10/06/2024
Humane Society of Elmore County News – 7 Oct ‘24
This coming Friday night, 11 October, at the Alabama National Fair is a tremendous opportunity to attend the Fair for half price OFF of regular admission if you bring a donation of dry or canned pet food, pet toys, blankets or towels with you. These donations will be shared by the three area shelters – Humane Society of Elmore County, Prattville-Autauga Humane Society and Montgomery Humane Society. We are thankful to the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery members and Alabama National Fair for their hard work making the Alabama National Fair such a success and for helping our River Region Animal Shelters like this.
For our supporters who work for the Alabama State Government and want to donate financially, no better way than through the 2024 State Combined Campaign (SCC) and our Agency Code is 106803. The SCC is critical to Alabama non-profits and helps make donating to deserving charities easy either one time or via monthly payroll deduction. We want to thank all who so generously donate to help not only our shelter, but non-profit agencies everywhere.
For our members, our Humane Society’s Annual Membership Meeting on Tue, 15 October, 6 pm, Wetumpka Civic Center, 410 S. Main St, Wetumpka, AL 36092. Hope to see you there!
This is National Pet Obesity Awareness week – something many of us pet owners need to consider before handing over that extra treat or dinner table scraps. Veterinary surveys indicate that nearly 56% of dogs and 60% of cats are clinically overweight or obese yet there is no doubt many pet owners are in denial that their pet is, well, a bit too ‘fluffy.’ And just like us humans, obesity leads to a large number of associated health problems. Here are a few suggestions to help keep your precious pet’s weight in check:
1. Get with your Veterinarian to determine your pet's ideal weight considering their age, breed, and overall health. Track their weight routinely so you KNOW if they are ‘gaining/losing.’
2. Avoid overfeeding by sticking to specific meal-times, avoiding free-feeding (keeping their bowl full at all times), checking the labels on your pet's food for appropriate serving size, use a food scale instead of a measuring cup for better accuracy. The use of Interactive feeding toys makes your dog or cat work for their food, burning calories while consuming calories. They also force your pet to eat more slowly, allowing their brain to catch up with the fact that they're eating and telling them they're full sooner (remember your mom telling you so eat slower).
3. Select the Right Food - Check with your veterinarian about the ideal food for your dog or cat based on its age, activity level, affordability, etc.
4. Keep Them Active – just like us, pets need exercise and activity, not only for their weight and physical well-being but for their mental health. Daily walks, lots of ball throwing/playing fetch, toy playing inside the home, interactive games, climbing places for cats, even swimming.
5. Skip the Table Scraps – of course our pets are now barking/meowing NO, but too many table scraps can add up to a LOT of extra calories. So, if you just cannot stand those begging faces, limit the scraps to just a tidbit taste or two or only every once in a while.
