Tag Archives: animal rescue

Foster Feature: Family Circle Chis

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A few weeks ago we introduced you to our Charlie Brown family of Chihuahua pups – now meet our Family Circle bunch!

*UPDATE*  We now have folks wanting three of these puppies — PJ, Dolly, and Jeffrey are pending adoption but Billy and mom Tina are still available!

I wanted to say how exciting it can be to foster a litter of puppies!   Watching their eyes begin to open and when they begin to focus on the world around them.    One key is preparation.   We used an inexpensive child’s swimming pool for our whelping box.   This is easy to find this time of year and allows the mother to get away from her puppies while leaving them safe and confined.   Combined with puppy pads for the floor, the surface is easy to keep clean.  These pups were big enough to climb out at about 4 weeks when they started trying to eat soft, moist kibble.   We put two doggie exercise  pens together to make  a 6 x 3  pen for them to learn to run and play in.   It will be still be several weeks before these pups are completely weaned.   During that time,  it is important to socialize and handle all the puppies.    Get them used to different types of surfaces beneath their feet, different noises, different types of toys.  Also, rub their toes, rub their ears, turn them over — establish a human-dog trust.     This will help your puppies to develop into well socialized,  outgoing puppies at an early age and keep them from being shy or fearsome.   Thanks TBAR for the opportunity to raise this cute litter!   Linda and James

TBAR depends on foster homes to help us save animals, as we do not have a shelter location. We hope this story has inspired you to consider becoming a TBAR foster home. If so, please email us at [email protected] or call (936) 878-2349 and help us save more lives!

ABLE CAMP: JULY 2014

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Read to Ride 2014

 

Reminder: Our Read to Ride ABLE kids camps are filling up fast! Remember to register ahead of time for your kid to get their 30 minute horse experience. AND don’t forget, kids can turn in their read to ride ticket once they complete 5 books this summer for one free horse experience!

You can pick your date and time and register HERE at Eventbrite!

For more information CLICK HERE, call (936) 878-2349 or email [email protected]

Success Stories: Patrick

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Patrick was found on the streets of Bellville with his buddy, Roxie. These two were starving, homeless and in need of veterinary care. True Blue Animal Rescue took them into their foster program and sent them straight to the vet to for a full exam, deworming and vaccinations.

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Patrick thrived in his foster home with his dog and cat siblings. He loved chewing his toys while laying in his doggie bed or running around the yard playing with his doggie friend, Jack.

Patrick needed a few months to regain weight and adjust to being part of a family, but he was finally ready to find his forever home. It didn’t take long for someone to meet Patrick and fall head-over-heels for this sweet little boy. Now, Patrick has his own family and will even have a new fur-brother to play with in his big back yard during the day before it’s time to come in for bedtime.
TBAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal rescue organization. If you would like to help animals such as this one please consider donating to TBAR, volunteering, fostering, or adopting. Donations go directly toward care, feed, and veterinary care of the rescued animals and every little bit helps us to help another animal in need of safety and rehabilitation. Save a life: adopt instead of shop and spay or neuter your pets!

Adopt a Cat Month

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June is “Adopt a Cat Month”! Our pet of the week this week was Sable, and we have other cats ready for their adoptive home as well!

Have you thought about getting a cat? You can get great pets from animal rescues and shelters. The kittens we have right now were raised by loving foster homes and will be wonderful additions to anyone’s family!

“TOP TEN” CHECKLIST FOR ADOPTING A CAT (from the American Humane Society)

  1. If you’re thinking about adopting a cat, consider taking home two. Cats require exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction. Two cats can provide this for each other. Plus they’ll provide more benefits to you. Cats’ purring has been shown to soothe humans as well as themselves – and they have an uncanny ability to just make you smile. A great place to start your search is online. Sites like petfinder.com let you search numerous shelters in your area simultaneously to help narrow your search and more quickly find the match that’s right for you and your new feline friend.

  2. Find a cat whose personality meshes with yours. Just as we each have our own personality, so do cats. In general, cats with long hair and round heads and bodies are more easygoing than lean cats with narrow heads and short hair, who are typically more active. Adoption counselors can offer advice to help you match the cat’s personality with your own.

  3. Pick out a veterinarian ahead of time and schedule a visit within the first few days following the adoption. You’ll want to take any medical records you received from the adoption center on your first visit. Kittens in particular should accompany you to make the appointment – even before the exam itself – so staff can pet the cat and tell you that you’ve chosen the most beautiful one ever.

  4. Make sure everyone in the house is prepared to have a cat before it comes home. Visiting the shelter or animal control facility should be a family affair. When adopting a new cat with existing pets at home, discuss with the adoption facility how to make a proper introduction.

  5. Budget for the short- and long-term costs of a cat. Understand any pet is a responsibility and there’s a cost associated with that. A cat adopted from a shelter is a bargain; many facilities will have already provided spaying or neutering, initial vaccines, and a microchip for permanent identification.

  6. Stock up on supplies before the cat arrives. Be prepared so your new cat can start feeling at home right away. Your cat will need a litter box, cat litter, food and water bowls, food, scratching posts, safe and stimulating toys, a cushy bed, a brush for grooming, a toothbrush and nail clippers.

  7. Cat-proof your home. A new cat will quickly teach you not to leave things lying out. Food left on the kitchen counter will serve to teach your new friend to jump on counters for a possible lunch. Get rid of loose items your cat might chew on, watch to ensure the kitten isn’t chewing on electric cords, and pick up random items like paper clips (which kittens may swallow).

  8. Go slowly when introducing your cat to new friends and family. It can take several weeks for a cat to relax in a new environment. It’s a great idea to keep the new addition secluded to a single room (with a litter box, food and water, toys, and the cat carrier left out and open with bedding inside) until the cat is used to the new surroundings; this is particularly important if you have other pets. If you’ve adopted a kitten, socialization is very important. But remember – take it slow.

  9. Be sure to include your new pet in your family’s emergency plan. You probably have a plan in place for getting your family to safety in case of an emergency. Adjust this plan to include your pets. Add phone numbers for your veterinarian and closest 24-hour animal hospital to your “in-case-of-emergency” call list.

  10. If you’re considering giving a cat as a gift, make sure the recipient is an active participant in the adoption process. Though well-meaning, the surprise kitty gift doesn’t allow for a “get-to know-one-another” period. Remember, adopting a cat isn’t like purchasing a household appliance or a piece of jewelry – this is a real living, breathing, and emotional being.

 

If you are interested in adopting a cat from True Blue Animal Rescue, check out our list of adoptable cats, download our adoption form, and contact [email protected] or call (936) 878-2349 for more information!

Pet of the Week: Sable

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Sable was rescued by a good Samaritan on April 25, 2014, when he and his brother, Slate, were only about 4 days old. This kind person watched to see if the mother came back for them but she never returned for her babies so they were taken in and a bottle baby foster was found for them so they would get a chance to live.

Sable is a grey/brown tabby kitten (either short haired or medium haired –he has a little fluff going on right now) who will be looking for his forever home once he turns 8 weeks old on June 16, 2014, but applications are being accepted in the meantime. Sable is the typical rambunctious kitten; he likes to crawl over his brother and cry when it’s “feed me” time and falls quickly asleep after eating. He’s a talker right now, begging for love and attention at all times and loves the company of his foster mom. Sable loves his pitbull sister and protector, Lily, but is ready to look for his own forever family!

T-Bar is a no kill rescue organization and we operate totally by foster homes. Please help us find homes for all our animals. If you are interested in meeting or adopting Sable, please email [email protected] or call (936)878-2349 and leave a voicemail. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.

Carnival at the Dog Park 2014

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True Blue Animal Rescue and many other organizations were asked to take part in the Carnival at the Dog Park event hosted by Animal Friends of Washington County. The fun started off at 10am and didn’t let up until 3 in the afternoon. T-bar was at the event with face painting, kids’ games, dogs up for adoption and an agility area.

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If you missed out on the day’ events here are just a few things you missed out on. At the event was the Vida Nueva Ranch with two Texas Longhorns that were saddle broken. People were allowed to sit on a longhorn and have their picture snapped. A few T-bar volunteers had some fun with that! Also on hand for the festivities was the Reptile Hospice and Sanctuary of Texas. They brought some of their friends like an african tortoise that was 14 years old named Calvin. He was huge, tipping the scales at 170 pounds! Also with them were snakes, lizards and a few more turtles. Some of the reptiles were even rescues. The T-bar crew could not pass up looking at their booth!

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Even the Brenham Police Department’s K-9 Patrol Division stopped by to demonstrate how a Police Officer and his four legged partner work together. Officer Seth Klehm and his K-9 coworker Ronny let the crowd see why it’s never really a good idea to run away from the police. They did this demo with the help of fellow officer Lance Wiess. The crowd was really interested in the information given, and everyone was impressed, of course, with Ronny the German Sheppard K-9 Officer.

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Many other groups were on hand and the crowd could even register for door prizes. What made the event really special was the fact that families were encouraged to bring their own dogs, provided they were current on shots and were on a leash. There was even a pet parade that took place at noon that many proud dog owners and their four-legged companions took part in.
A special surprise was in store for True Blue Animal Rescue president and founder, Melanie Deaeth. As she worked away painting kids’ faces a family brought a dog by the tent where she was working and suddenly Melanie had tears in her eyes. It was a T-bar rescue dog now named Trooper who T-bar rescued not once, but twice. The dog was instantly recognized by long time members Lauren Lee Sarlya and Teresa Gaskamp. Melanie, after she finished painting a little girl’s face, dropped to the ground and hugged Trooper, who has one of the best families around.
But the surprises did not stop there. Teresa decided that Melanie could not pass up the chance of sitting on a Longhorn (and I may have prodded too!) So after throwing her up on a beautiful Vida Nueva Ranch steer we started walking back to the T-bar area and then Melanie stopped in her tracks. Before her was another couple with a T-bar rescue dog that was adopted almost five years ago. A dog that Teresa also knew that was named Skip. Melanie was so excited to see another dog in such a happy mood. These little updates mean the world to people in rescue, because you never forget where an animal came from and it’s battle. Once they find a home they are out of sight but NEVER out of mind.

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If you missed out on this year’s event you will want to go to the next one. It’s a great way to spend some time with your whole family. T-bar wants to thank all the volunteers that showed up and to all our friends that dropped by, made a donation and said hello. We cannot do our mission without you.

 

 

 

Pet of the Week: Firecracker

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Firecracker is a sweet adult gelding that will come up and look for attention whenever he sees people. He is halter broke and is being worked on the ground – he will soon be ready to start under saddle. He’s a small gelding, around 14hh, so he will make a great kid’s horse after training. He and his three pasture mates were left to starve in a field when law enforcement stepped in and took them away. They were turned over to T-Bar so they could be fed and taught to love people. Since that has been done, Firecracker is now looking for his forever home. Someone who can take the time to teach him everything else he needs to know to become the beautiful riding horse he was meant to be. For more information on Firecracker or any other T-Bar animal, please email help@t-bar.org or call (936) 878-2349. T-BAR is a no-kill rescue. Save a life and adopt instead of buying a pet..

Foster Feature: Sage

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Late in May True Blue Animal Rescue received a call that a dog was living at a rest area in Washington County. Melanie, the founder and president of T-bar, went to pick the dog up. What she found was upsetting. The Staffordshire Terrier mix was a senior dog in poor health and in need of food. More upsetting was the lack of concern people nearby seemed to have to an animal in need.

Melanie had to load the dog by herself and it wasn’t hard because the dog, later named Sage, was eager to leave her harsh surroundings. Once at True Blue Animal Rescue the dog was given shots and a dewormer pill to set her on the path to being sound. However, on closer inspection, poor Sage was missing hair, had skin growths, had many small cuts and had a serious eye infection that needs antibiotics.

Sage’s case is one that is sad because she is a senior pet, close to ten years old, that must have had a family at one point, but they decided to let her go. Melanie stated the dog had a lot of health issues but the answer is never throwing an animal away. Aside from the eye infection it is obvious that somehow Sage had injured her hip or her leg and it healed incorrectly. When standing in front of her looking her head on her right leg sticks out farther than her left. Surprisingly, Sage tested negative for heartworms.

Sage is a very shy dog and in dire need of a lot of TLC. Her recovery will be long and costly. If you would like to help Sage out with a donation, no matter what size please visit the T-bar web site at www.T-bar.org and hit the “Donate Now” button. No matter how big or small your donation will mean everything to this older dog’s recovery.

(Warning, images below may be too graphic for some viewers)