At the Shelter

Burrr ... it's cold outside! The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.

KEEP YOUR CAT INSIDE. Outdoors, they can freeze, become lost, stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies.

During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars and when the motor is started, they can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting.

NEVER LET YOUR DOG OFF THE LEASH on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm - dogs can lose their scent and become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than in any other season, so make sure your pet always wears ID tags/microchip.

For more cold weather tips as well as other important pet-safety tips, please visit www.aspca.org/petcare (Source: ASPCA).

#49832 is 'Sandy,' a pretty yellow lab-mix who is heartworm negative. When Sandy first arrived at the shelter, she was heartworm positive, but a caring person paid for her to have heartworm treatment so she would be adoptable. She would be a wonderful family/companion dog for anyone. She is loving and has a laid-back lab personality. #49843, 'Arnie,' is an adorable spaniel/terrier mix who is 7 weeks old. He loves people and wants to be where you are. He enjoys being held and cuddled. Arnie is starting to be playful and is as cute as a speckled pup! We have oodles of other wonderful canines, such as black and yellow labs, terriers with personality, small feist house dogs, and cute lab puppies. We receive around 100 pets a week and their lives depend on being adopted. Check us out on Dyerhumane.org or petfinder.com and type 38024 zip to see many of our pets. Better yet, visit the shelter.

Meet 'Mr. Billy G. Goat,' #17882. Billy is a black and white African Pygmy goat. The Pygmy goat originated in Africa and was imported to the U.S in the 1950s. 4-H members and many other people enjoy raising Pygmy goats because they are easy to handle, they are affectionate, cute, lovable and playful. Pygmy goats are raised primarily for show. They are herd animals and not happy unless they have a friend. It does not necessarily have to be another goat, but they do prefer them. (Source: goats4h.com)

#49911, 'Pork Chop,' is a pot-bellied pig who will charm you with intelligence and personality. Pot-bellies are quite trainable much the same as a dog (i.e. can be house trained, leash trained, and will learn a few tricks). They are affectionate, curious, playful, clean, generally quiet, odor free, and usually non-allergenic. Pigs are social animals and need a lot of attention and interaction. For people with appropriate expectations, a pot-bellied pig will make a rewarding, entertaining, and much loved pet. (Source: About.com/ExoticPets).

We have adorable kittens, some gorgeous longhaired felines and sweet shorthairs of every color, who are looking for homes with cat lovers. See a selection of shelter cats at The Pet Stop, located on Mall Boulevard, behind Walmart.

The Pet Stop's "Almost Home" rescue has saved over 360 shelter dogs since Sept. 12, 2008. Many of these dogs would have been euthanized due to lack of people to adopt them. Jill Joyner's "One Step Closer to Home" is a friend to the shelter, also. Jill rescues many of our pets who languish at the shelter because they are heartworm positive or other reasons. She also saves four-legged friends in the West Tennessee area and acts as a sister to all larger rescues.

'Santa Paws' will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Pet Stop. Photos are only $8 per pose and $5 for additional pictures of same pose. Bring your pets and children to have their pictures taken with Santa and help local homeless pets by supporting this fundraiser! We would love for you to volunteer at the shelter. Join us today and hand out treats and toys, walk dogs, bathe pets, socialize, or whatever way you would like to help, on your schedule. We always appreciate supplies such as dog blankets, canned food for special-needs cats and dogs, dry cat/dog food, bath towels, and regular litter.

A wonderful way to honor and remember your loved ones and beloved pets is by making a tax-deductible donation to the shelter. Specify how it should be directed. The Beagley Fund (heartworm treatment) is depleted and in need of replenishing. Heartworm-positive dogs face certain death without treatment. Other options are Save a Life Makeover (professional grooming), General Fund, and Memorials. Your donations help us keep our doors open. Please mail your donations to Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society, P.O. Box 223, Dyersburg, TN 38025-0223. Thank you for helping the animals!

The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society is located at 1120 E. Court and phone number is 285-4889. Shelter hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.