Have You Visited Our Adoption Centers? 10 Great Ideas for Finding Your Next Pet! 1. Did you know that our animals have their very own video? What better way to get a feel for the animal's personality then by watching them online! 2. Are you 60 years or older? Every Wednesday you can receive a $20 savings on adoption fees. See an adoption counselor for complete details. 3. Not sure what breed would be best for your lifestyle? Do you run everyday or prefer to cozy up on the couch with your pet? Learn how to select the right pet for you. 4. Did you know that when you adopt a pet from any of our adoption centers that you will receive a 10% discount on veterinary services for the life of the pet?  It's our Paw Partners Program. You may apply this savings toward the cost of surgeries, medical treatments for diseases, lab tests, heartworm and flea preventatives, annual exams and vaccinations, dental cleanings and checkups and prescription medications. Since a well-mannered pet is key to a happy home, this savings also applies to all of our obedience classes!   5. Come in and visit any of our adoption centers! You are welcome to come and look at all of the wonderful pets we have waiting for new homes. We have several get-acquainted rooms where you can interact with your future pet to make sure their temperament and energy level matches your lifestyle. 6. GIFT CARDS! Did you know that we offer gift cards that are good towards the adoption of a new pet, our gift shop, veterinary medical centers and obedience classes! If you know a pet lover, this is the perfect gift! 7. Looking for a specific breed or mix of breed? No need to search day after day- sign up for our breed notification emails! Once you register your breed interest, you will receive an e-mail when that breed becomes available at the Humane Society of Missouri. Purebreds and highly desirable animals go quickly so don't delay if you see a pet you can't live without! We suggest calling our adoption centers to verify that the animal is still available. Blackie is a female, 3-year-old Pygmy goat. For more information on adopting her, click here. 8. Looking for a duck or goat? Longmeadow Rescue Ranch is home to many adoptable farm animals like Blackie. 9. First time adopting? Our gift shops have everything to get you started like a crate, carrier, toys and leashes. 10. Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to helping find loving, forever homes for our animals. Spend some time talking with them and let them know exactly what you are looking for and they will do their best to find the perfect pet for you. Our adoption centers are open 7 days a week. For locations and hours, click here.
		Does Your Dog Deserve to Win a Barkademy Award? Enter the Pet Video or Photo/Essay Contest Strut your stuff as Director of the “Best Pet Video” or simply tell us why your pet is a star by submitting a photo and essay to describe why your pet should win “Most Heroic Pet” or “Most Heartwarming Second Chance Adoption Story”. Click here for details about the event, the awards and for official submission guidelines. Tell your friends to visit hsmo.org/barkademy!
		Holiday Open House Chesterfield Valley Center Start the gift-giving season off right by visiting the Humane Society of Missouri's Chesterfield Valley Center situated just behind Home Depot in Boone's Crossing. Enjoy refreshments and enter our prize drawings for a giant stuffed dog! Kids can have their picture taken with Santa Paws, our mascot dog! Saturday, December 15 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Click here for a map to our Chesterfield Valley Center at Boone's Crossing.
		Trailnet and HSMO Team Up Benefits of Exercise for People and Pets "Tails on Trails" is a joint promotional campaign of the Humane Society of Missouri and Trailnet. Through this campaign we hope to raise awareness of the benefits of regular exercise for people and dogs. Here are a few of the many benefits: Exercise promotes healthy rest. A well-exercised dog will be sleepy instead of restless when it's time to relax or go to bed. This counts for people too! Exercise is key to weight control. In most cases, owning a dog motivates the owner to get out and be active. Fran Beezley - a Humane Society volunteer - is walking Hunter - an HSMO alum- on the trail in Forest Park. Other goals for this campaign are to raise prospective adoptive families for dogs at the Humane Society of Missouri and raise awareness of the fantastic trail resources throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. We hope you'll join with us and walk your dog on one or more of the 120 trails in our region. And, if you don't have a dog, you can become a "Pet Pal" volunteer at the Humane Society of Missouri and walk a shelter dog, or better yet, adopt a new walking companion today! For more information on the Tails on Trails program, click here.
		Jewelry, Decor & More! The Humane Society of Missouri Gift Shops           LB Dancing Horses Purse H120006  $19.95 Sterling Silver Dog Bracelet D113009  $80   Tiffany Cat Vase C082040 $29.95 Paw Earrings & Bracelet B110110  $16.95 B110111  $19.95                             These items and many more can be found at our Humane Society of Missouri gift shops. Click here for HSMO gift shop locations.   Remember: Each time you shop, you are helping homeless animals find new, forever, loving homes!
		Changes at Longmeadow  Healing Bay Barn Demolition   Progress is again in the wind at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch.  The old Healing Bay Barn (erected in late 1988) was torn down to make way for a new building that will be larger.  Read full story. Watch video on YouTube. Hurry! Don’t forget that Barn Buddies make a great holiday gift for the person who has everything! Holiday orders need to be received by December 18, 2007. Sponsor a Barn Buddy!
		We encourage teachers, parents and students to contact their local newspaper to encourage them to publish Twist of Fate's story written by Chris Stuckenschneider and produced by the Missouri Press Foundation. Twist of Fate -By Chris Stuckenschneider A tractor-trailer carrying horses to a slaughterhouse crashes on a highway. Rescuers save many of them, including a pregnant mare. When her "miracle colt" is born, he draws national media attention. Young readers will be able to meet "Twist of Fate" when "Twister" tells his tale and introduces folks to friends he's made at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. This is a story "straight from the horse's mouth." Color feature. (Teacher Guide available)   What young readers are saying about "Twist of Fate," a new serialized story from Missouri Press: I like reading "Twist of Fate..." It’s also a lot better than reading a textbook. My favorite horse is Stan the thoroughbred. He looks like a really good racing horse. I wonder how he gets his stall door unlocked. I wish I could do that with the school door! I'm glad you're writing the story. Sincerely, Isaac Eight-Chapter Serialized Story READ CHAPTER ONE Ask your local newspaper to visit http://www.mopress.com/ for more information or contact Dawn Kitchell at (636) 932-4301. Thank you to the newspapers who are already running Twist of Fate's story: - Washington Missourian - Warren County Record - Jefferson County Leader - Eldon Advertiser - Versailles Leader Statesman - Lebanon Daily Record       For more information regarding humane education, please call (314) 951-1578.
		'Tis the Season to be  Philanthropic Kind Kids Giving Back As we look back and reflect upon another meaningful year of progress and success on behalf of the animals, we think about the many generous animal-lovers who stepped out on a limb to ease the plight of the animals.  Working in the education department, we have the privilege of teaching and working with energetic, passionate children and teens who strive to make a difference in the lives of animals!  It’s impossible to mention each and every contribution but we wanted to highlight a few of the most recent donations from super kind kids in our community.  Austin Danback with the education department's JoEllyn Klepacki and Mette Nichols with dogs, Yoda and Charlotte. The Power of One Austin Danback decided he had more toys than he needed so he enlisted the help of his dad and put his toys up for sale on ebay.  His toys sold and he was able to raise $100 for the animals!  His compassion inspired his dad to make an additional $25 donation to Austin’s efforts.  Austin came to the Humane Society to deliver the check in person and decided to donate the money to our Cinderella Fund, which was established to raise money to help pay for medical treatments for injured and sick stray animals who come through our shelter doors.  $125 could go a long way  toward buying toys for himself but instead, Austin donated it to ease the suffering of homeless animals.  Laura Butka, Lauren Handy and Payton Smith with Payton's dogs Tiger and Bentley. Friends to the End Laura Butka, Lauren Handy and Payton Smith are best buds!  They decided to pool their resources and have a joint birthday party since their birthdays are close together!  This wasn’t your average party!  It was a party with a purpose because they chose to ask for presents for the homeless animals  in our shelter in lieu of presents for themselves.  These three friends raised a whopping $645 and decided to donate $100 toward the purchase of dog toys, $272 to our low-cost spay and neuter program (SNIP) and $272 to the Cinderella Fund. We are honored to have met these three kind kids and know they will continue to make great strides for the animals in our community! 1st grader class from St. Mark's School There is no I in this TEAM! We had no idea we were in for a HUGE surprise the day 1st graders from St. Mark’s School came to visit us for a humane education program and tour of our headquarters shelter and veterinary medical center.  As the bus rolled to a stop in front of our building and the side door opened, 27 energetic and enthusiastic kids pored out.  Then the back door of the bus opened and the donations poured out!!!!!!!!  These kind kids didn’t want to show up here empty-handed so they organized a donation drive at their school for the animals.  They found our wish list online and started collecting the items!  Once it was all said and done, they had donated 218 towels, 41 wash cloths, 30 blankets, 6 rugs, 61 dish towels, 20 potholders, 5 beach towels, 3 packages of wet wipes, 1 harness, 5 food bowls, 35 sheets, 2 pillows, flea preventative and 5 table cloths!  In addition to the physical donations they brought, their drive educated all of the students at their school about the plight of shelter animals and undoubtedly inspired a few fellow students to care about animals too!  If you know a child or teen who has a passion for animals, encourage them to launch a meaningful project that will help animals in need. Click here to see some of the project ideas we have highlighted on our website.  If you have a different idea, we’d love to hear about it!   The future is looking bright for people and animals when compassionate young people like this are leading the way!  May their stars continue to shine bright in the new  year and may they light a path of kindness for others to follow! JoEllyn Klepacki is an Education Specialist at the Humane Society of Missouri. For more information on humane education, call 951-1572 or email education@hsmo.org.
		Behavior Tip: How do I keep my pets from destroying our holiday decorations? Dogs, cats and pet birds are attracted to holiday decorations because they flash, dangle, move, make noise and beg to be investigated.  Favorite decorations have been in storage for a year and therefore even smell unusual.  However, many decorations can pose a safety risk to your four-legged and feathered housemates.  With a little thought, holiday decorations can be attractive and safe. The easiest way to avoid conflict at this time of the year is to not allow family pets access to rooms with decorations unless they are being directly supervised. “Supervision” means that someone is actively watching the pet, not just in the same room.  Closing a door can deny a cat access to the room.  A baby gate can keep a dog out of trouble, but will still allow interaction with the family. Birds should be kept caged and only allowed out in a room away from decorations. Deterrents such as motion or vibration detectors should be “indirect”, meaning that the pet - not the owner - activates them.  A clever pet will learn to associate direct deterrents (such as spray bottles) with the owner and therefore will be on good behavior when the owner is present.  Motion or vibration detectors that spray compressed air or citronella or sound an alarm can prevent pets from entering “forbidden areas.”   Another inexpensive, but effective tool is use plastic carpet runners cut to fit and placed with the small plastic prongs facing upwards.  These can be arranged in various areas to prevent trespassing.  Caution - if you have a fearful or shy pet, do not use anything with loud noises. Christmas trees are especially challenging.  Cats enjoy climbing the tree and batting fragile ornaments; dogs like to drink the water from the base.  Pine needles that are swallowed can cause gastric irritation in dogs, but are toxic to cats.  A quick, easy way to separate your pet from the tree involves placing a folding dog exercise pen around the tree and gifts.  This method protects the tree, the gifts and any displays under the tree.  It can quickly be removed for company and stored until needed.  A small tree placed out of reach on a tabletop can also prove successful.  Use unbreakable ornaments on the lower branches to decrease damage from your dog’s wagging tail.  Anchor your tree to the wall to prevent toppling over upon an unsuspecting pet.  Some specialty shops actually feature artificial trees that can be hung from the ceiling (quite a conversation piece). Keep light strands, extension cords and electrical cords covered, fastened down and out of reach as they pose a risk of fire, electrocution or severe electrical burns if chewed. Poinsettia, mistletoe, holly leafs, holly berries, Christmas roses, chocolate and artificial snow are poisonous to pets.  Tinsel is dangerous if swallowed.  Bones, twine used to cook the turkey and plastic pop-up thermometers smell tempting, as do the foil and scraps, but can cause painful internal blockage and stomach perforations.  If you suspect your pet has ingested anything dangerous, contact your veterinarian immediately. Candles can singe the whiskers of inquisitive kittens or be knocked to the floor by wagging dog tails.  Keep the menorah and other lighted candles out of reach or switch to ones that use batteries. Scented candles may smell nice, but can be toxic to birds.  When the time comes for company and the opening of gifts, some dogs jump right into the action while others become nervous among strangers and the ensuing excitement.  Dogs like routine; when their routine is disturbed, they may act out of character.  If you’re not sure how your 10-year-old Beagle mix is going to get along with your 10-year-old nephews, consider crating your best friend in a quiet part of the house with his favorite blanket and toys.  This is equally good advice for your cats, birds or other pets. Following these guidelines will help you enjoy the holidays, prevent your decorations from being broken, keep the tree upright and - most important of all keep your pets safe. Behavior questions are answered by Linda Campbell, director of programs for the Humane Society of Missouri.  For more information on pet behavior, call our Behavior Helpline at (314) 951-1540 or e-mail Behavior.desk@hsmo.org.  More behavior topics are featured on our website.  For information on obedience classes for your canine companion, phone (314) 802-5709 or check our website.
		Ask the Vet: My dog is overweight. She plays and is always happy so is this really a problem? Dr. Suzanne Saueressig, DVM Heavy Isn't Healthy for People or Pets   Carrying around extra weight is as big of a deal for your pet as it is for you-minus the impending swimsuit season of course. In fact, experts say that up to 60 percent of all adult dogs are overweight or likely to get that way due to age or activity level. You might think that a couple of extra pounds on your pup isn't a big deal, but you'd be wrong. An extra five pounds on a dog that should weigh 17 pounds is similar to an extra 50 pounds on a person who should weigh 170 pounds. Obesity is associated with heart and respiratory problems, diabetes, skeletal stress, and gastrointestinal disorders in pets. Often our pets get a little pudgy because we love them so much. We love them, so we share our food with them. We love them, so we feed them whenever they look hungry. We love them, so we give them snacks or treats throughout the day. These nice but dangerous feeding habits can lead to extra pounds on your pet. Weight problems can also go hand-in-hand with inactive lifestyles. Animals carrying a heavy load have an increased likelihood of tearing ligaments and wearing down joints. When their joints become damaged and painful, animals don't want to exercise, which then adds to their weight problems. This is especially a problem with older dogs. If you think your dog may be overweight, check with your veterinarian, who can give you advice on a proper diet and exercise program. “Heavy Isn't Healthy for People or Pets.” Healthypet.com. American Animal Hospital Association. <http://www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?id=131>.   Humane Society of Missouri St. Louis Veterinary Medical Center 1201 Macklind Avenue St. Louis, MO 63110 phone: (314) 951-1534 Humane Society of Missouri Westport Area Veterinary Medical Center in Maryland Heights 2400 Drilling Service Rd. Maryland Heights, MO 63043 phone: (314) 951-1590 Humane Society of Missouri Chesterfield Valley Veterinary Medical Center 17357 Edison Avenue Chesterfield, MO 63005 phone: (636) 530-0807

 

December 2007

Sadie

Octavia

Christine

Hurry! Orders must be received by December 18!

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