Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA)
It is well known that people can experience warmth, love, companionship and acceptance through interaction with companion animals. Our "pet therapy" program gives those in area hospitals, nursing homes and other caring facilities who are unable to have their own animals the opportunity to spend time with pets. While the Concord-Merrimack County SPCA does not use shelter animals for this purpose (due to the stress it puts on the animal), we provide the link between volunteers and their pets and community facilities. Every animal participating in the program is evaluated to identify those that have the appropriate temperament and basic skills required of a pet therapy pet. The pet therapy program is a wonderful bonding experience for volunteers and their pets and provides great emotional support to all those in participating facilities. Click here for a list of Dog Certification Resources.
Education/Outreach
The Concord-Merrimack County SPCA feels that one of our most important services is providing humane education both in the community at large and in local schools. It is our belief that the education of children and adults is the key to preventing cruelty and neglect of animals and can also move our community closer to a solution for animal overpopulation. Shelter staff and qualified volunteers present educational programs on a wide range of topics, including responsible pet ownership and care, safety (such as dog bite prevention) and the importance of spaying and neutering. The shelter regularly participates in community events with educational displays and information booths.
Foster Homes
The Concord-Merrimack County SPCA sometimes takes in animals that are in need of special care before they can be made available for adoption. Examples of such animals may include a new mother cat and young kittens, a puppy that is several weeks too young to be adopted, orphaned kittens in need of nursing care, or a dog that would benefit from learning some basic training or socialization skills so that it will better adapt to its new home. Volunteers provide safe and loving temporary homes for these animals until they are ready to return to the shelter for adoption to permanent homes.
The Sadie Program
The relationship between neglect and abuse of children and the neglect and abuse of animals has been thoroughly documented. The Friends of Sadie program addresses this reality in a positive, effective way, by helping children with socialization issues find their compassionate/caring selves in the course of working with dogs who need the youths' attention and training to become adoptable. This experience in turn reduces the possibility of future inappropriate aggression towards people or animals, and gives the dogs an opportunity to learn social skills which help them become valued members of adoptive families. The program's dogs are selected from those who have come into the care of the Concord-Merrimack County SPCA, who demonstrate an ability to relate to people but are in need of behavior training to make them more appealing to prospective adoptive homes.
Rabies Clinic
Every April the Concord-Merrimack County SPCA holds a low-cost rabies clinic for the public at the shelter. Both cats and dogs are welcome. Those attending may purchase a license, provided they have a certificate of their pets updated rabies vaccination. City of Concord licenses are also available. The clinic is made possible through the assistance of area veterinarians.
Microchip Clinic/Tag Day
In conjunction with the low-cost rabies clinic, the Concord-Merrimack County SPCA holds a low-cost microchip clinic and tag day. We recommend that all pets wear both an ID tag and be microchipped. The ID tag allows for a quick return of a lost pet. However, they are only effective if the collar remains on the pet. A microchip, which is inserted under the skin, provides lifetime identification. Collars and ID tags for both dogs and cats are available at the clinic. Purchase of a Concord-Merrimack County ID tag includes registration in the shelter's database. Purchase of a microchip includes registration in the manufacturer's national database as well as the shelter's database. Microchip insertion is administered by area vets who volunteer their services for the clinic and the low cost of the chip ($20) is made possible by a grant from the Alice Reen Trust, administered by the Charter Trust.
Alice Reen Preventative Care Fund
Thanks to the Alice Reen Trust, managed by Charter Trust, the Concord-Merrimack County SPCA is able to assist with preventative care for pets in the homes of those suffering temporary financial setbacks and/or on a limited fixed income. The SPCA feels strongly that individuals must be prepared to meet the medical needs, both for preventative care as well as emergencies, for their pet before obtaining one, but we also recognize that a unique situation can place one in a difficult position at times. For this reason, we offer the Alice Reen Fund to assist with annual preventative routine care, which includes annual vaccinations and health exams. The fund is not designed to care for newly-acquired pets obtained without proper consideration of the financial obligations of pet guardianship. Call 753-6751 for information on obtaining a questionnaire which will assist in determining eligibility. The Fund is designed for residents of Merrimack County and is done in conjunction with the assistance of area veterinarians who elect to participate in the program.
Reading Tails
The mission of Reading Tails is to assist children with literacy skills. Children are given the opportunity to share a book with a registered pet therapy dog and their owner. The concept of a child reading to a canine friend incorporates a child's love of animals and his or her desire to read.
The reading program works with children who may have low self esteem, find the task of reading difficult, and are sometimes intimidated to read in the presence of their peers and/or family. Pet therapy dogs are temperament tested and up to date with vaccinations. A pet therapy dog is one that willingly sits or lies quietly by the child that is reading. The child often pets the dog while reading, which produces a relaxed atmosphere. Owners and their canines donate their time, offering a child a willing audience. This program promotes opportunities whereby dogs and their human companions can make a difference in a child's life. The dogs are the most beneficial aspect of the program since they are non-judgmental. This brings a positive influence into a child's life, not only with reading, but his or her life as a whole.