Long Timers, Time Limits and a Common Question

One of the most common questions we're asked here at the Central Missouri Humane Society is, "How long do you keep an animal before...well...you know...?"
And the answer is, "As long as it takes!"

The Central Missouri Humane Society is an open door shelter, meaning any animal, no matter what age, breed, condition, or even species is welcome. In the past, this has included thousands of dogs and cats, the occasional pig, chicken and goat, and even snakes, raccoons and an alligator! Because we are an open door shelter, however, we sometimes receive more animals than we are able to care for. Sadly, this does mean we euthanize some animals. But it is never based on how long an animal has been in our care. Rather, we consider each individual animal - their health, their temperament, and their ability to handle the highly stressful environment that is life in an animal shelter.

Depending on their age or breed, some animals are adopted within days of being relinquished. Others take a while to find their perfect home. One of the longest residents in recent memory was Simba, an orange tabby who came in as a kitten, but missed getting adopted as a cuddly youngster. 16 months later Simba finally got his 'fur'-ever family! The staff and volunteers who cared for Simba were sad to see him leave, but excited for his new future.

Though staff and volunteers get to know and love our long-time residents like Simba, all animals deserve a family to call their own. Throughout February, in honor of the month of love, we will highlight a new dog and cat each week that has been at CMHS for months, and is looking for a family to love them! Additionally, we'll be blogging about their day-to-day life here at the shelter, and how you can help make the stay of any animal a little more comfortable. Email staff@cmhspets.org if you are interested in one of these great pets!


Meet Kit Kat! This gorgeous black and white girl has been a resident of CMHS since August 23, 2010! As an adult cat, she is pretty low-maintenance. She is excellent at using her litter box, and is content to entertain herself with toys or naps. She currently resides in our cat colony room, and gets along great with other cats. Her hobbies include bird watching from the window seat, and keeping tabs on the staff and volunteers at CMHS from the top of the climbing tree in the colony.



With her distinguished white muzzle, Sage got her name for looking like a wise old sage. Sage has been looking for a new family since October 22, 2010. At four years old, this terrier mix's temperament is a sweet as her smile! She is a docile dog who gets along well with other calm dogs and children. Her foster home reports that she gets along a little too well with cats! She doesn't chase, bit or bark at them, but she sniffs at them, keeps a watchful eye, and is prone to following them everywhere! This is far more entertaining for her than for the cats! Beyond that, she is a fantastic pet- house trained, crate trained, walks wonderfully on a leash, and loves to snuggle up to her humans.

New Year's Resolutions for You and Your Pet

Happy New Year!

Its the time of year when folks are looking ahead at the year to come and resolving to make positive changes for the future. While you're considering resolutions for yourself, also consider making a resolution or two for your pet! May we suggest:


Spaying or Neutering
Did you know that over 2,000 animals brought in to CMHS in 2010 were puppies or kittens born of owned animals? Make a resolution for this to be the year you spay or neuter your pet! Not only will it prevent reproductive cancers and other health issues, it will also prevent unwanted litters from ending up in animal shelters. You may think just the five or six puppies or kittens your pet has in her latest litter won't make that much difference. Unfortunately, CMHS sees that by the thousands each year! Please do your part to reduce the overpopulation of pets - contact your vet to schedule a surgery, or contact CMHS to see if you qualify for our low-cost surgeries. Whichever route you choose, know that the upfront cost of a spay/neuter surgery is less money than feeding and vaccinating a litter of puppies for six months!


A Regular Exercise Routine
If you're a dog owner, this is a great resolution for both you and your pet. As our lives get busier, it's much more efficient to let the dog out in the backyard while you get ready for the day, and again when you get home and are preparing dinner. However, when left to their own devices, dogs may not get all the exercise they need to remain healthy.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has partnered with Hill's Science Diet to help owners recognize and combat obesiety in pets. Dr. Christine Jenkins of Hill's Academic Affiars notes, ""Pet obesity continues to be a condition more veterinary health care teams find during pet examinations, and there is a need to help owners understand the ramifications." The biggest issue of overweight pets are major health concerns like diabetes and joint concerns. Dr. W. Ron DeHaven, AVMA executive vice president, notes that "Obesity-related diseases are robbing beloved pets of both length and quality of life."

Keep both you and your dog healthy with daily walks - even 15-20 minutes per day will make a difference in the health of you both! Additionally, be sure you're not over-feeding your pet, as that will pack on pounds as well.

For your cat, consider treat-dispensing toys that require activity to work, or dividing up daily food into seperate bowls placed around the house to inspire movement. Regular playtime with wand toys will encourage jumping, while balls and other moving toys will encourage pouncing and running.

May 2011 be a year of health and happiness for you and your pets!

Happy Holidays from CMHS!

The holidays are a great time to reflect on the year gone by, and anticipate what the coming year will bring. CMHS has had a very eventful 2010, and we couldn't have done it without the help of our wonderful staff, volunteers and supporters!

ZooToo
We did it! On May 11, 2010, we broke ground on our ZooToo Shelter Makeover Contest renovations. Our adoptable animal area went from bare concrete and chain link area quite prone to drafts to the beautiful place it is today! New cage fronts on the dog kennels, new epoxy coating on the floors, a brand new air handling system, a fantastically expanded cat room and more were all made possible by the amazing support CMHS got from the community!
A huge thank you to Mid City Lumber for allowing us to invade their old warehouse all summer long until we moved back into our renovated facility in August!

Good Samaritans
Nearly every day, folks in the community stop their cars in busy intersections or pull over on the highway to rescue a dog running loose. Bringing them to CMHS gives their family a chance to look for them - or, if they don't have a family of their own, they have a chance to find a wonderful new family! We are continually amazed at the generosity of people when they find an animal that has lost its way.

Adoptions
Each year, we adopt thousands of animals into great homes. This year was no different! Our newly renovated lobby hosts two "Happy Tails" bulletin boards featuring animals with their new families. If you adopted a CMHS alum, please stop by with a picture - we love to show off our former residents!

Volunteers
We couldn't do it without you! From manning tables at special events and serving spagetti at our First-Annual Spay-getti Dinner, to running some energy off our dogs or snuggling with our cats, you were, as always, an amazing part of what we do. Thank you for all of your help and support!

May you have a wonderful Christmas, a very happy New Year, and may 2011 bring you joy. Thank you for a wonderful year!

Holidays with Your Pet (Part II: Home for the Holidays)

If you're hosting for the holidays this year, you already have a lot on your plate - grocery shopping, cooking, baking, preparing guest rooms, decorating, gift wrapping, and more! Its no wonder that in the midst of all you need to get done, your pets may not be your primary concern. Here are some tips to consider to keep your pets safe as your home fills with friends and family:

Guests arriving and bringing in suitcases and gifts means the door will open and close frequently. Before guests arrive, secure your pet in their crate or a room with a closed door to ensure they won't be tempted to escape while the door is open.

Once guests are settled in, introduce your pet to new faces and smells carefully. If your male pet has not yet been neutered, he may be tempted to claim new items like purses or suitcases by marking them. If your pet is excitable, he may jump up on new people to greet them. Avoid these situations by storing guests' items in bedrooms or coat closets with the door closed, and correcting your dog with a firm "Off" or "Down" if he tries to jump.

During your holiday meal, you may want to keep your dog in her crate or your cat in a separate room. Well-meaning relatives who sneak table scraps to your pet can do serious damage - fatty foods like gravy and turkey skin can cause everything from mild stomach upset resulting in diarhea, to pancratitis, resulting in vomiting, dehydration and possibly hospitalization. Sweet alcoholic drinks like eggnog are tempting to pets but can cause alcohol poisoning, which may be fatal. Chocolate, coffee and other baked goods may contain xanthines, causing nervous system or urinary system damage. Its best to keep your pet on his regular diet through the holiday, or treat him with holiday inspired pet foods or treats that are safe for him to eat.

Your overnight guests likely know you have pets, and have probably let you know if they have allergies. Ensure their comfort by creating a pet-free zone in their room. If your pet lounges on the guest bed normally, begin keeping them out of this room a week or so before your guests arrive. Wash all bedding, including comforters and pillow shams, after this room is off limits to pets. Remind your guests to close their door at night to keep your pet from visiting them in the night.

In addition to a pet-free zone for your guests, ensure your pet has a people-free zone as well. The excitement of visitors and action will wear on your pet, so providing them with a secure and familiar place to relax will keep them from becoming too stressed. For most dogs, this can be their crate - though you may want to move the crate to a quiet corner away from noise. Be sure your guests know that if your dog heads to his crate, to leave him alone. Cats may want a high perch on a shelf to keep an eye on the action from a distance, or a bed or shelf to crawl under for some peace and quiet.

A great stress reliever for both you and your pet while hosting the holidays is a nice long walk - if you need to get away from the excitement, odds are, your pet does too. This exercise in the peace and quiet of the outdoors may be just what you both need to recharge and keep your holiday spirit intact!

Handling Pets as Gifts

As Christmas gets closer, CMHS gets a number of adopters looking to welcome a new pet into their family as a gift for their child or loved one. While we are always glad to help families adopt a new member, there are a few things to consider before giving that gift at Christmas:

A Busy and Stressful Time of Year
Often, the holidays involve either travel or visitors, both of which can be stressful for the humans. Bringing a pet into your home at this time not only adds additional stress for the humans, it is also extremely stressful for the animal! A house full of visitors may be overwhelming for a pet in transition, and traveling from house to house will cause confusion. Additionally, getting your new pet on a schedule is extremely important for house training. Bringing your pet home when you're able to keep to your normal routine is best.

Holiday Dangers
There are a number of holiday staples that can be dangerous to pets. Chocolate treats, poinsettia plants, tinsel, and even the chords of Christmas lights can be mistaken for food or chew toys to a new puppy or kitten. In all the excitement of gift opening and entertaining, it can be difficult to monitor exactly where your new pet is and what they may be eating!

Selecting Your Pet
When adopting as a gift for a child or loved one, the animal you think they may like may not be their ideal pet. The type of animal they want and are able to take responsibility for is one that should be discussed as a family - it is important to decide who will be responsible for feeding, exercising and cleaning up after the pet before the animal comes into your home. Additionally, most children coming into CMHS love the opportunity to select exactly which animal they want to take home. It also minimizes the chance that you will have to return the animal if every family member is on board with the decision.

If your child truly wants a pet for Christmas, there are ways to minimize the stress to you and the animal, and make sure the transition from shelter life to your home goes smoothly:

• CMHS provides gift certificates for adoption. You are able to come in, fill out an application and be fully approved before the holiday, then provide your child with a certificate to adopt. You can then bring your family in to the shelter to select a pet once the hustle and bustle of the holidays has passed.
• You can prepare your child for pet ownership by purchasing supplies for your pet as their gift. Unwrapping a leash and collar won't be quite as exciting as receiving the actual pet, but it will let them know that they are able to go pick out their dog or cat very soon! You can also include books on dog or cat care, treats, toys, etc. to wrap and set under the tree
• CMHS is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but coming right as we open on Monday will allow your child to select a pet and spend some time with him or her before going back to school the following week! This will give your family a chance to establish a schedule and routine for the pet to follow so everyone is on board by the time school begins again.

If your family prepares well, you can bring a pet home this time of year. Please contact CMHS if you have any questions about making a successful transition!

Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful!

It's that time of year again, when the thermometer dips below freezing and we're all grateful for the warmth of the heated indoors.
Now is also the time to consider the comfort level of your pets, especially if they are kept outdoors much or all of the time. Most people have concerns about bringing outdoor pets inside, so here are a number of tips to smooth the transition, and the benefits of indoor pets:

Dogs
Outdoor dogs may have started out as indoor dogs, but were put out in the yard for behavior issues. Unfortunately, those behaviors are likely to get worse outside, rather than better!

• Dogs that don't receive regular feeback from their owners become unaware that any behavior of theirs is wrong. Additionally, without regular contact with their owners, they may lose the desire to please humans. So, they bark, dig, chew, jump and more because it keeps them busy, expends energy, and they never learn not to! With proper training, however, dogs can quickly learn which behaviors are acceptable and are able to come back inside to the comfort of indoor life.
• Keeping your dog's food bowls outside may invite more hungry critters than just your dog! Depending on where you live, skunks, possums, racoons and other wildlife may learn to expect a meal from your yard. In addition to the diseases they may expose your pet to, they may also be keeping your pet from getting the nutrition he needs! Feeding indoors ensures that only your dog is getting his food!
• If you don't have a fence, and instead tie your dog outside, she may be injured or even killed if she becomes tangled in her lead. The collar may choke her or the tie could wrap around a leg.
• The first step in bringing your outdoor dog inside is to invest in a sturdy crate. This will become a safe place for your pet to spend time while you're out of the house, and is a great way to begin housetraining your dog. Den creatures by nature, dogs that are confined will try not to soil in their 'den' - instead waiting until they can go outside. Crating your dog at least until he gets used to your day-to-day schedule is the best way to introduce and reinforce house training habits. You will also want to make the investment into obedience training. This will teach your dog basic commands, leash manners, and more.

Particularly as the weather gets colder, indoors is the safest place for your dog. With the right preperation, it is not as daunting a task as it may initially seem!

Cats
Because most communities don't have leash laws that apply to pets, most neighborhoods have at least a cat or two roaming around, and many homes may leave a bowl of food or water out for the neighborhood cat. If you are able to bring this cat into your home, her chances of making it through the winter are much better!

• Many outdoor cats bed down in shrubs and bushes for warmth. In winter, those shrubs and bushes may be little more than cold sticks, offering little shelter. Additionally, the small animals or rodents they kill for food may be more difficult to come by as all animals seek warm spots and spend less time running around.
• When you bring the cat inside, you will first want to work on litter box training. Because he is used to going outside, the two-box method will be best to start. Place a litter box near the door you brought the cat into, and another where you'd like the box to finally be. The cat's natural instict to dig and bury waste should lead her to the litter box, but you may want to cover any potted plants with aluminum foil to deter their desire to dig in the dirt, as they may have done outdoors. As she uses the box, move it a few inches a day toward the other box, until she is comfortably using just one box.
• Because your cat is used to having to hunt for his food, he'll need lots of stimulating toys to keep him out of trouble. Treat-dispensing toys or puzzle toys are great to give him the thrill of the hunt! You may also want to invest in window perches to allow him to keep an eye on the neighborhood!
• You will also want to train your cat to use scratching posts and other approved surfaces. Talk to your vet, or even stop by CMHS if you are interested in learning how to trim your cat's nails and other alternatives to declawing. Particularly if you are giving your cat outdoor access once the weather improves, you'll want to avoid declawing!

A cat in an indoor environment will enjoy a longer, healthier life than if she were left outside, and with the right transition, you will enjoy it as much as she will!

Holidays with Your Pet (Part I: Travel)

The holiday season is upon us! As many of you hit the road or the skies to visit loved ones, here are some things to remember if you're bringing your furry friend with you:

Hitting the road?

• Keep your pet secure in a crate or in a fitted harness that attaches to the seatbelt. This will prevent him from losing his balance during sudden stops or starts and around corners. The crate should be large enough for him to stand up and turn around in. Both crates and car-ready harnesses are readily available at major discount stores and pet stores.
• Feed your pet about 3 or 4 hours before hitting the road, to ensure she can digest a bit and won't become carsick. If it's a particularly long journey, offer your pet food at a rest stop or gas station when the car is not in motion to ensure she's able to eat comfortably.
• Plan for emergencies! In addition to his regular collar and tags, include a travel tag with information on where you're staying and a cell phone or local number where you can be reached. If he's not already, consider getting your pet microchipped as an extra method of identification. Also, bring a copy of your pet's vaccination records, in case your animal gets loose and is picked up by local animal control - they may need proof of a rabies vaccination before he can be returned to you!
• It should go without saying, but never leave your pet alone in the car for anything longer than a quick bathroom break! In the winter, the car can act as a refridgerator, trapping and holding cold air, potentially giving your animal frostbite or worse!

Travelling by air?

• Schedule a visit to your vet in the week before you leave. Most airlines require a clean bill of health and vaccination records before your pet is allowed to fly. At this vet visit, you can also discuss whether its safe to tranquilize your pet. While tranquilizing can affect your pet's breathing and has it's own risks, for some pets the benefits of being calm during the stress of air travel outweigh the risks associated with medication.
• Book a direct flight if possible. This will eliminate the chance that you and your pet become separated during travel due to delays or missed connections. Carry a photo of your pet with you when you travel, and let airline staff both at check-in and on the plane know you're travelling with your pet so they are able to keep you informed.
• Check with your airline to verify documentation and procedures for travelling with your pet. Some smaller pets may be allowed to ride under the seat in the cabin; most will ride in the pressurized cargo cabin. Ensure that the crate you have for your pet is approved by the USDA for air travel - the store you purchase your crate from should be able to tell you.
• In addition to the collar and tags your pet will wear during travel, ensure you have your contact information and travel information attached to the crate. You may also want to attach a photo of your pet, on the slim chance she may escape her crate during travel - airline staff will be able to identify her and return her to the proper crate.