Animal Protection Society of Durham

Get a sneak peek of this year’s amazing auction items!

aps — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:04:30 +0000

The Tails at Twilight Gala is one of the Animal Protection Society’s largest fundraising efforts. This year we hope to raise more than $80,000 to help the neglected and homeless animals in our community.

Here is a sneak peak at some of the items that will be featured in the Live Auction on March 20^th!

One of a Kind Jewelsmith Creation

This beautiful handcrafted 18 karat gold, sterling silver and diamond pendant is perfect for the sophisticated animal lover. Inspired by the Tails at Twilight logo this unique the signature piece will perfectly display you love for all animals and the APS.

Butterflies are Perfect for Your Garden

Vega Metals and Cricket Forge was the first in the market to introduce the Butterfly Bench. Since 1999 many have tried to copy it, but no one has been able to match its beauty or durability. This piece of art is perfect for any patio or garden.

Blue Devil Through and Through

Cameron Crazies will be waiting for you and three friends as you soak in the Blue Devil pride at a 2010/2011 ACC Men’s Basketball game. (Excludes Duke vs. Carolina).

Bon Appetite

Wine and Dine your friends compliments of Rue Cler in Durham. Your evening includes a five course dinner complete with wine parings for your party of eight.

Disney Getaway

Enjoy a one week vacation at Celebration Word Resort in Orlando. This pet friendly, two bedroom suite with all amenities and full kitchen is the perfect place to relax or soak in all the Disney attractions. Friday 05/28/2010 – Friday 06/04/10.

Join us on March 20th at the Tails at Twilight Gala and bid on one of these great items. Click HERE to purchase tickets.

Warm Hearts on a Cold Day

aps — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:56:42 +0000

The temperature is struggling to rise to 40 degrees outside and given the cold rain falling it probably won’t reach it. Despite the chill many of the dogs at the Durham County Animal Shelter are eager to go outside. Some of course will need to do their business, and others will want to catch up on the sights and smells. Most also are eager for some human companionship. If there are volunteers on this day then the dogs will get their chance to get out and be walked. Will people show up on such a miserable day for no other reason than that they care? Yes, the dogs can count it!

It’s not just the dogs that wait eagerly for the volunteers to arrive to brighten their lives. The cats at the shelter need their litter scooped and bowls filled. Just like the dogs, they will sit expectantly looking out of their cages waiting for someone to take them out to be held and to have a warm lap to sit on. Like the dogs, on most days they will have doting volunteers to help care for them.

Being in the shelter can understandably be difficult for the animals. Some were given up by their owners after years in a home; others arrive as strays, found wandering alone on a street or on someone’s doorstep. Those found as strays have stories known only to them. The volunteers seek to make the time that the animals spend at the shelter the best it can be. Volunteers work tirelessly to make the animals comfortable and comforted.

Yet volunteering at the shelter is no easy task. Many people sign up with an initial burst of enthusiasm but the reality of the work is often challenging. A lot of time is asked of them and they must go through hours of training to keep them and the animals healthy and safe. The work itself can be far from glamorous, battling the cold winters and hot summers, cleaning up after the animals. Then there are the jobs which can be tedious at best like filing paperwork or folding the towels and blankets used for bedding. On top of all of this is the fact that due to the severe pet overpopulation problem many of the animals in the shelter end up being euthanized because there aren’t enough good homes for them. It takes a remarkable level of unselfishness to be able to care for and often fall in love with these animals and to make their time at the shelter the very best it can be. If anyone thinks that a volunteer is somehow able to distance him or herself from this reality then that person would be mistaken. Shelter volunteers must often take the sadness with them.

Yet, remarkably, the volunteers keep coming. These caregivers give time and compassion, fueled by a desire to do something good for the animals which through no fault of their own are at the shelter. The reward may be seeing a cat or dog being adopted and going to a new home. It may also simply be the knowledge that for the dog that gets walked on the cold day or the cat that contentedly purrs in a lap, they have made the life of an animal so much better.

A version of this article appears in the latest issue of Fifteen501 magazine!

The tale of a kitten called Phoenix!

aps — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:20:26 +0000

Phoenix was found by a kind man in a parking lot at Duke University and brought to the APS of Durham. This sweet kitten was emaciated and with blistered and burnt pads on his feet. He suffered from starvation and obvious neglect.

Our staff gave Phoenix the medical care he needed and made sure he was comfortable with plenty to eat. As Phoenix’s well being improved volunteers spent lots of time playing and cuddling him.

Our volunteers made a video of Phoenix for us to put on the website so people could see what a lovely little boy he was!

Click here to see Phoenix’s video!

Then our kind friends at Independent Animal Rescue took Phoenix into their foster care program where he soon found someone to adopt him into his forever home.

His new guardians gave us this update about life in his new home: “He is such a love bug and is always purring! His favorite things are cuddling, his scratching post, and play mice (that he always manages to bat under the sofa). He is not shy anymore and loves being the center of attention. Thank you so much for helping get this little guy back on his feet. He is a priceless addition to my home.”

What a wonderful story. Of course there are happy endings like this every day and we are grateful to everyone involved including the man who brought him in, the staff who made him well, the volunteers who showed him how to play like a kitten and helped promote his adoption, Independent Animal Rescue for finding him a foster home and his new “mom” for giving him a home!

Enjoy these pictures of Phoenix today enjoying is new life!

Reasons to believe in the work of APS

aps — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:23:52 +0000

Your donation will save lives!

Every year, thousands of cats and dogs are abandoned, surrendered or lost in our area. Many are weak, sick and in pain. Some have been cruelly abused. All are helpless, with no place to turn.

With your help, we can make sure thousands of needy animals get the care and find the loving homes they deserve.

Stella was a victim of cruelty.
When we met her she had heartworms and was not eating. At APS Stella was cared for and slowly, but surely, both her body and spirit were healed. Now Stella is affectionate and playful. Her scars tell the story of all that she’s suffered and how very far she’s come.

Phoenix was abandoned in a parking lot.

He came to APS emaciated and with blistered and burnt pads on his feet. He suffered from starvation and obvious neglect. Now, Phoenix is healthy, happy and has plenty to eat and drink. He finally knows how blissful it is to cuddle in a warm lap and that people can be great friends!

Hank was neglected and sick.

He came to APS heartworm positive, emaciated and with hair loss. He had been neglected all seven years of his life. At APS we treated his heartworms and gave him the love his so desperately needed. We contacted German Shepherd Rescue and Adoption, Inc. and they have placed Hank in foster care. His foster family says he’s affectionate, playful and has lots of love to give!

Help save the lives of pets like Stella, Phoenix and Hank!

Make your tax-deductible donation today!

THANK YOU!

SOPHIE

aps — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:40:13 +0000

SOPHIE is a pretty little Pointer/Border Collie mix who’s about 6 months old. She’s social, sensitive and a little shy at first, but tries very hard to please. She likes to play with other dogs, but doesn’t like to share her food or toys, so might do best as the only dog in a home, with playdates with canine friends :-)
Sophie will be a sweet companion for a family with older children.

Sophie lives in Kennel 33.
For more information about Sophie contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

SALLY

aps — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:39:09 +0000

SALLY is a sweet-faced, 3-4 year old Beagle who’s very anxious and unsure of herself, but she loves people and calms down nicely with kind petting and reassurance. She pays attention very well for food treats (she easily lures to a “sit”), so she should be fun and easy to train, and obedience class will help her settle and bond in a new home. She likes to play with toys, and is excellent with other dogs.
Sally needs a patient, low-stress, adult-only home where she’ll have lots of TLC.

Sally lives in Kennel 23.
For more information about Sally contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

DOTTIE

aps — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:38:19 +0000

DOTTIE is a pretty little Pointer mix who’s about 18 months old. She’s a sweet, sensitive, shy girl who’s been very anxious at the shelter, though she’s starting to make some good progress. She perks up beautifully when she’s with other dogs, and going to a home with another dog would be a wonderful boost for her confidence.
Dottie will blossom with kind, patient handling and training in a low-stress home. Previous experience with shy dogs would be helpful.

Dottie lives in Kennel 20.
For more information about Dottie contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

AIDAN

aps — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:37:28 +0000

AIDAN is a 4-5 month old Lab/Pit mix who’s lots of fun! He’s very playful and outgoing, LOVES to play with his toys, and is great with other dogs.
Aidan will be a wonderful companion for an energetic family.

Aidan lives in Kennel 29.
For more information about Aidan contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

EMILY

aps — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:36:15 +0000

EMILY is a sweet young Doberman mix (under a year old) who was given up to the shelter with 2 siblings (not yet pictured). She’s a very shy, sensitive and rather anxious girl, though she’s making good progress with her confidence. She likes other dogs.
We’ll update Emily’s profile as we learn more about her.

Emily lives in Kennel 17.
For more information about Emily contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

TRUMAN

aps — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:35:25 +0000

TRUMAN is a handsome, approximately 18 month old Plott Hound/Pit mix who’s very social and playful. He LOVES people, likes to be petted, and is very attentive, so he’ll be a great dog to train. He likes to chase a ball, enjoys playing with his toys and gets along with other dogs (though his energetic playstyle could be too much for some dogs).
Truman will be a great match for an active family who would give him lots of exercise and good basic training.

Truman lives in Kennel 15.
For more information about Truman contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.