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Marshall County Humane Society News

Responsibilities of being a pet owner

You’ve heard the expression, “It’s a dog’s life,” meaning the person is having a rough time. A puppy with its eyes barely open was brought to the clinic recently. It had been tossed in the ditch in front of Higher Ground, the Marshall County Humane Society’s adoption center. It was well-fed and clean; its mom had taken very good care of it, but her human decided not to keep the puppy. It was too young and had been without food for too long. That was that dog’s life.

According to the ASPCA the average dog lives for 10-15 years and a cat up to 20 years. Dogs like Trouble Helmsley with an inherited fortune and an entourage of caregivers are the exception. The vast majority are lucky to get fed on a regular basis.

All too often pets are put in the same category as ink pens and cigarette lighters: disposable. Higher Ground is full of the evidence of that attitude. We take in as many as we can and there are many, many private citizens who have taken in strays but our area is still notorious for having so many of them still out there.

The problem can only be solved at the individual level. Make sure you are ready for the responsibility before becoming a pet owner. A pet is not a pen or a lighter. If it is abandoned it will suffer.

By agreeing to become a pet owner a person agrees to be dependable and responsible for the health and well-being of a feeling creature. That means healthy food everyday; vet visits as needed; good shelter and protection from cars, teasing kids, aggressive animals and mean adults as well as the elements; discipline; training; socialization and lots of love. And, because they don’t know how to say “no” when nature calls, a pet owner is responsible for birth control. In short, you are adopting a new family member.

If you are ready, the Humane Society has a shelter full of animals just waiting for you. They are healthy, current on shots and already spayed or neutered. Call 662-564-2900 to meet them.

If you get your pet from another source and it is not already “fixed,” bring it to the Humane Society sponsored, low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinic. For an appointment call 662-252-6196.

For information on adoptions, fostering or anything but the Spay/Neuter Clinic call 662-564-2900. Correspondence and donations should be sent to the Marshall County Humane Society, P.O. Box 625, Holly Springs, MS 38635.

Get me out of here!

Buddy is tired of shelter life! He loves to run and play and needs a home of his own. He is an 18-pound love bug so call fast! To contact the Humane Society call 662-564-2900 or 901-212-6066 or www.petfinder.com.


Thursday, January 17, 2008
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