Category: TASP Blog

Petapalooza

Petapalooza at Curtis Lumber was another great opportunity for our adoptables to get a little lovin’ from animal lovers coming from all over the area. Now we’re processing the great applications we took in to see who will be giving their homes and hearts to Maisie, Playboy, Duncan, Ben and Coco. We should be posting some really joyful happy beginnings photos here soon so stay tuned!

Wayne & Playboy

Thanks, Steve Caporizzo, Pet Connection and Curtis Lumber for opening doors and hearts for so many deserving animals!

July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In Adoptable Animals, TASP Blog Comments Off on Petapalooza

9th Annual Pet Connection Pins for Pets Bowling Event – 2020 Event Postponed!

THANKS to all of you who came out to support local animal rescues (including TASP) at the 9th Annual Pet Connection Pins for Pets Bowling Event at Spare Time Family Fun Center on May 3, 2019. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has prevented this year’s Pins for Pets event until further notice. But stay tuned for updates!

July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In Fundraisers, TASP Blog Comments Off on 9th Annual Pet Connection Pins for Pets Bowling Event – 2020 Event Postponed!

Thanks to the wonderful runners who ran the Mohawk-Hudson River Marathon and Half Marathon for TASP!

The Mohawk-Hudson Marathon and Half Marathon on OCTOBER 13 was SO AWESOME! Perfect running weather, great volunteers and incredible runners from all over the region converged on the Capital District to help TASP and other deserving charities earn much-needed funds through the Marathon Committee’s Charity Program.

TASP auctioned off Half-Marathon bibs to runners who value the year-round work The Animal Support Project performs, supporting animals and their owners through tough times.  And, as in past years, TASP volunteers from all over the region hit the streets of Watervliet to help marshal the event.

With demand for our services growing exponentially and more requests than ever before coming in to our help desk 24-7, TASP spends boo-koo dollars keeping Capital District pets safe and healthy. Fundraising events like this are the gasoline in the TASP engine that keeps our motor chugging along, keeping pets safe and healthy with their families, where they belong. There’s really no other organization like ours in this region!

Thanks to all our devoted runners for pounding the pavement for TASP and to all of you who took time out from your busy Columbus Day weekend to make sure the runners had safe direction through the tricky intersections throughout the course. And, BTW, let’s not forget the wonderful officers from the Watervliet Police Department who helped us maintain a clear safe path for all concerned. Now it’s time to soak our feet and think about next year! 😉

July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In TASP Blog Comments Off on Thanks to the wonderful runners who ran the Mohawk-Hudson River Marathon and Half Marathon for TASP!

Sheeba and Dan

It’s been several months since US Army Veteran, Dan, and his loyal companion, Sheeba, were faced with not being able to pay for Sheeba’s surgery. Take a look at the video below to see how things are going now.

……. and for the back-story, take a look at this video.
Thanks for caring!

July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In TASP Blog Comments Off on Sheeba and Dan

An Act of Dog – Museum of Compassion

The Animal Support Project is honored to be one of the beneficiaries of ‘An Act of Dog – Museum of Compassion’ Rescue Rewards program.

Artist Mark Barone, in an effort to raise awareness to the fate of so many of our nation’s shelter animals, has created a stunning collection of 5,500 portraits of shelter dogs, illustrating the approximate number destroyed in shelters, every day. Just seeing one day’s worth of faces from the ranks of the innocent animals who are euthanized daily is both eye-opening and inspirational.

The “Rescue Rewards” program, is designed to generate money from the creation of beautiful art, using the 5,500 images, and giving back to rescue groups, shelters and animal welfare organizations. 100% of the proceeds raised from the Rescue Rewards program provides immediate assistance to help save as many lives as possible.

You can start saving lives today, because every product that you buy, saves a dog or cat’s life. Please visit the website. Consider not only for yourself, but perhaps your family and friends who would appreciate having one of Mark’s beautiful nightlights or artwork for a special gift.

Face it – Feel it – Fix it. Thanks for caring!

July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In TASP Blog Comments Off on An Act of Dog – Museum of Compassion

Casey’s update… 1 week after surgery…

 Casey and her family needed help and TASP responded! Tax-deductible donations can be made through Razoo or PayPal. Please scroll down to the donation buttons on the left side of this page. Thanks for caring!

July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In Fundraisers, TASP Blog Comments Off on Casey’s update… 1 week after surgery…

The Pollination Project

thank you

The Animal Support Project would like to say a sincere THANK YOU to The Pollination Project for the generous grant we were just awarded. The wonderful people at The Pollination Project understand how important our Fantasy Pet Photo fundraisers are for bringing in the cash we need for helping the animals in our community. They granted us enough money to buy a new laptop computer, software and supplies. Now we won’t have to worry about our old equipment breaking down!

http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/patricia-watt-the-animal-support-project/
July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In Fundraisers, TASP Blog Comments Off on The Pollination Project

Update on Brooke

Hey, Everyone! This Cinderella Has Found Her Prince Charming!

Hey, everybody! It’s me, Brooke again. Know what? You won’t believe this, but when I was hanging out at the recent Pet Connection Adoptathon at the Van Patten Golf Club, showing off my long down-stays in front of all the cats,  the dreamiest guy walked up and started asking questions about what kind of dog he should adopt. He said he wanted a special dog who would be his forever companion. He wanted a dog who could be happy living in an apartment; someone who was trained, clean and quiet in the home, well mannered and not a chewer….. Do we know anyone who fits that description? DO WE???

So he said he was considering a Labrador Retriever puppy. But when he started learning about what Labrador Retriever puppies need to be happy, he said maybe a Lab’s not right for him. Then he asked about other breeds…..Greyhounds, Boxers, Shepherds, and all the time, I’m sitting there, trying to catch his eye and wondering when he would notice ME! Lying quietly in front of two tables full of cats! For cryin’ out loud, I was the answer to all his requirements! Would he even consider me? After all, for the past year and a half, I haven’t gotten even a single adoption application. I’m like, always the bridesmaid and never the bride, y’know? So all of a sudden, Melinda says (bless her little heart), “Well, THIS DOG,” (me, yeah, that’s right, ME) “has been in training for over a year with one of the best trainers in the country. She’s very clean in the home and not a chewer.” Y’know, I could have jumped right up and given her a big slurpy kiss! But I couldn’t, because she hadn’t released me from my down-stay. So I just lay there, trying not to get my hopes up, all the time, my stomach is doing flip-flops and I’m wishing I’d had the time to dress in one of my provocative outfits for this event……or at least had my nails done!

So check it out! This guy starts looking me over and asking all the right questions……and then……..along comes Steve Caporizzo and starts talking to the guy and then another nice man comes along and starts talking to Steve and then that nice man wants to donate a carload of stuff to The Animal Support Project so Melinda and Devin start talking to him AND MY PRINCE CHARMING WALKS AWAY!!!!! Yeah, he walks away and disappears. Meantime, Devin’s getting the van loaded with the wonderful stuff that other nice man donated and Steve Caporizzo moves on to socialize with the others at the event (he’s such a great guy!). And I’m thinkin’, “Oh, well, it was just too good to be true, anyway.

But then, just like in a romance movie, Melinda spots Prince Charming talking with someone at another rescue group’s table and she grabs an adoption application and my flyer off our table and she pulls Devin aside and says, “Go give these to that guy we were talking to about Brooke.” So Devin goes over to Prince Charming and hands him the papers and that’s that. Devin comes back, Prince Charming wanders off and I’m back to being the bridesmaid again. Until just minutes before the event is ending, MY PRINCE RETURNS and he asks to take me for a walk. So we walk together past all the other dogs, who, I think, were all teaming up to make me look extra good (I’m sure they all know how long I’ve been looking for a forever home, y’know). They were all barking and lunging and hiking their legs and chewing their leashes while I glided along like a runway model, smoooooothe as a gravy sandwich on a nice loose leash. I showed My Prince a sampling of all the fabulous tricks I can do, all the obedience moves, all the awesome long stays……and then the magic words from My Prince: “Do you have a pen?” Melinda puts a pen in his hands and he fills the application out RIGHT THERE ON THE SPOT! The rest of the story is like the happiest ending in your favorite fairy tale.

My Prince is a retired Soldier. He’d been looking for the dog that would speak to him. A dog for his soulmate. And he found this in ME. Don’t tell me prayer is useless, that miracles don’t happen and that dreams don’t come true. I have not A HOME! I have THE HOME! I have THE MAN! We hike and fish and go boating together. We wander outdoors and spend quiet times on the couch together. We share secrets and we support each other 24-7. At last, I’M THE BRIDE! :o)

Brooke’s Back Story……..

It’s me, Brooke. And I thought maybe some of you would like an update on what’s up with me these days. Well, after a year of training and behavior work in my foster home, I guess you could say I am a well-developed little lady. I’m three years old now. Bubbly and goofy during play & snuggle times, I can turn on the work-mode with just a word from you. Wanna see me do my long sits? Or my down-stays? Or my nosework, agility or rally obedience moves?  Wanna see me heel, or roll over? I’m not ruled by my emotions anymore and my past life of running the streets after Hurricane Sandy seems like it must have happened to someone else, not me. Today, I am a thinking dog. When a challenge comes along, I look to my person and ask them what they want from me. I’m into relationships now, not distracted anymore by the things that shouldn’t concern me.

I’m ultra clean in the house. I don’t chew furniture or shred the bedding like some dogs might do and I never, ever do my business in the house.  I’m spayed, microchipped, vaccinated and so well educated, I think I could maybe even balance your checkbook!

In my present condition, I’m ripe for finding a real home of my own. I’ve got so much love to offer and there’s so much fun to look forward to! We could drive to the pet shop and I can demonstrate my “leave-it” command as I pass by the pig ears and rope toys. We could hike in the forest together, and maybe invite some friends to come along. I love dressing up…..I’ve even got my own bikini! I love hugs from strangers, riding in the car, sharing a spoon of ice cream, hunting for kibble under the furniture and stretching out for belly rubs. I adore picking apples in the fall and wrestling with sturdy, friendly dogs my size.

And although I am now trained to leave cats and small animals alone, even if I am sitting right next to them, would it be ok if my new home didn’t have those? Their size and movement patterns make it so hard for me to resist chasing them! You know, it would break my heart if I accidentally disappointed you.

Are you looking for a special companion who will work overtime to make you happy? Someone who knows what it’s like to lose everything? Someone who will make you laugh out loud with her silly moves and her crazy costumes? I’m Brooke: precious monkey, beautiful lady, sweet sister, Girlfriend.

Will you call for me? 518-727-8591

See Brooke’s Training Videos

July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In Furever Homed, TASP Blog Comments Off on Update on Brooke

Szula – Updated!

Szula’s recovered SO WELL after her elbow was rebuilt at Veterinary Specialties! Thanks to everyone who donated to Szula’s cause and also to all of you who prayed for Szula’s recovery.  Just take a look at her during her 2-week review with Dr. Fitzpatrick……….

Szula’s Back-story: This little 3.5 month old English Bulldog pup is Szula. She was playing a couple days ago in her fenced yard in Amsterdam with the other two dogs who live with her, when some miserable loser decided to try stealing her. While the perpetrator was trying to get her out the gate, the other two dogs rushed him and he slammed the gate on Szula’s left front leg, BREAKING HER ELBOW COMPLETELY! Szula’s owner, Eric, rushed her to the vet where for $300, they gave her a couple of laser treatments and told him that Szula only had a pinched nerve. A day later, when she was still in pain and not using the leg, Eric took her to the emergency hospital for $600 worth of diagnostics, including X-Rays. That’s when he found out that Szula’s leg was broken. A trip to Dr. Glennon followed, where an estimate of ~$3,000 for surgery to rebuild Szula’s shoulder was provided. Eric’s not working; in fact, he’s preparing for his own upcoming surgery. He’s already in hock for the $900 he’s spent in trying to diagnose his puppy’s injury. The perp got away and the authorities are still trying to find him. Dr. Glennon says if Szula can’t receive her surgery by Tuesday, then he’s recommending euthanasia.

SZULA UPDATE AS OF 7PM, JULY 8: Eric got discouraged over the weekend when he was only able to scare up around $300 in pledges through Onyx and Breezy Foundation and Guilderhaven. So he did not make his appointment with Dr. Glennon until I talked with him this afternoon. To date, Dr. Glennon’s office only provided a verbal estimate based on the phone call Eric had made to them back on July 3. But now Szula actually has a consult scheduled with Veterinary Specialties Referral Center for tomorrow, July 9. Either Dr. Glennon or Dr. Fitzgerald will review the tests and x-rays Eric’s already done and from there, they will make their recommendation. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s update, likely in the late afternoon. Meantime, please pray and send your best energy to Szula and her Dad and to the doctors who will be reviewing her case tomorrow.

SZULA UPDATE AS OF JULY 9: Eric just got back from Veterinary Specialties Referral Center. Dr. Fitzgerald says if Szula can’t get her surgery by Friday, then she should be put down. Please network like crazy so that we can get Szula the surgery she needs. This poor girl should not have to euthanized.

Anyone wishing to donate to this surgery can submit a PayPal donation via Veterinary Specialties Referral Center in Pattersonville, NY’s website. On the right hand side of the home page, click on ‘For Pet Owners’. When that page loads, on the left hand side, click on ‘Financial Assistance’. Fill out the form, including the required fields; the pet owner’s name is Andres Robles, the client id is 16295, your email address, the pet’s name is Szula and the amount of your donation. Then hit submit. On the next page click ‘Pay with PayPal’ to complete your PayPal transaction. If you have questions, Dr. Glennon’s office can be reached at 518-887-2260.

Thank you so very much for your donation. Together we can get this little girl the lifesaving surgery that she needs. No donation is too small. Every little bit helps.

July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In Fundraisers, Rescue, TASP Blog Comments Off on Szula – Updated!

Official Plans for “The Hoss Fund”

As many of you know, Hoss did not live to spend all the funds that were donated for his medical needs. At the time of his passing, after paying for his X-Rays, vet visits, euthanasia and cremation (his food and his giant foam bed were paid for by TASP and his foster family), the Hoss Fund contained enough money for TASP to keep the account open, to be officially turned into a memorial fund for giant breed (over 80lbs.) dogs in crisis. Since then, thanks to a generous donor angel who loves giants, the Hoss fund has continued its mission of helping XL dogs get the care they need to get healthy and safe.

Hoss

Hoss was generous in size and in soul and his memory can be appropriately honored and immortalized through offering help to other giant dogs who, like him, need special assistance to prevent their suffering.

Anyone who wishes for their donations to be specifically applied to this purpose is welcome to do so through the Hoss Fund, by simply adding a note on their check, letter, Paypal or Givebutter donation, indicating it is for Hoss’s Fund.

As always, 100% of all donations will be applied to the animals, as we are a 100% volunteer organization. Thanks for caring about Hoss and for all the giants out there.

To date, The Hoss Fund has helped save ELEVEN giant breed dogs: 214lb. Tinkerbell, big, beautiful Izza, service dog, Maia, Chief the giant GSD, King James the handsomest Cane Corso ever, Maybelline the Neopolitan Mastif, Buddy, the gentle giant Chocolate Lab mix, Blossom the sugar-pop English Mastiff, Noah the gentle-giant Golden Retriever, Max the Rottweiller, and Mocha the Leonberger. Some of these are owned dogs who came to us for help with veterinary care; others were brought into our Bright Futures foster and adoption program so they could receive the extra-special TLC they needed to find their just-right home. We are happy to report ALL these generously proportioned canines are now Living Large with their families thanks to contributions made specifically to the Hoss Fund for Giant Breed Dogs! Wouldn’t Hoss be proud?

If giant dogs are a particular interest of yours and you wish for your donation to TASP to be applied specifically to the care and support of the bigguns, please just mark your check, Paypal or Givebutter donation, “Hoss Fund,” or just say it’s “For the Giants!”

Hoss
July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In Fundraisers, TASP Blog, The Hoss Fund Comments Off on Official Plans for “The Hoss Fund”