News Briefs
Willamette Humane Society urges YES vote on Ballot Measure 53
The Willamette Humane Society encourages its supporters, donors and anyone who cares about the welfare of animals to vote YES on Ballot Measure 53.
A yes vote will modify provisions governing civil forfeitures related to crimes and allow animal welfare organizations such as Willamette Humane Society to provide proper care and rehoming of seized animals immediately, rather than holding them for months or even years while the case works its way through court. Recently, Willamette Humane Society cared for a seized stallion for one full year before the case settled and the stallion could be gelded and placed in a permanent home. This is one example with one animal. Many cases involve dozens of animals in limbo. Inanimate property seized by law enforcement can be stored, but animals should not be swept up in this same poorly written law. Please vote YES and release the animals to a brighter future immediately.
SUMMARY OF BALLOT MEASURE 53
Oregon’s Constitution generally requires that property may be forfeited only if the owner is convicted of crime involving the property. Constitution currently prohibits use of proceeds for law enforcement purposes. Measure would allow civil forfeiture of property for crimes that are substantially similar to crime of conviction. Measure would permit forfeiture without conviction if the person took property with intent to defeat forfeiture, knew or should have known that the property constituted proceeds or instrumentality of criminal conduct, or acquiesced in criminal conduct. The measure requires proof by preponderance of evidence to forfeit real property. The measure provides an exemption for forfeiture of animals. The measure would allow using forfeiture proceeds for law enforcement purposes.
Share Your Adoption Story and WHS Could Win $10,000
Following the tremendous response to last year’s Second Chance for Love tour, Hill’s Science Diet is once again partnering with shelters to promote shelter pet adoption. Last year, the program helped find new homes for 931,247 cats and dogs – just short of the ambitious goal of 1 million. This year, Hill’s is determined to meet the goal and match at least 1 million pets with loving homes.
You can help more pets find homes and help WHS win great prizes (including a $10,000 cash prize) by sharing your adoption story. To enter the contest, go to hillspet.com/secondchance.
WHS Offers Bunny “Speed Dating” to Potential Adopters
“I believe there is a rabbit out there for every rabbit,” says Stacey Carter, cattery assistant and resident bunny behavior expert with the Willamette Humane Society. With that thought in mind, Willamette Humane Society (WHS) now offers a new a rabbit “matching” service to adopters considering adopting a rabbit from WHS to go along with one they already have in their home, or are interested in adopting two rabbits from WHS. By setting up 30-minute “speed dates” for rabbits, Carter can determine which rabbits might bond as a pair and co-exist happily together, helping the adopter to choose the right match.
The first step in successful rabbit bonding is to have a sense of each bunny’s personality before physically placing them together. Carter assesses each rabbit that comes into the shelter and knows their individual quirks. “If they ignore each other, then that’s actually a pretty good sign that they will potentially get along,” says Carter. If a successful match can be made, Carter will send additional materials home with adopters so they can continue to help the rabbits bond. Carter is also available to adopters for additional follow-up help and advice on a variety of bunny behaviors, including diet, exercise and overall health issues.
All rabbits must be spayed or neutered before they can be potentially matched with another rabbit. Adopters who are interested in “bunny speed dating” should call the WHS Behavior Helpline at (503) 585-5900, ext. 333, or send an email to . The most important point for an adopter to remember is to “be prepared to let the rabbit choose its own mate,” adds Carter.
Register for 2008 Camp Paw Paw
Registration for 2008 Camp Paw Paw is now open. Download the registration form and register today!
Beach Stay Benefits Spay/Neuter Clinic
Want to enjoy a stay at the Oregon Coast and help build the spay/neuter clinic at the same time? Craig and Cherie Cline, lead contributors to the WHS spay/neuter clinic, will donate the net income from each booking at their newly purchased condominium (called Sandcastles and Sunsets) to WHS’s spay/neuter clinic, when condo guests identify WHS as their chosen charity in the condo’s guestbook. The Clines will donate an additional $1000 to the spay/neuter clinic if WHS supporters collectively book twelve times in one quarter. The two-bedroom, two-bath condo is located at Pacific Winds Condominiums in Lincoln City and features a private deck with a hot tub, ocean views, two Select Comfort king size beds, stainless steel appliances, a gas fireplace, and other amenities. To book your stay, call Blue Pacific Vacation Rentals 1-877-459-3287 or visit www.bluepacificvacationrentals.com. Be sure to ask for the Sandcastles and Sunsets condo. There is a two-night minimum stay. Sorry, pets are not allowed.
Coping with Kitten Season
We all look forward to the onset of spring, but as the weather warms, it also means the beginning of “kitten season” - the time of year (roughly early spring through late fall) when cats give birth, flooding shelters like ours with an overabundance of homeless litters. Here are some ways that you can help our community cope with kitten season this year and save more lives:
- DONATE much needed items such as baby food in a jar (turkey and chicken varieties) and canned soft cat food. Items can be dropped off at 4246 Turner Rd. SE, during regular shelter hours (12 pm - 7 pm on weekdays; 12 pm - 6 pm on weekends).
- FOSTER cats or kittens until they are ready for adoption.
- SPAY or NEUTER your cat. Learn more about spay/neuter assistance programs.
- MAKE A DONATION to help us build a community spay/neuter clinic.