Heartworm cases are on the rise in our area. Women’s Humane Society veterinarians remind all pet owners to keep up with heartworm preventative treatment for their dogs. Heartworm is a potentially deadly parasite that is passed from animal to animal through the bite of a mosquito.
If you plan to adopt a new dog, ask for a heartworm test before proceeding with the adoption. Dogs adopted from shelters in southern states or dogs brought to northern shelters from southern states seem to be more likely to have heartworm.
Our veterinarians recommend that dogs have an initial heartworm test upon adoption and another test six months later.Because it takes six months for the larvae to mature into worms, the initial test may not detect heartworm, even if your dog has been infected. Heartworms invade your dog’s heart, damaging vessels, causing heart and lung disease and affecting the heart’s ability to pump blood.
If you have a new dog that hasn’t been tested or if you haven’t ordered heartworm preventative lately, be sure to visit our veterinary clinic. Keep in mind that your dog will need to have a heartworm test before preventative medication can be prescribed.
Cat Adoption Donation Reduced
in July and August
Cat adoption donation fees will be reduced at the Women’s Humane Society in July and August. During these months, the donation for a cat adoption will be $10 instead of $20.When two cats are adopted, the adoption donation for the second cat will also be $10. If the adopted cat is black, the adoption donation for that cat will be only $5.
“Our shelter overflows with cats during the summer months,” said Jim Gaynor, managing director.“We hope the reduction will encourage more cat adoptions.We have so many wonderful cats that would make good pets and deserve the chance for a lifelong home.”
In addition to the adoption donation, there is a spay/neuter fee of $55 for female cats and $45 for male cats for cats adopted from the Society.All cats over the age of four months are spayed or neutered before leaving the Society.There is also a $19 rabies shot fee if the animal is over three months old at the time of adoption.
Attention Bensalem Shoppers!
Redner's Warehouse Markets just opened a new store in Bensalem. This is good news for WHS and the animals we help, since many grocery chains have cut back on community fund-raising programs.
With Redner’s Save-A-Tape Program, we can earn 1% of the total on each receipt (minus certain items) for our cause. Each of our supporters will need to visit the Customer Service counter in a Redner’s Warehouse Market and sign up to receive a Save-A-Tape card (similar to a frequent shopper card). Scan the card at the beginning of your order and then send the receipts to us here at the Women’s Humane Society, PO Box 1470, Bensalem, PA 19020. We’ll save the receipts and redeem them when we have enough to collect a check. Brown's ShopRite, 2200 Bristol Road, Bensalem, also participates in the Save-A-Tape Program.
Redner’s Warehouse Market is located at 2506 Knights Road in the Bensalem Square Shopping Center. To learn more about the store, click here.
Help Stop Animal Crush Videos
Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-California) recently introduced a bill in Congress to stop the sale of animal crush videos. These videos depict torture, maiming and mutilation of kittens, puppies and small animals. The bill is needed because the Supreme Court struck down the existing Depiction of Animal Cruelty Act because it was too broad. With no law currently in place to stop crush videos, animals are at risk until Congress passes the new bill. Please contact your representative in Congress and ask him or her to support HR 5092.If you don’t know the name of your representative, click here.
Order a Verizon Product and Help the Women's Humane Society
Have you been thinking of switching to Verizon for telephone, Internet or TV services? If you call Verizon and provide our special code, we will receive up to a $65 donation for new product orders.
The offer applies to new qualifying residential orders for Verizon FIOS Internet or Verizon High Speed Internet, Verizon FIOS TV or DIRECTV, and Verizon Freedom Calling, Verizon Long Distance or an additional telephone line.
Give the Verizon representative code 50126 when you call. Pennsylvania and Delaware residents must call 1-888-345-7544 to take advantage of the fundraiser, while New Jersey residents must call 1-888-678-1384. The donation will only be made if new orders are placed by calling one of these numbers and will not be applied to orders placed online.
ARCH to Handle Haiti Animal Relief Efforts
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) recently formed the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH). ARCH was formed to allow all animal welfare organizations involved in relief efforts to work together to get aid to animals as quickly as possible.
The ARCH teams will be working out of a mobile clinic donated by the Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society. Operating funds will come from WSPA and IFAW. The clinic should be in place soon. It is being shipped to the Sociedad Dominicana Para la Proteccion de Animales in the Dominican Republic and will be driven across the border into Haiti.
In addition to providing medical care, ARCH will also provide food and water and vaccinate animals against rabies. The WSPA’s Animals in Disasters blog is following the relief effort for Haiti’s animals. Click here to read the blog.
Puppy Kindergarten Classes Begin in February
Puppy kindergarten classes will be offered at the Society on Saturday, February 6 at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Puppies eight weeks of age through four months may participate in the seven-week series of classes. Instructor Deb McCrossen says "Salt without pepper is like a dog without obedience classes!" If you have a new puppy, now is the time to start training. To register, call Deb at 215-437-1932. An obedience training class application can be downloaded by clicking here.
Stop by the Uno Chicago Grill Dough Raiser to be Held on November 1
Enjoy a delicious meal at Uno Chicago Grill at Neshaminy Mall on Sunday, November 1 and support the Society at the same time. We will receive up to 20 percent of of the restaurant's total sales that day when customers present the special Society flier when ordering. Click here to print your own copy of the flier (you'll need an Adobe Acrobat Reader). The flier can be used for both dine-in or take-out orders. Uno Chicago Grill is located at 801 Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem.
Canine Influenza Vaccine Now Available
The Society is now offering canine influenza vaccine injections in our veterinary clinic. Your dog will need 2 shots, given 2 weeks apart to be completely protected from canine influenza. Shots cost $24 each for a total cost of $48. There are also separate $25 examination fees for both the initial visit and the second visit.
Canine flu shots are also available when you adopt a dog. The first shot costs $20 and will be given to your new pet before it is released to you by the Adoptions Department. The second shot costs $17 and will be given during your adopted pet's free follow-up examination in our veterinary clinic.
Canine influenza is a contagious respiratory virus. Dogs affected with a mild case of the canine flu may develop a moist cough that lasts for 10 to 30 days. Some dogs will have a dry cough that may be mistaken for kennel cough. In some cases, a bacterial infection occurs with mild cases of the flu and can cause a thick nasal discharge.
Dogs that have the severe form of canine influenza may develop fevers between 104 to 106 degrees and may also develop pneumonia if a secondary bacterial infection occurs.
Canine influenza is a fairly new disease and very few dogs have developed any immunity to the virus. According to American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines, virtually all dogs exposed to the virus become infected and nearly 80 percent show clinic signs of the disease.
Veterinary Clinic Hours Extended
The Society has extended the hours in our veterinary clinic for your convenience. Operating hours have been extended by 1 hour on Wednesdays. In addition, the clinic will now be open all day, from morning to evening, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our reduced fee clinic is open to the public on a first-come first-serve basis for well and sick visits, routine shots and X-rays. Appointments are required for surgery, including spaying and neutering. You can reach the clinic at 215-750-5252.
Clinic Hours
Tuesday8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Saturday 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The clinic is closed on Sunday and Monday.
We Have Obedience Class Openings!
The Society is now accepting registrations for its popular obedience training classes. Classes are held at the Society on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, and on Saturday mornings. Obedience classes help dogs learn the rules of the human world. Because dogs are not born knowing what we expect from them, living with an untrained dog can be an exhausting and confusing experience, for both dog and owner.
Obedience classes teach owners how to communicate basic commands, such as sit, stay, leave it and come in a way that is fun for the dogs and the owners. "Lack of training is one of the most common reasons for giving an animal to a humane society," said Jim Gaynor, managing director. "Almost every dog, big and small, young or old, can learn basic commands. You can teach an old dog new tricks. In fact, some of the quickest learners are the older dogs."
The cost for a seven-week series of classes is $90. Some classes also hold an orientation session. Participants must bring a health certificate from their veterinarian stating that the dog is in good health, has had distemper, parvo and rabies shots and has not external or internal parasites. For more information about registering for obedience classes, call the Women's Humane Society at 215-750-3100.
Doggies in the Ruff
Our contracted trainer, Deb, has been with us for over 14 years. She has expanded her services beyond classes at the Women's Humane Society in a comprehensive support service called Doggies in the Ruff. She considers herself a canine trainer and human educator because both roles are important to success when owning a dog.
By calling Deb at 215-437-1932 you may get information on enrolling in Puppy Kindergarten classes that are forming at the Women's Humane Society in January of 2009 for those babies acquired over the holidays. We believe this is a critical opportunity to ensure that your puppy does not become a surrender and possibly euthanasia statistic if your last pet was when you were growing up or you thought all the responsibilities of pet ownership would come naturally. If that last puppy was just crazy and you are sure that this one will not be so crazy and nothing else has changed in your life or dog-owning strategies, don't risk another crazy puppy!
In addition to classes at our facility, trainers/educators at Doggies in the Ruff offer private sessions, pet sitting for both cats and dogs, pet walking and a phone consultation package. The puppy package includes a one hour consultation which will enable you to distinguish between normal puppy behavior and problematic behavior. Trainers will evaluate your household and make recommendations to prepare you for safety and function. Instructions will be provided on equipment, leashes and collars, and the safest teething products. Increasing your canine understanding and knowledge will enhance your relationship with your puppy.
The Doggies in the Ruff trainers/educators will evaluate and temperment test shelter dogs and structure a training program that is unique to you and your dog. They have "first hand" experience with "second hand" dogs and can assist you in reshaping the dog emotionally, mentally, and behaviorally.
For more information about their training philosophies and an application download, go to the Obedience Classes page on this website.
Holiday Adoption Highlights
For the past two years, some of the final adoptions before the winter holidays have been medium-large mixed breed, mostly black or black and white dogs that were over the age of four. Two of them had been pulled from a city shelter that does not have the space that we have to offer larger dogs. You may find more information about Sasher or Sash on our Happy Tails pages following his December of 2007 adoption. Both Zed (a 6-year-old border collie mix) and Mickey (a 5-year-old dalmation/border collie mix) were adopted out in December of 2008 after being homeless since September of 2008.
In the days that followed the resumption of adoptions, cats stole the feel-good adoption lime light of the day. Cats that had been with us since the first and second week of November were adopted in the two days after Christmas. The Saturday after New Year's; Joy (who had been with us since October 14, 2008) found her furever home.
The Women's Humane Society continues to place highly adoptable dogs (friendly, healthy, young dogs with good habits that may be purebreds and are not Chows, Pit Bulls, or Pit Bull mixes) almost as fast as we make them available. If the first applicant is denied, a second or third viable applicant follows. Small dogs continue to place without even being posted upon the internet. If you are affiliated with an overcrowded shelter up to two hours from our facility and are interested in establishing a dog pull relationship, please email us at whshelpline@aol.com. You may learn more about how we define adoptable on our page titled 'Giving Up an Animal.'
X-SITE Program Unveils New Signs, Publicizes Pet Abandonment Problem
State Representative Gene DiGirolamo and Bensalem Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo helped unveil one of ten signs designed to publicize the problem of pet abandonment. The signs, donated by Mayor DiGirolamo and designed by members of X-SITE (Extreme Service and Intergenerational Training Experience), will be placed in strategic locations in Bensalem where people have been known to abandon cats and other animals.
The signs are just one part of a feral cat prevention campaign that X-SITE members have developed under the leadership of Janice Mininberg, Director of Education at the Women’s Humane Society. “We have a small, but very devoted group of young people who have been amazingly dedicated to educating the public about the problem of animal abandonment,” she said.
In addition to the signs, X-SITE members are circulating a petition in support of Pennsylvania House Bill 499, which would increase the fine levied for cruelty and abandonment of animals. The Bill was introduced by Representative DiGirolamo. X-SITE members have also written a brochure, entitled “Abandonment is Illegal,” which will be distributed to post offices, animal shelters and libraries. T
he brochure will be printed courtesy of Representative DiGirolamo. X-SITE, sponsored by TODAY, Inc. and Building a Better Bensalem Together, provides opportunities for young people aged 13 — 15 to partner with adult mentors in training and community service programs. X-SITE members Ben Applegate, Sheldon Fogle, Jimmy Lamb and Nicole Rivera participated in the unveiling program. X-SITE member Tamarah Rago was unable to attend.
Paul Hartka, X-SITE Project Coordinator and former Society Pet Pals Club member, initiated the project with the Society. “The X-SITE members were so intrigued by Janice’s overview of the project that more than 50% of the members wanted to join the Animal Abandonment Prevention campaign,” he said.
