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What an exciting day for all of us that love animals and care about them. I had cold
chills as the bagpipes were playing and the van was driving down the road with the
Zootoo crew and the crowds were cheering. It was the same excitement that you have on Christmas morning. After months of hard work and late computer hours the leader of the pack was coming to visit our little shelter on the banks of the Ohio
River. The crowd was amazing and very enthusiastic. They ranged in ages from 3, my
grandson , to the retired, which is now myself. Richard's comments were as always
very inspiring and brought lots of applause from the crowd. We now have a voice for our animals and someone that has brought us all together for a cause that is dear to our hearts. The shelter staff did a wonderful job getting ready for the visit.
The animals all looked good with their new scarves around their necks or pinned to
their cages. The chain made a real impact as we looked at the number of animals
brought into the shelter just since January and their journey, whether to rescue,
new homes, returned to owners or to Rainbow Bridge. This has been a life changing
experience for many of us. Those of us that love animals wanted to help or make a
difference , but held back. This was a first step for many of us and now Richard has
inspired us to step up and take the challenge and make a difference and for the
animals in our area. Thank you Richard and the Zootoo crew. It was a great day for
all of us.
Thank you Carrie for your hard work on behalf of our animals and the shelter.
You kept us going when some of us were about ready to give up.And thank you
shelter staff and volunteers for all your hard work each and every day. We cannot
begin to thank you enough for all that you do. The animals already knew you were
special and now the rest of Parkersburg does too.
I have found new friends and become part of their family.
WOW!!!!!!!!! What a Great Day . I'll remember it always..

Richard's challenge to think about the right number of free spay/neuter procedures to expect vets to offer in order to earn Angel Wings has been on my mind since his visit. While I love the idea of awarding vets Angel Wings for their support of shelters, I'm not sure I agree that the sole basis for this be free spay/neuter procedures. While this might be an affective barometer in some areas I'm afraid it will be ineffective in our's. Several reasons cause me to think this way. I have recently completed surveying local vets within 30 miles of our shelter about why people don't spay/neuter and what more the vets can do to help. I already was well aware that our vets are charging significantly less than the vets in areas to the East of us where many of our animals to go rescue. On average I would say a dog spay is in the range of $80 to 100 here while in Virginia, Pa., and NJ, I hear they charge in the range of $200 to 250. Same sort of disparity exists with cats. As such our vets told me via the survey that they already are making little to no money from these procedures. Thus, they were not very willing to go cheaper for adopted animals or offer such for even the public in need. Likewise, offering free procedures was also questioned and not well received. I also know that many pet owners in our community, especially those using our low income certificates and those who would qualify for discount or free procedures, are not likely to return to the vet for regular visits....that would generate income for the vets. So what's the motivation for the vets, beyond just helping the shelter? None. Not that the concept of helping the shelter and homeless animals isn't a good one, but its hard to blame some vets for not feeling warm and fuzzy about helping the general public that won't or can't afford to give quality care to their pets through regular medical treatment and vaccination. At the same time most of the local vets are very supportive of the shelter in terms of giving us some discounts on services, meds and treatments. Also trying to squeeze our needs into their regular schedules and responding to emergencies. And yet, we still must wait days to get adopted animals spayed and neutered. We still must hold animals in our shelter awaiting these appointments which mean taking up much needed kennel space while we do. Many of our local practices are one and two person vets, and they are hard pressed to maintain their practices with the economy being as it is. While I am not concerned really about the profitability of our local vets, I do recognize it is not as lucrative a business here as in other areas. Thus, why I feel that they best way for us to deal with the overpopulation problem is through operation of our own low cost (not free) high volume clinic. As the vets are currently not making money on spay/neuter procedures, theoretically we would be taking business from the vets that they would miss. But rather provide a service at low cost that would encourage more people to spay/neuter and provide a more time responsive service to other shelters who need to get animals in homes more expeditiously to make room for more. We would encourage routine pet care by providing information to those using our service about annual vaccinations, heartworms, flea/tick treatments, etc. in the hopes of not only promoting better pet care but also encouraging the use of local vets…especially those that are supportive of us. However, back to Richard’s question about the right number to expect the vets to provide free. I think it difficult to set a fixed number for all vets across the country. I saw that mainly because in some areas and for some vet practices it would be very easy for a vet to give 10 free procedures a week while in others it could be extremely difficult. I think things that must be taken into consideration should be:
• Current practice volume
• Community size
• Shelter resources or other community resource available
• Current spay/neuter costs
• Poverty level of community

I feel like I’m arguing for our vets not to do this, while I would love it if they would. But I’ve heard so much from them as to why this isn’t practical its hard not to fall out a little on their side. They could raise the prices for the general public in order to provide for the free spay/neuter procedures, but then how would that impact the numbers?

I’d like to recommend some easy formula like take your area population, multiply by the poverty rate, attribute this to shelter intake and divide by 52 for a weekly number….but I’m not sure that really is an accurate or reasonable approach. I think current pricing should come into play.

I think this would be an excellent topic for a roundtable discussion in Orlando. Richard….how about it? Let’s get a bunch of us together and banter this about a little and see what we can come up with. It will be fun no matter what.\

Really enjoyed your visit. Glad you liked our Redwings. They are one of the prides of Parkersburg. Always do a great job. I loved your ideas about asking presidental (and other) candidates how they feel about animal welfare. Keep up the good work. If you ever decide to run for an office, I'll be in line to vote for you!

April 23, 2008 certainly was a wonderful day to remember in Parkersburg.The hard work of the staff and volunteers at the Shelter could not be missed. Even the animals
could feel the energy and knew something special was taking place. One thing that will always stay in my mind was the long chain of circles that were laid across the fence. What a visual and great way to show statistics of the last 3 months of Shelter activity. I don't think any detail was left undone!! Way to go!!! And.... THANK YOU,
ZOOTOO TEAM!!! Thank you for opening the eyes of America to the needs of our
faithful pets.

Richard,

Your thought about "Shelter Angle Wings" for Vet's who do free Spay/Neuter Program is a great idea. It would be good for each of the vets to do the right thing and get recognized for doing it.

I would think that a shelter or rescue would have to sponsor the Wings? After that you could do the same thing as you did with the Fish Bowl. More the give the more they get. Maybe if you can find the way to avg a months and have their numbers go up or down from there. Even a rolling total with the date started would be good. Well, anything would be good.

Thanks for doing what you are and see you on May 1st.

I just want to thank Richard and the Zootoo crew for such a great experience. The HSOP is so lucky to have such great support from all our wonderful friends and family. I still get chills when I think about yesterday and all the people and animals that came out to show there support and love.

I was especial happy to see all our very special volunteers and staff that have been there always, through the good, the bad, and the ugly. There is a special place in heaven for all of them. I can’t tell you how lucky we are to have Debbie, Al, Kim, Ann, Jan, Stacy, Michelle, Bev, and so many more. I can’t even begin to name them all.

I want to give a personal thank you to the wonderful “superwoman” Carrie Roe. (and yes you are superwoman especial in the eyes of the animals). I have know Carrie all of my life and I’ve always know she was a special person with great talent and a loving heart. She has done so much for the animals and the shelter over the past few years and we will never be able to repay her for all her hard work and dedication. I just hope you know how much you are loved and how grateful we are for everything, and I mean everything!!!!! You have touched the lives of so many (two and four legged). I truly believe we would not be where we are today if wasn’t for you. Even if we don’t win the million we have gains so much from this contest, and in my eyes that’s worth a million dollars.

Once again, thank you Richard and Zootoo for bringing our “family” closer together.

PS. Janny (the other “superwoman”) I know you really wanted to be there and we missed you very much!!!! I know, just like everyday, you where there in your heart. We’ll celebrate on Saturday with all our Zootoo “family”. Love you!!!!!

I'm so glad I was able to be present at the Zootoo event. It was great! Thank you Richard for offering the shelters of America this wonderful opportunity. I really think you should run for President some day. With all the animal lovers in the country, I think you have a shot at it! Again, thanks for making HSOP's day!!

Thank you Richard and Company, (who obviously are having a ball visiting all the shelters. ) You made our shelter feel really special and appreciated today. Everyone that had a few minutes with you felt it! (Yes, Richard, you should run for office on that spay/neuter platform --- sign me up for the campaign.)

Its obviously from just the short time with you that you are doing so much more for us than just this makeover and fortunately more than just the Top 20 shelters will benefit from your efforts, passion and energy. I am so glad you've chosen to focus on the plight of homeless animals...as they sure need you! We need you, more than maybe you even know. It was so wonderful to know maybe for the first time that there is someone who really wants to change things in this country related to homeless animals. And your leadership, voice and amazing ideas (love that big picture thinking Richard!) are such a breath of fresh air! I wish all the shelters in the country could have had the time we did with you....as they would have gone to bed knowing they weren't alone in the fight. What a relief and what a gift. Thank you not only for today but all that YOU are doing to help us help the animals!

We'll see you in Orlando!

What a wonderful day was had by all in Parkersburg! The Zootoo Team was fantastic to say the least! I'm not sure where they get their energy and drive from, but it sure does show! Richard's passion for the animals is busting at the seams! And he has such great ideas. Win or Lose.....I feel like a winner just having the oppurtunity of spending a few hours with Richard and his crew!! His best idea I came home with was to get the Presidential candidates to step up and speak on behalf of the shelters of America. Like he said, If they would be willing to "give more" or "promise more" to shelters....it would probably get them elected just from pet owners votes only! I just want to say Thank You To The Zootoo Team, Our Community, Richard, and last but not least, the drive behind our shelter.....the energized bunny......CARRIE ROE!!!!