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JOA'S ARC FUNDRAISER! PLEASE SHOP AND SHARE!!

Christmas is my favorite holiday. Not just the day but the season itself. One of the things that I must have is a wreath. This year I will be buying mine from Lynch Creek who will in turn give 20% of my purchase to Joa's Arc. Wreaths, centerpieces and more! Get your holiday decorating started here. Please SHARE - https://www.lynchcreekfundraising.com/f/182809

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5 Years

5 years ago tomorrow Joa's Arc announced ourselves as a rescue!

~ Announcing Joa's Arc ~

We have gone from an auxiliary group to being our very own incorporated non-profit 501c3 organization, which has helped save many special lives!

Thank you for supporting us and thank you for being a part of all of this with us! Stay tuned this month for some very special updates...

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Introducing Chloe

UPDATE 08-07-2013: Paulie is apparently a girl, now named Chloe :)

Meet Paulie (named after one of the minions in "Despicable Me").

Mr. Paulie was recently rescued from a local shelter where he had survived an upper respiratory infection, but was to be put to sleep due to how full the shelter was - that was far too sad for any of us at Joa’s Arc to consider! Thank you to the staff who marked him for rescue and an adopter of ours stepping up to foster, Paulie was saved.

Paulie has slight Cerebellar Hypoplasia and gets wobbly when he gets excited. Like our other CH kitties have proven, this doesn't slow Paulie down a bit - he's still a very playful, spirited kitten.

We are helping Paulie get over some congestion right now (probably from the stress of the shelter), but he will be available for adoption soon.

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Protesting

Sports:

"Fans, foes attend Vick signing" -

Written by
KEVIN CALLAHAN
Courier-Post Staff

WASHINGTON TWP. — The sound of baseball was in the air, but football was on the minds of about 100 autograph seekers Saturday at the Washington Township Sports Complex in Sewell.

While Eagles quarterback Michael Vick signed helmets, photos and jerseys for an hour upstairs, in an appearance arranged by Sports Integrity, kids were hitting baseballs downstairs inside the half-dozen batting cages.

And why did Luca Ensman, who will be 8 Monday, wait in line for Vick’s signature? “Because I like the Eagles,” he said, “and he always gets some points.”

Tom Ensman, 31, Luca’s stepfather, wore a red Phillies cap to the signing, which cost $80 per ticket.

“It is his birthday — that is all he wanted for his birthday present,” Ensman said in explaining why he drove Luca from Mantua for the autograph session.

Jerome Cohen and his 15-year-old son, Dimitri, drove from Lakewood to get Vick’s signature.

“I like how talented he is and how cool he is and how he bounced back,” Dimitri said. “He showed he could change.”

Vick, who chose not to talk to the media, served almost two years in jail for his involvement in a dog-fighting ring.

“He was at the top of his game, and he was knocked down, and he has a second opportunity that he is making the most of,” said Jerome Cohen, 47, a police officer in Lakewood who serves as a school resource officer.

“I thank God I live in a society where second chances are still given.”

Outside the complex, which is off Delsea Drive, there were about two dozen protestors, many holding anti-Vick signs.

“I’m here to raise awareness of Michael Vick,” said Maureen Koplow, 68, of Deptford. “This is where Michael Vick is, and he is signing autographs for $80 — that is a shame.”

Karen Quigley held her white pit-bull, Mack, on a leash. Mack is a rescue dog from Camden.

“What is most upsetting is he is charging $80 and he is making millions,” said Quigley, who lives in Washington Township. “People say he is a changed man, but it is business as usual.”

Sabrina Hay, 35, didn’t have to ride far to see Vick because she lives in Washington Township. She was inside getting an autograph.

“I would still go to see him, even if he wasn’t in town,” said Hay, a season-ticket holder. “I just love him. When he gets that football and when he leans back to throw it ... I freak out.”

HI Mr. Davis,

I read your recent article in the Gloucester County Times today regarding the protest held in Sewell, NJ at the Vick autograph event. I was unable to attend due to my work schedule but many of my friends did attend. I read your article and thought it was good until I read near the end..."Vick has stepped up his efforts as an animal rights activist". At that point I wanted to scream. Now please before you roll your eyes and mutter the words "Oh great another animal nut", I want you to hear me out first. I believe in peaceful protests against Vick, not to yell at his fans but to let him know that we are still out there and will be to remind him of what he did to the dogs. The general public have forgiven him but true animal rights activist such as myself have not. Vick has done nothing to redeem himself in our eyes because his so called lectures are PR stunts and totally scripted. His handful of lectures are to young children who only care that he is a "football star". He has never reached out to the animal groups to talk with them and apologize. He doesn't care to do that and never will. He doesn't allow questions and answers at his lectures and his audience is too young to truly ask him any important questions such as "what have you done to care for your surviving dogs?" Vick has never donated a dime to any rescue organization. Twenty two of his surviving dogs went to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. They were labeled the Vicktory Dogs and have made great progress, many of them now adopted and loving life. Vick has never made an effort to help with their care. Why not Mr. Davis? Why do my donations pay for his dogs? If he was a true animal activist and is so sorry for what he did, shouldn't he step up to help pay for their day to day expenses? I could go on and on about what he should do but the reality is, he won't. It comes down to the fact he is only sorry he was caught and now that he is making his giant salary, he does not care.

I am a true animal activist along with many others. I run a rescue for special needs animals, I help people spay/neuter their pets, I go to classrooms and speak to children about kindness to animals, I peacefully protest against puppy mills, I help other rescues and shelters raise money, I am the voice of animals that need help. I have traveled to Best Friends in Utah for the past 13 years along with friends to volunteer to work for 12 days as my vacation. I am insulted that you put him in the same category as myself and other true animal activists. I do all this for no pay, no praise, no glory, no pat on the back, I strictly do it for the animals. Now do you really think he is my equal in the eyes of the animals? I don't think so.

Joyce Moyer (of Joa’s Arc)

~

Maureen wrote: "Vick, who has a $100 million contract with the Eagles ($40 million guaranteed) charged children $80 for his autograph. Not one dime of his money has gone to help animals. The Eagles team has donated a small pittance, but nothing came out of Vick's pockets. The short time he spent in jail was not for animals abuse, but for racketeering and gambling. He has never apologized for what he did to the dogs at his Bad Newz Kennel. He has never provided information about other dog fighters, people involved in a "sport" that involves illegal gambling, drugs, and racketeering in addition to the attrocities perpetrated on the dogs. In spite of his "second chance" to be a multi-millionaire, neither he nor the Eagles have worked to provide second chances to other ex convicts. He blamed his behavior on his upbringing, as though being a black child in the South made criminal activity inevitable. What an incredible insult to all the children from similar backgrounds who grew up to be compassionate and caring adults. Vick admitted taking pleasure in slamming his losing dogs to the ground, hanging them by the neck, drowning them and electrocuting them. He participated in these activities until he was caught, and has not received psychological counseling or treatment to address these barbaric acts. Yes, we were out there protesting while he sat inside raking in money for his signature. Yes, we hold a grudge. How sad that this man whose only redeeming trait is his ability to throw a ball is placed on a pedestal and given adulation. Shame on Vick and shame on the media who refuse to tell the truth about Vick."

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Happy New Year!!

A new year - a new opportunity to help more shelters, help more animals, save more special lives and make new friends who share the same goals!

As we reflect back on 2011, we see so many accomplishments and happy tails...

Besides caring for our special needs animals like Wil, Faulk, Mia and Gabe (who are still available for adoption), Joa's Arc was actively involved in a huge cat hoarding situation for several months! Joyce M, Jen S and Jen W were some of the very first people to become involved with this house at the very beginning and it has to this day remained a stressful, demanding situation. Because we were so wrapped up with this hoarding house for so long, we were very slow on adoptions this year and, of course, each ended up with some of these cats in our homes at one point. Stay tuned for info about this whole ordeal soon!

Gabriel got surgery, healed up and was finally available for adoption this year! Joa's Arc rescued Gabriel, a 4 year old hound boy, who was found on the side of a road after being hit by a car in the south. Although we mainly rescue shelter animals in South Jersey, Gabe had not one, but two incidents making him a more than usual desperate case. Although another rescue down south initially took him in, had his leg casted and placed him in foster care... Gabe chewed off his cast in anxiety after another dog decided he didn’t like Gabriel and nearly tore off Gabe's entire ear! After surgery to staple his ear back in place, this rescue reached out for help and Joa’s Arc agreed to take Gabriel.

Gabe came to New Jersey and had surgery on his broken leg, which was some sort of rare break that the seasoned orthopedic vet we took Gabe to said he had never personally seen before. After months of rehab and vet care, Gabe is good as new now though! He is a goofy, loving, sweet hound who loves everyone including dogs and cats. We have one final step to accomplish in his recovery and that is to find him a loving forever home, preferably with another dog he can play with.

Joa's Arc also recently pulled two kittens, Guppy and Gizmo, from a local shelter. Gizmo has some serious eye deformities and and ulcer in her one eye. Guppy has a deformed back leg and tail, though it's hard to tell because this vocal, little munchkin gets around really well! Thanks to networking and some kind people stepping up to help us help them, both kittens are now safe in foster care.

Right before the holidays, two very special cats found themselves happy in homes - Maizey the CH kitty and Inferno, a blind, older cat who was in a local shelter.

We can't forget about Savior and Sal either! A very nice person found Savior, an all white adult male cat, and Sal, an all black male kitten, all by themselves in an empty apartment. This odd pair were both suffering from neglect - skinny and sick. Joa's Arc was able to help get the two cleaned up, back to health and both neutered. Through this all, we found that Savior and Sal had an incredible bond together... and we completed their story with us the only way we knew how - by finding them a loving home together!

Talk about a transformation!!

Joa's Arc has helped many special needs (and normal) animals this year, with some still waiting to be adopted. It is thanks to your help and support that we've been able to accomplish so much! With your continued support, we look forward to whatever 2012 holds for us.

Here's to a happy, healthy, life-saving 2012! Tweet This

Blessings for Sick or Injured Pets

Joyce is out at Best Friends Animal Society right now for her annual vacation.

Last year, while attempting to stay in Dogtown, Joyce was suckered into visiting the clinic where she met and fell in love with Rory, a blind, bob-tailed kitty who had neurological issues. Joyce was so in love with Rory, she brought him home to Jersey with her. However, it wasn't too long after stealing Joyce's heart and arriving in Jersey that Rory's neurological issues became much worse. He was hospitalized and after extensive testing and brainstorming, Rory passed into peace.

In memory of Rory, I wanted to post the below here which I received in an email recently. Blessings, prayers, good luck, positive vibes, etc - we'll take it all for the animals!

"Blessings for Sick or Injured Pets"

Heavenly Father,
We ask for your mercy that
this beloved small creature,
which is your own, be not in pain.
We ask that health be
restored and sustain
if it is your will
so that they be allowed to stay with us
a little longer here in this world,
where they are needed.
We ask that if there is medical care needed,
that the way be provided.
We ask that this one does not suffer needlessly.
We ask for your compassion
and grace that this one be healed
through your love,
through your mercy
and through the help
of those here on earth,
through whom your love comes forth.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, we ask
these things not for ourselves, but for this small life that is so
precious and carries the light of your love.

Amen."

Thank you Joyce, the endlessly helpful medical staff that was there for Rory and all those that loved him while he was with us.

Rory is a symbol for so many animals... may they be healed and healthy in this life, or the next. Tweet This

Happy Holidays

We hope this holiday season finds you well, warm and with loved ones!



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Are you a fan?

Are you a fan of Joa's Arc? Or special needs animals? Or just adorable animals in general??

Please send your contact information (name, email address, home/business address) to jenw@joasarc.org - We're getting together contact information for newsletters/updates and want to make sure you're involved! :)

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Elvis :(

Elvis came to Joa’s Arc with severe neurological problems in May of this year from a wonderful rescuer named Susan from North Jersey. Joyce wrote “from the moment I saw him, I was in love - from that cute little nose with a dab of black, all the way down to that wiggling butt.” He was just 8 weeks old then and Joyce made the generous decision to love and care for Elvis as long as possible.

Elvis, named appropriately for his wiggly hips and butt (the area his neurological issues effected the most), didn't let his disabilities get in the way of loving life or people. Though he shook terribly and had a hard time getting around sometimes, Elvis still loved everything about life - whether it was playing with his foster siblings or snuggling up with anyone nearby. Because of these traits and that sweet little face, it was hard for anyone that met Elvis to not fall in love.

Elvis, like several animals that have come into Joa’s Arc’s care, are just temporary blessings though. Neurological disorders as severe as Elvis’s were are not only difficult for the people that have to care for them, but difficult on their precious little bodies. In July, Elvis started having seizures and although Joa’s Arc got him on to medication, it wasn’t helping. Initially, after Elvis would seize, Joyce would pick him up and he would head butt her and purr as if saying, “I’m alright! What are you so worked up about? Pet me!” Over the last month or so though, Elvis grew tired and his body just couldn't take the ruthlessness of the seizures anymore.

On Tuesday, September 26th, comforted and surrounded by friends, Elvis crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Homes for animals like Elvis are often very hard to find. These animals require supervision, patience, cleaning (picture a cat trying to groom its self while its head or rear end wiggle uncontrollably), sometimes medication, the knowledge that they might not live the full life of a “normal” pet and, for animals like this who find themselves in shelters, the reality that the right person may not come along. These are commitments that a lot of people and especially shelters cannot make. However, it is because of people like Joa’s Arc’s Joyce that animals like Elvis get to live the best and longest life possible in love and comfort until they no longer can anymore.

Thank you, Joyce, for loving Elvis and for making the difficult decision to let him go to peace.







Joyce wrote upon Elvis’s passing, “Please don't feel sad for Elvis. He had a short, but wonderful life ... feel sad for the ones like Elvis that aren't given the chance.”

Rest in peace, Elvis. You were loved! Tweet This

Muffy Update

At our meeting recently, Muffy joined us. While there was eating, talking and some number crunching on the humans' part, Muffy was busy running around with other foster kitties, Smithy's little Chihuahua man and, oh yea, a few rats too. While she was very tolerant for the most part, there were frustrating parts - like all the movement or just trying to play with a toy.

Muffy is a trooper though! She made it through the night, got plenty of pets and showed off her improvement in getting around.

It is "Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week" this week! What a perfect week for the animals of Joa’s Arc.

Check back each day for a new post about some of the great animals that are in our care or have found wonderful new homes thanks to Joa’s Arc. Keep in mind Joa’s Arc is constantly getting requests about animals in need like these special furbabies on our site. Even a dollar will help! Please donate what you can to the animals of Joa’s Arc:

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Introducing Scooter

How can you resist that little face?! I found it impossible... even after I found out the little munchkin was a paraplegic kitten who drags his back legs around. Thankfully, so did Joa’s Arc volunteer Jen S and these two adorable kittens are now safe in foster care with Joa’s Arc. Meet Scooter and his littermate, Bump. Although Scooter's "normal" littermates had somewhere safe to go, we were told that Bump loved him and followed Scooter everywhere. Did we mention Bump doesn't have any tail either? It's a fact! She barely even has a "bump" of a tail on her rump.

Scooter and Bump were on the patio of a nice lady in Southern New Jersey. Although they were barely done nursing from their mom, we felt it best to get them into foster care due to the fact they were living outside and that their semi-feral mom cat had made several attempts at moving them to places where we could not reach them. We felt it best to get Scooter and Bump inside and safe, especially since Scooter is paraplegic - dragging his back legs around from the hips down. Here is a cute photo of Joa’s Arc volunteer Joyce M getting ready to help feed the babies their first night in foster care. Scooter is happy exploring. Bump is so impatient for food she seems to be considering just climbing into the cup of food.


The video is dark, but you can get an idea of how Scooter gets himself around. Although Scooter has an obvious disability, he doesn't know there is anything wrong with him. It is hard for us not to go weak in the knees for paraplegic kittens and just like Joa, whose spirit encouraged Joa's Arc's mission, quickly stole everyone's heart, Scooter seems to be doing the same already... and Bump too! The two are quite the adorable pair.

Stay tuned in here for more information and updates on Scooter & Bump. Feel free to donate towards their continual care too. Any and all help is greatly appreciated! Tweet This

Joe's First Night

I thought all of Cup of Joe's fans would like to hear the update from his new dad about Joe's first night with his new family:

I wanted to let you know that Joe was great last night!!! He and Behr (their other dog) did a little exploring of the living room together then he chilled out in his bed most of the night. He ended up falling asleep with me in bed. I woke up with him under my chin sound asleep. When he woke up I was attacked with kisses.

We love him! Thank you for this opportunity!!! We will take great care of him!

Thanks again,
[Joe's new dad] Tweet This

Examiner.Com Article on Cup ‘O Joe

Help Joa’s Arc to help toy poodle, Cup ‘O Joe

Thank you Megan Drake for this wonderful article about Joa's Arc and our sweet little Cup o' Joe who is such a sweet man, but still a little trooper too. Two days out of surgery and he seems to be doing real well so far.

You can go here to make a tax deductible donation to help us cover the cost of surgery & after care of Joe or use PayPal:

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Upcoming Fundraiser

Joa’s Arc has another upcoming event at Bill's Wonderland of Pets where we'll be selling jewelry and other goodies in order to raise funds for our mission of helping special needs animals. We will be there from 11 AM until 3 PM on Sunday, March 21st, and would love a visit from you!

Although she is not there in connection with or there in support of Joa’s Arc that day, we'd like to inform you that also that Sunday will be animal communicator, Elizabeth Severino. She will be conducting individual sessions which are 10 minutes each at a rate of $30 for one animal, an additional $5 for another animal in the same session. You can make an appointment to see her that day by registering on line. Tweet This

News Article On Joa's Arc

Check this out: Joa's Arc raises funds for medically needy shelter pets, hosts bake sale Saturday January 9

"Joa traveled to the Rainbow Bridge this past March, having succumed to a massive infection secondary to her parapelegia but she will be at Bill's Wonderland of Pets tomorrow in spirit and in the memories of all who loved her"...

Thank you so much, Ms. Drake for your kind words and support of Joa’s Arc! Tweet This

Nennee's Holiday Wish...

**Anyone that wants to see little Nennee, she willbe visiting Santa at the Deptford Petsmart behind Chili's on Saturday December 19, 2009 at 11:00 am. Watch out Santa, here she comes!!**

Joyce sent out an email recently that reads as follows:

Dear Friends and Family,
My new rescue, Joa’s Arc, is dedicated to helping special needs animals from shelters and rescues. All funds come from fundraising and go directly to the animals. I have done a webpage for Nennee, who's Holiday wish is to get eyelids - yes! you read it right: she needs surgery to repair her eyelids and this can't be done without your help.

If you are sending me a holiday card, please don't - donate a dollar or two to Nennee. If you are buying me something, please don't - make a donation to Nennee. It isn't that I don't appreciate gifts, but I don't need anything. I devote my heart and soul to these animals and helping them with your support makes me happy, so please consider donating to my cause.

~*~ Nennee's Holiday Wish ~*~

Thank you so much. Tweet This

More On Gibby

The good samaritan who not only felt awful when Gibby ran into his car, but was caring enough to go back and grab Gibby out of the road when he saw he was still alive (and has continued to love Gibson) wrote to me earlier this week. I had to share it (with permission of course)!

"Jen...

He is just so special. I know all of them are. He and I met in rather extreme circumstances. Has been an emotional roller coaster to say the least. He is a tough little guy and just totally cute...

Thank you and of course JoyceM and Joa’s Arc for helping this sweet angel...

Little Gibby has taught me much of faith and courage, and the importance that every life has. Nothing feels better, I swear, when I see him. Knowing how far he has come from the day we met...

Thanks for all you guys are doing to help him. :)"

Also, here's the most recent medical update on Gibson: Gibby is doing well as of right now. The phone consult with a University of Penn cardiologist went well.

Gibson does have pneumonia. Also, his enlarged heart is minimal and only time will tell if he needs to see the cardiologist and have an ultrasound. Gibby is clear for discharge and will be coming home. He will be closely monitor by his foster mom, JoyceM, for any respiratory distress or change in behavior.

Keep Gibby in your prayers, they're working. Tweet This

Petsaver's 2nd Annual Woof Walk

Announcing the new upcoming event that Joa’s Arc will be at:

Sunday, October 25th, 2009
Petsavers' 2nd Annual Woof Walk
Alcyon Lake Park
Pitman, NJ
9am Registration for the walk
Contests including: Best Dog Halloween Costume, Best Dog-Owner Look A Like, etc
Lots of fun activities!!
More info at www.petsaversnj.org

As some of you may know, Joa’s Arc was suppose to have our first public event at Save The Animals Foundation's Paws in the Park event last weekend. However, due to the dangerous weather conditions, the event had to be canceled.

We look forward to seeing all of you Sunday morning and hope you can make it out. ::fingers crossed:: the weather is beautiful :) Tweet This

STAF's Dog Walk

Save The Animals Dogwalk scheduled for Oct. 17 HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO THE WEATHER. Please check back soon to see when our next event will be. Thank you.


**PLEASE NOTE: We have a new event scheduled** Tweet This