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Upcoming Events!!
February 24th Mardi Gras Celebration in Benefit of Hillside SPCA at The Greystone Resturaunt in Pottsville.
From 6 to 10 pm, please come and have a great time in benefit of the dogs and cats!
April 19th, 2009
Northeast Pet and Breed Rescue Expo
Hamburg Fieldhouse
10 am to 4 pm.
Many vendors, and rescues will attend, from Dogs, to Cats, to Ferret rescues.
There will be activities for kids and dogs, raffles, and "My dog will eat that!" contest.
Feel free to bring your pet, on a leash, and controlled.
$3 admission.
Music
At our shelter, the dogs aren't confined to kennels, instead they are free to roam in large fenced in yards, where they can sunbathe, and be socialized with other dogs!
Here's Mandy, one of Hillside's long term residents. She was so badly abused that she only trusts us, and is afraid of all strangers. All other shelters would have put a dog like her to sleep. But she is waiting at the shelter, until her favorite shelter mom has room in her home to take Mandy too!
Good news! Mandy has gone home! After waiting at the shelter for many years, she has finally gone home with her mom and 'brother' Chester!
Movies
We make our own!
Television
Everyday at the shelter, we take long hikes up the mountain. Each walk contains about 30 dogs. We have about 4 or 5 different walks during the day. Each for a different paced dog. Some walks are fast paced, for the younger and more energetic dogs, some are slower for the old timers. But most of our dogs at Hillside, are off the leash. It's the only shelter where the dogs run back to the door, waiting to get back inside, instead of running away. Most of the dogs love it here so much, and love us so much, they never leave our sides!
Just one of the walks!!
Books
We go on many cruelty cases each day. We've had horrible cases, ranging anywhere from one case where we rescued over 80 animals from one home! Another where we got nearly 90 small dogs, from a feces filled home. We rescued 150 guinea pigs from a barn, with over 4 feet of feces, maggots, and dead guinea pigs in it. And one where we rescued a poodle named Amos, Amos was left to die in a crate with no food or water when his owners moved our of their apartment. The landlord found him just in time. He came to the shelter, was groomed, fostered until he was in better shape, then adopted! Here's before and after!
As you can see, our cruelty department is never lacking!
Heroes
Other animal rescuers and all those who work to end animal cruelty!
We are the Hillside SPCA, a no-kill animal shelter in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. We are not your typical animal shelter. We take in mostly dogs, cats, and small animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters, but we have in the past had chickens, goats, pigs, horses, cows, iguanas, fish, emus, and just about anything you can imagine. The animals here at Hillside don't have a time limit like at most shelters - they're free to stay until they find a permanent home. We've even had one dog spend 15 happy years here. No animal will be put to sleep for being here "too long".
Unlike some other "no-kill" SPCAs, at Hillside the animals are not locked in kennels all day. We have a large dog building and a small dog building, where the dogs are free to run together and play all day, as well as large yards connected to the buildings so they can go outside whenever they want. Dogs that are not good with other dogs have their own yard away from other dogs so they can lounge around outside, and they get plenty of walks during the day. At night, the dogs are put into their kennels and 'condos', special larger, quieter rooms for dogs that may need some special treatment, such as older or sick dogs.
The cats are not locked in cages all day like they are at some shelters, instead, they get to roam wherever they please in our cat building, as well as several screened in windows so they can lay outside if they want.
Our dog population is rarely under 100, and the cat population is normally between 200-300. In the past, Hillside has taken in 1,100 to 1,200 animals per year. These animals came to us from cruelty cases, as strays, and most often, released by their owners. We hear all sorts of reasons for getting rid of an animal, such as the owners are moving, they had a baby, they can't afford the animal anymore, they just don't want the animal anymore, they developed allergies, the dog barked when a stranger came to the door, the dog wouldn't stay in the electric fence, the animal got too old, the owners got a new puppy or kitten and don't want the older animal anymore, and the list could go on forever.
A huge misconception about shelter animals is that they are all at the shelter because of something they did. The truth is, most animals that come to Hillside or any SPCA are not relinquished because of behavioral issues. For the few that are, often the only reason they were given up is that the owner did not want to try to fix the problem. Rarely do we get an animal in that cannot be trained to stop whatever behavior caused it to come to us in the first place.
Hillside SPCA is a no-kill shelter, but "no-kill" does not mean "never kill", as much as we wish it did. We DO NOT put a time limit on ANY animal that comes to us, and we give every animal every possible chance at adoption or rescue. However, as we may get over 1,000 animals in one year, there are a few cases where it is unavoidable. When an animal is so sick that it cannot be helped, or it is so vicious that it cannot be placed in a home, we have no other option than to humanely euthanize it. We do not take euthanasia lightly, and use it as an absolute last resort. Training, socialization, exercise, and any other possible option is tried before we think of putting an animal to sleep, and when it must be done we all grieve for the animal as if it were one of our own.
The animals at Hillside are treated as 'one of our own'. They are never assigned a number as at some shelters. We get to know them, see what they enjoy, find their true personality, and become attached to them. As they are not locked away all day, they are with our employees at all times. We only want the best for our animals, and do our best to make sure they have it.
Our animals must be adopted as indoor only pets, they must be spayed or neutered if they are not when they are adopted, and they must be returned to our shelter if for some reason the adopter cannot keep them. All adopters must sign an adoption contract agreeing to these and other terms.
In addition to accepting and adopting out animals, we also investigate animal cruelty and provide educational programs for children both at the shelter and in schools.
Hillside SPCA runs entirely on donations. We receive no money from the government or from the sale of dog licenses. We are NOT connected with ANY other shelters, and do not receive funding from any other shelter. We often will have several fundraisers going on at any time, and are always looking for volunteers to help with them.
Hillside truly has some of the most dedicated and caring employees who will do just about anything for the animals. Our employees rarely get a 'day off'. We must be at the shelter 365 days a year. Our employees can be found chasing stray dogs at 1AM or driving 3 hours to take a dog to his new home, as well as coming up with new fundraising ideas and posting our special needs animals all over the internet. Our employees not only work cleaning up after the animals, but they are also trainers, groomers, photographers, website managers, video makers, transporters, and any other possible title you can think of. Hillside SPCA employees are not there for the money or recognition, they are simply there for the animals, and our animals know it and appreciate it.
Who I'd like to meet: More animal lovers who care just as much as we do!
Please Help!!!!
We're running very low on funds and do need donations badly. Please help us save more lives!!!
HILLSIDE SPCA FEATURED PETS
We're so full here at the shelter lately, and as I walk through the buildings every single day, I keep seeing the same faces, and keep asking myself, why don't these poor babies ever get adopted. Some have been here for months, some have been here for over a year... Please think of them, it's their turn for a home now.... They're all becoming so stressed out at the shelter, and just want out of there!
DOGS
CASHEW
Cashew is a red male Beagle mix who was turned in as a stray but we later found out that the people who brought him in were actually his owners. He appears to be about 3 years old. Shortly after he arrived we noticed that he was urinating a lot, and we took him to the vet where they discovered that he has Diabetes Insipidus. He is now on Chlorothiazide pills, which he gets twice a day. The pills are not expensive and he takes them easily in cheese, hot dogs, or cat food. Although he is doing much better now, it is very hard to control his diabetes at the shelter and he really needs a home where someone can keep a much closer eye on him to see if he needs a change in dosage or anything else, as well as a more controlled and appropriate diet - we feed what we get donated and it is very difficult for a dog such as Cashew to get the right type and amount of food. Cashew is such a sweetheart though and he just loves people. He is so grateful for any attention and gets so happy when someone talks to him or pets him. He gets along with the other dogs, and is already neutered. He would do best in a home with no young children. Cashew has been at the shelter almost a year now, and we would really love to see him go home soon!
Duke Sweet, laid back, senior, seeks loving companion. Likes long walks, long sweet conversations, cuddling, tasty food, and lots of rawhide bones. A warm bed is a plus! Duke needs a home asap. He was brought to the Hillside SPCA about 3 months ago, because his owner was going to a nursing home. He was an outside dog, who spent his life on a chain. He just craves attention, he wants to be at your side all of the time. He's really such a loving boy. Duke is looking for an indoor home where he can share your couch, or a nice bed on the floor would suit him just fine. Duke has become very stressed at the shelter and really needs a home!
He is a beautiful boy, he is black and white, and is said to be a Lab/Dalmatian Mix. Duke is also neutered. He walks great on leash, and would probably listen well off leash, he knows how to sit too! He's just another sad story. He would be best off in a home with only female dogs, he does not like all male dogs. Duke is neutered and is looking for a fur-ever home. He loves people and would be fine with children!
Sasha Sasha is a sweet senior Cattle Dog/Husky Mix. She spent her whole life outside on a chain. Her owner was going to shoot her when she "got old enough". Lucky for Sasha, we got there before that happened! She is a real sweetheart, she loves people, and kids, and is good with other dogs. Sasha does have a thyroid condition that requires medication, she also has a skin condition that she needs prednisone for, but if she is on the right diet after she is adopted, she may not need the prednisone anymore. Sasha is just a wonderful dog, she's very loyal, and will stay off the leash.
Polly Polly had to have a total ear oblation, making her deaf. Her ears were so infected that the only way to help her feel comfortable was to remove her ear canal. The other ear was removed totally due to the infection and an old hematoma that was never taken care of. We would love for Polly to get a new home as soon as possible.Polly is an eight year old spayed German shepherd. She is good w/ people and other dogs, at the shelter. She would do best in a home with no other dogs. Polly would love a home to call her own since she is getting up in age.
CATS
Mikey Poor Mikey must have been tossed in our dog yard at night because the dogs found him up a tree the next morning. A couple of my coworkers and I rushed up there, put the dogs back in, and began trying to get him out of the tree, eventually he fell out, I caught him, and we rushed him down into the cat room. I still don't know how he survived, being that this wasn't a recent event, this happened two winters ago, and Mikey is still at the shelter, after freezing over night in a tree, he's still waiting for a home... The poor guy.. Tossed to die in a dog yard, terrified up a tree, and then spending 2 years at a shelter. Please adopt Mikey today.
Frankie Frankie was taking on a recheck of a cruelty case that we took about 20 cats from the year before. He was kept in an outdoor cage. So we took him, at first Frankie was not a happy camper about being inside at the shelter. But since he's become a lovable and happy boy, enjoying the many blankets he can choose from to lay on.
Creeper Creeper came in with a sister and brother because the children in the home were torturing them. Since her drop off at the shelter over 2 years ago, her sister and brother have been adopted. She's still waiting for a home. She's a beautiful girl, who just wants to take long naps on her cat trees.
Jessie Jessie has been at the shelter for over 2 years now. She's a real sweetheart, who loves the water. She sits by the kitchen sink, and loves to help with the dishes!
SMALL ANIMALS
Camille Camille came to the shelter because her owner no longer wanted her, she's been with us for months now, she is a pretty calm bunny, who is pleasant and friendly to handle. She is a large white New Zealand rabbit.
Please stop by our tent at the Summer Fun Festival and Pet Rescue Fair on Saturday, July 18, 2009 from 10AM to 3PM (Hatboro Baptist Church, 32 N. York Road, Hatboro, PA 19040)
Wishing you a beautiful day my friend! Just letting you know that I am going on vacation shortly and that I will be back in about four weeks time. Looking forward to catching up with you when I return. Take care. Best wishes, Tracy XO
MyHotComments My Dearest Friend & Sister.. With Respect I Thank You so much for being my friend.. I look forward to our friendship.. and because I value and appreciate genuine friendship.. know that I am always here for you and your loved ones.. to talk.. for prayer.. for whatever help I can be.. and please know that from now on.. you and your loved ones will be continually before my eyes.. in being on my mind.. and in my heart and prayers.. as Jesus enables me this.. and in Jesus' Name.. let you and your loved ones be blessed to overflowing so that all your needs are met and more.. be kept healthy and happy.. be enabled enduring peace of mind and heart.. be genuinely loved.. be free from all fear and worry.. be favored by all and successful in all you do.. see all your hopes & good dreams come true in becoming the everyday realities of your lives.. and be aggressively protected and sheltered from all harm and injury.. every moment of every day..always.. my love & a hug.. Lynn.. Take Care My Dearest Friend & Sister..
So glad you could join us: I have a grandson Garrett who is also autistic and eight! He is one of the reasons my daughter has put this program together! I am proud to say we have come along way this last year where the lines of communication are open and he is actually talking in sentences and reads well. My daughter has really pushed getting him into every program, she even quit her job so here we are with a wonderful new program that is a win-win for everyone!
Thanks so much for your support! My daughter has just opened this new business and it rocks! Central Valley Therapuetic Center is a non-profit equine assisted therapy center for the disabled!
We are located at 4026 E. Shepherd, Clovis, Ca. 93619
If you would like to help sponsor a child, adult, horse, or find out about lessons please contact me via e-mail and I will be happy to answer any question's or you can call my daughter Rhiannon at 559-355-8737. If you would like to volunteer to help with a fund raiser, or make a donation that would be awesome! Have a fantastic week! Thanks a million!
We have a new guestbook, please come and sign it! On the cover of our guestbook is a painting and the girl with the long auburn hair next to the diabled student on the horse is my daughter! The young girl in the picture above is my youngest daughter!
Welcome to our circle of friends, CVTC/Coleen and Rhiannon
Hello new friend and thanks for the addy!! I like to make online friends that I have something in common with.........the welfare of ALL animals & the Earth!! Peace & Pit Bulls, Kimberley & furbabies Dharma,Whisper,May Bull,Cooper,Zoom,Copper & Ratatatat (the rat)........R.I.P. Mia My Rottie!!~~SPAY & NEUTER!!~~ADOPT DON'T BREED OR BUY!!~~BOYCOTT PUPPY MILLS!!~~NO ANIMAL TESTING!!~~STOP ANIMAL KILLINGS BY GASSING OR HEART STICKING!!~~EAT ORGANIC!!~~TAX MEAT!!~~SUPPORT ANIMAL RESCUES!!~~STOP BSL!!!!!!!!!!