How did
Valentine's Day start?




According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself.




While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl—who may have been his jailor’s daughter—who visited him during his confinement.




Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed “From your V alentine,” an expression that is still in use today.




Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure.



It’s no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, sweethearts everywhere are searching far and wide for that perfect gift to give to loved ones during this romance-filled time of year—roses, chocolates and candy, a candle-lit dinner with wine, perhaps even a new four-legged friend. But the shelter wants to caution you that some traditional Valentine’s Day gift and celebration ideas should come with a warning for your furry or feathered companions.

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Mooch received an early Valentine’s present on January 24th – a new home and a loving family! His foster family is so enamored with him that they decided they want to be able to smooch on Mooch forever. Mooch loves to cuddle on the couch with his new favorite people and his rescue dog friend, Maggie. Despite his two surgeries, he wants to romp in the yard and play with Maggie, but he has to build up muscle slowly so that he doesn’t re–injure himself. His family is very patient with him and gives him lots of love. We couldn’t have hoped for a happier ending—everyone found what they were looking for and Mooch doesn’t need to “mooch” for hips or a home anymore!

His foster family would like to give everyone an update...

Thank you to everyone who made his adoption possible!!!
All the Staff and Animals at Animal Shelter Inc. of Sterling.

Help your pets remain happy and healthy during the colder months.

In many areas, winter is a season
of bitter cold and numbing wetness.

Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy.

Please keep your pets warm and safe during the winter months.

Outdoor pets. Some pets are better suited than others for living outdoors. There is a common misconception that dogs will be "fine" if left outside. This is not true! All pets need adequate shelter from the elements and insulation against cold weather. Pets should not be left outside for long periods in freezing weather—like humans, they can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite.

The young and the senior pets are especially at risk. Certain breeds, such as Huskies and Samoyeds are better suited to very cold weather, but the majority of dogs need your help and intervention. Indoor accommodations are best during extreme temperature drops, but if that is not possible, set up a suitable house in an area protected from wind, rain, and snow. Insulation, such as straw or blankets will help keep in body heat. If your animal is prone to chewing, do not use blankets or material that can be ingested. Cedar shavings can be irritating to the skin, so use with caution depending on your pet‚s hair coat.

Caution—do not use a heat lamp, space heater, or other device not approved for use with animals. This is a burn hazard for your pet and a fire hazard. Pet supply vendors sell heated mats for pets to sleep on or to be placed under a dog house, but read and follow directions carefully before use.

Fresh water is a must at all times! Pets are not able to get enough water from licking ice or eating snow. A heated dish is a wonderful tool for cold climates. The water stays cold, but doesn‚t freeze. Caution needed for animals that may chew. Outdoor pets require additional food for energy and maintaining body heat in harsh climates.

Foot care. Dogs walking in snowy areas may get large ice balls between their pads, causing the dog to limp. Be sure to keep ice clear from this area. For dogs that have a lot of hair between the pads, keeping it clipped shorter will help with ice ball formation. Dog boots offer protection to those dogs that will tolerate wearing them. See what our viewers have to say about canine paw care and boots.

Salt and chemical de-icers. Pets who walk on sidewalks that have been "de-iced" are prone to dry, chapped, and potentially painful paws. This will encourage the pet to lick their paws, and ingestion may cause gastrointestinal irritation and upset. Wash off your pet‚s feet after an outing with a warm wet cloth or footbath.

Frozen lakes and ponds. Animals don't realize what "thin ice" is. Once they fall in, it is very difficult for them to climb out and hypothermia is a very real and life-threatening danger. "Ice skating" dogs are prone to injuries, such as cruciate tears if allowed to "skate" with their humans. This is also true of icy walks.

Antifreeze Dangers. Thirsty and curious pets will lap up antifreeze. Just a few licks can be fatal. Lock up antifreeze containers and clean up spills immediately. For more information, please read the article about antifreeze toxicity.

Heat-seekers beware!. will seek warmth where they can get it, and that may be the warm engine of a car just parked. Before staring your car, knock on the hood or honk the horn to scare off any cats—and prevent tragedy.

Arthritic animals. Arthritis is worse during cold and damp weather. Take special care to handle your pet gently, watch out for icy walks, provide soft (and possibly heated) bedding, and administer any necessary medications. See your veterinarian if your pet is arthritic or you suspect arthritis.

If your pet sleeps in the garage... As mentioned earlier, be on the alert for any antifreeze leakage or antifreeze containers left out where they could spill or be chewed on. Also, do NOT start the car in a closed garage—for your safety and your pet‚s safety—carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent killer.

foster.

nurture,
help develop,
help grow

Valentine‚s Day is all about LOVE, right? Why not spread the love by signing up to become a foster home to cute, cuddly kittens that need your smooches and attention. The Shelter will be bombarded this spring and summer with kittens that are too young to be adopted. Foster homes will help us help them until they are old enough to go to their forever home. Having foster homes set up and approved will help lessen the burden this spring—it is almost March after all!

If you are the type of person who has lots of extra love to go around, please contact Melissa (melissa@sterlingshelter.org) or call 978-422-8585, x 114 to get involved.

Everyone in Massachusetts who loves animals can now help end overpopulation with one of these new plates! The animal friendly plates, which feature a silhouette of a dog and cat and the phrase “I’m animal friendly”, are available from Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).

It is estimated that approximately 725,000 animals were homeless last year and $6,000,000 was spent to care for them. Funds raised from the license plates will drastically reduce the number of homeless pets, as well as the amount of taxpayer money needed to care for them.

The cost for the plate is $40, $28 of which will benefit local spay and neuter programs. The remaining $12 is a one–time only fee to cover the cost of manufacturing. There is also a $20 one–time plate swap fee charged by the RMV. Upon renewal, the entire $40 will benefit spay and neuter programs. The license plate program is run by the Massachusetts Animal Coalition (MAC), an organization comprised of animal welfare professionals and volunteers who work together to decrease the number of homeless, neglected, displaced and abused animals in Massachusetts. MAC members include shelter and humane society professionals, veterinarians, animal control officers, pet supply retailers, feline rescue representatives, canine breed rescue representatives and cruelty investigators.

To order an animal friendly plate, visit your local full service branch of the RMV or visit them online at www.mass.gov/rmv. For more information, please visit MAC’s website at www.massanimalcoalition.org.

A note about the web address for the plates. The web address www.petplate.org also links to the MAC website (www.massanimalcoaltiion.org or www.massachusettsanimalcoalition.org). The web address www.petplate.org is easier to remember in some circumstances and is an alternative for uses where someone may not remember the full MAC web address. So far, we have used the www.petplate.org on tee shirts and for the radio advertisements–times when people may only see or hear the website quickly.

Want to help the Shelter? Have you considered our Recurring Giving system. This convenient system allows you to automatically make a donation to the Sterling Shelter every month via credit card or checking account. This is an extremely powerful fundraising method that can allow the Shelter to save thousands of additional animals every year with a donation as small as $2.00 per month from you. Thank you for your support!