming, fetching, and friend-making!

This year's Howling at Hamilton took place on Sunday, September 8th. When our staff and volunteers arrived at the pool, we were informed that the air quality was below the standards of operation for HLAC. The pool staff was gracious enough to let us continue the event, with the caveat that it would end early if the air quality did not improve within a few hours. We shared updates with our supporters through Facebook as best we could as the timeline became more clear. Despite our high hopes, the air quality only worsened, and the event was forced to end at 3:00pm following the earlier-than-usual pool jumping contest. We still saw some impressive leaps from those athlete dogs who made it! Notably, Honey the Wirehaired Vizla took home the gold and placed top three for the third year in a row. Thank you to Idaho Central Credit Union for donating some amazing prize baskets for our winning dogs, and thank you to BarkBox for making our first-place prize that much sweeter!

While we would have loved a full five hours of tail-wagging fun, we are incredibly grateful to HLAC for allowing the event to go on for as long as it could. We are also so thankful for those who were able to make it to the pool in time! Last year, around 340 dogs came to the pool over the course of five hours. This year, we saw an incredible turnout of 244 dogs in just half that time! Despite a much shorter than average event, we're grateful to share that Howling at Hamilton successfully raised over $3,600 for HSoP and the pets we serve. Thank you to everyone who made this success possible despite the complications!

Enjoy some of our favorite photos from the event below. These photos were captured by Ryan Beery of Safe Sax Photography, who graciously volunteered his time and talent to ensure the event was captured in its best light. Thank you Ryan! If you would like to view the whole Howling at Hamilton album, please follow this link. All photos are available to download for free at web-resolution, which is perfect for all your social media needs. You also have the option to purchase high-resolution images for a small cost, which are great for any prints you may want.

Kaya's Happy Homecoming

If you've viewed our adoptable pets over the last few years, chances are that you saw a beautiful Alaskan Malamute mix named Kaya. This beloved senior lady was our longest-staying adoptable pet for quite some time, as she was looking for a very specific home that could meet her needs and endure her diva-like attitude.

Not only did Kaya bring a specific set of needs to the table, she also had a strong case of Malamute stubbornness and opted for a "my way or the highway approach" in most scenarios. She had a strong nose and a belief that sharing is caring, so she would jump at the opportunity to counter surf and eat unsuspecting lunches. Needless to say, Kaya was a special dog looking for an equally special adopter to give her the comfy golden years she truly deserved.

Kaya amassed quite the social circle at HSoP, with daily visits from volunteers and familiar faces who would stop by regularly just to see her. She loved going on walks with volunteers, even though her arthritis called for shorter outings. We have heard from dozens of people who loved Kaya to pieces and expressed how badly they wished they could take her home. The issue was that all of these people were true animal lovers and already had pets at home, which didn't work for what Kaya needed. This meant months of waiting at a time, with just a few brief adoptions in between. It was no surprise that Kaya had trouble acclimating in a home environment, given the years that she had spent within the shelter walls.

One of the people who came to the shelter regularly had taken a special interest in Kaya, and made sure to walk her every time he visited. The two seemed to grow closer with each visit, and the adopter asked all the right questions to know the reality of what adopting Kaya would entail. He expressed his clear interest in adopting Kaya, and began the formal process to bring her home.

She captured the hearts of visitors, volunteers, and staff during her stay with us, but a home is where Kaya truly belongs. Our hope is that she can now have the best years of her life! If there's one thing about Kaya, that girl loves her treats. It's safe to say she'll be getting plenty of treats - and love - in the home she has now.

Thank you to our supporters who have given Kaya the opportunities and time needed to find her happy ending. Without your dedicated support, we would not be able to maintain our status as a no-kill shelter or make second chances a reality for dogs like Kaya. Thank you for ensuring that every pet in Latah County can have a warm bed, full belly, and safe shelter, even if they don't have a family of their own. We are incredibly grateful to see Kaya in her new home, and can't wait to hear more updates as she continues to settle in! A huge round of applause goes out to her adopter for seeing Kaya's needs, accepting them, and loving her in spite of them. We hope you two are having the best time ever!

Sting's Search for a Perfect Match

When pets are adopted and leave the shelter for their new homes, we always hope that it will be a forever home - a perfect match on the first try. The reality is that it's not always a perfect fit on the first try, and sometimes it takes several adoptions before pets find the home that is truly their forever home. Sting is one of those pets who, despite being adopted more than twice, is still searching for his match at HSoP.

Sting came to HSoP as a stray on May 2nd and was not claimed during his stray holding period. He was then neutered and soon adopted into a home with another male dog. The two seemed to get along during their meet and greet at HSoP, but in the home, they were simply not seeing eye to eye. Sting returned to the shelter a few weeks later in search of a new home, ideally one with no other dogs. Following this adoption, Sting spent another two and a half months waiting to catch someone's attention. At the end of August, during our Clear the Shelters adoption event, Sting did just that and was able to go home with a new family.

He was only at the shelter for a few days before being adopted again. This time, he seemed to be doing really well! Sting was away from the shelter and in his third home for around two weeks before returning to HSoP through no fault of his own. The family reported that he was excelling in the home and already showing improvements with his separation anxiety and potty training. This was encouraging to hear, as it showed that Sting can successfully make progress through patience and a consistent routine.

Though these adoptions didn't work out in the long run, they still taught us more about Sting and what he needs in a future home. Sting's experience in his first home taught us that he would likely do best as an only dog. His experience in the second home showed us that he needs an owner with the time, knowledge, and willingness to help Sting learn and grow past his struggles. His experience in the third home showed us that Sting can respond well to training efforts! This gives us more information to share with future adopters, so they're better prepared to help Sting thrive.

Sting is a loyal dog who turns into a total softy when he isn't running and jumping around. He knows how to sit on command (especially for treats!) and formal training could act as a great outlet for him to focus his energy in a positive way. Though he has some challenges to overcome, Sting is just over a year old and absolutely full of potential. He just needs a home that can provide him the training, love, enrichment, and socialization needed to grow past his obstacles and become the incredible dog we know he can be.

Sting is currently at HSoP, searching for the home that will truly be his forever home. He's completely ready for adoption and would love to have some visitors! If you would like to meet Sting and see if he's a good fit for you (or even just meet the happy guy), you're welcome to visit him at HSoP between 2-5pm Monday through Saturday. Walk-in visits are welcome! We all love Sting so much, but we know that he'll have the chance to truly thrive in the right home. Enjoy some more photos of the big guy down below!

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!

Half-Priced Pet ID - Entire month of October

Our 1/2 price pet ID special is back! For the entire month of October, you can create a custom pet name tag for $6 and have your pet equipped with lifelong microchip ID for just $15 at HSoP. Microchips are offered by appointment only, so please give us a call at (208) 883-1166 to get on the schedule. Name tags are always available during open hours, between 2:00-6:00pm Monday through Saturday. Pet ID is crucial in reuniting lost pets with their families. Don't wait to take advantage of this special offer!

Wine Raffle Fundraiser - October 15th - October 25th, winners drawn on 25th

Last year, our second annual wine raffle generated over $2,600 for HSoP. We're excited to host our third annual wine raffle this month! Donors include Dutton-Goldfield, Vine Moscow, Lindsay Creek Vineyards, Rivaura Estate Vineyards, and our board president Karen Den Braven, who graciously donated some extra special wine from Colter's Creek. Tickets will be sold online, and there will be several prizes up for grabs! Stay tuned for more information.

Veterans Adopt Free - Monday, November 11th through Saturday, November 16th

To honor our nation's veterans and their sacrifices, HSoP will be offering waived pet adoption fees for prior and active duty service members beginning Monday, November 11th until Saturday, November 16th from 2:00-6:00pm. All you have to do is show valid military ID to take your new best friend home completely free of charge.

Pet Pictures with Santa - Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th

Santa is coming to Moscow once again! Each year, Santa helps us raise much needed funds by taking adorable Christmas photos with local pets. We will be at the Moscow Pets Are People Too Friday, December 6th from 3:00-6:00pm and Saturday, December 7th from 11:00-4:00pm to help your pets get the purrr-fect picture with Santa. All proceeds benefit HSoP, and we hope to see you there!

HSoP animals currently available for adoption:

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