At the shelter

Please take extra care concerning your pets and the heat wave. We've recently heard of several house dogs who were let outside for a short period of time and had a heat stroke within 15 minutes. There have been some cases of dogs in pens dying of a heat stroke. It is a law there be shelter in the pen, such as a doghouse, but common sense dictates if the pen is not in the shade all day, there should be a tarp on top so the dog can escape the blazing sun. Also, like people, dogs suffer from sunburn. It is imperative animals have plenty of cool, fresh water, too. It goes without saying, never leave your pet unattended in a car. Even on a mild day at 73 degrees outside, an SUV can heat up to 100 degrees in 10 minutes and to 120 degrees in just 30 minutes. At 90 degrees outside, the interior of a vehicle can heat up to 160 degrees within several minutes. "Cracking the window to let air in does little to protect pets and children from the effects of heat buildup in a parked car," said Tennessee Highway Patrol Col. Mike Walker. Heat exhaustion can occur at temperatures above 90 degrees, and heat stroke can occur when temperatures rise above 105 degrees. Watch your pets closely, guard them as you would a young child. They are helpless and depend on you.

'Mama' and her five kittens are adorable and sweet as can be. 'Mama' and most of the kitties have blue eyes. 'Becky' has been at the shelter awhile and her time is growing short. She is a beautiful tortie and loves to be petted. Stop by The Pet Stop to see a selection of shelter cats and kittens. From Monday until noon on Friday, the shelter received 35 cats and kittens! That doesn't count Friday afternoon and Saturday. The shelter receives around 100 pets a week because people refuse to be responsible pet owners and spay or neuter. We do not see these numbers changing, only growing worse. One cat and its offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years and one dog and its offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in six years. (Source: ASPCA) Every cage and run is overflowing with beautiful, deserving pets whose lives depend on adoption. We do everything in our power to find these pets loving, safe homes by contacting rescue groups, writing this column, and an article that appears in a monthly paper. This writer takes around 300 pictures (three poses each) of shelter pets every week which appear on petfinder.com and also keeps the site updated. We've had nationwide response from petfinder.com readers and rescue groups. We do our part in holding down pet overpopulation by including spay or neuter in the modest adoption fee, if performed at either local vet clinic. Also included is first round of shots and worming. Please adopt a shelter pet and save a life today!

'Milly' is a cute Dachshund/Feist mix puppy and will be a small dog. She is a pretty buff color and loves to be held. She is also playful and would make a wonderful little family pet. Ancient Egyptian sculptures show a pharaoh seated with three short-legged dogs. The Dachshund's ancestors may date back to these dwarf dogs. The Smooth Standard is perhaps the oldest Dachshund, and was once used as a tracker. The international name of Dachshund, meaning badger dog, reflects this breed's original purpose. All Dachshunds are of hound origin. Today they are featured in earthdog trials and Dachshund field trials. They make wonderful companion dogs. Other names are Teckel (Miniature: Zwergteckel) and Normalschlag. It has an AKC ranking of 5. (Source: Fogle's The Encyclopedia of The Dog and Coile's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds) 'Patches' is a pretty little black-and-white feist. She is very sweet and affectionate and would make a perfect companion dog. Please give these and all of the shelter dogs a second chance at life. They are desperately seeking good homes. Their lives depend on it. Visit the shelter and meet them.

A big thanks to the local rescue groups in our area, which have saved many of our shelter pets' lives. Laura Hart's "Almost Home" rescue located at The Pet Stop has saved more than 250 local shelter pets' lives since Sept. 12, 2008. Jill Joyner's "One Step Closer to Home" rescue saves four-legged friends in the Western Tennessee area and acts as a sister to all larger rescues. Animal Care Hospital and PETcetera, located on St. John Extended, have teamed up with the shelter to raise awareness of the unlimited number of abandoned pets in need of loving homes. After the July 4 holiday, stop by PETcetera to view a canine ready for immediate adoption.

Why not adopt the shelter as a community service project? We are seeking animal lovers who are interested in volunteering at the shelter. The pets crave attention and some need socializing. All enjoy receiving treats and toys. The dogs enjoy walks and we have a fenced, grassy play area for dogs and puppies. We also have a visitation room. The shelter has other needs as well. Many times some of our shelter dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens must eat canned dog/puppy or cat/kitten food due to health reasons. We also appreciate dry dog and cat food, as well as regular litter, dog blankets, paper towels, cleaning and office supplies. Thank you for helping local homeless pets.

We depend on donations and fundraisers to help keep our doors open. Please consider honoring and remembering your loved ones by donating to the shelter. Don't forget to specify on your check which fund your tax-deductible gift should be directed. Categories are: General donations, The Beagley Fund (heartworm treatment), Save a Life Makeover (professional grooming), and Memorials. Please mail to the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society, P.O. Box 223, Dyersburg, TN 38025-0223.

The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday. The shelter is located at 1120 E. Court St. and phone number is 285-4889.