BCHS Reminds You of Proper Outdoor Shelter for Dogs

Winter is here in Bradford and Sullivan Counties. We have already seen our first and second snowfalls and according to the Farmer's Almanac we may have a lot of snow and cold temperatures this year. It is extremely important that during the wintertime if your dog cannot live inside your house all day, to take extra care of their outdoor shelter.

Proper shelter for outdoor dogs is as following:

• Roof: Black tar paper or shingle weatherproof roof and sides.
• Door: Burlap sack or black rubber mat with slits cut almost to the top. Entrance must close over to keep body heat in and cold weather, rain, and snow out.
• Bedding: Use winter bedding such as straw, cedar chips or newspaper rather than cloth, rugs, or blankets as they hold in moisture and freeze. Change bedding when damp. Also use a wooden lip to keep the bedding in.
• Dog House: The doghouse should be at least 2 inches off the ground to prevent dampness and floor rot. The dog shelter should be large enough to allow the dog to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably, but small enough to allow the dog to warm the interior with its body heat.
• Chains: If you are using a chain, the chain length should be 10 feet or longer.

Proper shelter for outdoor dogs is NOT:

• A dog tied to a car door handle or porch
• A trash can or metal barrel put on its side – metal doors do not retain heat
• Planks of wood up against the side of a building
• A leaky dog house
• Used furniture turned upside down

If you see improper shelter for a dog that is outside call your local or state police department and they can investigate the situation.

BCHS Closing at noon Friday 12-13

BCHS will close at noon on Friday, December 13th for a staff Christmas party.

Bradford County Humane Society Becomes Adoption Partners with Petco

Petco in Big Flats has teamed up with the Bradford County Humane Society to assist them with adopting cats out.

Many animal shelters are located in less heavily traveled or accessed areas of a community. This presents impediments to introducing loving adoptable animals to lots and lots of prospective pet parents. Through a unique partnership with Petco Animal Supplies and select animal welfare groups, Petco has created satellite animal shelter locations within local Petco stores. These mini-shelters are open whenever Petco is open and provide access to cats by a very desirable demographic of potential animal adopters. In 2012 alone, these mini-shelters yielded new homes for 3,492 pets.

Petco partners with over 8,000 non-profit animal welfare groups across the country to provide the monetary, tangible and educational resources that will help them continue to make a difference in the lives of the companion animals in our nation. It is because of these hard working individuals that good animals are saved and adopted every day.

Petco and the Petco Foundation help find homes for thousands of homeless pets every month. Petco strongly recommends that anyone looking to add a new pet to their family consider adopting a pet in need of a loving home, rather than purchasing one.

Petco's Adoption Mission is to reduce the number of homeless pets and to increase the number of adoptable pets being placed into forever homes.

Petco has two cat cages with lots of space that hold BCHS cats. Each cat is already spayed or neutered and is up to date with all of their shots as well as testing negative for feline leukemia. In order to qualify to adopt one of the cats housed at Petco, the potential adopter must have up to date shot records of any pets at home, and if they rent, they must provide landlord approval. The cost to adopt a cat is $50.00 and proceeds are directed to the Bradford County Humane Society.

Currently Kay (above left), a spayed female cat that is extremely friendly and Wheeley (above right), a spayed female cat who is also looking for a nice lap to nap on are being housed at the Petco in Big Flats.

"This is such a wonderful opportunity for some of our long term cats to find other potential adopters and be adopted into their forever home," states Jennifer L. Spencer, BCHS Executive Director.