If you get the willies when ghosts and Grim Reapers come rapping at your door on Halloween, imagine how frightened your unsuspecting pet could be.

Constant knocks and doorbells, followed by chants of “Trick or Treat!” can be very stressful on pets, leading to panic and other uncharacteristic behaviors.

Jack-o'-lanterns, trick-or-treaters, haunted houses and costume parties. Halloween is full of fun things for you and your family to enjoy, but it's one of those holidays that is enjoyed more by people than by pets.

 

• Keep the following precautions in mind when preparing for the frightfully fun festivities and help ensure that everyone in your family—including your pet—has a safe Halloween.
   
• Keep your pet in a quiet place, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities. You may know that the miniature monsters and goblins who come knocking on Halloween aren't real, but pets don't. Dogs and cats are creatures of habit and could become frightened or agitated by the unaccustomed sights and sounds of costumed visitors. In addition, frequently opened doors provide a perfect opportunity for escape, which can go unnoticed during all the commotion. Be sure all pets are wearing collars and ID tags in case of an accidental getaway.
   
• Cats—black ones in particular—often fall victim to pranksters. Keep cats safely indoors. Visit humanesociety.org/safecats for more information.
   
• Place live flame decorations like candles and jack-o'-lanterns out of your pet's reach. Curious critters risk being singed or burned by the flame—they could also easily knock over a candle or pumpkin and cause a fire.
   
• Keep candy away from pets. All those sweets may taste great to critters, but candy, especially chocolate, can be toxic to pets. Candy wrappers can also be harmful if swallowed. Instead, tempt your pet with a few of his favorite treats.

We are THRILLED to have professional photographer, Kris Struminsky from Struminsky Photography in Rhode Island as our OFFICIAL photographer!

Do you have questions about the photo session?

100% of the proceeds will benefit our pets and programs.

We still have a few openings for holiday photos of your pet! Make your appointment now.

Holidays are right around the corner and the Animal Shelter Inc. of Sterling is already planning for the 3rd Annual Pets & People Photos with Santa. This is a great holiday present and don't forget the family photo! Struminsky Photography has a lifetime of love and respect for animals with over 20 years of professional photographic experience specializing in animal portraiture!

NOT EVERYONE believes in Santa, so we have also made arrangements to have pictures WITHOUT Santa! Contact Melissa for booking info Melissa@sterlingshelter.org or call 978-422-8585 ext. 114.

This year we are bringing Santa to you even BIGGER and BETTER!

We are THRILLED to have professional photographer, Kris Struminsky from Struminsky Photography in Rhode Island as our OFFICIAL photographer! If you’ve ever been to Pet Rock Fest or the Whisker Walk, then you have seen the beautiful work of Kris!

Frequently Asked Questions from Struminsky Photography:

• My pet doesn’t sit still—can you really photograph him/her? Photographing animals is a very difficult art. We pride ourselves on our extensive experience in this specialty. Most pets we photograph are not obedience trained nor do they just “sit and pose”.
  
  It is most important that you remain calm and relaxed throughout the session. Don’t get frustrated! It just takes a little time, your cooperation, and lots of patience for great results!
   
• What age should my pet be for a session? Is my pet too young/old? Any age is the right age but please don’t delay! Young pets have adventure, whimsy and wonder, and “senior” pets have loyalty, character and a lifetime of unconditional love worthy of being treasured.
   
• How much does it cost? We will have various packages available including prints and holiday cards! We will be accepting cash, VISA, Mastercard, Discover, or an ATM payment. We do not accept checks or American Express.
   
• Should I bring a helper with me? If your session involves more than one pet, we suggest you bring along a helper who is personally familiar with your animals. Make sure that person is patient and will not upset or make your pet (or you) nervous or tense. For the benefit of your pet’s well-being, and the successful outcome of the session, we reserve the right to ask disruptive, impatient, negative, or uncooperative people to wait outside the studio during the session time.
   
• Does my pet need to be washed or groomed before the session? if your pet is regularly groomed, you can plan a visit to the groomer at least one or two days before the session. You pet’s well-being is our concern, therefore, we do not photograph a pet that has been to a groomer on the same day as their session. Often, signs of stress may not be obvious to you, but a visit to the groomer can be extremely stressful for most animals. If your pet does not require regular grooming, then a good brushing before the session is sufficient. Please bring your pet’s own brush or comb. You can also bring a bandanna, a different collar, or a favorite toy as nice accessories in some of the poses!
   
• How long is the actual session? Very short! We are booking in 10 minutes slots depending on how many pets and/or people you wish to include—we will also need to know that when you book your appointment so we don’t over/under book other families.
   
• Can I bring treats for my pet? We do NOT recommend using food during the session, with very rare exceptions (obedience trained pets). Treats and food usually overexcite most pets, making them far more difficult (or even impossible) to work with. When a pet becomes focused on food, a variety of expressions is nearly impossible to achieve. If your pet is stressed, they will usually reject food. We do suggest bringing your pet’s favorite treat(s) in a sealed bag or plastic container for a reward after the session is completed.
   
• Do you photograph animals other than dogs and cats? Yes, we can also accommodate small pets such as rabbits, cats, and ferrets.

Please note that 100% of the proceeds from our Pictures with Santa benefit our pets and programs!

An act prohibiting devocalization is sponsored by Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, an all-volunteer network of pet owners and advocates.

This act is endorsed
by humane societies and more than 200 veterinarians
statewide.

Help the Animal Shelter of Sterling stop vocal cord mutilation by making a phone call to protect dogs
and cats.

Meet Stella!

An AKC breeder had Stella’s vocal cords cut to stifle her voice, then didn’t want her. If a kind rescuer hadn’t paid $1,500 to correct the scar tissue blocking her airway, Stella would have died.

This cruel practice is called devocalization, and it’s more common than you think. There are serious risks, regardless of the vet’s skill—devocalized dogs and cats are abandoned like any other. Angell Animal Medical Center won’t devocalize. Sadly, some vets will. That is why a law is needed to protect defenseless animals.

Please join the Animal Shelter of Sterling, and other humane societies! Urge your state representative and senator (on Beacon Hill, not in DC) to “pass An Act Prohibiting Devocalization, House Bill 344, this session, without revisions.” Powerful lobbies that profit from devocalization are trying to kill the bill—or add loopholes that would allow devocalization to continue. If they win, dogs and cats lose. You have the power to protect them!!

An act prohibiting devocalization is sponsored by Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, an all-volunteer network of pet owners and advocates. It is endorsed by humane societies and more than 200 veterinarians statewide.

 

Doggie daycare...
 

...where a dog can
be a dog!

Our Shelter is participating in an open house with Manilow's Doggie Daycare of Leominster, Mass  on December 6th from 11am-3pm. We will have a few puppies there for people to meet and greet and a table with information about our pets and programs!

Manilow's is providing refreshments and doggie goody bags. They will be collecting donations for our Shelter at the event. For more information check out their website. We love Manilow's and so do many of our dogs that have been adopted!

Make a puppy, dog, kitten and/or cat
happy by making a donation to our
Shelter.

If you are looking to donate some items, we are always in need of the following items:

Kuranda Bed Drive. Our furry companions love to sleep on Kuranda beds, but we don't have enough for all of them. Our goal is to supply all our companions AND the companions at the Southside SPCA (our sister shelter in Meherrin, Virginia where we rescue our puppies and dogs) with a bed!

If you would like to donate a bed at a special wholesale price for one of our cats or dogs to sleep in comfort, please donate a Kuranda dog bed. In the notes section while ordering, please specify which Shelter you wish to donate to—Sterling, MA or Meherrin, VA. Any beds donated to Southside SPCA will be packed safely for one of our weekly transports to benefit a pooch or feline in Virginia.