Two projects that go hand in hand are the Pet Por-traits and the Animal Services Supporters Club.

Local artist Ed Lamb will paint a portrait of your pet when a donation is made to Animal Services. An 8X10 can be received for a donation of $100 and a 16X20 can be received for a donation of $150. A photo of the pet must be furnished to work from. In addition to your beautiful portrait, you will become a member of the Supporters Club and your name will be added to our lobby plaque.

Desoto County Animal Services Supporters Club are persons who have donated $100 or more to Animal Services. The club has 3 categories. Silver ($100 to $249), Gold ($250 to $499) and Diamond

($500 and over). All Club members receive the Animal Services Newsletter by mail. New members are listed in the newsletter in the month they join. Kandice & Daniel Hogan Gold - May—2013 William Haist Silver—May 2013

PET PORTRAITS Page 1

DANGEROUS DOGS Following is a listing of dangerous dogs residing in Desoto County, having been so deemed by Flor-ida Statute 767.

“Lucas” a red neutered male Shar Pei mix residing at 1518 Eucalyptus Ave.

“Spanky” a white unaltered male American Bulldog with a brindled patch on left eye & part of left ear, residing at 3847 NW Va-lencia Ave.

“Chico” a red unaltered male Mastiff/Bull Terrier mix residing at 4460 Tulip Dr.

“Harry” a black male unal-tered Labrador/k9 mix re-siding at 115 N. Osceola Ave.

“Chico” a white & brown unaltered male American Bulldog/Pit Bull Terrier mix residing at 2366 Snow St.

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Table of Contents

Pet Portraits Dangerous Dogs Pg 1

Funny Facts Susan’s Helpful Hints Pg 2

Ann’s Adoption Page Pg 3

Supervisor’s Corner Puzzle Page Pg 4

Grant Highlights No No Pet Co-Pilots Henry’s View Pg 5

Cat Vaccinations Puzzle Answers Pg 6

Felix Says Tractor Supply Pet-a-Thon Pg 7

News Bites Pg 8

For Your Information Pg 9

This section is dedi-cated to the unusual, little known and sometimes little cared for facts that some find useless and others find down-right funny

Page 2

FUNNY FACTS

DESOTO COU NTY A NI MAL SE R VICE S

1) The liver of a Polar Bear is poisonous for consumption by humans as it contains too much vitamin C.

2) A lion is capable of mating up to 50 times a day

3) Slugs have 4 noses.

4) An electric eel is able to produce a shock of up to 650 volts.

5) Butterflies taste with their feet.

6) The call of the Blue Whale can reach 188 decibels and can be heard for hundreds of miles under water. Thus entitling it the loudest animal on Earth.

7) Duck quacks do not echo.

8) A sloth travel an average of 15 feet per day.

9) A female ferret will die if unsuccessful in finding a mate after going into heat.

10) The flippers of a Humpback whale are as long as 1/3 its body.

11) A Pigeon’s feathers weigh more than it’s bones.

12) A Cheetah is the only cat that cannot retract its claws.

13) There are roughly 2 million insects for every person on Earth.

14) A Chameleon’s tongue is twice as long as it’s body.

Hello, its time for Susan’s helpful hints for the summer. First, I want you to put on jeans and the heaviest jacket you have and go outside and run around for 10 minutes. Now; how do you feel? Pretty hot I bet and its only in the mid 80’s right now. Give this some thought when you think it’s a nice day to play ball with your dog. Remem-ber, he or she is wearing a full length fur coat. Make sure your pet gets plenty of water and a nice shaded spot to rest in. You are not the only one who can suffer a heat stroke.

It is also that time of year for storms, be ready. You get ready for yourself & family and that should include your 4 legged family members as well. I have a baby bag for my dogs and in that bag I keep all their vet records, medica-tions, leashes, nail trimmers, a thermometer, a pet toy and a supply of food. Heaven forbid we have another Charlie. All I have to do is grab the pet & the bag and out the door we go.

This is just a few things to keep in mind for the summer. Everyone, be safe and happy!

Page 3

ANN’S ADOPTION PAGE

DESOTO COU NTY A NI MAL SE R VICE S

04.166 5/9/13 GINGER 5/1/13 KIT 5/1/13

05.072 5/22/13 05.157 5/31/13 05.121 5/29/13

TRIXIE 5/29/13 MURRAY 5/29/13

MAY ADOPTIONS

MAY 20 13 Page 4

SUPERVISOR’S CORNER

PUZZLE Put on you thinking caps to find the answers.

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No job is complete until the paperwork is done. And you have no idea how much paperwork there is around here. Complaint slips, kennel cards record books, tracking, logs, gas & land fill tickets to name a few. Don’t even get me started on what is needed for evidence and court cases. Keeping all our ducks in a row is a full time job AND very important.

Reports are done every day, month and year. This helps us track our progress and areas where we need more progress or a thought to re-vamping the system. Even though our system is very basic, it is critical in tracking our past and mapping our future. There is a lot more to keeping this place on track than playing with the puppies & kitties, even though I consider that to be the best part.

Our paperwork will be vital to our growth with proof of future needs, past accomplishments and projections in all areas that we work with. Sometimes I feel like I am under a mountain of paper, bu I know how important it is. All staff members have their share and when possible, assist with other needed help to accomplish the dotting of each “I” and crossing each “T”.

Numbers and counts need to be accurate. We are basing our future on them and the future of our community and the pets we serve. Most people are not crazy about paperwork but the necessary evil is that without it, we aren’t going anywhere. I have great visions for this department in the future and those little rows of ducks have the potential to waddle us into a brighter fu-ture. The brighter our future, the better for the pets and our County as a whole. BUT when the next mountain slides in, I have to keep reminding myself and kepp plugging away.

OH, excuse me, I have to go out and line up some more ducks!

Page 5 NEW SL ET TE R T ITL E

In 2012 the ASPCA provided nearly 1/4 million dollars in grants towards training the next generation of animal care & shelter. Recent highlights include;

Mississippi State University; $65,000 toward operation of a brand new spay/neuter mobile unit that can also serve as a mobile classroom to help train veterinary students.

Shelter Outreach Services, New York; $10,000 to support a Mobile Animal Surgical Hospital (MASH), where students gain a hands on experience in high quality, high volume spay/neuter of cats.

Kentucky Humane Society, Louisville Kentucky; 2 grant totaling $17,790 for tagging machines to reduce intake & aid in reuniting pets with their families.

Horse Protection Association of Florida, Micanopy, Florida; $4,000 to expand its equine training program to better be able to find homes for horses in its care quicker.

SaveABunny, Mills Valley, California; $25,000 to upgrade and refurbish its shelter and further their mission of rescuing, rehabilitating & rehoming injured & special needs bunnies.

Seer Farms, Jackson New Jersey; $10,000 to help cover the cost of an emergency facility for pets affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Wild Bird Fund, New York; this $4,000 grant was made possible through the Avian Welfare Grant Program & purchased 6 intensive care units to help injured domestic birds who are found abandoned in New York’s parks & streets.

Illinois Legislators are considering a law that will ban people from driving while holding a pet animal in their lap. A violation would be considered a petty offence and cary a fine of up to $25. New Jersey, and Hawaii have similar laws.

Have you ever wondered what your pet is thinking? Like, when they stare at you when your eating? Or when you talk in that high pitched voice to them and say the same thing...over & over & over again? I sometimes ponder on what their thoughts are of us as the “intellectual two-legged leaders of the pack”, if you will. If they could put a leash on us, would they? If they could give us just ONE treat, would they share? At times, in my profession as an Animal Control Officer, I look at these animals and think to myself, “Tell me what you’re thinking Buddy.” If they could tell me, I’m sure my job would be more entertaining with what they’d relay as their point of view of this crazy world and us two-legged creatures. I don’t think WE give THEM enough credit. So, the next time you walk into a scene of a toy destroyed with cotton everywhere and your dog with that look of innocence, ask yourself what the toy did to de-serve obliviation. Pet that companion, give him TWO treats, look him in the eye with a head shake that says,” I know what you’re thinking”, and let them know you are a team!

Page 6

PUZZLE ANSWERS

NEW SL ET TE R T ITL E

1) SUNFLOWER 8) MAKE A WISH

2) BABY BOTTLE 9) CAT AND MOUSE

3) BACK DOOR 10) HEAD OVER HEELS

4) PITBULL

5) BULLS EYE

6) I GIVE UP

7) MORNING STAR

CAT VACCINATIONS

Thanks to a grant for vaccinations through Petfinders, Desoto County Animal Services was able to offer vaccinations for cat families of Desoto County at a very substantial reduction.

Animal Services Officer, Susan Brodowsky was kept busy drawing up the vaccinations. Dr. Pam and Ms Tracey once again were very supportive of our endeavor and served as the vet and tech .

The tent and seat-ing was up and ready early.

The gates opened at 11 am and the kittie families came in.

Mr. & Mrs. Hull were very happy with the savings and hope to see another kittie clinic in the future.

MAY 20 13 Page 7

Felix Says

Hurricane Season is here! Mom is going through the registrations on file for pets already registered for the Pet Dis-aster Shelter if a storm should arise this year. I want to encourage everyone to come to the Hurricane Seminar being held at the Turner Center June 5th from 5:30 pm till 8 pm. Mom & Ms Susan will be there with information and registration guidelines to help get your pet set up in case we have a disaster and you would need to evacuate your pet. Pre-registration is required so do not wait until the day of a storm because it will be too late. Ms Susan is also going to have on hand her evacuation bags to use as an ex-ample of what to have ready for your pet in order to save time if the evacuation alert is activated. Animal services will also have some items being raffled. Various venders will be on site with useful information about banking, insurance, health care, recovery and other topics that are very important in an emergency. Its strange the everyday things and routines we take for granted but proved to be a monumental obstacle when the our whole world is turned up-side-down! Speakers from some of the represented organizations will speak about services and options you may not know about or have considered. Early planning is your best defense, and don’t forget to plan for ALL members of your family, pets included. So, come out and educate yourself, maybe win a raffle item and even meet and see Jim Farrell from WINK news weather team who will be the key-note speaker for the seminar. Any how, here’s hoping we have a quiet and safe hurricane season. But don’t plan on it. Rather, make your plans now and review them to be sure you are prepared for any emer-gency and come down and enjoy the education AND fun we have at the Hurricane semi-nar. Hope to see you there!

Desoto County Animal Services was present at Tractor Supply’s pet-a-thon with dogs and cats for adoption. Micro-chipping of pets was also offered.

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TRACTOR SUPPLY PET-A-THON

Animal Control Officer, Henry Meredith gets Sy, a 18 month old male neutered Catahoula Leopard hound/Doberman mix ready to show.

The dogs needed plenty of water to drink as it was a nice warm day. Ray made sure eve-ryone was happy and comfort-able while waiting to see if they would find their forever home.

Animal Control officers Henry Meredith and Susan Brodowsky, along with temporary kennel assis-tant Ray Athney were on hand in high hopes of successfully placing pets into permanent homes. Dogs, cats and kittens were available for adoption.

NEWS BITES Hills Pet Nutrition has a mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people

and their pets. Learn more about Science Diet & Prescription Diet pet foods at HillsPet.com.

If you are a special needs person who may need to evacuate during a disaster, Desoto County Animal Services has a pet disaster shelter. The informational pamphlet and application for your pre-registration can be acquired at Animal Services at 2048 N.E. McKay St. Don’t forget the Disaster Volunteer Program. If interested, you can obtain the pamphlet and application at Animal Services at 2048 N.E. McKay St or call 863-993-4855 for more information. Daily volunteers are always welcome to walk dogs, play with the cats, clean pens, bathe animals, file, sweep, dust and mop. Its never the same thing twice. Be the first to hear about the pet of the week by tuning in to radio station 106.9 fm “The Bull” on Wednesdays. Desoto County and Hardee County swap every other week on 106.9 fm at around 7:45 am. Tours and activities can be scheduled at the Animal Services facility. School groups, classes, clubs and activity centers can schedule a tour by calling 863-993-4855. Lectures and talks can also be arranged to have an Animal Services representative come to you. Donations of pet food and pet treats are always appreciated. Blankets, towels and small area rugs are of great use as pet bedding. (No clothing items please) Special needs are a chain link play area for the dogs. Live humane traps are available for nuisance hard to capture animals. Cat, dog & chicken traps are avail-able for a deposit of $25. Upon return of the trap Desoto County will refund $20 by check through the mail. The traps are available for 7 days which can be extended for another 7 days with a simple phone call. Desoto County Animal Services has a pet food bank to help feed pet of households that may be strug-gling with hard economic times. Wet (canned) and dry cat and dog food are available according to stocks on hand. 2 draws per year can be made per household. Supplies are limited.

Donation of a trailer to use for off-site events and for the safer and more efficient transport of pets , cages and other equipment is needed. A tax credit can be obtained from the County for a donation of this type.

Desoto County Animal Services is in need of chicken coops for the care and holding of chickens,

turkeys, ducks, guineas, geese and assorted domestic fowl. Any materials such as 2x4’s, chicken wire, staples and nails to construct such will be greatly appreciated.

Page 8 Desoto County Animal Services

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION

April 2013

PUBLIC NUISANCE 823.01 Nuisances; penalty.—All nuisances that tend to annoy the community, injure the health of the citizens in general, or corrupt the public morals are misdemeanors of the second degree, pun-ishable as provided in s. 775.083, except that a violation of s. 823.10 is a felony of the third de-gree.

823.04 Animals suffering from disease or pests.—It is unlawful for any person to bring into this state or to offer for sale herein any horses, mules, cattle, hogs, or other domestic animals, know-ing at the time of such introduction or offering for sale of any such animals that they are suffering from contagious or infectious disease or any pests declared by rule of the Department of Agricul-ture and Consumer Services to be a public nuisance and to be dangerous, transmissible, or a threat to the agricultural interest of the state. Any person convicted of such offense is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084

823.041 Disposal of bodies of dead animals; penalty.—(1) Any owner, custodian, or person in charge of domestic animals, upon the death of such animals due to disease, shall dispose of the car-casses of such animals by burning or burying at least 2 feet below the surface of the ground; provided, however, nothing in this section shall prohibit the disposal of such animal carcasses to rendering com-panies licensed to do business in this state.(2) It is unlawful to dispose of the carcass of any domestic animal by dumping such carcass on any public road or right-of-way, or in any place where such carcass can be devoured by beast or bird.(3) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.(4) For the purposes of this act, the words “domestic animal” shall include any equine or bovine animal, goat, sheep, swine, dog, cat, poultry, or other domesticated beast or bird.