MARL E-Newsletter SUMMER 2010

Hi folks,

Sorry we didn't get an E-Newsletter out in May, the shelter was extremely busy.

If you can believe it, I made a mistake in April when I stated that there was a $10 shot for heartworms in dogs. Don't know where I came up with that idea. Somewhere in the recesses of my brain that information came to the front. Sorry for my mistake.

After 35 years in this business sometimes things get scrambled in my brain. I'm sure there is a $10 shot for something, but it’s not heartworms. All dogs must be tested by your veterinarian; then he will prescribe treatment or prevention.

Disaster For The Animals
I know all of you are very concerned at the things happening in our State. First tornados and you hope and pray that the people and their pets are O.K. Always have a cage/crate and disaster kit prepared for your pet. A three day supply of food and water and their favorite toy, and an extra leash.

Your pet is going to be very confused after a disaster and will need you as much as you need your family. MARL always receives an up-swing in the number of "give-ups" after a disaster hits, because the owners have no place to keep them. This is one of the saddest parts of our job. We try extra hard to find these animals a special home.

Now we have an oil spill that threatens our entire coastline as well as the coastlines of Alabama, Louisiana and Florida. Animals that used to be on the endangered species list now face that fate again.

Some may never recover. This is the nesting season and the birds and other animals that lay eggs are in real danger because the oil will kill the eggs. Every animal from the pelican to the alligator and even mammals like the beaver are in real danger.

For once I am glad that I have gotten too old to help with the rescue. Seeing our shore birds, turtles, (37 dead the other day) dolphins and all the other water life dying or covered with oil is just too much for me. The wet lands are home to hundreds of species, all in danger now.

On a lighter note, please check our website: www.msarl.org. We are working on changing it and while it is not complete we have some very interesting videos on the front page. We are also on Facebook and Youtube.

Mississippi Heat and Your Pet
Water, water, water! Please in this heat make sure your pets have plenty of fresh water, especially outside pets. If you have a birdbath, please try to keep it full. Make sure your pets have a way to get into some shade. Better still; bring them inside in the air condition. This heat can kill! NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN A PARKED CAR.

Despite the heat, we have to keep working to keep the animals at the shelter cool. This includes lightly watering them down two or three times a day in order to cool them off. We add water all day long.

2010 Summer Camp
MARL just finished its third year of summer camp for children. The kids get to watch spay/neuter surgery, learn how to bathe our animals, take part in a safety course and learn about horse care, plus a lot more.

MART
The Mississippi Animal Rescue Team, also known as (MART) is the volunteer agency under the Mississippi Department of Animal Health. These are professionals that have gone through training to respond to disasters concerning animals in Mississippi

If you would like to train to become a volunteer contact Beth Adcock at beth@mdac.state.ms.us. Most of the staff at MARL are MART members and have received training.

At The Shelter
Our water bill and electric bill will go through the roof and we really need your help. Please donate as much as you can to help the animals. You can donate through the website or send directly to the shelter at 5221 Greenway Drive Ext, Jackson, MS 39204.

• 25 galvanized steel water buckets. 6 to 8 quart size
• Dry dog food. Purina or Iams
• Dry cat and kitten chow
• Horse feed
• Treats for our animals
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Hand sanitizers

On behalf of all the animals we thank you for your support and donation. Thank you for caring.

MARL
Aileene Maldonado
Programs Manager
aileenem@netdoor.com
www.msarl.org