News from the Humane Society of Elmore County | News

Humane Society of Elmore County News – 3 Dec ‘12

Rea Cord

Director

It was a super PETsMART Santa/Pet photos weekend in Prattville with great photo memories and adoptions.  If you missed out, don’t worry as we will be at the Montgomery PetSmart on Sat & Sun, 15 & 16 Dec, 11 am until 4 pm and we will also have dogs and puppies looking for new homes.  If you can volunteer as a Santa (we have the suit), helper, photographer or to help with adoptions on either day, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Charline Pope, at 334-202-1381 or popecharlie58@yahoo.com.

The end of every year brings a lot of anticipation and activity for us humans as we start with Thanksgiving feasts, pull out Christmas decorations, have (football) parties with family and friends that culminate with even more parties and fireworks to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another.   We anticipate all the great events and plan for busy & active schedules.  But is this how our pets view this time of year? 

One key difference between our pets and us is that we are able to understand and anticipate future events while our pets live in the moment.  So think of how the busy holidays may seem to your pet – they have been used to your family routines and schedules and now have to cope with weeks of increased activities (guests or parties perhaps); changes in the household (Christmas tree and decorations); lots of extra treats (leftovers or visitors who give treats); and oh, let’s not forget the time change! 

Why does this matter?  If your pet seems a bit ‘off’ this time of year it just could be that it is in overload dealing with all the activity and changes to normal routines.  To help your pet cope try to keep feeding and exercise schedules as near to normal as possible.  Watch for overfeeding, especially of rich leftovers that can make your pet sick as no one wants to make an emergency trip to your veterinarian on Christmas day (in all seriousness – overeating rich human foods can be life threatening to your pet).  Exercise is good for both man and beast so a nice walk, especially after a big meal, can keep you & your dog happy and healthy!  If your dog or cat is stressed from too many strangers or children in the house, then move them, their food/water (and litter box) to one room and keep the door closed until everyone has left.  This can also prevent a pet from becoming scared and escaping as people arrive and leave during a busy gathering. 

And if your holiday schedule includes travel away from home we hope you have already made boarding or pet sitting plans for your pet so they will be safe and well cared for while you are gone. Knowing your pet is well taken care of while you are vacationing can also help you enjoy your trip that much more.

We hope all pets and their owners alike enjoy the upcoming holiday season and also ask that you remind others to consider a shelter pet as a new best friend so that pet won’t have to spend Christmas in a shelter.  For information on our shelter and pets, just go to www.elmorehumane.org or call us at 334-567-3377.    

Source:  Humane Society of Elmore County