Pet Adoptions

Springtime has always been a popular time to adopt a pet. The weather starts warming up, puppies and kittens are being born, and it just feels like a good time to adopt.

Before you adopt, compile a list of certain breeds or crosses that you fancy and do some research to find out more information about their traits, needs, etc.  For example, if one is interested in a Doberman Pinscher, one should be aware that they are loyal, smart, and protective and unlikely to show aggressive behavior towards their owners. I grew up with these wonderfully intelligent dogs. 

In addition, Basset Hounds are very friendly and great with children but can be vocal. Each breed has its problem areas, so just be aware of the possibilities.  Keep in mind that mixed breed dogs can share positive and negative traits of their mixed heritage.  I enjoy a wonderful friendship with my mixed breed Chow (plus who knows what), and he gets along wonderfully with our independent Scottish Terrier.

Cats make great pets and can provide hours of companionship and entertainment. The vast majority of kittens and cats out there are variants on the domestic shorthair.  Be sure that your household is suitable for a feline member and please keep the kitten indoors. Cats that venture outside are much more likely to be injured, lost, or killed.

If you so happen to be considering opening your home to a 4-legged addition, there are many places to find a puppy, kitten, or even an adult animal. There are so many loveable animals out there looking for a good home. A good place to start is our local St. Tammany Parish animal shelter.

St. Tammany Parish Animal Services is located in a brand new facility off Hwy 36 between Abita Springs and Hickory. They have an easy web site to use at petharbor.com at which you can search a list of pets available for adoption. You can also contact them at 985-809-0183 for more information.

Finally, if you do adopt a pet, be sure to have him or her examined by a veterinarian to make sure your new pet is healthy and properly vaccinated as well as on heartworm preventative and flea control. Your veterinarian can also review the basics of care and answer questions about housebreaking, socialization, and other issues to make sure you and your new pet start off on the right foot (or paw).

David Moores, DVM

Tchefuncte Animal Hospital

209 Hwy 21

Madisonville, LA 70447

985-845-7484

www.tchefuncteanimalhospital.com

Woofstock

As the harsh and bitter Louisiana winter fades to spring, every dog owner in St. Tammany Parish hears that tiny whisper in their head each time they receive a vet reminder in the mail, each time they have to go out and buy flea and tick preventative or heartworm preventative, each time they long to get out of the house with their pooch and mingle with others like themselves. And whether you are one who blasts “Who Let the Dogs Out” or simply hum along to Cat Stevens “I Love My Dog,” you know each time you’re singing along to those beloved dog tunes, one thought enters your mind when you’re in the throes of spring fever: “When, oh when, is WOOFSTOCK??”

That’s right folks it’s that time of year again. For those of you unfamiliar with Woofstock, it is a much anticipated annual event put on by your St. Tammany Humane Society with the central goal of providing low cost vaccinations for your crazy canines with discounted Frontline and Heartgard products. It not only provides a great service for those in need of low cost vaccinations and products, but also caters to all dog owners in and around the surrounding areas looking for a furry fun filled Sunday afternoon, replete with all the bells and whistles you would expect at our 21st annual Woofstock! The merriment will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 21st at the St. Peter School in Covington – showering all attendants with peace, love, and doggy poop!!!

So what’s different about Woofstock this year?? Woofstock turns 21 on the 21st!! In recognition and celebration of such a ‘Golden’ Event, there will be NO admission this year. Yes, FREE admission to St. Tammany’s favorite spring time festival! Join us in howling along to the music of Christian Serpas & Ghost Town and We3, enter our Doggie Contests, adopt one of hundreds of adoptable dogs on site, enjoy an alligator po-boy, or just kick back with a Miller beer (must be a legal beagle) while your dog enjoys a Frosty Paws ice cream. Something for everyone, except the family cat, can be found at our 21st annual Woofstock.

The best part of attending Woofstock… you’ll be helping orphaned dogs and cats just by eating, drinking and having a groovy time! Please don’t miss this “Golden” opportunity at this year’s 21st Woofstock on March 21st!

More information can be found at www.sthumane.org

Vaughn Maurice
Executive Director
St. Tammany Humane Society

Dental Health Month

February is National Pet Dental Health Month.  Dental disease is one of the most common problems seen in veterinary medicine. The American Veterinary Dental Society notes that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by three years of age. Oral disease is often indicated by bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face and mouth, depression or other clinical signs.

“Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets,” says Dr. Cook, president of the AVMA. “Twice-a-year checkups, including an oral health checkup, are important to ensure your pet is not in pain and is not suffering from serious oral health problems. Besides causing receding gums and tooth loss, bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream, infecting the heart, liver and kidneys, which can be potentially life threatening.

“Just as the public has come to realize that their own oral health is linked to their overall health, veterinarians want people to understand that dental health care is essential to maintaining the overall health and well-being of the family pet.”

So, take advantage of Dental Health Month by taking the first step and have your veterinarian perform a complete dental and physical examination on your pet. Your veterinarian will make recommendations concerning home care, nutrition, and, when necessary, dental procedures. Your veterinarian can remove tartar, apply protective coatings to the teeth, perform dental x-rays, and take other important steps to preserve oral health. An abundance of products exist ranging from chewable treats, to food, to even tooth-brushing that can help maintain your pet’s oral health. The veterinary clinic may stock some of these products.  Last, but not least, regular follow-ups are essential to ensure oral health.

The severe health issues associated with dental disease can be reduced or avoided by raising awareness of the problem.  As an informed pet owner, you will be able to identify common warning signs and take the appropriate steps to ward off the progress of the disease; thus saving your pet unnecessary discomfort and the illness caused by this silent health risk.

 David Moores, DVM

Tchefuncte Animal Hospital, LLC

209 Hwy 21

Madisonville, LA 70447

985-845-7484

www.tchefuncteanimalhospital.com

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED CATS

For a limited time only- until March 31, 2010- the St. Tammany Humane Society will be adopting out all cats 1 year and older for free! Come get a certified pre-owned cat for $0 down, 0% financing, and no payments ever. These “better than new” cats come in all makes and models ranging from American Bobtail cats to tabby to slimming black cats. They come with standard 4-paw drive and free microchipping. Not to mention, they come with our 100,000 purr warranty. That’s not all folks. These felines are equipped with the St. Tammany Humane Society’s certified, multi-point inspection which includes: spay/ neuter surgery, vaccinations, multi-point check-up, behavior evaluation, FIV/FLV test, and general grooming. With these great offers, how could you pass up a brand new friend? So come on down to the humane society on Harrison Ave. in Covington and pick up your new cat today!

* All makes and modles of St. Tammany Humane Society certified pre-owned cats were made in America.

Vaughn Maurice
Executive Director
St. Tammany Humane Society

BRRRRR-It’s cold outside!

With the temperatures dropping into the 20’s in our area, it is important to keep our pets safe and warm. Even though our pets come equipped with their own fur coats, freezing temperatures could make them extremely uncomfortable or threaten their lives.

Pets in our area are not accustomed to the extreme temperatures we have recently been experiencing. Here are some guidelines that I recommend:

If the temperature drops below 50 degrees F, bring all smaller pets in. If the temperature drops below 40 degrees F, bring all of the pets in. Any lengthy periods with temperatures below 32 degrees F could be deadly to many pets. If it is not possible to bring the pets into your house, make sure that there is an enclosed environment available to them, with plenty of warm bedding. Water that is not frozen should be available to them at all times.

Dog Flu Vaccination Special - only $20.10 in January 2010!

Canine influenza is a highly contagious virus that will infect virtually 100% of dogs who are exposed to it, unless they have previously contracted and recovered from the disease. About 80% of dogs that contract the virus will show mild signs including a cough that can last for 1 month. About 20% of dogs that become infected will develop severe disease that includes pneumonia and high fever. Complications can occur that can be fatal.

A new vaccine is available that can help protect your dog. Vaccinated dogs that are exposed to the influenza virus have less severe symptoms and a shorter duration of illness.

If your dog visits boarding kennels, doggie daycare, groomers, group dog training or encounters other dogs on daily walks, we strongly recommend vaccination in these cases.

Please call 985-892-PETS to schedule an appointment.

Vaughn Maurice
Executive Director
St. Tammany Humane Society
985-892-PETS

A Blue Heeler Christmas and a Yappy New Year

The Holiday Season is officially upon us, with Neil Diamond singing “Silver Bells” each time we turn on the radio, and T.V. commercials touting the necessities of the latest gadgets and toys on the market. Your mailbox is inundated with holiday mailings, solicitations for your holiday check going toward that needy cause, holiday sale papers, and the Christmas cards from your long lost Aunt Louise whom you only know….through Christmas cards.

And while you are hazarding the crowds, attempting to find the perfect Wii game for little Johnny, and wondering how pushing over an elderly lady in an narrow victory when acquiring the last of the 46” flat screens on sale has been woven into our Christmas tradition, there comes a moment (a sobering moment) when we stop and wonder at the inanity of it all. For behind all the lights and sales tags and haggling Christmas tree salesmen (did I get the perfect tree on the lot??) and drunkards in white beards collecting money for ambiguous causes and presents wrapped in pretty paper…….behind it all, there still remains the vague intuition of the reason for it all, and the realization that somewhere along the line we may have lost sight of it. Still remaining is the desire to regain the altruistic spirit that lies buried beneath all the glitz of the commercialized Christmas to which we’ve fallen victim. Whether you are celebrating the feast of Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or simply a pagan enjoying the scenery, you cannot dismiss the undeniable tug at your heart from some unknown deep well of humanity that seems to rise to the surface at this time of year- a reminder of our dependence on one another and the need for unity and benevolence.
This year, amidst the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, the St. Tammany Humane Society calls out to the animal lovers in our community to stop a moment. We ask that you take a moment out of the chaos of Christmas and listen to that still, tiny voice that begs you to recapture the true spirit of the season. Here at the humane society, we shelter dogs and cats of every size, hue, age, temperament – each with their own distinct shining personality that wins us over again and again each morning as we walk through the doors to face another day’s battle for their welfare and search for their perfect forever home and family. Some are with us for only a few days. Some have resided in their kennel for a period approaching two years (an unacceptably poignant fact that we struggle to eliminate).

The good news? You, lover of all creatures big and small, can help us to give our dogs and cats a very Merry Christmas this year. “How,” you may ask, “since I cannot possibly adopt another animal at this time?” That ‘moment’ that I spoke of earlier? I’d like you to take that moment’s reverie now and imagine the life of a long-time shelter dog. If there were any way to revive some sense of hope for these dogs (hope that we see diminishing with each passing week) that the world has not forever abandoned them to the confines of shelter life, we have faith that you will join us in restoring their oft-times shattered sense of canine-worth.

Foster a shelter dog this holiday season and experience this Christmas through a rare lens – through the eyes of a grateful holiday hound sorely in need of more than a little holiday cheer, sorely in need of more than the start of a new year in the same old kennel. Give in to that vacillating inner voice urging you to give more than just a fruit cake to the mail man in order to attain that joyous feeling of good-will that spurs us to sing “Silver Bells” along with Neil Diamond when no one is around. Give your heart and home, if only for a few treasured days, to a homeless shelter dog this year, brightening their doggy days more than you’d dare to imagine. Ride though the gates of our shelter in your shining white SUV this holiday season and rescue a doggy in distress. Rescue the abandoned and downtrodden Tiny Tims of the St. Tammany Humane Society and fill their stockings with extra love and affection, warmth, and a few extra doggy treats at a time when the spirit moves us more than any other time of the year. We are counting on the animal lovers of our community to give to our shelter dogs what we are, heartbreakingly, unable: A Merry Christmas and a Yappy New Year!
Do you hear what I hear? A hound, a hound….waiting for the sound. Of a family coming for me…

Of a family coming for me. Help the hounds this holiday season and take home a holiday foster from the St. Tammany Humane Society. And experience the joyous uncertainty of who the true beneficiary really is…..

Happy Holidays from STHS.

Vaughn R. Maurice
Executive Director
St. Tammany Humane Society

St. Tammany Humane Society $10,000 Cash Giveaway!

Help orphaned animals and receive an awesome chance of winning $10,000!

Only 200 tickets will be sold and one lucky winner will receive $10,000 cash!

When was the last time you stood at the counter of a convenient store in the throes of painful conflict: Should I give in to that nagging impulse and purchase that Powerball ticket??? The odds are slim, buuuuuut you never know.

And what are those mysterious odds? What are your actual chances of winning some “free money?” Allow me to enlighten you. Your chances of winning $100 from a Powerball ticket are 1 in 19,030. Your chances of winning $10,000 from Powerball are… drum roll…. 1 in 723,144! In the immortal words of Jim Carey, “So you’re saying there’s a chance……”

Well folks, we at the St. Tammany Humane Society present you with a chance to increase the odds dramatically while helping homeless dogs and cats. For $100, you can purchase a raffle ticket for the grand prize of $10,000. No more than 200 raffle tickets will be sold. What does this mean for you? Your odds of winning that $10,000 have just skyrocketed to an astounding 1 in 200! You have a greater chance of winning 10 grand than finding out your child is a genius (1 in 250). And we all know that your child is a genius. 

All proceeds from this raffle support the no-kill St. Tammany Humane Society. So purchase a raffle ticket now, as the supply is limited and will go quickly. With the odds on your side and the money helping the homeless dogs and cats, this is certainly one risk that is worth the gamble.
The drawing will be held at our fall fundraiser Unleashed! “A Night on the Catwalk” on November 14, 2009. A minimum of 100 tickets must be sold for the raffle to take place and no more than 200 tickets will be sold. The prize will be treated as taxable income for federal and state taxes. It is against federal law to mail raffle tickets. Purchase tickets at STHS, by phone at 985-892-7387 or online at www.sthumane.org (tickets ordered by phone or on the website will be scanned & sent to purchaser by e-mail copy only). The winner gives permission for STHS to announce their name along with a photograph in related publicity following the drawing.

Vaughn R. Maurice

Executive Director

St. Tammany Humane Society

vaughn@sthumane.org

Vaccinations—To vaccinate or not vaccinate and when?

Vaccinations—To vaccinate or not vaccinate and when?

One of the exciting things about the veterinary profession is that research and development is continually coming up with new and better ways to keep your pet (and consequently your family) healthy and safe.  Veterinary medicine changes so much that it takes a tremendous effort to keep up with new developments.  These changes allow us to offer improved care.  A specific area of recent change has to do with vaccinations.

Vaccines are important as they prevent many contagious diseases that are potentially fatal to your pet as well as some diseases that could be contagious to humans.  Recent research and development have produced some advancements in the vaccines veterinarians use.

In the past, most vaccines were administered on a yearly or biannual basis. While this is still true for some vaccines, other vaccines are now USDA licensed and labeled to be administered every 3 years. For example, there are canine and feline rabies vaccines and some others like the canine DAPP (distemper/adenovirus/parvovirus) vaccine that can be administered every 3 years instead of yearly. Of course, proper initial vaccination and boosters are needed and each individual patient is different, so a vaccination protocol that is tailored by your veterinarian to each individual pet’s needs is best.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) have updated vaccination data and each makes recommendations and discusses the benefits of modified vaccination schedules.  This information can be found online at their websites.

It’s very important to work with your veterinarian so that he or she can determine the appropriate vaccination schedule for your pet.  Great preventive care will result in a long and happy relationship with your companion animals.

David Moores, DVM

Tchefuncte Animal Hospital, LLC

209 Hwy 21

Madisonville, LA 70447

9859845-7484

www.tchefuncteanimalhospital.com

Save the Date - November 14th STHS Fundraiser

The St. Tammany Humane Society invites you to Unleashed! “A Night on the Catwalk” – a celebration of fashion, fun, and our furry feline friends!

The St. Tammany Humane Society is well known for catering to the canines year round: We invited you to join us in presenting your precious pups in years past at our annual Pooch Parade; to take advantage of music, fun, and cheap drugs at Woofstock; and to help our community in raising money for the future Pelican Bark Park at Yappy Hour each month. And though we love our rowdy “ruff”ians, STHS announces a brief curtain call for the canines and declares “a day of rest for the doggies.”

We all realize that felines aren’t known for being social creatures – but can the same be said for cat-loving bi-peds? It’s high time that we all join together in creating much-deserved and long-overdue fanfare for the felines! Cat-lovers are screeching and howling with excitement and feelings of vindication. St. Tammany Humane Society declares this the “Year of the Cat,” so let’s toast to the tomcat in all of us, let us flatter the fancy feline that resides just below our rough exteriors, let us commend the charismatic kitty in us that just loves a good time for a good cause!! Wondering what this event entails? We promise – curiosity will not kill these fat cats!

We formally invite you to flaunt your feline side at our upcoming festive feline fall fundraiser (don’t attempt saying aloud without the aid of spirits or a trained linguist): Unleashed! “A Night on the Catwalk.” The purrr-ific gala event will be held Saturday evening, November 14, 2009, at the Castine Center in Pelican Park in Mandeville. Catering will be provided by some of the area’s finest restaurants, such as Copeland’s and Zea Rotisserie & Grill. To ensure that you’ll grin like the Cheshire Cat, an open bar awaits. There will be a live runway fashion show with all the glitz and glamour provided by top boutiques and trendsetting shops (our featured Night on the Catwalk), with both live and silent auctions to follow (make sure you’re sitting in the catbird seat for our fashionable items). Live music will inspire you to dance like a cat on a hot tin roof, purrrrfect your stray cat strut, or just meow along to the sounds of Christian Serpas & Ghost Town and Bottoms Up!

Other featured guests include some of the Humane Society’s very own kitties who are the real reason behind this cat crusade. They not only brighten the room with their unmistakable feline aura, but also act as a tangible reminder of the prolific number of homeless cats and the dilemma of cat overpopulation that we struggle perpetually to remedy. And if you’re feeling especially altruistic, you can help alleviate this problem straight away by taking one of these sweet kitties home with you!

Tickets are only $50 per person general admission or $75 for the VIP patron party, and all proceeds benefit St. Tammany Humane Society’s programs to help the homeless, abused, or abandoned companion pets of the Northshore! So, whether you are a cat-lover, a pussycat patron, an advocate of all creatures big and small, or a supporter of STHS looking for a way to spice up one of your nine lives, please join us on the evening of November 14th for an event that promises to be “the cat’s meow!!” So save the date!

Vaughn R. Maurice

Executive Director

St. Tammany Humane Society

Hurricane Season Is Here Again – Disaster Preparedness

Hurricane Season Is Here Again – Disaster Preparedness              

Katrina, Rita, Gustav , and Ivan are names we are all familiar with.  In any type of disaster, not just hurricanes, one should take a look back and see what went right and what went wrong during the time of crisis so that we may learn from it and try to avoid repeat scenarios.  Since hurricane season is upon us once again, this is a good time to take a look back and prepare ourselves and pets for another season.

The biggest problem faced in Katrina was that people left with the expectation that they would be returning in a day or so when it actually took weeks or months before people could return home.   Another major problem was lack of adequate supplies and animal identification.   Proper housing and transport was another issue.  Looking back on those mistakes gives us an idea of how to prepare for the next time.

When possible, the most important thing you can do for your pets in the face of an impending disaster is to take them with you.   Take the time now to prepare a disaster plan so you can accomplish this.  The American Veterinary Medical Association has a valuable website at www.avma.org/disaster.   You can also stop by your veterinarian’s office and pick up a copy of Saving the Whole Family, which is the AVMA’s disaster guide publication.  The information found on the website and the guidebook will help you properly plan for a large scale evacuation with your pets and livestock.

In addition to the above information, please make sure that you have proof of ownership, your pets have proper identification, and are current on their vaccinations and that you have documentation from your veterinarian for proof of their vaccinations.   Medications, transport cages, food, and water are some other essential items you need.  A pet-friendly destination is also important to have in mind.

While it is still relatively early in what we certainly hope to be a quiet hurricane season, please do not forget your pets and livestock when making your preparations.   Please take the time now to avoid a disaster later.

David Moores, DVM

Tchefuncte Animal Hospital

209 Hwy 21 Madisonville, LA 70447

www.tchefuncteanimalhospital.com

985-845-7484