ONLINE AUCTION HAS STARTED!!

Ruff-Spots online auction has started and there is something for everyone. You don't have to be a "pet lover" to get involved.

To register, go to http://www.ruffspots.com/auction.

Thank you and happy bidding!

Florence

Dog beaten, dragged, left for dead

Jason van Rassel, Calgary HeraldPublished: Thursday, October 12, 2006

Warning: Graphic Details

A trail of blood led police to two suspects who allegedly beat a family dog and dragged the animal behind a vehicle in Didsbury, Alberta. The dog's injuries were so severe, a veterinarian called to the scene had to euthanize the animal on the spot.

"This was definitely, in my 10 years of policing, the most horrendous act I've seen against an animal," said Cpl. Kevin Fischer of the RCMP in Didsbury, 90 kilometers north of Calgary.

A couple found the female collie-Lab cross lying in The street near Ross Ford Elementary School in the northwest corner of town early Sunday. Their frantic phone call woke Dr. Andy Mencarelli, a veterinarian at the Krebs clinic in Didsbury, who went to the scene.
The dog's legs were bound together with duct tape and there was a tow rope around its neck.

Its head was wrapped in a bag. "There was blood everywhere," said Mencarelli.

The dog was able to lift its head, but in too much shock to make any sound, he said.

When Mencarelli lifted the dog to the back of his truck to euthanize it, the true extent of the animal's injuries became apparent.

"This dog was just broken," he said, adding its neck, pelvis, back and skull were fractured.

Investigators believe the six- or seven-year-old dog endured a beating prior to being tied up and hitched to a vehicle.

"Indications are the dog was dragged behind a vehicle," Fischer said. The dog had no tags, tattoos or obvious identification, but police officers followed a trail of blood to a local home.

Police have laid charges against two teenagers, but Fischer said Wednesday they are no closer to learning a motive for the crime.

"There is nothing, at this point," he said.

Daniel Charles Haskett, 19, of Didsbury has been charged under the Criminal Code with injuring/endangering an animal and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. He is also charged with obstructing police.

A 17-year-old male, whose identity is protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is charged with injuring/endangering an animal and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

For adult offenders, each of the animal cruelty charges has a maximum penalty of a $2,000 fine or six months in jail -- or both.

The case is also being investigated by the Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

A conviction under the province's Animal Protection Act can carry a maximum penalty of a $20,000 fine and a lifetime ban from Owning animals, but an official said no further charges are being contemplated.

"We have been notified of it and are having some follow up involvement," said Morris Airey, the Alberta SPCA's director of enforcement.

The two suspects are scheduled to appear in Didsbury provincial court on Nov. 6

Little Ralph...aka Popcorn

Here is Ralph in his new home trying to make friends with the resident Dove. Ralph has made many new friends at his new loving home including a couple of dogs, a dove and another cat.

We would love to post a picture of one of the cats that were adopted, so please feel free to send us a picture at lilly@ruffspots.com and don't forget to let us know the new name:)

Florence

Homeless No Longer!

I'm happy to report that Lilly and ALL her kittens are now in good homes with people who will give them lots of love and attention!

Our last kitten, Tiny, who was the runt of the litter, went to his new home today. He will be known from now on as "Ari"! Farley is now "Elvis", Popcorn is now "Ralph", Zack is now "Buckley", Jake is now "Indie" & I'm not sure what Sass's people now call her (if they are reading this, we'd LOVE an update on her- I've misplaced your phone number!). Lilly is still Lilly, and is living the good life of an "empty-nester".

I have a pic of Indie with her new big feline brother, Luka, but I have to download it from my other computer- and I promise to post it soon. They are a gorgeous pair together!

A HUGE thanks to everyone who followed our blog, and passed on the word about Lilly & the kittens!!! I don't know if I would have attempted to take on the fostering of Lilly without the support of RUFF-SPOTS- you girls are fantastic! Lilly and all 6 kitties thank you, for their lives.

Carolyn

Just a quick update

Carolyn will be updating soon, but I just wanted to let everyone know that there is only 1 kitten left. That's right!! Tiny, the little black and white kitten is still looking for a loving home.

Florence

I'm SHEDDING my hair for Homeless animals

My name is Florence Heffernan and I am a volunteer with Ruff-Spots Animal Welfare Foundation. This organizations raises funds through donations and fundraising to spay/neuter shelter/rescue animals across Newfoundland and Labrador.

I am going to raise $5000.00 for this charity to ensure that many more animals can be helped, and to assist in helping control the pet overpopulation problem in our communities.

I pledge to "shed my hair" for homeless animals with your help. With your support, I know I will!!

I would greatly appreciate you supporting me to help Ruff-Spots. Just follow this link. http://www.canadahelps.org/gp.aspx?id=66

Thank you! Florence

Moo needs a new home

We just had an urgent request from the Goosebay SPCA to find a home for Moo. Here is what they wrote:

Meet "Miss Moo " who is approx 7 years old, spayed, has some needles and as you can see definitely has Beagle breeding. Moo has a wonderful home but due to her owners moving they are unable to take her and have asked us to help them find her a new loving home. She is a wonderful, loving girl who just loves to be near you and soak up all the attention you have to give. Moo is very well behaved, good with other animals, and just loves children and women but is a little shy at first with men until she gets to know them. Are you that special someone who can help us and Moo's family find her a new "Forever Home". Please contact the shelter at http://www.spca-hvgb.com/ if you would like more info on this special girl!!

Wanted: Nice Home with Cat-Loving Humans!

WANTED

Nice home, with cat-loving humans and lots of kibble. Kids are a bonus. Dogs optional!

Tiny (on the left) and Farley (right) are the only 2 precious kitties left of the 6! Zack's new owner is on her way to get him as I write this, and Sass, Jake (now called Indi), & Popcorn (who might now be called "Ralph"- I just love that name!) have found their forever homes over the weekend.

So, these 2 precious boys are still available - and they are just about 8 weeks old. Personality-wise, Farley is the sookiest- he starts to purr when you look at him! But I think a lot of people are superstitious and don't like black cats, especially this time of the year (our own pitch-black cat, 14-year-old Walter, is also a big sook, and he's only brought us GOOD LUCK! He's also not much into Halloween. When he was younger, I used to dress up as a witch to answer the door for the trick-or-treaters, and I always tried to get him to sit on my shoulder for the kids- but her never went for that much!). Anyways, I think any family would be very fortunate to have either Farley or our little Tiny as part of their home- no matter what colour they are (Tiny has a white chest and 4 white paws- the vet said we should have called him "Socks"!).

Of course, Lilly is still with us as well. She would make a wonderful feline friend for someone who really does not have the time for "kitten antics" but wants a loving and affectionate young cat. When the time comes, Lilly will be spayed by Ruff-Spots.

Sitting Pretty!

Hi everyone, Carolyn here. We apologize for our e-mail difficulties. Florence is on the case, though, so all is well! I hope anyone trying to get in touch with us will now try again.
So here's the scoop on the kittens:

Sass & Jake have new homes to go to this weekend!!!

This is Sass (a real lady):

This is Jake (I think, a real tomboy!):

So, now we have the "4 Boys" and their Mamma, Lilly, who are available.

Here are Tiny & Farley (so cute together!):

Followed by a snap of Tiny on his own:

Above, is the Zack-man- who is 100% all-boy and below is Popcorn, a gorgeous ball of fluff!

Lilly, who is one of the most pleasant and friendly cats I've ever met is also looking for her forever home. This beauty will be spayed by Ruff-Spots when the vet says its OK to do so. Please remember that Lilly is really not much more than a kitten herself, definitely no older than 2 years of age, and can offer someone many years of companionship & affection! Did I mention she's gorgeous!?! (For some reason, the blogger site won't let me post another picture here, so you can look down the page for a photo of her- or go to the first entries and see her videos!).

Having problems with email

We found out today that we were having trouble with our email.

But now everything is fixed and triple tested...so, if you are interested in giving a great home to Lilly or one of her kittens, you are safe to email lilly@ruffspots.com.

Thank you!

P.S It seems that Jake and Sass, the two little girls just may have found new homes. But, Carolyn should update everyone soon!

Florence