Bo & DeeMo Adopt HCWS

Heaven Can Wait Animal Society has been adopted by Bo & DeeMo, a company that specializes in American Bully Couture.  Owners Dee Mounts and Brandi Estes saw a need for fashion that catered to bully breed dogs and created a line of clothing especially for English-French-American-Boston Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Mastiffs, Bull Terriers and Pitbull Terriers.

The organization has generously committed to donating 10 percent of their net sales each month to help HCWS continue our programs that serve the Las Vegas community. 

Bo & DeeMo made the decision to adopt HCWS because of our wide variety of services.  “HCWS is not only responsible for saving lives, but creates many programs that help our community from cats and dogs to children and senior citizens,” said Dee. 

HCWS is sensitive to the dilemma of bully breed dogs.  Because of their size or reputation they are often the first to be euthanized at overcrowded animal shelters.

Owner Dee Mounts began creating jewelry when she was just thirteen years old and later studied fashion design.  Her partner Brandi Estes works in law enforcement with Nevada Highway Patrol.  Both women share a love for bully breed dogs, including the two canine mascots for the company.

Mugsy Malone, an English bulldog serves as King of Bo & DeeMo, while adorable Moxie Mia is his Queen.

King Mugsy Malone

Queen Moxie Mia

You can meet both royal mascots by visiting the Bo & DeeMo website http://boanddeemo.com/

HCWS thanks this organization for their dedication to animals and their generosity to help stop pet overpopulation.

In Loving Memory of Baby

By Micki Wilson, HCWS Volunteer

It was the summer of 1998 when I first saw the black and white long-haired cat behind the “blues club” I went to regularly. I was sitting alone on the back stairway getting some fresh air. She came and sat, watching me from a distance. The next night I brought her some food…and named her Baby.

Baby

Feeding Baby the first time made me realize it was not a one-time thing, for each and every day for the rest of her life she would feel hunger again. When would this end? I didn’t know, but I knew I did not want to be yet one more human that let her down.

I fed and cared for Baby every night for the next twelve years. She would walk right up to me while I dished out her food and she came to trust me somewhat, but I was never allowed to touch her. If I tried, I pulled back a bloody hand. We did things on her terms, as I had promised her unconditional love.

During those years I learned about love, trust, commitment and disappointment. Baby gave me more than I was ever able to give her. Thank you, Baby!

During those years I also witnessed the atrocities a feral cat must endure just to survive one more day of life; the disappointments felt by these cats when once again a human lets them down; the day-to-day struggle just to find a safe location, away from cruel humans and the elements; the wariness learned from knowing that at any second a danger may present itself – and that letting your guard down for even a second could get you maimed or killed. And, of course…the daily struggle to find food and water.

Sadly, this journey ended in June 2010, with the passing of Baby. I hope Baby inspires in others the love she inspired in me. Don’t let her life and death be in vain. Help us to help more ferals like her.

Thank you, Baby, for all you gave to me and all you taught me. I will never forget you!

- – -

Heaven Can Wait Spay and Neuter Clinic treats feral cats like Baby every day.

 

Thoughts Of A Feral
by Annette Easdon

Dedicated to all the kind and caring people
who give the lonely ferals
a little care, a little love, and a little hope.
~~~~~

I sit beneath the bushes as she fills my dish each day,
I only venture out to eat when she has gone away,
I know it will upset her when I turn away and hide,
As every day she tries her best to get me by her side.

I wish that I could let her know that I don’t want to run,
And hope that she will understand it’s nothing that she’s done.
I’d like to have her stroke me and pat my weary head,
But fear will overcome and I’ll run and hide instead.

For all the kindly people who feed the strays each day,
I pray the Lord will care for them as they have cared for me.

 

Milestone – 50,000 Cats and Dogs Spayed and Neutered!

On Tuesday, July 6, 2010 an innocent little gray Tabby cat helped Heaven Can Wait Animal Society reach a landmark achievement as he became the 50,000^th animal to be spayed/neutered by our organization. 

A Sweet Little Tabby - the 50,000th Spay/Neuter

HCWS began rescuing and rehabilitating homeless and abused cats and dogs ten years ago.  The founding members were determined to stop pet overpopulation in the Las Vegas area and eliminate the senseless killing of 30,000 adoptable animals each year in our community, simply because their time had run out at area animal shelters.  Soon after starting HCWS it became clear to the group that the best way to stop pet overpopulation was through spay and neuter.

From that day forward HCWS has focused on “fixing” at-risk animals.  Dedicated volunteers, veterinarians and vet-techs gave their time and skills to spay and neuter cats and dogs in borrowed veterinary hospitals and, especially, at Sunrise Animal Hospital. 

Then on June 19, 2009 HCWS opened the doors of our own low-cost spay and neuter clinic.  Under the medical direction of David Henderson, DVM, clinic coordination of Judy Erickson, vision of HCWS President Harold Vosko and with the help of many, many others Heaven Can Wait saved the lives of 11,016 animals through sterilization surgeries last year.

Doc Henderson and team hard at work

Our goal in 2010 is to spay and neuter 12,000 cats and dogs.  This will include owned pets and address the needs of feral cats.  Each year HCWS whittles down the number of animals euthanized in shelters. 

Completing our 50,000^th surgery was an enormous milestone for HCWS and the Las Vegas community.  It was also a huge testament to the devotion of animal lovers in our area. 

The HCWS Spay/Neuter Clinic is open Monday – Thursday.  Feral Cat Clinics are offered once a month.  The clinic is located at 546 N. Eastern Avenue, Suite 175, Las Vegas, NV 89101.  Surgeries are scheduled  by emailing clinic@hcws.org or by calling (702) 227-5555.

It is now the law in Clark County to have your pet spayed or neutered, and HCWS is here to assist pet owners in complying with that law and having a wonderful, lifelong relationship with their cat or dog.

Thank you Zappos!

The cats and dogs at Heaven Can Wait Animal Society will have lots to eat while they wait for new adoptive families – thanks to the great employees at Zappos.com.

Zappos.com is the largest online shoe store in the world. It is based in Henderson, NV and the people that work at the company are wild about animals.  So they offered to help by holding a pet food drive for HCWS. The bighearted employees donated tons of healthy food and fun treats.  The company also awarded HCWS President, Harold Vosko with a generous check for our Spay and Neuter clinic.

Zappos.com was founded in 1999 with the goal of becoming the “premiere destination for online shoes.” Since then, they have expanded their service to include all sorts of products. The company is known for their excellent customer service.

While the cats and dogs in our care will be eating heartily, they are all waiting to be adopted into a special family they can call their own.  Please check out the wonderful pets ready for adoption by visiting our website.

Announcing great news for Las Vegas area pets

On Wednesday, November 19, the Las Vegas City Council passed an ordinance that mandates the spaying/neutering of dogs and cats (with certain exceptions) by four months of age. We are thrilled with this fantastic news! Heaven Can Wait has been actively working toward getting this law passed to make a potentially dramatic change in the staggering impound and euthanasia rates in Las Vegas. If owners must sterilize pets at the beginning of their lives, the pets won’t reproduce — especially important if the animal ends up homeless as a runaway or abandoned pet. With Lied Animal Shelter taking in about 50,000 animals a year and euthanizing half of them, adopting our way out of the problem isn’t the solution. This is a proactive measure that will prevent litters from being born; therefore reducing the need to rescue and euthanize. The ordinance, along with HCWS actively going out into Las Vegas’ high-need neighborhoods and offering free sterilizations, is a very positive development for animals in the Las Vegas area!

If you or someone you know needs to get their pet spayed or neutered please visit the Heaven Can Wait Spay and Neuter Clinic for low cost, high-quality care. Cat surgeries start at $50 and dogs are $115. Prices include vaccines.

July 19 Feral Cat Clinic – 305 cats spayed and neutered!

Absolutely amazing. Those are the only words that describe what happens at a feral cat clinic. In one day, with the help of dozens of volunteers, vets and vet techs, HCWS was able to spay and neuter 305 cats this past Sunday. One of our volunteers, Michael White, put together this wonderful video from Sunday’s clinic. Take a couple of minutes and watch his video and then share it with your friends. These clinics are crucial to eliminating our serious pet over population problem. If you are interested in volunteering at a Feral Cat Clinic, submit a volunteer application or if you are unable to donate your time, please consider a donation to our cause. Your dollars help buy the necessary supplies that are crucial in keeping these clinics possible.

Calling all volunteers!

Calling all volunteers! With the opening of our new spay and neuter clinic we are in need of additional volunteers to help assist our staff with daily functions.

If you know of anyone who can help, please feel free to pass this information along!

Before considering your response, we ask that you make sure you can keep the time and day commitment you make, not only are we counting on you but so are the animals.
Below is a list of what we are looking for.
Volunteer openings are available 7 days a week:

Monday – Thursday:

Spay packs and laundry – 12-4 PM
Check in – 7-10 AM
Check out – 3-6 PM
Cleaning/feeding animals in clinic – time flexible
Float that can do any/all tasks above for entire day 7-5

Weekends:

Deep cleaning floors/etc – Choice of 9-noon or noon-3 PM

If you have an interest in being part of our clinic team, please call 227-5555 and leave a message for Misty, or e mail Misty at meliason0709@yahoo.com.
For information on the clinic click here.
If you haven’t visited our web site in awhile, please log on for the latest and greatest from Heaven Can Wait Society: www.hcws.org.

Spay Day at the New HCWS Clinic!

We had our very first Feral Cat Clinic at the new HCWS Clinic this past Sunday and it was a huge success! We sterilized 270 cats and kittens who were brought in from various rescue groups that specialize in crucial trap and release programs. It is estimated that the Las Vegas Valley is home to over 200,000 feral cats which can quickly become 1,000,000 kittens if they all reproduce and Spring is high kitten season so HCWS along many other local organizations are working very hard to eliminate this problem.

We would like to send a huge thank you to the Vets, Vet Techs and our volunteers for working so hard. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Your donations are critical in keeping our clinic running and reducing the amount of animals that are left to die on the streets. Please consider making a donation by clicking here.

1. Myth: If you have to move away it is O.K. to set your cat free because cats revert back to their natural wild state. 
   Fact: Domestic cats do not fend well for themselves. Most of them starve to death; become prey to larger animals or fall victim to disease.
2. Myth: Cats need time to wonder outside by themselves.
   Fact: Cats who are allowed to run around on their own can become lost or get into fights with more aggressive felines or get run over by vehicles. A cat can learn how to walk on a leash.
3. Myth: Cats who always stay indoors do not have to be spayed/neutered. 
   Fact: Cats are quick and will take advantage of an opportunity to dash outside if a door is left open. One pair of felines and their offspring can produce hundreds of kittens in a very short period of time.
   

   Volunteer Vets hard at work

   

   Heaven Can Wait Volunteer helping a kitten gently wake up after surgery

   

   270 Cats and Kittens were sterilized in one day at the Heaven Can Wait Feral Cat Clinic