MEET OUR PETS OF THE WEEK
(Click on pictures for the full story)

 Boyd                           Landon         

A SPECIAL THANKS TO PETCO
for hosting Pictures with Santa!!

We would also like to thank Tom and Bonnie Murray, Kelly Hajel, Hayley Hajel
and Jamie Berkey from the Humane Society of Somerset County
and Jen Pynkala from Petco for their help making this a success!!

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT YOUR SHELTER. THOUSANDS OF ANIMALS HAVE PASSED THROUGH OUR DOORS SINCE 1973. WE ARE RELYING ON YOU!!!

Donations may be mailed to
P.O. Box 182
Somerset, PA 15501
814-443-2121

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
From
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOMERSET COUNTY

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE RED KNIGHTS MOTORCYCLE CLUB
for their generous donation to the shelter...

Accepting the check is Board member Kelly Hajel

IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT WINTER IS HERE!!!

The Humane Society of Somerset County wishes all its furry friends could live inside this winter. Animals need your love and attention and will become loving members of your family if permitted to live with you. Unfortunately, we know that is not the case for many animals in our county. While we remain toasty warm in our homes, many animals will suffer in the freezing cold conditions; some may die.

We ask for your help. Please watch out for those animals that have no voice and tell us when they are in trouble. If you witness neglect this winter, please call our Humane Officer at 814-443-2121. You will save an animal from a winter of suffering by making one phone call. Thank you for caring. Together, we can make a difference!

WINTER CARE FOR THE OUTSIDE DOG

A proper and adequate doghouse MUST be provided; it shall have four sides, a good roof and floor - and should be up off of the ground at least a few inches. The opening should be just wide enough for the dog to gain entry into the doghouse.

Doghouse must allow the dog to assume all normal positions, and sleep in a stretched-out position.

DOGHOUSE must be kept clean and sanitary at all times; should have "bedding" of straw and cedar chips.

STEEL BARRELS (and metal, uninsulated doghouses) are illegal housing - they do not provide necessary protection for outside dogs in winter (or summer either), for obvious reasons. WOOD is the recommended material to be used in Doghouse Construction.

AN OLD RUG should be nailed over the doghouse door to help keep out rain and snow. Doghouse should be kept level; not tilted. An 'extension' of the roof over the door to doghouse will help keep doghouse dry, and help keep rain/snow out of same.

DOGHOUSE must be airtight, draft free; should be snug and cozy for the animal to live outside in comfort.

There is a danger to the dog's health if he is kept inside your home all night, and put outside all day long. If kept inside, keep him in cool, draft free room.

WE ENCOURAGE dog owners to make housepets out of their dogs. This way the animal owners get much more companionship, guardianship and better relationship with their dog.

NOTE: The U.S. Government takes their dogs inside when the weather gets below 50 degrees.

In winter, check the water several times daily, in case of freezing; insure you dog a drink of water several times a day.

DOGS outside should be fattened so as to withstand the colder weather; heavier diet should be available to dog outside in wintertime. Your dog's diet should be almost doubled if kept outside, in wintertime.

ATTACH chain to doghouse so that it won't become entangled; affix swivels to both ends of the chain to help keep chain from becoming entangled. Do not fasten to pole or anywhere where chain can be wrapped around same.

CHAIN must be at least three times the length of the dog's body - or about 12 feet. No excuse for short chains.

WATER MUST be available for dog at all times. AREA must be kept clean and sanitary. Affix water container so it won't be spilled.

Make sure your dog has normal body weight; if thin have him checked by your veterinarian for worms, or an adequate diet prescription.

You are not qualified to worm your own dog with patent medicine.

DOG must be free of internal and external parasites according to State animal protection laws. IF FEMALE DOG kept outside, have her spayed to prevent birth of unwanted, surplus litters of puppies.