ASHEVILLE-MAY2021-WEB

CELEBRATING OVER 

FREE – TAKE ONE 

MAY 2021 

VOL. 23 NO. 3 

animal adoption, rescue and education in asheville and surrounding communities 

TM 

!

How to Help Homeless Pets 

During the COVID-19 Pandemic 

While Coronavirus/COVID-19 has many of us 

practicing social distancing or settling in to shelter in 

place, there are still thousands of dogs and cats that 

need our help. Luckily, there are still plenty of ways you 

can support the them—and the groups that care for them. 

1. Give to Animal Shelters in Need 

One of the fastest and simplest ways to help a dog 

or cat amidst Coronavirus is by giving a donation. 

Fundraisers and events for many pet shelters have been 

cancelled. Traffic from potential adopters has slowed, but 

there are still pets coming in, costs for care, and needs to 

be met. 

Visit your local animal shelter’s website to see if you 

can make a donation online or find animal rescue 

groups and shelters near you. If your local organization 

cannot directly take a donation, The Petfinder Foundation 

can help. They’re currently working overtime during the 

Coronavirus pandemic to identify and distribute funds 

to adoption organizations that need it most, and you 

can donate to them directly. If you can’t donate funds 

directly, you can also donate product or supplies to animal 

rescues—and there’s no need to go directly into the 

shelter to do it. Just reach out to your local shelter and see 

if they have a wish list online. Pick a few items and send 

via mail. 

2. Adopt a Pet 

It’s as true today as it always has been. Adopting a 

new dog or cat is one of the best ways to help 

homeless pets. Search for an available dog, cat, rabbit, 

and more near you. If you find a pet that looks just perfect 

for you, fill out a pet adoption application, then reach out 

to the shelter directly to see what their current protocols 

are, given COVID-19. 

Since we’ll all be spending more time at home, it’s a 

good time to start healthy training habits, form a bond, and 

get a new pet acclimated to your home. 

3. Foster a Dog or Cat 

If you have the space and time to temporarily bring a 

pet into your home, now is a great time to do it. Fostering 

a dog or cat is a great way to know if you’re ready to 

adopt, or just help a pet in need for a little while. Plus, it 

can make the whole process of being socially distant feel 

a little less lonely—and a lot more cuddly. Here are a few 

ways to check into fostering: 

- Search Petfinder for available pets now. When you 

find a pet that you are interested in fostering or adopting, 

use the “ask about” button to reach out directly to the 

shelter. 

- GreaterGood.org is compiling a list of shelters 

and rescues looking for foster families, and matching 

those groups with fostering volunteers from the national 

community. Sign up to be an emergency foster and you 

may help save a pet’s life—not to mention bring a little 

extra joy into yours. 

If you have questions about fostering a dog or cat in 

need, feel free to check out the frequently asked 

questions about fostering a pet on Petfinder, read more 

at tinyurl.com/y7zveyz7. 

4. Other Ways to Help 

Make sure you have a disaster pet plan of your own, 

and run through this checklist of appropriate disaster-time 

supplies to make sure you’re covered 

If you’re struggling to care for a pet due to COVID-19 

try to avoid taking them to a shelter that may already be 

overwhelmed. Consider pet rehoming as a better option. 

Share posts from local shelters and Petfinder on social 

media, and help spread the word. 

5. If You Are a Shelter in Need of Help 

If your organization has been impacted by Coronavirus/ 

COVID-19, The Petfinder Foundation has grants up to 

$1,000 available. To apply, visit their online portal at 

tinyurl.com/yb2dcq6q and create an account. 

If you need fosters for animals in your care, 

GreaterGood.org is compiling a list of shelters and 

rescues looking for foster families, and matching 

those groups with fostering volunteers from the national 

community. Just fill out a quick survey at 

tinyurl.com/ybfhnrhz. 

THERE AREN’T ENOUGH 

HOMES FOR THEM ALL. 

PLEASE SPAY AND 

NEUTER YOUR PETS! 

PAGE 2 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • MAY 2021

IN THIS ISSUE 

MAY 2021 

How to Help Homeless Pets During the Pandemic ..... 2 

Angus & Phil ................................................................... 3 

Undisclosed Roundup Ingredients Lethal to Bees ....... 4 

Rescue Profile: Sister Kitten Animal Rescue ................ 7 

Is Your Cat Jealous of a New Puppy? ............................ 9 

Critter Notes ................................................................... 14 

Critter Kids’ Page .......................................................... 15 

Love a Pet! 

US Troops Leaving Afghanistan Take Rescue Pets ... 21 

HELP! I’ve Found a Kitten! ............................................ 23 

BearWise Basics ............................................................ 24 

ON THE COVER 

BOOMER is a special dog looking for a patient, loving family. 

He’s a Terrier mix who arrived at Foothills Humane Society with his 

sisters as pups. All had little contact with people and Boomer was 

the most frightened. Now, he loves going for walks with people he 

knows and has become confident enough to lead, but he always 

checks in with you. He loves playing chase with other dogs and his 

trusted human friends, but is still shy with new people. Boomer is 

looking for a quiet, low-drama home (no kids under 12) with an 

outgoing dog friend or two, a fenced yard, and people that will 

give him a little time to settle in and get used to a big change! 

Our trainer will provide 3 free sessions to help him adjust. 

For an online application, foothillshumanesociety.org. 

Be Kind to 

Animals Week 

May 2 - 9, 2021 

Sponsored by American Humane 

Celebrating over 100 years! 

NOW OPEN! 

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. 

Mention this ad for free nail trim with a regular office visit! 

www.CatClinicofAsheville.com 

49 Haywood Rd. 

Asheville, NC 28806 

828-645-7711 

catclinicofasheville@gmail.com 

ASHEVILLE PET SUPPLY 

“WNC’s Holistic Pet Center” 

Featuring 

Solid Gold, Wysong & Wellness 

· Holistic, hypo-allergenic premium foods 

· Healthy nutritional treats 

· Herbal and homeopathic remedies 

and supplements 

1451 Merrimon Ave. Asheville 

(828) 252-2054 

CRITTER MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • PAGE 3

Point of View 

Undisclosed Ingredients in 

‘Roundup’ Are Lethal to 

Bumblebees, Study Finds 

By Jenna McGuire, Common Dreams 

Commonly used herbicides across the U.S. contain 

highly toxic undisclosed "inert" ingredients that are lethal 

to bumblebees, according to a new study published last 

month in the Journal of Applied Ecology. 

The study reviewed several herbicide products and 

found that most contained glyphosate, an ingredient best 

recognized from Roundup products and the most widely 

used herbicide in the U.S. and worldwide. 

While the devastating impacts of glyphosate on bee 

populations are more broadly recognized, the toxicity 

levels of inert ingredients are less understood because 

they are not subjected to the same mandatory testing by 

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

"Pesticides are manufactured and sold as formulations 

that contain a mixture of compounds, including one or 

more active ingredients and, potentially, many inert 

ingredients," explained the Center for Food Safety in a 

statement. "The inert ingredients are added to pesticides 

to aid in mixing and to enhance the products' ability to 

stick to plant leaves, among other purposes." 

The study found that these inert substances can be 

highly toxic and even block bees' breathing capacity, 

essentially causing them to drown. While researchers 

found that some of the combinations of inert ingredients 

had no negative impacts on the bees, one of the herbicide 

formulations killed 96% of the bees within 24 hours. 

According to the abstract of the study: Bees 

exhibited 94% mortality with Roundup® Ready‐To‐Use® 

and 30% mortality with Roundup® ProActive®, over 

24 hr. Weedol® did not cause significant mortality, 

demonstrating that the active ingredient, glyphosate, is not 

the cause of the mortality. The 96% mortality caused by 

Roundup® No Glyphosate supports this conclusion. 

"This important new study exposes a fatal flaw in 

how pesticide products are regulated here in the 

U.S.," said Jess Tyler, a staff scientist at the Center for 

Biological Diversity. "Now the question is, will the Biden 

administration fix this problem, or will it allow the EPA to 

continue its past practice of ignoring the real-world harms 

of pesticides?" 

According to the Center for Food Safety, there are 

currently 1,102 registered formulations that contain the 

active ingredient glyphosate, each with a proprietary 

mixture of inert ingredients. In 2017, the group filed a legal 

petition calling for the EPA to force companies to provide 

safety data on pesticide formulations that include inert 

ingredients. 

"The EPA must begin requiring tests of every pesticide 

formulation for bee toxicity, divulge the identity of 'secret' 

formulation additives so scientists can study them, and 

prohibit application of Roundup herbicides to flowering 

plants when bees might be present and killed," said Bill 

Freese, science director at the Center for Food Safety. 

"Our legal petition gave the EPA a blueprint for acting on 

this issue of whole formulations. Now they need to take 

that blueprint and turn it into action, before it's too late for 

pollinators." 

Roundup — also linked to cancer in humans — was 

originally produced by agrochemical giant Monsanto, 

which was acquired by the German pharmaceutical and 

biotech company Bayer in 2018. 

The merger of the two companies was condemned by 

environmentalists and food safety groups who warned 

it would cultivate–and become—the greatest purveyor of 

genetically modified seeds and toxic pesticides in the 

world. 

ED NOTE: And as for humans, why are U.S. regulators 

dragging their feet and not listening? Cancer may only be 

part of the story. 

Studies over the past decade suggest that glyphosate 

— the active ingredient in Roundup — pollutes water 

sources, hangs around in soil far longer than previously 

suspected, and routinely taints human food supplies. In 

both the U.S. and Europe, the supposedly safe limits for 

human ingestion are based on long-outdated science. 

Research also points to serious adverse consequences 

for the environment, and there are indications glyphosate 

can cause disease in mammals even several generations 

removed from the initial exposure. It’s way past time for 

government regulators to take action. Follow the money. 

Austria became the first EU country to ban glyphosate 

in July 2019. Germany announced in that it will begin 

phasing out the controversial weed killer by 2024. Other 

countries that have some degree of legislation around 

glyphosate include: 

· Malawi 

· Thailand 

· Vietnam 

· Sri Lanka 

· Oman 

· Kuwait 

· United Arab Emirates 

· Bahrain 

· Qatar 

· Saudi Arabia 

· Bermuda 

PLEASE BE SURE 

YOUR PET HAS A 

MICROCHIP AND 

ALWAYS WEARS 

AN ID TAG WITH 

CURRENT 

INFORMATION! 

· St. Vincent and the 

Grenadines 

· Bermuda 

· Austria 

· Belgium 

· Czech Republic 

· Denmark 

· France 

· Italy 

· The Netherlands 

· Australia 


SISTER KITTEN ANIMAL RESCUE 

PO Box 1872 Maggie Valley, NC 28751 · (828) 400-0223 

SisterKitten.org · email: adopt@sisterkitten.org 

MARSIELLE SARA PHOEBE COSTNER 

Sister Kitten Animal Rescue (SKAR) was founded in 2019. We work to improve animal lives and the public’s perceptions of animals, 

with a focus on supporting community cats and “outdoor” dogs in WNC. We rescue and re-home abandoned and neglected animals, 

provide trap-neuter-return (TNR) as well as support, education and assistance to community cat caregivers. We maintain 

animals in foster care for adoption, provide veterinary care for sick animals, and promote community animal welfare. We respond 

to weather-related emergencies in the Southeast by assisting with animal rescue and relief efforts. We’re committed to proactive, 

respectful neighbor relations and positive collaboration with other local animal rescue and animal control agencies. 

NO MILKWEED, NO MONARCHS! 

Submit a comment on the Environmental Action website at tinyurl.com/xa63vmrk 


Please Support Our 

Advertisers! 

They help make 

this magazine 

possible! 

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 

VANILLA 

is a super sweet 

girl with a loving 

personality! She 

gets along with 

everyone she 

meets, plays 

well with her dog 

friend, Baby Girl, 

and is doing 

great learning 

how to walk on a 

leash. Just look 

at her sweet 

face—how can 

you resist? 

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 

Follow us on facebook 

E-mail: ychs@ccvn.com 

www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC08.html 


RESCUE PROFILE: 

Sister Kitten Animal Rescue 

During his first year of college, Eric Phelps began 

learning about animal rights and animal welfare issues— 

and he never looked back. At that moment, he knew his 

future would involve animal advocacy and rescue. 

Growing up in a multi-animal household he had a love 

of animals even as a child. An early introduction to the 

plight of animals in article he read about how, in Asia, 

dogs are raised for food. He began to compare this 

practice with the U.S. food supply—which includes cows, 

pigs, chickens and other animals. Realizing there was no 

difference in the species in terms of the value of their life, 

he made the decision to become a vegetarian and started 

to speak out on the plight of animals used for food, in 

laboratories and for fur. In 1996, he volunteered for PETA 

and was later hired in a communications capacity. 

Flash forward 30 years. In 2019, with several decades 

of experience working throughout the country in animal 

advocacy, welfare and rescue, Eric started Sister Kitten 

Animal Rescue (SKAR), a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. 

Sister Kitten’s mission is to improve animal lives and the 

public’s perceptions of animals, with a focus on supporting 

community cats and outdoor dogs. 

Based in Maggie Valley, NC, Sister Kitten is active in 

nine counties across WNC, most heavily in Buncombe 

and Henderson. Sister Kitten’s programs include rescuing 

and re-homing abandoned and neglected animals, TNR 

(Trap, Neuter, Return) and providing veterinary care for 

rescued sick animals. In addition, SKAR provides support, 

education and assistance to caregivers of community cats 

and promotes community animal welfare—both critical 

components of their mission. 

With the support of the community, Sister Kitten has 

very active foster and adoption programs for rescued 

kittens, as well as for animals that need new homes, 

regardless of the reason. Sister Kitten is a Petco Adoption 

Partner and maintains kittens for adoption at the Petco 

store, 385 Brevard Rd. in Asheville. 

According to Phelps, in 2020, the first full year of 

operation, Sister Kitten had logged many important 

accomplishments with the help of their supporters: 

· Spayed/neutered over 600 animals 

· Assisted over 150 caregivers in nine counties in WNC 

and driven over 30,000 miles 

· Fostered/adopted 130 animals 

· Provided more than 35,000 meals to community cats 

“Perhaps most importantly, we’ve saved dozens of 

kittens from lives on the streets,” Phelps stated. 

Sister Kitten also works closely with county animal 

shelters, the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance and area 

veterinarians. 

Working with County Animal Shelters 

When asked how they work with County Animal 

Shelters, Phelps replied, “We pull animals in need of 

special attention and at risk of euthanasia. For example, a 

shelter supervisor recently contacted me regarding two 

kittens with ringworm. The shelter had no means of 

isolating the kittens so that they could be treated 

there. I contacted our foster home families and found a 

home where they could be treated and then be ready for 

adoption.” 

He continued, “In one case, a new cat showed up in a 

feral cat colony that had clearly been an indoor cat. We 

took him to the county shelter where it turned out she had 

a microchip identifying the owners, and the cat had even 

been adopted from that shelter. In another situation, we 

were contacted by a family whose elderly relative could 

no longer take care of herself and her five cats. The cats 

were left behind and needed to be rescued. Together with 

animal control, we assisted in trapping and removing the 

cats from the property. We promised the family that we 

would take on the responsibility of re-homing the cats.” 

Phelps has also had experiences with dogs and 

wildlife. Here he describes a couple of times that either 

SKAR or he personally, was able to offer aide. “We are 

often called upon to investigate situations where ‘outdoor 

dogs’ are being kept in substandard conditions. These are 

frequently dogs that, although they have an owner - live 

completely outdoors - perhaps with minimal shelter and 

maybe minimal food and water. A good example last year 

was the case of Sugar Ray. Upon investigation, we found 

that this dog had lived outdoors, at the end of a chain, for 

14 years! He was badly in need of medical care. After a 

somewhat lengthy negotiation with the owner, we were 

able to take the dog into custody, provide the care needed 

to bring him back to full health and find a loving forever 

home.” 

Rescue is Not Just Cats & Dogs 

“It turns out, my animal rescue work is not just about 

feral cats and outdoor dogs,” said Phelps. “In a recent 

two-month period, I rescued a squirrel on the road that 

had been clipped by a car, getting her to Edith Allen 

Wildlife Sanctuary in Canton where she was brought back 

to health; rescued a domesticated rabbit found hopping 

along I-26 who was adopted and is now in a forever home; 

and rescued two different dogs on the loose. One had 

escaped after a serious car accident and was found 

wandering in traffic in danger of being run over. The other 

was running on New Leicester Highway. Both dogs were 

returned to their grateful owners with the help of their 

identification tags.” 

He continued, “Although many people could have 

aided these animals most people don’t know how and just 

drive by. But recently I encountered a possum on the top 

of a chain-link fence that couldn’t get down. Not having 

had much experience helping possums, I tried a net, to no 

avail. A local man stopped by, grabbed the possum by the 

neck and set it on the ground. Animal rescue isn’t just 

found in formal organizations.” 

Sister Kitten has also participated in rescues in 

other states due to weather-related disasters such 

as tornadoes or hurricanes. Phelps acknowledges how 

demanding and dangerous the work can be, but feels 

more hands can save more animals. “The satisfaction of 

saving helpless animals in dire conditions more than 

compensates for the difficult working conditions. I’ve been 

involved in rapid response rescue during hurricanes and 

other weather-related disasters in LA, TX, MS and FL.” 

Sister Kitten’s priorities in 2021 and beyond include 

increasing their foster home and adoption base to help 

more kittens have happy lives off the street. They also 

intend to become more involved in rapid response rescue 

work. 

How Animal Lovers Can Help SKAR 

Sister Kitten Animal Rescue depends on volunteers 

and donations of money and supplies for the animals’ food 

and treatment needs. “All rescued animals need medical 

care, whether it is spay/neuter, vaccinations, medications 

or more extensive treatment,” he said. “This work is 

expensive and cannot be done without generous support 

from animal lovers since we receive no government 

funding.” 

“So, although we love our work, it takes contributions 

from everyone who is concerned about animals to make it 

happen. We count on their donations,” stated Phelps. 

New volunteers and donors can reach out to SKAR 

via Facebook (facebook.com/sisterkitten); Sister Kitten’s 

website (sisterkitten.org) has adoption applications and 

donation links; and for Individuals & organizations who 

wish to donate to support Sister Kitten’s efforts can do so 

at sisterkitten.org/how-to-help. 


MOUNTAIN PET RESCUE 

The Thrift Hound Store 

234 New Leicester HWY. Asheville 

TUSK was found at a rest 

stop outside of Tuscaloosa, 

AL. Apparently, he got off 

leash chasing a squirrel 

and his owners just left him 

there! He did not have a 

chip and no info was left 

about the owners at the rest 

stop. The man who found 

Tusk was traveling through 

and took him with him back 

to Asheville to try and find 

him a good home. Tusk is 

1-2 years old, 56 lbs. and 

has an incredibly sweet 

and playful disposition. When he is inside, he sleeps all day; when he is 

outside, he loves to run and play with other animals. Outdoors there’s 

not a dog he’s met that he did not get along with. Indoors he seems to be 

territorial over stuffed animals. He is house-trained, pulls some on-leash 

when outside, but is quite receptive to training. He’s incredibly loving and 

unendingly goofy. He's just a sweet boy who needs a good home. Apply 

to adopt handsome Tusk at mpravl.org or email pets@mprval.org. 

MountainPetRescueAVL.org 

Email: pets@mpravl.org 

Be Kind to Animals ... 

Today and Every Day! 

- Doris Day 

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 

"Some people 

talk to 

animals. 

Not many 

listen though. 

That's the 

problem." 

― A.A. Milne 


Is Your Cat Jealous 

of A New Puppy? 

Adopting a puppy can be an exciting experience! 

However, introducing a puppy into your household when 

you already have a kitty can be challenging. 

If your cat is used to being your only pet, they’ll 

probably have trouble adjusting to a new animal in the 

house. Since dogs and cats are completely different 

species, they need time to figure out how to peacefully live 

with one another. 

Cats, in particular, can be extremely territorial. Bringing 

a new puppy into the house is a stressful experience for 

most cats. Your cat may act uncharacteristically out of fear 

and jealousy. 

Introducing a new puppy 

The way you introduce a new puppy in the house can 

reduce your cat’s jealousy. A slow introduction allows both 

the puppy and the cat to get used to one another. To do 

this, place the puppy in a room with the door closed. Give 

something that smells like the puppy to the cat, and 

something that smells like the cat to the puppy. This helps 

them get used to each other’s scents. 

After a day or two, switch the cat and the puppy so 

they can sniff around each other’s areas. Once they seem 

to accept each other’s scents, replace the door with a 

baby gate. This way, they can see each other but not 

directly interact. 

If either one of them acts aggressively towards the 

other, remove them from the sight of the other. If the 

puppy is calm, praise the puppy for good behavior. 

Once they accept the sight of one another, start 

allowing them to be in the same room together. Supervise 

the initial interactions and intervene if necessary. You can 

also provide a high perch for your cat to help them feel 

safe. 

Signs Your Cat is Jealous 

Even if you introduce a puppy slowly, a cat still might 

exhibit signs of jealousy. Keep a careful eye on your kitty 

in the weeks after introducing a puppy. The most obvious 

signs of jealousy is if your cat is acting aggressively 

towards the puppy, even if the puppy isn’t interacting with 

the cat. They might hiss, bite, or scratch. 

Your cat might destroy furniture, knock items off of 

tables, or claw your curtains. If you pay attention to the 

puppy, your cat might try to get your attention by getting 

on your lap or standing in front of the puppy. An extremely 

jealous cat might even start urinating outside of the litter 

box. Even if the box is completely clean, your kitty might 

tinkle beside it or spray the wall. 

There are several reasons why your cat might be 

acting out like this. They might not appreciate the 

change in routine or they might feel like they’re not 

getting enough attention. Some cats also dislike having 

their personal space invaded by a new animal and acting 

destructively allows them to show their displeasure. 

Helping a Jealous Cat 

The best way to help a jealous cat is to recognize their 

jealousy before the behavior becomes a habit. As soon as 

you realize your cat is jealous, figure out what the trigger 

is and find a solution. 

You may unintentionally be spending more time with 

the puppy than with the cat. To resolve this, make sure 

you spend equal time with the puppy and the cat. You 

may even need to spend more time with your cat than 

the puppy, at least until the cat has adjusted. Make sure 

you’re providing proper care to both the cat and the puppy 

during this transition. 

Another trigger is they feel like they’ve lost personal 

space. If the puppy is taking over the house, you may 

need to find a way to create a space that only belongs to 

your cat. High perches that the puppy can’t get on are a 

good solution. You can also block off a doorway in a way 

that allows your cat to get through but not your puppy. You 

can also consider keeping them in separate rooms at night 

to give your cat a break from the puppy. 

In the end, if your cat is jealous of your new puppy, 

don’t expect them to be best friends—although over time, 

you might be surprised how well they adjust. However, if 

you spend time making sure that both the puppy and the 

cat get adequate attention and that your cat has a private 

area where it can retreat, they may slowly learn how to 

live with one another. 

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 


General Family Dentistry 

Kevin Fox, DDS 

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 

VALYN is a sweet 

1½-year old Pittie mix 

who’s a timid soul 

searching for a family 

to trust and love. He 

adores neck rubs and 

is always down for a 

good cuddle session. 

Valyn will take 

some time to get 

comfortable, but if 

you’re willing to be 

patient with him and 

give him the time he 

needs, he is sure to form a tight bond and be a wonderful, 

lifetime companion! Visit foothillshumanesociety.org 

to fill out an online application. 

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, 2021. 

Please present adoption contract at time of appointment. 

2 Iris St. (behind Biltmore Village) • 828-252-2791 

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 


We’re in the middle of 

what experts are calling an 

“insect apocalypse.” 

We’re working to ban 

toxic pesticides and 

save our precious 

pollinators. 

Boxer, Butts and 

Other Mutts, Inc. 

Changing the lives of dogs one at a time. 

Sweet ABIGAIL is a 1-year 

old, brindle boxer mix who is 

full of life and love. She came 

to us after she was found as a 

stray with a significant injury 

to her right hip—possibly from 

being hit by a car. After proper 

vet care and lots of TLC she 

has healed and is ready to find 

a family to call her own. She 

still has a lot of puppy in her 

and needs a family that will 

give her the proper exercise. 

We recommend no small 

kids because she will knock 

them down - not on purpose 

but because she’s just very playful. She’s in a foster home 

with an older child and does great—and actually would 

benefit from being in a home with an older child. She does 

well with other dogs - it would just need to be a dog that 

can handle her energy level. She is going to make a 

wonderful addition to some very lucky family. 

Email: boxerbuttsandothermutts@yahoo.com 

828-243-4148 • www.boxerbuttsandothermutts.org 

Will you donate to our 

Save the Bees campaign today? 

Donate at 

tinyurl.com/y4tu9pfk 

Environment North Carolina, Inc. 

Raleigh, NC (919) 833-0015 


Animal Haven of Asheville 

P.O. Box 9697 Asheville, NC 28815 • 828-299-1635 • animalhavenofasheville.org 

CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND ‘LIKE’ US! 

BONNIE 

Come Visit Our Thrift & Gift Shop! 

1500 square ft. of treasures! Shop the Animal Haven of 

Asheville Thrift Shop for all your needs: furniture, clothing, 

shoes, housewares, books, jewelry, electronics, tools, 

pet supplies, collectibles, toys, and more. 

LET YOUR OLD STUFF DO GOOD STUFF! 

Downsizing? Spring cleaning? Donate your gently used items. 

Donations may be dropped off during store hours: 

Tuesday through Saturday 11 am - 5 pm 

65 Lower Grassy Branch Rd. (off Tunnel Rd.) 

All donations are tax-deductible! 

Greyhound Friends 

of North Carolina 

CHANGING THE WORLD … ONE GREYHOUND AT A TIME! 

www.greyhoundfriends.com 

ROSE is a petite 66 lb., 

honey fawn female 

who will be 3-years old 

in June. Rose tested 

small-dog trainable with 

a chihuahua and she is 

currently fostered in the 

Wilmington area. If you 

are the perfect home 

for Rose, please review 

the Adoption Eligibility & 

Requirements prior 

to submitting an 

application. 

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. 

Like dogs and cats, birds are now facing epidemic overpopulation and homelessness. 

There aren’t enough homes - especially good homes - for every bird bred! Because of 

their demanding needs, parrots, like the Umbrella Cockatoo, above, are often victims. 

Thousands of birds are displaced each year simply because their caretakers can no 

longer provide the time and attention they require - either because they are not educated 

about bird care or because their lives and interests change. The least fortunate unwanted 

birds are passed from home to home before dying from neglect or abuse, or they are 

euthanized. The lucky ones end up in shelters and sanctuaries are filling up fast! 

If you are ready to make a lifetime care commitment, you can help solve this problem 

by not breeding birds and by adopting a displaced bird rather than buying one from a pet 

store. Bird rescue, adoption, and sanctuary organizations can also use volunteers and 

donations to help care for their birds. Please spread the word to your fellow bird lovers - 

thousands of parrots and other birds will thank you! 


14 Forever Friend Lane - Off Brevard Rd. (Rte. 191) & Pond Rd. 

828-761-2001 • www.ashevillehumane.org 

ADOPTIONS: Tues.—Sat. 10 am - 6 pm / Naptime for animals 1-2 pm 

Buncombe County Shelter • 16 Forever Friend Lane • 828-250-6430 

SHELTER HOURS: Mon-Sat 9 am-6 pm • Closed Sun 

BEAUFORD is a 

whole lot of cute in a 

small package! He's a 

9-year old standard 

donkey, and he has 

been with us for way 

too long. He loves living 

with other large equines, 

and would be thrilled to 

have some in his new 

home. He missed the 

memo on how to be a 

"real" donkey and does 

not get along with smaller 

livestock. This shy guy is 

great around people once 

he learns to trust you, 

and the way to his heart 

is lots of treats. He's 

ready to find his home! 

If you ever wanted to see 

a pig that smiles, look no 

further. CURLY is one of 

the happiest pigs we've ever 

met! He enjoys rooting in the 

dirt and the fresh hay; it's 

common for Curly to have 

hay on his head from rooting 

around in the stall. He loves 

to get special treats, like 

melon, and enjoys living with 

his pig friends. Curly is the 

biggest pig at the barn, 

weighing in at around 

400 lbs! He's about 4-years 

old, and is neutered. While he has a happy life at the barn, he’s 

ready to put down roots and find a home he can call his own. 

To inquire about adopting Beauford or Curly, email adoptions@ashevillehumane.org. 

Our Adoption Center is OPEN ... no appointment needed! 

· Masks are required for the safety of our adopters and staff · When you arrive at the Adoption Center, temperature 

will be taken with a contactless thermometer. If the reading is 100.4 or above, we ask that you please return home. 

All your pet needs 

in downtown 

Weaverville! 

WeavervillePetPantry.com 

1 Merrimon Avenue • Weaverville 

ANIMAL 

MATTERS 


CRITTER NOTES 

Wagbar & Mountain Pet Rescue Adoption 

Wagbar will host Mountain Pet Rescue for their 

‘Furry First Fridays’ dog adoption on Friday, May 7 from 

3-6 pm. 

Wagbar is a new hangout for dogs and beer drinkers 

located at 320 Merrimon Ave. in Weaverville. Their unique 

design combines an off-leash dog park with a walk up bar 

for ages 21+. The first Friday of each month, they close 

off the grassy hillside from 3-6 pm to give adoptable 

dogs plenty of space to roam and meet their potential 

new owners. Stop by, join the fun and check out the pups! 

Phoenix Landing Continues Online Class 

Phoenix Landing Parrot Rescue continues to host 

an online class during May. “No Place Like Home” (online 

and self-paced) is available for those who prefer to spread 

a class out into short segments over multiple days. This 

session will be held May 7-24 and focuses on what we 

offer birds in the place they call home. What does home 

mean? For a parrot it might mean a place to be safe, 

be healthy, have a sense of family, and be provided 

opportunities to live and thrive. The class satisfies Phoenix 

Landing’s adoption process class requirement. In order for 

applicants to receive credit for the class it must be 

completed and submitted. Deadline to register is May 23. 

Access to class materials will be sent on Friday, May 7, 

and will be available through May 24, to be completed 

as time permits. Pay what you can—all donations 

appreciated. Register at tinyurl.com/26n58wrb. 

Foothills Humane Society Hosts May Events 

The Foothills Humane Society (FHS) in Columbus, NC 

is hosting three adoption events in May. 

The first is on May 8, from 11 am-2 pm at Iron Key 

Brewing Company in Columbus. The next is on May 12 

from 11 am-1 pm at O'Darby's Liquor Barn in Landrum, 

SC, where they will have adoptable cats available. The 

last event is ‘Plants for Pets,’ a fundraiser and adoption 

on May 15, from 10 am-2 pm at The Garden Patch, 

39 W. Mills St. in Columbus, NC. The Garden Patch will 

be donating 10% of the day's sales to FHS. 

Blue Ridge Audubon May Walks & Program 

Blue Ridge Audubon has resumed some of their 

monthly birding walks held on Saturday’s each month. 

Walks are free but you must sign up to attend. There is 

a limit of 12 people. Masks are required. To date, the 

following walks are scheduled for May: 

- Jackson Park bird walk, Saturday, May 8, 8–10 am. 

Join EMAS and friends for a bird walk at Jackson Park 

in Hendersonville. Meet in the Administration Building 

parking lot on Glover Street. Held monthly on the second 

Saturday, until October 9, 2021. 

- Swannanoa Valley bird walk, Saturday, May 15, 

8–10 am. Formerly called the Black Mountain Bird Walk. 

Meet at Owen Park in the parking lot between the lagoons 

(located behind the National Wiper Alliance building). Held 

monthly on the third Saturday, until October 16, 2021. 

Email blueridgeaudubon@gmail.com for information 

about sign-up. 

They are also hosting their May program, ‘A Safe Place 

to Land’ on Tuesday, May 18 from 7–8:30 pm on their 

Facebook page. Presenter will be Maria Whitehead. Visit 

them online for additional details at blueridgeaudubon.org. 

Rock & Roll Fest Benefits Blue Ridge Humane 

Save the date! The Rock & Roll Truth Music Fest - 

a benefit for Blue Ridge Humane Society (BRHS) - will 

be held on Saturday, May 15, noon - 9 pm at Saluda 

Outfitters, 435 E. Main St. in Saluda. 

This family-friendly event is a fun way to spend a 

day with proceeds benefitting the Blue Ridge Humane 

Society and their programs to help save animals in 

Henderson County communities. BRHS representatives 

will accept donations and have pet adoption information 

on site. Rock out to an all day line up of some of 

the hardest working bands in WNC, including a special 

reunion performance from area favorite Euphoria. 

Alternate performance area will be announced in case 

of inclement weather. Stay tuned to their Facebook event 

page for regular updates. 

Asheville Humane Hosts Virtual Baby Shower 

Asheville Humane Society’s (AHS) Foster Program 

needs your support. During spring and summer months, 

the littlest lives come to them in need of care—kittens. 

They rely on them for food, supplies and loving foster 

homes to help them grow and thrive. 

AHS provides all volunteer foster parents with 

everything they need while they are hosting their foster 

animals, so they go through a lot of supplies. Generous 

donations from the community help them to provide 

care for these most fragile ones. If you can, please 

consider donating an item from their baby shower wish 

list at tinyurl.com/ycafp4xk. Or make a monetary donation 

online at ashevillehumane.org/virtual-baby-shower. 

Your generous gift will allow the Foster Program to 

purchase more supplies as needed throughout the 

year. They are also in need of foster homes for bottlebaby 

kittens & puppies. Go to ashevillehumane.org/foster. 

They will provide all the training and support you need, 

you just provide the love. 

It’s Kitten & Puppy Season! FOMCA Can Help 

Learn how to humanely manage feral and free-roaming 

cat colonies. The ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance has a 

great new program for managing feral colonies. And 

they’re offering Spay/Neuter service for free. This offer is 

exclusively for feral and free roaming community cats and 

all cats will be ear tipped (no exceptions). The surgery 

also includes a distemper vaccination, 1-year rabies 

vaccination and Ivermectin. Call FOMCA at 649-9798 for 

help and more information. 

BRHS Pet Food Giveaway Events in May 

Blue Ridge Humane Society (BRHS) will offer 

three free pet food giveaway events during May in 

Hendersonville. 

The first will be on Monday, May 10 at the BRHS 

Adoption Center, 88 Centipede Lane from 3-5:30 pm. The 

second is on Saturday, May 22 at the Boys & Girls Club 

of Henderson County parking lot, 304 Ashe St. from 

10 am-1 pm. The last event for the month will be on 

Tuesday, May 25, 3-5:30 pm, Interfaith Assistance 

Ministry, 310 Freeman St. in Hendersonville as part of 

Drive-Thru Tuesday. 

Supplies will be given first come, first serve. Social 

distancing and protective measures observed, contact free 

and please wear a mask. 

Food will be distributed car-side - just pull up and they 

will direct you. Staff will get your info and place the food in 

your car trunk. If you don’t need free pet food, please 

share this info so those that might need supplies can get 

them. 


American Humane Association, celebrating over 100 years at Kindness100.org. Text and design by The Education Center, LLC 

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 office in W. Asheville 

16 Harris Ave. Asheville, NC 

828-254-2773 • Email: ALFDVM@aol.com 

officeofpeopleandpetsacupuncture.com 


BLUE RIDGE HUMANE SOCIETY 

ANIMAL ADOPTION RESCUE CENTER 

88 Centipede Lane Hendersonville, NC 28792 • 828-692-2639 • www.blueridgehumane.org 

HOURS: Tues - Sat 10 am - 5 pm / Sun noon - 5 pm / Closed Mon 

KENDRA is a 2-year old, BIG goofy girl 

who has no idea how large she is! She is 

very social with people and is an active 

girl looking for a person to run around 

with and tackle. She’s lived with other 

dogs and would do best in a home with 

children over 12 due to her size. 

FRANGI is a 1-year-old DSH who 

fully believes in the motto "girls just 

wanna have fun!" She can’t wait to 

land in a home with another playful 

cat or even cat savvy dog friends. She 

is a certified athlete and loves her cat 

tree and chasing wand/teaser toys. 

TRIXIE is a curious 1-year-old girl 

who loves getting her ears rubbed. 

She is very playful with other dogs 

and loves to sing the songs of her 

people, so apartment life might not be 

for her. She loves food & treats of all 

types and is a fun-loving, active gal. 

MARK is a sweet, 1½ -year-old 

DSH who’s a very gentle boy, and 

may seem a bit timid when you first 

meet him - but he really opens up 

when you bring the toys out. He 

especially loves his orange stuffed 

toy and rabbit kicks it nonstop! 

If you’re in the market for a dog or cat but can’t find one you like, fill out a pet request at blueridgehumane.org/adopt/requests. Once we 

get a dog or cat that matches what you may be looking for, we will give you a call to go over the next steps. If you or someone 

you know is in need of assistance with their pet during this time, call our Pet Helpline at 828-393-5832. 

PHOENIX LANDING, HELPING PARROTS 

EDUCATION, ADOPTION, WELFARE, REFUGE 

www.PhoenixLanding.org 

A 501(c)3 non-profit finding furever 

homes for cats & kittens since 2002 

AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION 

GEORGE is a Nanday Conure 

who is about 18-years old. We 

are awaiting the DNA results to 

learn if George is male or female. 

He came to Phoenix Landing 

when his owner had to move to 

assisted living. He is very shy 

and needs a patient caregiver 

who understands he may or 

may not ever want a hands-on 

relationship with someone. He 

loves shreddable toys. George 

is currently in a foster home 

near Asheville. Email: inquiry@phoenixlanding.org. 

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 inquiry@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! 

SUNNY came from a household 

with too many cats. She is 

not fond of being picked up but 

absolutely begs her fosters for 

attention and petting. She 

would do well with other cats, 

but probably not dogs. 

MIMI is a beautiful 1-year 

old girl who found herself in 

a kill shelter. She would like 

to relax in a new loving 

family but would prefer 

one with no dogs. 

Follow us on Facebook and let us know if you would like to 

meet one of our kitties! Offering ‘contactless adoptions!’ 

(828) 348-7198 • PO Box 1479 Enka, NC 28728 

Fureverfriends@bellsouth.net 

On Facebook at ‘Furever Friends Animal Rescue - Asheville’ 


Saving Haywood County’s Adoptable Pets 

PO Box 854 Waynesville, NC 28786 ph: 828-246-9050 

E-mail: info@sargeandfriends.org www.sargeanimals.org 

COPPER is a charming, 1½-year 

old goofball, perhaps an interesting 

blend of Shepherd and Shar Pei. 

He’s ever-so happy to run & play 

and has such a joyful spirit, you 

have to smile when you watch 

him. He’s crate-trained and an 

all-around fabulous boy! 

VAN is a handsome, 

3-year old orange Tabby 

boy who is a friendly, 

sociable guy and enjoys 

human attention. This 

sweetie will make a 

wonderful companion 

for just about anyone. 

SISSY is a lovely, female Treeing 

Walker Coonhound who’s about 

3-years old. She weighs 64 lbs., is 

very sweet and friendly, and has a 

beautiful coonhound voice --- 

she's one of the rock star soloists 

in the Sarge’s choir! Sissy’s 

adoption fee is $50. 

MAGIC is a handsome, 

Tuxedo boy about 2-years old. 

He's friendly as can be to all 

humans, but not so much to 

other cats. He'll be a fine feline 

friend to a lucky adopter! 

Magic's adoption 

fee is $50. 

WE ARE NOW OPEN! Please visit sargeanimals.org 

for applications and info about our new adoption protocol. 


MUFFIN is a 3-year old, 97 lb. lovebug with 

a big smile and an even bigger heart! He’s 

gotten along well with dogs & kids in the 

past and enjoys going for strolls around the 

neighborhood and will always say "Hi!" to new 

friends he meets along the way. If you are 

looking for a big lovable guy - look no further! 

Email info@bwar.org for more information! 

OREO is a beautiful 1-year old female 

who weighs a bit over 8 lbs. This sweet 

girl is looking for a loving family to call 

her own. Oreo would make a wonderful 

companion for anyone who loves felines. 

To meet her or to learn more, 

email info@bwar.org. 

PAGE 18 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 

31 Glendale Ave. Asheville www.bwar.org · 828- 505-3440

989 Little Mountain Road 

Columbus, NC 

FoothillsHumaneSociety.org 

828-863-4444 

Seeking volunteer dog walkers & fosters. 

Rescue • Advocate • Adopt 

WOLF is a handsome 

guy who gets along 

well with dogs and 

other kitties. He is 

up-to-date on his 

vaccinations, has 

been neutered and 

has minor special 

needs. Wolf has a very 

mild case of Cerebellar 

Hyperplasia. Won’t 

you come meet this 

wonderful boy. He’ll 

make a great friend. 

SEE MORE OF OUR WONDERFUL PETS! 

TAAG.petfinder.com 

TAAGWAGS.ORG • 828-966-3166 

ADOPTION DAYS are held at PetSmart in Arden 

Saturdays - 11 am - 4 pm 

MUDDLE is a 3-year old Pittie mix 

who was surrendered when he was 

no longer wanted. He’s a roly-poly 

guy who is always bringing a smile to 

the staff and volunteers' faces. He 

loves to be scratched and loved! He 

attends training class twice weekly 

and currently knows how to sit and 

lay down. He’s very gentle, takes 

treats delicately and his owner said 

he loves kids. He can't wait for a 

family that will let him ride shotgun 

and be their best companion! His 

ideal home would be one that would 

allow him to lay around but also take walks a few times a day. Muddle 

is heartworm positive, but that doesn't mean his heart has any less 

love to give. FHS will provide a slow-kill treatment at no cost, but we 

recommend a consult with your vet to hear about alternative options. 

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 


HOPE FOR HORSES 

P.O. Box 1449 Leicester, NC 28748 (828) 683-0160 

‘EQUINE REHABILITATION AND ADOPTION’ 

PACO is a precious, gentle quarter horse gelding who is about 

15-years old. Hope for Horses rescued him in October 2019 from an 

extremely abusive environment in Haywood County where charges 

were drawn and prosecution remains pending in District Court. 

When he was found, he was curled up in a dark stall, starving, 

terrified, and covered in maggots and feces with no will to live. His 

legs were severely injured from a barbed wire fence. After months 

of wound care, intensive starvation recovery, and great expense, he 

seemed ready to roll—only to then be dealt a rare diagnosis of 

glaucoma which has left him blind in one eye. But Paco is now doing 

fantastic! He has impeccable ground manners with regard to his 

blind eye, a gentle spirit, and loves to be surrounded and adored 

by his Hope for Horses volunteers and pasture mates. He will 

remain at Hope for Horses farm until he is eligible to be adopted 

to a family that will continue to provide him with the 

absolute best care and all the love that he deserves! 

www.hopeforhorses.org 

A FOSTER HOME 

SAVED MY LIFE 

FHS will provide a 2-week 

loaner starter kit that includes: 

· A deluxe cat condo 

· Litter box and litter 

· Bed 

· Transitory Food 

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. 

If you’re interested in giving one or more 

of our barn cats a good home, 

please contact us at 828-863-4444 . 


As U.S. Troops Leave 

Afghanistan, Rescued 

Dogs & Cats Go With Them 

By J.P. Lawrence, Stars & Stripes 

Staff Sgt. Katie Catania found love at Kandahar 

Airfield, in the form of two puppies. 

Charley is the playful one, while Flea is quiet and 

affectionate. Catania planned to choose one of them 

to keep, but the looming U.S. troop withdrawal from 

Afghanistan and the increasing violence in the country 

weighed heavily on her decision. 

“I didn’t want to just leave one,” Catania said. “Not 

knowing the state of the base, and the country itself … If I 

could give these dogs a better life than just leaving them 

there in Afghanistan with an unknown future, then I was 

going to try.” 

Catania, a logistics specialist who has since left 

Afghanistan, helped to move gear out of Kandahar over 

the past year during troop draw-downs. The U.S. is 

expected to complete its withdrawal of about 2,500 troops 

by Sept. 11, the White House said last month. 

As troops leave, others like Catania are taking the dogs 

and cats they befriended on base with them. 

Charlotte Maxwell-Jones, who runs a veterinary clinic 

in Kabul, helps prepare animals for the long flight from 

Afghanistan to the U.S. She’s received a number of urgent 

calls from service members in the past year as troop 

levels dropped from their peak of about 12,000 last year. 

“People are calling from bases and saying, ‘can we 

move these animals out, ASAP?’” she said, adding that of 

the dogs she shipped to the U.S. last week, two-thirds 

were for service members. 

There is often a rush to move animals out when bases 

close, said Michelle Smith, executive director of Puppy 

Rescue Mission, which partners with Maxwell-Jones. 

“If they’re shutting down camps and bases, we’ll see an 

increase in rescues,” Smith said, recalling a surge during 

the 2014 troop drawdown. “The guys who are shutting 

down that location don’t want to leave the animals behind 

that they’ve been feeding and caring for.” 

Troops are not supposed befriend local animals, which 

can carry disease, but they often do. 

“You’re so busy and you just miss regular stuff … you 

become attached,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephanie 

Staff Sgt. Katie Catania, an Army reservist, brought Charley, left, 

and Flea, right, back to the U.S. with her from Afghanistan. 

Catania said she was concerned about what would 

happen to the dogs. Photo: Katie Catania 

Hall, a helicopter pilot, who until February was deployed to 

the base at Kabul’s airport. 

Hall brought back two dogs, Bennie and Mollie, and 

two cats, Playa and Kiaya. 

Getting them from Afghanistan to America was at times 

incredibly difficult and complicated, Hall said, and cost 

more than $3,000. 

But the process was worth it to ensure the pets she 

had cared for would get a good life, she said. 

“I didn’t want to have regrets and not know what 

happened to them,” Hall said. 

Catania drove to the airport last week to pick up 

Charley and Flea. Catania, an avid lover of outdoor sports, 

wants to bring the dogs to Utah. 

“I’d really like to take them out hiking and exploring,” 

Catania said, “and just spoil them.” 


I kill 5000 ticks a season, 

as well as infectious mice 

& venomous snakes ... 

What’s your 

super power? 

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. 



The Six Bear Wise Basics 

Intentionally feeding bears or allowing them to find anything that smells or tastes 

like food teaches bears to approach homes and people looking for more. Bears will 

defend themselves if a person gets too close, so don’t risk your safety and theirs! 

Food and food odors attract bears, so don’t reward them with easily available 

food, liquids or garbage. 

Bird seed and grains have lots of calories, so they’re very attractive to bears. 

Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears. 

Feed pets indoors when possible. If you must feed pets outside, feed single 

portions and remove food and bowls after feeding. Store pet food where 

bears can’t see or smell it. 

Clean grills after each use and make sure that all grease, fat and food particles 

are removed. Store clean grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out. 

See bears in the area or evidence of bear activity? 

Tell your neighbors and share information on how to 

avoid bear conflicts. Bears have adapted to living near 

people; now it’s up to us to adapt to living near bears. 

BEARWISE - A Southeastern Association of Fish & Wildlife Program 

Alabama · Arkansas · Florida · Georgia · Kentucky · Louisiana · Mississippi · Missouri 

North Carolina · Oklahoma · South Carolina · Tennessee · Texas · Virginia · West Virginia 

Helping People Live Responsibly 

With Black Bears

ASHEVILLE-MAY2021-WEB

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?