Libres Law and the Closing of the LSPCA

I have been very vocal about how I have felt about the Lancaster County SPCA in the past. Their treatment of Cash while he was in their care upset me, but what upset me more was how they handled my complaint. What the former director used as a defense proved to be more of a look into the inner workings of the shelter. And today, the news broke that this very shelter was closing (source).

Between the information that I had learned through my personal experience, stories I have heard, and from the media backlash surrounding Libre's case (that eventually helped create Libre's Law), it did not surprise me that they were closing. But, even as someone who has been outspoken about the LSPCA during the last two years, shutting down the only animal shelter that accepts strays is a great loss of Lancaster County (source)(source).

After the former director resigned and a new director started, many people had hoped that there would be positive changes (source)(source). Their facility is amazing and the city of Lancaster is full of animal lovers. But, it must have proved to be a challenge that was too big for any one person. From what they are releasing, they are saying that it is due to a "failed business model and lack of funds (source).

So now the future of the animals in Lancaster County is in question. And unlike most counties, it affects more than just strays. Lancaster county is known for their puppy mills. It is sometimes known as the Puppy Mill Capital of the East (source). I used to spend a lot of time talking to customers and random people at the dog park. It's not something that is a secret--people are very much aware of the puppy mill problem. But, what are they going to do with the puppies that will now be liberated because of Libre's Law. The very law that started in this county. It's a sick twist of fate.

So now we can only sit and wait. Hopefully, someone will buy up the space and open an animal shelter.

Cash's Diet So Far... And How Shelter Life Failed Him

When we first picked Cash up at the Lancaster SPCA, I knew he was underweight, but I did not realize how underweight. The next day, when we took him to see the vet, they weighed him at 50 lbs. If you do not know the average weights of labrador retrievers, the average female labs is between 55 lbs and 70 lbs and for, males between 60 lbs -80 lbs. You could see the entirety of his rib cage sticking out. When they adopted him to me, I was told to fill out some paperwork, that he should get some good food, and that the weird yellows scabs on his back would just come off with a good bath.

My experience with the Lancaster SPCA? Not very good. When he came home with me, I realized that he was not really eating. We tried everything until we decided to purée some chicken and heat it in the microwave. He loved it. I started to add different food with the chicken. I bought a dog food only food processor to grind up his dog food to add to the mixture and then finally Pedialyte. He would eat this meal up. After almost a week, I had finally moved him up to eating solid dog food. There were a few times he did throw up, but most of the time it was not food, just digestive enzymes.

Food Cash Would Eat The First Week*

Puréed Chicken (to a liquid) and warmed up

Ground Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula

Pidalyte (Rite Aid Brand Equivalent) 

*It is important to note that I am not veterinarian, but I did consult with professionals and I did adapt what I was told to what Cash would eat. In addition, just like a human with an eating disorder, dogs that are/had been starving should be introduced to meals slowly. They should have small meals throughout the day so that their bodies are not trying to digest too much at once. 

Days went by and Cash would be more and more eager to eat so I decided to slowly introduce solid food into his diet and it worked. He does take longer to eat it, but it worked. He is now back on a solid diet and even though it takes him a while, he seems to be enjoying it. When he went back to the vet due to his digestion system being a little off (mostly his #2 schedule), they put him on I/D dog food for a healthy digestion system. I'm not sure if it is working since he's only been on it for a little while, but only time will tell

Now how much did he weigh at this visit? 58.7 lbs. That is a huge difference in a little more than a week. I was so excited that all the work that it was making a difference. His entire attitude had changed and you could see it in his face. When I saw him, I knew I needed him and I didn't know why, but now I know, he needed me just as I need him. 

And now for the official weigh in/weight gain photo:

Day 1 of Retraining

As some of you might know, Cash was trained in a way that causes fear in him with certain commands and he rarely looks up at you. Now that he is eating solid food, I started retraining him to reassociate the negative associations with positive ones. I started with sit and just attention. With sit, I tried using the verbal and hand signal together and then moving the food away from him as a type of 'reset,' but he must have been trained not to follow the food. I had to call him to come to me in order to get him to stand up if the command stand wouldn't work. (His ability to listen to commands comes and goes). I realized that in order to go any further with his retraining, we needed to focus on attention and associating him being an equal with me. I started with every time he looked up at me, I'd click and treat. Much like the focus problems of a puppy, he was not looking at me--in his case, he didn't feel comfortable looking up at people--almost in shame. It was similar to the two times he threw up and looked at me like I was about to hit him. I gave him a good head scratch and snuggle that time. I will most likely try to start with that next time and continue to reassociate the skills he knows with good thoughts. 

Training Thornwald taught me so much about taking care of dogs and what  capable of as a person. Cash needs me and he's capable of great things. I'm thinking that he'd be a great therapy dog for retirement homes once he reassociate said training. He smart, sweet, and lovable.