Keep your pets safe on the Fourth

Keep your pet safe this Fourth. This content below was originally published by the Humane Society of the United States and has been reprinted with permission per their republishing policy. Preventing pet problems on Independence Day is possible by simply planning ahead and taking some basic precautions. "With a little bit of planning and forethought, you can enjoy the excitement of the Fourth of July and know that your animal companion is safe, sound, and enjoying a little peace and quiet," said Nancy Peterson, an issues specialist with The Humane Society if the United States. To protect your pet on the Fourth of July, take these precautions: Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays. Do not leave your pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects-even death-in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen. Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you've removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company while you're attending Fourth of July picnics, parades, and other celebrations. If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays. Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn't leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death. Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

Dogs, Volunteers get shade to play under

Thanks to Troy and Claire Eckard of Eckard Construction, our dogs and the volunteers who play with them will have shade this summer to keep them cool. Thanks to some engineering mastery, this canopy can withstand near-gale force winds! Also, a special thanks to Troy and his crew for replacing the door (which involved rebuilding the door frame) on an old, rickety trailer behind the shelter that three of us call our office. It was literally hanging from a single hinge.

Last rabies clinic before March 31st deadline

Happy dogs wait for their vaccinations at Albertson's earlier in the year. On Saturday, March 27th, the Humane Society of Yuma will hold a rabies clinic at the Fry's Shopping Center in the Foothills. It will be the final rabies clinic before the March 31st deadline. Vaccinations start at 10am and the line will close at 1pm sharp. Services offered include rabies, bordatella, and Da2PPcvk vaccinations, microchipping, and pet tags. Why spend time in line? If your dog already has his/her rabies vaccination you don't need to stand in line. You can license online. Just scan or fax your rabies certificate. Please note that HSOY will continue to hold rabies clinics beyond the March 31st deadline but the late fee will apply.

Somerton man pleads guilty to animal cruelty

(Somerton, AZ) Jonathon Borjon plead guilty to animal cruelty in Somerton Municipal Court on Tuesday. On January 25th, The Humane Society of Yuma seized two dogs and four puppies from Borjon's property that were suffering severe neglect. A nine month old canine had a chain wrapped around it's neck so tight that it was becoming embedded into it's neck. The second dog, nursing four puppies, was found so severely emaciated that she weighed nearly half of a normal dog her size. Borjon was charged with failure to provide medical attention, Arizona Revised Statute 13-2910.

Borjon originally claimed to have found the first dog a few days earlier with a cut on its neck. He admitted to having owned the emaciated female but stated that he spent a lot of time outside the area and had entrusted its care to a friend.
Borjon was ordered to pay full restitution to the Humane Society of Yuma and to serve twelve months probation . In addition, he was given a suspended sentence of a $1,000 fine and thirty days in jail.

Sadly, the emaciated female had to be euthanized but her four puppies were all adopted. The first dog has also been adopted, having fully recovered from it's neck wound.

The Humane Society of Yuma applauds the City of Somerton for not allowing animal cruelty to go unpunished.

State reports Fox tests positive for rabies in Yuma County

Yuma, Ariz. – A gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) that attacked a dog in Roll on February 22nd has tested positive for rabies by the Bureau of State Laboratory Services, 250 N. 17th Avenue, Phoenix, 85007.  Without testing there is no way to know if the dog, whose rabies vaccine record was not updated, contracted the rabies virus from the fox. The dog had to be impounded and later euthanized by the Humane Society of Yuma (HSOY) as part of the protocol in place when rabies is suspected. Test results on the dog have yet to be confirmed by the State Health Laboratory. 

“Our very last resort is to euthanize any animal,” explains Shawn Smith, HSOY Director. “One of the greatest lessons we can learn from the painful decision this family had to make is keep your pets shot records current.”

Arizona state law requires unvaccinated dogs that have been exposed to rabies be either quarantined at the shelter for 180 days or euthanized. Vaccinated dogs, however, are only required to be in quarantine for 45 days. In addition, vaccinated dogs can remain at home during quarantine with the consent of the animal control officer. The quarantine requirements for dogs exposed to rabies should not be confused with the requirements for bite dogs. Unvaccinated bite dogs must be quarantined for ten days at the shelter, whereas vaccinated dogs are allowed to be quarantined at home with the animal control officer's consent.   

In this case, the owner decided that six months of solitary confinement would take too great of toll on the dog's quality of life.

“This appears to be an isolated case of rabies, but we will not know for sure until the State reports its findings on the dog, and the Health District completes its’ investigation,” explained Becky Brooks, Yuma County Health District director. “It is a good time to remind our community of the precautions they should be taking to avoid exposure.”

Anyone concerned about an animal suspected of having rabies should call the HSOY at (928) 782-1621. For more information about the rabies virus contact the Yuma County Health District at (928) 317-4040.

HSOY will hold vaccination and licensing clinics on Saturday, March 6 at Dateland School 10am - 12pm and Wellton's Butterfield Park from 2 - 4pm.

IMPORTANT RABIES INFORMATION AT A GLANCE

Any wild mammal, like a raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote or bat, can have rabies and transmit it to people. The animal need not be foaming at the mouth or be exhibiting rabies symptoms. Changes in the animal's normal behavior, difficulty with walking, or just an overall appearance of illness can be early signs of rabies. For example, skunks, which normally are nocturnal and avoid contact with people, may appear friendly or ill and may approach humans during daylight hours.

As for bats, a bat that is active by day; is found in a place where bats are not usually seen, such as in your home or on the lawn; or is unable to fly is far more likely than others to be rabid. Such bats are often the most easily approached, but should not be handled.

Use the following tips to prevent rabies:

• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. "Love your own, leave other animals alone" is a good principle for children to learn.
• Wash any wound from an animal thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
• Have all dead, sick or easily captured bats tested for rabies if contact with people or pets may have occurred.
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools and other similar areas where they might contact people and pets.
• Be a responsible pet owner by keeping vaccinations current for all dogs, cats and ferrets, keeping your cats and ferrets inside and your dogs under direct supervision and calling animal control to remove stray animals from your neighborhood. Consider having your pets spayed or neutered.
• When camping, hunting and/or hiking in isolated areas be aware of your surroundings, and remember that there are wild animals that inhabit the desert.

Construction halts shelter access from Avenue C until mid-April

Construction at the intersection of First Street and Avenue C has cut off access to our shelter from Avenue C.  In order to access our shelter from Avenue C,  take Eighth Street east, turn left on Avenue B and another left on First Street.

According to the construction light board, Avenue C will be reopened on April 15th.  

Humane Society of Yuma to Break Ground on New Shelter

On February 26, 2010 the Humane Society of Yuma, Inc. will have a ground breaking ceremony shortly after noon at the location of its new shelter at the Southwest corner of 40 th Street and County 4 ½ E. The Humane Society of Yuma’s department managers, its board of directors, benefactors and several elected officials have been invited. Although funds are still needed to construct the new shelter, work at the location is commencing to install a siphon and sewer pipes. Donations to help support the construction can be made Friday 11:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m. at PetSmart and the Pioneer Shopping Center in the Foothills.  Donations can also be made online at hsoyuma.com.