Humane Society of Dickson County E-Newsletter -- October 6, 2004

Spike, the pit bull taken during a break-in at the Humane Society of Dickson County in June, is back at the shelter.

“He’s in good condition,” Dickson County Sheriff’s Det. B.J. Gafford said Monday.

Authorities recovered the 3-year-old, 80-pound red pit bull Friday, tied to a stake at the tree line in the backyard of a Hickman County residence.

“We’re elated to have him back. He’s in great shape, and appears to have been well cared for,” said Lacey Nelson, director of the Humane Society.

Nelson credits the offer of a $2,000 reward made up of private donations with leading to Spike’s recovery. “I think the reward led directly to the anonymous call. The man who took Spike got cocky and started bragging about it,” Nelson said.

The tipster, who will be eligible for the reward following an arrest and conviction of the guilty party, gave authorities the exact location of the residence on Morgan Creek Road in Hickman County and the name of the home owner.

Whomever authorities arrest for the burglary and theft will be charged with burglary of a business and felony theft. The dog was valued at $1,200. A theft of more than $500 constitutes a felony under state law, Gafford said.

The pit bull, which some people use for fighting, was stolen June 30 after someone cut the chain link fence at the shelter on Eno Road. Investigators say the office door was also kicked open.

Nelson said Monday that Spike has already gone to a foster home, where he is being well cared for. “We’re going to get him neutered. He’s a magnificent animal,” Nelson added.

Hooray! Spike is back! We are so grateful for the kindness of the reward donors that made this rescue possible.

Upcoming Events

Pups on Parade
Saturday, October 9, 2004, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Grab Creek Riding Academy, Dickson
The Humane Society of Dickson County (HSDC) will host "Pups on Parade," its annual fundraiser and celebration of all things dog, this Saturday, October 9th, at Grab Creek Riding Academy in Dickson. The family-friendly event, which runs from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM, will feature dozens of fun and zany canine contests, booths and activities. Moreover, the event will offer a special Kids Korner with petting zoo, K9 police dogs, child ID and fingerprint kits, Darrin the DARE Lion, carnival games, slides, face painting, and more. HSDC invites all area animal lovers to bring their family and pets for an afternoon of fun in the sun.

HSDC will also host a pet microchipping clinic from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM during Pups on Parade. This is an opportunity for local pet owners to get their cat, dog or other animal microchipped for only $15 (a procedure which usually costs $30-60 in a vet clinic).

Directions to Pups on Parade: Take I-40 to Exit 172, turn right onto Highway 46 South in Dickson. Continue on Highway 46 South for 3.3 miles. Turn left onto West Grab Creek Road beside the Roxy 8 Theatre and the event will be approximately one mile down on the right at Grab Creek Riding Academy.

Helen Moore Benefit Concert
Tuesday, November 9, 2004
Boardwalk Cafe in Nashville
Join us for an evening of music by Helen Moore, country music artist and songwriter at the Boardwalk Cafe in Nashville. Admission will be $10 at the door with all proceeds benefiting HSDC. More details coming soon . . . mark your calendar to come out to see this star of the Bluebird Cafe!

Adopt-A-Thons

First three Saturdays of each month - Adopt-a-thons at PETCO in Bellevue, Noon - 4 p.m. Please click here for a map, address and contact information for the Bellevue PETCO.

First Saturday of each month - Adopt-a-thon at Sara's Critter Connection in Dickson, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Second Saturday of each month - Adopt-a-thon at Dog Adoption Expo, held at KMK Acres on Columbia Highway in Thompson Station, TN, 12-4 p.m. Please click here for a map to KMK Acres.

A Microchip Can Save Your Best Friend

Until pets learn to use the telephone to call home when they're lost, microchips and ID tags will be essential to helping our four-legged friends find their way home. Microchips are the most permanent and effective form of pet identification, which is why HSDC is offering microchips for pets at the upcoming Pups on Parade for only $15 per pet! Join us at Grab Creek Riding Academy in Dickson on Saturday, October 9, 2004, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. to take advantage of this low-cost opportunity to protect your pet (see event information above).

As seen in The Saint Louis Post-Dispatch, September 25, 2004:
Microchips are radio-frequency identification devices about the size of a grain of rice that are injected under an animal's skin. The chips transmit numbers, which can be read by special scanners. Each number is a key to a database that contains the animal's identification information.

Since their entrance onto the animal-welfare stage nearly two decades ago, microchips have revolutionized the way pets are reunited with their owners, says Katherine McGowan, the APA's executive director. "They have saved literally thousands of animals that otherwise would have been destroyed."

But as speakers at a recent public forum on microchips stressed, microchips are only as good as the system that supports them - and the pet owner who depends on them.

"I don't think people realize how important it is for them to register their pets' microchips and to keep their contact information up-to-date," says Liz Rudder, president of Operation SPOT (Stop Pet Overpopulation Today).

Eight million to 10 million pets are lost every year in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club, which operates the Companion Animal Recovery registry program. Only about 10 percent of these lost pets make it back home.

Tags and collars are easily lost - if they're worn at all. Microchips are permanent.

Celebrate Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month in October

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) celebrates October as Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month to encourage Americans to visit their local animal shelter, in lieu of pet stores or breeders, when fetching a new canine companion.

"There are approximately 60 million owned dogs in this country and sadly, less than 20 percent were adopted from shelters," said ASPCA President Edwin J. Sayres. "The message of this year's Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month - "Sit. Stay. Love…Adopt a Shelter Dog" -- highlights the importance of training a newly adopted shelter dog to ensure a lasting bond between owner and pet."

Refer a Friend to the Humane Society Mailing List!

If you have friends or relatives that would like to be informed of the Humane Society's upcoming events, shelter needs and special pet adoption days, please forward this e-mail to them so they can subscribe to our e-newsletter by filling in the form below or by visiting our Web site, http://www.humanesocietyofdickson.org.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Fall Membership Drive

Thousands of abandoned, unwanted and abused animals need your help this year! Please show your generosity and support for our four-legged friends by printing out the form below and becoming a member of HSDC. All donations are tax deductible!

Humane Society of Dickson County
Hours of Operation: Wednesday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
CLOSED SUNDAY, MONDAY & TUESDAY

410 Eno Road
Dickson, TN 37055
(Click here for directions to the shelter)
Phone: 615-446-7455 or 446-PETS (7387)
FAX: 615-446-7455
E-mail: hsdcdx1@aol.com
Webmaster: channing@copyshark.com

You received this e-mail message as an active member/donor of the Humane Society of Dickson County. The Humane Society respects your privacy -- if you wish to unsubscribe from future mailings, please click the "Remove" link below. Thank you.