Humane Society of Elmore County News
After an almost spring like week, looks like winter is back in full force and we implore pet owners all over to please bring your pets inside. For those that must stay outside please make sure they have shelter and protection from the cold, wind and rain. Cold air is also very dry (just think of your chapped lips) and livestock and pets need more water than you think in the winter.
If the water for your outside pets/livestock is freezing/frozen that is easy to fix. Just go to your local feed store, pet store or on-line where you can get in-tank water heaters/heated water buckets pretty inexpensively. They do need to be plugged in (can run a long outdoor extension cord if need be) work great and are quite safe. This can save your muscles from hauling water and your pets/livestock will have clear fresh water no matter how low the temps go. Now the water ‘source’ like the stand-pipe/faucet can freeze and there is heat tape or even heated hoses but here in our area, generally, if your pets/livestock have a large tank of water that is kept from freezing, the daytime higher temps and sun will thaw out the hose/pipe/faucet so it can refill.
Just like us, animals also need shelter from wind & precipitation since wind chill affects animals just like it does us humans. A dog house (meaning solid sides, top and floor) needs to be located so the wind doesn’t blast straight into it and also sized for the dog so that the dog’s body heat can build inside to keep your pet even warmer. DRY bedding is essential so please check the bedding often to make sure it isn’t wet, or even missing. A wet blanket, or moldy pile of hay, or hard piece of plastic does nothing to help your pet deal with the cold so just don’t think because your dog has a plastic igloo that they can ‘handle’ this weather – if you think that, we suggest you try spending the night in that igloo yourself.
Please also take your pet’s age and health into account as young, healthy animals can handle inclement weather a lot better than older animals. An older horse might need to be blanketed in cold weather and an older dog with arthritis may need much thicker bedding to cushion aching joints and tired muscles. More frequent brushing to remove dead hair & dirt will also help your pet stay warm as a clean coat will provide better insulation against the weather. Yes, there are breeds more acclimated to cold weather and they might be loving this weather but far more of our southern pets are NOT used to this weather and need appropriate protection from the cold.
If you are worried about an animal that does not have appropriate shelter, is not being cared for, or seems to be a stray, please contact the appropriate Animal Control Officer so they can investigate. Those numbers listed for towns are for issues INSIDE that city limits, all others are considered ‘county’ and must be called to the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office. All are area code 334. Wetumpka: 567-5227; Millbrook: 285-6832; Tallassee: 283-6586; Eclectic: 541-2149; Elmore County Sheriff: 567-5227
Pet of the Week – Elliott
Elliott is a 3-4 year-old male Beagle/Terrier mix, 22 lbs who is great with other dogs, shy at first but then loves to run and play. He gets super excited for attention which is too cute as his whole-body wiggles and wags. After a bit of exercise, he settles down and loves to get and give love. Perfect size for most any family. Not so good with kitty cats though as he thinks they are fun to chase.
Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs & $50 for cats under one-year-old; cats over one-year-old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough, free health exam with your participating veterinarian.
To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL, 36092, go to our website at www.elmorehumane.org for more information, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377.
We are open for adoptions Mon-Fri 10-5 & Sat 9–4
www.elmorehumane.org
