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. 

You Mean You Don't Play All Day?

Serena makes notes in the cat records
as each cat is weighed. 

When I use to go to school with Audine, she had a list of "Must Do's" for her students. These were things that either had to be done daily or weekly for each child.

Here at the HSSET, the staff also have a "Must Do" list. The particular task shown here is a weekly activity. All of the animals are weighed weekly. There are several reasons for this:

• Checking the weight of the animals allow the staff to know if there has been any change in said animal. If there has been, it is something to be watched to insure the animal is not having other health issues.
• As noted earlier, part of the ‘intake’ process is giving the animals preventative medicines. They have 5 days of de-worming. Then, 10 days later the Vet Techs will do another round of 5 days. After that the shots are once a month. The amount of medicine given is based on their weight.
• Our local veterinarian uses the weight information as she also cares for the animals.
• Animal records are updated almost daily. Noting any changes of appetite, hair loss, sneezing, weight and other items that we, as pet owners, don't always know to watch. Just another one of those "Must Do's". 

While socializing and getting our furry friends ready for their forever families, there are many other tasks the staff at the Humane Society of Southeast Texas do to take care of the animals on a regular basis. Keep watch as we continue to our own education of behind the scenes of the HSSET. 

In the Presence of Greatness

Yep, I am here. I finally made it into the presence of greatness. Meet Stephanie. She was voted the employee of the month for April by her co-workers. In this picture I was learning about all the time she (and others) takes in processing and new family's adoption application. Let me tell you . . . it is not taken lightly. No wonder it is so difficult to chose just one employee of the month around the HSSET. There are just too many things everyone does to make it an easy decision.  Next time you are at the HSSET, look for Stephanie, she's either in the pound room or the front or helping a family select a new furry family member or cleaning one of the quarantine rooms or walking a dog, or talking on the phone to a potential family or helping another co-worker or helping . . . or helping . . . or helping . . .

Working Together

Our shelter manager, Carrie May, is not afraid to do whatever is necessary to get the job done! She consistently shows others how team work is a vital part of what makes it all happen at the HSSET.

A Note From Loopy - Doing My Part

The staff are really busy doing their daily chores as well as helping with the new groups and tours, showing around potential adoptive families and helping work with new volunteers. So, I decided to I would help with the paperwork involved in working with my bigger animal friends in shelter. 

Here I am at Brittany's desk in the back to begin the tasks. The only problem, I can't reach the desk. Hmmm... I am not sure what I was thinking. I can't even type my own blog! Geesh! Well, at least I can love... oh yes, as you can see, I am pretty good at letting others know what is going on behind the scenes. Stay tuned, I am sure I will have some new information coming this week just to help you all know why we do some of the things we do at the HSSET.

Forever Families Wanted

Have you met Cinnamon? Well my friends, it's too late. Cinnamon has a new forever family and will be going home in just a day or two. We are really excited for him. We had 4 adoptions today. Woohoo! There is a lot of work that goes into each adoption.

First our staff help the new family find the 'just right' match. After they make the match, then they begin the paperwork phase.

Next, the family completes the adoption application (some have already completed one via our website www.petsforpeople.org)

The staff begin the process of doing what is called a 'vet check'. This is where they call the family's vet and make sure any previous/current pets of the family have been well cared for as well as preventative care.

Sometimes landlords are called for permission. Sometimes we have to check out the family to make sure they are prepared to welcome a new family member into their home.

If all checks out... an appointment is made with the clinic to have our furry friend spayed or neutered and then it's time for the new family to go home together.

The whole process may take 2-3 days but our staff works to complete the task as quickly as possible so our new family can begin their new lives together.

Did you hear it??? That's the bell ringing again... another friend has been adopted!

The Reason We Open at 11am

Kenny and Theresa clean cat kennels one at a time. 

This cleaning process begins every morning at 8:00 am and the staff works straight through to 11am.The crew was hard at work this morning cleaning out the cat and dog kennels.



 Just imagine walking in and taking a big whiff of all these dirty cages... Phew... I can tell you. "It ain't a pretty smell!"  Of course, the staff will not let their special friends live in such conditions all day. It's not healthy.

Fresh rugs, blankets and/or towels are put in the bottom of every cats kennel.

 


 I took a walk today and I had to wear mask. I tried to sneak up on a couple of people but they heard the little click, click as I walked around.

All clean and ready for a new day!

  
I need my nails clipped... ahem... AUDINE... where are you? I NEED GROOMING. I'll check back later.



 First, I am off to find that wild woman, Audine, again. She sure does seem to hide when the camera comes out. Have you noticed that?
 
 "Yawn"... watching all of these people work so hard has made me tired. It's time for a nap ..."yawn" ...

I'm Hired!

It's official. I even have my own temporary name tag. Now, I am truly a part of the team!! Aren't you jealous??? Hello, this is the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, this is Loopy speaking, may I help you?