Humane Happenings H u m a n e S o c i e t y o f C i t r u s C o u n t y F L O R I D A I N C. Volume 2, Issue 4 Animal Disaster Preparedness Day Imagine a police officer knocks on your door. A hurricane is quickly approaching and you have 45 minutes to evacuate. Can you gather all your pets and put them into carriers in time? Do you have carriers for all your pets? Are all your pets wearing collars and ID tags with their name and your name, your phone number and emergency number? If your pet escapes the crate, can you provide a photo? Do you know where to go with your pets during an emergency evacuation? May 10, 2008 Do you know of any animal -friendly motels nearby? Do you know where your emergency animal shelter is located? Do you have your vet s phone number in your list of emergency numbers in case your pet becomes ill? Do you have a contingency plan to evacuate your pets if something happens while you are away? Where is your pet s disaster evacuation emergency Go Kit? Is your pet microchipped? Our Mission: THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF CITRUS COUNTY FL INC IS A 501(C)3 CORPORATION DEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION OF ALL ANIMALS. IT IS OUR GOAL TO RESCUE AND FIND FOREVER HOMES FOR AS MANY ABANDONED, ABUSED PETS AS POSSIBLE AND TO TRY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SPAY/NEUTER TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM OF THE OVER-POPULATION OF UNWANTED, ABUSED, ABANDONED PETS.. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: YOUR PET S TO GO KIT EVACUATING? TAKE YOUR PET WITH YOU TIME TO PURGE OUR LIST HAPPY TAILS 3 NEW PUPPY MILL LAW ADOPT A CAT MONTH PET TIP OF THE MONTH LOOKING FOR FOR- EVER HOMES 2 2 2 4 4 UPCOMING EVENTS 6 5 5 May 2008 Time To Purge Our Newsletter List Because of the high cost of preparing, copying and mailing our newsletter, we periodically purge our list of names of people who would rather not receive our newsletter. If you would like to continue receiving our newsletter, please complete the form on Page 2 and return it in the envelope provided. Otherwise, we will regrettably remove your name from the next newsletter. Of course if you are a member, no need to return the form to continue your newsletter.
YOUR PET S DISASTER TO GO KIT! Humane Happenings When You Evacuate, Take Your Pets With You! FOOD, WATER AND MEDICINE FOR 5 DAYS MEDICAL AND VET Pets enrich our lives and they depend on us to keep them safe when disaster strikes. The best Securely fasten an ID tag to your pets collar with a phone number where you can be reached. Plan your evacuation and leave in plenty of time. If you wait for rescue officials to RECORDS CARRIER, TOYS, BLANKET OR BED LITTER BOX AND LITTER ID ATTACHED TO YOUR PET PET CARRIER AND LEASH CURRENT PHOTOS OF PET WITH PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION CONTAINER TO CARRY EVERYTHING way to do that is to have a plan before disaster strikes. If you must evacuate, the best thing you can do is evacuate your pets too. Leaving pets behind, even if you make a safe place, is likely to result in their being injured, lost or worse. Take them with you whenever possible. Carry a photo of your pet for identification purposes. Use secure pet cages and keep your pet on a leash. Foster your pet in a safe area if you and your pet cannot stay together. Have your pet s disaster To Go kit prepared ahead of time. come to the door, they may not let you take your pets with you. Remember, the most trust worthy pets may panic, hide or try to escape. Don t leave them unattended. Time to Purge Our Newsletter Yes, I want to continue receiving my newsletter. NAME: ADDRESS: CITY/ST/ZIP: No, but I would like to help with a donation of: Mail in Enclosed Envelope! $10 $25 $50 $100 Other Comments: Page 2
Volume 2, Issue 4 HAYLEY & NEW MOM DANDY & DREAM WITH NEW MOM & DAD RAMBO & NEW MOM & DAD JESSIE & NEW MOM RADAR & NEW MOM & DAD TACO & NEW MOM PIXEL & NEW MOM SELENA & NEW MOM ANGIE & NEW MOM BUTTERCUP (MOLLY) & NEW FAMILY FLYNN (HUCK) & NEW FAMILY BILKO & NEW FAMILY SAKI & NEW MOM JODIE (ANNIE) & NEW FAMILY PARKER & MOM CANOEING CHEDDAR & NEW FAMILY Page 3
NEW LAW CRACKS DOWN ON ANIMAL FIGHTING AND PUPPY MILLS Score one for us! The US Senate and House of Representatives over-rode the President s veto of the Farm Bill. This is important legislation for all of us. The Bill is now law. This Bill bans the import of puppies from foreign puppy mills for commercial sale in the US. It prevents puppies from being shipped in extreme conditions, often in cargo holds. Many die. And it also prevents foreign puppy mills from add- ing to the over-population of pets in this country. The Farm Bill also added a provision that makes animal fighting of any kind a federal felony. It is also a federal crime to possess or train animals for fighting. The maximum sentence for any of these offenses is from three to five years in prison. The law also increased the potential fine for violations of the Animal Welfare Act f r o m $ 2 5 0 0. 0 0 t o $10000.00 to deter abuses at puppy mills, laboratories, circuses and other facilities that use animals. JUNE IS ADOPT A SHELTER CAT MONTH Out of the millions of cats who enter shelters each Independent and can be left alone while you Stop by and visit our cats! year, only one in four finds a forever home. Over 70% are euthanized. Here are some good reasons to consider adopting a cat from a shelter: A cat helps fight depression and loneliness work Ward off mice and pests Comfortable in small places like apartments Very clean, bathe themselves Cat s purr is instantly FELIX VALENTINO Entertaining to watch and fun to play with calming and relaxing Easy to housetrain Companionship Cats live long lives, up They will cuddle on a cold evening to 20 years of companionship. Cats are affectionate You re saving a life PATCHES STERLING Page 4
Volume 2, Issue 4 PET TIP OF THE MONTH TO BATHE OR NOT TO BATHE Not all dogs need baths and there aren t any strict guidelines as to when a dog needs to b e b a t h e d. Regular grooming with a comb and brush can suffice for many types of dogs. Sometimes how- ever, only a bath will do, if your dog gets particularly dirty for instance, or if he gets into something particularly stinky. Make sure you use a shampoo specially made for your dog and not humans. Make sure you rinse and rinse again. Soap residue can cause skin irritation. Keep in mind too that excessive bathing can actually be bad for your dog by drying out his coat and skin. Up to three baths a month isn t considered excessive but any more than that may require a medicated shampoo. Check with your vet. WE RE ON THE WEB AT: www.humanesociety citrus.com IMPORTANT: Animal Rights Awareness Week June 15 21 Looking For Their Forever Homes VALENTINO SPENCER TOOTSIE LYDIA CARLY PIXEL REINA MOCHA Page 5
The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil but because of those who look on and do nothing. H u m a n e S o c i e t y o f C i t r u s C o u n t y 751 S Smith Avenue Inverness FL 34451 Phone: 352-341-2222 E-mail: bonniea15@yahoo.com If you would prefer we e -mail your newsletter, please let us know. NEXT GENERAL MEETING: VOLUNTEERS: THOUGHT FOR TODAY PAWS-ITIVELY PETS ADOPTION CENTER August 2, 2008-10:00 AM New Members, Volunteers and guests are always welcome to join us at our monthly meetings. We are always looking for new ideas to help rescue more of the many pets who find our door. Please join us! If you re looking for a rewarding endeavor, consider giving a couple of hours a week to spend time with the many babies waiting for a forever home at Paws-itively Pets Adoption Center. They love the attention and you ll find spending time with them makes you feel good as well! My little dog-a heartbeat at my feet. Edith Wharton OUR LEGAL STATUS: Doc #745226 issued December 12, 1978 on file in Tallahassee. Registered with Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs. Copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free 800-435-7352 within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the State. All dues and contributions are tax exempt to the full extent allowed by law. Our registration number issued by Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services is CH1815. 100% of all contributions are retained by Humane Society of Citrus County, FL, Inc. No percentage is retained by any professional solicitor.