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:

Let's Go Out to the Dog Park!

I love the local dog park and Cash needed to go on a walk. I don't walk him every day, but he had been eating consistently and we had a lot of time to get there and back. 

We went to Beau's dream park and at first he was a little shy, but after a while he was running around and playing with all the other dogs. It was cute to see him interacting with everyone. I could not believe how easily he adapted to the park. 

It was so funny because he kept trying to catch tennis balls. At one point he captured one and layed down to guard it. 

He didn't like the sprinkler area when it was on, but people weren't turning it on anyways. The other dogs got him to drink a good amount of water, which pleased me since he was exercising. He was trying to mark quite a few things, but I'm not a fan of that particular behavior. Other than that, I got a lot of great advice and saw a lot of people I had not seen in a while. It was definitely wonderful. 

We will definitely go again this week sometime. Hopefully, he will have some more meat on his bones then.