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 3, Issue 7
July 2009
Our Mission:
Dogs & Thunderstorms Does your pooch bury his head in your side every time it thunders outside? Does he dive under the bed every time it starts to rain? You may think it is cute but it is a sign that your dog has storm phobia. Symptoms like hiding, trembling, whining, drooling and pacing can lead to severe cases with tearing up furniture and drapes and breaking windows. A study by the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association showed that rescue dogs adopted from shelters may be more susceptible to storm phobia because of prior unpleasant, scary experiences. They may have been abused or abandoned by a previous owner or may not have been exposed to a wide variety of sights and sounds. These kinds of early-life experiences can make dogs more anxious and prone to phobias. The first step to help your dog overcome his storm phobia is to gradually retrain him through behavior modification. This procedure involves exposing him to gentle reminders of thunderstorms such as a very soft tape recording of thunder or a flashing light. Reward him with lots of treats, attention and other positive reinforcement, only if there is no evidence of anxiety. Make sure he has a safe place he can go when he’s anxious. Increase the stimulus over time and only reward calm behavior. If this doesn’t work for your dog, contact your veterinarian about prescribing an anti-anxiety drug. It is very important that you remain calm when your dog is anxious. Don’t cuddle and reassure him because it will reward him for his fearful behavior. Don’t punish him either. Just be calm and provide him with a safe place to ride out the storm.
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
EDUCATE
THE
AND
TO
PUBLIC
TRY TO
TO THE
IMPORTANCE OF SPAY/NEUTER TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM OF THE OVER-POPULATION OF UNWANTED, ABUSED, ABANDONED PETS..
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: TOXIC HOUSE AND YARD PLANTS
2
IN MEMORY OF BUDDY 2 EASY WAY TO HELP
2
HAPPY TAILS
3
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
4
IT’S HOT OUT THERE
4
THANKS TO YOU
4
PET TIP OF THE MONTH
5
LOOKING FOR FOREVER HOMES
5
UPCOMING EVENTS
6
SOME HOUSE AND YARD PLANTS CAN BE TOXIC TO YOUR PETS
JADE-MILDLY TOXIC
ALOE VERA-MILDLY TOXIC
DIEFFENBACHIAMILDLY TOXIC
POINSETTIA MILDLY TOXIC
POTHOS-MILDLY TOXIC
CORN PLANT (DRACEANA) MILDLY TOXIC
SPIDER LILY-TOXIC
IVY-MODERATELY TOXIC
NORFOLK PINE MODERATELY TOXIC
CHINESE EVERGREEN - MODERATELY TOXIC
PEACE LILY - MILDLY TOXIC
ANTHERIUM-MILDLY TOXIC
PHILODENDRON MILDLY TOXIC
FICUS - MILDLY TOXIC
MOTHER-IN-LAWS TONGUE - MILDLY TOXIC
Page 2
Humane Happenings
IN MEMORY OF BUDDY As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade. I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble free Where all of us can meet again to spend Eternity. I saw the most beautiful rainbow and on the other side Were meadows rich and beautiful--lush and green and wide. And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be! My own tired and failing body was all fresh and healed and new I wanted to go run with them but I had something else to do. I needed to reach out to you to tell you I’m alright. This place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night. ‘Twas the glow of many candles shining bright and strong and bold And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold. For although we may not be together in the way we use to be, We are still connected by a cord no other eye can see. So whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.
WAYS YOU CAN HELP! Before heading out to the store, go to www.goodsearch.com and select the Humane Society of Citrus County as your favorite charity. You can shop online at Wal-Mart, Pet Smart, Barnes & Noble, Office Depot and many other stores and we receive a percent of the sale. Also, check out www.humanesocietycitrus.com and click on the Stuffed Adoptions link. Remember also to go to www.freekibble.com to help feed shelter animals.
Volume 3, Issue 7
FISHER & NEW FAMILY
BECKY AKA KODA & NEW MOM & DAD
LAMB CHOP & NEW MOM
BUDDY & NEW GIRL
ALFIE & NEW GIRL
JANAE & NEW MOM
MAXX & NEW FAMILY ROSCOE & NEW MOM
JOSH & NEW MOM
BUFFY & NEW MOM
MADISON & NEW MOM
JORDAN & NEW MOM TIA Page 3
IN FLORIDA, EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
REMEMBER..IT’S HOT OUT THERE
Tropical storms remind us that there are more things in Florida than hurricanes to be prepared for. Many areas of Florida flood during storms, requiring homes to be evacuated. If conditions are not safe for you, they are not safe for your pet. Remember to be prepared with your pet’s evacuation kit. This includes ample supplies of pet food, kitty litter and box, water, and any required medications. Make sure you have a carrier or cage for each pet, properly marked with your name and contact information. Remember secure collars and leashes. Make sure vaccinations are up-to-date and that you have a copy with you. It is also a good idea to have a picture of your pet with you for identification purposes. Now is the time to get ready, before it becomes necessary.
On an 85 degree day, even with your car windows open a little, the temperature in your car will reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes. After a half an hour, it will go up to 120 degrees or higher. Never, never leave your pet unattended in a parked vehicle. Leave them home where they can be cool and safe!
THANKS TO OUR JUNE SUPPORTERS
Una & Alex Burgos Wayne & Geraldine Gangler Charles & Rebecca Wagner Genevieve Verdone Irene Page Mary Alexander Arthur Nichols Thomas & Bianca Fox Cynthia Phillips James & Helen Meek Constance Chin
Page 4
AF & CV Bravo Sandra Knapp Kay Balfour - In Memory of Ross
Volume 3, Issue 7
PET TIP OF THE MONTH
WE’RE ON THE WEB AT:
This plant is called Sago Palm or Cycad. All of this plant including the seeds and root ball are highly toxic to pets and children. Signs of illness appear about 12 hours after ingestion and include gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. The toxins in the plant lead to severe liver failure with progressive weakness, jaundice, bruising and bleeding and other signs of liver failure that lead to death. It is estimated that 75-80% of pets ingesting this plant will die, in spite of aggressive medical treatment. If you have one of these plants in your home, make sure it is out of reach of pets and children. You may want to consider gifting it to someone without pets or children.
www.humanesociety citrus.com
IMPORTANT: August 26 - National Dog Day
Looking For Their Forever Homes
JUDGE
FLICKER
TRIXIE
ADRIENNE
CLIPPER
CASSY
BELLE
SOCKS 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:
[email protected]
If you would prefer we e -mail your newsletter, please let us know.
NEXT GENERAL
Senior Prom
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
MEETING:
Did you get to go to your Senior Prom? Well watch for an upcoming opportunity to help the many pets we rescue and have a great evening of music and dancing. “Senior Prom” will be held November 14, 2009. Mark your calendar. More details later.
"The Cat. He walked by himself and all places were alike to him" ~ Rudyard Kipling
Meetings Will Resume In The Fall
PAWS-ITIVELY PETS ADOPTION CENTER
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!
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.