 In this newsletter we will be celebrating National Specially-Abled Pets Day (May 3rd), formerly known as Disabled Pets Day. The name was updated because even though the animals require extra care, they are still very able. Since DuPage County Animal Services is an open admission municipal animal shelter, we often receive special needs animals that were either homeless or relinquished because their owner was no longer able to care for them. The amount of care and resources it takes to help animals get to their healthiest is incredible. In addition, it’s the compassion of our adopters for our special needs pets which allows them to see that the rewards are much greater than the required work. “Their bodies may be imperfect, but their spirit remains intact,” according to Stefanie Menjivar.
Special needs pets may have a physical or behavioral disability. They can be large or small, young or old and their care can be minimal to extensive. Not everyone should consider adopting a special needs animal. Often their specialized care will require extra time, money, energy, patience, emotional strength, training, and sometimes customized nutrition. Additional knowledge is required to care for pets who are fearful or have diabetes, arthritis, allergies, or who are blind. Often the commitment is for life, so careful consideration is needed, prior to adoption, to evaluate if a special needs pet is a good fit for the adopter and their family. The adopter should also discuss possible care, including costs, with their veterinarian to be fully informed of the pet’s condition (again, prior to adoption).
Here at DuPage County Animal Services, we don’t see age as a disease; we have adopted out numerous animals beyond what most would consider the pet’s life expectancy if they appear healthy and happy. Within the last 4 years, DCAS created a hospice program. Hospice is reserved for a pet that has a known condition which might eventually cause the pet’s passing; however, the pet still appears to enjoy life. In addition, we created a Fospice program where the pet is in hospice but will live out its life in one of our foster homes. Fospice allows DCAS to provide all veterinary care and also allows us to directly follow the health of the pet to the end.
There are many organizations who can provide support for animals with special needs and their families:
Oscar’s Cause
Onyx and Breezy
K9 Carts
Diabetic Cats in Need
Deaf Dog Education Action Fund
Companion Bridge
Brown Dog Foundation
Adopting a special needs animal is a critical component of progressive animal welfare. As long as quality of life is present and proper care can be maintained, adoption equals lifesaving. Not everyone can open their home to a special needs pet, but you can help by supporting us in our life saving efforts.
 Dr. Barbara Hanek,
Veterinarian Administrator
 Ella came to DCAS in March 2015 as a stray, someone found her by the side of the road. We estimated that she was about 5 weeks old at the time any only weighed 3 pounds. All puppies are born deaf and can’t hear anything until about 3 weeks of age, but we suspected that Ella would be deaf her whole life. Deafness caused by cochleosaccular dysplasia is genetic and more often seen in dogs with white or merle coat patterns. Luckily for Ella, her deafness did not dissuade Stephanie from wanting to take her home. “I was at DCAS picking up a different dog for a rescue when I saw her,” Stephanie recalled and told the staff she would love to help Ella. “When I went to pick her up, they told me they thought she was deaf, and would I still be able to take her. Honestly, it just made me want her more.”
Within two days, Stephanie knew she had to keep Ella. Even with her special needs, Ella thrived in her home, learning behaviors quickly and reaching the head of her level one training class when she was just 13 weeks old. Stephanie and her family have discovered many ways to help Ella adjust in the hearing world by using hand signs, lights, and vibrations to communicate with her. They make sure to be extra careful when they have Ella outside, always secured in her harness because they would not be able to call her back if she got loose. Ella is happiest near her family members and likes to keep them in sight. Her family has found little ways to make sure Ella always feels confident in her surroundings. “She is very funny, perpetually acts like a 19 week old puppy, loves to run and play, and loves consistency in her routines," Stephanie adds. “She is quite a special girl, and while there is nothing "easy" about her, we love her more than anything.”
One of a pet guardian's biggest fears is that their beloved companion will get lost and our Animal Control Officers (ACO) work very hard to help lost pets reunite with their families. Guardians of special needs pets have an additional worry as their pets may require specific treatment. We recommend all animals be microchipped as this is the fastest and most reliable way to reunite pets with their owners. It is also crucial to keep your pets' microchips updated every time you move or change phone numbers. When one of our Officers find a pet out in the community, they can scan for the microchip on the spot. Often, this means the pet can be taken directly home and never experience the stress of being separated from their family and taken to the shelter.
Guardians of special needs pets can provide an extra security measure in case of emergency by including medical alert tags on their pet's collar. These can be purchased online by a number of retailers and will provide crucial information to ACOs, police officers, or even neighbors that may find your animal when they are missing. The medical tags or personalized collars will alert any temporary caregivers of life saving information and ensure the pet receives the proper care until it is reunited with its family.
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Adoptable Hannah is part of DCAS' "Bashful Buddies" program. We want new families to understand that some cats need extra patience and support as they adjust to new homes. They may spend a lot of time hiding away from everyone at first, but they still need a loving home. It may take these cats longer to bond, but when they do, they bond deeply.
Hannah would do great in a quiet home with adults who understand her needs. She is coming out of her shell at the shelter, and will purr her heart out for the staff members who want to spend some quiet time with her. Can you provide this shy girl with the environment she needs to thrive? Click on her picture to see a video of Hannah getting pets from one of our staff members!
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