Learn the answers to these common questions: Why Get Rid of Fleas? How can you tell if your pet has fleas?  Well my pet has fleas so now what do I do?

Flea Fun Facts: 

• There are over 2000 varieties of fleas.
• In America there are over 200 different types of fleas.  200!!! 
• Fleas tend to prefer warm, somewhat humid weather:  75-95 degrees with 60-85% humidity.
• The domestic pet flea is Ctenocephalides felis.
• Fleas are capable of jumping from 14 to 16 inches.
• Female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs a day.
• That means in approximately 9 months a female can cause up to a trillion descendents!! 

Imagine what would happen if you never brushed your teeth! Regular dental care is as important to your pet as it is to you. Dental care of dogs and cats is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of pet health care. Dental disease doesn’t affect just the mouth. It can lead to more serious health problems including heart, lung and kidney disease, which makes it all the more important that you provide your pets with proper dental care from the start. Your pet's dental health is just as important to his or her overall health as your dental health is to your general health. By providing a regular dental program you can insure you pet’s oral health. (Read full article here)

Animal cruelty is defined as acts of violence or neglect perpetrated against animals. Examples of animal cruelty include overt abuse, dog fighting and cock fighting, and companion animals being neglected or denied necessities of care, such as food, water or shelter. Animal welfare organizations across the country work daily to educate people about how to care for their companion animals and how they can prevent animal cruelty.

April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month. In honor of this month, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is offering these 10 tips on how to identify animal cruelty.

1. Be aware. Without phone calls from concerned citizens who report cruelty in their neighborhoods, humane organizations wouldn't know about most instances of animal abuse. Get to know and look out for the animals in your neighborhood. By being aware, people are more likely to notice, for example, that the dog next door who was once hefty has lost weight rapidly--a possible indicator of abuse.
2. Learn to recognize animal cruelty. The following are some signs:
   • Wounds on the body; patches of missing hair; extremely thin, starving animals; limping, etc.
   • An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal.
   • Dogs who are repeatedly left alone without food and water, often chained up in a yard.
   • Dogs who have been hit by cars—or are showing any of the signs listed above—and have not been taken to a veterinarian.
   • Dogs who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions.
   • Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owners.
3. Know who to call to report animal cruelty. Every state and every town is different. In some areas, people may rely on the police department to investigate animal cruelty; in others, people have to contact their local animal control or another municipal agency. The ASPCA^® has a section of its web site devoted to helping people find local services for investigating animal cruelty, please visit the ASPCA for more information.
4. Provide as much information as possible when reporting animal cruelty. It helps to write down the type of cruelty that you witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident and where it took place.
5. Call or write your local law enforcement department and let them know that investigating animal cruelty should be a priority. Animal cruelty is a CRIME--and the police MUST investigate these crimes.
6. Know your state's animal cruelty laws. They vary from state to state, and even from city to city. You can visit the ASPCA web site at http://www.aspca.org/statelaws to find information about the laws in your state.
7. You can fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state and local levels by joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade to lobby your legislators and help get the laws passed.
8. Set a good example for others. If you have pets, be sure to always show them the love and good care that they deserve. It's more than just food, water, and adequate shelter. If you think your animal is sick, bring him to the veterinarian. Be responsible and have your animals spayed or neutered.
9. Talk to your kids about how to treat animals with kindness and respect. One of the most powerful tools for preventing cruelty to animals is education. It is important to plant the seeds of kindness in children early, and to nurture their development as the child grows. Children not only need to learn what they shouldn't do, but also what they can and should do. When children see that their pets are happy and loving, it will make the child feel good, too. This in turn will help the children care for their pets' feelings.
10. Support your local animal rescue organization or shelter with donations of money, food or supplies. Volunteering your time or fostering a shelter animal is a good way to make a difference.

The HSMC Mexican Fiesta!

Saturday February 23rd the Fiesta Mexican Restaurant once again put on a wonderful lunch buffet and local folks enjoyed their favorite dished while showing their support of the continued works of the HSMC.

 Thank you volunteers for giving up such a beautiful Saturday to show your dedication and support of the HSMC. We could not do it without you!

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