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IN THIS ISSUEOur New Logo .................................1

About Heartworm Disease and How to Prevent Your Dog from Suffering .........................2

Vaccinate to Prevent Leptospirosis ...................................3

Recent Accomplishments and Improvements .........................3

Pet Pages .........................................4

Memorials ........................................6

Wish List ...........................................7

Need Some Help? ...........................8

The Humane Society of Macomb is an independent animal welfare organization and is NOT affiliated with any other Michigan Humane Society.

T here is a lot of history to our logo and the shelter itself. In case you aren’t aware, the shelter opened its doors in May of 1967 and

the sketch at the right has been our logo since the late 1960s and is on the backside of our building in a wood carving that was put up in 1979.

You will note there are a few components to our logo in both versions and they all mean something.

First, there is the horse. The horse symbolizes farm animals. We do have farm animals at the shelter and are currently caring for 3 horses named Star, Donkey and Molly, Emma who is a pony, and Cauliflower who is a sheep. Farm animals come to the shelter because of abuse. The reasons they come to us include thing like not having shelter, needing medical care, starvation

Have You Seen Our New Logo Yet?

ACTION FOR ANIMALS

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF MACOMB NEWSLETTERSPRING 2016

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Our logo carved in wood on the back side of our building

Our Old Logo

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About Heartworm Disease and How to Prevent Your Dog from Suffering

W hile mosquitoes are an annoyance to people, they can be deadly to dogs.

Mosquitoes can carry heartworm disease, a potentially fatal disease spread through the bite of a mosquito. Heartworm disease is found in all 50 states, and each Detroit-area veterinary clinic saw an average of six heartworm cases in 2013 alone.

The Heartworm Lifecycle When a mosquito bites a heartworm-infected dog, it ingests the larvae of heartworms. The larvae are then carried by the mosquito, and are transmitted through a bite to other dogs.

The larvae reach the bloodstream of the infected dog, where they travel to arteries of the lungs, where the larvae develop and grow into small worms, called microfilaria.

The microfilaria then travel to the heart, where they develop into adult worms, which can reach 12 inches in length. This then causes damage to the heart and can lead to death.

Diagnosis, Symptoms and TreatmentHeartworm disease is diagnosed by testing a dog’s blood sample.

Symptoms of heartworm disease can include coughing, fatigue, weight loss and fainting, though infected dogs commonly don’t display symptoms.

Treatment for heartworm disease is costly, often requiring antibiotics, injections to kill the worms, and hospitalization.

Prevention is EASYPreventing heartworm disease is easy, requiring only a heartworm preventative, which can be purchased through your veterinarian after they have had a heartworm test. The preventative is given by mouth or applied topically. Year-round prevention is recommended as most preventatives treat for the previous month of exposure, and it is not uncommon or mosquitoes to linger beyond summer and fall.

The use of heartworm preventatives not only protects your dog from the disease, but also prevents the spread of heartworm disease to other dogs in the area. Talk to your veterinarian about heartworm preventatives, and help to reduce heartworm in your area.

A mosquito bites an infected animal, ingesting heartworm microfilariae

Microfilariae mature into heartworm larvae inside mosquito (10-14 days)

Infected mosquito bites a dog, transmitting the larvae

Larvae enter the bloodstream, migrate

to the heart and lungs, grow to a foot long

and become sexually mature (6-7 months)

Adult heartworms can live within the heart and

lungs for 5-7 years

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THE HEARTWORM LIFECYCLE

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Recent Accomplishments and Improvements at the ShelterIf you haven’t been to the shelter lately, you may not have seen some of the improvements we are making.

In 2014 we started constructing a Play Room for our cats at the shelter. It took a lot of work, but we now have a room where you can see the cats and kittens play when you first enter the shelter. Our furry little friends are able to jump and play giving the employees, volunteers and visitors insight into their personalities. This play area has allowed cats to release some of their stress from transitioning out of their home into our shelter. Playtime has helped them settle down and adjust to a kennel while waiting for their furever home.

Many new adoptive parents may ask “How does this cat get along with other cats? This area helps us evaluate behavior issues that may arise in a home

environment. It also helps us observe if there are any misbehaving problems, like not using a litter box, biting, growling and more.

We try to get all the cats and kittens, at different times, in the Play Room for at least 30-45 minutes a day. They also get to play with staff and volunteers in the interview rooms.

Another project we completed to make the stay at our shelter more pleasant is extending the cat cages by adding a connecting porthole so the cat has access to two cages instead of one.

This allows them to go from one cage with the litterbox in it to the other where their bed, food and water are and still leaving them room to play.

Vaccinate to Prevent Leptospirosis

K eeping your pets current on vaccines is very important, for the protection of your

pet and other animals. One vaccine that is not commonly discussed is the leptospirosis vaccine.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is contagious not only to pets, but also to humans. The bacteria are found in water and contaminated soil, and are transmitted by the urine of infected animals.

Animals such as dogs, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, rats, mice and deer can carry leptospirosis, depositing it into standing water and soil when they urinate. Other animals coming into

contact with the deposited bacteria can become infected with the disease.

Leptospirosis can cause kidney damage and liver failure, and can lead to death of the infected animal. Symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea and refusal to eat. Treatment of the disease includes fluid therapy and antibiotics.

Vaccinating your pet against Leptospirosis not only protects your pet, but helps prevent the further spread of the disease to other animals and humans. The vaccine commonly protects against the most common strains of leptospirosis and is given annually.

Help protect your pet and your family by making sure your pet is current on the leptospirosis vaccine.

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Ladies, I just wanted to say thank you for your help. Mia is healthy and happy in our home. We just love her and spoil her. She got a cold when we brought her home. It took a week to get her better. She brings us much joy.

Lynn and Randy

Hi there! I adopted two six-month-old bicolor kittens from your shelter, Mila and Louie. Dr. Wright at Harper Woods Veterinary Hospital has given them a clean bill of health and they have gotten their rabies shots. They are adjusting to their new home beautifully. Thanks for bringing us together!

Michael

PET PAGE

Hi to all, Pepper and Friskey are 5 years old. God is good and blessed me with these cats. I am 88 years old and love them.

Marion

I want to thank everyone for the care they gave me while I was waiting for my Forever Home. Without all of your concern for animals I might not have found my new mom. I wish you could have seen how brave I was. When we arrived home I bounded out of my carrier, explored my surrounding and new toys Santa had left for me. After eating and playing- my mom brushed me while I purred for her. When noticing the bay window and the birds outside of it, well let’s say I feel asleep watching. Later that evening I climbed one of my two towers, I was a busy cat my first day, then we fell asleep on our big warm bed. My mom told me how intelligent I am and that she was very happy I found her. I watch over the house all day until she comes home and I meet her at the door to play, and of course eat my fancy feast. The vet told me how healthy I am and with all that LOVE I should live a long and happy life.

Lenny

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In memory of Taz Jr.Taz, our beloved Maine Coon catUpon his window seat he sat.He was a special felineWith people and dogs, he did just fine.He had a canine friend,Anni The Poodle who came to visit him, her heart to lend.Taz was 15 years, 5 months and 4 days oldWith so much love to behold.He was our special boyLoving feathers and many a catnip toy.When sitting in our chairs, our laps he enjoyed.We miss him so very muchAs he had such a special touch.He is now an angel in the skyHe was loved by all, oh, how hard it was to say goodbye.

Charlene

What a lover! Leon is just an amazing dog. He is so smart, so well trained, such a huggable, affectionate, handsome, and happy dog! We are so proud to have him as part of our family.

I honestly have nothing bad to say about him. He’s perfect! He doesn’t bark, beg for food, chew or dig. He is completely housebroken, obedient and he knows all of his commands. He walks right by my side and LOVES people! We really lucked out with Leon.

Lisa

Special thanks to the Friends and Family of April Lucas

On November 17, 2015 the friends and family of April Lucas donated needed supplies to the shelter. The donation was made in memory of April who passed away on November 17, 2011 at the age of 23. She had a passion for all animals. April had a saying, “Catch It, Feed It, Keep It.” While she wasn’t able to keep them all, she did love them all, taking care of strays and volunteering at shelters.

Thank you to the families who submitted these photos and great stories. We love to hear from our owners. If you have stories and photos to share, please send them to us. We love to hear from you.

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Memorials

People MemorialsJoe Cowden Dorothy & Robert

Appleberry

Betty Clark Betty Ebert Corinne & Fred Campeau Pat Feighan Rocky & Sarah Polisei Mr. & Mrs. Earl Nelson

Gregory Thomas Coucke Pat & Skip

Don DeCaussin Ann Mierzejewski

Sandra Sagenais Marlene Ashcraft

Gill Ferrarro Kathy Clark

Rose Frances Mr. & Mrs. Jozefaciuk Tom & Gail Banovich

& Family

Sally Godlewski Norman Godlewski & friends

Howard Goetterman Jessica, Steve and Matilda Sikora

Margaret Grime Mr. & Mrs. Greg Pokriefka Mr. & Mrs. Roger

Schroeder

Betty Hanes Jean, Jon & Leslie Wimmer

Dolores Hart Frank Davis

Leonard Herrascheck Family & Friends

Wendy Hubert Norbert & Christina Hubert

Paul & Pamela Vermiglio

Dawn Jarman Maynard & Joyce Lovelace

Jim Markey David & Jennifer Smith Steven & Constance

Smith Richard & Bette Perry

Dennie Marsh Doreen Miechiels

Richard McClure Laura Smith

Frederick Niedballa Club General Motor

Jan Rossorelli Henry Ford Health Services (Radiology Family)

Joe Vitale Ruth Kullman Delphine Dumontier

Deborah Ann Weston “Glore girls” Delores Finn Marcia & Gary Lowe D. & Cathy Hopkins Mr. & Mrs. Mark Schwark

& Family Alan & Cindy Tetreau Rick & Sue Swegles Dave Baer Jeffrey, Adam, Jacob,

Danielle Vemocke Della Hillman Gene & J an Rinke Sandra, Chet, Amber &

Scott Rudolph Carol Ano Mike & Vici Pierce Clark & Leah Edgerton Dick & Janet Hillaker Julie Kleinstiver Jim & Charlotte Kroll Maureen Klocke Bridget Whitican Scott & Janet Buzzell John & Rosemary

Campau Tom & Karen Heldt Jayne Kaufman Jane Penzien

Robert Wieske Ray & Linda Pittman

Olga Ziegler Pesnikov Family E. Bachhan Harry, Pat, Keith, Kristina,

Penny, Kaitlyn & D. Biegelmann

Pet Memorials“Lucky” MacKlein Elizabeth & Ray

Quenneville “Samantha” and “Pinky” Patricia Eick

“Duke” Ann & Dennis Hunger

“Fluffers” Judith Dellach

“Mollie” & “Peaches” Rita Shandel

“Gizmo” Jewel Moss

In Honor Of Don & Amy RossCat (Clark-Catey)

Happy Birthday Howard Thorpe from Carol Miles

Switzer Elementary 3rd Grade Class Mrs. Barrett

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It is associated with the depth and stability of the sky and sea (Did you note that we have been around since 1967?) It demonstrates feelings of comfort, faith, understanding, confidence, calm and trust.

It is associated with the happiness of sunshine and the tropics. It promotes feelings of enthusiasm, and determination.

The logo is just another way we are improving. We are increasing our Facebook presence and are updating the website. We look forward to connecting with you as we continue to improve.

and more. After going through all legal steps and custody has been given to the shelter. We make sure they are given the necessary care they need. These farm animals will either stay as permanent residents or may be adopted, if they are able. With Macomb being a strong farm community, it is a key part to our origins.

Second, there is a cat and a dog. These are the main animals that we accept and adopt out. We love cats and dogs and helping find good families for these pets that are turned into us for many reasons.

Finally, there are the caring, giving, loving hands that hold and surround the animals. This is the care and support that we and the community provide these animals.

The colors also have meaning and we feel that the orange and blue symbolize our shelter well. The logo is refreshed, but we made sure that our history was maintained and are happy with the result.

Wish ListThe Humane Society of Macomb Animal Shelter is in need of the following items to help those who cannot help themselves.

• Canned Cat Food

• Canned Dog Food

• Clorox bleach (regular only)

• Laundry soap

• Kleenex

• Brillo pads

• Cockatiel seed and treats

• Parrot seed and treats

• Parakeet seed

• Gravel and grit for birds

• Volunteers 16 years and older to walk, play and socialize animals in our shelter

Thank you for your generosity.

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BLUE

Color Meaning

ORANGE

Need some help?We know that in today’s economy that

some families may be struggling to

feed their beloved “pets.” The cost of

pet food is rising along with everything

else. People who are struggling to put

food on the table for their families may

need a little help to feed their pets.

Please call our shelter and we may

be able to assist you with some

dry dog or cat food.

Straw by the bag is also available for

the pet that has to stay outside in a

doghouse during the cold season.

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updates from the Humane

Society of Macomb? Sign up

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humanesocietyofmacomb

Humane Society of Macomb

11350 22-Mile Road

Utica, Michigan 48317

Shelter: 586-731-9210

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSterling Heights, MI

PERMIT NO. 17