Tootsie needed a break. The four month old tortie mix was on the euthanasia list at the West Valley City Shelter. On December 27, 2008, she got that break and was rescued by Friends of Animals Utah. As happens with many cats coming from a stressful shelter environment, Tootsie came down with an upper respiratory infection. Most cats respond well to a course of antibiotics, but poor little Tootsie continued to go downhill. After a week, she was very, very sick. The vet put her on IV fluid therapy and force feeding. Still, the weak little kitten continued to decline. The vet’s prognosis was not good.

What no one had taken into consideration was the strong will to live the little cat had. Also on her side were the dedicated staff and volunteers at Furburbia who were desperate for this little girl to make it. There was no way she was going to be snatched away from certain death in the shelter, just to face the same outcome because of illness.

Every single day, she had to be injected with fluids and 3 to 4 times a day she had to be force fed. This time consuming process took its toll on both Tootsie and the Furburbia staff. One of FOA’s amazing volunteers, Marilyn Stephenson, came to Furburbia every day to spend the hours that it took to make sure this little girl got the treatment that she needed to survive. This went on for 10 days. Still, Tootsie was just barely hanging on to life. Finally, she took a few wobbly steps and perked up. After several more days of treatment, it was clear that she was going to make it! Off she went to foster care at Tina Blake’s kitty palace for further R&R. A much larger, healthier Tootsie returned to Furburbia several weeks later. Two days after her return, she was adopted to a great new home. Her strong will to survive and the sheer determination and willpower of staff and volunteers made for a happy outcome for this little cat who deserved a chance at life.

To help with the care of other needy animals, donate to Friends of Animals at

www.foautah.org

This beautiful 10 month old golden boy is waiting for his new family to adopt him and give him a safe loving home where he will never have to ride in the back of a truck again. Come and meet Oso today.

Furburbia is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12:00 until 6:00 PM.

Hondo was purchased as a puppy at a horse auction by a rancher from the Riverton area. Soon afterwards, his owner had a heart attack and fought two bouts of cancer. Like many herding dogs, Hondo had the run of the property but had not been trained or socialized. When his owner could no longer care for him he was left to roam the neighborhood. Considered a nuisance dog, Animal Control had plans to seize him. Had that happened, he would have had no second chance and immediately been euthanized - an “unadoptable” dog.

Lucky for Hondo a kind woman in the neighborhood offered to take him in. She was already caring for many special needs cats and had several rescued horses. Though she saved Hondo from certain death, she did not have the time to train the wild four-year old dog. Hondo ended up in a pen - a tough state of affairs for an intelligent, energetic dog. It was not a good situation and both Hondo and the woman who saved him needed it to change.

FOA became aware of Hondo’s plight and contacted a rescue in Wyoming who specialized in herding dogs, they offered to take Hondo. There was just one problem, it was an eight hour drive to get Hondo from Utah to his new home in Wyoming, not a pleasant prospect for a wild, scared dog who had never been in a car or worn a collar. Hondo needed a miracle and that came in the form of Pilots N Paws www.pilotsnpaws.org. a national group of pilots who fly rescued animals to new homes or other rescue groups. Caring people with a busy herding dog themselves, pilots Jill and Rich had come across Hondo’s plea on the website.

On a bright sunny morning last Saturday, FOA was the ground crew that transported Hondo to the Evanston, WY airport to meet Rich and Jill. These caring angels could see past the scared and snapping dog and knew how badly he needed a second chance. They transported Hondo and another herding dog whose time was up at a Utah County shelter, Ziggy (now named Bravo), to Casper, WY. In just a few short days, Hondo has responded to the specialized attention and is doing well in a foster home. Once he has settled in, he will be properly trained and ready for his new home. Both Hondo and Bravo are doing great thanks to kind people who cared enough to know that they were more than “just dogs” and deserved a second chance.

Valentine’s Day is all about love and there are all kinds of love to celebrate. There is love for your companion in life, love for your friends and the special love that a mother has for her children. Friends of Animals had the opportunity to witness that fierce and determined love when they rescued Babe last week.

A lab mix and her 10 pups had been seized by animal control near Provo, the pictures attached to the plea were heartbreaking. The five week old pups were in pretty good shape, but the poor momma dog was beyond skinny, she had been neglected and starved. It was apparent that she had used every bit of strength and energy that she had to feed and take care of her babies.

Cathy Clark, Director of Operations for Friends of Animals, went to retrieve the dogs. She had been cautioned that the momma was trying to protect her pups and might growl and be defensive. When she arrived the momma shakily got up and tried to use her last bit of strength to protect her babies, she quickly calmed down in Cathy’s presence. Somehow she knew this woman was here to help, and more importantly, help her pups.

The momma dog, now named Babe, was severely underweight and suffering. She needed rest and food. Her pups are fine, they are eating puppy food and formula and will be ready for adoption next week. Babe’s recovery will take awhile. She’ll need recovery time once the pups are gone and when she is healthy, she will be spayed and ready for a great new home where she can receive love and attention, instead of neglect and starvation. There is no question she will give all of the love that she has. She has already proven that.

Please Help The Love Stories Continue

Donate To Friends of Animals Today

www.foautah.org

Join our Facebook group

Join Friends of Animals Utah this Friday night, Jan 30th, for an exciting, beat-thumping, dance party to raise funds for the animals at Furburbia!

World-famous Harry O’s, located at 427 Main Street in Park City is the place. Doors open at 8pm with dance music from the past couple decades. Then, at 11pm renowned, globetrotting spin-meister DJ i-D will take to the decks with some of the hottest music from the international club scene.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for just $20, and all proceeds will be donated to Friends of Animals Utah. Limited VIP seating is available as well for just $35 per person. Please contact Amy Roberts: amy@friendsofanimals.net to secure your VIP seat. These are going fast, so RSVP today!

D.J. i-D performs in some of the world’s hottest clubs, including the iconic Pacha Ibiza. This is a dance party you won’t want to miss!

Amy Roberts

Summit County Friends of Animals

It’s finally happening! A safe, secure and friendly place you can take your dogs to let them play, run and socialize will soon be open.

Please join us to celebrate the new off-leash dog park this Thursday, October 2nd at 5:00 pm with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Directions below.

Dog Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 10/2/08 5pm!

The new Park City dog park is located at the southeast corner of Quinn’s recreation complex, below the National Abilities Center and ice rink.

Can you imagine taking your beloved pet to a shelter, simply because you can’t afford dog or cat food? It’s a heartbreaking decision thousands of people across the country are being forced to make everyday.

That’s why the 1st Annual Pet Food Drive was created. The goal is to help people keep their pets by making pet food available at the local food banks and pantries. Please buy an extra bag of dog or cat food the next time you head to the store.

Donation drop-off details below!

In Park City, you can drop donations at the following locations through October 18th:

Petco - Redstone Plaza, 6030 North Market St

Park City Animal Clinic - 1725 Sidewinder Drive

Silver Creek Animal Clinic - 6427 North Business Park Loop Road

More information regarding locations around the state can found at: http://www.utahpets.org

The Park City 12th Annual Barking Ball to benefit the Summit County Friends of Animals will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at the Legacy Lodge at the Park City Mountain Resort. There will be a fabulous Live and Silent Auction including incredible Caribbean/San Diego Vacations.

Tickets are available at Furburbia and iPaw and for more information, please see www.friendsofanimals.net

Calling all Kings and Queens! To the Friends of Animals Second Chance Prom on April 26th at the Newpark Resort. Nominate your favorite 2-legged Park City celebrities to be Park City royalty.

Fabulous raffle, Live DJ, Dance Contest and more promise to make a memorable evening and all the proceeds benefit the animals.

Tickets are $75, and can be purchased by calling 435.659.1164.

Greetings!

The highly anticipated 2008 FOA calendars have arrived! These adorable calendars make great holiday gifts and are now available at Furburbia (located at the Tanger Outlet Mall, directly below Mrs. Fields) for just $25 each. All proceeds benefit the animals. Pick up yours today! More…