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----2008---- Vol. 1 - Spring ----2007---- Vol. 2 - Summer ----2004---- Vol. 3 - Fall Vol. 2 - Summer Vol. 1 - Spring ----2003---- Vol. 4 - Winter Vol. 3 - Fall Vol. 2 - Summer Vol. 1 - Spring

	VOICE	SEPTEMBER 2003 Vol. 3, Iss. 3

Mikey’s family was blessed with him for nearly six years, but a few weeks ago it was discovered that Mikey had developed renal lymphoma. Sadly, he did not respond to chemotherapy, and on November 17 Mikey became a kitty angel.

As Mikey looks down at us from kitty heaven, his one wish is that all cats and dogs one day will be wanted and loved, so that no animal has to be homeless, and no cat become feral.

To honor this wish, we are asking that people continue to support spay/neuter initiatives in their communities. Animal Allies’ funds to continue to spay and neuter ferals have just about run out. While the veterinarians who work with us offer generously discounted rates on their services, the animals we serve also require vaccinations and oftentimes other treatments for fleas, ear mites, infections or injuries. It is not unusual for a single feral cat to cost over $100 in terms of medical care alone. A single feral colony can contain well over 20 to 30 cats, so it is easy to see how quickly costs can add up.

So please give generously this holiday season so that we may resume our work on behalf of the feral cats – Mikey would have wanted it that way.

Paws To Consider Offering insights into animal welfare trends, and just some common sense advice! A Case for TNR Here in New Hampshire we are fortunate to have the lowest euthanasia rate of shelter dogs and cats in the country. A fact we should be very proud of. While other parts of the country have shelters and animal control facilities overflowing, and euthanasia is the only option, we can enjoy the knowledge that adoptable animals are not euthanized in our shelters. This is in large part due to the progressive spay/neuter programs we have available in the state. Our state legislature has been leading the charge through low cost programs funded by dog license fees. Since the implementation of The Animal Population Control Program in 1995, the euthanasia rate in New Hampshire has dropped by more than 70% (an incredible statistic). We cannot let these successes make us complacent, however. We must continue to charge ahead to ensure continued success. There are still areas that need attention and action. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), for example, is one such option. TNR is a program in which stray and feral cats already living outdoors in cities, towns, and rural areas are humanely trapped, vaccinated, and sterilized by veterinarians. Kittens and tame cats are adopted into good homes. Healthy adult cats too wild to be adopted are returned to their familiar habitat under the lifelong care of volunteers. There are hundreds (possibly thousands) of abandoned and feral cats on the streets in all cities and towns in New Hampshire. We cannot ignore these forgotten felines. TNR is the only humane method to manage and control the proliferation of feral cats. Across the country, groups are forming to enlighten the public about the benefits of TNR. One such group in New York City, Neighborhood Cats (www.neighborhoodcats.org), has made great strides in educating authorities as well as citizens. The group was founded in 1999 by three people who were concerned about free-roaming cats in their neighborhood. They quickly learned that there was no local help available to them. With the help and resources of a nationally known group, Alley Cat Allies, they were introduced to the basics of trap-neuter-return. Having limited funds, they were restricted to trapping and neutering only one cat at a time. Over the course of the next few months, 20 kittens were trapped and adopted out and 8 feral adults were returned. They were provided winter shelters and feeding stations were set up. The population stabilized, the cats were healthier, and the community’s attitude toward the cats grew positive. Today, with the full support of animal control, city officials, shelters and other caring individuals, thousands of homeless cats have been spayed/neutered throughout the five boroughs of New York City and are cared for by hundreds of volunteers. This group has become a model of how successful TNR can be. If you want to help in your area, consider sponsoring the neuter of a feral cat or volunteer to transport cats to and from veterinarian appointments. Another way you can help is to foster kittens from feral colonies to socialize them so that they can be adopted out to good homes, or to provide a barn home to one or more feral cats that cannot be safely returned to their area. Above all, advocate on behalf of the feral cats. Together, we can make a difference! By Doris Hood

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe Animal Allies will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on February 4, 2004! Though many changes have occurred over the years, we have remained steadfast in our goal to end pet overpopulation. When we first started statistics showed over 12,000 animals were killed in NH shelters.. That number has dropped to below 4,000. While these numbers are encouraging much work remains to be done.

The number of calls we receive for stray and feral cats has increased tremendously. At this moment we have over 20 people awaiting our assistance with stray and feral cats and we simply don’t have the funds or the manpower to assist them. With the new year approaching I would ask that you consider making just a small commitment of your time to help in some way. Whether you have an hour a week or 24 hours a week, we can find something that you can do that will meet your schedule and help the animals tremendously as well as give you the wonderful feeling of knowing you are part of the solution. Phone work, trapping, transporting a cat to the vet, selling raffle tickets at your work or helping with other fundraising are all ways you can help and mean a lot to the animals. I hope you will consider taking the plunge into volunteering. We won’t ask for more than you can give and will greatly appreciate any effort you make.

On a different note, although over the years we have evolved into somewhat of a "cat" group, our concern for animals goes well beyond felines. Volunteers from our group showed that this past October when the circus came to town. Joining with other animal groups, we made sure our voice was heard about the cruelty inflicted on the elephants and other wild animals in the circus. We produced a show with Tom Rider, a former Ringling Brothers employee who witnessed horrible abuse of the elephants during his 2 ½ years with Ringling. Tom and the ASPCA have a lawsuit pending against Ringling for this abuse. If anyone would like to borrow a copy of the video, please let us know. If you would like more information on this issue you can do a Yahoo search for Tom+Rider+elephants.

In closing, I would like to personally thank you all for your support over the years. Although we are a small group, we are doing big things and can only do so with your continued support.

Thank you and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Kathy Peirce

As always, we would like to recognize the support of caring donors like you:

Leisel Angwin * Melissa Brantley * Nancy Bogenberger * Debbie Carbone * Sandra Chapman * Carol Costin * Journey Ewell * James & Sheila Ewell * Debbie Gulezian * Lynne Kaminski * Steve Kereazes * Joyce Koerber * Stephanie Lundgren * Stephen MacDow * Esther McDonald * Karyn Nilgen * Donna Raymond * Joanne Saraphis * Lynne Spiegel

As we enter into this holiday season, we are reminded of those things for which we are thankful, and of how we can help those who are less fortunate.

Animal Allies works year-round to, among other things, help those less fortunate cats through spay/neuter release. Area veterinarians help through low-cost rates, and supporters help through donations.

The number of cats in need of our services far outweighs our resources, and in November we essentially ran out of funds to spay and neuter more feral cats. Volunteers continue to trap on a limited basis and pay for veterinary services for these cats out of their own resources, but we and the cats really need your help to continue.

In this newsletter you will find a paper holiday ornament. We are hopeful that you will use this ornament to remember those animals in your life who have been blessed with a loving family and responsible care, and at the same time remember those cats who are not as fortunate by giving a small donation to help fund the spaying and neutering services that will put an end to more unwanted litters.

Send in your ornament along with whatever amount you can afford to donate, and it will be hung on a tree on display at Food For Pets in Manchester, NH.

Please stop by Food For Pets to see your ornament and those of other caring people like you. As the tree’s decorations increase, so does our ability to stop animal overpopulation in our communities. Please send in your ornament today.

It’s hard to believe that ten years have gone by since a few concerned people got together to try to raise awareness of the treatment of animals at the hands of humans. In that span of time, the group has gone through many changes and has evolved into a vital resource for low-cost spay/neuter referral in the state of New Hampshire as well as a strong advocate for TNR.

Its volunteers are few in number, but they are strong in terms of their dedication and devotion to seeing that animals in need are altered to stop the cycle of reproduction. Over the years, Animal Allies volunteers have seen to it that nearly three thousand animals were altered. While there are still thousands more that need our help, it’s important to recognize the impact the group’s efforts have had in putting an end to animal homelessness.

Over the next few months, Animal Allies will be gearing up to celebrate its achievements of the past decade, and will also be planning its participation in Spay Day, sponsored annually by the Doris Day Animal Foundation. We hope to combine the two events in an effort to bring more recognition and help to those animals most in need.

Please consider doing something special to mark this important occasion in our history, and be sure to stay tuned for announcements about our plans to commemorate this important milestone!

On behalf of all animals, thank you for your support!

Animal Allies’ Holiday Raffle Is On! What cat – or cat lover -- can resist these wonderful gift baskets? Each basket contains wonderful goodies for cats and their owners alike, so everyone can join in on the holiday festivities! Also being raffled is a beautiful pinecone wreath. So don’t miss out on this opportunity to treat someone you love to a terrific holiday gift and support a worthy cause in the process – purchase your raffle tickets today!