Anna L Haas Humane Society Of Cobb County Inc

Programs: Humane animal welfare begins with educational community outreach programs. Studies show that murderers and people who abuse other people began by abusing innocent, helpless animals. It has been proven that as children, of all ages, learn to care for animals and understand their language and behaviors they are less likely to be cruel to both animals and to people. In addition, they are less likely to be injured by an animal. Anna l haas humane society of cobb county (hscc) hands-on animal education program teaches proper care, respect and empathy for animals. The hscc has worked with over 300 scouts, students, teachers and others at our no-kill shelter this year. We also presented pet care seminars and hands-on training to almost 1,000 students and adults at their schools, libraries, and civic groups. In addition, as part of our valuable, ongoing educational services we attended community events such as the july 4th celebration on marietta square handing out humane information to hundreds of people and answering their questions on animal issues. We appeared on fox 5 tv "good day atlanta" fifty-one monday mornings showing pets for adoption and discussing animal issues such as the importance of neutering pets. The show is viewed live by approximately 250,000 households daily and our interviews continued to be available on the internet for the rest of the day each time we were there. The hscc maintained a web site, humanecobb. Com, to provide humane information 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Written spay/neuter information and directions to the county shelter are available at our facility 7 days a week 24 hours a day. The hscc no-kill shelter housed approximately 130 small animals a day. These pets were turned in by owners who could no longer keep for a variety of reasons including home abuse, owner illness, etc. Some are special needs (e. G. Diabetic). Many come in starving. While they are with us they are cared for and become part of the education and pet assisted therapy programs, etc. All of these pets are spayed or neutered and fully vetted prior to adoption. The need for a safe haven is far greater than our space or resources permit so our shelter program is also designed to help pets remain safely in their own homes as long as possible and to provide information on other options when staying at home is no longer possible. A variety of programs are intertwined to provide citizens with assistance when information, supplies and financial aid are needed to help them be responsible animal guardians. Without proactive measures being taken the number of unwanted pets will continue to grow. This will ultimately lead to more animals being abandoned causing major community problems resulting from large feral colonies of cats or hungry/aggressive packs of dogs running at large. Euthanasia numbers will increase when shelters cannot handle the numbers. To help prevent these problems the hscc not only spays/neuters all dogs, cats, rabbits, etc. That are adopted from the shelter, we also manage a spay/neuter assistance program (with approximately 20 participating veterinarians) and provided over 5,000 low cost spay/neuter certificates to help encourage responsible owners to reduce pet overpopulation, protect their pet's health and reduce the pet's desire to run loose. This year the hscc communicated with almost 1,000 people each month, helping them solve pet related problems so they could keep pets at home as long as possible. We provided pet food and more to all cobb county "meals on wheels" participants who still have animals. We also provided pet food to numerous others who could not afford to feed their pets so they would not have to put them in a shelter or euthanize them. We also provided cages, doghouses, traps, carriers, etc. To help people house or transport animals. With the help of local veterinarians, we provided medical care for some and gave options for help to others. The hscc lost and found database lists those that have lost or found a pet. Each was provided with information on how to get the pet home as soon as possible. The home to home placement database lists owners who are trying to keep their pets out of shelters by matching them with people who want to adopt. In addition, we aided people when their pet was ill or dying by sharing information in a kind and compassionate way so that they could make decisions that were in the best interest of their animals.