Props to the Pet Meds Blog

Recently was looking for some kind of support (any kind to be honest) and came across the commitment that the folks at Pet Meds have to Rescues and Shelters!  Shot off an e-mail and quickly had a response back telling us that help would be on the way…only catch, we had to offer visitors to our website the chance to click through to their very imnformative Blog! (http://blog.petmeds.com/)

We really appreciate the assistance that we receive from everyone who helps us to help these hounds!  From our Vets (Companion Animal Hospital) to the folks at the Pet Meds Blog!  We are most appreciative!  In the event anyone else would like to help, looks like we’ll be needing to build a Kennel facility this year!  Open to suggestions about how to fund THAT!

Just added a few pups to the adoption list!

As you may be aware, the financial crisis has caused more than hard times for people, it’s caused an over abundance of dogs in Rescues and Shelters due to their owners misfortune.  Many of these dogs need safe and happy homes, we hope you’ll consider adopting a rescue fromus or any other shelter wherever you may be!  Visit us online at: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA737.html

Now you can easily donate Kuranda Dog Beds with Special Pricing!

As you might imagine with hounds constantly milling about and chewing just about anything that could be used as a bed, it can be challenging to say the least to keep something that provides orthopedic support to them when they are laying around (a LOT). So, we have decided to try Kuranda suspended dog beds which have been highly recommended to us by several sources.  These beds are rugged, comfortable and most importantly, CHEWPROOF!  So, they sound like the right beds for us!

If you would be interested in donating a bed in memory of a friend or as a gift, you can now easily do so at the following link: http://kuranda.com/donate/4933/ there is also a link on our website at uh-s.org.  In addition to beds, food is always a welcome donation, we use 34lb bags of Purina One Adult Formula like most folks use…well…let’s say, papertowels!

OK, that’s it for now..warm weather…LOTS of chores to do! – jak

Breaking News!

(Feels like CNN!) – Just FYI we are NOW on Petfinder.com at the following address: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA737.html 

This means a couple of things for us; most importantly, it provides access to a robust national network that can focus on helping us to find ‘Forever Homes’ for LOTS of hounds!  It also provides the ability to provide additional benefits such as Dog Training Tips & Videos as well as VERY accessible Pet Insurance that is not breed specific or age dependant and more!  Just another way for us to help the hounds!  Check us out if you get a chance!

Also, if you are interested in being a Foster home for a hound, please shoot me an e-mail so we can discuss your interests further, we are hoping to have an increased need for foster homes with our new affiliation!

LOTS of ways to get involved!

While the long overdue Spring like weather gets us all in the mood for Spring, my thoughts turn to all the ‘warm weather’ projects that need done both for the hounds and the home!  I guess since we don’t have 28″ of snow on the ground…I won’t complain, but there’s LOTS to do as we continue to grow our shelter.  We are planning on adding a heated and air conditioned kennel for 16 dogs and fencing an additional half acre for outdoor free running and recreation.  We’re planning on adding lots of ‘playsets’ for the dogs and are looking for a BIG old tractor tire that we can use to build a bridge for the kids, so if you know anyone!  We’ve also got LOTS of recovering from nearly $4000 in VET bills over the last few months alone!  I could go on and on…

Just got done cleaning eyes and putting Flea & Tick product on all the hounds, heartworm was on Friday and ears get done later today!  It’s always SOMETHING with all of these hounds, but we are so happy to be doing it!  Been going through large quantities of food, paper towels and NylaBones!  We have been working closely with several other Hound rescues including Virginia K-9 Rescue & Recovery and the American Black & Tan Coonhound Rescue to get ‘forever homes’ for dogs over the Winter months!  We are also online at www.adoptapet.com with our urgent need for a home in the Eastern PA or Delaware area for a 2-3 year old lab (maybe some Pit, but mostly Lab) female who needs some Vet care and a good, loving home!  We’ll also shortly be listed www.Petfinder.com which will greatly enhance our abilities to provide services and ongoing support to parents of adopted hounds!

So, if you would like to help, there are TONS of ways; You can donate a bed online at: http://kuranda.com/donate/search/zip/17065/ (we ALWAYS need beds, Large or XL) – We can always use food donations, we use Purina One Adult Formula.  Nylon or Kong toys for heavy chewers are always appreciated or if you’ve got time or funding to donate, just e-mail me and I’ll be happy to talk to you about your interests: Jim@UH-S.org   I hope that everyone make’s it a GREAT Spring and that if you have the time and the means, you’ll give a Hound a home!

LOTS of hounds available!

I was reading up on Treeing Walker Coonhounds today because recently I have been asked by several other shelters if we have room for any or if we could find homes for them.  While browsing through the volumes of information that is available on Wikipedia I came across the following;  “Like most hounds, they are even-tempered and difficult to annoy or drive into aggression towards people or other dogs. They are, however, energetic, and have a tendency to stand up on their hind legs to pursue their curiosity about a young child or small dog that is picked up by a person, which can be alarming to people that are fearful of dogs. It is highly unusual to see these dogs display aggression towards other dogs or humans in particular. They can be highly focused and idiosyncratically attracted to certain toys, locations, people, sounds, or objects. They love to nest and cuddle. Getting a Walker hound out of a bed, off a couch or away from a fireplace will be a feat in itself. They love to sleep after a long day, and are the perfect dogs for watching television. Generally easy to train with little trouble, they make excellent pets if well exercised.”

I thought that to be a great overall description of the uniquities of Hounds in general!  As with any breed of dog, as a prospective owner you should do your homework first!  Know what exercise and activity requirements the breeds that you are interested in have.  Be aware of any breed tendencies or idiosyncrasies as mentioned above.  Talk to other owners, shelters or breeders and get as much information as you can to make sure that you and your new friend will be a good fit!  Then, once you’ve come to the comclusion that you’d like a Hound, please let us know what you would be interested in and we would be happy to hook you up with a dog that would fit you as well as you’ll fit them!

If you need more info, please don’t hesitate to e-mail: Jim@uh-s.org

Save a hound…adopt today!

As with most other folks who will read this blog, our hearts and minds are with the people struggling to survive the aftermath of the unimaginable disaster in Haiti.  There is much that needs to be done for these people and your help, no matter what you can do, will be very important to their eventual recovery.  Any disaster of this magnitude defies logic and can be completely overwhelming for those directly involved and those seperated only by distance alike.  So, as a start I would suggest that if you want to help, visit the American Red Cross at: www.redcross.org and do what you can to help.

As with all disasters, as this one rightfully dominates the news stories and collective minds of so many, there are still others occuring right here at home every day!  There are so many hounds in need of loving, caring homes who are currently in shelters…many of them will be euthanized if homes can’t be found soon!  If you have the means and ability, I would urge you to adopt one of these dogs.  I can assure you that your deed will be rewarded with the affection of a remarkable friend.  Please visit us online at: www.uh-s.org to see what you can do to help.  Make sure to visit our links page to find adoption programs that could use your ‘Forever Home’ today!

Some photos of the ‘Pack’!

Looking for Hound Trailer Guidance…

We are in the process of nailing down the features that we would like to have on a new trailer for our pack and for transporting rescues.  We know that we would like to have a 6 bay trailer with onboard water and a heating/air conditioning unit.  In addition a fair amount of storage would be nice as well.  Because they are larger, Bloodhounds should have fairly good sized pens in the trailer and adequate airflow while moving.  I’ve spent a great deal of time researching online and at dog events and have found a few manufacturers that interest me…leading the way is the K9-Koach. 

I’m wondering if anyone else has experience with trailers and/or manufacturers?  If you have and you could provide any guidance or suggestions, I would be most appreciative.  You can e-mail me at Jim@uh-s.org and let me know, or simply post a comment here!  Thanks and have a great week! – jak

Happy 2010!!! (for some of us…)

…others (namely abandoned and forgotten hounds) it has yet to become a Happy New Year!  Not that I wanted to begin this post on a down note, but we exist to provide a voice for those who cannot do it on their own!  What better way to begin your new year by adopting a hound (or any dog) to become your new best friend.  As the end of hunting season approaches, the number of smaller, hunting breeds (Coonhounds, Beagles, etc.) that are left for adoption (or worse) will increase!  If you are thinking about adding a Beagle or other hunting dog to your family, e-mail me at Jim@uh-s.org and I’ll be happy to facilitate a chance for you to see what your options are!

We wish you and yours the happiest and a safe New Year!  – jak