Adopt a Pet
Paws to Consider
Happy Tails
Search Our Pets
How You Can Help
Donate by Shopping
Volunteer
Community Partners
Wish List
Other Ways to Help
Special Thanks
News and Events
Photo Gallery
Programs & Services
Lost and Found
Vaccine & Microchip
Clinics
Spay & Neuter
Information
Other Resources
We have many wonderful pets here at the shelter waiting for their forever home. Some stories are so special they deserve a little extra thought to "pause and consider."
Paws to Consider… is your Dog Protected from Heartworm?
The old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. This is certainly true when it comes to preventing heartworm in dogs. We live in an area that has a large population of mosquitoes. Where there are mosquitoes there is heart worm disease in dogs as well as cats. Until recently, heartworm was only diagnosed in dogs. Veterinarians are now recognizing that cats, too, can become infected. The current approach to treatment varies between the species, however, and prevention is still more common for dogs than cats.
The only way an animal can become infected with heartworm disease is by being bitten by an infected mosquito. Once bitten, it takes about 7 months for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms. For dogs, the typical signs include a cough, decreased activity, and in advanced cases abnormal lung sounds. Initially there are no signs so it is very important to make sure your dog is tested before starting the preventative. It is not advisable to give heartworm preventative to a positive dog. Puppies under the age of 6 months can safely be given heartworm preventative without a heartworm test. Dogs over the age of 6 months should be tested initially and immediately started on heartworm preventative. Treatment of the disease is far more costly than the preventative not to mention that the treatment can often be hard on an animal. The HSLC encourages all dog owners to get their dogs tested and get them started on heartworm preventative right away.
There's no time like the present. The HSLC offers clinics several times each month at various locations. Please check our Event Calendar for exact locations, dates, and times.
Chance… Found the Love of His Life! |
The HSLC volunteers and staff noticed that Chance had started to become a bit harder to handle. It's no wonder… he'd been homeless for so long and desperately wanted and needed a family of his own. It was during this time that a small group of volunteers at the HSLC implemented a program to work with our in-house dog trainer to add additional physical and mental stimulation for those dogs whose temperaments or breeds demanded more. Chance was just one of the dogs that this group worked with to improve his quality of life while at our shelter and increase his chances for adoption. Then, finally the day came. Chance was going to be given his chance at a new life! A woma We are pleased to report that Chance continues to thrive in his new home. His adoptive family couldn't be happier. They hope others will read this story and be inspired to find an animal to adopt at the HSLC! You can read more about Chance in his new home on our Happy Tails page .>> And, we hope you'll keep in mind, this very special success story about Chance who had been waiting an extra long time to find his forever home! Here are just a few other special pets who have been waiting an extra long time to find you! |
Chance is a very special success story for the HSLC! He arrived at the shelter back in December of 2008 as a stray. Not much was known about his history at that time, but he seemed to be a friendly enough dog. Chance was temperament tested and, overall, did well, but his intimidating look, black color and the fact that he was a Pit Bull mix would likely hinder his chances of finding a home quickly. As the days went on, we all remained hopeful that Chances' forever home would come soon, but the days turned into weeks which turned into months. It seemed poor Chance was being overlooked for dogs that were traditionally thought of as family pets, the Labs and Beagles and smaller mixes. 
n walked into the shelter and browsed the dogs available for adoption. When she expressed interest in Chance we were all elated, but also apprehensive. You see, she already had a senior dog at home and there were some dogs that Chance just would not accept. With her approved application and her eagerness to adopt Chance, we knew we had to do whatever was necessary to make this a success! Chance met his future “brother” a couple of times in a controlled situation before the final decision to adopt was made. Chance seemed to respect his “older brother” and maybe knew that he'd better be on his best behavior in order to be adopted! Well, Chance made a very favorable impression as expressed by his new adoptive owner: "When interacting with Chance it was apparent that he is intelligent, friendly, social, quick to pick up new information and devoted to the individuals who interacted with him on a daily basis." |
||
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Now Find the Love of Your Life! 
Stop by the shelter or click here to view all of our pets on PetFinder >>
Black Jack
Black Jack's owner moved up to Michigan after losing her home down south. She brought wi
th her an autistic daughter plus two dogs one of which was Black Jack. They'd been staying in a motel but they would no longer allow Black Jack to stay. You see, his mange had gotten so bad that his skin had developed small pockets of infection not to mention that he looked very unsightly. The motel was concerned that if potential guests caught sight of Black Jack that they may lose business. Black Jack had to go.
When Black Jack arrived at the HSLC shelter we knew we had to take him in. If he'd been refused and had to go to an animal control facility he surely would have been destroyed. Black Jack didn't seem to be any worse for the wear and was an exuberant and playful young dog! Taking Black Jack in would mean a lengthy stay at the shelter to treat his mange plus he would need to be neutered and up to date on his vaccines. Black Jack's mange is the type that is not contagious to other animals or to people. It is called Demodectic Mange. Treatment can vary based on resources available and also the severity of the mange. Because Black Jack's case is rather extreme, we started his treatment right away. Almost immediately, we saw improvement in the infections and the overall appearance of Black Jack's skin. Relief was on the way for this poor dog who'd likely suffered from being uncomfortable for quite some time.
Although it will take weeks and maybe months for Black Jack's fur to grow back and his skin to completely heal, we know that he will be grateful to have been taken in by the HSLC and given a chance at finding his forever home.
At almost a year old, Black Jack currently weighs about 70 lbs and may get close to 90 lbs when fully grown. He is a Black Lab & Shepherd mix. Black Jack is an example of how HSLC goes above and beyond for a pet. Sadly, at other animal organizations a dog like Black Jack would have been euthanized. To make a donation to help care for Black Jack and others, please donate now using PayPal.
Leaf
Leaf, named because he had to be resuced from a commercial leaf blower. He was rescued by a local vet clinic who had to take apart the mechanics of the blower just to get him out! Leaf was probably a stray that showed up at the barn and was trying to keep warm inside the blower. He is afraid still but has recovered from his incidient and is looking for his forever home.
Kitten Season - We Need Foster Homes
Each spring we receive an influx of kittens who not only need homes but need nurturing in foster care before they can be adopted. For many, spring offers a hopeful spirit and a chance for new beginnings; the grass which lay dormant during the winter months starts to show signs by turning from brown to green; a colorful tulip bulb emerges through what's left of winter's snow; those birds who migrated to warmer climates appear suddenly almost as if they had never left. For those in animal rescue, however, spring often leads to less-hopeful thoughts.
"Kitten season" begins as soon as the first signs of spring are revealed. This marks the time of year when cats give birth, resulting in unwanted litters too large to even enumerate. "Kitten season" starts in spring, peaks in late spring or early summer, and ends in fall. Rescue groups who take in cats and kittens prepare as best they can for the homeless felines who'll enter through their doors.
According to statistics, a fertile cat can produce 3 litters in one year's time. In each litter, an average number of 4 to 6 kittens are born. This means that one female can produce 12 to 18 kittens per year. In seven years then, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats! In every community, there is an over-abundance of unsterilized cats mating. The easiest way to help reduce the disturbing number of unwanted cats is to spay and neuter your own animals and encourage others to do the same.
The HSLC is currently looking for experienced, compassionate, caring, dedicated individuals to foster for us.
Our biggest need for foster homes is for kittens/cats that are ill or otherwise unable to stay at the shelter. For instance, orphan kittens, nursing moms with babies, or any kitten under the age of 8 weeks are too small to be in a shelter environment. Usually, healthy adult animals do not need to be fostered but, at times, it does become necessary to look for a temporary alternative to a shelter environment.
The HSLC will provide the necessary supplies needed to care for the animals; all you provide is your home, time and lots of TLC!
If you are interested in fostering for the HSLC, please contact Sarah at sarah@humane-livingston.org for more information.
Last Updated02/28/10
