Tag Sales, Photo Clinics, Adoption Clinics and MORE! There are SO many TASP events going on throughout the year! All are for raising the funds needed to continue our mission of helping companion animals stay safe and healthy. Want to help? Visit/volunteer/donate/shop! Bring your friends and family and have a blast while you help local animals! CLICK HERE for a fast connection to the TASP Events Page.
I want to say thank you so much for all your help that you have been doing for my cat Lucy it means a lot to me. Thanks again….. Jean
Thank you for all you did for Raymond’s “Pups.” …..Pat
I don’t know what we would have done without your compassion and support. Your organization is truly a Godsend and I would be proud to say I am affiliated with it…….Although Smoaky most definitely had a better “vacation” than I did, I am recovering well……I’m sure my peace of mind and not having to worry about Smoaky contributed greatly to my recovery. At a (very rare) loss for words for thanks, I’ll just say a million and one thanks for all your help!…….Sincerely, Pam
Thank you for talking to me last night. I appreciate your advice and look forward to having you over …..Alice
I was just filling my cats’ food bowl and I was just thinking how wonderful you were to help me both times and I just want to let you know that I really appreciate it, especially the litter cuz I really would be in a pickle right now if it wasn’t for you…because I literally have no income. So I just want to thank you again, I really, really, really appreciate it. I’m hoping if I do get my Social Security maybe I can help someone else and pass it forward. Just had to say it again, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so much!……..Tina
Best Friends for Life: Gail and Puppy
Thanks to all of you from Puppy!
My name’s, “Puppy.” I’m a 13 year old Yorkie & Chihuahua mix. Everyone is surprised to find out how old I am when they hear my name and meet me….frisky and lively and full of energy, I guess I’ll always look and act like a pup, and that’s just fine with me! When I was younger, Mom, Dad, Bro and I all lived on a modest little farm in the country. We raised dairy goats; Nubians and LaManchas were our specialty. I really liked the way they smelled and I enjoyed going to the barn each day with the folks to help with milking and caring for my caprine “cousins.” My favorite thing to do was to steal a piece of the trimmings when the goats had their hooves clipped…..have you ever tasted goat hoof? It’s the caviar of doggie cuisine, y’know.
About two years ago, things all of a sudden changed ALOT! First, Bro got really sick…… the kind of sick that means hospital trips, chemo, and weeks and weeks of pain medicine. After that, Bro never really looked the same; and soon, he just completely disappeared. Mom and Dad walked around like zombies after Bro left. They looked scared.
We moved to a smaller place because Mom’s health wasn’t very good anymore. She has a lot of trouble breathing. Soon, she was wearing a leash attached to her nose (she called it her oxygen) and she was never able to walk off-leash again. That seemed bad enough, but then, all of a sudden, Dad got sick like Bro. And less than a year after Bro disappeared, Dad disappeared, too. Mom says both of them went to live in heaven. I can’t understand why they left Mom and me here alone, but Mom says they got invited and we didn’t. But she says we will be invited to heaven soon enough. She says Dad and Bro are not coming back, either. So now, it’s just Mom and me scraping by on her Social Security check.
With things going so badly in Mom’s life, I didn’t want to tell her that my mouth hurt. But as time went on, it REALLY got sore and I couldn’t chew my food. She noticed and started calling around to see if a vet would fix my mouth on credit…….but none of the vets agreed to let Mom pay on time; not even the one we’ve been going to all these years!
But ya know what? Mom didn’t give up. She kept asking around and eventually she found out about TASP: The Animal Support Project. She talked with a volunteer there and they hooked us up with a vet named Dr. Nicole, who actually fixed my mouth for FREE! Dr. Nicole had a grant from the ASPCA to help animals belonging to poor people…..and since nobody’s poorer than Mom and me, I was able to get the care I needed. But that’s not the end of the story!
The vets also said I needed medicine to help my heart work better. So TASP took me to a specialist and got me the tests I needed to get the right medicine. Now, a TASP volunteer visits Mom and me twice a month to count out pills into my trays. The trays have little compartments in them and each morning and evening, Mom takes the pills from a compartment and folds them into some tasty canned dogfood that I find just irresistible. TASP even found me a sponsor who donates my pills so Mom doesn’t have to use food money to buy them.
The volunteer says Mom and TASP have “joint custody” of me so I can remain at home and still get the special care I need. They say I will be happier at home with the Mom I’ve known all my 13 years than to be uprooted and sent somewhere else. They know I am only at peace when I’m on Mom’s lap, watching the cooking shows on cable. And Mom is SO HAPPY to know she doesn’t have to spend the rest of her life alone! Mom and I sometimes look at each other and wonder which of us will be the next one to disappear. But at least now Mom knows that if SHE gets invited to heaven first, then I still have my friends at TASP to care for me until my invitation arrives.
CLICK HERE to watch Puppy & Gail’s video
Update on Bria
If you follow our facebook page, you know Bria returned home to live with her family back around January. As soon as she went home, Bria was enrolled with her family in Basic Obedience training through Crawmer’s Animal Training, courtesy of TASP, just to give her a leg up on moving back to home life. With three active kids, Dad recovering from major surgery and Mom adapting to her new job, it was extremely gratifying to know that the whole family was so devoted and committed to bringing Bria back into their lives.
The nicest update about Bria just came from her Mom!
“It’s been a whirlwind of a year but this is us and we got this… we are settling in and as I write Bria is laying by my bed. I would take a pic but she is a girl always in motion! Allana graduated yesterday and she will be off to St. John’s University in the fall to study Bio with a concentration in pre-med. We will never forget your kindness and would love to visit before she leaves! You are so special to our family!”
This family is still struggling to make ends meet since the fire took their home nearly two years ago. They are STILL waiting for the insurance companies to settle. But they’re a family of survivors and they’re all working hard to move on with life. They are an inspiration to everyone who knows them and it has been a joy to play a part in their recovery.
Update on Copper and Charlie:
Who says two giant old dogs can’t find a home together? Well, if this happy ending doesn’t make you believe in Santa Claus, I don’t know what will. You met Charlie and Copper in our last newsletter. On their way to the euthanasia room, these two bonded senior dogs made a detour to TASP foster care with Kat. And not long after that, just in time for Christmas, BOTH of these old guys hit the lottery and were adopted by Allison and her wonderful family. Used to giant breed dogs, the family’s home was ideal for our old buddies. And what a great way to start the new year: loved and safe with folks who treasure them for the gems they are!
At their ripe old ages, there is no telling how many Christmases Copper and Charlie will see. But knowing they will spend the rest of their lives being loved and spoiled is enough to make anyone want to celebrate. Thanks to everyone who had a part in this miracle!
Update on Bucky:
Three dentals, two leg surgeries and TWO YEARS in foster care! That’s what it took for Bucky to find the home he was meant to have. Although the little cowpoke was always a hit at adoption clinics and events, he never seemed to get the followthrough from potential adopters, and those who DID apply to adopt him had other animals who didn’t care to have Bucky in the family portrait. But that all changed in July when JT came into the picture. With a circle of friends who all own dogs, JT was looking for a little compadre who would work out well in her apartment and who would get along with the rest of her friends’ dogs. Circle Bucky for that! Living in Boston near a wonderful network of parks, trails and dog-friendly businesses, JT and Bucky now are seen frequenting all the best spots for reading and posting p-mail. And since JT works from home, the Buckmeister has his very own full-time relationship; the kind of lifestyle we think he always dreamed of and deserved. From a discarded, crooked-legged waif to a healthy, beloved companion with a real live bedfella and a social life to rival that of any Boston bachelor, this little Urban Cowboy is finally home!
Click on the smiling Pooch for the Capital Region Pet Friendly Guide.
Barbara Myers, “Robin’s Mom”
If you’ve ever been to one of our pet photo clinics at Benson’s or Pet Supplies Plus, or if you’ve come to one of our tag sales, chances are you’ve met the pretty, soft-spoken lady we all know as “Robin’s Mom,” Barb Myers.
Barb has been one of our most dependable volunteers for years now; and it brightens up our events to have her cheerfully signing folks in for photos or striking a bargain with a tag sale customer. She’s always one of the first to arrive on the scene to help with unpacking the van and setting up an event, and she is always the last to leave after helping get everything torn down and ready to roll out. In short, she is solid gold to our little organization!
According to Barb, “My journey with The Animal Support Project began when I happened upon a photo clinic at Benson’s while shopping with my dog, Robin. Soon we became regulars and are now proud owners of a collection of pictures from various events. It seemed a natural transition to go from a photo clinic patron to a volunteer as I learned more about the organization and all the wonderful support given to pets and their families. I thoroughly enjoy working the photo clinics at Benson’s and Pet Supplies Plus as well as working the tag sales. It is such a pleasure greeting every pet family that participates in the photo clinics as well as taking in the pet fashion. It is so much fun viewing the pride and pleasure each family takes in their special animal whether it is a dog, cat, pig, bunny or even a snake.
Anyone who knows me knows that my pets are my babies. I do not think of them as just a pet, they are part of my family. I feel like my love of pets has found its niche with the Animal Support Project and with the wonderful group of people I have the pleasure in volunteering with.”
When circumstances permit, Robin still tags along on a photo shoot, posing for his latest Fantasy Photo. The little guy shows all the signs of a well-loved, impeccably groomed companion and it is clear his life with Barb is one enormous bowl of gravy. Barb’s devoted to Robin and he to her.
TASP is very fortunate to have so many solid, talented individuals among our volunteers and Barb is a prime example of the exceptional quality of our people. Always polite, professional, thoughtful and genuinely compassionate, is it any wonder why we’re so proud to have her on our team?
TASP has received many enquiries about our plans for responding to the Gulf hurricanes this season. At this time, several of our key people are massaging our schedules to comply with requests received from ASPCA and RedRover. As an all-volunteer organization, we have to be sure that when we, as individuals, are planning travel across the country to support animals victimized by a natural disaster, the needs of our own families, jobs and animals are provided for. So will TASP people be traveling to the gulf to help? Based on our individual situations, several of us are planning to respond with the national groups who have been invited in by the local jurisdictions, and with whom we already have relationships.
In the meantime, for those of you who want to help the animals and people currently under duress in the gulf, please consider making a financial donation to any one of the NARSC (National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition) organizations who are responding. If you aren’t sure who’s really a part of this qualified coalition, CLICK HERE for a link to the list of the current NARSC membership: . And remember that the well being of pets depends on the well being of their owners. Don’t underestimate how important pets are to the people who were evacuated from their homes in Texas, Louisiana, Florida and surrounding areas. These people need to get back on their feet asap and get their families back to something like normal. Organizations like The Salvation Army are the vital link to that. Your donation, made specifically for Harvey or Irma (or Jose? Maria?) Response, will go a long way toward bringing people and pets home.
Just a reminder to all of you who have been worrying about this: The south is used to bad storms and flooding and they have learned a lot from past experiences. Don’t forget that there are many qualified rescues and national animal welfare organizations who have an abundance of trained, qualified staff and volunteers located within driving distance of the disaster. Animal disaster response is handled much differently now (thank God), compared to the way things were handled after Hurricane Katrina. If you watched any news footage of the human rescues for Harvey and Irma, there were many images of animals and their people all leaving the home together. Thanks to lessons learned, many human shelters now allow pets in the same or a nearby separate shelter, so pet owners and pets can remain connected until they can all go back home. This works very well and has been used for years very successfully. Ever since George W. Bush’s PETS Act went into effect, local SARTs/CARTs (State/County Animal Response Teams) in the gulf have been drilling regularly in preparation for something like a Harvey or an Irma. They have had trailers filled with supplies and volunteers with go-bags already packed, ready for deployment when the call comes. Starting this August, the call came and came again; and all that preparation was put to work for the good of the pets in the gulf.
All the major states and cities in the gulf (and around the country, for that matter) have advance contracts called, “Memoranda of Understanding” already established with all sorts of non-governmental organizations for situations like hurricanes and other disasters. When the local jurisdictions feel they can’t manage the animal situation on their own, they contact the animal welfare organizations they’re already contracted with and invite them to enter the disaster zone to help the locals rescue and/or care for the displaced animals. The same “Incident Command” protocol used by fire, rescue and military is used now by all the bona fide Animal Disaster Response organizations in the NARSC coalition. This way, there is mutual accountability, communication and tracking that will sustain the mission and ensure the best possible outcome for pets and people.
Many months from now, when the gulf’s inhabitants are back on their feet and the emergency pet shelters and boarding facilities begin to deactivate, there may be a need for animals who were not reclaimed to be sent to foster care or to pre-qualified municipal shelters and rescues. Some may even be sent as far north as our back yard. But until that emergency sheltering/boarding period is over, the NARSC animal welfare organizations will not likely be sending owned hurricane animals anywhere. One of the primary purposes of emergency animal sheltering is to hold the animals until they are reclaimed by their owners. We are obligated to allow the owners to have their pets back once they are able to take them. You would expect the same courtesy if you were in their shoes, right? Animals who were already in the shelter prior to the hurricane’s arrival ARE being moved out to other shelters outside the disaster zone, and one local shelter, Mohawk Humane Society, actually just received 23 animals from a Texas shelter and is taking another 30 from Florida shelters. But if someone asks you to finance their trip to the gulf today to bring back animals and they’re not affiliated with one of the authorized member organizations, you might want to ask a lot more questions before opening your wallet.
Thank you all for caring and praying about this situation. Having worked plenty of disasters in the past, I can tell you there are few sights that compare with the look on a displaced person’s face when they are with their beloved pet, no matter what else they may have lost. As the hurricane season continues to evolve, we will be bringing you our own personal accounts of what we find when we deploy to wherever we’re needed. Until then, take comfort in knowing it’s a blessing for something like a Harvey or an Irma to happen in 2017 instead of 2007; animal disaster response has come a long way since then.
Ed has always been the guy in his neighborhood that everyone brought animals to. Need a place to stash your pet while you’re in rehab? Give it to Ed. Can’t deal with that crazy puppy anymore? Give it to Ed. Moving to an apartment and can’t take a pet with you? Ed will take it.
Animals have been a part of Ed’s life for as long as he can remember; at age 84, that’s a lot of remembering. He and his wife lived a modest life on a little piece of land on a back road not far from here. They ran their own business out of their mobile home and lived a relatively simple but contented existence. They were genuinely kind people; they never turned away a visitor; two-legged or four-legged.
When the wife died of cancer, life became much harder and lonelier for Ed. Their animals, mostly dogs and cats, filled the empty space that remained. They became the primary companions for this elderly man who carried food and water to them each day, neglecting his own needs to make sure they had enough to eat. But as time marches on, our bodies become more frail and our stamina isn’t what it used to be. Our animals age, too. They need more care, more amenities, and more attention. Tasks that once took just a few minutes can take much longer when we’re older. And it seems like everything breaks down around us. Facing this alone can be absolutely overwhelming, and for a proud, independent man like Ed, it’s hard to admit defeat.
Debbie met Ed when she approached him about spaying his cats. Unable to run the business anymore and living on a small monthly social security check, Ed had eventually found it impossible to offer veterinary care to any of his own animals, let alone the stray cats who seemed to materialize out of nowhere and multiply out of control. Once he was sure Deb wasn’t there to judge or condemn him, the old man was happy to accept her help.
Deb and Leona methodically and religiously showed up at Ed’s place several times each month with traps, bait and blankets; trapping and transporting, bringing the spayed and vaccinated feral adults back for release while adopting out the kittens who were still friendly enough to find adoption. They brought food and houses and straw for bedding. And gradually, the population stabilized. Now, sleek, healthy cats lounge peacefully in the sun outside Ed’s mobile home. And the kittens are all growing up socialized with loving families of their own.
During this process, trust and friendship between Ed and these two TASP volunteers grew and a bond was created. Soon it would be time for Deb and Leona to introduce Ed to some more TASP volunteers so the living condition of his dogs could be improved. Over the months that these ladies had been doing the Trap Neuter Return (TNR) of the cats, other TASP volunteers, Win, Tim, Michelene, Mitch and a group of outstanding young men from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Acacia Fraternity, were building five large insulated dog houses at a property in Pittstown. Donated kennel panels were being stockpiled and prepared. These would be the new homes designed for the 5 dogs currently living chained to aging coops in the tall weeds at Ed’s place.
Flash forward to November 4. TASP volunteers pull into Ed’s driveway to deliver the kennel panels and to meet with Ed about where to place the new homes. It was decided that arranging the kennels across the long side of the mobile home would allow for the most space and the easiest access for the old man who would be tending to these equally old dogs. On the following day, Ed and his son worked shoulder to shoulder with 8 TASP volunteers to clear the site, distribute the new houses and erect the kennels. All the while, curious neighbors came to witness the event. One even cried for joy at the change that occurred that day for animals AND people.
While we were there, all of us saw for ourselves how much Ed truly loves these animals and how much they truly love and trust him. Aged and not accustomed to a lot of company, the dogs would not have stood much chance as shelter pets. “Unadoptable,” would be the term used to describe them. But with Ed, they were friends and equals; they got the best care Ed could afford to give them.
As they entered the kennels in pairs, with their side by side houses, the dogs reacted to the new living arrangements with 100% approval. The old coon hounds climbed right up into the straw in their houses and started arranging their nests. The two Chow sisters frolicked together and rolled in the grass outside their houses, finally able to play like regular dogs instead of gazing at each other, chained, from across the yard. The big red Chow male who preferred to have his own kennel in the middle smiled gratefully outside his new house, glancing with approval at the Chow girls and the old hounds who were now his next-door neighbors.
All the time we were working at Ed’s he kept coming over and trying to give us things: a screwdriver he wanted us to have, a 2017 calendar sporting photos of puppies and kittens, an extra set of wrenches he said he couldn’t use. He wanted so badly to do something for us because he valued so deeply what we were doing for him. As we were leaving, he touched my arm and said, “I love you all, now and forever.”
We now have a NEW TASP Volunteer, Ed’s son! He was so impressed by what TASP does that he wants to be a part of this kind of animal welfare work. We visit Ed now and then to drop off donated food and to chat with the old man. When the time comes, Ed will return the kennels and houses to TASP so they can be rehabbed and reused for the next needy dogs. But for now, he and his dogs are welcome to these gifts. And life is good at Ed’s place these days.
Ready to see the video? Click here to view.
