Pet Safety in the Summer!

Summer time equals late nights, barbeques, lemonade, and bonfires – oh, and a walk with your dog! When the weather begins to get warmer, your dog is anxious to be out and play. However, there are situations that arise in the summer months that you may want to stay clear of. Here are ten helpful tips to keep your dog safe this summer.



1. Make sure your pet is wearing an identification collar or tag just in case he wanders off.

2. Make sure your dog is on heartworm prevention medication. Heartworm is carried by mosquitoes, is deadly to pets and is expensive to treat.

3. Do not leave your dog in the car. The heat can be fatal to both dogs and cats.

4. Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets so they can stay cool.

5. Exercise with your dog in the early morning or late at night. Dogs can get sunburned too!

6. Don’t take your pet to events with crowds of people and the summer heat. They may become stressed.

7. Don’t let your dog ride in the pack of a pickup truck. This is extremely dangerous and may be life threatening for your pet.

8. Don’t leave your dog unattained by a pool – not all dogs are good swimmers.

9. For certain breeds, a shorter summer haircut can prevent overheating.

10. Do not offer pets food or drink, especially alcohol. It may cause intoxication, depression, and even a coma.

Remember to follow these and other tips this summer. We all want to keep our furry friends safe!

By Sienna Tomko, ImPRessions

Bark For Life and Puppy Mill Awareness Week

On Sunday, April 18, the Athens County Humane Society participated in Bark for Life, a relay benefiting the American Cancer Society. The Bark for Life committee allowed all adoptable ACHS dogs to walk free of charge. Stuart, Bonnie, Speck and Mister represented ACHS, sporting “Adopt me” bandannas during the walk.


All of the dogs did extremely well and were given the chance to become more socialized with the other dogs involved in the walk. Representatives of ACHS were able to hand out information about puppy mills and the Bark for Life committee collected donations of dog food on behalf of the Humane Society.

The Humane Society also had Puppy Mill Awareness week. Tables were set up at College Gate with information about puppy mills and the adoptable dogs available. Some of the adoptable dogs also made an appearance. We were able to hand out a lot of information and hopefully reached a lot of people about the horrors of puppy mills.


By Brittany Lambert, ImPRessions

Puppy Mill Awareness Week

The Athens County Humane Society is hosting Puppy Mill Awareness at College Gate this Tuesday, April 13 and Wednesday, April 14. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to see the adorable pups up for adoption and learn how to support reputable breeders who raise dogs into healthy, happy and loving pets.

While visiting with the puppies, you can also pick up a free snack, check out the t-shirts for sale, and talk with the ACHS volunteers, who are happy to answer any questions you may have. Along with the information provided by ACHS, we encourage you to further your research on puppy mills and see why the issue is important to animal-lovers and animal-rights activists alike.

According to the United States Humane Society, an estimated 10,000 puppy mills may be operating in the U.S. today. These puppy factories are interested in producing a large quantity of dogs with the least amount of money. The quality and well being of the dogs is not a priority. Puppy mills mass produce dogs with interbreeding and over-breeding, and the dogs often receive inadequate care and little or no socialization.

Puppies from puppy mills are usually sold to pet shops and bought by people who are unaware of their new puppy’s upbringing. Due to the inhumane breeding practices, the puppies are often infected with hereditary diseases that require intense medical care and result in a short lifespan.

The puppies can also be affected with personality disorders from the neglect and abuse they received in the puppy mills. It is difficult for them to socialize and develop loving relationships with their owners. Even if puppies are sometimes healthy, parent dogs are kept in very inhumane conditons.

There are many ways to help stop the expansion and influence of puppy mills in the dog-breeding market. From Puppy Mill Awareness you will learn how to actively oppose puppy mills and support trustworthy breeders who take pride in the quality of their dogs. Help your furry-friends by attending Puppy Mill Awareness and spreading the word about puppy mills to all your family and friends!

By Merete Kenworthy

Check Out Our Puppy Mill Awareness Tables!

THE ATHENS COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
HOSTS PUPPY MILL AWARENESS TABLES APRIL 13 & 14

Spring-time means that many people will be flocking to their local pet store to buy a puppy. What most people are unaware of is that 90% of puppies bought at pet stores are from puppy mills. In order to stop students before unknowingly buying puppy mill puppies Athens County Humane Society will be hosting Puppy Mill Awareness tables on campus April 13 & 14.
Informational tables will be located at College Gate April 13 and 14 from 10AM-3PM. Free cookies and adoptable dogs will be there too!
Ohio ranks among the top seven states in the country with the highest number of USDA "Class A" licensed commercial breeders. Puppy mills can be anything from a shack to building where dogs are kept 24 hours a day in confined, unhealthy cages. The dogs are there for one purpose, to breed the cute puppies you see in pet stores across America. The sweet faces you see behind the glass in pet stores have probably never felt grass on their feet and have often received no pet care. Puppy mill owners have even been known to shoot dogs instead of taking them for vet care.
The responsibility of pet ownership begins before you ever adopt or purchase your dog. Information is power and ACHS hopes to reach a new audience this spring and help thousands of dogs live better lives. If the demand for puppy mill puppies alleviates, thousands of parent dogs will be freed from a life of torture.
Educating consumers about the harsh cruelties of puppy mills will bring more power to the fight to stop the cycle of abuse. www.stoppuppymills.org

Spay Day was a success

In honor of the 16th annual “Spay Day,” the student run Public Relations (PR) firm put on “Spay Week”, to help raise awareness about spaying and neutering pets. The events put on during “Spay Week” were quite successful! On Monday February 22, 2010, awareness was raised through tables set up on the first floor of Baker. We were able to tell people passing by about the importance of spaying and neutering their pets. Many people got a kick out of the t-shirts that were being sold with sayings such as… “I got my dog neutered cause my balls are big enough for the both of us,” and “You would neuter your boyfriend if he were having sex with everyone in the neighborhood.”

On Wednesday, February 24, 2010, members of the PR team for the Humane Society served tables at the Red Brick Sports Pub. In the three hours that we served we were able to raise $239.55 for the ACHS. We also had a table set up with t-shirts for sale and information about animal adoptions and “Spay Day.” During the event the 6 ladies that served tables wore t-shirts with a graphic of a kitten on them that said NYMPHO She just can’t help herself but you can, each year nearly 5 million healthy animals are euthanized in the U.S. Be a part of the solution, spay and neuter your pets! The t-shirts were a great conversation starter, and they were an excellent aid in helping ACHS to spread the word, and get tips!

Once again Thank you to all of you that helped to make spay week a success. Finally, as Bob Barker always says, “Reminding you to help control the pet population, have your pet spayed or neutered.”

Briana Simmons, ImPRessions Account Member
Athens County Humane Society

Adopted Pet Update: Frankie Franks

Below is an interview with Kristin Franks about her adoption of Frankie through the Athens County Humane Society.

When did you adopt Frankie?

We adopted Frankie on October 27, 2009



How old is Frankie?

We think he is about 2 years old right now



What type of dog is he?

We aren’t sure what type of dog he is—he’s a mix—but he looks like a boxer and the vet says maybe he has a bit of beagle in him, too. Whatever he is, he’s super cute—so much so that while walking him we frequently get stopped by people complimenting him on how handsome he is!

How did Frankie become an adoptable Athens County Humane Society dog?

We don’t know if he ran away or was dumped, but he was found in the countryside outside of Athens in July. Other than being a bit emaciated, he was ok, and the man that found him fostered him for about four months.

How did you hear about adopting Frankie?

We actually heard about Frankie through Facebook. He was scheduled to be put down on a Sunday because no one had adopted him. On the Thursday before that deadline, a friend of mine posted his picture on Facebook and explained his plight. I just happened to see it, and I felt so bad that such a cute dog would be killed, so my husband and I agreed to meet him just to see if we might want to adopt him.

Though we had talked about getting a dog for years, we thought that if we met Frankie and he was the type of dog we always talked about getting we’d adopt him. And, of course, he was just the sweetest, cutest thing, and he had just the temperament we liked, and he was the perfect size, and we both fell in love with him. So, we started the adoption process that day, and by Tuesday of the next week, he was ours.



Was the adoption process easy?

The adoption process was very easy, and the people at ACHS, especially Shelley Lieberman, were great at accommodating our needs.

Would you recommend adopting through the ACHS to friends/family?

I definitely would recommend adopting through ACHS—it just doesn’t make sense to buy a puppy when there are so many good, kind dogs out there that are abandoned and just looking for a home and someone to love them.



Overall, was adopting Frankie a rewarding experience?

Having Frankie has been very rewarding. Not only do we feel great that we saved his life, so to speak, but he is a constant joy and I love taking him on long walks and playing with him.

Today, Frankie is doing just fine and has adapted to his home incredibly well. We’d like the thank Kristin and Kyle for sharing their story and adopting Frankie.

Spay Day Week

The Athens Humane Society is proud to introduce Spay Day Week! One day is respectable, but think of what can be accomplished in a whole week! This we give to you, animals. And we also give it to those of you who love causes like the Humane Society, but happen to be busy on Tuesday (the official Spay Day).

Spay Day Week’s activities start Monday, February 22nd, bright and early (well, bright at the very least) with a table set up on the first floor of Baker. We will be giving out free hot chocolate (although, donations will be very appreciated), selling t-shirts for $15 (see the picture below), and answering any and all questions that you have about the organization and how to get involved. We will be there from 10am to 5pm, so be sure to drop by. Try to remember that even the smallest amount can go so far! Whether ten dollars or twenty-five cents, it is all useful and beneficial. Sacrificing that morning coffee may help change an animal’s life, so remember that it is definitely worth it.

Another big event for the week is happening Wednesday, February 24th. Go to Red Brick Sports Pub from 6-9pm and support our girls who are trading their Public Relations suits for waitress aprons for the night. In order for us to keep the donations we need to make a good deal in tips, so dig deep into those pockets and share the puppy (and kitten) love!



Happy Spay Day Week to all!

-Hannah Meiser: Athens Humane Society Account Member

Winter Pet Care

With this winter already being colder than the past few years, it’s important to keep your pets happy and warm inside and out. Here are some of the tips the American Veterinary Medical Association suggest:

Housing:
It is best to keep pets indoors during the winter months, but if this is not possible, outdoor pets must be provided with shelter. Their home should be elevated off the ground to prevent moisture accumulation and have a door of some kind to keep out winter winds, sleet, and snow. Shelters should be insulated or heated. Water sources may be heated to permit constant access to unfrozen water; thermal units designed specifically for this purpose are readily available. Outdoor pets require extra calories to keep warm. Feed your pet according to its needs when the temperature drops. In severely cold or inclement weather, no pet should be kept outside. Indoor pets should have sleeping quarters in a draft-free, warm area with their bed or mattress elevated slightly off the floor.

Roaming cats:
Roaming cats, as well as house pets and wildlife, may climb onto vehicle engines for warmth during cold weather. Be sure to check under the hood before starting your vehicle and honk the horn to startle any animals seeking shelter inside.

Frostbite and snow removal salt:
Snow and salt should be removed from your pets paws immediately. Frostbitten skin is red or gray and may slough. Apply warm, moist towels to thaw out frostbitten areas slowly until the skin appears flushed. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for further care. Snow removal products should be stored out of the reach of pets and small children as their toxicity varies considerably.

Low toxicity -- poinsettia leaves/stems; balsam/pine/cedar/fir; angel hair (spun glass); snow sprays/snow flock; super glue; styrofoam; icicles (tinsel); and crayons/paints.

Moderate toxicity -- fireplace colors/salts; plastic model cement Moderate to high toxicity holly berries and leaves; bubbling lights (methylene chloride); snow scenes (may contain salmonella); aftershaves/perfumes/alcoholic beverages; and chocolate (dark is more toxic than milk).

Highly toxic -- mistletoe (especially berries); expoxy adhesives; and antifreeze. Please note that some items have special problems. For example, whereas angel hair is usually considered to be of low toxicity, it can irritate eyes, skin, and the gastrointestinal tract; and chocolate, of any type, should never be given to a pet. Antifreeze deserves special mention because even a very small amount can be rapidly fatal to pets.

Remember to check out our Facebook page and our Facebook fan page for further updates!

Cleo Stoll – Athens Humane Society Account Member

Holiday Festivities with the ACHS

This week begins the holiday season, and leading the pack is Thanksgiving, followed by Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, Yule, and New Year's. And it's always wonderful to get your pets in on the celebrations, as well as some safety tips to keep in mind for the upcoming holiday celebrations.

Coming up on December 9th is our "Santa Clause and Paws" event. For a $10 minimum donation, you and your beloved pet can get your photos taken with Santa Clause. You will recieve a four inch by six inch photo in a special holiday folder. This event runs from 4 PM to 8 PM at the Market on State Street (formerly the University Mall) in Athens.

All pets must be up to date on their vaccinations and properly contained under their owner's control by leash or carrier. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets, otherwise they will be placed on Santa's "Naughty" list and have to deal with a present far worse than coal.

There is nothing better about the holidays (aside, of course, from our Clause and Paws event!) than food. With very few exceptions, holidays are the time to indulge in some of the most luxuriously spiced and seasoned foods of the year. But these foods can also lead to illness when given to pets.

Avoid giving table scraps to your pets, and discourage guests from doing so. These scraps, particularly the high seasoning and fat content, can cause vomiting, diarrhea and in some cases, inflammation of the pancreas, also called pancreatitis. This is a life threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary attention.

But don't think it's just the meat that's a problem. Turkey bones, and all poultry bones, can easily splinter and cause throat or bowel perforations. Double bag the bones and keep them out of reach of your pets. If wild animals or neglected animals frequently raid your trash, avoid placing scraps and bones out until trash day, or consider chaining and locking your trash can lids to discourage these animals from coming to harm.

Those of us with dogs (and some particularly lanky and intrepid cats) may be familiar with the sport known as "Counter Surfing". Be aware that your animals cannot resist the call of holiday food any more than your Great Aunt Margaret. Keep an eye on them, and keep your scraps out of access, and you'll be fine.

Avoid allowing your animals to ingest alcoholic drinks. This may seem like a no-brainer, but to a cat egg nog can seem like a special treat just for them, and it takes only a moment before they are lapping away at it. Animals' livers do not work in the same way the human liver does, and allowing your animal to drink even a small bit of alcohol can cause some serious harm.

This isn't to say you can't let your animals in on the food festivities, though. Place a dollop of packed pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling) on top of their food. They will love you for it!

Have a safe, happy holiday season! We hope to see you at our Santa Clause and Paws event!

Puppy Mill Awareness Week Was A Success!

The Athens County Humane Society has had quite a successful week full of Puppy Mill awareness! With the help of generous volunteers, the ACHS was able to spread awareness all around Ohio University’s campus and throughout the Athens city community.

The week started off with two days at College Gate, just outside of College Green on Ohio University’s campus. At this location, there was a table full of information on puppy mills, t-shirts for sale, and treats for dogs and for humans! Probably the best part were the dogs and cats on hand to give students the opportunity to actually see the animals that the ACHS fosters and puts up for adoption. A couple of the dogs wore costumes for Halloween, and definitely sidetracked many students from getting to class on time! In addition to gaining knowledge about puppy mills, a few people picked up adoption applications, and many asked on ways to volunteer. The Messenger picked up the story, as well as WOUB, further spreading the information about puppy mills.

The week wrapped up with an event at Donkey Coffee, collaborating with Open Mic Night on Thursday. After a slight scare with a couple bands cancelling, the coffee shop quickly filled up around 9:30pm and by 10pm it was packed! The ImPRessions account for the Athens County Humane Society stood up in between the acts to give some facts about puppy mills and ways everyone can help the cause. A band even sang a song about the brutalities of puppy mills, and other ways people can help with animal rights. Everyone that attended was very open to the information, and the group left well informed. The Donkey staff was very welcoming and receptive to holding future events there…so look out for that!

Overall, Puppy Mill Awareness Week was a definite success and everyone that was involved made a great effort to get the information out to the public. Keep checking for updates about future events held by ACHS and ImPRessions!

Don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! (AthensCountyHS)

Rachel Csaszar- Athens County Humane Society ImPRessions Account member