Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here at the Humane Society we strive to do the best we can to help out people along with our animls. If you have any questions about the Humane Society or what we do here, feel free to consult these frequently asked questions.
Questions:
Question 1. What other services does the Humane society have?
Question 2. Must I agree to have my pet neutered to adopt from the shelter?
Question 3. What is the most common type of cruelty done to animals?
Question 4. How long does the Humane Society keep animals?
Question 5. Do you have to destroy animals?
Question 6. If overpopulation is a problem, why aren't pet owners doing something about it?
Question 7. What can I do if I really cannot afford to have my pet neutered?
Question 8. What yearly attention does my pet need?
Question 9. What other animal problems are there in this county?
Question 10. What educational programs does the Humane Socity have to offer?
Question 11. Why does the Humane Society have a pet cemetery?
Question 12. What can I do to help?
Question 13. Why is the Humane Society closed on Tuesday?
Answers:
Anwser to question 1: The Humane Society offers educational programs, spaying or neutering, financial aid for pets,
pet cemetery, lost and found services, special medical help for pets of indigent families, and
public restitution for juvenile offenders.
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Anwser to question 2: Yes. Our job is to help reduce the population of surplus and homeless animals by requiring spaying of all females and neutering of all male pets.
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Anwser to question 3: Animal abandonment as a result of overpopulation is the worst cruelty in terms of numbers of animals affected.Fewer than 5 out of 10 will ever find homes, our county statistics show.
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Anwser to question 4: We keep all animals brought in as strays for at least 5 days as provided in county ordinance. After 5 days each animal is judged according to its ability to adjust to kennel stress, its personality, health, and adoptability.
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Anwser to question 5: While our goal is to become a shelter with a 100% adoption rate, too many people allow their pets to have puppies and kittens when there are not homes available for these animals. The Humane Society is forced to deal with other people's irresponsibility.
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Anwser to question 6: People give many excuses, such as... spaying will hurt their pet; it is too expensive; they think their children should see animals born; they think animals should have "romance"; they think they can find homes for all their puppies or kittens; they do not feel any responsibility to their community or to the well-being of their pet; they do not realize that for every animal they allow to be born, one will have to die at a shelter for the homeless ones.
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Anwser to question 7: You can request financial help from the Humane Society spaying fund. A certificate for a portion or sometimes for all of the cost of the surgery will be sent to you. There are also low-cost
clinics in the area in which surgery is discounted.
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Anwser to question 8: Your pet needs annual vaccinations for distemper, rabies, and parvo virus for dogs distemper, rabies, and leukemia vaccinations for cats. You also need a county license tag from the animal control officer or from your township trustee, blood test for heartworm in dogs, fecal test for intestinal parasites, check of proper housing conditions for pets kept outside.
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Anwser to question 9: Each year the Humane Society receives calls about horse and livestock malnutrition or abandonment. Some livestock owners fail to provide wholesome feed in the winter to cattle and horses, or fail to provide good medical care. The Humane Society attempts to educate these people about ownership of animals. Most of the problems are corrected without the legal action being necessary.
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Answer to question 10: 4-H and scouting programs; school presentations on animal care; pet therapy
programs for handicapped and elderly in health care facilities; special programs for adult groups and clubs; and we also provide mentoring for Senior Projects and service learning.
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Answer to question 11: Recent research has shown that there is a special bond between people and their pets. Sometimes this bonding is so strong that people feel deep grief when a pet dies. Our pet cemetery offers a place for owners to bury their animals with respect for the joy and companionship that pet has given them over the years. A one-time modest fee is paid for preparing the grave site and for upkeep through the years. For more information about pet cemetery, you may call the shelter office.
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Anwswer to question 12:
- Make yourself aware of the problems and solutions of pet overpopulation.
- Encourage people to treat their pets as members of the family with good medical care.
- Encourage your children to have respect for all animals in our environment, wild animals as well as domestic animals.
- Never give a child a pet without teaching him/her how to be responsible for the animal.
- Become a member of the Humane Society.
Anwswer to question 13: We are closed on Tuesdays for surgeries.
We will be happy to answer any questions that we have not mentioned on this page if you contact us here at the Humane Society at 812-372-6063. Return to top of page