From Cage to Couch – The SPCA’s Way Home Program

There are few things more rewarding that witnessing the adoption of a shelter animal. For some, however, lack of socialization, breed-type and behavioral challenges can dampen chances to find a forever home. The Tortorella Family Foundation is proud to sponsor “The Way Home” program with the SPCA of Westchester, a no-kill animal care campus in Briarcliff Manor, NY. The program focuses on working with large, and bully breed dogs, typically the toughest to find homes for. Joanne Langman, Behavior and Enrichment Director and Lisa Ricker, manager of the Way Home Program are constantly looking for ways to improve shelter animals’ odds of being adopted. According to the pair, kennel reactivity – becoming over excited when people are viewing a dog -was the biggest challenge to overcome Here are a few stories that demonstrate the wonderful success of the program.

 Natasha, a five-year-old pit bull mix spent years at the SPCA, mainly because she did not show well to potential adopters. Natasha jumped and barked in her kennel whenever anyone approached. Joanne and Lisa decided to schedule a meet ‘n greet with potential adopters at a nearby park that Natasha loved. The change of venue worked well – Natasha was calm and affectionate and went home with her new family

Gloria’s kennel presentation was horrible. A large, brindled pit bull who was at the SPCA for 5 years, Gloria grabbed her leash in frustration and violently shook her toys when potential adopters first approached her kennel. Due to the actions of an SPCA volunteer who loved to take Gloria for rides in her car where she was calm and affectionate, Joanne and Lisa arranged for her new family to meet Gloria during one of these joy rides. Success was immediate. Outside of her kennel, in a “real life” setting, Gloria was a completely different dog.

An extremely shy dog who cowered in the back of her kennel was paired with another shy dog. The two bonded beautifully and after one was adopted, her new family came back for her bestie. Through The Way Home program, Joanne is always looking for new ways to help dogs reduce fear and frustration while they are sheltered, so that they might know the happiness of a forever home. Joanne’s goal is to see more dogs “go from cage to couch!’

A Home for Bane

The Tortorella Family Foundation received a heartbreaking request to rehome a sweet, special needs pittie who lives in Ohio.  If anyone can help, we’d be very grateful as would his family.  Bane is two-year-old paraplegic dog who is terrific with dogs and cats and adores his two little human sisters who call him “Bean”. Due to financial reasons, his family cannot keep him. It is obvious that they provide him with lots of love and excellent care. They would like Bane to go to a good home or rescue that can provide him with the therapy he needs to strengthen his muscles. He is UTD on all vaccines and has been neutered. Please share Bane’s story far and wide.

Meet some Happy Faces from Muskingum County Dog Warden and Adoption Center

Happy Faces from Muskingum County Dog Warden and Adoption Center

On their weekly broadcast for Hockey & Hounds, Coach Torts of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Anthony Rothman of The Fan 97.1 have been talking about Muskingum County Dog Warden and Adoption Center in Zanesville, OH.

 The Muskingum County facility is usually filled to the brim with dogs that have been lost, abused, neglected or owner surrendered. It’s a challenge, but one that the shelter rises to with a little help from their friends like Multiple Breed Rescue of Grafton, Ohio who drove over three houses to bring them dog food, leashes, treats and other supplies. They walked some of the dogs and took them to a local pet store for a bath then pulled 4 dogs for Friendship Animal Protective League.  Wood County Humane Society in Bolling Green also pulled four more dogs who had also been long time residents at the Adoption Center.

Muskingum County Dog Warden and Adoption Center is in need of a new building. To learn more about their plans please click here.

Meet three of the most handsome gentlemen from the Adoption Center who found forever love!

Buff’s smile says it all!

Buff  is a  bulldog mix who had been at the Center for seven months… before getting adopted by a lovely couple.

Kreed, a small bully breed was being overlooked at the shelter time and again until his foster decide to make his situation permanent! 

It’s impossible to not see the joy Kreed feels with his new family.

For more info on the Center and their work, please call 740-453-0273.

Graced with the title of “Longest Resident” after Buff was adopted, Leonard was at the Adoption Center since August.  He is now in his forever home and we’re thrilled.

Leonard is such a handsome catch!

More Spotlight on Kindness 2019

Chip was rescued by Bella Run Equine

The Tortorella Family Foundation was proud to give grants in 2019 to the following organizations whose dedication and hard work have changed life for many animals: Bella Run Equine of Athens, Ohio rescues and rehomes horses from inhumane and deadly situations at auctions.  They bring malnourished and abused equines to their sanctuary where they receive veterinary treatment, enrichment and love.

Seniors enrolled in Life Care Alliance of Columbus, Ohio’s programs receive food and veterinary care for their companion pets. This effort helps to keep beloved animals with their owners.  Sheila Clifton, founder of Yellow Rabbit Animal Rescue in Mississippi,  takes in abandoned and abused dogs and cats, gets them veterinary care and finds them permanent homes. The Foundation donated toward a concrete slab for the building of a physical shelter for the dogs that would provide protection from the elements and be easy to sterilize to prevent contagious diseases from spreading.  The Tortorella Family Foundation applauds the efforts of these three humane organizations and is grateful to offer help with their missions. Please visit their websites and facebook pages to learn more about what they do.

Sweet pup has a new lease on life thanks to Yellow Rabbit Animal Rescue

Physical shelter for the animals of Yellow Rabbit Rescue

Saving Precious Lives in Ohio – SAVE Ohio Pets and Rascal Unit

Spay and neuter surgeries for companion animals provide one of the best ways to prevent overpopulation and unnecessary suffering. On Sunday, April 28^th, SAVE Ohio Pets, an animal welfare organization and its partner Rascal Unit, a mobile veterinary office, conducted a Wellness/Spay Neuter Clinic for the pets of  low-income and homeless individuals and families in the Columbus, Ohio area.

Volunteering their talents, veterinarians Dr. Todd Beckett, Dr. Brian Middlebrooks, Dr. Paola Vasquez, Dr. Adriana Martin and Dr. Natalie Thomas tended to 31 wellness clients. Rascal Unit’s dedicated crew, under the direction of Dr. Decker, performed 51 spay neuter surgeries. ‘Lady Jackets’ of the Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey Team, Diana Davidson, Christine Tortorella, Mary Shaw and Hannah Larson comforted post-surgery patients with cuddle and lots of TLC.

According to Stacey Ann Morris, founder of SAVE Ohio Pets, the “Stars of the Show” were the volunteers who helped – as they do with every monthly clinic – by scheduling appointments, picking up and dropping off clients, collecting and passing out food donations and cleaning.

Thanks, too, go to Columbus-based Mutts & Co. for providing pet food at the event. As always, the clinic team were grateful for the assistance of Anthony Rothman of 97.1 The Fan and “Hockey & Hounds”, and Columbus Humane Officer O’Neill.

The Tortorella Family Foundation was proud to sponsor the April 2019 Wellness/Spay Neuter Clinic and salutes all the community members who came together on that day to make a difference for the animals of Central Ohio.

If you would like to donate to a future clinic or learn more about their services, you can reach SAVE Ohio Pets at www.saveohiopets.org or 855-243-SAVE (7283) and Rascal Unit at or www.rascalunit.com 614-389-3500.-