Humane Society of Henderson County

Separation of Animal Control

2012-02-04T17:05:00.001-06:00

After hearing the proposed plans by the City-County Study Committee to construct a new animal control facility, I wanted to provide a few thoughts on the matter and what it means for the future of animal welfare in Henderson. First of all, I will introduce myself. My name is Josh Williams and I serve as the President of the Humane Society of Henderson County. I have held this position for nearly two years. I have always lived in Henderson and am employed full time here.

Background
The Humane Society is an independent 501(3)(c) non-profit organization founded in 1965. Our mission is to eliminate cruelty, abuse, neglect, and abandonment of domestic companion animals. We have maintained a contract with the City and County for animal control services since 1967 as the goals of these services were directly in line with our mission. We employ animal control officers to provide services to the Henderson community such as stray domestic animal pickup and drop off, return-to-owner, bite quarantine, 24 hour emergency assistance, and abuse and neglect investigation.

Current Animal Population Issues
As the current animal control shelter, we are the last hope for homeless animals in this county. We are an open admission facility and will always accept animals from within our county. The last thing we want is for a dog or cat to be abandoned because no one else has the ability to take it. Per the 2000 census results, Henderson County has approximately 15,720 households. Each of the last 5 years, the Humane Society has taken in between 2400-3000 animals. That is the equivalent of 1 animal per 6.5 households EVERY YEAR. Obviously from these numbers, the overpopulation problem is staggering. There are two primary ways that communities across America deal with this same problem. One is to 'control' it through euthanasia, and the other is to actively prevent it through spay/neuter initiatives, public education, and assistance. The first method is by far the cheapest and easiest method, but also ignorant of the problem at hand. No matter the current situation, if steps are not taken to reduce overpopulation, then euthanasia will always be required.

Our Policies and Goals on Overpopulation
We feel very strongly about the prevention of overpopulation and reducing the number of animals euthanized due to having no where else to go. We see it every day and we are the ones that are required to end the lives of animals despite all of our best efforts to save them. It is crushing to those involved. The people who must carry out this task attend specialized training classes and are certified by the Commonwealth of Kentucky for this purpose. We use methods recommended by all animal welfare organizations and the American Veterinary Medical Association for euthanasia to ensure each animal leaves this place with dignity and without pain.

Funding for animal control services from the City and County are allocated only to the basic care of animals for a 7 day mandatory stray hold period. The Humane Society actively solicits donations from the community each year to help provide for veterinary care, rescue relocation, microchipping, etc. Our largest expenses last year, which were funded 100% by donations, were spay/neuter surgery of adopted animals, veterinary care, and medical expenses. We spent over $32,000 to spay/neuter adopted animals, $13,500 on veterinary care, and nearly $33,000 for additional medical supplies such as vaccines, heartworm treatment and preventative, dewormer, etc.

We strive to alter (donations permitting) every animal adopted out of our facility. We do not have a veterinarian on staff due to funding restrictions, but we do work closely with several local veterinarians. With the number of animals we see each year, this gets quite expensive and results take time, but intake over the last two years has been very slightly lower than the previous three years.

The 'No-Kill' Initiative
The move to 'no-kill' shelters and rescues is long overdue. We are a society of compassionate and intelligent human beings capable of rational thought and care of the creatures that share our space. I strongly believe this is the way things should be. However, as President of the Humane Society, I have no problem stating that we are NOT a no-kill shelter. Many are surprised and angered by this, but I would like to explain the reasoning behind this status. It is simple. 2400-3000 animals EVERY YEAR. Homeless, abandoned, abused. No where else to go. Becoming no-kill at this particular time simply means that those animals will be moved to another facility with an unknown future. We have been denied donations many times due to not being a no-kill shelter. This is always devastating as it implies we WANT to euthanize animals. I can assure you, we do NOT! We have always been faced with two options.

One option is to separate from animal control and become no-kill. With our current level of donations, we could potentially care for a couple of hundred animals per year. In reality, it is less due to maintaining a minimal staff and other expenses. The greater the level of care (spay/neuter surgeries, vaccines, etc), the fewer animals we can maintain. That leaves over 2000 animals every year unaccounted for. We are still waiting to hear the full plans for the City/County plan for separation, but one immediate concern is the level of care and the hold times. As budgets tighten, it is perfectly understandable for our local governments to look to ways to reduce costs, and separating animal control would be one way. Costs could certainly be reduced by maintaining a facility with lower cost labor, potentially inmate labor, and reducing hold times to the minimum. In Henderson, the minimum hold time is 7 days. After that, any animal held by animal control may legally be euthanized. Any animal surrendered by owners may be euthanized immediately. This is NOT what we do now. It is because we are our own donation-based organization that we can hold each of these animals for as long as we can to try and find them a home. We have no time limits for our animals. All euthanasia that must occur is strictly due to severe illness, injury, aggression, or because we simply have more animals than we can humanely house. Separating animal control services would reduce the Humane Society's euthanasia numbers, but would increase them county-wide.

The other option would be for us to do what we do now. We maintain animal control services under contract and provide as best we can to ALL animals that have no where to go, knowing we cannot save them all. I know I cannot change the minds of those that strongly disagree with me regarding our position, but at the end of the day, I know we have given a chance to every dog and cat that needed one. We didn't turn any away for any reason.

Returning to my original statement about the need to move to a no-kill society, we must be working to create real change to achieve our mission. We are very fortunate to have a few local no-kill rescue organizations and we work with them often. We need them. This community needs them and they are amazing people.

There is actually a third option that I did not mention above. The Humane Society could maintain animal control AND become no-kill. Now, most would say this is impossible. It certainly is a mighty lofty goal, but a goal other communities across the country have been able to achieve. We strive to operate as close to no-kill as our resources and space allow. We currently are full, but we have had a euthanasia rate of under 7% for over two months. IT IS POSSIBLE, but it doesn't happen over night and it doesn't happen without community support. Right now, it takes every resource we have to just maintain. Our shelter is old and in many ways beyond repair, but our staff and volunteers continue to make me proud by going above and beyond their basic job requirements. Recent events like our work with the ASPCA to rehome dogs that were having trouble finding homes here, or our continued work with placing animals in rescue organizations from Alabama to Canada show me their dedication and understanding of the fundamental population problem we all face. These animals were given a chance because of them.

The Future
I do not know what the future holds for the Humane Society. There will be further discussion at the Study Committee meeting on Monday and the Fiscal Court meeting on Tuesday. Due to our entire business model revolving around allocating donations to the care of animals brought in and housed due to animal control, I do not know what our new direction would be, if any. That is a scary thing to say. What I do know is that despite the ups and downs over the years, the Humane Society has saved thousands of animals right here in my hometown. What I also know is that during the last two years that I have been involved, I have been fortunate to work with amazing people. We have been working together to build a strong team of caring and determined people that fight for these animals. We all have a big goal we are working towards together, and that is to improve the lives of the animals here. Not just some of them, but all of them. With the right support, I truly believe in a future that has a Humane Society that can care for all unwanted animals. We have made significant progress in a short amount of time and I feel strongly that the Humane Society is an important piece of this community. I say this not because I am the President. I do not get paid to serve, nor do any of the board members and volunteers that give up their time every day, or the staff that work extra hours as volunteers to make sure everyone is taken care of. We do it because we believe in doing the right thing. We believe in this community and the values of the people in it. To all of those who have supported us over the years, we thank you sincerely.

Josh Williams
President, Board of Directors
Humane Society of Henderson County
josh@hshcky.org

Spay/neuter Initiative Update

2012-02-03T15:05:00.001-06:00

Thanks to everyone's support, we were able to spay/neuter over 800 dogs and cats last year. This is shaping up to be an even busier year of unwanted animals, so our mission is critical to our furry friends of Henderson. With your continued support, we know we can continue to make a difference. Thank you!

Working with the ASPCA to find homes for 23 dogs!

2012-02-02T12:12:00.000-06:00

Update on Sammy

2012-01-09T17:39:00.002-06:00

Josh Cromer, Sammy, Jason King

As most of you know, Sammy was rescued a little over a week ago. He was found lying in a field in northern Henderson County. He appeared to have been used as a bait dog for dog fighting based on the injuries he had sustained. Since then, he has been on the road to recovery and is now in a new home and awaiting further medical treatment. The outpouring of support Sammy has received from all over the world has been amazing. Thank you all for keeping him in your prayers and sending along your thoughts and best wishes. Raising awareness of animal cruelty, abuse, neglect, and fighting is critical to reducing these problems and making our community as safer place for everyone to live.

Sammy is, as we speak, being prepped for surgery on his left eye. They "think" they can save the eye, and hopefully keep the ability to see light and dark (shadows). They also said the right eye was damaged but they feel with medical treatment, can make a full recovery.The person who has him says he has been out on walks, and LOVES to go on walks, but gets tired very quickly. This is GREAT news.. We're happy to see that he is striving to make a comeback, for all the dogs that have been put in his situation in the past..

Sammy the day he came in.

Job Opening - Animal Control Officer

2011-12-20T11:01:00.000-06:00

The Humane Society of Henderson County is looking for an Animal Control Officer. The successful candidate will be responsible for all animal control runs in the city and county, evaluating animals for health and special needs, clean and care for the kennel animals. Animal control officers rotate on call shifts, and are subject to 24 hour a day call out, must be able to think clearly under pressure, and perform state certified humane euthanasia when necessary. Stop by 203 Drury Lane for an application. Also, must have a valid driver license and not been convicted of a felony. Misdemeanor convictions will be considered on a case by case basis. Hope to see you out here!

Wag, Walk, Run 5K Timed Race and 2K Casual Walk - October 29, 2011

2011-10-09T14:55:00.007-05:00

TIMED 5K RACE + 2K Casual Walk

Dogs Wecome! Bring your furry friend for the walk!

Medals will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in each age and gender group

T-shirts will be given to all participants

Check In: 7AM Race: 8AM
Downtown Central Park, Henderson, KY

Online Registration Form: http://www.hshcky.org/Events/WagWalk.aspx
Printable Registration Form: wagwalk_registration.pdf
Registraton Fee: $25

Please join us for our first annual Wag, Walk, and Run 5K Race on Saturday, October 29, 2011 and make it a fun morning for the entire family!! The race will start and end at Central Park in Downtown Henderson at 8AM. We are hoping to allow owners to bring their dogs to walk as well, but we are awaiting final approval from the City (updates coming soon). For the race enthusiasts, this will be an official timed race. For the casual participants, enjoy a relaxing morning walk with family and friends. Streets will be partially blocked for the runners. We will also be offering additional activities at the park including pet pictures, microchip application service, and more. More information to come! If your business is interested in becoming a sponsor, please email josh@hshcky.org. Please register using the printable form or the online registration form linked above. Hope to see you there!

PetsMart Charities Adopt-A-Thon Weekend!!

2011-09-09T11:32:00.001-05:00

Come out to PetsMart in Evansville Friday 4-7pm, Saturday 10-3pm, and Sunday 1-4pm and see our wonderful animals waiting for a new home! This is a national PetsMart Charities Adoption weekend and we are making every effort to have as many dogs and cats there as possible all three days. Hope to see you there!

Vote Now to help HSHC!!

2011-06-23T17:45:00.000-05:00

Washing Machine Greatly Needed!

2011-05-31T18:26:00.000-05:00

Washer Needed!! Our washing machine is currently not working and things aren't looking good for repair. We typically do laundry several hours a day to keep up with towels and blankets. If anyone is willing to donate a washer, it would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you so much and our furry kids thank you too!

Cat Adoption Special - $35!!

2011-05-31T18:25:00.000-05:00

Cats $35!! - Cat season is in full effect and we are getting in multiple litters a day. Another 27 new arrivals today. Please help us make room by taking advantage of our cat adoption special of $35. Not only is this a great time to add a special friend to your family, but you can help save multiple lives too! Adoption fee includes spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, and flea treatment. Thank you and please share!

Disaster Preparedness from ASPCA

2011-05-11T18:32:00.000-05:00

From aspca.org:

Emergencies come in many forms, and they may require anything from a brief absence from your home to permanent evacuation. Each type of disaster requires different measures to keep your pets safe. The best thing you can do for yourself and your pets is to be prepared.

Step 1 Get a Rescue Alert Sticker
This easy-to-use sticker will let people know that pets are inside your home. Make sure it is visible to rescue workers, and that it includes 1) the types and number of pets in your household; 2) the name of your veterinarian; and 3) your veterinarian's phone number. If you must evacuate with your pets, and if time allows, write "EVACUATED" across the stickers.

To get a free emergency pet alert sticker for your home, please fill out our online order form ; please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Your local pet supply store may also sell similar stickers.

Step 2 Arrange a Safe Haven Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND. Remember, if it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets. They may become trapped or escape and be exposed to numerous life-threatening hazards. Note that not all Red Cross disaster shelters accept pets, so it is imperative that you have determined where you will bring your pets ahead of time:

Contact your veterinarian for a list of preferred boarding kennels and facilities.
Ask your local animal shelter if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets.
Identify hotels or motels outside of your immediate area that accept pets.
Ask friends and relatives outside your immediate area if they would be willing to take in your pet.

Read the rest of the article on the aspca.org website here.

Shelter Manager News

2011-04-04T12:23:00.000-05:00

It is with great regret that I inform you all that our Shelter Manager Lori Austin has submitted her letter of resignation. This was a very difficult decision for Lori, as she cares very deeply for our mission and our organization. Under her leadership, we have made great strides and improvements. It is our commitment to her, the staff and volunteers, the community, and the animals we help to continue moving forward and creating the Humane Society we all know we can achieve. Lori will be working for the next two weeks and will then take time off to deal with health issues. As anyone who knows Lori would confirm, she is a very dedicated and compassionate person. Once she has had adequate time off and her health improves, she has mentioned the possibility of staying involved in some capacity to continue our efforts to help the animals and community of Henderson County. I want to extend my personal gratitude to Lori for all of the hard work and long hours she has given to us during her time here. She has done many wonderful things and inspired many along the way, including improving the lives of thousands of animals that have passed through our doors.

Thank you,
Josh Williams
President
Humane Society of Henderson County

Stock Horse Trailer Needed for Horse Rescues

2011-03-24T21:33:00.001-05:00

We are in need of a stock horse trailer with a bumper pull, 7 ft tall (no shorter) and preferably 12 ft long to use during horse rescues. We do not have a current situation, but we would like to have it ready for emergency situations. If anyone has any info on one for sale, new or used, please email either laustin@hshcky.org or josh@hshcky.org

Thanks!

Become a member today!

2011-03-12T16:27:00.003-06:00

Humane Society of Henderson County

Membership Program

Share in our efforts to help homeless and abused animals and save lives by becoming a member today!

Imagine a more humane world in which every animal enjoys the respect and compassion they deserve. A Humane Society of Henderson County Membership goes a long way in helping create that world right here in our community. Everything we do - and every animal we help - depends on the kindness and compassion of generous people like you. It is your support that allows us to provide assistance to animals, and people, in need. Please, won’t you consider becoming a member to help those that cannot help themselves? Whether you help one or a thousand, every dollar counts. Your membership WILL save lives.

Your support will allow us to continue to help thousands of animals each year through services such as: adoptions, spay/neuter assistance, lifesaving medical treatment, reduction in cruelty and abuse, lost & found, and adult and child education on animal welfare. We are committed to making the most impact with every dollar you give. Become a member today by completing our online application, mailing in an application, or visiting the shelter. Once your application has been processed, you will receive your member packet, along with your membership card, in the mail.

We hope that this membership program will bring supporters together and allow anyone to become a part of our organization and help shape it's future. Together we can make a difference.

We will also be working with local businesses to offer additional benefits to members. If you are a business owner and would like to make a special offer to our members, please contact us.

Thank you,
Josh Williams
President
Website: http://www.hshcky.org/

Sign up for Email Notifications

2011-03-11T07:54:00.000-06:00

If you haven't done so already, please take a moment to visit our website at http://www.hshcky.org/ and register your email address. This will provide you with upcoming news, announcements, newsletters, volunteer opportunites, program and service updates, and other specials being offered by the Humane Society of Henderson County. Just visit the link above and enter your email address in the box along the left hand side of the home page!

Lucy

2011-03-06T13:40:00.006-06:00

I hope a very special person is reading this because it will take someone pretty special to take Lucy home with them. Lucy was brought to us a couple of weeks ago because of health issues with her previous owners. They are no longer able to take care of her. As I was talking with an older lady, who was trying so hard not to cry, I couldn't help but notice how frightened this little dog was. She was backing away, hiding under whatever she could find. This isn't unusual with these little breeds, but I was worried about how we would be able to handle her, to give her the shots and other preventive treatments we give when animals first come into the shelter. With the help of "puncture resistant" gloves, we were able to do what we needed to do, but she was so stressed, we knew we could not put her in general poputlation in case someone tried to pet her and she bit them. We had to put her in the back to "chill" overnight.

Unfortunately the next day she wasn't much better, but I just couldn't leave her alone back there. I was able to get a leash around her and I took her outside. As I've seen so many times, once you get a scared dog away from the building, they often relax enough to realize we're not so scary after all. I let her walk around a bit, then sat down with her. She didn't come up to me, but allowed me to pick her up. We were fast friends from that point on and I brought her to live in the office so we could socialize her. She was still resistant to others in the shelter (I was the only one who could put her in or take her out of her crate for the first couple of days) but she slowly started adding others to her list of friends. She was very reluctant to be around men, but has now started jumping in the laps of our Animal Control officers and giving them lots of kisses. For the most part, anyone new can not approach her without her flinching away or growling.

How are we going to adopt this lively little dog, so full of kisses and tail wags??? Here's what I know about her: She is about 7 months old. She is pee pad trained, but will not go outside (another strike against her for most people) She does NOT pee in her crate overnight, but will not pee outside either (although she loves to be outside, it's playtime only). When we bring her back in, she heads straight for her pad and does her business there. She never has accidents anywhere - just always goes for her pad. For some people, especially those living in apartments, this may not be a disadvantage. We'll have to see.

Lucy LOVES kids - she does not hesitate at all to approach a child. Her owner had told me she loved kids, and we've seen that here as well. She is definitely a lap dog, but she's full of life and spunk too. She can entertain herself with a tennis ball or play fetch with you. She has played very well with the other dog we have living in the office right now and has had no problem with our cats.

Lucy will require a lot of patience, right from the beginning. If anyone is interested in taking this sweet girl home with them, I'd ask that you plan to spend a couple of hours over a couple of days here at the shelter, just visiting. We will set you up in the office and your only job will be to be there for Lucy to get to know you. You can take her outside and let her feel comfortable with you there. She may be young enough to actually house train, but it will take a lot of time, patience and creativity to accomplish this.

I know she will make a wonderful addition to the right family, and I know that family is out there. If you know someone you think might be interested (and if that person is special enough), please have them come by or call us. We need to get this baby a home!

A Poem

2011-03-03T20:59:00.002-06:00

There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.

I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone... to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.

And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."

Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.
At first I thought you sent me away.

Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.

But I'll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.

We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine

~Author Unknown

Julie

2011-02-22T22:15:00.003-06:00

Julie, a pure-bred pitbull, came to us on the day of the Christmas Parade in 2010. She was very skinny, very scared and very pregnant. We were able to take her to a foster family where she could be fostered and cared for while waiting for her puppies. She ended up having 10 puppies (9 girls and 1 boy). One of the puppies died not long after birth. Julie then developed a severe case of mastitis. Her teat burst and she had to be removed from the puppies. They then hand-raised the remaining 9 puppies from the time they were 1 1/2 weeks old. We treated Julie for the mastitis, giving her antibiotics, pain meds and flushing the open wound 2-3 times each day until it healed. She wasn't the most cooperative with the pills, but she tolerated the wound flushing like a champ! She was a picky eater and we needed to get some weight back on her, so we experimented until we found that she liked Moist & Meaty dog food. She soon was eating well and put on some weight.

We later found out that her owner had adopted her from Evansville Animal Control and Shelter with the requirement that she be spayed soon after adoption. However, they missed the spay appointment scheduled by EAC. Instead she was to be used for breeding and the puppies were to be sold. We try to reunite owners with their pets if possible and if it is in the best interest of the animal. Even though Julie's stray hold had expired and she legally belonged to us, we agreed to make one last effort when we were contacted by the owners. We offered to allow them to have Julie and the puppies if all of the medical expenses were paid (which looked to be around $3,000), all puppies and Julie were spayed, and they could submit to home visits from our animal control officers to prove that they could properly care for her. That was the last we heard from them. They didn't even call to ask how Julie or the puppies were doing.

Julie soon recovered from her ordeal and was finally ready for adoption. After 3 weeks waiting for adoption, and over 2 1/2 months in our care, Julie was finally adopted at our weekly adoption event at PetsMart in Evansville this past Saturday, which that is coordinated by our wonderful volunteers. She was adopted to a young lady in Henderson who had been visiting Julie regularly at the shelter and really wanted her. We were very excited and happy for this wonderful soul that had been through so much. We will be doing a home visit in the next few days to check on our sweetheart.

As for all those puppies, our Rescue Coordinator Diane was able to place them in rescues out of state. Background checks and home visits are a regular part of the adoption process for pit puppies. They were all spayed/neutered before making their trip.

Congratulations Julie and thank you for being so patient and kind to us while in our care. We love you and although we will miss your beautiful eyes, we are so happy that you have a loving home.

Defining the Henderson Pet Overpopulation Problem

2011-02-20T11:56:00.003-06:00

Henderson County Population Statistics

This data breaks down the issue of pet overpopulation in Henderson County. Surrounding counties are having the same problem. The Humane Society of Henderson County is committed to eliminating creutly, abuse, neglect and homelessness in Henderson County with a specific emphasis on saving lives and reducing the overpopulation problem. Please join us in this fight to protect the the animals in our community that cannot fight for themselves.

*2000 census data for Henderson County along with national statistics

Henderson Population: 37,415
Households: 15,721
Avg. # of animals entering HSHC shelter: 1 in 6.5 households

# Households with Dogs: 31.6%
Dogs per household: 1.69
Total dogs with homes: 8,396
New Dog Homes Available / YR: 840

# Households with Cats: 27.3%
Cats per household: 2.19
Total cats with homes: 9,399
New Cat Homes Available / YR: 940

Total animals with homes: 17,795
Average Lifespan (yrs): 10
New Homes Available / YR: 1,779

# of litters from female cat / YR: up to 3
# of kittens per litter: 4-6
Age at which a female cat can produce first litter: 4-10 months
Gestation Period: 58-70 Days

# of litters from female dog / YR: up to 2
# of puppies per litter: 6-12
Age at which a female dog can produce first litter: 7-9 months
Gestation Period: 58-71 Days

Total Animals Adopted and Placed in Rescue 2010*: 1224
*Includes only HSHC adoptions, not other rescues organizations or private breeders, etc.

2010 HSHC Intake*
Total Intake: 2357
Total Available Homes: 1779

Cat Intake: 1117
Available Cat Homes: 940

Dog Intake: 1240
Available Dog Homes: 840

*Includes only HSHC intakes, not other rescues organizations or private breeders, etc.

Why should my pet be spayed or neutered?

2011-02-19T11:56:00.017-06:00

Why should my pet be spayed or neutered?

Spaying /neutering your pet is good for your pet, you, and the community.
Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
Spaying and neutering helps to reduce the number of homeless and unwanted pets in our community. We already have an overpopulation problem. This means there are not enough homes for the number of animals born each year in Henderson County.

How to perform a basic pet check

2011-02-15T19:48:00.001-06:00

Pet Parent Tip: Watch the ASPCA's Dr. Lander as she demonstrates how to give your pet a Basic Pet Check featuring Maverick, an ASPCA shelter cat who is available for adoption. Check back every other week for a new pet care tip! For more pet care and behavior tips, visit http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/

I Need to Vent

2011-02-12T14:21:00.002-06:00

Maybe this isn’t the time or place. Maybe no one actually reads these blogs. Maybe I’m only “preaching to the choir”. But maybe someone will read this that needs to. Or maybe someone will pass this on to someone who needs to see it.

I don’t even know where to start. Maybe with Drew and Drake, the pit puppies that came in last week, taken from deplorable living conditions. They were malnourished, full of intestinal worms and as cute as can be. Oh yes, they also had not had any vet care during their short life. Which means they also came in with parvo. Which means we had 2 very sick puppies Thursday that had to be euthanized.

Then there’s Chloe. She is an 8 year old shepherd mix who is lovely in face and in spirit. Someone obviously loved her at one time because she is so lovable. Unfortunately they didn’t love her enough to have her spayed. They also didn’t love her enough to call looking for her. Oh – and they didn’t love her enough to provide heartworm prevention. So I have a senior female that is too old to be spayed without expensive blood work; that is, if she survived the heartworm treatment, which is also extremely expensive. We know the reality of finding a home for her. She will be euthanized within the week.

That brings to mind the people who criticize us for not being a “no kill” shelter. The reality of “no kill” shelters is that they are also known as Limited Intake shelters. They generally only take the most adoptable animals – the rest come to us. I have even been told that there are actually people in the Henderson community that have said they would be happy to donate large amounts of money to us, but won’t because we’re not a “no kill” shelter. I would like to take this opportunity to make those people aware that they are personally responsible for the deaths of hundreds of animals each year. Because with the money they claim they want to use to help animals, we could possibly treat dogs with parvo. We could afford blood work to make sure the senior animals we get are healthy enough for surgery. We could provide heartworm treatment, not just for the most adoptable animals, but for all the animals that deserve a good home.

I will be going in tonight to check on Hope. She was taken from a home yesterday due to neglect. I have never seen so emaciated an animal. She has obviously been loved by someone at one time. When our Animal Control Officers came in, she got down off the couch and brought them her rope toy. This dog that possibly hasn’t eaten in days, maybe even weeks, just wanted someone to play with her. Her owner has apparently contacted us, claiming he was out of town and had a friend taking care of her. He needs new friends. We took her in last night, gave her food and fluids and a soft place to lay down. Her tail is wagging and she loves to cuddle. How could someone do this to her?

Then there’s the people that get mad at us for our fees. The ones that say “I don’t care about the leash law” then claim that the problem isn’t that the dogs are running loose. It’s because their neighbors don’t like them (no comment). The fact that we received multiple calls about the dogs being in the streets, dodging cars, tearing up trash is completely irrelevant. They make the statement that they’ll “just get rid of the $%^&* dogs” if they’re going to have to pay for breaking the law. Our Return to Owner fees are meant to be a deterrent. Just take care of your animals. That’s all we ask. Oh, and yes – that means keeping them in your yard.

One more story – the woman diagnosed with cancer whose husband is divorcing her and left her homeless. She is living in a garage and can’t keep her dog and 4 cats. She found a home for the dog, but had no choice but to bring the cats to us. These cats have been well taken care of. They’re beautiful and healthy. We will hopefully find goods home for all of them. This is the reason we’re here – to help people (and animals) in need.

Sorry this is so long. There are so many other stories; Julie, T'amo, Oreo, Meow. So many others. It’s been a rough week.

The 10 Canine Commandments

2011-01-31T19:01:00.002-06:00

The 10 Canine Commandments

Author unknown

1. My life is likely to last ten to fifteen years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that when you buy me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me - it's cruicial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry at me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I have only you.

5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.

6. Be aware of however you treat me, I'll never forget it.

7. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hands, but that I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinant or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, or I've been out in the sun or in the cold too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You too, will grow old.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say: 'I can't bear to watch it', 'let it happen in my absence' or 'I am tired of you'. Everything is easier for me if you are there.

Remember, I love you.

Niagara School Visit

2011-01-23T14:21:00.012-06:00

Oliver and I really enjoyed our recent visit to Mrs. Bonnie Bailey's 2nd grade class at Niagara Elementary School. The children presented us with over $102 they had collected (Quarters for Cats and Dimes for Dogs).

We stayed and visited with them for around an hour.
We read a book about caring for your dog and discussed all the things pets need when they come to live at our homes.

Of course, the one they really wanted to see was Oliver.

They were very gentle and patient with him and he met with all of the children, allowing them to pet him and ask questions about him. He got a little tired near the end, but I was very proud of him. He did his job as Spokes Dog like a champ.

I loved meeting with the children and hearing what they had to say - always the best entertainment!! I hope we can do this again, teach children about pet care and animal safety, let children (and adults) know about the work we do at the Humane Society, and make new friends along the way.

Lori and Oliver visit Niagara School

2011-01-18T19:02:00.001-06:00

From The Gleaner (thegleaner.com):
"While the Henderson Humane Society's spokes dog Oliver works the room, shelter manager Lori Austin talks to students in Bonny Bailey's second grade class at Niagara Elementary. The class raised over $100 in a dimes for dogs and quarters for cats fundraising campaign for the local animal shelter."

Please watch the video at: http://www.courierpress.com/videos/detail/spokes-dog-visits-Niagara-elementary/

Interested in becoming a member of the HSHC Board of Directors?

2011-01-15T00:37:00.000-06:00

HUMANE SOCIETY OF HENDERSON COUNTY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEMBER REQUIREMENTS

The Humane Society of Henderson County (HSHC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization founded in 1965. The HSHC is 100 percent funded by donations, grants and fees for services. We receive no government funding for the HSHC mission and programs. The HSHC does have a contract with the City and County governments of Henderson County solely for animal control services.

Because we are committed to not killing healthy or reversibly ill or injured cats and dogs, we are in a growth and public awareness phase, and are therefore considered a "working board" (i.e., very involved in the shelter's operational excellence, fundraising, community awareness, volunteerism, budget management and strategic planning). As such, we will be continuously looking at the needs of the organization and the Board of Directors, and filling those needs with skilled individuals.

We seek talented and dedicated people who are willing to help us take the shelter and the community to the next phase of animal welfare.

If you are interested in applying for board membership, please review these basic requirements. You can apply for a Board position by completing the Membership Application. Please mail your completed application to the HSHC shelter (attention Josh Williams) or email to josh@hshcky.org.

Membership Requirements

Actively serve on at least one committee per year.
Attend at least 75 percent of the regularly scheduled board meetings which are held from 6- 8 p.m. on the 3rd Monday of every month.
Participate in at least one fundraiser per year.
Visit the HSHC shelter at least quarterly.
Maintain the confidentiality of items discussed at the board meetings.
Represent the HSHC in a positive and ethical way in the community, and support the goals and visions of the organization.
Actively pursue opportunities for fund development, open doors of communication and build relationships with animal advocates in the community.

** Note: HSHC Board Members are covered by the shelter’s liability insurance

New Year, New Donation Options - President's Message

2011-01-07T10:41:00.000-06:00

Along with the new year, we have created new restricted donation options to help you support the care of the animals in our community in a way that best suites you. These include donations for spay/neuter surgeries, animal welfare, facilities and programs, and general organization funding. For example, we expect to perform 800-1000 spay/neuter surgeries in 2011 at an approximate cost of $40,000. Our new Animal Welfare donation option goes directly to the cost of the daily care, vaccinations, food, medical supplies, and vet services for the animals that come into our facility. In 2010, we cared for nearly 2400 animals and each stayed an average of 11 days. That equates to roughly 72 animals in our care every single day. The Humane Society is an independant 501(c)3 non-profit organization and the funding for this care comes directly from grants and donations you provide. We do have a contract with the City and County for animal control services. The money they provide is used soley for animals control services and not the areas of need listed above. Also, any money you donate WILL NOT be used for animal control services.

The Humane Society provides animal control services so that we can save as many homeless animals as possible by moving them into the Humane Society program if left unclaimed by an owner. Without providing such a service, we feel many of these animals would not have a chance at a new home. An example of a separate Humane Society and Animal Control operation is Vandeburgh County. The Vandeburgh Humane Society does a wonderful job caring for their animals. The Animal Control facility, which is government owned and operated has many more resource limitations for the care of the animals they receive, and if they are not adopted within a week of the stray hold release date, they are forced to euthanize. Fortunately for us, we have NO set date for euthanasia, though I know that is a common misconception.

The Humane Society of Henderson County has been in the process of making many changes over the past year. These include critical facility repairs and improvements, restructuring of staff and Board of Directors, and new policies and procedures, most of which may not be visible to the general public. However, these improvements come with increased expense. The next phase of our rebuilding process is to now show our community what we are doing, what limitations we still face, and what our goals are for the future of the Humane Society for Henderson County with your support. To help restore confidence in these donations and the Humane Society in general, we have an Accountant handling all bookkeeping for the Humane Society, as well has annual audits conducted by an outside Accounting Firm. We are also now listed as a Guidestar Exchange Partner in Trust. We plan to provide reports to the public showing expenses and donations for each of these areas of need.

Please take a moment to review our new donation options and please donate to support the care of the animals in our community. Without your financial support, we will be unable to continue to provide the necessary level of care for these animals, or expand on the care and community programs Henderson County desparately needs. The current animal care expenses are already over budget and donations are not at the level needed to cover them. Every donation, whether large or small, does make a positive impact on an animals life. Please donate today.

http://www.hshcky.org/Donate/Donate.aspx

Thank you,

Josh Williams

President HSHC

A Christmas Wish

2010-12-22T14:39:00.006-06:00

It's been awhile since I've been able to post anything on our website, but I have an important message today and I hope people have a chance to see it. It's pretty lengthy, but I really hope people who want to help special dogs will take the time to learn about these 2 great boys.

Many of you are familiar with Adam and Alvin, but I don't know if everyone knows their story. Both of these great guys are 2 of Gypsy's puppies and anyone who knew Gypsy knows that is something special. We didn't know it when the puppies were adopted out, but Gypsy had come down with Demodectic mange, a skin disease caused by Demodex mites. These mites live normally on the skin of dogs, but in some cases, especially times of stress, the mites can multiply and cause skin irritation. This condition is not contagious, except between a mom and her pups. Turns out it was probably the stress of the pregnancy and raising pups that brought this out in Gypsy, and she passed it on to her puppies. It is very easily treated and controlled, but it is a condition that can come beck throughout an animal's life if they are in a stressful situation.

Adam came to us in late August. He was a mess. He had been adopted in early August and his new owners had never taken him to the vet. Even when he started having skin issues, they still didn't get him taken care of. They finally brought him back to us because their other dog didn't like him. He was terrified, sore, itchy and miserable. He was huddled and trembling in the back of his cage. We took him to the vet, verified that it was just Demodex that was causing his problems and got him started on Promeris, a topical treatment (the same as many flea preventatives) that works very well on Demodex. He also had secondary infections due to his scratching so we started him on an antibiotic as well. Since he had never gotten the rest of his puppy vaccines, we took care of that also.
We brought him up to the front office to socialize him and saw such a difference in him in a very short time. I wish so much we had before and after pictures to show, but I can show you what he looks like now.

Alvin was adopted at the end of July and came back to us in early October. Unlike Adam, his new owner had tried to take care of him, but whatever treatment the vet was using didn't work on him. He was almost as bad as Adam, although he had at least had some love and attention at his new home. We took him in, started him on Promeris and he has a full, rich coat now.

Here's my concern and my wish. Dogs are not meant to live in a kennel for months on end. Even though we all love these boys and play with them as much as possible, they spend over 22 hours each day in their kennel. We had them together, but have recently had to separate them. I have started to notice lick sores on Alvin. I'm not sure if he's doing it to himself or if Adam is doing it to him, but I know why it's happening - boredom. These boys need a home. They need people to love them. They need people to spend time with them. What they don't need is to continue to spend each and every day in a kennel. We took them on as a project. They had both had a sad beginning, especially Adam, and they deserved so much better. We wanted to provide that for them. Unfortunately, despite dramatically reducing their adoption fee, we have not been able to find homes for them. There have been a few interested people, especially in Alvin, but no one has committed to giving them the love and care they need and deserve. They are through with their treatment for the Demodex, but we are suggesting they continue to have the Promeris applied each month for a year after their final treatment. Promeris is inexpensive and can also be used as a monthly flea treatment. We are providing the first 2 months' free with the adoption.

My Christmas Wish is that Adam and Alvin find their new homes by the end of the year. If you are able to help them, or know a kind, loving person that would let them into their hearts, please (please, please...) have them come by or contact us.

Winter Sniffles and Sneezes

2010-11-17T15:50:00.003-06:00

We wanted to take a moment to let all of our pet lovers know about some health issues hitting our area right now. According to a local vet, there is an increase in upper respiratory infections being seen right now. In cats this can be caused by 2 very contagious viruses, feline rhinotracheitis virus and feline calicivirus. It is recommended that all pet cats be vaccinated for both of these viruses. Both of these vaccines are part of the regular vaccination protocol followed by veterinarians and shelters.

Canine influenza is also being seen in this area. This disease started in the Florida area 3-4 years ago and is moving north. It is becoming prevalent in larger cities, kennels and shelters. Some vets recommend that any dog being boarded receive not only the Bordatella vaccine, but also the canine influenza vaccine. It is available at most vet offices and you should discuss the need with your pet's veterinarian.

At the Humane Society of Henderson County, we are currently vaccinating all cats with the FVRCP vaccine, which protects against the viruses mentioned above. We are also preparing to add the Canine Influenza vaccine to our dog protocols. This vaccine is expensive, but we recognize the need to protect the animals in our care.

If you have any questions, please call your veterinarian's office.

Ellie's New Home

2010-11-15T15:36:00.003-06:00

We have been keeping up with one of our adopted kids Dixie (now Ellie). We originally received her on April 30th, and she left for a temporary home with a rescue on June 2. The rescue was the Chicago Canine Rescue (www.chicagocaninerescue.org) We were fortunate enough to receive the following information from her new parents and a few pictures as well! So happy for Ellie!!

(more pictures on our Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55939342@N03/sets/72157625394761978/ )

"Thanks for checking in on us! We are so happy to be able to write you with a wonderful update on Ellie. She has adjusted beautifully to a normal life and being a big sister to Murphy! They get along fine. She does great in the house and has slept all through the night since the day she came home. She loves having a soft bed to retreat to every night and the couch during the day. She is a true lounger. She is very calm by nature, nothing we can take credit for and is just the sweetest lady to everyone and loves kids!

We started attending puppy school last week and are lucky she knew some basics from her fosters prior to us. She is very smart and listens well, we are so happy that we were able to make her a part of our family and that she has finally come home to the life she has deserved, forever."

Thanks for everything!
Here are some pics as well!!
-Bridget & Patrick

"Ellie is an amazing addition to our family! We love her so much and you can see it in her eyes that she is just so happy where she is. She loves the sofa! She is great with our cat, kids but still a bit skittish and defensive with other dogs.

Just as sweet as can be. I have attached a few pics of her after settling in to her new life, home and family. Hope all is well with you and the shelter!"

-Bridget & Patrick

Holiday Pet Portrait Day - Saturday, November 20

2010-11-15T09:50:00.000-06:00

The portraits may include the pet owner and their pet, along with other family members as space allows.

Location: Next to Pet Spa in Eastgate shopping center.
Date: Saturday, November 20, 9am-6pm

Package Options:
Base package of (4) 4x6" prints for $20
Additional Add-ons:
-4x6" Prints - $5.00 ea
-5x7" Prints - $7.50 ea
-(4) Wallets - $6.00 ea
-8x10" Prints - $15.00 ea
-Personalized holiday cards with portrait (various templates available) - $1.00 ea w/ envelope (25 minimum order)
-Digital File Download - Small resolution $2.50, Full resolution download also available
-T-shirts with portrait on front - $20

Portraits taken by a local photographer and professional quality prints will be produced.

We will accept appointments by calling the Humane Society. These appointments will get priority, but walk-ins are welcome all day.

Sierra's Second Chance

2010-11-11T09:47:00.000-06:00

I wanted to pass along how happy we all have been that our 4 yr old Rottweiler Sierra has found her new home. Sierra came to us as an owner surrender on Sept 13. She was, and still is, one of the sweetest dogs I have met. During our intake health exam and vaccination process, her heartworm test came back positive. We were devastated, but the staff never gave up hope. We were able to have the vet get her started immediately on treatment, which is a long, uncomfortable (and expensive) process. She had to be kept calm at all times to keep her heart rate down for the entire time of her treatment. She pulled through like the true champion she is. It is always with mixed emotions when one of our special needs kids finds a home. We miss them dearly, but are overjoyed that they can now be in a good place and be loved like they deserve. Thank you to her new owner.

Special Needs Dogs

2010-11-09T15:03:00.004-06:00

Occasionally I would like to use this space to highlight some of our animals that need good, loving homes, but may be hard to place for various reasons. I have 2 such animals today I'd like to tell you about.

Corey is a stray, about 1 year old, that was found in a local barn. She was starving and scared to death. You can see how thin she was in the picture below. She has come a long way since that day. She is housetrained and enjoys her daily walks. She walks fairly well on a leash and is not as afraid anymore, although big trucks still frighten her. She would make a great addition to a warm, loving home.

Her problem? She has a heart murmur. It has been diagnosed by a local vet as a 3 out of 5. While that is significant, it is not a death sentence. She could live many more years without the murmur progressing at all, or causing her any problems. We see no symptoms (coughing, easily tired) in her now. The only problem we have is getting her spayed. The surgery could be dangerous for her, or she could come through it with no problems at all. The decision whether or not to have her spayed would have to be between her new family and their veterinarian.

I hope you will consider adding Corey to your family. She deserves a good life with loving people who will help her get over her fears and show her how great life can be.

The other animal I'd like to tell you about is Angela. Surprisingly, she has the same problem, a heart murmur.
She is a beautiful 2 year old cat who came in as a mama to 3 kittens. She took great care of her kittens (we have already adopted 2 of them) and is very sweet. She just needs a comfortable chair in your loving home.

More information on these 2 animals is available on our website, or you can call us. We would love to have you come down and visit with these two pets. I know you will fall in love with them, just as we have.

Pizza Hut Fundraiser - Monday, November 8

2010-11-07T13:11:00.004-06:00

Please support the Humane Society of Henderson County by ordering from Pizza Hut in Henderson on Monday, November 8th from 4-11pm. You must use the flyer at the link below when ordering and paying for your meal. The Humane Society will receive 20% of the sale of each order received with the flyer. It is valid for Dine-In, Carry-out and Delivery. Thank you! Please pass this along to your friends and family!!

http://www.hshcky.org/fundraising/pizzahutticket.pdf

Niagara School Visit

2010-11-01T12:31:00.001-05:00

We wanted to say THANK YOU to Niagara School for visiting the Humane Society last week. I'm sure our pets loved all the attention they received! Here are just a few pictures. More can be seen on our Facebook page.

Pizza Hut Fundraiser Monday, November 8

2010-10-28T14:06:00.001-05:00

Please support the Humane Society of Henderson County by ordering from Pizza Hut in Henderson on Monday, November 8th from 4-11pm. You must use the flyer at the link below when ordering and paying for your meal. The Humane Society will receive 20% of the sale of each order received with the flyer. It is valid for Dine-In, Carry-out and Delivery. Thank you!

Please pass this along to your friends and family!!

http://www.hshcky.org/fundraising/pizzahutticket.pdf

Microchips and More

2010-10-24T14:05:00.000-05:00

You can tell when something's important if it's used as a blog topic twice in a row. In fact, some communities think that microchipping is so important that it is mandated that every animal have one. In Henderson County, every dog is supposed to be licensed and receive a tag proving that they have been licensed. A current rabies certificate is required to have this done and the cost is only $2. We will be happy to license your dog at the Humane Society and give you a tag.

However, tags can be lost, collars can be left behind and dogs can end up at our shelter with no identification. Since a microchip is injected below the dog's skin, it will always be with them. A quick scan, a couple of short phone calls, and you can be reunited with your best friend. This is the best protection we can offer to our pets.

November 7-13th is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. We want to take this time to show how much we appreciate the pet owners of our area and offer microchipping at the reduced rate of $20. This is $10 less than our usual price. Please bring in your dogs and cats during the week of Nov. 7th and we will microchip them, and then (as always) register them at no additional cost.

One more thing - if you find a pet, PLEASE bring it to the shelter as soon as possible. Keeping a pet for a week or more to see if someone will come looking for them only delays either their return to their home or our finding a new home for them. Sometimes it can also delay necessary medical care, causing animals to suffer needlessly.

Along with that, if you have lost a pet, PLEASE call us right away. I am amazed, daily, at the wonderful animals that show up at our shelter and no one ever calls looking for them. So many of these are obviously someone's pets - well fed, well cared for, trained... and scared to be away from home. Our favorite duty is reuniting pets with their owners - in most cases that is the absolute best outcome for a lost animal. If we don't have your pet when you call, ask us to fill out a Lost Report so we can be looking for him/her. Feel free to call often to see if your pet has been found by us or by caring individuals who bring lost pets to us so we can give them the care they need.

Microchipping

2010-10-10T18:06:00.003-05:00

I've been gone for a week visiting my daughter, her husband, and my brand new grandson, Aiden. What an amazing week. But it's time to get back to work. And there's plenty of work for me to get back to, I'm sure.

I've been thinking a lot about microchipping these last several weeks. It amazes me the number of dogs that are brought in as strays that no one ever calls to see if we have them. Last week 4 dogs were returned to their owners. That is wonderful. In most cases, that is the happiest ending to a lost dog's story. I don't know how many of them had microchips - I'l find that out tomorrow when I get back. At the Humane Society of Henderson County, microchipping is one of the many services we offer. If your dog is lost and brought to a vet's office or an animal shelter, they can look for a microchip and contact the owner so they can be reunited. We even have an amazing story at HSHC of a previous owner being reunited with a dog he loved but needed to find a new home for a few years ago. Due to her microchip, we found him and he and Samantha went home together. His situation had greatly improved and he was so excited to get his girl back. And I'll never forget the joy evident in every inch of that dog's body when she recognized her previous owner.

We microchip all dogs that are adopted out of the shelter and will microchip cats upon request. If you already have a beloved pet, we will still be happy to microchip them. The charge is $30 and that includes free registration with a national registry that will have your contact information available in case your animal gets lost.

Petfinder has an excellent series of articles on microchipping. I've added the link below: http://www.petfinder.com/after-pet-adoption/why-microchip.html

Or contact us and we'll be glad to answer any questions you may have. I hope all of you will seriously consider the benefits of this low cost, but priceless, service for your pets.

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

2010-10-02T08:37:00.006-05:00

In case you haven't heard, October is Adopt A Shelter Dog Month. There are sites all over the internet explaining the benefits of adopting shelter dogs. If you don't already know why shelter dogs make such great pets, check out the reasons at sites like American Humane, Petfinder, and many other organizations. They'll tell you the WHY, I'm going to tell you WHO. We have several great dogs that would make an amazing addition to your home. There's Paco, the adorable chihuahua that spends much of his day in our receptionist's lap. Check out Nate, our exuberant male red cattle dog/red heeler. If she's still there, Tori is a gorgeous border collie - need I say more? Izzy is a sweet, affectionate female beagle that just wants to love everyone. If you want a dog that's full of life, I highly recommend Jolene, a female shepherd mix. Dixie is an older female yellow lab that's ready to fit into your household. That's just a few of the wonderful dogs we have available for adoption. Pictures and information on these dogs can be found under the "Adopt" tab on our website.They tell me the early fall is a very busy time for Animal Control, so if you don't see your perfect fit, check back often.

Nate

In honor of this special month, we will be discounting our adoption fee on our adult (over 1 year old) dogs to $75 for this month only. Puppies will still be $85.

Of course, I don't want to forget our cats. Avery is very playful and affection. Jada, Jana, Java and Jean are all ready to go home. And we have plenty of the adorable, playful kittens that make life so much fun. Check them out too.

I guess it's about time.

2010-09-26T18:31:00.004-05:00

Well, I'm finally entering the world of Blogging. This is a new adventure for me, so we'll see how it goes. I'm hoping to use this Blog as a means to let everyone know about very special animals that we are caring for and to find wonderful homes for them. We care about all the animals in the shelter, but there will always be a few that will touch our hearts, either because of health concerns they have or special behavioral traits, or just because no one else has looked closely enough at them to see what a great pet they would make. I know there are people who want to help these "special children" of ours, and I thought this would be a great way to highlight them, to let people know about them. I'm hoping to be able to update this blog at least weekly, so check back often to see what we're doing, learn about our animals, our staff, our volunteers and the wonderful dogs and cats we have that are waiting to go home and be part of a family, maybe even your family.

Way to go Girl Scout Troop 691!!!

2010-09-21T21:44:00.002-05:00

We just wanted to say THANK YOU to Girl Scout Troop 691 for raising money for the Humane Society and coming by tonight to play with the dogs and cats!

Shoe Boxes Reduce Anxiety

2010-09-17T09:25:00.001-05:00

We are often faced with finding ways of reducing the stress on cats while at the Humane Society. Cats are extremely susceptible to illness stemming from increased anxiety. While our space and resources are limited, we have found some very simple solutions that help our furry felines. After consulting with local Humane Societies such as the Vandeburgh Humane Society and various national animal welfare organizations, one simple solution is to include an empty shoe box in each cage with the cat. This sounds simple, but it has really made a great impact on the stress level and overall health of the cats while at our facility. Without the boxes, the cats often felt as though they could not have any privacy or security inside the cage. Often they would lay in their litter box. The boxes also allow them an additional item in the cage that can hold their scent which also reduces their stress. The addition of the shoe boxes a couple of months ago has really worked out well.

One issue we faced was coming up with enough boxes since each new cat would need a new box. So far, we have been very fortunate to have boxes donated by both Simon Shoes and Shoe Carnival. We wanted to give a special thank you to them for supporting us and helping to improve the the welfare of the many cats in our care.

Henderson Bicentennial Celebration Horse Show

2010-09-14T09:32:00.010-05:00

We had a GREAT time last Saturday at the Henderson Bicentennial Horse Show! We were fortunate enough to work the concession stand and were treated with great hospitality and a wonderful demonstration of horsemanship by all participants. We had several volunteers and Board members help with the concessions and many great sponsors who either donated food and supplies, or provided discounts to us. Stacy Denton of Blue Moon Stables was primarily in charge of the event organization and she did a wonderful job! We look forward to hopefully having this event every year!

Volunteer Orientation Scheduled!!

2010-07-25T15:49:00.001-05:00

We will be having a Volunteer Orientation on Thursday 8/5/2010 at 6:30. This is for potential new AND existing volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering can come, learn about our programs and fill out a Volunteer Application. If possible, please email our Shelter Manager Lori Austin in advance so she can have everything prepared. Also, if you are interested in volunteering, but cannot make this Orientation, please email Lori with your information. Lori's email is laustin@hshcky.org

Thanks!

Donations Needed!!

2010-07-25T15:19:00.000-05:00

We have added a few new donation options to our website. These include new equipment or building improvements to help with animal care, such as a commercial washer/dryer set to handle to large daily laundry needs and a new dog intake kennel area to help with housing. We are averaging 5 new dogs per day, and we need additional housing units, not only for regular holding, but also to monitor for medical issues and to provide a special care area for dogs being treated for medical conditions that need to be isolated in a quieter area. We have several other needs as well, and if you have the ability to donate, you can choose one of these specific projects, or donate to our general fund which is used to fund all animal welfare operations and programs. WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

Thank you
Josh Williams, President

Donate Here

Meet Billy II

2010-07-09T15:07:00.002-05:00

Independence Weekend Adoption Events

2010-07-02T15:17:00.000-05:00

We have the following Adoption Events scheduled for this weekend:

Saturday, July 3: Petsmart - Evansville from 10am-4pm
Sunday, July 4: Big Lots - Henderson from 10am-4pm
Monday, July 5: Big Lots - Henderson from 10am-4pm

Hope to see you there!

Memorial Day Weekend Adoption Events

2010-05-27T12:36:00.000-05:00

Please visit us at Petsmart in Evansville on Saturday, May 29 from 10-4pm and at Big Lots in Henderson on Monday, May 31 from 10-3. We will have animals available for adoption! Hope to see you there!

Trifest Update

2010-04-29T09:46:00.000-05:00

We just wanted to thank everyone who donated, sponsored, volunteered, and came by to see us at the Tri-Fest Bowling Charity Event and our Adoption Event 'Bark in the Park' on Saturday during the Tri-Fest. Your continued support means more than you can imagine as we continue to look at new ways to improve the shelter facility and our community involvement.

Thanks Again!

Dealing with dog separation anxiety

2010-03-12T15:08:00.002-06:00

Jacque Lynn Schultz, Director, ASPCA Companion Animal Services

Supposedly, absence makes the heart grow fonder. However, the absence of an owner sends some dogs into keen wailing and barking, frequent house soiling and self-destructive behaviors. These are all signs that a dog is suffering from separation anxiety.

read more at petfinder.com

The Shelter Project - White Collar

2010-03-10T08:30:00.001-06:00

People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets

2010-03-09T15:47:00.002-06:00

From ASPCA.org:
Chocolate, Macadamia nuts, avocados…these foods may sound delicious to you, but they’re actually quite dangerous for our animal companions. Our nutrition experts have put together a handy list of the top toxic people foods to avoid feeding your pet. As always, if you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following foods, please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

For more information, please visit the ASPCA website below:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/people-foods.html

February 2010 Shelter Statistics

2010-03-07T17:58:00.000-06:00

New Arrivals	58 Dogs, 50 Cats
Adoptions	38 Dogs, 32 Cats
Euthanized	14 Dogs, 20 Cats
Returned To Owner	5 Dogs
Sent To Rescue	25 Dogs
Feb. 28 Population	33 Dogs, 28 Cats

The Shelter Project

2010-03-04T11:57:00.002-06:00

HSHC March Pet Photo Contest

2010-03-03T13:33:00.004-06:00

Do you have the cutest pet around?

Please help support the Humane Society of Henderson County by submitting up to three pictures of your pet, free of charge, for the March 2010 Photo Contest!

A winner will be determined by public voting. Each vote will cost $1 and that money goes directly to the Humane Society to help with vaccinations and spay/neuter costs for the animals under our care. The Humane Society is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible.

Winners will have their picture posted as the Pet of the Month Contest Winner on the Facebook Fan page and our new blog: http://hendersonhumanesociety.blogspot.com/. Winners will also receive 2 5x7” professional prints and 8 wallets from Williams Photography.

Please email your picture(s) to josh@w-photo.net and include the subject “HSHC Photo Contest”

Once your picture is submitted, please share the gallery website with your friends and family and encourage them to vote for their favorite! Voting begins immediately and will continue until 10 days after the end of the month to allow time for late entries to receive votes.

The March voting gallery will be hosted here: http://proofs.joshuawilliamsphotography.com/hshcmarch2010photocontest

There are options to easily share that gallery on your Facebook page, or you can email that link to anyone you wish.

As mentioned, donations are desperately needed and the donations will be used to help with the care of the many animals the Humane Society is currently housing, as well as new arrivals. Every little bit helps, even $1.

*Note: By submitting your photo, you are granting the Humane Society of Henderson County the right to display your picture online and in promotional items.