Canine Corner

Canine

Corner

By Patricia Hudson and Sophia Hudson, the Rescue Yorkiepoo

Harris County Seeks Pet Fosters, Adopters, and Funds for Heal a Heart Program

“Like so many other shelters across the country, Harris County Pets has faced an increase in its animal population over the last several months, as this is typically the time of year that many cats and dogs are breeding,” Eddie Miranda, Senior Public Information Officer reports. “Our facility is over its capacity to comfortably house our cats and dogs on a daily basis since May, and we are encouraging everyone to foster, adopt, volunteer or donate to Harris County Pets.” For information, as well as photos of adoptable pets, go to: www.countypets.com. Appointments are required, and may be made by calling 281-999-3193. Interested fosters should call the main number or email foster@phs.hctx.net. Donations of canned and dried pet food are needed. A list of additional items can be found on the webpage: www.countypets.com/donate/.

Julia

ID# A576584

Heal a Heart: Harris County Pets Counts on Community Support to Sustain its Life-Saving Program for Heartworm-Positive Dogs

Summer is the time when heat, humidity, and wet conditions combine to create the perfect storm for mosquito breeding in a coastal area like the Houston region. Mosquitoes are capable of transmitting numerous diseases to both humans and pets. For dogs, no other mosquito-borne illness is more prevalent than heartworm disease. Currently, about a quarter of the dog population at the Harris County Pets facility is heartworm positive. Heartworm disease can be fatal to animals, especially dogs, but it is highly treatable with a 95% success rate, according to Veterinary Centers of America Inc. At least one out of every three dogs currently at the Harris County Pets Resource Center is heartworm positive. Monetary donations to the Heal a Heart program provides free heartworm treatment to select heartworm positive dogs adopted at the facility. Friends of County Pets, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit, administers the funds for this program, made possible by the support of caring residents. The program covers the cost of heartworm treatment at the Harris County Pets Clinic. Typical cost for heartworm treatment can range from $300 to over $1,000. “We have numerous heartworm-positive dogs at our facility that are highly adoptable and would make great companions in a forever home,” said Michael White, DVM, MS, director of the Harris County Veterinary Public Health Division, which operates HCP. “The Heal a Heart program removes this costly barrier to adoption by funding the treatment of many deserving heartworm-positive pets in our shelter.”

Amelia ID# A571856

Rocko

ID# A575242

Harris County Pets & Harris County Public Health 612 Canino Road • Houston, TX 77076 (832) 927-1133 • www.countypets.com