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Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Adoption Figure
- SCAA's Adorable Adult Cats
- Individual Donations
- SCAA Sponsors
- Finances
- News Update
- Milton Menefee Appointed New SCAA Executive Director
- SCAA reaches 400 successful adoptions!
- SCAA used as UK RSPCA model for non-shelter adoption system!
- Moratorium on foster intake continues
- New pet import/export page up; new SCAA sponsor WorldCare Pet Tranpsort
- Pet of the month now up on Dan Washburn's Shanghiist
- City Weekend "My Events" features SCAA Foster Mom Shannen Quek
- Update on hoarder Duo Zirong
- SCAA directives on how to help a hoarder
- World Rabies Day 8 September
- Project Updates
- Canada Wood Donates Building Materials to Wong Cat Project
- Luo Taitai 75 cats due for yearly vaccination
- Upcoming Fundraising Events
- 20 October (STILL TO BE CONFIRMED) set for SCAA Bachelor Auction and "Ruff"est Hunk Contest!
- SCAA Fantastic Coupon Vouchers ready by October
- September Happy Hour and Cooking Class in the works
- Xmas Gala needs raffle prizes
- Upcoming SCAA Community Events
- August Garden Bookstore Flea Market
- Volunteers Needed for Various SCAA Events!
- Media/Website News
- Monthly Video Clip Awards
- Products
- 2008 SCAA Calendar ready for sale end August
- New SCAA polo shirt on mto123.com
- Animal Thought for the Month
Introduction:
I am thrilled to announce three pieces of great news!
1. SCAA has just reached our 400th successful, healthy adoption (Since SCAA was established in just March 2005, that means an average of about 14 precious ones adopted each month)!! This is an accomplishment that every director, foster parent, volunteer, adopter and supporter should be very proud of! Congratulations all!
2. The UK RSPCA has included SCAA as a model for finding alternatives to traditional animal shelters in their “Guidelines for the Design and Management of Animal Shelters”. I believe this manual was probably written in 2006 as they refer to us as a new organization (well, compared to this 200-year old org we are a baby, but at 2 ½ years, we are no longer quite as new!) but I came across it while doing some research last week. Paul Littlefair, International Programs Director of the UK RSPCA, confirmed that they have given SCAA recognition in East Asia for NOT building a shelter! This is a huge accolade for SCAA and we are very honored that the RSPCA has singled us out as a successful case study when writing, “The new organization has become a success where many similar projects have failed.” (See the page below)
3. …And now the time has come, and I must face the final kitten….well not really, but as of 1 August, I have stepped down as Executive Director of SCAA. I am proud to appoint Milton Menefee, our former business director and website creator, as my replacement, with unanimous approval from our 11-member executive committee. As many of you know, my husband and I are leaving at the end of the year to move to Kuala Lampur and since it will take a bit of transition time for Milton to learn the SCAA ropes, I decided it was important to step down earlier than my departure and to be on the ground for a few months to help out when needed. Milton has worked with me since the beginning of SCAA’s establishment and much of our success in reaching so many people both locally and worldwide is due to the amazing website Milton has created. He is bi-lingual, has an established business record here in Shanghai and a wide range of contacts that will help secure SCAA’s future here and possibly expanding to other areas of China long-term. With Milton in place, and our amazing team of animals operations management (Lee-Anne Armstrong, Jaycee Chan, Emily Osann and Flora Clyde, and of course Dr. James Holder) plus our executive committee and all of you who foster, volunteer, sponsor and donate, I am very comfortable in leaving SCAA in a team of experienced hands who both understand and have an amazing commitment to animal welfare and new blood to bring exciting fundraising and operation ideas to fruition. As for me, I will be here until at least our third annual Xmas gala (my last hurrah!) and you can all contact me at any time at founder@scaashanghai.org . I hope you will come to visit us in Malaysia, but you need to let me know in advance as I plan to sleep for the first six months of 2008! Here is an article, my Farewell to Arms so to speak, in the China Daily last week (although they certainly got the caption wrong! An animal shelter? Heaven forbid!)….
You, dear readers, will also no doubt be extremely happy to hear that Milton will be reformatting the newsletter as of next month. It will likely be a one-page (yes, only one-page!) summary of news, sponsors/donors, and events with links to the website for details. Out with the old, in with the less eye-tiring new!
Far less pleasant news is the ongoing, extremely disturbing situation with hoarder Duo Zirong . Every day something new is happening and we have tried to address most issues on the SCAA website.
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Many people are calling this woman a heroine for “saving” 860 cats (adding them to the hundreds of her own) and a couple of weeks ago taking in another 480 from a cat dealer/stealer/truck. Not only is this an animal welfare tragedy, but because she is buying the cats (or rather having friends buy the cats for her), she is giving a clear sign to those in the cruel and barbaric food and fur trade that there is a ready and willing retail outlet here in Shanghai; they don’t even have to drive the cats as far as Guangzhou to sell to restaurants any more. Duo is basically creating the incentive for anyone to steal and collect stray cats, beat them, cram them into crates where they die so cruelly during transport, because she is here to pay and “save” them. We are getting emails from individuals and small animal rescue organizations worldwide that are just getting media sound bytes without knowing the real situation. We urge people to not blindly send Duo funding without accountability and transparency; the International Fund for Animal Welfare, based out of Beijing, is also urging the same. Local animal rescuers here in Shanghai know the real story and we have been monitoring the growing local anger and protest. The most recent allegations from former acquaintances of Duo and from volunteers who continue to shocked over the poor state in which her cats are kept, despite the reports of monetary donations from within China and abroad, are very serious. Local animal welfare advocates anticipate (and hope) that the relevant authorities may soon get involved and pursue serious criminal fraud charges against her. Controversy over Duo, sponsored by a joint-venture pet-care/food company, holding organized adoption days at a local mall to adopt out hundreds of cats whose health and well-being is completely unknown is a sign of more problems to come. At SCAA, we have tried to report the accurate story on our website and be pro-active by offering advice and guidelines for those individuals here in Shanghai that want to assist her, or any hoarder, but may not know how.
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We also urge anyone who wants to help a hoarder to at least support our Mr. Wong project…a hoarder who knows he has a sickness in collecting cats and wants to change. He has not created any publicity stunts, attracted media attention or asked for donations; he is just doing the right thing and adhering to our very strict guidelines…hoarders are not all equal.
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Once again, the above experience teaches all of us that there is a right way and a wrong way to try to save companion animals. We must think of the animals first and what is best for their short-, and long-term welfare. We must also remember that we cannot save all the strays animals in the world, or even here in Shanghai! If we over-extend ourselves or use up all our very limited financial resources without thinking carefully, our rescue work will simply be forced to stop. Our SCAA process seems slow but to us, every animal counts, and instead of “saving” thousands and watching the same thousands die cruelly and needlessly (if Duo did not buy these cats, it would be one less person promoting the sale of stolen cats), we save one animal at a time; this adds up over time and makes a difference, especially to the rescued animal that has been healed, fostered, loved and guaranteed eventual adoption in a permanent loving home. I thank you all for your support of SCAA these past 2 ½ years. SCAA will always be a part of me and I have made dear friends that will last a lifetime. Remember if we all make a small, positive difference each day, it will make a huge difference in total.
Purrfect regards,
Carol Wolfson
Founder/Retiree
SCAA
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Adoption Figures
401 Total Adoptions To Date!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!
63cats
230kittens
66dogs
40puppies
2 rabbits
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SCAA Adorable Adult Cats: Jude
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| Jude |
Jude is a one-year-old male cat found at a construction site three months ago where he had been surviving only on the scraps of food kind people left out for him. When his foster mom found him he was covered in motor oil. She took him home, but he wouldn't stop crying until she started to sing The Beatle's song, "Hey Jude". This quickly calmed him down and that is how he got his name, Jude.
He is a sweet, laid-back cat, always waiting by the door to greet his foster mom when she returns home. Jude then proceeds to "talk" telling her all about his day and demanding dinner. After dinner it is time to cuddle, curling up on her lap licking her hands and purring.
Jude is an entertaining little fellow, always finding a way to get your attention whether he wants to play or just hang-out. He is neutered and vaccinated. Jude is looking for a loving, permanent home; if he could find one with another cat that he could play with during the day – all the better! If you are interested in adopting Jude please contact: foster@scaashanghai.org.
For more information about adopting Jude, please contact foster@scaashanghai.org
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Individual Donations
- Mary Sewell & Family, US$ 200 (via PayPal)
- Mary & Becker US$ 75 (via PayPal Canada)
- Dominique, Yoga, RMB 500
- Matthew Ryan: RMB 550
- SRC SCAA Table: RMB 5,060
And a special note below from Nancy Tait regarding a great way for individuals and school groups to raise funds for SCAA! Thanks Nancy!
During June and July, The American Women's Club of Shanghai raised a total of RMB850 for Second Chance Animal Aid through plant sales. Nancy Tait started the project with basil seeds, extra plastic or clay pots (small size) and some leftover potting soil from the USA. Basil plants were sold at a price of RMB10 for three plants per pot. (These plants sell for RMB30 for one plant at various venues around Shanghai). The seeds can be gathered as the plants mature, and this will then become a renewable project with no cost and 100% of the selling price is donated to SCAA. The kids can try other popular seeds such as chives, mint, rosemary, catnip or kitty greens.
The second project involved the sale of orchids (phaleonopsis variety) in purple and white colors. The plants are sold at a cost of RMB30 each and 20% of the sale price is donated to SCAA, the remainder is the actual cost to purchase plants. This project is best done on an annual basis similar to the Girl Scout Cookie Sales. Samples of each color can be shown at a convenient venue such as American Women's Club General Meeting or Brits Abroad General Meeting, etc. and then orders can be taken with participants paying in advance (same as for cookie sales). The orchid plants (in full bud and just blooming) will then be delivered at a future meeting date (based upon the delivery time from the grower or wholesaler in Shanghai). Obviously the quantity purchased will dictate the purchase price from the grower or wholesaler, resulting in 20%-40% profit for SCAA. This could easily become an annual event for the Girl Scouts or Brownies or International Schools selling to each of the women's groups in Shanghai and requires very little time and effort but creates a great image for SCAA and the children's groups.
(Note: Monthly donations will be listed in our newsletter but as funds will only be collected quarterly from our PayPal account, they will only be included in SCAA's accounting when the funds are physically received.)
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Finances
Incoming donations for medical care in July includes (not including individual donations):
- Adoption Day Donations: RMB 6,245
- July Monthly Meeting (42 people): RMB 3005
Expenses include:
- RMB 14,281(PAW check-ups/meds 1-20 June)
- RMB 2,100 (150 bags cat litter for Wong 180 cat project)
- RMB 8,300 (118 spay/neuters Wong 180 project)
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SCAA Sponsors
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News Update
- Milton Menefee Appointed New SCAA Executive Director: Milton Menefee has replaced Carol Wolfson as SCAA’s Executive Director starting 1 August 2007. (See introduction for more details!). The following are Executive Committee members:
Animal Operations Director/Cat Foster Care: Lee-Anne Armstrong
Dog Adoption Diretor: Jaycee Chan
Coordinating Director: Emily Osann
Volunteer/Administrative Director and Treasurer: Flora Clyde
Sponsorship Director: Jack Derington
Business Director: Milton Menefee
Fundraising Director: Marianne Kaulima
Community Liaison Director: Zat Liu
Medical Director: Dr. James Holder
Nominations for the 2008 Executive Committee will be accepted in November (details will be outlined in the October SCAA newsletter) and voted on by the Executive Committee in December 2007. Operating procedures are currently under review and will be available for SCAA supporters to see in the near future.
- SCAA reaches 400 successful adoptions! SCAA reached its 400th successful, healthy adoption at our 5 August adoption day! Although just a matter of paperwork who actually was number 400, congratulations to all who adopted on this celebratory day.
- SCAA used as UK RSPCA model for non-shelter adoption system! We are honored that the UK RSPCA singled out SCAA in its “Guidelines for the Design and Management of Animal Shelters” as a successful model in East Asia for creating an alternative system to rescue companion animals without building a shelter.
- Moratorium on foster intake continues: Some good news and bad news about our fostering and adoptions situation: Since the intake ban at end of May, we've adopted out 19 cats/kittens and 1 dog, but SCAA still has 48 cats and kittens in foster care! A few more foster parents are leaving on vacation and some can no longer foster. If you're a foster parent and recently back from summer holiday, please get in touch with Lee-Anne Armstrong if you can foster again soon (foster@scaashanghai.org ).
- New pet import/export page up; new SCAA sponsor WorldCare Pet Tranpsort: While proudly continuing to use AGS Four Winds International Movers as our official sponsor for household relocation, we are happy to announce direct cooperation with AGS’s pet relocation agent World Care Pet Transport. Michael Faung is the General Manager in Shanghai and is available to answer any questions regarding relocation to/from Shanghai and China (petimport@scaashanghai.org) . We have also updated the SCAA website pet import and export page so check it out! (http://scaashanghai.org/china_pet_import_procedure.shtml) and (http://scaashanghai.org/china_pet_export_relocation.shtml ).
- Adoptable Pet of the month now up on Dan Washburn’s Shanghaiist: Many thanks to Dan Washburn for offering to post a weekly SCAA “Adoptable Pet of the Month”. This is a great way to showcase our priority adoption animals and let everyone know SCAA is the organization to go to for a healthy, happy animal needing a permanent, loving home. http://shanghaiist.com/2007/07/24/scaa_adoptable.php
http://shanghaiist.com/2007/08/16/scaa_pet_of_the.php
- City Weekend features SCAA in “My Events”: SCAA’s dedicated foster mom Shannen Quek is featured in last week's City Weekends “My Event”. Beautiful photo Shannen! Lucky is very Lucky! . Everyone be sure to add a comment!
- Update on hoarder Duo Zirong: See Carol Wolfson’s introduction above for details. We have done so much writing about this hoarder issues that best just to go to the SCAA website to read all about it!
- SCAA’s example of how NOT to run an Adoption Day: News of Duo and her corporate sponsor hosting regular adoption days at a local mall has upset many animal lovers in Shanghai. Knowing the terrible condition that many of her cats are in, and how many of them are dying every day, how could anyone legitimately transport dozens and dozens of these animals to a local mall to find them permanent homes? Not only is it shockingly irresponsible to organize live (e.g. very loud) entertainment around cats who are scared enough already, but to openly advertise that adopters are responsible for the health condition of the cat they adopt is unacceptable. Interestingly, most of the cats on “display” at the inaugural event were small kittens that none of the volunteers from Duo’s house recognized as coming from the hoarder’s home (she has adult cats). SCAA foster cats might not “enjoy” their afternoons at Adoption Day – it’s not ideal for any cat, but we do our very best to make the most of a necessary situation. SCAA cats and kittens are vaccinated and healthy before attending and foster parents are there to watch over and comfort them. Certainly, no added stress such as loud music, videos or live performances is allowed. On adoption, SCAA doesn’t believe in disclaimers. We provide information and follow through.
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This includes very disturbing and graphic photos of the conditions of the cats at Duo’s as well as a very upsetting video. Children should NOT be allowed to view this section and if you have a weak stomach, or are afraid of getting nightmares, skip this section. We are hoping that those who wish to give funds to Duo both locally and overseas will reconsider after reading this information and instead possibly donate to SCAA which carefully assists feasible local animal rescue projects, or to any of the large international organizations which have branches in China and are dedicated to professionally bettering and protecting the lives of companion animals here.
This includes the 11 July Shanghai Daily article about Duo and SCAA’s accompanying viewpoint that Duo is a hoarder, not a heroine. This section also includes definitions of a hoarder offered by the U.S. Cat Fanciers Association and the PETA fact sheet about animal hoarders.
- SCAA directives on how to help a hoarder: This is a section to provide some guidance and advice to those in Shanghai who wish to rescue a few of the animals from any hoarder (and much is the same if you take in strays off the street). Also included are the UK RSPCA guidelines, which SCAA adheres to, outlining the five needs and the five freedoms that are the rights of all animals.
- World Rabies Day 8 September: Although SCAA is not actively participating in any local projects for World Rabies Day, we have coordinated with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) in Beijing and the Shanghai Branch of Roots & Shoots, which will jointly do educational projects in Shanghai’s international and local schools. For more information on worldwide events, see
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Project Updates
- Canada Wood Donates Building Materials to Wong Cat Project: Deepest thanks to Dave Daly, of Canada Wood’s Training and Quality Services Department, and dedicated foster parent (along with is amazing wife Xu Jia) of Tommy and Oliver, for donating a generous quantity of wood which was recently used to build cat climbing areas, cat beds and walls, etc. to create a more stimulating environment for the Wong 180 cat project. This will make a huge difference in the quality of life for these kitties as they will have more places to play, run, climb and create their own hiding places. See Canada Wood article here We hope to build even more in the future (if you have any cabinets, tables, desks, etc. that can be turned into safe cat running/climbing/hiding areas, please contact director@scaashanghai). We are also looking for donations of cats toys (even a wholesale supplier!) and litter too!
- Contagious Virus Discovered and Contained: Recently, several of the dozen foster kittens removed from the Wong project earlier this year were diagnosed with an infectious virus not all that uncommon in crowded cat populations. Unfortunately, the symptoms of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), which vary depending on the type of virus (diarrhea, bloating, loss of appetite, lethargy, paralysis and more), do not manifest themselves in kittens at a very young age. It’s a deadly virus that lies in wait for several months or more. Diagnosis is not easy and transmission from one cat to another is unpredictable. Some of the kittens are no longer with us and the others, currently symptom-free, will continue to be monitored. It’s a stressful “wait and see” situation, but we have every hope the remaining kittens will continue to grow healthy and strong. This is just another hurdle in the road to helping hoarders and their cat populations safely and responsibly.
- Luo Taitai 75 cats due for yearly vaccination: SCAA will soon be visiting yet another cat hoarder, Luo Taitai who has about 75 cats in a tiny apartment. She had built floor-to-ceiling cages so her cats are able to run up and down inside three levels but nonetheless, they are caged cats. Two years ago, SCAA medical director, Dr. James Holder and SCAA Founder Carol Wolfson, visited Ms. Luo (who is in her mid-60s now) and although the animals do not have a great deal of space (and quality of life not the best), they were all neutered and quite healthy. SCAA has now funded two years of vaccinating her cats and it will soon be time for another inspection to see if SCAA believes it appropriate to fund the vaccinations once again. Stay tuned for more information and photos. SCAA does not condone hoarding under any circumstance, however, Ms. Luo has certainly taken good care of her cats and they are likely to live out full life spans more safely inside than outside.
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SCAA Upcoming Fundraising Events
 20 October set for SCAA Bachelor Auction and “Ruff”est Hunk Contest: This is SCAA’s second annual bachelor auction….and this year’s promises to be even more spectacular! If you are a bachelor, contact us to join in on the excitement, if you are a lady looking for a “ruff” hunk, set aside this night and start saving your RMB (remember, all funds raised go to our medical rescue work!) and all the rest of us will be there to support the event and have a great night! This year we are also holding the “Ruff”est Hunk contest with first prize of an antique opium bed (sorry, no opium!).
director@scaashanghai.org .
- September Special Event and Cooking Class in the works: Although venues not quite set yet, there will be an special event and a fun cooking class sometime in September….keep your eyes on the SCAA website calendar for more info as well as next month’s newsletter.
- Xmas Gala needs raffle prizes: Once again, we want to be able to offer more than 100 fabulous raffle prizes for the third annual SCAA Xmas Gala party at O’Malley’s this year! Date is 11 December so put that paw print in your calendar now! If you can donate any prizes or know a company which can, please contact Carol Wolfson at founder@scaashanghai.org ; it’s her last organization event for SCAA, so be kind to her and help source raffle prizes galore!
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Upcoming SCAA Community Events
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25 August Garden Bookstore Flea Market: Despite the hot weather, come along for good fun and cool drinks at the Garden Bookstore flea market (325 Changle Lu). SCAA has a donated table for each event and we welcome volunteers 2-5pm (set up at 1pm). It's always a fun afternoon with great bargains and yummy food!
- Volunteers Needed for Various SCAA Events! We will need many volunteers in the next few months to help working our booth or tables at many events as well as other things. Please contact Flora Clyde for more info: volunteer@scaashanghai.org
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Media/Website News
- Monthly Video/Picture Awards : This month the award goes to Edit Jablonsky for her marvelous entry of kitty bathing photos!
Click here to see pictures
Our monthly meeting videos are a great way to get our meetings started so please continue to send your favorites to director@scaashanghai.org
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Products
- 2008 SCAA Calendar ready for sale beginning September: Attention all teachers, coffee mornings and SCAA volunteers, supporters, foster parents, etc….the 2008 SCAA calendar will soon be ready and will need to be distributed for sales. Please contact Flora Clyde at volunteer@scaashanghai.org .
- Check out the New SCAA polo shirt on mto123.com:
mto123.com is now selling a beautiful new polo shirt with several colors to choose from and an embroidered SCAA logo!
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