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New Programs, Events and Information

The Maryland SPCA always has new programs, events and information to share with you. You can catch up on what’s going on through our quarterly newsletter Animal Talk, local news coverage and recent press releases. You also can receive monthly e-news updates about the SPCA and timely animal information by enrolling in our e-mail updates. Some of our most recent news is presented below.

• Maryland SPCA 2009 Accomplishments
• Baltimore Magazine's Single in Smalltimore Party
• Ebay Give Team Provides Grant for Gurney
• Presents for Pets
• Orioles MD SPCA 2010 Pet Calendar
• Animal Wellness Days
• Kibble Connection
• The Baltimore 500: A Race to Save Lives
• MD SPCA Statement on Violence Toward Animals
• The Maryland SPCA: 140 Years of Caring Exhibit

 

Maryland SPCA 2009 Accomplishments

2009 was a busy year at the Maryland SPCA. We saved the lives of thousands of animals and assisted thousands of people, in keeping with our mission to improve the lives of pets and people in the community by fostering healthy animal-human relationships. We accomplished more as demands grew because of the tough economy. We couldn't have done this without our hard-working staff, dedicated volunteers and generous donors. Here are key highlights from 2009:

• We spayed and neutered more than 9,000 animals. Spay/neuter is a critical strategy to reduce the unwanted pet population.
• We adopted out more than 3,000 animals into good homes. The average time it takes an animal in our adoption program to find a new home is less than a week, although there is no time limit.
  Every healthy pet found a home. Animals in our adoption program remain in the program until adopted, reclaimed or sent to rescue.
• We transported more than 2,000 animals from area shelters to the MD SPCA. Our transport program gives animals at overcrowded shelters a greater chance to find a new home.
• We placed over 500 animals in our foster care program. Foster care helps save the lives of animals who are not yet developmentally, socially and/or physically ready for our adoption program.
• We began holding Wellness Days, offering low-cost pet wellness care to the public. Basic exams, vaccinations, routine tests and treatments are available at low cost to help pets stay healthy.

Thank you to everyone who helped make 2009 a successful year!

 

Baltimore Magazine's Single in Smalltimore Party

Don't miss Baltimore Magazine's Single in Smalltimore Party on Wednesday, February 10, from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. Mix and mingle with sexy singles, including Baltimore magazine's very own "Top Singles" as featured in the 2010 February issue. Enjoy tempting cocktails and sumptuous fare from Mt. Washington Tavern's all-new menu. You never know, Cupid may strike his bow. The party will feature hors d’oeuvres, open bar, entertainment, gift bags and much more! Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Maryland SPCA.

 

eBay Give Team Provides Grant for Gurney

On December 31, 2009, the Maryland SPCA received a grant from eBay of $3,750 to purchase the Premier Mobile Lift Table and Scale (a large gurney and scale) to help carry, weigh and transport large dogs comfortably within our facility. The gurney will allow Maryland SPCA staff to keep large dogs comfortable and safe while they are with us, as well as keep our staff safe from the risks associated with carrying large dogs. Pictured left to right are Mohan Ramappa, Medical & Surgical Administrator; Charis Yousefian, Development Coordinator; Ebay Give Team members Amy Horton, Howard Kramen, Mia Ellis and Sara Thomas; and David M. Drake, Director of Development & Marketing.

To expand its grantmaking globally, eBay Foundation formed GIVE Teams, employee committees responsible for assessing local needs and recommending nonprofits/NGOs that eBay Foundation should support with grants. GIVE Teams also support volunteerism by promoting local volunteer opportunities.

 

Presents for Pets

We collected toys for the cats and dogs in our adoption center throughout the month of December. The goal was to fill an entire dog run in our adoption center with toys and treats by the end of the drive. Thanks to our generous donors, we succeeded!

Providing toys for the animals is more than a nice touch. Having toys and treats in the shelter environment helps socialize pets, reduces stress and improves health. The toys made the holidays brighter for the animals in our adoption center and will entertain homeless pets in the new year.

Although we have special promotions to appeal for donations at the end of the year, we gladly accept and need donated items throughout the year. Please see our wish list for ideas.

 

Orioles MD SPCA 2010 Pet Calendar

Don't miss the Orioles 2010 Pet Calendar! This 15-month calendar begins with September 2009. It is for sale at the MD SPCA, Camden Yards, local Petco stores and online. The calendar features Orioles players with their own pets as well as MD SPCA dogs and costs $15.90 ($15 plus MD tax). Proceeds benefit the MD SPCA.

The MD SPCA is grateful to the Baltimore Orioles organization and players, the Orioles Wives and Petco for their support of the Orioles 2010 Pet Calendar. We especially thank Tara Northcutt, Matt Albers' fiancée, for spearheading the project.

 

 

Animal Wellness Days

The Maryland SPCA now offers the Canine Influenza Virus Vaccine at our Wellness Days Clinic!

The Maryland SPCA is offering Wellness Days every Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. by appointment only. Basic exams, vaccinations (core vaccines), routine tests (heartworm, FeLV/FIV), deworming, flea treatment, anal gland expressing, nail trimming and ear cleaning are available at low prices. Combo packages also are available. Wellness-centered veterinary care means a pet will live longer and the family will have better companion experience. To make an appointment for your pet or to get more information, email wellnessclinic@mdspca.org or call 410-235-8826, ext. 122.

Pre-Vaccine Exam	$20	Booster Exam	$10
Rabies	$12	FVRCP	$12
Deworm	$10	FeLV Vaccine	$15
Ear Cleaning	$10	FeLV Test	$15
Fecal Test	$10	FeLV/FIV Test	$25
Nail Trim	$10	DA2PPv	$12
Anal Gland Expression for Dogs	$10	DHLPP	$15
Microchip	$25	Bordetella	$15
Flea and Heartworm Preventatives	$10-$15	Lyme Vaccine	$20
Canine Influenza Vaccine (must receive 2 vaccinations 3 weeks apart)	$18	Heartworm Test	$15
Parvo Test	$30

 

Kibble Connection

The Maryland SPCA now operates Kibble Connection, a program to collect donated pet food and kitty litter for Meals on Wheels to deliver to local homebound clients with pets. In these hard economic times, some Meals on Wheels clients are sharing their meals with their pets and not getting enough to eat. Kibble Connection helps ensure that Meals on Wheels clients and their pets maintain good nutrition. WBAL featured Kibble Connection in a newscast.

For Kibble Connection, the Maryland SPCA accepts pet food and kitty litter in unopened containers or bags weighing 20 pounds or less. Please bring donations to our adoption center during business hours. For more information, contact Ian at 410-235-8826, ext. 107.

 

 

Hooray! The Baltimore 500: A Race to Save Lives was a Success!

Animal shelters are often overcrowded with cats and kittens during the month of June. To save the lives of these animals, the Maryland SPCA, Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter and Baltimore Humane Society—all members of the Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance (BAWA)—waived their adoption fees for cats and kittens during the month of June. Regular adoption procedures applied.

573!

The goal was to adopt out 500 cats and kittens in June 2009. We exceeded our goal. BAWA members adopted out a total of 573 cats and kittens. (In June of 2008, BAWA members adopted out 353 cats and kittens.) Thank you to everyone who participated and made The Baltimore 500: A Race to Save Lives a success.

Visit the Baltimore 500 web page and check out our Baltimore 500 video.

 

MD SPCA Statement on Violence Toward Animals

Sadly, there have been some recent cases of horrible violence against animals in our community.

There is a link between animal abuse and violence toward people.

Violence in a community should not be tolerated, period. No one wants any kind of violence in his neighborhood. We must care about our whole community and what happens to all of our citizens.

The Maryland SPCA has supported rewards to convict the perpetrators of these awful crimes. And, these are, indeed, crimes. Animal cruelty is a felony in Maryland. Because animal abusers often escalate their crimes to humans over time, taking this crime seriously is important for the entire community. If you know about abuse in your community, call 911. Get involved in your community. Baltimore police are here to keep us all safe. Support proper resources for our police and animal control officers by sending this letter to the Mayor.

‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’ Gandhi

 

The Maryland SPCA: 140 Years of Caring Exhibit

We held an exhibit at the Maryland Historical Society from April 1 through June 21. The exhibit, The Maryland SPCA: 140 Years of Caring, highlighted the history of our organization and was sponsored by Bravo Health. A special "Wine & Wag" reception for the exhibit took place on Friday, May 8, 2009 at the Maryland Historical Society. The reception featured a tour of the exhibit, a full bar with wines and hors d’oeuvres and adoptable SPCA dogs. A few photos from the event are below. A Maryland SPCA water fountain for Baltimore City work horses is pictured to the right.