Lee County Humane Society

LCHS Adoption Holiday Hours

 

Stock photograph:  Courtesy Istockphoto

Holiday Adoption Visitng Hours for LCHS

Thursday, November 26:closed

Friday, November 27: closed

Saturday, November 28: Open 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

    The shelter animals have food and medical needs 365 days a year.  Please keep the Lee County Humane Society staff and volunteers in your hearts and minds as they spend time away from their families on the holiday and come into the shelter  to care for the homeless pets in our community.  Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

 

Cold Weather Tips

It’s that time of year when the weather turns cold and the holidays are upon us.  Two specific things that are important for you to know this time of year are knowing how to properly prepare your pet for the cold weather and the our 2010 Pet Calendar.  First the cold weather tips. 

HOUSING:  Be sure to provide proper shelter for you pets.  If yours is an indoor pet, his bed or crate should be kept in a warm draft free area, preferably elevated slightly off the floor.  If you pet is kept outdoors, provide a warm insulated pet house or shelter.  The house should be elevated enough so that moisture cannot accumulate inside.  If possible provide a “door” to keep out the winter winds.  If your pet is in a pen, you might block the wind and weather with bales of straw and stretch canvas over the tops of the pen.  If the wind chill or other weather becomes severe, bring your pets inside. 

FROSTBITE:  I know it only snows every few years in central Alabama, but when it does it is good to know what to do for your pet. Remove ice and snow from your pet’s paws and coat at once.  Frostbitten skin may turn reddish, white or gray, and it may be scaly or sloughing.  If you suspect frostbite, take your pet to a warm place immediately.  Thaw out frostbitten areas slowly by applying warm, moist towels that are changed frequently.  Continue until the affected area becomes flush.  Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. 

ANTIFREEZE:  Even a very small amount of antifreeze can be fatal.  Precautions are necessary with all antifreeze products on the market.  Read labels and warnings carefully.  Thoroughly clean up spills at once.  Keep containers closed tightly and keep them where pets and children cannot get to them. 

NAPPING CATS:  Cats sometimes climb onto vehicle engines for warmth.  Before starting your vehicles, knock on the hood and blow the horn.  Even if your own cat does not have access to your vehicle, a neighbor’s cat might have taken shelter there. 

FOOD:  Staying warm requires extra calories so feed your pet accordingly when the temperature drops.  Talk to your veterinarian for advice on feeding your pet. 

WATER:  Always have fresh clean water available for your pet.  If your pet is kept outdoors, be sure to check his water frequently because it might freeze. 

If you have further questions about how to prepare your pet for cold weather, we encourage you to talk with your veterinarian.   

They are hot of the printing press and ready for your wall, the 2010 Best Friends Calendar. Over 70 pets were entered into the voting contest to see which would be featured as the cover pet and pets of the month. If you entered your pet, he or she is in the calendar. The voting contest and entry fees raised over $7,000 for the animals at the shelter.   

Calendars are for sale at the shelter and at many local businesses and veterinary practices in the area.  Those stores and practices include For Paws Boutique, Canine American, Auburn Awards, Tigertown Veterinary Hospital, All Creatures Vet Clinic, Auburn Vet Hospital, East University Vet Hospital, Parkway Animal Hospital, Animal Health Clinic, and Countryside Vet Clinic. 

The Humane Society’s Weekly Wish:  Get your 2010 Best Friends Calendar before we sell out. They make great Christmas gifts. 

Animal Abuse & Social Violence

For many years experts have identified the link between animal abuse and social violence.  The connection can be exemplified by serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, David Berkowitz and the Columbine killers, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold.  All of these murderers had a history of animal abuse. 

Two of the national animal welfare organizations have programs to bring the awareness of this problem to the general public.  American Human has “The Link” and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has “First Strike”.   

The following is an excerpt from the HSUS frequently asked questions about animal abuse. 

• What is animal cruelty? Animal cruelty encompasses a range of behaviors harmful to animals, from neglect to malicious killing. Most cruelty investigated by humane officers is unintentional neglect that can be resolved through education. Intentional cruelty, or abuse, is knowingly depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, socialization, or veterinary care or maliciously torturing, maiming, mutilating, or killing an animal.
• Why is it a concern? All animal cruelty is a concern because it is wrong to inflict suffering on any living creature. Intentional cruelty is a particular concern because it is a sign of psychological distress and often indicates that an individual either has already experienced violence or may be predisposed to committing acts of violence.
• Is there any evidence of a connection between animal cruelty and human violence? Absolutely. Many studies in psychology, sociology, and criminology during the last 25 years have demonstrated that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty. The FBI has recognized the connection since the 1970s, when its analysis of the lives of serial killers suggested that most had killed or tortured animals as children. Other research has shown consistent patterns of animal cruelty among perpetrators of more common forms of violence, including child abuse, spouse abuse, and elder abuse. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association considers animal cruelty one of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder.
• Why would anyone be cruel to animals? There can be many reasons. Animal cruelty, like any other form of violence, is often committed by a person who feels powerless, unnoticed, and under the control of others. The motive may be to shock, threaten, intimidate, or offend others or to demonstrate rejection of society's rules. Some who are cruel to animals copy things they have seen or that have been done to them. Others see harming an animal as a safe way to get revenge on someone who cares about that animal.
• What happens when authorities prosecute an animal cruelty case? Depending on the severity of the case, individuals found guilty may be imprisoned. Appropriate sentencing can also include individual or family counseling, community service, or diversion programs. It is rarely the goal of the authorities to imprison a child for cruelty to animals. Law enforcement officers and judges recognize that cruelty to animals is one part of a complex problem. Sometimes the official response to animal cruelty provides a family its first opportunity to get help.
• Can reports be made anonymously? While many jurisdictions will respond to an anonymous complaint, successful prosecutions often depend on an identifiable witness who can authenticate evidence.
• Will I be required to testify? If a case goes to trial and you have identified yourself as the complainant in either a written or an oral report, you may be called to testify.

 

Animal cruelty is a serious problem.  It is not just a matter of “boys being boys” or “well, it was just a cat”.  If you witness animal cruelty please report it to you local law enforcement department.  What you help stop today might make a positive difference in the future.   

The Humane Society Weekly Wish: Foster homes needed. For more information call the Lee County Humane Society at 334-821-3222. 

Jack Fisher,

Board of Directors
 

2010 Best Friends Calendars for Sale

 

     The Lee County Humane Society is selling copies of the 2010 Best Friends Calendar.  Each full-color, 28-page calendar costs only $10, and all proceeds benefit the animals at the shelter.

     Over 70 pets were entered into the voting contest at the shelter to see which would be featured as the cover pet and pets of the month. All of the pets’ pictures that entered into the contest are included in the calendar. The voting contest and entry fees raised over $7,000 for the animals at the shelter.  Calendar sales will supplement this amount to generate funds for the general operating fund at the shelter which sustains the shelter animals’ basic food, medical, and welfare needs.

     Calendars will be for sale at the shelter and at many local businesses and veterinary practices in the area.  Those stores and practices include For Paws Boutique, Canine American, Auburn Awards, Tigertown Veterinary Hospital, All Creatures Vet Clinic, Auburn Vet Hospital, East University Vet Hospital, Parkway Animal Hospital, Animal Health Clinic, and Countryside Vet Clinic.

Pet Portraits with Santa

Photo courtesy of FlipFlopFoto   

Pet Portraits with Santa Claus will be held Saturday, November 21 from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at For Paws Boutique in Auburn.  Photos will be taken by Fotos by Focht, and all portraits will be available in time for holiday greeting cards.  A portion of the proceeds from this event benefits the animals of the Lee County Humane Society.  

The Lee County Humane Society would like to thank For Paws Boutique, Fotos by Focht and the Rental Center for their sponsorship of this event.

Pet Overpopulation- A Community Problem

It used to be this time of the year was the beginning of the slow time for the staff at the shelter. Puppy and kitten season was tapering off and the number of owner relinquishments was slowing down. Not so much any more. 

With the steady growth in Lee County comes additional pet overpopulation problems and it seems the shelter is full all the time. The average person does not understand the problem of pet overpopulation and how many dogs and cats are homeless.  They do not understand that there simply are not enough homes for them all of them. 

If you have a grasp on the problem of pet overpopulation, I applaud you.  If you do not then I encourage you to thoughtfully read the following facts:

• According to the Humane Society of the United States, between eight and twelve million pets enter animal shelters across the country annually.
• Between four and six million of these animals are euthanized.  This solution has an annual price tag of over $2 billion.
• ONE THIRD of all animals in shelters today were surrendered by owners.
• The number one reason owners give for surrendering their pets is problem behavior.
• In some areas of the country, only 30% of owned dogs and cats are spayed and neutered. 
• Most studies indicate that only about 50% of new owners have the pet they adopt from a shelter spay or neutered.
• In 6 years, one female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies.
• In just seven years, one female cat and her young can produce 420,000 kittens.
• In addition to the 60 million owned cats in the United States, there are an estimated 60 million feral and free roaming cats.  Unaltered (spayed or neutered) feral cats are both a cause and effect of feline overpopulation.
• Since my first year as Director in 1997, the staff has seen over 70,000 animals come through our shelter doors.  Of those approximately 45,000 were humanely euthanized by the caring staff of the Lee County Humane Society.

 

Pet overpopulation is real and it is a community problem.  Until dogs and cats are routinely spayed or neutered, AT LEAST by the age of 6 months, we will continue to have a problem.  I encourage you to cut out the facts in this column and pass them on to anyone you know who has allowed their pet to reproduce. 

The Humane Society Weekly Wish:  We can always use dry dog and cat food as well as cat litter please.

Jack Fisher

Board of Directors