Did you know at any given time 2/3 of the population in our shelter is comprised of felines? These cats come to us for many different reasons; a friendly stray arrives on your porch, someone is moving, a found litter of kittens, aged animals. The most difficult cats to manage in a shelter environment are the free roaming and feral population that people choose to trap and bring to Talbot Humane. When the public brings us these cats they have trapped and say, “ Oh, I know you can find a farm for him.” Well, sadly that is not always the case.

A few things people do not realize. Talbot County code allows for the immediate euthanizing of feral cats.  Talbot Humane’s policy is an emphatic NO on this point. We keep every cat, even those arriving in traps and behaving in an aggressive manner for a period of time for observation. We do our best to mitigate the stress of the shelter for these cats and give them time to decompress. There are many times we find upon allowing these kitties to settle for a few days they are not wild, or feral. They were probably someone’s pet at some point who just let them go.  Other times it is clear these cats are free roaming animals that have no interest in human contact.  A truly feral cat experiences a great deal of stress when confined and are dangerous to those caring for them when living in a cage indefinitely. For a cat to enter the barn cat program they must be somewhat manageable by humans as there is an entire process to acclimating them to a new environment so that they actually remain in the area. Shelter life for the most well-adjusted cat is stressful.  Imagine being a wild cat, not used to human contact in close quarters with humans and other cats. TERRIFYING and frankly inhumane.

For these reasons we are asking for the community’s help! Before you simply set a trap for a cat coming to your property and bring to Talbot Humane please give us a call!  Are you OK with a couple cats but you are afraid 2 will turn into 10? We can help with spay/neuter and vaccinations.   If you really do not want them on your property, they may be coming from another area. Assess to see what is attracting them. Are you feeding other wildlife outside? Are you leaving trash uncovered which attracts wildlife and cats?  Our staff can provide you with humane methods of excluding unwanted animals from your yard, flower beds, and sheds.

Last year our open admission shelter took in 605 felines (each year this number declines a bit!) 68 of those cats were euthanized (this number too continues to decline.) The majority of these felines were euthanized for medical reasons, but a portion were feral or semi feral cats which could not be placed in a new location, often because a property owner refused return of the cats even though we offered spay/neuter services. Our goal is to reduce the number of otherwise healthy, free roaming cats entering the shelter in 2019.  We ask you to consider being a part of the solution and work with Talbot Humane to reduce the number of unwanted animals entering our care and protect the animals of our community.

For the better part of 2018 Talbot Humane, the Talbot County Animal Control Board, business owners and private citizens of Talbot County have been working together to update the Talbot County Code as it applies to animals.  This portion of the Talbot County Code has not been updated since 2006. 

Over the past 12 years we have seen massive progress in the way we look at our pets, knowledge on what causes some behavior issues, and laws and ordinances protecting animals in many areas of the country including many counties right here in Maryland.  We have also witnessed some egregious acts of cruelty and neglect in our own backyard.  How can we forget the 300 cats hoarded in Caroline County a decade ago, the 300 Pomeranians in deplorable conditions in Wicomico county in 2016 or earlier this year not only the 100+ horses left to die in Quantico MD, but the kennel in Anne Arundel County where people trusted a facility to care for their pets, and many did not make it out alive? 

Our office hears from our community in Talbot County and knows they want to see change. They want to see laws protecting animals mirror our values as a community.  They cannot wrap their minds around a dog being out in frigid temperatures, or, an owner being allowed to have a dog live on a chain 24/7.  In recent months multiple Maryland counties have adopted anti-tethering and/or extreme weather ordinances to protect their animals. It is time for Talbot County to do the same. 

Specific areas being updated/added are as follows:

• Extreme weather requirements for animals outdoors
• Anti-tethering ordinance
• Licensing of boarding, breeding, training, rescues facilities

Please review the proposed updates to the county code below.  If you have questions, want to voice your support, or have concerns we ask that you contact our office at patty@talbothumane.org or the Talbot County Office of Law care of Mary O’Donnell at MODonnell@talbotcountymd.gov

Tentatively these changes are to be presented to the Talbot County Council in February 2019. Please show your support for a more humane Talbot County in 2019.

Animal Control Board Proposed Changes to Chapter 15 Jan 31 19

Talbot Humane Memo to Council Jan 31

From now until the end of 2018 friends to the animals are matching up to $4,500 for the animals in need.  

People often ask “how does it cost THAT much to keep a shelter going? Don’t you just feed them?” Well, it is so much more than feeding animals! We serve the community in a number of ways, and unfortunately there is a cost associated with each. Pets are an important part of our lives, and our mission at Talbot Humane remains to protect the animals and serve the citizens.

Here are a few quick facts!

• Our estimated annual budget for this fiscal year is just over $1M. We receive funds for animal control related expenses ONLY from Talbot County. This leave the need to raise more than $600,000 EACH YEAR. 
• We receive NO FUNDING from the national organizations. We are not branches of these organizations or affiliates. 
• These funds are needed to:
  • Keep the animals fed and medically treated
    • this year our above and beyond medical care for the animals in 11 months reached more than $50,000 alone
  • Allows our programs and services to continue to serve residents not only of Talbot County but surrounding areas- such as spaying and neutering more than 1,000 animals each year, our intervention program which keeps pets out of our shelter and other local shelters in the area
  • Keeps our quickly aging building in working order
  • Pay for staff and related staff expenses- a very needed commodity to have trained professionals caring for the animals and serving the community
  • Things you may not even think about- such as cleanings supplies, paper, lawn care, phone service
  • And SO much more!

So, when you wonder where the budget for your local shelters goes to, this is what it takes to continue to serve our communities!

If you are so inclined, from now until December 31st your gifts have been matched up to $4,500.

Mail to PO Box 1143 Easton, MD 21601 or  https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/talbothumane…

Start 2019 making a difference for yourself and animals in need! 

We WILL take the most seasoned couch potato to the finish line with our run:walk training program. If you have the will, you can do it!

This year our team is running the Salisbury Running Festival half marathon. We were a part of the inaugural festival last year and everyone truly enjoyed the experience.

This year thanks to our corporate sponsor, Bay Imprint, the registration fee is lower than ever which means this program is accessible to more friends to the animals! 

This is a get or give fundraising program. You raise funds for the animals in return for a fully supported non-competitive training program which promises to get you to the start line on Saturday April 6, 2019!

Our charity runners are doing an amazing job for the animals with their fundraising efforts! Since the Summer of 2012, our team has collectively raised more than $250,000 for the animals of our community! AMAZING!

For more information on UNLEASHED contact coach Amy Eutsey, (410) 822-0107 or volunteer@talbothumane.org today! We hope to see you on January 2nd!

www.talbothumane.org/volunteer/unleashed

Due to unforeseen circumstances we must postpone tonight’s event at Doc’s Downtown Grille. Keep checking back to find the new date! 

In times of crisis, people are often told to leave their homes for a “short time,” only to find that they cannot return for days or even weeks.  As a result, community animal shelters are overwhelmed with lost and separated pets following a disaster.

“Helping our residents and pets during an emergency is extremely important to our organization.” Said Patty Quimby, Executive Director of Talbot Humane.  “The Talbot Animal Disaster Services  Team has been in place and ready to assist our residents during weather or other catastrophic emergencies where an emergency shelter would need to be opened since 2010.  Providing the tools to our residents to be prepared in the event of an emergency is a priority.”  Quimby adds, “Preparedness saves lives.”

Talbot Humane suggests families build a Pet Emergency Go-Kit and store it with the rest of the family’s emergency preparations:

• Basic first aid supplies
• A 3-day supply of bottled water and the pet’s preferred food, held in a waterproof container
• Safety harness and leash
• Waste clean-up supplies
• Medications and a copy of the pet’s medical records
• List of veterinarians and local pet care organizations
• List of the pet’s feeding routine and any behavioral issues
• Comfort items, such as a blanket or favorite toy, to help keep the pet calm and comfortable

They also recommend the following Tips to Help Ensure Your Pet’s Safety in an Emergency:

• Ensure your pet’s identification by using a microchip or collar ID tag, and make sure that your contact information is up-to-date.
• Display a pet rescue decal on your front door or window to let first responders know there is a pet in the house. Include your veterinarian’s contact information.
• Learn where your pet likes to hide in your house when frightened. Finding your pet quickly will help you evacuate faster.
• Identify a location to take your pet if you need to leave your immediate area. Keep in mind that disaster shelters for people may not be open to pets. Scout hotels and motels with pet-friendly policies and ask relatives or friends if they could house you and your pet.
• Carry a picture of your pet in the event of separation.
• If you need to evacuate, consider taking a pet carrier or crate for transport and safe-keeping.

For more information on emergency preparedness for your family and your pets you may visit ready.gov , HillsPet.com/PetPrepared, or contact Talbot Humane at 410-822-0107. 

Our Summer Guest Barktenders are the dynamic duo of Matt Spence and Mark Potter! You may know know these guys probably more from their voices- they host the morning shows on WCEI and WINX each day! They will be slinging drinks and trying to raise more than the $1,700 our director raised in March! 

BIG NEWS! Tito’s Handmade Vodka– Vodka for dog people will be MATCHING up to $10,000 in donations for this year’s events! HOW AMAZING IS THAT???? EVERY dollar you give will be doubled this year! 

Dinner and drink specials will be offered and 10% of dinner sales will be donated by our amazing host Chooch! 

If you cannot make the event our virtual tipper is up and running too-https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/guestbarktendertalbothumane 
Join us in raising a glass and $ for the animals in need at Doc’s Downtown Grille!

On Saturday, August 4th join us once again at Talbot Humane for our Summer Adopt-A-Thon! We have once again invited surrounding shelters and rescues to bring pets and find homes! Currently planning to attend are: Baywater Animal Rescue, Animal Welfare League Queen Anne’s County Hill Hounds Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. , Eastern Shore Rabbit Rescue and Education Center and Caroline County Humane Society. 

The day will also include: 
Door Prizes
Raffles
Food For Sale
Goodie bags
Kids prizes 

Talbot Humane will be having SERIOUS Adoption Fee specials! Our pets are going to have their bags packed and ready to go home with YOU! 

If you are a rescue or shelter interested in attending or a local business interested in donating a door prize or raffle, please contact Patty Quimby at patty@talbothumane.org or (410)822-0107!