March 2017
Humanely Speaking
HSWCTN Newsletter




The 13th Annual Dogwood Cattails Ball will be held on March 25th at the Millennium Centre in Johnson City.  This is the largest fundraiser for the Humane Society of Washington County.  It's a wonderful evening that you and your furry four legged family member can spend together and help homeless animals too.   Read more....



Become a Faithful Friend
Become a Faithful Friend by joining our monthly giving program! Monthly giving is an easy way to help The Humane Society of Washington County  and gives us a consistent stream of support for the animals in our care and offering them a second chance.   Your monthly contribution will be automatically charged to your credit card at the same time each month until you cancel. A minimum $5 monthly contribution is required for participation in this life-saving program.




Confessions of a Foster Mom

I want to start off by letting everyone know that I wasn't supposed to take home and foster the husky that I am writing about.  I was at the humane society office finalizing an adoption for my current foster dog and sending him off with his new family.  Then, in walked "Memaw" and I fell in love.  Memaw was a 7-year-old red husky, full of life and just a sparkle in her eye.  I had asked if I could be her foster mom since I was there and my house was "empty" (I have 8 animals of my own but who's counting?). 

Fostering Saves Lives

Since the inception of our foster adoption programs in 2014 over 2700 animals have found forever homes.  Fostering is fun, flexible  and rewarding. You can make a difference for an animal in need.   

 

For more information about fostering for The Humane Society of Washington County, please click  the link below: 


 

 I Want to Learn More 


 

Or if you are ready to get started, click a link below to apply to become a Foster Home:


 

Cat Foster Home Application            Dog Foster Home Application 

Happy Tails
From This
Tiny Turtle was a skinny, flea covered, itchy scared boy when he came to us.  A few weeks of loving care in our foster program helped him grow his hair back and he found his perfect home with his new best friend, a kitty named Toast

To This
Today Turtle lives in a wonderful home with a cat named Toast and 4 other canine siblings.  He is the smallest member of his family but he isn't concerned in the least.  A lost little soul found his way home and all it took was a little bit of love and care.


Pets of the Month
Mila - 2 Year Old Pittie Mix
Mila is a sweet Pittie mix female, 2 years old. She is originally from Florida. She is house trained and crate trained. She loves children and grew up with a 2 year old boy. She has started playing with the other foster dogs at her house and seems to enjoy it. We are working on basic obedience commands and she is learning quickly. 

Mila was being given away for free on social media because her family was moving to a rental house that didn't allow pets. She was not spayed. We contacted her previous owner and informed her about our organization and she agreed to surrender Mila to us. When Mila went in to be spayed, the Vet discovered a huge Hernia that needed to be repaired as well. She is all healed up and ready for her new forever family.
Juniper- Loving Princess
Juniper is the sweetest black kitty who originally came into our program with a litter of kittens (including Perske). She has done her motherly duties and would now love a home of her own. She loves to lay on her foster in bed and get gentle ear scratches. She gets along well with other cats, dogs and kids. She is fully vetted. Is your home in need of this loving girl? 




SNIPS
Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Pet

By spaying or neutering your pet, you'll help control the pet homelessness crisis, which results in millions of healthy dogs and cats being euthanized in the United States each year simply because there aren't enough homes to go around. There are also medical and behavioral benefits to spaying (female pets) and neutering (male pets) your animals.

Here are some of the medical benefits:
  • Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
  • Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.
And behavioral benefits:
  • Your spayed female pet won't go into heat. While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently-sometimes all over the house!
  • Your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways escape from the house. Once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other male animals.
  • Your neutered male may be better behaved. Unneutered dogs and cats are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Your dog might be less likely to mount other dogs, people and inanimate objects after he's neutered. Some aggression problems may be avoided by early neutering.

Kip and Addie's Re-Tail Store
Kip and Addie's retail store is open.  We have Sticky Paws Treats that are made locally.  Gifts for a pet lover in your life, greeting cards T-Shirts, leashes, collars plus mores .  Our gift shop is located at 2101 W. Walnut Street, Johnson City.

Stop in or visit us online.  


Support While you Shop!
Kroger Community Rewards
Update:  Each year Kroger required that you updated your charity of choice.  Please visit their website and confirm The Humane Society of Washington County. Are you a faithful Kroger shopper?  Have you registered your Kroger Card with the Kroger Community Rewards program?  If you haven't, it is EASY - follow these simple steps!

  1. Visit this website
  2. Sign in to your online account or create an account.
  3. Scroll down until you find the orange "Enroll"
  4. Find The Humane Society of Washington County (#88662) and click Save!

Everytime you shop at Kroger's and use your Plus Card, a portion of your purchase will be donated to the Humane Society of Washington County.  If you have been enrolled for a year, don't forget to re-enroll on Kroger's website under your account. 

 

 

 

 

 

Imagine yourself sitting in an office and someone walks in with a dog that they can no longer care for.  This person is coming to you for help.  You see the sadness in the animals eyes as they look at their beloved owner  because "they know" something is wrong. The paperwork is completed, the owner leaves and the animal is sitting there looking lost and confused. You can almost hear them say "where are you going, why are you leaving me".  In many instances the dog will go to the door and sit, waiting for their owner to come back.  It's heartbreaking and how do you tell the dog, it's going to be ok?

One of our staff or a volunteer will immediately put their arms around that dog giving warmth, comfort and support.  We show them they are not alone and it will be ok. Many times they remain in our laps or sitting in an office in a fluffy bed or with a volunteer until their foster family arrives and then begin their new journey in life.

The are many reasons that individuals cannot care for their pets and we are never judgmental when an animal is surrendered to us. Many times the owner walks out the door sobbing and we are crying along with them, but they are comforted to know their pet will be well cared for and we will make sure that dog or cat finds the best home.  They made the right decision.

Now, I'm asking you, can you help?  Open up your home and  Foster  one of these lost souls. It costs you nothing but a piece of your heart. Bring them into your home and give them the love, promise and security they so need until the forever home of their dreams is found.



Sincerely,
 




 

Lucinda Grandy, President
The Humane Society of Washington County

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2101 W. Walnut Street, Johnson City, TN 37604 423.926.8533
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