The Humane Society of Dickson County, issued this statement “Effective immediately, HSDC is forced to cease accepting animals at this time” on their web page www.humanesocietyofdickson.org and in local papers. However, due to overpopulation, they have had to decrease the number of animals that have recently been brought into the shelter as well. In June they received 398 animals ~ with 104 still left from May~ and were able to adopted out 83 and return 2 dogs to their owners but, unfortunately, 208 animals had to be euthanized. The employees of the animal shelter do not want the animals to be euthanized and would like to be a NO KILL shelter. They have done well to handle the 1777 animals that had been brought to the shelter as of June.

Many other attempts at cutting costs at the HSDC have been put into practice including cutting staff hours and 1 staff position. They will begin to accept animals again when funding increases and they are up to full staff.

Because of staffing and funds, according to Arles Barker, the animals brought to the shelter will be held for a shorter period of time- 3 or 4 days- and in some cases that is hardly time for people to reconnect with their pet if a good Samaritan finds it and brings it to the HSDC.

The Human Society is funded by private donations as well as yearly memberships, check out their web site to become a member, make a donation or adopt a pet today! Did you know when you adopt a dog or cat they are already “fixed”, de-wormed and had their vaccines?

“Fostering” is another way to help with displaced dogs and cats. When qualified, you foster a pet in your home until a “forever” home is found for it; Pet Smart works with the Humane Society by fostering cats. Because the spay and neuter laws are so strict in states like Mass. they experience a SHORTAGE of dogs, therefore, we are able to send some of our dogs up north to be fostered at places like Great Dogs, and Hope ( a foster care home).

The Humane Society will be hosting an Art Auction at the Renaissance Center on September 19th 2009. The reception will start at 6:00p.m. with the auction following at 7:00. Come and share in a night of exquisite art — a great cause for the paws.

www.humanesocietyofdickson.org or call 446-7387 ext 12

For the pets that are already a part of your family, summer can be a hot, itchy time if fleas and ticks are not kept in check.  Let the Humane Society of Dickson County help you manage this task.  Simply take your dog to the shelter’s Dog Dip at the Tractor Supply located at 715 Highway 46 in Dickson.  For a donation, you can have your dog bathed and dipped  in a flea and tick treatment.  The shelter will be dipping dogs from 9:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. on the third Saturday of each month until September.  The next date will be Saturday, June 20th.