Artist Mark Montoya poses with his picket fence supporting Talbot Humane!

Oxford, MD – For the past decade, the Oxford Business Association’s (OBA) fall auction of these beautiful painted picket fences has been a highly anticipated event. Local artists from Oxford, Easton and St. Michaels have volunteered their time, talents, and creativity to produce colorful painted scenes on each 4-picket section of the iconic Oxford Fence representing Eastern Shore Life. These works of art will be auctioned, with all proceeds going to local charities and nonprofits. The fences are on display throughout the town of Oxford for the entire summer. This project is meant to invite everyone to explore Oxford and its unique shops and restaurants, while allowing OBA to give back. For many years the OBA has supported area charities and nonprofits, and this year there are ten partner organizations. Each is represented by an artist and the auction proceeds for each fence will go to the represented organization.

Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to come stroll the shady streets of Oxford and discover these little gems on display. In the past, the project has culminated with all the fences at the Oxford Community Center for a reception and live auction. The OCC auditorium is usually full of people vying for a chance to take one of these one-of-a-kind pieces of art home. This year COVID-19 has made it necessary to adjust plans and the auction has moved online and outside. Now, more than ever these charities and nonprofit organizations need support from the community. OBA did not want to cancel the opportunity to support these important organizations and to also provide some enjoyment for locals and visitors. In addition to being on display in Oxford for the summer, the Picket Fences will be promoted online, with online bidding until September 25th at https://portofoxford.com/picket-fence-auction-2020/. The fences will then be moved to the Oxford Community Center for an outdoor display and live auction (with social distancing and masks) to close out the project on September 26th. Anyone unable to attend will also be able to leave a proxy ‘left-bid’ on the website.

“Side B” of the fence supporting the animals of Talbot Humane!

This year participating artists, and the organization that will receive the proceeds of their fences sale are: Sally Fronk – CASA of the Mid-Shore; Louisa Zendt – Chesapeake Multi-Cultural Center; Kevin Garber – For All Seasons; Kate Huntington – John Wesley Preservation Society; Cid Collins-Walker – OCC; Marie Davis
– Oxford Garden Club; Louisa Zendt – Oxford Museum; Maggii Sarafaty – Shore Rivers; Mark Montoya – Talbot Humane Society; Lisa Wendig – Tred Avon Jr. Sailing.

The Oxford Business Association works to promote the town of Oxford and to provide a positive business environment for its members to achieve cultural, civic, economic, and business goals and contribute to the prosperity and vitality of the Oxford community. Visit www.portofoxford.com for more information.

Our friends at Petfinder have some great information on keeping your pets safe during the 4th of July holiday!  The busiest day for shelters and animal control agencies across the country is July 4th. 

• Exercise pets early in the day before celebrations begin
• Make sure guests do not feed pets scraps.
• Keep charcoal, sparklers, fireworks and other potential dangers away from pets
• Leave pets at home during fireworks exhibitions
• Be sure to read the signals of your pets.
  • Many bite incidents happen on holidays. Why? people are not in tune to the stress level of their pets, visiting children’s behavior around pets and pet’s reaction to strangers in the home.
  • If you see your pet is beginning to stress or tire, give them a break in a quiet place in the home away from guests and excitement.
• Bring pets indoors before the fireworks exhibitions begin. Cats can easily be frightened and run off. The dog that never leaves the yard can become disoriented and jump the fence or take off.
• If pets are frightened of loud noises and lights, close the curtains and leave gentle music or the television playing when you leave

We want you and your pets to have a safe and joyful 4th of July! 

Back by popular demand, PETparazzi! is back! 

Register your pet any time between June 1- July 31`, 2020 (keep in mind that early entrants are likely to get the most votes). Submit your pet’s photo and brief text telling your pet’s story. Your $25 registration fee is considered a tax-deductible donation to Talbot Humane. Each entrant will receive a copy of the Talbot Humane Petparazzi 2020 Calendar, a $15.00 value!

Once your pet is entered and appears on our contest website, it’s time to start encouraging your family, friends, co-workers, etc., to vote early and often for your pet. $1 buys 1 vote ($5 minimum). Spread the word…share your pet’s campaign by email and via social media. People can vote as often as they like and votes will be displayed on the contest web page as they come in. Don’t forget to vote for your pet yourself! Our goal is to raise $10,000+ to help Talbot Humane continue to help the animals of our community.

PRIZES!!!!

There are 12 full-page opportunities to win. Entries are divided into three categories eligible for prizes: dogs, cats, and other (any other domestic animal such as a bird, reptile, small companion animal, etc.). The top 5 dogs, top 5 cats, and top 2 “other” pets with the most votes in their respective categories will be featured as a Pet of the Month in the 2020 Talbot Humane Petparazzi Calendar. The pet with the most votes overall will be our Grand Prize winner, named Talbot Humane’s 2021 Coverpet of the Year, and will be featured on the cover of the calendar in addition to appearing as a Pet of the Month.

Entry and Voting will open on June 1, 2020.  RULES AND VOTING HERE! 

UPDATED 3.30.2020

As COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives in recent weeks, Talbot Humane has placed a few policies in place to encourage the community to participate in social distancing. Please read carefully as some items have changed in recent days:

We all worry about our loved ones during an emergency, human and pets alike. We generally consider “disasters” as weather emergencies, wildfires, flooding.  The current worries of COVID-19 are good reminders to be prepared to care for our pets during all emergencies, personal, local, regional.

Here are some key points to keep in mind, whether you have to evacuate due to a hurricane, fall ill with influenza, or break a leg: 

• Identify a family member or friend who can care for pets if someone in the household becomes ill.
• Have crates, food and extra supplies on hand for quick movement of pets.
• Keep all animal vaccines up to date in the event boarding becomes necessary.
• Ensure all medications are documented with dosages and administering directions. Including the prescription from your veterinarian is also helpful.
• Pets should have identification: collar with ID tag and microchip (best practice is microchipping).

For information on creating a home disaster plan click here: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/make-disaster-plan-your-pets

2020 Calendars are HERE!

$15 Each featuring the top 12 winners of our 2020 contest, “Gotcha Day” photos and shots of pets still looking for forever homes, this calendar is a great gift for the pet and rescue lover in your life. Available at Talbot Humane, Head to Tail Thrift and Vintage and our events all month long!

We are ready for shoppers this holiday season at Head to Tail Thrift and Vintage! 100% of the profits supporting the pets and programs served by Talbot Humane, your shopping makes a difference!  We will be having specials all month long whether you are shopping for decorations, that holiday outfit or gifts for people and pets, Head to Tail has you covered!  The Christmas shop is open for business filled with gifts and home decor. New items are put out daily throughout the store.  We are thankful for your support be it donations or shopping. You make a difference every time you shop Head to Tail!

Holiday Hours:

• November 27th: EARLY Black Friday Sale
• November 28-29: CLOSED
• OPEN SUNDAY DECEMBER 8th NOON-4P
  • Photos with Santa Sunday December 8th Noon-4P
• Closed December 24, 25
• Closed January 1, 2020
• Regular hours: Closed Sundays and Mondays, Open 10A-5P Tuesday-Saturday

We will be VERY busy at Talbot Humane and Head to Tail Thrift and Vintage all month long! Several fun ways to support the animals we serve through the shelter and our programs on the Midshore. For more information please contact us today!

For the month of November Giant foods is back at it for the animals! Every $2.50 Community Bag sold at the Easton Giant Foods will generate a $1 donation for the animals of Talbot Humane! This is an amazing way to support the animals and create a more humane and clean environment! Rotate out those older or torn bags for a couple new ones and help the animals too!

Thank you Giant Food! We appreciate your efforts to create a more humane community for all!