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.

Freeway Pays the Toll - SAGA

Press Release – SAGA – April 21, 2011 – As we watch the changes in San Pedro we all get to know that with progress comes the good and the bad. Unfortunately it is often our furry friends who end up paying the toll. Freeway is a good example of this.

Recently taxis have been allowed to cross the bridge to the part of the island north of the cut. Dogs who live in town grow up around taxis and learn how to stay safe and out of the way as they pass. But for dogs north of the cut, taxis are a new and unknown danger.

Freeway grew up footloose and fancy free at a resort on the north side of the island because his owner lived and worked there. He had not seen many taxis in his lifetime and because he was neglected by his irresponsible owners, he was just allowed to wander around on his own. This had been safe enough until the taxis were allowed to cross the bridge.

Poor Freeway didn’t know anything about how to stay out of the way and before long he was run over. Sadly, his owners didn’t care enough for him to take him to SAGA and have his injury treated. So, his foot got worse and worse, leaving him in pain and suffering – only able to hobble around on three legs. Luckily for Freeway, some kind tourists took pity on him and brought him to SAGA.

It was too late for Freeway and he ended up paying a very high toll. Because his injury had been left so long without medical attention, part of his foot had to be amputated. The worst part about this is that if his owners had been responsible and cared for him the way they should have, he probably would have recovered fully.

But there is good news. Freeway is getting better and with the love and attention of the SAGA staff and volunteers, he will soon be looking for a new home with people who truly love and care for him.

If your dog is injured or if you see an injured animal that has not been cared for, make sure to get help. You might just save them from paying a very heavy price.

For information on how you can help sick, injured or neglected animals or if you’re interested in adopting Freeway or any of his friends, please contact SAGA on 226 3266.

Ticks Are ‘Ick’ – Deadly Tick Fever

Press Release – SAGA Humane Society – March 15th, 2011 – Everyone dislikes parasites. They are unpleasant, unwelcome, they suck our blood and they spread disease. What many people don’t know is that those annoying pests, ticks, spread a deadly disease to our furry best friends, known as tick fever.
There are several diseases, commonly called ‘tick fever’, spread by ticks, but the two most common in Belize are Canine Erlichiosis and Canine Anaplasmosis. Big words for serious diseases that come from something as tiny as at tick.
Pit Boss was the name given to a very sad and sick young pit bull, who like many of his breed had been bought by irresponsible owners who cared little for him. When a local businesswoman found Pit Boss, he was a walking skeleton – every bone showing through his skin, his dark eyes bulging from his head, pleading for help. When he was taken to SAGA his life hung by a fragile thread. He had no energy left and was bleeding heavily from the nose. The SAGA staff team worked tirelessly for three weeks, giving him top notch veterinary care, special medication and plenty of love.Sadly, that thread finally snapped and Pit Boss’s life came to a tragic end. Not only did he have two types of tick fever, but he also had heartworms – another disease spread by parasites (mosquitoes) that is easily preventable. Pit Boss’s owners had neglected him for so long that his kidneys were too badly affected and he was never able to recover the strength he needed to survive. Another heartbreak for SAGA – but of course, for every sad ending, there are more happy endings.
Rex was found abandoned, wandering the streets of San Pedro and picked up by the SAGA animal welfare team. These are dedicated volunteers who collect stray, abandoned, neglected and abused dogs for SAGA Humane Society to make sure that they get a second chance. Rex also had tick fever and heartworm, but the good news is that SAGA got him before he lost his fight with the diseases.
Rex wasn’t a big strong looking dog – in fact he was the total opposite, but looks can be deceiving. After 6 weeks of intensive treatment he was improving, beating the sickness a day at a time. A lovely family came into SAGA and fell in love with Rex’s sweet personality and gentle nature. They were more than happy to agree to continue with his treatment and while it will still be a few more months before he is fit and healthy, there is no better place for him to recover than in the care of a permanent and loving home with people who love him dearly.
Tick fever can be treated easily and inexpensively if it is caught early, but the symptoms can be confusing. They can include a lack of appetite, fever, nosebleeds, runny eyes and nose, weight loss, depression, eye problems, bleeding through the skin and bruising, vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain and lameness, stiffness of the neck and seizures. Any of these symptoms can be a sign that your dog has tick fever. Some dogs have tick fever and show no symptoms at all and then can suddenly become very sick. The only way to know for sure if your pet has tick fever is with a special test.
Dogs cannot catch tick fever from other dogs and people cannot catch tick fever from dogs either. But – people can catch the human type of tick fever from ticks. So, remember that ticks are not only ‘ick’ but they are dangerous too.
Ticks live in long grass so keep your grass cut and keep your pets away from areas with long grass. Use good quality tick prevention treatments such as Preventic collars, Frontline and Promeris –available from SAGA or Pampered Paws. Check your pets every day for ticks and parasites. If you find that your dog has even one tick it is better to be safe than sorry. Talk to the SAGA vet. Don’t let your best friend end up like Pit Boss.
If you’d like to find out more about protecting your pet from tick fever or if you are worried that your pet is showing any of the symptoms of tick fever, even if you haven’t seen a tick, please contact SAGA on 226 3266 – before it’s too late!

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.