Dear Pulaski Countians:

PCHS would like you to know how much we appreciate your support in our endeavor to provide Pulaski County with spay/neuter certificates and advice in general concerning your animals. Due to our financial limitations, this is about all PCHS was capable of doing. However, our desire to do more for the county is about to become a reality. As many of you may be aware, PCHS has entered into an agreement with the city of Crocker to build a shelter.

If all goes as planned, we will be up and running sometime in 2011. We have been working almost every weekend this summer doing some sort of fundraising and so far have raised over $7000 from fund raisers and private donations. Building a shelter and the ever-increasing demands of animal issues in this county are what prompted this letter.

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We are pleased to announce that the City of Crocker has entered into an agreement with the Pulaski County Humane Society to establish an animal Shelter.

The shelter will be managed by the PCHS for the PCHS and service the City of Crocker in conjunction with their designated animal control personnel.

To date, we have received two private donations of $1000.00 each to go toward the privacy fence. We are seeking greatly needed donations of materials and time from the community. Please follow our progress with this project on facebook and our website.

Volunteer:

History - Recorded history shows that the Siberian breed has been around for at least one thousand years. Despite the fact that the Siberian is a natural breed and is the national cat of Russia, its very ubiquity makes it taken for granted rather than worthy of note in Russian literature. Add to this the vast expanse of Russia which encompasses 13 time zones as well as a multitude of ethnic and cultural diversity and you have a cat that seems as difficult to standardize as the country which gave rise to it. The Siberian was first imported in 1990. Despite it's popularity the Siberian is extremely rare in the United States. Most breeders have waiting lists for their kittens.

Temperment - The home must have people who like to interact with their cats. A Siberian will adapt to almost any attentive lifestyle. They are known for being good with other pets in the home, but will still seek out human interaction. Siberians are affectionate, clever, gentle and calm in nature. They generally are quiet but will talk in distinctive chirps.

A confident, problem-solving house clown, the Siberian can be your best friend. If you share your home with a Siberian, you will never be alone.

Physical Characteristics - Siberian cats can be found in all colors, from color points to brown mackerel tabby, but some cat shows do not accept a pointed pattern. These are a medium-large to large cat, with semi-long to long hair, depending on the season. Their body tends to be muscular, heavy-boned and of great strength. The head is a modified, rounded wedge with rounded ears and well-proportioned rounded eyes, giving an overall intelligent, alertness and sweet expression.

Grooming - Unless you have a show Siberian cat, weekly grooming is sufficient except during shedding in spring or fall when more attention may be required. Matting most often occurs under the arms so more care is needed in these areas.

Health - Siberians are a particularly healthy and hardy breed. They may be slightly more prone to cardiomyopathy and hip dysplasia than mixed-breed domestics, but obtaining cats from legitimate breeders significantly reduces the likelihood of genetic health problems.

Got a picture of YOUR Siberian you'd like to share? Just send us a picture to pchumanesocietypics@gmail.com along with your pet's name, your name (if you'd like), and any brief information you'd like to include and you may be posted in our online photo album!

According to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term "dog days" refers to "the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere" or "a period of stagnation or inactivity." Well, neither Merriam nor Webster must have owned a dog because summertime offers countless opportunities for pet lovers who are looking to sniff out some fun in the sun.

Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans noticed that the summer heat was at its most sweltering when the rising of the Sirius star coincided with that of the Sun. These civilizations blamed Sirius for the extreme temperatures during this five-week period, and some inhabitants offered sacrifices to appease the star. As the brightest star in the Canis Major (Large Dog) constellation, Sirius became known as the Dog Star — hence the term "dog days."

If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your pet! Summertime heat can be brutal, especially for pets. Keep them safe and cool.

Never leave a pet unattended in a parked car when the temperature is more than 70 degrees. When it is 85 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can soar to 120 degrees in minutes, even with the windows cracked open. Leaving a pet in a hot, unattended car is inhumane, illegal and can cause severe injury or even death within minutes.

Act immediately if you see a distressed animal in an unattended car. A pet showing signs of distress such as heavy panting, unresponsive behavior, seizure or collapse needs IMMEDIATE attention. Call the local police and the ANIMAL ABUSE HOTLINE 314-647-4400

* Outdoor pets need access to fresh, clean water and shade at ALL times of the day.

* If you run or jog with your dog, take frequent water breaks for yourself and your dog.

* Do not bicycle or rollerblade with a pet.

* When the weather is dangerously hot, keep pets inside.

For more information on how to care for pets during the summer months, visit the Humane Society of Missouri website www.hsmo.org or e-mail info@hsmo.org.

Heat prostration is a potentially fatal condition that occurs when animals are exposed to hot environments, such as inside a car with the windows closed (or even partly open) or other unventilated enclosures. Heat prostration occurs when the body temperature is elevated to approximately 106 degrees Fahrenheit and death will occur at 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heat prostration constitutes a medical emergency. Several vital organs are damaged in heat prostration including the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. Signs of heat prostration are many and varied, and not all of which occur simultaneously. Initial signs include: rapid breathing or panting; rapid heart and pulse rates; weak pulses; pale, red, or dry gums; excess salivation; decreased alertness; coma; seizures; weakness; vomiting; diarrhea; and bleeding.

Immediate measures need to be applied rapidly in order to save the animal’s life and prevent brain damage. These measures are lowering the body temperature and, if necessary, CPR. Methods to lower the body temperature include bathing the animal in cool water and then blowing air over the body. Also, ice packs should be placed in the groin and armpits, and on the neck. These measures to cool the body should be discontinued when the temperature is lowered to 103 degrees Fahrenheit because, paradoxically, hypothermia may ensue. An animal that has sustained heat prostration should be taken immediately to a veterinarian for evaluation, treatment, and monitoring.

Considering the danger to your pet’s health, and even life, it is best to avoid taking your pet with you in the car when it is hot outside unless a cool environment can be assured. Never leave your pet alone in a car when it is hot outside, even for a matter of minutes. Also, avoid exercising your pet excessively in the hot weather and make sure your pet has access to shade and plenty of water.

Hot cars can turn into deadly death trap - even with the windows cracked. Within 10 minutes the temperature inside an automobile can rise to 160 degrees and cause irreversible brain damage and/or death to pets.

1. Dogs that are kept outside need available shade and water at all times.

2. Dogs should be properly groomed so that their hair doesn't get too long. Dogs with long hair are more susceptible to heat stroke and other hot weather problems.

3. Avoid excess exercise with your pet when it is hot outside.

4. Be mindful of hot pavements - dog paws are easily injured on super-hot streets and it is very painful to dogs.

5. Always keep your dog on a leash.

6. Always read labels on garden products, bug spray, and other outdoor products to make sure they are pet-friendly.