Humane Society of Elkhart County

Meet Angelo!  He is a 4 month old Sharpei/Shepard mix.  He’s very lovable, good with other dogs and would of course, make a wonderful pet!  Call us today!

Photo Courtesy of the Goshen News

The Furry Friends Fashion Fair Show will be:

Thursday, November 6th, 2008 at the Matterhorn Conference Center

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Enjoy a Buffet Luncheon, Fashion by Stephenson’s, Raffle Items and a Silent Auction with a painting by local artist Julie Manfredi.

Tickets are $25.00!  Purchase now before they are all gone!!

Remember Shadow?!  Shadow went home yesterday!  HURRAY!  We always love it when we get to see our animals find homes.  I hope you and your owner are very happy Shadow!

We’ve been receiving a lot of calls recently asking us if we are on lockdown due to the parvovirus.  We are NOT on lockdown.  We have been very lucky to be able to contain the virus and kill it immediately by bleaching the entire shelter.  So far, the virus has not come from inside our shelter.  It has only come from the outside, which means the public is bringing the infection inside.  It’s important for you to know what the Parvovirus is and how you can help stop spreading this deadly disease.

What is Parvo?

“Parvo” is a virus that attacks the lining of the digestive system. It causes dogs and puppies to not be able to absorb nutrients or liquids. Puppies are especially prone to it because they have an immature immune system. When dogs and puppies contract parvo, they often have diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy. Usually they stop eating and develop a bloody, foul-smelling, liquid stool.

Symptoms usually begin with a high fever, lethargy, depression, and loss of appetite. Secondary symptoms appear as severe gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and bloody diarrhea. In many cases, dehydration, shock, and death follow.

How is Parvo spread?

Canine parvovirus is carried by dogs. Adult dogs may be infected carriers without showing any clinical signs. Dogs with the typical diarrhea that parvovirus causes shed the virus as well. It can last a long time in the environment, perhaps as long as 9 months or longer.

Generally, it takes 7-10 days from the time of exposure for dogs and puppies to start showing symptoms and to test positive for parvo.

Parvo is highly contagious to unprotected dogs, and the virus can remain infectious in ground contaminated with fecal material for five months or more if conditions are favorable. Extremely hardy, most disinfectants cannot kill the virus, however chlorine bleach is the most effective and inexpensive agent that works, and is commonly used by veterinarians.

Humans can help spread the disease through contact of their hands and clothes.  Although we do not get sick from the disease, we can spread it to healthy dogs.

How can I help prevent Parvo?

The vaccination to help the spread of Parvo is called the “Distemper Shot”.  This shot also protects against Kennel Cough. Ask your vet if your dog has received their distemper shot.

Parvovirus is probably the most common viral illness of dogs at the present time. It is much more common in puppies than it is in adult dogs. It can be very hard to successfully vaccinate a puppy for this disease because the antibody protection the puppy acquires from its mother can interfere with vaccination. Many vets recommend vaccinating puppies every three to four weeks for this virus starting at 6 weeks of age and continuing until they are at least 16 weeks of age and preferably 20 weeks of age. It is possible that this vaccine confers lifelong immunity once it does work but most veterinarians continue to recommend yearly vaccination for it. It seems prudent to at least get the vaccination at one year of age. Since it is combined with the other vaccines it is often easier just to give it yearly with them.

Knowing these facts will help stop the spread of Parvovirus.  We can’t stress enough how important it is to vaccinate your dogs.  If you think your dog has any of the symptoms of Parvo, please take them to your vet immedietly.  Humans can transmit the Parvovirus to other dogs just by contact with your clothes.  Treat Parvo like the flu.  This disease shouldn’t be taken lightly.  Reports of this disease have been found in Elkhart County.

~Your friends at the Humane Society of Elkhart County.

Shelter Volunteer Training / Orientation

Saturday, September 6 & 20,
from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM at the HSEC.

Click Here for more details
on this event!

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Meet Rose the Beagle!  She’s an 8 month old Beagle with lots of love and energy.  Perfect for kids who love to cuddle and chase around the yard.  She would make an excellent pet.  Come see her today!

Oh My Gosh!  What are you doing?!  You’re not supposed to be sitting in front of your computer!  You’re Late!  You were supposed to be at:

You forgot didn’t you?!  That’s ok, because we’ll be there tomorrow and Sunday too!  You have PLENTY of time to buy your furry friend something great at the new Petco in Dunlap! AND while your there, check out our new cat cages!  Petco is housing 6 of our furry kitties there forever and ever!  How lucky they are to get that extra exposure.  So come see us!

Saturday, September 13, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday, September 14, from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Remember Leo?

Leo went home the very NEXT day!  Thanks to his TV debut on Fox 28 News!  Everyone here at the Humane Society of Elkhart County wish him a long happy life with his new family!

What a great day Saturday was.  A perfect day for a parade!!!  Elkhart’s 150′th Birthday Celebration went out like a BANG on Saturday with a Pet Parade and of course, we were invited!  We had a great time and hope everyone did too!

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to walk in the parade on Saturday.  We had so much fun and we even won $50!  Woo Hoo!