Lee County Humane Society

Reporting Animal Cruelty

Animal cruelty is a problem and it is happening all around us. Animal cruelty is the obvious things like setting a puppy on fire and hanging a cat until it dies. But animal cruelty is also subtle things like medical neglect and starvation. 

There is a fine line between how people interpret proper care for their pets and actual animal cruelty. The Sate of Alabama basically says you have to provide proper shelter, food, water and appropriate veterinary care. It doesn’t say you have to feed your pet expensive pet food or let them sleep in your bed.  

To help identify some signs of possible animal cruelty, here is a list provided by the ASPCA:

• Collar so tight that it has caused a neck wound or has become embedded in the pet’s neck
• Open wounds, signs of multiple healed wounds or an ongoing injury or illness that isn’t being treated
• Untreated skin conditions that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes
• Extreme thinness or emaciation—bones may be visible
• Fur infested with fleas, ticks or other parasites
• Patches of bumpy, scaly skin rashes
• Signs of inadequate grooming, such as extreme matting of fur, overgrown nails and dirty coat
• Weakness, limping or the inability to stand or walk normally
• Heavy discharge from eyes or nose
• An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal
• Visible signs of confusion or extreme drowsiness
• Pets are tied up alone outside for long periods of time without adequate food or water, or with food or water that is unsanitary
• Pets are kept outside in inclement weather without access to adequate shelter
• Pets are kept in an area littered with feces, garbage, broken glass or other objects that could harm them
• Animals are housed in kennels or cages (very often crowded in with other animals) that are too small to allow them to stand, turn around and make normal movements possibly with too many other animals

 

If you feel like you have witnessed true animal cruelty please call your local law enforcement agency. Before you call make sure you have properly documented the situation, write down dates, times and specific observations. If possible take pictures and have those available for law enforcement officers. Always make copies of everything for your files. 

Animal cruelty and neglect is a real problem. Help be a part of the solution by reporting it to the proper agency. 

The Humane Society Weekly Wish: Dry pet food, cat litter and bleach please.

Jack Fisher

Board of Directors

Happy 4th of July from LCHS!

The Lee County Humane Society wishes you and your pet a safe and happy Fourth of July!  It is important to remember pets often become anxious and scared amidst  traditional patriotic celebrations.  The following precautions will help make your holiday festivities four-legged friendly:  

·    Do not take your pet to fireworks displays. 
·    Do not leave your pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects-even death-in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen. 
·    Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you've removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company while you're attending holiday celebrations.
·    If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before the holiday for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays. 
·    Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn't leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death. 
·    Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. 
·    If you plan to go away for the holiday weekend, take the proper steps to make sure your pet is cared for and share these tips with their caregiver.

Pets often run away or escape during holiday activities.  Remember to check with the Lee County Humane Society if you have lost your pet.

Following these tips will ensure that the Fourth of July is a blast for you and your pet!

The shelter will be closed on Saturday, July 4th in observance of the holiday.

Online voting for 2010 Best Friends Calendar coming soon!

     Online voting for the 2010 Best Friends calendar will be available soon.  We are currently working to get all the photos scanned into our system.  Thank you for your patience!

     You can cast your votes at the shelter now.  Voting forms are available at the front desk.  Just ask to see the list to find out your pet's number and then cast your votes.  We will also have a display board set up at the shelter soon with pictures of all the entries.  

Disaster Planning and Your Pets

Hurricane season is here and with every season comes uncertainty about where, when and if a hurricane will hit. The possibility of a hurricane coming through Lee County is slim but it has happened before. 

If you have pets, you should have a plan to care for them in case of a disaster. You can start by preparing a supply kit for your pet. Each pet should have their own kit consisting of the following items:

• Food- minimum three day supply;
• Water- minimum three day supply;
• Medicine- minimum three day supply; include heartworm and flea preventative;
• Medical Records- include any special medical needs and rabies vaccination history;
• Current photos of your pet;
• Spare leash, collar and identification tags;
• Grooming items- including brush, shampoo or moist towels designed for pets;
• Food and water bowls;
• Treats and a limited supply of toys;
• Sanitation items to clean up after your pet;
• Some means of confinement; a crate, cage or carrier designed to accommodate the specific species;
• Any other items you feel will be necessary to make your pet safe and comfortable.

 

In addition to your kit you need to have an evacuation plan. Your evacuation plan should include the following:

• Be timely, do not wait until the last minute to evacuate;
• Plan to take your pets with you;
• Have a safe and secure way to transport your animals;
• Plan to go to the home of a relative or friend, many hotels do not allow pets.

 

One of the most important items to remember is pet identification. Insure that your pet is wearing a collar and identification tag. The information needs to be current and a contact phone number needs to be included.   

If nothing else, use a permanent marker and write your phone number on the collar. Having your pet microchipped by your veterinarian is also a great way to help insure your pet can be identified if they are lost. 

Wearable identification may be hard for exotic pets like birds, hamsters, Guinea pigs, etc.  Having proper confinement is even more important with these types of pets.  

Whether it is a hurricane, a fire or some other natural disaster, planning is important.  Hopefully these tips will help you prepare if you do have to evacuate.  And please pass them on to a friend, family member or co-worker who is also a pet owner. 

Jack Fisher

Board of Directors

Wash-n-Wag this Saturday!

There will be a Wash-N-Wag this Saturday, June 27 from 9:00-12:00 at the shelter.  Bring your dog by the shelter from a bubbly bath and some fun!  Large and extra large  dogs are $10.00 and small to medium dogs are $5.00.  Each donation will directly benefit the many animals that the Lee County Humane Society cares for.  We look forward to seeing you and your pooch!

Shelter Animals by the Numbers

6500 of anything is a lot.  Imagine 6500 bikes, 6500 shoes, 6500 televisions or 6500 gallons of ice cream.  Now, think about how you would manage each of these items if you had to care for them and keep them safe.  Where would you store them?  How would you keep the bikes from rusting, the shoes from stinking, the televisions from breaking or the ice cream from melting?

Ok, got your mind wrapped around that challenge?  Think about how to manage 6500 dogs, cats, kittens, puppies, rabbits and other miscellaneous animals.  How hard would that be?

Unlike the bikes, shoes, televisions and ice cream, the animals are high maintenance.  They need food, water, health care, exercise and attention.  Not to mention their cages need cleaning at least once a day if not more often.

Why did I choose 6500?  6500 is the number of animals projected to come through the Lee County Humane Society shelter in 2009.  Because the Lee County Humane Society manages the only open admission animal care facility in Lee County, we see a lot of animals. 

Here is a glimpse of some of the many tasks that are accomplished each day at the shelter:

• Check all the animals to make sure they are in good condition
• Clean the waste from the dog kennels, clean and dry the kennels
• Clean cat kennels
• Scrub floors
• Clean windows
• Exercise dogs
• Play with the cats
• Preventative vaccinations
• Answer the phone
• Interact with and help potential adopters
• Check in relinquished animals
• Shuffle animals around to find space
• Coordinate with Animal Control from Lee County, Opelika and Auburn
• Clean more kennels
• Feed all the animals
• Keep the yard looking good
• Coordinate volunteers

 

There is so much more that I don’t have space to list.  Caring for the animals is certainly the priority, but in a close second place is working with the public and the many visitors who enter the shelter.   

Ask anyone what they would rather care for; 6500 bikes, 6500 shoes, 6500 televisions, 6500 gallons of ice cream or 6500 animals.  While it is kind of a silly question, my guess is very few would choose the 6500 animals.  But, there is a very dedicated group of people who made the intentional decision to care for the 6500 animals. 

Lee County Humane Society Executive Director Heather Meadows and the staff of about 15 employees do a great job each and every day.  And let’s not forget about the wonderful volunteers who assist the staff.

Here is my challenge to you... the next time you drive by the shelter, you hear or read something about the Lee County Humane Society or you simply see an animal running at large, think about the number 6500.  Then, think about what you can do to make sure there is one less animal being born so the number 6500 goes down instead of going up.

Jack Fisher

Board of Directors

Puppy Adoption Extravaganza this Saturday!

The Lee County Humane Society will host a Puppy Adoption Extravaganza  this Saturday, June 20 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.  Puppy Adoption Extravaganzas are a fun-filled opportunity for the many litters of puppies that are at the shelter during the summer months to receive special attention.
     At Puppy Adoption Extravaganzas, kennels are set up outside with all the litters of puppies.  Adoption counseling session are also held at the extravaganzas.  If you are interested in adopting, you will need to bring a copy of your current pet(s) vaccination records, a copy of your lease stating pets are allowed (if you rent your home), and your driver's license or another form of photo identification.  All puppies adopted at Puppy Adoption Extravaganzas have a discounted adoption processing fee of $60.
    = Join the Lee County Humane Society this Saturday for a day of fun!

Volunteers donate services to improve shelter's image

The Lee County Humane Society would like to thank Kris Retzlaff, professional interior painter, and Derrill Boone, Boone Drywall, for offering their services and skills for ongoing renovations throughout the shelter.  

To inquire about their services:  Boone Drywall- 703-8064

                                                Kris Retzlaff- 749-1931

 

Derrill is pictured above holding "Chunk" a poodle mix available for adoption at LCHS.

Kris is pictured above holding "Shirley" a shepherd mix who is available for adoption at LCHS.

Puppy Adoption Extravaganza this Saturday!

LCHS will host a Puppy Adoption Extravaganza this Saturday, June 6 in the shelter parking lots from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.  Shelter staff will set up tents and kennels for all the shelter puppies outside.  At Puppy Adoption Extravaganzas, all puppies have a discounted adoption processing fee of $60.  If you are interested in adopted, you will need a copy of your current pet(s) vet records, a copy of your lease stating pets are allowed (if you rent your home), and a photo i.d.  Join us this Saturday morning at the shelter for some guaranteed fun.

YellowHammer Restaurant to hold benefit night for the shelter

The YellowHammer Restaurant will hold a benefit evening on Wednesday, June 24 for the Lee County Humane Society.  The YellowHammer Restaurant supports the shelter’s goal to construct an on-site spay/neuter facility which would ensure 100% spay/neuter surgeries for their animals before adoption.

     A portion of the YellowHammer Restaurant’s proceeds from this night will go directly to the LCHS Spay/Neuter fund.  Seating is limited and reservations are required.  Please reserve your table by Saturday, June 20 by calling 334-887-5800.