Chihuahuas across the country have been overbred, making it harder for dogs like little Harley to find a home. You can read more about Harley at www.hcws.org.

Written by Ron Peltier

When folks come to the Heaven Can Wait clinic, they often ask why we focus so much attention on Feral Cats, Pit Bulls and Chihuahuas. The answer is simple: those animals represent the biggest issues both nationally and here in Vegas. 

The Feral Cat Problem:

A feral cat is one that has reverted to its ‘wild’ state.  It results from people abandoning their pet cats or cats getting lost without being spayed or neutered.  Then the problem worsens as cats average three to five kittens per litter and can have two to three litters a year.  In a very short time one feral cat colony can balloon into many cats and kittens that breed at uncontrollable rates.

Further, feral cats cannot be adopted as they have little and often no human contact. The best we can do is trap the cats, spay or neuter them, and release them back to their colony. Thus, HCWS focuses on its Feral Cat Clinics in an attempt to alleviate the problem. A spay or neutered cat can no longer reproduce, sustaining the problem.  If you have identified a feral cat colony, please contact HCWS. It’s the best thing you can do for them.

The Pit Bull Problem: 

Unfortunately for a pit bull, its reputation precedes it. Of course, like many things its reputation has been unfairly tarnished.  They can be loving and loyal companions, but regrettably pit bulls are the dog of choice for people who organize and gamble on dog fights. Breeders can make a tidy profit breeding them to fight. Further adding to the problem is that some music artists and media depict these animals negatively in music videos and movies.  All this creates a horrendous problem—a problem that spells doom for most pit bulls in shelters around the country. Consequently, on any given day the animal shelters here in Las Vegas are awash with abandoned and damaged pit bulls. The overwhelming majority of them will be euthanized.

As a result, HCWS has developed a program called “It’s The Pits” focusing aggressively on the problem caused by irresponsible and callous owners. Caring and responsible pit bull owners understand that the dogs are not innately mean or aggressive; rather they are made that way by people. The dog reflects its owner. If you would like to help, adopt a pit bull and save a life.

The Chihuahua Problem:

Here in Vegas celebrity worship is high as it is elsewhere. People pay hefty cover charges to see the latest celebrity at the one of the many nightclubs.  You may have seen Taco Bell’s talking Chihuahua, or high-profile celebrities like Paris Hilton toting around a Chihuahua in her designer purse or popular movies like Legally Blond presenting a character that does the same thing with her Chihuahua. Because of these influences, a massive problem has developed. The problem is that these images convey the idea that a Chihuahua is an ornament rather than a living breathing creature. Chihuahuas are not toys. As a result of people wanting to emulate their favorite high-profile star or fictional movie characters, demand for Chihuahuas skyrocketed and unscrupulous people began aggressively breeding them.  However when the reality of caring for a living creature sets in, many fans abandon or surrender them. Consequently, Chihuahuas fill animal shelters across the country and here in Las Vegas.

Like pit bulls, Chihuahuas have been ruthlessly exploited and like pit bulls, the exploitation results often in the dog being euthanized because there are too many of them and not enough homes.  Between pit bulls and Chihuahuas, the Vegas shelters euthanize these breeds more than all others combined, and it is not even close.

If you would like to help, please consider adopting one, but remember that they are not toys and need to be exercised.

To learn how to adopt a Heaven Can Wait dog, Click Here.  To learn about our Feral Cat Program, Click Here.  To learn about It’s The Pits, Click Here.

By Keely Biggs

Veterinarian Spotlight is a new series to the Heaven Can Wait blog highlighting the veterinarians that give their time and talents to our low-cost spay and neuter clinic in the effort to stop pet overpopulation in the Las Vegas.  Each month Keely Biggs, who created the series, will bring readers an interview with one of the dedicated veterinarians who are helping HCWS achieve our number one goal – stop the senseless killing of 30,000 animals in area shelters every year.

I had the privilege of interviewing the medical director of Heaven Can Wait, Dr. David Henderson, whose passion for the cause and dedication to professionalism and adherence to high standards was obvious. Dr. Henderson’s story really is quite remarkable. He grew up in southern Florida and never graduated high school. He always knew he wanted to be a veterinarian, but never quite knew what it entailed. After he finished his GED he went on to pursue a veterinary medicine degree, thinking it was only a six-week course. Eight years later he graduated after four years at UNLV and four more at the University of Colorado. He became the doctor he always wanted to be.

Dr. Henderson watched for 25 years as the feral cat population in Las Vegas rose to staggering numbers. He lobbied to implement mandatory spay/neuter laws. For four years he was the designated veterinarian at the City of Las Vegas Animal Shelter. He told how every day the staff would bring in a giant trashcan on wheels for him to fill with euthanized cats and dogs that they had no room for and couldn’t adopt.

“The mountains of dead cats, dogs, puppies, most [of the animals] perfectly adoptable and perfectly healthy but too many because people couldn’t be responsible… that’s why I got involved… it’s horrible,” said Dr. Henderson.

Dr. Henderson bought his clinic, the Sunrise Veterinary Clinic on Eastern Ave and the 95 freeway, in 1983 when his clientele consisted mainly of Nevada Test Site employees. He had been involved with the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society before also teaming up with Heaven Can Wait in 2003. The initial plan was for him to lend his facility for Sunday spay and neuter clinics. Soon this led to Dr. Henderson becoming our organization’s Medical Director.

For seven years Heaven Can Wait performed spay and neuter surgeries on tens of thousands of cats and dogs thanks to the generous use of Dr. Henderson’s clinic.

Three years ago, Heaven Can Wait opened our own clinic across the street. “The standard is higher than the regular practice…it’s all about safety first… we basically do the spays the way I would do my own pet… that’s the way we do it here [at Sunrise Veterinary Clinic] and that’s the way they do it across the street,” said Henderson.

 The Heaven Can Wait clinic is located at 546 N. Eastern Ave, Suite 175. Dr. Henderson boasts that the clinic has at least three licensed veterinary technicians on duty at any given time, which is more than the average veterinary clinic.

Dr. Henderson is also a professor at the College of Southern Nevada and teaches during the Spring term. He teaches Emergency Medicine and Critical Care for the Veterinary Technology program, so he has first dibs on the students that graduate. All of his veterinary technicians at Sunrise Veterinary Clinic, as well as the Heaven Can Wait Spay and Neuter Clinic, graduated at the top of their class. As Medical Director for Heaven Can Wait, his job is to also hire and train the other veterinarians and set up all of the protocols.

Dr. Henderson also reflected on the new spay and neuter ordinance that went into effect in the valley. It was something he attempted to pass 20 years ago. He and his colleagues were met with much opposition from breeders and others who didn’t understand the importance of the ordinance. He believes now people understand, considering there is a hefty $1100 fine that goes along with not complying.

“We’re seeing the tipping point; I think [the population] is going to really start to go down in the next two years… the only way to stop [euthanasia] is to decrease the impounds and the only way to decrease the impounds is to remove those surplus animals and spay and neuter, that’s it, it begins and ends with spay and neuter… There’s a finite number of homes and there’s always more than that finite number of animals that need homes and unless you match that, you’re not going to fix the problem… Cats are dying 2 to 1 over dogs [a year], 20,000 cats and 11,000 dogs”.

Dr. Henderson estimates he has performed a whopping 100,000 spay and neuters throughout his career!

Doc, as most people call him, performs spay and neuters for Heaven Can Wait at least two days a week when he is not busy teaching in the Spring. He is married with two kids and, just recently, a grandson. He has one “grand dog” and two cats of his own, both of which came from the feral cat clinic. One had a broken leg and one was paralyzed.

He has won awards and recognitions from countless organizations including the American Red Cross Hero Award in 2009, Judith and Ken Animal Advocacy Award in 2011, a 2008 Jefferson Award, and recognitions from the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society from 1995 through 2006. When Doc Henderson is not busy working at the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society or Heaven Can Wait, teaching at the College of Southern Nevada, or managing his own practice for that matter, he enjoys playing golf.

It was a pleasure to sit down and get to know someone who has provided structure to the very foundation of Heaven Can Wait. Without Dr. Henderson, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Every day is a new day for us, and one day closer to conquering the pet overpopulation crisis in Las Vegas. If you haven’t already, make sure to get your pet spayed or neutered if they are over four months of age. The Heaven Can Wait low cost clinic is open Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm. You can make an appointment for your pet by calling (702) 227-5555 ext. 203 or by going to www.hcws.org and filling out the clinic registration form.

Here is a pop quiz:

What is the leading cause of death in cats and dogs?

A. Being struck by a car

B. Predation from wild animals

C. Euthanasia

D. Metabolic Bone Disease

E. Cancerous tumors

F. Kidney failure

Find out the answer on the next “Veterinarian Spotlight”!

Click Here to see how you can help continue the support for the HCWS low-cost spay and neuter clinic.

Written by Keely Biggs

Say we see an end to the pet overpopulation, animal cruelty and abandonment problem in Las Vegas in our lifetime; that means we can just stop worrying about it and move onto something else… right? Wrong! The issue is something that will have to be fought and maintained forever. Kim Yates has recognized this. As a co-coordinator of the Heaven Can Wait Youth Group, she has created a way we can pass on the torch to the next generation.

I met with Kim at the Roos n More Zoo in Moapa, Nevada on May 5^th where she and a team of about 18 kids ranging from 12 to 18 years of age came to shadow the animal handlers for the day. Experiences like this expose the kids to the animals and give them an appreciation that they would never receive by reading about them in a book.

The kids got a chance to learn about the animals, take the reins and present the animals to the guests at the zoo.

Volunteer Alissa shows a guest how to hold an armadillo.

This is just one of the many activities that can be expected of the group. Coordinated with Kathy McCarty, the youth group was started about three years ago. The group is open to anyone, between the ages of 10 and 18, who lives in Clark County. The group meets monthly and also participates in the feral cat clinics held by Heaven Can Wait. It is a great opportunity for kids that want to get involved or for parents that want to expose their kids to something meaningful. The group is educated about the importance of spaying and neutering and also receives an appreciation of animals in general through activities such as this one. The members are encouraged to educate their peers, families and fellow students, which also builds leadership skills.   

As a teacher herself, Kim believes that the pet overpopulation crisis is not going to be cured in our lifetime and that we need to raise our children to understand what is necessary to solve the problem. Kim teaches at John Dooley Elementary School and is soon moving to Bob Miller Middle School. Apart from teaching, Kim encourages her students to get involved and give back to the community in any way they can.

The 18 kids participating at Roos n More were considered the “regulars” but Kim says she has over 100 kids that are involved on and off. This is the second year the Youth Group has visited Roos and, as popular as it is, they will most likely make this a yearly event. After speaking to many of the volunteers, including Kim’s own son and daughter, Lindsay (16) and Jesse (12), I was envious of the opportunities they receive at such a young age and the inevitable lessons that come with them. I spoke with youth volunteers Kim (17) and Jose (18) who were making their rounds. Both are grateful for the opportunities they get with the youth group. Kim said she was looking forward to going to vet school after she graduates.

Volunteer Kim Creech (17) looks forward to going to vet school after graduating.

Roos n More was founded by veterinarians, Drs. Jay and Valerie Holt.  They started out with 15 kangaroos and wallabies. Now the zoo currently houses over 160 different animals including Capuchin Monkeys, a toucan, lemurs, otters and my personal favorite: a Tamandua anteater! People can expect to physically interact with almost all of the animals. The veterinarians believe this makes a more lasting impression for visitors. When people can see, touch and smell the animal, they are compelled to learn more about it and conserve its natural habitat. This is a very important feature considering that 35 to 40% of the animals at Roos n More are labeled as either threatened or endangered.

Roos n More is a non profit organization that only employs one person. The rest of the help is volunteered. The zoo is run purely on donations and is open to the public twice a month. The zoo is also available for outreach programs, private parties and tours. If you are interested in visiting or volunteering for Roos n More, you can visit their website at www.roosnmore.org. If you or anyone you know might be interested in getting involved with the HCWS Youth Group, you can find out more information at www.hcws.org.

The youth group finished their day watching otters take a dip in the pond.

It was a great evening for the 4th annual Gimme Shelter Concert at Lake Las Vegas to benefit Heaven Can Wait Animal Society.

Written by Carly Gealy

Cinco De Mayo at Lake Las Vegas this year was definitely a night to remember. Combine great music, a beautiful atmosphere, and generous supporters and you have the 4^th annual Gimme Shelter Concert to benefit Heaven Can Wait Animal Society. This year’s event featured beach sounds from the most famous authorized Jimmy Buffett tribute band, Landsharks. Dressed in their best beachwear they delighted the audience with Buffett classics and a few of their own melodies. Parrot heads and non-parrot heads alike seemed to enjoy the performance and happily danced along from sunset till sundown.

In addition to the live entertainment there were also several groups hosting booths at the event. Folks strolled along the lakeside venue going from booth to booth stopping to chat with the wide array of exhibitors. All in all spectators and supports seemed to enjoy the laid back atmosphere and were happy to lend their support.

The beautiful Lake Las Vegas backdrop, warm temperatures, and island-like breezes made it feel like paradise. While there weren’t any cheeseburgers to speak of, there was a lot of love for Heaven Can Wait. Henderson resident Joe Richards explains, “My wife and I came out to support Heaven Can Wait because of all of the work they do for local animals. We love that the money stays here in Las Vegas where we need it.” He adds, “We have 3 rescue dogs of our own, and they have given us so much, it is only right we do what we can to give back.” Giving back is exactly what the Richards, and all of the night’s supporters, did that May 5^th evening.  Everyone that attended generously made a $20 donation to help fund programs at Heaven Can Wait, including spay/neuter and adoptions. Their donation made them eligible to win a 2-night stay at the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa. But the real winners were the animals that will soon benefit from the funds raised that evening. Heaven Can Wait would like to thank all of the supporters and volunteers that came out and they look forward to doing it all again next year.

If you missed this year’s concert, don’t worry, there are still lots of ways you can help. Go to www.hcws.org  today for more information on donating and volunteering.

Khloe is a 5 year-old Lab mix waiting to find her forever home. Please remember homeless dogs like Khloe during “Be Kind To Animals Week.”

Written by volunteer Dominic Allen

One of my favorite weeks of the year is the famous “Be Kind to Animals Week” that we observe for our dear pets, both living and otherwise, as well as for all the other creatures of the world.  It has taken many millenniums for humans in general to finally acknowledge a greater respect for the rest of life on this planet, and although we’ve come far in our treatment of them, we still have a long way to go.

Some of the amazing things that have happened within our world lately are certainly cause to celebrate.  The magnitude of these events is amazing for the simple fact that one in particular has been going on for centuries and for the people to finally realize that other creatures were the victims and they no longer wish to be a part of events such as these is extremely profound.

76% of Spaniards have stated that they have absolutely no use for bullfighting. This is a barbaric event that has been taking place in Spain, Columbia, and parts of Mexico for centuries.  As it currently stands now, bullfighting has been banned in certain regions of Spain and has come under more and more scrutiny in other parts of the world.

Animal abuse legislation has made leaps and bounds here in Nevada as well as the rest of the country. People prior who had been arrested for things such as sponsoring, supporting, torturing, beating, and training dogs in dog fighting rings were only slapped on the wrist with misdemeanors and often received no jail time at all. Now they are at least subject to a felony charge which carries anywhere from 10 months to 3 years in prison, and of course, a very nasty criminal record upon their exit from a correctional facility. If nothing else, this will severely inhibit them from ever working with the animal population again. To date there are only four states that don’t hand out felonies for animal abuse and those are Idaho, Mississippi, and the Dakotas. However 46 out of 50 states finally taking these abuses seriously is pretty great news for animal lovers.

Many of the greatest minds the world has ever known have all shared their sage advice with the rest of us in regards to this topic. Albert Einstein, Mark Twain, Jimmy Stewart, the Dalai Lama, Mother Theresa, Pythagoras, and many others just to name a few have been kind enough to enlighten us.

If I were to sum up the majority of what these great people have stated, it would be that the creatures of this Earth are in our care. It is our job to protect them, care for them, and treat them as we would another human being. If the beasts of this planet no longer existed, man would be missing a tremendous spiritual void and for us to move forward as an entire species, we need to learn to respect all forms of life. Every animal of this world is innocent. They do no harm to us unless we are careless or callous with our interactions with them. They have the absolute right to live amongst us in peace and tranquility and we must set the example for our children so that they too will understand how paramount this is to a rich future. Gandhi was once quoted as saying that you can tell a lot by a country and its people by how they treat their animals. I know that once this actually takes place, we as an entire people of this world will go on to do the most astonishing things we’ve ever dreamed imaginable. A civilized society will finally start taking hold all over the planet.

I will leave you witha great quote from Dr. King that really sums this article up nicely:

I’m Dominic, and I hope all of you enjoy this time with some of your favorite creatures and take time to celebrate our triumphs, as I know I will.

Learn how to adopt and help homeless cats and dogs at Heaven Can Wait by Clicking Here.

Happy Mother’s Spay!

In memory of the thousands of dogs and cats who die every year in the cause of motherhood, Heaven Can Wait is offering a special price discount to spay owned female cats, Pit Bulls and Chihuahuas in targeted areas of  *Unicorporated Clark County.

$40

Call 702-227-5555

Surgery must be scheduled by May 31, 2012, and completed by June 30, 2012.  Offer will be honored for reschedule due to medical reasons only as determined by out Vets.

Additional services may be provided at the time of a spay/neuter surgery only.  Age/weight/health restrictions apply.  -We reserve the right to refuse service.-

*Client must provide valid NV State Photo ID as proof of residence in the targeted areas of Unincorporated Clark County.

PLEASE SPAY YOUR CAT OR DOG BEFORE SHE BECOMES A “MOTHER.”

Heaven Can Wait Animal Spay and Neuter Clinic

Stop the cycle of unwanted litters of puppies and kittens.

546 N. Eastern Ave, Suite 175

Las Vegas, NV 89101

Vasari at Tivoli Village is holding a one-day fundraiser for Heaven Can Wait where 20% of all sales will go to help us provide spay/neuter care for the homeless pets here in Las Vegas. There will also be a raffle held where many wonderful prizes will go to some very lucky people. These prizes include:

Trip for 2 to Hawaii (Airfare Included)

Hammitt Designer Handbag

Dinners at Joe’s Stone Crab, The Capital Grille Restaurant, Brio Tuscan Grille, Maggiano’s Little Italy, T-Bones Chophouse, Sugar Factory, SC Prime Steakhouse at the Suncoast and many more…

After purchasing tickets online you will automatically be entered into the raffle. The drawing will be held on May 12th after which all winners will be notified, and the great thing is you don’t even have to be present at the event to win! So buy a few tickets to support Heaven Can Wait and make plans to come out and join us from 11:00am to 5:00pm on May 12th for shopping, drinking, snacks, and most of all…fun!

1 ticket – $20.00

7 tickets – $100.00

Tickets can be purchased at: www.hcws.org.

Callie and her littermates were rescued from a house that didn't take care of them. Her siblings were adopted, but Callie had to stay with HCWS because of a birth defect.

By Carol Lisowski

Hi Friends, my new name and hopefully my last name is Callie, and I was rescued by Heaven Can Wait last August with my two siblings.  We were born at a home where the big people didn’t take care of us.  Some really nice people came and picked us up.  Mom didn’t get to come with us, but I don’t know why. To make matters even worse, when we got to our new temporary home, the Staff named us Sausage, Bacon and Salami.  That would not do and so we set out to be the best puppies in the world so someone would take us home, love us unconditionally, and CHANGE OUR NAMES!

We even got to go to school – they called our school Pups on Parole.  Oh, my, what did we do to get locked up?  But we found out it was really neat.  We had some very loving ladies teach us new tricks and what good puppies are supposed to do and not do.  The best part was our new teachers renamed us.  I was called Calypso while I was at school.  When we graduated, it was time to find a forever home.  My two siblings were both chosen to go home with new families, but I had a problem which prevented me from getting a new family.  I had a birth defect – a bad leg.  A nice doctor performed surgery on my leg and made it almost brand new.  I just tuck it up when I run, but I can walk on all fours, and it doesn’t slow me down one bit. 

I was told that a nice family had been keeping an eye on my progress, and when I was healed, they came to meet me.  It was love at first sight.  Betty and Irving were going to take me home, and I had a sister waiting for me, Lonnie.  Lonnie had also been rescued by HCWS and gone to the same school as me.  Lonnie is an Australian Shepherd/German Shepherd mix, while I am a Yorkie/Daschund mix; what a combination we are.

Callie hanging out with her new sister Lonnie. Lonnie was also rescued by HCWS.

I am so happy in my new home.  I took to it immediately, loved my new Mom and Dad and Lonnie instantly.  I am just so happy I fly through the house and everyone is always laughing at me.  I guess they think I’m funny.  I like to pull Lonnie’s nylon bones out of her mouth and run off with them, but she gets a whack in at me once in a while.  I love to roll on my back and at night, all four of us sleep together in a big bed.  I like to visit my Grandma Flo too; she is my adopted grandma who lives next door.  Such a happy, happy life.  I am just happy, happy, happy.  Thank you HCWS for giving me this new life!

We all hope that our furry friends will find that “forever home,” where they will be safe and loved and well cared for.  Will you make that dream come true for one of Heaven Can Wait’s dogs or cats that are waiting for that “forever home”?  Please visit www.hcws.org to see who is waiting for you.

Come meet the cats and dogs ready for new homes at the HCWS adoption center inside Petsmart at 7050 Arroyo Crossing (off I-215 and S. Rainbow).  Cats are adopted Thursday afternoon – Sunday and dogs are available all day Saturday.