It's Not a Tough Job . . . But Their Are Tough Days

Meet Leroy . . . he's looking for a forever family. 

When I share with people where I work, I often here "oh gosh, that must be difficult", you know what, it's not. I have learned more about pets, pet owners, proper care, and so much more since I began to work here.  I have learned there are kind caring people that would give up something of their own if would help one of the find furry friends. But sometimes, that is just not the case.

The difficult part is when the adoptions are down and the space is low. You see, 72 days is the minimum stay for all animals. As long as adoptions are steady and new kennels are opened, difficult decisions do not have to be made.  Think about it. Would you want your own put in a kennel for 6 months? The staff here is remarkable with the resources they have. The volunteers who come regularly do their best to help as well. However, not all dogs draw the attention as much as others.

The other night, I sat with a friend and saw the sorrow in her eyes as she was trying to make the decision to let go over her beloved pet that represented so many memories. It is also that way here. The staff that spend their entire day caring for each of the animals develop special bonds, relationships and loving memories of each of the animals here. Come by one day and here their stories. They are amazing.

If you know ANYONE that would be a good pet owner but has not taken the step, please help. This is a day . . . it has to happen. They won’t take it home today, but if they are adopted, they save a life. Please, pray about it. 

Surrender? Give Up? Or Just A Well Meaning Person?

You may ask... why can't I bring a pet any time I find one?  Several years ago, that was the policy. During that time, the euthanasia rate was much higher. We are working hard here at HSSET not put any animals down because of limited space. Our new manager has been diligent and since she took on the task, there have been no animals put down just for space issues. BRAVO!!

Alicia closed her eyes, she didn't want
 to see her picture!

First meet Alicia and Melissa. They are the Veterinary Technicians (Vet Techs) here at the HSSET.



 I'd like to share with you the process of what we do here at the HSSET.

1. On Mondays, one of these wonderful ladies begin taking calls to set up "intake appointments". This means we are taking in the pet you wish to surrender. (You'll see why below). Appointments are taken until all available spaces are filled (this is for cats and dogs). Unfortunately, we have had to say no more pit bull or pit bull mixes because they are too challenging to adopt out.
2. When the animal is brought in, the Vet Tech does an initial exam check. They look for pregnancy, hair loss  (often reflects the animal is ill), illness (runny nose, weeping eyes, etc) and injuries.
3. An $25 donation is asked of every surrender to help cover the initial vaccines. These include: flea and heart worming prevention. Initially they receive 5 days of shots and then it is reduced to once a month.

All new animals go into quarantine for two weeks. This is usually when any illness may show and the Vet Techs work quickly to get it in control before exposing anything to the rest of the animal population.

We appreciate our friends who find the lost dogs and cats with no one to love them. We appreciate our friends who do their best to keep their animals but fall on hard times. More than anything, we appreciate your willingness to admit when you need more help. Those are just well meaning people.

This little one came from a large litter. Just too
 many  for the family  to care for properly.  

But sometimes, people take on more than they should and all of a sudden they have a momma dog with puppies and no where to put them, they give up. Some will let them out on a deserted road, some will drop them off at a neighbors... and yes, some will drop them off at one of staff's home because they know they work for the HSSET.  Those are the ones that make us sad as we have to follow all the rules everyone else does.

The Vet Techs also have some challenges helping people understand we are trying our best here at the HSSET to care for the animals the best we can and if we just take any dog or cat, it is not always possible to give them the care they need. As we are a non-profit organization and depend totally on donated funds, we must make limits. It is not easy for them to have to turn away an animal they know needs the care. So, if you do come to the shelter, please remember they are doing their best to help as many animals as possible!

Why Are Black Dogs Less Adoptable?

from Guest Blogger Audine ....

Huey

While some may argue the point but workers who deal with dog adoptions day in and day out say that they see perfectly adoptable dogs get rejected by potential owners simply because of the color of their coat.

A few of the most common thoughts behind this are:

1. Black dogs are difficult to photograph. It is difficult for people to see their beautiful features and capture their personality for all to see.

Bear

2. Movies --- black dogs are often portrayed as mean and/or evil dogs that are out to harm. Because they are difficult to photograph, they are not used in commercials or market campaigns. We don't see them as the warm and loving friend as their lighter colored counter parts.

3. Not all shelters have good lighting. Without the help of the shelter staff guiding future adoptive families in their directions, black dogs (and cats for that matter) are often passed by because they do not stand out as others.

Socrates

As a former teacher of children with disabilities, I am quite familiar with similar thought process. It is interesting to note the innocence of each and yet both are so eager to love no matter if that love is returned so freely.  It's not fair to those who are not always able to speak for themselves to be prejudged on appearance alone. Get to know this precious animal who just wants to be loved like all the others.

Please remember: 

* A dogs coat color has no affect on the dogs temperament and personality. 

* Black dogs are just as playful and loving and fun as dogs of other color.

If you or a friend want to adopt a dog or cat... don't forget to look for the black ones. Take a second look and make an effort to see ALL of the animals that are available. Unfortunately, black dogs and cats tend to have a higher euthanasia rate because it is difficult find them good families.  Don't walk out of the shelter thinking there is no dog for you because you over looked the black ones. Make your adoption decision based solely on the dog that will be the best fit for your family regardless of the color of his/her coat.

Saucy

I leave you with this quote by Mother Teresa: 

. "When we judge others, we leave no room to love them"...  won't you open your heart to love them all? 

Volunteer Groups Abound

We have a few groups that visit the HSSET to volunteer time. One of the requirements for groups is they bring in donations with them. This group of cub scouts all brought in large bags of dog food.

Their visit helped us in two areas. First, their donations allowed us to save some money on food and second, it gave our beloved some more lovin' time


Each area is important to us and we enjoy hope to continue to build relationships with young men and help them learn the importance of good dog care as they continue to come.

Another New Volunteer... Lot's More Lovin'

Gretchen came in Saturday to spend some "Canine Companion" time with some of our beautiful dogs. Here she is with one of our smaller dogs, Coco Chanel, Chihuahua/pug mix.  She knows how to wiggle her tail, step the right way and win her way into the heart of the one holding her. She certainly had Gretchen's attention... and when she thought she was not getting it, she would bark just the right way to get all eyes on her

. It sure made Gretchen ready to come back and spend more time loving our dogs. We have enough to keep everyone busy. All our sweet furry friends need extra attention to help prepare them for their forever families... we are just waiting for a few more volunteers. 

Great Days Ahead

When it is gloomy and rainy outside...
we look for the positives in our days!

Another Happy Family!

What joy it is to learn another forever family is being formed. Meet the Rodriguez family. They had such a difficult time deciding which dog to bring home... at the time of this post, it is still up in the air. However, don't count out a double adoption!

Imma Bear Watcher

Have you met my friend Bear? He is so loveable. He's two years old and and is every bit of the momma described "terrible two's" you can think of. He's in and out of everything. So loveable and climbs up and down, wants to love on you and then runs... and runs .... and runs.

Bear had been a stray when he was brought to us. He had no idea how to act around people but thrived on their interactions and hugs.He just didn't know his own strength and would get excited. Bear just wants to love everyone.

His best friend at the shelter use to be an older female who let him know in a loving way 'stop' and Bear would stop.But, alas, she found a forever family.

Today, I watched Bear play with the pups for quite a while. It was fun to watch Bear play on the outside of the cage with the pups. Bear would run and the pups would follow. Then he would run to the other end and the pups would run the other way. I am not sure who had more fun, the pups or Bear!

Bear has calmed down a lot since his arrival. His manners are improving daily and he has learned to respond to stop and no. Bear has watched several friends go to their forever families and is a little sad right now. I hope he too can find a forever family soon. Do you know one? 

Ever have one of those days?

I tried running like Bear so the pups would chase me. It didn't seem to work the same. For some reason the pups thought it would be more fun for me to run this way. Hmmm.... what's wrong with this picture?

Bow WOW!!

Cleaning the dog kennels can be a real chore. In spite of this, our HSSET staff are busy every morning cleaning. There are three different rooms that are open to the public.





This is the puppy room. This room holds our younger dogs and the some of the smaller dogs. Rachelle and Kayla are getting a group of pups out so they can go play while their cage is clean.

These pups are much closer to my size... but, still they could chew me up and spit me out just for fun. Makes me shiver just thinking about it!! Back to the task at hand... it takes two people, working together to clean out the dog kennels. There are the pups, the small dogs, the large male dogs and the large female dog areas. Then we have the intake quarantine area.

When I first came I was like wow, who does all of this? Then, it takes a lot of team work, co-ordination and a loving group of people to spend the first three hours of their work day cleaning out after each dog. I've heard Audine complain about cleaning up after her dogs at home... I wonder what she thinks about now??
 hmmm....

Now, I went to see our bigger dogs. All by myself. I thought I was being so brave. What should happen? I found Josh cleaning one of the kennels. He thought I needed a shower but I quickly ran. Phew, just in time.

I may look like I have short legs but these little things rarely fail me when I need them most!










Brittany is the back supervisor. Don't you like her wild pants? I bet you didn't know they have to clean all these cages with bleach. Yes, bleach. The staff where one set of clothes when cleaning. After they have finished cleaning out their assigned area, they change into their nice staff shirts with clean jeans and they are ready to serve the public.

What happens to all that bleach? While the dogs are outside playing, the staff will use a squeegee and get most of the excess water and bleach mixture out. Then the towel dry. The rest will dissipate while the dogs are still outside playing. Bet you didn't know that, huh? Boy, I could make all kinds of bets today and very few could win but me... I could be rich! I know, I new house just for me. I might even invited some of my friends from the shelter to come to my house warming... oh well, another story for another day.