Because of the influx of cats we have received at the HSEC, we’ve decided to lower our adoption prices on cats to $80.00!

Your adoption fee includes:

Your new pet, Microchip, Feline Leuk test, flea treatment, grooming, first set of initial vaccinations, a discount at one of our participating vets on your next vet visit and 30 days of free pet insurance.

We are still running our 2 for 1 campaign.  Adopt 1 pet and get a companion for free!

Help us move these pets out of the shelter.  Adopt today!

At animal shelters and rescue groups across the nation, there are an abundance of healthy senior pets looking for a special home to cherish them for the rest of their lives. Although shaping the life of a youngster sounds appealing, giving a second chance to an older companion can be equally rewarding. They like to share quiet moments, are already trained and usually do not chew or scratch everything in sight.

The following are some thoughts about adopting a senior pet:

Matching Lifestyles: An adult animal’s relatively calm demeanor and less intense exercise needs make them the perfect match for a full-time, working household or an older person seeking friendship and love. Older pets often make excellent or at the very least, agreeable companions for other household pets, as well.

Physical Demands are Low: Fortunately, many senior animals are not as demanding as a younger animal. Like any animal, they need quality time in the form of attention and exercise, but the length and intensity of exercise may not be as great. Older dogs, for example, may prefer quiet walks to running or active play and will usually not pull you around on the leash or jump up on you.

Previous Training: Adult animals often already know how to live harmoniously with humans. In general, adult pets require far less supervision and less constant care, which can make them ideal companions for people with already busy lives. They may already be litter box or housetrained. An older dog might also have some obedience training.

What You See is What You Get: With adopted older pets you will usually know about any behavior challenges or health considerations before you adopt. In other words, there are no surprises.

Visit our shelter and receive 25% off any pet 5 years and older (discount cannot be applied with other discounts). Check out Big White, a 5 year-old male, who loves to c

Join Planet Canine for a splashing good time at its Dog Swim Party to benefit the Humane Society of Elkhart County on Saturday, October 10. Pups will enjoy a fun and therapeutic dip in Planet Canine’s heated canine pool. Not only will your furry loved ones have a great time doggy paddling around the pool, there are several health benefits swimming can have for animals as well.

“The water can increase relaxation, helping muscle and joint pain, while strengthening the spine,” said Pam Mendenhall, owner of Planet Canine. “The relief for arthritis at any age is priceless and can result in increased quality of life and activity level quickly at home.”

According to Mendenhall, swimming is also a great way to aid in weight loss, build and tone muscle, increase confidence and decrease stress, not to mention the pleasure dogs get from a few laps around the pool.

Activities at the Dog Swim Party will include:

• 15 minutes in Planet Canine’s heated canine pool for a $10 donation
• Staff to dry off wet dogs
• Photographer on hand to capture the moment
• Fun dog swimming demonstrations
• Snacks for hungry pups that work up an appetite
• Learn how to get involved with the Humane Society of Elkhart County

When: Saturday, October 10, 2009

From: 11am – 4pm

Where: Planet Canine

4411 Wyland Drive
Elkhart, IN 46516

For more information, visit www.planetcanine.com or call 574-522-8584.

Bristol, Ind. – The Humane Society of Elkhart County is pleased to announce its current members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is a group of volunteers that help oversee the corporate management and fund development efforts of the Humane Society of Elkhart County. The board establishes organizational standards and goals and ensures corresponding policies and procedures.

 Board Members include:

• President: Christopher Anderson serves as the Elkhart County Recorder. He resides in Goshen.
• Vice President: Cynthia Tuff is the owner of Garber’s Decorating. She resides in Elkhart.
• Secretary: Stephanie Krol is the owner of Stephanie Krol Public Relations. She resides in Bristol.
• Treasurer: Julia Stauffer is a Certified Public Accountant and owner of JA Stauffer CPA PC. She resides in Goshen.
• Board Member: Dr. Minerva Anderson, DVM is a veterinarian at Animal Aid Clinic South. She resides in Wakarusa.
• Board Member: Tracey Bail is the owner of Bail Construction. He resides in Goshen.
• Board Member: Debra Dodge is currently attending Ivy Tech to become a Medical Assistant. She resides in Elkhart.

“As the new president, I’m really excited to see the changes we can make for the Humane Society of Elkhart County along with our new executive director, Anne Reel,” said Christopher Anderson, Board of Directors president. “We have a talented and dedicated crew of local professionals who will undoubtedly make an impact on this nonprofit that is critical to Elkhart County.”

 The Humane Society of Elkhart County is continuing to grow its Board of Directors particularly those individuals with government experience and those with legal, financial, business administration and marketing backgrounds. If interested, visit www.elkharthumanesociety.org to fill out the Volunteer Prospect form and forward it to the Humane Society of Elkhart County, 54687 County Rd. 19, Bristol, IN 46507. The Humane Society has also developed a Board Development Committee to assist in this growth.

The Humane Society of Elkhart County (HSEC) is asking residents who have adopted a pet from the shelter to send in a photo for a reunion collage to be displayed year round at the shelter.

Photos can include pets (past and present) and their owners.  Photos are non-returnable and should be no larger than 4″ x 6″.

Please mail (mark envelope “Reunion Photo”) or drop off photos to:   The Humane Society of Elkhart County, 54687 County Road 19, Bristol, IN 46507.  The deadline to submit photos is September 1st.

By making sure that your pet can’t have puppies or kittens, you’ll have peace of mind that his or her offspring won’t be euthanized in an animal shelter.

Many people are surprised to learn that nationwide more than 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters. You might think that these are animals born in the streets or there is something “wrong” with them. But often they are the offspring of cherished family pets, even purebreds. Maybe someone’s dog or cat got out just that one time or maybe the litter was intentional, but efforts to find enough good homes failed.

Still the result is homeless animals that have to be euthanized because there are more dogs and cats entering shelters than there are people willing to provide them with loving care. Even if you do find homes for your pet’s puppies or kittens, that means there are fewer homes available to take in other pets from shelters.

Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats. Help your community … and yourself Homeless animals may get into trash containers, defecate in the neighborhood and bite or attack.

Spaying or neutering your pet means that your animal and its potential offspring won’t contribute to the population of unwanted pets. You can also enjoy your spayed or neutered pet more. Female pets that have been spayed do not go into heat. You won’t have the mess that comes with the female reproductive cycle or the boisterous, noisy male suitors.

Spaying and neutering may also reduce the risk of certain health problems, offering you more years with your beloved dog or cat.

Millions of pet deaths each year are a tragedy—but it can be solved. By spaying and neutering your pet, you can be an important part of the solution. Contact your veterinarian today and be sure to let your family and friends know that they should do the same.

Our Animal Control officers responded to a call about dead cats inside a home in Elkhart. When we arrived, we were shocked to find around 60 living cats inside a garage and abandoned home.

On Friday, Minerva Anderson, a veterinarian with Animal Aid Clinic South stopped by to help us assess the kittens who are in the worst shape. ”There’s definitely a lot of illnesses going on, upper respiratory illnesses, the eyes are completely matted shut, a lot of discharge from the nose where they’re finding it very difficult to breathe,” said Minerva Anderson.

• Small cat litter boxes (half the size of a regular cat box)
• Stainless steel cat bowls
• Dry cat/kitten food
• Monetary Donations (we are having to use our own supply and our own funds for medicine)

Follow the story on www.wndu.com and www.wsbt.com.

Check out our pictures of the Dog Wash Fundraiser on FACEBOOK!

We strutted our mutts down the street at the Bristol Homecomming Parade!  The crowd gave us a big cheer as we walked past!  It was a great day to be out and about and we even won 2nd place!

Thanks to all of our volunteers who strutted our mutts down the street!  It was a great event!

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the people on North Shore Drive in Elkhart are thirsty!  So Nathan and Grant Brekke as well as more family and friends, held a lemonade stand last weekend and raised an AWESOME $130.00 for the Humane Society!!

Anne Reel, Executive Director proudly accepted the donation as well as all of our animals who will benefit from the donation!  Thanks Brekke family and have a wonderful summer!