CRITTER-ASHEVILLE-NOV18-WEB

FREE – TAKE ONE
NOVEMBER 2018
VOL. 20 NO. 9
TM
animal adoption, rescue and education in asheville and surrounding communities

CRITTER NOTES
Drag Queen Bingo Returns
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue’s annual Drag Queen
Bingo event, presented by O.Henry’s of Asheville, is back!
This year’s event will take place on November 2 from
7-9:30 pm, and will be hosted by VIP Drag Queen, Honey
LaBronx, a dedicated activist for the animals and for
LGBTQ rights.
Inspired by last year’s attendee feedback, this year’s
Drag Queen Bingo event will be much smaller, with a
more intimate feel. The cozier environment of The Crowne
Plaza in Asheville will create a more exclusive experience
for attendees and boost the chance of winning a
game prize or item from the silent auction. Visit
dragqueens.bwar.org to learn more and to purchase your
tickets. All proceeds from Drag Queen Bingo benefit the
animals of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.
‘Whiskey & Whiskers’ Fundraiser for FUR
Support Feline Urgent Rescue (FUR) of WNC on
Saturday, November 3 from 7-9 pm for Whiskey &
Whiskers, a fundraiser at Elevated Mountain Distillery,
3732 Soco Road in Maggie Valley.
For the evening, the distillery will offer $5 facility tours
and donate $4 of each tour to FUR of WNC. Included with
each tour is a free shot glass containing one of their
crafted whiskeys. Helping to welcome guests will be two
resident kitties and their rescuer owners.
In addition to the tours, there will be a silent auction
featuring a pair of sterling silver earrings from John
Laughter Jewelry, an original oil painting, “Catitude", by
Pam Haddock and other great items, including a
basket filled with cat-related goodies as the door prize.
‘Pilates with Puppies’ at Asheville Humane
Join Cisco Pilates Asheville on Saturday, November
3 from 4:30-6:30 pm for a furry fundraiser to benefit
Asheville Humane Society! Pilates with Puppies is a basic
Pilates class that takes place at Asheville Humane
Society’s Adoption Center, with puppies provided by AHS!
Tickets are $15. Space is limited and pre-registration is
required. Visit ciscopilates.com to sign up.
‘Yoga with Kitties’ Benefits AHS
Join Pure Yoga Asheville for a purrfectly fun event
to benefit the Asheville Humane Society on Saturday,
November 3 from 9-10 am for ‘Yoga with Kitties.’
The class is led by Pure Yoga Asheville at Asheville
Humane Society Adoption Center, 14 Forever
Friend Lane. Pre-registration required. Sign up at
pureyogaavl.com/events. Please bring your own yoga
mat. AHS will provide the kitties!
‘Tea With Cats’ for AHS
A special afternoon ‘Tea with Cats,’ will be held on
Saturday, November 10 from 2-4 pm at Ivory Road Cafe,
1854 Brevard Rd. in Arden. Enjoy an afternoon tea, with
tasty treats and adoptable cats from Asheville Humane
Society, with 20% of proceeds donated directly to AHS.
Reservations are required and space is limited, so
reserve your space early. $25 per person with $10 deposit
required to confirm. Please call or email for reservations to
Jill@ivoryroadavl.com or 828-676-3870.
Pop-Up Cat Café at Wedge Studios
Join the Asheville Humane Society for ‘A Pop-Up
Cat Café’on Sunday, November 18 at Wedge Studios,
129 Roberts St. in Asheville. Meet adoptable kitties from
Asheville Humane Society while you view the beautiful art
at Wedge Studios. Visit ashevillehumane.org/catcafe for
updates and to sign up in advance.
Annual Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner
Benefits Animal Haven of Asheville
The 12th Annual Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner to
benefit Animal Haven of Asheville will be held on
Wednesday, November 21 from 5—9 pm at Plant
restaurant, 165 Merrimon Ave. Join them for a delicious
(and humane) 3-course prix-fixe meal presented by award
-winning Chef Jason Sellers and his staff. All proceeds
benefit the current and future animals residing at
the sanctuary. Reservations now being accepted and
recommended as this event is always sold out. Call
828-258-7500 for ticket price and more information.
This Thanksgiving, as we gather
together to give thanks for our
blessings, let’s not forget our
devoted pets … those faithful
companions who love us
unconditionally and
enrich our lives daily.
PAGE 2 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018

IN THIS ISSUE
NOVEMBER 2018
Critter Notes ............................................................... 2
Angus & Phil .............................................................. 3
Point of View ............................................................... 4
The Worst Elephant Experiences in the U.S.
The Benefits of Adopting an Older Pet ................... 10
Critter Calendar ......................................................... 14
Animal & Nature Stuff to Do and See
Critter Kids’ Page ...................................................... 15
Thank You!
Miniature Horses Make Great Service Animals ...... 16
Giving Thanks for Our Animal Companions …....... 17
PA May Ban Puppy Mill Dogs in Pet Stores ……… 20
ON THE COVER
BINDI, pictured on the front cover, is a very beautiful
and loving pit-mix. She now lives in Asheville with her
forever family and shares it with her canine brother
and sister, as well as four cats and two guinea pigs.
To read more about Bindi, and see the miracle you
can create when you rescue a pet, turn to page 8.
November is
Adopt-A-Senior Pet Month
They’re already trained, with
no personality surprises and
they need your love.
Won’t you consider
adopting a senior pet?
Critter Magazine is an animal adoption publication dedicated to
improving the quality of life for animals through education, support of spay/
neuter efforts and encouraging responsible pet ownership, as well as helping
to find loving homes for animals in need. Although the majority of the animals
profiled are dogs and cats, we will feature any animal that is in need
of adoption. We publish each month and distribute throughout Asheville,
Buncombe, Madison, Haywood, Henderson, Transylvania and Yancey
counties. Advertising and editorial deadline is the 15 th of the month for the
following month’s issue. We welcome letters to the editor, comments and
suggestions, as well as informative articles and stories which are relevant to
our goals.
Subscriptions are available for $24 per year.
Critter Magazine cannot screen either potential adopters or animals for health or
temperament. We urge all parties to act responsibly in these matters. All animals
adopted through Critter Magazine must be spayed or neutered prior to adoption.
Critter Magazine is a publication of Critter Communications, LLC.
Publisher and Editor - Elaine Lite
P.O. Box 8052
Asheville, NC 28814
E-mail: crittermagnc@charter.net
(828) 255-0516
If you are interested in publishing a Critter Magazine in your area,
contact Elaine Lite at crittermagnc@charter.net or call 828-255-0516.
Visit us on the web at www.crittermagazine.com
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without prior written consent of publisher prohibited.
Leave ‘em
to the Pro's!
High quality pet care
providers for
in home pet care.
www.ashevilleareapetsitters.com
CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018 • PAGE 3

Point of View
The Worst Elephant
Experiences in the U.S.
While the owners of zoos and other wild animal tourist
attractions may argue that keeping elephants in captivity is
helping these animals, that is simply not the case.
In the wild, highly intelligent elephants walk up to
30 miles a day and are extremely social, with large,
extended families. On the other hand, in many tourist
attractions, elephants spend their lives in small enclosures,
often all by themselves. Their bleak living conditions can
lead to serious physical problems, such as deadly foot
disease and arthritis, as well as psychological problems,
like repetitive swaying and head bobbing.
These are among the many reasons why elephants
don’t belong in any zoo or circus. More than 40 countries
now have laws prohibiting the use of wild animals in
circuses and other types of entertainment, and many zoos
in the US are starting to close their elephant exhibits.
Nevertheless, many elephants in captivity continue to
live in terrible conditions around the world. Here, ranked in
order of their awfulness, are some of the worst of these
experiences in the U.S., along with what you can do
to help provide these elephants with better lives. The
rankings took into consideration the use of cruel devices to
train and punish elephants, like bullhooks, tasers and
chains; violations of the Animal Welfare Act; unethical
breeding; heavy exploitation; inadequate space; and
solitary elephants who showed signs of stress.
1. THE OREGON ZOO (PORTLAND, OR – USA)
This Portland facility has the dubious distinction of not
only being at the top of our list but also being a regular on
IDA’s (In Defense of Animals) annual lists of the worst
zoos in the world.
Among many issues, its elephant breeding program
has been criticized for selling calves to controversial
entertainment companies like Have Trunk Will Travel. It
also uses cruel devices called bullhooks – a stick with a
sharp hook on one end – to beat elephants into
submission. In 2000, the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) cited the zoo for violating the Animal Welfare Act
after an elephant named Rose-Tu was discovered with
more than 175 bullhook wounds.
Further, one Borneo pygmy elephant living at the
Oregon Zoo, named Chendra, who is the the only one of
her species in the U.S., is blind in one eye and shunned
by other elephants in captivity. Veterinarians have noted
evidence that the zoo has used a bullhook on Chendra
multiple times. The online site, Care2 is raising funds to
put up a billboard in Portland, Oregon demanding that
the zoo #FreeChendra. Animal welfare advocates have
been trying for years to get Chendra released to a
sanctuary. Over 260,000 people have even signed a
Care2 petition supporting their efforts.
The Oregon Zoo’s saddest and most infamous claim to
fame was Packy, a male Asian elephant born at the zoo in
1962, who spent his 54 years there in captivity, being
forced to breed – even with his sisters. Nearly 190,000
people signed an online Care2 petition urging the zoo to
send Packy to a sanctuary, but the poor elephant never
got to know freedom. Packy was euthanized in 2017.
PAGE 4 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018
Animal activists believe he was killed because he was too
old to breed.
Why it’s on Care2′s Worst list: bullhook use, animal
welfare violations, unethical breeding, heavy exploitation
Take Action: Sign the petition at bit.ly/2OhUlHJ urging
the Oregon Zoo to end its elephant breeding program and
stop using bullhooks. Join more than 263,000 people who
have signed this petition telling the Oregon Zoo to send
Chendra the elephant to a sanctuary or contact them on
Twitter to keep the pressure on: @OregonZoo.
2. GARDEN BROS. CIRCUS (VARIOUS CITIES)
In a heartbreaking video posted on Facebook in 2016,
a young elephant, covered with bullhook scars, faces a
wall and sucks her trunk for comfort as she waits to
perform in the Garden Bros. Circus.
It should come as no surprise that the owners of
this and other circuses, Richard Garden and his sons
Lance, Niles and Zachary, have what the Animal Rights
Foundation of Florida referred to as a “sordid history” in its
list of troubling circus incidents going back to 1984, which
is why Garden Bros. ranks at No. 2 on our list.
In 2017, veterinarian Philip K. Ensley, an elephant
expert, published a report noting that two Garden
Bros. Circus elephants, Libby and Bunny, “suffer
physical injuries, inhabit intolerably restricted spaces
and are subjected to a travel and work schedule that
is inhumane by any standard.” The previous year,
a whistleblower reported seeing the elephants beaten with
bullhooks and shocked with tasers.
Why it’s on Care2′s Worst list: bullhook use, taser
use, heavy exploitation, inadequate space
Take Action: Please join more than 365,000 people
who have signed the Care2 petition at bit.ly/2CA2RLW
telling Garden Bros. to send Baby to a sanctuary.
3. R.W. COMERFORD & SONS
TRAVELING PETTING ZOO (VARIOUS CITIES)
This zoo, founded over 40 years ago in Connecticut,
travels the east coast offering rides on a 49-year-old Asian
elephant named Beulah as she is controlled with a
bullhook. Its website claims that it’s a “fun, friendly, and
safe place to bring your family!”
Animal rights activists disagree. PETA has a long list of
instances, dating back to 1989, in which the USDA has
cited Comerford & Sons for Animal Welfare Act violations.
This history of citations is what ranks Comerford & Sons
as the world’s third worst experience for elephants.
“As far as the violations, they’re no different than if the
health department was going to [a] restaurant,” zoo owner
Tim Comerford said in 2015, insisting that most of the
Point of View - Continued on page 9

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Featuring
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· Holistic, hypo-allergenic premium foods
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(828) 252-2054
LESLIE E. STEVENS
Attorney at Law, PLLC
•Wills & Trusts •Personal Injury
•Veterans •Business
19 N. Liberty Street
PO Box 18356 Asheville, NC 28814
828-259-9009 sses98@msn.com
Animal Haven of Asheville
P.O. Box 9697 Asheville, NC • 828-299-1635 • www.animalhavenofasheville.org
CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND ‘LIKE’ US!
MOCHA
Thought Lassie was
pretty? You’ll love
Mocha. She appears
to be an Australian
Shepherd mix and
has the temperament
and the need to have
a job. She’s 2-3 years
old, a graduate of the
New Leash on Life
program, is well
behaved and knows
basic commands.
Mocha rides well in
a car, is housebroken and has lived with dogs
& cats, but would need a home with no kids
because of her resource-guarding tendencies.
BIRDY is a very sweet, 5-year
old brindle girl who enjoys long
walks and smelling the roses along
the way. She’s friendly with people
and other dogs but not so much
with cats or farm animals. Her
soulful eyes will melt your heart.
LUNA
is 2-years old
and has already
spent 1/3 of her
life in an animal
shelter waiting
for someone to
realize what an
intelligent,
healthy, and
vibrant dog she
is! Luna weighs
60 lbs, is a
Wheaton color
and possibly a
Husky/Shepherd mix. Having graduated the New
Leash on Life program, she’s well-versed in basic
commands, is good with people and around other
dogs, but not cats. A fenced yard to stretch her
legs and get exercise would be a plus.
Animal Haven Thrift and Gift Shop!
65 Lower Grassy Branch Rd. just off Tunnel Rd. near the VA Hospital. Tues - Sat 11 am - 5 pm. All donations are tax-deductible.
Come see us in
downtown Weaverville
for all your pet needs!
WeavervillePetPantry.com
1 Merrimon Avenue • Weaverville
CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018 • PAGE 5

General Family Dentistry
Kevin Fox, DDS, PA
David Whitlow, DDS
Providing gentle dental care for the entire family
and proudly supporting all of our community
animal shelters & rescue organizations …
How we can help save lives ...
Spay/Neuter
Adopt a homeless pet
Foster an animal waiting
for adoption
Donate
Volunteer
Be a Voice for Animals
ABBY Is a 7-year old girl in the care of Brother Wolf.
She’s house- and leash-trained, knows some commands,
likes to snuggle with her humans and give lots of kisses!
Adopt a pet from any local shelter or rescue organization
and receive a complimentary doctor exam and
bitewing x-rays at your next dental appointment.
*Offer valid thru December 31, 2018.
Please present adoption contract at time of appointment.
2 Iris St. (behind Biltmore Village) • 828-252-2791
"Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet." ― Colette
MaryPaws Adoptions
P.O. Box 941 Leicester, NC 28748 • 828-622-3248 • marypaws.com • find us on Facebook at marypaws!
ADOPTIONS HELD AT OUR SHELTER BY APPOINTMENT. COME SEE ALL OF OUR WONDERFUL CATS! CALL FOR INFORMATION.
ALLIE is an extra sweet 6-month
old beauty who is very outgoing,
very affectionate, sweet and gentle.
She looks like a Bengal with spots
underneath, stripes on top, all on a
gold-rust colored background.
She will be the favorite cat of
whoever adopts her.
MISTY is the sister of
Pumpkin. She has a shimmery
blue-gray coat, not quite as fluffy as
her orange brothers. However she
does share their lovely personality
and would make a wonderful kitten
pair with one of her brothers.
PUMPKIN is a 10-week old,
bright orange, very fluffy kitten with
a lovely personality. He’s outgoing
and affectionate and cuter than you
can imagine. Pumpkin also has
3 identical brothers! Think of
the fun!!
CAREY is a beautiful, 10-week
old seal point Siamese kitten with
large bright blue eyes. He’s very
playful and quite outgoing.
You will spend hours gazing
into his deep blue eyes. This boy
will make a wonderful companion.
MARYPAWS Animal Adoptions is a rescue organization dedicated to helping unwanted felines find loving and permanent homes. Through
our adoption program, we have helped hundreds of abandoned cats and kittens avoid homelessness. Please help us by spaying/neutering your
pets, making a donation if you can, or by offering one of our adoptable animals a place in your heart and your home. If you’re looking for a
pair of felines, call us! We have many siblings who are available and ready to be adopted together.
PAGE 6 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018

14 Forever Friend Lane - Off Brevard Rd. (Rte. 191) & Pond Rd.
828-761-2001 • www.ashevillehumane.org
ADOPTIONS: Tues. 10 am - 7 pm • Wed.-Sat. 10 am - 6 pm
Buncombe County Shelter • 16 Forever Friend Lane • 828-250-6430
SHELTER HOURS: Mon-Sat 9 am-6 pm • Closed Sun
LUCKY is a 4-year-old Boxer/
Terrier mix who can be picky with
his dog friends, so we recommend
a dog meet if he will be sharing a
home with other canines. Previous
owner said he is great with children
and loves meeting new people!
SNEAKS is a beautiful 12-year
old girl who is shy at first, but with
the right people, she warms up
and becomes quite the love bug!
She doesn't enjoy being picked
up, but if you're quiet and still,
she'll climb in your lap for some
gentle head scratches.
BUBBA is a 2-year-old Boxer mix
who’s a shy guy who needs time to
warm up to new people & environments.
He would do best in a home without
children. Bubba has been in our doggie
playgroups, and though he might be
tense with new dogs at first, with time
he is able to relax and socialize.
COOOPER is a sweet, 12-year
old gal challenged with an old
injury that affects how she uses
her hind legs. This may explain
why she is not a "leap into your
lap" type of cat. She will be a
loving and loyal companion
in a calm environment.
‘Pilates with Puppies’ • Saturday, November 3, 4:30-6:30 pm
Tickets $15 / Pre-registration required / Sign up at ciscopilates.com
Overnight Boarding
Full Service Grooming
Do-It-Yourself Dog Wash
270 Depot St.
828-350-0333
thesoapydog.com
Best Friends
Pet Cemetery & Crematory
PERSIMMON is one of 3 identical
brothers, all affectionate & playful with
outgoing personalities. These boys are in
the care of Mary Paws. For information
or to meet them, call 828-622-3248.
This ad kindly sponsored by
Simon’s Cat Sitting.
www.simonscatsitting.com
Bring in Your Pet
for a Free Treat!
• Natural Pet Foods
• Natural & Organic Fresh-Baked Treats
• Large Selection of Products
and Toys Made in the USA
• Gifts for Pets & Pet Lovers
.
Monday-Saturday 11-6 • Sunday noon-5
118-A Cherry St. Black Mountain
828.669.0706
www.boneafidepetboutique.com
Available 24 hours a day for your pet.
Your beloved pet stays in our care.
Onsite burial and cremation,
witnessed cremation available.
We are proud to support Asheville Humane
Society, Rusty’s Legacy, Mountain Pet Rescue
and other area rescue organizations.
1 Chapel of Faith Drive Candler, NC 28715
828-665-4303
www.bestfriendspetcemetery.com
CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018 • PAGE 7

CATS CRADLE
A Quiet, Cozy,
Comfortable B&B for Cats
Providing private rooms with a window
for each cat or household of cats.
Peace of mind for you ...
Contentment for your kitty!
For more information,
www.catscradlewnc.com • 828-490-3319
Friends2Ferals
A TNR Program of the
Humane Society of Buncombe County
Offering help with your outside cats
• Loaning traps • Trapping • Education/Assistance
• Discounted spay/neuter/vaccinations
PO Box 2532 Asheville, NC 28802
828-505-6737
A 501(c)3 non-profit • On Facebook at Friends2Ferals
Please open your heart and home to
one of our loving Clumber Spaniels
Clumbers in Need have several dogs available
for adoption. Call us for more information or
to meet one of these very special canines.
CLUMBERS IN NEED
(828) 230-2499
www.clumbersinneed.com
clumbersinneed@yahoo.com
"Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog." - Sydney Jeanne Seward
Rescued by Angels
Cover Girl, Bindi … Before and After
From the photo, all you could see was a young pup severely
malnourished and covered in mange. But Lori Jewel, founder
of Pet Tender Angels Rescue and Rehabilitation in Landrum,
SC, saw a precious little soul that just needed someone to
give her a chance. And that’s what Lori and her rescue and
rehabilitation angels give to all of the homeless dogs that
come into their care. So, when looking for your next “fur child”
please consider visiting your local animal shelter, rescue or
petfinder.com. By rescuing your next dog or cat, you
guarantee them a long, full life of fun, love, and adventure …
something every dog and cat deserves. You also open
their spot at the rescue or shelter for another
dog or cat in need of a good home.
PAGE 8 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018

Point of View - Continued from page 4
violations were “petty.” Yet among the USDA’s citations
were those for poor living conditions, inadequate
veterinary care and improper feeding – far more
serious than anything a health department would give a
restaurant.
Why it’s on Care2′s Worst list: bullhook use, animal
welfare violations, heavy exploitation
Take Action: Sign the petition at bit.ly/2OMs9Mt
urging Comerford & Sons to send Beulah to a sanctuary.
4. NATURAL BRIDGE ZOO PARK
(NATURAL BRIDGE, VA – USA)
Asha is the only elephant among the 40 animals at this
roadside zoo in Virginia. When she’s not being forced with
a bullhook to give 10,000 rides every year to visitors, Asha
lives inside a small paddock with little shade and no toys
for stimulation.
Even worse, when the zoo closes for the winter, a
USDA inspection found that Asha lives inside a cold,
damp barn with a concrete floor. This zoo’s mistreatment
of Asha ranks it at No. 4 on our list.
You’d think that such horrid living conditions would lead
to the USDA shutting down the Natural Bridge Zoo Park,
but that sadly has not been the case. In fact, the zoo has
been cited with dozens of violations of the Animal Welfare
Act — yet it still remains open.
Why it’s on Care2′s Worst list: bullhook use, solitary
elephant, animal welfare violations, inadequate space
Take Action: Please join nearly 350,000 people who
have signed the Care2 petition started by Kelly
Coldewey of the Facebook group ‘Help Our Precious
Elephants’ (H.O.P.E.) urging the Natural Bridge Zoo Park
to send Asha to a sanctuary. Online at bit.ly/2ElDhvZ.
5. THE LOS ANGELES ZOO
(LOS ANGELES, CA – USA)
Although the Los Angeles Zoo expanded its original
elephant exhibit about a decade ago, its current 6.5 acres
is still insufficient space for its four captive elephants to
roam, ranking it at No. 8 on our list.
Billy, a male Asian elephant, is kept separated from
females Jewel, Tina and Shaunzi in a too-small corral. He
frequently bobs his head and rocks back and forth, which
are signs of stress. A disturbing 1989 video shows a zoo
employee striking Billy with a bullhook. Billy is also used
for captive breeding purposes and forced to undergo
invasive procedures to remove his semen.
Fortunately for Billy, the L.A. Arts, Entertainment, Parks
and River Committee is currently considering a motion by
City Councilman Paul Koretz to have the elephant moved
to a sanctuary.
Why it’s on Care2′s Worst list: inadequate space,
unethical breeding
Take Action: Join more than 440,000 people who
have signed this petition telling the Los Angeles Zoo to
send Billy the elephant to a sanctuary. Online at
bit.ly/2IM0WUD.
6. WILDLIFE SAFARI, USA
Visitors to this drive-through tourist attraction in Oregon
that’s last but not least on our list can sit in their cars
during the summer while elephants “wash” their vehicles,
using their trunks to hold sponges and hoses.
Wildlife Safari says on its website that its mission “is to
provide the highest quality interaction with wildlife to
inspire lifelong commitments to conservation, education
and preservation of native and exotic species.”
How can an elephant car wash be considered the
“highest quality interaction”? Elephants don’t naturally
wash cars in the wild. The painful bullhooks used to train
and force them to perform unnatural stunts (an employee
can be seen holding one in the video below) are cruel.
The only lesson being taught is that it’s acceptable to
exploit and harm these beautiful animals for profit.
Why it’s on Care2′s Worst list: bullhook use, heavy
exploitation
Take Action: Sign the online petition at
bit.ly/2RDrMCn telling Wildlife Safari to stop forcing
elephants to wash cars.
CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018 • PAGE 9

The Benefits of Adopting
an Older Pet
There are thousands of dogs and cats languishing in
shelters across the country, but at the top of the list are
older animals.
It’s terribly sad to know that these poor animals are
frightened, disoriented, and waiting anxiously in their
kennels for their families to come back and collect them.
And it's sadder still to know many of these pets will
never leave the shelter ... unless more adoptive families
are willing to give them a second look.
Here are some wonderful reasons to seriously consider
a senior pet who needs a home.
1) Older dogs have manners. Unlike puppies, many
grown-up dogs have spent years living with a family and
being socialized to life with humans. They may have
received obedience training and respond to commands
like Sit, Stay, and Down. Many are house-trained and it
takes a matter of hours or a day or two to help them learn
the potty rules in their new home.
2) Senior pets are less destructive. Most older adoptive
pets are well past the search-and-destroy phase. You
don't need to worry so much about finding your favorite
pair of shoes or a table leg chewed beyond recognition.
Chances are your senior kitty has no urge to overturn your
potted plant or shred the handmade quilt your grandma
gave you.
3) What you see is what you get. A senior pet holds no
surprises as to how big he might get, what color his adult
BRING COMPASSION
to your plate for the holidays.
Learn more and receive free
recipes and information:
www.GentleThanksgiving.org
800-632-8688
coat will be, or whether his hips will be healthy. A senior
pet comes to you with his own history, which makes his
future much more predictable than that of an 8-week old
puppy or kitten.
4) You can teach an old dog new tricks. Adult dogs can
focus on the task at hand (unlike many of their much
younger counterparts). If your adopted older pet needs to
learn a few things in her new life with you, not to worry.
Enroll her in an obedience class, contact a trainer, or go
the do-it-yourself route. Older dogs are more attentive
than puppies, and more eager to please their humans.
5) You can custom order your senior pet. If you're
looking for a short-haired cat, for example, or a kitty with
no history of dental disease, you can search until you find
an older pet with exactly those attributes. If you already
have a cat and need your adoptive dog to get along with
cats, again, you'll have a much better chance of finding an
older adoptive dog who is a perfect companion for your
family.
6) You can adopt a purebred pet if you want. If you
really love a certain breed of dog or cat, chances are
there's a breed rescue club that can point you in the
direction of older purebred pets in need of homes.
7) Senior pets are great company for senior citizens.
Many elderly people find the calm presence of an older
pet very comforting. They appreciate having a companion
who is also 'getting up there' in age, doesn't mind hearing
the same stories again and again, and is content to move
through life at a slower speed.
8) Older pets are relaxing to hang out with. Senior dogs
and cats have all the basics down and aren't full of wild
energy to burn. Because you're not constantly chasing
around or cleaning up after your older pet, you have a lot
more time to spend finding fun things to do or just relaxing
together.
9) Adopted senior pets are grateful for your kindness.
Somehow, older pets seem to know you gave them a
home when no one else would. Many new owners form a
close bond very quickly with their senior dog or cat,
because the pet shows them a level of attention and
devotion that is unique to older adopted animals.
10) You can be a hero to a deserving dog or cat.
Almost without exception, people who adopt older animals
feel a special sense of pride and purpose in opening their
heart to a hard-to-place pet. Doing a good thing really
does make you feel good!
PAGE 10 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018

Greyhound Friends
of North Carolina
Dedicated to placing retired racers in loving homes
CHANGING THE WORLD … ONE GREYHOUND AT A TIME!
www.greyhoundfriends.com
FELIX is a happy,
somewhat mischievous,
3-year old boy who
would be lots of fun to
have as a companion.
Call to meet this
sweet guy today!
Open 7 Days a Week
mon-sat 10-7 sun 11-5
PattonAvenuePet.com
Thanksgiving Meal Deals
for dogs and cats ... available at all 3 stores!
$9.99 for a special healthy meal & treats for your pet.
ADOPT A RETIRED RACING GREYHOUND!
Greyhounds are calm, easy-going, sweet, loving, intelligent, clean, good
with kids and other dogs … and some even like cats! Most are between
2-5 years old when they retire and have a life expectancy of 12-14 years.
All Greyhounds are spayed/neutered, teeth cleaned, vaccinated, heartworm
tested,de-wormed and groomed. A one-time adoption donation covers all
these expenses. Meet our Greyhounds and learn more. For information,
(828) 692-4986 or (828) 230-2917. E-mail: sherryc@morrisbb.net.
Cat meals include a catnip toy! Available Nov. 1 - Thanksgiving while supplies last.
DOWNTOWN
109 PATTON AVENUE • (828) 255-7737
WEST ASHEVILLE
1392 PATTON AVENUE • (828) 505-8299
SOUTH ASHEVILLE
582 HENDERSONVILLE RD. • (828) 575-8292
CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018 • PAGE 11

RYAN SUMMERS PET CARE
Specializing in Unique Needs & Mid-Day Visits
30 Years Experience
• Walks • Potty Breaks
• Play Time • Boarding
• FREE Meet & Greet
$20 OFF First Booking!
Serving Henderson County, Arden,
Brevard, Pisgah Forest & Saluda.
828-553-6072 Facebook.com/RyanSummersPetCare
Proudly serving the people & pets
of our community for over 40 years!
David Vigee, DVM
Robert Scott, DVM
Two Convenient Locations:
1275 Sweeten Creek Rd. (828) 274-0646
50 New Leicester Hwy. (828) 253-0451
ashevillevetassociates.com
BLUE RIDGE HUMANE SOCIETY
ANIMAL ADOPTION RESCUE CENTER
88 Centipede Lane Hendersonville, NC 28792 • 828-685-7107 • www.blueridgehumane.org
HOURS: Tues - Thu 10 am - 6 pm / Fri - Sun 10 am - 5 pm / Closed Mon
KANU is a Florence
evacuee who jumped
out of a tree and
swam to her rescuer's
canoe! She is a lap
cat extraordinaire!
NAKITA is a senior
sweetheart who gets
along perfectly with her
cat and dog siblings in
foster care. Call us
to meet her today!
RAMBO is a very
special, 12-year old kitty
who has been through a
lot in life. This sweet guy is
looking for the retirement
home of his dreams.
OPHELIA is a playful
1-year old who gets
along with other dogs
and is great with kids!
She would make a
perfect family pet.
PAGE 12 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018

HAIRY POTTER
came to Brother Wolf
when he got lost and no
one came to reclaim him.
He’s been looking for a
new family ever since.
This boy likes walks,
especially hiking, and
he’d love a family
that will include him
In whatever they do.
He just wants to be part
of a pack. He’s very smart
and SUPER cute …
he would look great
In your family photos!
CALLAHAN is a playful sweetheart
who loves toys, hanging out with his
humans, and helping us work in the
office! Callahan is Feline Leukemia
positive (FeLV+), which means there
are a few additional requirements for
his care: he must be an indoor only
cat; he needs to be an only cat unless
the other cat/s in the household are
also FeLV+, and he needs access to
routine and emergency veterinary care
as he may be more susceptible to
illness. He would be a great cat to add
to your household if you already have
a dog, as the virus is not transmissible across species. Callahan
has a best friend Scrappy, who also has FeLV. If you're looking
for a pair of boisterous, loving young males, please consider
Scrappy and Callahan!
MJ is a friendly, squeaky guy
who loves all vegetable snacks
and starts squeaking with glee
as soon as he sees them. He
enjoys being held and is a good
snuggler. This sweet little guinea
pig needs a new home and
is currently residing in our
Second Chances Thrift Store.
31 Glendale Ave.
Asheville
www.bwar.org • 505-3440
CATMAN-2 CAT SHELTER & SANCTUARY - Harold Sims - Feline Friend
P.O. Box 2344 Cullowhee, NC 28723 828-293-0892
DAHLIA is an
independent, adult
female tabby who is
sweet and usually very
calm. She prefers quiet (no
small kids) environments
and appreciates a
cozy bed for cat naps.
KITTY has a boring
name but she's not a boring
cat. She is a beautiful little
lady who’s inquisitive and
sweet. She definitely isn't a
fan of other cats, so this
girl needs to go to a house
with no cats so she
can be happy!
AMANDA is a cute
little girl with a grey
mohawk who deserves
a loving home to
show off her sweetness.
White cats should
not be out in the sun,
so she needs to be in
an indoor-only home.
RETHA is the
cutest little ginger girl
with little white twinkle
toes. She has a mind of
her own and doesn't
really enjoy being held
but loves being
petted.
CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018 • PAGE 13

The Critter Calendar is a listing of animal/nature related happenings in and around Asheville, as well as other interesting
tidbits we discover in far-off places. Please send your event information by the 15 th of each month for publication the following month to:
Critter Magazine, P.O. Box 8052, Asheville, NC 28814 or e-mail: crittermagnc@charter.net. All area codes are 828 unless otherwise noted.
ONGOING
The “Outward Hounds Hiking Club” meets each Wed., Thur. and
Sun. at 9 am at Brother Wolf Adoption Center, 31 Glendale Ave.,
Asheville. Volunteers are paired up with a BWAR dog for walks on
local trails. E-mail volunteer@bwar.org.
PAWS for Love, a local affiliate of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs,
conducts therapy dog testing the second Tuesday of each month,
starting at 7 pm at a Hendersonville nursing home. This is the first
part of a four-step process to become a registered team with
ATD. For information, call Linda at 696-2773 or Carla at 692-5641.
Furever Friends Animal Rescue cats are available to meet daily at
Pet Supermarket on Tunnel Rd. and Petco on Merrimon Ave. in
Asheville. Call 348-7198.
Brother Wolf holds adoptions at Petco, 825 Brevard Rd. every Wed.
from 4-7 pm and every Sat. from 11-3 pm.
Catman2 in Cullowhee is open every day from 9 am-5 pm for
adoptions. For information, call 293-0892.
Brother Wolf holds adoptions at PetSmart, 150 Bleachery Blvd.
every Wed. from 5-7 pm and every Sat. from noon-5 pm.
Mary Paws holds cat adoptions daily by appointment at their
shelter near Leicester. Call 622-3248.
Transylvania Animal Alliance Group (T.A.A.G.) adoption day
11 am-4 pm at PetSmart on Airport Rd. More adoptable pets at
www.taag.petfinder.com. 966-3166. Every Sat.
A Pet Loss Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each
month from 6-7 pm at 258 N. Main Street, Ste. A, in Waynesville.
For adults grieving or anticipating the loss of a pet. Love offering
accepted. Registration required. Call Susan Kimball, LCSW, at
226-7366.
Sarge’s Pet Adoption Day - Foster Pet Adoption at Sarge’s
Animal Rescue Foundation’s adoption center. 256B Industrial Park
Drive in Waynesville. Every Sat. 10 am-3 pm. 246-9050.
Clumbers in Need pet adoptions the 3rd Sat. of the month at
Pet Supermarket on Tunnel Rd. Call Kim at 230-2499.
FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 2
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue’s annual Drag Queen Bingo will be
held at the Crowne Plaza in Asheville. (See Critter Notes, p. 2.)
SATURDAY - NOVEMBER 3
The Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society bird walk. First Sat. 9 am
at Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary on Merrimon Ave.
A Brother Wolf Adoption will be held from 11 am-1 pm at Petco in
the Highland Square Shopping Center in Hendersonville.
A Furever Friends Adoption will be held today at Petco,
964 Merrimon Ave. from 2 - 6 pm. (Held again 11/10 & 11/17.)
Support Feline Urgent Rescue of WNC at the Whiskey &
Whiskers fundraiser from 7-9 pm at Elevated Mountain Distillery,
3732 Soco Rd. in Maggie Valley. (See Critter Notes, p. 2.)
Join the Asheville Humane Society for ‘Yoga with Kitties’ at the
Adoption Center today from 9-10 am. $15 per class. Pre-registration
required at pureyogaavl.com/events.
Join Cisco Pilates Asheville for ‘Pilates with Puppies’ a furry
fundraiser to benefit Asheville Humane Society at the Adoption
Center today from 4:30-6:30 pm. $15 per class. Space is limited.
Pre-registration required at ciscopilates.com.
SUNDAY - NOVEMBER 4
The Asheville Vegan Society will hold their monthly vegan potluck
at 6 pm at Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd. in
Asheville. Please bring a generous amount of vegan food or drink
to share, your own plate, cup or glass and utensils. $2/person
suggested donation.
A Furever Friends Adoption will be held at Pet Supermarket,
244 Tunnel Rd. from 2 - 6 pm. (Held again 11/11, 11/18, 11/25.)
SATURDAY - NOVEMBER 10
A Guided Bird Walk will be held the second Sat. of each month at
Jackson Park in Hendersonville, from 9-11 am. Co-sponsored by
ECO and Henderson County Bird Club. For more, 692-0385.
A Brother Wolf Adoption will be held from 11 am-1 pm at PetSmart,
213 Greenville Hwy. in Hendersonville.
Join the Asheville Humane Society for ‘Tea with Cats’ at Ivory
Road Cafe today at 2 pm. (See Critter Notes, p. 2.)
Phoenix Landing presents ‘A Parrot’s Point of View’ from
10 am-noon at 31 Landing Place in Alexander, NC. Parrots are
built to fly, forage, and flock together, and in the wild they must be
continually on alert for predators. These physical and social attributes
still govern how a parrot adapts to their lives in our homes. Do
you consider your parrot’s perspective in your daily routines and
interactions? Perhaps sometimes you just don’t understand each
other because you see things differently.
FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 16
A Brother Wolf Adoption will be held from 5-7 pm at Mills River
Brewery, 330 Rockwood Rd. #103 in Arden.
SATURDAY - NOVEMBER 17
Greyhound Friends of NC holds a ‘Meet & Greet’ the 3rd Sat.
of the month at PetSmart in Arden from noon-2:30 pm. For info,
call 692-4986.
Caturday Yoga (with cats from Furever Friends) will be held from
1-3 pm at Violet Owl Wellness, 62 Wall St. in downtown Asheville. To
register, call 785-3041 or email violetowlwellness@gmail.com.
SUNDAY - NOVEMBER 18
Join the Asheville Humane Society for ‘A Pop-Up Cat Café’ at
Wedge Studios, 129 Roberts St. in Asheville. Come meet adoptable
kitties from Asheville Humane Society while you view the beautiful art
at Wedge Studios! Visit ashevillehumane.org/catcafe for updates and
to sign up in advance.
WEDNESDAY - NOVEMBER 21
The 12th Annual Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner to benefit Animal
Haven of Asheville will be held tonight from 5—9 pm at Plant
restaurant, 165 Merrimon Ave. in Asheville. (See Critter Notes, p. 2.)
SATURDAY - NOVEMBER 24
A Low-Cost Shot Clinic with James Boatwright, DVM will be held
the last Saturday of each month at Candler Feed & Seed,
1275 Smoky Park Hwy. from noon–3 pm. For info, call 553-5792.
PAGE 14 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018

Thank You!
Look carefully at the picture below. Now write a thank-you letter
from the animal to its caregiver. Name all the things in the picture
that this dog is thankful for.
On another sheet of paper, write three reasons
why you are thankful for animals.
Reprinted with permission from Humane Society Youth, publishers of KIND News, 67 Norwich Essex Turnpike,
East Haddam, CT 06423-1736, © 2018, www.humanesociety.org/youth.
Cappuccino Machines
Coffee & Tea Brewers • Gourmet Coffee
Gourmet Tea • Grinders
753 Haywood Rd. Asheville
(828) 254-7766
Be kind to
ALL animals.
chooseveg.com
People & Pets
Acupuncture
Dr. Andrea L. Fochios
MA, DVM, L.Ac
Veterinarian & Chinese Medical Practitioner
By Appointment Only
Visit us at our new office in W. Asheville
16 Harris Ave. Asheville, NC
828-254-2773 • Email: ALFDVM@aol.com
www.peopleandpetsacupuncture.com
CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018 • PAGE 15

Why Miniature Horses Make
Such Great Service Animals
By Melissa Breyer
With news that Southwest is allowing mini
horses on flights, here’s what to know
about these petite equine wonders.
There has been a lot of news about pets on airline
flights lately, so when Southwest Airlines recently
updated their statement about traveling with animals,
it didn’t comes as much of a surprise. However, there
was something in there that I wasn’t expecting. From the
statement:
Southwest Airlines welcomes trained dogs, cats, and
miniature horses as service animals onboard our flights as
long as the Customer is able to provide credible verbal
assurance that the animal is a trained service animal.
Southwest Airlines does not accept unusual or exotic
species of animals.
Am I the last person to know that there are service
miniature horses? (Let alone, service cats?) I mean,
emotional support animals come in all shapes and sizes
— peacocks, squirrels, you name it — but service animals
are trained and actually act as guides. Horses are smart
and seriously intuitive, but I didn’t know they could take
the place of dogs in, among other tasks, guiding the blind.
Which led me down the research rabbit hole to discover
that it all makes perfect sense. Here’s why.
The Guide Horse Foundation reminds us that
horses are natural guide animals that have been showing
humans the way for ages. And it’s natural for them to do
so. They note that In the wild, horses show a natural guide
instinct. “When another horse goes blind in a herd, a
sighted horse accepts responsibility for the welfare of the
blind horse and guides it with the herd.” They also point
out the following reasons why miniature horses make a
great match for the job.
LONG LIFESPAN
While a guide dog can serve for maybe eight to 12 years,
horse have an average lifespan of 30 to 40 years, and can
live to be more than 50 years old. Since people and their
service animals become so bonded, how wonderful to
have each other for so long.
COST EFFECTIVE
Only 7,000 out of the 1.3 million blind people in the
US use guide dogs. Training can cost up to $60,000,
according to the Guide Dog Users national advocacy
group, which could prove prohibitive. “Hence, a Guide
Horse could be more cost-effective and ensure that more
blind people receive a guide animal,” notes the foundation.
BETTER ACCEPTANCE
Guide dog users report resistance in accessing public
places where dogs are not permitted because their dog is
perceived as a pet. Those who use miniature horses do
not seem to have this problem since the animal is more
easily recognizable as a service one.
CALM NATURE
Just think of calvary and police horses in the midst of
chaos – horses can be trained to remain very, very calm.
GREAT MEMORY
Horses have amazing memories. I know that’s a fact
because of my childhood with horses, but the foundation
adds that a horse will naturally remember a dangerous
situation decades after it happened.
EXCELLENT VISION
Because of the placement of their eyes, a horse’s range
of vision is almost a remarkable 350 degrees. They
are the only guide animals that can move each eye
independently, meaning they can track potential danger
with each eye. Plus, they can see very well in the dark.
FOCUSED DEMEANOR
Trained horses are very focused on their work and are not
easily distracted.
SAFETY CONSCIOUS
Horses are very alert and always looking for dangerous
situations. “All horses have a natural propensity to guide
their master along the safest most efficient route,” explains
the foundation, “and demonstrate excellent judgment in
obstacle avoidance training.”
HIGH STAMINA
Healthy horses are hearty and robust.
GOOD MANNERS
Guide horses can be housebroken, they do not get fleas
and only shed two times per year. (Which means they are
also a great choice for people who are allergic to dogs.)
For more on why miniature horses are superstar
service animals, watch a video of the remarkable
Panda and how she helps her blind human at
bit.ly/2EBGuYk.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering where a mini horse
sits on a plane? Not in exit rows. Usually in the front, like
the bulkhead area, where there is more room.
Now and
throughout
the year ...
please
support our
advertisers!
They help make it possible for
rescued pets to find loving homes.
PAGE 16 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018

Reasons to Give Thanks
for Our Animal Companions
When you're cuddled up to your purring cat, all is right
with the world. Thanksgiving will soon be here – a time
for family, food and football and the day set aside to give
thanks for our blessings. Although world events may try to
interfere with our feelings of thankfulness, it’s necessary
that we focus on all things good, and as always, what our
pets add to our lives is good.
Here are six reasons to be thankful for your pet.
Love - If there’s one thing you know, it’s that your pet
loves you. And if you love your pet, that love comes back
to you ten-fold. Almost all pets show happiness when
you arrive home. Your dog’s most enthusiastic face-licking
moment of the day is when you walk through the front
door – even if you’ve just been to the mailbox. Your cat’s
enthusiasm may be more subtle, but even the fact that he
is in the same room with you for a change really says
something. Your bird chirps, your ferret comes alive and
your fish swim to your side of the aquarium. All because
they love you.
Companionship - Your pet keeps you company, and
that company helps you to feel less lonely and isolated,
especially if you live alone. Coming home to your pet
gives you something to look forward to. As an added
benefit, if you leash up your dog or cat and stroll through
the neighborhood, more than likely someone will talk to
you. Studies have shown that people walking with a dog
talk to new people far more often than if the dog wasn’t
with them.
Physical Contact - When your purring cat sits cuddled
in your lap, all is right with the world. This goes for your
pet bird perching on your shoulder, your puppy licking
your face and your horse nuzzling you as you stroke his
mane. Studies prove that cuddling and stroking your pet is
good for you. It makes you calmer and can even lower
your heart rate and your blood pressure.
All pets show affection, not just dogs and cats!
Someone To Talk To - Talking things out relieves a lot
of internal pressure. But having someone to talk to makes
a difference, too. It makes you feel less lonely. Talk
about anything – your pet will listen. Even better, he
won’t disagree, interrupt or tell anyone your secrets. And
maybe by talking things out, you may come up with your
own solutions.
Motivation To Exercise - Most pets need exercise
every day. Whether it’s walking your dog, riding your
horse or playing with your cat, you’ll be getting some
exercise, too. Physical exercise helps you to deal with
stress and sometimes gives you the opportunity to get
outside and breathe some fresh air.
Security - Some pets promote a feeling of safety. Your
dog barks when he hears or smells something out of the
ordinary, and your cat wakes you if there is smoke in the
house. But sometimes just having your pet nearby is
enough to make you feel less anxious and more secure.
A FOSTER HOME
SAVED MY LIFE!
Every day Americans use
500 million plastic straws.
Straws are on the top 10
list of marine debris items
collected during the
International Coastal
Cleanup. They have been
found stuck in sea turtles’
noses and in seabirds’
stomachs - proving to be
deadly.
If plastic continues to infect
our ocean, it’s estimated
that by 2050 every seabird
will have plastic in its
stomach and there will
be more plastic in the
ocean than fish.
There was nothing wrong with me.
I JUST RAN OUT OF TIME.
Foster homes give great dogs time to find homes.
If you have room in your heart and your home for a temporary
pet, please consider fostering. It costs you only time and love.
For a dog who runs out of time, it means the world.
CONTACT ANY OF THE SHELTERS OR RESCUE
ORGANIZATIONS IN CRITTER MAGAZINE.
CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018 • PAGE 17

A 501(c)3 non-profit finding furever
homes for cats & kittens since 2002
Boxer, Butts and
Other Mutts, Inc.
Changing the lives of dogs one at a time.
MURRAY (R) is a
sweetheart Lab/Australian
Shepherd mix and is between
5 and 6-years old. He is
housebroken and does great
with other dogs, cats and kids.
Won’t you give this angel
a chance for a new life?
DARLA is less than 2-years
old and was found in a duffle
bag by the side of the road with
her kittens. All the kittens have
been adopted - now it's her turn!
ATLAS is 9-years old and
was adopted from us as a
kitten. His elderly human can
no longer care for him, so he
is looking for a family to love.
Follow us on Facebook and check our ‘Events’ to see
where our adoptions will be held each week.
(828) 348-7198 • PO Box 1479 Enka, NC 28728
Fureverfriends@bellsouth.net
On Facebook at ‘Furever Friends Animal Rescue - Asheville’
SKY (L) is an adorable 6-month
old, B&W, Border Collie mix. She
would love an active family so
she can have fun and get all
the exercise she needs. She’ll
make one awesome hiking pal!
Sky does well with other dogs,
cats and kids.
Email: boxerbuttsandothermutts@yahoo.com
828-243-4148 • www.boxerbuttsandothermutts.org
HOPE FOR HORSES
P.O. Box 1449 Leicester, NC 28748 (828) 683-0160
‘EQUINE REHABILITATION AND ADOPTION’
STETSON is an
awesome but very spunky,
16-year old mule. He is
very difficult to catch in the
pasture and needs time and
attention from a dedicated
person. Once under saddle,
he is a super fun ride. He
has done trail rides and low
-level hunter lessons, too!
He is currently pastured
with a goat, but also does
great with horses. It is
unknown how he behaves
with dogs. He is completely
sound, other than an
occasional abscess on
his belly, but they healed
with minor cleaning. Email
hopeforhorses@aol.com.
VIZZINI is a
very curious and
friendly, 6-year old
donkey. He will
sometimes come
behind his human
and put his head on
her shoulder to see
what is going on!
He’s a wonderful
pasture guard and
gets along well with
horses, but not dogs.
He is perfectly sound
and healthy but
needs a new home
very soon, due to
the relocation of
his owner.
www.hopeforhorses.org
PAGE 18 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018

962 Cane River School Road
Burnsville, NC • (828) 682-9510
Hours: Mon, Tues, Thu, Fri
noon-5 pm / Sat - noon-4 pm
Closed Wed and Sun
November is Adopt a Senior
Pet Month, so please meet
GAYLE, an 8-year old (maybe
older) gal who came to us as
a stray. She’s already
spayed, but no one has
claimed her. She is the
sweetest older lady we’ve
ever met and gets along
with most other dogs and is
fine with cats. She’s terrified
of thunderstorms and gunshots
... they make her want
to run and hide. Her adopter
will need to be sure she’ll
have a safe place inside
when a storm comes. Please
consider her … she has so
much love left to give!
Follow us on facebook!
E-mail: ychs@ccvn.com
www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC08.html
989 Little Mountain Road Columbus, NC
FoothillsHumaneSociety.org • 828-863-4444
Seeking volunteer dog walkers & dog/cat fosters.
RAELYNN (R) is a gorgeous 6-month old
tortoiseshell kitten, And everyone knows
how special "torties" are! They have lots of
personality and are very intelligent. Raelynn
will make a great companion
for adults or children.
NALA (L) is a sweet,
6-year old, brown & cream
color Retriever mix who is up-to-date on
vaccinations and spayed. She loves kids
and gets along with most dogs, however
Nala would do best in a home without cats.
DONATIONS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE ...
UNTIL THEY ALL HAVE A HOME!
Adoption Hours: Mon & Tue 11 am-5 pm
Thu-Sat 11 am-5 pm / Sun 1-5 pm
HENDERSON COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES
828 Stoney Mountain Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28791 • (828) 697-4723
hendersoncountync.animalshelternet.com
HANSEL (L) and GRETEL (R) are a pair of gorgeous
siblings. They are 1½-year old gray tabby/tortie mixes with
alluring golden and green eyes and white chest & paws.
Call today to meet this brother and sister duo …
you’ll be glad you did!
LILLY is a beautiful gray & white,
9-year old female who’s looking
for her loving retirement home.
It’s Adopt-a-Senior Pet Month …
is she for you?
TAFFETA is a
beautiful 2-year old,
white & gray tabby girl
who would love to be
your next best friend!
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10 am-4:30 pm
Sat. 10 am-2 pm
CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018 • PAGE 19

PA Could Be Next to Ban Selling
Puppy Mill Dogs in Pet Stores
By Alicia Graef
While animal advocates continue to work to find homes
for adoptable animals and raise awareness about puppy
mills, breeders across the country continue to churn out
puppies and perpetuate the cycle of cruelty.
Now, however, Pennsylvania is poised to become the
next state to step up for mill dogs by ending that cycle.
A bill making its way through the legislature would
require pet stores to get dogs, cats and rabbits from
shelters and rescues, and would require breeders to post
their license number on all advertisements, which would
allow consumers to do their homework and enforcement
officials to identify unlicensed breeders. Additionally, it
would close a loophole in the state’s current law that
allows people to sell animals in public places.
Supporters hope this legislation will help crack down on
the notoriously cruel puppy mills operating in the U.S. by
closing a market for the dogs they produce who are sold in
pet stores. Not only will this help save the lives of dogs in
need of homes by increasing adoptions and reducing
the demand for more from breeders, it will help protect
consumers, and relieve taxpayers who are ultimately
paying for shelters to house and kill animals.
“It is well-documented that ‘puppy mills,’ inhumane
commercial dog breeding facilities, frequently supply pet
stores with puppies. Consumers often spend thousands of
dollars caring for sick puppies from pet stores, in some
cases, only to suffer the heartbreak of their new pet dying.
With this legislation, pet stores will partner with shelters
and rescues to promote adoption and decrease the
demand for the puppies raised in puppy mills. Shelters
and rescues are burdened with finding families for
homeless pets, thousands of whom are euthanized
each year in Pennsylvania alone,” wrote Senator Guy
Reschenthaler, who introduced the Senate version of this
bill.
While many continue to defend pet store sales of dogs
and cats, claiming that they only come from breeders who
are licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA), the standards that have to be met for licensing
are the bare minimum, and they’re not in line with the level
of humane care that breeders should be providing, or
that consumers believe is being provided – as multiple
inspections and investigations have continued to prove.
It’s also hoped this will have a big impact because
Pennsylvania is also home to many problem breeders,
some of which have been featured on the Humane
Society of the United States’ Horrible Hundred list of the
worst puppy mills in the U.S., and sadly most of them are
repeat offenders when it comes to violating laws intended
to protect dogs.
Thankfully, growing awareness about the problem is
bringing positive changes across the country. In the U.S.,
dozens of major cities across the nation have taken a
stand against puppy mills by passing laws shutting down
pet store sales. If Pennsylvania passes this legislation, it
would be the third state in the country, following Maryland
and California, which have also taken a stand against
puppy mills by banning pet store sales of dogs from
commercial breeders.
And while many pet stores have opposed this type of
legislation, claiming it will hurt their businesses, according
to Reschenthaler, business is thriving at one pet store in
the state, Pets Plus Natural, that switched to this model,
and because of that the store has helped home more than
8000 animals to date.
Hopefully lawmakers will hear enough from supporters
to persuade them to pass this bill, which is unfortunately
getting some opposition.
TAKE ACTION!
You can help show your support by signing and
sharing the online petition at bit.ly/2PkmTQF, which calls
on lawmakers in Pennsylvania to protect animals and
consumers by passing this bill.
MADISON COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER
389 Long Branch Road Marshall, NC • 828-649-3190 • www.petango.com/madisoncountync
HOURS: Tues. - Fri. 10 am-5 pm • Saturday 10 am-3 pm • Closed Sunday and Monday
ARE YOU READY TO BE A PART OF THE NEXT STEP? NOW'S YOUR CHANCE!
We are working hard to FURTHER reduce euthanasia rates in Madison County.
To that effort, we're developing a foster team to help us continue our mission of reducing
the number of animals euthanized each year due to over-crowding. We need:
• Short-term foster homes for animals that are awaiting transfer to a rescue group or animals too young to be adopted
• Longer term foster care for harder to adopt animals or pregnant animals, neonatal foster parents
for bottle feeding puppies and kittens, etc.
We will provide food, necessary vaccinations, de-worming treatments, facilitate fundraising for
emergency care, and anything else we can do to help support you while you're helping us.
Applications for fostering can be picked up or emailed. You will be able to choose what type of foster
will work best for you and your home. To pick up an application and for additional information,
please call 828-649-3190 or email SGUICE@MADISONCOUNTYNC.GOV.
ADOPT YOUR NEXT BEST FRIEND FROM THE SHELTER … PLEASE GIVE THEM A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE!
TO ADOPT, call 828-649-3190 / TO FOSTER, call 828-768-3050.
TO RESCUE, email sguice@madisoncountync.gov. Our shelter is very small, so time is critical.
PAGE 20 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018

Subarus-R-Us, Inc.
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Our goal is to build long-term relationships of quality and trust with our customers.
With over 30 years of Subaru service experience, we are your
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service center for vehicles of any make and model.
SERVICES OFFERED INCLUDE:
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Open Monday-Friday / 8 am-5:30 pm / Early Bird/Night Owl Drop off available
372 Buckeye Access Rd. • Swannanoa • (828) 298-4883
HEY! Yes, I’m talking to you!
Know what would
be really great?
If someone could foster me for about 2-3
weeks - just until I go to my new home up
north. CAAR pays for all my food, shots, flea
meds and anything else I might need. We
could hang out and have a great time …
and you’ll feel really good knowing you
helped me until I got to my new home.
Well, gotta go chase my ball now,
but think about it!
HELP US HELP
THE ANIMALS!
VOLUNTEER
FOSTER
DONATE
FRIENDS OF MADSION COUNTY ANIMALS (FOMCA)
115 Blannahassett Island Road, Marshall
PH: (828) 649-9798 · E-mail: fomca@yahoo.com
Next to Smiley’s Flea Market - 5526 Hendersonville Rd. Fletcher
www.charliesangelsanimalrescue.com
For more information, call Claire at 693-9331.
CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018 • PAGE 21

Saving Haywood County’s Adoptable Pets
PO Box 854 Waynesville, NC 28786 ph: 828-246-9050
E-mail: info@sargeandfriends.org www.sargeanimals.org
TUGGER is a 9-year old
sweetheart who came to us when
her owner passed away. She has
been very well cared for, and has
been an inside/outside cat. She
has adapted well to life here, but
she'll be much happier when she
finds a new home of her own.
BLUE is an awesome, very handsome
Lab mix male about 1½-years old. He was
found with a note on his collar saying his
owner could no longer care for him, so
we're determined to find him a great
home. Blue has had some training, knows
basic commands, and is still energetic, so
needs space to exercise and play. He'll
give a lifetime of love to his new family.
LULU is a petite, female
1-year old Calico kitty.
She's a sweet girl who is
friendly and affectionate,
and seems to adapt easily
to new surroundings.
She just needs a new
family to love.
LINDA SUE is a beautiful
5-6 year old Lab mix who's a
very strong girl so we've fitted
her with a no-pull harness to help
her learn to walk politely on
leash. She loves to play with
other dogs her size, but may be
too much for small dogs or
other small animals.
ADOPTIONS EVERY SATURDAY • 10 am-3 pm • 256B Industrial Park Dr.
Short-term Foster Homes Needed for Dogs! Call us if you can help.
PHOENIX LANDING, HELPING PARROTS
EDUCATION, ADOPTION, WELFARE, REFUGE
www.PhoenixLanding.org
SUNNY is nicknamed
Sunshine because once
he warms up to you, he
will cuddle up under your
chin and keep you warm.
He has a loud little purr and
a very beautiful buff coat.
We think he is sweet and
handsome ... and he
definitely knows it. Come
visit him and his best
friend Falcor today!
SEE MORE OF OUR WONDERFUL PETS!
TAAG.petfinder.com
TAAGWAGS.ORG • 828-966-3166
ADOPTION DAYS are held at PetSmart in Arden
• Rescue Saturdays • Advocate - 11 am - • 4 Adopt pm
FOSTER HELP NEEDED FOR BIG BIRDS
SEDGWICK, a green cheek Amazon,
is at least 31-years old. His long-term
family were faced with numerous
medical challenges, but we applaud
them for taking care of him for 31 years!
He loves hot chili peppers, an excellent
food for parrots since it promotes much
needed vitamin A. He also enjoys the
rain, and it's possible he was wild
caught although he has no band.
As always, we have a long wait list for large birds -
macaws, cockatoos and Amazons - and many in our
system come back to us multiple times. If you have
experience caring for big birds and can help foster, even
for a month, please let us know. Start the process by
completing an application on our website or
email contact@phoenixlanding.org.
Fostering is a great way to learn if a big bird is right for
you. We also highly recommend one of our behavior
classes to help set everyone up for success!
PAGE 22 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018

ADOPT A SHELTER PET
2.7 million healthy or treatable shelter pets still need our help to find a home each year.
CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2018 • PAGE 23