Andrea Ruba Photography

Julia D Sponsor

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ORACION_038 copyAndrea Ruba Photography was a generous sponsor for Last Hope Animal Rescue’s Pups in the Park event that took place in May 2015. The proprietor, Andrea Ruba, has been in business for 5 years and photographs both people and pets and takes pictures of Last Hope adoptable animals. She believes that “a photograph is more than a picture on a wall; it’s an emotion, a memory, and a connection to the past.” As you can see by the examples here, Andrea captures her subjects perfectly.
hailey2A photography session is a special time to capture emotions and memories and Andrea Ruba Photography can be trusted to create a beautiful, lasting memory. No one has ever said that they have too many pictures of loved ones; they are usually bemoaning the fact that they don’t have enough. Don’t let those precious times pass by without a photograph to commemorate the time, the event, the people, and the pets that you love. You’ll want those connections to the past and Andrea Ruba Photography is a perfect choice to preserve those memories.
You can contact Andrea at 319-325-8500 or on her website at www.andrearuba.com.
Andrea Ruba Photo Special
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Dog of the Week: Velvet

Julia D Dog of the Week

Velvet

Hi, my name is Velvet. I’m about 4 years old and I am very petite for a coon hound. I love car rides!  I am really smart and am kind of obsessed with what’s on the other side… the other side of a door, the other side of the gate, the other side of the wall.. I don’t want to miss anything, ya know. Most people think hounds are barkers, but I’m not that into barking. I’m more of a thinker than a talker. Just like smart people, smart dogs get bored if they don’t have something to work on.

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Did I mention I LOVE car rides? It doesn’t matter how long the ride is because I usually fall asleep in about three minutes! I am up to date on all my vaccinations and have been spayed. I don’t mind other dogs, but I am not a fan of cats. I have kind of a sensitive tummy so I eat a special diet too.  I would love to find a home with people who want to teach me things and be my best friends. Please come and meet me and find out why my name is Velvet. Please contact adoptions@lasthoperescueia.org for more information about Velvet. Indoor homes only.

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If you’re interested in Velvet, please complete an application HERE.

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Cat of the Week: Teddy

Julia D Cat of the Week

Teddy

Hi , my name is Teddy. I am a five-year-old soft, non-demanding, gentle-natured fawn colored Tabby. I enjoy spending my days looking out a window or snuggling with my feline companions.    I am timid when you first meet me, but after you pet me a few times  that goes away. I love to be petted and held but I never beg for it. After  you start to pet me I will rub my face against you and then lie on my back so you can reach my belly. I would love to live in a home with a human  who will pet me, give me a window to look out of, and other kitties to snuggle with at naptime. I am litter box trained, neutered, up to date on vaccines, and micro chipped. I get along with all other cats, but have not been around dogs. I hope to meet you soon!

For more information about Teddy, please email adoptions@adopthope.org. An adoption application can be completed HERE.

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Dog of the Week: Duke

Julia D Dog of the Week

Duke

Duke 2Duke 3Duke is a sweet young man that has been bounced around a lot in his young life and needs a committed family. Duke is a 10 month old German Shepard mix. He is a good really boy with basic manners and is crate trained and house broken. He does well with other dogs, cats, and children. He is very intelligent and has a lot of energy. He would do well with a family seeking an active dog to take jogging or to train for agility. If you are willing to give this boy the love and commitment he desires, he will make a great member of your family.

If you’re interested in Duke, please complete an application HERE.

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Volunteers of the Month – June 2015

Julia D Volunteer of the Month

Our Volunteers of the Month for June are Nicole and Matt Lesmeister! Nicole began volunteering for Last Hope at the insistance of a friend in 2009 by fostering cats. In 2014 they began fostering dogs on the weekends and fell in love with Pit Bulls. They continue to foster cats full-time and take in dogs on the weekends when they’re able.
Since the adoption center opened they have become more involved than ever. Nicole makes sure the cats are well cared for and also holds a cat open house once a month for those cats that aren’t comfortable coming out to adoption events.
Matt has set up Internet networks at the adoption center, acquired donated computers and set them up for volunteers to use, supports the network and computers and other hardware, and he recently set up Office 365 which will enable us to communicate and collaborate more efficiently and effectively.
Nicole and Matt (and their family) value their time spent volunteering for Last Hope:
“We volunteer for Last Hope because we know the animals need and appreciate everything we do for them and because they are truly dependent on us. The joy of experiencing an animal you have fostered get adopted is truly overwhelming. We have also met the most amazing individuals volunteering at Last Hope. Nowhere else have we met more passionate and caring people. We have become better because of the love from the animals and the inspiration we find from fellow volunteers. This organization is an important part of our lives and we are grateful for it.”
Thank you, Nicole and Matt! All your help means so much to the animals in our care.

 

Cat of the Week: Willy

Julia D Cat of the Week

Willy

Willy is a gray classic tabby with the characteristic swirls instead of stripes on his side. Willy recently came to Last Hope with an eye injury. Critter Crusaders sponsored Willy’s vet care and his injured eye was recently surgically removed. We’ll post new pictures of this handsome boy when he’s all healed up!

Willy 2Willy is living with a foster who is helping him heal up from his surgery and getting him ready for a forever home. He is bouncing back quickly and is, overall, a very healthy boy. Willy has tested positive for Feline Leukemia (FeLV), which has the potential to shorten his life, but despite the hype about FeLV, many vets will tell you that this disease does NOT have to be a death sentence. Cats with FeLv can live long, full, healthy lives with proper care and nutrition. Because FeLV can be spread from one cat to another through contact with saliva or bodily fluids, Willy does need to be an only cat (indoor only cat), or live with other cats that also are FeLV positive. FeLV cannot be transmitted to humans or other animals besides cats. Willy’s labs otherwise indicate a younger adult cat in good health. We think he deserves the opportunity to live out a full life in a happy home, don’t you?

You’d never know this sweet and friendly 5-6 year old boy ever had to live on the streets, as he doesn’t have an ounce of meanness in him. This cuddly guy loves to sit in your lap, get rubbed behind the ears and gently rub his face in your hands and purr his gratitude for the good food and gentle vet care he has been receiving. He is a charmingly gentle-hearted and loving kitty. He would love nothing more than to have a forever home to live out his days with a warm lap to snuggle in, warm patches of sunshine, and a human best friend.

Willy is vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. He needs an indoor only home. Please contact adoptions@lasthoperescueia.org for more information about him. An adoption application can be completed HERE.

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Dog Flu Information

Julia D Dog Flu

We’ve been hearing about it on the news and now it has come to Iowa. The dog flu, also known as H3N2, has been reported in several states including Iowa. So what do we need to know about it and how concerned should we be?

First of all, there’s no need to panic. There have been other flu types that have made the rounds but we’ve gotten through them and we’ll get through this one, too. Dogs most at risk for serious complications are puppies and older dogs because their immune systems are weaker. Dogs most at risk for contracting the disease are ones that come in close contact with infected dogs. The best thing you can do, especially for puppies and older dogs, is to limit close exposure to other dogs. The flu is transmitted nose to nose.

Dog FluThe signs of the disease include fever, cough, nasal discharge, lethargy, and decreased appetite. If your dog is exhibiting these symptoms it’s best to consult a veterinarian. The dog flu is a viral infection so there is no cure for the flu itself, but vets can provide care for the symptoms and keep an eye on the overall health of the dog.

Summer is the time that people are out and about more and they often bring their dogs along with them. Just be aware of where you are taking your dog and what other dogs he’s coming in contact with. There’s no need to panic and leave your healthy dog at home; just know your surroundings and take necessary precautions. This flu has a very low mortality rate (2-3%) so with the proper care and precautions you can still have a healthy and happy summer with your four-legged buddy.

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Dog of the Week: Evita

Julia D Dog of the Week

Evita

Evita 3Evita 2Hi my name is Evita, I am around 8 months old and am a Black Mouth Cur/Pit Bill mix. I am a bundle of energy and love to follow my foster parents around. I’m leash trained and almost totally housebroken. Kennel trained. I love to go on walks! I would do best in a home with older children. I get along well with dogs of all sizes and I don’t mind cats. I really hope to find my forever home soon.

If you would like more information about Evita, please email adoptions@lasthoperescueia.org. To complete an adoption application, click HERE.

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Top Four Misconceptions About Rescue Animals

Julia D Article

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Sometimes people think that there must be something wrong with a pet that ends up in a rescue organization. You can find animals that have had challenging pasts, but that is more the exception than the rule. And if animals in our care have had difficult life stories, Last Hope is committed to training and loving them to help them overcome their challenges.

Here are the four main misconceptions about rescue animals:

  1.  There is something wrong with them. False! The truth of the matter is that most animals end up in rescue through no fault of their own. Perhaps the family fell on hard times or didn’t plan appropriately for bringing home a new pet. Given a loving family and stable home, even the most timid of rescue pets can still thrive.
  2. Not knowing their history is risky. First of all, rescues often do have information about the history of many of their animals. Secondly, pets can be pretty resilient. Even pets that have experienced some sort of trauma can make loving and loyal companions.
  3. They’re diseased. At Last Hope all of our animals are fully vetted before being available for adoption. All health challenges are fully disclosed to the potential adopter.
  4. They’re too old. There are so many benefits to adopting an adult animal. They’re likely out of the chewing stage, house training goes a lot faster, and they’re more independent than young animals. Even if your heart is set on adopting a young pet, there are still options. Last Hope has had many puppies and kittens available for adoption. You may have to wait a little longer but younger animals to become available.

Don’t let the fact that an animal ended up at a rescue deter you from adopting him. There are many wonderful pets just waiting for their forever homes.

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Cats of the Week: George and Nelly

Julia D Cat of the Week

George  Nelly

We have TWO Cats of the Week this week because Nelly (black) and George (orange) are a bonded pair and need to George 3
Nelly 2find a home together.

This bonded pair are the perfect couple! They love to lounge around in the sun and play together all day! They do great with other cats and are quite a curious duo. Nelly loves to climb and explore and George will come looking for love from his human friends as often as he can. They would love to have a house to call their own and a family to get lots of love from every day!

If you’re interested in George and Nelly, complete an application HERE.

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