Saga Humane Society Cook-Off Tonight!

How much is Your Pet Worth? – The True Value of Adoption

Press Release – SAGA – June 1, 2011 – Many people don’t realize how much their pet is worth. Pets are tremendously valuable. Aside from their traditional roles as guards, farm workers, hunters and companions – research shows that having a pet makes us healthier. Pet owners have better general health and lower blood pressure than non pet owners. Kids with pets in their home take fewer sick days from school and have better non verbal communication. Older pet owners are less lonely and more likely to be active if they own pets. Of course, human beings only receive these benefits if they are responsible pet owners.

This year SAGA has seen an increase in the number of pets that have been purchased at great cost to the owner, given up for adoption. Why would people spend hundreds of dollars on a dog, only to give it away to SAGA?
Many people will share stories of the local pot licker, its loyalty and good temperament with children. If the ‘pot licker’ were considered a breed, maybe it would have more value. Certainly, the Belizean pot licker is a unique dog and Belizeans should be proud to own one. But some people want something specific - such as a certain coat color or size - and so they go to pet shops or breeders to buy a pet off the shelf, in much the same way they’d buy a box of corn flakes. The big difference is that a healthy, well cared for pet can live for 14 years or longer. Pet ownership is a big commitment and should be taken especially seriously by parents wishing to teach their children about behaving responsibly.
The pets that are being given up to SAGA did nothing wrong except grow up. The cute little puppy that was purchased six months ago has turned into a demanding, large and active dog that needs training, exercise and company. Unfortunately, the people who purchased the puppy didn’t think it through and now there is an unhappy ending. The children are sad and feel like failures, the adults have lost several hundred, maybe thousands of dollars raising the puppy and the dog is homeless, no longer loved or wanted.

If you are considering getting a pet, try your local humane society first. In San Pedro, it’s SAGA. Pet ownership is not a decision to take lightly or to make on the spur of the moment. The experts at SAGA will help you to find the perfect pet for your needs. Once you have adopted a dog or cat, you’ll soon discover how valuable a pet truly is.

Whitey Feels Mighty - Even Dogs Forgive and Forget

Press Release – SAGA Society – May 17, 2011 – Whitey is a friendly and playful young dog, so little did he know when two big, strong muscular dogs approached him one day that they didn’t want to play. They attacked Whitey viciously, leaving him with deep puncture wounds to his face and his throat ripped open. When the two big dogs finished with him, they left him in the street to die.

Luckily for Whitey, some wonderful people found him barely clinging on to life in the gutter. They rushed him to SAGA, where the staff members were shocked to see the horrific wounds and terrible trauma caused to this poor sweet dog. Whitey’s trusting but frightened eyes made the SAGA team even more determined to save him.

Whitey was given love, healthy food, a great deal of veterinary care and a new lease on life by the fantastic SAGA staff. SAGA pays for all of the medical care and treatment for dogs like Whitey and can’t do that without the generous help of the public.

Whitey not only survived but now he is ‘fighting fit’. You’d think that Whitey would want to get back at the bullies who nearly killed him but Whitey is a lover and not a fighter. He loves other dogs and cats and his idea of a great day out is a romp on the beach. He’s a happy and loyal dog thought to be a Labrador mix of some sort, about 2 years old and looking for a home where he can live happily ever after.

Come and see Whitey and his friends at SAGA Humane Society. They say a house is not a home without a good dog and a dog with such a big heart will fill your home with joy and love. Whitey may have forgiven his attackers, but only a loving and permanent home will help him to forget that he was abandoned to die in the most horrible way.

If you see a dog that is injured or suffering call SAGA on 226-2366 and they will be there to help.

Notice from SAGA

Press Release - SAGA Humane Society - May 3, 2011 - Saga Humane Society would like to inform the public that its Vet Clinic and Adoption/Surrender Center will be closed for renovations the week of May 2-7, 2011. Ms. Ingrid Lima is also currently in Orlando, Florida receiving continuing education at the Animal Expo with Saga Board Members Ms. Katia Marin and Ms. Heidi Sowards.

Dr. Baptist and Ms. Lima will be able to attend to your animals when the clinic reopens Tuesday, May 10, 2011.

If you have an emergency, please contact San Pedro Animal Hospital at 610-3647, Corozal Veterinary Clinic at 422-2519, or Animal Medical Center in Belize City at 223-3781.

Saga Humane Society thanks the San Pedro community for your continued support.

Saga attends Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference

Press Release – SAGA Humane Society – April 27, 2011 - Katia Marin and Heidi Sowards, two of SAGA’s Directors attended the 2011 Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference in San Juan Puerto Rico. April 3rd - 5th.

The three day conference included different types of humane societies, shelters and rescue groups coming together to talk and share ideas about the great work that they do. There were all kinds of international speakers from St. Thomas, Bahamas and even the Belize Society. Clara Lee Arnold from the Hopkins Humane Society spoke about the changes that have happened in Hopkins since they started bringing vet teams to hold spay and neuter clinics. The topics included ‘Animal Capture and Handling Techniques’, ‘Surveying Roaming Dogs’ Population and Increasing Adoptions’, and ‘Marketing and Fundraising Strategies’, just to mention a few. SAGA would like to thank Clara Lee for donating jewelry, which she and her husband make themselves out of shells.

Katia and SAGA Volunteer Heather Beck also attended the International Association of Canine Professional (IACP) conference in San Diego April 7th - 9th which included speakers Wendy Volhard, Joel Silverman, Jeff King and the main speaker Cesar Millan.

Following the Conference the two volunteered their time at Best Friends Animal Samctuary to work on some dogs at Dog Town Sanctuary. Dog Town is home to dogs rescued after the devastating Hurricane Katrina, and it also houses Michael Vick’s dogs.

Saga attends Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference

Press Release – SAGA Humane Society – April 27, 2011 - Katia Marin and Heidi Sowards, two of SAGA’s Directors attended the 2011 Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference in San Juan Puerto Rico. April 3rd - 5th.
Held from April 3rd through the 5th, the three day conference included different types of humane societies, shelters and rescue groups coming together to talk and share ideas about the great work that they do. There were all kinds of international speakers from St. Thomas, Bahamas and even the Belize Society. Clara Lee Arnold from the Hopkins Humane Society spoke about the changes that have happened in Hopkins since they started bringing vet teams to hold spay and neuter clinics. The topics included ‘Animal Capture and Handling Techniques’, ‘Surveying Roaming Dogs’ Population and Increasing Adoptions’, and ‘Marketing and Fundraising Strategies’, just to mention a few. SAGA would like to thank Clara Lee for donating jewelry, which she and her husband make themselves out of shells.

Katia and SAGA Volunteer Heather Beck also attended the International Association of Canine Professional (IACP) conference in San Diego April 7th - 9th which included speakers Wendy Volhard, Joel Silverman, Jeff King and the main speaker Cesar Millan. Following the Conference the two volunteered their time at Best Friends Animal Society to work on some dogs at Dog Town Sanctuary. Dog Town is home to dogs rescued after the devastating Hurricane Katrina, and it also houses Michael Vick’s dogs.

World Vet program in San Pedro

Fifteen volunteers were at the SAGA Humane Society on Thursday March 24^th as part of a World Vet program, providing sterilization surgeries to the pets of the island. The group was in Caye Caulker earlier during the week providing free spay neuter services and health consultations to the small animal population on the Island.

(World Vets is a non-government organization (NGO) providing veterinary aid around the globe in collaboration with animal advocacy groups, foreign governments, US and foreign military groups and veterinary professionals abroad. Our work spans 25 countries and 6 continents and addresses not only veterinary issues, but also human health issues impacted by zoonotic diseases in developing countries) www.worldvets.org.

In San Pedro for a day, the group provided over 70 surgeries to pets. The group of volunteers included six doctors and nine volunteer technicians and assistants. While the organization has visited Caye Caulker previously, this was World Vet’s first trip to San Pedro. Dr. Mike Corcoran, trip leader, informsThe San Pedro Sun that he hopes that this can become a yearly event that spans couple days.

The volunteers came form all parts of the country including Washington, Los Angeles, Colorado, Baltimore, District of Columbia, Texas and others.

The SAGA Humane Society takes this opportunity to thank the World Vet Team for a wonderful spay/neuter event. Vets and volunteers for this trip are as follows: Mike Corcoran, Colleen McCoy,David Landers, Michelle Ward, Becky Bukowy, Michael Shulkin, Laurie Doton, Mary Swartz, Sarah Sahli, Lisa Krigbaum, Carl Krigbaum, Kathy Dalton, Dawn Williams, Ainjil Halber and Katie Ayres. Local volunteers include Lori Purdy, Kathy Marin, Joanne Fry, Renee Steinmetz, Eileen Jamieson, Grant Crimmins, Ingrid Lima, Noami Castro and others.

Alta Mar Neighborhood Watch donates to SAGA

Alta Mar Neighborhood watch has taken the initiative to contribute to the community in various ways. One of the first contributions was a cash donation of $985 to SAGA Humane Society. This amount was the result of a BBQ sale held a while back. The joint decision to make the donation came about after SAGA had to cut back services to the community due to lack of funds. SAGA Humane Society contributes invaluable service to the community, and has done so for many years, so it was only fitting that they be the first recipient.

Kudos to the Alta Mar Neighborhood Watch, and once again, a big thank you to SAGA for all the wonderful services they provide to the community.

HSI Spay Day photo online photo contest to benefit SAGA

Your pet is very cute – but does he or she have what it takes to win Humane Society International’s 2011 Spay Day
Pet Photo Contest, presented by Zazzle?

The Spay Day Pet Photo Contest to benefit SAGA HUMANE SOCIETY
is now OPEN - GIVE US YOUR BEST PHOTO!

To Enter Now, GO TO hsi.org/photocontest

When you enter, please choose Saga Humane Society to benefit from your pet’s photo. After your entry is complete, help save animals’ lives by asking friends and family to vote for your pet. Each vote is just a $1 USD donation, and every vote your pet receives will help us spay or neuter even more pets after Spay Day (February 22nd, 2011) is over -- AND increase your chances of winning!

More than 600 entrants whose photos have received the most votes will win stellar prizes. And even without votes, you'll be in the running to win big -- the panel of judges will award prizes to their favorite 36 entries.

The earlier you enter the more time you’ll have to get votes and raise critical spay/neuter funds for Saga Humane Society. Please upload a photo of your pet now at hsi.org/photocontest to get started!

Saga HS will also be sponsoring a Spay Day 2011 Event in San Pedro Town during the month of February, details to be announced soon.

Thanks for your support!

SAGA HUMANE SOCIETY, SAN PEDRO TOWN, BELIZE

P.S. Don’t want to enter your pet’s photo (or don’t have a pet)? Please vote for one of the pets benefitting our organization! Visit hsi.org/photocontest and then:

*Click on the “Search Pets” tab
*Click on “Filter by: Local Organization”
*Click on SAGA HUMANE SOCIETY. A vote for any of the pet photos shown in this view benefits Saga!

NOTE: Funds designated for organizations that fail to meet the requirements listed at http://www.hsi.org/issues/spayday/factsheets/spayday_eligibility.html will be added to the general fund and divided among spay/neuter programs of The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International and all eligible organizations.

Ventriloquist to perform in San Pedro

SAGA Fundraiser – Buy a ticket and feed a cat or dog!

Puppet George came out for a visit with The San Pedro Sun upon arrival in San Pedro. Be Kind Belize Director Colette Kase picked up Charlotte Hansen, her friend Trudy and their host of puppet friends to drive over to their hotel, but George was only too eager to get a glimpse of his new digs.

Based on our quick visit with George and Charlotte, everyone is in for a TREAT!! We're still smiling!!

Come to the show:

Saturday, January 22nd - 7 pm at the Lions' Den

Doors open at 6:30pm

Charlotte Hansen & Friends Puppet Show

to benefit SAGA HUMANE SOCIETY

*CASH BAR * FOOD * RAFFLES * LOTS OF FUN!

Entry Ticket Prices: Adults - $10 Kids under 12 - $5

Raffle Tickets: 1 ticket - $5, 3 tickets - $12, 5 tickets - $20

RAFFLE PRIZES:

Kakaw Chocolate Gift Basket

Aji Restaurant - $100 dinner for 2

Plus 2 more prizes to be announced @ show

Everything Italian Cook Off Tonight!

SAGA HUMANE SOCIETY 3rd Annual “Photos with Santa”

SAGA Halloween Pet Party a Howling Sucess!

Pet lovers turned out in full force on Sunday at the annual SAGA Halloween Party at BC's Bar. Dogs (and one cat) of all sizes, shapes and colors donned creative costumes ranging from the cute and creative to the scary. A variety of prizes were awarded to the costume winners (to be reveled in The SPSUN this week) and the judges, Lady Ms. Dixie Bowen, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. and Her Worship Mayoress Elsa Paz had the tough duty of picking the best of the best. The annual event is a key fund raiser for the humane society and is widely supported and enjoyed by the community.

For more photos please visit of Facebook gallery at http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=47539&id=1676548056