Grrrage Sale – April 28, 2012

Have you started your Spring Cleaning or do you need a good excuse to get rolling??  We NEED YOUR STUFF!  Our annual garage sale will be at the end of this month, but we can’t raise money without great stuff to sell.  Be sure to tell your friends and family….this is a great way to help the Ellis County SPCA.  All gently used (or new) household items, clothes, furniture, garden items, books, games, etc. etc. etc. will be accepted.

Don’t forget to check us out on FACEBOOK and keep up with events on our website calendar.

Garage Sale at the First United Methodist Church of Waxahachie
505 W. Marvin
Bring your donations to the Church
Friday, April 27th – DONATIONS ONLY FROM 8AM TO 6PM
Saturday, April 28th  — Garage Sale from 7a-3p

Additional helpful items at the sale are bags with handles to help shoppers while they shop and grocery bags for us to package up sales.  For any questions, please contact Kari at spcaevents@gmail.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

Posted in News, Uncategorized, Upcoming Events | Comments Off

Bow-Wow Band Bash

Join us for a Bow Wow Band Show for a fun night of music and light refreshments.

The event is set for:
March 31, 2012
6:30 – 9:30 PM
Optimist Youth Center
219 Patrick Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Well-known and celebrated Classic Country singers and musicians from the North Texas area will perform.

All proceeds will benefit the Ellis County SPCA.

Tickets are a $5.00 donation at the door or tickets may be purchased at Brookside Animal Hospital in Waxahachie: website: brooksideanimalhospital.net

For more information call 469-337-1625.

Posted in News, Upcoming Events | Comments Off

Dog House Building Competition Announcement

The Ellis County SPCA announces a unique opportunity to show off your creativity and building skills by sponsoring a Dog House Building Competition. Dog House entries must be originally built by any individual, business, non-profit organization or youth (under 16 years old). Originality and imagination is the name of this competition. This is an excellent opportunity to advertise your program or business.

Prizes will be awarded for: Non-Profit People’s Choice, Business People’s Choice, Individual People’s Choice, Future Builder in youth category and the overall winner: Top Dog – Best In Show. Winners will be determined by number of votes received – $1.00 per vote or 6 for $5.00. Entry fees are $10 – youth under 16 years old; $20 non-profit organization; $30 individual; $50 business category.

Dog House entries will be on display at the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival, downtown Ennis TX, on Saturday, April 21, 2012 of this weekend event. Winners will be announced Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.; however, winners need not be present to win. You may display your dog house and collect votes prior to the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival.

Once the votes are tallied, a ballot will be drawn to win that dog house. If you do not need a dog house, you may chose to donate the dog house to the Ellis County SPCA for future fundraising.

100% of monies raised will benefit the EC-SPCA, Humane Education Committee’s, Adoption a Classroom program that provides free KIND NEWS magazines to participating kindergarten thru 6th grade classrooms in Ellis County.

Dogs and dog houses come in all sizes, so yes, there are rules. Please contact the EC-SPCA for complete rules, entry form and questions prior to building your dog house. There is a need for sponsors for this competition, too, so please contact the EC-SPCA regarding these opportunities.

Download entry form

# # # # #

Posted in News, Upcoming Events | Comments Off

The AVMA releases guidelines for Responsible Pet Ownership

American Veterinary Medical Association policy
 
Guidelines for Responsible Pet Ownership
(Oversight CHAB; EB approved 11/2011)
 
Owning a pet is a privilege and should result in a mutually beneficial relationship. However, the benefits of pet ownership come with obligations. Responsible pet ownership includes:

  • Committing to the relationship for the life of the pet(s).
  • Avoiding impulsive decisions about obtaining pet(s), and carefully selecting pet(s) suited to your home and lifestyle.
  • Recognizing that ownership of pet(s) requires an investment of time and money.
  • Keeping only the type and number of pets for which an appropriate and safe environment can be provided, including appropriate food, water, shelter, health care and companionship.
  • Ensuring pets are properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and that registration information in associated databases is kept up-to-date
  • Adherence to local ordinances, including licensing and leash requirements.
  • Controlling pet(s)’ reproduction through managed breeding, containment, or spay/neuter thereby helping to address animal control and overpopulation problems.
  • Establishing and maintaining a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
  • Providing preventive (e.g., vaccinations, parasite control) and therapeutic health care for the life of pet(s) in consultation with, and as recommended by, its veterinarian.
  • Socialization and appropriate training for pet(s), which facilitates their well-being and the well-being of other animals and people.
  • Preventing pet(s) from negatively impacting other people, animals and the environment, including proper waste disposal, noise control, and not allowing pet(s) to stray or become feral.
  • Providing exercise and mental stimulation appropriate to the pet(s)’ age, breed, and health status.
  • Advance preparation to ensure the pet(s)’ well-being in the case of an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit.
  • Making alternative arrangements if caring for the pet is no longer possible.
  • Recognizing declines in the pet(s)’ quality of life and making decisions in consultation with a veterinarian regarding appropriate end-of-life care (e.g., palliative care, hospice, euthanasia).
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

The Adventures of Todd: His Days as a Shelter Dog

I may be small, but I'm mighty!

Well, he came on a truck, a county truck.  He was picked up as a stray and taken to The Ellis County SPCA.  When he arrived, he was very scared, as that truck was big and loud, and there were other dogs that didn’t seem very happy.  When he finally arrived he was put in a small cage in a cool room until a very nice lady removed him.  She looked him over real good and then took his temperature, gave him a pill, poked him with a couple of needles and put him in a bigger cage in a bigger room with a lot more dogs.  Todd didn’t like this room because it was big and loud and he was so tiny.  He just couldn’t figure out why he couldn’t go back to his home.

He stayed in this big, cold place for what seemed like forever.  He didn’t like it, but at least he was not hungry or thirsty or dodging cars.  In fact, given the alternative, it wasn’t so bad.  People would walk around and look at all of his neighbors.  Sometimes they would stop and look at him and he could tell they were being kind and saying nice things to him.  But, then they would leave and he was alone again.  Days and nights came and went.  Todd began to get used to the daily routine, but he longed for human companionship, he needed a forever home.  Someone just has to have a place in their heart for Todd.

Look for our next post on The Adventures of Todd:  The Petsmart Outings

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Pet Disaster Supply Checklist

There is no better time to gather your pet disaster supplies than when there is not a disaster pending. Being our thoughts and prayers are with those on the East Coast who have suffered with Hurricane Irene, please stop and prepare for your pets disaster plan today. Remember, Texas has our share of disasters, too.

Keep these supplies accessible, and stored in sturdy containers that can be easily carried.

You’ll need:

-food and water for at least five days, include bowls (manual can opener, if packing canned food).

-pet first aid kit, any medications and records (stored in a waterproof bag).

-garbage bags to collect pets’ waste; and if traveling with a cat: litter box, litter, litter scoop.

-sturdy leashes, carriers (make sure carriers are large enough to turn around and lie down, as they maybe in them for longer periods of time).

-bedding, paper towels, extra leash, and pet toys.

-ID each pet (tag – microchip) also have a picture with pet name, written pet description and your cell phone number, incase you get separated or must board your pet. Also be sure to include your Vets name and phone number.

These are stressful times and being prepared will greatly ease some of the stress. Your whole family will thank you — if you prepare NOW.

Written by your EC-SPCA Humane Education Committee
EducationECSPCA@yahoo.com

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Kids Camp Supports Shelter

MIDLOTHIAN, TX — In mid June, the ECSPCA Education Committee spoke to the boys and girls of the Bluebonnet Kids Camp at the Midlothian Library.

The children were treated to a humane lesson and Shannon, a service dog brought by one of the committee’s members.

After the expenses of the camp had been paid, the remaining amount was split between the education committee and the shelter. The volunteers appreciate the camp for their generosity and the opportunity to share the ECSPCA message.

Posted in Event Roundup | Leave a comment

ECSPCA Website Now Wind Powered

WAXAHACHIE, TX — Texas wind farms now power the Ellis County SPCA website.

Starting June 1, 2011, electricity generated by wind turbines in the state fully offset the power consumption of the non-profit organization’s servers. Visitors to the website may now view adoptable pets and find out more about the organization with full confidence that the organization has joined the efforts of other non-profits and businesses that are mitigating their impact on the environment through environmentally responsible choices.

“Sustainable sources of power are now competitively priced with conventional sources, so there’s no reason or excuse not to go green,” says Marshall Hinsley, web designer for the organization and member of the ECSPCA public relations committee. “In fact, our new arrangement has given us more storage capacity and greater versatility at a better price. So, while we work to offset our carbon footprint, we are actually saving money.”

Hinsley says that choosing green power for the ECSPCA website is part of his personal and professional agenda to help local organizations practice good stewardship of the earth’s resources. Sustainable choices, he says, can be made by businesses and organizations of any size: “Whether it’s choosing recycled paper stock for brochures and letterhead, opting into green power suppliers or merely greening the cleaning closet, we must think about how our practices either build up or tear down our environment. It’s a new way of thinking, and it’s a part of a broader goal for all responsible and progressive organizations.”

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Petsmart Dog Adoptions May 28th and 29th

We are hosting Off Site Adoptions of a few of our dogs at the Petsmart in Waxahachie (located on Hwy. 77).  This will be with just a few individual dogs  — not with the adoption trailer.    We hope you will come out to see us on Saturday or Sunday from Noon-4pm each day.  Our animal shelter located at 2570 FM 878 is also open this weekend for adoptions from 1p-4p.

This program IS WORKING TO FIND EVEN MORE FOREVER HOMES FOR OUR FURRY FRIENDS - come on out and visit with us and pick up some information on how you can help change the life of a homeless dog or cat.  Even if you can’t adopt right now – we have plenty of other programs that need your support!

Posted in News, Upcoming Events | Leave a comment

SPCA GARAGE SALE — APRIL 30TH AT THE FUMC AT 505 W. MARVIN AVENUE IN WAXAHACHIE

OUR NEXT BIG FUNDRAISER
GARAGE SALE — APRIL 30TH AT THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AT 505 W. MARVIN AVENUE IN WAXAHACHIE

Garage sale times and details are:
Friday, April 29th DONATIONS AT THE CHURCH from 7am to 6pm so people can come before or after work/school.  Set up will probably go until 8pm, but we have to cut off donations to give some time for final organization.  We prefer that donations come directly to the church because storage space is limited at the shelter and transporting items can be difficult.  If you can’t make it and need to discuss special arrangements, please feel free to contact us at spcaevents@gmail.com

We will accept all gently used household items such as: appliances, furniture, kitchen items, books, games, toys, artwork, garden tools, exercise equipment, etc(due to health codes – we cannot sell mattresses unless they are for cribs).  We will accept clothing which we prefer to get on hangers as it is easier to sort and display (baby clothing can be folded). We also welcome any extra hangers you can bring.

Saturday, April 30th GARAGE SALE 7am-3pm.  KBEC will be joining us for a remote broadcast from 8a-10am, plus the Ellis County SPCA will be offering low cost microchipping in the parking lot from 10am to Noon.

Posted in Event Roundup, News, Upcoming Events | Leave a comment