FROM REA CORD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HSEC
NOV. 16
Adoptions Under the Stars
Public · Hosted by Humane Society of Elmore County
Saturday at 9 AM – 8 PM
Humane Society of Elmore County
255 Central Plank Rd, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092
We sure hope you can stop by our Shelter this coming Saturday, 16 November, for our 4th Annual Adoptions Under the Stars! What is that you say? We will open at our normal 9 a.m. for adoptions but then we will be staying open for adoptions until 8 p.m.! And for approved adopters we will also have a board whereby they can uncover a potential free or reduced fee adoption or a special prize. And even if you are not looking to adopt right now, please stop by to check out our Shelter after dark as our staff will be decorating all week in preparation and would love to show off their work!
A reality of our times is that not only do us humans live longer, but our pets do as well. Just like us, our pets live longer as a result of better diets, exercise and medical care by their Veterinarian. But longer lives also lead to both people and pets with increased care requirements whether that be modified diets, more trips to the Vet for recurrent issues, or just more attention paid to the changes happening with an aging pet. Why bring this up? Increasingly we are seeing senior pets coming to us, and upon arrival they are in a very apparent state of neglect. We see terribly overgrown (and ingrown) nails, coats with missing hair from parasites or neglected medical issues, teeth severely in need of dental care and often extractions, ears that are infected and painful, and more. Of course, some of these are being knowingly neglected by their owner but since many come to us as strays we cannot say that in every case.
We think that more often, these pets have elderly owners who, in having their own issues such as reduced vision or limited means and ability to get around, simply are not realizing the issues their beloved pet is also having. They may not be able to trim their dog’s nails and, if they cannot drive, cannot get their pet to a Vet or Groomer. These owners may not comprehend that their pet is simply not eating as well as it used to because its teeth are painful. If a pet owner is also dealing with human dementia or Alzheimer’s, they may forget to feed their pet or also not realize that their pet has been missing for longer than a few hours while it is locked outside (or has escaped).
So we bring this up to ask that family and neighbor’s please also keep an eye out for the pets of those who may no longer be seeing the reality of their pet’s needs and health. They may need help with a ride to a Vet or even need the help of a mobile Vet to come to their house. Or they simply may need the help of checking to make sure they have dog/cat food and that the pet is being fed regularly. Helping a pet suffering from fleas is also helping the owner who may be being bitten by fleas in the house as well. So basically we are asking for everyone to look out for each other AND try to also look out for each other’s pets when there is a need for a bit more oversight. If you love animals this is not only helping the animal, but helping their human as well, and we can all use a lot more of helping each other these days.
