8th Grader Holds Fundraiser for BCHS

Mikayla Saunders, an 8th grader from Canton, decided to help out her local animal shelter by holding a fundraiser recently. Pet food, cat litter, toys, supplies, and a cat tower were donated and brought in by Mikayla and her family. BCHS would like to thank her so much for her generosity!

Photos: Mikayla Saunders with a truckload of donations for BCHS, Mikayla with the cat tower and adoptable cats (notice the cat tower is already in use!)

BCHS to begin Animal Cruelty Investigations in Sullivan County

Photo: Sullivan County Magistrate, Jennifer Vandine and BCHS Humane Officer Lara Hawbaker
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Beginning in February 2012, the Bradford County Humane Society will conduct animal cruelty investigations in Sullivan County. After much concern from Sullivan County community members about possible cruelty cases and the need for a humane officer, BCHS met with Sullivan County Commissioners. On February 16, 2012, Officer Hawbaker was sworn in to the Sullivan County Courthouse.

“I would receive calls almost on a weekly basis from Sullivan County residents about investigating emaciated horses, dogs or cattle. Unable to do anything about it because of not being able to investigate in Sullivan County, I urged these people to talk to their local commissioners,” states BCHS Humane Officer Hawbaker.

Before now, Sullivan County did not have a Humane Officer to take control of situations of animal abuse.

In Bradford County alone in 2011, Officer Hawbaker received over 350 calls related to possible animal cruelty. Many of those became humane cases where the animals had to be seized and taken into BCHS. Six cases were so extreme they went to court, where BCHS won. All of the animals seized have since been adopted.
Hawbaker plans to work with Sullivan County to make them aware of the laws and their responsibilities as pet owners. “I have worked with many people in Bradford County to rectify situations rather than filing charges or seeking a warrant for seizures in some cases. I hope to do this in Sullivan County as well to build a good rapport between members of that community and BCHS.”

The job of the BCHS Humane Officer is one of law enforcement, teacher, counselor and voice of the animals that she is sworn to defend and protect.
If you see signs of animal cruelty, call the Animal Cruelty line at BCHS at 570-888-4763. All calls remain confidential.

BCHS to Participate in World Spay Day

Each year, The Humane Society of the United States chooses one day to commemorate World Spay Day. This year, Tuesday, February 28th is marked as World Spay Day. World Spay Day is presented by The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International in partnership with animal welfare organizations, veterinary professionals, businesses, and individuals worldwide to shine a spotlight on spay/neuter as a proven means of saving animals’ lives.

The Bradford County Humane Society will be offering a percentage off of the spay and neuter of a pet that is adopted out on Tuesday, February 28th or Saturday, March 3rd. This percentage will vary and is available from the P.A.L. Grant (Prevent a Litter).

Spaying or neutering your pet is an important decision for pet owners. As animal lovers who value our pets, it is important to understand the impact of this decision.

Many people believe that their pet's puppies or kittens would never become homeless shelter animals. But the reality is that every time the dog finds his way under the fence to visit the neighbor's female dog, or the indoor/outdoor cat comes back home pregnant again, the result is a litter of dogs or cats. Even if they are placed into homes, it is still possible for them to end up in shelters once they become "hard to handle," or for them to reproduce further and for the next generation of puppies or kittens to wind up homeless.

Many people are surprised to learn that nationwide more than 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters. Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats.

During the week of February 13th, BCHS will be working with a local veterinary clinic to spay and neuter over 20 cats that are currently available for adoption. The fee for a cat that is already spayed or neutered is only $50.00. “It is so important for pets to be spayed or neutered. With all of the homeless dogs, puppies, cats and kittens in animal shelters across the country and world waiting for a home, it is unnecessary to bring into the world litters of kittens or puppies,” states BCHS Community Coordinator Jennifer L. Spencer.

Please consider your next pet to be a shelter cat or dog. There are so many waiting for their forever homes.

Tanner’s Bar and Grill & Gross Audio Entertainment Hold Fundraiser For Local Animal Shelters

For the past two years Ryan Wood and John Thurston, co-owners of Tanner’s Bar and Grill in Athens have held fundraisers to support both the Bradford County Humane Society and Stray Haven animal shelters.

This year Tanner’s teamed up with Gross Audio Entertainment for the fundraiser. Over $500 has been donated and was used to purchase pet food, cat litter, cleaning supplies and pet toys for the stray animals at Athens Agway. Pat, Jeff, Shannon and staff at the Athens Agway were instrumental in this fundraiser as the items were purchased there at cost.

Greg Gross, co-owner of Gross Audio Entertainment states, “We had a lot of fun with the fundraiser this year and look forward to doing it again next year.”

For the month of February, patrons may drop off pet related supplies at Tanner’s and all will be distributed evenly to both animal shelters in March. “We really look forward to helping out the homeless animals at the shelters, especially during the winter months,” states Wood.

Although this winter has seen unusually high temperatures, this time of year is always a struggle for animal shelters. “We depend so much on our community for donations and support. We are so thankful for Tanner’s to keep us in mind each winter by taking donations and caring for our homeless animals,” states Jennifer L. Spencer, BCHS Community Coordinator.

If you are interested in holding a fundraiser for BCHS, contact Jennifer at 570-888-2114 or email at bradfordchs@cqservices.com.

Photo: L-R, Monica and Greg Gross, owners of Gross Audio Entertainment, Jennifer Payne, BCHS Kennel Staff, Kodiak, a Newfoundland/Australian Shepard Mix up for adoption at BCHS, and Ryan Wood, Co-owner of Tanner’s. Missing from the photo is John Thurston, Co-owner of Tanner’s.