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EASEL News: February 2020 EASEL News: February 2020
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR VOLUNTEERS:

Bo Hitchcock

When Bo Hitchcock first retired
from his 30-year career as the Director
of Facilities at the Lawrence Township
Board of Education in 2015, he sought an
Calendar of Events activity to ease him into the transition of
retired life. He turned to EASEL as a way
of giving his time and energy to a good
Wednesday, February 12 cause, helping cats and dogs in need of
Candle Maker Fundraiser homes – and in need of a loving touch.

As it turns out, our furry friends
On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, also return the favor: he gets as
Princeton much enjoyment out of the animals’
companionship while in his care, as they
Come craft your own artisinal candle! When do from interacting with our very own
you buy a ticket to this event, $15 will be resident “Cat Daddy.”
donated to EASEL. A local artist guides Bo has played an instrumental role at
you and your friends through two hours of EASEL, as he began volunteering with
painting, drinking, and laughing ‘til your both dogs and cats. Since beginning
cheeks hurt. The best part? You don’t have to Tax Benefits • Unfortunately, some of our animals his volunteer time with EASEL, he has
be an artist to have an amazing time. Join us have medical issues that require walked dogs, fostered cats and kittens,
as we raise glasses and funds! Total price of the (continued from page 1) specialized attention that is best given and now dedicates his volunteer hours to
event is $55 per person. Click here for more in a home environment. improving the demeanors of some of the
information and to register. should you foster with EASEL? So what are some things to shelter cats through the Cat Pawsitive
Fostering is an important part of remember about claiming fostering Pro effort.
EASEL’s mission. Our fosters provide expenses on your taxes? Cat Pawsitive is an initiative created
Thursday, April 16 an invaluable service and are a critical 1. You must foster through a 501(c)(3) by the Jackson Galaxy Project, a 501c3 lead to respiratory illnesses and other took the training through EASEL and
Paint Your Pet! piece of getting our animals adopted to organization, like EASEL. organization founded by Jackson factors that may deem them to be less now applies certain fundamentals and
their fur-ever homes. Animals are placed 2. The expenses claimed must be solely Galaxy, star of the television show “My “adoptable.” techniques from that program to help
Pinot’s Palette in foster homes for a number of reasons: related to fostering. What does this mean? Cat from Hell.” He launched the Cat The initiative enables volunteers to him interact with scared and aggressive
127 Village Blvd, Princeton, NJ • Very young puppies and kittens • Vet bills and pet supplies for your Pawsitive initiative to help shelter cats train in techniques that lead to behavior cats when they first arrive in our care.
remain in foster homes until they are foster babies – YES! avoid the stresses of shelter life that can enrichment and physical activity that Bo’s patient and gentle personality
Paint a portrait of your pet at Project Pet! $10 old enough to safely be at the shelter • Mileage and gas – MAYBE (only can transform the cat’s personality. Bo makes him ideal to work with the
of every seat will be donated to EASEL. full-time. Typically, this means until for times when you are only traveling frightened kittens and adult cats here
they have naturally weaned from their because of the foster animals). EASEL’s Cat Pawsitive Program so that they are able to adjust to safe
Once you sign up for the event, email mother and their immune systems have • Utilities bills – PROBABLY NOT cohabitation with humans. Bo’s work is
princeton@pinotspalette.com with a high developed. Keeping young animals (unless you are fostering a significantly The Cat Pawsitive program was developed by Jackson Galaxy and a team of instrumental to developing a timid cat’s
quality digital photo (.jpg) of your pet (one in foster homes also allows them to large number of animals). animal behavior experts and uses positive-reinforcement clicker training initiative confidence to be able to transition to
pet per canvas, please), and the artists will do receive more individual attention from 3. Keep records and receipts for all of the to build new skills for cats as well as shelter staff and volunteers, promotes the their futures inside of a loving home.
the rest. Each photo will be transferred onto a humans than they would at the shelter expenses you plan to claim. human-cat bond, and helps improve adoptability. “I have patience and the time to work
16”X20” canvas before you arrive. During the and results in far better socialization. 4. If any of your purchases exceed $250, “By utilizing positive, reward-based Cat Pawsitive training, shelter volunteers with them, and I’m very slow moving and
event, artists will lead you step-by-step while Animals that are more socialized have you must get a letter from EASEL, prior to and staff members reduce the stresses that might keep a cat from connecting very gentle,” Bo explains. “I don’t try to
you enjoy your favorite beverage and watch easier transitions into shelter life and are filing your taxes, stating the amount and with an adopter.,” the Cat Pawsitive site explains. “With clicker training that pet them or pick them up. I just try to get
your pet portrait come to life! adopted more quickly. the value of any goods/services you may positively reinforces good behaviors, a shy cat can learn to feel comfortable them to respond positively to me. About
• The shelter can be a very scary place have received in return. coming up to the front of her cage to meet a potential pet parent, a feisty cat can 70 percent of the time, eventually after
After registration, no refunds will be given. for cats or dogs with higher levels of learn to play nice, and an outgoing kitty can even learn to give an endearing ‘high doing that for some time, when I start
**Registration for this class will close 2 weeks anxiety. Some of our more timid and Girard Pisaro, CPA and EASEL volunteer/cat foster five’ to his visitors to seal an adoption deal. Cats gain confidence and get mental talking to them, they get up from inside
prior to class date** frightened animals are placed in foster provided information for this article. and physical stimulation through their clicker training sessions, and soon they are the back of their cages and come up to
homes to help them relax and adapt For information on fostering cats, building connections with staff, volunteers and potential adopters.” the cage door, which is a huge progress.
For a full list of details about photograph to their new environment gradually. email Barb Amideneau at bea2233@ EASEL volunteers took the training through the Cat Pawsitive program, which “There’s no magic to what I do,” he
requirements and instructions, and to register Foster families help these animals gain comcast.net. For information on offers online training conducted by feline experts. They also receive exclusive adds. “It’s just time and patience and
for the event, click here. confidence and comfort with their new fostering dogs, email Iain McWhinney training tools from the Jackson Galaxy Project and exposure through the project’s perseverance.”
surroundings before bringing them at immcwh_13cb@hotmail.com. own social media outlets. EASEL is listed as one of only a little more than 100
Visit EASEL’s website for more information. back to the shelter. organizations to have taken the training and have participated in the program. Continued on page 5

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