5th Annual Lake Palestine Palooza May 26th

Humane Society of East Texas warns that the extreme heat during the summer months poses a deadly threat to animals.

Humane Society Executive Director Gayle Helms warns that with the arrival of warmer weather, your pets will undoubtedly want to spend more time outdoors. The following are some tips to help insure that you and your four legged companions have a healthy, happy and safe summer.

If you leave your dog outside (in a fenced yard, of course), make certain that they are provided with plenty of fresh water and adequate shade to protect them from the sun. Thoughtless cruelty is often inflicted on many dogs which are left by their owners in parked cars. Ten minutes in a parked car could be too long on a hot day. By then, the temperature inside the car could reach 160 degrees. That’s hot enough to cause a dog to suffer a heat stroke. Pets don’t perspire as people do. They cool themselves by panting. With only very hot air to breathe, your pets could suffer permanent brain damage within moments. If emergency care is not given, your pet could die. Heat stroke, characterized by excessive panting and salivation, lethargy, vomiting, an anxious or staring expression, a fast pulse rate and high body temperature, can cause brain damage and even death. If you should notice these symptoms in your pet, act quickly by immersing the animal in cool water or pouring cool water over the animal. You can also put ice packs on the animal’s head. As soon as the animal cools off, take it to your veterinarian for medical attention. The best treatment for heat stroke is, of course, prevention. They may want to come along, but it’s much kinder to leave your pets at home with plenty of fresh, cool water and shade.

Strenuous activity and excitement should be avoided on warm days. Plenty of fresh, cool water should always be available for your dog or cat. Refill the water dish frequently and keep the dish in a shaded spot. If your dog is tied outdoors, be sure he can reach the shade and his water dish. One of the most frequent complaints received concerns the dog owner who ties his dog outdoors on such a short lead that the poor dog can get no exercise, and in many cases, cannot even sit or lie down. Be sure to check your pet’s water dish at least three times a day. Summer months are here, school is out and children will play with their pets, sometimes knocking over the water dish.

Ms. Helms suggests you check your pets regularly for fleas and ticks, which are more common in hot weather. If your pet wears a flea collar, inspect it weekly to make certain that he isn’t allergic to the collar and that it’s comfortable. For flea and tick control to be effective, your pet’s entire environment must be treated, including the yard. Never use flea control products for dogs on cats, as they may ingest the powerful chemicals while grooming.

Horses, in particular, should receive special attention, They should never be forced to carry a heavy load; generous amounts of cool, fresh water must be supplied and frequent rest periods made a part of the daily routine. They should always have shade available.

A simple rule Ms. Helms says: Take care of your pets just like you take care of your children or yourself.

Save a pet at our Shelter! Shop at the Petango Store for your pet medications and supplies. Visit http://bit.ly/aFlD4E and use coupon code “SPFB15″ to receive 15% off your entire order! At the checkout please choose our shelter from the drop down list, The Petango Store will donate back to our shelter with every order you make. Help save our pets today and buy from The Petango Store – http://bit.ly/aFlD4E!

East Texas Humane Society Center Gets Overhaul – reprinted from the Tyler Paper website – By JACQUE HILBURN-SIMMONS Staff Writer

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By JACQUE HILBURN-SIMMONS
Staff Writer

Annie never met a puppy she didn’t love.

The former stray and longtime canine resident of the Humane Society of East Texas serves as a type of “center mother,” nurturing a constant parade of tiny newcomers as if they were her own.

“She was found by animal control in Berryville,” Executive Director Gayle Helms said Wednesday. “She was real skittish around people … she loves to be with puppies.”

And the puppies love to be with Annie — a trio of tiny rat terrier pups is among the latest recipients to benefit from her attentions.

This affection swap seems to have been almost therapeutic for the doe-eyed blonde beagle mix, who greets visitors with a yawn, a stretch and a wagging tail.

And then there are those soft brown eyes — like silky puddles of liquid chocolate.

“She’s just a real special dog,” Ms. Helms said.

This adoption and animal sanctuary, a 45-year staple of the community, has a new look and new opportunities to address the problem of castaway animals such as Annie.

It launched a surgical center Jan. 11, offering low-cost spay-neuter operations every Wednesday, as well as routine pet care services.

“We actually started a campaign last year with folks who felt we would benefit” from a redesign, Ms. Helms said.

Revamping the exterior was estimated at $160,000, but the center raised far more — about $170,000 — to pour back into operations.

“Our animals are happy and healthy,” Ms. Helms said. “We’re very proud of where we are today.”

Changes at the facility are immediately apparent — starting with the noise, or lack of.

In the office area, there is soft music in the background and the sounds of young animals at play, no loud barking.

The unsightly dog runs that once lined the perimeter are gone, replaced by indoor-outdoor kennels featuring nonskid floor mats and elevated doggie beds for creature comfort.

Dog kennels are larger and insulated, with separate spaces for lounging and exercising.

The cattery features large windows for feline bird watching, couches for lounging and wooden shelves for snoozing.

But the crown jewel of all these changes is the new medical area, located in a tidy pre-fabricated house.

“This was donated by Mother Frances hospital,” Ms. Helms said. “It’s been a godsend for us. We put about $50,000 into it.”

Inside, there is an intake area for surrendered animals and separate quarters for animals in awaiting medical services.

On this particular Wednesday, there was a small line of crated animals awaiting spay-neuter surgery.

Dr. Sharon Dehart, who works with Bullard Veterinary Medical Center, is at the center of the day’s surgical action, assisted by the practice’s vet technician, Ashley Beasley.

“Today, there are 22 (surgical patients),” Dr. Dehart said, tending to a sedated female dog. “Our cap is 30.”

Since starting the low cost surgical services, there’s been a steady increase in four-footed patients.

“I love doing this,” the veterinarian said. “I see a lot of unwanted animals and it’s nice to see people actually be responsible and have then spayed or neutered.”

Benefits of the operation range from halting unwanted litters to curbing an animal’s desire to wander.

Surgical rates vary, according to size, and start at $65 for dogs; kitties start at $50.

Families participating in the spay-neuter project can also receive follow-up care at the Bullard vet facility, 405 Highway 69 N., that includes an exam, vaccination, heartworm prevention and flea-tick control for $35.

For more details, visit www.hsoet.org or call 903-597-2471.

Volunteer Carol Wilcox is among those helping to raise money for operations and the extra services.

“These people are doing God’s work every day,” she said. “Anything I can do, I will. They need our support.”

The adoption center is selective on admissions — feral, viscous and those with contagious health issues can’t stay.

“We don’t do euthanasia anymore,” Linda Furr, receiving supervisor, said. “The animals we take have to be family friendly … we also go by temperament and space available.”

The facility assists with referrals and maintains close ties to almost a dozen rescue groups, pet organizations as well as people willing to foster an animal.

The ultimate goal is to help connect castaways with loving homes, officials said.

“We’ve learned from years of experience what will and will not get adopted,” Ms. Helms said. “We used to think we were here to save everybody. We’re a small facility and when you’re trying to take care of about 1,000 square miles, it was impossible.”

Center officials said they consider themselves today just a part of a larger puzzle, working in support with about nine other animal welfare organizations, including the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

A devoted team of mainstay volunteers and employees care for the animals between the time they enter the center and until they find forever families.

Operations manager Terry Cashion has been with the center 14 years.
The big-hearted former lawman was sighted last week comforting a tiny, trembling Chihuahua.
“I came for a week to help out and I’m still here,” he teased.
P.J. Edwards, a center employee, seems to be the queen of clean.
On any given day, she can be found washing food pans and kitty litter boxes, though not at the same time.
“I’ve done about 60 pans so far this morning,” Ms. Edwards said with a grin.
Ms. Helms said the work may be never-ending, but so are the rewards.
“Pets make a family,” she said. “It’s a partnership.”

“Pets Make a Family Partnership Spay/Neuter Project” Established By Humane Society of East Texas

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The Humane Society of East Texas has begun a partnership with participating East Texas veterinarians including Bullard Veterinary Medical Center called “Pets Make a Family” Partnership Spay/Neuter Project. The goal of this project is to reduce pet overpopulation in our communities through spay/neuter services for the public who request lower costs for spay and neuter procedures and to promote the importance of continuing veterinary care for pets. The clinic is located at the Humane Society’s animal shelter in Tyler and is open to the public each Wednesday. For additional information and to make an appointment, call
903 526-5598.

In the U.S. there are an estimated 6-8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year. About half of these animals are adopted, and tragically, the other half is humanely euthanized. These are healthy, sweet pets that would have made great companions. These are not the offspring of homeless “street” animals—these are the puppies and kittens of cherished family pets and even purebreds. Millions of pet deaths each year are a needless tragedy. Spaying and neutering is an important part of the solution. Through spaying and neutering your pets, you can help your dog or cat live a happier, healthier, longer life.

All of us are affected by animal overpopulation. Millions of tax dollars are spent annually to shelter and care for stray, abandoned and unwanted pets. Much of that money is spent to euthanize these animals when homes cannot be found. Human health is threatened by the danger of transmittable diseases (including rabies), animal bites and attacks. Property may be damaged and livestock killed when pets roam in search of food. Animal waste is proving to be a serious environment hazard, fouling yards and parks. It is only when all of us assume the responsibility for pet overpopulation that we will see any decrease in the problem.

The Humane Society of East Texas became a no kill animal sanctuary in January 2010 following 40 years of animal control contracts that required the humane euthanasia of thousands of animals due to illness, lack of space, and temperament. The Humane Society took a bold step and did not renew contracts with city and county animal control to the tune of $200,000 in lost revenue each year. The decision we made was a moral decision to no longer humanely euthanize adoptable animals because of space. We now are the premier no kill shelter in all of East Texas focused on saving lives, not taking lives. We strongly support efforts to construct a community animal shelter in Smith County to service the thousands of dogs that we are unable to accept.

We felt the next move for the Humane Society was to offer spay and neuter services to members of the general public who request lower costs for spay and neuter procedures. We feel these services are vital to support our mission to reduce the pet overpopulation in our community. This partnership with participating veterinarians including Bullard Veterinary Medical Center will not only advocate spaying and neutering animals but will also strongly encourage pet owners to be responsible and comply with proper immunization laws and regular yearly vet visits to insure their animals stay healthy just like other members of their family.

“We have always been concerned about animals once they leave our facility” says Gayle Helms, Executive Director of the Humane Society of East Texas. “One of our goals is to educate and stress to pet owners the importance of establishing a relationship with a local veterinarian for continual medical health care for that animal.” Veterinarians are the licensed animal health care professionals in our community and a partnership with the veterinary community is one we hope to cultivate and partner with to insure the continued health of family pets.

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When you step out of your car before you even walk through the doors of the Humane Society of East Texas in Tyler, Texas, you immediately feel things are different at this animal shelter. There is an overwhelming sense that this place is much more than an animal shelter – it’s more like an orphanage. “Everything we do is for the animals”, said Gayle Helms, Executive Director for the Humane Society of East Texas – “they come first – our work is a labor of love – it’s a passion we all share.” The property is landscaped to perfection with lots of colorful and fragrant flowers and plants thanks to dedicated volunteers. The atmosphere and staff are friendly, helpful, happy and loving. It wasn’t always this way says Ms. Helms.

In the early 1960s local residents discovered the horrendous and unacceptable conditions at the city run animal impound facility and began plans to form the Humane Society of Smith County. The doors to the Humane Society’s animal shelter opened in 1968. This small animal shelter was the only facility in a 1,000 square mile radius where animals seized by animal control agencies brought those animals. It also was the only animal shelter open to the public where stray, sick, and unwanted animals could be brought.

In 2008 this non profit animal shelter changed its name to the Humane Society of East Texas with plans to become a no kill animal sanctuary. The Humane Society reached its goal of becoming a selective admission, no kill animal sanctuary January 1, 2010. Until then, the Humane Society had received over 376,000 animals at their animal shelter. 69,000 of those animals were placed in new homes. City and County government paid the Humane Society a fee for housing, adopting and humanely euthanizing animals during their association. This moral decision to no longer euthanize animals cost the Humane Society approximately $200,000 a year in lost revenue from those contracts.

Their goal now is to save lives not take lives and find quality homes for adoptable dogs and cats. Not only is the Humane Society of East Texas helping animals in their community, they are also positively impacting the lives of the new pet owners who have adopted animals from them. The Humane Society of East Texas averages 70 dogs and 25 cats at any given time at their animal sanctuary and they boast of adopting 90 dogs and cats each month. All dogs and cats, age permitting, are spayed or neutered before they go home to their new family. Their adoption fees; $130 for dogs and $115 for cats, includes all vaccinations, micro-chipping for identification purposes and when adopted, the new pet will receive a free gift of 30 days of pet health insurance.

Renovations are now underway on an existing kennel at the Humane Society that will be transformed into living quarters to 14 large breed dogs. The kennel will be specially designed for the needs of large dogs including rubber flooring mats to eliminate soreness and stress on their feet and legs. Large breed dogs usually have longer stays at the Humane Society’s shelter – thus the need for extra care for those big guys and girls during their stay. Additionally plans are underway for a new dog park open to the public, exercise yards for the shelter dogs and a new memorial garden.

Adoption hours are Tuesday through Sunday 10 am until 5 pm – closed each day
1-2 pm for lunch. Visit the Humane Society of East Texas online at www.hsoet.org or contact them at 903 597-2471.

In these tough economic times more animals are being neglected, abandoned or surrendered to shelters. Extreme weather conditions in different areas of the United States have also contributed to the number of shelter animals. While demand for shelter and rescue services has increased, donations have not kept pace.

A group of animal lovers with pet industry experience have combined their talents to develop and offer a unique solution to the shelter-funding problem with a new website AdoptAShelter.com. Every time a purchase is made through AdoptAShelter.com, at any one of over 400 top-name online stores, 100% of the amount displayed is donated to the animal organization or shelter chosen by the shopper. They can buy just about anything online and earn a donation, all without logging in or remembering a password.

Chris Ruben, founder and CEO explains: “We wanted AdoptAShelter.com to be safe and easy to use, which is why we don’t require you to register or download / install anything. We do not collect any of your personal information in order for you to support your favorite animal charity. Nobody needs another username and password to keep up with. Simply visit AdoptAShelter.com and choose a location and a shelter. Click on the ‘Shop Now’ button and shop.”

Additionally, AdoptAShelter.com goes the extra mile and provides top-notch information from leading experts about animal health and behavior in order to facilitate more and improved adoptions. These resources are essential to helping these precious animals find their successful forever homes. AdoptAShelter.com offers shelters and humane organizations an ongoing revenue stream independent of direct donations and other fundraising programs. There are no costs or sales efforts involved.

“Just think of what we could accomplish,” says Ruben, “if every animal lover used AdoptAShelter.com every time they made an online purchase. Through this site, shelters and animal welfare organizations could meet the challenges of today and tomorrow …. Just Shop to Donate!”

KETK Story on AdoptAShelter.com
Adopt A Shelter Postcard

We are proud to offer you the chance to order this wonderful cookbook! This cookbook is beautifully made in a hard-covered, 3-ring binder.

The cost for this wonderful cookbook is only $10!!! Shipping is only $5.00! Or check below for local sales locations.

The recipes are specially compiled by friends of the Humane Society of East Texas. There is a special section that features a dedication to Miranda Lambert, 2008 CMA Female Vocalist nominee, and her Shelter pup, Delilah. The cookbook also contains several recipes contributed by the Lambert family.

There is a separate section in this cookbook containing recipes to make special treats for your dog or cat. Yummy!

All proceeds will go to the Humane Society of East Texas.

The following places of businesses now have the Humane Society’s “Doggone Good Recipes” Cookbook on sale for $10!!

*The Humane Society of East Texas, Call 903-597-2471 Tue-Sat and place your order!
Alternatively you can send a check or money order (made out to HSOET or Humane Society of East Texas) for $15 per book and send it to The Humane Society of East Texas Cookbook Offer, 1823 CR 386, Tyler, TX 75708 – be sure to include your shipping address and quantity of books wanted. Any other questions please give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you!
Other locations:
*USA Shipping, 2702 East 5th Street, Tyler
*College Books 1232 E. 5th Street, Tyler
*Pets and Friends 2979 Highway 110 N, Tyler
*Parrots and More 1404 S. Main Street, Lindale

Audio – Gayle Helms on KTBB’s Staff Meeting – Gayle Helms, of the Humane Society of East Texas as a recent guest on KTBB’s Staff Meeting program. You can listen to this program on your computer using the link below:

Listen to Gayle on Staff Meeting

It’s here! The Spring 2011 Paws and Claws Newsletter is hot off the presses and packed with new and exciting things going on at the Humane Society of East Texas! Come on by our website and get signed up to receive the newsletter automatically through your e-mail – or you can download the newsletter from the site. Spring 2011 Paws and Claws Newsletter