Humane Society of Elkhart County

We need Cat Food!

elkharthumanesociety — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:45:38 +0000

MEOW
ALL ABOUT: LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY NEEDS CAT FOOD!

Bristol, Ind. –The Humane Society of Elkhart County is in need of DRY Purina cat and kitten food. In the past two months, the Humane Society has admitted more than 300 cats and kittens per month leaving their food storage warehouse down to one skid of cat food.

Due to this dire need, the Humane Society may have to halt its Pet Food Assistance program for cats until the current demand can be met.
The Pet Food Assistance program is available to only Elkhart county residents that need help feeding their pets due to financial hardships. There is an
immediate application process that can be done in person at the Humane Society. Just in the past six months, the Pet Food Assistance program has helped more than 200 residents that have faced financial hardships. The Humane Society uses the program as a way to keep families together.

“Cats are the animals we deal with the most at the Humane Society,” says Rachel Dennis, assistant director of the Humane Society of Elkhart County. “With these large amounts of intakes, we are facing challenges and want to stretch every dollar we have.”

All types of brands of cat food is accepted, however, the shelter is asking for Purina Dry Cat or Kitten Food to help keep a brand consistency at the shelter for the cat’s well being.

Cats make wonderful pets. To view cats that need a home, please visit www.elkharthumanesociety.org or stop by the Humane Society. The Humane Society is also continuing their adoption promotion of cat adoption prices being half off through the month of August (special adoption price of $40, regular $80). In addition, cats that are over the age of 5 years-old are $20 due to a 75% discount. Adoption fees from the Humane Society include initial vaccines and deworming, feline leukemia testing, microchip, grooming along with 30 day free pet insurance. As always, the Humane Society’s Companion Program allows one pet adoption at regular price and the other free. Application forms are available on the website, too.

Residents are asked to drop off items to the Humane Society of Elkhart County, 54687 CR 19, Bristol, IN 46507 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Or to donate money, visit the Pay Pal button at www.elkharthumanesociety.org.

Hot Weather Tips from the ASPCA

elkharthumanesociety — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:26:27 +0000

We all love spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our furry companions, but being overeager in hot weather can spell danger, warn ASPCA experts.

“Even the healthiest pets can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn if overexposed to the heat,” says Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, “and heat stroke can be fatal if not treated promptly.”
Take these simple precautions, provided by ASPCA experts, to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help from your veterinarian immediately.

Visit the Vet
A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must. Make sure your pets get tested for heartworm if they aren’t on year-round preventive medication. Do parasites bug your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe flea and tick control program.

Made in the Shade
Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.

Know the Warning Signs
According to Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, “symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.” Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

No Parking!
Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. “On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time-even with the windows open-which could lead to fatal heat stroke,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. Also, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal in several states.

Make a Safe Splash
Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool-not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.

Screen Test
“During warmer months, the ASPCA sees an increase in injured animals as a result of High-Rise Syndrome, which occurs when pets-mostly cats-fall out of windows or doors and are seriously or fatally injured,” says Dr. Murray. “Pet owners need to know that this is completely preventable if they take simple precautions.” Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured.

Summer Style
Giving your dog a lightweight summer haircut helps prevent overheating. Shave down to a one-inch length, never to the skin, so your dog still has some protection from the sun. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat. As far as skin care, be sure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals.

Street Smarts
When the temperature is very high, don’t let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close the ground, your pooch’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.

Avoid Chemicals
Commonly used flea and tick products, rodenticides (mouse and rat baits), and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Keep citronella candles, oil products and insect coils out of pets’ reach as well. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect your animal has ingested a poisonous substance.

Party Animals
Taking Fido to a backyard barbeque or party? Remember that the food and drink offered to guests may be poisonous to pets. “Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression and comas,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, ASPCA Senior Vice President of Animal Health Services. “Similarly, remember that the snacks enjoyed by your human friends should not be a treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol.”

Fireworks Aren’t Very Pet-riotic
Please leave pets at home when you head out to Fourth of July celebrations, and never use fireworks around pets. “Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma to curious pets, and even unused fireworks can be hazardous,” says Dr. Hansen. “Many types of fireworks contain potentially toxic substances such as potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates, arsenic and other heavy metals.”

Download the ASPCA’s PetWeather iPhone and Android App for Free
The ASPCA’s PetWeather App lets you know at a glance what kind of weather your furry friend can expect for your location, and will alert you if weather conditions make it uncomfortable or even dangerous for your pets to be outside.

New Volunteer Opportunities

elkharthumanesociety — Wed, 25 May 2011 12:26:55 +0000

Are you 16 years of age or older and want to make a difference for animals? The Humane Society has some new and exciting opportunities for you!

“Shelter animals need lots of opportunities for social enrichment,” stated Anne Reel, Executive Director. She continued, “In order to help the animals learn some basic skills, we are developing new training opportunities and reaching out to our younger animal lovers to provide more hands to provide these enrichment experiences.”

The first segment will be focused on dogs and will feature a series of three trainings in order to be a part of the “Dog Power Team”.

On June 18^thpart one and two of this three series training will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Joshica’s Planet Canine located at 4411 Wyland Dr. in Elkhart, IN and continuing at 1:00 p.m. at the Humane Society. Individuals will learn basics of dog behavior, have some hands on practice at the Humane Society’s shelter and will receive a general orientation regarding the shelter.

Part three of the series will be held on two different evenings starting at 6:30 p.m. on June 28^th and June 29^th. Participants will gather again at Planet Canine on June 28^th for the first segment of “Camp Dog Power!” where basic command training and instruction will begin. “Students will learn techniques to help teach shelter dogs some basic commands to increase the dog’s social skills,” Reel stated. The second segment on June 29^th will be held at the shelter and will provide hands on practice to implement what was learned. Participants must participate in all of the three training dates in order to be a part of the Dog Power team.

For those interested in the feline category, the Cat Socialization Training will be held on June 11, at 1:00 p.m. at the Humane Society Shelter. Those attending this training will learn about cat behavior and methods of assessment. Individuals will also need to attend a general orientation on June 18^th at 2:30 p.m. at the shelter. Again, both trainings must be attended in order to become a part of the Cat Power Team.

Rachel Dennis, Assistant Director stated, “We’re excited to try these new venture in order to increase dog, cat and human interaction and to see the potential to increase the dogs’ and cats’ social skills.”

Registrations are limited to 20 participants for either training. You must be able to provide for your own transportation. To register for the cat training, please call in your registration by June 9^th. To register for the dog training, please call in your registration by June 16^th. Humane Society of Elkhart County’s phone number is 574-848-4225.

Annual Meeting 11′

elkharthumanesociety — Thu, 05 May 2011 13:10:26 +0000

The Humane Society of Elkhart County will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, May 17 at 6:00 p.m. at Essenhaus Inn & Conference Center located at 240 U.S. 20 in Middlebury. Residents interested in advancing animal welfare in not only our county but the state should not miss this annual event.

The evening will feature a discussion with statewide director Anne Sterling of the national Humane Society of U.S. In addition, guests can learn more about the Humane Society of Elkhart County with an awards program followed by the nonprofit’s business meeting.

“The Humane Society’s annual meeting is perfect for residents that want to get more involved with animal welfare in our county or just learn more about our organization,” said Anne Reel, executive director, Humane Society of Elkhart County. “This meeting is the perfect time to talk about the exciting changes happening at the Humane Society.”

Last year alone the Humane Society touched the lives of over 12,000 animals with over half of those animals coming into the actual shelter.

Individuals who wish to attend may call the Humane Society at 574-848-4225 or RSVP online at www.elharthumaensociety.org and make reservations for a delicious dinner served family style which will cost $15.00. Guests are asked to please RSVP by May 13. Those who wish to join as members of the Humane Society may also do so that evening. Membership is $25.00 for an individual for voting privileges at the annual meeting.

To register, please visit www.elkharthumanesociety.org to register or call 574-848-4225 to RSVP.

National Pet ID Week ~ Microchips $10!

elkharthumanesociety — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:58:06 +0000

There is no thought more frightening to a pet owner than losing a cherished family pet. Besides standard ID collars, pet owners should consider microchipping should their pets get loose. The Humane Society of Elkhart County is raising awareness of this problem by participating in National Pet ID Week, starting April 18^th.

One of the best ways to ensure that a lost pet is returned home is to have your pet microchipped. A microchip is a tiny computer chip, small enough to fit into a hypodermic needle, which is used to inject the chip underneath the skin of your pet. The procedure is completely safe and is no more painful to your pet than a typical vaccination injection.

Each microchip comes programmed with a unique identification number. This number is registered with a national tracking database system that can provide your name, address and telephone number. When receiving a lost pet, a shelter or veterinarian use a special hand-held scanner to detect and read the microchip. The identification number enables the owner to be found 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Unlike a pet collar with ID tags, a microchip is permanent and will not fade or become separated from your pet. As an added bonus, the chip is guaranteed to last for the entire lifetime of your pet, giving you piece of mind for as long as you own your pet.

“Losing a pet can be an extraordinarily difficult event”, said Anne Reel, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Elkhart County. “For many people, a pet is like a member of the family. We are always thrilled to be able to re-unite lost pets with their owners. Having your pet microchipped goes a long way towards ensuring that a lost pet can be returned quickly and easily.”

As part of National Pet ID Week, the Humane Society of Elkhart County is offering microchip service for only $10, half off the regular price of $20. This great price is available only for the week of April 18^th; so call the Humane Society offices today at (574) 848-4225 to make an appointment for this invaluable service! The office is open 9am to 6:30pm, Monday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm on Friday and 9am to 4pm Saturday. Due to the volume of potential interest, appointments are necessary and will be made starting after 12:00 noon.

Gimme Shelter Fundraiser

elkharthumanesociety — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:28:01 +0000

Join pet lovers and music lovers alike at “Gimme Shelter,” a benefit with all net proceeds benefitting the Humane Society of Elkhart County. The Humane Society is in dire need of a new animal control van, which with equipment will cost around $40,000.

All are welcome to come out and enjoy a wonderful evening filled with food, cash bar, dancing and lots of music. It will be a relaxed and fun atmosphere – blue jeans are more than acceptable! The event will be held on May 7th at the Athenian Ballroom, the old Hotel Elkhart in downtown Elkhart.

A family that recently adopted from the Humane Society is actually throwing this event. “My wife and I learned first hand what a positive impact a couple of shelter kitties can make on your life when we adopted Abby and Ziva from the Humane Society of Elkhart County last January”, said Jeff Huff, founder and organizer of “Gimme Shelter.” “Everyone at the Humane Society was so friendly and helpful during our adoption process that we wanted to find some way to give back. They are truly great people who deserve all the support we can give.”

Gimme Shelter will feature live music featuring the classic rock and blues sound of The Source, bluegrass group Gravel Creek and the Jim Pickley Jazz Trio. There will also be a special acoustic jazz performance by members of The Source, featuring Jeff Huff and son Colin.

“I was thrilled when Jeff approached us about the idea of throwing a fundraiser”, said Anne Reel, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Elkhart County. “It is wonderful to hear such positive feedback from one of our pet adopters. Our mission is save the lives of animals and to enrich the lives of those who adopt our animals and events such as Gimme Shelter help us achieve those goals.”

Dinner will be provided by Pumpernickels and there will be a cash bar.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Single Ticket: $30.00
Pair of Tickets: $50.00
Reserved Table of Eight: $200.00 – Bring your friends and save!

Tickets are available at Martin’s PawMart (Cobblestone Crossing and E.Jackson St. in Elkhart), Walgreens Rx Department (CR4/Cassopolis St. in Elkhart and Elkhart Rd. in Dunlap) or directly from the Humane Society office. Starting April 12, tickets will also be available on the Humane Society’s website www.elkharthumanesociety.org.

Due to limited capacity ALL ticket sales must be in advance. No tickets will be sold at the door.

WHEN: Saturday, May 7th, 6pm to 10pm

WHERE: Athenian Ballroom (formerly Hotel Elkhart), 500 S. Main Street

Bunnies and Chicks are Bad Decisions for Easter Gifts

elkharthumanesociety — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:38:54 +0000

This Easter don’t let the cuddly, fuzzy-faced allure of a bunny or a baby chick cause you to make a huge mistake. Though tempting, the Humane Society of Elkhart County cautions that bunnies and chicks do not make good Easter basket gifts, especially for small children.

Each year, humane societies across the country are overflowed with Easter bunnies bought on a whim, many times by parents, who quickly realize bunnies require more love, affection and preparation than their kids (or they themselves) were ready for. Many times the bunnies are even set free in the wild only to end up as prey or hit by cars. Chicks, which unless you live on a farm are never a wise choice for a pet, also face harm due to improper care and unpreparedness.

“Having a pet, regardless of the type of animal, is a huge responsibility that requires doing some research beforehand,” said Anne Reel, HSEC executive director. “People sometimes forget that small pets like bunnies and chicks require just as much care as cats and dogs, leaving these animals to suffer and face neglect.”

So before purchasing either of these animals as Easter gifts, keep these facts in mind.

Bunnies:

Bunnies, like most pets, require regular veterinary exams and should be spayed or neutered.
They need regular nail trims and chew toys to keep their teeth filed down.
Human contact is important for bunnies and they should have playtime outside of their cage.
Bunnies live an average of 7-10 years and need hay and fresh greens daily in addition to pellets for a healthy diet.

Chicks:

Chicks bought for Easter typically end up dying within a few weeks of the holiday due to stress, broken bones from accidentally dropping or squeezing them and/or improper care and diet.
Young chicks require a brooder box to supply heat and older chicks need specially designed chicken coops.
That adorable little chick that fits in the palm of your hand will soon be a full-grown hen or rooster.

If you think you’re prepared to take on the responsibility of owning a new pet, the Humane Society has bunnies to adopt. Otherwise; it may be a better idea to stick with chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks this Easter.

For information on adopting a bunny (bunny adoption fee is $15 with proof of cage) or any animal from the HSEC please visit www.elkharthumanesociety.org for details and an application.

Welcome Back!

elkharthumanesociety — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:35:47 +0000

It’s been awhile since we’ve blogged but we’re back and ready to rock and roll! So hold on to your puppies and kitties as we update you on what’s new at the HSEC!

Local Humane Society In Need of Dog Food

elkharthumanesociety — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:02:48 +0000

The Humane Society of Elkhart County is in need of DRY dog food due to the overwhelming need of services. Last month alone, the Humane Society took in 369 animals. The nonprofit organization is asking the community for donations of food to help offset shelter expenses.

In addition, the Humane Society may have to halt its Pet Food Assistance program. The Pet Food Assistance program is available to only Elkhart county residents that need help feeding their pets. There is an immediate application process that can be done in person at the Humane Society. Just this year, the Pet Food Assistance program has helped more than 300 residents that have faced financial hardships.

“We’re really hoping the community can help us out in our time of need,” says Rachel Dennis, assistant director of the Humane Society of Elkhart County. “We hate to halt the Pet Food Assistance program since it was helping keep so many pets and their families together.”

Besides dog food, additional needs of the Humane Society includes:

Bleach
New or Gently Used Towels – please clean before dropping off
Monetary Donations- to help offset vet and medical bills

Residents are asked to drop off items to the Humane Society of Elkhart County, 54687 CR 19, Bristol, IN 46507 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Share the Love with the Humane Society this February

elkharthumanesociety — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:46:55 +0000

Showing love to animals is routine everyday of the year for the Humane Society of Elkhart County. This year, the Humane Society will be celebrating Valentine’s Day all month long! To show the love the Humane Society will have two great ways to save on adoptions this month along with a special event:

-For the month of February, bring in a Valentine card for any dog, cat or critter available for adoption at the Humane Society and receive 10% off any adoption fee. The staff will decorate the animal kennels with each Valentine. For a list of animals for adoption, please visit www.elkharthumanesociety.org.

-See the movie Valentine’s Day and bring in your ticket stub, and receive 10% off any adoption fee.

-The Humane Society will be at Elder Beerman at Concord Mall on February 13 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for the “Puppy Love, Kitty Kisses” event.

“At the Humane Society, we are always looking for creative ways to celebrate our animals,” said Rachel Dennis, assistant director at the Humane Society of Elkhart County. “Our hope is to break the record for our February adoption totals.”

Adoption forms are available on-location or at www.elkharthumanesociety.com. The adoption fee for dogs and puppies is regularly a $100, with cats and kittens is $80, which includes a valuable package of initial vaccines and deworming, feline leukemia testing (cats only), heartworm testing (dogs over six months), microchipping, discounts at partipicating vet offices and 30 days of free pet insurance. The Humane Society also has cuddly critters such as ferrets for $50, rabbits & guinea pigs $15, birds with a cage for $25. Hamsters, gerbils and rats are available for $5. In addition, all animals at the Humane Society are adopt one; take a companion pet home for FREE! Military and senior citizen discounts are available too.