Consider donating to the Humane Society of Blue Ridge

Community
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving. It helps raise awareness of charitable causes and encourages donors’ generosity. 
We here at the Humane Society of Blue Ridge wanted to let you know that Giving Tuesday #givingtuesday is on November 30th this year, just a few days after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. 
Help us continue to save furry lives while enhancing the lives of our Human Kind at the same time!  Take a look at sweet kitty Opal who just found her new home, close by in Dahlonega!
In addition to your one-time gift, become an EVERYDAY HERO, and consider a subscription donation.
Why Give Monthly?   Donating Made Easy
Monthly giving means your donation is automatic and convenient.  While typically a small dollar amount that is manageable to fit into your budget, your donation has a big impact, as it provides predictable income and allows for better budget planning.
Be An Everyday Hero
Become a part of a community of regular donors.  You will receive benefits like discounts on event tickets and a special newsletter that allows you to see the direct impact you are making to the longevity of the organization.
Long-Term Impact
Your monthly donation allows HSBR to take a planned, long-term approach.  As an ”Everyday Hero” subscription donor you work side-by-side with us, making a long-lasting impact to the animals in our care.  YOU CAN DONATE HERE

HSBR has partnered with Pampered Chef to raise funds while you shop!

Featured News, News

Pampered Chef Party
Hosted By: Humane Society of Blue Ridge
Raise Funds and shop the Humane Society of Blue Ridge Fundraiser beginning March 29th!!! Kick back, invite friends and shop and socialize all while raising funds for Blue Ridge!! It’s a great organization that appreciates your support!

Shop the new Spring/Summer catalog and learn about quality cookware and kitchen tools, grab some tips and score some prizes! Play games and have fun all while raising funds for the Humane Society of Blue Ridge!! Be ready participate virtually in this online fundraiser! Feel free to invite friends! The more the merrier! Never too many to a Pampered Chef Fundraiser! LET’S RAISE FUNDS FOR THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF BLUE RIDGE!! ENJOY and HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!

Monday, March 29 – Monday, April 12 Click here & shop
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Fundraiser Organization
HUMANE SOCIETY OF BLUE RIDGE

Contact the Host
(706) 669-4687

GMFTO: Pet of the Week!

Community

Join us every Friday from Circuit World for Pet of the Week! The Humane Society of Blue Ridge has a lot of wonderful pets available for adoption.

Thanksgiving Pet Safety brought to you by Mountain Emergency Animal Center

Lifestyle

Thanksgiving is a special holiday that brings together family and friends, but it also can carry some hazards for pets. Holiday food needs to be kept away from pets, and pet owners who travel need to either transport their pets safely or find safe accommodations for them at home. Follow these tips to keep your pets healthy and safe during the holiday.

Poison Risks

Overindulging in the family feast can be unhealthy for humans, but even worse for pets: Fatty foods are hard for animals to digest. Poultry bones can damage your pet’s digestive tract. And holiday sweets can contain ingredients that are poisonous to pets.

  • Keep the feast on the table—not under it.  Eating turkey or turkey skin – sometimes even a small amount – can cause a life-threatening condition in pets known as pancreatitis. Fatty foods are hard for animals to digest, and many foods that are healthy for people are poisonous to pets – including onions, raisins and grapes. If you want to share a Thanksgiving treat with your pet, make or buy a treat that is made just for them.
  • No pie or other desserts for your pooch. Chocolate can be harmful for pets, even though many dogs find it tempting and will sniff it out and eat it. The artificial sweetener called xylitol – commonly used in gum and sugar-free baked goods – also can be deadly if consumed by dogs or cats.
  • Yeast dough can cause problems for pets, including painful gas and potentially dangerous bloating.
  • Put the trash away where your pets can’t find it.  A turkey carcass sitting out on the carving table, or left in a trash container that is open or easily opened, could be deadly to your family pet. Dispose of turkey carcasses and bones – and anything used to wrap or tie the meat, such as strings, bags and packaging – in a covered, tightly secured trash bag placed in a closed trash container outdoors (or behind a closed, locked door).
  • Be careful with decorative plants. Don’t forget that some flowers and festive plants can be toxic to pets. These include amaryllis, Baby’s Breath, Sweet William, some ferns, hydrangeas and more. The ASPCA offers lists of plants that are toxic to both dogs and cats, but the safest route is simply to keep your pets away from all plants and table decorations.
  • Quick action can save lives. If you believe your pet has been poisoned or eaten something it shouldn’t have, call your veterinarian or local veterinary emergency clinic immediately. You may also want to call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline: 888-426-4435. Signs of pet distress include: sudden changes in behavior, depression, pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

Precautions for Parties

If you’re hosting a party or overnight visitors, plan ahead to keep your pets safe and make the experience less stressful for everyone.

  • Visitors can upset your pets. Some pets are shy or excitable around new people or in crowds, and Thanksgiving often means many visitors at once and higher-than-usual noise and activity levels. If you know your dog or cat is nervous when people visit your home, put him/her in another room or a crate with a favorite toy. This will reduce the emotional stress on your pet and protect your guests from possible injury. If your pet is particularly upset by houseguests, talk to your veterinarian about possible solutions to this common problem.
    Learn about dog bite prevention.
    • If any of your guests have compromised immune systems (due to pregnancy, some diseases, or medications or treatments that suppress the immune system), make sure they’re aware of the pets (especially exotic pets) in your home so they can take extra precautions to protect themselves.
    • If you have exotic pets, remember that some people are uncomfortable around them and that these pets may be more easily stressed by the festivities. Keep exotic pets safely away from the hubbub of the holiday.
  • Watch the exits. Even if your pets are comfortable around guests, make sure you watch them closely, especially when people are entering or leaving your home. While you’re welcoming hungry guests and collecting coats, a four-legged family member may make a break for it out the door and become lost.
  • Identification tags and microchips reunite families. Make sure your pet has proper identification with your current contact information – particularly a microchip with up-to-date, registered information. That way, if they do sneak out, they’re more likely to be returned to you. If your pet isn’t already microchipped, talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of this simple procedure.
    Learn more about microchips.
  • Watch your pets around festive decorations. Special holiday displays or candles are attractive to pets as well as people. Never leave a pet alone in an area with a lit candle; it could result in a fire. And pine cones, needles and other decorations can cause intestinal blockages or even perforate an animal’s intestine if eaten.

WHAT FOODS ARE TOXIC TO DOGS AND CATS?

Thanksgiving is almost here and that means an abundance of delicious food. However, many popular human dishes aren’t healthy for pets to consume. It’s important to remember which foods are bad for dogs and cats. Especially, during holiday meals when dogs and cats beg for table scraps and guests might fall for those cute faces. Below are six Thanksgiving foods bad for cats and dogs. Make sure to keep these away from your pets to ensure they remain healthy this Thanksgiving. Also, don’t forget to inform your family and dinner guests about these potentially dangerous or toxic foods for pets so they do not feed them to your four-legged family members.

6 Thanksgiving Foods That Are Bad for Cats and Dogs

1. STUFFING

Thanksgiving dressing is often made with onions, scallions or garlic. These ingredients, however, are extremely toxic to dogs and cats and can cause a life-threatening anemia (destruction of the red blood cells). It’s best to avoid feeding any amount of stuffing to pets.

2. HAM

Ham and other pork products can cause pancreatitis, upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Pork is also high in fat, which can lead to obesity in pets. Even a small amount of ham can contribute a very large amount of calories to a small dog or cat’s diet.

3. TURKEY BONES

Bones can cause severe indigestion in dogs and cats, potentially causing vomiting and  obstructing the bowel. Bones may also splinter and cause damage to the inside of the stomach and intestines. In some cases, turkey bones may even puncture through the stomach and cause a potentially fatal abdominal infection.

Be Prepared with Pet Insurance. Get a Quote Today in 3 Minutes or Less.

4. MASHED POTATOES

While potatoes are safe for pets to eat, mashed potatoes usually contain butter and milk, which can cause diarrhea in lactose intolerant pets. Additionally, some recipes call for onion powder or garlic, which are very toxic to pets.

5. SALADS WITH GRAPES/RAISINS

There are many salads served at Thanksgiving that include grapes or raisins as an ingredient, from fruit salad, to waldorf salad, to ambrosia. However, grapes and raisins are very virulent and potentially deadly. Grapes can cause severe, irreversible and sometimes fatal kidney failure in dogs. Be sure to keep all dishes that include grapes and raisins away from pets.

6. CHOCOLATE DESSERTS

While pumpkin pie is the most famous Thanksgiving dessert (canned pumpkin also has many pet health benefits), many people offer a variety of chocolate desserts at Thanksgiving. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats, yet dogs love the smell and taste of it. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is. Keep all chocolate desserts out of the reach of pets to prevent an emergency trip to the veterinarian.

If your pets ingest any of these foods this Thanksgiving, be sure to call your veterinarian immediately.

The most important part of holiday pet safety is early action, which may prevent more costly and serious complications from developing. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

 

Pet Safety Tips for the 4th of July

Community, Featured

These 4th of July, Pet safety tips brought to you by Mountain Emergency Animal Center!

Mountain Emergency Animal Center – snake bites and pet safety

Community

It’s warming up! If you are enjoying the warmer weather now, so are the snakes! As a matter of fact, while driving home, a Garter Snake slithered in front of my car while at a stop sign. Some of my neighbors have told me that they’ve seen Copperheads about.

Venomous snakes injure over 150,000 dogs and cats every year in the U.S. This data is about 10 years old! So, you can only imagine as we continue to encroach upon their territory, there are going to be more exposures. In our area, the Copperhead is the most common venomous snake; however, there are also Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes, Timber Rattlesnakes, Cotton Mouths, Pigmy Rattlesnakes and Coral Snakes in Georgia. In north Georgia, the Timber Rattlesnake and Copperhead are most commonly the cause of envenomation in pets and people. Rattlesnake venom is much more potent and deadly than that of the Copperhead. All of the snakes listed with the exception of the Coral Snake are Pit Vipers, which belong to the family Crotalidae. Pit Vipers have triangular heads, elliptical pupils and “pits” or scent glands where there “nose” is (pic. #1).  Image may contain: text

Pit Vipers in Georgia:

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (pic. #2) 
Copperhead (pic. #3)
Timber Rattlesnake (pic. #4)
Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin (pic. #5)

 

 

 

Pit Viper venom contains over 50 enzymes, which damage tissue. The snake uses the venom to immobilize their prey and pre-digest the tissue. Basically, these snakes cannot digest food that well in their gut, so venom breaks down the muscle, the connective tissue and the blood before they ingest it. So, the same thing happens when a dog or cat is bitten. The venom starts to digest the tissue and causes the blood to not clot.
Bites to pets most often occur on their face and front legs. Most owners will say they saw their dog digging after something and then hear a loud “yelp.” Soon after being bitten the area becomes swollen, bruised and very painful.

Signs your pet has been bitten by a venomous snake may include:
• Rapid swelling at the site of the bite;
• Severe pain;
• Bleeding from the fang punctures;
• Drooling;
• Discoloration of the skin to dark red or purple;
• Bite marks—these may be difficult to see because the pet’s fur;
• Rapid breathing;
• Weakness;
• Collapse (inability to get up); and
• Pale gums.

What to do if your pet is bitten:
• Limit your pet’s activity and keep your pet calm. This will help decrease the venom from circulating throughout the body. The more activity, the more blood flow and faster the heart beats, increasing the amount of venom spread in the body.; and
• Contact your family veterinarian immediately or an emergency veterinary hospital such as MEAC.

What NOT to do if your pet is bitten:
• Do not place a tourniquet above the bite;
• Do not cut over the wound;
• Do not try to “suck” the venom out of the area;
• Do not apply ice to the area;
• Do not apply electrical shock to the area; and
• Do not give any medications.

Typical testing and treatment performed:
• Blood tests to check cell counts, blood clotting ability (coagulation times), organ function tests of the liver and kidneys;
• X-rays of the chest if the pet is having trouble breathing or congestion in the lungs;
• Pain medication;
• Cleaning of wounds;
• Intravenous fluids for shock and blood loss;
• Antivenin administration—this is the best treatment and acts as an antidote to the venom;
• Supplemental oxygen;
• Plasma and sometimes blood transfusion; and
• Hospitalization and observation.

Pet of the Week – Abby the sweet little hound dog

Community

This sweet little girl is absolutely adorable. Abby is just a pup and is full of life. She loves to give kisses. Abby is part hound dog and has a face anyone could fall in love with. She would be a great addition to any family. Call or visit the Humane Society of Blue Ridge today to find your forever furry companion.

Lady Rebels Declaw the Lady Bobcats

Team FYN Sports

This past Friday on day two of the Mountaintop Holiday Classic, the Lady Bobcats traveled to take on the Lady Rebels. The Lady Bobcats were coming from a win on day one of the tournament while the Lady Rebels were well rested from the bye game that was scheduled on the first day. Both teams came ready to play and were hungry for another win.

It appeared to be an even matchup from the start. Gilmer had the hustle on defense while Fannin had the determination on offense. The Lady Rebels seemed to score the majority of their points off plays. Lady Rebel, Maleah Stepp, led Fannin in scoring with thirteen points with her will to win. The Lady Bobcats made most of their points from driving the lane and playing in the moment. Lady Bobcat, Mallory Kiser, led her team in scoring with nine points due to her grit. Lady Rebel post, Mackenzie McClure, was on fire with her outside shots which put her right behind Stepp in scoring with ten points. Lady Bobcat guard, Taylor Boling, was behind Kiser in scoring with seven points overall. With the first quarter coming to an end, the Lady Rebels were just one point ahead of the Lady Bobcats with a score of 13-12.

The second quarter was back and forth. Neither team could keep a consistent lead for the eight minutes on the clock. The Lady Rebels started to play scrappy on defense and began rebounding. Lady Rebel, Bailey Whitener, got aggressive down low and contributed three points for her team. Another Lady Rebel, Maddie Johnson, got after it and scored five points after getting steals on defense. Gilmer started looking up the court to find Lady Bobcat, Marylee Callihan, who also put five points on the board for her team. Number twenty-four for the Lady Bobcats, Emma Callihan, put her all into the game and contributed four points for Gilmer. With Fannin in the lead halfway through the quarter, Lady cat Michaela Staley drew a foul and made two of her foul shots. Staley’s two points tied up the game. Gilmer continued to score and further their lead until the end of the second quarter. It was the Lady Rebels ball as the clock was winding down and Reagan Henderson happened to be wide open. Henderson received a beautiful pass down low which resulted in her making a buzzer beater shot and contributing two of her overall three points to tie the game 23-23.

With both teams having the same chances of winning, Fannin found their spunk. The Lady Rebels started to draw fouls from driving the lane. Lady Rebel, Hope Franklin, drew two fouls from the block and contributed two of her four points from the foul line. However, Fannin was not the only team to draw fouls. Lady Bobcat, Katie Kiker, drew a foul and put one point on the board for Gilmer. As Fannin’s lead extended, Gilmer came alive on the block. Lady Bobcat, Faith Ralston, scored two of her three points from down low. Another post for Gilmer, Jasmine Staley, contributed two points for the Lady Bobcats from under the basket. Gilmer’s lead strayed farther from Fannin’s which resulted in the score being 31-25 at the end of the third quarter.

With Gilmer down by only six points, they were determined to make a come back. Both teams wanted to win and it showed through their hustle and intensity. With Gilmer trying their best to catch up to Fannin, the Lady Rebels tried just as hard to keep their lead. Although both teams had the heart to win the game, one had to lose. The Lady Bobcats played an amazing game, but were five points away from victory. The Lady Rebels 38-33 win over the Lady Bobcats put Fannin in the championship game to be played the next day against the Lady Dragons.

The Lady Rebels win puts their overall record at 7-6 while the Lady Bobcats record also stands at 7-6. Catch the Lady Rebels next region game at Fannin County High School on January 5 against GAC starting at 7:00! Or catch the Lady Bobcats next region game on the same day and at the same time as they travel to take on Northwest Whitfield!

Hi I am Cherry! Adopt Me Today!

Community
Hi, my name is Cherry! I am a very cute little boxer mix with a great smile and a huge heart. I had a tough start in life and had to have some surgery. I have a slight limp but that does not keep me from running and playing with other dogs. I am a super fun loving little pooch and love playing with all the nice volunteers here at the Humane Society of Blue Ridge. I am spayed and house trained already. Contact the Humane Society of Blue Ridge or call 706-632-4357 today to come out and meet me!! I will give you a big kiss.

BKP’s Star of the Show – Pet of the Week: Ziggy

Community
FetchYourNews.com

If you know BKP and Sam, then you know who the real stars of our Friday shows are. This week the star and Pet of the Week is Ziggy! Ziggy even dressed up for his star performance! He is a little timid but once he warms up to you he is such a lover. He is good with other pups and even cats. He would be a great addition to your family. If you are looking for a new companion to add to your family contact the Humane Society of Blue Ridge today.

Visit the Humane Society of Blue Ridge today to find your new furry friend!
Office/Shelter Hours:
Mon – Fri: 10 AM to 5 PM
Sat: 10 AM to 2 PM
Closed Tue & Sun

 171 Mineral Springs Rd, Blue Ridge, GA

706-632-4357

11th Annual Paws in the Park presented by Humane Society of Blue Ridge October 21st 10am – 2pm Downtown Blue Ridge City Park

Community

Humane Society of Blue Ridge Hosts 10th Annual Taste of Blue Ridge

Community

April 22nd was a gorgeous day for the 10th Annual Taste of Blue Ridge.   The event is hosted by the Humane Society of Blue Ridge and is a fun fundraiser to assist its mission in the endeavor to provide for animals in need.

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This year’s event was spectacular with delicious food from all over including The Vault, Shane’s Rib Shack, Blue Jeans Pizza, Mesquite Grill and Mercier Orchards to name a few.  There was also a wide choice from wine & beer vendors and a special dessert section with a special shout out to Sweet & Southern Sugar Co which won us over with the mint chocolate cupcakes.  When you walked through the display of silent auction items it was impossible to pass up bidding on something, whether it was a special piece of art, a handmade quilt, or one of the special baskets filled with goodies.

The music was provided by the Loose Shoes Band who did a great job entertaining the sold out crowd.  FYN hasn’t received the total raised yet however judging from the turnout we think it may be a record year.

Miles- a big boy with a big heart ~ Adopt don’t shop!

Community
Miles
 
Hello, my name is Miles and I am a big boy with a big heart. I am a Lab/Weimaraner combination which makes me very smart and a big love bug. I have all my shots (ouch!), am neutered and house trained. I love to run and play and would do best with a family with a fenced yard. We could play together and then snuggle on the couch! Please call 706 632 4357 to set up a time to meet me at the Humane Society of Blue Ridge Haven.
Miles

#BKP Visits the Humane Society of Blue Ridge, Looking for a Christmas Present?

Downtown Blue Ridge, GMFTO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aHrNcpaG4g

Blue Ridge Pet of the week~ Meet Patrick! 10/7/16

GMFTO

https://youtu.be/ui_S9kjvwik

Meet Miles ~ The Star of the Show & Pet of the Week 9/23/16

GMFTO

https://youtu.be/iSJSk-xZS44

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