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Animal Shelter
Be Kind to Animals Week
Welcome to the May 2006 issue of Pet Lovers Tips and Trends
Next week kicks off “Be Kind to Animals Week”. The American Humane Association created Be Kind to Animals Week in 1915 to celebrate the unique bond between humans and animals. Every year, animal shelters throughout the country hold special events during this special week to raise awareness about Being Kind to Animals, and to teach people about the amazing role animals play in our lives. This year Be Kind to Animals Week is celebrated the week of May 7th to the 13th.
Many times what appears to be neglect is simply misinterpreted. However if you do discover that the animal does not have adequate shelter from the weather, or doesn't get food and water every day, then you can be assured this animal is being mistreated and needs help. If you witness neglect or abuse, report it to your local humane officer. A humane officer can be anyone in your area who investigates animal cruelty, such as the humane society's investigator or your city's animal control officer. The humane officer will visit the home and determine the action needed to alleviate the animal's suffering. When confronted by a humane officer, owners may decide to relinquish the animals rather than being bothered with properly caring for them.
If the pet is seriously unhealthy or abused, the humane officer may remove the animal while he or she investigates. You can help the officer by offering to alert him if the owner gets another pet. Or if charges are brought against the owner, you can testify or sign a complaint. Humane officers try to respond quickly to complaints, but because of the number of calls they receive daily, they cannot always leave the moment you call. If you are concerned about the pet's immediate safety, TELL THEM!! Don't attempt to remove the pet from a potentially abusive environment yourself. Not only is this illegal, but you haven't stopped the owner from getting another pet to abuse or helped turn him into a caring, responsible owner. The key to preventing neglect is education. Many owners aren't aware of how important affection is to a pet or even that a puppy can outgrow her collar. You can help prevent cruel acts by informing others about what to do if they see such an act or helping them to better understand how to train and care for their pets. If you have a topic or questions we can answer in our upcomming newsletters send us an email to editor@animalshelter.org Please remember to visit our site at www.animalshelter.org
Donia Pet Lovers Tips and Trends
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