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.

A Happy Ending – Cinthia’s ‘Tale’

SAGA receives calls daily about animals that need their help. Whenever a member of staff picks up the phone, they can only hope and pray for a happy ending because calls to SAGA so often have such a tragic beginning. Such was the case when someone called to report that a small dog had been left tied to an abandoned shack in San Mateo without food, water or shelter.
No matter how long a person has worked for SAGA, they never get used to the horrific sights that sometimes greet them when they rescue a dog or cat that has been the victim of cruelty, abuse or neglect. Cinthia’s condition was terrible and her pitiful state just made her rescuers want to weep. She was starving, had a terrible case of Demodex – a non contagious skin disease – so was nearly bald, was dehydrated and suffering from the deadly disease, Tick Fever.

Very little is known about Cinthia’s history before coming into the loving care of SAGA Humane Society. So her tale starts with them. Sometimes it can be difficult to decide whether or not a dog will survive after being subjected to such incredible suffering and it is often entirely up to the dog whether or not they will fight for their lives. After a grueling two months of intensive care and treatment with SAGA, Cinthia proved that she was going to fight and not give up.
As she recovered and gained her strength, along came a couple, Matt & Katina Ewing. It was love at first sight despite the challenge facing them because they just couldn’t afford to fly Cinthia to the USA at the time. Inspired by Cinthia’s fight for life, they didn’t give up and neither did SAGA. After some fundraising, Cinthia headed off to her new home and her new life.
Normally, our tale would end here – but it doesn’t.
Two weeks ago Katia Marin and Heidi Sowards, SAGA volunteers, were attending a conference in Puerto Rico. Who should they bump into but Katina and Cinthia. It was a joyous reunion and many tears were shed, not because of Cinthia’s sad tale, but because of her amazing happy ending.
Doesn’t every dog and cat that SAGA rescues deserve a happy ending? If you want to give a dog or cat a new life, please contact SAGA on 226-3266.

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.