Below is my interview with Stanley!  He was such a sweet and amazing dog.  My brother Jacob and I both got to play with him today.  Stanley was so excited to get outside and play, but he was also very well behaved!  He didn’t knock my little brother over once and was pretty gentle around him.  Stanley loves to chase after anything you throw for him.  He also likes to get belly rubs and give ear kisses.  I think Stanley would make a great family dog.  He needs someone to adopt him right away!

William: What kind of dog are you, Stanley?
Stanley: Hi, William so nice to meet you.  I'm a Pit Bull Terrier mix.
William: How old are you?
Stanley: I am a year old and all grown up now.

William: I have heard that Pit Bull's are dangerous, are you dangerous?
Stanley: Absolutely not.  I am friendly and sweet.  I know there is a lot of publicity about bad Pit Bulls but really the problem is the people who train them to be aggressive.  All dogs at the San Jose shelter are behaviorally tested to be sure that we are nice and friendly.
William: Do you get along well with other dogs?  How about cats?
Stanley: At the shelter I sometimes get to be in playgroups with other dogs and we have such a good time.  I love small dogs and nice, friendly bigger dogs.  We romp around and really enjoy each other.  The shelter doesn't test us with cats so it's unknown but probably a "feline free" home is best for me.

William: Do you like kids?
Stanley: Yes, I am a people kind of canine.  I love people.   I love to play and I love to cuddle.  I would be happy in a home with children.  We could play and have so much fun.
William: What brings you to the shelter?
Stanley: I was found as a stray which means I was wandering on the streets and someone brought me into the shelter; so not much is known about my background.  And I'm not talking....
 
William: What is it like living at the shelter?
Stanley: Well, it's not bad because the people are very nice and it's safe.  I get fed and I get to go for walks.  But most of the day I spend in my kennel and it's pretty small.   I know I would be soooo much happier in a home with people who will take good care of me and give me love.
William: How much would it cost to become your new owner?
Stanley: The adoption fee at the shelter is normally $115.  My fee is only $25 because I've been at the shelter for a while.  After I get adopted, I will need some things like a bed, food bowls, leash/collar and toys because I love toys.  But it shouldn't be too much.  My food shouldn't cost too much either.

William: What is your favorite thing to eat?
Stanley: I can't tell you because at the shelter we get fed Science Diet food and I don't get to choose.
William: What is your idea of a perfect Saturday?
Stanley:  I would love to go for a walk, maybe a run, then settle down for some good nap time.  I like to be with people so having my family around on Saturday would be great.  Or maybe I could go on errands with my family (as long as I don't have to stay in the hot car).  Just hanging out next to my family would be fun too.  I really am open to lots of things and would be happy to do just about anything.  For me, it's all about being with my family.
William: What are you looking for in an owner?
Stanley: Well, I really want a family to love me and give me a nice, safe place to live.  I hope that I don't have to be alone all the time because I love being with people.  I really want to be in the house with my family most of the time.  Having a yard would be nice too so that we can play together.  I want my family to be nice and to want to teach me things so that I can learn how to behave well.  It would be great to have my owner hug and cuddle with me so I know that I am loved.

Stanley was excited to get outside and play, but he was also very well behaved! He didn’t knock my little brother over once (who is 6) and was gentle around him. Stanley loves to chase after anything you throw for him. He also likes to get belly rubs and give ear kisses. I think Stanley would make a great family dog and I hope that someone is able to give him the home he deserves. 

-William Hatch

This blog post was contributed by:  Melissa Lisbon, Co-Founder of San Jose Animal Advocates

When two neighbors and I founded San Jose Animal Advocates almost 2.5 years ago, we were motivated to help educate the community about all extensive animal welfare resources available to us in the greater San Jose area.  Many people don't realize that the City of San Jose Animal Care Center is one of the largest municipal shelters in the state of California, that we have nationally renown LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified humane society as well as a wildlife center serving our community (not to mention many other animal welfare organizations).

After joining the Advisory Committee of the San Jose Animal Care Center over 2 years ago,  I wanted San Jose Animal Advocates to help support the shelter in the three areas they needed the most help:  under aged kittens, overpopulation of chihuahuas and community outreach about shelter services and adoption.    This summer we have launched our Save a Kitten 2012 program to help save more under aged kittens in our community.

Save a Kitten 2012 is a community outreach program to recruit new kitten foster parents for the Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV).  HSSV has a comprehensive program for this short-term (or foster) care providing an orientation class, food, medical care, and surgery dates for the spay/neuter procedure.  The typical care commitment is four to eight weeks. Read more about the HSSV foster program. 

Our goal this summer is to recruit enough new kitten foster parents to save an additional 200 kittens who would normally be humanely euthanized.  Personally I don't think our community likes to think about kittens being put to sleep, but it is a reality and the community can help prevent this by participating in our program.

San Jose Animal Advocates is reaching out through our growing social network to promote this program.  Through an all volunteer army, we are promoting the program through community events, social media, marketing, local veterinarian offices, community bulletin boards and even have a local library helping us spread the word about Save a Kitten 2012.  Part of the program is also spreading the word about low cost spay/neuter resources offered by local vet clinics and offering advice on TNR (trap, neuter, return) for community/feral cats.  San Jose Animal Advocates is working to get the word out about this important initiative – with a dedicated Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/SaveaKitten2012), links to resources, and additional information here: http://www.sjanimaladvocates.org/new-save-a-kitten-2012.html.

Fostering kittens is a very rewarding and educational experience, but may not work for everyone.  In addition to volunteering with San Jose Animal Advocates and spreading the word about the program, the Humane Society Silicon Valley is also seeking donations of the following items which go directly to their foster care program for kittens: 

• Canned Wellness cat food in chicken flavor
• Royal Canin Baby Cat or Kitten dry food
• Small ceramic cat dishes
• Non-clumping kitty litter
• New litter boxes

Items can be dropped off anytime in their donation bins at 901 Ames Avenue in Milpitas.